Have you ever rebelled in your life? Have your children rebelled? Most of us had rebelled at some point in our lives. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23, God puts rebellion on a par with idolatry. Because of the ramifications of disobedience and the blessings of obedience, parents must take seriously the task of training children to obey. We need to be engaged and encouraging, but we must also expect obedience from our children. That’s why Colossians 3:21 gives fathers an awesome responsibility: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.”
In the Old Testament, Joshua was strong in his resolve for his family to serve the Lord. He says in Joshua 24:15: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Eli, on the other hand, was condemned because of his failure to restrain his sons (1 Samuel 3:11-14). While Paul uses the word “fathers” here to show the strategic role that dads play in parenting, the Greek word certainly includes mothers. I think one reason he does specify the role of the father is because dads have a propensity to cause bitterness in their children. In Paul’s day, the father was more like a dictator than a “daddy.”
I recently read eight ways parents provoke or exasperate their children:
- Making promises that they don’t keep (even using the “maybe” word can confuse your children who automatically assume that you have made a commitment)
- Nagging them to death; always finding fault
- Micromanaging them
- Setting unrealistic expectations that they can never meet
- Showing partiality in how they treat their different children – Playing favorites
- Being inconsistent in their enforcement of rules and exercise of discipline
- Designing punishments that far exceed the nature of the infraction
- Ignoring them; Failing to spend time with them in activities of their choosing
Parents are to make it as easy as possible for children to obey! The way we treat them has a lot to do with their ability and willingness to fulfill their responsibility in the home.
Even if we are way beyond the child rearing years, may we be healthy parents in our relationships with our children and grandchildren. As we do that, we may see very little rebellion!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen’s sermon this Sunday is entitled, “A Christian Home: Children,” based on Ephesians 6:1-3. Please read this text in preparation for worship.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Our annual congregational meeting will be THIS SUNDAY (January 22nd), immediately after worship. We will receive the 2023 budget, approve the terms of call of the pastor, elect a treasurer, among other items.
Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday immediately after the congregational meeting in the large Sunday school room. Please join Janet Coiner and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will be continuing a study of the Gospel of Luke. This Sunday we will study Luke 10: What in the world does a Christian do? Be an ambassador, be a neighbor, and be a worshipper of God like Mary! Please bring your Bible!!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Women’s Bible Study
We are excited to announce our next women’s Bible Study! We will be studying Elijah, utilizing Priscilla Shirer’s wonderful study “Faith and Fire”! We will begin the study on Tuesday, February 7th and continue each Tuesday through March 21st. There will be two options for participating in the study. Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. Ladies, we look forward to your participate!!
Wills & Sarah Kitchen
We are excited about welcoming our new directors of family ministry, Wills and Sarah Kitchen and their family!! Let’s give them a grand welcome, as they join our team!!
Men’s Ministry
The first meeting of a new men’s group will be next Wednesday, January 25th at 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Panera Bread! Men, please mark your calendars NOW and think about a friend to invite. At the first gathering there will be a trivia game with prizes awarded!!
Our Men’s Bible Study continues to meet at Panera Bread each Tuesday morning at 7:00. We are currently doing a “Drive Down Route 66,” an overview of all 66 books of the Bible! All men are invited to join us!!
Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports
If you have any concerns you would like to add to the Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports list or give an update, PLEASE contact our prayer coordinator, Janet Coiner (540.447.0918) by THURSDAY at NOON!! Thanks so much!!
Mission Corner
Baby Bottles to support the ministry of ComfortCare Women’s Health begins THIS Sunday. Baby bottles will be available to pick up and fill with extra change or any other donations throughout the next month.
Missions Team is active keeping in touch with our missionaries and other ministries. Please keep updated! You can visit our website and go to the Outreach page
December Financial Report
Offerings: Monthly: $15,141 YTD: $185,266.50
Expenses: Monthly: $20,983.26 YTD: $188,826.61
We have also received monies designated for our capital campaign and restricted giving. In December we received $12,140 for our capital campaign.
January Birthdays
Candi Brown (1/22); Janet Coiner (1/27)