Easter gifts that inspire

March 16, 2016 By: demingglobal1comment

Whether your family fills Easter baskets or not, Easter offers parents a special opportunity to inspire your children toward resurrection living.

Easter is more than a bunny, more than new dress clothes, more than candy, and more than even attending a special service with the whole family.

Easter is about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter is about victory over death and sin. Easter is about the new kingdom and new life Christ makes available to us…right now.

To help the twins connect those dots, we try to downplay the commercial trappings that come with the season and try to focus on elements that inspire them to love Christ more deeply. We have fun decorating the house, doing fun activities that picture our new life through Christ, making fun and symbolic foods, and sharing special devotionals.

We don’t “do” the Easter bunny, but we do fill baskets with gifts meant to inspire their minds. For my boys, this task can be harder than it sounds considering that most books and activities produced during Easter are pastel or depict baby animals.

Action Bible

If you have the same problem, you might consider adding some Bible-based graphic novels to your son’s Easter basket this year.

Last year, we gave our boys the Action Bible – a visual timeline of about 200 Bible stories in chronological order.

The artistry is amazing and the editors do a pretty good job retaining the overall message and point of each Bible story – making sure they form one cohesive narrative of redemption.

Now, it comes in a 52-week devotional, a Bible dictionary, and a recently-released ESV study Bible edition.

Just a warning: as with most graphic novels, the artwork is very realistic and doesn’t shy away from the biblical story. So, Ezekiel’s dry bones take on more a zombie feel and the crucifixion of Christ can be a lot for young eyes. Those facts didn’t deter my boys, but if you have younger children, previewing the books is always a good idea.

The Pilgrim’s Progress

By chance, I stumbled across the graphic novel of John Bunyan’s literary classic, Pilgrim’s Progress, at a LifeWay store. The graphic version is split into two volumes and is abbreviated and retold so that younger readers can take in this treasure.

Not sure if the twins would like this book, I only bought the first volume and packed it for an upcoming trip to visit our other boy cousins. Between the six of them, this book was so well-read and fought over that we left for home missing several pages.

Each boy was mesmerized by the story of Christian and his loyal friend Faithful. The artwork is nothing short of amazing and emotional. The boys were so invested in the storyline, rooting for Christian to sidestep the various temptations along his journey, that I ordered the second volume while we were still on our trip and had it shipped to we were staying.

I still find them curled up on the couch or in bed with this book in their hands when they have a quiet moment.

If you have boys ages 6 and up, this gift will surely inspire them to faithful living in light of the resurrection.

A similar note of caution: the artwork is very realistic, so depictions of Satan could be scary for young readers. Similarly, some of the ladies are drawn in particularly sensuous ways. If that worries you, previewing a copy is wise.

Kingstone Comics

The success of the Action Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress with the boys, sent me on a mission to find more material for the twins.

I discovered that Kingstone Media also produced their own comics line, with graphics similar to today’s comic books.

In addition to slim comic books that retell Old Testament stories – like King David and Joshua, Kingstone also produces longer books like how the Bible came to be in the Book of God.

Each of these resources have opened the door to interesting conversations with the twins about faith, God, the afterlife and more. We’ve used them as quiet reading material as well as fun family read a-louds before bed.

How do you inspire your children with the message of Easter? I’d love to hear what you’ve used in your home, so share your ideas in the comments!

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Melissa Deming is the creator of Hive Resources — a site to help women sweeten their walk with Christ through Bible study, ministry and missions resources, and more. She is the author of "Daughters of the King: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Story." Melissa has an M.Div. in Women’s Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

A family devotional for the New Year

January 15, 2015 By: demingglobal11 Comment

Looking for a new family devotional to kick off the New Year? Then check out the recently released I Can Learn the Bible: 52 Devotions and Scriptures for Kids by Holly Hawkins Shivers. Published by Tommy Nelson, this weekly devotional will help you hide God’s Word in even the smallest heart in your home.

I Can Learn the Bible

Here’s what’s inside:

— a short and relatable devotion based on 52 Scripture verses

— explanations and illustrations of each verse that children can understand

— helpful discussion questions for parents to use in prompting their children to apply the passage to their lives

There are a number of things I enjoyed about this book, like the fill-in-the-blank statements sprinkled throughout the text that help prompt discussion.

The author also offers a sample daily schedule of simple activities for parents to help their children memorize the weekly passage. A far cry from the moralistic lessons typically found in children’s religious material, I particularly appreciated how the author embedded a biblical worldview into each devotional.

Ultimately, I love the author’s encouragement to parents feeling the pressure to raise godly children. In her introduction, she writes:

“…we can educate our children with a biblical worldview, we can enroll them in church activities and teach them principles to the best of our abilities, and we can pray for them, discipline them, and love them well. But there is nothing like the Word of God being planted in their hearts, taking root, and producing genuine spiritual growth. Ultimately, the spiritual well-being of our children rests in the hands of God – He will form and strengthen them through His Word and His Spirit.”

Overall, this is a wonderful devotional for families just starting to carve out time together in God’s Word, as well as for families with children ages 5-12. My only criticism is the illustrations are not available as Scripture cards or printable 8×10’s for framing. Now THAT would be fun!

Thanks to Tommy Nelson for providing a copy for review. You can purchase I Can Learn the Bible at the link. And psst, the kindle version is only $1.99 right now!

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Meaningful Christmas gifts: 7 ESV Bibles for Kids

November 25, 2014 By: demingglobal12 Comments

With Black Friday looming, the gift-buying frenzy is upon us! But this Christmas, considering making some of your presents to your children reflect the full meaning of the season.

During a time when we celebrate the Word becoming flesh, what better gift can you give your child than the written Word of God?

Give your child a Bible this Christmas, especially if they are just beginning to read or they are transitioning into a new stage of life.

Here are 7 ESV Bibles from Crossway for pre-readers through teens. Any one of these Bibles would make a meaningful Christmas gift.

Kid’s Compact Bible

Recommended ages: 7-12

Price point: $18-32

Features: full ESV text, glossary, maps, OT & NT timeline art, dictionary, words of Christ in red.

The ESV Kid’s Compact Bible works for both boys and girls. Its slim body is easy enough for little hands to carry and slip into a backpack.

This is a no-frills Bible. There are very few textual notes and added information in the body of text, but it does include a helpful index for subjects like “God’s Word for Me When…” and “God’s Word for Me About…”

The Kid’s Compact Bible comes in a variety of colored leathers with embossed designs like owls, swords and shields. My six-year-olds loved the swords!

Overall, the size and simplicity of this Bible would make it an excellent first Bible for readers as they learn to discover and navigate God’s Word by looking up verses – even if the text is a little small!

ESV Seek and Find Bible

Recommended ages: 5-9

Price point: $20-28 (hard and soft cover)

Features: full ESV text, 130 full-color illustrations with accompanying Bible story summaries, short book introductions, over 50 character profiles, fun and colorful facts highlighted throughout the text.

The ESV Seek and Find Bible was my son’s (Jonah) favorite because he loved the illustrations and colorful graphics. Because he’s just beginning to read, the illustrated Bible objects, structures, and places really captured his imagination.

But here’s what I loved.

Each illustration is paired with a story, key memory verse, additional readings, and reflection questions giving parents lots of tools at their fingertips to help their child understand and apply God’s Word.

It is ideal as a first “study” Bible and very usable for homeschool, family Bible study, or fun interactive activities involving Scripture.

ESV Holy Bible for Kids

Recommended ages: 9-12

Price point: $13-15

Features: full ESV text, 24 pages of special content, illustrations of major scenes in the redemptive story, and maps.

If you’re looking for an illustrated Bible without all the bells and whistles of other Bibles (and within a great price point), then the ESV Holy Bible for Kids might be your best bet.

Some of the full-page pictures are the same as those found in the Seek and Find Bible, and it has a clean double-column design.

Overall, I think the cover artwork might appeal to a younger age range than the publisher’s recommendation (ages 9-12).

But out of the seven Bibles reviewed in this post, my 6-yr-old son (Zach) picked this Bible as his favorite. The lack of extra notes or artwork in the body of the text made it easy to find a verse or passage. My only complaint is that the text is a bit small.

ESV Grow! Bible

Recommended ages: 8-12

Price point: $20-30

Features: full ESV text, key comprehension questions, application sections, charts, maps, short book introductions, and articles on Christian doctrine.

Out of all the seven Bibles in this post, the ESV Grow! Bible was my favorite because of its rich content and emphasis on understanding and applying God’s Word.

Almost every page contains a “W” question (who, what, when, where, why) helping children frame the central theme of a passage or story as well as understand the significance of God’s Word for daily life.

Also included are 45 “Cross Connections” to help children connect-the-dots between Christ and the rest of Scripture.

The Grow! Bible also contains 90 “4U” sections geared toward textual application as well as helpful articles on Christian doctrine and practice. Subjects include: the sacraments, What is the Apostle’s Creed, and The Whole Bible is Really About Jesus.

It also breaks the Old and New Testaments by division (Law, History, Wisdom, Gospels, etc) and outlines each genre in simple terms. (Can you tell I really like this one?)

Because the publisher recommends the ESV Grow! Bible as a second step after the Seek and Find Bible, we will definitely be hanging onto this Bible as the twins grow in their reading comprehension skills.

God Guy Bible

Recommended ages: teen boys

Price point: $13-32 (hard and softcover)

Features: full ESV text, character profiles, “Quick Relief” indexes and glossary, devotions written by longtime student ministers Michael and Hayley DiMarco, in-depth book introductions, and must-know terms and verses for each book of the Bible.

At heart, the God Guy Bible is a devotional Bible, but it’s a Bible geared toward teens who desire to know and apply God’s Word for themselves.

Per the publisher description, the God Guy Bible points “guys to the Bible as the foundation for all of life, fostering a love for God’s Word and a desire to know him better.”

The “Know This” devotionals and “Ask Yourself” sections highlight passages and themes and how to apply them to daily living. Plus, daily reading plans encourage the reader to engage their Bible daily.

God Girl Bible

Recommended ages: teen girls

Price point: $29-50 (Hard and soft covers)

Features: The features for the God Girl Bible are essentially the same as the God Guy Bible. They include: full ESV text, character profiles, “Quick Relief” indexes and glossary, 200 devotions written by author Hayley DiMarco, in-depth book introductions, and must-know terms and verses for each book of the Bible.

What separates the God Girl and God Guy Bibles? In the God Girl Bible, there are 26 full-page profiles of women in the Bible called “God Girl Stories.”

Additionally, the God Girl Bible has a uniquely feminine design to appeal to its target readership.

Both the God Guy and God Girl Bibles would make a worthy gift for challenging for any teen or tween to start 2015 off in Christ.

If I had to pick a favorite for my boys (age 6), I’d pick the Seek and Find Bible and ESV Grow! Bible simply because they pack the most bang for buck, offer the most tools for study, and are geared toward helping children become self-sufficient students of God’s Word.

Despite being really heavy, these are Bibles that I know the twins will grow into for years to come.

Special thanks to Crossway Bibles for sending me these Bibles to review for you! And a big thank you to Zach and Jonah, who were so excited about their very own Bibles that they even agreed to help me review them!

May 2015 be a year you grow in your knowledge of our beloved Savior!

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Meaningful Easter gifts and activities for kids

April 9, 2014 By: demingglobal12 Comments

Some of my favorite memories include Easter Sundays.

As a child, I would awake early on Easter morning, run downstairs in my sponge curlers to see what my parents had left for me in my Easter basket. My parents never made much ado about the Easter bunny, so I didn’t grow up thinking too much about him either. Most importantly, we’d attend Easter worship services as a family.

I appreciate the balance my parents were able to strike between cultural and Christian traditions. Because of my parent’s careful instruction, I know Easter is a meaningful day because of Jesus’ Resurrection from the grave, not because I received chocolate robin eggs or wore a new dress to church as a little girl.

I want to pass that same message on to my sons. I want them to see a Lamb when they approach Resurrection Day, not a bunny.

Easter devotions & activities

For that reason, for the weeks leading up to Easter, I spend time talking to the twins about new life, the cross, the tomb, and what it means for us today.

Here’s some of the tools we’re using to make Easter meaningful:

(1) This Easter we’re using the Easter Story Eggs & Devotional by Family Treeditions. (2) We’re also incorporating some of the activities from Amanda White’s new Easter tool – A Sense of the Resurrection: an Easter Experience for Families. (3) Last year, we used the superb family devotion study by Barbara Reaoch, Why Easter?

This year, a friend just released a family guide on the Passover on her site – Passover for Christians. And while I haven’t read her e-book yet, there is a free download resource on her site to help you walk your family through a Seder meal. This might be something we incorporate into our celebrations next Easter.

Easter books

On Easter morning, we will give the boys baskets just like I had as a child. Inside their baskets, I’ll put a little candy (candy goes a long way for us!) and either a Bible or Christian books about the Resurrection.

Last year, I gave these books to the boys:

(1) The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story (2) The Very First Easter (The Beginner’s Bible) (3) The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs (4) The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry (5) The Story of Passover by Francis Silberg (6) God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren (7) The Prince’s Poison Cup by R.C. Sproul (8) The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul

Books 1-6 are simple and are great introductory tools for teaching smaller children (ages 2-4) about the Easter story. I bought all of these together, knowing that they would be imperfect reflections of the Easter account contained in God’s Word. But I wanted to capture my kids imaginations with the delight and glory of the empty tomb. Of all the books listed, I thought God Gave us Easter was a little too abstract on its teaching of the Resurrection and too soft on sin.

My favorite books out of this list are #7 and #8, both by R.C. Sproul. My boys loved the illustrations of The Prince and the Poison Cup, and I loved the theologically-rich message of the new life that springs from Christ’s death. Both of these books are better suited to older children (ages 5+).

Our Easter Baskets

This year, I’m adding these to our collection even though they aren’t specifically about Easter:

The Action Bible

I’ve avoided buying this Bible for a variety of reasons, chief among them that it’s not an actual translation. But with one boy who is still a pre-reader, yet obsessed with all things super hero, I decided to give it a go. I was really surprised by its depth and vivid storytelling.

After looking through it, I’m actually very excited to walk through this book with my sons! I think they will be enthralled with the artistry, as well as the story of Scripture it paints.

Currently, the The Action Bible Easter Story which is part of this Bible is FREE on Amazon for kindle! So, hurry over and grab it up as a good way to preview the Bible with your child before you buy it.

You Can Draw Bible Stories for Kids

I discovered this little gem from kidmin blogger Amanda White.

I plan to put it in the basket of my budding artist, who eats up all things art and drawing. I hope it will become a tool that will allow us to sketch sermon notes together and give him a bigger framework for seeing God’s story.

What do you put in your child’s Easter basket to lead them to the empty tomb?

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The God Puzzle: A family Bible study for busy moms

February 7, 2014 By: demingglobal1comment

I talked on the phone with a dear friend, recently. She was feeling frustrated because it seemed many of the new resources for teaching children about God’s Word are heavily marketed exclusively to homeschooling mothers.

With two children in public school, her afternoon and evenings hours are already filled with homework and meal prep. Coupled with ministry and church obligations, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on her list. She needed a sound and intentional resource on the Bible with no prep work.

The God Puzzle

So, when I received The God Puzzle by children’s ministry pro Valerie Ackermann I got excited. I could read the author’s heart right away – she had a passion for equipping parents to tell their own children the story of the gospel.

The God Puzzle: How the Bible fits together to reveal God as Your Greatest Treasure is a workbook about the Christian faith for kids ages 7-12.

What I liked:

It presents children with the whole story of the Bible! (You know how I love the Big Picture of God’s Word). Ackermann begins where all good Bible studies should – the beginning (creation) – and follows the redemptive thread of the biblical story of Christ through to the new creation (Revelation)!

It puts the parent in the driver seat. The God Puzzle gives parents the tools to fulfill their biblical responsibility to train up their child in God’s Word – without any prep work! The 36 lessons can be tailored to any schedule. I think my public school mom/friend would be happy to know the lessons can be done daily or weekly, in 30 minutes or 10.

It preps children for a robust faith. This workbook tackles some tough ideas like the meaning of the image of God and sin. It introduces and explains words like covenant, prophecy, and worship. All these theological terms are presented in fun and engaging ways. Plus, the child is encouraged to look up Scripture using their own Bibles (which I really appreciate).

What I didn’t like:

The author’s use of illustrations to explain the Trinity. On the chapter on the Trinity, the author uses an illustration of an egg and an apple to explain the three-in-one aspect of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

While they successfully avoid modalism found in the water/ice/vapor analogy (that God is made up of and reveals himself in different modes – Father, Son, and Spirit), I tend to think these types of illustrations are too simplistic. I agree with author Michael Reeves, who believes these types of impersonal sketches don’t do real justice to explaining the personal nature of our God, who eternally exists in community with Himself.

Who should buy this book?

Overall, there is much in this workbook to commend itself. Here’s who I think would benefit the most from it:

Busy moms. The God Puzzle would make a great tool for any mother who doesn’t have time for prep work!

Homeschool moms. Even though I specifically think my public-school mom/friend I mentioned earlier would love this resource, homeschooling parents would too! The lessons are easily configured into a 36-week Bible curriculum with daily activities and discussion questions.

The unconfident mom. For parents who feel ill-equipped to tackle big interpretative questions, The God Puzzle would be a great tool. It uses simple and fun ways to answer questions like: “What does my Work have to do with my Faith?” and “What do Old Testament stories teach about God’s Plan?” and “What are My Old Self and My New Self?”

The strategic mom. Any mom who wants to intentionally set aside time to teach her children the truth of the Bible would benefit from this book. The God Puzzle is a great tool for intentionally engaging children for an extended period of time with the seamless story of Scripture.

Want to find out more? Check out The God Puzzle online. Connect with Valerie Ackkermann on Facebook or Twitter.

As a busy mom, what is your go-to tool for teaching your children about God’s Word? Leave your resources in the comments!

Special thanks to Litfuse for providing this copy for review. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, click here.

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No. 1

22 reasons to praise God when you don’t feel like it

This post was pinned almost 400 times! God’s Word is powerful. It reveals who God is and who we are. If you haven’t seen this one yet, I hope you enjoy the free printable.

No. 2

How to teach your kids to be a dinner table missionary

This guest post by my friend Nive Burris of Handful of Joy helps you instill a missions mindset in your kids from the very heart of your home – around your dinner table. It resonated with many of you. Thanks for sharing it over 200 times!

No. 3

Why I don’t wear heels to church

Many of you clicked on this post because of it’s title. Whatever you were expecting, I certainly appreciated your comments. You shared this one 372 times!

No. 4

Hospitable hearts: What the pursuit of hospitality says about your heart

Over the summer, I teamed up with my friend Kristen Summers of Celebrate Every Day with Me in a series on hospitality. Two of my posts from our series, Hospitable Hearts, made my top 10.

No. 5

Evolution-free dinosaur books

When I wrote this post, I had no idea it would be my most controversial post of the year. I received a lot of feedback on this post. But what surprised me the most were the number of Christians who sent me hate-mail. In fact, I stopped approving comments all together on this one, because ain’t nobody got time for that.

No. 6

How to host your own home Bible study

I’m so glad this post made it on my top 10 list. It combines two things that make my heart sing – equipping women to read the Scriptures and opening my home.

No. 7

Do not disturb: What the pursuit of hospitality says about your faith

I didn’t pull any punches in this post. Real hospitality is a pursuit of kindness, not a party. In spite of the poop story, I’m glad you gals liked it! You pinned it 768 times!

No. 8

Teaching your kids about the resurrection

I was honored to interview Shepherd’s Press author and veteran Bible Study Fellowship director Barbara Reaoch in this post. She shares some tried and true traditions for teaching children as small as preschool about the big truth of the resurrection.

No. 9

3 ways to build a better library in 2013

Last January I set a goal to grow my theological library. And I’m happy to report, I more than exceeded my expectations! (The hubsters is hoping I set a different goal for 2014!) Thank you Amazon Prime! Here’s how I did it.

No. 10

Praying God’s Word for your husband (printable prayer cards)

Kathi Lipp’s book, Praying God’s Word for Your Husband, was one of my favorite books of 2013. It helped me focus my prayers for my husband and helped me assess any selfish motives driving my prayers for him. It was a quick read and would even make a great gift for a friend or family member.

Thank you to all my Hive Resources readers! Because of you, 2013 was a great year! Looking forward to 2014 and what God has in store! I hope you’ll join me!

Did you have a favorite post from 2013 that didn’t make it on this list? Share it in the comments!

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Ministry Monday: God’s Promises {A Review & Giveaway}

July 21, 2013 By: demingglobal136 Comments

Welcome to Ministry Monday at Hive Resources! This series is for everyday women who minister through the everyday mission fields of life. Posts feature resources and ideas for discipleship, outreach events, women’s ministries, Bible study, hospitality, and more. Subscribe today!

Teaching our children about God’s Word is one of the biggest ministries we share as Christian women and mothers. So, today, I’m honored to host THE Christina Fox of To Show Them Jesus as she reviews a valuable book for teaching your children how to interpret and apply God’s promises. Plus, Christina is giving away one copy to a lucky reader! ~~So, be sure to enter at the end of the post!~~ UPDATE: Winner announced at the end of the post!

One morning recently, I awoke feeling a bit low and disappointed about circumstances in my life. The night before, I had prayed earnestly for God to give me gospel joy in spite of life’s disappointments. And answer that prayer, he did.

This summer during our morning devotions we’ve been studying the promises of God, and that morning we studied God’s promise to not withhold any good thing.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11

Reading the chapter with my kids was the answer to prayer that I needed. For it reminded me of this truth:

Since God gave the very best already, His most precious Son, He will give His children everything that is good for them. He will not withhold even one little thing. If there is something God does not give to a believer in Jesus, it is because that things is not good for him or is not right for him at that time.” (from God’s Promises by Sally Michael)

As I talked with the kids about God’s promises and his faithfulness, I was also reminded of God’s faithfulness in my life. (I love how God works!) I shared with them times in my life where God provided just what I needed, when I needed it. I even shared the story of how we did our wedding on an extreme budget and how so many people helped us put it all together. Reading about this promise reminded me that God’s timing is perfect and his ways are always good.

As we’ve studied the promises of God, we’ve written them down and put them in our promises box. That morning, the kids and I wrote a list of the ways God has provided for us as a family.

“Mom, if we were to list all the ways God has provided, it would be too much to count!” one of my kids announced.

“Yeah, like as high as googol or infinity” added the other.

Indeed.

The book we are using is called God’s Promises (Children Desiring God). Each chapter describes a different promise God has made in Scripture and uses a story from the Bible to describe that promise.

For example, we read the promise that God is slow to anger and learned about how he was gracious to Nineveh (and even to Jonah) in the book of Jonah. Another chapter described God’s promise to be our strength in weakness and told the story of how he used Moses to deliver the Israelites, despite his weaknesses.

At the end of each chapter are discussion questions and even activities to reinforce learning. This is our second book we’ve used by Sally Michael. We have really enjoyed her devotionals and highly recommend them.

I love it so much that I want to give away a copy! UPDATE: CONTEST CLOSED – CONGRATS TO THE WINNER Kristen T!

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Christina Fox is a homeschooling mom, licensed mental health counselor, and writer. She lives in sunny south Florida with her husband of sixteen years and their two boys. You can find her sharing her faith journey at www.toshowthemjesus.com.

Connect with Christina on Facebook or Twitter!

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Summer reading: Evolution-free dinosaur books

July 3, 2013 By: demingglobal1

It doesn’t matter where we go, the theory of evolution seems inescapable – especially when you’re talking about dinosaurs.

The museum, picture books, school, movies, cartoons, and even Pinterest worksheets – all tell our kids that the world was created by accident, it’s billions of years old, and they are descendants of animals. But I want my kids to take joy in the truth – that a loving God created them and all the animals not so very long ago for a unique and special purpose.

So, if you’re finding yourself in the same boat – constantly having to filter “authoritative” voices in your children’s lives – then take heart, Mom! After doing some digging, I’ve found some evolution-free resources on dinosaurs.

You’re gonna love these for a lot of reasons!

Dinosaurs for Kids

Publisher’s Description: “Peek inside a dinosaur egg, discover what dinosaurs really ate, and learn how dinosaur tracks are made – all in this awesomely-illustrated book! Dinosaurs for Kids shares the unique world of dinosaurs and their true history like never before as you …Within these pages kids will uncover the facts about dinosaur history from the Creation to recent discoveries. Let Ken Ham take you on a journey through time to explore these awesome wonders of God’s design. From where dinosaurs lived to what scientists assume they know about these great creatures, dinosaurs have never been this exciting, revealing, and simply amazing!”

Why I love this book: It’s so cool! The graphics are amazing. Plus, the information presented by the author is both factual and interesting – all shared from a biblical point of view. My four-year-old’s loved it.

You can find out more about Ken Ham at his site Answers in Genesis. The companion kid’s site – Kids Answers – has free downloadable coloring pages, videos, and science-related activities, too!

Chronicles of Dinosauria

Publisher’s Description: “Every legend is said to include some grain of truth, and for years co-author Dave Woetzel has sought to separate fact from fiction as he explores mysteries related to dinosaurs, mankind’s history, and the biblical time-line. Teaming with artist and designer Richard Dobbs, the two have created a visual archive of expeditions and intriguing clues to explore, all of which highlight the connection to the authority and reliability of Scripture.”

Why I love this book: In his intro, author Dave Woetzel says one of his goals is to “reclaim the terrible lizards to the glory of or incredible Creator.” To achieve this, Woetzel has gathered biblical, historical, artistic, fossil and cryptozoological evidence that the dinosaurs and man co-existed. So, even though Chronicles of Dinosauria is full of facts and research, it reads like a hands-on field global expedition. Plus, the author doesn’t shy away from talking about the Loch Ness monster, dragons, and many more subjects to which curious little minds are often drawn.

Note to moms: This book is better suited for older children (6+). My four-year-old’s loved looking at the pictures but didn’t sit still for all the information. But it’s a great tool to add to your library! I bought the hard-copy, but there is also an interactive e-book version for the ipad. You can find out more about the author at www.genesispark.com

Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs

Publisher’s description: “Explore the links between dragon myths and the reality of dinosaurs through vivid illustrations, interactive pages, and fascinating insights! Re-visit history as you trace the tracks of these creatures throughout cultures in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and more, learning the facts, and revealing the fallacies of dragons. Whether battling saints or terrorizing medieval castles, these creatures provide a fascinating link to man’s earliest history, as well as a shadowy mystery now found only in the pages of ancient texts.”

What I love about this book: The book is crazy cool and very interactive. Each page has folded flaps and pop-outs that invite little hands to open and explore. I love how Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs unifies historical and contemporary research findings on dragons and gives biblical explanations for similarities that occur between cultures. Also cool is the author’s insightful addition of different biblical commentary on these magnificent beasts! Kids get to hear what people like John Calvin thought about dragons!

Bodie Hodge and Laura Welch are also two of the authors behind the Big Book of History (which is also on my Amazon wish list!)

What resources written from a biblical worldview do you enjoy with your kids? Share your ideas in the comments!

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Ministry Monday: 7 resources for a summer of faith & fun

June 16, 2013 By: demingglobal12 Comments

Welcome to Ministry Monday at Hive Resources! This series is for everyday women serving in the everyday mission fields of life. Posts feature resources & ideas for discipleship, outreach events, women’s ministries, Bible study, hospitality, and more. Subscribe today!

Looking for some ideas for keeping little hands busy and little faces happy this Summer? Check out these resources and tools for packing your Summer full of faith and fun!

Outdoor fun

KidVentures: 50 Outdoor Experiences of Wonder, Discovery, & Childhood Memories

I bought this ebook for 1 reason. It was written by a mother of quad BOYS! (You read that right!) And I was so glad I did! It is packed with fun and creative ideas for helping little boys get their wiggles out and build up their brain power. Some of her ideas include how to build a toy zip line, mini ice forts, and even your own fishing rod! Plus, it has lots of great ideas for outdoor science projects. She includes material list, instructions, and helpful hints for each activity! What do I love most about this book? It encourages you to let boys do what they’re best at – being BOYS!

Frugal Fun for Boys

If you haven’t heard of Frugal Fun for Boys you should bookmark this site immediately. This mom of four (Sarah Dees) shares fun activity ideas like how to build your own catapult out of dowel rods and rubber bands as well as age-graded homeschool and Bible material. What do I love most about this site? Her series on Biblical Boyhood and her ideas for lego activities!

Indoor fun

God’s Little Explorers Curriculum

Written by Motherhood on a Dime’s Stacie Nelson, God’s Little Explorers Curriculum is a 28-week journey through the Bible (exploring God’s Word). It includes letter and theme studies (exploring God’s world) and full of printables and reading suggestions. What do I love most about this curriculum? It’s super cute and proceeds of the $14 purchase price go to fund the building of an orphanage in India.

Mealtime Magic Cards

I think I spent 30 minutes pinning every free printable from Julie’s site, Happy Home Fairy, to pinterest. Her original printables and ideas truly do “Help Moms Build Happy Homes.” Last week I downloaded and laminated her Mealtime Magic Cards and it has turned our cranky dinners into fun conversation-based moments! What do I love most about these cards? They are FREE, adorable, and make talking to your kids about your faith fun! (Plus I got to use my laminator.)

Super Duper Fun & Exciting Absolutely Thought Igniting Bible Activities for Kids

This book sold by LifeWay has over 100 activities for 8 Levels of biblical learning for babies through kindergarten. It focuses on hands-on activities for “concept areas” such as God, Jesus, the Church, Creation, and more. This is a great tool for fun summer ideas you can do at home or easily incorporate into a Sunday School setting. What do I love most about this book? A CD-Rom is included with extra goodies!

Anywhere fun

Redeemed Reader Summer Reading Challenge

For the month of July, one of my favorite sites is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge covering the globe through novels of intrigue and adventure! It’s perfect for kids reading chapter books through middle grade level books. What do I love most about this challenge? It’s family-based with suggestions for involving the entire family. Plus, as always, Redeemed Reader includes discussion questions from a Christian worldview to help kids get the most from the books they read!

Around the World in 60 Days

Take your kids on a virtual mission trip with ‘Around the World in 60 Days’ – an activity-based material by Thriving Family magazine. My friend Nive of Handful of Joy shares how she is using Around the World in 60 Days to teach her kids about world cultures. What do I love most about this material? It includes free printable passports and stamps for each country you “visit.” Plus, the material includes Bible studies to match!

For more ideas for Summer fun check out my Preschool Pinterest Board. For faith-based activities follow my Bible Crafts Board.

What fun activities are you planning for this summer?

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Ministry Monday: 3 tools to strengthen your kids’ character

April 22, 2013 By: demingglobal16 Comments

Welcome to Ministry Monday at Hive Resources! This series is for everyday women who minister through the everyday mission fields of life. Posts feature resources and ideas for discipleship, outreach events, women’s ministries, Bible study, hospitality, and more. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any of it!

Bad moods and dark hearts, you will not win!

Not in this house.

If you get as frustrated as me with all the fighting, whining, and testing under your roof, then maybe these 3 tools for building better character in your kids will bolster your resolve.

Get Wisdom! by Ruth Younts

I bought Get Wisdom! in January with a goal to read a chapter a week. I enjoyed the book’s emphasis on wisdom (over good behavior), but I couldn’t help but wish it was a little more robust.

As the months wore on, I knew I needed to add another tool to my arsenal with a little more visual appeal and creativity.

We Choose Virtues

After seeing this curriculum over at Oh Amanda, I snatched it up. I bought the homeschool kit, but after going through the material I think purchasing the coloring book, parenting cards, and one or two of the posters would be sufficient for most families. I love several things about this material:

It is the cutest thing I’ve seen.
Each virtue is paired with a fun, easy-to-remember “personality.” For example, Oboe Joe shows you how to be obedient as he cheerfully follows the conductor’s lead when he plays his oboe. My twins are fascinated with each character’s story.
Each virtue includes a catchy phrase for a definition, as well as an antonym to help children better grasp and apply each virtue.

I intended to use We Choose Virtues this summer, covering one virtue each week, but we’ve had such big battles with dark hearts recently I’m cracking open the material this week! (Seriously).

Kids of Integrity

Despite the numerous resources the We Choose Virtues set includes, I was disappointed to discover it didn’t include a full lesson plan for each virtue. However, my dear friend Jessica of Jessica’s Jabber and Hive Resources contributor found this gem – Kids of Integrity. Produced by Focus on the Family Canada, Kids of Integrity is a goldmine of lesson plan activities.

I’m thankful to Jessica for finding it for several reasons:

It’s FREE!
Each character trait includes about a dozen short Bible studies starters (verses, discussion questions, and key thoughts).
Each character trait includes great ideas for crafts, hands-on learning, creative discipline.
Each character trait is saturated with Scripture (even if Scripture is treated a little topically). I still appreciate this aspect, simply because the We Choose Virtues utilizes the NIrV which I’m not crazy about. (Why? I think it makes memorizing actual translations a little harder as our kids grow).

So, here’s how I’m combining all these tools:

I printed out the great weekly planner from Kids of Integrity and set to work pulling resources, ideas, and games from each of these three resources.

This week we are covering our first virtue – obedience. Each day I will do a short Bible study, one activity to reinforce our study, and repeat a Scripture memory verse.

I don’t anticipate spending more than 20 minutes on it each day, but I am hopeful I can be more consistent than I have in the past. I’m excited to dig in and will keep you updated on our progress. Maybe I should get an accountability partner. Jess? Are you listening?

What are you doing to teach your children godly character? What biblical tools have you found to reinforce your efforts?

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