Trinity Presbyterian Church | Family, Youth & Children's Ministries

We seek to minister to the whole family here at Trinity. For information about Family Ministries contact Mark Hutton, Pastor for Community - Families & Congregational Life, at 977-3700 ext 143.

JanTerm Culture and Family Conference

Download the mp3 file of session 1 (January 11, 2012)

Discussion Questions
· In the Gospel of Matthew (6:33) Jesus said that His people are to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” As you reflect on tonight’s discussion, do you think that this verse has anything to teach us about family and culture?

· Skip pointed out that, “Prior to the 1960s individuals were committed first and foremost to their family…After the 1960s…one’s psychological well-being began to reign supreme in our culture, all institutions – especially marriage – began to be judged according to the very slippery and very subjective standard – how happy does it makes me? We are told that we deserve to be happy – and personal happiness should be one’s ultimate goal. So, if I’m not happy, something is wrong and must be corrected.”
- In what ways has our culture's desire for happiness had an impact on you, your family, and your neighbors?
- What can be done about it? What relationship does happiness and duty have when thinking of family?

· How do you think the teenagers you know would react to the question, “It is usually a good idea for a couple to live together before getting married in order to find out whether they really get along”?
- Skip suggests that the “younger generation has inherited their norms and values from the previous generation. They internalize some of these norms and values and challenge others.” How does this statement relate to your answer?
- In what ways and to what extent do you examine what you consider the “norms” against what the Bible teaches?

Download the mp3 file of session 2 (January 18, 2012)

Discussion Questions
1. Skip pointed out that “the best indicator and predictor of social behavior among those who claim to be religious is simply their active involvement in church, synagogue or mosque life. For Christians, most importantly, this includes church attendance, as well as participation in other programs (e.g., Bible studies, small groups, retreats, etc.). It also includes solitary activities such as praying, as well as devotional reading of the Bible.”
a. How does this and the statistics (see below) shape the way you think about the way we ought to live as a church community, i.e., in regards to encouraging children, students and parents? Does it challenge your previous understandings? If so – how?
b. How does it shape the way we should try to help our neighbors and their families?

2. Skip stated, “As a culture we are not doing a very good job of communicating to and modeling for our young people the benefits and the value of marriage. Perhaps we modern parents, teachers and mentors are spending more time talking to our young people about the value of a good education or the value of having a good job, or the importance of ‘experiencing life to the fullest,’ and we seem to neglect telling them about the value of a good marriage – both the emotional and substantive value.”
a. How does this apply to families within Albemarle County–Charlottesville? What do you think are the end results? Does it apply to you in any way? Should it change? What are the values of marriage? How can you communicate them?

3. Jesus calls for his people to be “salt and light.” He also calls them to love God, each other and their neighbors.
a. How do you think Christians can be faithful to what Jesus calls them to do given that what Skip has shared is true? How should they love their neighbors in regards to issues related to family and parenting? How can the local church help? What can you do?

The following statistics are from Christian Smith and the National Survey on Youth and Religion. See also Kenda Creasy Dean's Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church.

		Religious Ideal Types
	U.S.	Devoted	Regulars	Sporadic	Disengaged
Believe in waiting for marriage to have sex	56	95	57	37	24
Believe is it okay for teens to have sex if they are emotionally ready for sex	30	3	27	42	56
Have been physically involved with another person, more than holding hands and light kissing, since turning 13	42	29	41	50	53
Have ever willingly touched or been touched by another person in private areas under clothes	34	18	34	43	43
Have had oral sex	21	11	20	27	30
Have had sexual intercourse	20	9	19	23	26
Legend: 37% of American teens don't fit any one category Devoted = 8% (attends weekly or more); Regulars = 27% (attends 2-4 times/month); Sporadic = 17% (attends a few times/year); Disengaged = 12% (never attends)

General Resources for Families

Internet Safety:
• Enough Is Enough
• Covenant Eyes
• Be Secure online
• Article on Kaboose site

Arts & Entertainment:
• Movie, music, game reviews
• For younger kids
• Ransom Fellowship

Parenting/Family Life:
• Family Life
• Like Dew Your Youth: Growing Up with Your Teenager, by Eugene Peterson
• How Children Raise Parents: The Art of Listening to Your Family, by Dan Allender
• Parenting without Perfection: Being a Kingdom Influence in a Toxic World, by David John Seel
• Including Children in Worship, by Elizabeth Sandell
• Grace-Based Parenting, by Tim Kimmel
• Shepherding a Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp
• Age of Opportunity: Guide to Parenting Teens, by Paul Tripp
• Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joys of Worship, by Robbie Castleman
• What Is the Reformed Faith? by John DeWitt

Marriage:
• When Sinners Say ‘I Do’: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage, by Dave Harvey
• Each for the Other: Marriage as It’s Meant to Be, by Bryan Chapell
• Relationships: A Mess Worth Making, by Tim Lane & Paul Tripp
• For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women, by Shaunti Feldhan
• For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men, by Shaunti Feldhan

Children's Ministries (including Expectant Parents Ministry, Nursery, Sunday School and Great Beginnings Preschool)
Student Ministry
Special Needs Ministry
Premarriage Class