Christmas is stressful because we all want to give the perfect gift. But gifts are temporal. A godly home, integrity, love and a good marriage are precious gifts. The gifts we should give last a lifetime!
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SIX GIFTS THAT LAST A LIFETIME
Message #3: Six Gifts That Last A Lifetime
Dr. Larry Osborne
North Coast Church
A DEVASTATING MYTH
THE MYTH:
A GODLY HOME guarantees GODLY KIDS.
Proverbs 22:6/ Genesis 3/ Ezekiel 18:20
THE TRUTH:
We have tons of INFLUENCE but no CONTROL.
Proverbs 21:30-31
SIX GIFTS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME
(1) A strong MARRIAGE.
Ephesians 5:22-6:4/ Malachi 2:13-16/ Genesis 2:24
(2) A CONSISTENT example.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7/ Luke 6:40
(3) Respect for AUTHORITY.
Romans 13:1/ 1 Peter 2:13-22/ 1 Corinthians 5:12
(4) Valuing CHARACTER over PERFORMANCE.
1 Samuel 16:7/ Mark 8:36/ Matthew 6:33
(5) A genuine INTEREST in their WORLD.
Philippians 2:3-5
(6) Battles picked WISELY.
Ephesians 6:4/ Colossians 3:21
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Food for Thought for the week of December 2, 2018
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)
Note to those who aren’t in a parenting role: These questions are written in the context of parenting, but many of the answers
also apply to other significant relationships. Answer them in light of any role of leadership or responsibility you may have – or
counsel you may need to offer.
- Two Old Testament passages give us good insight into God’s desires for parenting. In the following passages, jot
down the actions and attitudes you see in each one that can relate to parenting.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8 (NIV) – 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.5 Love the LORDyour God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on
your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
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.
What does 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 add to your understanding of the role of a parent?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) – 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor
others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the
truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
- Many things in parenting are better “caught” than “taught.” In light of that, what would it look like for you to model
each of the following passages in such a way that those watching would be inclined to follow your example?
Psalm 119:15-16 (NIV) – 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV) – 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer
good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be
hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the
house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not
looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV) – 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the
Lord forgave you.
- Larry talked about how important modeling is in parenting. Take some time to reflect on what you hope your children
will catch as they watch what it looks like to know, love and follow Jesus in the following areas…
…serving and putting others first
…forgiving others and owning up to your mistakes
…loving your enemies
…speaking the truth to others
…time with Go
