Vulnerability

Vulnerable has 3 definitions or usages: to be susceptible to harm by a weapon; to be open to attack of moral character; and to have a position open or susceptible to attack. (it is also a bridge term for those who play) As parents we are vulnerable to a lot of attacks by our children. They can harm us greatly by their actions and by their words.

However we usually see this as a great weakness in our defenses. I see it as a great weapon for us to be wielded. One of the greatest truths you can teach your children is the human qualities of their parents. Though allowing your children to see you as vulnerable may scare you, because you think they will see it as an open door to criticize and run all over you. I see it as an opportunity to share the image of Christ to your children. Jesus did not withold His emotions and vulnerability to His disciples, He showed them what He was feeling. He wept when John was killed. He grew angry at the desecration of His Fathers House. He showed concern upon the cross for the well being of His mother.

Jesus being God, lowered Himself to our weaknesses by becoming flesh, making Himself vulnerable to His children to the point that we killed Him with our sin. Are we as parents willing to be as vulnerable in our dealings with our children?

Spiritual influence begins on the home.

Hear the Words of the OT prophet Moses this morning:

Dt 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Dt 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Dt 6:6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Dt 6:7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Dt 6:8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Dt 6:9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

This is one of the most influential passages in the history of God's people. For the nation of Israel today Verse 4 is still something quoted on a daily basis. Verse 4 & 5 was repeated by Christ in the NT. Mk 12:29-30. What I want you as parents to focus on today is the latter statements. Verses 7- 9 are the pivotal teachings in Scripture that lead us to know that God's best plan for training the youth in our lives is thru the PARENTS. We as parents should be placing the Word of God everywhere in our lives, making it visible all around us. Look at the language of "when you walk along the road", we must be in close relationships with our children. Interaction is a must for Spiritual development. Make your house a billboard for the Word of God, "Write them on your doorframes". We often fear pushing away our children from the Lord, but the teachings of Scripture are to continually remind them visibly of the Word of God.

The tough part of this passage for parents however is found in verse 6. In order for your children to take the teaching well and to grow spiritually, it is imperative that "these commandments... are to be upon your heart".

"The difficulty of ministry is that we cannot minister people

to a place that we have never been."

Bro. J