Preacher:
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Theme: 4 Principles To Be A Disciple-Making Dad
Thesis:
Notes:
- We are called to emulate the character of our Heavenly Father and be a father to the fatherless.
- Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to encourage the believers in Thessalonica to continue in the faith.
- Our mission is gospel-centered
- Our methods are God-dependent
- Our motives are God-glorifying
- Our manner is grace-based
- Our mission is gospel-centered
- Parenting is disciple-making
- God gives us children for His glory
- Our primary goal is to point them to Christ, that they would follow Him
- All other goals are secondary at best
- What you praise your children for is a good indicator of what you truly find important
- The goal:
- v12, “…that you would walk worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom….”
- Not making us or our our children happy
- Children develop their attitude toward God by how they respond to their God-ordained authorities
- Our methods are God-dependent
- vv3, 5, “…our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive…we never came with words of flattery….”
- Only Christ will empower your kids (and anyone else) to do what is right
- Lying, tricking, emotionally manipulating are all wrong methods of parenting
- Our motives are God-glorifying
- v4, “…just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel….”
- You, as a believer, has been entrusted with the gospel
- As a believer, and also as a parent, a spouse, etc.
- God-glorifying motives vs motives that rob God of glory
- Pleasing God vs pleasing ourselves, our children, or anyone else
- Doing what is best for the child vs. doing what is convenient for me
- Being concerned about what God thinks about your children, vs. being concerned about what others think about your kids and/or your parenting
- Parenting is not about us
- Children will not make us whole or complete
- Wholeness will never be supplied by anything apart from Christ–even good, Christ-given gifts
- Our children do not exist to make us feel loved
- You cannot make right, gospel-driven choices if we are slaves to our appetite for our children’s approval
- v4, “…just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel….”
Live It Out!
- Be honest and open about your failures
- With your kids
- With your self
- Make excuses with neither
- Embrace grace
- There is grace for your kids–and for you
- Prayerfully plan changes
- Talk to God, talk to your spouse
- Don’t overwhelm yourself
- If you realize you have a lot of changes to make, start small and be consistent
- Get help
- Find godly people in your church
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