Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "A Word to Young Men"
At our old house we had a number of large trees that hadn’t been taken care of and had become over-ridden with vines. At first, I didn’t think too much of it. The vines had green leaves, so they kind of blended in. But as time went on, I took a close look at the trees. The vines were starting to weigh the tree down, and it became clear that they would kill the tree eventually. In order to save the tree, I had to cut the vines off at the bottom of the tree where they started. After I did that, the vines died and dried out so they were easier to remove.
Pastor CJ once again preached from Titus 2 on self-control, and he spent time specifically targeting bad habits. Bad habits in our lives are a little like those vines. They start out small and almost unnoticeable, but over time they grow. The more time they have to grow, the stronger they get. They even start to blend in more with our lives so they’re harder to identify. Paraphrasing the quote from John Piper, it’s our job to consider our lives and root out bad habits in order to break them. And we can do this because Christ gives us the power to do so! As a family, take some time to talk about this, and consider the questions below:
Read Titus 2:6-8
- What are some bad habits that you’ve seen in your own lives, in the life of your family? Don’t ignore small bad habits either. Bad habits, like vines, start out very small and are much easier to break.
- Spend some time looking at different scriptures that you can meditate on as you strive to break bad habits. What makes bad habits really all that bad in the first place? What makes good habits good?
- What are some good habits that you’ve been meaning to institute? Take this opportunity to start replacing some bad habits with a good ones! Some ideas: family worship, praying together before bed, intentional dinner table discussions (maybe about last week’s sermon), regular date nights, parent/kid date nights.
More in From your Pastors
March 27, 2023
Sermon Quotes: "Three Unexpected Converts"March 27, 2023
Sermon Quotes: "Our Prowling Adversary"March 21, 2023
Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "The Pulpit and the Pew"More by SGCL Staff
February 8, 2023
Michael Granger | Ethiopia UpdateSeptember 2, 2022
Important SGKids DetailsJuly 20, 2022
Sermon Quotes: "A Real Mess to a Revived Mission"July 14, 2022
Michael Granger | Ethiopia UpdateJanuary 5, 2022
Bible Reading Plans for 2022December 6, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Come and Feast"November 30, 2021
Sermon Quotes: Shepherding God's FlockNovember 16, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "A Love That Surpasses Knowledge"November 2, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "The Riotous Reality"October 26, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Ponder His Wrath"October 19, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "The Evils of the Beast and the Song of the Redeemed"October 12, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Overcoming the Dragon"September 28, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "The Terrifying Truth"September 21, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "From Oz to Awe"September 14, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "The Throne And The One Seated On It"September 7, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Hot and Cold and...Not What You Think"August 25, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "What Revelation Reveals"August 17, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "A Noisy Celebration"August 3, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Enabled and Empowered"July 26, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Theology From A Thunderstorm"July 20, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Deepened Convictions in the Storm"July 13, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "A Stunning Contrast"July 6, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Not To Us"June 29, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Pass It On"June 15, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "A Cool Breeze of Mercy"June 8, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "An Unstoppable Gospel"May 25, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "The Seed, The Savior, and You"May 19, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Kind Invitations"April 27, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Anything & Everything"April 20, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Appreciation and Affection"April 10, 2021
Building Fund Matching GiftMarch 9, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "The Fierce Fruit of Self-Control"March 3, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Flee and Fight"February 23, 2021
Sermon Quotes: "Praying with Paul"January 19, 2021
Josh Pannell | Ethiopia UpdateJanuary 12, 2021
Donate Through AmazonSmileNovember 18, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "Saved From What?"November 10, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "The Ground of Our Gratefulness"November 2, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "A Psalm for the Perfect Storm"October 28, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "Dear Thessalonians"October 20, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "Partnership in the Gospel"October 15, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "Marvel of Marvels"September 28, 2020
A Prayer for Our CitySeptember 22, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "The Depths of Sin and Salvation"September 16, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "The Past Comes Alive"September 3, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "With Unveiled Faces"September 1, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "God's Autobiography"September 1, 2020
Sermon Quotes: "Mercy from First to Last"July 30, 2020
Faithfulness in a Fractured World | Sermons & ResourcesJune 16, 2020
Thoughts from Ezekiel | Jeff PurswellJune 13, 2020
Partnering with New Day MinistriesJune 10, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | "A Glass Half Full: Learning the Secret of Contentment"June 2, 2020
Thoughts from the Psalms | Jeff PurswellMay 26, 2020
Thoughts from the Psalms | Jeff PurswellMay 20, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Fear Not! | Panel DiscussionMay 13, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Fear Not! | Session 4May 12, 2020
Thoughts from the Psalms | Jeff PurswellMay 7, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Fear Not! | Session 3April 30, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Fear Not! | Session 2April 24, 2020
Day of Prayer for the NationsApril 22, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Fear Not! | Session 1April 21, 2020
Thoughts from the Psalms | Jeff PurswellApril 16, 2020
Day of Prayer for Frontline WorkersApril 15, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Commissioned Session 5April 8, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Commissioned Session 4April 6, 2020
Holy Week ResourcesApril 3, 2020
To Stream, or Not to Stream? | Jeff PurswellApril 2, 2020
Day of Prayer for Healthcare ProfessionalsApril 1, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Commissioned Session 3March 31, 2020
Praying Together | 3.31March 31, 2020
Sermon Summary: "The Boys in the Boat"March 30, 2020
Tears May Tarry for Now | Carolyn MahaneyMarch 25, 2020
Virtual Sunday Class | Commissioned Session 2March 24, 2020
Praying Together | 3.25March 24, 2020
Sermon Summary: "A Prophet for a Prolonged Pandemic"March 20, 2020
Dwell Bible AppMarch 20, 2020
Day of Prayer | COVID-19March 19, 2020
Sermon Summary: "Peace in a Pandemic"March 17, 2020
Praying Together | 3.17March 15, 2020
Resources to Equip and Steady the SoulMarch 14, 2020
Sunday Service LivestreamMarch 13, 2020
Coronavirus UpdateMarch 10, 2020
Sermon Summary: "Simply Spectacular"March 4, 2020
Sermon Summary: "Solemn and Sublime"February 25, 2020
Sermon Summary: "Fueled by Promise"February 20, 2020
Capital Campaign Video | Ben KrepsJanuary 15, 2020
A Night to RememberJanuary 9, 2020
Moms2Moms Testimony | Hannah BondDecember 10, 2019
Capital Campaign Testimony | Arnie and Dawn BaerNovember 12, 2019
Sermon 5 | Serve the Lord with GladnessNovember 12, 2019
Prepare Him Room ConcertNovember 8, 2019
Sermon 4 | Cheerful GenerosityNovember 8, 2019
Capital Campaign Video | SGC YouthOctober 28, 2019
Capital Campaign Testimony | Kathy SpiroOctober 22, 2019
Capital Campaign Video | From Generation to GenerationOctober 21, 2019
Sermon 3 | From Riches to RagsOctober 15, 2019
Capital Campaign Video | Encouragement from FriendsOctober 15, 2019
Sermon 2 | The Miracle of GenerosityOctober 11, 2019
Capital Campaign LaunchOctober 11, 2019
Sermon 1 | A Heart for the HarvestOctober 8, 2019
Capital Campaign Testimony: Michael GrangerMay 28, 2019
Every Day's A Bad Day | Featured Article by Carolyn MahaneyMay 17, 2019
The Year My World Fell Apart | Featured Article by Bob KauflinMay 7, 2019
SGC Monthly Newsletter | April 2019April 17, 2019
Baptism | April 14, 2019March 19, 2019
A Recent Statement to the Baptist PressFebruary 25, 2019
A Response to the SBC Executive CommitteeFebruary 22, 2019
New Testimony: Jamin EbenFebruary 16, 2019
A Response to Recent Media ReportsFebruary 1, 2019
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | Amnesia & Deja VuJanuary 30, 2019
Sermon Recap | Amnesia & Deja VuJanuary 1, 2019
Read With Us | Bible in a YearDecember 27, 2018
Sermon Recap | An Echo of ExodusDecember 13, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | Power to Strike and SaveDecember 6, 2018
Sermon Recap | Why the Prelude?December 6, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | Why the Prelude?November 29, 2018
Sunday Sermon Recap | Divine ReassuranceNovember 29, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | Divine ReassuranceNovember 23, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | He Faithful Will RemainNovember 15, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | What to Make of a GenealogyNovember 14, 2018
Sermon Recap | What to Make of a Genealogy?November 1, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | From Bad to WorseOctober 31, 2018
Reformation Day | 501 Years of Recounting God's FaithfulnessOctober 26, 2018
His Mercy Is More | Poem on Isaiah 1October 25, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | A Strange and Eventful JourneyOctober 19, 2018
2018 Pastors ConferenceOctober 19, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | Here I am, Send Someone ElseOctober 4, 2018
Church Picnic | 2018October 3, 2018
6th Anniversary Testimony | Gary & Susan DeGraideSeptember 27, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | Convincing a Reluctant LeaderSeptember 14, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Silence Is Broken"August 29, 2018
Discipleship Testimony | Vanessa AhoAugust 23, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Best and Worst of Times"August 23, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Adventure Begins"August 3, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "The Test of Prosperity"July 17, 2018
Sermon Quotes: "The Pilgrim's Passion"July 12, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "The Soundless Word and the Saving Word"July 5, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "The Presence of Wonder"June 28, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "Salvation Belongs to the Lord"June 21, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "Truly God Is Good"June 14, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Hope Realized"June 12, 2018
2018 Pastors College Testimony | Jon AlthoffMay 31, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Hope Deferred"May 17, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Dark Days"May 16, 2018
A Mother's Day Tribute | Jon & Hannah UnderhillMay 10, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Do You Measure Up?"April 26, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Divisive Person"April 16, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Symphony of Christ's Blessings"March 29, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Timely Reminder"March 22, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "One Thing Is Necessary"March 15, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "Look Both Ways"March 8, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "A Word to Young Men"February 23, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "Self-Control: An Unappreciated Virtue"February 15, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "The Difference Doctrine Makes"February 9, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "The Deadly Danger of False Teaching"February 2, 2018
Ethiopia Sendoff SundayFebruary 1, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Supporting Those We Send"January 18, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Leaders Who Commend the Gospel"January 12, 2018
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Zealous: Living to Commend the Gospel"December 21, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Simeon's Song"December 7, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Global Mission"November 30, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Revelation of God in Adoption"November 24, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Rehearsing Mercies"November 17, 2017
New Member Testimony | Reid WilliamsonNovember 16, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Singing In Sorrow"November 9, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Joyful Journey"November 2, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents: "Thriving In Trouble"October 26, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Sovereign Grace"October 19, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Postscript"October 18, 2017
5th Anniversary Sunday RecapOctober 12, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Unexpected Delight"September 28, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Resist Your Adversary"September 22, 2017
5 Years of God's Faithfulness | Part IIISeptember 21, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Because He Cares for You"September 20, 2017
5 Years of God's Faithfulness | Part IISeptember 13, 2017
5 Years of God's Faithfulness | Part 1September 7, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Theology of Suffering"August 31, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Gifted to Serve"August 24, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The End of the World"August 17, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Prepared to Suffer"August 11, 2017
Seth Mick | Why the Pastors College?August 3, 2017
Refugee Outreach Testimony | Bekah ScrufariAugust 3, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Empowered Will to Obey"July 27, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "An Underappreciated Passage"July 20, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "In the Presence of Your Enemies"July 13, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Face to Face"July 7, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Humble Husband"June 22, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Going Deeper"June 15, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Savior Like No Other"May 18, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A People for God's Possession"May 4, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Take Up and Read to Feel"April 27, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Peace That Empowers Mission"April 20, 2017
Testimony | Betty LaswellApril 20, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "The Surprise of Their Lives"March 30, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Our Marching Order"March 23, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Song of Forgiveness"March 16, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Something Strange and Wonderful"March 9, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Your Unusual Story"March 2, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Painful Yet Purposeful"February 23, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "What Hath God Wrought"February 16, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Meet the Readers"February 9, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Meet the Author"February 2, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Praying the Word"January 27, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Why Preaching"January 12, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for ParentsJanuary 5, 2017
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A New Year's Resolution"December 29, 2016
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Jesus' Birth"December 22, 2016
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Mary's Song"December 15, 2016
Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "Joseph's Story"