Ephphatha Reformation Ministries

For every Christian man who is married, life's primary call is at home. A wise man is a faithful companion to his wife and a diligent mentor to his children.

The dual emphases of Ephphatha Reformation Ministries is Reformed Christian parenting and Reformed discipleship to Christ. Parents must first follow Christ in their own life, then lead their children to be His disciples as well.

The pattern of self-sacrifice inherent in mothering is profoundly significant and ironically yields the richest harvest of lasting satisfaction. A wise woman builds her home, knowing it yields eternal blessings for herself and her family.

Sociological research led by Christian Smith, composing the largest religious survey of American youth ever, and reported in his book Soul Searching, describes the most common religion among youth in America—and it is not Christianity. How did we lose a generation? Was it stolen, or did well-meaning parents and churches forfeit it? And how can we bring it back?

Discipline is often misunderstood in our day as means for merely modifying behavior. God wants more than outward conformity from us and our children; He wants our hearts and obedience that flows forth through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This session examines how we can shepherd our children’s hearts to live genuinely out of the grace of the Gospel, using the two primary means with which God has equipped parents: communication and the rod.

Parents are called to take the lead in the faith education and formation of their children, but the challenge must be met in the context of the church and with the partnership of the covenant community. Thus, the church must be affirmed and parents can be encouraged to know that they are not alone.

God’s call to parents is to “teach them diligently,” but not without continual prayer. Prayer is the believer’s admission of weakness and even helplessness before God. For parents that means continually entrusting themselves and their children to their heavenly Father “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” thus preparing them to recognize the blessing of God when they see faith and repentance in their children after years of instruction.