Nov. 23, 2007 - Making Memories - Building Strong Families

Sharing time together is a requirement for building a stronger family life centered on Christ. Moses decreed Israel: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up" (Deuteronomy 6:5-8). Moses' unchanging counsel is the foundation for Biblical spirituality in the home. Spending time together is the connection that brings us together before God. It is during this time that we are making memories with our children.  

Deuteronomy repetitively highlights the need for parents to vigorously "love" God, to avoid another lost generation as in the Israelites wandering in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 10:12 - 11:32). For God to be first in our lives His will must not only be discussed frequently but application must be taken in our daily home life. This action will put God first in our lives. What we truly, whole-heartedly love will become evident in our priorities, how we use our time and what we talk about.

To communicate the precedence of loving God, we must spend time together. The daily "family hour" needs to be kept in homes that glorify God. Being a single-parent sole provider really challenges me in finding the time for “Family hour.” However, I realize that family traditions and shared activities need to be established and kept. Working at such togetherness can be memorable and enjoyable!

Let us look at how we can incorporate family time together through out our day! In Deuteronomy 6, Moses insisted on us to discuss God's will “when you sit in your house.” A way to do this is:

having a family meal time together;
by thanking god for our blessings (1 Timothy 4:4-5);
by praying for our needs and cares (Philippians 4:6); or
having family prayer.

These four suggestions only affirm that God is the most important priority in our lives.

While driving to and fro… or while exercising by walking around the block together are opportunities that Moses’ was speaking of when he said we should teach our children “When you walk by the way.”

"When you lie down." To me, this indicates our bedtime. Different ways to communicate that God is our first priority is by kissing your children goodnight, tucking them in bed at night, praying with them, discussing the events of the day, or by reading them a parable or a bedtime story.

When Moses’ instructed us to teach them to our children “when you rise up" indicates that we should start our day off with God. Before breakfast, read and explain a daily devotion. This is a great time to introduce the daily Bible verse for Scripture memory. For instance, Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

As Bible reading becomes a part of the family routine together, you then become more comfortable in discussing the practical, specific applications of Scripture in the home. I challenge you today to begin to spend time with your children, outside of school so they can see and know first-hand your relationship with the Lord.