Raising Gifted Children
Steve W. Reeves
steve@wschurch.net
INTRODUCTION:
A. Every
child can be a “gifted child.” 1. I do not mean that every child has a superior IQ or outstanding physical ability.
2. I do not mean to imply that a child’s worth is connected to their performance in
certain areas of life (athletics, music, art, etc…).
3. I mean that parents and grandparents have the splendid opportunity of providing
the precious children with gifts that are truly meaningful.
B. Children are precious to God.
1. The writer of Psalm 127 recognized this fact. He wrote, “Behold, children are a gift
of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a
warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver
is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the
gate” (Psalm 127:3).
2. In Luke 18:15-17 we read, “And they were bringing even their babies to Him so
that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking
them. 16 But Jesus called for them, saying, ‘Permit the children to come to Me, and
do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I say
to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at
all.’”
a. This passage is not talking about parents bringing their children to Jesus for the
purpose of salvation. Jesus’ own words in verse 17 testify to this fact.
b. The purpose of their coming was to receive a rabbinical blessing. Jesus did not
hesitate to welcome these precious children.
3. The apostle John referred to Christians as “little children” seven times in 1 John
(2:1; 2:12; 2:28; 3:7: 3:18; 4:4; 5:21).
4. Peter wrote, “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it
you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).
The greatest gift for your child is not that they be wealthy, famous, and intelligent but that hey be raised with faith.
It’s easy to have a gifted child if you are willing to give them the gifts. Let me share five gifts ou can give your children.
I. A GODLY EXAMPLE
A. How do children learn?
1. Those of you who are in the educational field study and teach various theories
about the process of learning.
2. Some people think a person learns by memorizing facts and being able to recall
them on a test.
3. One of my best teachers in graduate school gave tests that were all essay
questions. He wanted us to know more than facts. He wanted us to utilize those
facts in our reasoning and express them in writing.
4. Many of the greatest lessons we learn in life are those that come from the
examples set before us.
B. Children learn more from your lifestyle than your words.
1. The familiar Jewish “Shema” of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says, “Hear, O Israel! The
Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
2. Where was this to be taught? In Sunday school? In church? Notice verses 6-7,
“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You
shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in
your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when
you rise up.”
C. There are many lessons a child will not learn in school.
1. They will not learn them from reading a textbook.
2. They will not develop them by listening to a lecture.
3. They will see them modeled in the lives of those closest to them.
4. These are character traits such as contentment, courage, courtesy, friendliness,
generosity, gentleness, helpfulness, honesty, humility, kindness, obedience
patience, persistence, self-control, and thankfulness.”
II. GRACIOUS LOVE
A. Do you know the one gift many children never receive?
1. It’s not the latest electronic game.
2. It’s not the latest fashion, fad or fancy.
3. It is love. Unconditional love.
B. In Luke 15 Jesus told the parable of a father with two sons. The younger son
became rebellious, demanded his inheritance and left home. The older son stayed
and worked. The younger son lived a life of rebellion squandering his money.
When his party was over he became hungry. The only job he could find was
feeding pigs. He said, “I will go to my father and tell him I was wrong.” When the
father saw the son coming he ran to greet him, hugged him, brought him home and
threw a party. The older brother wasn’t very happy about this. He had worked hard
and never received a party. The father loved both of them unconditionally. He
loved the older son who was entitled to all of his father’s blessings. He loved the
younger son who had been lost but was now found. It wasn’t what the sons did but
what the father did.
C. Some parents make poor choices in communicating love to their children.
1. Some tell their children, “I love you because… pretty, athletic, intelligent.
2. Some tell their children, “I’ll love you if… behave, do good, mind.”
3. What type of love does God have for us? Romans 5:6-8, “For while we were still
helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for
a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to
die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.”
D. George Strait sang, Love Without End. “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s
love. A secret that my daddy said was just between us. He said, “Daddy’s don’t just
love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end amen.”
III. GENEROUS ENCOURAGEMENT
A. Children need encouragement like a houseplant needs water. What happens when
a child does not receive encouragement? Their spirit dries up.
B. The writer of Hebrews said, “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of
you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage
one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you
will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
C. When was the last time you caught your children doing something – right – and
commended them for it? Many years ago I was in a meeting with a group of men
who began pointing out my faults. Then they pointed out my family’s faults and told
me my dog had fleas. I certainly have faults – but not once did they mention
anything I was doing right. I cannot describe in words the demoralizing effect that
meeting had on me. It has been twenty years ago and I still remember how it hurt.
D. Some children live with this type of treatment every day. Make sure you give your
child the gift of encouragement.
IV. GODLY EDUCATION
A. When Paul wrote to Timothy he commended him on his knowledge of scripture.
Where had Timothy learned these things? Notice 2 Timothy 3:14-15, “You,
however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of,
knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have
known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
B. The writer of Proverbs 22:16 noted, “Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
a. Children do not always do the right thing.
b. When you instill a seed within their heart it does not go away.
C. Paul wrote, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in
the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
V. A GLAD ENVIRONMENT
A. Do you need to be firm? Yes. Do you need to be fair? Yes. You also need to be
fun!
1. My dad and I played golf together.
2. My mother loved to play “Chinese checkers, “Rook” and “Uno.”
3. Our family enjoyed going out to eat together. When Tami and I were raising our
kids we loved to take them to the playground, cook hot dogs, go swimming, and
watch movies together.
B. With every laugh, giggle and squeal you are making a memory. Proverbs 15:13
reminds us, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the
spirit is broken.”
ONCLUSION:
. You
can have a gifted child if you provide the right gifts. God wants your children to be blessed. He wants to use you to bless them. Are you ready for the task?
B. The greatest gift you can give your children is the gift of faith. Do you have faith in
Jesus Christ as the Son of God? Have you submitted to His will? Why not come to
Him in faith, repentance and baptism today?
