The Bible describes children as arrows in the hands of a warrior. I've shot arrows and I know for a fact that they don't go where they're supposed to. That's probably because I'm not an excellent archer. Greater skill, time, and attention is needed to launch an arrow and hit the bulls eye. Maybe you could argue that kids are the same. Most of us can have kids, but nurturing, teaching, and launching them is a lot harder. This morning we will go over some principles that will help your kids launch well.

 

Adding head knowledge carries the risk of legalism. Legalism is basically adding my own rules to God’s rules. My rules and my ideas are fine for me but I cannot bind them on others or expect others to feel compelled to follow them. Coming to scripture with my agenda can have dangerous consequences. Faithful disciples Examine the Scriptures Daily.

 

The statement above is wisdom given to the world by Carlo Collodi in the 1880’s. He wrote The Adventures of Pinocchio, the story of a wooden puppet who becomes a real boy. The struggles of life often call for great wisdom and courage. The conscience can be a good guide, if the conscience is morally trained by the knowledge of God…head knowledge and heart knowledge.

 

Someone once said ours is a battle of the heart and mind. This is a true statement, especially concerning the battle of the mind. Knowledge is Spiritual Power. You will seek out what your heart loves. For those who love God, we seek knowledge from the Scripture which communicates to us the Mind of God.

 

In 2 Peter 1:5-7, Peter encourages a type of faith that is constantly growing and changing. Once we come to faith, however difficult that process may be, we have only just begun. God puts within us the desire to do good with our lives, but good has to be directed by knowledge that comes from above.

 

This is perhaps the most foundational confession about God in our day. God is good. When we see it clearly, believers live courageous lives. They reflect the love and grace of God around them. But when they don't, they become a distortion of the divine image. This morning we will be reminded about the goodness of God.

 

No matter how put together anyone looks, we are all a work in progress. Nobody has arrived. Paul puts it this way: "Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (Philippians 3:16). It's true of our careers, our families, our faith, and it's even true of Lakeview, as a church. This morning we will appoint some additional leaders. An exciting moment in any church! But the task ahead is huge: to help our deacons and elders build up the church and improve our witness to our community.

 

Guest Speaker: Bob Stump is a graduate of Bear Valley School of Preaching (1976) and the Sunset School of Preaching, Missions School (1977). He preached 15 years for the Springbrook church of Christ, Renton, WA (1977-1991). He served as a missionary for more than 21 years in Slovakia (1992-2013). He is now Director of Sunset International Bible Institute Northwest, Puyallup, WA.