“Through godly wisdom a life, a home, and a family is built, and through understanding it is established on a sound foundation.” Proverbs 24:3 (Amplified Bible)

2 Great pressures in our culture today: COMPARING and CONFORMING.

CHILDHOOD 0-12. We TELL our children WHAT to THINK

“I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— 3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

ADOLESCENCES 13-19. WE TEACH our children HOW to THINK

“Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Luke 2:41-46

ADULT 20- up. We TRUST them to THINK and LEARN from their DECISIONS

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6

3 mistakes parents make

1. OVERPROTECT their children

Trust them with responsibility

“Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot” Luke 16:10

2. OVERCORRECT their children

“Fathers, don’t deep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and

resentful. Instead, bring them up with the loving discipline that God approves, with

suggestions and godly advice.” Ephesians 6:4 (Living Bible)

“Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn. If you don’t, you are

helping them destroy themselves”. Proverbs 19:18 (TEV)

3. OVERINDULGE their children

“If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your

children, you’ll be prompt to discipline them”. Proverbs 13:24

The stages to becoming a mature adult

1. GIVE ME

“ 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.” Luke 15:12

2. CONSUME ME

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.” Luke 15:13-14

3. SEARCH ME

““When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” Luke 15:17

4. MAKE ME

“I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.” Luke 15:19-20