Foundations of Faith: Discipling Our Children Together
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. It's always a blessing to be in God's house, and I hope you were uplifted by our worship time. I want to take a moment to appreciate our worship team for their dedication and talent. As many of you know, I've been the worship pastor here at Exponential for 14 years, and I also have a background in Youth and Family Ministry. Today, I want to share my passion for discipling our children and youth, a task that is crucial for the future of our faith community.
Parenting is one of the most challenging yet rewarding jobs. We all strive to raise our children to be good people, successful in life, and grounded in their faith. However, research shows that a person's moral foundation is generally set by the age of nine, and their response to Jesus is usually determined by the age of 18. This means that the early years are critical for instilling a strong Christian foundation in our children.
One of the foundational principles we need to teach our children is repentance from dead works. The world encourages us to live for ourselves, but repentance means doing a 180-degree turn to live for God. This involves turning away from sin and selfishness and embracing a life that glorifies God and loves others. Another foundational principle is faith towards God, which involves understanding who God is—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and what He has done for us, including sending Jesus to die for our sins and rise again.
We also need to teach our children about baptism, which is a public declaration of their faith in Jesus. As their faith becomes personal, they should be encouraged to consider baptism. Another important aspect is the laying on of hands, which involves commissioning our children to do God's work. This could be through their talents, whether in music, sports, or academics, and using those talents to glorify God.
The resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are also crucial teachings. These concepts provide hope and a sense of accountability. While our bodies may die, we have the promise of eternal life with Jesus. However, there will be consequences for how we lived our lives, and it's important to teach this in an age-appropriate way.
As parents and grandparents, we have a significant role in shaping our children's faith. It's not just about bringing them to church but also about living out our faith at home. This includes being a Jesus-centered family, where faith is integrated into daily life. It's about having those faith conversations during car rides, family meals, and other everyday moments.
We also need to shield our children from evil. This involves setting boundaries, monitoring their internet usage, and being their prayer warriors. We are in a spiritual battle, and our prayers are crucial in protecting our children from the enemy's schemes.
Finally, I want to emphasize that you are not alone in this journey. Our church community is here to support you. Whether it's through our children's ministry, youth programs, or simply being there for each other, we are in this together. Let's commit to raising a generation that knows and loves Jesus, and let's do it together as a community of faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. Repentance from Dead Works: Repentance involves a complete turnaround from living for oneself to living for God. This foundational principle is crucial for our children to understand. It means turning away from sin and selfishness and embracing a life that glorifies God and loves others. Teaching this to our children helps them understand the importance of living a life that honors God. [28:33]
2. Faith Towards God: Faith is not just a belief but a deep understanding of who God is and what He has done for us. This includes knowing that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that Jesus died for our sins and rose again. This foundational belief helps our children build a strong relationship with God and understand His love and justice. [29:36]
3. Baptism and Laying on of Hands: Baptism is a public declaration of faith, and the laying on of hands involves commissioning our children to do God's work. Encouraging our children to consider baptism as their faith becomes personal and helping them discover their calling in God's work are essential steps in their spiritual journey. [30:38]
4. Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment: These teachings provide hope and accountability. While our bodies may die, we have the promise of eternal life with Jesus. However, there will be consequences for how we lived our lives. Teaching this in an age-appropriate way helps our children understand the importance of living a life that honors God. [33:41]
5. Being a Jesus-Centered Family: Integrating faith into daily life is crucial. This involves having faith conversations during car rides, family meals, and other everyday moments. It also means setting boundaries to shield our children from evil and being their prayer warriors. Our prayers are crucial in protecting our children from the enemy's schemes. [40:54]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:27] - Introduction and Background
3. [02:37] - The Challenge of Parenting
4. [05:05] - Moral Foundations and Faith
5. [07:44] - Importance of Early Faith Formation
6. [09:48] - Navigating Faith Questions
7. [12:22] - Eternal vs. Temporal Priorities
8. [18:07] - Being a Jesus-Centered Family
9. [20:30] - Role of Fathers in Faith Formation
10. [22:56] - The Story of Joshua
11. [25:16] - Discipleship and Teaching
12. [28:04] - Repentance from Dead Works
13. [29:36] - Faith Towards God
14. [30:38] - Baptism and Laying on of Hands
15. [33:41] - Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment
16. [35:11] - Shielding Kids from Evil
17. [40:54] - Importance of Family Faith Practices
18. [42:59] - Community Support and Child Dedication
19. [45:55] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
2. Ephesians 6:4 - "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
3. Proverbs 22:6 - "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 14:6, what does Jesus claim about Himself and the way to the Father?
2. In Ephesians 6:4, what specific instruction is given to fathers regarding their children?
3. What promise is given in Proverbs 22:6 about the long-term impact of starting children on the right path?
4. What are some of the foundational principles mentioned in the sermon that we need to teach our children? ([27:30])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" influence the way we teach our children about faith? ([06:07])
2. What might it look like in practical terms to bring up children in the "training and instruction of the Lord" as mentioned in Ephesians 6:4? ([20:30])
3. How can the promise in Proverbs 22:6 encourage parents and grandparents in their efforts to disciple their children? ([35:11])
4. Why is it important to balance between being dogmatic and too lenient in teaching children about faith? ([09:48])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own family life. How can you make your home more Jesus-centered? What specific changes can you implement this week? ([18:40])
2. Think about the foundational principles of faith mentioned in the sermon. Which one do you feel least confident in teaching your children, and how can you seek to understand it better? ([27:30])
3. How can you incorporate faith conversations into everyday moments like car rides or family meals? Share one practical idea you can try this week. ([19:49])
4. What steps can you take to shield your children from negative influences while still preparing them to face the world? ([35:44])
5. Identify one area where you can be more intentional in praying for your children or grandchildren. How will you incorporate this into your daily routine? ([38:41])
6. How can you support other parents in your church community in their journey of discipling their children? Think of one specific action you can take this month. ([41:57])
7. Reflect on the balance between guiding your children in faith and allowing them to ask questions. How can you create an environment that encourages open discussion about faith? ([09:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Turning from Self to God
Repentance involves a complete turnaround from living for oneself to living for God. This foundational principle is crucial for our children to understand. It means turning away from sin and selfishness and embracing a life that glorifies God and loves others. Teaching this to our children helps them understand the importance of living a life that honors God. [28:33]
Ezekiel 18:30-31 (ESV): "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?"
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you have been living for yourself rather than for God. What steps can you take today to turn away from that and live in a way that glorifies God?
Day 2: Understanding God's Nature and Work
Faith is not just a belief but a deep understanding of who God is and what He has done for us. This includes knowing that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that Jesus died for our sins and rose again. This foundational belief helps our children build a strong relationship with God and understand His love and justice. [29:36]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of who God is. How does knowing God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit impact your daily life and relationship with Him?
Day 3: Public Declaration and Commissioning
Baptism is a public declaration of faith, and the laying on of hands involves commissioning our children to do God's work. Encouraging our children to consider baptism as their faith becomes personal and helping them discover their calling in God's work are essential steps in their spiritual journey. [30:38]
Acts 2:38 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Reflection: If you have not been baptized, consider what it means to publicly declare your faith in Jesus. If you have, think about how you can encourage others in their journey towards baptism and discovering their calling.
Day 4: Hope and Accountability
The resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are crucial teachings. These concepts provide hope and a sense of accountability. While our bodies may die, we have the promise of eternal life with Jesus. However, there will be consequences for how we lived our lives. Teaching this in an age-appropriate way helps our children understand the importance of living a life that honors God. [33:41]
1 Corinthians 15:52-53 (ESV): "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality."
Reflection: How does the promise of resurrection and eternal life with Jesus influence the way you live your life today? What changes can you make to ensure you are living in a way that honors God?
Day 5: Integrating Faith into Daily Life
Integrating faith into daily life is crucial. This involves having faith conversations during car rides, family meals, and other everyday moments. It also means setting boundaries to shield our children from evil and being their prayer warriors. Our prayers are crucial in protecting our children from the enemy's schemes. [40:54]
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: Think about your daily routine. How can you incorporate more faith conversations and prayer into your everyday moments with your family? What boundaries can you set to protect your children from negative influences?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Parenting is very difficult. It's a struggle. In the early years, I find that most kids, it's difficult to keep them alive. They have no sense of self-preservation. At any given moment, they're going to teeter off that thing, try some new stunt, and put their lives at risk. As they get older, while they may have more sense of self-preservation, they apparently don't realize how close their parents are to killing them as they become teenagers. But it's our job in that difficulty of being parents to really sort through all of the different demands that life has." [03:39]
2. "We spend so much time in our parenting focusing on the things of possessions and achievements and things that will fall away. Some of these things are important; they help build character, they give our children opportunities to do well in life, to be successful on their own, and they're not unimportant. But when we love these things and we find these things to be more important than the eternal factors, the eternal fruit, the eternal things of God about our children's relationship with Jesus, we've sacrificed something that was way too important and valuable." [15:13]
3. "If your kid becomes the star quarterback or the head cheerleader, what an achievement. It really is an amazing achievement. But if you did that at the expense of any commitment to Jesus, and now they're bound for hell, what right have you done by them? Or if your kid is in the top 10% of their school and they're really smart and they're going to have a really successful career as a scientist or some other amazing intelligent career, yet they never knew Jesus, what right have you done by them?" [15:46]
4. "We need to protect our kids. One of the other ways that we protect our kids is that we become our children and our grandchildren, our niece and nephews, and all those kids that you know in your life, we should become their prayer warriors. We should be on our knees every day praying for those kids in our lives that God would protect them. We are at a spiritual battle, folks. There are things that the enemy and his demons are trying to do to knock our kids down, and the only way that war is fought is through prayer and through the word." [39:12]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Direct your children onto the right path and when they're older, they will not leave it. I found that families who really are Jesus-centered families and who have really laid that foundation on a far less statistical rate have children who stray. There are still kids who stray even if you do all the right things. It happens because our kids still have free moral agency to choose what they want to in life. But if you want the best chance of your children to carry on the tradition of faith that you've planted in them, become a Jesus-centered family. Lay that foundation of faith, make it part of the day in and day out." [35:11]
2. "Repentance from dead works. In our lives, we are very selfish people and we live for ourselves. In fact, the world tells us we should do that—do what's right for you. And so we live for ourselves. What the foundational principle of repentance here is that I'm going to do a 180 and I'm going to turn. I'm going to stop living for myself and begin living for God. That means I'm going to stop sinning, I'm going to turn away from living just for myself and acquiring things and using people to my advantage, but rather I'm going to start living for God and His glory and as a result, loving others and being generous and helping others." [28:33]
3. "Faith towards God. The word faith also translates to the word belief, and these are those important things that we believe about who God is. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God sent His son Jesus to die for us, to die for our sins, something that we couldn't do on our own, and He gave us eternal life. Three days later, He rose from the dead. We learn that God is love and God is true and God is just—all important things to know. So we learn about the character and the nature of God, who He is and what He's done for us, how He loves us, how He wants to have a relationship with us." [29:36]
4. "The resurrection of the dead. This is concerning what happens to us after we die. While our bodies may die unless Jesus comes first, for most of us, our bodies will die and then we'll be in the ground for who knows how long. But the Bible gives us hope and says that's not the end. One day our bodies will be lifted from the ground. Everyone, believers and unbelievers, will actually be resurrected from the dead. For those of us who put our faith in Jesus, we're going to have an opportunity to live with Jesus in a real place—a new Heaven and a new Earth." [33:10]
5. "We need to protect our kids from evil. That might mean turning on those many opportunities you have on a lot of devices to turn on safe boundaries, turn on internet filtering. It might mean making sure your kids don't have full access to YouTube. Maybe they're going to come home like mine does and say, 'Dad, all my friends can watch YouTube but I can't.' Tough, because your mind and your heart and your ears and your eyes matter more to me than what the other kids think. In time, he'll have more and more ability to see things and experience things as he matures and is ready for those things." [38:08]
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