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The Gift of Children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. EPHESIANS 6:1-4 NIV

Making children is fun

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. EPHESIANS 5:31 NIV

Sex is a gift from God.
Children are a gift from sex.

Raising children is a challenge

As Christians, we don’t have to parent alone.

God reinforces the parental authority

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. EPHESIANS 6:1-3 NIV

God strengthens parents with his Church community

As a Sandals Church Family, we are committed to seeing children as full members of our Church

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. EPHESIANS 6:1 NIV

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. EPHESIANS 5:8-10 NIV

As a Sandals Church Family, we are committed to creating ways for children to connect with Jesus

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” MATTHEW 19:14 NIV

As a Sandals Church Family, we are committed to engaging with parents in the Biblical teaching of children

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. EPHESIANS 6:4 NIV

As a Sandals Church Family, we are committed to giving financially to support the education of kids at our Church

As a Sandals Church Family, we are committed to celebrating those who make kids their personal ministry

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, EPHESIANS 6:21-22a NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to slow down, offering to Jesus any burdens from your day. Invite God into this time, asking Him to help you be real with yourself and Him as you process. When you look at kids these days, what feelings come to the surface? Do you feel anger or frustration? Compassion? Something else? Invite God into these feelings, asking Him to reveal anything about yourself and your views of the younger generations. As you do this, ask God if there is anything He is calling you to offer to this generation that they might need from you (your wisdom, your presence, your compassion, or something else). Now consider those who have played a major role in your life. Thank God for them, and ask how you can be a positive influence in someone else’s life (whether others’ children or your own). Invite God’s wisdom into how you might be able to do this. Finally, close your time by praying for this younger generation: first by praying for the youth in Sandals Church, then for the youth in our schools, and finally by the youth across the globe. Pray that God might open their eyes to Christ’s love for them, and that that love would transform them. End your time by thanking God for His transformative love in your life, and ask Him for open eyes to see those who need to hear your story about His love.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine your views and attitudes toward the younger generations and what role you might play in their development. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH SELF: When you were younger, who in your life had a significant positive influence on your growth in character? What qualities did they exhibit for you to trust them with their influence?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: One of the beautiful things about children is that they aren’t afraid to ask questions and aren’t afraid to be wrong. As adults, how can we become more childlike in our approach to God?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: When you were a child/teenager/young adult, what were some of the most meaningful ways you were taught about Jesus and/or God? How can we use those experiences to guide others who are younger than us?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: How has being in a godly community helped you in your parenting? If you are not a parent, how has your community helped you navigate other life issues?
  6. TAKE ACTION: We all have an amazing opportunity to invest in the youth of Sandals Church. We can do this through the giving of our finances, of our time, and of our wisdom and instruction. Which of these can you offer to the next generation? Visit sandalschurch.com/realteam for more information on how you can volunteer in children's and/or youth ministries.