Pearls of Encouragement for CWM
January 2010 Edition
Happy New Year/Thanks
Blog/Online Bible Study
CWM Coaching Tips
Article – New Year’s Resolutions for your Children
Final Thoughts
Happy New Year/Thanks

Blog/Online Bible Study

I have posted a question on the CWM blog about Facebook and social media. I would love to hear your opinions. So, many women read the blog, but don’t post. Please come and support one another. The CWM blog can be found at http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com. I am really going to try to post a new Bible study for January. (One of my New Year’s resolutions). The CWM Bible study can be found at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com.

CWM Coaching Tips

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to study the Bible more? Then, you might want to consider having CWM coaching tips emailed to you daily. You will dig deep and study one Bible verse a week. Be encouraged and do something for yourself. To find out more go to: www.christianworkingmom.com/cwmtips.htm.

Article – New Year’s Resolutions for your Children

We have arrived at the time of the year when we resolve to lose 10 pounds, keep a cleaner house, exercise and many other resolutions. Yet, this year I would like for you to consider New Year’s Resolutions for your children. To be even more specific, spiritual resolutions. The Bible is very clear that as parents we are to train and teach our children things of God. Deuteronomy 6:4-8 discusses how we are to teach our children God’s commands when they lie down and get up. Basically, our conversations should be pointing our children back to God.

So, here are some ideas about how to start considering what New Year’s resolutions you can have for your children:

1. Even if you have an infant you can start teaching them about God. You can sing to them “Jesus loves me”. A simple song with profound theology. I love a baby dedication service I attended where the pastor said, “May there never be a day when this child does not know God.”
2. With toddlers you can start pointing out to them all the many things God made. Yes, he made T-Rexes and what other animals they love. You can even start teaching them memory verses.
3. No matter what age your child is you can begin praying for their salvation and that they will come to know God at an early age. If your child is all ready a Christian you can pray for his/her continued growth.
4. When your child is school age or older watch for something they are struggling with. For example: anger, a disrespectful mouth, low self-esteem, loneliness, etc. Then, find a Bible verse that addresses that issue and memorize the verse together. Help your child start living out what the verse teaches.
5. Pick a specific important Biblical doctrine to focus on for the year. For example, “God is sovereign and in control of ALL things that happen to us.” So, when disappointments come point your children back to God and how he is working even behind the scenes. You can look up verses that talk about God’s sovereignty and read them together.

I know as CWMs we have a lot on our plates. My encouragement to you this month is to be intentional about how and what you teach your children about God. It is not just the churches’ responsibility. In fact the Bible is clear that it is first the parent’s responsibility. Take time to pray with and for your children. You are leaving a spiritual inheritance that is worth more than any amount of money. Start small just start to teach your children the things of God. You may say I’m a new Christian and I don’t know that much myself. Then, you can learn together. A wonderful Bible study to learn about specific books of the Bible is Shepherd’s Notes. You can pick a book of the Bible to study and order that book from Shepherd’s Notes. Think of it like Cliff Notes that are used in college. Shepherd’s Notes are easy to understand and offer a wealth of information.

May 2010 be a year where you and your children grow spiritually together. Your investment will pay eternal dividends.

Final Thoughts

Till next time,

Kimberly M. Chastain

Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author of The Voices of Christian Working Moms, 2 ebooks and an online Bible study. To find out how to receive coaching tips by email daily, go to http://www.kimberlychastain.com/cwmtips.htm. To find out more about her books go to www.christianworkingmom.com. For a free, initial coaching session send an email to free@kimberlychastain.com.