I am a firm believer in the principles found in Deuteronomy 6:4-7:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

With that said, I care much about my family and your family growing in the Lord.  It requires us to take an active and consistent role in nurturing our children in their faith by including the Lord in all we do.  I know, sometimes we rock in this area as parents and things seem to coast along smoothly, and then sometimes we completely fall off the wagon and we stink.  I’m with you. 

Faith is a daily deal.  Jesus said that we need to “take up [our] cross daily” and follow him.  Hey, let’s face it, that’s tough sometimes.  The rollercoaster of life sometimes throws us around so much more than we expect, then we find ourselves (even today) not where we planned to be.  But there, always…there, in the midst of today’s situation, God is.  He wants us find him, to seek him today. 

He wants my family and your family to find him today. 

As we deal with financial hardship, we should talk with our children about trusting his providence.
As we deal with unexpected pregnancy, we should find him in the miracle of life.
As we deal with persecution for our faith, we should find eternal confidence in his promises.
As we have fun on vacation, we should see him in the beauty of his creation.
As we celebrate graduations, we should encourage our children to do all they can to honor Jesus.
As we recognize a holiday, we should discuss the great gift of the Messiah.

Please consider seeking God today with your family. Pray together today and ask God to make an obvious difference in your family beginning now…and he will hear you and help you.

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FAMILY FAITH TOOLS
Listed below are some tools that may benefit your family and other families in your community. Please click on the links below to print your copy of these tools. Feel free to make as many copies as you would like and use them at your discretion. These tools have proven to be useful for my family and for other families in our connection. I would love to hear from you if you do decide to use them in your future!

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE (Weekly)
One of the biggest excuses parents make for not studying Scripture together in their familiy is: “I don’t know what to do!” This tool makes it extremely simple for you and takes that excuse away. This is a card that has three 15 to 20 minute weekly devotional plans for you to use at times that are convenient for your family. You can use one, two, or all three weekly–it’s up to you and your family! It is self-explanitory…you’ll see! Check it out.

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE – card

You can adapt this power point lesson for your needs if you decide you would like to begin a church-wide devotional program for your congregation:

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE – power point lesson for congregation

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FAMILY STRENGTH CLASS
A few years ago I saw a need to write some lessons based entirely on strengthening families, so I took it upon myself to do just that, to write those lessons. Then, when I presented these lessons to families…then again…and again…the positive response was overwhelming. Families today desire to be strengthened in practical ways. This course entitled “Family Strength” will help your family in a very real and practical way discuss important family lessons.  Families with children of all ages benefit from this study, families with toddlers to families with grown children.

 FAMILY STRENGTH – STUDENT WORKBOOK  (FYI: There are still two lessons to be added to this study in the future.)