The Child's Place in the Home
Psalms 127:3-5
Introduction
A. Children are a great blessing to parents
1. Many look at them as a hinderance
2. God calls them a blessing
B. Children bless the family and increase parents purpose to live
1. Challenge parents
2. Should be precious to them
C. No pleasure in life can equal the joy we can have in our children
1. They are a perpetual interest to parents
2. They are a delight to him
D. Children also have responsibility in the home
1. They must obey their parents Eph 6:1
2. They must honor parents
E. Listen up kids and parents
1. Talk this morning of children in home
2. A little about parents, most about children
Discussion
I. PARENTING IS A GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY
A. "Arrows must be carefully formed and shaped so that they can be shot
straight from the bow. Children must also be molded and shaped into
the form that can prove a blessing to the parents. This shaping of a
personality is one of the greatest responsibilities a parent has,
and the character of a child is determined by the success one makes.
The arrow will not hit its target if it is bent or warped. Neither
will the child reach that goal which will be the end of his parents'
dreams for him if he is not straight and true. The arrow cannot hit
its mark without the bowman's taking careful aim. The child cannot
reach the mark set for him without the careful planning and aim of
the parent." ("Good Homes in a Wicked World", pg 67-68 Irven Lee.)
B. The anology in this quote tells it all
1. We as parents determine the future for our children
2. Without our guidance they will almost surely FAIL
C. God gave us this responsibility
1. Fathers Eph 6:4
2. Mothers 1Tim 5:14; Titus 2:4
D. If molded carefully children will bless us more than we can imagine
1. They bring joy to our lives
2. Children who honor their parents are a better more sure retirement
than we can ever get in a retirement fund.
E. Reminds us that children also have a responsibility in this
relationship
II. "CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN THE LORD, FOR THIS IS RIGHT."
Eph 6:1
A. Memorize that verse
1. Always follow it
2. Family problems will likely disappear
B. Your place in the home is one of subjection
1. Arrive in this world without wisdom or foresight
2. Parents guide you in every word and deed
a. Think for a minute
1) How did you learn to talk? listening to parents
2) How did you learn to walk? watching parents
b. They have been there before you
C. Parents are responsible for your actions
1. What you do reflects on what they taught you
2. No matter how good or bad
D. When you reach the age of understanding you are responsible for your
actions
1. You then bear your own responsibility to be obedient to parents
2. Parents, do your older children respect and obey you? They are a
reflection of what you taught them.
III. "CHILDREN OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN ALL THINGS, FOR THIS IS WELL
PLEASING TO THE LORD." Col 3:20
A. Note this verse says "ALL THINGS"
1. Easy to obey when we agree
2. This command includes obedience when disagree
3. This demonstrates true obedience
B. Why should you obey?
1. Your parents said so - sometimes this is the best answer
2. Parent and child must communicate
a. Each should feel free to explain their feelings and "side of the
story"
b. Each should feel free to express for and against reasons
c. Explainations are sometimes necessary
3. When you boil it down the final decision is the parents
4. Child must yield to decision because he is the child
C. This is true obedience
1. One of the finest ways to honor and show respect for parents
2. Parents teach - Children obey
IV. PARENTS SHEILD A CHILD FROM SOME MISTAKES
A. Children profit from the experience of your parents
1. You are a pupil in the home
2. Follow your parents example
3. Parents make sure your example is right
B. Unfortunately, a child's attitude toward parents changes over the
years
1. A 4 year old will defend his dad against all odds. Even the worst
dad can do no wrong in his eyes
2. By teens he wonders how such old fashioned, ignorant parents could
have such a brilliant child. Wonders how parents can be so
ignorant they can't see the wisdom in his ideas.
3. After a while he begins to ask, Dad, how would you do this?
Wonders how parents suddenly got smart and realizes he needs
advise and counsel from them.
4. Later when grows older, has faced experiences he didn't see coming
and is confused and discouraged by his own problems with children
he will ask, Dad, how did you do it? He will stand amazed at his
parents wisdom and wonder if he will ever know as much.
C. Although a child's attitude changes thru the years, they will know
what parents would say in almost every situation by the time they
reach accountablilty.
1. By constant exposure to their parent's instruction they will reach
a point where they know without asking.
2. My parents live about 250 miles away, yet their advice gets me
thru many problems I encounter. I know what my dad would do
because of what he taught me by example growing up.
3. Prov 13:1; 15:1,10
D. We have an example of one who did not do this and the disastrous
results that followed
1. Rehoboam should have learned and followed his father's example
2. Should have profited from the wisdom of elders
3. Thought he and his peers knew more than those old folks
V. CHILDREN SHOULD PAY THEIR WAY
A. Not with money, with gratitude
1. Thank your parents for what they do
2. You will cost untold thousands to raise
3. Thank you and obedience will repay every penny
B. A thankful child is a joy to give blessings to
C. Older children (parents or not), your parents enjoy gratitude even
after you have left home. Also, you who are parents now know some of
what your parents put up with and how they sacrifed for you.
Thank them
Conclusion
A. Parents, children are our most precious possessions. Nothing on this
world can compare to them. They bring joy, hapiness, and peace that
can be found nowhere else. Teach them to serve the Lord. Train them
in the way they should go. You will reap your reward when they grow
into servants of God.
B. Children, parents are your best defense against this world. There is
no one more concerned for your well being than your parents. No
matter how much you may disagree, they know what is best for you.
Obey them. Follow wherever they lead. Your life will be rewarded.
Respectful, obedient children generally live longer than rebellious
unruly children. They also have far less trouble to deal with.
C. Follow your parents even when you are away from home. Your life will
be easier in the long run. Learn from their mistakes, don't make
them yourself.
D. We must remember that no matter who is over us we must serve the
Lord first.
Paul said "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is
right." Eph 6:1
Service to God is first. We must follow the example left by the
apostles in Acts 5:29 "We ought to obey God rather than men."
E. One that has reached accountability is responsible for his own
actions. He will stand in judgement for how he lived his life.
Parents cannot be blamed if you are accountable for your self.
F. Are you serving God?
Daniel Lee Henderson Buckhorn, MS 2/17/98 12:04:12 PM
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