Godly Parenting

Crossroads Bible College

Marriage and Family

May 3, 2007

I.Introduction

A.   An old Chinese proverb says, “One generation plants the trees and another gets the shade.” Our generation lives in the shade of many trees that were planted by our ancestors.[1]

B.   Spiritually speaking we derive shade from our parent and our grandparent’s ethics, morals, and spiritual commitment.

C.   Let’s talk quickly about 3 important keys in the Word of God around parenting.

1.     The measure of a successful parent

2.     Invest yourself your children

3.     Establish your relationship with them based on trust        

II.The Measure of a successful parent

A.   Success in parenting is not measured by what your kids do, but what the parents do        

1.     Peer pressure cannot replace the influence of a parent

B.   Be a model for your children

1.      Be a Titus 2 Man or Woman (…set an example by doing what is good Titus 2:6-7)

2.      Be an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in holiness         (1 Tim. 4:12)

III. Communicate with your children; Invest your time, energy, and lifelong learnings into them               

A.   These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.[2] (Deut 6:6-7)

B.   The Father invested in us to bring us to himself as children (Heb. 2:10-14)

1.     God (the Father) created a Plan for Man

2.     He sent His Son to die for us

3.     He (the Father raised Him from the dead so that

4.     He could call many sons to glory.

IV.Establish your relationship with them based on trust

A.   Trust Defined: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something[3]

B.   We learn to trust when we hear and see truth in our lives

1.     In Him you also trusted, after you heard uthe word of truth, the gospel of your salvation[4] (Eph 1:2)

2.     Speaking of spiritual growth, Paul further said to ‘…speak the truth in love so that you can grow thereby (or through love)’.Eph. 4:15

C.   Do what you say you will do. If you say you will play catch with little Johnny, make sure you follow through. Also, if you say you’re going to spank him if he lies to you, make sure you follow through.

V.Conclusion

A.   Restate your three main points

1.     The measure of a successful parent is being the model, not a lord over your children.

2.     Invest yourself into your children; Don’t let someone else invest their time into your children and mold their character before you do.

3.     Establish your relationship with them based on trust

B.   Being a parent is a blessing from God. But to be successful we must use the example of our heavenly father as the basis of our parenting. That is the true love that will mold and shape them throughout their journey of life.

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[1]John MacArthur, Successful Christian Parenting : Raising Your Child With Care, Compassion, and Common Sense (Bedford, Tex.: Word Pub., 1998), 4.

[2]The Holy Bible : New International Version, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Dt 6:6-7.

[3]Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary., Includes Index., Eleventh ed. (Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).

u John 1:17

[4]The New King James Version. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Eph 1:13.