Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Relationships in HD part 11 — Letters to Our Children (Father’s Day)
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Relationships in HD part 11 — Letters to Our Children (Father’s Day)
Relationships in HD — Letters to Our Children (Father’s Day)
Description:
On Father’s Day, Eric zooms in on one of our most sacred callings: being living letters of Jesus to our kids and the next generation. Before we ever talk parenting strategy, he goes straight to the foundation—reconciliation with God through Jesus. From 2 Corinthians 5, we see what it really means to be “in Christ”: rescued from sin and hell, made new, adopted, and kept forever by a God who cannot lie.
From there, Eric reminds us that our families are our first mission field. We’re not called to sacrifice our kids on the altar of ministry—or to worship them as little gods—but to model a faith that is real, humble, and dependent on grace. Our children (and the kids in our church) “read” us long before they understand a sermon; we are living epistles, showing them what Jesus is like in how we love, repent, forgive, correct, and prioritize.
With stories about Peter sinking and being rescued, kids coming to Christ, “Happy Birthday Jesus” gifts, Santa vs. grace, and the dangers of child-centered homes, this message calls moms, dads, grandparents, and spiritual parents to embrace their ministry of reconciliation—starting at home—and to help little hearts meet a big Savior.
Key Scriptures (NKJV):
John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:1–3; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8; Matthew 14:28–31; Titus 1:2; Genesis 22:1–18; Mark 10:13–16.
Highlights:
What it really means to be “saved”: rescued from sin, hell, and death, and made a new creation in Christ.
God as Father: not everyone is automatically a child of God—adoption comes through Jesus.
You are a “living letter”: your kids (and church kids) are learning what Jesus is like by watching you.
Family as first ministry: don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry—and don’t worship your children either.
Using the tools God gives: church, kids’ ministry, pastors, and mentors as allies in bringing children to Jesus.
Teaching grace at home: gifts as a picture of the gospel and why “Santa theology” (earn it) is the opposite of grace (receive it).
Hope for imperfect parents: when you fail, repentance and honesty become a powerful testimony of God’s mercy.
Next Steps:
Ask God to show you one child (yours or in your church) you can intentionally point to Jesus this week. Pray 2 Corinthians 5:20 over yourself as an “ambassador,” then choose one concrete way to model grace at home—an apology you need to make, a conversation about the gospel, or a simple act of undeserved kindness that reflects your Father’s heart.
View all episodes
By Emmanuel Hooksett
5
1111 ratings
Relationships in HD — Letters to Our Children (Father’s Day)
Description:
On Father’s Day, Eric zooms in on one of our most sacred callings: being living letters of Jesus to our kids and the next generation. Before we ever talk parenting strategy, he goes straight to the foundation—reconciliation with God through Jesus. From 2 Corinthians 5, we see what it really means to be “in Christ”: rescued from sin and hell, made new, adopted, and kept forever by a God who cannot lie.
From there, Eric reminds us that our families are our first mission field. We’re not called to sacrifice our kids on the altar of ministry—or to worship them as little gods—but to model a faith that is real, humble, and dependent on grace. Our children (and the kids in our church) “read” us long before they understand a sermon; we are living epistles, showing them what Jesus is like in how we love, repent, forgive, correct, and prioritize.
With stories about Peter sinking and being rescued, kids coming to Christ, “Happy Birthday Jesus” gifts, Santa vs. grace, and the dangers of child-centered homes, this message calls moms, dads, grandparents, and spiritual parents to embrace their ministry of reconciliation—starting at home—and to help little hearts meet a big Savior.
Key Scriptures (NKJV):
John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:1–3; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:8; Matthew 14:28–31; Titus 1:2; Genesis 22:1–18; Mark 10:13–16.
Highlights:
What it really means to be “saved”: rescued from sin, hell, and death, and made a new creation in Christ.
God as Father: not everyone is automatically a child of God—adoption comes through Jesus.
You are a “living letter”: your kids (and church kids) are learning what Jesus is like by watching you.
Family as first ministry: don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry—and don’t worship your children either.
Using the tools God gives: church, kids’ ministry, pastors, and mentors as allies in bringing children to Jesus.
Teaching grace at home: gifts as a picture of the gospel and why “Santa theology” (earn it) is the opposite of grace (receive it).
Hope for imperfect parents: when you fail, repentance and honesty become a powerful testimony of God’s mercy.
Next Steps:
Ask God to show you one child (yours or in your church) you can intentionally point to Jesus this week. Pray 2 Corinthians 5:20 over yourself as an “ambassador,” then choose one concrete way to model grace at home—an apology you need to make, a conversation about the gospel, or a simple act of undeserved kindness that reflects your Father’s heart.