Teaching as you go Archives - Train Up The Child

Tell Your Children about Memorial Day

May 22, 2020May 22, 2020 by Sheilah

God made a decree many years ago that we set up memorials to help our children know about the things that happened in the past:

Joshua 4:6-7
We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask, “What do these stones mean to you?” Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s covenant went across.” These stones will stand as a permanent memorial among the people of Israel.”

During this Memorial Day weekend be sure to talk to your children about the reason for the celebration. Help them know it is more than just grilling out or going to the beach.

Memorial Day originally began in 1868 as a day to decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. In more recent years our government passed a resolution that Memorial Day be observed on the last Monday of May as an occasion to remember and honor the men and women who died in all wars.

Talk about the picture below with your children. Tell them that brave men fought and died so we could have freedom.

- - Ministry-to-Children.com has a great Bible lesson for Memorial Day based on the above verse.
  - Look at pictures of soldiers.
  - Thank God for the soldiers.
  - Ask God to protect them.
  - Tell them about any family members or friends that have served.
  - Listen to patriotic music. Here’s a good cd to purchase: America’s Favorite Patriotic Songs for Kids
  - Check out this great resource for teaching patriotism to children: Patriotic Moms
  - March like a soldier http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOb7CEXxG-w

Talking to Children about the Election

November 4, 2018November 9, 2018 by Sheilah

Vote

Tell your children that God gives us the responsibility to seek out people to lead us – that is why we have an election. Read and share with your children the story in 1 Samuel 16 where God gave Samuel the job to seek out a king for His people. This is what He told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7)

Lead your children in praying that everyone will look for and vote for leaders with good hearts. Samuel anointed David to be the new king. God was very pleased – look what He said about David – “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’(Acts 13:22)”

It may seem as none of the candidates in this election fit this description but not voting at all is certainly not the answer. Let your children see you exercise your patriotic freedom and responsibility to have a voice in government – take them to the poll with you if possible and let them hear you pray for wisdom to know for whom to vote.

Then when the election is over, remember “God determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. (Daniel 2:21)” We need to remind ourselves of this no matter who wins and explain it to our children.

Regardless of how one might feel about the results of an election, there is never a reason to talk unkindly about those whom God has allowed to be in positions of authority. Read and then tell your children the story from 1 Kings 24. King Saul had been trying to kill David. But when David was faced with an opportunity to kill King Saul, he said “May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.” The Arch Book The Angry King tells this story very creatively for children.

Finally, take heed to this exhortation from the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority”. After this election it becomes our duty to pray for and give thanks for all those in authority. I want to purpose to intercede for our leaders and give thanks for those God has chosen to accomplish His purposes through in our country even if it will be to bring judgement on our land.

So use this election as another opportunity to establish God’s Word in your children. Make them aware that God has put in positions those whom He has purposed to be there (Daniel 2:21), and no matter who is in authority, God is still the King of kings and in control of everything (1 Tim. 6:15). And make a regular part of your praying with your children be for protection, wisdom, good hearts, and thanks for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Talking to Your Children About the Election

October 18, 2016October 18, 2016 by Sheilah

This election could possibly be the most embittered in all of our nation’s history. There have been so many harsh words and out-of-control emotions from the candidates and the supporters on both sides. I am sure children of all ages have heard an adult making passionate comments about a candidate. So we need to discuss with our children what this time in our country is all about.

First of all we need to tell them that God is the King of kings and rules over all the world. 1 Timothy 6:15 tells us that “God is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords”. Acknowledge this often with your children.

Then share with them that God gives us opportunity to seek out people to lead us – that is why we have an election. Read and share with your children the story in 1 Samuel 16 where God gave Samuel the job to seek out a king for His people. This is what He told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7)

It may seem as none of the candidates in this election fit this description and the options are to vote for the lesser of the two evils or not vote at all. But not voting at all is the third evil. Let your children see you exercise your patriotic freedom to have a voice in government – take them to the poll with you if possible and let them hear you pray for wisdom to know for whom to vote.

Regardless of how one might feel about the winner, there is never a reason to talk unkindly about that person. Read and tell your children the story from 1 Kings 24. King Saul had been trying to kill David. But when David was faced with an opportunity to kill King Saul, he said “May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.”

Finally, take heed to this exhortation from the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority”. After this election it becomes our duty to pray for and – what is that last thing – um – give thanks for all those in authority. I must admit that, although I have prayed for our authorities, I have not given thanks for them. I want to purpose to intercede for our next president and give thanks for the one God has chosen to accomplish His purposes in our country (which just might be judgement) .

Cheap Summer Fun Ideas

June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 by Sheilah

(1982 -Josh and Jer playing in the dirt with their Dad)

It seems that God has always had us in ‘tight times’ so we were always motivated to make the most of our situation and enjoy the simple things.

Here are some things we have done that are free or very inexpensive.

It’s time to get outside in God’s beautiful world!

May 3, 2015May 3, 2015 by Sheilah

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.
Nehemiah 9:6

I love all the seasons, but especially the warmer ones. I am looking forward to spending lots of time outside. As you experience the beauty of God’s creation during this season, please remember to share with your children that it IS God’s creation. Lead them to praise Him. Make up songs about it. Here’s one suggestion:

https://youtu.be/AbWgeJOMQ4U

Hopefully you will get to take a family trip this summer, maybe to the beach to get sand between your toes. To The Sea by Callie Grant is a book about a day at the beach that young children will enjoy. The pictures by Jeremy Tugeau make you almost able to smell the sea air. (The author’s mission is to encourage and equip parents to effectively teach their kids about God and His creation, even at a very young age.) (Check out some of her other books on this site here.) In the book the sand castle is washed away by the sea, but the boy builds one on a rock and it stands safe. Play in the sand and tell this parable from Matthew 7:24-29.

Even if you can’t get away this summer, take advantage of every opportunity around you to enjoy God’s beautiful world with your children. Jesus used visuals from nature as he taught.
Read Matthew 6:25-33 and be ready to share His teachings the next time you are outside observing birds or looking at flowers.

Hike, explore, play in the sand. Start collecting things from nature – moss, feathers, shells, rocks, leaves, seeds, an abandoned bird’s nest or wasp nest. Make a nature box full of items you can enjoy all year. And don’t forget to point out that all God’s creation praise Him!

All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.
Psalm 145:10

Side Note: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says to speak of God and His word as we go. Everything doesn’t have to be related to a Bible verse, but as you discover things on your nature walk you could say, “Think of the wonders of God” (Job 37:14) or “all God’s works praise Him” (Psalm 145:10)