Parenting is NOT easy, but its simple: train your children the way God trains you.

Psalm 127:3a NLT "Children are a gift from God."

Our goal is to raise the type of child we would want to be friends with as an adult.  

Ephesians 6:1-4 NLT "Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Children are provoked to anger when their core needs are not met.

1. Children need unconditional love. 

A child must know that they are valued, accepted and have a secure place in their family.

2. Children need a relationship with Jesus.

YOU lead them to Christ – and at an early age.

3. Children need spiritual discipleship.

Discipleship is intentional learning through practice. You are the mentor, they are the apprentice. (teacher/student)

P.R.E.P. your children:

Pray with them & for them.

Read scripture with them and to them.

Experience the presence of the Holy Spirit with them.

Protect  them from negative influences.

4. Children need to have fun.

5. Children need discipline.

Don't think of discipline as punishment for bad behavior, think of it as training in good behavior.  

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:15 "A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away."

It's a child's job to test their boundaries. It's your job to determine and enforce the boundaries.

Keys to loving, effective discipline: 

   1.      Pick your battles.

   2.      Set clear expectations and consequences.

   3.      Administer discipline with restraint.

   4.      Be consistent!

6. Children need a safe place to talk.

7. Children need role models.

Good parents don't just say it, they demonstrate it.

Don't be like Jesse, who didn't even invite David to be considered for king.

(1 Sam 16 )

***Are you training your children in the way Jesus is training you?