Entrusting Our Children to God's Sovereignty
Summary
In my sermon today, I explored the profound connection between the biblical stories of Noah's Ark and the basket of Moses, and how these narratives offer us a powerful illustration of the foundational principle of Christian parenting: giving our children away to Jesus Christ. I emphasized that nothing will ever satisfy and fulfill our children more than living out God's calling on their lives.
I began by drawing parallels between the Ark that saved Noah and his family from the flood and the basket that saved Moses from certain death in the Nile. Both are symbols of salvation in Christ, representing the security and deliverance found in entrusting ourselves and our children to God's sovereignty.
I then addressed the heart of Christian parenting, which is to recognize that our children ultimately belong to God. We are called to be stewards of these young lives, nurturing them not for our own purposes but for God's glory. This means making a solemn, lifelong decision to give our children over to God's will and ways, trusting Him to protect and guide them.
I shared the story of Moses's parents, who, despite their best efforts, could not protect their son from the evil in their land. In an act of faith, they placed Moses in a basket on the Nile, symbolically giving him over to God. Remarkably, God returned Moses to his parents in a new role, with them serving as nursemaids rather than as the ultimate authority in his life.
I encouraged parents and grandparents to dedicate their children to God, to become students of their children, and to raise them according to how God has uniquely created them. This involves patiently nurturing their God-given personalities and talents, teaching them the word of God, and preparing them for the ultimate purpose God has for their lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of entrusting our children to God is a declaration of our trust in His sovereignty and wisdom over our own. It is a recognition that the best protection and guidance we can offer is to place them in the hands of the One who created them. This act of faith is not a relinquishment of responsibility but a partnership with God in raising our children. [01:13:32]
- The symbolism of Noah's Ark and Moses's basket teaches us that salvation and security are found in Christ alone. Just as those who were in the Ark were saved from the flood, and Moses was saved in the basket, our children are saved through Christ. This imagery should remind us of the importance of teaching our children about the saving grace of Jesus. [49:33]
- Christian parenting involves a shift from being the ultimate authority in our children's lives to becoming their nursemaid, supporting God's authority over them. This transition allows our children to grow in a relationship with God, where they can discover their calling and live out their purpose for His glory. [01:02:55]
- Dedication of our children to God is not merely a tradition or ceremony; it is a profound commitment made before God and His people. It signifies a deep, internal decision to support God's will for our children, regardless of where it leads them. This public declaration can have a lasting impact on our hearts and our approach to parenting. [01:05:38]
- Raising our children in the training and instruction of the Lord requires us to be patient and attentive to how God has uniquely designed them. It means not imposing our own desires or expectations but nurturing their individual personalities and gifts. This approach helps prevent frustration and discouragement, allowing our children to thrive according to God's plan. [01:08:01]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 2:1-10 (ESV)
"Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could no longer hide him, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?' And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go.' So the girl went and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, 'Because,' she said, 'I drew him out of the water.'"
2. Genesis 6:13-14, 18 (ESV)
"And God said to Noah, 'I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch... But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.'"
3. Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
4. Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Observation Questions:
1. In Exodus 2:1-10, what actions did Moses' mother take to protect her son, and what was the outcome of her decision to place him in the basket?
2. How does the basket in Exodus 2 symbolize salvation, and what does this imply about the role of parents in relation to their children's spiritual lives?
3. What does Genesis 6:13-14, 18 reveal about God's plan for Noah and his family, and how does this relate to the concept of being saved through Christ?
4. According to Psalm 139:13-14, who is ultimately responsible for the creation and unique design of each individual?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the act of Moses' mother placing him in the basket teach us about trust and surrender in God's sovereignty over our children's lives?
2. How might the story of Noah's Ark inform our understanding of God's provision and protection in the midst of judgment and calamity?
3. In what ways does Ephesians 6:4 guide parents to foster a child's relationship with God rather than provoke frustration or discouragement?
4. Reflecting on Psalm 139, how can parents honor the unique way God has created their children when guiding them towards their God-given purpose?
Application Questions:
1. Consider a situation where you had to trust God with the well-being of a loved one. How can you apply that same trust to surrendering your children's future to God's will?
2. Identify one way you can teach your children about the saving grace of Jesus this week, using the imagery of Noah's Ark or Moses's basket as a starting point.
3. Choose one aspect of your child's personality or talents that you have observed. How can you nurture this trait in a way that aligns with God's design and purpose for them?
4. What is one specific action you can take this week to support your child's growing relationship with God, rather than imposing your own desires or expectations on them?
5. Reflect on a time when you felt exasperated as a parent or guardian. What is one change you can make in your approach to parenting that aligns with the instruction of Ephesians 6:4?
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Parenting
Entrusting our children to God is an act of faith that acknowledges His sovereignty and wisdom above our own. It is a conscious decision to partner with God in the upbringing of our children, recognizing that they are His creation and that He has a plan for their lives. This partnership does not absolve us of our parental responsibilities but rather enhances them, as we seek to guide our children according to His will and purpose. It is a journey of trust, where we learn to let go of our fears and anxieties, believing that God's protective hand is upon our children, even when we cannot see the path ahead. This act of faith is a daily commitment to place our children in God's care, trusting that He will lead them to their destiny. [07:40]
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" - Psalm 127:3-5a ESV
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your trust in God's sovereignty today as you make decisions for your children's welfare and future?
Day 2: Salvation Found in Christ Alone
The biblical symbols of Noah's Ark and Moses's basket remind us that true security and salvation can only be found in Christ. Just as the Ark provided refuge from the flood and the basket carried Moses to safety, we are called to teach our children that their ultimate safety lies in the saving grace of Jesus. This lesson is not just about historical events but about the present reality of Christ's redemptive work in our lives. It is about instilling in our children the knowledge that no matter the storms they face in life, their anchor is in the salvation that Jesus offers. This understanding is crucial for their spiritual development and for their ability to navigate the challenges of the world with faith and confidence. [49:33]
"For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!" - Psalm 61:3-4 ESV
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can teach your children about the saving grace of Jesus this week?
Day 3: Supporting God's Authority in Our Children's Lives
Christian parenting involves a shift from being the ultimate authority to supporting God's authority in our children's lives. This transition is about recognizing that while we have a role to play in guiding and nurturing our children, it is God who ultimately shapes their destiny. As parents, we are called to be like Moses's parents, who placed their child in God's hands, trusting in His providence. This means creating an environment where our children can grow in their relationship with God and discover their unique calling. It is about being their support system, their encouragers, and their prayer warriors as they journey towards God's purpose for their lives. [01:02:55]
"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." - Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you shift from being the primary authority to being a supporter of God's authority in your child's life?
Day 4: The Profound Commitment of Child Dedication
Dedicating our children to God is a profound commitment that goes beyond tradition or ceremony. It is a heartfelt declaration before God and His people, signifying our intention to raise our children according to His will. This dedication is a promise to support our children's spiritual growth and to guide them towards God's calling. It is a public affirmation of our private decision to be stewards of the precious lives God has entrusted to us. This commitment shapes our parenting, influencing our decisions, our prayers, and our hopes for our children's futures. [01:05:38]
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." - 3 John 1:4 ESV
Reflection: How can you renew your commitment to dedicate your children to God's will today?
Day 5: Nurturing Individuality for God's Glory
Raising our children in the training and instruction of the Lord requires us to be attentive to their individual personalities and gifts. It means resisting the urge to impose our own desires and instead nurturing the unique way God has created each child. This approach fosters an environment where children can thrive and develop their God-given talents, free from the pressure of conforming to expectations that do not align with their divine purpose. It is about guiding them with patience and love, allowing them to grow into the individuals God has designed them to be, for His glory. [01:08:01]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Reflection: What is one aspect of your child's unique personality or talent that you can encourage and nurture this week?
Quotes
1) "The heart of Christian parenting is giving your child away to Jesus Christ. It's about entrusting your child to His sovereignty, His will, and His ways, and then letting go. They belong to Him; they are not ours." [42:47] ( | | )
2) "As Moses's parents were fully incapable of securing Moses's life, so are we with our children. Our enemy, The Devil, is coming against our children through every angle he possibly can. Only Jesus can truly protect them." [01:01:25] ( | | )
3) "When you give your child to the Lord, you're not just asking God to bless your efforts. You're agreeing to be the nursemaid, to prepare them for Jesus and whatever His plans are for their lives." [01:04:20] ( | | )
4) "Child dedication is an outward symbol of an internal decision that we as parents have made. It's not about showcasing our children; it's about committing to raise them according to God's will and purpose." [01:05:38] ( | | )
5) "To raise a child in the training and instruction of the Lord means to become a student of your child. Figure out how God wired them and raise them accordingly, never breaking their spirit, but guiding their will to align with God's." [01:11:41] ( | | )
6) "Every single thing happening to us in the present is prior preparation for our ultimate purpose. God knits us together in our mother's womb, gives us life experiences, all to equip us for the role He has planned for us to glorify Him." [01:10:30] ( | | )
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?