Hello dear families
I want to encourage you to parent intentionally. Life moves real fast these days and before you can blink your children are older and opportunities have passed you by. Helping children develop spiritually doesn't require a seminary degree or a teaching credential. The only requirement is to be observant and available and ready for teachable moments.
Watch for opportunities to connect what they are learning and feeling with God and His Holy Word. Spend some time thinking about your house rules. Why do they exist? What do you hope for your children to learn from them? Where did you get them? Taking things to the source and finding scripture to back them up helps children decide internally what their motivation is.
At some point obedience has to turn internal. It can't remain only because you say so. Connecting the 'what' they have to do to the 'why' they have to do it helps them develop their own values and self motivations. It puts disobedience squarely back into their lap and calls it sin. At some point this becomes a personal battle between them and the Lord and not defiance of you.
In doing this exercise you may discover you have rules that don't have any tangible purpose. If so, you need to decide where they came from and if they are of value. If not, lose them. We are all learning about ourselves as we raise our children. It is okay to refine yourself as you go.
Most of all, live out your life honestly before the Lord and your children. It is okay for them to see your need for a Savior, to see that you to sin and can ask for forgiveness. Just take the time to intentionally connect God's truth to your life and the lives of your children. They will sense that God is a real, living interactive part of your life. Routine and religious gestures fall short of really living out your life before them and your God.
Get real and get intentional.
Bless you all
Brenda
Showing posts with label training children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training children. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thursday, December 3, 2009
READY, SET, BE CONTENT!
Is it possible to be content when things aren't going as we had planned? How do we teach our children to embrace contentment?
Start by helping them think through the idea. Ask some questions to get them thinking. Such as:
*What was a time you tried something that didn't work out like you wanted it to?
*How do you usually feel when things don't work out as you'd like?
*What was a time you were disappointed with something but then everything turned out okay in the end?
*What kinds of things can make you discontent?
Then help your children follow some guidelines: such as...
*Don't compare your circumstances or life to other people's.
*Give thanks in all circumstances. (This is a hard one for kids as they are literal creatures.) Help your children acknowledge that God loves them and only wants good for them. Help them think through any examples from their or your lives that looked bad initially, but good can be seen now. Remind them that God is faithful and we are just to trust Him.
*Life is made up of good and bad experiences and circumstances. You choose to dwell on the positive or the negative. Help your child stay focused on the positive. (Phil 4:8 is a good one to read them)
*Remember that you can make it through whatever comes your way with God's help. (Read them Phil 4:13) Remind them that they are not alone. That God is always with them and gives them strength and peace.
Whatever you do, please don't assume that something that seems insignificant to you isn't extremely significant to them. Take each of their concerns to heart and help them through it.
Start training your little one to look back at the day and recall all the good things God provided to them because He loves them. (Warm sun, cool bug, mommy's hug, cereal from the store, etc) Train them to focus on the good and positive from the beginning.
May you meditate today on all the blessings and wonder of God.
Brenda
Start by helping them think through the idea. Ask some questions to get them thinking. Such as:
*What was a time you tried something that didn't work out like you wanted it to?
*How do you usually feel when things don't work out as you'd like?
*What was a time you were disappointed with something but then everything turned out okay in the end?
*What kinds of things can make you discontent?
Then help your children follow some guidelines: such as...
*Don't compare your circumstances or life to other people's.
*Give thanks in all circumstances. (This is a hard one for kids as they are literal creatures.) Help your children acknowledge that God loves them and only wants good for them. Help them think through any examples from their or your lives that looked bad initially, but good can be seen now. Remind them that God is faithful and we are just to trust Him.
*Life is made up of good and bad experiences and circumstances. You choose to dwell on the positive or the negative. Help your child stay focused on the positive. (Phil 4:8 is a good one to read them)
*Remember that you can make it through whatever comes your way with God's help. (Read them Phil 4:13) Remind them that they are not alone. That God is always with them and gives them strength and peace.
Whatever you do, please don't assume that something that seems insignificant to you isn't extremely significant to them. Take each of their concerns to heart and help them through it.
Start training your little one to look back at the day and recall all the good things God provided to them because He loves them. (Warm sun, cool bug, mommy's hug, cereal from the store, etc) Train them to focus on the good and positive from the beginning.
May you meditate today on all the blessings and wonder of God.
Brenda
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Lesson in Honor
A Lesson in Honor
Honor changes kids, but sometimes it's hard to communicate its importance to children. One way that you can teach honor is by modeling it as you extend hospitality to others.
We live in a compartmentalized society. Many of the entertainment options today decrease interaction between people and leave them feeling lonely. It's an honor to be invited over for dinner or for an evening of games and activities.
Opening your home is an excellent way to extend grace and honor to others and it's good for your kids. Talk with your children about who you're going to invite and why. Plan the evening together and talk about how you'll treat your guests as special. Afterwards, talk about how things went and emphasize the positive things that happened and how you all worked together to show honor to others.
1 Peter 4:9 gives an interesting command to believers. "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." Use that verse before, during, and after to help your children understand the benefits of honoring others.
So, who can you invite over this week? Not only will you bless others, but also you'll be blessed yourself. And your kids are always watching and learning.
For more practical ideas on developing honor in your family consider the book Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, in You and Your Kids by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
This was sent to me by the daily parenting tips I get from the National Center for Biblical Parenting. If you would like to sign up to receive their tips just click on my Parenting Tips link at the right bottom of this page.
Blessings to you all,
Brenda
Honor changes kids, but sometimes it's hard to communicate its importance to children. One way that you can teach honor is by modeling it as you extend hospitality to others.
We live in a compartmentalized society. Many of the entertainment options today decrease interaction between people and leave them feeling lonely. It's an honor to be invited over for dinner or for an evening of games and activities.
Opening your home is an excellent way to extend grace and honor to others and it's good for your kids. Talk with your children about who you're going to invite and why. Plan the evening together and talk about how you'll treat your guests as special. Afterwards, talk about how things went and emphasize the positive things that happened and how you all worked together to show honor to others.
1 Peter 4:9 gives an interesting command to believers. "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." Use that verse before, during, and after to help your children understand the benefits of honoring others.
So, who can you invite over this week? Not only will you bless others, but also you'll be blessed yourself. And your kids are always watching and learning.
For more practical ideas on developing honor in your family consider the book Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, in You and Your Kids by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
This was sent to me by the daily parenting tips I get from the National Center for Biblical Parenting. If you would like to sign up to receive their tips just click on my Parenting Tips link at the right bottom of this page.
Blessings to you all,
Brenda
Monday, November 2, 2009
Parents Stand with their Children before the Lord
There is much hype these days that parents have turned over the primary spiritual education of their children to the church. That may have been true in the recent past, but there is a huge mind shift happening in parents today. The church is supporting and encouraging them to be the primary teacher of their children. Churches only get a very small number of minutes with children each week. Parents have them for the many hours that they are not in school. You, as parents, are perfectly positioned to carry out,
Deuteronomy 11:18-20
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,
Rolling Hills Covenant Church Children's Ministries understand that our ministry is not just to your children, but to you. We want to be volunteers in your Children's Ministry. We are committed to providing you with tools and support to help you with the spiritual development of you child. We understand as a church that strong parents and families lead to stronger spiritual champions in your children.
Take advantage of the resources we have for you. Join marriage and parenting workshops and series. Come as a family to Bible Study during the week. Use the weekend lessons your children have learned as a spring board to go deeper with God as a family. We offer you a tool online that shares weekend lessons and enrichment suggestions you can do at home. http://tiny.cc/vdpOP
This January we will begin the Bible Institute on Tuesday nights. There will be several classes to choose from while your children attend LINKED. Consider making Tuesday night a night your family is committed to come together and grow in knowledge of the Lord.
We are excited about the change we see here at RHCC. So many families are committed to the spiritual development of their children and furthering their own walk. I am proud to be part of this church. You are standing with your children before the Lord.
Bless you all
Brenda
Deuteronomy 11:18-20
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,
Rolling Hills Covenant Church Children's Ministries understand that our ministry is not just to your children, but to you. We want to be volunteers in your Children's Ministry. We are committed to providing you with tools and support to help you with the spiritual development of you child. We understand as a church that strong parents and families lead to stronger spiritual champions in your children.
Take advantage of the resources we have for you. Join marriage and parenting workshops and series. Come as a family to Bible Study during the week. Use the weekend lessons your children have learned as a spring board to go deeper with God as a family. We offer you a tool online that shares weekend lessons and enrichment suggestions you can do at home. http://tiny.cc/vdpOP
This January we will begin the Bible Institute on Tuesday nights. There will be several classes to choose from while your children attend LINKED. Consider making Tuesday night a night your family is committed to come together and grow in knowledge of the Lord.
We are excited about the change we see here at RHCC. So many families are committed to the spiritual development of their children and furthering their own walk. I am proud to be part of this church. You are standing with your children before the Lord.
Bless you all
Brenda
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