October 31, 2025 • 17 mins
Parenting is equal parts blessing and burden — like a brew that’s strong, messy, and still good. This episode explores how raising children in the faith isn’t about perfection but about daily conversations, modeled forgiveness, and Gospel rhythms that keep filling the cup.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:01):
You're listening to Coffee Break Theology, a King of
Kings podcast.
SPEAKER_02 (00:12):
Welcome back to Coffee Break Theology, where
theology gets practical in thetime it takes to reheat your
coffee.
I gotta say, I I hate reheatedcoffee.
I actually won't drink it.
Would you rather eat drink coldcoffee though?
I would.
Like my grandmother used tooffer me coffee and it was a pot
she made from early in themorning and she just reheated
(00:34):
it.
And I was like, I didn't havethe heart because I loved her to
tell her it was disgusting, butit was.
SPEAKER_01 (00:40):
That's what happens.
I don't like reheating iteither, so I try to drink it
fast.
If it's cold, it's going downthe sink.
But yeah, but today we're here,we're gonna talk about something
that's both beautiful and very,very terrifying.
Parenting.
SPEAKER_02 (00:54):
So we're not gonna offer 10 hacks to be a perfect
behavior or how we can raise avaledictorian, but we are gonna
go deeper into the theology ofparenting.
So, what does it mean to raiseyour kids in the faith?
SPEAKER_01 (01:10):
Especially from a Lutheran perspective where we
believe God works throughordinary means, like bedtime
prayers, dinner table,blessings, and yes, even diaper
changes.
SPEAKER_02 (01:21):
Wow.
Wow.
I'm so glad I'm not changingdiapers anymore.
So so first of all, let'sremember this.
Parenting is a vocation, right?
And it's a calling from God.
SPEAKER_01 (01:34):
Right.
Deuteronomy chapter six, versessix and seven say this.
They set the tone here for this.
These words that I command youtoday shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligentlyto your children.
SPEAKER_02 (01:46):
Yeah, Luther loved that verse.
I I do too.
In fact, um, he loved it somuch, it's one of the reasons
why he wrote the smallcatechism, which is that parents
then, dads and moms, could teachthe faith in their homes.
So I always like to say thiswhen we talk about confirmation,
moms and dads, like this is notthe role of the church, this is
(02:07):
your role, and the churchesactually support you, encourage
you, but you're the primary.
SPEAKER_01 (02:12):
Exactly.
And here's what's powerful Goddoesn't expect us to be perfect
parents.
Oh, praise you, Jesus, for that.
I'm glad he doesn't because I'mnot.
But he does entrust us withdiscipling our kids.
That is something that he hascalled us to do.
SPEAKER_02 (02:23):
Yeah, and that happens in our everyday rhythms.
So, like when you're driving,when you're tucking them in, um,
if if you have a dog and you'rewalking the dog, um, or and this
is a key, like forgiving themafter a meltdown, whether
they're a toddler or a teenager.
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (02:42):
Yeah.
And we talked about sin a longtime ago, but kids have sin, and
I think that's obviouslyapparent.
So they're gonna have meltdowns.
Forgiveness is key.
Um, but what you're talkingabout there, that's just
everyday life, the everydayrhythms.
So continuing on in thatDeuteronomy 6 passage, it says,
You shall teach them diligentlyto your children.
You shall talk of them when yousit in your house, when you walk
(03:02):
by the way, when you lie down,when you rise.
You shall bind them as a sign onyour hand.
They shall be as frontletsbetween your eyes.
You shall write them on thedoorposts of your house and on
your gates.
It should be, you should beteaching your kids as you live,
no matter what you're doing.
It's not just send them toschool, send them to church.
It's as we live our lives inthis home, we're gonna talk
(03:23):
about Jesus.
SPEAKER_02 (03:24):
Yeah, I always think this is where, right, we're just
continually dripping into thewords uh of God.
And and this is too like where Isay to my kids, not often
enough, but like go live like achild of God, right?
And and not say you should, butsay God's called, and and those
kinds of language.
SPEAKER_01 (03:44):
Well, and and God is he's the he's the perfect
father, he's the perfect issueof those decrees, right?
Like from a perfect God, hewants me to act this way, not my
parents are making me do things.
It's God has called us to act ina certain way.
Yeah, for sure.
I like that.
One of uh Luther's best projectsis the small catechism.
We've been talking through thata lot since we started this
podcast, but in the preface tothe small catechism, Luther
(04:07):
wrote this to pastors andparents.
He said, The deplorable,miserable condition which I
discovered recently when I toowas a visitor, has constrained
and compelled me to prepare thiscatechism.
SPEAKER_02 (04:19):
Yeah, I gotta admit, I rarely read a preface to any
book or anything like that.
Um, but I you need to because itactually tells you why they're
writing the book.
And so that's a reminder thatLuther wrote the catechism
because he wanted every head ofhousehold, whether that was a
mom or dad, it didn't matter,right?
Male or female, and that's a keypoint, to teach the basics of
(04:41):
the faith.
So so what do the TenCommandments say?
What does the creed say?
What is what is the Lord'sprayer?
What is baptism?
What is communion?
And why do we even needconfession?
SPEAKER_01 (04:53):
Right.
And all those things, like ifyou've grown up in the Lutheran
church or any church, youprobably memorize those.
And and we can get to the placewhere it's just something we
say, it's something we're goingthrough the motions.
But what Luther's trying to doin the catechism is catechism is
say, no, this is something youknow, this is something you walk
out, this is something you livein.
Um and you're you're notteaching these in lectures,
(05:15):
you're having conversationsabout them.
Something like this.
Something as you live in yourhouse, as you as you wake up, as
you go to go to bed.
You're in community, yeah, inyour homes, anywhere you find
yourself, we're called to livethat out.
SPEAKER_02 (05:28):
And that's that's so important, is this is where like
I think our culture, especiallyAmerican culture today, we've
got to get back to bringingfaith into the homes.
And and and and don't let don'tlet faith stop at the message on
a Sunday morning.
Um have the conversation.
(05:49):
And I I think this is reallyimportant as as a pastor, I say
this.
So I I I want everyone tounderstand, my kids and my
nephews and others who ask meask questions about scripture,
and I sometimes go, I don'tknow.
Yeah, right.
Like, and so that's okay to sayI don't know, right, and I'm not
(06:10):
sure, or to even be able to say,like, I don't understand this.
Right.
And and that's that permission.
You don't you don't have to bethe expert um to talk about
that.
And so, parents, it might soundintimidating, but yeah, don't
don't be don't worry about beingthe expert.
SPEAKER_01 (06:24):
Well, if if you're a pastor and you're saying you're
not the expert, right?
Then that that gives me hope asas some as a lay person who's
not a pastor, who's not trainedin any of this stuff, to say,
well, if he doesn't know, then Idon't have to know.
Yeah, that's good.
SPEAKER_02 (06:35):
Yeah, I think I think the key is like the moment
you think you've got all theanswers figured out from the
scripture, um, it is the momentthat you you actually are saying
that you're you know everythingthat God knows.
Right.
And and you don't.
There's a lot of in between thelines, there's also a lot of
where like like for for anyoneto say that they understand
(06:56):
everything of God uh puts theminto a huge position of
arrogance.
SPEAKER_01 (07:01):
Oh, for sure.
SPEAKER_02 (07:02):
I I don't understand how communion can be what we
believe, which is the body andthe blood and the bread and the
wine.
Yeah, I can't understand that.
Like the moment I can fathomthat is like the moment I I say,
God, you're like I'm either assmart as you or you're as smart
as me.
And God better not be like at myintellect level.
SPEAKER_01 (07:22):
Like he needs to be way over.
So you know what I would say tosomebody who says they know it
all?
SPEAKER_02 (07:26):
Yeah, go read Job.
unknown (07:28):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (07:28):
God, God dreams Job pretty well about who he is and
who he's not.
SPEAKER_02 (07:32):
Right.
And so I think this is where Iwould say to parents, this is
what I will tell you right now,that that you don't need all the
right answers because you'vealready been equipped.
Yep.
You're not alone in this, andyou've been equipped to to share
the word of God, to be able toteach your children.
And if you're saying to me,like, well, how do you know I'm
(07:54):
equipped?
I'm gonna tell you because youwere entrusted with a child.
Right.
So so God already sees in you uha parent to stand for him and
share him with your child andgive them the greatest gift you
can ever give to them.
SPEAKER_01 (08:08):
Right.
SPEAKER_02 (08:09):
Awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (08:10):
And here's where the theology hits the floor, then.
One of the most powerful thingsa parent can say is, I was
wrong, I am sorry, will youforgive me?
It took me a long time to figurethat one out, but once I started
saying it, you know, it it movedin big ways in my relationship
with my kids.
SPEAKER_02 (08:25):
Yeah, we teach that in our home.
Um, where when someone saysthey're sorry to one another, we
use the words, I forgive you.
Not it's okay, not don't worryabout it.
Um, and it's really powerfulwhen it comes from me because I
I have been wrong, right?
And I do need to say I'm sorry.
And sometimes I don't recognizemy wrongness or I defend it
(08:48):
first, right?
And and then I need to go back.
And and here's the thing mykids, your kids, anyone's kids
out there, they don't needperfect parents.
Right, they need real authenticparents, and in in theological
terms, we call this repentant.
Yeah, ones who model grace, notjust preach about it.
(09:09):
Right.
And also, I think this isimportant.
To model grace means not only togive it, but it also means to
receive it.
SPEAKER_01 (09:16):
Right.
I like that.
And there that means there'ssanctification in the home.
Right.
That's that's at work then.
Not clean floors and chorecharts.
That's not what parenting isabout.
I mean, you take care of thestuff you have because we're
stir stewards of God's creation,right?
But but the the gospel rhythmsof confession, forgiveness,
prayer, patience, those are thethings that you want ruminating
(09:37):
through your house.
And and it's not easy.
That's that's extremelydifficult with all the polls
that we have from a society andfrom our jobs and from other
relationships and all that kindof stuff, and our own selfish
desire, that's hard.
But God's here to help.
SPEAKER_02 (09:52):
Yeah.
And that's where we get tocelebrate also the good stuff,
right?
Praising God for the win.
So, so Marcus, I'm uh uh mydaughter is uh launching into
college.
This this year's her first yearas a freshman.
She's at uh University ofNebraska, Lincoln, go big red.
I now say that, believe that,because I pay for that.
Um But you know, I I just I Ihad seen something that said,
(10:17):
celebrate this win, this launch.
Don't like on my when we droppedher off, we didn't say like, oh,
this is so sad, this is so hard.
Like, we've actually beenpreparing for the last 18 years
for this day.
Definitely, and now we want tolaunch her well and go, good
job, you got here.
Nice, and and we did the work toget here, and that's where we
celebrate the good stuff.
(10:38):
Right, we praise God for thewins, the growth, the unexpected
moments of kindness.
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (10:42):
And so if you're feeling overwhelmed by this, if
you're listening to this, you'relike, man, this yeah, parenting
is hard.
We we get it.
Parenting is no joke.
And I for I firmly believe thatas a man, God has called me to
take on responsibility.
Amen.
This isn't a podcast aboutmasculinity, but we could go
there and I could talk for yearsabout that.
But but once I got married, Itook on a responsibility to care
(11:03):
for my wife.
Now, she's an adult and it's alittle bit easier, but having
kids is completely new and it'sa completely different
responsibility.
They are wholly dependent on youfor everything.
Right.
Right?
For those of you who don't havekids, like you probably like if
you have nieces and nephews, youget a glimpse of this.
But yeah, they are dependent oneverything for food, sustenance,
for clean diapers, for baths,for sleep, everything.
(11:27):
They depend on you for theirlife.
And that that's a bigresponsibility.
And once you think you've gotpast that phase, you got it
figured out, they grow into anew needy creature.
Right.
They're mobile now, they startmoving around.
Now your focus turns to keepingthem safe, not to hurt
themselves.
Then you get used to that phase,and bam, you're on to the next
one.
You're starting to teach themnow how to act around others,
you're starting to give themthese spiritual truths.
(11:49):
You're you're you're starting toget them to feed themselves,
you're starting to entrust themwith more responsibility more
and more.
And so you have a responsibilityto teach them and and how to
take on that more responsibilitymore and more.
But all the while you're doingall this, every phase, you're
giving them, you're feeding themspiritual truths because that's
what you're called to do.
(12:10):
And and so, what are thesespiritual truths?
Who God is?
Who is that?
Because of of of who I am,what's my identity?
What does God say?
Who are you who am I as a childof God?
What does that mean?
And for us as parents, it'strying to imitate the Heavenly
Father.
unknown (12:25):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:26):
So you're showing them what he does, what he says,
you're showing him that youscrew up, how he treats us as
children, how he treats me.
So I'm just a an imitation.
I'm a faint glow of what thefather is for all of us to my
kids.
And so as a dad, I feel thatweight.
That's something that's that'svery heavy, sure.
But you know, I'm I'm chargedalong with my wife, she helps
(12:49):
immensely, obviously, to parentthese kids.
Parenting definitely has itschallenges.
It is weighty, it is aresponsibility.
SPEAKER_02 (12:57):
It's one of those things where I I say, like, like
you we hear all that, like Ihear that and I go, gosh, yeah,
parenting's exhausting.
Yeah, but also it's one of themost fulfilling and rewarding
things ever because you know,when you look at your kids, you
realize for me, I just realizedlike God entrusted these two
(13:19):
people for me, right?
Not to live 70 or 80 greatyears, but to live an eternity.
Nice.
And so, and and then I'mreminded too, and this is why I
I do think like the the parentgroups and our connect groups
and all those things, they'reimportant because we're not
alone.
Right.
And and we have we have oneanother in the church and our
(13:41):
faith journey um and in ourcommunities.
We have the scriptures thatremind us we do have a perfect
heavenly father, and so I canrest in that and I have grace.
And we have a God who parents mewith perfect grace and love and
reminds me that like we neverstop being a parent.
SPEAKER_01 (13:59):
We're always a parent.
Yeah.
Uh Isaiah 40, 11 says this.
He gently, God is the key here.
God gently leads those who haveyoung.
He's not ruining with an ironfist as you parent.
He's right alongside you helpingyou out.
SPEAKER_02 (14:12):
And so also parents, and this is this is where we
have to right remember thatfaith is the gift of the Holy
Spirit, and our children um haveto hold on to the faith that
they've been given.
Our job isn't to manufacturefaith in them, it's not to
require it, right?
It's really to make space for itin their lives, um, to to plant
(14:32):
those seeds, to water that seedof faith, and then trust in the
Holy Spirit to bring it togrowth and to fruit.
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (14:40):
And Luther said this
child familiar with thecatechism, teach him to pray and
train him in godliness.
And don't worry, this is notjust expected of moms.
He said moms, but it's it's momsand dads, like you said before.
And these things were nevermeant to be outsourced.
You said this before.
This is not supposed to beoutsourced to the church or to
their school or to the state orwhatever coaches they might
(15:01):
have.
Um the responsibility to parent,guess what?
It's shockingly, it's theparent's job to parent, right?
Yeah, and yes, thoseinstitutions can walk alongside
you and help you out, and theyshould, and that's what the
church is for, and that's whatschool you know should be about
for a big part of their life,right?
Um, but it is our job, it's ourcalling.
(15:22):
As a parent, it's my job toparent these kids, and so he he
ultimately entrusts that to me.
So our charge is to show God'swill, it's to teach him his
will, but it's also to show himhis love and his grace and his
forgiveness that that we have inevery aspect of our life.
SPEAKER_02 (15:39):
Yeah, and I I think I love that.
Don't ever forget that this is ajob for moms and dads.
Luther started that.
So so women like you have a roleand responsibility to raise your
children in faith, and and andthat's that's the belief of our
our church is women are alsofaith teachers, leaders,
(16:02):
preachers, like go and andteach.
Um, we have that role andresponsibility together.
So here's your coffee breaktheology takeaway.
Parenting is a sacred, sacredcalling.
Um, and that can mean that it'sgonna be messy, it's gonna be
exhausting, but it's a holywork.
(16:23):
And God promises to be in themiddle of your parenting.
SPEAKER_01 (16:27):
Yep.
So, in summary, what do we do?
We teach the faith.
Yeah, we live the gospel, weapologize often, and we trust
Jesus with the long game.
SPEAKER_02 (16:35):
So, join us next time on Coffee Break Theology,
where we're gonna look at yourvocation, how God slowly shapes
us into who He's alreadydeclared us to be.
SPEAKER_01 (16:48):
Very cool.
Until then, take a deep breath.
Yeah, remember your HeavenlyFather is parenting you also.
SPEAKER_00 (16:56):
Amen.
Thanks for listening to CoffeeBreak Theology.
Be sure to tune in next time andremember to check out our other
podcast series available onevery major podcast listening
service.
You're listening to Coffee Break Theology, a King of
Kings podcast.
SPEAKER_02 (00:12):
Welcome back to Coffee Break Theology, where
theology gets practical in thetime it takes to reheat your
coffee.
I gotta say, I I hate reheatedcoffee.
I actually won't drink it.
Would you rather eat drink coldcoffee though?
I would.
Like my grandmother used tooffer me coffee and it was a pot
she made from early in themorning and she just reheated
(00:34):
it.
And I was like, I didn't havethe heart because I loved her to
tell her it was disgusting, butit was.
SPEAKER_01 (00:40):
That's what happens.
I don't like reheating iteither, so I try to drink it
fast.
If it's cold, it's going downthe sink.
But yeah, but today we're here,we're gonna talk about something
that's both beautiful and very,very terrifying.
Parenting.
SPEAKER_02 (00:54):
So we're not gonna offer 10 hacks to be a perfect
behavior or how we can raise avaledictorian, but we are gonna
go deeper into the theology ofparenting.
So, what does it mean to raiseyour kids in the faith?
SPEAKER_01 (01:10):
Especially from a Lutheran perspective where we
believe God works throughordinary means, like bedtime
prayers, dinner table,blessings, and yes, even diaper
changes.
SPEAKER_02 (01:21):
Wow.
Wow.
I'm so glad I'm not changingdiapers anymore.
So so first of all, let'sremember this.
Parenting is a vocation, right?
And it's a calling from God.
SPEAKER_01 (01:34):
Right.
Deuteronomy chapter six, versessix and seven say this.
They set the tone here for this.
These words that I command youtoday shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligentlyto your children.
SPEAKER_02 (01:46):
Yeah, Luther loved that verse.
I I do too.
In fact, um, he loved it somuch, it's one of the reasons
why he wrote the smallcatechism, which is that parents
then, dads and moms, could teachthe faith in their homes.
So I always like to say thiswhen we talk about confirmation,
moms and dads, like this is notthe role of the church, this is
(02:07):
your role, and the churchesactually support you, encourage
you, but you're the primary.
SPEAKER_01 (02:12):
Exactly.
And here's what's powerful Goddoesn't expect us to be perfect
parents.
Oh, praise you, Jesus, for that.
I'm glad he doesn't because I'mnot.
But he does entrust us withdiscipling our kids.
That is something that he hascalled us to do.
SPEAKER_02 (02:23):
Yeah, and that happens in our everyday rhythms.
So, like when you're driving,when you're tucking them in, um,
if if you have a dog and you'rewalking the dog, um, or and this
is a key, like forgiving themafter a meltdown, whether
they're a toddler or a teenager.
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (02:42):
Yeah.
And we talked about sin a longtime ago, but kids have sin, and
I think that's obviouslyapparent.
So they're gonna have meltdowns.
Forgiveness is key.
Um, but what you're talkingabout there, that's just
everyday life, the everydayrhythms.
So continuing on in thatDeuteronomy 6 passage, it says,
You shall teach them diligentlyto your children.
You shall talk of them when yousit in your house, when you walk
(03:02):
by the way, when you lie down,when you rise.
You shall bind them as a sign onyour hand.
They shall be as frontletsbetween your eyes.
You shall write them on thedoorposts of your house and on
your gates.
It should be, you should beteaching your kids as you live,
no matter what you're doing.
It's not just send them toschool, send them to church.
It's as we live our lives inthis home, we're gonna talk
(03:23):
about Jesus.
SPEAKER_02 (03:24):
Yeah, I always think this is where, right, we're just
continually dripping into thewords uh of God.
And and this is too like where Isay to my kids, not often
enough, but like go live like achild of God, right?
And and not say you should, butsay God's called, and and those
kinds of language.
SPEAKER_01 (03:44):
Well, and and God is he's the he's the perfect
father, he's the perfect issueof those decrees, right?
Like from a perfect God, hewants me to act this way, not my
parents are making me do things.
It's God has called us to act ina certain way.
Yeah, for sure.
I like that.
One of uh Luther's best projectsis the small catechism.
We've been talking through thata lot since we started this
podcast, but in the preface tothe small catechism, Luther
(04:07):
wrote this to pastors andparents.
He said, The deplorable,miserable condition which I
discovered recently when I toowas a visitor, has constrained
and compelled me to prepare thiscatechism.
SPEAKER_02 (04:19):
Yeah, I gotta admit, I rarely read a preface to any
book or anything like that.
Um, but I you need to because itactually tells you why they're
writing the book.
And so that's a reminder thatLuther wrote the catechism
because he wanted every head ofhousehold, whether that was a
mom or dad, it didn't matter,right?
Male or female, and that's a keypoint, to teach the basics of
(04:41):
the faith.
So so what do the TenCommandments say?
What does the creed say?
What is what is the Lord'sprayer?
What is baptism?
What is communion?
And why do we even needconfession?
SPEAKER_01 (04:53):
Right.
And all those things, like ifyou've grown up in the Lutheran
church or any church, youprobably memorize those.
And and we can get to the placewhere it's just something we
say, it's something we're goingthrough the motions.
But what Luther's trying to doin the catechism is catechism is
say, no, this is something youknow, this is something you walk
out, this is something you livein.
Um and you're you're notteaching these in lectures,
(05:15):
you're having conversationsabout them.
Something like this.
Something as you live in yourhouse, as you as you wake up, as
you go to go to bed.
You're in community, yeah, inyour homes, anywhere you find
yourself, we're called to livethat out.
SPEAKER_02 (05:28):
And that's that's so important, is this is where like
I think our culture, especiallyAmerican culture today, we've
got to get back to bringingfaith into the homes.
And and and and don't let don'tlet faith stop at the message on
a Sunday morning.
Um have the conversation.
(05:49):
And I I think this is reallyimportant as as a pastor, I say
this.
So I I I want everyone tounderstand, my kids and my
nephews and others who ask meask questions about scripture,
and I sometimes go, I don'tknow.
Yeah, right.
Like, and so that's okay to sayI don't know, right, and I'm not
(06:10):
sure, or to even be able to say,like, I don't understand this.
Right.
And and that's that permission.
You don't you don't have to bethe expert um to talk about
that.
And so, parents, it might soundintimidating, but yeah, don't
don't be don't worry about beingthe expert.
SPEAKER_01 (06:24):
Well, if if you're a pastor and you're saying you're
not the expert, right?
Then that that gives me hope asas some as a lay person who's
not a pastor, who's not trainedin any of this stuff, to say,
well, if he doesn't know, then Idon't have to know.
Yeah, that's good.
SPEAKER_02 (06:35):
Yeah, I think I think the key is like the moment
you think you've got all theanswers figured out from the
scripture, um, it is the momentthat you you actually are saying
that you're you know everythingthat God knows.
Right.
And and you don't.
There's a lot of in between thelines, there's also a lot of
where like like for for anyoneto say that they understand
(06:56):
everything of God uh puts theminto a huge position of
arrogance.
SPEAKER_01 (07:01):
Oh, for sure.
SPEAKER_02 (07:02):
I I don't understand how communion can be what we
believe, which is the body andthe blood and the bread and the
wine.
Yeah, I can't understand that.
Like the moment I can fathomthat is like the moment I I say,
God, you're like I'm either assmart as you or you're as smart
as me.
And God better not be like at myintellect level.
SPEAKER_01 (07:22):
Like he needs to be way over.
So you know what I would say tosomebody who says they know it
all?
SPEAKER_02 (07:26):
Yeah, go read Job.
unknown (07:28):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (07:28):
God, God dreams Job pretty well about who he is and
who he's not.
SPEAKER_02 (07:32):
Right.
And so I think this is where Iwould say to parents, this is
what I will tell you right now,that that you don't need all the
right answers because you'vealready been equipped.
Yep.
You're not alone in this, andyou've been equipped to to share
the word of God, to be able toteach your children.
And if you're saying to me,like, well, how do you know I'm
(07:54):
equipped?
I'm gonna tell you because youwere entrusted with a child.
Right.
So so God already sees in you uha parent to stand for him and
share him with your child andgive them the greatest gift you
can ever give to them.
SPEAKER_01 (08:08):
Right.
SPEAKER_02 (08:09):
Awesome.
SPEAKER_01 (08:10):
And here's where the theology hits the floor, then.
One of the most powerful thingsa parent can say is, I was
wrong, I am sorry, will youforgive me?
It took me a long time to figurethat one out, but once I started
saying it, you know, it it movedin big ways in my relationship
with my kids.
SPEAKER_02 (08:25):
Yeah, we teach that in our home.
Um, where when someone saysthey're sorry to one another, we
use the words, I forgive you.
Not it's okay, not don't worryabout it.
Um, and it's really powerfulwhen it comes from me because I
I have been wrong, right?
And I do need to say I'm sorry.
And sometimes I don't recognizemy wrongness or I defend it
(08:48):
first, right?
And and then I need to go back.
And and here's the thing mykids, your kids, anyone's kids
out there, they don't needperfect parents.
Right, they need real authenticparents, and in in theological
terms, we call this repentant.
Yeah, ones who model grace, notjust preach about it.
(09:09):
Right.
And also, I think this isimportant.
To model grace means not only togive it, but it also means to
receive it.
SPEAKER_01 (09:16):
Right.
I like that.
And there that means there'ssanctification in the home.
Right.
That's that's at work then.
Not clean floors and chorecharts.
That's not what parenting isabout.
I mean, you take care of thestuff you have because we're
stir stewards of God's creation,right?
But but the the gospel rhythmsof confession, forgiveness,
prayer, patience, those are thethings that you want ruminating
(09:37):
through your house.
And and it's not easy.
That's that's extremelydifficult with all the polls
that we have from a society andfrom our jobs and from other
relationships and all that kindof stuff, and our own selfish
desire, that's hard.
But God's here to help.
SPEAKER_02 (09:52):
Yeah.
And that's where we get tocelebrate also the good stuff,
right?
Praising God for the win.
So, so Marcus, I'm uh uh mydaughter is uh launching into
college.
This this year's her first yearas a freshman.
She's at uh University ofNebraska, Lincoln, go big red.
I now say that, believe that,because I pay for that.
Um But you know, I I just I Ihad seen something that said,
(10:17):
celebrate this win, this launch.
Don't like on my when we droppedher off, we didn't say like, oh,
this is so sad, this is so hard.
Like, we've actually beenpreparing for the last 18 years
for this day.
Definitely, and now we want tolaunch her well and go, good
job, you got here.
Nice, and and we did the work toget here, and that's where we
celebrate the good stuff.
(10:38):
Right, we praise God for thewins, the growth, the unexpected
moments of kindness.
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (10:42):
And so if you're feeling overwhelmed by this, if
you're listening to this, you'relike, man, this yeah, parenting
is hard.
We we get it.
Parenting is no joke.
And I for I firmly believe thatas a man, God has called me to
take on responsibility.
Amen.
This isn't a podcast aboutmasculinity, but we could go
there and I could talk for yearsabout that.
But but once I got married, Itook on a responsibility to care
(11:03):
for my wife.
Now, she's an adult and it's alittle bit easier, but having
kids is completely new and it'sa completely different
responsibility.
They are wholly dependent on youfor everything.
Right.
Right?
For those of you who don't havekids, like you probably like if
you have nieces and nephews, youget a glimpse of this.
But yeah, they are dependent oneverything for food, sustenance,
for clean diapers, for baths,for sleep, everything.
(11:27):
They depend on you for theirlife.
And that that's a bigresponsibility.
And once you think you've gotpast that phase, you got it
figured out, they grow into anew needy creature.
Right.
They're mobile now, they startmoving around.
Now your focus turns to keepingthem safe, not to hurt
themselves.
Then you get used to that phase,and bam, you're on to the next
one.
You're starting to teach themnow how to act around others,
you're starting to give themthese spiritual truths.
(11:49):
You're you're you're starting toget them to feed themselves,
you're starting to entrust themwith more responsibility more
and more.
And so you have a responsibilityto teach them and and how to
take on that more responsibilitymore and more.
But all the while you're doingall this, every phase, you're
giving them, you're feeding themspiritual truths because that's
what you're called to do.
(12:10):
And and so, what are thesespiritual truths?
Who God is?
Who is that?
Because of of of who I am,what's my identity?
What does God say?
Who are you who am I as a childof God?
What does that mean?
And for us as parents, it'strying to imitate the Heavenly
Father.
unknown (12:25):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:26):
So you're showing them what he does, what he says,
you're showing him that youscrew up, how he treats us as
children, how he treats me.
So I'm just a an imitation.
I'm a faint glow of what thefather is for all of us to my
kids.
And so as a dad, I feel thatweight.
That's something that's that'svery heavy, sure.
But you know, I'm I'm chargedalong with my wife, she helps
(12:49):
immensely, obviously, to parentthese kids.
Parenting definitely has itschallenges.
It is weighty, it is aresponsibility.
SPEAKER_02 (12:57):
It's one of those things where I I say, like, like
you we hear all that, like Ihear that and I go, gosh, yeah,
parenting's exhausting.
Yeah, but also it's one of themost fulfilling and rewarding
things ever because you know,when you look at your kids, you
realize for me, I just realizedlike God entrusted these two
(13:19):
people for me, right?
Not to live 70 or 80 greatyears, but to live an eternity.
Nice.
And so, and and then I'mreminded too, and this is why I
I do think like the the parentgroups and our connect groups
and all those things, they'reimportant because we're not
alone.
Right.
And and we have we have oneanother in the church and our
(13:41):
faith journey um and in ourcommunities.
We have the scriptures thatremind us we do have a perfect
heavenly father, and so I canrest in that and I have grace.
And we have a God who parents mewith perfect grace and love and
reminds me that like we neverstop being a parent.
SPEAKER_01 (13:59):
We're always a parent.
Yeah.
Uh Isaiah 40, 11 says this.
He gently, God is the key here.
God gently leads those who haveyoung.
He's not ruining with an ironfist as you parent.
He's right alongside you helpingyou out.
SPEAKER_02 (14:12):
And so also parents, and this is this is where we
have to right remember thatfaith is the gift of the Holy
Spirit, and our children um haveto hold on to the faith that
they've been given.
Our job isn't to manufacturefaith in them, it's not to
require it, right?
It's really to make space for itin their lives, um, to to plant
(14:32):
those seeds, to water that seedof faith, and then trust in the
Holy Spirit to bring it togrowth and to fruit.
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (14:40):
And Luther said this
child familiar with thecatechism, teach him to pray and
train him in godliness.
And don't worry, this is notjust expected of moms.
He said moms, but it's it's momsand dads, like you said before.
And these things were nevermeant to be outsourced.
You said this before.
This is not supposed to beoutsourced to the church or to
their school or to the state orwhatever coaches they might
(15:01):
have.
Um the responsibility to parent,guess what?
It's shockingly, it's theparent's job to parent, right?
Yeah, and yes, thoseinstitutions can walk alongside
you and help you out, and theyshould, and that's what the
church is for, and that's whatschool you know should be about
for a big part of their life,right?
Um, but it is our job, it's ourcalling.
(15:22):
As a parent, it's my job toparent these kids, and so he he
ultimately entrusts that to me.
So our charge is to show God'swill, it's to teach him his
will, but it's also to show himhis love and his grace and his
forgiveness that that we have inevery aspect of our life.
SPEAKER_02 (15:39):
Yeah, and I I think I love that.
Don't ever forget that this is ajob for moms and dads.
Luther started that.
So so women like you have a roleand responsibility to raise your
children in faith, and and andthat's that's the belief of our
our church is women are alsofaith teachers, leaders,
(16:02):
preachers, like go and andteach.
Um, we have that role andresponsibility together.
So here's your coffee breaktheology takeaway.
Parenting is a sacred, sacredcalling.
Um, and that can mean that it'sgonna be messy, it's gonna be
exhausting, but it's a holywork.
(16:23):
And God promises to be in themiddle of your parenting.
SPEAKER_01 (16:27):
Yep.
So, in summary, what do we do?
We teach the faith.
Yeah, we live the gospel, weapologize often, and we trust
Jesus with the long game.
SPEAKER_02 (16:35):
So, join us next time on Coffee Break Theology,
where we're gonna look at yourvocation, how God slowly shapes
us into who He's alreadydeclared us to be.
SPEAKER_01 (16:48):
Very cool.
Until then, take a deep breath.
Yeah, remember your HeavenlyFather is parenting you also.
SPEAKER_00 (16:56):
Amen.
Thanks for listening to CoffeeBreak Theology.
Be sure to tune in next time andremember to check out our other
podcast series available onevery major podcast listening
service.
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