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Explore how to guide children in wisdom, model a relationship with God, and build a strong spiritual foundation in the family. Discover the importance of training children to honor God and obey His voice. Learn from Psalm 127, Ephesians 5, and Proverbs on fostering wisdom in children and the power of the Lord's guidance. Find insights on parenting effectively through trust in God, listening, and modeling.
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Teaching Children How to Walk in Wisdom
God Loves Kids! Psalm 127: 1Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. . . 3Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward. 4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.
Review: God calls parents to purposefully protect His presence in their homes and to model a living relationship with Him in their family. • Families built on the Rock have a firm foundation to rely on when times get tough. The Word of God models for us how to build a spiritual home. • When parents have a relationship with Jesus themselves, it helps kids to grow in grace and be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. Likewise, when parents rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and bear the fruit of the Spirit, children can begin to understand the transforming, saving power of God.
This Week’s Main Points: • God is the source of all wisdom. • Parents teach their children how to walk wisely when they train their children to honor God, listen to His voice, and obey Him.
Walk as Children of Light Ephesians 5:8 Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness . . . 15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18. . . be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
DIGGING DEEPER #1 • What often determines who people choose to listen to and let influence them? • Who or what has the most powerful influence on your children? • Who do your kids listen to and emulate? • Who do you listen to and aspire to be like?
It’s the child’s heart that really matters. Proverbs 1:1The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
Truths about Children Found in Proverbs • Children are born foolish. • Children are born self-centered. • Children are born with a knowledge of God.
Wisdom Comes from Fearing God Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Wisdom Comes from Fearing God Proverbs 2:9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; 10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, 12 delivering you from the way of evil .
FEAR the LORD? F - Fully E - Embrace A - Almighty’s R - Reign
DIGGING DEEPER #2 • Can parents train a child to be wise and independent, or does it just come naturally with time? • Which do you rely on most to train your kids: consistency, discipline, directing, modeling, honesty, trust, love, Spirit of God, prayer, patience, listening, other? • What could help you parent more effectively?
The Most Efficient and Effective Way to Live Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Lacking Wisdom? • James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. What Does Wisdom Look Like? • James 5:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. . . 17 the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Don’t be content with better than average kids. 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. • Are you looking to the scriptures as your primary source for what to teach and how to train your children? • Are you studying the scriptures diligently, so that you might not only live a godly life yourself, but also pass along that same knowledge to your children? • Are you satisfied with the goal of raising children who act right, while ignoring the “thoughts and intentions of their hearts?” • Are you content to raise children who are better than average, or do you aspire to the high standards of God’s word?
A Lasting Legacy of Faith and Wisdom 2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Our Family Is Our First Mission Field! 2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
DIGGING DEEPER #3 • How should a parent respond if a child resists wisdom and rebels against a parent? Against God? • What can be done to prevent rebellion? • How can truth and grace counter rebellion and impart wisdom?
The Word of God Is a Parent’s Guide to Raising Wise Children Who Fear God 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
DIGGING DEEPER #4 • What are some instances where you gained wisdom? • What helped you finally understand? • Were you taught by someone, or did you just discover it on your own?
Ultimately, Our kids Are in His Hands • God is the source of all wisdom. • Parents teach their children how to walk wisely when they train their children to honor God, listen to His voice, and obey Him. With These Hands By Mark DeYmaz