Help, I'm A Parent!Sample

  

Introduction

As parents, we often try to steer our children out of harm’s way by telling them about our experiences and by instructing them with the wisdom gained from years of lessons learned. The apostle Paul takes a similar approach with Timothy whom he treated like a son. Paul commends Timothy for ardently following his teaching and paying close attention to his conduct, faith, patience, and endurance through persecution and suffering (2 Timothy 3:10-11)—and then he instructs Timothy to stay on that course.

Pray

God, thank you for your guidance throughout my life. Help my children discover that you can guide them in the same way.

Read

Paul gives his son in the gospel final instructions about how to live a godly life.

2 Timothy 3:16

Reflect

Paul was like a father to Timothy and writes to him from a place of experience. He cautions Timothy against getting caught up in pointless arguments and instructs him to hold firmly to the good lessons he has been taught. Paul especially tries to prepare Timothy for difficult days and encourages him to look to God’s Word for instructions about any and everything – right teaching, truth, correction. As parents, we can share the same instruction with our children.

Respond

Depending on the age of your child/ren, write today’s focus Scripture on a Post-it note and put it in a spot where they will see it often. You can buy a blank greeting card and write the verse in it, or you can focus on the verse during a family devotional exercise.