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Real Life Resources

But I Tell You… Week 4

But I Tell You… Week 4

But if you cause…

Review:
• Jesus is challenging and directing His disciples to have a different world view—glasses
• Challenged the norms of the society at His time and in ours
• As a disciple, we are following Jesus –being changed by Jesus – and committed to the mission of Jesus

Our culture and children
• World view study – people are basically good –not born into sin
• Truth is personal and individual –objective truth does not exist
• Having sex with someone you love but are not married to is not wrong
• The goal of life is the pursuit of individual happiness –today

Concerning children – possible views today

  1. Some believe humans are an animal more developed via evolution
    • We need to limit how many we have
    • If they get in the way of personal happiness – eliminate them
    • God’s word tells us that humans are made in the image of God and He plays a part in the creation of life

Psalm 127:3–5 (NIV) — 3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

  1. Some believe children are born as they are and our job is to affirm them in how they feel or are inclined – basically good –love is to allow them to reach their own potential
    • The bible says all of us are flawed – are born with a sin nature
    • The parents job is to raise them towards a relationship with God
    • We are stewards of a child’s heart

Proverbs 22:15 (NIV) — 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

But I say….
A. The value of Children to Jesus is
B. Who is the greatest in the Kingdom – that child’s attitude (child and or young believer)
C. Warnings about hurting children –physically or spiritually –using your freedom to cause a little one to stumble
D. What you do or don’t do can cause children to stumble
Mark 10:13–16 (NIV) Matthew 18:1–11

Gods plan for His people is revealed in the Old Testament Nation of Israel
1. A community of believers in fellowship with God at the center and with each other as a result (the church—family of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit)
• Hear Israel —-Community centered around shared values and purpose
• Meeting together to celebrate who God is and who we are because of it
• With boundaries to protect from the outside worlds influence
• Centered
1 Peter 2:9–10 (NIV) — 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Exodus 19:6 (NIV) — 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

  1. Marriage commitment for life
    Malachi 2:13–16 (NIV)
  2. The personal act of discipleship through parenting
    • Love God as a parent first – upon your hearts
    • Impress it upon your children –how
    • Paying close attention to the influences in your children’s lives but remember controlling the outside environments is not enough –we must intentionally develop the environments we create
    • In relationship (walking, sitting, eating, within the whole community as well)
    • On your wrists –with what you do –on your foreheads –what you think –doorposts of your house—
    Deuteronomy 6:3–12 (NIV) Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

 

Next steps
1. Decide today that children are Gods priority
Malachi 4:5–6 (NIV)
2. Join Him in His work – as a part of the body of Christ –as a parent- grandparent
• As a part of His people – the community
• As a part of a marriage
• As a disciple maker

For Small Group Discussion:
Opening Question: What stood out to you the most from the sermon this week?
Main Point: God wants us to be in relationship with Him like a little kid is to his parents.

Read/Tell the Story: Matthew 18:1-6
Questions:

  1. What does it mean to be humble like a child?
  2. What would have to change in you to become “like little children”?
  3. What is it about little children that God wants us to strive for?
  4. From this passage, what do you think God cares about?
  5. What does it mean to cause somebody to stumble?
  6. Do you believe your life is a good example to others based on what you say and do? Why do you believe that?
  7. How have you been convicted on how you represent Christ to the world?

Supporting Scripture: Luke 9:48, Matthew 19:14, 1 John 2:1