By bro Lee Tian Seng
Many parents know that God expects them to teach and guide their children (Ephesians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:11), but not many parents know how they should instruct their children.
When we think of “instructing,” we naturally think of teaching by word of mouth.
We have the example of Abraham, who commanded his children to keep the way of the Lord.
Genesis 18:19 – “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
Parents cannot just leave this teaching to the Bible class teachers because God wants them to teach their children.
Moses instructed the Israelites not to forget, but to be diligent in keeping God’s word, so that they can teach their children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10 - Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
Men tend to forget what they have learned and experienced. So, parents must constantly study the Bible so that they know it well enough to teach their children. It is important for parents to pass on what they have learned and impart their faith to their children.
With the knowledge of His word, we should diligently teach our children the Bible and show them how to apply the truth in their lives. The Jews were commanded to teach God’s word to their children daily so that their children will learn well and remember the Word of God.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 - “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The purpose of teaching our children is to help them to know God, to remember His great and wondrous works, to obey His commandments, and have the hope of His salvation.
Psalms 78:4 - We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
Psalms 78:7 - That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.
We should be mindful of the importance of teaching our children the Word of God because the knowledge of God and His Gospel will help them to obtain the eternal salvation of God.
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