We are not trying to raise good kids, but good adults.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Eli failed to restrain his children.
“Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel,[a] and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. 24 No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD’s people transgress. 25 If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?” Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.” 1 Samuel 2:22-25
“In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.” 1 Samuel 3: 12-13
Restrain: to discipline, or to get control over
As parents, we shape our children’s:
1. Attitudes
“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:4-5
2. Actions
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2
3. Associations
“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20
Three Good Reasons to Train Your Children Right:
1. Your children can be your greatest witness for Christ to a lost world.
“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:15
2. By training your children right, you have the ability to affect two generations.
“These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.” Deuteronomy 6:1-2
3. If you train your children “in the (right) way”, you will save their soul from hell.
“Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13-14
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalms 127:3
