Parents: Be the Messenger
Deuteronomy 11: 18-21 NLT
18 “So, commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. 22 “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. [Deuteronomy 11:18-22]
As Christian parents we have all been hit with the question, "How do I develop my child's faith? I know I have. I was a young mother, who was on a quest to deepen my faith so that I could share with my child the eternal gift of life in Jesus. I knew faith was not inherited, rather it's a personal choice to believe in God the father, and Jesus the Messiah.
So, I did as the bible wrote, I committed myself to the Word of God. I began to wake up in the middle of the night to read, to watch TBN and hear testimonies and preachings. As an infant, I began to sing her hymns and worship songs, I read her bible stories, and prayed with her and over her, I taught her how to say, "thank you Jesus, and amen", and took her to church weekly. I was dedicated to raising her in the things of God. At about 6 months, I did a baby dedication on a Sunday Morning at our church. This was a public declaration that as a parent I was dedicating my life and her life to God. I was committed to lead her in the faith. Many Catholics believe in baby baptism; however, Christians emphasize baby dedication. We believe baptisms should be done at an age when the person can make their own decisions to make a public decision to follow Christ.
This verse is simple instructions for parents to follow. It simply just requires action to be the messenger of the word to our offspring.
As parents we are the first representation of Christ ambassadors. are we living the example well, or are we causing them to turn from Christ?
It's not too late to start! you can start today! You can begin by sharing your testimony, a scripture, a story, watching a bible series like Chosen on a platform, take them to Sunday School.
I have been blessed with 4 children; my youngest 2 I just got the privilege of being their mother early this year. I felt as if God hand selected me to represent Christ in their little life as a godly role model. So, I had to start in the mundane everyday life. Following this scripture as the template for motherhood. We talk about Jesus all the time. From the rising of the sun to the setting of the moon. This allows faith to grow! Romans 10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ."[NLT]
