Generational Faithfulness

Generational faithfulness:
The original outline for Gods plan for parenting is found in Deuteronomy 6. God clearly describes the goal of our homes. God has allowed us to know how to continue our faith through our children. This is the most missional thing we can do, parent in Gods aproach, so that others will see our love for our children becasue of the love God has poured out on us.

3 things from Deuteronomy 6
1. God says to teach and talk to our children about who He is and what His statues are.
They way God commands us to teach and talk is diligently. This means with purpose and intent. Life is the classroom and God has provided the objects and the call of what to teach. Scripture has been for thousands of years the textbook for life. The first book most children until the last two centuries would have read first was the bible. God is very clear that is commands and statues are what guide our lives and set us apart from the world around us. God did not give us aimless things to teach our children He gave us they very things they need for life and to know Him.

2. God says make these things you teach and talk about apart of everyday life.
Teaching your children fits in to all the learning styles based on what God says in Deuteronomy 6:
Auditory –listening
Visual-watching
Tactile and Kinesthetic- movers and shakers
God knew exactly who He was talking to when He gave this commandment. God knows that His little creations are each individually unique, and need all of these approaches to teach His truths.
Modeling:
He knows that your children watch you. Your children will learn to worship what you do. They were designed to be followers, and Jesus has a strong warning for those who lead them astray. They have a high level of perception to the way you orient your life.
I.e. Computer, tv, phone, husband, wife, family, work



Teaching Moments: The world around you and things that happen everyday are perfect opportunities to talk about the Godly and biblical response. When our children see that our very first response is to seek the council of God they to in time will begin to act the same way, this does not mean they are believers. It is a step to talking about why we as there parents respond to God as our father.
TV- caillou and his whining problem
Grocery store and screaming children
Nature and Gods creation
Homeless people on the side of the road
Food for the hungry
Prayer is not just for food and bedtime
Books looking for places to point out sin and good behavior
3. God says these things happen out of love.
First for God, second for our children, Deuteronomy 6:20 is the answer to why we teach and talk to our children about these things. So that when your son asks why do we do all of these things you will have an answer. The reason is that they might know God and not forget who He is. When we remember God for all that he has done it shows our love for Him and proves our love for the one we are speaking to. If you found the perfect wrinkle remover wouldn’t you tell the people you love. You know how great our God is and you tell the people you love.
Here are a few questions about Deuteronomy 6:20 to probe the way you live.

What in your life is there to ask about?
Why would they want to ask you?
What about your life brings up questions now to your preschooler, elementary, jr high, high school students?
Do the answers to they questions they have point them to your God?

The reason the Israelites fall apart can be found in Judges 2:10: And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel.
The older generation did not tell the younger. God has called us to be the front lines of discipleship in the world. This is the quickest way to share your faith. As moms and dads you are on the edge of evangelism everyday. If the people of Israel had truly taken seriously Deuteronomy 6 this could have been a different outcome.

God desires that the family be the strongest missional focus in the world. This passage gives us purpose to be set apart from the world. We are different: our parenting is not about us; it is for the God who saved and loves us. The reason that we spend time with our kids is because we love them and because of that we continually remind them about Jesus. When the world sees that they see that we live for a greater purpose then our selves and our kids.
A few Passages for reflection:
David knew well what leaving a Godly legacy could do. Listen to these two passages.
Psalm 78
Psalm 71
Proverbs is clear about children and parents. So perfect is the model of Godliness in proverbs 31 that we should all take note.
Proverbs: 1:8, 7:1, 3:26, 31:10-31
The New Testament even gives a glimpse at the heart of generational faithfulness.
Luke 1:17 John the Baptist job description
Luke 1:50 Mary and the magnificat