Parenting: Challenges & Promises - Sis Jean George

Parenting: Challenges & Promises

Biblical perspective of childrenChildren are a heritage, an inheritance - they are

a reward- they are a blessing- not a burden!

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3

Biblical perspective of children

Children are a stewardship entrusted to parents- they are your greatest legacy

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3

Biblical perspective of parents

1. Teaching the truth of God’s word: Biblical truth should be the foundation of our homesAnd 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. Deuteronomy 6 : 6-9


2. Bringing children up in the nurturance and admonition of the Lord

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4


2. Bringing children up in the nurturance and admonition of the Lord

“If a man does not teach his children truth, others will teach them error.” - Albert Barnes

Premise for Christian Parenting

1. Knowing God and having a personal relationship with God is crucial to our relationship with our children.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. Deut 6:6


2. Trust in the covenant keeping character of God

Genesis 15


3. God is our perfect Father

As God parents you, you parent your children.

GOD PARENT CHILD


4. Marriage relationship: The greatest overall influence that you are going to have in parenting will not come while you are in your roles of mother and father but rather while you are in your roles of a husband and a wife.

Speaking blessings

Blessings were a practice from parents to children• Blessings are prophetic and irrevocable• Noah blesses Shem and Japheth Gen 9:26-27• God blesses Abraham Gen 12:3; 18:18; 22:16-18• Isaac blesses his sons Gen 27• Jacob blesses each son by name

Speaking blessings

The principle is clear: God has given parents the privilege and power to speak blessing upon our children to advance life, health, growth, joy and self-confidence!

Speaking promises of God

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue

Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void,But it shall accomplish what I please,And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Areas to NURTURE and SPEAK BLESSINGS

1. For their salvationi. It is your responsibility to expose your

child to Christii. Be enthusiastic yourself about your life in Christiii. Demonstrate the special place the Bible holds in

your life


1. For their salvation

Ezekiel 11: 19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God

1 Timothy 2:3,4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.


1. For their salvationRefrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope in your future, says the Lord, That your children shall come back to their own border.Jeremiah 31:16-17


2. For the love for God’s wordi. Teach them to apply Scriptures in their

everyday lives. ii. Be conscientious to use every opportunity to

talk about God’s word Deut 6:7


2. For the love of God’s word

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You

Psalm 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold ,Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb


3. For wisdom and discernmenti. Be an active part of their livesii. Create an environment for discussionsiii. Allow children to participate in decisions which

affect the family.


3. For wisdom and discernmentiv. Role playv. Discuss what they read, focusing on the choices faced

by the characters.vi. Begin to talk about attitudes towards sex, drugs and

alcohol when children are young


3. For wisdom and discernmentJames 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to himIsaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.


3. For wisdom and discernment Treasures that wisdom gives:

• Provides direction and purpose in life Prov 3:5-6• Lead to happiness, true riches and a long life Prov 3:13-17• Insight into the character of others and protection from evil Prov 7:4-5• The wisdom they use will bring joy to you as parents Prov 10:1• It even brightens their face and appearance Ecc 8:1


4a. For their character as they view others: compassion, humility, gentleness and patience

i. Put others first in a me-first societyii. Never too early to start our children on the path of

serving and blessing others


4a. For their character as they view others: compassion, humility, gentleness and patience

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.


4b. For their character as they view themselves: self control, diligence and their self discipline

i. Clear and consistent rules ii. Setting and maintaining consistent boundariesiii. Identify behaviors & preparing for action


4b. For their character as they view themselves : self control, diligence and their self discipline

Heb 12 :11 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.


5. For their spiritual protectioni. Be involved in your child’s lifeii. Dress them for battle with the armor of God Eph

6:10-18.


5. For their spiritual protection

1 John 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them


6a. For their relationship with you

i. Turn from our selfishness to givingii. Turn from our pride to humilityiii. Turn from our preaching to doing


6 a. For their relationship with you

To be in your children's memories tomorrow, You have to be in their lives today.” - Barbara Johnson


6b. For their relationship with friendsi. Getting to know your child's friendsii. Guide your child to choose friends wisely 1 Cor 15:33iii. Speak over their friends Titus 2:7


7. For their life’s purpose

Jeremiah 29:11-13 1For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me

HOPE FOR THE CHILDLESS

Joshua 1:9. Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you..."

1 John 5:14-15: And this is our confidence, that if we pray according to His will, He will hear us, and give us what we ask for, because our desires are in agreement with His thoughts for us.

Psalm 113:9 He grants the barren woman a home,Like a joyful mother of children.

The covenant keeping God will by His grace cover up for our human failings

Parenting out of fear Parenting out of faith

All your children will be taught of the Lord and have great peace. Isaiah 54:13

Self Improvement

Parenting: Challenges & Promises - Sis Jean George