INFO for Families

Download this Guide to Help Your Family to Celebrate the Birth of Christ

Do you want some great ideas for helping your family to celebrate Christ this Christmas? HomeLife at Johnson Ferry has produced an excellent guide full of creative ideas to help you to keep your family focused on what matters most at Christmas: the birthday boy.

There are devotion ideas, meaningful decorating suggestions, and insights on how to pray for friends and family over the holiday season. You'll even find some great resources for how to teach your kids to give meaningful gifts that will powerfully impact the lives of others.

Make an effort this year to build some family traditions that lead your family to celebrate the wonders of the incarnation, not just the great deals of Black Friday. This guide will truly help you to do it. But remember...giving your kids a new perspective of Christmas will not happen on its own. You have to guide them there. With so many conflicting messages about Santa, toys, funny Will Farrell movies, and the myriad of other distractions that happen this time of year, it is easy for all of us to get distracted

Download your Christmas @ Home Guide today! Hard copies are also available at the HomeLife Center at Johnson Ferry.

What are some of the things that you do in your family to keep Christ in Christmas?

A Great App for Helping Kids Learn the Bible

Our friend Rob Rienow of Visionary Family Ministries has recently released a great new App for the iPhone that is designed to help your kids (and you) to learn Bible history. Called BibleHIStory Game, it is a simple and addictive way to understand how the events of the Bible fit into the grand story of history. It is also a great way to learn how the different stories of the Bible unfold over time.

I have been trying it out for a few days and I have to confess that I'm a bit addicted, even though it is very simple to play. You are given virtual "cards" that have a key event in either Biblical or world history. You simply add them to a timeline of all the cards that you are given. If you put a card in the wrong place, you get a "strike." Three strikes and you're out. (You can also set it up for as many as seven strikes to make your game go longer.) It's amazing how much you learn as you go.

You can try it for free and then download the whole game for $1.99. If I had another hand, I would give it "three thumbs-up." But alas, I only have two, so "two thumbs up" will have to suffice.

Moral Kids Are Often Pagan Kids

There is one key thing that must drive imperfect and normal families like yours towards God's very best. It is the essential element of defining your objective. Nailing down why you are doing what you are doing will empower much of what you do.

Too many times, (good Christian) parents have it as their goal to make their kids good and moral. It is as if the entire purpose of their spiritual life is to shape their children into law abiding citizens who stay out of trouble. The only problem with this goal is that it runs in stark contrast to what the Bible teaches. The gospel is not about making bad people moral, but about making dead people alive. If we teach morality without the transforming power of the gospel and the necessity of a life fully surrendered to God's will, then we are raising moral pagans.

We end up teaching the wrong thing because we have the wrong objective.

This sentiment was stirred in me afresh when I read an interview in World Magazine with Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer. Here's an excerpt from the article...

 

Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales, went bankrupt in 2003, sold the franchise, and turned to other ventures. In an interview with World Magazine, he says how he realized that the "Christian" message of those talking vegetables was not Christianity at all.

"I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, "Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so," or "Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so!" But that isn't Christianity, it's morality. . .

And that was such a huge shift for me from the American Christian ideal. We're drinking a cocktail that's a mix of the Protestant work ethic, the American dream, and the gospel. And we've intertwined them so completely that we can't tell them apart anymore. Our gospel has become a gospel of following your dreams and being good so God will make all your dreams come true. It's the Oprah god. So I had to peel that apart. I realized I'm not supposed to be pursuing impact, I'm supposed to be pursuing God. And when I pursue God I will have exactly as much impact as He wants me to have."

 

So what is your objective? Do you unintentionally teach your kids "be good because the Bible tells you to" or do you teach your kids to live a life fully yielded to Christ for His glory? Because there's a big difference.

If I'm honest, I find few families in the church today who are doing the latter. The vast majority of parents I encounter are encouraging moral behavior in their kids so that God will bless their (usually self-centered) pursuits. It's the American Dream plus Jesus.

Phil Vischer finally got this. What about you?

Four Things Every Kid Needs to Know About the Bible

Hopefully, it's in the heart of every Christian parent to teach their kids the Bible.

For the record, that's something that should be done primarily BY PARENTS, not by the church they take their kids to. While there is nothing wrong with attending a great church with creative communication of Truth, nothing can take the place of a mother or father reading a Bible story at bedtime or sharing something God has taught them. These are the lessons that our kids will remember.

But if you are like most imperfect and normal families, sometimes we miss the forest for the trees. We get so caught up in teaching our kids parts of the Bible that we forget to drive home some foundational, "big picture" things.

Trevin Wax posted last week about "Four Things Every Kid Needs to Know About the Bible." It serves as a great reminder of some fundamental things we need to make sure we are getting across to our kids.

Should We Revise the Bible to Fit the 21st Century?

There are many well-meaning people who insist that we should drag the Bible kicking and screaming into our modern culture. After all, they reason, some of the principles and truths we find there are obviously outdated.

But what if God’s Truth is eternal? What if it remains true in spite of the shifting sands of our society? What if the reason our world is so messed up today is because we have rejected His Truth and done what the last verse of Judges says, where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes?”

Piers Morgan interviewed Joel Osteen on his program a few nights ago. It makes me cringe that Osteen is such a prominent figure and that people might presume that he captures the essence of the Christian faith. Some of Osteen’s responses to moral issues were just plain wishy-washy. I’m not sure he clearly stands on much of anything.

Albert Mohler wrote a post that has some excellent observations on how Osteen’s thinking (or lack thereof) is reflective of many in the church today. It is well worth a read.

Dragged Kicking and Screaming into the Modern Age

I would value your thoughts on Mohler's post, especially in light of how we must maintain Biblical standards as we do marriage and family in this culture. Comments are always welcome.

A Few Observations on the Crafts Your Preschooler Makes at Church

I’d like to rant a bit about one of the most important decisions a parent must make regarding their children. Of course, I’m talking about this troubling question: 

“What do I do with the craft projects my preschooler makes while in the church nursery?”

Unlike some insignificant one-time choices (like what college they will attend, for example), this issue must be faced on a weekly basis, so a parent’s strategy must be carefully considered.    

Preschool art projects are designed to reinforce the story your child was taught in class. That pipe-cleaner Jonah glued to the construction paper whale is not just a time-filler. It is an intentional tool designed to further reinforce the theological implications of evangelism, unmerited grace, and obedience to the voice of God. That’s quite a stretch for a three year old, but I guess it’s my job to help her to make the connection. 

I have to be honest: I would care about these creations a lot more if my daughter were actually aware of the fact that she had made something. In most cases, the complexity of the craft suggests that her teacher did most of the work. This is affirmed by the blank stares I get from my child when I ask her about her scale model of Solomon’s Temple made from popsicle sticks. She typically gives me a look that says, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Have You Already Broken Your Vow to Read Through the Bible this Year?

Every few years, I commit to read through the Bible in a year. I've succeeded only twice. But this year is different. I WILL do this!

A bunch of us from our Young Marrieds Bible Study class at church are committed to doing it together. Jenifer and I are both in.

But I can't deny the fact that my zeal on January 1st has already waned a bit. Jon Acuff of the brilliant Stuff Christians Like blog has written about this phenomenon. He is as funny and spot on as usual.

Here's the post. It will make you laugh. As sure as Leviticus will freak you out, it will make you laugh.

Already Being Behind on Your Read Through the Bible in a Year Plan

How to Get Your Husband Interested in the Bible

 

This would probably work. But he will get fat. And his arteries will get clogged. And he will die early. Not a great long-term solution.

Perhaps the best way to increase our hunger for the Word is to ask God to create a hunger in us. That's the only thing that has ever worked for me.

I've tried reading plans and devotion guides and accountability partners. I've tried studying verses and themes and journaling my thoughts. Rarely does it jump-start my desire to renew my mind with Truth. But when I accompany my intentional plans with a desperate prayer for God to make we WANT to be in the Word, it changes everything.

Remember, God wants me to read the Bible. When I give Him freedom to do what He already wants to do, good things happen. That's when my appetite for the Word seems to supernaturally grow.

So ask God to increase your hunger for His Word this week. And if wrapping your Bible in bacon helps, then feel free to try that, too.

Where Recovering Veggie Tales Addicts Can Get Their Fix

The late 90's found me deep in the throes of raising my kids. And because every American kid seems to have a pre-disposed bent toward watching TV, we found ourselves constantly looking for videos (this was pre-DVD) that entertained AND taught some worthwhile values in our home.

Enter Veggie Tales.

Phil Vischer and company did an excellent job of creatively conveying Biblical truth in a way that both parents and children (and even teenagers) could enjoy. If you're not familiar with Bob and Larry, then there is a small but significant hole in your Christian experience. Just imagine taking two parts Sunday School and mixing it with one part Disney, one part Monty Python, and one part vegetable. It has to be experienced. This is one of my favorite "Silly Songs with Larry."

After some complicated business arrangements in the early 2000's, Vischer had to give control of Veggie Tales to others. I'm not sure of all the details, but I know that the quality and freshness of the product suffered during this season.

Now Vischer has formed Jellyfish Labs and has a vision to create video projects that teach children about the power of God's Word. They are just as fun and fresh as the old Veggie Tales, but the content is even more directed at teaching Biblical truth. There are a variety of media on the videos, including live action, animation, and puppets (puppetry was Vischer's original skill...long before digital animation came along).

You can find a review of "What's in the Bible" on the MovieGuide website here. You can also see a promo video featuring Phil Vischer and his vision below.

This just might be the perfect fix for all the struggling Veggie Tales addicts out there.

 

 

Summer Discipleship Plan - Coordinate Your Bible Reading

In our continuing goal to share possible ideas for being purposeful as you disciple your kids this summer, I thought I might give another glimpse into the Johnson house. And before you make any assumptions, I want to confess that we are far from perfect.

It's easy to imagine that we spend all our free time with our Bibles open in our laps, anxiously waiting for that wonderful moment each evening when Dad calls the kids down to sit in a circle in the living room for our family worship time. There we spend countless hours reading the Bible and sharing our insights and learning from one another. And we sing lots of songs; usually old hymns of the faith. It's rich...truly rich. I feel sorry that your family doesn't have what we have.

Well go ahead and imagine that. And imagine some unicorns there, as well. Because that's not how things typically go in the Johnson house.

There's usually a TV on. And our toddler is dumping the flour cannister in the kitchen. And two kids are fighting over who ate all the ice cream. And somebody wants us to leave RIGHT NOW and give them a ride somewhere. And there are messes, oh so many messes. Jenifer is worn out and I am tempted to hide in the garage. That's how things typically look at our house.

Thus, when it comes time to make a "discipleship plan" for the summer, my simple priority is to get my kids and wife on the same page and brings God's truth to bear on the challenges of our lives. I want a simple means for us to regularly consider God's perspective. And I want to do it in a way that's not a lecture from me, but a personal touch from God Himself.

So here's what we're going to do this summer:

The Johnsons are going to coordinate our Bible reading. One week we'll read Philippians. The next, Ephesians. Another, the Sermon on the Mount. I will give my kids the freedom to read at their own pace, given that they can get through the book in the allotted time period. And I am encouraging them to make note of things that jump out at them or challenge them. Basically, to look for what God is trying to say to them.

Then, at random times (most likely those suppers we can all eat together) we can chime in regarding what we are learning. Hopefully everybody will have some insight to share. And we will have something to pray for one another: that God will be teaching us and changing us as we encounter Him and His word.

Is it a perfect plan? Probably not. But it's my plan. And I feel like it's one that God pressed upon me.

Do you have a plan? No? 

How's that old saying go? "If you fail to plan, you better plan to fail." Let's not drop the ball on this one, parents!

Radical Book - A Radical Message

Something is stirring in the Christian community. There is a grassroots movement of influential American church leaders who are bringing attention to the fact that something is wrong in the church today. Specifically, that it doesn't make sense to be wealthy Christians in a world where people are dying without basic necessities like food, clean water and basic healthcare.

Francis Chan's book Crazy Love touches on this. So does The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns.

But the newest young leader to confront with this reality is Dr. David Platt. He is the pastor of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. His new book, aptly titled Radical is making waves all across the church.

I just ordered my copy. I confess that I'm afraid to read it. Here's a video from Platt on the core of the book's message.
 

 

Creating an Environment for Family Bible Study

Valuing the Bible in your family is one thing. Actually integrating the Word into the daily operation of your home is a bit harder. If you're a normal parent like me, you know first-hand the tension between wanting your entire family to embrace the Word BUT knowing your kids would rather watch TV in their free time. If I'm completely honest, I would admit that my kids get that from their father. (But I don't think I'll be honest...it's much easier to blame it on the Disney Channel.)

I have a great deal of respect for pastor Mark Driscoll from up in the Seattle area. I don't agree with every single thing that comes out of his mouth, but I love his no-nonsense approach to many issues of faith, church, and family.

On his blog this week, he posted some of the things that he does with his family to foster a love of the scriptures. He opens the door of his home to show what things each of his kids (at different ages) are involved in. It served as a great reminder and an idea resource for me and I pray that it does for you, as well.  Enjoy!

Mark Driscoll on Family Bible Study

A few questions for all of us:

What do you do to encourage your kids to get into the Word?

How do you and your spouse foster discussion about and application of the Scriptures?

We would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Please comment below and sharpen the rest of us with what God is doing in YOUR home.