PURPOSEFUL PARENTING THAT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD
Luke 19:10
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. The parallels behind your child’s physical maturity and
his spiritual maturity:
Nourishment + exercise x time = maturity (to reproduce)
B. Parenting by “insulating” without “isolating” the child:
(shepherding the heart) (Jn. 17:15) (See also Lk. 6:46;
Jn. 15:14)
C. Fruitfulness, the “litmus test” of your parenting:
What “fruit” is all about: Fruit is designed for the enjoyment of
those around me. Fruit glorifies the Father because it makes
Jesus a reality to everyone around me. Fruit is my passion to
tell God’s love story, to anyone who has yet to experience it.
More fruit is to sacrificially serve with others (local church) to be
even more productive in telling God’s love story. Much fruit is
abandoning my life to individually build into others, so that
God’s love story will be shared for years to come. (Compare Jn.
21:19,22; with Mk. 1:17)
II. MAKING “GLORIOUS JOY” YOUR FAMILY’S
CENTERPIECE: (See I Pet. 1:8)
A. Defining my parental purpose (Christ’s purpose,
church’s purpose, my purpose, mate’s purpose, child’s
purpose):(Jn. 10:10b; Lk. 19:10; II Cor. 5:20; I Pet. 2:21; Mt.
28:19-20; Acts 1:8)
1. “Reaching our world for Christ” today, tomorrow, and
for yeas to come: (Jn. 17:20)
2. Addressing the myth about saving others: (I Cor.
9:19-22; Rom. 11:14)
- The opportunity of today, coupled with the
consequences tomorrow: (See back)
(II Cor. 5:10-11; Ezek. 33:7-10; Acts 20:20, 26-27; I
Thes. 2:19) (Make a list of all the people you know
from previous chapters of your life that you are no
longer around)
B. Modeling my parental purpose:
1. Extended family:
2. Employment:
3. Neighborhood:
4. Family network (classroom, activities, special
interests)
C. Practically prioritizing my parental purpose:
1. Building a list of lost contacts:
2. Praying daily for open door and open mouth:
(Eph. 6:19)
3. Prioritizing opportunities (home, church,
transportation, etc.)
4. Mastering helpful resources (tracts, personal
testimony, tithing)
5. Celebrating salvations as a family wherever they take
place:
III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)
A. Parents, take the time to evaluate your present purpose
in life, as well as each family member. (children,
grandchildren)
B. Ask yourself how you can make where you work, live,
and who you are related to, part of Christ’s story at the
expense of your story.
Happiness is the goal of my story, joy is the goal of
Christ’s story.
C. The Scriptures present the urgency in making “Christ’s
last command, our first concern,” in this present chapter
of our family’s life. (II Cor. 6:2b)
Sinners Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I was made by you and I was made for you, but
I have been living for myself. I am sorry for that self-rule you call sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ being my creator God, died, was buried,
and rose again to pay the insurmountable debt that my sin has
created since birth. So right now, I am turning from a life of going my
own way, to by faith, place my trust in Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of
all my sin, and to get me to heaven, when I breath my last breath.
Lord Jesus, from today on, I am yours. Thanks for saving me, this
very moment, in Jesus name, Amen.
If you just made this life changing decision, we would love to draw
along side and help you grow now in Christ. Call Grace Bible Church
at (509) 684-5936. If get an answering service, we will promptly get
back with you as soon as possible. You can also connect with us on
Facebook. Once again, share this worship service now with all your
loved ones on Facebook to give the good news of the gospel to those
who might have hesitated to visit this local church or with those who
live miles away.
Cats in the Cradle
A child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, “I’m gonna be like you dad
You know I’m gonna be like you”
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin’ home, dad, I don’t know when
But we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, “Thanks for the ball, dad, come on let’s play
Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today
I got a lot to do”, he said, “That’s okay”
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed’
And said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him”
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the the man in the moon
When you comin’ home, dad, I don’t know when
But we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then
Well, he came from college jut the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head and he said with a smile
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?”
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin’ home, son, I don’t know when
But we’ll get together then, Dad
I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said, “I’d love to Dad, if I could find the time”
“You see my new job’s a hassle and the kids have the flue
Bit it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad
It’s been sure nice talking to you”
And as I hung u[ the phone it had occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin’ home, son, I don’t know when
But we’ll get together then, Dad
We’re gonna have a good time then