Family Bible Time

This past week I put out the offer to the families in our church, and also through the magic of Facebook the world (or at least the portion on my friends list) a chance to win a Family Reading Bible to use in the upcoming year. In order to be entered to win, the families are asked to share  with me a way that they are planning to spend time in God's Word as a family. My plan was to not simply give away this awesome resource, because it really is a cool family Bible, but more so to get families thinking about spending time in the Bible together.

So what's the big deal about families spending time together in God's Word? Shouldn't I be encouraging them to spend time alone with God instead? Let me share with you why I think that family Bible time is so important.

First I believe that by instituting a family Bible time in your home you are starting your children in a habit of spending time in God's Word each day. Parents are showing their children by example that the Bible isn't only to be opened on Sundays or midweek at church, it is a book that is to be read every day. If your children are small and not of reading age this is so important, but as the children get older they can take  turn reading the scripture and even sharing what they have learned from it. This can also serve as a jumping off point for personal devotions as the children grow older. The children can be encouraged to read the passages of scripture on their own and then the family come together to discuss what they think the passage means, and ask any questions that come up.

The second reason I believe that family Bible time is important is that it shows your children what is important in your life. It is good for children to see their mother and father taking time out of their day to spend time with God. As children grow they look to their same sex parent to see what is expected on how they should act and what they should value, and so whatever you do is what your children will see and mimic in their own lives. If you want them to live by the Word of God, so should you.

The third reason I believe that family Bible time is important is it provides a safe place for question and discussion. If you begin when the children are younger and really take the time to talk about questions that come up or discuss some of the sticky situations that are mentioned it builds a strong foundation of openness and trust. The hope is that later when the children are older and possibly facing sticky situations of their own that they will use the family Bible time as a safe place to ask what the Bible says about that situation. Much learning can happen both in intellectual knowledge and spiritual growth from times like these.

The fourth and final reason I believe that family Bible time is important is simply that it is family time. In todays world our schedules pull us farther apart from each other instead of closer together. We spend our time running from school activity to work activity to even church activity and we do not often make the time to spend as a family. And what better way to set aside time to spend as a family but to do it around God's Word.

I would love to hear your thoughts on spending time in God's Word as a family.What are you doing this year to spend time in God's Word as a family? Do you currently spend time together in God's Word? If so is it daily? weekly?

Gratefully Growing at The Grove!

Miss Megan

Christmas Eve Service

One of the traditions I have at Christmas is one that I have gained within the last 10 years, that is the tradition of a Christmas Eve service. In the church I am currently in, and the one I previously served in, the Christmas Eve service was a family service. As a Children’s Pastor I absolutely believe in age specific classes for children on a regular basis, but there is something so special about families worshipping together on Christmas Eve. Just tonight I attended the Christmas Eve service at Liberty and I was reminded again how wonderful it is to have multiple generations of families celebrating the miracle of Christmas together. At first sight you would see a dimly lit, packed sanctuary. You would hear the rustling of people and the cries and talking of children. These things may seem like a distraction or even seem to take away from the “atmosphere” of the holiday. But to me it just makes it even more Christmas Eve. You see we know from the account in Luke 2 that Bethlehem was very crowded. In fact it was so crowded that Mary and Joseph could not find any room in an inn. The light wasn’t good and so the young couple was trying to find their way around the stable to the best that they could. I can imagine Joseph trying to make it seem more like a room for his young bride who was soon to deliver her son. 

Because Joseph and Mary were in a stable, in a crowded town, we can be pretty sure that things were far from quiet. There were probably babies crying out, overheard conversations, and even the animals making noise. It was far from a silent night, and definitely not as put together as a pretty nativity scene that we all observe each year. So hearing babies crying out or squeezing in a little closer than normal in a pew just reminds me of that miracle that happened so many years ago. The miracle of God coming to earth as a helpless baby in a less than perfect situation in a world with "no room" for Him. May these Christmas Eve services always remind me of the simple beginnings of Christmas and not allow me to get caught up in the elaborate celebrations.

It is because of this that Christmas Eve services are one of my favorite traditions at Christmas time. If you have never experienced this type of worship I would encourage you to find a church that does it. I have been blessed to serve in two churches that believe in worshipping as a family on Christmas Eve and it is something that has become very important to me.

Thankfully Growing at the Grove!

Miss Megan

Choosing a Nativity Set

Placed right beside our Christmas tree in the foyer of the Children's wing is a Little People nativity set. And depending on when you walk by it, the pieces are in a variety of arrangements. It always brings me such happiness to walk by and see how the pieces are placed this time. And that is one of the reasons I chose this particular nativity set.
When I was serving at a church a few years back, they had an elaborate nativity set that was adorning one of the counter tops in the Children's Ministry area. I spent so much time telling children not to touch it or overhearing parents doing the same. Now don't get me wrong, this was a BEAUTIFUL nativity scene, but in my opinion it had not place in the Children's Ministry area. Children are such tactile learners that it only seems appropriate that they be able to touch the nativity scene. I understand having an elaborate set in the church sanctuary or foyer, but in a place with children it needs to be child friendly.
And so when I was at a church in which I was in charge of the Children's Minstry, I went in search of a nativity set that was child friendly. There are a few out there, but I settled on the Little People set because I felt it was the closest to the actual Bible account. (I am a personal fan of the Charlie Brown Christmas Pageant set but that is a pageant and not a nativity). And so I put it out by the Christmas tree and told the kids they could play with it and touch it as much as they wanted as long as the pieces stayed there. This is my second church with this nativity set and both groups have loved having this type of nativity set in our Children's Ministry. There have been many overjoyed children and relieved parents when they found out that it really was ok to touch the nativity set. I love watching the children act out the story they just heard using the nativity set. And i've even had a laugh our two at the strange ways they play out the Christmas story. (I had one boy put the baby Jesus in the back of the cart behind the donkey and say that Mary and Joseph brought him to Bethlehem that way.) This is not just any story in the Bible it is the Birth of our Savior. And I want kids to be able to experience it in a real way and not feel like it is something not meant for them or somehow "spiritually untouchable." Jesus came as a baby to save ALL of us! I want the children in my ministry to know that the Bible is real, that it is true, and that it is for them. So no "sacred cows" for us, I want everything we do to be child friendly when it comes to teaching the lessons. And what better way than having a nativity set that the children can touch and experience for themselves.
Here is the current set up  our nativity set has found itself in. I believe the wisemen are lined up to take their turn worshipping Jesus. Because all preschoolers know, we must line up nicely and wait our turn!

Joyfully Growing at The Grove!

Miss Megan

Church Christmas Traditions: Ornaments

If you haven't noticed this about me already, I love traditions. It is exciting to have something you are looking forward to, and at the same time look back at with fond memories. I have lots of Christmas traditions within my own family, but I also love sharing and beginning traditions with my church family.
One of the traditions that I joined in on at my previous church was having each of the children's Sunday School classes make ornaments for the Christmas tree in our lobby. This was a tradition that I absolutely loved and so I brought it with me to this church. I am not sure what the teachers first thought when I told them that this was something I would like to do this year but so far I have not had any tell me I am crazy and refuse to participate. This past Sunday we had a few of our classes bring down their ornaments for the tree and I have to tell you that it made me feel like Christmas was finally here! Seeing the ornaments that the kids created and watching them find the perfect place for them on the tree was a joy to see. Both the kids and the teachers were very excited by the making and hanging of the ornaments. And one of the best parts was seeing the kids drag their parents and families over to the tree after they were picked up to show off the ornament that they had made. I heard so many little voices saying "That one is MINE!"

Yes I love seeing kids artwork and creativity put into motion, but most of all I love the kids having a bit of ownership within the church. This is our tree, and the ornaments on it are only from our kids. You will not find store bought ornaments adorning this tree, only handmade works of art from the very children that attend here week after week. All too often kids are made to feel like the church belongs to someone else, the grown ups, the pastor, or by some unknown entity. But the truth is we are the Body of Christ, we are The Church. Every single child that steps foot into our building each week is part. And as part, gets some little bit of ownership. No we won't be invading Big Church any time soon but we do have a place that is ours, a place where the Nativity scene can be touched and played with, a place where the ornaments may all be clustered in one area of the tree. But also a place where the Birth of our Savior can be celebrated in a real way, and a place where we can together experience the wonder of God coming to earth as a tiny baby.
There are many Christmas traditions, but I can honestly say that my most favorite ones include children.

So what are some of your church Christmas traditions?
What part of Christmas gets you the most excited?

Faithfully Growing at The Grove!

Miss Megan

Its the Little Things in Life

Today is my birthday. It is only 10:17 as I sit here typing this blog and because of the wonder of technology I have been greeted with 40 Happy Birthdays from friends and family in a variety of states. I do not tell you this to brag in any way. Simply because it has reminded me that the little things in life are so important. Would it be any less my birthday if no one had wished me a happy birthday? NO.  But it is a wonderful feeling to know that those around me care enough to take time from  their day and say "Happy Birthday" to me.

I am constantly surrounded by those who drop little blessings into my life, and I am trying my best to do the same for others. Whether it be kind words to someone who is struggling, a smile for a stranger, or encouragement for a job well done. Its the little things in life that can mean so much to a person. Stop and think for a second about something that may seem small or insignificant to others but meant a lot to you. Maybe it was a cup of coffee from a friend when you least expected it. Maybe it was your husband having dinner ready when you got home from work. Or it could be a hug from a child when you are upset about something. These are not the type of things that are reported in newspapers, and often aren't even talked about among friends. But these are all things that can change your day, even make it better. Another layer of joy comes from being the one to cause the happiness in someones life. Growing up I heard the phrase "it is better to give than to recieve." I believe this applies to this situation as well. When we set out to be a blessing to others, we in fact find ourselves being blessed.

So what little thing can I do today to try to make someone's day better?
 How can I be an encouragement to the people around me?
What can you do?

Thoughtfully Growing at the Grove!

Miss Megan