Sunday, July 26, 2015

Core Principles for Christian Parenting (Part 5)


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.

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