“Keep eternity before the children.”
The word “keep,” says a lot doesn’t it? My wife convinced me recently that an elliptical is much better for me than running. So we bought a used machine from some friends and put it in our finished attic. Honestly, the first time I used it I thought I was going to have to crawl downstairs for help! My encouragement? “Keep” going – you will live! It was hardly comforting, but wise advice.
To “keep” anything, whether it is a garden, clean room, or exercise program, requires that we continue – we persist, maintain, or stay the course. It’s easy in marriage and parenting to get interrupted, distracted, busy, or just plain old exhausted. And so sometimes we give up on doing what is most important – we stop “keeping.” But what are we supposed to “keep?”
“Keep eternity before the children.”
These were the parting words of Dallas Willard’s mother. He was just two years old when she died. And so with what final words, strength, and wisdom she had – she reminded her husband of what was most important to “keep.”
Keep God at the center. Continue passing on the truth of God’s Word. Stay the course. Keep pursuing Jesus. “Keep eternity before the children.”
God gives this enormous and joyous responsibility to parents.
In the middle of the messiness of marriage and family, God works through us by his grace to help pass on faith to the next generation.
The Bible reveals a family where both mom and dad are actively involved in teaching, shaping, and caring for the many needs that arise when kids are in the mix. Consider the following passages of Scripture:
- “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
- “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” (Proverbs 6:20)
- “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21)
- “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
- “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5) (See 2 Timothy 3:15)
George Barna’s book, Revolutionary Parenting reminds us “to see the bigger picture of God’s priorities and raise our children in light of His standards, not ours or society’s.” We need to “keep” what is most important before our families. So how do we do that? What are some simple ways every parent can “keep eternity” in clear view of their children?
We start by helping our kids know and love Jesus through the Bible.
I am convinced that most parents want to pass on faith. They really do want to see their kids grow up and make an impact on their world. One of the tools we have used as a family is a resource I created several years ago called, The Dig for Kids. This week, we are launching a brand new volume – a topical study through the book of Proverbs!
The book of Proverbs is full of practical wisdom for everyday living. And so parents and children will study through topics such as the tongue, controlling emotions, choosing friendships, work that honors God, and more.
My prayer is that it would be a blessing to you and your family and it would help you “keep eternity before your children.”
48 Hour Special Price (only through Wednesday January 11th, 2017 at 11:59 EST)
Click to purchase The Dig: Proverbs on Kindle for $2.99 ($4.99 value)!
Click to purchase The Dig: Proverbs in paperback for only $9.99 ($12.99 + value)!
Blessings,
Patrick Schwenk
My children are 9, 4, 3, 15 mos, 15 mos and 2 more on the way, lol! I think my oldest especially will gain so much from this, as he really is developing a love for God’s Word. He would be great for him to have a devotional of his own.
What a great giveaway!
My son is 4 and he is really getting into asking lots of questions and thinking through topics, so I think he would really enjoy his “own” Bible study.
My daughter is 7 years old and she has recently been very excited to read the Bible and other devotional writings. I think she would like this book because it would give her focus on one book of the Bible and help her to understand it. I think I would like this book, too, because it would allow her and I to study together.
Love the Proverbs and think this is a great way to study the Word with your kids! Thanks for making such a wonderful resource! My daughter is 8 and I think this would be perfect for her!
Awesome! I think my kids would love this!!
My kids are 8,6, and 2
My two just turned 9. I think this would be great!!
My kids are 3, 5, and 11. I’m so excited to go through Proverbs with them, with the help of The Dig, this summer!
Love your site! Thanks so much for encouraging families!
My kids are 28, 26, 23, 20, 13, and 9. We’re always looking for good tools to use to enhance our family Bible-study time.
My kids are 8, 10, 13, and 19. My little ones would love this book. I am hoping to do an online Proverbs study myself…this would help me, too. thx
I have an 11 year old boy who just loves to read his bible and an 8 year old girl and this would’ve great to go through this summer with them!
Thank you so much for doing this! Looks like a great one!
Whoops! Just read the question! My kids are 13, 11, 8, 4 🙂
I have a 6.5 year old and I think it would be a great way to start studying the Bible.
My girls are 10 and 12, I think they would like this
My kids are 7, 5, 2, and one on the way! My kids love “adventure,” and so I think this would really get them excited!!!
My children are 10, 13, 18, 19. I think my 10 year old would really like this book. And my 13 year old hopefully will learn something new.
We would love to use this in family devotions!
My kids are 7, 5, and 2. We just finished our last devotional book so we’d love to start this one!
My girls are 9,6 and 2. I think the older girls will love studying the same thing I am!
Nice giveaway, 10 & 13
Thanks, 10& 13
My kids are 11 & 13, they love reading God’s word. Though they are older, I know that they still appreciate illustrations of God’s word in action and would enjoy this book.
Perfect timing! A few month’s ago we went through the book of Proverbs at church. It was impressed on my heart to teach this book to our children, but didn’t know of any good material available. I’d definitely love to get the book for our children. It would be a great way to start their summer vacation with.
My children’s ages are 7, 5, 4 and 2. : )
My children are 9 and 4. I think this will help them to understand the Biblical principles in Proverbs better.
My daughter is 8 years old, and as I’m getting ready to do a Proverbs study myself this summer, this will be the perfect way for me to intentionally work on discipling her through Proverbs, in a kid-friendly, appealing way. SO EXCITED for what God is going to do among the families who will spend time in God’s Word this summer! ♡ THANK YOU
My boys are 9, 7, 4. We read Proverbs every morning before school and I would love to enhance that reading with this book 🙂
My kiddos are still littles, but my oldest is already enjoying more devotional-style books.
Pastor wife looking for a study for the summer!
My kids are 15, 12, & 5. Proverbs is such an awesome book for living life. Who wouldn’t benefit from studying more of it?
My twins are 5, a boy and a girl, and my other boy is 9. They would love it because they love adventure and would love the concept of “digging” into Gods word. But also, the lessons are short and sweet and will keep their attention. Thanks for the consideration! God Bless you!!
We have a 9 yrs old boy who will love to work on this one .. maybe together with mommy this summer. thanks for the chance.
My kids would love this because we always talk about “what does God say about that?” But having a book to read that isn’t just me talking would be great! My kids are 13, 7, and 4. The younger ones love to sit on our laps while we read to them and this would make that time even more special!
I’m thinking Kid’s church. Sounds awesome for the kids church group.
Thanks.
My son is 6 and my daughter is 2.5. I think this book would be another tool to help show my son that the Bible has a lot to say about how he conducts himself & the choices he makes and that it isn’t just Mom & Dad making this stuff up,lol. Especially now that he is in school and not always under the influence of Mom & Dad, we want to help equip him to make good choices.
My children are 4.5 and 2.5. My oldest loves when I read the Bible to him and talk about God’s truths.
I think that my daughter would like this.
I have 3 wonderful children ranging in age from 1 to 10 and we go to church every Sunday and I think they’d enjoy their own Bible lessons
Thank you for the giveaway my kids are 13,6 and 8 months. We love digging deeper and would love this new book you have out my oldest is learning to dig more into his word and help with bible time and this would be a great help.
My child is 6 and he loves it when we read the Bible and learn about God.
I’ve been so exhausted lately that I’ve struggled with this big time. Sometimes I feel like I’m failing them and just not getting through to them at all. This would be an amazing resource!
my kids are 12 and 11 and this would be a great summertime study!!!
my daughter is 6 and I can’t wait to share this with her!
My oldest is 4 and is really needing something like this for us to help guide her.
My girls are older, 19 & 21 but it would be great to share with the little great nieces & nephews in our family…they range from 1.5 months to 9 years. 🙂 We all love Christian books 🙂
This would be a great summer study for the kids:-)
my grandsons r 1+ -12yrs old and they would enjoy this book:)