Things I’m Glad I Did While Raising My Kids- Part 3

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I grew up without being exposed to Scripture, so as a young mom (age 20) it was all still very new to me. I was under great teaching that helped me to realize that all the answers for life are contained in God’s Word, so as I began searching and learning it myself, I sought to find ways to teach it to my little son.

We began by hanging verses around the house and Rick and I started memorizing portions of Scripture together. By the time we had 3 little boys (all 18 months apart), Rick began recording Scripture for the boys to listen to when he was at work. It seemed he was gone for most of their waking hours, so it was his idea to record and explain Proverbs for them to listen to at nap time and bed time.

He gave example stories to explain the what it was talking about so the kids could understand. The results were far-reaching and amazing!! He recorded other portions of Scripture as time went on, and as the boys and then girls grew up, they spent MANY hours listening to Dad read and explain the Scriptures to them.

We often read the Proverb of the day- there are 31 days to the month and 31 Proverbs. Rick always told the kids to raise their hands if they had any questions when he read.  One day he began reading the Proverb of the day and the kids finished the verse before he had a chance to. It happened again and again. When Dad asked them how they knew so many verses, they said, “Well, you have us listen to Bible tapes every night and we just know them.” It was true!! It was incredible!!

Not only did they memorize it, it began to affect the way they thought. God’s Word does that! When they were faced with temptations, verses they didn’t consciously realize they even knew, would pop into their heads giving guidance in everyday decisions. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” It is so true.

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Curriculum Pick: Geography and Prayer

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Geography and Prayer??

Yes, they can go together! This is my favorite resource for teaching geography through prayer. Sound weird? Well, it makes so much sense.

I wanted my kids to know geography. Not only where to find countries on a map, but something about that country and it’s people. This is the perfect resource….

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Dealing with Discouragement

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I’ve found that there have been seasons in my life that I just wanted to quit! You can’t see God’s hand or feel His presence and it seems like nothing is working. You feel like you’re not doing a good job at being a wife, mother, church member, neighbor- or anything at all.

What should you do? What can you do?  It’s during those times that I’m driven to God’s Word and here I find comfort and hope.

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Resurrection- Focused Easter Resources for Children

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Here are some fun resources you can use to teach your kids about the truth of the resurrection:

Easter Sticker Book-A delightful sticker book retelling the Easter story! The Easter Sticker Book sensitively depicts the story of Easter, from Palm Sunday through to the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, with clear and simple text and bright colorful stickers. Featuring sixty reusable stickers, children interact with the Easter story by searching for the correct stickers to complete each illustration.

‘The Story of Easter’ Board Book

A classic bestseller presented in a new size with fresh, bright illustrations. Here is the story of Easter told in about 200 words that are simple enough for a toddler to hear. From Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem through the crucifixion and the Resurrection, the Easter story is presented in its most traditional form. Vibrant illustrations paired with classic text bridge the connection between the biblical story and today’s Easter celebration. This book is unsurpassed as an introduction to the significance of Easter. Ages 2-5.

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Scripture Helps us Deal With Temptations (Printable Chart!)

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When my boys were little, I chose these verses for them to learn to help them deal with struggles they were facing at the time. I made paper “Bibles” from construction paper and wrote the references on the front of the Bible and verse on the back. Then we covered them with contact paper. (A better option might be lamination.)

Each day we would work through the verses just saying them one at a time until each one was learned, and then we reviewed them all. Use whichever version you prefer.

If you would like, you can download a chart with all of these “When Tempted” scenarios and the verses that give us the weapons to fight the temptation!

When tempted to be afraid

  • Psalm 91: 10, 11  “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”

When tempted to speak foolish words-

  • Ephesians 4:29- “Don’t use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing.”( TLB) Or KJV version: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

When tempted to think wrong thoughts-

  • I Corinthians 10:15 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

When tempted to feel like a failure- Success is promised to us if we practice this

  • Joshua 1:8.9- ” This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

When tempted to do wrong to those who do wrong to you. Do good to those who mistreat you

  • Luke 6: 27,28 – “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

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Is the Bible Really Relevant for a Child’s Daily Life?

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You hear a lot these days in Christian circles about freedom in Christ. Christ has set us free! Yes, He has! I’m so grateful for that, but just why has he set us free? Does that mean we are free to evaluate all the philosophies of the world and make our own decision about how to live our lives? Can we merely follow our desires and tell ourselves that God gave us our desires and we’re free to pursue what we love to do?

If we are truly born again, we are bought with a price. We are to be servants of the Most High God. Our lives are not our own. We belong to Him, and the only reason He left us on this earth  is to serve Him, not to pursue our desires.

How can I know what is the right way to raise my kids? How can I know if something “questionable” is okay to do? Are there any FAQ’s to help me make wise decisions? How can I raise my kids to be able to make wise decisions when they are no longer kids and looking to me for guidance in daily decisions?  Or when I’m dead and gone? There are so many philosophies out there. How do I evaluate them?

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