2026-10-02
Good morning, Dear Ones,
A hiker walking a trail for the first time needs a compass, so he won’t get lost. We need God’s moral compass, so we will do a good job of rearing our children. Children without this kind of upbringing become rebellious, selfish, and resentful. Conveying God’s teaching by jamming it down their throats is just as destructive to a developing child. Last week, I was directed to write about being joyful and creative in parenting. Those principles can still apply while teaching our children God’s ethics. Parenting is the most important task God gives us. When they are old enough, our children will make the decision as to whether to follow the Lord, or to follow worldly values.
If we have real faith in God, it will be much easier for us to incorporate His teaching in our children’s lives. But we shouldn’t count out parents who love their children and themselves develop stronger faith through the approximately 18 years that our children live in our homes. Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “If we don’t teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to. The best learning I had comes from teaching.” Children are great imitators. So, give them something valuable to imitate. Bob Talbert said, “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” Scripture lets us know how important learning from it is. PR 22: 6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Our children are born with a blank slate, one that we must lovingly fill with a love for God. DT 6: 5-9, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” These are words we should all take to heart. Talk about them among yourselves and repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. Devout Jewish people would tie them to their wrists and wear them as head bands by using phylacteries, which are made up of a band tied around one arm a small box with Scripture and another wrapped around the head. They wear a tallit, a prayer shawl as if God was giving them a hug. The Jews of yore would write OT Scriptures on the doorframe of their homes or on the gates. Believers in the NT, aren’t required to wear phylacteries anymore, nor do many liberal Jewish sects today. But God’s directive to teach our children and young people still stands.
There are many ways a parent can teach their children God’s ethics. First and foremost, we as parents must live according to them ourselves. The example we set is not lost on a child. DT 4: 9-10, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when He said to me, ‘Assemble the people before you to hear My words so that they may learn to revere Me as long as they live in the land and my teach them to your children.’”
Believers in Christ not only consider their children a blessed gift from God as good Jews do but also rear that child to love the Lord Jesus. What is said in MT 19: 13-15 guides us, “Then the people brough little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on the and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.” Further motivation for all of us comes from 1 TIM 4: 10-11, “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, Who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.”
This pressing topic demands more to be written, so I will try to complete the task the Holy Spirit has given me in the next devotion.
PRAYER: O Lord, hear our prayers! We know that You want us to be the best parents we can be. Whether born and reared in the faith or come to it later in our childrearing years, we are eager to open our hearts to the loving guidance of Your Spirit. Rearing children in a fallen world is no easy task, but we know You are with us and want us to faithfully obey Your direction. PS 143: 10, “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” We utter this prayer with utmost thanksgiving and praise to You, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit commands me to continue with this topic, teaching God’s moral compass, with looking at His reminders, the way we conduct ourselves, and our family lore. In the meanwhile, let me not neglect to say that all these principles also apply to older children and teenagers in our homes. If above of us would do apply this, our world would be a much better place than it is. It’s our responsibility to bear 1 COR 8: 9 in mind. “Be careful that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” Remember that our loving God is near to us and that despite our need for His direction, we can always turn to Him. Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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