Generally, hopefully, as you gather your family around a delicious family Thanksgiving meal, there is some talk about things you are thankful for. I encourage you this Thursday to take advantage of that time to share the gospel with your children.
The most precious gift we've ever received is the gift of our salvation and that is what we should daily be most thankful for. When talking with your children about the things you are thankful for, tell them that you are thankful that God, in His mercy, gave us Jesus to die to pay the price for our sins. Tell them that you are thankful that God gave us a way to be made right again even though we are so full of sin. Explain that God gave us Jesus to take all of our sins on Himself on the cross and that if we love and trust Jesus and accept His gift of death on the cross for our sins, we can be made right before God.
Don't neglect to express joyful gratitude over your salvation this Thanksgiving and in doing so share with your children the most important message in the world!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Follow-up: Daniel
Story: Daniel and the lion’s den
Fundamental Truth: We Can Talk with God
Making it Real:
Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for refusing to pray to King Darius instead of to his God, the One, true God. We don’t have a king, and our president probably wouldn’t make a rule like that, but how might we be tempted to put something above God or worship something before God?
When we put anything, a person, a possession, a skill or a hobby before God, we are neglecting to worship Him like we should. King Darius made a rule that said his people could only pray to him. He was trying to be the most powerful thing in their lives. Nothing and no one is or ever can be more powerful than God. When we are loving God like we should, we remember that it is to Him only that we pray and it is Him more than anyone or anything else that we love.
Making it Stick:
Daniel was committed to praying 3 times a day. Sit down with your child and draw up a schedule for the week. Schedule 3 times to pray each day and schedule what you will pray for each time. Each morning you can pray for family, each afternoon for friends, and each evening for the church. Or you can pray for 3 individuals each day. You can pray praise in the morning, thanksgiving in the afternoon, and intercession at night. Whichever way you want to schedule your prayers, make them intentional throughout the week so that you and your child have a glimpse of Daniel’s discipline in and commitment to prayer.
Fundamental Truth: We Can Talk with God
Making it Real:
Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for refusing to pray to King Darius instead of to his God, the One, true God. We don’t have a king, and our president probably wouldn’t make a rule like that, but how might we be tempted to put something above God or worship something before God?
When we put anything, a person, a possession, a skill or a hobby before God, we are neglecting to worship Him like we should. King Darius made a rule that said his people could only pray to him. He was trying to be the most powerful thing in their lives. Nothing and no one is or ever can be more powerful than God. When we are loving God like we should, we remember that it is to Him only that we pray and it is Him more than anyone or anything else that we love.
Making it Stick:
Daniel was committed to praying 3 times a day. Sit down with your child and draw up a schedule for the week. Schedule 3 times to pray each day and schedule what you will pray for each time. Each morning you can pray for family, each afternoon for friends, and each evening for the church. Or you can pray for 3 individuals each day. You can pray praise in the morning, thanksgiving in the afternoon, and intercession at night. Whichever way you want to schedule your prayers, make them intentional throughout the week so that you and your child have a glimpse of Daniel’s discipline in and commitment to prayer.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Advent & Traditions
Advent is the season preparation, of expectation. The month preceding Christmas is a time of excitement and anticipation. Under what better circumstances can you initiate traditions and customs into your family that both celebrate and teach your child to value the birth of Christ?
When a child notices something out of the ordinary – an advent wreath, Scripture hung on the wall, a story told over a candlelit dinner – a parent has a unique and engaging opening to tell about the story of Christ. Establishing traditions with your family that will cause your child to take notice and ask questions is a powerful way to gain a hearing, and not just an obligatory ear, but a curious inclination to know and understand the reason behind new practices and activities. Anytime we can peak a child’s interest for spiritual things, we want to take that opportunity. This Advent season, I encourage you as a family to establish a new tradition that is rooted in the gospel story and will be an engaging exercise for your children and provide you as parents with the opportunity to worship as a family and to share with your child the reason behind the celebration and reverence of the holiday season.
Possible new traditions:
- Sunday night Advent story – each Sunday preceding Advent, gather as family to retell in part or in whole the Christmas story. Give 1 small gift a week.
- Carol Songs – sing traditional Christmas carols with your children before bedtime, but explain the words and meaning of the songs. Choose songs that talk about the birth of Christ and worship of Him.
- Nativity Scenes – make a new Nativity scene every year out of paper, cookies, clay, etc. Use this time as an opportunity to retell the Christmas story.
- Christmas Invitation – make an invitation inviting a friend, neighbor or family member either to Church or to a special family dinner. Include part of the Christmas story on the invitation. Deliver it by hand and retell all of the Christmas story to the recipient.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
New Music
Andrew Peterson is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists and I just discovered that he has a children's cd out!
This is a collaborative effort with Randall Goodgame. The cd is a mix of silly, kid-friendly fun tunes and sweeter, more serious songs about God. In my opinion, it's best suited for ages 4 and younger.
You can find Andrew's children's cd Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies here or on iTunes if you search Andrew Peterson and click on Children's Music.
Follow-up: David and Goliath
Fundamental Truth: Jesus Came to Save Sinners
Making it Real:
David fought and defeated the giant, Goliath. If anyone just looked at the two men, they would never guess David could win. But God fought with David and gave him victory over Goliath. David’s victory saved his people, the Israelites, from being slaves to the Philistines, Israel’s enemies. What can we learn from this story?
We can learn that if we are fighting on God’s side, we will have victory. God cannot be defeated. Even if our victory looks different than we imagined, God always wins. If we are fighting on the side against God, we have no chance of winning. We can also see how God used David to rescue his people Israel, another example of a rescuer who points us to Christ, the ultimate Rescuer who saves us from our sins.
Making it Stick:
Put on a skit to reenact the story of David and Goliath. You can be Goliath and your child can be David. For your part, mock the armies of God and for your child’s part, have him or her defend God and fight for God. Use pillows instead of rocks and play up the theatrical aspect of this. Talk about why David fought, what he believed while fighting, and why the Lord gave David victory.
Making it Real:
David fought and defeated the giant, Goliath. If anyone just looked at the two men, they would never guess David could win. But God fought with David and gave him victory over Goliath. David’s victory saved his people, the Israelites, from being slaves to the Philistines, Israel’s enemies. What can we learn from this story?
We can learn that if we are fighting on God’s side, we will have victory. God cannot be defeated. Even if our victory looks different than we imagined, God always wins. If we are fighting on the side against God, we have no chance of winning. We can also see how God used David to rescue his people Israel, another example of a rescuer who points us to Christ, the ultimate Rescuer who saves us from our sins.
Making it Stick:
Put on a skit to reenact the story of David and Goliath. You can be Goliath and your child can be David. For your part, mock the armies of God and for your child’s part, have him or her defend God and fight for God. Use pillows instead of rocks and play up the theatrical aspect of this. Talk about why David fought, what he believed while fighting, and why the Lord gave David victory.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Follow-up: Moses wk 2
Story: The Exodus
Fundamental Truth: The Bible is God's Perfect Word
Making it Real:
After Pharaoh released the slaves from Egypt, he changed his mind and sent his armies after them to bring them back. When the Israelites saw that the Egyptians coming, they became afraid and accused Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to die in the desert. The people said, “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” What does this show us about Israel’s faith? Do we ever make the same mistake?
The Israelites doubted God’s goodness. They let their fear of their enemies overcome their trust in God. Sometimes we can let our feelings affect our trust in God. When we are angry or afraid or confused, we can remember this story of God taking care of the Israelites and remember that God is Good and takes care of His people.
Making it Stick:
God gave us the 10 Commandments to show us that we cannot keep the law all the time. Make up several arbitrary, even silly rules for your child to try to keep throughout the day or week. Make sure at least a couple of these rules are impossible to keep. After your child breaks the rules, don’t punish him or her, but do talk about how we are sinners who can never keep all the rules. We are not perfect enough to earn God’s favor. God gave us Jesus to fulfill the law and to restore us to Him. We cannot be saved by obeying rules, only by receiving the grace that Jesus gives through His death on the cross. What a relief!
Fundamental Truth: The Bible is God's Perfect Word
Making it Real:
After Pharaoh released the slaves from Egypt, he changed his mind and sent his armies after them to bring them back. When the Israelites saw that the Egyptians coming, they became afraid and accused Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to die in the desert. The people said, “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” What does this show us about Israel’s faith? Do we ever make the same mistake?
The Israelites doubted God’s goodness. They let their fear of their enemies overcome their trust in God. Sometimes we can let our feelings affect our trust in God. When we are angry or afraid or confused, we can remember this story of God taking care of the Israelites and remember that God is Good and takes care of His people.
Making it Stick:
God gave us the 10 Commandments to show us that we cannot keep the law all the time. Make up several arbitrary, even silly rules for your child to try to keep throughout the day or week. Make sure at least a couple of these rules are impossible to keep. After your child breaks the rules, don’t punish him or her, but do talk about how we are sinners who can never keep all the rules. We are not perfect enough to earn God’s favor. God gave us Jesus to fulfill the law and to restore us to Him. We cannot be saved by obeying rules, only by receiving the grace that Jesus gives through His death on the cross. What a relief!
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Check-in System
In the next few weeks, we will be rolling out a child check-in system to speed check-in time for regular attendees. This system will also improve the security of our preschool and children's area. I will write more on the specifics of the system the week prior to implementing it, but right now we need your help.
To be able to use Providence Check-In, each family will need to register. Go to www.insideprovidence.com/checkinregistration to enter your family's information.
Thanks for taking the time to ensure this transition is quick and smooth.
To be able to use Providence Check-In, each family will need to register. Go to www.insideprovidence.com/checkinregistration to enter your family's information.
Thanks for taking the time to ensure this transition is quick and smooth.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Keeping the Bible in our Bible Stories
Our church is studying Christ in the Old Testament in our Women's Bible Study. Last week we were talking about how so many of these stories that we have grown up with took on new meaning when we read them as adults from the Scriptures and not just from Children's Picture Bibles or in the context of a Sunday School lesson.
So often we grow up hearing Bible stories but don't actually get them from the Bible.
Scripture is whole, perfect and complete. But how often do we settle for a summary or paraphrase of Bible stories instead of the inerrant, perfect Word of God? There is nothing wrong with teaching your children from Children's Picture Bibles, as long as you are also teaching them from the Bible.
In the Preschool Ministry, children begin hearing each story back-to-back from a Children's Bible and from an NIV Bible each week beginning at age 5.
It is in this context that they hear, not only the fundamental truth we are trying to teach and not simply the Christian value or moral lesson, but the written word of God, provided to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
May we not neglect to teach our children biblical truths from the Bible, God's Perfect Word.
So often we grow up hearing Bible stories but don't actually get them from the Bible.
Scripture is whole, perfect and complete. But how often do we settle for a summary or paraphrase of Bible stories instead of the inerrant, perfect Word of God? There is nothing wrong with teaching your children from Children's Picture Bibles, as long as you are also teaching them from the Bible.
In the Preschool Ministry, children begin hearing each story back-to-back from a Children's Bible and from an NIV Bible each week beginning at age 5.
It is in this context that they hear, not only the fundamental truth we are trying to teach and not simply the Christian value or moral lesson, but the written word of God, provided to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
May we not neglect to teach our children biblical truths from the Bible, God's Perfect Word.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Follow-up: Moses
Story: God calls Moses to deliver Israel
Fundamental Truth: God is in Charge of Everything
Making it Real:
God sent Moses to Egypt to rescue His people, the Israelites. The Bible says that God hardened the Pharaoh’s heart so that he wouldn’t free the people. Why would God do that?
The Pharaoh wanted to be more powerful than God, in the same way that Adam and Eve sinned when they wanted to know as much as God and be as powerful as Him. Pharaoh didn’t want to admit that God is in charge so God decided to show Pharaoh 10 miracles to prove to him and all the people that no one can stop the plans of God. God was showing everyone that He is in charge of all life, all people.
Making it Stick:
With your child, come up with a play or skit to act out the beginning part of the Exodus story. Go outside to a bush or plant, decorate it with tissue paper and one of you can do the voice for God and one can be Moses. Then one of you can be Pharaoh and one Moses demanding the Israelite’s freedom. Help your child act out some or all of the plagues and act out Pharaoh finally granting the Israelite’s their freedom. You can put this play on for the family one night after dinner.
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