READING:
One-year plan: Psalm 78, Romans 16
Two-year plan: 1 Samuel 15, Luke 19:11-27
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Pam and I don’t have children, but I love children. In fact, I delight when kids know me as “Pastor Chuck” (in a church) or “Uncle Chuck” (on the mission field) even more than “Dr. Lawless.” It’s fun to kneel at their eye level and teach them the things of God in an understanding way.
My role is different than a parent, but all of us should recognize our responsibility to train and encourage the next generations. The psalmist certainly emphasized this point in today’s Old Testament reading:
- “We will not hide them [truths passed down through generations] from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.” (Psa 78:4)
- “He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children so that a future generation—children yet to be born—might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep his commands.” (Psa 78:5-7)
The story of the Hebrews was not always good—in fact, it was often a story of rebellion—but still it provided a teaching moment for next generations. You and I have stories, too, that we need not keep to ourselves. Others who come behind us need to hear them.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Who are the young people with whom you’re sharing your life?
DAILY PRAYER: “Help me to teach children Your way, God, in whatever role You give me.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Psalms 79-84, 1 Corinthians 1
Two-year plan: 1 Samuel 16:1-17:20, Luke 19:28-40