Jesus Only: Part TwoSample

Week 9, Day 2 - Monday

A Matter of the Heart

In Colossians 3:20 we read that children are to obey their parents in everything because it pleases the Lord. In Ephesians 6:4 we find a sister verse to the one in Colossians with a slight twist at the end - we are told that parents are to bring up their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. So, let’s look at it from that angle; what are parents to teach and model for their children, and ask of their children, that children are supposed to obey?

The main responsibility of a God-loving parent is to teach their children who God is, what His attributes are, and what matters to Him. What God cares the most about is our hearts; how we love Him, and how we love each other. I think back to when Samuel was choosing a new king for Israel. He was looking one by one at Jesse’s sons but none of them were the right one. 

1 Samuel 16:7 says, 'But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”' 

So finally, they brought in David. David had the heart God was looking for, a heart that would seek Him. David went on to be one of the great kings of Israel. 

One of the most significant ways we can show children how to grow the right heart for God is by living out a life of real faith in front of them where God is the center point. A life that is focused on loving God and loving others because of the love that God has for us. 

Children are emulators. They like to imitate. This gives parents a unique opportunity to be positive influencers in the lives of their children by clothing themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, by forgiving others, and by putting on love (paraphrased from Colossians 3: 13-15), not only towards them, but also towards others.

A child’s heart is like a garden. It is a great privilege and honor (and no easy task) to be one of the people to play a prominent role in showing them how to prepare the soil of their hearts so that the Spirit can grow His fruit within them.

Prayer:

“Teach me your way, LORD,
   that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart
   that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
   I will glorify your name forever.”
- Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)

Reflection Question(s);

What are three attributes of God that you want your children to know?

Which of the list of positive influencer behaviors do you need most help with when it comes to relating to /modeling for your children?