The Assumption of Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 6 has been nicknamed “the great parenting chapter” of the Bible. Although it was addressed to the Israelite nation as a whole, the clear implication was that much of what was being said in order to raise up future generations who believed in God was to be done in the context of the family.
Moses gave the great commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). After that, he famously said,
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
Moses was passing along that the people would know the law of God and would take every measure necessary to pass it along to future generations, especially in their homes.
But there is one thing that is assumed in that commandment. It may be obvious, but, far too often, it is the missing piece in passing along the ways of God, even today.
What is it? It is assumed that families are going to actually spend time together!
It is utterly impossible to teach our children (especially diligently) when we are walking and sitting and so forth, if we are not with our children at those times.
Too often, families get so busy doing all sorts of things–not all of them bad, mind you–that we are not really together. They may even be in the same location, but not in an environment where true and deep communication can occur.
It is the family who spends every evening running from one sports practice to another game in order to “show support” to their kids, but never has time to sit down and talk about spiritual things.
It is the family who watches TV together every evening, but never is willing to turn off the TV and have a family devotional.
It is the family where dad and mom both work incredibly long hours in order to provide “a better life” for their children, but are too exhausted at the end of the day to share faith with their children.
Sports and entertainment and work are all fine. They can be good things in the proper context. But the more time we spend on other things, the less time we are actually with our children. And the more time we spend with our children doing other things, the less time we have to instill God’s Word into their hearts and minds.
Don’t let that happen to your family. The time you have with your children is precious, but it is also fleeting. Use the time to pass along to them truths from God’s Word about their heavenly Father who loves them so much. Show them how to study the Bible. Teach them why we serve others to the glory of God. Read the Bible together. Answer their questions about matters of faith.
It will be tiring, but you’ll never regret it.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
