Ps. 145:4; Prov.
13:22; Mt. 18:1-14
Life Lesson:
Jesus values children greatly, so we should bless them intentionally.
Matthew 18:1-14
. . .
Jesus uses children as a model for our
salvation (1-4).
Blessing or hurting children has great
consequences (5-6).
Make haste to not hurt them (7-9).
Treat them very special – bless them
(10-14).
WAYS TO BLESS THE CHILDREN AROUND YOU .
. .
1.
Declare His wonders to your children (Ps. 71:17-18).
It’s
the personalizing of what the Lord has done for us that really carried impact
and weight with our kids. When wisdom
from the Bible can be paralleled with a parent’s personal testimony – it
registers biblical truth for a child in a way that nothing else can. Telling your family’s tribal stories to your
kids makes the work of God active and alive to them and helps them recognize
that His blessings are available today.
– Jack Hayford, Blessing Your Children
a)
Tell
your children how the Lord saved you (Ex. 12:24-27).
b)
Tell
your children about the Lord’s provision for you (Ex. 16:32).
c)
Tell
your children how you’ve failed but the Lord forgave you (Nu. 16:38).
d)
Tell
your children how God has guided you (Jo. 4:5-7).
e)
Tell
your children how God has delivered you (Est. 9:26-28).
f)
Tell
your children about God’s judgment and mercy (Joel 1:2-4).
2. Speak blessings on your children (Prov.
18:21; Nu. 6:24-26).
We can bless
through an arm over the shoulder, an embrace in a time of disappointment, a pat
on the back, a whisper in the ear, a snug tucking in bed, or a kiss on the
cheek. However, the most affirming are
spoken blessings. Words that affirm and
approve, words that compliment, words that speak love and affection, words that
give hope and confidence, words that answer pain and disappointment with
support and faith. Life is transmitted
through spoken blessings!
3. Establish protective boundaries.
Know
your children’s friends.
Be the “heavy” when necessary.
Be the “heavy” when necessary.
Monitor
the entertainment.
Talk with your children.
Talk with your children.
Be
the watchman over electronic devices.
Sanctify them by God’s truth.
Sanctify them by God’s truth.
4. Create a family culture marked by
freedom and fun.
Create a family
culture and environment that make home life and the family a sanctuary where
children can grow up in Christ. Make
your home a haven and hub of ministry and activity.
5. Teach them how to worship God and serve
others.
Parenting
in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship by Robbie Castleman
Parents teach
their children how to make beds, hit baseballs, figure fractions, and shop
wisely. How are we training our children
to worship God? James Dobson says the
first seven years of a child’s life are “prime time” for this training. He asks the following two questions of
parents: Is your child learning to behave
properly in church – to worship God? Is
he or she learning to honor the Lord’s Day as a day of worship and rest? Teaching your children to worship, parenting
in the pew, is entering the house of your heavenly Father and saying, “Daddy, I
would like you to meet my children.”
6. Practice Tom Elliff’s Ten Commandments
of Parenting . . . (taken from Letters to
Lovers: Wisdom for Every Season of Your Marriage by Tom and Jeannie Elliff)
The
Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11-32) as a story about one father’s love for his family.
1. Don’t
allow past disappointments to alter your present determination.
2. Practice and teach the optimistic faith
view that every problem can be solved by God and following His plan.
3. Build
into them a sense of godly principle.
4. Set the standard for forgiving.
5. Do not dwell on past mistakes.
6. Go out of your way to ensure family
harmony and unity.
7. Make certain that you properly respond
to proper behavior.
8. Deal with your children according to
their God-given personalities.
9. Do not overlook golden opportunities to
teach scriptural principles.
10. Be home with them.
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