Family stories

These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. — Joshua 4:7

In her book The Shelter of Each Other, Mary Pipher gives advice on rebuilding troubled families. She explores how today’s children sometimes overuse TV and video games to the exclusion of informal instruction received from extended family.

She gives an example of a family reunion where the youngsters are given a video to watch in the back room so the adults can talk undisturbed. Dr. Pipher believes this diversion actually deprives kids. Children need to mix with the older generation so they can hear the stories of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and parents. This helps them learn from those who have gone before them.

The Old Testament places a high value on children being taught their spiritual heritage. After God parted the waters of the Jordan River, Joshua was instructed to take 12 stones from the river to create a memorial for future generations. “When your children ask . . . ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off . . . And these stones shall be a memorial to the children of Israel forever” (Josh. 4:6-7).

We need spiritual interaction between generations. Remember, Bible stories are often family stories. And our children need them and us.       — Dennis Fisher

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful;

May the fire of our devotion light their way;

May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe,

And the lives we live inspire them to obey. — Mohr

READ: Joshua 4:1-9

Godly forefathers make good teachers.

The Bible in one year:

• Zechariah 1-4

• Revelation 18