The Single Most Useful Parenting Verse in the Whole Bible

I apologize for the really long title…but you need to read this if you are a parent or thinking about becoming a parent.

There are 2 simple little verses in the old testament that will revolutionize your parenting abilities. Here goes: Deuteronomy 6:6-7

⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ 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.

So what are the “commandments” that God is asking you to be so passionate about? It’s actually in the previous verse 5:

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Great. Now we know what we are suppose to “impress” on our kids. But there is this beautiful application stuck in verse 7. God directly tells you 4 instances when you should remind your child that we are to love the Lord with all our hearts:

1. Sit at home (maybe chilling at the dinner table)
2. Walking along the road (ok, you may not walk but you drive. So lets say the car)
3. Lie Down (right before bed)
4. When you get up (breakfast or the hustle and bustle of getting the kids to school)

The point is this: God has directly instructed us to tell our kids this most important commandment at least 4 times a day. It doesn’t even take much. Maybe it’s a short prayer, a quick bible verse, a hug and a kiss while you say, “God loves you very much!” It won’t take much, but the effect will literally change your child’s life. So please, take God at his word on this one!