Bloom Church Podcast Bloom Church

In parenting More is caught than taught.
1. Parents are responsible for helping their teen build a solid FOUNDATION.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV)
2. With a solid foundation, parents guide teens to discover their IDENTITY in Christ.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
 
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
 
3. Teens need more than just their parents, they need Godly MENTORS
One of the biggest factors to shape your identity is the voices you’re allowing to speak into you life.
TEENAGERS NEED SPIRITUAL MENTORS LIKE:
Parents Healthy Peers Small Group Leaders Pastors & Ministry Leaders  
4. Teens need to explore their identity in Christ and find PURPOSE in the context of spiritual mentors.
5. Teens need to see and experience God’s GRACE through you.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:3-4 NLT

'If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NLT
 
If you want to change the culture in your home, you have to change the way you communicate.
 
For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Matthew 12:34 NLT
 
'The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT
 
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:2 NLT
 
3 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR WORDS/TONGUES
 
1. THE TONGUE IS SMALL BUT POWERFUL
 
'We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches….
James 3:3-5 NLT
 
2.  THE TONGUE IS DIRECTIONAL
 
And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. James 3:4 NLT
 
3. THE TONGUE HAS A QUICK IMPACT
 
'In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. James 3:5 NLT
 
HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE IN A HEALTHY WAY?
 
STOP BEFORE YOU SPEAK  
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 NLT
 
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. Proverbs 17:27-28 NLT
 
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK  
T – is it True?
H – is it Helpful?
I – is it Inspiring?
N – is it Necessary?
K – is it Kind?
 
PRAY BEFORE YOU SPEAK  
Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. Psalms 141:3 NLT
 
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT
 
'Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT
 
FORGIVENESS IS NOT…
 
MAKING EXCUSES FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED
 
SOMETHING THE OTHER PERSON EARNS OR DESERVES
 
FORGETTING OR AVOIDING
 
INSTANT RESTORATION OF TRUST.
 
FORGIVENESS is the conscious choice to give up your right to make the other person pay because you trust God to make things right.
 
 
HOW DOES FORGIVENESS WORK IN A GODLY WAY?
 
1. We recognize forgiveness is a conviction, not a circumstance.
 
So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” Luke 17:3-4 NLT
 
2. We understand why forgiveness is so difficult.
 
REQUIRES EMOTIONAL ENERGY
 
REQUIRES UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS AND RISKY OUTCOMES
 
IT FEELS UNNATURAL
 
TAKES AWAY PERCEPTION OF CONTROL
 
3. WE FOCUS ONLY ON WHAT WE CAN CONTROL
 
'Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NLT
 
SO WHAT CAN I CONTROL?
 
1. PRAY FOR GODS HELP
 
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view…. 2 Corinthians 5:16 NLT
 
2. PRAY FOR THEM
 
You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  Matthew 5:43-44 NLT
 
3. DO THE OPPOSITE
 
Never pay

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT
 
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12 NLT
 
'For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:22-33 NLT
 
 
CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER
 
WHAT ARE THE THREE PRACTICAL WAYS TO CONNECT WITH MY HUSBAND
 
1. HAVE FUN WITH ME
 
“Come, my love, let us go out to the fields and spend the night among the wildflowers.” Song of Solomon 7:11 NLT
 
2. BE INTIMATE WITH ME
 
“Come, my love, let us go out to the fields and spend the night among the wildflowers.  Let us get up early and go to the vineyards to see if the grapevines have budded, if the blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love.” Song of Solomon 7:11-12 NLT
 
“Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.” Proverbs 5:18-19 NLT
 
3. RESPECT ME
 
…and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33 NLT
 
WHAT ARE THE THREE PRACTICAL WAYS TO CONNECT WITH MY WIFE
 
1. GIVE ME NONSEXUAL ATTENTION
 
You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19 NLT
 
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13 NIV
 
2. AFFIRM ME
 
How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O queenly maiden. Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a skilled craftsman. Your navel is perfectly formed like a goblet filled with mixed wine. Between your thighs lies a mound of wheat bordered with lilies. Your breasts are like two fawns, twin fawns of a gazelle. Your neck is as beautiful as an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the sparkling pools in Heshbon. Song of Solomon 7:1-4 NLT
 
'When a man finds a wife, he has found a treasure! For she is the gift of God to bring him joy and pleasure. Proverbs 18:22 TPT
 
WHAT YOU FOCUS ON YOU BECOME PASSIONATE ABOUT!
 
3. BE THE SPIRITUAL LEADER IN OUR HOME.
 
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. Ephesians 5:25-28 NLT
 
HOW DO WE GROW CLOSER TO EACH OTHER?
 
“The most important commandment is this…you must love the Lord your God with

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. ” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” Luke 4:18-21 NLT
 
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 NLT
 
'But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT
 
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News… Luke 4:18 NLT
 
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT
 
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT
 
…to bring Good News to the poor. Luke 4:18 NLT
 
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 ESV
 
HUMAN NATURE IS SELF-RELIANCE, BUT A DISCIPLES NATURE MUST BE SURRENDER
 
'He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.' John 3:30 NLT
 
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released… Luke 4:18 NLT
 
I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. Luke 5:32 NLT
 
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 ESV
 
For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23 NLT
 
'For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. ' 2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV
 
that the blind will see… Luke 4:18 NLT
 
“We are all under the same mental calamity; we have all forgotten our names. We have all forgotten what we really are.” G.K. Chesterton
 
Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Ecclesiastes 1:8-9 NLT
 
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke 3:21-22 NIV
 
IDENTITY - YOU ARE MY SON AFFECTION - WHOM I LOVE AFFIRMATION - WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED the oppressed will be set free… Luke 4:18 NLT
 
God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:5-7 NLT
 
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 NLT
 
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. Luke 4:19 NLT
 
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 ESV
 
He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
 
GOD IS EAGER TO SATISFY ALL THE SPIRITUAL CRAVING OF HIS CHILDREN BUT ONLY IN JESUS ARE WE FILLED AND SATISFIED!

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT
 
To win the world is to display the greatest love. God loved us so much that He gave! There is no greater love than to lay down your life for the well-being of others. The key to Joy is unconditional kindness to all people which is true compassion. The Great Commission is a command and the second judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) is a reality.
 
“We are not only going to be judged for what we have done. we are going to be judged by what we could have done.” -AW Tozer
 
LOVELESSNESS RESULTS FROM SELF-LOVE
 
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Matthew 9:36-37 NLT
 
But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.” Luke 19:41-42 NLT
 
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” Luke 15:25-32 NLT
 
“There are two kinds of Christians, spiritual and carnal. The experience of the two is vastly different. In the life of the spiritual Christian the power of the Lord Jesus is being lived out; sin does not have dominion because the indwelling Holy Spirit continually manifests the life of the Lord Jesus. The carnal Christian is a true believer, yet in him the self-life is dominant and sin still has the upper hand. Such a Christian is defeated and has not yet learned to let the spirit of God take control of his personality. The carnal life is one of continual defeat and struggle. There is neither peace nor power, Joy nor liberty. The spirit is bound and there is little evidence of the fruit of the spirit of God.” -Dwight Hervey Small
 
 
1. It is possible for one to assume the place and privileges of a son while refusing to love their brother.
 
His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. Luke 15:31 NLT
 
HUMILITY LEADS TO GRATITUDE, BUT PRIDE AND SELFISHNESS LEADS TO BITTERNESS
 
But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:14-16 NLT
 
2. It is possible for one to serve the father Faithfully while not being in fellowship with Him.
 
but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Luke 15:29 NLT
 
YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE WHY BEHIND THE WHAT IN YOUR SERVICE TO THE FATHER.
 
3. It is possible for one to be the heir of all his father's possessions yet to have less joy and Liberty than