1. Seven Keys to Raising Godly Children

2. 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

3. 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”

4. Our Service to God Requires Planning & Forethought
Proverbs 14:22 “devise good”
Luke 14: “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.”

5. 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?

6. 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”

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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

12. 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”

13. 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”

14. 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?”

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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?

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