All the Marbles Day 35

You are an expert! You are the only one who spends 24/7 with your children. You are the only one who knows how they are uniquely wired. The “experts” you read or “that mother who has it all together and her kids are angels,” are full of advice, BUT they don’t know your children, your situation, how your children will respond, how each of your children are “different.” Their advice may be great, but if your children don’t fit their “norm,” DON’T PANIC! God created them in His image with all their “differences,” and He entrusted them to you, to raise, to love, to disciple! You’ve got this!

None of us are perfect. We are all “different.” BUT what we can cling to is the hope we have in Jesus and the promise that one day all will be made right when He returns! Read the end of the story in Revelation 21-22. Then thank God for your “different” children, and pray that He will show you how to love [insert children’s names] with all their “differences!”

If you feel overwhelmed and frustrated that your children just can’t seem to do what the “experts” and “that mother who has it all together and her kids are angels,” find an older wiser mom who will: listen, empathize, encourages you to seek “expert” advise BUt not to stress if the advice doesn’t work, then loving reminds you how “special” and “different” each child is and encourages you that you are doing great!

I’m not an “expert” on how to disciple your children in following Jesus! But, as I look back on my journey with my three girls (who now instead of donuts, choose eggs, who now sleep in their own beds and go to bed before me, and are “adulting quite well!), I wish someone would have encouraged me and offered me a “guide” for my journey. Would I have used it? To be honest, I would have had seasons when I would have been “all in” and seasons when it would have just been “too much to add to the spinning plates.” Equipping Tomorrow and “All the Marbles” blog are my feeble attempt to offer encouraging words to parents for the day, and Truths to teach your children about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Like all other guidance, take it or leave it, you know your children best! Disciple them well! Don’t miss this unique time and opportunity to intentionally invest “All the Marbles!”

If you are interested in a simple “journey guide” to discipling your children, sign up for “All the Marbles” daily email at https://www.allthemarbles-365-18.com, and it will come straight to your inbox. Discipling is a journey, I encourage you to start with Day 1, but more importantly, I encourage you to start!

We are still digging into how our leather-bound or Superhero Bible came to be. The books/letters included in the Bible didn’t just happen by chance! Their history is amazing!

(1) Review: What is a Testament? (a covenant, promise) What is another name for what we call the “Old Testament” in our Bible? (the Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Scriptures or the TaNak) What is the Hebrew name for the first five books? (The Torah) What does Torah mean? (The “teachings.”) What else do we call these books (The Law, the Pentateuch, or the Books of Moses) Which 5 books are in the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.) Do you remember the name of the other two scrolls in the TaNak? (Nevi’im and Ketuvim) What does Nevi’im mean? (The “prophets”) The Nevi’im consists of what kind of books? (narratives and prophets) Which books are the Former Prophets or Narrative Books? (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, our Bible splits Samuel and Kings’s into 2 books, more on this later) Which books are the Latter Major Prophets? (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) Which books are The Minor Prophets? (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah) What is a prophet? (A prophet is a person who proclaims the will of God and guides the people.)

(2) What does Ketuvim mean? (The “writings”) use your Bibles Table of contents to talk about the books included in the Ketuvim:

Poetry books: Psalms, Lamentations, Song of Solomon

Wisdom books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes

Short Stories: Esther, Ruth, Jonah

History books: Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles (Chronicles is divided into 2 books in our Bible)

(3) Continue to work on your summary of Genesis 1-11 as a family. This may take several days, take your time! This sets the plot/storyline for the entire Bible.

Kids learn by repetition, so keep reviewing! Jesus is the center of our faith (grace alone, faith alone, in Christ alone.) The Bible is God’s redemptive story throughout history. It is not the center of our faith, but it is the big picture story. Teach your kids the Books of the Bible, where they came from, what part of the story they tell. Then, when others question their faith, they are rooted and can stand firm on Jesus and the Scriptures!

Even if you don’t use anything written here, use your Bible, and disciple your children!!! It is a great honor and our responsibility as parents!

I am praying for you and your family and this journey together!