We are back blogging again this week, and for today I want to speak to those of you who are parents, or have a desire to be a parent in the future.

As we’ve said before, the start of a new year is a good time to sit down and take stock of your life and family, and assess your priorities, time, resources, and plans, etc to make sure the year ahead is purposeful, and (by God’s grace) fruitful.

As a parent, I’m always on the look out (and grateful) for resources that can help me with regard to my children and my parenting.  And at the beginning of a new year I want to point you towards some materials that can help you as parents, sit down, take stock of your lives, families and children, and freshly instruct and/or remind you of the amazing privilege, and awesome responsibility of raising children for God.

The materials come from our good friends at Covenant Life Church, and there’s something for everyone as there are messages and materials for parents with children ranging in ages from 0-22 years old!

I suggest taking a listen together with your spouse and then discussing some areas for growth, change and application of biblical truth into this vital area of parenting.  I hope, and pray this material serves you and blesses your family in 2010!

(NB: Click on the links to listen on-line. To download: PC users right click and save file; Mac users ctrl+click and save file.)

The Parenting Years I: 0-5 year olds (Brian Chesmore)

Part 1: Biblical Principles of Parenting
Part 2: Training & Discipline
Part 3: Questions & Answer Session

The Parenting Years II: 6-10year olds (Kenneth Maresco)

Part 1: Biblical Principles for Parenting
Part 2: Shepherding Towards Conversion
Part 3: Shepherding Your Child’s Heart

The Parenting Years III: 11-14 years olds (Greg Somerville)

Part 1: Changing Bodies & Minds
Part 2: Emerging Convictions in a Changing World
Part 3: Changing Relationships
Part 4: Panel Discussion

The Parenting Years IV: 15-18 year olds (Kenneth Maresco)

Part 1: God’s Role and Our Role
Part 2: A Teen’s Relationship with God
Part 3: The Importance of Relationships in a Teen’s Life
Part 4: Questions & Answer Session

The Parenting Years V: 19-22 year olds (Bob Kauflin)

Part 1: Goals & Guidelines
Part 2: Rules & Relationships
Part 3: College, Careers & Beyond
Part 4: Questions & Answer Session

As you may be aware, in the Spring of 2009, Grace Church is very excited and pleased to be hosting Pastor Tedd Tripp, best-selling author of books, “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” and “Instructing a Child’s Heart” for a weekend parenting conference.

We are in preparations and planning for the weekend, and wanted to make you aware of a new website that will be launched on 1st September 2008 – www.teddtripp.org – which will contain all the vital information for this weekend conference.

Bookmark the site address now and return on or after September 1 for more details, or alternatively email info@gracechurchbristol.org to be added to our mailing list.

Having mentioned earlier about our next Family Matters (don’t forget!) I thought this little video clip of all the things you mums have ever said to your kids packed into 60 seconds might give you a good laugh! Enjoy!

Our next Family Matters seminar is being held on Saturday 7th June 2008.

Please organise your babysitter NOW so you can make it for that Saturday. Our focus will be parenting.

Exact details of meeting time & venue to follow – watch this space! As always, questions are welcome ahead of time, leave a comment or send an email.

Our next FAMILY MATTERS seminar is…

SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2007.

Once again, our focus shall be on Biblical Parenting. Please arrange you babysitter now!

9:15am for coffee, Session 1 begins at 9:30am. We shall be done by 12:30pm. Venue will be Emersons Green Village Hall.

See you there!

The following books are the ones we recommended on Saturday morning and are designed to help us as parents in furthering both our understanding of the ultimate goal of our parenting, and our role as a parent with that goal in view.

If Saturday’s seminar was just the bare bones, these books will flesh out the detail.  We have ordered in a number of each title and they should be available soon!

Teach them Diligently by Lou Priolo

There is far more to teaching our children the Bible than merely telling them Bible stories.

In this book, Lou Priolo provides principles and insights that will strenthen our parenting skills by teaching us how to use the Scriptures more thoroughly and effectively in our child training.

Topics covered include “Teaching the Scriptures”, “Convicting with the Scriptures” and “Learning to use Life’s Instruction Manual”.

A valuable aid on any parents bookcase!

Available from the church book stall for £7