How to Preach This Sermon:
- Preview this sermon with the video, podcast, and article below.
- Access this sermon’s slide template on Canva and customize as needed.
- Preach this sermon and direct families, small groups, and mentors to pursuegod.org/survival.
- Click on the dark gray tabs above for additional sermons in this series.
Parenting Principle #1: Put God First
Talking Points:
- Parenting is like everything else in life: if you put God first, the rest of it falls into place. That’s why our first Parenting Principle is: put God first. Deuteronomy 5:7-21,33, Matthew 6:33
- The command to obey applies to both parents and kids: parents obey God and kids obey parents. The fifth commandment (honor your parents) serves as a bridge between the “love God” and “love people” commandments. Deuteronomy 6:1-3, Ephesians 6:1-3
- Wholehearted obedience should impact every part of our lives – both personally and as a family unit. Learn to practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, and family time. Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Did you grow up in a home with spiritual values? How have those values shaped you as a parent?
- How would you describe the current spiritual climate in your home?
- Do you currently make a habit of reading and praying on your own? How can your spiritual habits affect the rest of the family?
- Read Deuteronomy 6:1-3. According to this passage, what is a parent’s responsibility? Why does obedience lead to a blessed life?
- Read Ephesians 6:1-3. Why do you think Paul emphasizes the importance of obeying parents? How does learning to obey parents help kids to obey God as adults?
- Read Deuteronomy 6:4-7. Evaluate your family priorities right now. What are some practical things you can do, as a family, to pursue God together?
- Check out pursuegodkids.org and pursuegod.org How can utilizing topics from these sites help to facilitate productive Family Talk time?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
See Also:
How to Preach This Sermon:
- Preview this sermon with the video, podcast, and article below.
- Access this sermon’s slide template on Canva and customize as needed.
- Preach this sermon and direct families, small groups, and mentors to pursuegod.org/survival.
- Click on the dark gray tabs above for additional sermons in this series.
Parenting Principle #2: Discipline With Love
Talking Points:
- There’s an ancient parenting paradox: those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24
- Contrary to popular opinion, there is such a thing as right and wrong. It’s the parent’s job to teach this in the home. Proverbs 22:6
- Loving discipline turns your child’s heart toward God. First they learn to honor you; later they’ll learn to honor God. Hebrews 12:11
- The 3 C’s of loving discipline:
- Clear: establish clear rules and expectations and the consequences for each.
- Consistent: follow through every time a rule is broken.
- Corrective: consequences should deter them from making the same mistake again.
Discussion:
- What messages have you heard regarding discipline in our culture? Do you tend to agree or disagree?
- Read Proverbs 13:24. How have you seen discipline as an effective tool with your kids up to now? If done correctly, why can discipline communicate love to your kids?
- Read Proverbs 22:6,15. How does discipline help to direct your kids? What are some of the foolish things you see in your kids right now? How can discipline help to correct those?
- Describe how your kids learning to obey you will help them to obey God as adults?
- Read Hebrews 12:11. What can happen if you don’t discipline your kids? How can you encourage a heart of obedience in your kids?
- Talk about the 3 C’s of discipline. Why is it important to be clear with your rules and expectations? What rules do you need to make clearer to your kids?
- What has happened in the past when you were not consistent with consequences?
- What consequences are most effective with each of your kids right now?
See Also:
How to Preach This Sermon:
- Preview this sermon with the video, podcast, and article below.
- Access this sermon’s slide template on Canva and customize as needed.
- Preach this sermon and direct families, small groups, and mentors to pursuegod.org/survival.
- Click on the dark gray tabs above for additional sermons in this series.
Parenting Principle #3: Affirm Your Kids
Talking Points:
- God the Father spoke publicly about the Son twice in the gospel of Matthew. Both times it was to affirm him. Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5
- If the perfect Son of God received words of affirmation from his Father, how much more do our imperfect kids need affirmation from their parents? Every kid – even the most challenging ones – need and deserve affirmation. Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 16:24, Ephesians 4:32
- Remember the 3 B’s of loving affirmation: Be intentional. Be authentic. Be unique.
- Use the 3 T’s of loving affirmation: Talk, Time, and Touch. It’s helpful to understand your child’s love language as you apply these strategies.
Discussion:
- Describe the “love” climate in your home growing up (affectionate/affirming or cold/distant?) How have those family dynamics affected the way you express love to your kids?
- Read Matthew 3:17 and Matthew 17:5. What stands out to you about what God said? Why was it important for him to speak those words?
- Read Proverbs 16:24. Share a personal experience you’ve had with the power of positive words. How have you seen encouraging words impact your kids in the past?
- Read Ephesians 4:32. Identify the behaviors in each of your kids that frustrate you. How do you need to be more tender-hearted toward your kids in those areas?
- Review the 3 B’s. What does it look like for you to be intentional with affirmation moving forward? Identify three unique traits for each of your kids that you will work to affirm more.
- What would quality time look like with each of your kids? What will that time communicate to them?
- Why is affection an important part of expressing love? How do you need to improve in this area and what kind of affection do each of your kids need?
- Are you familiar with the 5 love languages? What would you guess is your kid’s language? How can knowing their language help you to love them more?
See Also:
- The Failing “Power Tools” of Parenting
- Helping Kids Set Boundaries
- Helping Your Kids Deal with Weird Sexual Thoughts
- Parenting Principle #3: Affirm Your Kids
- Parenting Principle #2: Discipline With Love
- Parenting Principle #1: Put God First
- The Secret Sauce of Christian Parenting
- How to Pray for Your Family
- Helping Your Kids With Anxiety
- Simply Encourage On The Car Ride Home
- When Your Kids Get Rejected By Friends
- Test Your Co-Dependency in Parenting
- 5 Verses on Abortion and the Right to Life
- When Your Kid Gets Bullied
- Does the Bible Promise My Kids Will Be Perfect?
- Keeping Your Kids Safe On Their Phones
- The 4 P’s of Biblical Sex
- Parenting in a Sexualized Culture
- Count the Cost of Competitive Sports
- Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
- Your Family, Jesus And The American Dream
- 2 Ways to Be There for Your Kids | Point Man #2
- Satan’s Strategy to Destroy the Family | Point Man #1
- Should I Give My Child an iPhone or iPad?
- Helpful Advice for Young Moms
- The Pledge of Allegiance, Family, and God
- Admitting You’re Wrong as a Parent
- When Should Your Child Take Communion?
- Parenting On The Bright Side
- Don’t Play the Comparison Game with Your Kids
- Protect Your Kids From Technology
- The Comparison Game, Social Media, and Being a New Mom
- 2 Timothy 1:7 | Life Verses for Parents #3
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Life Verses for Parents #2
- Psalm 139 | Life Verses for Parents #1
- How God Grows Us Through Parenting
- Should I Baptize My Infant?
- Should We Fight in Front of the Kids?
- How Should Christian Parents Educate Their Kids?
- Are You Too Busy for God?
- Are Family Curses Real?
- Men – The Dad Scorecard: 4 Ways to Invest in Your Kids
- The Importance of Structure in the Home
- 3 Tips For Dads Raising Daughters
- The Most Important Relationship in the Home
- 3 Mindsets to Successful Parenting
- Help! My Kids Are Addicted to Their Screens!
- How to Use PG Resources with Your Kids
- Raise Ministry-Minded Kids
- The 3 Principles of FLEX Parenting
- The Stages of FLEX Parenting
- What Is the Philosophy Behind FLEX Parenting?
- Christian Parenting Advice
- Men – Tips for Raising Daughters
- Teaching Your Kids to Be Generous
- How to Start a Family Devotional with Little Kids
- Don’t Blame Your Kids For How You Parent
- How to Be An Intentional Parent With Each of Your Kids
- Your Perspective Matters in Parenting
- The Strong-Willed Child
- The Stages of Parenting
- 3 Practical Tips for Parenting
- The After School “Satan Club” and Your Kids
- Praying God’s Word Over Your Kids
- The Trajectory of Parental Discipline
- The 4 Stages of Parenting
- Parenting With God’s Design In Mind
- Creating the Right Environment at Home
- Parenting on Purpose
- Digital Parenting: Be Aware of The Dangers Online
- Getting 5-Point Clarity on Parenting
- What Does It Mean For A Man To Lead His Home
- Schedule It If You Want a Conversational Culture at Home
- Mentoring at Home in Real Life
- Parents, Take Initiative With Your Kids
- Men, Lead Your Family
- Parents, Be Careful to Emphasize the Right Things
- Worshiping God in Adversity
- How Family Talk Works
- How Mentoring Works in the Parenting Years
- Parents, Transfer Your Values to Your Kids
- Going Full Circle as a Parent
- Four Corner Leadership at Home
- When Should We Baptize Our Kids?
- 3 Things Every Parent Should Know about Getting Involved at Church
- What About Baptizing Infants?
- The Importance of Disciplining Children