Recently, our Monday Morning Bible Study was going through Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians and as we looked in the 6th Chapter we found the following verses:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-4
Why was the promise that the lives of Israelites would go well and that they would last for a long time in the land if they honored their fathers and mothers? The working assumption in this passage and the assumption about God’s people in the Bible in general is that the parents assumed the primary responsibility for the spiritual nurture of their children. And so to follow one’s parents (in general) meant to be following their guidance in the pursuit of God and His purposes for them. Unfortunately, that was often not the case in the Old Testament, or the New Testament and even today.
As we reckon with the fact that many (perhaps most) of the churches are closing their doors for the good of their people’s health, we should ask ourselves: What Spiritual Food is my family getting in the meantime? If you’re like me then you might be one who has relied too much on the church to spiritually feed your children and those in your care. The Church plays an important role and your pastors, elders and others want nothing more than to impart and strengthen a genuine faith in Jesus Christ to you and your children.
As we reckon with the fact that many (perhaps most) of the churches are closing their doors for the good of their people’s health, we should ask ourselves: What Spiritual Food is my family getting in the meantime?
But as families, what have we been doing to support every day that which we get from the church a few times a week? Consider…
- When was the last time you prayed together as a family? (At meals or otherwise)
- When was the last time you opened the Bible and talked about the things of God with each other?
- Without Sunday morning worship, do you have any desire, or ability, to worship God with those around you?
These questions might be hard to answer right now, but without the support of a local church, what would the life of faith look like for our children? Our grandchildren? What about your own faith? Sunday morning, Wednesday night, and other times where the church gathers together are important parts of what it means for us to follow God, but it is not the sum total of what it means for us to follow God.
As families, as individuals, may we be mindful and prayerful in this time where we are (unfortunately) not able to meet together. May it serve as a time of reflection on how we might lead and serve our families better in our Christian walk. May we take this time to confront the uncomfortable questions about our obligation to love one another well and the ways that we might have failed to do so.
God is still at work, even in the midst of this pandemic.
Furthermore, we ought not stop there. God is still at work, even in the midst of this pandemic. Many of us have an opportunity to ask these questions and to take tangible steps to make the most of this time where our children are home and we are being encouraged (perhaps soon mandated) to spend time with those people who mean the most to us in this world. By God’s grace, I hope that my family and yours finds ways to draw closer to Him in this uncertain time and that we are able to spend the coming days and weeks loving each other and seeking Him. Maybe we will learn more about what it is to do ministry as a family. Such lessons will serve us well in the midst of a pandemic, and beyond.
God bless and be well.