3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalms 127 Having children is one of the greatest blessings God gives

Tremendous Responsibility “What kind of child will this be?” (Luke 1:66) What is At Stake? Soul of the Child Souls of the Parents

Better Parents Better Parents & Better Children & Better Children Prov. 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go…” How to raise a child “…and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” What he will be as an adult DependsuponDependsupon

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Train up: - Mold & Shape Dedicate by training Strong’s: “chanak figuratively, to initiate or discipline:- dedicate, train up.” Same word translated “dedicate” (Deut 20:5; 1Kings 8:63; 2 Chron. 7:5) – Training is dedicating a child to God. How? - Guide them in what they need Chanak - lit. means put something in the mouth. – as nurse gives an infant in order to prepare them for nursing (Pulpit).

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Train up: - Mold & Shape Child: From infant to marriageable age 1 Sam. 4:21 - infant Gen. 21: preteen lad Gen. 37:2 - youth (17) Gen. 34:19 - marriageable age While still under your roof!

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Train up: - Mold & Shape Child: From infant to marriageable age In the way: God Fearing / Child’s Way Heb: derek - Keil says, “of the nature of the child as such, for _____ is the child’s way” “The manner of instruction, ought to regulate itself according to the stage of life; and its peculiarities; the method ought to be arranged according to the degrees of development which the mental and bodily life of the youth has arrive at.” - Keil

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Train up: - Mold & Shape Child: From infant to marriageable age In the way: God Fearing / Child’s way Result: Impacts rest of his life General Statement - Are Exceptions -

Better Parents Better Parents Teach (Instruction)

Teach - Instruction What: Saturate them with Word (Deut. 6:1-9) Who:  Fathers are responsible (Eph. 6:1-4)  Mothers should teach (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15) Why: Fatal to assume they know (Jud. 2:10)

Better Parents Better Parents Teach (Instruction) Show (Example)

Show - Example Examples are powerful  Live Right - Children Blessed (Prov. 20:7)  Follow what see (Ezek. 16:44) Show them what want them to be  Christians / Faithful / Active  Moral / Caring / Generous  Workers / Homemakers

Better Parents Better Parents Teach (Instruction) Show (Example) Correct (Punishment)

Correct - Punishment Change the behavior (Prov. 22:15) Firm - put some teeth in the rules. Balanced with love / encouragement / praise Done with future in mind (Heb. 12:11; Prov. 23:13-14) The Punishment Should:

Better Parents Better Parents Teach (Instruction) Show (Example) Correct (Punishment) Control

Control Children do not have wisdom - comes later Need guidance & restrictions Controlled by parents (cf. 1 Tim. 3:4-5) Parents need to watch / know.... Prov. 29:15 “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”

Better Parents Better Parents Teach (Instruction) Show (Example) Correct (Punishment) Control Give Them Responsibility

Give Them Responsibility Teach them to work. Teach them to be content (Phil. 4:11) Lam. 2:27 “It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth.”

Better Parents Better Parents Teach (Instruction) Show (Example) Correct (Punishment) Control Give Them Responsibility Time

Time Training takes time Hindrances:  Work  Sports  TV Eph. 5:16 “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Better Children Better Children Listen To Parents

Listen To Parents Wise to listen to parents (Prov. 1:8; 4:1; 15:5) Failure to listen - stray (Prov. 19:27) Reason: “They’ve been around the block”

Better Children Better Children Listen To Parents Obey Parents

Obey Parents Command to obey (Eph. 6:2-3; Col. 3:20) Disobedience = great sin (Rom. 1; 2 Tim. 3) Blessing - live long (Eph. 6:2-3; Prov. 4:10-13)

Better Children Better Children Listen To Parents Obey Parents Honor

Honor Parents Respect (Prov. 23:22; 31:28) Care (1 Tim. 5:4, 16; Exo. 20:12)

Better Families Better Families God is Feared Word is Honored

God is Feared Word is Honored Children taught to “fear God” (Psa. 34:11) Children remember creator (Ecc. 12:1) Each member of family - own faith, own convictions, give account of self. Respect Bible for what it is (2 Thess. 2:13)

Better Families Better Families God is Feared Word is Honored Communicate

Communicate Essential to train / teach / listen “Generation Gap” = lack of communication More than “lecture” / “complaining” Talk & listen to each other (calmly)

Better Families Better Families God is Feared Word is Honored Communicate Know that Little Things Mean a Lot

Know that Little Things Mean a Lot Little things are of greater value than - think Examples: Meals together / “Sir” “Thank you” / Where sit Hugs / Saying “I love you” / Less material “Special Time” /

Better Children Better Parents Better Parents & Better Children & Better Children Better Parents Better Families

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).