’WPC®$ l•I9ß’kč_ŗęī ±“į»ėER1” Qk/\ łąsp@ś•¹Ŗb4ć&š“±=n”Oætu +¦ø–ynį¬#ī,7R&8Ÿ³€ļ\Ž¹-šēl_ód-OyĘ8CœYäī3~1Žž^m –'ĻźĶćĒ Ću čæKP”^"Ä]¬»"YKJ·ōÆ=ĄGĢ&É”J å¹LŗF÷“”{ĒÄļ²F÷ų­×p•’ŽTśÖ|^ĢŪNK9Ą~éņ_’Są2ĪC>NņĀ.•Äˆ"WŽézBĄžiŸ‰PAŖ}ŁA„÷hD«eN’é¬ß)»”ółråB¬£Ž¶ēnĖŠt½*kŻ Ք'SxkO7påUųVoĄ"gļ5/ŗŅ‹Hę=ļ@Ü~ ”Ռ×Č Ń)Ö~P£“¶į¾šVG>&} 3ļé1kTĮūģ„O t€Ķó¤;P…¾A!D5’q> £~^˜°‡Ģāõ¾Ėu!¤pŠōœ¬¢¦žPµĻ_‘Q¬ź‰ŒŁ<1õńdWłT¢T֎Āä’e¦Śūž=…`—¹mās:n$ŠIäNE‚YxW¬–O&ÜXœ8ŲŲLyyęõ›üņÓ’0VŗÓ0YD0×L_Ģ·Cķ1w 04‚U 2¶ 0Xč 1‰@ 7É 0cŲ ąZ; 0V• 0Kė D-6 Ęc AŸ) LČ UB A—V ^ķ ķ A—KKK A—āāā A—yyy A— A—§§§ A—>>> A—ÕÕÕ A—lll A— A—ššš A—111 A—ČČČČ A—___ A—ööö A—0$ A—TLėė A—777 A—ĪĪĪ A—eee A—üüü A—“““ A—*** A—ĮĮĮ A—XXX A—ļļļ A—†† 1‡ 7¤#ɳUN|" %Ź"NŠ" 1uŅ" 72G#^ y#w…#4‰##¬# m®# 0NÅ#Å#Å#b$$"-$U@O$ B$E¬$( ;$””Ō US Ō nZ‹Helvetica@±\0Custom1Custom1Ō2ŌŌ3  Ō8s¢?OW]ciou{Custom2Custom2(1)1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.(;3£$““Ō2#ŌŚ  Ś0Ś  Ś.Ō3  Ōą0  ą8DocumentManagement::ModifiedBooleanTRUE(.3żD$££Ż ƒ;!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  Ż( ±ž$’’ņ ņFigure€Ś  Ś1Ś  Śó ó)!ČČČČdd Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5  ‘ I&mage!<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’ HKKKKhttp://www.fortheloveofthefamily.com/*rÄ pZ‹*TimesNewRomanPSMT  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’http://www.earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/21?folder=Inbox&msgNum=0000Qwk0:001BWYQ2000020Iz&count=1266960091&attachId=0&isUnDisplayableMail=yes&blockImages=0  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’http://www.hopebaptistlittlerock.com/  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’  ‰ I&mage<<=8’’’’’’’’’’C’’9‡x?OU[agmsyCustom3Custom31.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.`1.˜Canon MG6200 series Printerģ . .ģ 0(ÖĆ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularcX3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)fi)× jCōČ6PCntFold3|x’U‹’’’’(ĶO$——Ō’ŌņņóóŌ’ŌPage ł of &ł discipling(ÖĆ9 Z‹(Times New Roman  dŻ ƒ;!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŌ€XfßXXcXŌÓ  ÓŌ€WfßXXXfßŌŃ€qŃŃ8€c “cXXdģdČ8ŃŌ_Ōņ ņŌ‡XfßXXWfßŌŌ‡tX “XXXfßŌThe€following€article€is€posted€in€its€entirety€with€the€express€written€consent€of€Pastor€TerryŠ ° ŠL.€Coomer€to€Ō4‚Ż P ŌŻ‚nĶOŻŌ’ŌņņŻ  ŻŌ5  Ōhttp://www.earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/Ō6¢ŌŻ‚nĶO¶ƒŻóóŌ’ŌŻ  ŻŌ7Ż näŌ€.Ō#†XfßXXtX “#ŌŌ‡tX “XXXfßŌŌ#†tW “XXtX “ā#ŌŌ‡tX “XXtW “ŌŠ œģ ŠŌ#†XfßXXtX “š#ŌŌ‡X “XXXfßŌŌ#†W “XXX “Ü#ŌŌ‡X “XXW “ŌŌ#†XfßXXX “3#ŌŌ#†WfßXXXfßu#ŌŌ‡XfßXXWfßŌŌ‡tX “XXXfßŌŌ_ŌĢĢÓ  ÓņņóóŌ#†tW “XXtX “Ś#ŌŌ‡t°ÆI°XtW “ŌŌ’ŌFor€the€Love€of€the€Family€Ministries€ņņTMóóŠ `° ŠŌ#†tW “X°t°ÆI_#ŌŌ‡t¼ Ż»XtW “ŌMissionaries€to€America's€Forgotten€Mission€Field,€the€Family€Š 4 „ ŠRearing€Spiritual€Children€Part€3Š H ˜ ŠDr.€Terry€L.€Coomer,€Pastor€Š \ ¬ ŠMinistry€of€Hope€Baptist€ChurchŠ p Ą Š139€Shadow€Oaks€DriveŠ „Ō  ŠSherwood,€AR€72120Š ˜č  Š501-819-0446Š ¬ü  ŠŌ4‚?Ż  ŌŌ5  ŌņņŌ#†tW “X»t¼ Żō#ŌŌ‡tōU ņXtW “Ōó óTLCOOMER@juno.comŌ6sŌŌ7Ż 8‡ŌóóŠ Ą  ŠŌ#†tW “X ņtōU·#ŌŌ‡tX “XXtW “ŌŌ4‚ Ż Š ŌŌ5  Ōņņņ ņhttp://www.fortheloveofthefamily.comŌ6eŌŌ7Ż NyŌóóŠ „Ō  ŠŌ4‚AŻ « ŌŌ5  Ōņņhttp://www.hopebaptistlittlerock.comŌ6ęŌŌ7Ż -śŌŌ’~Ōó óŌ#†XfßXXtX “ł#ŌŌ‡tX “XXXfßŌóóŠ pĄ ŠÓ*ÓŌ’Ōņ ņĢListen€to€Dr.€Coomer€on€the€worldwide€radio€broadcast€"For€The€Love€Of€The€Family"€everyŠ H˜ ŠSaturday€at€2:00€P.M.€and€9:00€P.M.€EST€onŌ’ĶŌŌ’Ō€ņņhttp://www.aocbroadcast.comŌ’Œ Ōóó.ó óŌ#†XfßXXtX “†#ŌŌ‡tX “XXXfßŌŠ 4„ ŠŌ#†XfßXXtX “ł #ŌŌ‡tX “XXXfßŌņ ņĢThese€messages€may€be€copied€in€their€entirety€to€help€Christians€in€the€rearing€of€theirŠ  \ Šchildren€for€God,€strengthening€their€family,€and€their€marriage.€They€are€not€to€be€changedŠ ųH Šin€any€manner€or€to€be€sold.€This€header€must€be€on€any€copy.€If€you€have€any€questions,Š ä4 Šplease€feel€free€to€contact€the€author.Ō#†tW “XXtX “F#ŌŌ#†WfßXXtW “P #ŌŌ‡tW “XXWfßŌŠ Š  ŠĢßA€uv) °°xxdE°§xxAߊ Øų ŠŌšdŌŌ€tÆÆI°XtW “ŌĢą@””ģąRearing€Spiritual€Children€Part€3ˆŠ óC ŠĢßA€uv) °°`xdE°š"`xAߊ ›"ė ŠŌšdŌŌ€tW “X°tÆÆIŌó óĢProverbs€4:1-13€"Hear,€ye€children,€the€instruction€of€a€father,€and€attend€to€know€understanding.Š ę#6 ŠFor€I€give€you€good€doctrine,€forsake€ye€not€my€law.€For€I€was€my€father's€son,€tender€and€onlyŠ Ņ$"  Šbeloved€in€the€sight€of€my€mother.€He€taught€me€also,€and€said€unto€me,€Let€thine€heart€retain€myŠ ¾%!  Šwords:€keep€my€commandments,€and€live.€Get€wisdom,€get€understanding:€forget€it€not:€neitherŠ Ŗ&ś!! Šdecline€from€the€words€of€my€mouth.€Forsake€her€not,€and€she€shall€preserve€thee:€love€her€and€sheŠ –'ę"" Šshall€keep€thee.€Wisdom€is€the€principal€thing:€therefore€get€wisdom:€and€with€all€thy€getting€getŠ ‚(Ņ## Šunderstanding.€Exalt€her,€and€she€shall€promote€thee:€she€shall€bring€thee€to€honor,€when€thou€dostŠ n)¾$$ Šembrace€her.€She€shall€give€to€thine€head€an€ornament€of€grace:€a€crown€of€glory€shall€she€deliverŠ Z*Ŗ%% Što€thee.€Hear,€O€my€son,€and€receive€my€sayings;€and€the€years€of€thy€life€shall€be€many.€I€haveŠ F+–&& Štaught€thee€in€the€way€of€wisdom;€I€have€lead€thee€in€right€paths.€When€thou€goest,€thy€steps€shallŠ 2,‚'' Šbe€straitened;€and€when€thou€runnest,€thou€shalt€not€stumble.€Take€fast€hold€of€instruction;€let€herŠ ° Šnot€go:€keep€her;€for€she€is€thy€life."Š œģ ŠĢThe€book€of€Proverbs€is€about€a€man€instructing€his€son€spiritually.€We€have€seen€in€this€series€ofŠ tÄ Šmessages€that€God€not€only€says€we€can€rear€spiritual€children,€He€expects€us€to.€It€is€important€forŠ `° Ševery€Christian€parent€to€realize€that€the€devil€makes€war€on€babies.€Not€only€does€the€devil€makeŠ L œ Šwar€on€baby€Christians,€but€also€he€makes€war€on€our€babies.€If€the€devil€cannot€get€to€you,€heŠ 8 ˆ Šdesires€to€get€to€you€through€your€children.€The€reality€we€need€to€understand€is€that€we€are€in€aŠ $ t Šspiritual€battle.€Ephesians€6:4,€16€"And€ye€fathers,€provoke€not€your€children€to€wrath:€but€bringŠ  ` Šthem€up€in€the€nurture€and€admonition€of€the€Lord.€Above€all,€taking€the€shield€of€faith€wherewithŠ ü L  Šye€shall€be€able€to€quench€all€the€fiery€darts€of€the€wicked."€These€two€verses€are€connected€veryŠ č 8  Šimportantly€in€this€matter€of€rearing€our€children€to€love€and€serve€their€Savior.Š Ō$  ŠĢThe€shield€of€faith€is€a€vital€part€of€the€Christians€armor.€You€are€to€put€on€the€"whole€armor€of€God"Š ¬ü  Šbecause€the€Christian€life€is€a€warfare,€a€spiritual€conflict.€The€problem€today€is€the€Christian€whoŠ ˜č  Šhears€these€words,€but€does€not€really€hear€them.€I€am€convinced€that€most€Christians€hear€they€areŠ „Ō  Šin€a€spiritual€battle€but€do€not€understand€the€battle€is€real.€Therefore,€they€do€not€live€like€it€is€realŠ pĄ Šand€they€have€no€idea€how€to€train€their€children€in€this€matter.€Rearing€our€children€for€God€is€aŠ \¬ Šserious€issue€that€is€not€being€understood€in€this€apostate€hour.€As€the€Apostle€Paul€names€theŠ H˜ Šdifferent€parts€of€the€Christian's€armor,€he€comes€to€the€shield€of€faith€and€emphasizes€its€importanceŠ 4„ Šby€saying,€"Above€all,€taking€the€shield€of€faithš8š"-for€with€the€shield€of€faith,€nothing€can€hurt€you;Š  p Šyou€are€more€than€conquers€through€Him.€Romans€8:31,€37.Š  \ ŠĢParents€it€is€important€for€you€to€be€spiritually€dressed€every€day.€The€devil€will€seek€to€destroy€ourŠ ä4 Šlives€and€our€children's€lives.€Parents€you€and€I€will€never€minister€to€our€children€spiritual€thingsŠ Š  Šunless€we€have€been€ministered€to€by€the€Lord.€We€need€to€get€spiritually€dressed€every€day€andŠ ¼  Šteach€our€children€how€to€be€spiritually€dressed.€How€do€we€do€that?€I€think€there€is€somethingŠ Øų Šimportant€here.€You€can€open€your€Bible€every€day€and€go€about€it€methodically,€mechanically€withŠ ”ä Ša€ho€hum€attitude.€You€will€be€spiritually€blinded€and€dead.€II€Timothy€2:15€"Study€to€show€thyselfŠ €Š Šapproved€unto€God,€a€workman€that€needeth€not€to€be€ashamed,€rightly€dividing€the€word€of€truth."Š l¼ ŠThe€word€study€here€means€to€give€diligence€to.€Listen€carefully,€we€need€to€go€at€the€study€of€theŠ X Ø ŠWord€of€God€prayerfully,€passionately."€We€need€to€pray€"Lord€I€want€you€to€open€the€Word€of€GodŠ D!” Što€me€today.€Holy€Spirit€be€my€teacher€and€my€guide.€Lord€is€there€any€sin€that€stands€between€meŠ 0"€  Šand€you€today?€Show€me€my€sin."€When€God€does€show€you€any€sin€you€must€confess€the€sin,€repentŠ #l! Šfrom€the€sin€and€forsake€the€sin.€Then€and€only€then€will€you€be€able€to€minister€to€others,€whichŠ $X" Šincludes€your€own€children.€We€then€need€to€pray€for€the€filling€of€the€Holy€Spirit.€We€need€to€askŠ ō$D # ŠGod€to€control€us€that€day€by€the€Holy€Spirit.€We€need€to€ask€God€to€help€us€put€on€the€armor€of€GodŠ ą%0!$ Štoday.€This€must€be€done€every€day.Š Ģ&"% ŠĢFolks,€I€do€not€see€much€passion€today€among€Christians€for€rearing€children€for€God.€The€majorŠ ¤(ō#' Šreason€is€it€takes€work€to€have€a€spiritual€relationship€with€God€and€it€takes€even€more€work€toŠ )ą$( Šconvey€how€to€have€a€spiritual€relationship€to€your€children.€Most€parents€have€never€sat€down€andŠ |*Ģ%) Štalked€with€their€children€about€dealing€with€their€sin,€understanding€their€old€nature€etc.€One€of€theŠ h+ø&* Šgreatest€experiences€of€my€life€was€with€our€oldest€daughter,€Teresa.€Teresa€recently€graduated€fromŠ ° ŠBible€College€and€has€married€a€godly€young€man€and€they€are€currently€preparing€to€go€to€theŠ œģ Šmission€field.€She€has€a€heart€for€God.€When€she€was€sixteen€the€Lord€laid€on€my€heart€to€spendŠ ˆŲ Šmore€time€with€her.€For€the€next€two€years€every€Sunday€after€church€we€would€go€get€a€coke€andŠ tÄ Štake€a€drive.€Some€times€we€would€drive€for€hours€and€just€talk€about€he€Lord.€Š `° ŠĢShe€would€ask€spiritual€questions€and€we€would€talk€about€them.€No€subject€was€out€of€bounds.€WeŠ 8 ˆ Štalked€about€developing€our€relationship€with€the€Lord.€We€talked€about€how€to€really€pray€and€whatŠ $ t Šshe€was€learning€from€her€Bible.€What€was€God€speaking€to€her€about?€We€would€talk€about€whatŠ  ` Šshe€was€looking€for€in€a€godly€young€man€for€a€husband.€I€made€sure€she€understood€that€she€neededŠ ü L  Ša€young€man€who€would€not€be€lead€by€his€emotions,€but€one€who€would€be€lead€by€the€word€ofŠ č 8  ŠGod.€I€explained€that€a€young€man€who€is€lead€by€his€emotions€would€eventually€lead€her€into€sin.Š Ō$  ŠWe€prayed€together€and€became€closer€as€a€father€and€a€daughter.€I€made€sure€she€understood€whatŠ Ą  Šher€mother€and€I€expected€from€her€when€she€left€our€home.€The€key€here€was€it€took€time.€I€had€toŠ ¬ü  Šmake€the€time.€To€this€day€when€she€really€wants€to€talk€about€spiritual€issues€she€says€"dad€can€weŠ ˜č  Šgo€get€a€coke€and€take€a€drive?"€This€time€spent€with€our€daughter€on€the€Lord's€day€helped€her€atŠ „Ō  Ša€time€when€she€was€preparing€to€leave€our€home€to€understand€the€importance€we€and€the€LordŠ pĄ Šplaced€on€our€spiritual€lives.€Parents,€spiritual€communication€is€one€of€the€keys€to€rearing€godlyŠ \¬ Šchildren.€The€second€key€is€taking€the€time€to€do€it.€The€third€key€is€I€have€to€have€a€spiritualŠ H˜ Šrelationship€with€the€Lord€myself€to€be€able€to€share€my€spiritual€heart€with€my€child.€Teresa€is€aŠ 4„ Šlovely€young€lady€who€was€home€schooled,€became€a€spiritual€leader€at€Bible€College,€and€has€aŠ  p Šheart€to€serve€and€love€the€Lord.€Listen€carefully;€do€not€assume€the€children€understand€spiritualŠ  \ Štruth.€You€need€to€communicate€spiritual€truth€and€repeat€it€over€and€over.€Repetition€is€the€key€toŠ ųH Šlearning.€Set€the€time€aside€and€pray€much€for€God€to€give€you€the€child's€heart.€Proverbs€23:26.Š ä4 ŠWhen€God€does€give€you€the€child's€heart€make€sure€you€put€the€right€things€there.€I€showed€myŠ Š  Šdaughters€how€to€have€a€daily€time€with€God€and€went€over€it€with€them€repeatedly.€I€looked€at€theirŠ ¼  Šnotebooks€and€asked€them€questions€and€prayed€with€them.€(We€have€a€program€developed€for€ourŠ Øų Šchurch€people€called€"How€to€Have€a€Daily€Time€with€God."€It€goes€step€by€step€on€how€to€have€aŠ ”ä Šdaily€time€with€God€and€gives€the€books€of€your€Bible€you€should€read€in€the€order€you€should€readŠ €Š Šthem€and€what€you€are€looking€for€in€your€Bible).€It€is€available€by€writing€to€our€address.€OurŠ l¼ Šdaughters€were€taught€this€from€a€young€age.€By€the€time€they€went€to€Bible€College€they€knew€theirŠ X Ø ŠBible€very€well€and€their€spiritual€relationship€was€well€established.€When€we€send€our€children€toŠ D!” ŠBible€College€we€need€to€send€them€to€a€place€that€will€stretch€and€challenge€them€spiritually.€TheyŠ 0"€  Šneed€to€be€challenged€to€expand€their€relationship€for€God.€Do€not€send€your€children€to€a€placeŠ #l! Šwhere€there€is€no€challenge€to€live€for€God.Š $X" ŠĢWhen€the€Lord€gave€my€wife€and€I€children,€we€were€young€Christians.€We€had€not€been€saved€veryŠ ą%0!$ Šlong€and€were€in€the€first€few€months€of€Bible€College.€My€wife€almost€died€in€childbirth€withŠ Ģ&"% ŠTeresa.€I€got€on€my€knees€at€4:00€A.M.€in€the€hospital€in€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€and€asked€GodŠ ø'#& Što€spare€the€life€of€my€wife€and€daughter.€If€he€would€do€so,€I€would€promise€to€rear€my€daughter€forŠ ¤(ō#' ŠHim.€I€was€not€impressed€with€the€children€that€were€being€reared€around€me€at€Bible€College.€Also,Š )ą$( ŠI€was€not€impressed€with€many€of€the€Pastor's€children€I€saw€and€with€those€who€were€preparing€toŠ |*Ģ%) Šserve€God€as€Pastors€and€the€children€they€were€rearing.€I€shared€this€with€my€wife€and€we€prayedŠ h+ø&* Šand€asked€God€for€help€in€this€matter.€We€sat€down€together€and€read€every€verse€in€the€Bible€thatŠ ° Štalked€about€rearing€children,€our€responsibility€in€rearing€our€children,€and€any€verse€that€wasŠ œģ Šremotely€connected.€We€prayed€over€the€verses€and€asked€that€God€would€make€them€real€in€our€life.Š ˆŲ ŠWe€started€the€plan€when€Teresa€was€a€baby€and€we€made€this€a€goal€in€our€life.€God€was€graciousŠ tÄ Što€show€us€many€things€we€needed.€We€were€not€spiritually€mature€Christians€when€we€started€toŠ `° Šlook€at€these€verses;€we€were€just€a€young€couple€asking€God€to€help€us€rear€our€children€for€Him.Š L œ ŠJames€4:8€became€very€real€in€our€life,€"Draw€nigh€to€God,€and€he€will€draw€nigh€to€you."€God€beganŠ 8 ˆ Što€teach€us€and€we€applied€what€the€Lord€was€showing€us.Š $ t ŠĢI€would€go€in€to€Teresa's€room€every€evening€while€she€was€asleep€as€a€baby€and€get€down€besideŠ ü L  Šthe€bed€and€pray€for€God€to€help€us€to€be€spiritual€parents,€to€do€exactly€as€He€commanded€and€toŠ č 8  Šnot€let€us€fail€in€this€matter.€It€takes€commitment€on€the€part€of€the€parents€to€make€this€happen.€AsŠ Ō$  Ša€Pastor,€I€believe€the€Bible€teaches€that€I€do€not€have€a€ministry€unless€my€children€live€for€God.Š Ą  ŠI€know€many€people€do€not€like€to€hear€that,€but€the€Bible€tells€us€so.€One€of€the€qualifications€of€aŠ ¬ü  ŠPastor€as€stated€in€I€Timothy€3:4-5€"One€that€ruleth€well€his€own€house€having€his€children€inŠ ˜č  Šsubjection€with€all€gravity;€For€if€a€man€know€not€how€to€rule€(manage)€his€own€house,€how€shallŠ „Ō  Šhe€take€care€of€the€church€of€God?"Š pĄ ŠĢParents,€as€soon€as€Junior€learns€to€read€get€him€started€in€his€own€daily€time€with€God.€We€startedŠ H˜ Šwith€our€children€before€they€could€read€reading€them€a€book€called€"Little€Talks€with€God."€We€alsoŠ 4„ Šread€to€them€"Keys€for€Kids."€We€talked€to€them€as€small€children€about€what€it€means€to€be€savedŠ  p Šand€having€a€testimony€for€the€Lord.€We€prayed€daily€with€them€and€talked€and€prayed€with€themŠ  \ Šfor€others€to€be€saved.€As€spiritual€issues€came€up€we€discussed€it€with€them.Š ųH ŠĢDo€you€know€how€many€times€the€word€instruction€is€used€in€Proverbs?€Twenty„‚five€times.€It€is€usedŠ Š  Šonly€eight€times€in€the€rest€of€the€Bible.€Proverbs€4:1€"Hear€ye€children,€the€instruction€of€a€father."Š ¼  ŠProverbs€4:4€"He€(meaning€father)€taught€me€also".€Parents,€whenever€God€wants€to€make€a€pointŠ Øų Šin€the€Bible€he€repeats€it.€In€Proverbs€he€has€repeated€it€twenty€five€times!€Parents,€he€is€saying€youŠ ”ä Šreceive€instruction€from€the€Lord€and€give€it€to€your€children.€That€takes€work!€It€means€more€thanŠ €Š Šjust€reading€a€verse€with€them€before€they€go€to€bed€and€praying€a€little€prayer.Š l¼ ŠĢI€also€want€to€point€out€to€you€something€important€about€Proverbs€23:26,€the€last€phrase€says€"letŠ D!” Šthine€eyes€observe€my€ways."€Have€you€ever€thought€about€what€is€the€true€definition€of€spirituality?Š 0"€  ŠThe€definition€of€true€spirituality€is€the€believer's€submissive€relationship€to€the€Holy€Spirit.€Parents,Š #l! Šhe€says€"follow€my€example,€observe€my€ways."€If€your€children€never€see€you€submitting€to€theŠ $X" ŠHoly€Spirit€they€sure€will€not€respond€to€the€Holy€Spirit.€You€need€to€respond€to€the€Holy€Spirit€notŠ ō$D # Šjust€in€services,€but€in€the€home€as€well.€If€God€the€Holy€Spirit€has€dealt€with€you€about€somethingŠ ą%0!$ Šthat€you€want€to€change€in€the€home,€set€the€children€down€and€tell€them€the€Holy€Spirit€has€dealtŠ Ģ&"% Šwith€you€and€this€is€the€reason€you€are€going€to€change€this.€If€necessary,€tell€them€this€is€sin€and€IŠ ø'#& Šhave€confessed€this€to€the€Lord.€They€see€then€that€God€is€dealing€in€your€every€day€life.€Folks,€thatŠ ¤(ō#' Šis€important!€Š )ą$( ŠĢOne€of€the€real€failures€in€child€rearing€is€that€we€have€given€our€children€exposure,€but€not€trueŠ h+ø&* Šinstruction.Š ° ŠĢWe€may€bring€them€to€all€the€services,€as€well€we€should.€They€learn€a€few€verses€in€Sunday€schoolŠ ˆŲ Šand€we€feel€pretty€good€about€that.€We€can€even€put€them€in€a€Christian€school€and€have€prayer€atŠ tÄ Šmeals€and€at€bedtime.€All€these€things€are€good,€but€they€are€exposure€not€the€type€of€instruction€thatŠ `° ŠGod€is€talking€about€here€in€Proverbs.€The€Christian€parent€hopes€it€all€turns€out€all€right.€ParentsŠ L œ Šthat€is€not€training!Š 8 ˆ ŠĢA€lot€is€said€today€in€Christian€books€on€the€subject€of€communication.€Then€they€proceed€to€tell€usŠ  ` Šthat€we€talk€about€ball€games,€any€kind€of€game,€things€children€like€etc.€Listen€carefully,€God€isŠ ü L  Šsaying€this€instruction€here€deals€with€spiritually€communicating.€Folks,€this€goes€back€toŠ č 8  Šministering€to€them€the€things€of€the€Lord.€These€are€things€the€Lord€has€ministered€to€us.€You€mustŠ Ō$  Štake€time€in€this€communication€to€explain€to€Junior€salvation,€repentance,€being€filled€with€theŠ Ą  ŠSpirit,€walking€in€the€Spirit,€how€to€pray,€how€to€witness,€how€to€study€their€Bible.€You€must€talkŠ ¬ü  Što€them€about€God€the€Holy€Spirit,€God€the€Father,€the€purpose€of€the€church€etc.Š ˜č  ŠWe€have€been€brainwashed€to€believe€that€the€children€will€get€that€in€Sunday€school€and€theŠ „Ō  ŠChristian€school.€The€child€will€never€listen€there€like€he€will€to€dad€and€mom€on€these€areas.€WeŠ pĄ Šwill€not€be€able€to€talk€about€these€subjects€with€our€children€if€we€do€not€know€what€the€BibleŠ \¬ Šteaches€about€them.€I€hope€you€are€starting€to€see€the€void€I€am€a€talking€about.€In€Proverbs€you€seeŠ H˜ Šthe€father€talking€to€his€son€about€these€and€many€other€spiritual€things€as€well.€Parents,€the€childrenŠ 4„ Šmust€learn€spiritual€truth€from€you.Š  p ŠĢThe€reason€for€the€massive€spiritual€failure€is€parents€who€are€not€willing€to€work€at€their€spiritualŠ ųH Šrelationship€and€then€working€with€their€children€in€spiritual€matters.€I€have€heard€many€parents€say,Š ä4 Š"I€took€Junior€to€church€and€he€went€away€from€God".€The€point€is€you€only€gave€him€exposure€notŠ Š  Štraining.€Then€they€say€"he€came€back€to€God€after€living€in€sin."€I€rejoice€in€that€and€am€glad€GodŠ ¼  Šgot€a€hold€of€his€heart.€The€sad€part€is€most€do€not€come€back€because€they€have€only€been€givenŠ Øų Šexposure€and€they€see€no€power€or€difference€in€that.€If€you€are€fortunate€that€God€was€gracious€andŠ ”ä ŠGod€did€get€a€hold€of€that€child's€heart,€we€are€glad€for€that.€However,€many€make€major€sin€messesŠ €Š Šof€their€lives€in€the€meantime€and€make€messes€of€other€lives.€The€teaching€of€Proverbs€is€start€earlyŠ l¼ Šand€train€the€child€and€the€training€will€stay€with€him€for€the€rest€of€his€life.€Exposure€withoutŠ X Ø Štraining€is€deadly€to€spirituality.€If€you€do€not€train€him€he€will€have€to€develop€it€himself.€The€bigŠ D!” Šproblem€is€he€has€already€been€religious€and€saw€no€power€or€difference€in€that.Š 0"€  ŠĢA€child€that€has€been€trained€properly€will€not€be€blown€away€when€the€time€of€adversity€comesŠ $X" Šbecause€he€will€have€seen€you€deal€with€problems€in€the€spiritual€way€and€you€showed€him€how.Š ō$D # ŠĢProverbs€24:10,€19:21,€9:10€"If€thou€faint€in€the€day€of€adversity,€thy€strength€is€small.€There€areŠ Ģ&"% Šmany€devices€in€a€man's€heart:€nevertheless€the€counsel€of€the€Lord,€that€shall€stand.€The€fear€of€theŠ ø'#& ŠLord€is€the€beginning€of€wisdom:€and€the€knowledge€of€the€Holy€is€understanding."Š ¤(ō#' ŠĢRemember€parents€the€father€in€Proverbs€is€telling€all€this€to€his€son.€Do€you€see€the€way€he€talksŠ |*Ģ%) Što€him?€We€have€been€brainwashed€that€somehow€we€are€not€to€communicate€to€our€childrenŠ h+ø&* Šspiritual€things.€That€might€turn€them€away€from€God.€No€folks€we€are€to€work€at€communicatingŠ ° ŠGod's€truth€to€our€children.Š œģ ŠĢSome€people€will€even€say,€"let€the€Holy€Spirit€do€the€work."€Dear€friend€what€is€it€that€the€HolyŠ tÄ ŠSpirit€uses?€The€Word€of€God!€Parents€do€not€be€afraid€to€communicate€spiritual€truth€to€yourŠ `° Šchildren.€In€fact€you€may€have€to€force€yourself€to€communicate€to€them.€As€you€listen€and€observeŠ L œ Šyou€will€learn€their€strengths€and€weaknesses€and€you€learn€about€the€child€and€their€way.€The€lieŠ 8 ˆ Šof€the€devil€is€you€will€drive€them€away.€No,€folks€when€they€are€young€you€have€a€tremendousŠ $ t Šopportunity€to€mold€their€spiritually€thinking.€Start€off€slowly€and€go€deeper€as€they€get€moreŠ  ` Šunderstanding.€Remember€this€is€a€spiritual€growth€process€for€you€and€them.€The€more€youŠ ü L  Šcommunicate€the€more€questions€they€will€have.€This€is€a€discipling€factor€for€you.€There€should€beŠ č 8  Šno€greater€joy€than€to€disciple€your€own€children.€You€must€have€a€passion€and€desire€to€work€atŠ Ō$  Šspiritually€training€your€children.Š Ą  ŠĢProverbs€23:26€"My€son,€give€me€thine€heart."€How€do€you€get€their€heart?€Here€he€just€asked€theŠ ˜č  Šchild€for€it.€All€the€way€through€Proverbs€he€says,€"Listen€to€me€son."€This€is€where€love€comes€in.Š „Ō  ŠVerbalize€to€your€children€you€love€them.€Make€sure€they€know€and€tell€them€over€and€over€that€youŠ pĄ Šlove€them€and€God€loves€them.€Husbands€and€fathers€sometimes€have€a€hard€time€with€this.€If€youŠ \¬ Šstart€out€early€in€marriage€and€when€your€children€are€small€this€should€not€be€a€problem.€If€it€is€hardŠ H˜ Šfor€your€personality€ask€the€Lord€to€help€you€verbalize€your€love€for€your€wife€and€children.€I€haveŠ 4„ Šfound€the€best€way€to€do€this€is€to€verbalize€my€love€for€the€Lord€to€Him.Š  p ŠĢDad,€if€all€you€ever€do€is€beat€the€tar€out€of€the€child€and€never€tell€them€you€love€them€you€are€inŠ ųH Štrouble.€Also,€many€parents€do€not€understand€how€to€discipline€their€children€and€beating€the€tarŠ ä4 Šout€of€them€is€not€God's€method.€I€will€deal€with€God's€method€in€another€message.€We€do€believeŠ Š  Šin€spanking,€but€there€is€more€to€it€than€that.Š ¼  ŠĢDad€we€need€to€pray€for€wisdom€and€ask€God€to€show€us€where€we€need€to€work€at€in€the€child's€life.Š ”ä ŠWe€need€to€know€our€weaknesses€and€the€child's€weaknesses.€Parents€if€we€make€a€mistake,€beŠ €Š Šwilling€to€admit€it.€We€must€respond€to€the€Holy€Spirit's€conviction€in€our€lives.Š l¼ ŠĢI€want€to€give€you€ten€brief€items€for€review:Š D!” ŠĢӁ€ `(‡x83fÓŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\ycŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś1Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Parents€must€have€a€spiritual€relationship€daily€with€the€Lord.€This€relationship€must€not€beŠ #l! Šmechanical,€but€a€spiritual€relationship.Żƒ±\yc¦cŻŒŠ $X" ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\ÉdŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś2Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Parents€need€to€commit€themselves€to€rearing€godly€children.€Pray€for€wisdom€and€the€enduranceŠ ą%0!$ Šdaily€to€do€so.Żƒ±\ÉdödŻŒŠ Ģ&"% ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\fŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś3Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Be€willing€to€admit€personal€failure€to€God€and€the€children.Żƒ±\f-fŻŒŠ ¤(ō#' ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\ņfŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś4Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Communicate€spiritually€to€your€children.€Make€yourself€talk€to€them€about€spiritual€things.€WeŠ |*Ģ%) Šneed€to€not€only€talk€to€them€but€to€instruct€them€on€how€to€have€a€daily€time€with€the€Lord.€WeŠ h+ø&* Šmust€be€available€to€instruct€spiritually€in€all€areas.Żƒ±\ņfgŻŒŠ ° ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\ĒhŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś5Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Explain€to€them€truths€from€God's€Word.Żƒ±\ĒhōhŻŒŠ ˆŲ ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\£iŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś6Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Get€the€child's€heart.€We€need€to€pray€for€the€child's€heart€and€ask€the€child€for€their€heart.Żƒ±\£iŠiŻŒŠ `° ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\·jŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś7Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Teach€the€child€to€fear€the€Lord.€Proverbs€1:7Żƒ±\·jäjŻŒŠ 8 ˆ ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\škŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś8Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Talk€to€the€children€about€what€God€expects.€You€must€do€this€more€than€once€and€this€shouldŠ  ` Šbe€a€continual€process.Żƒ±\škĒkŻŒŠ ü L  ŠŒŻ  ŻĢŻ"‚±\"ŻŻ  ŻŻ‚±\×lŻŌ2‡xŌŚ  Ś9Ś  Ś.Ō3  ŌŻ  Ż€Make€sure€you€tell€the€children€you€love€them,€that€God€loves€them€and€you€must€show€them€youŠ Ō$  Šdo.Żƒ±\×lmŻŒŠ Ą  ŠŒŻ  ŻĢ10.€Ō_ŌChildrenŌ_Ō€must€see€parents€submit€and€respond€to€the€Holy€Spirit.€You€must€respond€to€the€HolyŠ ˜č  ŠSpirit€in€the€preaching€and€teaching€of€God's€word€and€in€your€own€devotional€life.€You€must€teachŠ „Ō  Šand€encourage€your€children€to€do€so€as€well.Š pĄ ŠĢThe€next€message€deals€with€proper€discipline€of€the€child.€What€we€have€covered€up€to€now€isŠ H˜ Šextremely€important,€but€proper€discipline€is€extremely€important€as€well.€Proverbs€mentions€it€fiveŠ 4„ Štimes.€Finally€we€will€cover€what€to€do€if€you€have€failed€to€train€your€child€to€live€for€God.Ō#†WfßXXtW “, #Ō