In the Instruction of the Lord

Introduction:

Psa. 127:1-5 – children are a heritage of the Lord. They are a reward. It is w/utmost importance that we bring them up in a way that is pleasing to God. 127:4 – arrows compared to children. Arrows had to be carefully formed & shaped correctly to fly straight. Children must be molded & shaped right if they are to grow up and mature in God’s way. Parenthood is more about begetting children & providing for their physical needs. Children need parents who are crazy about them, parents who get involved in their lives on a daily basis. Parents are to be active participants’ with God in creating & maturing human beings.

I. God’s word gives us very many practical aspects to parenting.

A.    Deut. 6:5-7 – Parents…how spiritual are you?

1.     Our children must learn that God’s commandments mean something REAL in our lives!

B.    Pro. 22:6 – Solomon tells us 2 things here:

1.     How we train a child today will affect the kind of adult he/she grows into.

2.     There is a way for a child to go.

C.   Eph. 6:4 – tells us how we can train them in the way they should go…

II. The goal of parenting – as seen in Eph. 6:4.

A.    6:4 – written in an active voice.  Parents…YOU bring them up.

1.     Children become in life what their parents make them.

B.    6:4 – written in present tense. Suggests continuous action.

C.   6:4 – written as an imperative.

1.     Parental responsibility is all about example and instruction.

2.     1 Sam. 3:12-13 – Eli would answer for his neglect.

III. How to bring them up in the instruction of the Lord.

A.    Bible instruction.

1.     Deut. 6:4-9 – bible is the best guide for parents/children in ALL situations.

B.    By personal example of parents.

1.     Phil. 4:9 – apply this verse to the parent/child relationship.

2.     Parents…

a)     What have they HEARD from you?

b)    Have they SEEN in you some questionable behavior?

c)     Have they RECEVIED a consistent portrayal of the life you lead?

C.   Take advantage of bible class.

1.     We need to hold our bible class teachers up in honor!

a)     Our attitude toward bible classes can be a good indicator of the amount of our desire to know God.

2.     We should back our teachers up; thank them for investing their time into our children!

3.     Kids…How important is bible class to you?

Conclusion:

A.    We need the type of parenting that closely reflects the character of God.

B.    Js. 1:2-5 – esp. 4-5 – consider these verses in context of parent/child relationship.

C.   Involves vision for the end result, when the child grows up having his priorities in the right place. (Psa. 78:1-4) Spiritual priorities not in check? Get them right!