PHOTO CAPTION: Loving life! Let’s love God’s Word too.
I think my love of God’s word began as a child in Sunday School. I had teachers who welcomed me and loved me and made going to
Sunday School fun. One of my earliest recollections is of my beginner teacher having play clay out for us to play with as we came into class on Sunday. I used to love rolling that clay and trying to shape it. She also would put pictures into a decorated shoe box that we could look through a hole and see, kind of like a miniature 3-D effect. I’m probably dating myself with these memories, but the thing I remember most was that she made the Bible come alive for us and taught us that prayer is talking to God. He hears us and He delights in answering even the prayers of His little ones.
Later on, as a grew and could read on my own, I had another teacher who encouraged me to read and study the Bible on my own. He would give us prizes each Sunday if we came back and had studied our lesson for the week or had read our Bible. I don’t remember exactly how he knew whether we had or not. I think he probably gave us a chart to mark off. Whatever he did, he stressed the importance of reading God’s Word. He set a good example by reading himself and he encouraged us to make reading God’s Word a habit. It became as much a part of my daily routine as brushing my teeth and getting ready for school.
I’m thankful for teachers who encouraged this love of God’s Word in me. It has been a habit that has been such a blessing. Still today, it’s a big part of my life. It’s not just a daily discipline that I have to do, but it’s a vital part of my life. I enjoy reading my Bible and welcoming God into my day. I feel like God talks to me as I read. Often He speaks words of encouragement to me. When I am sad, lonely, or stressed about something, He reminds me how much He loves and cares for me. He reminds me that He is my provider, protector, shepherd, savior, everything that I need.
I sometimes feel today with all the technology that our kids and now have at their disposal – TV, movies, video games, computers, I-pads, social media sites,etc; that we have lost that vital, life-giving, love for God’s Word. How can we recapture that? What can we do to encourage the love of God’s Word in our kids lives? I’m not sure I know, but I think we need to try. Check below for a few ideas and please send me your ideas too. I’m always open for new ideas. As we share with one another, maybe we can come up with some things that really work and of course, prayer helps too. Ask God what’s going to work for your kids, then do it. He knows and He loves them best.
Let’s start this journey of loving and living God’s Word together and see where it leads. Come go on a Bible adventure with me. It’s the best choice you will ever make.
PS Remember God’s Word is powerful. Miracles happen when we stand on God’s Word. Let’s pray that this next generation learns the powerful, miraculous impact that God’s Word can have in their lives.
Let’s pray that they understand the deep love that God has for them and begin to seek Him in a new way. Reading God’s Word should be approached as a chance to talk with your best friend – it’s more about relationship than simply something to be done.
* PARENT PRAYER:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for sending your Spirit to be with us always. You have been so faithful to me through the years, through the good and the bad times, the hard news and the good news. Life is constantly changing, but you never change. You are alive and you are forever. You walk with me encourage me, strengthen me and you are my best friend. You heal when I am sick. You take my hand when I’ve lost hope. You create in me a refreshing garden in those dry, barren places of my life as I give them to you. You guide, give wisdom and you love me like no other. Show me how I can share that love with my kids, grandkids and others. I don’t have the strength to love like you do so love through me. Give me opportunities to share with my family and others this forever good news that you are alive and want to be our forever friend. I welcome you as my forever friend. Amen
- ENCOURAGING A LOVE FOR GOD’S WORD
- I feel so inadequate at this. It was easier with my kids as I could read to them and often did – even into their high school years. It’s not quite so easy with grandkids. Still I ask God to give me opportunities to speak into their lives and show them the grace-filled, merciful love of God as revealed in His Word.
- 1. Read the Bible yourself. If you are having a hard time understanding it, get a translation that makes more sense to you. Ask God to help you understand His Word and to speak to you through it. Start in the gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
- 2. For yourself, read with friends and discuss together. Others may have insight that you don’t.
- 3. For your kids, read with them. I used to feel disappointed when my kids got up in the morning before I was able to read God’s Word. It was like I never had any God and me time, but then God nudged me and said, “Read to them.” I realized this was a short segment of my life that would not last forever, so I started reading and trying to put it into language they would understand.
- 4. Get a Bible or Bible storybooks that are age-appropriate.
Kid’s Section
SHARE A STORY:
King Josiah Finds God’s Word
2 Chronicles 34-35:19
Luke 18:15-17
Once there was a boy named Josiah. He was only eight years old when he became king! He loved God and tried to do what was right. (Give self a hug.)
Some of the kings that ruled before Josiah had let the temple church become dirty and broken. They didn’t care about God’s house. They didn’t trust God. Instead they worshiped statues made out of wood and stone.
When Josiah grew up, he decided to clean and repair the temple church. He wanted it to be a place to worship God again. Josiah asked men to help him and they rebuilt and repaired the temple church.
One day one of the priests, Hilkiah, found a scroll. A scroll had writing on it and was rolled up. It was like a book. Guess what? The scroll was a special book. It was God’s special book. Hilkiah told Shaphan and Shaphan took the scroll to King Josiah. Shaphan read it to the king.
When King Josiah heard the words, he was very sad. (Make sad face.) He was sad because God’s people had not been following God’s rules.
King Josiah asked the people to go to the temple church with him. He read God’s Word to the people there. King Josiah promised to love, obey and trust God with all his heart. (Give self a hug.) He told the people to love, obey and trust God too. Josiah was sad (Make sad face.) that the people had not been obeying God, but he was happy (Smile!) and thankful that they had found God’s Word. He wanted the people to love. trust, listen and obey God’s Word.
We can be thankful for God’s Word just like Josiah was. We can love, trust and obey God just like Josiah did too
PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for giving me your Word, the Bible, so that I can know what you want me to do and how much you love me. Help me to listen to the Bible and do what is right. Thank you for loving me. Amen
KNOW: God’s Word is always true.
TALK ABOUT: Favorite Bible stories. Why are they your favorite?
ASK: Who loves you? God loves me.
AND DO: Read a Bible story together with your child and thank God for His word.
MEMORIZE: Proverbs 3:5 NIrV – (Hands open like holding a book.)
Trust – (Hands open, pull back towards you closing into fists.)
In the Lord – (Make and L with your hand, touch shoulder & hip.)
With all – (Hands out wide to sides.)
Your heart – Hands on heart.)
FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK
* Read a favorite Bible story together. For even more fun, act it out!
* Hide your child’s Bible somewhere in the house and then go on a hunt to find it.
* Some easy Bible experiences for Preschoolers are: “The Beginner’s Bible”, “Read With Me Bible” and “The Bible App For Kids”
For Elementary Ages: “Easy To Read Version” or The New International Readers Version” . The You Version Bible App now also has a Kids Bible Experience that is good for this age.
Faith Steps and More 