Proverbs 4:1-4, Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention, and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.”
Solomon was intentional just like his father David in teaching his sons. Even though he was king, he didn’t just trust the teaching to someone else. When Solomon first became king God has asked him what he wanted from Him and Solomon asked for wisdom. Clearly that was embedded in him since he was a small child and taught by David and Bathsheba. Unfortunately, when Solomon’s son became king he didn’t seem to share that desire and he paid the price, but clearly he had been taught.
There are a lot of funny memes on social media these days about parents being thrown into homeschooling their children because of the quarantines. Some of them are really funny but on a serious note, we should always be teaching our children. Don’t expect someone else to instill the Word of God in your child and don’t take for granted that because you have accepted Jesus as your savior that somehow miraculously your children will without your being intentional in teaching them. Take this opportunity to instill God’s word in your children and any other children God may put in your care or your path. My grandson asked me yesterday why it is that it costs so much money to go to a school that will teach him about God and the public schools are free. I explained that public schools are funded by the government and Christian schools aren’t and he said, “then churches should help fund the Christian schools so they would be available to children whose parents can’t spend thousands of dollars because they are struggling to pay their other bills.” Wow, and he is only 10. I tried to explain that most churches can’t afford it either, but he kept insisting that there must be a way to raise the money. I do truly wish it was that simple and who knows…… maybe it could be, but the point is, we are going to have to take responsibility to teach the children God puts in our lives however we can.
Clearly from seeing how things turned out with Solomon and then his son we can see that it is our responsibility to teach them and yet we cannot force them to follow that teaching. We cannot carry the guilt of their decisions as adults if we have done what we could to teach them.
Now, what are some ways that you can teach them at home? Some of that depends on their age, but there’s always a way. When they are young you can take advantage of bedtime and read them some Bible stories before bed and pray with them. You may be surprised at how old they may get before they really don’t feel like being read to. As they get older find some good devotional books directed toward their age group and teach them to spend time alone with God. If you can’t buy one teach them to start reading the Bible, they can begin with Psalms or the Book of John, boys may love the stories in 1st and 2nd Samuel, and girls may love the book of Esther and Ruth. Always take the time to pray with them and discuss what they have read. Abby is 14 and we still pray together before she goes to bed. Don’t just leave that to them, teach them the power of where 2 or more are gathered in His name, He is in the midst!
There are a lot of things in life that can slide but this isn’t one of them! It shouldn’t slide in our personal lives and it certainly shouldn’t slide in the children God has given us to teach. Let’s each ask God today what all we should be doing to raise up every child we may have the opportunity of influencing for Him! Pray for them and teach them, and live a life that will draw them to God!
Quote: “Regardless of your lot in life, you can build something beautiful on it.” ~ Zig Ziglar
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