THANKS, DAD! LUKE 15:11-24

A DAD AND HIS SON “Then He said, ‘A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions on wrong living.

“But when he had spent all that he had, therre arose a severe famine in the land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no on e gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself (his senses), he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:11-24)

I. THANKS, DAD! FOR BEING A WISE PARENT 1.He was wise enough to give his son his freedom. 2.He was wise to create positive memories of home. 3.He was wise to be gracious in welcome, acceptance and forgiveness 4.He was loving and kind – not judgmental and vindictive.

FOUR STAGES OF PARENTING: STAGE ONE: THE DISCIPLINE STAGE AGES 1-5 *ESTABLISH AUTHORITY AND RESPECT *SET BOUNDARIES OF RIGHT AND WRONG *ESTABLISH BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

FOUR STAGES OF PARENTING STAGE TWO: THE TRAINING STAGE AGES 6-12 *SHOWING THEM ‘HOW’ *BEING A ROLE MODEL AND EXAMPLE *TEACHING/INSTRUCTION

FOUR STAGES OF PARENTING STAGE 3: THE MENTOING/COACHING STAGE AGES *THE CHILD PERFORMS – PARENTS COACH The parent calls time out, huddles up, sends in the play, gives direction – but the child performs *TRIAL AND ERROR – WINS AND LOSSES *LEARN BY DOING

FOUR STAGES OF PARENTING STAGE 4: THE FRIENDSHIP/SUPPORT STAGE *RELATE AS ADULT TO ADULT *TALKING/SHARING (advice when asked for) *REMEMBERING/LAUGHING *SUPPORT AND HELP WHEN NEEDED ( flows both ways) THANKS, DAD!

II. THANKS, DAD! FOR BEING A GENEROUS PROVIDER! Believers in Christ are to help provide for the needy – especially their own household, because that is the nature of Christ Himself. (see I Tim. 5:8)

KIDS COST MONEY – BUT IT IS WORTH IT! $12K A YEAR FOR EACH CHILD day) A HOME WITH 2 CHILDREN OVER 18 YEARS WILL SPEND $432k Then comes college!

III. THANKS, DAD! FOR BEING LOVINGLY PATIENT “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience!” (James 1:3)

PARENTING ADVICE FOR A WAYWARD CHILD 1.INFLUENCE WITHOUT WORDS – USE YOUR BEHAVIOR AND YOUR ACTIONS – LET YOUR LIFE TALK FOR YOU. I PETER 1:3 - tells us we can win a loved one over by our actions, not our talk!

PARENTING ADVICE FOR A WAYWARD CHILD

3.INFLUENCE WITH AN UNWAVERING FAITH IN GOD! GOD IS ABLE TO DO WHAT WE CANNOT DO! “Commit your way unto the Lord, and trust in him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Ps. 37:5

IV. THANKS, DAD! FOR BEING GRACIOUSLY FORGIVING! “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, even as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32)

V. THANKS, DAD! FOR BEING A GODLY EXAMPLE “…Godly living is useful and of great value in every way, both in this life and in the life to come.” I Tim. 4:8 “Discipline yourself for the purpose of Godliness…” I Tim. 4:7