PG-13 (Parental Guidance in 2013)

I’ve always enjoyed watching movies. Growing up, one of my favorite movies was “Rocky IV”. Be honest, if you’ve ever watched that movie, it made you want to go out and endure a grueling workout in the gym! Certain movies can be exciting, humorous, and very inspiring, while some can be scary, sad, and even extremely vulgar. A motion picture rating system is designated to classify films with regard to suitability for audiences in terms of issues such as sex, violence, substance abuse, profanity, impudence or other types of mature content that is designed to help parents decide whether a movie is suitable for their children or not. In the United States, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), through the Classification and Rating Administration (CARA), issues ratings for movies which are as follows: G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. “PG” means that parental guidance is suggested and “PG-13” is strongly suggested, especially for children under the age of 13.

In the Bible, you can find “PG-13”. However, it isn’t a suggestion to parents, but a command. It is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is known by the Jewish people not as “PG-13”, but as the “Shema”.

 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

In the passage above, God’s Word is commanding parental guidance, but it begins with our OWN commitment to God FIRST.

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I’m giving you today.”

1.       As parents, we must first have a loving devoted relationship to God in which we are dedicated and wholeheartedly committed to following him!

Ø  As parents, we cannot lead our children/teenagers in a direction that we aren’t headed ourselves. Children/Teenagers are not dumb (although some parents may argue thatJ) and they watch most everything we do and say! Do we model a life-style of devotion to Jesus Christ in which our children/teenagers want to follow after? Is our relationship to Jesus attractive to them? Do they see us reading God’s Word, spending time in prayer, putting God first in EVERY decision we make in our families? We cannot expect our children’s/teenager’s passion for God to be great, if ours is not. We guide them FIRST, by pursuing Christ OURSELVES!

“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

2.       Parental Guidance includes REPEATING the commandments of God over and over again to OUR children/teenagers.

Ø  As we are pursuing of full-devotion to Jesus Christ we also are to teach our children/teenagers to do the same. So, when? The above passages give us at least four different places to do that.

A.      “…when you are at home.”

a.       The most private and real parts of our lives take place within the dynamics of our home. Who we are at home is who we are! The home is the place where our most intimate relationships are developed! It is the most important small group we will ever be a part of! When you are at home, take the time; make the time to talk with your children/teenagers about God’s Word. Some places could include:

·         Around the breakfast/dinner table.

·         In the living room or den.

·         Outside on the swing.

B.      “…when you are on the road.”

a.       Talk about God’s Word and spiritual things going down the road and going about life! Talk about spiritual truths when you are headed to school, ball-games, church, and other outings.

C.     “…when you are going to bed.”

a.       With little kids it may be a good idea to pile up with them in their bedrooms to talk about scripture and pray. Another good idea with both children/teens may be to all meet up in the living room (or whatever centralized area you have in your home) to talk about life and the faith, and end with prayer.

D.     “…when you are getting up.”

a.       Try reading the daily proverbs around the breakfast table in the morning as a family or saying a prayer together before everyone goes about their day.

If you’ll notice, the above passage gives us as parents four strategic time frames to talk with our children/teens about the faith! The magical key? We must not just “hope they catch our example only”, but we also must TALK about God’s Word!

So this year, I pray your home is Rated “PG-13” (Parental Guidance in 2013!)

I’m continually praying for God’s power to work through you in raising disciples in your home!

Partnering with you,

Beck