As we think about our lives and the people that we want to become, we must ask and answer the question, "What will be the center of our lives?" We must also help our children ask and answer that question. Will we center our lives around things on earth, like people, status, wealth, career advances, etc., or will Christ and His kingdom be the center of our lives? This is arguably the most important question we can answer for ourselves and encourage our children to answer, and we are going to talk about it today. As we study the Bible together, we will be reminded of the importance of committing to center our lives on Christ and His kingdom over anything else.
Who have you seen model excellent parenting? What did they do well?
1. What is the goal of parenting for you? (Remember, whether you are a parent or not, we are all called to be spiritual parents, raising up people in the faith to know Christ.)
2. What things do you think God wants us to point our children towards?
3. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. What do you think it looks like for someone to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength?
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
4.Why was it so important both for the Jewish people and for us to pass this love to our children?
5. How are you modeling what it is to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus? What is going well? What needs improvement?
6. Read Psalm 119:37-40. What worthless, wasteful things do you find yourself participating in? Is there anything in your life that needs to be abandoned?
Psalm 119:37-40 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
Psalm 119:37-40
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
7. How can you communicate the importance of this message from Psalm 119 to your children and those who are like children to you?
Take some time to think about your children and those who are like children to you. Tell your group about each of these children. What are they like? What are their strengths? What are areas that need growth? How can you intentionally teach your children to make God the very center of their lives? If you are not a parent and you do not have anyone in your life who is like a child to you, how can you reach out to someone in need of spiritual growth who you can help grow in their faith?
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Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
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