SF632 - HOW TO RAISE POSITIVE KIDS IN A NEGATIVE WORLD (Proverbs 22 6)
SF632
HOW TO RAISE POSITIVE KIDS IN A NEGATIVE WORLD
Proverbs 22:6
INTRODUCTION
The Crisis that is the Home...
1 out of 4 has a single parent with one or more children
60% of all children born in 1990 will live in a single-parent home before reaching 18
The average age of sexual intercourse for the first time is declining
Children spend less than 30 minutes weekly in meaningful conversation with their mothers and less than half that time with their fathers. (Rainer 220)
THE HOME ENVIRONMENT
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, she learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with jealousy, she learns to feel guilty.
BUT
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be self‑confident.
If a child lives with tolerance, she learns to be patient.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance, she learns to love.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with honesty, she learns what truth is.
If a child lives with love, he learns that the world is a wonderful place to live in.
1A. DIRECT YOUR CHILD
1B. Set the Direction for your Child
“Train” = to dedicate
Be Committed
Their commitment will be directly related to your commitment.
Be Consistent
(Galatians 6:9) "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
(2 Thessalonians 3:13) "And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right."
2B. Share the Direction with your Child
“Train” = to place in the mouth
Give them what they need, Not what they want
Make what they need enjoyable
(Psalms 34:8) "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
2A. DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD
1B. Four Reasons to Discipline
Emotional/Relational Reason
(Proverbs 13:24) "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
(Hebrews 12:6) "because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.""
Behavioral Reason
(Proverbs 22:15) "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."
Social Reason
(Proverbs 29:15) "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother."
(Proverbs 29:17) "Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul."
(Hebrews 12:11) "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Spiritual Reason
(Proverbs 23:13‑14) "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. {14} Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death."
2B. Seven Rules for Discipline (Rogers 184)
1. Begin early!
(Proverbs 19:18) "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death."
2. Us spanking as your last resort and for acts of willful rebellion.
(Revelation 3:19) "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent."
3. Administer it promptly
4. Both parents MUST be in agreement.
5. If you spank, do it in the right place, at the right time, and in the right way.
6. Always discipline in love!
7. Always discipline with a view to repentance.
Disobedience is SIN!
3A. DEVELOP YOUR CHILD
1B. According to Their Personality
“In the way he should go...” = to bend a branch
Let each child be an individual
How can you discover your child’s bent... (Maxwell42)
1. Pray! Ask God to help you understand your child
2. Watch them - especially at play.
3. Listen to them!
2B. According to God’s Purpose
“When he is old he will not turn from it...”
This is a principle not a promise...
It is God’s purpose for your child to be saved!
The principle is not that he will return but that he will not depart!
APPLICATION
CHILDREN AND THEIR WORLD
A Father was trying to entertain his small son. Getting weary, he decided to give the youngster something that would take up a lot of time. He found a map of the world in a magazine, cut it into small pieces, and gave it to the boy to put together again.
In no time at all little Jimmy came running to his father saying, "Here it is, Daddy‑the puzzle's all finished!" His father was amazed and asked, "How did you ever put it together so quickly?" "Oh, it was easy, Daddy," said the lad. "On the back of the map there's a picture of a boy; I knew if I could build him right, the world would come out all right too!"
Yes, the shape of tomorrow's world depends upon how we build today's youth!