Do you find parenting to be like the pretty picture below? Is your family always smiling and exchanging pleasantries? Although my family truly enjoys spending time together, we haven't been oozing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) every second of our lives. Sometimes I've been an unloving, impatient, and unkind blockhead. Parenting can be hard stuff, but I'm not making it any easier when I fail to look to the cross and allow my feelings to be the ultimate guide. I need help, BIG TIME. I'm thankful our all-powerful, all-knowing, good God has provided us help in a variety of ways.
One of our core values at ECS is to commit to partnership, and one way we do this is through the Flourishing Families studies being held at the following five churches. It's hard to believe, but this is our third year having these parenting studies.
This year, we will be using
Paul Tripp's Parenting: It's Not What You Think It Is video series. Although both of my daughters are married, and
Megan and I only have
an eighth-grade boy in our home now, we still have much to learn about parenting. Pastor Paul Tripp has been married for over 50 years and has four adult children, so he is someone who can help us learn how to raise children in God's ways. He has taught me much about living a gospel-centered life, and I believe he can help us disciple our children and find rest in God.
Being a great dad is super important to me, and if you're a parent, being a great parent should be of the utmost importance to you. Please consider signing up for one of the studies to gain insight into being a better parent and help your family flourish. You don't have to be a member of any of the churches, and if you're struggling with knowing what you believe, that's okay, too. These studies are a time when we can be real with each other, provide encouraging support, and better understand the best way to parent.
If you can't make one of the Sunday or Wednesday evening studies, join us at Epworth Community Church for the study I'm facilitating on Monday mornings from 8 to 9:30 AM. It begins February 23rd, and
you can sign up here. Raising children can be challenging, and there is no need to do it alone. Let's learn and grow together and bring God the glory. I hope to see you there!
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
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