As parents, learn to pray for wisdom...

1. In how to provide for your children.
2. What do you think is the most important provision for your family? Food, water, education, etc?
   1. Instilling a reverence for God.
      • Proverbs 15:16 - "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil."
      • The fear of the Lord provides:
        1. A pathway to knowledge; Proverbs 1:7 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
        2. A means to avoid sin; Proverbs 16:6 - "Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil."
        3. A proper view of true wealth; Proverbs 22:4 - "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life."
   2. Cultivating a spirit of love and security.
      • Proverbs 15:17 - "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred."
      • No amount of materialism can replace family angst.
   3. Model a life of integrity and wisdom.
      • Proverbs 20:6-7 - "Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him."
      • Proverbs 24:3-4 - "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
3. In how to raise your children.
   1. It's grappling to find a balance between love and limits.
      • Proverbs 13:24 - "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
      • Proverbs 19:18 - "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death."
      • Proper discipline aims to:
        • Remove foolishness; Proverbs 22:15 - "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."
        • Save our children's soul; Proverbs 23 - "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death."
        • Provide wisdom; Proverbs 29:15 - "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother."
   2. It's undertaking to discover a way of competence and confidence.
      • Proverbs 22:6 - "Train child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

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Scripture: Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 6:16-19 - Warnings Against Folly

7 traits that God hates...

1. Haughty Eyes - Mr. Perfect
   • Those who are arrogant and believe they are better than you.
2. A Lying Tongue - Mr. Chatterbox
   • They can erode your integrity.
3. Hands that Shed Innocent Blood - Mr. Greedy
   • Preying on vulnerability.
   • People who take advantage of a situation for their own personal gain.
   • Cruel/heartless.
4. A Heart that Devises Evil Schemes
5. Feet that Rush to Do Evil - Little Miss Naughty
   • People who try to beat the system.
   • They tend to gravitate toward that evil.
6. A False Witness - Little Miss Gossip
   • Someone who slanders another.
   • They betray.
7. Stirring dissension - Little Miss Stubborn
   • Those who cannot reconcile/forgive.
   • Matthew 5:9 – "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

1. Humility and teachable spirit
2. Integrity in speech
3. Compassionate and merciful
4. Pure of heart
5. Keeper of secrets
6. Peacemaker

CHALLENGE: Do our friends help us become more Christ-like? Perhaps we need re-evaluate our friendships. Take the risk of seeking those who'll become our lifelong friends.

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