Parenting God's Way (2)

Dr. Jim Bohrer / General

Romans 12:1–2 NLT

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

God as Parent

Genesis 1:26–27 NASB95

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

God and Discipline

Genesis 3:8–10 NLT

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

Do you think God didn’t know where they were or what had happened?

Why do you think God called out to them?

How did God show love towards Adam and Eve?

Genesis 3:21 NASB95

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

Is it loving to refuse to give children consequences for bad behavior?

Genesis 3:17–19 NASB95

17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. 18“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; 19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”

GOD’S PURPOSE IN PARENTING

14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. 15 Didn’t the Lordmake you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.

God can redeem broken families and He works through the local church family. His best plan for parenting comes through a united Husband and Wife. The most important aspect being united in faith, worship, and serving together in the local church. Thus they lead by example, guide by a love relationship that directs the children towards godly character and away from sinful attitudes and behaviors.

God’s Great Call to Parents

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 NASB95

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

a. Love God COMPLETELY.

b. Keep God’s Word CLOSE.

c. Teach God’s Word CONTINUALLY.

i. Teaching

ii. Worship together

iii. Serve the Lord as a family

Psalm 127:3 NASB95

3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.