The Shema from Judaism, archived in Deuteronomy 6, is a pinnacle tradition in Hebrew Judaism, and should be in Christianity. I cannot claim to be an expert, but it's one of the fundamentals - shema means to listen AND obey, and this was the primary charge given to God's people. His people were also to repeat his commandments, make them apart of their lives, and introduce their children to the Laws of God so that the next generation may not lose sight of God's oracles and truths.
The Shema
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 (LEB): 4 “Hear, Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is unique. 5 And you shall love Yahweh your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your might.
My Kids
I talk with my kids about obedience a lot... and it's fine, because they're young kids in a stage of life of needing near-constant correction. I love them and so because I love them they need to obey me, because no one in the world cares more about their safety and flourishing than I do, and no matter what they see they need to trust me more than what they see - ie. listen to me over anything else going on... Now, this is a hard lesson for a child certainly, but is it not exactly what Jesus requests of me? How easy would I say it is then?
But I think the key with the kids is to regularly talk about listening in the context of love and grace. We tell our girls constantly that we love them, that they're safe and protected, and because of those truths they should listen to us (the parents).
The Point
This isn't a ground breaking post, to even grace it with the title... It's a
short reminder to me that kids need structure and guidance. I am here to
provide that to my kids. And in the exact same way that they are to shema, to
listen and obey me, I am to shema, to listen and obey the Lord... For the
Lord my God is One.