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Compromise has Consequences
Gen 19-21 One of the hardest lessons for children to learn is that of boundaries and the consequences of compromise. We can take a lesson right out of scripture to teach these hard lessons to our little ones. God established boundaries for the land and for the people. In fact, after the colossal blunder of Adam and Eve and their compromise regarding God’s established boundary, He graciously put angelic forces at the entrance lest they seek to return. God graciously puts boundaries around us as well. In the book of Genesis, God uses a hard lesson for Lot to teach us the consequences of compromising our principles. Like Lot, we…
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God remembers…do we?
Gen 8-11 “But God remembered Noah…” God never slumbers or sleeps, and He remembers! How’s our “remember-er?” Do we remember God as He remembers us? When you go through each day, do you stop and give Him the praise that He remembers, that is recalls who we are. “For he knows what we are made of; he realizes we are made of clay.” [Ps 103:14] And because of that, He knows our needs and wants, and He provides for each. God remembered not just Noah but all the animals that were with him in the ark. Isn’t it interesting that God’s memory included not just Noah but the animals? That…
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With God, Nothing Is Impossible.
The story of the first Christmas begins like many others, long ago in a faraway place. Dr. Luke has a special friend, and he wants him to know the story of the birth of Jesus. We don’t know much about this friend, but Dr. Luke wanted him to understand how it all took place. So what friend do you want to know about the Christmas story? Dr. Luke begins by telling us that long ago, in the reign of King Herod, a man named Zechariah was busy serving as a priest in the temple when an angel named Gabriel appeared. God had sent him to tell Zechariah that God had…
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The Season of Winter
Recently, we turned our clocks back from daylight savings to winter and shorter days. God has given us seasons to show His perfect plan for our universe. Psalm 104:19 He made the moon to mark the months, and the sun sets according to a regular schedule. And long ago, Moses wrote: in Genesis 1:14, God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night and let them be signs to indicate seasons and days and years. Remember this song? “Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful?” Winter is when we can reflect on the goodness of God in times of…
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Will you have a crown to lay at His feet?
This week we saw the end of the life of Queen Elizabeth, who had reigned over her nation for over 70 yrs. She reigned longer than any British monarch, and in those years, she remained steadfast and lived by the words she shared as a new queen in 1953. “I declare before you that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong,” But what was more remarkable was her testimony that she wished Jesus would return so she could lay her earthly crown at his feet. In sharing this with children, you…
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Welcome to a new school year!
How to be S.M.A.R.T in 2022 and 2023! Here in Texas, the new school year has just begun. Teachers have been busy decorating their classrooms, making plans for the day, and making name tags for the children. The first day and the first week are exciting! The energy is overwhelming, and the children wake up early and are exhausted after a day in their new classroom, learning a new teacher and rules. Each year brings its challenges, and one of them is learning to be “S.M.A.R.T.” wherever you are. Here are some ideas and strategies to have a great new year wherever you are and whatever grade you are in.…
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Teaching Responsibilities
Prov 4-7 Parenting and teaching, just as in Solomon’s time, is fraught with the world’s dangers and Satan’s deceptive ways. Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, or a teacher, all must be attentive to giving the reasons and consequences of what happens when one does not follow correctly. Solomon said this is the wise counsel I leave to you: “The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates reproof is stupid.” [Prov 12:1] These chapters encourage us to help children to know the way they should go, and Prov 22:6 will repeat that idea. Here’s the reason why: the world is full of wolves, just as Jesus told the disciples. Therefore children must…
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Do you really want to be a swallow?
Psalm 84 A Bird’s Eye View God created the birds to fly above the earth and across the expanse of the sky. The timid swallow feeds upon the wing across the expanse of the sky to catch insects. It prefers the habitats of men, where insects are plentiful, and often chooses the most extraordinary places for its nests. The psalmist reflects that in the Temple, this wee bird found a protected refuge high above in the sheltered eaves, where it had the privilege of a ‘bird’s eye view.’ He can see the comings and goings and hear the words spoken at the altar and the songs of the choirs as…
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Using OT stories to teach life principles
Using the story of Job: Long ago, in a land far away, a man lived with his family of ten children. He taught them well and prayed for them each day, especially when they got together. He was a faithful father, a faithful praying father. Days came, days went, and the life they had together was happy and joyful. But, while this devoted father was doing what was right, there was a bad angel named Lucifer who hated this man. He wanted to destroy him, so he went to heaven and angrily talked about this man to God. God asked this evil angel if he had seen this wonderful father…
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Good Friday Guide
Thanks to Seana Scott for this guide for Good Friday: As we begin our Resurrection Day preparation, Seana Scott has written a post on how to do a Seder Friday service for children. We thank Seana for her preparation. You can find more of her blog posts on topics such as this at her webpage: https://www.seanascott.com/
