Empowered for Spiritual Parenting

Empowered for Spiritual Parenting
Mt 28:18-20; Jn 14:5-11
18 June 2017 (Father's Day)

Dr Saw Horng Yuan

Introduction

Jesus imparted kingdom values.

Apostles are leaders of leaders.

Become a spiritual parent, those who do not know God are like spiritual orphans.

John 14

The Lifestyle of Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6)
- Discipleship is the heart of God
- Revisioning Discipleship

2 Tim 2:3 itchy ears to hear 

It is about giving and receiving 

People who do not know God are spiritual orphans.

God loves the fatherless 

Three Roles of Spiritual Parents (Jn 14:5-11): 

Roles of spiritual parents :-

Gives directions to the children.

Gives assurance to the children.

Gives godly instructions to the children.

- Jesus was more than a rabbi to his disciples; he was a spiritual father; his disciples were his spiritual children; Jn 13:33 “little children” (Peter and John were not little);
- Jn 14:18 “…as orphans…” - those without relationship with God as Father are orphans, they need to know the Father’s love;
- All of us are supposed to be spiritual parents, like Christ; not difficult

1. Spiritual Parents Give Direction to Spiritual Children
- Jesus Christ is our direction; all who follow this Way will receive abundant life;
- After Jesus’ arrest, what happened to the disciples? They deserted Jesus and went various directions; but later they were reunited - what (or rather, Who) reunited them? They regrouped as a fellowship, as children of God;
- Spiritual parenting is about pointing ppl to Jesus; we are not the way, but we know Who is; this is our responsibility; aligning our (and others’) lives according to Jesus

2. Spiritual Parents Give Assurance to Spiritual Children
- Jn 14:1, 3ff “…prepare a place…where I am, you may be also…” ; assurance after assurance;
- Assurance is a positive declaration intended to give confidence;
- Jesus gave his spiritual children confidence to journey on even without him being with them physically;
- Can you give assurance to someone? If yes, then you are qualified to be a spiritual parent to somebody!
- When we are inspired and encouraged, we will go further for Jesus; many lack encouragement; the Word of God is our assurance, read it! Other things do not give assurance like the Word of God;
- When spiritual parents give assurance to spiritual children, we will give birth to generations of spiritual children with heritage of faithfulness and confidence;

3. Spiritual parents Give Godly Instructions to Spiritual Children
- Jn 14:15ff, 23 “…keep my commandments…”
- We need to tell people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear; 2 Ti 4:3 “…itching ears…” ; but as spiritual parents, we need to tell people the truth in love;
- This is how we make disciples of all nations; when we do not rise up to be spiritual parents, there will be more and more spiritual orphans; God loves the fatherless; He is calling for us to be spiritual parents;
- We all must learn and teach, receive (impartation/healing/reconciliation) and give (impartation/healing/reconciliation);
- Start with spiritual parenting (discipleship)
- Mt 28:18-20 “…I will be with you…”

Questions: 
1. How is spiritual parenting different from parenting/mentoring/coaching?
2. Who do you think qualifies to be a spiritual parent? How and when can one be a spiritual parent to someone?
3. What is one joy/challenge you have as spiritual parents in giving direction, assurance and godly instructions to spiritual children?