I wrote these with Moses in mind, but feel free to modify according to your family! I think that this year, we will only do one or two devotionals a week instead of water hosing him with verses and conversation seven straight nights in a row. Because my sweet one is going through a season of grumbling and complaining and struggling to find things to be thankful for (....one of those things I think he might get from his momma!) my hope is that we can talk about one at a time and then give it a few days to simmer before we move on.
Also, special props to DJ who will actually be the one to lead this out with Moses! While the Lord usually prompts me with the desire to create and formalize little things like this, DJ is the one who takes the work and implements it and it is such a joy for me to watch him lead our family in this way. I love to see the different ways God has wired us and allows us to combine our efforts to work as a team in shepherding these little souls He has entrusted to us. My three guys... what a gift they are to me.
Again... super informal and not well drafted but I hope it blesses some (one!) of you. Take it and change it as desired. Also, I had major formatting issues when writing this post so if anything is wonky, I blame technology. Especially if the mistake is theological (wink).
Here you go:
One
Read Philippians 2:14. Do all things without grumbling or complaining.
What does it mean to grumble and complain? Take turns acting it out as a family.
What should we do without grumbling or complaining? Just some things? No, all things!
Read Philippians 2:14-15a: Do all things without grumbling and complaining, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God.
Who does this verse say that we look like when we do all things without grumbling and complaining? We look like children of God.
Who are children of God? Those who love and trust Jesus.
Read Philippians 2:14-15 in full: Do all things without grumbling and complaining, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Who do we look like when we grumble and complain? The world- those who do not know, love, or trust Jesus.
What does this verse say we are like when we do all things without grumbling and complaining? Lights in the world.
What do lights do? Help people to see in the darkness.
What can we help people to see when we give thanks instead of grumbling and complaining? We help them to see more of Jesus. We show them what it is like to trust God and have joy even when it doesn't make sense to.
What kind of things does our family grumble and complain about?
What should we do when we feel like grumbling and complaining? We can tell God how we feel and ask Him to give us grateful hearts. We can ask for his forgiveness. We can look for ways to be thankful even when things are not how we want them to be.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Two
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What does the word circumstance mean? The things that are happening to us or around us.
When does God tell us to give thanks? In just some circumstances? No, in all circumstances. We should give thanks in everything!
Do you think this sounds easy or hard to do?
What can we do when it feels hard to give thanks in all circumstances? We can ask God to help us!
Why does God say we should give thanks in all circumstances? Because this is His will for us.
What does that mean? That this is something that God wants for us to do.
What are some circumstances that seem hard to give thanks in? How can we give thanks in those circumstances?
Some examples might be....
Being sick. Thank you God for making me a strong and healthy boy. Thank you for legs that walk, eyes that see, ears that hear, a brain that thinks, and a body that can play. Thank you that in heaven we will never experience sickness again. Please heal my body and make me well.
When we lose a toy. Thank you God for giving me toys. Thank you for being such a fun God who created such fun things. Thank you that nothing is hidden from you; thank you that you see me and thank you that you see my toy. Please help me to patiently look for it.
When a toy breaks. Thank you God that I got to enjoy that toy while I did. Thank you that I still have many other toys to play with. Thank you that even though our toys change and break and do not last, it helps us to remember that you will never change. You are always the same and you will last perfectly forever.
When we don't get what we want. Thank you God that you know what is best. Thank you that you do what is best when it is best. Help me to be patient and to trust your perfect timing.
When we get sent to our room. Thank you God for parents who love me. Thank you that discipline is for my good and leads to my joy. Thank you for a cozy room and a bed to sleep in and a home to live in.
When we don't get seconds or dessert. Thank you God for providing our food. Thank you that we get three meals a day and snacks in between. Thank you for a full belly and a healthy body. Thank you that you created delicious food. Thank you for all the times I get to enjoy the good tastes that you have made.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Three
Read Psalm 118:24: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
What does this verse say that God has made? This day.
How are we supposed to respond to God today? By rejoicing and being glad.
What do you think it means to rejoice? To feel and express great joy and delight.
Do you think we should just have joy and delight and gladness on the really good days? No, on all days!
How can we rejoice on days that it is raining out? By thanking God for watering the earth and playing in the rain!
How can we rejoice on days when we have school? By thanking God for minds that think and honoring him with a good attitude and hard work.
How can we be glad on days when we feel disappointed or angry or sad? By giving thanks in all circumstances and finding things to thank God for in the midst of our disappointment, anger, and sadness.
How can we rejoice when it feels like there is nothing to be glad about? We can remember what God has done in the past and thank Him for those things! We can look ahead to what God has promised and thank God that He is faithful to bring about those things. We can ask Him to help us find ways to be thankful today.
What can we be thankful for today?
******
Four
As a family, build a kingdom made of blocks.
Read Hebrews 12:18a- Let us be thankful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
What is a kingdom? A kingdom is an area that is ruled by a King, Queen, or President. It is run by the person in charge.
What Kingdom do you think this verse is talking about? God's Kingdom!
What is God's Kingdom? All of heaven and earth. God is in charge of everything!
What does this verse say we should be thankful for? That God's Kingdom cannot be shaken.
What happens when something is shaken? It falls apart or breaks or becomes less sturdy.
Shake your block kingdom and talk about what happens as it is moved and shaken and beaten around. Did it stay together or fall apart? Was it strong or weak?
What does this verse mean when it says that God's Kingdom cannot be shaken? That it cannot come undone. It will not fall apart. It is not weak or able to be destroyed. It is strong and sturdy and will last forever.
What can we do on days where we feel shaken, worried, grumpy, scared, or weak? We can remember that we are weak but God is strong! We may be shaken, but He never is. We can thank God that His plans, purposes, and ways will never change or fall apart. We can thank God that His Kingdom lasts forever.
What are some things that we know about God's Kingdom that we can give thanks for? That all of His promises are true. That God uses all things (even the bad ones) for our good. That a day is coming where there will be no more sickness, sadness, tears, or death.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Five
Watch Veggie Tales: Madame Blueberry on Netflix together as a family. Afterwards, talk through the following questions:
Why is Madame Blueberry sad?
What does she wish she had more of?
Was Madame Blueberry thankful for all that she had?
Can more and bigger and better and nicer and cooler and yummier things bring us true and lasting happiness? Why or why not?
What do you wish you had more of? How do you think you would feel if you had more of it? How would you feel when those things began to break or get lost or taken or run out?
Mom and Dad- talk about a time that you wanted more of something. Did it truly satisfy? Why or why not?
Read Matthew 6:19-21 out loud. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What does this verse say can happen to the things that we love here on earth? Bugs can eat them, rust can destroy them, people can come and take them away from us.
Is it wrong to love things here on earth? Things like toys and chocolate and family? No!
What do you think it looks like to love those things rightly? To thank God for those things and to enjoy them, but to remember that those things will not last forever and cannot bring us full happiness.
What does this verse say we should love even more than the treasures we have on earth? Treasures in heaven.
What do you think that means? Loving Jesus most of all. Loving and trusting Him more than our stuff. Remembering his promises. Thinking about and looking forward to heaven.
Why does the bible say that these things should be our greatest treasure? Because these things last forever! They will never change or go away or break or be taken from us.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Six
As a family, read 1 Timothy 6:7-8. For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
What does this verse say that we bring into this world when we are born? Nothing.
What does this verse say that we take with us when we die? Nothing.
This verse mentions two things that we need. What are they? Food and clothing.
How does this verse say we should respond if we have food and clothing? With contentment.
What is contentment? To be happy and satisfied and to feel like you have enough or all that you need.
Do you believe that you can be happy with just those two things?
What can we do when we notice our hearts not being content with what we already have? We can talk to God about the things we are unhappy with. We can always ask him for more, but then we can trust that He knows what is best and gives what is best when He knows it is best. We can wait patiently and learn to be content with what we have. We can learn to be okay even if God says "no" or "not right now". We can express thanks for what we have instead of always looking for more.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Seven
Read Psalm 9:1. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
What does this verse say that we should give to the Lord? Thanks
What do you think it means to give thanks with our whole hearts? To not just say thank you because we are supposed to, but to truly feel thankful and to tell him!
What can we do when we do not feel fully thankful? We can be honest with God and tell him that sometimes it is hard to feel thankful. We can practice saying thank you and ask God to give us hearts that mean it.
What else does this verse tell us to do? Remember all of God's wonderful deeds.
Why do you think it might be important to remember what God has done? Remembering what God has already done for us can help us to feel grateful for the past and present! When we look back on what God has done, we are reminded of His goodness to us and can trust Him with what is to come.
Play a game of Pictionary and draw pictures of the wonderful things that God has already done for our family. Talk about those things together.
What can we be thankful for today?
xoxo,
courtney
Would you be thanful if your children were gay? Would you trust God gave you the right child and that they were loving right? Or would you stop talking to them? Are you homophobic?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment :) I believe you may have commented before? I would be happy to discuss these questions with you further over email if you feel comfortable revealing your identity. I hope you will consider, but if not, please refrain from posting anonymous comments on my blog and feel free to stop reading if you are bothered by my words.
DeleteThis is my first time commenting. But Ive read before and been so perturbed. What's your email? I will send you an email rite now..... indeed let us talk! You are welcome for my comment you overly thankful crazy religious weirdo!
DeleteYou can reach me at abeardforababy@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!
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