For the Children

Next week at Risa's Reflections, we will be looking at various ways we as parents can specifically minister to our children--the little ones God has entrusted to our care.  We will be diving into the subject of intercessory prayer for them, discussing additional devotional and missional resources with which to teach them, and looking at ways we can encourage their personal faith in the Lord.  If you missed my previous posts pertaining to this subject, I'd encourage you to catch up now.  You can check out this post regarding "gospel-centered" children's Bible and devotional resources that have been SUPER helpful to my family here.  This post has a few additional teaching ideas and resources for you, as well.  And should you think that daily Bible time with your kids should be a neat and tidy process, you might want to dispel this myth with a glimpse into what it looks like around here.  But at any rate, one thing I want to leave with you today is a sober warning.  We as Christian parents ought NEVER assume for a moment that even though our children are being reared in a "God-fearing," "church-going," moral and upright "Christian" household, they can be as dead and lost as if they'd been raised by wolves if it is not for the living-giving salvation and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His gospel message!  I think this article by Barrett Johnson, which was sparked by an interview with Phil Vischer, the creator of the popular Christian cartoon series Veggie Tales, discusses this disconnect well.  We as Christian parents can have it as our goal to raise good and moral children, bypassing the entire gospel message in our households and leaving our children with no hope of Christ!  Please take a moment to read it over thoughtfully and prayerfully and I look forward to catching you on Monday, dear one!