Parenting with a Purpose: "Getting to the Heart of the Matter"

By Dr. Rhonda Sneed

This book was birthed after seeing so many students come into my office day after day and tell me all kinds of horror stories about their home life. So this book is written to express the passion in my heart to bring forth a realization of Gods Word and His standard of parenting, a standard that never fails if used according to the way it was written and established. I hope to express that Gods Word is the only groundwork and foundation laid out for parents or caregivers to follow when raising children to be morally and righteously sound. Parenting is one of the most important roles that God designed for mankind, and it is time for us to take this role seriously. I want parents to know that Christian counseling is an essential tool that can be used to raise godly and biblically moral children. My ultimate desire is to educate, equip, and empower parents with the necessary tools to raise productive, educated, law-abiding, and God-fearing children. I would also like to leave the reader with the knowledge of how proper counseling and guidance can shape the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual nature of a child in a form that is pleasing to God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449745875

Dr. Rhonda Sneed

Dr. Rhonda E. Sneed is the founder and CEO of RS Counseling & Consultation Services and Restoring Souls Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit organization. She is an educator, counselor, child advocate, minister, and motivational speaker. She has a genuine love for helping others. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and biblical counseling, a master’s in educational administration, and a PhD in Christian counseling and psychology. Dr. Sneed is a board-certified Christian counselor. She and her husband, Rodney, are the proud parents of three children and a son-in-law, and they reside in Houston, Texas.

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Copyright © 2012 Dr. Rhonda Sneed

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Scriptures taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-4587-5 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-4586-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-4588-2 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906153

This book is written and dedicated in the loving memory of three strong women: my mother-in-law, Joyce Marie Brager, who was a living example of strength and perseverance; my granny, Lockett Blackshear, who went home to be with the Lord in February 2011 after walking on this earth for ninety-eight years; and my dear friend Dr. Linda G. Phipps, who encouraged me to pursue my dreams.

Contents

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

CHAPTER 2

Christian Counseling

The Roles of Christian Counseling

Christian Counseling versus Secular Counseling

School Counseling

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

CHAPTER 3

Family Structure

God and Family

Worldview

CHAPTER 4

I’m on My Own—Single Parenting

No Father in the Home

Hardships

How to Survive

CHAPTER 5

Parenting Hurdles

Media’s Effect on Children

Gender Identity Issues and Homosexuality

CHAPTER 6

Parenting Techniques from a

Christian Perspective

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PERSONAL PROFILE

PREFACE

This book was birthed after I saw so many students come into my office day after day and tell me all kinds of horror stories about their home lives. This book has been written to express the passion in my heart to bring forth a realization of God’s Word and His standard of parenting—a standard that never fails if used according to the way it is written and established. I hope to express to the reader that God’s Word is the only groundwork and foundation laid out for parents or caregivers to follow when raising children to be morally and righteously sound. Parenting is one of the most important roles God designed for mankind, and it is time for us to take this role seriously. I want parents to know that Christian counseling is an essential tool that can be used to raise godly and biblically moral children.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To God be the glory for the things He has done! Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him (Ps. 34:8). Thank You, God, for being my everything; there is nobody greater than You. Thank You for the continual favor, grace, and mercy You have bestowed on me, my family, and my friends. I truly believe the Scripture when it states, The steps of a good man are ordered by God, and He delights in his way (Ps. 37:23). Without You, absolutely nothing would be possible.

To my husband, Rodney, I love you dearly, and I thank you for always encouraging me to be a better me. To my children, Jasmine, Raven, and RJ, and my son-in-law, Marion, I am grateful to God for giving me the responsibility of being a parent to each one of you; always know that Momma loves you.

To my parents, James and Cherlyn Jeffery, I want to thank both of you for always being there for me. I love you both very much.

To my siblings, LaTanya, James Jr., and Tony, thanks for allowing me to be your big sister. It is my pleasure. I am proud of each one of you.

To my grandparents, Moses and Pauline Jeffery, who have been married for sixty five years, thank you for being good role models.

To my godmother, Velma, thank you for your unconditional love toward me. I love you very much.

To my Aunt Ruth, thank you for teaching me how to be an independent woman. I love you, girl.

To the gang, Greta, Val, and Anthony, we have come a long way from playing in the streets of Huffsmith. No limits!

To my aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, thank you all for your love and support throughout the years.

To my girls, who I can count on no matter what, Alesiette, Jewel, Lisa H., Loraine, Michelle, Phyllis, Suzette, Trena, and Yvette.

To Lisa B., my prayer warrior, coworker, but most of all my friend; thank you for being you!

To Cynthia and Terry, my prayer warriors, thanks for the sacrificial 5:00 a.m. prayer. Prayer really does change things!

To Elder Freddie L. Solomon and First Lady Earlene Solomon, thank you for giving me a solid foundation.

To Bishop Paul D. Landrew and Lady Cassie Landrew, thank you for making me a stronger, wiser, and better person.

I would also like to give special thanks to my Pastor John S. Pyles Sr. and Lady Cheryl Pyles for trusting the God who is in me and showering me with love, support, and prayers.

To Dr. Crook and the LBU family, I am thankful for your prayers, wisdom, and words of encouragement throughout the journey. Thank you for being so understanding when I needed it the most.

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

As a counselor, educator, and minister, I have witnessed the need for Christian counseling and its roles in mental health when compared to the standard level of secular counseling. The purpose of this book is to help readers establish a foundation of morals-based parenting through Christian counseling.

Biblically based parenting, with the support of Christian counseling, is a proven method for mental and spiritual therapy. In a world that has a how-to guide for just about everything, I have yet to find a how-to book that is more helpful than the Bible on parenting. As the world turns and spins out of control and children get caught in the confusion along with their parents, my intention in this book is to guide the reader through the steps of good parenting as it relates to the guidelines God has put forth instead of following the voices of human secularism. My hope is that parents will develop a God-based backbone when it comes to raising their children in a world system that sets up all kinds of snares to grab children’s hearts, minds, and souls.

Christian counseling, along with godly parenting, is vital in this world and its present-day reality of woes, trials, and tribulations. God’s Word is the ultimate guide to raising children who will not fall into the trap of wandering too far from His plan and purpose for their lives. As it says in the psalms, Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory (Ps. 73:23-24).

Biblical principles never fail if used in the way they are written and established. "I have