PARENT-DRIVEN NEXT GENERATION MINISTRY

PARENT-DRIVEN NEXT GENERATION MINISTRY 
In Psalms 127 The Bible describes our role as parents like an archer with bow in hand and your children as arrows in your quiver. One day we are to load them up and pull them back and shoot them out of our bow as far as we can. And where they land, they are to make more of an impact for Jesus and His kingdom than we did. 
The Importance of Scripture
A parent’s primary job is to teach, reprove, correct, and train. 
James 4:1 (NKJV) 1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
A parent’s primary job is to teach, reprove, correct, and train. 
We find it right here in Proverbs chapter 1:8
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
1.    Over and over in these first chapters of Proverbs we hear these words “my son.” My son. 
a.    Chapter 1, My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 
b.    Chapter 1 my son, do not walk in the way with them;
c.    Chapter 2  My son, if you receive my words
d.    Chapter 3 My son, do not forget my teaching
e.    Chapter 3 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
f.    Chapter 3 My son, do not lose sight of these
g.    Chapter 4  Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
h.    Chapter 4 Hear, my son, and accept my words, 
i.    Chapter 5 My son, be attentive to my wisdom
j.    Chapter 5 And now, O sons, listen to me
k.    Chapter 5 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman
l.    Chapter 6 then do this, my son, and save yourself
m.    Chapter 6 My son, keep your father’s commandment
n.    Chapter 7 My son, keep my words

That wisdom gained is meant to be wisdom given. 
It is our responsibility as a parent to intake the scriptures and apply them. 
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 
Guard the Heart 
Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to Guard our heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
The NKJV version says Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)  Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 
In fact, it is the heart that actually determines behavior as Jesus said, 
Mark 7:21–23 (NKJV) 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” 
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 
Ephesians 6:10–12 (NKJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
How Should the Church Engage?
Our ministry to babies, kids and teenagers is defined as “Parent- Driven” our mission statement for all the next generation ministries is “ DNA – Disciplining the Next generation Alongside parents”
The Means of Grace 
“Certain channels by which God gives spiritual power to his church.” - John Frame
The Word 
The best parenting ministry a local church can provide is clear preaching and teaching of the Word from the full counsel of Scripture so that the people can understand the text and apply it to all of life. 

Fellowship 
“The koinonia—Greek for commonality, partnership, fellowship—that the first Christians shared wasn’t anchored in a common love for pizza, pop, and a nice clean evening of fun among the fellow churchified,” Its essence was in their common Christ, and their common life-or-death mission together in his summons to take the faith worldwide in the face of impending persecution. Rightly did Tolkien call his nine “the Fellowship of the Ring.” This is no chummy hobnob with apps and drinks and a game on the tube. It is an all-in, life-or-death collective venture in the face of great evil and overwhelming opposition. - David Mathis
Prayer
And parents will not know the depths of Christ’s generous offer in prayer until they trust what He says next. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).