Day 86 – How to Raise Children

It’s amazing how often God works in this way, but today I’m writing the notes for the passages below after just having a chat with Harry and Jonah about loving other people (starting with our parents!) in the face of the recent Coronavirus pandemic. Today’s passages wonderfully and practically link in with that. Recently I’ve been challenging the boys to live practical lives of obedience that shows that we know the worthiness of God’s Word, and about challenging each other when we see areas in each other’s words and actions that don’t proclaim Jesus as Lord. Today we’ll think a little more about obeying God, teaching others, and being taught ourselves.

• Today’s passages were quite a read, but shouldn’t have been too tough. Before we look at them, here’s a question. What have you learned about God from your parents? Are you grateful to your parents for their teaching?
• Do you ever teach your parents things? Parents are continually working at obeying God’s Word, just like you. How have you encouraged them?
• God wants us to know His commands for us. It’s clear why. Loving God – and following Him – can only come from living by His Word, and we can only do that if we know it. That’s one of the reasons for One Story!
• Remember my list yesterday of times of the day when you can practically think about serving God? Well, a similar list appears in today’s first passage. Look at Deuteronomy 6:7. Parents are called to teach and talk about God throughout the day. Do you and your parents talk of God’s Word regularly, or live it out in your daily activities?
• What does Moses say about the Promised Land in verses 10-12? How does that lead on to warnings about forgetting God? This is super important. We all have so many good things that we enjoy. We also have been given the gift of eternal life through Jesus’ death on the cross. And yet, do we forget about God when it suits us, or when we have a difficult decision to make? Why? What was Moses’ specific worry as he taught his listening crowd?
• In Deuteronomy 6:20-25 we hear a parent tell their son why we follow God’s commands. It’s the right response to a God who has already rescued us. Do you follow God because that’s what all your family and church mates are doing? Or do you follow God because you have a genuine and loving relationship with Him based on His grace and your gratitude?
• Deuteronomy 11 talks about all the good things that God, our Father, will give to those who honour Him. They’re wonderful words of God’s generosity to us. How many things can you count? The passage describes the Promised Land for the Israelites, and I bet they were excited to come to experience it. We’re not in their position though. What is our Promised Land?
• I keep on getting drawn back to Deuteronomy 11:18. My prayer for everyone this year is that you are laying up God’s Word on your heart and in your soul.

The passage in 2 Timothy is very famous. It reminds us that everything in the bible is from God and is important for us. This includes for teaching, reproof (which means pointing out to people when they are making mistakes), correction (which means to help people change) and for training in righteousness (which means to continually encourage a relationship with Jesus as number one).

We as youth leaders will continue to do our part in all of these things, and you should submit to your parents when they do the same. When your parents teach, reproof and correct you, it’s because they love God and they love you. Same for us as leaders.

Today’s passages encourage us with the blessings that come with obedience to God and His Word, as well as obedience to the parents who love us! Submit to God, and submit to the teaching you get, and you will be on the right track to living according to God’s commands. Whilst the bible never promises specific earthly blessings for this, it does promise spiritual blessings and an eternity with our Living God.