Family Life » renew.org

Marriage & Relationships: 20+ Resources

When marriages are loving and faithful, they point people to Jesus’ unending love for us (see Ephesians 5:25-33). When marriages fall, they propel debris and destruction like a crumbling tower […]

Is it my fault my adult children don’t believe?

Raising children carries an unavoidable companion: guilt. If you haven’t felt it yet, you will. I remember the first time I disciplined my daughter. She was five years old and, […]

30 Days of Prayer for Your Children

Prayer, as a spiritual discipline, requires time, effort, and consistency. The same goes for praying for your children. This 30-day prayer guide I’ve put together can help you cultivate the […]

Who Were Naomi and Ruth in the Bible?

Naomi and Ruth lived during the period of the Judges, probably during the time of Gideon, around 1200 B.C. Their story is told in the Book of Ruth in the […]

Saying ‘No’ Can Sometimes Be the Right ‘Yes’

It’s amazing how often Jesus stopped to respond to the needs of others. He made time for a blind beggar calling out from the roadside, welcomed mothers who wanted Him […]

When Sports Conflict with Sunday Worship: Some Questions to Ask

*Editor’s Note: In this article’s final paragraph, the author rightly calls this sports-church conflict an “elephant in the room.” As such, it’s an elephant that has plunked down in the […]

When to Teach Your Kids About Sexuality and Gender?

When is the right time to teach kid(s) about sex, sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ topics? I wish it were as easy as offering a specific point in childhood development; unfortunately, […]

A Letter to My Fifteen-Year-Old Self

*Editor’s Note: If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? How would you advise your younger self in navigating the difficulties? What would you […]

Giving Your Family the Best of You

I’ll never forget a story I heard once about a father who had to stay late in the office to finish up some work. He felt so guilty about the […]

Your Kids Are Watching

In the 1960s, an educational psychologist named Laszlo Polgar conducted an experiment on his own children. He believed geniuses are not born, but rather trained. So, he and his wife, […]

Bob Russell on Being a Disciple Making Grandparent

At our 2025 RENEW.org National Gathering in Indianapolis, longtime minister Bob Russell spoke on the joy and importance of being a disciple making grandparent: If you want to learn more […]

Jesus’ Genealogy and You

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1, NIV) Prior to telling us about Jesus’ birth, Matthew gives us an […]

What Your Kids Really Want

Each month, at our church, we ask the students in our Student Ministry one question about their relationship with their parents or their family as a whole, hoping to provide […]

‘Make Every Effort’: Intentional Relationships in a Culture of Laziness

If given the choice, many people would opt for living in a do-less, get-more world. With the emergence of generative artificial intelligence, it can be tempting for a student to […]

Household Gods: On Our Tendency to Worship Family

Have you noticed that parents have been acting a bit crazy? The parents getting ejected at youth baseball games for harassing the umpires; The parents losing their minds at school […]

Bless Your People

If you sneeze and someone is nearby to hear you, you’ll likely hear them say, “Bless you!” According to grammarist.com, Gesundheit is an interjection used to wish good health to […]

Practicing Spiritual Disciplines as a Family

No one should expect to be the world’s best football player the first time they step on the field. Likewise, no one can expect to be the greatest trumpet player […]

Behind the Curtain: How God Built a Missionary Family into a Family of Missionaries

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen […]

The Blessing: A Short Story of Loss and Reconciliation

Paul and Eden had adjusted well to life in Rochester, Minnesota. It was now home. They were there for Paul’s job in IT. A major company recruited him out of […]

What Does the Bible Say about Divorce? 10 Truths About Marriage and Divorce.

What does the Bible say about divorce? Through Scripture Jesus teaches us that marriage is good and its purpose is for companionship, sexual enjoyment, and raising godly children. It is […]

10 Bible Verses about Parenting

The Bible is a source of wisdom for parents, and here are 10 particularly helpful Bible verses about parenting. Becoming a parent has been one of the most incredible things […]

A Few Keys to Reconciling Broken Relationships

How to Reconcile: 3 Keys to Restoring Broken Relationships Begin by acknowledging the brokenness, because healing can’t start while the damage—or your part in it—is minimized or denied. Humility replaces […]

5 Insights Jason Whitlock Has Given Me About Being a Disciple of Jesus

Jason Whitlock Christian Insights for Fearless Discipleship Today Fearless conviction is needed to call out deception and resist cultural pressure with biblical clarity. Ruthless honesty builds credibility when confronting sin […]

3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Repeat (Part 3)

Shema and Forming the Next Generation in Faith Shema highlights a timeless pattern of hearing, obeying, and repeating, showing parents and leaders how continual remembrance shapes a child’s view of […]

My Favorite Paragraph of Disciple Making: The Core Mission of the Church

Mission of the Church: Intentional Relational Transformation Mission of the Church is portrayed as helping people toward the next life through intentional, relationship-based disciple making that treats people as true […]

3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Hear (Part 1)

3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith in the Shema Rooted in Deuteronomy 6, this first step Hear calls Israel—and us—to recognize that the Lord alone is God and deserves […]

Can Masculinity Be Non-Toxic?

Masculinity in God’s Good Design for Men Scripture presents masculinity as part of God’s creation of male and female, giving men a unique calling to reflect His character in strength, […]

Christian Parenting Is the Passing On of an Inheritance

Christian Parenting as Generational Faith Inheritance Christian Parenting treats faith like treasure, showing kids that trusting Jesus is a rich inheritance built through years of God’s provision, sacrifice, and grace. […]

Small Beginnings for Discipling a Child

Discipling a Child — Small Beginnings that Last A simple bedtime song becomes parental witness across generations—imperfect, heartfelt, and consistent enough to plant truth. As repetition invites participation, a child […]

Thinking about an Extended Fast? Lessons Learned from My Gen Z’er

Extended Fast — Community, Conviction, Direction Participating with church or friends sustains resolve, even from a distance, as shared Scripture and stories strengthen obedience during fasting. As prayer deepens, the […]

Celebrating Christmas in an Assisted Living Facility

Assisted Living Facility — Christmas Resilience and Connection Residents weather lockdowns with decade-tested grit, drawing strength from community among peers who understand their season of life. Creative connections—Facebook Live feasts, […]

7 Rules Healthy Couples Set for Themselves

7 Rules Healthy Couples — Marriage Habits That Endure Community with peer and mentor couples offers honest support in hard seasons and keeps the relationship from isolating. Prioritizing dates, shared […]

6 Hidden Signs of an Unhealthy Marriage

6 Hidden Signs of an Unhealthy Marriage and What They Reveal Emotional distance often begins subtly, turning relationships into routines that lack real connection and spiritual intimacy. Neglecting forgiveness and […]

On Gender and the Bible: One Church’s Real-World Fight (Part 8)

One Church Real-World Fight and Biblical Transformation Building a culture rooted in Scripture, One Church’s Real-World Fight recounts how obedience reshaped leadership and deepened faith. Through consistent discipleship and prayerful […]

Exposing Some Common Myths about Suicide

Common Myths about Suicide and What Really Helps Research shows many who die by suicide do signal intent; learn to catch direct and indirect warnings. Pastors should ask plainly about […]

Life-Changing Paragraphs: Mere Drift

Mere Drift — Training the Habit of Faith Lewis shows how moods rebel against reason and why training the habit of faith anchors belief amid shifting feelings. Daily practices—prayer, Bible […]

Q: How Do I Convince My Kid that the Bible Leads to Happiness?

How Do I Convince My Kid that the Bible Leads to Happiness? — Parenting Pathways Affirming that God created joy (Psalm 103:5), parents point kids to lasting happiness found in […]

Grieving a Lost Life and a Lost Culture

Grieving a Lost Life and a Lost Culture — Honoring Life’s Value Through a father’s miscarriage loss, the piece contrasts Scripture’s view of children as blessing with a culture that […]

Q: What If My Kid Thinks the Bible Is Boring?

Bible Is Boring — Helping Kids Engage Scripture Love and kindness are current. Show that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so his way remains deeply relevant. Relationship […]

Matters of Trust: A Crisis of Crumbling Authority

Crumbling Authority in Our Homes and Hearts From Vietnam and Watergate to social media echo chambers, institutional trust collapsed and “trust me” turned suspect. Young families now prize independence over […]

3 Keys for Training Your Kids for Lifelong Faithfulness

3 Keys for Training Your Kids — Forming Lifelong Faith Model wholehearted love for God so kids imitate a living relationship, not mere religious activity. Weave Scripture into everyday decisions—at […]

Letter to a Parent of a College Student

Letter to a Parent – College-Year Guidance Early weeks shape worldview; encourage wise friends, discerning mentors, and a strong campus ministry. Rather than rescuing, equip your student to handle conflicts […]

Preparing Students for College: Intergenerational Relationships

Intergenerational Relationships for College Resilience Research shows that church belonging and adult encouragement anchor students’ faith during the transition to campus. Shared experiences—worship, service, trips, and small groups—build authentic bonds […]

Category: Family Life