Excerpts from: What does the Bible teach us about bullying? From Neal Hardin

Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Bullying happens more frequently than you might think. According to the American Medical Association, by the time students finish school, nearly half of students have been bullied at one point or another.

What is Bullying?

Researchers who study bullying cite three common characteristics of what makes an act bullying:

· Bullying is intentional and tries to cause harm or distress to the victim.

· Bullying occurs between two students who have different degrees of power.

· Bullying happens repeatedly over a period of time.

There are three types of bullying that occur:

1. Physical: Hitting, kicking, spitting, tripping, pushing, breaking someone’s things, rude gestures

2. Verbal: Teasing, name-calling, threats, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting

3. Social: Leaving someone out of a group on purpose, telling others not to be friends with them, publicly embarrassing them, spreading gossip or rumors about someone.

How should Christians respond to bullying?

How does God call us to respond if we are being bullied or we see someone else being bullied?

1. If you see something, say something.

Reporting bullying to the proper authorities is one of the most important strategies we can use to prevent further bullying. Twenty-eight percent of students grades 6-12 say that they have been bullied at school. Yet only 20-30 percent of those who are bullied actually report when they are bullied.[5] As

How should Christians respond to bullying?

How does God call us to respond if we are being bullied or we see someone else being bullied?

1. If you see something, say something.

1. Reporting bullying to the proper authorities is one of the most important strategies we can use to prevent further bullying.

2. Twenty-eight percent of students grades 6-12 say that have been bullied at school. Yet only 20-30 percent of those who are bullied actually report when they are bullied.

** Something extremely important to remember is that it isn’t tattling to report bullying.

Understand who you are in Christ

You need to know that you are special to God and created in his image with

immeasurable worth and value. (Psalm 139:13-18)

it’s okay to stick up for yourself if you are bullied.

Sticking up for yourself may be difficult to do, but if you are able to stay calm and respond in a loving manner, then you have every right as an image-bearer of God to defend yourself and speak the truth. You are worth being defended.

Reach out to those being bullied

Lastly, we need to reach out to those being bullied. One of the best ways we can do this is to befriend them and invite them to hang out with us. Not only will this make them feel loved, accepted, and less alone, it also acts as a deterrent to bullying. Bullies are much less likely to pick on someone if they are in a group of friends than if they are alone.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: 7 Essentials For Grandparenting Your Grandchildren, from Focus On The Family

1. Understand Your Impact Potential

Grandpa or grandma, you are second only to parents in your potential to influence your grandkids spiritually.

If you haven’t thought about your impact potential before, you’re not alone. Many Christian grandparents are missing important opportunities because they haven’t seen the possibility—nor the responsibility—that grandchildren bring. We rightly see parents as first both in responsibility and potential to impact the spiritual growth of children.

2. Clarify Your Role

Whether we are one of six or by ourselves in this spiritual‐impact role, the mandate is clear: passing on faith to our grandkids is our duty before God! He commands us to teach two generations, not just one.

3. Model a Life of Goodness

If we have been obedient followers of Christ, it only makes sense that in the grandparent years, we are more like Him than we have ever been. Rather than becoming more cynical and cranky, we ought to become more gracious and godly. Doing so is vital: our children and grandchildren will largely base their impression of Jesus upon what we show Him to be through our daily lives. Don’t ever underestimate the fact that how you live your life will impact your grandkids. (Phil’s funeral)

4. Create Great Relationships With the Parents

Parents are the doorkeepers of the relationships with the grandkids, as they should be. But that relationship door sometimes slams in the face of grandparents. Divorce slams it. Political differences slam it. So do different spiritual paths. It’s slammed by wrong decisions, unkind words said in anger, or overreactions—sometimes by the parent, sometimes by the grandparent.

5. Balance Grace and Truth

We best represent Jesus to our families when we balance grace and truth. John 1:14 describes Him as “full of grace and truth.” It really means “full of grace and full of truth;” He was the complete embodiment of both.

6. Adapt to Your Grandkid’s World (This should sound familiar)

Last week when she came to visit, I told her, ‘if you can’t put your phone down, I’m taking you home!’ And a few minutes later, I caught her playing again—so I took her home.”

That grandma thought she was doing a good thing by being strict with her granddaughter, but I’m pretty certain she injured the relationship instead. You see, she wanted the little girl to enter “grandma world”—sit at the kitchen table, and talk over tea. What if she would have said instead, “Help me learn about this game that you like to play so much on your phone, and then afterward, let’s sit at the table and just talk?” The granddaughter would have felt honored, the relationship preserved, and the two of them would have enjoyed tea together There is no greater focus for the second half of life than that!

7. Find Your Greatest Life Purpose

There is no greater focus for the second half of life than that! Life’s greatest purpose is simple: to see our descendants in heaven.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: When Our Adult Children Walk Away From The Faith

By Pamela Henkelman of FamilyChristian.com

Parent Feelings When Their Children Turn From the Faith

• Grief
• Confusion
• Fear
• Relational Depression

Parents Should Prioritize:

• Love
• Empathy
• Open Communication
• Continue to be an Example
• Shame and Failure: Don't let shame paralyze you. It's important to address these feelings and remember that your child's choices are ultimately their own.
• Fear and Anxiety: It's natural to worry about your child's future and well-being, but try to channel that worry into prayer rather than letting it control you.

Parents Should Focus on Maintaining a Healthy Relationship:

• Pray for Your Child: Continue to pray for your child's spiritual journey, seeking God's guidance for both of you.
• Deepen Your Faith: Use this as an opportunity to deepen your own relationship with God and strengthen your faith.
• Seek Support: Connect with other parents who have experienced similar situations. Sharing experiences and finding support can be incredibly helpful.
• Live Your Faith: Continue to live your life according to your beliefs, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ.

Focus on Your Own Spiritual Growth:

• Pray for Your Child: Continue to pray for your child's spiritual journey, seeking God's guidance for both of you.
• Deepen Your Faith: Use this as an opportunity to deepen your own relationship with God and strengthen your faith.
• Seek Support: Connect with other parents who have experienced similar situations. Sharing experiences and finding support can be incredibly helpful.
• Live Your Faith: Continue to live your life according to your beliefs, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ.

Trust in God's Plan:

• God's Sovereignty: Remember that God is sovereign and has a plan for your child's life, even if it's not what you expected.
• Patience and Perseverance: Be patient and persistent in your prayers and love for your child. Trust that God is working.

Focus on the Future: Don't dwell on the past or allow bitterness to take root. Focus on the present and trust that God will guide you both.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Tips for Parenting Twins

Scripture: Genesis 25:22-26

The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.

Ohio has a special connection with twins. It’s the Twins Day Festival at Twinsburg, OH the first weekend of Aug. This year was the 50th Twins Day. Twins & multiples come from all over the world. It’s estimated that over 2000 twins and multiples came this year. So I thought it would be fun….

Facebook Comments

JULIE

Make sure each person's their own person. You have to share so much. I had my first birthday party alone at 21. First time I felt like my own person. I don't know what it is like to have older or younger siblings. Find something unique for each twin that you can celebrate them in. Also understand not all twins are super close. There are a lot of twins who don't have that super close bind. (Julie & her twin are not close. She said they had totally different personalities)

CHELSEY & NICOLE (SCOTT’S COUSINS)

Being twins definitely came with some unique dynamics. Growing up, there were times we were treated as a “set,” which could be fun but also made it important to carve out our own identities and space. As we got older, we naturally grew into our own personalities and interests, but still had that built-in support system of always having someone who understood. For parents of twins, we’d say: try to encourage individuality early on—different activities, different friends if they want, even just little things like letting them choose their own clothes. At the same time, don’t stress if they want to stick together—there’s a comfort in that bond too. And patience is huge, because raising two kids the same age is busy, but the upside is they always have each other.

Parenting Tips:

• Routines and Schedules: Establish consistent routines for feeding, sleeping, and playtime to help manage the demands of two babies.

Parenting Twins

• Parenting twins can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. Focus on developing routines, seeking support, and treating each child as an individual. Prioritize individual attention, encourage their unique interests, and communicate openly about their individual needs and development.

Practical Tips for Parenting Twins:

• Routines and Schedules: Establish consistent routines for feeding, sleeping, and playtime to help manage the demands of two babies.
• Individual Attention: Make an effort to spend quality one-on-one time with each child to foster their unique bond and sense of self. Children want fairness! More to come!
• Encourage Individuality: Recognize that each twin is unique, and support their individual interests and friendships. Get into their world
• Seek Support: Don't hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or support groups. Connecting with other parents of twins can provide valuable insights and emotional support.
• Communication and Open Dialogue: Encourage open communication with your twins about their feelings, development, and any comparisons they may be making with each other. NO COMPARISON
• Fairness vs. Equality: Understand that fairness doesn't always mean treating twins exactly the same. Focus on meeting their individual needs, even if it requires different approaches. Stay away from matching outfits

Celebrate Their Bond: Acknowledge the special

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Grandparents Parenting Their Grandchildren - Parenting for Faith

Proverbs 22:6

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Scott and Tom’s memories of their grandparents

3 Truths That Every Grandparent Should Know

1. You are influential – whether you know it or not

Think back to your childhood. Can you remember your grandparents? What is it about them that still influences you today? Although I have never seen them play, my grandad’s passion for Sheffield United means that they are still ‘my’ team. I feel attached to Camberwell in South London because my grandma lived there. And I still believe that roast lamb is the right dinner to serve for a family get together because my other grandma told me so! Children are shaped by their families, as they watch and learn, pick up some things and discard others.

Karl Pillemer, of Cornell University, reported that ‘as many as 9 out of 10 adult grandchildren feel their grandparents influenced their values and behaviors’. And the influence of grandparents isn’t just limited to value and behaviors. Other researchers have shown that grandparents are good for their grandchildren’s mental and emotional health, and help to improve resilience and encourage pro-social behavior and better peer relationships. It seems that simply by existing and being known, who you are and what you do influences your grandchildren.

2. Connection is key (relationship building )

Grandparents and grandchildren seem to be set up to connect well: there’s an expectation of love and interest from children which means that even if they regard every other grey-haired person on the planet as irrelevant, they do crave connection with their grey-haired grandparents. Grandparents will often talk about how overwhelming their love is for their grandchildren; how special they are and how they love them unconditionally.

Being in a close relationship with someone who loves you enables all sorts of good things: not just the pure enjoyment of each other’s company, but the freedom to be vulnerable, the courage to trust, and the willingness to learn from each other. We are ready to be influenced by people we trust and love and open to learn from their experiences and wisdom. So the closer you are to your grandchildren, the better positioned you will be to share all the good things you have with your grandchildren, including and meeting and knowing the God you love.

3. No-one said it would be easy – but God is able to work through every circumstance

No-one said it would be easy – and it rarely is! But God’s involved in all of it. His design has always been that grandparents are part of his design for helping grandchildren meet and know God – and that doesn’t change because your situation is less than ideal. He also knows what you can manage, and he won’t demand more of you than you are capable of – and he does have a plan. Be encouraged. Whatever it looks like on the outside, God’s not finished with your family yet. As you pray for your grandchildren and their families, keep asking God for your next step. He’s on the case!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: 5 People to Surround Yourself With

By Dan Orlovsky, on All Pro Dads.com

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

1. People Who Will Challenge You

We all spend time with like-minded people. It’s easy. It’s where we find comfort.

• Small groups are a boost in confidence
• It can be very helpful to hear another perspective on what you are thinking. It presents you with opportunities to analyze what you believe and why.

2. Someone Just Ahead of You in Life

It is vitally important to have someone more experienced than you are in your life. The value of this is priceless because you can go to them when life throws you a curve ball.

Being coachable is a very important part of having someone coach or mentor you in life.

3. Someone Just Behind You in Life

Finding someone to mentor and reaching out to them is very important for our growth.

4. An Encourager

We all have bad days, and maybe even bad seasons. That’s why we all need someone in our life to lift us up when things get hard. For me, that’s primarily my wife. But I also have great friends.

Paul writes about the gift of encouragement in Romans 12:8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

5. A Dreamer

Surround yourself with people who dreams of what could be. They’re inspiring and motivational.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Words We Shouldn’t Use, from Tom’s daily devotionals on Facebook

The words we say are very powerful. It’s amazing what happens when someone says a blessing over you. It is capable of lifting your spirits or encouraging you when you’re feeling down.

The words we use are also very reflective of what is going on in a person’s heart. Matthew 15:11 teaches, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Paul also mentions it in Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Later in Ephesians 5:4 Paul not only talks about no filthiness or foolishness coming out of our mouths, but that we should speak words of thanksgiving.

He writes, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

Proverbs also encourages us to bless others. In Proverbs 11:25 we read,

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Later Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Although there are more words we shouldn’t use, here is a short list of some very important ones.

“Liar” is a good example of a word that should not be used in family relationships, and specifically in parent- child relationships. Being called a liar can be hurtful and impact a loved one’s reputation. A better way to process what a child might have said is to say, “This doesn’t make sense to me”, or “That doesn’t sound accurate.”

Using the term “lazy" can be very derogatory, expressing a low opinion of someone. What appears as “laziness” might actually be influenced by factors such as mental health, burnout, or simply not finding a task sufficiently compelling. This would make it even more hurtful if you use the term lazy with an individual struggling with mental health or burnout conditions.

Calling someone “stupid” is a very condescending and insulting way to speak to someone, as if they were ignorant. Condescension is rude and patronizing. Treating someone with condescension is the opposite of treating them with respect.

Action Point:

What is the condition of your heart? How are you speaking to others?

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: 7 habits of men who have quietly lost their joy in life, according to psychology

by Isabella Chase | May 22, 2025 Posted on Global English Editing.com

There’s a subtle distinction between being content and truly joyful.

This divide often goes unnoticed, especially by those who’ve slowly, but surely, lost their zest for life. These men might seem fine on the surface, but beneath that veneer, their joy has faded into a mere memory.

Psychology gives us insights into these quiet transformations. And it’s crucial to identify them, not only in others but also in our own lives.

Understanding these seven habits can help us spot the signs and bring back the happiness that may have slipped away unnoticed.

In this article, we’ll explore the 7 habits of men who have quietly lost their joy in life, according to psychology. Get ready to dive deep into the human psyche and perhaps, find a path that leads back to joy.

1) The joyless routine

Life is full of routines. We get up, get ready, go to work, come home, and do it all over again. But when joy has begun to fade, these routines can become chains that bind men to a joyless existence.

These men often find themselves stuck in a cycle of repetition, where every day seems to blur into the next. They’re just going through the motions, without finding any real pleasure or satisfaction in what they do.

For men who have lost their joy in life, the present moment is often a place they’d rather escape from.

Recognizing this habit is the first step towards regaining the lost joy. Breaking free from monotonous routines and finding new and engaging activities can reignite the spark that once made life enjoyable.

2) Social withdrawal

I remember when my friend John started withdrawing from our social circle.

He was always the life of the party, but suddenly, he began declining invitations and spending more time alone. It was a slow change, hardly noticeable at first, but it eventually became a habit.

Social withdrawal is a common sign of decreased joy in life. This isolation can be self-imposed as an attempt to avoid feelings of discomfort or dissatisfaction.

But as Carl Jung once said, “Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself.”

In John’s case, he had lost the ability to share his feelings and connect with others on a deeper level. His joy had faded, replaced by a sense of detached loneliness.

If you notice this habit in yourself or in someone you care about, remember that reaching out and creating connections can be a powerful antidote to this isolation. Rekindling old friendships, starting new ones, or even seeking professional help can make a world of difference.

3) Disinterest in previously enjoyed activities

Have you ever found yourself losing interest in activities that once brought you immense joy? It’s a disconcerting feeling, one that creeps up on you without notice.

This is a common habit among men who have lost their joy in life. Activities that used to spark excitement now feel dull and uninteresting. The hobbies they used to love somehow lose their appeal.

For those experiencing this disinterest, it’s tough to see the beauty in the struggle when even their passions feel like chores.

If you fi

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.