Message summary: Fundamentally, for the believer, teaching our children well and seeing that they are successful in what matters most is of greatest importance.

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"He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands" (Psalm 78:5-7).

Teaching well may include being kind to others, showing respect to authority, being truthful and so forth. These are not uniquely Christian virtues, but they sure need taught and modelled by those who hold to these virtues.

Parents desire that their children be successful and society has placed some very specific assumptions on what success looks like such as going to college to get higher education, getting a good job, making lots of money and having many nice possessions. In our view many people are successful this way but lack in other far more important ways.

Fundamentally, for the believer, teaching our children well and seeing that they are successful in what matters most embodies the essential truths of today's Scripture portion. Being successful according to the world's standards and being successful by God's standards may be significantly different.

Within the law of Moses a very specific command speaks to this subject, "Teach them (the commands of God) to your children and to their children after them" (Deuteronomy 4:9). The Apostle Paul commanded parents (specifically fathers) "to bring them (children) up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). The phrase "bring them up" conveys "to rear up to maturity." Notice the content of the teaching Paul emphasizes which best describes what teaching "well" includes; "the training and instruction of the Lord."

The main goal of godly parenting is that their children accept and follow Jesus Christ as their Saviour and live their entire life in a manner that pleases God, while fulfilling God's purpose for their life. That may include some of the same things the world calls success but not necessarily. Unless given the gift of singleness parents desire their children find a spiritually compatible mate (spouse) and raise another generation for God's glory, being active in Christian service, giving generously of their resources to honorable and godly causes and living a responsible life expressing faith and dependence on God.

That to me is what teaching our children "well" means. (I also expand this to grandchildren and others we may impact for the Lord.) Have you considered what it means to you? Are you taking your job seriously? When life, as we know it on this side, is all over what matters most will be taking up eternal residency with our Lord and bringing our loved ones along with us. What a day, glorious day that will be!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You've given us tremendous responsibility as we're commanded to train and instruct our children in the ways of the Lord.  There are many times when we've failed to be faithful in our godly duties as parents. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed and unable to deal with the challenges our children present and even more so in this age of modern technology.  Lord, help us to sow seeds of Christian instruction so that we will cultivate children who grow into fruitful, godly adults. Help us not to despair or give up in the present battles we face with our children, for in due time we will reap great blessing from our labor, as we continue to trust You in these matters. Amen.

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