Parenting as a Sacred Trust: Shaping Eternal Relationships

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound importance of relationships, particularly the sacred responsibility of parenting. We began by acknowledging that our presence here is not just for a routine experience but to encounter the living God. We are reminded that our worship is an act of laying down our lives as a living sacrifice, recognizing God's greatness beyond our comprehension. This sets the stage for understanding our roles in relationships, especially as parents.

We explored the idea that our children are not ours but God's, entrusted to us to guide and nurture. This perspective shifts our approach from raising children to be like us to shepherding them into who God created them to be. We delved into the significance of conversations, understanding that each interaction with our children is an opportunity to shape their lives and faith. With only a limited number of meaningful conversations in a lifetime, we are encouraged to make each one count.

The sermon also emphasized the necessity of allowing eternity to shape our daily lives. We are reminded that our actions and priorities should reflect our belief in God and the eternal life He promises. This includes ensuring our children are consistently in an atmosphere of faith, as this foundation is crucial for their spiritual growth.

Finally, we discussed the role of parents in shaping their children's view of God. Our children look to us to understand their identity as sons and daughters of the Most High. It's not just about teaching them but modeling a life that reflects God's love and presence. This understanding frees us from the need to seek validation from the world, as we find our worth in being God's children.

Key Takeaways:

- Children as God's Trust: Our children are not ours to mold into our image but are entrusted to us by God. Our role is to discern who God created them to be and guide them accordingly. This requires a shift from a self-centered parenting approach to one that seeks God's vision for their lives. [43:02]

- The Power of Conversations: Each conversation with our children is a chance to impart wisdom and faith. With only a finite number of meaningful interactions, we must prioritize and cherish these moments, using them to instill values and understanding. [46:40]

- Eternity Shapes Today: Our daily lives and decisions should reflect our belief in eternity. This means prioritizing faith and ensuring our children are immersed in an environment that nurtures their spiritual growth, as this will have lasting impacts on their lives. [57:00]

- Shaping God Identity: Our children learn about their identity in God through our actions and attitudes. By modeling a life rooted in God's love and presence, we help them understand their worth and purpose, freeing them from the need for worldly validation. [01:03:48]

- God's Pursuit of Relationship: God created us not out of need but for relationship. He calls us to dwell with Him, offering forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. This relationship is foundational, and we are invited to embrace it fully. [01:07:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [02:00] - Purpose of Gathering
- [04:00] - Exalting God in Worship
- [06:30] - Invitation to Encounter God
- [09:00] - Introduction to Relationship Series
- [12:00] - Importance of Community
- [15:00] - Investing in Next Generation
- [18:00] - Personal Testimony and Network
- [21:00] - Cost of Relationships
- [24:00] - Focus on Parenting
- [27:00] - Children as God's Trust
- [30:00] - Significance of Conversations
- [33:00] - Eternity Shapes Today
- [36:00] - Shaping God Identity
- [39:00] - Invitation to Relationship with God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 27:19 - "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart."
2. 1 Samuel 1:28 - "So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there."
3. Deuteronomy 4:9 - "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

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Observation Questions:

1. In the sermon, what was emphasized as the primary responsibility of parents regarding their children? [43:02]

2. How does the sermon describe the significance of conversations with children, and what is the estimated number of meaningful conversations parents might have with their children? [46:40]

3. According to the sermon, how should the concept of eternity influence our daily lives and decisions, especially in the context of parenting? [57:00]

4. What role do parents play in shaping their children's understanding of their identity in God, as discussed in the sermon? [01:03:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the passage from 1 Samuel 1:28 illustrate the idea that children are entrusted to parents by God, and how does this perspective change the approach to parenting?

2. In what ways does Proverbs 27:19 relate to the sermon’s message about the importance of relationships and the reflection of one's heart in their life choices? [34:41]

3. How does Deuteronomy 4:9 challenge parents to integrate their faith into their daily lives and the lives of their children, according to the sermon? [53:19]

4. The sermon mentions the importance of modeling a life rooted in God's love. How does this concept relate to the idea of shaping a child's God identity? [01:03:48]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that your children are not yours but God's. How does this perspective influence your current parenting approach or your view of your role in your children's lives? [43:02]

2. Consider the importance of meaningful conversations with your children. What steps can you take to ensure that you are making the most of these opportunities? [46:40]

3. How can you ensure that your daily actions and decisions reflect your belief in eternity, especially in the way you prioritize your family's spiritual growth? [57:00]

4. Think about how you model your faith to your children. What specific actions or attitudes can you adopt to better reflect God's love and presence in your life? [01:03:48]

5. Identify one area in your life where you might be seeking validation from the world rather than finding your worth in being a child of God. How can you shift your focus to embrace your identity in God more fully? [01:03:48]

6. How can you create an environment in your home that consistently nurtures faith and spiritual growth for your children? What changes might be necessary to achieve this? [57:00]

7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about God’s pursuit of a relationship with us. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God in your own life, and how might this impact your family? [01:07:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Children as Divine Trust
Our children are not possessions to be molded into our image but are entrusted to us by God. This understanding requires a shift from a self-centered approach to parenting to one that seeks God's vision for their lives. As stewards of these young lives, our role is to discern who God created them to be and guide them accordingly. This perspective encourages us to focus on nurturing their unique gifts and callings, rather than imposing our own expectations or desires upon them. By doing so, we honor the sacred responsibility given to us and align our parenting with God's greater plan. [43:02]

Psalm 127:3-4 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Consider how you view your role as a parent or mentor. Are there areas where you need to release control and trust God’s plan for the children in your life?


Day 2: The Power of Conversations
Every conversation with our children is an opportunity to impart wisdom and faith. With only a finite number of meaningful interactions in a lifetime, it is crucial to prioritize and cherish these moments. Each dialogue is a chance to instill values, understanding, and a sense of identity rooted in faith. By being intentional in our conversations, we can guide our children towards a deeper relationship with God and a clearer understanding of their purpose. This requires active listening, empathy, and a willingness to engage in discussions that matter. [46:40]

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: Identify a recent conversation with a child or young person. How can you make your next interaction more meaningful and faith-centered?


Day 3: Eternity Shapes Today
Our daily lives and decisions should reflect our belief in eternity. This means prioritizing faith and ensuring our children are immersed in an environment that nurtures their spiritual growth. By living with an eternal perspective, we can make choices that have lasting impacts on our lives and the lives of those around us. This involves creating a home atmosphere where faith is not just spoken about but lived out in everyday actions and decisions. It is about modeling a life that is aligned with the promises of God and the hope of eternal life. [57:00]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily routines and priorities. How can you adjust them to better reflect an eternal perspective and nurture spiritual growth in your family?


Day 4: Shaping God Identity
Our children learn about their identity in God through our actions and attitudes. By modeling a life rooted in God's love and presence, we help them understand their worth and purpose. This understanding frees them from the need for worldly validation and helps them embrace their identity as sons and daughters of the Most High. It is not just about teaching them biblical truths but living out those truths in a way that is visible and impactful. Our example can be a powerful tool in shaping their understanding of who they are in Christ. [01:03:48]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: Consider how your actions and attitudes reflect your identity in Christ. What changes can you make to better model this identity to those around you?


Day 5: God's Pursuit of Relationship
God created us not out of need but for relationship. He calls us to dwell with Him, offering forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. This relationship is foundational, and we are invited to embrace it fully. Understanding this divine pursuit helps us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, recognizing that it is the source of true fulfillment and purpose. By embracing this relationship, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us and extend that invitation to others, including our children. [01:07:22]

Revelation 3:20 (ESV): "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Reflection: Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen this relationship and invite others, especially your children, to experience it as well?

Quotes


That you desire to pour your Spirit out upon sons and daughters who, in the presence of God, come and give of our lives. This is our act of worship. That in view of your mercy, we lay down our lives as a living sacrifice. And so, God, that's what we do in this place. We don't want it to just be words that come from our lips. But, God, we exalt you. We look at you and we actually say, you are exalted. You are so much higher that I even allow my mind to comprehend or even imagine. You're so much greater than I've yet to even experience. [00:29:47] (40 seconds)


You see, God doesn't play favorites. There's no one in this room that is more entitled to the presence of God than somebody else. We're here all because of what Jesus has done for us. None of us come on our own merits. We all come on the merits of who Jesus is and what he's done for us. But just because God doesn't play favorites doesn't mean that some of us won't draw more from God because of the posture of our hearts and the way we pursue the presence of God. [00:31:09] (24 seconds)


And when God answered her prayer and gave her this baby Samuel who would go on to become the spiritual leader in the nation, in fact, in many ways more important than the king, King Saul, God gave her this miracle baby. But she understood that God gave her the child. And she went back to the temple. And we read this in 1 Samuel 1 .28. She prays again. Now she's got the miracle by her side. And she's got her son there. And it's the one thing that she's only ever wanted in life. She's got him right there. [00:43:26] (32 seconds)


The big idea is this, that our responsibility is not to raise little us. Our responsibility is to ask God, who did you make them to be? And then to responsibly shepherd them into who God made them to be. You know what's crazy about our kids? Like we think we know everything about them because we see them all the time. But there's some stuff buried in there that God put in there that we don't even know as parents. [00:44:11] (23 seconds)


And so come on, well, it's still called today. Let's go. Let's have the conversation. Four thoughts wise parents are thinking right now. Number one, they ain't mine. Number two, the conversations matter more than I think they do. I love this little conversation I had with my Y guy this week. I was putting him to bed and, man, I love my dude so much. And he's like, Daddy, is Bowser real? You know? It's like, these are the big conversations. And they shift and they change over time. [00:51:59] (40 seconds)


Eternity has got to shape today. Here's Deuteronomy 4 verse 9 speaking to parents and saying, be careful. Watch yourselves closely. Like, come on, parents. Watch what you're doing. You're saying, how you're acting, your attitude. How's your complaint level going right now? Watch yourselves as you parent closely. that you don't forget the things that your eyes have seen. You've seen God. Don't let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. [00:53:33] (34 seconds)


So you've got to remind yourself of what God has done because it's so easy for our minds to just drift. The enemy wants to try and keep taking our minds and our thoughts off the things God has done and just get us kind of drifting, meandering through life. But scripture says, come on, parents, you've got to have a cultivate, you've got to remind yourself that God's been in your life, even in the times it didn't make sense, so that you can talk about that on repeat with your kids. Parents act with care and teach them the things of God. [00:54:10] (26 seconds)


And my wife, I love her so much, and her courage to say with so much love, love, she looked at our dear friend, and she said, 90 years from now, your kids will be in eternity, and you won't care about their trophies. Just because you believe it to be true doesn't mean you schedule like it. I'm talking to all of us, you know what I mean, like with love. I loved our friend's response. It was just this, like, you know, she's wonderful, and she was just like this beautiful kind of soft place of, yeah, you're right. [00:56:39] (43 seconds)


And it's the same with adults, not just even kids. You just watch it with adults in our lives. They have all this stuff, and yet they walk into a room seeking affirmation. Why? Because we have a world that's just seeking for something that only God could give in a God identity that I'm a son or a daughter of God. And it even slips into the church where we come into this place, and we actually start looking around like I want to make sure people like me, and I want to make sure that they notice me, and I want to make sure that. [01:02:32] (29 seconds)


When God made us to not need to perform for that, all the peace of God over your kids will come the day they understand I don't need to perform for anybody's approval because I have my God's approval. He loves me as I am. He's not willing to keep me as I am. He's always going to grow me. But He loves me as I am today. And I can come into church today, and I don't have to wonder if I can sing and worship. I don't have to wonder if He loves me. I don't have to wonder if I'm His son or His daughter. [01:02:55] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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