Bear Essentials

We’re not raising children, we’re raising adults who need to learn how to navigate conflict and biblically reconcile with others. So how do we navigate arguments between siblings and why do we implement rules like “no tattling allowed”?Sibling arguments are a given. Yes, our kiddos love each other, but they are still humans in sinful flesh and they are bound to hurt one another. What does the Bible say about reconciling with others and how can we guide our children to love each other biblically? In this episode, we talk about the biblical foundation for resolving conflict and some practical day-to-day methods for training our children to peacefully reconcile now and into adulthood. 

What is Bible Time, why do we do it as a family, and how do we actually sit down and make it happen on a regular basis? Deut 6:7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”Many of us may already know this well-known verse regarding our parenting, but if we back up a bit we are going to see exactly how BIG our task from the Lord is. Verse 7 says that we shall teach “them” to our children… we shall talk of “them”. What is the “them” that this verse is talking about? 

It’s really important to develop unique relationships with each of our children. Not only together, as mom and dad, but also individually, to form deep bonds that build trust and create opportunities for discipleship. It’s not necessarily an easy thing to do… life is full of commitments and time can be hard to come by. So what do we do now that we have five children? 

Deuteronomy 6:7 exhorts parents, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” So how do we do it? What are the benefits? And how does it connect to our kiddos hearts?Set the tone by having your own personal Bible time regularly Use times of correction to point back to the BibleUse Biblical words throughout the dayCreate a plan for nighly Bible time as a familyCheck out the Choose Wisely Cards by Bear & Squirrel and be sure to listen for the discount we drop during the show

How can we model a high view of God in our home? Especially when it can appear that the world is winning important battles. A.W. Tozer said it very well when he said: "The church rises or falls all together depending upon her view of God." I would like to update this statement for the sake of this podcast, "The Christian family rises or falls all depending upon her view of God." Fear of God vs. Fear of manHow to talk about hot cultural topics in our home with confidenceViewing the world through a Christian worldview lens every dayModeling extreme confidence in God's sovereigntyMinimizing the importance of politics in light of Biblical truth and fear of GodCheck out What the Bible Says about Parenting by John MacArthur and Focal Point Ministries

The tone of today's culture does not resonate with the idea of submitting to authority. So what does it look like for us, as the adults and parents, to model an ongoing attitude of submission to authority so that we can set a Biblical tone in our home? We are going to look at this from an everyday, practical stance paired together with an overall view of what the Bible has to say.Our marriage is the perfect opportunity to highlight Biblical submissionThe reality of submitting to governmental authoritiesIf we neglect our first priorities we wrongly train our onlooking childrenThe importance of submitting to church leadership We must avoid "grumbling and disputing" Check out The Briefing and Focal Point