Inscription 24: Teaching the Next Generation
Reading the Old Testament, we can get the impression that one day the Israelites are watching God save them miraculously, then the next day they’re sacrificing their firstborns to an idol. But that is not what happens – each time things break down from one generation to the next, because the parents fail to pass on their faith.
God will hold us responsible for what we teach our children – how can we avoid Israel’s fate and pass on our faith effectively?
Click here for a printable copy of the sermon.
This sermon was given on 6/27/10 by Josh Kelley.
God will hold us responsible for what we teach our children – how can we avoid Israel’s fate and pass on our faith effectively?
Click here for a printable copy of the sermon.
This sermon was given on 6/27/10 by Josh Kelley.
Played: 569 | Download | Duration: 00:40:54
I would like to add something. I have many times had people ask what we did to have 3 kids serving God. In all honesty we were real screw ups if you ask me. But we did desire God, and we wanted our children to serve Him. So when people have asked that question I used to say, "It really wasn't us, it was all God".
Then one day a lady said to me, "Don't say that, because if it is true, God must love you more than he loves me".
So I sat down one day and wrote down the principles I had come to believe about raising disciples.
I would like to say that there are many things we can do that influence and teach our children about God, but the MOST IMPORTANT PRINCLPLE is that we NOT hinder our children from following Him.
Each one of us needs to seek God, and say "what am I doing that could cause my child to turn away from you? What lie am I demonstrating to my child about you that would make You undesirable?"
Then, in the same manner we ask, "what is it that I can do to encourage them to want you?"
Then it boils down to the fact that God has a day, a moment, an appointment with each one of our children when He makeS Himself their God, when He reveals Himself to them in a way we can never do. Our job is to make them ready, open and alert to His voice.
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Reading over what I wrote here I would amend one expression. At the last sentence I should have said, "our job is to facilitate, if at all possible, make it natural, and pray for that day that they would be ready, open and alert to His voice." I think that it is proud and foolish to think that we could make a child decide anything...but the Holy Spirit is able and wise. He guides us, He gives us grace....and He can do the same for our kids.
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