What does family fun look like at the Christian Training Center?
What does family fun look like at the Christian Training Center?
We have lots of family fun at our programs. Check out this dance!
What is the covenant of marriage all about?
Train to Reign Day 1 Week 1 God’s Plan for Family | Learn about the Covenant of Marriage.
What does it mean to be a man?
Train to Reign Day 3 Larry Pons Men’s Talk
One evening, while in my latter 20’s, I was watching Johnny Carson on TV. For those of you who don’t know or remember him, he was (and forever will be, in my opinion) “the king” of late-night television. Burt Reynolds was one of his guests on this night, and they were talking about various topics, including what it means to be a man.
Is it duty? Is it intimacy? What does God want?
Susan Pons – Train to Reign Family Program Day 2 Week 1
I and the Father are one. (John 10:30)
For this reason, a man shall leave father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. (Matthew 19:5)
…For the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. (Revelations 10:9)
Is there anything worth fighting for today? What about our families?
Is war ever justified? Is there anything worth fighting for? In part 4 of this series, Tim Roots uses Abram’s example in Genesis 14 and shows us the value and importance of getting ready, getting up and fighting for family.
Family Fun night during our Train to Reign program.
Family Fun night during our Train to Reign program (Summer 2019).
Families have fun together. This is a part of our experiential discipleship approach. We model it. We live it. We teach it.
Jesus kissed us by His grace and we forever fell in love. Family is relationships.
Join us for the opening night (2014) of the CTCI family program, Train to Reign.
Isaiah 45:3 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord. I am the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
What is duty in a marriage? What is intimacy?
What is duty in a marriage? What is intimacy?
I and the Father are one. (John 10:30)
For this reason a man shall leave father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. (Matthew 19:5)
…For the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. (Revelations 10:9)
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Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus. The goal is fluency in the language of relationships. Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture. The foundation is an encounter with Jesus. This encounter is the means for both insight and vision. Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — The 2020 date will be announced soon. | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. Learn more about our programs here.
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. Learn more here.
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
How do you build a good foundation for a marriage?
Couples share about their experiences during the Train to Reign Family Program – a two-week course designed to teach practical skills in relationship building and parenting.
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Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus. The goal is fluency in the language of relationships. Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture. The foundation is an encounter with Jesus. This encounter is the means for both insight and vision. Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — The 2020 date will be announced soon. | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. Learn more about our programs here.
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. Learn more here.
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Why give a week of your time to work in the kitchen? How does it make a difference?
Work is a vital part of family life. Working in the kitchen to prepare and clean up from 3 meals a day takes effort.
This is an amazing story of a family who gave up a week of their vacation to come to the Christian Training Center to work in the kitchen.
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Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus. The goal is fluency in the language of relationships. Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture. The foundation is an encounter with Jesus. This encounter is the means for both insight and vision. Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — The 2020 date will be announced soon. | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. Learn more about our programs here.
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. Learn more here.
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
What is the best way to train children in the way of Jesus in families today?
Melissa Lee has been overseeing CTCI’s children’s ministry for 26 years. Find out how Jesus is working in children’s lives during our Train to Reign Program.
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Train to Reign
Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack.
Throughout the year, we welcome individuals, couples, and families from around the world who are seeking to strengthen their relationships – with God, within their own families, and with their fellow believers. Every session, individuals, couples, and families from around the world are transformed, healed, and renewed. Barriers to forgiveness, personal growth, and hope are overcome in a supportive and intimate environment. Join us in this safe and holy place where painful and complex situations can be worked through – a place of hope and healing.
Learn more here.
Teaching topics include:
- The Plan of God for Family
- Duty vs Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Communication
- Covering
- Resolving Conflict
- Defeating Parenting Fears
- Discipline
- …and more!
Family night at the Christian Training Center with Country and Western line dancing to the Electric Slide.
Check out our family fun night! Family is the foundation of all relationships. At the Christian Training Center we teach the basic principles of family life.
What does the electric slide look like with Country and Western line dancing?
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If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus. The goal is fluency in the language of relationships. Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture. The foundation is an encounter with Jesus. This encounter is the means for both insight and vision. Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — Sept 2 – Nov 9, 2019 | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. ow.ly/Nhag30oRYRK
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. http://ow.ly/l5SU30oS5pQ
Synchronized Swimming – Our Talent Show Winners
Our fun family talent show. This is a short clip of the winners.
Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack.
Throughout the year, we welcome individuals, couples, and families from around the world who are seeking to strengthen their relationships – with God, within their own families, and with their fellow believers.
Every session, individuals, couples, and families from around the world are transformed, healed, and renewed. Barriers to forgiveness, personal growth, and hope are overcome in a supportive and intimate environment. Join us in this safe and holy place where painful and complex situations can be worked through – a place of hope and healing.
Learn more and register
Teaching topics include:
- The Plan of God for Family
- Duty vs Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Communication
- Covering
- Resolving Conflict
- Defeating Parenting Fears
- Discipline
- …and more!
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — Sept 2 – Nov 9, 2019 | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. ow.ly/Nhag30oRYRK
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. http://ow.ly/l5SU30oS5pQ
How innovative ministries are bringing millennials back to church
Here is a great article about faith among young adults. For many teens and young adults, they only have a limited amount of experience in their walk with Jesus. The article points out that young adults are in need of mentorship from those in their congregation who have decades of experience as devout Christians.
The Christian Training Center’s young adult program is focused on personal and spiritual development for young adults. While immersed in a way of life that emphasizes the Word of God, prayer, relationships, family, servanthood and personal discipline, you will be renewed, trained, and challenged to walk with God in a deeper way. Learn More and Register.
Despite belonging to a church-attending family, 24-year-old Danielle De Guzman is among the many American millennials who struggled throughout adolescence to find relevance and trust in the church or Christianity.
After high school, she would at times still attend her parents’ large church in Collin County, Texas, but admits that she would just sit in the lobby and wait for the service to end because she just didn’t see the point of going into the service.
Although she spent years going to the church, she struggled to get plugged in or even develop personal relationships with others in her congregation.
Eventually, she began telling her parents that she had to work on Sundays so she could get out of going to church. Her parents respected her freedom and De Guzman stopped going to church for a period of time. Going to college locally, she spent a lot of time — like many other college students — partying.
The experience had by De Guzman is not unique among millennial adults who grew up in the church.
Read More Here:
How innovative ministries are bringing millennials back to church – The Christian Post
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — Sept 2 – Nov 9, 2019 | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. ow.ly/Nhag30oRYRK
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. http://ow.ly/l5SU30oS5pQ
Fun at family night with wholesome dancing! We train families to reign!
We know how to have some fun at our family oriented Train to Reign program.
Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack.
Throughout the year, we welcome individuals, couples, and families from around the world who are seeking to strengthen their relationships – with God, within their own families, and with their fellow believers.
Every session, individuals, couples, and families from around the world are transformed, healed, and renewed. Barriers to forgiveness, personal growth, and hope are overcome in a supportive and intimate environment. Join us in this safe and holy place where painful and complex situations can be worked through – a place of hope and healing.
Learn more and register
Teaching topics include:
- The Plan of God for Family
- Duty vs Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Communication
- Covering
- Resolving Conflict
- Defeating Parenting Fears
- Discipline
- …and more!
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Sacrifice for family, is it worth it?
Claire and Alvin, from England, talk about the importance of the Train to Reign program for their family.
The Train to Reign Program is all about strengthening & restoring family relationships. Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God at our Train to Reign program.
Teaching topics include:
- The Plan of God for Family
- Duty vs Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Communication
- Covering
- Resolving Conflict
- Defeating Parenting Fears
- Discipline
- …and more!
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
What are the blessings of acknowledgement?
Susan Pons grew up in Valdese, North Carolina. Prior to her marriage, she performed professionally on stage and dinner theaters. The mother of four and grandmother of six, she and her husband, Larry, direct Christian Training Center, International, a ministry dedicated to the restoration of families. She has loved her life.
Susan ends our Train to Reign Devotionals with some final words.
Check our Susan’s book here.
Why does Jesus want us to reign for our families?
Bill Eubank is a member of the Christian Training Center International Board of Directors. Bill has been involved with training center for 40 years and has a great perspective on our work.
Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God.
Throughout the year, we welcome individuals, couples, and families from around the world who are seeking to strengthen their relationships – with God, within their own families, and with their fellow believers.
Every session, individuals, couples, and families from around the world are transformed, healed, and renewed. Barriers to forgiveness, personal growth, and hope are overcome in a supportive and intimate environment.
Join us in this safe and holy place where painful and complex situations can be worked through – a place of hope and healing.
Learn more and register
Teaching topics include:
- The Plan of God for Family
- Duty vs Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Communication
- Covering
- Resolving Conflict
- Defeating Parenting Fears
- Discipline
- …and more!
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
How do we restore ruins in our lives?
Jesse Wahl shares on day 8 of our Train to Reign devotional. Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. http://ow.ly/l5SU30oS5pQ
What are The Consequences of Fatherlessness?
Courtney reads our Train to Reign program devotional for the day.
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. http://ow.ly/l5SU30oS5pQ
Scripture
Malachi 4:5-6 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
5 Look, I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Master comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Ephesians 6:1-3 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6 Children, obey your parents in the Master, because this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB) The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
What sort of house will you build for me?
Bill Eubank, member of the Christian Training Center Board of Directors, leads a devotion on What sort of house will you build for me?
The Circus – A Train to Reign family production
The Christian Training Center has fun with the Train to Reign program. Here is our production of The Circus by one of our families. There were five of these productions. They were put together by each team in 15 minutes.
This wrapped up our evening. Everyone had a blast.
Why are fathers so important?
Larry Pons is the Chief Executive at the Christian Training Center.
This is a special message for fathers.
The program that we have for fathers is Train to Reign. Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack.
Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. Throughout the year, we welcome individuals, couples, and families from around the world who are seeking to strengthen their relationships – with God, within their own families, and with their fellow believers.
Every session, individuals, couples, and families from around the world are transformed, healed, and renewed. Barriers to forgiveness, personal growth, and hope are overcome in a supportive and intimate environment. Join us in this safe and holy place where painful and complex situations can be worked through – a place of hope and healing.
To register for the next Train to Reign program, go here.
If you would like to donate to CTCI please click here.
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Building An Ark For Your Family
Brittany shares a Train to Reign Devotional on what it means for a father to protect his family in Hebrews 11:7.
Hebrews 11:7 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2
Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack.
Throughout the year, we welcome individuals, couples, and families from around the world who are seeking to strengthen their relationships – with God, within their own families, and with their fellow believers. Every session, individuals, couples, and families from around the world are transformed, healed, and renewed. Barriers to forgiveness, personal growth, and hope are overcome in a supportive and intimate environment. Join us in this safe and holy place where painful and complex situations can be worked through – a place of hope and healing.
Learn more and register
Teaching topics include:
- The Plan of God for Family
- Duty vs Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Communication
- Covering
- Resolving Conflict
- Defeating Parenting Fears
- Discipline
- …and more!
Learn more and register
Family — Is it the foundation of relationships in God’s Kingdom?
Family is extremely important in the Bible, both in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense. The foundation of family was introduced in the very beginning, as we see in Genesis 1:28.
God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’
God’s plan for creation was for men and women to marry and have children. A man and a woman would form a “one-flesh” union through marriage (Genesis 2:24), and they with their children become a family, the essential building block of human society.
Promises of God about families
God doesn’t guarantee he will automatically save our children but gives us many promises to inspire us to pray and believe him to answer.
I review these promises from God occasionally and use them as springboards for prayer for my descendants. For example:
All your children shall be taught by the MASTER, and great shall be the peace of your children. | Isaiah 54:13
I pray, “Master Jesus, you have promised your people that all our children shall be taught by the Master. Please do this! Please reveal yourself to all my children and grandchildren and descendants and bring each one into peace with you through your blood.” Consider using these promises as you pray for your children:
- Acts 16:31-33 And they said, “Believe in the Master Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Master to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
- Isaiah 59:21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the MASTER: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the MASTER, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
- Psalms 102:28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.
- Psalms 112:1-2 Praise the MASTER! Blessed is the man who fears the MASTER, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed
- Isaiah 44:3-5 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. 4 They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. 5 This one will say, ‘I am the MASTER’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The MASTER’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.
- Isaiah 61:8-9 …I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the MASTER has blessed.
- Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the MASTER, and their descendants with them.
- Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him.
- Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the MASTER one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
- Jeremiah 32:39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.
- Deuteronomy 4:40 Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the MASTER your God is giving you for all time.
Don’t quit praying for your children until the day you go home to be with the Messiah Jesus. Even if you don’t see them saved in your lifetime, God can still save them. Although he doesn’t guarantee they will be saved, he promises to hear our prayers, that the prayer of the upright is powerful and effective, and he gives us good reasons to believe he desires to save whole families.
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” ~Jesus
Family is important to God and Jesus. God sanctifies our earthly families and gives us lots of ideas on how to make our family relationships healthy and productive.
God has a family. What does it take to be a part of God’s family?
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. | (Matthew 12:50)
The answer is very straight forward. Jesus doesn’t hold anything back from me. His challenge to me is to do what God wants. Obedience is the core of everything in God’s world. Obedience leads to being a part of the family of God. Now that is some good news.
It is not about my plan. It is all about God’s plan. He has one. Will I obey it? Jesus challenges me to do so. This is a radical call to discipleship.
Now here is some VERY good news. God’s plan is simple and straightforward.
In this day of complicated programs and books, simplicity rocks. We even have it on a bracelet. WWJD. “What would Jesus do”?
God’s plan is for me to do what He has in mind for me. All the time. That puts me in the family of God. Good news for sure.
Even our Lord’s earthly family did not fully understand Him or His ministry. Some of His friends thought He was crazy. But Jesus did not want the honor that comes from people. While He was not disrespectful toward His physical family, He did emphasize the family of God.
Note His use of the word “whoever”. This paralleled His beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28–30 where He encouraged all to trust Him. If the nation would not receive Him, at least individuals within the nation—and among the Gentiles—could trust Him.
“Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female?” ~Jesus
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Jesus wants us to have healthy families. That starts with Godly marriages.
Jesus is put out with the Pharisees. Jesus points them and us to the Bible. I’m afraid some church leaders are not serving us well and are deceiving God’s people by pretending something that God did (make us male and female) isn’t true.
There is a lot to unpack here considering what is going on in our society and culture.
“Exploit or abuse your family and end up with a fistful of air; common sense tells you it’s a stupid way to live.” ~King Solomon
There is right and there is wrong. We all know the difference. I must remember to stand up for the abused and keep up the good fight for justice.
“Exploit or abuse your family and end up with a fistful of air [inherit the wind]; common sense tells you it’s a stupid way to live.” ~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:29)
And now consider this from Jesus.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” ~Jesus | Matthew 5:21-22
Family — Is it the foundation of relationships in God’s Kingdom?
Family — Is it the foundation of relationships in God’s Kingdom?
Family is extremely important in the Bible, bot
h in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense. The foundation of family was introduced in the very beginning, as we see in Genesis 1:28.
God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’
Correct Discipline
In this message, Larry Pons walks us through Hebrews 12: 3-12 and we see how God, as a good Father, disciplines His children and how we are to follow His example.
WATCH the Full Video HERE.
LISTEN to the Full Audio HERE.
Transformation in Singapore
In this message, Regina Wong shares the incredible story of transformation among the YWAM base and the homeless in her hometown of Singapore, and explains how the roots of transformation began on a personal level with Regina and her core team here at CTCI.
WATCH the Full Video HERE.
LISTEN to the Full Audio HERE.
Walk For God, Country & Family 2016: Thank You!
To all who showed their support by coming out to walk with us, giving toward this cause, volunteering, or praying for CTCI and this nation leading up to or during our first annual Walk For God, Country, & Family event: THANK YOU! We couldn’t have done it without you. We hope to see you again next year!
CTCI’s First Annual 5k Walk for God, Country & Family
Check out Nikki’s video on CTCI’s First Annual 5k Walk event happening on October 1, 2016. We would love for you to come and join us! For more information visit lifeisrelationships.com
Train to Reign (Update video)
Couples share about their experiences during the Train to Reign Family Program – a two-week course designed to teach practical skills in relationship building and parenting.
To learn more about the Train to Reign Program, click here.
Train to Reign and Children with Melissa Lee
Melissa Lee has been overseeing CTCI’s children’s ministry for 26 years. Find out how the Lord is working in children’s lives during our Train to Reign Program.
The Plan of God for Family (4/4)
In this series, CTCI Director Larry Pons talks about God’s plan for the family, how Satan tries to destroy that plan, and how we can keep God’s plan intact in our lives.
The Family of God | Jay Fesperman
My dictionary defines “family” as “the body of persons who live in one house, under one head”…. It is important that we realize the significance of the family “living in one house”, as the dictionary [defines] it. A family is meant to bring people together in close fellowship in order to cause friction among its members. If we don’t learn how to face troubles at home, we will not learn how to cope with the pressures of ordinary living in the world. There is clear purpose in the closeness required of family members. But the nature of man wants to pull away and live unto its own self.
The Plan of God for Family (3/4)
In this series, CTCI Director Larry Pons talks about God’s plan for the family, how Satan tries to destroy that plan, and how we can keep God’s plan intact in our lives.
The Plan of God for Family (2/4)
In this series, CTCI Director Larry Pons talks about God’s plan for the family, how Satan tries to destroy that plan, and how we can keep God’s plan intact in our lives.
The Plan of God for Family (1/4)
In this series, CTCI Director Larry Pons talks about God’s plan for the family, how Satan tries to destroy that plan, and how we can keep God’s plan intact in our lives.
First Family
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.“ — Ephesians 5:31-33
What a high calling marriage is! The first command God gives to man following the creation of woman is to leave mother and father and cleave to his wife (Genesis 2:24). Adam did not have earthly parents, which makes this scripture, written in the beginning, even more extraordinary and weighty.
On Family | Jay Fesperman
God created family for the fulfillment of HIS plan. HIS purpose, HIS pleasure… Man’s family was to be God’s instrument of preparation, of training for His people to learn how to live in fellowship with Himself and His Son… In the unfolding plan of God, the family of man is a most vital link.
Jay Fesperman on Fulfillment in Family Relationships
If we learn to handle responsibility at home, we will more likely know how to handle responsibility in the body of Christ. With the gifting of God, in the Holy Spirit, we all have responsibilities in the Kingdom. “You are a kingdom of priests!” A husband cannot fulfill himself; it takes a wife. Fulfillment is the key to successful relationships. A father cannot fulfill himself; it requires a son or daughter. A brother cannot fulfill himself; he needs a brother or sister. It is the responsibility of the family to provide the learning about the nature of fulfillment, or maturity, in the Body of Christ.
“Genitalia Are Not Destiny” — But Are They Design? | Desiring God
How should the Church speak about gender divide? Should we value male and female design? Is family – “family” – without genders?
It is an absolute privilege to work with a ministry that fights for and values family. In fact, all of the training we do focuses a person on understanding their role and purpose within their family. For the Christian there are two very real families; your biological family and your church family. Both of which are filled with diversity, roles, authority, responsibilities…. the list naturally goes on as God established unique characteristics within family. The difference between male and female or the difference between parents and children – are beautiful! In Gods Kingdom, “roles”, do not define your value; what they do is display Gods design.
Unfortunately we live at a time where gender is being questioned… rather attacked; and I would suggest the attack is directed at God. It is important that the Church continues to value gender and declare the hand of God in our design.
Here is a short article from DesiringGod that can help all of us approach gender talks from Gods view. Enjoy!
Riding in the wake of the cultural speedboat of the destigmatization of same-sex intercourse is the mainstreaming of “gender non-conformists.” Witness the June 9 issue of Time. Laverne Cox, born a boy, is on the front page, in his chosen female identity.
On the Stairs…
by Tim Bryant, Board Member, DLC ‘77, TTR ‘87
“Tim, the whole family is on the stairs waiting for you!” Jay Fesperman exclaimed over the phone as I stood in a hot phone booth in downtown Franklin. “The van has broken down”, I said, feeling like my faith should be strong enough to lay hands on it so that it should recover, “I don’t know what’s wrong with it or when we can get back to the Inn.”
To Be or To Do – That is the Question
A while ago my five-year-old daughter Daniela said to me, “I want to be a doctor when I grow up so I can help people who get hurt. But I’d also like to be a policewoman so I can make people obey the rules. I want to be a singer and a dancer, too. I’d like to be a teacher…” After thinking through her ever-growing list, Daniela concluded, “Or I could be a mom and do it all.” What an insightful little girl!
These Are Times that Sell Men’s Souls
Yesterday, I was reminded of Thomas Paine’s quote that publicized the travail of a nation yet to be born…“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Many in our nation feel the trying of our very beings concerning the survival of our individual and national souls. There is a reason for this: the trying of our souls, as a nation, has been so very great because the selling of our American souls is taking place day by day. The trying of a soul is good. It challenges us to choose between truths and lies. The selling of a soul is quite the opposite. It closes the eyes to truth and sinks human lives into apathetic, tragic and heartbreaking deceit.
How have we sold our souls as a nation? I’ll give just a few of my beliefs that I never imagined would be questioned during my lifetime: