Deuteronomy 6:20, 21, 24 In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” tell him. The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.

Moses was pointing out to the people that their children were going to want to know why they had all these rules and regulations, particularly since they were different from those held by other people groups. The simple answer was that they were to tell them. In the case of Israel, that telling involved the story of slavery in Egypt, and the exodus and miracles. Today, children have the same question: “Why?” Christian parents need to be just as prepared as Jewish parents to explain things, but sadly, few are. I am reminded of Peter’s admonition to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) Not too many Christians follow that, either! In raising children, sometimes the best answer is indeed, because I said so, especially when the child in question is too young to understand the full answer. However, that should never be the standard answer, or you will raise children who can’t wait to “get out from under their parent’s thumb,” and who will in turn be arbitrary with their own children. Parents themselves need to believe that God’s commandments are to bring happiness and blessing, and they need to express that clearly to their children. Failure in that area is a major factor in the breakdown in morality in the US today. It has been shown that parents who actively believe that premarital sexual abstinence is the way to the greatest blessing in that area, and who express that clearly to their children, have the fewest problems with those children. Society today blasts a message contrary to that, so parents need to believe it, teach it, and live it out themselves. Of course, God’s rules apply to every area of our lives, and the same principle holds true: we need to believe for ourselves that they are for our good and blessing, and we need to communicate that actively and effectively to our children.

As a parent, I didn’t do a perfect job in communicating Biblical values to my children, but now as a pastor I have a much larger “family” with which to improve my game, so to speak. I don’t think I have any problems believing that God’s way is best in every respect, but I need to communicate that effectively to those in my care. Some of them have questions as to what God’s way is in specific situations. I need to be clear with them without being legalistic, and that can be a real challenge. With non-Christian families and social structure, they have some pressures I’ve never experienced, so I can’t say, “I’ve been there, and this is what you need to do.” I need God’s wisdom and I need to be fully familiar with the Bible and its principles, but more even than those things, I need to teach the believers to listen to the Holy Spirit. That has to be taught by word and example, but if by the grace of God it is accomplished, those taught are set for life.

Father, thank You for expressing this so clearly this morning. Your way is indeed always best! Help me listen and obey at all times, not only so that I will do Your will, but so that nothing will interfere with my fellowship with You. May I be a delightful child to You in every respect, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!