Series: Successful Relationships #5

Pastor Nestor Flores

Sunday, March 9, 2025

“I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT)

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1a (NLT)

ROAD TO SPIRITUAL ADULTHOOD

1 John 2:12-14 (ESV)

1. Little Children = Full Dependency

“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.” 1 John 2:12 (ESV)

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh...”1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)

2. Young Men = Conflict

“I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one… I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one” 1 John 2:13b & 14b (ESV)

3. Fathers = Friendship

“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.” 1 John 2:13a (ESV)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.” 1 John 1:1 (ESV)

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV)

THE FOUR STAGES OF PARENTING:

1. The Discipline Years (0–5 years old)

“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.” Proverbs 29:17 (NLT)

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)

2. The Training Years (5–12 years old)

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

3. The Coaching Years (12–18 years old)

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV)

4. The Friendship Years (18+ years old)

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 (NIV)

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (NLT)