School starts this week. Algebra and adverbs. History and health. Social studies and Spanish. Teachers enjoy a captive audience as they share their particular passion. Kids teach lessons too through the power of peer pressure.

So where do parents come in? What are we to teach? David tells us in Psalm 34:11, it’s the most important lesson of all:

“Come, my children, listen to me; and I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

Fear, not in that we are afraid, well, maybe a little, but fear in that we have a proper perspective of who God is and who we are.

A recent trip to the beach reshaped this perspective for me. The ocean’s vastness astounds me. Yet Scripture says God stores it in jars. (Psalm 33:7 NIV) Really? The Pacific Ocean fits in one of God’s jars? My Texas mind sees images of Mason quart jars filled with canned veggies. I picture God’s pantry shelves loaded with jars neatly labeled Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and so on. As my picture of God grows, so do my fear and respect for Him. The God who stores the sea in His personal Mason jars can handle anything coming my way. He’ll do the same for you. For your kids and mine.

School is back. Class starts today. What are you teaching?

Questions:

What things have colored your picture of God?

Are you familiar with the song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”? Does nature affect your view of God? How?

Disrespect is rampant in our culture. Do you have personal struggles with respect, especially with authority figures?

How does our culture encourage disrespect?

Does this culture clash make it difficult to give God the respect He deserves? The time He deserves?