Part 6: “One Thing is Needed” - God’s Guidance for the Nurturing of Our Children

Nurturing Our Children
Written By Benjamin Beck

God’s Guidance for the Nurturing of Our Children

Week 6:   “One Thing is Needed” …Providing the Spiritual Leadership Your Child Needs 

A.  “One Thing is Needed” Download Worksheet

  • Luke 10:41-42  And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

  • Matthew 16:26   For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

B.  Providing Spiritual Leadership

            1.  Be the Living Role Model….The most powerful witness to the gospel.

                        a.  Example:  Timothy

  • Philippians 2:19-22   But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

  • Where did he get his faith?.....2 Timothy 1:5  “…when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”

b.  When children see genuine godliness in their parents it is a powerful witness

THE TWO MOST POWERFUL INFLUENCES IN THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION OF OUR CHILDRENS LIVES…….1.  GENUINE GODLY PARENTS

            2.  Be proactive in nurturing your children’s spiritual life

                        a.  Live the gospel before them

                        b.  Speak the gospel to them

YOU ARE YOUR CHILDRENS PRIMARY S.S. TEACHER AND YOUTH GROUP LEADER

                        c.  Show them their need for Christ

                                    a.  When correcting them

                                    b.  When they have fears

            3.  Be actively involved in your local church

THE SECOND MOST POWERFUL INFLUENCE:  2. THE LOCAL CHURCH AND ESPECIALLY BIBLICAL PREACHING

                        a.  A Biblical Church:  one that believes, preaches and lives out true biblical faith.

  • Preferably a Small Church

  • Preferably an Intergenerational Church

  • Absolutely (this is a non-negotiable) one that practices:  Biblical, Expository, Applicatory Preaching

    • Romans 10:14,17  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    • 1 Corinthians 2:4-5  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.



  • It forms their world view

  • God becomes big, glorious and holy

  • Christ becomes precious

  • The world becomes fragile, temporary and not all important

  • The Bible is seen as authoritative, true and worthy to be listened to.

b.  The Result

c.  Application:  Have your children worshipping with you at a young age:

  • At 3-4 begin to train

  • Instruct them about every aspect of worship

  • Let them see you sing, pray, give and “be a hearer and doer” (James 1:22)

  • Teach them how to listen to sermons

  • Review the sermon at home and apply it to the them (and you)

4.  Have Family Devotions

5.  Pray for Your Children

C. Closing Remarks:

            A.  Keep your marriage strong:

                        1.  You need each other… and you kids need you together and close

“Team: Child-Rearing”

                        2.  You will be the primary role model for their marriage

                        3.  You will possible have lots of years after they leave the home

                        4.  Application:  Get Breaks!!  (it’s a tough job)

                                    a.  5 minute Date

                                    b.  Date Nights

                                    c.  Over Night

                                    d.  Resource:  Having the Wonderful Marriage God Intends:

 
marraige.jpg

Having the Wonderful Marriage God Intends

 

            B. Goal… ”Those 2 People:  Love God and Love Me”

  • Matthew 22:36-40   “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Helpful Resources for Child Rearing:

Digging Deeper: Additional Talks in This Series,  http://www.crossroadschristianfellowship.org/

Shepherding a Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp

Age of Opportunity, by Paul David Tripp

Gospel-Powered Parenting, by William Farley

The Strong Willed Child; Dare to Discipline; Parenting Isn’t For Cowards, all by Dr. James Dobson

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters; Boys Should Be Boys, both by Meg Meeker

A Help to Domestic Happiness, by John Angell James

The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in its Proper Place, By Andy Crouch

Magnum Opus XI,  Jan’s blog, great resource for Wives and Moms and raising a family, www.magnumopusXI.com

Benjamin Beck http://beckxco.com
Previous

Part 5: That Strong Willed Child & The Challenge of Technology - God’s Guidance for the Nurturing of Our Children
Next

Digging Deeper: Nurturing a Work Ethic