Week of April 26th - Job Description of a Parent

Key Thought:
It sounds so simple and besides we’ve heard it before a hundred times. Our kids need appropriate touch, quality time, and positive talk from us. So if we know it and we’ve heard it all before, why do we still fall short of being the kind of parents God wants us to be? In fact, we don’t even live up to our own standards of what we expect of ourselves most of the time.

First of all our motivation to do this comes straight from scripture. Jesus himself modeled good parenting (although he was never an actual parent). Jesus created life and relationships and knows how it is all ideally is supposed to work. That’s why when some soccer moms showed up in their mini vans and were pressing hard to get their kids to Jesus, and Jesus’ disciples were playing some tough defense, Jesus called time out. He said, I definitely have time for these kids and I want to touch them and encourage them, so let them come.

This is a daily commitment we make that will deeply impact our own children as well as anyone we hope to influence, mentor, or lead. Intentional touching, time and talking are what build up and nurture others and it’s what builds rapport between us and our kids. Providing stuff and paying the bills and meeting our kids’ basic needs doesn’t count when we aren’t any good at following Jesus’ example of touch, time, and talk.

Bible Reading:
Monday – Mark 10:13-16
Tuesday – Luke 6:28
Wednesday – James 3:8-12
Thursday – Matthew 9:29
Friday – Luke 7:14

Questions to Ponder During the Week:
People without children at home should identify an area of life where they are striving to be an influence for Christ and answer the parenting questions from that point of view.

1. How were you raised? Did your parents excel in spending time with you, loving touch, or encouraging talk?
2. Think about your relationships. If you are a parent, define where you can improve. Time? Talk? Touch? If you do not have children, answer the previous question regarding other important relationships.
3. Which of these three qualities of a good relationship is the most important? Which is the easiest/hardest for you?
4. In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus “blessed the kids,” the Greek word indicating positive speech. What are the short-term and long-term implications of a home that has primarily positive speech vs. negative and critical speech?
5. Share a specific way that you do one of these parenting jobs with your kids. How have you seen it bear fruit in your relationship?