God's Plan for the Family

Notes: God's Plan for the Family

Ephesians 6

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Home Sweet Home

Sunday, May 8, 2016 — 12:00 p.m.

When it's all said and done its the mother that is more important than any statesman or soldier.

Proverbs 31:28-30 NLT

[28] Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: [29] "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" [30] Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT

[1] Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. [2] "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: [3] If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."

It's a good reminder of how we need a father and mother. We aren't to be our kids Best Friend, we are to be their Parents.

The most important role of a parent is to lead them to Christ.

Psalm 127:3-5 NLT

[3] Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. [4] Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. [5] How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Our pop culture undermines the family. 

Ephesians 6:1-2 NLT

[1] Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. [2] "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise:

For many, Mothers Day is a tough time. It could be because of a loss or the relationship. 

Many moms are left standing in the gap because the father is not doing their role.

Ephesians 6:4 NLT

[4] Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

In many ways, the view your children will have about God is based on how fathers treat their children.

Fathers are a visual representation of God the Father to children.

You need to do your job as a father or as the mother... Do your job.

1. Don't provoke your children to wrath.

A. One way we provoke our children is to show favoritism.

Joseph was favored by his father, Jacob. His brothers sold him to slavery.

B. Another way to provoke your children is by never complimenting them.

C. You can go too far, over praising and spoiling your children

Helicopter parenting.

2. Bring them up in the training and admiration of the Lord.

Proverbs 29:15 NLT

[15] To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

We need to bring them up because their sinful nature is bringing them down.

Nothing can happen through us until it happens to us.

Proverbs 4:4 NLT

[4] My father taught me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.

Proverbs 4:5 NLT

[5] Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NLT

[4] "Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. [5] And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. [6] And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. [7] Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Talk to your children about the Lord.

Instead of isolating your child, prepare them for the real world.

Watch tv WITH your child.

Create a thirst in your child to want to find the Lord.

The way he should go means, "according to their bent."

Let parents be the parents, grandparents get to spoil the grandkids.

To have your kids go astray does not mean you are a failure. God has many that have gone astray.

The prodigal son is a perfect example of what many children will do regardless of how they were raised. They may return as they grow up.

3. You don't compromise and never give up. 

The children may leave the home, but they can never escape your prayers.

We must keep the door open to our children regardless if they go prodigal.

Your children need to know that you love them.

If you have made mistakes in the past, you can still positively change your present and future.... Start by apologizing.

We all need Jesus Christ.