HI BCC Family,

I have a couple of questions for you today if you are a parent here at BCC.

Here it is: Are you doing everything you can to disciple your children spiritually in their walk with Jesus?

There are many, many things which parents can do to disciple their children. It takes just a bit of thought and prayer to think of some, select them, and then start to do them. 

• Certainly you can have family prayer (and not just at meals), but at every opportunity which the day presents itself; in the morning before you depart for the day; in the evening when you return; before trips, and special days; in times of need, and in times of joy. 
• You can read through the Bible together; make use of our chronological plans which we have on the Info Table on Jericho Road. 
• You can set family spiritual goals for the year; ask your kids to select some goals; you will be surprised at their choices and values.
• Choose a family motto which represents your values and beliefs as a family. I've had a couple of rituals with my children through the years; as we head to school, I will quote "This is the day the Lord has made...", and then my kids reply, "...we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24"). When we head home at sunset, I will remind them that "Jesus didn't come today, but maybe tomorrow, or tonight...".

There are many things which you could do, but here is one key way which you can put into practice every single week, and it is always provided for you by your family at Buffalo Covenant Church:

Bring your children to both Sunday School and Worship Service each and every week.

It is surprising to me how many Christian parents only send their kids to Sunday School, while mom and dad go to worship service.  And then after that, everyone heads home, as if that is all that is needed.  And yet, your kids have never gathered with the rest of God's family to praise the name of Jesus, alongside their mom and dad! 

Or sometimes the opposite happens: the whole family attends worship together (which is great), but then because mom and dad don't want to go to Sunday School themselves, they all go home, and the kids miss out on their Sunday School opportunities. And yet, the Scriptures tell us: 

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)  [Of course this applies to moms, single moms, grandparents, etc.]

Please let me encourage you as your pastor and someone who cares for the spiritual well-being of your family: Make it a commitment this year to attend BOTH worship service and Sunday School together as a family. 

Thanks to the Lord God, and the generosity of His people here at BCC, the previous space problem has been temporarily solved. We have room available for you in both worship services and Sunday School. So please bring your children in to worship with you, by your side, as a family. And then each of you can attend a Bible class. We have adult classes at both the 9:30 and the 11am hour now, so please pick one as adults, and then we will have something for your children also. If you have teens, then you can attend worship at 9:30, and everyone has a class available to them at 11am.

God has given you an incredible privilege as a parent to love and disciple your children. Bless them in the name of Jesus, and make use of all the resources provided you to raise them up in the 'training and instruction of the Lord.'.

In Christ's love,

Pastor Bill