“Thou hast Known the Holy Scriptures” February 19, 2012
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Last week, we focused on the importance of teaching your children the Scriptures with a special emphasis on the younger ones by providing them consistent instruction during a special, daily “Bible Time”. As your young children grow and mature, they will need to likewise grow and mature in their knowledge of God’s Word. We feed our babies milk, but as they grow it is understood that nutritionally the milk will soon not be sufficient to sustain them. So it is with the spiritual diet of our children—as they grow into young men and women, we must feed them with the “meat” of God’s Word if they are to grow thereby (Heb 5:12-13, 1 Cor 3:2).
Understanding the need to get our children’s knowledge of Scripture beyond all the wonderful Bible stories which served to lay a solid foundation, I began teaching them in the basic doctrines of the faith. Every child’s understanding will develop at different rates, but in the case of our daughters, I do remember starting this process with them when they were around nine years of age. We have repeatedly instructed them in the major doctrines of the Bible to reinforce their learning and have modified the intensity of instruction to correspond with their growth and level of understanding.
As with anything, the degree of the accomplishment will depend on the degree of your commitment. The commitment made is more likely kept when it is given its proper place in your daily schedule. Being home educators, we have historically incorporated this teaching time as part of our “Bible curriculum” (We have always made and used our own, or modified other helpful books to more accurately reflect sound Bible doctrine and to reinforce the Baptist distinctives). One of the more recent tools that we use for the purpose of instructing our daughters in the defense of their faith from the Scriptures by way of having a “ready answer” (1 Ptr 3:15) is something we call the “Reference Triangle” (see link below). The material used for this method was gathered over several years of hearing the preaching of God’s Word and personally studying the Scriptures.
While we continue to discuss the training of our children through this month of February, there will be additional tools and resources introduced and posted. May we be the kind of faithful teachers that will prepare our children and prove them skillful “in the word of righteousness”.
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt Reference Triangle
“…His Mother Taught Him” February 12, 2012
Proverbs 31:1
In continuing the topic of instruction from last week’s devotional, I wish to suggest some helpful applications for you in teaching your children the Scriptures in the home (Deut 11:19). God’s Word reminds us that our responsibility to rear our children in the “…nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 5:4) can NOT be overstated regarding its importance, in fact, “…it is your life…” (Deut 32:46-47). 2 Timothy 3:15 tells us how the young Timothy had “known the holy scriptures” since he was “a child” due to the direct influence and instruction from his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Tim 1:5).
Just as these dear women no doubt understood their responsibility to young Timothy, we too must also stay focused on this “charge to keep” from the Lord (1 Kings 2:3-4) in which every day counts. Having said this, let me interject an important truth for us to keep in mind—- As wives and mothers, our first commitment must rest in our personal walk with the Lord which includes keeping our desires faithfully centered around being a godly helpmeet to our husbands. While the tendency is there to so often fulfill our children’s needs before that of our husbands due to the ever-present “immediacy” and “frequency” of their demands, we must not succumb to this weakness which is disobedience to our Lord (Gen 3:16, 1 Cor 11:7-9). One day, should the Lord tarry His coming, your children will leave “the nest”— when that happens your relationship with your husband should not be “strangely empty” because you had poured all your time, love, and attention into your children. Remember, “..a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccl 4:12)—God+Husband+Wife. Your children are truly a blessing from God (Ps 127), but they are temporary “visitors”.
With this word of caution for all of us having been mentioned, let me direct you to the link below for a suggested schedule and list of helps regarding daily Bible instruction with your children. I have included a handful of helpful tools that can be of assistance in enhancing this special time with your children, however, these tools are purely optional and not at all essential— All that is required would be a copy of God’sWord, a hymnal, and a commitment from you to follow through in obedience to God’s command to teach your children. If you are already faithful with this type of instruction with your children, then may these thoughts simply serve to encourage you in that which you have already established. Praise the Lord!
Finally, I would tell you that it is a special joy and honor to “train up” your children and, by faith, watch them grow in the Lord and serve Him all their days! (Proverbs 22:6)
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt Bible Time Instructions
“Train up a Child…” February 5, 2012
Proverbs 22:6
Our text verse for this first week of February is one that is familiar to most Christians and is often quoted. Let me begin this week’s study with a brief review in grammar regarding this verse in Proverbs. The initial structure of this sentence in verse 6 is written in the imperative which makes it a command or request. In this type of sentence, the subject is most often omitted, but it is completely understood—the subject is “You”. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Solomon is saying “YOU train up a child…”; and even a casual study of the Scriptures reveals quite obviously that he means: “You Father” and “You Mother”….train up your children!.
I believe I can quite safely support the above interpretation of this passage (apart from the aforementioned grammatical function) based upon the twenty-three direct addresses that Solomon makes to “My son” within the pages of this portion of Scripture . There is a plethora of passages in this book alone that clearly demonstrates to us that God ordained fathers to teach and train their children. Now, having said this, there are many Christian parents who are comfortable with the decision of abdicating this responsibility to someone else, but let us not be so deceived. In spite of the general acceptance to the idea, God is not comfortable with this abdication of responsibility since nowhere in Scripture does He ever remove that responsibility from us as parents, neither does He make it optional.
Please study the following passages in Proverbs and give special attention to the phrases which distinctly show that instruction is being given by the parent and to the child:
1:8; 3:1; 4:1-4, 10-11, 20-23; 6:20; 29:17; and 31 (The entire thirty-first chapter is credited to “The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him” (vs. 1).
I would also encourage you to study these next passages in Proverbs and to notice upon whom does the responsibility fall when the instruction is not given or is not heeded:
10:1; 13:1; 15:20; 19:13, 18; 20:20; 29:15; and 30:17.
In the upcoming weeks, we will be reminded that our highest calling, as mothers, is to teach and to train our children. We will be discussing helpful and practical methods which will encourage you in this endeavor and will provide you with helpful applications in its accomplishment on a day by day basis. It is my hope and prayer that you are being ever so faithful in your own personal study of God’s Word—-Remember, we can not teach what we do not know…
“…the father to the children shall make known thy truth.”
Isaiah 38:19
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt
“In His Name” January 29, 2012
1 Timothy 2:5
As we have focused on the importance of faithfully studying God’s Word and meeting with Him in prayer, let us close this first month of 2012 just as we so faithfully close each prayer we utter… “in Jesus precious name.”
“…thou shalt call his name JESUS for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21)— O how sweet the name of “Jesus” is, and how precious to us is His role as our Mediator and High Priest before God! Throughout this week, please study this important doctrine as taught in the following passages of Scripture:
Matthew 27:50-51; Hebrews 9:6-15, 10:10-12, 19-21; Eph 2:12-18.
As we read these passages, may we be edified in Him, stirred within, and reminded of the honor and praise due His Name—May we possess a more reverential attitude as we claim His Name each time we “…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16).
May the times be many that the Holy Spirit overwhelms your heart with the remembrance that such a price was paid by our dear Saviour to bring us salvation, and thereby, reconcile us to God. The joy and peace we have in knowing that Christ’s sacrifice was so completely acceptable and satisfactory to God (1 Jn 2:1-2) should cause us to think upon His Name so often that we can not but help to speak of Him before the saved and unsaved alike (Mal 3:16, Ps 18:49).
Among the saved, do we take the opportunities the Spirit gives us throughout the week to clearly give Him praise for all He does? Among the lost, do we sincerely claim a deep injury and offense should we hear them speak His name in vain, or do we remain silent lest we suffer some reproach? Is not this reproach an opportunity of blessing for us? (Lk 6:22). Dear Sister in Christ, as God “…hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Phlp 2:9), may we so exalt our Saviour and give Him ALL THE GLORY due His precious name—
“…for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.“ (Acts 4:12). “Christ Rent the Veil“
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt
“Teach Us to Pray…” January 22, 2012
Luke 11:1
“Lord, teach us to pray,…” was the request the disciples made of Jesus in today’s text verse. The disciples understood the importance of prayer for they had seen it exemplified many times in the Saviour’s earthly ministry (Lk 6:12, 11:1; Matt 14:23; Mk 6:46) — Yes, the One who they knew was “that Christ, the Son of the living God” (Jn 6:69), even He, took time to pray. How much more do we, sinful mankind, need to come before the throne of God! No doubt, the disciples understood this as they earnestly sought Jesus’ instructions in this matter.
The Master gave several instructions regarding how we should pray which included the model prayer as given in Matthew 6:9-13 that many of us have committed to memory since childhood. Just prior to verse 9 however, Jesus first reminds us that our prayers should be offered up in private and should not be reduced to “vain repetitions” (v. 6-8). In light of the pattern here given, let us examine from Scripture some important elements that should constitute the framework our prayers:
Acknowledge….God (Ps 83:18)……His Place (Neh 9:6), His Name (Ps 111:9b), His plan (Jn 1:29), and His purpose (Rev 4:11).
Praise…………….Him for His many attributes—recalling them by name and with thanksgiving (Jer 10:10; Ps 99:9, 86:15; Deut 32:4; Mal 3:6).
Repent…………..Admit and forsake your sins before God; be cleansed anew!(1 Jn 1:9; Ps 19:12, 51:17, 139:23).
Thank……………Him for the countless blessings He daily bestows upon us (Ps 100:4, 68:19, 103:1-14).
Petition………….“…let your requests be made known unto God” Phl 4:6 (1 Jn 5:14-15; Heb 4:16; Matt 21:22; Rom 8:26-27).
Intercede……….Pray on behalf of others (Col 1:9; 1 Sam 12:23a; 1 Thess 5:25; Phlm 1:4;1 Ki 13:6).
Claim…………….Our only claim to God in prayer is “in Jesus name, Amen!” (Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18, 3:12; 1 Tim 2:5).
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray….” 2 Chronicles 7:14
“Fall on your knees and grow there. There is no burden of the spirit but is lighter by kneeling under it. Prayer means not always talking to Him, but waiting before Him till the dust settles and the stream runs clear.” F.B. Meyer
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt
“Pre-prayered for the Day” January 15, 2012
Psalm 88:13
In our text verse today, the Psalmist proclaims that “….in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.” As we commit to rising early so we may have our time with the Lord reading His Word, it is essential that we also find a quiet, private place (Matt 6:6) where we can lift our hearts to God in prayer. Twenty-one times the Psalms speak of “my prayer”—it was personal. Prayer is an obvious necessity for every Christian, and no less important for the busy wife and mother. Also, a personal prayer life is vital if we are to walk in right fellowship with Christ (2 Chron 7:14).
Imagine with me for a moment, how you would feel if your husband developed the habit of never acknowledging you or even speaking to you in the morning every day before he left for work? Perhaps he would even get too busy when he returned home from work and not speak with you until just before he went to bed at night. Would this be okay? How strong would your relationship be? In reality, the above example is not likely to happen, however, for too many of us— it IS a reality if we compare it to how we treat our prayer life….perhaps, we are guilty of giving our dear Lord “the silent treatment”; If so, we need to repent.
I would have to admit that my faithfulness in rising early enough to allow the proper time I need to bow the knee to God in prayer has been an area which needs improvement. If we are honest, the issue is not one of willingness as much as it is one of discipline—we must be disciplined in getting up when the alarm bell rings! Here again, is yet another opportunity to re-establish or to make a new resolve to spend precious time talking with our Saviour. Start your day right and pray (Ps 5:3); then, fellowship with Him in an attitude of prayer all the day long (Lk 18:1, 1 Thess 5:17)!
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt
“Rise and Shine” January 8, 2012
Psalm 5:3
Are you a “morning person”, or are you the type that likes to “burn the midnight oil”? The Psalmist said, “…I myself will awake early” (Ps. 57:8), and there have been many times that I have made the same proclamation only to find myself oversleeping and starting the day off “behind schedule”. Unfortunately, in this life, days like that are a reality, but they should not be the normal pattern of things.
In making a commitment to study God’s Word and pray, it is important to plan your schedule in order to facilitate a successful follow-up to your commitment. Psalm 127:2 states “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” In rising early, you will need to “put out the midnight oil” and get to bed earlier! The benefits to an early start in your day are many:
1. A quiet house for prayer and Bible reading (perhaps a hot cup of coffee, too)
2. Time to meditate upon whatever things the Holy Spirit may impress upon your heart, especially as He speaks to you through His Word.
3. Time to visit with your husband before he leaves for work and before the children awake (or plan that time with him in the evening after the children go to bed…early).
4. Time to accomplish the “things” that have to be done if you are to be prepared for the day (especially if you home school).
5. You get to avoid the pitfalls in attitude that are ever present when you’re under the pressure of running behind in your day.
All of these benefits (and many more that you will discover on your own) will truly make you “shine” as you enjoy a pleasing and peaceful spirit that your family will benefit from and that the Lord will approve of. Lastly, as you start early and start in God’s Word, may you echo the Psalmist in saying, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt
“A Ready Answer” January 1, 2012
1 Peter 3:15
Have you ever found yourself at a loss for words when you are in a situation that requires you to defend your beliefs as a Baptist? Some of us may never be at a loss for words, but what we may lack is Scriptural authority because we haven’t studied or committed to memory those vital passages that demonstrate a clear defense of the Bible’s doctrines. Here is what the Apostle Peter forewarns us about in being “ready always to give an answer”, and it is this surety of knowing these doctrinal truths and knowing where in God’s Word to find them that will enable us to share the hope that we have in Christ and to do it in a manner that is both bold and kind.
As busy wives or mothers, we must be careful to set aside the time we need to study God’s Word and to equip ourselves in a way that allows us to be faithful to this command. The initial command in this verse is to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”. There must be a time daily that you are “set apart” in your heart and mind to meet with God in prayer and to study His Word; a time that takes priority over other “things” that would distract us. In the upcoming weeks, we will discuss the Scriptural and practical aspects of meeting this foundational element in our Christian walk.
This being the first day of 2012, it may be time for you to make a renewed commitment to following a daily Bible reading plan. There are many good plans available. One such plan I have used for many years has been especially beneficial due to its daily arrangement including both the Old and New Testaments thereby encouraging you to compare Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor. 2:13). The key is to make the decision and to stay committed to it—Then may you, like Job say, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). Hmmm, sounds like a good “diet” plan for a worthy New Year’s resolution!
Mrs. Russell Hildebrandt
McCheyne Bible Reading Calendar