TITUS 2 CLASS--"TO LOVE YOUR CHILDREN"
Even if you don't have children, biblical principles serve in any relationship with children.
As in the command to love our husbands, Paul uses the word "phileo" in the command to love our children. We are to enjoy them, love them, encourage them, nurture them.
"No job on earth takes more physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual strength than being a good wife and mother. If a woman is looking for the easy life, she might try teaching tennis, cutting diamonds, or joining a roller derby team! There is nothing easy about good mothering. It can be back breadking, heart wrenching, and anxiety producing. And that's just the morning."--How To Be A Good Mom by Steve & Janet Bly
The very nature of mothering requires constant sacrifice. We have a choice: resent the challenges and demands, or draw from God's grace and cheerfully lay down our lives for our children.
What if you have lost your enjoyment? How do you find renewed joy to serve? Our only genuine refreshment comes from God. In Luke 5:15, 16 cowds came to Jesus to be healed, but Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Note: NOT crowded places and shopped) If you are wearing, if your vision for motherhood is waving, get alone with God.
Phileo love for our children is not indulgence--set firm guidelines and limits.
"Far better children cry under healthful correction, than that parents cry later under the bitter fruit of neglected discipline."--Charles Bridges in 1846
In loving our children, our ultimate purpose, our goal, is the salvation of their eternal souls, and their reflecting the glory of God and the gospel to the world.
"This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all you do for your children. In every step, every plan and scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that might question: "How will it affect their souls?""
--J. C. Ryle
Two things in this world are eternal: God's Word and people. Our children are eternal beings! What a heavy responsibility we carry as moms and mentors to little ones! How will what you are doing this week affect your children's souls?
As in the command to love our husbands, Paul uses the word "phileo" in the command to love our children. We are to enjoy them, love them, encourage them, nurture them.
"No job on earth takes more physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual strength than being a good wife and mother. If a woman is looking for the easy life, she might try teaching tennis, cutting diamonds, or joining a roller derby team! There is nothing easy about good mothering. It can be back breadking, heart wrenching, and anxiety producing. And that's just the morning."--How To Be A Good Mom by Steve & Janet Bly
The very nature of mothering requires constant sacrifice. We have a choice: resent the challenges and demands, or draw from God's grace and cheerfully lay down our lives for our children.
What if you have lost your enjoyment? How do you find renewed joy to serve? Our only genuine refreshment comes from God. In Luke 5:15, 16 cowds came to Jesus to be healed, but Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Note: NOT crowded places and shopped) If you are wearing, if your vision for motherhood is waving, get alone with God.
Phileo love for our children is not indulgence--set firm guidelines and limits.
"Far better children cry under healthful correction, than that parents cry later under the bitter fruit of neglected discipline."--Charles Bridges in 1846
In loving our children, our ultimate purpose, our goal, is the salvation of their eternal souls, and their reflecting the glory of God and the gospel to the world.
"This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all you do for your children. In every step, every plan and scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that might question: "How will it affect their souls?""
--J. C. Ryle
Two things in this world are eternal: God's Word and people. Our children are eternal beings! What a heavy responsibility we carry as moms and mentors to little ones! How will what you are doing this week affect your children's souls?
posted by lydiagreene at 5/27/2007 04:03:00 PM
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