Tag: teaching children God’s ways

Announcing: A Book Release

In my story, Jesus in my Pocket, I told how I swindled my sister out of her birthday present, a cute little 4-inch cheerleader doll, by convincing her to trade it for one of my old dolls. One deception led to another as I started hiding the doll in my pocket and carrying it to school.

51RtlWuzcaL._SX321_BO1,204,203,200_

I Knew it was Wrong

I knew better, but I justified my actions by telling myself I was lonely, and my sister had no trouble making friends. She didn’t need the doll like I did. I longed for a constant companion, a friend who would never leave, and the tiny doll was perfect for the job.

I also enjoyed the powerful feeling I had when I could get things to go my way, and I practiced becoming even craftier.

Who knows where I would be today if Jesus hadn’t talked to me—and if I hadn’t responded.

What if I hadn’t recognized his voice? Where would I be now, if I had kept on in my lies and manipulations?

Don’t prevent children coming to Jesus

“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'” (Matthew 19:13-14 ESV).

I’m so thankful for all the patient people who took the time to help me learn about Jesus at a young age. Their efforts encouraged me to trust him as my best friend, the One who is with me wherever I am.

Read this story, Jesus in My Pocket, in the anthology Jesus Talked to Me Today: True Stories of Children’s Encounters with Angels, Miracles, and God , compiled by James Stuart Bell for Bethany House Publishers. It is due for release on July 5, 2016 and is available for preorder at Amazon.com.*

by Kathy Sheldon Davis

*disclaimer: I am not associated with Amazon.com and will not receive remuneration for the sale of this book through the link to my blog.

Parenting Tip #5 – Teach God’s Ways

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to help our children avoid making the same mistakes we made? I think there are guides for accomplishing this in the Law given to Moses and in following Jesus’ example.

parent teaching child bicycle.free. pavaranda.stockxchng
from pavaranda. stockxchng

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9 ESV).

The scripture says I need to keep these words, of loving God with all I am, in my heart. He says I must teach them diligently to my children. Then he tells me how to do it: Talking about loving him when I’m sitting, walking, lying down, rising; and keeping his words before me always.

This is how Jesus taught his followers.

I mentioned in an earlier post, Parenting Tip #3, that we can copy Jesus’ example in his interactions with his disciples. He was God’s perfect Son, yet he humbled himself and walked, ate, slept, admonished, fed, taught and encouraged them day by day.

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:11 ESV).

I need to bring my children to Jesus daily, sitting with them, walking with them, engaging them in discussions they’re curious about – and otherwise teaching them in all ways possible of the importance of loving God with all they have. So they can know him and follow him, and grow beyond my human limitations and my mistakes.

by Kathy Sheldon Davis