Clarifying Values, Clarification
Genesis 39
Introduction:
- Joseph's Story (Genesis 39):
- Joseph sold to Ishmaelites
- Purchased by Potiphar, captain of the king's bodyguard
- Joseph's rise to administrative responsibility
- Potiphar's wife attempts to seduce Joseph
- Joseph's Refusal and Consequences:
- Joseph's refusal to sleep with Potiphar's wife
- Potiphar's wife falsely accuses Joseph
- Joseph thrown into prison
- Moral Lesson:
- Joseph's willingness to forfeit freedom rather than compromise his conviction
- Importance of communicating values and convictions to children
Societal Observations:
- Watergate and Ethical Standards:
- Reflection on ethical standards in various professions post-Watergate
- Example from American Way magazine about the importance of teaching multiple perspectives to children
- Values Clarification in Education:
- The concept of values clarification
- Examining prominent figures
- The absence of absolute standards in values clarification
Moral Dilemma:
- The Chemist's Dilemma:
- Story of a poor man stealing serum to save his wife
- Group discussion on whether the man did the right or wrong thing
- Different perspectives on the moral dilemma
Parenting and Values:
- Communicating Values to Children:
- Importance of helping children make their own decisions
- Developing personal maturity over conformity
- Teaching children consequences of behavior (natural and logical consequences)
- Modeling and Teaching Biblical Standards:
- Importance of parents modeling desired behaviors and values
- Encouraging participation and open discussion on moral issues
- Example of a father-daughter discussion on the daughter's request for a new dress for a formal event
Practical Parenting Advice:
- Guiding Decision-Making:
- Five possible responses a father could have to his daughter's request
- Impact of peer group and societal pressures on teenagers
- Importance of providing social activities and acceptance within the family
- Positive Parental Involvement:
- Continuous parental involvement during adolescence
- Importance of parents as role models
- Additional Guidelines for Growth:
- Helping children make decisions
- Teaching the consequences of behavior
- Modeling values and character traits
- Encouraging independence and interdependence
- Developing a mature conscience
Conclusion:
- Final Remarks:
- Importance of love and grace in parenting
- Invitation to the next session on neonatal care
- Encouragement to observe newborns and reflect on biblical passages
- Closing Prayer:
- Prayer for guidance and strength in parenting
- Seeking God's help in instilling biblical principles in children
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”
Contributors
