In the days when our children were little, I used to jokingly wish we could afford to hire a maid once in a while to help with routine household chores. Well, that maid never made her appearance. Instead, we decided to hire our own boys. Why not pay them to do work that we would be willing to pay someone else to do? Suddenly our live-in mess-makers became live-in maids […]
Read More →Category: Weekly character projects
Family Bible Drama, Part 1: Why Dramatize?
“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done… So that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” Psalm 78:4 & 7 Samson, his sweatshirt bulging with “muscles,” fights off an endless onslaught of Philistines. King Ahab dies […]
Read More →Ways to Saturate Your Children with the Proverbs
“For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her” (Prov 3:14-16). Can you and your children identify the proverb illustrated in the picture above? It is in chapter 2 of Proverbs. The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom — true, […]
Read More →More on Sharing
Teaching little children to share sometimes feels like a never-ending pursuit. Here’s some ideas to consider when teaching your children to think of others: PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME. Write up some simple questions and answers to memorize with your children. In other words, catechize them. This simple form of question-and-answer learning can take place at the lunch table or at other teachable, non-emotional moments when conflicts are not occurring. Little children […]
Read More →Family Activities for the Week of Easter
Next week, we’ll celebrate Easter, remembering Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. Here are some ideas for focusing your week on Christ and making it fun and meaningful for your family. Act out the crucifixion and resurrection story, or stage a play with toys, felt figures, or stuffed animals. Make your own grace garden or resurrection garden. Try these “Get a Sense of the Resurrection” object lessons. Make your own […]
Read More →Hope for the Liar
Lying comes naturally. We shouldn’t be shocked when our children lie. They’re born with old sin natures, and that’s what old sin natures do. Man has been lying ever since Adam and Eve believed the lies of Satan, the father of lies. Because it is sin, lying should be taken seriously. But we must resist our own temptation to sinfully over-react when our children lie. At best, sinful anger, scolding, […]
Read More →Twelve Ways to Minister to the Elderly
Many residents living in retirement centers and nursing homes are lonely and have little contact with their families. By investing a few hours of your time, you will not only bless the residents but also provide a great growing and teaching opportunity for your children. Even more importantly, caring for widows and the elderly is pleasing to God (Leviticus 19:32, 1 Timothy 5:3, James 1:27). If a relative lives in […]
Read More →Clearing Our View
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8) I’ve been studying the Sermon on the Mount with the aid of Kay Arthur’s study, Lord, Only You Can Change Me, and Sinclair Ferguson’s book, The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World. These words from Mr. Ferguson on Matthew 5: 8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Emphases […]
Read More →Seven Things that God Hates, and We Should, Too
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19, ESV). Verses 16-19 of Proverbs 6 list of some of the things that God hates. Discuss these […]
Read More →“You First!”
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (Rom 12:10). Have you ever wondered, like I have, why brotherly love is held up in Scripture as an example of love to pursue? It seems like brotherly love often doesn’t look much like love. It looks more like a wrestling match or competition, with one brother continually trying to outdo or one-up the other. Encourage […]
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