S) "7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 6:7-9 (NASB)
O) This command is strongly written and thoroughly defined. Teaching diligently takes dedication, intent, and effort. The opposing phrases describing when we sit and walk, lie down and rise up; these are basically saying, "At all times." The use of actual examples, though, makes it clear that it isn't hyperbole. The parents' roles of teaching children about the LORD should be taken very seriously and given a very high priority. The second of the verses gives some light as to how it can be executed. Basically, plastering everything around, with the actual words commanded.
A) I had a math teacher in 7th grade, named Brad Fulton, and he said something I'll never forget. He said, "Write this down, because a paper brain will never forget." I have heeded that advice many times over the years, and it has proven quite useful. That's what verses 8 and 9 are about. The problem (at least with the Israelites, then Pharisees), is that eventually, people will go through the motions without a true understanding of what the scriptures meant, even though they may have them tied to their very personage. It's well and good to have my house full of Bible verses. We have artwork, or scripting, or just printed cutouts, all over our walls; Bible verses abound. However, If I fail at verse 7, then verses 8 and 9 mean nothing. Even worse, they could be a detriment to my children, if their heads are full of fragmented Bible verses, without true understanding of the Bible, or God, or how to apply things to their lives. The most important part of parenting, is the active role Kristin and I play, in teaching our children how to be children of the LORD. It's exhausting, but necessary, and few things are more important in my life, let alone my parenting.
P) Father, strengthen me to this task. Let the Holy Spirit draw me constantly to remember the importance of this call. I want to, forever, be a good example to my children in all things that pertain to serving you, but I also want to take an active role in actually teaching them. I don't just want to hope that they learn by example (although I do hope it), I also want to hope that they learn by direct instruction. By Your grace, use me to raise these children to fear and serve You. By Your grace, draw them to You and let them respond in humility and submission. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) I had a math teacher in 7th grade, named Brad Fulton, and he said something I'll never forget. He said, "Write this down, because a paper brain will never forget." I have heeded that advice many times over the years, and it has proven quite useful. That's what verses 8 and 9 are about. The problem (at least with the Israelites, then Pharisees), is that eventually, people will go through the motions without a true understanding of what the scriptures meant, even though they may have them tied to their very personage. It's well and good to have my house full of Bible verses. We have artwork, or scripting, or just printed cutouts, all over our walls; Bible verses abound. However, If I fail at verse 7, then verses 8 and 9 mean nothing. Even worse, they could be a detriment to my children, if their heads are full of fragmented Bible verses, without true understanding of the Bible, or God, or how to apply things to their lives. The most important part of parenting, is the active role Kristin and I play, in teaching our children how to be children of the LORD. It's exhausting, but necessary, and few things are more important in my life, let alone my parenting.
P) Father, strengthen me to this task. Let the Holy Spirit draw me constantly to remember the importance of this call. I want to, forever, be a good example to my children in all things that pertain to serving you, but I also want to take an active role in actually teaching them. I don't just want to hope that they learn by example (although I do hope it), I also want to hope that they learn by direct instruction. By Your grace, use me to raise these children to fear and serve You. By Your grace, draw them to You and let them respond in humility and submission. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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