Devotion
Training the Future Generations
Chipo Biti
Childhood is one of the most important phases of a person's life. We learn most of our values while we are growing up. Most of the things that we do as adults are affected by our childhood experiences. This is why we need to make sure that we teach our children the right things while they are growing up. The "right way" to train a child is to bring them up in the things of God. Children are never too young to learn about the gospel. There is a vast amount of materials that you can use to teach children about Jesus Christ and what He came to do for us.
As the child grows, the teachings can become more advanced until they are able to understand the Bible on their own. As parents, teachers, and leaders, we are meant to pour out as much love and wisdom into children as we can, so that they can grow up to do greater things than we have managed to do.
Training a child goes beyond telling them what to do. Children are keen observers. They learn from the actions that they see on a daily basis. If we are trying to train our children to live godly lifestyles but we exhibit behavior that is contrary to our words, our children will choose to emulate our actions over our words.
If we tell children to be honest in their ways, but they see us deceiving others, children will choose to deceive others because they have seen us do it. When you are tempted to yell at someone who is driving recklessly, choose to be patient instead. Your child will keep these lessons for when they are older. The only way to ensure that our children will get to know God and His love is if we choose to teach them about it.
According to Judges 2:10-13, the newer generations of the children of Israel did not know God. They were not knowledgeable of the many things God had done for their ancestors. Because of this, they turned into a rebellious and idolatrous nation. We see similar things happening around us in the modern world. Many people have turned on God and have chosen to fulfil their selfish desires.
Prayer
In order for us to change this, we need to make sure that we train up the future generations in the ways of the Lord so that they can continue to spread the message of the gospel when we have left the world.
Devotion
We will Do It
Why do you obey
Frances Taylor
Moses came down from the mountain and told the people what the Lord had commanded. They all said, Okay! No problem! As we shall see in a few days, that didn't last long. The Israelites said yes over and over to God, and then said, no, over and over again. So much like us! It's a good thing God forgives us over and over again. It is always interesting to read the full account of the commandments and their amplified meaning in Exodus, because it gives an idea of what the civilization was like in those days. The commandments were not all totally new as many of them were based on the code of Hammurabi. The first three commandments were new as they listed the proper behavior towards God. The other seven concerned social behavior and social structure. So, what's the difference between Hammurabi's code and the Ten Commandments other than the first three? The difference is in the why. We don't obey the commandments because they promote civility...
Morning Prayer
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Inspiration
Our mouths may be filled with all sorts; idle chatter, gossip, news, profanities or slander. Yet it would be best of all to fill it with praise and love. God gave us our voices to not only communicate, but to choose our words wisely. Don't use it to injure or babble, but to spread his gospel and praise.
Prayer
Lord Almighty I exalt your name on earth as in Heaven. Grant me the wisdom and the will to spread your name and deeds, to use my voice for beauty and truth rather than lies and disparagement. Grant me this Lord, in your holy name I pray, Amen.
