Several years ago I worked at a mega church here in Minneapolis. Almost one hundred and fifty people worked on staff, and I had just as many people volunteering under me. I knew everyone’s name, how many kids they had, where they lived, and what they did. But I didn’t have the brain space or the emotional megabytes to know each of them like a best friend.
Did Jason like broccoli for dinner or prefer corn on the cob? Did Avery want to be alone when she was bummed out or like to hang with friends? Those were the questions I couldn’t answer.
Why? Because I didn’t really know them.
The most important thing in the world is for our kids to really know God and have a relationship with him.
The Lord says…”But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me…”
Jeremiah 9:24
God’s design for families starts with who God is.
When it comes to talking to kids about families,
knowing God is where you have to start.
God’s Design for Families
Play a game of “Who knows me best?”
Choose one person in the family to answer the questions below.
Everyone else guesses that person’s answers. They score a point when their answer matches the right answer.
- What’s my favorite color?
- What’s my favorite food?
- What do I want to be (did I want to be) when I grow up?
- If I could bring a famous person back to life and meet him or her, who would it be?
- What’s something that makes me especially happy?
- When I’m feeling sad, what cheers me up?
The person who guesses the most answers correctly wins.
What God says is who he is
One of the most important things in the world is knowing God. Not just about him, but knowing him like we know those in our family.
One way we can know God is through what he says. Everything God tells us to do is because of who He is. That’s where God’s design for families starts.
- God says “don’t lie” because He is TRUTH (John 14:6).
- God says “don’t murder” because He is LIFE (John 10:10).
- God says “don’t commit adultery” (that just means don’t break your marriage promise) because He is FAITHFUL. He always keeps his promises (Psalm 36:5).
God’s commands aren’t just rules he makes up;
they’re expressions of who he is.
Your turn to try!
What do these commands say about God? Look up the verses if you need help.
- God says “don’t steal,” not just because stealing isn’t nice but because He is a g_______ of good things (Matt 7:11) .
- God says “Defend the weak and those who are poor,” not just because it’s good to be fair but because He is j______ (Deut. 32:4).
- God says “be kind and show compassion,” not just because that would be helpful but because He is m_________ (Micah 7:3).
The reason something is “right” is because God is like that.
Josh McDowell
God’s design for families: #1 Created in his image
The same thing is true when it comes to people. People are made the way they are because “God is like that.”
Human beings are made in the image of God.
What that doesn’t mean – It doesn’t mean we are like mini-gods. It doesn’t mean that if we’re really, really good we can eventually become a god. People are created in the image of God; that’s not the same as being God.
What that does mean – People are different from anything else. You’re not like an elephant, a blue jay, a dolphin. Animals can’t show others what God is like. Only people are made in the image of God.
So what does that have to do with family and family relationships? That’s up in PART 2.
Point to Ponder: Besides what’s above, what else is God like? Who’s someone you know who does a good job of showing you what God is like?
2020 © Carol Garborg
Carol- this is a great series to do and I will be passing this on to my kids and they in turn to the grandkids. All of these concepts are not only important for our kids/ grandkids to know, but they are vital to helping our next generation to not only understand but keep their faith!
Hi Lynne! I totally agree. When kids (and us parents too) understand their faith better, it goes a long way toward keeping it close.