Many find the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy tedious and/or boring. But there are a lot of important things we need to glean from these books. Deuteronomy 6:4-8 is one of those passages. It is known as the Shema (Shem-awe), and it is a statement of praise and confession. But I want to focus on the truths after this doxology. Here is the whole passage:
"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. "
Part of training our kids is theological training. In order to know how to live godly lives, we first must know God. But I think it goes far deeper than just a base understanding of godly things and theological concepts. Those are needed, but on top of that the children and young adults around us need to know their gifts and how to effectively serve God and the Church. Every one of us has a general calling as a Christian, but we all have a specific gift and calling that God has placed on us. Whether you have kids or not, we are to teach and help them find their gift(s). We are to help them figure out how to use those gifts for the glory of God. If you don't know how to help them, the beautiful thing is that you are not alone. There is a reason why the Church is called the body of Christ and it is referred to as a family. If you do not know how to help, ask someone. There are people who will help and will be glad to do so. The point remains, teach and encourage one another to use the specific calling and gifting of their life for the glory of God and the edification of the Church.
May God be glorified by how Restoration teaches and encourages each other to use their gifts.
Written by: Michael Chadwick