“Parenting” Session 2:
Passing on Values
Read Chapters 3–5 of Raising Giant-Killers before beginning this study.
Experiencing God with Our Children
Begin this study by reading over Deuteronomy 4:9-10. Notice how Moses urges the People of Israel to pass on what they have received from the Lord to the next generation. As parents, we have the responsibility to teach our children. Yes, the Church and the government may play a role in this, but we are the primary teachers in their lives. We are the ones who are charged to bring up our children in the way of the Lord. In Deuteronomy, the first thing that the people of Israel are instructed to pass on is what they have seen. It is essential that we share our own experiences with the Lord with our children. Our children can receive the blessings that come from our own history with the Lord through impartation.
1. How do you feel that you are doing in this area? Are you sharing your God-encounters with your children?
2. Take some time to discuss what you are imparting to your children in terms of spiritual growth.
3. Do you find yourself constantly “preaching” at your children, or are you inviting them into your encounters with God through real-life experiences?
Life is the Classroom
Each and every day presents its own unique opportunities to teach our children about life in the Kingdom of God. Understanding that life itself is the classroom relieves the pressure of constantly having to come up with a “lesson plan” to teach our children the concepts that we want them to learn. When we invite our children into a lifetime of learning with us, they are much more likely to ask questions about life itself. It is important to remember that our children would much rather have a dialogue with us than listen to our monologues. With that being said, some monologues can be beneficial— namely, our testimonies.
1. If you haven’t shared your own story about coming to faith in Christ, find some time this next week to tell it to your children.
2. Rev. 20 tells us that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Your story has power! Let you children encounter God through it!
Building a Legacy
As parents, we are architects, designers of our families and the legacies that will come from our lives. We must take this role seriously by making sure that we use the best quality building materials when crafting the families that God has put us in a position of authority over.
LOVE
The first “building block” that the author discusses is love. Love is the cornerstone of the family that raises “Giant-Killers.”
1. Read 1 Corinthians 13 as a small group. Do you see this kind of love at work in the way that you parent your children?
2. Go down the list and insert your own name in the place of love. Are you patient? Are you kind?…etc. Take some time to consider how you are doing in the area of love.
3. Husbands are supposed to take the lead on this one, according to Ephesians 5. Men, are you setting the example of love in your home? Take some time to consider your leadership. Does it exude the characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13? If not, what can you do to lay a foundation of love in your family? Discuss this in your small group.
PEACE
While husbands are responsible for taking the lead in establishing love in their homes, wives are the ones who set the atmosphere, according to author. Wives, you are the ones who are responsible for maintaining an atmosphere of peace in your family. Remember that it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit when we choose to embrace attitudes, thoughts, or behaviors that are contrary to peace.
1. Is your home a place where the Presence of God can dwell?
PRINCIPLES
It is important that we raise our children with a value for the Word of God and for His Presence. Refer to the appendix of Raising Giant-Killers for some guiding principles that you can incorporate into your parenting style.
If you have time, feel free to check out these principles and discuss them with your small group.
ENDURANCE
If you want to parent with intentionality, you must learn the art of endurance. Remember that parenting is a marathon—not a sprint. No pain, no gain!
HOPE
Hope is a characteristic of the Holy Spirit. Remember that, any thought that does not produce hope is under the influence of a lie.
Are you establishing a home full of hope? Discuss the evidence of this in your small group.
CHARACTER
If we require our children to act a certain way, we must hold ourselves to the same standard. You cannot expect your child to have a value for God’s Word, if you don’t exhibit a love for His Word in your own life.
Take a moment to ask yourself, “Do I demonstrate a hunger for the Word of God in my home?”
Do you allow your children to see you read the Bible at home? Do they see you pray? Do they see you give to others?
When you make a mistake, do you allow your children to see you make it right?
PURPOSE
Children need to be taught to know their identity, purpose and destiny. Take time to talk to your kids about their purpose to be the dwelling place of God. Allow them to learn how to worship on their own. It is often in this place that we discover who we truly are.