Daily Devotion

 

Family Strong: A Parenting Evaluation

by | Mar 20, 2023 | Daily Devotion, Family Strong | 0 comments

Today’s passage, the Shema (from the Hebrew word “hear”), is a confession of faith. It is recited every day by pious Jews and every Sabbath in the synagogues. We have been using these powerful verses as a parenting evaluation. Read the passage and then prayerfully answer the questions.

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.

Over the last two days, we’ve considered four questions. Here are the final two.

Are you diligently teaching your children how to love and serve God through your words and actions?
The word “diligently” means to “impress them” or “repeat.” First, we must know the foundational truths of the Christian faith, and then we can teach these truths to our children. You cannot impart what you do not possess. This instruction is not always a “sit down” Bible study. We should teach our children through the normal activities of our day.

Are your thoughts and habits pleasing to God?
The Pharisees took this instruction literally and wore leather pouches, called phylacteries, that held Scripture passages. However, as Jesus reminded the religious leaders many times, outward show without inward application is hypocritical.

Families are known for many different things. We often hear these kinds of statements, “All the kids in that family are smart,” or “All their children are athletic.” “That family lives in one of the biggest houses in the area,” or “That family is very wealthy.” How do you want your family to be known? Here’s a wrap-up question to consider from this passage: Does your home stand out as uniquely Christian?

Father, help us be parents who lead our homes well. Help us to stand out as uniquely Christian. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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