1. Six Traits of Strong Families God’s Wisdom from Proverbs

2. Family Breakdown We continually hear of family breakdown in the world (11:29) –Breakdown due to inner weakness –Breakdown due to outward pressure God gives us the wisdom to build strong families (3:33; 12:7; 14:1,11)

3. Strong Families Strong Religious Faith in God Strength comes from faith Focus on God in the home (1:7; 9:10; 15:16) –Bible reading (2:1-5; 23:23,26) –Prayer (15:8,29) –Worship

4. Strong Families Strong Inward Character Strength comes from application of God's word throughout age A man of honorable character (20:29; 27:21; 29:3) A woman of honorable character (11:16; 12:4; 19:13-14; 31:10ff) A youthful honorable character (10:1; 13:1; 15:5,20; 28:7)

5. Strong Families Strong Love Within the Family Strength comes from commitment Love for one another’s welfare (10:12; 15:17; 30:23) Avoid selfishness that destroys family life (12:15) Give heart-felt appreciation, affection, and praise (4:3-4; 23:24-25; 25:11) Avoid harsh / critical words that tear down (12:8; 15:4; 17:1; 21:9,19)

6. Strong Families Strong Love Within the Family Cultivate good words that will build up (15:23; 18:13,20-21) Angry words tear down (15:1-2,14,17,28) Children loving parents (19:26; 20:20; 23:22-25; 30:11,17)

7. Strong Families Strong Discipline in the Home Strength comes from training Instructive discipline (3:11-12; 13:1; 15:5; 19:18; 22:6) Corrective discipline (13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15,17)

8. Strong Families Strong Ties That Bind Strength comes from spending enjoyable time together Positive interaction builds bonds and ties (4:10-11; 5:15ff; 23:26) Excessive business separates and suffocates family ties (27:8)

9. Strong Families Strong Defenses Strength comes by building defenses Righteous principles help us overcome life’s difficulties (24:10,16) Spiritually healthy families pull together in times of crisis (4:18-19; 17:17)

10. Six Traits of Strong Families Faith Character Love Discipline Ties Defenses

11. Strong Families God wrote the manual on strong families (24:3-4) Let us build in ourselves and our children the strength it takes to make it to heaven!