Excerpts from: What does the Bible teach us about bullying? From Neal Hardin

Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Bullying happens more frequently than you might think. According to the American Medical Association, by the time students finish school, nearly half of students have been bullied at one point or another.

What is Bullying?

Researchers who study bullying cite three common characteristics of what makes an act bullying:

· Bullying is intentional and tries to cause harm or distress to the victim.

· Bullying occurs between two students who have different degrees of power.

· Bullying happens repeatedly over a period of time.

There are three types of bullying that occur:

1. Physical: Hitting, kicking, spitting, tripping, pushing, breaking someone’s things, rude gestures

2. Verbal: Teasing, name-calling, threats, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting

3. Social: Leaving someone out of a group on purpose, telling others not to be friends with them, publicly embarrassing them, spreading gossip or rumors about someone.

How should Christians respond to bullying?

How does God call us to respond if we are being bullied or we see someone else being bullied?

1. If you see something, say something.

Reporting bullying to the proper authorities is one of the most important strategies we can use to prevent further bullying. Twenty-eight percent of students grades 6-12 say that they have been bullied at school. Yet only 20-30 percent of those who are bullied actually report when they are bullied.[5] As

How should Christians respond to bullying?

How does God call us to respond if we are being bullied or we see someone else being bullied?

1. If you see something, say something.

1. Reporting bullying to the proper authorities is one of the most important strategies we can use to prevent further bullying.

2. Twenty-eight percent of students grades 6-12 say that have been bullied at school. Yet only 20-30 percent of those who are bullied actually report when they are bullied.

** Something extremely important to remember is that it isn’t tattling to report bullying.

Understand who you are in Christ

You need to know that you are special to God and created in his image with

immeasurable worth and value. (Psalm 139:13-18)

it’s okay to stick up for yourself if you are bullied.

Sticking up for yourself may be difficult to do, but if you are able to stay calm and respond in a loving manner, then you have every right as an image-bearer of God to defend yourself and speak the truth. You are worth being defended.

Reach out to those being bullied

Lastly, we need to reach out to those being bullied. One of the best ways we can do this is to befriend them and invite them to hang out with us. Not only will this make them feel loved, accepted, and less alone, it also acts as a deterrent to bullying. Bullies are much less likely to pick on someone if they are in a group of friends than if they are alone.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: 7 Essentials For Grandparenting Your Grandchildren, from Focus On The Family

1. Understand Your Impact Potential

Grandpa or grandma, you are second only to parents in your potential to influence your grandkids spiritually.

If you haven’t thought about your impact potential before, you’re not alone. Many Christian grandparents are missing important opportunities because they haven’t seen the possibility—nor the responsibility—that grandchildren bring. We rightly see parents as first both in responsibility and potential to impact the spiritual growth of children.

2. Clarify Your Role

Whether we are one of six or by ourselves in this spiritual‐impact role, the mandate is clear: passing on faith to our grandkids is our duty before God! He commands us to teach two generations, not just one.

3. Model a Life of Goodness

If we have been obedient followers of Christ, it only makes sense that in the grandparent years, we are more like Him than we have ever been. Rather than becoming more cynical and cranky, we ought to become more gracious and godly. Doing so is vital: our children and grandchildren will largely base their impression of Jesus upon what we show Him to be through our daily lives. Don’t ever underestimate the fact that how you live your life will impact your grandkids. (Phil’s funeral)

4. Create Great Relationships With the Parents

Parents are the doorkeepers of the relationships with the grandkids, as they should be. But that relationship door sometimes slams in the face of grandparents. Divorce slams it. Political differences slam it. So do different spiritual paths. It’s slammed by wrong decisions, unkind words said in anger, or overreactions—sometimes by the parent, sometimes by the grandparent.

5. Balance Grace and Truth

We best represent Jesus to our families when we balance grace and truth. John 1:14 describes Him as “full of grace and truth.” It really means “full of grace and full of truth;” He was the complete embodiment of both.

6. Adapt to Your Grandkid’s World (This should sound familiar)

Last week when she came to visit, I told her, ‘if you can’t put your phone down, I’m taking you home!’ And a few minutes later, I caught her playing again—so I took her home.”

That grandma thought she was doing a good thing by being strict with her granddaughter, but I’m pretty certain she injured the relationship instead. You see, she wanted the little girl to enter “grandma world”—sit at the kitchen table, and talk over tea. What if she would have said instead, “Help me learn about this game that you like to play so much on your phone, and then afterward, let’s sit at the table and just talk?” The granddaughter would have felt honored, the relationship preserved, and the two of them would have enjoyed tea together There is no greater focus for the second half of life than that!

7. Find Your Greatest Life Purpose

There is no greater focus for the second half of life than that! Life’s greatest purpose is simple: to see our descendants in heaven.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: When Our Adult Children Walk Away From The Faith

By Pamela Henkelman of FamilyChristian.com

Parent Feelings When Their Children Turn From the Faith

• Grief
• Confusion
• Fear
• Relational Depression

Parents Should Prioritize:

• Love
• Empathy
• Open Communication
• Continue to be an Example
• Shame and Failure: Don't let shame paralyze you. It's important to address these feelings and remember that your child's choices are ultimately their own.
• Fear and Anxiety: It's natural to worry about your child's future and well-being, but try to channel that worry into prayer rather than letting it control you.

Parents Should Focus on Maintaining a Healthy Relationship:

• Pray for Your Child: Continue to pray for your child's spiritual journey, seeking God's guidance for both of you.
• Deepen Your Faith: Use this as an opportunity to deepen your own relationship with God and strengthen your faith.
• Seek Support: Connect with other parents who have experienced similar situations. Sharing experiences and finding support can be incredibly helpful.
• Live Your Faith: Continue to live your life according to your beliefs, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ.

Focus on Your Own Spiritual Growth:

• Pray for Your Child: Continue to pray for your child's spiritual journey, seeking God's guidance for both of you.
• Deepen Your Faith: Use this as an opportunity to deepen your own relationship with God and strengthen your faith.
• Seek Support: Connect with other parents who have experienced similar situations. Sharing experiences and finding support can be incredibly helpful.
• Live Your Faith: Continue to live your life according to your beliefs, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ.

Trust in God's Plan:

• God's Sovereignty: Remember that God is sovereign and has a plan for your child's life, even if it's not what you expected.
• Patience and Perseverance: Be patient and persistent in your prayers and love for your child. Trust that God is working.

Focus on the Future: Don't dwell on the past or allow bitterness to take root. Focus on the present and trust that God will guide you both.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.