Going Deeper in "Teach Your Children Well"
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
6 “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Read the following a few times:
Reflect on the following:
1. What commands are emphasized in Deuteronomy 6:1-2, and why are they important for the Israelites?
2. In verse 4, the Shema declares, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." What significance does this statement hold for the understanding of God’s nature?
3. What are some practical ways to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength, as mentioned in verse 5?
4. In Deuteronomy 6:7, we are encouraged to talk about faith at home. What practical ways can you incorporate discussions about faith into everyday life?
5. How can the imagery of teaching and discussing God’s commands at home, on the road, and at bedtime be applied in our daily lives? How do the “symbols” of God’s commands on your hands and foreheads translate into actions today?
6. What role does remembering play in the life of faith as outlined in verses 8-9?
7. How can the principles found in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 guide a church community in nurturing faith in the next generation?
8. What role do stories from the Bible play in helping children understand their faith? What are your top ten for children?
9. How can rituals, such as prayers or blessings, enhance a child's understanding of faith? Can you think of any specific rituals you would like to implement?
Challenges:
1. Take a prayer walk in your neighborhood, focusing on how you can love your neighbors and community. Use this time to reflect on verse 5 and consider practical ways to demonstrate love for God and others in your actions.
2. Memorize the Shema (Deut 6:4-5) and recite it daily for a week. Reflect on its meaning and how it impacts your understanding of your relationship with God.