September 11, 2022 – Christian Education Sunday Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-15
Dear Friends in Christ,
Who’s your teacher? When you are in grade school that is a question that comes your way. Within the past month our young people were finding out who their teacher was going to be for the coming school year.
On this Christian Education Sunday that is a good question for all of us – “Who’s your teacher?” Who do we imitate? Who are our role models? Who do I like to sound like or dress like or act like?
There are many people competing to be our teachers. They want to instruct you and your family. They want you to follow their example. So . . .
“WHO’S YOUR TEACHER?”
God has always desired to be the teacher of his people. He gives this command in the opening verses of our text, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (vs. 4-5). God is not making a suggestion. God knows that what we hear influences what we think and do and believe. God wants to be your teacher and your children’s teacher. God wants our ears open and attentive as He speaks His Word to us. “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” (v. 6)
Now we get to a portion of Scripture that has always had an important place for us as parents and grandparents. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” That is a huge responsibility, is it not?
God gives the primary teaching job to the parent. Sitting at home – family devotions. Walking – look around at God’s creation. Lying down – a Bible story and prayers before bed. When you rise – prayers for the day, a word of advice. Bind them on your hand – you live what God’s Word says because “they shall be as frontlets for your eyes.” Our children are always watching. Are we living what we are saying? Do we back up our words with actions? Who’s our teacher in the eyes of our children and grandchildren? Write them on the doorposts of our house? Does your home reflect your Christianity by what is hanging on walls, or on your bookshelf or the words we speak to one another?
We stray from this command when we are not proactive. The world is happy to teach your children and grandchildren. And they have quite an influence, haven’t they? If our commitment to Christ and His Church is an hour or two a week, well, there is a lot of time left to fill. Are we hearing, marking, learning, and inwardly digesting the Word of God? Is it a prime source of nutrition in your home?
God desires that his Word be constantly in front of us. He desires that the Word fill our homes and our hearts. Here at Good Shepherd, both young and old hear that Word, which is then meditated upon throughout the week – whether we are sitting or walking or standing or lying down or rising. It is that Word of God that should be in front of us on a consistent basis.
In this Word of God, you are receiving great gifts and blessings. Your mind is being enlightened by the Gospel. In the Word, the Holy Spirit is working mightily to forgive sins, delivering the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection to you. In the Word, the Holy Spirit is strengthening your faith. When you read or hear that Jesus died for your sins, you are not only learning that truth, but in and through these words, Christ’s forgiveness is being given to you.
I cannot guarantee that if you do all these things that your children will not leave the reservation. Many of you in the pews this morning are hurting because of this truth. The world and its ways can be quite the seductress. You pray for the Holy Spirit’s work. Then remember this: you never stop teaching. With God as your teacher you continue. Verse 7 says as parents we are to “teach them diligently.” The Hebrew word is shaman, which is the verb that’s used to describe sharpening a blade by continually running it over a stone. Through the Word we are sharpened, and we need this sharpening continually. Sharpened by the Word we can discern truth from error, withstand the attacks of the evil one, and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Be strengthened by God’s Word this morning. Forgiven, loved, able to withstand trial and temptation, He empowers you and I in good works to glorify God and serve our neighbor and family members in love.
Who’s your teacher? I pray you know. God desires to be your teacher and your children’s teacher.
Amen.