I have many favorite verses in the Bible but certainly one of those has to be 3 John 4. The NKJ renders “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
John was probably referring to those whom he had converted as being his children. And this is certainly true. Those with whom I have studied and had a part in converting, I would definitely say the same thing as John said.
But most of us think of our own children, and even grandchildren, when we read 3 John 4.
There is an interesting study in examining the text and noting the use of the double negative. This was common in classical Greek literature and is found in other places such as Philippians 1:23 (more better or far better) and Ephesians 3:8 (less than the least). Here John states, greater joy have I none. Simply put, he puts it at the top of the list!
What are some ways we can leave a spiritual heritage for our children to follow?
1. Make your spirituality transparent. Children can see through us as parents before anyone else can. We may fool others but it is difficult to fool those in your own household. Your spirituality has to be genuine. It has to be a 24/7 walk instead of a Sunday morning routine.
2. Your children should grow up seeing you pray and study daily. Think about the idea of following. If we are going to leave our children a heritage to follow we must be traveling that road ourselves.
3. Find ways to connect spiritual things with daily life. Observing nature and relating to the Creator, talking of prayers that were answered, etc. Too many people have compartmentalized their Christianity; Who they are on Sunday morning bears little resemblance to the one the children see on Tuesday afternoon. Our religion must permeate every area of life and our children must see this.
4. Give your children a healthy self-esteem by creating in them an awareness of who they are. To establish and protect a good name. To be proud of the family name. To use the words of Jesus in John 8:14, I know where I came from and where I am going.
5. Talk with your children not just about GOD in Bible times but also about what GOD is doing in your life today as well as His working in you throughout life. Some suggestions are:
a. Tell them about your own conversion
b. What the LORD’S supper means to you
c. Give them reasons why you believe in GOD
d. How do you know the Bible is true and from GOD
e. Discuss troubled times in your life and how GOD worked it out for you
f. How GOD is working in your life now with recent answered prayers
6. Pray, pray, pray! Read the account of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, found in 1 Samuel chapter 1 and count the number of times she prayed. Read of Samson’s parents praying even before he was born in Judges 13. Verse 8 is a favorite of mine, when Manoah asks GOD to teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born. Man’s best efforts will be futile without GOD’S help!
There is no greater joy than to hear that my children, grandchildren, and converts walk in truth. I hope I never hear otherwise.