Advent literally means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. Today the season of Advent (including 4 Sundays) leading up to Christmas is a time when the church reflects on the long-awaited, planned out, and thought through arrival of Jesus.

This season lends itself to an opportunity to connect spiritually as a family as well as to spend some time in God’s word. The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle. Grace Life has put together some Advent reflections. Each week we hope you find something for everyone! There is no pressure to do it all or any of it but simply to use it as it helps. There are scripture readings, devotional questions, music and movies suggestions for all ages, a mission opportunity, an advent experience, and a suggestion to share on social media. Our heart through these Advent pages is to offer some options that may help our families be reminded and our minds be renewed on the Person of Christmas.

As we read the stories this Advent season, we remember what God did to win us back and celebrate that Christ has come! It is finished! The work of the cross has been done! And we have been made new! We can experience all of Christ today.

We hope you enjoy this season of Advent as we remember the work that God has done and continues to do in and through us today. May this be a resource for you to share your faith and connect spiritually with your family and friends.

Here is a fun Advent Trivia Fact:

Did you know the Advent Wreath tells a story? The wreath is a circle that reminds us God is eternal. The wreath is green which reminds us of our hope in Christ. It has candles in it, and when lit reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Note: If a daily scripture reading is something you would enjoy this holiday season, The Jesus Storybook Bible has exactly 25 stories from creation to the birth of Christ. It is a great read for kids or adults.

Bible Recommendations:

All of these bibles may be purchased at the bookstore at GLF

-Families with children 2yrs of age – 3^rdgraders: The Jesus Storybook Bible

-Families with children 4^th-8^thgrade: NIV Adventure Bible

-Families with teens: new NIV or ESV Teen Study Bible

-Adults: NASB or ESV

Merry Christmas. Advent Week 1 is NOW!

Click HERE  to download a printable version of Advent Week One.

November. The month of everything pumpkin, dipping temperatures, and a whole lot of THANKFULNESS. It is such a great time of year in so many ways! Even though we recognize we have things we are grateful for throughout the year, the month just brings about a larger emphasis on reflecting and expressing our gratitude. We think there is a whole lot of good that comes from slowing down and intentionally taking time to be thankful. Although this could be all about stopping and thinking about all the wonderful things in our lives, our hearts are feeling something slightly different. In the last couple of weeks, we have had countless conversations, texts, emails, and phone calls from people that are hurting, struggling, and walking through incredibly hard things. Granted we know that being a therapist (Kyndal) and a family ministries director (Emily), that this comes with the territory. As we are thinking about Thanksgiving we can’t also help but think about how hard it can be to experience the holidays when life is currently really tough.

It feels WAY more natural to be thankful when things are going well. Sometimes it can be a little painful, challenging, and even frustrating when the waves are crashing down. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Although we know it’s true, that hits hard sometimes when things aren’t looking quite how we hoped. It is especially in those moments where we have to remind ourselves, let others remind us, and fix our eyes on who God is; His character. He is love. He is powerful. Faithful. All knowing and sovereign. He is for you and has not abandoned you. This rings true 365, every year. We have said it with a smile and we have said it through tears and frustration. He is our hope.

Our kids experience painful life moments too. Being thankful in the tough moments of life is hard for them as well. As parents, when we lean into Jesus in the hard moments and see His goodness, our kids are able to see what it looks like to depend on Jesus. Our moments of thankfulness in trials encourage our kids to walk in this way as well.

We encourage you this week to find an opportunity to share with your children a time you saw Jesus in a season of trial and what you were thankful for in the midst of it. Allowing our kids these glimpses into our own struggle and redemption story builds trust.

May we all fix our eyes on Christ and trust that He is the bread of life, and we shall never be hungry or thirsty again (John 6:35). I know that God is so faithful and will express His love to you and through you. You are the perfect and chosen expression of the bread of life to your family!

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Kyndal Jacoby and Emily Soule

Here are a few quality items that you may want to consider adding to your kids’ Easter Basket AND the great news is you can buy them all online! We are not receiving any form of payment for recommending these. Scroll down to find your child’s age group. We just really like them and thought you might too…

Kids ages 6-8

• Kids Read Romans: by Kids Read Truth – take a trip through the book of Romans with Mr. Mosse and his students. Your six – week adventure will include a different Bible verse to read each day, plus a fun activity, coloring page or puzzle to go with it. At the end of each week, you’ll uncover a new step on the Romans Road, where you’ll learn about Jesus and play with fun sticker versions of new animal friends.
• ABC Bible Flashcards: Use the flashcards to hide God’s word in your heart! Practice memorizing the verses on the back, then hold up the letter side and quiz yourself or your family to see who remembers the verse for that letter.
• Indescribable:100 devotions about God and Science. It’s impossible to out-imagine God. He orchestrates time, creates light, and speaks things into existence—from the largest stars to the smallest starfish. God is a powerful, purposeful, personal, unparalleled Creator.
• The Jesus Storybook Coloring Book: Filled with inspiring content that has made The Jesus Storybook Bible one of the most beloved children’s Bibles ever created, this book of beautiful, award-winning illustrations from Jago is ready to be colored in any way a child can imagine.
• New Covenant Kids Book Collection: This bundle contains Grace Life Teaching Pastor, Frank Friedmann’s three kids books, including Who Am I?, and If I’m Right, Why Do I Keep Doing Wrong, as well as I Was Wrong, But God Made Me Right! Through these books, children can learn about their identity in Christ, being plugged into Jesus, and what it means to have Christ live in you!

Kids ages 9-12

• Together, a journal for mom and me: Together, a Journal for Mom and Me: A Guided Experience Connecting Moms and Kids to God and Each Other provides an inviting place for moms and kids to talk about both important and everyday stuff. Whether it’s favorite vacations or Bible verses, this unique journal gives families space to learn about each other and presents opportunities for growth in relationship with God together.
• NIrV Adventure Bible: The NIrV Adventure Bible® will get kids excited about reading the Scriptures! Kids will be captivated with the full-color features that make reading the Bible and memorizing their favorite verses engaging and fun. Along the way they will meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of things about the Bible. It comes in faux leather blue and pink, and hardback.

Teens ages 13 – 18

• A Journaling or Illustrating Bible: There are lots of great ones out there. Some considered more girly and some more manly. We recommend ESV, NKJV, or NIrV versions. These Bibles give more margin space for writing or word art.

• Life According to Perfect: Come join a story too great to imagine, but a story that’s surprisingly yours. Terrific stories have been written about following and meeting with Jesus. They happen on a high place or in a magical land. But what if the meeting didn’t happen in a distant or magical place, somewhere you had to go? What if it occurred inside of you—every day, at any moment—and you were God’s happiest, most magical place to be? Meet Elliot Samuelson. He’s 12 and lives in the little town of Sarx. He has already learned to cope. He copes with his dad’s expectations. He copes with his mom’s need for a sparkling family image. He copes with his teacher’s rules. He copes with the bully’s threats. He’s a coper.  In fact, everyone in Sarx has from a young age learned how to cope—and that’s the problem. They all know how to cope. But no one knows how to truly live, until Elliot meets a stranger on the edge of town, who shows him a better way. A Perfect way. And Elliot’s life, and the town’s, are never the same. Yours won’t be, either.

• MONEY – They ALL want money in their Easter baskets!

Young Adults: 19 – 25-year-olds

• Trust for Today: 365 Days of Encouragement. Trust is vital in our families, communities, businesses, churches, and daily life, yet many of us struggle with trusting other people and even God Himself. We may have been hurt or had our trust broken in a key area, so we choose to try to do life by ourselves. We may not understand what trust really looks like in our everyday lives. Yet trust is what frees us to enjoy the life God has intended for us.
• Unashamed: FOR GIRLS Take a fresh look at dating for a new generation of young women. This conversation will encourage you as Tracy Levinson shares grace infused insight, wisdom, laughter and liberating truth. unashamed is for young women, and people in their lives who adore them. This list includes moms, dads, brothers, grandparents, boyfriends, and church leaders. Tracy Levinson candidly explores pivotal questions asked by this millennial generation. 
• MONEY – They ALL want money in their Easter baskets!

It is obvious our children are not oblivious to the change and news buzzing around them pertaining to COVID-19. When hard, uncertain, and uncharted territories come our way we can sometimes suddenly feel ill equipped or unsure of how to discuss these topics with our kids. Our children (well, heck really any of us) can tend to worry and fear more when they are kept in the dark. Fear is a dark, lonely, and cruddy companion where lies come to reside. Scripture countlessly reminds us that there is great freedom in truth. As the weeks go on and things are disrupted for longer, we are likely to get more and more questions. So how do we as parents navigate being honest with our kids without overwhelming them with the weight of the coronavirus?

• PREPARE YOUR MIND: I encourage you to first start with examining your own thoughts and feelings about the current state of our world near and far. Take some time to talk and process for yourself so that you are better prepared mentally and emotionally to be present for your child. It is certainly okay to be struggling ourselves and when we are aware of our own feelings and fears we can model dependence on Christ for our children. 

• LISTEN, VALIDATE, and RESPOND: Hear your kid out. Start by asking them how they are feeling about what they are hearing or about the changes in their daily life. Validate their thoughts and feelings in order for them to continue to feel safe to share. Respond in truth and love.

• AGE APPROPRIATE: Obviously conversations will look different with a 6-year-old and 16-year-old. You know your kid best and how their brain is wired. It’s great to start with questions to see where their thinking is and what they are specifically worried about. Kids are ego-centric. They are going to be most concerned about themselves getting sick or someone close to them (i.e. parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.). Ask what they have heard, what they are thinking, and what they are feeling. It is better to stick to answering what they ask (age appropriately) and see if your answer suffices. 

• PERSPECTIVE: How we look at our circumstances will greatly shape our experience of it. Help your child pull out the things in their own lives that they can see as good in this. What have they enjoyed about this change in pace, schedule, etc.? Have they seen people doing kind things or supportive things for others in this hard season? In no way does this erase or lessen the realness of this pandemic, but it can help us remember God’s character and love for us. It’s beauty from ashes. 

• POINT THEM TO JESUS: We don’t have to have all the answers, but we can teach them how to trust the One who does have all the answers. You can take a look at different bible stories where people went through very hard, scary, or uncertain circumstances and help them see God’s love and faithfulness in and through it. It is not God’s goal this side of heaven to eliminate struggle. He desires for us to depend on Him in the struggle. This is a great opportunity for our children of all ages to see and hear how we are actively trusting God with our thoughts and feelings in this uncertainty. 

• KEEP AN OPEN DIALOGUE: What our kids need most is assurance and security. Let them know they are always free to ask questions and to share their thoughts and feelings. Continue to periodically check in with your kid on the things you talked about.

I know we would all like to exist in a place where illness, uncertainty, and death were not a reality. This side of heaven, the only way to experience true freedom from our fears is to put our faith and trust in The One Who conquered fear. Our God is a living God and He is powerful God. His love, power, and truth have risen and set the sun, parted the Red Sea, conquered Goliath with a boy and a stone, and broke down walls (literally and figuratively). That same God is with you and speaking through you as you are having hard conversations with your child. You are fully equipped! There is hope because He is the same God yesterday, today, and for every tomorrow.

To all my new homeschooling friends, WELCOME!  Take a deep breath, it’s going to be okay.  First and foremost, remember God specifically designed your children for you.  You know them better than anyone else.  You have been loving, caring, and providing for your child since birth. 

I’ve been homeschooling for about 10 years and I know this journey well and you are not alone.  Reach out to your homeschooling friends and ask for advice and support.  I promise you they will come to your rescue because even though we have chosen to homeschool we know we can’t do it without a community of our peers by our side.  We don’t have all the answers, but we can encourage and pray with you.   

Here are a few of my tips to help you

–       Lean on God each day to use the patience and peace He has given you to lead your children well

–       Laugh.  A LOT.

–       Keep perspective and look at what you have accomplished over the week not just that day

–       You don’t need desks, do school at the kitchen table, outside, on the couch, upside down.

–       Play outside!

–       Establish a basic routine not a minute by minute routine (ex. wake up time, breakfast, school, lunch, unfinished school)

–       Your kids can entertain themselves – have books, art supplies, footballs, and toys readily available for their use

–       Help your child with a routine and staying on track but ultimately they need to be responsible for their schoolwork.

–       Utilize your new school uniform, pajamas!

–       Break your routine sometimes BECAUSE YOU CAN- watch a movie, go out for ice cream, walk around the block – enjoy this new freedom.

You will find homeschooling is as much a lifestyle choice as an educational model. Use this new time together to deepen your relationship with your children.  Even on the days I want to put my kids on the bus, I remember that God has gifted me this opportunity to pour truth and love into their developing hearts.  At this end of this disruption, your biggest success will be pointing them to Jesus.

The cartoon above is outdated…I know…but you get the point. Teenagers know more than we think they do and they are getting information from people and places that are NOT us.

Sometimes, talking with teens about sex can be awkward! The questions below are designed to be conversation starters with your child (ages 11-18). 

These don’t all need to be asked. They don’t all need to be asked in a particular order. Our hope is that these questions will help you begin a conversation with your teen.

BEFORE YOU ASK: Choose the time you throw one of these questions out wisely. You know your kid and when they are the most chatty. Do not act shock or surprise if/ when they share something (even if you feel that way). 

LISTEN! Respond – Do NOT react! Wait, for them to ask you what you think. 

ALWAYS let them know how grateful you are that they shared with you. 

Questions to ask your teen to begin the conversation about sex? 

(Not all BUT many of these questions are taken from The Grown Ups Guide to Teenage Humans by Josh Shipp)

• Besides physical attributes(cuteness, etc.) what other factors or characteriscs are important to you in someone you date right now? 
• When you think about your future husband or wife, what characteriscs do you want them to have?
• Sex is an aspect of some relationships.  What do you think about sex? 
• What is something that confuses you about sex? 
• What do you think are 2 main benefits of sex? 
• What do you think is the difference between healthy sex and unhealthy sex? 
• Where do you think most teenagers learn about sex? 
• Pornography is widely available today. Do you feel that this has a negative impact on your generation in general? Why or why not? 
• I know you love (insert movie), what makes you love it so much? 
• There is a lot of buzz around (insert famous person and what they said or did. EX: recent Super Bowl half time show?) What are your thoughts on that ?

This coming Sunday, I will have the opportunity to speak with our Middle School students at Grace Life about purity. Moreover, sexual purity and what does God say about it? I thought I would share with you a few of my notes for this Sunday. Some of this wording may help you when your teen is ready to hear your thoughts on questions mentioned above. 

• Purity is a gift from God and it cannot be taken away. 
• We are pure because God made us pure. 
• If we believe the 2 statements above, how does that affect our behavior? 
• If we believe the 2 statements above, why does it matter what we do with our hands? What our eyes look at? What words come out of our mouths? 

Sex. The mere mention of the word conjures up feelings that run the full spectrum of our emotional scale. Maybe the only thing more intimidating than the word itself is teaching our kids about it! The Birds and the Bees make it sound so easy and simple but if you are a parent, you know better. Our kids are living in a fast-paced, visual world, and the language, messages, and images about sex today are not veiled in symbolism such as birds and bees, but are in your face, blatant, raw, and shocking! I have had “the talk” with my own kids and am so glad I did…they taught me so much!!! I wanted to believe that in their ignorance, they were innocent but soon realized that in their innocence they were ignorant! That is a recipe for being naïve and susceptible to the lies out there. They had already heard words and seen some things I had hoped they hadn’t but they had been left to their own understanding of it all and needed the truth about it, not so much insulation from it.

How are we to help teach, protect, nurture, and guide our kids as they navigate through the onslaught of social media, images, music, computers, video games, television, culture, and all that is out there in the world, not to mention the onslaught of hormones that are in them? In short, how do we help our kids live pure lives in an impure world? First of all, let me encourage you that the situation is far from hopeless. Listen to these words in Titus:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.” – Titus 2:11-12

Because of God’s grace, we have hope, we are not alone, and we are loved with unquestioned certainty in the midst of uncertain times…and so are our kids! By His doing, we have been made new creations, holy and righteous, we have been given a new heart, desiring exactly what He desires (regardless of how we feel) and we have His indwelling Spirit so that we are never alone or without His power to be able to “do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.” Purity is not something we can achieve, it is the Life of Jesus we have received! We are pure because God made us pure…now the only sensible thing to do is live like who we are. This is the reality that our kids need to know and that we need to know. This is the gospel…the good news that sets us free!