children of the bible. lesson 13 lesson text—deuteronomy 6:1-2 deuteronomy 6:1-2 1 now these are...

Children of the Bible

Lesson 13

Lesson Text—Deuteronomy 6:1-2

Deuteronomy 6:1-21 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:


2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.


Deuteronomy 6:3-63 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.


4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one Lord:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:


Deuteronomy 6:7-97 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.


8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.


Deuteronomy 6:10-1210 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,


11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;


12 Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

Focus Verse—Deuteronomy 6:7

Deuteronomy 6:7And thou shalt teach them

diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou

sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when

thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Focus Thought

Teaching our children biblical

principles

is necessary for the building of

strong families, which results in

strong churches and

a stable society.

I. The World Is Reaching for Our Children

Culture ConnectionThe Marvelous Development of

Children through Teaching

Those who labor in the ministry of teaching children are blessed as they watch their young charges develop through the taught Word of God. Children who are young, tender, and often weak begin to strengthen as they struggle to take hold of biblical concepts taught regularly.


I recently was reminded of this blessing as I observed a marvelous miracle of nature. I marveled as I watched a baby eaglet hatch from its egg.

Through a friend I became aware of a website that was broadcasting around the clock an eagle’s nest in Decorah, Iowa. (See www.raptorresource.org/falcon_cams.) There were three eggs in the nest, which were expected to begin hatching around April 1, 2011.


Due to schedules that kept me away from my computer on the anticipated days, I missed the hatching of the first two eaglets; however, I was amazed to watch the “mom” eagle faithfully sit on her nest and feed the two fledgling eaglets and the “pop” eagle faithfully deliver food for them. It was fun to check in occasionally and watch the happenings, and patiently wait for the third egg to hatch.


My trips to the website were rewarded when on April 6, 2011, I was watching at just the right time to see the third egg begin to crack open and the eaglet to gradually emerge. It reminded me of the axiom that to open the egg for the chick would destroy its life; it is the struggle of the hatching that strengthens the chick for life outside the egg.

With the same profound wonder I watch children slowly develop and emerge stronger as they work through

biblical truths. What a marvel of spiritual nature!


Contemplating the Topic

Whether parents are believers or non-believers, they should fulfill the responsibility of teaching their children properly. Teaching our children is not a job that we apply for, nor is it a lifetime position for which people train. It is a responsibility that confronts every parent—and the church.


All parents teach their children something—whether good or bad, spiritual or secular. The purpose of this lesson is to challenge parents to teach their children substantive truths from God’s Word—both by word and by example. The world reaches for our children with commercials, cartoons, comic books, video games, and other media and technology, and parents should be aware of these evil attacks on the minds of their children.


They should realize they teach their children both by example and by precept. Further, as the extension of the home, the church is responsible to assist parents by teaching children biblical truths.

Good teaching brings rewards. If we are conscientious and consistent with our teaching, the children will reap the rich rewards of such an investment.


If they obey what we teach them, they will enjoy a pleasant environment, a fruitful life, and they will be preserved as they overcome their spiritual enemies.

One need not tell a child that he is teaching him. A classroom setting is not necessary to learning. Children watch us and listen to us even when we are not intending to teach them anything.


When a young girl seemed to develop a cough, her mother took her to the doctor. After examining her the doctor said, “Your daughter does not have a cough. She is hearing you cough, and thinking that coughing is what she is supposed to be doing, she is coughing also.”


Searching The Scriptures

The World Is Reaching for Our Children

Whether we are working out our own salvation or attempting to teach our children the way of righteousness, we should always remember that Satan is using the world to reach for our children. His goal is to damage and destroy them; therefore, our teaching must precede the world’s reaching.

I Peter 5:8

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8).

A. Media with Wrong MessagesA. Media with Wrong Messages

Unconscionable as it is, the purveyors of media target our children. If their purpose was just encouraging them to ask their parents for a particular kind of cereal at the grocery store, their focus would not be so bad. However, the media is overloaded with evil images that send the wrong messages to the children.


Through television, Internet, billboards, radio, and other media forms, children learn too much about ungodly and immoral lifestyles. Even comic books and cartoons often attempt to purvey objectionable messages that influence children in wrong ways.

B. Technology to Bombard the Mind

B. Technology to Bombard the Mind

According to the article “How TV Affects Your Child” on the KidsHealth website, a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation stated that children under the age of six watch an average of two hours of screen media per day, primarily TV and DVDs.


The report goes on to say that children from eight to eighteen years of age spend nearly four hours per day in front of a TV screen, and almost two additional hours on the computer (outside of homework) and playing video games.

The same article reports the following information from the American Academy of Pediatrics: “The first two years of life are considered a critical time for brain development.


TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development” (http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html).

C. Secular Philosophy to Misguide Their Steps

C. Secular Philosophy to Misguide Their Steps

The forces behind the New Age movement, humanism, and pluralism are attempting to influence the worldview of children and draw them away from righteousness. Even if this were not their agenda, Satan is using them to corrupt the minds of children.

II. Parents Must Reach for Their Children

Parents Must Reach for Their Children

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7).


As the long and intrusive arm of the world reaches for our children, we should be able to firmly repel its grasp. However, a rejection of the world’s grasp alone is not enough. Parents have a biblical mandate to reach their children, which involves more than exhibiting the natural parental expressions of affection. The mandate for parents is for them to teach their children the ways of the Lord in every aspect of their lives.

A. By ExampleA. By Example

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (II Timothy 1:5).


Timothy’s faith was a direct result of the godly example he saw in his mother, Eunice. In turn, her faith was a direct result of the example she witnessed in her mother, Lois. What a beautiful picture of the effectiveness of teaching children! If Lois had not exemplified godly faith, perhaps Eunice would never have influenced Timothy. We all have an obligation to pass the truth on to our children so they can pass it on to the generations that follow them.


Nothing teaches like example. We can tell and even yell. We can even expose our children to videos, seminars, and good reading material. However, nothing is as effective as seeing their parents living out godly precepts. If the twin verbs of show and tell are to be made separate actions, show definitely teaches more effectively than tell.


Not only are we being watched by our peers, but also our children are observing us even when our peers have disappeared for the evening. The teacher in a classroom may teach a student; but when the student leaves the classroom, the teaching ends. This is not true with the teaching of our children. Long after we have set them down to instruct them, the teaching continues silently as they observe us as we live our lives.

I Kings 9:4

“And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in

integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee,

and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments” (I Kings 9:4).


God promised blessings upon Solomon contingent upon his walking uprightly in the integrity of heart that his father, David, manifested. In the Book of Acts, Luke referred to God’s calling David “a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22).

Perhaps God cautioned Solomon about walking in the steps of his father, David, because He knew the tendency that each succeeding generation has to respect authority less than their predecessors.


Unfortunately, children often learn disrespect from parents who flaunt both the laws of mankind and of God in their own lifestyles. Parents can teach their children no greater lesson than that of love—demonstrating this godly characteristic daily in their presence. We find one of the most moving examples of this manifested love in the Gospel of Luke as he related Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son.


Although the son had wasted his inheritance and had disgraced his family with riotous living, when he came to himself and returned home, his father: • saw him,• had compassion on him,• ran to him,• fell on his neck,• kissed him,• ordered the best robe for him,


• ordered a ring to be placed on his hand,• ordered shoes for him,• arranged a banquet in his honor,• acknowledged that his son whom he thought was dead was now alive. What an example of love the father of the prodigal was to his son!

B. By PreceptB. By Precept

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: that thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged”

(Deuteronomy 6:1-2).


Not only should parents teach their children by example, but they should also teach them by precept. The term precept is “a general rule about how to behave or what to think.” It comes from a Latin word meaning “something advised.” The Old Testament word for “precept” is synonymous with “commandment.” Therefore, God commands parents to teach their children His statutes.


If children are to fear the Lord and keep His commandments, parents and caregivers must teach them to do so. Although the role that the church plays in teaching children is vital, parents who are believers play the major role in their training. This tandem of teaching inculcates truth into them.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4).


The truth of the oneness of God is one of the cardinal precepts that children should learn from faithful believers in their lives, especially parents. Children glean some bits of information here and there as they experience different people and situations. However, the truth of the one true God does not come by chance. Parents and other teachers must intentionally teach this beautiful truth to the children.


“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Along with teaching their children the truth of the one true God, parents should also teach them to love Him unreservedly. It is the nature of humanity to meet the minimum requirements, but God requires our loving Him wholeheartedly. Parents and other teachers should transfer

this concept to the children.

Deuteronomy 6:6

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be

in thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:6).


As we teach our children the statutes and commandments of the Lord, perhaps the greatest challenge is getting these truths into their hearts. We can be successful at getting truth into their heads by teaching them and leading them to memorize Scripture, but the children must also get biblical truths into their hearts. Only much prayer and wisdom can make this effort successful.

III. The Church Must Reach for the Children

The Church Must Reach for the Children

To counter what the world is doing to reach for the children, the church must extend its arm to assist parents in reaching out to the children.

A. Must Be CounterculturalA. Must Be Countercultural

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I John 2:15-16).


John wrote that we are not to love the world, yet his Gospel declared, “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). Some people may ask, “If we are to be like Jesus, why are we not to love the world?” The word world in John 3:16 refers to “mankind,” while the word world in I John 2:15 refers to “the world system.” The world system is alien and hostile to the way of righteousness; therefore, the teaching both of parents and Christian teachers must counter the hostile culture of the

world.


Not all of the world’s decision makers are godless, and not all are immoral. However, many of them do not operate from a foundation of godly principles, and this condition creates the need for parents and other teachers to train the children to identify and avoid the evil practices and philosophies of this world.

B. Must Teach Absolute TruthB. Must Teach Absolute

TruthChristian teachers have an

obligation to teach the children apostolic doctrine. Although some people may conclude that doctrine is divisive and unnecessary, God’s Word states that we are saved by doctrine. (See I Timothy 4:16.) Nothing will save the children or us except the apostolic doctrine.


We should constantly teach core values that constitute Christian character. While children might catch some of these core values, we can only count on the children embracing and adopting them when we teach them. If their role models in the church exemplify Christian character, the children will catch many invaluable traits; however, we cannot leave their souls to the happenstance of observation alone.


Rather, we must talk of biblical truths at every opportune moment: during family times, while traveling, at bedtime, at breakfast, in Sunday school, and at every other possible moment. Children should have constant exposure to truth for it to become a part of their thinking and lifestyle.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).


Faith, a vital part of our walk with God, comes by hearing God’s Word. It is true that every person has been dealt a measure of faith, but that is simply the innate ability to believe something. (See Romans 12:3.) Paul mentioned this faith in his letter to the Ephesians as that which enables one to believe God and His Word (Ephesians 2:8). On the other hand, faith that assists us in our daily lives is that which requires renewal. For this reason, the children should hear about faith and see it regularly

exemplified.


We should also teach the children to love God and others, for without love a person is not a Christian. For example, the command of Jesus for us to love our enemies is not an easy one to obey. (See Matthew 5:44.) This requires teaching and training for the children to have the right responses to those who do not love them.

I. The World Is Reaching for Our ChildrenFinally, we should teach the

children the importance of proper relationships. Improper relationships can rob them of their Christian vitality and endanger their spiritual health. The prophet’s rhetorical question carries with it a cardinal truth: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).

IV. Good Teaching Brings Rewards

Good Teaching Brings Rewards

While Christian teaching is a boon to any home, the lack thereof is a bane that will destroy it. Parents and Christian teachers should never feel their teaching is in vain. The children may not obey it and may not live by it, but they never can get away from what their parents and other teachers have taught them. (See Proverbs 22:6.)

A. Pleasant EnvironmentA. Pleasant Environment

One of the rewards of good teaching is a pleasant environment; however, parents should not expect the environment to become pleasant overnight. Often, the teaching of righteous principles causes tension because of resistance. Generally, however, the extended teaching of righteousness results in peace, especially if parents hold the children

responsible to obey what they have taught.

I. The World Is Reaching for Our ChildrenAs righteousness promotes a

pleasant environment, unrighteousness creates an unpleasant environment. The wise writer of the Book of Proverbs declared, “The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just” (Proverbs 3:33).

B. A Fruitful LifeB. A Fruitful Life

“And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers” (Deuteronomy 6:18).


Righteousness tends to supply the orchard of our life with the spiritual components that produce a fruitful life. Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Paul wrote to Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6). If the children accept and obey the precepts we teach them, their lives will be fruitful and will bless both the home and the church.

C. Overcome EnemiesC. Overcome Enemies

“To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the Lord hath spoken” (Deuteronomy 6:19).

It is necessary to teach the children the ways of righteousness, for how else will they learn the secret of overcoming their enemies?


The apostle John wrote to the church, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4). When the devil tempted Jesus three times, Jesus overcame him each time by the Word: “It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). We also overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (See Revelation 12:11.) We should teach children about the power of the blood of Jesus, and also encourage them to testify about it to

their friends.

D. PreservationD. Preservation

“And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day” (Deuteronomy 6:24).

We should teach the children that the Word of God will preserve them. Jesus declared, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).


God’s Word preserves because it is more than a piece of literature. It is the Word of the Creator. (See Psalm 91:16; Proverbs 3:1-2.)

“With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16).

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee” (Proverbs 3:1-2).

I. The World Is Reaching for Our ChildrenAlthough God calls some

believers to their eternal reward early in life, the Scriptures promise long life and peace to those who obey His Word.

E. Deliverance from Secular Worldview

E. Deliverance from Secular Worldview

A born-again believer views the world differently from his unregenerate counterpart. From atheism to pantheism, and from humanism to nihilism, the world is warped in its belief systems. The secular classroom constantly bombards children with the secular worldview.


According to Paul’s writing to the Corinthians, this is understandable: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14). For this reason, we should teach the children the precepts of God’s Word so they will be armed against the vicious attacks of secularism.


Internalizing the Message

Teaching children is one of the greatest challenges facing parents and the church today. Unfortunately, whether we teach them or not, they will learn. For this reason we should teach them regularly the things that will benefit them eternally.


The world is reaching for our children with the media, technology, and secular philosophy. Because of this onslaught of evil influence, parents should reach for their children to lead them to a redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ. They accomplish this both by example and by precept.

The church must also teach the children. To counter the moral and philosophical sewage spewed upon the children by the world, the church should sound a clarion call of

absolute truth.


The body of Christ must be a strong bastion for apostolic doctrine, Christian character, faith, and love for God and mankind.

If parents and the church will team up to consistently teach the children the precepts of God’s Word, both the families and the nation will reap rich rewards. Homes will become places of pleasant environments where families live fruitful lives, overcome their enemies, and are preserved to please the Lord.

I. The World Is Reaching for Our ChildrenChildren watch and listen to us

even when we are not intending to teach them. We, as Christians, should respond to one of our greatest challenges—teaching and training the children positively in the precepts of God’s Word.

children of the bible. lesson 13 lesson text—deuteronomy 6:1-2 deuteronomy 6:1-2 1 now these are...

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