Raise them to fear God, Not follow the crowd!

Text Proverbs 1:7

New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition Proverbs

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction

Introduction: Todays families are raising children in a culture that encourages them to follow their feelings, pursue popularity, and to confrom to the crowd. Social Media tells them their worth is measured by how many likes, followers and going viral. Schools, entertainment, and culture often promote the idea that a person’s value is whatever they choose it to be. As Christian parents, however, our standard is not the culture —it is Gods Word.

Proverbs 1: gives parents an assignment that teaches and wisdom and knowledge. God never called us to raise our children to be popular, or be driven by the worlds views and direction.

The book of proverbs has wisdom that is filled with guidance and instruction to be able to lead our children to be strong leaders that will live a life that honors God and not the world’s view of them.

The word “Fear” in Hebrew language is “yirah” which means Reverence, Awe, Respect, Honor and Submission.

The beginning Knowledge is “Fear of God” if you lack knowledge and wisdom you do not acknowledge God and you reject Gods instructions.

It is the parents responsiblity to make sure that Gods approved our parenting skills we have for our Children to know God, not for eveyones else approval.

Teach your Child that God Comes First.

The Lesson we need to teach all children is the reverence of God, not math, spelling, or how to make a viral tic tok, or be a gaming expect.

a. Reverence is to worship him, to respect him, to adore him, and honor him.

Without God, Knowledge becomes pride without wisdom and then pride become very dangerous.

Children can knew everything about computers, gaming, social media But as parents, and grandparents we must teach our children First that

God word is truth, The worlds opinion changes everyday, but the Gods truth never changes.

Point 2. Parents should never Parent for Approval for others acceptance.

Proverbs 1:8 “Hear, my child, your father’s instruction, and do not reject your mother’s teaching,”

This verse reminds us the God has entrusted the primary responsibility of teaching and guiding children to their parents. A child’s indenity and values should not be shaped primary by friends, teachers, social media or popular culture, but by the biblical instructions of there mother and father. God has given parents the responsibility and authority to raise thier children according to his truth. Many parents today lack the biblical knowledge and wisdom.

Today many parents lack the knowledge and the wisdom of Gods parenting instructions. As a results some become more concerned with gaining the approval of others than faithfully Obeying Gods instructions.

People may say that you are old-fashioned, to strict, too biblical, or even accuse you of being too harsh or abusive. Let me be clear: child abuse is never acceptable and is never endorsed by God.

God calls parents to provide loving, consistent discipline, and clear instuctions. children need biblical boundaries, moral guidance and to be taught the difference between right and wrong. they need to learn to honor and respect their parents, if they do not learn respect in the home, how will they respect others outside of the home. Well balance homes builds and develops a character marked by respect, honor and trustworthiness and honesty. what does social media and games teach them>?

Psalm 127:3 children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

But remember: We all will answer to God, not Facebook or tik toc, we answer to God not to public opinion.

Children do not need a parents to be their “Best Friends” they need a leader in life that will teach them to achieve their future Goals for a firm foundation for later in life, Instead of heading int the direction of Prison life. That includes, correction, direction and leaning onto God understanding not on the world views and opinions.

Point 3 Children need to be taught not to follow the crowd.

Proverbs 1:10 “My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.

Today’s culture directly speaks to about the pressure our youth are dealing with on a daily basis.

A. The enemy whispers:

Everyone is doing it, it is ok you will not caught or get in trouble,

Do not be so different, you need to fit in.

Don’t you want to be popular and have lots of friends.

These lies put too much pressure on our children that make them feel pressured into compromising their values that are accepted popular demand.

Wisdom says:

a. It is ok you are different

You do not need popularity to be loved and feel worthy and accepted. If they do not accept you for who you are then are they really your friends to start with?

Stand up for what is right and your beliefs.

Popularity will only last for a while, it will come and go, but where are your friends if you end up in trouble? Your true Character will last you a lifetime. Friends will come and go.

Do not let the world shape who you are, Let God shape you who to become.

In Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Point: 4 “Sin always has consequences”

Proverbs 1:18–19 “yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves! and set an ambush—for their own lives! Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.”

A. sin may be exciting and fun, but it never shows you the cost ahead of time.

Parents teach your children that Bad Choices bring pain, confinement, and may cost them their lives.

B. Wisdom cries out in the streets, God is still speaking. The question is : Are we teaching our children to listen to our instructions, Because God is still speaking through his word!

C. Parents control everything, that can influence them, But the one thing they need to do is make Gods voice to be the loudest one they hear especially at home.

Our Greatest Legacy is the Greatest Wisdom, Money can come and go, homes can burn down, jobs can be lost, but the Wisdom, love, instructions and correction and guidance is the the Greatest gift we give our children, not electronics, phones, tablets that want to control their minds with distractions that create a huge problems within our homes and in their minds.

Raise your children to stand on Truth, Honor, Honest, respect and not on the opinions that will influence in making the wrong decisions that could cost them their lives. Friends come and Friends go

Parents are you raising your Children to Know God or just to be accepted and popular?

Teach your children to have the fear of God! And to know they have an instruction manual to follow.