Introduction: Any parent understands the heartache of stepping back and watching your children make bad decisions and facing the consequences. 

However, a wise parent will pray and trust Jesus to bring about good even in bad situations (Rom 8:28).

Paul writes to the Ephesus believers and us today concerning the key to parenting and grand-parenting. 

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4)

1. The Negative side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

In other words, don’t cause them to lose heart (“I cannot ever please my daddy/mama”).

Watch out for

* over bearing  

* under discipline 

2. The Positive side! (Eph 6:4)

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

“Bring them up”

* Nurture – training, instructions of the Lord

* Admonition – warnings, etc 

Being balanced as a Christian parent – grand parent takes great wisdom, discernment, love and forgiveness.

Conclusion: Guess what? There are no perfect parents. And there are no perfect children! God our Father is the only perfect Parent.

Therefore, we can love and trust Him.