Passing it on -3

We continue with the third part of 'Passing it on' which is a practical guide suggesting simple ways to pass on your faith to your children and grandchildren.

 Today we look at Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 6+7 says "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

The passage talks about sharing whilst you walk along. How often do you walk and for how long?  The chances are not very much and probably not with your children.  However we do spend a lot of time and many miles in the car together.  Even if you are only the taxi service for your children you have ample opportunities.

So how can you do it?  Firstly turn off Heart FM or whatever you are listening to on the radio and talk.  The more you talk together the more you will be able to speak into their lives and share those things you want to tell them.  I remember the stories my father used to tell me about people he knew as we travelled along.  He often used to talk about the way God had used this person or met with someone else often as we were passing their house.  Children love to hear true stories and if they involve you and your history or testimony and God's goodness and faithfulness to you that is even better.

However stories eventually run out.  What else can you do?  Why not put on a CD of the dramatised bible.  There are many great resources out there, check out your Christian bookshop or online.

Finally why not walk with your children?  Walking together is a great time to talk.  Make the time especially when the weather is good and get outdoors and walk together.  You will get fitter, build deeper relationships with your children and have the time to speak into their lives.  And don't forget to listen to them as well.  See what God is doing in their lives - you may be surprised.

Passing it on - 2

I can't believe it is so long since my first post on this topic. I promised more on the subject of encouraging our children and grandchildren to continue and flourish in the Christian faith so here is the second in the series.

Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 7 becomes very practical when talking about passing on our faith to our children. It says: “Impress them (God's laws) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Firstly the writer talks about when you sit. One of the best times to sit and talk is around the table during a meal. It is a tragedy that this is becoming very rare these days. There is currently the Bisto gravy advert that encourages families to promise to eat together at least once a week and, although this should be applauded, once a week is really nowhere near often enough for any family. Quality family time around the table is created by quantity family time around the table. The more you eat together the more conversations you will have and the greater your chance of speaking into the lives of your children.

Try to eat together as often as possible around the table. Turn off the TV, put away iPod's and mobiles and do not answer the phone. Show your kids that they are the most important thing to you and that way you will get the opportunities to speak into their lives and they will treasure those times together.

Passing it on

'...and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live.' - Deuteronomy Chapter 6 v 2.


I guess as parents and grandparents one of our greatest desires is to see our children and grandchildren go all out for God as they become teenagers and adults.


However, statistics show that many children from Christian homes do not go on with God in their adult lives.  There are some alarming figures that indicate as many as 80% of Christian young people ditch their faith in their teens and twenties.  Gavin Calver, UK director of Youth for Christ, wrote: "It breaks my heart to think how many of my mates got lost along the way.  Of a group of 10 to 15 people, only one other person and myself are still going for God."  Unfortunately this seems to be a pattern repeated in most churches across the UK.


So what can we as Christian parents and grandparents do?


First of all let us remind ourselves that there are no guaranteed answers. However we can stack the odds in our favour.  Deuteronomy chapter 6 is amazingly practical in it's advice to parents about how they can bring up their children in the faith.


The next few posts will look more closely at this wonderful chapter to see what can be done.  You may be surprised at just how practical and relevant the answers are!

Jesus is like Marmite

Recently a family from Wales discovered a image of Jesus in the lid of their pot of Marmite.

They were excited about the discovery and said it brought them comfort.

This got me thinking. Jesus can be like Marmite - that is you either love him or hate him. He really doesn't leave room for any other opinion.

When he was here on this earth Jesus was loved by those who realized their need for him but he was hated by the authorities and religious leaders. That is why they had him killed. Little did they know that this was part of his plan all along.

So, as we prepare to celebrate Easter this year what do you think about Jesus? Love him or hate him - you can't ignore him.