"I wish I knew how the early disciples lived day to day." This is a statement my wife has made several times and I would tend to agree with her. I personally wouldn't mind if the Bible gave us details as to how day-to-day life looked. Especially when it comes to juggling the priorities of raising a family. There are the responsibilities of earning a living. For many, this is quite significant in a challenging economy and one of the most expensive areas of the country. Then, of course, our kids. Loving, nursing, watching, providing, clothing, feeding, driving, listening, bathing, teaching, disciplining, arguing, disagreeing, instructing, correcting, encouraging, did I mention loving?! Significant energy, humility and heart required. There are significant moral challenges living in Boston. What is being taught in schools is incredibly troubling. A pro homosexual agenda, abortion, etc-and those who disagree are painted as discriminatory bigots. Parents are discouraged from speaking about Jesus or God and "imposing" our beliefs on others. Are my kids building great friendships with other kids? The right kids? How are my relationships with my son and daughter? Are we close? How did the early disciples do it? Some families were being severely persecuted. Some separated. House churches sometimes met in caves. Christians were being pursued by the authorities. Some were hungry and jobless. Yet clearly they were filled with love for God and one another. In fact, they were filled with enough contentment, faith and inspiration that the gospel was spread throughout the world and passed down through many generations. How did they live out their Christian faith in the first century and how should we live out our Christian faith today?

Let's Find the Answers Together!
A group of parents in the Greater Boston Region has been meeting together over the past few months to search for these answers. We believe God has been moving in our lives to bring these issues to our attention and his Spirit is at work to help us understand his will for our lives and the impact we can have on the church and the world. We also believe the Bible has answers! (2 Peter 1:3).

Here are some of the goals we have set.

1. Restore the Role of Fathers!
We agree that dads need lots of help! And that is okay because God has placed such a great responsibility on fathers-the privilege of leading their families. We want to help equip and encourage dads to be servant leaders in their home, to lead spiritually, to learn to connect to their wives and children, and to serve as a Christ-like example to not only their families, but also to their neighbours, peers, and workmates. We're all in this together and we are praying about and working towards ways to equip and encourage the men in our region to become strong spiritual men. We invite and call men to join us in times of teaching and encouragement and to take an active role in their families. role in their families.

2. Restore Titus 2 Teaching for Women!
The Bible recognizes and values the wisdom gleaned from those with years of experience as wives and mothers. These experiences can be good or bad, but wisdom is gained either way. The Bible commands the older women to encourage the younger women to love their husbands and children. What a blessing for both the teacher and the student! We would like to put out a call to the older, wiser, experienced women in our fellowship, You are needed, whether you are a mother of grown children out of the house, a single mother with older children, or even a mother of school-aged children who can help new mothers. As Christians we have much to give to one another, to help younger parents avoid mistakes made and to imitate the good of those who have gone before us. We as parents must not be deceived. We don't know what we are doing. We are both arrogant and shortsighted if we are not actively getting input and help from spiritual men and women who have gone before us.

3. Restore the Impact of the Family
Imagine our church filled with strong spiritual families. Families that can minister to other families. Families that consistently share their faith. Families that can offer support, love, comfort, and encouragement to everyone in the church-teens, college students and adults. Families that serve the poor and needy together. Families that offer a refuge for those who are broken and desperate spiritually and are seeking to know God. Families filled with faith, encouragement, and peace. Paul writes about the disciples leading "a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4).