In light of Pastor Ferrell’s new Sunday series on Biblical Productivity, we all have been reminded to have a Scriptural perspective on our roles in the home. This week, I would like to encourage the parents as they seek to shepherd their children to the glory of God. What follows comes from an article by Paul Tripp that I read this week that really challenged my thinking as a parent. So much of our teaching and shepherding is needed the most when we have the least amount of time and energy! :) However, this paves the way for God’s sufficient grace to strengthen us and reminds us of our dependent we are upon God. Please take some time to read this. You can view the entire article here - http://j.mp/e3x40v.
Parenting is all about living by the principle of prepared spontaneity. You don’t really know what’s going to happen next. You don’t really know when you’ll have to enforce a command, intervene in an argument, confront a wrong, hold out for a better way, remind someone of a truth, call for forgiveness, lead someone to confession, point to Jesus, restore peace, hold someone accountable, explain a wisdom principle, give a hug of love, laugh in the face of adversity, help someone complete a task, mediate an argument, stop with someone and pray, assist someone to see his heart, or talk once again about what it means to live together in a community of love.
What you do know is that Scripture gives you the wisdom that you need, and your always-present Messiah gives you the grace that you need to be ready to respond to the moments of opportunity he will give you. Along with this, you and I must remember that our Lord loves our children more than we ever could, and his commitment to their growth and change is more faithful and persevering than ours could ever be. Because of this, in his grace and love, he will manufacture moments that expose the needy hearts of our children to us. He will faithfully employ the little moments of everyday life to expose to us and our children their need of rescuing and forgiving grace. And he will not do this only at the moments that you feel are appropriate and when you feel most prepared.
There is a better way. It begins with praying that God would give you new eyes; eyes that are more focused on his eternal work of grace than on your momentary plans for you. This better way also includes seeking God for a flexible and willing heart, ready to abandon your agenda for God’s greater plan. And it lives with the confidence that God is in you, with you, and for you and will give you what you need so that you can face, with courage and grace, the parenting moment that you didn’t know was coming.
In Sunday School, we are continuing our DVD series with John Piper on “The Blazing Center.” We will be focusing this week on how our love for God and others flows from a delight in God, and not so much a duty to be dreaded. On Wednesdays, we are continuing to come alongside the children’s ministry by leading the worship, teaching, and game time at TCS.
Here is what is coming up in 10:31...
Let’s remember to pray for one another and provoke one another to love and good works!
Your fellow servant,
Pastor Stephen
Parenting is all about living by the principle of prepared spontaneity. You don’t really know what’s going to happen next. You don’t really know when you’ll have to enforce a command, intervene in an argument, confront a wrong, hold out for a better way, remind someone of a truth, call for forgiveness, lead someone to confession, point to Jesus, restore peace, hold someone accountable, explain a wisdom principle, give a hug of love, laugh in the face of adversity, help someone complete a task, mediate an argument, stop with someone and pray, assist someone to see his heart, or talk once again about what it means to live together in a community of love.
What you do know is that Scripture gives you the wisdom that you need, and your always-present Messiah gives you the grace that you need to be ready to respond to the moments of opportunity he will give you. Along with this, you and I must remember that our Lord loves our children more than we ever could, and his commitment to their growth and change is more faithful and persevering than ours could ever be. Because of this, in his grace and love, he will manufacture moments that expose the needy hearts of our children to us. He will faithfully employ the little moments of everyday life to expose to us and our children their need of rescuing and forgiving grace. And he will not do this only at the moments that you feel are appropriate and when you feel most prepared.
There is a better way. It begins with praying that God would give you new eyes; eyes that are more focused on his eternal work of grace than on your momentary plans for you. This better way also includes seeking God for a flexible and willing heart, ready to abandon your agenda for God’s greater plan. And it lives with the confidence that God is in you, with you, and for you and will give you what you need so that you can face, with courage and grace, the parenting moment that you didn’t know was coming.
In Sunday School, we are continuing our DVD series with John Piper on “The Blazing Center.” We will be focusing this week on how our love for God and others flows from a delight in God, and not so much a duty to be dreaded. On Wednesdays, we are continuing to come alongside the children’s ministry by leading the worship, teaching, and game time at TCS.
Here is what is coming up in 10:31...
- FOCUS Conference in February: We have had a good number sign up for this event! If you are still interested in going and have not signed up, we do have a few openings. Please let me know this week!
- 10:31 Super Bowl Party: We will be having our annual Super Bowl party on Feb. 6th @ 7:30pm, right after the evening service. Parents and students are encouraged to come! The cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. More details to come next week!
Let’s remember to pray for one another and provoke one another to love and good works!
Your fellow servant,
Pastor Stephen
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