July 8, 2010
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Last week I was sharing with you about the kind of independence that we should be fostering in our precious children. You recall the verse, Proverbs 22:6… “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” There is much work to be done and much wisdom required between the “train” and the “go.”
I am sure that you are well aware that the Lord did his leadership development of the disciples using perfect principles of training, with teaching, correcting, personal modeling, and providing of hands-on opportunities for trial and error and evaluation. We would do well as parents and grandparents to imitate Jesus’ style of preparation and equipping of future spiritual leaders.
First, we must be prepared to offer deliberate training to our children. Spiritual, emotional and mental maturity does not happen by accident. Even the physical processes that turn our boys into men and girls into women can be optimized with active workouts and strength training, in moderation. In all other areas, especially in the spiritual realm, it is clear that God expects us to carefully and deliberately offer challenging training to our children, that they might gain from our own knowledge of the Scriptures and walk with Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the mandate was to discuss the laws and principles of godliness with the next generation at every opportunity: Deuteronomy11:19 says, “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Of course you know that you cannot teach or discuss what you do not know, yourself. Therefore, mom and dad, grandparent, make sure that you are diligently studying God’s Word yourself, both for you and for those who must follow after you.
Second, we must know that children will, from time to time, need correcting, and God has every expectation that we will do it. The great prophet Samuel is recorded in the Scriptures as having a major fault: he did not correct his sons when they walked in disobedience… and they were grown young men! Think about how much more God expects that young children will receive correction and admonishment, along with encouragement to improve. Correction is not a failure. It is an opportunity to recognize and confront a mistake, and find a way not to repeat it. Every child needs correction, but each one needs it in a form that is most effective for that boy or girl. Ask God for His insight into how best to mold and shape the young ones He is holding you responsible for. Methods for effective, compassionate discipline and truth with grace can be learned.
Next week we will look at some additional principles for training that were practiced by Jesus as he developed the men who would someday be the foundation of the church, including personal modeling of behavior, hands-on practice, and helpful evaluation. Join us next Thursday at 7 AM or next Saturday at 11:30 AM right here on Q107 FM.
Our broadcast today was sponsored by our friends at the Tea ‘N Gift Shoppe in Bemidji, with everything you need to slow down and enjoy a cup of tea.