1. Loving God

2.  One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”  Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’”

3.  Holy Scripture demands that we love God with our entire being (Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28).  This involves the whole of man’s four powers: his heart, mind, soul, and strength. While there is some overlap, each word has a distinct meaning.

4.  Are we teaching our children to love the Lord with all their heart? The Greek word translated “heart” conveys several meanings.  Literally, it refers to the blood pump of the body, and is thus regarded as the seat of physical life.  Figuratively speaking, it also represents the center of one’s spiritual life.

5.  Faith devoid of emotion is not true faith. Our Lord will not accept hearts that are dull (Matt. 13:13-15) and distant (Matt. 15:7-9).  Empty, ritualistic service will not suffice (Matt. 6:7).

6.  While all things must be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40, 33), true worship is a heart-felt experience (Ps. 42:1-2; 84:2; 143:6; John 4:23-24).  Old Testament prophecy repeatedly foreshadowed the joy of the Messianic age (Isa. 42:10-11; 54:1; 61:7, 10; Jer. 31:12; Zeph. 3:14-15; Zech. 2:10-11; 9:9).

7.  Are we teaching our children to love the Lord with all their mind?  The Greek word translated “mind” refers to one’s intellect, disposition, or thought.  It includes the faculty of reasoning and reflection, comprehension and understanding.

8.  Faith devoid of a solid intellectual foundation is not true faith.  A lack of knowledge has always been an occasion of stumbling for the people of God (Isaiah 1:1-3; 5:13-14; Hosea 4:6).  Ignorance is no excuse (Acts 17:30-31; Eph. 4:17-19; 1 Pet. 1:14-16).

9.  Christ’s Covenant is a religion of the mind (John 6:44-45; Heb. 8:10; 10:15-17).  Peter sought to stimulate his readers to wholesome thinking (1 Pet. 1:13; 2 Pet. 3:1-2).  John said, “We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true” (1 John 5:20).

10.  Are we teaching our children to love the Lord with all their soul?  The Greek word translated “soul” refers to one’s breath, life, or soul.  Depending upon the context, different meanings are conveyed.

11.  Sometimes, it simply refers to a person, with no distinction made between the inner and outer man.  However, in recognition that man –composed of flesh and spirit, body and soul – enjoys a dual nature, the word also refers to the inner spiritual man.  Here the meaning appears general.

12.  Faith that does not encompass all of life is not true faith.  Loving God and obeying his voice is the essence of life itself (Deut. 30:19-20; 32:44- 47; Eccl. 12:13-14).

13.  Through obedience to the gospel, we die to the old man of sin and self, and are raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-7; 2 Cor. 5:17).  After conversion, our life should be one of selfless service (Gal. 2:20), and reoriented focus (Col. 3:1-4).

14.  Are we teaching our children to love the Lord with all their strength?  The Greek word translated “strength” refers to one’s power or might. How are we using our God-given talents and abilities?

15.  Faith devoid of energy is not true faith.  As king Josiah served God with all his might (2 Kings 23:24-25; 2 Chron. 34:29-33), we must do the same (Eccl. 9:10; Rom. 12:9-13; Col. 3:22-25).  Non-committal, wavering, half-heartedness is wholly unacceptable (Josh. 24:14-28; 1 Kings 18:20-21; Rev. 3:15-19).

16.  Divine power is evidenced in the heavenly realm (2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 5:11-14; 7:9-12), and may also be observed in the human realm, as we faithfully serve the Lord (Eph. 1:18-21; 6:10-17; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

17.  Nevertheless, humility is demanded. Though we serve God with all our strength, we must not depend upon our own might (Eccl. 9:10- 12; 1 Cor. 1:26-31).  God provides renewed strength to those who faithfully wait upon Him (Isa. 40:27-31).

18.  Children learn through verbal instruction and visual observation.  Is the love of God reflected in our words and deeds?

19.  Are we teaching our children on a daily basis?  Do we remind them of the wondrous ways of God?  Do we manifest reverential fear?  Are we obedient to his Holy Word?

20.  Is God’s love seen in our emotions and attitudes, intellect and beliefs, life and personality, might and ability?  May our love for God grow with each passing day.  May God bless us as we instill such love in the hearts of our children.