Give Them Grace - Chapter One

1. In what ways do you use the Bible as a rule book instead of the "good news"?

It seems like I've been telling me kids that they can't be good on their own for a long time, but this first chapter has given me a fresh perspective. "We don't give our kids the law to make them good." We give it to them so they see their need for Jesus and go running into His arms. Sooo......I'm still a bit confused. I have always believed that the Bible is their to guide us and that it is filled with wisdom for how to live. Is this not true anymore? Of course it's true. But we are just moralists if all the Bible is to us is a rule book. We have to see our absolute inability to obey it and let Christ obey it through us before we can truly live by it.

I still haven't answered the question. I'm not good a this....Lord, please show me how I do this. I know I want them to be good and I'm disappointed when they aren't. So maybe I use the Bible to point them to how to be good instead of pointing them to the only one who can fulfill the law. AND HE DID FOR US!

2. Does your love of the gospel change the way you parent? If not, how could it?

It is CHANGING the way I parent. Recently the Lord has opened my eyes to how amazing His love for me is. I could never be good enough. I could never afford His robe of righteousness....but God put it on me because Jesus paid for it. Yet, I still get frustrated. It's almost like I'm the guy who was forgiven a huge mind-boggling debt and then I turn around and expect my kids to pay up!

I must remember that I was in great need of instruction and grace and God gave it to me...He continues to give it to me....and I must give it to them. Daily. Moment by frustrating moment.

I want to enjoy my kids! I want to be faithful to them. I want to instruct and correct them with the same grace that God has generously given to me.

3. What are the four catagories of obedience outlined in this chapter? Have you used these different catagories to make your kids think they can earn God's favor?

a. Initial obedience
b. Social obedience
c. Civic obedience
d. Religious obedience

I am sure I have...I'm sure I've said that it makes God happy when they obey. Doesn't it? But I know what you mean. We can obey in every way and still have a heart of rebellion towards God. We can't let outward conformity define a person's standing before God. Man looks at the outward appearance. God looks on the heart. Lord, help me to catch myself doing this. CHORES. They sure make me happy. I feel like I'm teaching my kids to be responsible. Oh, Lord, please don't let me teach them that this makes them spiritual...it just doesn't. IT DOESN'T. It's wise to live orderly. I believe that's what You desire. I know You want us to be polite instead of rude and disruptive. How can we be hospitable and loving and thoughtful if these these things aren't in place....but we can be rude and thoughtless in the effort to keep our world in place. Lord, show me how to balance and please don't let me attatch any of these things to having a right standing before You. BY GRACE ALONE THOUGH FAITH.

4. Why is it important for parents and children to learn the proper place of the law?

The law points us to Jesus and our need for Him.

Like when we have a torn ligament. When it's diagnosed it's good news and bad news. Bad news is that it hurts and we can't do anything about it. Good news? the Dr. can!

5. How does a full view of grace change the way we teach the law?

We are more like Christ. We are humble and patient because we recognize that our children are in the same boat we were before Christ saved us....and that we are still dependant on Him to obey. To live.

We aren't about the outside....what we can see. What others can see. We are more concerned with what's going on inside because we know that they can't obey.

6. Summarize what you have learned in this chapter in 3 or 4 sentences.

I've learned how important it is not to make outward obedience = being right with the Lord. I've learned that I should embrace my kids sinfulness. Only then can they see their need for a Savior. I don't want to ever pretend that things are good if they aren't. I don't want to settle for convenient outward conformity. Even though it makes me look good and feel good about myself....it is DANGEROUS. Lord, where there is false hope...SHATTER it and show us the real picture of Austin and Juleah's heart. Lord, save them. Give them hearts that are passionately in love with You. From an early age. But Lord, in my zealous desire for this don't let me be fooled.