The Importance of Parental Influence
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, as we begin this journey of understanding how to pass our faith to the next generation, we invite Your Holy Spirit to guide us. Open our hearts and minds to Your Word and help us to be the spiritual leaders You have called us to be. Amen.
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”
REFLECT:
In this passage, known as the Shema, Moses is addressing the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of loving God wholeheartedly and passing His commandments to the next generation. The Shema is a central prayer in Jewish tradition, recited daily to remind the faithful of their commitment to God. The command to "impress them on your children" underscores the role of parents and grandparents as primary spiritual influencers.
The sermon highlighted that the best who to pass on the faith is you—the parent or grandparent. This passage reinforces that spiritual education begins at home, not just in church. The repetitive nature of the instructions—talking about God's commandments at home, on the road, at bedtime, and in the morning—suggests that faith should be a constant, integral part of daily life.
By embedding God's Word in everyday activities, children learn to see faith as a natural and essential part of their lives. This method of teaching is not about formal lessons but about living out faith authentically and consistently.
APPLY:
Identify one daily routine where you can naturally incorporate a discussion about faith. It could be during breakfast, a car ride, or bedtime.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I WILL have a five-minute intentional conversation with the kid in my life this week.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, help us to integrate Your Word into our daily lives and conversations. Give us the wisdom and courage to be the spiritual leaders our children need. May our actions and words reflect Your love and truth. Amen.