One only has to listen to discover the heart of a child. Our goal as parents is to reach the heart, rather than simply realign behavior. Too often, we depend on rules as the primary enforcer of behavior. Rules can change behavior, but they can’t change the heart. When parents begin to discern the difference between character flaws and purposeful disobedience, they will implement a gentler approach to reaching and understanding their children. As a result, children will more willingly admit their faults and seek help from those they love. Children need to hear the beating of our hearts rather than the beating of our voices. Join Mark as he relates his experience as a shepherd and the important lesson that you don’t become a shepherd just because you own sheep.

Join Mark as he reveals an unusual passage of Scripture that is rarely preached or talked about. Twice God the Father speaks about His Son—once at His Son’s baptism and then three years later on top of a mountain. The second time He speaks he repeats what he said the first time but adds one significant component that is essential for all parents—“Listen to him.” Once you learn what this means, you will approach your children with a more purposeful plan that will cultivate their identity, confirm your love, be encouraged by your pleasure in them, and possess the confidence and authority that has been bestowed upon them. As always some of the most powerful teaching on parenting is right before our eyes. (Hebrews 5:8; David and javelins; Joseph, Daniel, Abraham, Moses, Peter: a servant and apostle—switched roles)

The goal as parents is to reach the heart, rather than simply realign behavior. Rules can change behavior, but they can’t change the heart. When parents begin to discern the difference between character flaws and purposeful disobedience, they will implement a gentler approach to reaching and understanding their children. As a result, children will more willingly admit their faults and seek help from those they love. Join Mark as he relates his experience as a shepherd and the important lesson that no one becomes a shepherd just because they own sheep.

Our culture is sedated by images that deaden senses and rob many of what they are created to be. Join Mark as he exposes the damaging effects that certain kinds of media, electronic games, and literature, have on the brain, the conscience, the imagination and one’s moral and spiritual development. Most importantly, he will introduce initiatives that ignite motivation, revive the imagination and inspire excellence.

Let Go or I’ll Break Your Leg: Resolving Conflicts and Restoring Relationships Sibling rivalry, deceitfulness, manipulation, insecurity, fear, anger, parental favoritism, and selfishness are just a few of the topics that will be addressed as we go back in time and learn how one of the most unlikely children, teenager, and adults could become the recipient of God’s greatest blessing. Like Jacob of the OT, in order to receive this blessing, families need to first learn some important lessons about themselves; they must come face-to-face with who they really are. Without this knowledge, spiritual maturity and relational stability are impossible. Once learned, the next step is to embrace a truth that leads to our greatest conflict but results in the most fulfilling blessing.

An in-depth look at four parenting styles: Dictatorial, Detached, Enmeshed, and Indulgent, will reveal some of the root causes of childhood apathy, depression and rebellion. This insightful session will help parents see the effects of their particular style of parenting, and how it may be cultivating four types of foolishness in children. Teens will also benefit from these insights as they learn that their parent's failures are not an excuse for irresponsible behavior. Biblical and present-day examples of each of these styles will be illustrated, and the consequences and steps needed to break these patterns of harmful behavior will be addressed.