Lisa Life Lesson ~"Raising Children Who Are Passionately in love With Jesus Christ"

Raising Children Who Are Passionately in love With Jesus Christ

How do we do this?  I remember when Camryn was about 6 years old, she was a new Believer and she said these words to me and they changed the way I parented.  She said, “Mommy, I’m scared I won’t love Jesus like you when I grow up.”  Hmmmm.  That was a new one.  While blessing me incredibly, that statement also broke my heart.  Her love for Jesus was so fresh and new.  Yet, she was already seeing how our culture and the world could corrupt the purist of hearts for Him.  As new believers, we all want to please Him and make Him Lord.  But what happens?  It is extremely hard to live in this world and pursue Christ.  We have to be engaged in the process of keeping Him on the throne of our hearts.  You noticed I said “we” as in mom and dad.  I am 100% convinced that parents are primarily responsible for modeling what pursing Christ looks like.  Now, not all young Believers have Christian parents, I understand that.  That’s where pastors, teachers, and coaches come in.  They can make a huge impact for eternity on the lives of young believers.  

I can think of one family in particular who had the best intentions of raising godly young daughters, but sports took preeminence and church, God, faith went on the back burner.  As I’ve watched this family unit unravel, I can’t help but think how things might have been different.  If only…

I can’t think of anything I’ve sacrificed by pursing Christ.  I haven’t been perfect.  I’ve made lots of mistakes, but I can see how my girls have benefitted from my faith.  Pursuing Godliness is part of who they are.  They want to fellowship with Believers and be active in their faith.  Brad and I have the same goals and desires for our own lives.  Praise God.  

In his book, “Age of Opportunity – A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens,” Paul Tripp lists 5 Signs of a Pursuit of God:  

There will be an independent life of personal worship and devotion.

There will be a desire for corporate worship and instruction.

There will be a pursuit of fellowship with the body of Christ.

There will be relaxed, open discussions about spiritual things.

There will be signs of a biblical perspective when making decisions.

Several times a year we look at this list and measure how our girls are doing, only after we’ve looked at our own lives of course.  There is a lot parents can do to help their children grow in their faith and passionately pursue Christ.  We don’t have to cross our fingers and hope it all works out.  Be active in your faith and your children will benefit.

~Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Parenting Mentor

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time…His boundaries and your boundaries", with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time…His boundaries and your boundaries

When I was young, I had to learn the limits or boundaries. We all do. And we all push them. What is right or wrong? What is polite or rude? How do I treat people if I want to keep a friend or what causes me to lose one? I knew a certain amount of right and wrong, like killing or stealing is wrong. But there were social behaviors that I had to be taught. My parents were there to teach me that I had crossed the line and spoken arrogantly, rudely or without love. When I was young, I struggled with being tactful.  I just spoke my mind whether it was kind or not, and did not realize that it was hurting the other person. I actually thought that it was good that I was not lying. But it was truth, not spoken in love. Ephesians 4:15 tell us that we are to speak truth, but in love. So, God had to step in and correct this behavior within me. He allowed me to lose friends because of my directness and lack of boundaries. I had to learn the hard way.

As my kids entered the age of forming relationships either with our family or friends, I discovered that these social skills are much harder to teach than I had realized. It took a lot of work to correct and reshape the kid’s behaviors. It is interesting that you don’t have to teach a child to lie. They seem to arrive here knowing how to do that one. The challenge is convincing them that lying is wrong and getting them to understand why not to lie.  One of my favorite and most useful parenting lines was “is that how you want to be treated?” (not “is that how you are treated…but want to be treated”). If the behavior really was wrong, then their answer will be “no” and you can convince them to see it as sin and apologize. Another boundary challenge was helping my kids recognize if they felt entitled. The kids today are given a lot in our society and are often raised to think that they are entitled to everything our society has to offer. Kids think they don’t need to wait or earn their way. As a result, when they enter the job world and can’t afford things or they start in the grunt job, they feel they have failed. Kids need the boundaries of hard work and knowing their parents won’t “fix it” for them. I often had to encourage my kids to accept that it is okay to struggle through learning a new task or starting at the beginning and letting them work through it themselves. It helped my kids to know that I would not “fix” a task or relationship for them. We prayed through it together, but it was a boundary that I kept.

This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying for God to show you areas in your family that need boundaries.  Are there areas that need help? How do your kids speak to each other or you? You and your spouse are role-models to your kids. How do you and your spouse speak to each other? Is it in kindness? Do the kids hear it and are they mimicking it? Sometimes parents speak very kindly to their kids, but don’t expect the same respect in return. The parents don’t stop their kids from speaking rudely to them. As a result, the kids are trained to speak rudely not only to them but to all adults. It is okay to expect respect from your kids and train your kids in this way. However if you realize that this disrespect has been allowed, it will take time to redirect the kids and a lot of patience. Pray for God’s Holy Spirit to help you as you train your kids. He will direct you and make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). Just ask for His guidance.

Do you need help or prayer for your family time? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.

I will be praying for you! 

Stacy Davis

Click the link below for your free copy of the Sky Ranch “Open your Eyes” Family Devotional … 

https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SkyRanch/EventRegistration.html

This week we are in the 3^rd  Month Topic and 5^th  Family Time (or page 33 ) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…

Family Time 5: 

Month 3 Topic: God can do anything because God made everything…His boundaries/your boundaries

Talk with God: Read…Psalm 104:5-11

~ Psalm 104:5-11  

(5) He established the earth upon its foundations, so that it will not totter forever and ever.  

In v5, what did God establish so that the earth would not totter?

(6) You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters were standing above the mountains.  

In v6, where were the waters standing?

(7)  At Your rebuke they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away.  

(8)  The mountains rose; the valleys sank down to the place which You established for them.  

(9)  You set a boundary that they may not pass over; so that they will not return to cover the earth. 

In v9, what did God set to stop the waters?

Walk with God: Discuss… God stabilized the foundation of the earth so that it would not totter and created the boundaries of the ocean so that it would not flood the land. God holds it all in place and it keeps the peace. God has good ideas…we need to imitate Him. Does your family have boundaries? Do you have rules that keep the peace? Do you expect respect for each other or your things? Discuss any boundaries that need to be established in your home.

Prayer suggestion… Pray for God to provide the needed family boundaries.

Family Time 5: 

Leader Answers:

Foundations

Above the mountains

A boundary

Discussion ideas: In families boundaries matter…can one sibling take an item without asking? What is the result if they do? Usually it is not good. What about privacy? Do people knock before opening a door? What about respect? How does everyone talk to each other? How are kids allowed to talk to parents? How do parents talk to kids? Sometimes we say too much, thinking we are helping, but really we are hurting the other person…just consider how you would want to be treated.

© 2011 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Family Table, brings us "Thanksgiving Family Favorites!"

Thanksgiving Family Favorites!

We loved the fellowship with family around the table this year...we laughed, we remembered those love one that are no longer with us, we played games, and of course we ate our favorites!

What are your Thanksgiving Tradition Food Favorites, that you always serve?

Well, my standard contribution every year is 

Green Bean Bundles & Cream Corn

(picture is of food all prepped the day before and ready to cook on Thanksgiving day!  

Green Been Bundles recipe was x4 and Cream Corn recipe x2)

Green Bean Bundles

Del Monte whole green beans

center cut bacon

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp garlic salt

Put 12-14 green brands in a bundle. Wrap bindle with bacon, and put overlap on bottom side into a 9x13 dish.

One can is about 4-5 bindles. Allow AT LEAST 2 bundles per person.

Melt butter, add brown sugar and garlic salt and stir until completely smooth. This takes a few minutes to make it turn into a thick sauce

Spoon sauce over each bundle- this is enough sauce for 2 cans. When the sauce is doubled do not double garlic salt, just add a dash more.

Bake uncovered at 350 for 30- 40 minutes. Sometimes I turn on the broil at the very end for a few minutes to make the bacon more crispy! :)!

Cream Corn

2-3 cans shoe peg corn

1 8oz cream cheese

1/2 cup butter butter

1/4 cup of milk

Jalapeños to taste

Mix softened cream cheese and butter.  Add in corn and stir, then add milk.  Add chopped Jalapeños to taste.

Cook at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

These are 2 of my family favorites....they request them every year and now my daughters help in the making process, and I love that now I am teaching them how to cook all these dishes that they love s ouch so one day, ...I imagine a tradition that will be passed on to their families!    

                                                                                                                                             

Thanksgiving Day 2011

 I am thankful for our Lord who forgives, a family who unconditionally loves each other, and friends who we get to do life with! 

We are blessed and thankful! 

"We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great
THANKSGIVING,
and God will receive more and more glory.
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day."
2 Corinthians 4:14-16

Blessings,

Tori Miller

Sky Ranch aSkyMoms Ministry Director    

Lisa Life Lesson ~"Say please and thank you and eat your peas!"

"Say please and thank you and eat your peas!"

It's our job, Moms, to teach this good stuff to our children.  But we will be going against the grain (culture) most of our lives.  It's just not a part of our sin nature...to be thankful.  We have to help our children gain a perspective of thankfulness.  As we teach, we model what we want to see in our children.  So, when I say "thank you" to the bank teller, I'm teaching.  When I smile and greet people in my path, I'm teaching.  When I serve my family, I'm teaching.  

I've told my children countless times that we could thank God for something different every day and never run out of things to thank Him for.  That's a fact.  We are blessed.

As you sit around the Thanksgiving table with your family, go around and ask everyone to share one thing they're thankful for and keep going around as long as you have time, or before the food gets cold! That's a fun Thanksgiving activity that shifts the focus from self to a grateful heart. 

Another fun activity is to have each family member memorize or share a verse related to being thankful or grateful.  Here are a few:

"I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart, I will tell of Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You, I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."  Psalm 9:1-2

"I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about your alter, O Lord; That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of your wondrous works."  Psalm 26:6-7

"For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You." Psalm 33:21-22

God bless you this Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful to be a part of the Sky Ranch family.  God is good!

~Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Parenting Mentor

No Matter What!

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
(The Message)

I felt the need to choose this one for our family to memorize this week. As a result, one of my boys had a revelation. He said, “So now I understand that even if my brother does something that I don't like or I feel is mean, I can still be joyful!".  No matter what! That is what it says!

 Thankful, cheerful, and prayerful no matter if: my kids aren't perfectly behaved, if money is running low, if my weight isn't where I want it to be. No matter if my house isn't clean or decorated as I would have it, or if I get into an argument with my husband.......no matter what, I can keep my thankfulness and my joy!  What is your no matter what?

Let's Pray:
Oh Lord, you know all of my no matter whats. There are many that come and go and some that can steal my joy and thankful heart in an instant. However, Your Word tells me that because I belong to You, I have the ability by the power of Your Holy Spirit to be cheerful, prayerful, and thankful! I want this way of life, but I don't always choose it. Help me this Thanksgiving week and those after to be a mom that models this to my family. I cannot teach them or encourage them where I cannot go myself. Thank you for grace and mercy and do overs!

I pray that I would spread cheer and an attitude of gratitude throughout my home this week.  I know that the only way I can do it, is to be in a state of constant prayer with the You the Father as I you’re your Spirit to do a perfect work in my heart and home!

Amen.
~Terrie Chevaillier, SkyMom Prayer Encourager

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time…God’s future & your future", with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time…God’s future & your future

In my years of women’s ministry and after talking to Moms, I have found that they range from spontaneous Moms to planner Moms in their own lives. I am more of a planner, but married a husband who is spontaneous and we met in the middle to raise our family. And that balance is a good thing! I enjoy looking ahead to the future and setting a goal and working toward the goal. He keeps things fun and interesting by helping our lives not be too structured. It is great…how God puts the right mix together of strengths and weaknesses in Moms and Dads for each family. Romans 8: 28 tells us that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose. (NASB)”

However, as a young Mom, it took me awhile to realize that my kids needed direction with their futures too. At 2 or 3 years old, it was hard for me to see the need to teach my kids about their future. However by the age of 5, I began to see it was useful to begin discussions of their likes and dislikes. These discussions did direct the activities that we signed up for and those activities did shape them. For example, my daughter at a young age really liked cheerleading (or at least the pompoms of cheerleading). But she did not like team sports. Those moments of testing activities and choosing the direction that she took did eventually shape her and her interests. She now is a strong leader in her school activities of student council and cheerleading… and she is willing to lead a lunch time bible study in a secular school. God really developed her desire to lead as her future unfolded. But it took a lot of praying for the future, guiding and encouraging. The future was truly in God’s hands and He shaped it. I just can’t wait to see what God does next.

This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying about your kids and asking God how to lead your kids in conversations about their futures.  Spend time talking to your kids and just listening to their responses. Then, notice the activities that they seem to enjoy and as a group you will begin to see the right direction for each person. You may want to try writing down under each person’s name a list ideas of things to try or goals to set. Then, you can try this same listing as a family.  Brainstorm, but keep it simple at first and don’t list too many things. Try covering topics of fun vacations, educational vacations, local places to visit and community service projects for the family. And as the kids age and get closer to college, you can talk about jobs that they can picture themselves in to help them focus on degrees and college choices. You can even cover topics of friends, and their Christian community of friends.  Encourage your family with the promises that they are valuable to God and He loves them and has a plan for each of their lives.  Jeremiah 29:11 tell us “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans  for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. (NASB)”

Do you need help or prayer for your family time?  Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.

I will be praying for you! 

Stacy Davis

Click the link below for your free copy of the Sky Ranch “Open your Eyes” Family Devotional … 

https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SkyRanch/EventRegistration.html

This week we are in the 3^rd Month Topic and 4^th Family Time (or page 32 ) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…

Family Time 4: 

Month 3 Topic: God can do anything because God made everything…His future/your future

Talk with God: Read…Isaiah 44:24-28

~ Isaiah 44:24-28 

(24) Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the One Who formed you from the womb, “I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone...”

In v24, what is God the maker of?

In v24, did anyone help Him?

(26) “Confirming the word of His servant, and performing the purpose of His messengers. [It is I] who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited!' and of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built.' And I will raise up her ruins [again].  

(27)  “[It is I] who says to the depth of the sea, 'Be dried up!' And I will make your rivers dry.  

(28) “[It is I] who says of Cyrus, '[He is] My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.' And he declares of Jerusalem, 'She will be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'"

Walk with God: Discuss… In v26, God is telling us that He decides and causes cities to be built again, and in v28  it is the rulers who will perform His desire. Cyrus was named by Isaiah as a ruler almost 150 years before he lived. God knows the future. He has planned it and thinks about it. We are to imitate Him in our lifestyle. Do you think about your future, your family’s future? Have you considered a general plan for the next five years?

Prayer suggestion… Pray for God’s direction for your future.

Family Time 4: 

Leader Answers:

All things

No

Discussion ideas: Will everyone still be in school in five years? Are there any educational trips or fun trips that the family would like to take? Do you need to start saving money now to take them? A five-year plan can help you set goals and a way to accomplish the goals.

© 2011 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

TIps from Tori..."Family Rules ~ Based Upon Scripture!"

Dear SkyMoms,


I have told you before that my newest hobby is Pinterest!  You can find anything you need there!  I have gotten down the sewing machine and have begun to teach our girls how to sew (actually they have taken off and are now teaching themselves things with easy tutorials from Pinterest), we are cooking new recipes together as a family, and last night my daughter even used Pinterest to help with her homework!  Both of our girls have a Pinterest account and love finding new ideas when they get some free time.  Pinterest has been a tool to inspire us to try something new, and it has connected our family by sharing in crafts, household tips, great quotes, Bible verses, or maybe just having a good laugh with each another.
Sometimes we think technology (i.e computer or cell phones) are not in the best interest for our children, but this is their generation and I do believe we need to walk along side our children in this world of crazy fast technology and show them how to use it responsibly.  All things can be used for evil (maybe food or shopping, if we choose to indulge in it)
My challenge to you, SkyMom, is to to walk alongside your child and teach them "how to go and do this technology thing responsibly, and when they are old they will not depart from it".  Remember, our children are watching us...and how and what we do in regards to technology!
So, on Pinterest  I found this "FAMILY RULES", I feel in love with it because the rules for the family are based upon Scriptures!  Each RULE spoke to me, and where we are in the parenting process with 13 and 15 year old daughters. We want each member of our family to be Godly examples in every area of their life.  I loved how these "Family Rules" could all be related back to the fast paced world of technology in which we live (where we are in the parenting process)...our phone calls and conversations, texts, Facebook posts, and even Pinterest!
Well, I am off to print out this FAMILY RULES, and post it above each of the family computers!


Blessings,
Tori

Tori Miller

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Ministry Director

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, 

he will not depart from it.

 ~Proverbs 22:6

1. Put the other person first. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)

2. Speak with love. "The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4)

3. Tell the truth. "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices." (Colossians 3:9)

4. Mind your manners. "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Luke 6:31)

5. Make the right choice. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

6. Be courageous. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."'(Deuteronomy 31:6)

7. Guard your heart. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)

8. Forgive freely. "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)

9. Always do your best. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." (Colossians 3:23)

10. Be thankful. "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

The Family Table, brings us "Cooking for Your MAN!"

The Marlboro Man's Sandwich

November being a of Thankfulness....find a night to cook something just for the man in you life!

I love the blog thepoineerwoman.com,  and highly recommend it for many recipes! 

So today... The Marlboro Man's Sandwich is dedicated to the fabulous husband and father of our family!

Who are you going to cook for this week?

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/marlboro_mans_f/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/05/make-this-today/

Marlboro Man’s Sandwich: Right. Meat, onions, and bread.

My Sandwich: Left. Warm, cold, peppery, fresh, cheesy, rich, and delightful.

Which would you rather have?  (One for the Marlboro Man in your life and one for the SkyMom :)!)

The mozzarella begins to melt against the warm meat/onion mixture, but still holds together since the slices are thick. The juicy tomatoes add a cool freshness, and the arugula on top just sends it over the top.

Splendidly, fantastically delicious. Try it this week!

Recipe: MM Sandwich, Adorned

Prep Time: 10 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 20 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 4

Print Recipe

3"x5" Cards

4"x6" Cards

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Ingredients

• 2 whole Medium Onions, Halved And Sliced
• 1-1/4 stick Butter
• 2 pounds Cube Steak, Cut Into 1/2-inch Strips
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
• 5 dashes Tabasco Sauce
• 4 whole Deli Rolls (crusty), Split
• 8 slices (thick) Fresh Mozzarella
• 8 slices (thick) Ripe Tomato
• 1-1/2 cup Arugula

Preparation Instructions

Season meat with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Melt 1/3 stick of butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onions for several minutes, until golden brown. Remove to a separate plate and set aside.

Return skillet to stove and increase heat to high. Add another 1/3 stick of butter. When melted, add meat to pan in a single layer. Do not stir. Allow meat to sit, undisturbed, for a minute in order to brown. With a spatula, flip meat to the other side and allow to brown. Reduce heat to low. Add onions back into pan, then add Worcestershire, Tabasco, and remaining 1/3 stick of butter. Stir and allow to simmer, adding more Worcestershire or Tabasco as desired.

Melt 1/2 stick of butter on griddle or in a separate skillet. Place roll halves, cut side down in butter and brown over medium-low heat until golden brown.

To serve, spoon meat/onion mixture over bottom half of rolls. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons pan juice over the top. Lay two mozzarella slices on each sandwich, followed by two tomato slices. Top with a generous amount of arugula, then press the top half of the roll on top. Cut in half and serve immediately.

Blessings,

Tori Miller

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Ministry Director

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time…Spiritual Development", with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time…Spiritual Development

As a young Mom, I went to several “Mom groups” wanting to find out what do I do as a Mom. I had watched my Mom as I grew up, but I wanted to know what else was being suggested by other Moms. One of the groups that I attended had invited a speaker who was encouraging us as Moms to raise a godly family and godly kids. I had been part of the church myself, but this was a new idea to me of passing on my faith intentionally to my kids. I assumed that the church Sunday school class would handle this aspect and I figured they were better prepared than I was to teach my kids the Bible. But this speaker challenged me to look at where I was in my faith and then teach my own kids. I realized that I needed to know more about Jesus in order to teach my kids about Him. So, I prayed and asked God’s direction and I joined a bible study and almost 20 years later, I am still in one.  I realized that in order to teach my kids. I needed to learn myself.

Once I realized that I had a responsibility to teach my kids the Bible. I struggled with what to teach. When my kids were young, I read “the Story Bible” to them at bed time. But as they grew to late lower school age, they needed more in-depth teaching of the Bible and their questions grew more complicated. I searched for what to teach them. I actually had a hard time finding the right balance for our family.  Our family is blessed with ADD and it keeps the conversation active and fun, but we needed the study short. I also wanted a stronger focus on the Bible in the lessons, with a look more at the Bible, than an opinion of the Bible. Since I had been a Bible teacher for years and had taught both kids and adults, I began to write a family  Bible study  just for us that had the balance that our family needed, which eventually led to later writing for the Sky Ranch Family Devotional that is provided below for you and your family.

This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by looking at your own spiritual development and the change in your own life. Consider the difference in your life before you believed Jesus and after you believed Him. Did your lifestyle change? Believing God has a way of cleaning us up and causing us to do what is right in God’s eyes. Pray for your kids before your family meets and ask God how each of you can grow closer in relationship with Jesus.  God tells us in Colossians 1:16 that each of us was created by Jesus and for Jesus. He wants us to be in a relationship with Him and that growth comes by spending time with Him by reading and thinking about His Word and by praying to Him. It is conversation or communication that encourages and sustains a relationship and the same applies to your family and their relationship with Jesus. Ask God, if your family has the right balance or is there more that could be done to strengthen your relationship with Jesus?

If you have questions, email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.

I will be praying for you! 

Stacy Davis

Click the link below for your free copy of the Sky Ranch “Open your Eyes” Family Devotional … 

https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SkyRanch/EventRegistration.html

This week we are in the 3^rd  month and 3^rd  week (or page 31) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…

Family Time 3:

Month 3 Topic: God can do anything because God made everything…Your spirit

Talk with God: Read…Zechariah 12:1

~ Zechariah 12:1  [Thus] declares the Lord Who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.  

In Zech 12:1, what does God form within a man?

Walk with God: Discuss… God forms the spirit of a man.  God knows what our spirit needs to be strengthened, developed or refreshed. What is your family’s spiritual life like? How much time is spent with God, learning about Him or allowing Him to develop you? Evaluate what you could do as a group to improve spending time in the Bible or praying or having godly discussions. How can you encourage each other to believe God more?

Prayer suggestion… Pray for God to help you believe Him.

Family Time 3: 

Leader Answers:

His spirit

Discussion ideas: Individual study really helps the group discussion. There are ways to study the Bible for yourself, or a family member may want to go further in self-taught Bible study.  Encourage each other to join a Bible study. Being in a community of Christians also teaches us a lot, and that can add to the family time discussion. Look at your church website for class ideas.

© 2011 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.