Day 13: Matthew 6-9

When we follow God’s Word, we are modeling the gospel to our children. God’s Word will equip us for success in parenting. His Word is our map. It gives us discernment, and it is the rock we are to build our lives on.

God’s Word is the most powerful thing we can base our parenting on.

Today I want to take some time to review what we learn from Matthew 7 this week. Perhaps you can pick a verse that spoke to you and write it down and focus on it for the next several days or week.

Monday
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1 NKJV)

We teach our children the gospel by living the gospel. We can tell them not to judge 50 times a day, but if they catch us making a snide remark, they will soon think they can skip over that part of Jesus’ teaching, too. We need to teach in word so they know the principles of Christianity, but it is just as important that we be living examples of our own teaching.

Tuesday
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV)

God wants us to succeed as parents, and He will equip us for that success. All we need to do is ask!

Wednesday:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV)

Raising children in this world is a big responsibility, and we need to be certain we are constantly comparing our actions to the Word of God and adjusting them accordingly, rather than comparing ourselves to our favorite Bible teacher or Instagram encourager.
Drink in the Biblical teaching of other Christians, but immerse yourself in God’s Word.

Thursday:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:15-16 NKJV)

The only way to clearly spot those wolves in sheep’s clothing that want to devour us and our families is to immerse ourselves in God’s Word.

Friday:
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV)

There are times when obeying God’s Word leaves us feeling vulnerable and lonely. It is not popular, sometimes even in Christian circles, to strictly follow the teachings of Jesus. But feelings are not what define our security. Jesus does. And He says if we build our lives on His Word, we will not fall.

​-Stefani