Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2023

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COUPLES / SERVICE football drills with their dad, but they know the game isn’t his first priority. They see how Tony serves his wife and children, how he patiently talks with fans and how he’s happy to share information about adoption and foster care with interested couples. Their mother also models service to others. The kids see what Lauren does for children in need. They watch her run races wearing Scriptureemblazoned T-shirts, looking for opportunities to tell others about Jesus. “As soon as we say we accept Christ, He could take us to heaven,” Tony says. “But I think He leaves us here to point other people to Him—to show people what it really means to live for Christ. And we have opportunities to do that every day that we don’t even think about.” Recognizing those opportunities to serve others in the name of Jesus is the point of Tony and Lauren’s latest book, Uncommon Influence: Saying yes to a purposeful life. “We can influence others on a daily basis,” Lauren adds. “We can influence people inside our home; we can influence people in the schools and the neighborhood and the community. It doesn’t have to be a big idea or a large platform. It can be just a small thing that influences others for the kingdom.” Most people don’t think they can have a significant impact on others, Tony says, but they’re wrong. “You do have influence, so let’s use that influence in the right way.” A large platform Tony and Lauren’s platform is significant. Tony led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl victory in 2007, the first such win for a black head coach. He was also the first NFL head coach to lead his teams to the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons. And his platform didn’t end when he retired from the NFL in 2009; he currently appears as an analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America.” As a couple, the Dungys are committed to using Tony’s fame and national Lauren and Tony Dungy with their children MARISSA MOSS PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF THE DUNGY FAMILY 22 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY APRIL / MAY 2023
SERVICE / COUPLES CREDIT TK Lauren and Tony often run 5K charity events together. “God gives everyone gifts. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t share them with others?” —Lauren Dungy platform to support faith-based causes. Whether Tony is speaking at the March for Life rally or defending Florida state legislation that helps nonprofits serving fathers, Tony makes it clear that he is serving the Lord. Together, the couple have adopted eight kids and have cared for several children in foster care, as well as having had three biological children. They continue being there for kids, even though Tony and Lauren are now in their 60s. Lauren also serves as the vice president of the Dungy Family Foundation and is a soughtafter speaker. Yet the same fame that led to a large platform also has its downsides. In an article for the nonprofit All Pro Dad, Tony wrote that when his oldest daughter was in middle school, she didn’t want to be in public with him because of people’s interruptions. Even now, moving through an airport can be an exercise in patience. “It’s not always convenient when someone wants to talk football, especially when you’re in a hurry to go somewhere,” Lauren says. “At times, you don’t want all eyes on you. But God has placed us in this arena where Tony is recognized just about everywhere we go. So we have to use that opportunity to point others to Christ.” A small platform Tony and Lauren emphasize that you don’t need a large platform to influence others for God as a couple. What you need, Lauren points out, is to be obedient when God places opportunities before you. “God gives everyone a platform,” Lauren says. “God gives everyone gifts. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t share them with others? Not everyone can sing; not everyone is artistic or is able to work with children. But we all have gifts, so we should use those gifts to build the body of Christ. I love it when people recognize and understand the gifts they have and then start using them.” Tony and Lauren’s influence in God’s kingdom isn’t confined to the national level or to when they’re together. For example, Lauren likes to go running with a group of other women in her community. “We decided that we’re a Christian running group,” she says, “and we want to bless everyone we come in contact with.” When the group is out on the trail, Lauren says, they pray for the people around them. “When people walk by and say, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ we invite them to join us, or we ask for prayer requests. We’ve never had anyone turn us down.” An opportunity to share Christ might be as small as a short conversation in a barber’s chair. Tony remembers five-minute discussions with people who encouraged him and Lauren at just the right time, as well as regular chats with his childhood barber that helped him grow. “He asked me how I was doing in church and what I learned in Sunday school. He taught me just as he was doing his job cutting my hair,” Tony recalls. Tony points to two passages as motivation for serving. Matthew 25:35-40 encourages us to serve others and provide care for the downtrodden. In doing so, we are serving Christ. He also draws inspiration from James 2:14-17, and the warning of sending people away with only a wish to be warm and well fed. “God gives us opportunities if we’re on the lookout for them,” Tony says. “There are very, very small things we can do.” >>> APRIL / MAY 2023 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY 23
Page 1 and 2: DISCERNING TRUTH AMONG THE LIES pag
Page 3 and 4: APRIL / MAY Contents Couples 13 PUR
Page 5 and 6: Hacks & Facts CLEVER IDEAS FOR SMAR
Page 7 and 8: RESURRECTION DAY / HACKS & FACTS sh
Page 9 and 10: PERSONAL INFORMATION / HACKS & FACT
Page 11 and 12: RENEWED HEARTS / HACKS & FACTS soot
Page 13 and 14: Couples pursuing prayer together A
Page 15 and 16: FAITH / COUPLES Two Hollywood stars
Page 17 and 18: Alexa with Kingston FAITH / COUPLES
Page 19 and 20: COMMUNICATION / COUPLES LISTEN NOW!
Page 21: SERVICE / COUPLES uncommon evangeli
Page 25 and 26: Faith & Inspiration just for kids T
Page 27 and 28: CREDIT TK FROM FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
Page 29 and 30: CREDIT TK FROM FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
Page 31 and 32: Continued on next page. CREDIT TK A
Page 33 and 34: Kids & Teens the Lamb of God An Eas
Page 35 and 36: BIBLICAL LITERACY / KIDS & TEENS My
Page 37 and 38: BIBLICAL LITERACY / KIDS & TEENS Go
Page 39 and 40: had not just learned biblical princ
Page 41 and 42: ADVOCACY / KIDS & TEENS I DIDN’T
Page 43 and 44: ADVOCACY / KIDS & TEENS Children do
Page 45 and 46: MEDIA DISCERNMENT / KIDS & TEENS IL
Page 47 and 48: Help with managing big emotions Tea

Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2023

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