Reparenting: Embracing God's Truth for a Flourishing Life

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often carry with us the scripts and messages we've been taught from childhood. These scripts shape our understanding of the world, our relationships, and our self-worth. However, many of these scripts are flawed and can lead us away from the life that God intends for us—a life of flourishing and shalom. It is in recognizing these flawed scripts that we come to understand the need for reparenting, a process of learning and unlearning, to align our lives with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

Reparenting is not about dismissing the families we grew up in; they did the best they could with what they had. But we must acknowledge that all families are flawed, and it is through the life and teachings of Jesus that we find the true building blocks for reparenting. Jesus challenges the cultural norms and the messages we have received about money, relationships, success, emotions, and more. He teaches us that life does not consist in an abundance of possessions, that we should engage in healthy conflict, and that we should maintain relationships with those different from us.

Jesus' interactions with people from various backgrounds, his disregard for societal measures of success, and his expression of emotions all serve as examples for us to follow. He invites us into a life that is not bound by the flawed scripts we've inherited but is instead rooted in the kingdom of God—a kingdom that is here and now, where we can experience the fullness of life as God intended.

As we enter the season of Lent, a time for prayer and fasting, we are called to reflect on the areas in our lives that require reparenting. We must ask ourselves if we are willing to let God reparent us, to let go of the idols and flawed beliefs that have held us captive, and to embrace the truth and grace that Jesus offers.

Key Takeaways:

- Reparenting is a transformative process that involves embracing the life skills and truths that align with the kingdom of God, as exemplified by Jesus. It is about learning to live out the values of love, justice, and compassion that Jesus demonstrated, even when it contradicts the flawed scripts we've been handed. [55:35]

- Jesus' approach to relationships, including his willingness to include those who were undeserving and even those who would betray him, challenges us to reevaluate our own relational scripts. True community is built on grace and the recognition of each person's inherent value, not on merit or the avoidance of potential pain. [56:52]

- The concept of success is radically redefined by Jesus' life. He shows us that true success is not measured by heritage, education, or wealth, but by our willingness to follow Him and live out the values of God's kingdom. This challenges us to reconsider our own definitions of success and what we strive for in life. [58:15]

- The practice of fasting during Lent is not about achievement but about creating space for God to work in our lives. It is a reminder of our dependence on God's provision and an opportunity to focus on the spiritual work of reparenting that needs to occur within us. [28:17]

- The story of the Israelites' reparenting after their exodus from Egypt serves as a powerful metaphor for our own journey. Just as they had to unlearn the scripts of their enslavement and embrace a new identity given by God, we too must allow God to reshape our understanding of who we are and what we are called to be. [44:53]

In conclusion, reparenting is not a rejection of our past, but an invitation to a more authentic and fulfilling future. It is a call to live by the life-giving scripts that Jesus offers, to experience the kingdom of God here and now, and to pass on these truths to the next generation. Let us embrace this journey with open hearts, allowing God to do His transformative work within us.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 3:11 - "And He said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?'"
2. John 3:3 - "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'"
3. Luke 18:16-17 - "But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What question does God ask Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:11, and what does it reveal about their understanding of themselves? [42:07]
2. According to John 3:3, what is necessary to see the kingdom of God, and how does this relate to the concept of reparenting? [51:05]
3. In Luke 18:16-17, why does Jesus emphasize the importance of receiving the kingdom of God like a little child? [52:54]
4. What are some of the flawed scripts mentioned in the sermon that people might need to unlearn as part of reparenting? [38:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the question "Who told you that you were naked?" in Genesis 3:11 challenge the scripts Adam and Eve were living by? What does this imply about the origin of flawed scripts? [42:07]
2. In what ways does being "born again" as mentioned in John 3:3 symbolize starting over and being reparented by God? How does this concept challenge our existing beliefs and behaviors? [51:05]
3. Why does Jesus use the metaphor of a child in Luke 18:16-17 to describe receiving the kingdom of God? What qualities of a child are essential for reparenting according to Jesus' teachings? [52:54]
4. The sermon mentions that Jesus' life and teachings are the building blocks of reparenting. How do Jesus' interactions and teachings provide a new script for living? [49:33]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a specific script or belief you inherited from your family that you now recognize as flawed. How can you begin the process of unlearning this script and replacing it with the teachings of Jesus? [38:09]
2. During this season of Lent, what is one area of your life where you feel the need for reparenting? How can you create space for God to work in this area through prayer and fasting? [28:47]
3. Jesus redefined success not by wealth or status but by following Him and living out God's kingdom values. How does this challenge your current definition of success, and what changes might you need to make in your life? [56:38]
4. Think about a relationship in your life where you have been following a flawed script. How can you apply Jesus' example of grace and inclusion to transform this relationship? [56:04]
5. Identify one emotion or behavior that you struggle to manage according to the flawed scripts you were given. What steps can you take to align your emotional responses with the example set by Jesus? [55:44]
6. The sermon mentioned the Israelites' need for reparenting after their exodus from Egypt. What parallels do you see in your own life where you need to unlearn old scripts and embrace a new identity given by God? [44:53]
7. How can you support others in your small group or community who are also on a journey of reparenting? What practical steps can you take to encourage and walk alongside them? [59:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Kingdom Reparenting
Reparenting is a transformative journey that involves adopting the life skills and truths that Jesus exemplified. It's about learning to live out the values of love, justice, and compassion, even when they conflict with the flawed scripts we've inherited. This process requires us to critically examine the narratives we've been told about what it means to be successful, how to handle relationships, and what our priorities should be. By aligning ourselves with the teachings of Jesus, we can begin to rewrite these scripts according to the principles of God's kingdom, fostering a life that is rich in spiritual depth and community connection.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." - Colossians 3:12

Reflection: What flawed script from your upbringing can you identify that Jesus' teachings challenge, and how can you begin to rewrite it today? [55:35]

Day 2: Redefining Relationships in Christ
Jesus' approach to relationships was radical; he included the undeserving and even those who would betray him. This challenges us to reevaluate our own relational scripts. True community is built on grace and the recognition of each person's inherent value, not on merit or the avoidance of potential pain. By following Jesus' example, we can learn to build relationships that are rooted in love and acceptance, rather than judgment and exclusion. This shift in perspective can lead to deeper, more authentic connections with others, reflecting the inclusive love of God's kingdom.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5

Reflection: How can you extend grace to someone in your life who may not 'deserve' it, as Jesus did? [56:52]

Day 3: Jesus' Definition of Success
The concept of success is radically redefined by Jesus' life. He shows us that true success is not measured by heritage, education, or wealth, but by our willingness to follow Him and live out the values of God's kingdom. This challenges us to reconsider our own definitions of success and what we strive for in life. By prioritizing spiritual growth, service to others, and a heart aligned with God's will, we can experience the true success that comes from a life dedicated to following Jesus.

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8:36

Reflection: In what ways have you pursued worldly success at the expense of spiritual growth, and how can you shift your focus to align with Jesus' definition of success? [58:15]

Day 4: Fasting as Spiritual Reparenting
The practice of fasting during Lent is not about achievement but about creating space for God to work in our lives. It reminds us of our dependence on God's provision and offers an opportunity to focus on the spiritual work of reparenting that needs to occur within us. Fasting can help us let go of idols and flawed beliefs, making room for the truth and grace that Jesus offers. This discipline can be a powerful tool in the reparenting process, as it helps us to refocus our hearts and minds on God's priorities.

"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:16-18

Reflection: What is one thing you can fast from this week to create space for God to work on reparenting your heart? [28:17]

Day 5: Embracing a New Identity in God
The story of the Israelites' reparenting after their exodus from Egypt serves as a powerful metaphor for our own journey. Just as they had to unlearn the scripts of their enslavement and embrace a new identity given by God, we too must allow God to reshape our understanding of who we are and what we are called to be. This involves letting go of old narratives and embracing the new life that God offers through Jesus Christ. As we allow God to reparent us, we can step into the fullness of our identity as His beloved children.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection: What aspects of your 'old self' do you need to let go of in order to embrace the new identity God has for you? [44:53]

Quotes

1) "Reparenting is learning, as an adult, life skills that should have been acquired in your childhood." [33:04](Download | )

2) "Jesus' life and teaching are the building blocks of reparenting. It's right there in front of us." [58:15](Download | )

3) "The Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are just bubbling over with this information and teaching an example of Jesus of what it could actually be to be reparented." [55:35](Download | )

4) "The question is, will we allow [God] to do his work? This season that we're in right now, this season of Lent, this is a time for prayer and fasting." [59:32](Download | )

5) "The story of the Israelites' reparenting after their exodus from Egypt serves as a powerful metaphor for our own journey." [44:53](Download | )

6) "Jesus begins to rewrite the scripts, the messages that many of us received and believed. And we've brought them into adulthood and we're struggling with those." [50:07](Download | )

7) "If you want to experience that kind of life, Jesus says you've got to start over. You've got to be born again. You need to be reparented." [51:28](Download | )

8) "Jesus says, watch out, be on your guard against all kinds of greed. Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." [54:15](Download | )

9) "God is in the business of reparenting. Make no mistake." [59:32](Download | )

10) "But for us to realize, okay, what I really want is the kind of life Jesus offers. A life of human flourishing, a life of shalom." [58:15](Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?