What Do You Say?

A new song by Reba McEntire discusses at least two difficult parental moments. First, a father and son are in the car and pass a store which sells pornography, and the son asks what all the X's mean. Second, a daughter calls home crying, asking for someone to come pick her up because she's been drinking, against the will of her parents. In both instances, the chorus of the song seems to say that there may actually be nothing for the parents to say, just to love their children and things will turn out okay.

Fortunately, God's people are not left asking, "What do you say in a moment like this?" In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, God gives instructions through Moses which will actually help Christian parents when difficult topics come up.

"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deut. 6:4-9).

The first lesson for parents is to love God. If we fail to present our love for God in the lives we lead before our children, nothing we say will convince them that God is important. It is imperative they see that God's word has such an effect on our lives as to be the first consideration in any problem we may face. Jesus said we show our love for Him by keeping His commandments (Jn. 14:15), and it is by doing so that we first begin to teach our children.

A second lesson from Deuteronomy involves the study of God's word. They are to be on our hearts, and careful, committed Bible study is the only way that can be accomplished. Children need to see us, in worship services, reading the scriptures during the lesson, examining the text as we seek to serve God. More than that, they need to see us working in our Bibles on other occasions, far from the door of the church building. They need to understand it is in God's word that we seek answers for salvation, strength in temptation, and faith for our doubting.

Finally, there is the heart of the matter. We have to teach God's word to our children. There are a number of ways we can do this. We can make sure they are in their Bible classes, with their lessons completed, so that they learn what is taught there. We can make sure they are in Bible drill, where memorization is combined with solid teaching on why such is important. We can ask them to take notes during the sermon, so that their faith can be deepened. We can even have Bible studies in our home. But in reality, all of those, as good as they are, pale in comparison to what Moses says in our text. The very best way to teach our children is to show them how the Bible fits in everyday life.

When tragedy strikes (Columbine High School, Waco's Branch Davidians), we can sit down and talk about Satan's part in such horrible events, letting them know that we face a terrible adversary (1 Pet. 5:8), while reminding them of God's tender care for His own (Rom. 8:31-39). When good things happen, we can thank God in prayer (in the presence of our children) for His blessings. When an athlete, movie star or singer is in trouble with drugs, we can discuss the importance of good choices, as well as the grave dangers (both physical and, especially, spiritual) of the consequences of sin.

And when we pass an X-rated store, we can talk plainly about the evil that is offered in the name of entertainment. And if one of our children calls one night, drunkenly pleading for a ride home, we can grant their wish while dealing lovingly, but forcefully with their wrongdoing.

What do you say in a moment like this?