10-28-21 This Week in Faith

Faith Student Ministry Event: Washington Farms Corn Maze- Friday [Oct. 29] night from 7-10PM

Get your tickets online ahead of time or at the gate. We’ll hang out, race through the corn maze, and have a fun night together. [Meet at Washington Farms]

High School Group- This Sunday night from 6-8PM

The question for our lesson this week is Why Can’t We Just Agree that Love is Love?. We’ll also have small groups and A LOT of candy. Hope you can join us!

Middle School Group- Wednesday night from 6-8PM

The question for our lesson this week is Why Can’t We Just Agree that Love is Love?. We’ll also have small groups, games, and pizza [1st Wednesday of the month!]. Hope you can join us!

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Lauren’s Lists

There are a couple of good lists on here for families. One is a list of good board books for little kids. One is for some movies to watch together as a family with some themes to talk about after. And another is a list of books to read with your kids, even after they can read themselves. 

Click here to see the lists from Lauren Early.

What Christians Should Know About Halloween

The first half of this article is a pretty in depth look at the history of Halloween. It’s definitely helpful if you are interested in that sort of thing. But you could also just skip to the second part. The second half of the article gives parents some helpful things to think about as you consider whether or not your family is going to participate in the holiday and if so, what that could look like [and it can help you talk to your kids about why].

Click here to read the article by Justin Holcomb.

What is Reformation Day?

The other October 31 holiday! This is an important day in church history and this article reminds us why. It’s good to help our kids learn about church history because it can help them see our faith as historical and understand how it has shaped history.

Click here to read the article by Stephen Nichols.

PODCAST: Luther in Real Time

I also mentioned a podcast in a sermon not too long ago that dramatizes important moments in the life of Martin Luther. They are not long and could be something fun to listen to with your kids to help them understand what happened. There is an October 31 episode in Season 1. Season 2 has also just started and includes discussion questions you could use as you listen.

Click here for the podcast Luther In Real Time.

10-22-21 This Week in Faith

Dates to Remember

• Faith’s Fall Festival is THIS Sunday from 5-7PM. I hope your family can be there and that you invite a family to join us. There is food, prizes, games, candy, and more…and it’s all free.

• No High School this Sunday because of the Fall Festival. Come volunteer and have fun with us.

• Corn Maze at Washington Farms for middle and high schoolers Friday, October 29 from 7-10PM. Admission is $17 and we’ll hang out and have fun together for the night.

• Faith Explored, a class for those interested in becoming a member at Faith, is October 30 from 9AM-2PM. For middle schoolers and older who are not yet communing members but want to take the next step and find out more.

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Evangelizing GenZ

Have you ever talked to your kids about something important and thought they understood, only to hear them later describe what you said very differently than what you meant? I think this can happen as we talk to them about the gospel as well. Because of the changing cultural messages around them, it is easy for them to make assumptions about Jesus and his word that just aren’t true. This is why it’s so important for us to talk to our kids often about Jesus. It will help them see him better and it will help us know if they are rightly understanding who he is and what he is done. This is a short but helpful article about some of the misunderstandings teenagers today can have about the gospel and what we can do to make sure we are communicating with them clearly about the savior and the salvation that we desperately long for them to know. 

Click here to read the article by Mike McGarry.

Helping Your Child with Lying

Lying is one of those things we deal with in all of our children. Our sinful nature gives us an instinct of hiding the truth to avoid punishment or others thinking poorly of us. And it can be hurtful to us as parents when we discover that our kids have been dishonest. So how do we respond in a way that builds a relationship with our kids instead of breaking it down. And how do we point them to the good news of Jesus in the midst of our kids’ deception. This article has some good, practical ideas for laying the groundwork ahead of time to deal with lying, and then responding well when it actually happens. Celebrating when our kids tell the truth, and asking them questions that get to the heart of why we lie are a couple of places to start. Even for our younger kids, this is a gospel-centered approach to respond to our kids’ sin on the whole, but especially in response to lying.

Click here to read the article from Good News for Little Hearts.

Keeping Kids Off Porn

It is inevitable that our kids will see inappropriate material online. How we prepare them for that moment will affect the kind of impact that moment has on them. This is a pretty comprehensive look at the things we can do to help our kids navigate the sexualized world we live in, especially in regards to pornography. Kids are being exposed to pornography at an earlier and earlier age, and what they are seeing is more and more damaging. Parents have a big responsibility to protect them from and help them navigate through the technologies that we give them access to. This starts young but it changes as our kids get older. I know in our house, we’re trying to figure out the best ways for our oversight and engagement around these issues to change as our kids get older. There is some great insight in this article, as well as lots of recommendations for conversations and resources that will be important for us to have as we help guide our kids.

*One of the resources they mention is the book Good Pictures, Bad Pictures which teaches kids what pornography is and what to do if you see it in an age-appropriate way. I have copies of that book, for ages 8 and up, as well as copies of the Jr. edition for ages 3-7, in my office if you would like to borrow one to read with your kids. It is a really helpful book that has been used by a number of families in our church. 

Click here to read the article by Alyssa ElHage.

PODCAST: Ask the Experts- Helping Our Kids Love the Local Church

I pray for my kids often that they will grow to love the church. All of our kids go through seasons of being bored with church or disinterested, maybe even hostile to it. This is a great conversation about what we can do to help our kids learn to love the church in general, and our church in particular. They also talk about what we can do to help each other’s kids feel welcome in the church. There is also encouragement for single parents and for those whose kids are strongly against coming to church. I got a lot from this episode and I think it is 30 minutes that’s well worth your time.

Click here to listen to this interview with Megan Hill online.

Click here to listen to this interview with Megan Hill through Apple Podcasts.

10-15-21 This Week in Faith

Thanks to those who participated in our Parent Discussion Group on Wednesday. It was great to see you and talk about parenting together.

• DON’T FORGET!- Because of the retreat, there is no Sunday school this Sunday and only 1 worship service at 11:00AM. If you’re not on the retreat, I’ll see you then.

• If you have not picked up a copy of Church is Not Boring by Lisa Updike yet, make sure to stop by the Sunday school check-in counter and get one. It’s a great book to read with your younger kids about preparing for worship and setting them up for success each Sdunay morning. We’ll have a discussion group about it on November 12 & 14.

• Faith Fall Festival is Sunday, October 24 from 5-7PM. I hope your family is planning on attending. Consider a family you might invite to come, have fun, and connect with people at Faith. You can also participate by donating candy ahead of time [drop in the box in the foyer] or signing up to serve at a station. Middle and high school students are encouraged to sign up and help if they can. CLICK HERE to volunteer or CLICK HERE to sign up to bring baked goods for the cake walk.

• Middle and High school students are going to the Washington Farms Corn Maze on Friday, October 29 from 7-10PM. The cost is $17 to get in. Hope to see you there!

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The Verse That Helped Me Become a More Patient Parent

Deciding to become a parent means deciding that you will repeat everything important you have to say 1000 times over the course of 18 years :) There have been so many times in the course of my parenting that I think to myself, “Haven’t we already had this conversation?”. And it [sometimes] drives me crazy! But if we step back for a minute and think about the story of God’s people, and even our own lives, we see that forgetfulness is a theme and repetition is the cure. God constantly, and patiently, repeats himself to us because we so regularly forget what’s most important. And it’s through this repetition that God forms our hearts and minds. Slowly but surely, we remember his presence when we feel like we’re alone. We remember his goodness when everything goes wrong. We remember his sovereignty when everything seems out of control. We remember his mercy when we do what seems unforgivable. We remember his love when we feel unlovely and unloved. I am so thankful for God’s patient reminders to me. And it’s that patience that, when I remember it, gives me patience for the things I end up saying again and again to my kids.  

Click here to read the article by Megan Hill.

What My Commencement Speaker Failed to Mention

This is a beautifully written article about the authors experience of suffering over the 5 years since her college graduation. She talks about the difference between thinking about suffering in the theoretical verses seeing and experiencing suffering in the people around us. It reminded me of one of the conversations we had at the Parent Discussion Group on Wednesday night. Scripture tells us that suffering is one of the things that most shapes us into people dependent on Jesus. But for many of our kids, they don’t experience deep suffering as they grow up because they live in a relatively safe community and their family members live much longer on average. There are still ways for us to teach our kids about suffering and the sufficiency of Jesus in the midst of it. Travel to places where suffering is more common. Read stories and watch movies about the real suffering of people throughout history. Maybe most importantly, tell your kids stories about your own suffering and the hardships that family members have walked through. And show them how Jesus has been faithful through those times, even if you can’t give them an answer to why it happened. This is one of the ways we can connect our kids to Jesus and prepare them to walk with him for a lifetime. The article quotes Flannery O’Conner, “Give me the courage to stand the pain to get the grace, Oh Lord. Help me with this life that seems so treacherous, so disappointing.” Make sure your kids know that life will give them many opportunities to pray this prayer. And help them see the ways God has answered this prayer in your own life.

Click here to read the article by Grace Leuenberger.

PODCAST: Ask Alice: A Healthy Approach to Athletics for Teenagers

Sports can be such a healthy and important part of our kids’ lives. But, if we are not purposeful in helping our kids understand the proper place and motivation for sports, they can work against the gospel we are hoping takes root in them. This is a good conversation about how to help our kids [and us] put our kids’ athletics in their proper place. They cover topics like keeping an identity in Christ as an athlete, when it may be time for our kids to take a break from sports, how our kids’ can get real value from their sports experiences, and the role parents play with their kids and coaches along the way.  This is one of those conversations we may not think to have but can have a huge impact on our family’s ability to glorify God through the sports our kids play.

Click here for the interview with Alice Churnock and Mark Rector.

10-8-21 This Week in Faith

Dates to Remember

• October 13- Parent Discussion for middle and high school parents [6-7:30PM]

• October 24- Faith Fall Festival [5-7PM]

• October 29- Washington Farm Corn Maze for middle and high school students [7-10PM]

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Why We Need to Pray Desperately

This is basic but such a great reminder. The reason we worry and stress about our kids’ futures is because we are not in control of who they become and the choices they make, no matter how much we do and how much we teach them. Only Jesus can shape their hearts and lives. So, even though we can play a big part in that, and there are things we can do to help them, the biggest and best thing we can do is pray for them. God is faithful and he is able to do what we can not, and far more than all we think or imagine.

Click here to read the article by JD Greear.

PODCAST: In the Wilkin Home with Jen Wilkin

Jen Wilkin always has so many good things to say about how the gospel empowers our parenting. Here she is on the Family Discipleship Podcast talking about what her and her husband did in raising their kids. I hope it’s both encouraging and helpful.

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts.

Click here to listen from their website.

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This week, for the Meet Our Volunteers section of the blog, I want to highlight Stephanie Atkinson. Not only has she been a faithful, long-time volunteer in lots of different areas, but the church has recently hired her as an official staff person filling various roles working with Children’s Ministry and Student Ministry. So you may be hearing and seeing even a little bit more of her. I’m really excited she is joining the team in this capacity!

Members of Immediate Family

Brian, Lilly, Bailey, Andrew

How long have you been at Faith?

13 years

How long have you been serving in Children’s and Student Ministry at Faith?

7 years. In that time I’ve done different things: coordinate and teach Children’s Sunday school, coordinate and teach Children’s Church, recruit childcare volunteers, and help with middle and high school ministry

What do you enjoy about serving in the church?

Helping people know someone loves them and cares about them. I enjoy teaching the Bible, too!

What are some of your favorite things to do?

Hang with my family, read, and work :)

What’s your favorite book, movie, or song?

I like all three!! I enjoy reading books about people’s lives. There are not many movies I have stayed awake through! Haha aside from all things Bon Jovi, Be Thou My Vision is my favorite “church” song.

What is your favorite food or restaurant?

COFFEE. But since I must eat food with my coffee…Pizza and Publix chicken fingers (very sofisticated pallet!)

What is a way the gospel makes a difference in your life?

Forgiveness and hope… daily I need reminding that I am loved even though I am not perfect and that love is not dependent on my effort or feeling… and I am daily encouraged by the hope we have in this life that Jesus knows us sees us and has overcome the hard things slower see around us for us.

What is a meaningful Bible verse/passage to you and why?

Tough one… there are so many to choose from. Right now, I am reading lots of verses that remind us to be thankful. For example, Colossians 2:6-7 encourages us to live our lives rooted in Scruptre and overflowing in thanksgiving!

9-30-21 This Week in Faith

A couple dates to keep in mind…

Wednesday, Oct. 13 [6:00PM]- Student Parent Discussion

Sunday, Oct. 24 [5-7PM]- Faith Fall Festival

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5 Myths About Body Image

A healthy view of our bodies is something many struggle with, especially teenagers. Many of these myths describe the struggle of teenagers to be comfortable in their own skin. I can still remember the parts of my appearance people made fun of me for in middle school. Maybe you can too. It can be hard to believe the things God’s word tells us about the way we have been purposely and lovingly made. This article may be a good way to bring the subject up with one of your kids. Do they struggle with any of these myths? What do they wish was different about their appearance? What does God’s word have to say about the ways he has put them together and made them in his image? Don’t assume you know how your kids would answer these questions. Take the time to ask them.

Click here to read the article by Sam Allberry.

What If I Had Known the Love of Jesus as a Teenager?

What are your greatest hopes for your kids? What are the things that, above all else, you hope they know and take hold of before they leave your house? In my heart, I want them to know Jesus. I want them to know how much they need him and how sufficient he is to meet that need. But sometimes, in my worries and the way I parent, I think I communicate something different. I communicate that being nice is most important. Being successful. Following my rules. I think we communicate this through our schedules, the things we spend our family time on, the focus of our conversations, and what we prioritize on a daily basis. This is why so many kids graduate from high school failing to understand the heart of the gospel. If we want our kids to believe that they are great sinners but Jesus is an even greater Savior, we have to tell them that as often as we can in as many ways as we can. I am always surprised by how many students who have grown up in church think that being a Christian means being a nice person, going to church on Sundays, and asking God to help you when you get in trouble. But Jesus is so much more, and so much more satisfying than this. What are you doing to break your child’s dependence from the things of this world so they can depend on Jesus more? How are you regularly passing on the necessity, sufficiency, and beauty of the gospel in your family’s everyday schedules, conversations, and practices? This is the thing the need most!

Click here to read the article by Charlotte Getz.

VIDEO: I Hate Parenting Series

This is a great series of short videos by Paul Tripp talking about the challenges and joys of parenting. There are 5 videos that are 2-3 minutes each [they are a little old so the promo at the end of each is probably not good anymore!]. They are a great reminder of the sin that makes parenting so hard and the savior that makes parenting well possible. The link below is to the second video “Parenting as a Sinner” but I’d recommend watching all of them if you have the time.

Click here to watch the videos by Paul Tripp.