Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2024

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Jean-Paul Beran is
president of <strong>Focus</strong> on
the Family Canada.
FREE VIDEO SERIES
FOR PARENTS
In this free seven-part
video series called
Praying Scripture Over
Your Children, author
Jodie Berndt will provide
you with practical tools
to create a stronger
habit of prayer for
your children.
<strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
PrayingScripture
AS PARENTS, we are constantly
thinking about our children’s basic needs—
this never goes away no matter how old
they are. Teaching the next generation the
importance of caring for their physical,
mental and emotional health have rightly
become widely talked about in our culture.
But what about their spiritual health?
How do we, as Christian parents, show
our children the beauty and wonder and
freedom that comes with a life surrendered
to our Saviour, Jesus Christ? As the
parents of two teenage girls, my wife, Susan, and I are always
making a conscious effort of having authentic, meaningful
conversations with our daughters while also demonstrating
our faith through our actions.
At times it can be challenging for Susan and me, and I will
admit, we could always use help with this area, too!
That’s why I’m so glad <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family Canada exists.
As you flip through this issue of the magazine, you’ll find
articles on this very topic. From getting your young children
ready to talk to God (page 16) to teaching teenagers the
value of a vibrant prayer life (page 18) to developing healthy
spiritual disciplines yourself (page 37), we want to help you
and your family build a rich spiritual life.
We also have a free video series with author Jodie Berndt
on this very topic. Praying Scripture Over Your Children
is a free seven-part video series that shows you how you
can use the prayers found in God’s Word as a roadmap for
guiding our children—whether they’re 5 or 35 years old!
Visit <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/PrayingScripture to start
watching today.
If you need more help on this topic, or you have something
else you’re navigating right now, remember we’re just
a click, email and phone call away. I invite you to visit our
website at <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca, email us at info@fotf.ca
or call our team at 1-800-661-9800. We’re here to help your
family thrive, no matter what you may be facing.
Blessings,
Jean-Paul Beran
a rich
spiritual life
JOSH YONG
president
Jim Daly
focus canada
president
Jean-Paul Beran
chief operating
officer
Ken Windebank
media publishing
director
Kevin Shirin
contributing
editors
Vance Fry
Marianne Hering
Jennifer Lonas
Jeff Masching
cover
photography
Guillaume Lechat
editorial director
Sheila Seifert
managing editor
Andrea Gutierrez
Thank you!
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family provides this magazine and
other resources through the generosity of friends
like you. <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/Donate
For a subscription, go to <strong>Focus</strong>OnTheFamily.ca/
Magazine.
<strong>Focus</strong> on the Family magazine April/May 2024, Vol. 9,
No. 2, ISSN 2471-5921, © 2024 <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family. All
rights reserved. Published by <strong>Focus</strong> on the Family, a
nonprofit organization recognized for tax-deductible
giving by the federal government. <strong>Focus</strong> on the
Family is a federally registered trademark of <strong>Focus</strong>
on the Family.
To notify us of an address change or to contact <strong>Focus</strong>
on the Family Canada: 1-800-661-9800;
19946 80A Ave, Langley, BC, V2Y 0J8; info@fotf.ca.
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are
from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV ® ).
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry
of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in
any publication made available to the public by a
Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be
translated in whole or in part into any other
language. ESV Text Edition: 2016.
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Printed in Canada
copy chief
Scott DeNicola
associate editors
Sarah Brickens
Faith Wismer
senior art director
Cary Bates
art director
Sally Dunn
designer
Julie Vieux
editorial assistant
Kat Bittner
print production
Gail Wise
circulation
Erika Lynch
focus canada
contributors
Laurisha Blackstock
Amanda Regan
Subby Szterszky
Amy Van Veen
4
APR / MAY 2024