No Perfect Parents | Craig Curtis

Luke 8:4-8 NIV

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

There are no perfect parents.

John 16:33 NIV

33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

"take heart" - be emboldened with confidence

Seasons of Parenting

The Discipline Years (0-5 years old): Give consequences for actions.
The Training Years (5-12): Train while you explain.
The Coaching Years (12-18): Connect more than you correct.
The Friendship Years (18+): Raise kids who want to be with us and with each other when they grow up.

There are family values that produce godly results.

I. Expose the next generation to Christ-centered families.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 NIV

5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Parents go first!

Pick your phrase.

"There is nothing that you can do to make me love you more or less."

II. Expose the next generation to a life-giving church.

It takes a village.

Psalms 92:13 NIV

13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

Romans 1:11-12 ESV

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

What isn’t optional for your family?

“Do y’all want to go to church this weekend?"

TIP: The moment your kids start serving, your church becomes their church.

III. Expose our kids to parents who will fight for them - not against them.

I have forgotten...

Nehemiah 4:14 NIV

14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

Pick your battles.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

1 John 4:4b NIV

4 The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.