CHRISTIAN PARENTING SERIES
PART II
DISCIPLING REASONING CHILDREN

EXAMPLE OF
HONORING

Develop the Tool of Home Through Practicing Faithfulness

1. Parenting Young Children
2. Discipling Reasoning Children Introduction
   • Transition to Standards of Conduct
   • Develop the Tool of Home
     • Example of Honoring (Do Extra)
     • Example Example of Honoring (Faithfulness)
     • Example of Perseverance
     • Examples of Coming Alongside
   • Rejoice in Reality
   • A Conversation Between Two Moms
3. Releasing Steadfast Children
   
4. Celebrating Established People of God

One very productive and efficient way to impart Biblical principles to your children and internalize them yourself is to believe the Word and then live it in the Spirit.

Instead of seeing the Bible as a lesson to be taught, see it as a letter written to be enjoyed and cherished. With that broader relational attitude (relationship of One Person to another [that's us]) towards the written Word, you will

Work out with your children what God is working in to your life. For example, if He is moving you towards more faithfulness in your home responsibilities, work out faithfulness in your children’s home responsibilities as well.

If you believe that verse, live it in the Spirit! Practice the underlying principles behind this Scripture in your daily routines.

One principle included in this verse is the Standard of Conduct: honor each other.

Instruct ~ What Will Your Children DO?

Give your children clear instructions about what to do as you come alongside them for a time, showing them how to do the task, honoring your children as you instruct.

For example, if you’re cleaning a bathroom and you want your child to clean the sink as you do the other tasks, show the child where the cleaner is kept and how you want the sink cleaned. Pretty much common sense! Keep the conversation upbeat as you instruct and come alongside the child.

After the instruction, you might add,

You will be surprised what children will do for you, if they are validated and loved! I taught my young son how to make his bed, and there have been days where he has made my bed, just to “do a little extra.”

Model Faithfulness ~ What Do You Want Your Children To BE?

As you bring your children alongside you in daily routines or as you come alongside them in their routines, faithfulness—a fruit of the Spirit—will be developed in both your children’s lives and yours.

When you carry out your own home responsibilities, model the things you want your children to be—faithful to do the task at the prescribed time, cheerful while you do it, and thorough to completion.

As you model these outward behaviors, which are a reflection of what God is doing in your heart, your children will model you.

Throughout your routines, remind your children (as God is reminding you) that being faithful in that which is least prepares them for being faithful in much. The words that come from your mouth to your children will often be the very words God is speaking to your own heart. You will be parenting your children as your Father-God parents you.

The seemingly mundane in our lives (all our lives, including mom's and dad's) prepares us in so many ways—faithfulness, diligence, patience, stewardship, doing a thorough job—with the character we will need to live in service to God and our fellow man. Routines are areas in our children's lives where we can monitor their character growth as we monitor our own.

Also remind your children that there is a consequence for willful disobedience.

Extend Grace ~ What Will You, Mom, DO and BE?

When conflicts arise—and they will!—how will you respond?

I’d encourage you to examine right now what you do when there is conflict.

• Do you sigh?
• Do you cringe?
• Do you command?
• Do you yell?
• Do you try to do what’s right and then yell?
• Is God’s grace and wisdom a part of your response?
• Do you view conflicts as opportunities?
• Do you take the time to instruct and correct during conflict?
• Do you love or are you irritated?
• Are you developing the tool of home so that you and your children are spending time together growing in relationship?

Dealing with conflict in your relationships will develop your character! Embrace these opportunities with prayer, zeal, and hopeful anticipation as you water the seeds you have planted.

Administer Consequences For Disobedience…

This is a prayerful time of discerning the heart of your child. Stay close to the Lord to hear from Him if, indeed, your child is willfully disobeying or just being a child who needs time to process the training or perhaps needs more careful instruction as you come alongside him.

…or Validate Your Children’s Growth.

As we watch our children grow in Godly character, it is such a precious time for us moms to bless our children. As we bless our children and validate their growth in Godly character, we get a glimpse into the heart of God.

1. Parenting Young Children
   My Child ~ His Child

2. Discipling Reasoning Children
   Follow the Crowd! ~ Follow the Lord!
   • Transition to Standards of Conduct
     Rules Address Behavior ~ Principles Reach the Heart

   • Develop the Tool of Home
     Routines ~ the Door to Practicing Standards of Conduct
     • Example of Honoring
       “Don’t Do A Little; Do A Little Extra”

     • Example of Honoring
       Through Practicing Faithfulness

     • Example of Perseverance
       “The Fruit of Discipline is an Increased Skill
       that You Will Love to Use”

     • Examples of Coming Alongside
       Enjoy the Process ~ Experience Real Life

   • Rejoice in Reality
     Let Him Change You ~ Let Him Change Them

   • A Conversation Between Two Moms
     Heart to Heart

3. Releasing Steadfast Children
   Stewarding My Child ~ Releasing His Child

4. Celebrating Established People of God
   My Child Established ~ His Child Established

   
   
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