Parenting with the Windows Open | Gospel Centered Parenting

This time of year that I’m especially aware of the things I say. Gospel centered parenting doesn’t demean–it edifies.

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It’s that time of year here where everyone ventures into the sunshine, blinks, and smiles. The rain is gone, the weather is warm, and the windows are thrown open.  Here in the Pacific Northwest, we celebrate our beautiful, short summer by living outside to the best of our ability.

It’s also the time of year that parenting is on display.

There are parents at the water park, at the zoo, on the hiking trails, and in every house surrounding mine. More often than I’d like, I hear things said to children that make my heart wince. Things that should never be said to children, or ordinary things said in ways that they should never be said.

Gospel centered parenting doesn’t demean–it edifies.

It’s the time of year that I’m especially aware of the things that spring forth from my own mouth.

After all, my neighbors can all hear me. I’m parenting with the windows open.

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The Gospel Centered Parent

The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Proverbs 16:21

It’s funny, isn’t it, that I’m especially aware of my own conduct when I know it’s audible to those around me?

After all, Jesus sees me each and every day. He hears every word that issues forth from my mouth. My children are truly his children. Their little hearts are mine to shepherd only…  I am only a steward.

In these summer months, I’m always especially aware of whether or not my conduct changes based on who can hear me.

Let’s just level with each other:  parenting has a way of raising every emotion humanly possible.

Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Parenting can cause long-hidden anger to surface unexpectedly.

However, parenting in anger isn’t just something we should avoid. Parenting in anger is detrimental; we should run from it like we would run from a rat carrying the plague.

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Parenting Like the Gospel Matters

I want to raise the bar on my parenting. You too? This summer, let’s ask more of ourselves.

Are we parenting as if the gospel of Jesus Christ is really real?

Are we parenting as if we really believe that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again for our young people?

Do we remember that we have done nothing on our own to earn the grace that God has extended to us?

Are we remembering that he loves us even in our foolishness and sin? That God loves our children?

In our summer parenting, are we displaying the fruit of the Spirit? (You know, those character traits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 like  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…) Are the words of our mouths gracious?

Let’s use this time of year to contemplate our hearts. When we speak, no matter what we say, let’s be certain our kids hear:

I love you. Jesus loves you. Your life is valuable. God has designed you for a purpose. 

If that’s not what they’re hearing, then absolutely nothing else we say matters. Nothing.

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Grab this FREE Good News of Jesus poster and verse cards and help your kids learn the gospel!

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Christ Centered Christian Parenting

It can be a challenge to discipline, instruct, and herd (what, you never have to herd kids?) and communicate love, grace, and discerning counsel all at the same time. In fact, on my own, I am incapable of any of that.

Thankfully, I’m not doing this super-hard-oh-so-challenging gig on my own. Nope. I’m doing it in the strength of the Lord.

All that fruit I’m supposed to be bearing? Jesus said I can only bear fruit if I remain in Him: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4, ESV).

If my fruit isn’t standing the test of parenting with the windows open, it’s time to get back to the Word, back to praying. It’s time to focus my eyes on HIM.

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Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible

You want your kids to learn and love the Bible. 

You want to teach the Bible…

As parents, we deeply desire the best for our kids. We look for the right schools, we make them eat right and exercise, and we get them involved in extracurricular activities. We take our job as parents seriously.

But are we also putting our time and energy into
teaching them the Bible? Giving them the life-changing, soul-nourishing words of Scripture is not only doable, it’s an essential part of parenting kids for Jesus. And the good news is, studying God’s Word as a family doesn’t have to be difficult!

2 Timothy 2:15, ESV, says:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Our job, as parents who love Jesus, is to help our kids become approved workers, unashamed and rightly handling the word of truth.

The good news? Teaching the Bible isn’t hard. Your family can learn the Bible together.

…and you can!

A Crash Course in Teaching the Bible to Your Kids

Danika Cooley’s book, Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible, will give you the tools and confidence to study the Bible as a family. It will help you identify and overcome your objections and fears, give you a crash course in what the Bible is all about and how to teach it, and provide the guidance you need to set up a family Bible study habit.

You will finish this book feeling encouraged and empowered to initiate and strengthen your child’s relationship with the Lord through His Word.

Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible will equip you with everything you need to know to teach the Bible to your kids!

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