The woman who led our "pastoral prayer" in yesterday's worship service is a mother of two young girls. During her prayer she prayed specifically for parents as they experience the joy but also the difficulties of raising children. We had earlier that morning prayed similar prayers as six of us gathered in our pre-service prayer meeting.
Their are many challenges parents face. One specific challenge is to pass on their faith to the next generation. God is clear that this is their responsibility. As early as the institution of the Passover, God commands through Moses that father's must explain the Passover to their sons. Each father is responsible for helping his son appreciate God's greatness in the miracle of that first passover that resulted in freedom for the Israelites.
"On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’" Exodus 13:8
“In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand theLord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Exodus 13:14
Parents can often look to Sunday Schools and Christian Schools for Christian help as they raise their children. But they cannot shirk their responsibility to tell of the great things God has done in history - and also in their personal and family life. Notice how personal the father is to be in vs. 8 "what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt."
Although the Bible does not expand beyond this, it seems to me that God surely expects other family members to do the same: shouldn't we all be sharing with children "what the Lord did for me"? Whether you are an aunt or uncle, grandparent or much older brother or sister, have you considered your responsibility in letting the "next generation" know how great, faithful and loving is your God? We are all responsible to "pass it on"; this great Good News is for sharing; we are witnesses within our families and to the world.
Their are many challenges parents face. One specific challenge is to pass on their faith to the next generation. God is clear that this is their responsibility. As early as the institution of the Passover, God commands through Moses that father's must explain the Passover to their sons. Each father is responsible for helping his son appreciate God's greatness in the miracle of that first passover that resulted in freedom for the Israelites.
"On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’" Exodus 13:8
“In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand theLord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Exodus 13:14
Parents can often look to Sunday Schools and Christian Schools for Christian help as they raise their children. But they cannot shirk their responsibility to tell of the great things God has done in history - and also in their personal and family life. Notice how personal the father is to be in vs. 8 "what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt."
Although the Bible does not expand beyond this, it seems to me that God surely expects other family members to do the same: shouldn't we all be sharing with children "what the Lord did for me"? Whether you are an aunt or uncle, grandparent or much older brother or sister, have you considered your responsibility in letting the "next generation" know how great, faithful and loving is your God? We are all responsible to "pass it on"; this great Good News is for sharing; we are witnesses within our families and to the world.
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