Life is full of adventures for children and adults.  Some days are tough, others fly by.

We need encouragement to keep our minds focused on Christ and radiate His love in all we say and do.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8 KJV

Having a verse for the day will help you through the hard times and enable you to encourage others. By using an encouragement vessel you will be able to focus your thoughts on Christ and start your day on a positive note.

Make an encouragement vessel.

• Fill a vessel or container with Bible verses. Need some verses to get started? Print these verses.

• Each day before your family goes out the door or gets started with their daily activities, gather around your encouragement vessel.

• Have each person choose a verse and read it. This is their verse for the day. They can carry the verse with them, read it, and draw upon God’s strengthening and encouraging power though out the day.

• When you are finished choosing verses, have a time of family prayer.

Use an encouragement vessel daily to help you stay focused on Christ, draw your family together, and encourage others.

What godly principles are you teaching children?

Will they be able to stand under pressure and stay strong during the storms?

In Daniel 1 we learn about Daniel. He was taken captive from his country and brought into a new culture. Daniel stood under pressure and opposition. The Babylonian king assigned royal food and wine. Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the food and wine from the king. The Bible doesn’t tell us who his parents are, but most likely they had taught and instilled in Daniel godly principles. This should challenge us to teach children godly principles not only in church, but also in the home.

In this foreign land, Daniel could have faded in with the crowd or kept his beliefs silent. He chose to go against the flow. Are you showing children by your example and teaching them to take a stand for God by letting people know you are a Christian with your words and actions? We need to take a stand for God even when it will cause us hardships or if it’s not popular.

How can we teach children to take a stand for God? here are a few ways:

• Children need to know what God’s word says. Bible stories are important and have their place, but we need to dig into the Bible and learn from godly men and women who stood strong for God and His commands.

• Be an example. Live for God in all you do. Be honest and trustworthy. Share with others about God and what He has done for you. Show respect and be kind. Control your tongue. Read God’s word daily. Make prayer and important part of your day.

• Read stories and watch movies of others who stood for God even when it cost them greatly. There are many men and women who put God first and we are enjoying the benefits of the stand they took today. There are places in the world where Christians are persecuted greatly for God. We need to take a stand and thank God for the freedom we have to take that stand.

• Have resolve. Daniel had resolved not to defile himself. If you have resolved not to do or do something, you will be stronger going into tough situations. It’s easier to give in without resolve to do right.

Children can take a stand for God!

Teach them the godly principles they need to stand for what is right each day.

Need more help teaching preschool age or young children? My Building Blocks 4 Life curriculum will help you teach godly principles using hands on activities. Building Blocks 4 Life gives you stories and step by step instructions for your family devotions, Sunday school or church class, school, VBS, and more.

Encourage your children to have a personal quiet time with the Lord. Having a quiet time doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Even young children can have a personal quiet time.

Spending time in prayer and Bible study helps us to build a close and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. The content will vary depending on their age, but the habit of having a time to grow in the Lord is what’s important. Don’t make having a quiet time a drudgery. It should be like spending time with a special friend.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 (NIV)

Try these tips to help your child start a quiet time:

• Work with your child to find a time each day they can have a personal quiet time. Don’t nag, but encourage them daily.

• Find an age appropriate Bible and devotional that includes scripture.

• Get a CD or Mp3 player with the Bible on it for young children.

• Give them ideas on how to have a quiet time. Include reading their Bible and devotional and a time of prayer. Explain to young children how to listen to God’s word and pray.

• Give young children paper, crayons, and a pencil. Let them draw pictures of the stories they are listening to.

• Older children can dig into a topic that interest them or a study on a specific topic. It could be a book of the Bible, growing into a godly woman or man, or a specific character trait.

• Teach your children that their time of prayer doesn’t need to be a time of just asking for things. Let them know they can talk to God like a friend. God wants to hear our requests and praise. Help them make a prayer journal they can write request and praises in.

• Set an example. Have your own quiet time with the Lord. Dig into the scriptures and let God speak to you. Talk to God through prayer. Write your prayer request and praises in a prayer journal.

• Ask your children about their quiet time. Show an interest in what they are learning.

Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.

1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV)

Find more helpful resources to teach your children about the Lord at http://buildingblocks4life.com/our-resources.