Raising Our Children For God (5 of 7) - Zac Poonen
Summary
The central message is the profound responsibility parents, especially fathers, have to teach their children the ways of the Lord so they can place their confidence in God and not forget God's works. This teaching must encompass scripture, the works of God throughout history, and even recording personal miracles to create a legacy of faith. The speaker emphasizes starting this instruction early and maintaining a consistent spiritual lineage of faith across generations.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does Psalm 78 teach about training children?God commanded fathers to teach His laws and testimonies to their children so the coming generation would put their confidence in God and keep His commandments.Psalm 78:5
Keeping a journal of God's miraclesParents should record significant miracles and ways God spoke in their own lives to give as a legacy that encourages their children's faith.
The generational transmission of faithPaul noted the sincere faith inside Timothy that was first passed down through his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.2 Timothy 1:5
The danger of ignoring small disobedienceScripture provides both positive and negative warnings, showing how uncorrected wrongs in childhood can lead people astray later in life.
Teaching children the command to honor parentsChildren must be taught strictly and graciously from an early age to obey their parents immediately the first time they are spoken to.
Learning wisdom through obedienceMoses prayed in Psalm 90 for a heart of wisdom, which children develop by learning obedience just as Jesus obeyed Joseph and Mary.Psalm 90:12
Letting the beauty of the Lord be seenChildren observe how parents react during trials, making it vital that God's glory and calm trust are visible in our lives.
Children as arrows in the hand of a warriorPsalm 127 describes children as arrows, and today we train them to resist spiritual enemies and stand as warriors for God's kingdom.
The ongoing duty to pray for grandchildrenParents who have raised their children must continue praying for their grandchildren so there remains a witness for Christ in every generation.
