The Bible states: "And you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord" (Eph.6:4). As a parent we are to encourage our children, not discourage. But, what kind of parent should we be? Consider four different parenting styles:

1. Negligent -- No guidance and little interest In the child.
2. Permissive -- Lack of boundaries in the Wes of children.
3. Authoritarian -- Enforced obedience, rigid guidelines in the home.
4. Authoritative -- A parent that is Firm, yet Fair!

If our children are to grow into a functional adult, it is clear that the "authoritative" parenting style is the choice for raising healthy children. Parents, which style of leadership are you teaching your children?

The Independence Church of Christ will begin a series of lessons throughout the fall on The Family. Our series begins September 7th. Will you join us as we learn more about the family? We meet at 401 S. 11th with Bible classes at 9:30 A.M. and Worship at 10:30. Come join us.

If our children are to grow up with healthy views of themselves and for life, then we as parents must set the example in the home. Let me suggest three desirable goals for our children:

1. High Self-Worth = "ChIldren and adults with low self-esteem are most likely to have psychological and emotional problems" (Hamrick, Parenting, p. 5).
2. Respect For Authority = "To live a happy, productive life, there must be a respect for both civil and Divine authority. This begins in the homes (ibid).
3. Adopt Religious Views & Values of Parents = Godly parents want their children to walk with God daily (ibid).

Parents, are these some of the goals that we are teaching our children? The preparation for Iife's journey begins in the Home! We at the Independence Church of Christ will begin a series of lessons dealing with The Family and The Home. We would invite everyone to come join us as we learn about God and The family that He desires us to become.

We meet at 401 S. 11th St. Bible classes begin at 9:30 A.M. with Worship at 10:30 AM. Come Worship with us.

The Parable of The Prodigal Son is found in Luke 15:11-32. The young man desired his inheritance from his father. After receiving his inheritance he left home seeking fame and fortune. But this young man found Famine. He hit rock bottom with no place to turn and all of his so-called friends were nowhere to be found. Luke 15:17, 18 is the turning point of the Parable. There we read: "But when he came to himself he said .... I will arise and go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned."

The lesson to be learned from this Parable is this. This young man returned home, because he remembered something good in the home! Never underestimate the influence of a good home.

The Independence Church of Christ is devoting sixteen weeks of lessons on The Home and Family, in order that the home may be strengthened. Will you join in learning how we can strengthen our families?

We meet at 401 S. 11th St. Bible classes begin at 9:30 A.M. and Worship at 10:30 AM. Come join us.

Do you have a role model? What do role models look like? Today, the role model of our children is the Movie, Music, Media craze. Consider this, fifty years ago The Parents were the number one role model(s] for our children. Today, fifty years later The Parents ranked twenty-fourth as role models.

Our children need healthy, positive role models. The home and parents can and should become a child's role model--children will always imitate what they see in their parents! Are you setting a good example for your children?

The Independence Church of Christ is devoting sixteen lessons to strengthen our families. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. Bible classes begin at 9:30 AM with Worship at 10:30 AM. Come join us!

Marriage is a Divine Institution from God, for humankind, for the purpose of comfort, Pleasure, and preservation of children. In addition, marriage is made up of a union of one man and one woman, "until death do them part" (Matt.19:6). Furthermore, in Genesis 2-24, it is written: "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). When two people fail to "leave and cleave," a marriage will have problems.

For example: One young man confronted his wife, because he was tired of getting the leftovers. You see, this man's wife still had her allegiance to her parents. She had not learned the meaning of "leaving and cleaving."' This young lady spent all of her time with her parents and spent very little time with her husband and children. Marriage means cutting "the apron strings" if you are to have the type of marriage that God has designed

Come visit us at the Independence Church of Christ- We meet at 401 S. 11th. Come join us this Sunday Morning.

We live in a fast-paced world. Our children are faced with more and more challenges everyday. As a parent, we only want the very best for children, but are we really helping them? Consider this prescription for ruining your children:

1. Teach them that money buys happiness
2. Don't give them any responsibility
3. Let them know spiritual things are insignificant

Solomon wrote: "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (Proverbs 24:3,4). What kind of a foundation are you building for your children?

Come visit the Independence Church of Christ to learn of God's foundation for our lives. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. with Bible classes at 9:30 AM and Worship at 10:30 AM. We hope to see you Sunday Morning!

This quote is taken from Genesis 49:26, where Jacob pronounces a blessing to all of his sons. In fact, the whole forty-ninth chapter of Genesis is devoted to this topic. The Patriarchs of old knew how much a blessing meant to a child. Before a child would leave home and enter the world, the father gave his approval (blessing) to his children with words of high value and unconditional love. Oh, how this is needed today! If more fathers spoke words of high value and had an unconditional love for their children; just think how better off our children would be!

Fathers bless your children while you can. Parents build memories while you can. Remember Ephesians 6:4: "And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Come visit us at the Independence Church of Christ. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. with Bible classes at 9:30 AM and Worship at 10:30 AM. We hope to see you Sunday.

Our nation is as strong as our home! What kind of foundation are you building for your family? Consider the Characteristics of strong families found by the Human development department, at the University of Nebraska. They are:

1. Much expressed appreciation and affection
2. Much family time together
3. Good Communication patterns
4. A strong sense of commitment
5. A high degree or Religious orientation
6. The ability to deal with crisis in a positive manner

Finally, my friend. your home will be as strong as its foundation. That foundation must be on The Rock, Jesus Christ. Came visit the Independence Church of Christ. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. See you Sunday!

"The decline of the nuclear family is the single greatest threat to America's mental health" (Amer. Psy. Assoc., March 19,1991). Do you believe this statement? I do. We can trace all of our problems in this country back to the home. If this nation of ours is to turn itself around then it must begin with the home. Consider three common traits found in Successful parenting:

1. They Believe In Parenting
2. They Have a Commitment to Harmony
3. They don't Give Up

One scholar said it best: "The greatest gift we ever gave our children was a great marriage." The best book on parenting is The Bible.

The Independence Church of Christ meets at 401 S. 11th St. Bible Classes begin at 9:30 AM with Worship at 10:30 AM. We hope to see you Sunday.

Soloman wrote, "Hear my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mothers teaching" (Proverbs 1:8). Just what do effective Mothers supply? Consider some of the following:

1. Relationships - Mom is the Family Switchboard
2. Encouragement and Support
3. Strength, Power, Grit, Courage, and Fortitude

Mother's are the Emotional Hub of the home. Read the book of Proverbs and you will see the importance of the home and the influence of a Mother.

Come learn more about the family at the Independence Church of Christ. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. with Bible Classes at 9:30 AM and Worship at 10:30. See You Sunday!

The role of a Father in the home is vital if the home is to survive. Just what does a Good Father bring to his family? Consider the following:

1. Protection
2. Moral Leadership
3. Confirmatlon of Gender Identity
4. Affection

More could be said, but the point is: A father in the home is a key to the home staying together. Solomon wrote: "When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, then he taught me" (Proverbs 4:3,4). Solomon know the importance of having a father that took time out for his family. Fathers are you doing the same for your family?

Come learn more about the family at the Independence Church of Christ. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. Bible classes begin at 9:30 AM with worship at 10:30 AM. See you Sunday!

If families are going to make it in this world; then parents must learn the art of discipline in the home. Effective families are so because they have learned the art of Effective Discipline. Discipline is effective when:

1. Discipline Provides Structure and Boundaries. Consequently, Children want guidance.
2. Discipline avoids Heavy-Handed Punishment.
3. Discipline moves from the external to the internal (Self-discipline). For example, spanking is how parents can help the child move from the external to the internal. Spanking Is a crude way of discipline but it works. If you are skilled enough, you don't have to use it much.

Discipline is vital to the home. Listen to Solomon: "The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother...Correct your son, and he will give you comfort" (Proverbs 29:15,17).

Come learn from God's Word at the Independence Church of Christ. We meet at 401 S. 11th St. Bible classes begin at 9:30 AM with worship at 10:30 AM.