Who’s teaching whom?

Good question. I’m convinced that leadership is a lifetime of learning. So is being a parent. So is being a pastor.  Life lessons are all over the map. It could happen in a conversation with a child. It could happen in an interaction on a ball field. It could happen when reading a book. You get the point.  Truthfully learning starts when we are children.

I was struck by this as I read Deuteronomy 11 this morning during my morning devotions. I was reading Deuteronomy 11-13 as part of my Everyday Gospel devotions when I ran across the following: “You must love the Lord your God and always obey his requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands. Keep in mind that I am not talking to your children, who have never experienced the discipline of the Lord your God or seen his greatness and his strong hand and powerful arm. They didn’t see (v.3)…They didn’t see (v.4)…Your children didn’t see (v.5)…They didn’t see (v.6)…But you have seen the Lord perform all these mighty deeds with your own eyes!” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the point I am trying to get across. As Moses is talking to those he is leading, he reminds them the responsibility they have of teaching their children, because why?…the children did experience what their parents had. How were they to know what happened or how to act unless the parents teach them?  It was to start with the Shema (6:4)-“The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” He then challenges them with telling their children at any time and to make it prominent in their lives. That is virtually repeated in 11:18-20.

If you haven’t already started teaching the little people in your life, it is time to start. Sons. Daughters. Nieces. Nephews. Grandchildren. Neighbor kids. Church kids. (Be careful of the setting with these last two). Teaching and learning go hand in hand. As I learn I teach; as I teach I learn. Remember: the lessons you and I learn in life are to be passed on to those we love and care about.

But it starts when we are young…AND NEVER STOPS!!