The point of the arrow reminds us of the last essential quality we want to craft in a child: Every person needs a reason to live, a driving passion or calling that provides meaning and impact. Only the front end of the shaft needs a finishing touch-a point. Our finely-crafted arrow is nearly complete. ![]() The best school to learn about relationships and resolving conflict is in the University of Family, where the professors teach and train their students for more than eighteen years. And this training can occur quite naturally in the context of our relationship. Similarly, relationships without truth can result in a self-indulgent teen, one who is spoiled.Ĭhildren also need parents who will build into them the ability to love others. Try teaching truth without a relationship with your child. We need the strength, comfort, encouragement, resources, and power provided by God and others. None of us was intended to make a journey through life alone. When someone’s life intersects with God and with people, a power transfer occurs. The nock can be compared to the third core ingredient necessary in a child’s life: relationships. The nock keeps the arrow in place on the string until the power is released. That’s why every arrow, at the rear of the shaft, has a small groove that holds the bowstring. It is “response-ability,” and comes as a result of training our children to submit to God and His Word.Īll of the pent-up power in a bow is of no value if it cannot be effectively transferred. Character is how your child responds to authority and life’s circumstances. And it’s one of the major assignments God gives us as parents. We think character has the same effect on a child.įrom Genesis to Revelation, character development is a major theme of God’s work in people. If an arrow has the right kind of feathers, properly installed, it will fly straight. An arrow without good fletching is undependable and dangerous. The feathers or fletching create drag when the arrow is in flight, which keeps the back end of the arrow behind the front end-a pretty important function! It also stabilizes the arrow as it flies to its target. Why do arrows have those feathers at the back end? We must also communicate with them one of the most important messages they will ever receive-”You are made in the image of God. If we want to properly guide our children to a healthy self identity, we must acknowledge and support the Creator’s design in three key areas: spiritual identity, emotional identity, and sexual identity. The nation of Israel was selected, adopted and set apart by God to be “His people.” Every person is born with a unique, divinely-imprinted identity. The Scripture records the story of God giving man and woman an identity. If a child’s self concept is warped-not straight and strong-his flight in life may be wobbly. Obviously, since every other part of the arrow must attach to the shaft, this part of the arrow is a lot like a child’s identity. The making of a fine arrow begins with the shaft. Nearly every issue or trap our children will encounter can be linked to a young person’s need in one of four areas. These four qualities give us four clear goals to pursue as we craft our children. If all of these four are made well, the result is an effective arrow, beautifully designed for impact. ![]() And guess who gets to be the primary “crafter” of the arrow? Welcome to Arrow Crafting 101!Īny arrow to be useful must have a shaft, fletching (feathers), a nock (the groove at the end of the arrow into which the bow string fits), and a point. He wants you to eventually release that arrow to make an impact on our world with the love of Christ. Arrows are not meant to be kept safe in the quiver. The psalmist refers to your child as an arrow-a weapon! And that is no mistake. ![]() Many of us know of the previous verse, in which we are told, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord the fruit of the womb is a reward.” That’s a nice, warm, safe verse.īut then look at verse four: “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” In Psalm 127:4, you will find an amazing statement about your child.
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