Guiding Children: The Joy and Responsibility of Parenting

 

Summary

Raising children is one of the greatest honors and privileges in life. As parents, we are entrusted with the responsibility of guiding our children from birth to adulthood, helping them grow in wisdom and truth. The joy of seeing our children walk in truth and wisdom is unparalleled, as it reflects the deep pleasure and fulfillment that comes from witnessing their growth and maturity. Parenting is akin to painting on a blank canvas, where we have the opportunity to shape and mold our children through the scriptures and the Spirit, providing them with a template for life.

The power of parenting lies in the ability to influence our children positively or negatively. It is crucial to understand the significance of this power and to use it wisely. Our children are gifts from God, and we are called to steward them, helping them discover their identity in Christ and guiding them from foolishness to wisdom. This journey involves understanding the nature and nurture aspects of parenting, recognizing the unique personalities and temperaments of our children, and adapting our approach accordingly.

The purpose of parenting, as outlined in the scriptures, is to raise godly children who know their identity in Christ. This involves instilling in them a sense of belonging and purpose, helping them understand that their worth is not based on external factors but on their relationship with God. As parents, we must guide our children through different seasons of life, from caretaking in their early years to coaching and consulting as they grow older.

A new paradigm for parenting involves a balance of love, discipline, and consistency. This biblical approach emphasizes the importance of nurturing our children with love, setting clear boundaries through discipline, and maintaining consistency in our actions and expectations. By doing so, we create a stable environment where our children can thrive and develop into godly individuals.

Key Takeaways:

- The Joy of Parenting: Witnessing our children walk in truth and wisdom brings deep joy and fulfillment. It is a reflection of the privilege and responsibility we have as parents to guide them in their journey of faith and life. [00:37]

- The Power of Parenting: Parenting is a powerful tool that can shape the future of our children. By using the scriptures and the Spirit, we can paint a picture of God's best for their lives, influencing them positively and setting them on a path of righteousness. [06:08]

- Purpose and Identity: The primary purpose of parenting is to raise godly children who know their identity in Christ. This involves helping them understand their worth and purpose, guiding them from foolishness to wisdom, and instilling in them a sense of belonging and acceptance. [11:12]

- A New Paradigm: A balanced approach of love, discipline, and consistency is essential in parenting. This biblical paradigm ensures that our children are nurtured, guided, and supported in a stable environment, allowing them to grow into godly individuals. [21:59]

- Consistency and Connection: Consistency in love, discipline, and lifestyle is crucial in parenting. By staying connected to Christ and modeling a consistent life, we provide our children with a secure foundation, helping them develop a strong sense of identity and stability. [36:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Joy of Parenting
- [00:37] - Children Walking in Truth
- [01:18] - Family Time and Wisdom
- [02:23] - The Pleasure of Godly Children
- [03:05] - The Blank Canvas of Parenting
- [04:17] - Power in Parenting
- [06:24] - Children as Gifts from God
- [07:17] - Nature and Nurture
- [09:39] - Forgiveness and New Beginnings
- [10:41] - Purpose of Parenting
- [11:40] - Instilling Identity in Christ
- [13:53] - Moving from Foolish to Wise
- [16:31] - Stewarding Souls for Seasons
- [21:46] - Tons of Love, Discipline, and Consistency
- [27:31] - The Importance of Discipline
- [36:03] - Consistency and Connection
- [37:34] - Closing Story and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power and Purpose of Parenting

Bible Reading:
1. 3 John 1:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
2. Proverbs 23:24 - "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him."
3. Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 3 John 1:4, what brings the greatest joy to a parent? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the joy of seeing children walk in truth? [00:37]

2. In Proverbs 23:24, what is the relationship between a father's joy and his children's wisdom? How was this concept illustrated in the sermon? [02:23]

3. How does Psalm 127:3 describe children, and what responsibility does this imply for parents according to the sermon? [06:24]

4. What are the four seasons of parenting mentioned in the sermon, and how do they reflect the different stages of a child's development? [17:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest parents can use the "blank canvas" of their children to paint a picture of God's best for their lives? What role do the scriptures and the Spirit play in this process? [04:17]

2. The sermon discusses the power of parenting to influence children positively or negatively. How does this power manifest in the way parents model behavior and values to their children? [05:46]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the primary purpose of parenting, and how does this purpose relate to a child's identity in Christ? [11:12]

4. How does the sermon propose parents balance love, discipline, and consistency, and why is this balance crucial for raising godly children? [21:59]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own parenting or experiences with your parents. How have you seen the joy of children walking in truth manifest in your life? What steps can you take to encourage this in your family? [00:37]

2. Consider the "blank canvas" metaphor from the sermon. What specific actions can you take to ensure you are painting a picture of God's best for your children or those you mentor? [04:17]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of instilling a sense of identity in Christ in children. How can you actively help your children or those you influence understand their worth and purpose in Christ? [11:40]

4. Think about the balance of love, discipline, and consistency in your parenting or mentoring approach. Are there areas where you need to adjust to create a more stable environment for growth? [21:59]

5. Reflect on the different seasons of parenting mentioned in the sermon. Which season are you currently in, and how can you adapt your approach to meet the needs of your children or those you mentor in this season? [17:16]

6. The sermon discusses the power of forgiveness and new beginnings. How can you apply this concept in your family or relationships, especially if there have been past mistakes or challenges? [09:39]

7. How can you ensure consistency in your parenting or mentoring, especially in modeling a life connected to Christ? What practical steps can you take to maintain this consistency? [36:03]

Devotional

Day 1: The Joy of Guiding Children in Truth
Raising children is a profound privilege, offering parents the opportunity to guide their children in truth and wisdom. This journey is not just about providing for their physical needs but nurturing their spiritual growth. Witnessing children walk in truth brings unparalleled joy and fulfillment, as it reflects the deep pleasure of seeing them mature in faith and life. Parents are entrusted with the responsibility to shape their children's lives, providing them with a template for living through the scriptures and the Spirit. This sacred task is akin to painting on a blank canvas, where each stroke contributes to the masterpiece of a godly life. [00:37]

3 John 1:4 (ESV): "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Reflection: Consider a moment when you felt joy in witnessing someone grow in truth. How can you encourage this growth in your children or those you mentor today?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Parenting
Parenting wields a significant influence over the future of children, with the power to shape their lives positively or negatively. Recognizing this power is crucial, as it calls for wise stewardship of the gifts that children are. Parents are tasked with guiding their children from foolishness to wisdom, helping them discover their identity in Christ. This journey involves understanding both the nature and nurture aspects of parenting, adapting approaches to suit each child's unique personality and temperament. By using the scriptures and the Spirit, parents can paint a picture of God's best for their children's lives, setting them on a path of righteousness. [06:08]

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific way you can use your influence to guide a child or young person in your life towards wisdom today.


Day 3: Instilling Purpose and Identity in Christ
The primary purpose of parenting is to raise godly children who understand their identity in Christ. This involves instilling in them a sense of belonging and purpose, helping them realize that their worth is not based on external factors but on their relationship with God. Parents must guide their children through different seasons of life, from caretaking in their early years to coaching and consulting as they grow older. By doing so, they help their children move from foolishness to wisdom, fostering a deep sense of belonging and acceptance in their spiritual journey. [11:12]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: How can you help a child or young person in your life understand their identity in Christ today? What specific actions can you take to reinforce their sense of purpose?


Day 4: Embracing a New Paradigm of Parenting
A balanced approach of love, discipline, and consistency is essential in parenting. This biblical paradigm ensures that children are nurtured, guided, and supported in a stable environment, allowing them to grow into godly individuals. Love provides the foundation for a secure relationship, discipline sets clear boundaries, and consistency maintains stability in actions and expectations. By embracing this new paradigm, parents create an environment where children can thrive, developing into individuals who reflect God's love and wisdom in their lives. [21:59]

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: Identify one area in your parenting or mentorship where you can improve consistency. What steps can you take today to ensure that your actions align with your expectations?


Day 5: Building Consistency and Connection
Consistency in love, discipline, and lifestyle is crucial in parenting. By staying connected to Christ and modeling a consistent life, parents provide their children with a secure foundation, helping them develop a strong sense of identity and stability. This connection to Christ is the anchor that holds the family together, guiding them through life's challenges and joys. As parents model a life of faith and consistency, they offer their children a blueprint for living a godly life, rooted in love and truth. [36:03]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you strengthen your connection to Christ today, and how might this influence your consistency in parenting or mentorship? What practical steps can you take to model this connection for those you guide?

Quotes


"I want to start with a verse it's third John 1 4. this has been hitting me says I Could Have No Greater Joy someone say Joy than to hear that my children are following the truth, and I've been zoning in on this you know our kids are 21 and we always had this goal as we were raising our kids when they left the house, that they'd you know when they when they had the freedom if when they could they would want to come home and hang out with us." [00:35:34]

"There's power and parenting and if you look at this this is how our kids come out complete blank listen your kids are a canvas, and our privilege as parents is to begin painting like Picasso, you and I have the privilege of taking the scripture and the spirit from day one by God's grace and giving them a paradigm a a pattern to follow and and blasius said this he said he said it's so cool because as you model as you give us the scriptures we have a painting and now when we get sent out at least I have a template on how life can work." [00:59:47]

"Children are a gift from the Lord they are reward from him listen, your kids are God's kids and you're called to Steward and and begin to paint a picture and fill in the lines for them you can be like Picasso Bob Ross and begin to do this Ephesians 2 10 says this we are God's masterpiece do you know your children are poems their paintings in motion it's so cool and we have the privilege of partnering with God to see that that pattern that picture be built." [01:06:26]

"The purpose of parenting and I mean I could go on and on and on about the purpose let me give you the number one biblical purpose that I found in the scriptures Malachi chapter 2 starting in verse 15. watch this didn't the Lord make you one with your wife in body and spirit you are his and what does God want in other words what does God want out of parenting you guys ready for this Godly children from your union jot it down the purpose of parenting he brings man and woman together and and what is this this idea God wants Godly children." [01:45:10]

"Identity write it down parents your purpose is to get God's identity into your kids where their ID is in JC only here's what your kids are fighting right now their identity being and how they look how they dress what other people say about them on social media what they have what they don't have and if we're not careful to set what it is Godly children who know their identity they are going to be looking for their identity and so many other things their entire life and never arrive." [01:56:39]

"Part of our purpose as a parent is moving our children from foolish to wise, ha, foolish to wise, Proverbs 17 21. says it's painful to be the parent of a fool there's no joy for the father of a rebel and then in Proverbs 18 2 this is all of us as humans so don't just point at your kids look at this fools have no interest in in understanding they only want to air their own opinions that's so true isn't it so our role our privilege as we help God paint the picture and set the pattern is to help them move from foolish to wise." [02:18:19]

"Four Seasons and parenting you guys ready for him say I'm ready caretaker where am I so caretaker is that early stage where you are feeding Bourbon and wiping where my where are my caretakers right now you're in the Heat of the Moment right now no sleep just trying to stay sane let's pray everybody extend your hand their way right now in Jesus name care for them caretaker and you got to have courage to be a caretaker right next is the Commando and that's from like toddler stage all the way through grade school." [02:46:45]

"I want you to have a new paradigm for parenting, and here's here's it's a very simple phrase, I learned this years ago it has changed the game for us, and and I'm praying Generations would be changed by this one phrase here it is, it's a new paradigm it's a Biblical Paradigm and I want to give it to you in one phrase, and and if you know this say it out loud with me okay here it is Tons of love, tons of discipline and consistency throughout let's say it again Tons of love tons of discipline and consistency throughout." [03:30:00]

"God Is Love by the way, the number one thing our children need nurturing loving, and and here's what I would also say what is your child's what is my child's love language in the season, and I mean we talk about this in in marriage which is great right what are the five love languages you guys remember them, physical touch, and think about when your kids are growing up they did a study it was wild when the Soviet Union first uh got conquered they put all these kids into this refuge and there was 25 kids for one caretaker and a lot of times they never got out of touch and because of that lack of touch they had mental problems physical problems and and there was absolute chaos why because they weren't loved as children." [03:41:58]

"Discipline your children while there is hope, otherwise you will ruin their lives any parents like I can't wait to ruin my kids life yes, hey man this is what God says, number two Proverbs 23 13. watch this don't fail to discipline your children the rod we're going to get to this the rod of punishment won't kill them, wow Proverbs 23 14. physical discipline May well save them from death, you guys want another one you're like no no okay let me give it to you anyways Proverbs 29 17 discipline your children and they'll give you peace of mind and make your heart glad." [04:09:09]

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever, so it's Tons of love tons of discipline and then we're consistent with it not just with the love and the discipline but with our lifestyle, and and by God's grace as I'm connected to Jesus every day Spirit scriptures and I'm modeling it and it's consistent can I just say this nothing throws children off more than inconsistency, one day it's like strict is all get out and then the next day it's like man I'm tired of this yeah whatever you want to do make your own bologna sandwich and uh do whatever you want it's this inconsistent and now it sets up these kids and they're like what do I expect." [04:35:04]

"John 15 5. Jesus said yes I'm the vine you're the branches those who what those who remain in me that's the key, and I and them will produce much fruit, pause for effect, for apart from me you can do nothing, and that includes parenting." [06:05:15]

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Transcript
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