Raising Children/ Grand Children
Proverbs 22:6- planting seeds of success
Psalm 127:3-5- A reward or blessing
Ephesians 6:1-3 Discipline
Ephesians 6:4- Discipline in the wisdom of the Lord
Isaiah 54:13- The way of the Lord brings peace
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Constantly include God in your daily routines
2 Timothy 3:14-17- Make wise for salvation
Colossians 3:21- Do not Discourage
Spiritual leadership in relation to our children or grandchildren should be held vital as the heart is to the human body. These young souls are the future of our nation. They will either be a productive citizen or a destructive citizen. We want to raise Godly men and Godly women who will stand boldly for their faith, but will also enjoy showing their children, the wisdom of God that we have planted in their hearts.
Hosea 10:12 New International Version
12 Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.
Planting seeds require us to prepare the field. The spectrum of the field is the ground in which our children/grandchildren live. Take a good long look at their surroundings and make the necessary changes that will cultivate a rich environment for the groundwork of planting seeds.
Seeds that will take root, hold firm, and produce much fruit. Preparing the soil takes hard work but it will make a huge difference within the spiritual health of the child. Make the child’s environment as safe and rich as possible for the Word of God. In ancient farming the farmer would have to examine the field for stones, pits, or locations of poor water drainage. If discovered, they would then proceed to remove the stones, fill the pits, and level the ground. Having to work the field can be dangerous for the farmer, the animal, the crop, or the equipment if they run into stones, pits, or allows water to drown out young crops. We must remove what we can so that the roots of the crop may grow strong. Eliminate counter worldviews until our children’s roots are strong enough to think through counter beliefs, both logically and apologetically. The questions of doubt, or skeptical opinions are equivalent to the garden locus, mold, or destructive weather that can eat away, cause decay, or uproot the child’s spiritual beliefs.
A leader is wise in how to correct or motivate good behavior. Good discipline uncovers the source of the bad behavior. Was the underlying condition of the fight rooted in jealousy, anger, or something else? To do this, involves us as the spiritual leaders to be well saturated in God’s Word which provides the wisdom of God. This is the same wisdom that we need to guide our children or grandchildren and will need to plant within their heart. Making them wise for salvation, disciplined in the Spirit, encouraged in Biblical affirmation, and to be fully equipped with the gospel that ultimately brings peace for the mind and the soul.
Discussion Questions:
1. In what areas for your children/grandchildren can you help by preparing the soil? Can you make changes in your home? Can you help afford Biblical content for your grandkids? Or simply teach your grandkids when they visit. What about alternative schooling?
2. When in times of misbehavior how can you step back from the situation and look to not only provide discipline but also to provide a learning opportunity?
Proverbs 22:6- planting seeds of success
Psalm 127:3-5- A reward or blessing
Ephesians 6:1-3 Discipline
Ephesians 6:4- Discipline in the wisdom of the Lord
Isaiah 54:13- The way of the Lord brings peace
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Constantly include God in your daily routines
2 Timothy 3:14-17- Make wise for salvation
Colossians 3:21- Do not Discourage
Spiritual leadership in relation to our children or grandchildren should be held vital as the heart is to the human body. These young souls are the future of our nation. They will either be a productive citizen or a destructive citizen. We want to raise Godly men and Godly women who will stand boldly for their faith, but will also enjoy showing their children, the wisdom of God that we have planted in their hearts.
Hosea 10:12 New International Version
12 Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.
Planting seeds require us to prepare the field. The spectrum of the field is the ground in which our children/grandchildren live. Take a good long look at their surroundings and make the necessary changes that will cultivate a rich environment for the groundwork of planting seeds.
Seeds that will take root, hold firm, and produce much fruit. Preparing the soil takes hard work but it will make a huge difference within the spiritual health of the child. Make the child’s environment as safe and rich as possible for the Word of God. In ancient farming the farmer would have to examine the field for stones, pits, or locations of poor water drainage. If discovered, they would then proceed to remove the stones, fill the pits, and level the ground. Having to work the field can be dangerous for the farmer, the animal, the crop, or the equipment if they run into stones, pits, or allows water to drown out young crops. We must remove what we can so that the roots of the crop may grow strong. Eliminate counter worldviews until our children’s roots are strong enough to think through counter beliefs, both logically and apologetically. The questions of doubt, or skeptical opinions are equivalent to the garden locus, mold, or destructive weather that can eat away, cause decay, or uproot the child’s spiritual beliefs.
A leader is wise in how to correct or motivate good behavior. Good discipline uncovers the source of the bad behavior. Was the underlying condition of the fight rooted in jealousy, anger, or something else? To do this, involves us as the spiritual leaders to be well saturated in God’s Word which provides the wisdom of God. This is the same wisdom that we need to guide our children or grandchildren and will need to plant within their heart. Making them wise for salvation, disciplined in the Spirit, encouraged in Biblical affirmation, and to be fully equipped with the gospel that ultimately brings peace for the mind and the soul.
Discussion Questions:
1. In what areas for your children/grandchildren can you help by preparing the soil? Can you make changes in your home? Can you help afford Biblical content for your grandkids? Or simply teach your grandkids when they visit. What about alternative schooling?
2. When in times of misbehavior how can you step back from the situation and look to not only provide discipline but also to provide a learning opportunity?
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