2
DEVELOP A VISION FOR YOUR FAMILY
book chapter
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country,
your people and your father’s household to the land I will
show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I
will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will
be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever
curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will
be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
Many parents allow the vision for their families to be
dictated to them by the world. Unfortunately, the
world has no shortage of bad advice. Television doctors
and talking heads love to tell us how to spend time with our
children, how we should and shouldn’t discipline, how to
raise our kids, how to feed our children, how to play with
our children, and more.
The problem with this advice is that it’s only worth what
you pay for it. It’s so-called “wisdom” that changes like the
wind. The advice spouted as rock solid 20 years ago isn’t the
same advice proclaimed today. While many experts have the
best of intentions, they are not the creators of vision—God
is. And when it comes to your family, He is the authority you
want to listen to.
Step 1: Go to the Creator
If you’re ready to create a vision for your family, the first—and
most important—step is to go to the Creator. In Genesis 12,
God told Abram to leave his homeland. God promised that
if Abram would do that, He’d take him somewhere good and
bless the whole world through him. That’s not a vision Abram
could’ve come up with on his own. Abram had to get his vision
from the God who created him. The same is true for you. If
you’ll follow the Lord, He’ll give you a vision—for yourself,
for your family, and for your children—that’s bigger and better
than you could ever imagine on your own.
Sometimes people believe that if they....
9
THE WHAT AND WHY OF DISCIPLINE
book chapter
Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
yes, he will give delight to your soul.
(Proverbs 29:17 NKJV)
We live in a time when many children are out of control.
Parents are quick to blame their children’s actions
and attitudes on television, schools, video games, and
anything other than themselves. Sadly, they’ve forgotten a
key component to their parenting: discipline.
It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that God didn’t give your
children to the school system, the government, or anybody
else. He gave them to you. That means they’re your responsibility.
If they behave in a way that you don’t approve of, it’s
not the school’s job to correct them; it’s yours.
You must discipline your children. It’s not a matter of if,
but of when and how. Your little angels—those apples of your
eye—come ready-made to sin. You don’t have to teach them
to lie, have bad attitudes, or throw fits. It’s just in them, part
of the sin nature born into every one of us.
Drive Out Foolishness
Proverbs 22:15 (KJV) says, “Foolishness is bound in the
heart of a child; but the rod of correction will drive it far
from him.”
Foolishness is simply in each of our children from the
moment they are born. As their father, it’s your responsibility
to drive out the foolishness that exists in your children’s
hearts.
When I talk about the “rod of correction” sometimes I
start to lose some people. Don’t let that be you. The Bible
is very clear that we must have a rod of correction. This rod
isn’t about abuse; of course, I would never advocate such
a thing. Yes, I believe in spanking, but spanking and abuse
are two entirely different things. We’ll dive deeper into this
in....
13
NEVER QUIT. PERSEVERE.
How to engage after each chapter
book chapter
Key Points
1. Perseverance is a fruit of the Spirit.
2. As a father, you must teach your children to persevere.
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Adversity and trouble come to everyone. No one gets a free pass. So, teach your children to endure. It’s not an automatic trait.
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3. The most worthwhile things in life require perseverance. Whether it’s raising world changers, succeeding in a career, or having a loving marriage, a person must fight through adversity.
Discussion Questions
1. Define perseverance in your own words.
2. In what ways have you seen a lack of perseverance shown in today’s society?
3. Why is perseverance such an important character trait? And why should you put in the effort to persevere when it comes to building character in your children?
4. Why do you think God listed perseverance as a fruit of the Spirit among other traits like love,joy, and peace?
Take Action
Think of a time when your children have lacked perseverance. If it comes up again, what can you do to help them develop this fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives?
- AH