Monthly Archives: December 2017

Encouraging Your Children to Read the Bible In 2018

December 28, 2017

Children Desiring God Blog // Encouraging Your Children to Read the Bible

A new year is soon upon us and, for many adults, it is a time to begin a new Bible reading plan for 2018. But what about your children? Do you have an age-appropriate plan for them? Are you helping them to include Bible reading as a regular, daily, beneficial habit? David Murray has an excellent post regarding this. He starts the post with this question:

“How can I get my kids to read the Bible for themselves?” I’ve been asked that by many frustrated Christian parents. I’ve asked it myself!…Here’s what I’ve learned from my own experience and from talking with many parents and pastors.

He then outlines six ways to encourage your children in Bible reading:

Make it a priority.
Make it a joy.
Make it a habit.
Make it do-able.
Make it accountable.
Make it Gospel-centered.

Teaching Vision Parenting Theology

A Child in a Manger and the Truthfulness of God

December 22, 2017

Children Desiring God Blog // A Children in a Manger and the Truthfulness of God

Christmas is almost here, and many of us have been focusing on the birth of Jesus in our classrooms and homes. As we do this, let’s use this as an opportunity to also focus on how all the events and details surrounding His birth point to the faithfulness and truthfulness of God. For example, have your children consider these two verses written about 700 years before the birth of Jesus:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.—Micah 5:2

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.—Isaiah 7:14

Devotional Encouragement Parenting Theology

Celebrating the Miraculous Time of Christmas

December 21, 2017

It's often said that Christmas is a "magical" time for children. But a more accurate description should be that Christmas is a "miraculous" time as we ponder the miracle of the incarnation. So as we think and plan toward how we will teach about and celebrate Christmas with the children in our home and church, let us consider the importance of the doctrine of the incarnation. Consider these words from Jared Wilson from his article “The Christmas Miracle of the Incarnation of the Omnipresent Word.”

Every year at this time as we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus to the virgin Mary, I don’t suppose it occurs to too many merrymakers that what they’re really celebrating is the Incarnation. All of the other miracles are in service of that central miracle: God became man. And in becoming, through Spiritual conception, the man Jesus of Nazareth, the Word of God did not cease to be God. Baby Jesus, from the moment of conception to the straw habitation of the manger, was fully God and fully man. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Vision Encouragement Theology

Thanking God for the Life and Ministry of R.C. Sproul

December 20, 2017

My early 20s were marked by a spiritual tsunami of sorts. It came about as I read The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. God graciously used that book as a means to destroy my old, drab perceptions of who God is and what He is like. Sadly, even though I had been raised in the church my entire childhood and youth, I had not been taught the matchless splendor of God’s holiness. Sproul’s book was my first real exposure to the majestic holiness of God, a God who is worthy of all love, reverence, obedience, praise, and glory. And with that grand vision of the holiness of God, everything began to change. The authority of Scripture, character of God, depth of my depravity, essence of Christ’s redeeming work, and life in union with Christ, all came into clearer focus and have impacted every aspect of my life.

Devotional Parenting

A Strange Question

December 19, 2017

It is not an unusual question. Most of us have probably heard it as a means of examining our hearts toward God: Do you love the gift or the Giver? But I think it is a strange question. It assumes that the two are mutually exclusive. However, in my mind and heart, they are tied together. Let me explain. In my kitchen cupboard is a treasured mug. This mug is really quite ugly, but it does say “Mom: on it. It is the first gift my daughters gave me without “cause.” It wasn’t my birthday, Mother’s Day, or Christmas. My girls were in grade school and had been visiting in a nursing home when they spotted the mug in the gift shop…and got it for me, just because I am their mom and they love me.

Parenting

Santa, or No Santa?

December 18, 2017

You can't avoid him. He seems to appear everywhere you go this time of year whether "in person," on a coffee mug, lit up in front yards, or wrapped around a gift: Santa. It is assumed that all little boys and girls are expectantly waiting for Santa to come bearing special gifts just for them. So, how should Christian parents deal with this popular and pervasive icon? To be sure, Christians differ in their approach as to what to "do" with Santa—especially with regard to children. But in our own years of parenting, my husband and I came to share the following view as expressed by Noel Piper:

Teaching Vision Parenting Theology

The Beauty and Ugliness of Christmas

December 13, 2017

Childhood memories leave a lasting impression on our lives. In walking down memory lane, here are some of my own childhood memories regarding Christmas (in no particular order):

a Christmas tree in the living room
special decorations, lights, and candles
singing Christmas carols
a Nativity set in which baby Jesus was placed in the center
presents!
family gatherings
yummy meals and treats
sitting by the fireplace with hot cocoa
the Christmas Eve service at church
celebrating the birth of Jesus

All beautiful and wonderful memories to instill in a child. But there is something very important missing from this list…something not impressed upon me as a child. Something we all need in our Christmas. What could this possibly be? Consider the following thoughts:

Vision Encouragement Parenting Theology

A Gift That Keeps On Giving for a Lifetime

December 08, 2017

As a child, I remember the excitement I experienced as I watched the growing number of presents being placed under the Christmas tree. How many had my name on them? What was in that huge one? Would I receive the gift that I had been dreaming of? And yet, years later, I don’t really remember any of those gifts. All those tangible, child-delighting things have faded from memory. I am sure they were readily enjoyed for a time, but they didn’t have any life-long impact. Along with some fun gifts, have you ever considered giving your children something that will provide a means of greater and longer lasting joy? Then consider giving your children…a catechism! Yes, a catechism. Not at the top of their “wish list”? Probably not even on the list. But consider the following words from Sally Michael:

Perhaps the reason many people have a negative opinion regarding catechisms and doctrinal teaching is that there is a prevalent misunderstanding of catechesis. What so often comes to mind are thoughts like: “rote memorization,” “boring,” “dry,” “lifeless,” and “mechanical.”

Products Vision Parenting

The Gift of Making Him Known this Christmas

December 07, 2017

Children Desiring God Blog // Making HIM Known Series

Are you still looking for a meaningful and unique gift for a special child in your life? A gift that is relatively inexpensive, yet points children to riches beyond measure? A gift that can foster wonderful conversations between parents and children? Then consider choosing a book from the Making Him Known series. Every book in the series consists of 26 chapters, written in child-friendly language, with full-color illustrations. Each book is designed to focus on particular aspects of the greatness and worth of God and our response to Him. Every chapter concludes with “Learning to Trust God” application questions to further spiritual discussion between child and parent and a suggested activity. They seek to address our children’s deepest need—to know, love, trust, and treasure God through Christ!

Teaching Vision Parenting

Prayer Tools

December 05, 2017

The Lord knows that we need help to pray. That is why He taught His disciples how to pray and gave all believers His Spirit, so we would be able to pray even when we don’t feel able. Prayer does not change God; it changes us by revealing our sinful hearts, and it allows us to know God’s will, purposes and, most importantly, Himself. By prayer we get to know our Heavenly Father and learn to trust Him more with the cares of this life.