• Our inheritance is reserved in Heaven (continued):
  • I Peter 1:1-4
    • I Peter 1:1 – Compare I Peter 2:11 regarding “aliens.” He could be referring to their state on earth as exiles or to their spiritual state: this earth is not our home.
  • Romans 8:35-39
  • Daniel 4:24-27
  • Daniel 6:10
  • Daniel 9:1-3
  • Jeremiah 29:4-14
  • Colossians 3:1-4
  • I Peter 5:10-11
• I Peter 4:13
  • I Peter 4:12-19
    • I Peter 4:12 – Do not be surprised at fiery ordeals!
    • I Peter 4:13 – Christ suffered, now it is our turn.
    • I Peter 4:14 – We are blessed when we are reviled.
    • I Peter 4:15 – Do not sin and suffer because of that.
    • I Peter 4:18 – See II Peter 1:11. “Scarcely” here does not mean that it is hard for God to save the righteous. If Christians have difficulty attaining salvation, how much more difficult will it be for the unrighteous?
  • When we suffer, remember the benefits.
    • Heaven! – I Peter 4:13; 1:7-9; Philippians 1:21-24
    • Fellowship! – Romans 8:17; II Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 3:10; Matthew 5:10-12; Acts 5:40-42
    • Builds character! – Romans 1:1-4

• God’s design
  • One man, one woman – Matthew 19:4-6
  • To be “held in honor” – Hebrews 13:4
  • Life-long – Romans 7:2
  • God is a witness – Matthew 2:13-16
    • Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 23:22
  • Developing a godly marriage
    • Godly marriages are Christ-centered – Ephesians 5:22-29
      • God first, then your spouse (even after children enter the picture!)
    • Parents cannot teach and model what they do not believe – Deuteronomy 6:5-6
    • Our children must see how marriage works – I Peter 3:1-2, 7
    • A godly spouse will help and not hinder
      • Worship – I Corinthians 7:4-5; I Peter 3:7
      • Your calling, evangelism – Ephesians 4:1-3; Acts 18:26
      • Teaching efforts, accountability – Ezra 10:3; Acts 5:2, 9
      • A godly marriage has a common standard – Amos 3:3; II Timothy 3:15-17
      • Odds are against ungodly marriage – I Kings 11:4; Nehemiah 13:26
      • Be careful not to undermine each other’s authority – Colossians 3:20; Ephesians 6:1
      • Children won’t fix a struggling marriage – Genesis 29:31-35
    • Psalm 127 – Like arrows, children must be aimed and released. Children are a solemn spiritual responsibility.
    • Ezekiel 18:20 – We will all stand in judgment for our own deeds, but children generally go in the direction their parents lead them.
    • Proverbs 22:6

• I Samuel 2:12-25; II Samuel 13-18
• Family dysfunction
  • The family of Eli
    • Eli: Judge, high priest, father – I Samuel 1:3, 9; 4:18
    • Hophni and Phinehas: Priests, no moral character – I Samuel 2:12
    • Hophni and Phinehas abused priesthood/people – I Samuel 2:13-16
    • Irreverent, immoral, rebellios – I Samuel 2:17, 22, 25
  • David, Absalom, Amnon, Tamar
    • Absalom rapes Tamar – II Samuel 13:1, 13-14
    • Absalom’s hatred grows – II Samuel 13:20-22
    • Absalom revels, executed – II Samuel 13-18
  • Lessons for parents
    • Family priorities
      • Vigilance in instruction, discipline – I Kings 1:6
      • Too busy for the kingdom? Matthew 6:31-33
    • Maintain discipline
      • Eli failed – I Samuel 2:24-25; 3:13
      • Beyond redemption point – Proverbs 19:18
        • Hebrews 6:6
      • Fight passivity – II Samuel 13:21
        • Luke 10:42
        • Work through difficulty – II Samuel 14:28
      • Love without partiality
        • Misplaced devotion – I Samuel 2:29
        • Feeding sibling rivalry – Genesis 25:27-28
      • Heed the warnings – I Samuel 2:22; II Samuel 12:21

• Hebrews 12:7-11
• Discipline is necessary and unpleasant – Proverbs 19:18; Hebrews 12:11
• Discipline has a purpose and goal
  • Purges evil and purifies the heart – Proverbs 20:30
  • Drives out folly and foolishness – Proverbs 22:15
  • Corrects condemning behavior – Proverbs 23:13-14
    • Exodus 21:20 – Compare the word “rod” here. The rod of discipline is painful!
  • Imparts wisdom and prevents shame – Proverbs 29:15-17; 17:25
    • Discipline early while there is hope! Proverbs 19:18
  • The goal is holiness and righteousness – Hebrews 12:7-11
• Discipline MUST be motivated by love – Proverbs 3:11-12
• Discipline and love linked – Proverbs 13:24
• Unloving punishment is destruction – Ephesians 6:4
• The Bible and discipline

Child abuse

Godly discipline

Unfair, unexpected

Fair, expected

Degrading, demoralizing

Balanced, reasonable

Leaves permanent damage, scars

Painful, no permanent damage

Motivated by hatred, emotional damage

Motivated by love, emotional security

• Administering discipline
  • Start early – Proverbs 19:18
  • Stay balanced – Proverbs 29:15
    • Use the rod and reproof – Proverbs 3:11-12
    • Verbal (not shouting, Galatians 5:20)
    • Sometimes it is sufficient – Proverbs 17:10
  • Corporal (the rod)
    • Never to vent anger (Ephesians 4:26)
    • Distinguish immaturity vs defiance
    • Be consistent, avoid extremes
    • Administer privately
    • Don’t delay – Ecclesiastes 8:11
    • Decide with your spouse
    • Pray for wisdom – Proverbs 2:6
    • Discipline by the Word of God – Ephesians 6:4
    • Seek godly counsel – Proverbs 15:22
  • The naysayers
    • Apply God’s pattern, expect ridicule – II Timothy 3:12
    • “Spanking is abuse, ya know”
    • “Your kids are just learning to hit others” – Colossians 3:20
  • Discipline’s reward
    • Discipline will be well worth the effort – Proverbs 10:1; 29:17
      • Eli’s regret – II Samuel 2:17, 24; 3:13
      • Lasting righteousness, holiness – Proverbs 22:6