THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN
I’m sure many parents have wondered to themselves, “Just what is the most important thing to teach my children?” Is it even possible amidst all the things a child needs to learn, to isolate just one and call it the most important thing?
Think for a moment how many times a parent says to a child, “Be kind to your brother, be kind to your sister.” Or, “Remember sweetheart, it’s nice to share.” Or this one, “You mustn’t tell a lie. Always tell the truth.” Or this one, “Don’t use bad language.” Or, “Remember to say ‘Thank you.’” Or this one, “Don’t take what isn’t yours, give that back to them right now.”
But when was the last time in your life you’ve ever heard anyone say to their child, “I want you to go to your room right now and love God!” Ok, I realize that’s an odd way to put it, but I wanted to make a point to get us to see this in a fresh way.
Are we really teaching our children to love God? Seriously, are we teaching them the single most important thing in their life is to love God with all their heart, all their soul, all their mind, and all their strength?
I would venture a guess that many have never even heard a message about teaching this to our children. Ahh, you’re thinking, “Pastor Mark, this is just assumed, of course we all think that.”
But you see, whether we think it or not, the question remains—are we intentionally teaching this to our children? Do we even expect this from our young children or our teens?
Are we modeling this to our children ourselves?
Is there anything in our life that we love, that we’re more passionate about than God? If so, that would be an “idol” and our children will notice!
Do our children see in us a lifestyle of loving God with everything we have in us? Do they see an enthusiastic devotion to serving Him, and a determined effort to obey His commands? That’s what loving God with everything in us looks like.
Are we, as parents, living in such a way that our life emanates a passionate love for God, and devotion to Him?
This was, in fact, God’s great commandment to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 6—Love the Lord your God with everything in you, and teach that to your children.
I’ll never forget, one of my young-adult children was once asked by a friend who’d grown up in a Christian missionary family, but had fallen away from the Lord, “Why is it that you and your siblings all love the Lord so much and are all following him?” They answered “Because my parents made loving God so cool, so wonderful, that the world just had nothing to offer me by comparison.”
I can assure you, I did not tell them to say this. I had no idea whatsoever they even thought this. I wouldn’t have even found out about it, except my child shared with me the letter they’d written to this friend expressing that very thing. I was deeply moved, deeply humbled, as obviously we are very imperfect parents.
But, I was truly blessed that our children had genuinely witnessed over the course of their lives, their mom and dad’s genuine, enthusiastic, love and devotion to God, and that it had made a deep impression on their own hearts and minds.
Let me offer several ways to pass this “Love for God” on to your children.
From the earliest age on, express to your children that everything they see, all the little animals they love, their ability to hear, to talk, to see, all of it was created by God, and is a gift to them from God. Help them see the truth that God is the most awesome, wonderful creator, and gift-giver in the universe.
Use the incredible nature shows that are available on your video services, and as you watch them, no matter what lies they tell about evolution, remind your children—God made that incredible whale. God made that beautiful bird. God made that magnificent horse.
Teach your children some of the wonders of God’s magnificent creation! This simple, but profound devotional book will be a great help: Inspired Evidence: Only One Reality. I’ve read it, and it’s wonderful. It is written by a very godly, educated, creation scientist.
https://www.abebooks.com/
Remind them on every walk through the mountains, by the ocean, through the woods, by the lake, that their Heavenly Father made all of this for them to enjoy. He is so magnificent, wise, and loves them so much.
Express your own deep gratitude to God in front of your children daily, in some way or another. Thank God profusely for all he has done for you, given to you, and provided in caring for your needs. This helps your children connect in their minds and hearts that God is amazing, so wonderful, and you’re overflowing with emotive gratitude for all that our loving God has given to you. This makes God real to them and demonstrates, this is how you act towards the God you love so much.
Let them see you joyfully serving God by serving other people. Bring them along so they can witness it for themselves, and see firsthand your devotion to serving God.
Let them see you present your body to Christ as a living sacrifice of worship and service to Him.
Let them hear you speak the wonderful praises of God from your own lips. Share with them how much Christ has done for you. Share with them just how much God really loves them, and how they can know and understand that.
Music is a powerful way to impact your child’s life and nurture a great love for God in their soul. Notice how many times the Psalms tell us to sing to the Lord, to sing His Praises. Most don’t know this, but I was in charge of our church’s music for years, as well as the music and bands at our Faithwalkers Conferences. I made sure we used music that would deeply impact and imprint the hearts and minds of especially young people. That it conveyed powerful truths of God in a way that would appeal to young people. I often took flak for it from older people, but I couldn’t have cared less. I used music that captivated the hearts of young people. All my children grew up to be singers and musicians of God-music. We used God-music all their lives growing up to nurture their faith and love for God. My firstborn child would go into her room as a 3 and 4 year old, listening to my album full of God-songs, and sing along, often with tears running down her face. My son has written and recorded many God-songs. Music can deeply impact their soul affection towards God.
Share scripture truths with them about God that have meant so much to you. All these years, my wife has regularly shared powerful scriptures with our children, even to this day she sends them via email along with thoughts about God.
Make a practice of taking time around the dinner table, during your week, to share some of the wonderful things God has been doing, or has done, and the marvelous ways he is answering your prayers.
Over and over again, explain God’s great love for them, to them, and how the Gospel reveals God’s extraordinary love for them. We love because he first loved us! Help them understand God’s indescribable gift!
All these things will inspire and motivate a growing love for God in the hearts and minds of your children.
Several years ago, my daughter, her husband, and their little girl were becoming members of their church. They were on stage along with others introducing themselves to the congregation. I just assumed my daughter would introduce her 6-year-old daughter, but instead she gave her the microphone, and my little granddaughter boldly stated, “My name is Charly and I love God.” My goodness, my eyes filled with tears and I was deeply touched that this little child would be so bold as to say that in front of a room full of adults. I’ve never heard a child say something like that in front of a room full of adult strangers! Of course she was just a child, and there’s a whole life yet to be lived, but that is certainly the heart we are trying to build in our children.
May God give you the grace, wisdom, and determination to teach and raise your children to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Psalm 9:1-2
I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all your wonderful works. I will rejoice and boast about you; I will sing about your name, Most High!
Joshua 22:5 NLT
Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, obey his commands, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.
Mark 12:29 NLT
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.’”
Helping you become a Strong Disciple,
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mark Darling
