Friends, We have a guest blogger today. My friend and fellow M.O.M. Initiative mentor mom, Lindsey Bell . Read to the end and discover how to win 6 free books.
A belated Merry Christmas!
~Lori
Most Christian parents want to teach their kids about the Bible.We know we should do it…and we genuinely desire to do it.
But something happens…and we don’t.
For some of us, that “something” is busyness, tiredness, or forgetfulness. (I wrote a post a while back about many of these obstacles—and how to overcome them—here).
For others, we don’t teach our kids about the Bible because we don’t know where to start.
The Bible is a big book, after all, so how in the world are we supposed to figure out where to begin? What story should we start with? Which Bible verse should we work on first?
We allow the enormity of the task to overwhelm us so we stop moving forward at all.
That’s why I wrote this post…to give any of you who feel overwhelmed a place to start.
Start by memorizing one of these verses with your kids each month. Then, at the end of the year, you’ll have all of them memorized.
I’ve also included a condensed version of the verse for your younger kids. As you’re working with them (especially the youngest ones), make up hand motions for the verses. It’ll make it fun and also help them remember the verse.
12 Key Bible Verses for You and Your Kids:
1. On Behavior
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Condensed: Work at everything like you’re working for God.
2. On Anger
James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Condensed: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
3. On Trusting God
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Condensed: In all things, God works for our good.
4. On Prayer and Thankfulness
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Condensed: Always rejoice, pray, and give thanks.
5. On Love for God
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Condensed: Love God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
6. On Love for Others
John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Condensed: Everyone will know you follow me when you love each other.
7. On Words
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Condensed: Don’t let anything come out of your mouth except what is helpful for others.
8. On Worry/Fear
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Condensed: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
9. On Thoughts
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Condensed: Think about things that matter for eternity.
10. On Insecurities
Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Condensed: I can do all things through Jesus.
11. On Creation
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Condensed: God created the heavens and the earth.
12. On the Gospel Message
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Condensed: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the way to God the Father.
Let’s Talk: What other verses would you add to this list?
Readers, This post is part of Lindsey Bell’s December blog tour. To enter to win Lindsey’s MEGA-GIVEAWAY (the winner will receive 6 books!), leave a comment on any of Lindsey’s guest posts this month (including this one).
Lindsey Bell is the author of Searching for Sanity: 52 Insights from the Parents of the Bible. She’s also a stay-at-home mother of two, minister’s wife, avid reader, and chocolate lover. Click her to go to Lindsey’s blog.
About Searching for Sanity:
Have you ever looked at your beloved children and wondered, what in the world am I doing? Why did God trust me—of all people—to raise them?
Motherhood is the most difficult job many of us will ever take. Searching for Sanityoffers moms an opportunity to take a breath, dig into the Word, and learn from parents of the past. In short devotions designed for busy moms, this book uses the parents of the Bible—both the good and the bad—to inspire today’s mothers.
You can pick up a copy today at Amazonor Barnes and Noble.
© LoriWildenberg. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Lori Wildenberg is a licensed parent and family educator, parent coach, and co-founder of 1Corinthians13 Parenting.com. She has written 6 books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home; The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections; and her most recent book, Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Contact Lori for your next event or for parent consulting or parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at the MOMS Together Group on Facebook.
Thank you so much for writing this!!! I've always wanted to teach my kids some bible verses to memorize, but never knew where to start. I'm definitely going to teach them these verses!!!!
I love this list! My big issue right now is trying to figure out when my daughter is ready to start memorizing some of these (she's 4 now). I suppose if she can quote lines from movies she's watched she can do this, but I just haven't started her on it.
Yah! Amber, I'm so glad this is helpful! I felt the same way before I made this list. It can just be so overwhelming when you don't know where to start.
My sons are 6 and 3, and we are working on some of these now. I bet she can do some of them now!
Thanks so much for opening your blog to me, Lori!
This post was very useful and a great reminder for me too, thank you
Susan, I'm so glad it was helpful!