MAKING STRAIGHT ARROWS NOT CROOKED STICKS
Ps. 127
I. Children Are A Heritage of the Lord Ps. 127: 4
A. So are children in the hands of a mighty man - like arrows
B. Happy is a man that has many faithful children ( straight arrows )
C. Babies are not born sinners ( Ez. 18:20 ) but left without direction they will grow as crooked sticks ( Prov. 22:15 , Prov. 29:15 )
D. Fathers have a choice : lead the way / provide Godly direction (work to gain straight arrows ) or leave them without direction
( allow them to become crooked sticks )
II. How To Develop Straight Arrows
A. Start early Ecclesiastes 12:1, 2Tim 3:15
i) there is a trust factor
ii) there is a memory factor
iii) there is a humility factor
iv) there is a curiosity factor
B. Always emphasize character / integrity
i) 3 ways children learn from their parents ( example , example , example )
ii) hard to teach honesty if we are not honest
C. Set limits and enforce them
D. Assign responsibility to each child
III. Arrows Are Aimed At Heaven; Crooked Sticks Are Not
A. A Father's life is fulfilled with a quiver of straight
arrows Ps 127:4