Godly Homes Are Classrooms For Children

“Maschil of Asaph” is the heading Psalm 78 bears. This title, along with the other titles found throughout the book of Psalms, denotes the character and author of the psalm. The term “Maschil” occurs within the titles of 13 psalms, and it means a cunning and skillful psalm which was designed to impart instruction. Asaph, who penned roughly 11 psalms, also wrote Psalm 78 according to the title. The Arabic rendering of this title has, “A sermon from Asaph to the people.” Asaph was inspired to pen Psalm 78 to give instruction to the people of God.

Evidently, the instructions set forth in this Psalm are important. The narrative begins with Asaph calling great attention to his instructions by saying, “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth” (Psalm 78:1). Following this exhortation, Asaph begins to instruct his Hebrew kinsmen to transmit a knowledge of God to the next generation. He implores them to show “to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done” (Psalm 78:4). Then, from Moses to David, the psalmist rehearses many lessons of Hebrew History. He speaks of the mercies God bestowed upon Israel, and he records the sins of Israel which provoked the anger of Jehovah. These teachings were to be imparted to the next generation “that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (Psalm 78:7).

One of the fundamental lessons derived from Psalm 78 is the need for every home to teach the next generation the word and works of God. Psalm 78 shows how godly homes are classrooms for children! Such was surely God’s design in the Old Testament. The Pentateuch taught Hebrew parents to teach God’s laws “diligently unto thy children” (Deuteronomy 6:7). In the New Testament, Paul said the home is to bring up children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). God wants every home to be a Christian home, and He wants every Christian home to be actively educating the next generation regarding spiritual things. Psalm 78 records many great things the home can do for the next generation.

First, the home instills God’s word in the next generation.

Asaph begins Psalm 78 by describing the laws and teachings of God. Then, he instructs his kinsmen to teach them to their children “that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children” (Psalm 78:6). This imagery presents a scene of perpetually teaching God’s word. If done properly, a generation should never arise that does not know God’s word. Sadly, many do grow up Biblically ignorant, because they are never taught the Bible in the home. It is not the job of the church, the work of the school, or the duty of a friend to teach our children God’s word. God wants the home to be tirelessly working to instill His word in the heart of the next generation.

Second, the home encourages the next generation to follow God.

Asaph’s goal in teaching the next generation God’s will is to encourage them to “set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (Psalm 78:7). Here are parents teaching their children God’s word, but they are also stressing the need to personally obey His teachings. Instruction and application of divine law are both being made in the home. Children need to be taught the Bible, but they need to be encouraged to follow God. How amazing it would be if every parent taught their children God’s word, stressed the need to follow God’s word, and demonstrated God’s word by their daily living.

Third, the home suppresses a disobedient attitude in the next generation.

Asaph wanted the next generation to “not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God” (Psalm 78:8). The next generation was to be taught of the sins of antiquity, and they were exhorted to chart a different course to suppress within them a disobedient attitude. The home can do much to encourage obedience to God and suppress disobedience. The role of discipline and correction in the home educates young minds regarding the consequences of disobedience, and it teaches the blessings of obedience.

Godly homes are classrooms for children! Psalm 78 rises forth from God’s word reminding parents everywhere of the need to teach the next generation the will of God. If we would heed this “Maschil of Asaph”, we will help prepare our children for eternity!

-Brandon Baggett

Brandon Baggett is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.