I Samuel 8:1
“And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.”
Samuel passed on his ministry to his sons. It’s a parent’s wish for a child to carry on that which is valued. In this case, it’s not just the job, but the devotion and service to God. We all would want that which we value most to be passed on.
How do we do this? How do we pass on our values? Mostly these things are caught, not taught. Families take on the style, mannerisms and values of the influencers. These may be taught, but it’s the example that is usually followed.
This works in the positive and negative senses. If parents are bullies, the children tend to be also. If the the parents are respectful, the children mimic that trait. We learn by example. To be shown something is a better way to teach than verbal instructions. Our lifestyle is the constant tutorial to those around us.
Our example is the most natural way to transmit our values. We all learn better with a demonstration. Our lifestyle is the constant display of that which is important. If it’s desirable, those around begin to adopt those parts.
Teaching our values is the next responsibility after living them. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Teaching spells out in more specific terms that which has been demonstrated. While some mocked Isaiah for his style, it’s the way teaching is done. 28:10 says, “For He says, ‘Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there.’” The more complicated the doctrine, the more words are required.
Lord, help us as we pass on the important things. Help us to live them as well as speak them.