January 17th, 2024
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:14–15
We live in an absolutely crazy world right now. Social interaction has moved from person-to-person to on-screen, your sexual identity is more important than family or faith, anxiety is at an all-time high, and the education system is quickly turning into a woke “RE”education system. Our kids are growing up in a gender-confused, mob mentality, sexually deranged society, and we have to be the light in a very, very dark world. The way we raise our family is so important, and we need to see that as one of the ways we worship God. How we communicate, love, and discipline within the family context shapes how the family sees God and can direct the future of the family, from our children, to theirs, and beyond.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Regardless of what is going on around the world, or even in our community, we have a responsibility to train up our children in the ways of the Lord. This is not easy. I’ll say that again. This is NOT easy. Everything going on around us is pulling our children away from God, not pushing them toward Him. That just reemphasizes the fact that we need to see this as an act of worship. Two days ago, we read in Romans…
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1–2
Our act of worship is to be transformed and not conform to this world. If we want our families to be strong in their faith, we need to do a few things and do them well.
The first thing we need to do is have Christian and Biblical conversations in front of and with our children. They need to hear Mom and Dad talking about their faith with others. They need to know that there is a community of people that love them and love the Lord. They also need to know that Jesus isn’t just a Sunday thing for their parents. When we have daily conversations about our faith, about the Bible, or even about the sermon on Sunday, we teach our kids that our faith isn’t minor. Instead, it’s a driving force in our lives. This also allows our children to engage in their faith with their parents. The more they talk about their faith and the Bible, the deeper their understanding and faith will grow. That means opening the Bible up with your children. Read it with them. Discuss what you read. Allow them to ask questions.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
Acts 2:42–44
The other way we can do well in our families is to prioritize Christian community. In other words, our church family becomes a top priority. We don’t sleep in on Sundays and blow off Church. We make every effort to be around and with our church family. If there’s an event, we do everything we can to be there. We find a home group to be a part of. This isn’t for attendance numbers. It’s one of the best ways that we teach our kids the importance of being in the right crowd. Who we surround ourselves with will define who we are.
One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20
When our children see that our lives are a worship service to God, that we value our faith 24/7/365, they’ll take on that value. Having the right conversations with the right people, hanging out with people who won’t lead them astray, and prioritizing Church are necessary for raising our kids. You only get one shot to do this. Do it in a way that honors God.
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
Proverbs 17:6
Joshua 24:14–15
We live in an absolutely crazy world right now. Social interaction has moved from person-to-person to on-screen, your sexual identity is more important than family or faith, anxiety is at an all-time high, and the education system is quickly turning into a woke “RE”education system. Our kids are growing up in a gender-confused, mob mentality, sexually deranged society, and we have to be the light in a very, very dark world. The way we raise our family is so important, and we need to see that as one of the ways we worship God. How we communicate, love, and discipline within the family context shapes how the family sees God and can direct the future of the family, from our children, to theirs, and beyond.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Regardless of what is going on around the world, or even in our community, we have a responsibility to train up our children in the ways of the Lord. This is not easy. I’ll say that again. This is NOT easy. Everything going on around us is pulling our children away from God, not pushing them toward Him. That just reemphasizes the fact that we need to see this as an act of worship. Two days ago, we read in Romans…
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1–2
Our act of worship is to be transformed and not conform to this world. If we want our families to be strong in their faith, we need to do a few things and do them well.
The first thing we need to do is have Christian and Biblical conversations in front of and with our children. They need to hear Mom and Dad talking about their faith with others. They need to know that there is a community of people that love them and love the Lord. They also need to know that Jesus isn’t just a Sunday thing for their parents. When we have daily conversations about our faith, about the Bible, or even about the sermon on Sunday, we teach our kids that our faith isn’t minor. Instead, it’s a driving force in our lives. This also allows our children to engage in their faith with their parents. The more they talk about their faith and the Bible, the deeper their understanding and faith will grow. That means opening the Bible up with your children. Read it with them. Discuss what you read. Allow them to ask questions.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
Acts 2:42–44
The other way we can do well in our families is to prioritize Christian community. In other words, our church family becomes a top priority. We don’t sleep in on Sundays and blow off Church. We make every effort to be around and with our church family. If there’s an event, we do everything we can to be there. We find a home group to be a part of. This isn’t for attendance numbers. It’s one of the best ways that we teach our kids the importance of being in the right crowd. Who we surround ourselves with will define who we are.
One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20
When our children see that our lives are a worship service to God, that we value our faith 24/7/365, they’ll take on that value. Having the right conversations with the right people, hanging out with people who won’t lead them astray, and prioritizing Church are necessary for raising our kids. You only get one shot to do this. Do it in a way that honors God.
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
Proverbs 17:6
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2024
January
What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
February
We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
March
April
Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
2 Comments
So good 🙌🏻
Thank you!