Parenting with Purpose

There is no greater place of ministry, position, or power than that of being a parent. Using biblical principles, we will see that we are on an assignment from God to be parenting with purpose.

#1 Purpose to Teach God’s Word

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 reads “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

2 Timothy 3:15-17 reads “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

1 Peter 3:15 reads “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

When I discovered that I was on an assignment from God to teach my daughters God’s Word, I made the decision to be prepared to teach my daughters about God through the course of our everyday life. No matter the age of your children, it’s never too late to start – and something is better than nothing. Read the Bible together and memorize Scripture.

Psalm 119:11 reads “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Colossians 3:16 reads “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The life of Corrie Ten Boom provides an example of a parent who taught God’s Word. Early in life, Corrie’s father instilled in his family the importance of memorizing scripture, and he saw that they learned Bible passages after their mother died. This memorization served his children well as they suffered and, with the exception of Corrie, eventually died for their faith. God’s Word indeed armed Corrie Ten Boom and helped her endure the pain and torment of the concentration camp. God also used His Word, hidden in her heart, as a mighty instrument of evangelism right there in the camp as Corrie offered hope and comfort to other suffering prisoners. As important as memorizing Scripture is, we cannot over look the value of daily Bible reading. In addition to assisting his children in memorizing God’s Word, Corrie’s father read one chapter of the Old Testament to his family every morning after breakfast and one chapter of the New testament every evening after dinner.

We must purpose to teach God’s Word.

#2 Purpose to Teach Godly Character

Psalm 15 describes godliness in terms of character - “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall not be moved.”

2 Peter 1:5-7 reads “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”

Titus 2:1-5 reads “But speak thou things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

When I discovered that I was on an assignment from God to teach my daughters godly character, I made the decision to model godly character. We must realize that godly character is taught in two ways. The first is what we teach by our words. But we also teach by our walk – the way we live our life. It has been said that when it comes to children, much more is caught than taught. We cannot expect our children to rise above our example.

We must purpose to teach godly character.

#3 Purpose to Teach Bible-Based Academics

Proverbs 22:6 admonishes us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” The Scriptures do not leave us in doubt as to what “way” is meant. Christian parents are directly responsible to God for raising up children who know Him, love Him, and follow Him in every area of life. We cannot separate education and discipleship.

Remember Deuteronomy 6:5-9 - “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

Proverbs 4:1-13 shows what instruction Solomon had of parents – “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give thine hand an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 reads “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

When I discovered that I was on an assignment from God to teach my daughters Bible-based academics, I made the decision to purchase Christian curriculum. We need to remember, math is a thought, science is a thought, grammar is a thought, every subject we teach should be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

We must purpose to teach Bible-based academics.

Truly, there is no greater place of ministry, position, or power than that of being a parent; and we are on an assignment from God to be parenting with purpose.

#1 Purpose to Teach God’s Word

#2 Purpose to Teach Godly Character

#3 Purpose to Teach Bible-Based Academics