Introduction: God created the family, or household, as a spiritual unit. It is unnatural for it to be divided spiritually. God wants it to be united.

• Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9-10 [9] And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
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• Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:30-32 [30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? [31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
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• The Believing Spouse (1 Corinthians 7:12-14 [12] But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. [13] And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. [14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
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• Example of Abraham (Genesis 18:19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
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How can the family be a true spiritual unit? It takes ELC (compare to TLC – tender-loving care). ELC stands for Example, Love, and Command. This is taken from Ephesians 6:4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
See All... – “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

• EXAMPLE – bring them up
• LOVE – in the nurture…of the Lord
• COMMAND – in the...admonition of the Lord

1. EXAMPLE – bring them up
1. Must Bring Up to Bring Out (Genesis 19:12And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
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2. Must Be Up to Bring Up (Proverbs 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
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3. The Power of Example (1 Peter 3:1-4 [1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; [2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. [3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
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4. The Pattern of Example (1 Timothy 4:12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
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2. LOVE – in the nurture…of the Lord
1. Show the Butter and Honey to your Children (Isaiah 7:15Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
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2. Avoid Inconsistent or Unjust Dealings (Ephesians 6:4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
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3. COMMAND – in the…admonition of the Lord
1. The Part of the Children (Ephesians 6:1-3 [1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. [2] Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; [3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
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2. The Part of the Parents
1. Command in the ways of God (Genesis 18:19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
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2. Demand obedience (Proverbs 19:18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
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Conclusion:

• Example first
• Love before command

• Satan is after your children
• May take years of faithful application
• Many obstacles will present themselves

• Not during the terrible two’s – this is when most parents lose their children
• Not during the early school years
• Not during the rebellious teens
• Not when they are grown and on their own

Invitation:

• Are you the example your children need?
• Are you balancing love and command?
• Are you praying for your children?
• Are you refusing to give up?