You’ve seen the stories. Last week, Guidepost released a report on how Southern Baptist leaders mishandled allegations of sexual abuse. The Presbyterian Church in America also published a report on abuse, demonstrating that abuse doesn’t discriminate by denominational structures or theological convictions. In the face of these reports, Christians are grieving, and there are renewed calls for vigilance in how we recognize and respond to abuse within the church. 

But as we address abuse in churches, we must also talk soberly about abuse with our children, preparing them to recognize signs of danger as well as traits of godly leadership. This past week, biblical counselor and professor Jeremy Pierre wrote on how to raise discerning daughters who are wise to domestic abuse. “What our daughters need,” he says, “is not men blustering over their heads against other men, but rather men giving insights that help them actively discern a good man from a bad man.”

Pierre outlines five distinctions to help our daughters discern whether men are worthy of their attention (particularly for relationships that may lead to marriage). As a dad of teenage girls, this is counsel I need. With God’s help, I want to not only talk with my girls about these distinctions but also model these godly qualities in my own leadership. 

Prayerfully yours,