Notes: Taking Control of Your Parenting - Introduction

Taking Control of your Parenting Part 1

Steve Elzinga

Introduction

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 

"I made that up after my wife and I had two babies born dead. The song was my song to my dead babies. For a long time I had it in my head and I couldn’t even sing it because every time I tried to sing it I cried. It was very strange having a song in my head that I couldn’t sing.

For a long time it was just a song but one day, while telling stories at a big theatre at the University of Guelph, it occurred to me that I might be able to make a story around the song.

Out popped Love You Forever, pretty much the way it is in the book.”

Robert Munch 

The 5 Schools of Parenting:

The 50’s The parent walks ahead

The 60’s The parent walks away

The 70’s  - 80’s The parent is not sure where to walk

The 90’s – to present The parent walks behind

The Bible School of Parenting The parent is sometimes not sure where to walk; and sometimes walks ahead; and sometimes walks behind; but never walks away and always walks beside.

 “I am somebody” attitude

Psalms 139:13,14 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous‑‑ and how well I know it.

“I am needed” attitude

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.

“I can do it” attitude

Mark 9:23 "If you can?" said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

“I am not the center”

  attitude

Luke 9:23 Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. not turn from it."

The skill of

Self-discipline

Proverbs 20:3 Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.

The Skill of

Communication

Ephesians 6:4 And now a word to you parents. Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice.

The Skill of Responsibility

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

The Skill of Judgment

Proverbs 3:13 The man who knows right from wrong and has good judgment and common sense is happier than the man who is immensely rich! For such wisdom is far more valuable than precious jewels. Nothing else compares with it.