When a couple decides to become parents, there are a lot of things to consider.
Each generation wants the next to have a better life than it had. Parents are interested in seeing that their children are well-prepared to go out into the world. Millions of dollars are spent each year for education. This is the way it ought to be, for the children of today will be leaders tomorrow.
Parents also should make sure their children are educated spiritually. God knows the importance of teaching children about him. In fact, he told the Israelites to teach their children about all the things he had done for them.
He even told them to continually do so. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house and on thy gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
God wants everyone — even children — to know about all he has done for man. Some parents get so busy worrying about, providing for and preparing children for life, they forget to do what God has asked. The result of this can be seen in society today. Many young people do not even believe in God, while others believe there is a God but have no faith in his word.
Children must be taught about God. Most children are given instruction in spiritual matters like knowing of God and his great love for mankind. They need to know about his willingness to send his only begotten Son to die for them (John 3:16). They need to know he is alive and well today. “Jesus Loves Me” is a song children normally love to sing. Through it, they are able to understand that God thinks they are important. This understanding only comes through teaching and study.
Paul talked about how a grandparent and parent helped a young man come to know the Scriptures. In
2 Timothy 1, he told of how he knew of the faith of Timothy’s family
(2 Timothy 2:5). In chapter 3, he knew Timothy had known the Scriptures from an early age (verse 15). Timothy had a wise, knowing mother and grandmother who got started early teaching him about God and his blessings.
Parents must realize that God loves them as well and live a life dedicated to obeying God. If children see parents not following or worshiping God, or never putting God first in their lives, the children most likely will not follow God.
A commercial once used the statement, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” As bad as that may be, a soul really is a terrible thing to waste.
Young people need to have the opportunity to know about God. The world will be a better place if this generation and the ones to come believe in God and follow his commands.