Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Symbolically speaking, “Jerusalem” is our family, “Judea” is our neighbor, “Samaria” is outside our area, and of course, “the ends of the earth” means our mission to other countries.
How can we be a witness to our family? How can we be a witness to our “Jerusalem”? In order to witness to our family, we need godly parents.
Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” So, godly parents are those who teach their children about the faithfulness of God.
In this verse, we can see three things:
First, Parents must be good examples.
The verse says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely.” This means that parents need to live righteous lives based on the Word of God. Parents cannot tell their children to obey what the Bible says if they themselves do not follow it.
Second, Parents must teach their valuable experiences.
The verse says, “that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” This means that what parents must see to it that what they have experienced with God should be told to their children. We need to have a first-hand experience with God. We cannot tell our children the experiences of others.
Third, Parents must be prepared to continue their ministry to their grandchildren.
The verse says, “Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” This means that parents should be ready to become grandparents someday. And if you are a grandparent now, you need to remember that your ministry did not stop with your children. Your presence must continue to influence your grandchildren.