Book Review Family To Family: Leaving A Lasting Legacy (Turabian Cite)

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

 

 

Family to Family

 

 

Submitted to Dr. Gene Jefferies

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of

 

 

EVAN 525

Contemporary Evangelism

 

 

by

 

Shawn T. Hunt

October 4, 2014

 

 

 

Abstract

 

The book Family to Family is a concrete guide for the family that has lost connection with itself. The very purpose of the book as stated by the authors is to “discover God’s purpose for your family, develop a family mission statement, establish core values, make time for quality and quantity family time centered around God’s purposes, and equip you to lead your children to Christ and mentor them spiritually.”[footnoteRef:1] As the authors Pipes and Lee walk the readers though these areas they show us how to raise families that are centered on Christ and how parents can pass on their faith to their children and reverse the trend of them leaving the church upon turning eighteen. [1: Jerry Pipes and Victor Lee, Family to Family: Leaving a Lasting Legacy (Nashville: North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1999), 3.]

Family to Family begins with the life of the typical church going family that tries to do too much and is not connected to each other through Christ. The authors give the reader a weekly rundown of all the activities that this typical family has and shows how this is the cause of their disconnection with Christ. Pipes and Lee use data from the American Family Association to show that “Only 34 percent of America’s families eat one meal together each day.  The average father spends only eight to 10 minutes a day with his children, this includes meal times.”[footnoteRef:2] They also give us the alarming stats that only 12 percent of American families pray together. But they also give the reader seven steps for building a healthy Christian family; that God is all around your family, God wants a loving relationship with your family, God wants your family to be involved with His works, God speaks to your family through the Bible, prayer and church, Gods invitation requires faith and action, your family must make major adjustments to join God, and your family will come to know Him by obeying Him. [2: Ibid, 6]

Throughout the book the authors give sound advice on how to create a family mission statement, passing on faith to our children, and family evangelism. Pipes and Lee focus on mentoring children and providing them with seven key elements; modeling, be there, affirm them, pray with them and for them, be transparent, empower them, and make the Word of God central to what you do.

 

Concrete Response

The book Family to Family grabbed my attention starting in the very first chapter. As I read the first chapter Healthy Families I was reminded of what my family looked like a not even a year ago. This is a perfect example of what my family was prior to my wife and me seriously committing ourselves and our family to Christ. There was an event or activity every day; most of them had nothing to do with our church or for Gods glory. We were a pretty stressed out and tired family because my wife and I were going so fast and trying to let four kids be in every activity or sport they wanted to try. We were going to church each Sunday and serving in the AWANA program that our kids were participating in, but these were being overshadowed by the other five to seven activities. When you add in a chaotic work schedule that comes with being in the Army; we were a family that was completely disconnected from each other and from God. Being disconnected as a family and from God was evident in the actions and attitudes of three of our four children; disruptive, disrespectful and lacking of self-confidence were some of the character traits becoming evident.

My wife and I knew we had to find a way to redirect our family. And we knew the only way was by cutting out the things that really do not matter. First and foremost I had to reevaluate my Army career; sacrificing my family for a small chance of getting promoted was not something that I could continue. Because I knew this I stepped back in some areas at work that were consuming my time and energy. We also cut out all extra activities that are not church related; the energy and enthusiasm that once went to soccer and boy scouts are now used for church choir and plays. As a family we are using our time to serve and glorify God. And at the same time we are teaching our children; or as the authors call it passing the baton; what it really mean to be a follower of Christ.

 

Reflection

What I really didn’t like about this book is how it was written to be one size fits all. Just about every chapter or subject in the book was given one simple solution. If you look at chapter two Developing a Mission Statement there is nothing that talks about writing a mission statement that a young child would understand. There is a small section talking about writing one after your kids are older and starting late. I think it would have been beneficial to readers with younger kids to gain a perspective on how to reach a five year old with a mission statement.

I also did not care for some of the data and sources that were used in this book. For instance in chapter three the authors use Howard Hendricks as source on mentoring. Hendricks is quoted “the church’s primary task is to equip parents to be parents.”[footnoteRef:3] This is not something I would have thought I would have read in an evangelism class. The primary purpose of the church; it’s original sole purpose; is to spread the gospel of Jesus and to make disciples. Hendricks is also quoted “nine out of ten people come to Christ before they are twenty five.”[footnoteRef:4] I do not believe this is accurate now or when this book was written. Why do I say that it is not accurate? I am the youngest member of my accountability group, when this book was first writing in 1999 I was twenty seven and had not found Christ. Of the other five in my groups only one had come to Christ before he was twenty five. Even if we had four other members of our group, we still would not be at the ratio of nine out of ten that was quoted. [3: Ibid, 51] [4: Ibid, 51]

Over all I liked the book and it gave a good bit of information that parents can implement in their daily routines. But was I first pointed out there were too many instances of having a cookie cutter solution. It would be nice to another rewrite of this book that touched on multiple solutions to each chapter or topic.

 

Action

As I have already stated that are some very good points in this book that I plan on using and equipping my family. I feel very confident that my family has balanced our activities and are using our time to further the kingdom of God. But I am going to work on building mission statements for us and passing my love for Christ on to my children.

I really like the idea of having a mission statement for the family. This will keep us from bouncing around from one area in our life to another. The one and only area that we really focus on now is our church and our children’s education. One of the things I want to look at doing is writing multiple mission statements for our family. Why do I want multiple mission statements? There is a very good chance that none of my children will completely understand a mission statement that covers all the points of our life. My oldest is thirteen and she will probably understand most of the family mission statement, but after that we are talking about younger children. What I plan on doing is taking a week for my wife and I to reevaluate our family life and identify some our core strengths and our fundamental weaknesses. From there we will determine if there is a Biblical strength that is missing. From these I will write our family mission statement. Using the strengths to ensure we keep them in our family. Also I will use our weaknesses to find an avenue to establish a fix for them. And finally I will add what Biblical strength that we see is missing from our family. This mission statement will be the base for our family but it will not be the only one that we will use. I will then write a mission statement for my oldest daughter with her input; using the first mission statement as a starting point and adding to it based on what she feels she needs to work on also. Lastly I will rewrite the first mission statement for our three younger children. This rewrite will not take away from the original, but only put it into language that is more suited for a five to nine year old. As time goes on and we all grow with Christ, we will relook and possibly rewrite our mission statements based on what we feel is missing.

The next thing that I want to work based on what I learned from this book, is passing on to my love for Christ to my children. Now I have to say that all four of my children love Jesus, but their love is still the innocent love of a child. The love they have because they know Jesus is their protector and guide. I want to be able to show them as they get older that to truly love Christ is to love those around you and to serve those in need. This is something that our churches men’s ministry groups has been talking about and is looking to expand. I want to be able to pass the love I have for Jesus on to my children and to have them receive the love like I have from Him. The best way I think to do this is for my children to see love in action; to see me and my wife loving those through service. We already serve inside our church, but I want to get out of the walls and into the community. To do this I am bringing suggestions and ideas to the men’s ministry this weekend to get out in the community. I would like to host the homeless at our church once a week; so we can give them a safe place to sleep, food and the gospel. I want to get out in the community and help the underprivileged with repairs and cleaning around there homes; all the while preaching the gospel to them. Ideas like these and others to demonstrate the love that Jesus has for all will help me pass on the love I have for Jesus to my children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIBLOGRAPHY

Pipes, Jerry, and Victor Lee. Family to Family: Leaving a Lasting Legacy. Nashville: North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1999.

“Idiot Nation” Analysis

Overview of Project 1 – “Idiot Nation” Analysis

For this essay, you will be addressing several rhetorical elements in Michael Moore’s “Idiot Nation.” You should refer to the prompt itself for all of the details, but, in essence, you will identify and analyze the following:

· The author’s overall argument

· Three claims the author makes to support the argument

· At least one strategy used for each claim (with an explanation of why and how that strategy is utilized)

· A discussion of who the author’s audience is and how the author tries to connect with and influence that audience

Structure (Introduction)

Your introduction should have the following:

· A brief discussion about the topic that the article is addressing (in this case, the topic of education). What sort of problems have been coming up in the educational system?

· An introduction of the author and the text. Who is the author? You could even give a little background here (“award-winning director,” for example). What is the name of the text? How is the text connected to the topic you just mentioned?

· What is the author trying to accomplish with their text? What is the author’s argument?

· An overview/summary of the text.

· Your thesis statement, which tells your reader what you will be doing in this essay.

Structure (Body Paragraph – Claims, Evidence, and Strategies )

· Begin with a lead-in (transition) to the claim

· Introduce one of the supporting claims the author makes to back up his or her argument.

· Provide evidence for that claim by using a quote from the text. Remember, evidence must be specific – a specific person, place, event, etc. – not just a general statement.

· Then, explain what strategy is utilized to help make the claim more persuasive.

· Identify the strategy

· Give a quote showing and explaining HOW the strategy is utilized.

· Explain WHY the strategy is used – what is the author trying to accomplish?

 

 

 

 

Structure (Body Paragraph – Audience Context )

When discussing the audience, use the following questions as a guide:

· Who is the author’s intended audience? Try to get as specific as possible. In other words, don’t just say something general like “Americans” or “adults.” Think of what might be applicable: age, gender, race, education level, nationality, political views, etc.

· Provide proof (quotes) that the author is, in fact, addressing those specific groups. For example, what political party (Democrats or Republicans) does Moore write to? How do you know? Does he:

· Have a specific tone?

· Use a certain style of language?

· Address the audience directly?

· Try to relate to the audience?

· Why would the author pick such an audience to write to?

Conclusion

Your conclusion should recap the main ideas that you presented in your essay. Usually, it’s a good idea to give a 1-2 sentence overview of each of your body paragraphs (3-6 total sentences), and then conclude with a more general statement about the topic. Think of doing the opposite of your introduction. If your introduction starts off general and goes to specifics, then your conclusion should go from specific to general.

Things to Keep in Mind

When introducing a new paragraph, your transition should:

· Typically be at the beginning of the new paragraph or at the end of the previous paragraph.

· Connect the focus of the new paragraph to the previous one.

· Example: Say you’ve finished a paragraph about Moore’s discussion of politicians and are starting a new paragraph on his discussion of funding. What is the connection between politicians and funding?

· “Because of politicians’ lack of regard for education, many schools have been severely impacted by a lack of funding.” That could be a potential transition to use at the beginning of your new paragraph.

-Use strong verbs (avoid words like “uses,” “says,” “states,” “does”).

-Avoid dropped quotes (a quote that is its own sentence).

– Example: “I love football!” (dropped quote)

-Fixed: She exclaimed, “I love football!”

-If you end a sentence with a parenthetical citation, the period goes AFTER the parenthesis.

-Example: She declared, “I love football!” (5).

-Titles of short works (articles, chapters, poems, essays, etc.) go in quotation marks (“A Modest Proposal”). Titles of longer works (books, movies, etc.) go in italics (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone).

-The title of your essay needs to be strong, since it’s the first thing your reader will see. A typically strong format is as follows:

“Quote from text that relates to your topic”: Topic of your Essay

For example, look at the second page of “Idiot Nation.” We can use a quote from Moore from the paragraph in the middle of the page:

“A nation that should not be running the world”: A Rhetorical Analysis of Michael Moore’s “Idiot Nation”

This title is a lot stronger than something like “Essay 1” or “Moore Analysis.” The quote at the front presents a sense of urgency, which makes your analysis seem even more important. Also, your title lets your reader know what your essay is about (what text, whose text, and what kind of analysis). Try incorporating something similar (not word-for-word) for your essay title.

 

Please refer to the next page for a sample body paragraph for Moore’s “Idiot Nation.” You may NOT use this claim (and related evidence/strategies) for your essay.

 

Sample Paragraph for Essay 1 (Moore’s “Idiot Nation”)

This sample paragraph focuses on Moore’s claim about parents. Assume that the paragraph before this was on corporations – you’ll see a connection between corporations and parents in the transition in the very beginning.

In contrast with the rise of corporate funding, parental involvement in children’s education has decreased. Moore claims that parents are part of the problem with the current system since they often fail to prioritize their children’s academic success. He provides a specific example from his own childhood as proof by describing how he was presented with the opportunity to skip a grade, but his mother interfered: “I could hear my mother on the phone explaining to the Mother Superior that there was no way her little Michael was going to be attending class with kids bigger and older than him” (148).  Through this example, Moore establishes how his mother was more concerned about his social standing as the smallest child in class rather than his academic ambitions and accomplishments. While Moore’s mother was relieved by her son being spared from moving up a grade, Moore feels differently. His anger and frustration with this situation is indicative of pathos as he explains “my parents had it all wrong or those weren’t really my parents,” and “I was crushed” to show his disappointment in his mother’s priorities (149). Moore’s emotional reaction demonstrates how children can and do care a great deal about their education, yet it is the adults who play a part in holding them back. By showing this, Moore attempts to guilt misguided parents into becoming more involved in their children’s schooling and supporting—rather than repressing—their children’s academic mobility.

Rhetorical analysis of “Kid Kustomers” by Eric Schlosser

ALAMOUDI   1

 

Turki ALAMOUDI

Pro. Kathy L. Rowley

Eng 201

July 23, 14

Rhetorical analysis of “Kid Kustomers” by Eric Schlosser

In “kid kustomers,” Eric illustrates using various examples used by advertisers in targeting

children in business. He uses various quotations from other authors and experts to support their

facts to show the emotional position though variation of degrees. It is worth to note that, he

explores rhetorical strategy as a device to make readers accept his arguments.

To begin with, Schlosser’s “Kid Kustomers” outlines his facts in a systematic logical approach.

He explores this through explanation through use of transitional statements to take readers to thje

next point throughout the essay. The essay begins by elaborating why advertisers target children.

The visible transitional statement makes it clear that the motives of the advertisers are

straightforward from the excerpt he says, “Get kids to nag their parents and nag them well”

(223). The author goes ahead to explain how the advertisers uses different ways to know children

likes (224). Eric systematically elaborates how the advertisers succeed in their motives through

use of Internet. He finalizes by transitioning through making claims of the enomous increasing

importance of the social media mainly television and Internet as crucial approaches in

advertising (225).

Eric uses rhetorical approach in the kid customers through his survey findings from the journal

of the American Medical Association, through his findings he brings up James U. McNeal, that

 

 

is considered the leading authority on children advertising (223). After his business analysis, he

also uses psychological experts and the president of youth market System consulting besides the

author to show what kids want and buy (223). The rhetorical approach is also visible through his

focus on the rules of the advertisers through information got from federal investigations and the

federal trade commission laying emphasis on Michael pertschuk and the chairperson.

It is worth to note that Eric presents Pertschuks argument as a positive issue that need children to

be shielded away from advertising that takes advantage of their vulnerability; that clearly shows

the believes that the government planned about marketing in children (225). It is rhetorical to see

how men and women use emotional appeals but they latter rely on liberal move. In the article,

Schlosser infuses “kid customers”, all the way from the beginning. It is evident from the first

paragraph entails the tactics advertisers’ uses sweet names that are appealing to the children

hence their main target in their branding are children making them famous before finding a name

(222). From the second paragraph, he highlights the dangers of the advertisements from a study

that identified Joe Camel who is familiar as Mickey Mouse (223). He identifies the existing

difference between the two and a flashing sign is the available difference that provokes to an

emotional response. Additionally, he makes a citation from another study that found Budweiser

advertisement rated as the best kids, advertisement (223).

From the article, it is evident that Eric Schlosser applies rhetoric strategy through using words

that intestinally bring a negative light on the various activities of advertising companies on

children. From example from the passage “Market researchers analyze children’s artwork, hire

children to run focus groups, stage slumber parties and then question children into the night.

They send cultural anthropologists into homes, stores, fast food restaurants, and other places

 

 

where kids like to gather, quietly and surreptitiously observing the behavior of prospective

customers”. (224)

Eric uses phrases that create a real picture of various advertisers laying the children to answer

their questions and building spy on them for research. He uses the word “they” repeatedly to

bring the main fact through organizing, analyzing and staging. In addition they also send an

anthropological message besides, studying and fantasizing children lives and lastly, they apply

the research results in the advertisements with the design products (224). Eric points out the

findings on regarding the percentage of those advertisers who requested additional personal

information from the children. He explores that in the year 1998, 89 percent of the ad agencies

requested the information of parents (225).

He makes quotation basing on the McDonald’s website claiming him as the great authority, from

the quote “Today, with the children’s Online privacy Protection Act it is not visible, but to Eric,

he explores emotional implication but there was still no change as the advertisers continued

doing the wrongs even though they are barred. The choice of words that Eric uses has a pivotal

role in inciting emotional responses from his readers. Previously, there was a ban against

children advertising that was backed up by several groups that were made up of teachers, parents

and pediatricians, but unfortunately, other groups attacked it, concerning the broadcasting and

children’s product manufacturers (225).

Another rhetorical approach is the way Schlosser takes his pain to make arguments that the ban

was actually defeated immediately the FTC drooped in April 1981 after the president’s

inauguration (225). However, he fails to produce links about the information with the ban, but

 

 

through the statements, it is much easier to gauze that through the president’s election the policy

was reversed and FTC collapsed.

In the final paragraph of the article, Schlosser uses rhetorical approach by using an emotional

plea to enable the readers to make considerations regarding children market. He uses various

examples statically to show the magnitude of how advertising targets children besides the

information on the television and the much they watch television. He gives an erstimation

whereby thirty thousand programs are commercialized (226).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Schlosser, Eric. “Kid Kustomers.” 2001. Signs of Life in the U.S.A.: Readings on Popular

Culture for Writers. By Sonia Maasik and J. Fisher Solomon. 6th ed. New York, NY:

Bedford/St. Martins, 2009. 222-26. Print.

Professional Presentation Analysis: Assignment

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION ANALYSIS

DIMENSION EXEMPLARY ACCOMPLISHED DEVELOPING BEGINNING Content All project requirements

are met Student addresses content thoroughly

Assignment mostly follows requirements with a few oversights that do not impact its overall effectiveness

Assignment overlooks several requirements, impacting overall effectiveness

Requirements are largely missed Assignment is greatly affected and is not complete

20 points 14 points 11 points 5 points

Critical Thinking Assignment content is precise, in depth and well explained It is clear that all prompts were considered thoroughly before crafting the assignment.

Assignment contains basic explanations and support for requirements; however, the assignment could contain more specific detail to enhance its effectiveness

Assignment meets minimum expectations, but information given is largely superficial

Assignment contains surface information with no explanations and/or detail

30 points 24 points 19 points 15 points

Relevance Assignment content is directly related to course materials (books, videos, articles) and concepts

Assignment content is connected to course materials (books, videos, articles) and concepts; however, it is not explicitly stated or implied

Assignment content is loosely connected to course materials (books, videos, articles) and concepts, and is not explicitly stated or implied

Assignment content is only slightly connected to course materials (books, videos, articles) and concepts

30 points 24 points 19 points 15 points

Continued on next page ▼▼

 

 

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION ANALYSIS (CONT.)

DIMENSION EXEMPLARY ACCOMPLISHED DEVELOPING BEGINNING Mechanics Assignment

demonstrates exceptional command of grammar and mechanics with no errors Student excels at general sentence clarity

Assignment demonstrates solid awareness of grammar and mechanics with few errors Assignment delivers message in clear and effective sentences

Assignment demonstrates some awareness of grammar rules and mechanics, but several errors are noticeable Use of the Full Sail Writing Center is recommended

Assignment uses awkward or unclear sentence structure that interferes with meaning Assignment contains text-speak and/or excessive errors Use of the Full Sail Writing Center is highly recommended

5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points

Delivery The text is readable and clear Visual components enhance the main points of the presentation

The text is readable and clear Visual components support the main points of the presentation

The text is confusing Visual components do not always support the main points of the presentation

The text and visual components do not support the main points of the presentation

15 points 12 points 10 points 5 points

*Late submissions may result in a deduction of 10 points per day for up to three days.

 

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