Christian Parenting Challenges #10

According to “sources” everyone who wants to get the vaccine can in the next couple of months. As life speeds toward “normal”, it is time for some reflection. What did your family learn from COVID? What did you start doing or stop doing that you want to continue in the post COVID world? While you are reflecting, here are this week’s social media challenges.

Monday: Do your kids think about God when they see an amazing scene in nature? Do they think of the story of Noah when they see a rainbow? Part of Christian parenting is using common sights and tying them to God in their minds. Then, for the rest of their lives, they will think of God when they see those things. It requires you commenting on them as much as possible beginning when they are very tiny. Those God points you input will remind them of God even if you are not there to do it.

Tuesday: Someone gave me this bag of freebies yesterday. Aren’t freebies exciting?! I was so grateful to the person who handed me the bag of free stuff. Teaching your kids to be excited/grateful for all of the “freebies” God has blessed them with will point them to God and lessen their sense of entitlement.

Wednesday: This is Temple Grandin, possibly the most famous person with autism in the world. She has changed entire industries and continues to touch the lives of people all over the world. How? Because her mother taught her she was lovable and that she could do anything God had planned for her. She taught her to be humble and ask for and learn from feedback. At a time when most kids like her were shut away in institutions for life, her mother taught her how to not only exist, but thrive in the world and serve others in the process. I can’t imagine how hard it was for her mother, but because she persevered Temple has changed the world. (And Temple talks about God in at least some of her secular speeches, too. )

Thursday: Shepherds in Bible times knew everything about their sheep because they spent a lot of time with them. Today’s “shepherds” have to paint colors on the sheep to remember who needs what because they don’t spend enough time with them. Shepherds are like parents in many ways. So which kind of parent are you? How well do you really know your kids?

Friday: Churches around this country had their roofs removed by a king who didn’t agree with their beliefs. The people gave in, changed their beliefs and never rebuilt the churches. Your kids may never experience government oppression for their religious beliefs, but they will be teased and perhaps pushed to the social fringes for them. Is their faith strong enough to withstand teasing? Financial pressure? Jail? Death? Prepare your kids’ faith for the worst of challenges, then watch them soar when times are relatively calm, too.

Christian Parenting Challenges #9

As life slowly returns to “normal” have you thought about the things you learned from the COVID experience? What changes do you meed to make to help your children build stronger faith foundations and grow to their godly potential? Here are some social media challenges to consider, too.

Monday: These birds swooped down immediately to eat an animal hit by a car. There are people who are waiting to devour your kids. They want to mislead or hurt them in some way…including spiritually. You don’t want your kids walking around frightened all of the time, but you need to teach them how to protect themselves spiritually just like you have probably taught them how to protect themselves physically.

Tuesday: What your kids are exposed to during the day can impact their moods, thoughts, emotions and beliefs. As much as possible make your home a Philippians 4:8 home or as my grandmother used to say “Nothing sad, nothing bad”. Don’t think it makes a difference? Go on a family fast from depressing and violent content for a month. Fill the time with positive, beautiful, praiseworthy things instead. What happens to moods, attitudes and behaviors? (Prepare for negative withdrawal symptoms if they are hooked on negative content. After they’ve detoxed you should see positive changes.)

Wednesday: I have no idea who this person was or the legacy he left. Christianity, Christian parenting are in great part about legacy. Who will end up in Heaven because of the choices you make today? Tomorrow? Next year? Use your life intentionally. Christian parent intentionally. The people in your legacy desperately need you to point them to God.

Thursday: There aren’t periodic tests to take to make sure your Christian parenting is on track. It’s important though that you regularly self assess how things are going. Are your kids moving towards God or away from Him? Are their hearts showing signs of softness or are they hardening? Is their Bible knowledge increasing? Are they more consistently making godly choices? Catching issues early makes it easier to change things. Regular self assessment will enable you to catch issues early.

Friday: Each of your children is different – even if they are identical twins. It’s important to give each what he or she needs to become who God created them to be. This won’t always be the same, but your kids should never believe you favor one over the other. It damages your relationship with them and their sibling relationships.

Christian Parenting Challenges #8

Spring has started here. You may be still waiting for the Spring thaw, but Spring is coming. Here some tips, ideas and encouragement from this week’s social media challenges for you to consider.

Monday: Spring brings hope to many. Your kids need to know they have hope even on the dreariest of winter days. Their hope is in Jesus. Finding ways to explain that regularly in age appropriate ways is key to helping them see and feel that hope regardless of how things are around them.

Tuesday:Research has found hospitality is a key component of homes that raise faithful, productive Christians. It doesn’t have to be a fancy party either. Having your kids’ friends over to play works just as well.

Wednesday: Time is fleeting. It has a way of being filled without us really knowing how. You have to be intentional with your time and use it wisely if you want your kids to have strong spiritual foundations and reach their godly potential.

Thursday: We don’t understand royalty today like it was understood in Bible times. That can make it very difficult for your kids to understand what it means to make God their King. God is not a ceremonial head of state living in palaces and having fancy crowns to wear. Your kids need for you to teach them what it really takes to make God King and Lord of their lives. They may not learn it anywhere else.

Friday: The Bible tells us creation points to the Creator. Spending time in nature can help you point your kids to God and give you lots of time for great talks on those hikes.

Christian Parenting Challenges #4

Snow in Southern CA and NYC. Spring like temps, then cold winds in Atlanta. The weather in January is volatile. Tired of being stuck inside? Need some encouragement or ideas? Here are this week’s social media challenges.

Monday: Did you know coffee beans produce coffee that tastes different based on what is grown around it? Your kids will start to pick up the behaviors, attitudes and even beliefs of the people with whom they spend the most time. Teaching your kids how to choose friends wisely (while still being kind to everyone else) is crucial if you want them to have a strong faith foundation and reach their godly potential.

Tuesday: Spring is coming, but there are and still will be people who are lonely or isolated long after COVID has passed. Winter can be especially challenging with bad weather and short sunlight hours. Take some time with your kids to plan ways to brighten someone’s day and reflect God’s love to them. Our Teach One Reach One Ministries website has lots of ideas, but something as simple as a Zoom call, handmade art or some muffins works great. http://teachonereachone.org/activity-ideas/ (Look under Service Projects)

Wednesday: Did you know the Celtic cross is the result of a fear in Christians that asking the people to fully obey God would make them reject Christianity? So they let them keep their favorite pagan practices and mix them with Christianity. We know from the Old Testament (and the New) this is not acceptable to God. Your kids can’t decide to only obey the commands of God they like and expect to be pleasing to Him. Preparing them to obey God completely is the most important thing you can do.

Thursday: It’s highly unlikely this man’s parents knew he would grow up to write a nursery rhyme children would be told for almost a hundred and fifty years. You have no idea of the plans God has for your kids to do good works. You can only prepare them for whatever those things are by helping them build a strong faith foundation and discover and develop their gifts from God. Then encourage them to follow where God leads…you may be amazed in what He has in store for them!

Friday: Our neighbors have found a unique way of encouraging people who walk by their house. How can your family be like Barnabas in the Bible – known for encouraging others? Have a family brainstorming session and think of ways you can be encouraging as a family and as individuals. It’s a great way to reflect God’s love to others.

Christian Parenting Challenges #3

Believe it or not, the spring trees are starting to bud here. How were things in your home this week? Need some encouragement or fresh ideas? Here are this week’s social media challenges to help.

Monday: Do you have goals for your kids? Your number one goal shouldn’t be for them to be happy or to go to college. It should be that they spend eternity in Heaven. If you put as much time and effort into preparing them to live a Christian life as you do on their baseball swing or grades, chances are great your kids will grow up to be strong, active Christians.

Tuesday: Did you know your kids can wear clothes like this and still be immodest? Modesty (and immodesty) is as much about an attitude as it is clothing. Both boys and girls should be taught how to avoid sending sexual messages to those around them. (Yes, the other person has responsibilities, too.)

Wednesday: One day your kids will start dating. They need to understand anyone they date is a potential future spouse. Dating people they know they would never want to marry can cause all sorts of problems. Start talking about dating and marriage long before they are old enough to actually date. The more prepared they are, the better those dating years will go.

Thursday: Facebook algorithms keep you from seeing many of our posts and no longer allow us to post direct links to our blog. You can make sure you don’t miss anything by going to our website parentinglikehannah (.com) and signing up for our newsletter. You will receive three emails a week containing everything we post and we don’t sell or share your information with anyone. (Please help us out by liking or commenting on this post.)

Friday: What do you see? An oil slick on a road or colorful art? Perspective makes a difference – even about God, the Bible and Christianity. For example, are you making your kids think God’s commands are somehow keeping them from having fun or God’s way of showing His love and attempting to protect them from the earthly consequences disobedience can bring? How you frame things for your kids will impact their faith, so prayerfully consider your perspective before passing it on to your kids.