Last year our church began a new annual celebration: Children's Day. A glance online will reveal that there are a few declared Children's Days throughout the world. November 20th is one of the most common, since it commemorates the Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the United Nations on that day in 1959. …
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not …
Continue reading Let the Children Come to Me | Mark 10:13-16
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will …
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5VXYz18jSudWE5MiuQMsOk?si=tGB8nwZsRXeyVRXEmcXTbw Before we can discuss the titular question, allow me to lay out a very brief but necessary biblical framework for the importance of passing down stories to our children. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a foundational text within all of Scripture for, at least, three reasons. First, it provides the great confession of the Old Testament: …
Continue reading Is Disney or Scripture Catechizing Your Child’s Imagination?
As parents, we are commanded to raise our children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). But how do we do that? You see, everyone goes through life with a set of guiding principles and presumptions. The big question, however, is whether we recognize them or not. My wife and I have …
Continue reading Your Child Is Human (& 14 Other Parenting Principles)
For a while, my daughter only wanted to listen to Ruth and Jonah in the car. Both books are short and using a dramatized audio Bible (this one) made them into immersive experiences. Jonah is obviously captivating for the frightening storm and unexpected fish, and while not as action-packed, Ruth contains a large amount of …
2020 has been significantly more homebound than previous years due to COVID-19, which included for many churches the cancellation of planned mission work. Our church was among that number, so for November (which we designate as Missions Month), we are focusing on the topic of Missions at Home. To coincide with this theme, I gave …
Continue reading How to Support Missions & Be Missional at Home
DOWNLOAD PDF Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in …
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children …
Continue reading Unless the LORD Builds the House | Psalm 127
My first child is yet to be born, and I'm already dreading THE talk. Which is why my wife and I have decided not to have the sex talk with our children; instead, we want to have many talks with our kids, often including sex in the discussion. Easier said than done!, you might say. I know …
B. C. Newton 