Awakening Spiritual Parenting in Today's Families by Michelle Anthony

I am sitting almost in the front row of my first pre-con lab for D6 Conference. No, I am not the teacher's pet, but it was the only seat available.

Michelle Anthony has spent 25 years in children's, youth, and family ministry in the church. But after a family move, started working at David C Cook as a Family Ministry Architect.

What does it mean for the church to come alongside families?

• Good Behavior vs. Faith-It's tempting for us as parents to accept the counterfeit by focusing on good behavior instead of faith. Good behavior does not stand up to the pressures of life. When trials come, behavior won't stand. Faith will last. Our pride creates in us a desire to look like a good a parent whether in public or at home.

• What Fosters Faith?-Guilt does not transform us, but only produces temporary change. Guilt is counterfeit for conviction. We need to get back to the basics. Conviction-cuts to the heart. We cannot convict our children's life only the Holy Spirit can. Convictions leads to transformation.
  

1. Experiencing God
2. It's not formulaic . . . it's organic (needs a place to be applied individually)

• The Path of the Divine-God's holiness changes children's lives. We need to elevate God and the gospel at home and the church.
  

Faith is always the goal!

• God's design-Deuteronomy 6
• Jesus' Response-when Jesus saw faith, he called it out. When it was lacking, he challenged people.
• Faith by definition: Pistos-3 parts: firm conviction (believing, trusting, cognitive understanding), personal surrender (Galatians 2:20, give life to Christ, not just praying a prayer, but surrendering our lives), corresponding conduct inspired by the prior two (we go straight to this area as parents, why can't you be more loving, patient, kind, etc.?)

Practical Steps Toward Spiritual Parenting

• Redeeming the Time

1. Faith is not an "add-on".
2. Ephesians 5:15-17-don't leave anything "redeem" behind in reference time. Time is "kairos"-opportune moment. Don't miss out on the time in early years with your kids. Look for opportunities in the car, cooking at home to redeem the time with your kids.
   
3. Putting God on display-Helping children see God throughout the day. Our faith in God matters in every day life. Model authenticity with our kids-in good & bad. We need to allow them to shape "faith muscles" at home in difficult times (i.e. relationships, purity, words). Admit when we have sinned. We don't have to be a perfect parent to be a spiritual parent. But we need to help our kids see when we are like Christ and when we are not. Everything can be redeemed.

• Approach to God's Word

1. Informational/Formational/Transformational-What do you know about God from that story? Think about story of Noah: God is faithful, obedient, protector, loving.
2. God-Centered-Remember all stories in the Bible are about God. He is main character. Jonah, David, Daniel, etc. are supporting characters. Instead of calling the story-David & Goliath, call it God is victorious. Call it "God is the famous one" instead of story of Rahab.
   
3. One Narrative-Big God Story. Not a collection of great stories but knowing "the story." Help kids understand how the story ties together.

• Posture of Response

1. Responding vs. Controlling-As parents, we struggle with controlling circumstances, friends, school, behavior, clothing, etc. When we wake up say, "God, I give you this day and I will respond in my life & in my children's lives. When kids sin, stop & pray in front of your kids.
2. Ask, Seek, & Give-The Holy Spirit is working in our kids lives. Let kids experience this rather than being Holy Spirit for them. With your kids: Ask questions, Seek Together (open Bible, pray), & Give Opportunities (Make choices, failure)
3. Coming alongside of what God's Spirit is up to . . . Philippians 2:13