FOCUS Weekend Review...

This weekend, our middle and high schoolers participated in our first ever FOCUS weekend. Our theme was: F.A.M.:I.L.Y. (Fathers And Mothers: Intended to Lead You)

I thought it might be helpful to outline here some of the major points and passages we discussed. So here are some summary points as I see them:

1. Mothers and fathers are intended to lead their children spiritually. We looked at Genesis 1:26-28, where Adam and Eve were told to have dominion over the earth. As two limited people, there's no way they could subdue the entire earth on their own, so it was implied that their responsibility was to raise godly responsible children who would spread over the earth and responsibly care for the earth. We looked at Deuteronomy 6:1-9, where Moses is telling the Israelite parents to love the LORD and to diligently teach their children His ways all the time. Finally, we looked at Ephesians 6:1-4, where fathers in particular are directed to raise their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

2. Children are intended to honor and obey their parents. We looked at the fifth commandment in Deuteronomy 5:16, where God commands children to "honor" their parents--to respect and appreciate them. Then we looked at Colossians 3:17-25, where Paul is driving home the point that children are to obey their parents "in everything"--not because their parents are perfect, but because "it pleases the Lord." We really tried to stress that honoring parents is really honoring our Savior--the One who has entrusted us to them.

3. Parents and children are all sinful, so parents' imperfections are not justification for disobeying or dishonoring them. We looked at Luke 2:41-52, where Jesus Himself has a disagreement with His parents and voices a difference of opinion, but does so humbly, ultimately submitting to them. And we reviewed Ephesians 6:1-4, noting that parents will be tempted to "provoke" their children at times, but that children are always called to "obey." Finally, we looked at James 4:1, which says that conflict is caused by desires "within" us--not just desires within others. So we discussed our own selfish attitudes, how they contribute to conflict with parents, and how we can learn to change our hearts in arguments.

What a great time of discussion we had. There's so much more I could write here, but I wanted to give an overview of our talks. I am sincerely hopeful that our students were changed. Parents, take time to review the material I sent you with your child(ren). And know that I am supporting and holding you up in their sight!