Will Your Child Survive Childhood?

Hebrews 11:23-27 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

1. Infant mortality rate has been declining for many years.

2. The three leading causes of infant mortality are:

• a. Birth defects.
• b. Premature births.
• c. Sudden infant death syndrome.

3. Reasons for decline have to do with care for childbearing mothers.

• a. But after birth, it is too late to change the first two causes.
• b. SIDS remains a great fear, but we don’t know how to prevent it other than good supervision. (Perhaps sleeping on the back)

4. Other causes are within the realm of parents.

• a. Exposure
• b. Lack of supervision (carelessness) (poison, falling, traffic, etc.)
• c. No wisdom in discipline (shaking, beating, hurting)
• d. Mal-nourishment

5. Look at the spiritual applications.

a. Exposure.

• Television, movies, language, tobacco smoke, etc.
• You and your habits are part of your children’s environment.
• Parents must not shrug their shoulders and claim innocence.
• Expose your children to God, prayer, the bible, Sunday School.

b. Lack of supervision.

• If you are mature enough to bring children into the world, be mature enough to raise them right!
• Many accidents can be prevented through simply paying attention.
• Pay attention to your child’s spiritual development.

c. Wisdom in discipline.

• Spanking is not for angry, out-of-control moms and dads.
• The best discipline is pro-active, positive.
• If you do more time-in’s, you may not have to do so many time-outs!
• Time it for Jesus, Bible, Praying.

d. Mal-nourishment.

• No one should starve in this country.
• No one should starve spiritually when the Word of God is so plentiful!

Ps 92:13-14 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

Ps 19:7-14 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.  12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.  Ps 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.