| Christ at the Center Cards from Tiny Theologians
 Tiny Theologians has released another new resource to help families in their efforts to disciple their children at home! Christ at the Center cards provide kids with summaries of all 66 books of the Bible and include how each book ties into the big story of scripture and points to Christ. These sound like an excellent resource to help kids understand where each book fits into the bigger story. They might even help sharpen you, the parent, as you teach your child about each of the books. Check them out!
The Knot in My Country, My Church, and My Stomach
With the election results in, you may be feeling strong feelings, whether pleased by Tuesday’s results or discouraged by them. No matter what side you land on, you likely feel the deep political tension that has engulfed our country and many churches as well. This week, the EFCA sent out an article written by an EFCA pastor in Allentown addressing the tension he has seen among his own congregation and how he has encouraged them to graciously and lovingly work through political disagreements with ears ready to listen and hearts desiring unity in the midst of the knots, regardless of whether you see eye to eye with someone else or not.
I (Jordyn) encourage you to read the article and consider how it might challenge you to move towards Christ-followers who have different perspectives than your own, seeking to listen, learn, and extend grace as we seek to follow the same Jesus together, striving for unity instead of division in the midst of disagreement.
Operation Christmas Child
 Our church is once again participating in Operation Christmas Child. Shoeboxes can be found in the foyer. They will need to be returned to the church by Sunday November 15th, next week. Each box costs $10 to ship. Fill up a box with your family for a child this Christmas! Donations for the postage should be marked “shoeboxes.” See Mary Beth Moslak if you have questions.
This Week’s Challenge: Watching Your Tongue
We’ve all said something that we have later regretted. Maybe we recognized it in the moment or a little while later. Maybe we needed to apologize to someone, or maybe we needed to come back around and admit our shortcoming. Here’s something else to consider: have you ever done this in front of your kids? Most parents can probably answer an emphatic “yes!” to that. We’re all fallen humans who imperfectly use our speech.
Especially in a season of high political tensions, as highlighted above, how are you communicating your thoughts around your children? Are they hearing Christlike attitudes coming out of your mouth, whether you are expressing joy or displeasure? Are they hearing gentleness and graciousness when you discuss the shortcomings of candidates you may disagree with?
This week’s challenge is to pay special attention to how you are using your tongue, especially around your kids. They will learn from us, and we should strive to be good models of God-honoring speech and attitudes. Consider this not just for the sake of our kids, but for the sake of everyone who interacts with us. Are we representing Christ well? Are we communicating in a way that displays the character of God, or are we degrading, volatile, and divisive?
There is grace for our failure in this area, but when you notice yourself slipping up when your kids have been in earshot, confess your shortcoming to them. Explain to them the problem with what you said and how you could have spoken differently, or what should have been left unsaid all together. May they notice that our speech sounds “different” than that of the world because of hearts surrendered to Jesus.
“Jesus Is the Way” Kids Bible Class Devotional
 You have free access to a family devotional based on the curriculum our kids are studying each week in KBC! It’s called “The Gospel Project at Home.” Today’s Bible Study is “Jesus and Zacchaeus” (Volume 9: Unit 27: Session 2, and the devotional can be found at this link.
Visit the Family Ministries page on our website for information about how to access The Gospel Project at Home for the first time.
And for Dessert…
 Our recommendation for family discipleship this week is a joyous children’s book meant to inspire kids to join the praise song of all creation.
How can we encourage our children to sing praise to our God?
In Pippa and the Singing Tree, Kristyn Getty, the Irish author and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and P.J. Lynch, the award-winning Irish illustrator have collaborated on a beautiful children’s book that kindles that kind of joyful praise from their young hearts.
“Playing outside one chilly autumn day, Pippa is surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. The great trees, robins, and icy winds—depicted in charming lyrical prose—all witness to God’s majesty. Moved by the beauty around her, Pippa lifts her voice, adding her own song to the chorus.” [Crossway]
“Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD…” (Psalm 96:12-13).
I (Pastor Matt) thoroughly enjoyed reading Pippa and the Singing Tree this week. With its euphonious rhythm and rhyme matched with lovely artwork, it’s definitely meant to be read out-loud over and over again, and it’s a perfect read for this time of year. At the very end, there is note for families about how creation itself sings, telling us about the Creator and an introduction to three favorite psalms of the author.
My favorite page is when Pippa starts to sing, and her face is simply exultant:
“Like rustling leaf choirs
with thousands of tongues,
she adds her own voice
to the song that is sung.”
– Families can borrow Pippa and the Singing Tree from the LEFC Library.
– Listen to Kristyn Getty read her book while watching an animated version of the pages.
– Download the first half of the book from the publisher.
– Watch the creators talk about and work together on the book.
We hope your family eats it right up.
Jordyn Skacel, Director of Family Ministry
Matt Mitchell, Pastor |
