This Week at FBCG

Hey Parents,

Wanted to give you some info on a few events coming up this week:

This Saturday we have several things going on...our guys will be playing some Laser Adventure while our girls head to Sips and Strokes to get their paint on.  Both events are $25 which is more than we usually like to charge but we couldn't get around it this time, but as always don't let finances keep your student from coming.  Send them anyway and we'll take care of it no problem!   Both groups will meet at church at 10:00 AM and will  be back at 1:30 PM.  We also have a  shower for Josh and Lydia at the FLC from 2:00 - 4:00...they are registered at Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and Dillard's

Next Monday night, Jan 24th will be our first Man Movie Monday of the year....we'll be going to see Red Tails in Hendersonville and grabbing some grub at BWW before hand....time will be announced by Sunday!  We'd love to have both students and dads join us for a man night!

In February, we'll be having our GLO weekend on Feb 16-19.  The cost this year will be $30 and the best part is that your kids can bring their UNCHURCHED and LOST friends for FREE!  If your student wants to bring a friend to GLO and that student is actively involved in another church, we are asking them to pay the $30 attendance fee.  If you have any questions let me know, but online sign-ups will be up on the website by the end of this week!

Also, a thought for all of us on self-control.

Please Take Self-Control Seriously

There’s a strange-sounding passage written by an ancient writer thousands of years ago that says, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self control.”

The principle is sobering. If we are not careful, our homes can become like broken down cities that are vulnerable to a variety of dangerous elements that threaten the physical safety of those who live there. There are two things about self-control that are important for parents to remember:

1. The lack of self-control sets up your children for a shaky future.

Experts link the lack of self control to addiction, bad health, debt, procastination, eating disorders, and more. Duke University researches did a study following 1,000 children for 30 years, examining the effect of early self-control on health, wealth and public safety. The study implied that those with lower self-control experienced negative outcomes in all three areas, with greater rates of health issues like sexually transmitted infections, substance dependence, financial problems, and crime.

These results show that self-control can have a deep influence on a wide range of activities. In other words, the lack of self-control breaks down walls of protection and exposes you to things that can destroy your future.

2. Self-control can actually be learned.

One of the myths parents buy into is that you can’t teach self-control because it’s a part of how a child’s personality is wired. Most counselors agree that anyone can learn self-control. It’s not easy…it has to be intentionally and continually developed. But just like you would use your skill to build a wall back in places that are broken, you can build more self-control into your home.

You can affect how your kids learn self control when you

• implement the right structure and schedule.
• pursue moderation in how you eat, play video games, watch TV, use your computer.
• establish a system for homework and chores.
• instill healthy financial habits of giving and saving.
• create values in how you speak to each other and express frustrations.

Experts tend to agree that developing self-control is as much of a physical discipline as it is mental gymnastics. The problem is that it means we have to first be willing to make it personal. We have to confront areas in our lives where we lack self-control so we can be a better model to our kids.

This is where it hits home: it is easier to ignore the issue of self-control than it is to do something about it. This month, look for ways to build self-control into your own life and the lives of your children. You wouldn’t neglect fallen walls in your house or a damaged roof…be at least as attentive to the habits that are going to determine your kids’ futures.

If you have any questions please let me know!  Have a great Tuesday!

Jeff