7 Family Ministry Essentials: A Strategy for Culture Change in Children’s and Students Ministries by Michelle Anthony and Megan Marshman Book Review

My Review:   My favorite chapter would be, “The Holy Spirit Teaches” because this one discussed the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit and His ultimate guidance. We receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and repent for our sins. The author shared countless passages about who the Holy Spirit is. In Ephesians 14, we learned He is a counselor, comforter, and teacher. In this chapter, they also covered how beneficial worshiping God truly is and the different ways people worship God. Michelle also shared in this chapter that they felt it was time to remove the video games her church allowed the children to play and instead create a worship center filled with a prayer wall. I liked how she revealed how it impacted a small boy and how he was so excited to share how much closer to God he felt. I also liked how the authors included at the end of this chapter ideas on how to create a prayer wall in your home and theses are really creative to encourage your family and church to pray for others.   I would recommend this wonderful book to anyone who is seeking a resource to improve and transform their family ministry. I strongly believe if church leaders would apply these seven principles to both their home life and their church we would dramatically reach more people for Christ and they would have a deeper relationship with their Creator. I liked how each chapter included a ministry assignment and had tons of questions to assist readers into comprehending the material. If you’re looking for an excellent book on refining your ministry and growing deeper in your walk with God, then read this book!   “I received a review copy of 7 Family Ministry Essentials from Litfuse for this review.”   About the book: 7 Family Ministry Essentials: A Strategy for Culture Change in Children's and Student Ministries (David C. Cook, June 2015) With decades of ministry experience, Michelle Anthony and Megan Marshman capture the guiding essentials of life-changing family ministry. These seven essentials for children and student leaders emphasize: 1. Empowering families to take spiritual leadership in the home  2. Forming lifetime faith that transcends childhood beliefs  3. Teaching Scripture as the ultimate authority of truth  4. Understanding the role of the Holy Spirit to teach and transform  5. Engaging every generation in the gospel of God's redemptive story  6. Making God central in every biblical narrative and daily living  7. Participating in community with like-minded ministry leaders 7 Family Ministry Essentials will energize and equip you with the practical steps, inspirational stories, and biblical foundation you need as you lead those in your ministry. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1KIAw33 About the Authors:       DR. MICHELLE ANTHONY is the vice president and publisher of learning resources at David C Cook and a popular speaker in the area of family ministry. She is the author of Spiritual Parenting, The Big God Story, and Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family. Michelle has graduate degrees in Christian education, Bible and theology as well as over twenty-five years of family ministry experience. Michelle and her husband, Michael are the parents of two adult children and live in Colorado. MEGAN MARSHMAN is the director of student resources and production for David C Cook and has led and challenged thousands of students in their faith at Hume Lake Christian Camps. With a master's degree in organizational leadership from Azusa Pacific University, Megan speaks nationally at churches, conferences, and university chapels. She and her husband, Randy, live in Long Beach, California.

 

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Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family: Avoiding the 6 Dysfunctional Parenting Styles by Michelle Anthony Blog Tour and Book Review

My review:  I would recommend this life changing book to every single parent who are seeking information about how to be the best parent they can be. Even though I'm single and I don't have kids yet this book taught me a lot about parenting, leading our children in the right direction, and instilling Christian principles in their lives. I also plan to reread this book whenever that time does come. Michelle Anthony writes in a practical way where parents can connect with. I really like how she walked readers through the six different dysfunctional parenting styles. She also helps readers to improve in their Christian parenting. My favorite chapter was entitled, "A Time to Bless" because she included powerful blessings from scripture that we can declare over our children's life. This is something I strongly believe will tremendous benefit children and it could literally change their entire lives. I really loved the blessing of being an overcomer based off of 1 John 4:4 and 5:4. This one reminds our kids that through Christ they have the victory and they are more than a conqueror. I also enjoyed that she recommended parents to read Numbers 6:22-26 aloud over their children. Numbers 6:22-26 is a passage about God blessing them, protecting them, God being gracious to them, and giving them peace. Speaking out loud blessings over my children is something that I want to do for my future children. I also liked the father's nod and this is something every man is longing for from his father. This is something I will strive to do for my kids. I want to make sure they know I'm proud of them. If you’re looking for an excellent book about parenting, check out this book!   “I received a review copy of Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family from Litfuse for this review.”     About the book: Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family: Avoiding the 6 Dysfunctional Parenting Styles (David C. Cook, January 2015) We all want to guide our children into the abundant life that Jesus offers. But when we pursue the more and better that the world offers above our pursuit of Jesus, we fall into dangerous parenting habits. In Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family, Michelle Anthony unpacks six common dysfunctional parenting styles that we fall into out of habit, lack of attention, or just oversight due to busyness. If you long to show your children Jesus but don't know how to do it, you'll find hope in this practical guide to creating a relentlessly grace-filled home that is focused on God as first in charge. Includes Scripture guides, reflection questions, ideas for family rites of passage, and other real life family examples. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1BSJpxN    About the author: Michelle Anthony is the vice president of Learning Resources and Family Ministry Architect at David C Cook and the author of Spiritual Parenting, Dreaming of More for the Next Generation, A Theology of Family Ministry, and The Big God Story. Michelle has graduate degrees in Christian education, theology, and leadership and over twenty-five years of church ministry experience as a children's and family pastor. She lives in Colorado Springs and loves a good book and a cup of coffee.   Find Michelle online: website, Facebook, Twitter