The children God has placed in our lives are a gift straight from Him. Whether they are our sons and daughters, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews, raising these precious children is a gift. Raising them is also a profound responsibility. After all, our time with them is short, so we must make the most of it, encouraging them all along the way to follow and honor Christ.
What is a funny story you experienced while spending time with the children God has placed in your life?
1. Read Proverbs 22:6. What does it look like today to obey the instruction in this passage of Scripture?
Proverbs 22:6
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
2. Read Psalm 90:12. What does this passage of Scripture teach about our time here on Earth?
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
3. Read Proverbs 18:21. Why should we take seriously the words we speak to and around our children?
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
4. Read Ephesians 4:29. Contrast the different ways of using our tongues in this passage of Scripture,
Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Application
1. Based on the Scripture we read today, describe the different ways we can influence the children God has placed in our lives.
2. How can you leverage your time to positively influence the children God has placed in your life?
3. How can you leverage your words so that you build up the children God has placed in your life?
When it comes to giving the children the gifts of encouragement and time, which of those areas would you like to grow in? Share that with your group along with one way you can take steps of growth in that area. When you are finished, pray. Ask God to help you all as you seek to lead the children in your lives toward Christ.
In our Bible study today, we have seen the importance of encouragement, especially for the children in our lives. Now, let's take a few moments to discover three specific ways we can encourage everyone around us, especially our children.
First and foremost, our responsibility is to encourage those around us, especially the children God has placed in our lives, to keep following Jesus. When life becomes difficult and challenging, we must remind the people in our lives to persevere and to keep following and serving Christ.
1. Read Hebrews 12:1-2.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.
2. Summarize Paul’s message in this passage of Scripture.
3. What “joy” awaited Jesus during His suffering?
4. When are times the reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Christ might be necessary?
All people, especially the children in our lives, need to be reminded that they are loved and valued. Our job as Christ followers is to remind those around us, especially our children, that God loves them. They are loved by God not because of anything they have done, but simply because He loves them.
1. Read Psalm 139:13-18 and 1 John 3:1a.
Psalm 139:13-18
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
1 John 3:1a
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!
2. Summarize God's love for humanity based on these passages of Scripture.
3. What is the foundation of God’s love for humanity?
4. When might the people in our lives, especially our children, need a reminder of God's love for them?
God has uniquely gifted each person on Earth. These gifts were given to us so that we can serve God and point others to Him. One way we can encourage others, especially the children in our lives, is to call out specific gifts God has given them and encourage them to use those gifts to honor God and build up the church.
1. Read 1 Peter 4:10-11.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
2. What is the result when we use our gifts to serve?
3. How has God specifically gifted you?
4. What is the result of encouraging those around us to use our gifts?
Take a few moments now to encourage each other as a group. Share specific ways you have seen God using each other and growing each other. Encourage each other in the unique gifts God has given you all. Let this spirit of encouragement carry you throughout the rest of the week and beyond, and commit to encouraging the children in your life as well.
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