The name “Shakespeare” is almost synonymous with the English language, but did you know that Shakespeare was actually illiterate? Susanna and Judith Shakespeare, that is, the two daughters of William Shakespeare who lived to adulthood! While nobody knows for sure, it is commonly believed that both of William Shakespeare’s parents, John and Mary, never learned to read or write, though William attended grammar school and mastered reading, writing, and Latin. Additionally, history reports that his wife and neither of their children ever learned to read or write. This is perplexing! How did William Shakespeare, the man recognized as the world’s greatest English writer, allow his own daughters to grow up illiterate? I really don’t have the answer to this puzzling question, but I do have a far better question for us to consider—how do Christians allow their children to grow up Biblically illiterate?
One of the greatest disservices a parents can commit is to allow their children to grow up without a knowledge of God and His Word. Parents often do well at safeguarding the physical, social, and educational growth of their children, but many forget the importance of being active in the spiritual development of their children. Our children and grandchildren may grow up and be great athletes, successful businesspeople, or even award winning doctors, but we have utterly failed them if we don’t give them the tools and resources to commit their lives to Jesus and be right with the Lord. God has given us the important task of giving the children He has given us back to Him. We all need to be reminded of the importance of our roles as fathers, mothers, and grandparents in the lives of our children. Take the time to read Psalm 78 this week, and give special emphasis to verses 1-8 of the Psalm. If we don’t work to in-still a knowledge of God in the next generation, then who will?
– Brandon Baggett
Brandon Baggett is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
