Reaching a Childs Heart

Reaching a Child’s Heart
Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23


Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)

Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, …. , pride, foolishness.23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
We focus on behavior ….
Matt 23:25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.”
Family shapes a child’s heart …
Genesis 18:19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, …

Family shapes a child’s heart …
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Family shapes a child’s heart …
Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Two Mistakes - Right influences guarantee success Wrong influences won’t affect them

Orientation toward God …
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Orientation toward God …
Romans 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Orientation toward God …
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Orientation toward God …
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Sailing into the wind…
Our goal is to prepare our children to live life by relying on faith in God and His wisdom to choose their way through life ….
A heart directed toward God …
Joseph –
Genesis 50:19-21 Joseph said to them,"Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
A heart directed toward God …
Naaman’s servant girl – 2 Kings 5:1-4
2 And the Syrians had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife.3 Then she said to her mistress, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy."4 And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, "Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel."
Parental Authority
Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
Parental Authority
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Parental Authority
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
Proverbs 15:32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
Reaching a Child’s Heart
Proverbs 4:23