Friday, May 23, 2008

Family Bible Time...

Recently, we started having a daily family Bible Time after we are done eating breakfast, but still at the table.  Now some of you may be impressed, and some of you may be like, "wow, what took you so long?!"  Nonetheless, thanks to Shawn Bergen, a pastor at our church, for his example and influence to get us started. 

So far, it has been both a joy and a train wreck.  Drew loves it, but doesn't always stay focused.  Tessa is pretty much clueless.  We involve her, and certainly understand that the practice is just as formative for her as it is for Drew.  Tonight, was especially hard.  We have learned the lesson more than once, we have to keep Tessa tied down, oops, I mean strapped in to her high chair if there is any hope of her participating.

What do we do?  3 things...

1.  We read the Bible.  We are using a children's Bible that basically tells a story through a very short story and picture.  After we read, we ask questions of each person to further explain what might be happening.

2.  We pray.  We go around first and ask what each person wants to thank Jesus for or ask Jesus for.  Then we go around and everyone takes a turn to pray.  This was a great idea we learned from someone else.  We find that it helps them think about what they want to tell Jesus, instead of just singing their prayer song from rote memory. 

3.  We sing worship songs.  We sing a song we don't know and a song we do know.  The other night Drew wanted to sing, "The Wheels on the Bus."  I was quick to point out that that song was not a worship Jesus song.  He quickly responded..."yes it is Daddy, because Jesus made the buses!"  We sang the song.  A song that "we" didn't know was "the Doxology".  Even though we sang it for a week, Drew wouldn't sing.  Shy or something?  Last night, I was trying to get Tessa to sing with me because Drew wouldn't, and all of a sudden he announced he knew it.  He sure did, every word.  Amazing how quickly he learns...

Here is a little fruit of our labor...

Rob

4 comments:

Pauline said...

that is fantastic, train-wreck or not, they do pick up on the importance of it.

It gets more fun when they are older and start adding to it or correcting you :)

Bonnie said...

Good job Drew!!! Just when you think they aren't paying attention they surprise you, don't they? I remember when we had family devotions around the breakfast table too!! Good memories.

The DeLormes said...

Awwww... that was so cute! Great job, Drew!!!

Way to go, Rob! Your little ones are your FIRST ministry. What a special time that is. I have many special memories of family devotions at home with my sibblings and parents. May it reap the reward of kids who love God all the more!!! Don't let "life" pull you off that wagon...

Cyndi

Earl's Family said...

Hey Rob,
Man you and Becky are right on track!!! Believer me, what Cyndi said about your kids being your FIRST minstry is so, so true. I think anytime we get God's order, out of order, we're only in for disorder. God, FAMILY, ministry and then doing all the other things we like to do is God's order. Man, go for it. Drew did a great job.

Uncle Earl