Sunday Morning Message from March 26th, 2006

"The Parenting Imperative" (pt 3)
Click here to download the mp3 file. It's 11.2 MB and about 48 minutes long

Recap of 3/26/06
Parenting priorities (in part from article by Dr. Stanley Toussaint):
-Partner before children (Genesis 2:24)- the priority relationship is that of marriage. It is possible to devote so much time to children that our spouse is given second place. Children learn about marriage, relationships between the sexes from watching their parents relationship.
-Children before friends (Psalm 127:3)
"Ten Positive Parenting Skills" (Roger & Becky Tirabassi)
1) Model your faith (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
2) Pray regularly for your children
3) Treat your children with respect
4) Teach your children to give
5) Whenever possible, attend a church that has an excellent children's and/or youth department
6) Say or do the things that you want your children to say or do
7) Apologize to your children when it is appropriate. Ask them for forgiveness
8) Don't say no unless you have to
9) Be loving toward your spouse in front of your children
10) As your children get older discuss and evaluate curfews, discipline measures, expectations and finances).

Sunday Morning Message from March 19th, 2006

"The Parenting Imperative" (pt 2)
Click here to download the mp3 file. It's 11.6 MB and about 50 minutes long

Recap of 3/19/06
1. God the Father is our example in discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11)
2. Generally speaking, disciplining children when their are young will produce a disciplined, godly life when they are adults. (Proverbs 22:6)
3. Parenting priorities (credit to Dr. Stanley Toussaint):
-Persons before things (we must never substitute things for ourselves, our time, our attention, our interest; the principle is "presence not presents")
-Home before occupation (family must take priority over occupational goals)

Sunday Morning Message from March 12th, 2006

"The Parenting Imperative" (pt 1)
Click here to download the mp3 file. It's 8.8 MB and about 37 minutes long

Recap of 3/12/06

1. The Bible warns against passive parenting. (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15-17)

2. Discipline involves
1) training and guidance &
2) verbal and physical correction.

3. Parents are not to embitter, discourage or exasperate their children by petty rules, inconsistent or harsh discipline, favoritism or perfectionism. (Colossians 3:21; Ephesians 6:4)

Sunday Morning Message from March 5th, 2006

Click here to download the mp3 file. It's 9.3 MB and about 40 minutes long

Recap of 3/5/06
1. The lesson of 1 Kings is well summarized in the following quote from The Daily Devotional Bible: "The book of 1 Kings is all about the necessity of wholehearted devotion to the one true God, keeping focused on His finishing line. If we divide our loyalties between God and something else, that something else will almost always steal our heart away-and bring us to ruin."
2. In the first verses of chapter one we're introduced to:
-King David, who is advanced in years and in failing health (vv. 1-4)
-David's son, Adonijah, who attempts to take advantage of David's situation to ascend the throne (vs. 5)
-the fact that David was an indulgent father, who flunked Disciplining Children 101 (vs. 6)
3. We discipline our children: to shape their will, to counter their sin nature, to save them from death, to lead them to Christ.
4. Discipline involves both instruction (training and guidance) and correction (verbal and physical).