We aren’t born knowing how to handle conflict. It’s not something we grow into either, like learning to walk or talk. I never could have imagined some of the things I’ve had to say to my preschoolers: “Don’t you know you can’t just take his toy because you want it?” “Do you really think hitting your sister is going to make her do what you want?” “If he’s yelling and […]
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We can’t change our children’s hearts and make them cheerful about obeying us, but we can certainly encourage cheerful obedience, and we can help our children see why they can obey with joy. We’ll talk about teaching older children to respect parental authority (as Daniel promised last week) in a future post, but for today let’s look at the attitude behind true obedience. We’ll look at 3 reasons for cheerful obedience, and 4 ways to encourage cheerful […]
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Last week we considered what obedience looks like, and how our own example is an integral part of teaching our children. Today I want to look more closely at some tactics for teaching young children to obey. My children are still young (ages 1, 3, 4, and 6), and I’m thoroughly convinced that these early years are the prime time to be teaching obedience. (Next week, you’ll hear from my […]
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We recently considered why it’s easy to let our children disobey, and why teaching obedience is important. You all raised so many good questions that we’ve decided to spend several more posts working through the practical elements of teaching our children to obey. Today I want to define what I mean by obedience and then consider the first “strategy” for teaching our children to obey. In upcoming posts, Mama and […]
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Last week, we looked at some ways we can easily allow our children to disobey. This sparked some good questions, which will be addressed in next week’s post. Before we talk about teaching obedience, it’s important to consider why obedience is so important. Here, as in many aspects of Christian parenting, we should look to the example of our Heavenly Father. Why does God ask us to obey Him? How […]
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No parent wants disobedient children. But it’s surprisingly easy to let our children get away with disobedience. It’s easy to allow outward obedience accompanied by whining, complaining, or grumpy looks. It’s easy to allow a child to correct us, debate with us, or tell us how she will obey on her own terms. It’s easy to resort to cajoling, reasoning, manipulating, distracting or bribing. It’s easy to issue threats, give […]
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We’ve come to the end of our study. 🙁 We’ve seen what our sin cost Jesus. We’ve seen how He willingly laid down His life to bring us healing and salvation. We’ve grown in our love for such a Savior. And some of us have gained some new Bible study skills and perhaps a new excitement for studying God’s Word. What can you do next? What can you do to keep what […]
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Tomorrow we’ll look at some ideas for continuing your study of Isaiah 53 on your own. For today, let’s have a giveway! First, I want to give all of you this hand-lettered portion of Isaiah 53:5! It’s my little thank you for studying with me over the past month — and a reminder of what Jesus has done for us! Next, you have a chance of winning a $50 gift certificate from […]
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“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) Have a blessed and joyous day as we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection from the dead!
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So . . . I gave most of you a head start yesterday. 🙂 Somehow I scheduled the first lesson to post on February 28 instead of March 1. (Over-eager, I guess?) My apologies. I’m sure it won’t be the only mistake I make over the next thirty days. I’m reposting the same lesson again today, for those who may have just joined us. For those who did this lesson yesterday, […]
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