"What Kids Really Need from Mom"

2 John
Mother's Day
May 13, 2007
Pastor Brad Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church

2 John is a short letter addressed to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth (verse 1).

John includes several points for any mother or other influencer as they seek to pass on God’s grace, mercy, peace and truth to their family.

Let’s look at what kids need from their chosen lady, MOM.

1.  Train their hearts. --verse 4 - It has given me great joy to find…your children walking in the truth…. --NIV

Most important is the training in God’s truth that will make an eternal difference.

Do your kids know not only what you expect from them, but also the “why” behind it?

Proverbs 22:6 - Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.  --The Message

2.  Boo less, cheer more.  --verse 3

I see God’s grace, mercy, peace, love and truth in you!

3.  Talk "taboo." --verse 7-11

Your willingness to speak the truth in love can help them grow up. 

Ephesians 4:12 – 15 - train Christians … until we’re all… fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.  No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything.  –The Message

4.  Let limits grow as children do.  --verse 6

Children need to be loved without qualification so the seed of self-esteem can grow.  Such unconditional love does not mean you set no limits.  Setting boundaries demonstrates to a child how important he or she is to you.

Our job as parents is to get to the principle of verse 4 - our children walking in truth.

5.  Show the way.  --verse 6

Kids need a moral compass. That means instilling a sense of right and wrong not only about big issues, but also day-to-day matters.

Don’t tell them; show them!

6.  Enjoy them.  --verse 4 & 3 John 1:4

KNOW THIS:  Our kids will remember the important stuff when it is encased in loving, enjoyable relationships!