Heart Connex Parents Page - February 23-26, 2011 - How Others See ...
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE February 23-26, 2011 How Others See God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Each time we get together, I am blessed. I always want to improve our relationship. Being close to you is important to me because . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Daniel 1:12-17. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • Our actions influence how others see and understand God. Untruths • Lost people aren’t influenced by my behavior. • Lost people really don’t expect much from believers. • No one should care about how I behave in public or private. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread the Scripture and say: Today’s devotion helps us understand that our actions influence how lost people think about our faith and our God. Point out that Daniel and his friends were invited to eat foods that violated what God had established in the law. Say: This food also may have been considered an offering to false gods. Since Daniel and his friends were committed to the one true God, they had to be faithful in their choice of food. Emphasize that Daniel and his friends trusted God to bless them for obeying His guidelines and that allowed them to become examples of the power of a mighty God. Say: The faith of Daniel moved the hearts of peers, leaders, and the king. We have an opportunity to point others to God through our actions, but we also can drive them away from God if we are not faithful to Him. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Daniel went the extra mile as a young believer in a foreign land. Point out that Daniel knew it was against the Jewish law to eat certain foods, so he respectfully asked permission to choose an alternative diet. Say: He didn’t want that food to be a temptation for him or his friends. Ask your family if they would be willing to remove major temptations from their world to avoid falling into any traps. Say: This is a decision you can make daily to let people know that you love God and would never tarnish His reputation. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you each time you stand for your faith in Him. Parent Tip: As you think about how your life reveals God to those around you, take some time to evaluate your own understanding of who God is. How do your beliefs about God influence the way you act? What changes can you make to reflect God more accurately to those around you?
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE February 23-26, 2011 How Others See God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Each time we get together, I am blessed. I always want to improve our relationship. Being close to you is important to me because . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Daniel 1:12-17. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • Our actions influence how others see and understand God. Untruths • Lost people aren’t influenced by my behavior. • Lost people really don’t expect much from believers. • No one should care about how I behave in public or private. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread the Scripture and say: Today’s devotion helps us understand that our actions influence how lost people think about our faith and our God. Point out that Daniel and his friends were invited to eat foods that violated what God had established in the law. Say: This food also may have been considered an offering to false gods. Since Daniel and his friends were committed to the one true God, they had to be faithful in their choice of food. Emphasize that Daniel and his friends trusted God to bless them for obeying His guidelines and that allowed them to become examples of the power of a mighty God. Say: The faith of Daniel moved the hearts of peers, leaders, and the king. We have an opportunity to point others to God through our actions, but we also can drive them away from God if we are not faithful to Him. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Daniel went the extra mile as a young believer in a foreign land. Point out that Daniel knew it was against the Jewish law to eat certain foods, so he respectfully asked permission to choose an alternative diet. Say: He didn’t want that food to be a temptation for him or his friends. Ask your family if they would be willing to remove major temptations from their world to avoid falling into any traps. Say: This is a decision you can make daily to let people know that you love God and would never tarnish His reputation. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you each time you stand for your faith in Him. Parent Tip: As you think about how your life reveals God to those around you, take some time to evaluate your own understanding of who God is. How do your beliefs about God influence the way you act? What changes can you make to reflect God more accurately to those around you?
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
