The Influence of Older Children on Younger Ones

Plot

The main reason the Prodigal Son was a rebel was because he was rejected by his older brother. Most rebels in the Bible and in history were not 2nd borns, but 1st borns. When 2nd borns got into trouble, it was usually because they were following their older siblings. It is no quirk of nature that 1st borns are often very strong willed. God wanted that strong will turned in the right direction so that the influence of the parents and the 1st born cause the 2nd born to move in the right direction; then the influence of the parents, 1st born, & 2nd born move the 3rd born in the right direction, etc. There are 10 key principles from III John that older children should apply in relation to younger children which will bring joy to their own hearts as well as sweet harmony to their entire family. This message ends with three moving illustrations of the powerful influence of older children on younger ones.