Dear Friends,

How does God want you to love your kids?

Parenting is one of the hardest jobs, if not the hardest job, that God has given us. The Bible tells us that children are a blessing and gift to parents, yet there are times we are left confused and worried that we aren’t doing it right.

In the Bible, Jesus commands us to love.  That includes our family, friends and even our enemies.  When it comes to loving our children one would think that it would be the easiest task of all.  In reality, loving our kids can be one of the most difficult.  I believe the reason for this is because we have so much of our own identity and issues wrapped up in our kids.  They are such an intimate part of us that our emotions can cloud our judgment when it comes to how we should love and raise our kids.

Sunday we are going to examine the “love” chapter from 1 Corinthians 13.  While this chapter is usually referred to during weddings, I believe the elements in it can also guide us to be Godly parents.

For this Mother’s Day, I hope you can join us as we look to the love chapter to help guide our lives and raise our kids.  For those without children, the principles of the love chapter can help guide you in all relationships in your life.

Pastor Scott

Please pray and consider the following scriptures and questions.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

 

Below are 16 different characteristics of love.  Share which of the characteristics is easiest for you when it comes to kids or other people.  Also, explain why you think that is.

Share which of the characteristics is hardest for you when it comes to kids or other people.  Also, explain why.

• Love is patient 
• Love is kind
• It does not envy
• It does not boast
• It is not proud 
• It does not dishonor others
• It is not self-seeking 
• It is not easily angered
• It keeps no record of wrongs
• Love does not delight in evil
• Rejoices with the truth
• It always protects
• Always trusts
• Always hopes
• Always perseveres
• Love never fails

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-8 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

 

How can you apply this passage in a loving way?

How can you apply this passage in an unloving way?

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

How can you discipline in a loving way?

How can you discipline in an unloving way?

How can we pray for you to better love your children and others?