Family Life

Monday Morning Faith

"Family Life"

Psalm 127

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Abraham Kuyper

Four Principles For Living Out Our Faith in the Context of Our Families

1. Love alone is not Enough (1)

We need the:

• Heart of God
• Wisdom of God
• Strength of God

Our family is our first responsibly before God; our most important job, and our primary mission field.

How have you set about to learn God’s ways of rearing a child?

2. God grows our children in the “twin gardens” of Home and Church

Prioritize relationships in both places

““Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 6:4–7)

Home: The primary place where kids will learn the gospel

In Word: Teaching Our Kids The Word

• Meal Time: When you sit in your house
• Drive Time: When you walk along the road
• Bed Time: When you lie down
• Morning Time: When you get up

In Deed: The place where kids see the gospel lived out

Explaining to our children what they are already observing in our lives

• Is God the clear Priority of my life?
• Do I own and Apologize for my sins and failures?
• Do they see God’s unconditional love, graciousness and faithfulness reflected in the way that I treat Other People?

Church: Kids need a second family

Every child and student need to be connected to:

• Life-Changing Truth

• A Caring Leader (Another voice saying the same things the parent is saying)

• A Consistent Group of Peers (Someone else who believes what I believe)

3. God entrusts us with children so that we can Prepare them for His mission (4-5)

What is the purpose of an arrow?

The ultimate purpose of the family is not just to Protect your children from all harm, but to Mobilize them for the mission of God.

Point them to a better story!

Invite them to be a part of God’s story!

4. God knows you need His Help (1)

Parenting can be such an incredibly challenging journey

Make sure the heavenly Father Hears about your kids daily

Getting Started:

• Pray About what to pray about

• Read and pray The Bible

• Pray For your kids

• Pray With your kids

• Ask your kids to pray For You

Closing Questions:

What is most important about your child?  Who they are, or what they do? 

What is success?

Making It Personal:

• How have I personally responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

• Am I modeling that God and His purposes for my life are a clear priority?

• How am I living out my faith in the context of my family during this season of my life?

• How am I investing in younger generations through my church family?

• Who can I share these truths with?