It’s Tuesday’s Real Moms…Real Jesus chapter discussion! Feel free to answer or comment on any or all of the following:
This chapter’s “Perspective” deals with being so tired. The Perspective starts with the true story of a mom who fell asleep in the carpool line at school. While most of us haven’t done that, we’ve certainly been tired enough to consider it!
- Do you have any funny stories of a time that you were so tired that you did something foolish?
- Have you ever considered just how tired Jesus was when he was trying to meet all of the needs around him?
- Have you ever talked to Jesus about your fatigue? He’s a friend who understands!
Now on to Chapter 8: Jesus Taught: The Truth about Leading our Children
This chapter looks at Jesus as a natural storyteller. He would use an everyday experience as a metaphor for a spiritual truth. As moms, we can learn so much from the ways that Jesus taught!
On Saturday Mark and I took the boys hiking at Starved Rock State Park. As we were hiking we pointed out the poison oak and poison ivy we saw along the way. Boys will be boys and, of course, they wanted to walk off the beaten path more than they wanted to walk on the established trail.
That’s when I sensed God’s leading to teach a spiritual truth. So we talked for a moment about following God’s ways being similar to staying on the established path. Then we talked about the consequences that are experienced when we go off the path. In the case of the state park path, we might end up with a poison oak or poison ivy rash. In the case of our spiritual life, we end up with the consequences of sin. We continued talking about how God gives us direction and boundaries, what kids might call “rules,” and how they are there to protect us from things we might not even realize could happen. The whole conversation took about 3 minutes and then we were done.
It was using Jesus’ methods used in the midst of our real life. And now we’ll have to trust that God will water the truths we planted on in their hearts on Saturday.
- Have you ever considered the idea that home is the place where spiritual training should take place or have you ever considered that the church’s job?
- How do you feel about being your child’s primary spiritual teacher?
- Share with us a time when you’ve used a television show, a commercial, or a real life experience to teach your children God’s truth for their lives.
Seeing myself as my children’s primary spiritual teacher is daunting…and overwhelming. I take opportunities for formal devotions as well as using teachable moments, but it seems that there is always more to do. It’s like doing dishes – you get one mess cleaned up and here comes another one.
Thankfully, God shows me what to focus on. Last week it was the topic of worth. We were playing with a deck of cards and my son complained that he always got the low card. I explained that if we all had the ace of spades, the game would not work right. In some rounds I have the high card and in others, he had the high card. God deals with us the same way. In some talents or gifts we are and ace and in others we are not. In God’s economy,my value is not based on a single round of play. The whole deck is marked – with Christ.
I need to remember this for our future teaching opportunities with our 2 years old grandson, Raphael. Thank you!
Casey, what a great analogy! Thanks for sharing. We play cards alot so I’ll have to remember that one!
Kathy, thanks for reminding us that we can do this with our grandchildren and even our children’s friends when they are at our house!
Jill, I just wanted you to know that I received a copy of Real Moms… Real Jesus today, and three to give away on my blog. I’m thrilled!!! I can’t wait to start reading it tonight and to share via my blog.
I also wanted you to know I’ve been keeping your daughter in prayer as she comes to mind.
Thanks for all your service to Jesus!
Sheil
I appreciated this chapter and it made me more aware of looking for those teachable moments. One of my concerns is that we aren’t doing enough to teach our son (he’s four) what he needs to know of God’s Word. He is gaining more than I realize I think from his classes at church from the stories he shares with us during our Bible story before bed.
I agree that many are just leaving it up to the church and that just isn’t enough.
One thing I do is notice things in nature and say out loud, Thank you God for…. I’ve heard our son say this on his own when he looks out and sees rain coming down or when he feels a breeze.
Fatigue story…my husband was working late, my son (a little more than 2 at the time) took forever to eat, and I was so tired. I fell asleep at the table and woke up when my son was opening the microwave to warm up some more mac n cheese for himself! Thankfully I caught him before he nuked the fork!
chapter…God was teaching me about my responsibility to teach my children and I was feeling very overwhelmed. My husband’s Bible was on the table when my son, maybe 3, asked “Read me a story, Mommy.” God said to my heart, “Don’t make it so big and overwhelming. Let My Word be part of his every day.” So that has been my goal–sometimes it is a Bible story before bed, sometimes it is a relative story to what we are doing.
We have gotten away from this at diligently now that we have three kids–why is that? By bedtime Bible stories, I am saying, “Just go to bed!” Thanks for the reminder that I need to be more intentional about this. It is so important.
BP—I love the nature idea! It’s such an easy way to point our kids to God. And the fact that your son is saying it on his own occasionally means it’s working!
Shelly, I must admit…your fatigue story made me LOL! Thanks for sharing!