Family Time with God: December

For Christian parents, integrating faith into family life is a top priority. One of the best ways to model a living, active relationship with Christ is to emphasize the importance of the Bible in your family's day-to-day life. You can hide God's Word in your own heart and the hearts of your children by learning verses as a family and discussing together what those verses mean in your lives. These calendar pages from Awana will help you do just that!

How to use these pages:

If you and your family are not in the habit of learning Scripture, today is a great time to start. Scripture memory is vital to the spiritual health of a family because:

1. It keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11).
2. It gives us the tools we need to share the message of salvation with others (Romans 10:17).
3. It gives the Holy Spirit room to work in our hearts (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).
4. It helps us focus our lives and the lives of our family on the things of the Lord (Hebrews 4:12).

To help make this a family project, we've divided the verses into three parts. Preschoolers memorize the words printed in bold. Elementary kids memorize the words in bold and italics. Older teens and parents learn the complete verse.

Memorizing is not always easy. As you work through each week, figure out the ways each member of your family learns best. Here are some ideas that have worked for Awana Club members:

"I say my verses about two times a day"
(Jaclyn, age 8)

"I say five words at a time over and over again"
(D.J., age 11)

"I write them down three times"
(Amanda, age 11)

"I say them three times a day"
(Nathaniel, age 9)

"I say them in my head 20 times"
(Dylan, age 9)

Once you've learned the verse for the week, continue to repeat it so it will truly be "hidden in your heart." Repeat the verse with your children as you sit at the breakfast table, ride in the car, take a walk, make supper, get ready for bed—or any other time you find yourselves together. Help your children do any or all of the activities listed to bring home the message of each verse.

* Project for December 19 Thank-you coupons You will need: 10 unlined 3x5 cards Markers Optional: Glitter glue, stickers, sequins, yarn, etc. Think of ten things you can do to help Mom or Dad. Here are some suggestions: Set the table Quietly read a book (so Mom or Dad can do their own project) Entertain a younger brother or sister Clean one room in the house Load or unload the dishwasher Give your Mom or Dad a hug On one side of each card write one of the activities. On the other side of the card write "Thank-you coupon." Decorate the cards and clip them together. Give the coupons to Dad or Mom (or both) for Christmas.

What is Awana?

Awana is a nondenominational youth ministry committed to reaching boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and training them to serve him. Each week, more than one million kids in over 110 countries attend Awana clubs where they play games, memorize Bible verses, and learn practical truths from God's Word. From preschool through high school, Awana offers a fun environment in which children and youth hear the life-changing message of the Bible. To learn more about Awana and locate an Awana club near you, visit www.awana.org/about.asp.

December
SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday

Week #1 The Anticipation Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
1 Count the Christmas songs you sing in church today.	2 Memorize Isaiah 9:6.	3 The word "counselor" means "guide." God is our guide.	4 Do you know what the other "titles" mean in Isaiah 9:6? Look them up in a dictionary.	5 Make an invitation for your church's Christmas Eve service or Christmas program and give it to someone special.	6 Learn the history of "Silent Night."	7 Tell your family what you learned about "Silent Night."
Week #2 The Announcement Luke 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
8 Listen to the announcements at church. What is the best announcement you ever heard?	9 Memorize Luke 1:32.	10 Read Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel's announcement.	11 Quote your verse to a friend. Tell her why this was an important announcement.	12 Make Christmas cookies for an elderly friend.	13 Take the cookies to the friend.	14 Put up a nativity set in your house.
Week #3 The Event Luke 2:10b—11 I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
15 Try to find the brightest star in the sky.	16 Memorize Luke 2:10b-11.	17 Read Luke 2:1-7.	18 Read Christmas cards with your familyand pray for the people who sent them.	19 Make "help" coupons for your mom for Christmas.	20 Say your verse to a friend.	21 First day of winter — Brrrrrr!
Week #4 The Purpose John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
22 Take a Christmas card to your Sunday school teacher.	23 Memorize John 3:16.	24 Enjoy gathering with family and friends.	25 Merry Christmas!	26 Have a friend over. Allow your friend to choose what you do together.	27 Say the verses you learned to someone outside your family.	28 Review the verses you learned this month.
29Ask Mom to "redeem" one of the help coupons.	30 Play outside!	31 Choose a family verse for the New Year.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian Parenting Today magazine.
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Winter 2002, Vol. 15, No. 2, Page 18

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