Let Them In

OSS: [Devotional and Consecrative] {I want the hearers to commit to loving God above all— and teaching their children to do the same through a genuine commitment and devotion to love God in front of their children.}

PQ:

How can we ensure the next generation is a generation who loves God and trusts Him in faith?

UW: Ways

Intro.: [AGS]: Roughly 70% of high school graduates leave the church after the graduate— many to never return; few return within the next ten years. Yet, over the recent years, how many times have you heard the following scenarios— “We did everything we knew to do and now little Johnny has just decided to live completely different than we taught him.” “I just don’t get it. We were in church every Sunday when the kids were growing up, and now I cannot get them to go to church at all.” There are a variety of reasons to answer the question— “Why are they all leaving the church?” But one of the top reasons that high school graduates drop out of church is because they claim that the religion of their parents only impacted them on Sunday while every other day of the week, their lives were completely different than on Sunday. Another reason given is that church is not really a priority— it’s an option among many other options. One church leader today observed this and articulated a 4 generation fade: “1) parents don’t make church a high priority for their kids. 2) Kids grow up and make it less of a priority for their kids. 3) Those kids grow up and make it no priority for their kids. 4) Those kids grow up with no concept of God.” He further added, “Priorities today, impact generations!” (Shane Pruitt) [TS]: The text records the instruction and demand of God for Israel to love Him fully and totally, adhering to all of His instructions. Additionally, it records the instruction to ensure that generations following the one receiving the instruction also be devoted to the Lord. [RS]: Perhaps it is a great concern of yours that the next generation be a generation who loves God and fully trust Him— I hope this is your concern. However, maybe this concern leads you to asking the question, “how can I ensure they love God and trust Him fully?”

TS: Let us now examine a few ways together that we can ensure the next generation is one who loves and trusts God.

NOTE: Consider verses 1-3 as setting up the text— for those in future generations—you want them to follow God [v.1b]…to fear God [v. 2a]…to have a long life [v. 2b]… to prosper [v. 3]… so, what must you do to ensure these things happen? Let them in on the following…

Let them see you love God—Yahweh- above all and with all. [vv. 4-6]

God is one- monotheistic.

God alone is Lord- Yahweh.

This is known as the shema influenced by the first word of verse 4— a command for Israel to hear or listen.

It addresses the total person as best the Hebrews knew— the heart was the core of the person, the soul was the mind of the person, and the strength was the might of the person.

This is the first time the command is given for the instructions of God to not be written on tablet— rather, they are instructed to be kept in their hearts. [v. 6b]

Thought for us: If we want our children and grandchildren to love God, we must let them see us love God above all and with all. On the other hand, we should not be surprised when our children or grandchildren do not love or follow God when we ourselves do not prioritize loving God in front of them.

Let them hear you talk about your love for God and His Word. [v. 7]

Repeat them [7a] — as you know it, often times, learning is done through repetition. Thus, to invest and fully teach your children about these commands— about your love for God— repeat them. Talk to them often about God and your love for Him. Pray over them and with them.

Talk about them [7b]— when you sit…when you walk…when you lie down…when you get up. This is an example of a merism— used to express polar opposites so as to community the whole of a period of time. Basically, talk about them all the time.

Thought for us: If we want the next generation to love God, we’ve got to talk about our love for God with them repeatedly. Every. Single. Chance. We. Get. On the other hand, we should not be surprised when our children or grandchildren do not love God and trust Him fully if we ourselves do not talk to them about our love for and trust in God.

Let them see your outward devotion to God’s instruction. [v. 8]

Not only should you let them see that you love God above all and with all, but also you should let them see this played out by a public display of such devotion.

Love, trust, and devotion are not only seen in priorities, but they are also seen in one’s displaying such in a public, though not flashy as to draw attention, way.

Such was the case for the Hebrews who wore Phylacteries— wristbands— or Frontlets— headbands— that contained a small box in which they would have had a mini scroll rolled up inside with these verses on them.

Maybe it isn’t that we walk about with bracelets containing Scripture or headbands with them (though that is present today), but maybe it is for us that we have them so bound to us that everywhere we go we speak about the Scriptures that impact us.

Thought for us: If we want the next generation to love and trust God, we should let them see out devotion to God displayed outwardly. This is not meant to draw attention, but simply to show that we love God unapologetically. On the other hand, we should not be surprised when our children and grandchildren do not love or trust God if we ourselves never let them see us outwardly display our love and devotion for God for others to witness.

Let them witness your commitment within your family and community. [v. 9]

In addition to the Phylacteries or Frontlets were boxes called mezuzots placed on their doorposts and city gates. The word comes from the Hebrew word מְזוּזֹ֥ת (me-zu-zah) meaning doorpost. In these boxes, like those worn on the forehead or wrists, would have been mini scrolls rolled up with the passages of commandments contained on them.

Notice the pattern here: It begins individually (you love the Lord) but then moves beyond the personal level to the communal level— telling and showing others. This pattern is seen evidently here: When you love God, it not only impacts your life, it impacts those in your own household (doorposts) and those in your own communities (city gates).

Thought for us: If we want the next generation to love and trust God, we must let them witness our love for and trust in God both personally and communally. On the other hand, it should be no surprise to us when our children and grandchildren do not love or trust God if we do not ourselves let them witness out love and trust for God beyond the personal level.

Concluding thoughts:

It is simply not common or applauded today in our society to love or trust God. It is drilled into us to love and to trust self- to do what is best for you; to follow your heart and do what makes you happy. Our culture is not conducive to loving and trusting God.

Can I suggest to you that it is okay to be different than what our society and culture applauds? In fact, if you want the next generation to love and trust God, you had better be different than what our culture and society is today.

Consider the chorus to this spiritual song with me:

“I wanna be different; I wanna be changed; ‘Til all of me is gone, and all that remains, is a fire so bright, the whole world can see, that there’s something different, so come and be different in me.”

Response Questions:

[1] If you are here today, and you are not a Christian — then loving God is a foreign idea to you. You have an opportunity today to explore the idea of loving God— to know more about that for your life personally and to trust in Him as Savior, Lord, Forgiver, Life-Giver, and Sustainer.

[2] However, if you are here today and you are a Christian, then I should be speaking your love language. You should desire nothing more in life than to love God and to lead others to love Him, too. If you are a Christian and this has not been your desire— would you seriously and intentionally pause and pray asking God to show you any reason that may hinder you in loving Him as top priority in your life and family?

[3] As I often ask you, what is your starting point?

Priorities?

Talking about Him more with your kids?

Living for Him more in front of your kids?

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