An Uncommon Love

It has been our privilege over the past few weeks to lead two Bible studies from Mary Comm’s book, “Uncommon Love, a Bible study for parents of kids with same-sex attraction.”  Whilst both groups had a different dynamic, it was so encouraging to see the growth and change in the parents who have attended.  The study is a comprehensive evaluation of scripture, and how it speaks into the way we love our children well.  It helps you to have compassion for the journey your child has been on, it also helps you to focus on the spiritual battle, rather than the personal battle with your child, and it challenges you to recognise what God's doing in you yourself, as you navigate what the book calls your “new normal.”

Some very simple changes to our thinking have resulted in powerful testimony of how situations that may have been volatile in the past, actually passed by without comment.  Parents who may have really stressed about how to show compassion without compromising their faith, have been equipped to do just that.
 
Sadly, there are many Christian parents who, when confronted with their child's sexuality, have embraced an inclusive theology, either because of lack of their own theological understanding, or because they feel that loving their child well means compromising their own beliefs.  One great quote from the study is from Melody Beattie from her book “The language of letting go”, which says: “We do not lead others into the light by stepping into the darkness with them.”  This is so true, when a child comes out to you as gay or transgender, you cannot help them by hiding the truth from them, leaving your Christian beliefs behind and stepping into the darkness with them. But where do you go for helpful advice?  Look no further than these studies.

There are great challenges to us as parents in the current climate of liberal theology and sometimes it may seem so hard not to crumble and change our theology.  But when we recognise that we're not on our own, and that we do have a good Father in heaven, we can stand firm in our beliefs with no fear or shame.  Elisabeth Elliott puts it like this; “the secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”  It's so easy to compare ourselves with other families, but given the circumstances you've been dealt, recognising that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens you, quickly changes your perspective and gives you hope.

What is impossible with man is possible with God - Luke 18:27

if you are a Christian parent of a child in the LGBTQ community, or even if you have a family member or close friend in this community and you want to be a great witness to them, why not consider taking part in one of our new studies.

Starting in September 2023 we will be running three studies each week aimed at different time zones.  
 

1. Study one will be on a Monday at 8:00 PM Indian Standard Time most suitable for our Asian families but open to anyone (3:30 PM UK time).
2. Study two will be on a Wednesday at 7:00 PM UK Time most suitable for families in Europe or Africa, but again open to anyone.
3. Study three will be on a Wednesday at 6:45 PM Eastern Standard Time most suitable for families in the USA.

Please see our website for booking details