We have seen that the purpose of educating our children is to train them in biblical truth. Countless Scriptures bear this out, notably the Hebrew Shema:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when though sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thin eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
– Deut. 6:4-9
The greatest thing to teach my children is to love their God. This is so important, the commandment is repeated numerous times (Deut. 10:12; 11:13; 19:9; 30:6; Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).
How do I teach my children to love God?
1. I must teach what is in my own heart.
I cannot pass on a love I do not own. I cannot inspire a faith I do not possess. My children will only desire what I, myself, am thirsty for. My daily love affair with my Heavenly Father must be evident to them. They need to hear my fervent prayers, rejoice with me over petitions granted, seek the truths of Scripture beside me.
2. I must teach them God’s Word diligently.
The Hebrews understood their education was to be diametrically different from that of the world around them. Rather than steep their children in the pagan culture, pagan rituals, and pagan entertainment of their day, God commanded them to “teach them diligently” throughout the day God’s truth. This is a parental mandate.
3. I must teach with God’s Power.
All day, everywhere we go, consistent biblical training is not humanly possible. I get tired, my children frustrate me, household duties distract, and life gets tough. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I can point out God’s power, grace, and sovereignty before my children. The reality of God’s presence in our home and in our lives will then be written on the very hearts of my children.
God’s plan for our children is that they love Him with all their hearts. Let’s celebrate that love today and every day as we teach them of Him.
Amen. Happy Valentine’s Day. I talk about how we communicate love and God’s Agape love for us in my free Valentine Gift. It’s on my Art of Eloquence fan page.
I love that! Thanks for sharing, JoJo!
There is no greater heritage we can pass down to our children. We don’t take this mandate anywhere seriously enough today. This is not God’s suggestion–it is a commandment. Thank you.
Thank you. I was surprised, while studying recently what God’s Word says about teaching our children and passing on our faith, how seriously God takes this – like you say. Not an isolated thought or brief suggestion, God repeats and emphasizes this mandate. I found it interesting to contemplate loving God with my children, for our Valentine’s lesson.
I am grateful that you are getting the word out. Thanks again!
What a great (and convicting!) post for Valentine’s Day.
Cheers to my SMART writing buddy!
Not that smart, really. I started a post about marriage – the obvious choice. And, really, marriage IS an important subject for home educating mothers. But while I was at a ladies’ fellowship this past Saturday, several points in the devotional on “True Biblical Love” really convicted me. I knew that God’s love – and loving Him with all our hearts – is the absolutely most important. So I had to share my burden.