3 ways to impact even the smallest soul with Scripture

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Welcome to Ministry Monday at Hive Resources! Today’s guest post is written by one of my dearest “real-life” friends. She blogs about her adventures in homeschooling, crafts, and motherhood at Jessica’s Jabber. Here’s what I love about Jess (and what I think you will too): her heart for instilling in her two daughters, Brie and Briar, that a passion for mining the truths of Scripture is fun!

Kids say the funniest things. They also say the most convicting things. Take my four year old, Briar Noelle for example, “Daddy, Christmas isn’t about OLD TOYS, it’s about NEW TOYS.”

Ouch.

Did she come to this conclusion on her own or by watching how I allocated my Christmas time? Was I spending energy analyzing wish lists, plotting Black Friday deal busters, and obsessive-compulsively gift wrapping? Or was my Christmas zeal being spent preparing my heart for the celebration of our Savior Jesus Christ?

Busted.

Clearly my priorities were off. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to share the true meaning of Christmas with my girls. In fact, I thought I was. But it wasn’t until I stumbled upon Truth in the Tinsel that I realized what I was missing…good ole’ fashioned Scripture, straight from the Bible.

Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands is chock-full of biblical meat. The e-book includes 24 days of Scripture reading, a simple ornament craft, talking points and extension activities. After just eight days Truth in the Tinsel has encouraged my heart and taught me a serious lesson on parenting.

Do not underestimate the big impact Scripture has on even the smallest soul.

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 instruct us to, “…impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.”

Through Truth in the Tinsel, my eyes have been opened to simple ways to do these very things all year long.

1. BE ACCURATE.

By reading the entire Christmas story straight from the Bible, my girls are learning more than they ever did from a simple Christmas book or even from my own retelling. They are learning how God promised a Messiah in Isaiah’s writings, used a lack of speech to grow Zechariah’s faith, and received a beautiful song of praise from Mary. Through these detailed accounts they can better understand that God loves people individually and works directly in their lives.

2. BE ENGAGING.

“Is it over yet?” If your kids are like mine, then you probably have heard whining like this in the middle of a sermon too. In your zeal to be accurate with Scripture don’t turn Bible reading into a monotone recitation. Make it engaging and appropriate for the ages of your children. Truth in the Tinsel offers some practical tips.

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• Clue Words – Everyday has a special “Clue Word” for the passage. Encourage your children to respond as soon as you say the clue word while reading the passage. Think PeeWee’s Play House Secret Word, just a lot less creepy.
• Crafts – Each day the e-book gives instruction on how to make a simple ornament, which relates to the days Scripture reading. Seriously, my girls will do just about anything for the chance to use some glitter glue. But if yours kids aren’t so into crafts, then the coloring sheets might be a better fit.
• Critical Thinking – Don’t just read to read! Get your kids thinking about the story. What kid doesn’t like to be called on? Ask questions and stop to really listen to their answers. Not only does this allow you to assess their understanding, but it also lets you share in a few giggles.
• Activities – Take God’s instruction in Deuteronomy literally. Write key verses on your windows with window markers. Find ways during the day to teach through the passages. Who would have thought something as fun as playing with a flashlight in a dark closet would have such an impact on discussing Jesus as the light of the world. Don’t let “My kids won’t sit still” be an excuse not to read Scripture, because who says you have to sit still?

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3. BE UBIQUITOUS.

Being a Christian is not just a Sunday morning exercise. Read Scripture daily and incorporate scriptural truths. Look for those teachable moments to share a word of truth with your children.

Don’t box up Truth in the Tinsel with your Christmas Decorations, keep reading Scripture daily! Continue to use the tips which work well with your family. Truth in the Tinsel has encouraged my heart to prepare ways to read with my girls throughout the year. There are so many opportunities: “Truth in the Passover,” “Truth in the Resurrection,” even “Truth in His Return.”

Thanks to Truth in the Tinsel! I will never underestimate the big impact Scripture has on even the smallest soul.

About Jessica: I’m just a simple girl, with a lot of enthusiasm. Come have fun with me on this adventure called motherhood. Learn about bento lunches, muffin tin meals and preschool crafts.