“PARENTS” RELATIONSHIPS

Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:4 “And now a word to you fathers Ephesians 6:4 “And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.” NLT

1. Focusing on behavior

1. Focusing on behavior -Concentrating on external behavior

1. Focusing on behavior -Concentrating on external behavior -Stopping behavior with the threat of discipline

Behavior control works great when parents are around.

Behavior control works great when parents are around Behavior control works great when parents are around. The problem is that it does not address the problem at hand… depravity.

“Sinful behavior is a symptom of a sinful heart.”

2. Focusing on environment

2. Focusing on environment -Building a cocoon to isolate them from bad influences

2. Focusing on environment -Building a cocoon to isolate them from bad influences -Removing them from every experience of evil

They need to be protected from evil, but not oblivious to it.

They need to be protected from evil, but not oblivious to it They need to be protected from evil, but not oblivious to it. Isolation produces naïve, vulnerable, and defenseless children.

You can shield them and ignore the enemy within… a depraved heart.

“We don’t raise children to survive this world, but to change it for the Lord.”

What is the right approach? Focusing on the heart.

What is the right approach. Focusing on the heart What is the right approach? Focusing on the heart. The remedy for your child’s depravity…Regeneration.

John 3:6-7 “Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit, is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.”

Romans 8:5-9 “ For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to

to God’s law, for it is unable to do so to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you.”

Ephesians 2:1-5 “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our

fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!”

As a parent in the home, your top priority is to be an evangelist.

As a parent in the home, your top priority is to be an evangelist As a parent in the home, your top priority is to be an evangelist. Keep in mind that it is not your job to save your children. Allow the Holy Spirit to do the work. Don’t think that you can force it.

“Children are not a distraction from more important work “Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work. C.S. Lewis

1. Spare your child a heart of anger.

1. Spare your child a heart of anger 1. Spare your child a heart of anger. Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged.”

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Well-meaning overprotection

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Well-meaning overprotection *Favoritism

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Well-meaning overprotection *Favoritism *Pushing achievement beyond reasonable bounds

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Discouragement

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger. Discouragement Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Discouragement *Making them feel unwanted

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger. Discouragement Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Discouragement *Making them feel unwanted *Failing to let them grow up at a normal pace

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Using love as a tool of reward or punishment

Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger Simple ways we can provoke our children to anger *Using love as a tool of reward or punishment *Physical or verbal abuse

2. Guide your child on the path of truth.

2. Guide your child on the path of truth 2. Guide your child on the path of truth. Proverbs 22:6 “Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Hebrews 12:3-11 “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the

Lord’s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then

you are illegitimate children and not sons you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share

His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

A. Discipline them

A. Discipline them *Be clear

A. Discipline them *Be clear *Be consistent

A. Discipline them *Be clear *Be consistent *Be calm

A. Discipline them. Be clear. Be consistent. Be calm A. Discipline them *Be clear *Be consistent *Be calm *Be Christ-centered

B. Instruct them

B. Instruct them *Purity

B. Instruct them *Purity *Friends

B. Instruct them *Purity *Friends *Honesty

B. Instruct them *Purity *Friends *Honesty *Fear of the Lord

YOUR CHILDREN ARE YOUR LEGACY!