Session #11 – Parenting (Part II)

Whether you’re 6 months or 6 years away from having children, it’s never too early to begin thinking about what kind of parent you want to be.  The family unit in America is at an all-time crisis point.  Parents are physically, emotionally, & spiritually absent from their children’s lives; the children, themselves, are more confused about life than ever; and as a result, God’s desire and design for the family, as a primary agent in fulfilling the Great Commission, gets put on the backburner.  This week’s session deals with some of the biblical expectations that God has for eventual mom’s and dad’s in today’s generation, and what it is young married couples can begin doing right now to ensure a healthy foundation is laid for becoming a missional family…

Session #11 – Parenting (Part II)

Helpful Links…

Hey folks, here are some of the links I referenced in session #10… Remember, these are really Romans 14 / James 4:17 types of issues.  It’s very personal to each of our individual marriages; but the same biblical principle applies to all of our marriages- and that is God desires that EVERY decision we make- whether in career, a mate, or in parenting- that every decision be influenced by Christ & His Word- and not our culture.  So use these links to do your own research and pray through your convictions with your spouse! And I highly encourage you to listen to the whole sermon that Voddie Baucham gave…

• James Dobson on Cultural Factors Facing Today’s Families

• James Dobson on Birth Control

• John Piper on Birth Control

• Bible.org on Birth Control / Second Article

• Randy Alcorn on “The Pill”

• Voddie Baucham Message on The Supremacy of Christ in Truth

Session #10 – Parenting (Part I)

Having kids is a huge decision- one of the biggest decisions of our lives; and it’s not one that should be taken lightly.  God has made it clear in the Scriptures that children are a gift from the Lord- and the family unit is of utmost importance in His procreative & redemptive plan for man.  God’s desire is that we carefully & prayerfully consider all decisions on whether or when to have children- and that each decision be influenced by the principles of His Word, more than the culture around us.  In this session on parenting, we’re focusing primarily on the decisions that we make prior to conception. 

Session #10 – Parenting (Part I)

Session #9 – Sexual Intimacy

God has designed sex as something that is good within the context of the covenant of marriage.  Unfortunately, man as taken the good that God has made and distorted & defiled it.  The results have not only brought damage to individuals within our culture, but also the institution of marriage as well.  This session seeks to clearly define God’s design and plan for sexual intimacy within marriage- as well as provide help for couples in working through issues of sexual intimacy. 

Session #9 – Sexual Intimacy

Session #8 – Romance

We know that God has designed us in His image; both male and female (Gen. 1:27).  We also know that God designed the Marriage union as well (Genesis 2:18:25).  But did you know that God also designed sexuality and romance for you to enjoy with your spouse, to the fullest extent? This first, of a two-part session on sexual intimacy and romance, is designed to show why God wants romance in our marriage more than we do; and seeks to help couples to both deepen the intimacy and guard the intimacy within their marriages.

Session #8 – Romance

Spring 2007 Session Schedule

Below is the spring session schedule, which contains the list of locations and food assignments…

Spring 2007 Schedule & Hospitality Sign-Ups

Session #7 – Conflict Resolution

The primary issue behind conflict in marriage, is not whether or not it will happen- but rather how it will happen! With the majority of divorces in America occurring due to “Irreconcilable Differences,” it is absolutely essential that Christian couples learn to yield to Jesus in their marriages and work through their conflicts in a healthy way.  This session focuses on nurturing 5 key areas that can help couples resolve conflict in more God honoring ways in their marriage.  Here are the notes from our 7th session together…

Session#7-Conflict-Resolution

Session #6 – Conflict Recognition

Conflict in a marriage is inevitable.  Often times it serves as God’s way of re-directing the course of our marriage to get us back on track for where He desires to go.  But more times than not, conflict can be an ugly, nasty thing that brings more harm to a marriage than good.  This session focuses on learning to recognize both healthy and harmful patterns of conflict within our marriage.  Here’s the notes from our 6th session together…

Session#6-Conflict-Recognition

Upcoming Holiday Events…

 

Here’s a few links to some upcoming community events for the holidays.  These are great ways to engage with the local community, as well as some good old fashioned Christmas fun! At the very least, these might provide some neat date options!

• Denton Square Holiday Lighting (11/30)
• Denton Square Holiday Lighting (2) (11/30)
• Flower Mound Christmas Tree Farm (11/25 – 12/25)
• Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree (12/1 – 12/25)
• Snowflakes & Angels (11/16)
• The North Pole Express (12/1 – 12/17)
• Carol of Lights (11/27)
• Parade of Lights (11/30)
• Christmas on Main Street (12/1 – 12/17)
• Christmas in the Stockyards (12/3)
• Holiday in the Arboretum (11/25 – 12/31)
• Christmas at Prestonwood Baptist (12/2 – 12/15)
• Ice Skating at the Galleria (Daily)
• “Dickens of Christmas” Festival (12/1 – 12/2)
• Candlelight at Old City Park (12/9 – 12/10)
• Christmas Celebration at the Meyerson (12/14)
• A Cool Jazz Christmas (12/16)
• Christmas Lights in Highland Park (11/24, then Daily)
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular (11/10 – 12/3)
• A Christmas Carol (11/24 – 12/24)
• Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Parade (12/2)
• The Nutcracker (12/1 – 12/23)
• The Great Russian Nutcracker (11/16 – 11/19)
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas (12/16)
• Ice Exhibit at the Gaylord Hotel (11/16 – 1/6)
• Granbury Christmas Celebration (11/24)
• Six Flags Holiday in the Park (11/24 – 1/2)

And don’t forget, you’re all invited to come over to the Sumlin’s house on December 2nd for a Christmas Decorating & Craft party.  The fellas will be out in the yard and on the roof putting up lights; while the ladies will be inside making ornaments, candles, learning to wrap gifts, baking goodies, etc…  I’ve invited a handful of College Lifer’s as well, who maybe have never experienced family Christmas traditions of their own.  Free lunch & Christmas snacks will be provided for all! It will be a great time for some good ‘ole Griswold fun!

Sat. Dec. 2nd, 9am-1pm

Merry Christmas!

Session #5 – Understanding One Another

Communication in marriage is vital to the success of the mission.  God has so wired us in our marriages, to both give and recieve love in very unique ways.  It is essential that we be willing to learn our spouse’s primary love language if we are to be effective communicator’s of love.  By seeking to understand one another better, we’ll then be able to serve one another better; and as a result, we can then more effectively use our marriages for the Lord’s service.    Here are the notes from our 5th session together…

Session#5-Understanding-One-Another