In this day, sinister and destructive forces are arrayed against the family. Much practical wisdom and grace are needed by parents to raise up godly children.
This seminar will present God’s plan for parenting, defining its mandate and its goal. Using a Biblical paradigm, we will explore the seven ministries of a powerful parent.
Print the PDF resources here for: Powerful Parenting
1. Foundations
- Parenting
- Marriage
- Relationship to God
See: Ephesians 5:1, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 6:6, Malachi 2:15
A. The work of parenting is meant to be a partnership between two people, a husband and a wife (Proverbs 1:8, Exodus 20:12)
B. There is spiritual provision for single parents (Psalm 68:5-6)
C. Parenting is 10% talk and 90% example
D. Fathers, the best gift you can give to your children is to love their mother well – Dr. James Dobson
2. Ownership
To Whom do we belong?
A. God – the giver of life and primary owner (1 Samuel 1:27-28, Job 1:21).
B. The parents – the secondary owners of their children, with delegated authority to govern them (Galatians 4:1-2).
C. Dedicate your children to God (Luke 2:22-24)
3. Parental Responsibilities
A. To care for and govern the child in age – appropriate ways, to inspire trust and to command respect.
B. To represent the Heavenly Father to the child.
To bring the child to Jesus. (Over 80% of those who trust in Christ, do so before the age of 15 years).
The goal of parenting is not independence of the child from the parents, but rather the transfer of the child’s dependence away from the parents to God.
4. Parenting is a Time Limited Process
Contrary to popular opinion, the job of parenting is meant to come to completion in 20 years or so. Parents are meant to work themselves out of a job. It is wisdom to aim for that.
The Significance of Age 20 (Numbers 1:3, Exodus 30:14).
All Israelites over the age of 20 were counted as adults, either to serve in the army or to give an offering to the Lord. This number proved to be absolutely crucial (Number 14:29).
The Significance of Age 12 (Like 2:41-52)
Bar-mitzvah is not the introduction of a child to adulthood, but it is rather a celebration of leaving childhood.
“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’” – Luke 2:29
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol…you shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments.” – Exodus 20:3-6
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – ”that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:1-3
A child cannot at the same time honour God while dishonouring parents. – Exodus 20:12
Parenting styles vary greatly but there are two essential ingredients: Love and discipline.
A Christian Paradigm of Parenting
Based on Seven Pictures of Christ in the book of Revelation.
Each picture of Christ is associated with a deep need of the heart where we long for a parent’s care.
1. Christ is Lord (Controller)
- Seven different messages. Each child is unique.
- Each letter begins with praise. Affirm children.
- Bad behaviour is identified and consequences applied.
- Positive change is rewarded.
- The earthly father as lord:
- All training done in love (Hebrews 12: 5-6)
- Bonds with his child through discipline (training) (Hebrews 12: 8)
- Provides external controls and lovingly enforces them (Hebrews 12: 9-10)
2. Christ is Lamb (Saviour)
- Jesus is the Saviour who delivers me from the penalty of my sins, but he also protects me from danger.
- An earthly father provides protection for his children.
- Three areas in which a parent provides protection: Body, Soul, Spirit
3. Christ is Priest
- The parent as priest: Sympathetic listener (Heb. 4: 5-16)
- Empathy says, “I understand how you feel.”
- Sympathy says, “I feel what you feel” (Rom. 12: 15)
- The parent as priest: Intercessor
- Intercedes for children in prayer
4. Christ is Prophet
- “Listen my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” – Proverbs 1:8
- “He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel which He commanded our forefathers to teach their children so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born” – Psalm 78:5-6
5. Christ is the Judge
- Parents are responsible:
- A. To make wise laws.
- B. To call infractions with fairness.
- C. To make just punishments.
- D. To practice forgiveness (James 2:13)
- E. To be accountable to seek forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32)
- Forgiveness is a legally binding transaction where one surrenders the right to collect on a debt.
6. Christ as King
- The King provides two services:
- A. Provision
- B. Delegated authority
7. Christ as God with us (Comforter) – Heaven = the New Jerusalem
- “Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3
- A parent is to give loving comfort to his children (Psalms 103:13)
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