Readings: Christian Education Sunday
The Church in Every Generation Passes on Her Most Holy Faith
“Hear, O Israel” (Deut. 6:4). The Church is the flock of sheep hearing the Lord’s voice (John 10); His disciples are those who abide in His Word and thus know the truth that sets them free (John 8:31–32). The Lord loves students, which is what “disciple” means. He told Israel to teach His Word diligently to their children when they had been freed from Egypt’s slavery (Deut. 6:7–12). And one generation declares to another the mighty works of God (Ps. 145:4). Fathers bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4) because the promise of salvation in the Name of Jesus Christ is a whole baptismal life of repentance and faith, and is given for you and your children (Acts 2:38–39). The efforts of godly parents are aided and supported by Christian schools, pastors, and teachers, for which we give thanks. Christians continually learn God’s Word, whether in their houses or along the way (Deut. 6:9). We pass on the confession of Christ so that souls from the crooked generation of every age may be saved (Acts 2:40–41). “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).
Psalm 119:129-136
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. 133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Deuteronomy 6:4–15
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 10 “And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you–with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant–and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you– 15 for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God–lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
Acts 2:37–41
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Luke 18:15–17
15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Collect
Lord Jesus Christ, You have entrusted to Your people the task of teaching all nations. Enlighten with the wisdom of Your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn that the joyous truth of the Gospel may be known in every generation.