Start the New Year with Sky Mom overnight stay!

Come gather for a fun overnight stay with your girlfriends!   Enjoy good food, fellowship, coffee bar, worship and lots of

truth as you start the new year with a fresh vision for parenting filled with grace, truth, and love!  

January 25-26, 2014

Van, Texas

Register by calling 903-266-3300

or visit

skyranch.org

for more information!

Sky Ranch Sky Mom Retreat!!!

Come be encouraged as moms gather for a cozy overnight getaway at Sky Ranch as we learn to

 be clothed with strength, dignity and laughter as we look toward the future of our children!

January 25-26, 2014

Van, Texas

Register by calling 903-266-3300

or visit

skyranch.org

for more information!

Lisa Life Lesson- "Teaching Your Children Humility - Just tell them about Jesus"

Teaching humility, well, it's humbling.  We can try to be humble and model it but our sinful nature can take over at times.  We're human.  Humility is best described as never putting yourself, your needs, before others.  Taking the backseat and giving someone else the honor and glory.  That's humility.

No spotlight.  No partiality.  Others first.  That's humility.

When I think about teaching my children humility, my first thought is to tell them about Jesus.  Read to them the story of Jesus.  

Jesus Christ left the glories of heaven to come to earth and be a man.  He left his Father.  He left all adoration and praise to be a man on earth so that we could have hope.  He left all majesty, honor and glory to come to earth.  He was a King.  And he came to save us.  He left his kingdom to come to earth and save us.

He was raised as a carpenter's son, learning carpentry by trade.  He lived modestly, and at times had not a place to rest his head at night.  He learned all he could from his teachers, was obedient to his parents, worked hard, resisted Satan and had no sin in his life.  Never a bad thought.  Never a disagreeable tone.  No envy.  No jealousy.  No covetousness.  Never pinched his siblings in the car.  No sin.  Perfect.  And he lived this out in an imperfect world full of all kinds of filthy sin.  

He was beaten, brutally, and nailed to a cross.  All the while pursuing us.  Forgiving us.  Loving us.  He died and rose 3 days later because he wanted us to have a relationship with his Father and we couldn't without him.  No hope for us without Jesus.  He never quit pursuing us. 

We don't deserve what he did for us.  And he knows that.  But he did it anyway.  That's 
humility.  

Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch SkyMom Parenting Mentor

photo credit

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…God Wants the Best for You, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: What is one of your future goals? 

Question: Why is God trustworthy?

Topic 3: Trust—God Wants You to Know Him

Today’s Big Idea: God Wants the Best for You

Share with your family that God is trustworthy because, through knowing Him, you will gain eternal life with Him. God knows this is the best plan for your life.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about God’s future hope for your family. God wants you to believe in His Son, Jesus, so that you will not perish, but have an eternal life with God. God loves you and wants a good future for you. Talk to your family about wanting the best for others and learning to be a good friend. Just like God shares with you a plan for a better future, you can desire the best for your friends and give them good guidance. You can be a good friend to God by trusting and following His direction for your life. You can be a good friend to others by offering prayer or assistance in times of need. Encourage your family to be good, trusted friends to others.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

John 3:16 (ESV) (referring to Jesus): “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 17:3 (NIV): “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: We all want to have a good friend, but how good of a friend are you? Good friends notice the works of other friends and compliment them on a job well done. Compliments, or kind words, are nice to get. You can compliment your friends. What about God? How good of a friend are you to Him? Do you say thank you or tell Him that you like something that He created? On a scale of 1to 10, where do you rank for being a good friend? Would your friends agree with your rank? What do you need to do to improve?

Discuss with older kids: One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever did was give up His life for you. By doing this selfless act, He gave you the hope of eternal life. Jesus is a good friend. Believe it or not, your parents often give up their personal needs to serve your family. You may feel that you give up your personal alone time for others. When you sacrifice your self-centeredness, it is a gift. Are you selfless to your friends? Often, we want friends to be there for us, but are you there for them? What kind of friend are you to others? What do you think they would say about your friendship?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help you be a good friend. 

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit

Sign Up Today for Sky Ranch SkyMoms Retreat!!

Don't forget to register for Sky Ranch SkyMom Retreat!

January 25-26, 2014

Van, Texas

Register by calling 903-266-3300

or visit

skyranch.org

for more information!

Attention Sky Moms: Give yourself a gift for Christmas...Sky Ranch SkyMoms Retreat!

Give yourself a gift for Christmas!   Come get refreshed and renewed alongside other moms at our first ever Sky Ranch Sky Moms Retreat! January 25-26, 2014 Van, Texas We'll dive into God's word and explore what it means to be a Godly mom that prepares her children to counter the discouraging culture of today. We can't wait to share an AMAZING weekend with you, including: Personal encouragement Group prayer and worship Multiple break-out session options Spiritual enrichment Top notch facilities Fun Sky Ranch activities Time to relax and reflect Awesome coffee bar! Register by calling 903-266-3300 or visit Sky Ranch for more information!

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…God is Good and Wants to Share, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: What do you like about the person to your right?

Question: Why is God trustworthy?

Topic 3: Trust—God Wants You to Know Him

Today’s Big Idea: God is Good and Wants to Share

Share with your family that God is trustworthy because He is good and He wants to share His goodness with you.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about the goodness of God. God is good. Creation, in its original state, is good. God wants to share good things with you by giving you His Word and gifts from God’s Holy Spirit. The discussion on the goodness of God can naturally lead to thoughts on your own integrity. God has given you a basic understanding of good and a desire to be good, but we still need God’s help to truly be good consistently. Talk to your family about goodness in your conversation. God desires for you to build others up and not tear them down. Your words can be a powerful tool and, sometimes, you need God’s help to share His goodness with others.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Psalm 106:1 (NLT): “Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the LORD,
for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
1 Timothy 4:4 (NIRV): “Everything God created is good. You shouldn’t turn it down. Instead, you should thank God for it.”
Galatians 6:6 (ESV): “And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: The goodness of God makes Him trustworthy. Would you trust something that you know is evil? No! You can see the amazing world that God designed, the family that God placed you in and the amazing creation of ...YOU! God is very good all the time! Are you good all the time? None of us are; we all need God’s help from time to time. Others can see your goodness in the words that you choose to say. What are your words like? Do you build up others with your words? Why or why not?

Discuss with older kids: God is good and all that He makes is good. I bet you have good intentions, but how good are you? It is hard to consistently be good. We all have learned to say “my bad” to confess, right? Your words reflect your heart. Do your words build people up or tear people down? We all have a choice. How would you evaluate your words?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God’s goodness to be reflected in your words. 

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit

Lisa Life Lesson- "Mary and her Mom"

I love the mother/daughter dynamic.  Guess it’s because I’ve got two daughters and was a daughter myself.  Fancy that.  But it always gets me thinking at Christmastime about the dynamic between Mary and her mom.  Was her mom a mess when she heard the news?  Did she take it personally, “Where did I go wrong?” You know the drill.  

My imagination leads me in a different direction though.  I have to think that God picked Mary because she was precious in His sight.  She loved Him with her whole heart.  She was raised to know God and loved Him with her whole heart.  Her mom must have been a rock star! Right?! Way to go Mary’s mom! You did it, girl! You raised the mother of the Messiah! Props! 

So this godly woman raised by a godly woman had to tell her godly mom she was pregnant.  

Think about it.  Let that moment simmer in your mind.  Mary’s mom’s heart must have sunk.  She must have thought about what others would say.  The church ladies.  What would they say about her as a parent? The rumors.  I don’t know if it showed on her face before her daughter, but inside she must have been heartbroken.  She was just a mom.  

And yet God prepared her for this moment.  It was because she was the parent she was that God chose her child to give birth to the Savior of the world..  This moment wasn’t about her as a mom, it was about her daughter’s destiny.  

Having eyes to see God’s plan takes daily determination to sit at His feet and bask in His glory.  Worshipping Him on a daily basis.  Getting to know Him through His word.  Then our gaze stays on Him and we are less likely to make it about us.  

Oh to be like Mary’s mom.  

Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch SkyMom Parenting Mentor

Sky Ranch book recommendation..."Running with the Horses" written by Larry Taylor!

This summer, many Sky Ranch family camp sessions delved into the Family Plan and curriculum developed by Dr. Larry Taylor of Kingdom Parenting. We are such fans of Larry Taylor, we wanted to let you know that he has recently released a book titled Running with the Horses which equips parents with a guide for raising children to be servant leaders for Christ. Specific and practical, we highly recommend putting this book on your Christmas list! Sold at Westbow Press and Amazon.

"Larry's impact on our family has been instrumental. His Kingdom Family teachings have helped us to be more intentional as a family, to plan, goal set and make memories. He "gets" God's plan for the family. I highly recommend his new book." 
~Lisa Clark
Sky Ranch SkyMoms Parenting Mentor

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…God is a Truthful Friend, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: Who is a good friend to you? Why do you like them?

Question: Why is God trustworthy?

Topic 3: Trust—God Wants You to Know Him

Today’s Big Idea: God is a Truthful Friend

Share with your family that God’s written Word is trustworthy and true. God wants you to know truth and is a genuine friend to you!
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about the way a genuine friend treats you. God, as your friend, shares truth with you. He cares about you and wants you to know truth. God wants the very best in life for you, even if it means letting you go through a difficult time to learn a valuable lesson. Talk to your family about ways to recognize a genuine friend. Friends are respectful of each other and cheer for success in each other’s life. Help your family recognize someone who claims to be a friend, but really isn’t one. Friends naturally joke with each other; however, does the joke commonly cross the line and become hurtful? Encourage healthy friendships. Help your family recognize their genuine friends and the genuine friend that they have in Jesus. 

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Psalm 25:5 (ESV): “O Lord...lead me in your truth and teach me;
for you are the God of my salvation...”
Psalm 119:160 (ESV): “The sum of your word is truth...”
Psalm 25:14 (ESV): “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear (respect) him, and he makes known to them his covenants.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: In school, church or camp, you can meet many friends. But did you ever think of God as your friend? Good friends can be great! They are there to support you, to hang out, to laugh with, and go through experiences. Friends tell you the truth with kindness. But would a real friend lie? God wouldn’t mislead you either! He is telling you the truth in His Word. What are the similarities in your real friends and Jesus?

Discuss with older kids: Genuine friendship can be rare, especially in middle school or high school. People claim to have your back, but gossip behind your back at the same time. You can even be at odds with your parents for a time. Sometimes, God seems to be your only friend and that is normal. Learning to identify your real friends can be very valuable. Talk about the way a real friend should treat you. What can you learn from your relationship with Jesus that you can apply to your relationships with your friends?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God’s direction in your friendships. 

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit

Prayer Encouragement & SkyMoms Retreat: "How to Enter Everyday" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

How to Enter Everyday

   Enter his gates with thanksgiving

   and his courts with praise;

   give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

Happy Thanksgiving SkyMoms!

I woke up with the reminder of this verse today,  For today, Thanksgiving Day, i would normally enter this day with thankfulness. The holiday observed and all that is a part of that reminds me to do this.  I am thankful, so I gives thanks and praise. My heart is reminded and prepared as I celebrate this day. Thus, i enter the day.

What about everyday? How do I teach my heart and disciple my children's hearts to enter everyday?

Let's Pray God's Word:

Dear Lord, as we gather around the table today with friends and family, we thank You and give You praise for Jesus and all of the blessings this brings.

As moms, we desire to live this out in our homes and not just today.

Help us as we enter.  If we enter our time with You and neglect this spiritual discipline and truth, remind us and teach us so we can teach those entrusted to us.

As our culture seeks to tell our children they need more, help us as moms have a louder voice than the culture's voice.

Give us a voice of praise so we can model to our children what a life of thanksgiving and praise looks like so they too would enter in.

Amen

~Terrie Chevaillier

photo credit

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…Jesus Reveals God to You, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: In your family, who has been a trusted role model or mentor to you?

Question: Why is God trustworthy?

Topic 3: Trust—God Wants You to Know Him

Today’s Big Idea: Jesus Reveals God to You

Share with your family that Jesus, God’s Son, is a trustworthy source and He reveals God, the Father, to you.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about learning to recognize a trustworthy source. Jesus, God’s Son, was sent by His Father to teach you about God. Jesus was asked to speak very specific things and relay a very important message. Jesus represented His family in a good way. Family members can represent their family in good or bad ways by their words and actions. Talk about the importance of Jesus’ words and actions. Jesus spoke truth, but was careful to read the behavior of His audience and their response to His words. There is wisdom in recognizing when to speak and when to stay silent. Explain how to know when it is safe to open up and how to recognize when it is not.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

John 14:6 (NASB): “Jesus said to him, ’I am the way, and the truth,
and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.’”
John 12:49 (NASB) (Jesus is speaking): “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, as to what to say, and what to speak.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: It is good to trust others. You can trust your parents, grandparents, and some friends who want the best for you. You learn to see their hearts and kindness in sharing the truth with you. They can be trusted sources who want good things for you. Jesus is a trusted source who shares the good of God. During your life, not everyone will be trustworthy. There are people that you should not trust. How do you know who you should trust? How do you know a safe person from an unsafe one?

Discuss with older kids: Everyone who has been in school knows there really are bullies and they are not safe to trust. There are clues that tell you when someone is safe and you can trust them. What are the clues when someone is not safe? What are the clues that Jesus is telling the truth about God, the Father, and you can trust Him?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to reveal trustworthy friends. 

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Gatherings!

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Gatherings! 

Our Sky Ranch SkyMom luncheons have been off to a great start!

A special thanks to all our hostesses that help to make each event a huge success by sponsoring tables and inviting their friends to enjoy food, fun, fellowship, and spiritual encouragement! 

Plano, Texas ~ Maggianos Willow Bend

Southlake, Texas ~ Timmaron Country Club

McKinney, Texas ~ Stonebridge Country Club

 Ft. Worth, Texas ~ Ridglea Country Club

Please let us know if you are interested in participating in one of our upcoming luncheons in your hometown!

skymoms@skyranch.org 

Upcoming Sky Ranch SkyMom Gatherings
Maggianos - Northpark Mall Dallas, TX ~  January 14, 2014

Bridlewood Country Club -Flower Mound, Texas~  February 6, 2014
Ricks Chophouse -McKinney, TX ~  February 12, 2014
Stonebriar Country Club- Frisco, Texas ~  April 3, 2014
Houston, TX ~  TBD

Blessings,

Tori 

Tori Miller

SkyMoms Ministry Director

Sky Ranch

Texas | Colorado | Oklahoma

 www.skyranch.org 

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…God’s Direction for You, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: Who is a famous person that has inspired you in your life? Why?

Question: Why is God trustworthy?

Topic 3: Trust—God Wants You to Know Him 

Today’s Big Idea: God’s Direction for You

Share with your family that God is trustworthy because He clearly provides written directions for the right way to live life. He cares about you and wants you to know His thoughts. He has provided His written Word to be useful and equip you for living your life.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about how each person grows in wisdom and training through God’s Word. Life is meant to be a journey that allows you to mature at God’s pace. He wants you to grow into the person that you are designed to be. God has worked out a plan for each person’s life and you get to discover the plan that He has put together for you! He doesn’t leave you all alone and confused; He has given you directions in His written Word. Talk to your family and explain that it is normal to have confusion as you discover your life’s direction. Sometimes the path is clear while other times it is not. Be patient and pray. God will give you direction if you ask for help.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NISB): “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: God speaks to you through the Bible. He gives you help and instruction. God’s desire to share good direction with you is reason to trust Him. You can understand His message to you. Do you have His message hidden in your heart? What are some of His messages from the Bible that have helped you?

Discuss with older kids: Have you planned out your entire life and know exactly what you want to do? Probably not. It can be hard and confusing with so many possibilities ahead of you. Today there are so many choices it can be confusing—clothing choices alone can be challenging. Future friends, activities, college, career, marriage may seem almost impossible to consider right now. God cares for you and helps you by giving you written direction. This is reason to trust Him. Do you think the Bible is relevant to today? How can scripture written so long ago point you in the right direction now? What scripture have you found helpful direction?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God’s direction in your life. 

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…Hope in God’s Writing, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: What gives you hope? 

Question: Why is God trustworthy?

Topic 3: Trust—God Wants You to Know Him 

Today’s Big Idea: Hope in God’s Writing

Share with your family that God is trustworthy because He wants you to know His heart and character. He has emotions like you do. He gives you His written Word to guide you and give you hope.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about God’s trustworthiness because of His desire for you to know Him. He has provided, in writing, directions for helping you live life--the Holy Bible. If God didn’t care, He wouldn’t have written anything down for you; however, He does care and did give you written instruction that help you see His heart and read about His thoughts. All people were designed by God, and work in a similar way.
Everyone has good and bad experiences that lead to good and bad feelings. Feelings are normal and very real. Feelings have the power to give you amazing joy and deep despair. Talk to your family about thanking God for the good feelings and turning to God during the bad feelings. God designed you and knows the best way to help or encourage you.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Romans 15:4 (NIV): “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”
Psalm 130:5 (ESV): “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: God loves you very much and knows that you will need extra help with how to live your life. God knew that you will have moments that you feel happy, excited and useful. Other times, you will feel sad, depressed or hopeless. All of these are normal feelings that everyone has and God gives instruction of how to handle all of it in scripture. What Bible verse has inspired you, or given you comfort, in your life?

Discuss with older kids: Recognizing God’s truth in your life can be a challenge. You often see it the most in the difficult moments. The good moments can be taken for granted. By now in your life, you have had painful moments. God uses those moments to strengthen you. What scripture has comforted you the most during those times? Why?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to show you hope in His word. 

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit

Lisa Life Lesson- "Christmas Project - Time is of the Essence!!!"

Now is the PERFECT time to start your Christmas Legacy Letters! What are those you might ask?

8 or so years ago, God laid on my heart the need for my girls to know their heritage.  They didn't know how their grandparents met, where their great grandparents grew up, the history, their legacy.  So...

I called each living great grandparent and grandparent and asked them to handwrite a letter to my girls telling "their story."  I asked them to send the letters to me before Christmas Eve, so I could put a red ribbon around the letters and put in each stocking.

Let me just tell you these letters are a TREASURE.  My mom is the only living grandparent now, so these letters are even more special.  

This is a Christmas project you will cherish for years to come.  

These letters led us to another tradition.  Every Christmas Eve, our family of 5 (we added a son this year!) write letters to the other family members.  We recap the year.  Talk about qualities we see in the other.  Love each other in words.  The letters are mounting in my nightstand.  My husband leads this effort every year.  He likes to write.  Words heal, encourage and show value.  Write it down.  

Make everyday count, Moms!

Love,
Lisa
Sky Ranch SkyMom Parenting Mentor

photo credit

Prayer Encouragement & SkyMoms Retreat: "Counter Culture" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

Prayer Encouragement

&

SkyMoms Retreat!

January 25^th and 26^th

Counter Culture

She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.

Proverbs 31:25

We hope you are making plans to grab your friends and head out to Van for the first Sky Moms Retreat coming up in January.

It is sure to be a cozy weekend filled with truth, good food, fun and fellowship!

During the retreat, we will offer breakout sessions and to give you a hint of what to expect, we thought we would let you know some of the good stuff that will be offered!

Our hope is that while there, you are encouraged about your children’s future and you leave laughing and hoping as you look toward their future without fear!

Two of our breakouts that will be offered are:

A Different Kind of Beauty Queen led by Chrissie Dunham from Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX

And

A Different Kind of Hero led by Max Heller, Leadership Camp Manager at Sky Ranch in Van, TX

Moms of boys and moms of girls will have the opportunity to hear Chrissie and Max encourage you on how to guide your girls and boys in the current culture they are living in and the unique struggles that are familiar to boys and girls.

A Different Kind of Beauty Queen will be designed to encourage moms on how to guide their daughters in truth about what God’s Word says about true inner beauty vs. what the world says is beautiful.  Outer beauty at all costs.

A Different Kind of Hero will encourage moms on how to guide their son’s to love and lead in their circles of influence and what God’s Word says about being a man of God vs. how the world defines a man.

Let’s Pray God’s Word:

Dear Father, thank you that you have uniquely designed my children.  You have put into them specific talents and gifts that you want them to use for Your glory and Your Kingdom.

You know what the world is telling them which is opposite to what Your Word tells them.

Lead us to read and learn about Your truth andt what You say regarding beauty, godliness and leadership.

Bring to us other moms to walk with as we seek to learn and grow in Your Word so that we can lead our children to be all that You have created them to be!

Thank You for the ministry of Sky Moms and the Retreat that will encourage us to be clothed with Your strength and dignity as we teach and train our young men and women!

Amen.

~Terrie Chevaillier

Sign up Today!

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…Listen to God, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: What is a great piece of advice that you are glad you listened to?

Question: How do you know God is real? 

Topic 2: Trust—God is Real

Today’s Big Idea: Listen to God

Share with your family that God has placed other people in your life to be a witness to you that God is real. The witness of their personal experience with God is evidence that He is real.
The questions give your family the opportunity to share about the influence of God’s witnesses in your life. Jesus and the disciples are witnesses to you. Each of us has met people who talk about God today, but some seem more sincere than others. Share with your family that there are two groups of people who claim to have a relationship with God: those who really are in a relationship with God and those who pretend to be in a relationship with God. The key is figuring out who really has a true relationship with Him and learning from the wisdom that they share. Godly people will share godly wisdom. Listening well to godly role models is a learned skill. Learn to slow down and listen. Talk to your family about the value of listening to wisdom. Share the purpose of listening and the benefits of listening well throughout your life. 

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

John 18:37 (ESV) (Jesus is speaking): “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
1 John 1:3 (NASB) (Jesus’ disciples are speaking): “What we have
seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: You know a lot of people! Your family, friends, and Sky Ranch friends are some of the people that you know. Some of your friends have a real connection with God and have told you about their relationship with Him. How has sharing their story of their friendship with God influenced you?

Discuss with older kids: Everywhere you go people attempt to influence you. Some influences are good; others are bad. Everyone wants to be heard. How do you decide the people to listen to or ignore? God has sent, or will send, people into your life that will tell you about their personal relationship with God. How will their personal experience act as evidence that God is real? When you hear God’s truth from others, how well do you listen and respond?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help you listen to Him. 

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit

Sky Ranch Family Devotional…Responding to God, with Stacy A. Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Fun Icebreaker: Who has been an influential Christian to you? Why?

Question: How do you know God is real? 

Topic 2: Trust—God is Real

Today’s Big Idea: Responding to God

Share with your family that God speaks to you through scripture and His Word makes a difference in your heart. The fact that Christians respond to God, believe Him, and live changed lives is evidence that God is real.

The questions give your family the opportunity to share about how to know if you are a Christian and really believe God. The scripture passage below talks about four types of people: those who reject God because they forget the Word, those who reject God because of affliction or persecution, those who reject God because of worries/ riches, or desire of things, and finally, those who hear the Word, accept it and are blessed. Today, many people are tricked into thinking that life is going so well they don’t really need God. Talk to your family about how to avoid rejecting God and help your family recognize that you really do need God in your life.

Talk with God: Read scriptures and questions below.

Mark 4: 14-20 (NASB) (Answers to the parable of the seeds): “The sower sows the word. These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word, which has been sown in them. And in a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky [places] who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no [firm] root in themselves, but are [only] temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it, and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

Walk with God:

Discuss with younger kids: You see four types of people in Mark 4:14-20. Three of the people don’t believe God and only one does; the last one. Many things can keep you from God. Who is a Christian that has shown you trusting God is good? How did that person convince you?

Discuss with older kids: Lies can lure you; lies of riches or lies of things that are supposedly better than God. Lies that being accepted by the crowd, even if they are opposed to God, can entice you. God tells you ahead what the challenges will be for following Him. How do you counter trouble and trust God through the struggle?

Prayer suggestion: Pray for God’s help to be a good influence

I will be praying for you!
Stacy

Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals 
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

photo credit