Training them to pray morning, noon, and night!

The Shema – A Form of Indoctrination 

You may be wondering what is the Shema? The Shema was a command to the Israelites to love the Lord their God, in every day, every moment, permeating all areas of their life, and of utmost importance to teach their children to do the same. It was a command not only to the Jews in the first century but is also a command for this generation, and all generations to come until the Lord takes His people to be with Him for all eternity.

The Shema is call to allegiance to God alone. As it was in antiquity, the devil’s workers work diligently today enticing people to worship false gods. The Shema is a call to know that the Lord God is the only true God, there is no other God. To love Him with all our being, writing His commands in our hearts (becoming your heart’s desire), indoctrinating our children 24-7 so they will be solid in their faith all the days of their lives.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 states,

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impressthem on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframe of your houses and on your gates.

Impress means to “mark, brand, mold, impact, influence, teach, love, lead, and disciple our children.”[1]The impression should leave a lifelong mark on their heart, soul, and mind.

Shema is typically the first prayer learned by Jewish children. They pray this prayer in the morning and the evening, based upon the command “when you lie down and when you rise up”. It is a prayer that has been referred to as the “cornerstone of Jewish faith and the heart of Jewish faith.” (5) This is a call to instill in the children the love of God. To honor and obey Him. Likewise, the Lord’s prayer is also a call to Christians. Jesus taught how we are to pray in Matthew 6:9-13.

The word Shema means “to listen, to obey” and is an instructional command to teach about God and His Son to all children. This teaching is a command that preserves life, setting apart His people as Holy and Saved.

Let us be the generation that truly trains them up in the way of the Lord; morning, noon, and night!

Blessings,

Lee Ann Mancini

[1]Art Murphy, The Faith of A Child, A Step-by-Step Guide to Salvation for your Child, 36.

Helping to build a strong foundation in Jesus!