God's Plan/My Plan: God's Plan for Spouses and Parents!

God has laid down the perfect plan for every aspect of our life.  You can find specific aspects for the individual’s plan in the post “God’s Plan/My Plan: Ten Fundamental Aspects of God’s Daily Spiritual Plan.”  Here are a few aspects of His Biblical plan for the family.

A Godly husband, would not only love his wife as Christ loved the church by being willing to die for her if there was a home invasion, but also

1.     Develop the ten fundamental aspects with her (see post)

2.     Strive to be a great husband because he serves his wife as Christ serves the Church (Matthew 20:28)

3.     Teach her as Christ came to teach the Church (Matthew 5:2)

4.     Honor her as the weaker vessel to the good of their prayer life (I Peter 3:7)

5.     Find pleasure, joy and contentment in her and her alone. (Proverbs 5:18-19)

6.     Honor their sexual union as a reflection of the oneness miracle God created between them at their marriage (Mark 10:7-8, I Corinthians 7:4, Proverbs 5:18-19)

7.     Praise her for her godliness in public (Proverbs 31:28)

If applicable, does this describe you now or the husband you were?

A Godly wife is one who:

1.     Shares the ten fundamental aspects with her husband

2.     Develops and maintains a quiet and gentle spirit (I Peter 3:3-6)

3.     Submits to her husband in all matters unless he expects her to sin, (Ephesians 5:21-24, Acts 5:29)

4.     Only speaks well of him and brings him honor in public (Proverbs 31:12, 23)

5.     Effectively oversees the domestic side of the household (Proverbs 31:13, 14, ff)

6.     Is known for fearing the Lord (Ephesians 3:1-2, Proverbs 31:30)  

7.     Places a higher value on good works than external beauty. (I Peter 3:3-4, Proverbs 31:30)

If applicable, does this describe you now or the wife you were?

What about parenting?

A godly father is one who views his paternal responsibility as being more than just driving the family/children to church but

1.     Continually sets an example of Christlikeness for his children (Proverbs 20:7, Genesis 18:19)

2.     Teaches his children God is their true Father and he is God’s assistant (Matthew 23:9)

3.     Provides the family and children Scriptural meditation/discussion throughout the day (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

4.     Prays for and with the children throughout the day (I Thessalonians 5:17)

5.     Is compassionate rather than provoking (Colossians 3:21, Ephesians 6:4)

6.     From the womb disciples them to love and obey God (John 14:15, Matthew 28:19-20)

7.     Admonishes them with the Word of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 4:1-2, Hebrews 12:7)

8.     His children find refuge in his faith (Proverbs 14:26)

9.     His greatest joy is seeing his children walking in the truth (3 John 1:4, Proverbs 23:24)

If appropriate, does this describe you as the father you are now or were?

A godly mother is one who:

1.     Teaches by example to sacrificially love (agape) her God, her husband and children and has outstanding character (Mark 12:30, Titus 2:3-6)

2.     Depends on the power of God to accomplish excellence (2 Peter 1:3)

3.     Aggressively seeks ways to build up her family (Proverbs 14:1)

4.     Under the leadership of her husband, disciples her children (Proverbs 1:8-9)

5.     Prays throughout the day for and with her children (I Thessalonians 5:17)

6.     Speaks to her children words of love, encouragement. wisdom and reproof, whatever is appropriate (Proverbs 31:26, Ephesians 4:15)

7.     Emanates compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience in parenting situations (Colossians 3:12)

(see also II Timothy 1:5, Titus 2:3-6)

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a Child in the way he should go and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Is this a promise or a generalization for which there might be exceptions?  It is a PROMISE!  Those who deny it is a promise, do so, not for exegetical reasons, but because the parenting failures are so many among professing Christians – it must be denied.  There are so many failures because “the way they should go” is not implemented!!  Thus, parenting produces prodigals and not disciples.

God, empower us to understand, implement and grow Your perfect plan for our life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.