The God Box

 

 

10 Ways to Raise Spiritually Minded Kids

 

 

This is post three in our series 10 Ways to Raise Spiritually Minded Children. To read the goal of this series, please see last week’s post on the liberating truth of the Gospel.

 

 

I don’t know about you but I want my life to be transformed… not conformed. Likewise, I want my home and family life to be transformed. (Romans 12:2)

Yet “conformed” happens so easily. The word for “conformed” in Romans 12:2 is suschematizo and happens when outside forces squeeze us into a mold, giving us our shape. This is what we DO NOT want!

Transformed is “metamorphoo” and it means to change form from the inside out; an outer representation of one’s inward character and nature. This word is used of Jesus in Matthew 17:2, “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”

That’s what we want for our lives and families!

Romans 12:2 tells us an essential means to living transformed is the renewing of our minds. Learning to think about daily life biblically and deliberately fixing our eyes on the character of God is essential for having a renewed mind.

Sometimes in Scripture we see people setting times and places to deliberately remember God’s faithful ways. For example:

 

Abraham set up altars, marking his encounters with God. (Genesis 12)

Joshua took stones from the Jordan River when God parted the waters. He used them to set up an altar which prompted spiritual conversations for future generations.  (Joshua 4:20)

Samuel took a stone and used it as a “stone of remembrance” after God delivered the Israelites from the Philistines. (I Samuel 7:12)

David said in Psalm 77:11-12, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord;  yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

 

Making a habit of remembering God’s deeds, miracles, and works is a helpful way to renew our minds and dwell on His faithfulness to us.

 

Way #3:  Have a Family Remembrance (or God) Box

 

Our family has adopted a practice of discussing the ways God has blessed us each week. On Sunday mornings, we recall and record in a journal the special things God has done, ways He encouraged or provided for us, and things He spoke to us from His Word. The younger children can also draw pictures in the journal.

The journal goes into a box, our “God Box,” which also contains items that carry a story of His provision, such as a car key. Our God Box reminds us of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and kind intentions towards us.

 

This week’s challenge:

Start your own God Box and carve out intentional time to fix your mind on Christ as a family. Find a small box and a journal and you are ready to go! Here are some questions to get you started:

 

1. How has God provided for you this week?

2. How did God help you this week?

3. How has God surprised you this week?

4. How were you encouraged this week?

5. What scripture did God speak to you personally this week?

6. What characteristic of God did you see more of?

7. Any miracles? Answers to prayer?

 

Write or draw your answers in the journal and place any memorabilia in the box to remember what God has done.

After you start your box, let me know what’s in it! You can email me at arabahjoy(at)gmail.com.

Raising spiritually minded children does not have to be overwhelming. While we have no guarantee as to the choices our children will make later on, we can sow good seed in their lives and train them in turning their minds to Christ. I hope this series gives “handles” for us to do just that. See you next week for more~~

Similar Posts