Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
June 24, 2018

What I Want for My Two Sons
by Bryan Gibson
I’m wasting your time, unless what I want is the same as what God wants. If you see that to be the case, then please, all parents, make sure you desire the same things for your sons. Of course, this is nowhere near a complete list, but it’s a good start.
I have already experienced the thrill of seeing them both “put on Christ” in baptism (Galatians 3:27). Having “put on Christ,” I hope they will now see the importance of walking as Christ walked (1 John 2:6), to the extent that others can see Christ living in them (Galatians 2:20). This won’t happen accidentally; it will take diligent prayer and deliberate effort on their part to study and apply the teachings of Christ.
I want them to marry faithful Christians, which thank God, they both have. Aside from the decision to become a Christian, this was the most important decision they will ever make. I’m happy they each married faithful Christians, because they need someone with whom they can pray, someone who will care about the souls of their children (like Timothy’s mother, Eunice—2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15), someone with whom they can work together in the kingdom of God (someone like Priscilla—Acts 18:26; Romans 16:3-4). Thank God they each have a marriage companion who will help them make it to heaven. I know how valuable this is, because I have such a companion.
I want them to demonstrate the characteristics of a good husband and father. A good start would be the commitment expressed by Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Each will need to rule his house well (1 Timothy 3:4, 12), accepting responsibility rather than shirking it; ruling, not as a dictator, but as a servant (Matthew 20:25-28). Each will need to love his wife, in the same manner Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), loving not just “in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Each will need to love his children, providing for all their needs, but especially their spiritual needs. Their aim should be to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), and to do this, they will need to set a good example (Luke 1:5-6; 2 Timothy 1:5), teach them God’s word (2 Timothy 3:14-15), and when necessary, administer corrective discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12; 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15, 17). Each will be charged with providing for their families (1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10), so they will need to learn to work hard and be dependable in their work.
I want my sons to use whatever abilities they may have in serving the Lord (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:3-8), to be good “stewards” of any “gifts” they may possess (1 Peter 4:10-11). If they can learn to be good leaders in the home, this may very well equip them to be leaders in the church—to possibly serve as elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4), or deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13; Philippians 1:1). Other abilities may include song leading, teaching, maybe even some things not as visible as others. I just don’t want them to “waste” the abilities they have, when they could be used to help others, and in so doing, further the Lord’s cause.
I want all of these things for my sons, because I want them to hear these words in the day of judgment: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). I can’t express my feelings for my children any better than the way Paul did, when he wrote to his brethren in Thessalonica: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). I’ve tried to give my children a good life, but I can’t possibly give them the kind of life they’ll have with the Lord in eternity.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.