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Psalm 78:1-8  
A maskil of Asaph.

My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

Remember the elementary school assignment of “Show and Tell?” It was a great time to bring a favorite toy, a special picture, or even a real live person to show your classmates and tell them about the thing…or person. “Show and Tell,” however, is not just a childhood exercise.

The tradition of spiritual instruction is to teach our children the essentials of the faith and demonstrate how it works. When we teach our children and they see how faith works in real life, they will, in turn, teach their children. Effective teaching today allows us to instruct “even children yet to be born.” 

Now, here’s the actuality of parenting by “Show and Tell.” What we say will be either confirmed or rejected by what we do. Let’s face it; the onus of teaching is on the teacher, not the learner. 

Lord Jesus, please help me teach my children well. Help me to not nullify my words by my actions. Help me show them what it looks like to follow hard after You all the days of my life. In Your name. Amen.