Kids in Danger?!

As we have been studying the book of Ruth on Sundays, we have been introduced to a father with an identity crisis. Elimelech– whose name means – “God is my King – forgot Whose he was. As a result Elimelech led his family into overwhelming catastrophe. This is every father’s, every mother’s and every family’s worst nightmare.

As parents, our words carry enormous weight in our children’s minds. Our words actually shape their view of themselves in profound ways. We have got to be careful what we say to them.

Strangely, we parents tend to make identity statements about the negative aspects of our children (laziness, slovenliness, poor behaviors, mistakes, etc.). Does your child bring you embarrassment or acclaim by his/her actions, by his/her behaviors?, by his/her grades?, by his/her position or playing time on the team? If our kids only believe that they are just 1 of 7 billion people who are living on the earth. And that there were billions born before me, and there will be billions born after me - then they may begin feeling insignificant and alone. No parent wants that for their child.

We parents must also repent from the temptation to create and mold our children into our own image (the sports star, the fashion diva, the mean girl, the cooler than you guy, etc.). We parents must die to ourselves and to our personal ambitions for our children and sincerely seek God every day. We must ask God to reveal His plan for our kids. Instead we should be giving them life by saying things that identify their distinctiveness in Christ. Wouldn’t we ultimately want our children to look like Christ? Isn’t that a much higher goal?

As parents, we believe that our children belong to God and that they were created for His glory. But unless we are intentional about blessing them with carefully chosen words they may unintentionally allow other voices to create an identity for them (friends, past mistakes, cultural influences – music & art). Our children are tempted by counter identities every day. The question is which identity will they choose. Spiritual Parents take the environment of identity very seriously because they understand how much is at stake.

Giving a blessing is a beautiful gift to give your children. You can bless your children at bedtime when they’re young, before school as you drop them off, or as you drop them off for sports or band practices.

• You will do your best today,
• You will be strong and courageous today,
• You will be bold in your faith today,
• You will stand up for what is right today,
• You will make someone smile today.

You can bless your kids by describing a fruitful future for them:

When I see you do __________, I am reminded that:
• You will make a great husband/wife someday.
• You will make a great parent someday,
• You will become some that God can use is a powerful way someday.
• You will be hardworking and faithful when it isn’t easy someday!

Dr. Michelle Anthony is one of our nation's leading voices in Family Ministry. She will be leading a conference at our church October 10th called The Family Ministry Conversation. Michelle Anthony wrote a statement based on Ephesians 1. She wanted each of her children to be immersed in the truth Of Ephesians 1 so that they would know in their core who they were when they were tempted to make a decision that was unlike their true identity.

Michelle put the statement below on the wall next to their beds, on their mirrors in their bathrooms, in their lunches, and in their Bibles - so they would remember who they were when the enemy attempted to seduce them to believe otherwise.

My name is __________ _____________. I am the chosen and adopted child of the Most High King. I am the heir to the eternal inheritance waiting for me in heaven. I have been bought and completely paid for by the Perfect Sacrifice of Christ’s own blood and I am sealed throughout all eternity by God’s Spirit.

Don’t mess with me!

A blessing like this can stir up a level confidence we want our kids to have. This is the kind of bible truth we want running through our kid’s heads. “I’m a child of the King, I’ve been bought, I’ve been chosen, I’m adopted, I’m an heir, and my sins have been completely paid for.”

The bible describes our enemy as a “prowling, roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). Our evil adversary, will seduce our children with a multitude of counterfeit identities. He wants to destroy them (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8). He promises everything with distortions and trickery but gives nothing but pain, regret & bondage (Ephesians 6:1-12). We must not allow our kids to believe the lie.

We must give them a gospel identity that understands that their identity is secure in Jesus Christ alone.

Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
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