Children look to their parents as models, what to believe and how to live. They do this naturally. They do what daddy and mommy do.
The daddy who loves sports will teach his son the same love by how he spends his time. The same pattern is for the mommy as well. Parents’ practice preaches far more than what is said.
God has instruction for parents, as He has appointed them as their children’s primary instructors of His words and ways. They are the Ten Commandments. The very first, of course, is this: “You shall have no other gods before Me,” (Deut. 5:7).
Here’s the reason: Only God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, offers and gives the forgiveness of sins and salvation to people. The children must understand by God’s grace that they have a god,
the God
, who daily and richly forgives them of all their sins. He is the God who gave His Son on the Cross for them.
Practice preaches. If parents never mention the name of Jesus, this preaches. If parents do not go to church but place other activities as a higher priority…practice preaches. If parents yell at each other when there’s disagreement, well…
Both parents and children need Jesus, the forgiveness of sins daily.
The Holy Spirit teaches the battle of little and big children of God. “So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes,” (Ephesians 4:14).
“Every wind of doctrine” tosses about the soul of a child. The devil through all kinds of teachers intends to bring uncertainty as to whether Jesus and His Word are true. Children ever need the steady and sure teaching of Jesus and His Word, His Word alone. So do parents.
As a way to strengthen children Trinity Lutheran ChurchSchool teaches Luther’s Small Catechism. Why? It’s a delightful summary of bible teaching, of salvation and how to live as a Christian.
Steady and secure souls of children—secure in Jesus— make happy children.
Happy parents make happy children, parents who happily study and learn God’s Word.
Parents’ practice preaches.
Pastor Golter is Trinity Lutheran's Senior Pastor
