Heart Connex Parents Page - June 29 - Jul. 2, 2011 - Loving God
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE June 29—July 2, 2011 Loving God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. **SPECIAL NOTE: Beginning in July 2011, Heart Connex will discontinue its e-mail delivery, but families will still be able to access the devotions at www.lifeway.com/heartconnex. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a teenager goes first): When it is your turn, say: Thanks for sharing how you would spend a million dollars. If I were given a million dollars today, I would . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Joshua 22:5. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this verse. Truth • God loves us and wants us to love Him completely. Untruths • It is not possible to love God. • God doesn’t expect anyone to love Him. • All I need is to love myself and no one else. 3. Explore Scripture: Read today’s verse aloud. Say: Joshua was talking to Israelites who were getting ready to live across the Jordan River from the other tribes. Separated from the other tribes and surrounded by nations that worshipped false gods, they might be tempted to forget about loving and worshipping the one true God. Point out that this verse still provides good advice for those who are tempted to stray from God and His commands. Say: Keeping God’s commandments and worshiping Him are expressions of our love for God. Emphasize the need to stay faithful to God and to put all we have— heart and soul—into our relationship with Him. Conclude by stating again how worship and obedience are excellent expressions of our love for God. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask family members what it means to love God with all of one’s heart. Discuss responses. Explain that God’s instructions are complete and can seem overwhelming, but doing things out of our love for Him makes obeying His instructions much easier. Say: Loving God becomes our passion when we recognize that God is the One who meets every need. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you every time you act in a way that expresses your love for Him. Parent Tip: Don’t try to force your children into a particular mold. Let them be who God created them to be. Perhaps you had hoped for an athlete, but got an artist. Trust God! He created your son or daughter for His own purpose and joy. He never makes a mistake!
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE June 29—July 2, 2011 Loving God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. **SPECIAL NOTE: Beginning in July 2011, Heart Connex will discontinue its e-mail delivery, but families will still be able to access the devotions at www.lifeway.com/heartconnex. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a teenager goes first): When it is your turn, say: Thanks for sharing how you would spend a million dollars. If I were given a million dollars today, I would . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Joshua 22:5. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this verse. Truth • God loves us and wants us to love Him completely. Untruths • It is not possible to love God. • God doesn’t expect anyone to love Him. • All I need is to love myself and no one else. 3. Explore Scripture: Read today’s verse aloud. Say: Joshua was talking to Israelites who were getting ready to live across the Jordan River from the other tribes. Separated from the other tribes and surrounded by nations that worshipped false gods, they might be tempted to forget about loving and worshipping the one true God. Point out that this verse still provides good advice for those who are tempted to stray from God and His commands. Say: Keeping God’s commandments and worshiping Him are expressions of our love for God. Emphasize the need to stay faithful to God and to put all we have— heart and soul—into our relationship with Him. Conclude by stating again how worship and obedience are excellent expressions of our love for God. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask family members what it means to love God with all of one’s heart. Discuss responses. Explain that God’s instructions are complete and can seem overwhelming, but doing things out of our love for Him makes obeying His instructions much easier. Say: Loving God becomes our passion when we recognize that God is the One who meets every need. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you every time you act in a way that expresses your love for Him. Parent Tip: Don’t try to force your children into a particular mold. Let them be who God created them to be. Perhaps you had hoped for an athlete, but got an artist. Trust God! He created your son or daughter for His own purpose and joy. He never makes a mistake!
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
