Parents and their Children

Introduction

- last week we talked about husbands and wives, and found some very important verses on that topic…this morning we'd like to study what the book says about parents and their children.
- I hope each one of us will give careful attention to what we're studying today…
- it is not an overstatement to say that, humanly speaking, the future of our church depends in part on how well we do at our task of parenting…
- some of our church's greatest joys revolve around young people who have grown up here and are faithfully living for God as adults here or at other churches…
- on the other hand, some of our greatest heartaches have to do with young people who have grown up here who have chosen not to follow Christ as adults.

- before we jump into the many verses in this book on this topic, I need to mention a point that we often try to make when we discuss parenting, and that is…who's responsible for what.

Introduction

INPUT - What is the balance between the parent's responsibility and the child's responsibility in the parenting process, and what extremes do we have to avoid in this discussion?

- we're going to divide our time today around the three categories Warren Wiersbe used, the parent's example, instruction, and discipline.

I. The Parent's Example

- several verses in Proverbs emphasize the power of the parent's example to their children, especially from the perspective of what can result in the life of a young person if his/her parents choose to be godly.

A. Provides security

- Proverbs 14:26 - READ

- INPUT - How does the fear of the Lord provide confidence? How can this be a refuge to children? What does a home look like when this refuge is lacking?

B. Provides blessing

- Proverbs 20:7 - READ

- INPUT - How is personal righteousness a potential blessing to one's children? How high does this rank on the list of things a parent should provide for his children?

C. Provides an opportunity for thanksgiving.

- Proverbs 31:28

- INPUT - List specific ways a parent can be a godly example. What should they do and what should they avoid doing?

II. The Parent's Instruction

- Many times when the topic of parents and children is raised in the book, it is in the context of teaching. Here's a sample of the verses:

- Proverbs 1:8

- Proverbs 5:12-13

- Proverbs 7:1

- Proverbs 13:1

- INPUT - When we talk about a parent instructing/teaching his children, what are we talking about and what are we not talking about?

- INPUT - What does parental teaching look like in real time? Give a hypothetical example of a parent providing effective instruction in a way that is consistent with these verses.

III. The Parent's Discipline

- INPUT - When the Scriptures use the word "discipline" (of children), is it only speaking of spanking?
- [develop the overall idea of "structured control"]

- Proverbs 19:18

- Proverbs 29:15

- Proverbs 29:17

- INPUT - What are some ways these verses might be fulfilled, positively or negatively?

Adult Bible Fellowship
Parents and Their Children
Proverbs Series #39

Introduction
INPUT - What is the balance between the parent's responsibility and the child's responsibility in the parenting process, and what extremes do we have to avoid in this discussion?

I. The Parent's _____________:
A. Provides ______________.
• Proverbs 14:26
INPUT - How does the fear of the Lord provide confidence? How can this be a refuge to children? What does a home look like when this refuge is lacking?
B. Provides ______________.
• Proverbs 20:7
INPUT - How is personal righteousness a potential blessing to one's children? How high does this rank on the list of things a parent should provide for his children?
C. Provides an opportunity for __________________.
• Proverbs 31:28
INPUT - List specific ways a parent can be a godly example.
What should they do and what should they avoid doing?

II. The Parent's _________________
• Proverbs 1:8
• Proverbs 5:12-13
• Proverbs 7:1
• Proverbs 13:1
INPUT - When we talk about a parent instructing/teaching his children, what are we talking about and what are we not talking about?
INPUT - What does parental teaching look like in real time?
Give a hypothetical example of a parent providing effective instruction in a way that is consistent with these verses.

III. The Parent's ________________
INPUT - When the Scriptures use the word "discipline" (of children), is it only speaking of spanking?
• Proverbs 19:18
• Proverbs 29:15
• Proverbs 29:17
INPUT - What are some ways these verses might be fulfilled, positively or negatively?