Clothes From God

     As your child is getting dressed, ask:

•      Did you know the Bible tells you what to put on?

     Read Colossians 3:12-17. (If you don’t have time to read the verses right then, tell them some of the characteristics listed and read them together later, maybe at bedtime when you are picking out the next day’s clothes.)

     Write each characteristic they are to “put on” on a slip of paper. (Some include: love, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, humility, patience.) Put the slips of paper in a cup and ask each member of the family to draw out one characteristic they will “put on” that day. Evaluate how it went at the end of the day. Ask:

•      What chances did you have to show the characteristic you picked today?
•      What was hard or easy about it?

     Reward your children at the end of the day by reading an extra book or playing a game together.  Put the slips back in the cup and pick a new one each day of the week, if you like.

Fruits of the Spirit Stickies

     Write the characteristics of love, kindness, mercy, self-control, meekness/humility, patience, goodness, etc. on sticky notes and stick them on the refrigerator. Explain to your kids that God wants them to “put on” these characteristics. 

     During the day, look for examples of your kids living these characteristics out–even the smallest efforts should be rewarded. For example: when you see them being kind to a sibling, go to them and put a sticky note on their clothing with that characteristic written on it. Say specific words of affirmation, “I’m glad to see you waiting patiently for your turn. You were showing self-control.”

Faithfulness

     The fruit of the Spirit for the week is faith. Some say this could also mean faithfulness. Faith believes in God. When you sincerely believe in God and His Word, you will want to continue doing what is right. You will be faithful to Him and to His Word. The fruit that we want in our lives and in our children’s lives comes from having that relationship with Jesus.

     Teach your child how to have a daily quiet time. Randall House has a resource to help you–a daily quiet time guide. The Explorer’s Guide (Level 1 for early elementary and Level 2 for upper elementary) can help them develop the habit of reading their Bible and praying each day. https://d6family.com/store/category/magazines

     If you can help your children develop the habit of a daily quiet time where they read the Bible and pray, you will see the fruit of the Spirit growing in them. God will change them from the inside out.