How can we prioritize biblical teaching in our personal and family lives? Scene in Judah: A King Who Valued Teaching “2 Chronicles 17:7: ‘In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials—Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah—to teach in the cities of Judah.’” What We Learn from Jehoshaphat • He acted early (“in the third year”)—teaching Scripture was not an afterthought. • He delegated reliable teachers—he made sure the people heard truth from trustworthy voices. • He sent them “to the cities”—Scripture left the palace and entered everyday life. • Verses 8-9 show they carried “the Book of the Law of the LORD” with them—content came straight from God’s Word. Scripture Echoes That Call Us to Do the Same • Deuteronomy 6:6-7—“These words … shall be on your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children…” • Joshua 1:8—Meditate “day and night.” • Psalm 119:11—Hide the Word in the heart to avoid sin. • Matthew 4:4—We live “on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” • 2 Timothy 3:16-17—All Scripture is God-breathed and equips for every good work. • Colossians 3:16—“Let the word of Christ richly dwell among you…” Practical Steps for Personal Prioritizing • Block out non-negotiable daily time with the Word—morning, lunch break, or before bed. • Read aloud—hearing Scripture reinforces memory (Romans 10:17). • Journal or note key truths and how to obey them. • Memorize a verse each week; review during routine moments—commutes, workouts, chores. • Use audio Bibles while driving or exercising to soak in larger passages. • Join a church class or small group for regular, accountable study. • Guard against digital distraction—silence alerts during study; use a print Bible when possible. Practical Steps for Family Prioritizing • Schedule a short daily family devotion—five to ten minutes around breakfast or bedtime. • Rotate readers so each member handles the Bible; even young children can read a verse. • Tie Scripture to ordinary rhythms—mealtimes, drives, celebrations, discipline moments. • Memorize together; make it fun with songs or hand motions. • Sing Scripture-rich songs (Colossians 3:16) to plant truth in hearts. • Display verses on walls, mirrors, or phone lock screens (Deuteronomy 6:9). • Invite older children to lead a study night—gives ownership and develops teachers. • Serve together on outreach projects and connect actions to biblical commands (James 1:22). • Keep open Bibles in common areas—easy access encourages spontaneous reading. A Simple Weekly Framework Monday: Read the coming Sunday’s sermon passage. Tuesday: Review and discuss key verse at dinner. Wednesday: Family worship—song, Scripture, prayer. Thursday: Personal quiet time focus on application. Friday: Memorization game night. Saturday: Serve or fellowship with other believers. Sunday: Attend worship, take notes, share takeaways after lunch. Encouragement for the Long Haul • Consistency beats length; steady drops fill a bucket. • Expect resistance—schedule conflicts, fatigue—but persist (Galatians 6:9). • Celebrate progress: a completed reading plan, a memorized chapter, a child’s spiritual insight. • Remember the promise: “Blessed is the man … whose delight is in the law of the LORD… In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3) Jehoshaphat prioritized teaching by mobilizing teachers and Scripture; we imitate him when we intentionally weave God’s Word into every corner of personal and family life. |
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