Christian Parenting [26 mb]

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This is a sermon that was preached regarding the task of Christian parenting and passing the faith on to the next generation. This sermon coincided with the dedication of three children to the Lord during our worship service.

Written Excerpts:

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

Introduction:

Today we have had the happy occasion of dedicating three beautiful girls to the Lord at the request and choice of their parents who have promised to nurture them in the knowledge of the Lord.

I wanted to speak a message from God’s Word today that is appropriate for the occasion, but the message on my heart is not a sermon merely directed at these who have presented their children for dedication to the Lord, but it is a message for all of us to take to heart. I pray that the Lord will help all of us to recognize the fact that we all play an important role in helping our children know Jesus as their personal Savior and to see something in us that makes them desire to have what we have.

I could reminisce a little this morning if we had time and talk about some of the people in our church when I was growing up. I could name you several different names of individuals in our church that I knew had a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. I listened to their testimonies and saw them praise God even when times were tough and I would frequently tell myself, “That’s the kind of Christian I want to be.”

Dear friends, that is the kind of influence we can have on our kids. Yes, the parents have the bulk of the responsibility for their training, but you and I have the privilege and responsibility as well to demonstrate a life before them that makes them hungry to know the Lord as we do. Let’s live up to it.

Today I want to talk to you a little while about “Christian Parenting.” I suppose that you already know without me saying so that this topic is so large there is no way we can cover it today. Let me briefly touch on a few critical aspects of being a Christian parent.

I.          To be a Christian parent one must first of all have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

In other words, in order to be a Christian parent, one has to be a Christian! But, we are not simply talking about claiming a specific religion or a basic knowledge of the Bible. I am talking about being born again by the Spirit of God. (John 3:3) It is impossible to pass something on to our children that we do not possess ourselves.

Acts 1:8 “…ye shall be witnesses unto me…”

One cannot be a witness about something that he / she has no direct knowledge or experience of. A witness cannot testify on the hearsay of another person. All of us here need to recognize the vital importance for each of us to be certain of our relationship with Christ and let our lives testify to a vibrant, winsome and holy life. Our kids are watching each of us and they know how to spot a phony.

II.        To be a Christian parent means we make every effort to successfully pass the knowledge of God on to our children.

Turn with me to Judges 2:7, 10, 16-17.

I want you to notice the pattern that is described in these verses.

When the generation that grew up during the leadership of Joshua died off, their children are described as “not knowing the Lord, nor the work which He had done for Israel.”

John Wesley – knew not; “[they had] no experimental, nor serious and affectionate knowledge of God, or of His works.”

The people that followed the Lord and did know what God had done failed to successfully pass the faith and knowledge on to their children, and therefore that next generation abandoned the ways of the Lord.

What all is involved in this effort to pass the knowledge of God to our children? According to Deuteronomy 6:6-7 it is a lifestyle that is permeated with the knowledge and the presence of God.

Key words: “And 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. 

In other words, you are to teach them at all times, in every manner possible or imaginable and in circumstance. In other words, “Don’t let one opportunity slip by without somehow turning it into a lesson about God’s provision and His wonderful grace.

This passage seems to be speaking primarily about a consistent life that matches up with what we say. Sure, we talk of God’s truths in all times of the day and in all kinds of circumstances, but that talking must be backed up with consistent living.

Now, do we always succeed at this? Not me. If I take a serious look back over my life and the years my kids were growing up, I know I missed some opportunities. But, we can’t let the moments of failure discourage us from continuing to do the best we can. We can’t afford to give up and give in.

III.       To be a Christian parent means we never give up intercessory prayer for our children to personally know God and make heaven their home.

Pray, pray, pray!!

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4 ³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: ⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Ephesians 6:12   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The Devil is fighting hard for the souls of our kids and grandkids. We must not give up praying and striving against the forces of evil that would destroy them and tear them down.

Conclusion:

Friends, our children are the most valuable “possessions” we have. I was talking to a young mother not long ago and I was trying to help her understand that bringing a child into this world is an awesome responsibility.

That son or daughter is a living soul that will never cease to exist, and will live forever in either heaven or hell. May God help all of us to take seriously our responsibilities – not only as parents, but as Christian adults who have an influence over the minds and hearts of our children.