FAMILY VALUES AND THE BIBLE

Raising Children in a Changing World

Raising Children in a Changing World

We’ve got the latest smartphones but can’t seem to get through to our teenagers.

All the education in the world isn’t protecting our young from drugs and alcohol.

What’s going wrong?

Raising Children in a Changing World

Increased access to drugs and alcohol More permissive society Peer pressure Technology Lack of communication Lack of morals in society Family breakdown

Raising Children in a Changing World

Australian Institute of Criminology 2013 Report – ‘Australian Crime: Facts & Figures’

“TEENAGERS aged 15 to 19 are Australia's most dangerous people” …

“Teens are responsible for a disturbing number of bashings, robberies, abductions and attacks”

Main causes …•Changing family structures•Prevalence of video games•Easier access to alcohol•Parents working longer hours•Fewer siblings – boredom

Raising Children in a Changing World

"Across Australia and universally, the trend shows there is a sharp incline in

criminal behaviour in early adolescence“

Criminologist Emmeline Taylor

Australian National University

Raising Children in a Changing World

There are 43,000 homeless children and young people on any given night in Australia.

International research shows that family conflict and breakdown, mental health issues, parental substance use, child abuse and family violence are the most common reasons why young people are caught in the cycle of homelessness.

Raising Children in a Changing World

“Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they didn't have anything to do with it.”

II Timothy 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy …

Malachi 4

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them ...

Psalm 127

New Life

Proverbs14 v 26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.20 v 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: and his children are blessed after him.

I Corinthians 7 v 14 … your children [were] unclean; but now are they holy.

Making time

“Your children need your presence more than your presents.”

“Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.”

“You will always be your child's favourite toy. “

“Kids spell love T-I-M-E.” "Children have never been very good at

listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."

Making Time

“Be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home."

Making Time

Deuteronomy 4 v 9 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' sons;

Proverbs 22 v 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Making Time

Be an example Spend time Do things together Talk with your children Teach your children

Ephesians 6 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Proverbs19 v 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

22 v 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

23 v 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

29 v 15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Nurture and Admonition

Colossians 3 v 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged.

Titus 2 v 4 … teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children …

The Joys of Parenthood

“The only perfect parents are those that do not have any children of their own.”

“It kills you to see them grow up. But it would kill you quicker if they didn't.”

“Children are a great comfort in your old age - and they help you reach it faster, too.”

"A truly appreciative child will break, lose, spoil, or fondle to death any really successful gift within a matter of minutes."

The Joys of Parenthood

“In the time it takes you to understand a 14-year-old, he turns 15.”

“The best substitute for experience is being sixteen.”

“Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years.”

“Small children disturb your sleep, big children your life.”

Essential Ingredients

Communication Perseverance Growth Prayer Inspiration Involvement