Through Our Gates

T BAR M BLOG

Which is Greater…Relationship or Religion?

Religion or relationship…which one wins? This is one of those “both/and” situations. Huh? Read ahead…John gives us points we can use to discuss this (sometimes cloudy) issue with our kids. Scripture He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love […]

Sportsmanship is Next to Godliness

“Self-controlled”, “courageous”, “fair”…all words we would love for our kids to be characterized by! Walt shares with us some wise words as to why and how we can teach good sportsmanship, which points us and others toward Godliness as well! Scripture Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, […]

Responsibility Includes Mistakes…That’s OK!

Do you find it hard to trust your child with a big responsibility? What if they don’t complete it? What if they make a mistake…even a big one? What if this practice is exactly what they need? Tyler points to how we can teach responsibility. Let’s dig in! Scripture The Lord makes firm the steps […]

Why Kids Should Fail

Failure is part of life, but is it part of God’s good plan for our lives? If so, how should we handle failure in a godly way? Walt’s words show us how to help our kids with failure. Scripture God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble James 4:6 Reflect “You are going to […]

Conflict Resolution

Arguments. Perhaps the holidays bring more opportunities for these than any of us care for. God knows. Mark points us to the good news about how we can handle conflict in a God (and kinfolk) honoring way. Scripture “…go and be reconciled to them…” Matt. 5:24b Reflect Got any hurt feelings and miscommunication with your […]

How to Teach Integrity Today

“Integrity” can be defined as the state of being whole and undivided. Jacob points us to ways we can work on being the same person through and through…and bringing our kids alongside in the process. Scripture The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3 Reflect Are […]

Let’s Be Real…Even With Our Kids

We are the ones responsible for teaching our children what it looks like to live honestly and vulnerably in the world. Titus 2 gives us instructions on how to raise up young men and women. Jacob uses this scripture to remind us of the importance of being real about life with our kids. Scripture Likewise, […]

Why & How Not to Judge Others

Ever made a snap judgment you later regretted? Too often we jump to a conclusion about someone without having all the information. Jesus knows this about us and loves us enough to teach us how to grow in this area. Walt points us straight to it. Scripture Do not judge, or you will be judged. […]

How to Engage the Culture with Biblical Truth

Answers to grey area questions might come more easily to some than others. One thing is for sure…when our worldview is established in biblical truth God can use us to influence the culture around us for His Kingdom. Randi Beth gets us straight to the truth! Scripture Do not conform to the pattern of this […]

Do We Really Reap What We Sow?

“Sin will take us further than we wanted to go, keep us longer than we wanted to stay, and cost us more than we wanted to pay.” Ouch. Truth hurts sometimes. Judah reminds us of our loving Father who sacrificed greatly to have a relationship with us…while we were still sinners. Scripture Do not be […]

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

If I say to you, “Don’t think about elephants!” What is the one thing you think about? Elephants. It kind of feels that way with worry too. Seth directs us how to handle worry with Christ’s perspective. Scripture “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about […]

Why Does Modesty Matter?

Modest is hottest….But is it really? Every girl has wrestled with finding what is cute yet not revealing or suggestive at some point or another. Does God really care about what we wear? Kara points us straight to His heart on the matter. Scripture “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty […]

Let’s Talk About Sex

There may be a certain Salt-n-Pepa song in your head after reading this title…that goes to show you’ve lived long enough to be able to pass on some relevant, life-giving truth to the next generation. No singing required! Scripture The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much […]

What’s the Big Deal about Lust, Temptation, and Purity?

Why are conversations about temptation and purity so important to our faith, and how can we start them?/ Scripture "[God brought us to] adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” Ephesians 1:5 Reflect Discussions on family resemblance have a special place in a parent or grandparent’s […]

Pornography…Don’t Assume Your Kids Don’t Struggle

A matter of belief…this is what pornography comes down to. With grace, Seth points us to truth on how we can help our kids win over the sin of viewing pornography. Spoiler alert: The answer is pursuing Christ. Scripture Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, […]

Live in Community…It is the Good Life!

Ever stepped on the one, lone Lego when someone didn’t exactly get them all put where they belong? It’s painful, eh! When that Lego is carefully placed as a piece of a masterful creation it serves its purpose wonderfully and the world is a much better place, probably with one fewer not-so-nice word screamed out […]

When Life is Out of Control

It’s not a good feeling to be out of control. However, we all find ourselves there in several situations throughout life. Read on to be reminded of how scripture can help us through those times. Scripture “…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content…in any and every circumstance, I have learned the […]

Let Your Kids See You

Sometimes my husband or I will quickly say, “That is YOUR child!” when one of our children has done or said something embarrassing. What about the good traits they show? What are they picking up because you share your life openly with them? Hopefully your relationship with Jesus (the good, bad, and the imperfect) is […]

Being and Finding A Good Friend

What does it take to be a true friend? How can we help our children, especially our sons, find a true friend? Read on for the great, practical tips for doing just that. Scripture “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than […]

The Benefits of Valuing Your Child’s Opinion

“Mom, I think we should invite the new neighbors over for dinner.” How would this statement sink in (or not) when coming from your child? Ashley points us to the value of listening, really listening to our kids and considering their opinions. Scripture Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get […]

Benefits of Letting Kids Live and Learn

Teaching responsibility is not for the faint of heart, however it is SO worth the effort when we keep at it. Jessica reminds us of ways we can do this hard yet very rewarding work as parents. Scripture You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do […]

Family Time…Make it Happen

Before the craziness of schedules begin to overtake our fall let’s calendar in some quality family time…yes, even with our teenagers! Mark shows us why and how we can have great family time together. Scripture “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but […]

Leading By Example

Who is someone you want to be like? We all have people we look up to for the good example they are to us. As parents, let’s do as we say we want our kids to do…let’s be good examples. Jess tells us how and why. Scripture In your relationships with one another, have the […]

How Parents can be an Example of a Healthy Physical Lifestyle

As parents we are called to not only “train up a child in the way they should go” but we are also encouraged to “be an example to all the believers” …this includes our own kids too! Cole gives us practical and biblical tips for being great examples for our kids! Scripture Do you not […]

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