Underlined Bits -Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick

(I get so many lovely comments about the above image. It is a necklace you can buy ~and oh, how I want one! ~ from Lisa Leonard Designs...)

Some underlined bits (more underlined bits) from the incredible book "Give Them Grace", but first a tiny bit of setting the stage for you...

These bits are about where the Holy Spirit through Paul said, "Bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord..."

"Of the Lord", meaning: the nurture and admonition of Jesus Christ. Paul couldn't have meant anything or anyone else. And trust me, it was a radical statement! Now, for the underlined bits:

"The Jews knew what the discipline and instruction of the rabbis looked like. The Greeks understood the dicipline and instruction of the philosophers. But the discipline and instruction of the Lord? Of JESUS? What was that?

To help you get a better handle on what this "of the Lord" parenting entails, let's imagine for a moment that Paul had penned this phrase instead: Parents, "bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the law." How would those three words, "Of the law" change the focus and method of your parenting?

...Or would they?"

"He was telling them to tether every aspect of their parenting to the gospel message.

Because the Bible is not primarily a manual on childrearing, but a proclamation of the good news..."

"Distinctly Christian parenting must be accomplished in the environment of the good news about Jesus Christ, or it is not Christian parenting. It may work for a while, it may make your life manageable, and God may use it, but it is not "of the Lord"..."