To me this would look like a typical family; sitting around the table discussing their day, how things are going, and what God is doing in their lives. However, the more I listen to students the more I find this to only be true in roughly half the cases.
I grew up where if you were home at dinner time, you sat at the table and ate with everybody else. It was a great time to catch up with everyone. Its a practice that my parents instilled in me, and I do it with my family to this day. We talk about school, we talk about friends, we talk about things we can do as a family, and we talk about God. Let me insert here that I don't always get things right as a parent, but this is one that I do.
There is an ever widening gap between students and parents, and though sitting at the table and eating dinner together may not completely fix it. It is a great starting point. We should know what is going on in our children's lives not because of Facebook, twitter, or instagram, but because we have a conversation with them.
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Dt 6:6-7., NIV)
Somewhere along the line in History, we have bought into the idea that it is the Church's responsibility to teach children about God. That's simply not true, the church is supposed to support what is already being taught at home. To set the scene the book of Deuteronomy is basically Moses' farewell address to the people of Israel, as they are about to enter the promised land and he is about to die. He is stressing here that they are to teach the children about God, and to talk about Him quite often.
I had a student say to me recently that the name of God is only mentioned in their home when the blessing is asked, I had one say that God is NEVER mentioned at home, and I have several say they hardly ever sit together as a family and eat a meal at the kitchen table.
Do we want our children to have a deep meaningful relationship with God? then you and I as parents need to have a deep meaningful relationship with God.
Do we want our children to be excited about worship? then you and I as parents need to be excited about worship.
Do we want our children to be reading the Bible? then you and I as parents need to be reading the Bible.
Do we want our children to have regular prayer? then you and I as parents need to be having regular prayer.
I have become deeply troubled and convicted by this as a parent and a minister. The fact that there are students that can't find books of the Bible, don't know stories of the Bible, and are totally lost on some teachings in the Bible means we need to make a change.
I was discussing this with a friend of mine in the ministry about the struggle of time management. I get it when most parents say something about "not having time". I get what it is like to get the kids from school, do the heavy load of homework, cook supper, showers, and into bed at a decent time just to realize, oh man we didn't do a devotion (can I get an amen). The heart, desire, and intention was there. It was on the to do list, but at the end of the day it made the "not done" list. Here is what we have to do: just do it. Find time, make time, start somewhere. I have found that weekends are the best (non school nights), two nights a week is better than what most are currently doing.
We also have a habit now that when we are sitting around the table for Sunday lunch, and yes we do that at home or if we eat out, that we go around and everyone discusses what they learned about God in Sunday School and in worship. My kids are great about this now, because if dad forgets (and yes I do) they will say, "aren't you going to ask what we learned today". On Sunday nights on the ride home from church the discussion is what they learned that night.
If we want God to be an important part of our children's life, then we HAVE to make Him part of our life. We need to be talking to our children about God, regularly. Not Jesus down your throat kind of thing, but more of how is God working in your life.
Now as your reading this I know what your thinking, that I am being judgmental, non understanding of time constraints, and that I am trying to make myself seem like the "super parent". Absolutely not, my point is that it is my struggle too. Quite frequently even on weekends I find myself almost forgetting to do our family devotions, until Rebekah comes along and reminds me. Isn't it great how our kids can humble us.
Will you join me in a renewed effort to practiced Deuteronomy 6:6-7:
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
You pray for me as a parent, and I will pray for you...
Chris
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