Welcome to The Turnaround’s 52 Days of Prayers!
Introduction
Welcome to day 18! Today’s focus is to teach the children.
Insight
These verses were written by Moses to the Children of Israel right before they entered the Promised Land. In these verses, Moses is talking to the Children of Israel one last time before he dies. He is emphasizing the most important things they need to remember when he leaves them.
In verse 5, Moses told them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their strength. This is the reason behind putting God’s instructions in their hearts and teaching them to their children. If they skipped this step, then the other steps would be meaningless rule keeping.
It is interesting that Moses didn’t say, “keep these in your mind.” He told them to keep them in their hearts, the seat of our emotions. Moses also instructed the people to teach them to their children. If we are not intentional about teaching truth to our children, they will follow the ways of the culture around them rather than God’s ways.
How are we to teach our children? Moses was specific. He didn’t say, “Have a big class once a week and teach the kids God’s ways then.” He said “Teach them as you are walking along, when you get ready to go to sleep, and when you get up.” We must be teaching during mornings, during the daytime, and in the evenings. This can only be done if we are with our children and are spending quantity time with them as well as quality time. We must set aside this time and guard it in order for our busy lives not to crowd it out.
Turnaround Questions
Have you taught your children God’s story through Bible stories? They are new to each generation. Have you taught them your personal faith story? Are you modeling loving Him with all your heart, soul, and strength? Are you investing quality time so that you can teach your children as you walk down the road, and before you go to bed, and when you get up? We must all repent and return to these Biblical strategies in order to turn our dying culture back to life in Christ.
Prayer
Oh Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth, we praise your wonderful name. Help us Lord to love you with all of our hearts, with all of our minds, and with all of our strength. Deliver us from the power and persuasion of the evil one. May we be mindful of his schemes to distract us and get us busy with things of this world that don’t matter. Thank you for trusting your story to us. Thank you for the children in our world. May we be good stewards of our relationships with them, and love them well. Help us to tell them about your goodness and love, and how you died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Help us tell of your love and redemption as we walk along the road, and when we lie down, and when we rise up. In Jesus’ wonderful name we pray. Amen.
