God-Oriented Relating

Re-Focus!

God-Oriented Relating

-The Christian parent’s objective for his/her children: that they be conformed (changed into) to the image of Christ.

–Galatians 4:19 My little children…I travail in birth…until Christ be formed in you

-Colossians 1:28 Whom (Jesus) we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

-End Goal: that your children to look like Jesus.

3 Key Ingredients for God-Oriented Relating

The Holy Spirit

-Before Christlikeness can be pursued, there must be an of God’s Holy Spirit in you and your children. (John 14:16-17)

-Then, there must be a dependence upon the Spirit of God that is embraced, exemplified, and explained by you. (Eph. 5:18)

*Are you with God?

The Scriptures

-Salvation can come through the Scriptures! (Rom. 10:17)

-Thus, it is essential that you use the Scriptures with your children beginning at an early age. (1 Pet. 1:23)

-You must know and convey to your children that the Bible provides you need for life. (2 Pet. 1:3)

-The Bible is useful to teach what is true, point out what is wrong, show how to correct, and lay out the plan to keep going. (2 Tim. 3:16)

Time

-It takes time to develop and impart biblical wisdom. (2 Pet. 3:18)

-It takes time to what you’re doing and pick up your Bible to teach, convict, correct, and/or instruct your children.

-It takes time for your children to grow up.

A Cooperative Operation

-Growth into Christlikeness is called progressive sanctification.

-It is a “setting apart” that is “progressive” because it occurs continuously throughout our lives.

-It is an act of God, but also requires our .

-The single most important way you can cooperate with God is by getting the Bible into your heart.

-As a parent, you also must cooperate with God to get the Bible into your children’s hearts.

-Remember, the Spirit’s fruit does not grow , but rather develops gradually as it is nourished with the Word of God.

What Should I Do? (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

1. Internalize God’s Word – “these words shall be in thine heart.” (aka, upon the inner man) – Prov. 4:23

2. Teaching the Bible to your children is non-optional. – “thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children” – diligence requires repetition and application.

3. Bible teaching is a must. – “when…sittist in thin house…walkest by the way….liest down…risest up.” – Teaching and application must be done continuously and everywhere.

4. Communicate that the Bible is the necessary foundation for everything we do. – “bind them for a sign upon thine hand…as frontlets between thine eyes…write them upon the posts…gates”

-Commitment: “Lord, would you help me to continuously embrace Your Word myself and then and continuously impart it to my children?”

*Taken from Teach Them Diligently by Lou Priolo