You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Faith & Kids’ category.
By Anna Sklar (as posted on Living in the Moments)
I stood in front of the book table for at least an hour… searching for the “perfect” devotional books for my sons. I was torn between excitement at the MANY choices available and confusion as to which ones would be interesting to my boys. There was also some fear in my heart. Would I be ready for the questions my boys might ask? Did I have the discipline and drive to follow through with the ideas in these books? Would I be supportive as my sons learned how to live out their blossoming faith? Was I up for the challenge?
Peace finally settled over me as I realized I don’t have to be a perfect Christian to teach my children about God. As I stood there I gained more and more confidence, not in myself, but in the God who loves my children more than I ever could. Then I realized something amazing… I… can… learn… with… them.
When I had kids, my devotional time took a beating and I lost track for a while. Often times I would go for weeks, even months without doing personal devotions. But as soon as I opened my Bible or a devotional book, or stopped to REALLY pray, I knew God was there, He’d been waiting for me, He missed me, and He was glad to spend time with me. And as I started working devotions into my son’s lives, it became easier to return to my own devotions. Even if they were much shorter! There have been gaps where I’ve lost track again, but the point is not to give up and just keep coming back to it. God is waiting to meet with me and my family, and you and your family – no matter how long it’s been since we last met with Him.
I might fail—A LOT – as I try to find the best books, the best times and the right attitude for devotions in my family – for myself and my sons. The true test for me will be getting back up, brushing myself off, and trying again. All the while knowing I don’t have to be perfect, I just have to be willing.
God will be there as I read each page of the books with my sons. And if I forget or get sick or life just takes over sometimes, God will still be there when I remember, or get better, or get a handle on life again. My job is to simply keep turning the pages of the books, learn along with my children, and praying every time they ask me a question I don’t think I can answer!
To discover age-appropriate devotional resources for the children in your life visit the Faith at Home page on Anna’s Blog.
Has making time to read God’s Word become a practice in your home? Share your thoughts, frustrations, ideas, sweet moments, puzzling questions, resources, etc… Post a comment!
By Valerie Cressman (as a follow-up to her article “Can Kids Be Missionaries Too?” in the June/July 2009 issue of Deeper)
After being home from our family mission trip to Nicaragua for quite some time now, I have looked back on our past year and have wondered how we can make these same experiences relevant and attainable for all families despite their stage or circumstances. Here are a few basic foundations that this trip was based upon. I think all involved strongly believe that whether in Nicaragua or Ontario, the same principles and life lessons can be taught and experienced.
Prayer: consistent and constant
This was our life blood to all the preparations and expectations on everyone! Listening to our kids get more comfortable praying out loud to Jesus was something I will never forget! Towards the end of the trip we saw the kids drop everything in a stressful situation and present their requests to God.
Are we modeling that consistent and constant prayer life that is vital to our day to day life? Our children often repeat what they are seeing.
Sharpened Weapons: fresh and applicable
Don’t worry, I am only speaking of the Word of God! We specifically chose verses that dealt with all of our weaknesses and used them whenever we needed them. We even came up with a code word to use when one of us needed the extra encouragement before it got ugly.
How is our Scripture Memory? Do our own swords need sharpening? Are we sharing our “battle victories” with our families?
Focused Living: intentional decision making
I think we’d all agree that having a young family means that you are extremely busy! Marriage, children, and activities demand our time, energy & attention. Putting together a family mission statement that clearly states your family’s passions, priorities and purpose is a great filter when so much vies for your commitment.
Realistic Expectations: letting kids be kids!
While I am a firm believer in the saying “Expect much, receive much, expect little, receive little,” I feel that having realistic expectations is vital to the overall health and vitality of a child’s life. They don’t have the years of experience or maturity that we have, or the reasoning skills. And when planning ministry opportunities like helping out at a soup kitchen or traveling to a foreign country, it is really good to understand that kids will still be kids. They might spill a tray of food or carelessly flip over in a hammock and crack their head open…(true story). Plan activities that are geared to your own child’s uniqueness or gifting areas. Success in these types of things will lead to wanting to do more like it!
Are we looking for ways for our families to serve? Are we considering our own families’ uniqueness and gifts when we try to plan these service projects?
If you are interested in learning more about our trip to Nicaragua, we kept a blog that you are free to check out! www.bluewaterbaptist.ca/nicaragua/Welcome.html
Do you have other questions about this trip or how we went about planning it? Post a comment and ask away!
By Andi Hawkins (posted on her blog The Running Mama, April 2008)
God knows I love my boys.
I love my boys with painfully passionate longing.
I love them so much, in fact, that I find it hard to trust them to God. “God”, I say, “Here they are, the very marrow from my bones, the very beat of my heart, the very best of me. I lift them up to You to protect and nurture because you can do it better then me.” Then I don’t lift them up because my hands are white knuckling their small, vulnerable shoulders and I just can’t let go.
Someone told me once that when I feel the need to protect my kids, it is good to pray a special prayer for them instead. So, as I tuck them into bed at night I ask God to give them STRENGTH and give them WISDOM. Not to shield them from any harm or obstacle, but for the tools to overcome it.
How do you pray for your most sacred treasure?
Andi is the mother to Toby, 4, and Charlie, 1. When she is not wiping boogers she chronicles life with her young family on her blog, : “The Running Mama” www.andihawkins.com.
By Andi Hawkins (posted December 2008 on ithirstnw)
The flu. A very long, feverful, snot-tacular, crater in our late winter bliss. It was the reason for my son’s relentless presence beside me in Sunday morning service.
It started out as sober precaution. Just a temporary quarantine from church childcare, where influenza lives a life of germy luxury. When spring arrived, I happily marched my boys, Toby, 3, and Charlie, 6 months, back to the children’s check-in area, ready to enjoy service by myself. I passed Charlie over the counter without incident. Toby, however, staged a frantic coup by disintegrating into a puddle of anguish on the lobby floor. I should have scooped up the blubbering mess of him and poured it into the classroom where it belonged. Instead, I offered him a glazed donut and made him promise to whisper during the talking parts.
So, there I was in late May walking into the auditorium with my perpetual “pew” buddy flopping along behind me, his mouth crusted up from donut glaze.
I stood him up on a chair beside me and joined the chorus of “God of Heaven Come Down” with everyone else. I glanced over every now and then to make sure he wasn’t engaging anyone behind us with silly faces or peek-a-boo. He flashed an angelic grin.
When the communion tray went by he helped pass it along, but not before he spent a minute selecting the biggest cracker square for himself. Then he defiled the very blood of Christ by drinking his juice cup in three relishingly slow sips as if it were nothing more than a refreshment break.
Once communion was over we sat together quietly. His legs were straight out in front of him and only long enough for his two green flip-flops to hang over the seat’s edge on his chubby, wiggly feet.
“Toby,” I said, “Do you know that we eat those crackers and drink that juice to think about Jesus?” It was hard to hear over the loud music, but he looked at me when I spoke and I hoped that somehow he got a picture of why we come here on Sunday mornings.
The band launched into “Nothing but the Blood” in a groovy remix that had everyone in the room on their feet and singing loudly. Suddenly, my son, who has no grasp of abstract concepts like sin or sacrifice or redemption, raised one hand in the air, palm open in a gesture of worship, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do. I tried not to react because I wanted him to have the moment for himself, but I just couldn’t stop all the heaven inside me from bursting open in colorfully radiant pleasure.
I know he is only a little boy, but someday, he may see things in his heart that he wishes weren’t there. He may find himself lonely and afraid. I hope when that day comes, he’ll know just what to do.
Andi is the mother to Toby, 4, and Charlie, 1. When she is not wiping boogers she chronicles life with her young family on her blog, “The Running Mama” at www.andihawkins.com.
By Anna Sklar (posted February 2009 on Living in the Moments)
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Last time we looked at setting a solid foundation for our faith, now how do we share that faith with our children? Since our boys were tiny we’ve tried to “impress” our faith on our children. We’ve been given some wonderful devotional books and Bibles for the different ages and stages our boys have grown through. Breakfast or bedtime (or both!) are great connection points for faith in our family – and anytime throughout the day you are inspired to share something about God with your children! Whether it’s stories, activities, or thought-provoking questions – the idea is to make a consistent effort to teach our children about God. Keep the setting relaxed and fun, let kids ask questions and talk to you openly about their faith.
Here are a few resource ideas to help children know about Jesus and know Him as their Saviour:
Free online Bible lessons (or get them mailed to you) – with stories and questions for ages 4 to adult. www.ubdavid.org.
Free family devotionals and activities emailed to you each week – www.d6family.com/splink.
Family Game Time – Bible board games, trivia, online games – do an online search – there’s LOTS available!
Devotional Books & Bibles – There are so many available for all ages! The library has many Bible stories available too.
Keep it fresh and enjoy learning about faith as a family – you can have the greatest impact on your child’s eternal future – don’t let teachers and pastors have all the fun!
Great Resources:
By Anna Sklar (posted February 2009 on Living in the Moments)
The words of scripture found in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 have been EVERYWHERE for me lately! God is definitely working something out in my heart – to be more intentional about growing in my faith, and helping my sons have their own faith. I know this job can seem so big and intimidating at times, but the verses in Deuteronomy read out like an instruction manual – parenting advice straight from the Word of God!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5
Let’s start with a tough question, shall we? Here goes.. How’s your faith doing? The hard truth is that our children learn from our example. Don’t let that discourage you, instead let it encourage you to grow in your faith. This verse says we are to love God with ALL we are – that’s huge! Loving someone that intensely requires that you really know them. How can you get to know God?
By reading His Word – even one verse a day is a great beginning. Just open your Bible and start reading, have daily devotions emailed to you (www.proverbs31.org, www.christianwomentoday.com/devotions, www.girlfriendsingod.com/devotions), read through devotional books, or pick up a copy of the “Our Daily Bread” booklets.
By spending time with Him – pray, listen, open up the lines of communication. He’s there just waiting to meet with you, and you can talk to Him about ANYTHING!
By getting to know His people – pray that God will direct you to the friends He has waiting just for you.
Next time we’ll take a closer look at Deuteronomy 6:6-7. I’m looking forward to growing in faith with you, and learning how to share that faith with our children!
