Christian Parenting Series
Part 2, Discipling Reasoning Children |
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FOLLOW
THE
CROWD? ~
FOLLOW
THE
LORD!
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One way to parent your children (who are beginning to reason) so Christ’s character is formed in them is to
move children
from being rule-followers
to becoming Life-giving principle-based people.
The principles of the kingdom of God are like the skeleton that holds our Christian walk together, as we stand on the Foundation Who is Truth, Jesus Himself.
Without the skeleton of principles, though, we are like gelatin, just shaking instead of being able to move freely through our Christian walk. It reminds me of the Far Side cartoon entitled "Boneless Chicken Breast Farm" where all the chickens are flopping on the ground because they are boneless, without a skeleton.
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When discussing child-training issues, it is helpful to differentiate between “rules” and
“Standards of Conduct.”
Why?
Because rules lead young children to understand right and wrong, and Standards of Conduct lead reasoning children to more evaluative thinking about heart matters.
We act upon what we believe to be true. As Christians, we know that Truth is the Person of Jesus Christ. Godly principles are found in Him, the Living Word, and confirmed through the Holy Spirit in the written Word, the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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Also, without the skeleton of Life-giving principles, we ourselves and our children are more susceptible to follow the crowd and receive
Training young children through rules that are carried out by parents practicing a grace-based mindset and moving to Standards of Conduct as children begin to reason will ground children because they are being edified or built up in the principles of Life and Love Himself.
During their young adult lives, they will be equipped to make decisions from these Life-giving principles that will serve them for the rest of the adulthood. Instead of following the crowd, they will follow the Lord. To God be the glory!
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Mom, too, has the opportunity to grow while parenting reasoning children.
Will Mom follow the crowd or follow the Lord?
There are many good programs available, many good schools, many good mentors—many voices beckoning, “Follow me!” But before following these voices, Mom can prayerfully ask,
Will this choice bring His Life to my heart and home
and the hearts and lives of my children?
A mom who abides in Christ will receive the wisdom for her particular relationships and circumstances as she develops the tool of home, and she will learn not only to hear the Voice of the Lord but also to follow Him. His Life will overflow from her heart into the lives of her children and the lives of others in her sphere of influence.
Mom will not be tossed about by every wind of teaching as she is established in the Foundation Who is Christ, as she seeks Christ as her Head/Source for all things, and as she is edified and built up by the principles of sound doctrine.
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This season of discipling children who are beginning to reason builds upon the season of parenting young children.
Mom, continue to root yourself in the life of the Lord Whose love will fill you to overflowing. As you are released to receive His love and then give that love from the overflow of your heart, your own heart will be opened to discern sound doctrine.
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Teach us, Lord, to identify and walk in principles
that move us and our children forward
and grow us into mature and useful vessels for Your kingdom,
ready to be used by Your Spirit
Who gives sight, heals, and sets captives free
as we are edified by sound doctrine.
We are to grow up in all aspects into Him,
Who is the head,
even Christ.
~Ephesians 4:15
READING
GUIDES
Learn more about all the Reading Guides here.
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If you would like a more structured approach to reading the articles in the Discipling Reasoning Children series, please consider signing up for the Reading Guide below.
You will receive an email once a week for seven weeks.
The Guide suggests an order for reading the articles outlined in the Table of Contents as well as these two articles: “Releasing Steadfast Children” and “Celebrating Established People of God.” It also includes personal meditation suggestions so you can practically apply Life-giving principles to your daily life.
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SUGGESTION I suggest that you
register for the four-week
Parenting Overview Reading Guide
first (found at the bottom of this page)
because it lays the foundation
for the distinctive mindset
of these articles.
At the end of the four weeks,
you will be prompted
to register for this
Parenting Young Children
Reading Guide.
However,
if you would prefer to skip the
Overview Reading Guide
and register only for this one,
please sign up below.
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Your email address will only be used to send you this Guide.
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