God commanded the Children of Israel to teach their children (Deuteronomy 6:6ff; 20ff). They were to teach them God's law (Deuteronomy 31:9-13), to know God, and to fear Him. The Passover observance was intended to remind the children of God's great works (Exodus 12:24ff). So also were the twelve stones that Joshua set up in Gilgal as a memorial to God's parting of the Jordan river so the people could enter the promiseed land (Joshua 4:20ff). God told them to teach their children so they would not forget God (Deuteronomy 6:10ff). This involved talking with the children, as well as teaching through example. Yet, we read in Judges 2:10... "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel."

We also are to teach our children, (Ephesians 6:4) "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord." In a world where our children's minds are influenced by the degenerate teaching of worldly minded people, we must ask, "What are we teaching our children?" Parents are specifically charged with this responsibility, but if we do not express interest in preparing them for Bible classes and seeing to it that they attend the classes, how will our children grow up to manifest an interest in spiritual things?

The Bible is the most wonderful and available book of our age. Its message proceeds from God's mind (1 Corinthians 2:9-13; Cf. John 13:16). It contains the words of life (John 6:66-68; Cf. John 12:49-50). These words were delivered to the apostles (John 17:8,14,18) and recorded by them in the New Testament (Ephesians 3:3). Their message is all-sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and complete (Jude 3). It was revealed in such a way as to be understandable (Ephesians 3:3; 5:17). We are commanded to read it, study it, and teach it to others (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:2).

Do our children see us spending time with this wonderful book? Do they hear us read and teach it in our homes? Do they perceive our reverence and respect for Almighty God's words. I will never forget the words of Sister Lena Hope (Brother B.G. Hope's wife). She said that while their children were just babies, she told them that the big old book on the living room table (the family Bible) was God's book. It was different from their story books. It contained God's words.

Perhaps, we are just too busy to consistently impress upon young minds the importance of understanding God's word. Yes indeed, we ARE teaching our children about the Bible. It's a small wonder that many sons and daughters brought up in Christian homes cannot find time to worship and study God's word. They are worshiping and serving God, just as their parents have taught them!

Israel failed to properly teach the children, and the next generation did not "know Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel." Therefore, they did that which was evil in Jehovah's sight. We ARE teaching our children, both verbally and by example, but WHAT are we teaching them? Certainly, the next generation will tell.