children – an invitation to growth deuteronomy 6:1-25

Children – An Invitation to Children – An Invitation to GrowthGrowth

Children – An Invitation to Children – An Invitation to GrowthGrowth

Deuteronomy 6:1-25Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Perspectives on Children TodayPerspectives on Children TodayPerspectives on Children TodayPerspectives on Children Today

• ““Children have become so demanding that Children have become so demanding that they are now likely to break up marriages they are now likely to break up marriages rather than save them, according to rather than save them, according to research that has overturned conventional research that has overturned conventional wisdom.” (wisdom.” (Demands of children lift divorce Demands of children lift divorce raterate, by Tom Robbins – as reported in , by Tom Robbins – as reported in November 18, 2003 in New Straits Times)November 18, 2003 in New Straits Times)

Perspectives of Youths TodayPerspectives of Youths TodayPerspectives of Youths TodayPerspectives of Youths Today

• ““There is no one family style for everyone. There is no one family style for everyone. What is behind the compassion for boys What is behind the compassion for boys who are fatherless is not who are fatherless is not compassioncompassion. It is . It is adult cover up of adult crimes… adult cover up of adult crimes… legitimizing adult irresponsibility to legitimizing adult irresponsibility to promote adult choices at the expense of promote adult choices at the expense of youth.” (from a Boy Scouts Publication in youth.” (from a Boy Scouts Publication in US in 1996)US in 1996)

Biblical Perspective of ChildrenBiblical Perspective of ChildrenBiblical Perspective of ChildrenBiblical Perspective of Children

• And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (Matthew 18:3-6)


• Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew (Matthew 19:13-14)19:13-14)


• "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28)


• Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5)

God gave us children to help God gave us children to help us grow!!us grow!!

God gave us children to help God gave us children to help us grow!!us grow!!

The Challenge of Passing on a The Challenge of Passing on a Godly HeritageGodly Heritage

The Challenge of Passing on a The Challenge of Passing on a Godly HeritageGodly Heritage

• Teaching of the “Fear of the LORD” Teaching of the “Fear of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:2)(Deuteronomy 6:2)– School does not teach thatSchool does not teach that– Culture does not teach thatCulture does not teach that– Media does not teach thatMedia does not teach that

• You cannot pass on what you do not haveYou cannot pass on what you do not have

• Our children challenge us to integrity (walk Our children challenge us to integrity (walk the talk)the talk)

The Challenge of Investing Time to The Challenge of Investing Time to Teach & TrainTeach & Train

The Challenge of Investing Time to The Challenge of Investing Time to Teach & TrainTeach & Train

• Every move teaches and trains Every move teaches and trains (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)(Deuteronomy 6:7-9)– TeachTeach– Talk (sit, walk, lie down, rise up) – integrated Talk (sit, walk, lie down, rise up) – integrated

in lifein life– Bind on hand & frontals of foreheadBind on hand & frontals of forehead– Doorposts & gatesDoorposts & gates

• Are we a follower of Jesus Christ as a Are we a follower of Jesus Christ as a “way of life”?“way of life”?

• Our children challenge us to consistencyOur children challenge us to consistency

The Challenge of Raising Up The Challenge of Raising Up LeadershipLeadership

The Challenge of Raising Up The Challenge of Raising Up LeadershipLeadership

• Importance of the “male” in leadership training Importance of the “male” in leadership training (Deuteronomy 6:2, 7)(Deuteronomy 6:2, 7)

• God’s design vs. Superior-inferior issueGod’s design vs. Superior-inferior issue• When male leadership failsWhen male leadership fails

– Primary reason for youth social illsPrimary reason for youth social ills– Distortion of gender developmentDistortion of gender development– Failure to understand Fatherhood of GodFailure to understand Fatherhood of God

• ““A good father is better than a thousand A good father is better than a thousand teachers”teachers”

• Our children challenge us to priorityOur children challenge us to priority

““Am I too late?”Am I too late?”““Am I too late?”Am I too late?”

Praying for our HomesPraying for our HomesPraying for our HomesPraying for our Homes

• A father to the fatherless, a defender of A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (Psalm 68:5)(Psalm 68:5)


• Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. (Isaiah 43:5)gather you from the west. (Isaiah 43:5)

• But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. (Isaiah 49:25)and your children I will save. (Isaiah 49:25)


• This is what the LORD says: "Restrain This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,“ from tears, for your work will be rewarded,“ declares the LORD. "They will return from declares the LORD. "They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land. children will return to their own land. (Jeremiah 31:16-17)(Jeremiah 31:16-17)


• Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. (Psalm 112:1-2)will be blessed. (Psalm 112:1-2)

ReflectionReflectionReflectionReflection

• Identify the most difficult thing that you are Identify the most difficult thing that you are dealing with at home especially with your dealing with at home especially with your children. How is that related to God children. How is that related to God developing you and growing you?developing you and growing you?

• What are some negative thoughts or What are some negative thoughts or attitudes towards your children? How can attitudes towards your children? How can you change that and begin seeing the you change that and begin seeing the home as the primary place where God will home as the primary place where God will grow you?grow you?

children – an invitation to growth deuteronomy 6:1-25

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