Hfspr may 2014 by Christ Community Church

MAY 2014

GOD HAS ENTRUSTED ME WITH THE THINGS AND PEOPLE HE CREATED AROUND ME

homefrontmag.com

STORYTELLING It Was Good

FAMILY TIME RECIPE Simply Granola

TAKING ACTION Harvest Craft

CONTENTS

3 3

FAMILY TIME

Kids in the Kitchen

Environment

Conversation Starters

Tot Time Rhyme

Game Time

Tough Topics

The Middle

RESPONSIBILITY

Editor’s Choice

Small Ways to Help the Environment

EQUIP

Very Veggie Cups

What Do You Speak For? Nature Scavenger Hunt

Along the Road

Know What You Believe

Editor’s Note

God’s Word

How to Use Family Time and the Family Verse

Worship

Capturing the Season

23 Blessing

Create

Taking Action

Storytelling

Global Zambia

Grandparenting 37 Spiritual Gardening with Grandchildren

Prayer

INSPIRE

38 10 Environments

Traditions

May Flowers

Upcycled Magnets

It Was Good God’s Art

Leave It Better

God, Our Creator

Shifting Responsibility

SUPPORT

Everyday Thankfulness

34 Marriage It Was a Slip of the Tongue

Harvest Craft

Spiritual Parenting Inbox

The Everyday Parent Blog

The Beauty of Responsibility

Family Time Recipe Simply Granola

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God’s chosen teacher. It is He who causes spiritual growth and formation when and as He chooses. As such, we have articulated 10 distinct environments to create in your home. We desire to create spiritual space, which we refer to as an environment, in which God’s Spirit can move freely.

This month’s HomeFront focuses on the environment of RESPONSIBILITY. Before you dive into this issue, set aside your previous ideas about responsibility. While most of us associate that word with the burdens in our lives, the responsibilities God charges us with are exciting and life-giving! Open your mind and your heart to what He has to show you about taking responsibility for the kingdom He’s entrusted to you.

Michelle Anthony

This month, as we explore the responsibilities God charges us with, we recognize that they cover a variety of areas. First, this concept of responsibility captures the idea that God has entrusted His kingdom to us. Next, this concept takes a look at our ability to take ownership for our lives, gifts, and resources before God. Finally, our families must be challenged to take responsibility for both the spiritually lost as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Family Ministry Architect David C Cook

Follow Michelle: @TruInspiration

We pray that the Holy Spirit will use this environment to allow each member of your family to be nurtured within a kingdom-minded worldview. As you explore the various facets of Christ-centered responsibility this month, may you experience God in ways that will lead you to celebrate the responsibilities He has entrusted to you.

e d i to r ’ s c h o i c e

SMALL WAYS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT “Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

When it comes to the environment, if we all take responsibility for the small things, together we can accomplish great things. Below you’ll find some simple things and small projects you can do to care for the world God has entrusted to us. by Kara Noel Lawson

SAVE ENERGY • Turn off computers at night. • Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. • Clean your home’s air filters so your system doesn’t have to work overtime. • Caulk around windows to prevent hot or cold air from getting out. • Hang laundry outside to dry on hot days. • Switch to LED lightbulbs.

• Install motion-sensor light switches in rooms where lights are frequently left on. • Apply energy-saving window film to windows that get a lot of sun. • Use solar lights for outdoor landscaping. • Plant a shade tree near your home to save energy when cooling your home in the summer.

• Install a low-flow showerhead. • Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.

REDUCE WASTE • Recycle. • Use both sides of a paper or a chalkboard when coloring with your kids.

• Get a timed thermostat so you don’t heat or cool your home while you’re away.

• Unsubscribe from unwanted junk mail.

SAVE WATER

• Reuse gift bags or use old newspapers to wrap gifts.

• Don’t wash dishes or brush teeth with the water running continuously. • Wash your car on the front lawn and shut off the sprinklers that day. • Water grass early in the morning. • Take short showers. • Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot. • Check and fix any leaks in water pipes.

• Use a reusable water bottle.

• For items you would normally throw out, repurpose them, donate them to a charitable organization, or post them on a website designed to connect people with things they need. • Compost decomposable waste in an enclosed bin. • Plant an herb garden so you’re not throwing away food packaging you’d get at the store.

• Attach a rain barrel to your rain gutters to reclaim water.

Design, Layout, and Photography by Brad Claypool (brad.claypool@davidccook.com)

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

EDITOR’S NOTE The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (Psalm 24:1–2) This month, as we looked at the environment of RESPONSIBILITY, we felt compelled to focus on how we’re supposed to be responsible for our earth. As we dove deeper into this idea, we knew we’d landed on something that truly matters to many of our readers. We have a God-given task to take care of our earth and an obligation to pass on this truth to the next generation. God awakened Brendon Anthony to this truth, and now he seeks to awaken others as well. Read his story in TAKING ACTION (page 24). Our EDITOR’S CHOICE article (page 3) suggests ways to make small changes that will, over time, produce big results to protect our environment. The FAMILY TIME RECIPE (page 14) makes the best granola I’ve ever tasted. A dear friend made it for us on a camping trip, and I begged her to share her recipe. Thankfully, she did!

Debbie Guinn

Senior Managing Editor David C Cook debbie.guinn@davidccook.com

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As you read about the creation of the universe in STORYTELLING (page 10), we hope you’ll be reminded of all that God created and how He trusts us to take care of it. He also took time to tell us, “It is good!” God is concerned about the physical world as well as the spiritual world. If we fail to care for the environment in which we live, God’s people will suffer as a result. Our hope is that this month’s issue of HomeFront will challenge you and your family to begin to look at the world differently. We pray that you’ll see God and His beauty in everything He created and that you’ll feel humbled by the fact that He entrusted it to us.

Let’s Be Social! HomeFrontSP

HomeFrontSP

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HOW TO USE FAMILY TIME ...

FAMILY TIME

y as s a e s a It’s

FAMILY VERSE

ONE TWO THREE

Memorizing Scripture can be an incredible practice to engage in as a family. But words in and of themselves will not necessarily transform us; it is God’s Spirit in these words who transforms. We come to know God more when we’re willing to open our hearts and listen to His Holy Spirit through the words we memorize. Have fun with this verse, and think of creative ways to invite your family to open up to God as they commit the verse to memory.

Start by deciding on a day and time that work well for your entire family. It can be an evening, afternoon, or morning. Just commit to building this time into your family’s natural rhythm. It’s usually best to build this time around a meal.

Look through HomeFront and see what stands out. Choose two or three experiences you would like to incorporate into your family times each week. Don’t feel burdened to complete all the activities at once, but carefully select which ones will fit your family best. This resource provides your family with more than enough experiences to create transforming environments in your home throughout the month.

Family Time ideas!

Remember to have fun! Strive to make each gathering unique to your own family as you enjoy spending time with God and each other. 5

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

c a p t u r i n g t h e s e as o n

MAY As parents, we greatly desire to see God’s Word planted in the hearts of our children and blooming out of their lives. Take a moment to read the parable of the sower in Luke 8:4–15 to your children, and then ask them what verse 11 says the seed represents. Then share with your kids the following facts about seeds:

• Seeds contain life. • Seeds do nothing until planted. • Seeds are much smaller than the plants they produce. • Seeds take time to grow plants. • More seeds mean a larger harvest. 6

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

c a p t u r i n g t h e s e as o n

Discuss together how these truths about seeds relate to God’s Word in our lives. Talk about the different types of soil described in the parable and how the soil affects the growth of the seeds. Remind your kids that they can plant God’s Word in their hearts by reading the Bible and by listening to others as they speak God’s truths.

What you'll need: ——————————————————————

• plantable seed paper (easily found online)

• markers • garden pot and potting soil (optional)

Invite each person to write a favorite verse on the plantable seed paper. It might be a life verse, the verse from your family’s mission statement, or simply a verse that’s encouraged your family recently. Write that verse on the plantable seed paper and then together, as a family, plant your verses. Plant the seed paper about an eighth of an inch into the ground (or into the potting soil of a garden pot). Then pat down the soil. For the next four to six weeks, keep the soil moist and make sure it gets at least four hours of sunlight each day. By following these guidelines, you should see sprouts in one to two weeks. As you enjoy your beautiful May flowers, be reminded that other people will see beauty flowing out of your lives as you take the time to plant God’s Word in your hearts. by Debbie Guinn

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

c r e at e

MAGNETS

up·cy·cle ´ p,sīk l/ verb e

past tense: upcycled; past participle: upcycled 1.  reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of a higher quality or value than the original. “The opportunity to upcycle trash, or turn it into new products, was vast.”

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

c r e at e I love the thought of taking something that might otherwise be discarded and using it to make something beautiful. This is what God does with us: He redeems us and makes something beautiful out of our lives. God also goes a step further: He entrusts us with the responsibility of caring for the things and people He places around us. Be sure to share this remarkable truth with your children as you work together as a family to create this simple project.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • short, thin branches • scissors • jute twine • hot glue • clothespins •a ssorted small buttons • magnets

WHAT YOU’LL DO: •C ut the branches to varying lengths shorter than four inches.

•U se a short piece of twine to wrap together five branches. Tie the twine in a knot.

•U sing small drops of hot glue, attach five buttons to the bundle of branches.

•A lso use hot glue to attach the branch bundle to a clothespin.

• F inally, turn over the clothespin and glue a magnet to the back. Consider displaying this month’s Family Verse on your refrigerator with your upcycled magnet. Or, use the magnet to display a family photo.

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

sto ry t e l l i n g

IT WAS

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God just spoke the words and light appeared! God was pleased with the light and saw that the light was good. God separated the light from the darkness. He named the light “day,” and what did He name the darkness? (Invite child to respond.) That’s right! “Night.” That was the very first day that ever was.

put the mirror in the box. then find a special place to share the beginning of the big god story with your child.

On the second day, God made a great big space in the middle of the waters to separate them. He named this great big space “sky.”

WHAT YOU’ll NEED:

———————————————

» medium-size box » handheld mirror » Bible

The third day came, and God was still very busy with His creation. He said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered in one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so—just as God said. What do you think He called the dry ground? (Invite child to respond.) He called the dry ground “land.” And what do you think He named all the water that gathered together in one place? (Invite child to respond.) He called this “seas.” God saw that it was good!

What’s inside this box is very special. There’s not another one like it anywhere in the whole world. Are you ready to see what’s inside? Great! (Open the box and let your child look inside.) What do you see? (Child will say, “Me” or “Mirror.” If she says, “Mirror,” ask who she sees in the mirror.) That’s right—we see ourselves in a mirror.

Then God told the land to grow plants and trees. He made sure all the plants and trees had seeds. Why do you think He did that? (Invite child to respond.) God was making food for His creation. Because one day, when the time came, those seeds would be placed in the ground, and new plants and trees would grow. What grows on plants and trees? (Invite child to respond.) Fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and rice all come from plants and trees. God saw that it was good. And it was … (encourage your child to answer with you) good!

Each one of us is special. There isn’t another you anywhere in the whole wide world. Who made you? (Invite child to respond.) God made you! He is the Creator. He made our world and everything in it. (Open your Bible.)

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family time

sto ry t e l l i n g

On the fourth day, God placed the sun in the sky to light the earth during the day. He also placed the moon in the sky to give the earth a night-light. But before He was finished with His work on the fourth day, God sprinkled stars into the night sky. He saw that it was good. And it was … (encourage your child to answer with you) good!

What comes after the fourth day? (Invite child to respond.) The fifth day, that’s right. This was the day God created all the creatures that live in the waters of the earth. Can you think of something that lives in the water? (Invite child to respond.) God made fish and whales and dolphins. He made them all. He made many different types of birds too. There were big, beautiful birds, and teeny, tiny birds. He made some waddle and quack, while others He made to honk or holler. God blessed the creatures of the air and the sea. He told them to go and have families. God saw that it was good. And it was … (encourage your child to answer with you) good!

God spoke and created animals of every kind and size: cows and reptiles, dinosaurs and wild animals—all kinds. He made animals as big as giraffes and bugs as small as ants! God saw that it was good. And it was … (encourage your child to answer with you) good!

But God wasn’t finished yet. There was still something else He wanted to create. Do you know what, or who, that was? (Invite child to respond.) God made a man and a woman. Then He gave them the responsibility of caring for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals on the land, and the earth itself. They had a very important job! God blessed the man and the woman. He told them to grow and have a family. God looked over everything He had made; it was so very good! It was the sixth day.

On the seventh day, God rested from all the work He had done.

God made our world. He made you, and He made me. He has given us a very important job—just like the job He gave to Adam and Eve. He has given us responsibility—that means we need to care for the world He created and everyone and everything in it. We are also responsible to give God’s love to all people. And that is … (encourage your child to answer with you) good! by Cristi Thomas

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

p r ay e r

GOD’S

From the very beginning of humanity, God called His people to care for His creation (Genesis 1:26–31). Being made in the image of God means we have the innate responsibility to care for the earth and for one another. When we find ourselves in a culture that values individualism or self-sufficiency, we must remember that this isn’t what our Creator intended for humanity. God knows that as we care for creation, we’ll find great blessing, in part because God chooses to reveal Himself through creation. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Creation itself reflects many attributes of God, including His providential love and care (Matthew 6:26, 28–30), His might and power (Isaiah 45:7, 12), and His creativity. Just think about the fact that God made giraffes, starfish, peacocks, elephants, and ants! Francis Chan says it this way: “God’s art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He is like.” This month, take a day as a family to be especially mindful of God’s creation. In the morning, pray and ask God to reveal Himself to each of you in new and unique ways through the world around you. Throughout the day, pay special attention to your environment. Take an extra minute to appreciate a sunrise, a sunset, a flower, an animal, an insect, or whatever topography you find yourself in—the mountains, the plains, the beach, etc. Also, be mindful of how you can care for creation (such as picking up trash, helping a hurt animal, or recycling instead of throwing something away).

God’s art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He is like.

At the end of the day, come together and share what you noticed about creation and what that revealed to you about God. As a family, thank God for the things you appreciate most about His creation, and ask Him to continually give you new eyes to see Him in the world He’s made.

—Francis Chan, Crazy love

by Emily Ganzfried

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

traditions

LEAVE IT

During my childhood, every trip to the park ended with this statement from my mom: “Let’s leave this place better than how we found it!” I would quickly run around the park, find at least five pieces of trash, and proudly show them to my mom before tossing them in the trash. Then we’d head home. Though looking for trash felt like a fun treasure hunt most of the time, sometimes I complained about having to pick up garbage that I hadn’t thrown on the ground. But it wasn’t long before I took pride in our labor at the park. My mom had successfully given me a sense of responsibility for the places we visited. Whether we were at the park, the beach, or even a fast-food restaurant, we took a few small moments to invest in our community. Now I’m a mom, of four small children, and I want to help them feel ownership for the world God has entrusted to us. We walk to and from school every day, and I’ve started a tradition of collecting trash along our route. I hang a grocery bag on the side of the stroller, and the kids happily pick up bits of paper and other trash to put inside. As we walk, we talk about how important it is to take care of the earth and how God has entrusted it to all of us during our time here. Each day, my kids get to see the fruit of their labor on our walk, and I get to watch as they begin to take pride in their work. I love empowering them to use their own simple resources to make this world a better place. I hope this small tradition will carry over to the bigger areas of their lives as they grow into God’s plans for them. Consider starting a “leaving it better” tradition with your own family. You can apply this idea to visits to the park, camping trips, and beyond. There’s really no limit to the number of places where we can invest our energy—places we can leave in better condition. by Kara Noel Lawson

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

fa m i ly t i m e r e c i p e

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

fa m i ly t i m e r e c i p e

SIMPLY Yields: about 6 cups Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 35–40 min.

INGREDIENTS: 23/4 c. rolled oats   1 c. shelled pistachios   11/3 c. unsweetened large coconut flakes  1/3 c. pumpkin seeds   1 tsp. sea salt   1/2 c. light brown sugar   1/3 c. maple syrup   1/3 c. coconut oil*   3/4 c. dried sour cherries *may substitute extra virgin olive oil For an easy metric conversion chart, search the Internet for “metric kitchen.”

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, pistachios, coconut, pumpkin seeds, and salt. 3. In a small saucepan, over low heat, warm sugar, syrup, and oil until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.

4. Fold liquids into the dry mixture, making sure to coat the dry ingredients well. 5. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture over it. 6.Bake until dry and lightly golden, 35 to 40 minutes, and stir mixture a few times along the way. 7. Remove granola from oven and cool slightly before mixing in cherries. 8. Allow to cool to room temperature before transferring to a storage container. This granola can be eaten alone or used, along with fresh berries, to top your favorite yogurt. by Kelly Fischbacher

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

VERY

family time

k i d s i n t h e k i tc h e n

CUPS

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family time

k i d s i n t h e k i tc h e n

While preparing the vegetables for this healthy snack, ask your children how many fruits and vegetables they can name. Remind them that God made all of these wonderful things for us to eat and enjoy. He desires for us to use our gifts and resources to take care of the world He has entrusted to us.

INGREDIENTS: 8 oz. clear plastic party tumblers several long toothpicks

Farmers’ Ranch Dip

assorted colorful veggies, such as

INGREDIENTS:

asparagus

1 medium-size cucumber, cut into small chunks

green beans

1 c. sour cream or Greek yogurt

rainbow carrots

1 c. mayonnaise

celery

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

jicama

3/4 tsp. black pepper

bell peppers

English (or Persian) cucumber

DIRECTIONS:

skinny green onions

sugar snap peas

cherry tomatoes

In a food processor or blender, blend all ingredients on medium-high speed until smooth. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.   Makes about two cups of dip.

For an easy metric conversion chart, search the Internet for “metric kitchen.”

DIRECTIONS:

1. Peel and slice the veggies. Cut them to a length that will leave them just peeking out from the tops of the cups.

2. To take the raw edge off of tough vegetables such as green

beans and asparagus, plunge them in a pot of boiling salted water for about 30 seconds to a minute. Then put them directly into a bath of ice water to stop the cooking and help them retain their bright color.

3. Place a little Farmers’ Ranch Dip (recipe above) on the

bottom of each cup. Then arrange a grouping of vegetable sticks on top. Also place a toothpick with a cherry tomato on the end into each cup.

4. Keep cups cold and covered with damp paper towels until ready to serve.

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

co n v e r sat i o n sta r t e r s

WHATDO YOU FOR? Enjoy God’s beautiful creation this month by going on a picnic. Take along the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax and read it together. Remind your family that God created everything you see around you, and that, like the Lorax, you have a responsibility to care for it! The Lorax says, “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” Ask your kids to think about what they would like to “speak for,” and give each person the chance to share his own Lorax-style declaration. Use the following format: “ I am (name). I speak for the (part of nature). We can show responsibility by (way to care for that part of nature).” For example: “I am Courtney. I speak for the squirrels. We can show responsibility by picking up our trash so the squirrels don’t eat it and get sick.” Finally, be God’s people of action, and actually do some of the things you shared. by Courtney Wilson

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

NATURE

game time

HUNT Most days we walk past branches, leaves, ladybugs, and flowers without pausing to remember the God who created them. In the busyness of life, rushing from here to there, we often miss the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the gifts God places around us.

SUGGESTED Scavenger Hunt LIST (You may choose to add or delete items on the basis of the topography of where you live.)

Every bit of creation gives evidence of God’s power and glory. Unfortunately, we often take that creation for granted—and, instead of developing a deep sense of responsibility for the world around us, we develop a casual attitude that sometimes results in abuse. Our children are much less likely to litter or waste resources when they’ve spent time learning about the earth and appreciating God through His gift of creation.

1. A yellow flower 2. Something edible (but don’t eat it yourself!) 3. An ant 4. A feather 5. Five types of leaves

This month, help your kids develop their sense of responsibility for the world God has entrusted to us by spending an afternoon in a park, a nature center, or another natural setting. Give each person a brown paper bag and the suggested scavenger hunt list. Have a friendly family competition to see who can find the most items on the list. Parents, you may wish to partner with your younger children.

6. A gray rock 7. A pinecone 8. Something you consider a treasure 9. A piece of tree bark

Carve out time for each person to share her items. Then spend some time discussing the importance of taking care of the world that God has given to us.

10. Something green 11. A shell 12. A three-leaf clover

by Alyson Crockett

13. Something you consider beautiful 14. A twig that looks like a “Y” 15. Something fuzzy

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

16. Something round 17. An acorn 18. Something smooth 19. A worm or caterpillar 20. Something rough * 10 bonus points for anything in nature that’s shaped like a heart. This represents that God shows His love for us even in nature!

RESPONSIBILITY | HomeFrontMag.com

family time

g o d’s wo r d

GOD, OUR

Who is this God who would entrust any piece of His creation to the care of mankind? Who created the hummingbird to fly 25 to 30 miles per hour, giving it the ability to dive as fast as 60 miles per hour? It has the ability to rotate each of its wings in a circle, making it the only bird in the world that can fly backward, forward, up, down, and upside down. This God is our God. He made our world and has revealed Himself as the Artist of creation since the very beginning. “In the beginning God created” (Genesis 1:1). The opening of the book of beginnings (Genesis) introduces us to our God: Elohim. This Hebrew name for God emphasizes His majesty and power. By His word, He spoke all things into being. And with everything He created, God saw that it was good. Elohim inspected His work and was pleased. All of creation reflected His glory. Everything He created was excellent. When we consider all God has done and who He is, we can’t help but bow before Him in worship. As Warren Wiersbe says, “His creative acts reveal a God of power and wisdom whose word carries authority.” All of God’s creation was meant to worship and bring glory to Him. But worship doesn’t begin with His creation; worship begins with God. It begins with who He is: the Almighty One. Elohim. When we worship Him, we’re doing what we were made to do. Our worship is but a response to Him that He might receive all glory, honor, and power. For it is by His good pleasure that all things exist and were created (Colossians 1:16).

Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love And do what Thou wouldst do. —Edwin Hatch (1886)

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family time

g o d’s wo r d

Hear It: Spend some time reading Psalm 8. Invite your family to listen carefully and share the words or phrases that resonate with them. Remind your family that God has entrusted us with the things and people He created. We must accept the responsibility and the gift of His creation. We must protect, guard, and invest in it for His glory. We must be good stewards of the world He made and care for all who inhabit it.

Do It: Ask each family member: “What is your favorite flower, animal, or thing in nature?” It might be a sunset or a sunrise, a fish or an insect, or a tree or a flower. Give each person a sheet of blank paper, and allow her to use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to draw her favorite item. As time allows, let each person share what he drew and why. Then encourage each person to turn over his paper and make a list of what that item in nature tells him about God. Place the drawings in a prominent place in your home this month to remind each family member that God is our Creator, and He desires for us to be responsible for His creation! by Cristi Thomas

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family time

wo r s h i p

EVERYDAY

helps the responsibilities become worship? I often try to get through the chores of each day so that I can have time with the Lord without my to-do list nagging at my mind or so that I can play more freely with my kids. My days would look so much different if worshipping the Lord became an intimate part of the tasks I did all day.

Sometimes, as a parent, my days feel like a cycle of laundry, meals, dishes, cleaning—and repeat, repeat, repeat. A few mornings ago, I began the day with the mundane task of laundry. As I filled my children’s drawers with clean clothes, a sudden wave of thankfulness hit me. The simple fact that our kids have a dresser full of clothes to wear reminded me of the amazing responsibility I have to care for the things in our home. Even though our boys have holes in almost every pair of jeans, they have more than they could wear in a month.

This might look different for each of us. It might be praying over each room as we clean it, praying over each family member as we fold her clothes, or cranking up the worship music while we vacuum. Basically, it’s anything that draws our spirits away from weariness or frustration with the tasks at hand and leads our hearts to thankfulness to the One who gives us so much. As we shift the focus from ourselves to the God of the universe, somehow washing the dishes doesn’t seem to be such a drag. No matter what the work of your day entails, do it unto the Lord, and it will lead to worship!

But that moment felt bigger than just realizing my responsibility for the clothes, dishes, and toys. That moment led me to fall to my knees in humble, overwhelmed worship. Strange, isn’t it? Laundry leading to worship? Honestly, I didn’t see that coming. I turned from our boys’ full dresser to their beds covered with cozy blankets and too many stuffed animals to count. The sight made me think of the tremendous blessing of getting to sneak in every night to kiss their sleeping faces. And it brought to mind the importance of raising them in a home where our responsibilities can and do lead us to worship.

As a family, take time this month to do a prayer walk through each room in your home. Take a moment to stop in each room and, in an attitude of worship, thank God for the many things He’s entrusted to you and for the gifts of those things in your life.

Mary Poppins told us that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. What if a spoonful of gratitude

by Alissa Goble

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family time

blessing

A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a Bible passage, or words of encouragement. Blessings can be spoken over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, and wisdom over him.

As God knit your child together, God blessed her with special gifts and abilities. Sometimes, in the midst of our busyness, we forget to call out and affirm the gifts we see in our children. This month, remind your child of how God created her, and help her to remember that she’s responsible to use those gifts to care well for the people and things around her.

BLESS Read over your child the following blessing based on Ephesians 2:10. You, (child’s name), are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.

by Krista Heinen

PRAY (Child’s name), may you understand that God created you on purpose, for a purpose. God formed you and gave you gifts and abilities. May God open your eyes to the world around you. May you seek ways to do good with the gifts He’s given you. May you, (child’s name), choose to walk in God’s ways, always.

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ta k i n g ac t i o n

Taking Action tells the stories of ordinary people who saw injustices in the world and decided to do something about them.

CRAFT

Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God. —Bob Pierce

(founder of World Vision)

Brendon Anthony was a thriving marine biology student in his sophomore year of college. He was investigating ways to use his education to impact the world when he found himself in a predicament: The marine biology courses for the summer were full. He was offered an agriculture class instead, and although at first he felt reluctant, he knew he needed the course credits. Little did he know that God would use that class to change his mission in life. After completing this course, Brendon felt God calling him to a new adventure. And in the following few weeks, God clearly directed Brendon’s path and provided resources for him to move forward with his new dream. Soon after that summer, Brendon founded Harvest Craft. Harvest Craft is passionately dedicated to the development of permanent, communally based, sustainable food solutions for those in underprivileged and developing communities around the globe. Harvest Craft devotes its time and energy to researching viable ways to help promote long-term sustainability for regions in need. They advocate not only for social justice but also for ecological justice. By looking into aquaculture, aquaponics, organic farming, poultry production, and a few other sustainable practices, they’ve determined that these programs both promote stronger communities and healthy diets and provide jobs and incomes for the people in those communities. It’s a holistic approach.

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illustr ation

by Co ry

Hill

Aquaponics refers to the method of growing crops and fish together in a recirculating system. For more information, visit atlasinitiatives. wordpress.com/aquaponics.

In November 2013, Harvest Craft—in partnership with Mariners Church of Irvine, California—built its first project in Rojo Gomez, Mexico, a town 30 minutes east of Tijuana. Harvest Craft installed an aquaponic farm with hopes of expanding into other locations. The organization has been holding training seminars and educating more than 20 local community leaders who will help manage and curate this farm and potential new farms. By building aquaponic farms, Harvest Craft aims to promote a healthier diet for malnourished children in the area and provide jobs for local residents. Harvest Craft was also involved in the construction of the aquaponic system at Biola University of La Mirada, California. At this location, Brendon and his team continue to conduct research alongside the school’s biological sciences department in order to determine more efficient ways to operate aquaponic systems. Brendon and his teammates also study other agricultural technologies that will be introduced to future target locations. Harvest Craft continues to help manage the farm at Biola while using this location to teach Biola students (as well as the students of other schools in the area) about sustainability and agriculture. With the aquaponic farm in Mexico running smoothly with an already successful winter harvest, Harvest Craft hopes to expand nearby soon. The organization also plans to take future trips to Haiti and Uganda, as funds become available, so aquaponic systems can be built there this summer. To learn more about Harvest Craft, visit www.harvestcraft.org.

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g lo b a l

Where in the World Is ...

ZAMBIA

Awakening a compassionate heart and a global mind-set in children for people beyond the boundaries of their own neighborhoods.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

TANZANIA

ANGOLA MALAWI

ZAMBIA MOZAMBIQUE NAMIBIA N W

E S

A landlocked country in south-central Africa, Zambia encompasses 290,586 square miles. It’s bound on the northeast by Tanzania; on the east by Malawi; on the southeast by Mozambique and Zimbabwe; on the south by Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia; on the west by Angola; and on the north by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

NOW THAT WE KNOW THE LOCATION OF ZAMBIA, LET’S MEET ITS PEOPLE.

There are 14 million people who call Zambia their home. If you lived in Zambia, you would eat a lot of maize, or corn. A local favorite is nshima—a stiff porridge made from ground maize. If you went to church in Zambia, you would most likely go to a Christian church.

ZIMBABWE

POPULATION:

BOTSWANA

14 million

LANGUAGE: Bemba

RELIGION:

87% Christian 7% Indigenous religions 1% Muslim/Hindu

DID YOU KNOW? • The world’s largest species of mushroom grows in Zambia. This mushroom can grow to nearly three feet in diameter. • Victoria Falls, located at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries. It’s ranked 165th out of 177 on the Human Development Index. More than 85 percent of the nation lives below the poverty line. Zambia has also been hit hard by AIDS. The forests in Zambia are threatened by charcoal burning as rural people burn the fuel needed by urban people who can’t afford electricity.

To talk to your friends in Zambia, you would speak Bemba. TO GREET SOMEONE IN BEMBA, YOU WOULD SAY,

“SHANI” (PRONOUNCED SHY-ANI)

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inspire: Parenting stories and devotions to spur you on and motivate you as you spiritually parent your children. equip: Resources to prepare you as you navigate through tough ages and tough topics. support: Walking alongside you to promote healthy marriages and answer your spiritual parenting and spiritual grandparenting questions.

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The Beauty of Responsibility by Noel Guevara | May 2014

arisinglight.blogspot.com

Spring smells like hope. As buds form on trees whose limbs have stretched bare for months and the ground soaks in the snow and nudges out tiny plant stems—as robins return from their winter homes to rebuild nests for tiny blue eggs—suddenly the air takes on the smell of life renewed. I’ll never forget the spring my daughter caught the wonder of budding trees and blooming flowers and carefully built nests. We’d take walks after school, and she’d point out the signs of spring all around us. That year, she decided she wanted a garden. Bouncing up and down with seed packets she received as a birthday gift, she was so excited to take those tiny seeds and make something beautiful.

We gathered our supplies and headed out to the front yard. We knelt in damp ground, our fingers digging through soft soil as we planted tiny seeds in rows and covered them with a blanket of dirt. We worked together side by side, digging, planting, and covering. Until my daughter became tired, about five minutes in. Suddenly I found myself laboring in my daughter’s “garden” while she twirled and skipped around the yard. These flowers don’t stand a chance, I thought, and told my daughter as much. If she wasn’t going to plant these seeds, she certainly wouldn’t water them and clear away the weeds. This little daydreamer, this dancing, twirling free spirit, knew little of responsibility and would never tend a garden.

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But that spring, my daughter surprised me. After I finished planting her seeds, she cared for them with hope-driven dedication. Every day after school, she’d lug out the watering can, which was filled to the brim with water splashing about, and she would water those seeds. On days it rained, I’d have to stop her from drowning her garden. Then one day it happened. Green stems poked out from beneath the soil, and beauty came to my daughter’s garden. Day after day she kept watering, checking, and tending, and one afternoon when she brought out the watering can, they were waiting for her: flowers, faces pointing sunward. And my daughter’s joy-full face beamed. Her hopes fulfilled. Still she kept on going—through the summer, into the fall, she cared for those flowers in her garden. Parenting is a lot like spring. We kneel in damp places, rake our fingers through the mess, and plant tiny seeds where we hope beauty will rise. Then we cover those seeds with protection and pour life-giving water onto them each day. We shoulder so much responsibility and struggle to let our children grow more responsible. I am always telling my daughter to be more responsible. But that spring, watering can in hand, she learned to be responsible for what God had entrusted to her. She experienced the joy that comes from responsibility. And I learned that creating an environment where my daughter could practice responsibility would stir up a God-given gift inside of her. She still loves spring and watering plants, all because she experienced beauty in being responsible for planted seeds in a spring garden.

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equip

tot t i m e r h y m e ( ag e s 3 & u n d e r )

Repetition is fundamental to almost any learning style, so when you’re attempting to teach your children, use repetition! lie down

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

g the roa lon

at home sit

get up

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 road along the

This month, teach your children this fun rhyme to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus” as you drive along the road. Remind them that God has given us responsibility for the things and people He created around us. Listen here when viewing on HomeFrontMag.com!

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to u g h to p i c s

KNOW WHAT YOU

Do you know what your kids are being taught in school about the origin of the earth? How do you handle their questions? Evolution, intelligent design, creationism, and other beliefs about the earth’s origins can lead to confusion, dissension, and even doubt. •E VOLUTION says that changes happen across millions of years through mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. • I NTELLIGENT DESIGN says the universe is the result of design by an intelligent being rather than chance or undirected natural processes. •C REATIONISM takes a literal reading of Genesis with a young-earth view. As parents, how do we sort this out? First, seek God for wisdom on how to handle this topic. See if your church offers any resources. Find a “resident expert” who’d like to share his knowledge. The Internet can help you dig deeper. God is the beginning and end of all things; His Word is true, and He has called us to be gracious, but bold, speakers of truth. Spend time explaining your beliefs to your children, and then encourage them to stand up for their beliefs. Be sure to remind them they don’t need to convince anyone—that’s what God’s Spirit does!

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Rock Church Youth

SHIFTING

Recently, my daughter caught me throwing a water bottle into the trash. She scowled and asked why I wasn’t recycling it. I thought to myself: Because I’m lazy. Because I don’t care about the ozone layer. Because the recycle bin is outside, and it’s cold out there. But before I could utter a word, she reached into the trash, pulled out the bottle, and took it to the recycle bin. In spite of me, she’s still a responsible girl, I thought to myself. It’s amazing whom they let become parents these days. And probably most of us feel the pressure to be better than we think we are. However, after working with middle-school and high-school students and their parents for the past 15 years, I could guess that if you’re reading this—attempting to gain insight and improve your parenting mojo—you’re in the top tier. Those who aren’t good parents don’t normally care enough to find out. So pat yourself on the back and tell yourself you’ve been responsible and your children will turn out fine. After all, part of being a responsible adult is listening to the Holy Spirit, who tells us everything we need to know, and showing our children how to do the same. The most beautiful moments I’ve witnessed with middle-school students happened in the blink of an eye with a split-second decision. Here’s an example: My young friend

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equip

the middle (6 t h

8 t h GRADE)

Tatiana was hanging with her friends before a church service when, all of a sudden, a few of them decided to leave—including the boy she had a crush on—and asked her to join them. She looked wide-eyed, trying to process the situation, and, a second later, she shook her head and told them she couldn’t go. She took a stand without her parents around and did the right thing. It’s in these situations that the learning moments we give our kids in their elementary years become defining moments of their lives. In the middle-school stage, there will be a noticeable shift from you teaching your kids responsibility to them living out what they’ve been taught. The beauty of this new stage is that they can surprise and impress us. The fear of letting them go to actually “be responsible” comes with the fulfillment of watching the responsibility play out in their lives and the ripple effect it has on the people around them. Rest assured, you will see some amazing things. The story of Ella and Lety* captures one of those amazing moments. Ella had lost her father and best friend in one year. Ella’s popular boyfriend broke up with her, and the new girlfriend was bullying her on social media. She was without hope and decided to end her pain. While she was driving toward the highest bridge in the city, she remembered an acquaintance’s Instagram post. Lety had posted about her church and her youth group and was very open about her faith on her IG account. The name of the church popped into Ella’s head, and instead of stopping on the bridge, she continued driving all the way to the church lobby, where I met her for the first time. That night she received Christ, got introduced to new friends (a few of whom went to her school), signed up for a youth small group, and even ate food for the first time in a week. She had found salvation with the help of Jesus and Lety’s Instagram account! Here’s what’s interesting: Lety’s parents had, in fact, been experiencing behavioral problems with her at home. At one youth group event, they shared their frustrations and asked me what to do. “Nothing. She’s a great kid,” I replied, to their surprise. “Outside of the home, she manages her emotions and her spiritual life very responsibly. She needs a place to feel safe to let her emotions out—within reason, of course.” Most adults can’t understand the mental exhaustion that adolescents face these days. The devil is waging a psychological war on youth, and he has gained more territory than ever before. Adolescents are living in a boiler room of hormones, puberty, thoughts, and experiences. Most of the time, they’re a hot mess—even the most “well-behaved” teens. Their world is rough and gritty and emotional. And when we expect more than they can give at home, strife sets in. I was able to share Ella’s story with Lety’s parents. They had no idea! That revelation changed the dynamics in their home. They found a greater understanding of their daughter and developed a new idea of what a responsible young woman looks like. After all, Lety was respected at school, had good friends, didn’t get in trouble, and even professed her faith on social media. For an adolescent to do that requires a small act of God. Sometimes responsibility looks different than we think it should. The smallest acts of responsibility and courage in our adolescent’s life should be celebrated and applauded. After all, at any given moment, they could be saving a life. by Trish Teves - Ministry Leader, Rock Church, San Diego, CA

*names changed

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m a r r i ag e

IT WAS A

OF THE

“It was a slip of the tongue.” “I spoke out of turn.” “I just spouted off.” We’re all familiar with these phrases and have probably said them ourselves! The words we speak in our homes have power to lift and encourage or to tear down and wound. While Scripture clearly tells us that no one can tame the tongue, we can, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, take responsibility for our speech. In families where husbands and wives intentionally guard their speech, children grow up learning to develop caring communication patterns. Simply stated, caring families speak the truth in love to one another. The Grimes household emphasizes three words that serve to guide our speech for creating and maintaining healthy relationships: “true,” “kind,” and “necessary.” First, when we want to say something, we seek to ask, “Is what we’re about to say true?” Truth is more than not telling a lie. When we exaggerate, generalize, or use critical sarcasm, we don’t speak truth. When we tell our spouses they “always” do something or “never” remember to do something else, we’re not being truthful. Second, truthful speech must be balanced with kindness. We’ve all known people who wear the saying “I’m just telling the truth!” as a badge of honor—as if that’s all that matters. To create and maintain caring relationships, the spiritual fruit of kindness is a must. We must truthfully confront, communicate with, and express ourselves to our spouses, but we must use kindness in our tone and words. Our choices in these areas can create or hinder intimacy. Third, the word “necessary” must also guide our speech. Caring speech is governed by asking, “Is it necessary to say this?” As a newlywed, I thought it was fun to enter our apartment jingling my wife’s key, which I’d found in the door, and saying, “Look what I found!” I came to understand that reminding my wife of her forgetfulness didn’t help. If I care and want to help, holding my tongue and placing the keys on the hook helps. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that real love doesn’t rejoice in others’ mistakes. We must take responsibility for our tongues when we fail. No one can tame the tongue. So when we generalize, speak in harsh tones, or say too much, saying, “I’m sorry; please forgive me,” is incredibly healthy and healing. by Guy Grimes

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m a r r i ag e

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Inbox w/

came and gave all she had—she gave out of true destitution. She gave 100 percent! What was it about that woman that was so beautiful to Jesus? Was it that she gave cheerfully? She wasn’t calculating, “OK, what’s 10 percent of two mites?” No, she just gave with abandonment. Children can have this posture and grow in it within the environment of RESPONSIBILITY. What would our world look like if a new generation felt responsible for the world they lived in and gave generously, sacrificially, and with abandonment? I want my children to live in a world like that!

I’m having a difficult enough time encouraging my children to be responsible for themselves. Why is it important that I create an environment where we are adding on being responsible for others too?

Do you feel that tithing (giving 10 percent) is a good way to teach my children to be responsible with their money?

Ultimately, the concept of creating an environment of RESPONSIBILITY in our homes is a charge from God that encompasses a variety of areas. First, it captures the ability to take ownership before God for one’s life, gifts, and resources. Second, it challenges us to take responsibility for those in our family and our spiritual family in Christ, for their well-being. Lastly, it calls us to seek out in love those who are hurting, poor, and spiritually lost, recognizing our responsibility to those who don’t know Jesus and His forgiveness.

In the New Testament Jesus tells us to give generously and cheerfully. What is enormously powerful about this statement is that we have to be in relationship with Jesus to figure out what generous is. I do think it is good to train children to set aside a portion of their money to give generously, and if you want to make that portion 10 percent, then great. Sometimes it’s easy for them to figure out that if they have $10, then $1 goes here. But children are generous, and I bet if you challenge your children to be aware of what the needs are and how they can be generous, and if you expose them to these things, there will be times when they give the whole $10.

The early church described in the book of Acts took these three things seriously. As they were awakened to their new life in Christ through the Holy Spirit, they lived radically different lives. With great sacrifice, they generously gave of their time, talents, money, homes, and meals to anyone who was a part of their family in God. In addition, these same people sought to take care of the poor, the outcast, the lost, and the homeless in their towns. They lived what they believed, and it was compelling to those who were watching. In this environment where each person took responsibility for himself and for those around him, the church grew like wildfire! It was unstoppable. I want my children to experience this kind of life.

Consider the widow in the Bible who gave out of her poverty (Luke 21:4). The original Greek word for this impoverishment means to be destitute or desperate. What does it mean for me to give out of my desperation? In this story, wealthy people were dumping boatloads of money into the collection box at the temple, but then a poor widow 36

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s p i r i t ua l g r a n d pa r e n t i n g

WITH GRANDCHILDREN Some of the greatest acts of the divine involved dirt! Consider God creating man from dust (Genesis 2) and Jesus using mud to heal a blind man (John 9). Jesus also wrote in the dirt as He showed compassion to the woman caught in adultery (John 8). This month, take time to play in the dirt with your grandchildren by growing a garden together. Along the way, you’ll learn some of life’s best lessons.

LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN

Begin by choosing some of the plants you want to grow. Some easy-to-grow vegetables include green beans, carrots, lettuce, snap peas, tomatoes, radishes, and many herbs. Big, yellow sunflowers have a short germination time and give young gardeners quick satisfaction. These giant plants will take two to three months to fully mature and produce flowers, but you can keep your grandchildren engaged in the growth process by allowing them to measure and chart how tall the plants grow each week. Children love to see what happens to the seeds they plant, but most of the early action happens under the dirt. To keep kids engaged, take a few green-bean or snap-pea seeds and place then inside a damp paper towel. Keep them moist by spraying them with water a few times a day. Let your grandchildren open the towel frequently to check on the seeds and watch the roots grow. Once the first leaves appear, plant the seeds in the garden and gently cover them with dirt. The leaves should pop above ground in a day or two. Should you decide to plant spring flowers, you can avoid the months-long wait by buying potted bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, or tulips at a garden center. You might also decide to add a color explosion by planting annuals such as pansies and impatiens. Encourage your grandchildren to replant them in your garden for a speedy crop of flowers. Keep kids involved with frequent pruning and deadheading (pinching off the dead flowers), which encourages more buds to form.

Sow your seeds wisely. Tend them well. Wait patiently.

Gardening together provides the perfect opportunity to have meaningful conversations about how God wants us to grow spiritually. Remind your grandchildren that God calls us to take ownership for our lives and our resources. Just as we need to take care of our garden, we need to sow wisely into the things and people God has entrusted to us. In order for plants to grow, we need to tend them well by weeding the garden often. Weeds can be deceiving because oftentimes they look healthy and green as they begin to grow. Weeds can be just like sin in our lives—sin will soon destroy us if not removed. To grow spiritually, we need to ask God (our Gardener) to remove from our lives the weeds that often entangle us. Share with your grandchildren that growing a healthy spiritual life takes patience, just like it takes patience to grow a garden. The right environment is critical to success. Vegetables and flowers will grow on their own time and when it’s the perfect time. Plants need someone who will take the time to plant, water, prune, and be responsible for them in order for them to flourish. We need that Someone too— God! by Debbie Guinn 37

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ENVIRONMENTS Below you'll find a brief explanation of each environment.

“I belong to God, and He loves me!”

Identity Storytelling

The power of The Big God Story impacts our lives by

“God has a big story, and I can be a part of it!”

giving us an accurate and awe-inspiring perspective of how God has been moving throughout history. It is the story of redemption, salvation, and hope and tells how I have been grafted into it by grace. It further compels us to see how God is using every person’s life and is creating a unique story that deserves to be told for His glory.

“God’s family cares for each other and worships God together.”

Faith Community God designed us to live in community and to experience Him in ways that can only happen in proximity to one another. The faith community serves to create an environment to equip and disciple parents, to celebrate God’s faithfulness, and to bring a richness of worship through tradition and rituals, which offer children an identity. Our love for each other reflects the love we have received from God.

This environment highlights who we are in Christ. According to Ephesians 1, we have been chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, and given an inheritance in Christ … all of which we did nothing to earn. This conviction allows children to stand firm against the destructive counter identities the world will offer.

Serving

This posture of the heart asks the question, “What needs to be done?” It allows the Holy Spirit to cultivate a sensitivity to others and focuses on a cause bigger than “Asks the question, one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as ‘What needs to be Christ followers we are to view our lives as living sacrifices that we generously give away! done?’”

Out of the Comfort Zone

As children are challenged to step out of their comfort zones from an early age, they learn to experience a dependence on the Holy Spirit to equip and strengthen them beyond their natural abilities and desires. We “God transforms believe this environment will cultivate a generation me when I step that, instead of seeking comfort, seeks a radical life of faith in Christ. out in faith.” 38

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“God has entrusted me with the things and people He created around me.”

This environment flows out of Hebrews 12:11–13 and is the direct “When I get off opposite of punishment. Instead, biblical discipline for a child encompasses a season of pain, the building up in love, and a track, God offers vision of a corrected path for the individual with the purpose of me a path of healing at its core.

healing.”

Responsibility This environment captures the ability to take ownership for one’s life, gifts, and resources before God. A child must be challenged to take responsibility for his or her brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as for those who are spiritually lost. Our hope is that the Holy Spirit will use this environment to allow each child to understand that God has entrusted His world to us.

Course Correction

Love/Respect

Without love, our faith becomes futile. This environment recognizes that children need an environment of love and respect in order to be free to both receive and give God’s grace. Key to this environment is the value that children are respected “God fills me with because they embody the image of God. We must speak to them, His love so I can not at them, and we must commit to an environment where love and acceptance are never withheld due to one’s behavior. give it away.”

Knowing

Nothing could be more important than knowing and being known by God. We live in a world that denies absolute truth, but God’s Word offers just that. As we create an environment that upholds and displays God’s truth, we give children a foundation “God knows based on knowing God, believing His Word, and cultivating a me, and I can relationship with Him through Christ. God is holy, mighty, and awesome, yet He has chosen to make Himself known to us! know Him.”

IT IS OUR PRAYER THAT HOMES AND CHURCHES WOULD CREATE THESE ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN TO LIVE IN SO THEIR FAITH WILL GROW IN A COMMUNITY OF CONSISTENCY, COMMON LANGUAGE, AND PRACTICE. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THESE ENVIRONMENTS CAN IGNITE A TRANSFORMING FAITH IN YOUR FAMILY, WE SUGGEST YOU READ:

Modeling

Biblical content needs a practical living expression in order for it to be spiritually impacting. This environment serves as a hands“I see Christ in on example of what it means for children to put their faith into others, and they action. Modeling puts flesh on faith and reminds us that others can see Him are watching to see if we live what we believe.

in me.”

SPIRITUAL PARENTING:

An Awakening for Today’s Families

BY MICHELLE ANTHONY 39

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