Parent’s Corner- “For the Kids!” Series

 

Parent’s Corner began as a communication tool to inform parents what had been taught in Children’s Sunday school classes on a given Sunday morning, providing passages to read together and discussion questions to facilitate conversation between parents and their children during the week.  We have just finished Year 3 of our curriculum series.  The decision has been made to press “pause” in our Children’s ministry classes before beginning again with Year 1.  While we are paused, I will be changing the focus of Parent’s Corner from curriculum notes, to teachable moments. 

 

 “For the Kids!”

 

This collection of topical journal entries will focus on teachable moments that parents can have with their kids.  They will be grounded in Scripture, seasoned by stories and experiences, and distributed with love and prayers for many sweet times together as a family.  In an effort to be organized and purposeful, I’ll be choosing topics by going through the alphabet.  As I write this, please know that I don’t claim to have all of the answers.  Not at all!  What I do have is a genuine desire to have a teachable spirit, and a heart for the precious kiddos in our body. 

 

J is for Joyfulness

 

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” 

Psalm 16:11

 

“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”

Psalm 68:3

 

I have heard it said that happiness depends greatly on circumstances, while joy is a choice purposefully made.  We can be happy that the sun is out, that we have a day off of school, or that someone is making our favorite dessert to enjoy after dinner.  We find joy when we make a choice to do so. 

 

Psalm 16:11 talks about the Lord filling us with joy when we are in His presence.  Looking at our life through the lens of the Lord, filling ourselves with His word and wisdom will allow us to see beyond our circumstances, and enable us to feel joy in any and all circumstances. 

 

Some topics for conversation with your family. . .

What makes you happy?

When is it easy to be happy?

What circumstances are more difficult and require more effort to find joy in them?

How can the Lord bring you joy, even in more difficult circumstances? 

How can you pray for one another this week?

 

Some ideas to do as a family this week. . .

Look up some Bible verses about joy. 

Decide on your favorite, write it down, and put it in your home where it can be easily seen. 

If anyone is having a hard day, point them back to that verse. 

Smile more!  Goofy smiles, small smiles, big grins. . . its hard not to smile back at a face that is smiling at you!

 

Extra credit. . . do you remember when everyone in your family answered the question, what makes you happy?  Did you take notes?  Another way to encourage someone else is to do something that makes them happy.  The bonus. . . this will bring YOU JOY!!!