Ezekiel 18:20 : We can't blame others, not our past, not our present, nor the circumstances of life. God is sovereign over my life. If I cooperate with Him, He will use all of my experiences to conform me to the image of His Son.

Ephesians 6:4 : Fathers are inclined to provoke a child. The parents' responsibility is to train in a godly manner to make it easy for a child to receive and accept the training.

• Child may be untrainable, but the parent is to "keep keeping on." Don't go beyond a child's will and force them to accept training. It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to change the heart of the child, not ours. Our job is to obey God's commandments, and not follow our feelings.
• Parents can't blameshift either, but are to do what God's Word says to do, being led by the Holy Spirit Who determines results.

Luke 9:23-24 ; Proverbs 18:21 : Living is a life and death situation. Life is really learning how to die to self, not defending self or protecting self but getting rid of self in order to be a blessing to others. This is the theme of the New Testament.

MAJOR PRINCIPLES IN RELATIONSHIPS

1. When someone bothers or irritates me, the other person needs help, not condemnation.
2. Always ask self "What good can I do for that person who is acting in such an unbiblical manner?"
3. When I get my attitude right, God will give me the answer on how to respond in a nasty or trying situation.
4. 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 : Children belong to the Lord. We are to raise them according to His commands, not our feelings, impressions, or what others say, but according to what God says.
5. Deuteronomy 4:9 ; 6:6-7 , 20-25 : Scriptures are our guide, nothing else, day and night.
6. Proverbs 22:6 : You are to raise your children according to the gifts and talents God has placed in your child, not what you want them to be. Parents can't change thoughts, motives, and attitudes in a child; this is God's sovereign work and responsibility.
7. 2 Peter 1:3 : God';s principles and precepts are applicable to parents and children alike. Parents are to be of one mind as they teach Scriptures to their children, to develop the character of God in such areas as virtue, moral excellence, knowledge of God, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
8. Ephesians 6:1-2 ; James 1:2-4 : Disobedience warrants death which still applies in the spirit. Children have no option but to obey and honor parents.
   • As with the parents, children are not to be led by their feelings, especially when parents are harsh, mean, untrained and selfish.
   • As with adults, children, under God's grace, have great opportunities to grow in grace and patience when subject to unfair and unjust treatment.
9. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ; Proverbs 3:5-6 : As you study and follow God's word for your life and the training of your children and decisively put off any reliance on yourself, your background or your upbringing, you will gain the wisdom and direction that you need to be a godly parent.
   • KEY: Get rid of self, so that God's light can shine through you.
10. Deuteronomy 21:18-21 : Disobedience is very serious, for it is rebellion against God and siding with the enemy.
11. Ephesians 6:2-3 ; Galatians 3:20 : Parents are to teach children to honor and to obey parents because the parents represent God's authority and His standards.
    • As a child honors and obeys parents, he is honoring and obeying God. By honoring God this will guarantee the child's success in life for it is God Who will watch, guard and keep child forever.

Homework

Memory/Meditation verse :

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Devotions :

Read and Study Unit 7 in "Strengthening Your Marriage," pages 113-130.

BSAF:

Work out three or more verses from this sheet.

VOSWS:

After working through Unit 7, select a major problem area to be worked out.

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