FOR PERSONAL APPLICATION These aspects of the study can be used in between group sessions on your own, either with your spouse or individually as part of your devotional and confession life. Do Something During the week ahead, turn your learning into doing. God has summarized his rules for holy living in the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-17 . Demonstrate for your children your submission to God by memorizing them and then—through the grace of Christ alone—by living them. During family devotions, explain to your children that they were born into a world of God’s authority. Base the discussion on Scripture and keep it brief, but plan it carefully in advance. On a separate evening, explain that your parental authority is delegated by God, and that they obey God by obeying you. Acknowledge your imperfection and, if applicable, apologize for mistakes in recent instances. Search Me, O God For introspection during the coming week. Is my ruling of my children a beautiful picture of God’s authority? What particularly are my bad parenting habits, and what practical steps can I take to correct and prevent them? Do I need to apologize to my children for certain instances and shortcomings? (If you are married:) How can my spouse and I work together to ensure that our parental ruling is performed according to the same Christ-like principles? Want to Know More? As in every moral matter, Christ is our perfect example and guide. Regarding authority, Christ himself is submitted to the Father and acts in perfect obedience to him. Read these passages (and look for others) to learn about Christ’s response to authority as a model for your own: Matthew 8:5-10 ; John 8:25-30, 14:27-31 (there are many other such passages in this Gospel); Philippians 2:1-11; Hebrews 5:7-10. For More From Paul Tripp: [Insert resource information]
Session 5
GETTING TO THE HEART OF PARENTING
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