To the coming generations...

"Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things hate e have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders he has done."

(Psalm 78:1-4)

Parenting is a challenge. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or has never actually parented themselves. we're called to shower our children with love and affection... to safeguard and protect them... to educate and teach them the life skills they'll need as they mature... and to challenge (not coddle) them to be all they can possibly be, by the grace of God.

At the same time, there's a fine line between being totally honest and transparent with them and knowing when they're ready (i.e. mature enough) to be taught certain life lessons. There are things you'd talk to your junior higher about that you wouldn't talk with your elementary schooler about. Likewise, there are certain things you'd broach with high schoolers that you might not with junior higher.

In Psalm 78, the writer comments about their knowledge of God and all that Go has done for his people from the days of old. They palmist says it's not something to hide from their children. Not at all! S/He will intentionally tell it to the coming generations... as it should be!

Those of us who love God and follow Jesus know how CRUCIAL it is to raise our children up in faith. We'r aware that it will provide them a strong foundation on which they will be able to build their lives and navigate adulthood. It has been said by some (usually people who do not openly profess faith) that they don't want to "force" their kids to have to believe in any particular religion... but want them to be able to choose for themselves what they'd like to follow when they're old enough. Which sounds very logical. However, that's not the approach we take with school ("I don't want to force them to learn, I want them to choose for themselves to addend or not, when they're old enough to decide for themselves about their education.").

Why should a grounding in faith education be any different?