2. Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding, it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4

3. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

4. Teaching – Sound instruction, good for taking sure, safe, forward steps Rebuking – To bring conviction which helps the erring one realize he or she is going the wrong way

5. Correcting – Head us in the right direction, back to fellowship with God and others. Training in righteousness – Directs us to fuller, sweeter fellowship with others and with God. Note the order of these events!

6. …and for what? To be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – Thoroughly equipped: finely honed, exquisitely prepared for the task. – Every good work: doing the will of God in every way and in every circumstance.

7. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

8. In our cultural context, “train up” has a sort of boot camp connotation. The original language has a different meaning. – An Arab midwife would rub dried dates in the mouth of a newborn to stimulate the action to suck and draw nourishment. – A thirst and a hunger for God!

9. “according to his own way” We are each unique individuals, for which God has a unique plan. We cannot prepare a child for a predetermined mission in life based on our expectations or the performance of his or her siblings.

10. Instead of focusing solely on the rights and wrongs of specific circumstances, we are to train our children in the overarching Biblical truths that guide our decisions, judgments, and choices.

11. Will sound and consistent Biblical instruction hamper your child’s ability to effectively navigate this world?

12. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16

19. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

20. Which is more potent? – A wicked man passing his wickedness to his children? – A righteous man passing God’s righteousness to his children?

21. Exodus 20:5-6 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

22. Exodus 20:5-6 …but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

23. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more… Romans 5:20

25. In what ways should we be praying for our children? – That they would know Jesus. – Spiritual and physical protection. – For their future, and their future spouses.

26. In what specific, Scriptural ways are you preparing your child for this world? Is your heart one of trepidation or rejoicing when it comes to equipping your children? Do you view your children as future victors or victims?

27. If you could pass on only one quality or character trait to your child, which one would it be?