Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.
-John 17:17
An anonymous author wrote, “Every
home is a school. What do you teach?” This statement implies that, whether we are
intentional or not, we are teaching something in our homes. Our children learn from our actions and
examples whether we have planned and designed the curriculum or not. As moms who desire to make a positive difference
in the lives of our children, we must take the intentional approach to what we
teach in our homes. So, what do you
teach?
When my husband and I first began our homeschooling journey many years
ago, we heard a speaker share about the priority of God’s Word in our daily
home life. I remember his admonition that
Bible always comes first. “If there is
no time for both math and Bible, math goes.”
I took his words seriously and Bible time became the first subject of
every day. Before we officially sat down
with math or reading, we read God’s Word together.
I found that reading directly from His Word was the most effective
strategy. We often fail to realize that
children can understand God’s Word. They
do not need children’s Bibles that water down the stories nor do they thrive
better on little words of wisdom books that paraphrase and moralize the Truth
that sanctifies us. In John 17:17 Jesus
prays for His disciples and He asks, “Sanctify
them in the truth; Thy word is truth.”
The word “sanctify” means to
withdraw from fellowship with the world by first gaining fellowship with
God. It is through His precious Word
that we come into sweet fellowship with Him and it is through that sweet
fellowship that we are cleansed, purified, and directed.
So, what do you teach? Reason 84
in 101 Reasons God Made Moms says
that “God made moms so they could teach their children about the Bible. We teach by our example – did you have
your daily quiet time in God’s Word today?
Do your children expect you to take time with God on a daily basis? As Marie T. Freeman writes, “If you want to be a teacher, remember that
you’re just as likely to teach who you are as you are to teach what you
know.” We teach by our priorities –
does God’s Word have prominence in your life with your kids? Do they perceive its importance because it is
read aloud together? We teach by our
actions – do you follow the lessons you have learned from God’s Word? Do you allow His truth to change your life?
No matter what your circumstances in life, you can make God’s Word a
priority by withdrawing from fellowship with the world and seeking fellowship
with God through His Word. This example
can be lived before younger and older children, grandchildren, and even nieces
and nephews – any young people who have the opportunity to watch you in some
way. If your children are young, daily
Bible time can become a priority in your home.
Choose a time that works for your family and set that time aside for
Bible reading and discussion. Through His
Word those children will be sanctified in fellowship with the One who made and
loves them. Can anything be more
important in the teaching that happens in our homes? What do you teach? Let’s be intentional to teach God’s Word.
