One of my favorite activities during the summer months is reading chapter books with my kids. I enjoy snuggling on the couch as we read the next chapter and discuss what we can learn from it. There are some great, classic books out there, but lately I have been searching for some good Christian chapter books with a message of faith. We know a few, and I reviewed one of them below, but I asked some friends (and some of their kids) to tell me their favorites and why they liked them.
This month I am highlighting the Brown family. Amy Brown has a special story of how God gave her a vision to do something special that no one had ever thought of at her church to reach children with the gospel. The idea is so amazing, that I believe it needs to be replicated at other churches with food and/or clothing pantries.
Easter is around the corner, and it is one of children’s favorite holidays- mostly for one reason alone- CANDY! What kid doesn’t love to wake up to a basket-full of candy or do an egg hunt and see how much candy he or she received!
When my kids were very young, I had a hard time not losing my patience with them on a daily basis. I love kids, but I just expected my kids to- well, be perfect, and perfect, they weren’t! Of course they were growing and maturing, but it felt like such a slow process when they were in the middle of it and still so young. When they went against my rules, the anger would sometimes get the best of me, and I would think, “How DARE those kids disrespect me like that?!”
I hope you enjoy this two part devotional designed for ages 4-8 to teach your children how to have a forgiving heart! Read the italic section or paraphrase with your children to fit their age level. Click here for the printer friendly version of this devotional.
As part of the preschool curriculum I am developing, A Heart Like Jesus, I am creating Character Calendars to encourage our children’s character development in fun and simple ways! Each month I will have a character calendar available for you on a specific virtue that includes ways to practice the character trait, a Bible verse to memorize, and Bible stories to read, and other fun games to encourage your kids!
A year ago my family was blessed to meet the Erkmann family when we attended a World Vision walk to raise money for clean water. As we drove up to the race, we were delighted to find a family of smiling kids passing out necklaces and race bibs as others prepared for the walk. The Erkmanns have SUCH a heart for the poor around the world and involving others to make a difference. Our family was touched by their servant hearts and the overall mission of the walk!
I hope you enjoy this devotional on an obedient heart. Read the italic section or paraphrase with your children to fit their age level. You can do all in one day, or split into two days. Visual links entitled “visuals” in light blue can be printed ahead of time to show during the lesson, or click the link if using your mobile device.
I recently read the book, Why Can’t I Get My Kids to Behave, by Joey and Carla Link of Parenting Made Practical, and I love how they not only explain the importance of teaching children to obey but also the practical side of how to do it! The Links get to the heart of obedience and provide practical tools to help train your kids that are easy to understand and implement.
Last month I had an opportunity to interview Joey and Carla Link from Parenting Made Practical, and in “part two” of our interview, they share some practical tips and resources for teaching our kids to obey. Moms that find themselves parenting through difficult circumstances will be encouraged that, while it may not be easy, teaching your children to obey is possible!
