Family Revival, Session 4 (17-07-2018)

Session 4 of our 2018 Family Revival took place today, as God continued to speak to us through His Servant Rev. Dr. Jerry Akinsola.

Today’s teaching was titled;

MANIFESTING GOD'S GLORY BY RAISING CHAMPIONS

Text; Genesis 18:1-19

When God gives you a family, He's giving you an assignment, and this assignment is raising champions.

• GOD'S EXPECTATIONS FROM EVERY RELATIONSHIP

Genesis 18:19

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Malachi 2:15

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

1. Ensure that your spouse is a fulfilled and effective disciple of Jesus Christ.

2. Raise your children to be God exalting leaders

3. Produce people who live by biblical principles.

• GOD WANTS YOUR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY TO PRODUCE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS THAT ARE;

1. SAVED

- Redeemed, Christ-exalting

2. SENSIBLE

- Wise

3. SKILLFUL

- Excel in their callings

4. SERVANTS

- Eyes, hands, feet and voice of Christ.

5. STABLE

- Trustworthy and focused

• FACTORS THAT CAN STOP US FROM RAISING GODLY CHILDREN

1. OVERPROTECTION

- Understanding people or treating adults as babies

- Allow your children to grow. Encourage growth in decision making, skills and responsibility.

2. MISPLACEMENT OF PRIORITIES

- Putting projects and programmes above people

- Superficial busyness, not available out accessible.

3. COMPARISON

- Wishing you had someone else

- Regard your child and family as gifts. Avoid favoritism and comparison.

4. PURCHASING AFFECTION

- Bribing your ward, parenting by pampering

- Getting compliance and support through inducements would ruin the child.

5. CRUELTY

- Inflicting pain in order to gain dominance. Parenting by threats and intimidation.

6. RIGIDITY

- The refusal to learn or change methods

- As a parent, you must stay in a learning mode. You can learn much from your children.

7. MISMATCHING STYLE AND STAGE

Below are stages in parenting.

+ Command - Telling

+ Coaching - Teaching

+ Counseling - Discussing

+ Consulting - Partnering

         *Mismatch in stages leads to rebellion.

TOOLS FOR RAISING CHAMPIONS

1. EXALTING GOD ONLY

- His Word must be central, read, study, teach and obey the Bible.

- Pray at all time.

2. CARE

- Preserve, provision, protection

3. MODELLING

- Be an example in speech and action

4. DISCIPLINE

- Establish standards

- Use the 'rod'

- Withdrawal (tough love)

     WHAT THOSE WHO RAISE GODLY CHILDREN DO;

Some, according to Susannah Wesley, include

1. Subdue self will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul

2. Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak

3. Give him nothing he cries for, only what is good for him when he asks politely.

4. To prevent lying do not punish a sin that is freely confessed but never allow a rebellious child to go unpunished

5. Commend and reward good behaviour

6. Strictly observe all promises you made to your child

                          - Susannah Wesley

1. Connect well with God, children and others

2. Communicate Godly instructions effectively

3. Correct appropriately

4. Control actions, set boundaries

CONCLUSION

- God expects marriages and families to produce Saved, Sensible, Skillful, Stable and Servant leaders.

- If you neglect the call to raise champions, you will be guilty of wasting God's grace.

- It is a tragedy for the ungodly to inherit what the Godly toiled for.

- You must touch tomorrow today, by making sure you are using your family as a platform for raising champions.