Story #1: Hannah and Samuel After Hannah had weaned Samuel, she brought him to Shiloh to serve the Lord under Eli the priest.

Story #2: Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas 1 Samuel 2:12-17 Eli’s sons were wicked men with no respect for the Lord or for “the priests’ share of the sacrifices from the people.”

Story #2: Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas 1 Samuel 2:22-25 Eli knew about his sons’ sins (including sleeping with the women who served at tent of meeting), but only verbally reprimanded them.

Story #2: Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas 1 Samuel 2:27-34 A man of God confronts Eli: The LORD says, “You have honored your sons more than Me. Your two sons will die on the same day.”

Story #2: Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas 1 Samuel 4:1-11 Battle 1: the Philistines defeat Israel: 4,000 killed. The Israelites regroup – with the Ark of the Covenant. Battle 2: the Philistines defeat Israel: 30,000 killed, the Ark is captured, AND…

Story #2: Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas 1 Samuel 4:12-18 A messenger brings the fateful news about the Ark of the Covenant and the casualties – including his two sons. And Eli dies.

Parenting There has only been one perfect parent in all of history – and He had (and still has!) rebellious children.

Parenting If your children turn out “good,” don’t take too much credit. If your children turn out…, don’t take too much blame.

Parenting Responsibilities Stay laser-focused on the #1 goal of Christian parenting: to raise godly children. Has not the one God made you? You belong to Him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. Malachi 2:15

Parenting Responsibilities Accept your God-given responsibility to be the primary spiritual teachers and leaders of your children. Repeat (the teachings of God) to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7

Parenting Responsibilities Accept your God-given responsibility to be the primary spiritual teachers and leaders of your children. Pray – (out loud) with them Bible – read it! Talk – about God and spiritual things Church – be actively involved

Parenting Responsibilities Discipline effectively and consistently. Keep the WHY before the HOW Folly (sin, foolishness) is bound up (tangled) in the heart of a child; discipline drives the folly away and leads to righteousness (Proverbs 22:15, Hebrews 12:11)

Parenting Responsibilities Discipline effectively and consistently. The “pain” of the discipline must outweigh the “joy” of the infraction/sin.

Parenting Responsibilities Teach and train your children to submit to earthly authority – so they are more likely to submit to heavenly authority.

Parenting Responsibilities Stay laser-focused on the #1 goal of Christian parenting: to raise godly children. Accept your God-given responsibility to be the primary spiritual teachers and leaders of your children. Discipline effectively and consistently. Teach and train your children to submit to earthly authority – so they are more likely to submit to heavenly authority.