6/2/12

Teaching Biblical Character: Devotion Time, It's PERSONAL


My children are great at listening to our instruction and are active participants in family worship time, which is such a blessing.  Let's face it though, they are, in fact, children and I understand that at times all they really hear is Charlie Brown's teacher's voice coming out of my mouth.  "Wa-waa-wa-waa-wa-wa-wa-wa-waa."  This is not necessarily a reflection of their heart, it is just a real part of being a kid . . . listening, but not hearing.  It is due to moments like these, that I am ever thankful for personal devotion time . . . and not just for the kids!  It is important essential to allow time for God's "still small voice" to do the real instructing in biblical character.

People say it a lot, and it begins to sound cliche', "Let go, and let God".  In this case, that is the best advice that I can give.  Allowing the LORD to lead your child's heart, is putting your child in the best care possible.  Now, this does not mean you let them loose with just any method of study, or any research tool.  You provide the resources, lift them up in prayer and then trust it to God's divine Providence.

Where do you start with personal devotion time?  
1.  Explain the importance of spending quiet time, alone with God's Word and in prayer, seeking a relationship one-on-one with Jesus Christ.
2.  Teach your child how to pray.  Even Jesus taught His own disciples to pray.
3.  Equip them with God's Word and discipleship tools that will help guide their time with God.
4.  Pray for God's will in leading your children beginning and continuing their personal devotion time.
5.  Set aside time for them, and for yourself, to spend in quiet communion with God.
Proverbs 8:17
"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." (NKJV)

Here are just a few tools that we use to encourage our kids in seeking personal time with the LORD:
Teaching and assisting your child in spending their time in personal devotion to the LORD will, in the end, reap many benefits and blessings in their life and in yours.  God does His work in His time and when you trust His provision in your life, and your child's, He will reward you and your child.

Hebrews 11:6
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (NKJV)
{Photo Credit: The sweet Sunshine!}

Do you have any resources or tools that your children love to use in personal devotion?


The Joyful Socks Mom     

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Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, TINY, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration.
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6/1/12

Summer Schooling: A Little Prairie Fun & Learning!

Every little girl goes through the "Laura" phase right?  Well, in the Mac house we just don't seem to grow out of it.  I am still quite guilty of being a lover of all things prairie in nature or origin, and still secretly hope for a simpler life, like Pa, Ma, Laura, Mary and baby Carrie. *sigh*

The Bug is no exception to the Laura Ingalls Wilder factor in this home.  She has read, read and re-read (with parents and independently) most of the Little House books and she's not even 9 years old yet.  Our summer schooling session is a great time to continue to feed that need for learning more about her favorite Little House author and make some more "prairie" fun.

The Bug has enjoyed a unit study on Laura Ingalls Wilder's life, times and we are examining her contribution to American Literature.  We are planning to continue to enjoy throughout the summer.  Here are a few fun prairie activities that we enjoyed together during this week of summer schooling:

  • Little House on the Prairie Lapbook - We have basically hodgepodge-ed all the fun free printables that we liked the best and pulled them together in a little Lapbook.  We are reviewing each chapter and lapbooking along with the book.  She wanted this in her Notebook, so I did a little construction, that I learned from Jolathe from Homeschool Creations.  As seen in the above picture, with a little duct tape it was perfect.

Here are some of the FREE printables we are using to construct our Lapbook:
Little House Lapbook on Homeschool Share (this is the one we used the most), Little House Lapbook on Squidoo, Little House on the Prairie Story Sack,  Little House in the Big Woods Unit Study,Little House in the Big Woods Lapbook, Little House on the Prairie Crafts (we will be doing some of these in the coming weeks).

{Here is the Timeline that the Bug started, on the back of my front door :), documenting what she has learned about the life of her favorite author}


  • The Laura Ingalls Wilder Timeline - We have used resources from the internet and a lovely little tourist guide that I picked up at a used books sale eons ago, to research and produce a timeline of her life.  The Bug takes an important event from the resources we have collected and creates a Timeline Card.  She illustrates the event (like Pa & Ma's marriage, Baby Carrie's birth, Moving from the Big Woods, etc.) and writes the relevant historical information.  It is amazing as it comes together realizing that in just three generations of the Wilder family (from Pa and Ma to Rose), our country has gone from covered wagons to the moon.  Wow!  Food for thought, and speaking of food. . . 
  • Cooking from the Little House on the Prairie Cookbook - We will be using this lovely cookbook through out summer schooling to bring that pioneer spirit to life!  She had her heart set on strawberry jam, although the strawberries in the garden aren't ready for harvesting.  However, being just $0.97 per pound at H-E-B, I felt it was worth the investment, after all, it is purely for academic purposes. ; )
Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a try!

Ingredients:
1 pint fresh strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1/2 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

{VERY IMPORTANT STEP: Stop to eat a bite of strawberry!}
Directions:  Clean and dress strawberries, cutting off tops and then cutting in half.  Mash very ripest berries or use food processor until strawberries in left in very small pieces.  Be sure you do not get your mixture too soupy.  Mix your berries with the sugar and leave to sit is saucepan for 20 minutes before cooking.  Mix again and then remove 1 Tablespoon of strawberry puree and place in a small bowl.  Use a fork to mix cornstarch into berry puree, mixing until there are no lumps.  Add this cornstarch mixture into the saucepan.  Bring berries to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally and continue to boil for almost 15 minutes or until jam is thick.  Let jam cool for several minutes, until cool enough to handle.  Spoon jam into a container, cover and refrigerate.  When mixture is completely cooled you may add lemon juice. (Recipe adapted from the Little House on the Prairie Cookbook: Published by Scholastic, Inc.)


We have some more prairie fun and summer schooling coming your way soon!
Are you having fun summer schooling yet? - or - Are you too cool for school?
Comment below and join in the discussion.


The Joyful Socks Mom 

Where We Are At? This week we are linking up at Homeschooling on the Cheap!

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Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, TINY, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration. 

This post is part of the upcoming the continued Summer Schooling series.  Be sure to tune in to our blog via email so you won't miss any family summer schooling fun!

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Teaching Biblical Character: Family Worship

"When the world and the enemy come calling at the hearts' door of our children, it is the heart string connections created by the culture of family worship that will keep them walking by faith in God's Word, rather than bending to the world."


Family worship time is the heart of our family's teaching in biblical character.  We want our children to grow to worship God in spirit and in truth.  Family worship is where we cultivate the daily biblical values we are teaching to our children.  The morning, afternoons and evenings that we spend in worship as a family are the heartbeat of this family's life as disciples.  

The art of family worship can help create the centrally-focused and essential culture needed in the Christian home.  When the world and the enemy come calling at the hearts' door of our children, it is the heart string connections created by the culture of family worship that will keep them walking by faith in God's Word, rather than bending to the world.

Everyone has their own place and responsibilities in our family worship time according to their skills, abilities, talents and giftings.  Each member of our family is essential to contributing their own part in family worship time.  The moments spent in worship as a family help our children to feel a part of something larger than themselves and help to continue to establish a beautiful since of community and communion as in Christ's holy church.

Scripture reading and discussion is typically assigned by Daddy or the Scout, as they will be leading our devotional study during worship, or prompting the rest of the family with questions.  Everyone participates in the reading of God's word and in the discussion regarding our observations and real-life applications.
{Here Dad is leading discussion during Family Worship time, as the Scout listens intently.}

{The Scout is leading devotion. Pictured here with my hymnal in my lap. Note: My love of Post-its knows no bounds ; )}

Singing Songs & Hymns: Both the girls and myself have our own set of items to bring to the Family Worship table.  The Squeaker and the Bug will usually help me select hymns from our family hymnal or songbook.  We have them prepared in advance, as my husband likes to switch up the order, quite frequently to keep us flowing.  The Bug also likes to usually bring the Scripture Memory Box to share scripture memory with the family. 

Here is what a typical family worship time consists of, and the time of the day it takes place:

1. CIRCLE TIME: We gather in the mornings for Circle Time.  Circle Time takes place before breakfast and it helps set the tone and order for our entire day.  Each child has a place in sharing during Circle Time, and they take turns with some of our Circle Time activities.  Circle Time will begin with prayer, then we move to our Scripture Memory Box.  Next, the Scout will lead us in a short devotional.  Right now, he is reading to us daily from "Jesus Calling" and we have really enjoyed using this resource.  In the past, and occasionally still, we use the daily online devotionals from Kids 4 Truth.

2. SUPPER TIME: We gather each evening at the family table.  This is a great place for us to commune together and share our lives.  It is also a spring board place for us as parents to start discussion over coming family devotion topics, issues that we see the kids struggling with, current issues in the world and the biblical worldview, etc.  It is a family tradition that my kids will remember, and I cannot speak enough on the importance of taking this time with your children now, while they still want your time.

3. EVENING FAMILY DEVOTION:  We have a set time to enjoy evening family devotionals, twice a week.  The gentlemen will usually prepare a devotional message or topic for discussion and the ladies will help with music and prayer.  It is just another reason to slow down, be thankful and give praise to a most worthy God!

We are made and built for the purpose of giving worship to GOD and serving Him alone!  That is the entire meaning of our existence.  We want our children to embrace their purpose and learn the benefits of doing so at home.  God is seeking those to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  Our prayer is that our family will give this kind worship daily . . . preparing ourselves for a crown of glory in heaven, to lay at the feet of Yeshua (Jesus) the King!  

How do you promote family worship in your home?

Be sure to join us again tomorrow for the next installation in our Teaching Biblical Character as we take a peak at Personal Devotion.

The Joyful Socks Mom     

Visit these resources for more great resources:
Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, TINY, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration. 
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