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Christianity

Learning To Think Biblically About Parenting (Part 2)

  1. Your major responsibility is direction
    • Proverbs is basically the parenting manual
    • Proverbs are axioms of truth, not carte blanche guaranteed results; strong call to wisdom
    • “…listen to words of wisdom…”
      • Prov 1:8-9
      • Prov 2:1-6
      • Prov 3:1
      • Prov 4:1, 10, 20
      • Prov 5:1
      • Prov 6:20
      • Prov 7:1
    • wisdom is the right application of knowledge
      • big difference between knowing vs practicing wisdom
      • life of Solomon shows he knows a lot, but he doesn’t always follow his own knowledge
        • this distills into David’s life
        • no greater way to destroy the wisdom than to live hypocritically
    • Eph 6:4
      • unintentional provocation of children a lot of times; can have negative consequences
        1. overprotective
          • tightly restricted and controlled all the time
          • not trusting them that they’ll make good decisions
        2. showing favouritism
        3. giving unrealistic expectations
        4. being overindulgent and giving everything
        5. demonstrating neglect 
          • placing other things on a higher priority than them (ex. work, hobbies)
        6. constant criticism
        7. spiritual hypocrisy
      • scriptures are meant to be a blessing, not a weapon
      • you must recognize that your kids are sinners, just like you are; sin is embedded within our DNA!
      • there are burning convictions for right/wrong
        • wisdom teaches about right/wrong and pursuing the Lord
        • profound convictions to guide your life
      • Prov 10:19
      • Prov 11:30
      • Prov 12:15
      • Prov 14:16
        • conduct is crucial to wisdom
    • don’t allow free range of actions, but don’t over-insulate; lest your kids be naive and “simple”
      • you must teach your kids about sin (not experientially) before the world teaches its standard about that sin/topic
    • Prov 1:2-7; the reality is that everything flows from the fear of the Lord
      • fear of the Lord is the knowledge/wisdom
      • fear of the Lord: C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe “…who is Aslan the Lion?”
        • “…safe? Of course not, he’s a lion!… But he is the King, I am sure of it!”
        • we need reverence in our hearts
    • Ps 14:1; opposite of wise is fool, thinking they are the King
    • 1 Cor 1:30; Col 2:3
      • Jesus is wisdom; knowing Christ is knowing wisdom
      • parenting is direction but also relationship pointing to Christ
  2. Ultimate end is deployment
    • 2 Tim 3:14-15
      • the deposits you make place now will reap massive spiritual dividends
    • Prov 22:6
      • Christ is calling them as He’s called you to mission for Christ; their future usefulness to God
    • 2 Tim 1:5
      • strong evidence that parents and grandparents have had massive role in mission
    • 3 Jn 1:4
  3. Your supreme gift is devotion
    • devotion to them
    • devotion to God
    • don’t sacrifice your family on altar of other things (ministry/career/$/etc…)
    • pursue Christ daily; let your kids see you strive after God daily
    • overflow of devotion to Christ is a strong impact upon life
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