Bringing Up Daughters of the King by Dan Liberto
These are my notes from Dan Liberto’s workshop, “Bringing Up Daughters of the King,” on May 3, 2014 at the Mo-Ranch Men’s Conference.
thefreedomgirls.com
– family discipleship ministry
– objective is partnering with parents and helping them discipling their children
Do this through workshops, conferences, and Biblical Ruth Doll / Book
Ministry name: Generation with a Name
– Psalm 145:4 “One generation commends your works to another;Â they tell of your mighty acts.You as the dad and leader of your house, or as a grandparent, or as a mentor…”
– you have the opportunity to stand in the gap between that child and a culture that is roaming around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour
Highly recommended book: “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know” by Meg Meeker
Research shows your physical affection for your daughter is the best predictor of of your daughter’s self esteem
No gimmicks, no tricks: Just Deuteronomy 6
– simple to understand, difficult to apply (because of our sin nature)
we have to fight the battle for our kids, but we also have to fight our own battles
1st pillar: Love the Lord with ALL your heart, soul and strength
2nd pillar: Impress his love on your children
3rd pillar: Tie them as symbols in your doorposts
If you are going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk
– it’s impossible for you to walk the walk without the strength of the Lord
these are all relational
2012 article in Homeschool Dads: “A Great Time to be a Husband, Parent and a Dad”
The marital bond is the foundation of the family
– it must be communion
– when you put Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, then you have the foundation
Parent in unified relationship with children
– need to be in unity
Obedience is more important than sacrifice
– parents can make it impossible for a child to be obedient if the parents are not unified in their relationships and expectations for the child
Dad in relationship with children individually
– this is the dad zone
– this is where we are specifically focusing today
– this is the “father daughter dance”
As a father you are called to give your children their needs, not necessarily their wants
Remember children aren’t saved through your faith
– you are fertilizing the soil through discipleship, so the Holy Spirit will grow the fruit
Garth Brooks: “I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance.”
You have to give kids age-appropriate liberty so they will grow
Another book recc: “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp
You are God’s agent, not to manage your child’s behavior but to guide your child’s heart
– the behavior is a symptom
– the heart is the wellspring of life
– helping your child guard their heart is key
Never doubt your authority, it’s important for your children to never see you waiver with your faith
U571 movie scene: “Be a leader!”
Be courageous
– you are going to be ridiculed, made fun of
– the culture thinks it’s silly
– parents are subjected to peer pressure just like kids are
“The only way to know the inclinations of your child’s heart is to empower them to share their voice”
Be your child’s hero
– they need to know that you will move heaven and earth to help them with things they know
– let them know you will never abandon them
– best example: “The Prodigal Son”
– be grace filled
We hear it time and again in the Bible: “I will not leave or forsake you.”
– our children need to hear this constantly from us as parents
As dads, you have to get up on that wall
– you need to dress up like a warrior, to defend your castle against the many trojan horses that come in
Ephesians 6: this is a battle in the spiritual realm
God chose new leaders
when war came to the city gates,
but not a shield or spear was seen
among forty thousand in Israel.You have to be your daughter’s “Prince Charming”
– be the man you want your daughter to marry
Help them make sense of life with a Christian Worldview
Take your child on a journey of discovery!
Turn off the noise, and turn up the fellowship in your family (with your kids & spouse!)
Have a multi-generational vision for your family
– pray for your children’s spouses, children, etc.
– put away the shotgun and start praying for them, like Hannah did when she brought her child to Samuel
Which dad are you? What picture are you painting for your family?
Challenge and call to action: Let’s get to our creative side, reflect back on the kind of picture we’ve painted in the past
– ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to use those areas we need to shore up, and the Holy Spirit needs to encourage us in
– after you have reflected and received that feedback from the Holy Spirit, then pull out your canvas and decide which canvas you want to paint for the future
What do airline folks say about emergencies: Equip yourself first for the battle/struggle, then tend to your children