Week 1: February 7-13
Our 2016 Journey
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD 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. And 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The word Deuteronomy means “second telling.” Moses is retelling the events of leaving Egypt and wandering in the wilderness. He is reminding the Israelites of some very important concepts in the law. Moses tells them that the ultimate objective is to fear God and keep his commandments (Deut 6:2-3). These truths are for our lives as well.
- There is only one true God! (vs 4) To Moses’ audience this was a relevant reminder. They lived in a time when people worshiped many pagan gods and idols. We also live in a time when people put trust in many things that are “idols.” Moses is telling them and us, “Jehovah is the one true God who is going to get you through this.” We need to remember that today!
- Love God with your “everything”! (vs 5) Moses commands us to love God! Coming off the heels of the previous statement, these people lived in a culture in which gods and idols were merely appeased so people could get what they want! Moses is reminding us that we are privileged to have a relationship with God. He loved the children of Israel, and now we believers are “His people.” This year is not simply about doing and going - we are inviting people into the family of God!
- Keep these truths! (vs 6) Moses explains how people should keep these commands and words in our hearts. The wording refers to our inner man, close to our core. These are truths that should not only be mentally catalogued, but should be stored as the core beliefs of who we are and how we operate.
- Share these truths with the next generation! (vs 7-9) Moses then gives us the heaviest reminder and responsibility: we must share these truths with the next generation. Our children must know these truths! Moses reminds the people at the end of verse 7 that merely teaching these things once isn’t enough. We must talk of these truths all the time. Our children need to see these truths roll off our lips continually! He even goes so far as to tell us to write God’s word on the walls of our homes.
Moses wanted the people of Israel to take these truths to heart as they entered the promised land. We need to do the same! These truths underscore the great burden and privilege we have as parents: we must share the truths of our great God and his salvation. This is why this weekly devotional is vitally important for us as a church family. We want families gathering around God’s word and praying together each week. We want to prepare the hearts of the children who will be leading our church in 15–20 years. As a family, discuss the importance of honoring and fearing God. As parents, talk about what it means to share these truths with the next generation.
Pray Together
- Pray that God will help you to value spreading the Gospel above comfort and ease.
- Pray that God will create an opportunity for a Gospel conversation this week!
- Pray that God will develop in us a culture of prayer and dependence on Him to do the work that we endeavor to do.
Further Reading
- Deuteronomy 6 – read the entire chapter and note the reminders and warnings Moses gives to the people.
- See if you or one of your kids can find where Jesus quotes this section (Hint, look in Mark).