A Positive Faith Environment

Mark 4:26-29 (NIV) 26He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

Five capstone commitments:

1. Make a commitment to optimism.

Philippians 4:13 (NET) I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

Proverbs 2:3-6 (NIV) …3indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

• Raise your sight for the value of parenting.

2. Make a commitment to a peaceful home.

Proverbs 14:26 (NIV) Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

3. Make a commitment to your own spiritual development.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV) 5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7Impress 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. 8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

• Use powerfully specific encouragement!

James 3:2 (NIV) We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

4. Make a commitment to discipline.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 29:15, 17-18 (NIV) A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. … Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

• Do it.

• Do it delicately.

Ephesians 6:1-4 (NIV) 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

• Do it wisely.

Five wise questions:

What did you do?

Was that right or wrong?

How could you have handled this better?

Next time, what do you think you should do?

Should you do it again, what would be a fair consequence?

5. Make a commitment to grace.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.