- MATT: Raising Them Right: God’s Command to the Whole Church
- Whether you’re raising them, influencing them, or watching from a distance God calls the entire church to care about the next generation coming up behind us. We care about the kids.
- Crystal and I have 2 wonderful Children who are adults that both love and serve the Lord
- This is a qualification for Bishop. I meet this standard. I am boasting. God is good! We won!
- Psalm 78:4–7 READ telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them that they may arise and declare them to their children: set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.
- We as a church must care about the future generations of children coming up behind us
- Whitney got one thing right- The children are our future. Not just for our family and church, but Christianity as a whole. It’s on us to pour into future generations to carry the torch
- This isn’t just for parents, its for the whole church. Mine are grown, but I still care about them!
- Discipline is the foundation of this series and this week is no different. We should have good obedient loving children who emulate the godly parents who raise them. It’s possible.
- CRYSTAL- Children Are Valuable Even If They’re Not Yours
- Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
- As Christians we complain about abortion and then turn around and act like our children are a burden or that there are so many children in the church. KIDS ARE BLESSING. Don’t complain!
- The US Birth rate is down- people aren’t having enough kids, Christians should be having a lot of kids. Seattle has more dogs than kids. We only had 2, we should have had more.
- Pr 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.
- And its hard to see it this way. As we’re becoming grandparents we have more time and money than we had when our kids were young. I get it- You’re drowning in debt, no energy, time, trying to build and its HARD to not be discouraged and want to give up. Hardest thing to do
- But Scripture is clear Mark 10:14 “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” GOD VALUES THE CHILDREN AS SO SHOULD WE
- Getting people to volunteer for CM is hard. If you have kids, you want time off, if you are done having kids, you don’t want to go back to it. If you don’t have kids you don’t feel responsible
- At Castle hills- didn’t want to serve- didn’t see it as my responsibility. (Plug for volunteers)
- Ma 18:10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones,
- Stop looking at kids like a burden and see them as a blessing. Even in church. Sure, I yell at them to quiet down and quit running around, but I want them to feel VALUED so they love the LORD
- Luke 9:47–48 Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
- Maybe you need to repent of your disdain of children and see them how God sees them.
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- MATT You Can’t Raise Them Right If You’re a Wreck
- Now specifically for parents, but for everyone in the Church, how we live matters to God
- As a child at the Lutheran Church, a family got divorced. Those parents preached to me
- HAVING A STRONG MARRIAGE MAKES STRONG KIDS But as parents, You need to realize that you are a primary senior leader and conduct matters. Have a strong marriage!
- People will tell a kid to not drink with a beer in their hand (old comm. learned by watching you)
- Ma 7:3–5 READ Remove the specks ! Work on you! Realize your life preaches every day
- We want our kids to have discipline, but if we’re not disciplined how can we teach it to our children? They imitate what they see. Control their diet but not yours?
- Most pastor kids who don’t serve the lord say its bc of how dad lived at home. HYPOCRISY
- People in Church, how you live matters to the children in this church. We’ve had to tell our kids, so and so left their spouse, back to drugs, fell away, left the church etc. I’m Not covering for you!
- Titus 2:6–7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works;
- Just be a good Christian of high moral fiber. Realize your life is a mission field in and out of C
- Does it end? Yes. When you cross over to be with Jesus. That’s when. Be a good Christian
- Psalm 101:2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
- If you’re not disciplined, and your life is in shambles, you’ll struggle to lead the children.
- Many times what kept me from destruction is the thought of my kids. Anger, divorce, strife
- 3.CRYSTAL You Must Build the Right Environment
- In Church we have a welcoming environment for kids, but at home, parents, this is on you.
- If your house is chaotic, your children will be chaotic. Create peace in your home
- proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
- None of this works without prayer and Bible. (He is our Teacher and Counselor, knows our kids better than we do)
- We never read any books except the bible. We trusted God’s way and plan.
- Orderly clean home. Get rid of clutter. MATT Deal with your issues to stop hoarding/clutter-
- Same schedule- eat at the same times around the dinner table- TALK TO THEM NO SCREENS same time up or down. Schedules build comfort. Still come to wed service. Kids did fine.
- full food- Kids should not have to worry about food bc you need a smart phone and expensive coffees. Cut your budget everywhere but the food budget. Kids need nutritious food.
- Constant love- Kids need to be hugged and encouraged. Specific praise. Listen to them!
- Good leadership Don’t swear at your kids. Threaten them(gabe-beat til bloody). Break stuff.
- Listen to them and don’t minimize their struggles- Hurts to lose a friend, break a toy etc.
- Less TV and Screens more reading and talking. Its ok to have a quiet house w/o stuff in it.
- Have fun with your kids. Gabe and matt cold water on each other 100s of time
- Many kids do not serve Christ bc of the hypocrisy of their parents Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification…
- Many stories of physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual abuse from ‘church folk’
- If that’s you- repent. You’re destroying your childrens spiritual future bc of your selfishness.
- Create a house where there is forgiveness- Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…
- You don’t want your kids to think they have to be perfect and hide from you. Mistakes ok
- Matt made many mistakes as a father. Got too angry. Exploded. One time so mad sent gabe to bed in tears. C challenged me, I went and kneeled next to his bed begged for forgiveness.
- Turn your house into the church of YOU Deut 6:9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house… Make scripture the standard for your home.
- Pray together, serve together, give together, and be open about where you’re at/growing
- Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
- MATT You Must Discipline Because You Love Them
- David failed to discipline his children, Samuel failed, Eli, all mighty men who failed
- We disciplined and even spanked our children and have no qualms about it. (hug./kiss 2x more)
- RCW 9A.16.100 – Use of force on children “Physical discipline of a child is not unlawful when it is reasonable and moderate and is inflicted by a parent or guardian for purposes of restraining or correcting the child.” unreasonable—such as throwing, kicking, burning, cutting, striking with a closed fist, shaking a child under age three, choking or interfering with breathing, or any act likely to cause bodily harm beyond transient pain or temporary marks TEMPORARY MARKS- Not the ONLY Way. There are many ways to discpline
- Proverbs 23:13–14 Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.
- Spanking isn’t the only way, but discipline is non-negotiable. Whether it’s timeouts, tough talks, or lost privileges what matters is loving correction that leads to righteousness. CONSISTENT
- Pr 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him. PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE IS SCRIPTURAL. When I’m watching Paul, flick his hand.
- Ps Jeremy used to do wall sits. Last time I spanked Gabe we laughed. (never in anger)
- But Gabe and Faith knew to not mess w us. Gabe could take me now except mind control
- Pr 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
- Our way- We disciplined publicly and quickly. Kids realize they aren’t going to get it in public and take it too far and parents forget by the time they get home. Right now. Don’t embarrass me.
- I have met more kids who were not spanked that were bad than ones that were. Your choice.
- Find what works, but reasoning with a 3 year old probably aint it. (we’re the ones w good kids)
- And say this- I hugged and kissed and still more than anything else. This isn’t only way
- Timeouts on stairs, taking away toys, cancelling events. (NEVER CANCEL CHURCH EVENT)
- Hebrews 12:7–9 READ
- Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.
- we didn’t want annoying kids because we didn’t want people to avoid us because kids were bad
and this gets to the heart of it. If you’re not disciplined, you can’t discipline your children because they see the inconsistency in your own life. How you do anything is how you do everything. You’re training them to become more and walk faithfully with the Lord. - Pr 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.
- Its laziness and selfishness. People want to get back to their own desires, projects, plans, money, energy etc. They lack discipline in all areas of their life, so when it comes to their children its like everything else- we’ll get to eventually.
- But you didn’t make the early investments and consistencies in the early years, you can’t try to right the ship in Jr High. Never punishing your children leads to lawlessness in the child.
- CRYSTAL You Have to Be Consistent in your teaching
- Training is purposeful it doesn’t happen by accident. We wanted a godly child not a athlete/Dr
- Kids are smart. Theres a time in their life where they realize they are being managed by people that don’t know what they are doing and are making it up as they go along. LEAN ON GOD
- Be consistent and realize they are your first disciples. Teach them to obey. Yes be yes. No be no
- Deuteronomy 6:6–7 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
- Look for openings to teach- friendships, what does the Bible say?
- When you drive, eat, go to sleep, watch a movie (we’d pause and talk), go about your day
- CM is not a plan to raise Christian children. You’re blessed to have it, but it can’t be everything.
- Be consistent. Parenting 24/7 365. You don’t get days off. This is the most noble purpose
- CONSISTENT find a church and stay there forever. Jumping from church to church creates discontinuity in your children. They lose friends and relationships and eventually give up I moved all the time, eventually gave up making friends. It hurts them. Set a immovable stake in the ground Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much…
- MATT you Must Think About the Future
- Whats the plan for your families legacy? Whats your legacy in the Church? Whats life worth?
- Pr 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
- TRAIN THEM tithe, serve, give, fellowship, spouse, virginity, successful life/marriage.
- You’ll send them to sports 5 days a week and CM 30 min every other Sunday TRAIN THEM
- We’re in a great season right now. Not many families get to experience what we do. My son married a girl from FVC. We’re friends w her parents now and we do life together. Heaven.
- Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children
- There will be more Grands. Lord tarries, 50 year old Paul will talk of his grandparents.
- Ps 145:4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts
- we want that for the house of Krachunis! But it can be the house of you as well! HOUSE OF FVC
- we want our kids and grandkids to struggle less than we did, have what we didn’t have. Be wealthy, healthy and wise. So we live differently. We vision casted from their childhood.
- And if you create a legacy mindset in your children, show them it possible, live passionately for Jesus and have a generational mindset, there is no reason you can’t create that. TALK OF IT
- FVC has a lot of first generation Christians. We’re changing family trees here. ITS WORTH IT
- Joel 1:3 Tell your children about it, let your children tell their children, and their childrenanother generation.And its not too late! There’s still time! Repent to God and kids. Get help and counsel!
- Church, This Is Our Assignment
- A church is a family of families. Even if you don’t have kids or are single, an investment in a child is an investment in eternity. You should want to see families flourish in truth.
JESUS: Ma 18:5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. - Parents: Get serious. Singles: Be examples and encouragers. Grandparents: Don’t retire—re-engage. Church: Let’s raise a generation who walks in truth.
- Ps 102:18 This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.
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