According to the groundhog, Spring is just around the corner! And, I, for one, couldn’t be happier! I am so ready for sunny, warm days with flowers to smell and pick! Here are a few of my favorite spring time crafts to do with the kids. 1. Flowers Items Needed: construction paper, green pipe cleaners, […]
Who Will Carry Your Spiritual Baggage?
Several years ago in the youth service at my church, our former youth pastor spoke about the baggage that we carry around with us daily. This topic has really been stuck in my mind since that night. Each of us has things in our lives that we try to deal with on our own. Maybe […]
Winter Crafts Ideas for Children
What better way to enjoy the cold weather than to make some fun winter crafts! On those days when it’s snowy or just too cold to get outside, bring the fun in. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and try one of these fun, easy crafts. 1. Snowy scene Materials Needed: blue construction paper, white […]
5 Fun Christmas Craft Ideas
Christmastime is here, and what a fun time of year for crafts! Here are a few of my favorites: 1. Gingerbread Puppets: Supplies Needed: glue, cinnamon, popsicle sticks, tape, brown crayons Have children color a template of a gingerbread boy or gingerbread girl with a brown crayon. Next, spread glue over the boy or girl. […]
Should We Compare Our Children?
Recently I became a mom of two. My oldest son just turned seven and my newborn is now eight weeks old. They are both joys in my life, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I was chosen by God to be their mother. It has definitely been challenging adding a new baby to the […]
Make November a Month of Thanks
With November right around the corner, the holiday season is quickly approaching! Here’s a fun idea to help your family remember the blessings that have come your way during the month we set aside to be thankful. Beginning November 1st and going through Thanksgiving Day, have each member of your family write what he or […]
Pumpkin Prayer
This time of year brings about a holiday that is often met with controversy within the church. Some people choose to embrace Halloween and some people choose to oppose it. Some churches host fall festivals, some hold trunk-or-treats, and some don’t acknowledge the holiday at all. Whether you choose to celebrate or not is up […]
10 Fall Fun Ideas for Families
Fall is a favorite time of the year for many people. We see God’s handiwork in the changing of the leaves and the relief of cooler weather after a warm summer. We get to decorate with pretty wreaths and fun pumpkins. We can pick up our favorite fall flavors at the coffee shops and put […]
Helping an Older Sibling Adjust to a New Baby
Seven years ago, I gave birth to a son. My husband and I knew almost immediately that he would be our only child. We felt content with one child and didn’t think we would ever want another one. When said son was about 4 years old, and we had committed to go to the mission […]
What To Do When Homeschooling Doesn’t Work
One year ago at this time, my husband, son and I had packed up our apartment in Louisville, Kentucky (where my husband attended seminary) to move back to our home state of South Carolina. My husband had graduated from seminary, and we were searching for God’s plan for our lives. We had homeschooled our son […]
Don’t Let Fear Keep You from That Mission Trip
I’ve been thinking a lot about fear lately. I have many fears. I fear the unknown; I fear the known, sometimes. I fear for my son; I fear for my husband. These are just a few, and I know that they are ultimately unfounded. Probably the thing I fear most is change! I struggle with […]
Lesson: Zacchaeus and Our Personal Relationship with Jesus
It’s important for children to begin thinking of Jesus as a real person who wants to have a personal relationship with them. Too often, they assume he’s only a distant historical figure. We must show them the living God is calling out to them through the Scriptures. This simple lesson will help younger children begin […]
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) Sunday School Lesson
This Bible lesson will teach children about the spiritual discipline of evangelism. Sometimes we forget that children can speak God’s truth, even better than grown-ups. (See Matthew 21:16) Telling others about Jesus is also a key for kids to grow in their own faith. Spiritual disciplines are just a fancy way to say “spiritual exercise.” […]
Lesson: The Spiritual Discipline of Stewardship
This Bible lesson will teach children about the spiritual discipline of stewardship and giving. This is an often overlooked way that God grows the faith of children. Remember, it’s not the size of the gift but the heart that matters most. This lesson is designed for a smaller group of children, but could be adapted […]
Lesson: The Spiritual Discipline of Serving
This simple Bible lesson will teach children about the spiritual discipline of serving others. It’s designed for a smaller group of children, but could be adapted for any Sunday School or Children’s Church setting. Bible Topic: Serving Others Scripture: Mark 10:45 Target Age Group: Elementary (1st -5th grade) Learning Context: Any small group setting like Sunday School Target Time Frame: 30 […]
Lesson: The Spiritual Discipline of Worship
This simple lesson plan will help introduce children to the concept of worship as a spiritual discipline. It’s designed for a smaller group of children, but could be adapted for any Sunday School or Children’s Church setting. Bible Topic: Ways to Worship God Scripture: Psalm 100:2 Target Age Group: Elementary (1st -5th grade) Learning Context: Any small group setting like Sunday […]
Lesson & Craft: The Spiritual Discipline of Bible Reading
This simple lesson plan will help introduce children to the concept of “spiritual disciplines” with a particular focus on the importance of Bible Reading. It’s designed for a smaller group of children, but could be adapted for any Sunday School or Children’s Church setting. Bible Topic: Reading the Bible Scripture: Psalm 119:105 Target Age Group: Elementary (1st -5th grade) Learning […]
Lesson & Craft: The Spiritual Discipline of Prayer
This simple lesson plan will help introduce children to the concept of “spiritual disciplines” with a particular focus on the importance of prayer. It’s designed for a smaller group of children, but could be adapted for any Sunday School or Children’s Church setting. Bible Topic: Spiritual Disciplines Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Target Age Group: Elementary […]
Homeschooling is Not for the Faint of Heart!
What a true statement that I am learning first hand! We have almost completed a year of homeschooling, and I have to be honest: It Has Been Challenging! Homeschooling is definitely not something to be taken lightly. We had prayed for guidance regarding this decision, and I still believe this is where God had us […]
8 Tips for Choosing a Homeschooling Curriculum
If you have taken the plunge and decided that homeschooling is for you and your family, the next step may be finding which curriculum to use. Finding the right home school materials can be overwhelming for new homeschooelrs. Here are a 8 tips that helped me along the way to decide what to use. 1. Pray […]