Setting a Godly Example as Parents -- Santosh Poonen -- November 27, 2020
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that the relationship between parents and children is vital to God, drawing from Malachi 4:6, which speaks of restoring the hearts of fathers to their children. He advises that if there is distance, the responsibility lies with the parents to first ask God to restore their own hearts. Furthermore, he teaches that gratitude, stemming from recognizing the unshakable Kingdom of Heaven, should motivate parents to view their role in raising children as a service to God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Understanding God's perspective as a fatherBecoming a father transformed the speaker's view of God, realizing that God's love flows effortlessly to His children just as human parental love flows naturally.
Restoring hearts between parents and childrenMalachi's prophecy points to restoring the hearts of fathers to their children, teaching that spiritual distance in children often points back to parental responsibility.
Parenting as a service to an unshakable kingdomRaising children is an act of service to God, made possible through a spirit of gratitude for belonging to a kingdom that cannot be shaken.Hebrews 12:28–29
Noah: Walking with GodNoah lived in constant awareness of God's presence 24/7, which enabled him to lead his adult family safely into the ark.Genesis 6:9
Job: Fearing God and praying for adult childrenJob feared God and consistently consecrated his adult children, recognizing his parental authority to pray over them.
Abraham: Trusting God's promisesAbraham trusted God's promises over decades, demonstrating that God must remain first even when tested with what He has given.Genesis 15:6
Being aware of teenagers' needs and setting examplesChildren naturally copy those around them, making it vital for parents to model outward-centeredness and the active presence of God in the home.
Practical ways to connect and avoid pitfallsSpend quality time with children, give positive affirmation, assign responsibilities, and avoid feeding into worldly peer pressure.
Seeking divine wisdom and setting screen-time boundariesParents should ask God for wisdom in moments of uncertainty and establish healthy boundaries, such as keeping electronic devices in open family spaces.James 1:5
