Parenting: Love, Sex and Dating, with Connor Hall

"Prepare your child for the path, not the path for the child." — Tim Elmore.

Our job as parents is not to remove all the obstacles in the road, on the path. We can try and spend too much time trying to clear all the obstacles on the path, but in reality our role is to prepare our kids for the path.

It's up to us to teach, train, invest and equip our kids to navigate the path in front of them. This is discipleship. Discipleship is our job as parents. Helping our kids love God, develop a Biblical Worldview where God's Word is the filter by which they discern what's right, good and beneficial for them.

Today's episode is all about their identity in Christ, God's design for love, relationships and holiness. It's our job. We have to do our jobs and prepare our kids for the path.

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Opening Questions 

• Where are you winning this week?

• Last week we talked about having intentional conversations with your kids—did you get a chance to do that?

  • If so how did it go

  • If not, what got in the way?

• What's a funny or awkward dating story from your past?

Discussion Questions 

Scott says, "Prepare your child for the path not the path for your child." Where have you seen parents try to prepare the path for their child? 

Where have you seen parents try to "clear the path" for their kids?

• What are the long-term effects of that on a child's character, faith, or resilience?

• Which side do you naturally drift toward as a parent? 

Did your parents talk with you about dating, sex, or relationships growing up?

• What did they do well that you want to take and use?  

• If your parents didn't engage in these conversations, how did that impact you?  Where did you go to learn about love, sex and dating?

• What are some things that you want to do differently?

Connor mentions kids are hearing messages about sex and gender as early as 4th grade.

• Does that surprise you? Why or why not?

• If you're not the first voice speaking into your child's understanding of these topics, who is?

• What makes these conversations difficult to start and how can you overcome that?

Scott says, "Just because something is normal doesn't mean it's good."

• What are some "normal" views of dating and relationships in today's culture?

• Where do those clash with what you believe is healthy or biblical?

• How can you intentionally teach your kids a better vision?

Where have you seen this idea of a practice dating relationship? How can these be dangerous? 

Scott uses teaching our kids to learn how to swim as an illustration of what it should look like to teach them how to date. What do you think holds parents back from looking at the two the same way? 

Why is it important for a father to be involved in who his daughter dates?

• What fears, discomforts, or barriers keep men from stepping into that role?

• What does healthy, godly involvement actually look like?

How can you help your kids handle breakups in a healthy, God-honoring way?

• What mistakes do parents often make in those moments?

• How can a breakup become a moment of growth instead of just pain?

What is one takeaway from this episode that you want to apply to how you parent? How can you do it practically? 

Resource:

Single, Dating, Engage, Married:  Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age –Ben Stuart.

Wrap Up:

• If this podcast has encouraged you—we'd love to hear from you. 

• If you're wrestling with Christianity, interested in getting baptized or need help figuring out your next step…shoot us an email at lockerroom@southland.church.  

• As always…if this podcast has encouraged you—share it with a friend.  You never know how an episode like this can help those in your life that you care about.

• Thanks for listening.  Get after it!  We'll catch you next time on Locker Room.