3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

2. Psalms 127 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. Having children is one of the greatest blessings God gives

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

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

5. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. “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 D e p e n d s u p o n

6. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. • 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).

7. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. • Train up: - Mold & Shape • Child: From infant to marriageable age While still under your roof! 1 Sam. 4:21 - infant Gen. 21:12-20 - preteen lad Gen. 37:2 - youth (17) Gen. 34:19 - marriageable age

8. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. • 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

9. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. • 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 -

10. Better Parents Teach (Instruction)

11. 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)

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

13. 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

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

15. Correct - Punishment The Punishment Should: • 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

22. Better Children Listen To Parents

23. 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”

24. Better Children Listen To Parents Obey Parents

25. 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)

26. Better Children Listen To Parents Obey Parents Honor

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

28. Better Families God is Feared Word is Honored

29. 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)

30. Better Families God is Feared Word is Honored Communicate

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

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

33. 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” /

34. Better Parents & Better Children Better Parents Better Children Better Families

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