It Starts With Me / From Diapers to Diapers

May 17, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Tie Them on Your Doorposts

Moses stood before Israel rehearsing God’s command: Love the Lord with everything. Not a suggestion, but the foundation for all parenting. He told them to bind these words on hands, foreheads, doorframes. Every routine—meals, walks, bedtime—became a chance to point children to covenant love. [03:24]

This wasn’t about perfect lectures. It was saturation. When God’s words dwell in you, they spill into ordinary moments. Israel’s children would ask, “Why these strange symbols on our door?” The answer: “Because we belong to a Redeemer.”

Your home already has symbols. Screens. Schedules. Tone at dinner. What do they point to? Write Deuteronomy 6:7 where you’ll see it today. When do your routines naturally invite conversations about God’s faithfulness?

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
(Deuteronomy 6:4-7, NIV)

Prayer: Ask God to reveal one routine today—dishes, drives, bedtime—where you can whisper His goodness.
Challenge: Write “Love the Lord your God” on a sticky note. Place it on your fridge or steering wheel.

Day 2: Thornbushes and Fig Trees

Jesus said thornbushes don’t bear figs. He watched fishermen mending nets, farmers pruning vines. “A tree is known by its fruit,” He declared. When parenting pressures rise—missed practices, sibling fights—what spills out? [09:10]

Fruit exposes roots. An angry outburst reveals fear’s thorns. A gentle answer shows grace’s roots. Your children aren’t just hearing your words; they’re studying the orchard of your life.

You’ll assemble tents, face traffic, break up arguments today. What fruit will those moments harvest? Keep a notepad handy. What three phrases did you repeat most today?

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart."
(Luke 6:43-45, NIV)

Prayer: Confess one reactive habit (impatience, sarcasm) that’s been sprouting thorns.
Challenge: Journal one stressful moment today. Circle verbs describing your reaction.

Day 3: When Thorns Make Room for Grace

Paul begged God to remove his thorn. Three times. Heaven’s answer stunned him: “My power is made perfect in weakness.” The man who planted churches found God’s strength in his parental limp. [12:53]

Your thorns—anxiety, past wounds, temper—aren’t barriers to parenting. They’re altars. When you say, “I was wrong—will you forgive me?” you show Christ’s strength filling cracks.

What weakness have you hidden? Your child already sees it. How might confessing it today model dependence on Jesus?

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
(2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for a specific weakness where His grace met you this week.
Challenge: Apologize to your child for one recent harsh word or unfair assumption.

Day 4: Clothe Yourself Before Breakfast

Paul told the Colossians to “clothe yourselves” with mercy, kindness, humility. Not achievements or discipline strategies. Before breakfast, before coffee, they dressed their hearts in Christ’s character. [16:48]

Your child sees your spiritual wardrobe daily. Do they witness patience buttoned over frustration? Kindness zipped over criticism? The world teaches armor; Christ offers a uniform.

What’s your default “outfit” during conflicts? Choose one garment from Colossians 3:12 to wear intentionally today.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect harmony."
(Colossians 3:12-14, NIV)

Prayer: Ask God to highlight one relationship needing your “kindness sweater” today.
Challenge: Set a 3pm alarm: “What virtue am I wearing right now?”

Day 5: Stony Heart, Tender Harvest

Ezekiel preached to exiles with hearts like stone. God promised surgery: “I’ll replace stone with flesh.” Not self-improvement—resurrection. Parenting from a transformed heart changes a home’s soil. [22:55]

Your childhood wounds or current failures don’t define your legacy. God grafts new life into dead roots. Every “I’m sorry,” every prayer whispered over a sleeping child, tills hard ground.

What stony habit have you tried to change alone? Where do you need the Gardener’s hands today?

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees."
(Ezekiel 36:26-27, NIV)

Prayer: Name one area of parenting where you need a heart transplant.
Challenge: Tell your child a story of when God changed your heart.

Sermon Summary

We commit to building our homes around a living relationship with God. Deuteronomy 6 commands love for the Lord with all heart, soul, and strength and calls us to repeat God’s commands to our children in daily life. We place scripture at the center of family rhythms so our words and actions consistently point to God. We refuse to start parenting with techniques, schedules, or performance; we begin with our own spiritual health and our own devotion to Christ.

We acknowledge that our children learn more from who we are than from what we say. Luke 6 makes clear that good fruit grows from a good heart, and parenting pressures expose the contents of our hearts. We watch our reactions in ordinary trials, from setting up a tent to coaching a game, because those reactions shape the emotional climate of our home. We choose authenticity over curated perfection so children see a real, humble faith that depends on Jesus.

We embrace weakness as a space for God’s power. Paul’s testimony in Second Corinthians teaches that God’s grace shows strength through our broken places. We model dependence on Christ by admitting shortcomings, asking forgiveness, and letting God transform us rather than pretending to have all the answers. This posture invites our children to trust God instead of idolizing parental competence.

We pursue a home atmosphere shaped by mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and thankfulness. Colossians calls us to clothe ourselves with these virtues and let Christ’s peace rule in our hearts. We realize that a healthy home does not require perfect rooms or a perfect resume as parents; it requires a hospitable spirit that binds the family together in love and gratitude. We also recognize a wider call to the next generation beyond biological ties. Programs that connect adult mentors with fatherless children show how simple presence and consistent care can point young people to Jesus and alter life trajectories.

We commit to daily small choices that form a lasting family legacy: truthful words, steady grace, honest humility, and reliance on the Spirit to make our homes places where Christ is known.

Key Takeaways

1. Our faith must lead parenting We will place love for God first and let scripture shape family rhythms. When we center our devotion on Christ, our discipline, teaching, and schedules flow from gospel priorities rather than cultural pressure. This steady center prevents parenting from becoming reactive performance and makes spiritual formation an everyday habit. [03:24]
2. Children read the heart We will remember that our actions reveal our inner life more than our speeches. Parenting pressures reveal fears, anger, or grace, and those displays become the curriculum our children follow. We therefore cultivate inward health so outward fruit shows integrity and faith. [08:20]
3. Weakness invites God’s power We will admit limitations and depend on divine strength instead of performing perfection. When we boast in weakness, we open space for Christ to shape and sustain us, modeling humility and hope for our children. This posture teaches resilience rooted in grace, not in self-sufficiency. [12:53]
4. Atmosphere shapes lasting memory We will build homes with mercy, patience, and truthful encouragement rather than with flawless appearances. Children forget lectures but remember tone, forgiveness, and warmth, so we choose words that build rather than wound. A consistent, grace-filled atmosphere directs hearts toward Jesus across years. [21:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Series Title and Parenting Focus
[01:16] - Deuteronomy 6 Context
[03:24] - Love the Lord and Teach Children
[08:20] - Fruit Reveals the Heart
[09:10] - Parenting Pressures Expose Us
[12:53] - Grace in Weakness
[16:48] - Creating a Christlike Home
[22:29] - New Heart Transformation
[24:43] - Serving the City
[26:10] - Fatherlessness and Mentoring
[30:30] - Prayer and Commission

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT): “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
- Luke 6:43-45 (NLT): “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT): “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
- Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT): “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

Observation questions

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 emphasizes integrating faith into daily rhythms. What specific actions does the passage instruct parents to take to teach their children about God?
In Luke 6:43-45, Jesus compares people to trees and their fruit. What does this metaphor reveal about the relationship between our inner lives and outward actions? [08:20]
The sermon shared a story about setting up a tent and how frustration revealed what was “inside” someone. What ordinary moments in parenting or daily life can expose our hearts? [09:40]
Colossians 3:12-15 lists virtues like mercy, humility, and patience. How does the passage connect these qualities to creating peace in relationships?

Interpretation questions

Why does Deuteronomy 6 focus first on the parent’s spiritual health (“love the Lord your God”) before addressing how to teach children? What does this order imply about the foundation of parenting?
The sermon argues that “children read the heart” more than our words. How does Luke 6:43-45 support this idea, and why might this be challenging for parents? [08:20]
Paul says God’s power “works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). How might admitting limitations as a parent strengthen a child’s faith rather than undermine it?
Colossians 3:12-15 calls believers to “clothe themselves” with virtues. How do these qualities shape a home’s atmosphere, and why might atmosphere matter more than perfection? [21:15]

Application questions

Deuteronomy 6 instructs talking about God’s commands “when you sit at home, walk along the road, etc.” What is one daily routine (e.g., meals, bedtime, commutes) where you could intentionally discuss faith with your family?
Reflect on a recent stressful moment (e.g., a disagreement, a messy task, a child’s mistake). What did your reaction reveal about your heart? How could you model humility or dependence on God in a similar situation? [09:10]
Paul’s embrace of weakness allowed God’s strength to shine. Where do you feel inadequate as a parent or mentor? How could you prayerfully turn that area into a space for God’s grace?
The sermon mentioned a coach choosing encouragement over criticism after a loss. [20:31] What is one practical way to prioritize “truthful encouragement” over frustration in your home this week?
Colossians 3:12-15 urges forgiveness “as the Lord forgave you.” Is there a relationship in your family that needs reconciliation? How could you take the first step toward forgiveness?
The “Link” mentoring program pairs adults with fatherless kids. Beyond biological parenting, who in your community might need consistent, Christ-centered presence? How could you offer simple, intentional care? [26:10]

Sermon Clips

45s

#ParentingStartsWithYou

“To be the best parent starts with me not having the best children. I coach my kids baseball. I love it when they perform well in their sports. I love it when they do well on their their their exams in school. I I love it when my teachers have conferences and they say, oh, your child is a joy to have in class. Usually, that's the answer. But my child being the the pedestal child that is that is for all to see how great and amazing he is, isn't the goal of parenting. The goal is for me to be the best person and parent that I can be so I can teach my child how to be a successful adult.”

61s

#AuthenticParenting

“We reproduce the things that are inside of us and our children see that on a daily basis. Our children need to see authenticity. We live in the social media world. Everybody posts all the good things and none of the bad unless they're looking for sympathy. Our children need to see that there is realness to a marriage. There is realness to difficulties going on in our lives and how we overcome or just continue on in life. The goal is not to be the absolute perfect parent. The goal is for us as humans to be humble, for us as humans to continually be growing together, to be filled with grace, emulating the things that Jesus showed to us every single day.”

71s

#ParentsAreTextbooks

“Our children are studying a book every single day. They're studying curriculum, they're seeing every single day who we are and how we react to situations. We as parents are that textbook. They're seeing and they're growing and they're pulling from us every single day. Having deep inside of us the knowledge of the the fruit of the spirit, the knowledge of what scripture has to say, the knowledge of how Jesus lived his life and how he showed his compassion and his grace and his love over and over and over again. What lives inside of us, our children see.”

35s

#LeadByAuthenticity

“What do we need to see in our own walks? What do we need to see in our own spaces? What do we need to be a little more authentic? How can we build our relationship stronger with our spouse? How can we be the best person and most authentic person that we can be that truly points our children towards who Jesus is? That is how we can be the best parents. We be the best parents by being true and whole and authentic to ourselves.”

47s

#RootedInFaith

“It doesn't talk about how good your children are. No, it talks about us, the condition of us as the parent. Are we healthy and are we pursuing who God is? Are we focused on loving the Lord our God with all of our hearts and all of ourselves? Does his truth, does his word shape who we are on a daily basis? And we take the things that we learn from what scripture says, what God is breathing into our lives, we take those things and we diligently teach our children to follow along with us.”

51s

#WordsMatterInParenting

“And he encouraged them. We can see regardless of what I say at the end of that game, regardless of what I say to these kids, the outcome of the game is done. We've lost. There are more opportunities in in the future, no doubt. But the words in which I use to respond to these kids makes a lasting impression. The words that I use to encourage or to criticize, to build tension or to bring peace, to throw shame or have grace, to desire control or show love and compassion, those words carry on all the way through this season and it's the same in my household.”

55s

#ChooseTransformingFaith

“When we lean ourselves and we're transformed by who Jesus is, it's not ourselves doing the work in us. It is us submitting and releasing ourselves to God. Some of you have had situations in your own parents that was not the best situation. I've heard many stories of my my father's upbringing. My my dad and my mother's upbringing were completely separate tracks of life. Yet they got to choose. Do I center myself on God? Do I center myself on the the the ways in which God teaches of us to parent, to be as people in this world? Or do I choose to follow along with what my parents taught?”

63s

#MentorTheNextGen

“And he spoke of the simplicity of what it means to have this male role model. The things that he got to experience like a Red Wings game or a Bills game, or going to the movies. He had the simplicity of a male role model simply spending time with him, showing him what it means to be a man growing up. This child went from having all sorts of different issues at school to turning to Jesus and praying. The opportunity is there. God calls of us to be parents in our lives. It doesn't mean that we all have offspring, it doesn't mean all of those things. What it means is that as adults, as we grow up and we we live in this life, we're called to breathe into this next generation.”

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It Starts With Me / From Diapers to Diapers

Devotional

Day 1: Tie Them on Your Doorposts

Day 2: Thornbushes and Fig Trees

Day 3: When Thorns Make Room for Grace

Day 4: Clothe Yourself Before Breakfast

Day 5: Stony Heart, Tender Harvest

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

It Starts With Me / From Diapers to Diapers

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