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Family Time with God

Daily faith builders from Awana

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.

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.

SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday

Week #1 Joy

Isaiah 9:6 Sing joyfully to the Lord you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
1 Happy New Year! 2 Memorize Psalm 33:1. 3 Say something kind to someone. 4 Read Psalm 145.
5 Tell three people "Happy New Year" at church today. 6 Start an alphabet book of reasons to praise God, thinking up A-G today. 7 The word "upright" comes from two words: "up" and "right." What do you think "upright" means? 8 Smile at ten people today. 9 Work on H-M in your alphabet book. 10 Go back to your alphabet book. Time to do N-T. 11 At dinner tonight, talk about things that bring you joy.

Week #2 Praise

Psalm 33:2 Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten stringed lyre.
12 Wear a BIG smile to church today. 13 Back to that alphabet book. Guess what letters you're doing today? Exactly right! U-Z! 14 Memorize Psalm 33:2. Say Psalm 33:1 and 33:2 together. 15 Say Psalm 33:1-2 to someone who does not live at your house. 16 Look "lyre" up in an encyclopedia. Draw a picture of a lyre. 17 Read Psalm 98. 18 Show someone your alphabet book. Tell that person why you want to praise God.

Week #3 Sing and Shout

Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
19 What did you sing at church today? Thank the Lord for music. 20 Memorize Psalm 33:3. 21 Read Psalm 100. 22 Sing your favorite songs today while you're getting dressed, setting the table or riding in the car. 23 Listen to a praise cassette or CD. 24 Interview the people in your family. Ask each person, "What is your favorite praise song?" 25 Look at your alphabet book. Choose five "praises" in your book and say thanks to the Lord.

Week #4 Faith

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
26 Pray for your pastor before you go to church today. 27 Memorize Psalm 33:4. 28 Read Psalm 92. 29 Look through a songbook or hymnal to find a song about faithfulness. 30 What does faithfulness mean? Who do you know who is faithful? How can you be a faithful friend? 31 Say Psalm 33:1-4


Winter 2002, Vol. 15, No. 2, Page 19

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