This week on Locker Room we're kicking off a four-part series on parenting.

In this first episode we are looking at raising littles: from babies up through elementary. If you're a dad or a parent with little kids—you will find encouragement in our conversation today.

Next week we'll talk about raising teenagers (middle and high school) and we'll navigate some really relevant topics that are on the forefront of culture right now.

In week 3, we'll look at navigating parenting with smartphones and social media in a digital world.

Week 4, we'll talk about raising girls.

Our guests around the table today are from our Southland Children's team: Jason Byerly, Kelsi Collins, and Krista McCoy Tudor. Join us as we dive into the wild ride that is parenting littles!

Southland also has a Parenting Podcast that you can find at southland.church/podcasts or anywhere that you get your podcasts. Scott Nickell is leading that effort—it's a great podcast that's really encouraging for parents. You should check it out!

DISCUSSION GUIDE

What's the funniest story from your childhood or one of your kids? What were you like as a child?

What is a phrase you say over and over again? Whether to your kids or just in life.

Two truths were addressed at the beginning of the podcast: Parenting is the hardest job on the planet. There are no perfect parents, perfect children, or perfect families. Have you always believed this? Do you ever feel like you don't measure up because you compare yourself to other "perfect" people/families?

Have you ever volunteered to work with kids at church or other areas? Why is it valuable to have men who invest in the next generation?

Our nursery and preschool focus is there is a God who made you and loves you. Our elementary focus is Biblical literacy, apologetics, & spiritual practices. How does that compare to what you understood about God growing up? Why are these important foundations for our kids to learn?

Read Deuteronomy 6:5-9. It's the primary role of a parent to invest in the spiritual lives of their children. If you are a parent, how do you live out this passage? Is there anything you need to start doing and stop doing? If you are not a parent, how can you serve families who are trying to live out this commandment?

How were you disciplined as a child? How do you discipline as a parent? What was valuable from the podcast about discipline?

In what ways did you learn responsibility growing up? What is something you can do to help the next generation learn how to do hard things and build resilience?

What else from the podcast spoke to you?

What did God/Holy Spirit speak/prompt/say to you? What's God asking you to do? What does He want to give you? What does He want you to lay down?

NEXT STEPS

• Join a Group at southland.church/groups

• For any other questions or comments email [email protected]