Hello, friend. Welcome back to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here again.

In Lesson One, we talked about what to do when a child disobeys. Correction matters. But correction is only part of the job. Today we'll look at the bigger picture. How do we help our children grow in the Lord?

How Jesus Grew

Here is our key verse. It tells us how Jesus Himself grew up as a boy.

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." — Luke 2:52 (KJV)

Look at the four ways He grew.

Wisdom. That's the mind. Learning to think rightly and to choose rightly.

Stature. That's the body. Growing up healthy and strong.

Favour with God. That's the spirit. Knowing God and walking with Him.

And favour with man. That's how we treat other people. Being kind, honest, and trustworthy.

Children need all four. It's easy to focus on grades, or sports, or manners. Those are good things. But don't forget the most important one. Favour with God.

Make It Part of Everyday Life

In our Training Up a Child course, we looked at Deuteronomy 6:6-7. God told parents to talk about His words "when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

That's the secret. Growing in the Lord doesn't happen only at church. It happens at the supper table, in the car, and at bedtime. A short prayer before school. A Bible verse at supper. A talk about God when you see a sunset.

Pass It On

God has always wanted each generation to pass the faith to the next.

"For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:" — Psalm 78:5-7 (KJV)

Do you see the chain? Fathers tell children. Those children grow up and tell their children. And the goal is right there: "That they might set their hope in God."

Your children are not just your children. They are the next link in the chain.

Start Early

We looked at this verse in our Training Up a Child course, and it is worth hearing again:

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." — 2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)

"From a child." It's never too early. Little ones can learn short verses and simple prayers. They can learn that God made them and that Jesus loves them.

And remember what Jesus said: "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me." Don't wait until they're older to point them to Jesus.

Teach Them to Guard Their Hearts

Proverbs chapter four is a father talking to his son. Listen to his heart:

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." — Proverbs 4:20-23 (KJV)

"Keep thy heart with all diligence." Our children's hearts are being shaped every day. By what they watch, what they hear, and who their friends are. Help them guard their hearts. Help them fill their hearts with God's Word.

Teach them Psalm 119:11. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Growth Takes Time

Growing in the Lord is not a race. It's a walk.

"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." — Proverbs 4:18 (KJV)

The sun doesn't rise all at once. It gets brighter "more and more." Your children will grow the same way. Little by little. Some days you'll see a lot of growth. Some days it'll feel like none at all. Don't give up.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." — Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

Simple Steps for This Week

First, pick one verse to learn together as a family this week.

Second, pray with each child, out loud, at least once a day.

Third, ask your child, "What do you think God is like?" Then listen.

Your Children Need Jesus

Friend, the most important thing your children can learn is that they need a Saviour, and that Jesus is that Saviour. And that's true for you, too.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" — John 1:12 (KJV)

Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. Receive Him today, and lead your children to Him.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." — Romans 10:9 (KJV)

Next Time

In Lesson Three, we'll talk to the dads about fathers and sons, and how to build a strong bond with your boy.

A Prayer

Before we go, let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this friend who is listening right now, and for the children in our care.

Help our children grow as Jesus grew, in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Help us to talk about You every day, in our homes and along the way. Help our children set their hope in You.

Guard their hearts, Lord. Fill them with Your Word. And help us not to grow weary.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us.

We'll see you in Lesson Three.

From all of us at Authorized Sword Ministries, God bless you.