Ephesians 4:17-32
Core Principles for Christian Parenting
I. Teach Your
Child the Value of the Truth v.25
II. Teach Your
Child How to Handle Emotions v.26-27
III. Teach Your
Child the Importance of Responsibility v.28a
IV. Teach Your Child to Be Benevolent v.28b
V. Teach Your
Child the Power of Words v.29
Words are tools used to communicate, educate, enlighten, direct,
divulge, express, destroy, explain, share, reveal, persuade, etc.
Every word we
speak is a container.
· Words can bring healing. Proverbs 12:18
· Words can bring death or life. Proverbs 18:21
· Words can bring want or satisfaction. Proverbs 18:20
The World
and Words
· Words created the physical world. Hebrews 11:3
· Words controlled the world. Genesis 2:19
· Words condemned the world. Genesis 3:3-4; Matthew 15:11
· Words can save the world. Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:21
· Words bring about God’s purpose and plan for the world. Isaiah 55: 11
The Wisdom
of Ephesians 4:29
· unwholesome
word –decaying, demoralizing others.
Three
Characteristics of Gracious Speaking:
1.good for edification -
helpful, constructive and encouraging.
2.according to the need of the moment - appropriate,
as fits the occasion
3.so that it will give grace - gracious,
courteous, kind, and pleasant.
We have been saved in grace and we are kept in grace;
therefore we are to live and speak in grace.
Dialogue - a meaningful exchange of
ideas in a climate of acceptance and interest.
To judge before we listen and understand is to alienate and
lose the opportunity to influence.
VI. Teach Your Child to be Spiritual v.30
To grieve the Holy Spirit is to ignore the Holy Spirit.
VII. Teach Your Child to Forgive v.32
The word used for kind comes
from two different Greek words. One means to touch gently and the
other means to be useful.
The practical fruit of these conditions is forgiving each other.
The example we have for forgiveness is even
as God in Christ also forgave you.
