Pillar Six – Words of Affirmation

Why did you want to have children? ___________________________________________________

What does God want with and from your children? ___________________________________________________

What is one of the littlest, but strongest muscles in the body? ________________

James 3:2-12 

1. What happens when we use words that tear down?

• The impact of words can be good or bad.
  • Proverbs 10:31; 15:4; 18:21
• Quotes
  • "Words are free. It's how you use them that may cost you." - Kushand Wizdom
  • "Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs." - Pearl Strachan Hurd

2. The Importance of Words

• They live in a world that lives differently than what we were raised in.
• Our job is to train them in the ways that they
  should go.
• Definitions of words are important.
• Our words make all the difference in how our children will turn out.

3. How should we talk to our children?

• There is time for correction.
• Conversation is the key!!!!

4. Use words of affirmation.

• Tell them that you are proud of them.
• The most important is to tell them that you love them.
• As they get older the conversations will change.
• Words come from the heart.
  • Luke 6:45; Psalms 141:3
• Bless your children.

Jesus said it inMatthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”  Jack Handey

Bonus Pillar Seven – Honor God

Review of the Pillars

1. Set goals – Put them in order and speak them.
2. Pray for them and with them ALL THE TIME.
3. Be consistent in life – Hypocrisy kills.
4. Teach them to reason – Don’t raise them on, “Because I said so.”
5. Guard what influences their lives – Minimize the bad and honor the good.
6. Speak words of life – Show the shortcomings of bad character and glory of good character.

Bonus Pillar

Malachi 3:7-12

Pillar 7 – Honor God.

We reap what we sow. With the measure you want your children to honor you and serve God, you honor God and serve Him.

Tithe is one of those ways to honor God. Tithing recognizes God as our source.

When we don’t, we rob His house which keeps His house from serving the world.

God says, “Put me to the Test.”

The Promise

• He will bless until there is no more need.
• He will rebuke the devourer.
• The nations will call you blessed.
• Your land will be a delight.