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How can we live family strong? There is no simple answer to that question, but, for sure, the place to start is in the premier parenting passage of the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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. 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.

In Deuteronomy 5, Moses reminded the Israelites of the Ten Commandments. These are the “words that I command you” Moses is referring to in today’s passage. The commands of God are to be on our hearts. Now, here’s the question: How does a person put God’s commands on his or her heart?

Read God’s Word. The Bible is God’s love letter to you. The Father wants to meet you there every day. The Holy Spirit, who indwells each believer, impresses needed truth and instruction specifically for you. Parents who desire to lead their children spiritually must be reading and studying God’s Word. As the old saying goes, “Speed of the leader; speed of the team.”

Apply God’s Word. In his New Testament book, James warns us that reading without applying is worthless. We must do what God tells us to do. That means we will need to stop some things and start new things. It will call for a rearrangement of priorities. It will demand that you do something.

Yes, I know…some of you wanted steps more profound, like “seven crazy radical steps to put God’s Word in your heart.” Sorry. Until we learn the discipline of reading the Bible each day and applying the truth, we will flounder in our walk with God. The craziest and most radical thing you can do as a follower of Jesus is to read and apply his Word to all the areas of your life.

Father, help us never to be bored with the basics or frustrated with your foundational truth. Help us as singles, spouses, and parents do first things first. In Jesus’ name. Amen.