D6 Days are happening NOW!

The D6 Conference, which has become the premier conference for family ministry, is generously offering full-length video and audio sessions for FREE beginning today through May 4!   Whether you're a parent or ministry leader, these next four days gives you a chance to unplug and listen to some great content from last year's D6 Conference.  This content can empower your families, homes, and ministries to take generational discipleship to even deeper level.

D6 Days Content

Videos (Main Stage Sessions)

• Darrin Patrick—Walking in the Spirit From the Inside Out
• Lydia Randall—Balancing Busyness in Ministry
• Rob Rienow—A Church Philosophy for the Generations
• Dave Stone—3 Gifts for Your Kids
• Leneita Fix—Connecting with the Urban Heart
• Les and Leslie Parrott--Love Talk Fight Night

MP3s (Breakout/Lab Sessions)

• Tim Kimmel—A Grace Based Approach
• Walker Moore—The Orphan Heart
• John Trent—Where Do I Start? Finding the Plan that Works for You
• Diana Pendley—What I Wished I Knew My First Few Years in Ministry...25 Years Later
• Tim Smith—Creating Healthy Habits at Home
• Bob Davis—The Importance of a Kiss. A Model of a Healthy Marriage

To experience these inspiring free sessions, click here.

Registration is now open for the 2014 D6 Conferences in Louisville, Kentucky, and Dallas, Texas.

Where Does Family Ministry Fit In The Big Picture?

Photo:  Microsoft Images

 Let's explore some big questions about Family Ministry.

• What is the role of Family Ministry? 
• Where does it fit into the overall theme of the Bible?  
• What does Family Ministry have to do with God's plan for the world?  
• How does Family Ministry relate to the Great Commission of the church?
• How can the church be more effective in missions, small group ministry, and children's ministry?
• Is Family Ministry anything more than just the newest trend in the Christian community?
• Does Family Ministry apply to singles or people who are not parents?

These questions and many more are answered in Dr. Rob Rienow's FREE audio presentation The Essential Role of the Family for World Evangelism.

The Essential Role of the Family for World Evangelism

Click on the link above to listen today.  Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Photo:  Microsoft Images

D6 Days starts TODAY!

The D6 Conference, which has become a hub of family ministry, is generously offering full-length video sessions for FREE beginning today through March 6!  In addition, free MP3's of lab sessions will be made available.

Watch the video session "Abide" based on John 15: 4-5.  Also listen to the free MP3 download of Michelle Anthony speaking with honesty and conviction about "Awakening Spiritual Parenting in Today's Families."

To experience these inspiring free sessions, click here.

D6 Days are are also scheduled for April 17 and July 24!  

Early Bird discounts are still available now for the 2012 D6 Conference in Frisco, Texas, on September 26-28.  Click here to register.

Being a Living Sacrifice

Christianity is not a spectator sport.  Christianity is not passive.  A Christian attitude is not one of consumerism.  True Christians do not attend church with the expectation that we are to be served.  Instead, we attend with an attitude of genuine worship.  Christians are called to serve--to minister--to one another and to the world.

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12, 1 Peter 2)?  It can mean a lot of things.  It can mean writing an article that may not be accepted for publication.  It can mean sharing your heart with someone when you're not sure whether it will be treated with sensitivity.  It can mean starting a blog that no one may read.  It can mean organizing an event for families that has no guarantee of being popular.  It can mean leading a small group that has the possibility of fizzling out.  It can mean reaching out with a hug when you don't know whether it will be received with acceptance.  Being a living sacrifice requires action on our part.

Are you deeply convicted about the importance of the family in the spiritual training of children?  Are you passionate about the Biblical model of family discipleship?  Being a living sacrifice does not involve sitting around and thinking about how "the church" needs to address the needs you see around you.  After all, we are the church, are we not?  If God has given you a passion for families, He has a reason for doing so.  The question is not whether God can do an awe-inspiring work with families.  The question is whether you are willing to be a part of it.

The Bible tells us that when seeds are scattered, there is no guarantee that those seeds will take root and flourish (Matthew 25, Mark 4, Luke 8).  Being a living sacrifice means surrendering to God.  It means sticking your neck out   It means shattering your comfort zone.  It means serving instead of being served.  It means laying your ego on the line.  It means taking the risk of being deeply humbled in order to be a servant of the Living God.

What Is "Ministry" Anyway? - Part 2 of 2

What is 'Ministry' Anyway? - Part 1

Photo: Microsoft Images

God wants us to know what gifts of ministry He has given us (I Corinthians 12:1).  "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. . . . it is the same God who works all in all" (I Corinthians 12:4-5).   Clearly, these gifts come from God.  As Christians, we are to be actively involved in doing God's work.  I Corinthians 12:11 tells us, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."   It was with purposeful thought and divine wisdom that He gave us the spiritual gifts we possess.  Each of us have been gifted with a specific purpose of ministry in mind.

If we seek to glorify God, we must do so by using the gifts He has given us to minister to others.  "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.  If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever" (I Peter 4:10-11, NIV, NKJV).

God is not waiting for His Kingdom to be established before He uses the body of Christ.  In John 4:35, Jesus rebukes his disciples for the false belief that the work God wants them to do is sometime in the future.  He urges them to look around them and see the work that needs to be done.  God's expectation is that we minister to others in the here and now. 

Photo: AnnettVauteck

One of God's purposes in creating us is to be involved in His work.  "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).   What an amazing privilege and blessing that God wants us to actively participate in His ministry!

Let's take to heart the admonition given to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord and fulfill it" (Colossians 4:17).  In the end, "each of us will give account of ourselves to God" (Romans 14:12) whether we have fulfilled His will for our lives.  Are you ready to do the work that God has created you to do?  Will you hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things" (Matthew 25:21)? 

What Is "Ministry" Anyway? - Part 1 of 2

Photo: Microsoft Images

Occasionally on this blog, I will use the term "family ministry."  What exactly does "ministry" mean anyway?  Often when we hear "ministry," we think about people who have been ordained to office and therefore have authority within the structure of a church organization.

But what is the Biblical definition of "ministry?"  Part of the confusion may be that there are different words translated as "ministry" or "ministering."  The most common meaning of "ministry" in the New Testament can be translated as "service" and is used in the context of helping others meet their spiritual or physical needs.  Indeed, Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us that the primary purpose for offices within the church is "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry."  The Bible clearly assigns the work of ministry to the lay members of the church body as well as to those formally ordained into the ministry.

Photo: Microsoft Images

Ideally, there is a reciprocal relationship between those of rank and general members to encourage one another so their faith is mutually strengthened.  As Paul stated, "I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours" (Romans 1:11-12).  One of the purposes of the church is to "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).

Please stay tuned for Part 2 of "What Is 'Ministry' Anyway?"

Breaking Down the Barriers to Family Discipleship

Here are some fast facts for you:

• 85% of Christian parents who regularly attend church believe the primary responsibility for teaching their children about the faith rests on their shoulders.  
• 10% of church-going families talk with their children about spiritual matters.  
• 5% of church-going families participate in any kind of family worship (separate from a corporate worship service).

 (Are you scratching your head at these numbers?  Doesn't add up?)  The discrepancy between these figures is staggering, and it speaks to the barriers that families face in doing spiritual training in the home.

Here are just a few of the many barriers that can prevent us from following the Biblical model of discipling our own children:

• Shifting of responsibility.  In our culture, it is very easy to shift the responsibility for the spiritual training of our children onto the church.  Yet God never intended for the church to be primarily responsible for passing the faith on to the next generation.
• Lack of know-how.  Most parents--even if they grew up in a Christian home--have not seen family discipleship modeled.  We know we need to be doing more for our children's spiritual development than just taking them to church.  But we simply don't know what more to do.  What does family discipleship look like in everyday life?
• Lack of support.  Parenting is not for the faint of heart.  When we are discouraged, we need someone to lift us up.  When we feel overwhelmed, we need emotional support.  And sometimes all we need to stay on track is someone else there telling us that we're doing the right thing. 
• Time constraints.  Need I say more?  This is a huge challenge for families today!

These are very real barriers.  I won't minimize them.  The good news is that every one of these barriers can be overcome.

This video is less than two minutes long, but it is a powerful motivator for making the spiritual training our children a priority.




Discipling our children on a day-to-day basis requires absolute dedication.  This blog is about breaking down some of the barriers to making our homes the place where our children's faith is nurtured.  It's about equipping you, encouraging you, and inspiring you in this great endeavor.  Feel free to comment or send me an email telling me what would be helpful to see on Turning Our Hearts.
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Small Group Bible Studies

We all have an inner need to connect with other people.  We were created to need fellowship within a faith community.  It's no coincidence that Jesus Christ and the early church focused on small groups.  They can be a very powerful vehicle for transforming lives and forging strong relationships. 

Today I'd like to share some of my favorite resources for Bible study or group discussions.
  
When They Turn Away: Drawing Your Adult Child Back to Christ

The mission of parenting doesn’t end after your kids become adults. Visionary Family Ministries has been overwhelmed with the number of people we have met around the country who are hurting because their adult children are struggling in their faith…or who have rejected faith all together.  In these four video sessions, Dr. Rob Rienow will encourage you with biblical principles which will inspire you to reconnect with your adult child and give you practical ways to encourage faith in their hearts.


This is available as a 4-part DVD series or in the book When They Turn Away: Drawing Your Adult Child Back to Christ.  Free downloadable participant guides are on the Visionary Family Ministries website and can be printed and given to members of your group.  Want to learn more about this program?  This inspiring video is a must-see!






Visionary Parenting

God has entrusted you with children for a reason! The biblical purpose of parenting is to do all in our power to impress the hearts of our children with a love for God. The souls of our children are our most important Great Commission calling. Visionary Parenting was created to encourage and equip you for this mission.

This is available as an 8-part DVD series or on audio.  The same information is contained in the book Visionary Parenting: Capture a God-Sized Vision for Your Family. This makes it easy to choose the format that best fits your group and budget.  On the Visionary Family Ministries website, you can find descriptions for each of the 8 sessions as well as free downloadable participant guides that can be printed and given to members of your group.  Still not sure if this is the right resource to use for your group?  Listen to the first session free on the website.  Below is a promotional video by Dr. Rob Rienow, the creator of Visionary Parenting.




 
Revolutionary Parenting

If you're like most parents, you think you're doing an okay job - and you probably believe you're doing better than most. But if your goal is to raise kids with a life-impacting faith, that may not be good enough.

Determined to learn the secrets of those who've raised spiritual champions, world-renowned researcher George Barna conducted a series of surveys and thousands of personal interviews with both young adults and their parents.

In the process, he was able to uncover a number of common denominators to parenting success. Some of his findings will encourage you; others will surprise you. But be forewarned - raising a spiritual champion takes Revolutionary Parenting.

Audio CD, parent workbook, leader guide with DVD, and the book Revolutionary Parenting: Raising Your Kids to Become Spiritual Champions are available from The Barna Group website or Amazon.  Small group packages are also available.  Want to know what makes this book different from other Christian parenting materials?  Check out this interview with George Barna:







Family Time Training

Are you enjoying using Family Time Training with your own family?  Consider sharing this idea with other Christian parents.  They will appreciate learning about it also!  For suggestions about how to present the material, go to Family Time Training's self-led training page.

Photo: Microsoft Images

If you are already part of a cell group, parent group, or small group Bible study, these resources are fantastic material for stimulating thought, discussion, intentionality, and motivation.  If you are not currently part of a small group, consider inviting some friends to discuss some of these materials with you.