Our desire is to partner with parents in their efforts to equip children with an understanding of the truths of God's Word, the grace of the Gospel, and the character of God, so that they might worship the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Below are audio recordings from previous parenting classes at Four Oaks taught by our pastors, elders, and their wives.
Child dedications are a joyful yet solemn time for parents to publicly covenant with God to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. During a Sunday worship service, parents stand with their child before the church body and make commitments (along with the church members and leaders) to follow the Lord in discipling the child being dedicated. The dedication is done one family at a time to make it personal, meaningful, and convenient for family and friends coming from out of town. In order to dedicate your child, contact . to go over the dedication vows and plan the service.
by: Pastor Scott Stake Sat, March 20, 2010 - 9:00:26
This class is required for adults who would like to be baptized and focuses on the biblical, historical, and theological views of baptism. To download the audio from the class, click on the links below. Click here for the outline.
• Part 1.mp3
• Part 2.mp3
• Part 3.mp3
• Part 4.mp3
by: David & Kim Hughes and Tom & Janet Thacker Sun, November 15, 2009 - 11:00:27
On Saturday, November 14th, David & Kim Hughes and Tom & Janet Thacker taught on how to pass on our faith to the next generation.
by: Scott Stake Sat, September 12, 2009 - 8:57:35
This seminar for parents, teachers, fellowship group childcare workers, etc focused on teaching children to worship through the Word, song, and prayer. Click here for the outline.
by: Scott Stake Sun, May 17, 2009 - 2:41:48
Why is worshiping together with your children important? What does the Bible have to say about children in the worship service? What are some practical tips for making our worship time with children effective and honoring to the Lord? These and many other questions are addressed by Pastor Scott in this seminar, as we suspend elementary Sunday school and prepare for all elementary-aged children to be with us in the worship service this summer. Click here for an outline. Also, click here to purchase Parenting in the Pew, a book mentioned in this seminar.
by: Mike & Pru Sloderbeck and Skip & Lori Martin Sat, November 15, 2008 - 3:02:53
This panel discussion with the Martins and Sloderbecks covers a variety of topics, including relying upon God's grace to make up for the inadequacies in our parenting, making sacred the secular (bringing God into every area of life), being connected to the local church, and keeping the lines of communication open with your children.
by: Scott & Julia Stake Sat, April 26, 2008 - 2:59:25
Scott and Julia Stake elaborate upon each of the child dedication vows that parents make before the Lord on Child Dedication Sunday (and throughout our lives), particularly focusing on how the gospel should weave through every life commitment we make.
by: Mike & Pru Sloderbeck Sat, April 26, 2008 - 2:57:46
Using stewardship principles from the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Mike and Pru Sloderbeck teach us how to be good stewards of the incredible treasure God has entrusted to us as parents--our children.
by: Larry & Mary Shingler Sat, April 12, 2008 - 2:53:52
Larry and Mary Shingler explain the "Three-Legged Stool" of parenting: 1) faith in God while "living in the middle" 2) resting on God's promises of steadfast love 3) developing relationships with children that bond.
by: John & Pat Howard Sat, April 12, 2008 - 9:21:55
Psalm 127 says that children are a gift from the Lord. Based on this passage, John and Pat Howard challenge us to recognize God's ownership over our children and to raise them for His glory.
by: Kerry & Ginny Schoolfield Sat, November 04, 2006 - 3:32:59
What is a spiritual vision? What is the parents' role in God’s process of calling their children to Himself? Through scripture and personal stories, the Schoolfields discuss these issues in this session.
• Outline
• PowerPoint
• Part1.mp3
• Part2.mp3
by: Scott Stake Sat, November 17, 2007 - 2:30:25
This 4-part seminar explores the wondrous truths of the gospel and how to communicate them to children. Part 1 discusses false gospels and how they have pervaded the church. Part 2 examines the gospel through passages in both the Old and New Testaments. Part 3 is an exposition of Romans 3:19-28, which communicates the heart of the gospel. Part 4 then teaches us how we should communicate the gospel message to our children not just in a "gospel presentation" but in all of life. To get the session handouts, click here and here.
by: Scott & Julia Stake Sat, October 20, 2007 - 3:20:31
Why should we dedicate our children to the Lord? Why is it important to submit our lives (and our children’s lives) to the church and its leaders? In looking at I Samuel 1 and Luke 2:18-38, these and other important questions are answered.
by: Jim & Terry Dudley Sat, October 20, 2007 - 3:12:24
The Dudleys challenge us to examine our parenting and see whether it reflects a focus on behavior-control or pastoring and shepherding our children. Included in this discussion are barriers to pastoral parenting, as well as ways to shepherd our child's heart.
• Outline
• Shepherding Essay
• 25 Ways to Provoke Your Children to Anger
• Part1.mp3
by: John & Margaret Stewart Sat, May 12, 2007 - 3:25:09
The Stewarts teach on the importance of parents identifying the idols in their lives and how these idols impact training their children to be worshipers of God. Other “lessons learned” include the importance of prayer, the church community, and battling against worldly influences.
by: Kent & Jan Hamilton Sat, October 21, 2006 - 3:46:49
Looking for teachable moments, leading in family devotions, seeing spiritual markers, praying for your children—these and other topics are addressed by the Hamiltons.
• PowerPoint
• Part1.mp3
by: John & Christy Jacobs Sat, October 21, 2006 - 3:42:26
There is nothing more important than for your children to know that they are loved. Based on this principle, the Jacobs teach about what this love is, where it comes from, and how it should be experienced in our homes.