Lessons for October 7
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
A Christian home should be a place of learning
___ Deuteronomy 4:9-14; 6:1-25
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___There's no place like home. That familiar statement often has been said and thought by many students while away from home.
___What is it about the home that makes it special? For some it brings memories and emotions of being loved and accepted. A place for family members to surround and support you during a time of trouble or difficult stage in your life. A home is where you can relax
and be yourself. And it's where you can feel safe and secure. Home. It's a good four-letter-word. Or is it?
___Unfortunately, not every child or teenager may have those fond memories and loving support of family members. Nor can they relax, but live in fear of being abused physically and emotionally. For them, home is not a good four-letter-word. What type of home did you grow up in? What kind of home are you offering your children?
___I am one of the fortunate ones in life. My home as a child and teenager was filled with love, encouragement and support. It was a place of refuge. It was a place where I could relax and know I was loved unconditionally. It was not a place of fear. My home served as an incubator in which I grew and discovered myself. It was there that I was taught and learned about God. You might call my home a CHU--Christian Home University.
___What makes the difference in some homes is the depth of commitment to living out God's principles and teachings. The home should be the university in which biblical instruction and guidance take place. Today we focus on the biblical truth that God's people are to teach their children his commands for living.
___As a former children's minister, I am very familiar with the concept that some families believe it is the responsibility of the church to teach biblical truths to their children. How it saddened and grieved me as I observed the attitude of parents who honestly believed it was the church's responsibility to instill biblical knowledge, understanding and application for their children. Not so. As a Christian parent, you are responsible for the biblical teaching, understanding and guidance within the home. Let the home become the Christian Home University. Let it be the place in which relationships grow and develop and then build character. Let the home be the place where family members learn and model Christian behavior.
___Look upon the church as a place of continuing education. The church can support and undergird the teachings that take place within the home. Sunday School, missions, music and Discipleship Training all serve as supportive partners with parents in affirming the home as the university center of biblical guidance. For non-believers, these ministries can help lead family members to Christ and as a result help them turn their home into a Christian Home University.
___Christian parents, please listen. You are responsible for teaching your children the biblical truths and sharing God's faithfulness to you. Moses wanted to make sure the Israelites did not forget this either. In 4:9, Moses emphasizes this with the Israelites. He did not want them to forget that God had delivered them from bondage and provided for them during the 40 years in the wilderness. It was, and still is, important to share about the miracles and provision God gives. Moses didn't want the people to forget but to tell and retell it to their children. Let the memories and experiences serve as teachable moments while teaching biblical truths. It is always easier to learn and understand a principle when accompanied with a story.
___In 6:1-2, you see words such as commands, decrees and laws. These are descriptive words for ordinance, charge, official ruling, order, teaching and commandment. In verse 17, the word "stipulation" is added to the list. This deals with terms of agreement or conditions. Moses warned the Israelites not to forget God when they entered the Promised Land and became prosperous. He reminded them to keep and follow God's commands, decrees and laws. Actions have consequences. Families that do not teach and help children understand God's laws will in turn face consequences. We all do, no exceptions.
___Can you imagine what our community and world would be like if we truly practiced verses 6-8? Wow, just think if we all made biblical instruction a part of all aspects of our daily life--play, school, work, leisure and family time. Imagine if your family actually displayed a different Bible verse in or outside your home each month to learn, understand and apply. Imagine the practice of telling Bible stories to each other and how to apply the bible truths in today's time. What kind of family is that? A God-honoring family.
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