Part 4 - "Wise Parenting"

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Wise Parenting Starts with a GOAL!

Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reprooffor the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

TO REACH OUR PARENTING GOALS we start with a FOUNDATION of LOVE!

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teachingfor they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

Proverbs 3:1-2 ESV

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandmentsfor length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

What do we TEACH/ TRAIN?
1. To fear the Lord
2. To respect the Word of God

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 2:6 ESV

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding

Proverbs 13:13 ESV

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.

Be Strategic and Consistent in Discipline

Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reprooffor the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Proverbs 22:15 ESV

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 29:15 ESV

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

WISE PARENTING is more fun with CHILDREN WHO WANT WISDOM!

Proverbs 15:5 ESV

A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Proverbs 15:20 ESV

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Faithfulness

Part 2 - "The Fear of the Lord"

Proverbs 9:10 NIV

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

A life of wisdom starts with a healthy fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 2:1-5 NIV

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

A healthy fear of the Lord helps us avoid evil.

Proverbs 3:7 NIV

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

Proverbs 8:13 NIV

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 16:6 NIV

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.

A healthy fear of the Lord helps us stay alive longer.

Proverbs 10:27 NIV

The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Proverbs 14:27 NIV

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

A healthy fear of the Lord helps us stay content.

Proverbs 19:23 NIV

The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 22:4 NIV

Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

A life of wisdom starts with a healthy fear of the Lord.

Do you have a healthy fear of the Lord?

Part 1 - What is Wisdom and Why Does it Matter?

Proverbs 1:1-4 NIV

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israelfor gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insightfor receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fairfor giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young

What is WISDOM and why does it matter?

A PROVERB is a simple statement that teaches a fundamental principle for life that can be applied to multiple settings and situations.

WISDOM is divine knowledge of how to live in the world God created.

Biblical Wisdom matters because it helps us live a “disciplined and prudent life”

Biblical Wisdom matters because it aligns our hearts with the heart of God

Biblical Wisdom matters because it reminds us how much we NEED JESUS!

Biblical Wisdom is ATTAINABLE but it must be APPLIED!

Bible Project Video of Proverbs
This video is a brief overview of the book of Proverbs.
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/proverbs/

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NLT

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

"A follower of Jesus is an AMBASSADOR for Jesus"

2 Corinthians 5:14-20 NLT

Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

A Brand New Year - A Brand New YOU!
"A follower of Jesus is an ambassador for Jesus!"

Part 4 - "Christmas is a Reminder to Respond to God's Gift of Love"

John 3:16-18 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Christmas is a reminder to continue to respond to God's gift of LOVE!

Luke 2:6-14 NIV

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be bornand she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast.

Luke 2:15-16 NIV

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

John 16:13 NIV

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Psalms 119:105 NIV

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Luke 2:17-18 NIV

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this childand all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:20 NIV

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Christmas reminds us to respond to God's gift of love by:

Following God's guidance

Spreading the Good News of God's love

Continung to Praise God for His amazing love

Part 3 - "Living a Joyful Life in a Joyless World"

Luke 2:8-15 NIV

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

"The Good News of Jesus is that we can live a JOYFUL LIFE in a JOYLESS WORLD."

What is JOY? "An emotion of glad or cheerful contentment"

James 1:2-3 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

The Joy of the Lord is a GIFT from God. (John 15)

The Joy of the Lord is a FRUIT of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

The Joy of the Lord is a RESPONSE to God. (Philippians 4:4-8)

What does a world desperate for JOY experience when they are around YOU? Are they seeing the JOY of the Lord in your life?

Part 2 - For ALL the People

Jesus came for ALL the people!

Luke 2:8-15 NIV

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Like the shepherds, we have experienced socially-dire situations!

Like the shepherds, we have experienced spiritually-dire situations!

Jesus came to bring the shepherds, and everyone, peace!

John 9:1-3 NIV

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
Jesus has come for ALL people...

He has come to bring us peace within by making peace between...
between us and ourselves!
between us and God!

Part 1 - Nothing is Impossible with God

Isaiah 7:14 NASB1995

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 NASB1995

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Micah 5:2-4 NASB1995

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel.And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth.

Luke 1:26-37 NASB1995

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazarethto a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father Davidand He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 1:18-24 NASB1995

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife

Nothing is Impossible with God!

Make a list of all the "impossible" things God has made reality.

Acts 1:11 NASB1995

They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

John 14:1-3 NASB1995

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Romans 8:22-25 NASB1995

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Revelation 21:1-4 NASB1995

Revelation 21:16 NASB1995

The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.

Part 4 - "Followers of Christ Resolve Internal Conflict by Trusting God"

John 14:1 NIV

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

Followers of Christ resolve the internal conflict of FEAR by trusting God.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Followers of Christ resolve the internal conflict of SORROW by trusting God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfortwho comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

What are you THANKFUL for?