WORDS OF INSPIRATION

Spiritual Formation Starts At Home

Summertime is a magical season for Churches because of the ample opportunities to interact with children and their families. Almost every church has some form of vacation Bible school, Back Yard Bible Club, or Day Camp. Activity is the name of the game!

The reason churches offer these activities is to impact the lives of the children and their families with the Good News of God’s love through His Son Jesus Christ! Oh, how the world needs God’s love, forgiveness, redemption and transformation! Churches are glad to walk alongside families, partnering with them in introducing their children to the Bible and learning about Jesus. In fact, this year’s vacation bible school theme at my church was JAM (Jesus And Me). We wanted the kids to walk away with enough knowledge about Jesus that they actually, personally know him. I find that most of the families are glad the church is providing this learning experience for their children. For those families who are not regular church goers, or engage in regular personal Bible study, the gladness comes in the form of relief. Relief because of feelings of inadequacy when it comes to spiritually leading their children.

As a Pastor and a parent of three kids, I too often struggle with feelings of inadequacy. However, long ago I was told that as a parent, “Do my best and God will take care of the rest.” His grace has proven to be sufficient for me and my wife. I want to encourage parents to embrace their responsibility as the spiritual leaders of their homes. Whether your home is parented by Mom and Dad, a single Mom or Dad, as it often turns out, Grandparents or extended family; whatever the make-up of your family, embrace the plan God has for your home. Be enthusiastic and inspired in your role as a parent and the opportunity you have to shape your child’s life, especially their spiritual life! It is for this reason, we did not allow parents to just drop their kids off at vacation school and leave. We designed our process to include families joining us for a meal each night and invited parents to stay for the worship services. The last night of VBS was deemed family night to reiterate the Bible stories we taught the kids to their parents and invite the whole family to consider attending our church regularly. We shared a vision for our church to be an extended, “spiritual” family to help equip parents to lead their children biblically.

Biblically, parents are tasked to be the primary leaders of spiritual formation in the home with the church and its leaders playing a secondary role. Reading Deuteronomy chapter 6 not only gives the command for families to take the primary spiritual leadership role in the home, but also gives a list of ways to accomplish it.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 teaches “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the LORD your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Unfortunately, our culture often has those spiritual leadership roles confused. Consequently, this has led to spiritual decline in our nation and churches. Mistakenly, many parents leave the education and training up to the “professionals.”

The Bible teaches that is the responsibility of the parents to: 1. Know and keep the commands of God personally. 2. Pass down that leadership generationally. 3. Find ways to dedicate the physical property you live in to God by posting bible verses throughout. 4. Reading and memorizing scripture. 5. Simply talk to your kids over and over about

God, his goodness, his grace, his provision.

Teach them to read and memorize scripture.

The promise and purpose for parents intentionally leading their families spiritually is so that they may “enjoy a long life,” not just in one generation, but all generations. There is no greater inheritance we can leave our children, and children’s children, than a spiritual inheritance! Absolutely expect and count on the church to help equip you for this journey, but the context of family is where it begins and ends. Parents, don’t just drop off your kids at church. Be the church and attend church with them. Enjoy it!

Sincerely,

Pastor Byron Jackson

Calvary Baptist Church Anna

Pastorcbcanna@gmail.com

BYRON JACKSON is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Anna. He is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to Pastoring, he is the Business Developer and company Chaplain for MyPro Construction and Roofing. Married to Dalissa Jackson who is a veteran school teacher of 25 years. They have three children Cole, Chloe, and Conley.

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