Some Great Questions for Kids

Second post for the night, but I wanted to pass this on...these are some great questions to ask our kids.

Questions for Kids

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Last night during the conversation with John Piper, John MacArthur, and me, Piper mentioned how helped he was by the kinds of questions that Rick Gamache (senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Fellowship) regularly asks his kids. Rick gave me permission to post them here:

• How are your devotions?
• What is God teaching you?
• In your own words, what is the gospel?
• Is there a specific sin you’re aware of that you need my help defeating?
• Are you more aware of my encouragement or my criticism?
• What’s daddy most passionate about?
• Do I act the same at church as I do when I’m at home?
• Are you aware of my love for you?
• Is there any way I’ve sinned against you that I’ve not repented of?
• Do you have any observations for me?
• How am I doing as a dad?
• How have Sunday’s sermons impacted you?
• Does my relationship with mom make you excited to be married?
• (On top of these things, with my older kids, I’m always inquiring about their relationship with their friends and making sure God and his gospel are the center of those relationship. And I look for every opportunity to praise their mother and increase their appreciation and love for her.)
  

posted by JT at Saturday, September 29, 2007

Ginger Plowman Conference

(Please click on the Title to link to Ginger Plowman website...great resources for Moms!)

This past weekend I had a wonderful time attending a conference taught by Ginger Plowman. She has written a couple books titled "Don't Make Me Count to Three" and "Heaven At Home".
I was able to go with a friend of mine and a few other ladies from our church attended as well.
It was such a good time of gathering with friends! I think we all received once again, much needed Godly encouragement on parenting our children for the Lord.

Though the teaching in our church for parents is excellent...Ginger's teaching was also very good, very practical, full of scripture, and she shared numerous examples of how to implement God's Word into our parenting, especially in every day circumstances. I was aware of areas in my life and my kids lives where there have been evidences of His grace, and yes, I was aware of areas I needed to grow in.

I was however, very spurred on to grow in the area of using scripture throughout the day with my kids. Not in preaching to them but in a teaching way.
For the past year or so, my heart has been yearning for more of God's Word to penetrate my heart more deeply, more intimately, and to really make it more a part of my everyday life and my kids lives.

I was convicted to begin thinking more wisely about the hearts of my children...drawing them out even more...asking those probing questions consistently. Using a specific verse or verses to aid in asking those questions. To help them learn how to evaluate their own hearts not always giving them the answer (biblical answer). For example, I chose to use one of Ginger's tools the other day, in asking probing questions of one of my kids. It matched one of Ginger's examples to the T, so I decided to do what she did. It goes like this...

I'm in the kitchen cooking lunch...when all of the sudden...piercing screams come running down the hall. Of coarse I don't panic because this can be a frequent happening in our house. So I calmly walk down the hall to where the screams are somewhat fading. As I look at one child I say to him calmly, "Son, are you having fun?"
His answer, "U huh."
Then I look at our daughter then back to my son, "Do you think she is having fun with you?" Answer, "Uh-huh".

Really??
As I look at him I am thinking, OK, these questions are not working well. So I try again.

"Son, what is she doing, Laughing or Crying?" Answer, "Crying and Screaming"
"That's right she is crying and screaming."

"Now, do you think she is having fun?" Answer (said with sad eyes), "No Ma'am". " Well, God says in His Word in Proverbs 6 "One of the seven things God hates is one who stirs up trouble. God gives joy to those who promote peace. OK?" Yes, Ma'am"
So how can you show kindness toward your sister and play with her peacefully?"
Answer,"Asking her to forgive me?" "That is one way start."
Then we talked a little more. Normally I would correct or discipline for this kind of situation, but not necessarily draw them out that in depth.

Yet, he was then able to understand, "my sister really isn't having fun, I am delighting in annoying her, and I am not being kind to her."
After that it was like a light bulb that went on for both of us. It really helped us both to think through what he was doing, was it pleasing and obedient to the Lord, and to learn a new way to promote peace.
For me, using this tool of asking questions was helpful in that I did not just give the answer of what is right or wrong like, "You may not chase your sister-that is sinful and unkind" but rather helping my child to think through biblically and "taking off sin" and "putting on righteousness". I was very excited to actually practice this.
Sometimes it can be so easy to quickly go through the motions of correcting, even if I am doing it with the right heart attitude, that I don't see the opportunity to embrace the moment or opportunity to draw them out even more/show them more in depth God's Word.

I know Mom's, who are wiser than I, have already grasped hold of this. How I seek to learn from you!!

This conference was such a great reminder to persevere in teaching my kids more of scripture and teaching them that "All of scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16, 17

Do Not Grow Weary!!

Boy is it quiet, of course, it's 11:42, I should be in bed! What a fun day it was!! I was blessed to have such a great day with all my girls and my Mom. A girly day! We went to a really fun bookstore where they sell new and used books-called Wonderland Books in Hickory. A bookstore well recommended to explore!
Before we left, I told Carson my 3rd child, my little man, to come and sit on my lap while we were waiting to leave. I began to stroke his back, squeeze him tightly, (he was still able to breathe), and I told him how much I love him. At that moment, I was truly overcome by how much joy our children are to both Stefan and I. What a gift from the Lord!!!
After a few moments of our cuddles, we then had to depart and get on the road.
The trip began with a wonderful Chai Latte and vanilla iced frappuccinos!! Then it was off to Hickory. What wonderful conversations we had as we were enjoying our ride. On a more serious note, I was able to share with my Mom about the challenges of being a Mom. Lately there have been a number of things that have been happening in our lives. New baby, new move, Stefan in college (he is doing great, by the way, A student!!), and hopefully a new job soon. By God's grace the kids have been doing extremely well amidst the drastic changes. At times I know they grow weary and at times I do too.

Yet the Lord has been convicting my spirit to really start paying attention to my heart attitude, amidst these drastic changes, towards my kids. It is so easy to get caught up in what life brings that I am missing precious moments to minister to my children the love of Christ, by enjoying them as my children.
My Mom had encouraged me to remember that it's important and OK to pull away from the everyday routine, and to do something spontaneous once in a while with my children. Or plan a time to do something crazy/fun with them as a surprise. To give time to listen, talk, cuddle, play, and make memories. Oh how I need to really change in that area!! Before I had 5, I did find it a lot easier to do that. Don't get me wrong-I LOVE having 5!!!

I was reading through the girl talk blog for some practical and creative ideas on how to begin pursuing making memories with my children. I came across this post and was so encouraged. I was reminded of the scripture, "Let us not grow weary in doing good...." yes, but the rest of the scripture is what captures me even more. "For in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Isn't that neat? God has that perfect timing for when we will reap what we sow, but to enjoy this season of sowing and to be faithful to do that, (He will give the strength to be faithful too!)...it is a blessing and privilege to sow these seeds of 'good' into our little ones hearts and lives. He is sooo for us in loving our kids and teaching them good. That is so Cool!

Anyway, here is some of the post on girl talk.

During mothering weeks like these, I must reach out for the life preserver of God's Word to keep me afloat. A verse someone shared with me when Andrew (our oldest) was little has continued to sustain me through this intense season with three small boys. It's that well-known truth from Galatians 6:9: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

I'm doing a lot of sowing right now. It's not harvest season. The harvest won't come today. And it won't come tomorrow. Not even next year. But I must simply be faithful to sow today. Faithful to train. Faithful to teach. Faithful to love. Or, as it says in this passage, faithful to "do good." And I must trust God that He will fulfill His promises. That I will reap a harvest in due season if I do not give up.