GenX Dicipleship Group | Children

Psalm 127:3-5 “3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.”

2. We have a Responsibility to train and nurture that gift

Proverbs 22:6 “6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 13:24 “24 He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.”

3. Our children being born brings Joy to us

John 16:21 “21 “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.”

As a Mother, do you remember how it felt when your baby was born? And was it different for each child if you have more than one?

Complication

The problem that is our Children grow up

some become rebels against us and what we teach them

choose to do things they know are wrong and will lead to trouble

then eventually leave the home.

these are frustrating times for Parents

What does a Biblical relationship look like with our adult children?

Our Adult Children have a biblical mandate to honor us. Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2

We have a Mandate to train our children in righteousness, by example, give sound wisdom.

Resolution

We are raising our children to become our peers in the sense that once they leave and cleave in faith we release them back to the Father

Philippians 2:3 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

this idea I struggle with because I wasn’t raised to look at it this way

you can still honor and respect elders and think of them as peers in relationship with God.

Our relationship with our kids should mirror the relationship we should have with the Father

We can't always control what our children do as they grow older and become adults — nor should we. And even when they make mistakes or go against our advice, they are still our children, and we still love them and want what is best for them,"

Luke 15:17–32 (NASB95)

17 “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” ’ 20 “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’ ”

The prodigal son story teaches us a few things

1. Resist the urge to reject them when they do wrong,

disrespect you or not follow your good advice you give them or even wishing bad things happen to them Rather than rejecting them or wishing ill of them,

Carl Smith relationship with his Son

The consequences of not doing this are too great

I remember how my Father never spoke a word about his own Father while we were growing up

There are consequences to rejecting your children

2. Always speak the word over your children even when it is not popular

Isaiah 54:13 English Standard Version (Chapter 54)

13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Celebration

The greatest lesson the prodigal son story shows us and it demonstrates unconditional love

it mirrors God’s unconditional love for us because we are is children

something that we should celebrate and rejoice in because its the answer

all of the problems and issues we may have with our kids

everything they’ve put our hearts through

1John 4:19 “19 We love, because He first loved us.”

prayer

We have the confidence towards that if we ask anything according to your will

you hears us

so we stand on your word! We are acting according to your will

we ask that you give us the strength to love just like you do

so we pray for our children

we declare that the peace of our children will be great because they are taught of the LORD

they are protected

they are healthy

wholeness

nothing broken and nothing missing in the lives of our children

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