There is nothing more important than knowing your identity in Christ. For our Middle School Girls Retreat, we put our focus on what it means to be a “Daughter of the King”. Today, there are so many labels that the world is trying to identify us with. For our girls, it may be “the pretty one”, “the smart one”, or “the funny one”. Some of these labels can be good, some of them can hurt such as “ugly”, “dumb”, or “awkward”. The world is always trying to define us and that is why it is vital for our girls to strip off the labels of the world and experience freedom in their identity in Christ.

What does it mean to be a daughter of the King? Our Middle School girls looked at three things specifically:godly beauty, godly relationships, and purity.

Beauty is something that the world defines by our outer looks. But we know that 1 Samuel 16:7b says:

“… The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

The heart is where our true beauty lies. Our focus becomes what God says is important and what God is wanting us to be. Beauty is not in whatever we wear, what pant size we hope to be, or how beautiful our make-up is. Our message to our girls was simply this: God created you wonderfully (Psalm 139:14). He didn’t mess up. Take joy in knowing that the Father loves you as you are!

Relationships—we deal with them everyday. Our middle schoolers experience friendships, parent relationships, and for some of them (and maybe soon for others) romantic relationships. Relationships are things our girls see everyday in the world. It is vital that our girls know what to look for in relationships to help protect their hearts. The Bible says in Proverbs 12:26:

“ The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Our girls need to look for friends that have godly qualities of being caring, being loyal, and being hones. The world says its okay to disrespect or lie to your parents. Our girls were taught the value of obedience, with honor, to their parents, and to our heavenly Father. Lastly, romantic relationships are being pushed so young, especially, a lot of times, when girls are not ready. Parents, talk with your daughters about what dating will look like for them. Define the qualities that a godly man should have. Set the example in your own marriage for your daughter.

The Bible defines what purity is in Philippians 4:8. It says:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Society is always pushing sex outside of marriage. Our girls need to know that God designed sex between one man and one woman who are married. If we are following God’s design for our life, this will save us from the pitfalls of sin that result in disappointment and unwanted baggage in the future. We had honest conversations about why we keep ourselves pure, whether it be in a relationship or even in what we watch on television or in movies. Parents, as uncomfortable as it may be, talk to your daughters about staying pure.

The Middle School Girls Retreat was a unique experience where mothers and daughters were able to break away from the world and its distractions. Parents, I encourage you to continue to talk about godly beauty, godly relationships, and purity. Grandparents, pray for your grandaughters that they would make the godly choices in friendships and relationships. All of us have the responsibility to always be praying for the safety of our girls and praying for the parents as they are raising up Daughter(s) of The King.

GRANDPARENTS………Leaving a Legacy of Faith

“…..Teach what you have seen and heard to your children AND grandchildren.’ Deuteronomy 4:9b (MSG)

Little did I realize as a young child that my precious grandparents were living out what the Bible reveals about the importance of the generation-to-generation pattern of leaving a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ. That legacy would outlive them through their children, grandchildren, and the generations to follow. Psalms 78: 5-6 (ESV) tells us, “He (God) commanded our forefathers to teach their children so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.”

My grandparents always had time for me and my sister and brother, playing with us, encouraging us, and telling us of God’s great love for us. Even when my grandparents were in their 90’s, they would always tell me to sit down on the sofa and ask me how they could pray for me. Then my grandpa would take my hand and pray for me. Chuck, on the other hand, had little experience with the vital role of Christian grandparents in his life. He only had one living grandparent who lived hundreds of miles away from him. He saw her very little throughout his childhood. As a couple, we understand the impact of the two extremes when it comes to the influence of grandparents passing on their faith to their grandchildren.

We attended the Legacy Grandparenting Summit in November of 2016. God used this experience in our lives to help us see what an enormous impact grandparents have on their grandchildren. Two questions the conference leaders posed to attendees were:

1. Do you have an example of a godly grandparent?
2. How do you know or learn to become a godly grandparent?”

Being a biblically based grandparent is so much more than the world’s view of spoiling your grandchildren, feeding them sugar, and sending them home.

Research shows that grandparents have a large influence on the faith of their grandchildren, second only to parents. Grandparents have also been given a God-ordained role in the Bible. “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4 (NKJV).

Believe it or not, the average age a person becomes a grandparent is age 47. That gives us many years to be able to influence our grandchildren. There are 30 million professing Christian grandparents in America. What a huge potential to impact the lives of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Just imagine the impact the grandparents of FBCW could have if we lived out our biblical mandate concerning our place and purpose in the family.

The purpose of beginning a Grandparenting Ministry at FBCW is to equip grandparents to use their influence to pass their Christin faith on to future generations. We are asking that the grandparents of FBCW prayerfully ask God if you should be a part of this vision to leave a legacy of faith for your grandchildren and future generations by becoming involved in the grandparenting ministry.

We will begin with small group grandparenting study groups in the spring and summer and hold a day-long grandparenting conference in the fall. As grandparents, could you benefit from a greater vision of your role as a godly grandparent and benefit from having more grandparenting tools at your disposal? We are excited about what can be accomplished when Christian grandparents are encouraged and equipped to be intentional about the spiritual growth of our grandchildren.

Group study topics will include, but not limited to:

• What is the Biblical role of a grandparent
• How to pass faith to future generations
• Loving grandkids in scary times
• Never too late: Encouraging faith in your adult children
• Grandparenting through a child’s divorce
• The art of single grandparenting
• Passing on a Heritage of Faith with enthusiasm and joy
• How to pray and read the Bible with your grandchildren
• Unleashing the power of a spoken blessing
• Activities to engage your grandkids while sharing your faith

Grandparents Prayer: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18 (NIV)