The Gospel Alphabet by Timothy Keller
P is for Passion
Passion comes from the Latin passio, meaning “suffering.” We celebrate each year the passion of our Lord when we attend to the historic remembrance of Holy Week. Likewise, whenever we partake of the Lord’s Supper together we “proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes.” It is given to us not only to believe in Christ the Suffering Servant but also to suffer for him ourselves (Phil. 1:29). Paul saw his own suffering for the Gospel and for the building up of the church as an active participation in the afflictions of Christ (Col. 1:24; Phil. 3:10-11). We must be forthright in teaching our congregants, by word and by example, that this is part of our calling as well.
ANOTHER SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON LEARNED
(Maybe this happened)
At Sunday School last week, my grandson, Isaac, was learning how God created everything, including human beings. Isaac was especially interested when Mrs. Marge told him that Eve was created by God taking a rib from Adam’s side.
The other night, Deb and I were babysitting the boys and noticed Isaac was not feeling good. He stretched out on the couch and had a look on his face as if he was in pain. I asked, “Isaac, what is the matter?”
Isaac responded, “I have a pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife!”
GETTING TO THE HEART OF YOUR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR
Too many parents focus on changing a child's behavior. More important is what's going on in the child's heart.
Article by Tedd Tripp
The Scripture teaches that the heart is the control center for life. A person's life is a reflection of his heart. Proverbs 4:23 states it like this: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
The word picture here is graphic. The heart is a well from which all the issues of life gush forth. This theme is restated elsewhere in the Bible. The behavior a person exhibits is an expression of the overflow of the heart.
You could picture it like this. The heart determines behavior. What you say and do expresses the orientation of your heart. Mark 7:21-22 states: " . . . from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." These evils in action and speech come from within—from the heart.
What your children say and do is a reflection of what is in their hearts. Luke 6:45 corroborates this point:
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
These passages are instructive for the task of childrearing. They teach that behavior is not the basic issue. The basic issue is always what is going on in the heart. Remember, the heart is the control center of life.
Behavior is determined by the heart
Parents often get sidetracked with behavior. If your goal in discipline is changed behavior, it is easy to understand why this happens. The thing that alerts you to your child's need for correction is his behavior. Behavior irritates and thus calls attention to itself. Behavior becomes your focus. You think you have corrected when you have changed unacceptable behavior to behavior you sanction and appreciate.
"What is the problem?" you ask. The problem is this: Your child's needs are far more profound than his aberrant behavior. Remember, his behavior does not just spring forth uncaused. His behavior—the things he says and does—reflects his heart. If you are to really help him, you must be concerned with the attitudes of heart that drive his behavior.
A change in behavior that does not stem from a change in heart is not commendable; it is condemnable. Is it not the hypocrisy that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees? In Matthew 15 Jesus denounces the Pharisees who have honored Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him. Jesus censures them as people who wash the outside of the cup while the inside is still unclean. Yet this is what we often do in child-rearing. We demand changed behavior and never address the heart that drives the behavior.
What must you do in correction and discipline? You must require proper behavior. God's law demands that. You cannot, however, be satisfied to leave the matter there. You must understand, and help your child to understand, how his straying heart has resulted in wrong behavior. How did his heart stray to produce this behavior? In what characteristic ways has his inability or refusal to know, trust, and obey God resulted in actions and speech that are wrong?
A real-life example
Let's take a familiar example from any home where there are two or more children. The children are playing and a fight breaks out over a particular toy. The classic response is "Who had it first?" This response misses heart issues. "Who had it first?" is an issue of justice. Justice operates in the favor of the child who was the quicker draw in getting the toy to begin with. If we look at this situation in terms of the heart, the issues change.
Now you have two offenders. Both children are displaying a hardness of heart toward the other. Both are being selfish. Both children are saying, "I don't care about you or your happiness. I am only concerned about myself. I want this toy. My happiness depends on possessing it. I will have it and be happy regardless of what that means to you."
In terms of issues of the heart, you have two sinning children. Two children are preferring themselves before the other. Two children are breaking God's law. Sure, the circumstances are different. One is taking the toy that the other has. The other is keeping the advantage. The circumstances are different, but the heart issue is the same—"I want my happiness, even at your expense."
You see, then, how heart attitudes direct behavior. It is always true. All behavior is linked to some attitude of the heart. Therefore, discipline must address attitudes of the heart.
This understanding does marvelous things for discipline. It makes the heart the issue, not just the behavior. It focuses correction on deeper things than changed behavior. The point of confrontation is what is occurring in the heart. Your concern is to unmask your child's sin, helping him to understand how it reflects a heart that has strayed. That leads to the cross of Christ. It underscores the need for a Savior. It provides opportunities to show the glories of God, who sent His Son to change hearts and free people enslaved to sin.
Shepherding the heart
The heart is the wellspring of life. Therefore, parenting is concerned with shepherding the heart. You must learn to work from the behavior you see back to the heart, exposing heart issues for your children. In short, you must learn to engage them, not just reprove them. Help them to see the ways that they are trying to slake their souls' thirst with that which cannot satisfy. You must help your kids gain a clear focus on the cross of Christ.
This proposition will inform everything you do as parents. It will dictate your goals. It will inform your methods. It will shape your model of how children develop.
I am not offering simple, clever methodology here. I am not promoting a new three-step plan for trouble-free children. I am not presenting a simple way to meet their needs so you can get on with your life. I am, however, willing to explore with you fresh ways of pursuing the training task God has given you. I offer these things as one who is not new to the task, but who has neither grown cynical. I am more excited about this job than ever. I am full of hope and certain that God can enable us to raise from our homes a holy seed for the church.
I have seen parents shepherding happy, productive children who are alert to themselves and life. I visited such a home recently. The family was alive and vibrant. Teenage children were at home, because home was an exciting place to be. Father and Mother were held in high esteem and sought out for advice. The Bible and biblical truth blew through every conversation—not with stifling heat, but like a refreshing life-giving breeze. In this home, five generations have kept the faith and a sixth is learning that God is the foundation of life in whose light we see light.
These are things worth striving for. This is a vision worthy of sacrifice.
Adapted from "Shephering a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp. Published by Shepherd Press.
Thinking of the Summer yet? Consider Camp Sonshine
Camp Sonshine is a non-profit, Christian day camp located just minutes south of Lincoln, Nebraska. Camp Sonshine’s day camp programs give kids a safe place to experience personal growth, make new friends, and overcome challenges. Their innovative programs and fun activities offer an exciting alternative to traditional day care, are a great compliment to other overnight camp programs, and will leave a positive, life-changing impact in the heart of each camper. Pick up a brochures on the information counter at church for more information or visit their website.
Share The Love of Jesus With Others Through A Simple Invitation
By Bob Stelter, Missionary with Family Life
Much is said here at FBC about being Jesus in your square mile. That can take many forms depending on the people and circumstances.
What if there was a simple, conversational way to encourage married couples in their covenant relationship - AND - maybe be a part of leading someone to coming to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior?!
Does that excite you? Or, make you nervous? Did I say it was simple?
Here's the plan:
1. Visit the Weekend To Remember Marriage Getaway kiosk on Sunday (2/12, 3/4, 3/18) and pick up a brochure
2. Take the brochure home and pray about who the Lord would have you hand the brochure to
3. Whichever person the Lord brings to mind, take action and hand the brochure to them with a very brief invitaton:
"Hey (friend). Our church is promoting this 'Weekend To Remember Marriage Getaway' and I thought you might like to know about it. My spouse and I have attended and really enjoyed it. The sticker on front shows the dates and if you register with the Group, you get half off the regular rate."
THAT'S IT!
What will happen as a result? The person may shrug it off and throw away the brochure. The person may have a few questions for you about the event. The person may end up attending with their spouse. What if that couple REALLY needed biblical encouragement and you did not know how close to separating they were?? What if one or both of them had yet to accept Christ and make this eternal decision at the event??
Would that excite you?!!
Consider this - last year in Lincoln, 99 people responded to the Gospel presentation on Saturday; and 42 of those people were married couples! Now, there's 99 reasons to rejoice.
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