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.
