2 Tim 2:13 “If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself.

YOUR LIFELINE

•   Choose a list of promises from the Bible to claim for your child/children

• YOU NEED to pray

• A prayer group

•  An inner circle prayer group/prayer partner(s)

•   A good relationship with your child.

o   Keep communication open

o   Learn to read the tone of your child over the phone.

•  If your child is at college - choose a day and time to worship with them, according to their schedule, and be consistent. 

• If you child is home; choose a time for family worship, morning and evening and be consistent

• Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help, or for prayer. Closed mouths don’t get fed.

• Don’t limit your child

• Don’t limit God! 

  WHAT SHOULD YOU PRAY FOR?

• Their spiritual growth and success! Psalm 119:133

• The infilling of the Holy Spirit for them every single day

 Discernment

 Guidance

   Gift of the Spirit

  Fruit of the Spirit

• Their protection

• Their academic and social success

Career choice

Choice of friends

• Their potential/prospective/eventual spouse, children and family

• Their college choice if graduating high school/ high school choice if graduation elementary

THINGS TO REMIND YOUR CHILDREN OF

• That you love them - They need to hear it often enough

• That you are proud of them

• Encourage them when they are down

• Send them biblical encouragement if they are away from home, even though they may not read it

• Affirm what needs affirming.

•  Do not affirm what does not need affirming. Tell it like it is, firmly but with love

• Remind them of their goals.

• The reason for going to school/ college

• To represent God well

• To make God proud

• Listen when they talk.

• “Know” their friends.

• “Listen” to who their friends are.

 THINGS TO BE MINDFUL OF

• Don’t criticize their failures

• Failures are not final

•  Failure is a part of success

• Remember, going to college is a big deal for your children. For many of them, it will be the first time away from family and friends. They can possibly be overwhelmed. They have to now juggle chores, work, school, social issues. More responsibilities will rest on them. High school is challenging as well. New environment, more responsibilities

• They will make mistakes. 

• They have to have their own experiences. The father did not go after the prodigal son, but he had his arms open when his son came back!

• They are still children, they do not know everything even though they think they do.

• Give them a little slack and loosen as time goes by. Eventually you will have to let go, but still guide them. 

Psalm 139: 7-10 

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead),  behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will take hold of me.

 THINGS YOU WILL NEED

• Faith! Lots of it. The only way that you will get it is by taking the 1st step and experiencing trust in God. Martin Luther King said “Faith is taking the first step even when you cannot see the whole staircase.” So, you take the step and trust God at each step.

• Friends

• Inner circle of friends

• Good moral support system

• Your church family

• Money - If it’s God’s will, it’s His bill. If it’s His choice, it’s His invoice!

Hebrews 13:6 Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 

• If you are a potential empty nester, you will need a new hobby, or something constructive to occupy your new free time.

FEELINGS/EMOTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE IF YOUR CHILD IS LEAVING HOME FOR COLLEGE/HIGH SCHOOL:

• Regret

• The realization that your work is done, but incomplete.

• You will realize that there are things you should have taught them, that you did not, but now you cannot.

• Sadness

• Hopefully not happiness!

• Fear

• Faith

REMEMBER

• Focus on the “pillar of fire” and the “pillar of cloud” God is with you. You are not alone!

• Not because you experience obstacles, it does not necessarily mean that you made the wrong decision. Even in doing the will of God, obstacles will come.

• Even if you made the wrong choice, God will not leave you. He is faithful, even when we are faithless! Faithful is who He is, He cannot deny Himself. 2 Tim 2:13

• At the end of the day, to a certain extent, it all depends on the child. Ultimate decisions will be theirs. You can try your best and give your all, but they have to ultimately decide what they want.

• At the end of the day, Trust God, not your child! If you trust God, you will NEVER be disappointed!