Connections That Make a Difference
CONNECTIONS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE “Risk-Proofing” Youth in a High Risk Society by Gary L. Hopkins, M.D., Dr.P.H. & Bruce Heischober, M.D. with Karen Flowers Gary L. Hopkins, M.D., Dr.P.H., is professor of Behavioral Science, Andrews University and Assistant Clinical Professor of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University. He is…
Read MoreBridging the Generations
BRIDGING THE GENERATIONS by Karen & Ron Flowers Directors, Department of Family Ministries, General Conference Theme: Grandparents and parents can improve their relationships by showing respect for each other, focusing on each other’s strengths and working to resolve issues surrounding the role of the older generation in the life of the younger family. How to…
Read MoreChildish Things That Should Not Be Put Away
Theme: An important aspect of becoming an adult is to retain the simple lessons about life and relationships learned in childhood. Theme Text: 1 Corinthians 13:11; Matthew 18:3; Luke 18:15-17 Presentation Notes: While adults will no doubt receive a blessing from this message, the target group are adolescents, young people on the verge of adulthood.
Read MoreParable of the Wonderful Father
Theme: The Heavenly Father looks every day “up the road,” ready to welcome home prodigals. Theme Text: Luke 15:11-24 In the previous parables of lostness, Jesus has told of a lost sheep that was lost unintentionally and a coin lost through carelessness. This parable of the lost son is, by contrast, a wilful lostness, a
Read MoreThe Light of God In a Child’s Eye
Theme: The spiritual development of our children is an important part of parenting and is a task of the church. Adults have a positive duty to enable children’s faith in God and to avoid any attitudes or behaviors toward children that would cause them to stumble. Theme Text: Mark 9:36-42 Presentation Notes: Throughout the following
Read MoreIf The Twins Could Talk To Us
Theme: The family experiences of Jacob and Esau with their parents, Isaac and Rebekah, offer profound insights for contemporary parents. Theme Text: Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-46; 28:1-9 Presentation Notes: The notes presented in this section do not constitute a prepared sermon script. The following helps are designed to offer a framework, supportive resources, and illustrations toward
Read MoreI Will Save Your Children
The following excerpts are from the book of poetry entitled Although the Day Is Not Mine to Give, I’ll Show You the Morning Sun , written and illustrated by David Melton (New York: Random House, 1971 by David Melton). The commentary is provided by Karen Flowers. My child, my child, your days of childhood are
Read MoreHow to Love a Son of Thunder
Theme: With God’s help we can keep on loving one another in our families even as we pass through difficult periods in our lives together. Theme Text: 1 John 4:7-11 Presentation Notes: The notes presented in this section do not constitute a prepared sermon script. The following helps are designed to offer a framework, supportive
Read MoreA Home Is for Sharing
Theme: The truly Christian home has a faith and experience to share which can help and bless others. Theme Text: Isaiah 39:4 Presentation Notes: Throughout the following outline, numbers in parentheses (1), (2), (3) will indicate items from the section called Sermon Illumination which may be used for illustration. The addition of your personal illustrations
Read MoreHelping Our Youth Catch the Gospel
Theme: Since values are more often caught than taught, we parents and guardians have the wonderful opportunity of helping children and youth to take hold of the gospel by providing an atmosphere of warmth, openness and grace and allowing our young people to witness our own behavior, including our mistakes and our requests for forgiveness.
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