RAISING ROCK STEADY KIDS IN AN UNSTEADY WORLD
1 Sam 1:11
INTRO
Psalm 112:2 Mothers Your chief desire for your children should not be that they be wealthy or famous, but that they love the Lord Jesus Christ and count for His cause.
1. GIVE THEM A GODLY EXAMPLE. (Proverbs 1:7-9)
a. Transparency - Proverbs 20:7
“The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.”
1) Do not Pretend Perfection
2) Be real; be genuine.
b. Traits - we must demonstrate to our children:
Contentment; Courage; Courtesy; Discernment
Fairness; Friendliness; Generosity; Gentleness
Helpfulness; Honesty; Humility; Kindness
Obedience; Orderliness; Patience; Persistence
Self-control; Tact; Thankfulness; Wisdom
2. GIVE THEM UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. (Proverbs 4:1-4)
a. Account of the 'Wayward Son' - Luke 15:20
b. True love is not giving someone what they want; it is giving them what they need.
c. There must be Unconditional Love and Acceptance of the child; even when they do wrong.
3. GIVE THEM CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT. (Proverbs 3:21-26)
There is a difference between praise and encouragement:
a. Praise says that I am proud of you for what you do.
b. Encouragement says that I am proud of you for who you are.
4. GIVE THEM GODLY INSTRUCTION. (Pv: 2:6-9)
Parents were invented to make children happy by giving them something to ignore. Ogden Nash
a. Teach your children the Word of God. (All of us need a moral compass)
10 Property Laws of a Toddler: Some might say that this is evidences of Original Sin
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
b. Let the instruction be joined with training.
Pv. 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
5. GIVE THEM REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS. (Pv: 6:20-23)
Be firm, be fair, and be fun.
a. Discipline is not a bad word. (Pv: 29:15)
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”
b. Direction gives children confidence.
6. GIVE THEM A LISTENING EAR. (Proverbs 18:13-15)
We need to be willing to listen when they want to talk.
7. GIVE CHILDREN A JOYOUS AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
(Proverbs 15:13,15)
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
Fill your home with laughter and love. Ephesians 5:19
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
CONCLUSION: God ideally wants everyone to have three homes:
A family home; A church home; A heavenly home
Jesus is the greatest home builder.
