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“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 1. BE REALISTIC >>Kids make mistakes - and so do we. Their choices do not define our worth or determine whether we have succeeded as parents. >>Lead with love, not shame - Luke 15:20 | Romans 2:4 2. BE RELATIONAL >>As our kids grow, our role changes:       Caregiver -> Cop -> Coach -> Consultant >>Steward the relationship so the door remains open. 3. BE RELIANT >>Eventually, our kids will go places we cannot follow and make choices we cannot control. >>God loves our kids more than we ever could - Romans 8:32 KEY TAKEAWAYS: >>Point the path; don't try to control the outcome. >>Choose relationship over shame or constant correction. >>Allow your role to change as your kids grow. >>Trust God in the places your influence cannot reach. >>“Just because it’s not going according to plan, doesn’t mean there isn’t a plan.” Point the path toward Jesus - and trust Him with what happens next.

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.  Proverbs 13:20 What does a faithful friend do? >>A faithful friend STAYS when things get hard. (Proverbs 18:24) >>A faithful friend SPEAKS THE TRUTH in love. (Proverbs 27:5–6) >>A faithful friend HELPS US GROW. (Proverbs 27:17) “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  Proverbs 27:17 Two questions to consider: 1. Who have I invited to speak honestly into my life? 2. Am I being for others what I need them to be for me?   The greatest decision we will ever make is to follow Jesus, and the best way to do that is together.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. – Proverbs 4:11    Everybody is on a path to somewhere.   The direction you're traveling matters more than the speed you're moving.    Is the path you're on going to get you where you want to go?  1. Look down the road: What's your ending? (vv. 10–19)  If nothing changed, where would you end up? Wanting a destination isn't the same as walking toward it.    2. Look inward: What's shaping your heart? (vv. 20–23)  Your direction is set in your heart before it shows up in your steps.   “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (4:23)    3. Look at your steps: What needs to change? (vv. 24–27)  You can’t change where you’ve been, but you can choose where you go next.    We can't choose the right path forward until we're honest about where we are.  Wisdom doesn’t shame you for wandering; it invites you back.    Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6    Choose the path that leads to life. Choose to follow Jesus!

NO ONE has the market cornered on difficulties. We all have them.  Take Heart. Stand Firm. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But… [But…] take heart [STAND FIRM] I have OVERCOME the world.” John 16:33 Humility and Anxiety >>Two major words at play in 1 Peter 5:5-7 -Humility and Anxiety >>Philippians 2:6-8 >>Humility is not thinking less of oneself, but thinking of one self less.   -“Pride is the exact Anti-God state of mind.” C.S. Lewis  >>Anxiety is the concern of what may or may not be.   For Followers of Jesus who may walk with anxiety please remember… 1. You are not alone. 2. Today is not forever. Today is just today and God has provided enough for today. 3. The Grace of God is enough for you. It truly is.   Sober Mind = Sound Mind   We Stand Firm by the Grace of God!

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12    As we trust God through difficulties, trials can refine and strengthen our faith. (1:7; 4:12)    If we belong to Jesus, we shouldn’t be surprised when we suffer like Jesus.    How to rejoice in hard times (Philippians 4:4-8)  >>Thank God for what He’s given.  >>Remember what God says is true.    When life gets hard, how can we stand firm?  1. Expect it.  Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee an easy life. It guarantees a faithful God in the middle of a hard life.    2. Examine it.  Is this the cost of following Jesus, a hardship I didn’t cause, or a choice I need to take responsibility for?    3. Entrust it.  Commit yourself to your faithful Creator and continue to do good. (4:19)    We stand firm, knowing that God is with us and that Heaven awaits us.

Sometimes we get so used to something being broken that we start treating it like it’s normal. “You have spent enough time in the past…” 1 Peter 4:3   A Process of Repentance  1. Recognize it.   What sin am I letting linger too long?  2. Rethink it.   What have I told myself that has made this brokenness feel normal?  3. Rearrange it.   What needs to change so I don’t fall back into the same sinful pattern?  Live With the End in Mind  “The rest of their earthly lives…” — v. 2  “You have spent enough time in the past…” — v. 3  “The end of all things is near.” — v. 7  So how should we live?  >>We love even when we hurt.  >>We make room for one more.  >>We all contribute to the fellowship.    We stand firm by living for what lasts.  What do you need Jesus to heal in your life, and will you surrender it to Him?

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8    >>Someone else’s behavior doesn’t get to determine how we respond. Jesus does.  vv. 8-12    >>We live in such a way that makes people curious about Jesus.  vv. 13-17    >>We can respond like Jesus because our hope is in Jesus.  vv. 18-22    This week:  We respond like Jesus when people hurt us.  We respond like Jesus when the world tries to frighten us.  We respond like Jesus because Jesus has already won!    Have you surrendered your life to Jesus?

1 Peter 1:1 “Exiles” who are in this world, but not of this world  • Historical Context = Exiles of Rome here are your encouragements and  instructions  • Foreknowledge is God’s omniscience to foreknow those who will “accept” his  grace.  • Predestined is “plural” in Scripture and refers to a collective group of receiving  hearts.  • Biblical Context = Peter’s encouragement to the Christian exiles on how to live.  1 Peter 3:1-7  • Situational Context = Christian women who may be married to non-believing  husband.  • Practical Context = Wives Support and Husbands be Considerate  • The Heart of the matter is always the Heart in the matter. It’s all about our Heart

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 The best way to share Jesus is by doing Jesus-like things. Live such good lives among the pagans that... they may see your good  deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.  1 Peter 2:12 We can honor someone without agreeing with them. >>Who is difficult for you to honor? Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:17 Standing firm means responding like Jesus and trusting God with the outcome.  ...Christ suffered for you, leaving an example, that you should follow in  his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 Respond like Jesus. Trust God with the outcome. And stand firm.

Jesus is the Living Stone and the Cornerstone.    A cornerstone is something we align our lives with, so we must ask: Who is the cornerstone of my life?    When Jesus is our cornerstone, we can live with confidence in who we are and in whose we are.    1 Peter 2:9, “But you are…”  » When you feel overlooked, remember you are chosen.  » When you feel insignificant, remember you are part of a royal priesthood.  » When you feel that you’ve made too many mistakes, remember you are set apart.  » When you feel unwanted, remember you are God’s special possession.  » When you feel alone, remember you are part of the people of God.  » When you feel ashamed, remember you have received mercy.     When the voices around you say one thing, listen for the voice of God saying, “But you are…”

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  1 Peter 2:2    We are meant to grow in our relationship with Jesus.  If Jesus has changed your future destination, He should change how you live in the present.    Whatever has been handed down to you doesn’t have to be handed down through you.  The blood of Jesus is more powerful than the brokenness of a family tree.     Spiritual growth is a necessity for a believer.  We should rid ourselves of sin and crave what nourishes our faith.     Application: What is your next step toward Jesus?

1 Peter 1:1-12 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. -1 Peter 5:9 A hope that holds firm is a hope that is anchored in Jesus. Here are a few things that Peter encourages us to do to have a hope that holds: 1. Turn our attention to Jesus. Let’s not get so focused on earthly trials that we lose sight of an eternal Savior.  2. Keep our faith in Jesus. Our failures don’t have to become the end of our story. 3. Strengthen others. Our trials can become testimonies of God’s grace and provision.  Whatever you’re facing, don’t lose hope. Our trials are temporary, but our hope is eternal.

Mark 5:18–20 NIV Jesus has authority over the evil and darkness in our lives.  Jesus changes us when he shows us mercy.  Jesus tells us to share what he has done for us. Your story matters. “Your story, your insight, your revelation of God’s heart, is something the rest of us need.” - Andrew Peterson You don’t tell your story alone.  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” Acts 1:8a NLT Your story can help free someone from darkness. What is your prayer for the Next Generation as they head into a new school year?

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”  —John 4:28-29    1. Jesus invites us to leave behind what cannot satisfy.    2. Jesus fills us with His life.   3. Jesus sends us to overflow into the lives of others.

What's your story? Why do you follow Jesus? How you tell your story is far less important than having the courage to share your story with those you are blessed to do life with. One Simple Question to your friend: "What do you believe to be true about Jesus?" Jesus’ instruction to Mary Magdalene at the Resurrection was simple: Go and tell what you have seen! Mary of Magdala was: * The first to see the empty tomb * The first to see the resurrected Jesus * The first to tell anyone that Jesus defeated death All I desire is the courage to share why I follow Jesus with the people I’m blessed to do life with