1.6. IT IS A PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The community would hold you, as parents, responsible if there was drunken rioting in your family (Ephesians 5:18 ). You are also responsible for the blessing that comes to the community through releasing your Spirit-filled children's spiritual gifts. How can you accomplish this? Let me list some of the things you can do:

The risen Lord instructed and commissioned Peter to "feed my lambs" (John 21:15 ). Then they will be able to let the Word of Christ "dwell in (them) richly" as they receive your teaching, and so will be able to "admonish one another with all wisdom" as they "sing psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in (their) hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16 ).

Ephesians 6:4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

The training of this verse is the same as the discipline of Hebrews 12:4-11. The Lord disciplines those He loves. It is the responsibility of parents to discipline their loved, Spirit-filled "sons and daughters". Being spiritual does not exclude us from discipline. Because your boy prophesies, he needs your loving discipline more than ever. The original word has the idea of calling attention to, and warning. Spirit-filled children need the warning of the Lord. Fathers, you are responsible for the proper discipline and warning that will keep your anointed child in blessing, and develop him for greater service.

Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

The fact that your children are "in the Lord" and enjoy Spirit-fullness requires that they obey and honor you. To fail them by not teaching them to obey and honor you, will develop in them an independent and haughty spirit that will make them unusable in the body of Christ. Also, they will be robbed of the reward of Ephesians 6:3. It won't go well with them and they could lose out on long life. By facing up to our responsibilities as parents, our Spirit-anointed children will flow ever deeper and fuller in the prophetic flow of the Spirit.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy (Acts 2:17 ). It is pleasing to God and the family when, as a whole family you flow in the Spirit. Husbands are so loving (Ephesians 5:25 ). Wives are so submissive (Ephesians 5:19 ), family worship is so delightful (Ephesians 5:19 ).

Psalms 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!"

How good and how pleasant it is for (families) to dwell together in Spirit-filled unity. How glad you should be that your children are drinking at Joel's Place. Congratulations! The promise of God through Joel is for the blessing of the whole family.