30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 1-2 Children and the kingdom of God 13 Present the child perfect in Christ
📖 Luke 17:1-2
21Jun2020 - *Present the child perfect in Christ* - _Luke 17:1-2_ - Bible reading: _Colossians 1:27-29_
_Luke 17:1-2 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones._
We have understood that as parents and as a whole community we are responsible for the edification of the child. What are the dimensions of nurture or edification? _Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men._
There are four domains of nurture. All of these will be learnt by children firstly by observation of these disciplines in the life of their parents/community and then by their own application
1. Wisdom – Wisdom is the fear of God that is experienced in everyday life application. Wisdom is the godly way to apply knowledge.
2. Stature – Stature consists of comprehensive development and experiencing wisdom at the spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, social and creational levels.
3. Favour with God – Worship and the centrality of God in the child’s life.
4. Favour with man – Understanding the role of being God’s regents, responsible over all of creation.
All of these are overlapping domains but parents and the community will need to be intentional in the development of the child in all of these areas. This shows the commitment that we need to bring to the table in the nurture of the child. We will need to be totally God-dependent in order to fulfil our responsibility.
_Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it._ The scriptures affirm for us that what is learnt as a child will remain till the person grows old. _Psalm 71:17-18 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. (18) Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come._
_Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord._ Fathers are given a special place in the nurture and edification of the child. Are fathers prepared today to provide this care to the child and to children?
Sadly, the typical narrative that confronts us, again and again, is the failure of fathers and men in this particular role of training and admonition. We see that fathers and men are absent and we are presented repeatedly with scenarios of single-parent families, which are headed by mothers.
Great repentance is needed from fathers and men for their failure. Moreover, we see that they are to train and edify the children *in the Lord*. Unless fathers and men are walking with the Lord, only then will they be able to provide this level of input into the life of the child. _Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,_
It is necessary that all edification into the life of the child be in order to accomplish a specific purpose. What is the purpose? _Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus._
The goal of all edification is to present every man (child) perfect in Christ. With this goal being clear, we will bring much strength to the quality of edification that we provide for children. Let us also remember that we are always nurturing the child to be part of the body of Christ, which is also growing into the fullness of Christ. _Ephesians 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;_
Training of children is a continuous exercise and is largely a live demonstrative experience rather than a sit down-designated-training exercise. Which is why training of children will be exciting. _Deuteronomy 6:7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 11:20 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,_
_Psalm 78:3-7 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. (4) We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. (5) For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; (6) That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, (7) That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;_
*Thought to ponder*
``Training of children is highly rewarding as we will witness generations of champions for God’s kingdom, raised.```