L O A D I N G

Gospel Centered Parenting

Gospel centered parenting is filled with complexities, mysteries, and endless situations that call for practical advice. As parents, we often get so bogged down in questions of what to do that we lose sight of why we’re doing what we do and how we should do it. My aim here is to take a big picture view of parenting. I will not answer all the questions, but I want to offer a way of thinking about parenting that will help with specific difficulties. The big picture of parenting is the big picture of the Bible because parenting is a depiction of the gospel. Consider the language Scripture uses to describe our relationship to God: Conversion is called being “born again” (John 3:3); our salvation is called an “inheritance” (1 Pet. 1:3-4); God disciplines those He loves (Prov. 3:11-12); we are called “children of God” (John 1:12, 3:1). Our father/child relationship to God is so significant that Sinclair Ferguson says, “This is the fundamental way for the Christian to think about himself: ‘I am a child of God and his people are my brothers and sisters.’” Parenting is a picture of the gospel: to us, to our kids, and to the world around us.

This article answers questions like:

  • What is the goal of parenting?
  • How does the gospel give us a framework for parenting?
  • The difference between functional and formative parenting

If you are a parent with young children, we invite you to read through this article as a way of better understanding how the gospel of Jesus applies to this important area of life.

Our Practice of Baptizing Children

Few things in life are more joyful than witnessing our kids come to faith in Christ. Some of our pastor’s favorite moments are getting to talk to children about their love for and desire to follow Jesus. Along these lines, one question we often get is: How do I know my child is ready for baptism?

It’s an important question – baptism is one of the most significant events in the Christian life. This article – written by the elders of Providence Church – seeks to provide some guidance for parents, as well as establish some norms for our church that we think will lead to greater discipleship of our children.

This article answers questions like:

  • How Do I Know if My Child Is Ready for Baptism?
  • How Are We Preparing Our Children for Baptism at Providence?
  • What Do I Do if I Believe My Child Is Ready to Be Baptized?

If you are a parent with young children, we invite you to read through this article as a way of better understanding our practice as a church. If you have any questions about baptism and how you can engage your kids in these discussions, we would love to talk with you!

Why We Use Liturgy in Worship

Why do we follow a covenant renewal pattern of worship on Sundays with a structured liturgy? Bob Thune, pastor of Coram Deo in Omaha, Nebraska, answers this question by showing that liturgy is biblical, historical, formative, and missional. Our service at Providence takes the same shape as Coram Deo, our sending church. This is a helpful read for all Christians, and certainly those who will regularly attend our church because it explains how we conceive of our Sunday gathering and why we structure our service the way that we do.

The Gospel and Your Money

The gospel compels us towards faithful stewardship – living simply and giving generously – because we have our deepest needs met in Jesus. Part of membership in a local church includes giving to the mission of God in and through that church. The following article, from Tim Keller, is a great explanation and picture of living out faithful stewardship as disciples of Jesus. This is part of the required reading in our membership process.