Parents–not Buddies

Mom and dad—don’t back away from being a parent!  You aren’t called to be a buddy to your child!

Being “mom” or dad” is one of the best “names” you could ever have.  But don’t assume you’re going to be your child’s best friend.

That may come later in your life, but not when you’re dealing with young children, bringing them up with biblical values—deliberately and intentionally!

And a reminder:  “no” is okay!  Be quick to state it, be firm when you state it, back it up and support it, reinforce it!  Create a home where you can say no and a home where you can turn around and say “yes” when it’s appropriate.

When Proverbs says, “Train up a child in the way he or she should go”—that’s what being a godly parent is all about!

Love is spelled T-I-M-E

When it comes to family life, the way to spell LOVE is with TIME and communication—intentionally!  So how are we doing?

What love ISN’T—is working harder, making more money, buying more things!  There’s nothing inherently wrong with those pursuits, but they can never take the place of TIME and LOVE!

If you value time, laughter, fun with your children, spending time together—so will they!  And often, it’s in these fun moments when we’re able to convey to our children biblical values that can be so significant in just a moment of time—while you’re all together!

A sense of humor is one of the great gifts you can give to your children.  Joy—laughter, fun times that are wholesome and significant!  May you spell love—T-I-M-E—with laughter, delight and joy in the Lord!

Setting Boundaries in the Family

If you’re not exercising boundaries in your home, you’re doing your children a dis-service!

There’s a value in boundaries, especially in the home! It’s a way for you as a parent to say, “I really love you!”  If children have no boundaries it’s the opposite of, “I love you.”  Rather it says, “I don’t care much about you!”

It wouldn’t hurt to share Colossians 3:20 with your children.

“Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”  And guess what—they’ll live longer!  The fifth commandment is the only commandment with a promise.  “Honor your father and mother that you may live a long, good life.”

There are incredible benefits for children living in a home where God and His Word are honored!  Your home!  And children need to know they have it better than they realize!

Family Devotions

Mom and dad . . . what value are you placing on family devotions in your home? 

Deuteronomy 11:19 says teach your children “when you sit at home. . .when you lie down and when you get up.” As a child, our family devotions were in the morning. My dad would read a devotional.  And they were hard-hitting and focused on God and what He said in His Word.  We’d get on our knees for prayer—then off to school.

In raising my own children, nighttime was better.  I even “acted out” devotions at times—our coffee table became Noah’s Ark complete with giraffes and elephants.  As they got older, our family devotions changed—but they were always lively with everyone participating.  Family devotions can be a fun and creative way to “teach your children” as God has instructed us to do!

What Being a Parent Is About

Did you know that 85% of the people who come to find Jesus will find Him before they’re age 18?

This is Jim Garlow in a series for the family!

Deuteronomy 4:9 reminds us, “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to your children after them.”  Spend time telling the stories of God’s greatness.  Invest in them through the telling of how good our God is.

Psalm 87:2 says, “I will utter. . .things from old. . . things our ancestors have told us.”  Tell your children, your grandchildren, the “praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, of His power and the wonder He has done!”  It’s what being a parent is all about!

Church in the Life of a Family

Mom and dad . . . what role does church play in the life of your family? 

Church was always exciting to us as a family.  My parents treated it like an adventure!  It’s in part why I became a pastor.

So let me be blunt.  If you treat church as one of several options, it’s a loud message to your children that soccer, or some other event is an option to attending church as a family.

Don’t make church an option—make it the top priority.

The purpose of church is NOT to get Jesus into the life of your kids.

Does that surprise you?  The purpose is to support you as the unique family unit that God has ordained as the first line of defense.  The church is your backup to help you do your job to establish Jesus in the heart of your child!