#1. Children are a gift from God. (Children are part of God’s plan for families)
Ps. 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Gifts are to be cherished, especially when they come from someone you admire and esteam. Gifts of great value are sought after. At World Outreach Church we realize that kids are the most valuable procession a young family has. Although parents realize this when their kids are small they relax after a few years. (Much like parking a new car far away then after a few dings parking it just anywhere.) Parents, you have a responsibility to guard and protect your child at every age, whether you are working alone or with a team.
#2. The responsibility for training children about God was given to parents! Deut. 4:9 says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. These verses where not written for pastors, it was written for parents. The phrase “in the way he should go” refers to God’s plan and desire for your child. What does God want for your child? What do you want for your child? No one can hit a goal without a vision. Proverbs 29:18 tells us “Where there is no vision people perish. Your kids need to know what you and God desires for them. When I was a child grownups always asked me 3 questions. What’s your name? How old are you? And, what do you want to be when you grow up? I hear them only asking kids today the first 2. I think kids need to ask God the question, “What is your plan for me?” But parents also need to make a vision for their kids and your home.
Here is a sample list of mine and Julie’s goals and vision for our kids.
1. We desire that they know God and love his Word (To be a fully devoted follower of Christ)
2. For all of us to be a close family
3. We desire for our children to exhibit Godly character and have a Biblical world view!
4. We desire for our children to fulfill the plan God has for them (career/vocation)
5. For our children to have a good work ethic, and be responsible with all that is entrusted to them
6. To provide and develop skills, abilities, education & training needed for our
children to fulfill God’s plan.
7. For our children to be an example to others and to be a difference maker to all those whom they encounter in all relationships.
8. For our children to enjoy life (hobbies, interests etc.)
These were our goals what are yours? The truth is if you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.
Ps. 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Gifts are to be cherished, especially when they come from someone you admire and esteam. Gifts of great value are sought after. At World Outreach Church we realize that kids are the most valuable procession a young family has. Although parents realize this when their kids are small they relax after a few years. (Much like parking a new car far away then after a few dings parking it just anywhere.) Parents, you have a responsibility to guard and protect your child at every age, whether you are working alone or with a team.
#2. The responsibility for training children about God was given to parents! Deut. 4:9 says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. These verses where not written for pastors, it was written for parents. The phrase “in the way he should go” refers to God’s plan and desire for your child. What does God want for your child? What do you want for your child? No one can hit a goal without a vision. Proverbs 29:18 tells us “Where there is no vision people perish. Your kids need to know what you and God desires for them. When I was a child grownups always asked me 3 questions. What’s your name? How old are you? And, what do you want to be when you grow up? I hear them only asking kids today the first 2. I think kids need to ask God the question, “What is your plan for me?” But parents also need to make a vision for their kids and your home.
Here is a sample list of mine and Julie’s goals and vision for our kids.
1. We desire that they know God and love his Word (To be a fully devoted follower of Christ)
2. For all of us to be a close family
3. We desire for our children to exhibit Godly character and have a Biblical world view!
4. We desire for our children to fulfill the plan God has for them (career/vocation)
5. For our children to have a good work ethic, and be responsible with all that is entrusted to them
6. To provide and develop skills, abilities, education & training needed for our
children to fulfill God’s plan.
7. For our children to be an example to others and to be a difference maker to all those whom they encounter in all relationships.
8. For our children to enjoy life (hobbies, interests etc.)
These were our goals what are yours? The truth is if you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 tells us how much time God think you need to disciple your children. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Who and what you give your time to determines if your children will get the gospel. How are you using your mornings, evenings, time at home and travel time? Are they devoted to discipling your children or mostly other things. Training is more than verbal instruction. Training calls for a model or example. Training takes a trainer and a trainee. It also takes consistency! Training children to be doers of the Word is a full time job and takes more instruction than a child can get on Sunday and Wednesday only.
Who and what you give your time to determines if your children will get the gospel. How are you using your mornings, evenings, time at home and travel time? Are they devoted to discipling your children or mostly other things. Training is more than verbal instruction. Training calls for a model or example. Training takes a trainer and a trainee. It also takes consistency! Training children to be doers of the Word is a full time job and takes more instruction than a child can get on Sunday and Wednesday only.
Anyone out there that would care to share your goals or vision for your family?
ReplyDelete"If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time." So true! So many people enter parenthood and approach parenting without much thought about the end product.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I want my kids to be like AS ADULTS, is an important, even critical question to ask long before they approach adulthood.
Once we have a vision of what we hope them to be like as Godly men and women, we can create a game plan around and in support of that final vision that will much more likely produce the desired ends we all want for our little ones.