One of the most pressing issues for parents today is helping their children develop a set of values that will carry them through life and prevent avoidable disasters. Many things in life can be avoided if we have a strong set of biblical values guiding us. It is evident today that many of those who profess Christ have not treasured the Word of God in their hearts and minds.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 outlines a pattern for instruction that falls, not on the church, but on parents. After introducing the passage with the great confession of Israel ("The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!), we are instructed to love the Lord with all our being and to teach the Word to our children both formally and informally. The biblical instruction tells us to: 1) teach and talk to your children when you sit in the house (the formal teaching); and 2) to talk of them when you walk and when you go to bed and rise up (informal opportunities).
The "bottom line" of godly teaching is that it is to be the controller, the director, surrounding us in every area of our life. Howard Hendricks, long-time professor at Dallas Seminary often reminded his students, "...our need is not partial; it's total." That is the reason this passage in Deuteronomy reminds us to make the Word of God central in our lives. It is to teach us, expose our need, correct our life, and train us in right living and thinking. (II Tim. 3:16) There is no other guide for the one who trusts in Christ. It is not only the responsibility of parents but the privilege God has granted to us.
There are things in life that are unavoidable but many unpleasant things would be avoided if we only knew, embraced, and obeyed God's eternal Word. Let's commit ourselves to this great task today.