Part 2: When Good Families Go Bad
WHEN THE GOOD GO BAD
PART 2
The Backstory:
ELI:
“Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord.” 1 Samuel 2:12 (NLT)
“Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Eli said to them, ‘I have been hearing reports from all the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning? You must stop, my sons! The reports I hear among the Lord’s people are not good.’” 1 Samuel 2:22-24 (NLT)
SAMUEL:
“As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice. Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. ‘Look,’ they told him, ‘you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.’” 1 Samuel 8:1-5 (NLT)
1. MYTHS ABOUT GODLY PARENTS:
GOING TO CHURCH PRODUCES SPIRITUALITY.
CHILDREN NEED TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES.
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NLT)
2. TO BE AN INFLUENCE FOR GOD: BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones.” Psalm 127:1-2 (NLT)
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.” Psalm 127:3-5 (NLT)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
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This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:
YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
“The Good God Brings Good From The Bad” (5 days)
Blog and Podcast: “Being a Perfect Parent”