Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is one of the clearest passages in the Bible about passing down faith to the next generation. God didn’t just suggest that parents teach their children about Him—He commanded it. The Israelites were to keep His words in their hearts, teach them diligently, and make them a central part of everyday life.
Reaching children isn’t about a one-time lesson or a Sunday-only faith. It’s about a life that overflows with love for God, a constant conversation about Him, and a home built on His Word. If we want to raise children who walk with God, we must do four things: Love the Lord, Teach the Lord, Live the Lord, and Write of the Lord.
1. Love the Lord
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-6)
You can’t teach children to love God if you don’t love Him yourself. Children have a sharp sense for hypocrisy. If your walk with God is just a Sunday show, they’ll see it. If you pray at church but never at home, they’ll notice. If you talk about faith but live like the world, they’ll remember that too.
Loving God with “all thine heart” means He isn’t just a part of your life—He is your life. Your love for Him should be so real that it influences everything you do. Children will pick up on that. When they see you love the Lord, they’ll be more likely to follow in your steps.
But if your faith is weak, inconsistent, or half-hearted, you won’t be able to lead them. Over time, instead of helping them grow, you’ll push them away from God. Your example will either be a stepping stone or a stumbling block.
2. Teach the Lord
“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
Teaching children about God isn’t just about having a family devotion once a week. God commands us to talk about Him throughout the day—at home, on the road, in the morning, and at night. Teaching should be natural with dozens of opportunities every day.
Children learn best when truth is woven into real life. Teach them to pray when they’re scared. Show them how the Bible applies to their struggles. Use everyday moments to point them to God.
Teaching them diligently means it’s not something you do once and forget. It takes consistency. A single lesson won’t make much difference, but daily conversations about the Lord will shape their hearts.
3. Live the Lord
“And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.” (Deuteronomy 6:8)
The Israelites took this verse literally by wearing small portions of Scripture on their hands and foreheads, but the principle is deeper than that. God’s Word should be a part of everything we do (“hand”) and everything we think (“eyes”).
Children won’t just listen to what you say—they’ll watch how you live. If you tell them to obey God but you ignore His commands, they’ll see through that. If you tell them to trust God but you constantly worry, they’ll notice. If you say that the Bible is important but never read it yourself, they’ll assume it’s not.
If you want to reach children for the Lord, your life must reflect what you teach.
4. Write of the Lord
“And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:9)
God’s Word wasn’t just supposed to be spoken—it was to be written in their homes. Today, that might mean putting Scripture in places where children will see it, but it also means making God’s truth a permanent part of your home.
What do your kids hear the most in your house? Complaints, anger, and worldly talk? Or do they hear encouragement, prayer, and the Word of God?
Your home should be a place where God is honored, where truth is spoken, and where children grow up knowing that serving the Lord is not just a part of life—it is life.
If we want to reach children for the Lord, we must love Him with everything we have, teach them His ways throughout life, live out our faith, and make His Word a foundation in our homes. Faith isn’t something that gets passed down by accident. It takes intention, consistency, and a heart that is fully committed to the Lord.
The question is: What kind of faith are you showing the next generation?
