2-8: Teaching Abiding, The Practicum

Memoirs of Abiding

This week we cover the application of Model, Mode, Modus Operandi.

Model Psalm 78, Deuteronomy 6,

Are we implementing “do as I do” or “Do as I say, not as I do?” Are we modeling the consistency we are asking our child to display? Are we demonstrating reading the Bible, or just telling them to go read while we watch tv, get chores done, scroll through our phones? Are we instructing or actually training as Proverbs 22:6. If we want our children to be enthusiastic about God and his Word, we have to be enthusiastic ourselves. Our kids get a lot of their actions and behaviors based on what they see us do.

Mode

Scripture Review: John 17 : 21, Psalm 119: 97-101. Psalm 78: 1-8, 9-72

Have you ever told your kids wrong information, though you didn’t know it at the time?

When we apply that we are the knowledge center for our kids, that is a danger precedence for our kids. We are saying that mom and dad are the ultimate center for good and bad.

We have to be careful when training our kids to not spin our belief to them, but instead let God’s word answer their questions. This builds two important points that even Jesus modeled in his time with the disciples.

1. Teaches them how to find the answers in God’s word. For our children to not just know the stories and themes of the Bible, but to apply them in a manner that answers questions is true discipleship. This equips them to go out into the world without us and accomplish the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20.
2. The second thing this accomplishes in their lives is that it always connects them to God’s answer. This is important if we want them to understand where we might come up with our answers. It can also prevent misunderstanding when we might say one thing and they understand it differently. By going to the source for identity and purpose, we can lead our children in the ways of Christ.

In order to share it we have to pour God Word into our hearts first, then we will be equipped to share with the next generation.

Modus Operandi

Scripture to Review: John 14-17, Matthew 10: 1-14, Matthew 28, Matthew 17:14-20, 2 Corinthians 10, Ephesians 5, Romans 12:2.

Jesus said as you see me do, you do. So we can expect our kids to do the same with us. When they made mistakes, he taught them through it. What went well, what didn’t, and always pointed them back to the Father. This is a 24/7 impact of training our kids to abide, sharing God and His Word. Not just on the way to and from Church on Sundays. When we tell them what they should do, especially in relation to God, but we are not modeling it. We are causing resistance not only with us, but between Child and God. Remember Romans 8:1 in this.

Jesus not only taught them, from a holistic or whole approach, but he enabled them to live out what he was teaching, to make the choices on their own, but to do as he has done. Many times as parents we want to prevent hurts or failures in our kids’ lives. Yet Jesus sent them out in 2’s. Matthew 10 records Jesus not only taught them but sent them out. Matthew 17 they fail to remove a demon, and Jesus came back with what they were missing. He allowed them to make mistakes and taught them what it took to change it next time.