Children are the blessing of God.

3. Children are the blessing of God.

4. Psalm 127:3-5

5. Children are a gracious gift from God. • “Unless the Lordbuilds the house, They labor in vain who build it” (Ps 127:1). • “The children whom God has graciously given your servant” (Gen 33:5). • “For this child I prayed, and the Lordhas granted me my petition which I asked of Him” (1 Sam 1:27).

6. Children are the blessing of God.

7. We need fathers who pray. • If children are a blessing from God, we need to thank Him for our children. • “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Col 3:15). • “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:18). • If children are a blessing from God, shouldn’t we pray for guidance as we raise them? • God expects us to raise children in His way. • “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Js 1:5).

8. We need fathers who prepare. • The father in Psalm 127 has well prepared his children for life. • They are “arrows.” • They speak well at the gate. • “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). • What do you want your children to know before they leave home?

9. We need children who protect. • This man’s children speak with their enemies at the gate. • Children today need to protect/honor their parents. • “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lordyour God is giving you” (Ex 20:12). • “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Col 3:20).

10. Will you honor your heavenly Father?