All Saints day – November 1 - Heroes of the Faith
· A day given over to remembering those who have gone on before that loved Christ and demonstrated that love to others. Why not make it the month of November.
· These can be world recognized or family heroes (relatives, friends, teacher,)
· Some suggestions of activities to do as a family over the month of November:
1. Family reading – at story time or supper read about those men and women who have demonstrated the love of Christ.
2. Attend Remembrance services Nov 11 and discuss the significance with our children
3. For music lovers, read Hymns for a Child's Heart by Jodi Erickson Tada & Bobbi Wolgemuth, a delightful presentation of twelve classic hymns and the compelling stories behind their composers.
Preschoolers – picture books about characters who demonstrate the character of Christ – in the book store there are often picture books about bible characters or look in the library.
School age – teen -Everyday Heroes by Joe Wheeler, Spiritual Lives of great Composers by Patrick Kavanaugh, Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton
2. One or more times a week, pick a Christian Hero from list provided on the Internet, print off from the Internet about their life and read at suppertime or when you are together. Try to make it the same time each week if possible - this depends on schedules.
3. At supper in the month of November focus on family and friends who demonstrate the love of Christ. Children love to hear stories about family and suppertime is a great opportunity to relate these moments to our kids.
4. Movie night – Through the month of November have a movie night on Friday with a focus on movies of courage . Preschoolers - ex. Veggie Tales, Storykeepers, the animated Moses, Joseph.
Preteen - Adult ex. Classics- Ben Hur, Spartacus, The Robe. Luther, Bonhoeffer, Chariots of fire, Amazing grace, Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Google Movies - Heroes of Christian Faith for more suggestions.
Resources: Redeeming Halloween by Kim Wier and Pam McCune
Heroes of the Faith Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
· One of the most appealing characteristic about a Heroes is their courage
What is courage?
What is your most courageous moment?
Courage to stand firm when all around you others are being influenced by the moment.
―Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is
more important than fear.
―Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage
is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill
―Courage doesn‘t always roar; sometimes courage is
the little voice at the end of the day that says, I‘ll try again tomorrow.
―Sometimes the most courageous thing is to simply get out of bed in the morning. I used to love that as a mom, because there were so many times I wanted to pull the covers over my head and say, ―No, I‘m not ready to get up and deal with this yet. Barbara Rainey
Here is a quote from C.S. Lewis: ―Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but
the form of every virtue at its testing point.
Andrew Jackson: ―He was always seen in the middle of battle on his horse, bullets whizzing past his head. Somebody asked him one time, ―How do you keep your composure out there on the battlefield?‖ He stopped and he said, ―Sir, my theology persuades me that if I am in the will of God, I am as safe on the battlefield as I am in my bed. So I don‘t worry about it.
· www.Familylifetoday.com -Go to Today's Broadcast or Audio Archives
November 1 Courage in the Face of Adversity
November 2 Courage in the Face of Prosperity
November 3 Courage that speaks the Truth
Courageous Parenting
Romans 12: 1. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Dennis Rainey founder of Family Life Today
“It takes courage to raise children today according to biblical standards, especially when the culture doesn’t exactly support us in our striving to courageously protect our sons and daughters.
So what’s a parent to do?
First, resolve that you will not be a parent who does the easiest thing: nothing. Loving children today will mean that you will make some mistakes. Perhaps you will go too far in setting some standards; but if your child has a secure, loving relationship with you, then I would rather you challenge your children to a high standard rather than one that is too low.
Second, pray. Someone has said, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” Parents need to pray that they will be courageous.. We need God’s wisdom and strength.
Third, meet as a couple and establish courageous boundaries for your family. Set some clear rules about the following:
· Movies/Books/magazines/ Computer
· Use of the Internet and the phone
· Dress
· Curfew
· Dating (i.e., if so, when, how and whom to date?)
· Relating to the opposite sex (i.e., level of intimacy with the opposite sex prior to marriage?)
· Being a parent calls for repeated, heroic action. It’s this private brand of courage that should set a Christian family apart — the fortitude that turns a mom and dad into spiritual warriors on behalf of their family. Whatever courageous acts you have accomplished in your lifetime, it could be that the most courageous is determining that you will remain involved in the lives of your children"
Halloween Alternative - “Family Day” - Courage to be different - (A young mom in our neighborhood does this idea)
· Prayerful think about the celebration in relation to family personality and values
Instead of attending the school Halloween Parties, the children pick a family fun activity ( swimming, bowling, hiking) perhaps lunch out at their favourite place and a movie at home in the afternoon.
· If you decide to do a Family day instead of the school activity, be sure to graciously let the teachers know of your decision.
· Hero in her neighbourhood, “A Christ like difference”
A mom of a down syndrome girl ignores the possible critical attitude of people to walk the neighbourhood gathering pop cans from the garbage. Why? Because her daughter loves to turn the cans into money that she can donate to the Children’s Hospital. They look like “bag ladies” but when you draw closer you also see
“ hearts of gold”.
Barbara Rainey “ It can‘t just be a second-hand story about somebody else who lived in
another century or another time and another place. Our kids do need to see us living
courageous lives because it will inspire them to want to be like Mom and Dad.”
Barbara Rainey has written a devotional called Growing Together in Courage. It‘s all about equipping families to read some stories about human beings who showed courage in the midst of obstacles, in the midst of fear, in the midst of a culture that was pushing back on them.
The Character Stories for Families Series: Heart-changing history. By Barbara Rainey
With captivating true stories to read as a family, this seven-day interactive devotional from speaker and bestselling author Barbara Rainey saturates minds and hearts with memorable accounts and vivid illustrations of true heroes who made noble choices. Encounter real-life heroes right in your living room—and begin to grow together in character as a family.
Each day also includes:
· A key Bible verse
· Questions to discuss together
· A suggested prayer
· A personal record of your family’s character as it relates to these stories
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