So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply”…Genesis 1:27-28 NLT
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
NEEDS TO BE MET BY MOTHERS
Safety
Nurture
Basic Trust
Belonging and Invitation
Someone to Love
“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15 NLT
NEEDS TO BE MET BY FATHERS
Unconditional, expressed love
Security and Comfort
Praise and Affirmation
Provision
Purpose in Life
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NLT
WE LET THE BIBLE LEAD & GUIDE US, NOT OUR EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCES.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 NLT
WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL APPROACH TO RAISING KIDS?
1. WE MUST TEACH OUR KIDS CHRIST-LOVE OVER SELF-LOVE
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things… Jeremiah 17:9 NLT
WE TEACH OUR KIDS THAT CHRIST’S LOVE IS A SACRIFICIAL LOVE
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 NLT
‘There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NLT
2. WE MUST TEACH OUR KIDS GODLY PRIORITIES
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Matthew 4:10 NLT
“ the only hope of a decreasing self is an increasing Christ.” F.B. Meyer
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NLT
3. WE MUST TEACH OUR KIDS THAT GODLY DISCIPLINE IS LOVE
‘Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him. Proverbs 22:15 AMP
THE DISCIPLINE OF GODLY PARENTS FOCUSES ON THE HEART, NOT JUST THE RULES.
‘And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord ’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:5-6 NLT
For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23 NLT