Peacemaking: What Can I Expect of My Children?

June 9, 2008

We all have sinful children that fight at times, and we are all sinners who often act from exasperation and impatience. But there is great encouragement in the gospel that Jesus gives us the power and wisdom to grow in grace. ( HT: BBC )

Can our children really learn and apply the truth of Philippians 2:3-4? For that matter, can we?

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Or how about 2 Timothy 2:24-25? Can we and our children actually become less quarrelsome? Can we truly grow to the point where we are correcting our children gently more often than correcting them in frustration?

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”

I take great comfort in these two things:

1. The Bible would not command us to do something that is impossible.
2. What the Bible commands, the gospel gives us the power to become.

Read the full article.

Other Helpful Resources:

1. Shepherding a Child’s Heart (Book | Parent’s Handbook | Leader’s Guide | DVD)
2. Instructing a Child’s Heart
3. Raising Children God’s Way
4. Hints for Parents: With Gospel Encouragements by Tedd Tripp
5. Don’t Make Me Count to Three: A Mom’s Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline
6. Training Hearts, Teaching Minds

Posted in Bethlehem Baptist Church, Children, Chrisian Living, Parenting, Parents