April 27, 2018
Parents are always asking me what they need to teach their children. Some even ask if they are to have a family altar. I believe in having a family altar, but I don’t believe that a family altar is the best time to teach your children.
If you try to make your major teaching when your family gathers to worship at a family altar, then your children will feel like worship is just another time for class. Let your family altar be a sacred time for worship and prayer.
The Old Testament gives us a general guideline for teaching children: "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” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
God's Word tells us that teaching wasn't limited to a structured time, but it was done throughout the day—when you rise up, lie down, and walk along the way. That’s the way Jesus taught His disciples. Everything that Jesus saw and did was an opportunity to teach! Get creative. There are a 1,001 opportunities throughout the day to teach your children lessons about God.
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”