Deuteronomy 11:19 says 'Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night.' (The Message)
In this passage, what is the 'them' we are to teach to our children? The answer is: love and obedience to God.
We, as parents or grandparents or aunts & uncles, want what is best for our children because we love them. The first thing we need to teach them is be a son or daughter of God. We want them to know Jesus and heaven. Of course there are the other things; the ability to show compassion for others, not stealing, not murdering etc.
But what good does it do to teach the rules if we don't teach our children who gave us the rules and why. 3 John 1:4 says, 'I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.' Children (adults & little ones) can walk with love and obedience, all we need to do is teach -'them'. Some examples of teaching 'them' can be:
1. Go to church and show children how to worship and pray, show them how important it is to you.
2. Show them God's creation while playing outside or riding in a car. Point out those wonderful things and talk about them.
3. Read Bible stories, add them to regular reading time. Listen to music and sing together Christian songs. Kid songs are fun - like Veggie Tales -
4. Talk about God & Jesus in daily conversations, not make it a separate deal, but be a matter of fact type talk.
When our kids grow up, we pray they come to know Jesus on a personal level, they come to know about Salvation and then go on to teach the next generation.
If we have never been taught these things, now is the time to learn, it's never too late. Seek out a Godly adult and ask them to help you because you want eternal life with God. Then go on to teach someone else, be it a child or adult - Go and do it..God commands that.
