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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
August 2, 2026
* Committed to Godly Parenting
Selected Scriptures
Introduction
It has been a few years since we last had a Baby / Parent Dedication Ceremony, so before we conduct it I want to take the time to explain what we are doing and why along with the commitment the parents are publically making before God and you as witnesses. That may inspire some additional parents in wanting to do this as well, and if so, you will be able to join us for another ceremony we are already planning for the near future to accommodate some families that could not join us today. Just let me know so that I can include you.
*The Purpose of a Baby / Parent Dedication Ceremony
I will begin by making it clear that this ceremony is not to be confused with baptism or a “christening service.” The tradition in some churches is to “baptize” a child at a “christening” service at which time the baby receives its Christian name, and godparents are appointed to assist in raising the child in the faith and taking care of the child if something happens to the parents.
*The Roman Catholic church teaches that baptism is a means of grace that removes the curse of original sin and brings the infant into the family of God and therefore into salvation. As long as the child does not grow up and commit a “mortal” sin in its life, then heaven is assured and the time spent in purgatory is negotiated by the good deeds of that person’s life and how many candles are lit and masses are said on behalf of the deceased – most often at a price. None of that can be found in the Bible. Those are ungodly practices based on salvation being based on good works instead of by God’s grace through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
*Other churches practice infant baptism with the idea that it is either the means of or the recognition of the infant being brought into a covenant relationship the parents have with God. However, that is also not grounded in the Scriptures with the practice of infant baptism distorting the clear teaching of the Bible concerning baptism. Baptism cannot save a child, give grace to a child or enter the child into any covenant. As I pointed out in the sermon on Baptism a few weeks ago, baptism is an act of obedience that demonstrates the personal identification with Jesus Christ of someone who has already placed their faith in Him as their Lord and Savior. Every clear example in the Bible of baptism is of a person who is able to think and make decisions for themselves. (See: Handout on Christian Baptism; and How to Make Disciples: Baptism – Matt. 28:19-20).
*The Scriptural precedent for today’s ceremony is found in the examples of children being presented before the Lord such as Samuel by his mother Hannah (1 Samuel 1:28), of Jesus by Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:22), and the children brought to Jesus (Luke 18:15-17). In addition, Paul reminded Timothy that “from a child” he was taught the Holy Scriptures. The purpose of today’s ceremony is a public dedication of the parents to raise their child according to the commands and direction given by God in the Scriptures.
*The parents will be affirming their commitment to: A) Recognize their child as a gift from God for whom they give heartfelt thanks to God for His blessing. *B) Be an example to their child by following the Lord God in their own daily life, seeking to know Him, love Him and obey Him with all of their hearts, minds and strength. *C) To be diligent to teach their child the truth of God’s Holy Word and instruct him/her how to love and obey God. *D) To love, protect, guide, and endeavor to provide an environment that is nurturing, loving and honest to their child. *E) To be loving, honoring and respecting one another, carrying out the Biblical roles for a husband and wife in remaining committed and united in their own relationship so that their child will have the security of a true home and understand how to have proper relationships with others
The ceremony will conclude with those in the congregation who are willing to commit themselves to endeavor to carry out their God given responsibilities as Christian brothers and sisters to both encourage and help these parents carry out their commitments to raise their child in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.
*A Blessing & Burden
A proper and godly understanding of children begins with recognizing that they are a blessing but also a burden of responsibility. That is especially true for the parents, but it is also true for everyone else that will touch their lives beginning with family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and cousins, but also those outside the family such as teachers, coaches, nurses, etc.
Psalm 127: 3-5 states, “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” *This is true even though a large part of our society rejects it because it interferes with their selfish pursuits of materialism, pleasure, prestige, and position. Children hinder all of those because they are expensive, time consuming and often inconvenient to your personal plans. That so many in our society are selfish and consider children to be a burden and only a burden to be avoided is seen in our high rate of abortion and low rates of marriage and fertility.
Yes, children do come with a great burden of responsibility. They must be fed, clothed, cleaned, sheltered, protected, educated, directed, and cared for medically, socially, mentally and emotionally. They cost a lot in terms of finances, time and energy. *For those that fail to raise them properly, they will be a curse just as stated in many Proverbs – “A foolish son is a grief to his mother” (10:1), “A child that gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (29:15), “The father of a fool has no joy” (17:21), “A foolish son is destruction to his father” (19:13), “A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him” (17:25). If the level of foolishness gets high enough, the parents will also have to endure seeing their child jailed in our society, or in other societies even executed. There are many sins in Scripture which have a punishment of death including someone who strikes his mother or father (Exodus 21:15, 17), and in Deuteronomy 21:18-21 it is the parents of a son that is stubborn, rebellious, disobedient, a glutton and drunkard that were to bring him before the elders of his city who would examine the case and then have him stoned to death in order to remove evil from the land.
*On the other hand, parents that raise their child to be godly and wise are greatly blessed as also pointed out in Proverbs – “A wise son makes a father glad” (10:1; 15:20), “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice” (23:24), “her children rise up and bless her” (31:28), and in Psalm 127 as already mentioned. There is a burden of responsibility upon parents to be diligent to follow the Lord’s commands in raising their children so that they will be blessings instead of curses.
*Before I go on to point out some of the practical ways in which parents can properly raise their children to be blessings instead of curses, let me quickly point that there is a dual responsibility in the outcome. All children arrive with foolishness bound up in their hearts and it is the job of the parent to remove it from them by the correction of discipline and teaching (Prov. 13:234; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:13-17). No parent does everything perfectly in raising their children, so there must be a lot of time spent on your knees asking God to intervene in mercy and grace. In humility we also confess our failings when we recognize them and ask forgiveness from both God and our children. That makes us wiser to give advice to others in parenting matters because we can point to both what should be done and what is to be avoided from our own example.
*At the same time, the child who becomes a foolish adult is absolutely responsible for himself and cannot blame his parents even when complicit. That is a popular approach by psychologists, but that is simply following the example of Adam and Eve in blaming someone else for their own failure. The reality is that God has revealed Himself and His will to all mankind in the Bible, and everyone stands individually responsible before God for his failure to obey God’s commands regardless of any other influence upon them. God does not punish the father for the iniquity of the son, nor the son for the sins of the father (Ezekiel 18:20). Everyone sins by their failure to obey God, so every person is in need of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ.
*The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle (Original published 1888)
In order to give parents some very practical direction and help in raising their children in a godly manner, we ask them to read the booklet, The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle, and then answer some questions from it before the dedication ceremony occurs. It is available free online at www.WholesomeWords.org. Ryle gives 17 practical principles in training up children. These points are not only good for parents, but they are useful to anyone working with children, and since many of them are general truths that can be applied in many other areas, they can be helpful for everyone. The rest of this sermon will be briefly examining and commenting on each of his 17 points.
*I. Train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would.
Ryle writes, “Children are born with a decided bias toward evil, and therefore if you let them choose for themselves, they are certain to choose wrong.” *This is based on Scriptures such as Proverbs 22:15a, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child,” and Proverbs 29:15b, “But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother,” and Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
A philosophy underlying many of the practices of modern parenting rejects these truths and instead views children as innocent and therefore wise, and the task of the parents is to not mess them up. The result is parents who in fear cater to the whims of their children.
*The reality is that children neither innocent nor wise. They arrive with a sin nature inherited from Adam and have foolish hearts and must be restrained and corrected. Ryle concludes, “Self-will is almost the first thing that appears in a child’s mind; and it must be your first step to resist it.” “Train him in the way that is scriptural and right, and not in the way that he fancies.”
*II. Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience.
Ryle is not in any way referring to spoiling the child, but rather love being the “silver thread” that runs through all your conduct. It is using kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys, which enables you to lead the child and find a way into his heart. There is a natural element of such tender affection of a parent for their child (1 Thess. 2:7), but it takes the Holy Spirit to prod and empower you to do this at all times lest you break the command in Colossians 3:21 and by impatience, harshness and sternness you provoke them to anger and cause them to lose heart. A child that knows he is loved will respect you without being afraid.
*III. Train your children with an abiding persuasion on your mind that much depends upon you.
This point is focused on the first part of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go.” Training in early childhood has a great impact on the character development of the child for that is when its seeds are sown. Take advantage and treat as precious those early years when children take for granted what you tell them and trust you above all others to use that to set the proper direction for his life.
*IV. Train with this thought continually before your eyes — that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered.
Parents cannot save the souls of their children since that is ultimately the work God’s grace as the Holy Spirit convicts to bring repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, parents are to consider the condition of the souls of their children above all else in raising them. Point them continually toward heaven by teaching them about God and His will while warning them of worldliness. Training them to be successful in this world without training them to be prepared for eternity is failure.
*V. Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible.
You cannot train them in what you do not know yourself, so this begins with the parents own quest to know God’s word. Each generation is to declare God and His works to the next (Psalm 145:4), and diligently teach them to know and love the Lord God and His commandments (Deuteronomy 6:1-9). *By your own example as well as by instruction and interaction teach them to read their Bible regularly, reverently and completely. Bible story books are a good start until they can read well themselves, but then teach them to read whole books and interact with it writing down observations, questions and how to study it to find answers. This should include memorizing key verses and passages especially on issues they may be learning or wrestling with. Make the Scriptures the key element of family devotions as you discuss how to put what it teaches into practice.
*VI. Train them to a habit of prayer.
Example is also critical in teaching proper prayer to your children and others. Ryle calls this “the very life breath of true religion” and points to prayer as the first evidence to Ananias that Saul of Tarsus was converted (Acts 9:11). He marks prayer as a distinction between the Lord’s people and the world (Gen. 4:26). He describes true prayer as “the peculiarity of all real Christians.” It is actual conversation with God as the soul is poured out before Him in praise, thanksgiving, and petitions concerning thoughts, feelings, fears, and desires.
*Begin with your example in both words and attitude, then have them repeat simple prayers, praises and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6). As they get older, have them say their own prayers, praises and thanksgiving. Those will be simple at first and become more complex as they get older. When they can write, have them start keeping a prayer journal to remember what to pray about and keep track of God’s answers to those prayers.
*VII. Train them to habits of diligence, and regularity about public means of grace.
This is referring to being at church services to join the congregation of saints in praise, worship, prayer, preaching and fellowship. This can include additional children’s ministry meetings, but those are not substitutes for congregational worship. This church fully recognizes that young children will have a hard time with sermons designed for adults, so we offer nursery care and a children’s church up through 3rd grade, but even then the children are with everyone until the sermon begins because we want them to see the adults in worship of God. We also have suggested activities for children who stay for the sermon that will help them focus on what is being said. We want to teach them early the discipline of paying attention to all that occurs in the congregational worship services.
*VIII. Train them to a habit of faith
This begins by teaching your children to trust and believe you even though they may not yet understand everything you tell them or the reasons why. That means you must be trustworthy yourself. Your example of trusting and believing God in the same manner will help them learn to do the same. Faith is believing and trusting God to obey His commands and do His will even when the purpose and reasons for it are not yet understood. Isaac believed his father Abram when they went to Mt. Moriah without the sacrifice and Abram said that “God will Himself provide the Lamb.” *We are to teach our children the reality of Hebrews 11:1, 6 – 1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen . . .” 6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” We are to believe what God says and act accordingly and teach our children the same by our example – which brings up the next point.
*IX. Train them to a habit of obedience.
This training begins by requiring your children to obey God’s command in Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” If you do not require them to obey you as their parent, then you are teaching them to disobey God. Joshua was able to say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15) because those in his household would obey him and follow his example. That should be true in your home. This also extends to all who are in a proper position of authority to whom children are to obey. Do not allow them to disobey based on their own whims, wishes, pride and self-conceit. The only authorities children should disobey are those that want them to do something contrary to God’s stated will, for obedience is always first and foremost to God.
*Obedience to God is the evidence of friendship with Christ and love for God (John 14:21; 15:14). Again, training your children begins with your own example. If your own love for Christ is demonstrated in your trust and obedience to Him and His commands, then your children will follow your example.
*X. Train them to a habit of always speaking the truth.
In a society in which lying has become normal to the point people have become cynical in believing almost anyone, being truthful in all things is essential to gaining the trust of others. (I will have a sermon in a few weeks on discernment so that you can more easily recognize who is telling the truth and who is lying or misled by liars). This of course means that if you want your children to be truthful, then you must be truthful in all things. Christians are to be truthful because that reflects God who is true (John 8:26; Rom. 3:4), Jesus Christ who is the truth (John 14:6), and the Holy Spirit who is the spirit of truth (John 15:26). Lying is of the devil who is the father of lies (John 8:44), so we are specifically commanded not to lie (Col. 3:9) because no lie is of the truth (1 John 2:21).
*You do not have to teach children to lie. It comes naturally to them because they have foolishness bound up in their hearts. Make lying the very serious issue that it is and do not treat it nonchalantly or with indifference. Lying destroys trust and so it destroys the dynamic necessary for good relationships. It is absolutely tragic how many marriages, families, friendships, and even churches have been destroyed by lying, and that includes lying to supposedly protect someone’s feelings. That only allows them to continue on their current path that will eventually harm themselves or others or both. Is not lying at the heart of catering to sexual perversions including the denial of reality in transgenderism?
*XI. Train them to a habit of always redeeming the time.
This comes from Ephesians 5:16. We are to be “making the most of our time, because the days are evil.” Time marks the precious stream of life and wasting it is to waste life itself. *It is interesting to note how often idleness, having nothing to do or at least not pursing something productive to do, was a foundation for serious sins. It was one of the problems with Sodom according to Ezekiel 16:49 for in addition to pride / arrogance and abundant food, “an abundance of idleness was in her.” David’s many sins related to adultery with Bathsheba began with being idle in the palace instead of out with the army in the war they were fighting (2 Samuel 11).
*Ryle implores parents to teach their children the value of time and to help them learn the habit of using it well. Teach them to put their whole heart into whatever they are doing and be active in it whether it is chores, school lessons, or even the amusements of play.
*XII. Train them with a constant fear of over-indulgence
This is Ryle’s warning to parents to avoid the danger of spoiling the child. This includes not just letting them have their own way, but also of withholding the correction and discipline needed to train their character. I already pointed out Proverbs 29:15 that “a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.” *There are plenty of Proverbs that point out the necessity of correction and discipline to correct the problems that arise from the foolishness of a child’s heart (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15, 17). The sins of Hophni & Phenehas only increased until they had made themselves vile because their dad, the high priest Eli, failed to restrain them (1 Samuel 2:22-29; 3:13). David’s failure to take direct and quick action regarding the sins of his sons – Amnon’s incest, Absalom’s murder and proud rebellion, Adonijah’s scheming ambition – resulted in all sorts of troubles for himself, his family and the nation.
I join with Ryle’s plea to parents to not let their child “suppose his will is to be everything, and that he has only to desire a thing and it will be done. Do not, I pray you, make your children idols, lest God should take them away, and break your idol, just to convince you of your folly.” “Learn to say ‘No’ to your children.” *Do not be a threatening, repeating parent. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Set the standards and rules and carry out the proper correction and punishment for failure to meet them.
*XIII. Train them remembering continually how God trains His children.
Follow the example God sets before us in how He trains His own followers. He is ever faithful in His care and watch over us including the work of conforming us into the image of His son (Phil. 1:6). *Like a good husbandman He prunes His vines that they may bear more fruit. He is constantly at work to remove from our lives that which is sinful and dead, but also that which would be an encumbrance to us to being as productive as we could be (John 15:2). He withholds from us not just what would be bad for us, but even things that would otherwise be good, but are not the best for us at that stage of life (Hebrews 12:1). David did not become king until after he has spent time as a shepherd, a warrior, a general, and then years fleeing from king Saul as he learned to trust God in difficult and unjust circumstances and wait for God’s timing. The apostle Paul learned to be content in all circumstance of being filled and going hungry, of having abundance and suffering need (Phil. 4:12). The road from Egypt to Canaan was long and circuitous as God chastened and refined His people in preparation for their conquest of the promised land. *Proverbs 16:9 states, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” Teach your children to be patient as they wait for God’s plan for them to unfold in the providence of His own timing instead of their own. That includes learning to welcome God’s chastening, for as stated in Hebrews 12:5-11, it is proof we are legitimate children of God for He chastens whom He loves, and that though sorrowful when going through it, He trains us by it and eventually we will enjoy its peaceful fruit of righteousness.
*XIV. Train them remembering continually the influence of your own example.
Never be a parent that can be accused of teaching their children to do what they say and not what they do. Children will observe and mimic all that you do, and as they get older, they will recognize your hypocrisy and reject you if you are demanding from them a standard that you will not keep yourself. To paraphrase an astute observation, to give children good instruction but a bad example is to point their head toward heaven while taking them by the hand to lead them in the way of hell.
How often parental practice is repeated in the children even when it is obvious that the practice is detrimental to a good and healthy life. Drunks beget drunks. Liars beget liars. Adulterers beget fornicators. Cheats beget cheats. However, the opposite is also often true. Godly parents raise godly offspring.
Here is a quick example of this that comes from a study done many decades ago contrasting the descendants of woman that grew up on the Hudson River and lived an evil life. County records show that of the 900 of her descendants that were traced, 200 were on the county records as criminals; 9 of her own children served an aggregate term of 50 years in state prison; and a considerable proportion of her offspring were idiots, lunatics, prostitutes, drunkards, and paupers. The opposite spectrum is seen the descendants of Jonathan Edwards, the great theologian of the mid 18th century. Edwards’ father was a preacher, as was his mother’s father. Of the 1,400 of Edwards descendants that were traced, there have been 14 college or university presidents; 100 professors; 100 ministers of the gospel; 600 doctors; 30 judges; 25 officers in the Army and Navy; and others include mayors, senators, governors and ambassadors.
Train your children being very mindful of the influence of your own example.
*XV. Train them remembering continually the power of sin.
In this section Ryle simply points out that children born into your home are neither angels nor innocent. All children are humans with a corrupt sinful nature, so do not be surprised by either the sins to which they will be attracted or the sins they will commit. Be alert to the danger of the temptations they will face that will be the spark to set aflame hearts bent toward evil. Remember their natural inclination to depravity and teach them how to battle it while always pointing to Christ as the only true hope for victory in this life and for eternity.
*XVI. Train them remembering continually the promises of Scripture.
The many promises of God recorded in the Scriptures are the hope of the parent because it means you can rely on Him to accomplish all of them in His own timing. If you will trust and follow Him, He will enable you to raise your children according to His plan. In addition, because He loves your children more than you do as proven by the cross of Calvary, you can also rest in His peace even when your soul is troubled over your children. His promises enable you to persevere even when you want to give up. God is still in control; His purpose will be established; He will accomplish all of His good will (Isaiah 46:10).
*XVII. Train them with continual prayer for a blessing on all you do.
Ryle writes, “Water, therefore, the seed you sow on their minds with unceasing prayer. The Lord is far more willing to hear than we to pray; far more ready to give blessings than we to ask them; — but He loves to be entreated for them.” *Follow the many Scriptural examples of parents that recognized their children were gifts from God and meant to be blessings (Gen. 33:5; 48:9; Psalm 127:3). Follow their example in interceding with God on behalf of your children as Abraham did for Ishmael (Gen. 17:18), Manoah did for Samson (Judges 13:12), and Job did for his children (Job 1:5). You cannot bring them before God’s mercy seat too often.
Yes, godly parents give birth to unregenerate children who may reject the truth of God all of their lives, but if you will not interceded with God on their behalf, then it is unlikely you will raise them in the nurture and admonition / discipline and instruction of the Lord as commanded in Ephesians 6:4. And if so, then you are not actually very godly, so do not be surprised if your children continue in their natural ungodly state. But if you will pray for them and follow the Lord’s instructions in raising them, then you will have the blessing of seeing the Lord work in their lives though it will be in His timing.
I will conclude as did Ryle with a prayer for parents, those working with children, and children.
Lord, grant that each person will be convicted about the abominable nature of sin which you hate so that they will mourn over it and strive to pluck those caught in it from its fire. Grant as well that each person will learn how precious Jesus Christ is and what a mighty and complete work He has done for our salvation. Teach all the absolute need of the Holy Spirit to quicken, renew and sanctify the soul so that they rely on Him and be sensitive to His leading. Prod and empower each parent to be godly themselves and be diligent to train their children up with godly wisdom so that they will be a blessing on earth in the here and now even as they are sanctified by your Spirit and conformed into the image of Christ and fitted for eternity in heaven.
Sermon Notes – 8/2/2026
Committed to Godly Parenting – Selected Scriptures
INTRODUCTION
The Purpose of a Baby / Parent Dedication Ceremony
This ___________ a baptism or christening service
Roman Catholic practices are ungodly teaching salvation based on good ______instead of God’s grace & faith
Practices of ______baptism are contrary to what the Scriptures teach about the purpose & meaning of baptism
Our ceremony is based on different _____________of children being brought before the Lord
Parents will be ______________ their commitment in five areas of godly living and child rearing
A Blessing & Burden – Psalm 127:3-5
The __________reject the blessing of children and consider them only as burdens to be avoided
Those that do not raise their children according to God’s directions will find them become ____________
Despite the work involved, raising children according to God’s direction will help them to be ___________
No parent is perfect, so we pray for God’s mercy & ____, & in humility we confess when we discover failings
Each individual is responsible for their ______________against God & cannot blame others even if complicit
The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle (Original – 1888. Available at www.WholesomeWords.org).
I. Train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would
Proverbs 14:12; 22:15a, 29:15b. Children are born with a __nature & foolish heart. Parents must correct them
II. Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience.
With true _____& all its elements lead the child & find a way into his heart – avoid impatience, harshness, etc.
III. Train your children with an abiding persuasion on your mind that much depends upon you.
Proverbs 22:6a – be diligent to train from an early age for that is when the seeds of _______________are sown
IV. Train with this thought continually before your eyes — that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered.
While salvation is the work of God, parents are to diligently teach their children about Him and the ________
V. Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible.
By your own example & instruction teach them to _________their Bible regularly, reverently & completely
VI. Train them to a habit of prayer.
By example & instruction, teach them to properly pray for it is “the very ________________of true religion”
Be the ____________, then teach simple prayers, then to make their own prayers, then to journal their prayers
VII. Train them to habits of diligence, and regularity about public means of grace.
Teach them to regularly participate in ____________________worship from an early age
VIII. Train them to a habit of faith
This begins by teaching them to believe & trust you, so you must be _______________
By your own _______________of faith in God teach them the reality of Hebrews 11:1,6
IX. Train them to a habit of obedience – Ephesians 6:1
If you do not require your children to obey you as their parent, you are teaching them to ___________God
________________to God is the evidence of friendship with Him and love for Him (John 14:21, 15:14)
X. Train them to a habit of always speaking the truth – Colossians 3:9; 1 John 2:21
In a society in which lying has become normal, being truthful in all things is essential to gain ______of others
A child’s foolish heart lies naturally, but lying destroys trust & relationships, so treat it as a very _______issue
XI. Train them to a habit of always redeeming the time – Ephesians 5:16
_____________is often the foundation for sin (Ezk. 16:49, 2 Sam. 11)
Time marks the precious stream of ________, so teach children to value it and use it well
XII. Train them with a constant fear of over-indulgence
Do not _________the child by letting him have his own way or by withholding proper correction & discipline
Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15, 17. Sin increases when it is _____________________
Don’t be a threatening, repeating parent. Say what you mean & mean what you say. Set & live by the _______
XIII. Train them remembering continually how God trains His children.
God is _________in His care & watch even as He conforms us into the image of Christ (Phil. 1:6; Rom. 8:29)
He ________us to make us more fruitful, He _____________what is not best for us, His timing is always best
Proverbs 16:9 – teach your children to be __________as God unfolds His plan for them by His providence
XIV. Train them remembering continually the influence of your own example.
Children will follow your ____________much more than your instruction
XV. Train them remembering continually the power of sin.
Don’t be surprised when your children sin, and be alert to the dangers of the _______________they will face
XVI. Train them remembering continually the promises of Scripture.
God’s many promises give _______to parents enabling them to persevere – He will accomplish His good will
XVII. Train them with continual prayer for a blessing on all you do – James 4:2c
Be a parent who is diligent to ____________with God if you want to see the Lord’s blessing on your children
KIDS KORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Count how many times the word “train” or “teach” is said. 2) Discuss with your parents what you learned about the importance of them training & teaching you.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. Is there Biblical justification for baptizing / Christening babies? What blessings do children bring? What burdens of responsibility do children bring? What are your thoughts about why so many in our society do not like or want children? What is the dual responsibility in what kind of an adult a child becomes? What factors contribute to a child being either a blessing or a curse? Examine Ryle’s seventeen principles and evaluate which ones you are doing well, which you need to improve, and which you need to implement with your own children or those with whom you work.
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