Many years ago there was a phrase that was often quoted to parents, it went something like this: "It's 10 o'clock, do you know where your child is?". Another, maybe more timely, question came across my desk just the other day, it simply asked “It’s the 21st Century, do you know who and what is influencing your child?”. Check out these names: 50 Cent, Korn, Eminem, Lil’ Kim, Flo Rida, Nelly, Britney Spears, J-Lo, and Madonna. Do you recognize these people? It is likely that your kids and grandkids do. Though their names are somewhat unique and catchy, these popular music artists’ message, one of selfishness, profanity, and immorality, is nothing worth “catching”. Sadly, teens everywhere are stamped with their influence. You can see it in their clothes, hear it in their vocabulary, and watch it in their attitude and behavior.
However, even in a culture that is sin-soaked and hell-bound there is hope for raising kids and teens to know Jesus and honor Him! The Word of God is sufficient for instruction in all of life. That includes parenting! Deuteronomy 6:5-9 clearly states that we, the parents, are to be the primary influence for godliness in the lives of our children!
First, verses 5 and 6 begin with instruction for us in our personal lives: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” We must genuinely love the Lord, and treasure His word within our hearts to obey it! We cannot live lives of hypocrisy ourselves, and expect our teens to reject sin and love God. May they see in the life of their parent one who has forever been changed by the power of the gospel and lives in the light of His grace and mercy!
Second, verses 7 through 9 give us the model for practically discipling our children: “You shall teach them (His commands) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 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.” We must be intentional and direct in teaching our children the Word of God diligently! In doing so to take every opportunity, whether while sitting around the dinner table, walking through the neighborhood, driving to and from a ballgame, tucking them into bed, or preparing to begin the day, to teach and apply the word of God. We must be aware of “teaching moments”, for we are accountable to the Father for the stewardship of our children! What a responsibility and privilege we have!
So, who is influencing YOUR child? Are you?
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