Stepping Up - Volume 2, Number 4

“I will never fail you, I will never forsake you,” God
Hebrews 13:5

Welcome. Each month we feature practical information that you can use in your life and family. Please feel free to contact us with feedback, questions or comments via phone at: 1-888-5INSTEP or email: info@instepministries.com.

About InStep Ministries

We are a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources, support, counsel and encouragement to singles, single-parents and stepfamilies and to those who minister to them. Our passion is equipping people for life. Our mission is to provide resources and services that are practical, Biblical, relevant and affordable. To learn more about InStep, visit our website: www.instepministries.com

A Stepfamily Moment
Life Is A Test

In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes, “Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.”

Most people fail to realize that their stepfamily is both a test and a trust from God. God entrusts us with our stepfamily to teach us to trust Him, and for many of us, living with stepchildren is the greatest test of all. God watches how we interact and choose to love our stepchildren to test how trustworthy we are. Is the way you mange your stepfamily relationships preventing God from doing more in your life? Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” This scripture is often applied to finances, but we can also apply it to our stepchildren because we have been entrusted to love, protect, and care for them.

Life is a test and a trust, and the more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.

Question: What has happened to me in my stepfamily that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

Remember: Our days are numbered. Each day is an opportunity to love as if it is the last day of the world.

Three New Resources
Call 1-888-5INSTEP TO ORDER

How to Start and Lead a Stepfamily Support Group—a complete “how to” manual
How to Succeed as a Stepfamily—a small group study for stepfamilies
Second Chances—a small group study for couples considering remarriage

Remarriage-Stepfamily Coaching

Stepfamilies contact us from all parts of the country. To be more available, we are now providing coaching by phone. To find out more about coaching, call or email us.

A Singles Moment
Ready to Try Again?

Some steps involved

  • Getting your spiritual bearings
  • Figuring out your relationship patterns
  • Owning your stuff
  • Learning about what you need in a relationship (and how to articulate those needs)
  • Learning healthier relationship behaviors
  • Learning how to avoiding common dating and relationship pitfalls

Healthy Relationships Seminar

Dr. Parziale will be continuing his series, Developing Healthy Relationships. This series is sponsored by Equally Yoked Christian Singles, but is always open to the public.

Tucson Saturday, June 4, 2005; 10 AM to 1 PM; Address: 5515 E Grant #210-A
Phoenix Saturday, June 11, 2005; 10 AM to 1 PM; Address: 5125 N. 16th #C

You can also hear Dr. Parziale speak at Pantano Christian Church on the first and third Fridays at 7:00 PM.

For more information, call InStep at 520-721-0800.

Relationship Coaching

Singles can get coaching on a variety of subjects, including boundaries, goal-setting, changing relationship patterns, dealing with emotional and spiritual wounds and developing a healthier lifestyle.

Get Involved!

  • Join the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries (AMFM) and attend their conference in Scottsdale this August. Website: www.amfmconference.com
  • Tucson: Friday night Single Moms program, hosted by Pantano Christian Church-10355 E. 29th Call 520-298-5395. 6 PM. dinner, adults $3, kids free. Class at 7:00. Childcare provided from 6:30-9:30 PM.
  • Tucson: Stepcouple support group; 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. 7 PM, Ron and Jane Lowery, hosts, 6880 E. Hawthorne, 290-1094.
  • Tucson: Celebrate Recovery—Tuesdays at Casas Adobes Baptist and Fridays at Pantano Christian.
  • Tucson: Tucson Association of Evangelicals—May 12th, 11:30, Ist Evangelical Free

Upcoming Events

  • April 24th Scottsdale Bible Church—Stepfamily class; contact Matt and Melissa Lissey
  • September 9-10, 2005 Oklahoma City
  • May 24-26, 2005 NACC Conference, Corona, Calif. InStep exhibiting
  • August, 2005, AMFM Conference, Scottsdale, AZ; InStep presenting and exhibiting

Call 520-721-0800 or email us: info@instepministries.com
for details and updates on InStep activities.

Call 1-888-5INSTEP for coaching information or to order resources

If you enjoy this newsletter, please tell a friend. If you would like to start a support group or stepfamily ministry in your area, please contact us—we can help.

InStep is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit ministry. Donations are tax-deductible and always welcome.

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Instep Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit orgainization dedicated to serving the Christian community by providing practical, Biblical resources, support and counsel to single divorced and remairried individuals, their families and the churches who minister to them.