Heart Connex Parents Page - January 18-21, 2012 - Battling ...
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE January 18-21, 2012 Battling Hopelessness—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a teenager goes first): When it is your turn, say: I imagine some teenagers create high stress and refuse to attend family devotionals as we are having. Your positive spirit and willingness to join the family for these times make me feel . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Colossians 1:13-14. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • God gives us hope and saves us from hopelessness. Untruths • The media always provide a positive and encouraging impact on everyone. • God does not have the power to help us with depression or hopelessness. • Believers can absorb all messages from the media without concern. 3. Explore Scripture: Read again Colossians 1:13-14. Say: These verses help us understand Satan better. Explain that Jews used “darkness” to refer to Satan, and the Bible generally refers to Satan as dwelling in darkness. Say: As the prince of the darkness, Satan sends out messages (often through the media) to create depression and hopelessness. Those messages are designed to overwhelm men and women, but Jesus frees those enslaved to the discouragement of the darkness. Point out that God expects believers to embrace His truth and resist hopeless media messages, emphasizing that He is powerful enough to rescue those who have been captured by messages of hopelessness. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: You have a choice to make today. You can choose to connect to media that leaves you feeling hopeless or you can connect to media that blesses the name of God and honors Him. Remind teenagers that you can’t stay with them all the time, but you want to encourage them to make wise choices that will strengthen their faith. Say: I also challenge you to be salt and light in this culture—working against messages (in the media or elsewhere) that spread discouragement and hopelessness. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this step. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you as you obey Him and rely on Him to protect you from the darkness. Parent Tip: Has your family’s schedule become so crazy that too little time is available for focused attention on children, quiet conversations, and even spiritual leadership? If your answer is yes, take a ruthless inventory of what is pulling family members in different directions. Once you discover what is causing the craziness, ask God to help you identify changes that can be made.
Copyright © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE January 18-21, 2012 Battling Hopelessness—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a teenager goes first): When it is your turn, say: I imagine some teenagers create high stress and refuse to attend family devotionals as we are having. Your positive spirit and willingness to join the family for these times make me feel . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Colossians 1:13-14. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • God gives us hope and saves us from hopelessness. Untruths • The media always provide a positive and encouraging impact on everyone. • God does not have the power to help us with depression or hopelessness. • Believers can absorb all messages from the media without concern. 3. Explore Scripture: Read again Colossians 1:13-14. Say: These verses help us understand Satan better. Explain that Jews used “darkness” to refer to Satan, and the Bible generally refers to Satan as dwelling in darkness. Say: As the prince of the darkness, Satan sends out messages (often through the media) to create depression and hopelessness. Those messages are designed to overwhelm men and women, but Jesus frees those enslaved to the discouragement of the darkness. Point out that God expects believers to embrace His truth and resist hopeless media messages, emphasizing that He is powerful enough to rescue those who have been captured by messages of hopelessness. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: You have a choice to make today. You can choose to connect to media that leaves you feeling hopeless or you can connect to media that blesses the name of God and honors Him. Remind teenagers that you can’t stay with them all the time, but you want to encourage them to make wise choices that will strengthen their faith. Say: I also challenge you to be salt and light in this culture—working against messages (in the media or elsewhere) that spread discouragement and hopelessness. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this step. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you as you obey Him and rely on Him to protect you from the darkness. Parent Tip: Has your family’s schedule become so crazy that too little time is available for focused attention on children, quiet conversations, and even spiritual leadership? If your answer is yes, take a ruthless inventory of what is pulling family members in different directions. Once you discover what is causing the craziness, ask God to help you identify changes that can be made.
Copyright © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
