Read Deuteronomy 11

“Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 11:18–19)

Just as the nation of Israel was called to lay up the words of God in their hearts and to teach them to their children, the Christian is called to do the same. This command is consistent throughout Scripture. Did not Paul command to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly? (see Colossians 3:16). Have not Christ and all the Apostles spoken boldly about raising our children in the Lord? (see Ephesians 6:4; Matthew 19:14).

But first, we must take note of the order. We must store up the Word of God in our own hearts before we are able to store the Word up in others — especially children. How shall we give the next generation what we ourselves do not have? What can we offer our children what we ourselves have failed to obtain? If Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s ministry (see 2 Kings 2:9-10), should we not ask God to give our children a double portion of our understanding?

Children may not have the word hypocrite in their vocabulary, but they know one when they see it. Their own innocence gives them eyes to see through pretenses and double standards. They are the litmus test for integrity. Therefore, in order for us to take such a command as teaching our children the Word of God, we must be taught the Word of God ourselves.

I am reminded of the command of Paul to pastor Timothy (and take special note of the order of his words) —

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

Pastoral words, indeed! — but parental words as well! As adults, we have a responsibility to take heed to ourselves and the doctrine of God's Word in order that we may teach Christ’s little lambs who hear us.

Dear Christian, are you laying up the Word of Christ in your heart? There is a child watching you. Pray for an unquenchable hunger to understand the Scriptures. For the more you take heed to the Word, the more children who hear you can glean! Dear parents, are you laying up the Word of Christ in your heart? Your children are watching you. Pray for a stirring in your soul to delight in the Scriptures. For the more you delight in the Word, the more your home will be a shelter of truth and a foundation of godly conviction.

Dear Lord, may we take heed in Your living and powerful Word in order that our children and the generations after us will follow wholeheartedly after You and Your Truth. Amen.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

‍