We develop our way of looking at the world—our worldview—before we turn 13. Remarkably, new research finds that fewer than one in ten parents think through how to guide their children spiritually during those critical years. Dr. George Barna directs the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and includes these findings in his …
“Inside Out” on Family Life : What can the Church do to reach the “Nones” and the “Dones”? Some churchgoers are walking away. Others you might expect to come aren’t entering. Author and speaker Michelle Van Loon talks about the “Dones” and the “Nones,” and how to we can “spur one another on to good …
If our understanding of who God is and how He works in the world doesn’t have a foundation in the Bible, it’s possible that we hold “sketchy views.” A great many things work to pull us away from Jesus Christ. That’s not news. “The Scripture teaches us that the world, the flesh, and the devil are …
When a friend is suffering, we want to help, but so many of us just don’t know how, or feel inadequate for the task. Vaneetha Rendall Risner is familiar with suffering. She also knows how it can draw us to God. Her first suggestion for those of us who don’t know how to support a …
Parents can be tempted to make the children the family’s highest priority. But giving our children the best of our time and attention is not actually what’s best for them, according to Dr. Greg Smalley. Smalley is an author and speaker who serves as vice president of Marriage at Focus on the Family. He …
Bridging divides — and loving as Jesus loved — amid this era of conflict, in the church and in the culture: “Strive actively for peace” Conflict over presidential politics and pandemic precautions revealed the substantial divisions between Christians that we live with today. “The divisions that we’re seeing in the American church—the conversations—are not different …
Inside Out: The Search for a Church that Feels Like Home We’re called to be part of a church, but looking for one is difficult. Writer and speaker Michelle Morin talks about why it’s hard, what to keep in mind, and why it matters that we’re part of one. Searching for a congregation is difficult …
“Teaching the Names of Jesus” It’s helpful to use simple terms when we teach children about God. It also can be clarifying for adults, says pastor and author Jimmy Dodd. “It’s really important to be able to just explain theology on a really, really basic level,” he says. Jimmy Dodd and Sally Dodd …
Rural Churches Face Post-Pandemic Challenges … with Resilience and an Encouraged Theology Although resilient, small rural churches are contending with fallout from the pandemic. “There were some differing opinions and strongly held, so I think that we need to reconnect and move beyond that,” says author, pastor, and professor Glenn Daman. His 2018 book focusing …
Your Child’s Addiction to Toxic Screens Research supports what many parents already know: toxic screens are hurting their children’s mental health. Melanie Hempe, a retired RN and founder of the not-for-profit ScreenStrong, works with families to eliminate childhood screen dependency. Video games, social media, and pornography are the most problematic. “They structurally will change the brain …
