OceanSide church of Christ

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Part of the series: PARENTING TIPS
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ANCIENT PARENTING TIPS (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Parenting has been under attack for some time in our nation.

1.     The realm of psychology has attempted to influence parents for years through classrooms, books, and seminars.  Dr. Spock was a poster-child for pop-parenting for a long time.

2.    We also find that our government is at war with parents in many ways.

a.    God has been removed from our schools and children are taught many godless theories (i.e., evolution).

b.    The government supplies what many parents would deny their children:  contra-ceptives, the morning after pill, and abortion counseling.

c.    The government is now telling parents what their children should and should not eat.

 

B.   If parents were to turn to anyone to learn to parent, it should be to the one who created the home.

1.     It was God who created Eve and brought her unto the man (Gen. 2:18-24).

2.    It was God who commanded the first couple to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28).

3.     It is God who has given instructions to parents as to how to rear their children properly.

 

C.   This evening we are going to look at our second lesson in a series entitled:  “Ancient Parenting Tips.”

 

I.          PARENTS SHOULD INVOLVE THEIR CHILDREN IN THE LORD’S WORK

 

A.   Genesis 7:13

 

In the self-same day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark.

 

B.   At some point prior to this, God had commanded this patriarch to build the ark (Gen. 6:14).

1.     The ark was a massive structure and would take years to build.

2.    Noah’s sons were not born until Noah was 500 years old according to Genesis 5:32.

3.     Helping their father construct this great vessel would have consumed most of their young lives.

4.    Was it worth the time and energy?  Absolutely!  Ultimately, the ark brought their salvation (Heb. 11:7).

 

By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark, to the saving of his house…

 

C.   This ark was a type.  It was a figure that would represent a future reality.  That future reality was the church.

1.     Just as Noah involved his children in the building of the ark, so parents should involve their children in the works of the church.

2.    Titus 2:8

 

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men.

 

a.    First, parents need to make certain they are doing good works.

b.    Then, they need to get their children involved in the same.

 

D.   It is not surprising that Noah’s sons entered into the ark with him.  In like manner, if we will keep our children actively involved with us in the work of the church, they will enter into it and find the salvation that is found therein.

1.     Do you think the ark was just a small fraction of the life of Noah?

2.    Parents, don’t let the church and her work make up a miniscule part of your life.

 

II.        PARENTS NEED TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN TO OBEY GOD

 

A.   Obedience simply defined is “conformity to the rule and authority of a superior.”

 

B.   There are three ways to teach children obedience.

1.     Verbal instruction

2.    Practical application

3.     Parental example

 

C.   Noah definitely taught his children to obey God through his example.

1.     Genesis 6:22

 

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

 

2.    Genesis 7:5

 

And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.

 

3.     Hebrews 11:7 sheds some light into why Noah obeyed God.

 

By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark…

 

a.    Noah moved with fear.  In other words, Noah had a deep reverence and respect for God.  He stood in awe of Him.

b.    This fear undergirded his faith and caused him to build the ark.

 

D.   Parents, are you teaching your children to obey God through your example?  Do your children see you:  studying, praying, worshiping God, caring for others, forgiving others, loving your enemies, speaking evil of no man, etc.?

 

E.   NOTE:  Noah’s submission was full and complete.

1.     Twice we are told that Noah did “all” God commanded him.

2.    Partial obedience to God is really “self-rule.”  In essence, we only obey God as long as self wants to.

3.     Let your children see complete obedience.  If not, they may choose to rule some parts of their lives like you did.

 

III.      PARENTS MUST UNDERSTAND:  ENVIRONMENTS IMPACT CHILDREN

 

A.   Environment

1.     Definition

a.    The aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, and influences

b.    The social and cultural forces that shape a person’s life

2.    The environment involves:

a.    The home:  interactions, values, TV, music, games, family members, adult friends

b.    School:  authority, classmates, curriculum

c.    Friends:  family, morals

d.    Society:  leaders, laws, morality

 

B.   One of the best examples we have of an environment influencing a home is found in Lot’s family.

1.     Lot choose the “plain of Jordan” (Gen. 13:11), “and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12).  But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before God exceedingly (Gen. 13:13).

2.    In Genesis 14:12, we learn that Lot “dwelt in Sodom.”

3.     Sodom was a very evil place in which to dwell.

a.    Genesis 19 reveals to us the sins of homosexuality and violence that were practiced by the residents.

b.    Other sins also filled this wicked city (Ezek. 16:49).

 

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

 

4.    This city had a profound influence on the home of Lot.

a.    His sons-in-law would not flee when warned of the destruction of the cities (Gen. 19:14).

b.    Lot lingered the day he was supposed to flee (Gen. 19:16).

c.    Lot’s wife looked back upon the cities as she fled and was turned into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26).

d.    Lot’s daughters committed incest with him (Gen. 19:30, 38).

 

C.   Parents, please keep a close eye on the environments your child is subject to.  They can be devastating to your child’s morals, his character, and his spiritual life.

1.     This will mean saying, “No,” at times.

2.    It will mean that they will get fewer freedoms than some of their friends.

3.     It will mean they are subject to a higher standard of accountability.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have looked at three ancient parenting tips in this lesson.

1.     Involve your children in the work of the Lord.

2.    Teach your children obedience, especially through your personal example.

3.     Watch the environments to which your children are subject.

 

B.   These tips seem so simple and fall into the realm of common sense.  Yet, they are more than this.  They spring from the wisdom of God, and, He knows best.