Family Experience Challenge!

Math teachers teach math. Science teachers teach science. But who is teaching your child to manage their finances? Whether you realize it or not, your child is affected by the way you treat money. Think back to your own experience. How did your parents handle finances? Did they talk about it openly? Did your parents spend more than what they had? Did they save money? Did they give on a regular basis? How have your parents’ financial habits affected you?

This month, spend some time reflecting on your financial habits. Then spend some time alone answering the following questions about your financial goals for your child. Follow up by finding a time to get alone with your child, listen to their goals and come up with a plan to help them responsibly manage their resources.

Income/Spending:
1. What are your child’s expenses?
2. What do you want your child to pay for on his or her own?
3. How do you expect your child to pay for these things? Will he or she have a job?
4. How much will you allow your child to work while in school?

Savings/ Debt:
1. What expenses do you see in your child’s future? (car/ college/living, etc.)
2. How much of these expenses will your child be responsible for?
3, How can your child avoid debt?
4. Does your child need a credit card? Will you co-sign for one? What is the credit card for?
5. Will your child take out loans for college? What is the plan for paying those off?
6. Does your child need to save up for taxes? Do they know how to pay taxes when the time comes?

Giving:
1. Do you give on a regular basis?
2. Why would you or your child want to give?
3. In what ways can you encourage your child to give?

Bottom Line: Saving lets you do something more with your money than you can do today.

Chances are you have a list of “someday” items. Things you are going to buy, repairs you are going to make, vacations you will go on someday. The trouble is saving money for these things takes time and self-control. But when saving becomes a part of a monthly, weekly or daily routine, then we will be able to ultimately do more with our money than we can do today.

Scripture References: 1 Kings 4:29-30; Proverbs 13:11; 21:5, 20; 2 Peter 2:19; 1 Corinthians 13:11; 2 Corinthians 8:14; 1 John 3:17; Luke 12:16-21; Proverbs 11:28

We live in a culture that moves fast. We can get a burger and fries in less than three minutes, and we can download new music in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, this fast pace usually means we don’t stop to think about the money that constantly comes and goes, passing through our hands feeding our desire for more. But did you know throughout Jesus ministry one of His most prevalent topics was money? That’s right. The way we use our resources is important to God. The next three weeks we are going to take a look at the way we give, spend and save our money, and how these habits reveal the thin green line between our hearts and our money.

Week two:Where you spend your time and money is a reflection of how you see God.

Have you ever walked into Target to buy toothpaste? You walk in the door focused on the one thing you need, and walk out with $40 of stuff you realized you “had to have” once you entered the magical land of marketing. This week we will be talking about how what we see affects our desire and ultimately our pocketbook.

Scripture References: Matthew 6:19-25; Genesis 3:6; 1 Corinthians 10:23

We live in a culture that moves fast. We can get a burger and fries in less than three minutes, and we can download new music in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, this fast pace usually means we don’t stop to think about the money that constantly comes and goes, passing through our hands feeding our desire for more. But did you know throughout Jesus ministry one of His most prevalent topics was money? That’s right. The way we use our resources is important to God. The next three weeks we are going to take a look at the way we give, spend and save our money, and how these habits reveal the thin green line between our hearts and our money.

We all want to make a difference in this life. We want to be a part of something beyond ourselves. This week we will show how giving connects you to something bigger.

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 4:32-35; Acts 4:36-37; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:26; Matthew 6:25-27; James 4:17

This week is the final conclusion to our parent series. The goal of this week is to help students see the responsibility that they have to pursue a relationship with their parents. Some students have been hurt by their parents and they are living out the cycle by seeking to hurt their parents in return. This week we will look at the life of Absalom, who having been hurt, used the remainder of his life for revenge. We will see the outcome of Absalom’s choice and raise the question: Is this really the best way? Can students begin to break the cycle by refusing to use their influence as sons and daughters to inflict pain on the parents who may have hurt them? Can they be the instruments of healing in our parent’s lives?

Scripture References: 2 Samuel 13-15; 18

Mom and Dad's...I want to know if and how this series has affected things at home between you and your kids. Also, I would love to hear what you thought about the "parent podcast"

A month ago I went back to Visalia to do a funeral for a student who was in my youth group. He had taken some prescription drugs that one of his friends gave him...they were from his parents medicine cabinet. They weren't bought from a dealer or by illegal means. Parents, your job is difficult, I learn this everyday more and more, there is no handbook on how to be a parent or raise children. My friend sent me this from Fox News...after our conversation about Cory's funeral. Parent, Please watch this and act on it!