Parenting Helps

For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born – and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors – stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. Psalm 78: 5-8 NLT

Do you teenage or grown have children? Would any of these adjectives describe them: stubborn, rebellious, unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God. Why do you think they are like that? Is it simply the time of life, the culture they are in or perhaps your own failings as a parent?

Psalm 78 seems to suggest poor parenting.

This isn't Dr. Phil's advice, however. This is the advice of the faithful. The followers of God are instructed by God to tell their children the story of their faith. This was so that their children would tell the next generation and so on. If the faithful did not do this, then future children would be like those who came before Abram.

How well have we told the stories of the faith to our children? I am not talking Sunday school or VBS here. We – you and I – are responsible for telling our children. This is not the responsibility of our community of faith. They will only reinforce what our children and grandchildren have learned at home.

Have you told your children the stories of the faith? How about the stories of your own faith? It is never too late.

God, help me to share my faith stories with the next generation so that they can share the stories to future generations. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims