How to Raise Kids Who Won’t Fall Apart

Today we're talking about something almost everyone of us carries some anxiety about: raising kids. We won't be handing out a five-step formula; instead, we're going to look at two passages in Genesis most people never think to connect to parenting. There’s something a lot more freeing than better technique: the truth that our kids were never actually ours in the first place. Whether you're in the thick of parenting right now, have adult children, or are nowhere near parenting yet, come ready to trade some of the pressure of "getting it right" for the peace of simply being faithful.

Genesis 22:1-18

The Sacrifice of Isaac

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Growing up, what’s one “rule” in your house that you didn’t understand until you were older (or maybe still don’t)?

2. In what areas do you struggle to see God as Father?

3. In Genesis 22, God stopped Abraham’s hand and provided a ram so he wouldn’t have to carry the cost himself. Read Romans 8:32. How does knowing that God already gave up His own Son change the weight you feel about controlling outcomes you were never really in charge of?

4. What’s one way that you can love your children or others around you this week the way our Heavenly Father has loved us?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Genesis 22:1-18 together. 

2. Isaac went on a long walk with his dad into the mountains. How do you feel when you have to go somewhere new or do something you’ve never done before?

3. God surprised Abraham and Isaac by providing a ram in the bushes right when they needed it. Can you think of a happy surprise God or your parents gave you recently?

4. In this story, Abraham’s greatest test was letting go of his child. Knowing how much parents worry about your safety, your future, and your choices, how does that shape the way you view the rules or boundaries at home?

5. “Dear God, sometimes the world feels big and scary, and I don’t know what will happen next. Thank you for giving me parents who love me and a Heavenly Father who always watches over me. Help me to trust You when I feel worried. Amen.”