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My grandchildren love to be read to. Books are scattered everywhere in their homes. Fortunately, their parents are very careful in evaluating and choosing books that feed the mind and soul. But I know that, as they grow older, my grandchildren will need to learn how to evaluate what they read for themselves. How will they learn to do this – not only for what they read but also for what they watch and listen to? What kinds of questions should they ask? What kind of standards should they apply?
When I first began teaching Sunday school 30+ years ago, our classes met year-round and class time was typically an hour and a half in duration. Needless to say, it was quite a challenge to retain teachers year after year, and the summer months proved particularly difficult. Then, our church decided to take the summer off from the regular Sunday routine. It was a wonderful time of rest and refreshment for our volunteers. We came back eager and energized in the fall. Hence, a 40-week Sunday school year served to benefit both teachers and students.
The most biblical vision, the best parenting strategies, and the most comprehensive Deuteronomy 6:7-9 instruction in the Christian faith does not guarantee that children will be born again and that parents will experience the joy of seeing them walk in the Truth. Saving faith for any child “is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one [no parent, no pastor, no grandparent, no Sunday school teacher] may boast.” God’s unstoppable purposes for our children and our inescapable responsibility to raise them in the faith come together in prayer.
Vacation time is well under way, and millions of families are traveling. For the vast majority, the destination was chosen ahead of time and specific preparations were made to coincide with the venue and desired activities. Great destinations inspire more excitement and motivation in preparing for what’s ahead.
What is your hope for the children in your life and how might you use a day focused on Psalm 78 for their eternal joy?
There is nothing quite as delightful as sitting down on the sofa with several grandkids packed tightly around me as we read a book together. If it’s an especially good book, it often prompts further discussion, giving me valuable insights into the thoughts, attitudes, and the likes and dislikes of each child, and it helps them to know me better, too. Furthermore, some books also serve to inspire children to pursue a particular goal.
We often joke that our children grew up with another set of parents in their lives, along with an additional set of grandparents. These men and women were godly, mature believers from our church who served as invaluable mentors for our children. Little did we know at the time, as young parents, the rich benefits we and our children would reap from these relationships.
The older I get, the more I think about what I want to “leave behind” for my children and grandchildren – what kind of legacy or inheritance I want to leave for them. These words from Joel Beeke offer a great perspective and challenge...
Summer provides parents with a wonderful opportunity to explore great parenting resources. Equipping for Life—A Guide for New, Aspiring & Struggling Parents by Andreas and Margaret Köstenberger is one of those resources. The book is written around three basic themes: Parenting needs to be realistic, relational, and responsible. These themes are fleshed out from a Bible-based, God-centered, gospel-focused perspective, giving practical examples from everyday life to which parents can relate.
One of the most significant and defining events in our children's lives occurred every night at bedtime. My husband would take Sarah and Jacob aside and have a time of prayer with them. At the end of the prayer time, he would lay a hand on each bowed head and pray a "blessing" over them. Throughout the years, on good days and bad days, each day ended with a tired father calling out to God to bless his children.
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