Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
– Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Devotion
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 provides the central theme of the entire book. Those 6 verses set a pattern that helps us relate the Word of God to our own daily lives. We are to love God first of all, think constantly about God’s commandments, teach His commandments to our children, and, finally, live each day by the guidelines in his Word. God emphasized that parents teach the Bible to their children and didn’t mention leaving that responsibility to the church, children’s programs and youth groups. This is an awesome responsibility and shows that eternal truths are most effectively learned in the loving environment of a God-fearing home. The most effective Christian home is where God’s Word is both taught and caught.
The Big Question
We share many conversations with our children, especially in their pre-adolescent years. How can we make sure that we make the most of every opportunity to encourage, inspire and help our children grow in the ways of the Lord?.
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.