Torch, Winter 1985

10 time in explaining God's truth . The children raised questions, made mistakes, and had conflicts with friends. Sometimes the problems were at school; at other times they were personal problems at home. These situations helped me to see that maybe I was not understanding the biblical practice and pattern for teaching truth to my family. This in turn drove me to Then the writer of Deuteronomy urges that these things must be taught diligently. In Deuteronomy 6:7 the word "teach" literally means "sharpen them" to your children. In other words, we are to urge upon our children the importance of God's Word. Now , do visions of a classroom appear on the screen of your mind? That is not what is meant here! Moses says that "My responsibility as a parent is to teach the Word and not waste those precious times when our children are open to teaching." take a serious look at what God ' s Word said about this important area. It seems that three ingredients should be a part of our time of training. The Word of God must be central; prayer is surely an important element; and singing has a high priority in the Bible. How and when do these fit into family devotional time? Deuteronomy 6 speaks specifically to this subject. In this passage the nation of Israel was about to enter the promised land , and God gave some directions to the fathers for teaching their families. Note that each generation was to pass the responsibility to succeeding generations (v . 2) in order to be spiritually blessed (v.3) . What is striking about this passage is that it not only gives instruction on the objectives for teaching , but also emphasizes the method to be used . The Objectives. What was it that the father was first to learn himself, and then pass along to his children? The three areas given special attention here are reiterated throughout the entire Bible . l. Love the Lord. (v . 5) . Jesus said this is the first and great commandment (Mt. 22:37 ,38). 2. Fear the Lord. (v. 13) . Solomon said that this is the beginning of wisdom, and that in the fear of the Lord is strong confidence (Prov . 14:26). 3. Keep the commandment of the Lord (v . 13) . Knowledge without application is hypocrisy . Solomon said , "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecc. 12:13) . The Method. How do I go about teaching these things to my children? First, I must give priority to how these goals are exhibited in my life. "They shall be in your heart" (Deut. 6:7). When I am teaching one thing and living another, my children may believe the same things that I believe, but they will also act the way I act. My children discern ifl live by my beliefs or if something else has more worth to me . They then follow my example. Deuteronomy 6 places primary emphasis on my responding properly to the godly principles I am taught. This will have profound impact on what biblical principles are "caught" by my children. this diligent teaching is accomplished in informal settings. He even suggests the best times, just to make his point clear. Talk about the Word (1) when you sit in your home . I can remember being so impressed with a father who made a point of sitting and talking with family members . He used this time to apply God's message to what had gone on during the day. He thereby made time available for both individual and group contact. Talk about the Word (2) when you walk in the way . Traveling time is an especially good time for discussing God's provision and protection. Such teaching is timely because there is a limited number of things to do in an automobile . Certainly a fond memory of my own childhood is the pleasure derived from occasions when we would sing in the car as we traveled through the hills of Pennsylvania . I can still remember how singing calmed my heart when it was raining or snowing. The Israelites sang special psalms written for traveling. Psalm 121 certainly must have strengthened them as they traveled through the dangerous mountain passes to Jerusalem. Talk about the Word (3) when you lie down. Bedtime is when younger family members usually have a million things to talk about. It is also a prime opportunity to pray for fears that surface and for the needs of others . Since family members all slept together in Moses' day , bedtime must have been a special time of communication for the whole family. Talk about the Word (4) when you rise up. The beginning of the day is a time to start things right. What do you talk about? What do you listen to at the beginning of your day? In Proverbs 8: 17 God promises, "I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me ." Another important teaching method that Moses spoke of in Deuteronomy 6 is the pattern seen in verses 8,9. "Bind them. .. on your hand ... write them upon . . .your house." In the days of Christ , the Pharisees were adept at flaunting their phylacteries, which were passages of Scripture in leather boxes wrapped around their arms and heads. Jesus was not impressed with this external