Better...At Parenting, Part 2

Deuteronomy 6:1-25 II. How Do We Do This? This section on ownership parenting vs. ambassador parenting is from the book Parenting by Ted Tripp Two types of parenting: 1) Ownership parenting- shaped and influenced by what parents want for their children and from their children 2) Ambassador parenting- shaped by what God wants to do through us in our children The difference in these two parenting styles manifest itself in four ways… 1. Identity- where you look to find your sense of who you are Owners- look to kids for identity, self-worth and affirmation of their parenting. Ambassador- not about what I need from you but based on what I understand about God, the Gospel truth and you * salvation culture vs. gospel culture 2. Work- what you define as the work you’ve been called to do as a parent Owners- have to turn their children into something and they rely on their resources to do it Ambassador- have to live as instruments in God’s hands in the lives of their children 3. Success- what you define success to be Owner- work towards specific horizontal indicators such as academic performance, social acceptance, popularity, athletics as evidence of parenting skill Ambassador- not about reaching goals but being usable and faithful tools in God’s hands because He alone is able to produce good things in your kids 4. Reputation- what tells people who you are and what you’re about Owner- children are trophies, they enjoy parading their kids when they do well but are deeply embarrassed when kids sin and often withdraw from relationships when this happens Ambassador- see misunderstanding and embarrassment as part of parenting and keep big Gospel goal of kids being “oaks of righteousness” in mind as they parents. God does the work and God gets the glory for who their kids become III. How Do We Become Parents God Works Through? 1. We ruthlessly and consistently return to the Gospel * Romans 1:16 2. We realize that we are raising a worshipper 3. We exercise discipline in our home IV. Four Questions Every Parent Should Ask Their Kids 1. Do you trust me? 2. Do you feel like you matter in this family? 3. What need are you trying to meet with this behavior? 4. What are you learning about yourself these days?Be sure to follow us:InstagramFacebookYoutube