Family Matters - Week 1

Family Matters - Week 1

"Most of the time I feel unqualified to be a parent." He said, "I call these times being awake.” - Jim Gaffigan

The call of parenting is about discipleship.

15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. Malachi 2:15 (ESV)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. 7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. Psalm 145:4-7 (ESV)

Parenting is not about leaving your kids rich.

Parenting is not about making them world achievers.

Parenting is not about control and authority.

Parenting is not about your social popularity or approval.

Discipleship-focused parenting includes aspects of guidance, provision, and discipline. It prioritizes spiritual growth and moral integrity over purely material, social, or control-based objectives.

The practice of parenting.

1) Parents are to be parented first.

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

2) Parents were made to be mimicked.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

The hope for parents.

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6