One night at the end of December 2010 I watched a video called Legacy: Getting Your House in Order (Voddie Baucham) something struck a cord in me that night when I heard these words from the book of Deuteronomy 65And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7And 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.
I realized that the tool I was using the "church" to educate my children about the Bible was all wrong! The tool I should have been using all along was my "Home". We should be teaching our children what the Bible says at home, when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way side, when we lie down and when we rise up in the morning. Now I'm not saying don't take your children to church. By all means take them to church, they need to hear the preaching of the Word of God from their pastor. I knew that I needed to to this way before watching this sermon but had failed and let Satan discourage me from continuing and eventually I stopped all together. I do realize that it is primarily the father's responsibility to educated and teach the children about the Bible in the home as the spiritual leader. The only problem is...my husband doesn't go to church or even believe the Bible. So I'm the only one at the moment who is able to share the Bible with my children. Maybe one day that will change but for the time being I have been conducting family Bible devotions with my children every week this month. We pick a chapter to read and take turns reading Bible verses until we come to the end. Afterwords we discuss any verses that the children find interesting or do not understand. After that each child tells what they would like to pray about. Each child prays aloud for the person or subject they have shared and then I close with my prayer. We then pick a song, sing it and go about our day. I'm still working on keeping the Bible in my mouth at all times. Maybe that will be next months resolution.
I wrote the following on my facebook page after making the decision to have devotions with my children.
I resolve to have family devotions with my children every week Mon-Thurs in 2011 :) Why not Fri, Sat & Sun ? Because 4 days is more advantageous than non and a realistic goal is better than an unrealistic one :)
I know my strengths and weaknesses, schedule and work load. I knew I could handle 4 days. I was hoping I could at least. So far I have stuck to this resolution. I did miss 2 days one week because of the exciting snow and I got off schedule. It was actually the second week of January. I was so upset that I missed but have not missed a day since.
When we first started out, it was rough and I knew it would be but I kept on training, disciplining and explaining to them that it was a serious and respectful time. They are different children when we sit down to read now. Not perfect but they know momma is serious about God, the Bible and this special time the we have set aside for us to read God's word.
If you do not have a family devotional time at your home I do encourage you to try and make one at least once a week and watch the video by clicking on the link above.
It truly has been a blessing in my home and it could be in yours as well.
Don't give up and don't give in!
Mark you home as God's territory!
7 comments:
Hello, I just found your blog. My dh does not go to church either, but I have 6 children, so it is hard. Keep it up, it sounds like you are doing great. Blessings!
I will pray for you because I know what it's like with five children and going to services without him. Granted it isn't awful. My husband and I have worked out a way of life that works and isn't very stressful for either of us even though we have different beliefs. It is challenging bring up children in a home that is unequally yoked. You find that while one child loves the Lord and wants to serve him another will rebel and follow the ways of his father. I think my husband will come around eventually. I like to hold on to this verse...Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 1Peter 3:1 Have a nice day :)
You are an awesome mom! Keep it up :)
Hey thanks :D That's so nice of you to say.
Hey Michelle -- I've read your blog for several months now and I so enjoy it -- it makes me laugh and also makes me think about my own Christian walk. This post is awesome and I thank you for it! We don't have a devotion in our house, but I've been wanting one for so, so long -- I am now determined to have one! Thanks Michelle and I will be praying for your husband! You're doing a great job with your kids!
P.S. I also watched the video link, and it was wonderful! Great!
Shebsyweby I am so glad you enjoy my blog :) and happy that I've inspired you to start a Bible devotion time in your home. I hope it goes well for you but if Satan has his way...it wont lol Just hang in there when it gets hard ;) Thank you for all your wonderful complements!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
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