Psalm 127:3-5 NLT - 3 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. 4 Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. 5 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 112:1-2 NASB - 1 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Five Pillars of Parenting

1. CULTURE

• The word culture can be understood as "what's normal here."
• Good parenting is creating a life-giving culture around your home.
• Family values
• Family mission
• Family identity
• Family traditions

2. AFFIRMATION

• Matthew 3:17 NLT - And a voice from heaven said, 
"This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."
• Affection
• Encouragement
• Praise
• Identity

3. DISCIPLINE

• Proverbs 13:24 NLT - Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
• Discipline is protecting your child.
• The discipline of routine
• The discipline of boundaries
• The discipline of rebuke
• The discipline of chastisement

4. INVESTMENT

• Proverbs 13:22 NIV - A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
• Invest time.
  • You spell love T-I-M-E.
  • Time for memories
  • Time for rituals
  • Time for conversations
• Invest tools.
  • You are equipping them with the tools that will propel them through life.
  • For example, something musical, something artistic, something athletic, a love for knowledge and reading

5. INSTRUCTION

• Deuteronomy 11:18–19 NLT - 18 So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them 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.
• Spiritual instruction
• Natural instruction