1) Counsel Is Important

1. Proverbs 11:14
   1. Lack of counsel = a fall
   2. Lots of counsel = protection
2. Proverbs 12:15
   1. It is foolish to act on your own
   2. It is wise to heed counsel
3. Proverbs 15:22
   1. Lack of counsel damages plans
   2. Lots of counsel established them
4. Provers 20:5
   1. Counsel is available
   2. It has to be found "on purpose"
5. Proverbs 20:15
   1. Greater undertakings demand greater counsel
   2. Greater undertakings are successful by counsel

2) Counsel Requires Teachability

1. I should be willing to learn
   1. It is a heart matter
   2. It requires wisdom
      1. Bad counsel - can be tricky
         1. There is a way that seems right
         2. Always evaluate the source
         3. Always evaluate the ending
         4. Always evaluate the consensus
      2. Good counsel - has proof
         1. The end thereof
         2. Get counsel from those who have good fruit
         3. Dave Teis refused to write a book on parenting until his children were grown
         4. Don't learn parenting skills from a novice - a peer - a social media influencer
2. We should be training our children to listen to counsel
   1. Proverbs 24:5
      1. Wisdom = strong
      2. Knowledge = strength
      3. This requires wise counsel
      4. This requires much counsel
   2. Proverbs 27:9 Friendship is sweet when it includes hearty counsel
3. Where do you find good counsel?
   1. Daily devotions - the Bible
   2. Prayer for wisdom
   3. Hearing the preaching of God's Word
   4. Studying good books written by good authors and published by respected publishers
   5. Learning from successful people
      1. We have talked many times to successful parents to ask for advice
      2. We schedule talks with successful parents
   6. Study history...if something has worked for a millennium, pull from that

Never face difficult situations without much counsel

Consider giving a trusted counselor veto power during times of great difficulty