The pathway to wisdom starts with “the fear of the LORD!”

The fear of the LORD is not a scare tactic, it’s a reverent awe.

Today’s topic: Family & Relationships

How can we walk wisely toward the destination of Godly families & relationships?

Proverbs 11:29 NLT

Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. 

The fool will be a servant to the wise.

Proverbs 11:29 The Message

Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air;

common sense tells you it’s a stupid way to live.

Proverbs 12:4 NLT

A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, 

but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

Proverbs 17:6 NLT

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; 

parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT

24 Don’t befriend angry people 

or associate with hot-tempered people, 

25 or you will learn to be like them 

and endanger your soul.

All of these Proverbs show us the reality of relational influence (both good and bad).

How can we walk wisely toward the destination of Godly families & relationships?

• We need to Grapple with the power of relational influence.

We are all living under the influence of our families and relationships.

How can we walk wisely toward the destination of Godly families & relationships?

• We need to pursue Godly character.

Proverbs 20:7 NLT

The godly walk with integrity; 

blessed are their children who follow them.

Proverbs 31:10-12, 27-29 NLT

10  Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? 

She is more precious than rubies. 

11 Her husband can trust her, 

and she will greatly enrich his life. 

12 She brings him good, not harm, 

all the days of her life.

…27 She carefully watches everything in her household 

and suffers nothing from laziness. 

28 Her children stand and bless her. 

Her husband praises her: 

29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

Proverbs 31:30 NLT

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; 

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

Character over …. (competency, wealth, beauty, power, significance, popularity, stuff, etc.)

Character over pretty much everything!

Good character doesn’t solve all your relational problems! 

But good character can help…

• de-escalate relational problems.
• turn relational issues into opportunities for growth.
• bring restoration to relational wounds.

How can we walk wisely toward the destination of Godly families & relationships?

• Humbly give & receive what is needed.

Proverbs 17:17

As iron sharpens iron, 

so a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 27:6

Wounds from a sincere friend 

are better than many kisses from an enemy.

Romans 12:15

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Proverbs 23:26

O my son, give me your heart. 

May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

Proverbs 13:24

Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. 

Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

How can we walk wisely toward the destination of Godly families & relationships?

• Examine your priorities.

Proverbs 15:16-17

16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, 

than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. 

17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love 

is better than steak with someone you hate.

Luke 9:23-25

23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

How can we walk wisely toward the destination of Godly families & relationships?

• Grapple with the power of relational influence
• Pursue Godly character
• Humbly give and receive what is needed
• Examine your priorities

But what about………….?

God fully understands the high highs and the low lows of our families & relationships.