What are our Kids listening to?

Today I read a blog post that was very disturbing. It talked about the dangers that our kids face in the music many of them listen to. I have to admit I am not up on Pop Music today and so I was quite shocked at content of this popular music.

Please check out this important blog post at http://churchrelevance.com/raping-the-innocence-of-generation-z/

Take this information and use it to have discussions about the World View this music represents.

Praying for you!

Phil

Our Joy and Responsibility

We live in world of professionalization.  And I am very thankful for that fact.  I would not be excited if I had to rely on my wife or friends (except Vern!) to give me a root canal or give me surgery if I need it.  I am thankful for those that have gone to medical school, flight training, dental school, etc…  But sometimes we get so caught up in our age of professionalization that we find it too easy to abdicate our God given privilege and responsibility.  I know this is true for me as I look at my children in school.  They are learning math and English from a teacher at school, right?  So why would I get involved?  Of course we all know that the parents who do get involved in that education are almost guaranteed to see a greater comprehension then if they did not get involved.  Study after study has shown that parent involvement is critically important for our children in school.   Teachers are great, but their is no substitution for a parent who teaches their children everyday through life’s experiences.  The same is true and even more critical when it comes to the spiritual development of our children.  Listen to these words spoken to Israel

A book for parents with "Troubled Teens"

Of course all of our kids are “troubled” to some degree or another, but I have recently come across a book that deals with teenagers that are in real rebellion. It is called “Get outta my face.” While I have not read the book yet, I greatly trust the publisher and those that are advocating the book. There is a book review by a trusted Christian at http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/get-outta-my-face.php

I am ordering my copy soon and would love to hear what others think of the book and how it did or did not help them.

Parenting Resource

I want to pass on another parenting resource that I hope is helpful to you.  Earlier this past year Mar Hill Church in Seattle brought out Tedd Tripp to do a parenting seminar.  By the time we found out it was happening it was really too late to organize a trip or get the word out adequately…  but the beautiful thing about Mars Hill is they video EVERYTHING and make it available free of charge.  I would highly recommend you bookmark this link and view the videos from this conference when you have the time and hopefully you find them helpful.  I am sold on the solid Biblical view that both Paul and Tedd trip present in their teaching to parents.  I hope they are a blessing to you.

You can find the videos at http://theresurgence.com/shepherding_a_childs_heart_conference

Kids and Media

I came across an interesting article on Kids and Media. Check it out when you can at http://churchrelevance.com/kids-media-usage-in-2008/

Technology Help for Parents

I have recently come across a website that I hope will become a HUGE asset for our parents in keeping up with the technology our kids are dealing with and being exposed to.  The website is maintained by a “Tech Guy” in his 30’s that tries to bridge the gap between parents and their teens in the area of technology.  He runs a Blog at http://www.noparentleftbehind.net/ He keeps the material on this Blog free for 1 month and then moves the older articles to “Tech Bundles” which he sells on His web.

I found the site very easy to use and understand and thought it would be a great resource for our parents.  I especially liked the fact that he did “Video tutorials”  where parents could follow along.  Current articles include a video tutorial on Facebook as well as an overview of the use of twitter.  If you do use twitter make sure you subscribe to crossroads twitter.

Whether you choose to do a payed subscription (Which some might find worth the money) or just use the free resources on his web, I think you will learn a great deal from this site.  Hope that it helps.

If you have questions I would be happy to answer those in the comments section.

Creating a Family Worship Time (A compilation of resources)

A printable copy of this material can be found HERE (Larger text and easier to read)

If you have not already checked out all the great suggestions other parents have made regarding family devotions, make sure you check those out on the Blog

I have taken some time and compiled some resources and ideas that hopefully you find helpful in starting or continuing to refine your family worship time.  Please do not allow this post and list of resources to overwhelm you.  Take your time and work through these resources as you are able.  I would also like to continue the discussion and hear from each of you what you have found that has been successful in your family.

Here are my own thoughts on creating a family worship time.

Pick a time and be as consistent as possible.  Morning or evening at a specific time or at meals is a great opportunity.

Use Scripture.   Using secondary resources is OK, but make sure you have a time where the family can read a portion of Scripture together.  Get a good study Bible that you can read and learn from together (I would recommend the The ESV Study Bible or NASB MacArthur Study Bible

Pray for others.  We like to let the kids pick a missionary, pastor, or family that we can pray for each night.  I would also encourage the family to pray for unsaved friends, family, or neighbors together.  You can also pray for unreached people groups and learn about them through resources like Global Prayer Digest or http://www.persecution.com/

Integrate theology.  The use of the Children’s Shorter Catechism for families with younger children is great or using a resource like Bitesize Theology: An ABC of the Christian Faith

Our family likes to worship in song as well so we let the kids pick a song that we all sing together.  Whatever you decide to do, the important thing is that you prioritize it for your family.  I am sure some parents feel that their kids are too old now and there is no point on starting… But I would encourage you to get that out of your mind and start as soon as possible.  We are our children’s most influential teachers and modeling is one of the most powerful teaching tools we have.  Let us model a deep love for God’s Word, Prayer, Theology, and Lord Jesus Christ in our homes through a family time of worship.

A NOTE TO DAD’S: This is OUR JOB!  Make sure you lead your home as God has called you and do not abdicate your responsibility to your wives.  If you need help… ask!  There are many godly men at IBC that would be happy to offer assistance, but you ultimately are responsible to God for your family that He has entrusted you with.  Seek Him and He will help you.

In the coming months I hope to add some resources specifically on discipling young men and young women individually.   My prayer is that these resources will be helpful for you as you disciple your children!

”And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. “  Gal. 6:9

Articles on Tips for doing Family Devotions

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/162/2552_How_do_you_do_family_devotions/ (A must read!)

http://www.cbmw.org/Resources/Articles/Family-Worship (Excellent biblical look at family devotions)

http://www.cbmw.org/Journal/Vol-9-No-1/A-Call-to-Family-Worship

http://www.irishcalvinist.com/?p=752#more-752

http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/famaltar.html

http://www.maninthemirror.org/alm/alm117.htm

http://www.everygoodpath.net/FamilyDevotionIdeas

Sample Devotion for Children from Desiring God that has some good tips for family devotions in it.

http://www.childrendesiringgod.org/pdf/rlf_sample_devotional.pdf

Books for resources

The Family Worship Book: A Resource Book for Family Devotions

Training Hearts Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism

Thoughts on Family-Worship (Puritan Classic)

Disciplines of a Godly Family

The Joy of Family Worship: A Key to Healthy Body Life

My amazon wish list for families with children http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/GZ0W8FGWVDKC/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go

My Wish List for Parents http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3UYSVM9ACACMO/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go
Devotion and Family Websites (Some are better than others)

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703,A=161567&M=200553,00.html Devotions

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0,1701,M%253D200810,00.html Parent Site

http://www.homeword.com/

http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3204393/k.8C1C/Family__culture.htm

Bible Reading Plans

Read through the Bible in 3 years

http://www.eaglesnestnsb.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=U%2bWjWDbEGHU%3d&tabid=52&mid=379

http://3yearbiblebookclub.blogspot.com/
Read through the NT in one year

http://www.multiplyingchurchinitiative.net/ReadTheNewTestament.pdf
30 days in Psalms…  30 Days in Proverbs

http://www.eaglesnestnsb.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=V%2flEt6Jbk%2fQ%3d&tabid=52&mid=379

Suggestions for Bible reading plans including a good look at a Chronological Bible Reading Plan

http://www.everygoodpath.net/node/271

365 day Devotional on the life of Christ.

http://www.gracegems.org/17/Mortimer.htm

Resources for Sermons to use (These are the sermons I listen to regularly)

http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/MP3-Audio–Multimedia/ (Ultimate Collection of Good sermons)

http://www.compasschurch.org/sermons/

http://www.cornerstonesimi.com/

http://www.covlife.org/resources

http://www.gracechurch.org/crossroads/mp3search.asp

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/

http://www.gty.org/

http://www.walkintheword.com/

http://www.marshillchurch.org/ (Mark Driscoll is a good pastor that preaches expositional messages and holds to 90-95% of IBC’s theology… He is however not loved by everyone and some people find his content not appropriate for younger people.  Please use with your own discretion and convictions)

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/sermons.html (Matt Chandler is alot like Mark.  If you like Mark Driscoll you will probably like Matt Chandler)

Bible Study Tools to use for deeper preparation and personal growth

Starter Package that every family should have:

Atlas:  Moody Bible Atlas of Bible Lands

Bible Dictionary:  Ungers or New Bible Dictionary

English Concordance:  NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Bible Commentary:  Wyclyiff or Bible Knowledge Commentary

Theology:  Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Next Level:

Cross Refrence:  Treasury Of Scripture Knowledge

Topical Bible:  Naves Topical Bible

Bible Encyclopedia:  Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia

Bible Backgrounds:  Manners and Customs of the Bible

OT word Helps:  Vines, Expository Dictionary of OT words

NT word Helps:  Same, but NT

Serious Bible Study:

NASB Greek Interlinear

Greek Concordance “Englishmans”

Bible Study Websites

http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=NIV

www.freebiblesoftware.com

http://e-sword.net/index.html

http://www.biblestudytools.net/

http://www.blueletterbible.com

http://showcase.netins.net/web/agros/pastnt97.htm

www.bible.org

http://unbound.biola.edu/

A must listen to!

Al Molher did a great radio program today dealing with Teens and Sexuality and Biblical advice for parents. Check it out. http://www.albertmohler.com/radio_show.php?cdate=2009-01-06

What do you do for Family Devotions?

I know there are many parents who would like to hear from other parents how thier family does devotions or discipleship together.  Please a take a moment and comment on how your family does devotions so that we may learn and grow from each other.  Thanks for being a part of the Body of Christ!

Feedback from parents

I appreciate all of the feedback that was given back to me by the parents in our ministry. I have compiled the feedback from this question:

How can we help you with resources that will assist and encourage
you in the leading of your family and the spiritual formation of your children?  What kind of resources would you find practical and useful?

Here is a compilation of the many responses.

1.  A desire for Books or Resources on Family Devotions.  (I will be looking into this and responding with what I find soon.)

2.  A parenting section in our Library that is specifically books recommended by our pastors

3.  Hosting another confrence by a speaker like Paul Tripp on parenting.

4.  Regular Parent meetings where resources can be suggested to parents

5.  A class for parents who would like more hands on help from the church by other parents.

6.  A discussion by other parents on how they do family devotion time to spur on ideas to make that time challenging and interesting.

These ideas are great! and I would love further discussion or comments on them.  I will be taking the next few weeks and months and working on some of these things starting with some resources to recommend for family devotion time.  I will also start a new Post to get your feedback and discuss how your family does a family devotional time.

Thanks again!  Phil

How can we as a ministry, help you with resources that will assist and encourage you in the leading of your family and the spiritual formation of your children?  What kind of resources would you find practical and useful? Books, Devotions, Classes, mentors, etc.????

Sermon on Leading the Next Generation

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This is the link to the sermon that was given by Pastor Phil Kooistra on “Leading the Next Generation”  A call for parents to take the lead in their own children’s spiritual development as the primary discipler.  This sermon was out of Psalm 78: 1-8

12/7/2008
Psalm 78:1-8
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