Family Time…Saved from what?
This week the Sky Ranch family devotional is still on “God saves you” and looks at ”what you are saved from” according to the Bible. One very important part of God’s character is the “righteous and justice side” or judgment side of God. Today in church, the judgment side of God is often skipped and not talked about very much, but God is clear about His wrathful response in the Bible toward the group of people who will not believe Him and go their own way. As a parent who loves your child, you want to talk to your kids about the results of rejecting God just as you would discuss the results of doing drugs. Both have consequences.
As a Mom, I always found that it was easier to discuss the love and mercy side of God with my kids. I enjoyed sharing about my relationship with Jesus and how much that relationship has helped me as I live my life. But the judgment side of God was harder to discuss, usually because it scared my daughter. Unlike my daughter, some kids need to hear about the wrathful side of God because it gets their attention! You know your kids and what works for them. Some kids need to hear about the benefits, others the consequences and some need to hear both benefits and consequences to make an informed decision. Jesus wants a relationship with you and it is a joyous relationship throughout your whole life. This relationship with Jesus also prevents a life on earth apart from God and an eternal life apart from God. The Bible does speak very clearly of a permanent eternal separation from God after life on this earth for anyone who rejects the gospel’s teaching of salvation in Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that the people who reject Jesus as Lord of their lives will live eternally in a location called “hell” after they leave life on earth. Scripture tells us that hell was originally designed for Satan and his angels who rebelled against God and they do not accept Jesus as Lord of their lives and that the people who reject Jesus will also go there. It is described as fiery place, a pit, darkness and more. It is reserved for judgment. It is a really awful place and no one will ever want to be there. According to the Bible, the decision that you make on earth about Jesus being Lord of your life will determine where you go when you leave earth…if you accept Jesus as your Lord, heaven or if you reject Jesus as your Lord, hell.
This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying for your family and asking God to give you wisdom on how to teach your children about the truth of rejecting God and the consequences. The goal is to make this age appropriate and not scare your children. If your kids are young, they may not know anything about God’s punishment or wrath for the people who turn away from God. I have compared “timeout for kids” to “prison for adults” to help my kids understand those concepts. You can explain the basic concepts of God’s punishment to kids to help them understand without scaring them. Ask God to give you the wisdom to know how much to teach your kids on this topic and when to expand on it later. End your discussion by sharing how amazing it is that Jesus loved you so much that He gave up His life so that you could be spared this wrath and instead have a wonderful relationship with God who loves you very much!
Do you have questions or need prayer for your family? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.
I will be praying for you!
Stacy
Stacy A. Davis
Teach Intentionally
This week we are in the 11th Month Topic and 3rd Family Time (or page 95) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…
Family Time 3:
Month 11 Topic: God saves us…Saved from what?
Talk with God: Read…Romans 5:9, John 3:16-17
~ Romans 5:9 We shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
- In Romans 5:9, what are we saved from? Through whom?
~ John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.”
- In John 3:16-17, what did God do as a result of His love for us? If we believe, what will NOT happen?
Walk with God: Discuss… We are saved from the wrath of God. Why did God send Jesus? Discuss the great love a father has for his children. Most parents would give their lives for their children. But would you die for the sins of your neighbors and everyone at your church? Your extended family? People you don’t even know? God’s love is something we will never know apart from Jesus Christ.
Prayer suggestion… Have each family member thank God for salvation. Pray that your family will know God and His love on a deeper level than ever before.
Family Time 3:
Leader Answers:
- The wrath of God; through Christ
- Gave his only Son; we will not perish (die)
- Discussion ideas: Discuss how hard it would be to give your life for people you didn’t know or like. Discuss sacrifice.
© 2011 Lisa Clark and Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.
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