Sharing Biblical Concepts with Children

I mentioned in my last post that I'm reading Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd & Margie Tripp. I just finished reading Chapter 4 "Three Principles for Communicating Formative Instruction" and thought I'd post a couple of helpful quotes and then some bullet points:

"We give our children big truths they will grow into rather than light explanations they will grow out of."

"Children grow in their perception of the gospel as they move from a naive, tactile, and sensory grasp of the world to a more abstract ability to interact with concepts. This is a process...We need to teach these spiritual concepts in gentle, compelling ways."

Don't Mix Imaginary Stories with True Bible Stories
- Illustrate spiritual concepts for children by other means than popular entertainment characters.
Sidenote: This reminds me of the Santa Clause in his red and white outfit bowing to baby Jesus in a manger at Christmastime-just a little confusing for little ones ;)

Don't Trivialize the Gospel to be "Relevant"
- When we "bring the Bible down to their level," children quickly outgrow their love and wonder at biblical narratives. Children will grow into their understanding as they realize that God's Word is different from all other literature. It is truth. It is life.

Help Young Children Relate to Bible Stories in Tactile and Physical Ways
-Giving real examples of sizes, lengths and heights from stories (i.e. Spear from David and Goliath, weight of Goliath's armor-so they could imagine themselves in David's sandals)
-Putting yourself in similar situations as people from the OT (i.e. Setting out on a trek like Abraham and Sarah saying that "We will never return. I don't know where we are going or what will happen but God will give guidance and provision.")

*examples taken from book

The Bible As Our Family Album?

Have you ever thought about Abraham of the bible being related to you or Ruth? I mean ever REALLY thought about it. I kind of knew it but it didn't mean as much to me as say being related to my Grandma Mary that I have real memories with. But reading books like Adopted for Life by Russell Moore and now thinking about Scripture as Our Personal History-a section in Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd & Margie Tripp...I'm starting to see it, love it and cherish it...

Russell Moore originally got me thinking when he was talking about how he was counseled NOT to change the name of the boys he was going to adopt because it'd give them identity issues and how he was counseled to be sure to give them their Russian History. He had a different idea (I think more biblical) he was going to change their names and give them the Moore family history-because that's what they were becoming-and he went on to say that not only were they going to hear the Moore family history but also the stories of the Bible-that of course he hoped he'd claim as their own. I love that.

Personally, I know the stories of my auntie Mags pulling out my uncle Henry's hair and how my great grandpa served chorizo and eggs to movie stars in L.A. I love knowing how my Grandpa Joe sold huaraches with his mom on Olvera St in L.A. but since Jesus saved and adopted me into HIS family I have another family history. A history that tells of a Creator and the sinful people he used to point to their need for a Savior, and how the long awaited Savior actually came to save the sinful people and make a way for them to be with the Father-my Father :) I love that. Isn't it sweet?!

Well let me leave you with some quotes from the book I'm currently reading on the same topic:

"God has revealed himself to us in the Scriptures, telling us who we are and why we were created. Scripture is our history. Creation, Fall, and Redemption are the context for understanding life. Our children cannot understand why they are in this world, how sin has affected them, and how redemption restores what sin has destroyed, apart from their spiritual history."

"Scripture is history that tells us about ourselves."

"Scripture is not only about God's people of old-it's about us and our children. The Bible is our family album."

Talking to your kids about sex

If you have never visited CCEF.org I highly recommend it! They have wonderful counseling resources and blogs/articles on a variety of topics from mental disorders to family relations. Here are a couple of videos by Julie Lowe on Talking to your children about sex.

Training Parents How To Discipline With The End In View

I love Russell Moore. I want James to go Southern Baptist Theological Seminary just so I can sit in on Russell Moore's lectures (Don't worry Church fam, I don't want that more than I love Kaleo). He's a big  Adoption advocate. In fact, Russell Moore wrote Adopted for Life, a book about our adoption as believers and the call to adopt orphans. Last March, I was blessed by my church to attend the Children Desiring God conference in Minnesota and doubly blessed when I got to meet and listen to Russell Moore speak on parenting. He's not a boring speaker by any means and he's very easy to listen to. This is one of the messages I got to hear. If you have some time, I hope it blesses you.


Training Parents How to Discipline with the End in View from Children Desiring God on Vimeo.



Liked that? Well read more of what he has to say on other topics as well here at his blog.

Breastfeeding + pumping + vaccinations = Overwhelmed

While being pregnant there sure are a "roller coaster" of feelings. Happy one day because you get to see old friends and be excited by a shower of gifts for the little one, then overwhelmed the next thinking about breast feeding, having to pump, and which vaccinations to get or not get.

In the overwhelming moments it's easy to be anxious and feel like you don't have a clue. It's easy to feel nervous about making the wrong decision. But its so scary to feel weak. Then, by grace, I remember what God's word has to say about being weak. As uncomfortable as it is to not know the future and outcome of the decisions my husband and I make, I do know that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. May I know Christ more through my weaknesses...

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Russell Moore on Parenting with the end in view

 In March, I was blessed by my church to be sent to the Children Desiring God conference! It was amazing! Among many great seminars, Russell Moore's still stands out to me. If you have some time, you can watch the video I posted, or you can download it to your itunes here, or click the audio while you clean here.

Live with Paul Tripp

I was very excited to see that Desiring God will be going Live with Paul Tripp tonight. If you don't know who Paul Tripp is, let me just say, he really helps parents get to the heart of their children (as compared to behavior modification). To help you understand here's a summarized story he frequently tells in his books:

Him and his wife had a bad apple tree. It wasn't bearing good fruit and didn't look healthy. So one day he buys a ton of apples, gets a ladder and a staple gun. He goes to the tree, rips off all the bad apples and then starts stapling on all the good ones. Then he tells his wife that the tree is fixed. Obviously, the tree isn't fixed, the roots need change so that there can be good fruit. He uses this story to talk about how parents often try to fix their children's behavior when what they really need is change at the roots-they need to get to the heart of their children.

Our church just bought the content he will be talking about which is "Getting to the Heart of Parenting." I've learned a lot from the sessions I've watched so far, and he is very enjoyable to listen to. I highly recommend tuning in tonight if you can. Tune into DesiringGodLive at 7:00 PM (EDT) which is 3:00 PM (PST). Go here to find out the time for your specific time zone. Let me know if you plan on tuning in or what you liked!

Fatherless with Propaganda

Propaganda is so good at spoken word. Listen him to talk about the importance of a father over a home of financial gain.

11 Ways to Protect Your Daughter from Barbie

Read this helpful post from The Resurgence

Over Sexualization of our Daughters

Between Toddlers & Tiara's, dance competitions, and December's issue of the French Vogue it's easy to see the over sexualization of little girls. That's what a recent post by Council for Biblical Manhood & Womanhood talks about. I never even heard of the show Toddler's & Tiara's until today. Watching a 7 minute clip of it was disturbing enough-to say the least. I'd encourage you to read the post yourself. As christians, this article helps parents answer this question: What can parents do to help prevent the over sexualization of their daughters?

Here are the 3 points:
1. Help preserve inward beauty
2. Help preserve sexual purity
3. Discipline and teach them in the Lord.

For now I'll leave you with this picture. Consider the verse below the picture. 

Do not let your adorning be external-the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry or the clothing you wear but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

1 Peter 3: 3-4

 What will we impress upon our daughters when it comes to trends & fashion, and their hearts? 

Rediscovering Catechism...

People have asked me from time to time what my thoughts on catechism are. My initial reactions were, "What the heck is that? Isn't that a Catholic thing?" So when I found out that it's something that some christian churches/families do, I thought I'd find out what it is and why people do it. Then I came accross "Rediscovering Catechism: The Art of Equipping Covenant Children" by Donald Van Dyken and bought it. Now that I've finished it, I've discovered a few things. Firstly, protestants were actually catechizing before Catholics. It was adopted by the catholic church when they saw how well it taught the children. Also, I learned what catechism is. It's basically questions and answers. For example the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer listed is: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." The third thing I learned? There are some really rich catechisms! Isn't that answer to man's chief end simply beautiful?! 

I haven't looked at all the Catechisms, I've only peaked at them on-line. But the Hedielberg and Westminster seem to be well-known in reformed circles. The content of the catechisms are just really rich material. I'm not completely sure what James and I would do. My objections aren't so much about the lessons being boring (God's truth is not boring), it's not that the concepts (adoption, justification, sanctification) are too big. In fact concerning truths that people say are too big for children Matt & Elizabeth Schmucker says this "Pack in truth while your children are little and trust the Lord to unpack it in his time" and Tedd & Margie Tripp say in Instructing a Child's Heart, "We give our children big truths they will grow into rather than light explanations they will grow out of." So that's not it necessarily. My questions have more to do with: Are these things that we will be able to/should cover in our everyday interactions? Are these truths that I can reinforce in every bible story I read and when the car breaks down on the side of the road? 

I can see them being used as a bible class in homeschooling or a formal class at church taught by an elder. So I can definitely see that. I love the content, I'm just trying to figure out HOW it would look to teach those truths. I definitely have more research to do on this topic. I highly recommend the book I read on the subject and (and Michael Horton does too). 

For your enjoyment I posted a rap on the Hedeilberg Catechism (thanks Ysabel). C.J. Mahaney challenged Avoice to make a rap on it at the 2010 Next Conference. You can listen below and follow along with lyrics as well. 

Heidelberg Catechism

Verse 1

Yeah I'm on a mission like a couple spies, and that guys is the reason why I catechize. The good news we almost forgot I recognize, Heidelberg rediscovering the gospel prize. It's not scripture but the truth in it will mention he, introduction hide and seek the 16th century. Written in a time when your mind was the weaponry, this document is back into the populace shouts to Kevin D. Better than you think not as bad as you remember, purpose driven truth, from Frederick the elector. He would initiate, the 129 questions to illustrate truths like Christ propitiates. All in a document, whose purpose was to teach children, a guide for preachers, and confessions in a church building. And this is all fact The Heidelberg Cat has been around but now it's seem like it is coming back.

Hook



We believe in the cross, believe in his life, 


We believe in his death, believe he's the Christ.


We believe that he rose from grave yes it is him


And we read the Heidelberg Catechism



We believe in the after life and we believe nothing's after Christ, so we stand our ground, cuz the truth's been around from the word to the Heidelberg.

Verse 2

Year of the Heidelberg resulting in renewed passion, and we could see it in our lives lights camera action. Let's take a gander and address a few questions from Heidelberg document then look at the answers. But before that make sure that, you know how it's broken down, in a Q & A format, a few sections. Suggestions how to read this not to sound promotional, but Kevin put it in his book to make it a devotional. Each question each answer has a bit of commentary, so the application of it is not some involuntary. Mystery, the history screams through rings true but I'll just leave that up to God, cuz that's between you. to believe, but to believe you gotta read you and then you meditate on all the truths that the Heidelberg will illustrate. What's that the catechism homey where you been the good news we almost forgot let's get it in!

Verse 3

From the word to the Heidelberg, we see that what's the comfort of life should come first. And in death that I with, body and soul but belong to the savior, commentary from me man, tell this to your neighbor. Moving on, how many things are necessary for thee, enjoying this comfort, to live and die happily? Three, my sin's misery, deliverance from sin, and gratitude for God is how the answer ends. Let's stretch it out the Lord's day 23 the grandaddy of them all, questions 59 and 60. What good does it do to believe in all this? In Christ I am right heir to the promise. Paraphrase, anyways I'm kinda limited I'm just trying to say a couple things my man Kevin did. On the Heidelberg, go and get you one, and by the way CJ homey this was fun.

Parent Me with Json

Found this video the other day by Json. The song is called "Parent Me." There are 3 different scenarios that Json takes us through. I'm sure you could identify with being raised in one of these homes or maybe even being one of these type of parents. Well hope you enjoy the video & lyrics. Also, Check out Sho Baraka talking about "Parenting a child with a disability."

[Chorus] - J.R.

Look at my life

Look at my pain

Look at my tears

These tears I shed

I feel so alone, with nobody to talk to

Cuz of the days that I spend without you

It's like you're here, but you're gone (but you're gone)

You're here, but you're gone (but you're gone)

It's like you're here, but you're gone (but you're gone)

And you're gone, gone, gone, gone away

[Verse 1] - Json:

I know you're working, I appreciate your grind

You give me everything I need, but I really want your time (I want your time)

I must confess, it's hard to express how I'm feeling

But I'm growing blocks a bit and it's quickly becoming buildings

Listen, you're never home

To the point to that I don't notice when you're gone

I'm getting older, but I'm growing all alone (I'm alone)

How can you raise me, without even knowing me?

Everything I do, is just to get you to notice me (I miss you)

Realize, you're the great influence in my life

But you're absence just might be what's ruining my life (you're ruing my life)

I got questions, but we don't talk on the usual

My friends are having sex, and I'm wondering, should I do it too? (What should I do?)

Who should I go to, if you are never there? (Where?)

And if you never ask, will you ever be aware? (Be aware)

You say you care for me, you don't get it apparently!

I'm young and just a child, I need my parent to parent me!

[Chorus] - J.R.

[Verse 2] - Json:

I know you're hustling (I know), I see you on your grind

You give me everything I need, but I really want your time (I want your time)

I stay in fresh J's, laced in new gear

But I would trade it all, if I'd only have you here

I smell the boodah you blowing, cuz it be so potent

Oh yeah, I know this, but you don't think I'ma wanna smoke it?

I see your love for the streets, and I want that love too

You taught me to be hard, but you rarely tell me, "I love you" (I love you)

Moms be mad, she always be talking bad about you

But honestly, Dad, I don't think I'll become a man without you

And she be gone, matter of fact she never home

She come into work, and I'm living like I'm already grown

I gotta place to stay, then get ta shop at the mall

But I'll honestly say, I don't have no guidance at all

You say you'd gun for me, but don't know I can barely read

I'm young and just a child, I need my parents to parent me!

[Chorus] - J.R.

[Verse 3] - Json:

I know you're in Church, I see your love for God (I do)

You give me everything I need, but I really need your time (I need your time)

Your godly life and love for people amazes me

But tell me should the Church take my mom and my dad away from me?

I say this simply, you know my life spiritually

Involved in ministry, but often, you don't remember me (Remember me?)

You teach the Youth and show them how to model and live

But at home you've never shown me what the Gospel is (Father I need you)

How can you share with those direly hopeless?

Inside I cry, cuz we've never cracked the Bible open

And I'm feeling the pressure, and don't know what to do

Know what it's like to be the only Christian in your school?

I rep that 1-1-6, they tell me to live unashamed (I'm ashamed)

But that's hard when those around you are on another thing

You study thoroughly, but don't get it apparently!

I'm a baby in the faith, I need my parents to parent me!

[Chorus] - J.R.

[Outro] JR:

Mama I need you.. And daddy I need you...

Annnddd Sho Baraka on Parenting a child with a disability

Don't Waste Your Sports

For literally half of my life I've played soccer. From being a blue Smurf when I was 4 to playing for my High School team when I was 16 I've played, goalie, defense, forward, etc. But that time has passed. I'm not longer in organized sports. So when I see a sermon titled "Don't waste your sports" (by C.J. Mahaney) featured on "Girltalk" I assume this is maybe something I could pass along to my husband. I mean my husband is the one who follows football and plays each week with his friends-not me. But after an encouraging comment from a woman that was blessed by the sermon, I thought I'd take a look for myself...

When I was younger I never thought of playing sports for the glory of God. I wasn't much of a ball hog but when others were- I was sure to complain instead of be humble. And I know I didn't have a filter for what my coaches were telling me. "Use your body!" was a common one in soccer. (Hmm...maybe that's how that girls arm broke?) So looking into the past, listening to the sermon really brought some things to light. But it also made me think about the future. After all, I wasn't driving myself around to all those games and practices. It was my parents.

In the future, when I am taking my kids to soccer practice, will I talk to them about playing soccer for the glory of God? Will I tell my children that we don't have to be obsessed with the game, but enjoy it, for the glory of God? Will my children know the importance of giving glory to God when they make an excellent play? And being a humble teammate for the glory of God?

Well I don't know the future. But I certainly hope so.

There is a book but here is the sermon.

Teaching God's word to little ones

As much as of "re-education" that God is giving me on Child development, there are still always things that only reinforce what I've learned in college. For example, when learning about literacy for children, we learn about the types of books that are appropriate for children (colors, amount of words, durability, etc.)  during different stages of development. Even more specifically, good stories ("good" as far as christian books are concerned, will be quality books that give solid truths) that will promote an interest in reading (more specifically God's word) .

When trying to give children a lifetime interest in reading, you start with story-telling or reading aloud (b/c they can't read yet), and though you don't have to be an amazing story teller for children to enjoy stories, there are some things you can do to keep their attention. Obviously, your tone & voice inflection is important. It was always repeated to us J REPEITION builds confidence in little readers. Saying the same story the same way with the same pauses, and same exclamations really help. As they start to tell the story by memory with you, they will feel like they are story-telling as well and look forward to the story if they can know what is coming next. You may even hear them around the corner going through each page and saying the story the same way you do. Then there is movements and even props that sometimes help keep kids attention for books.

Reading stories and rhymes are probably one of my favorite things to do with preschoolers! If you are trying to teach your toddler God's word go to 7 Ideas for Teaching Toddlers God's Word by Desiring God. Some of the things I mentioned are in there, plus more! Another good idea that would get children interested in God's word is having a Bible story-book on tape/CD that they could listen to in the car or when they wake up or when they go to bed. The Jesus Story Book Bible Deluxe pack comes with a CD to follow each of the stories.

From the Pipers on sitting together at church

Last week I came across this amazing article by John & Noel Piper on Families sitting together during a worship service. It goes through some great topics that parent’s may ask themselves before they attempt the task of keeping their children with them during the service. They address how it is NOT an excessive expectation, and that NOT everything goes over their heads. The Pipers discuss how sitting together as a family in a worship service can create a “sense of Awe” if parent’s are “going hard after God.” What really stuck out to me was the modeling that Piper talked about.

In the article John Piper says some things that make me think. If we taught children that only true happiness is found in Jesus, then when they see their parent’s head (along with the congregation) bowed in earnest prayer before communion, and that their faces are illuminated with joy during worship…maybe, just maybe, there’s something of deeper value to be found in the pews with parents than in the classroom of a Sunday school teacher.

“…The greatest stumbling block for children in worship is that their parents do not cherish the hour. Children can feel the difference between duty and delight. Therefore, the first and most important job of a parent is to fall in love with the worship of God. You can't impart what you don't possess….

…Children should see how Mom and Dad bow their heads in earnest prayer during the prelude and other non-directed times. They should see how Mom and Dad sing praise to God with joy in their faces, and how they listen hungrily to His Word. They should catch the spirit of their parents meeting the living God…

…A deep sense of the unknown and the mysterious can rise in the soul of a sensitive child in solemn worship—if his parents are going hard after God themselves. A deep moving of the magnificence of God can come to the young, tender heart through certain moments of great hymns or "loud silence" or authoritative preaching. These are of immeasurable value in the cultivation of a heart that fears and loves God…”

There are some really great practical ideas on dealing with younger children in a service, and even preparation leading up to the church service.

At least a little curious to read the article? Go here.

Please note: I myself am a Sunday school teacher. I agree that there will almost always be a need for Sunday school-for infants and toddlers especially. New families, new believers, unbelievers will come to the church the children of those families may not be able to sit still. It would be better for the parent’s to learn about Jesus and how he relates to parenting than for them to be distracted by their children. I humbly submit these are all beliefs that I’ve had no life experience to try this with. However, I do trust that people like the Pipers, David & Sally Michael, and tons of others speakers I’ve heard on the topic-who have had more years of experience in both parenting and Children’s Ministry. 

A father's role in his children going to church when they are grown

Whether  the world likes it or not. God made mothers and fathers to have certain roles.  Obeying or disobeying those God-given roles have certain outcomes.  A study done in Switzerland “reveals the connection between church-going habits of mothers and fathers and the effect on their children when they are grown.” Here is an excerpt:

“…if a father does not go to church, no matter how faithful his wife’s devotions, only one child in 50 will become a regular worshipper. If a father does go regularly, regardless of the practice of the mother, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will become churchgoers (regular and irregular). If a father goes but irregularly to church, regardless of his wife’s devotion, between a half and two-thirds of their offspring will find themselves coming to church regularly or occasionally.” (Found originally on Justin Taylor's blog) 

Read the rest here. 

Not only does the study reveal the importance of obeying the roles God gives us, but it also highlights the importance of Christians marrying Jesus-loving people that love the church (Christians). Marrying someone that does not love Jesus and His church is very detrimental to the spirituality of future children (as revealed in the study).

Children see, children do

As I’m trying to finish this awesome book “Duties of the Parent” By J.C. Ryle I came across a quote that fits exactly how I feel about being a Christian Preschool Teacher. I’ve said before that I often fear any thoughts of parents possibly thinking that the Christian teacher or even Sunday School Teacher will be the one to pass on the faith, to teach the stories, and to build character. We are only a reinforcement of the truths that are taught at home. God did not ordain for us to have as big of an impact as parents do. This is what J.C. Ryle says on “school masters” vs. parental example:

“Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear. No school will make such deep marks on character as home. The best of schoolmasters will not imprint on their minds as much as they will pick up at your fireside….Take care, then, what you do before a child. It is a true proverb, ‘Who sins before a child, sins double.’….”

Below is an example of what children can catch from their parents-simply by watching. The visual really makes one think.

That video can be super sad. I think it’s meant to have that effect to make us think. But if there could be a video of your children following in your footsteps, what would they be doing? Would they be lifting their hands in worship? Would they be running to pray with you? Would they be retelling bible stories to their dolls and siblings? Sin isn’t the only thing that catches on to children.