Life2gether

Gospel Centered Discipleship, a website started up by my friend, Jonathan Dodson, just posted an article I wrote awhile back called, Over-Parenting vs. Missional Parenting. I hope it encourages you in your parenting journey.

Looking for more ideas to prepare your family for Easter?  Go here.

I’m excited about Why Easter? a new resource that helps children understand and celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Tedd Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child’s Heart, gives his endorsement:

Since most Evangelicals do not follow the church calendar, Easter often catches us unprepared.  Barbara Reaoch comes to our aid with a four-week series of devotions for parents and children that will increase our joy at Easter.  These devotionals are well-crafted, theologically sound, and doable.  They could be used year after year as a wonderful family tradition.

You can click here to download a sample of the first 3 lessons.

Over the last decade, I’ve been highly involved in ministry to families.  During those years, I’ve learned that discipleship has got to start in the home and then spread outward.  That’s why I’m excited about D6 Days – a way to experience the D6 Conference from your computer, iPad, or tablet for FREE at D6Conference.com/D6Days.  The D6 Conference aims to equip church leaders by addressing what’s ahead for the church as we disciple the next generation for Christ.

There are three different D6 Days in 2012: February 21, April 17, and July 24.  D6 Days content will be available for up to two weeks after the listed dates.

The folks from D6 graciously gave me a couple books that I look forward to reading in the coming days.  They are:

You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church … And Rethinking Faith by David Kinnaman.  I read Kinnaman’s book called, unChristian, awhile back and appreciated his insights.

The Legacy Path: Discovering Intentional Spiritual Parenting by Brian Haynes.  Haynes provides a clear path to influence the faith of the next generation by helping parents become the spiritual leaders for their families.  Highly recommend it.

Good post here on 3 things dads can do to make a difference in their daughter’s lives.

1. When Your Kids Can’t Sleep
2. When Your Kids Want Control
3. When Your Kids Keep Whining
4. When Your Kids Get Sick
5. When Your Kids Scratch the Neighbor’s Car
6. When Your Kids Disobey You (Again!)
7. When Your Kids Have a Meltdown in Public
8. When Your Kids Get Overly Emotional
9. When Your Kids Ask About Death
10. When Your Kids Ask About Earthquakes
11. When You’re Stuck in the Basement
12. When You’re Just There.

Jared Kennedy gives some helpful financial principles and devotions to walk through with your kids. These devotions would be a great supplement to a church-wide series on stewardship.

1. We are God’s stewards
2. God made us for work
3. A worker is worthy of his earnings
4. We give freely because we’ve received freely from Jesus
5. We prepare for the future by planning and saving
6. How we spend our money shows what we treasure in our hearts
7. The Bible encourages us to avoid debt

What Is Father Hunger? from Desiring God on Vimeo.

Inescapable Headship from Desiring God on Vimeo.

I just got a copy of the ESV GROW! Bible from a friend of mine. I love it!  It’s designed specifically for children ages 8-12. One of the coolest features is the “Cross Connections” boxes that are scattered throughout to help kids understand the centrality of the cross in all the Scriptures. Another feature called “4U” is great for explaining the text and how to apply it to a child’s life.   I can’t wait to read it with my 7 and 9 year old girls.

ESV Grow! Bible from Crossway on Vimeo.

Click on the Bible to the right to view the text.

Here are two simple ways to pass on the gospel to your kids at an early age:

1. Creating Prayer Cards for Your Kids
2. Blessing Your Children at Bedtime

Using these simple tools helps us depend on God each day for grace that only he can give.