SBC Family Ministry Philosophy

At Scottsdale Bible Church, we believe families have been called to:

Love Your Spouse Sacrificially
Parent Your Children Graciously
Work in the Marketplace Humbly
Handle Your Money Carefully
Serve Your Church Enthusiastically
Reach out to the Lost Compassionately
Care for the Poor and Downtrodden Generously
Live for the Lord Entirely

What is Grace Based Parenting?

Family Ministry at Scottsdale Bible Church has partnered with the Grace Based Families organization in providing a grace-based relationship approach to our parent education and support program and by encouraging moms and dads to parent their children’s hearts instead of their behaviors. To learn more about Grace Based Families resources and view their current conference schedule here.

For an overview of the Grace Based Parenting philosophy, watch here.

For Dads:

We encourage dads to check out our webpage to find Men’s Ministry opportunities for connection and encouragement at all our campuses!

For Moms:

We encourage moms to check out our webpage to find Women’s Ministry opportunities for connection and encouragement at all our campuses!

For New Parents:

If you would like to learn what it means to impart a godly legacy to your children and formally dedicate your child to the Lord, we offer child dedications in our services periodically. Learn more.

For Foster/Adoptive Parents:

SBC has a full offering of support and encouragement for these special families. Learn more about how we can come alongside you or how you can be a part of supporting foster/adoptive parents at Foster Care & Adoption.

Recommended Resources

Parenting Philosophy & Discipline
We recommend the complete Grace Based Parenting series and more books by Dr. Tim Kimmel available at Amazon or at Grace Based Families.

Grace Based Parenting
Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right
Raising Kids for True Greatness
Grace Based Discipline
Why Christian Kids Rebel
The High Cost of High Control

Parents are encouraged to explore the principles of Grace Based Parenting through Tim’s books and to participate in the Right Now Media (online streaming) studies that accompany the series. These studies are a great opportunity to join with friends to learn and grow together as you support each other in your parenting journey! Create an account to access the SBC subscription to Right Now Media.

We also recommend:

You Can’t Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded), by Cynthia Tobias
Middle School: The Inside Story, by Cynthia Tobias and Sue Acuna

Teaching Your Kids about Sex
In this important area of your parenting, remember that:

• It is YOUR responsibility to teach your kids about sex (but we are here to help you!).
• You are the BEST person to do the job.
• Every child needs to know how God has designed sex – for pleasure, procreation and intimacy within marriage.
• Talk to them early and talk to them often – it is not just one “big” talk but lots of “little” conversations.
• Every child is unique – so how we talk to them about this subject will be unique.  Know your child’s uniqueness and tailor your conversations.
• Your views about sexuality and the health of your marriage has an impact on how your children will view sex.
• An open line of communication is an important part of providing a secure love and a significant purpose for our children.
• Your goal is to raise STRONG kids, not SAFE kids.

We recommend the following resources to help you with these conversations:

God’s Design for Sex Series – available on Amazon
Parenting in a Sexualized Culture – available at purehope.net
Pocket Guide to Age-Appropriate Equipping – available at purehope.net
A Communication Plan for Talking to Your Kids About Sex

Preparing Your Kids for an Online World
As our kids grow, we need to not only protect them, but also appropriately equip them to live in a digital age and be ready to make their own positive decisions about technology use in the future.

See a list of Internet and Media Resources here.

Parenting in a Sexualized Culture (available at purehope.net) includes an overview of a positive approach to technology that supports a protection/preparation balance.

Blended Families
Blended families face their own set of unique blessings and challenges. We recommend the Smart Stepfamilies organization for books and other helpful support and resources. You can also stream the Smart Stepfamilies study through Right Now Media. Access the SBC subscription and request an invitation to create your own account at Right Now Media.

Single Parents
Scottsdale Bible Church and Family Matters recommend Successful Single Parenting: Bringing Out the Best in Your Kids as an excellent resource by Gary Richmond for encouragement in the struggle of single parents to bring out the best in your kids while trying to balance finances, work, the and the needs of your children and yourself – on your own.

Parenting Adult Children
For help navigating a season of parenting adult children, we recommend Doing Life With Your Adult Children by Jim Burns as an excellent resource for guidance and encouragement. This book is available through Amazon.

Grandparenting
If you are lucky enough to be in this season of life, we recommend Extreme Grandparenting by Dr. Tim and Darcy Kimmel. This book is also available through Grace Based Families as well as a small group resource through Right Now Media.

Questions

If you have questions or need additional support in your parenting, please contact our Marriage Pastor at marriage@scottsdalebible.com.