NOVEMBER 2013
Recount the Ways
Be Brave
Sharing an R-Rated Past
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
PAGE 27
TRADITIONS
STORYTELLING
TOUGH TOPICS
9 Traditions
RECOUNT THE WAYS
10 Storytelling BE BRAVE
27 Tough Topics
SHARING AN R-RATED PAST
CONTENTS Game Time
FAMILY TIME
14
3
Environment
15
Worship
26
Tot Time Rhyme
3
Editor’s Choice
An Orchestrated Mix-Up
16
Family Time Recipe
27
Tough Topics
4
Editor’s Note
17
Kids in the Kitchen
27
The Middle
5
How to Use Family Time and the Family Verse
18
Conversation Starters
6
Capturing the Season
19 Global Uganda
8
Prayer
9
Traditions
10
Storytelling
12
God's Word
13
Storytelling
Thankful Tree
Storytelling Stones
Recount the Ways
Every Good Gift The Story of Grandma’s Spaghetti
Tell-Your-Story Microphones
Lie Down
Sharing an R-Rated Past
Grafted into the Vine
SUPPORT
Tell-Your-Story ABCs
28
Marriage
How I Met Your Mother
20
Taking Action
29
Spiritual Parenting
22
Blessing
I Knew You
29
Spiritual Grandparenting
INSPIRE
30 10 Environments
The Everyday Parent Blog
31
Be Brave
Brave Acts
EQUIP
The Big God Story Heads Up
24
31 Bits
Grafted into God’s Big Story
Inbox
Your Place in His Story
Resource Page
Create
Storytelling Rolls
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STORYTELLING | 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.
The environment of STORYTELLING recognizes that God has been working throughout history. He is still moving and working today. All of the things that He has done, is doing, and will do in the future aren't stand-alone, independent stories. These things all relate to each other, and together they create one amazing story, which we like to call The Big God Story. As we’re inspired by The Big God Story, we’re called not to keep it to ourselves but to give it away. We’re called to share our experiences of encountering a loving and faithful God. We’re a faith community that needs to hear how God is moving and creating a unique story in each of our lives. As we share these stories, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can inspire and strengthen one another’s faith.
Michelle Anthony Family Ministry Architect David C Cook
Follow Michelle: @TruInspiration
Our hope is that this next generation will get a firsthand, awe-inspiring view of God as we pass down our personal stories of dependence on the Holy Spirit and share how God has shown Himself to us in unique and tangible ways. This month, as your family begins to tell stories, we pray that your faith as a family would be encouraged and would compel you to share with others.
AN ORCHESTRATED MIX-UP As a single working mother, I am very sensitive to the families’ events at my church. I notice happy couples and am envious of intact families. To protect myself from feeling excluded or “less than,” I avoid signing up for family-related events. In fact, I never would have attended a Spiritual Parenting class fraught with the earlier-mentioned couples and families, so imagine my surprise when I found myself sitting in one! Apparently, I misread the announcement in our church bulletin as a Single (not Spiritual) Parenting class. Within a couple of minutes of the class starting, I was ready to bolt for the door. However, I had already paid the registration fee and checked my son into childcare, so I forced myself to stay.
I now believe this “mishap” was actually God working in my life. The Spiritual Parenting class was exactly where I needed to be. The tone of the curriculum was like manna from heaven. Plagued with guilt for raising my kids in a “broken” home, I was already overwhelmed with meeting their practical needs, much less their spiritual needs. I braced myself to be corrected, criticized, and heaped with even more expectations. Surprisingly, I ended up feeling affirmed and encouraged week after week. I received a whole new perspective. As a spiritual parent, my job is to honor God and create environments that put my kids in the path of the Holy Spirit. Instead of another daunting list of dos and don’ts, I learned to
implement an overall parenting philosophy that magnifies putting God on display in my home. By learning to focus on environments instead of outcomes, I actually feel less pressured and instead better equipped to face our family challenges with God. Being a spiritual parent doesn’t mean being a perfect parent, nor is it contingent upon marital status. What a relief! I am grateful and humble that God orchestrated this mix-up with the church announcements to get me in this class. Just like the old adage says, God did for me what I couldn’t do for myself. by Sarah Reeve
Design, Layout, and Photography by Brad Claypool (brad.claypool@davidccook.com)
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STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
EDITOR’S NOTE Each November the United States celebrates Thanksgiving, a harvest-related festival with noble origins. Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving, but in October, and many other countries have their own ways and reasons for dedicating a day to gratitude. As followers of Christ, living a life that daily reflects thankfulness is one of the best ways to share God’s story with those who may be looking in. This month’s HomeFront is packed with a unique blend of ways to use gratitude as a form of communication to share God’s story. Our PRAYER article (page 8) uses painted stones to unfold moments of your family’s story. CREATE (page 13) will become a family favorite as you write secret messages and bake them inside rolls, which you’ll open at a family meal.
Debbie Guinn
Senior Managing Editor David C Cook debbie.guinn@davidccook.com
Loving HomeFront? This Spiritual Parenting resource can be sent directly to your inbox for FREE every month!
Our STORYTELLING section this month (page 10) challenges us to be brave about sharing how God has impacted our lives. And SPIRITUAL GRANDPARENTING (page 29) encourages us to take a look at our own family’s timeline to see how it fits into the grand narrative of The Big God Story. As you live in the environment of STORYTELLING, we pray that your children will begin to recognize that they’re a part of the greatest story ever told. We want them to grasp that Jesus is the hero of this story, and He came to rescue them. And we want you to encourage them to be on the lookout for ways God may be using them in their day-to-day lives to share His story with the world.
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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.
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Start by deciding on a day and time that works 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.
CHOSEN PEOPLE,
2
A ROYAL
PRIESTHOOD,
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.
that you may
DECLARE
the PRAISES
A HOLY NATION, OFallHIedMyoWHO u
GOD’S SPECIAL
c
out of
POSSESSION, DARKNESS INTO HIS
3
1 PETER 2:9
Remember to HAVE FUN! Strive to make each gathering unique to your own family as you enjoy spending time with God and each other.
Family Time ideas! 5
STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
family time
c a p t u r i n g t h e s e as o n
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 1 Chronicles 16:8–9
Thankful Tree 6
STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
family time
c a p t u r i n g t h e s e as o n
Give thanks in a new way this month by inviting friends and family to share what they’re most thankful for on a Thankful Tree. Remind them that reflecting on the many ways God has blessed them is a great way to share their stories.
What you’ll need: • Tall vase or container • Sand or block of foam • Bare branches • Key tags • Pencils, pens, or markers
What you’ll do: 1. Fill the bottom of a vase or container with sand or a block of foam. 2. Arrange the bare branches in the vase, sticking the ends into the sand or foam. 3. Place the tags and pens, pencils, or markers next to the vase. 4. On the tags, write different things you’re thankful for. For younger children, you might write their words for them or let them draw pictures. For older children, let them write their own words. 5. Also encourage guests to contribute to your Thankful Tree!
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family time
p r ay e r
Storytelling Stones Each of us has a story—a unique
Thank God for how He’s working in that
set of experiences that makes our
person’s life, and ask God for His continued
journey different from the journeys of
presence and activity in that person’s future.
those around us. Even within a family, God sometimes uses vastly different circumstances and events to speak to each person’s heart. This month’s prayer activity will allow your family to spend some time reflecting on the ways God has shaped their stories in the past, how He’s working in their lives now, and what He may be calling them to in the future. Gather a few flat stones for each family member, with each stone large enough for a small image. Also gather acrylic paint and paintbrushes. Ask each member of your family to think about one simple thing she could paint on a stone to communicate a part of her story. This
Place the stones on your counter, mantle, or another visible spot as a reminder of how God is working in the lives of your family. You might repeat this activity another time and add to your collection of “storytelling stones,” or you may choose to do this activity once and rotate the stones around your family so each person prays for another member of the family for a certain period of time. Remind your kids that these stones represent just a few of the many adventures God has in store for us when we accept His invitation to be a part of The Big God Story. by Alyson Crockett
could be a heart to represent a time she felt God’s love, a tree or building to represent a special place, or any other image that could represent something God has used or is using in her story. After your family members complete their stones, share with one another the parts of your lives that each stone represents. Then swap stones and spend some time praying
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9
for the person whose stone you now hold. 8
STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
family time
traditions
Recount the Ways
When we tell stories of God’s goodness and grace, it leads us to give Him thanks. Psalm 136 serves as a great example of this. As God’s people describe some of the many ways God has acted on their behalf throughout their history, they’re called into thanksgiving as they remember His unfailing and enduring love. In my family, as we share a meal together, we go around the table and invite each person to share something she’s thankful for—something God did in her life during the past year. We choose to do this as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, but this tradition can really be done on any day of the year. Encourage your family to choose a day to participate in a similar time of thanksgiving and storytelling. Try to be as specific as possible, pinpointing certain events or instances in which you saw God at work. To make it easier, have each person simply finish the phrase “I saw God work in my life this year when He …” and then
Some of my favorite passages of Scripture are those in which
close the time by offering up a prayer of
God’s people spend time recounting the ways they’ve witnessed
thanksgiving together as a family.
His mighty hand at work in their lives or the lives of those who’ve
by Emily Ganzfried
gone before them. Throughout His Word, God invites us to share in this posture of storytelling. David models this for us in Psalm 9:1 when he says, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 145:3–4 says, “Great
A tradition is the handing down of statements, beliefs, or customs from generation to generation.
is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” God knows that it’s good for us to pause and remember who He is and what He has done. It’s an especially beautiful thing to do this within a family or intergenerational community.
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family time
sto ry t e l l i n g
Be Brave “The following is a spoken word piece written and performed by Nick Benoit. Spoken word is a powerful form of poetry intended for an onstage performance. It has strong ties to storytelling. Nick is the Arts Director at RockHarbor Church in Costa Mesa, California.”
Each of us has a story to tell. And that is a story that you can tell well, for it’s the one that God is writing in you as he invites you into the true tale that tells of His glory—the epic adventure of The Big God Story. And part of the story that’s told is from of old, in the
Listen here when viewing on HomeFrontMag.com!
book of Acts. It isn’t the end and it isn’t the start; it’s just a page in the story of which we’re a part. And as the pages of Acts turn we learn that there were shipwrecks, and lives wrecked, and long treks to countries far and wide. There were tribunals and trials, accusations and denials. There were riots and insurrections, and deaths and resurrections. And we see that the opposition intensified when the Holy Spirit testified to truth. You see, God’s gospel rolled like a tidal wave because a few men and women chose to trust and be brave! 10
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family time
sto ry t e l l i n g And now the question must be asked of us: Are we willing to be uncomfortable and start a fuss? Will we leave the warmth of comfort's cave, squint our eyes in the sunshine, choosing to trust and be brave? Because these facts we see are the acts of the Spirit. And hear it: He is by no means done. For the One who replaces sin’s strife, who raises death to life, who
When tears fall, and you can't hear the sweet call of
removes the piercing knife of the fall—His call to you is
the One who saves, please, be brave!
ringing. Can you hear it? Don't fear it. Be brave.
And when you’re rolling downhill and the going
He says, “I told you in this world you would have
is good, and you know that you could push just a bit
trouble.” He never promised you a protective bubble
harder to seek and to save, I beg you—won’t you?
insulating you. That’s insulting to the mission that He’s
Please, you have to be brave!
called you to.
For why should we sit back hemming and hawing,
Because He’s called us to the masses and the classes
stopping and stalling? The last things that should be
of those at the center of heartbreak. To stand in there
mattering are the inconsequential smatterings of our
for His sake, all to make His name known.
excuses and our blatherings! No excuses can excuse this
’Cause don't you see that that’s where He’d be? I know
self-disqualification from God's kingdom-making. With
you know that’s where He’d go.
His Spirit we’re to be staking a claim!
And He does go there when you dare to go there
Because the stories in Acts—the ones we admire—
in His power! Because, scared or not, it’s all the same
are not merely facts; they are meant to inspire. For
when we go there in His name. So be brave!
deep inside we all crave a calling, a mission, a chance
And I hope you hear that bravery. It isn’t the
to be brave!
absence of fear. It's marching headlong into battle
We were made for adventure and to indenture
knowing that the Victor is near. Nay, nearer than
ourselves to God’s grace, venturing out of the fortress to
near—He is here! So be brave.
face new territory, to write new stories. For the stories of
When your back is up against the wall, and the enemy
Acts are still being written; the pen is still gliding across
is using any and all devices to drag you down to the
the page as we rescue those who have been bitten by
grave, well, then, my friend … be brave!
original sin’s unforgiving wage.
When the waves of the storm are crashing over the
And when hope is upended, hold fast to the mended
bow, and you can’t see the way, why, or how of how,
palms of Jesus. Look there when you have any qualms
you’d give more than you already gave, turn your chin to
or uneasiness. For before the sun rose on the third day,
the wind and within Him be brave!
Jesus rose from the grave to show us the way! See, God has a big story that tells of His glory, and you’re a part of it, my child, which means you’ve a wild story to tell. So open your mouth and let praises come out! Open your heart and let your soul raise the shout! Tell your story loud and let it be praise, and you’ll fight back the darkness. You’ll stand and be brave!
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family time
g o d ’ s wo r d
Brave Acts What’s the bravest act you’ve ever seen? We may think of war heroes, police officers, or firefighters who overcame fear to risk life and limb to save another. As a follower of Jesus, can you imagine being brave enough to claim His name with your own life on the line?
Hear it
About two-thousand years ago, a young man stood before the religious leaders in his town and bravely told The Big God Story by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 6:8—7:60, this man, named Stephen, told the story of the redemptive work of God from Abraham to Solomon. Stephen asked the religious leaders which prophet they hadn’t persecuted, and then he told the leaders that they’d betrayed and murdered Jesus! Wow! For a young man to stand before the most respected and honored men in his community and bring such charges would have been unheard of. We’re told that Stephen was full of God’s grace and power. He was brave. Stephen was obeying God’s call on his life to be brave.
Listen to or read “Be Brave” (pages 10 and 11). Then discuss with your family this idea of being brave. What does it mean? What brave thing might God be calling you to do?
Do it
Are there people with whom you need to share your story? Do you have friends or family members who need to hear the lifesaving message of Jesus? Be brave! Share with them what Jesus has done in your life. Your story may have a life-changing impact.
Scripture describes Stephen as a man “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). It was the Holy Spirit’s activity in his life that set Stephen apart. It was the Holy Spirit speaking through him that allowed Stephen to boldly proclaim Jesus as God. But what about you and me? Can we too be brave? In John 14:10–20, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to all who believe. And though Jesus says in John 14:17 that the world will not accept the Holy Spirit, Jesus also comforts us in John 14:26–27 by saying the Spirit will continue to teach us and remind us of Jesus’ words.
You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot have both.
Because of this great gift of the Spirit, we have nothing to fear. As Paul writes in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Later in the chapter, Paul continues, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
—Brene Brown
Even in the worst circumstances, we can be brave enough to speak God’s truth and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to speak through us and transform the lives of those around us. by Rick Crockett
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family time
c r e at e
Storytelling Rolls What you’ll need: • Package of uncooked refrigerator crescent rolls • Strips of white construction paper (3”–4”) • Ballpoint pens (don’t use markers—they bleed!)
Let’s create! Choose a meal to add Storytelling Rolls to the menu. Then explain to your children that like the people we read about in the Bible, we too have stories to tell and things to be thankful for. God is our Redeemer, and it’s good to look back to remember and celebrate the things God has done in our lives.
1. Follow the package’s instructions on prepping the crescent rolls up to the point you begin to roll them up.
2. Give each member of your family a strip of white construction paper and a pen. Have him think through his life story so far and write down something he’s thankful for.
3. Fold each strip of paper in half and place it on the widest part of the unrolled crescent roll.
4. Fold the sides of the dough over each end of the paper just a little
to ensure no paper will stick out while baking. This will prevent the paper from burning.
5. Starting at the base, roll up the crescent roll. 6. Follow the package instructions for baking.
When you’re ready to eat the Storytelling Rolls at your meal, break them open and read the notes out loud. When each child hears her note, encourage her to share more details about that part of her story. Parents, this can be a great opportunity for you to share parts of your story with your little ones! by Heather Kasparian
These could also be used as Thankful Rolls at your Thanksgiving meal this month! 13
STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
family time
game time
y r o t S d o G Big p U s Head T he
L AY ALL P
On page 31 you will find The Big God Story name cards. There are four names for each age level and one blank for you to create more of your own. Here are some options:
Younger John the Baptist • Jonah Moses • Daniel • Luke Esther • Paul • Peter David • Goliath • Eve
Older Ruth • Sarah • Matthew Abraham • Pharoah Isaac • Joseph • Mark Joshua • Nehemiah
All ages can play this game, so round up the whole family and split into two teams, with one parent on each team. Smaller families can have fun with everyone on the same team. Turn to page 31 of this issue and cut out the red and blue cards with the names of people from the Bible. For younger children, use the red cards; for older children, use the blue cards.
Time to play! Start with team one. Give five cards to one child and have the parent face the child. Set a timer for one minute. On your signal, have the child hold up each card to her forehead while the parent describes the person on the card. The child will try to guess the name of the person on the card. Once the child makes the correct guess, she should hold up the next card to her forehead. Keep track of how many cards the child guesses correctly before the minute is up. Then team two gets to play.
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Depending on the size of your family, you may need multiple rounds to rotate through children. Smaller families may want to simply take turns with each of their kids. Scores don’t need to be kept!
Let’s add a twist! Once your family masters the game, switch roles and let the kids describe the people to the parents. Allow young children who aren’t yet able to read to team up with a big brother or sister.
Remember! We can find every single one of these people in The Big God Story, but it doesn’t end with the last page of the Bible! Remind your children that they too have a story to tell, one that God is writing for them along the way, and that they also get to be a part of The Big God Story. by Heather Kasparian
STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
family time
wo r s h i p
We often think of worship as singing, but we can worship God in many different ways.
Every Good Gift In Scripture we see God’s people sharing stories of gratitude for the many ways He provided for them. And as young children, we often learn to say prayers of gratitude before meals or at bedtime. “Dear God, thank You for my family, and my friends, and my home, and for this food. Amen.” As parents, we recognize that it’s important for our children’s spiritual journeys to teach them to give thanks to God. Prayers of gratitude are essential early on in the development of our faith. However, it’s important to begin to recognize not only the gifts but also the Creator who gives us those gifts. This month, as an act of worship, begin the month by creating a Thankful Worship Board. You will need a large poster board or chalkboard divided in half with a line down the center. At the top of one column, write, “We are thankful to God.” This column is reserved for every tangible gift you thank God for on a regular basis—family, friends, teachers, food, shelter, etc. Write all of them down on the first day. By doing this, you’re acknowledging immediately that every good and perfect gift is from above. At the top of column two, write, “We are thankful for God.” For the rest of the month your family will be focusing on this column. Tell the members of your family that each day they’re to write down an attribute of God for which they’re thankful—God’s grace, forgiveness, love, mercy, etc. Remind your family that recognizing God’s attributes is a form of worship. Be sure to share with each other about how God has displayed each attribute in your lives. by Tommy Larson
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STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
family time
fa m i ly t i m e r e c i p e Almost all of my childhood memories of my grandma’s house include her homemade spaghetti sauce. It was an essential. We grandchildren insisted on it for sleepovers. Any other meal would result in pure protest. As a result, Grandma started keeping a frozen batch on hand for surprise visits. And since we loved it so much, she creatively incorporated it into different meals: as pizza sauce, over chicken Parmesan, etc.
The Story of
Grandma’s Spaghetti
Once my mom tried to make the sauce for my brother and me. With one taste, we both turned our heads away. “It isn’t the same. This wasn’t made by Grandma.” (Sorry, Mom! In hindsight, I can see how irritating that must have been.) Maybe the specialness of the sauce came from the adrenaline of a slumber party—or just knowing that Grandma made it with love, especially for us. Even to this day, Grandma’s spaghetti is a legend in our family. Each time a significant other or friend is welcomed, we insist that he must try Grandma’s spaghetti. It’s a part of our story, and, in a funny way, it’s a simple way we weave newcomers into the fabric of our family. Take some time this month to discuss and discover your family’s favorite recipe. Share about the first time you ate this meal. Where were you? What makes the recipe so special? With whom have you shared it? by Erika Abdelatif
Prep time: 10 mins. Cook time: Approx. 3 hours Serves: 6
Ingredients: • Large onion • Olive oil • 1 lb. ground beef • 3 (8 oz.) cans of tomato sauce • 2 (12 oz.) cans of tomato paste • 1 pkg. Lawry’s® Original Style Spaghetti Sauce Spices & Seasonings • Cooked spaghetti or other pasta for an easy metric conversion chart, search the internet for “metric kitchen.”
Directions:
1. Finely dice the onion. 2. Thinly layer the base of a Dutch oven with olive oil and heat the oil on medium to medium high. Add the onions and cook until translucent.
3. Add the ground beef, stir well, and continue to cook on medium until beef is browned.
4. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and seasonings and stir well. Bring to a boil. 5. Cover and reduce heat. Allow the sauce to simmer for two to three hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve over cooked spaghetti or another kind of pasta. 16
STORYTELLING | HomeFrontMag.com
family time
k i d s i n t h e k i tc h e n
Tell-Your-Story Microphones
Ingredients: • 24 mini ice cream cones
• 1 can (12 oz.) whipped chocolate frosting • 24 doughnut holes (store-bought or homemade) • 1 c. sprinkles, sanding sugar, nonpareils or sugar pearls (preferably black or silver) • Optional: lollipop sticks
Directions:
God is using our lives to share His story. Our lives can be like microphones, speaking about God to the world. People are constantly listening to what we say and watching what we do (whether we like it or not), and our microphones are always on. This can be very intimidating, or we can take it as a challenge and opportunity. God desires for us to use our lives to tell others about His love and grace.
1. Optional: Make a small hole in the bottom of the mini ice cream cone and insert the lollipop stick.
2. Spread a little frosting around the inside lip of each cone. Gently place a doughnut hole into the mouth of each cone and press down lightly to secure. You might need to cut down the bottom of the doughnut a little to make it fit.
God desires to use our children in the same way. Discuss with your children what their “microphones”—words and actions—say to others at school, at home, and in your neighborhood. Allow each family member to share a favorite part of The Big God Story, and then encourage your children to tell you how God is using them in His story today. Talk about ways you all can be open and willing to be used by God even more.
3. Cover the top of the doughnut hole with the remaining frosting. 4. Place the sprinkles, sanding sugar, or nonpareils in a small bowl. 5. Carefully roll the frosting into the sprinkles to cover. 6. Make microphone buttons using a dab of frosting and nonpareils or sugar pearls.
Make these Tell-Your-Story Microphones. Remind your family that God desires for us to share our stories! We don’t want to keep the good news of Jesus to ourselves; we want to share it with others. You might even use these treats to reach out to others. Wrap them up and give them as gifts along with notes inviting the person to church, so she can hear about how to be a part of The Big God Story.
7. Tell your story and eat your treat! Other options: • Want to simplify? Use a small pretzel stick instead of a cone. •C an’t find mini ice cream cones? You can also make these using regular-sized cones and cupcakes instead of doughnut holes.
As you make these treats, keep in mind that the point isn’t to make perfect-looking microphones; the point is to enjoy both the process of creating them as well as the conversations that will come out of spending time together.
• Don’t want to use doughnut holes? Make cake pops. •W ant to get crazy? Dip the mini cones in black melting chocolate (following the instructions on the bag), let dry on wax paper, and then add the doughnut, frosting, and sprinkles.
by Carrie Rowe
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family time
co n v e r sat i o n sta r t e r s
A for Animals, B for Bible, C for Cake, D for Dad, E for Eyes, F for Family, G for God, H for Heart, I for Ice Cream, J for Jesus, K for Ketchup, L for Ladybugs, M for Mom, N for Napkins, O for Ocean, P for Pajamas, Q for Quilts, R for Rainbows, S for Slippers, T for Toes, U for Umbrellas, V for Vegetables, W for Water, X for X-rays, Y for Yogurt, Z for Zoos.
Tell-YourStory A BC s One of the greatest ways to share your story is to list all of the things you’re thankful for. By displaying gratitude to God, you’re declaring that He’s your provider and the author of your story.
Get your children talking This month, as you gather at mealtime, use the ABCs as a guide to list things you’re thankful for. Begin with the youngest family member and encourage him to list something he’s thankful for that starts with “A.” Then the person on his right shares an item beginning with “B.” Continue around the table until you’ve made a list of blessings spanning the entire alphabet. Have fun playing this game throughout the month. The next time you gather for a meal, begin with the oldest person at the table so you each get a new letter to prompt your thankfulness. On the last week of the month, add a twist: Ask each person why she’s thankful for the item she mentioned.
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g lo b a l
Where in the World Is ...
UGANDA
Awakening a compassionate heart and a global mindset in children for people beyond the boundaries of their own neighborhoods.
SUDAN
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
U G A N DA
KENYA
LAKE VICTORIA RWANDA
N W
E S
POPULATION: 36,000,000
The country of Uganda is located in East Africa and is bordered by Kenya, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Uganda covers approximately 91,000 square miles. Most of the country consists of swamps, wooded hills, and deserts.
TANZANIA
LANGUAGES:
English and Swahili
RELIGION:
85% Christian 10% Muslim
DID YOU KNOW? NOW THAT WE KNOW THE LOCATION OF UGANDA, LET’S MEET ITS PEOPLE.
• Uganda is one of three places in the world where the nearly extinct mountain gorillas live. Only 750 mountain gorillas still exist in the world. • The Ugandans often travel on a boda-boda, or motorcycle.
Roughly 36 million people live in Uganda. More than 1.5 million people reside in the country’s largest city, Kampala, which is also the capital. Most Ugandans eat Matooke, a type of starchy banana that’s cooked inside a banana leaf. If you attended religious services in Uganda, you would most likely go to a Roman Catholic church or Anglican church. (Church services are sometimes up to six hours long!)
• The Nile River runs through Uganda.
In addition to significant health and economical challenges, Uganda is beginning to recover from a brutal civil war, lasting over twenty years. Joseph Kony, the leader of a rebel army called the LRA, abducted children across the region to work as soldiers. As a result, a generation of children have either gone missing, have been killed, or are burdened with substantial psychological trauma. Despite these struggles, God has already begun to illuminate glimpses of redemption. Several organizations and thousands of people internationally have been invited to participate in God’s story in Uganda. To learn about one way God is restoring Uganda, read TAKING ACTION on page 20.
TO GREET SOMEONE IN UGANDA, YOU WOULD SAY
“HUJAMBO”
(pronounced hoo-jahm-bo)
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Uganda actually has two national languages: English and Swahili. However, many of the villages have their own local languages.
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family time
ta k i n g ac t i o n
31 Bits Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God. —Bob Pierce (founder of World Vision)
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family time
ta k i n g ac t i o n
In 2007, Kallie Dovel—a student from southern California— traveled to northern Uganda on a mission trip to get a firsthand look at life in a country torn apart by one of Africa’s longest running wars. Little did she know her life was about to drastically change. During her time in Uganda, Kallie became fascinated with the local women’s trade of creating paper beads. However, despite their skill, Kallie recognized they lacked the education and resources to market their creations. Kallie knew something needed to be done. The stories of these women needed to be shared with the world. A year later, she traveled back to Uganda with a few friends, on a mission to arm these women with practical job skills. That year they hired six women, and 31 Bits was born. In just six years, the company has expanded exponentially. They now employ over 100 women, and their jewelry is sold online and in retail stores worldwide. The sales of these handmade products give these women both financial support and the hope of a sustainable future. The company provides these women with a number of development programs, from English classes to AIDS awareness and health education to business training. Their aim is for every woman to graduate the program with the skills and training necessary to start her own local business. What started as a small, grassroots dream has grown into a movement—forever changing the economic face of Uganda. To learn more about the company, to purchase jewelry, or to learn how you can be involved, visit 31bits.com. written by: Erika Abdelatif photography by: Kayla Adams, Trever Hoehne & Alice Lee
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family time
blessing
I KNEW YOU This month, snuggle up with your children and tell them the story of how God brought them into your family. Maybe you prayed for them through adoption, locally or across the ocean. Maybe God had a plan to bless you by surprise or reward you after years of praying for your child. Taking the time to tell the story of how God was working even before your children were born will help them see their part in The Big God Story. by Courtney Wilson
BLESS After you have told your children their story, read Psalm 139:13–16: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
PRAY Then pray this blessing over your kids: My child, may you seek to know intimately your Creator and the Author of your story. May your story, which was ordained before even one day came to be, glorify God as you share it with others.
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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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Grafted into God’s Big Story by Karen E. Yates | November 2013 “Are you ready to meet your son?” she asks me, rain falling in the Ethiopian cold. I’ve trekked over 25 hours to see his chocolate brown skin, to stare into his eyes, to hear his cry. I’ve prayed over pictures these last 10 months, pictures of a child that I’m told is my own, but I don’t know much about him at all. We have never met, and yet I’m called his mother. How can this be? But isn’t this how every mother feels when she brings her child home for the first time? Who am I to be in charge of this little person? Am I really equipped to do this? We move through a red iron door, mud beneath my feet and umbrella overhead. I study the bricks of his first home and try to brace myself for the expectation of our meeting. I know nothing about his first family. For parts of his story that every mother should know—where did he get those eyes and how did he become so musical—I have no answers. But God knows his story from the very beginning. I take comfort in knowing that with Him there are no days unaccounted for. Into the front room we enter, and I hear noises of babies and music. I see dozens of Moses baskets laying on the ground with babies inside, napping. I move past dozens of numbered bottles in a big metal wash bin— numbered so that babies don’t share bottles and germs. What number was he, my son? Which of these bottles has nursed him in my absence? I round the corner and he is there, in a bouncy chair, smiling. I squat down and make eye contact. He drools and grins from ear to ear. “Hi, baby!” I say, delighted. “I’m your mommy.”
MORE >>
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He kicks each chubby leg, thumping the bouncy chair, and for a solid three minutes I simply watch him, beaming. A woman instructs me: “You can pick him up! You’re his mother!” Did she just give me permission to hold my own son? Why had I not scooped him up and held him the instant I saw him? And so I gather him up into these insecure arms. I invest days and nights holding him constantly, nonstop— singing to him each night before bed—demand feeding so he knows his needs are always met. I study his features, and I learn his ways. He loves the swing and chewing on one particular toy. He likes peekaboo and
the soft fur of dogs. He loves splashing in the bathtub, and he barfs any time he eats any green vegetable. I discern his cries—this one is fear and that one is anger and the other one is hunger. Over time, as we grow to know each other, he starts to believe he is one of us, and I start to know for certain I am his mother. I know him better than any one person on the planet. He is a member of our family, grafted in, and not just on paper, but in the depths of my heart. Does his story stop here—the story of my son, once without a family, now in our arms? No, by grace, it does not. I see the unraveling of God’s grand adventure for his life as he chases soccer balls and wrestles with his brother in the living room. I see the mystery of what is yet to come, the unknowns and the escapades. I’m in awe that we get to be a part of God’s great story. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you … I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:18, 20).
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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 upon 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
d
at home sit
a
get up
(Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
lie down As you get your children ready for bed, have fun singing the following rhyme to the tune of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”
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equip
to u g h to p i c s
Sharing an R Rated Past A parent who becomes a Christian after an R-rated past may find it difficult to know if, when, and how much to share with her children.
Let God heal you. Unforgiveness is toxic to a spiritual environment. Seek and then walk in God’s forgiveness as well as self-forgiveness. Learn to see yourself through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. First John 3:21 says when we have confidence toward God, our hearts no longer condemn us. When confidence replaces condemnation, we gain what’s needed for a life-giving conversation about dead things in our past. We’ve acquired the spiritual discernment to help us know how to share and what’s valuable to share. If you still experience condemnation, seek help for healing before you attempt to talk to your children.
Let God’s love steady you before you share your story. There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18). Sometimes those with a dark past get easily shaken when they see flashbacks through their child’s behavior. It’s important to remember that fear-motivated conversations aren’t Spirit-led. Psalm 112:7 says, “Their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Divinely appointed talks with your children will occur in God’s sovereign timing—and sometimes when and where you least expect. Be ready, but be steady and without fear.
Let God provide wisdom regarding what you share. God knows what you’ve walked through, and He knows what your children need. Write out a simple version of your story and pray over it. God will give you the wisdom you need, and He will lead you to tell your story at an appropriate age, depth, and context. by Roxanna Grimes (M.A., Religious Education for Children; certified drug and alcohol addiction counselor)
equip
the middle (6 t h
to
8 t h GRADE)
Grafted into the Vine In John 15, Jesus talks about how He is the true vine and we are the branches. In order for a branch to grow and bear fruit, it must be connected to the vine. For a branch to be grafted into the vine, the vinedresser must cut open the vine, press the branch into the incision, and tie the two together. This process isn’t easy. Jesus (the Vine) experienced incomprehensible pain so we (the branches) could be grafted into relationship with Him. This is the focal point of God’s story! As a parent to a middle school child, it is important to remember that the process of a branch (your child) being grafted into the
vine (Jesus) might be painful as well. For young teens, following Jesus and remaining in Him (John 15:5–7) can be difficult, especially among the pressures at school and friends. Pressure to fit in, perform, or to be somebody they’re not is especially difficult at this age.
sacrifice, your sons and daughters aren’t alone as they try to find their own stories. Instead, they’re invited to remain in the bigger picture of God’s big story. by Jeff Fernandez
This month, take time to remind your middle school child of the imagery of the grafting process. You may even want to find a vine or fruit tree and demonstrate what grafting looks like. Share with your child that even though he’s going through a painful process of figuring out his story, Jesus experienced infinitely more pain in order for us to remain in Him. Because of Jesus’
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support
m a r r i ag e
How I Met Your Mother Prior to my departure we sat down and agreed to pray for the next three weeks to explore God’s will for our lives. When I returned, we would determine either to break up or move forward toward engagement and marriage. Within minutes of getting off the plane, it was obvious to us both that we were deeply in love with each other and heading for the altar.
I met my wife, Michelle, during an interesting season of my life. I was pretty well established in my ministry career. I had been teaching at a university for several years and working as an associate pastor at a local church, but I was lonely and desired to share my life with someone. It was on a spring mission trip to Haiti that one of the team members stood out from among the rest. She had a heart of compassion for the lost and needy. She impressed me as someone I wanted to get to know better when the trip ended.
We got engaged in December and were married in June. Since that time we have served on staff in a variety of ministry settings, raised two wonderful children, and persevered through the ups and downs of this amazing life journey. After 25 years of marriage, I am so very grateful that I waited for God’s gift to me. Our lives together have made more impact in Christ’s kingdom than each of us could ever have dreamed possible on our own.
She and I were serving at the same church, and this gave us the opportunity to work alongside each other in youth ministry and see if we were compatible in ministry service. Ministry was my passion, and I had made a commitment to the Lord a few years earlier that I would not marry someone unless I knew we would be more effective in ministry together than I would be alone.
by Michael Anthony
It wasn’t very long before a number of the older ladies in the church were scheming ways to get us together. Even the deacons were commenting on how good of a fit we seemed to be and were eager to see our relationship progress to a more serious level. During that summer we had time to take long walks on the beach at night, go to the park during the day, and talk around the office together about our love for the Lord and our mutual desire to serve Him. We had time to see if our values, priorities, and passions were in alignment.
There is nothing that sparks old romantic feelings quicker than remembering and sharing the story of how you met and fell in love with your spouse. This month we want to encourage you to set some time aside to reminisce together. Have fun seeing who remembers most of the details. See where your stories still line up and where each of you remembers things a little differently. Then share your story with your children and grandchildren.
Late that summer, I left for a three-week short-term mission trip to teach in Africa. This was long before emails, cell phones, and the quick turnaround forms of communication we enjoy today.
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support
s p i r i t ua l pa r e n t i n g
/ w x o Inb
Q: A:
g r a n d pa r e n t i n g
Your Place in His Story
e l l e h Mic ny o h t n A S ometimes I don't feel like I have a real testimony to share. I grew up in a Christian home and have always tried to listen to God's leading in my life. How can sharing my story be impactful when it comes to leading others to Christ?
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4b). Every family has a story. Too often our families get bogged down in the day-to-day and forget that we’re a part of something bigger. As grandparents, we get the privilege of bringing context to the unique histories of our families.
S haring your story is just that—it's your story. It doesn't have to be dramatic or climatic; it just has to be honest and real. Those listening will hear your journey of a love relationship with God that is winsome primarily because it's a life that most can't imagine. The life that hasn’t been rescued from addiction, despair, or wrongdoing may not make the headline news, but it does declare a God who not only rescues us from dark places but can also keep us from going there in the first place!
Q: A:
&
Take time this month to remind your children and grandchildren that they can be a part of God’s big story. Create a timeline on butcher paper or poster board. First, list some familiar names from The Big God Story: • Old Testament: Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Ruth, Elijah, etc. • New Testament: Mary, Joseph, JESUS, Peter, Paul, etc. After the New Testament names, leave a large gap and label it “You and Me.” Then, at the end of the timeline, mark Jesus’ return. Make another smaller timeline on the bottom of the butcher paper or poster board. Title that timeline “Last 100 Years.” On that timeline, before your family arrives, begin adding names and years of birth of your family members over the last 100 years. Then show your children and grandchildren where they and their families fit into this timeline. Be sure to add yourself!
W hat are some ways I can incorporate The Big God Story into my children’s everyday lives?
Think of ways to make Jesus the hero of your life
Now draw a line from each person’s name on the “Last 100 Years” timeline up to the main timeline that describes The Big God Story. Share as much as you know about each person, especially when it comes to her faith in Christ and how God has used or is currently using her in His story.
and your child’s life. Jesus loves us heroically, putting His needs and wants aside in order to die for us. He answers prayers heroically, listens heroically, and conquers evil heroically. Practically speaking, each day, you can highlight this about God by allowing your child to anticipate what might happen next in the heroic storyline. Before they left for school, I often told my children, “Today I wonder how God will show His care for you, or speak to you through someone who loves you, or show you His power in creation. Be on the lookout. I don’t know how He’s going to do it, but He will. Watch for it! Today you will be a part of the greatest story ever told.”
By simply connecting the two timelines, you’re showing your children and grandchildren how their lives fit into the grand narrative of The Big God Story. Explain to them that their lives are just as much a part of God’s story as were the lives of the people recorded in the Bible. Remind them that God has a unique plan for their lives and wants to use them to continue sharing His story and inviting others into relationship with Him. by Debbie Guinn
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10 ENVIRONMENTS Below you'll find a brief explanation of each environment.
1. Storytelling—The power of The Big God Story impacts our lives by 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 has a big story, and I can be a part of it!”
2. Identity—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. “I belong to God, and He loves me!” 3. 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. “God’s family cares for each other and worships God together.” 4. 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 one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as Christ followers we are to view our lives as living sacrifices that we generously give away! “Asks the question, ‘What needs to be done?’” 5. 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 believe this environment will cultivate a generation that, instead of seeking comfort, seeks a radical life of faith in Christ.
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:
“God transforms me when I step out in faith.” 6. 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. “God has entrusted me with the things and people He created around me.” 7. Course Correction—This environment flows out of Hebrews 12:11–13 and is the direct opposite of punishment. Instead, biblical discipline for a child encompasses a season of pain, the building up in love, and a vision of a corrected path for the individual with the purpose of healing at its core.
SPIRITUAL PARENTING:
An Awakening for Today’s Families
“When I get off track, God offers me a path of healing.” 8. 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 because they embody the image of God. We must speak to them, not at them, and we must commit to an environment where love and acceptance are never withheld due to one’s behavior.
BY MICHELLE ANTHONY © 2010 DAVID C COOK
“God fills me with His love so I can give it away.” 9. 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 based on knowing God, believing His Word, and cultivating a relationship with Him through Christ. God is holy, mighty, and awesome, yet He has chosen to make Himself known to us! “God knows me, and I can know Him.” 10. Modeling—Biblical content needs a practical living expression in order for it to be spiritually impacting. This environment serves as a hands-on example of what it means for children to put their faith into action. Modeling puts flesh on faith and reminds us that others are watching to see if we live what we believe. “I see Christ in others, and they can see Him in me.”
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r e s o u r c e pag e
Abraham
Noah
Ruth
Mary (Mother of Jesus)
Jesus
CUT THESE CARDS OUT FOR THE GAME TIME ACTIVITY
Adam
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Jesus Peter
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