2000-05-14-00 - Passages about Spiritual Parenting

Mother's Day - 2000

On this Mother's Day, we will look at Biblical passages about spiritual parents or role models. While taking a walk recently with our dog Pierre, I had the delightful experience of watching a baby Brown Thrasher (a majestic, copper-colored bird) practicing "touch and go" takeoffs and landings. How was he learning how to fly? By watching his mother fly and following her example. I thought, "some of us have strong Christian parents but many of us don't, and some of us live far away from them." We all need both solid Christian examples to emulate, and at the same time, less mature Christians placed in our path by God, for whom we should be dependable role models. Today I hope you will show appreciation to those who have provided spiritual parenting to you--Sunday School teachers, pastors, older friends, or relatives. And my earnest hope is that if you are a mature Christian who is not discipling anyone, you will ask God to lead you into such a relationship. All verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT).

1 Cor. 4:14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. ¹⁵ Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

1 Tim. 4:12 Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Titus 2:1 But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching. ² Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have strong faith and be filled with love and patience. ³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. ⁴ These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵ to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. ⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Phil. 2:22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

Jan

jan@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org