A Good Mother And A Bad One - Zac Poonen
Summary
The sermon uses the story of Hannah to emphasize that children are a gift from God that must be dedicated back to the Lord. It extends this principle to all believers, urging parents to guide their children to recognize God's ownership over them. The speaker also stresses that every believer has a specific, God-ordained place in the body of Christ, and that faith, not just knowledge, must be imparted to the next generation.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Hannah and PeninnahThe speaker introduces the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, contrasting her childlessness with Peninnah who had children and taunted her.
Children as God's giftPoonen stresses that children are gifts from the Lord, and just as Hannah understood this, parents today must recognize that they do not deserve God's gifts.
Hannah's vow to give her son back to the LordHannah prayed in her affliction and vowed that if God gave her a son, she would give him back to the Lord all the days of his life.
How believers serve God todayWhile 99 percent of believers serve God alongside a secular job like the Apostle Paul, every parent must give their children back to the Lord for His service.
Fulfilling the vowWhen the Lord answered Hannah's prayer, she brought Samuel to the tabernacle and dedicated him to the Lord for life.
Raising children for God's specific taskPoonen encourages all parents to raise their children to live for God and fulfill the specific task He has for them, avoiding disobedience by forcing them into full-time work or secular jobs outside of God's calling.
The jigsaw puzzle of the body of ChristThe body of Christ is like a jigsaw puzzle where every piece, including our children, has one specific place and must not try to imitate someone else.
How Timothy's mother imparted faithMothers like Timothy's mother impart true faith through how they handle difficult situations at home calmly and trustfully rather than getting worked up and worried.
Samuel remaining pure despite corrupt influencesDespite growing up near Eli's corrupt sons, Samuel remained pure because of the early prayer and instruction he received from his mother.
Starting early in a child's lifeGreat values can be imparted into the heart and mind of a child through prayer and instruction during their first five to seven years.
Samuel's sons turned asideLater in life, Samuel's own sons did not walk in his ways and took bribes, which happened largely because Samuel was constantly traveling and their mother was not godly like Hannah.1 Samuel 8:1–3
The danger of a father's constant absenceSamuel judged Israel while constantly traveling, and his children grew up corrupt because of a lack of a godly home environment; fathers who work hard must be careful not to neglect their children.1 Samuel 7:15
Making time for your childrenFathers must spend time with their children so they do not grow up feeling that ministry or money-making was more important than them.
The greatest gift you can give your childrenPoonen concludes that the greatest gift God gives is not a job, a house, or money, but faith, humility, and godliness, urging parents not to play the fool and lose their children.
