Sermon Tone Analysis
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2 Ti
Overview
Voices are everywhere screaming for the attention and adoration of our children.
Many are seeking to make an influence that will cause our children to stray from biblical truths.
As parents, we must understand the need to be the greatest influence in our children’s impressionable lives.
Introduction
Do you remember holding your 1st child for the 1st time?
It brought an overwhelming sense of responsibility
You wonder what they will become
You have the desire to do everything in your power to love and protect them
You wanted them to know Christ at an early age
In truth the influence we have over our children takes place over millions of moments through a period of 18-20 years.
The unexpected peering in the garage as you have just lost your temper
The unexpected door opening as you embrace your spouse - or on the couch to embarrass them
bedtime stories
family vacations & outings
How can we as parents make these moments - accidental and intentional - count?
Timothy did not have a father that was a believer but that did not stop his mother and grandmother from turning his heart to the Lord.
It is in Paul’s words to Timothy that we can learn some very valuable lessons in how to influence our own children in spite of the opposition we face.
Paul’s Warning
Paul gave some sober words of warning to Timothy before he reminded him of the influence that changed his life:
Godly people will suffer - “shall suffer persecution”
Godly people can be deceived - “seducers…deceiving and being deceived”
Illustration: No parent in their right mind would allow some stranger to come by and care for their children but far to many Christian parents are allowing the world to basically accomplish the same thing!
I. Influencing through the Scriptures
Children are very mold-able and can be taught from an early age what God says in his word.
The scriptures lay out for us boundaries for the home - they give us both structure as well as standards.
A. Provide structure
We must show them what is expected
Quote - In military leadership training one thing they would always stress was “inspect what you expect”
B. Provide standards
How do we know where to place these boundaries - these standards?
Adults need standards - we need to be consistent with them
Children need to understand the standard - teach them why we do what we do
The Pyramid Sequence
The Sequence
Top _____Standard
Middle ________ Principle
Bottom____________ Bible Command (this is the foundation)
A Command - spelled out in God’s Word.
1 Pt 1:15-
A Principle - something we draw from the command - in this case the principle of holiness
“My lifestyle is to reflect the holiness of God and should be separated from ungodliness”
A Standard - this brings the command into direct contact with our daily living (and where most people stop)
“In our home we do not watch television programs that violate that principle” (cursing, nakedness....)
Our homes need to have standards (dress, alcohol, entertainment, music)
Many reject them as being a form of weakness
Warning: We cannot measure spirituality by standards
Quote: If we fail to establish these boundaries, your influence of faith will diminish in the lives of your children.
It will be as one anonymous author observed, “to our forefathers the Christian faith was an experience.
To our fathers it was an inheritance.
To our generation it is a convenience.
And to out children it is a nuisance.”
II.
Influencing through Salvation
Somewhere along the line Eunice and Lois’ faith became Timothy’s faith.
God has no grandchildren - we should not take the salvation of our children for granted
We must be sensative to their spiritual condition
We must present the gospel but we must not push with the gospel
A. Provides an eternal home
Keep it simple
Illustration: A young boy named Brian was getting ready for his important part in the Easter program of his church.
He was supposed to recite “he is not here, he is risen” Unfortunatly when it came time for him to recite his line he forgot it and instead shouted “He is not here; He’s in prision”.
Children understand deep thruths but only when explained on their level
Use words they understand
2. Emphasize the basics
For a person to be saven he must know - Who Jesus is, What sin is, that he/she has sinned, Christ died on a cross - was burried- and rose again the third day and that salvation is a gift
Teavhing these truths prepares the heart for salvation
3. Ask Questions - Not leading questions
Why do you want to be saved?
What is Sin?
Who is Jesus?
Can you be saved by being good?
Why not?
4. Watch for a spiritual desire on the child’s part
We need to see the working of the Holy Spirit
5. Let them tell you when they got saved
Don’t tell them - ask them to tell you
6. Follow with believer’s baptism
7. Don’t be embarrassed of a later need for assurance
B. Provides the presence of the Holy Spirit
As effective as our disciple and training should be noting can take the place of the Holy Spirit of God
III.
Influence through a Godly Spirit
Have you ever been around someone who’s spirit was contagious?
Perhaps they were just optimistic or seriously prayerful.
On the other hand have you ever been around someone who is pessimistic and negative?
A. Be positive
Have you ever wondered where Daniel’s excellent spirit came from?
He was taken captive to Babylon at a very young age
How did he maintain this excellent spirit in spite of his circumstances?
Could it have been the positive influence of his parents?
B. Be prayerful
We can just gloss over this point quickly because it seems so elementary but if we do not pray for our children who will?
Someone prayed for you to be saved
We have a responsibility to bring our children before God in prayer
Illustration: Dr. Richard Halverson, former U.S. Senate chaplain, was once speaking to a group of Christians who were angry with Congress for their lack of initiative to restore prayer in the schools.
Dr. Halverson asked these men to raise their hands if they had personally been praying with their children outside of church.
Not one raised his hand.
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