Thankful for those who have gone before us, we should daily remember “…the equipping of the saints [that’s all Christians] for the work of ministry….”–Ephesians 4:12
Deuteronomy 6, verse 4, begins, “Hear” which calls God’s people to ‘hear and do.’ This begins the Shema, which Jesus and his disciples would have recited morning and evening. We are called to hear and do the Great Commandment, to love the LORD our God with all our heart[link-most Am. X’ns miss breadth of meaning] and with all our soul [life] and with all our strength.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates….
{How many of you have EVER heard this Text from the Pulpit? Would like to see a poll on that.}
Now, who is the “you” who is to teach the children God’s commands? It is not the preacher; it is not the Sunday School; it is not the youth pastor. It is those who sit in the house, who go to bed there and wake up there, it is the parents of the children.
God gives to parents the distinct responsibility to teach their children God’s word. While there are other good things like Sunday School where they can learn, these things are the icing on the cake that parents bake. They are no substitutes for this sphere of responsibility that God entrusts specifically to parents.
… that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life…
Get Started, here: https://textsincontext.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/teaching-children-the-ten-commandments/
[And pay close attention to THIS: “Your Child and Your TV” ]
TextsInContext 
Another great post Mike. Back in college, my major was in youth ministry. I’m not quite sure how this was calculated, but I remember once reading a youth ministry book that had conducted a study that concluded that ninety some percent of a youth’s spiritual development comes from his or her parents, not youth pastors, etc. Another startling stat was that only 2% of teens actively involved in their church’s youth ministry had ever seen their parents tell others about Jesus.
Very true. Ephesians 6:4 says:
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
“Now, who is the “you” who is to teach the children God’s commands? It is not the preacher; it is not the Sunday School; it is not the youth pastor. It is those who sit in the house, who go to bed there and wake up there, it is the parents of the children.”
Amen. Thanks for pointing out where the primary responsibility lies, and in an encouraging, Biblical way. Heard a sermon recently about family devotions and how they can be creative and unique to each family. Peace.
Thank you for caring about this topic. I hope more Christians who see the great need here will pass this on to others.
“As it turns out, one of the most influential forces in changing Americans’ definition of family can be found in the homes of liberals and conservatives alike: their televisions.” http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/15/how-tv-killed-the-republican-party-s-family-values.html
Which is why entertainment junkie parents need to think deeply about this: Your Child and Your TV http://sdcougar.startlogic.com/blog/?p=44
Michael – great piece here on teaching. My wife and I have a passion for teaching, not just because we have been Christian educators of young people through schools and churches, but also because we are parents. There is no greater opportunity and no greater responsibility for a parent than to be the teacher of their children. It does my heart good to see that teaching is highlighted in your posts. Also, thanks for liking my article. I hope my blog will continue to be a source of encouragement for you!
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It’s our responsibility, even God’s word says so. I teach teenagers in church and it’s amazing how the parents expect them to get transformed miraculously just by spending 3 hours with us only once a week. In the past, it used to be that parents spent more time with the kids. Unfortunately, the quest for more and more things has made that almost impossible these days. Until parents decide to deliberately make time for their kids and teach them in their daily interactions, I am afraid, we won’t be able to fulfill this very important duty God has handed to us.
[…] This is the typical Christian family. The vitamin supplement (upon which most hopes are cast) is the Sunday School. And the missing meal? […]