The Faith I Live By

Feasting on God's Word, September 22

Preparing for the Heavenly Home

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:6, 7. FLB 271.1

Our heavenly Father, in giving His Word, did not overlook the children. In all that men have written, where can be found anything that has such a hold upon the heart, anything so well adapted to awaken the interest of the little ones, as the stories of the Bible? In these simple stories may be made plain the great principles of the law of God.^{115Education, 185.} FLB 271.2

The Sabbath school affords to parents and children a precious opportunity for the study of God's Word.... Parents, set apart a little time each day for the study of the Sabbath school lesson with your children.... Parents, as well as children, will receive benefit from this study. Let the more important passages of Scripture connected with the lesson be committed to memory, not as a task, but as a privilege.... FLB 271.3

Observe system in the study of the Scriptures in your families. Neglect anything of a temporal nature; ... but be sure that the soul is fed with the bread of life.^{116Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 41, 42.} FLB 271.4

Many are the benefits derived from feasting on His Word.... Habits of self-control are formed and strengthened. The infirmities of childhood—fretfulness, willfulness, selfishness, hasty words, passionate acts—disappear, and in their place are developed the graces of Christian manhood and womanhood.^{117Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 207.} FLB 271.5

We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the Word. The promises spoken by the Great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the receptive mind a familiarity with divine things which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.^{118Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 172.} FLB 271.6