2005-12-18 A God First Christmas - Does Family Well - Mary Larsen

What three elements constitute shepherding children's hearts effectively? How do values get caught rather than merely taught? This message from Mary Larsen examines how God-first Christmas does family well by shepherding children through teaching God's Word, knowing their inner selves deeply, and disciplining properly. Discover shocking Barna research showing only 3 out of 10 born-again parents prioritize children's salvation, with no distinguishable difference between Christian and non-Christian parenting practices. Meet 16-year-old David who loved Jesus but planned never returning home because his missionary father John controlled rather than knew him, parenting according to family origin patterns. Learn why "good enough" parenting contradicts Scripture, how reconciliation came through John's willingness to change, and why Blaise Pascal's conversion joy at age 31 represents what parents must maintain to shepherd effectively.