INTRODUCTION:

A. Define valiant.
 1. Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary:  possessing or acting bravely, bold; courageous, heroic.
 2. David described as valiant in I Samuel 16:17.
 3. David encouraged others to be valiant in II Samuel 2:7.
B. To devise a five "P" plan for raising a valiant son.
C. To answer the why, the how, and the what questions of this issue.
D. To prevent haphazard actions or neglect of something so important.

DISCUSSION:

I. PLANNING.
 A. Importance of planning/counting the cost.
  1. Matthew 25:1-12 - Lesson on being prepared (parable of the ten virgins)
.  2. Luke 14:25-35 - Concept of sacrifice, reflecting on consequences.
 B. Planning before the birth of a child.
  1. What values do you want your son to hold as important?
  2. What goals do you plan to achieve as a parent?
  3. What changes may need to occur in your habits/lifestyle to become parents?
   a. II Corinthians 13:5.
   b. Galatians 6:4.
 C. Planning after birth.
  1. On-going process of planning and working toward our goals.
  2. Flexibility should be a vital part of our thinking.
  3. Remember you are planning for your son's well-being, not yours.
 D. Areas for planning.
  1. Spiritual development.
  2. Discipline.
  3. Social/moral/emotional development.
  4. Intellectual/educational development.
II. PRAYING.
 A. Parents must pray.
  1. Subjects of prayer.
   a. Child.
   b. Yourself as a parent.
   c. Environment influencing your child.
  2. Why is this so important?
   a. Philippians 4:6.
   b. Romans 12:12.
  3. Disciples asked Jesus for a lesson in prayer (Luke 11:1-10)
 B. Teaching your child to pray.
  1. How to pray - to whom, through whom, what for, etc.
  2. When to pray  - emphasis on on-going prayer relationship with God 
   (I Thessalonians 5:17,18).
  3. Understanding the consequences of prayer.
   a. Power of prayer (James 5:16).
   b. Persistence in prayer (Luke 18:1-8).
   c. Possible answers to prayer.
   d. Importance of confidence in prayer (Matthew      21:12-22; parable of barren fig tree).
III. PRACTICING DISCIPLINE.
 A. Parental obligation (Proverbs 19:18,27).
 B. Consistency.
  1. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
  2. Choose appropriate corrective action for the behavior.
   a. Proverbs 29:17.
   b. Ephesians 6:4.
  3. Go back to your plan for discipline.
 C. Balance.
  1. Training + Praise + Punishment = Discipline.
   a. Proverbs 22:6.
   b. Proverbs 23:12,14.
   c. Proverbs 29:15.
  2. Balance between parents (adults) who are responsible for disciplinary actions.
 D. Control.
  1. Calm down before punishing.
  2. Let your child know that you have control.
IV. PRAISING.
 A. Praise should be independent of punishment.
 B. Praise should accomplish several goals:
  1. Positive reinforcement for good behavior.
  2. Build self-esteem.
  3. Build relationship.
 C. Biblical examples of praise.
  1. God praised His Son (Matthew 3:17; Luke 3:22).
  2. Jesus praised the woman who anointed His head (Mark 14:3-9).
  3. Paul praised many in Romans 16, including Phoebe and Priscilla and Aquila.
 D. Praise should be sincere, motivated by love.
V. PROVING.
 A. Parental obligation to teach (Proverbs 6:20).
  1. Examples of teaching.
   a. Jesus taught disciples.
   b. Timothy (II Timothy 1:5).
   c. Solomon.
  2. Differentiate between deeds of the flesh and fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:19-23).
 B. Parents must provide the example of what behaviors are appropriate (Romans 12:2).
  1. Consider both those actions that you do perform and those that you do not perform 
   (I Thessalonians 5:22; 
   I Corinthians 15:33).
  2. Never forget to admit when you've made a mistake.
  3. Teach children as Ephesians 5:1,2 teaches to be imitators of God, walking in love.
CONCLUSION:
 A. Rehearse the five "P"s of raising a valiant son.
 B. Instilling confidence in your plan:  Philippians 4:13; Psalm 118:6; Hebrews 13:6.

         Jane Graham
         4159 Parkway Circle
         Duluth, GA 30136