Many families and students are gearing up for another year of school, whether it be in home schooling, elementary school, or secondary school. The Bible strongly emphasizes the need for parents to train and teach their children diligently to know the LORD our God.

As I write these daily devotions, I have been preparing for a conference on personal disciple-making. My personal motto is: “making disciples for Jesus who make disciples for Jesus”. That goal guides my decision making when various opportunities are presented to me. A friend of mine was speaking to me about his blended family. His wife brought her young son into their marriage, and they now have two beautiful children. We were talking about the pressures of life, work, family obligations, and navigating extended family gatherings all at the same time as trying to make sure household tasks are completed. I mentioned to him, “Your family is your lasting congregation”. When all obligations have been fulfilled, you still have a relationship with your children and grandchildren, or you will have worked yourself out of their lives.

Personal disciple-making is not merely the task of parents. The whole community of faith must rise to the challenge of instructing all members in this precious faith. Discipleship begins in our Christian homes. We are to be radically different from the world around us. Our greatest desire for our children is not to be rich, famous, or Olympians, but to walk in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and honour Him above all. This is successful parenting. The whole church community is to catch the vision, and be equipped to make disciples. Many passages in the Bible help us in this magnificent endeavor. May our God and King lead us through the Spirit so that we will faithfully follow Jesus Christ, and lead others in this greatest of life’s ambitions and pleasures.

The seed of vision planted

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.” – Proverbs 5:1-2

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-3

The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. Their sons were drowned in the Nile. The LORD their God rescued them, and guided them even after they’d refused to enter the promised land, a sin which cost the lives of all that generation (except Joshua and Caleb). Now, at the edge of the Promised Land, Moses offers his final teaching before he dies, and Joshua and the new leaders will bring the people into the Land.

The people of God are commanded to teach their sons and grandsons the laws of God daily, so that they may live in a blessed relationship with their covenant-keeping God in the Promised Land. They are to do so because their children are image-bearers of their heavenly King. Parents are given their life’s goal: to teach their children and descendants to know and love God and serve Him. Children taught in this way will be called the children of promise (spoken of in God’s covenant to Abram Genesis 15:1ff). Look at the promises which attend this command. The people will multiply greatly. They will live securely in the land flowing with milk and honey.

Each family is a building block of society. As the families are committed to teaching the way of God to their children, it is expected that the knowledge of the LORD will be the fragrance that wafts from each home, entering the market and the public square and ultimately serving as a powerful witness of the glory of God to all the nations around them.

Suggestions for prayer

If perhaps you find you have been slacking a bit in teaching your children the way of the LORD, it might be a good day to recommit to this. If you are well focused on this, ask the Spirit how you might be an encouragement to others who are struggling.

Rev. Richard T. Vander Vaart and his wife Carolyn are now in their seventh year living in Moncton, NB. with Redemption Prison Ministry as a pastor in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.