Craig Clouston

Teach Them the What and Why

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…Teach them to your children…when you sit at home and when you walk…when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 11:18, 19

“Time for bed, Kiddo,” Mom advised.

“Awe, Momma…” Megan responded.

“Awe, nothing. It’s bedtime,” she said. “Go brush your teeth. I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you in and hear your prayers.”

Ten minutes later, with the covers up to her chin, five-year-old Megan prayed:

“Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

if I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen”

“Night, Kiddo.” Mom kissed her forehead as she rose from kneeling and headed for the bedroom door.

“Momma?” Turning she saw that Megan was sitting up once again.

“What is it, Sweetheart?”

“What’s a soul?” came the innocent query.

Stifling a laugh, she said, “Why, it’s your spirit, Baby Girl... It’s the part of you where Jesus lives!”

After a short pause Megan said, “Ooh…now it makes sense!”

“What does, Honey?”

“Well…I always wondered what God wanted with part of my shoe!”

Mom was struck with a mixture of amusement and guilt as the truth of Megan’s dilemma was made known. She had always assumed Megan knew what the words meant. She felt a stab of remorse realizing Megan must have been so confused, yet had for some reason remained silent.

†

Passing along the powerful family tradition of prayer to the next generation is important. Just as vital is their understanding of what they are being taught.

We are to teach, not just pass information along, because if there is no understanding…there is no power.

In John’s eighth chapter, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." There is no assumption on Jesus’ part. He leaves no room for misunderstanding, or worse yet, no understanding at all.

As we instruct the next generation we must be sure they understand the information given them.

Prayer

“Give me the wisdom, patience, and skill to be the teacher my children, and/or grandchildren deserve, Lord. Guide their hearts and minds as I give them knowledge to see them set free. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”