Family Faith and Fun Fridays: Choosing to See
Thanks to all the readers who left comments this week! I wish I could send each one of you a copy of MOPS International’s new devotional, Always There. But this week, Darath and Nacole are the lucky winners of an early Mother’s Day gift! I can’t wait to package up your new book and send it your way! (Could you email me at rbruxvoort@iowatelecom.net and let me know the address you’d like me to use so your package arrives safely). I’m praying that this sweet book will continue to open your eyes to the Savior seated right at your kitchen table!
And now, for a bit of Faith-And-Family-Fun…
For the word of God is alive and powerful.
It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit,
between joint and marrow.
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
-Hebrews 4:12
If you stop by here often you know that as the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows from something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. It seems fitting that today I led Lizzy’s Bible study gang in an exploration of the simple truth we’ve been talking about all week here at the Overflow–Jesus is ALWAYS with us. Perhaps you’ll want to invite your own gang to explore the same truth in your home this weekend.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit,
between joint and marrow.
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
-Hebrews 4:12
If you stop by here often you know that as the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows from something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. It seems fitting that today I led Lizzy’s Bible study gang in an exploration of the simple truth we’ve been talking about all week here at the Overflow–Jesus is ALWAYS with us. Perhaps you’ll want to invite your own gang to explore the same truth in your home this weekend.
Choosing to See
We had a blast considering Luke’s account (Luke 24:14-34) of Jesus’ little walk to Emmaus on resurrection day.
The girls laughed out loud with me when we read what those downcast followers of Christ said to the freshly-risen Lord, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” (Jesus) asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel… (Luke 24:18-21)
Of all the tales of Christ’s post-resurrection encounters this one is my favorite. Perhaps it’s because I see myself in the two downtrodden buddies who were trudging out of Jerusalem after a whirlwind weekend of disappointment and despair. They had watched as the One they’d hoped would would save them had died on the cross. And they didn’t know what to do with the crazy reports of the empty tomb.
It’s easy to laugh at these doubters as Jesus strides along that Emmaus road beside them. But before I point a finger at their foolishness, I’m wise to remember my own tendency to grumble and doubt when I can’t figure out what God is doing.
Once we got over our giggles, the girls and I pondered these questions…
*Have you ever felt like God disappointed you because He didn’t do what you had hoped?
*Why is it tough to see Jesus when we are feeling downcast and/or confused?
*Who or what helps you to recognize Jesus in your life when He seems absent?
*How did Jesus respond to the traveler’s despair? (He delivered HOPE through the Word!)
*By what name does John introduce Jesus to his readers in John 1:1-5 and 1:14? (Think about it: on the road to Emmaus, THE WORD made flesh was explaining THE WORD of God! I wish I’d been there!)
*What did the men experience when Jesus explained the scriptures to them? (They expressed this after Jesus had disappeared).
*How can the Word help us to see Jesus more clearly? Or at least give us HOPE that HE is at work even when we don’t know what He’s up to?
When we’d wrapped up our discussion, I gave each of the girls a seemingly blank piece of paper. However, on each piece of paper, I’d actually written a verse in invisible ink. I chose four verses that said the same thing over hundreds of centuries. The consistency of the Word of God from the beginning of scripture to the end is powerful and convicting!
Here are the four verses I used…
Deuteronomy.7:21
Here are the four verses I used…
Deuteronomy.7:21
Joshua 1:5
Hebrews 13:5
John 14:18
To create an invisible message, I used a Crayola Secret Writer pen, but you can also make your own invisible ink using this simple recipe from kidzworld:
Mix about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of baking soda and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water. Next, write using a Q-tip, toothpick or brush on a piece of paper. Let it dry completely. To read the secret message, paint grape juice concentrate across the paper with a paint brush or a sponge. Don’t forget – grape juice stains.
(Why it works: Grape juice has an acid that reacts with the baking soda. A different color appears wherever the secret message is written.)
The four verses represented our own little “Emmaus Road Lesson.” Each verse echoed the same truth spoken over the course of centuries- from the days of Moses to the days of the Apostle Paul: I will never abandon you! I am with you!
When I handed the girls the paper that contained the invisible verses, I asked: “What do you see on this paper?”
They all studied the front and back of each piece carefully, and then replied, “Nothing.”
“So, does that mean there is nothing there?” I re-iterated.
They looked at me like I might be hard of hearing and then said a bit more loudly, “There’s nothing on this paper!”
With a grin, I handed each girl a decoder marker and I asked her to color over the whole piece of paper. (Here’s where you would paint on the grape juice if you’re trying the homemade version)
They gasped as words began to appear where there had seemed to be nothing.
We looked up each verse and then discussed how the decoder pen (grape juice) was like God’s truth in times of confusion. God’s Word reveals the Word made Flesh and reminds us that Jesus is right beside us even when don’t recognize that He’s there.
When we find ourselves on our own “Emmaus roads”– those times when we can’t seem to spot Jesus in our circumstances, the best way to open the eyes of our heart (Ephesians 1:18) is to open the Word and cling to its promises.
Before the girls left, I gave them each a pair of paper glasses as a reminder to LOOK in the Word when you’re looking for Jesus. Here’s a template for making your own crazy pair of eye ware, too!
May you SEE HIM CLEARLY
no matter what road you’re traveling this weekend!
no matter what road you’re traveling this weekend!
Those girls are so lucky to have you as their mentor…i wish Brooke was able to soak in all your love!
You are amazing! Love this!
What a creative learning exercise, can’t wait to try that.