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Visit the Heart Connex website for printable PDF versions of both the parent & student pages of this e-Devotion.
The Heart Connex site also contains resources you can use to create a notebook to store your e-Devotions for easy referral in the future. Visit the site today to print out a notebook cover and table of contents along with your parent & student pages for this week.
God values all families, including families with two parents and those with one, families with one believing spouse and those with two, families with one child and those with many. We invite you to adapt the devotional instructions to fit the specific makeup of your own family.
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For Parents ... April 5-8, 2006
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BEING RESPONSIBLE AT HOME
by Dr. Richard Ross
1. Heart Surprise - (Today the parents go first)
Say, "On the day you leave home to begin adult life, I will be filled with many thoughts and emotions. One of the most important thoughts I will be having about you on that day will be..."
2. Read Scripture - (Dad)
Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Mark 7: 9-13 and I Timothy 5:8. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these passages.
Truth
- Christians are commanded by God to take responsibility for the welfare of members of their family, especially their immediate family.
Untruths
- Parents need to get all the happiness out of life they can, no matter what harm this brings to their children.
- Aging parents are the government's problem and should be no concern to their children.
- Stepping on your spouse or siblings may be necessary to get what you want out of life.
3. Explore Scripture - (Dad)
Draw attention back to Mark 7:9-13. Explain that the scribes taught that a Jew by calling his possessions "a gift to God" was excused from the duty of caring for his aging parents, even though he did not afterward devote his property to sacred causes. But according to I Timothy 5:8, God considers failing to take responsibility for each other in families as serious sin.
4. Think it Through - (Mom)
Ask your family to tell of news footage they have seen with people making heroic efforts to save an endangered specie or an animal in danger. Then ask, How would you feel about someone who emptied a savings account to give his dog a hip replacement - but would give nothing to an aging parent?
5. Nail It Down - (Mom)
At the birth of the nation, Benjamin Franklin said, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." The same might be said for our family. For our family to face all that will come in the future, God calls us to hang together and to take responsibility for each other.
6. Pray - (Pray silently as your teenager prays aloud)
7. Blessing - (Dad)
Say, "I bless this family and declare they we will hang together no matter what comes. We will honor God by being responsible for each other."
Parent Tip: Sensitive kids who mess up and are disciplined then want to restore their relationship with parents, but they don't know how to do this. They don't know how to get the warmth back. Parents who parent with grace must take the initiative to communicate that all is well and the relationship is restored. Read more...
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For Students ... April 5-8, 2006
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BEING RESPONSIBLE AT HOME
by Dr. Richard Ross
1. Heart Surprise - (Today the parents go first)
When it is your turn, say, "On the day I leave home I will be full of excitement, but one thing that may be a little hard about leaving the family will be . . ."
Something from the Heart Surprise I want to remember:
2. Read Scripture - Mark 7: 9-13 and I Timothy 5:8
Truth
- Christians are commanded by God to take responsibility for the welfare of members of their family, especially their immediate family.
Untruths
- Parents need to get all the happiness out of life they can, no matter what harm this brings to their children.
- Aging parents are the government's problem and should be no concern to their children.
- Stepping on your spouse or siblings may be necessary to get what you want out of life.
3. Explore Scripture
Write what you want to remember about the Scriptures.
4. Think it Through - (Prepare to answer these questions)
- Tell about news footage you have seen with people making heroic efforts to save an endangered specie or an animal in danger.
- How would you feel about someone who emptied a savings account to give his dog a hip replacement - but would give nothing to an aging parent in a nursing home?
5. Nail It Down - (Listen while your Mom concludes the study)
6. Pray - (Teenager)
Stand behind your parents with your hands on their shoulders. Pray a prayer of gratitude for the sacrifices they make for you, and commit to caring for them as they grow older.
7. Blessing - Listen as your father blesses the family.
Teen Tip: Which Bible verse is your absolute favorite? Why is it your favorite? Find a Bible, take it to your parent and read it to them. Explain why it is such an important verse to you.
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