The caller ID on the phone flashed my daughter’s home number. Picking it up, I anticipated hearing Carolyn’s voice. Instead, on the line was 7-year old Kamryn. “Nana, guess what?” she exclaimed. “I got a Bible at church today from my teacher!” I could hear the pride and excitement in her sweet little voice and imagined her standing tall, chest out, as she proclaimed this achievement. As she spoke, I too felt proud because she had chosen to pick up the phone and call her Nana, whom she knew loves the Word of God and would rejoice right along with her.
While raising my daughters, we enjoyed the time we spent at our church: Wednesday nights I attended Bible study while they participated in Pioneer Girls Club. Sunday mornings I taught women, while they attended classes. Then we all worshiped together. Sunday evenings we returned for fellowship. Although I would often talk with them about spiritual things, I don’t recall sharing how the Lord was working in my life. I suppose I thought they would somehow inherit the faith I was slowly and often painstakingly developing. I would do things differently now if I had the opportunity – perhaps that’s why God gives us grandkids!
While reading through Deuteronomy recently, numerous references to the importance of parents and grandparents sharing spiritual lessons with the next generation seemed to jump off the pages. In the book, Moses gave instructions to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, reminding them of all that God had done for them during their 40 years in the desert. Moses expressed concern that the children born during that period of desert wandering would not know what He had done for Israel before their birth. He warned the parents and grandparents, “Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”
“I am not talking now to your children who have never experienced the discipline of the Lord or his greatness and awesome power. They weren’t there to see the miraculous signs...they didn’t see the armies…they didn’t see how the Lord cared for you…They weren’t there to see what he did…BUT YOU have seen all the Lord’s mighty deeds with your own eyes! Therefore, obey…and…teach them to your children, write them on the doorpost of your house…so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish.”
Moses went on: “In the future your children will ask you...then you must tell them.”
“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are home and when you are away…when lying down...and getting up again.”
Upon reading these passages, I was challenged to take seriously the responsibility of sharing God-sightings with the next generation. It was as if the Lord was saying to me, “How will they know of the beauty of my faithfulness in your life if you don’t tell them?” God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so the principle commanded through Moses to the Israelites, would be applicable to every parent and grandparent who knows the Lord. This is a responsibility and privilege to be taken seriously.
How do we do this? Here are a few suggestions that may help to get you started:
1) Watch for teachable moments, 2) Arrange to have one-on-one time with each child, perhaps at bedtime or during “dates,” 3) Ask leading questions that would cause them to think about how they would handle difficult situations, 4) Record in a memoir or journal your “God-sightings” and faith builders, 5) Keep a “Memories of God” file, and 6) Translate your experiences with God into bedtime stories.
Children are not going to automatically inherit our faith. They can, however, gain confidence in our Savior by hearing about our growing faith and His activity in our spiritual development. So, let’s make it a point to pass it on!
Read
Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 11:1-21
Deuteronomy 6:7,8,20
Psalm 48:13
Joel 1:3
Proverbs 17:6
Reflect
Recall God’s faithfulness to you, taking note of applicable scriptures. Pray about these areas and record what God did or taught you through them. Be ready to share about the following topics – keeping it age appropriate:
Faith
Financial provision
Healing
Hope
Courage
Power
Mercy
Worship
Grace
Forgiveness
Respond
Father God, you left the holy scriptures for us that we would know of your involvement in the lives of people, and to point us to our Savior, Jesus. Thank you for the written Word and for those who made it available to us by faithfully writing a history for us to know you better. Help me to know how to convey biblical truths to my children/ grandchildren, in an age appropriate way, of what your power and love will do to transform us into people of faith who are fully devoted to you. Amen.
While raising my daughters, we enjoyed the time we spent at our church: Wednesday nights I attended Bible study while they participated in Pioneer Girls Club. Sunday mornings I taught women, while they attended classes. Then we all worshiped together. Sunday evenings we returned for fellowship. Although I would often talk with them about spiritual things, I don’t recall sharing how the Lord was working in my life. I suppose I thought they would somehow inherit the faith I was slowly and often painstakingly developing. I would do things differently now if I had the opportunity – perhaps that’s why God gives us grandkids!
While reading through Deuteronomy recently, numerous references to the importance of parents and grandparents sharing spiritual lessons with the next generation seemed to jump off the pages. In the book, Moses gave instructions to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, reminding them of all that God had done for them during their 40 years in the desert. Moses expressed concern that the children born during that period of desert wandering would not know what He had done for Israel before their birth. He warned the parents and grandparents, “Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”
“I am not talking now to your children who have never experienced the discipline of the Lord or his greatness and awesome power. They weren’t there to see the miraculous signs...they didn’t see the armies…they didn’t see how the Lord cared for you…They weren’t there to see what he did…BUT YOU have seen all the Lord’s mighty deeds with your own eyes! Therefore, obey…and…teach them to your children, write them on the doorpost of your house…so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish.”
Moses went on: “In the future your children will ask you...then you must tell them.”
“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are home and when you are away…when lying down...and getting up again.”
Upon reading these passages, I was challenged to take seriously the responsibility of sharing God-sightings with the next generation. It was as if the Lord was saying to me, “How will they know of the beauty of my faithfulness in your life if you don’t tell them?” God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so the principle commanded through Moses to the Israelites, would be applicable to every parent and grandparent who knows the Lord. This is a responsibility and privilege to be taken seriously.
How do we do this? Here are a few suggestions that may help to get you started:
1) Watch for teachable moments, 2) Arrange to have one-on-one time with each child, perhaps at bedtime or during “dates,” 3) Ask leading questions that would cause them to think about how they would handle difficult situations, 4) Record in a memoir or journal your “God-sightings” and faith builders, 5) Keep a “Memories of God” file, and 6) Translate your experiences with God into bedtime stories.
Children are not going to automatically inherit our faith. They can, however, gain confidence in our Savior by hearing about our growing faith and His activity in our spiritual development. So, let’s make it a point to pass it on!
Read
Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 11:1-21
Deuteronomy 6:7,8,20
Psalm 48:13
Joel 1:3
Proverbs 17:6
Reflect
Recall God’s faithfulness to you, taking note of applicable scriptures. Pray about these areas and record what God did or taught you through them. Be ready to share about the following topics – keeping it age appropriate:
Faith
Financial provision
Healing
Hope
Courage
Power
Mercy
Worship
Grace
Forgiveness
Respond
Father God, you left the holy scriptures for us that we would know of your involvement in the lives of people, and to point us to our Savior, Jesus. Thank you for the written Word and for those who made it available to us by faithfully writing a history for us to know you better. Help me to know how to convey biblical truths to my children/ grandchildren, in an age appropriate way, of what your power and love will do to transform us into people of faith who are fully devoted to you. Amen.
Good words Sandy. As a new "Nana" I want to look for those teachable moments for my grandson. Thanks for giving me some ideas.
ReplyDeleteHi. Thanks for sharing your blog. I look for those moments with my young son, too.
ReplyDeleteHere is the info on the blog I wrote about Lana's great talk. http://stacysjensen.blogspot.com/2011/03/knocking-out-excuses.html
Have a wonderful week. Happy Writing.