Nurture Kids Faith

How to Read the Bible So Kids Will Listen

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

When I was a kid, most families I knew read a denominational devotional booklet for suppertime devotions. The Bible passage was read first, then the daily devotional, then, finally, the prayer at the bottom of the page was muttered in monotone before everyone fled from the table.

In many cases, we heard the Bible reading, but we never really listened. While the content of those devotions was probably great, what was missing was enthusiasm—the kind you show when you’re about to sink your fork into a fabulous piece of pie or head outdoors on an exciting adventure.

In his book Helping Our Children Grow in Faith, Robert J. Keeley talks about the importance of sharing stories in a way that encourages kids to “live into” them. Keeley does this by asking “wondering questions” about the story and inviting listeners to think about how the people felt and why they did the things they did. Asking questions like these—with no right or wrong answers—gets kids interested in Bible stories because they invite kids to actively listen and respond.

Consider changing locations to go with the story—sit outside to read the story of creation or crawl under the table to read a psalm about how God surrounds and protects us. Or connect stories to your meal—try fish for supper or talk about what it means to be “fishers of people” during dessert!

Pay some attention to the Bible version you choose for reading with kids. With my school-age kids we’ve been reading The Message. Try the Contemporary English Version or the New International Readers Version for kids younger than grade 5, and challenge older kids with your favorite “adult” version.

Finally, remember that the people in the Bible were living, breathing, moving people just like you and me. Put yourself in their shoes. Ask your kids what they would have done if their brothers had put them in a well and left them there . . . or what they would have done if there was one type of tree whose fruit they were not supposed to eat. Their answers may surprise you!

This article was adapted from Home Grown: Handbook for Christian Parenting by Karen DeBoer (Faith Alive 2010, www.faithaliveresources.org). Karen is an early childhood educator and a curriculum editor who's been involved in children's ministry for more than 25 years. She and her husband, Ron, are the parents of four girls.

Devotions Don’t Have to Follow Dessert

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:59:00 +0000

If you’re one of those on-the-go families who have a hard time pulling off regular family meals, you don’t have to give up on family devotions.

There’s nothing “magic” or sacred about the after-dinner time slot. In fact, when your kids have full stomachs and a whole evening of activities ahead, their attention spans aren’t likely to be at their peak. So give yourself permission to find a time for family devotions that works for you and your kids.

Maybe it’s bedtime, when things are slowing down (if kids think talking with you about God will delay their bedtime, you might be surprised at how chatty they’ll become). Maybe it’s Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening. Or right before kids leave for school in the morning—sending them out the door with God on their mind could be a great way to start the day.

Try different options until you hit on the best time for your family to connect with God and each other. You just might discover longer attention spans, quieter moments together, and deeper insights.

Praying with Preschoolers

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:58:00 +0000

Prayers like “Lord, bless this food, for Jesus’ sake, amen” are great for getting preschoolers in the habit of praying regularly. But as your child grows, her prayer vocabulary should grow too. Here are some creative ways to make prayer a part of your preschooler’s life:

Prayer jar: One mom created a prayer jar for her preschool daughter to use. Here’s how. First, simply write prayer topics on slips of paper. (Be specific and concrete: instead of “Bless all the sick people” write “Please help Grandma’s hip to heal.”) If your child is old enough to help brainstorm the prayer topics, work on it together. Put the slips of paper in a jar with a mouth wide enough to get your hand inside. When it’s time to pray, ask your child to choose one or more slips from the jar, and pray for those items together.

Simple refrains: To involve the whole family, adults and older children can introduce prayer topics (“Lord, please be with the people in Somalia who don’t have enough food to eat”) and young kids can respond with a refrain like “Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer.”

Prayer circle: Sit on the floor or around a table. Hold hands, and have each person at the table say one thing he or she is thankful for. End with a simple song of thanks your whole family can sing.

Praying with Elementary School Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:57:00 +0000

When life is crazy, as it often is with young kids, we sometimes forget that God is right there, ready to help—anytime and anywhere! Here some are ideas for praying with elementary school-age kids:

Stop, Drop, and PRAY: During battles and worries, stop what you’re doing, drop everything, and talk to God. During one awful day, Mom sent Marissa to her room three times—the last time both were in tears. After a few minutes and a good cry, Mom calmly entered Marissa’s room and said, “Marissa, we’ve had a rough day. I think we need to pray. They held hands and prayed together for patience, good humor, and forgiveness.

Popcorn Prayer: One person begins and ends the prayer, pausing in the middle so that others may “pop” in and pray, like popcorn kernels popping in the pan. This prayer style is great for families or groups that include shy kids.

Clockwise Prayer: At dinner, in the car, or in the living room each person prays for the person to the left. If there’s time, reverse order and pray again.

Moving Prayer: While you’re on a walk or in the car, silently pray for the people you pass. Or make a list of people you see, and then pray for them aloud when you get home.

Prayer Planner: Write down family prayer requests and needs in a planner, calendar, or smartphone. Don’t forget to thank God for answered prayers!

Praying with Teens

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:56:00 +0000

When it comes to teens, the same person may appear at your devotional time each day—but not the same personality! Use the following ideas to help make your devotional time more of a blessing than a battleground.

Engage everyone. Invite each person to read a portion of Scripture aloud. (Accept the fact that your teen may intentionally read in monotone.) Or have one person read the narration of a Scripture story while others read the words of the characters in that story. You can also take turns reading a psalm one line at a time so that it sounds like it’s being read by one voice.

Ask open-ended questions that require more than one-word answers. Some examples: What do you wonder about this story? Which person in the story can you relate to the most and why? Where did you see God in that story? Listen to teens’ perspective and let them know you appreciate their insights.

Get creative. Find unique ways to spend time with God. Consider creation and what God is doing in culture as you view and discuss a talk from www.Ted.com together. Watch and listen to a praise song on YouTube; better yet, ask your teen to find one that the family can watch! Pray out loud with your teen before he or she starts a new job and when handing over the keys to the car.

Be open to discussion. Christian parents want their kids to have a deep faith, one that moves beyond black-and-white answers, one that they can hold on to when life gets tough. In order to do that kids need to make the faith you’ve been passing on their own. Don’t panic when they have questions or express doubts. Resist the temptation to lecture your teens or tell them what to believe. Be honest about your own questions—and your faith that God knows the answers.

Five Ways Your Church Can Support Family Devotions

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:55:00 +0000

1. Give children an easy-to-read version of the Bible when they enter or graduate from Sunday school. Check out the New International Readers Version (NIrV), which is designed for a third-grade reading level. Suggest that the family use this version for family devotions.

2. Give a set of God’s Big Story cards as a baptism gift to families in your church. These cards, available from Faith Alive (FaithAliveResources.org), are a fun way for families to connect with God and each other.

3. Consider implementing a church-wide home devotions program during special times like Advent, Lent, and Easter.

4. Schedule an adult education class on family faith nurture so people can gather new ideas for family devotions and share what works for them.

5. Include a note about this blog in your church newsletter. If they search for “family devotions” in the search box, they’ll find lots of great devotional series and resources to use at home.

Fresh, Fun Resources for Family Devotions

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:54:00 +0000

Dive Devotions (Faith Alive, $7.99) Finding a devotional for middle schoolers can be tricky. Too adult and they’re bored. Too “babyish” and they won’t touch it. Dive Devotions by Brian Keeley hits young teens right where they live. With topics ranging from “belonging” to “decisions” to “what’s really important,” Keeley’s sense of humor and understanding of middle school life combine to create appealing, thought-provoking daily readings. Bible readings, quirky illustrations, a “Think about It/Talk about It” section, and space to write and draw make Dive “the whole package.”

God’s Big Story Cards (Faith Alive, $9.99) This set of 165 cards encourages families to have fun together as they explore God’s ongoing story. On the front of each card is a story symbol along with the scripture reference. On the back are six activities that families can do in response to the story (retell, wonder, pray, praise, share, and respond). Start by reading the day’s story in the Bible; then roll the included color-coded die to choose one of six ways to explore the story together. There are many creative ways to use these cards!

Faith Talk cards (Vibrant Faith Ministries, $24.95) Created to keep your family’s faith active and alive, these discussion cards pose questions focusing on one of four areas of spiritual development:
• Caring Conversation: Sharing Our Stories
• Devotions: Identifying God’s Presence in All of Life
• Rituals and Traditions: Living Out Our Beliefs
• Service: Actions that Honor Our Values by Caring for Our Neighbor

Faith Talk: Explore the Parables Together

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Jesus’ parables are rich ground for family devotions. Use these eight ideas to start great conversations and have fun while you explore God’s story. (Excerpted from God’s Big Story Cards—a family devotions game from Faith Alive.)

The Lost Sheep: Read Luke 15:1-7 and John 10:14-15

Share: Tell about a time when you were lost. How did God take care of you?

Retell: Make a cartoon strip that tells the story of the lost sheep.
Respond: The Pharisees were very obedient but very bossy leaders of the church in Jesus’ day. They didn’t like the people Jesus was spending time with. Talk about times you decide whether a person is good or bad even though you don’t know them. When Jesus looks at people, what does he see? How can you be more like Jesus?

The Lost Son: Read Luke 15:11-32

Wonder: What surprises you most about the younger son? The older son? The father?

Praise: God wants everyone to be part of his family. Celebrate God’s love with a party. Make colorful paper placemats, eat a special snack, and sing a song of praise to God!

Pray: Join hands as you pray for people you know who don’t know or love God. Ask God to show you ways to share God’s love with them.

The Great Banquet: Read Luke 14:15-24

Retell: Take turns describing the most wonderful party you can imagine. Then think about other activities in your life—school work, soccer games, and so on, and make up an excuse about why you can’t attend the party. How is this like what happened in the story Jesus told? What was the reaction of the host in the story?

Wonder: What do you imagine heaven will be like? What’s the first thing you’d like to do when you get there?

Share: Is it surprising that God chooses and wants YOU? Why?

The Rich Fool: Read Luke 12:15-21

Wonder: What do you think was most important to the farmer—his things or God? Are we sometimes like the farmer? How?

Pray: “Lord God, show us how to use or time and blessings to serve you and others.”

Praise: Name something you are really good at. How can you use that skill to praise God? (For example, help someone do math, encourage a teammate, make someone a card.)

The Ten Bridesmaids: Read Matthew 25:1-13

Share: Tell about a time when you weren’t prepared for something or forgot something you needed.

Wonder: No one knows exactly when Jesus will return or what that day will be like. Do you ever think about it? Does it make you feel glad? Or afraid?

Respond: Talk about what it means to be ready for Jesus to come again.

The Sower: Read Mark 4:1-20

Share: Tell about a time you did or didn’t have success at growing something. How does what happened remind you of the story Jesus told?

Respond: Pop some popcorn. Count the unpopped kernels and wonder why some didn’t pop. Is it disappointing when there are many unpopped ones? What does that say to you about this story?

Praise: Measure each other. Praise God for how your bodies have grown. Talk about how your love for Jesus grows, and praise God for that too!

Sheep and Goats: Read Matthew 25:31-46

Retell: Jesus gave many examples of how we show love to him by showing love to others in need. Draw a picture of yourself showing love to someone.

Pray: Make a list of people with needs or hurts. Pray for them.

Respond: Which acts of kindness from Jesus’ list could your family do: feed the hungry, make sure people have clean water to drink, invite people into your home, welcome people who are new to your school or neighborhood. . . .Brainstorm together and plan to do something on the list.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Read Luke 18:9-14

Wonder: Why do you think only the tax collector was forgiven?

Share: When have you caught yourself thinking you were better, smarter, or more pleasing to God than someone else? Why wasn’t that pleasing to God?

Respond: Keep track of your prayers for a week or more. Use a notebook or journal. What do your prayers show about what is going on in your mind and heart?

Taking God on Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:22:00 +0000

Ahh, the family road trip. The bad news is that you’ll have fights over the window seat, complaints about how long it’s taking, constant reminders that somebody has to pee—and that’s just the first hour! But the good news is that you have each other’s undivided attention.

With that in mind, resist the temptation to “take a break” from God when you’re on vacation. It’s probably one of the best times to nurture faith because your family is relaxed and has all the time in the world to reflect and wonder together. Here are some tips for making the most of that time:

• Make music. While the silence that a van full of iPods provides may be priceless, don’t miss the opportunity to listen—and sing!—together. Set aside some time to listen to music that glorifies God. Give everyone the opportunity to request both a silly song and a song from church that you can belt out together.

• Point out the “God-prints” you find around you. My husband is big on clouds and trees and sunsets. He points them out to the kids, saying, “How does God do that? It’s amazing!” Sometimes the kids respond, sometimes they just roll their eyes, but that’s okay—we’re training them to be God-print seekers too.

• Bring a story Bible. Pack a story Bible and let your child pick favorite stories to read (David and Goliath five nights in a row is okay).

• Make your own devotionals. Get a dollar-store notebook. Set aside a page for each day and add a “God Connection,” such as, “Things I saw today that reminded me of God,” “Thank you God for . . .”, “I’m so glad God gave us . . .” and so on. Look at that day’s heading in the morning and set aside time at the end of the day to add pictures or words to the page. Tip: Insert completed devotional pages into a photo album of your trip so those connections become part of family history.

If you make an effort to take God with you on vacation, you’ll find that the rewards are many, and the experiences are priceless.

Karen DeBoer is an early childhood educator and a curriculum editor who's been involved in children's ministry for more than 25 years. She and her husband, Ron, are the parents of four girls.

Are We There Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:22:00 +0000

If you’re traveling with kids, you will hear the dreaded question: “Are we there yet?” While it’s obvious to your kids that you aren’t “there yet,” what they really want to know is “Will we ever get there?” Here are three creative answers:

Answer 1: “That depends. Tell me where we are, and I’ll tell you if we’re there.” Have your number-smart and picture-smart kids plot your progress on a map using only the road signs you pass along the way (no GPS allowed—that’s cheating). It gives them something to do, and they just might learn something. Plus, if you make them work for an answer they might be less likely to ask the question every two minutes.

Answer 2: “We’re about two SpongeBobs away.” If you say “we’re an hour away” you’ll get blank looks, but kids are often pretty good at estimating how long their favorite TV show runs and using that as their measure of time. It’s worth a shot.

Answer 3: “No, but I’m sure we’re somewhere else.” Bring your AAA guide or travel books, and learn about the places you’re just passing through. If you spot an exciting detour, take it! Pull off at a scenic overlook or visit a historic site. Taking a break to stretch your legs and brain are worth a few added minutes to your travel time.

Enjoying the Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:22:00 +0000

In our goal-oriented, faster-is-better society, it’s often hard to sit back and enjoy the journey. And with all the technology available in today’s vehicles, we don’t usually have to try. But looking out the window on a car trip can be just as interesting as playing SuperMario for the umpteenth time.

Don’t believe it? Try it! Write each of the following prompts on a slip of paper and put them in two bags: one for “On the way there” and one for “On the way home.” When boredom strikes, have kids pick a slip and do the activity on it. Try these examples, or think up your own:

On the way there:

• If you could design your dream travel vehicle, what fun and cool things would it have inside? Draw a picture of it.

• Look at a road map and make a list of the Top 10 weirdest town names.

• List five things you’ve never seen before that you hope to see on this trip and tell why.

• Keep a list of all the different license plates you see. How many states or provinces can you find?

• Draw the shape of the most interesting cloud you can see from your window.

On the way home:

• Design an advertisement for your favorite place we visited.

• Tell one new thing you learned about your country (or state or province) as we traveled. Why did you think that was so interesting?

• Tell one thing you saw that you’d like to learn more about after we get home.

• Write a poem about your favorite part of our trip.

• Draw pictures of the smallest thing you saw and the biggest thing you saw.

Vacation Tips for Toddlers Thru Teens

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:21:00 +0000

While the before-kids vacation—good book, quiet strolls on the beach, uninterrupted conversation—maybe be over for now, family vacations can still be loads of fun at every age and stage if you keep the following guidelines in mind:

Babies: If you don’t count the boatload of stuff you need to lug along for your little one, babies are actually quite portable. Enjoy activities with an adult focus—sightseeing, museums, hiking, and more—while baby sleeps or looks around in the stroller or carrier. Count on occasional interruptions for feedings, diaper changes, and some one-on-one cuddling.

Toddlers and preschoolers: Kids this age are “all about me” and your vacation really needs to be all about them too. Keep things simple: playgrounds, parks, and petting zoos are fun options. Plan for short visits and bring snacks and small toys like books and balls. If your trip is an overnighter, bring some comforts from home (stuffed animal, favorite blanket).

School-age kids: The natural curiosity of a school-age child makes sightseeing fun. Consider kids’ interests—geography, art, sports, music, history—and their attention spans as you decide where to go. Create excitement in advance by looking at images of some of the things you’ll see when you arrive. The rule of thumb here is that a little educational activity goes a long way, so be sure to space things out a bit—opt for half-day tours followed by a special snack and time to play or swim. Great options: campgrounds, science and nature museums, beaches, amusement parks, historical monuments.

Teens: Find out what your teen’s idea of a great vacation is and include those ideas as you plan. Since sleeping late is the teenaged equivalent of a toddler’s afternoon nap, you’ll want to avoid early morning jaunts. And to promote family togetherness, set a technology-and-texting-free time period each day. (Sure they’ll complain at first, but it’s worth the hassle.) Consider any visible excitement your teen shows a bonus, and don’t feel discouraged if their outward emotions aren’t the reactions you were hoping for---inside they may be really enjoying themselves. Fun things to try: adventure sports, amusement parks, resorts and exploring big cities.

Remember—what kids of any age love most about a family vacation (whether your teen shows it or not!) is quality time with you. Above all, plan to give your kids some undivided attention and leave ample time for simple memory-making activities like eating ice cream, playing games, and collecting treasures together.

Church/Vacation Connections

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Help busy families in your church take advantage of the summer break with these faith building ideas:

A Worship Map
Ever wonder where everyone goes in the summer? A worship map is a great way to satisfy your curiosity and encourage families to make time with God part of their travel plans. Here’s how it works:

• Post a huge map on a bulletin board in a central location at church.

• Provide thumbtacks and lots of space on either side of the map.

• Encourage families to pinpoint their vacation destination and post a bulletin from a worship service they attended along the way.

By the end of the summer you’ll have an awesome display of the worshiping body of Christ spread across the continent—or maybe even across the entire globe!

Vacation Bags
Here is a fun way that your church can help families grow in faith even when they’re on the road. Fill a few travel sacks with items that kids and parents can use on road trips and cross-country adventures. Be creative, including things like

• a journal for recording funny stories (about siblings, of course!).

• a “Flat Stanley”-style laminated photo of your senior pastor and a disposable camera. Junior will love pulling out Flat Pastor to pose for photos at zoos, monuments, and amusement parks. By the end of the trip the pastor in the pulpit will feel like part of the family!

• Several blank stamped postcards addressed to homebound folks in your congregation. Kid-printed notes from far away are a delight.

• A set of God’s Big Story Cards from Faith Alive (available in May)—this fun devotional game is small enough to take on the road and perfect for helping families talk about faith together.

Have families sign up to check a bag out, and encourage them to return the bags with one small souvenir for the next family to enjoy. Be sure to restock bags as they come back in.

These great ideas come from Anne Wilson, director of ministries to children and families at Northwoods Presbyterian Church. If you have other great ideas, post a comment below!

Books, CDs, and Games for Family Trips

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:21:00 +0000

The Chronicles of Narnia (HarperCollins or Tyndale)
Whether you’re flipping pages in a book, listening to an audio version, or viewing an animated or live-action video, the Chronicles of Narnia set is a sure family favorite. Perfect for car trips!

God’s Big Story Cards. (Faith Alive Christian Resources)

This set of 165 cards encourages families to have fun together as they explore God’s ongoing story. On the front of each card is a story symbol along with the scripture reference. On the back are six activities that families can do in response to the story (retell, wonder, pray, praise, share, and respond). Start by reading the day's story in the Bible, then roll the included color-coded die to choose one of six ways to explore the story together. There are many creative ways to use these cards!

Mealtime Prayer Cube. (Creator Mundi, Inc.)

During vacation, explore a new way to pray: roll the wooden prayer cube and use the prayer that comes up on top. A bedtime prayer cube is also available (mealtime is available in English and Spanish). A family can also make their own prayer cube by placing pictures of people to pray for on the cube (family, friends, pastor, missionaries, etc.).

Storytime.
Take a break from travels and read a new storybook together. It’s fun to match books to the places and things you’re experiencing. For example, read the board book At Your Baptism by Carrie Steenwyk and John Witvliet (Eerdmans) by a flowing river or cool pond. While exploring an art museum, read Vincent Van Gogh and the Colors of the Wind by Chiara Lossani (Eerdmans). On a hot day, check out Now It Is Summer by Eileen Spinelli (Eerdmans). During a nature walk—perhaps while sitting atop a rock—read Images of God for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval (Eerdmans).

Compiled by Jane Schuyler, RCA Congregational Support Specialist

Faith Talk: Praise Our Creator!

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:20:00 +0000

Summer is a natural time to reflect on the power and creativity of God displayed in all of creation! Use these eight ideas to adore God and enjoy the earth. These devotions come from “God’s Big Story Cards”—a new devotional game from Faith Alive.

Night and Day: Read Genesis 1:1-5

• Before the earth was anything, God was there. God is amazing and powerful! Think of other words that describe God. Say them all during a popcorn prayer.
• Turn off all the lights or take a flashlight and go to a dark place. Wait a moment, then turn on all the lights or shine the flashlight. Applaud God for creating light!
• Tell about a time that you made something by yourself. What did it feel like to create something new or different? What items did you use for your creation?

Water and Sky: Read Genesis 1:6-8
• What sounds do you think the water made when God commanded it to separate?
• Give everyone two glasses with different amounts of water. Tap out sounds on the glasses. Signal when to stop so everyone can call out, “Praise God for water!”
• Not everyone has clean water to drink. Search online to find out about organizations that help get clean water for people. How can you help? If you aren’t able to search right now, pray for those people and those who are helping them.

Earth, Seas, and Plants: Read Genesis 1:9-13
• Which fruit and vegetable are you most thankful for?
• Name as many kinds of fruits and vegetables as you can think of. Wonder about how God could have thought of so many different colors and shapes and sizes and tastes!
• Eat a fruit or vegetable as a celebration of God’s great creation of food. If you’d like to grow your own vegetables, do an online search on how to start a bean growing project.

Sun, Moon, and Stars: Read Genesis 1:14-19
• Imagine what life would be like if there was just one long day with no beginning and no ending. What would be different about your day?
• Plan to view a sunrise or sunset together. Then draw or paint a picture of it or describe it in words.
• Shout hooray for God who created night and day! Hooray for God who created big lights and smaller lights! Hooray for God who separated light from dark! (Add more of your own.)

Fish and Birds: Read Genesis 1:20-25
• Why do you think God blessed the birds and the fish? Can you see ways God has blessed them?
• Find out some facts about your favorite birds or sea animals.
• Praise God by forming a creature choir. One person is the director. When the director points to someone, that person will make a bird or sea creature sound. If the director holds up two fingers, make the sound two times; if four fingers, four times, and so on.

Animals and People: Genesis 1: 24-31
• Retell the story on a sheet of paper. Draw the sky, land and sea, plants, birds, and fish. As the story is read again, use your fingers to hop, run, and crawl across the page when God creates animals. Then use walking fingers to show the man and the woman.
• God gave people the greatest blessing. It included being like God and filling the earth. Why do you think God did that?
• Repeat these words together: Praise be to God/ in whom I live,/ move,/ and have my being./ Amen.

Rest: Read Genesis 2:1-3
• Why do you think God would rest? What is the best part of resting?
• If you are able, go outside and find a quiet place to stand or sit. Otherwise look out the window at the world God made. Whenever you notice something of beauty, point it out or describe it. End with a big “Thank you, God!”
• Sing a song such as “He’s Got the Whole World” or “All Creation Cries to You (God Is Great)” or “All Thing Bright and Beautiful.” (Look for a recording online and sing along, if you’d like.)

Taking Care of Creation: Read Genesis 2:8-9, 15-24
• Why do you think God let Adam name all the animals? If you could change any animal names, what would they be?
• Pray together by joining hands and take turns naming something God created for which you are thankful. Give everyone two or three or even more turns!
• Plan a way you can take care of God’s world together. (Some ideas: go for a garbage collecting walk, plant something, use less electricity, gather paper scraps and make each person a notebook.)

Family Resources for Lent and Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:03:00 +0000

Love Life Live Lent Family Book: Transform Your World. Church House Publishing, 2008. The family activities in this book encourage people to use Lent to undertake one simple act of generosity each day. For more, see http://www.livelent.net./

The Passion. Artstone. SandStory artist Joe Castillo uses fine grains of sand for animation along with music to create a live art presentation. This one is performed to the soundtrack from The Passion of Christ. Other 15- to 20-minute DVDs include The Creation, The Miracle of Christmas, and The Prodigal.

Through Tears to Joy: Devotions for Lent, by Stan Mast. Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2010. During the Lenten season, use this devotional booklet to walk with Jesus as he makes his way down the Via Dolorosa—the Way of Sorrows.

Family Resources for Celebrating Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. The RCA website (www.rca.org/lent) has a number of ideas for families to nurture faith at home (for example, make pretzels together).

Forgiveness

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Each night, my wife and I say the Lord’s Prayer together. Over the years we’ve found the greatest benefit of this simple ritual is that every night we pray “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

When Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, that phrase is the only petition that he commented on—“for if you forgive others . . . your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others . . . your Father will not forgive your sins” (6:14-15). Forgiveness is so close to the heart of God and so essential for Christ followers that their own forgiveness hangs in the balance.

Every day sin and hurt of some kind mars every person, every relationship, and every family. In the normal course of a day, the friction that comes from close contact flames into animosity, little tensions blow up into big arguments, hasty words give birth to deep hurts. Without forgiveness, it’s hard to see how relationships can survive, or how families can function. “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive . . .” becomes a divinely appointed safety valve, releasing the tensions, working through the hurts.

Of course, it’s one thing to pray about forgiveness, and another thing to practice it. Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to practice in our close relationships. And the degree of difficulty increases with the degree of hurt we’ve experienced. We may easily dismiss someone leaving dirty dishes in the sink (unless it’s done day after day, of course), but when betrayal darkens a relationship, or violence threatens a family, forgiveness costs dearly.

One fallacy about forgiving is that we can do it right now. Perhaps for some small infraction, but not for the big sins that hurt and haunt. For those, it takes time, and prayer, and searching the heart. We might end up praying like the man in the gospels, who seeks faith, “Lord, I’m struggling to forgive, help my unforgiveness.”

Likewise, one of the oldest and most familiar adages about forgiveness turns out to be untrue—forgive and forget. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, as though we can wipe a memory from our minds like deleting a word on the computer. Forgiveness remembers and forgives at the same time. But it doesn’t remember with bitterness, it remembers with compassion. That’s what’s so hard about it.

Ultimately, our ability to forgive is related to the depths to which we know we’ve been forgiven. Forgiveness is more than a momentary act; it’s a movement that flows from Jesus’ cross into our lives and beyond. If God refuses to forgive us when we have an unforgiving heart, it’s because the grace we’ve received stops with us and stagnates like a stopped-up pond.

As we pray, “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us,” we’re reminded that we all live by forgiveness. God’s grace and forgiveness is meant to flow through us, through our families, and finally, through the whole world.

Leonard Vander Zee was a pastor before becoming the editor in chief at Faith Alive. His family includes his wife Jeanne Logan, four grown children, and seven grandchildren.

Too Young to Forgive?

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Abstract concepts like forgiveness aren’t easy for kids to grasp. But their eyes and ears are always open—looking to us to discover the meaning.

Give toddlers and preschoolers the language. Say, “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” at appropriate times.
Try using the book Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Helene Deval to teach young elementary kids what God has to say about forgiveness. Let them read the words and look at the pictures of forgiveness in Psalms 32, 51, 103, and others.
With older elementary kids, include with family devotion time a discussion on how we experience forgiveness from each other and God. If your family is musical, sing songs about forgiveness—like Create in Me by Mary Rice Hopkins (Mary Rice Hopkins & Co., 15 Singable Songs for the Young at Heart), teaching each other hand motions for the words.
Do an Internet search for “Ash Wednesday” with your middle- and high school-aged kids or attend an Ash Wednesday service, if possible. Discover and talk together about the significance of the mark of the cross made from ashes.
Treat kids of all ages with respect—avoid using harsh and belittling words or actions. Lay the foundation for empathy and compassion by showing sorrow over hurting another and modeling tenderness and care.

Do I Have to Say I'm Sorry?

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:49:00 +0000

Forcing your child to apologize feels like a lesson in lying, but skipping the “sorry” seems like a big thumbs up to bad behavior. The solution: make apologies meaningful by helping your child understand how and why their behavior was wrong.

Discover the cause. If you weren’t present, ask, “What happened that led you to break Tara’s tower?” If you saw it happen, acknowledge the events that led to the offense. “I know you were upset that Tara used the best blocks, but . . .”

Encourage accountability. Keep things simple with toddlers: “Tara is sad because you broke her tower.” Begin to teach empathy to 4- to 5-year-olds: “I know you wanted to use the blocks, but you made Tara sad when you broke her tower.” Older kids are capable of empathizing; link that to accountability by saying something like, “Tara worked hard on her tower. How did you make her feel when you broke it?”

Deal with the effect. Encourage kids to own the problem and come up with the solution. Ask your school age child, “What could you say or do to make her feel better?” and prompt your toddler, “We say sorry when we break things or make people sad.”

Model repentance and forgiveness. Say “sorry” to your kids when you’ve spilled their milk or doodled on their work—and demonstrate forgiveness when they do the same things to you!

Celebrating Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:35:00 +0000

During Lent, we remember that it was our sin that made Jesus’ death necessary. But we also prepare to celebrate the wonderful truth that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Here’s a hands-on activity to bring that message home.

First, give everyone a piece of paper. Ask them to write down

things they’re sorry for doing.
things they should have done but didn’t.
things they’re struggling with.

Ask everyone to fold their papers so no one else can see the writing. Collect the papers in a large non-flammable container or in a fireplace. With a match or lighter, set them on fire. As they burn, take turns reading these passages:

Psalm 32:1-2
Psalm 51:1-2
Psalm 143:8
Psalm 145:13b-18
Psalm 103:1-12

After the papers are completely burned, take a close look at the ashes together. You probably can’t tell which paper is yours because the fire removed all traces of the writing. That’s what God does to our sins, too! Once God forgives us, we are forgiven for good. Share the joy of that truth together this Lenten season.

Anticipating Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Help your family anticipate (and then celebrate) Easter with some simple traditions that hint at what’s to come.

Use paper and paste to create Easter cards for friends or family.
Bake a batch of hot cross buns together, using an online recipe.
Look for books about the true meaning of Easter at your local public library (Benjamin's Box is a great one).
Create a bookmark shaped like a cross and mark the Easter story in your family Bible.
Fill individual plastic eggs with a candy treat and a slip of paper that contains special Bible verses (John 3:16 is a good place to start). Hide them, then go hunting, and then share them together.

Family Resources on Forgiveness

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:19:00 +0000

The Power of Forgiveness. 78 minutes, http://www.thepowerofforgiveness.com./

These seven short stories examine the role forgiveness can play in alleviating anger and grief. It shows the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits that come with forgiveness. One of the articles written for community conversations, including family conversations, around this video is “Promoting Forgiveness in the Family.” Journey Films, 2008, http://www.journeyfilms.com/

Campaign for Love and Forgiveness. http://www.loveandforgive.org/

This campaign, a project of the Fetzer Institute, is a community engagement initiative that encourages people to bring love and forgiveness into the heart of individual and community life. The website abounds with practices, resources, and links.

Does God Forgive Me? by August Gold.

Using photo illustrations and everyday examples, this book (especially for ages 3-6) helps young people understand the importance of apologizing and reconciling after they’ve done something wrong. It includes a strong message that God will always love us. SkyLight Paths, http://www.skylightpaths.com/

Compiled by Jane Schuyler, RCA Congregational Support Specialist

Faith Talk: Exploring God's Love During Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Use these devotional ideas to help your family explore the depths of God’s love!

HUGGING JESUS: EMBRACING FORGIVENESS
Week 1: Crying Happy Luke 7:36-50
• Talk about a time when someone forgave you. How did you feel?
• Which comes first: We say we’re sorry, and then Jesus forgives us? Or Jesus forgives us, and then we say we’re sorry?
• Listen to a song that makes you think of Jesus forgiving you, or sing along to a song like “You Are My King (Amazing Love).”

Week 2: Remembering Luke 23:38-43
• Asking God to remember means asking God to act powerfully for you. Where do you need God to act powerfully?
• Kneeling reminds us that we belong to the King. Kneel for a prayer and ask, “Remember me.”

Week 3: Just Asking Luke 18:9-14
• Act out the parable, taking turns being the Pharisee and the tax collector. Or, draw a picture of this scene. What’s hard about saying “I’m sorry”?
• Being forgiven is as simple as asking from the heart. Tell God, “I’m sorry.” And ask God, “Forgive me.” God will, and then God will make you his child!

Week 4: Follow Me John 21:15-19
• One of Jesus’ best friends, Simon Peter, betrayed Jesus. When have you been hurt or betrayed by a friend? What did you do?
• Jesus knows we need to HEAR forgiveness. He tells Peter “Feed my sheep” three times to erase Peter’s three betrayals. Speak Jesus’ forgiveness to each other, “NAME, I forgive you.”

CELEBRATING FORGIVENESS
Week 5: Off the Cross Luke 23:26-34, and Eph 2:3b-8
• Talk about why Jesus had to die on the cross.
• Grace is God’s forgiveness, kindness, love, and what Jesus did on the cross all wrapped into one little word! Draw a picture of a cross, and put yourself on it. Cross it out. Draw another cross, and put Jesus on it. That’s grace!
• Do you think forgiveness is easy or hard for God?

Week 6: New like a Baby John 3:1-4, 16-18
• How can a grown man like Nicodemus be a baby all over again? Have parents or grandparents tell you about your birth, adoption, foster story, or baptism. What did you look and sound like? What did you do?
• Starting over is the power of forgiveness. Is there something from your past you’re glad is erased?
• Pray and know God has forgiven you for everything!

BECOMING FORGIVING PEOPLE
Week 7: How Far? Matthew 18:21-35
• Jesus’ disciples asked him, “How often do we have to forgive?” Jesus’ answer: a googolplex times.
• Google the word googolplex, then try writing out that number. How many times do we have to forgive our siblings and our parents? How many times do they have to forgive us?
• Why is forgiveness so important to Jesus?

Week 8: Walking on Sunshine Eph 4:25-32
Being a forgiving person doesn’t mean never getting angry—it means getting over being angry. In my family, we expect all adults and kids to say “I’m sorry” and respond with “I forgive you.” That doesn’t mean all our hurt feelings go away instantly. It just means we’re starting the process of forgiveness, which can take minutes, hours, or days.
• Talk about what’s expected in your household when people’s feelings are hurt.
• Who do you get angry with and why? Call them, draw them a picture, or play with them.

Beth Guikema-Bode, pastor at Fuller Avenue Church and mother of four great kids

Measuring Success

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago are like the poster children for Godly success. First they, along with their friend Daniel, stood up to the king when he wanted them to eat royal food and wine, and after a few days of their water and vegetable diet they looked healthier and better nourished than their royal-food-eating counterparts. I bet they got lots of God points for that one.

Then a little while later, when King Nebuchadnezzar made his ninety-foot statue and told everyone that, when the call the prayer went out, they all had to bow to it, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago once again did the right thing by refusing to bow down to anyone but God. Their God points must have soared!

It’s tempting to think that when these three friends got thrown into the fiery furnace, God looked at their score and said, “Wow, these guys are great! They deserve to be saved!” We would never actually say that, of course. But inside we make a connection between their actions and God’s salvation.

But it doesn’t work that way. If God really was keeping score then many of the people in the Bible would be in deep trouble, and so would we. Jacob, for example, messed up far more often than he got things right. And so did many of his children and grandchildren. You could say King David, a man after God’s own heart, racked up serious points in the Goliath incident, but then he also lost a lot of points in the whole Bathsheba and Uriah affair—and a bunch more with the way he dealt with his son Absalom… I’m pretty glad that my bad days aren’t written about like Jacob’s and David’s were.

So if the whole point thing doesn’t really work, then what do we mean by “success”?

Let’s turn back to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago. When Nebuchadnezzar was about to throw them into the fiery furnace they said “We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this manner. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if he does not, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

These three friends changed the game. Nebuchadnezzar tried to make it about success, but Shadrach Meshach and Abednago were only interested in faithfulness. It’s not the results that matter, they said. Even if God doesn’t chose to save us, we are going to remain faithful to him.

The world often works like this: we get what we deserve. But that’s not the way God works. The message of the gospel is that we don’t get what we deserve. Grace abounds! It’s in our response to God’s grace that we begin to think about success.

We’re going to make mistakes and we’re going to fail. But God will continue to chase after us and call us back to him. Real success is about putting ourselves in God’s will and doing our best to stay there. And as Shadrach and his friends pointed out – you can’t use worldly ways of accounting to measure that.

--Robert J. Keeley, professor of education at Calvin College, author of Helping Our Children Grow in Faith , and editor of Shaped By God:Twelve Essentials for Nurturing Faith in Children, Youth, and Adults.

Competition vs. Cooperation

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Alive Christian Resources) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:37:00 +0000

Competition and cooperation need not be mutually exclusive, but if you want to build character in your kids, which would you choose for them? Research suggests the latter. Rae Pica, children’s physical activity specialist and author (A Running Start: How Play, Physical Activity, and Free Time Create a Successful Child) says this: “Unlike competition, which research shows can foster antisocial behavior; cooperation has been determined to promote prosocial behaviors.” She suggests that when kids cooperate, whether in playing a game or doing a project, they learn skills such as listening, supporting each other, taking turns, and resolving conflicts. And what’s more, they end up feeling more successful and more self-confident than kids do in competitive settings.

So why choose to put kids into competitive situations? Because they do want to be gymnasts, soccer players, and T-ball standouts, along with the rest of their friends! Helping your kids navigate the downside of competitive activities takes prayer and wisdom—and a few good tips from experts:

• Look for activities for your young child that focus on learning, not on competing (and certainly not on score-keeping!).

• For your elementary child, put the emphasis on “doing your best”—not on being the best, or even on winning.

• Become a role model for your middle-schooler—and look for coaches who model good sportsmanship, focus on building skills, and encourage having fun.

• Watch for signs of stress in your high-school student or athlete. Work with others (parents, coaches, school staff) to reduce rivalry and hostile competition between kids and teams.

Want to dig deeper? Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics website—and tack this quote up on your refrigerator: “If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative.” (source unknown)

--Patricia Nederveld, author of the Home Grown Study Guide (seven sessions on Christian parenting), and the God Loves Me series.