Teaching Children the Bible Archives - Seeking God with Jaime Wiebel

A Mother’s Sincere Faith and Sitting Among Friends #74

Jaime Wiebel — Wed, 10 May 2017 06:44:00 +0000

Here is a bouquet of flowers for all the mom’s that are visiting. Happy Mother’s Day!

If we were sitting down together face-to-face we could talk about being moms and how it is a tough role but one that is always rewarding. We could talk about the joys, the struggles, and all the in-betweens.

I would want you to know how vital your role is and how being the godly influence to your children is going to be life-sustaining. I would want you to know and feel that you are an important person in their lives and in their hearts.

We want to do it well. We want to do it right. What is right? If only those little bundles of joy came with a manual and one that didn’t make you feel like you were doing it all wrong. One that was simple and maybe had checklists.

When I first became a mother, what I wanted for my child was happiness, safety and for him to feel loved beyond measure. I wanted him to be confident and to grow up to be successful at whatever he did.

Since I have had children, God has taught me so many things about what is important. While all those things are important, none of them can be surpassed by my desire for my children to know and love God with a sincere faith.

Although we may often think of the Bible as a manual for life we sometimes miss the small details that can really offer the guidance we are seeking.

2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well. (BSB)

Timothy. He was the recipient of this letter. When Paul was leaving Ephesus, he left Timothy in charge over the church. As Paul writes this letter from prison, he points out something that is vital to not only moms but parents.

As parents, we can sometimes desire our children to have and be many things. Happiness, however, is usually at the top of our lists.

Paul, however, is looking at the big picture in Timothy’s life and he is not saying, Timothy, you had a great upbringing. Your mother and grandmother always strived to make you really happy and I can see it paid off.

Timothy’s mother and grandmother had given Timothy a greater gift than any worldly thing they could have possibly offer him. They had passed on their sincere faith.

Later in 2 Timothy we see why Timothy has this sincere faith. From infancy, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

Timothy had a Jewish mother and a Greek father (Acts 16:1). If any of you grew up in a house where parents had two different belief systems, you may know this kind of tension.

While Paul was on his mission trip, he had clearly met these two women, Eunice and Lois. He knew them and their heart for the Lord. He knew that they were Jewish women who had raised Timothy and taught him what they had of the Old Testament Scriptures.

They knew it well. They instilled it in Timothy. When the opportunity arose, they were ready to accept the Messiah they had spent their lives worshipping.

While teaching our children about God and the Bible can be fundamental in their deciding to trust God as their personal Savior, we cannot make the decision for them. They do not automatically receive their faith because we have faith.

That shouldn’t intimidate us. That should motivate us. The hope that we have in us is a hope that we should want for our children. It should be our greatest desire and it should motivate us to make the commitment to teach them the Scriptures so when they grow up they don’t depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

What can we learn from Eunice and Lois.

Put God first in your own life. Paul knew these women and it was obvious to Him what they believed. He called their faith sincere.

Teach your children scripture. Make sure they know it well because it will make them wise to receive salvation.

Your “name” doesn’t have to be great to make an impact. Eunice and Lois are only mentioned by name one time, yet their role was so vital in the church because they raised a man to know the scriptures. Paul would “pass the baton” to Timothy after his death and Timothy would play a major role in the early church.

Your ministry role as mom or parent is a gift, it should be your first priority because it has an eternal impact.

You are the first Jesus your children will see. Follow Him well so they, too, can follow in His footsteps. Seek Him in all you do.

One of my favorite verses encourages us how-to Seek the Lord and His Scriptures with our children and is found in Deuteronomy 11:19-20

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Personal Reflections:

As a parent, what do you or did you do to influence your children to have a love for the Lord?

What decisions in your life do you feel were good decisions to help your children come to know Jesus as their personal Savior? Be specific.

If you could mentor a younger family, what advice would you give them?

What things in your life do you need to re-prioritize to make room for God or to make Him first in your life?

Please, share your thoughts and answers to these questions in the comments below and encourage the mother’s and parents here.

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This week’s featured friend is Liz Giertz from My Messy Desk. After serving in the military and becoming a mom, Liz began to share her creativity through crafting, writing, and sharing her passion for the Lord. Thank you, Liz and husband, Matt for your dedication and service to our country. We do appreciate you. You can find Liz and her story here.

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The post A Mother’s Sincere Faith and Sitting Among Friends #74 appeared first on Seeking God with Jaime Wiebel.

Teaching Children the Bible & Sitting Among Friends #29

Jaime Wiebel — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 06:00:00 +0000

I have small children and one thing I want for them is to know God’s Word and be able to hide it in their hearts. As a mom, I want to choose materials that aide in that process while remaining faithful to Biblical truth.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Growing up, I went through an AWANA program at our church. Many verses that I know and rely on today pop up from those I have hidden deep in my heart.

Being a children’s director for several years, I had to choose curriculum and teach many lessons. Also, when choosing materials for my own family, I look for several key features.

Has the content or meaning been distorted in any way?

When reviewing children’s Bible storybooks or literature, I look for them to be as Biblically accurate to the actual Bible story as possible in a language that children can understand and relate to.

Has a true story been changed to be too much like a fairytale ?

My goal when reading my children stories from the Bible is for them to have a real or accurate view of the Bible. Although there are fabulous children’s materials out there that depict stories of the Bible, paying attention to details is always important.

As a teacher or parent, it is helpful to know the story to expand on facts and make certain truths are being told.

Can I correct any misleadings or are the pictures too impactful?

Children are being bombarded with information and visual images from every direction. It is key to emphasize the Bible as truth and clarify what is not real or a fairytale. It is also important to remember when using Bible storybooks or other literature, they are the author’s version of the story put in their own words. Clarity may be necessary.

Pictures speak a thousand words, pay attention to the details.

When choosing materials that are Biblical based it is vital children know what is the Biblical truth from the story, what is the truth that can be applied to life, and what parts of the story are someone else’s thoughts.

Will my children be able to make better sense of the Bible?

Kids generalize information. It is often based on their limited experiences and knowledge. While some books make for great bedtime stories, mixing fiction with the Bible can leave a fine line or many gray areas.

I want my children to know the Word of God is true. If I put those truths into fiction without clarifying what is real and what is fiction, I am leaving them with differentiating information for themselves. I risk them thinking fiction stories are true or the Bible is a fairytale.

When I am using literature that is not straight from the Bible to teach Bible lessons it must be for the purposes of making the story more understandable or making sense at their level.

Finally, I have been teaching children Bible lessons for many years. To be honest, kids can always handle more than we give them credit for.

I will give you an example. I was teaching a group of 4-year-olds and was telling the kids (I always give lots of “grown-up” information) the book of Luke was written by Luke and Luke was a doctor. Why would it be good to know that Luke was a doctor? Luke, from the first verses, told us how important it was for him to be accurate with his information. To tell the truth. There are many people that don’t believe the Bible is real but Luke is looked at by many historical scholars because he wrote his details so precise. They are trustworthy.

Kids should get that, right? Why not tell them anyway? Someday, God may bring it back to them.

One little boy, I was telling this story to, was riding with his older brother and mom in the car and they were talking about church and the lessons and this little boy was telling his family that Luke was a doctor. His mother couldn’t believe he knew that and why he would know that. I told her I like to give the kids lots of information.

They can take it. They are like little sponges. Teach them and teach them truth. God’s truth! Friends, they are going to need it.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

*What things do you look for in choosing children’s Bible based literature? Share with us below in the comments and share this post so your friends can join in the conversations.*

You can check my review of the ESV Family Devotional Bible here. We are loving this devotional at my house. All the devotions are actually contained within a full version of the Bible. That’s a bonus in my book!

Before you go, stop by my review and giveaway of Bible Belle’s. A series to help teach girls about the beauty within.

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I am going to be sharing a Featured Friend, weekly! I love that so many of you come and share with us every week and I would love to highlight your work! The friend that I have chosen this week is…
Kelly from Raising Samuels.
Kelly is a homeschooling mom that shares her faith and love of family at Raising Samuels. Every week we are encouraged through through updates, lesson ideas, and enriching materials. Thanks Kelly for joining us here.

While you’re here, sit down with some of my friends.

WOW! I know Summer is busy so I thank you all for coming here and for the 97 Amazing posts. This party has been wonderful and it is thanks to you, friends, who link-up with us and those who stop by and read and SHARE! Thank you!

You all are amazing writers who share DIY’s, Recipes, Photos, Giveaways, Homeschool and Family and Faith. Many of you have amazing journeys of faith and I praise the Lord we are able to connect here!

Friends are here to encourage and challenge us in our walk of life, so enjoy!