Known for her runway model dimensions, her motorcycle, and a sassy mouth, Kim broke the mold for Social Studies teachers. My new colleague and I were worlds-apart-different from each other, but in working together we found common ground. I had a front row seat to watching Kim transform from “Christian in name only” to a mature, sister in Christ.

Life Transformed

Going to church as a child, planted spiritual seeds in Kim. Those seeds started sprouting when she announced her first pregnancy. Suddenly, laser-beam-focused on raising a child with good values, Kim turned to her childhood faith. In time, renewed faith in Jesus and the working of the Holy Spirit transformed my friend.

Devastating Diagnosis

Three years ago, and miles apart, I learned of Kim’s cancer diagnosis— aggressive metastatic breast cancer. Tumors riddled her strong, svelte frame. Her body wrecked by cancer, Kim told me, “Cheli, Jesus suffered more to save me than I a suffer from cancer.” Hidden in Christ and completely surrendered, Kim knew what it meant to participate in Christ’s suffering.

…that I may know him [Christ Jesus] and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death….   (Philippians 3:10, clarification mine)

Longing for Heaven

A year later, Kim rang the bell after her last chemo treatment. So, with refreshed hope for Kim’s healing, I thanked God with teary-eyed gratitude around the Thanksgiving table. Yet—before the ringing bell diminished, cancer delivered its final blow. Within weeks cancer nearly destroyed her vision and decimated her body. Gifting her family and friends with the last of her energy, she said goodbye. On Christmas Eve, Kim went home to Heaven. In that moment, death gave way to life— eternal life.

Truly, my friend understood the full meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:1-5:

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Though I miss my friend, I rejoice in her new life. Kim put on a new body, fully clothed in Christ. Free from disease and pain, she lives life to the full— forever.

What does 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 say about Heaven? Join us as we continue our #HeartTowardHome series.
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What is God impressing on your heart and mind as you read 2 Corinthians 5:1-5?

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Read our list of articles below and download our packets of resources to help you memorize God’s truth to hide in your heart for life.

Articles on Bible Memory

Use these tips for both adults and children to better memorize scripture.

• 4 tips for scripture memory
  Add one or more of these approaches to your memorizing routine
• Think you can’t memorize?
  The 1-2-3’s of how our memory challenges work
• Truth for kids to tunes we know
  Help your kids memorize scripture using songs
• 3-step review to help you remember
  How to retain your memory verses
• When scripture doesn’t stick
  10 tips to boost your memory when you’re struggling
• Using scripture to resist temptation
  Use the spiritual armor against temptation that God has provided us
• Free printable of memory verses for trips
  5 steps to using memory verses while traveling
• 6 scripture memorization tips to help you abide in God’s Word
  See this list of tips to help you better memorize scripture this year
• Seeds Family Worship
  Enjoy this scripture set to music for families
• Raising kingdom builders with scripture memory
  Equip your children for independence through memorization
• Top 10 memorizing tips for kids
  Helpful tips for kids (and grown-ups can use them too!)
• Choosing scripture for children to memorize
  Get resources to find verses for your children – and your whole family – to memorize.
• What? Me memorize scripture?
  How to decide what to memorize, how to keep track of it, and much more

Resources to Memorize Scripture

Ready to memorize a whole chapter?

Use any of these free resources from previous memory challenges at Do Not Depart.

• Deuteronomy 30:11-20
• Psalm 1
• Psalm 27
• Psalm 71
• Psalm 91
• Psalm 121
• Psalm 143
• Isaiah 12
• Isaiah 55
• Lamentations 3:21-26
• Matthew 5:1-19
• Matthew 6
• Matthew 7:1-14
• John 1:1-14
• John 15
• Romans 8
• Ephesians 1
• Philippians 1
• Colossians 3:1-17
• James 1
• 1 Peter 1
• Classic memory verses – sections of chapters + individual verses

Need tips to help you memorize scripture? Want free Bible memory resources? See our updated resource list! #HideHisWord
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We are pleased to welcome Kelli LaFramboise from Quietly Reminded for this month’s installment of Let the Children Come.

Parenting With Authentic Faith

Parenting with authentic faith. That sounds good, right? And chances are that if you are reading this article, you probably want to parent this way. But let’s a be honest, parenting is hard… And parenting with authentic faith, well, what is that? And why would you do it?

To understand what parenting with authentic faith is, let’s begin with what it is not. Parenting with authentic faith is not the same as raising a child in a “christian” culture. It’s not just taking your child to church every Sunday. It’s not just praying before bedtime and meals. It’s not just memorizing Bible verses and reading the Word together as a family. Although these things are good and may even be necessary for our faith, when they are done for the wrong reason, when they are done to put a check in the box, they are simply cultural practices, not acts of authentic faith.

Each one of us.

Each one of us… Including each of our children.

There is not a single thing that any of us can do to make our children accept the grace of God. We are not the savior of our children’s souls. Jesus is. Only Jesus is. And when we attempt, whether consciously or subconsciously, to take that responsibility away from Him, we fail to parent with authentic faith.

Here just a few of the many promises God has made to us through His Word. Read them, but instead of reading them just for yourself, remember that Jesus has extended these promises to your children as well.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)… ~Ephesians 2:4,5

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. ~2 Thessalonians 3:3

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ~Revelation 3:20

Now at this point there may be a reader or two out there wondering, well if that’s the case, do I need to worry about my child’s salvation at all? Do I have any responsibility here? The answers may surprise you: no and no. No, you do not need to worry because worry will not add one ounce of anything good to your life or your child’s (Matthew 6:25-34). And no, you have no responsibility for child’s salvation because Jesus has already paid his or her sin debt in full (John 19:30, 1 Peter 2:24).

Don’t get me wrong, you have a job to do. Your child has been placed in your life for discipleship. However, instead of worrying and taking on responsibility that is not yours, simply abide in Jesus. Abide through prayer, abide through time in the Word, abide by hiding God’s word in your heart and meditating on it daily. Abide so that when worry and doubt creep into your parenting moments you know where to turn to for comfort and direction. Abide so that when the Holy Spirit asks you to parent in a specific way, you can simply respond to that direction.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ~John 15: 4, 5

Abiding allows us to be an instrument used by the Father to show our children how much He does love them and how He wants to serve, protect, and provide for them. He is the responsible Savior, not anyone else. He is the responsible Teacher, not anyone else. He is the responsible Defender, Deliverer, Comforter, Provider, Sufficiency, and so, so much more. Parenting with authentic faith is trusting Jesus to be your child’s all-in-all and not trying to be it yourself.

Below I’ve listed some practical ways and resources to help you get started abiding in Jesus, but please don’t view these as must-do or checklist items. These are just a few suggestions to help you fall more in love with Jesus and begin to know Him more. But before you look through these suggestions, let’s start our abiding with prayer.

Jesus, thank You for loving my children more than I ever could. Thank You for shedding Your blood to wash away their sins and set them free from the bondage of sin. I also thank You that this is completely and fully Your responsibility and not mine. Please forgive me for the times that I have worried needlessly and attempted to take this responsibility from You. Help me to see and believe that You are good and You have my and my children’s best interest at heart. Help me to remember that every promise You have extended to me through Your word has also been extended to my children. I ask that You show me how to abide in You so that I may parent as an instrument of Your love for my children. I want to be responsive to your Holy Spirit because I trust in You. In Your name I pray, amen.

Abiding in Christ :: A Few Suggestions

• Prayer is essential to abiding in Christ. If you don’t know how to pray, first and foremost, ask Him to teach you how. You may find these useful as well:
  – And When You Pray: Understanding the Lord’s Prayer
  – The Power of a Praying… Series by Stormie O’Martian (affiliate link)
• Start a simple Bible reading plan like this one. Here are 3 super simple steps to studying God’s word all on your own.
• Nothing is or ever will be more more relevant than the Word of God. However, there maybe times when we need a little guidance through our Bibles. I have found HelloMornings’ Bible studies and accountability groups to be very helpful during these times.
• Memorizing God’s word is the only way to “hide it in your heart” and “meditate on it day and night” (Psalm 19:11, Joshua 1:8). Start by asking God to direct you to the verse(s) that He would like you to memorize. Here are a few resources I have found helpful when choosing to memorize God’s word.
  – Hiding His Word challenge.
  – Seeds Family Worship (affiliate link)
  – Scripture Typer
• And don’t neglect fellowship, discipleship, and communion. Being with fellow believers is essential to our walk with Christ because it is through these people that God often loves, encourages, instructs, and corrects each one of us.

Friends, please remember that I am human and flawed and my thoughts on parenting and other areas of life may not always be right. Please hold what I write up against the Word of God and listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you directly.

Only by grace,

Kelli

You are not your child’s savior. Read more from @QuietlyReminded #LetTheChildrenCome
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Parenting with Authentic Faith. A guest post from @QuietlyReminded #LetTheChildrenCome
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Kelli LaFramboise is the author of Caught by Jesus: 6-Week Devotional & Personal Study in the Gospel of Mark. She blogs at www.quietlyreminded.com with a purpose to quietly remind herself and others of God’s goodness, His grace, and His glory. You can also find her sharing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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So many of us – kids and adults, both – respond well to using music to memorize anything, from the alphabet to days of the week to Scripture.

We’ve talked about Seeds Family Worship multiple times on this site (click here to see all the posts that mention this wonderful group), and we’re happy to share that they have a new album out now!

The Word of God – a new album from Seeds Family Worship

Last week, Seeds Family released [amazon_link id=”B00NMIATTY” target=”_blank” ]The Word of God[/amazon_link]. This album has 12 songs, all focusing on characteristics of the Word of God and how we can and should react and use the Word of God in our lives as believers.

Read more details about this album at Caroline’s review.

Patti will also be reviewing Seeds Family Worship and this new album on her site.

What are you favorite songs to memorize Scripture as a family?

Seeds Family Worship (@seedsworship) has a new album out! #HideHisWord Check out a couple of reviews:
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It’s that time of year – road trip season!

Families are criss-crossing the country for summer vacations. Whether the trip is short or long, when you travel with children you’ll find the going is sweeter with a few fun activities planned. And why not make them Word-centered?

Our family takes road trips frequently. My husband and I are originally from New England but now live in Texas, so every year or two we make the 32 hour drive back east to see extended family. This summer we went the other direction, exploring the western part of the country with our three kids. From a gorgeous sunrise in the desert at Arches National Park in Utah, to roaring waterfalls in Mount Rainier Park in Washington, we have enjoyed the exquisitely varied beauty God created in our country.

Are you traveling with children? When they’re not looking out the window at the sights,  you can encourage your kids to stay in the Word while on the road with fun road trip activities. Here are a few to try:

Games:

• Bible 20 questions – Play 20 questions, picking a person, place or thing from the bible
• “I’m reading through my bible” memory game – Players in succession think of something in the bible beginning with a letter of the alphabet. Each player has to first remember all the previous letter words. Example:
  Player 1: “I am reading through my bible and I see Adam.”
  Player 2: “I am reading through my bible and I see Adam and Bathsheba.”
  Player 3: “I am reading through my bible and I see Adam, Bathsheba and Caleb.”
• What bible book comes next? – Test each other’s knowledge of bible book order by calling out book names and seeing who can remember the book that follows.
• Scripture memory race – There are several variations you can try. Who can memorize a new verse fastest? Who can recall a verse when given the verse number? Who can remember the verse number when given just the verse?

Crafts:

• Bible coloring pages – There are lots free options online. Here is a good one.
• Sculpting with Model Magic – I am a huge fan of [amazon_link id=”B00004UE4A” target=”_blank” ]Model Magic[/amazon_link]. It is like play dough but does not make a giant mess of the car. Have your kids shape animals from the bible, or even try making an ark!
• Make a journal – For older kids, pack the supplies to make a journal that they can use on the trip. Here are some cute ideas. They can record beautiful things they see, things God is showing them, and verses they have learned along the way.

Audio:

I always pack an inexpensive CD player with headphones for my youngest when we have a long drive. Then I toss in favorite stories and songs. You could include

• [amazon_link id=”143350295X” target=”_blank” ]Bibles on CD[/amazon_link]
• Scripture songs – from artists like [amazon_link id=”B001EJH4SW” target=”_blank” ]Steve Green[/amazon_link],  [amazon_link id=”B004Z9VNFI” target=”_blank” ]Seeds Family Worship[/amazon_link] or [amazon_link id=”B00DO0MEXO” target=”_blank” ]Yancy[/amazon_link].
• [amazon_link id=”B002IRDDUC” target=”_blank” ]Bible stories[/amazon_link]

Do you have fun road trip activities to add to the list? We love to hear from you! Please share in the comments.

On the Road and In the Word: Bible Fun for Kids from @DoNotDepart #LetTheChildrenCome
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Help your kids stay in the Word while on vacation, via @DoNotDepart and @becomingjoyful
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I focus too deeply on my problems. Sit too long on my mistakes. Refuse grace-given love too frequently.

I’m broken and don’t deserve love, but that’s the point of grace.

Depths of Music

As much as I love words (and, like Ali, I really do), music (and dance) can express depths where words sometimes cannot breach.

When you think of brokenness and grace, you might think of the song “Amazing Grace”:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost,

But now am found.

Was blind but now I see.

John Newton, the author of this song, saw numerous trial and tribulations, many at his own doing. Even after a breakthrough moment for him during a literal storm, his faith grew gradually into a healed and powerful force.

The song “I Saw the Light” brings more, well, light to brokenness:

Just like a blind man I wandered along
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light.

I saw the light I saw the light
No more darkness no more night
Now I’m so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light.

This song, originally by Hank Williams in 1948, has been covered numerous times. I love this version from David Crowder Band. As soon as I sing or hear this song, I remember that I’m not stuck in my past mistakes.

I sang those two to my children as babies when they cried and I was weary. Soothing balms to our souls.

I also replay “I Am New,” a contemporary song from Jason Gray, when I need yet another reminder:

Now I won’t deny
The worst you could say about me
But I’m not defined
By mistakes that I’ve made
Because God says of me

I am not who I was
I am being remade
I am new
I am chosen and holy
And I’m dearly loved
I am new

Do you need to hear that again like I do?

We are not defined by our mistakes. We are chosen and holy and dearly loved. We are new.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

How These Songs Heal

These songs are just a few of those that both wreck my heart and fill it to overflowing with joy at the same time.

Sometimes a song draws my attention back to renewal when just a thought won’t. Sometimes a song (music and words together) reaches farther into our hearts than words alone. Music combines multiple modes of expression together. Mutliple ways to explore, learn, turn, remember, and praise.

As this article on the significance of the Psalms (and song) from Bible.org states: “The greatest calling of the church and of individual Christians is not to be evangelists or teachers or exhorters or comforters, but worshippers.” Song helps us do just that.

“My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.” – Psalm 108:1-3

Other Songs for Beauty in Brokenness

• My husband and I are big fans of Switchfoot. Intelligent lyrics with a sincere faith foundation. Take a look at “The Shadow Proves the Sunshine” off the [amazon_link id=”B000CDG5AY” target=”_blank” ]Nothing is Sound album[/amazon_link].
• Our family loves basically anything from [amazon_link id=”B001MIFVIK” target=”_blank” ]Seeds Family Worship[/amazon_link]. Every song verses as lyrics, accompanied by varied and interesting music (not at all hokey). I love the song using John 16:33 as lyrics.
• If you need a song to bounce and sing to, try “Happy Day” from Tim Hughes.
• If you like learning the history and affects of songs and hymns, take a look at the [amazon_link id=”078523182X” target=”_blank” ]Then Sings My Soul book series[/amazon_link] from Robert Morgan.

Sing praise with me. What are some of your favorite songs to remind you of His grace that covers brokenness?

Tweetables:

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How many of you parents have a child with special needs? What challenges arise in teaching your children about your faith?

Back in May, we discussed 4 tips for including kids with special needs in family Bible study time (and why to include all kids). Today, we want to offer a few resources you can use.

Bible-Focused Resources for Special Needs Families

• Grapevine Studies provide family Bible studies that are very focused on Scripture. Grapevine’s unique twist focuses on the kids drawing stick figures to add in a tactile component to learning Bible characters and events. These studies work well for families and for Sunday school classes. (I reviewed two of their studies on my personal blog, including some modifications we implemented to address my son’s special needs.)

• Not Alone provides encouragement in the faith for special needs families.
• Jennifer Janes writes on special needs parenting often, including this great 10-days series on encouragement for parents of kids with special needs.
• Rachel Wojnarowski writes about special needs and faith on her blog, like this post with seven ways churches can love on families with special needs.
• (in)able and (in)cluded is a community of special needs families formed through (in)courage. Visit for great encouragement and meet other families who can relate to your challenges.
• We also love Seeds Family Worship songs for both typical-developing kids and kids with special needs.
• Do you know someone with a child with special needs but don’t have experience with special needs yourself? Read this post from Beautiful in His Time for ideas on how to encourage a special needs mom.
• Our good friend and former team writer, Sandra Peoples, and her husband recently released a new Bible study for parents of kids with special needs. Held: Learning to Live in God’s Grip is geared towards special needs families, but I would recommend anyone who is around kids to with to take a look at this book. This Bible study reminds parents that God is in control, even (and especially) in those situations where we have no control. Lee and Sandra discuss specific Bible passages and how they relate to special needs families asking how? and why? and what do we do? They include a chapter on how to interact with acquaintances and family members who just don’t understand your unique situation, handling situations together in your marriage, facing fear, and continuing to grow in your faith through numerous challenges.
  Sandra and Lee are also working on a series of videos to go along with the book! Stay tuned to Sandra’s site for more information. Find purchasing information here.

Sandra is kindly offering one copy of Held for one of our readers! Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is open until the end of the day (EST) on Sunday, November 24th, 2013.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you have a child with special needs, what resources are you looking for that you haven’t found yet? What’s one of your favorite sites for encouragement in the faith?

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Gathering the whole family for a family bible study time can sometimes be difficult to manage with varying schedules, needs, and even personalities. But we know how important study and Scripture memory are to raising kingdom builders.

Add in a family member with special needs, and extra challenges arise.

Why Include Children with Special Needs in Family Bible Study

Depending on the particular needs, it can feel easier to not really include children with extra challenges, particularly when they’re younger. I have to motivate myself to crank up my energy level to do everything my son needs to be involved, but it’s so worth it.

“Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

Including all children of all abilities in family bible study helps in various ways.

• Anything positive where we include children with special needs helps boost confidence in their own social and communication skills and worth.
• The more they (or any of us, really) hear God’s Word, the deeper those truths permeate.
• Inclusion in family activities with people of varied ages exposes kids to new concepts and social strategies.

(I discuss more details about involving children with speech delays in this post here.)

Four Tips on Including Kids with Special Needs in Family Bible Time

1. Give (all) of your children opportunities to participate. My son can’t talk, but he uses sign language for expressive communication. We rephrase questions (as we can) to help him have the opportunity to answer. (This is challenging sometimes!)
2. Help them memorize Scripture. It might be harder. It might take longer. But, try it anyway, and pray for lasting benefits. We currently work on memorizing just one (brief) verse a month, which my son learns how to sign back to me. It’s so much fun!
3. Surround your kids with Scripture expressed in various mediums. My kids (both typical-developing and with special needs) love [amazon_link id=”B001MIFVIK” target=”_blank” ]Seeds Family Worship songs[/amazon_link] (affiliate link). You can also create your own songs. Songs help stick truths in our hearts, help kids of all abilities express feelings, and increase positive attitudes (especially when we listen to praise music!).
4. Allow some choice. We have several children’s bibles around the house. At bedtime, we allow our son (with special needs) to choose which he wants to read from. We particularly like the [amazon_link id=”0310726050″ target=”_blank” ]Jesus Storybook Bible[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B007UQ46P2″ target=”_blank” ]The Beginner’s Bible[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”1400317029″ target=”_blank” ]The Beginning Reader’s Bible[/amazon_link], and the [amazon_link id=”031070801X” target=”_blank” ]NIrV Study Bible[/amazon_link] (affiliate links). Allowing him to choose his resource helps him maintain focus.

If You Don’t Have a Special Needs Child

Even if you don’t have a special needs child in your family, you might know someone in your church or neighborhood who has special needs. You can help, too! “Special needs” is such a broad umbrella term, so try to get to know the child for his or her unique challenges and abilities. All special needs kids have something amazing about them, and many become passionate about learning something (or everything!). Ask the parent how you can specifically help that unique child and look for opportunities to encourage and share God’s love! (And, from just one special needs parent, thank you for any time you include our children!)

More Resources

• Check out the team site Not Alone for encouragement and tips from special needs parents to special needs families.
• I share special needs tips on my blog for family time, family fitness, and preschool activities.
• Sandra Peoples writes specifically on parenting a child on the autism spectrum.

If you have a child with special needs, how do you include him or her in your family Bible time? If you don’t have a special needs child, what ideas have you seen put in practice?

Disclosure: Some affiliate links are present. If you click on those links and then purchase the item, we will receive a small commission. Regardless, we only share products we personally support, love, and think you would benefit from, too. Thank you in advance for supporting this ministry!

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It’s hard to be little. The world can be a scary place even when all seems well to the adults. And lately even most adults I know do not feel like all is well.

It is so important that we take a Word-based approach when our children fear, because a world-based approach will always disappoint. It would be lying to tell my child that there is nothing to fear. From a purely worldly perspective, my kids’ lives are fraught with dangers, many of which we don’t even contemplate (driven a car lately?)

But I can tell my child not to fear because of who he is in Christ. Because of Who God is. The power of scripture to combat fear is supernatural. God’s Word is the sword of the Spirit!

Here are some of my favorite scriptures on fear…

Verses in the Bible Addressing Fear

“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.” Psalm 56:4

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19 (niv)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Five Word-based ideas for when your child is afraid.

1) Teach children to praise God

Praising God in every circumstance instantly turns our attention off of ourselves and our fears, and onto the only solid and reliable One upon whom we can count. Praise God for Who He is, and for how much He loves us!

“Through (Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15

2) Play scripture out loud

When there is a chronic fear hanging heavy in your home, filling the air with scripture can work wonders for restoring peace. Even now I sometimes find myself needing to bathe my mind in scripture as I fall asleep.

Audio bibles are easy to come by thanks to smart phones (both for iPhone and android.) If you don’t have a smart phone, you can buy an [amazon_link id=”193104743X” target=”_blank” ]audio bible on CD[/amazon_link] or [amazon_link id=”143350295X” target=”_blank” ]on mp3[/amazon_link].

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

3) Help children memorize scriptures

The bible directs us to teach our children the scriptures!

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

You can teach your children some of the specific verses related to fear listed above, but even having basic verses memorized will be a powerful tool in their arsenal against fear! Our summer Hide His Word challenge will be reviewing basic scriptures for believers. If you or your children have never memorized before, why not sign up and start hiding His Word in your heart this summer?

It’s important to understand that the Word of God is the only offensive piece of our spiritual armor, the rest is defensive. The Word is even called the sword of the Spirit. Our children need to know and be ready to wield this holy sword!

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

4) Post scriptures around the house

The bathroom mirror and the kitchen windowsill seem to be our two favorite places to post scripture. We spend a lot of time at sinks, apparently! You can put up verses applicable to your child’s current struggle, or a general verse. Try taping printed scripture to the mirror, or for fun, write the verse directly on the mirror with a dry-erase or wet-erase marker!

There are also many beautiful, scripture-based home decorations available.

“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:9

5) Sing scripture songs that deal with fear and courage

Music makes such an impact on kids. On adults too! More than once a scripture has wafted in song out of the car speaker right into this weary mama’s heart and given me strength!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1

The [amazon_link id=”B002CLBJXW” target=”_blank” ]Seeds Family Worship[/amazon_link] songs are great. There is lots of other recorded scripture music for kids available. And many old hymns are scripturally based.

If you don’t know a song for the verse you want your children to memorize, use a familiar kids’ tune! Julie explains how in “Truth for Kids to Tunes We Know”

However you go about it, helping your kids stay in God’s Word will combat fears of all sizes!

Have you had to deal with fear in a child? How did you help your child focus on the sovereign God who loves her? Share in the comments!

Our “Let the Children Come” link-up is still open! Do you have a great idea to help kids stay in the Word? Please share it here!

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