Enriching the Family The Role of the Family Ephesians 6 “We are called to equip our families to develop life-long followers of Jesus by UNITING the influence of CHURCH and HOME” Ephesians 6:1-4 So how does this happen? Overprotection Favoritism Comparison Pressure Discouragement Abuse Indifference Failure to Realize Loveless Expressions Colossians 3:21 Everything parents do for their kids is to be of Christ—according to the teaching of His Word, by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of His Son, Jesus! Moral and spiritual standards have gradually eroded until countless families have literally been destroyed. 3 key actions Paul calls parents to: BRING UP TRAIN INSTRUCT The best place to raise up a generation of kids and teens who passionately love and serve Jesus and develop a lifelong relationship with Christ is the HOME…NOT the church! Deuteronomy 6:4-9 It is the HOME and ONLY the home who are perfectly positioned to be the center of child’s development of faith in Jesus Christ and this is exactly how God created it to be! God has centered a child and teen’s discipleship around the relationships that govern their daily lives. Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” Q: So, how do parents begin to bring up kids in the training and instruction of the Lord A: Kids learn from the parent’s example! The priority is NOT for kids and teens to come to FiveStone Community Church every week. The priority is that kids and teens will come to have a lifelong relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ! Psalm 78:5-7 Proverbs 22:6 Enriching the Family: “We are called to equip our families to develop life-long followers of Jesus by UNITING the influence of CHURCH and HOME” Next Steps: Example – what example are you showing to your kids? Explanation – are you talking openly with your kids? Enforcement – are you ensuring discipline in your home?