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Dear Friends,
Family Devotions...!
Many families have
expressed to us the challenge they face when it comes to family
devotions. Either they feel under qualified, or can’t seem to find
time. Ingrid Lawrenz
writes that “many families put themselves in a bind by having a
too-limiting view of the way devotions have to be.” She continues…
“The Bible says in
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to
be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when
you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and
when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your
gates." In other words naturally impress on your children the
reality of God's presence in all that you say and do, may it be a normal outflowing of who you are in Christ. Look for every
opportunity and teachable moment to discuss God's view-the TV commercial
that is trying to sell you bad morals; God's fingerprints in nature; the
crude conversation overheard in the grocery line; the political debates
or even the attitudes between siblings. There is also profound modeling
that takes place when a child accidentally discovers you praying, or
knows to not disturb you during your quiet time. God's reality becomes
clear when news is heard or something happens and you drop everything to
pray for such things as seeing an ambulance rushing by, the cat getting
lost, a bad dream, or dad having to go talk to a hurting person. Seeing
compassionate tears on parents' faces awakens a child's awareness of the
need to love and sacrifice.”
As Steve
Green sings "May those who come behind us find us
faithful." Our own love for Jesus is a better teacher than any
lesson plan we could follow.
Have fun
sharing yourself with your family!
Bruce
McCracken
Bruce McCracken
P.S. If you would like some additional suggestions for
"teachable moments" devotion ideas, we have complied
them here. Feel
free to use them.
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If you
found this information helpful, we have made other Pebbles of Truth articles
available on our website (www.hotrfm.org).
Each month we feature articles on the topics of: men's issues, marriage,
blended families, parenting, and church ministry to families. You will
also find a great deal more information about House on the Rock
Family Ministries! Thanks for visiting.
Please
feel free to forward this to friends and family … we just ask that you
keep it intact … thanks
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