<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Several years ago, I had the privilege of preaching in a chapel service for New England Baptist College in Southington.\u00a0 Afterward I was to host a question and answer session attended by young preacher boys.\u00a0 Once the introduction was completed and Dr. Barry Brown turned the podium over to me and the floor was open for questions, a brief period of awkward silence was broken by one young man\u2019s very interesting question.<\/p>\n
He was contemplating the incredible task of leading a church full of different passions, backgrounds, and opinions.\u00a0 I will never forget his question.<\/p>\n
\u201cPastor Carpenter, how do you make people do things that they do not want to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
This simple question helped me think through some life changing truths.\u00a0 We will spend the rest of our time together exploring and answering this question.<\/p>\n
When you break down the job of parenting, does it not seem that this question strikes at the heart of a parent\u2019s job\u2026 to get little Johnny or Jane to OBEY!\u00a0 To do what we want them to do, and to ben their rebellious wills to our protective and benevolent wills for them.<\/p>\n
Raising Children in the 21st century brings new twists to an old challenge.\u00a0 How do I shape the will and behavior of my child, or grandchild, niece, or nephew, or Sunday school student?<\/p>\n
Our text verse is often quoted and often misunderstood by believing parents.<\/p>\n
Proverbs 22:6 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Train up a child in the way he should go:<\/p>\n And when he is old, he will not depart from it.<\/p>\n Many parents feel or and have been taught to feel that they must MAKE their children comply!\u00a0 If they wander off from what their parents have taught, the parents believe that they have failed.\u00a0 Parents teach and teach and teach, yet the willful children still do not learn\u2026 what is wrong?\u00a0 The Bible PROMISES that if we but teach them, they will not depart right?<\/p>\n Every word of God is inspired, not just the thoughts.\u00a0 Our text verse does not command us to teach only.\u00a0 We are commanded to TRAIN.<\/p>\n TRAIN =<\/em><\/p>\n Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster\u2019s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can TEACH all day long, but that does not always get the heart of the matter.\u00a0 How do I get someone to do something that they do not want to do?\u00a0 The short answer is that you can\u2019t!\u00a0 If God has chosen not to override one\u2019s free will, you certainly will not be able to.\u00a0 So the key then in not how to force someone to comply, but how to motivate our kids to choose to do right.\u00a0 Today we will discover three life changing principles that will help us to motivate children to choose to change their behavior.\u00a0 These will be key to raising a 21st century child.<\/p>\n God does not force us to believe or comply against our will.<\/p>\n Jeremiah 6:16\u201317 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is<\/em> the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein<\/em>. Also I set watchmen over you, saying<\/em>, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.<\/p>\n Proverbs 1:24\u201326 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Matthew 23:37 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou<\/em> that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her<\/em> wings, and ye would not!<\/p>\n Yet God the Father seeks to influence our choices.<\/p>\n John 6:44 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.<\/p>\n Yet God\u2019s word seeks to influence our choices<\/p>\n John 8:32 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.<\/p>\n Romans 10:17 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n So then faith cometh<\/em> by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.<\/p>\n The story of the prodigal son shows us that God is always ready for us to choose to come to him, to choose to repent and do right, no matter how long we have chosen to ignore his teaching and pleading…. no matter how low our rock bottom is.\u00a0 Luke 15:15-20<\/p>\n Zechariah 1:3 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, And I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.<\/p>\n 1 John 1:9 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our<\/em> sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<\/p>\n Deuteronomy 4:9 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons\u2019 sons;<\/p>\n Psalm 78:2\u20134 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not hide them<\/em> from their children, Shewing to the generation to come The praises of the Lord, and his strength, And his wonderful works that he hath done.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2 Timothy 3:15 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deuteronomy 6:7 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.<\/p>\n Galatians 6:7 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.<\/p>\n Proverbs 19:18 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Chasten thy son while there is hope, And let not thy soul spare for his crying.<\/p>\n Proverbs 29:15 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n The rod and reproof give wisdom: But a child left to himself<\/em> bringeth his mother to shame.<\/p>\n Proverbs 13:24 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n He that spareth his rod hateth his son: But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.<\/p>\n Proverbs 22:15 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Foolishness is<\/em> bound in the heart of a child; But<\/em> the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.<\/p>\n Proverbs 23:13 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Withhold not correction from the child: For if<\/em> thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.<\/p>\n Proverbs 23:14 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from hell.<\/p>\n Hebrews 12:5\u20138 KJV 1900<\/strong><\/p>\n 5<\/sup> And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:<\/p>\n 6<\/sup> For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.<\/p>\n 7<\/sup> If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?<\/p>\n 8<\/sup> But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.<\/p>\n We must realize that:<\/p>\n Introduction Several years ago, I had the privilege of preaching in a chapel service for New England Baptist College in Southington.\u00a0 Afterward I was to host a question and answer session attended by young preacher boys.\u00a0 Once the introduction was completed and Dr. Barry Brown turned the podium over to me and the … Continue reading Raising A 21st Century Child<\/span> \n
<\/h1>\n
I.\u00a0 God Has Given Children Free Will.<\/h1>\n
II. Children Can Be Motivated to Choose Right When they Learn and Live.<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n
\n
\n
III.\u00a0 Children Can Be Motivated To Choose Right When They Live and Learn.<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n