I am just stepping into the world of parenting real people (I know babies are real people, but now that they can walk, talk, and think for themselves the task is going to a whole new level). There are many things that I want to do with my children and there are many things that I want to teach them.
I want to teach them to love God, his people, and his creation. But, I understand I need help. This is why that I am always on the lookout for great resources.
The Village Church in Dallas has put together a Summer Family Activity Book to help families follow the model laid out in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. .From the website:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you sit up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
We have put the Summer Family Activity Book together with this charge in mind. Whether you’re hanging out at home, traveling across the country or running errands around town, there is no shortage of opportunities to help your children see the things of the Lord. Our hope is to help you see and take advantage of these moments.
The activities and devotionals in this resource have been divided into four sections to follow the model of Deuteronomy 6:
- Set a Rhythm. These are activities your family can do repeatedly and consistently throughout the summer. Some of them will help you put things in place to establish a routine for your family. Others will help you think about ways to be missional – intentionally connecting with people in your community whom you interact with on a consistent basis.
- At Home. These are activities that can be easily done as you spend time at home. Many of them include a devotional at the end that will help your kids make a connection between what they have done and a truth from Scripture.
- Out and About. This section provides ways to be intentional with outings you take as a family.
- On the Way. These are activities that can be done as your family travels – whether you’re moving about by land, air or sea.
I encourage you to download this activity book and try to implement it into your family life this summer. May your summer be a great time for you as a family to grow closer to Jesus and to each other.
Visit the Village Church page: http://www.thevillagechurch.net/the-village-blog/summer-family-activity-book/
mark t. collins 