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"God's Plan for Parenthood"

June 25, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Let God plan parenthood". Can we just stop and reflect on that statement for a second? Is there anything in any area of your life that goes better for you and your loved ones when YOU plan it than when God does? We know that God has given us the important ability of evaluating, planning, preparing, and completing our tasks in life. But all of those things must be submitted to His will and guidance, and when we go against Him and think our plan is better, it doesn't work out very well. This is true in parenthood as much as anything else. One of the most impactful things at the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. back in January was hearing woman after woman, sometimes with their husbands beside them, from all over the country publicly confessing their sin of abortion from years ago that has left them with a lifetime of regret and pain from which they are only set free by Jesus Christ and the forgiveness and freedom found in His blood. But it goes beyond that. How many of you have shut the door on the idea of adoption without considering whether or not God wants you to keep it open? How many of you have waited or are still waiting to have children because of your career or other pursuits, while you know God's first command in the Bible is to "be fruitful and multiply"? This week at Friendship, we will talk about "God's Plan for Parenthood" as it relates to not only the blessing of being parents, but also the responsibility in training our children to be our replacements in this world, then letting them go to follow Him. Don't miss this important reminder about God's sovereignty over life and how He wants us to be preparing future generations!

The Role of Children

July 30, 2023 • Jen Barshinger

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14). If Jesus said this, why have we decided that children are an inconvenience, that they prevent us from living life to the fullest, or that they are distracting and rambunctious and therefore should not be allowed in the church service? In that very story in the gospels, it was His own disciples who took these worldly attitudes, even rebuking those who brought their children to Jesus. You can imagine that they probably thought they were saving Jesus from the headache of "dealing with them", but Jesus' response shows us that children aren't a headache at all, and that we must become like them in our faith and trust of Jesus. This week at Friendship, we'll finish up the Family Values series by talking about "The Role of Children". The children will be with us in the service, but adults need to hear this as well. It is our responsibility to train our children to fulfill the role God has given them in the family. We must foster a culture of obedience and trust, while also remembering that part of their role is to observe and learn from us. If that isn't a sobering thought that makes you as an adult want to draw closer to Jesus, I don't know what will! We hope to see you this weekend!

The Role of the Wife

July 23, 2023 • JessicaHarbold

Proverbs 18:22 tells us, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord". So why do men, even Christian men, use ridiculous phrases like "the old ball & chain"? And why do women, even Christian women, put their husbands down and joke about "training" them to do as they are told? The short answer is "sin", but I think we can all see that there are some wicked ideas we have regarding the opposite sex that have been deeply engrained in our hearts and minds over many generations. In ancient times, women were treated more like property than human beings. They were devalued, abused, and discarded, and the Bible was even used to justify this behavior in many cases. Men, is this still how you see them today? Reflect and ask God to show you any errors. Women, is this how you see yourselves? Reflect and ask God to show you that your true identity is in Him. This week at Friendship, we continue our Family Values series with a look at the Role of the Wife/Woman in God's picture of the family. Join us to learn about God's plan for them in the home, outside the home, in society, in the Church, and as children of God!

The Role of the Church

July 16, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

This week we'll talk about why the Church has a role in God's picture of the family, and how we are responsible for loving and encouraging the family in both grace AND truth. I am excited for this one and look forward to having you all with us.