Training Up Our Kids

 

2003007

Subject: parenting; demise of a Congregation

Introduction:

A.      Talking about demise of a congregation.  Congregations need to be thinking toward the future – making plans; trusting in God as they work together.

1.    Thus far we have discussed, moving w/conviction; importance of evangelism; leadership; and strong preaching.

2.    If these things are ignored – congregation will find itself headed down the wrong path.

B.      Today’s subject is important - & potentially every family can play a role here in either contributing to a great future for the congregation – or its demise. 

1.    There is a need for us to instill godly values in our kids.

2.    If we don’t – depressing consequences can result.  For example:

a)    Kids grow up out of the Lord & out of the church.

b)    Kids grow up out of the Lord but are still in the church – just not converted/convicted.

3.    Both scenes are tragic – but I believe the 2nd to be more disastrous – because people find themselves living w/a false sense of security. 

4.    Could this be why Sardis was called the “dead” church? Rev. 3:1-6.

C.     I know of no Christian who starts out saying – lets raise ungodly children!

1.    As a parent – I hope/pray my children will do right & do well.

2.    But…parents must guard against

a)    Short sighted assumptions.

b)    Unforeseen foes

c)    Unintended consequences.

D.     I can’t imagine anything more painful than for an older parent to see a child trained well but not living in a relationship with Christ.

1.    Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 14:12 – kids will answer for it.

2.    Every parent needs to do their best & set and example – trusting that their child will follow Christ.

3.    Too often, however, when children go astray – it is because of the bad example and failure of the parent to instill godly values.

E.      Parenting – extremely important!

1.    Deut. 6:7; Pro. 22:6; Eph. 6:4

2.    Your children are YOUR responsibility.  You agreed to this responsibility when the decision was made to procreate.

3.    It’s not up to the grandparents; daycare; school; church; friends; etc. to raise your kids.  YOU raise YOUR children in the Lord!

F.      For those of us w/kids still at home…here are some suggestions we need to keep in mind so we can train up our kids in the Lord.

 

I.  Training them up involves more than “taking them to church.”

A.     Again, God did not tell the church to train children – He told parents to do it!

1.    Eph. 6:4 – not addressed to the church/elders/bible class teachers.

2.    Same w/Deut. 6:6-7; Pro. 22:6

3.    Note what the child is told in Pro. 6:20.

B.     Parents are entrusted w/a great gift & noble task.

1.    Diligently teach your children!

2.    Pray w/them; study together; help w/bible lessons.

3.    You live your life for Christ & set an example!

C.    There is more to it than just “taking them to church!”

1.    Some…force their kids to go & then don’t go themselves.

2.    Some expect kids to be more godly than themselves!

 

II. 4 Hours of Bible teaching per week isn’t enough.

A.      Do we know what kids watch of TV?  Log into on internet?  What’s going on at school? 

1.    Over 100 hours a week are spent w/worldly influences bombarding their lives!

2.    Today kids exposed to a host of items that couldn’t have been imagined 20 years ago!

a)    Experience tremendous pressure to conform!

b)    Live in an age of moral relativism; humanism; & general worldliness.

c)    What are we doing on a daily basis to help them cope?

B.      Are we taking time to talk to & encourage them & motivate them to do good?

C.     Are we doing it at home – outside the church building?  Some only think of God at the church building.  Not good!

 

III.  Don’t gripe about brethren in front of kids.

A.    What happened to Mt. 18:15?  Go to the person!

1.    Griping about bro/sis on way from home from services w/kids in backseat a bad idea!

2.    Despising brethren is NOT according to the spirit of Christ

3.    See John 13:34-35; Eph. 4:31-32; 1 Pet. 1:22

B.    If we insist on backbiting & devouring brethren – understand that your child may choose to get away from the cycle of cannibalism.

C.   Who would want to be part of such a thing?

 

IV. Children pick up on hypocrisy.

A.    Common problem – ugly problem.

1.    Children pick up quickly on parent’s behavior.

2.    Hypocrisy condemned in Scripture.  Rom. 2:21-24; Mt. 23:3; 7:3

B.    Actions speak louder than words.

1.    smoking example

2.     There are a lot of things our kids do not know – but hypocrisy is something they’ll pick up on quickly!

 

V.  Expect the best for your kids.

A.  Don’t be surprised by their good behavior!

1.    Not all teenagers are disrespectful/worldly/untrustworthy.

2.    Some exhibit more honor, courage, character, and godliness than many people achieve in their entire lives!

3.    What the norm is for the world should not be the norm for disciples!

4.    the world is in darkness – we’re in light – 1 Peter 2:9

C.   Why was Paul so impressed w/Timothy?  Acts 16:1-4

1.    16:2 – well spoken of by brethren.

2.    How old was Timothy here?  Probably 17-20 yrs of age. 

3.    Note even 15 years later Paul still regarded him as a young man – 1 Tim. 4:12; 5:1

D.   Here’s the lesson for us:  expect excellence from your kids!  If you expect only worldliness – that’s probably what you’ll receive.

E.    Expect the best!

 

VI. Don’t think children have to “fit in.”

A.    Discipleship is not cost free & kids need to be aware of it.

1.    Lk. 14:33-35.  There may have to be some things given up in order to maintain a good example/influence.

2.    Too many parents tempted to blur the lines between Christian principles & the world.  Compromising spirit leads to downfall in many cases!

B.    Need to raise our children up to have a spiritual backbone!  Parents need a spiritual backbone!

1.    Train up our children in what is right – and train them to appreciate right for being right.

2.    Train their hearts!

3.    If we think they have to “fit in with the world” they probably will.

 

VII. is more money the answer?

A.     Too many parents make money/careers the most important thing in the home.

1.    Society pretends its OK w/parents gone all day & children in daycare.

2.    But yet, look at where society is headed.

B.    Pro. 31 – worthy woman had business dealings – but texts suggested she was primarily interested in her home & family.

1.    Titus 2:5

2.    Biblical priorities have been thrown out in many cases.  Families now place money & the acquisition of new things as top priorities.

C.  Pro. 11:4; 15:16-17

D.  What do kids need?  Plenty of time w/godly parents!

 

VIII. Don’t fall prey to societal standards of parenting!

A.    Society does not understand child discipline.  Pro. 13:24; 29:15

B.    Society does not understand importance of mothers in home; nor the training up in righteousness.  Titus 2:4; Deut. 6:6-7

C.   Culture does not understand the importance of:

1.    decency – Eph. 5:3, 5

2.    modesty – 1 Tim. 2:9

3.    marriage – Heb. 13:4

D.   We must not let our families succumb to standards of the world.  Our eyes must be on a higher standard!  Rom. 12:1-2

 

Conclusion:

A.    Our children need a lot of training.

B.    God has given us the opportunity & the responsibility.

1.    Let’s not fail to give it.

2.    If we do, we could contribute to the demise of this congregation.

C.   Begin your relationship w/God today!  Obey the gospel

D.   I N V I T A T I O N