Second, a spiritual parent's purpose isn't to invent a new way to construct your own kingdom; it's to follow the biblical model of deploying and releasing individuals in God's Kingdom. In biological families, some parents find it difficult to let go of their children. They want them to be able to realize their own unmet aspirations and desires. This is never a good idea. Conversations with mature children are significantly different than guidelines for toddlers and teenagers. This type of discipleship that I'm writing about is done with adults. I have a number of spiritual fathers to whom I go for guidance, counsel, and prayer. I don't always go to ask for their permission. Each of them provides me with something unique. We can't expect our spiritual dads to be everything for us; they can only be themselves and the gifts that God has bestowed upon them. It is listening to and comprehending Jesus' followers, rather than attempting to mold them into your image. They have a divine destiny; your goal is to assist them grow into the image of Jesus, not to mold them into your image.
Before You Continue...
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Finally, every child requires both a father and a mother.
When both parents are absent, a single parent's child requires aunts, uncles, grandparents, and close family friends to help fill in the gaps.
Many people might be offended by this, but I feel it is psychologically necessary to understand why the Catholic Church perceives Mary the way it does.
We all require both a father and a mother.
I believe that the father/mother traits are present in the Trinity, not just in male and female designations.
You can't help but think about the Holy Spirit, the God of all comfort, the Spirit living in us, and a slew of other analogies – as well as Jesus and how he loves.
Paul is definitely neither male nor female when he writes.
I occasionally need to hear my mother's voice.
We shall become lop-sided if we only hear the male side of God.
Fourth, spiritual parenting entails spiritual sons and daughters accompanying you in your environment to observe you.
We all have things we do without thinking that are second nature to us, but they are not to others.
I'm a voracious reader, but I'm not an intellectual.
To understand something, I need to get my hands on it and do it.
Reverse engineering has been a big part of my education.
I'd start trying something, and it'd work well enough that I knew I'd hit on something, so I'd read nonstop.
Having your spiritual offspring present in various situations gives them a variety of lessons.
What is the duty of a spiritual father?
In today's fast-paced environment, we all have a tendency to lean toward opinions we acquire on a variety of topics, then accept those beliefs as reality over time. Indeed, if I base this on the studies I've done on comparable ideas and opinionated comments from many Christians at all stages of their spiritual walk over the decades. The truth is that they delve into what they build as a belief system without exposing themselves to the facts that Bible Scholars would spend time and effort researching.
This article, on the other hand, was not meant to disparage anyone or to point fingers or to claim that one person, little or large group or meeting, or even church teaching, is superior.
It's all about assisting people in growing spiritually in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and becoming more dependant on the Holy Spirit as they study the meaning of ancient scripture.
I started posting this article since I get a lot of mail on my Facebook groups, which is understandable given that I have over 140,000 members on my groups and pages. Most of the time, I manage because I pray about a lot of what I get before I give a reader an answer or a suggestion. One of the persons I've been prompted to communicate with recently was Elizabeth, a kindhearted lady with a desire for God – and that's all I'll say about her since I don't want to shame or expose her here.
In our correspondence, she mentioned that her pastor had mentioned to some members of the congregation that he was willing to take on the position of Spiritual Father in order to teach and guide some of his members. That irritated Elizabeth, who responded with Matt 23:8-10, 8. “However, you are not to be addressed as ‘Rabbi,' because you have only one Teacher and are all brothers. 9 And do not address anyone on earth as “father,” since you only have one, and he is in heaven. 10 You are not to be called instructors, because you only have one, the Messiah.”
Now, before I get into the heart of this message, I'd like to give a few direct quotes from our correspondence over the next few days.
On the last point about becoming a spiritual father, I wrote: I'm not sure if that particular reference occurs in scripture, but Paul refers to Timothy as his son numerous times in books 1 and 2 of Timothy. Spiritual Fathers are people I refer to as such. Many of the people I contact with on Facebook refer to me as their Spiritual Father or Pappa.
Elizabeth, was my response at the time. I recommend that you conduct some research on Matt 23 and perhaps obtain some suggestions from other Bible commentators and commentaries about how this fits in with the rest of scripture. I don't have time to complete it right now, but I will in the coming days. It's not always wise to take things at face value without first understanding the context in which they were written. I'll contact you.
The Apostle John describes three different levels of spiritual growth in 1 John 2:12-14. He refers to his readers as “dear children” throughout the message. He does, however, stray from his customary address here, adding “fathers” and “young men” to his standard “loved children.” When you take a look at the book as a whole, it appears that this passage doesn't belong where it is. Despite this, verses 12-14 contain two references to “beloved children,” “fathers,” and “young men.” Repetition was employed to convey emphasis in Hebrew culture and Greek language; the writer was emphasizing, “This is really essential, don't miss this.” As a result, we'll take a deeper look at this message to discover what John had to say to both his contemporaries and us, today's readers.
“I write to you, my children,” John begins in verse 12, “because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” “I write to you, fathers,” he says, “since you have known him who is from the beginning.” “I write to you, young men, since you have vanquished the evil one,” he concludes the progression. John distinguishes disparities in levels of maturity among Christians by utilizing chronological age terms. John not only revisits the categories, but he also arranges the levels in a non-chronological order. The “fathers” are once again sandwiched between the “loved children” and the “young guys.” Why would he do such a thing? I believe that as we continue to study the passage, it will become evident that God has something special to say to us about the role of the father in particular.
“Children” have come to a saving knowledge of Christ; “young men” are strong in the Word of God and have successfully waged the spiritual fight; and “fathers” know God intimately and have had a deeper and broader relationship with the “I AM”-the God of eternity (see Exodus 3:14-15). Let's look at why I believe the Spirit of God led John to communicate the levels in a different order than they were supposed to be communicated.
God is exposing a crucial aspect of being a spiritual parent in this passage. We will miss the essential point if we do not notice it. This crucial fact is that your mature features and intimate contact with the “I AM” do not make you a spiritual parent. The child and father were brought together by John so that we might observe the importance of reproduction in reaching and expressing maturity. Because you've also been used to generate spiritual children, you're a spiritual father. A spiritually mature man has no spiritual children and cannot be regarded a spiritual father unless he reproduces and disciples Christlike maturity in others. Spiritual children having a deep and intimate relationship with God the Father are the offspring of a spiritual father. These youngsters and young men's spiritual development must continue in order for them to become spiritual dads who reproduce spiritual offspring.
We must develop children who have been saved into young men who know God's Word and can fight spiritual battles, and fathers who have walked closely with God for a long time and have been used to reproduce the next generation of spiritual fathers. If males aren't reproducing spiritually, they haven't reached complete spiritual maturity and aren't reproducing.
Over the course of his 53-year sales career, Peter Collins has concentrated on assisting and bringing out the best in others, whether it's through training or mentoring salespeople, managers, or providing business consulting to small and medium-sized businesses. Peter has earned a reputation as a nationally and internationally published author since the 1970s, with 68 business books among his 133 novels published over the past 48 years (but he is mainly known for one book based on the Audio Tape series of the same name, Over 50 Ways of Closing the Sale). Peter has also authored 30 Christian novels. In the late 1970s, one of Peter's novels sold nearly 2 million copies and is currently selling well through second hand web marketers around the world. In his personal life, Peter has been sought after as a motivator and encourager who, despite his busy schedule, has freely given of his time and abilities. Through his teaching, training, growth, and ongoing mentoring, he has subsequently aided churches, pastors, community and charitable groups, as well as individuals.
What is the difference between a spiritual father and a mentor?
The most important distinction between a mentor and a spiritual father is that a mentor, in general, leads the mentee through a specific stage of life. A spiritual father has a closer relationship with his “kid” and concentrates on spiritual enrichment and development throughout their lives.
How do I thank my spiritual father?
Thank you for being an earthly manifestation of God's love. I can barely look after myself, but you have to look after the congregation, complete daily chores while maintaining a tight schedule, and look after your own health. I hope you know how much we appreciate everything you do for us. For those of us who do not have a good relationship with our own fathers, seeing what fatherhood should be like, whether through the Gospel, the sacraments, or just by your example, gives us hope.
Who is a spiritual daughter?
Sinttal, which means “spiritual daughter,” is a phrase used to describe a female shaman who has been accepted into her spiritual mother's divine lineage.
What do you mean by spirituality?
Spirituality is defined as the awareness of a feeling, sense, or belief that there is something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater total of which we are a part is cosmic or divine in nature.
How do you raise a child spiritually?
Make a list of your personal beliefs. You must select what you believe in order to promote spirituality in your child, whether or not you practice an official religion. That doesn't mean you have to know everything, but you can think about the following questions: Do you believe in God? Do you think there was a divine aspect in the world's creation? What do you believe happens when someone passes away?
Consider what kind of spiritual education you want your child to receive in addition to your personal beliefs: Will your family become members of a church, synagogue, or other religious institution? Do you want your child to go to church on a regular basis? Are you planning on enrolling him in a religious school? If you and your partner hold opposing viewpoints on spirituality, now is the time to decide how you'll tackle spirituality with your toddler before he's old enough to be perplexed by your differences.
Spirituality should be introduced early on. “Not only do young children not comprehend who God is, but they also don't understand who a grandmother is,” adds Neifert. “You still want children to know Grandma, so you begin talking about her right away. The concept of God is the same way.” Your child will believe you when you say Grandma is essential in her life (even if she only sees her once in a while), and she will believe you when you say God is, too.
Your child will see spiritual activities as a natural part of life if you introduce them to her while she's young, such as lighting candles or singing hymns together, and you'll have a spiritual effect on her before others do.
Even if you don't believe in God or see Him as a single all-powerful deity, it's important to discuss it with your child. “Kids will hear about God all throughout,” Neifert predicts. “They'll absorb someone else's values if you don't put your own spin on it with your own ideals.”
Even if you don't believe in organized religion, you may teach her to respect the views of others. Learning the difference between good and evil, establishing a feeling of family history, and exhibiting a loving attitude toward others all contribute to a rich spiritual life's basis.
Don't act as if you know everything. Although your toddler may not be able to inquire or fully comprehend where people go when they die, you may still discuss it openly. Keep it simple and short: “Nobody knows for sure, but some believe that individuals travel to heaven to be near God. Others believe they have been reborn in a new body.”
If you have a strong conviction, express it. If not, it's fine to recognize that there are some questions that people spend their entire lives attempting to answer, and this is one of them.
Using everyday happenings to teach spirituality is a good idea. Large ideas don't always necessitate big deeds. By incorporating spirituality into everyday actions and words, you may convey that spirituality is a part of everyday life. “Look at this wonderful day Mother Nature made,” you can exclaim as you open the curtains in the morning. “God bless you, sweetie pie,” you can say before going to bed.
Instill a love of nature in your children. Nature is an excellent source of inspiration and spirituality. “Kids learn through all of their senses they love to pick up a pebble, jump in a puddle, or chase a butterfly,” Neifert explains.
Demonstrate your personal love and respect for nature to help your child see it as something valuable. When you go for a family trek in the woods or a beach picnic, clean up after yourself (and even others) and be respectful of wildlife in their natural home.
Plant a garden with your child and make checking on the progress of the plants part of your daily routine. Start a compost pile so your youngster can see leftovers from meals decompose into soil for your garden. Introduce him to the concept that the Earth is a gift and that our survival is contingent on the planet's survival.
Make up stories. Stories abound in the world's spiritual traditions, explaining everything from how the world was formed to why individuals occasionally do horrible things. Using this abundance of literature, introduce your toddler to the idea that various people have distinct ideas, stories, and traditions.
Read stories from an illustrated Bible, a Hindu mythology book, or a collection of Jewish folk tales together, revising and simplifying as needed. Even if you're hesitant to encourage a literal understanding of the Bible, for example, reading such stories will allow your youngster to ask questions – if not now, then later.
Make use of family customs. Spirituality has the ability to connect us to the divine, one another, and the past. If you're raising your child in the same spiritual tradition as you, make sure he understands that he's carrying on family rites that his grandparents and even great-grandparents passed down to him.
Display photos of his granddad receiving his first communion. Allow him to assist you in polishing a pair of Sabbath candlesticks that your parents passed down to you. Also, remember to recount the same family stories you heard as a kid around the holidays.
Nonreligious family traditions are also possible. Volunteering at a food bank at Thanksgiving or planting a tree on Earth Day strengthens your child's bond with his family and teaches him that he can make the world a better place by being a part of it. And when he's old enough to comprehend what's going on, he'll be watching you closely and learning from you.
Make it enjoyable. Religion and spirituality should be more upbeat and lighthearted than solemn and solemn. Encourage your child to draw a picture of God, make up a tale about how the world came to be, or simply imagine what paradise is like. Put on a puppet show or act out plays based on creation stories or your own spiritual ideas.
Above all, sing and dance like spiritual people have done for generations! Many recordings of religious music are available if you don't know any traditional tunes. Don't forget to look into songs and chants from different nations and traditions.
Silence should be practiced. Take a minute to sit quietly with your kid once or twice a week. It's not necessary to introduce your minute of silence as meditation, but rather as a chance to sit motionless and listen to the sounds around her. It will eventually assist her in gaining a better understanding of the “big picture.”
Introduce a simple prayer form. If prayer is a component of your spiritual practice, make it clear to your toddler that it isn't something you store for Sunday mornings or times when he needs assistance. It's a tool that allows you to communicate with a higher power at any time.
So invite him to join you in praying at various moments during the day, such as when he sees something beautiful, when he does something new for the first time, when he wakes up, or when he goes to bed. A simple prayer of thanksgiving before or after meals can be a simple and effective method to impart gratitude for life's fundamentals.
If your child is too young to make up his own prayers, assist him with “ping-pong” prayers, as described by Neifert: You come up with a simple statement like “Thank you, God, for…” and he fills in the blanks. The goal is to instill in your child the belief that God, or the divine spirit, is always present. “It's really good if the being who created the entire universe can listen to you,” Neifert says.
Even if your family is not religious, you may teach your youngster to appreciate his comfortable bed, a lovely flower, or a nice smooch from his dog. “I'm so glad we have this lovely day to play in the yard, aren't you?” set an example for him.
Emphasize the spiritual aspect of the holidays. Try to counteract the holiday season's commercialism with events that emphasize the season's deeper meaning. Participate in a local charity's volunteer program. Donate food, clothing, or toys to a shelter, and involve your toddler by selecting a few items that she no longer uses. Participate in holiday-themed events at your church or synagogue.
Share some meaningful playtime with your toddler on the lighter side: Play with nativity scene dolls, make a clay menorah, or have your toddler help you place candles in a Kwanzaa kinara to represent the holiday's seven principles.
Consider becoming a member of a faith community or volunteering with a charitable organization. Your toddler will learn that spirituality plays a key role in the life of the community if he or she attends services and social events at a place of worship on a regular basis. He'll also get more familiar with your faith's liturgy and customs, and consider a house of worship as a place where he can feel safe and protected.
According to Neifert, “kids thrive on predictability.” “Whether a Catholic youngster sees the communion bread and wine, a Jewish child hears the Hebrew prayers, or a Hindu child smells the incense in the temple, rituals teach children to appreciate the predictability, if not the deeper significance, of a religious event.”
Youngsters's services are held in most churches and synagogues to introduce children to the tenets of a religion in a way that they can comprehend and enjoy.
Your child is beginning to comprehend that others have feelings, too, and that he can be affected by them at this age. Regularly volunteering at an animal shelter or a food bank, for example, demonstrates to your child that his presence and caring spirit can make the world a better place.
Following your toddler's lead is a good idea. Allow your toddler to ask the questions, and provide her with plenty of opportunities to inquire about such topics as who God is and what paradise is like.
Don't give answers to big questions by dictating them. If she asks you where God resides, start by asking her what she believes. Alternatively, have her sketch a picture and then tell you about it. Spirituality is a two-way street: if you pay attention to your child, you could learn something new about yourself.
How do I thank my spiritual mother?
- I praise God for His kindness in your life. Thank you for having such a wonderful impact on my spiritual life. Happy Mother's Day to the most amazing mother in the planet!
- By bringing you into my life, the Lord has truly blessed me. I am very grateful to God for blessing me with such a lovely and fun-loving mother. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe!
- I'm well aware that this is only the beginning of an interesting life journey. God has blessed me by making you my guiding light. May He continue to bless you in your spiritual journey!
- I thank God for blessing me with the best mother in the world, and I pray that God continues to bless us with many more wonderful memories to share.
- You embody all a youngster desires in a mother. Everything you do is much appreciated and treasured by me. Every day, may God's love, blessings, and kindness be with you!
- You are a wonderful mother who deserves to be emulated. May God's kindness be with you at all times! Mom, I adore you.
- You have played the most significant role in my life. I appreciate you setting a good example for me. I am grateful to God for making you the guiding light in my wonderful growth journey. May you always be surrounded by His goodness!
- May God bless you with happiness, as you have blessed me with love and joy! Have a lovely Mother's Day with your loved ones.
- I'd want to express my gratitude for all of your love and attention since the day I was born. Thank you for always being there for me, not only when I needed you. May God grant you whatever you desire in life!
What is a spiritual mentor?
The Holy Spirit, the mentor, and the mentee form a spiritual mentoring relationship. The mentee strives to learn what God is already doing in his or her life through this relationship, and thereby grows in friendship with God, identity in God, and knowledge of God's call.