The Call and Challenge of Parenting
January 26, 2025
The Call and Challenge of Parenting
By Richard Smith
1-26-24
*NOTICE (Leaders, please read this to your group): While this week’s message dealt primarily with parenting, we know that not everyone going through these questions is currently walking through that season of life. If that’s you this week please don’t disengage from discussion. Consider ways that you can come alongside parents in your group to help them in the cooperative effort of raising godly children and consider how these principles apply to the discipling relationships you have with younger Christians.
Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.
- Does anyone have a testimony to share of ways you were able to teach your children to obey in this past week?
Engage: Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.
- Read Colossians 3:20-21 and discuss what surprised you or stood out about the text and/or sermon.
Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.
- What lessons can we learn from God’s perfect fatherhood, especially when dealing with rebellious children?
- Richard said, “We have to parent from the gospel.” How do we practically do that every day?
- What role does prayer play in parenting and how can we cultivate a habit of “parenting on our knees”?
- How can we avoid the pitfalls of discouragement mentioned in the sermon (like nagging, angry speech, belittling, etc.) in our interactions with children or others?
Respond: Look ahead and around to see how you can be obedient and missional.
- In what ways can we apply the concept of “no screen time before Scripture” to our own spiritual lives?
- The sermon emphasizes the importance of habits and routines. What are some positive habits you’d like to implement in your family life?
Parenting Resources Richard Mentioned
“Habits of the Household” – by Justin Earley
Habits of the Household – teaching at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO6lHII6WbU
Justin Earley also has an Instagram page with many short reels that offer good advice. His Instagram page is @Justinwhitmelearley
There are countless good articles on the Desiring God website as well. So go to:
DesiringGod.org – this link takes you to Parenting Articles
There you will find articles like this
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/every-good-parent-will-have-regrets
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/your-best-parenting-may-not-work
I also recommend that parents watch a You Tube testimony entitled:
“Luke Hahn’s Testimony: God had to strip me of everything.”
The video is helpful in two ways. First, Luke clearly and graciously removes all blame of his parents for the years that he ran from God. Second, the video might be something you could “casually” send your older/adult straying child. Because Luke humbly talks about the path God used to bring him back to the Lord. It might be one of those videos that you could send to your child by saying that your pastor recommended that families watch it.