Seven Keys to Raising Godly Children

Key #2 : PLANNING Importance of a Good Plan Everyday Life: Business must have goal Building a House must have a blueprint to follow Probe to Mars years of plans

Planning in Spiritual Matters God planned His work: Hebrews 8:5 “all things according to the pattern” 1 Peter 1:18-20 “before the foundation of the world” Ephesians 3:10,11 “eternal purpose” 2 Thessalonians 2:13,14 “called…by our Gospel”

Our Service to God Requires Planning & Forethought Proverbs 14:22 “devise good” Luke 14:28-33 “count the cost” Psalm 17:3 “purposed that my mouth shall not transgress” Acts 11:23 “with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.”

How much time and effort have you and your spouse spent in determining exactly what rules and principles you will follow in raising your children?

Planning Required to Deal With Harmful Influences Satan Battling for Control of our Children Ephesians 6:12 “against rulers of the darkness of this age” 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight” 2 Corinthians 2:10,11 “not ignorant of his devices”

What are the Greatest Influences for your Children? Peers 1 Corinthians 15:33 “evil company corrupts good habits” Proverbs 13:20 “companion of fools destroyed” Dating & Choosing a Marriage Companion “Fall in love” and willingly compromise truth in order to please their spouse

What are the Greatest Influences for your Children? School Lying Profanity {Students & Teachers} Drinking Violence Immodesty, lack of dress codes Smoking Peer Pressure – bad crowds Drugs Bullying Gossip, Slanders

What are the Greatest Influences for your Children? School Cheating Stealing / Vandalism Dancing Disrespect for Teachers/ Parents False Goals (popularity, wealth) Classes advocate Evolution, abortion, etc. Reading assignments with immorality Sexual promiscuity Schedule Conflicts with assemblies

Do you believe your children can face this environment 8-9 hours a day for ½ the days of the year, for 13 or more years of their lives without consequence? Can you succeed if you just send your children off with no plan for dealing with these problems?

What are the Greatest Influences for your Children? Entertainment – TV, Movies, Music, Video Games Suppose Your Child had 4 friends who were persuading them to accept: Drug & Alcohol Abuse The Occult Oriental religions Violence, murder, suicide Sexual promiscuity Profanity, cursing, obscenity Rebellion against parents, God & Bible

Importance of Following Proper Authority Must Not Rely on Human Theories Bible Warnings: Proverbs 14:12 “way that seems right” Jeremiah 10:23 “way of man not in himself” 1 Corinthians 1:19-21 “destroy the wisdom of the wise” 1 Corinthians 2:4,5 “not in wisdom of man”

Importance of Following Proper Authority Bible is God’s Guide for Raising Godly Children 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “thoroughly equipped for every good work” Joshua 1:8 “observe to do according to all that is written in it.” Matthew 7:9-11 God as our Father Hebrews 12:5-11 “do not despise the chastening of the LORD”

Observe & Learn from “Winning Parents” Hebrews 6:12 “imitate those who …inherit the promises” Titus 2:3-5 “older women… teach the younger women” Evaluate what we see by God’s Standard “Do you see evidence that their children are turning our the way you want yours to turn out?”

Father & Mother Discuss Plan & Agree Ephesians 6:4 “bring them up” Ephesians 6:1 “obey your parents” Proverbs 1:8 “hear the instruction of your father…not forsake the law of your mother.” Plan before problems arise Continue to talk about what their rules will be & how they will handle problems

Plan Must Be Accompanied by Prayer James 1:5 “lacks wisdom…ask of God” Hebrews 5:14 “discern both good and evil” 1 Chronicles 29:19 “a loyal heart” It is our duty as parents to study God’s Word and apply it so we can know how to raise godly children

Do You Have a Plan for Raising Your Children? Is your plan based on God’s Word? How often do you discuss with your spouse the principles on which you act?

How diligent are you in your efforts to fight Satan and his evil influences on your children?