Building Warriors Numbers 13:17-14:24

Count the Cost "We cannot be families if we are not disciples first. We must recognize the joys and responsibilities that come with being part of a family formed not by the blood of biology but the blood of crucifixion. The church has often failed at this point. In too many cases, we have turned congregations into silos packed with countless minivans full of individual families, coming to receive instruction and then return to their own self-contained units. The end result, especially in a rootless, hyper-mobile American culture, is the reality of mothers who are lonely and fear they're failing but who don't want to say anything for fear of being judged or stirring up the "Mommy wars," or fathers who are lonely but who aren't supposed to signal that they don't know what to do about their son's pornography addiction or their daughter's anorexia. Our churches are often filled with unmarried or divorced or widowed men and women who believe that they are without family because there is no one to stand beside them in the church directory picture. And yet, the cross shows us that we need each other. We will never be godly families until we are brothers and sisters to one another." Russell Moore, The Storm-Tossed Family

“My child completes my dreams!”

“My Child Meets My Expectations” “ 

“My Child will be Safe!”

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one’s youth “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” Psalm 127:4

Dependence “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (1-2)

Dependence “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said ‘I will make my dwelling among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-22

Thankfulness “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (3)

Awareness “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (4-5)