May 19, 2011

Parable of Lost Luke 15

Here is a devotion that can go with this weekends sermon from Charlie.  Saturday night is family worship for K-6th.

KNOW:

All kids have experienced loss at one point of time or another.  Maybe you’ve lost some money, a favorite toy, or video game.  The item may have even been stolen!  Either way, your treasure was gone, in the wrong place; in the wrong hands.  Definitely not where you knew it belonged!  Do you know that God sees each of us as His treasures?  Jesus mourns us being in the wrong place just as we are sad or angry when the things we love
are lost or taken from us.

Of course Jesus knows where we are at all times.  The question for you is, “Do I know where Jesus is?”  Is He leading your life?  If you are not sure, talk to a parent, Sunday school teacher or pastor TODAY.

Grow:

Read:  Luke 15

Memorize: 

“In the same way, I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” -Luke 15:10

“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” -Luke 15:32

GO:

Make an obstacle course in your house or backyard.  Blind fold each other and see if you can get through by yourself.  Next do it with a guide.  Was it easier by self or with a guide who knew the path?  Remember, life will be easier and much less painful with Jesus guiding us.  Pray and ask Him to be your guide and
Savior.

Invite a friend to church and VBS this week.  Jesus wants ALL to be found.

Posted by on May 19, 2011 in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , .

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May 18, 2011

Stephen speaks boldly

This weeks lesson is taken from Acts 6 and 7.  The church continued to experience growth on a daily basis, as well as persecution.  Daily the disciples spoke boldly about Christ in the temple courts.  Opponents of this word produced false accusations about the disciples to stop this preaching; landing Stephen in front of the Sanhedrin.  Instead of defending himself and the words he preached, Stephen gave his listeners a history lesson.  Through the history of their forefathers, Stephen outlined how time after time God provided for the Israelites; time after time they turned from and rejected God.  He finished his “defence” by addressing the Sanhedrin with, ”You stiff-necked people with uncircumsized hearts and ears.  You are just like your fathers..”  Not exactly something you want to say to those accusing you.  Needless to say, they responded to Stephen in resentment instead of repentance, choosing to stone Stephen.  Stephen died that day.   I do not doubt that Stephen knew the repercussions of proclaiming the truth to the Sanhedrin.    He had a responsibility to proclaim God’s truth no matter the cost.  Although that speech marked his death, those words still ring on today.  They are read all over the world in thousands of languages.  Stephen’s words live on continuing to proclaim God’s faithfulness.  And Stephen lives on with our heavenly father.

What is Jesus asking you to proclaim?  Just like Stephen, we need to look back and see what God has done for us and our forefathers.  We must proclaim this so that this generation will know, but also that our children and their children will know!  Psalms 78 says, “we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done…. Then they would put their trust in GOd and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”  We cannot be responsible for how people take the words and truth they hear, but we are responsible for the words we choose or not choose to speak.

Choose to remember:  God commanded it from Moses to the Disciples
•Deut. 32:  When we forget, we don’t follow                                           Joshua 4:20-23:  Tell others so they don’t forget
•Psalm 103:  Remember who Jesus is                                                      I Samuel 17: 33-36: Prepare you for God’s plan in the future.

Be intentional: 

1. Remember what was learned in church by talking with your kids about their lesson.  Post their Sunday school paper on the fridge
for the week.

2. Make a faith journal that you and your family writes in each year telling one thing that Jesus did for them personally or as a family.  Over several years you will have a timeless testimony.

3.  Choose one day a year (off of a usual religious holiday) where you can celebrate God’s work in your lives.  Make a name for it and a few fun or silly traditions.  Being consistent with this year to year will leave a lasting impact.

4.  Practice with your kids on telling their story.  (How they met Christ, why they love him, how they can follow him)  Then when a peer asks them they will be ready with a response.

Posted by on May 18, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids! and tagged , , , , , , , .

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May 11, 2011

Acts 2 Church

This week your child will learn about the first church, after the ascension of Christ and pentecost.  The once doubting followers are now speaking and living boldly for Christ each and every day.  So much so, that the communities around them noticed.  Acts 2:47 said that they were adding to their numbers daily!  Talk about exponential growth.  So what were they doing that was notable?   A quick summary of Acts 2 tells us they were doing the following:

Met daily together for fellowship, prayer, communion                                           Devoted selves to teaching of apostles

Ate meals together                                                                                                          Shared possessions and income so none were in need

Enjoyed praising God and spending time together

Does this define our church, our families, our lives today?  What are we doing now that we can do better?  What are we not doing that God wants us to implement?  Not necessarily easy questions to ask of ourselves and our church as a whole.  It is easy for all of us to get comfortable in how we do life, specifically the pursuit of today’s ”American Dream”.  Today’s “American Dream” feeds into what we like best, ourselves.  (I say “today’s” dream because I believe it has shifted over time and that the American Dream of the 1800′s may be different from that of today.)  The main focus of the Acts 2 church was others.  A marked difference and internal struggle for all of us if we are honest.

However, as always in Christ, we can have hope.  He does not leave us to our depravity.  He says that through him we can live this life of love and sacrifice.   Start today by picking one thing off of the list above and doing it.  Call a family from the church and eat a meal together and end by having communion together.

Posted by on May 11, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids! and tagged , , , , .

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May 5, 2011

Jesus returns to heaven 5.8.11

This mother’s day, your child will learn about Jesus’ return to heaven.  Taken from Matthew 28:1-6 and Acts 1:1-11, Jesus was conveying his trust in the disciples, even though they still had doubts about what just occurred and what would play forward.  Isn’t that like our Savior. He knows us much better than we know ourselves.  He knows exactly what we can and can’t do, and knows how much we can do when we are willing to trust in Him. 

He does not leave us where we are and reveals himself to us as we need it.  He provided ‘convincing proofs’ to the disciples (appearing to them multiple times, showing them his hands/feet, ascending before them) to help them have full faith moving forward in the ministry he was asking of them; to go and make other disciples, spreading the good news of salvation to the world!  That is the same ministry he asks of each person that is a Christ follower.  He asks that every one of us shares this hope and leads others to the same saving grace.

Now on to practicality.   How do you share this grace?  How does your child do this? 

The good news is that children often don’t have the same fears we may as an adult! In fact, many children haven’t yet discovered that sharing the gospel can be uncomfortable. As parents, we can empower our children to share their faith by making our personal testimony part of our normal, everyday routine. We can raise children to embrace the Great Commission. 

Be a faith-sharing role model. How does a child learn to hold the door open for the person behind them? By seeing you do it again and again. It’s the same with sharing our faith. Children live what they learn, and they learn by repetition. When your children see and hear you sharing Christ’s love with others regularly and consistently, they’ll naturally do the same.

Prepare your children to share their faith. As your children learn what their faith means to them and how their friends can share in their Christian faith, they are better able to communicate their beliefs with others. Teach the ABCs of salvation:

A — Admit you are a sinner (Romans 3:10,23) and ask for forgiveness (Romans 10:13; Acts 3:19).
B — Believe in Jesus (John 14:6) and become a child of God by receiving Christ (John 1:12).
C — Confess that Jesus is your Lord (Romans 10:9,10).

As your children grow in the Lord, provide opportunities for them to practice telling you their personal testimonies — who Jesus is to them and what He’s done in their lives, how He’s changed their lives.  The more we do anything, the more comfortable we are with it.  Repetition is key here.  Have them start by sharing their faith story with you, grandma, aunt, friends, Sunday school teacher.

Pray for your children to be faith-sharers. Ask God to help your children have the right words and to share the gospel message simply, boldly and fearlessly (Ephesians 6:19).

Participate in outreach ministries as a family. Things always seem easier when you’re doing them together. Make a point to take part in the outreach ministries your church sponsors. Doing so will allow your children to experience being part of a community of believers who are sharing their faith together in a tangible way.

Encourage Saturday night sleepovers. When Andrew realized Jesus was the Messiah, he went and brought his brother Simon to meet Christ (John 1:41,42). One of the best ways to provide an opportunity for your children to invite a friend to church is to host the best Saturday night sleepovers, followed by church Sunday morning. When your house rule is that everyone goes to church on Sunday, it’s less awkward for your child to extend the invitation. Making your home the hangout where kids want to be can help other children associate good hospitality, kindness and gentleness with the foundations of a faith-filled family.

Encourage your children to use their talents for God’s glory. Perhaps your child plays a sport or a musical instrument. Do they know they can use their talents as a means of sharing their faith? By simply showing good sportsmanship and having Christlike behavior during practices and games, your child is showing others the character of Christ.

Teach children to respond to situations in prayer. One of the most effective ways your children can share their faith is by having an active prayer life. Teach your children to respond to every situation with prayer. Prayer is usually more effective than any piece of advice we can give. Is your child’s friend scared because his mom is sick? Encourage your child to call his friend or to pray with him face-to-face that he won’t be scared and for his mom to be well. Encourage your children to always have the phrase, “Can I pray with you?” at the tip of their tongue. Teach them that when they don’t know how to respond to a situation, they can always pray.

Teach your children to pray for unbelieving friends and for opportunities to share their faith with them. There’s hardly a confidence booster more effective than praying for opportunities to share your faith with friends and seeing those opportunities come to pass. Encourage your children to make praying for their unbelieving friends part of their daily prayers. Ask each child to make a list of their unbelieving friends and to tuck the list away inside of their Bible. Doing so will serve as a reminder to pray and as a reminder to praise when a friend comes to know the Lord.

Posted by on May 5, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids! and tagged , , , , , .

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April 26, 2011

Peter gives hope

This weeks lesson expands upon the celebration of what Easter represents, HOPE! I Peter is written to a group of Christians who under Nero, are experiencing terrible persecution;  often to the death.  Peter is writing to encourage them in the hope they can stand upon; a  hope no human can take away.  Over a span of three days, Christ’s death and resurrection would have an impact for all of eternity!  What hope that we can stand upon.  Romans 8:11 tells us that the same spirit that raised Christ lives in us.

However in the midst of trials, it is very hard to see and keep this hope.  This is where we as Christ followers have to intentionally decide before a trial hits how we will choose to respond.  If we are not reading God’s word and regularly communing with him in prayer and worship, it may be hard to start this when trials hit.  During a trial it may very well be “work” to read your Bible and  pray.  But that is exactly what we must do.  If we choose to be obedient and disciplined in this, God will bless our efforts.  He may not take us out of that trial but He will walk beside us. 

I also think that before we can fully understand “hope”, we need to have experienced (or seen) a lack of it.  Just as we do not appreciate the idea of hunger without the lack of food,  to truly understand hope, we need to see/experience the absence of it.   How do we show/teach our children about hope?  I think some of this must be done through exposing him/her to people who are without or have been without hope.  As a parent/teacher you may be able to share some life stories in this area.  Or at least, a time you had to intentionally decide to put your hope in Christ.

Read some of these verses with your children and ask “What is hope?”  This will give you some insight into their attitude toward life as well as spiritual understanding.  Psalm 31:24, 130:7  Romans 4:18, 15:4 15:13  Isaiah 40:31  Titus 1:2

“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life
are something to do, something to love, and
something to hope for.” – Joseph Addison

People sow seeds with hope
And hope is the seed of life
People through ages hoped for eternity
Because hope is as great as eternity
Never give-up hope, never ever
Hope is your best mate, all the time
Even if all desert you unexpectedly
Hope will be with you, if you wish….  author unknown

I pray that each and everyone of you continues to experience the hope of Christ our Redeemer!

Posted by on April 26, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids!, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , .

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April 20, 2011

Easter at Fellowship of the Rockies

Hello all!  This week we have the opportunity to celebrate the Risen Christ at Memorial Hall.  There will be two services, one at 9:00 and 11:00 am.  We will be having classes for those birth to 5 years of age.  Those first grade and older get to attend service with their family.  For those attending class, we will be learning about what Christ did for each of us through worship, craft, and story.  Your child should be able to tell you when he/she leaves class that, ” Jesus was born, Jesus died, and Jesus rose again…for (insert name)”.  Begin talking about Easter now so they can share this with their peers in preschool and sports teams.   Having it at Memorial Hall provides a great opportunity to invite those friends and family members that do not usually attend church.  You invite them, God will do the rest.

Here are some great websites with activities, stories, and printables for you and your kids to do for Easter. Enjoy!  If you have time, kids especially love the “tomb” cookies (on 3rd website listed).  It is a fun activity that sticks!  Also allows for great family time together.  Follow it up by reading the Easter story from the Bible.

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/sundayschool.htm; http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/; http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com/easter-crafts-for-kids.html

Lastly, as you may be aware, we at Fellowship of the Rockies are making Good Friday a day of fasting and prayer for the city.  We are encouraging all people to fast and pray for those who live here to come to know our God that loves them so much, he sent His Son for them.  I am encouraging my kids to get involved.  Just as people are praying for those in the phone book, you can have your children pray for each individual in his/her school class, neighborhood, and/or sport team.  They can fast as well (sweets, audio-visual media, etc).  Not only is this an opportunity to teach about fasting, but also I beleive that God will reward their sacrifice.  So, make it a family thing and do it together.  Remember, it should be done in a right heart.  Don’t force an unwilling child to fast.  This may only breed resentment.  Instead, lead by example and you do it without them.

Posted by on April 20, 2011 in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , .

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April 13, 2011

Palm Sunday

This week is Palm Sunday.  I cannot believe how fast time seems to pass, it seemed Christmas just ended!  With the business of our lives, to take time to reflect with your family on how wonderful this season is.  I love how Easter falls in spring.  What wonderful timing by our Savior!  It is a time of renewal all around us.  The tree buds and flowers blooming provide an opportunity to converse with your child about how God brings new life in the world and also in our hearts.  This promise of new life and a savior is what prompted the people of Jerusalem to come out and unabashedly worship Jesus as He entered the city.  They did not have a full understanding of what Christ was about to do for them.  However, because of His word, we know why he came.  What more reason for us to fall and worship this Savior that is the giver of all life. 

Be intentional this week in teaching the concept of worship to your children.  Experience drives language and language drives cognition; in other words, if you want your child to best understand worship, he/she should experience it and hear about it.  This will increase his/her understanding of what it is and what it looks like.  So, as a parent, it is your job to be the lead in this.  Try modeling worship by playing worship music at home, sing in the car, speak uplifting words to all those around you (even the ones that drive you crazy).  Pray and study His word in front of them.  Sing songs as you go through your day.  Encourage them to join in.  Pick one or two of these activities to do at home after reading the lesson on the Triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-11).

  1.  Play the game, “what do I worship”.  Pretend you bow down to material things (video games, TV’s, toys, sports equipment).  Talk with your kids about how silly that is.  (Make it silly) These things cannot hear or help you in times of trouble.  Their enjoyment is only temporary.  
  2. Get some old magazines or newspaper ads.  Have your children cut out things that they may “worship” or that they see other kids “worship”.
  3. Each day this week practice worshipping in a different way.  You can read the bible, sing a song, pray, even serve someone else.  Show your child how easy it can be incorporated into daily routines like while driving, meal time, and bed time. 

Posted by on April 13, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids! and tagged , , , , , .

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April 6, 2011

Lazerus 4.10.11

This weeks lesson your child will learn about Lazerus and when Christ raised him from the dead, taken from John 11.  Short summary.  Jesus hears that Lazerus is sick and waits, so long that Lazerus dies.  His disciples, as well as Mary and Martha, do not understand Christ’s decision to wait to go and help Lazerus.  However, Jesus’ eyes were on a much larger picture here.  His intentionally waited so that several people could be healed, not just Lazerus.  Jesus’ comment to Martha in John 11:25 indicates that Jesus was trying to teach her as well as others around who He was.  Not just a great teacher and healer, but the Savior himself.  In control of life, physical and eternal.  The overall theme here, beyond God’s amazing miracle, is transformation.  Just as Lazerus was brought to life, given a second chance at life, we too have the opportunity to experience a new life.  A life only experienced when we accept and follow this giver of life.  When we accept and intentionally choose to follow him, we begin our eternal life now!  We can live victorious, because we know who is in control of life itself.  The only death we will experience is temporary, because in an instant we will be with our Savior with our new transformed body (2 Corinthians 2-4).

The question for us is, “Do we live like we have been transformed?  Do we follow him and listen to the Holy Spirit who  transforms us daily to shine His glory?”  According to 2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 we should look glorious to those around us. ”Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.  And we with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  I know for me this often comes down to my choice to have an attitude change.  I need to often take my eyes off of myself (circumstances, desires, physical limitations, failings) and put them on to who Christ says that I am and who Christ says that I can be.  With his help, we can choose to have a glorious attitude toward others and difficult situations. 

Challenge:  BE GLORIOUS TODAY!  Show “gloriousity” to your children and your family.  Choose to laugh, show grace, be patient.  Think of the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).

Posted by on April 6, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids! and tagged , , , , .

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March 26, 2011

Good Samaritan 4.3.11

We are beginning on our road to Easter learning about Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus was confronted by a Jewish teacher of the law, testing Jesus by asking how one gains eternal life.  Jesus’ response, “Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul and love your neighbor as yourself.”  The teacher, maybe trying to justify himself or trying to trap Jesus, asked a follow-up question.  “Who is my neighbor?”.  Jesus’ response told of the “Good Samaritan” along which included a Samaritan (lower class non citizen), a priest (pastor), Levite (lay minister).  Having told the story Jesus returned with a question for him.  Not exactly the one he would be expecting (“who is your neighbor?’) but with, “Who was a good neighbor?”

This question took the focus off of the people around him and put the responsibility onto him individually.  In our lives, we cannot control necessarily the choices and actions of those around us, try as we may.  But we can control, with the power of the Holy Spirit, how we choose to act and react to those around us.  All too often in my generation and those following me, we have lost the sense of personal responsibility and we often choose to blame our actions onto those around us or the situations we come from.  Yes, they do shape us, however, they do not have to define us.  We are defined in Christ and the salvation, grace, and holiness he provides!

We all hope that we can become the Good Samaritan when we see someone in need.  What constitutes an act of kindness?  Does the person have to be physically injured?  How about mentally, emotionally, or spiritually dying?  Pray this week that God can show you how to demonstrate kindness to your children, through not only your words, but your deeds.

  1.  Watch the video clip from http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7053177.  It is a story of a modern day “Good Samaritan” situation.  The video has several parallels to Christ’s parable.  Talk with your children about what they saw and how they can make better choices when they see someone in need.
  2. Have a “homeless” care kit in your car.  If you are like me, you may be weary of giving money to strangers.  How about having small bags packed as care kits.  Some things you can include are: peanuts, bottled water, bandaids, chapstick, trail mix, hat, gloves, socks, bible, etc.
  3.  One of the best ways to show kindness it to exhibit kind manners.  Learning to demonstrate respectful manners places a high value on all people.  It teaches that everyone deserves respect and love.  On the back of this page there are several areas of manners that can be fostered in your child’s manner of communication. 

KIDS PRACTICE:  

  1. Write a note to your teacher at school.  Thank them for the effort they are putting forward to help you learn.  Tell them one new thing that they taught you this year.
  2. Do a chore that is not assigned to you.  Help your sibling or parent without being asked.
  3. Mow or rake your neighbor’s yard for fee.
  4. Volunteer in the community (library, food kitchen, church, school)
  5. Say please, thank you, yes ma’am, no sir.

 

Posted by on March 26, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids!.

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March 23, 2011

Acts 27: Paul comforts others in storm

This weeks lesson continues in the journeys of Paul.  He is now a prisoner and is being taken by ship to Rome, from Jerusalem.  On this journey, against Paul’s advice, the ship sailed on into winter weather.  As Paul predicted, the ship was blown off course in a terrible storm.  The storm was strong enough to eventually completely destroy the ship.  Along the way, however, Paul received messages from the Holy Spirit that both he and all passengers on the ship would escape the catastrophe with their lives.  He conveyed confidence in the message and was able to encourage those on the ship to stay the course and not abandon the ship.  Because of their faith in Paul’s message, the lives of all passengers were spared. 

This account lines up with a life journal verse from this past week.  I Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “No eye has seen, for ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God prepared for those who love Him but God revealed it to us by His Spirit.”  In our humanity, we cannot conceive the plans of God.  The men on the ship that did not have the Holy Spirit, they could not conceive that God would keep them safe through this trial.  However, Paul, full of the Holy Spirit, was able to have the mind of Christ. 

This is encouraging to me because according the this verse, If I have the Holy Spirit living in me, I can have the mind of Christ.  I can know His plans!  I may not fully understand them, however, I can know and follow in faith.  How do I learn of these heavenly plans?  Through conversations with my savior.  God has conversations with us through his word, through prayer, and through our journaling.  He may also use other people to confirm what he has told us through these avenues. Additionally, just as Paul was able to encourage/guide those around him through the words of God, the Holy Spirit may also use you to be that encourager to someone God puts in your paths.

Ask God this week how you can encourage a child that you have influence over in their walk with God.  When you make yourself available, God is more than happy to use you to share the message of his love, faith, and salvation.  Start with prayer and bible reading.  If you are already doing those things, add journaling.

Kid Practice: Observe any playground or classroom, and you will see that children can be cruel to each other. Without adult intervention, a group of children will usually choose one or two members to be the target of jokes and teasing. Although some of this teasing is usually unavoidable, adults can help children learn to be more kind to each other. One of the best ways to do this is by teaching children the habit of encouraging each other with positive feedback.

  • One of the simplest ways to draw attention to the act of encouragement, and to give children the opportunity to practice it, is by having children find positive traits to encourage in one another/family members. One simple activity that allows this is giving children a piece of paper and having them write their names at the top of the paper. Then pass the paper around the room, and ask everyone to write one word describing a positive trait about that person. This requires every child to think of something positive about every other person in the group. Limiting their responses to one word makes the task achievable even among children who don’t know or are not getting long with one another.

  • You can also teach encouragement by incorporating encouraging behavior into other activities. For example, you can create a framework for ongoing encouragement over a period of time. One example of this is Necklace Exchange, in which each child/family member starts with a necklace/bracelet/key chain of beads that are all the same color. Every time someone says something to a child that is encouraging, he/she gives that person one of her beads. The goal is for every person to have a multicolored item that includes beads from every person in the group/family by the end of a specified time period.  This can be an ongoing activity for families.

Posted by on March 23, 2011 in Everyday Devotions; For parents and kids!.

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