Once a month, Lori and Lee Ann will discuss complex topics regarding parenting and disciplining. Lori Wildenberg is a national speaker, a licensed parent-family educator of over 25 years, and an award-winning author of six Christian parenting books. Lori also leads the popular Moms Together Facebook Community Page and Group.

During this episode, Lori and Lee Ann delve into the aspects of parenting prodigal children, offering guidance to parents navigating these challenges with faith and grace. Lori shares her insights on the different types of prodigals, drawing parallels from biblical examples to provide a multi-dimensional understanding of wayward children and give hope to parents grappling with despair and hopelessness while raising prodigal children.

Key Takeaways:

• Reference to Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the lost son in the Bible.
  
• The importance of not overreacting to their behavior and choosing when to step in to pursue them or wait for them to return on their own.
  
• Encouragement to rediscover the “jewel” in your child’s heart.
  
• The five different types of prodigals:
  
  • The heart, soul, mind, body, and the reluctant.
    
  
  
• Biblical examples of each type of prodigal discussed: David, Aaron, Paul, the woman condemned, and Samson.
  
  • Prodigal of the heart – David (Psalm 51:10)
    
  • Prodigal of the soul – Aaron (John 8:12)
    
  • Prodigal of the mind – Paul (Philippians 4:8)
    
  • Prodigal of the body – the woman who was an adulteress (Romans 12:1)
    
  • The reluctant prodigal – Samson (Proverbs 8:13)
    
  
  
• The importance of praying for them and trusting in God’s transformative power.
  
• Emphasizing hope for parents with prodigal children, regardless of the duration of their absence.
  

Resources:

• Help! I Have a Prodigal, by Judy Slay.
  
• Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe, by Sharon James.
  
• Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home, by Lori Wildenberg.
  

Lori’s Website, Facebook, Moms Together Facebook, Moms Together Facebook Group, and Instagram.

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