Parenting with Passion, Purpose, & Principles
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Introduction
Our Greatest Reward & Challenge!
Parenting – the hardest job you will ever love!
Parenting: A Fulfilling of Purpose in Marriage
Malachi 2:15 NKJV
But did He not make them one,
Having a remnant of the Spirit?
And why one?
He seeks godly offspring. (Children)
Therefore take heed to your spirit,
And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.
Malachi 2:14-15 NLT
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.
Didn’t the LORD make 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.
The Importance of your role as a Parent
Genesis 18:18-19 MSG
Abraham is going to become a large and strong nation; all the nations of the world are going to find themselves blessed through him. Yes, I’ve settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe GOD’s way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that GOD can complete in Abraham what he promised him.”
Colossians 3:20-22 AMP
Shifting the Parenting Paradigm -Don’t Raise Your Children!
Training vs Raising
Definition of Training: to develop or form the habits, thoughts or behavior of a child or person by discipline and instruction. To make proficient by instruction and practice, to drill with the purpose of imparting proficiency.
Raising (as in) – Sheep, Crops, Cows, Sugar Cane, Chickens etc…
1. Feed / Shelter
2. Protect
3. Get them ready to produce
Proverbs 22:6-7 NKJV
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
1. When you feed you give sustenance
When you train you teach and show how to eat so you can maintain good health and a long life.
2. When you protect you keep from harm. When you train you teach how to avoid, deal with, and recover from harm.
3. When you get them ready to produce you send them to school and tell them to go to college.
When you train them, you go to the school and elicit teachers to become your partner in education.
You help guide your child to pick a major and school based on his/her own passions, gifts, and talents.
When you raise you maintain the power.
When you train you empower!
(Drivers test example)
- Purpose of Children
Part of God’s purpose for marriage revealed in Malachi:
“…And what does He [God] want? Godly children from your union.”
Psalms 127:3-5 NKJV
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Speaking to their “enemies at the gate.”
How this is playing out right now in our life and stage where we are with our parents
Proverbs 24:3-4 NKJV and AMP
Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 2:6 NKJV
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
1. Knowledge
2. Understanding
3. Wisdom
B. Stages of Parenting
The Funnel Concept
a. Nurturer / Teacher
Practical Tip: Sign Lang / Interrupt Rule
b. Coach / Mentor
Practical Tip: Responsibility Rope / Grace Time
c. Advisor / Friend
Practical Tip: “Momager / Daddy Bar”
Proverbs 22:6-7 NKJV
Training tips example: Children on Finances
C. Generational Legacy – Impacting the Future aka Time Travel
Exodus 3:6,15,16 NKJV
Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
Psalm 112:1-2 NLT
How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
Proverbs 13:22 NKJV
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
Isaiah 54:13 NKJV
All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
Summary
- As christian parents, God has entrusted us to be His representative to our children.
- The gift of children allows parents to time travel! Parent with a legacy and generational mindset.
- Pay attention, be intentional and continue to develop your parenting skills: i.e growingfamilies.life
- The role of the parent is a lifelong call and an assignment that evolves over time as your children grow and change.
- Great parenting requires dependance on God. Allow His Word and His Spirit to empower you in this serious and sacred priority!
[Pastor Joe & Rhonda Frazier]