Teaching our children the wholeness of Christ

My family watched Passion of the Christ the other night. I have to admit I did not make it through the movie, I cannot bear to watch it and my children’s eyes were wide as can be through the whole thing. I don’t know if showing them that movie was the right thing to do. Although it portrays the human path of Christ, I think the true lesson gets lost. It’s difficult to get adults to understand the spiritual and symbolic representation of Christ’s crucifixion and even more so for children. Or maybe it’s not the child/adult division that makes it difficult, but the level of spiritual maturity. I believe children come into this world with a strong spiritual understand which we slowly squeeze out of them and then as adult work to re-acquire.

Where am I going with this ramble, I’m not sure. I guess what I want to discuss is what we are feeding our children spiritually. I grew up with a religious background which emphasized the loving aspect of God. I was not raised fearing God, nor Hell. I always knew my Father/Mother to be a loving God, a healer and a supporter. I am bothered somewhat by the teaching my children are receiving, they lack spiritual depth and my children are, I believe, missing the mark of Christ’s teachings. I have this overwhelming desire to attempt to explain what I believe to my children, but my fear is its too abstract for their young minds. My son was telling me about something he had heard in class at Church. I can’t remember exactly what it was about, but he was very confused because he had been given a story from the bible which to him didn’t make sense because he was looking at it purely from a human presepctive. I had to explain symbolism to how Christ spoke in parables at times. I tried to help him understand to look for the lesson and not focus so much on the seemingly concrete story line.

I really don’t know why, but this whole subject lays heavy on my heart.  I want my children to grow SPIRTUALLY and not get stuck in that age old box of doing good deeds to earn a tick mark in the “good” column. Our God gave us so much when he put Jesus into human form, but Jesus was so much more than a MAN. I pray that my children’s spiritual eyes and hearts be open to Christ and that I am given the wisdom and means to give them even a spark of the wholeness of Christ.

New years prayers.......

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

One of my new year resolutions/prayers was to become a better parent and to approach issues with a more biblical and/or spiritual approach.  Much to my delighted (grimace) I have had the opportunity… and I did say “opportunity”… to work on this aspect of my parenting.  One of my children has been having an issue with speaking ill words and another is dealing with speaking politely child 3 is working on treating others as you would like to be treated, another is dealing with overcoming desires of the flesh, and well let’s just say they all are human and have human issues.

 

The interesting and blessed part of all of this is that God has given me the words and direction in each instance to address it from a godly perspective. Oh how wonderful it is! I have been going to a bible study at church and got a bit behind so I have been trying to play catch up. The amazing thing is that I am behind and just started a section on the power of the mouth. Ahhh, God at work. All the words I need to help guide my children and help them to understand the power of words and the destruction words can cause, be that through impolite or ill words.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

 We recently started ridding our house of the not so healthy things we had, such as inappropriate video games, music, movies. One of my kiddos was caught playing call of duty on his DS (a.k.a. the fleshly desire). I did not even know he owned that game, I am assuming his biological father let him own it. When I caught him I asked him if he knew why I didn’t want him playing that game and he just shrugged like kids do. We then discussed the how it desensitizes you to your true nature.  This idea is not new to me, but is fresh in my mind from another class I am attending at church. It was such a good conversation and I felt so aligned with God as I was able to bring home the truth that we are not to pollute that which God has charged us to care of. Not our bodies and not our minds. Ahhh, God at work. Right time and right place.

Psalms 11:5

The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

A Mother's Prayer

A prayer, inspired by Lysa TerKeurst. It reflects my heart as well, so I personalized it and hung it on my fridge.


Father God,

Being a mom is the toughest privilege I've ever loved. I don't want to mess this up! So, I simply offer my willingness to be a great mom today. That's all I have to give, Lord.

I trust You to fill the gaps and give me the wisdom, patience, and discernment that will be required of me. I love these children I call my own, but in reality, they are Yours first and You know them best!

Thank You, Father for the honor to join You on this journey of walking these precious kids toward physical, emotional, and spiritual maturity.

I pray these things in the name of Jesus.
Amen