Merge Lesson 6Becoming a Spiritual Leader-Parent

Nov. 28

Think About It …

• Who do you know who followed in their parent’s footsteps?

Think About It …• Today we look at what it takes to have our

children and grandchildren follow in our spiritual footsteps

How can we lead them effectively

Transparency

• Being “see-through” with your kids• Why do some parents think they have to be

perfect in front of their kids?

• Actually, kids know we aren’t

Listen for another group that Jesus says is not perfect

Luke 11:37-52 (NIV) When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. [38] But

the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. [39] Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. [40] You

foolish people!

Listen for another group that Jesus says is not perfectDid not the one who made the outside make the inside also? [41] But give what is inside the dish

to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. [42] "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give

God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. [43] "Woe

to you Pharisees, because you love the most

Listen for another group that Jesus says is not perfectimportant seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. . [44] "Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it." … [46] Jesus replied,

"And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. [47] "Woe to

you, because you build tombs for the prophets,

Listen for another group that Jesus says is not perfectand it was your forefathers who killed them. [48]

So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. [49] Because of this, God in his

wisdom said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others

they will persecute.' [50] Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the

Listen for another group that Jesus says is not perfect

beginning of the world … … [52] "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves

have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering

Transparency

• What surprised Jesus’ host? • According to Jesus, what did the Pharisee

emphasize and overlook?• Why did Jesus say “woe” six times? To whom

did He say it, and what was the cause?• The Pharisees and experts in the law were not

transparent. How are parents not transparent with their children?

Transparency• Secular institutions such as schools and even the

government try to change people’s behavior without changing them on the inside. Why doesn’t this work?

• In what ways do Christians also try to change the way their children act outwardly rather than how they respond to God?

• If we are to be transparent before our children, what kinds of things should they see us doing, modeling before them?

Listen for attitudes that should be present in Christian families.

Ephes. 4:29-32 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit

those who listen. … [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and

compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Encouragement

• How should families speak to one another? • What should not be present in the lives of

Christian families?• What positive actions and attitudes should be

present in the Christian family?• What was a time when words of

encouragement positively impacted you?

Encouragement

• Consider further advice from Ephes. 6:4 (NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead,

bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

• How should children be reared and nourished?• Why is it easier for children to obey fair and

loving parents than unreasonable and demanding parents?

Listen for how to use our gifts.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God

provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Giving Grace to Children

• This passage talks about service. What results would you expect from involving children in service to others?

• What are some other ways we can teach them thankfulness?

• In this passage, Peter is admonishing his readers to faithfully serve the Lord. How can we admonish or correct children with the motivation of love, not anger?

Application

• Ask God for transparency with children and grandchildren– Learn to admit when you are wrong– Learn to apologize more readily– Don’t fake it

Application

• Build one another up– Ask God to take away anger and bitterness from

your home– Replace those actions and attitudes with kind

words– This week look for ways to encourage one another

Application

• Take steps to teach children thankfulness– Involve them in actions of service– Model and teach saying “thank you”– Admonish with kindness and love

Merge Lesson 6Becoming a Spiritual Leader-Parent

Nov. 28