And it came to pass, ... that the Lord met (Moses) and sought to kill him.

Exodus 4:22-24

How could God want Moses dead? 

Didn’t God just give Moses a word to share with Pharaoh, to set God’s people free? Yes, but Moses nearly stumbled where almost all of us do—

Never minister to others without first ministering at home.

Step back and view the scene: God called Moses to tell Egypt that God loves and is ready to protect His children Israel. But Moses failed to share God’s message with his own family. For, in the next verse, we see that Moses’ child hadn’t been circumcised, though for 500 years the Israelites had practiced circumcision as an outward sign of God’s promise to them.

How could Moses neglect teaching his own children?

Have you ever had a cell phone steal your family time? Ever let work obligations rob you of precious time building relationships with your family? But the most dangerous distraction of all is --

Talking to others about their spiritual problems rather than focusing on them in your own family.

Every time you need to teach your family about God, guess what comes to mind— the idea that you need to teach someone else! We are like Moses— running right by our spiritually neglected family members to have a conversation with a stranger instead.

When we focus on the spiritual problems of others, we numb the pain, but deepen the wound.

Now do you understand how angry Moses’s wife was when she circumcised her son, threw the foreskin at her husband’s feet and cried that he is ‘a bloody man’? (Exodus 4:25) Moses’ family is just like yours and mine when we neglect the spiritual needs of our own family and focus on everyone else's spiritual condition.

They do not see it as a lack of balance. They see it as a lack of love.

Learn from this mother, in Exodus 4:25, who took a sword and did what her husband long neglected, circumcising their son.  In the same way, you should take up the sword— which is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) — let it do its purifying work in the hearts of your family.

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word. 

Psalm 119:9

How can you start reading with your children and spouse?

For small children this might mean you reading a simpler version to them. For the older children or spouse it might mean setting aside time to read, personally or out loud, then discussing it. Remember, you don’t have to have the answers! In fact, the best lesson you can teach others is to say, “I don’t know what that is there for. Let’s ask God.”

How can you start helping your teens work through Bible truths?

For me, I’ve come to enjoy the 20 minute drive when I drop off my 13 year old at youth group. Not only do I get to hear about what’s going on with him, but the drive home gives me a chance to engage him about what he is learning in the Bible study.

You might be tempted to think what I just described to you is so simple that it is not worth your time. It is just the opposite. Walking with your family through God’s word is the best use of your time. God makes it simple so you can enjoy it as a family all the more.

What works for you to help your kids or spouse learn the Bible? Let me know!

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