2. Children – Our Future
Unless the Lord comes… children WILL BECOME the future of the Lord’s church.
The influence in how we “train our children up in the Lord” is vital.
But… there is so much more to their growth than what parents/adults do to influence that growth.

3. Children “Grow Up” Differently
They grow up with different:
Abilities/gifts: speaking, listening, doing.
Character traits: stubborn vs. always listening.
Personalities: shy vs. outgoing.
Different maturity rates.

4. Do not confuse their faithfulness or lack thereof with future faithfulness!

5. 2 Tim 2:2 Principle
Foremost, parents have the primary responsibility of raising our children. Prov. 22:6 (2 Tim. 1:5)
This is MOST difficult because children have their own will.
Fathers capable of having children in subjection to them are examples of good leadership. 1 Tim. 3:4
“Teach them well, then let them lead the way”.

6. Be patient with their growth
It would be nice if all children were maturing at a rate that would please everyone… especially the Lord.
The reality is that they are children: they need to “trained up” (Eph. 6:4) and taught TO LEARN discipline. Heb. 12:11

7. The end is what ultimately matters
Parable of the two sons: Matt 21:28-31
Older said: I will not go, then later went.
Younger said: I will go, but did not.
So, continue to love and encourage your children in the way of the Lord… even if things don’t seem so promising to you now. Cp. Matt. 20:1ff