sParents, have you ever taken a step back and asked yourself the question, “Am I inspiring my family to be spiritually strong?” I know that may sound strange. And yet for parents who are followers of Jesus, it is a vital question nonetheless. Someone once said, “You cannot change your ancestors but you can do something about yoUR descendants.”
In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, we find the Shema in Deuteronomy 6. It receives it’s name from the first Hebrew word, “Listen or hear,” in verse 1. In Jewish families, it is a part of morning and evening prayer.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words 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 6:4-9 ESV)
Within these few verses, we find some powerful and practical advice for inspiring strong spiritual families.
It doesn’t matter what you know if you don’t know what matters.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (6:4)
The next generation needs to have a handle on a few central truths.
- Priorities: What’s important in life?
- Problems: How should I respond when things don’t go my way?
- People: How should I treat people who are difficult or different from me?
- Philosophy: How should I view life?
The relationship is more important than the rules.
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (6:5)
I like structure. I like to make sure others know the boundaries. Rules can provide great structure but they cannot transform a heart. God’s love flowing through me can change the heart and motives of another person. Rules have their place. Prioritize building relationships with your kids!
It must be in you before it can be in them.
“And these words I command you today shall be on your heart.” (6:6)
If we are going to inspire the next generation, it must be in us before it can be in them. It has been said that we teach what we know but we reproduce who we are.
What’s worth remembering is worth repeating.
“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.” (6:7-9)
Our daughter is now married and lives out of state with her husband. Growing up, there are some phrases that I repeated continually that usually would elicit an eye-roll.
“Attitude is a choice.”
“People are unpredictable.”
“Make wise choices.”
But more than phrases, I am grateful that in spite of me we have a great relationship. A relationship from her childhood until today that has been built on meaningful conversation. Conversations in the car. Conversations over meals. Conversations in before bedtime. And through all of those conversations our relationship was strengthened and God allowed me to share some lessons I had learned with her as she grew.
Are you inspiring your family and the next generation to be spiritually strong? Nothing is more important!
“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4
What have you found helpful to strengthen your family spiritually?
