Today’s verses in Deuteronomy are called the “Shema” (meaning “Hear,” the first word in the original Hebrew). They’re the most significant in Judaism and were named by Jesus as the most important (Mark 12.29-30). They come immediately after God gives the Ten Commandments. They also talk about how we’re to use every opportunity—especially those that occur in daily, routine events—to instruct our children (and grandchildren!).
The opportunities to discuss and teach the “10” are endless: when we’re dealing with aging parents, when a child is involved in a theft, when the family down the street is torn apart by an affair, when your children feel the pressure of having the “latest and greatest” cell phone. Each of these presents us with an opportunity to bring one of the “10” into the conversation.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is an understanding of the Ten Commandants and how often they come into play in the normal course of their life.
Today, begin to make a determined effort to take advantage of daily situations and circumstances as opportunities to teach God’s laws to your children or grandchildren. Look for these opportunities and start the conversation. At the end of the day, review how well you did. Don’t worry if you missed one. Use it as a learning opportunity as you implement this new skill.
