These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
That’s tough to do when your family is going a million miles an hour in a thousand different directions, like ours seems to be sometimes. That’s why Deuteronomy says we need to be diligent about setting aside time when we can intentionally teach our kids about God’s glory and grace. Sure, it can happen naturally while we’re walking “by the way” and driving in the car. But in order for them to receive the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27) and not just the topics that they happen to bring up at dinner or the Bible stories we happen to flip to at bedtime, we need to be systematic.
That’s why I’m extremely grateful for Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade. Based on a modern version of the time-tested Westminster Catechism, it takes families through the major doctrines of biblical faith. Every day for a week we ask our kids the same question (First week: “What is the primary purpose of man?”), and every day, through a short Bible passage and discussion time, they learn the answer (“To glorify God and enjoy him forever.”) We spend 15 minutes at breakfast or dinner learning, discussing, and praying together. Even our 4-year-old can follow along.
Each family at Harbor received a copy of the book for Christmas. If you’re not a Harborite, order a copy for your family, and commit to diligently teaching them. You’ll be blessed!