Introduction
A man came home from work to find his house in chaos. His children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud. Inside the house, a lamp had been knocked over, the throw rug was wadded against a wall, and the living room was littered with toys and clothing. Dishes filled the kitchen sink, cereal was spilled on the counter, and a broken glass lay under the table. The man went up the stairs, stepping over toys and piles of clothes, looking for his wife. She was still in bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. “Never mind my day,” he said, “What happened here today?” She answered, “You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world I did today? Well today I didn’t do it.”
Today is that wonderful Sunday we call Mother’s Day, a day when we celebrate our moms and the priceless role they play in family and society. Moms, it’s not my intention today to add to your struggles as a mom, because many of you already feel overwhelmed. It’s never been harder to be a parent. But because parenting is so crucial and because God has called us to certain things as moms and dads, I do want to share some truth from Scripture about raising children. Though this is Mother’s Day, my message is specifically targeted to all parents; and in addition, I believe God has a word for all of us here this morning, whether we’re parents or not. In Psalm 78, the Lord gives us four principles for parenting with purpose.
Text
Psalm 78:1-8, especially verse 4
“We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4).
Some of you mothers might be relieved that I’m not preaching on Proverbs 31. In that chapter, we read of a woman who might be described by some as “Super Woman” or “Super Mom.” Her husband says, “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all” (v. 29). In other words, she is Number One; no one else measures up to her. So, moms, you should strive to be like her, but you also need to be realistic. You’re not perfect. It’s sort of like our goal to live like Christ lived. We know that in this life, that’s an impossible goal. But, still, we are to pursue Christ-likeness. The woman in Proverbs 31 is not meant to intimidate or discourage but to inspire. She is a model, an example, a goal.
1. We must teach our children God’s greatness (vv. 1-4).
How does the psalmist communicate to us in these verses? He first gets our attention: “O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth” (v. 1). In modern terminology, he is shouting, “Don’t touch that dial! Pay attention! This is important stuff!”
This psalm recounts the amazing history of the nation of Israel. The people were responsible to pass on to the next generation what God had done for them in the past.
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD’” (Ex. 10:2).
• “The praiseworthy deeds of the LORD.” We are to tell our children about the awesome things God has done;
• “His power.” We are to remind our children that God is above all other powers. Nothing is too difficult for Him.
• “The wonders he has done.” We are to teach our children that our God is a God of miracles!
It’s our responsibility to teach our children, our grandchildren, and our spiritual children God’s greatness. “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works” (Ps. 145:3-5).
2. We must teach our children God’s Word (vv. 5-6).
In the maze of moral confusion, God’s Word is able to guide us. Notice the multi-generational aspect of these verses: forefathers, their children, the children yet to be born, and their children. The psalmist is talking about four generations!
Grandparents, your spiritual assignment is not over when your children are grown. You are to influence your grandchildren spiritually as well! Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Of course, you need to be careful how you attempt to influence your grandchildren. Many grandparents are guilty of being too critical or interfering.
Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers [applies to mothers as well], do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” It’s not always easy to teach children God’s Word.
• Sometimes our own lack of knowledge and understanding hinders us, but remember that the teacher most always learns more than the student.
• Sometimes our supposed lack of time hinders our teaching of the Word to children. We can make time for what’s important, and the psalmist puts utmost importance on this task!
• Why not share with each other what you are learning in God’s Word? You children can teach you, too, which excites them to learn.
• Biblical instruction should not begin at church; it should begin at home. [Illustration: Resurrection Eggs]
• Teaching can occur during the everyday experiences of life.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord, is one. Love the Lord you 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).
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deut. 11:18-19).
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Pr. 22:6). This is a proverb, not a prophecy. Not every child who grows up in a godly home will grow up to follow the Lord. But it’s much more likely that they will live for God if they are given godly training.
3. We must teach our children to trust God (v. 7a).
How can we teach our children to trust God? We do this by trusting God ourselves and by sharing stories about God’s faithfulness with them. These verses tell of how Israel forgot about the Lord’s work. How could they forget? God had done so many miracles (the parting of the Red Sea, the providing of manna, etc.) how could they forget? We do the same thing! When God parted the Jordan for Israel to pass through, Joshua set up stones to commemorate God’s mighty acts so future generations would remember (Josh. 4:20-24).
What are we doing to commemorate God’s mighty work in our lives?
4. We must teach our children to obey God (vv. 7b-8).
We need to help our children build their own set of convictions. When our children leave home, we can’t make their decisions for them! Remember Joseph when away from home and tempted said, “How then could I could do such a wicked thing and sin against God? (Gen. 39:9).
We must teach our children by example. Do you ever say when the phone rings, “Tell them I’m not home,” but then get upset when your kids tell a lie? We must model obedience for our children. Consistency is essential.
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15).
Do your children see that you are serving the Lord? Are you setting a good example for them?
Someone has written, “I had a “drug” problem when I was a young person and teenager. I was “drug” to church on Sunday morning. I was “drug” to church on Sunday night. I was “drug” to church on Wednesday night. I was “drug” to Sunday School every week. I was “drug” to Vacation Bible School. I was “drug” to the family altar to read the Bible and pray. Those “drugs” are still in my veins, and I don’t think I’ll ever kick the habit.”
Conclusion
Diana Allen nicely sums up the sentiment of many mothers in a poem called “I Quit.” After explaining the hardships of parenthood, she concludes, “There will be days when I’ll still hunt through the yellow pages for the number for the Mother’s Resignation Hotline…or my heart will feel as though it has been shattered into a thousand pieces. One thing is sure, however: I have to hand on, to stand firm, to fight the good fight. The souls of my children and the quality of the lives they live here on earth is at stake—and so is their eternity. My children are too precious for me to do anything but persevere.”
Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due: Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2005 Edition, pp. 132-134.
