Every year as Christmas creeps closer and closer, I am filled with anticipation for the joy of the season, but also anxiety sets in as I wonder if I will be able to get everything done in time. From preparing kids for Christmas plays, to hosting and attending parties, to determining the perfect gifts for each family member… it’s a crazy time of year!
What do your kids love about Christmas? Mine love decorating the Christmas tree (my husband’s least favorite part), making, icing, and eating Christmas cookies, and spending time with their cousins… Christmas is fun and full of exciting activities, but with so much to look forward to, if we are not careful, it can become easy to loose sight of the main reason for Christmas.
Knowing and Loving God, Reflecting His Character, Serving with Kids
Pearce Family Discipleship Highlight
I enjoy hearing creative ways that other families disciple their kids to love Jesus and follow in His ways. Although each family is unique, we can all glean ideas and wisdom from each other, so I thought it would be beneficial to hear from some families as to what Biblical resources and approaches they have found effective in encouraging their children in Christ-like ways.
Last summer I led a small group of teenagers at Camp 220 with my church. I had heard many great things about this camp and how teens’ lives had been dramatically changed, and I wanted to experience it first hand with the students from my neighborhood Bible club. It was an unforgettable experience, to say the least.
While it’s fun to buy chocolates and other Valentine’s gifts that show our kids we love them, we can also buy gifts that remind them how much their Heavenly Father loves them! With this in mind, here are my favorite Valentine’s gifts for kids to lead them closer to the Lord!
As Christian parents, if we know from heart the greatest commandment, then we understand that the most important thing we can teach our kids is to love the Lord our God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, as Jesus teaches.
As each new year approaches, I begin to think about what I want to do differently and ask God how I can be more effective and intentional in different areas of my life. One of the areas I have been praying about is how to be more intentional with my kids. As a mom, one of the most important assignments I have is to raise my children to know, love, and follow the Lord.
One of the things I enjoy most is picking out the perfect gift. I want the gift to leave a lasting impression on both mom and baby, whether practical or sentimental. Gifts that plant seeds of faith and teach little ones how special they are to God are by far some of the most precious treasures they will ever receive. Here are a few gift ideas to make an eternal impact the next time you are looking for just the right gift for a baby shower.
I enjoy working with teenagers in ministry and believe that teen discipleship is so important because they are at a pivotal point in their walk with God. By this age, teens have heard a lot of information from the many influences around them, including parents, youth pastors, peers, music, media, teachers, and education, and they are coming to their own conclusions about life. If they do not have the foundation of knowledge about what they believe, coupled by a growing personal relationship with Jesus, they are more apt to fall away from their faith.
If there is one thing I want more than anything for my precious kids, its for them to understand and really know God’s amazing love for them.