Main Idea: How we navigate being a son or daughter impacts our whole life.

Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.””

Different Ways Children Be Viewed:

• If children are seen and treated as worthless, they will struggle with their value
• If children are seen and treated as the center of the universe, they will struggle with self-centeredness
• If children are seen and treated as blessing from the Lord they will be pointed toward Jesus

How God Views Children:

• Matthew 19:14 NIV – “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
• Genesis 1:27 NLT “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
• Psalms 139:13-14 NIV “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
• 3 John 1:4 ESV “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Being a Son or Daughter in 3 Different Seasons:

1. As a Child son or daughter, you are called to Obedience & Growth Luke 2:49-52 NLT

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”… Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”

1. As a Teenage son or daughter, you are called to: Personal Faith & Example

1 Timothy 4:12 NLT

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

• Teens aren’t the future of the church, they are the church, right now.

1. As an Adult (son or daughter) you are called to: Honor & Encourage

1. • I’m no longer under the command to “Obey” – but always commanded to “Honor”

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,”

Become Like Little Children?

Matthew 18:3-4 NIV “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

What can we learn from children?

1. Humble and teachable
2. Able to Change
3. 3. Dependency