I have a great responsibility as a parent not to just take them to church and Sunday school to hear the gospel, but to teach my young kids myself. But how? How do we teach our young children the way they should go? Is it not God who does the work in each individuals life? I don’t want them force them or feel like I’m pushing “religion” on them. How do we let them make their own choice while also taking on the responsibly of teaching them the most important thing, the gospel message, the way to eternal life? 

Here I go over six ways I bring up the gospel constantly in conversation with my kids. Teaching them the truths of the gospel that changed my life. But first! What is the Gospel?

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is not just bible stories but the good news of Jesus Christ! When God created the world he created man to be in perfect fellowship with Him. Knowing God fully and glorifying Him in life in the Garden of Eden. But Adam and Eve sinned and now are separated from God, for God cannot dwell with sin. Separation from God leads to death, for the wages of sin is death. 

Now, we all have sinned, we all deserve separation from God and the punishment of hell. But while we were still sinners Christ Jesus, God in flesh came and dwelt among us sinful men. Living a perfect, sinless life, our God, Jesus Christ was tortured and killed on a cross. Jesus took the punishment we sinners deserved freeing us from Gods wrath.

Then, on the 3rd day after his death, Jesus rose up from the grave! Sin and death had not power over Jesus because he had never sinned. Now Jesus offers us new risen life through His death and resurrection. 

If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Making us alive together in Christ, free from sin and one with God again. We now live a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of god.

1. As We Walk by The Way

In Deuteronomy 6:7 the Lord commands us as parents to teach our children diligently. Talking with our kids when we sit, walk, rest and rise up. Teaching our kids in all that we do to give glory and honor to our Lord. So how do we bring God up in our daily conversations? Here are a few ideas.

When we sit.

When we sit to eat a meal we pray, thanking God for his provision in our lives with this meal. Praying before meals help establish in your kids hearts thankfulness towards God as well as remembering its God we relay on for all that we have. He is provider. 

When we sit together and relax on the couch, watching a movie or reading a book. When something comes up in a show or story that is God honoring we point it our with conversation. “Oh that is so cool, it reminds my of when God….” “Wow, Gods works are amazing.” “Did you see how that person was loving like God is?” Point out and ponder with your kids His awesomeness in these gospel conversations. 

Point out when we see things that do not honor our God. “Oh, yeah, that bad guy does not love God”. “That person was not kind, do you think they will be punished as God punishes the wicked or will they be forgiven as God forgives?” “What does the bible say about that?” Point out and ponder on Gods judgment and mercy. 

As we sit and watch the world, pondering the things in the world, teach your kids view all things through the bible. Though the eyes of God. What does God say about these things we see and how should we think about them? 

One day my 6 year old ask why is was so windy. I told him that God made the wind and he uses it to move seeds around and plant new plants. And although that is not the only work wind does my son now understands God is a work through nature. He sees the wind and does not complain but stands in awe of Gods awesome deeds.

When we walk.

When we walk by the way, while we are in action, motion, doing things, going places we explain to our kids why. “We go to church… to learn more about God, worship Him and encourage others.” “Doing our chores, we to take care of what God has given us, just like God takes care of us.” “We do our homework to grow in knowledge so we can understand God word and the world he created, God is wise and calls us to wisdom.” “We get to play with our friends because God loves fellowship and friendships, and God is the best friend we could ever have.” 

When asked why we do something take the time to explain how what we do reflex Gods character. Not just because God wants us to do these good works but why God wants these things for us. Motivate your kids do walk and act in the fruit of the spirit, honoring God, not themselves, by giving them Gods reasons behind our actions.

When we rest.

When we lay down to rest. Teach your kids that not to fear or worry by resting in the Lord. We pray before we go to sleep. Giving thanks for the day and asking for peace for the night. We read the psalm together and talk about how God is our shield and fortress. How we rest by streams of water that God provides. When my enemy surrounds me, I trust in God. 

Our children are going to face many hardships in life, just as we do. I want my child to rest in the Lord, trust in Him. First, I get to show an example of that when I go through a trial. I myself must trust in the Lord and rest in Him, for He is good. Then I tell my children, when things don’t go their way, that God is good even when He takes away. 

Teaching children trust takes a long time as we often have to wait for the end result. The situation I find most common is when my kids are hungry but lunch is not ready yet. When I tell them to wait I have an opportunity to ask “do you trust that I will make your lunch at the right time?” “if you truly trust me then I want you to wait patiently”. 

The best thing you can do is come through with every promise you make to your kids. So make them wisely. Teach them to trust you and point them directly to God. “You can trust me because you know I love you and I love God. God loves you more then I can love, you can trust Him.”

When we rise up.

When we rise up in the morning we thank God for His beautiful day. We read our bible at breakfast. Refreshed from the peace that God gives, we go to work and play throughout our day. 

Again, just as we walk by the way, we raise up and do the actions God has prepared for us. When we raise up we have the opportunity to teach our children that our good works and actions are for the glory of the Lord. Colossians 3:23 say “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”. 

To share the good new of the gospel with your kids you can ask them “why do we work unto the Lord?” Encourage conversation about what God has done for us, creating us, providing for us, loving us. And what do we do in return? Well, we sin. We don’t obey, we don’t love, we don’t trust. Yet, he sent his son to save us from our sin and give us a new heart that loves, obeys and trust in God. God is so good to us. So good he even gives us the opportunity to work, raise up and work with him for Gods glory and our benefit. 

So whatever we do. Do it unto the Lord. For he is good and worthy of our praise through our raising up to action.

2. Remember

Remembering daily

Psalm 77 calls us to remember His might deeds and wondrous works. Daily we can encourage our kids to remember the gospel as we remind them of God’s love and might deeds in our daily life. 

Giving credit to God for the things he has done in our lives is the best way to start reminding them of His gospel. You can remind them every time their little ‘owies’ heal that God is the one who heals us, just like Jesus healed people in the bible. We remember that Jesus controls the weather, just like he did the storms in the bible. God makes everything grow, just like when he created the whole earth.

Remember the holiday’s

We remember Gods great works in all the little things, while also taking special days to remember special works. In the Old Testament God gave the Israelite’s instructions on when and how to remember Gods works every sabbath as well as at every feast!

Those feast are like our holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter. These holiday’s are easy to remember Jesus. We remember the day Jesus was born. On Thanksgiving, we gives thanks to God. We remember the resurrection of Christ on Easter. If those holiday’s are not about Christ in your household you are missing out on a great opportunity to be preaching the truth of the gospel with your kids. 

But what about the other holiday’s? Halloween, Forth of July, even Presidents Day. Connecting the gospel to these holidays can be more difficult but will show your kids that God to be glorified in everyday. 

Halloween can be a very dark night in some cultures. At our church we host “Lighthouses” at a members house in a trick-or-treating neighborhood. We have music, puppet shows, hot chocolate and lot and lots of candy. The goal is to show our kids and the town that Christ is the light of the world and in him there is not darkness. Even on your darkest night, Christ’s light will shine through. 

Forth of July we celebrate our freedom in our country. Talk to your kids about freedom and what that means, ask them about the freedom from sin we have in Jesus. That’s the best kind of freedom. 

Presidents Day, God places every leader in his place at the appointed time. We can thank God for his grace with good presidents and His righteous judgment with the not so good presidents. Bad leadership is a reminder from God that we need to turn from our own sins in repentance and turn to Christ and His leadership in our lives. 

Remember, everyday, especially on Sundays and Holidays, Gods mighty works and share them with your children.

3. Forgiveness

Showing forgiveness towards your kids is probably the most important way to share the gospel with your kids. God forgives us and sends our sin as far as east is from the west, never to be heard from again. We need to love our kids in that same way. 

Your kids do not need to earn forgiveness, just like we don’t earn it from God. Our sins have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus and now we can forgive others just as Christ has forgiven us. Do not hold your kids sins against them. Once the punishment, discipline or grace has taken place, forgiveness of sins is granted and we move on.

Christ does not throw our old, forgiven sin back in our face to continually make us feel guilty but desires a restored relationship. We to must restore our relationship with our children, never making them feel guilty again for a sin that has been forgiven.

4. God Disciplines Those He Loves

Forgiveness of sins and grace is so important when sharing the gospel but so is Gods wrath and discipline. Without a punishment for sin we cannot have forgiveness. A payment is required for justice sake and God is just. Thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who took the wrath upon himself at the cross for our sins. 

When disciplining your kids the gospel should always be the center of that discipline. Reminding your kids that sin separates us from God. God is good and there is no good when separated from Him. Because you did wrong you need a punishment that goes with the wrong you did. Just like how God will punish the wicked for their wrong. But because of my love for you and Gods love for you, you will be punished so that you know what is wrong way and turn towards the right way. 

When you know what is wrong you can repent and say sorry. If you don’t know its wrong you will not repent. God forgives those who confess their sin. I want to teach my kids to confess their sin so I can lavish forgiveness and love on them, just as Christ has done for me. 

I want my kids to be quick to repent to God their sins. Not in fear that God will destroy them but knowing He will forgive them. I want them to remember that Christ died for that sin, confess it to the Lord and walk in gift of God, freedom from sin.

5. We Love Because Christ Loved Us

When sharing the gospel with my kids I want them to know Christ great love towards them and the type of love they ought to have towards one another. We have a great opportunity to share the gospel with our kids when teaching them how the ought to treat others. “No, we don’t hit, ask nicely for the toy. God loves you sister, so we should love your sister, being kind and patient.” 

We want our kids to grown up like Christ so show them that God loves others and we should love whom God loves, in the same way God loves them. Jesus loved us so much he died on the cross for us for you sibling, for your friend. Now its our turn to lay our lives, our desires, our comfort down for our kids, and show them to do the same for others.  

6. Read The Bible, Pray and Memorize Bible Verses Together. 

Reading the bible, praying and memorizing bible verses together is probably the easiest way to share the gospel with your children. Taking the time to do a bible study and share helpful verses with one another is a great way to introduce the good news of the gospel. When scripture is being read together regularly when the bad attitude and selfishness of your kids starts to appear it will be easy to remind them of the bible verses you have memorized together they have already been taught. 

Our kids need to be prepared for the scary things that are going to come their way in life. We can either teach them as things come up, or we can try to prepare them, before the trial comes, to remember what they know to be truth about the love of Jesus. 

My prayer for you and your children is that you both grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be strengthened in the power of God to continue to have gospel conversations, training your kids to love God’s word, pray and love others.

The post How To Share the Gospel With Your Kids appeared first on Embracing The Home.

• No Clutter Gifts 
• Less Clutter Gifts 

These are some of the best non-toy gifts that I have given to my kids. This list has wonderful gifts for kids of all ages, older children to little kids alike. New toys are always a hit with the kids but often for the parents they can be a burden. Obviously the gift is for the kids not the parents but I would hope you would want to bless the parents as well as the kids.

But First, Talk To The Parents

When giving gifts we want to give from the heart and if we truly want their well being we will give appropriate gifts. Knowing not just what the kids want but what the parents allow is important. Your niece might tell you she wants a toy microphone and speaker but will that annoy her mother…? your sister…? Yes it will. So I bought it for her. Do as I say, not as I do. 

Sometimes we can get carried away and give gifts that the parents were trying to avoid bringing into the house. Gifts like Lego are great if they already are a Lego family and some families are not. Some families are not into Disney princesses or barbies and for some those are perfect gifts. Know the kids and know what the parents are okay with introducing into the family.

When you want to gift a need, ASK to make sure they parents/child need this item. Do they need clothing? or do they not want anymore. Do they need more art supplies? or do they have enough. Do they need more books? What do they need? Don’t just assume everyone needs new shoes or more markers. 

No Clutter Gifts

These gift ideas are here and gone again. Perfect for the kids who has everything or for the minimalist family. Gifts that will make the day special without the fuss of finding a place to keep store it. 

Balloons

Balloons are fun and don’t last forever. They make a day/week special.

Bubbles

My kids love bubbles they are typically a one afternoon outside fun. Nothing I have to find space and it gets them outside.

Bubble Bath

My little girl love bubble baths. I do not buy bubble bath regularly but they become great Christmas morning stocking suffer or birthday gifts for fun bath time. Bath salts, face masks, nail polish and lotions are also a perfect gift for older girls. 

Flowers

Those little girls feel so loved when given a sweet little bouquet of flowers! They light up when the flowers are for them. Household plants or garden plants or even seeds can be just as fun for your kids to take care of and watch grow.

Foods, Snacks, Treats

Candy, snacks, favorite foods are another fun gift to give. Be sure to make sure over sugar someone else’s kids and ask the parents if they have suggestions or restrictions that they give their kids when it comes to food.
side story: For my oldest sons first birthday his aunt got him a banana. He was so excited he cried when I tried to get him to open the next gift. We had to take a break and let him eat his banana before moving on with the party! It was hilarious and has become a tradition with our family to give a banana for the first birthdays.

Ice Cream Money/Gift Card

My son was so excited when he got a card from his great-great Aunt with $5 in it specifically for ice cream. He love’s going out for ice cream at our local creamery and it made for a great gift. 

Tickets to Events

Children’s Museum, plays, movie theater, aquarium, zoo are great ideas for experience gifts.  These are great gifts to talk to the parents about first. If you are giving the gift of an event or experience gift make sure its something the parents approve of. Also don’t leave out the parents from experiencing the adventure with their kids. These gifts are great for the whole family. Don’t take your grand kids to the zoo for the first time without their parents, unless the parents wish it. 

Scavenger Hunt/Treasure Hunt 

Adventure! You can make up your own scavenger hunt or treasure hunt that geared to your child or check out these 35 awesome scavenger hunt ideas for kids. Scavenger hunts can be so much fun for all ages. You can adapt you hunt to being in one room or a whole town. This gift can be very simple to extremely extravagant. Some treasures can be toys that they can keep or candy and treat that goes away when finished. 

Sidewalk Chalk

My two oldest boys have a great time and will spend hours outside with chalk. Making rocket ships, race car and car tracks, even numbering all 84 squares in the side walk to the corner of the block. Kids love chalk. A great gift that once is done its gone

Water balloons

Water balloons are an amazing gift in the summer. On a hot day the kids can have a epic battle while cooling down in the water. One used they are done. 

Less Clutter Gifts

Most of the gifts ideas on this list take up some space but not a lot and not always for long. Too much of a good thing can get overwhelming at times. When shopping for a minimalist family or a kid who has everything already, ask yourself if they will use this gift or if it will just become another thing to store. Giving from the heart is giving something they will use. 

Audio Books

For the younger kids who can’t read yet, audio books are a great gift. Starting that love for reading early can be done with audio books. Listening to a book in long car rides, or during quiet time/nap time while they color or play with legos is a great way to introduce a love for reading. You can get gift cards for amazon to use towards audible or purchase a monthly subscription for someone. For other audio books apps check out Everyday Reading’s review.

Board Games

Even with our 3 and 4 year old we like to introduce board games, even if we don’t play exactly by all the rules with the little ones we have a lot of fun.

Books

One of the best gifts you can give is books. Books form people and character. A love to read can produce a love for knowledge.

Camping Gear

If the family is a camping family then their kids will love items like a compass, flashlight, binoculars, or a magnifying glass. These gifts make the family activities even more special. 

Clothing

Something practical can also be special meaningful gifts. A sweet little dress, or cool new pair of rain boots can become a very special outfit when given from someone they love. 

DVD’s

In a world of streaming this gift my seem out dated but my kids love being able to pick out what they want to watch by looking through their DVD’s. I feel more comfortable that ad’s I don’t approve of aren’t randomly popping up and shows they are not allowed to watch aren’t an seen as an option. They also get to take their favorite movies to their grandparents and cousins house for fun movie nights.

Flower/Plants

Those little girls feel so loved when given a sweet little bouquet of flowers! They light up when the flowers are for them. Household plants or garden plants or even seeds can be just as fun for your kids to take care of and watch grow. The gift of flowers is also a great gift for older kids and even adults. This Christmas my dad got me money for two fruit trees of my choice. Now every time I water my trees I think of my dad’s love for me. 

Fun Money

I remember getting $2 dollar bills in Christmas stockings or for my birthday, they are rare and exciting and you want to save them instead of spend. My brother in law once made a treasure map and hid a treasure chest full of $3 works of pennies that his son and my sons (ages 4-5) got to split up between them. They love the adventure and 100 pennies is a lot of money for a little boy. 

Piggy Bank

Now what to keep your treasure in? A piggy bank! It doesn’t have to be a pig, there are lots of cute ideas out there. I personally like the ones that easily open so that my kids can count their money over and over again (homeschooling points) or the ones they can see through and see grow as they save their money. Kibelly Wooden Banks are a great example.

Photo Album

My daughters loves looking though my wedding photo albums and their baby albums. You can create personal photo books at Shutterfly, Snapfish, Mixbook, Chatbooks or even Walmart for less than $10. This year my kids and I made “cousin books” and gave them to our extended family. Photo albums are great for family that lives out of state, especially if you can get photos of their family and your family together in one book. When family is separated by distance its always a meaningful to see each other on the same page of one book even if not the same photo. 

Mail

Personal letters from you can be very special especially if you live far away or like to travel. Postcards, birthday cards, drawings and art can be very exciting to receive in the mail. Sending mail monthly can be something those kids can look forward to

Subscriptions

There are lots of wonderful creative kids subscriptions you can sign up for. Magazine subscriptions like National Geographic Kids, Highlights, and more. Activity boxes like KiwiCo, Little Passports, Highlights High Five and Lovevery. Something new every month that produces creativity and learning. 

Scavenger Hunt/Treasure Hunt. 

Adventure! You can make up your own scavenger hunt or treasure hunt that geared to your child or check out these 35 awesome scavenger hunt ideas for kids. Scavenger hunts can be so much fun for all ages. You can adapt you hunt to being in one room or a whole town. This gift can be very simple to extremely extravagant. Some treasures can be toys that they can keep or candy and treat that goes away when finished.

Art Supplies 

Acrylic or Watercolor Paints

Fun fancy paints for older kids a great way for them to feel older and take seriously their art projects. Don’t forget a few nice paint brushes that go with out fun paint. 

Art Paper

Water color paper, thick card stock, sketch pads are wonderful gifts for artists of all ages.

Coloring Books

Coloring books for any age! There are so many different types of coloring books out there I’m sure you can find something they will love.

Journal

A journal can be a great way to encourage creative writing or simple finding words to express yourself. For younger kids you can get a drawing journal or a journal with prompts. 

Photo Album/Scrapbook

You can make your own photo album as a gift or but a blank album that the kids get to fill in themselves. Print pictures for them and let them make their own memories.

Sticker/Sticker Book

Sticker books are a lot of fun and a perfect gift as long as the kids are old enough to know the stickers don’t go on the furniture. 

Science Projects

Like Doctor Jupiter’s Science Kit, or Stem Robotics Kids or a gardening Root Viewer Kit. There are lots of different ways to experiment and grow your kids knowledge while having a lot of fun! 

Sidewalk Chalk

My two oldest boys just spend hours outside with chalk, making rocket ships, race car and car tracks, numbering all 84 squares in the side walk to the corner of the block. A great gift that once is done its gone.

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