May We Teach Them HIS Way

In Matthew 18:6 Jesus said, ". . . but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

My dear family and friends, there is nothing that we ought to fear more than discouraging our children or being a bad influence on them -- and not just our own. What an awesome responsibility we have to nurture the children that God brings into our lives and to teach them by word and by example.

We would agree that "our" children are not our possessions. They belong to God and He has entrusted their care and keeping to us -- parents, extended family, and the Church. The responsibility to teach and train them is serious and it is an awesome commission. God takes it very seriously. For example, just after God gave the Ten Commandments, Moses repeated them to the people and instructed them. He said, ". . .  you must think constantly about these commandments I am giving you today.  You must teach them to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk; at bedtime and the first thing in the morning. Tie them on your finger, wear them on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house!"

Friends, how much time do we spend in training our children from the Scripture? Do we read God's Word to them? Do we pray for them and with them? Do we teach them that the ways of the world are not God's ways? You know, it is not natural for children (and us) to love and obey Jesus. We are sinners and our natural inclination is to sin and rebellion. Even as Christians, we find that we are at war with sinful thoughts, wrong motives, and ungodly behavior. We struggle all of our lives. We tend to compromise and can sometimes find ourselves making excuses for sin in ourselves and in others.

We live in a wicked world and the old devil (I refuse to capitalize his name or title) is out to deceive, to tempt, and to destroy. Oh, how careful we must be that he does not use us as tools to bring spiritual harm to the children, God's precious jewels.

Let's sit down with the Bible and prayerfully examine ourselves. Let us ask ourselves some questions:

• What am I doing to help the young people around me to know Jesus, to trust Him, and to grow in grace?
• Do I pray for them and praise them when they do well?
• Do I correct them with love and grace to show them God's love or do I discourage them?
• Do I apologize to little ones when I am a poor example to them and thus teach them how important it is to repent when we sin?
• Am I supportive of Christian parents and respect the decisions they make in their own homes since they must give account to God, or am I critical of them and encourage rebellion in their children?
• Is my example godly by the way I speak and behave or do I compromise with the world?

Those are serious thoughts. We can teach them HIS way only if we walk with Him. A prayer to that end is reflected in this wonderful, old hymn: "Teach me Thy way, O Lord, Teach me Thy way; Thy gracious aid afford,  Teach me Thy way. Help me to walk aright; More by faith, less by sight; Lead me with heavenly light, Teach me Thy way."

Oh, Lord, help! Without YOU, I can do nothing.