Dear church,
What reason would you give why one should be willing to have children?
Theologian and Professor Stanley Hauerwas begins his Notre Dame marriage and family classes by posing this question, and the ensuing conversations offer much food for thought. What he’s hoping to draw out, in the end, is “The Moral Value of the Family” (which is the name of an article he later wrote). I encourage you to give some thought to this question, from the perspective of both a parent and a child (if you’re able) between now and Sunday morning.
We’re talking through the Fifth Commandment again this week, which says “Honor your Father and Mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 This week’s focus is the responsibilities that children have to their parents, parents have to their children, and children and parents have to one another.
It’s been a fascinating journey for me, and I’m excited for what God will do as we gather!
Also, please take a moment to read/watch the links below in preparation for Sunday’s gathering.
Pastor Char
https://covchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Theology-of-the-Child.pdf
*** Message notes can be found here.