Vows and Divorce

This is thankfully an area I’m no expert in. Divorce can be such a sensitive topic so I want to approach it with care. Our vows to our spouse probably included some of the following: To love and to cherish, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part. According to Dan Hurley of The New York Times, divorce rates aren’t completely accurate and actually seem to be on a decline which is good news. Jesus clarifies divorce for us in Matthew 5:31-32, “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him … Continue reading →

Intimacy in Marriage

There is no mutual earthly commitment I can think of that is closer than marriage. Sadly, too often vows are forgotten or betrayed even in Christian homes. Couples who don’t make a regular intimate connection with each other through prayer, sex, or other quality time are leaving a door open for Satan to tempt them from a precious covenant which God has instituted. Why does Satan make such an attack on marriage? As I’ve discussed earlier in this series of marriage blogs, God has instituted marriage not only so man would not be lonely, but I believe to help us … Continue reading →

Husbands, Love Your Wives

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25) So, how did Christ love the church? Who is the church? We are the church. Christ loved us so much; He laid down His own life to save us. This love is the greatest that is known (please refer to John 15:13). The Bible states in Proverbs 18:22, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.” I joke around with my husband reminding him that I’m his “good thing”. As a husband feels appreciated and … Continue reading →

Wives, Submit to Your Husbands

A very headstrong, independent woman might find submitting to her husband to be a bit sexist or offensive. When Paul shares in Ephesians chapter 5:22, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord,” I don’t believe it was intended to be either of these things. He continues on in verse 23 and 24, “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” When … Continue reading →

Marriage Series: Intro

I have been eager to write on marriage because there is so much of a correlation between marriage to our spouse and the covenant between us and God as born again believers. In the similar way God instituted parental roles to give us a better understanding of our relationship with Him, I believe marriage shows us a bond of what is supposed to be the deepest commitment. In the Bible, the church is likened to the bride of Christ. Ephesians chapter 5 goes into this with instruction of how we are to be toward our spouse. 2 Corinthians 11:2 Paul … Continue reading →

Activities for the Story of Christ’s Birth

I always think that crafts are a great way to enhance any Bible story which you teach your children. Crafts engage children in a different way than a Bible story lesson; however, crafts help to reiterate the lesson the children have just learned. In the Bible class I teach, I use the craft time to ask the children about what they are making, and thus ask them if they really learned the lesson I just finished teaching. I also like to use what I call “craft-like” activities to employ the children to retell the Bible story they just learned. I … Continue reading →

Bible Stories: Christ’s Birth

The story of the birth of Christ is one of the stories in the Bible that everyone thinks they are familiar with. However, the story of the birth of Christ is often taught wrong. The birth of Christ (and the events soon after) is found in Matthew chapter one through chapter two. For this lesson, I encourage you to look at the other gospel account (Luke) which details the story to teach your child the complete account of Christ’s birth. I encourage you to read the story completely for yourself before beginning to teach your child, because there are a … Continue reading →

Bible Stories: The New Testament

I recently completed the Bible Stories to Share with Your Children Series over the book of Genesis. I thought it would be a good idea to switch gears a little bit, and to go through a New Testament book, specifically the book of Matthew, next. Starting with the book of Matthew will help your children have a good understanding of the life of Jesus. A good way to begin the study of the book of Matthew is to actually talk about Matthew and his role in the life of Christ. Teach your children that Matthew was a tax collector, and … Continue reading →

Bible School Songs Every Child (and Adult) Should Know

I love Bible school songs. The songs are simple, yet the often have a powerful meaning. There are several Bible school songs that I think every child, as well as every adult, should know. If you do not know the song, and want to learn the song, ask other members at your congregation if they know the song. Or you could google the song on the internet – I am sure that there are listings of the words as well as the tunes of these songs. This is a list of just a few songs I thought about. I really … Continue reading →

Three Games to Help Kids Remember the Bible

As I have mentioned often, I teach a children’s Bible school class on Sunday mornings. I am always trying to think of new ways for my kids to learn (and remember) the Bible lessons which I teach them. Kids love playing games, and I think that games (or at least most games) can really engage kids’ minds so that they remember the material of the game. Games can also be a great way to see how much the children are learning from lessons you teach them or lessons they hear in Bible class. Charades. This game works best with a … Continue reading →