Sermon Notes 04-6-08

"Family Matters Series"
The Power of Influence
Today’s Text: I Samuel 1:11

I. You can have Gravitas.
Gravitas, from the Latin, is defined as a quality of substance or depth of personality.
How does this quality or substance translate into influence?
Define influence. (The ability or power sufficient to produce some effect.)
What are some of the major influences in today’s society that attract or affect us?
Are they all negative or can some be positive?
How does influence affect the way we make decisions?
From the greatest to the least does everyone to some degree have influence?
What makes a person an object of influence?
What influence do you think Christians have on our society?

II. You Need to Use it.
In the following scriptures describe how influence was demonstrated:
Elkanah to his wife Hannah? I Samuel:5,8, and 23.
Eli to the young boy Samuel? I Samuel 3:3-9.
Eli to his two sons? I Samuel 2:22-25.
Why didn’t Eli’s influence have a positive effect on his son’s lives?
What are some of the things as parents we need to do to be a positive influence in our children’s lives?

III. Choose Your Battles.
James Dobson says to choose your battles.
Don’t make every issue with children a battle.
Choose the really important issues and stand firm on those.
Do you agree or disagree with this method?
What is meant by the admonition in Colossians 3:21?
Discuss family rules you employ.
What works well and what doesn’t.