Parenting in the Lord.

Since today is mother’s day and we just had our family dedication service. I thought I’d take the opportunity to talk about this idea of parenting in the Lord. As I witness our culture it seems that parenting is a real struggle for our world. Parents are worn out by the constant barrage of worldly influences. Parents are confused by the advice of the “experts”. More often then not many of these so-called experts have no fear of God or understanding of His ways. Their advice is based on worldly wisdom and not scriptural principles. Many times we will sit and strive to figure out the problem of the child but sometimes the problem lies not in the child’s heart but the parents. So to continue in the charge that we already gave parents today. I want us to look at ourselves.

John Maxwell said this.....

57  If you want to change the children, change the parent. Any growth plan for your family must begin with you.

John Maxwell

Breakthrough Parenting (1996)

John Maxwell

For good or bad our children are a reflection of us, the parents. If we as parents are Christ-like, obedient servants, grace-filled, and respectful to each other in our homes than chances are our children will learn to reflect these qualities in their own lives. Notice I said learn and not immediately have. Learning takes time. Correcting patterns of behavior takes time. So today we are going to look at a few passages of scripture that outlines these ideas

So parents I have both a challenge and encouragement for you this morning? What is your plan for spiritual growth and development. What is your plan for growth in your spiritual walk and in parenting?

I. A Path for Discipline.

One of the goals of parenting is engage our children’s hearts so that they will learn to humbly take correction from us and ultimately take correction from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Do we believe love corrects?

Proverbs 13:24 CSB

The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Of course right, we understand that a loving parent will correct their children. In fact, we see to do the opposite is to hate a child.

Correction is an essential part of a loving relationship. Parents let me encourage, you are not mean for making you children obey and having rules. Obedience and respectful behavior in your home should not be and cannot be optional.

But pastor Brett, I don’t like the way it makes me feel when I discipline. That’s good, you shouldn’t. Discipline should not be enjoyable. It is that feeling that acts like a barrier from us being to harsh. However, let me say this again. Obedience in your home cannot be optional. If it is, obedience to God will be optional as well.

One of the greatest acts of love you can give to your kids is to persist in consistent discipline and then go cry behind closed doors.

Hebrews 12:10–11 CSB

For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Notice it says discipline yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Discipline brings peace to your home.

It breaks my heart how many people do not enjoy their children. I have overheard many parents openly admit they can’t wait for their children to move out.

These two proverbs come to mind that contrast one another.

Proverbs 29:15 CSB

A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a youth left to himself is a disgrace to his mother.

Proverbs 29:17 CSB

Discipline your child, and it will bring you peace of mind and give you delight.

So mom and dad let me ask you this. Do you humbly take correction from your spouse? Does your spouse have the freedom to correct you when necessary without fear of retaliation. What do I mean by that....does correction automatically turn into a race to the bottom? A race to see who can point out the most flaws in the other person?

Ephesians 5:21 CSB

submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

II. A Path for relational intimacy

III. A Path for