Reaching estranged kids & gender confused
Q:
My story is quite long and is much of a roller coaster ride. Many heartbreaking moments, but God isn’t finished with me yet.
I’m not near 3 of my children, but I’m reaching out here to see if anyone has any suggestions on a Bible that would be easy to read and follow but also talk about today’s issues geared towards teens .
One of my daughters is gender confused and quite rebellious. She’s turning 15 in a couple of days
...and I plan on sending her a bible and of course something else that she likes. I Have looked at the diff versions. Not sure what would be best. There are several on Amazon that are teen friendly but I don’t want it to be a version that dilutes the truth of Gods word. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
A: John MacArthur Study Bible is good. She could benefit from the related StudyBible.org app [since if you click on a verse it links to resources like FAQ and sermons on that topic].
Also has audio bible included as you read along 🌟👍.
There is an $5 option to download the study Bible notes 😀.
But idk how useful that will be for her until she gives her life to Christ. Instead you could give wisdom from it as you minister to her on important topics(?)
I do not know of any Bible that goes thru todays issues but...😀 i can share these resources and you can go thru them and then present them regularly as you go through it together/go thru it and discuss. Find additional Bible verses to pair in the convo in advance. So do prepare before you bring up any topic.
Try to get her "buy in" that she will agree to go thru these important topics with you even if it takes a full year or so to fully examine them, and for her to be open and consider and think about them after each conversation, even if it seems she doesnt agree with it or parts of it right now. And since your situation is as it is (with her far away, semi estranged etc) offer her a big reward at the end of it all. Let her pick the reward that is within your means to make it happen. If possible you could formalize it as a promise by putting it in writing, have her and you both sign it agreeing to the terms. It makes it a serious thing.
RESOURCES:
1. This has topics on feminism, its roots and what destruction it is doing today.
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2023/10/feminism-faq.html
2. This has topics specifically female related faq
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2022/11/bible-on-women.html
And books:
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2023/08/resources-believers-pg-1-b-books.html
*identity issues are linked here as well🙂
3. This has resources for youth and adults on varied topics
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2023/09/resources-believers-believers-growth-pg.html
4. This deals with "cultural issues" of today, [all btw spring from feminism of 1900s /1950s]
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2023/07/world-issues-note.html
5. This addresses gender Lgbt+ & faq 🤔
(which also sprang out of feminism and obviously demonic origins)
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2022/10/identity-crisis.html
This is a testimony of a former trans
And this has body image helps if applicable.
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2023/09/counseling-body-image-and-eating.html
And anger, pride, bitterness
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2023/01/help-with-anger-and-pride.html
And this on our "identity" in Christ 🙂
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2023/09/our-identity-in-christ.html
6. This is the gospel and would be good for her to go through it to have a clear understanding. NeedGod.com
7. This is a resource for new, weak and growing believers. You could go thru some of it with her, over time.
*Maybe after all the other stuff?
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2022/04/resources-believers.html
(This has a ton of info, heads up)
8. I def recommend getting her the books referenced in all these areas 👆👇for young women but also have her read the books for men such as masculinity for men, God's design for marriage etc, so she has a well rounded grasp on the whole thing not just a perception from just her female view.
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2023/08/counseling-men-be-men.html
9. You can also share this with her ⭐ (free good videos 👏👏) on Christianity and
✔buy the books for both of you....
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2022/08/ccc-investigate.html
10. Help my daughter is a teen
*This can help you also as you minister to her as a parent. 😊
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2023/01/help-my-daughters-teen.html
This has good parent videos
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUp3S56wWUpTd_XncDARWDC9F70DgdFPA&si=iQ0ebizhkeT3bZA1
11. If she has objections you can share these faq (one at a time) with her if she brings them up.
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2022/04/atheist-topic-faq.html
Look through everything briefly then poke around where you feel is best to start. 🙏
She seems to not have had the shade of being under the training up in the Lord by 2 godly parents on the righteous path and was allowed in public school &/or around worldly friends and influences which pulled her into Satan's path. At least you are trying "now". It might be a long hard spiritual fight to lead her to Christ and embracing biblical truth and biblical authority, but God works miracles. He can use this time to change and mature you along the way which is a blessing too. Just remain purposed to minister to her now & always as lovingly and educatingly as you can... without judgment. Not affirming but not judging; so the doors stay open for you to minister in her life, now & in the future.
Overall you will be planting seeds along the way and if she doesnt embrace it now or soon, one day God might bring her to her senses, and then you can both praise God and live a Christian life together as brethren in the Lord.
God bless you as you navigate this, minister to her and prayers that all the children be born again & heavenbound, and your earthly relationship also be restored and blessed.
PS. If any children are under 12 this can possibly help you find ideas to minister to them too.
http://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2023/08/talking-with-children.html
Additional ideas:
if they have a cellphone you can send daily verses age appropriate:
* from Scripture and Proverbs.
*Perhaps also send them a prayer of the day at night you prayed for them, that you had for them.
*Perhaps a daily short lunch "love note text" with a sticker emoji.
On Sunday send them an age appropriate video. Perhaps a superbook one from youtube for young children, a faq on Christianity one for 12 to 24 year olds.
* And when you start... let them know you are learning a lot about God, Christianity and the Bible so they can ask you any questions they have. [Utilize GotQuestions.org to send them a answer if you dont find one at the FAQ site above or the below playlists.]
Here's some good playlists you can grab a video link from for the older kids. Here & here And this answer page. pick the ones you think are most important to share first. Grab the direct link, even from a specific post.
Tip: you could create an Excel.xls file for what FAQ to share and in what order from those links. And create one tab per child.
Whatever routine you do pick to do, stick with it 💪. Even set an alarm on your phone to do it; plan some a bit in advance [saved to your phone notepad], so you have some already in the works 😊and then send it on time.
Bookmark this page so you can come back here regularly for these helps 😊
#ministering to children
#estranged parent ministering to children
#resources for parents
