“What you do every week in a kid’s life now will matter more than what you do for them as adults. That may sound like an overstatement, but it’s actually true. What you do for a kid matters more because it’s like any other investment – it gains shares.” (It’s Just a Phase)
MEMORY VERSE: “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." Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NLT)
Parents, being the primary disciple maker for your kiddos is a big job. Overwhelming may not even begin to cover how you feel about the task at hand. After all, there are always bills to pay, dishes to wash, appointments to get to on time, and the list goes on and on. But take heart! The Bible says that being a parent is a gift and a reward (Psalm 127:3-5)! The responsibility to play a role in raising up the next generation of Christ-followers is an honor that has the potential to gain shares for years to come!
Don’t forget: This resource is available every week! Check the blog each week for helpful conversation prompts and activities to help as you disciple your children and point them toward Jesus, and feel free to share with others!
Lesson Summary:
“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.” (Psalm 78:4) All throughout scripture we are encouraged to remember and tell. Remember who God is and the amazing things He has done and then go and tell others. Psalm 78 reminds us how God can use us to be a blessing to the next generation when we teach them why they can set their hope in God. It is also a terrible warning of what can happen when people forget who He is and what He’s done. Forgetfulness on our part can lead the next generation down the path of selfishness, pride, and hopelessness. But God (the best two words in scripture) remains faithful and will continue to call us to remember. He has given all of us who have been saved by faith in Him the amazing privilege to tell the next generation of His goodness. Remember who God has revealed Himself to be in your life. Remember what He’s done to rescue you from your sin. Remember who you are in Him. Remember and tell the next generation, so they might also know and praise Him!
Family Questions:
READ DEUTERONOMY 6:1-9
- What command does God give through Moses in verses 5-6? (“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.”)
- How does he encourage parents to disciple or teach their children? (See verses 7-9. He says to teach your children this commandment and to talk to them about God’s love regularly – at home, when you walk, when you lie down, when you get up, etc. Repeat them again and again. He encourages parents to keep God’s commandments close to their own hearts (v. 6) and to keep them close in their households as well (vv. 8-9)) .
- Reread verses 1-3. Why does Moses remind parents to teach their children about God's love and His commandments? (So that their children will know about God’s love and His commandments and their children after that. He is pointing out that a life of trusting, loving, and obeying the Lord will be fruitful and that how we teach our children will impact the next generation.)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Read Judges 2:10 (NLT). What are some mighty things that the Lord has done for your family? Are there ways you can better set up the next generation to be one who knows and loves the Lord? How can you as a family make a habit of celebrating and remembering God’s goodness, trustworthiness, love and grace, etc.? (Hint: re-read Deuteronomy 6:7 from the Family Questions. Every week, our blog models our activities after this verse!)
Friend: Drive Time
Read Hebrews 13:17. Talk with your child about different leaders in their life (small group leaders/teachers at church, teachers or coaches who you know are believers, other kids’ parents or friends in your community group, etc.). Ask your child about godly characteristics they see in them. Spend time thanking the Lord and praying for leaders who are living out Hebrews 13:17 and partnering with you in your child’s discipleship.
Counselor: Bedtime
Ask your kiddo if they have anything they want you to be praying for. Let them hear you pray out loud for them before they go to bed. Pray for what they mentioned as well as your own prayer for their understanding of God’s love for them, that they would grow up to know and trust the Lord and His character, and that they would be a light in a dark world, even now! Make a personal commitment to intentionally pray for each of your children at some point every day.
Coach: Anytime
Check out this post on Questions to Regularly Ask Your Kids! Make time this month to spend with each of your kiddos and ask them some of these questions (see below for some elementary aged options from that list). Make it a fun intentional date with your kiddo or use coincidental time with your child intentionally. Either way – be intentional!
- What have been some of the best times you have had with your Dad this past year?
- If you and I could sit down and talk about ANYTHING…what would it be?
- What are some of the things that are making you anxious, fearful or discouraged right now so I can pray for you. (depending on your child’s age, you may have to define some of these terms to help your them answer)
- What is something that you would like to do with me?
- What have you learned about God/Christ/faith this last year that has blessed you?
Prayer
Thank God for the gift it is to be a parent and to be a part of raising up the next generation of children. Ask Him to help you and remind you to remember what He has done and to tell that to your kids. Thank Him for what He’s done to rescue you from your sin and the honor it is to share that.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will begin the September godly character trait, INITIATIVE. We will learn to take wise action without being told.
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