How does our heavenly Father parent us?

John Farley
Pastor-Teacher
Sunday,
March 13, 2016
 

Practical Christianity:

How does our heavenly Father parent us?

2Co 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Christian parenting is different from Old Testament parenting!!!

Christian parenting consists of a collection of songs …

…that have been written for us by the Lord using three major keys.

#1 the key of grace

#2 the key of love

#3 the key of the fellowship of the Spirit.

But in the New Testament, the 5th commandment is joined by a new commandment - to the fathers.

Eph 6:1-4

Most parenting books are heavy on the methods, but God is much more interested in the goal.

a child whose heart is wise and whose lips speak what is right

a child who is going in the way he should go

a child who is nurtured and guided and corrected when wrong

a child who understands the grace of God

a child who knows he is loved

A child who walks by means of the Spirit

a child who is not angry, not bitter, not discouraged

a child who is encouraged and motivated

a child who is led by the example of his parents into proper thinking and behavior

Each child is different and responds differently to different kinds of correction and instruction.

What is vital is to understand the goal of our instruction and training.

1Ti 1:5

Phi 3:8-14

We serve now as parents in the newness that the Spirit brings rather than the oldness of the letter of the law.

2Co 3:2-6

To say to fathers, “Thou shalt spank…or else”, is to put the family under law, not under grace.

Gal 5:1
2Co 3:17

Christian parents have freedom in how they use discipline and instruction to bring up each child in the Lord.

Eph 6:1-4
Col 3:21

to become disheartened and hence lack motivation - to become discouraged.

Commands to parents – mainly fathers - in the New Testament

1. Do not provoke your child to anger.

2. Nurture - nourish and cherish them –in bringing them up to maturity.

3. Use Discipline – admonishment, correction, training

4. Use Instruction – teaching, guidance and direction

5. Don’t resort to nagging. Don’t exasperate your children.

6. Watch over their hearts; make sure they don’t get discouraged.

7. Do it all IN THE LORD!

How does the Lord wish to train up my child today?

What instruction does the Lord desire to give my child today?

 


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