Good Morning Girls: Giving the Gift of Faith Discussion Questions

 

1. Read Psalm 119:105.  According to this verse, what will give our children a proper foundation and guidance on their path of life?  In what ways does this apply to our calling as ministers to our children?

God's Word gives a proper foundation and guidance on the path of life.  I am the one to share God's Word with my children.  I want to show them how God's Word is a lamp and a light.  I want to daily be in God's Word by myself and with my children as I can know what God's Word says and to give those nuggets to my children.

2. Make a list of five things you could do to incorporate God's Word more effectively into your everyday family life.  Pick one item from the list and commit to applying it faithfully for six weeks.

Ways to incorporate God's Word effectively in everyday life: 

*Memorize Scripture- use Seeds Family Worship (like Seeds of Character (Vol. 6)) and Songs for Saplings

*Read Bible stories together- see my Summer Worship Series

*Act out Bible stories

*Review what was taught at church

*Pray Scripture over my children- 31 Biblical Virtues and Warrior Prayers

3. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.  What circumstances has God recently allowed in your own life that call for faith?  In what ways are you modeling faith before the eyes of your children so that they are learning how to have faith in God?

Faith is something I crave more of, but the more I experience life, the more my faith has grown.  Recent events like my dad getting a heart stent, my husband getting a biopsy for possible cancer (it wasn't), my mom finding a lump (benign) and my grandma having health issues all came when I was pregnant and going through many emotions.  The best way I know how is to stop and pray and read Scripture.  I know I'll have many opportunities to demonstrate my faith to my children. 
 

4. Think of a time in the past that you have had to walk by faith but now look back to see what God has done.  Tell your children about this experience in the form of a bedtime story.

Once upon a time mommy had a job and daddy didn't.  Daddy hurt his back and couldn't work for awhile and was getting some money from the government.  Well, mommy was going to have a baby and really wanted to stay home.  So daddy had to find a job to take care of mommy and baby.  The money from the government was going to end and someone needed to work.  Well, God worked it out perfectly.  The same day daddy got the last check from the government was the day he was hired to work and mommy was able to stay home with the baby!
 

5. According to Ephesians 2:8, what does God say is the source of our salvation?  What does faith have to do with this?  Do your children understand that God's love is a free gift with no strings attached?  Plan out how to communicate this principle to them.

The source of our salvation is God's grace.  Faith is believing that God gives us this gift even though we don't deserve it.  There is no easy way to explain this because sometimes I feel I need to earn God's love.  I think the best way for my kids to understand this is for me to show my love for my kids no matter what and tell them that God gives his love to us despite the bad things we do.  The only free gift that is most valuable to our lives is salvation!

Good Morning Girls Book Club Intro Questions

So, I am part of Good Morning Girls and this summer we are doing a Book Club study using The Ministry of Motherhood: Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children by Sally Clarkson.  I have been so challenged not only by reading this book (just the intro so far), but also by the SOAP study that Angela and Courtney have developed to go along with this with verses that pertain to being a mother.  I'll share more in another post about that.  But here are the questions I answered for the Introduction.

1. What purpose do think God had in mind when he designed the role of mother? Have you ever specifically considered that, in becoming a mother, you have actually been called to a ministry? In what ways does this concept change how you think about your role?

I think God's purpose as a mother is for me to be an example of Christ to my children. I know that my role as a mother is my ministry, but I don't have a specific plan.

2. Read Psalm 127:3- if possible, in more than one translation. What does this imply about the ministry of motherhood?

From Psalm 127:3 my ministry as a mother is to teach my children about having a relationship with God and I am to cherish every day with them and take every opp to love and train them.


3. Proverbs 31: 10-31 paints a vivid portrait of the life of a godly woman. Describe what a Proverbs 31 life might look like in modern context. What parts of this description do you find particularly inspiring? What areas pose a challenge for you? How do you think these reactions relate to your ministry as a mother?

A Proverbs 31 woman does it all. I'm inspired to be a woman that can accomplish so much, but I'm completely challenged to try to fit it all in. I know that I need to make a plan.

4. Read Proverbs 14:1. In what specific ways can a woman in this day and age build her house or tear it down? If possible, give examples from your own observation or experience. Then list four specific ways you to want to build your house by ministering to your children and making disciples of them.

Four ways I can build my house: 1- Control my emotions when responding to my son (use patience and understanding) 2- Teach spiritual every day (Bible story, song, BV, prayer) 3- teach academically every day (school time) 4- have fun every day (laugh and play).

5. Write out a plan for ministering to your own children using the acronym GIFTS. List at least one goal for each letter.



G- gift of grace
Model how to handle situations calmly and teach my children to do the same.

I- gift of inspiration
Praise my children when they make good choices and remind them that they are obeying God.

F- gift of faith
Talk about what God has done in our lives.

T- gift of training
Give moral reasons why for behavior based on God's Word.

S- gift of service

Find ways for my children to serve family and beyond.

What about you?  Do any of these questions challenge you?  I can't wait to read more about GIFTS which is what the rest of the book is about.  I am literally changing who I am as a mother each day as I study God's word and read this book.  I am SO glad that I'm part of this study.