Helping Your Kids See the Big Picture of the Bible

09/02/2010 09:53 AM

Did you know that if you want your son or daughter to become a teenager with authentic faith that lasts, then he/she first needs to be able to articulate their God-story? I got some great information from my oldest son's pastor at church and I wanted to share it with you (with his permission.) He is reading a book called "Almost Christian" by Kenda Creasy Dean, and in this book they lay out an extensive survey on American teen spirituality, and found that being able to articulate a God-story is one of the keys of having faith that is consequential (meaning it lasts.)

What does is mean to articulate a God-story? I think of it as being able to articulate the big-picture story of what God is doing from creation to the end. Here's how our youth pastor explained it: It ..."means that your son or daughter needs to know a basic understanding of what God has done in history and what direction He is taking us. As Christians our God-story is based on the revelation of Scripture. I know that it is easy to feel inadequate and insecure about teaching the Bible to your children. We are uneasy because we don't really know the story ourselves. The good news is that God doesn't need you to be a Bible scholar or pastor to teach your children well. A simple, clear understanding of the flow of the Bible is what a middle schooler needs to understand. This is something you CAN help them with."

Here is one basic overview of the Bible that may help you develop a God-story of your own:

1. God has created all things (including humans) for His glory and purposes.- Gen. 1-2
2. Humanity rebelled against God, causing a devastating rift in our relationship that leads to death and separation.- Gen. 3
3. In His great love, God chose Abraham and his descendants (Israel) to be His people through whom he would bless and save the world.- Genesis 12-Exodus
4. Israel failed to faithfully serve God and therefore a Messiah was needed to represent Israel and save the world.- Deuteronomy-Malachi
5. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came as the long awaited Messiah who fulfilled God's promises to rescue us from our sin.- the Gospels
6. Jesus established his church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to continue His work on the earth until His return.- Acts - Jude
7. Jesus will return to earth to judge those on earth, completely destroy Satan and sin, and restore creation to an unhindered relationship with God.- Revelation


I hope this helps you as you lead your son or daughter as you talk about the Bible and Biblical truth and help them to see the "big picture." I have found it helpful with my kids to always take them back to the big picure, then help them understand how the stories and lessons in the Bible fit in that story so they can see that God is working, He is in control, and that we are a part of a bigger plan.

By the way, if you have little kids, I know that Big Ideas just produced a series of dvds called "Whats in the Bible" to help little ones see the big story as well.

(Thanks to Kevin Libick, Middle School Pastor at Christ Chapel Bible Church for allowing me to share his thoughts!)

Blessings,

Kym

PG 13 - Is it really suitable for your teen?

08/21/2010 10:58 AM

This issue has really been on my heart this week and I felt led to share my thoughts. My heart breaks when I see children being exposed to things that they are neither spiritually or developmentally ready for, or when they are exposed to just blatant raunchy, rebellious behavior all in the name of "humor." Don't get me wrong, I love comedy and love to laugh, but I am seeing a trend that concerns me. I think that we sometimes get numb to sin when it is presented as humor, and I think we need to be accountable as parents as to what we allow our children to see on TV and in movies. When we tell our kids to obey God's word and to make wise choices based on His word, yet we allow them to see movies that make light of sexual purity, drug use, and present clearly sinful behavior as normal or something to laugh about, we are sending our children mixed messages.

Take, for example, PG-13 movies. Do you assume that because it is rated PG-13 that it is appropriate for anyone over 13? A new movie came out this week that is aimed at teens and is billed as a spoof of the Twilight movies,Vampires Suck. Here's just a part of what is in this PG-13 movie: (from www.pluggedin.com)

Edward shows up in Becca's room at night, ogling and/or cuddling her. After making out with him, Becca strips down to an S&M-style bra and panties. Wielding a whip and other bondage-oriented accoutrements, she throws Edward down, lies on top of him and kisses him passionately. (She's trying to make him "do everything" since they're both virgins. He resists her by breaking a lamp over her head. She responds by saying she likes it rough.) When Edward bites Becca, the act becomes very sexualized as they writhe and groan.

Jacob is portrayed as effeminate and his pack of "wolves" as homosexual dancers. Two men kiss for a prom photo. (Prom is portrayed as a sexual free-for-all.) "Lesbian" is used as an epithet. Becca says that she and Jacob played doctor as children, and that she once gave him a prostate exam. Couples make out. "Humping" and incest are mentioned. Virginity and abstinence are mocked. A girl describes how she still can't ride a bike because she and her lover had such rough sex. A paralyzed man complains that he can't feel his penis. Frank remarks on the size of his daughter's breasts, and he makes disgustingly inappropriate sexual comments to her. He even parades his blow-up sex doll—a running joke—around in her presence. Male and female genitalia are crudely referenced, as are various sex acts. One f-word and at least 15 s-words. God's name is abused about 10 times, twice coupled with "d‑‑n." Christ's name is misused once. Other language includes "h‑‑‑," "b‑‑ch" and "a‑‑." "Blow," "balls" and "douche bag" are also used. A man displays a "single-digit salute."

I saw first-hand similar issues with another teen favorite Dinner for Schmucks. My husband and I actually went to see this one for ourselves and were shocked to see not only young teens, but families coming out of this film, some with kids as young as 8-10 years old.

I wonder how many parents assume that the MPAA has their back, and that if they give a movie a PG-13 rating, that means it's appropriate for everyone 13 and over? Nothing could be further from the truth. The real deal is that teens bring in a huge chunk of money to the movie industry. PG-13 allows movies to be raunchy and rebellious, yet still open to teens and put the responsiblitly on the parents. Here's how the MPAA themselves describe the PG-13 rating: "PG-13 places larger responsibilities on parents for their children's moviegoing. The voluntary rating system is not a surrogate parent, nor should it be. It cannot, and should not, insert itself in family decisions that only parents can, and should, make. Its purpose is to give prescreening advance informational warnings, so that parents can form their own judgments. PG-13 is designed to make these parental decisions easier for films between PG and R." From my point of view, movies that are PG-13 now are overwhelmingly similar to R movies from when we were teens.

Obviously, YOU are the parent of your children, and no one can or should tell you what is best for your kids. But I want to encourage you, as Christian moms, to not make decisions about media without knowing what you are allowing. When we tell our kids that something is wrong, but then we expose them to 100 voices telling them that it is okay, we become one voice in 100 and the majority will win out.

Listen, today's culture is absolutely battling for the hearts and minds of your children. Get your sword and shield and don't be afraid to fight for your kids. Ask questions. Do your homework. Don't make assumptions. Don't be afraid to say "No." Your kids may not understand now, but they will thank you later.

Remember, you are creating a legacy with the decisions you make each and every day and the choices you make now matter. They affect your family now and they affect future generations.


By the way, www.Pluggedin.com is a great resource for parents to review movies, video games and more for content. We use it frequently.

Many Blessings!

Summer Family Event

07/16/2010 11:24 AM

Legacy Moms,

Hope you are having a fun summer with your children. I don't know about you, but have I been blessed with so much I take for granted such as being able to take my kids to the movies or go out to eat. Sometimes I feel more entitled to these things then thankful. Jesus tells us to remember "the least of these". Those that are struggling just to provide the basics for themselves and their families this summer.

Legacy Moms wants to provide you an opportunity made easy to serve those in need. On Monday, August 9th we will serve at the Beautiful Feet ministry in FTW from 8:30-1 (www.thefeet.org).

We will help them prepare/serve breakfast and lunch and do whatever "feet jobs" they have that day, like unloading trucks and organizing donations and food. Older children are encouraged to come and serve by your side.

Also, please collect any donation items you could give including food, clothing and toys. You could even have your kids collect things from neighbors. They are especially in need of men's clothing and kits that they pass out to the homeless that include travel size bathroom items.

Anyone is welcome to join us so spread the work and let's bring an army of servants (and train a generation of servant leaders!)

Blessings,

Elizabeth Fowler
Legacy Moms Leadership Team

"If you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40