September 2, 2008
Pass It On

READ: Deuteronomy 4:5-10
Lest you forget the things your eyes have seen . . . teach them to your children and your grandchildren. —Deuteronomy 4:9One day as my wife was baby-sitting our granddaughter, she shared an old, familiar friend with her. With Eliana in her arms, Sue picked up a well-worn book that we had read to our daughter when she was a little girl. It’s a book called The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes, a staple in our efforts to share God’s truth with our children.

So now it is Eliana’s turn to begin to learn about God’s creation, His goodness, His plan, and His salvation. It’s time for her to be told about what we have seen and experienced in our walk of faith. As Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Teach [God’s statutes] to your children and your grandchildren.�?/P>

Back in the days of Deuteronomy, the people were being handed a gift from God—“the statutes and the judgments�?(v.1) that would allow them to live properly in the land of God’s promise. Along with those laws came an admonition for the people to share with their progeny the lessons God taught them on the way. They were told not to “forget the things your eyes have seen�?(v.9) and to teach God’s words to their children and grandchildren.

We have a similar legacy to convey to the next generation. As followers of Christ, we take this as one of our greatest responsibilities. Pass it on.  �?Dave Branon

Begin to train them early
To fear and love the Lord,
To carry on life’s pathway
God’s lamp, His holy Word. —Fennema

If children are to find their way to God, we must point the way.