The Role of Parents in Passing on Faith
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, as we begin this devotional journey, open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us to understand the importance of our role in passing on faith to the next generation. Holy Spirit, guide us and fill us with wisdom. Amen.
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
REFLECT:
In this passage, Moses is instructing the Israelites on the importance of keeping God's commandments close to their hearts and passing them on to their children. This scripture underscores the central theme of our sermon: the role of parents and influencers in imparting faith to the next generation.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 is a cornerstone for understanding the biblical mandate for parents and guardians to be the primary spiritual guides for their children. Moses emphasizes that God's commandments should not just be known but should be deeply ingrained in our hearts. This is not a passive activity but an active, daily practice. The imagery of talking about God's commandments "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" suggests that faith should permeate every aspect of daily life.
This past weekend at Pathway Church, we had a Parent Panel on stage to wrap up our Pass It On series. As they reflected on the series, our guest speakers Shauna Rodman, Andrea Wells, and Holmes Andrus, each shared how they had found unique ways to integrate faith into their family routines. Shauna uses car time and bedtime prayers to have conversations about faith with her young daughter, while Andrea makes sure she shares her "why" behind decisions she makes with her kids, grounding them in scripture. Holmes emphasized the importance of living out faith through service and consistent church involvement.
As we consider our own lives, we must ask ourselves: How are we actively impressing God's commandments on the hearts of those we influence? Are we making faith a daily conversation, or is it relegated to Sunday mornings? This passage challenges us to be intentional and consistent in our spiritual guidance.
APPLY:
Consider identifying one routine activity (e.g., mealtime, car rides, bedtime) where you can intentionally incorporate a conversation about faith. It could be as simple as sharing a Bible verse, discussing a sermon point, or praying together.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I WILL have a five-minute Intentional conversation with the kid in my life.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the wisdom of Your Word. Help me to be intentional in passing on faith to those around me. Give me the courage and consistency to make faith a daily conversation. May Your commandments be ever on my heart and lips. In Jesus' name, Amen.