Family Faith and Fun Fridays: Planting God's Dream

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

Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays. 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 out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you’ve got thoughts to add or suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, please don’t hesitate to comment. Enjoy!

The Oak Inside the Acorn

After reading Max Lucado’s The Oak Inside the Acorn (see yesterday’s post), I wanted to share the simple truth of that story with my own children: There is an amazing world-changer inside of you! You may be small now, but God has BIG plans for you, little acorns!

In preparation for our simple lesson, I gathered a variety of “tree seeds” that are falling to the ground this time of year– acorns, hickory nuts, berries, pinecones, and cranapples. I spread the items on our coffee table and asked the kids to study the pieces of nature. After identifying each item, the kids guessed what that “seed” would grow to be if it were planted in the ground and allowed to grow and thrive. My youngest ones were amazed to discover that the little acorn would one day be an oak tree like the one that holds their tree swing in the backyard, the cranapple would grow into an apple tree, and the berries would become wide green bushes like our decorative shrubs out front.

I held up the acorn and said, “Can you believe that everything this nut needs to become a tall and mighty Oak tree is already packed inside of this little acorn? That’s just how God made it!” I continued, “Did you know you’re like this acorn?” Heads shake. The girls giggle. “You may seem kind of small right now, but God has BIG dreams for you. In fact, everything you need to become the mighty person God has made you to be is already tucked inside of your heart. Every thing you need to achieve the dreams God has dreamed for you is tucked inside of your soul. You just have to let God grow you into the amazing masterpiece He’s planned you to be!”

We prayed. We dreamed about what kind of great things each child might do for God some day. We rejoiced in the great things each child is doing already. And together, we read Ephesians 2:10 and thanked God for dreaming big dreams for us long before we could even speak His name.

Why not gather a few “tree droppings” this weekend and share this simple truth with your children as well? We Mama Oaks have the privilege of growing great expectations in the hearts of our little acorns because we serve a GREAT and MIGHTY God!

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Ephesians 2:10

Family Faith and Fun Fridays: Planting God’s Dream

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