1. The Legacy We Leave Our Children “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord” (Psa 127:3)

2. The Legacy We… What do you want your legacy to be? (Eccl 1:9-11) –Financial security? Eccl 2:18-19 –Power? (Solomon—Rehoboam) –Prestige or fame? –Christ living in the hearts and lives of our family and friends? (Eph 6:4) …Leave Our Children 2

3. THE LEGACY OF A LIFESTYLE Psalms 101:2 3

4. THE LEGACY OF A “Example is the best teacher” –Passover instruction learned through example, Exo 12:25-27 –Neglect contributes to sin and ruin, 2 Chrn 30:26 –Our homes need lights that shine for our children to see, Matt 5:14-16 4 LIFESTYLE

5. THE LEGACY OF A “Do as I say, not as I do” –Losing battle! (Col 3:21) –Examples will be followed, 1 Cor 15:33 –Children see us deal with… Quarrels, Eph 4:31-32; 5:22, 25 Honesty at work, Eph 4:28; 6:5 Conflict with neighbors, Rom 12: 17-18 Relations with brethren, Jas 4:11 Priorities as Christians, Matt 6:33 Sin, 2 Cor 7:10 (1 Jno 1:9) 5 LIFESTYLE

6. THE LEGACY OF A “Christ in our hearts – Faith in our lives” (Eph 3:17) –The things of God, Col 3:1-3 –Not the things of the world, 1 Jno 2:15-17 6 LIFESTYLE

7. THE LEGACY OF A WHOLESOME, SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT Eph 6:4 (1 Sam 1:27-28) 7

8. THE LEGACY OF A Put the word of God into our children’s hearts, Deut 6:6-9 –Regular Bible study and talk God’s word must first be in the heart of the parents, 6:6 Diligent, deliberate effort, 6:7 Consistency, 6:7 Repetition, 6:8-9 Personal study, 1 Tim 4:13, 15 Training children is hard work! Prov 22:6 8 GODLY ENVIRONMENT

9. THE LEGACY OF A Worship together, Deut 12:12 –Pleasant, anticipated event –Remove obstacles, Heb 10:25 –Be a faithful participant during worship services –Worship at home, too 9 GODLY ENVIRONMENT

10. THE LEGACY OF A Godly entertainment –“Stinkin’ thinkin’”, Phil 4:8 –Monitor the internet, TV, movies, music, magazines and books –Provide alternatives to school dances, swimming parties, etc. where immoral behavior occurs 10 GODLY ENVIRONMENT

11. THE LEGACY OF RESPECT FOR GOD Matthew 10:37 11

12. THE LEGACY OF Be on the Lord’s side when decision time comes, Exo 32: 25-26 –When our children are out alone, what have we taught them? Fear God and obey Him, Josh 24:15; Gen 18:19 Or, to honor self before God, 1 Sam 2:29; 3:13 12 RESPECT FOR GOD

13. The Legacy We Leave Our Children -Epitaphs fade, memories fail and monuments erode -Faith of the righteous has a lasting impact (Heb 11:4) 13