Yeah, but, have you told your kids?

Let’s talk about something I think a lot of us fathers can easily overlook. There are bible verses about teaching children that are pretty clear. Let’s start here: I’d like you to start by thinking of things that God has done for you in the past.

It could be pain that He let you experience, but He walked with you through it.
It could be that job promotion, or that beautiful wife He led you to, or those healthy children.

Whatever you can think of that’s in the past that God did for you. It could even be in the past before you were born—maybe you have a really godly grandmother or grandfather and you come from a heritage that loves the Lord.

Think of those things for a moment. You probably have one or two in your head right now.

Think about those things God has done in the past and answer this question with me: have you told your kids about those things?

Now, I want to share a bible verse that, for me, can be pretty convicting. Let’s look at Psalm 145:4 together.

Bible verses about teaching children what God has done

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.—Psalm 145:4

Have you taken a moment said, “Man, kids, you may not even remember this…” Or, maybe it was last week or last month or a year ago—and your kids do remember it—but you just never drew it out.

Can you go to your family and declare the works of God?

Because, if you don’t, what do you do with that verse? If we’re not declaring and not commending God’s Works to another, and declaring His mighty acts—that’s a job for a father. There are Bible verses about teaching children that we do well to follow.

In fact, flip back a few Psalms to Psalm 78:2-8:

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,
7  so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Let’s connect these dots. God has done some amazing things for you. And, maybe you need to sit down with your family, and you need to tell them what God has done for you. Because, if we don’t, Scripture might just be indicating we’re a stubborn and rebellious generation.

Listen, I’m not trying to overdo it. But, I do want you to draw your kids into this story that God’s weaving in your life. Help point your family back to Him who’s the giver of all these good and perfect gifts.

Your Mission

Write down as many moments or memories you have when God did something specifically for you or your family.

Then, pick one to share with your family. Share it over coffee or dinner. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. But, it is a great opportunity to point your family to God. Have fun!