2. Seven Keys to Raising Godly Children

3. Key #3 : LOVE Matthew 22:37-40 “love God” “love neighbor”
1 Corinthians 13:4,5 “suffers long…is kind…does not envy…not parade itself…not puffed up…not behave rudely…not seek its own… not provoked…thinks no evil”

4. Loving One Another Love enough to Stay Together Matthew 19:9
Children deserve the security of knowing their home will always be there
What troubled marriages need is not divorce but to learn to get along

5. Love Enough to Learn to Treat One Another Right
Titus 2:4-5
Learn “to love their husbands, to love their children”
Ephesians 5:25 “husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church…”
Ephesians 5:28,29 “husbands love wives as own flesh
Ephesians 5:33 “love wife” “wife respects her husband”

6. Love Enough to Show Affection
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
Husband & Wife need to Speak & Act Affectionately
Do you love your wife / husband?
Did you hug & kiss & hold hands when first married?
What’s so hard about it now?
IF you Do Love, SAY SO & SHOW IT

7. Encourage Children Whenever Possible
Colossians 3:21 “do not provoke your children”
Avoid Humor that Frustrates, Discourages or Angers
Avoid Belittling Childish Mistakes
Set Expectations Within Reach of Child’s Ability
Express Appreciation for Accomplishments

8. Determine Rules & Punishment for Child’s Good
Make rules for the good of the whole group
Some children think being a parent means you get to do whatever you want!
NOT SO!
1 Corinthians 13:3 “not seek own …is not selfish”
Matthew 7:12 “do unto others”
Colossians 3:21

9. Exercise Punishment For the Good of the Child
Hebrews 12:5-11 “chastens those He loves”
Proverbs 13:24 “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”
Proverbs 23:13,14 Proverbs 23:13-14 NKJV 13 Do not withhold correction from a child, …14 You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.”
Child needs to learn to act properly and respect authority

10. Consider Some Guidelines Regarding Making Rules & Punishing in Love
Never use your authority to get personal vengeance on the child Never punish the child in a fit of uncontrolled anger- Ephesians 4:26 Never use authority just to satisfy a desire for power When you make Rules or Punish your child, are you acting in Love for your child’s good?

11. Willingly Sacrifice for the Children’s Good
John 3:16 “God so loved the world”
Luke 10: Good Samaritan
1 John 3: Imitate example of Jesus & show love to others
Children Need Our Time & Attention
Fathers specifically should take time for their children- 1 Timothy 5:8; Matthew 16:26
What sacrifices are you making to give your children the time and attention they need?

12. Children Need Their Mother
Titus 2:4,5 – “workers at home” ASV “homemakers” NKJV
Proverbs 31:10-31
Real Estate – vs. 16 buys a field, sells it, plants a vineyard
Clothing Industry – vs. 24 makes linen garments, sells them to the merchants
She does ALL of this & still cares for her family

13. Learn to Show Affection to Children
Appreciate Children as Blessings From God-
Genesis 33:5
Psalm 127:3-5
Psalm 128:3,4
Titus 2:4
How often do you really thank God for your children?
Do you consider them a blessing or a burden?
Do you act like you appreciate them?

14. Learn to Show Affection to Children
Show Affection by Words & by Physical Contact
Fathers especially need to learn to express love
Genesis 33:4 –embraced, kissed & wept
Genesis 45:15; 46:29
Genesis 48:10 –kissed & embraced
1 Kings 19:20 Elisha kissed father and mother goodbye
Luke 15:20 –embraced & kissed son
Romans 12:15 – rejoice / weep

15. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV 13 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

16. Is Your Family Characterized by Love?