There's a cute television advertisement out there for Volkswagen showing some quality father-son bonding time.  Pitching their cars while “Dad” and “Junior” pitch and catch, the humor of the spot grows out of the father's teaching his son to throw a baseball. Painfully awkwardly pointing his shoulder while flinging his leg forward in an homage to John Cleese's “Minister of Silly Walks” on Monty Python's Flying Circus, Dad misfires the ball. “That's the way to do it!” is funny, because we all know, that's not the way to do it. Not even close. “Hand down something to your children that they can really use,” really sells in contrast to the poor example that preceded even if it tells you nothing about the car.
     “Now these things occured as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil,” 1 Corinthians 10:6 tells us in a not so funny way. After listing a series of judgments on the children of israel for their sinful rebellion, we are warned that God took the effort to include these evil examples so that we might learn from them. And when we fail, He sent His Son Jesus, to be more than an example–an expiation (payment in full for all sins of all people of all time!). Hand down something to your children that they can really use. Warn them against the corrosive and life-destroying effects of sin. Use biblical examples and newsworthy tips in teachable moments. And always, ALWAYS point them to the Savior who graciously offers life-changing forgiveness to all who receive it by faith!