Pastor Rob Carlson: 
"Marriage/Family: Keeping Your Relationships On Track" 
series: COMPASS: Chart Your Course
Sunday, January 18, 2004 

1 Samuel 1 - 3:10 (Pages 262-265 in pew Bible)  

PRINCIPLES TO AVOIDING DERAILMENT IN YOUR FAMILY

1. Cultivate a thriving marriage--continuously. 

1 Samuel 1:5, 8 

2. Dedicate your children to the Lord before they are born. 

1 Samuel 1:11 

3. Appreciate your children as a gift from God--especially when times are tough. 

1 Samuel 1:20 

4. Give your children to the Lord--over and over and over. 

1 Samuel 1:22, 24, 28 

12 Ways to Pray for Your Children (anonymous—adapted/edited by Rob)

1. That they will know Christ as Savior early in life. 

2. That they will have a hatred for sin. 

3. That they will be caught when guilty. 

4. That they will be protected from the evil one in each area of their life: mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, sexually, financially. 

5. That they will have a responsible attitude in all of their interpersonal relationships. 

6. That they will respect those in authority over them. 

7. That they will desire the right kinds of friends and be protected from the wrong friends. 

8. That they as well as their mate will be kept pure until marriage. 

9. That they will be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one. 

10. That they will totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all circumstances. 

11. That they will be single-hearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ. 

12. That there will be a hedge about them, so that they cannot find their way to wrong people and wrong places. And that the wrong people cannot find their way to them. 

5. Thank God for your children--take nothing for granted. 

1 Samuel 2:1-11 

6. Bridle a rebellious spirit. 

1 Samuel 2:12 

7. Teach the obedient life. 

1 Samuel 2:17 

8. Commit your kids to the Lord's service--model ministry. 

1 Samuel 2:18 

9. Develop a noble character. 

1 Samuel 2:22 

10. Foster life-long growth and enrichment--keep them growing. 

1 Samuel 2:26 

Luke 2:52--And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. 

11. Encourage (and model) a relationship with God. 

1 Samuel 3:10 

Colossians 3:18-21--Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 

1. What are the keys to a growing/thriving family life? 
2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
   What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 
3. How do we avoid derailment in our marriage, family, relationships? 
4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group. 

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