Michael Pearl - Training Children to Be Strong in Spirit

TRAINING CHILDREN
TO BE
STRONG IN SPIRIT

Michael Pearl

Training Children to be Strong in Spirit
Copyright 2011 by Michael Pearl
ISBN 978-1-61644-037-4
First printing: October 2011

Requests for information should be addressed to:
No Greater Joy Ministries Inc.
1000 Pearl Road, Pleasantville, TN 37033 USA
1-866-292-9936
www.nogreaterjoy.org
mcohen@nogreaterjoy.org

All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Holy Bible.

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Cover Design: Shoshanna Easling, Audrey Madill

Layout: Elizabeth Aprile, Lynne Hopwood

Illustrations: Debi Pearl, Clint Cearly

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

To our five children and 19 grandchildren and the 15 more we hope to have -

Be Strong

It is within your power as a parent to take actions that will bring your children into special favor with God and men. The heart of a Father and Mother can steer their children into a life of abundant joy and prosperity, but most parents have no idea how to make it happen. God says in Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. God will forget thy children because of the parents lack of knowledge? What a horrible thought! Where do I get this knowledge?

God clearly favors or likes certain people over others. Noah, Abraham, Ruth, David, Job, Samuel, and Daniel all found special favor with God. We are not talking about God having a warm and fuzzy feeling for them, but treating them in a favorable wayan insider relationship, if you will. Abraham was called the friend of God. John was the disciple whom Jesus loved. The other eleven disciples knew he enjoyed that special distinction.

Think of training your children so that in the here and now, and throughout life, they will attract the favor of others. You can do it. This book tells you how.

I am not talking about raising your children to employ gimmicks to win friends and influence people so as to satisfy personal ambitions. Jesus increased in favor with God and man resulting in his ability to serve God and manthe ultimate work of humanity. The Bible clearly defines six goals of child rearing and reveals practical means for us to train up a child in the way he should go.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit... (Luke 1:80).

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him (Luke 2:40).

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).

And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD...and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men (1 Samuel 2:21, 26).

Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19).

1. Grew/Increased in Stature

2. Waxed Strong in Spirit

3. Filled With Wisdom/Increased in Wisdom

4. Grace of God Upon Him

5. In Favor With God

6. In Favor With Men

Wow! What a marvelous child-rearing plan.

First and most basic, we desire to see our children grow strong in stature.

Secondly, we desire them to develop a strong human spirit so as not to wilt under the responsibilities and challenges of lifeto stand up to criticism and rejection, to weather adversity.

Thirdly, we want to see our children filled with wisdom and continuing to increase therein as life demands, always making wise decisions, never being foolish or vain.

Fourthly, as Christians, we desire to see our children walk in the grace of God, daily living by his strength and blessing.

Fifthly, we want them to gain the favor of God in all things physical and spiritual. To live with Gods approval is better than all the riches and power the world has to offer.

Lastly, we want them to become a man or woman that is strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and walking in Gods grace, so they will not only curry favor with God but will receive the favor of men as well. With favor from men, opportunities abound for service and a positive influence in the lives of others.

This book is an elaboration of Gods six pillars of child rearing.

John grew and waxed strong in spirit (Luke 1:80). Likewise Jesus grewand increased in stature (Luke 2:40, 52).

Its easy to overlook the statement that John and Jesus grew in stature. Dont all children grow and increase in stature? Yes, but with varying results. Some are frail and sickly while others are strong and robust. A frail stature harms ones quality of life. Growth troubled by allergies and sicknesses tends toward unhappiness and decreases ones usefulness in the Kingdom of God. Healthiness tends to happiness. Weakness tends to want. Those children raised on quality food, vigorous exercise, fresh air, and plenty of sunshine develop bodies capable of supporting an active life of creativity and service. Constitutionally weak individuals are less capable of performing on every level. Both Jesus and John were destined to much physical hardship and needed strong bodies to support their rigorous ministries.