Day 7: Bible Studies for the Family

Do y'all remember when I said I was motivated to try and draw out my bible study, which didn't work out the way I had planned, but ended up showing me an amazing way to do bible study with my (now) seven year old daughter? Hop over to Day 3 of the 31 Day writing challenge to re-read if you must. 

Well, I have bible study groups and resources galore at my finger tips. I can jump around and do more than one if I want or need - I can scale it down if I'm just not feeling up to it. When it comes to my children, it's not so easy... they have to have it there, in front of them; In their hands, laid out step by step, day by day in order to do any type of bible study. They aren't going to just take the initiative and dive into the Word on their own... and who could blame them really - the bible can seem so overwhelming to even adults at times. Where do you begin? The beginning, the New Testament, any certain book? So I began to search for the perfect devotion for each of my children...

I had received a Tween Bible Study book - Around the Word in 60 Seconds - a year or so ago and was going to give it to my oldest as a daily devotional.

However, after reading over a few weeks worth of devotions myself I decided it was more for my 10 year old than for my soon to be 15 year old daughter. That lead me to do some research to find a great bible study/devotional for my 15 year old daughter. It needed to be something that would reach deep, but not take an enormous amount of time and discourage her from wanting to read it each day.

I discovered A Daughters Worth... I'm waiting for it to come in now! I'm excited about this one, and hopefully she will enjoy it as well.

So, I have my youngest daughter following along with me in my own bible study each day - I have the Around the Word for my 10 year old daughter and will soon have A Daughter's Worth for my eldest daughter.

All I need now is a good bible study/devotion for my 13 year old son... any suggestions?!

Really - I need suggestions!

Hopefully these bible studies will leave a lasting impression on my children and lead them on their own journey of Seeking His Face.

Let your light shine...

A very good friend of mine received a word from God for me about a month ago. She sent it to me in a text (as mothers sometimes do in a desperate attempt at reaching out to each other with so little time in the day to accomplish all that needs to be done). The text she sent read:

“Twinkle Twinkle little star how I wonder what you are, up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky. When nothing shines upon you, you shine your little light, then travelers in the dark thank you for your tiny spark. They could not see if you did not twinkle so, they which do not know which way to go… twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are.

It blows my mind how gentle our God is to speak a lullaby to us for a revelation of how much we mean to Him, who He is to us and how much we are needed in this dark world. We just have to keep our spark! Shine bright, even when it’s hard. Love ya!”

Since that little word she gave me, I've “coincidentally” ran across a few printables’ with Matthew 5:14  - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Such as the one below!

I've also stumbled upon Daysprings new jewelry line, Everlasting light, which I feel I MUST have one of soon. (I mean, it’s a divine connection between the word spoken to me and this jewelry line right?) ;) I can’t deny the fact that the Lord is speaking to me. I've gone through a sort of dry spell spiritually lately, to the point of questioning my calling in the ministry… perhaps this was Gods way of telling me to keep that light shining, to hold on to my Faith and to not give up.                        

Sometimes, the best night of my week are Wednesday nights, when I can walk into my classroom full of young teen girls… so full of promise and eager to learn. I realize that this light is a beacon in the night for those girls. Some of them do not come from Christian homes and are wandering around in the darkness trying to find their way.

I know that I’m nothing special outside of Christ, and I know that if I didn't follow my calling someone else would just take my place… look at how profoundly Esther stepped into her purpose, even to her it was said “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

For such a time as this. – I haven’t been divinely placed in a royal position that could potentially save my people from annihilation… but the word is for us all. If we don’t rise up and step into our calling, someone else will. All of our gifts are given to us from above… we are nothing special without Christ and the many talents and gifts we are given can easily be given to another who would gladly use them for the Kingdom.  I want to be that person… I want to be able to stand before God on judgment day and feel like I used my talents wisely.  

“Do not neglect the gift you have,” – 1 Timothy 4:14

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,” – 2 Timothy 1:6

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” – Romans 12:6-8

“A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.” – Proverbs 18:16

I know my top gifts are teaching and writing and I feel so very blessed to be able to do both. I love the girls in my group and even though the enemy tries to make me doubt myself… I know it’s where I belong. I sometimes just need a little reminder…

 Isolate your gifts, develop them, use them… let that light shine!

Study The Word Wednesday: What Effect Does My Attitude Have On Others?

What Effect Does My Attitude Have On Others?

It's amazing how positive words can encourage us. How do you feel when someone has said something positive about you?

Christians need to be aware of how they influence others. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13). This is a goal worth striving for.

Our joy can show in our speech and actions in many different ways. We can affect people by our speech and actions. Take, for example, a group of teenagers: If one person begins gossiping about someone, it’s not long until most, if not all, of the group has joined in.
Have you ever been in a room where someone started yawning? What happened? Soon everyone in the room began to yawn. Why? For some reason, yawns are contagious. Our attitude is much like a yawn. If we are positive and reflect Christ, those around us will want to be like us. If, however, we are negative, those around us will soon follow our lead.

Jesus was teaching on salt and light when He said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13). He wants us to be set apart from the world and be His light. If we follow His example, we can be a positive influence on those around us rather than a negative one. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

Titus 2:7-8 - In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

1 Peter 2:21 - To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

As Christians we need to be aware of how we appear to those around us. Think hard about yourself, and ask yourself these questions.

• Do I reflect Christ?
• Does my attitude affect others in a positive way?
• Do people enjoy being around me because I make them feel good?
• In a group setting does my attitude lead others to be Christlike, or does my attitude bring others down?

Remember, that you are called to lead others toward Christ, not away from Him. 

Ask God to help you walk in Christ's steps and be a light for Him in the darkness of this world. 

Study The Word Wednesday: How Can I use God's Word To Change My Attitude

How Can I Use God's Word to Change My Attitude?

We can possess a godly attitude if we look to God, for He has supplied us with the Guidebook on how to live. The Bible instructs us to become imitators of Christ, who was humble in spirit and cared for the unlovely. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love”. 

"Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a person is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." EPHESIANS 5:1,5

It may sometimes seem difficult to imitate Christ... many times we find ourselves surrounded by people who do not in any way imitate God or the things of God. The work place, and some women groups are full of people just trying to fit in. All of us want to be noticed, and sometimes we will act or do whatever it takes to get attention.

We need to remember, that no matter what, God hates a bad attitude. He wants us to have a gentle spirit. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." PHILIPPIANS 4:4,5

Besides hiding God’s Word in our hearts, we can keep our attitude in line by keeping good company. If we hang out with negative people, it will affect us. 

"Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."" 1 Corinthians 15:33 

Although we are to be witnesses to the unsaved, God never intended for us to build strong relationships with people who do not respect God’s laws.

To obtain the kind of attitude which God desires, we must put aside the persons we were before Christ.

 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

As Christians we need to get into the Word of God. God has outlined His purposes for our lives through the Scriptures. Not only does the Word give us instruction but it also gives us examples to follow by looking at other people’s lives. We can learn much by looking at people of the Bible. God realized that we struggle sometimes, but He wants us to know that we can overcome and live godly lives.

What we put into our hearts will pour out.

 “As he thinks in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7. 

If we absorb God’s Word and cover our lives with prayer, God will work in our hearts and help us to change. Although we will never be perfect this side of heaven, God can do mighty things in our lives if we allow Him. We all can use an attitude adjustment from time to time. When will we learn that only God can do the adjusting!

Ask God to help you study His Word more so you will know the guidelines He has given for a Christlike attitude.