Review Titus 2:3,4

Next week we will start memorizing those things that young women need to be encouraged in. How much of Titus 2:3,4 can you remember? Check yourself below. 

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior

Not malicious gossips

Nor enslaved to much wine,

Teaching what is good,

So that they may encourage the young women

Let’s talk about E T E R N I T Y

When sin came into this world, it brought with it death.  Since that time, death has become something that touches each of our lives.  It also touches our children’s lives. Children have questions about death and eternity.  Let’s give them answers from God’s Word.

What is Heaven like?  Here is some simple Biblical teaching for kids.

Heaven is HOME!

Heaven is God’s home. It is a perfect home because God is perfect.  And God wants YOU to be able to come and live there with Him someday. 

The word HOME can help them remember these 4 things about Heaven.

Heaven is H- happy! 

Heaven is a happy place because of the things that will NOT be there. 

Revelation 21:4 says, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain…”

And the best thing of all is that there will be no more sin.  Revelation 21:27 tells us that nothing that defiles will be allowed into God’s perfect Heaven- no pride, jealousy, bitterness, or unkindness.  Praise God!

Heaven is O- only for believers.

Who will get to live with God in His heavenly home?  Revelation 21:27 says that Heaven is for “only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”  The moment you receive the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour from sin, you can know for sure that your name is written in God’s very special book, never to be erased, and that you have a place in Heaven reserved just for you.   

Heaven is M- magnificent!

Heaven is a beautiful and wonderful place.  Revelation 21 says that the capital city of Heaven, the New Jerusalem, is made of exquisite building materials- pure gold, pearls, and precious gems.  Revelation 22 tells us that God’s throne is there, in all of its beauty and majesty.  A pure river of the water of life flows from that throne, and the Tree of Life is there.  The glory of God Himself fills Heaven with light.  But the most wonderful thing about Heaven is a Person- the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who gave Himself for us- laying down His life so that we might live forever.  We will see Him face to face.  And we will bow down before Him in worship and thanksgiving. 

Finally, Heaven is E- eternal.

Heaven is a home that is there for you forever.  God is eternal, His love for you is eternal, and so is the place He has prepared for you.

Jesus said:

"Let not your heart be troubled... I go to prepare a place for you."

(Thank you to Craig & Nancy Rolinger for this excellent teaching acrostic.)

Use Happenings in Your Life to Talk About Important Things

The Gospel According to Frozen

I will admit it, I have now watched Frozen seven times, and every time I have laughed and cried.  I think one of the reasons I love it so much is because the story of Anna’s love for Elsa reminds me of the story of God’s love for us.  (Be forewarned, there are some mega-spoilers ahead!)

At the beginning of Frozen, Anna and Elsa’s love for each other is very evident.  At the beginning of time, God created us to love and be loved by Him.  But Anna and Elsa’s relationship is disrupted by Elsa’s powers.  Our relationship with God is broken by sin.  We are estranged from God, we lock Him out of our lives and our hearts with our sin, just as Elsa locked Anna out of her room.

Elsa was born into her powers just as we are born into our sinful human nature.  She tried to manage her nature on her own.  She swung between the same two extremes that people do in dealing with their human nature.  She began by concealing it.  Putting on a show.  Pretending to be a “good girl.”  But she couldn’t last forever keeping it bottled up inside.  So she reverted to the other extreme and embraced her identity.  But that ended up being just as dangerous as she had feared all along. 

Neither hiding her nature nor embracing it solved the problem.  She couldn’t get rid of her powers and when she tried to use them on her own she caused destruction.  All people are born into sin.  Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”  No matter how hard we try to “be good” we inevitably fall back into doing bad things, and if we choose to give into our sinful nature, we end up hurting ourselves and the people around us.  We and Elsa are both trapped by our situations without any way to save ourselves.

But what mattered in the movie was how Anna reacted to Elsa’s nature, and what matters in our lives is how God reacts to our sin.  When the truth about Elsa’s powers finally came out and she ran away, Anna went after her—even though Elsa had been rejecting Anna all her life.  Anna’s reaction was love and concern, not fear, hatred, or judgment.  Anna’s pursuit of her sister was a little crazy.  The shop owner told her, “The only one crazy enough to be out in this storm is you dear.”  God’s pursuit of us was even crazier.  Even though we reject God and separate ourselves from Him with our sin, He came after us. 

Anna’s mission to rescue her sister involved trekking up a snow-covered mountain.  God’s mission to rescue us involved leaving His throne in Heaven to become one of us.  It was prophesied in Micah 1:3 that God would “come down from His dwelling place and tread on the heights of the earth.”  This prophecy was fulfilled God entered history in the form of the man Jesus Christ.

Anna was willing to risk her life to go after Elsa, and ultimately, she chose to give up her own life to save Elsa from death.  Anna demonstrates perfect sacrificial love when she puts aside her own needs to run and take the strike that would have killed Elsa.  Even though Elsa had spent her whole life shutting Anna out, and had rejected Anna’s attempts to help her, and had even struck a blow that was causing Anna’s death, Anna loved her sister enough to put herself between her and her attacker.  She was willing to die for the very person who was killing her.

Even though we are the ones at fault in our broken relationship with God, Christ was willing to die to save us from death.  Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  God’s sacrificial love for us is truly amazing.  God gave us everything: life, happiness, love, and a relationship with Him, but we chose to reject Him and go our own way.  But God, rather than reject us as He would have been justified to do, and give us the punishment that our rebellion deserves, chose to take that punishment upon Himself.  He, the perfect and glorious one whose face we spit on in our sin, humbled Himself to die in our place for the very sin we had committed against Him. 

Elsa is amazed that Anna would sacrifice herself to save her.  She asks her, “you sacrificed yourself for me?”  Anna simply replies, “I love you.”  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” 

After Anna gave her life to save Elsa, Elsa’s whole life was redeemed.  Before Anna gave her life to save her, Elsa’s powers weighed her down and entrapped her.  She spent all her time and energy trying to conceal and control them and even then they were destructive and dangerous.  But after Anna’s sacrifice, Elsa’s powers were transformed by love.  They became something beautiful and life giving. 

Before Jesus died for our sins, our sinful human nature weighed us down.  We can try to hide it, but we can’t help but be destructive to ourselves and others.  But because of Jesus’s sacrificial death, we have the chance to have our whole nature transformed.  2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away, all things are becoming new.”  We no longer have to conceal our sins, because they are now forgiven, and we no longer have to live in destructive patterns; because of Christ we can be changed into the loving creatures that God intended us to be.

Anna gave her life for Elsa, but then came back from the dead.  Jesus died for us, but three days later he rose again.  Romans 5:10 says, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”  When Anna’s act of true love unfroze her heart, everything in Elsa’s life was transformed.  Elsa was on a path to become a villain, but because of Anna’s sacrificial death to save her, and then return from that death, Elsa’s life and powers were redeemed by love.  Because of Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross, and then resurrection from that death, our lives can be transformed into something beautiful.  Neither Elsa nor we could save ourselves, but both Anna’s and God’s loving sacrifice make beauty from destruction.

“Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”  Is such a sad sequence especially once you know that Anna’s love all along could have saved Elsa from her prison.  Elsa kept the one person who could have helped her locked out.  Anna said “I’m right out here for you just let me in.”  In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.”  We can remain locked in the prison of our own sinful nature, or we can open the door to Jesus and let him transform our lives through the power of His love and sacrifice.

One thing that I think is really amazing is that when Frozen was originally written, Elsa was written as the villain.  But because of her relationship with Anna, the writers decided to change the end of the movie, and have Anna’s love save Elsa from spiralling into evil.  Anna’s love saved Elsa from destruction.  God’s love can save us from destruction.  Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Do not hesitate today to call on God to change the ending of your story!

This is written by Lauren and used here by special permission. 

Teach me Lord, that I may teach.

1. 
   
1. Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
   In living echoes of Thy tone;
   As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
   Thy erring children lost and lone.
2. O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
   The wandering and the wavering feet;
   O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
   Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
3. O strengthen me, that while I stand
   Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
   I may stretch out a loving hand
   To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
1. 
4. O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
   The precious things Thou dost impart;
   And wing my words, that they may reach
   The hidden depths of many a heart.
5. O give Thine own sweet rest to me,
   That I may speak with soothing power
   A word in season, as from Thee
   To weary ones in needful hour.
6. O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
6. Until my very heart o’erflow
   In kindling thought and glowing word,
   Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
7. O use me, Lord, use even me,
   Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
   Until Thy blessed face I see,
   Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!

I recently came across this hymn. It is in the book Hymns of Worship and Remembrance. Unfortunately, I don't remember the number or the author.  The words were so encouraging to me. I want to learn more so I can teach. I want The Lord to use me to share his sweet rest with others.  I want the love of Jesus to flow from me, so that I picture him.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/903#ixzz2x2VnhWQ
h

So that........

Older women likewise are to be

reverent in their behavior,

Not malicious gossips

Nor enslaved to much wine,

Teaching what is good, 

So that

I love this picture of an women at her sewing machine. We are going to use it to remind us of the words "so that".  Sew what? Sew that! What follows tells us why older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good so that.......

They (that is the older women) so we are going to use their picture again.

So that they......

May, when I think of May I think of the saying, "April showers bring May flowers"and of course those flowers are tulips! 

These May flowers came from the grocery store. I was looking for flowers for the center piece for a prayer lunch I was hosting saw these the moment I walked into the store and looked no further. I miss seeing them popping up in people's yards and gardens here in the south. 

So that they may.....

Encourage-in cur rage

Ok, this cur in a rage would not encourage you to pet this animal but hopefully you will think of this picture and remember in cur rage. The cur (dog) is in a square and in a rage. The art work is done by a tattoo artist Nik Costas.   Getting a tattoo is not a good thing to do but this art work illustrated the play on words I wanted to use to remember encourage beautifully. 

So that they may encourage.......

The young women

These are the young women who stayed with us while at a conference here. 

Try and say as much of Titus 2:3,4 as you can. How did you do?

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, 

Not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine,

Teaching what is good, 

So that they may encourage the young women

To jump in with us memorizing, the following posts might be helpful;

Titus 2:3 Memory Verse

Not Malicious Gossips

Nor Enslaved to Much Wine

Teaching what is good

Memorizing Scripture with your Child- WARNING!

As you work on memorizing God's Word, there is something very dangerous you need to be aware of.

Beware of pride (both parent and child)!  

1 Corinthians 8:1 is very clear: "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." 

God wants us to use His Word to build one another up in the Lord.  It is not to be used for us to show off how much we know, or to cut someone else down and "put them in their place".  These things are done to promote self.  Make sure that your child understands that God sees this as sin.  Knowing a lot of Bible verses does not make someone spiritual- Satan is able to quote Scripture too.

One reason we memorize God's Word is to be able to share it with others. Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another..."  When the Lord Jesus spoke, His words of truth were always tempered by grace. And that's how we should speak His words to others as well- lovingly, graciously, and prayerfully.  We must teach our children to do the same.  They will follow the example we set.

Our children should understand what a privilege it is to have God’s Word and the ability to memorize it.  It is a most precious gift that God has given us because He loves us and wants us to know Him.  Encourage your child to be thankful for the Word and to let God use it to do His work in their heart.  

Do remember as you work with your child to help them learn God's Word that you are making an eternal investment in their lives.  Help them heap up the treasure of God's Word in their heart.  It will be of great benefit and blessing to them in this life, as well as for eternity.  

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

-Matthew 6:21

The Continuing Tales of a Troublesome Tongue

One of the ways my tongue gets me in trouble is by complaining. I moan and groan about things that I should view as a blessing. I have to make supper, and I'm not sure what to make. Poor sad me. My laundry doesn't do itself, and everyone just has a terrible habit of changing their clothes daily. Boo-hoo. And so it goes, until I've convinced myself that I must have one of the most pitiable existences in the history of existences.

The reality is I am incredibly blessed. I am enviable to most of the world's population. I have an incredible heavenly future laid out for me. Many people of the world would be thankful just to have a meal to make, food to cook it with. And laundry isn't a problem with only one thing to wear at all times. And even if I had no meal to eat and clothing to wear, I could at least be thankful for the future eternity that I will be spending clothed in a robe of heavenly white, in a mansion prepared by the Lord.

If I wasn't so earthly minded, I think I would complain less. Paul says in Romans 8:18.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

Memorizing Scripture with your Child- part 5

In order for your child to really tuck God’s Word away in their heart, they will need to regularly practice the verses they are learning.  It is most helpful if they have a consistent time each day set aside to work on their memory verses. 

Children have different learning styles. The main learning styles I was introduced to when I took education classes in college were: Visual (learning by seeing), Auditory (learning by hearing), and Kinesthetic (learning by movement).  If you understand the way that your child learns best, you can work with them on practicing their memory verse using that particular learning style.  Most children learn using a mixture of these styles. 

The added bonus: as you help your child learn Bible verses, you are learning them too!

For the visual learner:

• They can write out the verse on an index card and read it aloud several times.  This lets them see a picture of the words in their mind. 
• You can have your child draw a picture or series of pictures that illustrate the verse. 

Here is an example of Proverbs 6:16-19 that my kids illustrated on flashcards several years ago.  I would hold up the flashcards as they said the verses.  The words are written on the back of the index cards so that I could make sure they were saying it word perfect.

Proverbs 6:16-19:

"These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue (this tongue is saying "I didn't do it" but in my mind, "I did."), hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies.  And one who sows discord among brethren."

For the auditory learner:

•   You say a section of the verse.  Have your child listen, and then repeat it after you.  Go through the verse section by section.  Then increase the length of what you say and have them repeat until they can say the entire verse on their own.
• Put the words of the verse to music.  Then sing it throughout the day.  If you do this, be sure to include the reference in the song as well.

     If you don't know a song that goes with the verse, just put the words to a tune you already know.     

     For example:  Sing Ephesians 2:8-9 to "If You're Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands".  

     For by grace you have been saved through faith, (Clap, Clap)

     And that not of yourselves; (Clap, Clap)

     It is the gift of God, not of works,

     Lest anyone should boast. (Clap, Clap)

     (Then add on the end:) Ephesians 2:8 and 9 (Clap, Clap)

     For the kinesthetic learner:

•            Say the verse using appropriate hand motions- ones that give you a clue about the word each motion goes with.  Again, at the end, put your hands together and then open them up like a little book while saying the verse’s reference.
•      Do different forms of exercise while saying the verse to the rhythm of the exercise.  Do jumping jacks, march in place, touch your toes, jump rope.

These are just a few simple ideas.  I would love to hear what other things you have done that your children have benefitted from.  

"Your Word I have hidden in my heart..."

-Psalm 119:11a

Titus 2:3 Memory Verse

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior,

    not malicious gossips

    nor enslaved to much wine,

     teaching what is good,

Now shut your eyes and see each picture in your mind, can you say the verse so far? 

Memorizing Scripture with your Child- part 4

We have looked at the why, when, and where of memorizing verses.  Now let’s talk about the HOW. 

When working with your child on a new verse, the first thing I recommend is to have them get their Bible and look it up.  They need to understand that what they’re learning is God’s Word.  Read the verse together right from the Bible.

 

Next, explain what the verse means.  Define any words that your child may not understand, and then talk about the meaning of the verse as a whole.

Also, discuss how this verse applies to them personally. 

You can use the following questions to help with application.  I’ve included some sample verses that would fall into each category.

• ·         Does this verse teach something about God’s character? (Genesis 1:1- God is the creator of all things.)
• ·         Does this verse teach something about how God views me? (Romans 3:23- I have sinned.)                                                                                     
• ·         Is this a promise that I can make my own? (John 3:15- I do believe in the Lord Jesus as my Saviour- God says that I have eternal life.)
• ·         Is this a command I need to obey? (Ephesians 6:1- God says that I should obey my parents.)
• ·         Is this a warning of something I should avoid? (Proverbs 28:13- God says if I try to cover up my sin, things will not go well for me.)
• ·         Is this an example for me to follow? (John 9:38- This man believed on the Lord Jesus and worshipped Him.)
• ·         Is this a prayer/request that I can make my own? (Psalm 19:14- Lord, please help me to have thoughts and words that are pleasing to You.)

The goal is not to turn your child into a verse-saying

parrot, repeating a string of words that have no meaning; it is for your child to understand and be able to apply God’s Word to their life situations.

These are the mechanics of actually teaching the verse.  Next time, we'll look at some ideas for ways you can practice the verse with your child to help them remember what it says.

So Philip ran to him…and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

And he said, “How can I unless someone guides me?”

-Acts 8:30-31

Oh! My Troublesome Tongue!

I struggle with my troublesome tongue. Apparently the writer of James did too, because he talks about the tongue in chapter three. Listen to what he has to say.

 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 

James 3:2-9

Wow, look at some of those phrases- deadly poison, unruly evil, fire, a world of  iniquity. I don't know about you, but if I saw that list applied to anyone, I wouldn't want to be spending much time with them. I certainly wouldn't want them to be around my children. But, this is indeed, describing my tongue without the power of the Holy Spirit. 

In verse 2, it says someone who controls his tongue, is a perfect man. I'm not perfect by any means, and no one else is either this side of heaven, so I'm not alone in my trouble. 

I don't have any wonderful answers to this problem, but I know that the Lord can help me to be mindful of the words that I speak. The Psalmist prayed:

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

I'm making this my prayer and I hope you will join with me in it. 

Teaching what is good

Titus 2:3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

Today we are adding  "teaching what is good" to our memorization. The glasses on the end of my nose to look like the stereo type of a teacher. What am I teaching? What is good. 

Song for Sunday