Creating and Environment of Responsibility in our Homes

We all want our children to grow up and be responsible right?

What is the best way to teach them this responsibility? Should we just give them everything we think they need to make the right decisions or should we allow them to work towards responsibility by giving them little and letting them earn more and more as they show they are responsible for little like in vineyard parable of Jesus?

I don't know what is the correct answer for your kids in your home, but I have a selection from a book I have been reading that sums of the need to build an environment of responsibility.  The book is called Spiritual Parenting and is written by Michelle Anthony.  The book is very good and I recommend it to any parenting looking to parents with a model that includes God.  Here are her words about creating an environment of responsibility in our homes.

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

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

Imagine Wentzville if we would teach our kids how to be responsible to God, their family, and their community!  What a world of difference it could make.  The church of Acts did this without hesitation in a world where they should have feared for their lives as new believers in Christ.  However, they did not fear and instead they reached out with everything they had to serve others. What a great attitude we should have and we can teach our children.

With the busyness of the holidays almost done, take some time to slow down and look for teachable moments in and around your community were you can serve the people you live with.  Maybe its someone from WCC or maybe its a complete stranger in your neighborhood.  Whoever and whatever it is, take the time to not only do the deed for someone but to also have a conversation with your kids about our responsibility to those who we are helping because we believe in God.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

I was so excited when our KidQuest Nursery team leaders sent me these pictures of our nursery having a birthday party for Jesus!   Here is a summary of what the lesson (for Nursery and FirstLook) was about in case you missed it or you missed the Take Home Resources. It got me thinking about their lesson and why exactly they were having this party.

The lesson came from Luke 2:6-18

God sends angels to local shepherds to announce that Jesus, the Messiah, has been born. The shepherds quickly go and see Jesus. 

Sometimes we tend to just read over what happened next in the lives of the shepherds, but our kids were able to learn about it this weekend.

THE SHEPHERDS TELL EVERYONE THEY SEE THE GOOD NEWS THAT JESUS HAS BEEN BORN.

Many times we don't think about how this must have changed the lives of these lowly shepherds.  The Bible doesn't say they were in a hurry to get back to their animals.  I can just imagine, they dropped everything and ran to Bethlehem and didn't even think about what was going to happen to their animals.  This Messiah they had been waiting about, that they learned about when they were boys in Jewish school was here.  Can you imagine the excitement?  I know how excited I get after waiting 4 years  for the World Cup to happen, I can't even imagine how much anticipation they must have had because they had waited their whole lives, not only that, but I am sure that their fathers and grandfathers also told about the coming Messiah and helped build this anticipation. 

With all that anticipation, seeing not just one angel but a multitude, seeing baby Jesus, I am sure that these shepherds could have cared less about their animals in the field.  In my head, I imagine that after the shepherds left the stable the ran all over Bethlehem screaming, shouting, stopping people in the street much life our famous Paul Revere, but rather than telling them about the British, they were telling everyone about the Savior of the world.  This honor must have been so special to them.

But what about the rest of their lives? I would like to think the continued to tell everyone they met for their entire lives, though they might not have seen many people in their profession.  But that leads me to a question about us.  What are we doing to tell everyone we meet about Jesus' life.  The cool thing is too that we know the rest of the story.  Are we showing and telling EVERYONE we meet about Jesus through love and service?  

It is so good to know that our kids are learning to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but not only that, they are learning to tell others about him as well.  I am so excited to see what they young kids will do for Christ as they grow into their relationships with Him.

Check out these pictures of the fun they had celebrating this special day! Then check out the video about what they have learned all month long!

Doing What We Teach

I have the special priveledge to be half way around the world doing exactly what I teach your kids to do every single Sunday.

I get to love others.

Not only do I get to simply love others, I have been honored by the Ukranian governement because they have allowed me to take one of their children as my own. I am so thankful to Ukraine and my opportunity to help an orphan have a home.

As I go through this journey, I know there is a group of people and kids from WCC behind me in prayer. I would not be able to be here and have this opportunity if it were not for your love, prayers, and support.  Thank you so much.  Even though you are not physically here with Stephanie, Cavin and I, you are huge part of this process.

Thank you to all my volunteers who have sacrificed there position on the KidQuest team to fill even more roles while I am gone.  It is not going unnoticed how much all of you are doing to allow me to be gone for 4-6 weeks. Without you honoring me as well, I would not be able to do this either.

Thank you to Ukraine, and thank you to WCC.