"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.
Live in peace with each other.
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the
timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody
pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and
to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. . ."
~1 Thessalonians 5: 11-28
So how does all this tie to Faith Shaping, our focus for today? As women, we have the potential through our words to influence many people that we interact with. First and foremost, we need to nurture and grow our own faith being mindful of God's nudges and fine tuning our ear to "hear" Him. Then we have to be willing to obey and act upon what God is guiding us to do. Second, we have the opportunity to help shape our kids' faith too with help from our husband or other family members and friends.
We don't have to do this alone nor do we need to know everything there is to know about God before attempting to help our kids with their faith walk. Often times what works for one family will not work for another. It is an art not a science. This is where the women of Mothers Together can provide a huge support as well as a wealth of helpful insight and vast experience on what has worked for them in shaping their own faith as well as their family members' faith.
Our hope is that you will be INSPIRED when you leave today. Fight the temptation to compare or start beating yourself up for not doing this or being too lax on that. I just love the saying that goes with the picture above - Life in Christ is not a competition but a Co-Op!! Brilliant whoever came up with that. Sooo just enjoy, listen and take in what is doable for you and what you sense God wants you to do. AND be sure to share during our open sharing time what you are doing to personally connect with God or what you do with your family to connect to God.
Here are a few examples of Faith Shaping ideas to get you going:
- I've heard that several of you are adopting the index card process Beth described last week and are going to share insightful Bible verses with one another around your table.
- Others of you have been following up throughout this week to see how inhaling God's word is going . . . a wonderful example of inviting your table to help you follow through on a nudge to act.
- Implement Scripture Memory systems like the one you will hear about today
- Read daily devotions on your own or with your family regularly.
- "Jesus Calling" for adults and "Jesus Calling for Kids" are both amazing devotional books.
- "Face to Face"
- "Daily Light"
- "The Jesus Story Bible"
- Regularly and fervently pray utilizing scripture as a guide . . .for you and your spouse's relationship with God, for your kids' relationship with God to grow, to express grattitude, etc.
- Count your blessings as suggested in the book "1000 Gifts" by Ann Voskamp and develop a permanent attitude of gratefulness.
- Pray for your kids as you drive them to school.
- Have your adult children and grandchildren act out the story of Jesus' birth every Christmas.
- Start young and plan and hold to taking your kids on fun trips every year - over spring break is always good so that your kids will have a better chance of staying out of trouble and want to be with you more.
- Do regular service projects together - serve at a soup kitchen, help with our missions efforts at church, rake leaves for a neighbor, etc.
~ Tara G, MT Coordinator
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here." ~2 Cor 5:17
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." ~Rom 12:9-10
