Jennifer 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Deuteronomy 6:20 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Bible is filled with powerful verses that guide our lives, teach us about God’s nature, and help us walk in faith. One such verse is Deuteronomy 6:20. This verse highlights the importance of passing down God’s truth to future generations.
The Context of Deuteronomy 6:20 KJV
To understand Deuteronomy 6:20, we must begin with its context. Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and the last book of the Torah. It is often called the “second law” because Moses repeats and explains God’s commands to the new generation of Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.
Moses’ Final Teachings
The book is a collection of speeches by Moses near the end of his life. The people of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now, they stood on the edge of Canaan, the land God promised to give them.
In Deuteronomy chapter 6, Moses urges the people to obey God’s laws, remember His commands, and teach them to their children. This chapter contains the Shema, a central statement of Jewish faith:“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, KJV)
This command to love God is followed by instructions on how to keep God’s Word in daily life. Parents are told to teach their children diligently, speak of God’s laws often, and write them on the doorposts of their homes.
Preparing the Next Generation
Deuteronomy 6 focuses not only on individual obedience but also on the role of families in keeping the covenant. God’s people were to remain faithful from one generation to the next. Deuteronomy 6:20 addresses what should happen when children grow up and ask questions about the faith.
Deuteronomy 6:20 (KJV)
Here is Deuteronomy 6:20 from the King James Version:“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you?”
This verse is a direct instruction about a future moment. It imagines a child asking his parent about God’s laws. It shows us that questions will come, and the older generation must be ready to answer.
Deuteronomy 6:20 Meaning
This verse contains deep wisdom. Let’s examine its meaning by looking at its key phrases.
“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come”
This phrase shows that Moses expects the children of Israel to be curious about their faith. They will see the laws and customs their parents follow and want to know the reasons behind them. This is natural and good.
The words “in time to come” show that this is a future event. It may not happen right away, but eventually, every generation will ask, “Why do we do this?” This question is a powerful opportunity to teach and pass on the truth of God.
“Saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments”
This part of the verse refers to the different kinds of commands God gave:
Testimonies are reminders of God’s covenant, such as the Ten Commandments.
Statutes are laws that relate to worship and daily living.
Judgments are rules for justice and how people should treat one another.
In short, the child is asking, “What do all these rules mean?” The question is not just about the what but the why. Children want to know the meaning behind actions. They want understanding, not just instructions.
“Which the Lord our God hath commanded you?”
The child recognizes that these laws come from God. That’s important. He doesn’t say, “Which you told me to do,” but rather, “Which the Lord our God commanded.” This shows that the teaching of God’s laws was taken seriously and linked directly to God’s authority.
However, the child also sees a separation between himself and his parents: “commanded you.” This suggests he is still learning and has not yet fully made the faith his own. The answer to his question will help shape his faith journey.
Deuteronomy 6:20 Application in Life
This verse has important applications for us today. It teaches us about parenting, discipleship, communication, and spiritual legacy.
1. Expect and Welcome Questions
God wants us to be ready for questions from the next generation. When children ask, “Why do we go to church?” or “Why should I read the Bible?” or “Why do we pray?”—these are holy moments. They are opportunities to build faith.
We must not be afraid of questions. Questions are how learning begins. God encourages honest seeking. Parents, pastors, and mentors should welcome questions and answer with love and truth.
2. Be Prepared to Give Answers
When children or young people ask about the faith, we must be ready to respond. Not with vague answers or empty traditions, but with real, meaningful explanations. The next verse, Deuteronomy 6:21, shows what kind of answer Moses expects:“Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.”
The answer begins with a story—God’s story. We must tell the story of what God has done. We must explain how God rescued us, how He forgives us, how He blesses us. Our faith is not just rules; it is a relationship with a living God.
3. Teach Through Living Example
Before a child asks about the commandments, he must see them lived out. Deuteronomy 6 talks about teaching children when you sit, walk, lie down, and rise up. That means all day long, through daily life.
If we want children to ask about God, we must live in a way that shows God matters. Faith must be real in our homes. Children are more likely to ask “why” when they see that what we believe affects how we live.
4. Link God’s Commands to His Character
When answering children or others about God’s laws, we must show how those laws reflect who God is. His commandments are not random. They reveal His love, justice, holiness, and mercy.
For example, when a child asks, “Why shouldn’t we lie?” we can say, “Because God is truth, and He wants us to be truthful like Him.” This helps connect obedience with relationship.
5. Teach the Whole Gospel Story
Just as Moses told the Israelites to explain the Exodus story, we should teach the full gospel. God saved His people from slavery in Egypt. Today, He saves us from sin through Jesus Christ.
When someone asks why we follow Jesus, we can say:
Because He died for our sins.
Because He rose again and gives us eternal life.
Because He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Our faith must always point to Christ. That is the heart of the gospel.
6. Faith Must Be Passed On Intentionally
Faith is not automatically inherited. Every generation must choose to follow God for themselves. That’s why teaching, explaining, and modeling faith is so important.
Psalm 78:5-6 says:“For he established a testimony in Jacob… That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.”
We must not assume that young people will “just figure it out.” We must intentionally guide them.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 6:20 is a powerful reminder of the importance of passing down our faith. It shows that children will ask questions, and we must be ready to answer. We are called to teach not just rules, but the reasons behind those rules. We must explain who God is, what He has done, and why following Him matters.
This verse reminds us that faith is not only personal—it is generational. God desires that His truth be passed from parent to child, from teacher to student, from believer to seeker. Our responsibility is not only to believe, but also to tell the story of our faith.
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