THE LIGHTHOUSE: CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING ONE

CONSEQUENCES was the topic of our class last night on HOW GOD DOES FAMILY. Over the last few weeks we've focused on the principles of family that GOD models in the Bible, specifically in Genesis and Ephesians. Quick review:
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1. GOD BLESSES!
2. GOD is POSITIVE!
3. GOD gives CHOICE!
4. GOD gives RESPONSIBILITY!
5. GOD gives CONSEQUENCES upfront!

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Do your children know the rules? Have you laid the CONSEQUENCES out in advance for not following the rules or doing their assigned responsibility? In your home does the punishment fit the crime?
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When our children were 3, 5, 7, and 9 we made our first family contract. I had read a book by Gary Smalley called THE KEY TO YOUR CHILD'S HEART that was full of amazing parenting principles. We took some ideas, combined them with some of our own and for several years had a posterboard laminated contract hanging on the wall in our home. It went something like this:

FAMILY CONTRACT
We, the undersigned agree that JOY comes from having
the attitude of JESUS and doing what JESUS would do!
We will remember that JOY can stand for:
Jesus first, Others next, and Yourself last.
Since JOY also comes from a thankful heart,

WE WILL BE THANKFUL and try to

DO THINGS THE FIRST TIME

WITHOUT COMPLAINING OR ARGUING.

If I do not have a CHRIST-like attitude and choose to complain or argue
OR am not courteous
OR don’t do my chores
OR don’t care for me and my things,
then I get a check.
If I get 3 checks in a day, there are consequences…
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We all signed our names to say that we agreed!

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The key for us, though, was applicable consequences for certain missed behaviors. When our child was told that expected behaviors revolve around "how you treat Jesus, Others, and Yourself and your possessions it made an impact.

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Last night in class people shared what their CONSEQUENCES might be or already were. CONSEQUENCES should be Firm, Fair, and Consistent. CHOICE can be given in CONSEQUENCES. Here are some:

• Un-Christ-like behavior - read/memorize applicable Bible verse(s); write thank you notes or pictures to people in the church/school; make a list or draw a picture of Jesus' good qualities; service project; clean toilet with toothbrush (when child has "potty" mouth).
• Un-courteous - tell person they were uncourteous to five positive things that he/she likes about him/her...giving that person a blessing; have two children sit knee to knee and eye to eye, just looking at each other until they're ready to positively bless each other; write letters of apology; memorize "one another" scriptures; can't go to friends house
• Chores not done...stay up to complete chores; do extra "creative" chore; do your chores and siblings chores.
• Un-caring of self and possessions...toy(s), TV, or outside play taken away taken away, can't wear favorite shirt until get clothes put away, did not feed animal?...then, child skips meal...

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What are the CONSEQUENCES of there being NO LIGHTHOUSE? We talked the other day about the uses of LIGHT. The very laws of nature tell us the CONSEQUENCES of not having LIGHT. What about not having THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD?

• darkness
• NO direction
• NO warning
• NO detection
• NO spiritual medicine
• NO guidance
• NO protection
• NO warmth for the soul
• NO healing of the soul
• NO melting of hearts
• No exposing of sin

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Our families need to know the LIGHT and know the CONSEQUENCES of a life without THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

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