Parent Cue: Conviction Part II

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:13 NIV

I can get caught up in wondering what God’s purpose is for my life…I am an Olympic OVER thinker! But then I read a verse like Philippians 2:13 and I am reminded to keep it simple…use the talents and gifts He has given me to proclaim His name and give Him glory…or more simply say YES! to the little things He puts on my heart! After all, it IS His plan and purpose!

You can read my first post about Parent Cues here. This blog is my little YES! in Him to share my passion for His Word and raising the next generation of world changers!

The kids spent a second month on Conviction: Standing For What Is Right Even When Others Don’t.

I was super excited that one week the focus was on habits! I was a Franklin Covey certified instructor of the What Matters Most class…all about planning (for the important stuff first) and creating habits! Reading my bible and praying was always an A item in my planner daily! To be honest though, there were too many times I would let that time get an X instead of a big check because I didn’t do it first. It is a lot easier to stand up for what is right when I am in His word daily, before my day runs away, and THAT is a habit I want my kids to have! Here are some ideas for God Time with your kiddos:

• Take turns sharing things that are bad habits and good habits. Talk about how Daniel’s habit of praying and asking for God’s help kept him safe! Pray together and ask God to help you commit everything you do to the Lord, make a habit of doing what is right and thanking and praising God for always guiding us and keeping us safe!
  • Daniel 6:10
  • Daniel 6:11
  • Daniel 6:13

• Use index cards and write a verse to memorize! Put it somewhere you always go each day like on the bathroom mirror, beside your bed or at your place at the table. Each day read it and make a hash mark on the back…count up how many times it takes to memorize it…did you do better than the 21 day average? Now pick another verse, read it the same time and place each day and track your progress on the back. Keep it up…you are forming the habit of memorizing God’s word and that will help you stand for what is right!
  • Proverbs 16:3
  • Proverbs 13:6
  • Psalm 48:14

My prayer for you is to say YES! to time in God’s word with your kids, that they will be strengthened to stand for what is right even when others don’t, that your family will have a thirst for God’s word that you quench daily and that you have confidence that God will show you how to use the talents He has blessed you with!

Parent Cue: Conviction

This thing called Orange is part of the reason why I started this blog. So this post is a part of a series I hope to continue. When the church (the lampstand…yellow) partners with the family (the heart…red) there is more potential to influence the hearts of our kids.

One way we can partner together is through parent cues. What are those, right? They are conversation starters to help your kids grow in authentic faith and can include what was talked about in kids’ church so that you can continue the conversation at home! How many times have you asked your kids what they learned about in church and they said God? While that’s good, I think there is more that can be talked about, like His love, forgiveness, faithfulness, sacrifice, grace, promises, protection, awesomeness…and how does all of that relate to them!

While I am thankful for my children’s pastor and the great job his team does in cueing parents through the 252 Basics Curriculum in our church, you may be thinking your church doesn’t do this, so how does this relate to you?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 instructs us as parents to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength and share that love with our children. If you don’t get cues on what was taught in children’s church and asking your kids doesn’t give you enough information, I encourage you to ask your Children’s Pastor. I think they would love to connect with you and strengthen the message in your child’s heart! Maybe someone could post it on your children’s ministry Facebook page to share with others! Maybe you could serve your Children’s Pastor by posting a parent cue!

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10

Listen to God when He calls. Say yes! Do not listen to the enemy telling you that you are not qualified. God meets us where we are, uses us, weaknesses and all, He makes us qualified! There is no one better to disciple your kids in God’s Word than you, He chose you! Let’s get started!

The month of June in our kids’ church focused on CONVICTION: Standing for what is right even when others don’t. That might mean inviting the kid that is being bullied to sit with your group of friends at lunch, even if that means you risk the bully picking on you. It might look like your child offering school supplies to the kid being teased for forgetting theirs. The bottom line is: WHEN YOU STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, OTHERS CAN SEE GOD.

I find that for our family, before bed is a good time to have some God time. Your family’s time may be in the morning, after lunch or at the dinner table. Here are some conversation starters…parent cues!

• Have some fun together! Get a blanket and some flashlights, turn off the lights and get under the blanket, break the ice…make some shadow puppets, you know you want to! Now talk about ways each of you can stand up for what is right this week (at work, at home, in the neighborhood, when school starts back up) so others can see God!
• Ask your kids when was the last time they felt super tired? It could be a really good tired, like after playing hard all day in the pool or going to an amusement park. Or it could be something they get tired of doing…like homework! Share this verse:

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

We should never get tired of doing the right thing!

• Share a bible story that shows people who stood up for what is right when others didn’t. The book of Daniel chapters 1, 2 and 3  offer good examples of others seeing God when someone stood for what was right.

My prayer is for you to be encouraged to spend time in God’s Word with your children, to feel His presence, that He would bless your efforts, for it to be a sweet time marked with smiles, laughs, and a deepening in authentic faith for each of you!