Greg Johnson - 101 Family Meal-Time Devotions

2015 by Back to the Bible.

Print ISBN 978-1-63058-377-4

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63409-619-5
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-63409-620-1

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Scripture are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The author is represented by and this book is published in association with the literary agency of WordServe Literary Group, Ltd., www.wordserveliterary.com.

Published by go Tandem, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

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We all know that time is a nonrenewable resource. Once its gone, we cant retrieve it. Though it may seem like time nearly stops with small children, it actually goes way too fast. Before you know it, theyre teenagers, and soontheyre off to college.

What time gives your family is a series of moments. Five minutes here, ten minutes there. Then when youre fortunate enough to get a day or week together, your family can really start to form a bond that will last a lifetime. Our enemy, of course, is the busy lifestyle we throw ourselves into. We plan things we think are good, but they dont really serve to teach needed lessons or form relational bonds; sometimes they actually end up separating us from each other.

Raising my boys, I was aware that time slipped away at a dizzying pace. I knew that before I blinked theyd be off living their own adventure called life.

And so it has come to be.

Amid our own busyness, I confess I wasnt very good at getting everyone together for family devotions. I tried to blame it on our hectic schedule and the fact that a family time around the Bible or even a brief discussion of Christian values was never modeled for me. But even with these built-in excuses, I still knew I should have been doing something.

For some reason, no family devotional books or Bibles ever caught my eye. What I need, I thought, is something quick I can do during the dinner hour a few nights a week that will get us talking. So I wrote these 101 what if situations.

Since I was usually the first to finish eating, Id read a chapter while everyone else was taking their last bites. I sometimes even used these short readings in the morning before school or later in the evening around bedtime. We usually read about three or four a week.

What I wanted most was a way to redeem the time. I was always fairly good at spotting teachable moments, and during those all-important grade school years, I was a pretty consistent model. But doing something intentionally spiritual, especially while the boys were in grade school, was difficult. This book was a good tool. It allowed my children to use their imaginations. As you go through this book with your family, I think it will help your children use theirs as well.

This book will work best if you adjust the names and genders as you read. That way, youll be able to personalize the devotionals for your family.

Do you have all boys (like me)? Then alter the story while you read it so it fits them.

Do you have all girls? Then do the same.

Do you have one or more of each? Well, then you have your choice: target the situation to the child to whom it best applies, or add the necessary pronouns so youre reading for both boys and girls.

Do you have older kids who will be at the table? Then include them when its time to debrief the situation. Use their words and experience to help teach your grade-schooler.

If you have younger children, allow the words spoken to soak into their young minds. After the lesson, let them ask questions if they still dont follow whats going on.

Your goal is to read each what if situation in such a way that grade-schoolers really believe its about them. Honest responses are the key, so their answers should never be judged or criticized. Let the questions help them to thinkand then let the scripture passages seal the point. Above all, avoid preaching. The grade school years are a good time to convince your children you can listen to and accept what they say. (This skill will definitely come in handy later on.)

About every fifth reading is for the parent, and it will be your turn to answer the what if situation. If one doesnt exactly apply, dont let that stop you from using your imagination. Oh yes, let your grade-schoolers read the what if situation to you. Theyll have fun, itll break up the routine, and it will give you a great chance to model honesty for them!

Ive tried to keep them simple, but each child is different. If your child cant clue in to the question, rephrase it or go on to the next. Remember, the goal isnt just to get the right answer; its to get an honest answer.

As youll notice, each lesson finishes with Bible verses that relate to the what if situation. I have deliberately left off any questions to add to the discussion. Does that mean you shouldnt ask any? No, not at all. If you have extra time and can ask questions about the verses that your children can answer, go ahead and dig a little deeper.

One last thing: find a bookmark to use so you dont lose your place. Have fun!

Three doors down from our house a new family moves in. As they unload the big yellow moving truck, you see them haul a swing set into their backyard and a boys bike into the garage. What does that mean?

Thats right, they have a kidprobably one your age.

Though you already have neighborhood friends to play withand its not easy making friends with new peopleyou decide to give it a try. How do you feel about doing that?

On Saturday, you get up at your normal nine thirty, ask Dad if hell make pancakes (with chocolate chips, of course), then walk down to the new house. How are you feeling as you approach the door?

You knock, and the new kid answers the door. After you introduce yourselves, he asks you to come in and see his video game library. As he walks down the hallway, you notice he limps. Plus, his left foot is a little curved in.

Though the kid seems normal in every other way, his walk obviously isnt.