Family Ministry

Family Devotional Resources

FAMILY Devotionals

I believe many Christian parents know the importance of passing faith in Christ onto their children, but they’re not too sure how to begin.  If that sounds like you, then I hope to encourage you in your first step.  I have to admit when that having family devotions are not always easy.  Try to avoid the image of a perfect family seating quietly as mom or dad sit and read from the Systematic Theology text book.  No!  Each family is different, because each family member is different.  That can be challenging, but it can also be fun. One thing I have learned being a parent is that my kids watch and learn everything good or bad from me.  Many times how they learn things is very similar to how I learn things.

Take the Deuteronomy passage for example.  I love the picture or image that it paints for us parents.  CLICK HERE to check out the scripture verses.  The instructions found in this passage lay out the opportunities you have to talk about faith with your children.

Think about times you have with your family:

• Do you walk your child to school, or do you drive.  How about walking your child to the bus stop?  If you drive in the car try playing Christian radio or playing an Adventures in Odyssey or Awana CD.
• How about meal times?  Try placing a devotional book or have a scripture verse on the table for your family to reflect on during your dinner time.
• What about bedtime?  Try reading from a children’s Bible together before bed.  Prepare a bedtime blessing you pray over your child each night.  Remember it s OK to pray the same prayer.  The more you repeat a Bible passage or a blessing prayer the more likely you and your child will remember it.

Also check out these Family Devotional Resources

• “Family Bible Time Storybook,” Gospel Light Publishing- for preschool aged;
• “Growing With Jesus,” by Andy Holmes- great for elementary age;
• “My Big Book of 5-Minute Devotions; Celebrating God’s World,” by Pamela & Douglas Kennedy- great for preschool to elementary ages.

If you’re looking for a resource more in-depth and geared for older aged kids and teens here is a resources worth checking out:  “Long Story Short,” by Marty Machowski- for older elementary and up to teens.

I hope these ideas encourage you as you lead your children spiritually at home.  I am praying for you as you tae the first step to implement a devotional time or prayer time in your home.

In His Grip,

Pastor Bobby

Home Connect, August 28, 2011

Date: Sunday, August 28, 2011
Job Remains Faithful in Suffering

Link:
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={248D5398-052E-4829-8885-C711136A3A94}

Enjoy this story about the life of Steven Curtis Chapman. How does Steven tell the world about hope? What does he say about grace? Do you find a connection between grace and hope? Explain.

Link:

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/biblestudyandtheology/discipleship/hope_when_hurting.asp

Read and discuss the ten reasons to have hope that are given at this website. What Bible truths mentioned here teach us how to have hope in the midst of hurt? Will you plan to rely on any of these truths in the future? Why or why not?

PRAY Thank you for being with us, Lord, when we are hurting. Even when it seems that things are beyond our understanding, we know that you are in control and will guide us through every kind of suffering.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-13-(august-28,-2011)

GRACE at Home Coffeehouse

Parents! Join us once a month at Redland Baptist Church from 5:00 6:45 pm for a great cup of coffee, some snacks, family strengthening tools, tips, and fellowship.

GRACE at Home Coffeehouse Schedule:

• September 25: Welcome!
• October 16: Faith Talks- Creative Holiday Ideas
• November 13: Coffee Dates
• December 11: Faith Talks- Advent
• January 8:Money Matters
• February 12: Great Date Night
• March 18: Faith Talks- Easter
• April 15: Parenting Toolbox
• May 6: Summer Fun Idea

I look forward to meeting you and sharing life together as parents!  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Pastor Bobby Cook on email: bobby@redlandbaptist.org, or call 301-977-1000.  Checkout our church website: www.redlandbaptist.org, and our Family Ministry Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/RBCFamilyMinistry/.

Home Connect, August 21, 2011

Date: Sunday, August 21, 2011
Esther Saves Her People

Link:

http://www.networkforgood.org/

Once you arrive at the Network for Good home page, click on the “Volunteer” button to the left of the screen. Enter your zip code when prompted and hit “search.” You will move to a page of volunteer ideas. Spend some time exploring the various areas of service.

Link:

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-service-organizations

Check out this list of service organizations. Did you ever dream there were so many? Discuss whether any might be of interest to your family.

Link:

http://www.crosscampus.net/

Enjoy surfing this site. Perhaps you would like to read about some of projects Cross Campus is doing. Do they give you any ideas for service projects of your own?

Read Esther 2-9 and Galatians 5:13. Why does God call us to serve one another? Do you think Esther was motivated by love? Explain your opinion on this.

Discuss acts of service that you can offer to others. Privately commit to serve God in new ways this week.

What does sharing about Jesus with others have to do with socks and gum? Find out with the “Worth the Effort” activity on page 973 of your Hands-On Bible!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-12-(august-21,-2011)

Home Connect, August 14, 2011

Date: Sunday, August 14, 2011
Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall

Link:

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=12949

Link:

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=7813954

Read the articles and press release from these websites. Notice that the government officials representing the people affected by tragedy and hardship have requested aid from the President of the United States. Discuss the following questions as a family:

• How do you think the people in these situations felt when they were faced with such challenging circumstances? Why did they ask the President for help?
• Have you ever felt dismayed or even overwhelmed by things that happened to you? Who did you ask to help you?
• What can we do when we are faced with challenges beyond what we feel equipped to handle? Who is our resource?

How was Philip like a mirror when he followed where God led him? Check out the “Reflection of Love” activity on page 1079 of your Hands-On Bible!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-11-(august-14,-2011)

Home Connect, August 7, 2011

Date: Sunday, August 7, 2011
Nehemiah Seeks God’s Forgiveness for Israel

Link:

http://www.restorepower.com/rpower/home.do

Browse this website to gain insight into how electrical power can be restored after a natural disaster. What do the service persons have to do in order to restore power?

Link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2122124_restore-painting.html

Ask a family member to read this article about how to restore a painting aloud. Discuss what the word “restore” means when it is used in connection with art. How is restoration of a painting like restoration of electrical power? How is it different?

Read Nehemiah 1:1-2:9. How did God “restore” Nehemiah? How does God restore us today?

Balloons and a paper towel tube can give us courage? Find out how with the “Barbells of Bravery” activity on page 214 of your Hands-On Bible™!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-10-(august-7,-2011)

Home Connect, July 31, 2011

Date: Sunday, July 31, 2011
God Promises to Restore Israel After the Exile

Link: http://finance.christiansunite.com/Money-Management/13-Creating-a-Budget-That-Works.shtml

Investment brokers and financial providers make their livings showing people how to create financial plans. Take a moment and ponder the tips presented at this website. Do you think it is advisable to seek out professional help when making financial decisions? Why or why not?

Link:

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200206/20020626_family1162.html

Read this article on daily planning. Have you ever made a “To Do” list? Were you able to do everything on the list? Allow a few minutes for family members to share their experiences with “To Do” lists. Did you reach the same conclusion as this author? Explain.

Answer the following questions as a family:
• How often do people seek professional help when setting goals and making plans? What are the advantages? disadvantages?
• What can you gain from seeking the Lord’s thoughts when making plans? Do you think God’s leadership and advice might differ from that given by the “professionals”? How?
• How can we facilitate God’s plans for us in our daily lives? What sort of help will God provide?
• Why is it important to accomplish God’s plans?

Make up your own language and find out more about how the Holy Spirit helps us with the “Say Again?” activity on page 1072 of your Hands-On Bible™!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-9-(july-31,-2011)

Home Connect, July 24, 2011

Date: Sunday, July 24, 2011
God Protects Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Link:

http://www.wilderdom.com/games/gamesspecific.html

Browse this group activities site, paying special attention to the trust-building and peace education activities. You may want to try some of the games that are given when you click on those designated links. What can you learn about trust and peace by playing these games as a family?

Link:

http://www.mapquest.com/

Click on the “Directions” icon at the Mapquest website. When the next screen appears, enter any two addresses or locations to get driving directions from one place to another. You might want to try getting maps from your home to famous landmarks such as the Grand Canyon or the Golden Gate Bridge. Think about how driving directions might be similar to God’s plan for our lives. Do you think God has our lives all “mapped out?” Why or why not? How likely are you to trust these driving directions? Explain your answer.

Considering all that you have learned about trust, peace, and mapping out a plan, discuss these questions as a family:
• Is trusting someone with your physical safety difficult for you? Explain your answer.
• What about emotional and spiritual matters? Is it hard to trust someone with the private and personal challenges of your heart? Why?
• Do you find it difficult to trust God with your life? How can knowing you are following God’s plan give you peace?

The evidence is in! Check out this piece of evidence you can make to remind you about faith. It’s in the “Faith Is…” activity on page 1217 of your Hands-On Bible™.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-8-(july-24,-2011)

Home Connect, July, 17, 2011

Date: Sunday, July 17, 2011
Daniel’s Friends Are Safe in the Fiery Furnace

Link:

http://www.drbackman.com/abdominal-muscle-exercises.htm

Try the “standing up” exercises on this website, adjusting the difficulty to fit each family member’s age and size. Be sure to stretch yourself to the highest level you can achieve.

Let one member of the family read 1 Corinthians 16:13 and Ephesians 6:10-20. Then answer the following questions as a family:
• How can we be ready to “stand up” for God every day? In what ways can we exercise our beliefs and stretch spiritually?
• What should you remember when you are called upon to stand up for God in the midst of conflict or trial?

Check out how a rocket can remind you of Jesus breaking the bonds of our sins! Look at the “Blast Off” activity between pages 1034 and 1035 of your Hands-On Bible™.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-7-(july-17,-2011)

Home Connect, July 10, 2011

Date: Sunday, July 10, 2011
Josiah Promises to Follow the Lord

Link:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

Link:

http://www.searchgodsword.org/

Use either of these websites to play Bible Verse Question-and-Answer. Choose one family member to go first. He or she can put any topic, subject, or word into the search box. For example, the wordpeace can be typed into the box. After clicking on the search button, a list of Scriptures that address that subject will appear. In this case, a list of verses about “peace” will come up on the screen. Reading the verses will provide answers to questions about how peace can be found. The first questioner may guide the family in biblical research for up to four searches or five minutes, whichever comes first. Then another family member may take a turn, playing until everyone has been the researcher. As a family, discuss the following questions:

• What did you learn today about God’s Word? Did you find answers to real-life questions about everyday problems? Give examples.
• Explain how God can guide us through his Word in Scripture. How can you use the Bible to help you make important decisions?

Check out a fun, artistic way to honor Jesus with your words and actions. Look at page 1170 in yourHands-On Bible™ for the “Move It” activity!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-6-(july-10,-2011)