Big idea
Raising kids is one of the biggest blessings and responsibilities that we have. Whether it is our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or spiritual children, we have the opportunity to have a profound impact. All of us want to raise the children in our lives well, but the question is, “How do we do this?” Today we are going to turn to Scripture and seek answers to that very question. This week, we are going to look at what Scripture teaches about parenting well.
Break the ice
What is one thing that your parents or other caregivers did well that you want to model as you care for the children in your lives?
Small group questions
Bible study questions
- Who is one parent who you think models godly parenting well?
- Read Proverbs 1:1-7. What do you think it practically looks like to “direct your children on the right path?”
These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
- What is the hopeful effect if we lead our children well, according to this passage of Scripture?
- Read Psalm 78:1-8. What is the benefit of passing on stories of faith to our children? What is at stake if we do not?
1O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying,
2for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
3stories we have heard and known,
stories our ancestors handed down to us.
4We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
5For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
6so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.
8Then they will not be like their ancestors—
stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.
Application
- When it comes to caring for the children in your life, what is going well? What needs improvement?
- What is one way you can implement the practice of consistently talking about faith with the children in your life?
- Is there anything holding you back from leading your children well? If so, what is it, and how can you take a step away from that thing that is holding you back today?
Moving forward
During the weekend sermon, we talked about 4 ways to practice good and godly parenting: monitoring our kids’ media, knowing our kids’ friends and their families, having hard conversations with our kids, and encouraging our kids in their relationships with God. Which of these 4 do you need to work on? Share this with your group. Then, as you share, share one way you will work on that is this week.
Going deeper
As we think about being the best parents we can be, it can be helpful to look at examples of good parents and those who were not-so-good parents, to know examples to follow and avoid. So let’s turn to Scripture to see examples of people who parented well and who did not. We can learn from both!
Examples of Parents to Follow:
- Hannah and Elkanah: 1 Samuel 1:1-28. Read 1 Samuel 1:1-28. What does the response to this couple show you about God’s concern when it comes to how we handle our finances? How did they honor God in the way they parented Samuel? How does their example inspire you as you think about how you parent the children in your life?
- Lois and Eunice: 2 Timothy 1:5 Read 2 Timothy 1:5. What do we know about Lois and Eunice, the grandmother and mother of Timothy, in these verses? According to these verses, what was the result of their faith? How did Lois and Eunice honor God in the way they raised Timothy? How does their example inspire you as you think about how you parent the children in your life?
- Eli: 1 Samuel 2:27-36 Read 1 Samuel 2:27-36 How did Eli fail as a parent to his sons, Hophni and Phinehas? What was the result of Eli's poor parenting? How did Lois and Eunice honor God in the way they raised Timothy? How does his example help you as you think about how you parent the children in your life?
Successful parents take their faith seriously and put God at the center of their marriages. As you think about these examples of good and bad parenting that we have studied, think of one practice you want to begin and one thing you want to avoid based on how these parents lived. Please share it with your group. Commit to praying for each other this week as you seek to parent well.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Psalm 103:2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
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