The Most Strategic Years

Ever heard the saying, “the days are long, but the years are short”?

When it comes to parenting, it’s so very true. And raising kids God’s way is so important that we can’t afford to let the early years slip by.

Because when it comes to God’s way of parenting, they aren’t the “early” years. They are “The Most Strategic Years.”

Discussion Questions

Don’t be afraid to add to this list, skip questions that don’t work for your group, or branch off with additional questions as discussion unfolds. Conversation is key! This is the time to work through the application of scripture and have group members figure things out together.

1. What tactics did your parents use when raising you? Did they rely on grace, or did they show tough love? How has that shaped you and impacted your personality?
2. Generational sin is a biblical principle that we learn about in Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, and Deuteronomy 5:9. Where did your parents mess up or miss the mark? How are you breaking that chain for your children to avoid that generational sin being passed to your children?
3. Read Psalm 127:4. We learn in this verse that children are like arrows. However, arrows must be shot in the right direction and hit the right target. How do you and your spouse point your child to the Lord and His will for their life?
4. Each of us and our children is created differently. How do you differ from your siblings? How do your kids differ from one another? How do you love and parent them the same? On the flip side, how does your parenting change between each of them?
5. Read Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, and Proverbs 3:11-12. God shares the importance of godly discipline and even disciplines us (His own children). How does God discipline us? Does that discipline contradict His love for us? Similarly, how do godly discipline and the love we have for our own children go hand-in-hand?
6. As we learned, discipline should be a planned action, not a reaction. Do you and your spouse have a set of guidelines to provide consistent discipline to your children? If so, what are they? If not, discuss some basic principles and create a plan for your family.
7. Pastor Harrell spoke about the younger years being the ideal time to impact your child/children for Christ. For whatever reason, perhaps that window has been missed in your life, or the life of someone you know, or perhaps a child just chose not to follow Christ. How do you think you can still have an important godly influence on adult or grown children who have chosen to walk a separate path outside of the Lord’s will? What can you do to be a loving example to them today?

Accountability

• Where are you reading in the Bible this week? What has God been revealing to you through your quiet time with Him?
• Discuss any struggles you may be going through with your group.
• How can you pray for your group this week? How can they be praying for you?

Questions about following Jesus?

Want to know how simple it is to have a relationship with Jesus? Interested in talking with someone about Jesus? Let us know below.