Teaching Your Children To Love Jesus

I am a Leaner, I like to learn something from whomever I meet. I learn best by teaching. The teacher always learns the most. I attended the Dot Mom conference last year in Nashville. I highly recommend it! There was a gifted teacher there who had much knowledge and wisdom for a struggling parent like myself. She was gracious enough to tutor me through DVDs as an extension of the conference, and here is the heart of the lesson I took away. I recommend using the Armor of God and the Lord's Prayer for a morning devotional for the whole family! You can purchase her training DVDs on her website below.

Teaching your children to love Jesus                                     

Karen Alexander-Doyle

http://karenalexanderdoyel.com/

                                                          

 There is a great Seeds Family Worship song on this verse! 

You can LISTEN to it HERE from a computer (phone will not let you hear tracks).

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength. Teach them diligently. Teach them

1. When you walk by the way – everyday activities, grocery store, interacting with people, errands. Let your child get used to hear you talking to Jesus aloud. When you have problems, stress, struggles, let them know you go to Jesus first. Involve them in the prayer. You are training them how to deal with life problems when they come.
2. When you lie down- don’t rush bedtime. Take the time to let him know you value him to listen, spending focused attention. Lay down beside your child and ask “what was your favorite part of the day today? What was your worst part of the day?” In the cloak of darkness you will receive some tender secrets from your child that otherwise you would not have! Leave them with the last thought of the day being on Jesus.
3. When you sit in your house – mealtimes, playing, cleaning, cooking
4. When you rise up – get up before them. Greet them with a song to let them know that your attitude is focused on gratitude towards God. “I will enter his gates with thanksgiving on my heart,” “This is the day,” “Good morning God,” or just make up a song, Thank you Jesus. Jesus name is powerful when spoken aloud!!
5. Bind them around their hands (practical application) and minds (memorizing the word). Bind them on your doorposts and gates- Everything in your home should reflect Jesus (TV shows, magazines, internet sites, you tube vid,etc)

                                                          

Mealtimes: set up some ground rules that meal times are only for positive talk. (if negative things need to be discussed arrange a time later) Start intentional conversations (if you could be any animal what would it be?….you can search for conversation starters to really begin some cool conversations around the dinner table).

Involve your children in decision making process for vacations and outings as much as possible. It gives them value.

Give them responsibilities each day. This also builds self esteem and tells them you trust them and you know they can do the job.

                                                    

Morning Routine: Pray through the Lord’s prayer (possibly at Breakfast table). Each child can take a different part.

1. Praise: You are our Father in Heaven. You are _______ (Name of God like Provider, Bread of Life, Heavenly Daddy, Rock,etc.) We Praise you for ____.
2. Plan: Show us your will in _______ (situation you are in right now) Lord, guide us and direct or path today as Mommy _______, as Daddy _______, as brother ______. (Pray for each person’s plans for that day)
3. Provision: Thank you God for providing _______. Be our provider for ________.  We need _____. Lord we ask you now _________.
4. Pardon: Please forgive me for _____. Help us to resist the temptation to ______.(Each person takes turns).
5. Protection: Put on the Spiritual Armor of God

Armor of God - Here are some of  Leah's favorite videos to watch on the Armor of God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dITBAdCdOVU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2w6KOnrBVM

The Shining Sword – Charles Coleman (great book for kids - recommended by Karen Alexander-Doyel)

1. Hemet of Salvation: Protection for the mind. Lord, please guard my mind. Take my thoughts captive. Help me see things as you see them. Bring me to salvation. (if your child has not already accepted Christ). Help me remember that because I am saved, I have received a Kingdom that is UNSHAKEABLE and that no external force can shake me.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness: Protection for the heart. Help me put on Christ’s righteousness. Show me anything I need to make right with you.
3. Belt of Truth: Protection against deception. Show me your truth in ______ (situation) and help me to walk in that Truth (live like I believe it). Let Truth surround me. Help me to stand firm against the enemy.
4. Shoes of Peace: Protection against anxiety. Show me opportunities to share Christ and to help others in need.
5. Sword of the Spirit: God’s Word. Help me to get your word into my heart (explain that means memorize it)
6. Shield of Faith: Protection against fear. Our defense against the flaming arrows (lies) of enemy. Help me overcome my unbelief in ______. Help me to believe your promise that says ________. Help me recognize the lies of the enemy. Bind Him from me and my family. Take away my doubts, confusion, and help me overcome temptation.

Rose Publishing -If you sign up for Rose Publishing emails you can download this free chart and others!

He is NOT HERE! He is Risen!

I will never forget the first time I heard my son recite that verse...he was 3 and had learned it at preschool. It melted my heart. Teaching our kids to love Jesus is so rewarding and worth every minute of preparation.
I LOVE EASTER...and PREPARING for EASTER. To me, it's as exciting as preparing for Christmas, especially since there's less clean up to do afterwards!

Here are some simple ideas for celebrating the Lent Season in your family. It is the season in which we anticipate the Great Rescue Plan of God coming to fruition...

1. Make a Grace Garden ... I got this idea from Ann Voskamp's A Holy Experience blog. How to Make an Easter Garden

Ann Voskamp writes:

How to Make an Easter Garden {Christian Easter Activity}

Our beginning, and our mortal fall, began in a garden.

Christ’s beginning to right that fall began in a garden.

So children and I, we make an Easter garden.

A miniature remembering of the grief of the first beginning, the resurrecting wondering of the all-things new beginning.

We gathered

a basket, some dirt,

some plants at the nursery, a beginning too,

three tramped to the woods for just the perfect moss
while one found a wee glass for the pond, a few shells too

and a visionary carved a hole in a stone grotto of his making.

They planted a garden, filled their pond with water, laid the flattest, the smallest (they were sure) stones from our lane, as a winding path to the Great Emancipation.

And come Palm Sunday, we’ll plant some seeds, resurrection hope in the dark of the earth, and line the path with smalls candles, miniature garden torches, for the Light is coming. And we’ll begin the path and each day light another wick… until Good Friday, when all went dark.

And in the evening of Good Friday, the children will shape a caterpillar out of modeling wax, swath it in small square of silk, tuck it in the moss outside the grotto with stone over the entrance….

On Saturday, we’ll remember and we’ll wait.

And come Sunday, Easter morn early, in first light dawning, we’ll roll back the tomb, see only the husk of silk left behind, a butterfly a light in the branches of tree over the Tomb and we too will ask, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Lk. 24:5) He is alive!

So this is the path we walk from Lent to Easter, from dark to Light, from cocoon confinement to conquering in Christ and the Easter garden will unfold, a parable, a living visual of the metamorphosis of all the cosmos…

Us again with HIm in the garden in the cool of the evening.....by Ann Voskamp

Here is my version of the Garden:

I sculpted the tomb out of air dry clay and I added Grace Stones, little clear stones with one side smooth, to which I glued pictures of miracles and events in the life of Jesus. We add one a day until Easter, the path to the cross. The broken one at the top is the Body of Christ. The Lord gave me this idea last January. I was feeling discouraged after the holidays, and I was feeling hopeless about the state of pain my body was in, that it would never go away. When He gave this to me, it was like JOY, welling up inside, that I then poured out into this project.

And this was it on Easter morning, the day I left for Mayo Clinic. I left my husband, who could not walk from his recent gunshot injury. The pastors had prayed over me the night before. I left with tears, uncertainty, and much fear. I left in search of answers. But God promised me a new thing. See I am doing a new thing! I am making a way through the wilderness. Isaiah 43:19....and He did! It has been a year...and all this time He has been bringing me closer, deeper into fellowship with Him.

2. Act out the stories in the life of Jesus. A lot of these stories I learned on a deeper level from Bible Study Fellowship, a non-denominational group that meets on Wednesday mornings in South Huntsville. I cannot imagine my life without the LORD showing me His truth through a deep study of His word. Check It Out!

John the Baptist wore scratchy clothes & ate locusts & honey.

Lowering the paralyzed man on the mat was easy to portray with legos...

As was the Sermon on the Mount!

Lazarus...

Lazarus, Come out! was a particularly fun story to act out!!

You can print out this super cute set over at Catholic Icing when you subscribe to her emails. You wrap the paper characters around toilet paper rolls, and the tomb is an empty Kleenex box. These stayed on our table the whole season last year!

 If you have to pick one, this is one of the most fun...sprinkle "palm" branches on the floor and ride into town on a "donkey" while the crowd shouts "Hosanna!" and "Son of David!"

 Jesus clears the temple. It's never hard to get him to make this face for the camera!

 Celebrating the Passover Meal...walking stick in hand, belt around waist, eating flat bread standing up...just as Moses told the people...in case we have to leave in a hurry!

3. Make Resurrection Rolls together!

 4. Celebrate the Lord's Supper as a family!

We will wait until our son professes his faith in Jesus to let him take part in the Eucharist publicly, but at home, we talk about what it stands for. If you're a WORD GIRL like me, see koinonia (communion) & eucharisteo (thanksgiving) - It's why we do communion -- To thank HIM and to be IN communion - IN His Presence!

5. Celebrate LIFE!

 

On Easter morning, we like to really bring the DEATH comes to LIFE message home...He loves playing Jesus and breaking free from his cocoon of death!

6. Celebrate LIFE...have a shaving cream fight, just because!

7. Make homemade Resurrection Eggs. This is just the most ingenious idea, not mine of course. But the little eggs with an object lesson inside. We have a set, but we also have found other things over time that can be used to represent something from the life of Jesus, one of His miracles, or a parable. There are so many different ways to make them, a lot of information about these online. Here are some of the pieces I've collected.

1. Ninja/Guard for the tomb

2. Fur from a donkey (our pillow pet lost his tail; it came in handy for our object lesson!

3. Pieces of fabric in the shape of coats (they threw their cloaks on the ground during the Triumphal Entry)

4. A tiny broom for Jesus' cleansing of the Temple

5. Some leaves for palm branches - Triumphal Entry

6. A tiny scroll for the Teachers of the Law (rolled up cardstock)

7. Tiny piece of a washcloth & piece of soap  for the Washing of the Feet

8. Ephod - Worn by the Chief Priests, I made this out of felt and glued little crystal jewels to it for the 12 tribes

9. 3 black pom poms or beads - 3 hours of darkness that followed Jesus' death

10. The cross and white cloth - crucifixion and burial shrouds

11. Piece of crate paper - I let my son tear it to represent how the curtain tore in the Holy of Holies after Jesus gave up His Spirit

12. Angel wings - the angel in the tomb

13. Piece of straw from the manger - this is part of the Benjamin's Box story

14. Sponge - Jesus was offered bitter gall to drink while on the cross

15. Black felt covering the earth - Darkness when Jesus was crucified

16. White cloth with Jesus' face drawn in - the cloth he borrowed from a woman on his journey to the cross to wipe the sweat from his face while carrying his cross

17. Sack of silver aluminum balls - 30 coins Judas received for betraying Jesus

18. Lips (or Hershey kiss) - Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss

19. Rope - Jesus was bound

20. Sign - King of the Jews was made by Pilate and hung over his cross

21. Cloth with red dot - Praying in the Garden, his sweat turned to blood.

22. Silk Flower - Garden of Gethsemane where he asked his Disciples to keep watch but they kept falling asleep

23. Band Aid -when Jesus fell on his way to the cross

24. Eyes - For the parable of the Faithful Servant/Wise & Foolish Virgins: Keep Watch & be ready for the Day of Reckoning

25. One-piece white garment: Jewish Moms made their sons a one-piece garment when they became a young man. See Living a One-Piece Life. This is the same garment Jesus was wearing when He was crucified for which the soldiers cast lots. See Ann Voskamp's One-Piece Life. 

26. Helping Hand - When Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus carried His cross because He was too weak from the beatings

27. Passover lamb - A lamb had to be slaughtered each year at Passover to make up for the family's sins. Jesus serves as the last Passover Lamb to be slaughtered for all sins of the past, present, and future. Hallelujah!

28. Lady & perfume - The sinful woman at Bethany who anointed Jesus' feet with perfume

29. Die/Dice - When the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing on the cross

30. Cup & cracker/crouton or Place setting - The Last Supper in the Upper Room

31. Stone - That blocked the opening of the Tomb where Jesus lay

32. Stick/Spear/Toothpick - Pierced Jesus' side on the cross

33. Jar of Spices- Used as a burial ritual by the Women who loved Jesus

34. Feather - Jesus said that when the Rooster crowed 3 times, Peter had denied Jesus 3 times.

35. Dove/cloud/cotton ball - Represents the Holy Spirit. Descended like dove when Jesus was Baptized. God's Spirit was represented by a cloud by day in the Old Testament.

36. Metal Hard - Represents the hard hearts of the people who crucified Jesus, but the Great Power and Love of Jesus, who died for even them and broke the curse of Death.

37. Purple bag - We use this to wrap around Jesus to represent the purple robe they mockingly put around Jesus as He carried His cross. Purple is the color of royalty.
38. Tissue - for the tears of the women at the cross
39. A mask with eyes cut out - for the thief at the cross
40. A gardening tool - When Jesus appeared to Mary after the Resurrection, she thought he was the gardener!
41. Fish - Jesus cooked fish on the beach for the disciples after the Resurrection
42. Fire (orange/red crate paper or lego fire) - Holy Spirit came at Pentecost
43. Ghost or Skeleton - when the guards saw the tomb empty, they were like "dead men"!
44. Walking Stick - Jesus appeared to Disciples on the Road to Emmaeus
45. Large Rock - Child can throw it down on concrete or hit with hammer to signify the Earthquake that took place after the death of Jesus

(You could use one object lesson every day during Lent!)

8. Read Benjamin's Box. It is a super cute story that tells about a boy who lived during Jesus' time and it goes hand in hand with the Resurrection Eggs. 
 
I also like Miss Patty Cake's Resurrection DVD and book. It goes nicely with the Resurrection eggs as well.

9. Give up something for Lent....to show you want to share in the suffering of Jesus. We are called to fast so that the emptiness might make room for the Spirit.

10. Remember, we are the Easter People, as Ann Voskamp says. We are the believers who are called to tell the world about His glorious grace! We can start in our own home. 
What a privilege and an  honor.

Link to an Easter Tree and Lent Devotional by Ann Voskamp -Free Printable

OH Amanda has a ton of great ideas on teaching kids, from Super Heros to Fruit of the Spirit (some of my favorites) but HERE is a link to an idea for an Easter object lesson. We tried it last year. :)

A Little Bit of Heaven...

What is the purpose of fog?

This is a typical question I entertain on a car ride down the mountain. Since I drive over the mountain every day to take my son to preschool, we often encounter a thick fog across the road. Today was one of those days. He's never been a boy who just asks why. It's always a thoughtful question. The question came again today. "Mommy, what is the purpose of fog? "

So I entertained it. On a whim I decided to ask the one who sent the fog. So I asked God, "Lord, what is the purpose for your fog? Would you show us? "

Impatiently, my son commented that God didn't answer. I told him that sometimes to hear from God, it takes patience and learning to be still. So we sat in the stillness for the drive down the mountain. I could see him praying back there. So when we got to the light, I asked him, "what did God tell you? "

Mama, He told me "I love you. "

"This is the first time I have ever heard God speak to me."

(Tears from a Momma.)

Then I said, surprised at my own words, "He spoke to me too. 

'The purpose of the fog is that you are able to see more clearly on the other side of it.' "

Lord, I want to see. In Luke 18 the blind man said it to Jesus. I've been asking the Lord for this too. To see. To see with His eyes. Yet it still comes. The sickness. The dying. The lies entrenching my family. They are drowning. The people I love can barely breathe. And I asked the Lord, why can't I see? I know that you are at work. I trust that you are in control. But why can't I see what you are doing? Why can't I see your rescue?

And then it comes. The purpose of the fog. To see clearly when it is lifted. Maybe in the same way that death (of our old self) must occur in order to birth new life, a veil--a foggy period of uncertainty--may come for a time, to test our response--in order that we might have eyes that truly see. See The Beauty. See The Way. Maybe this is the eye surgery I seek.

http://3babysdion.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-i-need-eye-surgery_21.html?m=1

In the end, it does not matter if we can see what He is doing. Or if we ever understand His reasons on this side of Heaven for why this life is so full of tragedy. We must only trust what we know. We know only that He is good. All the time. And every now and then, just because He loves us, I believe He gives us glimpses into these answers to our many questions ... So that we can see through the fog. So we can see Him through the fog. Like today. When I least expect it.

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Christ this Christmas

THIS IS BIG fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
1. Make a Jesse Tree. Remember Jesse? King David's father? Isaiah 11:1-2 says that out of the stump of Jesse (it seemed the least likely place, a dead tree stump) came a tender shoot (new life, Jesus).  Because King David was King Jesus's ancestor! Your tree can look any way you want it to, but we use a small tree or some branches in a pot. Each day you pick an ornament and read the corresponding passage in the Bible. They are usually stories in the Old Testament which paved the path for Jesus. (Noah, Ruth, Jonah, Esther) It's fun to read the story and then think about how it relates to and points to Christ.

Our family uses hand sewn ornaments I bought on etsy. Here is an example:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/109692943/set-of-27-felt-jesse-tree-ornaments-with?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=felt+jesse+tree+ornaments&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto3&ga_search_type=all

Here is an example of paper ornaments to make

The Jesse Tree, Ann Voskamp

http://www.aholyexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Jesse_Tree_Advent_Celebration1.pdf

Search for Jesse Tree online and you'll come up with a myriad of ideas. Catholic Icing has a cute set as well.

You don't even have to have ornaments! You can just use what you have around the house! Legos are great!! Pick a favorite Bible story from the Old Testament and let your child act it out using toys.

Sometimes we use ourselves to act out the story!! David was a Shepherd when He was anointed King. In the story of Rahab (below) Joshua & Caleb were spies so they were on the lookout (2 toilet paper rolls taped together). She hung a scarlet thread to show she wanted to trust God.

2. Make an advent paper chain. I just cut strips of construction paper out & had my son tell me things about Christmas...we came up with things like ...We want to be close to Jesus, the animals worshiped Jesus, God keeps his promises, Jesus is our rescuer, Jesus is the light in a dark world. We linked the chain & hung it up to remind us what Christmas is all about. 

3. Use the Elf on the Shelf for Christ. We named him Jasper (after my granddad), and he comes each year to help us remember that Christmas is about showing Christ's love to others by our actions. Each morning he hides (sometimes he's in the manger holding baby Jesus, sometimes he's reading a book, or he may be building legos!)

4. Seeds of Kindness. Last year we planted grass seed in a pot of soil for each good deed and on Christmas we plucked the grass and laid it in the manger. Because each good thing we do is for Him. This idea came from OH Amanda.

5. Make an Advent Wreath and light candles each Sunday. This idea is from Catholic Icing.

The Advent Song

Tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

Advent is a time to wait, (hold hand up as you say “wait)

Not quite time to celebrate, (shake head and wag finger from side to side)

Count the candles 1 by 1, (put 4 fingers up, one at a time)

Until Advent time is done. (wave hands, palms down)

Day by day we work and play,  (stack fist on top of fist, back and forth)

To prepare for Christmas day! (put arms on shoulders and hug yourself)

 6. School Party Craft: A good craft for several kids I am using this year for a school party: I bought green foam trees at $ tree and some stickers at Hobby Lobby. I am going to use them as symbols of Christmas and let the kids decorate their trees. Super easy, and what kid doesn't love stickers? Plus they'll be learning the symbols of Christmas at the same time! I am pretty big on tangible symbols.

Stickers:

Gingerbread man - Jesus became a man

Tree - points to Christ (sitting at God's right hand on throne)

Crown - Jesus is King

Candy Cane - White (Jesus never sinned ) & Red (Jesus took our punishment and died)

Snowflake - when we ask God to forgive us we are white & pure

Lights - We are to be the light of the world - showing others the love of Christ

Heart - God loved us so much He sent His son to die

Present - Salvation is a gift to us. We can never earn it by doing good things. But we must accept it to have life forever with Jesus in Heaven.

Jewel - We are his treasured possession. Knowing God is like finding treasure!

 7. Check out events around the community. There is a Live Nativity Christmas Open House and Live Nativity Scene at Holmes Street United Methodist Church

Saturday, December 14 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Theme: "A Heavenly Christmas" -- a celebration of the birth of Christ and the Christmas season; a gift to the community  - Free admission and free refreshments

Program is a musical showcase of performances by children from the Academy of Academics and Arts (dance group, choir, and string quartet), Huntsville High School choir, Huntsville High School dance team (Pantherettes), Huntsville Symphony, and Holmes Street UMC handbells

Live nativity scene includes live animals; procession of wise men to scene via police escort at 7:00 p.m.

and also at Cornerstone Community Church

6 to 8 p.m. both Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at the church in south Huntsville at the corner of Whitesburg Drive and Lily Flagg Road S.E. 

8. Bible Memorization. Great for YEAR ROUND!

I am collecting Bible songs. Scripture, set to music. Because it is the easiest way to get the WORD in our hearts! You probably already know some! 

*Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you! Hallelu, Hallelujah!

* I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad. Ps 100:4, Ps 118:24

*His love endures forever.

Bibletoons is a great collection of Scripture set to music! We love to listen to "I will Soar on Wings like Eagles" and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" The Fruit of the Spirit" and "Love the Lord your God with all your heart." They even have videos that go along with it! Truly a gem.

Hand motions are another great way to memorize the Bible.

I'll be posting some more! The one we're working on now is 

" A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Prov 29:11

 We recite Joshua 1:9 while marching around the house like soldiers. (Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid. For the Lord our God will be with you wherever you go.)

The simplest way to memorize is to pick a short verse and put it to a tune you already know 

 God cares for you. God cares for you. God cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

(to the tune of: God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, he's so good to me .

Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (Row Row Row Your Boat tune)

God helps me all the time. Psalm 46:1

God will give you what you need. Philippians 4:19 
(Both to the tune of Mary had a little lamb)

Come follow me, come follow me. Jesus said. Jesus said. And I will make you And I will make you Fishers of Men Fishers of Men.  Matthew 4:19 (Are you Sleeping tune)

9. Prayer Book- an old photo album with pictures I printed from online or I used an actual photo if I had one.

We made a prayer book this year with pictures of our family and friends, our sponsored children, our pastors, our president, people imprisoned for their faith (Voice of the Martyrs is a great resource), missionaries, a map of the world so we can point out where they are located, those who are sick, lost, and lonely. It has been a great tool for us to pull out at night before bed and pick a few pages to focus our prayers. It reminds us that it's not all about us, and gives us a visual for our prayer focus.

10. THE TOP 10 Way to Celebrate Christmas with your Family: Give a Christmas Gift to Jesus through the World Vision gift catalog or other site. You can pick out a goat, a mosquito net, a fruit tree, or many others to send to the poor and desolate. Here is the link. I have set up a personal page just to track how much money we raise, but your donations go 100% to World Vision. Click below!!

http://mygiftcatalog.worldvision.org/site/TR/GiftCatalog/GiftCatalog?px=1407541&pg=personal&fr_id=1660

Merry Christmas and May you experience Christ in a deeper and more personal way this year than ever before! Simple is better. I'm not sending out cards this year. And the adults in my family are not sharing gifts. My goal is to pour out.
And remember: it's okay to keep Jesus out all year long!