Checkout an article by Steve Wright on the influence of students: “What Are They Listening To?”

Parents! Join us once a month at Redland Baptist Church from 5:00 6:45 pm for a great cup of coffee, some snacks, family strengthening tools, tips, and fellowship.

GRACE at Home Coffeehouse Schedule:

• September 25: Welcome!
• October 16: Faith Talks- Creative Holiday Ideas
• November 13: Coffee Dates
• December 11: Faith Talks- Advent
• January 8:Money Matters
• February 12: Great Date Night
• March 18: Faith Talks- Easter
• April 15: Parenting Toolbox
• May 6: Summer Fun Idea

I look forward to meeting you and sharing life together as parents!  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Pastor Bobby Cook on email: bobby@redlandbaptist.org, or call 301-977-1000.  Checkout our church website: www.redlandbaptist.org, and our Family Ministry Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/RBCFamilyMinistry/.

Below you will find a few resources from Awana.

Our hope is that you will find these resources encouraging to you as you parent your child.  We are only a month away from celebrating this year’s Awana season.  Check your child’s progress through his or her Awana book.  Your child maybe close to completing a book, earning a jewel or an award.  Just spending 5 minutes each day by listening to your child recite his or her verse can increase your quantity of quality time for your family.  I am praying for your family as this year in Awana.

Awana Resources for Parents: (Just click on the links.)

kidsprint

parentpause

sparkles

February Newsletter is now available online.

Parent’s!  Checkout the latest happenings and news for children at Redland.

Click on the blue link below to read!

Redland CM Newsletter, February 2011

Many parents may have heard these questions or questions like these at some point in their parenting.  Why?  Why are kid’s fascinated with Dinosaurs?

I believe it has much to do with secular influence of modern society.  Let me explain!  What show do most of our children watch on TV?  Does “Dora,” or “Diego” sound familiar?  What about movies?  Does the movie “Land Before Time,” ring a bell?

These types of TV shows or movies peek our children’s interest in the mystery of the giant creatures, the Dinosaurs.

In my own family, my son recently requested a Dino Birthday.  When we had a family day he requested to visit a museum that had Dino bones.  Just a few weeks ago I heard a story about a child asking his Awana leader about Dinosaurs in the Bible.  This past week I received an email from a parent asking for a resource for their child’s interest in the giant creatures.

So, this peeked my own interest and guided me to study on the topic myself.  It is important for parent’s to do the same.  Start with the Bible and use it as the framework of your study.  There are other books that can help guide you as well, such as The New Answers Book, by Ken Ham.

Here is a brief start to what I have found.

Dinosaurs!  Here are two texts to begin with; Genesis 1:24-25 and Job 40:15-24.  The Bible provides the framework for explaining the beginning and the end of the Universe.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10

From Ken Ham’s book The New Answers Book, he points out the connection that God created all kinds of land animals in Genesis 1:24-25.  All living creatures lived in harmony with each other, until the fall of Adam and Eve.  It was not until then we see a death of an animal.  God shed an animal’s blood in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:21 and clothed Adam and Eve.  Death entered in to the world after the fall of man.

The Big, SO WHAT?

So, what does this mean for me, you may ask?

This is a foundational start to understand and begin to answer our children’s fascination with Dinosaurs and other question about the world. We help them develop their Christian worldview. If we want our children’s faith in Christ to last for a lifetime we (parent’s) need to grow in our faith in Christ.  Let me encourage you to grow with your children and it is OK to say, “I don’t know,” to your child’s questions.  But do not stop there.  Say, let’s find out together.  Make a Faith Moment out of your search together.

May the Lord bless your times together as a family!

Bobby

It makes lots of sense, but have you ever thought of it in the context of your family?

“The Family” as a team.  Teams are generally made up of individuals with gifts and talents that contribute to the over all effectiveness of the team.  It requires each individual doing their part, teamwork.

I think many times in a family there is an interal competiveness that exists.  Of course, amoung your children there will be nature tendencies for competiveness.  Most of the time it is your children looking for attention.  I have three boys and the two older ones turn everything into a competition.  Many times we write it off as them just being boys.

Let’s think of the family competition in another way.  What about the husband and wife.  Does your relationship ever feel like your competing?  Do you feel like you working against each other?

I think viewing your family as a team is a healthy way to learn to work and play together, for the whole family as well as husband and wife.  Remember your on the same team!  Start in simple ways.  Look at your home responsiblities as a team effort.  However you divide up the responsiblities at home, find ways to work together.

In His Grip,

Bobby