The Creature That Has A Soul

The Creature From Another Planet, part 5 of 5
So much of what we do as parents works with our children’s physical, emotional and relational and intellectual worlds we have to remember that the most important part of our child is their soul. We will look at how even children who don’t appear to have spiritual interests really have a desire to grow spiritually and have their souls and hearts nourished. We will look at some principles for how to nourish and nurture our children’s spiritual world so they grow up to be image bearing children who reflect the love of God through Jesus Christ.

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“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his own soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his own soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
(Matthew 16:26-27, NIV)

Nurturing Our Kids Where It Matters Most

I) HELP THEM EMBRACE GOD’S AMAZING GRACE.

“After that whole generation… another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord…”
(Judges 2:10-11, NIV)

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 18:3-4, NIV)

* IGNITE THEM RIGHT so they give their lives to Christ.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

II) TEACH THEM TO ENJOY SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

“A foolish son is his father’s ruin.”
(Proverbs 19:13a, NIV)

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”
(Proverbs 3:1-2, NIV)

* IMPACT BY CONTACT will help them read the Bible and pray.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home… walk along the road… lie down and…get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and your gates.”
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9, NIV)

III) GUIDE THEM TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY __GROUPS_.

“My son if sinners entice you, do not give into them… My son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths.”
(Proverbs 1:10 & 15, NIV)

“Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”
(Proverbs 20:11, NIV)

* INSTILL THE SKILL of connecting with godly friends.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
(Hebrews 10:25, NIV)

IV) ENCOURAGE THEM TO EMPLOY THEIR OWN_GIFTS_.

“Children are a gift from the Lord.”
(Psalm 127:1a, NIV)

“A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.”
(Proverbs 18:16, NIV)

* INSPIRE THEIR FIRE to use their gifts to serve others.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…”
(1 Peter 4:10a, NIV)

V) THE ULTIMATE GOAL:

TO RAISE YOUR KIDS TO GIVE IT ALL TO GOD.

“‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read,’ ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?’”
(Matthew 21:16, NIV)

* INVEST YOUR BEST in helping them honor God.

“Whatever you do, you must do it all for the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31b, NIV)

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
(Proverbs 17:6, NIV)

For further reading:

“You And Your Child” by Charles R. Swindoll
“Hopeful Parenting” by David Jeremiah