Heart Connex Parents Page - June 1-4, 2011 - Fearing
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE June 1-4, 2011 Fearing God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. **SPECIAL NOTE: Beginning in July 2011, Heart Connex will discontinue its e-mail delivery, but families will still be able to access the devotions at www.lifeway.com/heartconnex. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: One of the scariest things that ever happened to me as a teenager was . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Matthew 10:28. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this verse. Truth • God alone deserves our respect and reverent fear. Untruths • I don’t have to respect anyone or anything. • I only have to worry about those who can hurt me. • God doesn’t have the power to do anything to anyone. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread the Scripture aloud. Point out that Jesus knew His followers would suffer for their faith. Say: But while human persecutors can hurt or destroy our bodies, only God has the power to condemn a soul. Discuss how physical persecution compares to spiritual condemnation and what this teaches about our attitude toward God. Emphasize the need to love God and to hold a reverent fear of Him. Say: In the end, we should be more concerned with pleasing God than with pleasing others—even if it means we will suffer some persecution because of our commitment to Him. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Nod your head if you remember a time when you were afraid or scared in one of the following situations: • You were alone in a very dark place. • You watched a scary movie. • You did something wrong and were afraid of getting caught. Remind family members that God doesn’t want us to be afraid of Him. Say: God’s love and His power should lead us to honor Him. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you richly as you love and fear Him. Parent Tip: Shouting at a child or teen is opposed to Scripture, rarely leads to improved behavior, and weakens the warmth between parents and children. Responding to bad behavior with proper discipline is more likely to lead to change, and it protects warm heart connections.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE June 1-4, 2011 Fearing God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. **SPECIAL NOTE: Beginning in July 2011, Heart Connex will discontinue its e-mail delivery, but families will still be able to access the devotions at www.lifeway.com/heartconnex. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: One of the scariest things that ever happened to me as a teenager was . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Matthew 10:28. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this verse. Truth • God alone deserves our respect and reverent fear. Untruths • I don’t have to respect anyone or anything. • I only have to worry about those who can hurt me. • God doesn’t have the power to do anything to anyone. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread the Scripture aloud. Point out that Jesus knew His followers would suffer for their faith. Say: But while human persecutors can hurt or destroy our bodies, only God has the power to condemn a soul. Discuss how physical persecution compares to spiritual condemnation and what this teaches about our attitude toward God. Emphasize the need to love God and to hold a reverent fear of Him. Say: In the end, we should be more concerned with pleasing God than with pleasing others—even if it means we will suffer some persecution because of our commitment to Him. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Nod your head if you remember a time when you were afraid or scared in one of the following situations: • You were alone in a very dark place. • You watched a scary movie. • You did something wrong and were afraid of getting caught. Remind family members that God doesn’t want us to be afraid of Him. Say: God’s love and His power should lead us to honor Him. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you richly as you love and fear Him. Parent Tip: Shouting at a child or teen is opposed to Scripture, rarely leads to improved behavior, and weakens the warmth between parents and children. Responding to bad behavior with proper discipline is more likely to lead to change, and it protects warm heart connections.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
