KEEPING YOUR FAMILY CLOSE TO GOD
Deut. 6
I. Background
A. Keeping our family close to God should be our number 1 goal in life because the stakes are so high
B. With God there is certainty and stability - with the world life varies from day-to-day (moral , financial, and political unrest )
C. Moses addresses the children of the folks that died in the wilderness and gave them the keys to keeping their families close to God - their parents had failed !
II. Ways To Keep Our Families Close To God
A. We as parents must have an authentic love for God vs. 1-6
i) includes a health " fear " of God ( vs 2 ) - we trust his promises and warnings
ii) must listen to what he says
- Jn 10 says the sheep hears their Master's voice
- vs. 3 says hear the Lord - what he says matters
iii) we must have a life of obedience - vs. 3
- we receive blessings for obedience : lives go well and God will
multiply us
B. Teach our family about God - vs. 7-9
i) it is hard to teach our children what we don't practice
ii) young people can see through a phoney !
iii) young people see us how we really are
C. Develop a heart of gratitude - vs. 10-12
i) every good thing comes from God - we need to thank him
ii) reason for gratitude is to keep us close to God
iii) ingratitude show selfishness and that we are unappreciative
iv) to teach gratitude sometimes we need to let our children work for things and sometimes they can do without
D. Remind them of God's faithfulness - vs. 20-25
III. Take homes
A. Your children will ask why things are this way - live faithful lives and speak works about your God
B. Tell them what God means to you - God told the man to " go tell your family what the Lord has done for you " Mk 5: 19