Parenting

Parenting offers biblically grounded guidance for raising children with wisdom, grace, and intentional discipleship. Explore practical articles on nurturing faith at home, teaching Scripture, shaping character, setting healthy boundaries, and building strong family rhythms. You’ll find encouragement for navigating different ages and stages, supporting kids through cultural pressures, and partnering with the church to help children and teens follow Jesus. Whether you’re a new parent or leading through complex seasons, these resources help you parent with hope and Christ-centered purpose.

May 9, 2010

Christian Standard

Enrolling Our Kids in the Jesus Mission

By Janet McMahon A look of disappointment, frustration, and surprise came over his face. He cried. We had just told our 13-year-old son we were leaving the only town he had ever known to move to another city and begin a brand-new church. The days and weeks that followed were full of questions, not just from our 13-year-old, but all three of our children. “Why?” “When?” “How?” “Are you sure?” At the time our kids were 16, 13, and 7, and moving kids attending high school and middle school seemed less than ideal. No doubt my children are the No.

May 9, 2010

Christian Standard

How Churches Can Help Families

By Paul Alexander I”ve heard hundreds of sermons on marriage and family living. But one stands above the rest. Thirteen years ago the pastor of the largest Christian church in our area came to Hope International University and spoke at our chapel service. He had been asked to speak on the most important thing he could think of to prepare people to go out and serve the church and impact the world for Christ. He told us he had considered talking about ministry, trials, devotion to God, and other topics. But ultimately, he said, the most important thing he could

January 6, 2010

Christian Standard

All Work and No Play?

By Mark A. Taylor “The brain in its relaxed state is more creative, makes more nuanced connections and is ripe for eureka moments.” In other words, according to author Carl Honoré, boredom can be good, especially for children. That”s one of many golden points in Time magazine”s November 30 cover feature, “The Case Against Over-Parenting,” by Nancy Gibbs. Honoré, who wrote Under Pressure: Rescuing Our Children from the Culture of Hyper-Parenting, says boredom gives children “space to think deeply, invent their own game, create their own distraction.” That usually takes the form of play, the kind of play not stimulated

September 16, 2009

Christian Standard

Put on Your Shoes

By Mark A. Taylor Claudia Cain ran into the house to moan about the latest crisis in her young teen life. Her dad, Doyle Cain, minister at the local Christian church, took her into his arms to let her cry and give her comfort. And then he said something that at first seemed strange. “Oh, Claudia, just put on your shoes.” He soon reminded her of the story in Acts 12 that tells how the angel miraculously released Peter from prison. “That angel was powerful enough to break through that cell and tear off those chains, but he still told

August 12, 2009

Christian Standard

Serving for a Lifetime

By Mark A. Taylor We began editing this issue the week I was celebrating my 36th wedding anniversary. And I couldn”t help thinking how the advice of Randy Gariss and Paul Williams apply to my marriage as well as my ministry. Stick with a ministry for the long haul? Difficult. Stick with a marriage for a lifetime? Some would say impossible. Indeed, this summer”s tabloids have been filled with news of failed marriages, with conservative politicians as well as reality show stars confessing affairs and vowing to move on to the next chapters in their lives. Time magazine took note

May 6, 2009

Christian Standard

Interview with Glen & Shirley Liston

By Brad Dupray Glen and Shirley Liston raised their five sons while serving Christ in the ministry of the local church. Five times they sent a son off to Bible college and five times they saw those sons ordained into the Christian ministry. All five sons serve in located ministries. Now Glen and Shirley are preparing to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this summer with a family reunion near Brazil, Indiana, where they served the church while they were raising their boys. The Listons are now retired, attending and volunteering at New Hope Christian Church in Manvel, Texas, where their

January 11, 2009

Christian Standard

The Power and Potential of “˜Not-Thank-You”

By Ethan Magness   My boys have a regular bedtime ritual. After a story (if there is time), a bath, teeth brushing, donning pajamas, a cup of water, and lights out, the boys and I pray. If I get rushed, there are some steps we can skip, but if I try to skip prayer, I am usually in trouble with my sons. Everyone gets a chance to pray. My youngest (3.75) is on a bit of a strike right now from praying aloud, but my oldest (6) loves to pray. Our evening prayers are mostly thank-yous.  Lately we”ve been talking

June 29, 2008

Christian Standard

Growing Compassionate Kids

By Jan Johnson Now and then in quiet moments, we dream for our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. We wonder how we can help them become adults who know God and who build loving relationships. How can God”s love shape them into compassionate people in a self-absorbed culture? What will help them learn to offer cups of cold water to the thirsty? Can they set aside the pull of materialism to make a difference in the world God so loves? BEING INTENTIONAL IN DAILY LIFE Time pressure thwarts our efforts. What with doctor”s appointments, soccer games, and homework obligations,

January 16, 2008

Christian Standard

God”s Word, Our Opportunity

By Mark A. Taylor Several years ago, I spoke with a friend who was pursuing a graduate degree in a city about two hours from home. During this time he regularly stayed overnight there with a minister whose name every Christian church leader knows. More than once he commented on a ritual this minister and his teenage son shared. Each evening the two gathered at the kitchen table, ate from a plate of cookies, and read out loud a chapter from the Bible. This was their practice every weeknight, and we”re struck with its simplicity. Any family could do something

October 10, 2007

Christian Standard

Interview with Bill Putman

By Brad Dupray Bill Putman says, “In 43 years of ministry and 41 years of parenting we have faced just about every crisis imaginable in our family and have experienced the grace of God to get us through it and beyond it.” Having learned from those experiences, Bill has written two books as an encouragement to fellow Christians: Daddy, I”m Pregnant (Standard Publishing) and Life Sure Is Confusing (Heartspring Publishing). His interview as “a father named Bill” on James Dobson”s nationally syndicated radio program, Focus on the Family, has been rebroadcast several times. Bobbi and Bill have four daughters and

April 29, 2007

Christian Standard

How to Talk to Your Children About the Virginia Tech Shootings

By Mary Manz Simon Standard Publishing offers help from Dr. Mary Manz Simon on ways parents can answer their children’s questions about the tragic events at Virginia Tech University The initial shock and disbelief of the Virginia Tech massacre has started to diminish.  Now, parents across the country are asking, “What do we tell the children?” This is an appropriate question.  “As the news reports unfolded on Monday, our tech-savvy kids text-messaged and e-mailed friends,” says Dr. Mary Manz Simon. “They”ve now heard replays of the chilling pop-pop-pop of gunfire as videophone images replayed on their bedroom computer. The immediacy of

November 1, 2006

Christian Standard

Keeping Kids When They Become Young Adults

By Mark A. Taylor When teenagers are active in church but then graduate from high school and disappear, unfortunately most of us aren’t surprised. In fact, at least one youth ministry expert thinks it may even be normal. “It’s the rubber band syndrome,” says Les Christie, youth ministry professor at William Jessup University in Rocklin, California. “College students are stretching away from home. They’re testing their independence. But they usually come back, especially after they’re married and have kids.” Christie quotes the familiar Proverbs 22:6, emphasizing one word: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he

October 11, 2006

Christian Standard

The Perfect Solution?

By Mark A. Taylor A grocery cart with a video screen for entertaining the kids may seem like a good idea to some parents. But when I heard about it on the radio the other day, I wanted to scream out loud. “Whatever happened to talking to your kids? Whatever happened to interacting, teaching, enjoying ?” Am I just an old fogy for thinking some technology goes beyond what we really need? The video grocery cart, according to the report, is being test marketed in several U.S. cities. For just $1.00, patrons rent the thing and give their preschoolers a

September 13, 2006

Christian Standard

First Step, Big Step?

By Mark A. Taylor Maybe you remember your child’s first steps. Was he one who tried and tumbled? Or was she more of a wait till I know I can do it type? In my family we had one of each. Our firstborn didn’t take a step till she was 13 months old. But once she walked, she took off and never stopped. It was different when our son came along. We remember less about his first step than his attempts to achieve it. After weeks of pulling up and falling down again and again, he finally took a few

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