Sometimes, it seems like all there is time for when it comes to talking with our families is, “go put your shoes away” and “hurry up, it’s time to leave” type conversations. Sad, but true.
I find it funny (in a not so funny way) that I can be with my kids all day – teaching them, working with them, driving them to and from games and practices, and eating with them – and not always have very many meaningful conversations. Yes, logistics have to be worked out and plans have to be made. Recounting how the soccer game played out is fun. Joking around about what might happen if a ninja alien super hero giant rat was to join our household gets the creative juices flowing (and then some). Those types of conversations serve a purpose, there’s no doubt about it. (Although, ninja alien super hero giant rat? Really? Can we not sometimes stay just a little bit more within the realm of reality while we’re eating lunch?)
Lately, Matt and I have worked to be more intentional about making our boys think about and discuss more important, and sometimes difficult, topics. They are all old enough now (ages 8-15) to go beyond silly subjects and pointless jabber. And, because of their ages, no longer do we need to keep Bible study and character training as basic and simple as we did when they were little.
Last week, we studied in depth together 1 Corinthians 13. What is love? What does it really mean to love like Jesus loves? If love isn’t rude, isn’t self-seeking, isn’t easily angered, how then can we take on those godly traits? (As in, Laura isn’t rude, Laura isn’t self-seeking, Laura isn’t easily angered… Something to meditate on, for sure.)
This week, we are studying Ephesians 6, looking in depth at the armor of God and the spiritual battle we face each day. God has already won the battle! How can we put on our armor so that we can stand our ground when evil comes our way?
This has been a great opportunity for Matt and I to share our ideas on these topics with our kids. But even better? Hearing what our boys think. Letting them express what these scriptures mean to them. Watching the wheels turn in their minds while they consider God’s love and His power to help us fight our spiritual battles.
These conversations have been rich. Our goal is to keep them going. Here’s hoping our kids will learn and grow from what they are hearing and studying. I know I sure am.
And I will brace myself for the fact that we are sure to balance these discussions with vivid and detailed accounts of a one-eyed creature whose amazing super power has everything to do with none other than earsplitting, green, gaseous bodily functions, which means that he obviously takes over large cities by….
Well anyway. You get the picture.
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