Sunday, February 15, 2009

"It is nice to be able to ask our questions, Dad. At church they talk about things Mom has already taught us."

Since I am working seven days a week, (have been since we stopped doing foster care July 3, 2008) I asked Colleen if we could have church at home today. I also asked it because I wanted to spend time with my family, with all of us asking questions that help us all clarify our values.

We had a great worship service at home. I asked lots of questions, and encouraged the kids to do the same. The questions they came up with were as deep as anything I or Colleen have have ever come up with. Below are just some of the subjects we discussed. The questions sometimes came fast and furious, so we did not have time to address them all. Whenever possible we asked the children to come up with the answers, in order to clarify their own beliefs and values.

If you are in a war, and the terrorists are about to shoot you, should you pray for them? Answer: shoot first, then pray for them.

Why does God make tornadoes? No answer given.

Does God make our food? No answer given.

Will the Devil come to Earth? Answer: He is already here.

How can God be in us? Ask Him. Invite Him into our hearts.

What is confessing our sins? Tell Him what He already knows: that we did or thought something wrong. Tell Him I have been naughty or mean, then STOP being naughty or mean, and listen to Jesus, who wants us to be nice. Tell Him, "I'm sorry."

God wants us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Like throwing a stone in a pond and creating ripples.

How do we know that God loves us? Because He made us. Because He made the mountains and the sky. Because he made all the planets and the universe. Because He sent His only Son to die for us. Because He sends the Holy Spirit to live in us. Because He said so!

5 comments:

Mrs. Who said...

What a beautiful time with your family. It doesn't take a church building...just two or three gathered in His name.

Mrs. Who said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Terri Wagner said...

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning. What precious questions. I just giggled thinking oh great how would you answer that one simply. Thanks for sharing.

Tim A said...

To Confess does not mean to say you are sorry. Pagans can do that. The greek word is homologia - to say the same word. To confess means to say the same thing about what you did that God says - He hates it. To confess is to agree with God that you hate what you did. Go to blueletterbible.com. Got to 1 John 1:9, click on the blue C for Greek text. Click on the word confess. It will show you the original meaning. Pagans can't do this.

Keep up the fellowship in your home. God did not design you to meet with a crowd of mere social friends. He signed you to meet with an intimate group of heart communicators in "one another" dynamic. Heb. 10:24,25. To line up in pews for a Bible lecture is to "forsake assembling" as these verses describe it. One of the worst things for the household of faith is for them to be perpetually dependent on hired clergy.

vw bug said...

I love your kids answers. Sounds like you are teaching them well.