Shema
“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT)
Have you ever heard the word Shema? It’s the Hebrew word for hear (or listen, as in the NLT above) and the first word of this passage, which carried tremendous significance in biblical times. It was so significant that when Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, He began by quoting this passage.
But the rest of this passage is significant as well. In addition to loving God with everything we are, we must pass on what God has taught us. Specifically, the instruction is to repeat the commands for the next generation, at home, in the community, in travel—everywhere.
We all have a responsibility for passing on our faith. Who are you discipling? If you’re a parent, indeed that begins with your children. If you’re not, how can you impact the next generation for Christ? Who has He placed in your path?
Pastor Tony Evans says:
The single greatest reason why we are losing a generation is because the home is no longer the place of the transference of the faith.
Let us commit to sowing a seed into the next generation. Let’s begin in our own homes and then consider who we can reach who may not have a Christ-centered home life. Let us lead and direct them towards Jesus, the only One who can truly save them. Let’s develop a passion for His Word by living it out and examining and explaining it regularly. Let’s ask God to establish a holy zeal for His Word within this next generation!
Application:
Ask God to show you who He wants you to impact from the next generation. Who can you disciple and help grow in their walk with Christ? Pray for clarity, courage and conviction to begin today!
Prayer:
Dear God,
Help me to love You with everything that I am. Help me to love others as I love myself. Please give me opportunities to advance Your Kingdom among the next generation. Give me the words to speak that I might honor You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?