In week 7 of our series, Level Up, we are discussing how following Christ makes us better parents. From children to nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and the children of our friends, we all have children in our lives whom we can play a role in helping to raise. In fact, as followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to raise the children in our lives to know Christ in prayerful hope that they will come to love and follow Him one day.
What is something you have learned recently from the children God has placed in your life?
1. What is a challenge you are facing when it comes to raising the children in your life?
2. Read Ephesians 6:1-4. Summarize the responsibility of parents and the responsibility of children based on this passage of Scripture.
Ephesians 6:1-4
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
3. Contrast the two different ways of treating the children in our lives that are described in this passage of Scripture. Which is the better way? Why?
4. Read Proverbs 22:6. What is the desired result of directing "children onto the right path?"
Proverbs 22:6
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
1. After reading from our Scripture passages for today, why is raising the children in our lives a weighty responsibility?
2. What does it look like in our world today to “direct” our children “onto the right path?”
3. What is going well when it comes to raising the children in your life? What needs improvement?
One of the most important things we can do is pray for the children in our lives. Take some time now to thank God for the children He has placed in your life. Pray for them. Pray that God would work in each of their lives and that they would come to know and love Him. Ask Him to help you all as you seek to raise them well.
If we want to raise the children in our lives who know and love the Lord, we have to set an example for them. You see, whether we realize it or not, our children are watching us and learning from us every day through our words and actions. As a result, we need to live and speak very carefully and purposefully, knowing little ears, and not-so-little-anymore ears, are listening and observing. Let’s take a few moments to dive into Scripture to see how we can set an example for the children in our lives through our words and actions.
If we want to point the children in our lives toward Christ, we must model a Christ-like example for them. As we model Christ’s example, we point them to Christ through what we say and do. When we live this way, the children in our lives will see first-hand the difference Christ makes in our lives.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles[f] or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. 11 1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
2. Why can Paul feel confident asking His readers to imitate him?
3. How did Christ live during His time on earth? What behavior did He demonstrate?
4. What are ways we can follow Christ's example and imitate Him today, especially in our relationships with the kids in our lives?
When it comes to how to set an example for our children, perhaps the most clear-cut, practical instruction in all of Scripture can be found in the book of James. You see, James gives us three very clear steps we can take to live lives that point others to Christ. Take a look at what he teaches in James 1.
1. Read James 1:19-21.
James 1:19-21
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
2. Who is someone you know who models James 1:19 well?
3. Which do you find most challenging: being "quick to listen," "slow to speak," or "slow to get angry?" Why?
4. How would following James 1:19 impact your relationships, especially your relationship with the kids in your life?
Throughout the Israelites’ history, they told their children stories of His faithfulness. These stories were meant to remind their children that God has always been faithful and to encourage them that because of God's past faithfulness, they could trust Him to take care of them in the future.
1. Read Psalm 145:3-4.
Psalm 145:3-4
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
2. Summarize the command given in this passage of Scripture.
3. Describe the impact of telling the children in our lives about God's goodness and faithfulness to us.
4. Name one way God has been faithful to you over the last year. (Commit to sharing this with the children in your life this week!)
Which of the three areas we talked about would you like to grow in: following Christ's example, listening more, talking less, and not becoming easily angered, or telling stories of God's faithfulness to those around you, especially your children? Share with your group how you would like to grow and one thing you can start doing in order to grow in that area. When you are finished, pray together. Pray for the children in your life to come to know and love God and that He will use you all as an example to point them straight to Him.
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