Dealing with death
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1 Thessalonians 1:10
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1 Thessalonians 4:16
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Acts 1:2
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Acts 3:21
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Is church entertainment?
How many times have you heard your kids say, “Church is boring”? In some instances, they're right. Church CAN be boring, especially if you go to a church where the Gospel isn’t preached, godly worship isn’t practiced, and the church isn’t reaching out. Frankly, church can seem boring to kids, but it’s important for us as parents to point out why it’s NOT boring. The passion of the Gospel changes hearts, touches lives, and can change generations, cities, and even entire nations for eternity. It inspires songs for the soul, messages from the heart, and motivates believers to travel around the world to share it. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”(NIV).
Poverty can cause brain issues in kids.
A recent study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests if you’re poor, your children are more likely to suffer from depression and not do as well in school. The report says the stress of being poor is the cause, creating real brain connectivity issues. Does that mean poor families are out of luck? Absolutely not! If you find yourself in this situation, there’s always hope. Train your kids in the Lord. That will foster an environment to promote wholeness despite the poverty. It’ll shield them from the stresses of life because of your strength found in Jesus. Scripture speaks to this. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously” (ESV).
All I need is a million bucks!
Do you remember when the Powerball jackpot was over a billion dollars? You had a 1 in 292 million chance of winning. Yet, millions of people rushed out to buy a ticket, thinking money would buy them happiness. Did you know that 70 percent of the people who win it big are broke within the next couple of years (as found by the National Endowment for Financial Education)? The Bible is clear. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “The love of money is the root of all evil” (KJV). Now, it didn’t say MONEY was the root of all evil, but the LOVE of money. Mom and Dad, stop talking about finances as if you worship the almighty buck. Teach your kids Scripture. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV). As you do, they'll value it the way it was intended.
A mission trip could change you!
You know the verses: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15 ESV). “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV). And, Jesus said, in a parable, “When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40 NLT). Many Christians today don’t feel “called” to be a missionary or someone serving the poor. Maybe someone in your family feels the same way. Mom and Dad, take them on a mission trip. Start off doing work with the poor in your community. Perhaps you could join a team heading to Latin America helping orphaned children. You may not lead anyone to Christ, but you will be changed forever. When you see spiritual and physical poverty up close and in person, as a believer, you’ll want to do more.
Devotions for your baby?
A couple in our church became parents for the first time. A very proud grandmother was telling us how her son and daughter-in-law were coping with the changes. She told us about the loss of sleep, the diaper changes, the feedings, and the DEVOTIONS? Yep, devotions. Devotions with their infant son. Somebody listening to the baby update said what everyone else was thinking, “They know the baby doesn’t understand yet, right?” This grandmother explained that this new dad wasn’t doing devotions for his newborn son. He was doing it for himself. He wanted to get into a habit of praying and reading God’s Word with his son. Do you have kids? Struggling with family devotions? Keys for Kids Ministries has devotions every day—just for you. Go to our website to get the Keys for Kids devotional. Get Keys for Kids: https://www.keysforkids.org/getkeys
Will your kids leave the church when they’re 18?
Barna Group research tells us “roughly four out of ten young Christians fall into” what the researchers call the nomad "category. They still call themselves Christians but they are far less active in church than they were during their high school years. Nomads have become ‘lost’ to church participation.” Some don’t even go. It happens when we fail to adequately “[prepare] young Christians for life beyond youth group.” Researcher David Kinnaman discovered “only a small minority of young Christians has been taught to think about matters of faith, calling, and culture.” Biblical illiteracy is a major cause. Why? So many churches provide entertainment for kids, not real biblical teaching. More importantly, Christian families aren’t spending as much time studying God’s Word. Let’s use Deuteronomy 6 to be our guide: teach God’s Word diligently to our children. Based on “Five Myths about Young Adult Church Dropouts,” Barna.org
Are you asking or telling?
I read an article1 the other day on Dr. Larry Sax. He says many parents today think that we need to be treating our kids like adults. He tells us: “Some parenting experts” suggest “that [parents] should offer their children choices instead of telling them what to do." He says: "Today the parent-child hierarchy doesn't exist anymore. Instead of parents exercising their authority because they know what’s best, they are focusing on making children happy and boosting their self-esteem.” Proverbs 29:15 is clear, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (ESV). Parents, our “job is to teach children right from wrong…and keep [them] safe”—and point them to Christ. So, as Dr. Sax says, speak in statements, not so many questions. 1 “Physician to parents: You’re doing it wrong” by Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman
What’s your grandparent name?
If you’re a grandparent, you have a name that every time it’s said by your grandchild, you just melt. Is it Mimi? How about Oompa? I’ve got the coolest grandpa name: it’s PaYo. Not sure about you, but just about every time I hear that name—well, I’d do just about anything they ask me to do. Grandparent-grandchild relationships won’t last forever. But these loving relationships will be something your grandkids will live with the rest of their lives. Use these moments to talk about faith in Christ and our need of the Savior. Psalm 103:17 says, "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children" (NIV). Teach your grandchildren to fear the Lord—a legacy that will last for eternity.
Are you overparenting?
I was reading an article a while ago about overparenting. What is it? It’s a parent who’s “excessively involved in the day-to-day life of one’s child...typically in the desire to shield them from difficult situations or help them succeed.”1 Do we do too much for our kids? President of Growing Leaders Tim Elmore thinks so. He says when you’re a hovering parent making every decision, especially for your tween and teens, they may not be equipped to deal with critical decisions when you’re not there. I think we can all agree—we need balance. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way”—of the Lord (ESV). In Ephesians 6:4, it says to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (ESV). As we do this, pray the Holy Spirit changes their heart so they can make godly decisions.
Is your SERVICE ENGINE SOON light on?
Today’s cars are pretty amazing. They come equipped with GPS, internet, and they even tell you when they need attention—oil changes, system problems, and even the major issues. When the light goes on, you’re supposed to do something about it, right? Don’t you wish we had relationship lights? Ladies, a light for your husband when he had a rough day? Guys, a light when your wife needs more of you? How about a light telling couples it’s time for a date night? Or, more importantly, how about a light from God telling us to spend more time with Him? Are you spending time in the Word? 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (ESV)—it teaches, admonishes, it corrects—helping us to be competent and equipped for everything we do, including parenting.