Resources for Parents
This is an important sermon – especially for fathers – about the legacy of your leadership of your family.
It’s a warning against what Willie calls “third party” Christianity – believing but without putting the worship of God at the heart of family life. Willie contrasts the leadership of Lot and Abraham – both believers – and shows the legacy that their choices produced.
Lot prioritised social approval and accommodation with the world over the Lord and his people. Although he escapes destruction, the consequences for his wife and daughters and the people of God are severe. By contrast, Abraham, although not perfect, had the “altar of God” at the heart of his family life. He walked in the simplicity of obedience to the Lord, His friend, and that shaped his priorities and his choices. He is an example of “fully comprehensive” Christianity. And crucially, that bore fruit in his family.
This episode of our Talking Points Podcast gives further thought to the issues raised by Willie’s sermon above. Really worth a listen if you want to continue thinking about this issue of the legacy left for your children by the things you prioritise in life.
Dan, Dad of 2, recommends books by Chris Morphew:
"Chris Morphew seems to have the ability to take some of the biggest questions about life, God and the Bible and condense them into small books for kids whilst simultaneously answering them in great detail and in a spot on way. Not sure how. He does this all with lots of great humour that all 10-14 year olds will totally appreciate, and maybe even some a bit older than that too."
Available in the bookroom and on The Good Book Company website.
February was Christian History Month at Tron Youth. Here’s a taste of what they were looking at.
Bible Recommendations
Our Bible recommendations for all ages
Good for reading to younger children
Easy-to-read for children who can read by themselves
When you need a change or something a bit more grown up.
ESV - for confident readers - so they can follow easily in church
It’s a light and a hammer
A great song to learn as a family or one for the car. You can find it on Spotify and other music streaming services too.
"It feels like it's hard most of the time so don't panic!"
Take a look at how the Brennans and Copelands tackle reading the Bible with their kids.
A couple more resources for family Bible time. Questions are tailored for different ages of children and each day's passage is printed in the book so you only need one hand! (That was Paul Brennan's observation!).
Click on the image to go to the Good Book Company website and click on the videos below for some realistic encouragement to keep reading God's Word with your kids.
The Fruitful Home: Creating a Gospel Culture for Family Life
By Ann Benton
RRP £4.99 Our price £4.50
This book is full of biblical wisdom about creating a gospel culture at home so that children grow up to experience true Christian living and learn to love and honour God.
Ann Benton is a mother and grandmother herself and, from her years of experience, shares ways in which parents can use songs, stories, serving and much else besides, to enrich the daily habits and routines of family life.
Long Story Short: Ten-minute devotions to draw your family to God
By Marty Machowski
RRP £20.99 Our price £13.50
Paul and Hannah Worth's used this resource with kids aged 7,10 and 12. Here's what they think:
"Long Story Short has been very helpful in our family Bible readings. It works well for us with 3 kids of different ages. The format is great with a short overview of the passage followed by questions and answers. We like how each lesson shows how the story points forward to Jesus and connects it to the gospel."
Sing the Bible with Slugs and Bugs
RRP £11.99 Our price £10.80
Lots of Bible verses - and the books of the Old and New Testament - to catchy tunes. As well as being full of Bible truth, this is a children's CD you could listen to in the car without going mad! My personal favourites are Two Shirts and Alien. Highly recommended.