How can we ensure our children are grounded in biblical teachings today? Setting the Scene Nehemiah 13:24 says, “Furthermore, half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah.” Nehemiah is heart-broken because the next generation can no longer speak the covenant language—their identity in God is slipping away. Today, our concern is the same: will our sons and daughters still “speak” the language of Scripture? The Warning in Nehemiah 13:24 • Loss of language = loss of worldview. • Mixed marriages had allowed foreign beliefs to overwrite God’s truth (13:23–27). • If children don’t hear God’s Word fluently at home, the culture will gladly teach them its own tongue. Why Language Matters Today • Psalm 78:4-7—when we “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,” they “put their trust in God.” • Deuteronomy 6:6-9—God commands parents to weave His words into everyday life. • 2 Timothy 3:14-17—Scripture “is able to make you wise for salvation,” equipping for “every good work.” Children grounded in the Word can stand when challenges come. Practical Steps for Parents and Churches 1. Daily Scripture Exposure – Read aloud at meals or bedtime. – Listen to audio Bibles during drives. 2. Memorization & Repetition – Short passages (Psalm 23, the Beatitudes) recited together cement truth in the heart (Psalm 119:11). 3. Conversational Theology – Apply verses to real-life moments: sportsmanship, media choices, friendships. 4. Family Worship Rhythms – Sing hymns or modern worship with solid lyrics. – Pray through a Psalm, allowing each child to add personal requests. 5. Model Consistency – Children read our lives before they read our lips (Philippians 4:9). 6. Church Partnership – Prioritize gatherings; kids need more than peers—they need multi-generational examples (Titus 2:1-8). – Serve together: local outreach, mission trips, hospitality. 7. Guard Media & Curriculum – Evaluate books, shows, apps against Philippians 4:8. – Use biblically faithful resources for science, history, and ethics. 8. Provide Godly Friendships – “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Facilitate friendships that encourage faith. Guarding the Gates of Influence • Proverbs 4:23—“Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” • Set clear boundaries on devices and online platforms. • Teach discernment, not just prohibition, so children learn to recognize counterfeit ideas. Passing the Baton of Faith • Proverbs 22:6—“Start a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” • Ephesians 6:4 calls fathers to bring children up “in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.” • Faith is transferred through intentional teaching and visible joy in Christ. Encouragement for the Long Road • Galatians 6:9—“Let us not grow weary in well-doing.” Parenting for godliness is marathon, not sprint. • God’s promises stand: Isaiah 55:11 assures His Word “will not return void.” • As we saturate our homes with Scripture, we give our children the language of Judah—truth that endures beyond every cultural trend. |
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