5 Sermons on Parenting

Parenting in a God-honoring way has always been a challenge, and our cultural moment makes it even harder in the 21st century.

What follows are some of the best sermons on parenting from Pastor Colin Smith that you can listen to for free at openthebible.org/sermons. For more of Pastor Colin’s biblical teaching, follow us on YouTube, the Open the Bible app, or by searching “Open the Bible” in your favorite podcast app.

1. Tell Your Children Why (transcript available)

“In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?’ tell him: ‘We were slaves of Pharoah in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.’” (Deuteronomy 6:20-21)

Maybe you’ve tried to prioritize your faith: God first, family second, ministry third. Pastor Colin talks about another approach that he calls “alignment” which is living in light of the gospel so we can say with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). This sermon will encourage and challenge you to love God with all your heart as you lead your family.

From the series on Deuteronomy called Take Two.

2. How to Pray When You Fear for Your Children (transcript available | Watch on YouTube)

You will guard us from this generation forever. Psalm 12:8

If Jesus is “the light of the world,” then why is your son or daughter, your grandson or granddaughter, having difficulty seeing how great he is? Pastor Colin Smith explains what keeps people from seeing who Jesus is and how to pray for your children in our world of vanity, flattery, and blasphemy. 

From the series With Christ in the School of Prayer.

3. Ten Keys to Effective Parenting

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 2 Timothy 3:10–11

Pastor Colin draws from Paul’s powerful example to his spiritual son, Timothy, to challenge parents to live as examples for their children in ten key areas of life.

From the series Unless the Lord Builds the House.

4. Parenting in the Flesh vs. Parenting in the Spirit

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3

Some people have the idea that the law is bad and the gospel is good. This message teaches that the law is good but the gospel is even better! This law/gospel distinction is crucial for all parents; those parenting young toddlers and even adult children. Listen to this message to find a gospel balance in Bible reading, prayer, and exercising discipline.

From the series Unless the Lord Builds the House.

5. Rebellion on Isaiah 1:1–9

“Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.” God in Isaiah 1:2

God gave you a son or a daughter. You loved them, and you raised them, but now your son or daughter has rebelled against you. In this realistic and encouraging message, Pastor Colin Smith reminds you why you cannot be a better father than God, and encourages us to look to Christ for strength and grace.

From the series 180: How God Changes His People and His Church.

Bonus: Family (transcript available)

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it – Proverbs 22:6

We all need wisdom for family relationships. The book of Proverbs has much to say to brothers and sisters, to husbands and wives, and children and their parents. In this sermon, Pastor Colin talks about how the book of Proverbs speaks to these relationships.

From the series Wisdom for Life.