Shepherding a Child's Heart

Contexts for Parental Instruction
The primary context for parental instruction is set forth in
Deuteronomy 6. It is the ordinary context of daily living. Your
children see the power of a life of faith as they see you living it. You
do not need to be perfect; you simply need to be people of integrity
who are living life in the rich, robust truth of the Word of God.

---

Whether you are watching a video or playing a game, whether you
are doing work or fielding an unwanted phone call, whether you are
being successful or smarting from failure—in the ordinary context of
daily living, you show the power and viability of Christian faith.
Family Worship
Family worship provides a special context for instruction. There is
a temptation to have family worship as a duty. I have known men who
lived profligate lives who prided themselves on never missing family
worship.
Family worship must connect with the world and life as your
teenagers experience it. Family worship must address in lively ways
the issues your teenagers face.
Donna is a single mother. She has three adolescent children. Her
oldest, a daughter, has become interested in boys. More specifically,
boys have become interested in her. Donna was concerned about the
relationship that was developing between her daughter and her
daughter’s boyfriend. The relationship didn’t seem negative, but she
was concerned. She feared that her daughter would not maintain high
standards in her relationship with the young man.
Donna knew that the Word of God is accurate in its descriptions of
people and their needs. She knew the promises and warnings of
Scripture are well-suited to the needs of all people. She knew that the
deepest needs, both of her daughter and the young man, could be met
in the context of knowing God’s ways. She knew that God’s truth is
self-authenticating and that it would resonate with this young man
and her daughter.
Donna got help to prepare a thorough Bible study on relationships.
She and her children and the young man studied the Scriptures
together. The kids enjoyed it so much that she had trouble preparing
herself fast enough to keep ahead of their regular times of study.
The above story is an illustration of family worship that connects.

---

The family worship addressed the interests and needs of the teens.
Donna didn’t have to chase after them with the Bible. They sought her
out. May we always remember that the Word of God is powerful.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.