In last week’s bulletin article, we saw from Psalm 78:1-6 that the primary responsibility for teaching children about God and the Bible lies with parents. We all acknowledge the need for family Bible study. But what is the goal of that time spent together? What are families working towards when they have spiritually based conversations? Let’s go back to Psalm 78 and find out!
First, we do not want to forget God’s works. Parents are to share with their children the glorious deeds of the Lord, His might, and the wonders that He has done (78:4). A specific purpose of teaching the next generation is so that they will not forget God’s works (78:7). When a family studies the Bible together, they are not just looking to learn facts about the Bible or what it says. When a family studies the Bible together, the goal is not to forget God’s works. The aim is to be overwhelmed by how great God is and the great things that God has done. The aim is to know God’s works and recognize that He is the only one worthy of our praise. We do not just want to teach the history of God; we want to teach the God of history.
Second, we want to know what God expects of us. God “appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them” (78:5-6). When a family studies the Bible together, they are looking to discover God’s will for their lives. The goal of family Bible study is to know and teach what God wants and what God does not want, what is pleasing to God and what is not pleasing to God. Children learning what God expects from them and the commands that God has given should begin in the home.
Third, we want to place our hope in God (78:7). You know as well as I do that we all go through trials in this life. Your children are going to go through trials throughout their lives, if they have not already. When a family studies the Bible together, it is for the purpose of helping each member to place their hope and confidence in God. It builds a solid foundation. Parents have the awesome privilege of not only placing their hope in God but also teaching their children how to place their hope in God’s love, power, and care.
Fourth, we want to keep God’s commands (78:7). If the members of your household know what the word of God says, that is great. But also remember that we are to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22). When families study the Bible together, they should not walk away only knowing what God has commanded. They should walk away motivated to obey what God has commanded. We not only want to teach our kids to know God’s commands but also to be faithful in keeping them.
Fifth, we want to learn from unfaithful examples. When the Psalmist looks back on the generations that came before them, he sees that they were stubborn and rebellious. Their hearts were not steadfast. Their spirits were not faithful to God (78:8). When a family studies the Bible together, they are able to learn from the negative, unfaithful examples that we have in Scripture. When a family studies stubborn and rebellious examples in the Bible, they learn to be open and submissive to God. When a family studies individuals in Scripture whose hearts were not steadfast, they learn to plant their lives and hearts firmly in God. When a family studies individuals in the Bible whose spirits were not faithful to God, they are able to learn to have spirits that are faithful to God.
As individual families, will we commit ourselves to teaching the next generation about God and His Word? Will we commit ourselves to centering our lives and families on Jesus? May God bless us in our efforts!
-Tyler Alverson
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