Jesus' Questions: Day 18

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 if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? ~ Matthew 12:26-27

 

Focus ~ Jesus was trying to convince people that He was doing good. Some people thought He was doing bad things, but He was really helping others. Satan sends his evil demons to hurt people and push them to do bad things, and Jesus helped those people get rid of their demons. He can help people today, too, and we know that He is doing all things in God's name. When we encounter evil, we can ask St. Michael the Archangel to protect us.

Littles ~ Does God want us to do good things or bad things? Does satan want us to do good things or bad things?

Middles ~ Can you say the St. Michael prayer?

Bigs ~ Was there a time you said the St. Michael prayer to encourage you to do something good or to get rid of evil thoughts?

Moms ~ Give an example from your life when you have asked St. Michael to help you.

Jesus' Questions: Day 17

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!

Which one of you who has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable a person is than a sheep. So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. ~ Matthew 12:11-12

 

Focus ~ Taking care of others is an important part of being a Christian. Jesus points out this can be done any day, including Sundays, as it is vital work.

Littles ~ If you were watching over some sheep and one fell into a hold, what would you do?

Middles ~ Can you give an example of a way we can serve others?

Bigs ~ What is some way our family can serve others today?

Moms ~ Talk about a service project in which you participated that made a lasting impression on you.

Jesus' Questions: Day 16

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!

Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? ~ Matthew 12:3-5

 

Focus ~ The Pharisees were criticizing the disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath to eat, and this is how Jesus responds. Sunday, our Sabbath, is meant to be a day of rest and worship.

Littles ~ What special things does our family do on Sundays?

Middles ~ What things does our family avoid doing on Sundays?

Bigs ~ In what ways could our family do a better job of keeping the Sabbath?

Moms ~ Discuss some options for improving your family's Sabbath and decide on and commit to one baby step towards a better day of rest.

Jesus' Questions: Day 15

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!

Will you be exalted to heaven? ~ Matthew 11:23

 

Focus ~ In this question, Jesus is actually reproaching some towns who have done bad things and whose people will not go to Heaven unless they repent and reform. These were towns were Jesus taught, but after He left, they did not change their lives to follow His teachings. Even if our world, our country, or our city does not, our family tries to follow Jesus' teachings, and we hope one day to be exalted to heaven.

Littles ~ What is Heaven?

Middles ~ What do you think Heaven will be like?

Bigs ~ What do you think Heaven will be like?

Moms ~ Talk about how we get to Heaven. What do we need to believe? What do we need to do?

Jesus' Questions: Day 14

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!

To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' ~ Matthew 11:16-17

 

Focus ~ Perhaps Jesus is speaking here to our generation, as well. Most people today are continually tempted to selfishness. We want everyone to look at us and see what we do. We want others to be happy when we are happy and sad when we are sad. But, Jesus wants us to not look primarily to other people to rejoice or find sympathy. We are first to look to Him.

Littles ~ Name something that makes you happy. Do you think that makes God happy, too? Who else is happy with you about that?

Middles ~ Name something that makes you sad. Do you think that makes God sad, too? Who else is sad with you about that?

Bigs ~ Can you give an example of a time you felt especially happy or sad and shared that feeling with God? Did you share it with other people, too?

Moms ~ Tell about a time you felt especially happy or sad and shared that with God and other people.