The Compass: All in the Family (part 5)
The Compass
Charting the Course for Church Growth
All in the Family
How to keep from raising a Meathead
Philippians 4:1-13
Day 1
Philippians 4:1-13 “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The society in which we live is becoming increasingly hostile toward parents striving to raise Christian children. Children are encouraged to engage in immoral behavior and chastised for reading their Bibles in school. The answer is not necessarily found in demanding reforms within the schools or waging protests against schools that are hostile toward Christians. Perhaps the best answer is for parents to begin teaching their children at a young age to stand for Christian principles in a hostile society.
The Principle: If we are serious about raising a godly generation, then parents must leave a legacy that they can follow.
Think about the Principle: If your children were as committed to the Lord and His church as you are, how committed to the church would they be?
Day 2
How do we raise Spiritually Mature Christian children?
Leave a legacy of Believing God.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The phrase “be anxious for nothing” means, literally, to have no axiety or worries for our problems. It indicates that, although there are always problems and stress in our lives, we can minimize the effects of the problems when we make our requests known to God through prayers and supplications. When we talk about leaving a legacy for our children, our ultimate desire ought to be for that legacy to begin with this: that we believe God.
The Principle: The greatest legacy that we could possibly leave for our children is that we believe God: we believe that He is all that He says that He is.
Think about the Principle: Read the following passages and think about how our lives would be changed if we demonstrated this type of faith to our children.
Daniel 6:23 Romans 4:1 Galatians 3:6-9 James 4:23 Hebrews 11:1, 6
Apply the Principle: What do our children learn from us about believing God? In the face of trials and tribulations, is our first act to worry or to pray; to find our way out or ask God for His way out? Close today’s study by writing some thoughts about how you can demonstrate to your children that you believe God.
Day 3
Leave a Legace of Serving God
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
This is a dangerous topic in the Christian life because we don’t want to cross the line into teaching a works-based salvation or that you have to do good works to stay saved; but, Paul clearly tells us to look at the things he did and how he lived his life and to follow after it and mimic him. We need for parents to be able to say the same things to their children: “If you will live your life exactly like I have lived mine, then you will be able to live a fulfilled
Christian life.”
The Principle: As parents we need to communicate to our children that the sign of a successful church is not how big it is, how much they do or how beautiful their building is: the sign of a successful church is how they impact the lives of those around them
Think about the Principle: What do you consider a successful life? Having money, influence or power like Donald Trump? Achieving success and fame in a music or entertainment industry like Jack Nicholson or Frank Sinatra? Why do you think so many parents teach their children that success is based upon how the world views them rather than how God views them?
Apply the Principle: Read the following Scriptures and think about what you teach your children about success. How might these Scriptures change how you think about success and how you demonstrate that to your children?
Ephesians 2:10 Joshua 24:15 Psalm 100
Day 4
Leave a legacy of needing God
Philippians 4:10-13 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Don’t overlook what Paul is saying in this passage. He is by no means exhibiting a sense of pride or arrogance at his ability to be sustained; he is not talking about his great abilities and he is not touting his own experience. He ends this section with the thought, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” In contrast to a declaration of indepenence, this is, in truth, a declaration of dependence upon God. The underlying theme is this: apart from God I am nothing and unable to sustain myself. With Christ I can do all things.
Often parents are so focused on teaching their children to be independent that they forget to teach them to be dependent upon God and we become like the Israelites in Judges 2:10. Read that passage and record what the Bible tells about them.
The Principle: The greatest step of faith we will ever take is the decision that we cannot live our Christian lives on our own, but we need God in every aspect of our lives.
Think about the Principle: Why do we spend so much time trying to gain our indepence from God rather than enjoying our dependence upon Him? How can we better leave a legacy of needing God for our children so that they do not become that generation that did not know the Lord nor the things He has done?
Apply the Principle: As we bring this portion of the study to a close, reflect upon your life. How much do you depend upon God? Do you demonstrate that to your children so that they will also develop a need for God and His direction in their lives? Will they have the spiritual strength to, “get on their knees and fight like a man…” Close out today’s study by writing a prayer of dedication for you children, regardless of their ages, asking God to keep them dependent upon Him.
Day 5
Philippians 4:1-13 “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Teaching our children to rely upon God is of utmost importance in the lives of believers today. There is no greater responsibility than to leave a legacy of faith and trust in God for them to follow. Close out this week reflecting upon your relationship with the Lord and what your children learn from you about their relationship with Christ.
Lord Jesus, we admit that we struggle with demonstrating weakness to our children, and yet, admitting weakness is the ultimate sign of strength. Help us this week to do our best to demonstrate to our children our love for You, our dedication to You and our reliance upon You. Help us to raise godly children by leaving a legacy that shows that we believe You. Help us to leave a legacy that illustrates how important You are by our service for You and help us to leave a legacy for our children that tells them exactly how much we need You. We want our children to love You, to serve You and to need You.