An outstanding message on God's plan for families. Stefan is a great Bible teacher and is highly respected for his ‘How to’ messages that have helped many step into a life of ‘faith and victory.’
Outline: https://bit.ly/347zD3R
Subtitle: An overview of Biblical Parenting
Today we shift our focus and attention away from "God in Politics" toward "God in the Family".
The basic building block of any society or nation is the family unit
If the family unit is strong then the nation will be strong
If the family unit is weak or broken down, the nation will be weak and broken down
When God counted the nation of Israel, he counted them by their families (Numbers 26:1-5 >)
Numbers 1:2 (NCV)You and Aaron must count all the people of Israel by families and family groups , listing the name of each man.
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJVTrain up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Malachi 2:15 (NLT) Didnt the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And _ what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.
As Christian parents, we desire to bring our children up:
To know and serve Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord & Saviour
To become law-abiding citizens and serve their generation
To be contributors to society, rather than takers from society
Our parenting style shouldn't be a mixture of biblical & worldly parenting philosophies, as this would result in a mixture of godly & ungodly children.
Ephesians 6:4 (NCV) Fathers, do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training and teaching of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (NKJV) And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. _ 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children , and_ _ shall talk of them when you sit in your house ,_ _ when you walk by the way, when you lie down , and_ _ when you rise up._ _ 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes._ _ 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates._
Teach the Word of God to your children:
Ephesians 6:1–3 (NCV) _ Children, obey your parents _ as the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do. _ 2 The command says, " Honor your father and mother." _ This is _ the first command that has a promise with it — 3 _"Then everything will be well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth."
Your most basic task as a Christian parent is to:
Honour for father & mother speaks primarily about honour for authority.
If you try to be a friend to your children before they recognise you as their authority figure, you will lose all authority and they will see you as their equal.
Of course, you can and should be friend-ly with your children, but you shouldn't try to be their friend until after you have established yourself as their authority.
Genesis 2:8–9 (NIV) Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. _ 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees _ _grow out of the ground— trees that were pleasing to the eye _ and _ good for food ._ _In the middle of the garden were the tree of life _ and _ the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. _
God made and placed 3 main categories of trees in the Garden of Eden:
God gave Adam & Eve permission to partake of all the fruit trees, including the tree of life (vs. 16), but at the same time He forbade them to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil.
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents:
Whilst obvious, dangerous and harmful temptation should be removed from children to keep them safe & keep them from getting into trouble, it is very healthy establish rules, boundaries and NO early in their childhood.
If children disobey & partake of the "forbidden tree", there have to be consequences!
Proverbs 22:15 (NKJV)Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;__the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 13:24 (NKJV)He who spares his rod hates his son, __but _ he who loves him disciplines him _ _ promptly__ . _
Proverbs 23:13–14 (NLT)_ Don't fail to discipline your children. _ The rod of punishment won't kill them. _ 14 _Physical discipline may well save them from death.
Types of consequences:
Compliance is external, obedience is internal.
Be consistent.