But We Had Hoped... PRODIGAL? Karen Stobaugh

Transcription

1 But We Had Hoped... What if, after homeschooling we are now faced with a PRODIGAL? Karen Stobaugh

2 But We Had Hoped... Goals of this workshop: 1. To share what God is teaching in the midst of the struggle 2. Not to expose the youthful sins of our children in a public arena 3. To encourage others in the place of prayer and in gaining God s perspective 4. To know we are not alone, and that we need not walk in shame 5. To corporately pray for our prodigals

3 But We Had Hoped... We anticipated raising children solid in their faith, but now our best efforts seem to have failed... what if our child(ren) choose not to walk with our God?

4 But We Had Hoped... Where do we go from here? Luke 24:13-21 on the road to Emmaus- Verse 21...but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel

5 But We Had Hoped... Vision Dreams Dealing with Personal Disappointments I have labored to no purpose. I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord s hand, and my reward is with my God. Isa. 49:4

6 But We Had Hoped... Dealing with Personal Disappointments Our Expectations- not only of our child, but of our God Our Unwanted Fear- for the Spiritual, Emotional, & Physical well-being of our child Our Frustration, Helplessness, Hopelessness & Fatique

7 But We Had Hoped... Where will we keep our focus? Eyes on Child/circumstances, rebellion Eyes on Satan/deception, strategies of destruction Eyes on God/promises Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 105:4

8 But We Had Hoped... Growing Christ s character within: we grow through suffering This is a test of our own faith! God is focused on relationship. He allows us to go through experiences to bring us to the place where we will cry out to Him! Psalm 107: The wanderers, the sitters in rebellion, the foolish hearted, the busy ones; God will bring them to the place where they cry out to Him. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever. Trust the Lord our God!

9 But We Had Hoped... A Biblical Model: Samuel s Farewell Address to a Disobedient People- I Samuel 12 Use as a prayer guide!

10 But We Had Hoped... 12:2... I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed....if I have done any of these, I will make it right." What have I done wrong? Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1 Resist the temptation to defend yourself! The enemy is rendered powerless when we agree/or remain silent.

11 What Have I Done?...I will make it right. Confession... in the Presence of the Lord Don t cover but allow all to be in His Light, come in humility before the Lord Don t beat yourself up, or allow others to do it The Holy Spirit is gentle, never bringing condemnation, only conviction Seek forgiveness from those you have wronged, & seek also a heart that forgives I can t always make it right, but He can & will in His great power (Romans 8:28)

12 But We Had Hoped... Why Do We Home School Our Children? To produce a product? Or To obey our Father? Our purpose will determine how we view our success.

13 What Have I Done? Have you done what the Father called you to do? Child focused/or God focused? Jesus discipled 12 men. He did all the Father told Him to do. He left his work in the Father s hands.

14 But We Had Hoped... What if your children had turned out...just as you had hoped? Take No Credit-don t touch His Glory I am the Lord; that is my Name! I will not give my glory to another. Isaiah 42:8

15 But We Had Hoped... While you can not take the credit Take No Blame- trust Me We can impart knowledge but only God can bring revelation! Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... Hebrews 12:2

16 But We Had Hoped... Be God focused: recount and thank God...I Samuel 12 Verse7... I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your fathers. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 Faith comes by hearing... Romans 10:17

17 But We Had Hoped... I Samuel 12...God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey Him and do not rebel against His commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God - good! 15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against His commands, His hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

18 Keep your focus on God! After mistakes, God does not leave us in hopelessness Only He can rewrite our past He will redeem our past and work it for good He can make a way where there is no way He is eager to restore us to a right relationship with Himself

19 But We Had Hoped... I Samuel "Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of His great name the LORD will not reject His people, because the LORD was pleased to make you His own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.

20 But We Had Hoped... Prayer will enable you to be A Bridge to Hope & Forgiveness Offer a way out of rebellion Operate in the Spirit of our God- the opposite of what our flesh desires Pray for your child for His Name s sake Declare His faithfulness in your own life and the life of your child His loving kindness leads us to repentance. He is rich in mercy and grace. Our reason for hope. I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

21 But We Had Hoped... Thoughts to consider... God--the perfect parent--has disobedient children. Thank God for His righteous acts and history of faithfulness Prayer is the work of the parent at this point. (Talk more to God and less to/at your child) Pray for His Name s Sake Teach by example- speak only when God directs Talk about your child from the perspective of what God is doing! Watch what your mouth is declaring! Don t participate in the enemy s schemes of destruction.

22 But We Had Hoped REMEMBER: God s priority is to bring our sons and daughters into relationship with Himself. God s priority is to form the character of His Son within me! Stand in agreement with God. His word is true and He is faithful to keep His promises.

23 But We Had Hoped... The Prodigal Son- Luke 15:11-31 The Father is seen: Letting go- allowing the son to leave Not interfering with God s consequences Waiting on God to move the heart of his son Ready to welcome him home and extend God s heart of forgiveness

24 But We Had Hoped The Prodigal story gives us insight into another son, the older brother Are we guilty in being satisfied with raising older brothers? Are we more focused on behavior and less on belief?

25 But We Had Hoped... As we wait for our prodigals We grow in our faith and dependency on God. We learn to look to God and stand in agreement with His word. We are amazed by our God s overwhelming grace. We gain the heart of an intercessor. The character of our Lord Jesus Christ is formed with in us!

26 But We Had Hoped... Go Forth in Strength... There is no formula to follow. Encourage obedience in one another. Choose not to give the enemy a foothold. Love covers a multitude of sin. Pray for one another.