Monday, December 31, 2012

Wanting God's Best For Your Children- Part 2


So with my previous post in mind, here are 7 steps for use to pass on to parents how to desire God’s best for the inhabitants of their homes.


1. Establish who’s the king of the castl

Joshua 24:15 says “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose
for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

What does this look like for your family? (It’s more than attending church once or twice a week! It’s getting involved on a daily basis. Every educator knows that the students whose parents are involved in their education do better! What changes need to happen for Jesus to be the king of your home.


2. Parents set the example…(it starts with you!) The church cannot do this for you. The church has it’s part to play.
Deuteronomy 6:6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Be an example of living the scriptures. Be an example of serving, going to church. Let your children see you praying, speaking the word, and needing the Lord!

3. You home should be a place of learning God things!
Deuteronomy 6: 7 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.
t’s our job to take back the time you have with your children. This calls for consistent, intentional actions, Watch out for mix signals and too many voices in your home.

4. Keep your marriage strong. If you’re not married, keep your relationships pure. INCLUDE JESUS IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP!

Establish house rules that line up with scripture-

Ephesians 4:32 is a great place to start…Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

A second is…Don’t let the sun go down on an agreement.
Ephesians 4:26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 
Remember it’s your job to model love /true love, to your children!

5. Be willing to parent each of your children differently…
This doesn’t sound fair… All kids are not the same…
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
That way is different for each child. Be willing to let some things go… (Major on the majors…, minor on the minors…) Your child may never make an A in Biology…
They make not ever make their bed automatically without being told. But they need to love the Lord with all their heart, and all their soul, and all their mind. (This was number one at the Wideman house over anything else!)

6. Have fun as a family.
Laugh together, sing together, play together, read together, eat together, pray together! Invite God in the middle of all good times!

Proverbs 17:22 (MSG) “A cheerful disposition is good for your health; 
 gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.


7. Make church, small group, youth group, and serving a priority…

 Hebrews 10:25 (CEB) Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.
A great habit to develop is as soon as you get home…talk about what your learning as a family!

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS, It’s never too late to prioritize and create a plan to help the families that you serve and the children at your house to desire a deeper relationship to Christ and to truly love the Lord with ALL their heart and ALL their mind and ALL their strength!

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