Thursday, August 10, 2006

Chapter Five

Chapter Five: Planning To Live

Things that stood out to me in this chapter:

* Page 69, "What mattered most (speaking of her Uncle who had passed away) is that he had taken the time to invest in the most important things in life - the lives of people."

* Page 69-70, "...I need to stick to my priority of training my children with eternity in view, not just their years on this earth!"

* Page 70, "What do I want my children to know? What do I want my children to be? What do I want my children to do?"

"The Biblical values and morals that once were considered commonplace in America now are called out-of-place by an increasingly secular society that has shoved God and the Bible aside in favor of man-made truths."

"I know that I must prepare their minds with Biblical truth and a Christian worldview if they are to keep the faith in a hostile culture."

* Page 71, "What they become as adults and what they do with their lives will depend in large measure on what they know about God."

Paraphrasing the things she talks about wanting her children to know about God: awe, tender love, sovereign, Savior, unchaning.

* Page 72, "The knowledge of God that they take into adulthood is not meant to stop with them, but they are to be a channel of that truth to others, shining the light of His truth in the darkness of their generation."

* Page 74, "I am a guide, a teacher, and a protector to them as they are beginning their own journey along the path of life. I am responsible for helping them develop the godly character and habits that will keep them on God's path of righteousness and life. ... Even though they might know the wonderful truths of God and even impress others with their knowledge, that knowledge will be empty and vain unless it is accompanied by a growing godly character."

* Page 75, "... I know that it is not enough to raise children into adults who know God's word and walk in God's ways. To be fully trained, they must also do God's work. ... God's truth may fill their minds, and His Spirit may be at work in their hearts, but the process is incomplete until the passion of Jesus for the lost and hurting moves their hands to reach out to the people for whom He died."

* Page 76, "My children need to have a ministry. However small or trivial it may seem, they need me to help them develop the passion for and the habit of serving other people in the Lord's name."

"Even as the disciples saw Jesus model servanthood before their eyes day after day, so my children will notice and respond to my example if they see me serving them and others in our home day after day with a thankful and joyful heart."

* Page 77, "I have often noticed that giving our children opportunities to serve builds up their sense of self-importance."

Thoughts from the Living Word:

Philippians 3:1-11

* What would Paul's resume sound like today? From the Life Application Bible page 2150, "Paul had impressive credentials: upbringing, nationality, family background, inheritance, orthodoxy, activity, and morality."

* What things must you "consider lost for the sake of Christ"? Anything that is to my profit - based on verse 7. To me this means, anything that brings me glory instead of bringing God glory. I must put aside the things that are of no value or benefit to Him and His Kingdom - living with an eternal perspective.

* How valuable is it to you to "gain Christ"? I want to say that is the most valuable thing I can imagine - but I know that would not be true based on the choices I make. If I truly lived this, choosing Him would be my highest priority. I realize that I do not always choose Him as the highest priority as I put other things ahead of Him.

* Is your source of confidence the same as Paul's? Yes, my confidence is founded on the ove of Christ and His Word.

Ephesians 5:8-17

* What does it mean to be "children of light"? To live in such a way that shines the light of Christ to the watching world around me. It is easy to blend in to darkness, and living in light means standing out and looking different.

* Have you found out what "pleases the Lord"? Being in His Word, obeying it, and sharing it with those around me.

* How are you being "careful" in your life as a Christian mother? Choosing things that will be beneficial to the character I desire for Emily and Rachel. Guarding what they watch, listen to, who they are around, correcting behavior, and instructing them in the ways of God.

* Are you "making the most of every opportunity" in your life? I know that I cannot answer "yes" to his. How often have I had an idea, a nudging from the Holy Spirit to share or speak up, or an opportunity to praise God publicly and chosen to remain silent or done nothing because I listened to another voice besides His.

* How are you doing the same in your children's lives? I hope that as I continue to become aware of this weakness in my own life, that I will be strengthened in it thinking not only of the example I set for these precious lives, but that I would be mindful of my God and what would please and honor Him.

John 13:1-17

* How would you feel if Jesus, the Creator of all things, washed your feet as a lowly servant would? Unworthy, humbled, wanting to follow His example, motivated to follow Him with a servant-heart.

* Why did Jesus consider the quality of servanthood so important? Because of the attitude that goes along with true and genuine service. It causes us to put the needs of others ahead of our own, learning selflessness and humility.

* How do you model this kind of servanthood to your children? Oh my, this is getting a little too personal! :) There are most definitely times that I don't. But, I can model this for them by choosing what is best for them and most especially through the attitude I display to them.

Psalm 90

* Does you life seem long or short when you read this psalm? Very short considering the eternal and everlasting nature of God.

* What is the point of learning to "number our days" if they are so few and fleeting? God's Word says that the purpose is that I "may gain a heart of wisdom". If I live with eternity in mind and a realistic view of the short life I live here on earth - my perspective will be more in line with God's perspective for me.

* What is Moses' desire for Israel? That they would be satisfied with the unfailing love of God. That they would sing for joy and be glad each day of their lives. That in their afflictions they would be glad. That they would see the deeds of the Lord and that their children would see the glory of the Lord. For God's favor to rest upon them. That the work of their hands would be established.

* What is your desire for your family? That each of us would know and love God wholeheartedly. That it would be our goal and desire to "live a life worthy of Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being sterngthened with all power according to His glorious might so that (we) might have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified (us) to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:10-14)


Thoughts on Living the Word:
* Personal application: she encourages us to spend some time this week with Ephesians 5:8-17. List anything you do with your children that "pleases the Lord." Then, list some ways you need to be "careful." Finally, identify some specific opportunities you can :make the most of," and how you will.

* Family application: Make a Know-Be-Do-Be-Do poster for each child. Choose a verse together that you want each child to "know." Then identify two character qualities you want them to develop ("be"), and have them come up with two ministry things they will "do." I love this idea and want to keep it in mind as my little girls get older.

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