Embracing God's Love in Parenting and Family
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound relationship between parents and children through the lens of Christian faith. We began by acknowledging that our approach to parenting as Christians is distinct from that of non-believers. Our primary goal is to ensure that our children recognize they belong to God and understand the immense love and purpose He has for them. This perspective shapes our parenting priorities and practices.
We delved into several biblical passages to understand this relationship better. Genesis 17 emphasizes the covenant between God and Abraham, highlighting the importance of bringing children into a relationship with the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4 instructs children to obey their parents and parents to nurture their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The Gospel reading from Matthew 19:13-15 underscores Jesus' love for children and the importance of bringing them to Him.
We also reflected on the parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15, drawing lessons on parenting from the father's attributes: he is not controlling, he is forgiving, and he is generous. These qualities are essential for Christian parents to emulate. Additionally, we discussed the importance of making Christ the central focus of our lives, as this will naturally influence our children to follow Him.
For children, the message was clear: honor and obey your parents, recognizing the immense responsibility and challenges they face. We encouraged children to pray for their parents and seek forgiveness when they fall short.
In conclusion, the relationship between parents and children is a sacred one, filled with opportunities to reflect God's love and grace. As we navigate the challenges of parenting and being children, we must continually seek God's guidance and forgiveness, striving to make Christ the cornerstone of our families.
### Key Takeaways
1. Children Belong to God: Our children are not ours but God's. This understanding should shape how we treat them, emphasizing that they are His and He is watching. Our primary goal as parents is to help our children recognize their identity in Christ and the immense love and purpose He has for them. [25:08]
2. Intentional Discipleship: Bringing children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord is an ongoing, life-saturating task. It requires intentionality in making Christ the most important thing in our lives, as our children will likely follow our example. This involves daily conversations about faith and living out our beliefs authentically. [30:24]
3. Attributes of a Godly Parent: From the parable of the prodigal son, we learn that a godly parent is not controlling, is forgiving, and is generous. These attributes reflect God's love and should be evident in our parenting. Enjoying time with our children and seeing them as gifts from God is crucial. [34:04]
4. Children's Role: Children are called to honor and obey their parents, recognizing the immense responsibility and challenges their parents face. This obedience is part of the spiritual battle against evil, and children should also pray for their parents, seeking forgiveness when they fall short. [39:06]
5. Forgiveness and Repentance: Both parents and children will make mistakes. The key is to seek forgiveness and reorient our lives around Christ. This involves asking for forgiveness from each other and striving to make Jesus the central focus of our lives, thus fostering a loving and grace-filled family environment. [40:47]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:52] - Confession and Absolution
[11:51] - Prayers for the Church
[16:18] - Old Testament Reading: Genesis 17
[17:26] - Gospel Reading: Matthew 19
[18:42] - Nicene Creed
[19:20] - Introduction to Sermon Series
[23:35] - Christian Parenting Goals
[25:08] - Children Belong to God
[26:25] - Matthew 19: Let the Children Come
[27:45] - Blessings of Marriage and Parenting
[29:02] - Ephesians 6: Parenting Instructions
[30:24] - Intentional Discipleship
[32:57] - Parable of the Prodigal Son
[34:04] - Attributes of a Godly Parent
[37:37] - Children's Role and Obedience
[39:06] - Challenges of Parenting
[40:47] - Forgiveness and Repentance
[42:37] - The Lord's Prayer and Final Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 17:9-14 - The Covenant of Circumcision
2. Ephesians 6:1-4 - Instructions for Children and Parents
3. Matthew 19:13-15 - Jesus Blesses the Children
### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 17, what was the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants? How was this sign to be observed? [16:18]
2. In Ephesians 6:1-4, what specific instructions are given to children and parents? How are these instructions connected to the promise mentioned? [29:02]
3. What was Jesus' response when the disciples rebuked the people for bringing children to Him in Matthew 19:13-15? What does this reveal about Jesus' attitude towards children? [27:45]
4. From the sermon, what are the three attributes of a godly parent as illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son? [34:04]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the covenant in Genesis 17 emphasize the importance of bringing children into a relationship with God? What implications does this have for Christian parenting today? [16:18]
2. Why does Paul emphasize the need for children to obey their parents and for parents to nurture their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord in Ephesians 6:1-4? How does this balance of responsibilities contribute to a healthy family dynamic? [29:02]
3. In Matthew 19:13-15, why do you think Jesus placed such importance on allowing children to come to Him? How can this passage guide parents in their approach to raising children in faith? [27:45]
4. Reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son, how do the attributes of being non-controlling, forgiving, and generous reflect God's love? How can parents practically apply these attributes in their daily interactions with their children? [34:04]
### Application Questions
1. Children Belong to God: How does recognizing that your children belong to God change your approach to parenting? What specific actions can you take to help your children understand their identity in Christ? [25:08]
2. Intentional Discipleship: What are some practical ways you can incorporate daily conversations about faith with your children? How can you model making Christ the most important thing in your life? [30:24]
3. Attributes of a Godly Parent: Reflect on a recent situation where you may have been controlling, unforgiving, or ungenerous with your child. How can you address this and demonstrate the attributes of a godly parent moving forward? [34:04]
4. Children's Role: For those who are children, how can you better honor and obey your parents, especially recognizing the challenges they face? What steps can you take to pray for your parents and seek forgiveness when needed? [39:06]
5. Forgiveness and Repentance: Think of a time when you made a mistake as a parent or child. How did you seek forgiveness and reorient your life around Christ? What can you do to foster a loving and grace-filled family environment? [40:47]
6. Spiritual Battle: How can you be more aware of the spiritual battle against evil in your family life? What specific prayers or actions can you take to protect and strengthen your family’s faith? [39:06]
7. Enjoying Time with Children: How can you make more intentional efforts to enjoy spending time with your children, seeing them as gifts from God? What activities or routines can you establish to strengthen your relationship with them? [35:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Children Belong to God
Our children are not merely our own; they belong to God. This understanding should shape how we treat them, emphasizing that they are His and He is watching. Our primary goal as parents is to help our children recognize their identity in Christ and the immense love and purpose He has for them. This perspective shifts our parenting priorities from merely raising well-behaved children to nurturing souls who understand their divine heritage and calling. By instilling in them the knowledge that they are God's children, we help them build a foundation of faith that will guide them throughout their lives. [25:08]
Genesis 17:7 (ESV): "And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you."
Reflection: How can you remind your children today that they belong to God and are deeply loved by Him?
Day 2: Intentional Discipleship
Bringing children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord is an ongoing, life-saturating task. It requires intentionality in making Christ the most important thing in our lives, as our children will likely follow our example. This involves daily conversations about faith and living out our beliefs authentically. By prioritizing our relationship with Christ and demonstrating our faith through actions, we create an environment where our children can see and experience the love of God firsthand. This intentional discipleship is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of faith that we walk together with our children. [30:24]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can incorporate discussions about faith into your daily routine with your children?
Day 3: Attributes of a Godly Parent
From the parable of the prodigal son, we learn that a godly parent is not controlling, is forgiving, and is generous. These attributes reflect God's love and should be evident in our parenting. Enjoying time with our children and seeing them as gifts from God is crucial. By embodying these qualities, we create a nurturing environment where our children can thrive and feel secure in their relationship with us and with God. This approach to parenting not only strengthens our bond with our children but also helps them understand the nature of God's love and grace. [34:04]
Colossians 3:21 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
Reflection: Reflect on your parenting style. Are there areas where you can be more forgiving, generous, or less controlling?
Day 4: Children's Role
Children are called to honor and obey their parents, recognizing the immense responsibility and challenges their parents face. This obedience is part of the spiritual battle against evil, and children should also pray for their parents, seeking forgiveness when they fall short. By understanding their role within the family, children can contribute to a harmonious and loving household. This mutual respect and support create a strong family unit that can withstand the challenges of life and grow together in faith. [39:06]
Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV): "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'"
Reflection: How can you show honor and obedience to your parents today, and how can you pray for them?
Day 5: Forgiveness and Repentance
Both parents and children will make mistakes. The key is to seek forgiveness and reorient our lives around Christ. This involves asking for forgiveness from each other and striving to make Jesus the central focus of our lives, thus fostering a loving and grace-filled family environment. By practicing forgiveness and repentance, we demonstrate the power of God's grace and create a home where love and understanding prevail. This ongoing process of seeking and granting forgiveness helps to heal and strengthen family relationships, making them more resilient and Christ-centered. [40:47]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Is there someone in your family you need to ask for forgiveness? How can you take the first step towards reconciliation today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The goal of Christian parenting is for our kids to know that they belong to a God who loves them, that they have a Savior who died for them, and because of this, their lives have purpose and value far beyond anything the world could pretend to hope to offer them." [26:25] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you want Christ to be the most important thing in your kids' lives, be intentional about making him the most important thing in your life. If you use Christianity and God as a tool to get your kids to do whatever you want them to do to exasperate them and little else, nothing but a set of rules, then don't be surprised that they want to have nothing to do with Christianity and God when they have a chance." [31:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We see our children as gifts of God, and because of this, we enjoy spending time with them. If you haven't been the ideal, or even close to the ideal parent, if you've made a mess of parenting, and we all do from time to time, we all mess up. From time to time, I think we all run our households like little tyrants and bullies. We don't prioritize our children's discipleship when we should." [35:36] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When Jesus gives us the Lord's prayer, he didn't have us address God as Master, Lord, King, O Great. Deity. He has us address God as Father. And oftentimes we see this from our point of view. He wants us to see God as we see the ideal Father, one that would protect and provide for us, would love and cherish us, lead and raise us up as every good parent would, even sacrifice and lay his life down for us. And indeed he has." [42:37] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So to start with, we understand our purpose as parents and the goals of parenting differently than non-Christian parents. Don't be surprised if the priorities you make as parents will be different. Where your children spend their time, what you allow in your home, and so on, and that's okay. They should be different, and it would be weird if they weren't." [23:35] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The father is extraordinarily generous with his children. He's not controlling. He's forgiving. He's generous. We take all of that and add it up. There is one inescapable conclusion this text presents us with. Not only does the father love his children, but he enjoys spending time with his children. He enjoys their company. And this is one of the differences between Christian and non-Christian parenting." [35:36] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If they can see that Jesus has transformed your life, that even though you are flawed, poor in spirit, you nevertheless have joy in the forgiveness of sins and the indestructible hope of eternal life, if they see that your relationship with God is the most important thing in your life, that you get your identity and calling from him and his word, and that you are, set apart from the world because you honor Christ as Lord, they see you making him the number one priority and the number one relationship in your life, when given the chance, they will most likely follow your example." [31:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you haven't been the ideal, or even close to the ideal parent, if you've made a mess of parenting, and we all do from time to time, we all mess up. From time to time, I think we all run our households like little tyrants and bullies. We don't prioritize our children's discipleship when we should. Our children can get under our skin from time to time when they shouldn't. When we haven't been the ideal parent, there is forgiveness. We're going to make mistakes, repent, and put Christ first." [35:36] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you've made a mess of being a child, whether you're 12, 22, or 62, there's forgiveness. Repent. Reorient your life around Christ. And maybe it's not too much to ask that you also do that most basic of Christian things. And reach out to your mom and dad, whether they're sitting next to you in the pew this morning, or whether they live many time zones away, and ask forgiveness. You'll be amazed how far it will go." [40:47] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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