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» Depravity
Sinful Nature
Depravity is not a word that most children know –depravity is going away from God’s way, from what is moral or right or good. Synonyms are evil, sinful, or wicked.
When your child does something wrong this week, talk to him/her about each person’s sin nature. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, every person is born with a sin nature – a desire to sin. Nobody had to teach your little darlings to say “mine” or “no.” Remind them that even as a baby they tried to go their own way when you told them “no” as they touched the stereo or forbidden object.
The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
This would be a good time to explain what sin is (breaking God’s rules) and tell them the good news that Jesus died for their sins. For a more detailed explanation on how to do this, see the Explorer’s Guide. If they’ve already invited Jesus into their heart, teach them to confess the sin to God and ask Him to forgive them. (1 John 1:9)
Paper Wad Battle
Play battle. Gather a stack of paper (any kind or even old newspaper will work). Divide the family into two teams. Make a dividing line down the center of the room as the boundary you can’t cross. Set the timer for one minute. When you say “go” each team is to wad up the paper and throw the paper wads at the other team.
The object of the game is to have the fewest number of paper wads on your side when the timer goes off. (Yes, you can throw their paper wads back at them!) Count the paper wads as you toss them into the recycling bin or trash to determine the winning team.
Talk about the “battle” we are in. Each day there are many temptations (chances to do wrong). God is on your team and can help you win over sin. (We will never be free from the sin nature, but we can have victory over sin with God’s help.)
Ask:
What are some things you can do to win over sin? (pray, ask God for help when tempted, read the Bible, have good Christian friends, etc)
Dirty Windshield
As you’re preparing to drive or while driving down the road, mention how dirty the windshield is. (It probably is if you live in a snowy area.) Turn the wipers and fluid on to clean it or clean it while pumping gas.
Ask:
How do our lives get dirty? (by letting wrong things into our minds, by watching or listening to wrong things, by saying mean words, by giving in to do bad things, etc.)
How do we get them clean again? (by prayer and by the Bible -Psalm 119:9 says that a young man can keep his way clean by paying attention to and obeying God’s Word.)
