Help Your Child Connect to God and His Word—6 Easy Steps

Morgan Farr has four children. She homeschools them and teaches them the Word and ways of God. In this Parenting UPGRADE, she explains how she helps connect her children to God, and how the Lord used a simple question to help her examine her own heart.

"Kids ask the craziest questions," Morgan says. "As a mom, answering these questions can be a challenge."

Yes, I (Dawn) remember those questions so long ago from my two sons. Sometimes they made me dig for answers, and sometimes, their questions were either convicting to me personally, or they made me pondering some aspect of parenting. Morgan's story reminded me of one of those questions.

Morgan continues . . .

Recently my oldest son—who just turned seven—asked me what God was like.

At first, I was confused by his question. I started to say that no one knows what God really looks like.

Clearly not happy with my answer, my son tried again. He asked, when I “do my God time” in the morning, what is God like?

Explaining God to a child is an incredible thing.

When you know Christ as your Savior, it is almost overwhelming to explain what God has done for you. The only way I could explain what God is like was to say that God is pure love.

Sitting and thinking about that had such a profound impact on my heart.

I want to share how to help a child connect to God and His Word—to develop a heart for God—in Six Easy Steps by sharing how I explained God’s character to my seven-year-old. 

1. Set the Stage

If you are raising children with an understanding of Christianity, then they likely know about creation and the serpent.

It is our job to help our kids to connect the Bible to their lives.

I explained that we are broken sinners, separated from God (Isaiah 59:2). I talked about the sins that I struggle with, and explained that each person struggles with sin because of the fall.

2. Tell the Truth

We cannot get back to God on our own.

Telling children the truth about our separation from God helps them understand the significance. 

Romans 3:23 tells us we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

While we do not want to shame children, helping them understand the magnitude of salvation starts with understanding of how powerless we are without Christ.

3. A Planned Provision

In his incredible mercy, God sent His only Son to die for our sins (John 3:16).

I explained to my son that God loved us enough to provide a way back to Him. This way back was not cheap or easy. In fact, it came at the cost of His Son’s life.

God loved us enough to make that sacrifice on our behalf.

What a miracle that is!

4. Secure in Salvation

Once we have accepted Christ and turned our lives over to Him, sin no longer defines us.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

We are forgiven, washed in Christ’s sacrifice.

It is crucial when telling children about salvation that we explain that sin will still happen, because of the fall. The important thing is that Christ washes us clean, allowing us to be with God.

5. Grow for God

When we understand the magnitude of Christ’s death on the cross and the gift that God gives us each day, we cannot help wanting to know more.

2 Peter 3:18 tells us to:

“...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!”

This incredible, loving gift is then the catalyst for growth in our faith.

6. Live the Life

Once a person understands sin, the separation, the gift, and the growth, the final step is to live the life God calls us to.

God has different jobs and callings for each one of us. He equips us for these callings uniquely.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

It is important to take what we have been given by God and turn around and use it for His glory.

Finally, I explained to my son that the way I see God’s love is in the way that He draws us to Him. 

• The choice to get up and spend time in the Word is a way of living the life that God called me to.
• Homeschooling, teaching my children about Jesus, and loving my husband are all ways that I live the life God called me to.

The life God called me to is an example of His incredible love for me. I spend time with God because as I look back through my life I can see God’s incredible love for me.

I want to honor Him with my life and my service.

Adults can easily fall into the drudgery of everyday work. It can be hard to see how we are glorifying God when we are scrubbing toilets or whipping noses.

But, looking back at each of the steps, I realized that God was loving me each and every step of the way.

I want to help my children connect to God—and it is incredible to me that God used a question from my seven-year-old to remind me of the importance of honoring God with my labors. And He reminded me to turn my heart to Him.

What an incredible God we serve!

Which of the six steps speaks most to your heart? Which can you use today to help your child connect to God and His Word?

Morgan Farr is a Texas-loving, succulent-cultivating, book nerd and aspiring author. Stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this Army wife is learning to train dogs, develop her four young children, and tackle homeschool life—all while moving all over the country. Morgan believes in integrity, authenticity, and grit. Although she writes for many different publications, you can almost always find Morgan’s most recent ramblings on her blog, "Musings by Morgan."

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Marina Abrosimova t Pexels.

How to 'Occupy' until Jesus Returns

In this New Year’s UPGRADE, I want to encourage us to keep on keeping on for the Kingdom of God. Hopefully, you will find some motivation to think through what is valuable to pursue in the coming year.

One of the words the Lord gave me when I recently found out I was out of remission with Multiple Myeloma was the word “OCCUPY.”

That word is in a parable Jesus told, found in Luke 19:11-26. The phrase is in verse 13 in the King James Version where it says, "occupy till I come."

The phrase is translated in different ways in other versions of the Bible:

• “Do business till I come” (NKVJ)
• “Put this money to work until I come back” (NIV)
• “Invest this for me while I am gone” (NLT)
• “Operate with this until I return” (MSG)

Obviously, Jesus used the concept of financial stewardship in this parable. But I want to expand that to something beyond finances as we think about the New Year.

But first, let me summarize the points in the parable:

1. Jesus had just finished talking to Zacchaeus, a tax collector—so the people were already thinking about money.

2. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for His last Passover before his crucifixion.

He told the parable because many people thought the kingdom of God was going to appear at that time.

3. In the parable—spoken to a large crowd—a man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king. 

4. Before he left, the master called 10 of his servants and loaned a mina to each of them. One mina was about the equivalent of three months’ wages.

The master told them to put that money to work until he returned. They were to “occupy” or do their business in a wise way.

5. The master—now a king—returned, and he sent for his servants to find out what they had “gained” with the money. One said he earned 10 more minas. Another said he earned five.

They were both diligent, trustworthy, and faithful.

And Jesus praised them both—rewarding them by giving them charge over 10 cities and five cities, respectively.

6. Then another servant came with his mina, hidden away in a cloth. Perhaps he was afraid of losing it. But he accused the master of “hardness."

So the king responded in hardness, calling him a “wicked servant.”

The man could have at least banked the money so it would collect interest. His mina was taken away and given to the good steward who had gained the ten minas.

7. Finally, the king responded to those who “hated him” after he left—those who rebelled against his authority. He had them executed (vv. 14, 27). (Remember that someday Jesus will defeat all His enemies.)

* Please see my note at the end about how this parable differs from the parable found in Matthew 25.

How to ‘Occupy’ Better in 2022

God used this parable to speak to me about making better "investments," and I don't mean just with money.

Many people choose a word for the new year, and I could have chosen any of the five words the Lord gave me regarding moving forward with my illness: Trust, Occupy, Discern, Rest, or Praise.

But I chose "Occupy" for my main word. Here is how the Lord is speaking to me about occupying, or UPGRADING my Stewardship, in the days to come. Maybe He will speak to you too.

(1) GODWARDNESS

"Godwardness" is my word for everything that upgrades my focus on my Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

It involves everything from scripture reading and memorization to meditation, prayer, worship, singing to God and about Him—so many areas.

I asked myself recently, “Are you content with your adventure with God? Where could you make that journey more fulfilling—and better yet, more God-honoring?”

Then I asked the Lord about that and got better answers than I came up with initially!

Maybe those are questions you can ask as well . . . and then act for change.

(2) FINANCES

Financial wisdom for investment is certainly one way to increase our stewardship. There are many ways to manage our finances biblically.

When I am more careful with my money, when I don’t buy unnecessary things, and when I curb my “wants,” I have more resources to support my church, send to missionaries, or share with others in their time of need.

Think about your finances as you enter this new year. Consider “investment” rather than spending, and see if your priorities change.

(2) TIME

I can also increase my stewardship of the use of my TIME.

For example, instead of plopping down to watch good television shows so much—which goes beyond eliminating programs that pollute the mind or spirit—I can use that time wisely, investing every opportunity for the Kingdom, especially in these evil days.

Certainly, I can read more of my Bible or helpful Christian books, but there are other activities I can do that are better investments of my time.

I’ll be honest here.

I’ve complained that I don’t have time to write that book I’ve wanted to write for so long. Given, I’ve been very ill. But if I can lie down to watch a movie, or spend an hour on Facebook on my phone, why can't I lie down and take notes for my book, or research for it online, etc.

Instead of “frittering away” free time (time beyond our responsibilities), how might we invest it wisely this year?

(3) RELATIONSHIPS

Our relationship with God is our primary relationship, but our human relationships are well worth investing in too.

Certainly our family relationships—those in our immediate home are a priority. But also, we can invest in other family members, friendships, co-workers, etc. (Ephesians 6:2; James 1:27a; Proverbs 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 6:5-9).

It’s easy, when our lives feel stressed, to turn inward; but if that continues for a while, it’s not healthy.

We need other people, especially our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. And, in fact, the family of God was designed by God to help us in our times of stress.

So let's think about the relationships in our lives. How can we upgrade those relationships in positive, creative ways this year?

(4) OUTPUT

This area of stewardship is threefold:

• the investment of the SPIRITUAL GIFTS God has given us,
• development of new SKILLS, and
• better use of the TALENTS we've developed over time.

Our spiritual gifts were meant to be developed for God’s glory, not simply acknowledged.

Once we know our spiritual gifts—serving, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy, etc.—we should consider practical ways to use them under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Our skills and talents are things we have developed in our careers, as hobbies, or simply out of necessity. They are some of the things that make us unique in the family of God, and perhaps we need to be more creative in using them to build the body of Christ or minister to others.

For example, I have a friend, Kim, who founded a group called Kingdom Quilters in Southern California. The ladies make quilts and other things that they then take to orphanages and other sites of need in Guatemala and Mexico.

Is there something in your heart or hands that you could invest for the good of others and the glory of God?

(5) WITNESS

I also want to better invest in time to witness to others about God's gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. I don’t want to be disobedient to Christ’s command to share the gospel with people everywhere—whether as part of mission outreaches around the world—by going or giving so others can go—or by walking next door to share with my neighbor.

I know this is hard for some people. It’s never easy for me. But when I think in terms of obedience, or when I think about the Lord’s return, it’s more motivating, right?

What Are We Waiting For?

Just as the servants in the parable were rewarded with 10 cities and 5 cities, the Bible says God’s children will be rewarded with crowns. They will receive rewards according to their faithfulness and usefulness on earth.

We shouldn't want to be careless in any area of stewardship.

What are we waiting for?

The truth is, Jesus is coming back. We refer to His coming as “imminent”—it could happen any time (Matthew 24:36). Maybe in our lifetimes. Maybe in our children’s or grandchildren’s lifetimes.

But certainly, we need to be looking for His coming—anticipating it and living righteously in light of it (2 Timothy 4:8b). We need to be more aware of how we are using our time.

The Lord’s return is a great motivation to get busy serving Him (1 Corinthians 15:58).

The apostles understood that Jesus’ imminent return meant they should busy themselves with His work, because any day might be their last on earth.

The Bible doesn’t give Christians a “hold the fort” mentality—just waiting around until God calls us home. Instead, John said we should work while we can, because there’s coming a day when our working opportunities on earth will be over (John 9:4).

• I DON'T want to be indifferent, slothful, or careless.
• I DO want to be industrious, useful, creative, and God-honoring in everything I do!

I want to faithfully and creatively “occupy” until Jesus returns—or until He calls me home. I hope that's your desire too.

Which area of stewardship could use an upgrade in your life in 2022?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

* (Note: The parable in Luke 19 is not the same parable found in Matthew 25:14-30, which was to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. The “talents” are different than the minas. The return of the master and the responses of the servants are different in the Matthew account.)

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Stux and TruthSeeker08, both at Pixabay.

Spread the Aroma of Christ at Christmas

I love the inviting scents of Christmas. Cookies baking in the oven. Christmas ham. Hot chocolate with crushed peppermint on whipped cream. Cinnamon, cranberries and cloves simmering on the stove.

I recently saw an article titled "Super Simple Holiday Stovetop Simmer." In the article, Lora Bloomquist said, "With a few simple grocery store ingredients and tap water, you can enjoy a fragrant-smelling holiday home every night of the week." (Ah. I like simple.)

The RECIPE includes cranberries, cloves, Saigon cinnamon, and sliced lemons. (What's not to love?)

Fragrance is part of making the home "cozy" during the holidays, Bloomquist said, and this is "easier and less expensive" than burning fragrant candles. (Some candles can be a problem for people with allergies; but I'm not sure about cinnamon and cloves.)

As I thought about Christmas fragrances, a passage of scripture came to mind:

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

For we are the aroma of Christ to God . . . (2 Corinthians 2:14-15a).

Yes. There is an aroma more fragrant than any Christmas spices that might simmer on your stove!

The Sent One is the 'Fragrant' One

Let's backtrack a bit into the Old Testament.

• We first hear about pleasing aromas—or "sweet savors"—rising to God in the Jewish sacrifices (as in Exodus 29:18, 25; Numbers 15:3). Some of the sacrifices were designated for the atonement of the people until the promised Messiah would come.
• Later, when God, through Ezekiel, told the Jewish people He would bring them from all the lands where they had been scattered, God said: "As a pleasing aroma I will accept you . . . And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations (Ezekiel 20:41).

The aroma of a sacrifice is important to God. Over and over in the book of Leviticus, the "aroma" of sacrifice is mentioned as pleasing Him. But why? 

It's not the smell, but what the smell REPRESENTS.

Jesus was the "sent One"—the promised Messiah. The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14; Galatians 4:4-5). When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He would as an adult become the "once for all" sacrifice for sinners (Hebrews 7:27). He would die in our place—the substitutionary atonement for our sin.

Paul said Jesus loved us so much He chose to die for us, and that sacrificial offering was "fragrant" to God (Ephesians 5:2b).

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, the Father said He was "well pleased" with His Son (Mark 1:11). Jesus was without sin, and the ONLY ONE who could provide the perfect and pleasing sacrifice—acceptable to God.

Jesus' life is the sweetest "savor" of all, because He is our Savior!

According to John 3:16, those who know the Savior in a personal relationship have eternal life—and that is cause for great rejoicing!

But not everyone we meet knows Him!

That's why 2 Corinthians 2:14-15a is so important. Paul said our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

If you are a Christ-follower, God desires to use you to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere!

• In your family
• In your neighborhood
• At your workplace
• In every setting the Lord opens to you

Just as a holiday fragrance might waft from our stovetop and fill the house with a pleasing aroma, our lives ought to fill the world with the pleasing aroma of Christ.

I laughed a little as I wrote that last sentence.

I realized it takes heat to make a stovetop fragrance fill our home. It doesn't do much sitting in a pan of water with no heat.

It may take a little "heat" from the Holy Spirit—or some difficult circumstance God uses to fire us up with a reminder of His great mercies and grace—to motivate us to share the Gospel with others.

We who enjoy the fragrance of Christ in our salvation: how can we not desire that beautiful blessing for others?

As you consider some of the lovely scents of Christmas this week, how might you share the "aroma" of the risen Christ in your circle of influence?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Public Domain at Pixabay.

Keep on Comforting and Encouraging

This is something that I shared on Facebook on December 17th. I want to share it here as well—and expand on it a bit—because I think we all need a Compassion UPGRADE.

I've been "watching" someone who has suffered for a long time. As the years go by, some of her friends have fallen away, because it's awkward to them that nothing changes. It's so sad.

Confession Time

I "fell away" from encouraging a friend years ago too—a grieving brother in the family of God—because:

1. I got busy in life;
2. I didn't know what else I could say. I didn't know how to keep on encouraging him as he was hurting . . . and it went on and on for years.

So I just prayed—which wasn't bad, but it wasn't enough.

I could have reached out more.

The longer I didn't write to encourage him, the worse I felt. The harder it got.

I reasoned that I didn't want to be like one of Job's unhelpful counselors, doing more damage than helping.

But the truth is, there were many ways I could have expressed God's (and my) loving concern.

It wasn't that I didn't love my brother in Christ; I just didn't know how to "relate" to his suffering anymore.

I understand now that I could have continued to share simple truths:

• "I'm still praying for you," or
• "God sees and loves you."

I could have spoken God's truth into his pain from a caring heart.

I could have asked him, "How can I pray specifically for you today—physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, spiritually?" I even could have sent resources to remind Him I cared.

I learned that lesson the hard way, and it made me more sensitive to "continue" to encourage others who hurt.

We never know how God might use our words or actions to encourage others. If we take time to think about it, there are many ways to comfort those who struggle.

When we're with them, we might take their hands in ours, look them in the eyes, and say, "I love you and I'm praying for you."

Sometimes, it's just a matter of sitting with them in their times of grief or pain.

A woman once told me the most meaningful thing that happened to her all day at a funeral for her husband was that I simply sat beside her and held her hand for an hour . . . no words, just my presence.

Keep on comforting and encouraging—any way you can!

One other thing. I am thankful the Bible says we have a friend who "sticks" with us, closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). He never leaves us, and He knows how to comfort us in our struggles. We may feel he has deserted us in our circumstances, but the promise is "He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you" (Deut. 31:8b NLT).

Sometimes it's "no words" . . . just God's wonderful presence.

How about you? Is there someone you might encourage today? Someone you once encouraged, but you've been busy, or maybe you fretted over what to say?

Why not simply stop right now and write to or tell that person you care and are praying? It will mean a lot.

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of AlexasFotos at Pixabay.

The Gimmes, The Grinch, and The Greatest Gift

Sally Ferguson is a caring encourager. She wants women to grow in the Word and in their responses to Father God. In this Christmas UPGRADE, Sally notes some of the wrong attitudes during the holiday season about "getting," and encourages ways to give instead.

"In a culture of shopping malls and letters to Santa, it’s a struggle to unwrap the real meaning of Christmas," Sally says. "Even Cindy Lou Who told the Grinch things had gotten out of hand in Whoville. 'Everybody seems too kerbabbled. Isn't this just a little superfluous?'"

I (Dawn) had to laugh when I read that. Sometimes I think our culture is more Whoville-ish than we admit. But Sally takes us beyond that tale to a story that is grand and a blessing!

Sally continues . . .

What are the gimmes?

That’s when we’re compelled to have it all—“Give me this, get me that. I need more!”

I see ads geared toward the younger audience and think, "It’s no wonder we’re in a hurry to buy the latest, greatest doohickey and whatchamacallit. We’re in a race to get the best so we can be the favorite grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, (insert your status here)."

If it’s a competition, is there any joy in the giving?

How do we help children navigate the gimmes at Christmas, if the adults are competing with each other for their affections?

In search of answers, I called my friend Sandy Meerdink to get her input. Sandy and Jon have three daughters, ages seven, eight, and ten.

When I asked if they deal with the gimmes, she chuckled and said,

“We always have. When they get one thing, it leads to wanting another.

"It’s a lifelong process of teaching my girls they don’t all need to have the same thing. If one has a toy, they can share and multiply their supply.”

Sandy continued,

“I try to talk to them about others who don’t have what they have. The girls notice kids around them at school, and we talk about how they would feel if they didn’t have the things they do.

"I tell them stories about children I saw on a mission trip to Nicaragua. There were children who were glad to have boots that didn’t even fit, and kids who lived in a cardboard box, yet were happy.

"When my girls want something, I ask, ‘Is it a need or a want?’”

“Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” — The Grinch

What does Sandy do to promote giving instead of getting?

1. When shopping, encourage each child to watch what others admire.

These make great gift ideas and nurture observation skills.

2. When they see a need, conduct secret projects to surprise that person—such as what happened when a new girl came to class and needed cheering up because her mom was sick with cancer.

3. When making a Christmas wish list for Grandma, think of an activity to enjoy together—turning the gift into an experience and a memory to cherish.

4. When celebrating with extended family, let children help pick a family gift that will focus on fun—like a pass to a nearby zoo or new sleds to go sledding too.

A few years back, Sandy was dismayed by the gimmes popping up in her home and cried out to the Lord for a way to reach her gals. The result was a Christmas angel, Gloria, represented by a doll.

• Gloria’s purpose is to bring glory to God and to teach the joy in giving.
• Gloria shows how to look out for others and do special things for them, and then find joy in watching that person’s reaction.
• Through daily activities during the Christmas season, a Bible verse, encouraging notes, a challenge and an occasional gift, Gloria prepares hearts for Advent.

How can you advocate giving instead of getting?

• Handmade gifts are ones that will be cherished. Find ideas from Lana Wynn Scroggins here.
• Shop together for Shoebox gifts. Sandy asks her girls to pick out gifts for a specific age so that they will picture that child in their minds.
• Deliver cookies together. My family sings Christmas carols as we deliver to neighbors on Christmas Eve. It makes people smile (because of the tunes or because of the festivity, I’ll never tell)!

“You can’t hurt Christmas, Mr. Mayor because it isn’t about the gifts or the contests or the fancy lights.” — Lou Lou Who

What is the real meaning of giving at Christmas?

Consider the impact of gifts.

When the Israelites triumphed over Haman’s plan of extinction of their people, they celebrated with presents to each other. Their joy was represented in the gift (Esther 9:18-22).

When the Magi found the Babe in the manger, their joy overflowed in the sharing of their treasures. (Matthew 2:10-11)

Maybe our best gifts are the awe we bring when we worship the King? (Psalm 72:10-11)

Let's join Cindy Lou Who in search of real meaning this Christmas. As we return to our Bibles, we will unwrap the most remarkable present of all—the presence of Jesus!

How will you help children navigate the gimmes at Christmas, and instead, point to the greatest Gift?

Sally Ferguson loves to dive into God’s Word and splash his refreshing water onto others. She speaks and writes with a look at snapshots of life in the sunshine and in the storms. Sally plans women’s retreats and she’s working on a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, New York, with her husband and her dad. Sally’s coloring book, What Will I Be When I Grow Up? is available here, or contact Sally on her website for a copy.

Graphic of Christmas Gifts adapted, courtesy of Pexels at Pixabay."