Intentional Parenting

SESSION 1: STRONG BELIEF AND 24/7 ROLE MODEL

START (15 MINUTES)

If your group is meeting for the first time or if new people have joined your group, take a few minutes to introduce yourselves.

Q: In a word, what do you hope your children will become?

And why?

WATCH VIDEO (7 MINUTES)

For your reference, key phrases from this session are:

• Quick Fix Parenting can lead to disasters

• Parents are the single greatest influence in the life of a child.

Ephesians 6:4 KJV 1900

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Eph

1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV 1900

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Mark 9:42 KJV 1900

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

• You are under surveillance 24/7

• You are under surveillance 24/7

Luke 10:27 KJV 1900

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Luke 6:45 KJV 1900

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

romans

• Good behavior starts with you!

• Good behavior starts with you!

Titus 2:11–12 KJV 1900

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Proverbs 25:28 KJV 1900

He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV 1900

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Proverbs 25:

• Admit it when you’re wrong

Psalm 127:3 KJV 1900

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

pa

• “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

• Parents need an intentional plan

• Believe in your power to influence

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (30 MINUTES)

As the group leader, start the conversation.

Tell a story about how you had a “Quick Fix” Parenting moment. Try to make it lighthearted. Then guide your groups through these questions:

:Q Everybody falls into Quick Fix Parenting now and again.

When is this most likely to happen for you?

:Q When do you most often doubt you have any influence in your children’s lives at all?

:Q What makes you nervous about your kids following your example?

:Q What do you want your kids to pick up from you?

:Q says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

How do you think God feels about your child?

:Q Have you ever considered having an intentional plan as a parent?

How might doing this feel overwhelming? On this last question, simply point out that the purpose of this series is to help all of us. When the five meeting times are completed we should have a realistic plan that’s not overwhelming