STORY / CONTEXT
God’s design for the family was never merely survival or success—it was multiplication of His glory.
Children are not accidents.
They are not inconveniences.
They are not trophies.
They are gifts from God, temporarily entrusted to us.
And the question every parent must wrestle with is this:
Are we raising arrows to release… or boomerangs to return?
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 127:3–5
“Children are a heritage from the Lord…”
- Children are an inheritance from God
- Arrows have purpose
- Arrows are shaped
- Arrows are aimed
- Arrows are released
Key Insight:
Many families are raising children for personal return instead of Kingdom release.
TRANSITION
So how do we raise children who advance the mission of God?
Deuteronomy 6 gives us four anchor points for building a Gospel-centered family.
1. Families need an unmistakable VISION for God’s mission
Deuteronomy 6:1–3
Healthy families know what target they’re aiming at.
- Parenting is discipleship
- The goal is not merely success, comfort, or achievement
- The goal is raising children who know and follow Jesus
Question:
What would make my heart happier:
- a popular millionaire who doesn’t know God,
or
- a poor missionary who serves Him?
Truth:
We are not raising consumers of culture.
We are raising disciples of Christ.
2. Families need an unrivaled DEVOTION to Jesus
Deuteronomy 6:4–5
The Shema reminds God’s people:
“The Lord is one.”
God will not compete for first place.
- Jesus cannot simply be part of the family schedule
- He must be supreme over it
Key Insight:
Many families have affection for Jesus without actual submission to Jesus.
Little “g” gods:
- sports
- success
- comfort
- recreation
- achievement
often compete for devotion.
Question:
If your kids were asked what your family is most devoted to… what would they say?
3. Families need unwavering SUBMISSION to God’s Word
Deuteronomy 6:6
“These words… shall be on your heart.”
Parents cannot teach what they do not treasure.
Key Line:
“Our kids hear what we say, but they listen to what we do.”
- Faith must be modeled, not merely mentioned
- Children can spot hypocrisy quickly
- Spiritual formation begins with spiritually formed parents
Question:
Is my life actually being transformed by Jesus?
4. Families need unceasing INSTRUCTION in God’s Word
Deuteronomy 6:7–9
Faith formation happens in everyday moments.
- sitting
- walking
- rising
- resting
The home becomes a place where:
- Scripture is normal
- worship is normal
- conversations about God are normal
Truth:
Parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children.
Questions:
- What if Scripture memory was celebrated like athletic success?
- What if families pursued worship with the same passion they pursue sports and activities?
FINAL ILLUSTRATION
Jim Elliot described children as arrows in a warrior’s hand.
Arrows are not meant to stay in the quiver forever.
They are meant to be:
with the hope that they penetrate darkness with the Gospel.
SUMMARY
Children are a gift from God.
And parenting is more than protection or preparation for earthly success.
It is the sacred responsibility of shaping young hearts to know Jesus, love Jesus, and advance the mission of God.
The question is not simply:
“Are my kids successful?”
But rather:
“Are they prepared to faithfully follow Christ wherever He sends them?”
