Godly Conversations and Models
Today, I will touch on the last two means of evangelizing our children mentioned in the booklet Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children: In Dependency on the Spirit by Joel R. Beeke.
- Godly Conversation
Scripture teaches that we must take time each day to speak to our covenant children about God. Serious, spiritual conversation should be done in regular times of family worship and teaching, but also spontaneously through the process of everyday life.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 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.
The Hebrew word for instruction in Deuteronomy 6:7 says that we are to “sharpen” or “impress” upon our children the teachings of God’s Word. The idea is that we are to mark, brand, penetrate, and disciple our children in God’s ways. That is our daily calling. Remember, it takes time and diligence to make a lasting impression (Isaiah 28:9-10).
- Godly Models
If we would have godly children, they must see God’s character in our lives. Though they may learn much from what we say and do, they will learn most from who we are. Our praying, teaching, and living must be one; we must be and practice what we pray. “God cannot resist a parent’s prayer when it is sufficiently backed up with a parent’s sanctification,” wrote Alexander Whyte.
We must not fail to act as our children’s spiritual mentors.
There is so much more on the subject of modeling to our children in the booklet. Too much good stuff to share it all. If you hadn’t figured it out by now, I highly recommend purchasing the booklet so you can reap more from its pages! Follow the link above to get your own copy.
Remember, if this is an area in which you struggle, as I am sure it is for all of us, take it to the Lord, he will equip you.
Tags: Christianity, devotion, Education, Family, Joel R. Beeke Posted in Christianity, Train Up a Child









Twitter: cmclaire
Says:
July 4th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I love the idea of being a ‘model’. Such a wise idea.
Cxx
July 7th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Sanctitude of heart and behaviour starts at Redemption and follows the pardon of sins taken in the new birth. Sanctitude comes from the Grace of God. Really the same Blessing that redeems the soul also presents humans a state of sanctitude. Holiness of heart is the greatest evidence we have that Christ endures! Man is freed of unholiness when he is born of the Spirit. The Bible terms this hallowed state of the believer as … the heavenly nature. God given holiness is a unflawed work of God’s Goodwill that changes the moral makeup of human beings. Holiness has zero to do with an imperfect work that man step by step tries to do. The body of a Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit…which temple we are.