Words For That


Have you ever had the experience where you tell your child no, they cannot do something, and their response is, “why?” or “why not?” Have you then struggled to rack your brain and think of the scripture that tells us that we should or shouldn’t do something. Those verses that you can partially remember but that of course when you need them they are completely gone from your lips.  

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.        Deuteronomy 6:4-9
The best thing that we can do for our children is to raise them in the words of God. To bring them up deeply rooted in the scriptures so that they know where their help comes from, they know the truth, and they know what they believe and why. 
It is not enough to just tell our children what we believe, they need to know why we believe it and where they can look to find it for themselves.  I have worked with many teenagers that have grown up in Christian homes and have gone to wonderful Christian schools and youth groups. One of the biggest issues we had when discussing their beliefs was that they had an answer for the things they believed in but when asked why they believed it, they had no idea.  Some had never bothered to search for themselves, some had never been told anything more than “because the bible tells us not too”.
This is a collection of useful scriptures that are grouped according to the issue we may be working through with our kids.  The issues will be alphabetically organized for convenience. 
  
Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
    I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
    I will put them into practice with all my heart.
 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
    for that is where my happiness is found.
 Give me an eagerness for your laws
    rather than a love for money!
 Turn my eyes from worthless things,
    and give me life through your word.
 Reassure me of your promise,
    made to those who fear you.
Help me abandon my shameful ways;

    for your regulations are good.
 I long to obey your commandments!
    Renew my life with your goodness.
Lord, give me your unfailing love,
    the salvation that you promised me.
 Then I can answer those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
 Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
    for your regulations are my only hope.
 I will keep on obeying your instructions
    forever and ever.
 I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
 I will speak to kings about your laws,
    and I will not be ashamed.
How I delight in your commands!
    How I love them!
 I honor and love your commands.
    I meditate on your decrees.
Psalm 119:33-48




Grace -  Teaching Grace 
        Having Grace for Others -  We All Suck, Well I Know I Do


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