Because of sin, all of us rebel against authorities and God. As parents quickly discover, children are no exception. These little “angels” assert independence by rebelling against rules from a young age. But the Bible instructs parents to discipline children out of love, molding them into Christians who strive to obey God and respect other people. Use these strategies for dealing with rebellion as children grow:

•Birth to 2 years: Accept that God gives even newborns the ability to display unique temperaments. Provide lots of comfort and warmth.
•3 to 4 years: Listen carefully and respond to children’s physical and emotional needs. Explore what upsets them. Model Christ’s love by giving kids affection.
•5 to 7 years: Offer choices and clear consequences for disobedience. Balance your demands with warmth and reason.
• 8 to 12 years: Consistently enforce rules. Let children know you trust them, and praise them for a job well done. Evaluate tough situations and ask what kids can do differently next time.

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The most wonderful time of the year is a wonderful time to share Jesus—and why he came to earth—with your children. Instead of getting caught up in the holiday rush, focus on what Christmas truly means. Use the Advent season (the weeks of preparation before Christmas) to engage in old and new traditions, make simple crafts, have discussions, and worship Jesus, our newborn King.

Faith-boosters needn’t be elaborate or time-consuming. Instead, use materials you already have to reinforce the good news that the angels shared on the first Christmas Eve: Jesus, our Savior, is born!

After you’ve shared this message with your children, look for simple ways to spread Christmas joy as a family. From caroling and delivering cookies to sending cards and inviting neighbors to programs or concerts, the possibilities are endless for letting your light shine as you celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world.

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God has blessed each of us with traits, talents, and spiritual gifts that make us special. Just as we thank God for our material and physical blessings, we should also offer gratitude for our unique gifts and abilities.

As Thanksgiving approaches, take time to consider which spiritual gifts God has given each of your family members. Observe them as they interact with others and perform tasks. What excites and satisfies your kids? What challenges them or makes them proud? Offer choices and don’t compare children’s strengths or interests to other people’s. Finally, provide varied opportunities for kids to use their gifts and to grow passionate about serving. Evaluate what they like best about each experience and why.

For a biblical primer on spiritual gifts, read passages such as Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; and Ephesians 4:11-16. Share some of these verses with your children and get their opinions about which gifts they think they have—or would like to develop.

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Many parents live in survival mode, being pulled from all directions and juggling ever-increasing responsibilities. In the rush of school, work, and household activities, it’s easy to lose our focus on what really matters: the eternal future of our children and ourselves.

How can you be more tuned in to this “end goal” of spending eternity in heaven? Talk with your pastor or a valued friend to brainstorm what your kids need to know about God and when. Plan ways to incorporate Jesus into everyday life—and on an everyday basis. Make sure everyone’s on the same page. Talk to your spouse, family members, and caregivers about your spiritual priorities, even if you think they already know them.

Then be intentional with your choices. Arrange your plans around the big-picture goal. If activities start to interfere with what’s really important, reevaluate and rework your family’s schedule. When faith becomes the top priority for your family, it’ll also become the top priority for your children.

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Because this month marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we’ll be bombarded with recaps of the tragedy. Even if your children weren’t born yet in 2001, they’ll learn about this event and ask tough questions about it. This somber date can be an opportunity to talk to kids about life’s challenges and stresses—and how God shepherds us through them.

Whether children are confronted by the illness or death of a loved one, school bullies, parental job loss, or divorce, these stressors all bring uncertainty and anxiety. Take time to reassure children of your constant love for them and of God’s promise to never leave us. Be attentive, accepting, affirming, and reliable. As much as possible, maintain the same schedules and rules during crises because structure and boundaries help children feel safe. When changes occur, let children know what to expect. Also encourage your kids to talk openly about their feelings and fears. Most importantly, pray that God will help you all grow closer to him, no matter what obstacles you face.

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Children’s heroes can be fictional or real, from cartoon and movie characters to pop singers and fire fighters. The Bible is filled with faith heroes whom God used to fulfill his plan of salvation. But not all of these heroes were adults. David, a shepherd boy, defeated the giant Goliath, and Mary was a teenager who gave birth to our Savior. God doesn’t put an age limit on being a faith hero. Kids of all ages are doing—and can do—mighty things for God’s kingdom.

Sometimes children have trouble thinking of people in the Bible as anything more than fictional. They may show more interest in celebrities or athletes and strive to be like them. So it’s important to help children put themselves in biblical people’s shoes. Together, explore their lives and times, consider their fears and emotions, and try to get inside their skin. Ask children how they would feel and react in similar situations. This is a great way for kids to apply the Bible to their lives—and to show them that as Christians, they themselves figure in the great history God is writing. Read on for more tips about raising young faith heroes.

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According to the National Organization on Disability, 54 million Americans have a disability. That’s one in every five people. And a significant number of them are children. Many churches now have special-needs ministries, and more kids with disabilities are being mainstreamed into school classrooms. That means your children likely spend time with kids they may consider “different.” Use these tips to emphasize everyone’s worth:

Build relationships. Show your children that it’s okay to talk to people with disabilities and to treat them as you would treat anyone else. Introduce yourself to parents of special-needs children and discover what types of assistance they could use.

Clarify misconceptions. Children notice differences, so address their already-established stereotypes and oversimplified generalizations about groups of people. Watch and correct judgmental statements and actions. Be a role model by valuing diversity, celebrating individuality, and respecting differences.

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On Easter, we remember the pinnacle of our Christian faith: Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. His victory assures us of forgiveness and eternal life—two things worth celebrating! You can use the Easter message as a springboard to share God’s good news with your kids all year long. Let kids know that Jesus is their friend and lets them live forever in heaven with him. Follow these tips:

• Realize that kids understand God—and Easter—in vivid, literal images. Don’t dismiss tough questions. Instead, read the Bible together.
• Tweak your traditions. Turn your usual Easter celebrations into opportunities to learn more about God and his Word. For your egg hunt, for example, fill plastic eggs with Scripture verses as well as candy.
• Know that it’s never too early to share the good news. Don’t wait until your kids can communicate to tell them about Jesus. Remember that children can discover God from infancy (see 2 Timothy 3:14-15).

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March 2011

As the Bible describes in James 3, the tongue may be small, but it can do an awful lot of damage. Unfortunately, name-calling, cursing, bickering, whining, and putdowns find their way into most homes. Yet our words also have the power to heal, mend rifts, encourage other people, and praise God. Proverbs 25:11 (NIV) compares well-chosen and well-timed words to “apples of gold in settings of silver.”

This month’s newsletter explores ways to get your children talking in positive, God-pleasing ways. Use these tips to get started:

Walk the walk, talk the talk. Kids are listening, so watch your own language and model appropriate talk—even when you think little ears aren’t listening.

Teach children how to apologize. Hurtful words can’t be “unsaid,” but people can offer heartfelt apologies and change their ways. Offer examples of how to say sorry, and remember to seek children’s forgiveness when you mess up.

Listen up! Proverbs 10:19 contains valuable advice that often goes unheeded: “Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Help children understand the importance of stopping to think before you speak. When in doubt, it’s always better to seal your lips rather than say something you may regret.

Praise God throughout the day. Talk frequently about how good God is and thank him for his many blessings. Share favorite Bible passages, pray with one another, and brainstorm ways you can serve God and other people. When we focus on God and good words, our mouths and lives will bear good fruit.

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February 2011

Marking children’s physical “firsts,” such as first steps and first words, is an exciting and memorable part of parenting. Just as important, and just as worthy of celebration, are spiritual firsts, or faith milestones.

These milestones, or rites, help children know they’re growing up as Christians and continually reconnecting to their faith family. Milestones also allow churches and parents to partner together to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus.

Spiritual occasions that warrant family celebrations include:

Baptism or Dedication—Because children are a gift from God, we “give” them back to God by committing their lives to him. By witnessing a baptism or dedication, fellow church members agree to partner with parents to help raise children in the Christian faith.

Receiving a First Bible—When children receive God’s Word, it’s like their very own special love letter from God. He wants us to read the Bible and apply it to our lives. Making a “big deal” out of getting a Bible shows kids how important the book is to our faith and its growth.

Transitioning to the Preteen Years—Leaving behind elementary school symbolizes that preteens are beginning to “own” their faith. Somewhere along their spiritual journey, they’ll decide whether to draw closer to God or reject him. The great thing is that God is always there, waiting for young people to find him. And he’s always there for parents, too, guiding us as we lead our children through faith milestones.

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