Look for the Promises

I have been very blessed to sit under a great Bible teacher for the past 6 years. Our Pastor, Scott Becker, has taught very simple and practical ways to read, study, and comprehend scripture. While the Word says that “those who are not spiritually minded cannot understand spiritual truths”, those who are spiritual need to have tools to help them understand scripture. As Christians, we are commanded to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word…

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

As Christian Parents, we should look to our greatest resource (the Bible) for wisdom in this journey of trying to raise children of character in a world of compromise!

One of the greatest ways to find straight truth that we can apply to our lives is to look for “commands” and “promises”. Also, when we find these commands and promises they are something simple that we can pass down to our children. Then when we give our children instruction it isn’t just what we think is best, but it is God’s Word!

The Bible is full of these commands and promises that we can pass onto our kids and apply to our own lives. Here are just a few…

Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,^[a] for this is the right thing to do. ²“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise… (This is the command)

If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth… (This is the promise)

What a great command and promise to teach to your kids! If they honor you and obey you, God promises them a long and happy life! Our children need to understand the importance of this command and promise. They also need to understand that if they do not honor and obey you then God does not promise them long life or happiness!

This is why it is so important for us to share truth with our kids. They may disagree with our opinions but if they love God they must respect HIS Word!

Psalm 1:1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

Here the promise is “joy” for those who follow the command. The KJV says that this person is “blessed”. We can teach our children that they will be blessed and have joy if they “do not follow the advice of the wicked”! The “wicked, sinners, and mockers” in this verse are people who do not know Christ. Our children should be taught to take advice only from righteous people. Our kids who have unsaved friends need to be careful to have Godly people as their closest friends!

As you study the Bible on your own look for commands and promises that speak to you and your own walk with Christ. Also, find scripture that will be good for teaching your kids!