Teaching God’s Laws to Children: A Sacred Responsibility Across Generations

From the earliest pages of Scripture, God reveals His desire for His truth to be known, remembered, and faithfully passed on from one generation to the next. Teaching God’s laws to children is not merely a parental suggestion; it is a divine command and a sacred trust. Psalm 78:1–8 paints a compelling picture of generational discipleship, showing us that faith is preserved when God’s people intentionally teach His ways to their children. In a world filled with competing voices, God calls parents and caregivers to ensure that His word remains central in the hearts and minds of the next generation.

Psalm 78 opens with a call to listen carefully to God’s instruction and emphasizes that what he is about to teach is not new or self-invented; he first learned it from his fathers (vv. 1-3). This highlights an important principle: people can only teach what they themselves have learned. The psalmist received God’s truth from his father, internalized it, and then committed to passing it on. In verse 4, he says, “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4).

Teaching God’s laws begins with faithful learning and personal obedience. As believers grow in their knowledge of God, they become equipped to teach others, especially their children (Ezra 7:10; 2 Timothy 2:2). The responsibility of teaching children God’s laws originates with God Himself. One of the clearest commands is found in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. It says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

But why is this important? What are the benefits of teaching God’s laws and ways to children?

1. Children, and the generations after them, will come to know God personally.
   Faith does not develop in a vacuum; it must be taught and heard. Scripture asks, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:13-15). When children are taught God’s laws, they are given the opportunity to know Him, trust Him, and call upon His name.

2. God’s Word is preserved and passed on from one generation to the next.
   Children who are taught God’s laws are equipped to teach their own children, who in turn teach the next generation. This intentional transmission of God’s truth ensures that His Word does not fade with time but remains alive and active across generations (Psalm 78:4-6; Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

3. God’s laws help children keep their focus on Him.
   Learning God’s ways provides a moral and spiritual compass that directs children’s hearts toward God. His Word becomes a guiding light that shapes their decisions, priorities, and values (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6).

4. God’s Word hidden in the heart guards against spiritual drift.
   Scripture declares, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). When children internalize God’s Word, they are less likely to forget His ways or turn away from Him during seasons of testing or temptation.

5. Knowledge of God’s Word leads to obedience.
   When children understand God’s Word and how it applies to their daily lives, they are more inclined to obey His commandments. Obedience flows naturally from understanding and love for God (John 14:15; Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

6. Teaching and obeying God’s Word helps prevent repeating past mistakes.
   Those who listen to God’s Word, learn it, teach it to others, and live it out are less likely to repeat the failures of previous generations. Scripture repeatedly warns against forgetting God’s works and straying from His commands (Psalm 78:7-8; 1 Corinthians 10:11).

7. A child’s spirit becomes aligned with God’s Spirit.
   Consistent exposure to God’s Word nurtures spiritual sensitivity and discernment. As children grow in understanding of God’s truth, their hearts become more receptive to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5-6; Galatians 5:22-25).

Nourish Your Spirit