Go first in marriage
Parenting was never meant to be a solo mission, yet our busy culture often squeezes out the very thing we need most: connection with others. This session explores the transformative power of authentic community and the danger of parenting in isolation. Whether you are a new parent feeling "marooned" while friends are out at dinner, or a parent of a teenager tempted to hide because your child is struggling, the invitation is the same—push past the awkwardness and find your village.
The speakers discuss the "5-Adult Rule"—the concept that every teenager needs five non-parent adults invested in their lives to provide wisdom, safety, and a different perspective. By "going first" into community, we aren't just finding support for ourselves; we are building a resource for our children. This session moves us from surface-level "chitchat" to honest, deep relationships where we can stop comparing and start collaborating, trusting that we are better together.
- Isolation is the Enemy – We often isolate when our kids struggle out of fear of judgment, but that is exactly when we need community the most.
- The 5-Adult Rule – Every child needs a circle of trusted adults beyond their parents to pour into their lives as they grow.
- Watch and Learn – Sometimes the most helpful part of community is simply watching other respected parents navigate their own imperfections and realizing you aren't "blowing it."
- Collaborate, Don’t Compare – Authentic community starts when we stop trying to look good and start being honest about the "messy" parts of family life.
- Which of your habits are your children learning from?
- Where do you struggle most in your own faith?
- What one step will you take this week?
- The speakers mentioned that we often isolate when our kids become teenagers because we feel their mistakes are a reflection of us. Have you ever felt the urge to "hide" your parenting struggles from others?
- Who are the "five adults" in your child's life right now? If that list is short, who is one person you trust that you could intentionally invite into your family’s world?
- How do you move a relationship from "surface-level chitchat" to a place where you can honestly say, "My kid is annoying me" or "I don't have this figured out"?
- Psalm 133 says it is "good and pleasant" when people live in unity. How would your stress levels change if you truly believed that you didn't have to parent alone?
All Sessions
“Father, open my heart to lead my family with the faith I claim to hold. Give me courage to be honest about my own journey with you, and wisdom to show my children what it means to surrender everything to your care.”