Articles
Teach Your Children Well
Last March when the pandemic reached our country, churches were instructed to limit
gatherings to no more than 10 individuals. At the time, I was concerned that perhaps our
government had overstepped their authority. My father-in-law and I had several conversations at
that time discussing how this was all going to play out over time. He wisely reminded me that
maybe this would work in favor of the Lord’s church because it would challenge our parents
(especially the fathers) to take on the God-given responsibility of teaching their children the
ways of the Lord (Deut. 6:1-9; Eph. 6:4).
I am looking forward to that day we can begin to worship together as a whole body again.
I’m tired of talking into a camera (no disrespect intended, Jeff!). And I’m sure you’re tired of
watching a “pre-recorded” devotional or sermon from week to week. But before we throw up our
hands in total frustration, let’s re-examine that command of the Lord to teach our children His
ways. How are we doing with that command? Are we teaching when we sit around the house and
when we walk by the way? Do we teach when we lie down for the night and when we wake up
in the morning? Basically, do we teach at every opportunity we may have each day to teach our
children to love the Lord?
As we continue through this pandemic and the concern for the physical welfare of our loved
ones, let us also pay close attention to our spiritual walk with Christ. Yes, “our adversary, the
devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Unfortunately,
he is being successful, but maybe not because of our current “lockdown.” Are we spending time
in daily study of God’s Word? Not just a simple reading of a few chapters, but a true study of the
life the Lord wants us to live. Are we spending time in prayer to our heavenly Father. God hears
and gives answer. Are we looking for His answers to our daily struggle in life?
These are difficult times in which we live, but we can continue to grow spiritually in the
faith, if we will set aside time each and every day to draw nearer to God, so that He will draw
near to us (Jas. 4:8).
I pray that it will not be much longer before we can meet again, but until then, “...be
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not
vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). ~P. Mowrer
