Saturday, June 9, 2007

I just found this picture, and it made me smile. Thought I'd share it with you. They just grow up so fast, don't they?!
Have a Cheeto and a smile!

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Moms letter from 6/4/07 - Elohim

OK, since I couldn't figure out how to link, so I just cut and pasted the letter I handed out this week. I'm also going to try to upload the coloring pictures that the children received..so look along the sidebar for those.

We didn't make it to the Revelation verse, we only worked on the Proverbs one. :)


Dear Mom,

I’m so happy that God brought you here today, and laid upon your heart a desire for your children to know His Word!

As a mother, I have been amazed by how much of the Word my children can understand when we break it down and study it inductively. By inductively, I just mean that we go to the Bible as our source. When we sit around the kitchen table studying the Word, we don’t use story books about the Bible, we use the Bible.

And you know what? They get it!

I am confident that your children will too. All kids learn at a different pace, but because the Bible says that the Holy Spirit is our Teacher, let’s trust Him, that He will write the truth upon their hearts.

Today we studied the name of God, ELOHIM.

The kids learned what this name means, and how it is broken down. All of the names that we will be learning are Hebrew names for God, because the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic.

“El” means STRONG or MIGHTY
“Him” shows plurality, and means “more than one”

The very first name used in Scripture for God is Elohim, and from that very first name, we see the plurality of God...
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!

The verses that we talked about today in class, which relate to the name, Elohim are:
Genesis 1:2-3 - It’s here that we see God our Creator.

Colossians 1:16 - In this verse, we learn that Jesus was present at creation.

Genesis 1:26 – This verse shows us that man was made in the image of Elohim. “Then God (Elohim) said, “ ‘Let Us make man in Our image.’ ”

Psalm 139:13-15 – Teaches us more about our Elohim, our Creator, and shows the children that God formed them, and has a purpose for their lives. Even if they are different, if they have health concerns or special needs, this verse teaches them that God created them just as they are…
AND
Exodus 4:10-11 addresses the very fact that we may have special needs, but once again confirms that God is the one who created us just as we are.
AND
John 9:3 show us that in His infinite wisdom, God made some people with special challenges, that He might be glorified through them!

Isn’t that awesome to know?!
God’s desire in all of our lives, is that He be glorified through us. He doesn’t wait for us to grow into adulthood to want that from us. He wants us to teach our little ones how to live lives that glorify Him, too.

Knowing God as Creator will help your children KNOW that they exist because GOD WANTED THEM!

God created them for His pleasure, and that He might be glorified through them, to a dark world in need of His loving grace through His Son, Jesus Christ.

If you’d like to go deeper into the study of God’s Word with your children, you could buy the book, “God, What’s Your Name?” by Kay Arthur and Jana Arndt, which you can order through Pathways Christian Bookstore.

This book is full of fun things to do and more information for your children about how to study the Bible inductively.

It’s designed for children who read, but if yours don’t read yet, you can just read the stories TO your children, and they will learn so much! The stories in the book are really are fun!

My kids love them!

Our memory verse that is for the entire course is:
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and is safe.

Our memory verse for this week is:
Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.

You may be thinking that these verses seem hard. Be encouraged, though! Your children are learning movements to go along with the verses, and you will be surprised by how quickly they learn them!

So, please practice them with them during the week.

If you will be faithful to teach them the Word, you will be surprised at how God writes the Word on their hearts and the Holy Spirit will bring these verses to mind for your children for years to come.

I am so blessed to be teaching your children. They are precious to me! Thank you for bringing them!

I’m always available for questions if I can help you in teaching them God’s truths!


Have a great week,
Jesica

Elohim

This week, we are learning the name of God, Elohim.

Elohim is the name for God as creator.

El - in Hebrew means, mighty or strong
Him - means more than one

This is the first name for God used in the Old Testament, and right from the very first name for Him, we see the presence of the Trinity.

When reviewing this name with your kids, have them show their muscles for El...to remind them that God is mighty and strong. (all powerful)

Then, for the "Him" part, have them hold up 3 fingers. Then ask them to tell you the 3 members of the God-head that are seen in this name.

They should then be able to say, "God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit".

I am finding that the signs REALLY make a huge difference in teaching the children...so please, do them with your kids. You'll be surprised by how much they'll remember. :)

This week, try to ask them about Elohim.
Ask them questions that will challenge them to think...

Why does knowing that God is all powerful, mighty and strong matter to us?
How do you think mighty God could help you in a time of need?
What does it matter to us that there are 3 members in God's name, Elohim?
When would be a good time to call on the name of Elohim?
How could you tell your friends about the love of God by telling them about this name for God?

Raise the bar for your children. Challenge their little minds. Don't dumb God down for them.

When we raise the bar for their little minds, we will be amazed at what God enables them to understand.

I asked the question in class this week, "How does knowing that God is mighty and strong, and that there is more than one of Him present in the name Elohim make a difference for us?"

A 10 year old little girl piped up and said something like this: "Knowing that He's mighty and strong means that He will take care of us, and knowing that there are more than one means that we have 3 of God who loves us and will watch out for us to protect us."

OK...so has she convinced you that you don't have to "dumb" God down for them?

Ask yourself...how does knowing this about God help you?

Many times, your answer will be the same as the childrens'. :)

Have a great weekend!

Love you guys!
Jesica

I'm going to try to figure out how to post a link so that you can download the letter that went out to the moms this week, for it will help you study with your kids at home.

The verse they learned this week is Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and is safe."

Also, if I can figure out how to post video, I will take a movie of my kids doing the hand movements to the song, and will post it here so you can practice them with your children.

This weekend is Precept training for me..so I may not get it all done this weekend, but next week, this site will be up and running, Lord willing. :)

Have a great weekend,
Jesica