Latest / 5–Minute Parenting: Tips to Help You Raise Competent, Godly Kids. / Ideas for Family Time

Transcript

Ideas for Family Time · 5–Minute Parenting: Tips to Help You Raise Competent, Godly Kids.

• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to another episode of 5-Minute Parenting.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: Today we're going to talk about some new ideas for family time.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: As Christian parents, most of us are familiar with scriptures that instruct us to raise our children to know and obey God.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: One such verse is Deuteronomy 6, 6 to 7.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: These words which I am commanding you today shall be written on your heart and mind.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: You shall teach them diligently to your children, impressing God's precepts on their minds, and penetrating their hearts with his truths, and shall speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk on the road, and when you lie down, and when you get up.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: Deuteronomy 6, 6 to 7, Amplified Version.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: As parents, we know we we should do this, but how do we practically do this?
• 1:25
  SPEAKER_00: Many Christian parents have tried to use a family time where they read the Bible, pray, and talk about faith in God, and have given up leaving their children's spiritual instruction mainly to church school or Bible club.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: One hurdle that is often a problem is the ages of our children are spread out from toddler to tween or teen.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: Little ones have a short attention span and get squirmy, while older kids get bored easily.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: So maybe summer is a great time to try different routines, to make family time a time everyone can enjoy and learn from.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: One idea is to pair it with a special meal, an activity someone wants to do, such as movie night, outing, and so forth.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: So, first of all, we need to have our kids get comfy.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_00: Sitting at a table feels too much like school.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: Instead, spread out in a relaxed and cozy place, like a living room or outdoors on the patio or porch.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Little ones can lounge on the floor using pillows and blankets.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: Kids will have an easier time listening if they feel relaxed.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_00: Another idea is to play games.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: A central problem in getting kids to sit still and participate in Bible study is their energy levels, so start your time with an activity.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: You can create games with prizes for scripture memory.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: Music also helps kids memorize, so use familiar, faith-based children's songs to instill the Word of God in their hearts.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: Set scripture to music.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: Use a fun object lesson that is hands-on and allows them to get involved.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: There's a book, Growing the Fruit of the Spirit, by Chris Cox and Chris Haig that has amazing resources for games, coloring sheets, puzzles, object lessons, and so forth that you could use for family time.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: I've put that link to the book in the notes.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: Third, try a different translation of the Bible.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: There's an abundance of kids' Bible versions and Bible stories available.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: In the notes, I've also added the link to a source for Best Bibles for Kids by Age.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: Alternatively, you could rely on a simplified version like the message.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: Giving your children an age-appropriate Bible will help them learn to read the Bible independently, which is an essential skill they will need as they grow in Christ.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: Fourth idea, allow your kids to lead family time every once in a while.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: No matter what their age, kids will become more invested in family time if they have a choice and a voice.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: Give them the option for what they'd like to learn next.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: Older kids can learn to be, can develop their leadership skills by taking charge for a night.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: They can prepare a discussion and lead the family in worship, study, and prayer.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_00: Another idea is to get artistic.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_00: Drawing and acting are ways to engage with family Bible study.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Print coloring sheets for kids to work on while you read the Bible or to focus their minds during discussion time.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: Young ones might also like acting out scenes from the Bible after a study.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: It allows them to work out some energy and cement what they have learned.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: Teens or older children who enjoy being artistic might enjoy their own Bible with space to doodle or add illustrations.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_00: Another idea is to use multimedia resources.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: Bring scripture and concepts to life by adding multimedia resources like videos to your family time.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: UVersion Bible app is just one source of online Bible plans and videos for different ages that have many Bible studies for children and teens that the family could engage in together.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_00: Finally, let go of perfection.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: Whatever you do, don't get discouraged.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: There will be times and seasons when your children will struggle to pay attention or get involved.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: So just let go of perfection.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_00: Be willing to change course.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_00: One of the best things you can do is to demonstrate and live out the scriptures and prayer in everyday life.