Embracing Grace: Nurturing Faith and Community Together

Devotional

Day 1: Raising Children in the Training and Instruction of the Lord

Paul calls parents to a high standard: not to exasperate their children, but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. This means that parenting is not just about rules or discipline, but about shaping a child’s heart and mind to know and love God. The “training and instruction of the Lord” is a holistic approach, involving love, guidance, correction, and the consistent modeling of faith. As you parent, or as you influence the next generation, remember that your words, actions, and attitudes are all part of how you pass on the faith and help children grow into mature followers of Christ. [32:04]

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally model the love and wisdom of Christ to the children or young people in your life today?

Day 2: Impressing God’s Commandments on the Next Generation

God’s Word calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to impress these commandments on our children. This is not a one-time conversation, but a way of life—talking about God’s truth at home, on the road, at bedtime, and in the morning. Faith is meant to be woven into the fabric of daily life, so that children see and hear about God’s love and commands in every circumstance. Let your home be a place where God’s Word is honored, discussed, and lived out, so that the next generation grows up knowing the Lord personally. [33:01]

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can bring God’s Word into a daily conversation or routine with your family this week?

Day 3: The Loving Purpose of Discipline

Discipline, when done in love and wisdom, is a powerful tool for shaping character and helping children thrive. The Bible teaches that discipline is not about anger or control, but about guiding children away from folly and toward righteousness. Physical discipline, when appropriate and measured, can be an act of love that helps a child understand boundaries and consequences. The goal is always restoration, growth, and the formation of a heart that seeks what is good and right. As God disciplines us for our good, so we are called to lovingly guide those entrusted to our care. [40:34]

Proverbs 13:24 (ESV)
"Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."

Reflection: Is there an area where you need to lovingly set or reinforce a boundary for someone you care for? How can you do this with both firmness and compassion?

Day 4: The Power of Blessing over Cursing

Our words have the power to shape identity, destiny, and confidence in those we love. God speaks blessing over His children, envisioning a positive future and affirming their worth. In the same way, we are called to bless and never curse our children or those we influence. Blessing involves meaningful touch, spoken words of love and value, envisioning a hopeful future, and following up with committed action. Choose today to speak life, encouragement, and hope, knowing that your words can release potential and bring healing. [58:15]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear a word of blessing or affirmation from you today? How can you intentionally speak life into them?

Day 5: Faith Is More Caught Than Taught

Passing on faith to the next generation is not just about teaching, but about living out what you believe in everyday moments. Children and others learn most deeply when they see faith in action—when you trust God in hard times, rejoice in all circumstances, and make prayer and Scripture a natural part of life. Look for teachable moments, share your own journey with God, and let your life be a living testimony. As you grow in your own faith, you create an environment where others can see, experience, and desire the same relationship with God. [01:06:14]

Psalm 78:4-7 (ESV)
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."

Reflection: What is one story of God’s faithfulness in your life that you can share with a child or friend this week?

Sermon Summary

We gather as a people in process, each of us broken and in need of God’s healing and transformation. No one here is perfect, but all are welcome to come to the Savior who alone can make us whole. As a community, we are called to grow together, to support one another, and to extend grace as God works in each of our lives. Our journey is not just individual but communal, as we seek to bless one another and our wider community through the ministries and relationships God has entrusted to us.

Central to our calling is the responsibility to raise the next generation in the way of the Lord. Drawing from Ephesians 6:4 and Deuteronomy 6, we are reminded that parenting is a reflection of how our Heavenly Father parents us. The principles of unconditional love, requiring respect and obedience, imparting wisdom, setting and enforcing boundaries, and using a variety of tools for discipline are not just for parents but for all of us as we nurture faith in our community. Physical discipline, though controversial, is addressed with care and biblical grounding, emphasizing that it must always be measured, never done in anger, and only used when truly necessary. The goal is always the formation of character and the restraining of evil, not punishment for its own sake.

Beyond discipline, we are called to bless and never curse our children. Our words carry the power of life and death, shaping the identity and destiny of those we influence. Blessing involves meaningful touch, spoken affirmation, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and following up with committed action. This is how God blesses us, and we are to do the same for our children and for one another.

Finally, faith is both taught and caught. We must be intentional about living out our faith in daily life, talking about God’s truth in the ordinary rhythms of home and community. Our example, more than our words, will shape the next generation. We are encouraged to start with conviction, stay calm, stay connected, and stay the course, trusting that God’s grace will work through our imperfect efforts to raise up mature, faithful adults who will, in turn, bless others.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s transforming love meets us in our brokenness and calls us to growth, not perfection. We are all in process, and the church is a place where grace abounds for every stage of the journey. This posture of humility and welcome is foundational for authentic community and spiritual maturity. [11:10]
2. The biblical model for raising children is rooted in the way God parents us: with unconditional love, clear expectations, and wise discipline. True love does not ignore wrongdoing but seeks the long-term good of the child, forming character through both affirmation and correction. This approach requires discernment, consistency, and a heart that seeks the child’s flourishing above all. [36:15]
3. Physical discipline, when used, must be measured, never done in anger, and always aimed at restoration, not retribution. The biblical witness affirms its place as one tool among many, but warns against abuse or misuse. The process should include calm explanation, appropriate action, and loving restoration, always seeking to teach and not to shame. [49:20]
4. The power of blessing is profound: our words and actions can either release life and potential or inflict wounds that last a lifetime. To bless is to affirm value, envision a hopeful future, and commit to walking alongside our children. This mirrors God’s own blessing over us and is essential for building resilient, confident, and faith-filled lives. [57:01]
5. Faith is most powerfully imparted through authentic living and intentional conversation in the everyday moments of life. Children and others “catch” faith as they see it embodied in us—especially in how we handle challenges, express gratitude, and seek God together. Our responsibility is to make faith visible and accessible, trusting God to use our example to shape the next generation. [65:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:10] - Invitation and Announcements
[13:50] - Alpha Course and Community Opportunities
[15:04] - Call to Worship and Psalm 95
[15:59] - Opening Prayer and God’s Care
[18:57] - Assurance of Resurrection and Offering
[32:04] - Introduction to Biblical Parenting Principles
[33:52] - Review: Unconditional Love, Respect, and Wisdom
[36:15] - Setting and Enforcing Biblical Boundaries
[39:05] - The Role of Physical Discipline
[43:36] - When Physical Discipline is (and isn’t) Appropriate
[49:20] - Guidelines for Applying Physical Discipline
[53:50] - Restitution and Training in Righteousness
[55:57] - Blessing vs. Cursing Our Children
[59:34] - Five Elements of a Biblical Blessing
[61:45] - Living and Imparting Faith Intentionally
[67:16] - Staying the Course in Parenting
[68:56] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[72:28] - Dismissal and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) — > Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV) — > “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) — > Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 6:4, what are the two main instructions given to fathers (or parents) regarding their children?
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what are some of the practical ways God commands His people to pass on faith to the next generation?
The sermon mentions that “the tongue has the power of life and death.” What does Proverbs 18:21 say about the impact of our words? [57:01]
The sermon describes the church as “a people in process, a people on the way.” What does this mean about the kind of community God wants us to be? [11:10]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul warns parents not to “provoke” or “exasperate” their children? What might that look like in real life? [32:04]
The Shema in Deuteronomy 6 emphasizes teaching children “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” What does this suggest about how faith is meant to be shared in families? [33:01]
The sermon talks about blessing versus cursing our children, saying our words can “release life and potential or inflict wounds that last a lifetime.” Why do you think words have such a powerful effect on a child’s identity and future? [57:01]
The pastor says, “Faith is more caught than taught.” What does this mean, and how does it challenge the way we think about passing on faith? [01:02:55]

Application Questions

The sermon says, “God’s transforming love meets us in our brokenness and calls us to growth, not perfection.” In what area of your life do you feel “in process” right now? How can you invite God’s grace and the support of others into that area? [11:10]
Think about the way you set boundaries or expectations for those you influence (children, friends, coworkers, etc.). Are there any boundaries you need to clarify or enforce more consistently? What would it look like to do this with both love and firmness? [36:15]
The pastor gave practical steps for discipline, including staying calm, explaining the reason, and restoring the relationship afterward. Is there a recent situation where you disciplined (or corrected) someone in anger? How could you handle it differently next time? [49:20]
Reflect on the words you speak to those closest to you. Are your words more often a blessing or a curse? Can you think of a time when someone’s words shaped your identity, for better or worse? How can you be intentional about speaking blessing this week? [57:01]
The sermon lists five elements of a biblical blessing: meaningful touch, spoken affirmation, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and committed action. Which of these comes most naturally to you? Which is hardest? How can you practice one of these with someone in your life this week? [59:34]
“Faith is most powerfully imparted through authentic living and intentional conversation in the everyday moments of life.” What is one ordinary moment this week when you could talk about God or show your faith in action to someone else? [01:05:02]
The pastor encourages us to “start with conviction, stay calm, stay connected, and stay the course.” Which of these is most challenging for you in your relationships or parenting? What is one step you can take to grow in that area? [01:07:16]

Sermon Clips

First of all, we are to demonstrate unconditional love. God loves us unconditionally even when we go astray, when we fail. And that certain knowledge of his love is a rock in our lives. It provides a place of security and peace and confidence in the ways of life. In the same way, our kids need to know and experience our unconditional, consistent love through the storms of life in both our words and our actions. [00:34:32] (33 seconds) #UnconditionalLoveFoundation

Restitution. It's more than just asking for forgiveness. It's going back and making things right. And it's an important part of training in righteousness. As we read last week in Hebrews 12, verse 11, no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. And that's what will happen in our kids' life as we train them. Of course, as we mentioned, there's many different tools in the toolbox. And the goal is to train them in righteousness. [00:55:46] (38 seconds) #BlessAndNeverCurse

The next biblical principle for raising our children in the way of the Lord is always bless and never curse your children. God speaks blessing over us as his kids. Blessing are words of affirmation that envision a positive future, that honor the person being blessed. Knowing Christ has broken the curse over our lives through the cross, the curse of sin. And God's blessing rests upon you. Knowing that God's blessing rests on us and that he's working in our lives only for your highest good as his child, for your highest happiness. That he's transforming you to enable you to be all that you can be. It's huge. [00:56:24] (58 seconds) #PowerOfTheBlessing

Now, as the Lord blesses us, parents must also bless and never curse their kids. A curse is when you speak derogatorily over your child, demeaning them, envisioning a bad future. You'll never amount to anything. Don't do that. Because it can become a self -fulfilling prophecy. Proverbs 18, 21 says, the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. There's power in the tongue. [00:57:52] (38 seconds) #FiveElementsOfBlessing

And then finally, an act of commitment. A blessing is more than just words. You follow up your words with actions. Son, daughter, I believe in you. You're going to, so much, God has so much good in your life. But then you actually do what you can do to help them in school, to help them in relationships with friends, to guide, guard, and direct them. Together, these five aspects form a framework of passing on God's love and approval in a way that will impact their identity, their confidence, their destiny. [01:01:07] (38 seconds) #FaithInLifeConversations

We need to show affection. We need to speak words that place unconditional love and acceptance into the hearts of our children. We need to express how much we value them. And you can do this when your kids are grown. And we need to express a special future for them and work towards that end. When your children are grown, it could just be taking time to talk to them or to pray with them. [01:01:45] (26 seconds) #ConvictionCalmConnectionCourse

Be intentional about living and imparting your faith to your children. Our kids, we just can't leave it to the church. We have a wonderful children's ministry here. We have a wonderful youth ministry. That's to help assist you as a parent. It doesn't take your place as parents. [01:02:17] (19 seconds)

We need to know that faith is more caught than taught. It's both. It's taught, but it's also caught. It's caught as kids experience us living the way that we are to live, the way that we want them to live. The Lord taught us this way. Jesus taught the truth, but He also lived the truth. And His words and an example, and His example formed the disciples and how they formed their faith. [01:03:22] (30 seconds)

Talk about your faith in the context of life. Talk about trusting God when you're going through hard times. Demonstrate rejoicing in all circumstances and articulate that you're doing it. This is a hard time, dear, but God's called us to rejoice in all circumstances because he's always good. And I give him thanks. Read the Bible and pray as a family. Go to church as a family. Watch for spontaneous opportunities to talk on a heart level about what you believe. They happen all the time in our life. And those are often the most effective and impactful. Look for those teachable moments. Our days are filled with them. [01:05:50] (43 seconds)

``Start with conviction. Stay calm. Stay connected. And stay the course. We start with conviction of what our children, we want them to be, what God wants them to be as adults. And with that vision, we guide them. We then, when things get difficult, we stay the course. We stay calm. Trusting the Lord, not losing our cool, forming our kids, knowing that it takes time. And then we stay connected. Especially in those difficult times when tensions are high, you stay connected. You continue to love your child and express that love even while you're disciplining them. And finally, you stay the course. Proverbs 22, 6 says, train a child in the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not turn from it. Start with conviction, stay calm, stay connected, and stay the course. And by God's grace, our children will grow to be mature, disciplined, responsible, loving young adults. And train their kids as well. And above all, they'll become people of faith, men and women of God. [01:06:49] (71 seconds)

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