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| It was a very good thing God was always rescuing His people... the Israelites were never quite safe from themselves (Biggest Story, 66) |
Ornament: Tablets
Scripture Readings:
Exodus 20:1-17
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Matthew 3:3-10; 22:35-40
Story: God giving good Words to Live By (the Ten Commandments)
- Jesus Storybook Bible: God makes a Way and Ten Ways to be Perfect (92-107)
- Big Picture Story Bible: God's Great Sign (130-139)
- The Ology: The Ten Commandments of God and Breaking One Law Breaks the Whole Law (78-83)
- The Gospel Story Bible: God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments (68-69)
My oldest son loves our story for today. He is fascinated by the power of God, particularly when it comes to mountains shaking and lightening and thunder and fire (sounds about right for a boy, doesn't it?). Last year, we studied the life of Moses, and he began to pick up the themes of God going to great lengths to dwell with His people. He even listened as I read Leviticus and Numbers to him (don't ever underestimate the value of reading the Bible aloud to your children)! We studied about the tabernacle and how sacrifices were the only way for God's people to be near him. We also read about God leading His people with a pillar of cloud and fire. WOW!!! He told me, "Mommy, it was so easy to just follow God. He was right there." His excitement over God coming to be with His people and lead them really convicted me. So often, I allow the presence of God to become familiar and common place. I forget the great lengths God took for me to dwell with Him. I approach Him hastily and without thought and care many times. But God is all powerful, and He is all Mighty. His coming to dwell anywhere near us much less within us is anything but familiar and common place. It is love; it is grace; it is compassion; it is who God is. What a privilege! God is using my children to show me more of Himself. This is why we press on - why we teach them diligently. We also learn and grow as we see the Gospel through their eyes and ears.
One of the things God did to help His people draw near to Him was to give them His good words to obey - something they could see with their eyes and listen to with their ears. What a mercy that God gave us the law. Knowing how to live - the standard - is His grace! He knew this was the only way we would see our need for Jesus. Without the law, we would be trapped judging one another on the basis of our own behavior - and that would NOT be pretty. God has made it easy (in the words of my son) to follow Him. God is right here! We have the law in front of us to hear and see and learn, and it is the law that leads us to Christ (Romans 7:7; Galatians 3:24). And Christ is the Yes and Amen to ALL of God's promises to us!
Talk to your children about the law. Explain to them after they have disobeyed that no one can keep the law perfectly. No one, except for Jesus. He came to remove God's judgment and give us "His perfect record of obedience" (The Gospel Story Bible, 68). Jesus came to fulfill the law and to give us abundant life! This is Grace in all its fullness!
Tidings and tidbits:
One of the things God did to help His people draw near to Him was to give them His good words to obey - something they could see with their eyes and listen to with their ears. What a mercy that God gave us the law. Knowing how to live - the standard - is His grace! He knew this was the only way we would see our need for Jesus. Without the law, we would be trapped judging one another on the basis of our own behavior - and that would NOT be pretty. God has made it easy (in the words of my son) to follow Him. God is right here! We have the law in front of us to hear and see and learn, and it is the law that leads us to Christ (Romans 7:7; Galatians 3:24). And Christ is the Yes and Amen to ALL of God's promises to us!
Talk to your children about the law. Explain to them after they have disobeyed that no one can keep the law perfectly. No one, except for Jesus. He came to remove God's judgment and give us "His perfect record of obedience" (The Gospel Story Bible, 68). Jesus came to fulfill the law and to give us abundant life! This is Grace in all its fullness!
Tidings and tidbits:
- Here is my favorite Christmas album. This is the music we decorated the tree to every year growing up. If you are looking for beautiful voices, unique arrangements, and a wide variety of languages and culture, this is a great choice for the family. My kids love Ding Dong Merrily on High.
- I would encourage you to be reading Luke 2:1-20 out loud to your children each day this month. I have been reading it to the children 1-2 times during lunch each days, and my two year old can almost quote word for word 10 of the verses already. They are little sponges! Take time to read the Bible to them, even if it means that you have to sit down and not clean up or do something while they eat. These moments are precious and fleeting.
Resource Corner
So... looking ahead to the new year. I always wait until almost half way through January before I feel like I even pretend to get my act together with some goals spiritually. I'm not generally a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions, but I think it can be an opportunity to rethink and refocus. A couple of things I am starting to think and pray about is what Bible story books I want to read to my children, what verses I want to memorize, and what songs I want to sing with them. In a few days, I will be sharing a list of what I am going to strive to do in these areas next year - or at least during winter and spring. Tomorrow, I will share some resources for moms (or anyone). So stay tuned.
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