Jesus' Questions: Day 13

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? . . . Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.. ~ Matthew 11:7-9

 

Focus ~ Jesus is reminding people that they went into the desert to see John the Baptist, who they heard was a prophet. They took the time and effort to go see him, probably because they partly believed he truly was a prophet and to find out for themselves. Jesus chastises them for so easily doubting and discarding that John was a prophet and reminds us that our natural curiosity about the supernatural is a good thing.

Littles ~ Would you like to go to the desert? What might you see?

Middles ~ Do you remember how John the Baptist dressed? What is the job of a prophet?

Bigs ~ How was John the Baptist more than a prophet? In what ways are you a prophet?

Moms ~ Talk to your children about what supernatural things are not good, according to your comfort level and their maturity.

Jesus' Questions: Day 12

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.. ~ Matthew 10:28-29

 

Focus ~ We are the only creatures on earth made of both body and soul. Both are important. We have to care for our bodies and we have to care for our souls. God cares about what happens to both, but satan desires to attack our soul viciously, to separate us from God.

Littles ~ Who made our bodies? Who made our souls?

Middles ~ How do we properly care for our bodies?

Bigs ~ How do we properly care for our souls?

Moms ~ Share a time when you did not care for your body and what happened. Share a time when you did not care for your soul and what happened.

Jesus' Questions: Day 11

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed, crying out, "Son of David, have pity on us!" When He entered the house, the blind man approached Him and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?". ~ Matthew 9:27-28

 

Focus ~ Sometimes we can get in the habit of asking God for things in our prayer, and we forget to acknowledge His power and praise His name. He wants us to worship Him and adore Him, not only beg him for help.
Littles ~ Can you say a prayer that tells Jesus you love Him?

Middles ~ What are some ways you can worship and adore God?

Bigs ~ Will you lead us in a prayer that praises God and testifies that we believe in Him?

Moms ~ Maybe you have been taught an acronym for remembering to include praise in your prayers. PAL is a simple one for children. Give them an example of a prayer that P - praises, A - asks, and L - listens to God.

Jesus' Questions: Day 10

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

Then the disciples of John approached Him and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast (much), but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?. ~ Matthew 9:14

 

Focus ~ The practice of fasting is to bring us closer to the suffering of Jesus. When we fast, we are aware of our sacrifice throughout our day because of the way our bodies react. This feeling should, in turn, make us aware of the spiritual presence of Christ and His generous sacrifice in dying for our sins on the cross. The disciples were very aware of the presence of Jesus in their lives, as they were physically with Him every day. There was no need for them to fast and mourn their sins.

Littles ~ Do you know what it means to fast? (Explain if they do not.)

Middles ~ When have you fasted? How did it make your body feel?

Bigs ~ When have you fasted? Did it remind you of Christ's suffering?

Moms ~ Share about one of the most significant fasts you have experienced and ways you remembered to unite that sacrifice to Christ's sacrifice.

Jesus' Questions: Day 9

I'm trying something new this Lent. My goal is to find a simple way to talk about living our faith with my children on a daily basis, outside of our (more) formal studies of Scripture and Catechism. This series is based on the questions Jesus asks within the Gospel of Matthew. I am brainstorming here some ways to discuss these passages with each of my children and am sharing with you in hopes that you and your children might be blessed by daily faith sharing. If you try this with your children, I would love to hear about your conversations in the comments!

At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts?" Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? ~ Matthew 9:3-5

 

Focus ~ The scribes did not understand or believe that Jesus was both God and man. It is a difficult thing to believe. They doubted His ability to forgive another's sins, and He asks them why. Why do we doubt? It is human nature to question things, and this is how we learn.

Littles ~ What is a sin? Does God forgive all sins, no matter what?

Middles ~ What things did Jesus do that prove He was God? What things did Jesus do that prove He was man?

Bigs ~ When you have doubted God's power, what things helped you to believe again?

Moms ~ Share about a time in your life when you doubted God's power or tell a true story you have heard about someone believing in God's miraculous power.