THE IMPACTFUL FAMILY (3)

“You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house...” – Deuteronomy 11:19

The Practice of Authentic Faith is essential to building THE IMPACTFUL FAMILY: “You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deut.11:19). Authenticity involves integrating God’s Word into every aspect of life to build God-glorifying, Impactful families. Today’s meditation passage outlines how parents can create a home environment centred on faith by consistently teaching and living out God’s commands, offering long-term blessings for both parents and their children (vv.21-25)

In our dynamic and radically changing world, we’ll be swimming against the tide if we try to raise families exactly as we were raised. The challenge of building and sustaining the genuinely Christian Family from becoming an endangered species, is more difficult now that it has ever been. The good news however, is that the biblical principles for raising the fulfilling, impactful family has not changed. What is required on our part is Authenticity. According to Chuck Swindoll in The Strong Family, “families attempting to circumnavigate this turbulent world on rafts made of thin religious veneers will splinter and sink. Only those whose faith is genuine, permeating the home, will survive.” Deuteronomy 11:18-25 outlines the essentials of authenticity.

As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, they faced an intimidating challenge – to penetrate a pagan culture. They were moving into a new wave. The first had been slavery in Egypt. The second was the wave of wilderness wanderings. To prepare them for this third wave, Moses reeled out the essentials of authentic faith that would help their families not only survive but succeed. These are found in Deuteronomy 6: 1-24 and here reiterated in the eleventh chapter. Here is a summary:

Inculcating God’s Word: Inner and external works of faith (v.18). The Word must take root as convictions, values, emotions (in the hearts and minds), thoughts (forehead), and actions (sign on hand). We cannot pass on what we do not possess.

Conscious Transfer of God’s Truth to the Young (v.19). Authentic Faith is not a passive belief but active values passed down through generations – taught consistently (at home, on the road, as part of bedtime and morning routines), and modelled.

Creating a Spiritual Environment – ‘Spiritual Incubator’ (v.20): By surrounding the family with reminders of God’s Word in the home. This is a symbolic act of consecrating the home to God; making a public statement that His Laws govern the family.

Trusting in God’s Promises (vv.21-25): Building a godly, Impactful family is an act of faith, and God rewards faithfulness. There are promises of blessing and longevity (v.21) and promises of strength and victory (vv.23-25).

Building an authentic, God-glorifying Family is not about perfection, but Persistence in prioritizing God, His Word and Spirit.