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So in the scripture, we have all of these beautiful pictures of God and His kingdom that are given to us in family life. We have the husband and the wife, which are pictures of Christ in the church. We have the parents and the children, which are pictures of God the Father, and His children. And we have even in the picture of singleness, people giving their heart wholeheartedly to the Lord and serving Him in his kingdom. All of these are pictures. And even with the roles of men and women and the direction that God would have for us and what they're supposed to be doing, the roles of parents interacting with the children, all of these are a picture of our relationship with God. And ultimately, through these, we glorify God, but we also learn about God. And if our goal is to please him and to honor him, we will submit to these things and put them into practice. And he will protect us, provide for us and give us clear direction, even if we don't understand all these things. 

In this audio message, Tom Ford gives a grave warning to fathers who do not raise their children according to Scripture. What happened to Eli and his sons should be a wakeup call to fathers who do not love their children enough to discipline them and to raise them as God commands. 1 Samuel 2:29 (NKJV) - "Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’"

Tom Ford explains in this video that in our society, many individuals have raised their family in the way they feel is right. However, when they stray from the Bible, they often follow the ways of the world. God didn't leave us without answers. Rather, He has given us clear direction in His Word to help us to know how to serve and please Him. Psalm 119:110 (NKJV) - "The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts."

What responsibilities does a father have? Tom Ford explains in this video that our young men need to be prepared to be heads of households. They will one day be providers of the home as well. They shouldn't be lazy and let their wife to take over that duty. Finally, they also need to be protectors of the family in not only a physical but also a spiritual sense.

How can we better teach our children about the things of God? Tom Ford explains in this video that we are to continually be talking of the things of the Lord with our children. When you gain knowledge, you act differently. You don't just sit on that knowledge. Parents, as they live life alongside their children, can help to model what this looks like for their children.

Parents who possess a misguided vision of kindness and mercy may find that they and their children fall victim to great tragedy. The Scriptures provide a clear example of this in the fate of Eli and his family (1 Sam. 1-4). Perhaps from a misguided understanding of love Eli failed to restrain his sons and in the end his sin brought destruction on all his family. We must look to Eli as an example, an example of how to not raise our children, an example of what may come if we fail to restrain our children and properly raise them in the fear and instruction of God.

Tom Ford explains in this video that in Deuteronomy 6, if fathers do not love the law of God, they will not be teaching it to their children. It is important that our children are taught to fear God. But, it starts with a father. It is their responsibility to train their children up in the ways of God. Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Tom Ford explains in this video that women who find themselves not married and still in their parents' home still have many options for how they might live and serve the Lord. We should encourage our daughters to serve the Lord with their whole heart and to serve others. Mark 10:45 (NKJV) - "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Tom Ford explains in this video God makes it very clear that parents are to fear God and obey His commandments. God gives us practical ways in how we are to train our children -- in a discipleship-style method. They walk alongside their parents and learn to obey God and to love Him. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV) - "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

How should parents approach sibling rivalry? Tom Ford explains in this video that in Adam and Eve's family, there was a rivalry between siblings. In society today, it is often accepted that siblings are going to fight, but we as parents ought to teach our children to love each other and to honor God in their attitudes and actions. John 13:34 (NKJV) - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Tom Ford explains in this video that often, a wife and mother choosing to stay home to raise her family is looked down upon by the world. If a woman has a certain education, they believe that she is wasting that education to train her children. And yet, we see in Scripture that her priority should be to teach and train her children and to be her husband's helpmeet. Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV) - "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies."

Tom Ford explains in this video that if a child questions their gender identity, it is a result of sin and sinful influences. As man has rejected God, man has also rejected the genders and order that God has established. Gender identity and roles are given by God. Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) - "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."