Faith is caught not taught. I’ve read that to parents before as an important lesson. The idea is to consider the importance of living out your faith. Your children watch what you believe more than they listen to what you say you believe. Their inquisitive minds will notice when the two don’t match. And your example will cement to them what faith truly is.
That’s a great responsibility.
Of course, faith is both caught and taught. Yes, your example is a great and true teacher. But we also teach our faith in other ways. Think of all the sermons you listen to as a family. What about family devotionals? Then there are the conversations you have after watching certain movies, listening to some songs or living some experience together. Sunday school, Bible study and even daily text messages about faith from a preacher are all ways we teach and learn faith as well. We don’t neglect any of those means of grace simply because our witness may or may not matter more.
I noticed this in today’s psalm reading. Most of us know the words of the psalmist. We use them when it’s time to sing and most of us don’t feel comfortable doing so. “Make a joyful noise to God,” we’ll say. We’ll joke about it being more noise than anything, but watch what the psalmist does next. I assume the writer will lead by example and sing with joy.
But then he tells the people what to say. He teaches them how to make a joyful noise and what makes the noise so joyful.
Then he invites God’s people to “come and see what God has done” (Psalm 66:5). The people don’t have to guess what exactly that is. The psalmist tells, or teaches them what God has done.
Finally, the instruction is to bless God. Why should they give thanks to God? Once again, the psalmist teaches them how the Lord has sustained and delivered them.
By now, if you’re a regular reader, you know how much I value the church’s witness. What we do means quite a bit to the work and ministry of God’s church. But discipleship is two-fold. When we follow Jesus we’re learning a new witness. Learning a new way of living. That is both caught in the people we see living faith around us and taught in all the ways we come to understand how good God is.
Stay blessed…john
