January 2011

Email - derrick@lmbc.us
Phone - 770.428.5335 ext 306
Website - http://lmbckidz.blogspot.com
Twitter - www.twitter.com/lmbckidz

Make Faith-Friendly Resolutions

The beginning of a new year offers the promise of a fresh start. Ask God:
Many people celebrate by resolving to make changes, often related
to how they care for their bodies. 1. To bless and guide your family
during the year ahead.
This year, take time to reflect on what you can do differently in your
home to strengthen your family—and each member’s faith in God. 2. To help you all embrace new
Use these ideas to transform your family in 2011: habits so you grow closer to
God and each other.
Begin the day with music. Mornings are
hectic in most houses. Play some soft Christian 3. To grow each family member’s
music to wake everyone up and to set the tone faith this year.
for a calm, God-directed day.
Parenting Insights
Reclaim mealtime. Eat together as often as
possible. Research points to all kinds of child- Thom Schultz, president of Group
development benefits from this practice. But Publishing, offers these tips for
family meals also help you get to know one an- helping children’s faith take root:
other better—and provide opportunities for faith growth. For exam-
ple, ask specific, open-ended questions, such as “What’s the best 1. See the sacred in the ordi-
thing that happened to you today? the worst?” nary. Attach "God thoughts" to
daily activities. Bathing a child
Make devotions fun and active. Bible reading should be a so- can remind you of baptism, and
cial, bonding opportunity, not a dry discipline devoid of purpose. talking with one another can
Use resources such as the “Family Night Tool Chest” series by Jim remind you of the gift of
Weidmann and others (Chariot Victor), the “Not-So-Quiet Times” prayer.
devotion series by Tracy Harrast (Standard), and 52 Fun Family De-
votions by Mike and Amy Nappa (Augsburg Fortress). 2. Be alert to teachable mo-
ments. Put up your “God an-
Develop a family mission statement. As a family, pinpoint your tennae.” For example, use the
worthy purposes, worthy visions, and worthy values. A mission media as a teaching tool that
statement will unite you because everyone gives input into your sparks discussions.
family’s “big picture.” And God will be placed at the center of your
home on purpose, not by chance. 3. Just “be” with your kids.
Simply be present without an
agenda. When you stop trying
Start a Parenting Revolution so hard, it’s freeing—and you’ll
According to research by the Barna Group, fewer than 10 percent of actually relate better.
parents who regularly attend church have consistent family time
with God. George Barna’s book Revolutionary Parenting applies 4. Realize your family doesn’t
modern-day research to show that parents who faithfully apply have to be perfect. Read the
God’s instructions for family life raise spiritual champions. Unfortu- Bible together to see that God’s
nately, most people parent “by default” or use “trial-and-error par- grace was—and still is— suffi-
enting,” according to Barna. cient for imperfect people.
 “Anyone who belongs to
Christ has become a new
person. The old life is gone;
a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus offers us a fresh start

not only on New Year’s but
each and every day. By paying Begin a conversation with your children about the new year by
the price for our sins, Jesus asking them these questions:
made each of his children a
new creation. 1. What excites you the most about the new year, and why? What
are you the most uncertain about, and why?
Teachable Moments
2. What are some things you want to do differently or change in the
1. Keep It Short—You can upcoming year?
make a big impact even
when you’re short on time. 3. What types of goals do you think our family should set, and how
For example, read aloud can we work together to meet them?
one Bible verse at the
breakfast table to start the 4. What are your suggestions for a family mission statement? What
day. At bedtime, tell a Bible best describes who we are and what we want to do?
story in your own words.
Remember: “Short pas-
sages for short people.” Family Experience: A Fresh Start

2. Take a Pause—Your family Celebrate new beginnings with these Bible-based activities:
doesn’t always need to be
on the go. This year, make Goal Tenders. Hold up an empty bowl and
it a priority to step away say, “This bowl reminds me of a new year,
from some commitments ready to be filled with new experiences and
and shorten your to-do list. people.” Hand each family some buttons
Use the extra time to re- and say, “Let’s pretend these represent all
group, reconnect, and re- those fun things. Your goal is to toss the
charge. buttons into the empty bowl from three feet
away.”

After everyone has a turn, say, “A new year

is a good time to set goals, but achieving
them takes persistence. God gives us each
a special goal to strive for every day, week,
month, and year.” Read aloud Philippians
3:12-14 and discuss the goal of becoming what God wants us to
be—and how we can pursue it. Close by having family members
3. Be Peacemakers—If one each toss one button into the bowl while thinking of a way to be-
of your goals is less sibling come what God wants them to be (for example, praying more of-
conflict, help redirect ten- ten, being kind to others, etc.).
sion by focusing on positive
qualities. Whenever one Presto Chango!—Mix two parts glue with one part liquid starch.
family member is mean- Stir well. Continue adding starch one spoonful at a time, using
spirited to another, have your fingers to work the mixture into a smooth putty. Press the
the offender say or write putty onto a colored comic picture and then pull it off. Say, “This
three things he or she ap- putty was plain, but it changed when it came into contact with the
preciates about the other picture.” Read aloud 2 Corinthians 5:17. Say, “When we believe in
person. This will make your Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us and changes us. He helps us
family more tenderhearted meet our goal of becoming more like Jesus.” Close in prayer,
and thankful for one an- thanking God for the gift of a new year and for giving us new life
other. in him.
 This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product.
Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies

Movie: Gulliver’s Travels (Dec. 22) Culture & Trends
Genre: Adventure, comedy
What’s happening right
Rating: PG (brief rude humor, mild language, action)
now that may affect your
Cast: Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel
children and family:
Synopsis: In this twist on the Jonathan Swift tale, mail
clerk Lemuel Gulliver talks his way into a travel-writing
Families are more diverse
assignment. He ends up in magical Lilliput, where he’s
than ever, with people
larger than life. Gulliver tells tall tales about himself and
designing family struc-
leads his new friends in battle. But when he’s discovered, he must fix
tures that work for them.
the damage and show that what’s inside makes him a true “giant.”
Almost 40% of people
Discussion Questions: When have you fibbed to make yourself seem
say marriage is becoming
bigger or better than you really are? What consequences do people face
obsolete.
when they stretch or ignore the truth? Read aloud Acts 5:1-11. What (Pew Research Center)
impact do you suppose these deaths had on others? Read aloud Luke
16:10. How do you try to be trustworthy in both big and little things? “Cyber-bullying” causes
more depression than
physical bullying, with
What Music Is Releasing victims feeling isolated
and helpless. Parents say
Artist: Brandon Heath
they’re stepping up online
Album: Leaving Eden
monitoring.
Artist Info: Heath, 31, is an award-winning contempo- (Nat’l Institutes of Health)
rary Christian musician known for his rich voice and
deep lyrics. Heath is also involved with overseas Chris- ______________
tian missions.
Summary: In “Your Love,” Heath sings that God’s love is “the only thing Quick Stats
that matters” and “all I ever needed.” Heath says, “I just want to tell peo-
Parents’ interest in their
ple that they are loved by God. My life’s been an unbelievable journey,
child’s education is six
and it’s all been because of God.”
times more important for
Discussion Questions: What things matter most to you, and why? How
a student’s eventual
would your life be different if you didn’t know about God or his love? Read
grades than are the
aloud John 15:9-13. What are some ways you feel God’s love? How do
child’s own efforts.
you share God’s love with other people, including those who don’t know (telegraph.co.uk)
God?

What Games Are Out

Rating
Title Content
& Platform

Mickey Mouse becomes a hero in this “darkly

inventive” new game. Using a magic paint-
Disney Epic Mickey E; Wii
brush, he must save a fantasy realm. Con-
tains cartoon violence.

This deluxe edition featuring “gaming’s old- When preteens were

Pac-Man Champion-
ship Edition DX
est mascot” has nine new mazes with many E; Xbox, PS3 asked what they’d like to
game options, plus more ghosts. do someday, 54% said
travel the world, 46%
As cops or racers, players feel the thrill of
Need for Speed: the chase and can compare racing stats with E10+; PS3, Wii, Xbox
said speak another lan-
Hot Pursuit friends. Contains some violence. guage, and 40% said in-
vent something.
RATINGS: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+) (Harris Interactive)
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