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One day while I was driving, the song “The Bible and the Belt” by Due West came on the radio. I had heard the song once before along with an interview of the artist who said that he had been living between the Bible and the Belt his whole life. As I listened to the words “Momma brought the Bible, Daddy drove it home…” I could not help but think of the tireless way that my mother tried to instill the Word of God in her children, so I can say that I have always lived between the Bible and the Belt, too!
I remember a conversation that I had with my Mom when I was a young mother. I had wondered how the father being the spiritual head of the home played out practically. (I have the gift of teaching, but my husband gets sweaty palms and cotton mouth at the thought of it.) Mom said that she had wondered the same thing but, as she studied the scriptures, she realized the crucial role of the mother in this process – especially in the lives of Moses and Samuel who had only spent their toddler years with their mothers, but who grew into mighty men of God.
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it [his mother and grandmother!], and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV
Not only that, but she understood how important it was not to neglect that aspect of child rearing. She told me that one of Satan’s most effective tools in preventing this kind of teaching to our children is to keep us so busy fighting over who owns the responsibility that no one ends up doing it!
Since then, I have taken on the "formal" teaching of scripture in our home just as my mother did. My husband’s strong convictions have reinforced what I have tried to teach, both on a spiritual level, and in practical everyday life. I have been able to point out to my children how their dad lives out his faith even though he is not always talking to them about it like I am. And he will occasionally “drive it home” for them better than I ever could. My children will be able to say along with the songwriter, “Daddy was the one who kept me walkin’ the line.” It is working pretty well for us so far...
Each home should find its own balance. Whoever does the teaching of scripture in your home, you can be sure that God will bless it.
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Bible photo credit
mother blessing sabbath
father correcting son Matters of the Heart Motherhood My Journey
6 comments:
Welcome to Soli Deo Gloria! I had no idea that the mother in the Jewish household is the primary teacher of scripture. This definitely makes me take more ownership of my own role. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Wonderful posts! This is great for me being a new wife and mother. The title surely caught my eye and I have never heard that song before! Lol!
Stopping by from Women Living Well!
Stop by anytime and be inspired!
Many blessings!
Chari
thanks for that! for pulling out the thoughts and verses about it, especially. It's been interesting for me, as a teacher, when Bible-related topics come up because there's the joking about how women aren't supposed to be preachers and all that and you know there's a tiny bit of undercurrent of the students wondering if you should be talking about God's Word at all. I've just pushed ahead, or pointed out that I am teaching and not preaching and ask them to look at the passages for themselves to see how right or wrong I may be. But it's really nice for hearing it from someone else . . . and the reminder about Timothy's influences =)
Dear Latisha, I would love to feature your wonderful post on my "EOA" Wednesday tomorrow. This has helped me.TY so much.
Thank you, all, for your kind comments.
Jacqueline, feel free to share this as much as you would like. I am always so thankful to God when anything I write is helpful to someone.
Good thoughts in this post. I've always felt that women have greater influence in the home even though they have less authority. Thanks for sharing this on Bless a Blogger.
Gail
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