Raising the Next Generation God’s Way | Mother's Day
BUILT TO LAST – God’s Plan for Love, Marriage & Family
Week 5 | Built at Home: Raising the Next Generation God’s Way
A parent once said, “I just want my kids to turn out right.” And every parent in the room felt that. But here’s the tension… We want:
respectful kids || responsible kids || faith-filled kids
…but we’re raising them in a world that is constantly discipling them in the opposite direction.
And if we’re honest… Most parents feel overwhelmed; Some feel underqualified; And many are just trying to survive the day.
But here’s the truth: Parenting is not just about raising good kids…
it’s about building God-centered lives.
If your family is going to be Built to Last, you cannot outsource what God has assigned to you.
OUR FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURE IS FOUND IN…
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV)
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Not occasionally; Not accidentally… but Diligently!
POINT 1: PARENTS ARE THE PRIMARY DISCIPLERS
Culture says: “Let the school teach them” and “Let the church raise them spiritually”
But God says: “You teach them.”
Psalm 78:5–7
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
The church supports… Schools assist.. But Parents disciple
BIG IDEA…
If you don’t lead your children spiritually, culture will step in and lead them for you.
If you don’t lead your children in truth, don’t be surprised when culture leads them into confusion.
POINT 2: WHAT YOU MODEL MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT YOU SAY
Kids listen in a different way that you expect… KIDS LISTEN BY WATCHING.
Proverbs 20:7
The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!
Your children will learn more from how you respond; how you treat people; how you handle pressure… than from what you say in when you’re lecturing them.
BIG IDEA…
The life you live teaches your children more than the words you speak.
What your children see in you will speak louder than what they hear from you.
POINT 3: DISCIPLINE IS TRAINING, NOT PUNISHMENT
Many people confuse discipline with punishment.
Punishment reacts; Discipline trains
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Hebrews 12:11
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Discipline is not about control; DISCIPLINE IS ABOUT FORMATION
BIG IDEA…
If all you do is stop bad behavior without forming godly character, you you miss the point and haven’t reached the real goal.
The goal parenting God’s way is not just about correcting wrong behavior, but helping shape godly character.
POINT 4: BUILD FAITH INTO EVERYDAY LIFE
Many parents think: “If we go to church… we’re good.”
But faith is not meant to “live in” or “live at” a building.
Deuteronomy 6:7 (continued)
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Faith is in conversations; in car rides; in daily life
BIG IDEA…
Faith is not just for Sunday—it belongs in everyday life.
Faith is not just something we practice once a week—it should shape how we live every day.
POINT 5: YOUR GOAL IS NOT CONTROL—IT’S PREPARATION
You don’t raise children to control their lives forever…
You raise them to release them into life, equipped with the tools, wisdom, and faith God has entrusted you to impart to them.
Psalm 127:4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Arrows are not meant to stay in your hand… Arrows are meant to be launched!
BIG IDEA…
Parenting is preparation for purpose—not permanent control.
The goal of parenting is not lifelong control, but raising children who are ready to walk in God’s purpose for their lives.
PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR BIBLICAL PARENTING
1. CREATE CONSISTENT SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS
Pray together; Read Scripture together
Consistency builds your family culture.
2. HAVE INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS
Ask about their day; Speak truth into their lives
Don’t just manage behavior—shape hearts.
3. BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THEIR CHARACTER
Integrity; Faith; Kindness
Children will mirror what they see.
4. DISCIPLINE WITH PURPOSE, NOT EMOTION
Stay calm and Be consistent
Correction should build your child, not break their spirit.
5. REGULARLY REMIND YOUR CHILDREN WHO THEY ARE
Speak life; Consistently affirm your children’s value, character, and God-given identity!
Their Christ Identity anchors their future.
Some of you feel like you’re not doing enough… But hear me:
God didn’t call you to be a perfect parent BUT He did call you to be a present and intentional parent.
And what you build in your home today… will echo into generations to come!
CONSISTENT PRAYER MOVING FORWARD…
“God, help me lead my home spiritually.”
“Give me wisdom and patience as a parent.”
“God, heal where I’ve fallen short and strengthen where I feel weak.”
DECLARATION
My home will not be shaped by culture. My children will not be raised by accident. My family will be built on God’s truth. And what is built in my home… will last for generations. In Jesus’ Name!