Encourage One Another Often POWERSOURCE

January 2020 Encourage One Another Often A recent New Year’s trend involves up others, you too will be uplifted. As choosing one word as a theme or Proverbs 11:25 (NASB) says, “He who focus for the next 12 months. For waters will himself be watered.” POWERSOURCE parents, a great word to choose— ASK JESUS: and remember regularly—is Encouragers follow Jesus’ example of “encourage.” service, humility, and generosity. Like 1. To remind you to frequently Barnabas—a member of the early encourage family members. At times, it seems as if the parental Christian community whose name job description involves being means “son of encouragement” (see 2. To bless you through the Bible, children’s #1 fan, but true Acts 4:36)—you can serve God by prayer, worship, and fellowship. encouragement goes much deeper selflessly encouraging others. than cheerleading. Genuine 3. To provide people in your life messages of love and support Parents need as much support and who serve as encouragers, nurture a child’s sense of safety and encouragement as they can get, too. especially during tough times. well-being. Godly affirmations also Seek out other Christian parents so build self-worth—one based not on you can give and receive assistance, individual merit but on the fact that share insights and ideas, and pray for our heavenly Father created and one another. loves us. Read on to learn more about the Being an encourager also comes importance of encouragement—and with fantastic “perks.” When you lift how to live it out in your family. An Encouragement Primer Encouragement is vital and powerful yet amazingly simple. Look kids in the eyes and talk to them on their level. Reach out and touch them gently. Call children by name lovingly—not just when they’re in trouble! Listen carefully and be willing to learn. Accentuate the positive. Be generous with praise. Compliment frequently, sincerely, and in public. Show interest in children’s hobbies. Give credit where credit is due. Give age-appropriate challenges. Ask, “How can I help?” Also work on your own self-worth; you can’t love and encourage others if you feel unloved, unlovable, or discouraged. Fill ’er Up! Decorate a glass jar Barnabas offer? What made him and place it in a special spot in such a good encourager? What your home. Cut patterned papers types of encouragement do you into strips, giving family members need most? In what ways can you their own pattern. Starting January encourage other people?” 1, fill the jar with love notes, Bible TEACHABLE verses, quotes, and affirmations for God Uses You! Encourage family each person. On Valentine’s Day, members by reminding them that MOMENTS read the notes as a family. Carry God chooses and works through on the tradition at regular intervals A Burst of Encouragement them. Say: “In the Bible, God all year long to keep everyone’s chooses ordinary people for “encouragement tanks” topped off. special tasks. David, a shepherd You’ll need a roll of yellow or orange boy, defeated the giant Goliath crepe-paper streamers and a bright “Acts” of Encouragement and later became king. Mary, a inflated balloon. Stand in a circle and Beforehand, brainstorm situations teenage girl, became baby Jesus’ wrap the streamer around one hand, where kids and adults might need mother. Let’s see how God makes then pass the roll to someone across encouragement (for example, these choices.” Read aloud 1 the circle, and offer encouraging words taking a test, feeling sick, being Samuel 16:7. Ask: “What do you (for example, “You’re great at helping new to a class or job). Write each think God cares about? Why do with housework” or “You’re always one on a slip of paper. Then play you think God works through honest with me”). Continue until Encouragement Charades. The average, ordinary people? How everyone has several turns. person who picks a slip acts out does that encourage you to listen that situation. The first person to to and serve God?” Then say: Wow, we’ve created a guess it then acts out a way to offer sunburst! Now let’s very gently use encouragement. (Speaking is That’s Encouraging! Say: “Family our sunburst to toss a sun in the air. allowed for that part!) members are special encouragers Add the balloon to the center and play to one another, as we see in the a while, picking up the “sun” as needed. Be a Barnabas Form pairs. Give Bible. When Mary hears she’s each pair a book. Have one partner going to have baby Jesus, she Afterward, ask: How is keeping the walk across a room and back with visits her cousin Elizabeth.” Read balloon in the air like trying to stay a book balanced on their head. aloud Luke 1:39-45. Ask: “How encouraged? When is it easy—and Have the other partner walk along might Elizabeth have made Mary tough—to feel encouraged? How can and offer encouragement. Then feel? What is it like when someone kind words lift us up? In what ways change roles. Afterward, ask: “How encourages you? What kinds of does God support and cheer us? did it feel to have someone there encouragement can we give each all the time encouraging you?” other?” Pray, asking God for help Read aloud Proverbs 12:25. Then close Read aloud Acts 11:22-24. Ask: to encourage one another— in prayer, thanking God for the gift of “What types of encouragement did especially family members. kind, encouraging words. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” —1 Thessalonians 5:11 MEDIA MADNESS CULTURE MOVIE & TRENDS MUSIC Title: Dolittle Smarty Pants Though the year 2020 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family Title: Citizen of Heaven hasn’t brought us flying cars (yet), Rating: Not yet rated Artist: Tauren Wells parents now have smart diapers! Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Emma Synopsis: In his second album, this The Lumi line from Pampers sends Thompson, John Cena, Selena Gomez breakout Christian pop artist offers a smartphone alerts when diapers Synopsis: In Victorian England, an dynamic mix of worship songs. His need changing. Other upcoming eccentric, widowed veterinarian prefers debut album, Hills and Valleys, landed “connected” baby products include the company of animal friends—with him four Dove Awards, including New sleep-tracking onesies and robotic whom he can talk. But when the queen Artist of the Year. Before going solo in rocking cribs. (cnn.com) gets sick, Dr. Dolittle must summon up 2015, Wells fronted the band Royal bravery and sail to a mysterious island Tailor and led worship at church. Safety Patrol Elementary students to find a cure. Collaborators on Citizen of Heaven are leading the way with pedestrian Our Take: This film is a feast for the include Kirk Franklin and Rascal Flatts. safety. Schoolkids across America eyes, with stunning scenery, historic Our Take: On ballads as well as have lobbied for new 3D crosswalks settings, and lifelike animals. It will lead upbeat tunes, Wells is a master of that capture drivers’ attention via to discussions about God’s wonderful catchy and inspiring lyrics. The new optical illusion. They’re also called world and the vast range of creatures single “Close” describes encountering Iceland Crosswalks, for where they he made. The movie shows the God and listening to his voice, while originated. (various sources) benefits of venturing outside your “Miracle” offers thanks to God for comfort zone, but scenes of peril may “every mountain that you move” and be too intense for some children. “what I’ve seen with my own eyes.” QUICK STATS Screen Savers Since 1997, screen Games, Podcasts & Apps time for kids age 2 and under has Guess in 10 Kids Corner: Terrene Disney+ more than doubled—despite In this series of card Episodes This much-hyped new warnings against any screen time for those 18 months and younger. games from Skillmatics, In this ReFrame Media streaming service offers Another study shows that parents players can ask 10 series, “Liz” and his loads of content for just who read to kids from tablets have questions to get hints reptilian middle-school $6.99 a month. Material less social interaction with them about a certain animal, friends have adventures ranges from animated compared to those who read from city, sport, or famous and sometimes get into favorites to the “Star print books. (JAMA Pediatrics) person. Educational as trouble. From parents Wars” franchise and well as fun, the games and neighbors, they learn original content such as Addressing Addiction About 5.7 build problem-solving about biblical principles The Mandalorian. Kids million U.S. children under age 11 and communication and faith-based decision- can set up their own live with a parent who’s battling skills. Each pack costs making. Other “Kids profiles, but some users substance abuse. That’s one reason about $14. Best for Corner” programs tell warn that parental Sesame Street recently added Karli, ages 6 and up. Bible stories. controls are lacking. a 6-year-old Muppet whose mom is an addict. (SesameWorkshop.org) This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, read, listen to, and play. .

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