A Biblical Philosophy of Teen Ministry: Part 2

Posted on 04/19/2012 by bklaus

Developing Godly Character in your 21st Century Teen

[Editor's Note: This is part 2 in a two-part series on Teen Ministry. Click here to read part 1.]

Sometimes it may seem impossible to develop consistently godly teenagers in this increasingly immoral age. Thankfully, the Bible has given Christians a blueprint for developing godly character in any age group. Working with teenagers is in many respects no different from any other area of ministry.

  1. Teens are most influenced by their families. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The single greatest influence in the life of a child is his parents. Godly children are the result of godly parenting, and it is absolutely incumbent upon the spiritually discerning parent to do what is necessary for the spiritual growth of his family. As Jesus pointed out, there is no discipleship without sacrifice, and godly children are the result of spiritually sacrificial parents.
  2. Teens are molded by other spiritual influences in their lives. When I was a teenager, I had the privilege of being mentored by a number of godly men in my home church. These men not only took an interest in me, but also in numerous other young people in our church.
    They were not youth pastors, or even in the ministry. They were simply godly laymen who had a heart to develop godly young people in the church. When the members of a church delegate spiritual responsibility to other people, rather than taking it upon themselves, that ministry is doomed to failure. I was greatly benefitted by countless hours of spiritual conversation with older men who had been through some spiritual battles and were eager to share with me the lessons they had learned.
  3. Godly teens develop godly character traits early on. In my experience with teens I have found that they are whimsical creatures. Like the wind, their emotions blow hither and thither, and teens are subject to their own emotional whims. Teenagers need to learn to act based on what they know to be true and right based on Bible application, rather than what feels good, comfortable, or accommodating. While it may be easy and fun to lie on the couch and watch a movie or play video games, that is often the wrong thing to do. The tide of the flesh pulls us down rather than raising us up.
  4. Teens need a spiritually nurturing environment. The purpose of teen ministry in your local Lakewood church is to provide an atmosphere for teens that is safe, fun, and godly. Teens need a place to go where they know that they will be loved and taught the truth. They do not need to be affirmed in a self-centered, humanistic approach to life. Rather, they need to be taught to love God and do right. They need an environment where they may explore a biblical decision-making paradigm, and be affirmed in that process. They need to be encouraged to think and do right.

One of my great joys in life is hearing from my teen friends who have decided to live wholly for God. I praise the Lord that there are many both here in my Denver church and around the world! A godly teen soon becomes a godly adult and ultimately, a great and useful tool in the hand of the Master.

Pastor Ben Klaus

Pastor Ben came on the staff of Red Rocks Baptist Church as the music and youth pastor in May of 2008. Since that time, he has been busy conducting the church choir and orchestra, teaching music lessons, preaching to the teens, and counseling teens on an individual basis. Ben has a great burden to see young people grow into mature Christians, who are dedicated to serving Jesus Christ. While holding degrees from Ambassador Baptist College and Maranatha Baptist Seminary, he is currently working on his Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. In his spare time, he loves to read, practice his violin, and go on long walks with his wife. Pastor Ben and his wife Rachel have two children.
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A Youth Pastor’s Perspective on Teenage Christian Spirituality

Posted on 04/12/2012 by bklaus

Over the last eight years of my life, a majority of my time has been spent ministering to teenagers and young people both here in my church in Denver, as well as in a variety of other fundamental churches. Much of that time has been spent in teaching private music lessons, counseling at camp, interacting through competitive sports, and preaching and teaching the word of God. A variety of camping/missions trips, as well as just hanging out at our house, provided further opportunity to minister to teens. I have learned a number of valuable lessons along the way.

  1. Teenagers like to have fun. This might be their number one rule of life! No teenager would naturally rather work than play.
  2. Teenagers are basically big kids. As young people reach adolescence, they begin to see the world through their own eyes, and they love to explore and discover like children. However, since teens are much more proactive in the discovery process, it is much easier for them to get into trouble than it is for children. Many teens have found that their new liberty and license leads to devastation or heartbreak. Some get drunk and get into car accidents. Others dabble with drugs, pornography, and sex.
  3. Teens love mentorship, not authority. Teenagers love the liberty to make their own decisions, and seek affirmation to make the right decision. Much of the decision making process for teens takes into account the counsel of friends, while neglecting the counsel of parents, pastors, or teachers. Even though teenagers desire affirmation from older, more mature sources, they may easily become resentful of that source if it disagrees with them. Teens like to hear that they are right, not wrong.
  4. Teen rebellion is very real, and there are a number of forms which rebellion can take. When teens feel that they are personally disrespected or disregarded, they may take a number of approaches to both voice their feelings and make sure that those feelings are considered. Rebellious teens may use the silent treatment, they may shout, or they may play objectionable music loudly. Sometimes they even become violent to ensure that their voice is ultimately heard.
  5. Teen godliness is also very real. Throughout my years in teen ministry, I have had the wonderful opportunity of observing numerous teenagers whose lives were clearly submitted to Christ. They had grown well beyond external ideas concerning “how to be spiritual,” instead manifesting every positive trait of godly adults, such as humility, submission, thoughtfulness, devotion, caring, and concern. Many godly teens are very concerned with their spiritual growth. They care deeply about their walk with the Lord, their consistency in devotion, their confession of sin, and their testimony before unbelieving neighbors. They resist the temptation to laziness and seek to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts.

A blueprint for teen godliness will be outlined next week in part 2: Developing Godly Character in your 21st Century Teen.

Pastor Ben Klaus

Pastor Ben came on the staff of Red Rocks Baptist Church as the music and youth pastor in May of 2008. Since that time, he has been busy conducting the church choir and orchestra, teaching music lessons, preaching to the teens, and counseling teens on an individual basis. Ben has a great burden to see young people grow into mature Christians, who are dedicated to serving Jesus Christ. While holding degrees from Ambassador Baptist College and Maranatha Baptist Seminary, he is currently working on his Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. In his spare time, he loves to read, practice his violin, and go on long walks with his wife. Pastor Ben and his wife Rachel have two children.
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True Religion: Rules or Relationship? – Sermon Recap From 03-25-2012

Posted on 03/27/2012 by lheinze

This sermon was preached at Red Rocks Baptist Church (14711 W. Morrison Rd. Morrison, CO 80123) on March 18, 2012 by Pastor Les Heinze.  These notes are provided as a recap and for further study into the message from God’s Word.

Please feel free to listen/download the entire audio sermon on mp3 here.

True Religion: Rules or Relationship?

Many outside observers of genuine Christianity might perceive it as a long list of prohibitions. And perhaps their caricature is not without warrant. Has conservative Christianity contributed to this erroneous viewpoint by over-emphasizing a distinctive list of taboos?

Jesus took the Pharisees to task in Mark 2:23-3:6 for this very over-emphasis. They had made mountains out of molehills by elevating a legitimate prohibition to a place of prominence far above what was originally intended. The Pharisees had extended God’s original instruction to not work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10) to the point of ridiculousness by regulating even where a person could spit on that day! And, in their minds, a person who desperately needed Jesus’ healing ministry should not receive it because healing was also technically ‘work’.

At the same time, an over-emphasis on regulations makes those regulations primary when they were intended to be secondary. Our faith relationship with Christ will naturally cause us to choose to observe certain biblical guidelines in our lives. See especially 2 Peter 1:5. The virtues develop after, as a result of our faith. They are not observed in order to establish the relationship, because they cannot accomplish that.  A religious prohibition does not have a life of its own, nor should it. It takes root and is sustained by its connection to a vital relationship. At best, observing religious prohibitions without a relationship produces self-satisfaction, and at worst, put a person in chains.

Religion that is characterized primarily by rules is dry, dead and unattractive. But a genuine relationship with Christ will be life-giving, refreshing and winsome. Legitimate rules and regulations will fall into place easily and naturally as a believer’s relationship with Christ matures. These rules and regulations are evidence that the relationship exists and is developing, and should not be confused as the prerequisites for the relationship.

This is not to dismiss justifiable strictures and standards that can serve to enhance our relationship with Christ even further. Christ has expectations for how his children should conduct themselves. However, we should let Christ build them into our lives rather than construct them ourselves.

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Knowing God a Little Better

Posted on 03/22/2012 by strueman

This post is the first in a series entitled “Knowing God a Little Better,” by Pastor Trueman.


People often ask the question: “what is the meaning of life?” And while it literally takes a lifetime to hash out the details of an individual’s particular calling, studying the Bible provides us with some clear instruction pertaining to God’s ultimate goal for our lives.

In Ecclesiastes 12:13, we are taught: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.” God’s goal for men in life is inseparably related to God Himself. In this case it has to do with fearing God and obeying Him. The Westminster Shorter Catechism relates a similar truth. In answer to the question, “What is the chief end of man?” the catechist is to reply, “Man’s chief end is to know God and to enjoy Him forever.”

We all need to work to the end of knowing God a little better. Reading the Scriptures gives us insight into who He is, since we are literally reading His own Words. As we study the Bible, we should be asking the question, “What does this passage teach me about who God is?”

I recently read Genesis 46 in my devotional time and discovered some wonderful Truth about the character of God.

In this passage we initially see Israel (Jacob) arriving at Beersheba and making a sacrifice. From this series of events we could glean this truth about God: God will always provide an opportunity for worship and sacrifice.

This location was no stranger to sacrifice. Abraham and Isaac both made a covenant sacrifice there (Genesis 21 & 26). In keeping with a doxological view of God, we see that He consistently provides opportunities for His people to worship and sacrifice for Him.

God also gives us the opportunity to sacrifice for Him today. Living in the world, but not being of the world, we all have chances to forsake the treasures of this world and lay up treasure in heaven.

We are told in Romans 12 to “Present [our] bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is [our] reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world….” We get to make sacrificial choices in this life as we live out Bible application. We don’t “enjoy” the same weekend days our neighbors do. Rather than a trip to the mountains we attend churches in Lakewood. We don’t entertain ourselves in the manner of some others. We pour our lives into people who sometimes don’t appreciate or recognize our labors.

Additionally, the Bible teaches that a humble heart, as well as our thanksgiving and praise, are acceptable sacrifices to God. These are marks of spiritual growth in the life of a believer.

My next blog installments from this passage will shift the focus from something that God does (He provides), to what God is (God is faithful and merciful). In the meantime, may God bless your efforts to get to know him a little better.

Pastor Shawn Trueman

Pastor Shawn joined the Red Rocks Baptist staff in 2008 after nine years of missionary service to West Virginia University. Shawn is the teacher of the “Joint Heirs With Christ” Adult Bible Class, directs the outreach and children’s ministries. Shawn graduated from Ambassador Baptist College in 1999 and has begun work on his master’s degree at Bob Jones University. Pastor Shawn and his wife Jeniece have seven children.
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Who is Jesus Really? – Sermon Recap From 03-18-2012

Posted on 03/20/2012 by lheinze

This sermon was preached at Red Rocks Baptist Church (14711 W. Morrison Rd. Morrison, CO 80123) on March 18, 2012 by Pastor Les Heinze.  These notes are provided as a recap and for further study into the message from God’s Word.

Please feel free to listen/download the entire audio sermon on mp3 here.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

A true assessment of Jesus should ultimately let Him speak for Himself.  Don’t consult secondary sources and others comments first. What others say about him must always be of lesser import than his self-witness. Read his own words.  Observe his personal actions.  In fact, if every literate person would openly, without bias, read the Gospels for themselves, we would witness a spiritual revival beyond our imagination.

Initially, people would get an accurate understanding of who he really is.  He was real, not afraid to openly let his real nature be seen.  He wasn’t a self-righteous, “external-only,” holy wimp.  He didn’t avoid confrontation when his Father’s nature or motives were questioned or distorted.  Neither was he judgmentally over-reactive.  When he cleaned the temple merchandisers out of the courtyard, it was done with deliberation and planning.  He was thoroughly open and genuine.

Also, his self-disclosure showed him to be the personally winsome and irresistible.  He often commented on the crowds that gathered around him, even when he perceived their self-serving motivations.  Jesus was not above enjoying himself and the company of those around him.  He accepted invitations to meals and celebrations, played with children, and enjoyed the lengthy weddings of the day.  Austere? No!  Genuinely joyful?  Yes!

His own words not only revealed who he was, but why he came.  He came to convert sinners, not compliment the self-righteous.  The Gospel is for those who need it, not for those who think they already have it in terms of their own constructs and way of thinking.

But the real question is, do you personally know Jesus for who he really is – the only Savior able to save you from your sin?  At Red Rocks Baptist Church, He is truly held up as the Good News of salvation for anyone who will repent of their sin and trust Him alone.

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Theological Triage

Posted on 03/15/2012 by bklaus

A few weeks ago I read a wonderful book on Christian evangelicalism which I would strongly recommend: Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism, edited by Andy Naselli. As its title indicates, this book presents four perspectives on the very broad concept of evangelicalism, ranging from fundamentalism (as represented by Dr. Kevin Bauder) to post-conservative evangelicalism (as represented by Dr. Roger Olson from Baylor University).

Each of these men was gracious and fair in his assessment of his own perspective, as well as his response to the perspectives of the other men. However, one of my favorite theological writers, Dr. Albert Mohler, explained in his dissertation the very important concept of “theological triage.”

I am all too well acquainted with triage, which is basically the doctor’s methodical diagnosis of the actual needs of a patient. When my wife was in labor with our children, before she was admitted to the hospital for delivery, she had to spend several hours in triage. When it became apparent that my wife’s labor would quickly lead to delivery, she was admitted to the maternity ward of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Triage was a mildly stressful time in our relationship- and if the doctors had told us to go back home it would have been even more stressful! The proper diagnosis of the condition of the patient led to the fairly uneventful delivery of our children.

As Dr. Mohler points out, it is incumbent upon the people of God, beginning with the pastors who fill our pulpits (but also applying to the people who fill the pews), to perform theological triage. We must be able to accurately and biblically diagnose who and what we are as Christians. We are equally responsible to discern error in the broader realm of evangelicalism and in society at large, so as to avoid the pitfalls of theological error.

The Bible speaks clearly to this concept of “theological triage,” which we might more simply call discernment. In John 5:39, the Lord Jesus commanded the religious Jews to “search the Scriptures.” In 1 John 4:1, the aged apostle, whose obsession with truth is self-evident in all his writings, instructed his disciples to “try the spirits, whether they are of God.” Luke commended the Bereans in Acts 17 because rather than simply accepting the Apostle Paul’s doctrine at face value, they went home and carefully examined the Scriptures daily, to determine whether or not they were being taught truth from the Bible.

Christian church goers have a great need for considerate theological triage. Compelling personalities may present a version of truth; but it is critical for God’s people to study the Bible and to determine individually what it truly teaches. This will result in deeper spiritual growth among believers, and ultimately stronger local churches. Denver could certainly use more of both.

God bless you as you study, love, and obey the word of God.

Pastor Ben Klaus

Pastor Ben came on the staff of Red Rocks Baptist Church as the music and youth pastor in May of 2008. Since that time, he has been busy conducting the church choir and orchestra, teaching music lessons, preaching to the teens, and counseling teens on an individual basis. Ben has a great burden to see young people grow into mature Christians, who are dedicated to serving Jesus Christ. While holding degrees from Ambassador Baptist College and Maranatha Baptist Seminary, he is currently working on his Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. In his spare time, he loves to read, practice his violin, and go on long walks with his wife. Pastor Ben and his wife Rachel have two children.
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The Opportunities In Being ‘Used’ – Sermon Recap from 2-12-2012

Posted on 02/15/2012 by jvanmeter

This sermon was preached at Red Rocks Baptist Church (14711 W. Morrison Rd. Morrison, CO 80465) on February 12, 2012 by Pastor Les Heinze.  These notes are provided as a recap and for further study into the message from God’s Word

Please feel free to listen/download the entire audio sermon on mp3 here.

Regardless of how much emphasis a particular church or ministry places on meeting the physical needs of people, any one of them can experience being used. We certainly can’t blame people in pain or hunger from seeking relief. Many of them will seek a church out as a resource to meet their need, even as they did Jesus.

Part of the regular ministry of Jesus was meeting those needs as the opportunity presented itself. In Mark 1:29-38 there is the record of the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. This healing opened the door to many more ministry opportunities of a varied nature to the point that his activity extended into the evening. Simply because of time, Jesus probably did not meet all the needs that were presented to him that day.

Can we conclude, however, that everyone who was healed or freed from demonic dominance that day continued to follow Jesus? Did they all accept his message? While this particular passage doesn’t comment on that, we know from the Gospels as a whole that they did not. Many, if not most, had simply come to have their physical needs met with no thought to the deeper spiritual needs they also had. Was Jesus ‘used’ by these people? Without question. But how did he respond to that? Did it stop him from using these opportunities to the possibility of opening up people’s hearts to the real reason he came? (Mark 10:45)

Verses 38 and 39 help us. The next morning found him doing the same thing – healing and preaching. His response was not, “If they won’t hear my message, then they won’t experience my healing.” Christ had the proper balance. Meet physical needs to gain an opportunity to show people their real need and leave the results with his Heavenly Father.

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AHITHOPHEL – The Man Who Couldn’t Forgive

Posted on 02/03/2012 by jvanmeter

Two verses in 2 Samuel present to us such a marked paradigm shift in Ahithophel’s life that we are probably puzzled.  How could this wise counselor to King David later provide the same to David’s rebellious, immoral, reprobate son Absalom?

2 Samuel 23:34 gives a clue to head us in the right direction.  In a listing of David’s mighty military leaders Eliam, a son of Ahithophel,  is mentioned.  A few verses later we learn he served with Uriah, the Hittite.  Eliam’s name has already appeared in the biblical record (2 Samuel 11:3) as the father of Bathsheba.  That would place Ahithophel as her grandfather and the great-grandfather of Solomon.  Evidently wisdom and wise counsel was multi-generational in that family.

The Scriptures are silent concerning Ahithophel from 2 Samuel 11:3 (although not mentioned directly) until Absalom sends for him in his home town of Giloh  (2 Samuel 15:10-12).  He was not in Jerusalem with David.  Why not after years of faithful, loyal service?  David probably had not issued a decree, signed a law, or declared war without consulting Ahithophel.

It appears as though we can draw a valid conclusion as to the cause of Ahithophel’s  shift.  David had not only sinned egregiously against his granddaughter, but he had arranged the murder of her husband.  Would that not have caused a major shift in the relationship?

If that is the case and Ahithophel did abandon the palace, that would indicate a mishandling of the situation.  His mindset was not confrontation (as Nathan) or forgiveness, it was revenge .  He later wanted to get personally involved in David’s demise  (2 Samuel 17:1-4).

Ahithophel was so entrenched in his anti-David thinking and the emotional shake-out,  that a minor incident turned out to have major impact.  It was relatively minor to have his counsel to Absalom rejected.  It was major for Ahithophel to commit suicide over it.  A lack of forgiveness had eaten him up internally and unbalanced his thinking.

A lack of forgiveness will:

  • Disintegrate relationships
  • Deteriorate emotional and spiritual wellbeing
  • Damage the ability to experience personally God’s grace (Matthew 6:12)
  • Destroy the opportunity to end well

Pastor Jerry Hamilton

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God’s Servant Has Come – Sermon Recap from 1-22-2012

Posted on 01/30/2012 by jvanmeter

This sermon was preached at Red Rocks Baptist Church (14711 W. Morrison Rd. Morrison, CO 80123) on January 22, 2012 by Pastor Les Heinze.  These notes are provided as a recap and for further study into the message from God’s Word

Please feel free to listen/download the entire audio sermon on mp3 here.

God’s Servant Has Come
Mark 1:1-11

Introductory Information:

Authorship: John Mark was associated closely with Peter. Much of his material came from oral tradition and listening to Peter preach.

Date: This Gospel was written in the late 50’s or early 60’s A.D.

Purpose:  Mark’s gospel was to Gentile world. Mark was written to the Romans presenting Jesus as the Servant. The theme is found in Mark 10:45: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. This Servant of God is identified by four different indisputable witnesses:

I. The Witness of John Mark (v. 1)

Mark states boldly Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He had been an eye witness to some of the events he wrote about. Not only was the home of his mother a meeting place for some of the early Christians (Acts 12), but many scholars identify him as the young man who fled during Jesus’ arrest (Mk 14:51,52).

II. The Witness of the Prophets (vv. 2-3)

  1. Mark cites two quotations from Old Testament prophets, (Mal 3:1 and Isa 40:3). The word “messenger” and “voice” refer to John the Baptist, the prophet God sent to prepare the way for His Son.
  2. By calling the nation to repentance, John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord Jesus. Isaiah and Malachi were prophets who also joined voices in declaring Jesus Christ was Jehovah God.

III. The Witness of John the Baptist (v 4-8)

  1. Jesus called him the greatest of the prophets (Mat 11:11). John’s message was one of repentance, which means to turn from sin to Christ and from unbelief to faith.
  2. John was also baptizing those who came to him. Jerusalem was about 20 miles to the west. It is estimated that 300,000 people received John’s baptism. He was the first prophet in Israel in over 400 years. Baptism to this point had only been used for Gentile converts to Judaism. The sons of Abraham had never taken baptism. Baptism does not remove sins, it is a physical sign that a person has repented of their sins and received God’s forgiveness.
  3. John takes the humble position of being an unworthy servant to God’s great Servant. He said he was unqualified to do what slaves normally did in the ancient world -unfasten their master’s sandals and wash their feet. Jesus would baptize His followers with the Spirit of God. I Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

IV. The Witness of the Father and Spirit (v9-11)

  1. Jesus was baptized by John, not because he needed to repent but to identify with the sinners he would save. We get baptized to communicate our sins have been taken away. Jesus got baptized to communicate He took our sins upon Him. Secondly Jesus’ baptism was instructive for His followers. He commands all true believers to begin the proclamation of their faith in this same way.
  2. Immediately after Jesus’ baptism the heavens tore open (Greek schizo) suggesting that the access between God and man was now possible. The Spirit descends and “anoints” the Messiah. Jesus did no miracles before this time. We have no power to obey and serve with out the Spirit’s anointing in our lives.
  3. The Father spoke from Heaven and identified his beloved Son. “Beloved” also carries the idea of “unique, one of a kind.” The Father was much pleased that the Son was willing to become the Servant-Savior who would atone for the sins of the world.

Conclusion
Like John the Baptizer we too should proclaim “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”  Our desire should be to exalt Jesus: “He must become greater; I must become less.” Perhaps you have been baptized but not “drenched” in the Holy Spirit.

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5 Fun – and Affordable – Things to Do on Family Night

Posted on 01/17/2012 by dwright

5 Fun – and Affordable – Things to Do on Family Night

We all know that spiritual growth starts at home. One of the greatest ways to create an open, loving line of communication is by simply spending time together. Establishing a family night is an incredible tool in facilitating the kind of quality family time that leads to an environment conducive to spiritual growth. Here are some fun and affordable ideas that you can easily implement in your home.

1. Break out the Board Games – The world of board games gets broader and more advanced seemingly with every passing day. From Chutes and Ladders to Parcheesi, games are available which target every age group and interest.  On Family Night, make some special snacks, pull out a stack of games, and let the kids help decide which one comes first. Try to limit the competitive aspect, and focus everyone’s attention on the joy of spending time together.

2. Create your own Art – You don’t have to be artistic to enjoy creating something. From watercolor paintings to ceramic cups and bowls, there are any number of exciting artistic options just waiting for your family to discover. Try Experimenting with different mediums and styles of art, and work together as a family to create something beautiful that you could hang on the wall or display on a treasured shelf. Set the mood with some soft classical music, and discover the possibilities as you create your own art.

3. Read-Aloud – Reading for fun is almost a lost art in our society today, but families that choose to give it a try tend to enjoy it immensely. Choose an exciting book that will take more than a single session to complete – maybe a missionary biography or a classic adventure novel that incorporates some Bible application. Build the excitement by popping some popcorn or making cookies to share while you listen. Take turns reading aloud, and you will likely find that the whole family looks forward to the next installment!

4. Puzzle it Out – Most children love puzzles. These days you can find them for just a few dollars at the local Wal-Mart or for even less at a thrift store. Start the evening out small with a puzzle that even the toddlers can enjoy, and once the little ones are in bed, break out the more complex variations that Mom and Dad can put their heads together to complete.

5. Make your own Pizza – Ordering from the local pizzeria may be convenient, but it’s not nearly as much fun as making your own pizza at home! There are plenty of great recipes for pizza dough available online (check out this great one from Bobby Flay). The toppings may be as vast as your kids’ imaginations, and yes, you can always pop in a family-friendly movie while your homemade creations sizzle in the oven!

Family Night is always a big hit among families who make it a priority. They foster a loving family relationship and ultimately lead to an environment ideal for spiritual growth. Try some of these ideas, or feel free to write to us to share some of your own!

posted by Red Rocks Baptist Church in Lakewood, Colorado

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