In my study of Timothy and Titus this week I have discovered that within the scriptures are love notes to us from our Heavenly Father. I have always known they are there but I guess while in my study I felt he was telling me he loved me. It made me think about how as a child receiving notes of encouragement and love from those I looked up to were helpful and so meaningful. The love notes in the scriptures are definitely something I want my children and really every child to know. So I sat down and tried to find a way to help children see this. I came up with love notes from Heavenly Father. What you do is find the verses that tell us God loves us, write them down in a note form for your child. I made some for you to help you see how to do it. You are welcome to use mine or come up with your own. I changed the wording so it is more simple for kids and added Dear Son/ Daughter and Love Heavenly Father or Jesus at the end. I made some for boys and different ones for girls. You can download these. Just click on the picture. Try these fun ways to teach Timothy, Titus and Philemon and let me know what you think in the comments. Some Affiliate links provided.
I love this book about how much God loves us and how knowing this can give us the confidence we need to withstand everything that tries to tare us down.
Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together without the picture? What about without all the straight edges? It is really hard! Have you tried to go through life without the scriptures? It's hard. I have tried it believe me you don't want to do this. The scriptures have taught me how to handle problems, to love my neighbor, to honor my parents. So much of what I do and have learned in life is because of the scriptures. It's like a roadmap, compass or better yet instructions. Life is difficult enough without doing it alone.
God has given us instructions. He didn't put us on earth and say good luck! He gave us the scriptures so we could see how he would like us to move forward. So here is your next idea for this week. Timothy received instruction from Paul on how to handle his new calling to lead and teach the people about Christ's church. We have the instruction he was given to use in our lives too. Get a puzzle for your family but don't give them the picture. You can even take the straight edges out ahead of time to make it harder. Now try to put the puzzle together. Let this go on for a while before offering up the instructions (picture, edge pieces) Let them feel the frustration of going at it alone. Then point out how just having the picture gives you a clear path to move forward with. It isn't easy with the picture but it is easier than without. Life is still hard but I wouldn't want to attempt it without my road map to guide me. Here are some puzzles from amazon. Click the picture to find them. Affiliate link provided.
I love the verse 1 Timothy 4:12
...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
I love this verse because it tells us to live what we believe so others can see it. We need to be an example to those around us. It isn't enough to tell them about Jesus Christ, we need to live as He lived. We need to be charitable, loving, full of His spirit, in the way we talk and act.
Do you have someone in your life you look up to? I do. My Grandma Love was that person for me. She was a true example of Christlike love. She taught me to always love one another. That was her biggest message to us as kids. She just needs a little TLC is what she called it. Tender loving care. We all need this. She was always there to help no matter what it was. She was never too old for the task and wouldn't let anyone stop her.
She sent a birthday card to EVERYONE she knew. Always with an uplifting message of how much God loved that person and signed with her most beautiful handwriting. She put love into everything she did.
This is the reason she is the one who tells the stories in my books. If you want to teach the story of Timothy and Titus read my books. See how my Grandma Love teaches how to have the faith of David or standing for truth like Daniel, or tell the truth with the courage of Esther. Grandma Love was an amazing example to me and now she can teach your little ones the way she taught me. Love one another. Live what you believe.