All the Marbles Day 16

This is a picture of some of my ”family!” My VBS 1463 Second church family. I have so many amazing ”family members” in churches all over! All my favorite! All whom walked or are walking with me on this disciple and disciple making journey!

Are you missing your Church family? Online Church just doesn’t seem to cut it. We were made to be in community, not struggling alone. The New Testament is filled with “one another” commands. We are told to love, pray, and encourage each other (and that’s just 3 of them!) As you disciple your kids commit to doing life in community with the church. Ask what they are being taught! As a children’s director I have only had 3 families (out of 1,000s) want to know the scope and foundation of our teaching.

Can you imagine, not knowing what your child was going to be learning academically for the whole year? (Ok, today you probably wish you didn’t know so much.) Not knowing who their teachers are for the year? Never checking in on their teachers and recognizing them for their time and patience?

Why are we so willing to give our kids over for one hour on Sunday without partnering with those who are helping us disciple our kids? I know this doesn’t apply to all families, and I know there is a level of confidence in your children’s teaching that we have in our churches (or we wouldn’t be at that church.) BUT, what if we took the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to heart and we walked and talked with our children daily building on what they are learning in church? Even better, tailoring it to where they are in their disciple journey! Individual learning meets the learner where they are and doesn't move on until the concept is grasp—Miss truths (not wrongly taught but wrongly perceived) from the Bible need to be addressed before they get planted and grow.

Example of my own missed truth: I thought the end times were only about judgment, and I better be on my best behavior. The real truth is Jesus is returning as judge AND King to restore ALL of creation, including me!!! It is about, so much more than judgement! I got stuck in my learning process, and I didn't move on until much later in life. I missed it as a kid, there is “so much more!”

God has entrusted local churches with Godly leaders to teach His Word and care for each other (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:1-8.) He has placed us in a church family to “one another” each other. We are to gather and worship Him, hear His Word, pray, and encourage each other. As weird as this time is, are you staying connected to your children’s Bible Study/Sunday School leaders/teachers? If you don’t have a church family or your children aren’t part of a Bible Study/Sunday School class, commit to finding one! Today spend some time journeying with your kids and engaging them in the following questions:

(1) Discuss what a church is (not a building but disciples of Jesus joining and committing to love Him and each other, and much more!) Why are there churches? And how you as a family can prioritize church.

(2) Share what you have learned in Bible Study/Sunday School over the years? The stories (history narratives, letters, prophecies,etc—TRUE stories!) I think you will be amazed at what your children have grasped.

(3) Look up verses about “one another” commands in the Bible, read them out loud, and brainstorm creative ways to “one another” at this time.

(4) Call, text, or snail mail a person who has partnered with you and invested in discipling your child. Let the kids come up with how!

I am praying for you and your family, and this journey together! If you are confused or fill ill-equipped to disciple your kids, email me at equippingtomorrow@icloud.com, and I’ll be here to walk with you through this unique opportunity you have been given.