A recent news report contends that the state of Minnesota is now ranked #1 in terms of child-wellbeing. Supposedly, children living in Minnesota are doing better than children in other states. What did they base their finding on? They used four categories: economic wellbeing, health, family and community, and education. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, they missed the most important category—salvation through faith in Jesus. That is the only true measure of a child’s eternal wellbeing. With that in mind, recall Paul’s words to Timothy:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15, ESV)
Now read these thoughts from Tim Challies:…Timothy’s mother and grandmother had introduced him to the Bible, to what he calls “the sacred writings.” And the Bible had done its work in Timothy. The Bible had made all the difference. It had made Timothy wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. It had saved his soul and turned him into the man he had become.
I find this such a sweet and timely encouragement. There are so many ways in which I feel my failure as a parent. There are so many things I hear other parents doing and find myself wishing that I was doing them as well. But in Paul’s words I am reminded that my primary task as a father is to simply expose my children to God’s Word. Whatever else I do, I must do this. And I do. Day by day we read God’s Word together and week by week we hear it preached and taught together. As much as we can, we make our home one where the Word is present and honored.
I am more convinced than ever that nothing will make a greater difference in the lives of my children than this—than exposure to the perfect, powerful Word of God. If I do that, I am doing the right thing. I am doing the best thing. I am doing the one thing that matters most.
(from “The One Thing That Matters Most” at www.challies.com )
Also, on a related note, you might enjoy a glimpse of what the Challies family Bible and worship time looks like here.(Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.)
