Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Role of Parents, Part 1 Colossians 3:21 & Selected Colossians 3:18-4:1 is the direct application in the family and work of the teaching in Colossians 3:1-17 Your ability to fulfill your role within the family is directly related to your walk with the Lord

The Colossian Command Colossians 3:21 Both Paul and the rest of the Bible says a lot more both positive and negative about parental duties Godly parenting requires you to put off evil and put on the good that comes with walking with the Lord

The Colossian Command Colossians 3:21 Children become like their parents (Luke 6:40), so be careful of the example you give them. Commands to parents are directed to the father as the head, but they are to be carried out by both parents

The Importance of Biblical Instruction God has given parents plenty of instructions, but American society is rejecting them and disintegrating The proof of good parenting is in the children - society has declined under the influence of the “experts” Titus 1:6; 1 Timothy 3:3-4 - Elders have to be doing well in parenting their children

The Importance of the Marriage The wife is to be in submission to her husband and respect him – Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:15-33 The husband is to sacrificially love his wife & lead, protect & provide for his family - Col. 1:19; Eph. 5 Parents, your ability to raise your children properly is in direct relationship to your walk with the Lord

The Importance of the Marriage You cannot be a better parent than you are a spouse - to raise godly children you must be godly Unequally yoked, divorced & single parents - your submission to the Holy Spirit provides the needed godly example If your example is ungodly, then you will instill that ungodliness into your children

The Importance of Obedience God requires children to obey their parents – Col. 3:20; Eph. 6:1-3 Parents that do not require their children to obey teach them to sin Children are to be taught to obey the first time & right away, for delayed obedience is disobedience

The Importance of Obedience The parent determines when the child will obey by when they get serious enough to require it. Godly parents consider and are sensitive to what the child is doing when giving commands / instructions First time obedience is necessary for the sake of safety

The Importance of Obedience Obedience needs to be with a good attitude - for grumbling, complaining and whining are sin Obedience is the schoolmaster, but it must go beyond outward behavior and train the heart By 12-13 years old a child should be trained to have a primary submission to God

The Responsibility of Parents It is the parent’s responsibility to bring up their children in the discipline and nurture of the Lord Parents take pride in good kids, but usually try to shift the blame for bad kids There is a dual responsibility in how children turn out as adults

The Responsibility of Parents Each individual bears full responsibility for their own sin - Ezekiel 18:20 Parents are responsible for their failures following God’s instructions Parents are not responsible for a child’s salvation, They are to set the stage for the Holy Spirit’s work

The Responsibility of Parents No parent can truly say they have done everything they could in raising their children The solution for guilt is confession and receiving God’s forgiveness. The two key components for ministry to rebellious adult children - Confession & Intercession

Conclusions Children are to be a blessing – Ps. 127 Children will be like their parents – what is your example? The proof of good parenting is the child God requires children to obey their parents – don’t let them disobey and so teach them to sin

Conclusions Obedience need to be the first time, right away & with a good attitude Each individual is responsible for their own sin The solution to guilt is confession and forgiveness

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ