The Importance of Biblical Literacy Pt. 4
Proverbs 3:1-7 depicts a beautiful picture of a relationship of learning between a parent and a child.
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
We often read this and (rightly) focus on the child, commanding them not to forget their father’s instruction. But think of it from the other angle. As parents, are we regularly and intentionally turning our kids’ attention toward Biblical wisdom? If we are following the model of Proverbs, we are regularly investing ourselves in our children, and thus we are training them up with a love for God’s Word.
By introducing them to the wisdom of the Bible, we are pointing them to the banquet table and wellspring where they can feast and drink of the goodness of God. Biblical illiteracy is spiritual famine. But unlike how we feed and fuel our bodies, the sustenance does not enter through the mouth, but rather through the ears and eyes of the heart. With children, this happens through repetition.
When it comes to the Bible, the more we read to our kids, the more they read to themselves, the more opportunities they have to grow spiritually. The Bible is the lamp to keep them on track through their journey of life. While it can be easy to give the role of Biblical instruction to Sunday school teachers, we need to be saturating our kids with intentional Biblical instruction ourselves.