The teachers and staff at my son’s school have a practice I have found fascinating over the years. When they want the kids (for example, in the loud lunchroom) to be quiet, they raise one hand with their pointer finger in the air then calmly shout, “Press pause” before lowering it to their lips.

The post Press Pause appeared first on Gather & Grow.

UPDATE: I am pressing pause on the resource community as I work full-time while studying for my Masters of Education. I am so grateful for those who have trusted us to provide faith-growing tools for their families. You can now find access to all of our past family devotionals and calendars in the Family Faith Toolkit (no password needed). Read more about my reason for this pause HERE.

Our August Family Devotional Calendar released today! And I am thrilled to announce our back-to-school Bible study – The Popularity Principle: An 8-Week Family Bible Study on Growing a God Reputation. We’ll be digging into Proverbs 3:3-4 in August and September as we prepare our kids for a new year full of exciting adventures and rich relationships.

Keep reading for more information about this new study, how to gain access to our new Family Faith Toolkit + a special announcement about our updated Bible study format.

The Popularity Principle Back-to-School Bible Study

Whether we send our kids out into the world of public or private school or we have the privilege of teaching them at home, our children can successfully navigate the relationships they encounter on a daily basis with God’s measuring stick as their guide.

Our need to be significant and liked is at the core of who we are, whether we are 3 or 43. When I was in my twenties, Proverbs 3:3-4 became my life verse as I grappled with the desire to be known and loved.

While it shouldn’t be our goal to be “popular”, this verse taught me the secret to being liked and admired by God’s standards. It’s a promise of relational prosperity that focuses our attention on the means (good character) not the end (popularity). Popularity will come and go but a good God reputation lasts a lifetime.

Ever since God revealed this verse to me, I’ve dreamed about sharing my discovery with kids so they might come to understand this relationship-changing truth much earlier than I did. In their relationship with God, family, friends, and leaders, our kids can grow a wildly popular, good, and Godly reputation by following the instructions found in this verse.

So over the next two months, we’re going to dig into what it means to carry loyalty and kindness with us wherever we go in order to grow a God reputation. Follow along with the simple theme and verse prompt in our Family Devotional Calendar (FDC) and use our free seasonal family devotional – The Popularity Principle – for a more in-depth (yet still simple!) study of the verse. 

The Gather & Grow Family Faith Toolkit

Starting now, all Gather & Grow visitors will get access to our Family Faith Toolkit (no password needed) where you’ll find all past FDCs, as well as our seasonal Bible studies and devotionals. It’s your family’s own, personal toolbox of resources for cultivating faith at home! 

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It is my passion to provide simple faith tools for busy families. Yet I know it can be challenging to create resources that can be used by families with kids of varying ages. What works for a 3 year old just simply doesn’t work for a child age 13+. And while I hope and pray our older kids learn to lead their younger siblings, I want the tools we provide here to meet them where they are right now.

That’s the heart behind Rooted: Bible Studies for Growing Up Kids. Our Rooted studies will look a lot like what you’ve found here at Gather & Grow with a few, simple updates. Bible studies and devotionals will be written primarily with kids age 6-10 in mind but will include study extensions for older ones age 10+ (Dig Deeper) and little ones age 3-6 (Seeds of Character). Our hope is that this new format will meet the unique needs of every member of your family.

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I hope you and your family will join us this back-to-school season to learn what it means to live our relationships by God’s standards and grow a reputation that brings honor to him! 

xoxo,

The post Back-to-School Bible Study + August Family Devotional Calendar appeared first on Gather & Grow.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you click on a link and make a purchase, a small commission may be paid to Gather & Grow which helps keep this ministry going. So thank you! Read my full disclosure here.

It’s Summer, so it’s no wonder this post on sibling conflict has been our most popular lately! We’re also studying PEACE in our Fruit of the Spirit Family Devotional this week. Don’t you just love how God connects the dots for us like that?!

In my old age (I turned 40 last year), I find I crave peace. But as a busy mom, peace is hard to come by. My dear friend Joanne Kraft (author of The Mean Mom’s Guide to Raising Great Kids) calls moms like me “Marshmallow Moms” (it’s OK, I’m not offended. She and I laugh about it often!) because we’re willing to do whatever it takes to bring peace to our surroundings and situations.

But the thing is, my quest for temporary peace has long prevented our family from finding the true and lasting peace that comes from the Spirit. That’s the kind of peace we’re studying right now and it’s what I truly want for my family.

Our Fruit of the Spirit Family Devotional is now available in audio via the BLOOMTOWN FAITH Podcast! Find out more HERE.

Simple Ways to Promote Peace at Home

I want to create and promote peace as a family so we’re making changes and finding peace in the process. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and praying about peace lately and I’m sharing some of the ways we’re working toward more peace in our home. When we find peace on the home front we’ll be able to carry it with us wherever we go and share it with others!

Start with YOU

“When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” There’s a reason this saying is so popular. . .because it’s funny, and it’s true. As the heart of the home, we mamas need to make sure we’re keeping our tank full. I know it’s hard to find time (and let’s be honest, energy) for self-care but it’s absolutely necessary for moms to find peace themselves before they can promote it in their home. This means, taking care of your physical and emotional wellness as well as finding life-giving hobbies, activities or creative outlets.

What’s one thing you can do this week to take care of YOU?

Meditate on Peace-Filled Scripture as a Family

Colossians 3:15 says as members of one body, we are called to live in peace. This verse is talking about the Body of Christ which starts first and foremost, at home. The living and active Word of God is the most powerful, peace-producing tool we have. Read peace-related verses during your own quiet time or together as a family. Some of my favorites include: Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Hebrews 12:14, Psalm 34:14, Romans 12:18, 1 Peter 5:7, James 3:18, Philippians 4:7, Psalm 29:11, Romans 14:19, Matthew 5:9. Write one or two verses on index cards and place them around the house as a reminder to pursue peace.

What one scripture can you meditate on this week to promote peace in your heart and home?

Create a Peace-Promoting Atmosphere

I’m going to be honest, this one is a tough one. Kids = clutter. Kids = chaos. It’s just the way it is, especially when they are little. But as much as we can, we’re simplifying our surroundings and possessions; we’re clearing the clutter in our lives so we spend less time managing stuff (and activities) and more time enjoying it all. We had a family meeting last month to put a few new peace-promoting strategies in place. This is an ongoing process and depending on your personality and lifestyle, it will look different for you than it does for me. According to your unique family, home and needs make an effort to simplify your space, find new strategies and clear the clutter of your calendar by saying “no” more often and focusing on what matters most. I know. . .this is SO HARD with kids who want to have and do all the things. But it’s so worth it. Pray and ask God for ruthless grace to clear the excess and focus on the priorities so you can enjoy peace as a family.

What one thing can you remove from your home or calendar this week to promote peace?

Nurture Relationships

We were created for community but at the root of our discontent and stress is usually a relationship. When our marriage is tense, our home lacks peace. When the siblings are fighting and we’re angry that they can’t get along, our home lacks peace. A little nurturing effort goes a long way to promote peace in our surroundings. A lingering conversation with our spouse. . .a few extra minutes reading aloud at bedtime. . . When we invest in each other, peace-filled love flows abundantly in our midst.

What one thing can you do this week to nurture your family relationships?

Resist the Urge of Urgency

Have you ever wondered why everything feels like an emergency? This is a product of our culture and our inability to resist the urge to do it all NOW. This weekend my husband and I began dreaming about a kitchen remodel and I found myself feverishly searching the internet to plan it all immediately. We’re months (maybe years) away from seeing this happen but I felt a stressful urge to figure it all out. Maybe this isn’t the best example since there is an element of excitement involved. There’s nothing wrong with being excited but excitement mixed with impatience often robs our peace. Thinking we have to make it happen or do it now often comes from our fear of missing out (FOMO) and almost never leads to a wise decision. Very few things in our life are actually urgent. When we take the time to slow down and enjoy the moment or take our time to make the best decision, we can resist the stress-inducing urgency and instead, enjoy the process.

What is one way you can slow down this week?

For moms and families, peace will likely never be the absence of craziness. But we can find calm in the midst of the chaos with a little intention and a whole lot of grace. I’m committed to help my family seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14). Will you join me?

In what area do you or your family need peace right now?

Graphic created via PicMonkey.com

The post Simple Ways to Promote Peace at Home appeared first on Gather & Grow.

There’s a dangerous trend taking over today’s families. So driven by FOMO (fear of missing out, or for parents, fear of our kids missing out), we’re over scheduling and over committing our lives so our children don’t miss out on anything that might possibly bring them joy.

The irony is, by doing all the things, our kids are missing out on something big. They lack the true joy that comes from anticipation and selection. We’re giving them everything and taking away the joy of it all. We’ve watered down their excitement because our kids no longer have anything to look forward to. Every day is special. Every activity over the top. Their expectations and opportunities are high but their joy (and ours along with it) is depleted.

We’re looking for joy in all the wrong places.

Sure, these things may make our kids happy for a while, but temporary happiness is not the goal. True happiness is not dependent on what we have or what we do. It is a benefit of a life deeply rooted in Jesus and powered by the joy he brings.

A life of joy means we know how to be happy, no matter what. This has been a struggle for me and my family over the years but I’m learning how to fight against bad moods (usually triggered by something insignificant or temporary) to access the well of joy available deep within my soul.

That deep well of joy can only come from Jesus when our lives are connected to him. That is why JOY is a Fruit of the Spirit, growing abundantly in the hearts of those who stay connected to the vine (Jesus) and receive wisdom and nourishment from the Holy Spirit.

A life filled with joy knows how to make others feel happy and when someone feels happy one day and then another and then another, they’ll catch our joy and pass it on. I want my family to be known by our joy. We will always have to fight for joy in our home and relationships. But we’re committed to overcome the lie that joy is based on the things we do, acquire or achieve. The only thing we want to achieve; the only possessions we hope to acquire are these essential elements of a joy-filled family.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you click on a link and make a purchase, a small commission may be paid to Gather & Grow which helps keep this ministry going. So thank you! Read my full disclosure here.

Essential Elements of a Joy-Filled Family

1. Adequate Margin – Connection to Jesus (and to each other) requires space and time. There will always be busy seasons but for the most part, families need space in their lives to refill their reservoir of joy. What can you say “no” to in this season? Where can you create space for your family?
2. Spiritual Practice – The secret to the happiest life that leads to overflowing joy is to stay connected to Jesus. This happens through Bible reading, prayer, worship and other intentional spiritual disciplines. When these practices are done as a family, not only do they develop joy, they produce other amazing fruit in our lives as well. How can you develop regular spiritual practices as a family?
3. Intentional Atmosphere – Creating a joy-filled environment may seem superficial but the state of our home plays a big role in the joy we feel in our hearts. For our family, music is key. Having our favorite songs playing in the background can completely change our mood. We’re also working hard to simplify our surroundings and our possessions. The management of stuff is one of the greatest thieves of joy. Take a prayerful look at your home atmosphere. What changes can you make to encourage joy?
4. Lighthearted Fun – This year we’ve made an intentional effort to have more fun at home. That means we play more music and more games. We also keep a basket of Nerf Guns in the living room for impromptu family fights. Those silly guns have brought us so much joy. We also have a blue tooth strobe light speaker for dance parties. Family fun is a personal thing. What things can you keep on hand or what ideas can you keep in your back pocket to bring spontaneous family joy?
5. Abundant Stores – The reality is, we are going to have busy seasons and hard days. At times, we will need to go to war for our family joy. It’s at those times we can pull from the stores of joy settled deep within our soul. The more we practice the other 4 essential elements of a joy-filled family, the more we’ll have stored up for later (and to share with others). But we may need to clean out the storeroom and get rid of the clutter to make room for our joy. What can you do right now to make space to store joy?

The only thing I have a fear of missing out on is the abundant life Jesus has for my family. I’m more afraid of missing joy-filled moments with my husband and children than I am of my kids missing out on trying something new. There’s nothing wrong with activities and achievements. The only way kids will find their unique gifts is to explore their abilities. Kids learn to work hard and persevere by going after accomplishments. But it’s never worth it if our family unit falls apart from the stress of it all.

When joy, instead of fear, is our motivation, we can help our kids be better prepared for every experience and opportunity. They’ll focus on what truly matters when they aren’t driven by an unhealthy desire to do all and be all. Whether they know it or not, they’re looking for us to lead the process. Oh, how much more amazing the end result will be with joy as our guide.

Are you fighting for joy in your home and family life? How can I pray for you this week?

Image created with PicMonkey

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Teach kids simple Bible memory verses with this fun pool noodle activity.

I’m always looking for ways to teach my kids Bible memory verses. Everywhere we go this time of year, we see colorful pool noodles. I recently spotted them and my wheels started turning. What if?! What if we cut the pool noodles and wrote memory verse words on them?!

The kids and I worked together on this fun project today. Not only is it a great summer activity, it’s a simple way to hide God’s Word in your hearts!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you click on a link and make a purchase, a small commission may be paid to Gather & Grow which helps keep this ministry going. So thank you! Read my full disclosure here.

Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity

What You’ll Need:

Pool noodles (affiliate)

Serrated knife

Cutting board (affiliate)

Sharpie (affiliate)

Tape measure or Ruler (affiliate)

Bin to hold your noodle words

1. Decide which verses you want to learn. We used the following short verses from this post on 10 Simple Bible Verses Kids Can Memorize.

Philippians 2:14, 1 John 4:19, Psalm 56:3

2. Cut the pool noodles in sections, shorter for short words and longer for long words (this will help you get the most out of your noodles).

3. Slice each section of noodle like you would a hotdog bun so it can be opened and placed on the edge of a surface.

4. Write one word of the verse on each section of the noodle.

Try mixing it up a bit! We put one whole verse on an orange noodle to give the kids a simple start. For the next two verses, we used both pink and blue so they would have to search more to find the right words.

5. Put your noodle words in a box or bin.

6. Use a piece of furniture, the edge of a bin or your fireplace mantle (like we did) to display your Bible memory verses.

A few ideas on how to play it out:

1. Put on music and work together to form each verse.
2. Talk to your kids about their brain (often referred to as their noodle) and how it’s important to store God’s Word in our mind so his truth is there when we need to access it.
3. Set a stopwatch and time how fast the kids can display each verse correctly.
4. Make it a competition. See who can do it fastest!
5. This activity is perfect for children’s church or Sunday school classes. So make sure to share the fun with your kid’s ministry pastor!

Learning God’s Word can be fun when we discover interesting ways to memorize it. We’re committed to filling our noodles with good things, first and foremost, the truth found in the Bible!

For more summer faith-building fun, join us for our Fruit of the Spirit family devotional! Get your FREE Devo Download HERE or visit our PODCAST page to find audio devotions covering 9 weeks of a fruit-filled, connect life!

What are some of your favorite ways to memorize Bible verses with your kids?

The post Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity appeared first on Gather & Grow.

Summer can be an amazing opportunity to spend time planting seeds in the lives of our kids. With this simple tool that focuses on the fruit of a life connected to Jesus, you can easily start faith-building conversations by the pool or in the car on a road trip.

Our Family Fruit of the Spirit Devotional includes 9 simple lessons that follow our 5 & Thrive Bible study method. You can spend as little as 10 minutes a week studying each fruit or linger in conversation to go deeper in understanding and connection. Whatever works for your unique family schedule and circumstances! This 16 page ebook also includes printable Bible verse cards plus a beautiful print of Galatians 5:22-23.

NEW FOR SUMMER 2018! Our Fruit of the Spirit Devo is now in PODCAST format (launching June 1). Check out our Bloomtown Podcast page for details.

If you’re visiting us from Pinterest, you might be wondering why the devotional you see here doesn’t look like what you discovered over there. That’s because the Fruit of the Spirit summer family devotional you are looking for (formerly available at Grace for Moms) has been updated and moved here to our new site.

Welcome to Gather & Grow! We provide simple tools to help busy families gather together and grow in faith.

I hope you’ll take some time to look around. We have a ton of FREE tools for you on all things faith and family!

I’m sure you’re anxious to grab your Fruit of the Spirit Devotional. It’s one of the many resources available to subscribers. Click HERE to get it now!

If you aren’t sure how to introduce your kids to the Holy Spirit and the idea of being led by our special Helper, start with this post on How to Teach Your Kids about the Holy Spirit.

I look forward to growing with you and your family,

The post Summer Family Fruit of the Spirit Devotional appeared first on Gather & Grow.

Record end of the school year memories with this simple interview and adorable printable!

It’s that time of year again and I can hardly believe it. My youngest is finishing Kindergarten and my oldest will be in 4th grade before I know it. Time truly does fly by once they hit elementary school! I wish I could slow down this fast moving train but the reality is, in the blink of an eye they’ll be in high school or preparing to leave for college.

I don’t want to miss these precious, formative years where everything is exciting and they store amazing experiences and new information in their memory bank daily. I know it won’t be long before we’re wracking our brains trying to remember the name of their first grade teacher (actually, my daughter had Ms. Bates and she’s ah-mazing so I’ll never forget her!).

Because someday, I’ll want to help them recall all of their school year experiences, I put together this simple interview with a printable memory sheet. It’s my gift to you dear mamas, so you can easily record your own school year memories. Whether your kids attend public or private school or you have the privilege of homeschooling them, take a few minutes this next month and ask your children these simple questions. Complete the interview every year so you can look back and see how they’ve grown!

BONUS IDEA! Grab a video of your kiddos answering these questions or filling out the memory sheet.

Record End of School Year Memories with this Interview

What school did you attend this year?

Who is (are) your teacher(s)?

What is your favorite subject?

What is the most interesting thing you learned this year?

Who are your best friends?

What is your favorite memory from this year?

What was your biggest accomplishment?

What are you most looking forward to next year?

Download your School Year Memories Printable here.

Life moves fast. And let’s be honest, our memories aren’t what they used to be, right?! Take some time to soak up this past school year and document your family’s experience and the blessing of education. Here’s to another school year completed and our well-deserved break from Sign Up Genius and spelling lists!

What are some ways you like to document each school year for your kids?

The post Record End of School Year Memories with this Simple Interview appeared first on Gather & Grow.

Every parent wants their child to learn and grow. We all desire to see our kids thrive in life and become “successful.” But success is a very subjective idea. To one family, success might involve money and great achievements, while in another it might mean a life full of service and purpose with little monetary reward.

Whatever path our children follow to answer the call God places on their lives, we can set them up to thrive in any circumstances with an early and focused intention to help them develop key growth skills that will serve them well throughout adolescence and adulthood.

I call these “growth” skills instead of “grown-up” skills because let’s be clear. . .most grown ups are still growing in these areas. I know I am. First and foremost, our kids need to know that it’s okay to always be growing.

In fact, becoming the best version of ourselves involves constant growth, pruning, cultivation and care. So let’s go ahead and name GROWTH as the most important life skill we can develop. To be always looking for ways to become better, not perfect. This is often called a “growth mindset.”

A recent study on growth mindset cited in a Harvard Graduate School of Education article  says,

“…parents who consistently praised their toddlers for effort, rather than for talent or innate traits, were found to have children with positive mindsets five years later. These children, at ages 7 and 8, were more likely to believe that their abilities could change and grow with hard work. This aligns with a large body of education research showing that a “growth mindset” — a set of beliefs that help learners connect success with hard work and perseverance — contributes to improved student outcomes.”

The article goes on to connect the dots between a positive or growth mindset with not only success but with a person’s health as well. It’s fascinating research and it’s changing the emphasis we put on positive thinking and the focus on growth versus achievement in our home.

Once we decide to put our focus on growing through life, here are 9 skills that when developed young, will help our kids thrive.

9 Growth Skills that will Help Kids Thrive in Life

Being a Good Friend. No matter how much we teach our kids to “be kind” and “follow the golden rule”, kids need time and practice to grow good friendship skills.

Selfishness, fear and insecurity are usually at the root of our friendship troubles. But we can teach our kids how to develop healthy friendships by focusing on skills that grow thriving relationships such as. . .

• avoiding unnecessary drama by diffusing tension or simply walking away
• measuring worth by God’s standard, not that of the world
• what it means to be a faithful friend

Related Post: What You Need to Know to Help Your Child Develop Healthy Friendships

Managing Emotions. Between the craziness going on inside their bodies and the pressure of growing up, it’s no wonder our kids are often an emotional mess. Children need parents to listen and validate their emotions but they also need us to teach them skills to manage those emotions; to know what to do with them.

As our friends in one of my favorite movies, Inside/Out portrayed, our emotions play a large role in navigating our way through life. And when kids learn how to handle emotions young, they grow into more emotionally healthy adults. Important skills to teach kids when dealing with emotions might include. . .

• teaching them to understand the root of their feelings
• helping them understand whether they have the power to change the situation or change the way they think about it
• allowing kids to experience (not avoid) disappointment
• developing resiliency and contentment when things don’t go their way

Being Responsible. This one applies to so many areas of life. From taking care of their things (possessions and surroundings) to follow through on activities, school work and commitments, responsibility is one of the most important growth skills our kids need to thrive in life.

Let’s face it, adulting is hard. So if we’re raising future adults (which we are) then we need to teach them the skills they need to be decent humans who take responsibility for themselves, their things and their actions by. . .

• teaching them to finish well (not just get by)
• helping them learn to take good care of their things, both big and small (and family things like furniture and electronics)
• requiring them to contribute to the household through regular chores
• encouraging them to not give up when things get hard (this is huge for developing a growth mindset)
• teaching them to go the extra mile. . .do more than is expected of them

Staying Positive. At the root of a growth mindset is the ability to find the bright side; to stay positive when things get hard. This is a tough one for many of us (me!) but the more we cultivate an atmosphere of gratitude in our home, the more we’ll default to a positive attitude, no matter what.

We can help our kids develop a positive outlook by. . .

• practicing gratitude daily
• making it a habit to look for the bright side in tough situations
• opening their mind to a broader worldview so they understand their own blessings

Being a Good Steward. Managing money is a life skill every child needs to learn but beyond just managing money we can teach our kids to be good stewards of the gifts given to them by God. Money, like success, will come with different philosophies for different families, depending on our individual values, personalities and experience.

Whether we tend to save more or give more, a balance can be found in teaching kids to look at their finances as God’s provision, given to us to steward according to his leading. We can help kids develop stewardship skills by. . .

• encouraging them to give back to God, first
• guiding them to develop the habit of praying about how to use their money
• teaching them to be generous with those in need (and trust God to provide for what we need)
• helping them keep track of their money and where it goes

Seeking Wisdom. The Bible says,

“Wisdom is the most important thing. So get wisdom. If it costs you everything you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7 ICB

The pursuit of wisdom is a life skill we all need. It’s a value that can form a habit if we allow our desire for truth to guide us. In today’s culture where information (and much of it misinformation) is front and center at all times, we need to teach our kids how to filter what they read and seek wisdom by. . .

• helping them understand they cannot believe everything they read at face value
• encouraging them to look only to trusted sources
• opening their eyes to the motivation behind much of what is shared in the media and to allow their own God-driven motivation and God’s Word to filter their understanding
• encouraging them to ask questions of trusted leaders

Finding Balance. Life these days is intense. Everything seems to be done big from birthday parties to extracurricular activities. We live in an often all or nothing society where we’re told to go big or go home. And that lifestyle may work for some but for most of us, we simply need to find balance.

Our kids will probably have big seasons and quiet seasons in their lives but if we teach them to seek balance, chances are they’ll lead healthier, more centered lives over the long haul.

A growth mindset will lead to balance because by nature, there is a certain stability needed in order for growth to occur. We can encourage our kids to seek and find balance by. . .

• helping them develop good decision making skills
• encouraging them to make decisions one season at a time
• teaching them how to say NO
• developing their ability to prioritize

Using Discretion. Anything goes online these days. Our kids are growing up in a culture that says it all and sometimes bares it all. While most children probably won’t choose to share too much of their physical selves, all kids need to learn how to use discretion in their words and image both online and in real life.

As social media becomes more and more a part of our kids’ lives, teaching them how to use discretion is crucial to protecting them – both physically and emotionally. We can help our kids learn discretion by. . .

• reminding them to treat their body (and soul) as a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)
• encouraging them to find their worth in what God says about them, not the world
• opening their eyes (when appropriate) to the dangers of sharing too much online
• encouraging them to respect themselves and their friends enough to keep private matters private
• teaching them to T.H.I.N.K before they post (or speak) – is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind?

Practicing Self-Care. This one we tend to think only applies to adults. But the practice of self-care can be developed early so our kids grow up knowing how to rest and rejuvenate their spirit.

With all of the pressure now for kids to perform in school and in their extracurricular activities, they can feel like they are on a never-ending hamster wheel of life just trying to do better and get better at all times. But we can teach our kids to take seasons of rest and practice ongoing self-care by. . .

• helping them develop a quiet time with God – the most important and effective self-care practice
• reminding them to take care of their whole selves – body, mind and spirit
• helping them find restful activities they enjoy such as reading or a low pressure hobby
• teaching them to journal regularly to process emotions and record their journey

When we take our focus off of innate ability and the pursuit of achievement and we instead, seek growth in all areas at all times, we remove the pressure our kids often feel and we give them the freedom to bloom in God’s timing and by his divine purpose.

It’s a paradigm shift in modern thinking and it’s one we can pursue for our kids’ benefit and our own.

What growth skills are you teaching your kids? I’d love to add more to this list!

The post 9 Growth Skills that Will Help Kids Thrive in Life appeared first on Gather & Grow.

Family devotions are an important part of leading kids along their faith journey. But it’s hard to be consistent with family faith-building time when life is busy and unpredictable.

What if I told you we didn’t do family devotions in my home when I was a child? Even though my parents were committed to teaching us about God and what it meant to follow Jesus, we barely ever sat down with a Bible or devotional on a regular basis. We didn’t have books, resources and blog posts to follow. So there wasn’t near as much pressure to do family devotions a certain way.

Rethinking Family Devotions

I still grew to love and serve Jesus with my whole life. It just happened more organically for me. Do I wish I’d developed the discipline of family devotions all those years ago? Sure! I don’t share this part of my upbringing to discount the importance of family devotions. But I do hope it encourages some that it’s OK to not do things “by the book.”

It’s time we start to rethink the idea of family devotions. And we can do this with one, little change.

Drop the S.

That’s right. It’s that simple. Change the plural – which just ends up on our running list of “one more thing we have to do” – to a descriptive noun that signifies faithfulness and commitment, no strings attached.

What is Family Devotion?

Family devotion is a commitment to teach kids that learning about God and the Bible is important to our spiritual growth. It doesn’t imply a specific act but rather an atmosphere and attitude that is cultivated over time.

Now let’s take that limiting letter S and re-purpose it into 5 important aspects of family devotion that can help us become more consistent with our family devotion(s).

Simplicity

Find Simple Tools + Methods for Family Devotions. What works for one family may not work for another. Look for books and tools that will be effective for your unique family situation and don’t worry whether or not it’s up to par with what others are doing. Try our simple 5 & Thrive Bible Study Method (it can take as little as 10 minutes) or check out our post on No Fuss Family Devotion Ideas. Even 10-15 minutes a week spent reading a verse from the Bible and talking about it is a seed of family devotion planted in the lives of our kids!

Surroundings

Cultivate a Faith Culture in Your Home. It worked for our family devotion time to be unstructured because my parents cultivated a culture of faith in our home. That means faith was a natural part of our everyday conversations. So although we weren’t sitting around a Bible or devotional book often, we were having daily conversations that molded our faith. We felt love, acceptance and permission to ask questions at all times. Focus on nurturing an atmosphere of faith in your home. Create a safe place for your kids to develop an organic understanding of God and the Bible through regular encounters with you.

Seeds

Plant Faith-Building Moments into Everyday Life. Look for opportunities to create teachable experiences. Stop in the midst of correction, instruction and everyday conversations to point kids toward God and his Word. Every time we turn a conversation into a faith-building moment we plant more seeds of family devotion in the soil of our child’s heart. There is no book for this, but it’s the most valuable way to teach our kids; it’s the very way Jesus taught his disciples.

Seasons

Find a Rhythm in the Seasons. I love the church calendar. Advent, Epiphany, Lent, even Ordinary Time. . .Each season has a sacred purpose and a rhythm that leads one into the next. Even Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall bring with them the opportunity for new lessons about life and growth. Follow the seasons and develop a rhythm for your family. You can join us right now for our Family Lent Devotional – including 6 simple lessons about Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

Sundays

Start with Sundays. Our commitment to the Body of Christ (the church) is one of the most powerful ways we teach our children about following Jesus. When we faithfully gather with other believers, they learn the value of community. I understand how hard it can be to find a good church. Churches are filled with imperfect people, just like us. We get burned out and let down and then we hide away from God’s people. I get it. I truly do. Take a break if you need to then ask God for the grace to get back into community. Find a place, however imperfect, where your kids (and you) can grow. Then take what you learn on Sunday mornings and carry it into your conversations throughout the week.

It’s hard to be consistent when life is so unpredictable. When we rethink what faith-building and family devotions should look like, we find freedom to develop a habit of DEVOTION that becomes a part of who we are, not just something we try to find time to do. Then consistency comes naturally instead of being the thing we strive for and can’t ever seem to accomplish.

And this is the kind of family DEVOTION that lasts a lifetime.

What are some of your favorite tips for being consistent with family devotions? How are you creating a culture of faith within your family?

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The older I get, the more I realize that confidence was the missing ingredient through many seasons of my life. So I’m focusing more and more as my kids get older on ways to build their confidence so they can boldly pursue all that God has planned for them using their unique personalities and giftings.

Confidence will serve our kids well as they grow through life, in discovering their purpose and in developing good and rich friendships along the way.

Confidence will help our kids reach their full potential and it will cultivate kindness.

Because when we are sure of who we are and who we belong to, we can’t help but love well.

We’re talking about this in our back-to-school family Bible study, The Popularity Principle. But I wanted to dig deeper into the Word to highlight the truth our kids can stand on to build confidence in their lives.

Make sure you scroll all the way to the end of this post so you can download a copy of these Bible verses that build confidence. Print them out and post them where your child can read and be empowered with truth every day!

Bible Verses that Build Confidence in Kids

Psalm 139:13-14 ICB

You made my whole being. You formed me in my mother’s body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.

Proverbs 3:3-6 NLT

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Isaiah 32:17 NLT

And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.

Jeremiah 17:7 NLT

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Joshua 1:9 NLT

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 27:1a NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid?

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NLT

We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualifications come from God.

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What are your favorite Bible verses to build confidence in your kids (or in your own life)?

Click HERE to download a copy of these 15 Bible Verses that Build Confidence in Kids

The post 15 Bible Verses that Build Confidence in Kids appeared first on Gather & Grow.