Brother Gordon, come and preach this place for you.
Well, good morning.
Wow, that was good.
That was real good.
You know, make you feel welcome.
! I sit by myself.
No response.
Well, this is going to go real well.
You know, this is my first time preaching
in progressive lenses.
So, just in case I look like I may get lost
and when I look up and you disappear for a minute,
how many of you wear progressive lenses?
How many of you almost fell off a set of bleachers
at one of your kids' basketball games
the first time you wore them?
That would be me.
You know, they mentioned that this was kind of
a last-minute deal.
This is actually not the shortest time frame
that I've ever had to get ready to preach a sermon.
I was visiting my parents back in the small town
of Mississippi, Water Valley, where I grew up.
And I was laying in bed.
It was a Sunday morning, probably about 7.30.
I get a phone call, a buddy of mine that I grew up with.
He said, hey, you still here?
I said, what do you mean?
You still in town?
I said, yeah.
He said, well, Silverina, this small country church
that I preached at a few times before,
their pastor's got the flu,
and he can't preach today.
He said, hey, are you still here?
I said, man, all I got is boots and jeans
and an old flannel button-down.
He said, that's great.
We'll see you at 11.
Hung up.
Showed up, preached, got paid,
watermelons, eggs, and I think a cantaloupe
is what it was.
So it's really interesting how God orchestrates
some of this.
You know, I don't even, I don't know your pastor.
I wouldn't know him if he walked in the back door.
But a former student of mine,
when I was a youth pastor in Plainview, Texas,
called me on Wednesday about noon
and said, hey, man, how's it going?
I was like, what do you want?
That's how these conversations go.
Hey, how's Shelly?
How are the kids doing?
I'm like, dude, just cut to the chase.
What do you need?
You always want something.
I got a friend who's at this church in Henrietta
and he's needing somebody to fill in last minute.
He was like, man, do you know anybody?
He's like, well, actually my old youth pastor
lives in Wichita Falls.
So that's how you got stuck with me today.
How many of you would agree
that it appears as though we have a manhood problem
in our culture?
How many of you would say that, you know,
looking at what's going on in our culture
and in our world that we have a manhood problem?
I believe we do.
And the reason why it's so important
for us to look at this is because
it is causing a leadership problem in our homes
that results in God's plan of family discipleship
taking a back seat to what's going on.
So many other things are dominating our focus
in our world because we have a manhood problem
that's causing a leadership problem in the home.
And what God says is important for us
as men and in our marriages
and with our families is taking a back seat.
You see, I believe men are greatly misled
and confused about what it means to be a real man,
a godly man, a kingdom man.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 16, 13,
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith,
act like men, be strong.
You know, when you do some diving in to the Scriptures,
you'll see that what Paul says here,
our current situation within our churches today
is not that much different from that of current.
which leads me to ask,
where are the real men?
Where are the godly men?
Where are the kingdom men?
I love the challenge by Dr. Tony Evans.
I don't know if you've ever read any of his stuff or not,
and I surely can't relay this as well as he would,
but this is something that's really stuck with me
through his teaching over the years.
He says,
if you are a messed up man,
you're going to contribute to a messed up family.
If you're a messed up family,
you're going to contribute to a messed up church.
If you're a messed up church,
you're going to contribute to a messed up community.
And if you're a messed up community,
you're going to contribute to a messed up state.
If you're a messed up state,
you're going to contribute to a messed up country.
And if you're a messed up country,
you're going to contribute to a messed up world.
Therefore, the only way to have a better world
made up of better countries
composed of better states,
filled with better communities,
influenced by better churches,
inhabited by better families
is by becoming a better man.
You see, it starts with you.
It starts with me.
It starts with all of us.
It begins with us becoming a better man
by aligning ourselves
under the comprehensive rule of God
of every area of our life
and focusing on God's kingdom agenda.
Not our own,
but on what God says is important.
And you do it
by not just choosing to be a man,
but a kingdom man.
That's very, very important.
Do you know what the difference is
between being just a good man
versus a godly man?
Have you ever thought about that?
Have you ever wrestled with it?
Ladies, have you ever thought about
what it means to be a godly man?
I mean, you're probably sitting there going,
I bet you need to know what that looks like.
The difference, Paul says,
is that godly men
take responsibility for their actions.
They move past just being a provider,
a protector,
showing up at the end of the day
to how can I take responsibility
for my actions?
The words that I say,
the way that I spend my time,
the way that I focus
and engage in different relationships,
it's by taking responsibility
and not making excuses
for simple behavior.
Why were you short with your wife?
Well, you know,
I've got a lot going on at work.
Well, why were you impatient
with your kids?
Well, you know,
it's just a lot of stress
and I'm tired
and there's so many things going on.
Why didn't you do this
or why didn't you do that?
And we make excuse
after excuse after excuse.
But a godly man
begins to take responsibility
for his actions.
And we don't justify
our sinful choices.
And men,
I want to say something to you
because a lot of times
we get beat up in church,
don't we?
Don't we get beat up in church?
Father's Day.
Boy, don't we love Father's Day?
Let's go to church
and get beat up.
Get elbowed by our wife.
See, the pastor's telling you
you need to train her.
Men, you're not a failure
if you fail.
You are going to fail.
That's how we learn.
Okay?
You fail if you quit.
You fail if you quit
focusing on who God
wants you to be.
I mean, if we wanted to get
real technical
and real spiritual here,
you know,
when we're saved,
that's justification.
While we're here on earth
figuring this whole thing out,
that's sanctification.
We're working out our salvation
with fear and trembling.
When we step into the presence of God,
that's glorification.
Okay?
There's a part in the middle.
You know that little dash
on those headstones?
You know what that is?
That dash?
That's your life.
That's how you're working this thing out.
And it's so very important.
Godly man doesn't stop
seeking to honor the Lord
and align himself
under God's authority.
I've got to ask you, though.
This is going to be a lot of fun.
Are you constantly making excuses
for how you treat your wife and kids?
Are you characterized
by someone who is arrogant,
rude,
quick-tempered,
or are you patient,
kind,
loving?
Are you present with the right people
at the right time?
Or are you distracted
and disengaged?
It was one of my favorite things
my dad would say growing up.
I've got a lot going on.
I just ain't had time.
It's been real intense.
Okay.
So you get to speak to us
in a way that's not very kind.
It's not very gracious.
Just because you have a lot going on.
People find it funny
that I share this story about my dad.
My dad's not a horrible guy.
I'm not throwing him under the bus.
It's just some of the things
the way I grew up.
Because my dad does have a lot going on.
But when I call him at his office
and his secretary answers,
I ask her a couple of questions.
Is he in a good mood or a bad mood?
You know?
Is he busy?
She's laughing.
She's like,
why do you ask me this?
Because I'm like,
at my age,
if he's busy,
he ain't going to listen to what I'm saying.
And number two,
if he's in a bad mood,
it's probably going to put me in a bad mood.
And then we're going to have to resolve everything later.
So I might as well just call back at a different time.
Do you bring peace into your home?
Into your marriage?
The relationships you have with your kids?
Man, are you causing division?
Or are you bringing peace?
You know, men, we are...
Man, we set that temperature on the thermometer, right?
We don't want nobody else to touch it.
My kids are afraid to touch the thermostat at my house.
My wife was here.
She'd be like,
I'm not.
If you ever wondered what a southern bell looked like,
if my wife was here,
I would have to translate for most of y'all
because she can't talk to automated systems.
No does not have like five or six syllables.
No, it's really bad.
But all these things that I presented to you,
speaking of my wife,
because a lot of times men,
hey,
you a good husband?
Oh, yeah.
I think I'm a good husband.
You a good dad?
Oh, yeah.
I'm a good dad.
What would Shelly say?
My wife.
What would your wife say?
Me and you want to know what type of husband you are?
Just ask your wife.
She'll tell you.
She probably has.
Maybe you weren't listening.
You went to your nothing box.
That's a whole other sermon for a different day.
You're a good dad.
What would your kids say?
Man,
if I don't sit down and talk with Hannah and Caleb
about the type of dad I am,
I'm just a prideful, arrogant jerk
because I think I'm doing a good job.
But my best intentions may not be what they need.
Most important,
what would God say?
How would God say that you're doing
as a husband,
as a father?
Some lovely questions, aren't they?
If you can't say amen,
say ouch.
I know, right?
Hey, the good thing is
I'm going to step on your toes,
but I'm going to step on mine as well.
Right?
I usually try to tell people
when they say,
oh man,
that really got a hold of me.
Like good,
because God beat me up
before I got here.
And so I just wanted to include you
in the process
because it's more fun to suffer,
I mean learn together
as we go forward.
You know,
in our conversations,
especially in our homes,
if they are not being run
through Galatians chapter 5,
man,
if we're not passing
those conversations
through that filter of love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
self-control,
then we are not aligned.
So repent.
How many times do we see that
in the scriptures?
Repent.
Change your mind.
Change your default.
Realign things to say,
you know what?
I'm going to give my wife
and I'm going to give my kids,
our family,
I'm going to set the temperature
on the thermostat.
You know what it's going to be?
It's going to be Galatians 5.
And if I have a conversation
with my kids,
I'm going to give them the freedom
to come to me
in a respectful way
and say,
hey dad,
you know the other day
when we talked,
it didn't appear
you were very self-controlled.
What?
You let your kids do that?
Absolutely.
Hey dear,
you know the other day
when you were talking
about the rusty old file cabinets
in the back of my vehicle
that were making noises,
you were going down the road.
Oh, I'm sorry.
That was this morning.
You weren't very kind
when you,
babe, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to be short
with you
and make a snarky comment.
We give ourselves permission
to have those conversations
because folks,
let me tell you
and I just want to be honest
with you
and transparent today
to say to you,
I messed this up
for a long time.
I got it wrong
for so long
and thankfully
the Holy Spirit
woke me up
and brought me
to a place
of changing my default,
repenting,
changing my mind
and really setting
a standard in my home
that brings about peace,
not conflict
and division.
One guy who got it right
was J.C. Ryle.
I don't know
if you ever read
some of his stuff
but it's really,
really good.
In 1816,
J.C. Ryle was born
in England
into an immensely wealthy
and socially elite family.
His grandfather
earned a fortune
and then he left it
to Ryle's father.
John Charles, J.C.,
was the oldest son
and grew up
lacking no comfort.
The oldest son
of a wealthy English family
was expected
to seek a career
in Parliament
and that was Ryle's ambition.
At 21,
he suffered a long,
drawn-out lung infection
and during his confinement,
he began to read the Bible,
something that,
according to his own admission,
he had not done
for 14 years.
And one Sunday,
during his recovery,
he entered
an Oxford church
just as Ephesians 2,
verse 8,
was being read.
For it is by grace
you have been saved
through faith.
And this is not
from yourselves,
it is the gift of God.
He came under
great conviction
at this moment.
He was converted
and from that moment
to the last recorded syllable
of this life,
notes his biographer,
no doubt ever lingered
in John's mind
that the Word of God
was living,
active,
and powerful,
sharper than any
two-edged sword
that cuts deep
into the marrow.
From his conversion
in 1837
to his burial
in 1900,
J.C. Ryle
was entirely
one-dimensional.
He was a one-book man.
He was steeped
in Scripture.
He bled
the Bible.
And as only Ryle
could say,
and I hope you'll
latch on to this,
it is still
the first book
which fits
the child's mind
when he begins
to learn religion
and the last
to which
the old man
clings
as he leaves
this world.
This is why
his works
have lasted.
This is why
it stands
the test of time.
The Bible as well,
it'll last
because it bears
the stamp
of eternity.
And today,
more than a hundred
years after his passing,
Ryle's works
stand at the crossroads
between the historic
faith
and modern
evangelicalism.
That's a tough
word to say
in front of people.
You know that?
But like signposts,
they direct us
to the old past
and the signposts
are meant to be read.
I want to share
with you
some great advice
from him.
I set that up
for you
just so you could
see how timeless
what the,
I've read stuff
of his
and he wrote it
so long ago
and I'm like,
golly,
he hit the nail
on the head.
Ah,
he must have just,
that must have just
been pinned.
Nope.
So far long ago.
This is what he says
to parents.
You cannot make
your children
love the Bible,
I admit.
None but the Holy Spirit
can give us a heart
to delight in the Word.
But you can make
your children
acquainted
with the Bible
and be sure
they cannot be
acquainted with that
blessed book
too soon
or too well.
Like Ryle,
when we look closely
in the Scriptures,
we cannot help
but see
as parents,
we are called
to be the primary
disciples of our children.
Now I want to
carry you through
a few passages
in Deuteronomy.
You're not going
to be able
to keep up with me.
I cheated.
I put little tabs
in my Bible
so I'm going to
flip pretty fast.
My encouragement
to you
is to write
these down
and to go back
through them later
and just listen
as we move
through some texts
in the Old Testament
starting in
Deuteronomy
chapter 4
verses 9
through 10.
It says,
Only take care
and keep your soul
diligently
lest you forget
the things
that your eyes
have seen
and lest they
depart from your heart
all the days
of your life.
Make them known
to your children
and your children's
children.
How on the day
that you stood
before the Lord
your God
at Horeb
the Lord
said to me,
Gather the people
to me
that I may let
them hear my words
so that they
may learn
to fear me
all the days
that they live
on the earth
and that they
may teach
their children
so.
Flip over to
chapter 6
verses 4
through 9
if you can do it
quick.
Anybody Bible drills
grow up doing
Bible drills?
Yeah?
Back there
see that?
Yeah?
I didn't make it
past some of the
earlier rounds
but hey,
I did learn
a lot
from what I did
go through.
Chapter 6
verses 4
through 9
Hear O Israel
the Lord our God
the Lord is one
you shall love
the Lord your God
with all your heart
with all your soul
and with all your might
and these words
that I command you
today shall be
on your heart
you shall teach
them diligently
to your children
and shall talk
of them when you
sit in your house
and when you
walk by the way
and when you
lie down
and when you
rise
you shall bind
them as a sign
on your hand
and they shall
be as frontlets
between your eyes
you shall write
them on the
doorposts
of your house
and on your gates
chapter 11
verses 18
through 19
you shall therefore
lay up these words
of mine in your heart
and in your soul
and you shall bind
them as a sign
on your hand
and they shall be
as frontlets
between your eyes
you shall teach
them to your children
talking of them
when you are sitting
in your house
and when you are
walking by the way
and when you lie
down
and when you rise
chapter 4
verse 9
this solemn
admonition
to be careful
it's an admonition
that occurs
numerous times
in Deuteronomy
if you go back
and read through it
and to watch
implies that the
Israelites
constantly face
the danger
of falling back
into sin
which would have
brought them
to the brink
of annihilation
as a nation
now what was
that sin
was idolatry
it was putting
anything
before their
relationship
with the almighty
God
and the nation
could become
idolatrous
in two related
ways
one
the depravity
of the human
mind
is so great
that the great
deeds of God
of his people
that they forget
and they might
slip
and lose focus
in their hearts
if they did not
constantly remind
themselves
of God's
mighty works
why do you think
we come to church
on a regular basis
why do you think
we gather together
it's for us
to be reminded
we don't come
in here
because God
needs us
to tell him
how great
he is
okay
he already
knows
but the posture
of our heart
man it needs
to be realigned
and shifted
we need to tell
him how great
he is
we need to be
reminded of who
he is
we need to look
back at the
things he's done
we need to be
refocused
so to speak
on our walk
with him
it's so important
to realign
ourselves
because it's
so easy
for us
to drift
away
or the second
way
through laziness
or apathy
parents might
fail to teach
them to their
children
and thus
their children
would become
idolaters
it's a big
issue
Deuteronomy
lays great
stress
not on the
priest
or other
religious
leaders
but on the
parents
as the ones
responsible
for their
children's
spiritual
education
the parents
see
God
trusts us
as parents
with his
great
revelation
such as
giving the
law at
Sinai
to faithful
stewards
who must
never forget
them and
must pass
them on
to their
children
but like
Joshua
from the
Old Testament
we got to
make a
choice
I don't
know if
you've
ever thought
about this
or not
but we're
free to
choose
we're not
free not
to choose
we're not
free to
choose the
consequences
or change
the outcome
of our
choice
but we
must make
a choice
you had to
make a
choice
I'm going to
get up
today
I'm going to
stay in bed
go to church
or am I not
we have
choices that
we make
all the
time
and Joshua
tells us
in chapter 24
verse 15
indicates
that he
wanted Israel
to be honest
with themselves
and declare
their allegiance
though he said
choose
he did not
intend to
encourage
idolatry
but was
confident
that the
very thought
of making
a commitment
to an idol
would be so
disgusting
to them
that they
would take
a stand
against all
such worship
and Joshua
left absolutely
no doubt
as to the
choice that
he was going
to make
for him
and for his
household
as for me
we're going
to serve
the Lord
what choices
are you making
for your
household
where is
your
allegiance
are we
as parents
doing enough
maybe
maybe not
I don't
know
how about
we ask
a better
question
according to
God's
clear directives
to parents
to be the
primary
disciples
of their
children
am I
being
efficient
or effective
what's
the difference
I thought
those were
the same
thing
no
if you're
efficient
you are
doing things
right
if you're
effective
you're doing
the right
things
now if I
handed you
a pair
of scissors
and I
asked you
to go
out
and cut
the grass
and you
went
blade by
blade
you'd be
efficient
if I
brought you
a zero
turn
you'd be
effective
right
see the
difference
it's not
just doing
things
right
it's
are we
doing
the right
things
when it
comes to
the leadership
in our
homes
when I
meet
with young
couples
for
premarital
pastoral
care
we're going
out of town
this week
for me
to do
my niece's
wedding
in Georgia
it's always
great
I don't
know why
how stupid
do your
family members
have to be
to get you
to do
their wedding
when they
know you're
going to ask
a bunch
of personal
probing
questions
I mean
really
hey
you know
what
you know
who I
am
you know
I'm
going to
ask
and you
still
want me
to do
your
wedding
yes
please
all right
well
all right
then
buckle
up
I asked
one of the
questions I
asked the
young man
can you
be the
spiritual
leader
of your
household
oh yeah
yeah I
can do
that
how are
you going
to do
that
y'all
know the
phrase
calf
looking
at a
new
gate
deer
caught
in
headlights
the
we got
any
teenage
boys
in here
I got
a 17
year old
y'all
know
y'all
stupid
and I
say that
because I
was I
was there
man
I mean
you know
I can't
get him
to speak
up when
I talk
to him
the grunting
the moaning
I mean
it's just
and the
decisions
that he
makes
some of
the time
good lord
but
yeah
oh yeah
I can
do that
well how
are you
planning on
doing it
I hadn't
thought about
that
do you know
if you ever
join a
small group
that I'm
leading
I'm just
going to
give you
a tip
there's two
answers
that you
can answer
most every
question
that I
ask you
Jesus
and not
as much
as I
should
here
let's
practice
do you
read your
bible
on a
regular
basis
okay
who
should
be at
the
very
center
of
your
life
see
there
you
go
it's
just
so
simple
if
you
know
those
two
things
but
you
see
we
cannot
expect
to
raise
godly
children
who
love
the
Lord
if
we
are
not
modeling
that
for
them
right
you
know
my son
plays
baseball
I'm not
going to
tell you
where
because
y'all
probably
egged
my
car
not
going to
tell you
where
but
you know
when we
go to
play
baseball
or we
go to
deer
hunt
there's a
lot of
conversation
that happens
that we
talk about
things on
an important
spiritual
level
and we
can't
miss
those
moments
and we
can't
expect
to raise
godly
children
if we
don't
seek
to create
those
times
where we
can
impact
them
and take
advantage
of them
being in
our
presence
and it
just
really
hit me
that
you know
I
look
back
on
the
time
in
the
car
the
time
in
the
truck
the
time
in
the
blind
the
powerful
conversations
I've had
with my
son
taking
my
daughter
out
to
eat
going
and
doing
some
of
her
girly
stuff
good
lord
that
I
don't
know
anything
about
but
just
being
present
to
have
conversations
those
are some
opportunities
that we
have
you see
because
once
the
choice
has
been
made
to
serve
the
Lord
we
must
teach
the
coming
generations
the
psalmist
in
psalm 78
says
I
must
recount
the
past
deeds
so
that
our
children
do
not
forget
each
generation
must
remember
that
the
Lord
revealed
the
divine
oracles
to
Israel
he
wanted
them
to
put
their
trust
in
God
to
remember
his
deeds
and
to
keep
his
commands
okay
that's
great
why
do we
need
to
hear
this
today
what's
the
point
because
we
need
it
as
well
wouldn't
you
say
that
our
world
is
a
little
bit
chaotic
right
now
do
you
think
that
our
world
needs
a
little
realignment
can
you
realign
the
world
can
you
realign
your
home
how's
the
world
going
to
change
we
realign
ourselves
we
realign
our
families
realign
our
churches
we
realign
our
communities
you
can't
fix
the
world
you
can
fix
your
home
it's
very
important
for
us
to
understand
that
and
understand
the
role
that
we
have
because
Deuteronomy
gives us
the command
Joshua
stresses
the choice
we must
make
and the
psalmist
shows us
the responsibility
that we
have
well you
know I
don't have
kids yet
you might
one day
so start
preparing
now for
what you
hope to
pass
on
well my
kids are
gone
as long
as they're
breathing
it's
not
too
late
maybe
if
they're
not
open
to
it
you
can
begin
preparing
to
disciple
your
grandkids
I
don't
plan
on
having
kids
well there's
some good
principles
for
discipleship
all
Christians
can take
away
from today's
message
and maybe
you are
plan to
serve
in an
area
where you
can
invest
in
someone
else's
kids
I
think
we
heard
an
appeal
this
morning
from
somebody
right
there's
some
opportunities
here to
invest
in the
younger
generation
did I
get
everyone
because like
I said
I don't
want us
to suffer
I mean
learn alone
here
I want to
make sure
I'm getting
everybody
included
Steve Wright
author of the
book of
parent privilege
challenged a
group of
student pastors
at a conference
I attended
years ago
with this
I found
this very
interesting
and I
said you
know
what
I'm
going to
do this
with my
students
I want
to see
if you're
making
this stuff
up
so he
said to
ask a
group of
students
like I
said I
took this
back
and I
was on
staff at
First Baptist
Plainview
Texas at
the time
I was a
youth
pastor
he said
ask them
how many
of you
read
scripture
with your
parents
on a
regular
basis
his
research
said
about
4-6%
he was
dead on
how many
of you
pray with
your parents
on a
regular
basis
again
he said
about
4-6%
is what
you're
going to
find
once
again
I wrote
them
down
I
did the
numbers
I
ran
the
math
and
everything
I
ran
it
all
I
took
how
many
responded
and
did
the
percentages
and
everything
and he
was
spot
on
both
of
these
and
then
he
said
now
how
many
of
you
would
like
to
read
the
scripture
and
pray
with
your
parents
on
a
regular
basis
if
they
asked
you
to
his
research
said
it
would
be
85
to
90%
and
for
the
leave
the
church
around
the
time
of
graduation
two
thirds
of
kids
and
church
going
families
are
walking
away
from
Christ
why
do
you
think
that
is
give
you
a
little
insight
from
two
pastors
I
highly
respect
one
says
listen
60%
of
children
who
grow up
in
evangelical
churches
do
not
return
to
those
churches
as
an
adult
because
they
do
not
see
a
real
genuine
!
commitment
in
the
lives
of
their
parents
another
one
says
no
country
in
history
has
ever
survived
the
destruction
of
the
family
unit
why
is
it
that
there
seems
to
be
so
many
church
going
parents
who
turn
out
children
who
eventually
forsake
the
church
and
turn
their
backs
on
Christianity
and
it's
happening
with
alarming
frequency
one
major
reason
that
it
gives
no
genuine
passion
and
real
love
for
the
things
of
God
seen
in
their
parents
man
if
that
don't
get
a
hold
of
you
I
don't
know
what
will
man
we
bring
we tend
to bring
more
energy
and more
focus
to so
many
other
things
don't
we
we've
made
so
many
other
things
a
priority
all
these
extracurricular
activities
that we're
involved
in
and
I've
been
guilty
at
times
myself
I'm
not
trying
to
cause
anybody
to feel
guilty
but
I am
trying
to
get
you
to
help
evaluate
do
you
need
to
realign
yourself
because
we
tend
to
put
a
whole
lot
of
stuff
before
our
relationship
with
the
Lord
you
know
what
that's
called
according
to
the
scriptures
it's
called
idolatry
what about
those parents
who think
they're
getting
it
right
but
are
actually
missing
it
as
one
pastor
I
served
under
said
parents
are
the
primary
disciples
of their
children
and must
not
delegate
that
responsibility
to
anyone
God
has
given
us
our
kids
to
bring
them
up
to
follow
Jesus
hey
you know
what
man
did you
disciple
your
kids
I sure
did
well how'd
you do
that
well you
know I
took them
I took
them to
Sunday
school
I dropped
them off
did
you
go to
something
no
you
know I
don't
need
that
stuff
I
went
home
I
let
somebody
else
teach
them
in
Sunday
school
and then
they
went to
children's
church
and I
picked
them
up
after
they
were
done
and you
know
we
went
to
eat
and you
know
did y'all
talk
about
what
they
talked
about
no
I
didn't
!
really
do
that
because
I
couldn't
relate
but
you
know
then
on
Wednesday
I
got
them
there
so
because
those
kids
need
to be
in
church
and I
tell you
what
I
dropped
them
off
you
don't
know
how
hard
it
was
to
adjust
my
schedule
so I
could
drop
them
off
so
that
doesn't
even
sound
good
does
it
that's
what
happens
sorry
folks
that's
not
God's
plan
for
discipleship
and
one
family
who
did
just
that
we
dropped
them
off
every
time
the
door
was
open
we
went
to
serve
in
another
place
all
the
while
honestly
believed
we
were
doing
the
right
thing
and
I
wish
someone
had
told
us
that
the
responsibility
of
discipling
our
children
was
ours
not
the
church
staff
it's
been
said
and I
agree
100%
most
parents
know
deep
down
that
they
cannot
hand
the
privilege
of
discipling
their
children
to a
pastor
you see
we have
an
incredible
privilege
plainly
in front
of us
the
apparent
privilege
to
disciple
our
children
the
church
and the
home
must
come
together
it's
not
going
to
work
and
I
tell
you
that
not
just
because
I
read
it
in
a
book
spent
25
plus
years
in
pastoral
ministry
15
of
which
was
a
youth
pastor
did
my
time
folks
don't
ever
ask
me
to
go
to
summer
camp
I
went
for
20
years
I'm
done
you
want
to
go
to
camp
nope
you
want
to
drive
the
bus
find
somebody
else
we
need
you
sorry
about
that
still
working
on
that
taking
responsibility
for
my
actions
I'm
a
good
man
today
not
a
godly
man
yet
when
it
comes
to
student
camp
a
lot
of
times
what
happens
to us
and
our
families
and
maybe
you
can
relate
is
that
we
outsource
a lot
of
areas
we
take
them
to
the
coach
for
their
physical
development
we
take
them
to
a
counselor
for
their
mental
development
we
take
them
to
the
youth
pastor
for
their
spiritual
development
and
what
we
end
up
doing
is
disengaging
from
our
kids
lives
and
just
managing
the
professionals
I
challenge
you to
find me
book
chapter
and
verse
where
God
says
I
just
want
you
to
find
some
good
professionals
and
I
want
you
to
manage
them
really
well
so
your
kids
can
turn
out
who
I
want
them
to
be
you
ever
found
that
me
neither
what
I
do
find
is
him
saying
you
invest
in
the
lives
of
your
kids
what
does
the
research
tell
us
70%
of
teens
identify
their
parents
as
their
most
important
influence
in
their
lives
right
it's
kind of
like
when
somebody
says
hey
man
God's
everywhere
he
will
never
leave
you
forsake
you
he
knows
what's
going
on
man
that's
oh
he's
everywhere
he sees
everything
he knows
what's
going
on
I'm
my
kid's
hero
I'm
the
most
powerful
influence
oh
man
I
better
step
it
up
you
see
contrary
to
what
parents
think
kids
say
mom
and dad
have
the
biggest
impact
on
the
choices
they
make
ages
13
to
24
were
asked
what
makes
you
happy
spending
time
with
family
was
the
top
answer
nearly
half
of
teens
mention
at
least
one
of
their
parents
as
a
hero
and
the
research
concludes
with
this
parents
play
an
extremely
important
role
in the
developing
religious
attitudes
and practices
in their
kids
but here's
the comments
that I usually
hear
I can't
do it
yes
you can
yes
you can
repeat
after me
I can
do this
oh
that's the
reason why
you can't
right there
I can
do this
no you
can't
I can
do this
now
now you
can
now you're
moving in
the right
direction
God wants
me to
do this
God
wants me
to do
this
I carry
more
influence
if y'all
don't start
talking loud
I'm gonna
start throwing
these ping pong
balls
I carry
more
influence
than I
give myself
credit
for
now here's
what I want
you to do
I want you
to say that
until you
believe it
and then I
want you to
say it
because you
believe it
do you
realize that
there are
times when I
struggle to
answer my
kids questions
about the
Bible
I have a
masters of
divinity
with biblical
languages
okay
I took
two semesters
of Hebrew
four semesters
of Greek
biblical
background
systematic
theology
and a
bunch
of other
things
I can't
say
I don't
know
there are
times they
ask me
questions that
I don't
have any
answers to
we all
are gonna
be in that
situation
I mean
sometimes
I have to
say I
don't know
dad doesn't
know
everything
I'll have
to look
it up
but I'm
grateful that
we're having
the conversations
and we can
seek these
answers together
as a family
oh well
you know
the Bible
is too
confusing
it's
intimidating
okay
so you
believe
things
in the
Bible
but don't
fully
understand
them
you ever
had that
problem
welcome
to the
club
dig
study
prepare
beg God
for guidance
do we
give up
so easily
in other
areas
no
why
aren't we
giving up
on the
most important
thing
God has
asked us
to do
as parents
we get
on the
internet
go ask
questions
ladies
you know
you be
shopping
all the
time
looking up
stuff
anyway
for the
best
deals
don't
tell me
you can't
research
something
on the
internet
you lying
here's
what must
be avoided
refusing to
get our
children acquainted
with the
Bible
just because
it's hard
or intimidating
as parents
it's our
responsibility
and it's a
crucial one
in his book
on heaven
D.L.
Moody
spoke about
a father
that he met
in New York
the father
had a son
who was
periodically
ill
no one
really thought
his illness
was serious
until the
child took
a turn
for the
worse
when the
doctor
came to
the parents
and informed
the mother
that the
boy's disease
was terminal
he wouldn't
live
but for a
few more
days
when the
father came
home from
work that
night
he saw
his wife
weeping
and asked
her why
there's been
a great
change in
our boy
since morning
the mother
said
the doctor
tells me
that he
is very
ill
and he
may not
live out
the night
when the
father went
in to see
his son
it was
apparent
that the
boy knew
what was
going on
he looked
up at
his dad
and said
I will
be with
Jesus
tonight
won't I
the father
answered
yes son
it's very
likely that
you will
be with
Jesus
tonight
as the
father
spoke
tears
streamed
down
his
face
and he
tried
to hide
!
them
from his
boy
but the
boy
saw the
tears
!
because
when I
get up
to
heaven
I'm
going to
go
straight
to
Jesus
and
I'm
going
to
tell
him
that
ever
since
I
can
remember
you
have
tried
to
lead
me
to
him
glory
hallelujah
boy
isn't that
the end
result
we as
fathers
and
parents
as
Christian
people
should
want
parents
fathers
specifically
are you
more
concerned
about
your
kids
success
in
this
life
than
you
are
about
them
coming
to
know
Jesus
and
growing
in
a
relationship
with
him
we
cannot
help
our
children
gain
the
whole
world
but yet
have
them
forfeit
their
soul
Satan
wants
our
kids
and
this
world
is
trying
to
pull
them
away
from
the
things
of
God
Satan
is
trying
to
divide
their
affection
we
must
!
go to
war
for
the
hearts
and
minds
family
discipleship
it
can
be
intimidating
and
at
times
challenging
but
man
is
it
rewarding
as a
result
we get
to see
and experience
first hand
the spiritual
growth
of our
kids
moving
forward
parents
you are
the primary
spiritual
leaders
for your
children
you are
most
important
thing
for you
to do
is
teach
your
kids
to
love
Jesus
and
do
what
works
for
your
family
in
this
season
of
life
it's
not
going
to
look
the
same
as
it
does
for
other
families
there
is
no
cookie
cutter
way
you are
going
to
have
to
navigate
schedules
and
activities
and
things
going
on
at
work
and
whatever
and
I
want
to
say
this
to
you
because
I
don't
want
to
leave
you
with
the
wrong
impression
because
I
know
y'all
thought
that
I
was
perfect
and
I
got
all
this
right
I'm
not
right
coach
a
friend
of
mine
sitting
in
the
back
I'm
glad
he's
not
up
here
sharing
about
the
lack
of
perfection
in
my
life
I'm
not
where
I
need
to
be
either
but
I
ain't
where
I
used
to
be
not
who
I
used
to
be
I
don't
act
the
way
I
used
to
the
moment
I
trusted
Jesus
my identity
changed
I
became
a new
creation
I
went
from
image
bearer
enemy
having
value
to
image
bearer
royalty
being
a
son
of
the
king
and
everything
changed
for me
if you
have yet
to trust
Jesus
what are
you
waiting
on
what
are
you
waiting
on
what
are
you
holding
on
to
that
you've
convinced
yourself
that
you
don't
need
him
are
you
ready
to
repent
ready
to
change
your
mind
about
what
you've
been
chasing
after
if you've
already
trusted
him
are
you
ready
to
start
pouring
into
the
future
generations
like
you
need
to
man
I
hope
so
see
the
Bible
tells
us
how
to
be
saved
all
who
come
to
faith
are
saved
by
one
thing
one
thing
only
God
purifying
our
hearts
through
belief
in
Jesus
Christ
that's
it
he
is
the
way
he
is
the
truth
he
is
the
life
and
the
relationship
you
have
with
him
is
worthy
for
you
to
focus
on
worthy
for
you
to
pass
on
to
the
next
generations
God
thank
you
for
today
thank
you
for
this
opportunity
thank
you
for
this
group
of
people
pray
a
blessing
over
them
pray
that
you
will
continue
to
lead
them
closer
to
you
through
the
study
and
understanding
of
your
word
God
I
pray
that
you
continue
to
mold
us
and
shape
us
into
who
you
want
us
to
be
in
Jesus
name
Amen