This is top of the list; priority number one. If this isn't first, then nothing else much matters.
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead . You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
In a phrase, know who God is, and wholeheartedly live for Him. But, it's not as simple as it sounds. For one thing, there is much confusion about one. Somehow one has become three-in-one. Without question, God and His Son, Jesus, are in the closest possible relationship. But, as a wise old sage stated, "one really does mean one." And, it was Jesus who framed the priority of this key commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), thus clarifying that His personal priority was subservient to that of His Father.
But, the real rub is what follows the simple mathematical statement about God: loving Him wholeheartedly. Apparently, an important key in this priority is making it central conversation in the home. The phrase, "teach them diligently", punctuates the priority. Church and Sunday School class dare not be left to instill passion for pursuit of the One true God; "you" (parents) are instructed to teach your sons in your house, in your travels together, at bedtime, and first thing in the morning. We make "H.C.I.L.G.M" bracelets and headbands (How Can I Love God More?), and we stencil this commandment on the front door and front gate.
I suspect there is not a single believer parent who does not have some regrets about their Deuteronomy six "home schooling". I certainly do. Unfortunately, the minimal discussion of God's great commandment is detrimental to both parent and child. Parents miss out of the reinforcement of this as a personal priority when it isn't discussed, and children certainly don't pick up on it if it isn't front and center in discussion. Additionally, the absence of this home discussion allows parental hypocrisy to remain unchecked and unchallenged. After all, who is more bluntly honest than a small child?
Whether young children are in the home or not, the opportunity to make the main thing the main thing still exists through conversation starters. Although not as memorable as W.W.J.D. bracelets, perhaps H.C.I.L.G.M can serve as a reminder to discuss God's key commandment in the home with whoever is present. Stimulating and challenging discussion regarding priority commandment number one is a great start in making it a greater reality in our lives.
So, H.C.I.L.G.M today?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead . You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
In a phrase, know who God is, and wholeheartedly live for Him. But, it's not as simple as it sounds. For one thing, there is much confusion about one. Somehow one has become three-in-one. Without question, God and His Son, Jesus, are in the closest possible relationship. But, as a wise old sage stated, "one really does mean one." And, it was Jesus who framed the priority of this key commandment (Matthew 22:36-40), thus clarifying that His personal priority was subservient to that of His Father.
But, the real rub is what follows the simple mathematical statement about God: loving Him wholeheartedly. Apparently, an important key in this priority is making it central conversation in the home. The phrase, "teach them diligently", punctuates the priority. Church and Sunday School class dare not be left to instill passion for pursuit of the One true God; "you" (parents) are instructed to teach your sons in your house, in your travels together, at bedtime, and first thing in the morning. We make "H.C.I.L.G.M" bracelets and headbands (How Can I Love God More?), and we stencil this commandment on the front door and front gate.
I suspect there is not a single believer parent who does not have some regrets about their Deuteronomy six "home schooling". I certainly do. Unfortunately, the minimal discussion of God's great commandment is detrimental to both parent and child. Parents miss out of the reinforcement of this as a personal priority when it isn't discussed, and children certainly don't pick up on it if it isn't front and center in discussion. Additionally, the absence of this home discussion allows parental hypocrisy to remain unchecked and unchallenged. After all, who is more bluntly honest than a small child?
Whether young children are in the home or not, the opportunity to make the main thing the main thing still exists through conversation starters. Although not as memorable as W.W.J.D. bracelets, perhaps H.C.I.L.G.M can serve as a reminder to discuss God's key commandment in the home with whoever is present. Stimulating and challenging discussion regarding priority commandment number one is a great start in making it a greater reality in our lives.
So, H.C.I.L.G.M today?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:17 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home