sunday’s scuds (may 31, 2009)

Sunday Dwight concluded the LIVIN’ IN THE HOOD series with a powerful message on relationships. Here’s some of what he had to share:

Three questions we need to ask ourselves as parents:

1. What am I doing to enhance my relationship with my children?
2. What am I doing to advance their relationship with God?
3. What am I doing to influence my children’s relationships outside of the family?

The scuds:

• Friends determine the direction and the quality of your life.
• Your life’s greatest regret probably came about due to a “friend’s” influence.
• Your friends often have more influence than your personal convictions do.
• Your friends often have more influence than your parents do.
• We believe this so much that beginning in Kindergarten, we encourage all NewPointe kids to be in a small group.
• Your kids need an adult in their lives other than you that offer the perspective of both a parent and a friend.

He who walks with the wise will grow wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

• The “wise” are those who know right and then choose to do what is right.
• The “fool” is the one who knows what is right but chooses to do wrong anyway.
• If your kids hang out with fools, they won’t necessarily become fools—it’s worse than that—they will suffer harm.
• Your children really don’t pick their friends. Instead, they tend to gravitate toward those who accept them.
• As parents, we must be aware of and intentional about the fact that those who are closest to us influence us the most.