Resources

What are some things parents must consider in regards to letting their children access the Internet? Carlton McLeod explains in this video that children need accountability when they use the Internet. In fact, everyone needs accountability. There are certainly significant risks to allowing your family to access the Internet and parents must use caution and discernment in this area. It should not be something that parents casually do. While the Internet certainly has many benefits, there are also many dangers associated with it. James 4:17 (NKJV) - "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

What should parents be cautious of in regards to social media? Gary Powers explains in this video that he personally doesn't use any social media. For our children, it is shaping their worldview much more than they believe. He wants their worldview shaped by Scripture. He shares that he enjoys reading books written by individuals who lived years before. In regards to social influencers, we barely know many of these people and yet, we're allowing them to shape our opinions, values, and worldview. It can be very dangerous or a waste of time if we are not careful. We must see how we are spending our time. There are other things that we can be doing like mentoring others, building relationships, or discipling individuals. Romans 12:2 (NKJV) - "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

I am sure you would agree that as we get older time seems to be going faster. I know I’m not the only dad who regularly feels that there are just not enough hours in the day! Many of the men reading this may be very good at managing their time. For me, this isn’t a strength. However, as a husband and father, I know that I am responsible to manage my time well. Otherwise, life becomes absolutely hectic and unbearably busy. I have found that deliberate planning and intentional prioritizing helps. When life gets too fast-paced, priorities get jumbled and important things are neglected. But, with the Lord’s help, there is much I can do to make things more manageable and peaceable again. I often remind myself that there are always enough hours in the day to do God’s will! So here are a few simple suggestions that may help you develop a family vision (if you haven’t done so already). For our family, this takes place through intermittent family vision discussions. I will give you the loose format we follow, and you can adjust things according to your family’s needs. OPENING PRAYER & FEEDBACK We begin with a time of prayer in which we commit our time to the Lord and ask for His wisdom. We then discuss how things are going in general. What is working? What isn’t? What specific struggles, prayer needs, and problems need to be addressed? We also share our victories and growth and then thank God together. This is also a time for me to be real with my children, sharing how I have failed and where I am seeking God’s help. Children can tolerate a lot of their father’s mistakes, but not consistent hypocrisy. DOCUMENTING THE FAMILY VISION I have a notebook in which I document our fluid family vision. It includes a list of those things we consider to be family priorities that are in line with God’s leading and call upon our lives. We also include the activities and actions that are the outworking of those priorities. So, at this point, our list looks a bit like this: * Family devotions * Fellowship * Hospitality * Quality family time * Evangelism * Exercise * Topics to study? * Skills to develop? * Ways to serve our local church? I then write out some more details for each heading. For example: * Hospitality 1. Having people over after church

In this audio message, Mala Chindongo discusses what our priorities are in our life. If it was your birthday, what would be your wish? He explains that as a pastor, it can be easy to get caught up in how big your congregation is and lose sight of the Gospel. He encourages his fellow pastors to keep Scripture central. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) - "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

In this audio message, Bill Brown discusses how if a son does not embrace the Gospel, it will not help him to be able to deal with the biggest problem he will face -- his sinfulness before a holy God and a threat of holy fire. He illustrates this point by sharing some of his experiences from the Battle of Iwo Jima. Romans 6:23 (NKJV) - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Here in this audio, William Brown reads chapter 8 of "Preparing Boys for Battle" on teaching your sons of the sovereignty of God.

This is one of six video sessions are designed to help young men understand some of the basics necessary for their lives as providers and churchmen. They cover areas of time and money management and matters of career selection. The teachers in this series are local church members who are. experienced in their areas of instruction.

Ideally each believer will find a good church home where they can serve and be served in peace and sweet fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ. However, this is a fallen world and this ideal is often not realized. Sometimes it becomes necessary for a believer to consider leaving and eventually actually leave a church. When this happens, above all God must be honored and his church protected from unnecessary division and bitterness.