The Joys and Challenges of Parenting, Pt. 2

The Israelites were to diligently teach God's commandments to their children and continually keep them in mind, placing reminders all around.

The Joys and Challenges of Parenting, Pt. 2

"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."

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

In this week's devotions on parenting, I will share some of my favorite verses in the Bible that speak directly to parents. Now, please understand that what the Bible says is God's Word, and it is perfect. I will also share what Ashley and I have done in parenting our kids. We will seek to teach and encourage you with some of our experiences as parents.

There are many biblical principles that speak to the important subject of parenting. We will look at a few of these as we seek to gain understanding from Scripture on how to be the parents we need to be for our children. God is worthy of our best efforts, and our children deserve our best as well.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 states, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 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."

This passage of Scripture is known as the Shema, from the Hebrew word translated "Hear" in verse 4. God spoke to Moses and gave him words of instruction to pass on to the Israelites. They were not only to hear God's commandments and obey, but they were also to teach their children to obey. They were to diligently teach these commandments to their children, according to verse 7, and were to continually keep before their children all the things God commanded. When Moses told the Israelites to write these commandments of God on the doorposts of their homes, I was reminded of Leanna Crawford's new song, "Still Waters (Psalm 23)." I encourage you to listen to this song; it is one of my current favorites. You can watch and listen here. Here are the opening lyrics to the song:

Great Aunt Maurine said at a hundred and three
Write Scripture on your heart for when you need it
Cause anxiety hates Psalm 23
So just say it to yourself 'til you believe it.

I also think about how my family and I did this when we built our homes. After the foundation was laid, we took markers and wrote our favorite verses on the concrete before it was covered with carpet or flooring. It was our way of dedicating our home to the Lord, and it served as a teachable moment for our children. Like many Christian families today, we have biblical quotations in our home. The most conspicuous Bible verse we have displayed is Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Dads and Moms, take time to pray with one another and also with your children. Speak to them about how great God is and how we should obey Deuteronomy 6:5, which says, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." One writer, commenting upon the Shema, states, "Certainly these words are a direct admonition to parents to establish family worship in the home, as well as to take seriously their responsibilities to teach God's Word to their children at every opportunity." (The Believer's Study Bible, p. 256)