Kids Under Construction
Scripture Reading: Psalm 144:10-15
Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Ephes. 6:4 [Living] And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice.
Introduction:
KIDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!
From the moment of conception, God has a plan for every child. He has a plan for that child to become a beautiful temple in which His Holy Spirit can reside.
1 Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
It is God’s plan that every child learn of Him and His love, and that every child grow up to be a vessel of honor to Him and His kingdom (2 Tim. 2:21).
Far too often, the devil has successfully thwarted the plan of God. One way is through abortion. Another way is through the failure of parents to give their children proper guidance and Godly instruction in their formative years (in my opinion, this is from birth to the time they leave home).
God, in His Holy Word, has placed the responsibility upon parents to give their children the upbringing that prepares them for lives pleasing to Him, and that enables them to become the beautiful temple of God that He planned for them to be.
Our children (as well as ourselves) will be under construction throughout their lives. However, it the parents responsibility to make sure that the proper foundation has been laid by Godly training.
Some may ask, “How can this be done?” Give heed to the following.
I. Kids Under Construction Must Have A Good Foundation.
1 Cor. 3:11 [GW] After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ.
A. A good foundation is laid through Biblical training.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Matthew Henry: Train children, not in the way they would go, that of their corrupt hearts, but in the way they should go; in which, if you love them, you would have them go. As soon as possible every child should be led to the knowledge of the Saviour.
II. Kids Under Construction Need A Godly Example.
Illustration: A father and his son were in company, when, to the question "What will you take to drink?" the son replied, "I’ll take what father takes." The thought of his responsibility flashed upon the father, who answered, "I’ll take water." Another choice might have sent his son into a drunkard’s grave.
Titus 2:7 [Living] ....you yourself must be an example to them of good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect your love of the truth and the fact that you are in dead earnest about it.
Hebrews 12:13 [Living]....mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you,...., will not fall and hurt themselves but become strong.
1 Tim. 4:12 ....be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
A. Being a Christian is basic to being a Godly example.
B. The Bible teaches that God formed us (Gen. 2:7).
C. Sin deformed us (Gen. 3:1-7).
1. Sin will take you farther than you intended to go; keep you longer than you planned to stay; and cost you more than you wanted to pay!!!
D. Christ transforms us (Rom. 12:1-2).
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1. How can this happen?? Look at....
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
E. Example is a far better teacher than oral instruction alone.
III. Kids Under Construction Should Be Dedicated To The Lord.
A. Examples: Samuel (1 Sam. 1:28)
Jesus (Luke 2:22)
B. Realize that your child is a gift from God.
Psalm 127:3 [Living] Children are a gift from God; they are his reward.
C. Give them back to the Lord (dedicate them) even before they are born, and after their birth, do it through public ceremony.
IV. Kids Under Construction Must Be Taught Obedience Through Biblical Discipline.
Illustration: Aaron was an eleven-year-old boy whose behavior was described by Dr. William Glasser, his psychiatrist, as horrible. In his book, Reality Therapy, Glasser says Aaron was the most obnoxious child he had ever met. The boy would kick, scream, run away and hide, become withdrawn, disrupt his classes and make everyone disgusted with him. Dr. Glasser saw one problem with Aaron that no one else observed: "No one had ever told him that he was doing wrong." No one had ever set limits on what he could do and not do. The psychiatrist decided to try a completely new tack. The boy would have to behave, to act reasonable, or be punished. He responded remarkably. "Probably because he had been anxious for so long to be treated in a realistic way." Thus he became courteous, well behaved, and his miserable grades went to straight A’s. For the first time in his life Aaron began to play constructively with other children, to enjoy honest relationships with others, and to stop blaming his troubles on his mother or other people. Dr. Glasser calls this "reality therapy" and says one of an individual’s greatest needs is to be made to realize that he is personally
responsible for what he does and that right behavior accomplishes more than wrong behavior.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Proverbs 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
A. If children are not taught to respect and obey their parents, there is a good chance that they will not learn to reverence and obey God.
B. View discipline as an ongoing process of helping your child ultimately to become self-controlled and self-disciplined.
Proverbs 13:24 [Living] If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him; for if you love him, you will be prompt to punish him.
V. Kids Under Construction Must Be Exposed To A Wholesome Environment.
A. An environment of love and understanding.
B. Expose them to good, wholesome entertainment (good TV, the park, family games, etc.).
C. Teach them to associate with wholesome and beneficial friends.
Proverbs 16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
Illustration: As a child growing up, my mother constantly drilled into me that “you are known by the company you keep.”
D. Bring your children to God’s house.
Hebrews 10:25 [Living] Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
1. Show them the importance of church attendance by your own attendance.
Conclusion:
Bring Down a Son
1. Provide him with plenty of free spending money.
2. Permit him to choose his own companions without restraint or direction.
3. Give him a latchkey and allow him to return home at any hour of the night.
4. Make no inquiry as to where and with whom he spends his leisure hours.
5. Give him to understand that manners make a good substitute for morals.
6. Let him expect pay for every act of helpfulness.
7. Let him spend his church-time hours on the street instead of in church.
8. Be careful never to let him hear you pray.
Bring Up a Son
1. Make home the brightest and most attractive place on earth.
2. Make him responsible for the performance of a limited number of daily duties.
3. Never punish him in anger.
4. Do not ridicule his conceits, but rather talk frankly on matters in which he is interested.
5. Let him invite his friends to your home and table.
6. Be careful to impress upon his mind that making character is more important than making
money.
7. Live uprightly before him at all times; then you will be able to talk to him with power.
8. Be much in prayer for his spiritual salvation and growth, pray with him daily as well as
praying for him in private.
