The purpose of this message is to explain and champion the significant role that God has ordained within the Christian family in the upbringing of godly children that will be blessed for all eternity. (Mathew 25:34) Exodus 20:12 states:
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
It’s within the Christian household that children are subjected to parental authority which is the first step towards developing an obedient heart which is essential to pleasing God. (John 14:5, Luke 6:46) Children learn that by obeying mom and dad; approval and/or a reward is granted while disapproval and consequences likewise follow disobedience. Therefore; one should expect to struggle to be a successful Christian adult if one does not learn the elementary principle of obeying one’s own parents as a tutor to obeying God’s word later in life. (Galatians 6:7) Our Lord Jesus Christ first demonstrated obedience by being subject to his own parents. (Luke 2:51) Children need to be tutored in the ways of the Lord by devoted parents who are themselves biblically rooted. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) The God given authority of parents as lawgiver and judge; over their own children, need to be upheld and supported by those who name the name of Christ. (Ephesians 6:1) Lawgiving and Judging involves ruling over ones children by setting healthy boundaries to protect and nurture and disciplining bad behavior as often as necessary to remove foolishness and rebellion from the child’s heart that may lead to destruction if left unchecked. (Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 23:14, Proverbs 22:15) Fathers; do not provoke your children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4) by harsh treatment or unrealistic demands. Mothers; focus your primary affection and energy within your home by creating an affirming atmosphere of love and encouragement. (Titus 2:4, Proverbs 31:28) A common adversity facing children today is a flood of evil information by today’s media. Parents need to censor dangerous anti-God/ anti-parental authority information that children are exposed to through home internet, mobile devices, and TV, video games, and radio broadcasts. Parents must instead learn to intentionally convey biblical truth to their children during every day mundane events. (Deuteronomy 11:19) Learn to listen to your children’s problems and work towards meeting your children’s needs to establish trust and assurance within your child’s heart so that’s God’s faithfulness will be modeled to your impressionable children. (Proverbs 20:6)
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