Checkout an article by Steve Wright on the influence of students: “What Are They Listening To?”

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/.

Link:

http://www.shaohannahshope.org/

Read about some of the organizations at this site that assist with adoptions. Think about what it might be like to be adopted or to adopt a child. Then discuss how adoption is like being accepted into the family of God.

Link:

http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/childrens/blastoff.html

Have some fun with these “spacey” web sites. For many years, the thought of traveling in space was a mystery and a dream. Then people figured out how to do it, and a man actually stepped out on the moon! But before he could do that, he had to believe that it could happen. Why does the key to eternal life seem like a mystery to so many people? What’s the solution to the mystery of eternal life?

Read John 3:1-17. How did Jesus explain eternal life to Nicodemus?

Consider this question as a family: Who is the giver of life, not just life on this earth, but eternal life in heaven? Softly repeat the name of Jesus several times as a family; then spend a few moments in silent prayer.

Group Publishing:http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/spring-2011/week-3-(march-20,-2011)

Below you will find a few resources from Awana.

Our hope is that you will find these resources encouraging to you as you parent your child.  We are only a month away from celebrating this year’s Awana season.  Check your child’s progress through his or her Awana book.  Your child maybe close to completing a book, earning a jewel or an award.  Just spending 5 minutes each day by listening to your child recite his or her verse can increase your quantity of quality time for your family.  I am praying for your family as this year in Awana.

Awana Resources for Parents: (Just click on the links.)

kidsprint

parentpause

sparkles

Christmas Morning

Family Worship

Gather everyone around. If you have a manger scene that is “kid-friendly” have it nearby.  Make sure to place Jesus in the center.  Light a candle.  Sing a favorite Christmas song, like “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.” Have someone read this:

Luke 2 (The Message)

^1-5″About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

^6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

^8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

^15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

^19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!”

Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  Pray, “Thank you God for this special day and for sending Jesus.  Help our family to remember You all through our day.  Amen.”

We hope your Christmas morning is full of faith filled traditions, to pass your faith in Christ to the next generation.  Merry Christmas!

Are you ready with anticipation?

Are you ready to receive a gift?

I’m not talking about the gifts under the tree or being done with all your shopping.  I’m talking about being ready to receive the greatest gift in life.  It is the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.  It all began on Christmas with a baby being born in a manager.  You can read the account in the Holy Bible in the book of Luke.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while^[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:1-7, NIV

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIV

I encourage you to read the Nativity story on Christmas morning as a family.  Make this a tradition of “getting ready” for Christmas.     

I am praying your Christmas is Merry!

God Bless,

Link:

http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh/3rdexplanation.htm

Ask a family member to read the story on this Web site aloud. Enjoy this child’s explanation of the nature of God and have a good laugh! Then point out the things in the story that aren’t quite right. Perhaps you can come up with a list of reasons we should choose to serve God, based on who hereally is.

Link:

http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/home.html

This site is full of good reasons for serving God. See how many you can find. Then ask each person in the family to pick his or her favorite reason for serving God and share it with everyone.

Join hands, close your eyes, and just think about what it means to serve God. Privately commit to serve God in new ways throughout the upcoming week.

Group Publishing: http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/fall-2010/week-10-(november-7)

Link:

http://www.clubhousemagazine.com/

Let the children in the family take the lead by clicking on any of the areas listed on the left side of the screen: stories to crafts-it’s all OK because these links have been carefully selected for kid surfers!

Allow the surfers to answer the following questions:
• What was it like to surf at this site?
• Why should we use wisdom in choosing which Web sites to explore?
• How can we use wisdom when making choices in everyday life?

Link:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/

Once you have reached the Christianity Today Web site, type the word “wise” into the search box at the top right of the home page. Click on “search,” and watch as the results come in. Scroll down the list of articles that describe Christians who have displayed wisdom. If you see one that you really like, ask a member of the family to read the first part of the article aloud.

Discuss the following questions as a family:
• What principles of God did the person follow? What did you learn about wisdom?
• What guidelines does God give in his Word to equip us in our search for wisdom?

Spend a few moments in prayer, thanking God for the Bible. Wisdom can be learned by following the principles given in God’s Word.

Group Publisher:http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/fall-2010/week-6-(october-10)

Link:

http://www.coolquotescollection.com/Wisdom1.aspx

Read some of these quotes about wisdom, keeping in mind that they represent the “wisdom” of humankind, not necessarily of God. Then let each family member declare a favorite. Discuss those that are selected. Why are they favorites? What did you learn from them?

Link:

http://www.christianadvice.net/christian_wisdom.htm

At this site, you will find only quotes that have a Christian perspective. How are these quotes about wisdom different from some of those you read at the first site?

Many people think they have the answers to all of life’s questions. Perhaps they have studied all of their lives, and they are truly knowledgeable. But they don’t have all the answers. Only God can sort through all that the world places in our paths and then help us to see with light and clarity.

Discuss the following questions as a family:
• How is knowledge different from wisdom? How is human wisdom different from God’s wisdom? What kinds of things does God know that we don’t know?
• How is knowledge related to wisdom? Can one inspire the other?
• How can we obtain wisdom?

Take Home Page: http://teachersupport.group.com/media/26769/fa10%20adult%20ttlh%20l05web.pdf

Group Publishing:http://sundayschool.group.com/

Link:

http://commondreams.org/headlines01/0103-02.htm

Link:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/stewart_mandel/news/2002/11/24/weekend_that_was/

Link:

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/06/164423.php

The articles listed above deal with sports, politics, and news events. In each of them, you will find how just one man made a difference. Louis Olivier Bancoult saved an island and facilitated the return of thousands of people to their homes. He was just one man. Wesley Autrey saved a fellow subway passenger from certain death. He also was just one man.

Read Judges 6:1-16, and then read Judges 6:16 again. While Gideon wasn’t so sure that he could make a difference, God assured him that he needed “just one man.” Take a few moments to discuss these questions as a family:

• Why was God able to work through Gideon?

• In what ways have you seen God use few numbers or small circumstances to accomplish big things? Why do you think God sometimes chooses to work this way in our lives?

• How can you make a difference as just one person?

Prayer: Oh, God, use me as just one person dedicated to doing your will. Show your glory by doing the impossible and the unlikely when all logic dictates that the tasks are too difficult for human hands, for that is when the world will know it is you at work and not me.

Group Publishing: http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2010/week-1-(june-6)