Build the village around your family
Life doesn't always go according to our plans. Whether it’s an unexpected job loss, a child struggling with debilitating anxiety, or the grief of a dream that didn't come true, we often face moments that threaten to crush our hope. This final session explores how parents can "go first" in hope—not as a sentimental wish, but as a grounded confidence that tomorrow will be better because God is in it.
The speakers get real about the "corners" we get backed into when every solution seems to fail. They discuss the "Science of Hope," defining it as the belief that we have a part to play (through prayer, surrender, or asking for help) while trusting God with the ultimate destiny of our families. By modeling authenticity in our weakest moments, we show our children that hope isn't about perfect outcomes, but about trusting a God who never forsakes us.
- Hope is a Muscle – Hope "begets" hope. It is developed over time as we see God’s faithfulness through various trials.
- Surrender over Control – We cannot control every outcome for our children, but we can control where we place our trust. Surrender is an active choice, not a passive defeat.
- Authentic Faith – Showing our children our moments of doubt and weakness is often more powerful than pretending to have all the answers. It makes our hope "real" to them.
- Waiting for Goodness – Even when a situation has reached a finality (like a loss or a "no"), hope remains confident that we will see God's goodness in the "land of the living."
- 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?
- Have you ever experienced a "hopeless" season where every door you knocked on seemed to stay closed? How did that season change your view of God?
- The speaker mentioned that being real about our fears is better than sounding like a "spiritual caricature." How can you be more authentic with your kids about your struggles this week?
- What is the difference between "wishing" for a better outcome and having "Biblical hope" in the midst of a hard situation?
- Psalm 27 tells us to "Wait for the Lord." Is there a situation in your family right now where you need to stop "fixing" and start "waiting" for God to move?
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.”