I guess it’s been a couple of months ago now that my wife asked me to start having Bible studies with each of the kids. My initial thought was, “What? Are you kidding me? Do you know how much work I have to do each day?” I couldn’t believe she was asking me to add this in to my day. Sure, I want to have some family time in the Word each week, but add in three Bible studies?
I wondered if she had forgotten that we had just moved to work with a new congregation. I was busy trying to meet people. I was establishing new studies with people, trying to visit with guests in the congregation. Not to mention we had moved from a congregation in which I had to preach once a week and now have to preach twice (I know, I know, most of you other preachers are playing the violin and weeping for me). How could she ask me to do this?
I was conflicted. In fact, I felt guilty. I knew this should be something I wanted to do. After all, I am the dad. My job is to lead my family. My job is to raise my kids in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. But at first, all I could see was the sacrifice of my time and how it would get in they way of my “job.”
Then something hit me. If one of my neighbors called up and asked for a Bible study, I would be all over that. If a visitor in the church asked for a study, I would jump at the chance. If anybody in the congregation asked me to have a study with their family and their children, I’d be making all kinds of room in my schedule. Why? That’s my job. It’s what I do. It’s who I am. I study the Bible with people. I’m always looking for opportunities to do that.
Suddenly it became clear. I now have three opportunities to study every week with someone. These three people are extremely important to me. I want them to serve God more than I want anyone else to. Why on earth would I get upset about scheduling time with them to study the Word? Now, no matter what, I get to have at least three Bible studies per week. I get to share God’s word with three people. Sometimes we get a lot out of it. Sometimes it is a struggle. But this is my life. It’s what I do. I can hardly believe I was ready to miss out on the opportunity just because I was having a skewed perspective.
I bring all this up because I’ve met a lot of dads (and moms) who bemoan the fact that they have always wanted to be able to teach someone the gospel, to have personal work or evangelistic studies and help others get to heaven. They are sincere about that, but they consistently overlook the very people God gave them to teach.
Why not set up your first weekly Bible study? Why not do it with your children? You can do it with them as a group or work with each of them individually. Either way, if you’re looking for someone to share the gospel with, why not do it with your kids. They need it too.
And remember, God’s way works for your family.
Edwin,
I've thought about this principle. My mother once told me about a woman at the church had been a member of who taught her children but never made any significant efforts for "personal evangelism." When an elder confronted her about her lack of effort in this area, she replied to the effect of, "What's the use in teaching my neighbor if I don't save my children?"
From a preacher's perspective, while I don't have children, I would look at the family Bible study as a chance for coming up with sermon and article ideas. My father, who preached for awhile, preached a number of sermons on different books as we would read through them. He would also use the family Bible study as a chance to read through the book out loud before he would teach a Bible class.
From a "train your children" perspective, I plan to use it as a training program for any sons my wife and I have. It's an opportunity to start boys on the path toward giving talks on particular passages (or teaching how to draw out the text for Bible class).
Thanks for chiming in Carl. I couldn't agree more.
Edwin, fantastic encouragement (with well-worded, implicit rebuke as necessary)!
I am listening to a message about Family Worship and the important point was brought out about not confusing our means of employment as our primary calling. God has given us wives to serve in the role of husband and children to serve as their fathers. NO ONE else has those responsibilities and we must be certain to MAKE opportunities to train our children to have a heart for God. If that isn't a priority, then we need to check what our own hearts are truly set on!
Thanks for chiming in, Ben.
I think it is important to recognize the difference between what we do and who we are. I may be a street sweeper, but that is not who I am. I am a child of God passing on the good news of Christ to others–especially my family. Sweeping streets is simply what I do to bankroll who I am.