What does it mean to follow JESUS?
Question to ask your kids: What are the four Gospels? Answer: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Question to ask your kids: How many times do you think Jesus said, “Follow Me,” in the four Gospels? Answer: 13
Tell your kids: Jesus used the words, “Follow Me,” to call His disciples.
Question to ask your kids: How many disciples did Jesus have? Answer: 12
Bible Study on Jesus calling the 12 disciples to follow Him from the four gospels (you could have your kids act this out)
Simon Peter (Fisherman) and Andrew (Fisherman) (Matthew 4:18-20)
18 Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother,
casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
James (Fisherman) and John (Fisherman) (Matthew 4:21-22)
21 Jesus saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father,
mending their nets. He called them,
22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Philip and Nathanael/Bartholomew (John 1:43-51)
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets,
wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Matthew/Levi (Tax Collector) (Matthew 9:9)
9 Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said to him, “Follow Me.” So, he arose and followed Him.
The Twelve Chosen (Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-19)
13 Jesus went up on the mountain and prayed and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.
14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,
15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
16 Simon and Andrew,
17 James and John, that is, “Sons of Thunder”;
18 Philip, Nathanael/Bartholomew, Matthew/Levi, Thomas, James, Thaddaeus/Jude, Simon the Canaanite/Zealot;
19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Question to ask your kids: What does it mean to follow Jesus? Answers: May vary, but some answers may be
to love like Jesus loved, to walk like Jesus walked, to talk like Jesus talked, to live like Jesus lived, to obey like Jesus obeyed (discuss what they share)
Game to play with your kids: Follow the leader https://www.considerable.com/entertainment/games/follow-the-leader/
Song to sing with your kids: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8jvfdDtoqY
Prayer to pray with your kids: Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to not only die on the cross for our sins, but to show us how to love, walk, talk, live, and obey. Please help us to follow Jesus and share Him with others. Amen.
Sunday, January 9, 2022
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Remain Faithful to God's Word
One of my favorite examples of discipleship in the Bible is Timothy. Timothy was a unique person in that his mom, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were devout Jews, but his father was a Greek Gentile. Timothy's mom and grandma taught Timothy the Scriptures when he was a child (2nd Timothy 1:5). Along Paul's first missionary journey, Paul met Timothy and shared the gospel with Timothy and Timothy became a believer in Jesus Christ (Acts 14). Timothy joined Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3) and became Paul's son in the faith (1st Timothy 1:2) and co-worker for the gospel (1st Thessalonians 3:2).
Paul wrote two letters to Timothy (1st and 2nd Timothy). In these letters, Paul gave Timothy wisdom and advice on how to remain faithful to God and His Word amidst persecution and false teachers. In 2nd Timothy 3:10-17, we see Paul warning Timothy that persecution was inevitable as a follower of Christ and that deceivers and imposters would come into the Church. Paul also encouraged Timothy to stand firm in his faith and in God's Word, which he had known from childhood.
14 - But as for you, you must continue to remain faithful to what you have been taught/what you have learned and firmly believe to be true [God's Word], for you know that you can trust those who taught you/you have learned from.
15 - From childhood you have known the holy/sacred Scriptures [God's Word], which has given you the wisdom to receive salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 - All Scripture is God-breathed/inspired by God,
and is profitable for:
doctrine/instruction/teaching what is true/right,
reproof/rebuke/conviction of what is wrong,
correction of sin in our lives,
and training in righteousness/what is right
17 - so that the man/servant of God may be thoroughly equipped/prepared for every good work
and will be complete/perfect.
When I look at this passage of Scripture as well as cross-references, I see 10 things:
1) Eunice (Timothy's mom) and Lois (Timothy's grandma) had built a trustworthy relationship with Timothy.
Paul also built a trustworthy relationship with Timothy.
2) Eunice and Lois taught Timothy God's Word as a child.
3) That teaching made Timothy ready to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ when Paul shared it.
4) Paul encouraged Timothy to remain faithful to God's Word no matter what.
5) God's Word is breathed out/inspired by God. Men wrote what God instructed them to write (2nd Peter 1:21).
6) God's Word teaches us what is right.
7) God's Word exposes our sin/what is wrong.
8) God's Word corrects us of our sin.
9) God's Word trains us in righteousness/right living.
10) God's Word equips up for every good word God has called us to do.
How do we apply this in our lives and in the lives of our children?
1) Build and cultivate a relationship built on love and trust with your kids.
2) Teach them the Scriptures from childhood (it's never too late to start).
3) Pray for them to be ready to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ when it is shared with them.
4) Encourage them to remain faithful to God and His Word no matter what.
Heavenly Father,
I pray for each parent or guardian or person who is reading this devotional right now. Everyone has a level of influence with children and people in their lives. I pray that we would build relationships of love and trust with our kids and others. I pray that we would teach them the Scriptures. I pray that their hearts would be fertile soil ready to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ when it is shared with them. I pray that we would be encouraged and encourage others to remain faithful to You and Your Word no matter what. To You be all the glory!
Amen.
Paul wrote two letters to Timothy (1st and 2nd Timothy). In these letters, Paul gave Timothy wisdom and advice on how to remain faithful to God and His Word amidst persecution and false teachers. In 2nd Timothy 3:10-17, we see Paul warning Timothy that persecution was inevitable as a follower of Christ and that deceivers and imposters would come into the Church. Paul also encouraged Timothy to stand firm in his faith and in God's Word, which he had known from childhood.
14 - But as for you, you must continue to remain faithful to what you have been taught/what you have learned and firmly believe to be true [God's Word], for you know that you can trust those who taught you/you have learned from.
15 - From childhood you have known the holy/sacred Scriptures [God's Word], which has given you the wisdom to receive salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 - All Scripture is God-breathed/inspired by God,
and is profitable for:
doctrine/instruction/teaching what is true/right,
reproof/rebuke/conviction of what is wrong,
correction of sin in our lives,
and training in righteousness/what is right
17 - so that the man/servant of God may be thoroughly equipped/prepared for every good work
and will be complete/perfect.
When I look at this passage of Scripture as well as cross-references, I see 10 things:
1) Eunice (Timothy's mom) and Lois (Timothy's grandma) had built a trustworthy relationship with Timothy.
Paul also built a trustworthy relationship with Timothy.
2) Eunice and Lois taught Timothy God's Word as a child.
3) That teaching made Timothy ready to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ when Paul shared it.
4) Paul encouraged Timothy to remain faithful to God's Word no matter what.
5) God's Word is breathed out/inspired by God. Men wrote what God instructed them to write (2nd Peter 1:21).
6) God's Word teaches us what is right.
7) God's Word exposes our sin/what is wrong.
8) God's Word corrects us of our sin.
9) God's Word trains us in righteousness/right living.
10) God's Word equips up for every good word God has called us to do.
How do we apply this in our lives and in the lives of our children?
1) Build and cultivate a relationship built on love and trust with your kids.
2) Teach them the Scriptures from childhood (it's never too late to start).
3) Pray for them to be ready to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ when it is shared with them.
4) Encourage them to remain faithful to God and His Word no matter what.
Heavenly Father,
I pray for each parent or guardian or person who is reading this devotional right now. Everyone has a level of influence with children and people in their lives. I pray that we would build relationships of love and trust with our kids and others. I pray that we would teach them the Scriptures. I pray that their hearts would be fertile soil ready to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ when it is shared with them. I pray that we would be encouraged and encourage others to remain faithful to You and Your Word no matter what. To You be all the glory!
Amen.
Friday, July 23, 2021
Character Study - Complaining
COMPLAINING
Definition to Look Up:
complain:
Verse(s) to Memorize:
Philippians 2:14-15:
Scripture to Read/Study:
The Life and Attitude of the Israelites as they Wandered the Wilderness:
After the Israelites, who were God’s chosen people, were miraculously freed from Egyptian slavery by God via Moses, they went in search of the Promised Land, but they were forced to wander in the Wilderness for forty years because they would not quit complaining against God.
Exodus 15:23-24:
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore, the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
Exodus 16:2-3:
2 Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Numbers 21:4-9:
4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
Questions to Answer:
Who were the Israelites?
Give some examples of times they complained.
Give some examples of their punishments for complaining?
Application to Plan: What is the key thing you learned from this lesson?
How can you apply what you learned from this lesson?
Prayer to Pray:
Definition to Look Up:
complain:
Verse(s) to Memorize:
Philippians 2:14-15:
Scripture to Read/Study:
The Life and Attitude of the Israelites as they Wandered the Wilderness:
After the Israelites, who were God’s chosen people, were miraculously freed from Egyptian slavery by God via Moses, they went in search of the Promised Land, but they were forced to wander in the Wilderness for forty years because they would not quit complaining against God.
Exodus 15:23-24:
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore, the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
Exodus 16:2-3:
2 Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Numbers 21:4-9:
4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
Questions to Answer:
Who were the Israelites?
Give some examples of times they complained.
Give some examples of their punishments for complaining?
Application to Plan: What is the key thing you learned from this lesson?
How can you apply what you learned from this lesson?
Prayer to Pray:
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Be a Student of Your Children
Now you may be looking at the title of this blog entry and thinking, "Be a student of your children? Aren't my children the students?" Yes, they are the students in many ways. They look up to you to teach them everything from how to eat to how to walk to how to read to how to drive a car. But, I believe we are also to be students of our children.
One of the most quoted verses when it comes to parenting is Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Upon further study of that verse, I have learned 2 things:
1) It is a principle, not a promise, and
2) It doesn't just mean to train them up in the LORD (which is the most important thing), but it also means to train them up in their special and specific callings and giftings from God.
What I mean by it being a principle and not a promise is that we do not have a 100% guarantee that if we train them up in the LORD that they will always follow Him. That in no way means that we should not train them up in the LORD (see Deut 6:4-9 and Eph 6:4).
Again, we should train them up in the LORD, but we also need to train them up in their special callings and giftings from God. How do we know what those specific callings and giftings are? By being a student of our children. This means that we are actively involved in their lives and watching to see their God-given bents, interests, gifts, and callings. If we see that our child shows more interest in history than math, we should help them look into a path that involves history (ie teacher, lawyer, politician) and not push them into engineering just because we are an engineer and think it is the best career ever. If we see that our child is more into music than athletics, we should encourage and equip them in music and not push them into football just because we are a die-hard NFL fan. These are simple examples, but so many parents make goals for their children that have nothing to do with each individual child.
Be a student of your children and train them up in the LORD and in the bents, interests, gifts, and callings He has given them, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.
One of the most quoted verses when it comes to parenting is Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Upon further study of that verse, I have learned 2 things:
1) It is a principle, not a promise, and
2) It doesn't just mean to train them up in the LORD (which is the most important thing), but it also means to train them up in their special and specific callings and giftings from God.
What I mean by it being a principle and not a promise is that we do not have a 100% guarantee that if we train them up in the LORD that they will always follow Him. That in no way means that we should not train them up in the LORD (see Deut 6:4-9 and Eph 6:4).
Again, we should train them up in the LORD, but we also need to train them up in their special callings and giftings from God. How do we know what those specific callings and giftings are? By being a student of our children. This means that we are actively involved in their lives and watching to see their God-given bents, interests, gifts, and callings. If we see that our child shows more interest in history than math, we should help them look into a path that involves history (ie teacher, lawyer, politician) and not push them into engineering just because we are an engineer and think it is the best career ever. If we see that our child is more into music than athletics, we should encourage and equip them in music and not push them into football just because we are a die-hard NFL fan. These are simple examples, but so many parents make goals for their children that have nothing to do with each individual child.
Be a student of your children and train them up in the LORD and in the bents, interests, gifts, and callings He has given them, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.
Friday, July 16, 2021
Object Lesson - Cookies
I love cookies! To me there is almost nothing better than a homemade cookie, whether it be the classic chocolate chip or a seasonal gingersnap or a snickerdoodle. I love pulling out my trusty red Kitcheaid mixer, measuring cups and spoons, spatula, and ingredients and whipping up a batch of deliciousness, especially with my kids.
The other day, I read a great devotional from Proverbs 31 about life and how even the hard things are an important part of it. The author used this great analogy, so I cannot take the credit, but it was too good not to share. I am hoping us parents can use it with our kids. I've added more details to make it easier to do.
Pull out your mixer, measuring cups, and spoons, spatula, and ingredients, and grab your kids for this great object lesson.
Using the classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, start with 2 sticks of softened butter. Talk to your kids about how butter is a fat and how sometimes we go through "fat times" which are times of plenty and blessing. You could share some times that you have seen God provide.
Add 3/4 cup of white sugar and 3/4 cup of brown sugar. Talk to your kids about how the sugar is like the "sweet times" which are times of super blessings. You could share some times that you have seen God do some sweet things. Mix that all up.
Then add 2 eggs and 2 tsp vanilla and mix. Talk to your kids about how we don't eat raw eggs and how sometimes we go through some pretty "raw times," that hurt pretty badly. You could talk about times in your life that hurt. You can also talk to them about how the vanilla represents "super sweet times". Share some super sweet times like your kids being born.
Then you add 2 1/4 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt. Flour, baking soda, and baking powder are not fun to eat plain. They are pretty dry and tasteless, even yucky. They represent the "dry times" or "yucky times". Talk to your kids about those times in life. The salt represents "salty times" Those would be the really hard times. Talk with your kids about those.
Last, but of course not least, add in a bag of semisweet chocolate chips and mix. They represent the everyday sweet things that happen. Hopefully there are lots of "semisweet moments" sprinkled into your days. Making cookies could be one of those "semisweet moments."
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy! Remind them that God works all things together for the good (Romans 8:28). He puts all the "ingredients" into our "recipe" and it turns out as a good thing.
The other day, I read a great devotional from Proverbs 31 about life and how even the hard things are an important part of it. The author used this great analogy, so I cannot take the credit, but it was too good not to share. I am hoping us parents can use it with our kids. I've added more details to make it easier to do.
Pull out your mixer, measuring cups, and spoons, spatula, and ingredients, and grab your kids for this great object lesson.
Using the classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, start with 2 sticks of softened butter. Talk to your kids about how butter is a fat and how sometimes we go through "fat times" which are times of plenty and blessing. You could share some times that you have seen God provide.
Add 3/4 cup of white sugar and 3/4 cup of brown sugar. Talk to your kids about how the sugar is like the "sweet times" which are times of super blessings. You could share some times that you have seen God do some sweet things. Mix that all up.
Then add 2 eggs and 2 tsp vanilla and mix. Talk to your kids about how we don't eat raw eggs and how sometimes we go through some pretty "raw times," that hurt pretty badly. You could talk about times in your life that hurt. You can also talk to them about how the vanilla represents "super sweet times". Share some super sweet times like your kids being born.
Then you add 2 1/4 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt. Flour, baking soda, and baking powder are not fun to eat plain. They are pretty dry and tasteless, even yucky. They represent the "dry times" or "yucky times". Talk to your kids about those times in life. The salt represents "salty times" Those would be the really hard times. Talk with your kids about those.
Last, but of course not least, add in a bag of semisweet chocolate chips and mix. They represent the everyday sweet things that happen. Hopefully there are lots of "semisweet moments" sprinkled into your days. Making cookies could be one of those "semisweet moments."
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy! Remind them that God works all things together for the good (Romans 8:28). He puts all the "ingredients" into our "recipe" and it turns out as a good thing.
Monday, July 5, 2021
Family Meals
Family meals are crucial.
There are countless reasons why family meals are important, but I believe the number one reason is because it builds family relationships. All throughout Scripture, we see the value of "breaking bread".
Meals are not just about the food that's eaten, but about the fellowship that happens. It's about praying together, talking about our days, and extending love and respect to each other.
Whether it is a homecooked meal from scratch, a semi-homemade meal, sandwiches, cereal, takeout, or even eating in a restaurant, again, it's not about the food, but about being together.
Whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, a holiday feast, or a quick snack, it's not about the time of day, it's about the quality time.
Something fun that we like to do at our family meals is a game called "High/Low". Basically, you share the best part of your day ("high") and the worst part of your day ("low"). This is a simple yet deep game that gives everyone a chance to share what is going on with them. It also affords an opportunity to praise God for our "highs" and pray to God about our "lows".
We have also done devotionals at the table. A great resource for this is Adventures in Odyssey Meal Time Devotions.
It's great because it has:
A Mealtime Prayer
An Appetizer, which gets the topic rolling and asks a question
A Main Course, which is Scripture reading
Table Talk, which is more questions
Vitamins and Minerals, which is a Scripture verse (you could encourage them to memorize)
How do you prioritize family meals?
What do they look like?
Do you do anything fun or unique at meals?
There are countless reasons why family meals are important, but I believe the number one reason is because it builds family relationships. All throughout Scripture, we see the value of "breaking bread".
Meals are not just about the food that's eaten, but about the fellowship that happens. It's about praying together, talking about our days, and extending love and respect to each other.
Whether it is a homecooked meal from scratch, a semi-homemade meal, sandwiches, cereal, takeout, or even eating in a restaurant, again, it's not about the food, but about being together.
Whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, a holiday feast, or a quick snack, it's not about the time of day, it's about the quality time.
Something fun that we like to do at our family meals is a game called "High/Low". Basically, you share the best part of your day ("high") and the worst part of your day ("low"). This is a simple yet deep game that gives everyone a chance to share what is going on with them. It also affords an opportunity to praise God for our "highs" and pray to God about our "lows".
We have also done devotionals at the table. A great resource for this is Adventures in Odyssey Meal Time Devotions.
It's great because it has:
A Mealtime Prayer
An Appetizer, which gets the topic rolling and asks a question
A Main Course, which is Scripture reading
Table Talk, which is more questions
Vitamins and Minerals, which is a Scripture verse (you could encourage them to memorize)
How do you prioritize family meals?
What do they look like?
Do you do anything fun or unique at meals?
Praying for Our Children
There is no greater impact we can have on our kids than prayer. There are countless books and resources on praying for our kids. I have no doubt read and used most of them throughout the years.
Some of my favorite resources are:
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt
Additionally, I just took our Family Mission Statement - https://mightyacorns613.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-family-mission-statement.html - and turned it into a Daily Prayer Guide.
Some of my favorite resources are:
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt
Additionally, I just took our Family Mission Statement - https://mightyacorns613.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-family-mission-statement.html - and turned it into a Daily Prayer Guide.
I like this because it is specific to our family. Priscilla Shirer says, "Specific prayers get specific answers."
I would love to hear what resources you love for praying and how you pray for your children.
A Family Mission Statement
For years I have been hearing about creating a family mission statement. It always intrigued me because I am all about trying to find a focus for what I am doing and keeping my eyes on that. Anyone who knows me knows that I love acronyms. I prayed about this for a long time and decided that I wanted to use our last name, Webber, to create our mission statement using the letters in our name. I sat down and wrote every verb that I could think of that started with those letters that sounded like it would go along with something that could be a core value of our mission.
Wait, Walk
Educate, Encourage, Enjoy, Enter, Examine, Expect, Extend
Behave, Believe, Bless
Radiate, Raise, Rejoice, Remember, Reproduce, Remember, Rest
Then, I narrowed them down to these:
Walk with God
Enjoy and Examine God's Word
Believe that God Can Do the Impossible
Behave Like a Christian
Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving
Reproduce Other Believers in Jesus
After that, I found Bible verses to be the foundational truths of each part of the mission.
I typed it all up, prettied it all up, and printed out our Webber Family Mission Statement.
I am sharing it with you in hopes that it will motivate you to make yours as well. God Bless!
Wait, Walk
Educate, Encourage, Enjoy, Enter, Examine, Expect, Extend
Behave, Believe, Bless
Radiate, Raise, Rejoice, Remember, Reproduce, Remember, Rest
Then, I narrowed them down to these:
Walk with God
Enjoy and Examine God's Word
Believe that God Can Do the Impossible
Behave Like a Christian
Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving
Reproduce Other Believers in Jesus
After that, I found Bible verses to be the foundational truths of each part of the mission.
I typed it all up, prettied it all up, and printed out our Webber Family Mission Statement.
Redeeming Devices
One of the major modern parenting issues is technology and devices. There is an entire spectrum from "My kid will never have a device" to "My kid has unlimited devices".
This is not a post on if and/or when a child should or should not get a device. This is a post on how to redeem devices.
There is an amazing verse in the Bible that we actually have up in our school room as well as in the forefront of my mind.
Ephesians 5:15-16
So pay very careful attention, then, how you live. Don't live like unwise fools, but live like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity [Redeeming the time], because the days are evil.
I believe this verse shows us that we should make the most of every opportunity [redeem the time]. I believe this also includes devices.
One way that I have been redeeming devices with my 15-year-old son is by praying that God will give me a passage of Scripture to send to him each day. And God has been faithful every single day since I have started praying. I send him the Scripture with some insights and application and prayer and an "I love you" every day.
Here is what I sent him today:
2nd Timothy 3:14-17
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Stay faithful in and to God's Word, which you have known from childhood. Let it teach you, correct you, and guide you that you may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has for you. Love you.
I pray that this is an encouragement and applicable thing for you. Let's go out and redeem the time. God bless!
This is not a post on if and/or when a child should or should not get a device. This is a post on how to redeem devices.
There is an amazing verse in the Bible that we actually have up in our school room as well as in the forefront of my mind.
Ephesians 5:15-16
So pay very careful attention, then, how you live. Don't live like unwise fools, but live like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity [Redeeming the time], because the days are evil.
I believe this verse shows us that we should make the most of every opportunity [redeem the time]. I believe this also includes devices.
One way that I have been redeeming devices with my 15-year-old son is by praying that God will give me a passage of Scripture to send to him each day. And God has been faithful every single day since I have started praying. I send him the Scripture with some insights and application and prayer and an "I love you" every day.
Here is what I sent him today:
2nd Timothy 3:14-17
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Stay faithful in and to God's Word, which you have known from childhood. Let it teach you, correct you, and guide you that you may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has for you. Love you.
I pray that this is an encouragement and applicable thing for you. Let's go out and redeem the time. God bless!
Friday, May 28, 2021
Allowances
DISCLAIMER: This is just how we do allowances.
There is no perfect way to do allowances. In fact, some families don't even do allowances.
You do you and what works best for your family. This is just what we do.
We give allowances based on age because as they get older, they have more (intense) chores.
Ex. Our 5-year-old gets $5.00 a week, our 10-year-old gets $10.00 a week, and our 15-year-old gets $15.00 a week. We start at the age of 5 because they don't really understand before that.
Out of their allowance, they tithe 10%, give 10% to our church's children's building fund, and save 30% in a long-term savings account. The rest (50%) is theirs to spend how they wish (or save as short-term savings).
I'll use my middle child, who is 10, as an example, because the math is super easy.
At the age of 10, our son gets $10.00 a week (if he does all of his chores).
Out of that $10.00, 10% ($1.00) is tithed to our church.
Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.
He committed to give 10% to our church's children's building fund so that is another $1.00.
2nd Corinthians 9:7 - So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
He puts 30% ($3.00) into his savings account, which he cannot touch until necessary.
Proverbs 13:16 - Every prudent man acts with knowledge.
He gets to keep 50% ($5.00) as his discretionary money to spend on whatever strikes his fancy (usually video game bucks).
Ecclesiastes 9:7 - Go, eat your bread with joy, for God has already accepted your works.
Now, you may be wondering how they earn their allowance. They have to do ALL of their chores. It's an all-or-nothing situation.
Again, I'll use my middle child, as an example.
His chores are: doing his own laundry (washing, drying, folding, putting away), cleaning his room throughout the week, changing his sheets weekly, vacuuming his room weekly, vacuuming his set of stairs weekly, cleaning his bathroom, cleaning the playroom, and any other odds and ends that help make the house run smoothly (dishes, wiping the kitchen table down, living room tidying, taking out trash and recycling, and anything else that is asked of him).
The reasons we like doing allowances are:
1) It rewards their hard work (my husband wouldn't go to work if they didn't give him a paycheck).
2) It teaches them how to manage their money (we don't want them to first learn how to tithe and save when they are adults).
3) They have to buy their treats along the way (no more "Mommy, will you buy me..." If they have their money, they can get it).
How do you do allowances? Please share. If you don't, please feel free to share that also.
There is no perfect way to do allowances. In fact, some families don't even do allowances.
You do you and what works best for your family. This is just what we do.
We give allowances based on age because as they get older, they have more (intense) chores.
Ex. Our 5-year-old gets $5.00 a week, our 10-year-old gets $10.00 a week, and our 15-year-old gets $15.00 a week. We start at the age of 5 because they don't really understand before that.
Out of their allowance, they tithe 10%, give 10% to our church's children's building fund, and save 30% in a long-term savings account. The rest (50%) is theirs to spend how they wish (or save as short-term savings).
I'll use my middle child, who is 10, as an example, because the math is super easy.
At the age of 10, our son gets $10.00 a week (if he does all of his chores).
Out of that $10.00, 10% ($1.00) is tithed to our church.
Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.
He committed to give 10% to our church's children's building fund so that is another $1.00.
2nd Corinthians 9:7 - So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
He puts 30% ($3.00) into his savings account, which he cannot touch until necessary.
Proverbs 13:16 - Every prudent man acts with knowledge.
He gets to keep 50% ($5.00) as his discretionary money to spend on whatever strikes his fancy (usually video game bucks).
Ecclesiastes 9:7 - Go, eat your bread with joy, for God has already accepted your works.
Now, you may be wondering how they earn their allowance. They have to do ALL of their chores. It's an all-or-nothing situation.
Again, I'll use my middle child, as an example.
His chores are: doing his own laundry (washing, drying, folding, putting away), cleaning his room throughout the week, changing his sheets weekly, vacuuming his room weekly, vacuuming his set of stairs weekly, cleaning his bathroom, cleaning the playroom, and any other odds and ends that help make the house run smoothly (dishes, wiping the kitchen table down, living room tidying, taking out trash and recycling, and anything else that is asked of him).
The reasons we like doing allowances are:
1) It rewards their hard work (my husband wouldn't go to work if they didn't give him a paycheck).
2) It teaches them how to manage their money (we don't want them to first learn how to tithe and save when they are adults).
3) They have to buy their treats along the way (no more "Mommy, will you buy me..." If they have their money, they can get it).
How do you do allowances? Please share. If you don't, please feel free to share that also.
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Life Verses
What is a life verse? A life verse is a verse that you make your foundation for your life. Of course the entire Bible should be our foundation for life, but a life verse is a special word from the Lord that cements your life and your purpose as you follow God throughout your life.
My personal life verse is 2nd Corinthians 12:9 - And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
When our first son was on his way, we sat for hours praying and picking out names for him. When we settled on Luke, which I loved because it was from the Bible and meant "bringer of light," his life verse came very easily.
Luke's life verse is Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.
Our second son's name came very easily. One day I said, "I love the name Nathan," and my husband said, "Me too." It was easy-peasy. Coming up with his life verse didn't come during the pregnancy like it did with Luke's. After the death of his twin sister, each day I would say a verse over him and me.
Nathan's life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Our daughter's name is Alexis Faith, which means "defender of faith." When she passed away, my faith was tested more than any other time in my life so far. We wanted a Bible verse on her headstone, and looking at "faith" in the Bible, the most fitting one became her life verse.
Alexis' life verse is Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Our third son's name was the hardest name to figure out. I guess when you have lots of one gender it gets harder. Once we unanimously agreed on Benjamin, I found his life verse pretty easily.
Benjamin's life verse is Deuteronomy 33:12 - Of Benjamin he said: "The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and He shall dwell between his shoulders."
I hope this has encouraged you to prayerfully consider a life verse for yourself and/or your children.
I would love to hear yours. :)
Friday, September 11, 2020
Appreciation
D.L. Moody said, "Character is what a man is in the dark."
Instilling Godly character into our kids is crucial. Character is who they truly are.
After reading and highlighting so much of an awesome book,
Parenting With Scripture, by Kara Durbin,
I decided to make Character Studies for my kids and I am going to share one with you today.
Basically, you look up the definition of the character trait. Then, there is a verse to memorize.
Then, there is a passage of Scripture that illuminates the character trait in action.
After reading the passage, there are Observation and Application questions to go through.
Lastly, a place for prayer is given to encourage a time of prayer.
The first one is on Appreciation. Who doesn't appreciate being appreciated?
But what I have realized that more important than being appreciated by others
is having an attitude of appreciation toward God and others.
APPRECIATION
Word to Look Up: appreciation:
_________________________________________________________________________
Verse(s) to
Memorize: Psalm 100:4:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Scripture to Read/Study:
Luke 17:11-19:
11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem
that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 Then as He entered a certain village,
there met Him ten men
who were lepers, who stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their
voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show
yourselves to the priests.”
And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was
healed, returned,
and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 and fell down on his
face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
18 Were there not any found who returned
to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your
way. Your faith has made you well.”
Questions to
Answer:
Who are the key people in this lesson?
_________________________________________________________________________
Describe 9 Lepers: ________________________________________________________
Describe 1 Leper:
_________________________________________________________
What happens?
_________________________________________________________________________
How does the 1 leper stand out?
_________________________________________________________________________
What does Jesus say to him?
_________________________________________________________________________
Application to
Plan:
What is the key thing you learned from this lesson?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
How can you apply what you learned from this lesson?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Prayer to Pray:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
If you need an easier-to-print PDF version, please e-mail me at mightyacorns613@hotmail.com
Monday, September 7, 2020
Be Humble
Help/Serve Others
Mark 9:35 – “If anyone desires to be first,
he shall be last of all and
servant of all.” – Jesus
Mark 10:43-45 – 43 Whoever desires to become great among you
shall be your servant.
44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45 For even the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
“Me first,” is not just something that
little kids say.
It’s a heart attitude that many people struggle with.
Jesus told His disciples if they
wanted to be first, they should be last and serve everyone.
How can you turn from “me first” to
“me last”? How can you serve others?
Use Your Gifts for Others, Not Yourself
1st Peter 4:10 – Each of you should use whatever gift you have
received
to serve others.
God has given everyone different gifts,
not to use for themselves, but for others.
What gifts has God given you? How can
you use them for others?
Mimic/Model Jesus to Others
Philippians 2:3-11 – 3 Let nothing be done through
selfish ambition or conceit,
but in
lowliness of mind
let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let
each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but
also for the interests of others.
5 Let
this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being
in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with
God,
7 but made
Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the
likeness of men.
8 And
being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point
of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore
God also has highly exalted Him
and given
Him the name which is above every name,
10 that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of
those in heaven, and of those on earth,
and of those under the earth,
11 and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
When we come to Jesus as believers, we
are to be like Jesus.
Jesus was a humble servant.
How are you mimicking Jesus to others?
How can you model Jesus to others?
Be Honest With Others About Your Mistakes
and Sins
James 5:16 – Confess your sins to one
another, and pray for one another,
that you may be healed.
We all sin (Romans 3:23).
We don’t have
to hide that from others and try to look like we are awesome.
How can you humble yourself and share
your mistakes and sins with others?
Listen to Others
Proverbs 12:15 – The wise listen to
advice.
Humble people listen to others. How can
you be a better listener?
Edify/Build Up Others
Romans 15:2 – Each of us should be
concerned for our neighbors’ good,
to build them up (edify them).
Humble people look for ways to build up
others. How can you build others up?
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