Proverbs 22:6

Parents must prioritize.

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Matthew 6:33

What is the priority we have for our children?

Deuteronomy 13:6-11 - In the Old Testament, those who inspired rebellion against God were to be stoned.

Who are we trying to please, God or our children? God must be our priority.

Parents must not make The Eli Mistake.

I Samuel 3:18 - The good work of Eli.

I Samuel 2:12-17 - Eli’s sons were worthless men and despised God’s commands. God charged Eli because he did not rebuke his sons. Eli did not go far enough in his rebuke to change their behavior.

Parents must live the life we want our kids to live.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - God commands parents to teach their children.

Romans 2:21-24 - We must not be hypocrits. Children will pick up on this!

II Timothy 1:5 - the good examples that Timothy had

Children learn habits from their parents. If we want our children to improve we need to improve.

What if my kids grow up to act exactly like me?

Modesty: behaving according to what is proper

Modesty in an immodest world

Modest in speech in a world of immodest speech (James 1:26

Modest in self-control in a world of immodest control (II Corinthians 10:4-5

Modest in love in a world of immodest love (I Corinthians 13:7

When you love someone, you are going to believe the best about them until you no longer can.

Matthew 5:48 - We are to be perfect in love as God is.

Modest in public dress in a world of immodest dress (I Timothy 2:9-10

I Peter 3:1-4 - Our emphasis should be on the inner man, not on outward appearance.

The standards of society also play a role in what is considered modest. If society adopts a more restrictive standard than God has set forth, we should abide by society’s standards to keep from being a bad influence on others.

Modest in service to God in a world of immodest service to God (II Timothy 3:16-17

Daniel 1:1-8 - Daniel purposed in his heart to not defile himself with the king’s food.

Five things we must purpose to do:

Abstain from vices

Genesis 2:7 - Our bodies and spirits have been created by God, thus they belong to God.

Keep our speech pure

James 3:1-10 - the danger posed by our speech

Colossians 4:6 - What our speech should be like.

I Peter 2:9-10 - We are to proclaim the excellence of God in our speech.

Cleave to the Lord

Acts 11:23

Work in the Lord’s vineyard

I Corinthians 15:58

Ephesians 4:11-12 - We can teach others about God.

To go to heaven

Revelation 21:23-27 - the glory of heaven

We will not get into heaven by accident!

II Samuel 7:14-15 - God said He would both correct Solomon and show him lovingkindness.

Emply a radical amount of love.

God expresses His love through action. I John 3:16-18

Employ a radical amount of discipline

Discipline grows out of love. Proverbs 27:5

Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers are to do and say whatever it takes to raise their children in the Lord.

Discipline involves instruction.

Isaiah 1:18-20 - God clearly shows His people the choice between right and wrong and the consequences of each.

Proverbs 1:8-10 - The instruction of parents is a great blessing.

Ezekiel 3:4-9 - Sometimes we need to be stubborn in our discipline.

Discipline involves punishment.

Proverbs 13:24 - Corporal punishment is approved by God.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 - A deed not soon punished encourages more wrongdoing.