10 Aug “Fighting for Your Children” | Part Two – ‘7 Sentences that Train a Child for Life’ – All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
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FIRST TUESDAY NEXT WEEK – NO GUIDE
Life Group Leader Training – August 26 @ 1:00p. If you have any apprentices ready to take this training, please forward the link to them.
LIFE GROUP LEADER TRAINING AUG 26
LADIES:
Cheryl would love your input! Please take a moment to fill out this short questionnaire about topics you’d like to see at upcoming women’s gatherings. Be sure to also share the link with your Life Group members so they can add their input too.
Women’s Ministry Questionnaire
NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS
You can still order Waters Academy Swag, just click the link below! All proceeds go to Waters Academy!
Waters Academy Patio Party Swag Order Form
WATERS ACADEMY GOLF TOURNAMENT – TEE OFF FOR GENERATION OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS!
Our registrations for participating/donating/sponsoring/volunteering are live!
AMAZIN’ G’RACE EVENT OCTOBER 11!
Join us for AMAZIN’ G’RACE on October 11—an exciting competition based on the show The Amazing Race. Gather your team of four and take on a series of physical and mental challenges designed to test your teamwork, creativity, and determination. The winning team will take home a $500 cash prize ($125 per person). It’s just $10 per person to enter, and the starting location will be revealed at the event. Sign up now and get ready to race with purpose! REGISTER HERE
If you prefer to serve at this event instead of competing, REGISTER HERE
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ALPHA MEAL PREP – SEE NEW DATES FOR FALL – GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG/EVENTS FOR THE SCHEDULE
ALL LOCATIONS – MEALS FOR ALPHA CLASS
Reminders:
✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
- 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
- 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care or have a group member in need of marriage and family care? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.
NOTE:
Two opporuntities to pray:
Leaders only: Please be available at the end of service to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!
North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you are available, or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off of the break room area during the second and third services. Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.
Please Note: if you have a member that is not serving currently and would like to be a part of the prayer during service team, have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.
Key Verse: Isaiah 59
Icebreaker Question:
What’s one lesson your parents or guardians taught you that you still carry today?
Opening Prayer:
Lord, fill our hearts with Your Spirit and our mouths with Your words. Give us wisdom to guide the children in our lives toward truth, courage, honor, and faith. Help us to model the character of Christ in all we say and do. Amen.
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The word ‘parent’ means to bring forth, to prepare.
Parents don’t just PRODUCE children. They PREPARE them, CAUSE, and make VISIBLE who they will be.
Isaiah 59:19 NKJV
Isaiah 59:20-21 ESV
When the enemy ramps up the attack, the Spirit of God says I am going to push the enemy back.
We have power over the enemy through the Holy Spirit.
In the moment, the Holy Spirit will speak through you.
Raise your children with the words God puts in your mouth.
Through God’s SPIRIT, parents speak WORDS that will live on for GENERATIONS.
Seven phrases parents must speak to thier children:
- “NO.”
God is the perfect parent, and He is not afraid to say ‘NO’. He does not say no to disappoint us, but to develop us.
Hebrews 12:6-11 ESV
“NO” is a verbal seat belt of safety in your child’s development. They need restrictions.
Proverbs 29:15 ESV
When you do not say no to a child, you are leaving that child to themselves.
Q: How can saying “no” help prepare a child for life, and what is a personal example from your own experience?
Practical Application: Practice setting loving but firm boundaries with children, explaining why the boundary exists and how it will help them grow.
2. “That’s WRONG.”
Isaiah 5:20 ESV
Parents are to be a moral compass for their children, teaching them right from wrong.
The Bible tells us about a gift of discernment that comes ONLY through training.
Hebrews 5:12–14 ESV
Children cannot naturally distinguish good from evil. Parents need to be the distinguishers for them.
Q: How can we teach children to discern right from wrong in a confusing world and what are some moments you may have found difficutl to correct and why?
Practical Application: Use real-life situations to explain moral truths and show how God’s Word defines what is right.
3. “You are NOT the CENTER of the UNIVERSE.”
Philippians 2:3–4 ESV
Romans 12:3 ESV
Children naturally believe they are the center of the universe. Parents, however, shape their child’s nature by actively teaching them that someone else does not need to solve every need, discomfort, or struggle immediately.
There comes a time when a parent needs to let their children learn to cope and not give in to every demand.
Q: How can we help children develop humility and compassion for others? How can we help children learn that life is not all about them while still showing them love and care?
Practical Application: Encourage acts of service and gratitude that shift focus from self to others.
4. “Call them MR./MRS./SIR/MA’AM.”
Leviticus 19:32 ESV
Children should never be on a first-name basis with an adult, especially if they are their teachers, pastors, or leaders.
There should be a respectful distance between adults and children in every area of society.
Q: Why is respect for elders and authority important in a child’s growth and how has this manner of children addressing adults evovled over the years?
Practical Application: Teach and model respectful language and body posture when interacting with others.
5. “You are NOT a VICTIM.”
Empower them to reject victimhood.
Hand in hand with the victimization is the overdiagnosis of our medical establishment.
If you let it, challenging physical or mental realities (real or perceived) can lead to a victimhood mentality.
Romans 8:35–37 ESV
Victims blame others for their lot in life. This mindset renders you powerless in life.
Children can be taught to BLAME or taught to GROW, but not BOTH.
Parents must teach children to take ownership of their lot in life so they can address the areas they need to fix to improve it.
Q: How can we teach children to overcome challenges instead of feeling defeated?
Practical Application: Share testimonies and Bible stories that show God’s victory in difficult times, and encourage resilience through faith.
6. “I LOVE YOU, and I always WILL.”
1 John 4:19 ESV
There are over 500 verses in the Bible that reference God’s love.
He communicates His love constantly in all things and through all of History.
Q: Why is unconditional love vital for a child’s security and growth?
Practical Application: Express love daily through words, actions, and time, especially during moments of correction.
7. “I’m PROUD of YOU.”
Your job is first the deconstruction of the child they want to be or think they are, and when they receive that deconstruction, you build them up into the person they SHOULD be with HIGH praise.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Q: How can words of affirmation shape a child’s confidence and faith?
Practical Application: Look for opportunities to celebrate effort, character, and faith steps, not just achievements.
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3 Key Takeaways:
1. God calls parents to actively prepare their children for life through intentional words and actions.
2. Discipline, guidance, respect, and love are all essential parts of raising children in God’s truth.
3. A Christ-centered home trains children to walk in faith, courage, and honor for a lifetime.
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Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for entrusting us with the precious lives of children. Help us to lead with Your Spirit, speak with Your wisdom, and love with Your heart. May our homes be places of truth, grace, and growth that reflect Your kingdom. Amen.
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