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Parenting Lessons From Colossians

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I am a huge fan of measuring our parenting by Scripture.

Parenting Lessons From Colossians

Colossians give us excellent instructions on living and how we are to interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should view our parenting through the lenses of Scripture.

Here are some lessons that I have taken on parenting from Colossians

Colossians 1 A Prayer For Parenting

For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Colossians 9:10-12

What a prayer. Prayer is big in our house. Prayer in parenting is important. This is such an amazing prayer for parents!

Colossians 2 Modeling Christ In Parenting

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Colossians 2:6-7

Are we helping our children roots their faith? To walk in Him? Establishing their faith? Are we cultivating a home overflowing with gratitude?

See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.

Colossians 2:8

Are we allowing philosophies of this world to infiltrate our homes? Are we following empty human traditions?

And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 

Colossians 2:13-14

Are we teaching our children about sin and the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice? Do we take time to examine our lives and hearts for sins that may have crept in? We ourselves must be right with the Lord is we are to lead our children to Him.

Colossians 3 Putting on the New

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 

Colossians 3:1-2

Are we setting the example for our children in setting our minds on things above? On things that truly matter for eternity?

Are we filling our homes with things that bring focus back to the Lord, or focus on things of the world (not matter how innocent or harmless they maybe)?

Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it

Colossians 3:5-10

Are we being vigilant to rid ourselves of anger (ouch!), wrath (ouch!), malice, salnder and obscene speech? Am I modeling the old self or the new self for my children?

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, 

Colossians 3:12

That is a chunk! 

When we interact with our children, do we have a heart of compassion? Are we kind? Are we humble? Are we gentle? Are we patient and bear with them? 

Our children are our greatest blessings, and our greatest responsibility. Why should they be treated as less than we are told to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ? Would we call our friend the names we call our children? Would we speak to other adults as we speak to our children? Let us resolve to treat our children as we are called to treat others in Christ. 

and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 

Colossains 3:13

 Do we model forgiveness to them?

In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 

Colossians 3:14

Are our interactions cloaked in love that covers a multitude of sins?

Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. 

Colossians 3:15

Do we let the peace of Christ rule our hearts? Are we thankful? Are we teaching our children to be thankful?

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

Colossians 3:16

Are we dwelling in the Word? Are we urging and advising our children in the way they should go according to Scripture? 

Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17

Are we intentional in our serving the Lord? Are we thinking that everything we do is done in His name? If you were an ambassador for a foreign country, would they be please with your conduct or would you bring shame to your country? We are the first influence for Christ that our children will have.

Fathers, do not antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

Colossians 3:21

This is directed at fathers, but it is also applicable to mothers.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do…

Dishes…laundry…vacuuming…cooking…diaper changes…play time…breaking up sibling fights…

It’s all for Him. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve!

Colossians 4 Back to Prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim it.

Colossians 4:2-4

Back to prayer! I cannot emphasize how important it really is!

Keeping alert in prayer, with an attitude of thanksgiving. Do I keep alert in prayer? With an attitude of thanksgiving?

Are we praying that God would give us opportunities to teach our children about Christ? That He would give us words to say to make the most of those opportunities?

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Colossians 4:5-6

And if we are to conduct ourselves with wisdom among outsiders, how much more should we conduct ourselves with wisdom around our young, impressionable children? So that we can make the most of opportunities given us? Especially before our children come to Christ.

Is your speech grace-filled? Ouch. It is so easy to fall into this world’s parenting habit of ragging on children.

Have you ever looked at your parenting through the lenses of Scripture? What are some lessons that you have learned?

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