1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one´s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Introduction : People have always considered it burdensome and annoying to bring children to social events for adults. One day while Jesus was preaching, mothers brought their children to be blessed and things got a little out of control. So the disciples rebuked the children and tried to send them away. "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ´Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.´ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them" (Mk 10:14-16).
1. The relationship between God and children. 1) A heritage is a matter of living and eating. So children must exist for a heritage to exist (Ps 128:5-6). 2) Children a reward from Him (Pr 17:6). 3) Children are like arrows in the hands of a warrior. If you have a lot of arrows, you will win the battle. 4) They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies. Without children, it is in vain to build a house or a city. God builds and watches over the house and the city with children.
2. Caring for the heritage from God. Children are not the possessions of their parents. Rather, God entrusts them to parents. 1) Teach them to respect God from an early age. ¨ç Family worship (Ps 71:5) ¨è Attend church on Sunday (Ex 20:8) ¨é Give tithes (Mal 3:10). 2) Teach them how to pray (Ps 116:2). 3) Teach them that there is a heaven (Lk 18:16-17).
3. Teach children to memorize the commandments. 1) Teach them that obeying the commandments is the way, the truth and the way of living (Ps 119:105-106; Pr 3:5-6). 2) The devil is the one who prevents us from keeping the commandments. If you violate the commandments, you commit sin and become a prisoner of death (Pr 1:10, 32-33). 3) To live with God, you must obey the commandments. Otherwise, you will be caught in the devil´s hands (Pr 1:7; 22:6). 4) If you turn away from the commandments, you turn away from God. The price of sin is going to hell (Jer 2:19; Pr 3:1-2).
4. Be friends with children. 1) Children must be loved and protected. Crimes against children must be severely punished e.g. kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder (Mt 18:6, 10). 2) Do not oppress them mentally (Eph 6:4). ¨ç Lack of communication and love-children become hostile to the world with hatred and anger. Praise them a lot and respect them as a person. Do not hurt their pride. ¨è Children who are alienated, neglected and ignored-their shelter is the secular and harmful mass media (Mt 18:5). 3) Create beautiful memories in the photo album of their mind by doing lots of activities together, such as mountain climbing, fishing, exercise, and travel (Ecc 11:7-8).
5. A good role model of life. 1) Children make an effort to imitate the good deeds of parents and teachers (Ro 2:20-21; Eph 4:13). 2) Be a righteous model of understanding, sympathy, and love (Ps 103:13; Eph 5:1-2). 3) Domestic violence and a depressing environment create the mentally ill (Pr 19:18; Eph 4:26-27, 15).
Conclusion : Our heart is like a map of our life. The state of our heart leads and creates our life.
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