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Parenting: Teens and Beyond

Sep 14
Love0

Gospel Secrets That Parents Can Forget

By Christian Living, Family Discipleship, Leadership, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond, Podcast
On this episode, I share my personal experience as a homeschool parent, reflecting on the importance of not losing sight of the big picture in the day-to-day of parenting. We’ll look at some key gospel principles that we may have forgotten in the midst of the busyness of raising our children. I highlight the importance of making discipleship the true goal of homeschooling and of finding our identity and significance in Christ. Even if you don't homeschool, but you're in the middle of your parenting years, I think that you will find this information immediately applicable.   Episode Transcript I'm...
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Jul 31
Love0

Loving and Leading Your Children Can Teach You Patience and Persistence

By Christian Living, Family Discipleship, Leadership, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

The following is from a section the current book I am working on. In it, I argue that learning to care for your children teaches you how to care for the church. Let me know your thoughts. – Chap “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord has compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14 “I thought I was a patient person—until I had children. Then I learned how impatient I really was.” I have lost count of the number of men who have said…

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Jun 24
Love0

One Aspect of Working with a Prodigal

By Family Discipleship, Parenting: Teens and Beyond
I recently gave a talk on prodigals to a number of parents. I hope to get a recording of that up on the podcast soon. In my talk I focused on things we can control. I listed five areas to focus on: Focus on your heart. Focus on your parenting dynamics. Focus on your relationship with them. Focus on their view of Jesus. Focus on their behavior if they are still living at home. There is too much to print for this article but let me just include the second section - Focus on Your Parenting Dynamics. This is much...
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Jun 19
Love0

Training Our Children to Expect Slander

By Apologetics, Family Discipleship, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Matthew 15:19 They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Romans 1:29-30 [B]ut in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good,…

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May 01
Love0

By Wisdom a House is Built

By Family Discipleship, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4 As a pastor, I have had the privilege of meeting with a number of couples to walk through some premarital counseling. More recently, it has been a joy to do this in partnership with my wife. In addition, we have had the honor of helping other couples struggling in their relationship. More and more I find myself coming back to the above verse as foundational to everyone’s thinking. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by…

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Apr 17
Love0

The Godly Quality of Active Learning

By Christian Living, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. Luke 2:46 Jesus is our perfect Savior and Sacrifice. He is perfect God and perfect man. There are many aspects of his life that are not meant to be repeated. However, there are some that serve as an example for us. In the verse above, Luke records a moment in Jesus’ life at 12 that should serve as an example for both adults and teens. In this well-known story, Jesus had been brought to Jerusalem for the Passover. But as his family left…

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Mar 20
Love0

Clearly Playing: Balancing Playtime and Proper Behavior

By Family Discipleship, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

Here’s a quick take article on two different real-life scenarios that I think illustrate a similar principle. Scenario 1: I was having dinner with a friend when he mentioned an issue he was having. (I have permission to share.)  My friend can be serious and sober about the things of God. But when he gets on a roll, he can be hilarious, sarcastic, and snarky. I love it.  Sauce served with a smile. The problem has come because, as he is playing around with his son, my friend has found himself relating to his young son in this way. It is fun and…

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Mar 13
Love0

Thoughts for the Strong-Willed Child

By Family Discipleship, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

When I am out speaking, the Q and A time can help bring up issues that I did not cover. And they’re great questions. The following is one from a recent conference. You will notice that much of the material comes from Parenting with Confidence. “I’ve got two young children. One is strong-willed, and the other is very sweet. I feel like I am correcting and disciplining the first one all the time. It feels out of proportion. Do you have any suggestions?” That’s a great question! Here are some things to keep in mind that apply to parents of younger children. I’m sure…

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Feb 20
Love0

Leading Well in the Storms

By Family Discipleship, Leadership, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

The following is a rough excerpt from a resource I am working on. In this chapter, I argue that “managing our household well” does not mean we will have no problems. It does not mean we have to appear as we have it together all the time. But it does mean that when the storms come, we will handle them in a godly manner. Understanding the storms will come, how does a leader respond in a godly manner? I would suggest there are at least three steps in the cycle. First, we seek to prevent problems. Rather than having a reactive leadership, a wise father…

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Feb 13
Love0

When You and Your Spouse Don’t Agree

By Family Discipleship, Marriage, Parenting: Childhood, Parenting: Early Years, Parenting: Teens and Beyond

What if my spouse and I disagree on child-rearing decisions or philosophy? The classic conflicts that newlyweds face–where to squeeze the toothpaste, which way the toilet paper rolls–have their equally classic counterparts in parenting: What activities do we choose and how many? Can the kids play before their chores are done? Do the kids even have chores? What’s the response to someone not finishing what’s on her plate?” Disagreement in child-rearing can be a common occurrence. After all, two well-intentioned Christian parents will have different approaches to child-rearing, child discipline, and the individual decisions we each have to make for our children. The…

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