Giving Your Children Giving Your Children an Eternal an Eternal InheritanceInheritance

Part 2 (Teen years) Part 2 (Teen years)By MiXueBy MiXue

““Children are a gift of GodChildren are a gift of God””

Can we prepare the soil?Can we prepare the soil?

Can soil be more Can soil be more receptive?receptive?

1. Soil by the road side1. Soil by the road side

What could make this soil What could make this soil more penetrable?more penetrable?

Hard soil needs Hard soil needs breaking upbreaking up

A believing parent A believing parent sets the family apart for sets the family apart for

GodGod

““For the unbelieving husband For the unbelieving husband is is sanctifiedsanctified through his wife, and through his wife, and the unbelieving wife the unbelieving wife is sanctifiedis sanctified through her believing husband;through her believing husband;

for otherwise your children are for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are unclean, but now they are holyholy..””

1 Cor 7:141 Cor 7:14

YOU are a window for YOU are a window for GodGod

Incarnational LifeIncarnational LifeHowever, you are not in the flesh but in the However, you are not in the flesh but in the

Spirit, if indeed the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of GodSpirit of God dwells in dwells in youyou. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of . But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.Christ, he does not belong to Him.

If If Christ isChrist is in youin you, though the body is dead , though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead the dead dwells in youdwells in you, He who raised Christ , He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells His Spirit who dwells in you.in you. Rom 8:9-11Rom 8:9-11

Hard soil needs helpHard soil needs help

How can the Word How can the Word penetrate a childpenetrate a child’’s life?s life?

For the word of God is living and active For the word of God is living and active and and sharpersharper than any two-edged than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the the thoughts and intentions of the heart.heart.

(Heb 4:12)(Heb 4:12)

““But we proved to be gentle among you, But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing as a nursing mothermother tenderly cares for her tenderly cares for her

own children.own children.

Having so fond an affection for you, Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only we were well-pleased to impart to you not only

the gospel of Godthe gospel of God but also but also our own livesour own lives,, because you had become very dear to us.because you had become very dear to us.”” 1 Th 2:7-81 Th 2:7-8

ParentalParentalExamples Examples

make make deep deep rootsroots

2. Soil on rocky places2. Soil on rocky places

No firm root to No firm root to withstand:withstand:

TrialsTrials

PersecutionPersecution

Trials perfect usTrials perfect us

Consider it all Consider it all joyjoy, my brethren, when you , my brethren, when you encounter encounter various trialsvarious trials,,

knowing that the testing of your faith knowing that the testing of your faith produces produces enduranceendurance..

And let endurance have And let endurance have itsits perfect result, so perfect result, so that you may be that you may be perfect and completeperfect and complete, ,

lacking in nothing.lacking in nothing.James 1:2-4James 1:2-4

Hard work keeps us fitHard work keeps us fit

Trials build characterTrials build character

And not only this, but we also exult in our And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulationstribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about , knowing that tribulation brings about perseveranceperseverance;;

and perseverance, and perseverance, proven characterproven character; and ; and proven character, proven character, hopehope;;

and hope does not disappoint, because theand hope does not disappoint, because the lovelove of Godof God has been poured out within our hearts has been poured out within our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Rom 5:3-5Rom 5:3-5

Persecution Persecution reveals reveals

ourour

HOPE HOPE

Expect Persecution Expect Persecution "Blessed are those who have been "Blessed are those who have been persecutedpersecuted for the sake for the sake

of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when Blessed are you when peoplepeople insult you and persecute insult you and persecute youyou, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because , and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, for Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is greatyour reward in heaven is great; ; for in the same way they for in the same way they persecuted the prophetspersecuted the prophets who who were before you.were before you.”” Matt 5:10-12Matt 5:10-12

““Indeed, all who desire to live godly Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.””

2 Tim 3:122 Tim 3:12

What do you FEAR more?What do you FEAR more?

Trials and hardships?Trials and hardships?

Persecution by MAN?Persecution by MAN?

Or GOD?Or GOD?

Who should you fear?Who should you fear?

"But I will warn you whom to fear: "But I will warn you whom to fear: fearfear the One the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hellinto hell; yes, I tell you, ; yes, I tell you, fear Himfear Him!!

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? YetYet not not one of them is forgotten before God.one of them is forgotten before God.

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. numbered. Do not fearDo not fear; you are ; you are more valuablemore valuable than many sparrows.than many sparrows.

Luke 12:5-7Luke 12:5-7

Whose are you?Whose are you?What then shall we say to these things? What then shall we say to these things? If If God God isis forfor us, who us, who isis against us? against us?

He who He who did not spare His own Sondid not spare His own Son, , but delivered Him over for us all, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Who will bring a charge against God's elect? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? GodGod is the one who is the one who justifiesjustifies; ; who is the one who who is the one who condemnscondemns? ?

Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for usintercedes for us..

Rom 8:31-34Rom 8:31-34

The Unfailing love of The Unfailing love of ChristChristWho will separate us fromWho will separate us from the love of Christthe love of Christ? Will tribulation, or ? Will tribulation, or

distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?sword?

Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither For I am convinced that neither deathdeath, nor, nor life life, nor , nor angelsangels, nor , nor principalitiesprincipalities, nor , nor things presentthings present, nor , nor things to comethings to come, nor , nor powerspowers, nor , nor heightheight, nor , nor depthdepth, nor , nor any other created thingany other created thing, will , will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:35-39Rom 8:35-39

VaccinationVaccination

3. Soil with thorns3. Soil with thorns

Worries of the WorldWorries of the World

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'clothing?'

"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all your heavenly Father knows that you need all these thingsthese things..

"But "But seek first His kingdom and His seek first His kingdom and His righteousnessrighteousness, and all these things will be added , and all these things will be added to you.to you.

Matt 6:31-33Matt 6:31-33

Bring worries to GodBring worries to God

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by by prayerprayer and supplication with and supplication with thanksgivingthanksgiving let your requests be made let your requests be made known to God.known to God.

And the And the peace of Godpeace of God, which surpasses , which surpasses all comprehension, will all comprehension, will guardguard your your hearts and yourhearts and your minds in Christ Jesusminds in Christ Jesus..

Philippians 4:6-7Philippians 4:6-7

Teach your child to prayTeach your child to pray

Deceitfulness of wealthDeceitfulness of wealth

Then He said to them, Then He said to them,

"Beware, and be on your guard against "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of every form of greedgreed; for not ; for not eveneven when when one has an one has an abundanceabundance does his life does his life consist of his possessions."consist of his possessions."

Lk 12:15Lk 12:15

WhatWhat’’s so dangerous s so dangerous about Greed?about Greed?

Therefore consider the members of your Therefore consider the members of your

earthly body as dead to immorality, earthly body as dead to immorality,

impurity, passion, evil desire, and impurity, passion, evil desire, and

greedgreed, which amounts to idolatry., which amounts to idolatry.

Col 3:5 Col 3:5

What is the purpose What is the purpose of wealth?of wealth?

Do we possess it or does it possess us?Do we possess it or does it possess us?

Do we use people to gain money or Do we use people to gain money or

do we use money to gain people?do we use money to gain people?

Why does God give us wealth?Why does God give us wealth?

Weeds: Pull them out!Weeds: Pull them out!

How do we teach our How do we teach our child stewardship?child stewardship?

Do not over-emphasize possessionsDo not over-emphasize possessions

Engage with the less fortunateEngage with the less fortunate

Practice generosity with your resourcesPractice generosity with your resources

What do you DESIRE more? What do you DESIRE more?

Fortune?Fortune?

Fame?Fame?

Power?Power?

Or Or GodGod??

Weed KillerWeed Killer

Our AmbitionOur Ambition

Therefore we also have as Therefore we also have as our ambitionour ambition, whether at , whether at home or absent, home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.to be pleasing to Him.

For we must all appear before the For we must all appear before the judgment seatjudgment seat of of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. done, whether good or bad. (2Cor 5:9-10)(2Cor 5:9-10)

For the For the love of Christ controls uslove of Christ controls us, having concluded , having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.again on their behalf.””

((2Cor 5:14-15)2Cor 5:14-15)

An Undivided HeartAn Undivided Heart

Whom have I in heaven Whom have I in heaven but You?but You? And And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion the strength of my heart and my portion forever.forever.

Ps 73:25-26Ps 73:25-26

4. Good soil4. Good soil

Hears the WordHears the Word

What is a “good and honest heart”?

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Tim 4:3-4

Holds it fastHolds it fast

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22

Bears much fruitBears much fruit

"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

John 15:8

Biblical FruitBiblical Fruit

Repentance (Mat 3:8) Repentance (Mat 3:8) Obedience (Jn 15:4-16) Obedience (Jn 15:4-16) Good works (Col 1:10)Good works (Col 1:10) Spirit (Gal 5:22) Spirit (Gal 5:22) Praise (Heb 13:15)Praise (Heb 13:15) Righteousness (Phil.1:11, Heb 12:11, Righteousness (Phil.1:11, Heb 12:11,

Jas 3:18) Jas 3:18)

Fruit for Eternal LifeFruit for Eternal Life

"Do you not say, 'There are yet four "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and months, and thenthen comes the harvest'? comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.harvest.

"Already he who reaps is receiving wages "Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering and is gathering fruit for life eternalfruit for life eternal; so ; so that he who sows and he who reaps may that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.rejoice together.

John 4:35-36John 4:35-36

How do you bear fruit?How do you bear fruit?

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and of wheat falls into the earth and diesdies, ,

it remains alone; it remains alone; but if it but if it diesdies, it , it bears much fruitbears much fruit..

"He who loves his life loses it, and "He who loves his life loses it, and he who he who hates his life in this worldhates his life in this world will will keep it to life eternalkeep it to life eternal..

John 12:24-25John 12:24-25

Cultivating the Eternal Cultivating the Eternal in our childrenin our children

Hard SoilHard Soil Needs spadeworkNeeds spadework

Rocky & Shallow SoilRocky & Shallow Soil

Needs strong persistent seedNeeds strong persistent seed

Weedy soilWeedy soil

Needs weed killerNeeds weed killer

Good SoilGood Soil

Bears fruitBears fruit

Jesus said,Jesus said,

“You did not choose Me but I chose you,

and appointed you that you would go and

bear fruit,

and thatyour fruit would remain.”John 15:16

A heart A heart to to

cultivate cultivate

your your childrenchildren

forfor

EternityEternity

DoDo not be deceived, God is not mocked; not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever for whatever sows sows a man, a man,

this he will also this he will also reapreap..

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, the flesh reap corruption,

but the one who but the one who sows to the Spiritsows to the Spirit will from the will from the Spirit reap Spirit reap eternal lifeeternal life..

Gal 6:7-9Gal 6:7-9

Let us Let us not lose heartnot lose heart in doing good, in doing good, for in due time for in due time

we we will reapwill reap if we if we do not grow wearydo not grow weary..

Giving Your Children Giving Your Children an Eternal an Eternal InheritanceInheritance

Part 2 (Teen years) Part 2 (Teen years)By MiXueBy MiXue