Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Role of the Parents, Part 2 Colossians 3:21 & Selected Colossians 3:21 is an additional specific command to parents founded on the commands of verses 1-20 Parents are responsible to raise their children – others can only help with that responsibility

The Role of the Parents, Part 2 Colossians 3:21 & Selected Children will follow the parents’ example, be sure your example is good The proof of good parenting will be the child God requires children to obey their parents, so parents must also require it the first time, right away, happy face

The Role of the Parents, Part 2 Colossians 3:21 & Selected The parent and the child are responsible for their own sin and failures, not for that of the other The solution for guilt is confession and forgiveness

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 Due to their superior position, it is easy for a parent to become authoritarian and arbitrary with their kids Exasperation (ejreqivzw / erethizô) = to stir up, stimulate, provoke

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 Lose heart (ajqumevw / athumeô) = the negation of spirit, courage This negative stimulation will often at first cause anger (Ephesians 6:4) but eventually it disheartens

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 1) Abuse: Physical and verbal - Anger breeds anger - Proverbs 30:33; 15:1; James 1:20 Child abuse occurs when anger strikes out either physically or verbally

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 2) Inconsistency - The rules keep changing according to the parent’s whim Inconsistency causes frustration which in turn leads to anger and then eventually to disheartenment

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 3) Parental Selfishness - The self centered parent treats the child as an intrusion into their life Young children become angry at parental neglect, older children become indifferent

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 4) Favoritism - showing preference for one child while being unfair to the others The anger and rivalry between Jacob and Esau was caused by the favoritism of their parents

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 5) Excessive Expectations and Discouragement - demanding more than the child is capable Allow time for the child to develop skills Every child is different in innate abilities and the rate at which they develop and learn

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 5) Excessive Expectations & Discouragement Compliment, but don’t feed the pride of the superior child and don’t let them rest on their laurels Compliment and encourage the slower child to do their best whatever that may be

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 5) Excessive Expectations & Discouragement The goal character development, not gaining skills and learning lessons within some set time frame

Prohibitions on Parents Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4 6) Using affection to manipulate - making your love conditional will destroy your children Like God, love them even when they sin, and correct them out of that love (Hebrews 12:6- 8) When you realize you have provoked or exasperated your child, confess it and reconcile with them

Prescriptions on Parents Ephesians 6:4 Bring them up, (ejktrevfw / ektrephô) = the ongoing action of feeding, providing, nurturing a child Discipline, (paideiva / paideia) = training a child with both the negative and positive aspects of teaching

Prescriptions on Parents Ephesians 6:4 Deuteronomy 6:4 - a succinct summation of priority of all of God’s laws Deuteronomy 6:5-7 - the method by which parents are to train their children to love God

Prescriptions on Parents Ephesians 6:4 Instruction, (nouqesiva / nouthesia) = emphasis on the mental aspects of teaching - "to set in mind." It teaches know how to live with God and man - Proverbs 1:2-6 This includes instructive correction that is given without provoking or embittering the child

Prescriptions on Parents Ephesians 6:4 Of the Lord - the primary task of parents is to know, love and walk with God 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Use the Scriptures to teach, reprove, correct and instruct on the path of life

Conclusion Commit yourself to bringing up your children in this manner and they will be a blessing to you & others

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ