What is the goal of Christian parenting? How do we deal with the hearts of our children and not just behavior?
Deuteronomy tells us to be diligent to teach our children in all walks of life. This sermon looks at a few unbiblical parenting methods and demonstrates what biblical parenting is.
Parents, if you are feeling the weight of inadequacy. If you feel that you are terribly inconsistent. If you are feeling that you've already ruined it with your children. If you strove to be the best parent and your children did not "turn out right." Then remember that we, as parents, need the gospel and God's grace just as much as our children do. God is more perfect in his mercy and grace than you could ever be in your parenting. God uses weak and sinful vessels to accomplish his good purposes. We cannot thwart God's good purposes when we fail as a parent and his grace can certainly prevail, even in our worst moments.
Our children will not be lovers of God because we get the formula right. Our children will love God because of grace alone. And it is this grace that we crave and remember when we're reminded of our inadequacy and it is this grace that we must point our children to when they fail.
So let us, as sinful parents, cling to the grace of God in Christ and plead with our children to do the same in their failures and disobedience. And may we always, when we feel the weight of our weakness, praise God that we serve a mighty Savior who tenderly forgives us and empowers us to change for his glory.
God is the perfect Father, we aren't. Let us entrust our children to him in prayer.
Tim Stephens
