One on One

Activities to help nurture faith.

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The first step in obedience is hearing — really hearing, understanding, and absorbing — what it is that we are supposed to do. Many of God’s commands in Scripture begin with the words “Hear, O Israel” (Deuteronomy 5:1, 6:4, and 9:1). Take some time this month to have either a family gathering or a one-on-one meeting with each of your children, and talk about what each of you is hearing from God right now, or thinks you would be hearing from Him if you were listening. Also tell your children what you want them to hear from you — at a separate time from disciplining for individual infractions — explain to them what some of the overall issues are that your family needs to overcome in order to grow in Christlike behavior. Discuss how obeying in the small matters will lead to great advances in our discipleship and spiritual gain in virtue. It could be as simple as saying, “We’re all becoming far more absorbed in the Internet than we are in each other. We need to remember that people, especially our family, are more important than mere technological devices. This is part of loving our neighbor as ourselves. So, when I ask you to get off the computer and come be with the rest of us from now on, you need to do it immediately, without making excuses.” Having heard and understood what is expected of them, children will be more likely to obey immediately.

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