Posts Tagged ‘Deuteronomy 6:5-8’

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6

Challenged, enlightened, convicted, and inspired by God.

Education of our children was the theme of the Future of Christendom Conference in Reading, PA during the first weekend in October. Education for the Lord is not a matter of reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is a matter of faith and doctrine and how they should affect every sphere of our lives.

The command to teach our children diligently (Deuteronomy 6:7-8) is not so much concerned about how our children will make a living as it is with what worldview they will make their living.

Are we teaching our children the words God commanded or what the world expects of them?

In the book of Nehemiah, Sanballat hears that the Jews are building the wall around Jerusalem. He is angry and “jeered at the Jews” (Nehemiah 4:1, ESV). His comrade Tobiah joins him in his mocking and says of their work, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” (Nehemiah 4:3, ESV)

So Nehemiah prays in response to the opposition:

“Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.” (Nehemiah 4:4-5, ESV)

Then, he acted:

“So we built the wall.” (Nehemiah 4:6a, ESV)

These men defiantly opposed the work that Nehemiah was trying to do. The people built anyway.

Christian parents who choose to homeschool (or send their children to Christian school) also receive opposition from the world. We are told we are creating social misfits (as if public school has none). We are accused of being over-protective when the truth is that we are teaching them to be Christian warriors, with enough knowledge and courage to defend the Christian faith.

Often, they even challenge the home-schooler’s academics. How can you teach calculus and physics? Today, the resources are all there for the parent willing to do his homework.

These are minor issues compared to the opportunity to “train up a child in the way he should go” so that when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

The Christian parent must adopt a long-term generational view of educating her children. Future generations will see the blessings of the Lord only if the faith gets passed down with a view toward the work of building God’s Kingdom.

How we educate our children affects the way our children raise their children.

If we fail to live our faith and diligently teach God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6:6-8), they will lack the basis on which to teach the next generation, serve God, and build His kingdom with whatever gifts and talents the Lord gives them.

In Nehemiah 4 the wall got built because the people “had a mind to work.” Raising our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4, ESV) is work. But, the Lord sent a Helper who will teach us all things (John 14:26). He is our help so that we can teach our children until they, too, are dependent on Him.

Do we have a mind to do this work of teaching our children a Christian worldview? If we do not, who will teach them?

Intentional Influence: A Woman’s Guide to Biblical Mentoring
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