Free To Be A Joyful Mother -- February 3rd, 2010

ADVANCED PLACEMENT – DISCOVERY

I. Discovery – A Theological Examination
A. The “Potter”
The Lord is our potter and our kids’ potter. These verses are a reminder that God has our kids, He will “pour out His spirit on our offspring”, “they (our descendants) will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams”. When we trust Him with our children, we are free to discover who God is creating in our children and what gifts He will put in them. “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable” – no one, not even parents, can snatch their God given gifts from them. The Lord has put a specific thing in each child. They are always on the potters wheel – encourage your child to walk in their gifts.
Isaiah 44:1-5
Isaiah 45:5-13
Psalm 139
Proverbs 18:16
Romans 11:29 & Romans 12:6

B.The Discoverer
Proverbs 20:5 “The purposes of the human heart are deep waters, but those who have insight draw them out.”
“etsah” “dalah”
Our job as parents is to discover who God is creating in your child, rather than try to create in our children who we want them to be. “Dalah” is the concept of slowly lowering the bucket, letting it dangle, and slowly and carefully pulling it back up. Translation: Expose your kids to many things (lower the bucket) and wait to see if you are able to draw anything up from that exposure. This is an important part of discovering the God given gifts and talents in our children.

II. The Snare of Expectation
Expectations upon our children block discovery.

Expectations means putting our hope into a thing happening, or a person to come through. Waiting with expectancy is putting our hope in the Lord and seeing what He has for our child.

Luke 2:48-52 This is the story of Jesus as a young boy being lost from his mom and dad. Verse 51 says “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.. And as Jesus grew up, he increased in wisdom and in favor with God and people.” It’s a great example from scripture of how Mary put her hope in the Lord for her son. When Jesus was young, she couldn’t understand the path that God had her son on, but she treasured it in her heart and put her son in God’s hands. She waited with expectancy on what God would reveal. The last part of the scripture is great to pray for our children that they will increase “in wisdom and in favor with God and people.”


III. The Means of Discovery – “Dalah” Part 1

1. Prayer – James 1:5-8
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Pray pray pray for your children – ask God to give you wisdom in the discovery process “for this child.”

2. Study – Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Should implies according to who that child is – study your kids and know their natural bents.

3. Ask Questions - I Kings 1: 5-6
“Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, ‘I will be king.’ So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. “His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)”

Ask those questions of your children – the questions that really teach you about who they are and how they think. Its familiar to God in the garden with Adam and Even – when he came looking for them after they had eaten from the tree, He very calmly asked, “Where are you?” Similarly with our kids this may sound like “What’s it like being you today?

4. Exposure – Proverbs 29:18a
“Where there is no vision, people run wild…”
Treat your kids up – expose them to many experiences and people that go in their direction.

5. Tools for discovery
Use all the tools you can to discover who your child is. Listen to their coaches and teachers, take advantage of the many types of aptitude tests, books, etc.

IV. The Influence in Discovery – “Dalah” Part 2

1. Prayer – Lamentations 2:19
“pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children”
Pray over your kids! Bring every desire, every heartache, every joy, every worry that you have for them before the Lord.

2. Modeling – Hebrews 13:7
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
After prayer, modeling is the primary way we influence our kids. They will do as they see in us.

3. Teaching –Proverbs 6:20-23
“Keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart, fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life”
We have a small window to teach our kids. Teach them while they are young. Teach them bible stories that meet them where they are in life, that address the struggles they are facing currently. Pray for God’s creativity in your teaching. Make it something they need – include friends and neighbors.

4. Encouragement – Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise bring healing.”
Encourage your kids in their strengths – be their number one fan.

5. Counselors – Proverbs 11:14
“For the lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors.”