An idol is anything in our lives that occupies the place that should be occupied by God alone. Anything that...holds such a controlling position in my life that...it moves and rouses and attacks so much of my. time and attention, my energy and money. - Marin Lloyd Jones
Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:32-33
This life is a blip on the map of eternity.
Is your happiness, joy, and identity dependent on your children’s behavior, success, and failures?
Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:34-37
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!
Luke 2:14
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9
For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:35-37
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, and even his own life — he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:26
The sword is the effect of his coming, not the purpose of his coming.”
And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.
Matthew 10:38-39
Children who have been the misplaced objects of worship by their parents cannot bear the weight of being idols. Children who are a means to their parents’ enjoyment and personal fulfillment will often despise the beliefs of their family and church…These idol children have no need for worship because they are worshiped by confused, albeit, often well-meaning parents. – Jay Younts, Shepherd Press
Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, offspring, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. They will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.
Psalm 127:3-5
Jesus is the one with eternity (and our kids) in his hands.
Think about your own parents. What kind of parents were they? What was it like to grow up in your family?
If you are a parent, how has being a parent changed you? What are some of your hopes for your children? What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?
Is your happiness, joy, and identity dependent on your children’s behavior, successes, and failures? (**If you’re not yet a parent, but perhaps hope to be someday, how can you best prepare yourself to avoid making idols of your future children?)
Read Matthew 10:33-39. How does parenting change when Jesus sits on the throne in our lives.
Read Psalm 127:3-5. How do you see your children as “arrows”? What are some specific ways you can aim your children toward Jesus?
