- Our Children belong to God
- Parenting is Spiritual Warfare
- You are to be a faithful tool in the hands of our Lord
- Parenting is the single most important calling on earth
- Parents who are too controlled by possessions (acquiring, maintaining, financing them) are too busy to invest in their children
- Commitment to ministry work should not come before parenting
- Teaching children God’s way is protecting them
- You are inadequate without God to parent your children so go to Him often!
- Model the behavior you want to see (asking forgiveness, prayer) but keep the lines of adult/child clear
- Changing the behavior of the child is teaching them what is right- it is right to obey
- Rest in your identity in Christ not in something you do (ie: perfect parent, job acclaim)
- Parenting is a lifelong process (don’t check out after a certain age)
- Children aren’t just selfish and rebellious, they are blind to their actions
- Don’t turn God given moments of ministry into reasons to be angry
- Pray for increased levels of the Fruit of the Spirit
- Children need authority, rules, enforcement, and to be held accountable
- Children believe the lie of autonomy, that they should be able to live any way they choose
- Children get a picture of God’s authority by the way we parent
19. Exercising consistent authority is doing gospel work. (speak firmly and don’t confuse your discipline by adding “I love you” this is sending mixed messages about the seriousness of your discipline.
20 It’s the heart of a child that causes them to act “keep your heart with all vigilance” therefore if you spend quality time everyday playing with the children you will be in their heart and they will obey
21.”Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.” (Prov 22:15)
22. Much of the wrong kids do is not rebellion but lack of character. Teach rules, manners and respect for things in the home.
23. If pleasure controls your heart you will not respond appropriately to the kids
24 Parents must cause worship realignment in their children- Misplaced worship leads to character deficiency. They become enslaved to pleasure.
25 If “things” rule their heart, possessions will damage their life
26. Children worship something: being in control, the opinions of others, possessions, etc and become entitled, demanding, complaining, needlessly competitive and proud. We must point out what they can’t see- realign them with the two most important commandments: Love God and Love others (while not supporting behaviors opposed to God’s Word.)
27: Parents must faithfully hold God’s high standard because modeling is the best teacher.
28. Give children God’s law and the household rules
29. Teach them that every sin is a fist in the face of God
30. Correct them from an attitude of sadness about their misbehavior rather than anger
31 Every moment you are parenting, you are being parented by God
32 Weakness is a blessing because we can turn to God for direction and strength and He will give it to us. “when I am weak you are strong within me”(2 Cor 12:10)
33. Success is about faithfulness- being the present parent- watching, teaching over and over so they know you care and they know you can be counted on
34 Mercy is not about being wishy-washy, letting down standards, letting children decide what they’re too young to decide, it’s not about “yes” and never “no”
35 Parenting makes you aware of your weaknesses so that you cry out to God and repent. Repentance breaks the chain of further sin
36 You have been called to introduce the Law to your children and then to be a model of Grace
37 Point your kids to Jesus everyday
38 You are simply called to expose what is bad, point to what is good and talk about the Redeemer
39 Confess your faults in front of children
40 Pray without ceasing and in front of your children and do all of these things over and over and over again!
