Teaching Our Children

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11

• Me: Did you just wipe your face on your sleeve?
• Grandson: No
• Me:Did you just tell me a lie?
• Grandson: No.
• Me:Do you know what a lie is?
• Grandson: A sin.
• Me:But do you know what it means to tell a lie?

This went on for a few minutes as we tried to communicate the difference between a lie and the truth. We thought he already knew. A lie about where he wiped his mouth seemed like a good one to use to teach him about the seriousness of that particular sin (lying, not wiping his mouth on his sleeve).

Teachable moments are like this. They come up and we have to grab them.

The Bible has instructions for us about when we should be teaching our children before these occasions arise.  Kids do better at making decisions if they understand basic biblical principles before they have to put them into practice.

Deuteronomy 6:7 gives us four times we should teach our kids:  “You shall teach them (the words God commanded through Moses) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them

#1. “when you sit in your house” –  Lots of things happen while we’re sitting in our homes. It’s a good time to talk about the blessing of a roof over our heads and food in our cupboards. We can teach about how the family works and how relationships are built up or torn down; how to wait upon the Lord and how to work and to live according to His Word.

#2. “when you walk by the way” – I am pretty sure this would be in our routine travels (when it was written walking was the major mode of travel).  Think about your destination. Have you been there before? Do your children know what is expected upon your arrival? Are they dressed appropriately for the event? Do they know their manners? Would it be better to turn off the radio or CD player? What are you seeing along the way that might be a gift from God or something they can be warned about? If we keep our eyes and ears open as we travel, there will be plenty to teach on the way.

#3. “when you lie down” – Putting a child to bed is a time we can look back on the day and discuss the way the Lord has allowed things to play out. Pointing a child to the sovereignty of God at the end of the day may give them a better start to the next day and the next, and the next.

#4. “when you rise”  – Morning is a good time, especially for small children, because everyone is rested and ready for a new day and new things. Teaching a child to be thankful, to be looking for the opportunities God gives to praise and glorify Him for the blessings of everyday life can give a child an understanding of God’s goodness. An early understanding that God’s mercies are new every morning would be a great start to understanding our sinfulness and His forgiveness.

Taking advantage of teaching moments is important.  Doing so is a teaching moment in itself – we’re setting the example that teaching is always in season.

The Christmas season provides even more opportunities for most families. What lesson about our great God do your children need to hear from you, even today as you sit in your house or walk by the way?