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The mission of Church & Family Life is to proclaim the sufficiency of Scripture for both church and family life.

Resources

for strengthening churches and families
Scott Aniol

Scott Aniol, PhD, is Executive Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of G3 Ministries. In addition to his role with G3, Scott is Professor of Pastoral Theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, Arkansas. He lectures around the world in churches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries, and he has authored several books and dozens of articles. You can find more, including publications and speaking itinerary, at www.scottaniol.com. Scott and his wife, Becky, have four children: Caleb, Kate, Christopher, and Caroline. 

Scott Aniol
48M
David, a Man After God’s Own Heart
May. 20, 2022
Scripture calls David "a man after God's own heart." This message will explore the qualities and characteristics that led to describing David in this way, including his answer to God's call, his confession of sin, his delight in God's law, and his praise of the Lord.
Scott Aniol
47M
Glorifying and Enjoying God in Your Music
May. 5, 2023
Scripture clearly commands us to sing, but modern culture has influenced many Christians today to conceive of singing as very man-centered. In this message, Scott Aniol will demonstrate from the Psalms how God ordained singing that will bring glory to Him and form believers into daily worshipers who will glorify God and enjoy Him throughout their lives. 
Scott Aniol
3M
How to Identify a True Disciple
Dec. 27, 2023
How do we identify a true disciple of Christ? Scott Aniol explains that a disciple of Christ is identified as someone who is intentionally following Him. This begins with repentant faith, recognizing the need for salvation due to sins committed against a holy God, and placing complete trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. The first question to ask when determining who is a disciple, therefore, is whether they have repented of their sins and put their faith in Jesus Christ. However, true discipleship goes beyond mere belief. A disciple is one who seeks to live out their faith, following the teachings and example of Christ. This includes examining how the individual lives their life, beyond their stated beliefs. A true disciple is not just intellectually accepting gospel truths but actively seeking to follow Christ in every aspect of their life. This transformation and ability to follow Christ can only come from the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. John 15:8 (NKJV): "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."
Scott Aniol
44M
Making Disciples through Singing at Home and Corporate Worship
Apr. 27, 2024
One of the most significant tools God has given us for discipleship is singing! Colossians 3:16 commands us to teach and admonish one another with singing, and this is an important but often overlooked means of discipleship in our homes and churches. In this session, Scott Aniol will explain how singing disciples us in unique ways, offering practical suggestions for how your family and church can grow in discipleship through singing. 
Scott Aniol
4M
Correction as Part of Discipleship of Children
Jan. 25, 2024
How can we incorporate correction as an essential part of discipleship for our children? Scott Aniol emphasizes the importance of correcting children when they sin, as part of their discipleship. He believes that it is crucial for children to understand that sinning results in consequences. While punishment can help to prevent severe consequences later in life, it is essential not to do so in anger but with the intention of guiding them. The speaker encourages teaching children about the biblical principle, as stated in Deuteronomy, that obedience leads to blessings while disobedience results in punishments. Correction and punishment are considered elements towards the goal of seeing children grow in maturity and faith in Christ. The forms of punishment should evolve as the child grows older, starting with swift punishment to instill the understanding that sin brings punishment. As they mature, punishment should be accompanied by instruction. Older children, hopefully, will require less physical punishment but will still need guidance to recognize their sinful or unwise actions. The ultimate goal is to help them understand the consequences of their actions and instruct them on how to make godly and wise decisions. Proverbs 13:24 (NKJV): "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly."
Panel
63M
COVID-19 - A Christian's Response to this Unfolding Crisis
Mar. 27, 2020
During this time, we should all repent, "that times of refreshing might come in." As Joel reminded us last night, The first of Martin Luther's 95 theses stated that the whole Christian life is a life of repentance. This is what we need now. Here are some of the things we discussed in this webinar: 1. Is live streaming a church service helpful or harmful? 2. What about visiting the sick? Should we? 3. Is it a sin for someone to go to work while sick? 4. What does the Bible say about quarantine? 5. Is this the judgment of God? 6. What about taking the Lord's Supper in the homes? 7. The matter of repentance, especially in times of plague. (I'm not sure this is an actual plague, time will tell. What is clear to me is that the panic is a devastating plaguing pandemic.)
Scott Aniol
41M
Faithful Worship in a Pagan Land
Apr. 25, 2025
Psalm 137 vividly portrays the sorrow of Israel in exile, lamenting their lost homeland and the destruction of Jerusalem. It highlights the tension between cultural engagement and maintaining pure worship in a hostile land, drawing parallels to the Church’s status as spiritual exiles today. In this message, Scott Aniol will show how this psalm beautifully illustrates our responsibility as Christians to actively engage in life with those around us—while
Panel
48M
Q & A Panel Session
Apr. 26, 2025
The sermon explores the idea of family as an economy and emphasizes the importance of teaching children biblical financial principles amidst a materialistic culture. It highlights the significance of incorporating service, generosity, and love into financial practices, advocating for a balanced approach that includes teaching children to both save and give. The speaker also discusses the importance of engaging in community welfare, suggesting practical ways to bless and support the city through local involvement. The sermon underscores the challenges posed by modern media and entertainment, advocating for a family culture that prioritizes community and meaningful activities over isolationist and escapist tendencies. Additionally, it addresses the issue of pornography and media consumption, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and the need for parents to guide their children in these areas. The primacy of preaching is defended with biblical references, highlighting its role in spreading the Christian message and contributing to the spiritual growth of children.
Scott Aniol
5M
Discipleship of the Family
Jan. 12, 2024
Is it our duty as parents to pass on the wonders and teachings of the Lord to our children? In this video, Scott Aniol discusses the importance of discipleship within families and cites Psalm 78, which emphasizes the role of parents, particularly fathers, in passing on the teachings of God to their children. He underscores the dangers of inadvertently hiding God from our children by failing to recognize this responsibility or by trying to do it alone, without the involvement of the local church. Aniol stresses the importance of the intergenerational context of the church in nurturing discipleship. He further highlights the beauty of creating a tradition of faithfulness that is passed down through generations when we take our role as spiritual mentors for our children seriously. He concludes that the ultimate goal as Christian parents is to ensure that our children know, love, and obey God. This, he believes, is best facilitated when fathers acknowledge and act on their responsibility to disciple their children within the context of the local church. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV): "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Scott Aniol
8M
Why We Let the Little Ones Come to the Service
Jan. 20, 2019
I remember the Sunday driving home from church when Becky said, “Wow, I think I was able to listen to the whole sermon today.” Our kids had finally reached the age where they were able to sit still in our church’s service without needing attention. Now we’ve “started over” with two more children. There is no doubt that welcoming children into the service is difficult for parents, but I am convinced it is the best thing for the children, the parents, and the whole church. Recently,  Here’s why we should let them come: “Amazing things happen in us as a congregation when the Word of God washes over us as the Spirit of God works within us. When we hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached from the whole canon of Scripture, we are changed, by one degree of glory to the next—this is the work of the Spirit in us ().” Why would we want to take this God-ordained, Bible-prescribed means of grace from our children, especially if they are unregenerate? My children need the preached Word of God just as much as I do, and they need it in the context of the whole Body. Can it be be difficult for moms and dads to hear while caring for a younger child? Absolutely. But even that is transforming. Not only is learning to hear the preached Word important and transformative for the children, working to patiently train children to hear the preached Word is sanctifying for their parents. Are human beings easily distracted? You bet, especially in an increasingly entertainment-minded, fast food society. So maybe forcing myself to engage carefully with the sermon while a toddler fusses across the aisle as her mother sorts through her purse looking for the Fishy crackers is sanctifying for me as well. And maybe my encouraging and reassuring smile to the frantic mother is the Body of Christ at work.
Scott Aniol
3M
How Can an Eight-Year-Old Glorify God?
Mar. 27, 2023
How can children glorify God? Scott Aniol explains that ultimately, we glorify God by obeying His commands. Specifically, we see that Scripture commands children to obey their parents and to honor their father and mother. Accordingly, Children can glorify God by honoring their parents and obeying them.   God is also glorified when children put others first before themselves and act unselfishly. Christ was the ultimate example of humility, obedience, and sacrifice that we all can look to.  Philippians 2:3 (NKJV) - "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."
Scott Aniol
3M
What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?
Nov. 14, 2023
What does it truly mean to follow Jesus? Scott Aniol suggests that following Jesus primarily involves listening to His teachings and seeking to understand and comprehend them. This process involves reading the Scriptures, sitting under the preaching of the Word, meditating upon the Word, and studying the Word. Both the Old and New Testaments are truths about Christ and God communicated to us. However, true discipleship does not end with intellectual ascent. It must also involve the transformation of our lives in line with Christ's teachings. True belief in Christ should lead to a changed life, marked by growth in faith, the forsaking of sin and the world, and the striving to obey everything that Christ commanded us. This is the essence of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, which is not just about teaching truths, but teaching to observe everything that Christ has commanded. John 14:15 (NKJV): 'If you love Me, keep My commandments.'
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