Family Time…God is the good Shepherd
God gives guidance. But when I was young, I did not know that and my life lacked guidance. I didn’t even understand anyone’s life had direction, much less, that I was supposed to be directing mine. I just wandered aimlessly. What I did was normal for a child. If I needed help, I turned to other people such as my parents or friends. It seemed to work. But some life-changing decisions can’t be answered by family or friends and these decisions have to be made by you. As I grew up and was taught that maturing meant making decision that did cause my life to take one path or another, I quickly realized that I was not equipped to handle making life-changing decisions. I needed help. But, who do you turn to for direction? People, even Mom and Dad, don’t have all the answers and it is a lot of responsibility to put on them. Scripture teaches to turn to God first (Matthew 6:33). God actually has all the answers and He really will share them with you.
As a Mom, my kids still struggle with this concept of turning to God first and people second. God really is the good Shepherd and He does direct us down the right path in life. But, He wants us to ask. As both of my kids are thinking of college majors and their future jobs, there have been a lot of conversations lately about their path in life. It is tempting for me just to give them my opinion and move on. But, each time the topic is brought up, I ask, “have you prayed about it?” The answer is often “no” and my response is “pray and then we will talk”. It is important to train kids to turn to God first and people second. It takes constantly reminding them over and over. As parents, it is our job to keep pointing our kids to God.
This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying and asking God for help as you speak to your family on listening to God. Pray and ask for God’s direction first and then ask Him to direct you to people with the right message for your family. God can use people to speak to us, it is just important to ask God about it first. Ask God to give you discernment as you consider all the different “voices” in our world and direct you to the ones who will speak to your family and direct you to God and a godly lifestyle. Pray for God to give you wisdom to teach your kids how to “hear” the right ones and know the right direction that will help you. Know that a message from God will always line up with what God says in His Word and it will not go against Him. This devotional can be a great springboard into a conversation on the TV shows that your kids are watching and challenging them to look at who they allow to influence their lives. Ask your kids, how much do the TV messages line up with God’s message? For pre-teens or teenagers, how many of their TV shows glamorize sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, alcohol, drugs or self-centered lifestyles? Afterwards, if you realize that the TV shows don’t measure up to God’s standards, talk about changes. And if you see a need for more godly influences in your lives, pray as a family and ask God to send godly influences into your kid’s lives. He will.
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 …
This week we are in the 4th Month Topic and 2nd Family Time (or page 38 ) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…
Family Time 2:
Month 4 Topic: God is perfectly good…God is the Good Shepherd
Talk with God: Read…Luke 18:19, John 10:14
~ Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.”
- In Luke 18:19, who is good?
~ John 10:14 I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, (15) even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
- In John 10:14, what is Jesus called?
- Who knows Him?
Walk with God: Discuss… In Luke 18:19, why do you think Jesus is questioning the man for calling Him good? Is Jesus saying that He is not good? No, Jesus is showing that He is God in this statement. The man saw that Jesus is good as God is good. In John 10:14, Jesus’ own know Him. They listen to His voice. Who do you listen to? Today many voices distract us…TV, radio, movies, books, magazines, friends, even family…all can say the opposite of God. How much time do you spend listening to Jesus’ voice? How well do you know Him? Can you tell when it is Jesus speaking?
Prayer suggestion…Pray for God to help you follow Jesus, your Good Shepherd, and know Him.
Family Time 2:
Leader Answers:
- God alone
- The Good Shepherd
- His own
- Discussion ideas: In Scripture God talks a lot about “voices.” It is of major concern to Him. Spend time in God’s Word (try Proverbs) to help you discern between God’s voice and those against God. Pray also, asking for God to help you discern between good and evil, and to help you follow the good.
© 2011 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.
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