Faith in Our Children Luke

Faith in Our Children? ? ? • Luke 18: 8 When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Betsy Borns • Writer for the popular TV program 90 s Roseanne makes a comparison between this program and The Cleavers from the 50 s

Then and Now • • Problems - 1940 s Talking Chewing gum Making noise Running in the halls Cutting in line Dress code Littering • • Problems - 1990 s Drug abuse Alcohol abuse Pregnancy Suicide Rape Robbery Assault

The and Now • June Cleaver • Full-time homemaker • Tidy house, perfect hair, punctual meals • Loves baking, washes pots • Memorable romantic moment -Kisses returning husband • Proudest of Husband children • Roseanne Conner • Full-time waitress • House a war zone, hair is a rat’s nest, meals in a box • Loves bakeries, smokes pot • Memorable romantic moment goes to gay bar and kisses a lesbian. • Proud – allows her husband children to live

Then and Now • Ward Cleaver • Steady white collar job • Often called “Sir” by children • Enjoys getting news from paper • Children are disciplined when he comes home • Advice – Always follow Golden Rule • Dan Conner • Fixes trucks, has ring around the collar • Once call Fuhrer by daughter • Enjoys taking his beer from a can • Children are punished when he feels like it • Advice “Stop peeing behind the garage, you are killing the tomatoes

Then and Now • The Beaver • Shy, adorable • Once hid money in a sock to save for a bike • Memorable childhood moment - Baseball through a car window • Prank – Stuck in a billboard trying to see if there was soup in the bowl. • D. J. • Sly, incorrigible • Once hid a women’s magazine in bedroom • Memorable moment went to a school party and touch a boob. • Prank – stole the family car and hit a ditch.

Then and Now • Wally • Teen confession Lied to impress a girl • Dream date – quiet evening in a well-lit soda shop • Friends – brought oily Eddie Haskell home after school • Darlene • Teen confession used cocaine and then did it again. • Dream date – loud night in a cheap motel • Friends – brought her abused boyfriend home to live

Successful Parenting • • Gentle I Thess. 2: 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. Firm 11 As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children

Successful Parenting • • Share your Whole Self 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day 10 holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed

Trust • Can your children trust you? • Necessary to feel safe • Attachment is necessary – What you say – What you do – Your discipline – Consistency

Your Role as a Parent • • • What morals are you teaching? What values are you modeling? Don’t despair For every child in trouble there are thousands not in trouble. Hebrews 6: 9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation.

Next Week • Will He Find Faith In Middle Life People? • Luke 18: 8 When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?