Here is where to find the Biblical accounts that some of the Veggie Tales are based on:
Try reading them to your children from a simple translation of the Bible. New Century Version or a children’s NIV. I recommend reading it through on your own first so you know the content. The Bible can be graphic (for example: the lions in Daniel's account actually get a very large meal in the end).
“Esther” is found in the book of Esther
“Dave and the Giant Pickle” is found in 1 Samuel 17
“Duke and the Great Pie War” is found in the book of Ruth
“Little Joe” is in Genesis 37, 39-46
“Jonah” is found in the book of Jonah
“Rack Shack & Benny” is found in Daniel 3
“Daniel and the Lion’s Den” is found in Daniel 6
“Josh and the Big Wall” is found in Joshua 5:13 – 6:27
“King George and the Ducky” is found in 2 Samuel 11 & 12
Monday, April 28, 2008
Encouraging Your Child’s Faith
Encouraging Your Child’s Faith – 5 Actions
1) LOVE them as Christ LOVES you! This, by far, is the best way to encourage your child’s faith. It puts meaning behind all your actions, rules and boundaries. If they question your love for them, then all the proper parenting in the world won’t really matter.
2) The 3 question devotion. This is a simple fun way to explore the Bible as a family. First, pick a short passage of scripture and read it aloud. I recommend a simple translation like the NLT or the Message. Next, you will need a toy microphone, a graduation cap, and a hand mirror. Hand these out.
a) The person holding the microphone is the “reporter”. They answer the first question of: “What does the passage say?” They are not to add or take away from what is in scripture, and they shouldn’t tell the lesson or what they think about it. This person just restates what the Bible says in their own words.
b) The person wearing the graduation cap is the “teacher”. They are to answer the second question: “What does it mean?” In other words, they sum up the lesson learned from the passage that was read.
c) The person holding the mirror is the “student”. They answer the question: “What does it mean to me?” They look in the mirror (if they want) and share how this scripture can apply to their own life.
3) Right and Wrong. When children accept Christ as their Savior, they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is at work, helping them discern right from wrong. Whenever possible, help them identify this at work.
4) Pray together! When they have a scary dream, when they are sick, when they are hurt by a friend…take it to the Lord together. Make it your first reaction! Teach them how to trust worries to the Lord by example.
5) Forgive…and be forgiven. When children ask for forgiveness and we forgive them, we must do it completely. This does not mean they won’t experience consequences for their actions, but they should know through our words and our eyes, that no bond has been broken with us. Also, when we sin against our children, we are to ask them for forgiveness. They will learn by example!
6) Serve together. What can your family do together for Christ and His Kingdom? Whether it’s donating toys and clothes, helping out another family, or shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk…do it together and explain that you are doing it for the Lord. Work together to be a blessing to those you encounter.
1) LOVE them as Christ LOVES you! This, by far, is the best way to encourage your child’s faith. It puts meaning behind all your actions, rules and boundaries. If they question your love for them, then all the proper parenting in the world won’t really matter.
2) The 3 question devotion. This is a simple fun way to explore the Bible as a family. First, pick a short passage of scripture and read it aloud. I recommend a simple translation like the NLT or the Message. Next, you will need a toy microphone, a graduation cap, and a hand mirror. Hand these out.
a) The person holding the microphone is the “reporter”. They answer the first question of: “What does the passage say?” They are not to add or take away from what is in scripture, and they shouldn’t tell the lesson or what they think about it. This person just restates what the Bible says in their own words.
b) The person wearing the graduation cap is the “teacher”. They are to answer the second question: “What does it mean?” In other words, they sum up the lesson learned from the passage that was read.
c) The person holding the mirror is the “student”. They answer the question: “What does it mean to me?” They look in the mirror (if they want) and share how this scripture can apply to their own life.
3) Right and Wrong. When children accept Christ as their Savior, they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is at work, helping them discern right from wrong. Whenever possible, help them identify this at work.
4) Pray together! When they have a scary dream, when they are sick, when they are hurt by a friend…take it to the Lord together. Make it your first reaction! Teach them how to trust worries to the Lord by example.
5) Forgive…and be forgiven. When children ask for forgiveness and we forgive them, we must do it completely. This does not mean they won’t experience consequences for their actions, but they should know through our words and our eyes, that no bond has been broken with us. Also, when we sin against our children, we are to ask them for forgiveness. They will learn by example!
6) Serve together. What can your family do together for Christ and His Kingdom? Whether it’s donating toys and clothes, helping out another family, or shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk…do it together and explain that you are doing it for the Lord. Work together to be a blessing to those you encounter.
Family Devotions
FAMILY DEVOTIONS – A key part of training your child in their faith.
Five key components (from a FOF interview with Bruce Wilkinson):
1) The family devotion should be a regularly scheduled activity.
2) It should include all family members. If not all family members are present, do the devotion anyway with those who are.
3) The devotion should include meaningful activities and family interaction.
4) The devotion should be centered around the Bible and relevant life situations.
5) It should have two goals 1) Building Godly character (who you are) 2) Creating right habits (what you do).
Family devotions are a time to bless, teach and encourage.
Make it value oriented, not knowledge oriented. (Try the formula of: modern day story, similar Bible story, concluding principle)
Do not use it as a time to preach or discipline.
Values passed on to our children are caught, not taught. Nothing will train them more than your example.
Five key components (from a FOF interview with Bruce Wilkinson):
1) The family devotion should be a regularly scheduled activity.
2) It should include all family members. If not all family members are present, do the devotion anyway with those who are.
3) The devotion should include meaningful activities and family interaction.
4) The devotion should be centered around the Bible and relevant life situations.
5) It should have two goals 1) Building Godly character (who you are) 2) Creating right habits (what you do).
Family devotions are a time to bless, teach and encourage.
Make it value oriented, not knowledge oriented. (Try the formula of: modern day story, similar Bible story, concluding principle)
Do not use it as a time to preach or discipline.
Values passed on to our children are caught, not taught. Nothing will train them more than your example.
The Quest for Quiet
If I get up before anyone else, I can usually have quiet for a few minutes. It’s such a peaceful time. Sometimes, I think I enjoy the morning quiet so much that I spend the rest of the day trying to recapture it. However, trying to keep the four kids quiet for longer than 2 ½ seconds only happens in the movies. If you tell them to be quiet more than a couple times, they seem to have some device that tunes out any further requests.
Besides, unless it’s naptime, mom’s should be very wary of quiet. I remember when Jenna was two and Isaac was a baby sitting in his bouncy seat. I was cooking dinner when I noticed the quiet. It snuck up on me. I called to Jenna, “What are you doing?”. She replied in her sweet 2-year old voice, “I’m coloring on Isaac’s... (she stopped herself)…NOTHING!!” Mother’s should also be very wary when their children say “nothing”. I turned the corner to see that Jenna had artistically colored all over Isaac’s face and hands with markers.
Enjoy your quiet in the early morning or late evening. But during the day…go ahead and enjoy the noise.
Besides, unless it’s naptime, mom’s should be very wary of quiet. I remember when Jenna was two and Isaac was a baby sitting in his bouncy seat. I was cooking dinner when I noticed the quiet. It snuck up on me. I called to Jenna, “What are you doing?”. She replied in her sweet 2-year old voice, “I’m coloring on Isaac’s... (she stopped herself)…NOTHING!!” Mother’s should also be very wary when their children say “nothing”. I turned the corner to see that Jenna had artistically colored all over Isaac’s face and hands with markers.
Enjoy your quiet in the early morning or late evening. But during the day…go ahead and enjoy the noise.
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