Family Time…Understanding God’s Kingship
Happy Mother’s Day! Of course, on Mother’s Day…of all days, you want our kids to show their appreciation and respect for you and what you do for them! As a Mom, it is our job to teach our kids to be respectful to others. Everything deserves some sort of respect just because God made it, and it must have some purpose. I have to admit, I do question the purpose of some things like mosquitoes…but with God there is always a purpose, even for mosquitoes. The challenge, as Mom, is to set the respect for God apart, and teach that He deserves the most respect. Scripture teaches that everything happens because of God’s will; and you were created by God and for God. You should desire His acceptance of you. He is the ultimate Leader that you are to follow. At Sky Ranch summer camp, kids were taught that God is the “Head Hauncho.” If you really understand who God is, you will want to please Him. Consider how you show respect to people. Are you polite to them? Do you listen to what they say? Do you support their ideas and have a good attitude toward the directions they give? Do you thank them when they are kind to you? Do you want them to think well of you so you are careful of your word and actions around them? It is the same with God, but you can even take your respect a step farther. God has given us the amazing gift of life. You exist because He willed for you to exist. You can thank Him and worship Him with song, praise, prayer and telling others about Him. Respect for others can be earned, but a respectful attitude is definitely taught. Your kids are watching you!
In the home that I grew up in, the kids were given the freedom to say what they thought. It taught independence, right! Well, almost…it can also teach disrespect. If the tongue is not bridled, it can be dangerous. Today parents want to raise kids who are self-advocates, so it is encouraged to take a stand for yourself. And nothing is wrong with that, in fact, it can be very good. However, parents also need to teach just as strongly the respect for authority. The independent tongue, if not handled correctly, can lead to an entitled kid who believes that everyone is to do as they command. It is important to teach kids how to be their own advocate and respect authority at the same time. Teach your kids that there are others in life that you are to behave respectfully towards and speak respectfully to. You will help them with their future teachers, bosses, and spouses, and even in their relationship with God.
This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying for your family and asking God to help you see if anyone struggles with disrespect towards God or others. Ask God to reveal the heart and attitudes within. Pray and ask for God’s direction on the best way to talk to them about the subject of respect. Encourage an honest conversation on respecting the invisible God who although He deserves our respect, it can be understandable that young kids find respecting Him a challenge. Over time, your consistent conversations can lead your kids to form a reverence toward God. Share with your family what helps you keep the perspective of God as your King. Also, encourage your kids to list one person that they need to show more respect to and list why they lack respect for that person. Then, pray with your kids and ask God to help you respect that person and God correctly.
Do you need help or prayer for your family time? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.
I will be praying for you!
Stacy
Stacy A. Davis
Teach Intentionally
This week we are in the 9th Month Topic and 1st Family Time (or page 77) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…
Family Time 1:
Month 9 Topic: God is my King and my purpose…Understanding Kingship
Talk with God: Read…Matthew 6:10, Psalm 19:14, Ephesians 2:10
~ Matthew 6:10 Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
- Whose will did Jesus pray for in Matt 6:10?
~ Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
- Whose acceptance are we looking for in Psalm 19:14?
~ Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- In Eph 2:10, who are we and why were we created?
Walk with God: Discuss… Is it hard to recognize God as our King? Why? How should our lives be a reflection of Him as King? Should the life we live (i.e., our works) be representative of Him? How can we do this on a daily basis?
Prayer suggestion… Ask God to reveal His will to your family so that you can move forward with Him.
Family Time 1:
Month 9 Topic: God is my King and my purpose
Leader Answers:
- God’s will
- The Lord’s
- God’s workmanship; for good works
- Discussion ideas: It’s hard sometimes to recognize Him as King because we can’t physically see Him like we might see an earthly king. Spending time with Him, worshipping Him and being obedient makes the relationship more real.
© 2011 Lisa Clark and Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.
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