Guests: Nick Bellamy and Johnny Farr

Chapter 8 Authority

Principle: One of the foundational heart issues in the life of every child is authority. Teaching and modeling the protective beauty of authority is one of the foundations of good parenting.

It’s important to always keep in mind that as a parent you are never just dealing with the words and actions of your children. You are always also dealing with the thing that shapes, directions, and controls the behavior of your children: the heart.

Sin makes us want our own way. Sin convinces all of us that we know better.

Mom and Dad, you have no ability at all–by the tone of your voice, by the force of your personality, by your physical size, or by your threats–to deliver your children from their addiction to self-rule.

But Jesus does have the power.

What is obedience? It’s a willing submission of my heart to the authorities that God has placed in my life.

Do you humbly own the rebellion of your own heart as you deal with the rebellion of your children in a way that causes you to exercise authority with patience and grace?

Chapter 9 Foolishness

Principle: The foolishness inside your children is more dangerous to them than the temptation outside of them. Only God’s grace has the power to rescue fools.

Your children disobey because of the pride, rebellion, autonomy, self-sufficiency, and desire for self-rule that control their hearts.

If the heart of your child does not change, his behavior won’t change for very long.

Proverbs 22:15 - “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”  Foolishness - the propensity of our children to live as if God doesn’t exist.

Chapter 10 Character

Principle: Not all of the wrong your children do is a direct rebellion to authority; much of the wrong is the result of a lack of character.

It’s not enough to just emphasize the beauty of submission to authority. You must also emphasize the need for character development.

Your children don’t so much need character management as they need worship realignment.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.