Reflection
In Joshua 24, even at the end of his life, Joshua declares, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Certainly Joshua is appealing to the parents standing before him. He is pleading with them to live lives that follow the Lord and to teach their children who God is, what He has done, and the shalom that comes from walking with God.
There are two temptations that we as parents often face. First of all, it’s easy to fall into the mindset that “our children will learn on their own.” Sometimes we may feel awkward about really talking to our kids about the Lord and following Him. So, it’s easy for us to just think that they’ll pick up on little hints here and there, and that will help them in their decisions to walk with God. Children need instruction. They need intentional talks and activities and constant reminders about the omnipresent, loving, and awesome God we serve. We have an awesome responsibility to teach our children about the Lord. Whether it’s through verbal teaching, modeling prayer, devotion in our own walks, discipline, forgiveness, or love, children will begin to understand the Lord through the way we present Him and model our relationship with Him.
Secondly, there is a temptation in our day and age to rely on others to raise our children. People send kids to Christian schools in order to get a Christian education and Sunday School and Children’s Church to learn about the Lord. Those opportunities are great supplements, but they do not replace the instruction of godly parents. The person who will have the most profound influence is you as a parent. No one can teach them how to be a man or woman of God better than you. And so it is up to us to recognize that awesome responsibility and say like Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Prayer
Take some time to praise God for your children and grandchildren (if you have them) and the children at New Hope Chapel. Ask God to help you in teaching your children to follow the Lord. Ask Him to reveal areas in your life where you can be a better witness. Ask Him for the courage and the wisdom to make a home that follows the Lord.