"Patria Potestas" (a father's power) - the father has ultimate authority to determine how their family & children turn out.

Two strategies for the effective father:

1. Do not exasperate your children.
   • Do not take your anger/frustrations from work on your children.
   • Children are sensitive where they can believe that their father does not care for them.
2. Do nurture your children.
   • What is the spiritual temperature in our homes? Are we indifferent to the presence of God?
   • Proverbs 13:24 - "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
   • Nurture your children by providing discipline and instructing guidelines on how to live.
   • What are they learning from the way we live?

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Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-16 - Suffering for Doing Good

Why are generations becoming increasingly hostile?

1. People no longer accept absolute truth.
   • having a clear conviction of what's right and wrong
   • instead the thinking is: what's wrong for you, maybe not be wrong with me
   • absolute truth is too narrow, exclusive
2. People no longer recognize spiritual issues.
3. People no longer embrace Godly authority.
   • we live in an age where people want to be master of their own lives
   • privacy, freedom of speech, personal rights are important to people
   • people don't want to live accountable to anyone but themselves

1. Maintain a "passion for goodness"
   • 1 Peter 3:13
   • Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
   • In general, it's unlikely that people will attack those who are zealous and committed to goodness.
   • Goodness stifles hostility.
2. Anticipate an "intolerance for truth"
   • 1 Peter 3:14
   • A reality is that those who do good may suffer.
   • John 7:7 - "The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil."
   • Scripture warns us about this.
   • 1 Peter 4:12-14 (Suffering for Being a Christian) - "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
   • Anticipate that when you bring up the truth about Jesus Christ, there will be hostility.
3. Foster a "testimony of tenderness"
   • 1 Peter 3:15
   • Be ready to make a reasoned testimony for the hope of Jesus Christ.
   • But it will mean nothing if it is not given with gentleness and respect.
   • Colossians 4:5,6 - "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
   • Few people care for how much we know, until they know much we care.

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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

1. Refreshes
   • The knowledge of Christ offers a different perspective.
2. Replaces
   • Fragrances can infuse.
   • Christ can replace hurts in our lives; He can give confusion clarity.
   • The prayer of St. Francis:

     Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

3. Attracts
   • The fragrance of life.
   • Becoming a person that others want to be around.
   • John 15:18-19

1. Make sure you smell good.
   • Examine your own life.
   • How do you relate to people?
   • Are people at ease when they talk to you? Do they seek you out?
   • Do you make time to go talk to others?
   • Do you live how you preach?
2. Ask other people how you smell.
   • Have accountability.
   • Give them permission to tell you what your strenghts and weaknesses are.
3. Don't lose that smell.
   • Stay close to Christ.
   • Ensure we are growing in our knowledge of Christ.

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