Parents, teachers, and grandparents all have a responsibility to train and build children up in the Lord. Sometimes we may feel this task is overwhelming. We get discouraged by the negative influences and feel like we are failing.

We have hope!

The task of building godly characteristics and values into our children is not fully upon our shoulders. The Lord is with us. He is the ultimate architect and builder. The Lord has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

When you feel like it’s no use, your children aren’t listening to anything you have said, or only picking up on bad examples. Keep your focus on God. Keep praying. Continue to be a godly example.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Watch for those “thank you, God” moments.
They may not come as soon as you like, but keep watching.

Teaching children is a challenge. Many times you think they are not paying attention or could care less. Don’t let what you see now bring you down. God has a bigger picture. When you are reviewing a lesson, talking to a parent, or watching children play, you may find the “thank you, God moment” you thought they did not learn.

For our family devotions each child needed to bring something that was their favorite, special item. Without any prodding or suggestion they brought their Bibles. We are not a perfect family. Each day has it’s own struggles. It was encouraging to see this “thank you God” moment.

We are learning and growing in Lord through God’s grace. Be encouraged that your are not the only person in the world trying to build up your children. We are in this together. Daily we are learning, making mistakes, asking forgiveness, and trying again.

Don’t give up! Give it to the Lord! Let Him help and guide you!

Peace

Peace is the absence of conflict or hostility. God does not want us to be hostile and continually having conflicts. He wants us to have peace in our lives. God is the giver of peace.

His peace is the best peace.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

It does not matter what size your problem or circumstance is, God is with you and can bring you peace. Anytime, anywhere, and anyplace, God is there.

The hymn “Wonderful Peace” tells of the peace God gives to us.

Wonderful Peace
Author: W.D. Cornell – Composer: W.G. Cooper

1. Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight,
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls,
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Chorus:
Peace! peace! Wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above;
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray.
In fathomless billows of love.

2. What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul;
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll.

3. I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all the danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul.

4. And methinks when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Author of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransom’d will sing
In that heavenly city will be:

5. Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!

We can find calm in the midst of the storm through the peace of God. His security can wrap us tight and give us rest. Take comfort in the shadows of life knowing God is near.  As a child of God, we will be able to see the Author of Peace in heaven someday.

Find best peace in God peace!

Bring Christ’s peace into your home through daily reminders of God’s countless blessings with Blessings Blocks.

Sharing God’s love with children  is important. If you don’t, who will?  We need to take advantage of every opportunity to share God’s love with our own children and in those in our children’s ministry.

It is easy to miss opportunities by getting caught up in what is going on at the present time.

Stressful moments, behavior problems, trying to fit to much into your lesson, and more can cause us to hurt others rather than help them.

This article is a good example and reminder to share God’s love with others.

Effective Sunday School Teaching Starts With Love

This was written by Tony Kummer and was first published as “http://ministry-to-children.com/effective-teaching-starts-with-love/” on Ministry-To-Children.com

Johnny walks into your Sunday school class 25 minutes late. He’s a challenging kid, but you pride yourself on keeping an ordered classroom. You’ve planned your lesson very carefully. You’ve even prayed for you class this week.

You smile at Johnny, but inside your saying, “Why didn’t they just wait until church.” It’s too late to backtrack the lesson, so you just keep teaching.

Johnny is fidgeting. He is rustling through his Bible and making little noises with his mouth. He gets up to find a pencil. He gets up again to sharpen it. The whole class is losing focus.

Hand up. It’s Johnny. “Did we have snack yet?” You kindly redirect. Then he puts his head down and whimpers a little. Inside you wish he had stayed home today.

After church you corner his mom. “Mrs. Smith, I need to talk with you about Johnny’s behavior in Sunday school. He was very disruptive this morning.”

She begins to apologize. “We had a bad morning. His grandpa passed away last Thursday. Johnny has been having nightmares. I should have kept him at home. I thought it might help to keep our routine. I’m really sorry he was trouble.”

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV)

Effective teaching begins with love. Ministry is not about the lesson. It’s not about the classroom schedule. It’s about loving kids and pointing them to Jesus.

How many times have you missed your chance to love?