Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving Workbook

By Charles R. Swindoll

Parents often find themselves suspended between snowcapped mountains of exhilaration and craggy chasms of desperation.

To be sure, parenting these days is a white-knuckle adventure?a scary roller coaster ride we only hope we can survive. Is there any hope at all that we can actually thrive as parents?

What an awesome privilege we have been given! What an opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with our heavenly Father! Such privilege and opportunity certainly demand more of us than we can give. We need help. Fortunately, help has arrived! Based on beloved pastor and teacher Chuch Swindoll's Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving, this workbook explores God's divine plan for successful families.

This inductive Bible study workbook will help you discover:

• The best-kept secret of wise parenting.
• Why kids move from resentment to rebellion.
• How to restore relationships after you've blown it.
• Parents' secret struggles and how to cope with them.

Whether you're doing these studies alone, with your family, or as part of a group, this workbook will equip you with Scripture-based tools to help transform your relationship with your children from a struggle to survive into a lifelong love that thrives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Dec 3, 2006
• ISBN: 9781418554750

Charles R. Swindoll

Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. Since 1998, he has served as the founding pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.

Book preview

Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving

Workbook

Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving

Workbook

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BASED ON THE BOOK BY

CHARLES R. SWINDOLL

Produced in association with CREATIVE MINISTRIES

Insight for Living

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PARENTING: FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING

WORKBOOK

Copyright © 2006 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

Original sermons, outlines, charts, and transcripts:

Copyright © 2004, 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

All rights reserved under international copyright conventions. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published by W Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Post Office Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214.

W Publishing Group books may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email [e-mail].

Published in association with Yates & Yates, LLP, Attorneys and Counselors, Orange, California.

Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked (MSG) are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations identified (NIV) are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. NIV and New International Version are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified (NET) are from The NET Bible ® Copyright © 2003 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (www.netbible.com)

Scripture quotations identified (NLT) are from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189 USA. All rights reserved.

Editorial Staff: Shady Oaks Studio, Bedford,TX 76022

Cover Design:Tobias’ Outerwear for Books

Front Cover Photo: © Master File

ISBN 1-4185-141-28

Printed in the United States

06 07 09 10 VG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

FROM THE BIBLE-TEACHING MINISTRY OF CHARLES R. SWINDOLL

Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the clear, practical teaching and application of God’s Word and His grace. A pastor at heart, Chuck has served as senior pastor to congregations in Texas, Massachusetts, and California. He currently pastors Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco,Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting, Insight for Living airs in major Christian radio markets around the world, reaching people groups in languages they can understand. Chuck’s extensive writing ministry has also served the body of Christ worldwide and his leadership as president and now chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry. Chuck and Cynthia, his partner in life and ministry, have four grown children and ten grandchildren.

Based on the original outlines, charts, and transcripts of Charles R. Swindoll’s sermons, the workbook text was developed and written by Mark Gaither, Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.

Contextual support material was provided by the Creative Ministries Department of Insight for Living.

Editor in Chief: Cynthia Swindoll, President, Insight for Living

Vice President and Theological Editor:Wayne Stiles, Th.M., D. Min., Dallas Theological Seminary

Director of Creative Ministries: Michael J. Svigel,Th.M., Ph.D. candidate, Dallas Theological Seminary

Content Editors: Brie Engeler, B.A., University Scholars, Baylor University

Amy LaFuria Snedaker, B.A., English, Rhodes College

Project Coordinator: Cari Harris, B.A., Journalism, Grand Canyon University

An effort has been made to locate sources and obtain permission where necessary for the quotations used in this book. In the event of any unintentional omission, a modification will gladly be incorporated in future printings.

PUBLICATIONS BY CHARLES R. SWINDOLL

BOOKS FOR ADULTS

Active Spirituality

Bedside Blessings

Behold . . .The Man!

The Bride

Come Before Winter

Compassion: Showing We Care in a Careless World

The Darkness and the Dawn

David: A Man of Passion and Destiny

Day by Day

Dear Graduate

Dropping Your Guard

Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility

Encourage Me

Esther: AWoman of Strength and Dignity

Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives

Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives Workbook

The Finishing Touch

Five Meaningful Minutes a Day

Flying Closer to the Flame

For Those Who Hurt

Getting Through the Tough Stuff

Getting Through the Tough StuffWorkbook

God’s Provision

The Grace Awakening

The Grace Awakening Devotional

The Grace Awakening Workbook

Great Attitudes!

Great Days with Great Lives

Growing Deep in the Christian Life

Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life

Growing Wise in Family Life

Hand Me Another Brick

Home:Where Life Makes Up Its Mind

Hope Again

Improving Your Serve

Intimacy with the Almighty

Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance

Job: Interactive Study Guide

Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness

Killing Giants, Pulling Thorns

Laugh Again

Leadership: Influence That Inspires

Living Above the Level of Mediocrity

Living Beyond the Daily Grind, Books I and II

The Living Insights Study Bible, general editor

Living on the Ragged Edge

Living on the Ragged Edge Workbook

Make Up Your Mind

Man to Man

Marriage: From Surviving to Thriving

Marriage:From Surviving to Thriving Workbook

Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication

The Mystery of God’sWill

Parenting:From Surviving to Thriving

Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit

The Quest for Character

Recovery:When Healing Takes Time

The Road to Armageddon

Sanctity of Life

Shedding Light on Our Dark Side

Simple Faith

Simple Trust

So, You Want to Be Like Christ?

So, You Want to Be Like Christ? Workbook

Starting Over

Start Where You Are

Strengthening Your Grip

Stress Fractures

Strike the Original Match

The Strong Family

Suddenly One Morning

Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations and Quotes

The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart

Three Steps Forward,Two Steps Back

Victory: A Winning Game Plan for Life

Why, God?

Wisdom for the Way

You and Your Child

MINIBOOKS

Abraham: A Model of Pioneer Faith

David: A Model of Pioneer Courage

Esther: A Model of Pioneer Independence

Moses: A Model of Pioneer Vision

Nehemiah: A Model of Pioneer Determination

BOOKLETS

Anger

Attitudes

Commitment

Dealing with Defiance

Demonism

Destiny

Divorce

Eternal Security

Forgiving and Forgetting

Fun Is Contagious!

God’s Will

Hope

Impossibilities

Integrity

Intimacy with the Almighty

Leisure

The Lonely Whine of the Top Dog

Make Your Dream Come True

Making the Weak Family Strong

Moral Purity

Peace . . . in Spite of Panic

Portrait of a Faithful Father

The Power of a Promise

Prayer

Reflections from the Heart—A Prayer Journal

Seeking the Shepherd’sHeart—A Prayer Journal

Sensuality

Stress

This Is NoTime for Wimps

Tongues

When Your Comfort Zone Gets the Squeeze

Woman

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Paw Paw Chuck’s Big Ideas in the Bible

Contents

A Letter from Chuck

How to Use This Workbook

Special Workbook Features

Lesson One

The Best-Kept Secret of Wise Parenting

Lesson Two

Understanding How Your Child Was Made

Lesson Three

Establishing a Life of Self-Control

Lesson Four

Cultivating a Life of Self-Worth

Lesson Five

Secret Struggles . . . Family Troubles

Lesson Six

From Resentment to Rebellion

Lesson Seven

Affirming and Encouraging Words to Parents

Lesson Eight

Confronting the Older Brother Attitudes

Lesson Nine

Increasing the Priority of Your Family

Lesson Ten:

Restoring Relationships After You’ve Blown It

Lesson Eleven:

When God’s Gift Comes Specially Wrapped

Lesson Twelve:

Final Words to Families Then and Now

How to Begin a Relationship with God

Notes

A Letter from Chuck

I’ll never forget the evening of September 4, 1961. It was the evening after Cynthia had given birth to our first child. As I drove home to our little apartment on the Dallas Seminary campus, I remember thinking how different the world now looked. Young, single men think they’re invincible. Young, married men begin to suspect they are not. Young fathers quickly discover how powerless they really are. That night, I shrank before the overwhelming task of parenting that lay ahead of me. Soon after I arrived home, I fell to my knees and begged the Lord, Please help me know how to be a dad. Cynthia’s never been a mom. We don’t know what we’re doing; so dear Father, please help us!

The answer to my prayer came quickly. (God loves to answer prayers of utter helplessness.) Cynthia and I turned to Scripture first and began our long journey of discovery. I soon learned that Dr. Howard Hendricks had developed a course called The Christian Home, which offered perspectives I had never considered. I took that course and it changed everything for us. I began to apply my newly-acquired Hebrew skills to classic parenting passages from the Old Testament. What I learned in that process became the core principles that guided the rearing of our four children. We made mistakes along the way, of course, and our approach was not even near perfect, but we never felt abandoned by the Lord. We merely hoped our children would survive our parenting process, but to our surprise and delight they actually thrived when we were faithful to apply the Lord’s principles.

What you hold in your hands is a carefully guided study of the same Scripture passages I first examined in the 1960s. As you work through the lessons, carefully consider each question, scrutinize each portion of God’s Word, look for the Lord’s directives and declarations, and pray for wisdom as you practically apply what you learn. I’m confident you will discover, as Cynthia and I did, that the truths contained in the Bible are not only timeless and helpful, but they are indispensable for a child to go from surviving their formative years to thriving as they reach adulthood.

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Charles R. Swindoll

How to Use This Workbook

As parents, we often find ourselves suspended between snowcapped mountains of wonder and exhilaration and craggy chasms of self-doubt and desperation.To be sure, parenting is an adventure and—to borrow a slogan from the Peace Corps—it’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.What an incredible privilege we have been given! What an opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with our heavenly Father! Such privilege and opportunity certainly demand more of us than we can give . . . at present. We need help.

The goal of this workbook is simple: to provide you with encouragement, biblical principles, application, and practical insights that will help you discover what God intends for you and your family. It may serve as a tool for personal devotions or as a guide to help families interact with Scripture as it relates to parenting. Leader helps and straightforward outlines also make this an ideal resource for small-group studies and church curriculum.

A brief introduction to its structure will help you get the most from your study.

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THE HEART OF THE MATTER highlights the main idea of the lesson and summarizes the corresponding chapter in the Parenting: From Surviving to Thriving hardcover book. The lesson itself is composed of three main teaching sections—You Are Here, Discovering the Way, and Starting Your Journey. Take a moment to flip through the first chapter of the workbook and become familiar with these three main sections found in every chapter.

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YOU ARE HERE includes an introduction and thought-provoking questions to orient you to the material covered in the chapter. Groups should plan to spend ten to fifteen minutes in this section.

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DISCOVERING THE WAY explores the principles of Scripture through observation and interpretation of key passages, demonstrating the relevance of the Bible to modern life. Parallel passages and additional questions supplement the key Scriptures for more in-depth study. The questions in this workbook were based on the New American Standard Bible (1995 update), but you can use whichever Scripture translation you prefer. This section should require twenty to thirty minutes of group time.

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STARTING YOUR JOURNEY focuses on specific, activity-oriented applications to help

Reviews for Parenting

[Domoina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So helpful in my parenting journey. I have learnt more to depend in God's grace and mercy.