Weird

Week one - Weird Parenting
Colossians 3:1-21

Weird (def.) - mysteriously strange or fantastic, implying an unearthly or supernatural strangeness

In Christ, we are a new creation, no longer viewing from a worldly perspective (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) - in other words, as followers of Jesus, we ought to be weird.

What does “normal” parenting look like today?
- obviously there’s no such thing as “normal” parenting, or one-size-fits-all parenting
- “Keep up” - latest technology, latest trends
- “Just keep swimming” - overwhelmed parents, everybody’s working, idolatry of busyness
- “Safety first”

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Parents, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. —Colossians 3:1-21

Hallmarks of weird parenting:

1. New priorities
   When your sight lines and end goals change, your priorities change accordingly
   vv 1 and 2 - set your hearts on things above, set your minds on things above
   Compliance, Competence, and Achievement
   Or
   Compelled by Christ’s love

2. Weird kids
   *Weird parenting leads to weird kids. We’ve got to be okay with that. If we parent to the idea of “what everyone else has,” we’ll miss the mark. It’s okay for your kids to be different.
   Technology
   Activities

3. Extra kids
   Our call as the family of God is to parent beyond our capacity, i.e. we don’t just parent our own kids. We belong to each other. As the family of God, we have a responsibility to think bigger and be intentional about how we’re loving and leading all of these children to Jesus.

As followers of Jesus, our parenting looks different - it’s weird, and it leads to extra, weird kids.

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