K is for…Knowledge

 by Shelly Burke, Author and Editor

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

Begin by asking your children what they need to “know” and why. They will probably talk about what they need to know for tests at school, or what they need to know to play a sport. They also need to know rules—at home, at school, at church and when they go to visit friends. Next ask what they think the most valuable knowledge they can have, is; what will help them most throughout life, in whatever circumstances they face (whether or not to cheat on a test or employment application; how to determine what to do after high school, how to deal with relationship problems). Of course the most important thing we need to know is how God expects us to live; He expects us to follow His rules and to be an example of His love.  But can we live the life God wants us to live without knowing how He wants us to live? No! And how do we determine how He wants us to live? This verse gives us an answer:   

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Prov. 9:10

In this verse, the word “fear” can be translated as “respect,” so respecting God, and His word, is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of God gives us insight as to what He expects and how He wants us to live. When we know God’s “rules”—like the Ten Commandments—we know how we are to act and live.

Give several examples of how knowledge of God’s Word can help them make decisions. What if kids in your classroom are making fun of a child? Should you join in? Why or why not? God tells us, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Is making fun of someone an example of loving him? What does God expect us to do instead?

Ask older kids more difficult questions: What if a boyfriend or girlfriend is pressuring you to have sex? Search for the answer in the Bible. What if friends pressure you to approve of homosexuality, or drug use? As kids get older they’ll face the conflict between what the world expects as opposed to what the Lord expects. Again, knowledge of the Bible gives concrete answers.

There are no Bible verses that specifically address lying on a job application or not filing a tax return, but with knowledge of the Bible, it is clear that these are not things that God expects us to do. The Bible doesn’t tell us which college to attend or which job offer to accept, but again, by knowing the principles in God’s Word we can discern opportunities that clearly do not conform to His will and we also know that we can pray and ask Him to guide us.

How can we gain  the knowledge He expects us to have? As well as reading the Bible your children (and all of us!) can learn about Him at church, Sunday school, and through prayer and listening to Him. As you, as a parent, are your kids’ first teachers, make it a priority to teach them knowledge of the Lord. Read the Bible to them; read it with older kids and discuss the meaning of what you’ve read. Take them to church and Sunday School and discuss what the sermon was about and what they learned. Demonstrate, in your life, seeking knowledge of God and seeking His will when you are faced with decisions.

“The wise lay up knowledge…”

Prov. 10:14

Be wise. Seek knowledge of the Lord, and help and encourage your children to do the same.

Lord, knowledge of you is the most important knowledge we can have. Please help me to see Your knowledge, and help me to help my kids gain it too. Amen.

(For more discussion of “knowledge”, look up and discuss the following verses: Psalm 139:6, Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 10:14, 13:16, 15:14, 17:27; Isaiah 11:2, 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14, Luke 11:52, 1 Corinthians 8:11, 2 Peter 2:20)

I’m also blogging this month at Nebraska Family Times. Today’s post is also about knowledge, targeted towards encouraging adults to gain knowledge about God.

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for more information.

J is for…Join

By Shelly Burke, Author and Editor

 (The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

“My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will  arise suddenly from them…” Prov. 24:21

Begin by asking your children if they are ever tempted to join a group that, deep down, they know they shouldn’t join. Maybe it’s a group of kids teasing the new kid or plotting to cheat on a test…or plotting to sneak out and drink, have sex, or do something even more dangerous.

Peer pressure can be a powerful thing. But remind kids of the consequences; if teachers, the principal, or parents find out, the consequences can be severe and sudden and in some cases (like drinking and driving or having sex) can have life-altering consequences.

When I was a teenager my dad told me, “You need to decide what you’re going to do if you get into a bad situation, before you get into it. Of course you want to avoid the situation in the first place, but if you get into a situation where there is pressure to cheat, or skip class, or drink or use drugs, or you are alone with your boyfriend, you need to know ahead of time what you’re going to do in the midst of that temptation.” We knew that if we got into a bad situation, we could call mom and dad and they would pick us up, no questions asked. Of course the next day we’d have to account for it but their priority was to get us out of the situation.

Talk with your kids—even young kids--about situations in which they might find themselves and what they could do. Role play the “bad guy” trying to tempt your child to bully or cheat or drink. Younger kids might go to the teacher or tell you what’s going on. I’ve heard of kids who text their parents and in turn the parents call and “demand” the child get home “right now,” so they “have to” leave the party. We told our kids that they could say, truthfully, “If I do that and my parents find out I’ll be grounded for months!”

It’s important to reassure kids that they will be forgiven for actions when they are truly sorry for them—forgiven by God as well as by you. They will still have to face consequences, but they will be forgiven.

Encourage your kids to join a group that others will want to imitate, as in Paul’s words to the Philippians; “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (Phil. 4:17) In the verses prior to this one, Paul is says that he is not perfect, but he is always striving to, with the help of God, do His will. We should strive to imitate Christ’s example and be an example to others. How do we know what His example is? By reading His Word and following His example of kindness, forgiveness, humility, and so on.

Encourage your kids to join…but to join a group of kids with positive values and actions.

  

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on Nebraska Family Timesfor more information.

"Stepping Out: To a life on the edge" Book Signing Event

I'm so happy to announce the publication of my good friend Deb Burma's new book, "Stepping Out: To a life on the edge"! I was blessed to read it as she was editing it this fall and it is a wonderful, encouraging book! She shares so well how we can "step out", with God's strength, to serve Him in whatever He has in mind for us. 

Please join us: 

This coming Sunday, April 14th, at

Peace Lutheran Church, 2720 28th Street, Columbus, NE

2:00-2:30 PM, special "Stepping Out" message from Deb

2:30-4:00 (or later!) refreshments and book signing!

Bring a friend! 

Books will be available for the special price of only $12 for this event only.

Deb's other books, "Treasured," "Beautiful Feet," and "Chocolate Life" 

will also be available. 

For more information, call Shelly at (402) 750-3496

(if you are unable to attend, you can check out the books at www.cph.org)

I is for…Instruction

By Shelly Burke

Author, Home is Where the Mom Is: A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home

Editor and Publisher Nebraska Family Times

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

(GoogleImages)

Begin your discussion by asking, Do you always like to listen to what other people (parents, teachers, pastors) tell you? (Most likely the answer will be “NO!”) Why don’t you like to listen to them? (You will probably hear; Sometimes they tell you to do things I don’t want to do; sometimes they tell me not to do things I want to do!)

Read this verse: “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.” (Proverbs 4:1-2) What does it tell you to do? Listen to your father’s instruction (this includes mothers, teachers, and others as well). Why should we listen? So that we might gain insight—adults know things, through their experience and knowledge, that kids don’t. What are precepts? Truths that were passed from generation to generation in the Bible—in other words, things that people had found over and over to be true.

                                                                                                                                                         

The Bible also tells us that “A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.” (Proverbs 15:5) What does “whoever heeds reproof is prudent” mean? Whoever listens to correction is smart (because the people who correct you usually know more—through experience or because they’ve lived longer—than you). Sometimes it’s hard not to get angry when you hear reproof, but remember that most of the people in your life are doing it because they want to protect you from being hurt, and want to help you become a better person.

Here’s another example of what the Bible says about instruction: “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” (Proverbs 15:32) What does this mean? If you don’t listen to instruction, you must not like yourself—because you don’t want to learn or make yourself better. When you listen to instructions, you become smarter!

Here’s another verse that tells how important it is to listen to instruction: “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13) When you hear instructions, listen and remember. In some cases this could save your life. Some of the instructions in the Bible (for example, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”) can determine where you will spend your eternal life.

Consider ending your discussion by asking everyone to share the most valuable piece of instruction they’ve received.

Dear God, I can see how important it is for me to learn Your instruction as well as listen to the instructions of my parents and other leaders. Please help me to not become angry when I am corrected, but to listen to instruction. Amen.

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for more information.

H is for…Hard Things

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

Moses told the people, ”For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you…The Word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”  Deuteronomy 30:11, 14

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Begin by asking your kids, What are some hard things you’ve done? Answers might be, study for a test, practice for a sporting event, help dad build a playhouse, choose classes, choose a college, etc. Lead the conversation toward loving others. Is it hard (at times) to love siblings?

Discuss the background of these verses with your children: Moses has led the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, and is now near the end of his life. Here he is reviewing God’s covenant with the people. The commandment he is referring to is the summary of all of the commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart. (If you’d like, review all of the Ten Commandments, found in Deuteronomy 5:7-21.)

Ask, What does it mean to love the Lord with all your heart? It means, of course, to put him above everything, to put what He would want you to do, above what you want to do. Jesus added the second part of “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” in Mark 12:30 “And love your neighbor as yourself.”

So to show love to the Lord with all your heart, you must love your neighbor, too. This might not seem hard—after all, we generally get along with our neighbors. But a “neighbor” is anyone you are near. It includes siblings, parents, teachers, classmates; even when they tease you, pick a fight, are mean, assign lots of homework, and so on. This can be very hard!

But God reassures us: It is not too hard for you…The Word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. The Word is, of course, the Bible. Throughout the Bible God gives instructions to love Him and love and forgive our neighbor (over and over again!). We cannot do it on our own, but with His help we can.

What does God mean when He says The Word is…in your mouth and in your heart? We need to know His word, so it’s in our heart and comes immediately to mind—and to our mouth—when we need to be reminded about loving God and loving our neighbor.

Give your kids these examples: For example, if you are tempted to say something that is false, or something that is not nice (which would not be loving your neighbor as yourself), remember Proverbs 13:3, which says, “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”  

If you are tempted to disobey your parents, remember that you are commanded to “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you.” (Deuteronomy 5:16)

Finish by reinforcing the importance of reading and studying the Bible: As you read and study the Bible, you will learn more of these commands and principles and they will begin to come to your mind automatically when you need them. And remember to pray to God to help you to love your neighbor (sister, brother, classmate, parent, and so on). He will give you the strength to act and react as you should—rather than as you want to.

Remember: with God’s help, you can do hard things.

Dear God, please help me to honor You by loving You with all of my heart. I also want to love those around me, but I cannot do it without Your help. Please help me to want to read and learn Your Word so that I have it in my heart and in my mouth when I need it. Thank You! Amen.

Shelly Burke is the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar. Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska Family Times. Click on www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com for more information.

G is for…Gifts (Using Yours)

By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

(Google Images) 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

1 Peter 4:10

How can you encourage your kids to use their gifts?

Begin by talking about the above Bible verse. Point out that each of us has received a gift (or gifts!) from God. Discuss the gifts that He has given you and other people your kids know. Your pastor has a gift for preaching, teachers have a gift for teaching, and so on. Also point out characteristics like caring for others, giving encouragement, drawing, acting, refinishing furniture, making people laugh, and so on.

What does it mean to serve one another? It means we help others, according to their needs (others might need encouragement, help with chores around the house, to learn about something new, etc.). Serving means to look to someone else’s needs before our own, and even if we are inconvenienced. Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:5 ) We serve when we give to and help others to show God’s love, NOT because we expect a reward. God showed His love for us by giving Jesus to die for us, because of our sins. We pass on that love by showing kindness to others.

Ask each child, What are your gifts? Help them list things like, singing, helping you cook, good at math, draws beautiful pictures, good at organizing toys, a good driver, takes neat photos, likes to grocery shop, patient with people who take time to get around, etc.  

Next ask, How can you use your gifts to serve others? Elicit answers that list a variety of places and people they can serve. For example, helping a younger sibling organize his or her room, helping an elderly person shop for groceries, cooking for someone, visiting a nursing home and singing to someone, etc.

Now, make a plan. How can each child use his or her gifts during the next week? Be sure to discuss their actions, as well as the response of those they served.

Thank You, Lord, for the gifts that you have given to all of us. Please help each of us to use our gifts to serve others. Let us show Your love for us, through what we do. Amen.  

   

Would you like to read articles to “encourage, inspire and motivate you in  your Christian walk”  every month? Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times and you’ll find local, Nebraska

and national news from a Christian point of view, as well as devotions, columns by

Nebraska and nationally-known Christian authors, and much more, in your mailbox every month!

A one-year, 12-issue subscription is only $20! Click Nebraska Family Times  to order, or e-mail shelly@shellyburke.net for details.

Shelly is also the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home." Click the "Table of Contents" tab above for more information! 

F is for…Fear

By Shelly Burke

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  2 Tim. 1:7

What are you afraid of today?

Perhaps your financial situation is not stable or you have overwhelming debt or are in danger of losing your job.

Maybe you’re worried about test results, or a family member or friend suffering from a disease or illness.

Are you apprehensive about a relationship that is going through a hard time? Maybe a child is making bad decisions in his or her life and you fear the consequences, or your marriage is rocky with the future uncertain.

It is normal to have a healthy fear of things that could, realistically, happen. In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul writes to Timothy from a Roman prison; Timothy could be persecuted and  imprisoned as well, for his preaching. But God does not want us to live with a spirit of fear; fear is not to dominate our emotions.

Paul says that God gave us a spirit…of “power and love and self-control.”       

We are not powerless in the face of fear; we have power in our faith, in prayer, and in action appropriate to the situation. Remember, “I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13). We cannot do it through our own power, but through the power the Lord gives us.

We are to have a spirit of love. We can love the person who has done wrong; we can ask the Lord to show us how to do so through His love for us.

And we are to have self-control. Even when we cannot control a situation, we can control how we react to it. Rather than lose control or react in anger, we can count to 10, or not say a word. Rather than withdraw in fear, we can reach out to Christian friends and ask for prayer. Rather than sit helplessly we can open our Bibles and read God’s word, and ask Him to take away our fear.

You are not alone in facing your fears. We are never, ever alone, even during the times that we are the most afraid. God says, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the One Who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13

Would you like to read articles to “encourage, inspire and motivate you in  your Christian walk”  every month? Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times and you’ll find local, Nebraska

and national news from a Christian point of view, as well as devotions, columns by

Nebraska and nationally-known Christian authors, and much more, in your mailbox every month!

A one-year, 12-issue subscription is only $20! See the

right sidebar on this page to order, or e-mail shelly@shellyburke.net for details.