"Teaching Children to Love God and Others" - Move Up Sunday

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

On Move Up Sunday, as we prayed over our children and teachers for the new school year, we explored our calling to teach the next generation what matters most: loving God completely and loving others sacrificially. This special message from our ongoing "Jesus Creed" series focused on the sacred responsibility and incredible privilege of shaping young hearts.

Drawing from Moses' instructions in Deuteronomy 6, we discovered that teaching children to love God isn't optional curriculum—it's our primary mission. We explored how God commands parents to be the primary teachers of what matters most, weaving love for God and neighbor into everyday life through both modeling and instruction.

Key Message: Teaching children to love God and others isn't just one of our responsibilities as parents and teachers—it's our primary mission and greatest privilege.

The message addressed how children learn to love God differently at different developmental stages, from preschoolers' simple trust to high schoolers' mature commitment, while emphasizing that biblical love for children requires both grace and truth, both acceptance and clear expectations.

Perfect for: Parents seeking biblical guidance on raising children, teachers looking to connect education with spiritual formation, and anyone involved in shaping young lives for God's glory.

Special Elements: This Move Up Sunday message included extended prayers of blessing over both our children and teachers as they begin the new academic year.