Is there Hope for Successful Marriages?

Conrad Hilario

Ephesians 5:22-32

Historically, many people have believed the Bible teaches patriarchy and that women must submit to men because they are inferior to men. This could not be further from the truth! The Bible actually extols women. Submission means showing a willingness to be responsive to servant leadership. Men are to love their wives as Jesus loves the Church by laying down their lives for their wives.

Is There Hope for Healthy Marriages?

James Rochford

Ephesians 5:21-33

With all the depressing statistics on marriage, it is fair to ask if there is hope for healthy marriages. The Bible has answers to what plagues postmodern relationships. Don't be put off by the message that the wife is to be subject to, and respect her husband and the husband is to love and lead his wife. Dig deeper into this passage and come away with the truly amazing way to have a successful marriage!

Marriage, God's Way

Scott Risley

Ephesians 5:22-33

God calls Christians to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Submission is not a popular idea today or throughout history. In marriage, the wife is to submit to the leadership of her husband. The husband is to love his wife. Marriage is going to take everything you have, but with Christ, you can have a successful marriage. But we must learn to do things His way. Jesus gave us an example when He submitted to the Father and went to the cross for our sake.

Transforming Leadership Part 2:Character and Competence

Jim Leffel

Hebrews 13:7

The household of God is a life lived in community with other Christians. The house church is a place a seeker can explore if the Word is true and if they can see themselves as one of them, the members of the house church. Titus is reminded that he should choose leaders that exhibit character that is above reproach and have competence and confidence in the Word.

Parenting Goals:Parenting Desires

Bev DeLashmutt

John 13:34

Bev DeLashmutt discusses the important differences between goals and desires in parenting. A goal is an achievements that a person works toward to accomplish a sense of well-being. Desires may not be under your control to achieve. Godly goals are achievements that reflect God's purpose for your life that do not depend upon people or circumstances beyond your ability to control. Having godly goals will give you a foundational sense of success, fulfillment, happiness, confidence, peace and enjoyment but will not necessarily eliminate the frustrations, disappointments, fears, and heartaches of parenting.

Simple Living and Family Life

Niccole Williamson

Emily Morris

2 Corinthians 4:18

What is simple living? It is practical living in light of eternity, cultivating a heart that belongs to eternal things, and freedom. It involves practicing gratitude, generosity and a skepticism towards worldly conventions. "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

Flexibility in Parenting

Kristen Mayer

2 Corinthians 4:18

Kristen Mayer cautions parents to avoid black and white thinking in our parenting. Every child is created unique and will differ from his or her siblings in temperament, learning style and response to discipline. This requires parents to be willing to be flexible in their parenting style depending on the unique differences inherent in each of their children. Fortunately, the Bible gives us direction in raising our children to be respectful of authority, submit to discipline, respect/love others, think critically, have resiliency, to name a few. No one is born knowing how to be a great parent. We need to be willing to receive feedback in our parenting and to give feedback to our friends' in their parenting.

Renewing Our Vision

Cindy Botti

Isaiah 55:8-9

Vision, whether in life in general or in parenting in particular, is important because it gives meaning to the mundane. It gives us direction, a destination. It brings our world into focus and gives us purpose. God's vision is that He values our children. They are a gift from Him. Children are also a reward from Him. God's vision is also that He gave us, parents, an important role to teach our children about Him. We can model for them how to be Spiritual Champions. We train them according to their way. We keep God in the picture, i.e. cling to His promises.

Spiritual Guidance in the Home

Jess Lowery

Isaiah 55:8-9

Jessica Lowery shares biblical principles to help you spiritually lead your children, using the example of Samuel and Eli's sons.