Category Archives: Teaching Your Children About God

Reading: A Spiritual Experience

Psalm 119:103-104 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”

By: Dana Baran

I am passionate about reading. For as long as I can remember I’ve been a reader. Mom likes to tell people that I taught myself to read when I was four, and began reading chapter books around age six (lest you think I’m some sort of genius, let me assure you that my precociousness in this area was balanced out by struggles in others…namely math and spelling). I have always been captivated by the power stories have – to let us travel to faraway places and times, to give us adventures, to allow us to vicariously face dangers, and to give us fantastic friends we can visit again and again (I’m a fan of re-reading favorite books). Continue reading →

My Favorite Mother’s Day Tradition

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

By: Jennifer Mullen

Pardon my messy bathroom. I had more important things to do than clean mirrors and toilets.

Last Saturday I rolled out of bed while my family still slept. I packed one of my many Thirty-One bags with some of my journals, my Bible, and my favorite book. Threw on some jeans and a scarf and escaped to a corner booth at Panera.

I sat in that booth for FIVE HOURS! I enjoyed both breakfast and lunch during my stay.

You may wonder what on Earth could I be doing for FIVE HOURS?

Well this is one of many things Gretchen has taught me about taking time to get focused as a mom. Click here to read her article about this amazing tradition I think all mothers should consider.

An Open Letter to My Daughter on Her First Birthday

3 Replies

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt. 11:29

By: Dana Baran

As Charlotte’s first birthday looms ever nearer, I find myself becoming more reflective and sentimental by the day. I even wrote her a letter to be read sometime in the future (her eighteenth birthday? College graduation? Wedding day? Birth of her first child? TBD) but it is rather sappy and lengthy so instead of sharing the whole letter I’ll just give you some highlights. I hope my musings and confessions might prompt you to reflect for a bit on the lessons the Lord has taught you through your own motherhood journey. Continue reading →

The Empty Tomb – an Easter Garden Craft

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.” John 20:1

By: Sarah Smith

(No one seems to know where this craft originated but you will find it on-line in various places. So, shout out to the crafty Mom who came up with this idea!!)

Supplies: (Keep in mind you can make this as big as you’d like….the ones the kids made at church were the sizes shown below.)

One 6-8 inch terra-cotta base
One 2 inch terra-cotta pot
Pebbles or gravel
Potting soil
A package of seeds – quick grow grass or sprouts
Small twigs and twine – form into 3 crosses
A small to medium size rock (approximately as large as the opening of the pot)

Continue reading →

The Gospel Ornament: Tell the Story of Jesus to Your Kids

1 Reply

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,’Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ ” Luke 2:14

By: Jennifer Mullen

In the busyness of the season, it is important to remind our children (and ourselves) the reason we celebrate Christmas. This is a simple way to share the gospel story with your family. Make this activity one of your advent events during your family devotional time.

What You Will Need:

clear plastic or glass ornaments
white crafting feathers
red ribbon
raffia

Found all of these items at Hobby Lobby.

How To:

While reading various scriptures about Jesus with your family, insert the following into the ornament:

Raffia- This symbolizes the hay in the manger. Read Luke 2.
Red Ribbon- This symbolizes the blood of Christ. Read Matthew 26:28 and Isaiah 53:5.
Feather- This symbolizes the angel who proclaimed the resurrection at the tomb. Read Luke 24:1-12

Make it into a Gift:

The Gospel Ornament is a inexpensive gift to share with neighbors, teachers, students, friends, etc. You could easy make 48 of these for less than $25. Include in a paper sack all of the items for the ornament with the instructions on how to assemble. For a free printable to include with your gift, click here: Gospel Ornament Printable.