Put it on him!

At our men’s gathering on Thursday morning, I had the privilege of reading from Luke 15:11-24 about the downfall and up-pull of a son who was loved by his father, commonly known as the prodigal son.

As I read, a phrase evoked some vivid images in my mind. What the Father said to his servants as he welcomed his son home, came home to me!

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him . . .”

I envisioned the many time my mom purchased clothing for me as I grew-up.  Her clothing gifts were always the best and made me feel loved.

I remembered how just a few years ago my Mom bought me a red and black plaid vest and how now when I wear it I feel like I am getting a hug from my mom.

I pictured how my little 3-year-old grandson feels when I cover him with his special blanket his mother made for him.

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him . . .”

Amazingly, God has done this for me in his gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

The gift of covering means I am loved and cared for by my heavenly Father!  God provides a covering of white garments for those who are overcomers in the Lord Jesus Christ:

Jesus said, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’ ” (Revelations 3:5-6). NKJV

Have you received God’s covering for you? He desires to cloth you in the Righteousness of Christ:

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”  (Romans 4:3-8 ESV)

And finally, like the father in Jesus’ story, is there a “covering” you could give to someone to help them up?

“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him . . .”

Title: Grace Text: I Thessalonians 5:28

Message for a local congregation on January 18, 2015

Link to Audio:  http://dillonvineyard.org/church/sermons2015/DillonVCF-2015-01-18-MarkWorden.mp3

Introduction:  

• How I met Pastor Zane
• Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and New Hope of Dillon
• Prayer
• Testimony of Christian Rapper Lecrae
  with John Piper and John Ensor
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wauaI7rL0vM  Beginning to 9.33 minutes

Message Focus – Every one of us needs God’s mercy and grace and the healing it brings from sin!

Def: Mercy – not getting what we deserve. Grace – Getting what we don’t deserve.

Today I want to focus on God’s grace because that is what the book of I Thessalonians begins with and ends with – It is also a word I heard a lot last week in Zane’s message and the prayers that were offered up in worship of God.

•  . . . to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 1 Thessalonians 1:1

 

• The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.   1 Thessalonians 5:28

Question 1: What is grace?   The word occurs in the Bible over 130 times, mostly in the N.T.

1828 Noah Webster Dictionary – first American English Dictionary

 Def. # 2. “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.”

 Def. #3. “Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the Spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin.”

 My definition:   A divine enablement, empowerment, or gifting, to have or to do what we could not have or do without God’s favorable help.

Key verses:

•  Gift of eternal life: Salvation – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

•  Gifts of the Spirit: Service of God and others – Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.   1 Peter 4:8-11

Question 2: How do you receive God’s grace?  Humble Ask in faith

•  Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. I Peter 5:5b-7

• What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.  James 4:1-10

 Question 3: What does God’s grace look like in real life? Paul’s example:

• For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

• So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Conclusion: Is there a victor over sin that God want for you this year, or a special good work that he is calling you to do for Him?  By His grace you can do it for the glory of God!

• And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

If time permits: Reading of Thomas Brooks exhortation on Romans 8:28

Thomas Brooks, 1662

All the sins of the saints

“We know that all things work together for good,
to those who love God, to those who are called
according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

All the afflictions, and
all the temptations, and
all the desertions, and
all the oppressions, and
all the oppositions, and
all the persecutions—
which befall a godly man,
shall work for his good.

Every cross, and
every loss, and
every disease—
which befall the holy man,
shall work for his good.

Every device,
every snare,
every deceit,
every depth,
every stratagem,
and every enterprise of Satan against
the holy man, shall work for his good.

They shall all help to make him . . .
more humble,
more holy,
more heavenly,
more spiritual,
more faithful,
more fruitful,
more watchful.

Every prosperity and every adversity;
every storm and every calm;
every bitter and every sweet;
every cross and every comfort—
shall work for the holy man’s good.

When God gives a mercy—
that shall work for his good.
When God takes away a mercy—
that shall work for his good.

Yes, even all the falls and all the sins of
the saints shall work for their good. Oh . . .
the care,
the fear,
the watchfulness,
the tenderness,
the zeal—
which God raises in the souls of His saints by their
very falls! Oh the hatred, the indignation, and the
detestation—which God raises in the hearts of His
children against sin—by their very falling into sin!

Oh what love to Christ,
what thankfulness for Christ,
what admiration of Christ,
what cleaving to Christ,
what exalting of Christ,
what drawings from Christ’s grace—
are saints led to, by their very falls!

It is the glory of God’s holiness, that . . .
He can turn spiritual diseases—into holy remedies!
He can turn soul poisons—into heavenly cordials!
He can prevent sin by sin, and cure falling by falling!

O Christian! What though friends and relations frown upon you,
what though enemies are plotting and conspiring against you,
what though needs, like armed men, are breaking in upon you,
what though men rage, and devils roar against you,
what though sickness is devastating your family,
what though death stands every day at your elbow—
yet there is no reason for you to fear nor faint, because
all these things shall work for your good! Yes, there is
wonderful cause of joy and rejoicing in all the afflictions
and tribulations which come upon you—considering that
they shall all work for your good.

O Christians! I am afraid, I am afraid—that you do not
run so often as you should—to the breasts of this promise,
nor draw that sweetness and comfort from it, that it would
yield, and that your several cases may require. “We know
that all things work together for good, to those who love
God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” I
have been the longer upon this verse, because the condition
of God’s people calls for the strongest cordials, and the
choicest and the sweetest comforts.

Courageous!

It does take courage to do things God’s way.  It takes courage to follow God’s instruction on being a parent.  After viewing the new movie “Courageous”, Pastor Don and I concluded that we should encourage all to see this film about fathers assuming their God given responsibilities in parenting.

The following testimony is how God worked in my heart to become a better father:

While I was growing up, one of my favorite past-times was getting under-my-sister’s-skin.  In other words I liked provoking her to anger.   Even after trusting Christ at the age of 18, I still fell to this temptation but now felt convicted for my unkindness to the point that I would even ask her forgiveness.  It is amazing how knowing Christ as Savior begins to change us and better our relationships within our families!

Nearly 10 years later when I became a father, it revealed that I still enjoyed irritating people, though I was unaware that I was doing anything wrong.  This time it was my new baby daughter of just a few weeks old. Well, we had this new camera that had this automatic rewind and rapid picture taking capability, so I snapped a picture of our little one who was sleeping so sweetly in her car seat.  Nothing wrong with that!  But the flash kind of disturbed her rest, and she had a little frown upon her face.  So I snapped another picture, the bright flash glaring into her little face. She became a little irritated now, and I was so amused by her reaction that I snapped another one, and another one, and another one–until my baby daughter was wailing in helpless frustration.  She was crying and I was laughing.  I was laughing at the frustration that I had the power to arouse in another person.  I was laughing at the expense of someone for whom I was supposed to protect and tenderly care.   It was so easy to do—so fun—so wrong!

I continued to provoke—I called it teasing my daughter.  I did not really begin to change until about 6 years later when my wife encouraged me to find out what the Bible teaches about parenting.  At that time I was floundering as a father, had been abdicating my responsibilities, and desperately needed help.   The Bible had the wisdom and instruction I needed to be the father that God wanted me to be.  Two of the scriptures that particularly grabbed my attention were Ephesians 6:4 “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” and Colossians 3:21, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

I was deeply convicted of my unkindness in provoking my daughter to anger by those clear scriptural commands!  What a contrast to the nurturing father God wanted me to be!  By following the parenting practices of my ancestors, I was unwittingly discouraging my daughter.  I was neglecting to build a relationship based upon loving respect.  With God’s help I began to overcome the pleasure of provoking my daughter and instead began to lovingly train and correct her.  I turned back from a path that had been leading me to ruin and began traveling a path that has brought me tremendous joy.  God’s way made all the difference.

May God grant us fathers the grace to resist the temptations to provoke our children to wrath and give us the wisdom to train them for the Lord.

With Prayer, Pastor Mark

Note:  The Bible study that changed my life in the area of parenting is available on this blog by clicking here.   Please let me know if it has helped you.  I would love to hear specific examples of  how God has helped you through the Word of God to be a better parent.

New Page entilted “Family Resources”

After talking to the new director of  “New Hope” here in Dillon, Montana,  I was inspired to create a new page for family resources.  I hope these resources will be a help to many.

Family Resources

Magnifying the Lord Through Fatherhood

These articles were originally written for the “Archer” a homeschooling news letter that we wrote for our church’s homeschooling umbrella school where I served as the principle for a few years (2002-2003).  It is my hope that they might be an encouragement to Father’s who are wanting to raise their children for the Lord.

Introduction:  The need for a  Scriptural foundation for parenting!

Post 1-   Establishing our goal in parenting – Proverbs 22:6

Post 2 – Reaching our goals in parenting – Proverbs 22:6

Post 3 – Teaching our children – Deuteronomy11:18

Post 4 –  The child’s role in being parented

Post 5 – The Father’s role in parenting – Ephesians 6:4

Post 6 –  The Father’s role in parenting – Ephesians 6:4 – Part two

Post 7 – The Mother’s role in parenting – Titus 2:3-5

With prayer,  Mark Worden

Magnifying the Lord Through Fatherhood

These articles were originally written for the “Archer” a homeschooling news letter that we wrote for our church’s homeschooling umbrella school where I served as the principle for a few years (2002-2003).  It is my hope that they might be an encouragement to Father’s who are wanting to raise their children for the Lord.

Introduction:  The need for a  Scriptural foundation for parenting!

Post 1-  Establishing our goal in parenting – Proverbs 22:6

Post 2 – Reaching our goals in parenting – Proverbs 22:6

Post 3 – Teaching our children – Deuteronomy11:18

Post 4- The child’s role in being parented

Post 5 – The Father’s role in parenting – Ephesians 6:4

Post 6 –The Father’s role in parenting – Ephesians 6:4 – Part two

Post 7 -The Mother’s role in parenting – Titus 2:3-5

With prayer,  Mark Worden

Parenting Article 6: The Father’s Role in Parenting – part two

The Privilege of Parenting              Article 6                        By Mark R. Worden

In the last Archer we began to look at the role of the father by analyzing Ephesians 6:4.  In the first part of the verse one can discern that fathers are to be vitally active in child rearing and also to be cautious and sensitive to the child’s response when disciplining.  Let’s remember and heed what the first part of Ephesians 6:4 says “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath”

Now let’s consider the last part of the verse that says, “But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” From this statement we can first deduce that Fathers are to nurture and provide for their children with tender care. The word translated  “but bring them up” is translated as “nourisheth” in Ephesians 5:29 “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” This brings to light a father’s nurturing role in the home.

Paul’s illustration of his father-like relationship to the Thessalonian believers confirms and elucidates the nurturing role and responsibility of a father.

“As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children.  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (I Thess 2:11-12).

A nurturing father will exhort his children, which has the idea of encouraging them and strengthening them to follow a particular line of conduct that will please the Lord.  A nurturing father will comfort his children which means to encourage and console the feelings so as to aid our children in continuing in a course of life that pleases the Lord.  And finally a nurturing father will charge his children which has the idea of holding them accountable to live lives that our pleasing to the Lord.

Secondly from this phrase, “But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” we learn that fathers are to educate or train their children in the things of the Lord. The word translated “nurture” in this verse is translated as instruction in 2 Tim. 3:16, “ All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  We need to teach our children what is right and then admonish them to do it.  The word “admonition” has both the idea of exhortation or training by words of encouragement when that is sufficient or by reproof or rebuke when required.  By words of encouragement and rebuke a father should help his children to put on wise character and put off foolish character traits.   The Book of Proverbs gives wisdom in understanding the way of wisdom and the way of foolishness, which each child needs to be taught.  The following is just a beginning example of how the book of proverbs can help you to know what to teach your children.

The Wise Course of Life	The Foolish Course of Life
1. Teach the Fear of Lord as the path of wisdom  Pr. 1	Teach concerning the entrapments and consequences of a life lived in worldly wisdom and rebellion to God and parents. Pr. 1:10 -33
2.  Teach concerning the child’s relationship with God. How they are to receive and apply God’s word and seek after wisdom, knowledge and understanding. “If – Then” statements teach the principle of sowing and reaping.  Pr. 2:1-11	2.  Teach concerning the child’s need to be delivered from relationships with evil people and the foolishness of sexual sins.  Pr. 2:12-22
3.  Teach concerning the child’s need to obey and keep their parents instructions. Pr. 6:20, 13:1	3.   Teach the consequences of disobedience. Pr. 15:5

May God grant us fathers the discipline in our own lives to bring our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Parenting Article 5: The Father’s Role in Parenting

The Privilege of Parenting       Article 5       By Mark R. Worden

Having now covered the child’s role in being parented in the last Archer, it is now time to begin dealing with us fathers. God has a definite role that He wants us to fulfill in being fathers. Ephesians 6:4 seems to clearly outline the father’s role in parenting.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

I. Fathers are to be vitally active in child rearing.

“And, ye fathers” It is often a common assumption in our culture that fathers take a back seat or supportive roll as the mother raises the children. However, scripture makes it clear that the husband (father) is the head of the wife (mother) (Eph. 5:21-33). The father, therefore, is responsible and should be active in child training. The husband as the head should work with the wife as a team in training the children, remembering that tasks can be delegated but responsibility cannot. It is pointed out specifically in Eph.6:4 that fathers have the responsibility for nurturing their children in the discipline and admonishment of the Lord. Furthermore, if a father seeks the office of deacon or pastor he is to be one who rules his children and house well (I Timothy 3:12). His children are to be faithful, not accused of wasteful living and insubordination (Titus 1:6).

II. Fathers are to be cautious and sensitive to the child’s response when disciplining.

“provoke not your children to wrath:” Verbal or corporal punishment should be done in a way that each child will not respond with a habitual deep-seated anger that causes them to lose heart or be without courage or spirit (discouraged).

Colossians 3:21″Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

It seems that parents who discipline through teasing unwittingly discourage their children because they never really know what the parent truly is thinking. The parents’ expectations should be clearly explained to the children and also consistently enforced and held up as the standard of right conduct. In our home there are 3 rules of conduct or behavior which serve as the standard measurement of all behavior: Obedience, Honesty and Kindness.

If any behavior breaches one of these standards our child is disciplined. The book of Proverbs gives us wise counsel and understanding concerning the use of the rod in discipline.

A. Proper discipline is an act of the parents’ love for the child and should be done early (betimes – early / earnestly / diligently, or not put off.) It reveals a lack of true love to put discipline off.

Pr 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

B. Proper discipline strives to bring the child back from his natural course of foolishness (sin) to a life that reflects God’s wisdom and truth.

Pr 22:15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

C. Proper discipline is a parent’s responsibility and has eternal consequences for the child.

Pr 23:13 -14 Withhold not correction from the child: for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Pr 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

D. Proper discipline is done with the goal of having wise children that will not bring shame but delight to you and the Lord. Discipline should not be done in frustration because of a lack of attention. It should be done out of the wisdom gained by spending time with one’s children and paying attentions to their ways. Inattention to children breeds abuse; either the child will be excessively disciplined or not disciplined at all.

Pr 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.

Pr 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

May God grant us fathers wisdom to discipline and train our children in a way that is pleasing to our Lord. James 1:5 should be one of the promises that we cling to, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God , that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Parenting Article Four: Understanding the Child’s Role in the Family

The Privilege of Parenting      Article 4       By Mark R. Worden

As I continued my study on parenting I began to look at what the Bible says concerning the roles of parenting for the different members of the family. Each role is clearly defined in Scripture and we will begin with the child’s role in being parented. (This section of my study was influenced by a sermon preached by Dr. Mark Minnick)

It is interesting that when God gave the Ten Commandments he specifically directed one command to the family. He did not address the father and the mother, as one might expect, but the child. The Lord said in Deuteronomy 5:16, “Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

Dr. Minnick explained that the word honor literally means, “to be heavy, be weighty.” And that it has the idea to give something or someone their full weight or stature. He then went on to show from scripture what is not honoring to parents and what is honoring to parents.

I. What is not honoring to parents:

a. A mocking attitude,

Prov 30:17, The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Deu. 27:16, Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

b. A cursing attitude,

Exodus 21:17, And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

c. A rebelling attitude,

Deu 21:18-20, If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

d. A striking action.

Exo 21:15, And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

II. What is honoring to parents:

a. An attitude of fearing (respect) them.

Lev 19:2-3, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

b. An attitude of glorying in them.

Prov 17:6, Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

c. An attitude of listening to them.

Prov. 4:1, Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

d. An attitude of obedience toward them.

Eph. 6:1-2, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

e. An attitude of caring for them in their time of need.

1 Tim 5:3 – 4, Honor widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

These scripture helped me to understand how I was to honor my parents. I trust that they will help you and your children as well. May the Lord richly bless you as you honor your parents and gain the blessing and promise of God of a long live.

Parenting Article Three: Implementing our Goal

Article 3: The Privilege of PARENTING – By Mark Worden    Copyrighted 2002

When I set out to learn from the Bible how to be a parent I first learned from Proverbs 22:6 that our goal in parenting is to start our children on the pathway of developing godly character throughout their lives. It is fine to have a goal, but after that one needs to be committed to the means of accomplishing the goal. My next step was coming up with a practical way of implementing that goal.

Our commitment in parenting is to teach our children what God has taught and is teaching us through His natural revelation (creation) and His special revelation (The Bible).

From Deuteronomy 11:18 we learn that we need to teach our children daily in all the activities of life which God gives to us:

“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

First, to teach our children about God, we need to be growing in our relationship with the Lord on a daily basis. We need to be responding to God’s means of communicating Himself to us. Psalm 19 makes it very clear that there is much that we can learn and teach about God through His natural revelation and His special revelation.

I love what Psalm 19:7-8 says about what the Bible will do for us when we allow it to do its work. It will bring salvation, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.” It will bring wisdom, “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” It will bring joy, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.” It will bring discernment, “The commandments of the LORD are pure, enlightening the eyes.” We would not think of asking our children to skip meals on a regular basis. We feed them daily, often more than 3 times a day. But how often do we neglect to lead them to God’s banqueting table because we have neglected to feast ourselves on the Word of God that is our spiritual bread of life? May God help us to feast on the Word of God and share with our children so that we as families can rejoice in God’s salvation, wisdom, joy, and discernment.

Second, we need to be working not to forget what God has done in our lives and taught us over the years. Therefore, it is good to have special times to remember (memorials) what God has done incorporated into family traditions and during the special times of the year–birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, Christmas, etc. We need to learn from God’s warning to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 4: 9. “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.” Psalm 105:5 says, “Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.” God Himself established certain memorials throughout the year for the children of IsraelOne special tradition that had been passed down to our family from my father-in-law is the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas day. I want to continue the tradition in my family by continuing the practice and creating more special times of remembering what God has done for us for the next generation.

May God grant us grace to pass on our faith not only to our children but to our children’s children if the Lord should tarry.

Parenting Article One — Establishing Our Goal

These Articles were written in 2001 or 2002 for a church publication called the Archer that we published within our homeschooling umbrella school in Utah.

Article 1: The Privilege of PARENTING: Establishing Our Goals – By Mark Worden      Copyrighted – 2002

What do you think when a little person calls you Daddy or Mommy for the first time? You might think fearfully, “How am I ever going to do this?” or reflectively, “I have got to raise and train this child for God.” Or a prayerful, “Lord, I need your wisdom to be a good parent.” Unfortunately, you might think a pass-the-buck thought like, “I am sure glad the Lord gave me a good wife to raise this child.” I really don’t remember what all my first thoughts were after our daughter was born but my actions sure showed that I expected my wife to do most of the child training. That began to change when I started to study to find out what God says in His Word about being a parent and raising a child for His glory. This year in the Archer, I will be writing a series of articles called “Parenting” based upon that first study on parenting that changed my life as a father.

One of the first things I discovered was that Proverbs 22:6 was not just a promise from God, but a goal that should be kept before our minds at all times: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Lets break the first part of this verse down to understand it’s full meaning:

1) The Hebrew word “Train up” is translated as “dedicate” in the 3 other passages where it is used (Deut. 20:5, 1 Kings 8:63, 2 Chron. 7:5). It carries the idea of starting, initiating, or beginning.

2) The Hebrew word “In the way” refers to a path, direction, or habit. Figuratively it refers to the course and moral character of one’s life.

3) The Hebrew word “Should go” is surprisingly translated as “mouth” 309 times throughout the Old Testament. It is this word mouth that gives us the key to understanding how we are to dedicate, start, and initiate our children on the right path.

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says, “The mouth is the external manifestation of one’s character and disposition.” In other words what comes out of our child’s mouth tells us what is in his heart so that we can correct and guide what is in our child’s heart. The Lord Jesus said it this way:

“For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:44-45) (emphasis added)

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament also points out that “The mouth is the organ through which one’s relationship to God is ascertained.” The following verses shed light on how important the use of our mouth is to the Lord: Jos. 1:8, 1 Sa. 2:3, Ps 17:3, Ps 40:3, Ps 49:3, Ro 10:8-10. By paying attention and really listening to what comes out of the mouth of our children we will know when he is not conforming to the path and know when correction and instruction must be given.

As we reconstruct the thought of this verse based on these definitions, we see that our goal is to dedicate or start our children on a godly course of life where their mouth is used to glorify God from the heart. We trust, as the scripture says, that as they grow older they will not depart from it. To accomplish this we must love God and use our mouth to express our relationship with Him continually. This is what God tells us to do in Deuteronomy 6:5-9:

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.

Our goal in parenting is to start our children on the pathway of developing godly character throughout their lives. Proverbs 22:6.