Written For Our Learning - God has no grandchildren

WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING GOD HAS NO GRANDDCHILDREN No matter how much of a godly influence we provide for our children, they must decide for themselves whether they will follow God. We can cultivate our children’s spiritual sensitivity, but our generation cannot secure regeneration for another. A Father-Son Study A Quick Glance at Dad Hezekiah “Did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” Hezekiah ________ in the Lord; he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him; and ______ His commandments. In his last 15 years of life, Hezekiah turned his attention to the arrangement and transmission of the Old Testament Scripture. While this is a lofty and wonderful way to end ones life, it would leave _______ time to spend with family and children. A Sad Analysis of the Son Manasseh was born about three years after God promised Hezekiah that his life would continue. His mission in life seems to have been to ______ everything his father had done. Manasseh not only worshipped man-made images, but he also worshipped the____, moon, ______ and planets. Why the Difference? The ultimate result of Manasseh’s activities was the ______ of Judah. Two men, father and son, yet different as day and night. Here are three suggestions to have made them such radical opposites: 1. __________________, Manasseh refused to listen and __________ to God. Each person is held ____________ for his own choices. Each person must face the consequences of his or her own actions. 2. Relationally, Manasseh was influenced by ___________ associations. Manasseh took his cue for his action from the peoples that had lived in the Promised Land before Israel came and conquered it. Today, we are surrounded by a _________ of people and philosophies that claim to have “the answer.” No matter how interesting or appealing, none of them can match the ___________ love of God, His eternal salvation, and His daily provision for His children. 3. ____________, it is possible that Manasseh was neglected by his father. Hezekiah spent his last 15 years, and by implication, all the years of the life of Manasseh, tending to the business of the kingdom. It is easy to see how Manasseh might ________ against the Lord. Why would Manasseh want to worship God who took all his father’s time? That brings us, as parents, a warning: regardless of our ___________ or our ___________, it _______ worth our children. A Few More Lessons For Parents. Teach ____________ ____________. God must be personal to them. Teach your children that they are responsible for their actions, and the consequences of those actions. Emphasize the Erosion Principle ___________ and integrity erode over time, not in an instant. To stop this erosion, we must be willing to _________ our own sin, and then the sin around us. Take Time Take time with your children. ______ together. ________ together. Know their interests, their dreams, and their goals. And as much as possible, give them the ___________ to try the things they would like to try.