Christian Worldview

WVC 401

Kingdom Life

Belhaven University

Unit 4

Biblical Foundations II

Shepherding Children and Teens

War of Words

The Sin of Adam

Effective and Redemptive Speech

Biblical Foundations II

Overview of Key Scriptural Passages  Biblical significance of being made in the image of God

Genesis 1:27-28: “27 So God created human beings in his

own image. In the image of God he created them; male

and female he created them. 28 Then God blessed them

and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern

it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and

all the animals that scurry along the ground.” (NLT)

 Singleness, Marriage, Role of Sex in Marriage,

and Abandonment

1 Corinthians 7:1-5: “1 Now regarding the questions you asked in

your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations. 2 But

because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have

his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. 3 The

husband should fulfill his wife's sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill

her husband's needs. 4 The wife gives authority over her body to her

husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. 5

Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to

refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give

yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come

together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt you because of

your lack of self-control."

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

 Singleness, Marriage, Role of Sex in Marriage,

and Abandonment

1 Corinthians 7:7-11: “7 But I wish everyone were single, just as I am.

Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. 8

So I say to those who aren't married and to widows-- it's better to stay

unmarried, just as I am. 9 But if they can't control themselves, they

should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust. 10 But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not

from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. 11 But

if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to

him. And the husband must not leave his wife.”

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

 Singleness, Marriage, Role of Sex in Marriage, and Abandonment

1 Corinthians 7:12-15: “12 Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. 13 And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. 14 For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. 15 (But if the husband or wife who isn't a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)”

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

 Singleness, Marriage, Role of Sex in Marriage,

and Abandonment

1 Corinthians 7:16-17; 26-28: “16 Don't you wives realize that your

husbands might be saved because of you? And don't you husbands

realize that your wives might be saved because of you? 17 Each of you

should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you,

and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all

the churches.” //// “26 Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to

remain as you are. 27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the

marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. 28 But if

you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it

is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have

troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.”

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

 Singleness, Marriage, Role of Sex in Marriage,

and Abandonment

1 Corinthians 7:32-35: “32 I want you to be free from the concerns of

this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work

and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think

about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His

interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer

married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and

holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her

earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying

this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do

whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as

possible.”

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

 Singleness, Marriage, Role of Sex in Marriage,

and Abandonment

1 Corinthians 7:36-40: “36 But if a man thinks that he's treating his

fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him

marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. 37 But if he has decided firmly

not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion,

he does well not to marry. 38 So the person who marries his fiancée

does well, and the person who doesn't marry does even better. 39 A

wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies,

she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 40

But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I

am giving you counsel from God's Spirit when I say this.”

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

 Personhood

Exodus 21:22-35: “22 Now suppose two men are fighting,

and in the process they accidentally strike a pregnant

woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury

results, the man who struck the woman must pay the

amount of compensation the woman's husband demands

and the judges approve. 23 But if there is further injury, the

punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, 24 an eye

for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for

a foot, 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise

for a bruise.” (NLT)

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

 Divorce & Remarriage

Matthew 5:31-32: “31 You have heard the law that says,

'A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written

notice of divorce.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his

wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit

adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also

commits adultery.” (NLT)

Biblical Foundations II, cont.

Lev. 18:21 - "Do not permit any of your children

to be offered as a sacrifice to Molech, for you

must not bring shame on the name of your God.

I am the LORD.” (NLT)

 We don’t worship Molech/Molek but we still sacrifice

our children to our idols.

idol of comfort idol of respect

idol of appreciation idol of success

idol of control idol of entitlement

idol of pride addictions

Shepherding Children and Teens

We have been talking about heart issues giving birth to

reactions and actions.

Children: Heart Issues Too

 Proverbs 4:23 - “Guard your heart above all else, for it

determines the course of your life.” (NLT)

 Mark 7:21-22 – “For from within, out of a person's heart,

come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,

adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires,

envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.” (NLT)

Principle #1: We should not be focused on behavior change but

deal with the heart issues that gives birth to their actions.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

 Rule-keeping is not God-pleasing in and of itself; rather

God desires a heart change that leads to transformed

life – God sees the heart. (1 Sam. 6:7)

Child One Child Two “How come she gets the bear?!”

“You only love ….”

“It’s not fair!”

Parents: “Who had it first?”

 Principle #2: What is ruling the heart of that child? Self-

love

 Perception: that toy bear will make me happy!

 Toy fails to deliver permanent happiness, only momentary

pleasure

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

 There is no difference between a heart of a child and an adult, only

substitutes

Toy Bear Money, Sex, Power, and Beauty

 Lured by the promise of happiness and fulfillment

 Whatever rules the heart of a child gives birth to action. Opportunity

to shepherd the heart of a child in the wisdom of God. What pleases

the Lord?

 Principle #3: Shaping Influences of a Child

 Life circumstances – non-acceptance, racism, bullied, talked-down

to, criticized, called stupid, etc., – low self-esteem and perhaps

resenting society

• So important to have a strong encouraging family who can help

them navigate life according to God’s wisdom

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

 Nurture godly perspective – life circumstances do not

define the child

 They are made in the image of God – “fearfully and wonderfully

made.”

 God has a good plan for them.

 Disadvantages do not define them: Esther

 She was a minority & foreigner in the Persian Empire.

 She was an orphan girl raised by Mordecai.

 Descended from Jews who were scattered (diaspora)

 Her people practiced customs that were strange to the Persians.

 God's name is not mentioned in the book of Esther but God is

working!

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

 Forms of Weakness: Bitter, Cynical, Resentful, and Angry

 The well-known story of Joseph: Mother dies when he was young Falsely accused at work

Thrown into a pit/human trafficked Imprisoned

Dreams inflamed sibling jealousy Betrayed by his brothers

Compounding issues: Father’s Gift

Every reason to feel bitter, cynical ….

 Genesis 50:20: His power was the Lord.

 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for

good. He brought me to this position so I could save the

lives of many people. (NLT)

 Joseph’s response was from a living relationship with the

Lord.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

Shepherding Children and Teens. cont.

Culture

Friends

Family Values and

Structure

Overly Sheltered

Church Experience(s)

Education

Response to Failure

Media

Finance and Moves

Not Allowing

Freedom/Decisions

Think Godly

Children like adults are always interpreting the circumstances

of their lives: competing perspectives (worldviews)

 Children often imitate the spirituality of the parent(s): the startling story of Jephthah & his daughter!

 Judges 11:30-40

 Jephthah makes a vow to the Lord: If the Lord delivers the Ammonites into … whatever comes out of his house will be a burnt offering.

 Daughter pleads: “Father, if you have made a vow to the LORD, you must do to me what you have vowed….” (NLT)

 Jephthah syncretistic spirituality: God hates human sacrifices (Lev. 18:21). Jephthah does not know the Lord, daughter practices her father’s religion

 Principle #4: Proverbs 22:6 - In order to properly train the child, parent(s) must know the Lord.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

Every human being is religious – we worship. The

question is: who/what do we worship?

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.  Proverbs 22:15: Discipline – goal is to move them

towards God  Corrective not vengeance (Prov. 15:5; 29:15; Heb. 12)

 Positive instruction; Dependent on personality of the child (soft words – Prov. 15:1, help them understand)

 Excessive discipline humiliates (Deut. 25:3)

idol of comfort (peace, quiet) Unruly, screaming, fighting, running Result

idol of respect discipline in frustration (vent)

idol of appreciation uncontrolled anger

idol of success self-pity

idol of control impose guilt & shame

transfer anger child resents

so much going on! fed up! hit you, isolate

idol of entitlement get the belt!

Imposing consequences should be constructive that moves them towards God.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

 Common Protests:  “My father used to … I turned out just fine!”

 Pop-psychology: incentives (bribery) & contracts with children

 Secular parenting: reward good behavior & punish bad behavior (behavior modification)

 Emotional manipulation:

1) Using fear: “I will leave you here ….”

2) Kinder: “You’re hurting me ….”

3) Shame: “How could you …”

4) Guilt

 Misperception: I am a good parent as long as children are well-behaved.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

Biblical goal:

Consequence A Consequence B

What does Scripture say

about certain motives?

Why is God so

concerned?

What does Scripture say

about potential

consequences of

continuing a dangerous

path?

• Goal: Not Bible-thumping

• Lovingly sharing God’s wisdom

• Age Appropriate

How they

understand

God

 Communicate with your child: Listen – window to the child’s heart  What are they craving? What do they think they will get if they

get it?

 Patient instruction: Children need encouragement & inspiration

 Wrong to think that one conversation will fix the issue – frustration will set in

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

Rules must be followed

Child breaks rules

Parent punishes

Parent loves me but so

hard to keep all these

rules

 Scenario (an example): Talking to teens about

sex & drugs. Teens have drama & angst!

 Teens:

 Culture: sex is liberating, friends talk about sex in

school. Media: sex is fun, to be wanted is desirable.

Secular education: safe sex (use condoms); Family:

high walls (don’t talk about sex).

 “Drugs are wrong, but I just want to try it once.

Nothing will happen.”

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

 Biblical Instruction: God’s wisdom

 Fool: lives by cravings (Prov. 21:26); fool has no self-control

(Prov. 25:28)

• Let’s talk about human passion – sex is good! Gift of God.

Sex is beautiful and enjoyable within the safety of

marriage. 16-year-old having sex often live with painful

regret and shame. Consequences: unwanted pregnancies,

disease, feelings of personal loss. First sexual activity

opens the door to more sexual activity.

• Drugs, first mild drug opens the door to experiment more.

You might enjoy it at first, then you keep running to it when

life gets stressful. First time desensitizes you to the

second. Potential consequences: addiction, academic

failure, disease, death, financial ruin, etc.

 Faith is the greatest gift: Ephesians 6:4  Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)

 Deut. 6:2; Eph. 6:4 – Parent’s responsibility

 Child may explore and perhaps may make wrong choices as

they grow, but teaching them God’s wisdom is the greatest

gift parents can give.

 Faith is God’s work: Praying for your children

• Faith will not allow the child (when grown) from living

comfortably in sin.

• Faith will always beckon the child back to the Lord even in

season of backsliding.

• True faith will bear fruit in due course.

Shepherding Children and Teens, cont.

Power of words: Proverbs 18:21

“The tongue can bring death or

life; those who love to talk will

reap the consequences.” (NLT)

There are consequences to what

we say.

Can make or break friendships

and/or careers.

Matthew 12:34 “You brood of

snakes! How could evil men like

you speak what is good and

right? For whatever is in your

heart determines what you say.”

(NLT)

Over-talking breaks

relationships.

Manipulative Speech

Not talking enough (withdrawal)

Yelling

Worldly approach to

communication: they concentrate

of communication techniques. It’s

ultimately humanistic.

Moments of anger reveal the

heart

Consequences: Regret and

Resentment

Proverbs 18:2 “Fools have no

interest in understanding; they

only want to air their own

opinions.” (NLT)

War of Words

 Language is power!  Language affects perception; it shapes a person’s reality.

 Sin, righteousness, and salvation vs. randomness,

purposelessness, meaningless game

 Karma vs. God (Round #1)!

 Metaphors: I’m just a cog in a big machine or just a pebble

(powerlessness) vs. I’m a pebble in the universe

empowered by God.

 Dangers of false language

 Falsehood: (Prov. 24:28; 2 Cor. 4:2)-- spin stories to their

favor, misrepresent the facts

 Stirs division (Prov. 16:28; 26:20)

 Grumbling – reinforces negative thoughts

War of Words, cont.

Sin of Adam and the Effect of Speech

 If we are not adopting God’s language, then we

are adopting some other language that shapes

our reality.

 Serpent Speech: Changed Humanity’s

Perspective on God and World

"You won't die!" the serpent replied to the woman.

(Gen. 3:4 NLT)

Translation: This will not harm you!

Serpent tries to give humanity an alternative perspective

 Satanic speech reshaped the way humanity

looked at God and his world.

 Humanity will use speech to achieve its personal desires:

“to be like God.”

 Humanity was not meant to run on self-love but God’s love.

 Desire transforms into “demand.” Desires are not

necessarily bad some can be good. But when it rules over

us it can morph into abusive speech.

Sin of Adam and the Effect of Speech,

cont.

• Blame

• Accuse

• Lay on shame

• Guilt

• Rationalize behavior

• Plead

• Threaten to gain control

• Self-love rules humanity

• Others must conform to their will rather

than God’s will

• When they don’t conform; anger, sorrow,

depression, conflict, divorce, abuse

Satanic Speech: Manipulative Adam’s Sinful Speech: Blames

God and Eve

Consequences of Being Born with

Sinful Nature

Satanic words sow doubt

concerning the love of God.

Confuses & leads humanity away

from God’s purposes

Offers power, pleasure, and

satisfied desires but ultimately

leads to pain, suffering, & death.

Satan knows that living in the truth

of God’s word leads to freedom.

Sin distorts speech to achieve

desires for the self than love of

another.

God’s original design for words:

1. Communication

2. Relationship between God

and humanity and with each

other

3. God’s word in Gen 1-3 gave

life, direction, purpose, and

meaning to human existence.

Human words now reflect the

perversion of the human heart.

We speak as if we have the right to

be in charge (first sin of Adam – “to

be like God”) to attain what we

think will make us happy.

God’s word need to shape our

perspective: John 3:16 & Romans

8:28.

Sin of Adam and the Effect of Speech,

cont.

Redemptive speech starts with

who we are before God

Love One Another In your anger do not sin

Self-Pity: “Nothing ever works

out for me!”

Hopelessness

Anger/Resentment

Depression

Speech starts with hoping &

trusting the Lord

Speech borne out of self-love

will only be kind when it does not

impinge too much on one’s loves

Spouses: “Don’t they know how

important this is to me!”

Even sinners know how to give

and love when there is personal

benefit (Luke 6:34)

Christian love: love your

enemies (Luke 6:35)

In Christ, speaking truth in Love

Eph. 4

Speech is loving when it keeps

no record of wrongs.

Love is patient, kind, not

envious, boastful,

proud/arrogant, or rude.

It is not resentful. It does not

demand its own way or irritable.

(1 Cor. 13:4-5)

Redemptive Speech

Some Proverbs on Speech

Flattery Spreads Traps: Prov. 28:23; 29:5

People Seduce with Words: Prov. 2:16; 7:21

Fool Speaks in Haste: Prov. 29:20

Words Can Get You Into Trouble (It Can Ensnare

You!): Prov. 6:2-3

Fools Love to Air Their Own Opinions: Prov. 18:2

Seven Things Detestable to the Lord: Prov. 6:16-19:

Haughty Eyes, Lying Tongue, Hands that Shed

Innocent Blood, Wicked Heart, Feet that Rush to Evil,

False Witness, & Stirring of Dissension.

Many Words = Sin is not Absent: Prov. 10:19

Words of Gossip Sinks to the Inner Most Parts: Prov.

18:8; 26:20-21

Righteous Words Can Rescue a Person: Prov. 12:6;

Righteous Words Bring Healing: Prov. 12:17-19

Reckless Words Pierce Like a Sword: Prov. 12:17-19

Perverse Words Stir Dissension & Quarrels: Prov.

16:28; Prov. 17:14, 19;

Listening to Evil Speech is Evil: Prov. 17:4

Quarrelsome Spouse is Difficult: Prov. 21:9; 27:15-16

James on the Tongue: A Restless Evil?

James 3:3-12:

Next Biblical Foundations Lecture

 Communication struggles is a heart matter!

 Jesus Defeats Satanic Lies and Perverse Seduction

 Matt. 4:1-11

• Jesus – “It is written ….”

• Satan knows Scripture, too. (e.g., Ps. 91:11-12)

To use our words wisely is a part of spiritual warfare.

Redemptive Speech, cont.

Rom. 8:28 - “And we know that God causes

everything to work together for the good of those

who love God and are called according to his

purpose for them.” (NLT)

 We can question, lament, mourn. (Habakkuk)

 Difference between a complaint and a lament

 Motive, Direction, and Goal

 Faithful speech brings us closer to God.

 We lash out at people or are irritated with them when we

perceive them to be standing in the way of our happiness.

Redemptive Speech, cont.

Our words needs to be redemptive:

 Wholesome words: restore, correct, and build up

 Ephesians 4:29-30:

 Curse words or vulgarity is ultimately self-centered

worship that reigns down curses upon the person or

situation God has brought into your life.

 We curse people and situations that do not satisfy our

desires, wants, dreams or demands. The sin of Adam

once again – “want to be like God.”

Tripp, P. D. (1997). Age of opportunity: A biblical guide to

parenting teens. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian &

Reformed Pub Co.

Tripp, P. D. (2000). War of words: Getting to the heart of your

communication struggles. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian &

Reformed Pub Co.

Tripp, T. (2011). Shepherding a child’s heart. Wapwallopen, PA:

Shepherd Press.

References