Speaker Sermon/Lesson Title Audio   Video  Text     MS Word Category Bobby Stafford What Does Christian Parenting Look Like     Parenting

What Does Christian Parenting Look Like?

Introduction:

What one thing do you want for your children more than anything else?  Hopefully you answered:  “An eternal home in heaven with God.”  If that was your answer, then you need to examine everything you do to see whether it will help or hinder them in achieving that destination.

If God has blessed you with children, He has entrusted you with a great responsibility.  (Psalm 127:3) “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” NKJV

Body:

I.            What Christian Parenting Isn’t

“It’s not about providing name-brand clothes or the latest tech gadgets . . . or any number of luxuries.”  Stephen Bradd  You must demonstrate to your children what’s really important.  They need to see that you are putting God first; that you are seeking those things above, not on the earth.  They won’t be willing to do those things if you aren’t!  (Matthew 10:37) “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” NKJV  (Colossians 3:1-2) “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” NKJV

II.          Christian Parents Use Their Time Wisely

·       Do not let the cares of the world distract you from what is important.  (Matthew 13:22) “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. NKJV

·       Use your time with them wisely because they will soon be gone.  (Ephesians 5:15-16) “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” NKJV  Do not waste your time while they are with you.

·       Be involved in the lives of your kids.  Worship with them.  Pray with and for them. 

III.        Christian Parents Start Early

·       Gardeners stake their tomato plants when the plants are young.  People begin training a puppy when it is young.  So must parents.

·        Proverbs 22:6 is a piece of ancient wisdom about parenting.  It is not a guarantee, but a general rule.  Training begins with parents dedicating their children to becoming godly people.  “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” NKJV

·       Training needs to occur every day.  (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) “Hear, O Israel:  ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” NKJV  (Deuteronomy 4:9) “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.  And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,” NKJV 

IV.        Christian Parents Discipline with Love

·       Read Ephesians 6:4.  “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” NKJV  Sometimes when a parent disciplines a child, the child gets angry anyway.  But when parents sow love and peace, the chances are better they will not provoke the child to anger.

·        We have a model for how to discipline – God Himself.  He doesn’t discipline His children in anger, but rather in love.  (Hebrews 12:5-6) “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:  ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.’ ” NKJV  (Hebrews 12:9-11) “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect.  Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” NKJV 

Conclusion:

·       There are no shortcuts in Christian parenting.  You will make mistakes.  You will shed tears.  It is hard work to do it right.

·       If you raise a child with good character who follows Jesus and is concerned about others, you have succeeded beyond measure.

Bobby Stafford 

August 11, 2019