Intentional Parenting: Nurturing Spiritual Growth in Children

Devotional

Day 1: The Battle for Our Children's Souls

As parents, we face a fierce battle for the minds and souls of our children, driven by aggressive ideologies and societal pressures. The world is not passive in its efforts to shape their identities, and if we do not take an active role in their spiritual upbringing, the world will. It is crucial to be vigilant and proactive in guiding our children towards a relationship with God, ensuring they are grounded in biblical truth. This involves not only protecting them from harmful influences but also equipping them with the knowledge and love of God's Word.

We must recognize that our children are constantly bombarded with messages that contradict biblical values. From media to peer pressure, the world seeks to mold their beliefs and behaviors. As parents, we have the responsibility to counteract these influences by instilling a strong foundation of faith. This means being intentional in our conversations, activities, and the environments we create at home. By doing so, we can help our children develop a resilient faith that withstands the pressures of the world. [02:21]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to protect your children from harmful influences and guide them towards a deeper relationship with God?

Day 2: The Importance of Sincere Faith

Timothy's faith was nurtured by his mother and grandmother, highlighting the importance of sincere faith passed down through generations. This example serves as a powerful reminder that we must instill a love for God's Word in our children from a young age. By ensuring they are acquainted with the sacred writings and understand their significance, we lay a foundation for their spiritual growth and resilience.

In our homes, it is essential to emphasize the importance of reading the Bible daily. This practice helps to cultivate discipline, desire, and delight in God's Word. As parents, we can create routines and traditions that make Scripture reading a natural and enjoyable part of our children's lives. By doing so, we help them develop a deep and lasting relationship with God that will guide them throughout their lives. [05:28]

2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV): "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."

Reflection: How can you incorporate daily Bible reading into your family's routine in a way that is engaging and meaningful for your children?

Day 3: Modeling Authentic Faith

Our children look to us as their primary spiritual guides, and they trust us implicitly. It is crucial that we model a life of faith and integrity, avoiding hypocrisy and living authentically both at church and at home. Our consistent example will help them understand what it means to follow Christ. Children are keen observers, and they learn more from what we do than what we say.

Living an authentic faith means being transparent about our struggles and victories, showing our children that following Christ is a journey. It involves demonstrating how we rely on God in difficult times and how we celebrate His goodness in times of joy. By living out our faith authentically, we provide a tangible example for our children to follow, helping them to develop their own genuine relationship with God. [08:09]

James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate an authentic faith to your children this week, especially in your daily actions and decisions?

Day 4: Intentional Parenting

We cannot afford to be passive parents. The world is not passive in its efforts to influence our children, and we must be intentional in our parenting. This means setting clear boundaries, teaching them the truth of God's Word, and creating an environment where they can grow in their faith. Intentional parenting involves being proactive in addressing the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our children.

Setting clear boundaries helps children understand what is expected of them and provides a sense of security. Teaching them the truth of God's Word equips them with the knowledge and wisdom they need to navigate life's challenges. Creating an environment where they can grow in their faith involves fostering open communication, encouraging questions, and providing opportunities for spiritual growth. By being intentional in our parenting, we can help our children become passionate followers of Christ who are equipped for every good work. [10:30]

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: What specific boundaries and routines can you establish in your home to create an environment that fosters spiritual growth for your children?

Day 5: Prayer and Dependence on God

Parenting is challenging, and we do not have all the answers. However, we serve a God who delights in helping us. Praying and seeking God's guidance in our parenting is essential. By committing to creating homes where our children can thrive spiritually and grow in their love for God and others, we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite His wisdom and strength into our parenting journey.

Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God's heart and aligns our desires with His will. It is through prayer that we can seek guidance, find comfort, and gain the strength needed to navigate the complexities of parenting. By modeling a life of prayer and dependence on God, we teach our children the importance of seeking God's presence in every aspect of their lives. [18:37]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine as a family, and what specific areas of your parenting do you need to bring before God in prayer this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, HP family. Today, I want to share my heart about the importance of parenting with purpose, especially in the context of our children's spiritual growth. Over the past year, my wife Emily and I have been deeply involved with HP Kids, and we've seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with raising children in today's world. We believe that children are a crucial part of God's family and the church, and it's evident that there's a fierce battle for their minds and souls.

As parents, we have three primary responsibilities: keeping our children safe, raising them to be well-mannered and productive members of society, and most importantly, evangelizing and discipling them. The world is aggressively trying to shape their identities, and if we don't take an active role in their spiritual upbringing, the world will.

Drawing from the example of Paul and Timothy, we see the impact of sincere faith passed down through generations. Timothy's faith was nurtured by his mother and grandmother, and he grew up acquainted with the sacred writings. This is a powerful reminder that we must instill a love for God's Word in our children from a young age. In our home, we emphasize the importance of reading the Bible daily, setting a foundation of discipline, desire, and delight in God's Word.

Our children look to us as their primary spiritual guides. They trust us implicitly, and it's our responsibility to model a life of faith and integrity. Hypocrisy can be a significant stumbling block, and we must strive to live authentically both at church and at home. Our children are watching, and they need to see a consistent example of what it means to follow Christ.

We cannot afford to be passive parents. The world is not passive in its efforts to influence our children, and we must be intentional in our parenting. This means setting clear boundaries, teaching them the truth of God's Word, and creating an environment where they can grow in their faith. Our goal is to see our children become passionate followers of Christ who are equipped for every good work.

In closing, I want to encourage you to pray and seek God's guidance in your parenting. We don't have all the answers, but we serve a God who delights in helping us. Let's commit to parenting on purpose, creating homes where our children can thrive spiritually and grow in their love for God and others.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Battle for Our Children's Souls: There is a fierce battle for the minds and souls of our children, driven by aggressive ideologies and societal pressures. As parents, we must be vigilant and proactive in guiding our children towards a relationship with God, ensuring they are grounded in biblical truth. [02:21]
2. The Importance of Sincere Faith: Timothy's faith was nurtured by his mother and grandmother, highlighting the importance of sincere faith passed down through generations. We must instill a love for God's Word in our children from a young age, ensuring they are acquainted with the sacred writings and understand their significance. [05:28]
3. Modeling Authentic Faith: Our children look to us as their primary spiritual guides, and they trust us implicitly. It's crucial that we model a life of faith and integrity, avoiding hypocrisy and living authentically both at church and at home. Our consistent example will help them understand what it means to follow Christ. [08:09]
4. Intentional Parenting: We cannot afford to be passive parents. The world is not passive in its efforts to influence our children, and we must be intentional in our parenting. This means setting clear boundaries, teaching them the truth of God's Word, and creating an environment where they can grow in their faith. [10:30]
5. Prayer and Dependence on God: Parenting is challenging, and we don't have all the answers. However, we serve a God who delights in helping us. Praying and seeking God's guidance in our parenting is essential. Let's commit to creating homes where our children can thrive spiritually and grow in their love for God and others. [18:37]
### [18:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:41] - Introduction and Overview
[02:21] - The Battle for Our Children's Souls
[02:54] - Responsibilities of Parents
[03:38] - The World's Influence
[04:59] - The Example of Timothy
[06:08] - Importance of Scripture
[06:44] - Discipline, Desire, Delight
[07:26] - Affirming Identity in Christ
[08:09] - Modeling Authentic Faith
[09:23] - Children's Prayer Requests
[10:07] - The Role of Scripture
[10:30] - Intentional Parenting
[11:39] - Knowing God for Ourselves
[12:21] - The Sacred Relationship
[12:58] - The Story of Moses
[14:18] - Spiritual Edge for Our Children
[15:21] - Loving God and Others
[16:06] - Parenting on Purpose
[17:48] - The Reality of Social Media
[18:37] - Prayer and Dependence on God
[19:05] - Jesus in the Temple
[20:22] - The Power of the Bible
[21:14] - God's Love for Our Children
[21:44] - Invitation to Partner in Parenting
[22:15] - Declaration to Serve the Lord

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three primary responsibilities of parents as mentioned in the sermon? ([02:54])
How did Timothy's mother and grandmother influence his faith according to 2 Timothy 1:5? ([04:59])
What are the three "Ds" that the pastor emphasizes for instilling a love for God's Word in children? ([06:44])
According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of Scripture in our lives?

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for parents to be the primary spiritual guides for their children, as highlighted in the sermon? ([08:09])
How does the example of Timothy's upbringing illustrate the impact of sincere faith passed down through generations? ([05:28])
What does it mean to parent "on purpose" and why is it crucial in today's world? ([10:30])
How can parents avoid hypocrisy and model authentic faith for their children? ([17:04])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own parenting or influence on children. How can you be more intentional in guiding them spiritually? ([10:30])
What specific steps can you take to instill a love for God's Word in your children or the children you influence? ([06:08])
How can you create an environment at home that encourages spiritual growth and a love for God? ([10:30])
Think about a time when you might have shown hypocrisy in your faith. How can you work towards living more authentically in front of your children? ([17:04])
How can you incorporate prayer and dependence on God into your daily parenting routine? ([18:37])
Identify one area where you can set clearer boundaries or teach biblical truths to your children. What steps will you take this week to implement this? ([10:30])
How can you model a life of faith and integrity both at church and at home to ensure your children see a consistent example of following Christ? ([08:09])

Sermon Clips

1. "We believe that children are a important, if not the most important part of the family of God and the church of God in the United States, in the world today. It's been increasingly obvious over the last couple years that there is an aggressive agenda against our children for the ideologies, for their minds, and a fight for their souls. You know, like Pastor CJ said last week, I think he referenced Pastor Sherwood, we cannot afford to lose the battle of battling. And it is a battle, and I don't want to make light of that because it is a battle." [02:21] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "There are three things that a parent must do for their children. First and foremost, to the extent of our ability and our power, we have to keep them alive. Sometimes that's a little harder said than done. My two-year-old right now doesn't know where the driveway ends and the road starts, and if he gets outside, he's automatically in the road. You know what I mean? So that's a hassle sometimes. Number two, we have to make sure our kids grow up to be well-mannered citizens, and productive members of society. And then three, the most important, is we have to evangelize, and we have to disciple our own children. If you don't, the world will." [03:38] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We have to be even more aggressive about making sure that our children know God, experience the presence of God, and know why we believe what we believe. And that's what I want to help us talk about today. When I think scripturally about parents and children, there's many, many situations that we can pull from. But specifically, I want to talk about Paul and how Paul had no natural children, but Paul had no natural children. Paul pulled up under himself a man by the name of Timothy. Timothy was a young man." [04:59] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We have to set this tone and we have to set this pace for our children to see us doing it. Because they're, like I said, if you don't, the world will. If we don't affirm their identity in Christ with this word, the world will tell them their identity is in anything else. Boys and girls, girls and boys, animals. Whatever it is. They, them. It can be anything. They're going to affirm their identity in anything except for this word. And it is our responsibility as pastors, as ministers and leaders of the church. But most importantly, as parents." [07:26] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We cannot afford to live our lives and passively let our kids follow us and believe that they're just going to gain, gain it by osmosis. There's a story in the Bible. I'm going to go a little quick today. So if you want to read it, I'm going to read it to you. So we can hear from Ms. Hannah. I went a little long for her service, but there's a story in the Old Testament about Moses. Moses. He's, he's talking to God." [12:58] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "It is not okay to give up your life, even for the things of God and forsake your children's consecration. Your children's consecration is your number one responsibility as a parent, as a parent, it is all that should matter. I've seen, I've seen you guys at the baseball fields. I've been in the basketball gyms with you. I know what we do to try to give our kids an edge competitively, an edge academically, all of these things. What are we doing to make sure that our kids have an edge spiritually?" [14:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We believe that we want to see these kids grow and to love God and to love others. We've taught that for the last several months, loving God, loving others. And it is, I believe, ingrained in them. That is the call of the gospel. Love God, love others. Every one of those kids can tell you right now, how many laws are in the old Testament? Like it's a, it's a game. We play. How many laws? 613, 613 laws, 10 commandments. But yet when they addressed Jesus and they tried to trap Jesus in his words, they said, what do you say? The greatest commandment." [15:21] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We have a real mandate from God to train up these kids in the way that they should go in the fear and the admonition of the word of God. It is not a passive thing. It does not have passively this week. Just reading and prepping for some of this, it hits me because sometimes we get lost in the every days and the do's and the don'ts and they're, my kids are in church more than most of your kids. They're with me during the week. They're with me on Saturdays. We come to set up. They're here. Sometimes we take for granted the things of God in our children's life. It is not going to happen passively. We have to parent on purpose." [16:06] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We cannot afford to live this double life. So we've got to start right here. To parent on purpose starts with me. It starts with the parents. Guys, we want to encourage you. First off, you guys are doing great. The kids back there, man, they are some of the greatest kids on the planet. But I want to make you understand. I want you to be aware of the reality of what these kids are facing. Pastor CJ talked about last week how social media and the internet has leveled the playing field." [17:48] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "We believe, guys, that God is going to move in our children. In our children. In a real way. We don't believe in a junior Holy Spirit. We don't believe in a junior Holy Ghost. That somehow they are lesser. And when they get to a certain age, all of a sudden, things are going to get real. All of a sudden, we're going to start focusing. If you don't do it now. If you don't prepare now. If you don't prepare the atmosphere of your home now. You're going to miss. It's going to be too late. Because the enemy is after your children. And they are coming. And this is not a doom and gloom. This isn't to scare. It's just to make you aware that we cannot afford to be passive parents. That God is going to move in our children." [21:14] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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