SF719 - DAD_S THAT SHOOT STRAIGHT (Psalm 127 1-5)

Psalm 127:1-5

Introduction

Almost any man can father a child - but it takes a special man to be a Father!

Kids are the arrows and the Dad is the Archer!

The arrow is no more effective than the archer is

The bow is no better than the warrior who holds it.

It takes a Mighty Man to be an Archer

Have you ever tried to shoot an Arrow?

To be an archer takes strength, skill and practice.

It takes a mighty man to be an archer

How to be a Mighty Man!

1A. The Warrior must be Skilled and Strong

(Ephesians 6:10 NIV) "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

You must develop your Spiritual, Emotional and Mental Strength

The power of the warrior determines the flight of the arrow.

2A. The Sticks must be Shaped and Sharpened

1B. Children are not born arrows

They have to be made into arrows

(Psalms 58:3 NIV) "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies."

You cannot shoot straight with crooked arrows

2B. Our job is to make Arrows our of Sticks

(Ephesians 6:4 NIV) "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

We are measured as fathers by the spiritual health of our children

Our arrows must be straight, strong, sharp and balanced

Ø We cannot pay others to raise our kids

You can buy help - but you cannot buy a real Dad

3B. Seven Rules for Making Arrows out of Sticks

1. Begin early - start when they are young

2. Be creative

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV) "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. {7} Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

3. Work for character in your child

Ø Contentment, courage, courtesy, discernment, fairness, friendliness, generosity, gentleness, helpfulness, honesty, humility, kindness, obedience, orderliness, patience, persistence, self-control, thankfulness, tactfulness, thriftiness, wisdom

4. Set and enforce limits

(1 Samuel 3:13 NIV) "For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them."

Ø The child will test these limits.

Ø Without limits the child will not have security

5. Assign responsibilities

6. Have fun with your children

(Proverbs 17:22 NIV) "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

(Proverbs 15:15 NCV) "Every day is hard for those who suffer, but a happy heart is like a continual feast."

7. Let them see God at work in your life

Ø They are watching

Ø - Tithe, God is more important than money

Ø Attend church, God is important

3A. The Bow must be Strong and Bent

The Warrior is no Good with out the Bow

The bow is prayer!

4A. Your Aim must be True and Clear

Set Goals that honor God!

That they will be in the center of the will of God!

Point them there!

What Good is it to shoot an arrow without a Goal?

5A. The Arrow must be Released and Sent

Arrows are not meant to be to be collected, they are to be projected.

Our goal is to produce kids that can emotionally leave home.

It is hard to let go of our children.

Action Points

Work on your own spiritual maturity.

Shape and sharpen your children.

Pray for and with your children.

Seek and set God’s goals for your children.

Prepare them to leave and release them when the time comes.

DAD’S THAT SHOOT STRAIGHT
Fall Festival of the Family - October 25, 1997

Psalm 127:1-5

Introduction

1A. The Warrior must be ____________ and _________________

(Ephesians 6:10 NIV) "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

The power of the warrior determines the flight of the arrow.

2A. The Sticks must be _______________ and __________________

1B. Children are not _______________ arrows

(Psalms 58:3 NIV) "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies."

2B. Our job is to make __________________ our of Sticks

(Ephesians 6:4 NIV) "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Our arrows must be straight, strong, sharp and balanced

3B. Seven ______________ for Making Arrows out of Sticks

1. Begin ______________ - start when they are young

2. Be ___________________

(Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV) "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. {7} Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

3. Work for ________________ in your child

Ø Contentment, courage, courtesy, discernment, fairness, friendliness, generosity, gentleness, helpfulness, honesty, humility, kindness, obedience, orderliness, patience, persistence, self-control, thankfulness, tactfulness, thriftiness, wisdom

4. Set and enforce _____________________

(1 Samuel 3:13 NIV) "For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them."

5. Assign ____________________

6. Have ______________ with your children

(Proverbs 17:22 NIV) "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

(Proverbs 15:15 NCV) "Every day is hard for those who suffer, but a happy heart is like a continual feast."

7. Let them see God at ______________ in your life

3A. The Bow must be ___________ and _________________

The bow is prayer!

4A. Your Aim must be ___________ and __________________

Set _____________ that honor God!

What Good is it to shoot an arrow without a _______________?

5A. The Arrow must be ____________ and _____________

Arrows are not meant to be to be ________________, they are to be _______________.