if you could instill but one character trait for your child, to help them lead a life of...

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The One Trait

• If you could instill but one character trait for your child, to help them lead a life of righteousness and obedience to God, what would it be?

– Hint: God highlights one possible suggestion through repetition in the Bible…

Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for

the LORD, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my

heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. But this word of the

LORD came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many

wars.

You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But

you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him

rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I

will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.

He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel

forever.'

"Now, my son, the LORD be with you, and may you have success and build

the house of the LORD your God, as he said you would.

May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in

command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for

Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

1 Chronicles 22:6-13

From Father to Son

• What does this passage say about God’s purpose for each of us individually?

• What is David passing along to Solomon in the course of this passage?

• Which character trait jumped out at you as being very scripturally familiar?

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do

the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my

God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is

finished.

1 Chronicles 28:20

Be Strong and Courageous

• Why is this theme so important to David?

• What role did strength and courage play in David’s life experience?– Good and bad?

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all

Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the

land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you

must divide it among them as their inheritance.

Deuteronomy 31:7

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you

may be successful wherever you go.

Joshua 1:7

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of

the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power

with us than with him.

2 Chronicles 32:7

say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear;

your God will come, he will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution he will come to save you."

Isaiah 35:4

Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you," declares the LORD."Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice;

I will not let you go entirely unpunished."

Jeremiah 46:28

I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious

house."

Ezekiel 3:9

"Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong

now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was

strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me

strength."

Daniel 10:19

But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."

Matthew 17:7

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Matthew 28:10

But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has

been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give

him the name John.

Luke 1:13

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor

with God.

Luke 1:30

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great

joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 2:10

Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch

men.“

Luke 5:10(b)

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she

will be healed."

Luke 8:50

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after

that can do no more.

Luke 12:4

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As

you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in

Rome."

Acts 23:11

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will

be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve

stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial

before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with

you.'

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

Acts 27:22-26

Fear of What?

• Circumstances

• Loss

• The Enemy

• God’s Plan

Courage to do What?

• Fulfill God’s Purpose• Focus on the Task at Hand• Lead• Follow• Listen to God’s Message• Endure• Take a Risk• Crash a Boat

Daniel

• 605 B.C.• Daniel is taken captive to Babylon to

serve in King Nebuchadnezzar.• Probably about 14 years of age.• Name changed to a pagan meaning:– Belteshazzar = “the keeper of the

treasure of Baal”

Daniel

• Subjected to three years of education and indoctrination into Babylonian culture.– Learned a new language.– Learned all the “wisdom” of his new

country.

• Daniel Draws the Line–Will not eat or drink from the king’s

table.

Daniel

• Why draw the line there?– No prohibition to changing your name.– No prohibition to learning about other

cultures.– The Bible does prohibit the consumption

of unclean foods sacrificed before idols.

• Daniel said “no” where God says “no.”

Daniel’ Traits

• He was uncompromising.• He demonstrated conviction.• He maintained his courtesy.• He demonstrated unflagging

confidence.• He maintained consistency.– Outlasting many kings of Babylon.

Daniel’s Impact

• God granted him influence over his foreign king.

• Daniel was in inspiration to his immediate friends.

• Daniel was an encouragement to his captive people.

Overcoming Peer Pressure

• Peer pressure study.• Teach your child:– Important choices will present

themselves.– Establish your convictions before they

come.– How to predict and assess risk.– Daily dependence on God.– Skills on choosing friends.– To declare decisions with courage.

Challenge Questions

• How have the challenges you’ve faced since you were a teen shaped you?

• How do you strike a balance between actively directing your child’s path and letting them establish their own convictions along the way?