PSALM 78:1-4, 12-16

 

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.  We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and [the LORD’s] might, and the wonders that [the LORD] has done.    

 

In the sight of their ancestors [the LORD] worked marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.  [The LORD] divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.  In the daytime [the LORD] led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light.  [The LORD] split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.  [The LORD] made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

 

 

ADDITIONAL TEXTS

 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.  Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.  Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 

         Deuteronomy 6:4-7  

 

You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. 

         Deuteronomy 11:18-21   

 

O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in [the LORD]…  Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.  Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?  Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and [the LORD’s] ears are open to their cry.       

         Psalm 34:8, 11-15   

 

Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street. 

         Lamentations 2:19   

 

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”  And he

took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.   

         Mark 10:13-16  

 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect.  

         Romans 12:1-2

 

Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching…  Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.  Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.       

         1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16 

 

 

ADDITIONAL LECTIONARY TEXTS:   

Exodus 17:1-7     

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32      

Psalm 25:1-9

Philippians 2:1-13                                      

Matthew 21:23-32

 

Texts are from the NRSV.