Teaching Abiding, the Jesus Method

Have you ever read a book on parenting? It’s probably safe to say most of us have. These can

be helpful as a secondary source to abiding, but they should never be the primary source.

Maybe it isn’t a self-help book, rather it is speaking to others and following their advice. When

we search outside of the Word to fulfill the desire to be a better parent, we operate out of our

own will. This may work for a little bit, but what happens when conflict or stress arises, like a

screaming child? Do we hold to this new knowledge, or do we revert to our own

defense/coping mechanisms?

If we don’t model abiding, talk to them about abiding, and teach dependence upon God alone...

then the tactical part of parenting and training gets lost in the shuffle.

Jesus Model (reflecting God the Father).

 Scripture Review: John 14:8, John 5:19

John 14: 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to

him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?

The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do

you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do

not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. 11 Believe Me that

I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.”

Jesus is clear it is not about Himself; it is reflecting His Father. Every word, every Action was

reflected the Father. Likewise, we are the reflection of Jesus to our kids. So, when our kids

wonder what God looks like, feels like, etc., they are looking to us to model it.

John 5:19 - What if we lived this out with our kids? What if we say “truly, truly, I tell you that I

can do nothing of myself”, and point it back to God? Then our kids will grow up seeing Jesus,

the Father, and the Spirit. They will see God as the head of the household. They may trust their

parents, but the know that God is the head.

When Jesus’ disciples caused frustration, sadness, or any other emotion, Jesus modeled his

relationship with the Father. This was done through surrendering and showing his dependence

on God the Father.

The Jesus Mode (Pointing to God’s Word)

 Scripture Reviewed: Matthew 5:18-21, 27, 33, 38, 43; Matthew 26 and 27; Matthew

13: 10-13; John 17.

What was His main method of teaching? God’s Word. He modeled a lifestyle of total

dependence upon the Word and God the Father. Quoting and Alluding (defined in podcast) to

Scripture. Jesus also used the parables to discuss the themes of the Old Testament. It allowed

God to reveal to those He chooses the truths of what He was saying. The parables demonstrate

Kingdom living.

(Discusses grid thinking versus God thinking.)

The Word of God needs to fill our conversations with our children. We do this by storing God’s

Word in our hearts. What predominates the mind of a believer whose learned the Word of

God? They have God’s perspective, God’s truth leading their perspective instead of something

else. When we understand God’s word through our reading of His word, and the Spirit bringing

it out in the fullness of the Truth, we can speak to our kids and share in a way that they

understand.

The Jesus’ Modus Operandi (discipleship, but allowing to walk it out)

 Scripture Review (John 17; Deuteronomy 6:7-9; Matthew 28: 1-14 ).

Jesus taught and enabled the disciples from a holistic approach. He taught them in everything.

He walked them through it, used everyday examples, used scriptural examples, and made His

own examples through parables. He didn’t tell them to go read and on their own and become

holy. Instead His life was an example of making teaching personal. He enabled them to live out

what He was teaching, equipped them to make their own choices, but do as He did.

Do our children see us building our personal relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit as the disciples saw Jesus live out His relationship?

Make teaching personal.