I feel a very heavy responsibility to teach my children to know God. It’s more than just teaching them about God, more than just memorizing Scriptures to recite, more than going to church on the Sabbath. I want my children to know God, to have a personal relationship with Him. I cannot imagine living for eternity in God’s Kingdom without my children. But like anything worth having in this life, it is a goal that requires diligence and perseverance.

Thank goodness, God gave us the method to follow if we want our children to have a relationship with Him. It’s Deuteronomy 6:7: "Impress [God’s commandments] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

That’s what The Power of Teachable Moments is all about—everyday experiences which are natural springboards into discussions about God, how He would desire we conduct ourselves, and our responsibilities as a family of believers. Nothing in the book is earth-shattering. There’s no quick fix, no easy shortcut. You probably already know your children are going to need constant instruction. This book will aid that process in several ways:

• It encourages you to see the teachable moments. In our busy lives, it is all too easy to tell the children to go and play while you get something important done. It’s more convenient to have them out from underfoot while you’re trying to get supper on the table. There’s less stress if they are playing in their rooms or watching cartoons while you clean up the house. But not involving your children in the day-to-day routine eliminates the minute opportunities for casual discussions that can have eternal consequences.
  
• The book gives many examples of what has happened in the authors’ homes, as well as other antidotes they’ve gathered to make their points. Some of them you could never see yourself doing—such as purchasing a cow tongue—to place in your child’s hand to emphasize the power of the strongest muscle in the body, the tongue. Still, the examples prime the pump to get your creative juices flowing as you think of ways you might express a truth of God to your child. These object lessons are invaluable! Talking, by itself, has nowhere near the same impact as seeing and hearing and feeling all at the same time.
  
• The authors give some reminders of how best to teach. For instance, questions are better than answers. Asking questions of your children engages their thinking processes and is much more productive. The book includes general questions that are good conversation starters; i.e., "What was special about this school day that was different from all the others?" Also, they have 112 spiritual truths, broken down into developmental age groups, in the age-appropriate terminology. For example, for ages 0-4, a child should be able to grasp "God exists." By ages 5-6, children can grasp "God is everywhere, He can do anything, and He knows everything." These truths are enumerated in increasingly more complex language and extend through age 18. Of course, these are only guidelines. They are not set in stone for each child individually, nor are they intended to be an exhaustive list. Nevertheless, they are good stepping stones for concept development.

There are many nuggets in this book. Some of the life experiences they describe help enormously; the reader easily identifies with the situations. Some of their points resonate deeply. This one did: "Many ‘churched’ kids walk away from biblical truths because, while they know all the stories, they have not ‘discovered’ life-changing truth." We want to help our children know God, not just in their heads, but in their hearts.

Our children are growing up so quickly! We have a limited time, a limited window of opportunity, to show them who God really is. Make a special effort today to reach your children. And, then, look for opportunities again tomorrow. The Power of Teachable Moments is by Jim Weidmann and Marianne Hering, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2004 ISBN# 1-58997-120-5.

Prayer should be a conversation with your best friend, because God should be your Best Friend. It is a most precious gift that we often neglect. Prayer has power. Children of all ages should be encouraged to converse regularly with God. They should be taught that God is their Heavenly Father who loves them dearly and wants to hear from them regularly.

Do you remember the first time you heard a child pray? It’s difficult to describe the innocence and simple faith as a child prays out loud. A child may go on almost endlessly thanking God for their toys, mom and dad, their siblings, their pet, the neighbors up and down the street, and many things we take for granted. A child’s ability to remember many details and things for which to thank God puts most adults to shame.

When should a child be taught to pray? Well, from birth. He should not be able to remember a time when he did not see and hear his parents pray. Praying before a meal should be such an established habit that a child wouldn’t think of eating without first bowing her head and thanking God for the food. If you’ve really taught your child the importance of praying, he’s likely to be the one to remind you to pray when you might forget it.

By the time a child is two, you can begin teaching her to fold her hands, close her eyes and say "Amen" at the close of a blessing you ask on the food. He can be taught to say grace before he eats his snack. This can become habit-forming.

Children should be taught from the earliest age that God loves them and that He is their Friend. Friends spend time with each other—they talk to each other. God wants an ongoing relationship with your child, no matter what age. Help children learn to express their gratitude, joys, frustrations, and ask for God’s help. If they have a problem, they should talk it over with God. He can help, no matter what it is.

Children should be taught that they should expect answers, but that God knows best. Sometimes what they ask for is not always what is best for them. God has the power to do anything He would like, but He wants what is good for us, which may not be what we’ve asked for. Children should be taught to trust God to provide what is best for them and answer their prayers accordingly. God never tires of hearing our voices and He never tires of hearing the voice of a child. "And Jesus said, Suffer the little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14).

If you will be teaching or assisting in a YEA Feast Class, you have probably received your packet containing a map of the Boardwalk Convention Center showing where each class will be held. Unfortunately, we were provided the wrong information and these maps are not correct. We will be mailing all Lead Teachers a corrected map showing where each class will be held. Any future new staff members will receive his or her packet with the correct map. All teaching staff will be given new maps at the Orientation Meeting. The following are the classroom numbers: Beginners A - 4121; Beginners B - 4119; Primary A - 4117; Primary B - 4115; Juniors 4113; Intermediates - the same as in your information sheets; Senior Teens - the far east side of the Boardwalk Condos. We plan to sign-post all rooms, and this will be clear when you have the correct map.