Designing Children For The Lord

Designing Children

Psalm 127:3-5

Intro. God gives us children to raise for His glory.

-He gives us guidelines in His word for raising them

-It’s been said that it would help if children came with an instruction manual.

-They do…it’s called the Bible

-It is when we abandon Bible principles that we get

our selves in trouble.

-God tells us how to design our children.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he

should go: and when he is old, he will not depart

from it.

1. We must first dedicate them.

-Hanna 1 Samuel 1:20-28

--Lent – a play on worlds…giving him up in prayer

--She prayed and God answered

--She is now offering up her child as her answer to

God.

--It was for life. Vs 28

-We must dedicate our children to the Lord.

-They have been placed into our care.

-Not just in a dedication service (recommended)

-They should be dedicated every day.

2. Disciple them

-Ephesians 6:4

-Note this is written to fathers.

-Nurture -- the whole training and education of children.

-Admonition – what God says. (exhortation)

--It begins with Deuteronomy 6:4-9

--Teach them in the home

--The church doesn’t do it for you.

--They church alone is not enough.

--Often parents teach their children one thing at

home and expect the church to straighten them out.

-In devotions

--They should be hearing about Moses and Abraham

from you….

--Read the Word to them

--Read them Bible Stories.

---Better then watching TV.

--Follow up on Sunday School

--Teach them By example

--Don’t tell your children it wrong to lie and then tell them to lie for you on the phone.

3. Discipline them

Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a

child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

-You have two tools...

--A rod -- switch

--Reproof – punishment by other means.

-Appropriate discipline.

--Sometimes a child is just being a child.

---Teach them. (misbehavior should not be

brushed off as just being “cute”.

--Sometimes they are being irresponsible.

---Make them responsible.

---This takes time and effort.

-Sometimes they are rebellious.

-This is the only time the Bible says to use the rod.

-Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the

heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall

drive it far from him.

-There is a proper time to spank a child.

-There is a proper place to spank a child (in secret).

-There is a proper way. (not out of anger)

4. Direct them – Jeremiah 29:12

-Just as God has a plan for your life, He also has a

plan for your children’s life.

-The question is not “What do you want to do”

-The question is “What do you think God want’s you to do”.

-Direct them in God’s will.

-Direct them in with Godly wisdom.

-Help them make right choices.

5. Detach them

-Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his

father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

-There should come a time of leaving.

-Let them go.

-One of the greatest causes for problems in marriages is the mother in law who will not let go of her daughter.

--MOVE AWAY!

-I’m not talking about abandonment here.

--Pray for them

--Encourage them

--Be there for them…they will need you.

-But let them go…They’re adults now…

-Ps 127:4 Arrows were not meant to say in the

quiver. (shoot your kids)

Conclusion:

-Dedicate your children

-Dedicate yourself to designing them for God.