Dr. James Dobson asks, is your child’s spiritual training a priority?
In his blog, Solid Answers, Dobson writes, “the first and most explicit instruction is addressed to parents and is found in the book of Deuteronomy. It leaves no wiggle room. This passage is a transcript of the final speech given by Moses, to the children of Israel after he had led them out of Egypt and through forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
It is significant that the first chapter of that speech, quoted in verse 39, was addressed to parents about their children. Moses said, “[They] do not yet know good from bad.” Then Moses spoke to the people. Here is his unmistakable message, which echoes down through the ages: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deut. 6:4–9)
Notice that Moses wasn’t simply offering a “suggestion” to parents about the spiritual training of their children. He called that assignment a commandment, and there was urgency in his words.
By the time your sons and daughters are grown, they should have no doubt about the fundamentals of the Christian faith.”