In a running relay race, the first runner must pass on his baton to the next runner. He must pass it within a short period. The next runner must not drop it. If the second runner does not receive and carry the baton, they will lose the race no matter how fast they run.

Today, we are going to learn about passing or transferring our faith to the next generation. While this applies primarily to fathers, it also applies to mothers, especially single mothers, or mothers whose husbands are not godly leaders in the home.

Transition

To transfer anything, including our faith, there must be a first runner, a second runner, and a handoff.

You Are the First Runner, v.4-6

  1. Love requires a relationship
    1. God desired a relationship with parents in Israel (v.4-5). He has the same desire for you. He wants you to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might.
    2. Love for God first requires a relationship with God.2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
  2. Love grows through fellowship
    1. You must fellowship with God and in His word if you are to have it in your heart (v.6).
    2. Read God’s word. Study it. Meditate on it. Memorise it. Hide it in your heart.
    3. You must love God and have His word in your heart before you can transfer it.

Your Child is the Second Runner, v.7

  1. You must pass your faith on to your children.
    1. God wants you to teach your children what you have learned about loving God and His word (v.7).
    2. You are their teacher, their mentor, their intercessor, their trainer, and their example.Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
    3. Your transfer is limited to the brief years of childhood. It requires your wholehearted effort and much prayer. There is no quick solution and no second chance.
  2. You must fill your child’s heart with truth
    1. His heart will control his thoughts, words, and actions.Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
    2. His heart is naturally corrupt and you must work to change that.Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

The Handoff is Your Parenting, v.7-9

Generally, Christians follow one of two types of parenting.

  1. Behaviour Modification (most common)
    1. Behaviour modification seeks to modify or change the child’s behaviour. This focuses on outward obedience.
    2. Many parents think, “If my child keeps out of trouble, gets good grades, does the right things, and gets a good job, I have succeeded!” That is an unbiblical philosophy.
    3. Changed behaviour is only external. Just as you can train a dog to behave for a reward or punishment, you can train children to do the same without ever equipping their hearts. They will do right in your presence, but do wrong when you are not looking because their choice did not come from a godly heart.It is like the boy who did not want to sit down but for fear of punishment obey. He said, “I am sitting down on the outside but I am standing up on the inside.”
    4. Behaviour should flow from a godly heart. However, when behaviour is only modified, the child’s goal is to do as he pleases yet stay out of trouble. The parent’s goal is to catch him when he disobeys. Each is trying to outwit and out deceive the other. This is the kind of godless home life portrayed on TV.
    5. Our goal must not be to have “good kids” but to have “godly kids” who from the heart choose to be good.
  2. Heart Preparation
    1. As a parent, it is YOUR job to prepare your child’s heart for the issues of life (v.7). This does not ignore bad behaviour, but it goes beyond rules and discipline.
    2. Heart preparation is about equipping your child’s heart so he will make godly, biblical choices in life. It requires that you live a consistent, godly example, and that you teach God’s word, His principles, Bible truths, biblical values, biblical discipline, and faith in Christ. Equipping the heart is an ongoing process from infancy until he leaves home. There are NO shortcuts.
      1. This takes work. It is far easier to modify behaviour by making a list of rules and punishments so you can go back to your hobby.
      2. It is difficult, but you can equip your child’s heart. God gives you several supernatural resources. C. Schmidt
        1. You have the Bible (Heb 4:12).
        2. You have the Holy Spirit (Joh 16:13).
        3. You have prayer (Eph 6:18).
        4. You have this local church. If you are not a member, join and get involved.
    3. God tells you HOW to equip his heart in our text.
      1. Love God and learn His word (v.4-6). It starts with your example and Bible knowledge.Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Your love for Christ must be real.

        The Bible is your manual. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine [to teach me what to do], for reproof [to convict me when I fail], for correction [to get me back on track], for instruction in righteousness [to prepare me to do right]: That the man of God may be perfect [mature], throughly furnished [equipped] unto all good works.” You must be equipped before you can equip your child.

      2. Diligently teach and discuss the Bible with your children at every opportunity (Read v.7). Note the times!
        1. Make it a daily priority to spend time with your children. Turn every context into a teaching context. Equip his heart for life’s decisions.
        2. Point out Bible principles. Talk about what you are learning from the Bible. You should learn something every day from the Bible.
        3. Build relationships with your children. Listen to them. Pray with them. Answer their questions.
        4. Praise your child when he pleases God. Make a bigger deal over spiritual achievements than you do over secular ones (e.g., sports, talents, academic).
        5. Remind him that when he does wrong that God is not pleased and he is hurting himself.
        6. Always lead your children to forgiveness in Christ when they have done wrong. Help them see their heart problem. Show them how to get right with God.
      3. Make the Bible the centre of your home (v.8-9).
        1. Display it on your walls.
        2. Memorise verses together. Have family verse contests. Have quizzes. Lead by example.
        3. Play biblical music. The music you listen to in the car and at home is equipping your heart either to serve the devil or to serve God. Music is not neutral. Listen to www.abidingradio.comYou will not end life wishing you made more money and had more fun, but you will wish you spent more time with your wife and children.

Conclusion

Dads (and Mums) God expects you to transfer your faith to your children. Time passes quickly. You only have one chance. Now is the time. Do not settle for behaviour modification. Equip their hearts. Be positive you know the Lord yourself, and then make every sacrifice necessary to pass it on to each of your children. Make God and His Word the theme of your home all day long every day.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Transferring Your Faith
7 September 2014 AM – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – Scott Childs