"FAMILIES … And How to Survive them!" Cheryl & Sean Blackman Sunday 15th February 2015

TAKE - AWAYS 1.WHAT? a)Parents train children b)Parents bring children to Christ 2.WHY? Bible tells us so 3.HOW? Stories 4.SO-WHAT? Tips

1. Family is the First Boot Camp

π αιδεία pahee-di'-ah) Definition: Discipline; training and education of children

BIBLE SCRIPTURES  Start children off on the right path. And even when they are old, they will not turn away from it. (Proverbs 22:6)  Fathers, don’t make your children angry. Instead, instruct them and teach them the ways of the Lord as you raise them. (Ephesians 6:4)

BIBLE SCRIPTURES  If you correct your children, they will give you peace. They will bring you the delights you desire. (Proverbs 29:17)  Children are going to do foolish things. But correcting them will drive that foolishness far away. (Proverbs 22:15)

BIBLE SCRIPTURES  God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Stories Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger.” (Ben Okri) “ Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger.” (Ben Okri)

2. Family is the First Church

ἐ κκλησία (ek-klay-see'-ah) Definition: an assembly, congregation, church together

BIBLE SCRIPTURES (Joshua 24:15)  But as for me and my family, we will serve the L ORD.” (Joshua 24:15)  So keep my words in your hearts and minds. Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. (Deuteronomy 11:18-19)

BIBLE SCRIPTURES But Jesus asked the children to come to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said. “Don’t keep them away. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them.(Luke 18:16)  But Jesus asked the children to come to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said. “Don’t keep them away. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them.(Luke 18:16)  Peter replied, “All of you must turn away from your sins and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children. It is also for all who are far away. It is for all whom the Lord our God will choose.” (Acts 2:39-40)

Stories “Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving.”“Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving.”(Madeleine L'Engle) L'Engle)

Tips? May your Family Be … G.R.A.C.E.D. G ratitude G ratitude R eality R eality A pologies A pologies C onsistent C onsistent E ncouragement E ncouragement D iscipline D iscipline

TAKE - AWAYS 1.WHAT? a)Parents train children b)Parents bring children to Christ 2.WHY? Bible tells us so 3.HOW? Stories 4.SO-WHAT? Tips

"FAMILIES … And How to Survive them!" Cheryl & Sean Blackman Sunday 15th February 2015