Embracing Mercy: The Power of Words in Parenting
Summary
Today, I began by reflecting on the fresh mercies of God, emphasizing the importance of resetting and receiving His mercy anew each day. This set the tone for a deeper engagement with the congregation, inviting everyone to worship and prepare their hearts for what was to unfold.
The sermon series on parenting has been a profound journey, not just for the congregation but personally as well. It has challenged us to confront our past actions and decisions, bringing to light the heavy burdens we carry. Yet, in this struggle, there is a beautiful invitation from God to exchange our mess for His Spirit. This exchange is not just a theological concept but a daily reality that empowers us to live out our faith authentically in every aspect of life, including parenting.
In discussing the power of our words, I shared insights on how our speech can build up or tear down, not just in our homes but in all areas of life. The words we choose to speak to our children can either affirm and strengthen them or can leave scars that last a lifetime. This responsibility is not to be taken lightly, as our words carry immense weight.
I highlighted the importance of being intentional with our words, ensuring they are filled with truth, love, and encouragement. By aligning our speech with God’s Word, we fill our hearts and homes with life-giving power. This practice not only benefits our children but also transforms our own hearts, helping us to reflect Christ more clearly in our interactions.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging each one to consider the impact of their words and to strive for a home environment where God’s presence is tangible through the words spoken. I encouraged the congregation to preserve influence over their children by being mindful of the weight of their words, aiming to build rather than break.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Daily Renewal: Each day offers a new opportunity for mercy and transformation. Embracing this daily can profoundly impact how we live and interact with others, especially within our families. This mindset of renewal encourages us not to dwell on past failures but to embrace each day with a fresh perspective and reliance on God’s Spirit. [41:42]
2. The Weight of Our Words: Our words have the power to shape realities and influence the future of our children. It is crucial to speak life into the situations and people around us, particularly our children, who look to us for affirmation and guidance. The words we choose can build up their character and strengthen their faith. [39:20]
3. Intentionality in Parenting: Parenting should be approached with purpose and intentionality, focusing on building relationships rather than controlling outcomes. This approach fosters trust and open communication, which are essential for effective parenting and preserving influence as children grow. [41:41]
4. The Role of Encouragement: Encouragement should outweigh correction. While guidance is necessary, the emphasis must be on uplifting and affirming our children to foster security and confidence. This balance is crucial for their emotional and spiritual development. [57:14]
5. Consistency and Trustworthiness: Our words must be consistent and reliable to maintain trust with our children. Saying what we mean and meaning what we say provides a stable foundation for our children to rely on, which is crucial for their development and understanding of the world. [58:30]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [39:20] - The Challenge of Parenting
- [41:42] - Embracing God’s Mercy
- [57:14] - The Impact of Encouragement
- [58:30] - Preserving Influence Through Trust
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV): "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
2. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV): "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
3. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Lamentations 3:22-23 say about God's mercies and their renewal? How does this relate to the idea of daily renewal mentioned in the sermon? [39:20]
2. According to Proverbs 18:21, what power does the tongue hold? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the weight of our words? [46:46]
3. In Ephesians 4:29, what kind of speech does Paul encourage believers to use? How does this connect to the sermon’s call for intentionality in our words? [57:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can the concept of God’s mercies being new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) influence our approach to parenting and daily interactions with our children? [39:20]
2. Proverbs 18:21 states that the tongue has the power of life and death. How can this understanding shape the way we communicate with our children and others? [46:46]
3. Ephesians 4:29 advises against unwholesome talk and encourages speech that builds others up. How can this principle be applied in our homes to foster a positive environment? [57:14]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s fresh mercies in your life. How can you incorporate this mindset of daily renewal into your parenting or daily interactions? [39:20]
2. Think about a recent conversation with your child or someone close to you. Were your words more life-giving or destructive? How can you be more intentional with your words moving forward? [46:46]
3. How can you ensure that your words are consistent and trustworthy, as emphasized in the sermon? What steps can you take to align your speech with your actions? [58:30]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of encouragement over correction. Can you recall a situation where you could have offered more encouragement? How can you balance correction and encouragement in the future? [57:14]
5. Consider the role of sarcasm in your communication. Have you used sarcasm in a way that might have hurt someone? How can you create a sarcasm-free zone in your home? [01:01:13]
6. Reflect on the volume and tone of your speech at home. How can you create a more peaceful and encouraging environment for your family? [01:03:50]
7. How can you actively speak blessings over your children or those around you? What specific words of affirmation and encouragement can you use to build them up? [01:08:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Mercy for Daily Renewal
Each morning presents a fresh canvas painted with God's mercy, inviting us to start anew with a heart aligned to His purposes. This daily renewal is not merely about forgetting past mistakes but about actively engaging in a transformation that impacts our interactions, especially within the family. By embracing each day as a new opportunity for mercy, we can shed the burdens of yesterday and step into a more purposeful, faith-driven life. This mindset encourages us not just to move past our failures but to use them as stepping stones towards a deeper, more authentic relationship with God and our loved ones. [41:42]
Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God's mercy each morning to transform your approach to the day's challenges and interactions?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Our Words
Words are not merely sounds uttered into the air but powerful tools that shape the realities of those around us, particularly our children. The weight of our words can build futures and mend spirits or break them down. Speaking life involves more than avoiding negative speech; it's about intentionally using words that affirm, strengthen, and guide. By aligning our speech with the truth and love found in God's Word, we create an environment where our children can thrive emotionally and spiritually. This practice not only benefits them but also refines our character, making us more like Christ in our daily interactions. [39:20]
Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can use your words to build up rather than break down those around you today?
Day 3: Intentionality in Parenting
Parenting should transcend the mere act of guiding and correcting; it must be a deliberate process of building relationships based on trust and open communication. This approach allows us to influence our children positively as they grow, fostering an environment where they feel secure enough to share their thoughts and feelings. Being intentional in parenting means consistently reflecting on our actions and words to ensure they align with the goal of nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not only successful but also deeply rooted in their faith. [41:41]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "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: In what ways can you improve your daily interactions with your children to foster more meaningful conversations and connections?
Day 4: Encouragement Over Correction
The role of encouragement in parenting cannot be overstated. While correction is necessary, it should be balanced with encouragement that uplifts and affirms. This balance helps to foster a sense of security and confidence in our children, crucial for their emotional and spiritual growth. By focusing more on encouraging our children, we help them develop a positive self-image and resilience against life's challenges. This approach not only strengthens their faith but also prepares them to face the world with courage and grace. [57:14]
1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: How can you shift the balance towards more encouragement in your interactions with your children this week?
Day 5: Consistency and Trustworthiness in Our Words
Our words must be a reliable source of truth and guidance for our children. Consistency in what we say and follow through creates a stable environment where trust flourishes. This trust is foundational in parenting, as it builds confidence in our children that they can rely on us. Being consistent and trustworthy in our speech and actions teaches our children about the reliability of God's Word and His promises, helping them to understand and embrace these truths in their own lives. [58:30]
Psalm 15:4: "In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;"
Reflection: Can you identify any inconsistencies in your words and actions? How can you address these to strengthen trust with your children?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Words are weighty and they can leave a mark. A good impression? Absolutely. We're going to talk about that too, but honestly, they can stick with us. Remember this? Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. The worst. Whoever came up with that. It's like, what were you thinking? Because honestly, sticks and stones or whatever, riding mountain bikes or whatever you do can break your bones. And here's the deal though. I've learned you might end up in the hospital. You might have a couple conversations with a doctor, right? But then you're fixed and you're on your way. But honestly, some of the words that have been spoken over people have caused them to spend years in counseling, unpacking. Those things." [46:46]
2. "Here's a fun one. Number three, save yelling for emergencies, right? Please, if there's a bear, if they're running out into the street, yell at the top of your lungs. Super important. Okay, we got that as parents. Yelling is necessary, but only when it's necessary. Save yelling for emergencies. Raising your voice, yelling, and screaming should all be reserved for those emergencies, because when you need, you need your volume to elicit that certain response. Like, you want that kid to get out of the street. You want that kid to run away from that thing." [01:02:37]
### Quotes for Members
1. "So when it comes to our words, and we're talking again about parenting, grandparenting, being involved in young people's lives, honestly, anybody we encounter, what should be the goal with our words? But especially if we're parents, what should be the goal? How should we use them? What's the goal? What should be our approach to what we speak? And here's what I submit to you this morning, that our goal should be to preserve influence. Preserve influence. It's an interesting thought, right? What is influence? I love this definition. It's having an effect on the character development of someone." [53:25]
2. "Words you don't say matter too. Personally, in my parenting struggle, the volume so much, but it's my lack of words that I do so much damage with. I think, this is just my thoughts, I can do just as much damage by withdrawing and being silent than I could by yelling, and that's not good, right? I think somewhere along the way, that whole, like, if you don't have anything good to say, then don't say it at all. I think, I think, yes, we should step away for a minute, but then we should step right back in and say the thing we need to say." [01:05:01]
3. "But in our parenting series, we've talked about, hey, in parenting, let's aim for relationships. Let's parent on purpose. What does discipline look like? Honestly, go back last week. If you didn't catch Pastor Danny's message, I felt like it was so powerful, so applicable. All about discipline. And what's the goal? Well, today, we're going to talk about the power of our words, power of our words in parenting." [41:41]
4. "This series has been fun. It has been hard. It has been challenging. It has been interesting. Amen? Like, oh, but you're here. You made it. This is the last one. But don't worry. It gets really easy after this. We're going to get into politics series." [40:59]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Apr 29, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?