Titus 2 Men And Women

The lesson title sounds so simple doesn't it? When your child was born you checked carefully, ten fingers, ten toes, two ears. Were you amazed at the completeness of your baby? I was amazed by mine. And then we start looking for similarities. Daddy's ears, grandma's eyes, but where did he get that nose? Genetics obviously factor in to appearance and probably into personality to an extent, but God created each child a unique individual. God formed the parts in the womb. Not just the physical parts, but the inate abilities, the talent, the predispositions.

Psalm 139:16 "Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."

1Corinthians 7:7 "For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that."

If you only have one child, or if you only have one of each then it should be easier to help your child grow into the individual that God wants him to be. Notice I said easier and not easy. Raising children is a very long, very hard, and very challenging job. Children tend to be naturally competative. Siblings of the same sex frequently strive to out-do one another. Unfortunately, we as parents often add to their competition. We often encourage our children to do what we did or what we dreamed of doing. It is certainly easier for parents if children participate in the same activities. Aside from the obvious things like equipment and time, let's look at a few things that will make your job as a parent easier.

Obviously I have to say pray for your Child. Have you reached the point that prayer for your child is instinctive and specific? It should be both of those. Let your child see the reality of your spiriual life. Your child should from an early age see you reading your Bible and praying. Family devotions are wonderful, but personal devotions are essential. Children need to learn to challenge the things they hear and see in light of the Bible. In order to do that they must be comfortable picking up a Bible and reading it. They need to know that the Bible holds the answers of life and God wants to teach them indiviually.

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

The next thing that will greatly ease your parenting is for your children to know that Mom and Dad agree about things. I realize this is very difficult. I've been married over 30 years and we still have our moments. But it is very important for parents to discuss and agree on the rules of the home. Now we already talked last week about the things that are carved in stone and never acceptable, but what about the rest of life? What type of discipline is used? What snacks are allowed? How old does a child need to be to help in the kitchen, mow the lawn, or ride a two-wheel bike? If Mom says "no" Dad can't say "yes".

When our oldest son was about 14 years old he asked my permission to go somewhere with a friend. I told him "no". When suppertime rolled around and I called the family to the table, Dave wasn't with them. I asked where he was and Fred said, "He asked me if he could go with so-n-so, and I said yes." Dave had met his father at the end of the driveway and gotten pemission before Fred and I had a chance to talk.

Late that evening when Dave came home his father and I were waiting for him. I told him that since he didn't like my answers he could not go anywhere for a month without his Dad's permission. It turned into a very long month for Dave never being able to join his friends or brothers in after school sports until after Dad got home. He and his brothers learned from his discipline that Dad and Mom are one and you don't want to try to separate them.

Some of you are thinking, but at our house it's just the little things. Well, let's look at a couple of scriptures.

Genesis 2:18 & 24 "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." These words help meet actually mean completer. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

God says you become one flesh, one entity. Since God is truth, then you are the completer of your husband and the two of you are one. How often do you get into a disagreement with yourself? No, wait don't tell me. I can see some of you thinking but you don't understand. I don't have to understand.

Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?'

Amos 3:11"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled."

When we fail to have unity of thought and action with our husbands we allow Satan, our adversary to attack our homes. Instead of a safe haven, our children are stuck in a combat zone. I'm sure that all of you have heard of schizophrenia, paranoia, and multiple personality disorder. The individuals that suffer with these conditions live their lives in turmoil. When children are raised in a home where parents disagree they are in the same type of condition.

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Romans 8:29&30

We always think of predestination as having to do with salvation- and rightly so. God, looking down through eternity saw me as a 5-year-old, on my knees trusting Jesus. "Since He knew that I would be saved, God went ahead and called me and gave me a purpose. Not stopping there, He also justified me. From then on, knowing through His omniscience that I would someday be cleansed through the blood of His Son, He saw me as justified-just as if I'd never sinned. Not content to stop there, He wanted to be able to see me as already present in my future Heavenly home so He glorified me." Joe Merhalski

God also has a plan...a purpose for each of us. He also has looked through eternity and knows if your child will be saved. In that knowledge He has ordained a purpose for your child's life. How important is unity in your home? You'll know in eternity.

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