Raising Children: Anchoring in Christ as Warrior Parents
Summary
The sermon, part of a parenting series titled "Aros," focuses on the role of parents as "warrior archers" in raising their children. The pastor, drawing from his own experiences as a pastor's kid, uses Psalm 127:4 as the foundation of the series. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a strong foundation in Jesus Christ, using the analogy of building a house on a rock versus sand. The pastor outlines four practical steps to anchor one's stance in Jesus: being spiritually alive, understanding one's significance and purpose in Christ, acknowledging safety in Christ, and prioritizing a healthy marriage.
The pastor shares a personal experience where his anger towards his wife was superseded by her godly words, leading him to repent and correct his behavior. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a healthy marriage, stating that by doing so, their children will also be healthy. The pastor encourages the congregation to live authentically and not confuse their children about what it means to be a Christian. He shares his own struggle of not knowing his father's shortcomings and how it affected him, highlighting the importance of open communication within the family.
The pastor also discusses the importance of journaling and writing down goals for our children. He explains that writing things down helps us remember them better and directs our actions and thoughts towards those goals. The pastor also highlights the significance of having a clear goal for launching our children effectively into the world. He mentions that this goal gives us something to aim for and helps us set our children up for success.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of parents being healthy and doing the hard work of getting healthy. They acknowledge that parenting is challenging, but it is crucial for parents to prioritize their own well-being for the sake of their children. The pastor expresses gratitude for the church community that provides support and a place to grow. They encourage the congregation to focus on getting better rather than striving for perfection.
Finally, the pastor discusses the challenges and pressures of parenting in today's society. He highlights the results of a Pew Research Center survey, which reveal that a significant percentage of mothers and fathers feel tired and stressed all the time. The pastor emphasizes the need for parents to understand which choices matter most and where to focus their limited parenting energy. He poses the question of how to develop a loving and supportive relationship with children that will stand the test of time and lead to a god-honoring family.
Key Takeaways:
- Being spiritually alive is the first step to anchoring one's stance in Jesus. This means being in union with God and making Jesus the Lord and Savior of our lives. This spiritual foundation helps us withstand the challenges and storms of life. ([12:45])
- Understanding our significance and purpose in Christ is crucial. Once we have made Jesus our Lord and Savior, we are given a purpose for our lives. We become ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors of Jesus Christ, working to reconcile others to the Lord. ([18:30])
- Prioritizing a healthy marriage is essential for raising healthy children. The pastor shares a personal experience where his anger towards his wife was superseded by her godly words, leading him to repent and correct his behavior. This highlights the importance of open communication within the family. ([24:15])
- Writing down goals for our children helps us remember them better and directs our actions and thoughts towards those goals. Having a clear goal for launching our children effectively into the world gives us something to aim for and helps us set our children up for success. ([32:00])
- Parents need to prioritize their own well-being for the sake of their children. Parenting is challenging, but it is crucial for parents to focus on getting better rather than striving for perfection. The pastor encourages the congregation to focus on getting better rather than striving for perfection. ([40:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 127:4 - "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth."
2. Matthew 7:24-27 - "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
3. 1 Corinthians 12 - This chapter discusses the body of Christ and how each member, though different, belongs to the same body. The specific verse was not mentioned.
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the analogy of children being like arrows in the hands of a warrior in Psalm 127:4?
2. In Matthew 7:24-27, what are the differences between the wise man and the foolish man?
3. How does 1 Corinthians 12 describe the body of Christ and its members?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy in Psalm 127:4 relate to the role of parents in raising their children?
2. What does the house built on the rock and the house built on sand represent in Matthew 7:24-27?
3. How does the description of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12 apply to the concept of unity and purpose in Christ?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Psalm 127:4, how can you as a parent or future parent prepare your "arrows" for a successful launch into the world?
2. Considering Matthew 7:24-27, what practical steps can you take to ensure your life is built on a solid foundation in Christ?
3. In light of 1 Corinthians 12, how can you better understand and fulfill your unique role and purpose in the body of Christ?
4. What is one specific way you can prioritize a healthy marriage or relationship this week?
5. Can you think of a specific goal for your child or future child that you can write down and start working towards?
Devotional
Day 1: Anchoring in Christ's Spirituality
Being spiritually alive is the first step to anchoring one's stance in Jesus. This means being in union with God and making Jesus the Lord and Savior of our lives. This spiritual foundation helps us withstand the challenges and storms of life. ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9eFq0edvo&t=750s))
Bible Passage: Romans 8:11 - "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."
Reflection: How can you deepen your spiritual connection with Jesus today? Can you think of a specific prayer or scripture that you can meditate on to strengthen your spiritual foundation?
Day 2: Embracing Our Purpose in Christ
Understanding our significance and purpose in Christ is crucial. Once we have made Jesus our Lord and Savior, we are given a purpose for our lives. We become ministers of reconciliation and ambassadors of Jesus Christ, working to reconcile others to the Lord. ([18:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9eFq0edvo&t=1095s))
Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:18 - "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: How can you live out your purpose as a minister of reconciliation today? Can you think of a specific person or situation where you can bring reconciliation?
Day 3: Prioritizing Healthy Marriages
Prioritizing a healthy marriage is essential for raising healthy children. Open communication within the family is key. ([24:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9eFq0edvo&t=1440s))
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: How can you improve communication within your family today? Can you think of a specific conversation you can initiate to foster open communication?
Day 4: Setting Clear Goals for Our Children
Writing down goals for our children helps us remember them better and directs our actions and thoughts towards those goals. Having a clear goal for launching our children effectively into the world gives us something to aim for and helps us set our children up for success. ([32:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9eFq0edvo&t=1905s))
Bible Passage: Proverbs 22:6 - "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
Reflection: What are some specific goals you have for your children? How can you work towards these goals today?
Day 5: Prioritizing Parental Well-being
Parents need to prioritize their own well-being for the sake of their children. Parenting is challenging, but it is crucial for parents to focus on getting better rather than striving for perfection. ([40:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9eFq0edvo&t=2415s))
Bible Passage: 3 John 1:2 - "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."
Reflection: How can you prioritize your well-being today? Can you think of a specific self-care activity that you can do to improve your health and well-being?
Quotes
"To be spiritually alive is to be in union with God...you are biologically alive at conception but you become spiritually alive when you make Jesus the Lord and savior of your life."
"You need to know your significance...you have a purpose and a mission as you've made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior."
"Let me ask you this how many of you are willing to work on yourself for the sake of your child? How many of you are willing to put in the effort to become the best version of yourself so that you can raise your child in a loving and supportive environment? Because here's the truth, if we can't get ourselves right, we won't be able to release our kids right."
"If you will prioritize making your marriage healthy, somehow miraculously mysteriously, your children will be healthy too."
"Live authentically and I promise you if you'll do those four things consistently, your children will be set up to be released well."
"We don't have to worry about being perfect, we can just work on getting better. Let's be thankful for God's teaching and truth that will help us leave today a little bit better as warriors and as parents."
"We will never accomplish an unnamed goal. What are your parenting goals? Think about a Godly goal that you can write down for each of your children. A goal is not dependent upon them, it's something you're working towards."
"The more you write down, the more you remember. So write down this goal that you have for your children and listen to me, I promise you if you will write it down and even memorize it, everything you do every time you're around that child, your words, your actions, your thoughts, your desires, it will all be geared toward that goal because you know what you're working towards."
"This goal is so important, it's going to give you something to aim for so that you can work to effectively set your children up. I had a lady come to me after the last service and said this has been a great series just for me as a grandparent, not only setting your kids up but helping your children set their kids up and even helping your grandchildren be set up to effectively, efficiently, and precisely launched into the future."
"If I can teach my child to go to Jesus in all things, then they will be less likely to go to sin."
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