DEUTERONOMY 6:7-LET'S HELP PARENTS DO IT!

Sometimes it seems that children's ministers are held primarily  responsible for faith development in children. Biblically, that isn't  the case. In Deuteronomy 6 the mandate is clearly given to mothers  and fathers. They are to love God completely and teach His  commands to their children within the context of daily living.  However, this Old Testament mandate was not the  responsibility of the family alone. The parents' instruction was to  be affirmed by a loving faith community. What was modeled and  taught in the home was also modeled and taught within the  community. The family and community partnered together  to nurture faith in the next generation. In the New Testament parents are also challenged to teach  their children in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4 ). But again,  this is done within the faith community-a faith community that has  been given the mandate to prepare God's people (even kids) for  works of service and bring all believers (even kids) to spiritual maturity  (Ephesians 4:11-13). So, if we are to biblically and effectively nurture faith in our children,  we cannot JUST provide effective ministry to children. We must  also help parents live out Deuteronomy 6:5-7. Read this week's Children's Ministries blog for some ways that local  churches can help parents live out Deuteronomy 6:5-7.  Click here for more.