What practical steps can we take to teach God's works to our children? Key Verse “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9) Guard Your Own Heart First • Keep personal devotion vibrant; children notice when faith is real • Examine life regularly, confess sin quickly, and pursue obedience • Stay alert to cultural influences that dull spiritual memory (1 John 2:15-17) Remember What God Has Done • Record answered prayers and providential moments in a journal • Retell family conversion stories and pivotal faith events • Mark significant dates—salvation anniversaries, baptisms, mission trips Speak About His Works Continually • Follow the pattern of Deuteronomy 6:6-7—talk of Scripture at home, on the road, at bedtime, and at breakfast • Weave God’s perspective into news, chores, and playtime • Replace idle conversation with testimonies of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 145:4-7) Create Visible Reminders • Place Scripture art on walls (Deuteronomy 6:9) • Build simple “memory stones”: a shelf of objects that symbolize God’s interventions (Joshua 4:6-7) • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper together in ways children can grasp the meaning Use Scripture Intentionally • Memorize short passages as a family (Psalm 119:11) • Read aloud entire Bible stories, not just summaries, to let children hear God’s words firsthand • Encourage older children to keep a notebook for key verses and insights Share Personal Testimonies • Describe how the Lord saved and guided you, detailing His specific works • Invite grandparents and mentors to tell their faith stories (Psalm 71:17-18) • Keep the tone joyful and God-focused, not self-centered Integrate Worship Into Everyday Life • Sing hymns and modern worship songs during chores or car rides (Ephesians 5:19) • Pause to thank God aloud for good weather, safe travel, or restored health • Turn family projects—gardening, repairs, service trips—into opportunities to praise the Creator Build Regular Family Rhythms • Establish a short daily devotion time; consistency outweighs length • Set aside a weekly Sabbath evening for extended Scripture reading and discussion • Observe annual traditions that spotlight redemption—Passover imagery at Easter, Advent candles before Christmas Commission the Next Generation • Give children age-appropriate roles in church service, outreach, and hospitality (1 Samuel 3:1-10) • Bless them verbally, affirming God’s call on their lives (Numbers 6:24-26) • Encourage them to teach younger siblings, reinforcing their own learning (2 Timothy 2:2) Complementary Passages • Psalm 78:5-7 – God established a testimony so that children might set their hope in Him • Joel 1:3 – “Tell your children about it” so each generation recounts God’s deeds • Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers are to bring children up in the training and instruction of the Lord • 2 Timothy 3:15 – From childhood the Scriptures are able to make one wise for salvation |
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