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10 Things Our Children Have Taught Us Introduction:
Last week I had a lesson “10 Things We Should Teach Our Children.”
This got me to thinking about things our children have taught us.
Sometimes when you go to teach someone you find that they in turn teach
you. This is true for parenting.
I)
Positive Associations with Children A)
They are a blessing from God, Psalm 127.3-5 B)
They have positive characteristics that we are to strive to obtain, Matthew
18.2-4 1.
Christians are compared to children in their relationship to God 2.
While we realize children can have negative characteristics we understand they
have many positives. II)
Ten Things Our Children Have Taught Us A)
Think outside the paradigm 1.
Children don’t understand that you can’t think certain ways.
They ask the “why” question. Why
can’t we have hamburgers for breakfast? Why
does the preacher always wear a suit? 2.
We sometimes need to be willing to think outside the box.
a. John the Baptist was outside the box,
Matthew 3.4-6
b. Jesus criticized the Jews for accepting their traditions instead of
the word of God. Matthew 15. 3.
We are challenged to think for ourselves when we study the Bible. B)
Different shades of love 1.
The Greek language had different words for love: friendship, fond affection,
sacrificial love 2.
In having children we learn how we can love things in different ways.
a. Love not the world, 1 John
2.15.
b. For God so loved the world, John
3.16.
c. We are told to love God above all else and everyone else,
Matthew 10.37 C)
Forgiveness 1.
A child does not normally harbor grudges. Even
after a spanking they will show you affection. Both
their ability to ask for and grant forgiveness. 2.
Forgiveness is taught in numerous passages in the Bible.
a. In order to be forgiven we must be willing to forgive others, Matthew
6.14-15
b. Luke 17.1-4 clearly
teaches us that when a person repents we must forgive them. But how many times
have you known brethren to keep on bringing up that which had been forgiven? 3.
We need to forgive others just as God forgives us when we sin and then repent. D)
Resiliency and adaptability 1.
They just bounce back. It is the
best day every or the worst day ever. Was
a common statement in our house. 2.
Children notice changes and can be upset by changes but they do adapt.
We have moved a number of times and I know some of those moves were not
easy for our children. But they adapted. 3.
Joseph was hurt by his brothers as he was sold into slavery but he adapted to
his situation. 4.
Daniel was carried off into captivity and lived the rest of his life in 5.
We have to be able to bounce back and adapt when changes occurs in our life.
Because nothing remains the same except God and His word. E)
Growth is Natural 1.
A child can not help but grow physically, mentally, and spiritually, Luke 2.52 2.
They do grow in stages and have these “growth spurts” usually after a eating
spurt. 3.
Growth is a natural part of our lives.
a. We grow older
b. We are to grow in knowledge and wisdom, 2
Peter 3.18; Colossians
3.16
c. A lesson I learned a few years ago is that one area in which we
continue to improve is in communication. F)
Being Young Is Hard 1.
The challenges of youth is great.
a. They lack knowledge and need instruction
b. They face great peer pressure, Proverbs
1.10
c. They are changing and not sure exactly sure what to do 2.
They need parents to talk with them and ensure them that they are OK. 3.
Quality time is quantity of time. Nothing
beats eye to eye contact. G)
The Power of Example Can Be Positive Or Negative 1.
Our children will follow our example most of the time. Proverbs
20.7; 22.6 2.
We sometimes say “Don’t act like your father or don’t act like your
mother” but most of the time we should say don’t act like me. Ezekiel
16.44 H)
Patience/Longsuffering 1.
Patience is not tolerance of wrong doing. Longsuffering
is more than not trying to kill them. 2.
Patience is not giving up and keeps on training them, Ephesians
6.1-2. I)
What Is Important (Priorities) 1.
Not material things but your relationship with them and God 2.
Things like laughter, Prov. 17.22;
being able to talk with them, smiles and hugs.
3.
If you can provide them with laughter, the ability to communicate, smiles, and
hugs; you will have provided them with more than games, computers, clothes, and
cars. J)
The Importance of Serving God, Psalm 78.1-7 1.
God comes first because there are a lot of questions and answers I don’t know
by myself but God’s word doe 2.
s. God comes first because I want our children to go to heaven. Conclusion:
There are a lot of other lessons our children have taught us.
Perhaps they also help to teach us something about the love of God. John
3.16 tells us the depth of God’s love for mankind.
Are willing to return that love by obeying His word? |