Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up in the discipline
and instruction of the Lord.
Devotional
Indoctrinating children in the truth is far more effective when the lesson is “caught,” not just “taught.”
A father was telling his small son about the one lost sheep in Matthew 18. Embellishing the story somewhat, he explained that the lamb found an opening in the fence and wandered so far from home that it could not find its way back.
He then portrayed a wolf chasing the poor little creature until at the very last minute the shepherd, who had gone to find it, rescued the frightened stray and carried it safely to the fold.
When the story was ended, there was a moment of silence; then came this question
from the lad who had been listening so intently, “Daddy, did they fix the hole in the fence?”
Even though very young, this boy was perceptive enough to recognize the value of preventive measures. He knew that if the break were not mended, other lambs might also stray from the fold.
Every home in which children are loved and cherished should have a “fence” to keep the “lambs” from wandering and to prevent evil intruders from coming in.
▪︎ How about yours?
▪︎ Does it need mending?
▪︎ Are you daily reading God’s Word and praying with your family?
▪︎ Can it be that the TV has left a gap in your spiritual “fence,” or is it perhaps the reading material on your bookshelves?
Encourage your youngsters to spend their hours in useful and profitable activities, and remember that the example of your life must harmonize with the precepts of
your teaching!
If you are truly concerned about your little ones and want to keep them from spiritual harm, don’t forget to patch the fence!
For the lambs will follow the sheep, you know,
Wherever the sheep may stray;
When the sheep go wrong, it will not be long
Till the lambs are as wrong as they!
Twitter: @SchoemakerHarry
Website 1: https://devotionals.harryschoemaker.nl
Website 2: http://bijbelplaatjes.nl
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