The Preeminent Disciple Maker

Bettis begins the chapter by a made up scenario envisioning Eunice, Timothy’s mother thinking through all the different reasons her son has been a blessing to her and how it was such a blessing to be able to bring down to him the rich stories of their heritage and what the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had done for God’s people.

As Timothy went away to go and share the Gospel alongside Paul, He mentions how this song of Ascent probably would have had a bit more meaning for her than some of the others…

Psalm 127 ESV

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Timothy had been one of the main arrows in the quiver of both his mother and his grandmother.

Timothy may have thought about him singing this very song taught to him by his grandmother as he and Paul may have gotten to Jerusalem for the first time.

I’m sure both his mother, grandmother and Timothy himself would think to themselves that it was purely by the grace of God for the work He had done in their families lives.

THE LORD IS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT GROWTH TO TIMOTHY.

Disciple-Making parents give all the glory to God.

Our Journey Together Draws to an End

Psalm 127 is a great place to end our time together.

It really speaks to the reality that children aren’t just little oompa loompas to have to work for us in the pasture, but they are real GIFTS FROM OUR GOD.

Children would have heard this song on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as the ascended into the city on their way to Passover, Pentecost, or for the Feast of Tabernacles.

They would have heard this understanding from their community what a blessing they were but also the goal and responsibility for their lives being sung by their parents. (meant to be arrows in the hand of a warrior)

At the same time, mothers and fathers would have heard once again the reminder that if the Lord doesn’t build this house… it’s all in vain. (worthless, futile)

They would have also thought of the need for God’s grace in their lives in the midst of their inability to do anything apart from Him!

It is God who gives sleep after having anxious toil.

Mark 4:26–27 ESV

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.

Victory for whatever growth that comes belongs to the Lord (Prov. 21:31).

Luke 17:10 ESV

10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

John 15:5 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

A Glance Back

Making disciples is the great commission of Christ and is our North Star for parenting. We go forth under the authority of this command

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It’s also messy, perplexing, tiresome.

It’s delightful, noble, memorable and worthy work.

We have the privilege of bringing physical life to our children but then also having the the ability to bring words of eternal life into their hearts and minds.

In this we get to show them what it looks like to be cross bearing, self-denying, co-labor with God.

In doing all of this… we want to ensure that our children are being NOURISHED IN GOD’S WORD.

We surround this with much prayer, singing and rejoicing of His Works in our homes, and this is also surrounded in serving our neighbors around us.

Disciple Making Parents focus on their own walks

They live the Gospel at home.

Actively connect their children to Godly examples.

Disciple Making Parents discipline their children with eternity in mind.

They speak the Gospel for their children’s conversion.

They teach their children about the battle between the flesh and Spirit.

Disciple Making Parents connect with their children’s hearts.

They make heart communication a priority.

They speak skillfully with their children.

Disciple Making Parents teach their children to restore broken relationships.

They nourish their children with the Word of God.

They teach their children the Word of God.

They will post and memorize the Word of God.

Disciple Making Parents open the Word of God for their children.

They raise their children to take the land. (We want self-denying, kingdom building, others oriented, God exalting warriors.

They will warn their children about loving the world.

Disciple Making parents pray for our children.

We teach our children to pray.

We equip our children for questions about faith.

Disciple Making Parents equip their children for questions about the goodness of following Jesus.

They will equip their children to form biblical friendships.

They will equip their children to rule over the temptations of this age.

They rely on the Holy Spirit and teach their children to rely on Him as well.

Disciple Making Parents teach their children to continually seek the Lord.

A long Obedience In The Same Direction

In our pursuit of making the great commission our North Star, we will need to set some expectations…

You will be out of step with the current culture

We cannot love our children more than Christ. And if set the Great Commission as our North Star, it will guard us from doing that.

As we seek to follow our north star, we will care for church members, care for other parents, minister within our church, and have a whole group of priorities that others simply don’t have.

As we do this… we will be out of step from the current culture that over emphasizes their children over everything else.

Christ is center, not our children.

Your identity is in Christ, not your children.

You will be out of step with the evangelical culture.

Many will want someone else to do all of this work for them. A professional who knows all the current lingo, a younger person who can relate.

Some will actually come by some who will see you as a hinderance to ministering to children and youth.

But you, parent, will have all you need to be relevant with what your children needs.

You will be off track many times.

THERE ARE NO PERFECT PARENTS.

You will need to preach to yourself grace often in this pursuit.

We still have sin in us and around us within the house.

So… there will be times when we catch ourselves after having drifted away from our north star.

Thankfully, we serve a God who is grace filled, compassionate in His loving kindness and through our conviction and repentance will continue to change our homes by His grace.

You must trust God with the results.

“Our job is to be faithful. Not successful. “

We cannot create faith within our children by becoming a helicopter parent.

God is the one who grows and brings the success by His will.

Jesus and Paul had disciples who walked away.

Our job is to faithfully speak and live out the Gospel and allow God to do the rest of the Word.

You will come to the end of your wisdom.

God actually does give us more than we can handle contrary to popular belief.

All trials that we will go through in our homes SHOULD PUSH US TO CRY OUT TO HIM.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

This suffering comes so that we may grow closer to him

The Power Of A Healthy Church With Healthy Pastors

Something that is foundational to all the material we have discussed… BEING A PART OF A HEALTHY CHURCH THAT PREACHES AND LIVES OUT THE GOSPEL.

You will be taught the Word of God which will coincide with what your teaching at home.

You will be encouraged alongside others who are doing the same thing you are.

You will be equipped to continue in your pursuit of the Great Commission as your North Star.

You will have a chance to serve alongside your children.

You can not replace these things within a local church.

Specific Words

Fathers, one day you and I will stand before the risen, victorious Savior King. Like the servant giving an account for the treasure entrusted to him, we will be asked to give an accounting for the souls entrusted to our care. Ir is not unimportant that the commands to teach our children are addressed to the men, and the only direct command in the New Testament for parents is addressed to fathers. It is we who often need a jack-hammered priority adjustment. The gospel must turn us from our selfish and materialistic priorities to the things that matter for eternity.

Parents… you will feel inadequate. Welcome to ministry!

It is actually when we feel this way that we have actually found our strength.

Because the strength is not in us that we have found… we have actually found at that moment the power of God.

Because He tells us…

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”

John Wayne

MOTHERS, SINGLE MOTHERS, MOTHERS WITH NON-RESPONSIVE HUSBANDS…

God sees your situation.

Don’t hear from this class the need for a picture perfect home.

We live in a broken world.

Take hear that Timothy grew up in a less than perfect home and because somebody written about in God’s Word.

You too need to realize that when you are weak, then you are strong.

Humbly Trusting God

As a parent I walked through a challenging experience with my twins. Both had the same biblical instruction, home schooling environment, and strong church connection. My daughter grew up as the epitome of a fruitful Christian daughter-an unbeliever who needed God's salvation but who gave her life to Christ at a young age. My son, on the other hand, was respectful but ended up rebelling and getting arrested. It wasn't until he got a junior DUI that God grabbed hold of his heart.

In the midst of the trial I asked God, "What is going on?" I thought I did everything right. The answer that came the impression I got from God was this “I don't want you parenting standing up; I want you parenting kneeling down." God used the rebellion of my son to humble me. If he allowed the failures of any parent to inflict their full consequences upon their children, all of our kids would be in prison. And conversely, the kids of the worst parents can be saved in spite of their parent's failures.

If I hadn't had the struggles with my son, I would have wrongly given myself too much credit for the outcome of my kids. Today, I have far more grace, thinking less of myself and more of God. I also don't trust in homeschool, church attendance, family devotions, or any of those very good things. I trust God more, knowing I can do all these things, but only the Holy Spirit can move to change a heart.

Psalm 115:1 ESV

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Disciple Making Parents give all the glory to God.