TRAINING A CHILD
PURPOSE
In this study, we will
explore some biblical principles on how to raise godly children.
OPENER
What is the most enjoyable aspect of
raising children?
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LESSON
1. ACCORDING
TO (PSALM 127:3), HOW DOES GOD TELL US TO VIEW CHILDREN?
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- Children take a lot of work and require time and
money. Parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world, but God says we
should view it as something positive and joyful. Children are a
heritage and reward from God. The
word "heritage" means, "inheritance or possession".
2. FROM
(EPHESIANS 6:4; DEUTERONOMY 6:6-9),
WHOM DID GOD GIVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHILDREN?
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- God gave the responsibility of the children to
parents, not the government, the school, or the church. The church can
help train parents, the school can reinforce parents, and the government
can help protect the home, but the primary responsibility is placed upon
parents.
- Children are a gift from God to parents. They do
not belong to any institution or state. Every parent must accept this
responsibility and not expect someone else or some institution to fulfill
their responsibility. Also, we should never allow any government entity to
tell us that the children belong to them. This violates the sovereignty of
the home and can interfere with fulfilling our responsibility before God.
3. IN
(DEUTERONOMY 6:4-6), WHAT IS THE FIRST
PRINCIPLE OF GOOD PARENTING?
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- To be good parents, or a good parent, we must
first obey the "Great Commandment" given in Deuteronomy 6:4-5;
to love God with all of our heart.
We cannot teach our children to do something that we do not do. A basic law of leadership is that you
cannot lead people where you have not been.
4. FROM
(DEUTERONOMY 6:7), WHAT IS REALLY MEANT HERE
BY DILIGENTLY TEACHING SCRIPTURE TO OUR CHILDREN?
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- Teaching scripture is to be a way of life, not
just a Sunday religion. It is to be a natural part of our life and
conversation from the time we get up until the time we go to bed, and
every activity in between.
- The Hebrews were extremely successful at making
religion an integral part of life. The reason for their success was that
religious education was life-oriented, not information-oriented. They used
the context of daily life to teach about God. The key to teaching your
children to love God is stated simply and clearly in these verses. If you
want your children to follow God, you must make God a part of your
everyday experiences. You must teach your children diligently to see God
in all aspects of life, not just those that are church related.
5. WHAT
IS GOD'S MAIN CHALLENGE TO US IN (DEUTERONOMY 6:8-12)
THAT WE MUST TEACH OUR CHILDREN?
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- God’s main challenge to us is that we not forget
God when we experience prosperity as God blesses us. When things are going
good, it is easy to get caught up in many other pursuits that turn our
hearts away from God. We must never allow this to happen.
What are some things that we can do to
train our children to never forget about God?
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6. WHAT
IS THE CHALLENGE TO PARENTS, AND FATHERS IN PARTICULAR, ABOUT LIFE TRAINING IN (EPHESIANS
6:4)?
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- The challenge for us as parents is to balance
love and discipline by training and disciplining our children without
building bitterness and rebellion into their lives. This is illustrated in the words
"nurture" (discipline, chastening) and "admonition"
(training by word putting into the mind). A parent who is overly strict or
harsh, or who disciplines in an angry, unloving manner will only produce
more anger and rebellion in their child, not obedience. This is to what
Ephesians 6:4 is referring.
What are some good ways to discipline
children?
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CONCLUSION:
1.
This
morning, we have examined a few principles on training a child in the
Lord. I hope and pray that this lesson
has inspired you to become the best parent possible.
Resources Used To Develop This
Lesson:
LifeSteps
- Dr. John Hawkins