Generated by All in One SEO Pro v4.9.10, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Minno Kids The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids ## Posts ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Perseverance](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-perseverance/) **Published:** January 20, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Parenting - Parent](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04221157/KEKXWF1CQ6mNXGKSywbS-1-1024x578.jpg "Bible Memory Verses About Perseverance - Minno Kids") When it comes to training our children, perseverance is an amazing character trait to teach. And if we’re being honest, the younger we start, the better because learning how to persevere through the hard times isn’t easy (not even for adults). According to [Dictionary.com](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/perseverance), perseverance is defined as “*steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.”* This is a spiritual discipline that we cannot neglect while raising and teaching our children. They are going to come up against disappointment, challenges, and frustrations and we have the amazing privilege of teaching them they can do hard things with God’s help! The Bible has plenty to say about the importance of perseverance. Today we are going to take a look at 5 Bible verses to help teach kids the art of persevering. All of these verses are excellent for [scripture memorization](https://learningtospeaklifebooks.lpages.co/matters-of-the-heart) as a family. # 5 Bible Memory Verses For Kids About Perseverance *Galatians 6:9 (NIV)* *Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.* Galatians 6:9 presents a wonderful opportunity to teach our children about perseverance. This verse gives them hope in knowing that if they continue to do what’s right in the eyes of God, they will reap a harvest for their obedience. *Romans 5:4 (NIV)* *Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.* When training our children under God’s instruction, it is so important that we instill the importance of developing Christ-like character. This verse will help them hold onto the hope that when they are facing difficulties, God is still working things out for their good. It is a constant reminder that when we look at things from a long term perspective, we know that God will show His faithfulness if we let Him. We also know that the hard seasons will eventually pass. *Romans 12:12 (NIV)* *Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.* It is important to remember that this verse is a directive. We have the opportunity to teach our children to obey God’s Word, even in hard times. Romans 12:12 perfectly depicts the character God wants to cultivate in the hearts of His people and teaches our children how good God really is. *James 1:12 (NIV)* *Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.* *Can I get an Amen?* James 1:12 really gets to the heart of why perseverance matters. Without developing perseverance we are not able to receive the blessings of God because we are unable to see them. God is good, that will never change. But it is our decision to follow God’s way, even when it’s hard, that gives us the ability to hear Him in all seasons. *Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)* *You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.* Here it is again! In order to receive the fullness of what God has promised us, we must learn to persevere and not compromise when times get tough. This is a wonderful reminder throughout our lives that God’s faithfulness is ever-present, but our faithfulness positions us to receive the fullness of it. It is such a gift and an honor to raise our children as unto the Lord. Be encouraged that even when your parenting journey feels in vain that God’s Word never fails. The beautiful thing about raising our children to love God’s Word is that it helps us to grow in our faith in God as well. May you and your family persevere under the mighty hand of our Savior! ![684390_5BibleVersesPerseveranceUpdate_V1_032620.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Fy3dsHWS0qhA9FZGObQX.jpg) Download a printable for these [5 Bible Verses About Perseverance](https://cdn.buttercms.com/b6wPznMoSYehgfkQzhih) **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Verses, Memory Verses, Perseverance --- ### [Free Fall Coloring Pages from Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/free-fall-coloring-pages-minno/) **Published:** November 3, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Infant - Parent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/infant-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") Happy Fall, y’all!! Here in Tennessee we are enjoying the cooler temps and changing leaves. We often wonder what Fall looks like in YOUR world . . . wherever you are right now. We have the privilege of serving Minno families all over the globe and we think often about the unique experiences each one of you has in each season. Although the Minno headquarters is based in the southern part of the U.S., we are always working to create content and experiences that reflect God’s people all over the world. We also want to reflect the beautiful imaginations of children with fun characters and colorful images that spark the wow and wonder of God. #### **Free Fall Coloring Pages from Minno** Celebrate the arrival of fall with these free coloring pages featuring favorite Minno friends—perfect for cozy, creative, faith-filled fun together. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/paper-1024x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids")](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Minno-Fall-Coloring-Pages.pdf) **[Download your Fall Coloring Pages from Minno](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Minno-Fall-Coloring-Pages.pdf)** **Categories:** Coloring Pages, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Coloring Pages, Fall --- ### [5 Inspiring Ways to Welcome Fall](https://gominno.com/blog/5-inspiring-ways-to-welcome-fall/) **Published:** September 20, 2021 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HPU6zETCR7KLz2eHmwYR.jpg) In *The Great Gatsby* F. Scott Fitzergerald wrote, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” Although fall is a time of transition in nature when leaves, grass, and plants all start to die or hibernate, fall often feels a fresh start, because there’s just something about this season that awakens us inside. God created fall to be one of the most breathtaking displays of His handiwork. Even as things change and die, there’s beauty incomparable. Perhaps one of the reasons we’re awakened is that fall is such a stark difference from summer – from the climate and clothing to the smells in the air, the decor in our homes, the food on our tables. Fall beckons us with her burning wood, crisp leaves underfoot, warm drinks, and coziness. For me, living by the seasons is one of the highlights of settling in a climate like Tennessee. Even when I lived in Texas though, I made an effort to transition our home environment to a fallish feel, even if it was still 90 degrees outside for a month more. We need fall, in the way it ushers us into the holiday season, the excitement of cooler weather, the chance to appreciate glorious colors and textures in nature, the desire to make warm, comforting meals and share them with others. Here are 5 fun ways you can welcome fall in your neck of the woods . . . #### 1. Experiment with Seasonal Fall Foods Here are some produce items that are seasonal in fall: - Acorn squash - Beets - Butternut squash - Brussels Sprouts - Cauliflower - Cranberries - Pears - Pumpkins - Sweet Potatoes - Turnips Current recipes on rotation in our farmhouse: - [Curried Butternut Squash Soup](https://minimalistbaker.com/curried-butternut-squash-soup/). Mmmm, I could eat a huge bowl right of this right now! I like to add chopped apples and sweet potatoes to cook with the butternut squash to provide a variety of flavors. Instead of just eating it as soup, you can even pour this over rice, or add meatballs or shredded chicken. - [No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread](http://www.girlversusdough.com/2015/08/13/no-knead-dutch-oven-bread/). This is a weekly staple for us, and it’s so easy my toddler could do it – really! While you’re at it, make a few batches and save one for a neighbor. Wrap the warm bread in a new tea towel with a fallish print, and deliver it to their front door. - [Savory Pumpkin Hummus](https://aseasyasapplepie.com/savory-pumpkin-hummus/). I love this seasonal twist on the original hummus recipe! When friends come over (or even just for a weeknight snack dinner for our family), I pull out a platter and place hummus in the middle. Surround the hummus with sliced bell peppers, carrots and cucumbers cut into circles, and rice crackers. It’s always devoured quickly. #### 2. Glean the Lessons of Harvest Early American Pioneers grew about 80% of their food and literally needed their garden in order to live. Harvest was a celebration of the abundance of the year and also a time to hurry and gather the rest of the food they could before the frost and snow came so they would have something to eat all winter. Oftentimes, families would all pitch in to help each other harvest, because they couldn’t do it alone. “Gather” wasn’t just a word printed on a decorative sign – it was necessary for their very survival. Jesus often used farming and harvest analogies in the Bible… “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’” Matthew 9:35-38 (NLT) This is a great opportunity to teach our children how they can be workers for God and help with harvesting souls by sharing God’s love with others. We can look around for people in our lives who are “confused and helpless” and share the good news with them. #### 3. Host a Harvest Celebration Last October, we were in a tiny rental home, but it didn’t stop us from gathering friends for a harvest party in our front yard. All the decorations were handmade, cheap, or free. I hung a wooden sign on a tree that said “Give Thanks,” and on the front of a long table, a garland that said, “Hello Fall.” Mums and pumpkins were placed around the base of the table legs. Over the course of the evening, this table was jam-packed with an assortment of mismatched bowls, platters, plates, and pitchers as every person who attended brought something delicious to contribute to the potluck. Near the bonfire, we backed my husband’s 1986 Ford F-150 onto the lawn, let down the tailgate, and filled the bed of the truck with hay bales. We handed children flashlights and sticks, which sparked their imagination and kept them amused all evening. A wise woman once told me, “It starts with an invitation.” Don’t wait for your home or life situation to be “perfect” (it’ll never happen!) to host a fun seasonal celebration—you can do it now with whatever limitations you have. #### 4. Appreciate God’s Creation Last year in early October, the Harvest Moon was absolutely glorious. Its golden glow lit our yard in the country as if we’d turned on a floodlight. I opened all the blinds so we could sleep with the moonglow seeping in our windows. The next full moon, the Full Harvest Moon, will occur on October 1st. Invite some friends or neighbors to a pajama party and spread out a blanket under the full moon to soak up the beauty of God’s handiwork. Talk about how God’s creation all works together perfectly—how He created the moon and stars . . . Bonus if you have a telescope! Leaf crafts are a staple for us every fall as well. Collect as many as you can and make leaf rubbings with paper and crayons, press them onto playdough or salt dough, or seal them between contact paper or wax paper. The key is taking the time to stop and notice God’s creation during every season, and fall is one of the easiest times to do it! #### 5. Revitalize Time Around Your Table In her book *The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith Through Feasting, One Meal At A Time* Sally Clarkson says, “When God created the world and pronounced it good, He lavishly provided an abundance of delights to please every possible palate. His artistic hand can be seen in all of the food He provided, not just to satisfy our basic need for calories, but also to gratify our senses with color, aroma, texture, and taste . . . And He created us in such a way that we make emotional and spiritual connections in the process of enjoying them, especially when we share them around the table with people we love.” *Are you worn out from summer and back-to-school time?* Let’s recapture the beauty of sharing meals around the table, engaging with one another over warm soups and steaming bread, and seeing the table as an opportunity to connect with our children. After all, as Sally Clarkson says, we’ll feed our children about 19,000 meals in their lifetimes—that’s a lot of opportunities to share Jesus with them. *Even during seasons of loss and change, our Creator is always in the business of creating life and beauty, isn’t He?* May it be so in your life this fall. Save Save Save **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Fall, Family Fun --- ### [48 Life Skills to Teach Your Kids at Every Stage](https://gominno.com/blog/life-skills-to-teach-your-kids-at-every-stage/) **Published:** May 27, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6qSdQRlRe2zxyhL4r3X4.jpg)* #### Use this life skills for kids checklist to fill your summer with intentional growth opportunities! *Have you and your kids suddenly found yourselves at home a lot more?* This summer offers an incredible chance for you to introduce your kids to some fun (and important!) life skills. Life skills help build confidence and resourcefulness in kids, allowing them to do basic tasks themselves. Take a break from the screen, push pause on free play, and laugh your way through learning these important life skills for kids. # **48 Life Skills for Kids at Every Stage** **FOR PRESCHOOLERS** Kids ages 2–4 will love learning some of these fun life skills that should serve them well through childhood and into adulthood! In the Kitchen: - Crack an egg - Wash and dry the (plastic) dishes - Make a simple sandwich - Properly [wash hands for 20 seconds](https://www.gominno.com/blog/20-second-bible-verses-to-say-while-washing-your-hands) with soap and water Around the House: - Sort the laundry by color - Identify [what is recycling and what is trash ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-your-family-can-love-the-earth) - Wipe up a mess they made - Walk up and down stairs while holding the rail Outside: - Put on sunscreen - Catch a firefly in a jar - Identify the weather and the proper clothes to wear - Throw a ball For Themselves: - Tie shoelaces - Put on a bandaid - Zip a jacket - Mail a letter (seal envelope, put on stamp, put in mailbox) **FOR EARLY ELEMENTARY** Kids ages 5–8 can learn some of these more advanced life skills! In the Kitchen: - Boil water - Set a table for [family dinner](https://www.gominno.com/blog/6-ways-to-make-family-dinner-fun-and-meaningful) - Make scrambled eggs - Replace the batteries in something Around the House: - Make a phone call, especially in an emergency - Make the bed properly - Lock and unlock a door with a key - Light a candle safely Outside: - Use a compass - Ride a bike without training wheels - Identify easily-seen constellations, like Orion’s Belt or the Big Dipper - [Plant and water seeds](https://www.gominno.com/blog/welcome-spring-with-this-family-gardening-activity-pack) For Themselves: - Floss - Braid or style their hair - Do a pushup (or 10!) - Pick out their own clothes **FOR LATE ELEMENTARY** Kids ages 8-10 will have a lot of fun learning to do these life skills as you prepare to send them into the tween years! In the Kitchen: - Make a meal for themselves (mac and cheese, sandwich, pancakes) - Load and unload a dishwasher properly - Make a cup of tea - Cut up ingredients for a salad Around the House: - Operate the washer and dryer and fold the laundry - Sew on a button - Use a hammer and screwdriver - Change a lightbulb Outside: - Read and follow a map - Use a pocket knife safely - Fix a flat bike tire - Check the tire pressure in a car tire For Themselves: - Write a proper thank you note - Iron their own clothes - Handle/save [money such as their allowance](https://www.gominno.com/blog/should-i-give-my-kids-an-allowance) - Introduce themselves properly with good eye contact ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UvVyvCQTtilIpNZNCfYA.jpg) Download your [Life Skills for Kids Printable Checklists](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Bb7mkNnHTCCb16MP6ZiC) **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Life Skills for Kids, Parenting --- ### [Pentecost: How to Talk to Kids About the Holy Spirit](https://gominno.com/blog/pentecost-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-the-holy-spirit/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Pinwheel - Photograph](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pinwheel-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids") Most people only know Pentecost as a Christian holiday, where we commemorate the day when the Holy Spirit fell on the Apostles of Christ as they gathered together in the upper room, after the [Ascension of Jesus](https://gominno.com/blog/ascension-thursday/). Scripture ([Acts 2](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%202&version=NIV)) actually tells us that Jews from many different nations were in Jerusalem that day. They were there celebrating the *Jewish* *Feast* of Pentecost. It’s true; [Pentecost](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-about-pentecost-holy-spirit/) is originally a Jewish holiday. It’s one of the three great feasts, along with Passover and Tabernacles, on the Jewish calendar. It has a historical significance, as it commemorates God giving the Torah to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It also commemorates the time when the first fruits of the wheat harvest were brought to the Temple in the form of leavened bread ([Leviticus 23:17](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=leviticus%2023:17&version=NIV)). *So we may ask ourselves why did Jesus choose to pour out His Spirit on His Church during this very Jewish holiday?* The idea that people had gathered together to celebrate a harvest ties in perfectly with the fact that a great “harvest” for the Lord was experienced! The New Covenant was put into effect with full force. This day truly was the [beginning of the Church](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-where-was-the-first-church) . . . our “birthday”, if you will. That very day 3000 people came to Christ and were baptized after hearing Peter’s teaching! ([Acts 2:37-39](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:37-39&version=NIV)) Pentecost really was the FIRST great revival! *Do you remember learning about the Holy Spirit as a kid?* The Trinity can be a tricky thing to grasp, much less teach to kids. When talking to your kids about Pentecost and the significance it has in our lives, remind them that as Jesus was preparing to go to Heaven, He made a promise. He told His Disciples that even though He would be leaving them and wouldn’t be here on Earth as a man, He would NOT be leaving them all alone. He promised to send a Helper: The Holy Spirit. If a child doesn’t exactly understand what the Holy Spirit is, tell them we feel the Holy Spirit inside and He helps us know and understand God’s love. Our Helper helps us feel God’s actual presence in our lives. In fact, here we are, over 2000 years later, still feeling God’s love and presence exactly like they did on that day of Pentecost! God loves us so much that He sent us His Son Jesus and then His Spirit to teach us about that perfect love! # More Resources for Teaching Kids About [Pentecost](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-about-pentecost-holy-spirit/) and the Holy Spirit **From the [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids):** #### Tricky Bits *Who is our Helper?* Remember the Trinity? God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our Helper. When we give our lives to Jesus, He gives us His Spirit to help us. As we grow, we learn to listen to the Spirit. He guides us and changes us from the inside out. For more teaching on the Holy Spirit, check out the [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) . . . . . . . . . . **Related Posts:** [Church History for Kids: Where Was the First Church?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-where-was-the-first-church) **Watch these shows about the Holy Spirit on Minno:** [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: God’s Super Helper](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_934_minno) [What’s in the Bible?: A Helper Arrives!](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_83_minno) [Connect: Pentecost](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_131_minno) [Holy Moly: The Holy Spirit](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_130_minno) [Whirl – Leo and Friends: Spirit Spirit and Holy Android](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_128_minno) [Whirl – Ada and Friends: Simple Spirit](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_127_minno) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://kids.gominno.com/home)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Holy Spirit, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Pentecost --- ### [Young David: Where to Watch and What to Expect](https://gominno.com/blog/young-david/) **Published:** February 25, 2026 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** [![Watch Young David on Minno Kids!](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/24084436/young-david.jpeg "young-david - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1228_minno) If you were lucky enough to see the *DAVID* movie in theaters, you might be wondering, “What’s next?” After all, when we as parents feel good about the content our kids enjoy, everybody wins! Thankfully, you’re in luck all over again. [Here at Minno](https://gominno.com/home2/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=HDLT_Minno_Google_Search_Web_Brand&matchtype=p&network=g&device=c&adposition=&keyword=minno&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22686010035&gbraid=0AAAAAC2KiEw_cHMReYHRn8FIFy3fvN-3J&gclid=CjwKCAiA1obMBhAbEiwAsUBbIvf4aMaytJTVqIqpaQ_eYDOKvcgHMWuyFvsD6klmqT4WpMolJGWTfRoCzHAQAvD_BwE), we’re excited to tell you about our *Young David* animated series. The story features a shepherd boy who will one day become the king of Israel. Full of joy, warmth and humor, this Bible story is relatable for kids of all ages. In this article, we’ll share more about what you can expect from this faith-based kid series, as well as offer other ways for your family to enjoy even more of the *Young David* story at home. ## **What is *Young David*?** Let’s start by taking a closer look at the [*Young David* animated series](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1228_minno). [![Young David with slingshot on Minno](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/27222042/YoungDavid_Warrior_thumbnail3.jpg "YoungDavid_Warrior_thumbnail3 - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1228_minno) This series covers the life of David long before he becomes king or slays a giant, told in five parts. Here he is just a boy—playful and tender. Much like your kids and mine, David imagines grand adventures. He makes up songs. He goofs around and plays with his sister. And just like in the lives of our kids—whether we realize it or not—David is also in the process of becoming who he will one day be. Through *Young David*, viewers get a glimpse of his growing faith and courage. We watch him boldly face a lion, stand up for what is right, and point others toward a relationship with God. It is the story *before* the story, so to speak. And it’s one that kids—who are living in the “before” of their own lives—so desperately need to see. Of course, an animated Christian show for children can’t just be theologically sound. It also needs to be engaging and entertaining. Keep reading for details on who *Young David* was created for as well as how the story is told. ## **Is *Young David* Right For My Kids?** You’re asking the questions all discerning parents want to know: Are my kids consuming content that is age-appropriate and edifying? Will they like it? Is this screen time well-spent? After all, in today’s media climate, we can never be too sure. Don’t worry. We’ll do our best to answer your questions! **First up: let’s talk about who this series is for.** While *Young David* is genuinely loved by children of all ages, the show is geared toward elementary-aged kids. Think ages 6—10, with plenty of room for older and younger kids who love humor and adventure. **Next: let’s consider the length of each short film.** Each episode of this faith-based kids series clocks it at under seven minutes. That’s it! The commitment is low. But that’s not the best part. The learning and discovery that takes place in just seven minutes is incredibly high. That makes *Young David* instantly rewatchable for lessons that last. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02154102/YoungDavid_104_Poet_thumbnail_SMALL.jpg "YoungDavid_104_Poet_thumbnail_SMALL - Minno Kids") **And finally, let’s talk about faith formation.** Research from trusted organizations like the [Joan Ganz Cooney Center](https://joanganzcooneycenter.org/publication/learning-at-home/) shows that well-designed educational media sparks understanding, conversation and engagement in kids long after a show ends. And this is where Minno excels. We focus on creating exceptionally high-quality, research-informed media that entertains and educates, all while helping kids grow in biblical understanding and spiritual curiosity. In summary, if you’ve got a kid who loves to laugh—and if you hope for them to learn more about God while they do—you should definitely give [*Young David*](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1228_minno) a try! ## **How Does the *Young David* Animated Series Approach the Story?** Gosh, we thought you’d never ask! After all, the storytelling is our favorite part. This series introduces kids to [*Young David*](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1228_minno) through five short films. Each film focuses on a character trait in-progress—character traits that help him one day slay a giant and become king! [![Tali from Young David](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02155137/YoungDavid_103_Shepherd_thumbnail_SMALL.jpg "YoungDavid_103_Shepherd_thumbnail_SMALL - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1228_minno) Through this lens, kids experience David as a shepherd, a poet, a warrior, a worshipper and a leader. David struggles and grows as the series moves along. All while also being a kid. What could be more relatable? Overarching the story you’ll find an original musical score by Brandon Engman as well as beautiful and captivating art direction that will leave your kids wanting more. ## **Where Can We Enjoy More of the *Young David* Story?** We’re pretty confident your kids won’t want to stop at just five short films. So what should you do if they get to the end and ask for more? Besides indulging them in every child’s favorite television tradition—the good ol’ rewatch—you might also try these on for size: [![Young David Extended Edition](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/26163859/YoungDavidExtended_CoverArt_3840x2160-1024x576.jpg "YoungDavidExtended_CoverArt_3840x2160 - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2195_minno) 1. Watch the entire series with bonus content in **[*Young David Extended Edition*](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2195_minno)**. 2. Make devotions simple, quick, and kid-friendly with the **[*Young David 5 Minute Family Devotional*](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2189_minno).** 3. [**Cue Up Our Exclusive *Young David* Music Videos**](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1492_minno) featuring five original songs by Brandon Engman. 4. [**Download the FREE *Young David* Activity Kit and Discussion Guide**](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/24215556/Young-David-Activity-Kit-2.0_%C6%92-1.pdf?utm_medium=social&utm_content=Young+David+Activity+Kit&utm_source=Social&utm_term=Young+David) complete with coloring pages, games and conversation starters. 5. [**Snag the *Young David* Box Set**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/young-david/products/young-david-box-set) with five chapter books and full-page illustrations. Of course, the best place to start is with a cuddle on the couch and episode one of *Young David.* [Grab a free trial of Minno today](https://gominno.com/home2/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=HDLT_Minno_Google_Search_Web_Brand&matchtype=p&network=g&device=c&adposition=&keyword=minno&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22686010035&gbraid=0AAAAAC2KiEw_cHMReYHRn8FIFy3fvN-3J&gclid=CjwKCAiA1obMBhAbEiwAsUBbIvf4aMaytJTVqIqpaQ_eYDOKvcgHMWuyFvsD6klmqT4WpMolJGWTfRoCzHAQAvD_BwE)! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno, Uncategorized **Tags:** David, Young David --- ### [The Power of Audio for Kids: How Stories, Music & Listening Help Kids Grow](https://gominno.com/blog/audiobooks-benefits-for-kids/) **Published:** April 7, 2026 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![Young child listening to music or audiobooks through wireless headphones](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/07163324/The-Power-of-Listening-to-Audio-for-Kids.jpg "The Power of Listening to Audio for Kids - Minno Kids") Audio for kids can be more than just background noise—it can be a powerful way for children to learn, relax, and stay engaged throughout the day. From stories and audiobooks to music and podcasts, listening gives kids another way to absorb language, process ideas, and enjoy meaningful content. For many families, audio becomes part of everyday routines—whether it’s during car rides, quiet time, or bedtime—helping kids stay connected to stories and messages that matter. ## 3 Benefits of Faith-based Audio for Kids In an attention-seeking world, we all want kids who can focus, lean in, and stick around. Who can understand the meaning of a moment and the power of a story. Listening to audiobooks, audio dramas, podcasts and music for kids helps them practice being present. A practice we can all benefit from. For kids in particular, listening offers a few key benefits: ### **1. Listening to stories and audiobooks helps kids become stronger readers.** Is there anything more enticing to a reluctant reader than a riveting plot line? Audiobooks pull kids in and get them invested in the outcome. Along the way, they’ll build vocabulary, learn the correct pronunciation of words and increase their own story comprehension. And research backs this up! In fact, in order for kids to be strong readers—a goal that’s [harder to reach for today’s students than ever before](https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/09/us/student-testing-scores-drop-hnk)—they need to master both strands of the [Reading Rope](https://institute.aimpa.org/connect-learn/reading-rope). The word-recognition strand encompasses what we typically think of as reading: phonics, sight words and decoding. But the language-comprehension strand is equally vital. This includes an understanding of how the world works, audible word recognition, and the ability to follow and process a plot line. Audiobooks are a wonderfully accessible way to build language-comprehension skills. Additionally, [a study from the Research Journal of the American Association of Libraries](https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/aasl/content/aaslpubsandjournals/slr/vol16/SLR_Use_of_AudiobooksV16.pdf) found that when struggling readers listened to audiobooks, not only did their reading *skills* improve, so also did their *attitude* toward cracking open a book. A win all around! ### **2. Listening to music and meaningful stories can help kids feel calm and secure**.**** You probably know this anecdotally. Songs bring courage, joy, and calm. But we love science-backed encouragement to keep on doing a good thing. And the guidance on kids and music couldn’t be more clear. [We should all turn up the tunes in our homes](https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/parenting/calming-engaging-rewarding-how-music-can-help-childrens-mental-health/) if we want kids and teens who can: - Weather anxiety - [Build emotional intelligence](https://gominno.com/blog/a-parents-guide-to-social-emotional-learning/) - And have a strong sense of self Of course, song choice matters too. With the ability to stream just about any band from just about any device, [intentional parents may need to monitor music](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home/). Thankfully, thoughtful song selection can brighten moods and set toes a-tapping. ### **3. Listening to podcasts and stories can support your family’s values and routines.** Podcasts might just be the best thing to come from the technology boon of recent years. And why should adults have all the fun? Thankfully, podcasts offer short-form stories and learning opportunities that meet kids right where they are. In fact, [one study found](https://edc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Podcast-Study-Report_April-2025.pdf) an increase in whole-family discussion related to podcast topics, and a high level of engagement for families across the socio-economic divide. Any medium that brings families and communities together is worth celebrating. And because podcasts are easily accessible and much shorter than books, they’re particularly useful answering questions about a child’s specific interests or filling in gaps in a child’s knowledge. ## When Kids Can Listen to Stories, Music, and Audio We all want our kids to tap into creativity and to [embrace the great outdoors](https://gominno.com/blog/embrace-outdoor-adventure-family/), but sometimes kids need to chill and watch a show or read a book. And that’s fine too. As parents, we aim to make [smart choices about the content our kids consume](https://gominno.com/blog/low-stimulation-shows-for-kids-the-science-and-benefits-of-gentle-screen-time/). Thankfully, audio catalogs offer us another alternative to screen time. The best part? Kids can listen to books, podcasts and music while doing something creative or useful at the same time. A few of our favorite kid-friendly activities to pair with a listening catalog include: - Getting ready for the day with music or a short story - Going for a walk while listening to stories or songs - Building with LEGO or creating while listening to audio in the background - Playing with toys alongside a favorite story or podcast - Coloring or drawing during quiet listening time - Running errands in the car—perfect for podcasts or stories kids can listen to - Completing simple chores like folding laundry or tidying up while listening - Afternoon rest time, especially for kids who no longer nap but still need a reset - During the bedtime wind-down routine with calm, quiet stories Of course, no matter how you pair it, the point we hope to make is this: listening to books, stories and music is a wonderful way for kids to engage with the world. And we can’t wait for you to add our newest collection of audio options to your list! **Categories:** All Ages, Audio, Child Development, Kids + Parenting, Now on Minno, Podcast **Tags:** audio learning, audiobooks for kids, benefits of audio for kids, kids podcasts, listening skills, music for kids --- ### [10 Kid-Led Ways to Celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day ](https://gominno.com/blog/kid-led-ways-to-celebrate-mothers-day/) **Published:** May 4, 2023 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/11215043/Kid-Led-Ways-to-Celebrate-Mothers-Day-1024x580.jpg "Kid-Led Ways to Celebrate Mothers Day - Minno Kids") A lavish bouquet of flowers, brunch reservations, candy, and gift baskets . . . These are typically the things people associate with gift-giving on Mother’s Day. You don’t necessarily need material items to make Mother’s Day special this year. As a mom myself, I can attest to the fact that spending time with my children has been one of the greatest gifts I have received on Mother’s Day. One of my fondest Mother’s Day memories is my children making homemade cards for me, making hot dogs for my Mother’s Day dinner, and having a sleepover in the living room to end the day. Here at Minno we have compiled some fun Kid-Led Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day! #### **Refurbish the Refrigerator for Mom** The Refrigerator, one of the most used appliances in homes. This Mother’s Day create an art museum in your home with the refrigerator as the focal point! Encourage your children to create drawings specific to Mom, a picture of her favorite flower, a picture of her favorite food.. Anything and everything about mom and cover your fridge with artwork! Create tickets for mom, inviting her to an art show and let her know she has VIP seating! Check out [this](https://makingofamom.com/diy-refrigerator-art-projects/), [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0snZyngUZyY), and [this](http://www.minimonetsandmommies.com/2015/04/mothers-day-art-activity-clothespin.html) idea for DIY refrigerator art for Mother’s Day! #### **Be The Barista for Mom** *Is Mom an avid coffee or tea drinker?* Let mom know she can forgo the long lines at the coffee shop this Mother’s Day, you are bringing the coffee shop to her! Kids can set up a coffee or tea area in the kitchen stocked with all of mom’s favorite flavors and with the help of another adult, make mom’s favorite beverage. Add an extra special touch with [handmade decorated mugs](https://diyinspired.com/bake-painted-mug/) or [personalized tea tags](https://liagriffith.com/mothers-day-tea-tags/)! #### **Staycation for Mom** Mom doesn’t need to hop on a plane for a vacation, give her a mini staycation at home! Make mom a diy “room key” and give her a 24, 48 or even 72 hour staycation. Make sure she has the option for breakfast in bed and unlimited room service! There are so many creative ways to give your mom the staycation of her dreams! With just a little creativity, kids can really make a memorable and special staycation for mom. Check out this [list of ideas to incorporate in Mom’s staycation](https://www.itsaulgood.com/blog/5-heartfelt-ways-to-give-your-mom-the-perfect-staycation.htm)! #### **DIY Letter Basket** Yes, you have heard of a gift basket or even a fruit basket, but this Mother’s Day kids can create a letter gift basket for Mom! Have each member of your family write a letter to mom writing what they love and appreciate about her. Or write a letter for each day leading up to Mother’s Day and then the morning of Mother’s Day have mom open them up! Put an even more creative spin on this idea and decorate the envelopes Mom’s card will be placed in. *Don’t have any baskets at home?* Use a shoebox instead! [This video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Yy64x2vIo) shows how to transform a shoebox into a stunning letter box! #### **Scavenger Hunt (that leads to outdoor picnic)** Tell Mom to put on her detective gear for Mother’s Day! She is going on a scavenger hunt! Leave fun clues around the house for mom to find. Use index cards, sticky notes, cut up small pieces of construction paper, whatever you have on hand to make the clues. The morning of the scavenger hunt, make a spread outside with mom’s favorite picnic items. With each clue she finds it will lead her to an outdoor picnic in her honor! *Need more ideas?* Check out [these tips for your Mother’s Day Scavenger Hunt.](https://busymomshelper.com/mothers-day-scavenger-hunt-printables-gift-ideas/) #### **Plant Flowers with Mom for Mom** One-fourth of the flower and plant purchases made for the holidays occur on Mother’s Day, according to the Society of American Florists. This Mother’s Day, instead of going out and spending money on flowers, take time and grow flowers with your mom! Planting flowers is a fun activity to do with mom to honor her and will create a lifelong memory. Contact your local nursery as many typically offer special Mother’s Day promotions on seeds, soil, planting supplies to get started. This fun [video shows step-by-step instructions from a kid’s perspective on planting flowers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0HTg0KiuRg). #### **Movies with Mom** Create a movie day for mom for Mother’s Day! Make it a movie marathon day for Mom with some of her favorite family movies. Set up the living room or family room like a movie theater and create a special movie bucket for mom complete with popcorn, candy, and all of Mom’s favorite movie snacks. Check out this [video for fun movie bucket ideas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IeLQQj8CGo)! #### **Prayer Breakfast with Mom** Many churches host a monthly or yearly prayer breakfast. *Why not host a prayer breakfast for your mom?* Prepare some of her favorite dishes and then invite every member of the family to cover mom in prayer. Mom will get physically *and* spiritually fed. Print out this [hope-filled prayer for mothers](https://gominno.com/blog/mothers-day-prayer/) to remind mom that God is always with her! Share this [springtime prayer for moms](https://www.gominno.com/parents/the-garden-of-motherhood/). Talk about [ways your family can grow in prayer together](https://www.gominno.com/parents/how-to-develop-a-more-consistent-family-prayer-life-this-year/)! #### **Homemade Jewelry** Nothing says Mother’s Day gift than jewelry. But you don’t need to spend a lot of money to give mom a priceless gift! This year for Mother’s Day consider making homemade jewelry using items around the house. *Have macaroni in the pantry?* That will make a beautiful necklace! *Have buttons in the sewing kit?* Make mom a fun pair of earrings! The possibilities are endless with household materials around your house. You can create an entire jewelry collection for mom! For ideas, check out this [video on making pasta jewelry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGAwaiuqVgs). #### **Let Mom Plan the Day** We have provided you with ideas, resources, and activities for children to create a memorable Mother’s Day, but make sure you allow mom to plan the day if she wants to! It *is* Mother’s Day so it’s only right that she gets to give input! Mom may want to play Uno all day, or even go on a family walk. Make sure in whatever you do, it’s a day filled with respect, honor, and love. For more ideas, take a look at [how other countries celebrate Mother’s Day](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyms9tTXSDo)! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Mother's Day --- ### [Minno Bug Week! Free Activity Pack Printable](https://gominno.com/blog/bug-week-free-activity-pack-printable/) **Published:** April 16, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RnbIVfWSAiYHfjVoL0ux.jpg) In honor of [Earth Day](https://www.gominno.com/blog/12-small-ways-to-celebrate-big-on-earth-day), we’ve deemed this week BUG WEEK here at [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/watch)! All week long we’ll be featuring fun bug friends from favorite Minno shows. To help you celebrate God’s tiniest creatures, we’ve put together a super fun activity pack filled with creative ways for you to learn about [God’s unique purpose](https://www.gominno.com/parents/how-to-beat-boredom-and-encourage-kids-to-have-purpose) for all things He’s made—from the smallest bugs to amazing YOU! We’ve included a special family discussion guide to help you have rich conversations about God’s purposes for each incredible creature He’s made. It’s really easy to join the fun this week! 1\. Check out our [favorite BUG shows on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/watch). There will be a new show featured every day this week! 2\. Download your [Minno Bug Week Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/iObPxvNZRGnHNoeiRisg) and take the fun off-screen. 3\. Stay connected to Minno on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/gominno/) where we’ll be sharing throughout the week. We’d love to see your completed Bug Week Activity Pack pages. Share on social and tag #minnobugweek ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5H6yicKMR7aamtrCHx1i.jpg) Download your [Minno Bug Week Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/iObPxvNZRGnHNoeiRisg) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). . . . . . . . . . . **Looking for more EARTH DAY fun? Check out [12 Small Ways to Celebrate BIG this Earth Day](https://www.gominno.com/parents/12-small-ways-to-celebrate-big-on-earth-day) for ideas and coloring pages!** **Categories:** Activity Packs, Fun for Kids, Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno, Seasonal **Tags:** Activity Packs, Printables --- ### [How to Talk to Kids About Easter (Even the Tricky Parts)](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-easter-2/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Crown of thorns and three crosses](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/19155802/How-to-Talk-to-Kids-About-the-Tricky-Parts-of-Easter.jpg "How to Talk to Kids About the Tricky Parts of Easter - Minno Kids") For many Christian families, Easter is one of the most meaningful moments of the year. It’s the story at the center of our faith—the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. But when it comes to teaching kids about Easter, many parents find themselves wondering: *How do I explain the hard parts?* **The Easter story includes betrayal, suffering, and death before it gets to the joy of resurrection. Those themes can feel heavy when you’re talking to young children.** If you’ve ever struggled with how to talk to kids about Easter, you’re not alone. The good news is that kids can understand the heart of the Easter story when it’s shared in ways that are honest, hopeful, and age-appropriate. Here are some practical ways to help children understand the tricky parts of Easter while building strong foundations for faith formation and child discipleship. ## **Start With the Big Story of God’s Love** Before focusing on the [events of Good Friday](https://gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday/), it helps to start with the bigger story of the Bible. Kids need to know that Easter isn’t just about [something sad that happened to Jesus](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-jesus-death-at-easter/). It’s part of a much bigger story about God’s love. You might explain it like this: *God created people because He loves them. But people make choices that hurt others and turn them away from God. This is called “sin.” Sin is when we choose our own way instead of God’s way. And sin hurts God’s heart. So He sent Jesus to rescue us and to pay the price for our sin so we can be friends with God.* **At its core, teaching kids about Easter is helping them see how deeply loved they are by God.** ## **Use Age-Appropriate Language** One of the most important things to remember when thinking about how to teach Easter to kids is that children don’t need every detail. **Young kids especially don’t need graphic descriptions of the crucifixion. Instead, focus on the meaning behind what happened.** For younger children, you might say: *“At Easter we celebrate that Jesus died because He loves us so much!”* You don’t have to camp out on the idea of Jesus’ death. Rather, focus on His love. For a little older children, you might expand the concept and say: *“Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins because He loves us.”* Even older kids may be ready for a little more explanation, including the fact that Jesus was treated unfairly and suffered. But even then, the emphasis should stay on why it happened—God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. Keeping explanations simple allows kids to grasp the truth without feeling overwhelmed. ## **Explain Sin in a Way Kids Understand** To understand Easter, children also need to understand why Jesus came. That starts with the concept of sin which we mentioned earlier. Let’s unpack the idea of sin a bit more . . . Thankfully, kids are already beginning to understand the idea of right and wrong. You can explain sin in everyday terms: - Sin is when we choose our own way instead of God’s way. - Sin turns us away from God. - Everyone makes mistakes. - We all need forgiveness. Once kids learn that all people make wrong choices sometimes, the story of Jesus’ sacrifice becomes meaningful rather than confusing. **This step is an important part of child discipleship, because it connects the story of the cross to kids’ real lives.** ## **Help Kids See That Jesus Chose the Cross** One of the most common questions children ask about Easter is: *“Why didn’t Jesus stop it?”* That’s a natural question. Kids often struggle with the idea that someone good could be hurt. A helpful way to explain this is to emphasize that [Jesus **chose** to go through it](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-jesus-death-at-easter/). You might say: *“Jesus knew what would happen, but He chose to go through it because He loves us and wanted to save us.”* **This shifts the focus from tragedy to sacrifice. Kids begin to see the cross not just as something sad, but as the greatest act of love.** ## **Don’t Stop at the Cross** If the story ended with the crucifixion, Easter would feel very heavy for kids. **But the cross isn’t the end of the story.** The best part is the resurrection. [Three days after Jesus died, He came back to life](https://gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday/). This is the moment that changed everything. The resurrection shows that: - Jesus is stronger than death - God keeps His promises - Hope always has the final word When teaching kids about Easter, it’s important to spend just as much time (or more) celebrating the resurrection as explaining the cross. For kids, the empty tomb is the moment where sadness turns into joy. [![https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2196_minno?_gl=1*15zllmq*_gcl_au*MTY0NTgwNTYwNC4xNzY3NzEyMDA4LjczNjQ5MDExMy4xNzcwMjIxNTIzLjE3NzAyMjE1MjI.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/03201049/LAGBEaster_SuperSized_CoverArt_1920x1080.jpg "LAGBEaster_SuperSized_CoverArt_1920x1080 - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2196_minno?_gl=1*15zllmq*_gcl_au*MTY0NTgwNTYwNC4xNzY3NzEyMDA4LjczNjQ5MDExMy4xNzcwMjIxNTIzLjE3NzAyMjE1MjI.) [Watch our SUPER-SIZED Easter special for a gentle re-telling of the Easter story made just for kids!](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2196_minno?_gl=1*15zllmq*_gcl_au*MTY0NTgwNTYwNC4xNzY3NzEyMDA4LjczNjQ5MDExMy4xNzcwMjIxNTIzLjE3NzAyMjE1MjI.) ## **Invite Questions** Kids are naturally curious, and the Easter story raises big questions. You might hear things like: - *“Why did people want to hurt Jesus?”* - *“Where was God when Jesus died?”* - *“How did Jesus come back to life?”* These questions are not something to avoid—they’re opportunities for deeper conversations. If you don’t know the perfect answer, it’s okay to say: *“That’s a really good question. Let’s wonder about it together.”* **Faith grows through curiosity, conversation, and exploration. Encouraging questions helps kids develop a faith that is thoughtful and personal.** ## **Focus on Relationship, Not Just Information** When parents think about how to teach Easter to kids, it can be easy to focus on getting the story “right.” But the goal of Easter isn’t just understanding facts. The goal is helping kids know Jesus. **No one knows your child better than you (besides Jesus) so trust your heart on what they are ready for at each age and stage of teaching your kids about Easter.** That’s why one of the most powerful things you can do is share personally. Talk about: - Why Easter matters to you - What Jesus’ love means in your life - Why the resurrection gives you hope Kids learn faith best when they see it lived out in everyday life. This kind of relational faith is at the heart of child faith formation. ## **Keep Coming Back to Hope** **“. . . he has given us new life and a hope that lives on.” 1 Peter 1:3b CEV** The Easter story includes sadness, but its ultimate message is hope. Jesus’ resurrection means: - Love is stronger than sin - Forgiveness is possible - God’s plan is bigger than our mistakes When children understand Easter, they begin to see that the story of Jesus isn’t just something that happened long ago. It’s good news for them today. ## **Why Teaching Kids About Easter Matters** In a season filled with egg hunts, candy, and spring celebrations, it can be easy for the deeper meaning of Easter to get lost. But when parents intentionally teach their children the Easter story, they are planting seeds of faith that can last a lifetime. **Learning how to talk to kids about Easter helps children understand who Jesus is and why His story matters.** And when kids grasp the hope of the resurrection, Easter becomes more than a holiday. It becomes the beginning of a lifelong journey of child discipleship and faith formation. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Discipleship, Easter, Faith Formation, How to Talk to Kids About . . . --- ### [Teach Kids About Jesus All Year Long](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-about-jesus-all-year-long/) **Published:** April 8, 2024 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/08142400/teach-kids-about-jesus-all-year-long-1024x578.jpg "teach kids about jesus all year long - Minno Kids") ## You can teach kids about Jesus all year long! Help children get to know their Savior at Easter, but don’t stop there. . . On the way to soccer practice last night, my 5-year-old son gazed out the car window, looked up into the sky and said, *“Mom, wouldn’t it be cool if we could take a rocket ship to heaven so we could meet Jesus?”* Yeah, buddy. That would be SO COOL! Oh how I wish it were possible. I picture Jesus waiting for that ship to land right outside the pearly gates. He’d have a huge smile on His face because . . . boys and rocketships! He’d hand my son a glass of lemonade and they’d walk and talk. I wonder what Joshua would say (maybe I don’t want to know – little boys often say the most embarrassing things!). My boy hasn’t yet asked Jesus to come live in his heart. He’s expressed interest but we’re taking our time to make sure he understands the [foundational truths](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/how-to-lead-your-child-to-jesus/) that are important in [growing a lasting friendship with Jesus](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/raising-kids-who-love-jesus-for-life/). But we talk about Jesus often and little by little, his Savior is becoming real to him. After he dreamed about shooting himself up to heaven he said, *“It’s weird that we can’t see Jesus.”* Yes, son. I wish we could, too. > ***But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before they left. Matthew 19:14-15*** I love that his heart longs to know Jesus, even if he doesn’t realize it. His questions tell me that he’s searching to understand this person we talk so much about in our home. Jesus said, *“the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”* I’ve thought long and hard about what exactly He meant by this. Jesus wanted His disciples to know that to be innocent like a child is something to long for; to aspire to. Forty plus years of life weighs heavily on my heart so I wouldn’t ever think to dream about taking a rocket ship up to heaven for a day to say hi to Jesus. But maybe I should. Over Easter we had the amazing opportunity of reconnecting with the person of Jesus as we shared Him with our kids. But remember, Easter doesn’t end on Easter Sunday. Actually, resurrection day is just the beginning of the Easter season on the traditional church calendar. Whether you follow a liturgical calendar or not, teaching your kids about Jesus doesn’t need to end on Easter Sunday. Here are a few powerful ways we can continue learning the Gospel and study the life of Jesus and hopefully make Him real (even though we can’t see Him or take a rocket ship to visit Him) this season. **1. Continue watching the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids series on Minno](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/).** There are over 50 episodes that guide you through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/08144332/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-episodes-1006x1024.png "Laugh and Grow Bible episodes - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/episodes/) **2. Take your learning off-screen with[ Laugh and Grow Bible books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more)!** The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids comes in an award-winning [storybook Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids), a [board book Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-little-ones) (for little learners), and a [Bible coloring and activity book](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-coloring-and-activity-book) with 120 pages to color and play! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/08143626/LAGB-Product-Grouping-copy-1-768x553-1.png "LAGB-Product-Grouping-copy-1-768x553 - Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more) **3. Watch the Owlegories episode, The Egg.** **Story Summary:** The Owlegories crew is going on an Easter Egg hunt! They’ve got lots of eggs full of yummy candy to find plus twelve super special Easter Story eggs. When mean ‘ole Devlin tries to steal all the eggs, he ends up discovering the true meaning of Easter through the sweetest eggs of all. In the end, the class learns how eggs can remind us of Easter and how to share God’s sweet grace with those who may not deserve it. [WATCH NOW!](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg) This episode highlights the truth of the Gospel through the Easter story. Download our [Family Discussion Guide and coloring pages](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Op67aToQIqAvjahDLspn) to help you have conversations that matter! [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dTtcRymiQxW2zzbKTLoG.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Op67aToQIqAvjahDLspn) Download your [Owlegories Easter Family Discussion Guide](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Op67aToQIqAvjahDLspn) **4. Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible, Who is Jesus? Special](https://gominno.com/lp/jesus/) on Minno.** [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/11215653/LaughAndGrowBible_WhoIsJesus_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_WhoIsJesus_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/jesus/) It’s important to know Jesus loves us and to grow in friendship with Him whether we are 3, 6, 9, or 99 years old! Help your kids to know Jesus and His great love for us by following His life — from His baptism to His famous Sermon on the Mount — in this 30-minute special. Watch and grow in understanding who Jesus is and why He came to be our savior and our friend. **5. Use the Minno [5 Minute Family Devotional, Jesus: Messiah, Teacher, King](https://kids.gominno.com/search?searchquery=Jesus%20messiah) throughout the next month.** There are sixteen family devotional videos available on [Minno.](https://www.gominno.com?afmc=graceformoms) [WATCH NOW!](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus%20messiah%20teacher%20king%205%20minute%20family%20devotional?afmc=graceformoms) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/07144407/Screenshot-2026-04-07-at-94348-AM.png "Screenshot 2026-04-07 at 94348 AM - Minno Kids")](https://cdn.buttercms.com/NcLfDpnJRYeN2BdDVRvz) Download a [Jesus Coloring Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/NcLfDpnJRYeN2BdDVRvz) to take learning off-screen! Sixteen may seem like a lot of episodes but they are only 5 minutes long! Commit to watching one each day for the next few weeks. If you want a simpler plan, focus on the following episodes that highlight big moments in Jesus’ life and lead you right into Easter season conversations: **Episode 1 – Jesus is the Messiah** Isaiah’s prophecy declares the coming Savior. **Episode 3 – Jesus is Born** A look back at the Christmas story; Jesus’ arrival. **Episode 5 – Jesus is Baptized** Jesus is God’s son, a part of the Trinity. **Episode 10 – Jesus Performs Miracles** Miracles show the power and authority of Jesus. **Episode 14 – Jesus Serves the Last Supper** Jesus is the Passover lamb. His blood is the blessing; the new covenant. **Episode 15 – Jesus Dies for Us** Jesus is betrayed, tried and sentenced to die on the cross. **Episode 16 – Jesus is Risen** On the third day, Jesus is raised from the dead! If you choose to focus on the highlights, I encourage you to [go back and watch the others]() in the next few months. **Easter doesn’t have to be the only time we teach our kids about Jesus.** But it’s a great place to start! Get your family talking about their Savior this season and then get to know Him throughout the rest of the year. The more we include Jesus in our everyday life, the more He’ll start to feel like a friend. We may not be able to shoot up to heaven in a rocketship and visit with Him regularly, but we can walk with Jesus daily as we grow in relationship with Him. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Discipleship, Faith Formation, Jesus, Who is Jesus? --- ### [Simple Ways to Practice Lent with Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-practice-lent-with-kids/) **Published:** February 6, 2026 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/30220227/LAGBEaster_ASL_Backdrop_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg "LAGBEaster_ASL_Backdrop_1920x1080 - Minno Kids") Christmas is behind us and Easter is drawing near. If you’re like me, it seems like the time between these two holidays passes by more quickly than it used to. After all, the new year brings new commitments—resolutions for a better you, whole-house cleanouts, work demands, intense sports schedules, school projects and more. Before you know it, it’s time to hide the eggs. That’s what’s so beautiful about the [season of Lent](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-lent/). This tradition encourages us to pause and think of God’s goodness in the midst of life’s chaos. In this post, we’ll take a quick look at what Lent is all about, as well as share [a few simple ways you can enjoy lent together](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) as a family. ### **What is Lent?** Even if you were raised in church, you may not have practiced [lent](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-lent/) growing up or even know much about it. That’s okay! You can take what you’re learning here and share it with your kids. **Let’s start with a simple explanation:** What Jesus did for us on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice. And His resurrection was the greatest miracle. Yet, if we’re not careful, these realities can begin to seem commonplace. Lent offers us a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the gravity and wonder of Easter. To better understand our own sin and our need for God, as well as His great capacity to love us. ### **When does Lent begin?** Each year, the Lenten season lasts 40 days. The start date changes based on multiple factors, but this year Lent begins on February 18 and ends on April 2. If you’re thinking about practicing Lent with your kids this year, you might consider taking a few minutes each day or once per week to check in with one another. We’ll share a few simple ideas for practicing Lent below. ### **3 Simple Ways to Practice Lent Kids** When it comes to sharing our faith with our kids, we want to be sincere and keep the sacred sacred. That’s what helps their own faith to grow. But we’ve also got to have a simple approach. After all, we’re busy parents and they’re little goofballs. That’s why, here at Minno, we always try to find a way to bring fun and biblical truth together in ways that are simple for parents to implement at home. Our ideas for practicing Lent are no different. So take a deep breath. Relax. You can find time in your day for one or two of these ideas—and you might just find the whole family laughing and learning along the way. **Watch the Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special** The best way we can think of to kickstart the Lenten season is to introduce kids to the best moment in the history of the world–when Jesus laid down His life in love for us, and then rose again three days later. Here at Minno, [we’re featuring a 30-minute Easter Special all about the life, death and resurrection of our Savior](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/). The special includes stories of His disciples, the miracles He performed here on Earth, the last supper, His death and resurrection, as well as the promises He gave before He went back to Heaven. What we love most about this special is that it answers a lot of questions kids often ask about Easter. And watching it alongside your kids early in the Lenten season gives you plenty of time to discuss those questions—and any others that might come up—as a family. And this year, we’re launching an exclusive, extended edition of the special with 6 brand new Easter songs for kids! *Even better?* [The Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) is available to everyone—no Minno subscription required! **Read the Laugh and Grow Easter Devotional** Grab a copy of our brand new [Laugh and Grow Easter Devotional](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-easter-devotional?_pos=1&_sid=b4316458e&_ss=r)! This is the perfect open-and-read approach to Lent, with a six-part study designed to guide you and your kids through the season. The devotional offers three quick reads each week covering: **Week 1:** John Baptizes Jesus **Week 2:** The Desert Temptation **Week 3:** Jesus’ Disciples **Week 4:** Sermon on the Mount **Week 5:** It’s a Miracle **Week 6:** Holy Week Each devotional includes memory verses, family connection points and a quick game. The weeks correspond to episodes of the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids that you can watch on [Minno](gominno.com) or [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@MinnoKids). You can use this Lenten devotional book for years to come! **Download The Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Family Guide** [Our Easter Family Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24215537/LAGB-Easter-Family-Guide_%C6%92.pdf) is totally FREE and loads of fun—perfect for engaging young kids in the wonder and miracle of the Lenten season. It comes with so many printable ideas and activities, including games, coloring pages, crafts, prayers, and discussion guides. You might be especially interested to check out the guide for hosting your own passover meal! This section includes a dinner menu, symbol cards, a passover plate, and a guide for how to conduct a traditional passover meal—a wonderful tradition for families to share together! [You do not want to miss this hope-filled and meaningful Easter Family Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24215537/LAGB-Easter-Family-Guide_%C6%92.pdf)! No matter how you and your kids prepare for the Easter season, we hope you experience Jesus in new ways. Our prayer is that these resources help you share in the beauty of Lent this season as a family! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Fun for Kids, Laugh and Grow Bible **Tags:** Easter, Faith Formation, Family Faith, Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Lent --- ### [What is Lent?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-lent/) **Published:** February 19, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/61zIrP6DTF69Ndm8XaJo.jpg) We hear the question, “**what is lent?**” a lot, so first we wanted to share with you a bit more background about Lent and how we came to practice it today. ## **What Is Lent?** Lent is the season of fasting and self-denial observed by many Christians in the days preceding Easter Sunday each year. The word “Lent” comes from a word meaning “lengthening days,” with the Lenten season consisting of forty fast days as days lengthen in early spring.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Since Easter’s date moves each year based on the lunar calendar, Lent’s dates vary from year to year. However, each year it begins on Ash Wednesday, which occurs sometime in February or early March. ## ## **Where Did Lent Come From?** Lent is neither commanded nor implied in the Bible. Instead, it is a tradition that developed slowly over the first several centuries of church history. During the first three centuries of the church Christians often prepared to celebrate Easter with a “short preparatory fast of one, two, or more days.”[\[2\]](#_ftn2) At about 190 AD the church father, Irenaeus, “knew nothing of any Easter fast of forty days,” but did mention Christians fasting for shorter periods of time before Easter.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) These early, pre-Easter fasts were used to mark the time between the death of Jesus and his resurrection, and to prepare one’s heart for Easter Sunday. How the short pre-Easter fasts of the first three centuries evolved into Lent is not entirely clear. Some early Christians in Egypt held a forty day fast beginning January 6 in imitation of Jesus’ own time of fasting. Those preparing for baptism on Easter in Rome would fast for three weeks prior, and something similar happened in other places at different times of the year. By the fourth century, “As Easter came to be seen universally as the primary occasion in the year for baptism … these customs coalesced everywhere into a standard forty-day season of fasting immediately before” the Easter festival.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) Canon 5 from the Council of Nicea (325 AD) mentions the period of “Lent,” and a few years later Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, wrote to his people and urged them to observe the 40-day fast which “all the world” was observing.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) ## ## **Why Do People Fast at Lent?** In the Roman Catholic tradition Lenten fasting has been seen as a form of penance to the Lord for past sins. Christians from a variety of traditions see it as a time of prayer, repentance, and self-sacrifice for the purpose of focusing their attention on Christ and His sacrifice in the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Lent begins on a humble note on Ash Wednesday when people make their way to church to receive an imprint of ashes on their forehead in the form of a cross. “These are to remind us of our mortality and our dependence on God” as well as the sacrifice of Christ, which makes it possible for sinful mortals to go to God.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) ## ## **Why Forty Days?** Forty is a significant number in the Bible. It is a number associated with anticipation and preparation. Moses waited on Mt. Sinai forty days to receive the Law (Ex. 34:28), Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years before entering the promised land (Ex. 16:35), Elijah walked forty days to meet with God at Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), and most significantly, Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness before his temptation (Mark 1:13). Even after Christians had come to agree on a forty-day period of fasting before Easter, there was little uniformity in how churches counted the days. In Jerusalem Lent lasted eight weeks and people fasted Monday through Friday for a total of 40 fast days. In other places people fasted for six weeks, six days a week, making 36 fast days. Many in medieval times pointed to this period of thirty-six days “as the spiritual tithing of the year, thirty-six days being approximately the tenth part of three hundred and sixty-five.”[\[7\]](#_ftn7) Today Lent lasts six and one half weeks, with exactly forty fast days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Sundays have never been included as fast days, since celebration rather than fasting should characterize every Sunday–the day Jesus rose from the dead. ## ## **What Do People Give up for Lent?** Like much about Lent, what people give up and how often they abstain has varied throughout history and from person to person. For many years, Roman Catholics were called to fast six days a week. A fast was defined as eating only one full meal per day. Even during these meals they were to abstain from eating all animals (except fish) and animal products, such as milk, eggs, or fat. “This general prohibition of eggs and milk during Lent is perpetuated in the popular custom of blessing or making gifts of eggs at Easter, and in the English usage of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.”[\[8\]](#_ftn8) The name “Fat Tuesday” may also stem from “a custom of frying foods before Ash Wednesday in order to use up all the animal fat in a household.”[\[9\]](#_ftn9) In the twentieth century the Catholic Church lightened the fasting requirements for Lent. Today, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are instructed to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and to abstain from meat other than fish on all the Fridays of Lent. This helps explain McDonald’s increased marketing for its Filet-O-Fish sandwich every Easter season, and why many restaurants in predominantly Catholic parts of the country hold a Fish Fry on Friday nights (up until the mid-twentieth century, Catholics were instructed to abstain from meat every Friday of the year). While meat is the most common thing left out of one’s diet, people choose to give up all kinds of things during Lent. For example, some choose to abstain from something they enjoy such as chocolate, sugar, coffee, or television for the entire Lenten season. Others choose to fast from all food one day a week in order to give themselves to prayer and meditation on the work of Christ. ## ## **Do Protestants Observe Lent?** At the time of the Reformation the traditions surrounding Lent “were almost entirely swept away, as part of the Reformers’ general rejection of the use of all ceremonies in worship that were at best not understood by ordinary people and at worst interpreted in a highly superstitious manner.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) However, over the past two centuries Lent has made a comeback among Protestants. Today it is commonly observed by Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians and members of other mainline Protestant denominations. In recent years other Protestants such as Baptists and non-denominational congregations have begun to adopt the practice of fasting from something during Lent.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) While the practices, timing, and even the theology behind Lent has differed over the years and continues to differ between churches and individuals, many Christians continue to prepare for Easter Sunday through some form of fasting. [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Jack Santino, *All Around the Year: Holidays and Celebrations in American Life* (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1994), 102. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Paul F. Bradshaw and Hoffman, Lawrence A., eds., *Passover and Easter: Origin and History to Modern Times*, vol. 5, Two Liturgical Traditions (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1999), 3. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Herbert Thurston, “Lent,” In *The Catholic Encyclopedia*, vol. 9 (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910). Accessed 6 Feb. 2012. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Bradshaw and Hoffman, Lawrence A., *Passover and Easter*, 5:3. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) First Council of Nicaea, ; Athanasius, quoted in Thurston, “Lent.” [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Santino, *All Around the Year*, 102-103. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Thurston, “Lent.” [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Thurston, “Lent.” [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Santino, *All Around the Year*, 89. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Bradshaw and Hoffman, Lawrence A., *Passover and Easter*, 5:5. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Ted Olsen, “Weblog: Happy Ash Wednesday,” *Christianity Today*. Posted 1 March 2006. Accessed 6 February 2012. . --- *Originally published on February 22, 2012* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal, Uncategorized **Tags:** Easter, Fasting, Lent --- ### [One Word For Kids: New Year, New Growth Goal](https://gominno.com/blog/one-word-for-kids-new-year-new-growth-goal/) **Published:** January 1, 2026 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![One Word for Kids](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224008/7fA3IMmDRLyEpJmDTUAV-2-1024x578.jpg "One Word for Kids New Year Goals - Minno Kids") I’ve never been much of a resolutions person. The few times I tried to start the year with specific promises to myself, I came up short by Valentine’s Day. In the past few years, though, I’ve found great success in goal-setting each month in small doses and choosing one word as a theme or banner over my year. You may have seen this One Word phenomenon in your social media feed. Folks at [\#OneWord365](http://oneword365.com/) and [MyOneWord.org](http://myoneword.org/) have paved the way for others to choose one word that serves as motivation, inspiration, and focus. Last year my word was CULTIVATE and it was definitely a season of tending and taking care of important relationships and dreams. Placing that word as the banner over my year allowed me to prioritize and focus on mainly that which would cultivate my connections and goals. . . . . . . . . . . ### Choosing One Word for Kids This year, I decided to invite my children to choose One Word for the new year. A word that would remind them of a goal or dream for their life. We sat down together as a family for lunch on New Year’s Eve and discussed the idea. I expected them to take a while to understand the concept but to my surprise, they immediately shared their words. My 8-year-old daughter (who has had several challenges this year in 3rd grade with friendship dynamics) chose the word KINDNESS (and my mama heart fluttered with joy). My 5-year-old son (having really struggled with complaining lately) chose the word THANKFULNESS (and I knew God was speaking to his heart right then and there). Next, we chose a Bible verse to go along with their word to read and memorize as we purpose to keep the word in focus this year. Though choosing their words came easy (to my surprise), I know that following through and remaining focused on their words this year will be the real challenge. But I love that now we have something to point to when dealing with issues of kindness and gratitude. Choosing a word may take more time and thought, especially for some kids who may be resistant to the idea. If you haven’t done this in the past, consider choosing a word for yourself first. Then invite your children to participate in the process. Encourage your kids to think about what they want this year to be about. ### A Few Questions to Ask When Choosing One Word For Kids: 1. In what area do you want to grow this year? 2. What things have been challenging for you in the past? 3. Is there anything specific you want to get better at this year? 4. What gifts has God given you that you want to develop? 5. What friendships do you want to invest in? 6. (for 2021) What good things from 2020 would you like to take with you into the new year? (less activity, more family time, etc.) Answering these questions may bring to light a relationship or activity your child wants to focus on. His/her answers may lead to more specific goals and then a word that will encourage them to focus on those goals and keep going when things get tough. ### Don’t know where to begin? Start with the Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 is filled with words that will inspire and motivate kids. Especially for little ones (hey, even 3-4-year-old children can choose One Word!) . . . start with words like LOVE, JOY, PATIENCE, etc. > *But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV* ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03232643/One-Word-Image.png "One Word Image - Minno Kids") Download your [One Word for Kids printable here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/1f2GsxnlTvCKYfrGlEUm) and display your child’s word for the year! Or if you’d like to choose a family word + verse this year, [print the family version here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/MQk9tBJSIO5nLDoh8U33). I’ve learned that kids love to focus on specific things. They easily become obsessed with brands, characters, and book series because they want to connect with something and belong to something. This year, I want to encourage my kids to connect with purpose and belong to God and all He wants to do with their lives as they focus with intention. *Will you join us?* *Have you chosen one word for yourself or your kids before? What difference has it made in your lives?* Come share with us on [Facebook](http://facebook.com/minno) or [Instagram](http://instagram.com/gominno). *Originally published on [gatherandgrow.co](http://gatherandgrow.co)* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Goal Setting, New Year --- ### [The Ultimate List of Christmas Christian Kids Shows](https://gominno.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-christmas-christian-kids-shows/) **Published:** December 5, 2025 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik **Content:** ### **[![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/05195350/LaughAndGrowBible_ChristmasSpecial_SeriesThumbnail-1.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_ChristmasSpecial_SeriesThumbnail 1 - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_964_minno)** Some of the best moments of the Christmas season with kids come when everyone cuddles up on the couch to enjoy a holiday show or movie. And we especially love when those programs point us back to the true reason for the season. Thankfully, here at [Minno](https://gominno.com/), that’s what we’re all about with fun and meaningful Christian kids shows for children of all ages this Christmas. And while we believe your kids will enjoy ‘em all, we’re here to help you choose where to start. Maybe you’ll appease the kid with all the questions, the one who wants to watch an old favorite, or—let’s be real—the kid who needs a reminder about why we celebrate. Wherever you start, we hope to fill your home with holiday cheer all season long. ## **Christmas Christian Kids Shows for Kids Who Love the Classics** Because nostalgia is one of our favorite parts of the Christmas season. **1. [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_964_minno)** Tune in to with Minno’s Laugh and Grow Bible crew to learn about God’s promises to His people long ago—to make Abraham’s family into a great nation and to give him a descendant who would be the Savior of the world. That’s what Christmas is all about. Your kid will learn that Jesus is the fulfillment of a long-ago promise—and he’s also our friend. (Watch for free on Minno in English [here](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_964_minno) and in ASL [here](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2142_minno)!) ### **2. [VeggieTales Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_371_minno)** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/05200012/VeggieTalesChristmas_CoverArt_1920x1080.jpg "VeggieTalesChristmas_CoverArt_1920x1080 - Minno Kids") Bob, Larry, and Junior offer six Christmas specials including *The Little Drummer Boy*, *It’s a Meaningful Life*, and *The Toy That Saved Christmas*. Each one sure to capture your child’s imagination and become an annual holiday staple. ### **3. [Spark Story Bible Adventures: The Story of Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1658_minno)** From the award-winning Spark Story Bible comes an animated retelling of that very first Christmas. Told with humor and sincerity, this story brings to life God’s love for us all. ## **Christmas Christian Kids Shows for Kids Who Ask, “Why?”** Because every kid we know loves to ask questions and, by golly, do they expect answers! ### **1. [Buck Denver & Friends: Big Questions About Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_126_minno)** Join Buck Denver and loads of other favorite characters for a better understanding of the holiday season and why we celebrate. Each episode walks kids through the history of Christmas, with Buck asking questions like: Why do we have Christmas trees? How did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus? And who is Emmanuel? And every answer points to Jesus. ### **2. [Clive & Ian’s 12 Questions of Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_100_minno)** Cheeky friends, Clive and Ian, answer questions about Christmas in two-minute episodes. Packed with humor, history and theology, your kids will learn so much in such a short time. You might even use these as a springboard for daily meaningful family conversation as you countdown to Christmas. ### **3. [Buck Denver Asks: Why Do We Call it Christmas?](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_42_minno)** Buck is back with even more answers to your kids questions about everything we do during the Christmas season—from sweet to silly to sacred and everything in between. ### **4. [Stories From the Storyteller: The Incredible Christmas Dream](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1954_minno)** [![Stories from the Storyteller: The Incredible Christmas Dream - Christmas Christian Kids Shows](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/05200150/StoriesFromTheStoryteller-TheIncredibleChristmasDream_CoverArt_1920x1080.jpg "StoriesFromTheStoryteller-TheIncredibleChristmasDream_CoverArt_1920x1080 - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1954_minno) The always-entertaining Evan’s family learns a whole lot about generosity in this Christmas special. When kids Kelsey, J2, Kam, Kylar and Jade Wynter get a first look at their presents, it’s clear that one kid has a whole lot more packages than the others. But why? Tune in to find out! ## **Christmas Christian Kids Shows for Kids Who Love to Sing and Dance** Because there’s nothing better than young voices raised in worship and little legs dancing to the beat. ### **1. [Good News Guys Christmas!](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1921_minno)** [![Good News Guys Christmas! Christmas Christian Kids Shows](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/05202830/GoodNewsGuysChristmas_CoverArt_1920x1080.jpg "GoodNewsGuysChristmas_CoverArt_1920x1080 - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_1921_minno) Join Vinnie and Jordan in celebrating Christmas through song and dance. With episodes both sweet and silly, your kids can jump right in for the carol singalong. ### **2. [A Time for Advent](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_470_minno)** Tune in when your kiddos have just five minutes to spare. You’ll hear a snippet of the Christmas story, sing along with our lyrics video and end the moment in prayer. As you do, your family will be encouraged to embrace the wonder of Christmas through the lenses of hope, peace, joy and love. ### **3. [Listener Kids Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2054_minno)** Catchy music videos with a holiday twist. Enjoy traditional carols, holiday originals and even a few songs featuring special guest Sarah Macintosh! ### **4. [Bethel Music Kids Christmas Party](https://kids.gominno.com/search?searchquery=Bethel%20Music%20Kids%20Christmas%20Party)** We’re bringing the nostalgia of family holiday gatherings to your screen with child-led reenactments of the Christmas story. Each episode features a scripture reading and play, followed by worship music and Christmas carols. ## **Christmas Christian Kids Shows for Kids to Focus on What Really Matters** Because we can all benefit from putting our focus back on Jesus. ### **1. [Cheeky Pandas Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_997_minno)** [![Cheeky Pandas Christmas - Christmas Christian Kids Shows](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/05202957/CheekyPandasChristmas_SeriesThumbnail.jpg "CheekyPandasChristmas_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_997_minno) The Pandas plan the best Christmas ever, but nothing goes according to plan in this holiday special. Thankfully, they learn that presents and our striving for perfection aren’t what this season is all about anyway: it’s Jesus and the perfect gift of his birth. ### **2. [A Wowie BOZowee Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_469_minno)** Join the Green Bear Next Door, the Baxter family, and pals in this Christmas special that has it all—from snow-day creations and big-band performances to decorating the tree and exchanging presents. Plus a sweet reminder of the first Christmas season with a neighborhood nativity play. ### **3. [Whirl Christmas Adventures ](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_125_minno)** Fan favorites Ada and Leo face the same kinds of problems, temptations and everyday frustrations many kids face during the Christmas season. Thankfully, they’ve got a great group of friends who all help each other to look at life through the lens of God’s word. ### **4. [The Slugs and Bugs Show: Make Ready for Christmas](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_998_minno)** This two-part Christmas special packs in all the holiday magic—from a Christmas Eve pageant to advent celebrations and even a mysterious chocolate chip disappearance. But all the busyness means they might just miss out on the whole reason for the season in the first place. **Categories:** Minno Show Guides, Seasonal --- ### [4 Reasons to Start an Advent Candle Tradition with Your Family](https://gominno.com/blog/4-reasons-to-start-an-advent-candle-tradition-with-your-family/) **Published:** November 12, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RXwc1MThSNOtkQxcJOsB.jpg) I have mixed feelings about the busyness of Christmas. With all its programs and parties and consumerism, sometimes Christmas makes me want to run and hide. I’ve tried to bring a deeper sense of peace to the season using [daily Advent readings](http://gominno.com/christmas), but always fall behind around Day 4. Over the past few years, I have found that a meaningful, less stressful tradition is to light a weekly Advent candle. Originally a Lutheran tradition, the Advent wreath and candles have been brought into other denominations because of their simple beauty. The candles in the wreath are lit once a week, usually on Sundays, starting four weekends before Christmas. The last candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Each candle has a special meaning and its lighting is traditionally accompanied by a thematic Bible reading. Maybe your church follows this tradition, lighting a candle each week during Advent. If you’ve been a part of this sacred practice before, you may have already adopted it for your home and family. If not, I’m sharing 4 reasons that this has become my favorite, no-stress, can’t-miss-it, Christmas tradition. ## 4 Reasons to Start an Advent Candle Tradition with Your Family **1. It builds a sense of anticipation for something other than presents.** You know the struggle—you tell your kids that Christmas is more than presents, but every year, the anticipation always revolves around the gifts! The mere idea of wrapped boxes makes them exciting, even if we [pare the gifts down to a bare minimum](https://www.gominno.com/parents/a-simple-and-meaningful-christmas-gift-plan-for-families/). With Advent candles, we start by lighting only one candle. The next week, we light two candles. As we wait in anticipation for Christmas day, our kids also wait in anticipation for the day we finally light all the candles! This increases our sense of anticipation and expectation for more than just the gifts and becomes a symbol and reminder of how the Jewish people waited for their Messiah. **2. It’s a hands-on way to introduce a big concept to kids.** Just as “the people living in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16), we await the lighting of the final Christ-candle in the middle of the wreath. Our children may not yet fully understand the concept of Christ being light, but they will definitely understand the frustration of waiting for something to happen! As they await the lighting of the final candle, the Christ-candle, they may ask to light all the candles at once. This is a fabulous opportunity to explain that this is how God’s people felt: God didn’t speak to the Israelites for 400 years, and so they waited in spiritual darkness for their Savior for a VERY long time! Fortunately, we don’t have to wait quite that long to light all our candles as a celebration of Jesus’ arrival. **3. It’s easy to fit into your schedule.** Rather and trying to squeeze an extra devotion into an already busy season, lighting Advent candles can be a 5 minute moment that you do 5 times throughout the entire season. You can handle that, trust me. **4. It brings peace to the chaos.** There is nothing my kids love more than turning off all the lights and staring into a flame. This also gives me a chance to reflect and calm down, and it keeps my squirmy boys more engaged than doing a devotional in normal lighting conditions. Candles are magical, seriously. If you’re ready to bring some peace and Christ-filled anticipation to your Advent season, here’s your quick-start guide: **What You Need:** **5 candles: 3 purple, 1 pink, and 1 white.** The type of candle is unimportant: taper or pillar or tea light, scented or unscented. If you have trouble finding those colors, white candles are just fine! This is a great way to get your children involved; have them create simple holders out of playdough or painted baby food jars. Place them in a circle with the white candle in the center. **Family-Friendly Advent Readings** We created this [Minno Family Advent Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/christmas) to help guide your family through Advent with a simple and meaningful rhythm. This Advent devotional is appropriate for children ages 3 and up. It provides a rhythm that will help family members of all ages engage in the season. [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21121555/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCover-799x1024.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCover - Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional) There are several traditional formats that Advent readings can follow. This devotional follows the Hope / Peace / Joy / Love message tradition. Starting this Advent candle tradition will help you teach your kids about the season while building Christ-focused anticipation for Christmas in a simple, peaceful way. May your season be full of the joy and peace of Christ this year! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** 5 Minute Family Devotionals, Advent, Christmas, Family Devotions --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Courage](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-courage/) **Published:** July 17, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/njHV8kBYQ06xrGR3EQuW.jpg) Courage! With back to school around the corner and all of its new friends, new sports, new teachers, and new academic challenges, every kid could use a little courage. Here are 3 Bible stories to use to teach your kids about courage. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Courage ### Joshua **Joshua 1:1-9** In this opening passage of the book of Joshua, God commissions Joshua to be the new leader of the Israelites after Moses died. Joshua will be the one to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land! After 40 years of wandering in the desert, the people will finally be home. But the Promised Land is full of new challenges, armies and more. So God tells Joshua 3 times in these 9 verses to “be strong and courageous.” Thankfully, the Lord’s commands to Joshua are not without His promise for provision and protection. In verse 5, God promises that he will always be with Joshua, that he will never leave him or forsake him, then he follows in verse 6 with the command to be strong and courageous. How could Joshua be afraid when God had made such a promise to him? In verse 9, God says “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When talking to your kids about the story of Joshua, ask them if they know that God’s promises to Joshua are true for them as well. **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Joshua and Jericho](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_934_minno) [60 Second Bible Stories: Joshua](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_13_minno) [What’s in the Bible?: Finally The Promised Land](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_83_minno) ### Esther **Esther 5,7** The story of the brave young queen Esther is one of the most famous in the whole Bible. Esther, a young Jewish woman, has married King Xerxes. But Xerxes’ evil associate Haman wants to kill all the Jews, starting with Esther’s cousin Mordecai. Esther knows she should ask the King to intervene, but it took tremendous courage! After all, the law said that if she even approached the King without his permission, she could be killed. Esther asked Mordecai to have all the Jews fast and pray for her for 3 days. She knew that she had to be courageous, and the prayers of her people surely helped! When you discuss this story with your kids, ask them how you can pray for them. Remind them that prayer is a powerful tool and they can always count on God to meet them with what they need. **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Brave Queen Esther](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_934_minno) [VeggieTales: Esther – The Girl Who Became Queen](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_87_minno) [What’s in the Bible?: Brave Queen Esther](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_83_minno) [Holy Moly: Queen Esther](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_130_minno) ### Paul’s Trip to Rome **Acts 27** Paul had been arrested and was being sent to Rome for a trial. He warned the crew of the ship that it would be a very dangerous trip, but they didn’t listen to him and set sail anyway. There was a long storm, and they ran out of food. But Paul told them that an angel had appeared to him and said that no one would die, because Paul had to appear in Rome. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.” So Paul told the men to have courage. He told them they would have shipwreck, but they would be safe. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to encourage the people who were holding you captive? But Paul did that very thing, trusting in the Lord for the courage he needed. And his courage gave the ship’s men courage as well. Ask your children who in their lives gives them courage, using Paul as an example. **Related Episodes on Minno:** Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Courage --- ### [Introduce Your Kids to Spiritual Practices with Our Newest Minno Life Guide](https://gominno.com/blog/introduce-your-kids-to-spiritual-practices-with-our-newest-minno-life-guide/) **Published:** February 17, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bZAquzBwToGso3UxGSIR.jpg) We are so excited to announce the release of our newest Minno Life Guide: Spiritual Practices. From the youngest age, kids learn that mastering anything requires practice–whether it is playing piano, throwing a football, swimming, singing, or baking. Their passions will lead them to practice, and the reverse is often true: what we practice, we love. The journey of faith can also be *practiced*, through many traditional activities known as spiritual practices or spiritual disciplines. While we can’t become “more” Christian than we are the first moment we believe in Jesus, we can practice the elements of a Christian life and become more like Jesus as we know Him and His Word better. #### **What are Spiritual Practices?** Spiritual practices are inward and outward expressions of faith, rooted in Scripture and tradition, that draw us closer to God. They are disciplines, practices that require work and repetition, that we get better at and grow more comfortable with the more we do them. And they are a critical part of the Christian life, helping us to mature in godliness. Our newest Minno Life Guide will take you through the basics of the most kid-friendly spiritual practices, and offer practical suggestions for teaching and doing them with your family. We’ve also included printable table talk cards, perfect for learning about and doing each practice together. **Spiritual Practices covered in this Minno Life Guide include:** - Reading Scripture - Sabbath - Worship - Prayer - Fasting - Simplicity - Fellowship - Service Get your [Minno Life Guide on Spiritual Practices](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-spiritual-practices) in the Minno Store today. . . . . . . . . . . #### **About Minno Life Guides** **![Introducing Minno Life Guides.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bHOOlNRuRSCHUJd99OOK.jpg)** Parenting is beautiful *and* hard, often at the same time. You don’t need anyone to tell you that. You’re living in that reality, perhaps now more than ever. But maybe what you **do** need is a little help . . . to navigate everything you’re juggling on any given day. Maybe you have questions . . . about development, emotions, technology, education . . . not to mention teaching your kids about God and faith . . . okay maybe you have lots of questions . . . and no time to read all of those parenting books piled high on your nightstand. Our mission at Minno Life is to share expert help and everyday encouragement to support you in finding answers to those questions . . . the answers **you** need for **your** family. And we developed Minno Life Guides to do just that. These mini-ebooks bring together the most important information from like-minded experts on those topics that may keep you up at night . . . or at least on Google more often than you care to admit. When you jump into these Life Guides, you won’t feel like you’re in over your head. There’s just enough carefully curated, evidence-based information to answer your toughest questions . . . and guidance on when and where you might want to dive deeper. Click [HERE](https://gominno.com/minno-life-guides/) to read more about all of our Life Guides. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Minno Life Guides **Tags:** Minno Life Guides, Spiritual Practices --- ### [Help Kids Regulate Emotions with Our Latest Minno Life Guide](https://gominno.com/blog/help-kids-regulate-emotions-with-minno-life-guide/) **Published:** October 14, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/r0Y2VWsbTWeXSgUbdF9U.jpg) *Tired of feeling driven by emotions—yours and your child’s?* Our latest Minno Life Guide is here to help! Parenting is an emotional journey! One minute kids are laughing and the next they are having a tantrum, often causing parents to want to meltdown themselves! Emotions are a part of how God created us and when we teach our kids how to respond to and regulate their emotions, we prepare them to live healthy lives. Our latest Minno Life Guide, *Emotions*, brings together the expertise and insight of seasoned child and family counselors Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan. A thoughtfully curated overview of the science and stages of emotional growth, this mini ebook guides grownups on how to navigate the ups and downs of feelings with practical tips on how to respond in a way that will foster a child’s healthy emotional life. #### ***How can the [Emotions Minno Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-life-guide-emotions) help your family?*** - Learn the science behind a child’s emotional development to better understand their journey. - Use the included Feelings Chart to help kids recognize and name their emotions. - Discover emotional milestones and ways to help children reach them by learning to regulate their big, often confusing feelings. - Understand the challenges to developing emotional intelligence and how to overcome them. - Dig into what the Bible says about emotions. - Find specific insight for girls and boys to help guide children according to the way God uniquely created them. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nIzxmhPEQpCI88YOBIVG.jpg) Raising healthy kids isn’t just about making sure they get good food and exercise. A child’s well-being includes their physical, spiritual, *and* emotional selves. The [Emotions Minno Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-life-guide-emotions) helps parents lead kids in navigating their emotional world to develop wholehearted, healthy emotional lives. Grab yours in the [Minno Store](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-life-guide-emotions), it’s on sale for $4.99! . . . . . . . . . . #### **About Minno Life Guides** **![Introducing Minno Life Guides.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bHOOlNRuRSCHUJd99OOK.jpg)** Parenting is beautiful *and* hard, often at the same time. You don’t need anyone to tell you that. You’re living in that reality, perhaps now more than ever. But maybe what you **do** need is a little help . . . to navigate everything you’re juggling on any given day. Maybe you have questions . . . about development, emotions, technology, education . . . not to mention teaching your kids about God and faith . . . okay maybe you have lots of questions . . . and no time to read all of those parenting books piled high on your nightstand. Our mission at Minno Life is to share expert help and everyday encouragement to support you in finding answers to those questions . . . the answers **you** need for **your** family. And we developed Minno Life Guides to do just that. These mini-ebooks bring together the most important information from like-minded experts on those topics that may keep you up at night . . . or at least on Google more often than you care to admit. When you jump into these Life Guides, you won’t feel like you’re in over your head. There’s just enough carefully curated, evidence-based information to answer your toughest questions . . . and guidance on when and where you might want to dive deeper. Click [HERE](http://gominno.com/minno-life-guides) to read more about all of our Life Guides! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Minno Life Guides **Tags:** Emotions, Minno Life Guides --- ### [It's Not Too Late to Celebrate Advent](https://gominno.com/blog/its-not-too-late-to-celebrate-advent/) **Published:** November 29, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/24201152/Advent-Candle.png "Advent Candle - Minno Kids") #### **It’s Not Too Late to Celebrate Advent . . .** We’ve all been [the tired Christmas mama before](https://www.gominno.com/parents/dear-tired-mama-its-time-to-relax-and-enjoy-christmas/)—the one who braved the malls (maybe stayed up way too late on Amazon), decked the halls, and planned ALL the holiday meals. Today, on this *week-after-the-Sunday-of-Advent,* we want to encourage the mom who feels like she’s already let the family down . . . just a few days into the season. *That Advent candle didn’t get lit.* It’s a miracle you even got out the door Sunday morning. Church was busy. Then lunch. Then an afternoon activity or much-needed naps. Then, of course, someone was grumpy before dinner. Or, maybe you were just catching a breather since Thanksgiving and Christmas are so close this year and your calendar is filled with so many things. Maybe you haven’t even pulled out the decorations yet. *It’s OK. Don’t think about it another minute. What you missed is just a day on the calendar.* Thankfully, the messages of Advent can’t ever be missed. The message of HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE. #### **The Hope of Advent** There’s a reason the first Sunday of Advent is all about hope. But hope may be the last thing you are feeling right about now. Maybe it’s the first year your kids are old enough to start to engage in the Advent tradition. And when it didn’t happen on Sunday, some of your hope for your Christmas season got a little dimmer. But hope isn’t a feeling at all. Hope is the belief that God will fulfill His promises. Hope was evident in Abraham when God promised His blessing, and hope was carried throughout the Bible, all the way to the long-awaited arrival of a baby—[*Emmanuel*](https://www.gominno.com/parents/who-is-emmanuel/), God’s promised blessing. Hope doesn’t live in a candle, a day, a wreath, or a single moment. Hope lives through ages and generations, the good and the hard times. Because hope is rooted in who God says He is. Hope is a message that doesn’t go away, fade, or get any less meaningful. Even when our plans don’t pan out. #### **Hope for the Last-Minute Mama (we’ve all been there)** It’s not too late. It never really is. Look up a [Bible verse on hope](https://www.gominno.com/parents/bible-verses-for-kids-about-hope/) – [peace](https://www.gominno.com/parents/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-peace/) – [joy](https://www.gominno.com/parents/bible-verses-for-kids-about-joy/) – or [love](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-love/) and share it with your family. It can take just 5 minutes. Or, grab our [Laugh and Grow Bible Family Advent Devotional](http://www.gominno.com/christmas). There are no rules on how to do it well or requirements to do it perfectly. The whole goal is to orient your heart toward Jesus as you anticipate the celebration of His arrival. However perfectly imperfect that looks for your family, what’s important is shifting your focus on Him this season. #### **Why Advent?** At Christmas, we remember God came to be with us. [*Emmanuel*](https://www.gominno.com/parents/who-is-emmanuel/). The season of Advent helps us pause to recognize that Jesus came once and that He will come again. Our hearts long for the day Jesus returns, and Advent helps us to look back to His first coming and restore our hope in His second coming. Christ has come, Christ has died, Christ has risen, and at Advent, we remember that *Christ will come again.* Until then, we live in the tension of the already/not yet of Jesus’ presence and what that means for our own humanity. The season of Advent is meant to bring hope and purpose to our tension, not guilt from unrealized expectations. #### **It’s Not Too Late to Download the Minno Advent Family Devotional and Join Us This Year!** [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21121555/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCover-799x1024.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCover - Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional) There are several traditional formats that Advent readings can follow. This devotional follows the Hope / Peace / Joy / Love message tradition. We pray you feel the hope of Jesus in the midst of whatever you do (or don’t get to do) with your family this season. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Advent, Christmas, Family Devotions --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Hope](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-hope/) **Published:** December 6, 2019 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![Organization - Non-profit organisation](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224457/7deR2vfbQxSTC9A7c40e-1-1024x579.jpg "5 Bible Memory Verses about Hope - Minno Kids") > I hope I can go to the birthday party—it’s at a water park! > > I hope I get a horse for Christmas! > > I hope I get to play for the Lakers when I’m in the NBA! *Ever heard your kids say something like this?* When we use the word “hope”, we typically mean it like a “wish” or a “cross your fingers” type of sentiment. Our kids are great at hoping (wishing) for certain things in life, even if they’re not very realistic (like my 8-year-old being in the NBA!). *And you know what?* I absolutely love the optimism of children. Their bright and energetic enthusiasm for everything in life reminds me to be enthusiastic and optimistic more often. *So what we can do as parents is to teach our kids about what HOPE means from a Bible-centered viewpoint?* Biblical hope isn’t a “wish and a prayer” type outlook, where we want something with all our might even though we aren’t sure if it will really happen. The word “hope” in Greek (the language of the New Testament) is “elpis”, which means “expectation, trust, confidence”. When that word is used in the Bible, it refers to *actively waiting* for God’s fulfillment of what He promised. Having hope in Bible times meant that you were waiting in sure expectation for the fulfillment of God’s greatest promise–the Messiah! Jesus, the One who came to set us free, is the “promise and confidence” of all the world! He is who believing people of the Bible trusted and expected to deliver them from sin and He is who believing people of all times continue to hope in as well. Next time your kids say they are hoping for something have a conversation about how Jesus is our hope and that we can have confidence in Him, even if we don’t get everything else in life we are hoping for! Here are five Bible passages about hope in Jesus that you can share with your kids! # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Hope Matthew 12:17-21 (NLT) This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. **And his name will be the hope** **of all the world.”** Romans 15:13 (NLT) I pray that God, **the source of hope**, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with **confident hope** through the power of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 6:19 (NIV) We have this **hope as an anchor for the soul**, firm and secure. Romans 5:5 (NLT) And **this hope will not lead to disappointment**. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! **A****ccording to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ** from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Because of this promise fulfilled, our children can have a hope that will not disappoint them. Jesus isn’t a wish or a daydream, He is the perfect Savior who they can rely on and receive grace from each day. He is the “hope of all the nations”, on Christmas Day and every day! ![684390_5BibleVersesHopeUpdate_V1_0326...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lF1r2hbIQY2OgVrCrCHq.jpg) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Hope](https://cdn.buttercms.com/uyg9kUdRnG1iBGp2OzaX) **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Hope, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Ways to Prep Your Family for the Busy Holiday Season](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-prep-your-family-for-the-busy-holiday-season/) **Published:** November 1, 2024 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/01144717/Prep-Your-Family-for-the-Busy-Holiday-Season-1024x578.jpg "Prep Your Family for the Busy Holiday Season - Minno Kids") As the calendar flips from fall to the holidays, anticipation may start to fill your home and heart—but not necessarily the good kind! While Thanksgiving and [Christmas](https://gominno.com/lp/christmas/) mean celebrations and big family meals, adorable school plays, and (maybe too) many sweets, they can also bring complicated relational dynamics, overstimulation, greed, and the trap of comparison. Scripture offers us abundant wisdom for every season, including the hubbub of the holidays. As parents and caregivers, we have the opportunity to shepherd children’s hearts through the chaos and cheer of the next few months. A little early-season preparation will go a long way toward having a peaceful, Jesus-centered holiday season. Here are a few ways Scripture can guide us: # ***Keep Busyness In Its Proper Place*** Regardless of how you feel about the holidays, they are guaranteed to be one thing: busy. An overloaded calendar can lead to a constant feeling of frenzy for you, which trickles down into your kids. When everything feels “unmissable,” you have the opportunity to create a rhythm of rest around the holidays. At the beginning of the season, make a list of everything you *could* do. Then, as a family, set some guidelines for your calendar. These guidelines can be limits to how many nights a week you have events, or based on your budget, or letting each family member pick one special event and then saying “no” to the rest. And try not to over-commit to creating; kids won’t remember if you make homemade treats for every event or if you buy packaged cookies at the store. **Ultimately, the best part of the holiday calendar is creating space for [relationships to flourish and celebrating in community](https://gominno.com/blog/christmas-conversation-starters-for-families/). Prioritize the people you get to spend time with, not the things you have to make or do.** When Jesus spent time with the sisters Martha and Mary in Luke 10, he spoke to this very thing. Mary rests at Jesus’ feet, soaking in her time with Him. Martha rushes about preparing food, and complains to Jesus that Mary is not helping her. Jesus responds with, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion.” (Luke 10:41-42, ESV) **As you make your holiday plans this year, choose the good portion—time with Jesus and the people He has put into your life.** **Holiday Discipleship Tip:** Find simple ways to incorporate faith-building into your Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. Read a [Bible verse](https://gominno.com/blog/five-thanksgiving-verses/) or stop to pray in the midst of fun activities. When we include spiritual practices within everything we do during the holidays, our kids are reminded that it’s all about Jesus! # ***Seek the Good of Your City and Neighbors*** During the holidays, we can be inundated with calls to help and serve those less fortunate. Rather than just giving money this year, try intentionally seeking the good of people in your city and neighborhood who need extra support. **Involving your children in serving others during the holidays teaches them that Jesus calls us to love and give, not just receive.** Research places to volunteer together, and try to find organizations in your community where you could serve regularly throughout the year—not just during the holidays! Spend time praying as a family about how you want to steward any year-end giving funds that you may have set aside. Before receiving new gifts, sort through old clothes and toys and donate those in good condition to local organizations that will give them to children in your city. 1 John 3:16–18 (NIV) says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” **Holiday Discipleship Tip:** Pray about starting a new tradition of serving others in your community during the holiday season or even quarterly. Research shows that kids who serve with their families regularly are more likely to have a life-long walk with Jesus. # ***Prioritize Peace*** Your family probably isn’t perfect; in fact, relational tension often flares up at the holidays! And children can sense when things aren’t right. Maybe you’re nervous about political conversations at the dinner table or complicated parent-child relationships with older children or even adults. Colossians 3:12–14 (NIV) offers us wisdom for navigating these situations and more: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” **Prioritizing peace won’t be complete or easy, but modeling forgiveness, honesty, compassion, humility, and patience will go a long way toward shaping your children’s (and your!) heart in this season.** It’s ok to mess up, to let an exasperated comment slip out or to step out of a heated room to take a deep breath. In fact, these moments of prioritizing peace and asking for the Lord’s presence will be incredible teaching moments for your children! **Holiday Discipleship Tip:** One of the most powerful ways we can model grace for our kids is to admit it when we need God’s help and when we mess up. Don’t be afraid to talk with your kids about some of the tension you may be feeling and how you are relying on God to help you show compassion and kindness when it’s hard. # ***Reframe Gift Giving*** Toy catalogs began appearing in my mailbox well before October this year! I immediately threw them away, because this year we are trying so hard as a family to limit the consumerism and accumulation of stuff that happens during the holidays. Gift giving is a beautiful practice that reminds us of the best gift we could ever receive: the gift of Jesus. **But when the gifts become the goal, the holidays can feel like a race to shop, find the best deal, buy, order, wrap, open, play, lose, and give away a few months later.** Does that sound familiar? Rather than making lists of what they want to receive, ask your children to make a list of people they want to give a gift to. Then encourage them to make those gifts with supplies you have around the house! Writing a poem, drawing a picture, or baking cookies can all be wonderful ways to show love without purchasing and accumulating things. Paul reminds us in Acts 20:35 (NIV) that Jesus said, “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” **Holiday Discipleship Tip:** Consider adopting a [limited, meaning-driven Christmas gift-giving strategy](https://gominno.com/blog/a-simple-and-meaningful-christmas-gift-plan-for-families/) this year to help kids connect their gifts to the story of Jesus. # ***Focus on Jesus*** I know it sounds cliche and it’s easier said than done in the midst of all of the holiday craziness, but it’s worth the reminder to bring our gaze back to the One we are celebrating in the first place. Even before the [Advent](https://gominno.com/lp/advent/) and Christmas seasons dawn upon us, Thanksgiving is a time to share gratitude for all of the gifts He’s given us—both relational and material. When we start early in the season to intentionally focus all of our activities, conversations, and even the gifts we give, around Jesus, we communicate clearly to our kids that He truly is the reason for the season. If peace and joy are our goals for the holiday season, we can only find them in Him. Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” When we focus on Jesus, He meets us with the gift of His presence, full of peace and joy, that will carry us through whatever we encounter this holiday season. **Holiday Discipleship Tip:** Use a fun, meaning-filled resource like the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-advent/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional) and the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Christmas Special](https://gominno.com/lp/christmas/) to keep your family focused on what truly matters this holiday season. [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18201344/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Book-Mom-and-Daughter.png "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Book Mom and Daughter - Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-advent/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional) *Written by Melanie Rainer* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Advent, Christmas, Family Life, Family Rhythms, Holidays, Thanksgiving --- ### [Simple Ways to Practice Advent with Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-practice-advent-with-kids/) **Published:** November 1, 2025 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18201344/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Book-Mom-and-Daughter.png) As parents today, we have endless options for making the most of Christmas. We can scour social media for the latest and greatest deals. We can peruse Pinterest for DIY decor ideas. We can buy ready-made advent calendars filled with treats and toys galore. But sometimes, the best way to enjoy the magic of Christmas is to lean into the simplicity of the season—to remember why we celebrate, and to share those reasons with our kids. Here at Minno, we want to help you do just that. ## **5 Simple Ways to Practice Advent as a Family** Advent can be a beautiful time of anticipation. Not just for gifts—although those are fun too! But also excitement for the joy and hope brought about as we remember Christ’s birth. All of the Advent ideas below come together quickly and with little-to-no effort. But the payoff can be huge! Encouraging kids to spend a few minutes learning about why we celebrate Christmas makes the season that much sweeter for everyone. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181115/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-christmasvideoImage-1024x576.jpg) #### **1. Watch The [*Laugh and Grow Bible Christmas Special*](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_964_minno)** Start off the month of December with the story of the first Christmas. In this 20-minute special, your kids will join the Minno crew to learn about God’s promises to His people long ago—to make Abraham’s family into a great nation and to give him a descendant who would be the Savior of the world. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise! And just like Minno Kids Margot, Lexi, Miguel, and Logan learn, your child will discover that Jesus is also our friend. Want to know the best part? [The Christmas Special](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_964_minno) is available whether or not you have a subscription to Minno. Give it a try as you practice Advent with your kids and see what our programming is all about! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21121555/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCover-799x1024.png) #### **2. Read the [*Laugh and Grow Advent Devotional*](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional)** Grab a copy of our favorite hardback devotional at a special discounted price! The book walks you and your kids through four weeks of stories sure to spark meaningful conversations—and plenty of laughs—along the way. Each daily reading includes a moment for family connection through prayer, memory verses, and play. [Use this open-and-go Advent](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional) to start a tradition that will last for years to come! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05213755/LAGB_Christmas_Family_Fun_Guide_2024_Cover_240.jpg) #### **3. Download the FREE [*Laugh and Grow Bible* Family Fun Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/christmasfun/)** This guide is perfect for keeping young kids engaged in the meaning and message of Christmas. It comes with so many printable ideas and activities, including: - Games - Coloring Pages - Gift Tags - Crafts - Prayers - Discussion Guides Plus a full month of cut-out activity slips to fill an advent calendar! [You do not want to miss this cheery and meaningful family fun guide](https://gominno.com/lp/christmasfun/). ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19161705/ADVENTcandles_ProgramImage-1024x576.png) #### **4. Sing Along with Our Weekly Family Advent Videos** [Tune in each week](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_470_minno) when you and your kiddos have just five minutes to spare. You’ll hear a snippet of the Christmas story, sing along with our lyrics video, and end the moment in prayer. As you do, your family will be encouraged to embrace the wonder of Christmas through the lenses of hope, peace, joy, and love. You’ll also find that, at the end of each episode, we light a candle representing what we’ve learned. Feel free to bring this video moment into the real world by [lighting candles of your own](https://gominno.com/blog/4-reasons-to-start-an-advent-candle-tradition-with-your-family/). It’s a wonderful tradition that adds warmth and a tangible reminder of Christ’s birth. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20222250/Holiday20Thumbnails_Christmas_c4-1024x576.jpg) #### **5. Join us for [*Church at Home*](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_269_minno) This Christmas Season** Traveling for the holidays, have a sick kiddo at home, or simply haven’t yet found a church family? [Join us each week for kid-friendly worship music and the Minno Sunday Fun Show](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_269_minno). Our Christmas programming runs seven Sundays and covers everything from the angel’s visit with Mary to Jesus’ birth and beyond! Each episode lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and includes fun stories and moments with *The Owlegories*, *Buck Denver*, and *Bethel Kids*. We hope these resources help you find simple and joy-filled ways to reflect on the reason for the season with your kids! *By: Stephanie Thomas* **Categories:** Activity Packs, Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Laugh and Grow Bible, Seasonal **Tags:** Advent, Christmas --- ### [The Importance of Dual-Language Learning for Preschoolers](https://gominno.com/blog/the-importance-of-dual-language-learning-for-preschoolers/) **Published:** October 3, 2025 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/03173248/Dual-Language-Learning-for-Preschoolers-e1759513278500-1024x603.jpg "Dual Language Learning for Preschoolers - Minno Kids") When you’re parenting a preschooler, it can feel like a big win to hear him say “please” without any reminders from you. But a four-year-old who throws out a casual “por favor?” Now that’s *really* impressive. It’s also totally possible. Kids are sponges. They soak up everything we do and say. That’s how they learn to speak. It’s in this window of nonstop learning that introducing a second language is especially effective. Let’s take a look at what research tells us about the benefits of bilingualism as well as the compelling reasons for starting your child’s language learning journey at an early age. At the end of the article, we’ll share a few fun options for your little one to begin learning a second language today! **Language Learning Around the World** If you’re reading this from outside of the United States, [you might wonder why we need to encourage parents in this area](https://www.actfl.org/advocacy-and-public-education/the-benefits-of-learning-languages). After all, 9 out of 10 European students learn a second language in school and a quarter of Canadians are fluent in English and French. And many schools in other areas of the world teach both the student’s native language as well as English. Here in the U.S., however, just 20% of students in elementary school through high school take a foreign language class. And—if our own upbringings are any indication—we can guess that only a small percentage of those students will ever become bilingual. Is it possible that the rest of the world knows something we don’t? **Benefits of Learning a Second Language** Before we get into the nitty-gritty reasons found in research, let’s talk about one that feels almost idyllic: Children who learn a second language become adults who connect to the world in a more open and understanding way. [Bilingualism opens kids up](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6168212/) to new cultures, bringing opportunities for friendship and—later—for employment, travel and deeper connections. But there’s also something happening in the *brains* of bilingual people as well: They routinely prove [more capable at functions requiring executive control](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4341987/)—tasks like making decisions and prioritizing plans. And scientists have also identified a [higher density of brain tissue](https://www.the74million.org/zero2eight/zero-to-3-never-a-better-time-to-learn-a-second-language/) in the parts of the brain that improve language, memory and attention span. Think about what that means for you as a parent and for your child as they grow and learn in our world today. Developing a skill that adds meaning to life will also aid your son or daughter in managing information and engaging with others in a calmer and more effective way. The most interesting part? Researchers discovered greater brain tissue density in adults who were introduced to a second language [before the age of five](https://www.the74million.org/zero2eight/zero-to-3-never-a-better-time-to-learn-a-second-language/). **Why Now is The Best Time to Introduce Your Child to a Second Language** Beyond brain-tissue building, researchers point to other key reasons that the younger you can encourage bilingualism in a child, the better. By starting early you can: **Take Advantage of Passive Learning** Babies, toddlers and young children understand the meaning of words, and how to use them, [by listening](https://unric.org/en/why-do-children-learn-languages-more-effortlessly-than-adults/). This is called implicit, or unconscious, learning. In other words: the process of introducing a new language to young children can be quite simple. **Watch Your Child Gain Understanding of Conversational Nuance** We talked earlier about the lifelong benefits of bilingualism. [But there are immediate ones too](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6168212/). Researchers found that preschoolers who speak two languages are better able to pick up on tone of voice as well as the intentions and perspectives of another person. **Get Ahead of The Language-Learning Decline** While researchers can’t quite agree on the exact age when a person is “too old” to learn a new language—[some say 17](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6559801/), others say [you’re never too old](https://www.the74million.org/zero2eight/zero-to-3-never-a-better-time-to-learn-a-second-language/)—studies do show a [consistent decline in the ability](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6168212/) to become bilingual as a person gets older. There’s truly no better time to introduce a second language to your child than right now. **Remember the Value of Non-Verbal Language** When we think about teaching kids a second language, we might first consider Spanish, French or Chinese. But we can’t forget about ASL. In recent years, sign language has proven a [helpful means of communication](https://headstart.gov/publication/using-american-sign-language-early-learning) for babies and toddlers who are not yet verbal. This is especially true for little ones who feel frustrated and can’t quite form the words to say what they need. As kids grow, learning ASL can [help with letter recognition and reading comprehension](https://www.cceionline.com/the-benefits-of-sign-language-for-preschoolers/) as well as an [increased vocabulary](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6900220/). But the benefits extend well beyond academics. Studies show that kids who learn sign language better understand [facial expressions](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6900220/), exhibit [higher levels of focus](https://slcb.ca/en/12-good-reasons-to-learn-sign-language%E2%80%AF/) and have [more self-contro](https://vl2.gallaudet.edu/news/revolutionizing-the-science-of-learning)l. Plus, it’s just cool that a kid can speak two languages *at the same time* when they know ASL! And just like with spoken languages, kids who learn sign language open a window of connection and friendship into a community that can sometimes face isolation and loneliness. **Three Fun Ways to Introduce a New Language To Your Child Today** When there’s no downside to learning a second language—and a whole lot of ups—you might as well get started right away. Thankfully, here at Minno, we know the value of Biblically-based content that’s both fun and educational. We’ve got three options you might want to check out. Each of the shows below offer young viewers a way to take advantage of implicit learning and to adopt new information while laughing and enjoying healthy screen time. **Check out our new Spanish/English show,** [***Guillermo and Will***](https://gominno.com/g-and-w/)**, featuring two cross-cultural puppet friends who take on adventure with joy and wonder.** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/29212718/GuillermoAndWill_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "GuillermoAndWill_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids") **Watch** [***The Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids***](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-with-asl/) **with American Sign Language.** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/18171705/LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids") **Enjoy** [***The Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids***](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-crece-y-rie-con-la-biblia-para-ninos/) **in Spanish.** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26152513/LaughAndGrowBibleSpanish_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "LaughAndGrowBibleSpanish_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids") Then, if you like, you and your preschooler can mimic what you see and hear. Choose a few words in Spanish that seem to get your child’s attention and use them in everyday life. Practice signing words that are helpful to your family. After that, the sky is the limit. [Learning a third language is easier than the second](https://www.actfl.org/advocacy-and-public-education/the-benefits-of-learning-languages)—*so why stop at two? Mas, por favor!* *written by Stephanie Thomas* **Categories:** Child Development, Education, Kids + Parenting, New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Dual-Language Learning, Guillermo and Will, New on Minno, Spanish --- ### [Fun Fall Traditions for Families](https://gominno.com/blog/fun-fall-traditions-for-families/) **Published:** September 29, 2024 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TaXOgbGlTnu5MqYgeT5c.jpg) In our house, fall is a time of renewal and a time for starting afresh. It is a time where no matter what kind of crazy (in a good way) summer we’ve had, we begin to tighten things up and become more intentional with our time. You could say that fall is when our family’s rhythm just seems to get back on track. Every fall we seek out new ways to create fun fall traditions in our family. It all started with my husband and I as newlyweds. We had a blast figuring out new and fresh ways to celebrate the season of harvest. As we began having children we came up with new traditions that worked for both adults and children. There is never a shortage of fun ideas and we enjoy coming up with new ones as the children grow up. If your family is in the market for inspiration when it comes to fun fall traditions, you’ve come to the right place. I pray that the ideas below inspire you to enjoy your fall together in a more intentional way. #### **Fun Fall Traditions for Families** 1. **Have a fun scavenger hunt.** Not only are [scavenger hunts](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ideas-for-fun-faith-filled-family-nights) easy to create, but they are also fun for all ages! Here are [20 scavenger hunt ideas](https://welcometothefamilytable.com/fun-scavenger-hunt-ideas/) to get you started. 2. **Have a themed [family cooking competition](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ideas-for-fun-faith-filled-family-nights)**. This is something that we have done for years. And it is so much fun! This year we are all making pies and we are even bringing in some guest judges from out of town! It’s a great way to get in the kitchen, get creative, and bond together. 3. **Establish a family game night**. Ever since the children were small we have played board games together. And each season, including fall, we purchase a new game to add to our collection. Now that they are older we see the nostalgia in their eyes when it’s time to pick a new game. We love it and are thankful for the bond it’s created as a family. 4. **Have a serve-a-thon**. *Parents, remember back in the day when there would be telethons to raise money for charity?* Well, [serve-a-thons](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creative-ideas-to-serve-others-as-a-family-this-fall) follow that same theme, except there is no money exchanged, just serving others together as a family. We will pick a theme of service and then brainstorm ways to carry it out. Want some ideas? Check out this post right here on the Minno Blog, [*25 Random Acts of Kindness to Spread Love Today.*](https://www.gominno.com/blog/25-random-acts-of-kindness-to-spread-love-today) 5. **Go leaf hunting.** We like to go to the forest, different parks, and gardens to collect leaves that have fallen off the trees. It’s fascinating to see God’s design in each of the leaves and we enjoy identifying the various kinds we find. While these are just a handful of fun fall traditions that our family has used over the years, I encourage you to create your own. The most amazing part has been coming up with things that our children enjoy and can pass down to their own children. Creating these fun fall traditions has had an impact on all of our children, even as adults, and we are so grateful! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Fall, Family Fun --- ### [Best Christian Shows for Elementary Schoolers](https://gominno.com/blog/best-christian-shows-for-elementary-schoolers/) **Published:** May 19, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Umx5FUwcSj2xTs0Fobcy.jpg) *Looking for safe Christian shows for your elementary school-aged kids?* Minno has you covered! With more than 115 Christian shows and movies, your kids will definitely find new favorites that you can feel good about. Check out the list below of our favorite Christian shows for elementary schoolers streaming on Minno: ### ![MSV-Show-Logo.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/t3X3EXVNQiOLjcNFzja6.jpg) #### [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog) Join Micah and his friends Lydia and Armin for their adventures at New Leaf Elementary School. From learning about the fruit of the Spirit to rapping Old Testament stories, these pals always have a good time and learn about God. Micah’s Super Vlog also has a Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional series on [The Armor of God!](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog-armor-of-god "The Armor of God") #### **[Theo](/series/theo)** [Theo](/series/theo) is a beautifully-animated show that teaches kids about systematic theology but in a very fun and engaging way! Theo, a kind English gentleman, teaches two friendly mice, Luther and Belfry, about God and the Bible when they get into sticky situations. ![WITB-Character-Logo.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2GYaQOEQhWUG5hTh0aAu.jpg) #### [Buck Denver Asks … What’s in the Bible?](/series/buck%20denver%20asks%20whats%20in%20the%20bible) Newscaster Buck Denver and his friends go on a wacky, wonderful, educational and musical journey through the whole Bible – from Genesis to Revelation! Learn how all the stories of the Bible fit together to tell God’s great rescue plan. This is the hilarious and family-favorite series from VeggieTales® creator Phil Vischer. #### [**Friends and Heroes**](/series/friends%20and%20heroes) [Friends and Heroes](/series/friends%20and%20heroes) is a fast-paced adventure series that we love, and your elementary-schoolers will too. Macky and Portia travel across the ancient world fighting for justice with courage and compassion, learning and sharing the stories of the Old and New Testaments, and becoming friends and heroes along the way. ![YRNW_Blog.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yAblCq0PQ3ma28xxUu15.jpg) #### **[Yancy’s Rock-N-Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-s-rock-n-worship-live)** Rock-N-Worship is new on Minno with 9 episodes! Yancy is turning it up a notch for our elementary and tween kids with fun songs that will get them excited to worship! These live recordings of upbeat worship songs feature Yancy and a host of other kids and young people that want to make a joyful noise! #### [60 Second Bible Stories](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories) Learn some of the best-known Bible stories in just 60 seconds! In the amount of time it will take to say your ABCs you can learn about the Garden of Eden, Jonah and the Whale, and more in these fun, cartoon Bible stories. ![JungleBeat_Blog (1).jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yBxfgh82TiuwgZzhw0qP.jpg) **[Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat)** Jungle Beat is a fun, family-friendly series of CG animated, self-contained, dialogue-free episodes focusing on different animals and the bizarre situations they encounter in nature. Jungle Beat will spark not only laughter, but also wonderful conversations about perseverance, tenacity, and learning to be comfortable right where you are. #### [Bibleman](https://www.gominno.com/series/bibleman-the-animated-adventures) Join Bibleman and his team as they fight evil with the power of God’s word. The Bible team is dedicated to sharing the truth of Christ with all those who are willing to hear. #### **[God Rocks!](https://www.gominno.com/series/god-rocks)** Kids love the stories and parents applaud the values in this award-winning, faith-based animated series. **Categories:** Now on Minno --- ### [Football-Inspired Faith Lessons for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/football-inspired-faith-lessons-for-kids/) **Published:** October 21, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OH1q9S5pQEubZXAACIIK.jpg) In our house, anticipation for the biggest football game of the year starts in January. Well, technically it starts in August when the pre-season begins and we dust off our team t-shirts and ready our grill for Saturdays and Sundays spent lounging around the television, cheering on our favorite football teams. We love the rhythm of football season: sweet Saturday mornings and lazy afternoons spent as a family, sipping coffee and playing puzzles while we watch games. For us, football is a reason to all be together, friends piled in the house, with the ever-present anchor of a game. But in January, there’s one goal if you are lucky enough to still see your team play after the holidays. As we find ourselves counting down the days to the biggest game of the year, here are three ways we can connect football (and really, any sport) to important conversations about life and faith. ## Three Football-Inspired Faith Lessons for Kids ### 1. Competition Football is, at its heart, about competition. Sometimes competition can conjure up negative ideas of jealousy, spite, and regarding others as people to be beaten rather than known. But seeing the success of others can also spur us on to training, focus, and our own success. You can’t win competitions without discipline and training. **Understanding the benefits of discipline and practice can inspire your kids to commit to their own activities, but also in pursuit of the Lord.** The apostle Paul uses training for sports as a metaphor for training for godliness in 1 Corinthians 9:24–25. He writes, > *Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (NIV)* Watching sports championships can provide an awesome introduction to these concepts for your kids. When watching big games, ask your kids questions like: - Why do you think this team made it further than other teams? - What do you think it is like to train for a championship? Would it be hard or easy? - What is something you would like to train for? What would it require to be good enough to be on a championship team? - In 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about training for godliness in the way runners train for racing. What are some ways we can train as followers of Jesus? ### 2. Character We love watching sports networks before big games and learning more about the people who are playing and coaching in them. Often, journalists will profile players, fans, and coaches who have overcome significant adversity to become stars. Sometimes, we see stories of players who have used their fame and influence to create charitable foundations or give back to the communities in which they grew up. These stories give us ample conversation-starters with our kids. You can ask questions like: - What qualities about that person do you admire? - Why do you think the news did a story about him or her? - Who are some people you know who have some of the same good qualities as that person? In 2 Timothy 2:5, Paul uses another sports example to illustrate the importance of good character. He writes, > *Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. (NIV)* Read that verse out loud with your kids, and use it as a jumping-off point to talk about some of the examples of not-great character that you may see in sports. The lessons around character from championship sports can go both ways: here is a *good* example, but here is a *not very good* example. This is a way you can help your kids develop a filter for what they see celebrities (and others) do. **Rather than shielding them from anything potentially negative, use both negative and positive examples to help shape their internal compass of right and wrong.** Here are some championship-specific conversation ideas: - Watch how each team celebrates their scores. Are they kind, or do they taunt the other team? - How do players treat each other? How do they treat coaches and referees? - What do you think would happen if one of the teams cheated? ### 3. Community This is perhaps my favorite part about sports: community! Almost every Saturday or Sunday during football season, the front door of our house swings open for any friends or family who want to join the watch party. Our local team made a deep playoff run this year, and our city came alive in a whole new way. Everywhere I looked, people were wearing t-shirts and hats, and nodding and shouting at each other in grocery store lines, restaurants, and even church! It instantly created community with total strangers. It was fun for me, and fun for our kids to see others dressed in matching gear and to feel a part of something really cool that was happening in our city. The BIG GAME is the most-watched and most communal event of the year in the United States. Whether your church, friends, or family gathers to watch the big game, the halftime show, or the commercials together, it is undoubtedly an incredibly unifying event. It provides an amazing opportunity to get to know people and celebrate with friends, which are spiritual practices. Here are a few ways to make an emphasis on building community during this year’s big game: - Host a neighborhood watch party! Make a pot of chili and invite your neighbors (ones you know and ones you don’t!) to come over with toppings. Everyone wants to watch the game, and why not make it a neighborhood event?! - If you watch with a group of friends or family, ask your kids if they have friends from school they want to invite–and their parents! - Make your own BIG GAME Bingo boards and print them out for the kids to play while they watch. First to get 5 in a row wins a prize! Use candy footballs as the bingo tokens. Need ideas for the bingo squares? Try: penalty flag, halftime show dancers, cola commercial, cheerleaders, touchdown, field goal, a famous person in the stands, etc! May the best team win this year’s football championship game, and may the joy of watching it together encourage your family in so many ways! Engage your kids in some friendly competition with our Family Football Fun game. Download the printable, cut and fold your “footballs”, set up your “field” and go! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/muHesZ6nT66GauJ0gz5v.jpg) Download your [Family Football Fun Printable](https://cdn.buttercms.com/OWaMFNhNReeCll8EN1Rw) and start playing! **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Fun, Games, Printables --- ### [When You Don’t Know What to Do or Say. . . Pray](https://gominno.com/blog/when-you-dont-know-what-to-do-or-say-pray/) **Published:** September 12, 2025 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ePj29xRFTjKpdcBKbKsb.jpg) This has been a hard week for the world. When things get hard and ugly outside the walls of our homes, it is a natural reaction to hide our heads under the covers and pretend everything is okay despite the groans of the world around us. Life can be uncomfortable and overwhelming and oftentimes we just don’t know what we can do or say to make it better. As believers, we know that life on earth will be full of difficult trials until Jesus comes again. We will face personal trials and global ones. But Jesus said, *“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”* John 16:33, ESV ## **Teach Them to Trust** As parents, our discomfort grows as we wonder how to navigate what is going on in our world while little eyes watch with confusion and curiosity. But this, like every trial we face, is an opportunity to point our kids toward God, teaching them to trust Him and seek His kingdom during the most difficult times. *So how do we do that?* The most simple, yet profound, thing we can do is to talk to God. ## **The Shaping Practice of Prayer** E.M Bounds, the 19th-century American theologian said, *“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil.”* ***God shapes the world by prayer.*** In that simple statement, we find perhaps the most powerful response we can offer as followers of Jesus, and as parents raising the next generation of citizens and leaders that we hope will live a better story than the one unfolding in our world right now. ## **Pray** As we asked the Lord what posture we should take and how we should respond to this week’s events, the word *PRAY* echoed in the hearts of our leadership. *When you don’t know what to do or say . . . pray.* We want to encourage our Minno families to lean into prayer right now. We want to equip you with tools that will help you and your children go deeper in prayer this year not just because our nation and the world need it, but because your family needs it as well. ## **Minno Life Guide: Prayer** We understand the importance of prayer at all times, but especially right now, so we are encouraging Minno families to download our [Minno Life Guide on Prayer](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer) for free. In it, you’ll find wisdom and encouragement to help you teach your kids the sacred practice of talking to their heavenly Father—on ordinary days and in the midst of anxiety, pain, and sadness. [![Prayer Minno Life Guide Cover.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bLeT9AHAQ6K7xhbPxO4j.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer) The guide includes a 7 Days of Family Prayer worksheet to guide you in praying . . . - for each other. - for your extended family and friends. - for your church family. - for your neighbors and community. - for your country. - for the world. Prayer is an invitation and an opportunity to connect with God. Prayer is a privilege that when practiced, will change our lives, the life of our family, and as Bounds reminds us, the world. (The above prayers have been inspired by the Book of Common Prayer (1928) and adapted in family-friendly language.) *When you don’t know what to do or say . . . pray.* ## **Family Prayers to Pray for Our World** Here are a few prayers below adapted from traditional liturgical prayers to help you find the words your heart may be trying to utter right now. Pray these together as a family as you seek God for the healing and restoration of our world. God, You have given us this world as our earthly home. We ask You today to bless it and all the people who live in it. Save us from violence, pride, and every kind of evil. Each country is one nation created from the people of many nations; help us to remember that and work together to make it a better place to live for everyone. We pray for our leaders and ask that You fill them with wisdom from the Holy Spirit. God, You are our forever King. No matter what happens in earthly kingdoms and countries, You will always be our King. We know that You see everything and know everything, even everything happening in our world right now. When our neighbors have trouble, please be near. Help their leaders and ours. Show us where we need to change. Guide us with the light and truth that Jesus gives us. Amen. The above prayers have been inspired by the Book of Common Prayer (1928) and adapted in family-friendly language. God of the ages, you have always been faithful to your people. Come to us now, we pray! Give comfort and courage to those who are suffering. Give strength and skill to those who are working to save and to heal. Give us your peace that passes all understanding in these moments of shock and sorrow. Open our eyes, hearts, and hands to the movements of your Spirit, that we might be comforted and comfort others in the name of Christ, our healer and our light. Amen. From The Book of Common Worship (2018) *Published 2021, updated September 2025* **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Minno Life Guides, Prayer --- ### [How to Find the Right Resources for Faith-Based Homeschooling](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling/) **Published:** May 29, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Jellytelly-homeschool-success-rates.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IgIrxAz4SRedza8QsLJA.jpg) After you’ve decided that Christian homeschooling is the right choice for you and your family, the unknowns can sometimes feel overwhelming. Most people go the public school route which eliminates time spent thinking about curriculum, extra programs, socialization, etc. But for Christian families going the homeschool route, the amount of decisions you have to make before the first day of school can be daunting. ## Obstacles to Overcome In one sense, finding resources for homeschooling is actually quite easy. An internet search will yield thousands of results! Probably 95% of them are the wrong choice for your family, though. The last thing you want to do is buy the least expensive resources only to find out later that the material is inaccurate and boring for your kids. The savings from cheap resources are only financial and will cost you more than money in the long run. Before you start researching, think about the learning styles of each child you will be homeschooling. Do they have issues staying engaged? If so, you’ll need a curriculum/resource that focuses on student engagement and interaction. Is your student a self-starter who would rather work alone? Then look for resources that will encourage personal accountability and goal setting. Catering the curriculum to the type of student you have will benefit everyone involved, as well as increase the chance that your kids will actually enjoy learning. ## Choosing Reliable Resources When determining the reliability of various resources, be sure to get word of mouth reviews from other homeschooling families or research [online reviews](https://www.gominno.com/blog/alpha-omega-homeschool-curriculum-review) regarding the [different types of curriculum](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) available. Here are some things to consider when reviewing resources: - Cost – Is it affordable, and is the price commensurate with what you will receive? You don’t want to spend a lot of money for just one subject, so check to see if it includes more than one subject or grade level. This can make a difference with costs. - Type of Program – Is it flexible? Is it comprehensive or more than one subject? If your child is exceptionally gifted in a particular area (such as math), target resources that will stimulate and highlight this gift. - Additional Resources – Does it include parental support? Supplementary resources? On call support? If you find an adequate curriculum, you don’t want to find yourself having to pay extra to get your questions answered. Ensure you have everything you need prior to selecting your curriculum. - Content – Does the curriculum provide the type of content that supplements your Christian parenting? Does it highlight the type of Christian worldview you want when studying the humanities? The last thing you want is to have your child unwittingly learning subjects with a contradictory worldview.. As you look for resources, [check out this top ten list of homeschool curriculum from TheologyDegrees.com](https://www.theologydegrees.org/best-christian-homeschool-curriculum/). The list gives you a short summary of what to expect from the various resources. For example, one of the choices – A World of Adventure – “brings the past to life by allowing students to experience customs from long ago.” Would this type of curriculum be the best choice for a student heavily concentrated on science? Probably not, but it gives you an idea of what to expect without spending the money upfront. To go about choosing the right curriculum, follow this step-by-step process: 1. Assess Your Student – What are their academic and extra-curricular needs? Be sure to target a curriculum specific to them. 2. Research – Make a list of the various choices, including the list above. 3. Study Reviews – This goes without saying. Find out what real people say, not the marketing department of the product you are considering. 4. Talk to Other Homeschoolers – Listen to the tried and true advice of educators who have been homeschooling longer than you. This will save you hours, money, and lots of frustration. 5. Get Samples – Once you have chosen three resources, call the company and ask for samples to review. Include your kids in the review process. See if they like it and if it’s a good fit for them. 6. Choose – Make your final selection. ## Supplement, Supplement, Supplement Unfortunately, you’ll never find one resource to meet the needs of all your children. Every child is different, after all. To ensure optimal child development in your homeschool, consider supplementing the curriculum with additional resources available from [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on). Here are some examples: - If your child has an aptitude for science, consider [The Wonderful World of Science](https://www.gominno.com/series/wonderful-world-of-science), an 18 episode series that covers everything from stars to woodpeckers. - To enhance your child’s education, check out [Connect](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect). This resource integrates Bible stories into the lives of two teenagers and shows how each story can be applied to their lives. It’s a great resource for Christian parenting. - To integrate some Old Testament history, look into taking 5 minutes of your day to hear about some [Old Testament Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional). - For parents homeschooling children with autism, explore resources from partners like this [toolkit for homeschooling kids with autism](https://abamastersprograms.org/ultimate-homeschool-toolkit-kids-with-autism/). Finding the right resources can be daunting, but don’t be discouraged. Each moment you spend searching for the right curriculum is an exciting, rewarding investment in your children that will last for years to come. If you’re looking for resources to supplement their education, Christian parenting tips, or other engaging media for Christian families, check out our [online catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/) of exciting and educational tools! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [10 Ideas for Celebrating Grandparents Day](https://gominno.com/blog/ideas-for-grandparents-day/) **Published:** September 6, 2022 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![National Grandparents Day - Family](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224720/CrCCvnT3SOQlaQCUrvHC-1-1024x578.jpg "Grandparents Day - Minno Kids") Marian McQuade, a West Virginia mother of 15, first began her campaign for a new holiday, National Grandparents Day, in 1970. Three years later, her home state celebrated the first Grandparents Day in the nation. And in 1978 it became an official holiday after being signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. According to the original proclamation, the purpose of Grandparents Day is “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children.” Sometimes our relationships with the grandparents in our lives are great and other times they can be strained. But Scripture, like the proclamation, tells us to honor one another and be devoted to one another in love (Romans 12:10). So whether celebrating and being thankful for grandparents is easy or difficult, and whether you are near or far away from the grandparents in your life, here are ten ideas to help our kids (and us!) carry out the Biblical encouragement to honor them in a special way! ## 10 Ideas for Celebrating Grandparents Day 1\. Record a video with things you and your kids love about them or with your children singing a favorite song and then send via email or text message. 2\. Bake and bring them a special treat. If they live far away, you can have fruit or flowers delivered or even send cookies in the mail! 3\. Reminisce over a family photo album or play old family movies if you can. This is something my grandmother loved to do when my kids were little and they had so much fun listening to her stories about growing up in Depression-era America. 4\. Play cards or board games or do a puzzle with a grandparent. This is often a great way to connect with a grandparent who may be the quieter sort and not want to have long conversations. And if your kids have a grandparent or great-grandparent with memory loss who struggles to hold a conversation, many times they can still remember how to play board games from their childhood and are capable of doing puzzles. This is often what my kids would do with my grandmother in the last years of her life when she was living with the effects of dementia. They played a lot of Scrabble and Sorry together! 5\. Pay the grandparents in your life a visit! This is especially important if you don’t see them often or if you have a great-grandparent that is in a nursing home or assisted living. They love a thoughtful visit! When I was a kid, I always enjoyed going to see my great-grandma in the nursing home. She would set out special treats for us (Hershey’s Kisses and colored pillow mints) and would hang up the pictures we colored with great fanfare. 6\. If they aren’t close enough to visit, Skype with grandparents or spring a surprise “FaceTime” on them – my parents love this! Prep your kids to wish them a Happy Grandparents Day and then share with them something they love about what their grandparents do for them or a reason they are thankful to have Grandma or Grandpa in their life. 7\. Surprise them with a “party” celebrating them as a grandparent. Serve their favorite foods and play their favorite music. Hang homemade decorations and put on a play or a skit. This may only work if you’re geographically close, but you can definitely get creative! 8\. Make a card (simple but effective!). Write or doodle a Scripture verse that describes a character quality you admire in your grandparent or write out Scripture as a prayer, decorate it and send or give it to them! Download and print our [Grandparents Day fill-in-the-blank pages](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/23194315/Grandparents-Day-Fill-in-the-Blank-Printable.pdf) and let your kids write and draw a special note to their grandmas and grandpas. Send them in the mail or take a photo and share via text message. 9\. Whether you’re near or far, arrange for grandparents to have a “Storyhour” about their childhood. There are some really neat things your kids will learn from the older generation! You can search online for questions to ask or just let them talk. Don’t forget to record it as a keepsake! 10\. Adopt a grandparent by reaching out to your church, community center or nursing home to find out if there are older people you can connect with in honor of Grandparents Day. You could help them with shopping, listen to their stories, or assist them with yard work. Grandparents Day is a great chance to honor all grandparents, especially those who may not be very geographically close to their own kids and grandkids. I hope these ideas give you inspiration for creatively honoring the grandparents in your life on Grandparents Day this year! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/02170129/Grandparents-Day-Printable-787x1024.png "Grandparents Day Printable - Minno Kids") Download your [Grandparents Day Fill-in-the-Blank Printables](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/23194315/Grandparents-Day-Fill-in-the-Blank-Printable.pdf) **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Grandparent's Day --- ### [School Day Random Acts of Kindness](https://gominno.com/blog/school-day-random-acts-of-kindness/) **Published:** February 14, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ms8vCtZOTFAkItmE9T5X.jpg) One of the strategies to [raise kind kids](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/3-keys-raising-kind-kids/) is to teach them how to always be looking for ways to spread kindness around like confetti. Kindness is an art that when practiced on a daily basis will paint the world with beautiful colors of love. In a culture full of negativity and meanness, our kids can be ambassadors of goodness if they learn to look for ways to be others-focused. Challenge your kids to share random acts of kindness throughout the day this school year. Print out the School Day Random Acts of Kindness checklist below and see how many kind things you can do! # School Day Random Acts of Kindness #### **On the Bus** 1\. Look your driver in the eye and say, *“Thank you for driving us to school!”* 2\. Give your seat up for someone else. 3\. Invite a child you don’t know to sit with you. 4\. Stick up for a friend in a sticky situation. 5\. Pick up trash and throw it away when you leave the bus. #### **In the Classroom** 6\. Find out your teacher’s favorite treat and surprise her/him with it on an ordinary day. 7\. Cheer on a friend who’s having a hard time with an assignment. 8\. Take notice and offer to help with something that needs to be cleaned or put away. 9\. Say, *“Thank you!”* to your teacher and let her/him know you appreciate what they do. 10\. Compliment a friend on her/his outfit, hair, or on their school project. #### **At Recess** 11\. Play whatever your friends want to play; no arguments, no questions asked. 12\. Offer to pick up games/sports equipment when it’s time to go back inside. 13\. Look for someone who needs a friend and invite her/him to play. 14\. Give up the swing or monkey bars for someone else. 15\. Encourage a friend to try something new and cheer her/him on as they do. #### **In the Lunchroom** 16\. Look your lunch lady in the eyes and say, *“Thank you for all you do!”* 17\. Clean up your trash and any trash left at your table or on the floor. 18\. Share your favorite lunch item with a friend. 19\. Invite a new friend to sit with you. 20\. Help someone by holding the door or trash can open, especially if their hands are full! #### **After School** 21\. Check-in and encourage a friend after a rough day. 22\. Write a thank-you note to a school staff person who may not get thanked often. 23\. Wait for the new kid (or someone who needs a friend) to get off the bus and walk them home. 24\. Offer to help a friend with their homework. (But never do it for them!) 25\. Say a prayer for the friends, teachers, and school staff that make your learning experience so amazing! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/29164019/School-Day-Random-Acts-of-Kindness-816x1024.png "School Day Random Acts of Kindness - Minno Kids") Download a printable of these [School Day Random Acts of Kindness](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/10180300/School-Day-Random-Acts-of-Kindness.pdf) and see how many your child can do this week! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Dear Baby, Before You Head Off to Kindergarten](https://gominno.com/blog/dear-baby-before-you-head-off-to-kindergarten/) **Published:** July 23, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/31204656/Before-You-Head-off-to-Kindergarten-1024x578.jpg "Before You Head off to Kindergarten - Minno Kids") Hey baby, *I know you’re busy playing but can you crawl up here on mama’s lap for a few minutes so we can talk?* ***When did you get so big?*** Not that long ago you were struggling to find steps but this morning you got dressed all by yourself. I beamed as you walked out of your room with a perfectly paired outfit; so proud but secretly relieved to see you struggle with the buttons on your shirt. *Did you leave them for me?* Kindergarten will be starting soon and to be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it. You’re ready. I’m ready. But it feels as though I’ll start the motherhood learning curve all over again, with so much to figure out in this new season of life. Be patient with me, baby. **It may take me a while to get used to our new normal but I wouldn’t dare keep you from spreading your wings so I’m determined to let go with grace and confidence.** Before I watch you launch into this new season of life and let go of all we’ve known for the past 5 years, there are a few things I want you to know. **I will miss our quiet days together.** Just you and me. Reading, playing, even running errands. Those normal, uneventful moments chatting over goldfish and puzzles have made up some of my most favorite days as a mom. Even though you’ll be in Kindergarten, I promise to find time we can be together with no big plans or expectations. No schedules or homework. Just you and me, your favorite toys, and a bowl of yummy, cheesy fish. **This new adventure may be scary but I know we’ll grow through it.** Change is hard, even when it’s exciting. Kindergarten will be a big adjustment for both of us. But if we are patient with each other and we talk about the ups and downs, I know we’ll be better for having taken the leap into the great unknown. **Our great big world needs YOU and you are ready to make your mark on it.** You, my sweet child, have wonderfully unique gifts that the world needs. Some of those gifts I’ve had the privilege of uncovering with you at home and there will be more to come as you enter a beautifully diverse community of teachers, students, and knowledge. Don’t forget who you are but don’t be afraid to grow. **Some days will be full of wonder. Some days will be hard. Let the good days fuel your joy for learning but don’t let the tough ones take the fun out of it.** Kindergarten is going to be so much fun. But it’s also going to be hard at times. The more your brain is challenged and your norm is stretched, the more uncomfortable you may feel. Even hard things can be fun if we accept the challenge with a good attitude. I’m here to help you face each one with joy. **You have the opportunity to share love every day. Pay attention to those who need it most.** You are a light, my love. Shine brightly every single day. Look for teachers and friends who need the gift you have to give and share it generously. **Being a part of a learning community is a privilege. Be thankful for your education.** Complaining doesn’t help us through hard things. But thanksgiving turns even the toughest situations around. I promise to remain thankful and to [help you find the good in every situation](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/how-to-teach-kids-to-find-and-be-the-good/). **No matter what happens out there, home will always be your safe place.** When you walk through our door at the end of the day, I will be waiting with arms open wide. Home is your safe place. I am your safe place. No matter what you encounter on any given day, it’s going to be okay because you are loved. It’s just about time. We’re standing at the edge of all we’ve ever known and you’re almost ready to spread those wings and soar into your future. **Nothing will ever be the same, except for the love I have for you.** May it carry and sustain you through this great adventure. Love, Mom **Categories:** Child Development, Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Back-to-School, Kindergarten, Motherhood --- ### [6 Times Families Can Pray Together Throughout the Day](https://gominno.com/blog/6-times-families-can-pray-together-throughout-the-day/) **Published:** July 5, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![Minno-Family-Prayer-Times-christ...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/c8c4DDagQ4G0cztIGlrR.jpg) One of the main Christian parenting goals for my family has been to ensure that our kids are learning about Jesus in a way that makes Him part of every piece of our day. [We’re teaching our kids to talk to God conversationally](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-your-children-to-pray), as we would with a friend who is always with us, a friend we enjoy spending time with. Here’s how we do it. 1. **Good Morning Prayer** We begin each day with family devotionals and morning prayer. We read from a selection of kids’ Bible stories that focus on teaching kids Bible truths about Jesus in easily relatable terms. We finish out our morning devotional time with our good morning prayer that gives us a chance to ask Jesus to bless our day, keep us safe, and help us accomplish whatever goals and tasks we have planned for the day. ## An example of our Good Morning Prayer: “Thank you Jesus for this awesome day. Please bless today and surprise us in ways that only You can. Give us eyes to see all the goodness you have in store for us, keep us safe as we tackle all the things we want to do, and help us to love others with our words and actions as often as we can. Amen.” 2. **Gratitude Prayer** Mid-morning, as we are in the midst of tackling our daily to-dos, we pause to say a quick prayer of thanks to God for how the day is going. This prayer time is only focused on gratitude because we believe that every single good thing we have comes from Jesus. Finding ways to be thankful for even the smallest parts of our day helps our kids stay centered and keeps us always mindful for things that may spark a “Thanks, God!” from our hearts. 3. **The Worry Prayer** At our house, there isn’t a day that goes by when one of our kids isn’t worried about something. They worry about certain school projects, upcoming family gatherings or playdates, something they observed in the grocery store line on a magazine cover, and the list could go on. There are things in the world that we simply cannot shield them from and that bring their tiny hearts feelings of worry. While we can’t keep them living in a bubble, we can offer our children the comfort of knowing that they are loved and cared for by a very big God who sees them in all things. My daughter in particular is very sensitive and can often feel extremely anxious about seeing people who are sick or hurt, to the point of getting a stomach ache. We call it “Worry Tummy” and whenever she starts to feel the symptoms, we say a prayer to give her worries to the Lord, bring peace, and calm her heart. This prayer varies in content each time we pray it, but the general message is the same each time: “God, I know you love us and that you have good plans for us. I trust you to keep us safe and to give us courage to move through what is challenging us. Help us to always act in love and kindness in every situation, especially when we are feeling overwhelmed and worried.” 4. **Friendship Prayer** We use this prayer for any time we are about to visit with a friend for a playdate or go out on an adventure where we might make new friends, such as a zoo or playground visit where lots of other kids will also be playing. ## An example of our Friendship Prayer: “Jesus, thank you for the chance to play with friends both old and new. Help us to keep our hearts open to share our hearts and toys, and to share our kindness as much as possible. Thank you for helping us be great friends and for being able to enjoy this amazing adventure!” 5. **Mealtime Prayer** This is our mealtime “thanks for this food” prayer. At our house, we say grace before every meal. Oftentimes during the work week our family is not all present together during lunchtime, so our evening meal is a time for every member of the family to come together to share in very special quality time. We all take turns saying a version of the prayer, so everyone gets to participate throughout the week. We also keep this one super simple and quick because it’s hard to wait to eat when you’re 5 years old and hungry! Prayer before meals is an important way to acknowledge how the Lord provides each meal and cares for us so faithfully. ## An example of our Mealtime Prayer: “Thank you Lord, for this food, and for all your many blessings. Please use this meal to make us strong. Amen” 6. **Bedtime Prayer** This is the classic bedtime prayer to tuck our babies safely into bed – and it’s how we like to end our day. Before we pray, we talk with the kids about what was good during the day and how we want to ask God for help with tomorrow. We always begin our prayers by thanking God for the amazing day we just enjoyed. If either of our children are feeling apprehensive about being left alone in their beds for the night or feel afraid of the dark, we also address their fears by praying protection over them while they sleep. Making prayer time more of a conversation with Jesus throughout the day is a helpful way to give Jesus a real place in our family. It also helps us be mindful of His love throughout each day. Do you have a favorite prayer you say as a family? Visit us on[ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno) and[ Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/Minnotv/) and tell us about it. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Family Life, Prayer --- ### [The Ultimate Guide to Micah! on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-micah-on-minno/) **Published:** June 13, 2025 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/30174800/Micah_Series_Thumbnail-1024x576.jpg "Micah_Series_Thumbnail - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_117_minno) If your kids don’t want to compromise on fun and you don’t want to compromise on faith-building, [**Micah!**](https://gominno.com/lp/micah/) is perfect animated show for your family! **[Micah](https://gominno.com/lp/micah/) makes faith make sense in a kid’s world.** And when kids start to see God’s truth in the middle of their lives, it’s the kind of connection that sticks long after each episode is over. Join 10-year-old Micah as he learns what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus in everyday life along with his best friends Armin, Gabe, and Lydia. Follow Micah’s crew on zany adventures that make God’s truth come alive for kids! ## **Micah! Series and Episode Guide** --- **[Micah! Series](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/)** **Gabe’s Donut Dilemma** – It’s donut time for Micah and his friends! When Gabe starts comparing what he has with what others have, he learns to be thankful; to look at the donut and not the hole. **Show and Smell** – When Show and Tell doesn’t turn out the way Micah planned, his class status drops to an all-time low. Just when he thinks things can’t get any worse, life gets really stinky before Micah learns that God’s love is the only acceptance he needs. **Let’s Talk About Easter** – *Bunnies? Chocolate? Eggs? What is Easter all about anyway?* Micah, Armin, and Lydia share with Gabe how Easter is really all about how God loves us. **Micah Superstar** – When Micah finds himself cast as the ’star’ of Mrs. Petunia’s upcoming school play, his popularity is at an all-time high, but as events unfold he learns the hard way that pride comes before a fall. **Nebby Rap** – In a follow up to Micah Superstar, Micah and the gang go musical! Sing-along as the Micah’s Super Vlog crew rap about pride through the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and their run-in with a distinctly Chet-like King Nebuchadnezzar. **Uber Jealous** – Micah’s envy gets the best of him after his classmate Hanz flaunts his cool new robot. **Dennis Raps About Sandwiches** – From grilled cheese to meatloaf – Dennis raps about some of his favorite sandwiches! **Merry Christmas** – Micah, Armin, and Lydia celebrate the real reason for the season – Jesus! And Micah shares a gift with his friends too. **Mr. Kleeny-Bot** – Mr. Kleeny-bot cleans up most situations. Order Now! **Micah’s Mailbag 1** – *What’s Micah’s favorite Bible Story?* Learn what it is . . . and if Gabe can fit 100 marshmallows in his mouth?! **Micah’s Mailbag 2** – *Who is Micah’s best friend? Lydia? Armin?* In this episode of Micah’s Mailbag, learn who it is . . . and whether Micah would rather be a sock or a chair?! **Micah’s Mailbag 3** – *What’s Micah’s favorite Bible verse?* Find out what it is and check out some fan art! **Micah’s Mailbag 4** – *What is Micah’s favorite food?* In this episode of Micah’s Mailbag, learn what Micah loves to eat and what we need even more than food to make us healthy and whole! **Micah’s Mailbag 5** – *Who is Micah’s favorite teacher? Mr. Turtell? Ms. Petunia?* In this episode of Micah’s Mailing, learn Micah’s favorite teacher and school subject and the real reason it’s important to work hard at everything we do! **It’s a Long Way Down** – Gabe learns a valuable lesson about gravity and what really saves you! Based on John 14:6 – Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. **The Prayer Song** – *Why would you talk to God about a sardine sandwich?!* Gabe finds out how easy it is to pray with the help of his friends and Ephesians 6:18. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30165113/MIcahDaysOfCreation_Series_Thumbnail-1024x576.jpg "MIcahDaysOfCreation_Series_Thumbnail - Minno Kids") Watch Micah! [Days of Creation](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-days-of-creation/) Join Micah and his friends as they take on the Bible’s very first chapter—bringing grilled cheese mascots, T-Rex library rocket ships, and Scorchin’ Steve’s spicy peppers along for the ride. It’s *hilarious*. It’s *unexpected*. And it helps kids see that the world God created in those first 7 days still connects with the one they are living in today. **Micah! [Days of Creation](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-days-of-creation/)** **Day 1, Light** – It’s hard, and sometimes a little scary, to find your way in the dark! When the power goes out on a rainy day, Micah and his friends search for a flashlight to help them complete a T-Rex Library Rocket Ship! They’re reminded of how the Bible is like a light for our lives, guiding us every step of the way. **Day 2, Air** – There’s FREE grilled cheeses at the park, and Micah, Armin, and Lydia stop everything they’re doing to get there! But then Micah’s bike tire deflates on the way and runs out of air–something you can’t see but is the basis of life. Micah’s reminded of God’s spirit – the air of our everyday lives – and with Armin and Lydia’s help, they inflate his tire and make it to the park for double-stacked, extra-extra cheese grilled cheeses. **Day 3, Plants** – Micah’s ordered some seeds to grow some SCORCHIN’ peppers and to finally prove to his classmates he can handle spicy foods. After no growth, his friends remind him he needs good soil, water and sunshine – and voila! Micah’s reminded that just like plants grow with the right nutrients, we grow when we read the Bible and pray! **Day 4, Sun, Moon, and Stars** – During solar system presentations in science class, the A/C goes out and everyone’s too hot to focus on anything. But when Dennis the Janitor tries to fix the thermostat, everyone freezes! Finally, everything gets fixed, and Micah’s reminded of how awesome God is: when God placed the sun, moon, and stars, he placed them perfectly… so fine-tuned that we wouldn’t melt OR freeze! Now, that’s something to be in awe of. **Day 5, Birds and Fish** – Micah’s ready for a great school day, but when he realizes he’s misplaced his homework, he starts to spiral. That’s when he’s reminded by an unlikely companion that God will take care of him, and with God’s help, Micah finds a way to finish the day strong that nobody would’ve ever guessed. **Day 6, Animals and People** – In art class, it’s self-portrait day! Ms. Petunia assigns the students to create something that reflects what makes them special. When Micah isn’t quite sure what makes him special, his friends remind him of who he is, and he remembers that he’s special–hot dogs, mustard stains and all–because God made him. **Day 7, Rest** – When Micah and Chet are recruited by Coach Judy for the Annual Running of the Possum, they’re not sure exactly what they’re in for… but they’ll do anything to avoid detention. After training, who will outlast who? Micah remembers that God invites us to rest, just like he did on the seventh day of creation, and when we do, God will give us the strength for whatever comes next! Even the Running of the Possum! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/30175956/MicahFruitOfTheSpirit_Series_Thumbnail-1024x576.jpg "MicahFruitOfTheSpirit_Series_Thumbnail - Minno Kids") Watch [Micah! Fruit of the Spirit](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit/) Oddly-shaped potatoes, rogue Joy Hats, and seriously strange school shenanigans mix with real Bible truth in **Micah! Fruit of the Spirit**—where faith gets funny and totally kid-friendly. From bullies and plans that don’t go as planned, to patience pushed past the limit, Micah makes faith make sense in a kid’s life. All the silliness kids crave, and the scripture you’ve been praying would stick! **Micah! [Fruit of the Spirit](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit/)** **Love** – Hear what New Leaf Elementary’s teachers have to say about love! *Is it a chemical imbalance in the body? A warm feeling? Or is it the appreciation of the simpler things in life, like sharp pencils?* **Joy** – After a failed attempt by Micah to give Armin joy through the Joy Hat 4000, Lydia explains where we can find a true joy that can last forever. **Peace** – Micah attempts to explain the concept of peace to Gabe, but the results that are anything but peaceful! **Patience** – The normally calm Lydia struggles to keep her patience when Micah gets in the way of her pursuit for higher learning. **Kindness** – Micah has to think on his feet when Gabe comes close to an encounter with Chet, the school bully, on New Leaf Elementary’s bizarre Track and Field Day. **Goodness** – When Hanz drops his Captain Karate Dino Cop action figure, Armin is tempted to keep the toy for himself. *Will goodness prevail in the end?* **Faithfulness** – Micah, Armin, and Lydia had planned for ages to see the new Captain Karate Dynocop 3D movie – *but when Micah forgets to do his homework and can’t see the movie, will Armin and Lydia show faithfulness?* **Gentleness** – When Chet bullies Gabe about his artistic abilities, Armin shows gentleness by helping him with some drawing tips! **Self-Control** – Micah, Armin, and Lydia compete in PB and Jane’s self-control game! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/30175519/MicahArmorOfGod_Series_Thumbnail-1024x576.jpg "MicahArmorOfGod_Series_Thumbnail - Minno Kids") Watch [Micah! Armor of God](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_155_minno) School drama? Lunchroom bullies? Sneaky lies? **Ducky Hats?!** Micah’s figuring out how to handle it all (most of the time) with a little help from his friends…and the *ARMOR OF GOD*! From the Belt of Truth to the Sword of the Spirit, **MICAH! THE ARMOR OF GOD** connects the dots between the Bible and real life—making faith make sense in a kid’s world. Funny enough for kids to watch over and over…and over… and over…grounded enough in the Bible that you’ll be glad they did. **Micah! [Armor of God](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-armor-of-god/)** **Belt of Truth** – When faced with a lie about his identity, Micah has two choices: *will he believe it or fight back with the Belt of Truth?* **Chestplate of Righteousness** – Micah discovers the importance of suiting up and using the Chestplate of Righteousness when Chet, the school bully, pressures him to do something he knows isn’t right. **Boots of Peace** – After Micah’s backpack goes missing and he gets stuck playing The Lonely Ravioli, his troubles become too much to bare without the Boots of Peace! **Shield of Faith** – While Lydia and Armin help Micah study for a test he forgot about during lunch, Hanz disguises himself as Mr. Turtell and tries to trick Micah by giving him answers to the test. *Will he give in to the temptation to cheat or suit up with the Shield of Faith?* **Helmet of Salvation** – PB and Jane plant thoughts in Micah’s mind that make him wonder if he’ll be able to pass his test. *Will he listen to those thoughts and give up or remember God’s truth with the Helmet of Salvation?* **Sword of the Spirit** – After all of his failed attempts to ruin Micah’s day, Hanz activates his butler robot to start a fight with Micah. Micah must overcome his anger by suiting up with the final piece of the Armor of God – the Sword of the Spirit. **Armor of God Music Video** – Sing-along to Micah’s Super Vlog – Armor of God’s theme song, and remember to suit up to face the devil’s schemes! . . . . . . . . . . ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/30180249/5MFD_MicahFruitOfTheSpirit_CoverArt_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg "5MFD_MicahFruitOfTheSpirit_CoverArt_1920x1080 - Minno Kids") **Micah! [Fruit of the Spirit 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional)** Don’t miss our exclusive Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional of the Fruit of the Spirit series including talking points and prayer prompts to help you discover the good fruit of a life connected to Jesus! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/03172352/MicahMailbag_Audio_Thumbnail-1024x576.jpg "MicahMailbag_Audio_Thumbnail - Minno Kids") **Micah! [Mailbag Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-mailbag-audio/)** Your kids can also listen to Micah! on Minno with our Micah! Mailbag audio series. If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? What’s your favorite Bible story? Do you like meatballs?! In Micah! Mailbag, Micah shares his answers to all kinds of questions written in from kids like you. . . . . . . . . . . Want to take the adventure off-screen? Check out the [Micah! book series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog)! ![MSV Books.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FImdd01hSgGhilXheYDp.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Elementary, Family Devotions, Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno **Tags:** 5 Minute Family Devotionals, Armor of God, Days of Creation, Fruit of the Spirit, Micah!, Minno Shows, New on Minno --- ### [Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](https://gominno.com/blog/pool-noodle-bible-memory-verse-activity/) **Published:** June 18, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pool-Noodle-Memory-Verse-Activity-1024x682.jpg) We love teaching kids about the Bible through great shows like [What’s In The Bible?,](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) [Micah!](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog-armor-of-god/) and [60 Second Bible Stories](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories) but we also want to help parents and leaders by providing fun activities you can do to help your kids hide God’s Word in their hearts. **TEACH KIDS SIMPLE BIBLE MEMORY VERSES WITH THIS FUN POOL NOODLE ACTIVITY!** I’m always looking for ways to teach my kids Bible memory verses. Everywhere we go this time of year, we see colorful pool noodles. I recently spotted them and my wheels started turning. *What if?! What if we cut the pool noodles and wrote memory verse words on them?!* The kids and I worked together on this fun project today. Not only is it a great summer activity, but it’s also a simple way to use your noodle (aka brain) to hide God’s Word in your hearts! ![Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pool-Noodle-Bible-Memory-Verse-Activity-Prep-1024x683.jpg) #### **POOL NOODLE BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITY** WHAT YOU’LL NEED: - Pool noodles![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=graformom-20&l=ur2&o=1&camp=1789) - Serrated knife - Cutting board![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=graformom-20&l=ur2&o=1&camp=1789) - Sharpie![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=graformom-20&l=ur2&o=1&camp=1789) - Tape measure![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=graformom-20&l=ur2&o=1&camp=1789) or Ruler - Bin to hold your noodle words ![Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pool-Noodle-Memory-Verse-Activity-1-683x1024.jpg) ![Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pool-Noodle-Memory-Verse-Activity-2-682x1024.jpg) **1.** Decide which verses you want to learn. We used the following short verses but you can choose from this list of [Ultimate Bible Memory Verses for Kids by Topic](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-topical-bible-memory-verses-for-kids). Philippians 2:14, 1 John 4:19, Psalm 56:3 ![Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pool-Noodle-Memory-Verse-Activity-3-683x1024.jpg) ![Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pool-Noodle-Memory-Verse-Activity-4-683x1024.jpg) **2.** Cut the pool noodles in sections, shorter for short words, and longer for long words (this will help you get the most out of your noodles). **3**. Slice each section of the noodle, like you would a hotdog bun so it can be opened and placed on the edge of a surface. **4.** Write one word of the verse on each section of the noodle. Try mixing it up a bit! We put one whole verse on an orange noodle to give the kids a simple start. For the next two verses, we used both pink and blue so they would have to search more to find the right words. ![Pool Noodle Memory Verse Activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Pool-Noodle-Memory-Verse-Activity-6.jpg) **5.** Put your noodle words in a box or bin. **6.** Use a piece of furniture, the edge of a bin, or your fireplace mantle (like we did) to display your Bible memory verses. #### **A FEW IDEAS ON HOW TO PLAY IT OUT:** 1. Put on music and work together to form each verse. 2. Talk to your kids about their brain (often referred to as their noodle) and how it’s important to store God’s Word in our minds so his truth is there when we need to access it. 3. Set a stopwatch and time how fast the kids can display each verse correctly. 4. Make it a competition. See who can do it fastest! 5. This activity is perfect for children’s church or Sunday school classes. So make sure to share the fun with your kid’s ministry pastor! Learning God’s Word can be fun when we discover interesting ways to memorize it. We’re committed to filling our noodles with good things, first and foremost, the truth found in the Bible! . . . . . . . . . . Find more ways to teach your kids the Bible through fun faith-based shows on Minno! If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Fun for Kids **Tags:** Activities, Bible Verses, Crafts, Family Fun --- ### [4th of July Coloring Page from Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/4th-of-july-coloring-page-from-minno/) **Published:** July 2, 2024 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fX3Q3RJcS9uLJlGQw5UZ.jpg) Download this FREE Minno coloring page for the 4th of July featuring our friend, Max! Celebrate independence day with Max and some colored pencils, crayons, or markers. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xo32xhwuQKCcC8OQQGrK.jpg) Download your [Minno 4th of July Coloring Page](https://cdn.buttercms.com/q1D5q31FSGWxm3sqiPde) **Categories:** Coloring Pages, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Coloring Pages, July 4th --- ### [Low Stimulation Shows for Kids: The Science and Benefits of Gentle Screen Time](https://gominno.com/blog/low-stimulation-shows-for-kids-the-science-and-benefits-of-gentle-screen-time/) **Published:** April 17, 2025 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/17190211/Low-Stimulation-Shows-for-Kids-1024x578.jpg "Low Stimulation Shows for Kids - Minno Kids") *by Stephanie Thomas* Today’s parents are of the age where we can say things like: “Back in my day . . . watching TV meant being welcomed into the neighborhood by Mr. Rogers and encouraged by LeVar Burton to look for answers to life’s questions in a book.” Those were the good ol’ days. Now, here we are raising kids in a time where Oxford declares the word of the year is [brain rot. ](https://corp.oup.com/news/brain-rot-named-oxford-word-of-the-year-2024/) Yep. It means what you think it means: the breakdown of a person’s emotions and intelligence as a result of consuming too much meaningless content. *Can anyone relate?* Thankfully, the good ol’ days are still within reach. With a little understanding of the science surrounding screens, we can help our kids choose slow and gentle shows like we used to enjoy. In this article we’ll discuss: - The science on screen time and kids - Why not all screens are created equal - The value of low-stimulation shows - How to fight screen time problems *with* screen time - What to look for in choosing high-quality programming - Five shows you might want to check out this week # **What Research Tells Us About Kids and Screen Time** *Let’s start with a few sobering facts, shall we?* A [2023 study](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947/) found that the average age when children begin to regularly interact with screens is four months old. In 1970? The age for routine TV watching was four *years*. The good ol’ days. Now, nearly half of all children eight and under [have their own tablet device](https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/). And by age eight, today’s kids are spending [four to six hours per day](https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx) on screens, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. This, despite the fact that kids still love to play and goof around and would often be much happier if we turned the TV off after an hour, as recommended by [Common Sense Media](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-much-screen-time-is-ok-for-my-kids). *So what gives?* We can blame a chemical in the brain called [dopamine](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/screen-time-and-temper-tantrums-helpful-tips-for-parents.aspx?_gl=1*1sifqol*_ga*MTEwMzExMzMwMC4xNzQ0ODk5NDQy*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTc0NDg5OTQ0Mi4xLjAuMTc0NDg5OTQ0Mi4wLjAuMA..). Dopamine offers kids a boost of feel-good energy while doing things like jumping rope, laughing with friends or finally acing that spelling test. In the real world, achieving the natural high offered by dopamine often takes work. But screens hand out dopamine hits left and right. And when we turn them off, the dopamine well runs dry, leaving kids feeling cranky and annoyed. # **Screen Time Hierarchy** The truth is: not all screen time is created equal. And some dopamine hits come faster and easier than others. Michael Rich—a pediatrician, professor and director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston Children’s Hospital—[put it this way](https://hms.harvard.edu/news/screen-time-brain): “It’s not how long we’re using screens that really matters; it’s how we’re using them and what’s happening in our brains in response.” In other words: *what* our kids consume and *the* *way* they consume should hold as much weight as *how long* they’re consuming it. And while—violent and inappropriate content aside—using screens as a form of entertainment in moderation is a-okay with us, we can consult expert advice to help us rank kids’ media options. Rich likens video games and social media to the experience of [pulling the lever](https://hms.harvard.edu/news/screen-time-brain) on a slot machine—low effort for seemingly big rewards. Research shows us that [computer use and video games](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947/#:~:text=However%2C%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,academic%20performance%20in%20later%20years.) can be linked with depression and/or anxiety in kids. And Child Behavioral Expert, Jennifer Cross, believes [YouTube is “generally bad for young children”](https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/) because of the unregulated content and endless loops of videos available. Science does tell us that there can be [positive outcomes from all forms of screen time](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947/#:~:text=However%2C%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,academic%20performance%20in%20later%20years). Kids can learn to problem solve through video games and learn to recognize letters and shapes from YouTube or learn to type on a computer. But television is by and large the only form of media where [experts agree](https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/) that [risks are low](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947/#:~:text=However%2C%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,academic%20performance%20in%20later%20years.). # **High-Stimulation Versus Low-Stimulation Shows** If TV is our best bet, does it matter which shows our kids watch? The answer is . . . no and yes. Sometimes, no, it won’t matter if your kid snuggles up for an episode of Bluey or SpongeBob SquarePants. *Thirty minutes is thirty minutes, right?* But when we’re looking at the big picture of television consumption—meaning the types of show your kids watch over the course of weeks, months or years then, yes, content matters. Let’s talk about why. *Remember the brain chemical, dopamine, that we discussed earlier?* Some shows get really generous with handing this out. They do this by changing scenes with lightning speed, adding lots of color to the screen and plenty of reasons to keep a kid engaged. Shows like this are called “high stimulation” and [The Science Survey](https://thesciencesurvey.com/editorial/2024/07/07/the-problems-of-overconsumption-with-modern-day-cartoons/) likens them to a drug. When kids see life on a screen as fun and fast-paced, real life begins to feel boring by comparison. And this “drug” has real-world side-effects. [One study found](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9923845/) that kids who watched a high-stimulation show struggled to maintain self control and pay attention in age-appropriate ways once the show ended. Low stimulation shows, on the other hand, portray life at a reasonable pace. They allows kids to move from passive entertainment to engaged entertainment—where they play, create and learn through interaction alongside friends or family or settle into independent play in a real-world setting. # **Fight Screen Time Problems By Getting Choosy** *Did you know that we can actually fight screen time issues with* *screen time?* After all, sometimes kids need a break—and sometimes we need them to take a break, too. Research clearly shows that [parents can have a huge positive impact](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947/#:~:text=However%2C%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,academic%20performance%20in%20later%20years) on their children’s screen usage and outcomes. So get choosy. The beloved show of our youth, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, sets a wonderful example. He walked children through realistic portrayals of the world—jobs, friendships, conflict and more—all at a pace that resembled what kids might experience when they turned off the TV. Over the course of one episode, scene changes occurred three times on average. That’s three times in 30 minutes. Low stimulation at its finest! Modern shows that take a high-stimulation approach change scenes every five to eleven seconds. Yes, seconds! That’s at least 163 scene changes in a 30-minute episode. It’s no wonder [experts encourage parents](https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/) to choose high-quality programming for kids. This one switch alone can make a massive difference in your child’s media consumption and the benefits that follow. # **How to Choose High-Quality Children’s Programming** Okay, so maybe you’re on board with adding low-stimulation shows to your child’s media diet. That’s awesome! But you might be wondering . . . *Is it just Mr. Rogers and LeVar Burton and Bluey? How do I find other shows my child might enjoy?* Like we said, the good ol’ days are still within reach. Here’s what you can look for to find high-quality programming for your kid: - A pace that matches real life (or is even slower) - A volume and color scheme that leans more subtle than overt - Meaningful interactions between characters on the screen (or from screen to child) As you begin to introduce more low-stimulation shows, it will get easier and easier to identify ones that fit the criteria above. # **Five Slow and Gentle Shows to Try On Minno** Of course, we can’t leave you with all this information without pointing you in the right direction. Here are five of our favorite slow and gentle shows on Minno that you might want to try in the coming weeks and months: [***Pins and Nettie***](https://gominno.com/shows/pins-and-nettie/) (ages 3-5) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20224341/PinsAndNettie_122_HedgiePainting-1024x576.jpeg "PinsAndNettie_122_HedgiePainting - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/shows/pins-and-nettie/) [***Awesome Animals and Mini Me***](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/) (ages 3-5) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/15213341/AwesomeAnimals_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "AwesomeAnimals_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/) [***Guitar & Drum*** ](https://gominno.com/shows/guitar-and-drum/)(ages 3-5) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20225132/GuitarAndDrum_113_ThePicnic-1024x576.jpeg "GuitarAndDrum_113_ThePicnic - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/shows/guitar-and-drum/) ***[God’s Greenhouse](https://gominno.com/shows/gods-greenhouse/)*** (ages 3-5) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/04150810/GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/shows/gods-greenhouse/) [***Theo***](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/) (ages 6-8) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20180807/the_good_news___theo_presents-1.jpg "the_good_news___theo_presents-1 - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/) **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting, Minno Show Guides **Tags:** Child Development, Low Stimulation Shows, Parenting, Preschool, Screen Time --- ### [Creative Ways to Help Kids Grow in Character Over Summer Break](https://gominno.com/blog/creative-ways-to-help-kids-grow-in-character-over-summer-break/) **Published:** June 26, 2024 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![Stock photography - Son](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/stock-photography-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") “Oh no Melanie,” my mother said. “We are walking right back into Mr. Johnson’s store and you are picking up that litter and you need to apologize!” I was 9 years old and on summer break. Mr. Johnson owned a local grocery store, and every Monday my mother and I would pick up the groceries we needed for the week. Mr. Johnson would hand me two pieces of candy for helping my mother bag the groceries and I would eat them right there on the spot. My mother always taught me the importance of character, she would often quote, “character is what you are when no one is looking.” Mr. Johnson took pride in his store and had signs with friendly reminders to customers to not litter and to “please throw away your trash.” One day after receiving my candy from Mr. Johnson, I walked outside to my mother’s car with the groceries, opened the piece of candy, and threw the candy paper on the ground thinking no one was looking. Or at least I thought that no one was looking! My mother was right behind me and said ‘‘Oh no Melanie,” my mother said. “We are walking right back into Mr. Johnson’s store and you are picking up that litter and you need to apologize! Remember, character is what you are when no one is looking!” #### **What Is Character Building?** Now it’s my own kids’ summer break, and I remember those lessons my mom taught all year long: *character is what you are when no one is looking.* And while summer break is when most kids have checked out of their daily schedule of classwork and homework, you can still be intentional about cultivating their character. Even from an early age, children can be shown how to interact with others with respect, kindness, empathy, kindness, respect, and honesty. The bible has a lot to say about character! There are over 40 scriptures in the bible on having a godly character, treating people with the love of Jesus. To help you think more intentionally about character building, we’ve created a list of activities for you to do with your children over summer break. These character-building activities are centered around helping kids develop a strong sense of identity and integrity, which will hopefully foster good character that will help them as they get older. #### **Activities for Character Building** #### **Create It: Catch It Character Bulletin Board** A *Character Bulletin Board* is a fun and interactive way to teach about character. Write different character traits and their definitions out on a bulletin board. While out and about, have children spot or “catch” someone with exhibiting good character. When the children arrive home, have them discuss the good character they saw and then write it under the appropriate character trait on the bulletin board. Need an example about how to start your character bulletin board? [Check out this neat example of a character bulletin board](https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Caught-With-Character-848752?st=744519dfdc4e7561a02f67db9e56c9ae) and there is even a free pdf download with printables! #### **Write About It: Keep a Character Journal** A *Character Journal* can be used by children as a way to record and reflect the ways that they themselves model positive character traits. It can be used much like a morning devotional. In the morning before the day begins, choose a character trait you want to exhibit that day. Write the word inside of your journal (even look for a corresponding bible verse) and document ways throughout the day you truly modeled the selected character trait. For example, if the character trait for the day is kindness, look for ways in which you can be kind to others. At the end of the day, use your journal to reflect and record how you were kind, or if you missed an opportunity to show kindness. By teaching children how to describe these behaviors with the proper terms, they will be able to model good character on their own and see when others are treating them with those same values. Need some positive character traits to use as a journal prompt? [Check out the link by writeshop](https://writeshop.com/journal-prompts-character-qualities-homeschool/)! This [helpful video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1YeaOh4gHQ) defines character from a child’s perspective. Watch it together! #### **Model It: Character Cup** In many households, grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning is a customary practice. Use the morning as a time the family can get together and grab a cup of character instead! Get a piece of paper and write down a few positive character traits (write out the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22–23 if you need some ideas). Cut the character traits out and place them inside a coffee mug. In the morning, gather together as a family and have each family member select one character trait from the coffee mug. In the evening, sit down with your family and have each person share how they put their character trait into action for the day. This activity is a wonderful way to connect with your family and may give you ideas on how you model your selected character trait. If you are stumped on listing positive character traits, the website [discipleship tools](http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/?articleid=37084) has compiled an extensive and helpful list! #### **Learn It: Minno Character Resources** Character development takes time! Character is a spiritual fruit that is truly built from our real, godly relationship and commitment to Christ as Lord. At Minno, building and fostering good character in children is important and we have some resources that can aid you in your journey. **Micah!** The [Micah!](http://gominno.com/micah) animated series and [chapter books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) are a great way to help kids see how to live out their faith and good character in everyday life. Micah is about a vlogging, accident-prone, 10-year-old sharing the chaos of his middle school experience–from terrible picture days to karaoke robot battles–as he attempts to do what’s right, be kind, and trust God in everything . . . at least most of the time. **Young David** [Young David Video Series](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david/) and[ Chapter Books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/young-david/products/young-david-box-set) – King David was one of the greatest leaders in history. His legacy has endured for thousands of years . . . but how did it all begin? Imagine what might have happened before the powerful Bible story of David in the Old Testament. Through this series, kids will learn the values and virtues that made David a man after God’s own heart. Kids can watch and read this powerful series! **Character Quest with Clive and Ian** [12 short video devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/) featuring Clive and Ian from *What’s in the Bible?* will teach your kids all about important character traits from the Bible—from generosity to courage to compassion and more! We hope we have provided you with some fun, interactive, and engaging activities to foster character building over the summer. We would love to hear some of the ways you are helping your children and family members to cultivate positive character traits. Visit our [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/Minno) and share your ideas! **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Character, Discipleship, Parenting, Summer --- ### [7 Ways to Include Faith-Building In Your Summer Routine](https://gominno.com/blog/7-ways-to-include-faith-building-in-your-summer-routine/) **Published:** June 23, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6uK4yZLuST2ose6dfKxh_faith-summer-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Faith-building doesn’t have to go by the wayside during those carefree summer months. In fact, summer offers amazing opportunities to grow our families in faith. It just takes a little creativity and a bit of intention! If you are looking to connect your kids to God this season, try these seven simple ways to include faith-building in your summer routine. #### **Ways to Add Faith-Building to Your Summer Routine** **1. Watch Minno [5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions?afmc=graceformoms)** or the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/) – These quick, Bible teaching videos are perfect for summer! You can watch them in the car on a road trip using the [Minno app](https://www.gominno.com?afmc=graceformoms) or at the end of dinner each night. They fit easily into your busy schedule because they are super simple and quick! But they are full of amazing Bible stories and thought-provoking questions you can continue discussing for days. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/21205816/Minno-June-Family-Devotional-Calendar-1024x790.png "Minno June Family Devotional Calendar - Minno Kids") **2. Do a Seasonal Devotional –** Find a simple summer devotional tool like our monthly **Family Devotional Calendar** (delivered via our email list) or watch [Minno Church at Home](https://kids.gominno.com/church-at-home) (we’ve got a great Fruit of the Spirit series that’s perfect for summer) and do the family discussion guide together. Commit to finding time each week (it doesn’t have to be daily) to watch and learn together. (There’s even a [Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional series](https://www.gominno.com/series/the%20fruit%20of%20the%20spirit%205%20minute%20family%20devotional?afmc=graceformoms) to go along with this Fruit of the Spirit study!) **3. Go on a Virtual Adventure!** – Choose a country or region of the world and study its history, culture, and people. Commit to pray for the country and research ways you can support mission work there. This activity will not only teach kids about a new place, but it will also open their minds to a bigger worldview which is a big part of living out our faith. **4. Find a Simple Summer Bible Reading Plan** – Join our [Wow & Wonder Summer](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-wow-wonder-summer-scrapbook) by downloading the scrapbook which includes activities and corresponding Bible stories to read together. Or you can use a plan like [this one](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-summer-bible-reading-plan-for-kids) or create your own! Remember, it’s not about how much you read (especially with kids) but more about the time you spend digging into the Word and gaining an understanding of how to apply it to your life. **5. Make It Part of the Fun!** – Look for fun Bible teaching games like this [Pool Noodle Memory Verse activity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/pool-noodle-bible-memory-verse-activity/) to make faith-building a normal part of your summer fun. These ideas work well on a rainy day when you are stuck indoors. There are a ton of fun games like this one online (do a Pinterest search and you’ll discover so many options). **6. Watch Movies** – Plan a family movie night! After you watch the film, spend time talking about it as a family and look for faith moments in the story. There is usually a way to filter a story through a God-lens. If it isn’t obvious, find ways to point discussions about character and life lessons back to God. This is a skill that will help kids find God in everyday experiences throughout their lifetime. **7. Explore Creation** – You’re probably already spending lots of time outside this season. So why not tie your outdoor activities back to creation and the Creator?! You can do this very simply by initiating conversations with your kids (no matter how young or old), asking questions about God’s indescribable power which is evident all around. Start with the ideas in [this post about exploring God’s creation](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-explore-gods-creation-this-spring). We can turn even the most mundane moments into faith-building opportunities when we set our hearts on growing together through every season. We pray your family experiences beautiful fruit in your lives this summer! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Faith Formation, Family Faith, Summer --- ### [What Does the Bible Say about Motherhood?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-motherhood/) **Published:** May 4, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/What-Does-the-Bible-Say-About-Motherhood_.jpg) #### Motherhood in The Bible From the first pages of Genesis, God ordained the family. After the fall in Genesis 3, He told Eve that she would have pain in childbirth, but in that proclamation He also created the first mother. And throughout Scripture, mothers appear. God’s love and advocacy for women shines through the Bible, as women are given dignity, respect, attention, and responsibility in start contrast with the cultural norms at the time. Motherhood is spoken of throughout Scripture as a high and important calling. God uses the metaphor of mothers to describe the ways He loves and cares for His children (Isaiah 66:13). #### Mothers in the Bible Throughout Scripture, God often granted motherhood to women who were barren or otherwise unable to conceive. At many points in Jesus’ lineage, God intervened to give an infertile woman a child. Consider Abraham’s wife, Sarah; Isaac’s wife, Rebekah; Hannah, the mother of Samuel; Elizabeth, the mother of John, and of course Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus. #### What the Bible Says about Motherhood **Motherhood is . . .** - **a blessing** (Psalm 127:3) - *Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.* - **ordained by God** (Psalm 139:13) - *For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.* - **full of hope** (Proverbs 22:6) - *Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.* - **full of joy** (Proverbs 23:25) - *May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!* - **a calling** (Proverbs 31:28) - *Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.* - **worthy of honor** (Ephesians 6:1-3) - *Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.* #### Advice for Mothers from the Bible Motherhood is a gift from the Lord–one of the ways we can glorify and serve Him (1 Tim. 5:10). It also offers many opportunities to grow in our understanding of God’s mercy, love, and grace. Motherhood is sanctifying, but it is also sweet. Scripture teaches mothers to point children toward Christ by praying for them, modeling faith and character, and training them in wisdom (Prov 1:8, 29:15). Proverbs 22:6 conveys the general principles that if we “Train up children in the way they should go, even when they are old they will not turn from it.” #### Christian Mothers in History Here are a few examples of mothers in the Bible and in Church History that we can learn from: \* Lois and Eunice (2 Tim.1:5) – Paul says that the “sincere faith” that Timothy possesses was from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. It appears that, even though godly men were lacking in Timothy’s upbringing, the influence of these women helped form him into the pastor and leader he became, for the benefit of the whole early church. \* Monica (331-387) had great influence on her son Augustine’s life. It is said that Monica’s example and her prayers–even without support from her husband–eventually led Augustine to the Lord. In his autobiography, he said his mother “shed more tears for my spiritual death than other mothers shed for the bodily death of a son.” Augustine of Hippo became one of the leading theologians of the early church. \* Katie Luther (1499-1552), wife of the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther, raised four orphans in addition to her six biological children, while also hosting her husband’s students and guests. The Luthers became a model for Protestant families for several centuries and spoke of family life as a training ground for Christian virtue. \* Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) managed a large household of eight children (who survived infancy), overseeing both the spiritual and academic education of her children. She focused diligently on their character, hard work and knowledge of Scripture and met personally with each child every week, to give them encouragement and attention. Her sons John Wesley and Charles Wesley founded the Methodist movement that bears the imprints of her influence: a focus on accountability, service, and diligent work in small group Bible study (For more information about Monica, Katie Luther, or Susanna Wesley, see [this article at Christianity Today](http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/2007/issue93/6.43.html)). . . . . . . . . . . #### Mother’s Day Blog Posts and Activities Here is a write-up on [**the history of Mother’s Day**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-history-of-mothers-day) that explains the holiday’s origins. Enjoy a **[free Mother’s Day printable coloring pack](https://www.gominno.com/parents/best-mothers-day-coloring-pages/)**! Read about [**what Mary can teach us about Motherhood**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-mary-can-teach-us-about-motherhood)! *Originally published on April 04, 2016* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Mother's Day, Parenting --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Jesus' Death at Easter](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-jesus-death-at-easter/) **Published:** April 15, 2025 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qT7L5bDkTJKISG83dMt7_Death-Easter-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Around Easter every year, we start to think about how we’re going to talk to our kids about Jesus’ death – which is a pretty tricky topic for little kids! Most people like to skirt the topic. I get it. It’s not an easy one. Who wants to talk to kids about torture? About archaic and gruesome death? I actually enjoy talking to my kids about Jesus’ death! That may seem crazy, but here’s why I like it – Jesus’ death was a gift. Jesus’ death was the fulfillment of a before-time-began plan. Jesus’ death wasn’t scary or gross. Jesus’ death was beautiful. *But, how do we explain that to our preschoolers? To sensitive elementary school kids? To our never-experienced-it children?* . . . . . . . . . . Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) together. This 30 minute special is a gentle, biblically accurate, kid-friendly retelling of the story of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/17212035/LaughAndGrowBible_Easter_Thumbnail-1-1024x576.jpg)](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/). . . . . . . . . . #### **How to Talk to Your Kids About Jesus’ Death at Easter** I think there are two important things to focus on when you approach Jesus’ death with kids: #### Sacrifice Kids might not understand death but they get sacrifice. For kids, giving up a favorite toy is as hard as anything they’ve ever done. Sharing or stopping or slowing down can be a complete act of will and self-control. Talk to your kids about the hard things they’ve had to do, the times it’s been difficult to obey. Jesus was quick to obey His Father, to empty himself of all his rights and die for us. In Philippians 2, Paul tells us that Jesus emptied Himself out to become a man and obey His father. To help your kids understand this, grab a cup of your child’s favorite drink (or maybe a special treat drink) and have them pour it out on the ground. Talk about how hard it was to pour out that favorite drink knowing you could never put it back into the container. Jesus loves us so much he was willing to pour Himself out, sacrifice all of Himself for us. (See Matthew 26) #### Life The best part about the story of Jesus’ death is not that He died. The best part is that He came back to life! When you’re talking to your kids about Jesus’ death, stay on for a minute, then slide right on by and talk about life! We see this death-to-life all around us so it’s easy to make comparisons like seeds which are buried in the ground to bring new fruit, dead trees that sprout beautiful blooms, winter’s cold which leads to fresh spring! Before we admire daffodils and lilies bloom, we have to go through winter. Before we celebrate Easter Sunday, we have to get to Good Friday first. Children don’t need all the gory details about death. [The Bible doesn’t even spend very long on the crucifixion](http://ohamanda.com/2015/02/23/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-hard-parts-of-the-easter-story/). The purpose of talking to our kids about Jesus’ death is so they see the miracle of new life. Jesus’ death was a pre-planned act of love and sacrifice, one that would end in life so surprising and amazing that it overshadows the gruesomeness of death–and even defeats death itself. Let’s point our kids to Jesus’ loving sacrifice and His amazing resurrection life this Easter! . . . . . . . . . . #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids") #### Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. . . . . . . . . . . **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Easter, How to Talk to Kids About . . . --- ### [On Mothering an Autistic Child: When God Doesn’t Take It Away](https://gominno.com/blog/on-mothering-an-autistic-child/) **Published:** April 1, 2025 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/25195622/On-Mothering-an-Autistic-Child-1024x578.jpg "Single mother consoling her sad little boy at home - Minno Kids") *In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we’ve invited author and single mother of six, Katie Blackburn to share honesty, encouragement, and hope for moms parenting a child with autism. We pray this post uplifts those in the trenches and inspires others to understand, honor, and support brave disability moms in their sphere.* *by Katie Blackburn* On my son’s fourth birthday, I finally allowed myself to admit something. We had celebrated the day with a family dinner, and his therapist decorated his room with a banner and a few balloons. He would not have wanted, nor, with his severe autism, would he have really understood any more fanfare than that. But from start to finish, the whole day had me guarding tears and hiding my stinging red eyes under a hat. He did not enjoy it when we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him and tried to get up and leave the table. He refused the gluten and dairy-free cookies I made just for the occasion. He did not know what to do with the present put in front of him, and when his big sister finally opened the blue squishy dinosaur for him, he took one look and walked away. We worked all day on getting him to answer one question: “Cannon, how old are you?” And all day he responded with, “I’m Cannon.” I should not have scoffed at that response, because “What’s your name?” took the better part of a year to master, but still, “I’m four” remained an elusive concept and as much as I wanted to, I could not will those two words to come from his mouth. I woke up that day wanting his birthday to resemble, even in the smallest ways, the birthday of a typical four-year-old: enjoying a few new toys and smiling as we brought out a special birthday treat, feeling loved and celebrated in the way birthdays should make one feel loved and celebrated. I wanted to see him running around the house with joy, announcing his special day to all who would listen. But for my son, it was just another day: therapy in the morning, school after lunch, playing in the backyard by himself until we made him come inside. For me, the whole day was reminder after reminder of what *isn’t*. And that’s when I admitted: I wish this was different. In the years since that birthday, even with all the prayers of surrender and reciting of truth and reminders of God’s sovereignty, that sentiment still likes to make a constant appearance in my heart and mind. To be sure, there are many days when I don’t feel that way about my son’s life. While he is not even on most neurological development bell curves, my buddy has come so far since his diagnosis. What began as desperation to get him to imitate and intonate the sound of the letter “P” for months, today is a young boy who can say, “I want popcorn please.” Where I spent years chasing him around the perimeter of local parks at playdates while I watched [other mothers sitting on a bench talking to one another](https://gominno.com/blog/10-ways-to-love-on-families-with-special-needs/), envying with all my heart the seemingly carefree nature of their park dates, today my son loves to swing and go down slides and hasn’t left the boundaries of a safe place in years. He reads simple sentences now. He pours his own snacks into a bowl. He lets me brush his teeth, which–believe me–is no small thing. It is hard to put words to the feeling of seeing your son do something you wondered if he would ever be able to do. But it’s also hard to put words to the feeling of longing for something he might never do. . . . . . . . . . . ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/04191916/BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets-1024x1024.jpg "BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets - Minno Kids") Don’t miss Katie’s new children’s book, [The Very Best Baseball Game](https://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Baseball-Game-Disability/dp/1430097337/), a sweet, endearing story that helps families begin conversations about disability, empathy, and God’s design for every person. . . . . . . . . . . Those are the two lanes that disability parents shift between: *sheer joy* and *complete uncertainty*. One has the scenic view of patience and hope and gratitude for the littlest things— and all of those sentiments are so real and genuine, you never want to leave that lane. But it’s so easy to drift, too easy. And often without warning you can find yourself traveling down the road littered with potholes of bitterness and unending questions, and your journey goes from pointing out the beauty around you to gripping the wheel in silent anger. It’s usually when my hands are clenched tight that I start to wonder again why we are on this road at all, and how unfair it feels to be here. And then, in the very next moment, I feel guilty for even thinking that, as if my feelings indicate that I do not love my son fully and completely, as exactly the boy he is: funny and goofy and smart, and so incredibly strong and resilient. But then, I imagine what it would be like for him to have a friend to celebrate his birthday with, and I can barely hold in the tears. Pretty quickly I am back to feeling grateful for how healthy he truly is—in the disability world you do not take for granted when your children can walk and jump and speak at all. But then I land back over in sadness, because other boys his age are playing on basketball teams and packing their own backpacks for school and reading graphic novels and growing into young men who can tell their mom about their day at school. Back and forth I go, drifting between opposite—but equally valid and true—emotions. If you’re wondering if you can feel gratitude and sadness at the same time, ask a disability mother— she’ll tell you that you can. After more than a decade of parenting my son, I can tell you for certain that I know there are going to be many more days in our lives that I will wish things were different, and I’m glad I gave myself the permission all those years ago to say that. God is far too big, far too wise to be taken aback by the reactions of a scared mother, one who often feels so inadequate for the work in front of her. But even with all I don’t know and all the questions I might have for God someday, I do know this: He does not leave us the same. My dependence on him has grown to the place where I don’t even pretend for one second I’m doing okay apart from the grace he promises will be there with every season. And when my heart feels the most weary, I remind myself that for one brief moment, as He waited for the whole purpose of his life’s story to unfold, Jesus wondered if God might do something different, too. “Father, if you’re willing, take this cup from me.” *God, if there is any other way, please do it. If your plan can be different from this one, I’m asking you one last time to consider it. You are the Creator and Sustainer of all, you could change this!* “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” And it *was* done. The rescue every one of us would be lost without, completed. And isn’t it wild to think that the one thing Jesus begged God to do differently became the best thing that ever happened to any of us? At this juncture, there are many days when it is hard to imagine how the profound struggles of a little boy could lead to something good, when I am asking God with all the desperation in my heart to see us, to see my son, to ease the pain and confusion his mind has to live with each day. I don’t know why we have to go weeks and months without a tangible answer to this prayer; and on the other hand, I know I didn’t do anything to deserve the tangible answers when they do come. And they do. Just like for all of us—disability parents or not—there is so much I don’t know, so much of the story I am still waiting on. It is hard to imagine what my son will be like on his twentieth, thirtieth, fortieth birthday. I dream of one day celebrating the incredible progress that every disability mother prays for. But I live mostly in the here and now, because there’s enough to both celebrate and cry over on any given day. But I do know this: on the days I want something different, I remember that one day, everything *will* be different. Because we live with the promise of Heaven, sealed by the one thing God did not take from his son. . . . . . . . . . . ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/04191419/Katie-Blackburn-and-Kids-1024x683.jpg "Katie Her Ducklings - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Katie Blackburn is a single mother of six children, including her son who was diagnosed with severe autism at age two. She is co-host of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, author of Gluing the Cracks, and a contributing author to The Magic of Motherhood. Her writing has been featured on Coffee + Crumbs, Risen Motherhood, The Gospel Coalition, ERLC, and more. When Katie isn’t writing, parenting, or folding laundry, she loves watching college football and pretending she actually knows how to bake. You can read more of her writing on faith, motherhood, special needs, and a good, good God at [katiemblackburn.com](http://katiemblackburn.com/). ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/04191916/BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets-300x300.jpg "BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Katie’s first children’s book, [The Very Best Baseball Game](https://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Baseball-Game-Disability/dp/1430097337/), is a sweet, endearing story that helps families begin conversations about disability, empathy, and God’s design for every person. People aren’t all made the same, but we are all made in God’s image. **Categories:** Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Autism, Autism Awareness, Motherhood, Special Needs --- ### [Family Dinnertime Devotions for Lent (Printable)](https://gominno.com/blog/family-dinnertime-devotions-for-lent/) **Published:** February 13, 2025 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hGGPjZBcTbCCfnncAyfQ.jpg) Join us at Minno for each week of Lent (the 40 days preceding Easter set aside for fasting and preparation for Holy Week) with our short Family Dinnertime Devotions. If you’ve never observed this sacred season or want to learn more, check out the great resources in [this post](http://%20https//www.gominno.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lent-and-easter). *Not sure which article to start with?* Read [What Is Lent?.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-lent) We’ve put together two simple Family Dinnertime Devotions for each week of Lent. Choose two nights a week throughout the season to gather around the dinner table and talk about Jesus. This flexible plan gives you the freedom you need for your busy days, but still gives you something to anchor your family during this season. --- #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids")Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24215537/LAGB-Easter-Family-Guide_%C6%92.pdf) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. --- Follow along with the devotions right in this post or [download our Family Lent Devotion Cards](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lent-Family-Devotional-Card-Pack_hopeful_easter.pdf) to keep the prompts with you at the table or on the go. # Family Dinnertime Devotions for Lent **WEEK 1** **WHO IS JESUS?** *The Light of the World* Read: [John 1:1–4](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%201.1%E2%80%934) *What do these verses say about Jesus?* *How is Jesus the light of the world?* Pray together and thank God for sending Jesus to be the light in a dark world. Ask Jesus to be near to you during this season of Lent. **WHO IS JESUS?** *The Son of God* Read: [Luke 9:18–20](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%209.18%E2%80%9320) *What did Jesus ask? Who answered?* *How do you think the disciples felt when they realized who Jesus was?* Pray together and thank God that Jesus came to earth as a man. Ask Jesus to walk with you and reveal Himself to you more and more each day. **WEEK 2** **WHAT DID THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY ABOUT JESUS?** *Prophecy of Jesus’ Birth* Read: [Isaiah 9:](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%209.2%E2%80%933)[6–7](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%209.6%E2%80%937) *What names does Isaiah say that Jesus will be called?* *How do you think it felt to hear this prophecy when Isaiah first made it? How does it feel to read it now?* Pray together and thank God that Jesus came to bring peace. Ask God to grow peace in your life and around the world. *. . . . . . . . . .* **BIG WORD:** *A prophecy is a promise from God about something that will happen.* *. . . . . . . . . .* **WHAT DID THE OLD TESTAMENT SAY ABOUT JESUS?** *Prophecy of Jesus’ Death* Read: [Isaiah 53:3–6](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isa%2053.3%E2%80%936) *How do these verses describe Jesus? How do they describe us?* *What does it mean that we are all like sheep?* Pray together and thank God for sending Jesus to take the punishment for our sin. Thank Jesus for being our Good Shepherd. **WEEK 3** **WHY DID JESUS COME?** *Jesus Came to Save the World* Read [John 3:16–17](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.16%E2%80%9317) *What did Jesus come to do?* *What motivated God to send His only Son?* Pray together and give thanks to Jesus for coming to save us. **WHY DID JESUS COME?** *Jesus Brought Perfect Love* [1 John 4:9–19](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%204.9%E2%80%9319) *How did God show His great love for us?* *What do these verses say about how we should act toward others because of how God acts toward us?* Pray together and thank God for loving us so much. Ask Him to fill your hearts and lives with love for Him and for others. **WEEK 4** **HOW MUCH DOES JESUS LOVE ME?** *Jesus’ Very Close Love* Read [John 15:9–13](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2015.9%E2%80%9313) *What does it mean to abide in Jesus’ love?* *What does Jesus ask us to do because of His love?* Pray together and thank God for loving us perfectly. Ask Him to help you love others the way that He has loved you. *. . . . . . . . . .* **BIG WORD:** *To abide means to remain connected to something.* *. . . . . . . . . .* **HOW MUCH DOES JESUS LOVE ME?** *Jesus’ Very Big Love* Read [Ephesians 3:14–19](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph%203.14%E2%80%9319) *What measurement words do these verses use to describe Jesus’ love?* *How would you describe Jesus’ love?* Pray together and thank Jesus for dwelling in your heart through faith. Ask Him to help you see how wide, long, high, and deep His love is for you. **WEEK 5** **WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT HIS PURPOSE?** *Jesus Knew He Would Suffer* Read [Luke 9:21–22](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%209.18%E2%80%9322) *How did Jesus say He would suffer?* *How do you think the disciples felt when they heard Jesus say this?* Pray together and thank God for sending Jesus to save the world from sin. Ask God to show you the true meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as Easter comes closer. **WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT HIS PURPOSE?** *Jesus Was Sent by God* Read [John 17:1–5](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2017.1%E2%80%935), [25–26](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2017.25%E2%80%9326) *What did God give to Jesus?* *How did Jesus make God’s name known? How can you make God’s name known?* Pray together and ask God to prepare your hearts for Easter week. Ask Him to show you opportunities to tell others about Jesus. **WEEK 6** **WHAT HAPPENED TO JESUS?** *Jesus Was Crucified* [Matthew 27:32–37](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2027.32%E2%80%9337), [45–54](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%2027.45%E2%80%9354) *What happened when Jesus died?* *How do you think Jesus’ disciples and friends felt knowing He was suffering?* Pray together and thank Jesus for the sacrifice He made. **WHAT HAPPENED TO JESUS?** *He Is Risen!* [Matthew 28:1–10](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2028.1%E2%80%9310) *Who went to Jesus’ tomb? How do you think they felt when the tomb was empty?* *How did the disciples react when Jesus appeared to them?* Pray together and thank God for the gift of Easter. Ask Him to fill your hearts with joy as you celebrate Jesus’ resurrection! . . . . . . . . . . ![Family Lent Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/graphic-design.png "- Minno Kids") [Download Your Family Lent Devotion Cards!](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lent-Family-Devotional-Card-Pack_hopeful_easter.pdf) . . . . . . . . . . *Want more opportunities to grow in faith as a family this season?* Make plans to do our Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional together. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Devotions, Lent --- ### [Welcome Spring with this Family Gardening Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/blog/welcome-spring-with-this-family-gardening-activity-pack/) **Published:** March 24, 2024 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/nPSJTGT0SSGRrMRsV73U/convert?width=800&quality=80) God’s creation is so inspiring and it’s such a gift that we get to nurture and grow plants, flowers, and produce. There’s so much we can learn from digging in the dirt, watching seeds grow, and enjoying the beauty of nature! We want to share this beauty with your family and help you get gardening together. [Click here to download a really fun new activity pack to get your kids excited about creation and gardening!](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Vkuj9ZTgQwO4yh0r4NgZ "Creation and Gardening Activity Pack") Our friends at What’s in the Bible? originally developed this pack, which includes 5 pages of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. **Isaiah 58:11 Coloring Page** This coloring page features the verse “You shall be like a watered garden” from Isaiah 59. **Gardening Prayer** This sweet prayer is perfect for springtime! Adapted from The Valley of Vision, this prayer encourages us to think about how our lives share the beauty of knowing God with the world. **What’s in the Bible? Plant Markers** These fun cut-out plant markers feature favorite What’s in the Bible? characters and let you write the name of your plants to keep track of what you plant in your garden! **Outdoors Scavenger Hunt** Have a scavenger hunt in God’s creation! Explore the outdoors in your yard or at a local park and see who can find the most items from the list. **Garden of Eden Coloring Page** This coloring page shows Adam and Eve in the garden and includes Genesis 2:15. [Download the Family Gardening Activity Pack here! ](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Vkuj9ZTgQwO4yh0r4NgZ) **Categories:** Activity Packs, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Activity Packs, Gardening with Kids, Spring --- ### [5 Ways to Explore God's Creation this Spring](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-explore-gods-creation-this-spring/) **Published:** March 20, 2025 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6b0Ha1CoTSaVDDYnjXpY_Spring-Nature-Walk-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Spring is such a glorious and beautiful time of year! All the freshness and excitement of new life and the possibilities that come with it. It is also a fabulous opportunity to take advantage of hands-on opportunities to talk with your kids about God’s creation. > Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV **Here are 5 simple ways you can explore God’s creation and the miracle of new and regenerated life this spring with your kids.** **Butterflies** – Go on a hunt for some butterflies! Take a simple field guide with you to look for them. Or raise your own [butterflies](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/caterpillars-and-butterflies-lesson.html) this spring for a hands-on object lesson on our new life in Christ! Use additional resources such as this [New Creation printable pack](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/free-printable-new-creation-activities-53-pages.html). **Nature Walk** – Venture out to a park with good trails and explore nature as you walk. Take a plastic bag to collect small items as you go to examine more closely later or use in craft projects. Take pictures of everything from the smallest bug to the tallest tree, talking about all the sights, sounds, and smells all around and how God created each thing. **Grow a Garden** – Now’s the time to plan a garden! Make it [a simple garden kids can help with](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/kids-garden.html), planning it together and chipping in with daily care and maintenance. **Talk about where the Bible mentions gardens and growing things.** The garden of Eden, the parable of the sower, the vine and the branches… there are many passages you could incorporate as you work the soil together. We even have a [Family Gardening Activity Pack](https://www.gominno.com/blog/free-family-gardening-activity-pack) for you here at Minno! **Dandelions** – Even if you don’t have space for a garden, chances are you can find some dandelions this spring! Even the most seemingly insignificant flower is a part of God’s grand creation. Our family enjoys special [dandelion activities](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/spring-dandelion-mini-unit-pre-k-k.html) each year, including studying them, crafting with them, and even making them into cookies! It’s a fun and unique way of exploring God’s creation this spring. **Chicks** – Spring is the perfect time for baby chicks! Go to a farm store and see some baby chicks, ducks, turkeys, and more! If possible, get your child a chance to hold them. If you’re really ambitious, bring some home to raise! Your kids can learn good [lessons from chicks](http://ministry-to-children.com/baby-chick-bible-object-lesson/). Talk about how God created the chicks and how He created them. Moreover, He loves them and protects them! We can feel safe knowing the God of creation cares for us and watches over us, like a hen brooding over her chicks. > He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust. Psalm 91:4a KJV There are so many different ways to [explore spring](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/20-ideas-homeschooling-family-spring.html) and God’s creation. What new things will you explore with your kids this season? **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Spring --- ### [Creation Care for Kids: How Your Family Can Love the Earth](https://gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-your-family-can-love-the-earth/) **Published:** April 22, 2022 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aYamT47JRJf274ELND7M.jpg) This season, I am determined to explore every inch of this backyard—seeing the bugs crawl across the rocks, feeling the warm sun on my face, learning what time of day the birds chirp the loudest, knowing which plants are about to blossom next. When life gets busy, I am reminded of the calming words of Matthew 6:25-34, that though we may be anxious about today and tomorrow, the lilies of the field and the birds in the sky continue to be provided for by their loving God, and we are also taken care of by Him. But though the Bible makes it clear that the Lord created all the beauty and splendor of nature around us (Genesis 1, John 1:3, Psalm 95:4-5, Psalm 104), He also asked us to be partners and stewards of that creation with Him (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:15, Psalm 104:14-15). In fact, it is the first commandment He ever gives Adam, before He even made Adam a helper or commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 2:15 vs. 2:18). And that is where the problem lies. He gave us this beautiful land to tend and keep, but it seems we haven’t kept up our end of the bargain. The earth is changing, and not for the better. We have lost over half the world’s rainforests, and tropical deforestation contributes to 16-19% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions every year. The ocean is two degrees warmer than it was before the Industrial Revolution, leading to species loss, bigger storms, glaciers melting, and sea-level rise. Plastic has only been popular since the early 1950s, and yet today there are well over 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in our ocean, and we are adding 8 million tons of plastic to the ocean every year. It is estimated that over 75% of the world’s coral reefs have bleached due to the ocean becoming too warm and acidic due to climate change. Taken all together, these facts paint a grim picture of just how much we haven’t been the stewards of this planet God asked us to be. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can change our behaviors and help Creation bounce back. If there is a silver lining to the world slowing down and staying in during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is that we have taken a Sabbath of sorts, and given the Earth a time to heal. And heal it has. Air quality is better around the world. The air is so clean that people in Delhi, India are seeing the Himalayas for the first time in decades. The water is the cleanest it has been in Venice in 60 years, and the animals are taking notice; fish, swans, and even dolphins have been spotted! Coyotes have been seen tiptoeing back into San Francisco, where they once roamed free. Vancouver Harbor is five decibels quieter than it was three months ago, a huge blessing for the whales and dolphins that call it home. God created this beautiful planet for us, as a gift, and to show His splendor and majesty (Psalm 19:1, Isaiah 45:23-4, Hebrews 11:3, Colossians 1:15-17). We are called to care for it. This is as important as anything else God asks us to do, like to love our neighbor, because it is a gift we were given to steward over. Much like the parable of the talents (Matthew 24:14-30), we can waste away what He has entrusted to us, or we can care for it with love for the Giver and the gift. *How can we love the earth, and teach kids to love it too?* - *Take a gratefulness nature walk.* Take a walk around your neighborhood or around your backyard, and notice all the little pieces of creation all around you. Thank God for each and every one. Stop and smell the roses, literally! - *Take care of creation.* How can we help creation, especially when the problems of pollution and climate change seem like too big of problems to begin to tackle? Start small. Plant a garden, learn to recycle, start a worm bin and watch the worms take what we see as waste and turn it back into beautiful soil. - *Waste not, want not.* Challenge your family to create less food waste this week. Get creative in the kitchen and use up those scraps. Even do some fun science experiments and re-sprout the base of your green onions and lettuce. It is estimated that a third of food is wasted, so this is a great place to start! - *Eat less meat.* Many scientists agree that the single greatest thing an individual can do to fight climate change is to reduce their meat intake, as livestock may contribute up to 50% of greenhouse gas emissions. What if your family started eating Meatless Mondays? What conversations could that lead to, about doing your part for God’s earth? . . . . . . . . . . **Next Post in the Series:** [How to Steward the Gift of Water](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-to-steward-the-gift-of-water) . . . . . . . . . . Caring for God’s amazing creation can feel like a really big job! But you don’t have to memorize statistics, understand the latest science, or even dramatically change your lifestyle to care for the earth. Creation care can start with simple habits and just being aware . . . that God created the earth and every amazing thing in it, and that we are called to take care of His creation. Our latest Minno Life Guide: [**Creation Care: How Your Family Can Love the Earth**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care), written by Jenni Brandon, Ph.D. and Senior Scientist at Applied Ocean Sciences, will help your family discover small changes that will make a big impact on the beautiful world God made. - Learn scientific facts about our land, air, water, plants, and animals and how they are changing for the good and not-so-good. - Discover ways your family can make small changes to help conserve our resources. - Engage in conversations and simple creation care practices with the ideas and prompts in this guide. - Use the included Creation Care Journal to guide kids on a journey of exploration into the wonderful world God made and their opportunity to steward it well. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Creation-Care-1756x992-1.png "- Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) Visit the Minno Store to get your [Creation Care Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care)! . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YCMOYNXGQjWWot2lid6q.jpg) Jenni Brandon received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in December 2017, focusing on the nascent field of marine microplastics. She is an expert in quantifying and identifying marine microplastics and has developed multiple novel methods to identify the spatial and temporal ranges of microplastics and determine the age of plastics exposed to varying weathering conditions in the environment. She is passionate about the world of science communication, having given hundreds of interviews and talks to all types of stakeholders, and was a college lecturer on communicating science to the public during her post-doc at Birch Aquarium. She is active in her church and serves as a Young Life committee member in Encinitas, California. For more of her personal outreach articles and articles about her research, please check out www.jenniferabrandon.com or follow her on twitter at @PlasticsJenni. . . . . . . . . . . #### **More resources and fun to get your family excited about Creation Care:** #### **Minno Resources About Creation** [The Nature of God](https://www.gominno.com/series/nature-of-god) [Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) [The Wonderful World of Science with Dr. Schniffenhousen](https://www.gominno.com/series/wonderful-world-of-science) ![L&G Cover 3D Mock_FINAL SM.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q7MNwDRBQaW6eA5cm7FK.jpg) [The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Creation, Creation Care for Kids, Earth Day --- ### [How to Explain the Days of Holy Week to Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/holy-week-what-are-the-days-of-holy-week/) **Published:** March 11, 2016 **Author:** Minno **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/k1H8yfNRPW1452yJ1WoS.jpg)* *As we prepare to observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter, here is an easy guide to help you and your kids understand the different days of Holy Week and ways you can observe them as a family. Just click on each day to read more about its significance. And be sure to check out the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special for a gentle, comprehensive, kid-friendly retelling of the Easter story.* ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") Holy Week recounts the final days of Jesus’ life including his death, burial, and resurrection. Discover the history of honoring Holy Week and more details about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday – a celebration of Jesus fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We celebrate Christ as king on Palm Sunday. ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") Maundy Thursday honors the Last Supper, when Jesus established the Lord’s Supper. Churches celebrate Maundy Thursday by taking Communion. ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") Good Friday is marked by somber reflections on the death of Christ. When we meditate on what Jesus did for us, we are reminded of Jesus’ suffering and how powerful our sin is. Jesus took on our sin and experienced the ultimate separation from God so that we will never have to experience that. ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") Holy Week leads up to the celebration of Jesus’ triumph over death on Easter Sunday. The Resurrection gives us hope that one day we will also have eternal life with God! #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids") #### Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. . . . . . . . . . . [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181140/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special ](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/)on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Church Calendar, Easter, Holy Week --- ### [What is Holy Week?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week/) **Published:** April 5, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4S0uC1NgQI2qazStN1mo.jpg)* Wondering what it means to observe Holy Week leading up to Easter? Learn the history and meaning behind the week of Jesus’ death and resurrection. ## What is Holy Week? Holy Week marks the final week of the season of Lent and it recounts the final days of Christ’s life, as well as his death, burial, and resurrection. In the early developments of this tradition, Good Friday and Holy Saturday were the first to be designated as holy days. Some early accounts also included Easter Sunday morning. It was not until the 4th century that Thursday became a holy day, and Wednesday was later added in remembrance of Judas’ plot to betray Jesus. The remaining days were added by the middle of the 4th century.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Holy Week was first mentioned by Irenaeus near the end of the 2nd century, though Eusebius believed it dated back to Apostolic times. In the East, “Holy Week was distinguished from the rest of Lent by the extreme strictness of the fast.”[\[2\]](#_ftn2) In fact, some Christians kept an absolute fast during the entire week.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) Today, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and concludes with the celebration of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. **Find a more in-depth look at each day of Holy Week in [this post](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-what-are-the-days-of-holy-week).** ## What is Palm Sunday? **Palm Sunday—**The sixth and last Sunday of Lent, this day marks the beginning of Holy Week (though some sources dictate that Holy Week does not begin until the Monday following) and commemorates Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It is named for the palm branches that were spread on the road to mark Christ’s arrival (Matthew 21:7-9). Christians have commemorated the events of that day since the 4th century, though the earliest mention of “Palm Sunday” did not appear until the 7th century, nor was any formal service of celebration documented until the 9th century.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) In the Middle Ages, Christians developed an elaborate ritual, the vestiges of which remain in church observances today. At this earlier time in the church’s history, Christians carried palm fronds from one church to another, and their procession was frequently accompanied by a Gospel book, a crucifix, or a carved figure of Jesus seated upon a wooden donkey. Once the procession reached its destination, the palms were blessed and distributed.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) This ritual eventually developed into a service that is similar to Catholic Mass, however the Catholic Church eventually simplified the tradition into what we know today. It was not until relatively recently that Protestant churches adopted their own Palm Sunday ceremonies.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) Today, Palm Sunday is marked by the ceremonial “blessing of the palms.” The palms are then carried in a procession as symbols of Christ’s victory and protection.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) It is also worth noting that the Palm Sunday fronds are later burned, and their ashes are used the following year on Ash Wednesday. ## What is Maundy Thursday? **Maundy Thursday—**Properly called “Thursday of the Lord’s Supper,” this day commemorates the institution of the Eucharist at Jesus’ Last Supper.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) The term “Maundy” reportedly comes from the Latin *mandatum*, referring to the “command” Jesus gave his followers at the Last Supper to love one another (John 13:34). The name may also derive from the Latin *mundo* meaning “to wash,” and may therefore refer to Christ’s washing of the disciple’s feet.[\[9\]](#_ftn9) This day has been remembered since the early centuries of the church. In the 4th century it was observed as a feast in the Jerusalem church, and in the 6th century it was observed in Gaul as *Natalis Calicis* or “Birthday of the Chalice.” In medieval England it was known as “Chare Thursday” and in Germany as “Green Thursday,” possibly deriving from the word *grunen* meaning “to mourn.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) During the Middle Ages, bishops, abbots, and noblemen observed Maundy Thursday by washing the feet of the poor, a deliberate imitation of Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet. In 1572 Queen Elizabeth I washed the feet of thirty-nine poor people at Greenwich Palace, a tradition that was taken up by numerous monarchs after her.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) Today, Maundy Thursday is almost universally celebrated by partaking of the Lord’s Supper. ## What is Good Friday? **Good Friday—**Formally known as the “Friday of the passion and death of the Lord,” this day marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a day of sorrow and mourning.[\[12\]](#_ftn12) The name “Good Friday” is rather paradoxical given the dark tone of the day and the terrible events that it commemorates. The origin is actually rather unclear. Some scholars maintain that it derives from the phrase “God Friday.”[\[13\]](#_ftn13) In early Christian writings, Good Friday was known as “Paschal Day,” “The Day of Preparations,” ” The Day of our Lord’s Passion,” and “Long Friday.” The term “Long Friday” probably derived from the long fasts and services that marked the day.[\[14\]](#_ftn14) Some of these names appear as early as the 2nd century, and it was in the year 321 that Emperor Constantine decreed Good Friday as a day of rest. In 633 the Fourth Council of Toledo declared that no one could partake in Easter Eucharist unless they had fasted until three o’clock in the afternoon on Good Friday.[\[15\]](#_ftn15) Today, Christians observe Good Friday with somber services that reflect on Christ’s final hours and the Stations of the Cross. On this day, Christians often veil the cross in black. ## What is Holy Saturday? **Holy Saturday—**This day is traditionally a quiet day of prayer and reflection spent in preparation for Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Earlier in the church’s history this day was also known as the “Great Sabbath.”[\[16\]](#_ftn16) ## What is Easter Sunday? **Easter Sunday—**This day marks the annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word “easter” is “thought to derive from the name of an obscure Germanic goddess of spring, Eastre (a view popularized by the English monk Bede), or more likely, from an old German root for dawn or east (the time and place of the rising sun). At an early date and for obscure reasons, these Germanic words came to translate the Greek *pascha* (from the Heb. *pesah*), the biblical word for the Paschal (Passover) feast.”[\[17\]](#_ftn17) For a brief time in the early centuries of the church, Christians debated over the day that Easter should be observed. Some wanted to celebrate Easter on a particular Sunday each year, but others wished to keep the day more closely linked to the Jewish Passover. More precisely, this latter group wished to observe Easter “on the third day of the fourteenth Nisan,” a date that would have rotated throughout the days of the week from year to year. In the year 325, the Council of Nicea put an end to the debate by settling on the former view. Since then, Easter has been celebrated on the Sunday nearest to the calculated anniversary of the Resurrection, which is determined by the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21).[\[18\]](#_ftn18) In its earlier forms, Easter was a “unitary night celebration” similar to Passover that remembered both the death and the resurrection of Christ. After the 4th century, the unitary feast was divided into several parts that distinguished Easter Sunday morning for the specific celebration of the resurrection.[\[19\]](#_ftn19) Historically, Easter has also been associated with baptism. The immersion into and re-emerging from the baptismal waters signifies the death and Resurrection of Christ, so Easter became a festival of both the Resurrection of Christ and the baptism of new believers. At one time, the Roman church oversaw thousands of baptisms each Easter Sunday.[\[20\]](#_ftn20) Today, Easter is the most joyous occasion in the Christian calendar. It is the climax of the Holy Week journey, during which time Christians have remembered the difficult steps of Christ and mourned them. It is against the darkness of Holy Week that Easter Day is especially bright. The black veil of the cross is lifted, and Christians celebrate with hymns such as “Lift High the Cross.” #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids") #### Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. . . . . . . . . . . [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181140/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special ](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/)on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Walter A. Elwell, *Evangelical Dictionary of Theology* (Baker Academic, 2001). p. 573 [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) William Edward Addis and Thomas Arnold, *A Catholic Dictionary: Containing Some Account of the Doctrine, Discipline, Rites, Ceremonies, Councils, and Religious Orders of the Catholic Church* (K. Paul, Trench & Co., 1893). p. 445 [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Ibid. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Leonard W. Cowie and John Selwyn Gummer, *The Christian Calendar: a Complete Guide to the Seasons of the Christian Year Telling the Story of Christ and the Saints, from Advent to Pentecost* (G. & C. Merriam Co., 1974). p. 69 [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Addis, p. 445 [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Ibid. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Frank Leslie Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, *The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church* (Oxford University Press, 2005). p. 1220 [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Cowie, p. 74 [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Elwell, p. 750 [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Elwell, p. 750 [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Cowie, p. 74 [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Elwell, p. 573 [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Charles George Herbermann et al., *The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church* (The Catholic Encyclopedia Inc., 1913). p. 643 [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Cowie, p. 77 [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Cowie, p. 78 [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Cowie, p. 82 [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Elwell, p. 360-361 [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) Cowie and Gummer, *The Christian Calendar*. p. 85 [\[19\]](#_ftnref19) Elwell, p. 361 [\[20\]](#_ftnref20) Cowie, p. 85-86 **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Discipleship, Easter, Faith Formation, Holy Week, Palm Sunday --- ### [Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?](https://gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday/) **Published:** April 13, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ## ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EWEag8OYR85BboP5UqsO.jpg) ## What is Easter Sunday? The most important event of the Church Calendar is Easter Sunday. On this day Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Not only has Christ paid for our sins on the cross, but He has triumphed over death! Jesus’ resurrection seals our hope for eternal life with God. “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). The Resurrection gives us hope, that although there is still sin and death in the world, we will be resurrected like Christ and have eternal life with God. This hope is expressed through the following words: “‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'” Sin and death still exist, but they have lost their power because of Christ’s resurrection. ## Celebrating Easter Sunday Christians celebrate Easter Sunday in numerous ways. Many celebrations begin at sunrise, ushering in a service of light that represents the hope of Christ’s resurrection. Some churches use this day to baptize or renew the baptism of their congregants. Many Christians celebrate communion, giving thanks to Jesus for giving the sacrifice of His body. Most all services emphasize light and rejoicing, which stands in stark contrast to the previous dark and solemn days leading up to Easter. Some churches refrain from saying “Alleluia” during the season of Lent, and so on Easter they can finally exclaim, “Alleluia. Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia.” Easter services may revisit stories of Scripture that show the many ways that God has been pursuing His people across time. This is a reminder that Christ has fulfilled the laws of the Old Testament by establishing his New Covenant through the Resurrection. The Passover lambs of the Old Testament only spared firstborn sons from death on one night. Christ the Passover Lamb saves us from sin and death for eternity! “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56). As your family reaches the great celebration of Easter, talk about the meaning behind different images or stories you may encounter during your Easter Service. The empty tomb celebrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death, which we share in through Him! The church filled with light and music reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world because of the promise He brings through His Resurrection. The image of the lamb signifies that Jesus is the Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice paid for our sins and secured eternal life with Him. ## The True Meaning of Easter: The Resurrection Easter can be a confusing holiday – stores are filled with chocolate eggs and stuffed bunnies, while churches teach about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Are the two connected? Not really. But even within the Christian celebration of Easter, there can be confusion, especially when explaining Easter to children. Different Christian traditions emphasize different parts of Holy Week – there are Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday services. **How do all of those events come together to tell one story – the Holy Week? And even more, how do all of the stories of the Old Testament lead us to the Cross on Good Friday?** Let Phil Vischer, Buck Denver and Friends explain the real meaning of Easter in a video that kids will love and understand. #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids") #### Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. . . . . . . . . . . [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181140/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") [ ](http://whatsinthebible.com/2013/03/24/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday/) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Church Calendar, Easter, Holy Week --- ### [Holy Week History: What is Good Friday](https://gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday/) **Published:** April 12, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ## ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/otiSoXT8QB2qqrm0K5BF.jpg) ## What is Good Friday? Good Friday remembers the day of Christ’s death and the moments leading up to it. Many Christians devote this day of Holy Week to thinking about Christ’s final hours and the suffering that He endured. Services for Good Friday tend to be somber, even though we know that Jesus rose from His death three days later. ## The Importance of Good Friday So why is it important to enter into this dark, sorrowful time if we know the joyous ending of Christ’s resurrection? By meditating, or thinking very deeply, about the suffering of Christ we are reminded of how powerful our sin is. This realization of the weight of our sin makes Jesus’ sacrifice all the more powerful and real! Jesus’ suffering also reminds us that He was truly human, experiencing emotions of sadness and temptation. Before He is arrested, Jesus prays to God asking Him to “Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36). He knew that His death would be incredibly difficult, but He chose to carry out the will of the Father. Jesus suffered the death that we deserve because of our sin. It was painful and humiliating. Jesus was mocked and taunted by people who said that if He were truly the Christ, He should save himself from this death (Mark 15:31)! Before Jesus dies, He cries out God “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). This marks God turning away from his Son, who has become sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus experiences the ultimate separation that we will never have to experience, separation from God. When Jesus dies, the temple curtain tears from top to bottom signifying that Christ’s perfect sacrifice has covered our sins, making us blameless in God’s sight and giving us direct access to Him (Mark 15:38). “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20). ## Celebrating Good Friday Churches have different ways of celebrating Good Friday and remembering Christ’s suffering. Some use the Stations of the Cross, a series of 14 images depicting moments of Jesus’ journey to the cross and ending with his burial. Oftentimes, church services are dark and include a black veil draping the cross. Others may practice the act of nailing their sins, written out on paper, to a cross. As your family prepares to celebrate Good Friday, talk about the purpose of the dark and sorrowful tone of the service. It is appropriate that we should feel sad, but not because something “bad” or “wrong” happened. It was unjust that the blameless Jesus died a criminal’s death with the stain of our sins, but it by this “unjust” act that we are justified for eternity. Christ’s terrible death was necessary for our salvation. This is a humbling realization, but one that should make us all the more grateful for what He has done in order to call us His children. #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids") #### Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. . . . . . . . . . . [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181140/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Church Calendar, Easter, Good Friday, Holy Week --- ### [Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday](https://gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday/) **Published:** April 13, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ## ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/An5zSN0vSvG7lSPeS2Qg.jpg) ## What is Maundy Thursday? Maundy Thursday is the fifth day of Holy Week leading up to Easter, which remembers the Last Supper with Jesus and His disciples. We call this event the “Last Supper” because it is one of Jesus’ final meals with His disciples before He is crucified. They had gathered for Passover Supper, which set an important context for what Jesus did at the Last Supper. The Passover meal remembers when God liberated His people from captivity after striking Egypt with the tenth and final plague. For the tenth plague, God told Moses that every firstborn son would die unless their families had marked their door frames with the blood of a “lamb without blemish” (Exodus 12:5). Moses directs the Jews to kill a lamb and mark their doors with blood. As promised, God “passes over” the homes marked with blood and spares the firstborn sons of His people. After suffering this final plague, Pharaoh releases the Israelites from their captivity as slaves. ## What is the Meaning of Maundy Thursday? Understanding the story of Passover gives incredible meaning to the events of the Last Supper. During this Passover meal, Jesus establishes what we know as Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Jesus breaks bread, saying “Take, eat; this is my body” and then tells the disciples to drink from the cup of wine, which he calls the “blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). With these actions Jesus establishes himself as the Passover Lamb, the sacrifice required for the New Covenant. Jesus tells us to take Communion to remember his death and to “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26). Communion not only reminds us what Jesus did, but that He will return again. We will commune with him to celebrate His return at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-10). ## How do People Celebrate Maundy Thursday? Most churches celebrate Maundy Thursday by taking Communion and also remembering Christ’s commandment to his disciples. During the Last Supper, Jesus performs the humbling act of washing the feet of his disciple. Jesus uses this act to demonstrate how he wants his disciples to serve and love others. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). This mandate extends to all believers. Christians remember this command on Maundy Thursday, with some churches actually practicing the washing of feet. As we continue to prepare for Easter Sunday, Maundy Thursday is a great time to focus on what it means that Christ is our Passover Lamb. Set aside some time to talk with your family about Jesus as the Blameless Lamb sacrificed for us. This powerful image is simple, yet profound. We are reminded that just as Christ processed humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey, He will humbly go to the cross. What does this tell us about the kind of King He is? He does not conquer with violence, but with love. And so we are called to further his kingdom in the same way, by loving one another as Christ first loved us. #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids") #### Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. . . . . . . . . . . [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181140/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Church Calendar, Easter, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday --- ### [Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday](https://gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday/) **Published:** April 6, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ## ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YrjYwYQFSiRV9B46F9aQ.jpg) ## What is Holy Week? Holy Week is the final week in the season of Lent, and the week leading up to Easter Sunday. During this week, Christians remember the important events of Christ’s final days, his death and resurrection. Revisiting these events is more than a history lesson. It gives us a greater understanding about what Jesus did for us on the cross. ## What is Palm Sunday? The first Sunday of Holy Week is Palm Sunday, which remembers Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Jesus fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah when he says in Matthew 21:5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'” As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds of people lay down their coats and palm branches on the ground as he passes. They waved the palm branches in the air saying, “Hosana! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13) Palm branches were used in the ancient world as symbol of victory and peace. The act of laying down palm branches recognizes that Jesus is king, a king who will bring them peace. Christians use palm branches on Palm Sunday to remember this event and its importance in Christ’s life, but also to acknowledge that Christ’s kingship was fulfilled by his death and resurrection. We celebrate this day with heavy hearts, knowing that Jesus is ultimately going to meet his death on our behalf. Although, he is welcomed as king he will later be crucified as a criminal. Jesus had to go to his death on the cross so that we could call him “King” for eternity. We also celebrate with hope, knowing that Jesus was victorious over sin and death when he rose from the dead on Easter. #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids") #### Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. . . . . . . . . . . [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181140/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-eastervideoImage - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") **Categories:** Uncategorized **Tags:** Church Calendar, Easter, Holy Week, Palm Sunday --- ### [How to Host a Reverse Easter Egg Hunt](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-host-a-reverse-easter-egg-hunt/) **Published:** March 3, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://cdn.buttercms.com/t5fD0DumTbeBzAA3UZqP) Looking for ways to spread Easter joy in your neighborhood or with your friends and family this year? A **Reverse Easter Egg Hunt** may be just the thing your family can do! Think of it as a really fun way to share the joy and celebration of Easter, but with a giving twist. In a reverse Easter egg hunt, you still buy plastic eggs, candy, little toys, and other Easter-egg-treats. But instead of *finding* Easter eggs, your kids get to *give* them! This is a wonderful way to include your kids in spreading the good news about Jesus and Easter and to encourage them to give instead of receive. It may turn out to be so fun (and such a blessing to your neighbors) that you decide to add it to your annual Easter traditions! You can also make verse cards to share the truth and joy of Jesus with your neighbors! Just write the verses, cut them out, and include them with your eggs. **Steps to a Reverse Easter Egg Hunt:** 1. Make a map of your neighborhood or special friends/family you want to take eggs to. Count how many houses you’ll be taking eggs to. 2. Buy plastic eggs and goodies to put inside (candy, small toys, etc). You may want to buy paper lunch sacks as well to put the eggs inside for each house. 3. Involve the whole family in making the eggs! Littlest kids can count out the candy or decorate the paper sacks. Write special notes or Easter verses and include those in the sacks as well. You can use the Easter Bible Verse Cards below! 4. Make a day of it! If you are driving your egg route, stop and get everyone’s favorite treat to enjoy in the car. Drop the bags off on porches. You can ring the bell and say hi if you want! 5. Or, if the weather is good and you don’t think your friends or neighbors will mind, go ahead and hide the eggs in their yard! . . . . . . . . . . [![undefined](https://cdn.buttercms.com/pyUnmUjlQMKkrBiUzLLm)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/o16lc2NPS56BrMShVXUk) **Reverse Easter Egg Hunt Bible Verses** Use these Easter Bible Verses to share the joy of the season. Write them on your own card or download our [Minno Easter Bible Verse Cards](https://cdn.buttercms.com/o16lc2NPS56BrMShVXUk)! > He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6 NIV > Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection. I am life. Everyone who believes in me will have life, even if they die.’ John 11:25 ERV > Through Jesus, God has given us new life and a hope that lives on. 1 Peter 1:3b CEV adapted > But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT . . . . . . . . . . We hope this fun activity becomes a beloved family tradition as you look for ways to remind your kids that Easter is all about how much Jesus loves them and how He calls us to love others! Looking for other family Easter traditions? Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) together. This 30 minute special is a gentle, biblically accurate, kid-friendly retelling of the story of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/17212035/LaughAndGrowBible_Easter_Thumbnail-1-1024x576.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_Easter_Thumbnail - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Easter, Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Traditions, Family Fun --- ### [Palm Sunday: 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Understand What Really Happened](https://gominno.com/blog/palm-sunday-5-ways-to-help-your-kids-understand-what-really-happened/) **Published:** March 19, 2024 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7ImK0PX0QM2UFLwUzu8a.jpg) Palm Sunday is one of the most significant events leading into Holy Week. This popular Bible story is a beautiful depiction of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey while the people laid down palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9b NIV) --- #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids")Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. --- While this story is taught in Sunday school around the world, many children miss the deeper truth behind the story. Today we are going to look at some ways to help our children understand what really happened on Palm Sunday. By engaging children through different forms of learning, we give them a better opportunity to grasp deeper biblical truth. --- #### [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/17212035/LaughAndGrowBible_Easter_Thumbnail-1-1024x576.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_Easter_Thumbnail - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus! --- #### **5 Ways to Help Kids Understand Palm Sunday** #### **1. Read the Story of Palm Sunday.** Read the story in Matthew 21:1-17 together. If your children are able to read, you can take turns reading the story aloud. Not only is [reading aloud](https://welcometothefamilytable.com/10-reasons-you-should-read-to-your-children-every-day/) a wonderful way to cement what you are learning, it’s a great way to bond as a family. #### **2. Ask Questions.** Questions are a wonderful way to open up a child’s heart to hear the truth of God’s Word. Giving your child the chance to articulate their understanding is a powerful discipleship tool. It gives them the ability to meditate on the Word as well as develop a habit of deeper thinking. Here are a couple of questions you can ask your children after reading the story of Palm Sunday: - What would you do if a King visited you? - Why did the people lay palm branches and cloaks before Jesus? - What do you think it would have been like to see Jesus riding into the city on Palm Sunday? #### **3. Teach them what Hosanna means.** “Hosanna!” is an expression of joy, adoration, and praise to God. The people in Jerusalem were treating Jesus like a King, and they believed that He was God. They were excited that the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) was coming to pass: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. #### **4. Discuss some ways we can treat Jesus like a King.** It is important that we teach our children ways they can treat Jesus like a King (like God). Some ideas may include: - Reading and following His Word. - Telling others about His goodness. - Praising and worshiping Him. #### **5. Pray together.** One great way to solidify your children’s understanding of Palm Sunday is to pray together. Here is a simple prayer to get you started: *Dear God,* *We ask You to give us a deep understanding of who You are this season. Please help us to see your truth and love in our everyday life. Help us understand what it means to honor You in all we do. Help us to be more like You. Thank You for blessing us with the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.* *In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.* Teaching our children about the Bible is an honor. By being consistent and intentional we can teach and model deep truths of Scripture for them. Make it a point this Easter to enjoy the story of Palm Sunday together as you discover more of Jesus as a family. You can never go wrong with Jesus! **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Easter, Palm Sunday --- ### [A Hope-Filled Mother's Day Prayer](https://gominno.com/blog/mothers-day-prayer/) **Published:** May 1, 2024 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![Single parent - Parent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/single-parent.jpg "- Minno Kids") #### **A Mother’s Prayer** *Written by Katie Blackburn* ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/04191916/BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets-150x150.jpg "BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets - Minno Kids") Don’t miss Katie’s new children’s book, [The Very Best Baseball Game](https://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Baseball-Game-Disability/dp/1430097337/), a sweet, endearing story that helps families begin conversations about disability, empathy, and God’s design for every person. Heavenly Father, How amazing it is to remember that [Your plan for motherhood has always been good](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-motherhood/). Before You spoke the world into motion, before the day was separated from the night and the land distinguished from the ocean, as You breathed life into man, You knew that everyone would need a mom. You fashioned both our bodies and our hearts to carry the weight of motherhood. Whether that’s the growing belly we instinctively rest our hands on, or the arms of a mother waiting for her child from another woman, You equipped us to carry so much—and yet, we were never meant to carry it alone. Because we cannot carry the anxiety, from the baby who will not sleep to the teenager who has not come home. We cannot carry the frustration, of the behavior we are unable to change, and the way it might reveal more about our own sin than we are comfortable admitting. We cannot carry the guilt, of not feeling like we have done enough, or knowing we did it wrong. And we cannot, for all of our efforts, carry the weight of their faith in You. But God, what a grace it is that You do not need us to live in the self-confidence of our own strength. Replace the paralyzing focus on our inabilities with the discovery of Your goodness, because it is Your goodness alone that will replace our fear. Make us not only professors but examples of the gospel to our children, displaying to them in every meltdown, every argument, and every season it’s hope and beauty. Help us to remember that *we are the mothers our children need* and that our rest in Christ’s work on the cross is what *we need* to love them best. Thank You for making us mothers, God. Every day, help us to remember that You are good, we cannot do motherhood alone, and that You never asked us to. Amen. . . . . . . . . . . ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/04191419/Katie-Blackburn-and-Kids-1024x683.jpg "Katie Her Ducklings - Minno Kids") Katie Blackburn is a single mother of six children, including her son who was diagnosed with severe autism at age two. She is co-host of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, author of Gluing the Cracks, and a contributing author to The Magic of Motherhood. Her writing has been featured on Coffee + Crumbs, Risen Motherhood, The Gospel Coalition, ERLC, and more. When Katie isn’t writing, parenting, or folding laundry, she loves watching college football and pretending she actually knows how to bake. You can read more of her writing on faith, motherhood, special needs, and a good, good God at [katiemblackburn.com](http://katiemblackburn.com/). ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/04191916/BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets-300x300.jpg "BH_TheVeryBestBaseballGame_DigitalAssets - Minno Kids") Katie’s first children’s book, [The Very Best Baseball Game](https://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Baseball-Game-Disability/dp/1430097337/), is a sweet, endearing story that helps families begin conversations about disability, empathy, and God’s design for every person. People aren’t all made the same, but we are all made in God’s image. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Mother's Day, Motherhood, Prayer --- ### [How To Write A Family Mission Statement](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-write-a-family-mission-statement/) **Published:** January 18, 2025 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DN1pukSDid0LiIAEVA2q.jpg) In today’s culture, we’re all about sharing stories. We flock to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to tell our tale through daily photos and to watch the story of others’ lives unfold in our feed. The more we have access to the story of others, the more we wonder about our own. Comparison is a trap more dangerous than ever before because we are watching the lives of others all.day.long. But there is so much purpose to be found in our own story. And our story doesn’t have to be filled with comparison, guilt, confusion, or regret. When we intentionally pursue the VALUES, VISION, and MISSION of our own unique family, we don’t have time to compare ourselves to others. So focused on our family mission, we abandon our need to compare and compete. Discovering our family mission, owning it, and bravely living it out allows our story to be strengthened as each chapter unfolds. Our actions and decisions; the way we live our lives and the things we do or don’t do, tell a story. Each day of our existence—the magnificent and the mundane—collect like words on a page or chapters in a book to tell the story of our lives. > *Each person’s life is a story that is telling itself in the living. William Throsby Bridges* **A mission statement is a guideline by which we will live our lives and tell our stories.** Our family mission statement can be like a compass or a map to guide our way as we navigate our goals and our story. Writing a family mission statement can seem like an overwhelming task. We’ve broken it down here into 3 simple steps. Set aside time as a family to talk through these important details of your family life, then work together (with careful consideration and [prayer](https://www.gominno.com/parents/how-to-develop-a-more-consistent-family-prayer-life-this-year/)) to determine your family mission. #### **How do you write a family mission statement?** - **Step 1:** Begin with your **why** (family values) **Ask:** *What do we value as a family? How does the way we spend our time and resources reveal what’s important to us? What does the Bible say we should value?* - **Step 2:** Decide **where** you want to be in 12-24 months and 3-5 years from now (cast vision) **Ask:** *Where do we want to go in the next 12-24 months? What do we want life to look like 3-5 years from now?* - **Step 3:** Determine **how** you will get there (family mission) **Ask:** *What do we need to be doing or how do we need to be living now to get us where we want to go?* #### Values (why) + Vision (where) = Our Family Mission (how) Once you’ve got your family mission statement completed, [download this printable](https://cdn.buttercms.com/BU043BXgQUeoc8N4EXkH) to write it out and hang it in your home! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xLLTVTLWQbJKD6Q9fuAX.jpg) We’re making this the year to discover the story God wants to write for our family so we can begin to intentionally live it out in all the areas that matter most! *Have you written your family mission statement?* Let us know by sharing it with us on [Instagram](http://instagram.com/gominno) or [Facebook](http://facebook.com/minno). **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Life, Intentional Parenting, Parenting --- ### [The Ultimate Guide to The Dead Sea Squirrels](https://gominno.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-dead-sea-squirrels/) **Published:** January 16, 2025 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ### Introducing *The Dead Sea Squirrels*: A New Show by VeggieTales Co-Creator Mike Nawrocki. Minno is excited to announce the premiere of [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/), an all-new animated series from Mike Nawrocki (VeggieTales, LarryBoy) available exclusively on our streaming service beginning February 14, 2025! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/14011203/DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured.jpg "DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured - Minno Kids") If your family loves *VeggieTales*, get ready to be excited—Mike Nawrocki, one of the original creators of the beloved series (and the voice of Larry/LarryBoy), has a new project: *The Dead Sea Squirrels*! This fun-filled animated show brings faith-based storytelling to life in a way that’s sure to capture kids’ hearts while teaching them about the Bible. Merle and Pearl, two squirrels from biblical times, are the stars of [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/). Based on Mike Nawrocki’s popular, award-winning book series (Tyndale), the story follows Michael Gomez, a 12-year-old boy who discovers the petrified squirrels while visiting his archaeologist father in Israel. After smuggling them back to Tennessee, a rainstorm rehydrates them, bringing the squirrels—and their firsthand knowledge of the early church—back to life! Together, Michael and the squirrels navigate modern-day challenges, all while sharing biblical lessons and hilarity. > It’s my prayer that this series helps kids make a connection to the Bible and the life of Jesus. Mike Nawrocki ### From Idea to Animation: How [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) Came to Life The idea for [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) came to Mike while traveling for *VeggieTales*. Limited by the challenge of portraying Jesus as a vegetable, he dreamed of a series that could bring New Testament stories to life. After leaving Big Idea in 2016, Mike partnered with Tyndale Publishers to create a 12-book series that has now been adapted into this animated show. The journey wasn’t easy—Mike launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund initial animation efforts, raising over $35,000 in just a few days. Years later, thanks to major investors and a talented team, the dream has now become a reality. ### Meet the Team Behind [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) To bring this vision to life, Mike teamed up with industry veterans like Tom Bancroft, a Disney animator, and Grammy-nominated filmmaker Steve Taylor. The animation is produced in partnership with New Zealand’s Mukpuddy Animation Studio and Lipscomb University’s Imagine House Productions, involving animation students and faculty mentors. The series also features a star-studded lineup, including guest appearances by Phil Vischer (*VeggieTales’* Bob the Tomato), Christian music artists like MercyMe’s Bart Millard, Ellie Holcomb, Mac Powell (Third Day), Katy Nicole, Matthew West, and even Beth Moore! With catchy original songs and hilarious adventures, [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) is sure to be a hit with families. ![Thumbnail Dead Sea Squirrels](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/19003847/DSS_Thumbnail_Trailer_Fundraising-1024x546.png "Dead Sea Squirrels - Minno Kids") ### Fun Characters and Biblical Lessons in [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) At the heart of the show are Merle and Pearl, two spunky squirrels who lived during Jesus’s time and now help Michael and his friends navigate modern-day challenges. Other characters include: - **Michael Gomez**: A rule-bending 12-year-old who discovers the squirrels. - **Justin & Sadie**: Michael’s best friends, always ready for adventure. - **Edgar**: The school bully who stirs up trouble. - **Ruben & Dr. Simon**: The quirky antagonists with their own schemes. Each episode brings laughs, adventure, and timeless lessons grounded in biblical truth. ### How Many Episodes of [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) are Available? There are 13 action-packed episodes in the first season of The Dead Sea Squirrels including these adventures and Bible themes: 1. Squirreled Away – Honoring Your Father and Mother (Ephesians 6:2-3) 2. Boy Meets Squirrel – Doing Unto Others . . . (Matthew 7:12) 3. Nutty Study Buddies – Being Diligent (Proverbs 13:4) 4. Squirrelnapped – Telling the Truth (Ephesians 4:25) 5. Tree-Mendous Trouble – Showing Mercy (Matthew 5:7) 6. Whirly Squirrlies – Using Self-Control (Proverbs 16:32) 7. Merle of Nazareth – Do Not Worry (Philippians 4:6-7) 8. A Dusty Donkey Detour – With God, All Things Are Possible (Matthew 19:26) 9. Jingle Squirrels – God Sent His Son Because He Loves Us (John 3:16) 10. Risky River Rescue – Jesus’ Baptism and the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22) 11. A Twisty-Turny Journey – The Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:15-16) 12. Babbleland Breakout (Part 1) – The Last Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) 13. Babbleland Breakout (Part 2) – Death and Resurrection of Jesus (John 15:13) The episodes will begin rolling out on Minno February 14. ### Is [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) Right for Your Family? Absolutely! This series is designed to entertain kids while reinforcing Christian values. Each book and episode focuses on themes like kindness, obedience, and perseverance. As GoodBookMom.com puts it, “Kids will easily relate to the real-life situations while enjoying the fun, Jesus-loving squirrels.” Perfect for kids aged 6–10, the books and show provide an engaging, family-friendly experience. Parents can rest assured that questionable behaviors are always addressed in a way that aligns with biblical principles. ### But Isn’t [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) a Book Series? Yes! [*The* *Dead Sea Squirrels* book series](https://www.tyndale.com/authors/mike-nawrocki/3862), created by Mike Nawrocki, blends humor, adventure, and biblical lessons into a delightful early-reader experience. Just like the show, each book is packed with relatable themes like kindness, hard work, and forgiveness, making [*The* *Dead Sea Squirrels* book series](https://www.tyndale.com/authors/mike-nawrocki/3862) a perfect choice for kids aged 6–10. Illustrated with fun, comic-style drawings, the series offers an engaging way to introduce children to biblical values through imaginative storytelling. Check out the books and watch the show on Minno! ### Watch [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) Exclusively on Minno! We’re thrilled to announce that *The Dead Sea Squirrels* will premiere exclusively on **Minno** starting February 14, 2025! As your go-to platform for faith-based family entertainment, Minno is proud to bring this exciting new series to your home. Are you ready to dive into the hilarious, heartwarming world of *The Dead Sea Squirrels*? Stream the show on Minno and explore the book series to join Merle, Pearl, and Michael on their unforgettable adventures! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Minno Show Guides, New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Dead Sea Squirrels, Mike Nawrocki, New on Minno --- ### [The Light of Epiphany: Hope for the New Year](https://gominno.com/blog/the-light-of-epiphany-hope-for-the-new-year/) **Published:** January 3, 2025 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![epiphany hope for the new year](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/03230942/The-Light-of-Epiphany_-Hope-for-the-New-Year-1-1024x578.jpg "epiphany hope for the new year - Minno Kids") There’s a bright light shining through our front window. The curtains fell down one evening in December while my husband and I were watching TV. We heard a crash and rushed to the dining room to see our front window curtains on top of my buffet, the one filled with my china. Thankfully, nothing was broken except the curtain rod which had finally given up after 9 years of hosting a few sets of curtains that changed with my decorating whims. For the past few weeks, we’ve been discussing the best way to rehang our curtains above the large window with a transom I’d like to reveal. *A better rod? A different method?* We can’t decide how to move forward and **the longer we wait the more I’ve grown accustomed to the light, the brightness of space, and the ability to see out into the world around me.** **It’s amazing what a little light in your surroundings can do for your soul.** This past year was a season of unfamiliar darkness with the cumulative effects of 8+ years of loss finally crashing down on me. Stepping into this year I feel a weight lifting, a hope of light and revelation. I don’t expect the effects of loss to disappear, but I do have hope to thrive within the sea of emotion I often experience after losing four babies, two long-time communities, my mother-in-law, and my own mom. **I see a light that will allow me to recognize beauty in the midst of pain.** I’ve reconnected with the One who promises we’ll have trouble in this world but declares yet, He has overcome the world. **Today marks the official end to the Christmas season with the celebration of Epiphany.** This 12th or final day of Christmas on the church calendar holds great meaning for Christ-followers, marking the visit of the Magi (Three Kings Day), the baptism of Jesus, and the beginning of a journey of enlightenment. The very word speaks to the light we hope to find in the new year. Epiphany celebrates God revealed in the humanity of Christ. **IF EMMANUEL IS GOD WITH US . . . EPIPHANY IS OUR REVELATION OF HIS PRESENCE IN OUR MIDST. IT REQUIRES OUR RECOGNITION, OUR RESPONSE.** **Our state of mind, our behavior, our lifestyle will never change the fact that Emmanuel is here with us but our ability to see and understand His presence will greatly affect our journey; the level of peace and joy with which we travel.** This is the revelation I carry with me into the new year. Emmanuel has come and is ever-present, yet my ability to walk in the light is dependent upon my reception of His presence in my life. **EPIPHANY ALLOWS US TO SEE AND CHOOSE TO WALK IN THE LIGHT.** This morning as I woke, I laid in my warm bed and turned these words around in my head. *How will You have me share my journey of revelation on this sacred day of Epiphany?* As I poured my first cup of coffee, I scrolled through Facebook and read these words from Chrystal Evans Hurst: Your commitment to God in the dark is the path to your victory in the light. Emmanuel, God with Us. **Our commitment to a present God will eventually lead us to the light.** Months ago I couldn’t see a clear path out of the darkness I was experiencing but I clung to Jesus, walking slowly, one step at a time. And just as He promises in His word, He revealed Himself to me, once again, leading me with hope towards victory. The season of Epiphany reminds us to look for the reality of His presence all around us. In times of darkness His constant companionship will not only be a source of comfort but a guide into the light. **In seasons of joy His company is our great pleasure, a mere taste of His glory revealed on earth.** > *You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11* On this day of Epiphany, my prayer is that His presence will be revealed to us in fresh, new ways. *May we feel His companionship in the midst of the mundane.* *May we notice His great pleasure in the simple ways we serve each day.* *May we accept His grace when we feel defeat.* *May we wear His joy like a garment of victory over all that tries to steal it.* *May we journey slowly through moments of darkness, with hope of the light.* **Epiphany, the revelation of an ever-present, all-consuming, deeply-loving God. The only hope we need this year.** **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Epiphany, New Year --- ### [Teaching Kids the Bible Through Stories: The Dead Sea Squirrels and Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/teaching-kids-the-bible-through-stories-the-dead-sea-squirrels-and-minno/) **Published:** January 21, 2025 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ### ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/21223854/Teaching-Kids-the-Bible-Through-Stories-1024x579.jpg "Teaching Kids the Bible Through Stories - Minno Kids") **Wondering the most effective ways to teach the Bible to kids?** Whether you are a parent or a children’s ministry leader, teaching kids the stories of the Bible can feel like a daunting task. Family Bible studies and curriculum can often be too complicated or involved. That’s where Minno can help—with shows like [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) , a brand-new series from VeggieTales co-creator, Mike Nawrocki that meet kids where they are in their love of media and stories. Keep reading for research-based insights on teaching kids the Bible through stories and for more information on this action-packed animated series. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/14204516/DSS_16x9-1024x576.png "DSS_16x9 - Minno Kids") Stories have long been a cornerstone of effective teaching, particularly for young children. Research shows the unique power of storytelling in fostering cognitive, emotional, and social development, which all contribute to a child’s long term faith formation. This is why at Minno, we know engaging storytelling, through shows like [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) , is the best way to teach kids the Bible. **Cognitive Benefits of Teaching Kids Using Stories** Stories captivate children’s attention in a way that raw facts and rote learning often cannot. A [2023 study published in the *Journal of English Education*](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375689451_THE_EFFECTS_OF_STORYTELLING_TEACHING_STYLE_ON_ELEMENTARY_STUDENTS'_READING_COMPREHENSION) demonstrated that elementary-aged children retained more information when lessons were presented through narrative structures compared to non-narrative methods. Stories provide a natural framework for organizing information, making it easier for young minds to process and remember. **Emotional and Character Development Using Stories** Beyond cognitive benefits, storytelling also supports emotional development. Researchers from [*UCLA’s Center for Scholars and Storytellers*](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/633f0603fdaa7311ba384d21/t/643836c4402e05342be8795b/1681405638166/The%2BPower%2Bof%2BStorytelling%2BMedia%2Band%2BPositive%2BCharacter%2BDevelopment.pdf) found that children exposed to stories with themes like empathy, kindness, and resilience, and then processing them through conversation with parents, were more likely to exhibit these prosocial behaviors. Stories allow children to explore complex emotions in a safe and relatable context, fostering emotional intelligence and character development. While the main goal of teaching the Bible to kids should never be behavior modification, this research supports the role of storytelling in fostering positive character development and long-term spiritual growth. **Social Development and Community Building Through Stories** Socially, stories play a vital role in connecting children with others as they grow in faith. Group storytelling activities improve listening skills, collaboration, and verbal communication. These interactions lay the foundation for strong interpersonal skills and formation within the community of faith. **The Power of Stories in Child Faith Formation** It is no surprise that stories are a powerful tool for teaching biblical principles. The incredible Word of God is full of epic true stories. Additionally, it includes very advanced, abstract ideas such as sanctification and reconciliation. These concepts can be hard for even grown ups to understand, let alone small children. But kid-friendly storytelling can help. Another[ 2021 paper from the *Journal of Religious Education*](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40839-021-00140-y) found that children aged 4 to 10 retained biblical lessons better when they were presented as narratives rather than abstract concepts. Stories like Noah’s Ark or the Parable of the Good Samaritan captivate young imaginations while embedding moral and spiritual lessons, especially when presented in a medium that kids can relate to such as animated stories. **Adventures in Bible-Storytelling with The Dead Sea Squirrels on Minno** At Minno, we are always looking for faith-based stories that will engage kids and enhance their faith formation and *[The Dead Sea Squirrels](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/)* animated show delivers all that and more! Based on the children’s book series, [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) follows the hilarious adventures of 10-year-old Michael and his two quirky, resurrected squirrel friends, Merle and Pearl. Unearthed near the Dead Sea, these ancient squirrels have a knack for bringing biblical wisdom to life in the most unexpected (and entertaining) ways. With their centuries-old perspective, they’re not just teaching Michael about faith—they’re also navigating the modern world with plenty of comedic mishaps along the way. From Mike Nawrocki, the co-creator of *VeggieTales*, comes this exciting new animated series that is sure to teach *and* entertain kids. The show delivers everything families have come to expect from Nawrocki’s creative genius: lovable characters, engaging storytelling, and meaningful messages that stick. Perfect for kids aged 6 to 10, each episode of [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) weaves biblical truths into fun, laugh-out-loud scenarios that spark important conversations about faith, kindness, and integrity. Premiering exclusively on Minno, this show is packed with humor, heart, and faith-filled lessons that the entire family will love. **More than Entertainment** Storytelling like [*The Dead Sea Squirrels*](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) is far more than a form of entertainment; it is an evidence-based approach to teaching that enhances memory, nurtures spiritual and emotional growth, and strengthens social bonds. When we teach the Bible to kids through fun and relatable stories, they will develop a better understanding of God’s truth and a positive attitude toward their long-term faith formation. **Categories:** All Ages, Bible + Faith, Child Development, Education, Kids + Parenting, New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Bible Teaching, Child Development, Dead Sea Squirrels, Education, Faith Formation --- ### [50 Winter Activity Ideas for the Family](https://gominno.com/blog/winter-activity-ideas-family/) **Published:** December 26, 2018 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ROO7Rul5QMyQZciTytbq.jpg) It’s not too late to make a winter bucket list! There are SO many things about winter you can enjoy as a family, whether it’s getting out in the winter weather or enjoying activities indoors! Here is a big list of great ideas to try. Choose activities you can all enjoy and some new ones you’ve never done before! ## Winter Activity Ideas for the Family 1. Make bird feeders 2. Build a gingerbread house 3. Make paper snowflakes 4. [Go on a winter scavenger hunt](http://wondermomwannabe.com/printable-winter-scavenger-hunt/) 5. Play hide and seek 6. Make fancy hot chocolate or a [snowman drink](http://bigfamilyblessings.com/melted-snowman/) 7. Listen to an audiobook 8. Visit the local aquarium 9. [Try an ice/snow experiment](http://embarkonthejourney.com/winter-science-activities/) 10. Study winter birds 11. Plant indoor bulbs 12. Make a family time capsule 13. Make [pommanders](http://www.carrotsformichaelmas.com/2012/12/11/orange-pomanders-a-festive-kid-friendly-diy/) 14. Plan a [spring garden](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/kids-garden.html) 15. Make [ice paints](http://pagingfunmums.com/2014/07/11/ice-cube-painting/) 16. Go snowshoeing 17. Paint a winter scene 18. Serve someone in need 19. Donate toys and clothes 20. Read by the fire 21. Watch/play a hockey game 22. Do a [snowman art project](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/art-day-trinity-snowman-project.html) 23. Indoor sock/snowball fight 24. Have a family movie night 25. Plan a spring bucket list 26. Bake cookies 27. Put on a play 28. Play masking tape hopscotch 29. Make [maple candies](http://happyhooligans.ca/make-maple-syrup-snow-candy-3-simple-steps/) 30. Visit a museum 31. Learn about hibernation 32. Winter nature walk 33. Collect pinecones 34. Play with [snow play-doh](http://www.naturalbeachliving.com/2016/12/homemade-snow-dough.html) 35. Have a pillow fight 36. Go ice skating 37. Learn to knit or crochet 38. Have an indoor picnic 39. Make cinnamon rolls 40. Snowboarding or skiing 41. Plan a [family Valentine’s Day](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/valentines-day-family-celebration-printables.html) 42. Game night with friends 43. Watch family home videos 44. Make a cloud in a jar 45. Random acts of kindness 46. Put together a big puzzle 47. Make [snow ice cream](http://wondermomwannabe.com/snow-ice-cream/) 48. Bake homemade bread 49. Make marshmallow snowmen 50. Read snow-themed books Tauna Meyer is the founder of [ProverbialHomemaker.com](https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/) and author of the curriculum Sound Words for Kids: Lessons in Theology. Tauna is a homeschooling mom of six who speaks to women with encouragement that is relatable and tools that work in real life! She has a passion for helping moms overcome the hurdles that keep them from homeschooling successfully, all while pointing themselves and their children to Christ. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Activities, Family Fun, Winter --- ### [St. Patrick’s Day Bible Verse Scavenger Hunt](https://gominno.com/blog/st-patricks-day-bible-verse-scavenger-hunt/) **Published:** March 14, 2023 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KM0LUpzzSyCGMZAGKMU3_shamrock-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) *How do you [celebrate St. Patrick’s Day](https://www.gominno.com/blog/should-christians-celebrate-st-patricks-day)?* Do you eat mint ice cream while wearing green clothing like our family does? We’re not Irish, but we love traditions and it’s fun to participate in all the little holidays too! What I love about March 17 is the opportunity for Christian parents to talk to their kids about evangelism. You might be asking, *What does evangelism have to do with green shamrocks and pots of gold?* Many people know that this holiday began as a religious feast day to honor the patron saint of Irish Catholics, Patrick, who was born in Roman Britain to Christian parents. Kidnapped by Irish pirates and forced into slavery as a young man, it was during that time he surrendered his life to the Lord. He escaped, returned home briefly and then received religious training in a French monastery. Patrick wrote about his own coming to Christ, saying *“And there the Lord opened the sense of my unbelief that I might at last remember my sins and be converted with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had mercy on my youth and ignorance, and watched over me before I knew Him and comforted me as a father would his son.”* Amazingly, he returned to Ireland in 432 AD as a missionary and eventually became a bishop. He was passionate about evangelism and felt that because God freed him from both physical and spiritual slavery, He wanted to bring truth to the people of Ireland, many of whom were enslaved by pagan practices. **St. Patrick loved the Lord and the people of Ireland so much that he gave up the comforts of home and family to share the gospel.** He told others about Christ even when faced with persecution and established Christian schools and churches during his time as bishop. He was well loved and when he died in 493 AD (historical records indicate it was on March 17), the entire country mourned his passing. **So this is why we talk about evangelism on March 17 – because it demonstrates the heart that Patrick had for those who were unsaved and needed to hear about Christ.** It helps our children understand the need for missionary work, both where we live and overseas. To help you start a conversation on evangelism and missions with your kids, I’ve created a St. Patrick’s Day Bible Verse Scavenger Hunt! Here are a couple of ideas for doing this activity with your family: - Talk about the story of St. Patrick (use this post for reference or [read this one](https://www.gominno.com/blog/should-christians-celebrate-st-patricks-day) for some good talking points too). - Use the eight verses in the download, printed on “gold coins”, to learn what Scripture says about bringing the good news to others. - Hide all the coins around the house, send your kids on a hunt and then read the verses together. - Ask your kids questions like, *“Do you think it was hard for Patrick to return to the country that persecuted him? Why do you think he went back? Would it be easy or hard to go to a different country and share Christ? Why or why not? What are some ways we can share Jesus right where we are?”* ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/18194753/St-Patricks-Day-Scavenger-Hunt-Verse-Coins-1024x791.png "St Patricks Day Scavenger Hunt Verse Coins - Minno Kids") [Click here to download your printable verses](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Scavenger-Hunt-Coins-NEW.pdf). There are 8 verses, but you can make more than one copy if you have several children that want to participate. Then cut them out and, if you want, tape some gold-wrapped chocolate candy to each piece. Complete the scavenger hunt activity and have fun sharing the truths of God’s Word this St. Patrick’s Day…and maybe eat some green mint ice cream too! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Activities, St. Patrick's Day --- ### [Five Ways to Prepare Children for Easter](https://gominno.com/blog/five-ways-to-prepare-children-for-easter/) **Published:** April 2, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wRarlpbSzWcYCpacLBM7.jpg) Easter is a glorious day when we celebrate together the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Children get excited on Easter, but sometimes they don’t always understand what Easter is about. Read below about **five ways that we can prepare children for Easter.** ### 1. Explain Why Jesus Came to Earth First of all, children won’t truly appreciate Easter until they understand the reason Christ came to earth in the first place. The whole point of Jesus *living* on the earth was so that He could save us by *dying* on the cross. Spend time with your children talking about why Jesus came to earth, and how His sacrifice made it possible for us to be saved from our sin. Depending on the ages of your children, you may want to discuss further what sin is and why we need to be saved. By helping them understand the need for His sacrifice, they will begin to understand why the resurrection is so important. ### 2. Describe Victory Over Death Death is a scary thing for many people, including children. When we talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection, we need to take time to talk to our children about how we don’t need to be scared of death, thanks to Jesus! He showed His victory over death, and tells us that we can have eternal life with Him if we follow Him. Explaining to children that we don’t need to be afraid of death, thanks to Jesus, will help them realize more that Easter is a celebration and thanksgiving for what Christ has done for us as we worship Him for who He is. ### 3. Communicate the Significance of Communion Another way that you can prepare children for Easter is to explain to them the significance of communion. Share with them about what communion is and why Christians do it. When children see us partake in communion regularly, they are seeing us remember Christ and express our gratitude for what He has done. If your children don’t understand communion, take time to explain it to them and share how Christians reflect regularly on what Christ has done. This will help them understand that Christians don’t just remember Christ’s sacrifice on Easter, but also throughout the whole year! ### 4. Read the Story of the Resurrection Each of the last few things listed are ways that you can help your children understand that Easter is much more than just one day of celebration and thanksgiving. When it comes to actually preparing them for Easter (possibly the week or month before), take the time to read the story of the resurrection to your children. Read each of the witness’ accounts of the resurrected Jesus and the angels at the tomb. Many of our children have heard the Easter story, but have never actually heard the Biblical account. Take time to read the story to your children before Easter and answer any questions that come up. ### 5. Go Over the Gospel If you want to truly prepare your children for Easter, sit down together as a family and share the Gospel with them. Start with the story of creation, explain man’s need for a Savior, and then share about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Nothing could prepare your children more for an Easter celebration than the power of the Gospel! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Prepare for Easter as a family by watching the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) --- *Steven Knight has been serving in children’s ministry for over 10 years and is an experienced speaker, author, and workshop presenter. He is blessed to be married to his college sweetheart, Katie. His passion is two-fold: to evangelize and disciple children, and to train and equip children’s ministry leaders, all for the glory of God. He loves to share relevant articles and ministry tools with others on his blog, KidminTools.com.* *Originally published on April 05, 2017* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Discipleship, Easter, Faith Formation --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Lent](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-lent/) **Published:** February 21, 2023 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MB5fvcTOS6m9F98rZ2XA_Bible-Stories-Lent-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Since I began attending my church 3 years ago, I’ve been greatly moved by my pastor’s heart for liturgy and traditionalism in the walk of faith. Having grown up in a Charismatic, evangelical church, I didn’t have first-hand experience with practices such as the observance of Lent or First Communion before now. Last year in his sermon on Lent, my pastor explained that Lent is a journey that moves us toward the cross. While it’s traditionally been the sacrifice of something dear as a form of repentance, he believes that the observance of Lent can include the addition or subtraction of something in your life to enhance your spiritual journey and further focus you on Jesus during the Easter season. --- #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids")Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24215537/LAGB-Easter-Family-Guide_%C6%92.pdf) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. --- I love his explanation because it makes Lent so much more accessible to the average person. And it makes it possible to share the observance of Lent with our children. Lent is traditionally observed from Ash Wednesday through Easter Eve. When not counting Sundays (as is typically the case) this equals 40 days. Lent is thought to be a commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert as he prepared for public ministry. The following Bible stories will help you share the life and ministry of Jesus with your child during the Lenten season. Focusing your child’s attention on Jesus’ life as we head towards Easter is a great way to open their heart to deeper friendship with him. Discussing these important parts of the story is essential to building conversations of faith in your home. Whether you choose to add or subtract something in your life to observe Lent as a family is completely up to you. Pray about what the season needs to look like in your home. --- ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Watch the Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus! --- ## 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Lent ### Jesus is Baptized by John Matthew 3:13-17 **Bible Truth:** Jesus’ love washes away my sins. Jesus is baptized to be an example to His followers. We are baptized as a public example that we are a follower of Jesus. Baptism is a way to publicly tell others we are a follower of Christ. Being led underwater and then raised back up again is like acting out Jesus’ death and resurrection. Baptism is a symbol (a visual example) of the new life we receive when we accept Christ as our savior. It is one way we publicly share that we need Jesus to cleanse or forgive us of our sins. Although your child may not yet be ready to be baptized, it is good to begin discussing this important step of faith. Until you and your child (along with your pastor or children’s pastor) decide they are ready to be baptized, encourage your child that they can be a daily example of Christ’s love to others at home, at school, or in the neighborhood. Connect this story to the Lenten season by emphasizing our need to be buried with Christ—or in more kid-friendly language, to become less so He can be more in our lives. Baptism is not only a public profession of faith but also our acknowledgment that we need Jesus to cleanse our sins. **Related Memory Verse:** *Those baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him. (Galatians 3:27)* **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Connect: The Baptism of Jesus](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/the-baptism-of-jesus) [What’s in the Bible?: The Messiah Has Come](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-messiah-has-come) ### Feeding of the Five Thousand John 6:1-14 **Bible Truth:** Jesus’ miracles show God’s power. Although the ultimate purpose for Jesus coming to earth was to take away our sins so we could be closer to God, as He spent time with people, He also taught them how to live and love and access the power of God in their everyday lives. Your child may already be familiar with this popular story but retell it to them with an emphasis on why Jesus performed miracles like this one. By interacting with people through teaching, miracles, and healing, Jesus opened His heart to others allowing them to open their hearts to Him. Jesus wants to be in a relationship with us. He wants us to know Him and love Him as much as He knows and loves us. Connect this story to the Lenten season by sharing that this is only one miraculous moment during the life of Christ that shows us that Jesus is the Son of God and is worthy of our devotion during this Lent and Easter season and every single day of the year. **Related Memory Verse:** *By believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31b)* #### **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Jesus Storybook Bible: Filled Full!](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/filled-full) [Friends and Heroes: The Big Lift](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/the-big-lift) ### Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Matthew 10:1-4 **Bible Truth:** Jesus asks me to be God’s messenger. Jesus chooses and sends out his 12 apostles to continue to share the good news of God’s love and power. The word *apostle* comes from the Greek word originally meaning, “messenger.” These twelve men were Jesus’ disciples or followers during His ministry. He asks these trusted men to go and teach others about Him. Jesus wanted them to spread the good news of His love and to heal the sick and help the hurting in His name. Use this story to tell your child that Jesus asks us to do the same today. We are His messengers when we share His love with others. God has great plans for each one of us to be His messengers. When we grow in friendship with Jesus, we will begin to better understand His plans for us. Connect this story to the Lenten season by sharing that it is because of what Jesus did on the cross that we can be friends with God. Jesus’ death and resurrection fixed our broken relationship with God! **Related Memory Verse:** *Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)* **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Connect: The 12 Disciples](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/the-12-disciples) [What’s in the Bible? The Messiah Has Come](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-messiah-has-come) We hope that these stories and verses will help your family through this time of reflection. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Seasonal **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Easter, Lent --- ### [Simple 5-Step Family Bible Study Method](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-5-step-family-bible-study-method/) **Published:** September 26, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QT4bmUAQHOMhUTlM3N07.jpg) Parents often tell me they don’t engage their kids in faith-building conversations or Bible study because they don’t know where to start. Many say they have a hard enough time finding a few moments to read the Bible themselves, let alone teach their kids about God. *Can you relate?* There’s no denying in this day and age, [it’s hard to be consistent with family devotions.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/family-devotions-how-to-be-consistent-when-life-is-busy) With more responsibilities and less time, there’s only one way to guide kids in an ongoing, growing, everyday relationship with Jesus . . . KEEP IT SIMPLE. With crazy schedules full of school, homework, sports, and activities, gone are the days we can spend an hour together as a family daily. Though it’s important to find occasional time to linger over the Word and worship, this simple family Bible study method will fit more easily into your busy, everyday lives. #### Simple Family Bible Study Method These 5 simple steps can take 5-10 minutes around the table, in the car, or at bedtime. To get started, grab a Bible and choose a verse to P.L.A.N.T. in your hearts. Here’s how it works: STEP 1: **Prepare** Your Heart – put away distractions and pray, *“God show us something new today.”* STEP 2: **Learn** from the Word – choose a Bible verse. STEP 3: **Ask** Questions – discuss the verse together as a family. STEP 4: **Name** the Truth – discover the truth God wants you to take away. STEP 5: **Take** Action – think of ways you can put God’s truth into action. It’s that simple. When you take a Bible verse and break it down through these steps, you are planting seeds of faith that will grow in time. Look at it this way: **If you do this just once a week for 10 minutes each time, by the end of the year you will have spent almost 9 hours studying God’s Word together as a family.** And because of the simplicity of this method, there is freedom to customize your conversation depending on the age of your kids. It’s never too early to get started. Habits like these are formed over time and the seeds you plant today will grow great benefits in the years to come! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/online-advertising.jpg "- Minno Kids")](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Family-Bible-Study-Worksheet.pdf) Download your [Family Bible Study Worksheet](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Family-Bible-Study-Worksheet.pdf)! . . . . . . . . . . Want more simple ways to engage your kids in devotion and Bible study time? Check out our [5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/parents/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals/)! If you’re already a subscriber, [watch them now](https://www.gominno.com/devotionals)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Family Life **Tags:** Bible Teaching, Family Devotions, Rhythms and Rituals --- ### [8 Kid-Friendly Questions to Ask at the Thanksgiving Table (besides "What are you thankful for?")](https://gominno.com/blog/8-kid-friendly-questions-to-ask-at-the-thanksgiving-table-besides-what-are-you-thankful-for/) **Published:** October 21, 2024 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving dinner](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04222309/wM6WBlOJQ8j1wGR3a7wH-1.jpg "wM6WBlOJQ8j1wGR3a7wHjpg - Minno Kids") Try as I might, I’ve yet to get my kids (ages 10 and 7) to think beyond the norm when it comes to counting their blessings. *“What are you thankful for?”* I ask as I hand them a paper leaf and a pen to record their gratitude on our Thanksgiving tree. We’ve been keeping this tradition for five years now so the branch that sits in the middle of our table is donned with lots of colorful foliage that says. . . Mom Dad Papa My bed My friends My family My toys *Sound familiar?* The struggle is real to [get kids to think beyond the material and the immediate](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-to-give-not-get-at-christmas/), especially when it comes to gratitude. And while I’m thankful my kids are thankful for their people and their things, I’m on a mission to get them to go deeper this (and every) year. One way we’ll be attempting to count our blessings, and in the process find the bright side of some not-so-bright moments we’ve experienced this year, is to ask each other these questions at our Thanksgiving table and throughout the season. **8 Kid-Friendly Questions to Ask at the Thanksgiving Table** (besides, *“What are you thankful for?”*): 1\. What new friends have you made this year? 2\. What is something hard you did that has helped you grow? 3\. How has working hard (with God’s help) paid off this year? 4\. What new experience (whether scary or exciting) did you get to have this year? 5\. What unexpected blessing was given to you? 6\. What is one new thing you learned this year? 7\. What friendship has challenged you to think differently or get out of your comfort zone? 8\. How did God help you this year in a way you weren’t expecting? If your kiddos are young, keep on praising them for finding gratitude in the little things. But as they grow, you can stretch their hearts to discover thanksgiving in every area of their lives. Start with these questions (rephrase them if you need to) and learn how to find gratitude in your relationships, opportunities, challenges, blessings, and experiences. We have so much to be thankful for! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/19195121/Minno-Thanksgiving-Table-Kit.png "Minno Thanksgiving Table Kit - Minno Kids") **Download our [Minno Thanksgiving Table Kit](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/19194755/Minno-Thanksgiving-Table-Kit_%C6%92.pdf) for printable cards with these questions PLUS place mats, cup wrappers, place cards, and more!** **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Conversation Starters, Printables, Thanksgiving --- ### [How to Teach Kids to Give (not just get!) at Christmas](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-to-give-not-get-at-christmas/) **Published:** December 10, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/O6bz29ZuRdyJXZQXZB4h.jpg) When my daughter first became old enough to understand the gifting part of Christmas, my own reflexes surprised me. > *What do you want for Christmas this year?* I would ask. > > *Ooooh, is that something you would want for Christmas?* > > *Christmas is coming, maybe you’ll get that toy then!* Even as the words started tumbling out of my mouth, I knew something needed to change. Gift-giving is one of my love languages, and oftentimes I challenge myself a-la-Leslie-Knope to *win* the gift-giving competition I’ve manufactured in my own mind. My kids are not excluded, because I love giving presents and so does my family, and it’s not a bad thing at all to receive (and to learn to receive). And yet, receiving can’t be all we teach our kids. Nor can it be magical, overpriced surprises that just appear under the tree on Christmas Eve. Teaching giving (and receiving) well is part of raising kingdom-minded kids, who experience the delight of gifts as tiny tastes of receiving good gifts from God. Here are a few things we do as a family to cultivate a healthy practice of giving and receiving at Christmas: 1. We acknowledge Santa as a character that many people love but explain to our kids the Santa doesn’t put presents under our tree. We tell them that mom and dad (and grandparents, aunts, and uncles) work hard to make or buy the presents they get on Christmas. It’s important that presents aren’t detached from the reality of work. 2. When our kids ask for something expensive, we talk about it. We explain to them how much that thing costs relative to other things that we need or want as a family. Sometimes it’s a gift they end up receiving, but other times it’s just not in the budget. It’s helpful to set expectations that Christmas doesn’t work like an ATM! 3. When we can, we sometimes go light on presents in exchange for a family trip! This was something my parents often did when I was growing up, and the memories we have from our Christmas trips are some of my very favorites. This communicates to our kids that we value time with them and experiences over material possessions. 4. We give time and money to charity, together. It’s important to involve kids in donating to charities or volunteering during the holidays. One idea that we want to use as our kids get older is to give them a “giving budget” (it doesn’t have to be big!) and help them identify causes or organizations they are passionate about. We also encourage our kids to pick out and purchase presents for members of our immediate family. This is one of my very favorite Christmas traditions, and over the years we have seen our girls grow to love it almost as much as opening their own presents! *Want to begin this tradition with your kids (even little ones)?* Here’s how: **Make a list.** Sit down together and have your child (if they are old enough) write down the names of the people you exchange gifts with. We usually include grandparents and aunts and uncles who will be with us on Christmas morning or another day! **Make a budget.** Here’s where you can add in a fun math lesson! Decide on a price limit for each gift. We usually spend no more than $3–5 on each gift. (It’s about the experience, not the gift!!) Our kids buy and give one gift together for each person. **Go shopping.** This is my favorite part! We go to Target or a similar store together with the specific goal of shopping for their presents to give to others. They bring their list, and we talk about ideas before we go in. Usually, we end up getting things like fun socks, candy, cute coffee mugs, or other small items under $5. But the kids pick them out, and it’s so fun to hear their reasons behind picking each thing for each person! Then stop by the wrapping paper section and have them pick a special paper to wrap only their presents in! **Teach them to wrap.** Wrapping is a life skill! Don’t wrap the presents for them, unless they are really little. It doesn’t matter how much tape they use or how messy it is, it’s fun to learn to wrap gifts. **Give the gifts together!** Usually, our girls are so excited to give their gifts that it is the first thing they want to do on Christmas morning! As the holidays approach, prayerfully consider ways you can encourage your kids to give as much (or more!) than they receive. *Have more ideas or traditions you keep in your own family?* Share them with us on social media! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Parenting --- ### [Countdown to Christmas with this Minno Family Fun Guide](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-christmas-family-fun-guide/) **Published:** November 22, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6nm8DREVQGmH49qAF55S.jpg) #### **We invite you and your family to celebrate Christmas with Minno!** Download our FREE [Christmas Family Fun Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/17162315/LAGB-Christmas-Family-Fun-Guide-2024_%C6%92.pdf) with daily activities to help make your holiday merry and bright (and meaningful)! - Countdown to Christmas with our Family Fun Calendar including daily activities that will connect you to Jesus and each other - Start a new [Advent candle tradition](https://www.gominno.com/blog/4-reasons-to-start-an-advent-candle-tradition-with-your-family) as you watch the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Christmas episodes](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/) - Memorize Luke 2:10-11 as a family - Watch uplifting shows on Minno that teach kids the true meaning of Christmas We pray the activities in this guide help your family rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas and share experiences that illuminate the hope, peace, joy, and love God desires for you to feel throughout the season. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/29181704/LAGB-UPDATED-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-1.png "LAGB UPDATED CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 1 - Minno Kids") Download your [Minno Christmas Family Fun Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/17162315/LAGB-Christmas-Family-Fun-Guide-2024_%C6%92.pdf)! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/watch)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Activity Packs, Fun for Kids **Tags:** Activity Packs, Christmas, Family Fun, Printables --- ### [What are the 12 Days of Christmas?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-are-the-12-days-of-christmas/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/oTPSl0raRnycsB58hlzM.jpg) **Where Did the 12 Days of Christmas Come From?** While in America we might assume that the twelve days of Christmas are those leading up to Christmas day (“twelve shopping days left”), in actuality the traditional “Twelve Days of Christmas” are the twelve days beginning after Christmas day and ending on the traditional church calendar day of Epiphany, observed on January 6. **Epiphany** Epiphany, whose name derives from the Greek word *epiphania* meaning “manifestation” or “appearance,” is a celebration of the manifestation of Christ through his baptism or to the Gentiles in the visitation of the magi. While evidence for its existence can be traced to Gnostic heretics in the second century,[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Epiphany first appears in the church in the East in the third century, “as a festival second only to Easter, where it was and still is associated with the baptism of Jesus.”[\[2\]](#_ftn2) As Epiphany began to be observed in the West, the focus shifted to the visit of the magi as a celebration of Christ’s appearance to the Gentiles.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) In 567 A.D. the Council of Tours declared the twelve days following Christmas and ending on Epiphany to be a sacred festival. From this point on it has been widely celebrated in the church as a holiday, often with the forgoing of work that is not deemed essential.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) There is some variation in the dating of the twelve days, as sometimes Christmas day itself is included and other times the following day is the starting point of the festival.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) The “Twelfth Night” is the night of January 5th, the last day of the Christmas season and a time of great celebration.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) Sometimes a special cake is eaten, called a “twelfth-night cake” or “king’s cake” in honor of the Wise Men.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) **Origin of the Song** The song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is thought to be Gallic or French in origin, with its lines existing well before they are found in print.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) Nevertheless, they first appear in a children’s book published in London around 1780, entitled *Mirth without Mischief*.[\[9\]](#_ftn9) Here they are part of what was called a “fireside memory-and-forfeits game” called “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” which was played “every Twelfth Day night before eating mince pies and twelfth cake.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) The game began with the leader reciting the “first day” lines, which were repeated in turn by every other player, followed by the “second day” and “first day” together, which was again repeated in turn, until the lines for all “twelve days” were recited by everyone.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) If a mistake was made, the player paid a “forfeit.”[\[12\]](#_ftn12) From around this time onward, variations of the game and lines of the song are found in other countries, such Scotland and France.[\[13\]](#_ftn13) **Meaning of the Gifts** The precise meaning of the gifts is largely a matter of speculation. Half of the gifts are birds of different varieties, and possibly more, as the “five golden rings” may be a corruption of an original lyric referring to a bird, such as a goldfinch.[\[14\]](#_ftn14) Also interesting is that the original lyric for “four calling birds” was actually “four colly birds,” which are blackbirds.[\[15\]](#_ftn15) It has been suggested that the gifts may correspond to a specific food or sport for each month of the year.[\[16\]](#_ftn16) Certainly the gifts seem to have a festival air about them, with “lords a-leaping,” “ladies dancing,” “pipers piping,” and “drummers drumming,” which may also help explain their curiousness. ***A Deeper Meaning?*** While many believe the meaning of the song does not go beyond a simple children’s song used as a game, others claim that it has served a deeper purpose. In 1994, Hugh D. McKellar published an article entitled, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” where he claimed that some older people he knew who had moved to Canada from northern England gave him reason to believe the song had deeper significance. His claim is that the song was a kind of veiled catechism during a period in England following the Reformation when Catholics were persecuted.[\[17\]](#_ftn17) In his view, “The speaker is an ordinary Christian, whose ‘true love’ is, or should be, God. What else can account for the accumulative structure?”[\[18\]](#_ftn18) McKellar suggests possibilities for each of the twelve days. Some examples include, among others: Christ as the first gift on Christmas day, followed by Joseph and Mary on the second, then the three Wise Men, the four major Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, the five books of the Law, the six days of creation, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the eight non-Pauline epistles (or eight Beatitudes), the nine fruits of the Spirit, the Ten Commandments, the eleven surviving disciples after the resurrection, and the twelve articles of faith of the Apostles’ Creed.[\[19\]](#_ftn19) The idea has been popularized and has circulated on the Internet in recent years.[\[20\]](#_ftn20) However, neither McKellar nor others provide any solid source material to substantiate their claims. While this does not necessarily rule out the possibility of a deeper meaning, the evidence upon which the hypothesis is built is thin. Thus, as interesting as it may be, unless stronger evidence surfaces the story will likely remain merely an interesting piece of modern Christmas folklore.[\[21\]](#_ftn21) The song seems best left understood as a traditional children’s song that was often used as a game, the rhythmic structure of which has made it ideal for passing along from one generation to the next throughout a variety of cultures. --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Clement A. Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance* (New York: Dover Publications, 1976), 21. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) John Bowden, ed., *Encyclopedia of Christianity* (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005), 462. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Ibid. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Gerry Bowler, ed. *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas* (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2000), 230; Miles, *Christmas Customs*, 239. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Miles, *Christmas Customs*, 239. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 230. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Hugh Keyte and Andrew Parrott, eds. *The New Oxford Book of Carols* (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992), 469. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Iona and Peter Opie, eds. *The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes* (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1951), 122. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Ibid. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Ibid. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Lina Eckenstein, *Comparative Studies in Nursery Rhymes* (London: Duckworth and Co., 1906), 134. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Ibid., 135-37; Keyte and Parrott, *Book of Carols*, 469. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Keyte and Parrott, *Book of Carols*, 469. The ring-necked pheasant has also been suggested. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Ibid. [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Opie, *Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes*, 123. [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Hugh D. McKellar, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” *The Hymn* 45, no.4 (1994): 30-32. [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) Ibid., 31. [\[19\]](#_ftnref19) Ibid., 31-32. [\[20\]](#_ftnref20) One example is an article from 1995 written by Fr. Hal Stockert on the Catholic Information Network website, entitled, “The Twelve Days of Christmas: An Underground Catechism” (http://www.cin.org/twelvday.html). An example in print is the description of the twelve days in Ace Collins, *Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas* (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003), 178-83. [\[21\]](#_ftnref21) Also the judgment of Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 231. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Ibid. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas --- ### [The 12 Days of Christmas: Sharing God's Love Beyond December 25th](https://gominno.com/blog/the-12-days-of-christmas-sharing-gods-love-beyond-december-25th/) **Published:** December 26, 2021 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q3gCq0FGQGMWmabABN3m.jpg) *On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…* Many of us have surely heard or have sung this well-known Christmas carol in our lives at one point or another during this special time of year. The cumulative style of the lyrics and the catchy melody can easily encourage anyone to break into song, no matter their musical talents. (Let’s face it, with so many popular tunes available and such a festive mood felt during the Christmas season, we could expect to hear singing wherever we turn, regardless of whether it is *American Idol* quality or the opposite.) Yet, while [*The Twelve Days of Christmas*](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-are-the-12-days-of-christmas) has become famous since its written introduction in the late 1700s, *how well do we know the song’s significance and historical context?* Beyond that, *how can we more fully appreciate and apply the spirit of the Christmas jingle (whose standard version dates back to a 1909 musical composition) when it comes to our daily living?* Recently, my wife and I presented our kids with an early Christmas present, aiming to reduce the potentially excessive stimulation they can feel when opening gifts on Christmas morning. (We’ve learned to stretch out their excitement during times like these, rather than experiencing an immediate and overwhelming rush of emotions that can sometimes come to a crashing halt and turn into an all-out meltdown.) When informing my mom over the phone how much the kids loved their presents, she remarked how nice it was that we were carrying out the [12 days of Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-are-the-12-days-of-christmas). Contrary to popular opinion, though, the joyful tune does not refer to the 12 days leading up to Christmas. The song actually describes the days beginning with the birth of Jesus or, according to some traditions, the day after. Such a timeframe brings us to the day before, or day of, the [Feast of the Epiphany](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-light-of-epiphany-hope-for-the-new-year), a Christian holy day celebrating the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ, presented to the Magi. It is interesting to note the correlation of 12 to the same number of apostles chosen by Jesus, along with the 12 tribes of Israel attributed to the sons of Jacob, as detailed in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 27:12-13, for instance). While Biblical scholars cannot necessarily find theological links to such presents as a partridge in a pear tree, Christians can certainly acknowledge God as our “true love”—the center of our being who gave the world His only Saving Son on that blessed first Christmas (John 3:16). *However, much like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day or Thanksgiving, Christmas should not be only a one-day celebration, should it?* For example, God calls us to love, honor and value our parents for 365 days continually (Exodus 20:12), and we are encouraged to appreciate with gratitude our many blessings in life long after we eat a delicious turkey dinner surrounded by loved ones. Similarly, while the birth of our Messiah is widely celebrated on December 25th of the Christian calendar, we should all experience and share the joy and peace of that day throughout the entire year. As Christians, we are called to live each day with a heart of service. Considering this, I can think of no better Christmas challenge for all of us than to live out the 12 days of Christmas with humble charity towards others. This could possibly mean one act of service performed for someone on each of the 12 days. Or, maybe you’d like to up the ante, doing the same number of charitable works as the specific day in the time period. . . . Imagine dropping off two turtle doves (or even just turtles, to be creative) to a neighbor needing special company over the Christmas holiday due to geographic distance from loved ones. What a surprise that would be for them. *Can’t get your hands on turtle doves or turtles?* (Not surprising!) *What if your children drew special pictures of them to brighten your neighbor’s day?* . . . Preparing a meal for someone less fortunate could also definitely brighten his or her spirits. Applying the theme of fowl with a nice poultry dish and some vegetables—à la three French hens or six geese a-laying—would certainly show a gesture of welcome as unto Jesus (Matthew 25:31-40). . . . If dancing, leaping in the air to music, or playing bagpipes or drums is not in our comfort zone, perhaps we can gather a small group of friends together to do some Christmas caroling outside a family’s front porch one night while holding candles. . . . Additionally, dropping off some milk or milk dressed coffees to eight different homes in the neighborhood could be the perfect substitute for eight maids taking milk from cows. The possibilities for this endeavor can go as far as our imagination will take us. Indeed, during this most blessed time of year, may we always remember the gift of our Savior is to be shared with everyone, not just for one day or even 12, but for all days. . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XTnfiE3SRRGUWahGOQ3e.jpg) Matt Charbonneau is a high school Religion teacher who inspires his students to explore a deeper relationship with God. Applying uplifting lessons, engaging activities, and insightful experiences, he strives to demonstrate the powerful presence and unconditional love of God in everyday life. He obtained his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Ottawa, specializing in French as a Second Language and Religious Education. He also holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University (Ottawa) and has worked in sports media relations, radio, and TV broadcasting. A practicing Catholic-Christian, Matt and his wife live in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada), with their two sons and daughter. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Serving Others --- ### [5 Thanksgiving-Themed Shows on Minno to Watch with the Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/5-thanksgiving-themed-shows-on-minno/) **Published:** November 21, 2022 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![thanksgiving shows image](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224114/xHz9yB8sQiucZfB8u6gf-1.jpg) Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away! *Looking for ways to get your kids in the spirit of gratitude?* Check out these episodes on Minno to learn more about what the Bible says about giving thanks: #### 5 Thanksgiving-Themed Shows on Minno to Watch with the Kids [Madame Blueberry](https://kids.gominno.com/veggietales/madame-blueberry) **VeggieTales** This classic episode of VeggieTales explains what it means to have a grateful heart! Madame Blueberry thinks she needs lots of stuff to make her happy, but she learns from some new friends about how important it is to give thanks. [Thankfulness](https://kids.gominno.com/treasure-champs/thankfulness) **Treasure Champs** In this cute episode of Treasure Champs, Barry and Kari talk about all the things Barry has to be thankful for. Then, they learn the parable of the missing coin that Jesus told in Luke 15. [Wiping Out the Whiner Brothers: An Adventure with Thankfulness](https://kids.gominno.com/bibleman-the-animated-adventures/wiping-out-the-whiner-brothers) **Bibleman** Junior and Biggie Whiner complain about everything. Except for money. They just LOVE money, and have hatched a plan to get rich by uncovering a secret treasure: the location of the Bible team headquarters. [Chip’s Lost Marble](https://kids.gominno.com/god-rocks-parable-playhouse/chips-lost-marble) **God Rocks! Parable Playhouse** God Rocks! Retells the parable Jesus told in Luke 15 about the lost coin and the gratitude and rejoicing that took place when the coin was found! [Don’t Be a Turkey](https://kids.gominno.com/yancys-little-praise-party/dont-be-a-turkey) **Yancy’s Little Praise Party** This fun Thanksgiving song from Yancy will have your whole family dancing and giving thanks! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno, Seasonal **Tags:** Minno Shows, Thanksgiving --- ### [What is Advent?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-advent/) **Published:** November 27, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hQhC1QeaQFygaq2hFmZk.jpg) Many families are familiar with Advent Christmas countdowns as made popular by adorable daily calendars flooding our Pinterest feeds throughout the fall. But Advent has been observed for centuries, long before treat-filled houses with numbered doors or chocolate and toy companies offered a way for kids to count the days of December in anticipation of Christmas. Advent has become a fun, seasonal activity for kids but it’s so much more than that. At Minno, we want to help you create meaningful shared experiences with your family and [the Advent and Christmas season](http://gominno.com/christmas) offer the perfect opportunity to do just that. As we share about Advent, we hope this insight will help you guide your kids to experience the true meaning of Christmas and the big love of Jesus this year. #### **What is Advent?** Anticipation. Expectant waiting. This is what Advent has always been and will always be about. After Christmas began being celebrated on December 25th (in the 4th century), church leaders started to treat it similarly to Easter and asked people to worship and prepare their hearts in advance to celebrate the birth of Jesus. > ***Christ has died, Christ has risen, and at Advent, we remember that Christ will come again.*** Advent became a time to remember that we are living between two advents: the first coming of Christ (His birth) and His second coming. Today, many Christians mark the [four weeks before Christmas as the Advent season](http://gominno.com/christmas), focusing each week on a different aspect of our relationship with Jesus: the hope, peace, joy, and love He brings. Advent also serves as the beginning of the [liturgical calendar](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church-calendar). > ***The Advent season is an opportunity to focus on Jesus and prepare our hearts to receive the gift of His love.*** #### **How is Advent observed?** Advent can be observed through a daily Advent calendar (much like those you may use), a [weekly Advent candle lighting](https://gominno.com/blog/4-reasons-to-start-an-advent-candle-tradition-with-your-family/), and/or a [daily or weekly Advent devotional or scripture reading](https://gominno.com/blog/advent-reading-plan-from-the-laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids/). > ***Whatever activities you choose to participate in, it’s important to keep the focus on Christ and preparing your hearts to receive His gift.*** There are various themes that can be highlighted each Sunday of Advent but the most common are: Week 1: Hope Week 2: Peace Week 3: Joy Week 4: Love . . . . . . . . . . ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18201344/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Book-Mom-and-Daughter.png "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Book Mom and Daughter - Minno Kids") **NOW AVAILABLE:** [The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional) Start a new family tradition as you journey through the Advent season and countdown to Christmas. Spark meaningful conversations with kids to help them anticipate the gift of Jesus while learning about the hope, peace, joy, and love He brings. Based on the best-selling, award-winning Bible, the **[Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional)** will guide you on a journey through the Christmas story—from Isaiah’s prophecy to the visit of the Wise Men—helping your family experience the joy and anticipation of the season. Includes four weeks of readings, conversation starters, memory verses, and games that will prepare your hearts for the arrival of Jesus. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Seasonal **Tags:** 5 Minute Family Devotionals, Advent, Christmas, Family Devotions --- ### [50 Fall Family Activities](https://gominno.com/blog/50-fall-family-activities-free-printable/) **Published:** October 5, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wmVWEOs9R1mUY3IbZ8B1.jpg) Fall is such a beautiful time of the year and a fantastic opportunity for great family fun! Don’t let autumn slip by with all the busyness of life. Put together a list of activities you can enjoy with your kids for a great time connecting and sharing! Today we’ve put together 50 fun ideas that you can print off and post on your fridge. Schedule them into your calendar or just pick and choose as free time comes up. There are ideas for a variety of ages and interests that your family is sure to enjoy! ## Fall Family Activities 1\. Bake a pie 2\. Make apple cider 3\. Go for a bike ride 4\. Do a service project 5\. Have a bonfire 6\. Roast acorns 7\. Visit a local farm 8\. Have a family game night 9 Camp in the backyard 10\. Bible study on [gratitude](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/7-day-thanksgiving-family-devotion-printable-scripture.html) 11\. Minno [movie night](http://whatsinthebible.com/walk-family-bible-volume-5-israel-gets-king/) 12\. Make caramel popcorn 13\. Create a [leaf craft](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/12-ways-to-have-fun-with-fall-leaves.html) 14\. Read the Pumpkin Parable 15\. Go apple picking 16\. Read [fall picture books](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/leaf-man-unit-study-free-printable.html) 17\. Roast pumpkin seeds 18\. Make chili for dinner 19\. Plant a [fall vegetable garden](http://ww.proverbialhomemaker.com/fall-gardening-plant-in-the-fall-harvest-through-winter.html) 20\. Write a Christmas giving list 21\. Create a thanksgiving tree 22\. Take a nature walk 23\. Complete a puzzle 24\. Autumn themed dinner 25\. Go to a local fall festival 26\. Play a family game of football 27\. Take a weekend cabin trip 28\. Plant bulbs for spring 29\. Take a drive in the country 30\. Make a pinecone [bird feeder](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/easy-homemade-bird-feeders.html) 31\. Afternoon at the library 32\. Make candy apples 33\. Have a Reformation party 34\. Host a potluck 35\. Learn to knit or crochet 36\. Donate clothes to a shelter 37\. Serve soup in a pumpkin bowl 38\. Learn about changing seasons 39\. Make fall decorations 40\. Visit a corn maze 41\. Roast marshmallows 42\. Host a hot chocolate stand 43\. Build an indoor fort 44\. Do a fun [science experiment](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/make-cloud-jar.html) 45\. Make [turkey pumpkins](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/thanksgiving-craft-pumpkin-turkeys.html) 46\. Bake apple chips 47\. Make a door wreath 48\. Take a fall family photo 49\. Go on a hayride 50\. Give fall goodies to neighbors Tauna Meyer is the founder of [ProverbialHomemaker.com](https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/) and author of the curriculum Sound Words for Kids: Lessons in Theology. Tauna is a homeschooling mom of six who speaks to women with encouragement that is relatable and tools that work in real life! She has a passion for helping moms overcome the hurdles that keep them from homeschooling successfully, all while pointing themselves and their children to Christ. **Categories:** Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Activities, Fall, Family Fun --- ### [Praying Scripture Over Your Children](https://gominno.com/blog/praying-scripture-over-your-children/) **Published:** December 22, 2016 **Author:** Minno **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/j7p39SS7TnWw5aIuM5Sl.jpg)* *“Mommy, you Jesus me, ok?”* My heart melts. I go to tuck in my little man and he looks up at me with his big, blue eyes. *“Yah, buddy. I Jesus you.”* He grins the biggest grin and wiggles down into his blankets, still clutching his dump truck, and I pray. *“Lord, please bless this little man. Help him to sleep well and get good rest for his body, mind, and heart. May he grow up to be a strong man of God who loves You with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and loves others with the love of Christ. Thank you for his fun day today. Thank you that I get to be his mama. In Jesus’ name, amen.* *Love you, buddy. May the Lord bless and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious, and give you peace.”* It’s the same every night. A sweet and simple ritual to “Jesus” my son that ends with a prayer, bringing my child to the throne of grace. ### A Beautiful Responsibility As parents, we are given a wonderful privilege and responsibility of raising our children – who belong to God, not us – to know and love Him. **We are seed-planters, given the task of faithfully planting seeds of faith and cultivating the soil of their hearts.** **Possibly the most important thing we can do in our work as parents is to lift our children up in [prayer](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/prayer).** It’s not always easy to get started and to stay consistent. In fact, it seems like the more important a thing is, the harder it is to be diligent in it. But it’s worth it, parents! **Praying for our children is the work of eternity right in our everyday lives.** It’s going to battle to keep Jesus on the throne of our hearts and the hearts of our kids. It’s humbling ourselves before the Lord, knowing that we cannot change our children, only God can bring about salvation and the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. But we can plant, cultivate, and pray. ### Praying Scripture Over Your Children A great way to create a habit of diligently praying for our kids is to pray scripture over them. Washing our children in God’s Word as we pray can be such a blessing. **It also helps us to hide God’s word in our hearts and keep our prayers in line with scripture instead of our own desires.** For example, we are studying the book of Matthew right now. In the morning I go through my reading and lesson for the day as usual. Then I go back and re-read the passage, asking God to help me see how I can pray for my family. As I read, I write down prayers in the margins of my journal Bible. Such as *“Lord, help my children to be the salt of the earth and a light to the world. May their lives bring You glory and point others to You.”* By the time I’m done with Matthew I’ll have a treasure trove of prayers to pray for my kids, and a testimony of God’s goodness in each of them. ### Getting Started Praying Scripture Over Your Children There are many ways you can get started praying scripture for your kids. Here just a few: • Work on a memory verse and pray it over your family every day • Pray through the verses of whatever your current Bible study is • Keep a prayer journal or use a journaling bible to record your prayers and even answers you see to them • Look up scriptures that address a parenting issue you are struggling with and pray through them for yourself and your kids ### 12 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Children To help you get started, here is a list of 12 scriptures to pray for your children. 1\. Romans 10:9 (ESV) – *Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.* 2\. Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV) – *The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.* 3\. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) – *For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.* 4\. Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) – *Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.* 5\. 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) – *But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.* 6\. Ephesians 6:14 (ESV) – *Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.* 7\. Philippians 4:6 (ESV) – *Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.* 8\. Matthew 5:16 (ESV) – *In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.* 9\. Romans 12:2 (ESV) – *Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.* 10\. 1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV) – *Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.* 11\. Psalm 25:21 (ESV) – *May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.* 12\. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) – *Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.* ### How to Pray the Scriptures Over Your Kids Simply write one down and begin praying, asking God how He would have you pray for your children right now. Write down full prayers or notes – whatever your preference – for whatever comes to mind. Then write down a prayer or two that applies the scripture you’re looking at. Spend some time over the next week revising your list with notes. Pray through it alone and also pray those scriptures out loud over your kids. You might be surprised how often God brings it to mind during a mealtime or bedtime prayer, or in the heat of a sibling squabble! If you’d like to dig a little deeper, you can join me at Proverbial Homemaker in the new year for the [2017 Read, Pray, Love challenge](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/52-weeks-of-praying-for-your-family.html)! Together we’ll pray through the scripture for our character and the character of those we love. You can download last year’s Read, Pray, Love challenge there as well! May you be blessed as you pray the scripture over your children! Tauna Meyer is the founder of [ProverbialHomemaker.com](https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/) and author of the curriculum Sound Words for Kids: Lessons in Theology. Tauna is a homeschooling mom of six who speaks to women with encouragement that is relatable and tools that work in real life! She has a passion for helping moms overcome the hurdles that keep them from homeschooling successfully, all while pointing themselves and their children to Christ. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Faith Lessons from the Garden](https://gominno.com/blog/faith-lessons-from-the-garden/) **Published:** April 25, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KefFWzDmR4ekkxt5WUK7_Faith-Lessons-Kids-Gardening-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) *This post was originally written by Tauna Meyer from [ProverbialHomemaker.com](http://proverbialhomemaker.com/).* We stumbled out the door with our buckets, shovels, gloves, and the delight of expectation. I put down our tools and stretched my back as the kids began to dig into the loamy soil with abandon, dirt sailing through the sky and gleeful chatter filling the backyard. As I smiled and watched, the spring sun shining down on us, I reflected on all the faith lessons I’ve learned in the garden. > And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. And he said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ Mark 4:8-9 ESV Gardening and parenting are so very similar. There I am, on my knees in the earth, working the soil to make something grow….Here I am, on my knees in prayer, interceding and petitioning so that my faith (and theirs) might also grow. You see, God is the Master Gardener. The Lord calls us to come alongside Him and learn His ways. In the simple acts of cultivating the soil, nurturing faith, and guiding them toward strength and fruitfulness, we are living out a parable for parenting. ## Prepare Good Soil Prepare your children’s hearts to receive the good news of Jesus Christ. Do the work of cultivation so that when the seed is planted, the soil is ready and the Holy Spirit may cause new life to grow. > You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV Every time we pray with our children, read God’s Word to them, or point to Him in every challenge, we are cultivating the soil of their hearts. ## Nurture New Growth Nurture their faith as it grows. Protect them from weeds that would stifle it. Nourish and water their young faith with much encouragement so that it will flourish! > For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV Every time we are intentional with what our children see, do, and hear, we are nurturing their growth. When we lovingly instruct and discipline them, we are battling weeds. When we nourish them with the Word of God, it will do it’s work in their hearts and produce much growth! ## Encourage Them to Flourish Our children will not be seedlings forever. We will help them grow and mature, putting down deep roots. What will they be rooted in? That is what will determine how strong they will be in their faith as they grow up and venture out. > Blessed is the man… \[whose\] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 ESV We want to be able to gradually remove our protecting, weeding, doting hands from our children as they grow strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. (Eph. 6:10). So NOW is the time to do the hard work of equipping them! ## Producing Fruit Our greatest desire as Christian parents is that our children will follow God’s ways and produce much fruit for His kingdom. Salvation is of the Lord, and heart transformation is the work of the Spirit, yet we have our place in preparing the soil and nurturing their faith, too! > Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV Let us be on our knees in prayer every day for our children, because our Father hears our prayers! The Holy Spirit is working daily, praying for them and producing fruit. As for our part, let us come alongside the Master Gardener and participate in cultivating, nurturing, and strengthening our children. May they grow strong in God’s Word and go out into the world equipped for His good purposes. ## Play in the Garden This spring, get in the garden with your kids. Soak up God’s goodness and let Him teach these things to your soul. Then teach those lessons to your children! Here are some resources to get you started. - [Gardening and Kids: 5 Conversation Starters](https://www.gominno.com/blog/gardening-kids-5-conversations-starters?afmc=45) - [Family Garden Activity Pack](https://www.gominno.com/blog/gardening-activity-pack?afmc=44) - [Garden Learning Printable Pack](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/garden-printable-pack.html) - [Kids in the Garden: Tips to Get Started](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/kids-garden.html) Tauna Meyer is the founder of [ProverbialHomemaker.com](https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/) and author of the curriculum Sound Words for Kids: Lessons in Theology. Tauna is a homeschooling mom of six who speaks to women with encouragement that is relatable and tools that work in real life! She has a passion for helping moms overcome the hurdles that keep them from homeschooling successfully, all while pointing themselves and their children to Christ. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Understanding the Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah](https://gominno.com/blog/understanding-the-holy-days-rosh-hashanah/) **Published:** August 21, 2013 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/uWX3sSR2QMK8TAQJOvkE.jpg) Have you ever wondered about the Holy days (holidays) that are written about in Scripture? For many of us who call ourselves Christians, we seldom think about biblical holidays as anything more than a Judaic tradition. But these specific days were actually ordained by God. They focus on His loving kindness, mercy and grace. Each of these Holy days point to God’s desire for all of mankind regarding salvation, redemption, repentance, righteousness and relationship with Him. While the mantra heard from many Christians, “We are no longer under the law but under grace” is true, shouldn’t we take every opportunity to celebrate that love? In reality, each of these Holy days celebrates the coming of the Messiah… for us, His second coming! Like a lot of my Christian brothers and sisters, I know few specifics about these biblical Holy days. My friends at *What’s in the Bible?* have connected me to a wonderful brother in Christ, Ed Griffioen, who is of Jewish heritage. He has willingly offered to help us better understand some of the Holy days ordained by God, written about in Scripture, and still widely celebrated. The first Holy day that will soon be celebrated is Rosh Hashanah. While Rosh Hashanah is not named in the Bible, biblical scholars recognize it represents the Festival of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25). It’s considered the beginning of the year—or New Year’s, if you will. There’s so much significance found in the traditions of Rosh Hashanah. But what does it mean to us? I’ve interviewed Mr. Griffioen, and would like to share with you his responses. ***Hi Ed, thanks so much for helping us better understand the significance of some Biblical (Judaic) Holy days. In your opinion, how are any of these Holidays relevant to Christians, today?*** *These days are relevant in our lives as more of a reminder. We, as believers, are not held to Levitical law. I will probably say this a couple of times but it is important to remember. The holiday comes from Lev 23:23-25. This is a time of the year where there is much looking in oneself and getting right with God. We, as believers in the Messiah (Jesus), can view this as a time of focus/ refocus on our lives and relationship with God.* ***How do the traditions of Rosh Hashanah relate to Christianity? What does it mean?*** *During the time of Rosh Hashanah it is typical to examine sin in your life and get right with people and God. We believers are to do this all the time. Christians do not need to practice this holiday as we are not bound by the Levitical Law, but the idea is still the same. We can look at this time, when the Shofar is being blown, as a time to exalt God.* *Throughout scripture Jesus fulfills so much of the Levitical law. This being one of them. During the last supper found in the gospels Jesus does give us something we are to practice often as believers. During Communion we are to look at what Jesus did on the cross, remember, and deepen our relationship with God. That is exactly what the days of Rosh Hashanah are for to build up for the next Holiday of Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement).* ***Do you still practice these traditions?*** *No, I do not. I am always aware of this time of year and think on it but I do not practice the blowing of the shofar, the services or the different culinary treats that are surrounded with it.* ***What was it like to grow up with this holiday / tradition and how did that affect your faith today?*** *As a child, we would do several activities during this time. We would go to a Jewish Believer service at the beginning of the days of Rosh Hashanah. The service would normally include the blowing of the shofar and several calls of prayer of repentance.* *My father would take the time to explain why we were there, and what this time meant. Our parents would encourage us to pray and remember.* *Communion would be celebrated as our Messiah has forgiven us and we are in right standing before God.* *My faith was impacted in two ways. First, I realized that many traditions and words we see in Leviticus and Deuteronomy actually are practiced and have deep meaning. Secondly, I realized that looking at {our personal} relationship with God is something that he wants us to do. He commanded the Jews to do it and we should do it too, and remember Him!* ***How do you think Christians can engage and embrace these traditions today?*** *I think Christians can engage in this time by:* 1. 1. *Being aware of it. Why God told the Jewish people to celebrate this time. Study the Old Testament and understand.* 2. *Study and figure out how Jesus has fulfilled the Holiday. This is true for many Jewish Holidays commanded by God.* 3. *Remember this time when they see Rosh Hashanah on a calendar or mention of it – it’s a time of remembering God and repenting.* ***Ed, thanks so much for giving us your perspective and helping us better understand Rosh Hashanah.*** *Ed Griffioen grew up in a believing household. His father became very interested in their Jewish heritage when Ed was small and they often celebrated that heritage, and still do today. His family comes from the Netherlands, and Ed is a first generation American. He recognized the need for a savior around 7th grade and became serious about his relationship with God during the 9th grade. He is married to his wonderful wife Emily, and they have 2 children.* *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal --- ### [The History of Mother's Day](https://gominno.com/blog/the-history-of-mothers-day/) **Published:** May 2, 2016 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ## ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/zRAGUlVcQG3hkXK1w8pA_JT-Blog-history%20mothers%20day.jpg.jpg) ## Celebrating Mothers Through History The tradition of celebrating mothers and motherhood has been around for quite a while. Though beliefs about motherhood have varied widely, many cultures have marked the entry into motherhood with ceremonies or have held annual festivals to honor mothers. The ancient Greeks had an annual festival to Rhea, the mother of the gods when motherhood itself was celebrated. And in the Christian tradition, motherhood was marked with traditions such as the Churching of Women–a ceremony for blessing women after their surviving and recovering from childbirth. Beginning in medieval times some churches celebrated “Mothering Sunday,” which began as a day for returning to your “mother church” but expanded into honoring mothers themselves. ## Modern Mother’s Day The modern holiday of Mother’s Day began in America in 1908. It was the vision of Anna Jarvis of West Virginia, who wanted to honor her own mother’s memory. To turn a small memorial service into a wider holiday, she contacted a wealthy store owner locally, hoping to gain financial backing and increase the reach of the holiday. Within two years of the first local celebration, the entire state of West Virginia officially recognized the holiday “Mother’s Day.” Jarvis then embarked on a letter-writing campaign to see the holiday added to the national calendar. She contacted politicians and newspapers, arguing that a holiday to honor mothers was needed, given how many holidays were focused on men and male achievements. This campaign resulted in getting 45 states to observe the holiday, and by 1914 President Wilson officially marked the second Sunday in May as a national holiday: Mother’s Day. Since greeting card companies and other retailers saw it as an opportunity for profit, the holiday caught on quickly. Today in the U.S., Mother’s Day spending has reached over $18 billion–with the average adult spending more than $152.52 on flowers, cards, gifts, dining out, etc. It is now one of the largest commercial holidays in the U.S. ## Mother’s Day Around the World The modern “Mother’s Day” has spread to most other parts of the world and is often combined with older, existing traditions. For instance, many former Soviet bloc countries had previously celebrated “Women’s Day,” so Mother’s day is often melded with this holiday. In other countries, existing religious, political, or seasonal celebrations have been worked into the modern celebration of Mother’s Day. In several countries, Mother’s Day is celebrated in conjunction with existing religious holidays, such as those dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Catholic countries. In Panama, for instance, Mother’s Day is held in December on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In Britain, Mother’s Day has been combined with the older tradition of “Mothering Sunday,” held the fourth Sunday of Lent. And in Taiwan, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, which coincides with Buddha’s birthday. In some countries, Mother’s Day has civic and political overtones. In Thailand, for instance, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the birthday of Thailand’s reigning queen, Sirikit. The date was changed to match her birthday so that the holiday would promote loyalty to the royal family, as well as motherhood. In Paraguay, Mother’s Day was for many years celebrated in conjunction with their nation’s independence day. This was done to honor the role of Juana Maria de Lara, who opened her home to independence leaders for planning the overthrow of the Spanish government. However, when the government began to feel that Mother’s Day overshadowed Independence Day, the date was altered to the second Sunday of May, like the U.S. Finally, in the Middle East and much of the world, Mother’s Day is often used as a seasonal celebration and thus is set to coincide with the start of spring. This explains some of the variation in dates that are chosen since the climate changes at different times worldwide. In Ethiopia, Mother’s Day (known as “Antrosht”) begins whenever the rainy season ends. The end of the rains allows people to travel and reunite with extended family for an extended three-day feast. ## **Categories:** Seasonal --- ### [Family Devotions: How to Be Consistent When Life is Busy](https://gominno.com/blog/family-devotions-how-to-be-consistent-when-life-is-busy/) **Published:** January 10, 2023 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HzyDHefITVG9ZXWd5LSl.jpg) Family devotions are an important part of leading kids along their faith journey. But it’s hard to be consistent with family faith-building time when life is busy and unpredictable. Confession: we didn’t do family devotions in my home when I was a child. Even though my parents were committed to teaching us about God and what it meant to follow Jesus, we barely ever sat down with a Bible or devotional on a regular basis. We didn’t have books, resources, and blog posts to follow. So there wasn’t near as much pressure to do family devotions a certain way. #### RETHINKING FAMILY DEVOTIONS I still grew to love and serve Jesus with my whole life. It just happened more organically for me. *Do I wish I’d developed the discipline of family devotions all those years ago?* Sure! I don’t share this part of my upbringing to discount the importance of family devotions. But I do hope it encourages you that it’s okay to not do things “by the book.” *So what if we started to rethink the idea of family devotions?* We can do this with one, little change. #### DROP THE S. It’s that simple. Change the plural—which just ends up on our running list of “one more thing we have to do”—to a descriptive noun that signifies faithfulness and commitment, no strings attached. #### WHAT IS FAMILY DEVOTION? **Family devotion is a commitment to teach kids that learning about God and the Bible is important to our spiritual growth.** It doesn’t imply a specific act but rather an atmosphere and attitude that is cultivated over time. Now let’s take that limiting letter S and re-purpose it into 5 important aspects of family devotion that can help us become more consistent with our family devotion(s). #### SIMPLICITY **Find Simple Tools + Methods for Family Devotions.** What works for one family may not work for another. Look for books and tools that will be effective for your unique family situation and don’t worry whether or not it’s up to par with what others are doing. Try this simple[ 5 Step Bible Study Method](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-5-step-family-bible-study-method) (it can take as little as 10 minutes) or try one of our [Minno 5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals). Even 10-15 minutes a week spent reading a verse from the Bible and talking about it is a seed of family devotion planted in the lives of our kids! **RELATED POST:** [Simple 5-Step Family Bible Study Method](https://www.gominno.com/parents/simple-5-step-family-bible-study-method/) (with printable worksheet!) #### SURROUNDINGS **Cultivate a Faith Culture in Your Home.** It worked for our family devotion time to be unstructured because my parents cultivated a culture of faith in our home. That means faith was a natural part of our everyday conversations. **So although we weren’t sitting around a Bible or devotional book often, we were having daily conversations that molded our faith.** We felt love, acceptance, and permission to ask questions at all times. Focus on nurturing an atmosphere of faith in your home. Create a safe place for your kids to develop an organic understanding of God and the Bible through regular encounters with you. #### SEEDS **Plant Faith-Building Moments into Everyday Life.** Look for opportunities to create teachable experiences. Stop in the midst of correction, instruction, and everyday conversations to point kids toward God and His Word. Every time we turn a conversation into a faith-building moment we plant more seeds of family devotion in the soil of our child’s heart. There is no book for this, but it’s the most valuable way to teach our kids; it’s the very way Jesus taught His disciples. > *Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28 MSG* #### SEASONS **Find a Rhythm in the Seasons.** I love the church calendar. Advent, Epiphany, Lent, even Ordinary Time . . . each season has a sacred purpose and a rhythm that leads one into the next. Even Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall bring with them the opportunity for new lessons about life and growth. Follow the seasons and develop a rhythm for your family. You can find lots of seasonal resources right here at Minno. **RELATED POST:** [3 Hurdles that Keep Parents from Being Consistent (and how to hop them)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-hurdles-that-keep-parents-from-being-consistent) #### SUNDAYS **Start with Sundays.** Our commitment to the Body of Christ (the church) is one of the most powerful ways we teach our children about following Jesus. **When we faithfully gather with other believers, our kids learn the value of community.** Right now busy schedules and unpredictable little ones may keep you from church so you may feel far away from community. But even the simple rhythm of pausing to connect with God every Sunday at home will keep your kids and your whole family grounded as you abide in Christ. Even still, it can be hard to find a good church. Churches are filled with imperfect people, just like us. We get burned out and let down and then we hide away from God’s people. I get it. I truly do. Take a break if you need to then ask God for the grace to get back into community. **Find a place, however imperfect, where your kids (and you) can grow.** Then take what you learn on Sunday mornings and carry it into your conversations throughout the week. It’s hard to be consistent when life is so unpredictable. **When we rethink what faith-building and family devotions should look like, we find the freedom to develop a habit of DEVOTION that becomes a part of who we are, not just something we try to find time to do.** Then consistency comes naturally instead of being the thing we strive for and can’t ever seem to accomplish. And this is the kind of family DEVOTION that lasts. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Family Devotions --- ### [Family Advent Reading Plan from the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/advent-reading-plan-from-the-laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids/) **Published:** November 24, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RICVFaQyTxC7QhqzEgFZ.jpg) #### Grab the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids), written by VeggieTales and What’s In The Bible? creator Phil Vischer, and guide your family on a journey through God’s Word as you anticipate Christmas! If you are looking for a way to engage your kids in the conversations that matter this Christmas season, we invite you to join us on a journey through God’s Word with the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids). Follow the Family Advent Bible Reading Plan below or download our [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Advent Reading Plan Pack](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/minno-bible-family-advent-reading-plan) (free in the Minno store!) to join us beginning December 1! #### Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Reading Plan **Day****Bible Story****Page #**1The Pentateuch102Creation123Adam and Eve184Noah and the Flood305God Calls Abram426Abraham’s Family487Joseph548Moses is Born609Let My People Go!7210The Ten Commandments7811Historical Books9812Joshua and Jericho10013Ruth’s Redeemer11814David and Goliath13015God’s Promise to David14216Solomon’s Wisdom14817Brave Queen Esther17218Writings and Prophets18019The Messenger20020Daniel and the Lions21221Jonah and the Whale21822The Gospels22623The Family of Jesus22824Born in a Barn23025CHRISTMAS DAYREAD + PRAY**CHRISTMAS DAY** Choose a time to sit and read Luke 2:8-14 together as a family. Consider pausing before opening gifts or at the Christmas brunch or dinner table. **Then pray this prayer together:** *Dear Lord, Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus . . . Immanuel . . . God with us. Today, in the midst of the excitement of family time and presents, help us to keep our mind and our heart focused on Your blessing for the whole world: Jesus, the best gift ever given . . . and ever received.* [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OgLAAV9KSiG2g1Y5zsk7.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/minno-bible-family-advent-reading-plan) Our [FREE, downloadable Family Advent Reading Plan Pack](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/minno-bible-family-advent-reading-plan) includes a daily reading, weekly option, daily activity strips (for use in a traditional countdown calendar), PLUS a Read and Color version of the Christmas story: Born in a Barn. Get it FREE [in our store\*!](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/minno-bible-family-advent-reading-plan) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Laugh and Grow Bible **Tags:** Advent, Bible Reading Plans, Minno Laugh and Grow Bible --- ### [10 Back to School Bible Verses (with Printable!)](https://gominno.com/blog/10-back-to-school-bible-verses/) **Published:** August 4, 2023 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/uION4JnTQmSJIwcWCMoQ.jpg) Read and memorize these back-to-school Bible verses together with your kids to send them back with God’s Word in their hearts this year. Download your free printable below! Starting a new school year often comes with uncertainty and anxiety for kids and parents. No matter the circumstances surrounding your return back to school, you can find peace and encouragement in the truth of God’s Word. Here are 10 Bible verses to pray together as a family, or to encourage your kids (or yourself) about the new school year! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23161757/Back-to-School-Bible-Verses-790x1024.png) ## 10 Back to School Bible Verses Joshua 1:9 NLT “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV “Let all that you do be done in love.” Zephaniah 3:17 ESV “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” John 15:12 ESV “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law against these things!” Luke 6:31 ESV “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take.” Colossians 3:23 ESV “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:12 ESV “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Download our printable [Back-to-School Bible Verse Cards](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23161549/BTS-Bible-Verses-2021_%C6%92.pdf) so you and your kids can carry God’s Word with you throughout the school day—wherever that may be! Minno wants to support you as you head back to school this year—whatever that looks like for you. - Stay connected with us on [Facebook](http://facebook.com/minno) and [Instagram](http://instagram.com/gominno) for daily encouragement and support. - Watch Minno [shows](https://gominno.com/shows/?filter_by_age=popular) that support learning and keep your kids connected to Jesus. - Download our [back-to-school Time Capsule Activity Kit](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-life-back-to-school-time-capsule-activity-kit) for a fun way to commemorate the new year—including a time-capsule kit, these back-to-school memory verses, family discussion guide, and more! - Pray these [Back-to-School Prayers](https://www.gominno.com/blog/back-to-school-prayers) for your family, your students, and your teachers. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Education, Seasonal **Tags:** Back-to-School, Bible Verses, Printables --- ### [Back-to-School Prayers for Teachers, Students, and Parents](https://gominno.com/blog/back-to-school-prayers/) **Published:** August 20, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aPIH52j9SH2VBvzXvymr.jpg) The school year and all of the newness that comes with it is upon us. Prayer is the only thing that will get us through seasons of transition. So as your kids head back-to-school—whatever that may look like for you—we invite you to pray these prayers with us—believing God to bring peace and provision for your family, teachers, and community. #### Back-to-School Prayers for Teachers, Students, and Parents **TEACHERS** Dear God, Thank You for the amazing teachers who have devoted their lives to serve our children. As they navigate this unique school year, fill them with strength to lead and thrive in their classroom—whatever it may look like! Protect their bodies from illness and their spirits from weariness as they pour into the next generation through education. In Jesus’ name, Amen. **TRUST** Dear God, Please help me to trust You in every detail this school year. I give You my anxiety, my fears, and every emotion that distracts me from You. I ask for a renewed sense of confidence as I trust You to help me navigate this next year. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. **PROVISION** Dear God, Today I ask for Your provision to carry my family this year. Help me rest in the fact that You are good and will take care of us. Thank You for blessing our family with everything we need and more so we can bless others. Help us to always remember the truth of Your promises when circumstances tell us otherwise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. **PEACE** Dear God, Thank You for the gift of peace. Help me to focus on You so I can walk in Your peace every day this school year. Show me how to sow peace into my family and the lives of those in our community. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. **PROTECTION** Dear God, Thank You for keeping my children safe whether they are learning at school or at home. Please protect our hearts and minds and our bodies as we return to our learning community this year. In Jesus’ Name, Amen! **PERSEVERANCE** Dear God, Your Word says we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Please strengthen our family to persevere this year, no matter how unclear our path may be. Help me to be an example of Your strength as I lead my children on their learning journey. In Jesus’ name, Amen. **PATIENCE** Dear God, It’s so easy to become impatient when life doesn’t look like we thought it would. Please help me to not rush ahead of You. I trust You to guide me and my children as we wait with patience. In Jesus’ name, Amen. **JOY** Dear God, Thank You for the gift of education. As our children adapt to new, exciting and even challenging circumstances, may Your joy be their strength! I pray they would meet each day with positivity knowing that whatever comes their way, they do not have to face it alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen., We want YOU to know that our team is praying every day for families all over the world and the kids who are heading back to school. We hope to bring a little fun to families in the midst of the school year. Minno wants to support you as you return to learn this year—whatever that looks like for you. - Stay connected with us on [Facebook](http://facebook.com/minno) and [Instagram](http://instagram.com/gominno) for regular encouragement and support. - Watch Minno [shows](https://gominno.com/shows/?filter_by_age=popular) that support learning and keep your kids connected to Jesus. - Pray these [Head to Toe Prayers to Cover Your Kids](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/23193053/Head-to-Toe-Prayers-to-Cover-Your-Kids-Devotional.pdf) as they head back-to-school! - Carry these [10 Back-to-School Bible Verse Cards](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-back-to-school-bible-verses) with you no matter where you learn! . . . . . . . . . . *Are you a Minno subscriber?* [Watch today](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Back-to-School, Prayer, School Year --- ### [Screen Smart Families: Tips for Internet Safety at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home/) **Published:** March 1, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/y8m0zTI1SJyQuEjUWYQh.jpg)* We’ve been sharing tips and insight from other parents about how to approach technology with wisdom and balance as a family. We’ve covered several different aspects of being a screen smart family because we know parents are facing many different challenges as they navigate today’s culture with their kids. This post, though, may very well be the most important one in the series, because unless we teach our kids to engage safely with media and technology; unless we protect them from the dangers lurking everywhere they turn, we will encounter much bigger threats to our family culture. Let’s start with the basics, some of the best tools and resources we have found to help Christian families protect kids from all the junk out there on the internet. **Our favorite tools and resources for family internet safety:** - [Covenant Eyes](http://covenanteyes.com) (filter) - [Circle](http://meetcircle.com) (filter) - [Parents Who Fight](http://parentswhofight.com) (ministry/resource) - [The Tech Wise Family](https://www.amazon.com/Tech-Wise-Family-Everyday-Putting-Technology/dp/0801018668/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495204640&sr=8-1&keywords=the+tech+wise+family), book by Andy Crouch - [Protect Young Minds](http://protectyoungminds.org) (online resources) - [Above the Fray](http://beabovethefray.org) (online resources) - [My Secure Family](http://mysecurefamily.com) (online resources) - [Good Pictures, Bad Pictures](https://www.amazon.com/Good-Pictures-Bad-Porn-Proofing-Todays/dp/0615927335/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495204685&sr=8-1&keywords=good+pictures+bad+pictures), book by Kristen A Jenson and Gail Poyner - [Bark](https://www.bark.us/) (monitoring app for social networks, texts, emails, etc) **Here’s what our bloggers had to share about their experience and the lessons they’ve learned about internet safety in their homes:** *– “My husband and I believe that it is important that our children’s passwords for any and all social media accounts are shared with us. We also believe it’s important to not get “lazy” in monitoring what our children are exposed to on the Internet. Internet security tools like Covenant Eyes are a great help to keep everyone accountable. We have frequent family discussions about both the good and bad ways the Internet and social media are used and this helps our family work together to remain cautious and pure.”* Carlie Kercheval, [Today’s Frugal Family](https://todaysfrugalfamily.com/)™ *– “The biggest challenge we face is the balance between teaching them how to use media wisely and not just keeping them in a bubble. We want to train our kids to judge what is appropriate and what is not and what to do if they accidentally see something inappropriate (because it will happen).”* Heidi Franz, [Our Out of Sync Life](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/) *– “Kids watch their parents. If I carry my phone around with me all the time, even at home, when they get a phone, they will assume that’s how you are supposed to do it. I have to not only protect myself, but be a better example to them. I have to model the right way…the best way to interact with technology.”* Amanda White, [OhAmanda.com](http://ohamanda.com) *– “A big lesson we learned: NO ONE is immune. Parents can never assume their kids are fine, even if computers are in public areas of the house. I had a blog reader tell me her son was looking at porn five feet from her! We must not only have filters but talk often and openly about things. Make sure your kids know they can come to you and you’ll be supportive and understanding because this is a crazy world! (I also direct my blog readers to the book Good Pictures Bad Pictures, which prepares kids for what to do if/when they see pornography.)”* Monica Swanson, [The Grom Mom](http://monicaswanson.com/) *– “Family guidelines are important and must be enforced. For instance, we have a “no device in your room” policy. Even though they have parental controls on them, the kids are not allowed to have their devices in their bedrooms. My husband and I follow this with our phones for the most part, too. Unless we have a special circumstance, our phones stay downstairs at night and we don’t get them until we come down for breakfast. This helps our marriage and it’s a good example for the kids when they get phones someday. At some point, this may change as they get older and prove they’re responsible, but for now, it’s a guideline that’s working well for our family. (I realize this may not work for all families, depending on circumstances.)”* Jess Wolstenholm, [Gather & Grow](http://gatherandgrow.co) *– “I have tried several internet safety tools and have been frustrated and/or disappointed by each one. So, what I’ve learned is that while safety software is helpful, it should not be our only defense against the danger of the internet. We have to create healthy, safe habits ourselves and then make sure those guidelines are being followed. A machine or program can’t do that for my family.”* Mary Carver, [Giving Up on Perfect](http://www.marycarver.com/) *– “It’s really important as parents for us to be aware of what our kids are watching and listening to, checking in on it regularly but in a calm and rational manner.”* Jennifer Thorson, [The Purposeful Mom](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/) *– “When we do searches together online for homeschool projects, we use kid-safe search engines. From our own experience, we know we don’t want to simply do Google searches. Also, we must model good habits! Being on the screen all the time in front of our kids is not what we want them to mimic or remember about us.”* Tauna Meyer, [The Proverbial Homemaker](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/) *– “I am very careful about social media and my kids so I never post where we are. We haven’t had to deal with our kids using the internet yet, but I want to be careful myself now so that I can teach them how to safely use it.”* Kara-Kae James, [Thrive Moms](http://thrivemoms.com) #### Making Your Own Screen-Smart Family Plan Here are some key questions about internet safety to ask as your formulate your own Screen-Smart Family Plan: - What safety filters will we use in our home and on our devices? - What type of accountability will we put in place (knowing kids’ passwords, reports on what they’ve been looking at, etc.)? - Where will family members be allowed to use technology? Will we have an “open door” policy? - How will we handle it if the kids see something they shouldn’t? - How will we communicate that it’s safe for them to share with us if they stumble upon something concerning? Other posts in this series: - [Technology in the Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home) - [Social Media](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media) - [Video Games](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home) - [TV Shows and Movies](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies) - [Music](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home) - [Internet Safety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Technology --- ### [5 Tips for Helping Kids Learn to Pray](https://gominno.com/blog/help-kids-learn-how-to-pray/) **Published:** April 28, 2016 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![What Does the Bible Say About Praying...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tcFYM9NzRHyf7AqyN4Rw.jpg) Time for some honesty. I have started this blog post four times. Each time about half way in I found myself stuck – unable to write more and unsure of what the Holy Spirit wants me to type. *“Why is this so difficult?”* I pleaded to God. “*I am just writing on prayer.”* And then it hit me. Just as I want writing about prayer to be an easy task, I also want teaching my children how to pray to be a simple process. As parents we often desire a foolproof formula in raising children. If we do “A” and “B” we are promised a “C” outcome. We attempt three or four different Pinterest-pinned, sure-fire methods but yet halfway in the endeavors fall short. Then what? I will be the first to admit that I am the last person who should be sharing ideas on prayer. The further I grow in my Christian walk, the more questions about it I have. So instead of providing you with a list of absolutes, I am simply going to share some things my husband and I have learned along the way with our four children. ### 5 Tips for Helping Kids Learn to Pray #### 1. It’s Never Too Early to Begin There is nothing more precious than a 14-month-old folding his hands and bowing his head to listen to an adult pray. Or, when a toddler repeating after her momma prays, “Thank you for the food.” I’ve copied many a prayer in my children’s scrapbooks as they beg God to help them “not be like Goliath” when they grow up or when they say “God, you are my hero.” Some would say that they are too young to understand, but I feel it is never too early to begin laying a foundation of communication with God, making it a natural part of their daily lives #### 2. Model Honest Prayers I love listening to my children pray. You never know what they will say! While we often ask our children to pray before meals, my husband noted the importance of our children hearing *us* pray. Just as Jesus modeled prayer for his disciples in Luke 11, we too must take time to model prayer for our children.We can further encourage them by having them pray after us, thereby giving them something to copy. #### 3. Pray Continually I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to, “Pray without ceasing.” Hang out at our house for long and you will hear our four-year-old shout out, “Praise Jesus.” Or, my seven-year-old will ask God to help him with a temptation. Or, momma will send up a plea, “Jesus, I need you!” as I am struggling for wisdom or patience. I love these short, one-sentence prayers of praise or request. Again, by modeling these, we are teaching our children to pray continually. #### 4. Make Prayer the Go-To Reaction I love Philippians 4:6. *Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.* Notice how Paul is instructing us to not even step into the circle of anxiety. Immediately, we are to go to God in prayer. It is important to help our children learn to do the same. Of course as parents we want to comfort them but we also want to teach them to go to the true source of comfort. We hope for it to be so ingrained that by the time the teenage years come, our children automatically take their concerns to God. #### 5. Prioritize Prayer If we desire our children to spend quality time conversing with God, we have to make it a priority in our own lives. For the first six or seven years of motherhood, I tried to excuse myself out of daily Bible time and focused prayer. There’s not enough energy or time, I reasoned. God brought me to a place where I realized that I desperately needed this time. In reading over this list, I can’t help but apply prayer to my parenting theme verse from Deuteronomy 6:7. *Impress (prayer) on your children. (Pray with your children) when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.* I can’t promise that if you do each of these steps that your child will have a deep prayer life. But as I listen to our four children pray, I am blown away by the honest and unfiltered conversation they have with God. Maybe instead of me teaching my children, my children are actually teaching me. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Prayer --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Palm Sunday](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-palm-sunday/) **Published:** March 18, 2016 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/j3bbzRdUTfCEvJY4xP2N.jpg) In high school my husband was part of a theater production bringing to life Jesus’ last days on earth. Later, while in college, he and I returned to his home town and I experienced the play for the first time. There are many scenes that I remember to this day. Of course the trial and crucifixion were powerful. The resurrection was glorious. But the play didn’t begin there. The play began with Jesus riding a donkey while palm branches were waved in the air and the crowd shouted “Hosanna”, as they were convinced that this man would save them. While they were absolutely correct, He didn’t save them in the way they thought. In telling this story to children, it is easy to get caught up in the cute green construction-paper palm branches and little voices shouting “Hosanna.” But I think there is more to this story for our children to learn. Here are a few ideas about how to talk to your kids about Palm Sunday. **1. Jesus Cares about the Details** I love these verses from Mark 11:2-3. “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.” The next verse shows the disciples’ obedience and how they found everything just as Jesus said…even down to someone questioning them. Our children need to know that we love a Savior who is intimately involved in the details of our lives. **2. The Events of Palm Sunday Were Prophesied in the Old Testament** The people in the crowd were so excited to see Jesus riding toward them on a donkey. Finally their King had come to save them. But in all reality, they shouldn’t have been surprised because 500 years prior, the Old Testament prophet Zechariah told the Jewish people that their king would ride on a donkey. We don’t know what will happen five minutes from now. But, God does. And He loves us so much that He made a rescue plan clear back in the Old Testament for Jesus to be born in a manger, die, be buried, and rise again. **3. Jesus is Worthy of Our Worship** Surrounded by palm trees, the branches were a symbol of victory and joy. They were used to cheer for important people who rode down the streets. The Jewish people believed Jesus was their king, and they responded by waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna” – but they did not worship Him as their Savior. As parents, we can help our children see that Jesus is our King and Savior, and that He is worthy of our worship! We can point out the blessings in our lives and the characteristics of the God we serve. Admire creation and praise God for its beauty. Listen to praise music and worship together as a family. **4. Worshiping Jesus Can Look Different** Scriptures say that some in the crowd threw their cloaks over the donkey while many laid them on the road. Others spread branches on the road, while those ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” No matter which avenue they chose, they all were worshipping Jesus. Two-thousand years later, our worship is still varied. Some sing while others dance. Some choose to paint while others worship in the beauty of nature. When our hearts are focused on Him, all of it is worship. **5. Jesus Doesn’t Always Do the Expected** As noted above, Jesus didn’t save the people like they expected. The crowd desired an earthly king but they received a servant of all. The crowd wanted a ruler who resided on a throne to change their world. Instead, God sent His son who could transform their hearts. The crowd expected a leader who would save their lives. They were given Jesus who died in their place. Each Palm Sunday it fills my heart with joy to see little ones waving palm branches and showering the church classrooms with glitter as they shout “Hosanna.” But this Palm Sunday, let’s help our precious children understand that Jesus cares deeply for us, is worthy of our praise, and desires to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [7 Ways to Cope with Grief at Christmas](https://gominno.com/blog/7-ways-to-cope-with-grief-at-christmas/) **Published:** December 18, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** **![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/eNo1NT5QPmtOudm3KhyQ.jpg)** Traditions. They are the little rituals passed down between generations that pull families together and make your family unique. Sometimes they happen by accident. Other traditions are purposeful. But all bring about memories, laughter, and unity. My family has a plethora of traditions. On the 4th of July we gather to eat homemade ice cream and count the Roman candles that explode in the night air. Whenever the electricity goes out, we sit around the table and play the mystery board game, Clue. Then there’s Christmas. So many traditions: from cutting down a tree to having specific places for everyone to sit when opening presents. And then in a blink of an eye, life changes. Suddenly, instead of the traditions triggering positive memories, they are a reminder that something is wrong. A reminder that things are not the way they should be. I remember the first Christmas without my sister. Everywhere I looked was a reminder that she was gone. Every gift purchased reminded me that I had one less to buy. Every meal meant one less plate, fork, and glass would be washed. Contemporary Christian artist, Mark Schultz explains it so well in his song “Different Kind of Christmas.” > *There’s one less place set at the table One less gift under the tree > And a brand new way to take their place inside of me > I’m unwrapping all these memories > Fighting back the tears > It’s just a different kind of Christmas this year* As we examine the idea of an “Uncommon Christmas,” dealing with the weight of grief during the holidays may be “uncommon” to some. A stark contrast to all the joy and festive merriment of the season, grief is not an emotion displayed in store windows, on television commercials, and filling sale flyers. But, for many it is all too common and it places a weighted blanket on the joyful time. So, how does a family find joy in the holidays when grief is so heavy on their hearts? Living with grief for the past 15 years hasn’t made me an expert but it has taught me ways to bring joy back to the holidays. **1. Acknowledge the Grief and Loss** Acting like everything is fine will only hurt you further. Talk about the person who is missing. Take time to share favorite memories and stories. Whether from death, illness, divorce, or other interrupted expectation, the grief and pain is real, but ignoring your emotions is not helpful. **2. Modify Traditions** Since traditions were such a large part of our holidays, we had to modify them to acknowledge our new normal. We had to learn to include my sister’s memory in these new traditions. While this was excruciating and took time, it allowed her memory to stay alive during the holidays. **3. Let the Tears Flow When Needed** Tears yield healing. Don’t be ashamed when they quietly flow down your cheeks. And removing yourself from holiday celebrations for a few moments to release an ugly cry is okay too. **4. Be Real with Your Feelings** Let your friends and family know how you are feeling. They will be more compassionate and able to extend grace if they understand the battle taking place in your heart. **5. Find Support** Get to know others who are grieving. Their support can encourage and validate how you are feeling. In writing this article, I reached out to a dear friend who lost her mom to cancer. She shared several of these ideas, and tears, as we worked on this article. Because we understand the emotions we both have, we can affirm the difficulty we each face at holidays. **6. Cry Out to the Lord** Grief hits at unexpected times. Especially in those moments when it feels unbearable, the Lord is there as our Comforter waiting for us to call out to Him. **7. Serve Others** While it can be hard to find the energy, serving others takes the focus off of you and allows you to see that many are hurting. While it might not look the same as your grief, many are suffering from interrupted expectations. Grief is brutal and holidays are just one more reminder of the pain. But I pray that even though you are walking through the valley, you are reminded this Christmas that the Lord is near to the broken hearted (Psalm 34:18) and that God has promised us that He wipes away all tears. And, very soon “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). This alone brings joy to our holiday. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Family Life, Grief --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Disappointment?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-disappointment/) **Published:** November 22, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GMwTWVlRoGhRMGog4lIQ.jpg) Seeing my child hurting is like a knife to my heart. A momma bear rises up in me wanting to take away the pain and disappointment. But I am reminded that in some circumstances, supporting and coaching my child through a trial provides a wonderful opportunity for character development and spiritual growth. I am thankful that the Bible has provided us with God’s truth to talk about and pray over these [teachable moments](https://ouroutofsynclife.com/2014/03/what-are-teachable-moments.html). The next time you find yourself trying to talk and teach your child through a disappointing situation, consider using these verses. ## What Does the Bible Say About Disappointment #### God is Near > *The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; > he delivers them from all their troubles. > The Lord is close to the brokenhearted > and saves those who are crushed in spirit. > The righteous person may have many troubles, > but the Lord delivers him from them all.* > > *Psalm 34:17-19 (NIV)* The truth is that we will all face troubles. Understanding that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted brings peace into the times of pain and suffering. #### God Cares About Our Disappointment and Worry > *Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)* In spite of their hard work, sometimes our children’s efforts are overlooked. This verse reminds us that God calls for humility knowing that we can take our anxious thoughts to Him and trust in His perfect timing. #### God is Listening > ***“****For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.* *Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.* *You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)* These verses beautifully lay out a plan for your child: call, come, and pray. And, we can rest in the fact that God will listen. #### Disappointment is a Process > *And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)* While it doesn’t seem like it, disappointment is temporal, and in His time God will restore us. But through the process, He will make us strong, firm, and steadfast for our growth and His glory. #### God Can Be Trusted > “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, > neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. > “As the heavens are higher than the earth, > so are my ways higher than your ways > and my thoughts than your thoughts.” > > *Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)* While it doesn’t always make sense to us, we can rest in the fact that God has a plan for our disappointment. When disappointment comes into your child’s life, avoid the temptation to fix the issue. Instead look at it as an opportunity to teach your child about the troubles of this life, the promise of a glorious future, and the sovereignty of our good God. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Should I Give My Kids an Allowance?](https://gominno.com/blog/should-i-give-my-kids-an-allowance/) **Published:** May 23, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UwCzJQHWRhmfw30yBCDQ.jpg)For several years I was against paying our children for basic chores and responsibilities. Helping around the home is part of being in a family, I thought. As my parents had done, I felt my children could learn about budgeting when they got their first job. So I never even asked myself the question, *“Should I give my kids an allowance?”* But in the instant-gratification and materialistic world that we live in, I have realized that teaching this life skill at 16 is too late. We must begin teaching budgeting and money management at a young age to instill the wisdom required for adulthood. The only way that I have found to do this effectively is through an allowance system. # Should I Give My Kids an Allowance? If you are asking this question or you are unsure of how to properly give your kids an allowance, maybe our story will give you some ideas and help you determine what’s best for your family. Remember, every family and every child is different. So think and pray through what’s right for you. ## Our Allowance System My goal was to create a [system](https://ouroutofsynclife.com/2019/04/chore_budget-system.html) as much like the real world as possible. With that in mind, each of our children (ages 8-14) receive a monthly salary. It is divided into five categories: tithe, taxes, savings, bills, and spending. Now, stay with me. I know this seems involved and unrealistic for younger kids. Yes, this system is for older children who are ready to learn to manage money. If your children are younger, I encourage you to keep reading. These principles can be applied to kids of any age to some degree. You can find a link to our system for preschoolers at the bottom of this post. In its simplest form, an allowance is given based on each child’s age-appropriate responsibilities in our home. Then, deductions from their salary occur if the chores are not completed. Giving our children a monthly allowance teaches the following principles: **1. Tithing** Young children love to take money to church for the offering. An allowance provides an opportunity to discuss that what we own is in actuality God’s and why we give back to God our first fruits (Deuteronomy 26:1-2). **2. Paying Taxes** Whether we like it or not, taxes are a part of life (Romans 13:6-7). By deducting this portion from a child’s allowance, she begins to understand the difference between salary and take-home pay. **3. Building Savings** Saving for a rainy day or setting aside money for a specific purchase teaches delayed gratification. It also encourages good stewardship of finances, as it enables one to avoid debt or living beyond one’s means. **4. Bills** In our home, each child is responsible for an age-appropriate amount of bills (e.g. a portion of music lessons, camps, and school expenses). This list gradually grows each year with the goal that by the time the child graduates from high school, he has had experience budgeting almost all small and large expenses. The child learns the tie between income and spending. **5. Spending** With a spending category, there is no longer the temptation to beg mom and dad to buy them something. I simply refer my children to their budget sheets to see if they have the funds to purchase the wanted item. This system has worked well for our family and we’re proud of the skills our children are learning through this allowance system. But maybe this method is more than you are ready to implement or perhaps you have smaller children who are not quite ready for taxes and bills. Do some research, pray, and ask God what is best for you in this season. Check out the details of the two systems we have used in our home: [Money Management and Behavior System for Preschool Children](https://ouroutofsynclife.com/2014/05/money-management-and-behavior-system.html) and [Chore and Budget System for Kids and Teens](https://ouroutofsynclife.com/2019/04/chore_budget-system.html). Is an allowance necessary in all homes? No. But if you don’t already have a system in place to teach children how to wisely manage money, one of these might be a solid option for your family. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [7 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Summer Camp](https://gominno.com/blog/7-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-summer-camp/) **Published:** April 18, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/u1cS6HNDScGw2ujDacY0_Summer-Camp-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) The thick envelopes in the mailbox brought about great excitement as each welcomed my children to their third season of summer camp. We praise God for Camp War Eagle and how it has blessed our children’s lives, but I remember the apprehension I felt deciding if it was a good choice for our children. *With so many summer camp options available how does a family decide?* Beyond the basic “When, where, and how much?” inquiries, there are a few more questions that I have found important to ask when evaluating summer camp options. **1. Camp’s Goal** What does the camp hope a child will learn during a session? If there is a religious component, or the camp is affiliated with a church, make sure that the doctrinal views line up with the Bible. If it is sports or activities oriented, evaluate the focus to make sure it’s a good match for your child’s interests and abilities. **2. Staff Training** While the camp director’s role is important, the counselors are the ones who have the day-to-day impact on your child. Find out how much and what kind of training the staff acquires to effectively deal with emergencies, behavior issues, and care for a child’s specific needs (i.e. diabetes, ADHD, sensory issues, fears). If activities are counselor led, learn how they are trained to provide for the children’s safety and to teach proper technique. For example, are licensed lifeguards monitoring the swimming pool? **3. Counselor to Camper Ratio** To evaluate how much supervised time your child will have, ask the camp what the ratio of counselor to campers is. One camp staff member to three campers is much better than a 1:10 ratio. **4. Staff Expectations** Are the staff glorified babysitters or are they expected to interact with the children throughout the day? Sometimes just asking the question *“Do the staff use their cell phones while working with the children?”* will give you a good idea of the staff’s focus. **5. Age Groups Included** Some camps are age specific while others are open to multiple ages. If your child will be attending a camp with kids of different ages, ask if they will be separated by age for specific activities and what ages are included in those groups. Also learn how children are divided for cabins and night time. **6. Attendance Requirements** Some camps have requirements for a child to attend. For example, the camp that our children attend require volunteer and community service hours. Find these out as soon as possible to give your child ample time to prepare. **7. References** Even after finding out the answer to these questions, the most important means of collecting information is to talk to campers and their parents, and those who’ve worked at the camp. In these conversations we learned inside information including [how and what to pack](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/2016/06/a-simple-way-to-pack-your-child-for.html). In our experience, it was these discussions and much prayer that provided us the peace needed to decide the camp that was right for our children. And looking at our children’s excitement for this summer’s week of camp, I think we made a good decision. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [A Child's Quiet Time](https://gominno.com/blog/a-childs-quiet-time/) **Published:** March 2, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Rnaf7q8RlK0Q0WtLWkQ5.jpg) One day, a friend and I were discussing the importance of having a time with the Lord each morning. My husband interjected an interesting comment, *“God took Heidi to the point that she had to have a quiet time to make it through the day.”* As I thought about his observation, I realized he was correct. The chaos, frustration, exhaustion that comes with being the momma of four had brought me to the point that I had to read the Bible, soak up God’s peace, and rest in His arms each morning to be able to pour into those around me throughout the day. Although I tried, I couldn’t do this out of my own strength. Looking back I wish that I had established a quality daily quiet time much earlier in my life. I can’t help but wonder how it would have changed my teenage, early-married, and young-parenting years. And because I now know the importance, I want to nurture in our children a love for the Bible, prayer, and listening to God. **No matter what the age of the child, there are ways to cultivate a personal relationship between our children and their Savior.** *This post contains affiliate links.* **1. Lead by Example** I believe more is caught than taught-that what our children see us do is more powerful than what they hear us say. Because of this, my children are learning more about [having a quiet time](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/free-ebook) by watching me than my preaching the need. When I make it a priority and share what God is teaching me during this time, they grasp the importance. **2. Have Family Devotions** Holding daily family devotions sets a firm foundation. In our family, these times consist of Bible reading, singing a [Bible song](http://abcjesuslovesme.com/ideas/bible-songs), and prayer. As our children have grown, so have the depth of the Bible stories. We began with [The Beginner’s Bible: Timeless Children’s Stories](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310709628/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0310709628&linkCode=as2&tag=abjelome-20), moved to the [My First Hands-On Bible](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414348304/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414348304&linkCode=as2&tag=abjelome-20), and now my husband reads from the New International Version of the Bible. Read more about how to [choose a children’s Bible](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/2017/02/what-is-the-difference-between-childrens-bibles-and-how-do-i-choose-giveaway.html). Also, make sure to check out the brand-new [Character Quest with Clive & Ian 5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! **3. Train** Now that our children are all reading, we set aside quiet time every evening for individual devotions. They each have age-appropriate Bibles, devotional books, and journals to guide their time. There are wonderful theme-based Bibles for children such as the [Adventure Bible](http://amzn.to/2lI6aoD), [The Investigator’s Holy Bible](http://amzn.to/2kCtcMJ), and the [FaithGirlz Bible](http://amzn.to/2kopfdv). Some of our favorite devotional materials for kids are the [Kay Arthur Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids](http://amzn.to/2kuHNtm), [My Jesus Journal](https://shop.gominno.com/products/my-jesus-journal?variant=23188487105), and [Our Daily Bread for Kids: 365 Meaningful Moments with God](http://amzn.to/2kQVCna). But it is more than just providing the child with the tools. We should never underestimate the importance of training the child to use each item effectively. I need to take the time to teach my child how to read the Bible for personal application. Explain the importance of using a Bible-based devotional guide. Instruct them to use [a journal to track growth, prayers, and blessings](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/2012/09/creating-prayer-journal-that-works.html). Even in writing this I realize that I have become lax in some aspects of training. I need to come along side each child for accountability and review with them how to use the tools at their disposal. **4. Pass the Baton** It is my prayer that after taking the time to demonstrate and teach our children the how-to of bible study, they would develop a love of the Word and of spending time with God. As they begin to recognize how much God loves them, He will be their source of wisdom and strength. As I pass the baton, my role evolves into a supporter and sounding board as the children take ownership of their time with Him. While it may seem like they are going through the motions now, I believe that the “word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The wonderful thing is that God isn’t asking me to change my children’s hearts or for me to force them to develop a love for His Word. He simply asks me to lead by example, provide the tools the child needs, and then take the time to train my children to use the tools. He will take care of the rest. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [5 Meaningful Christmas Tradition Ideas For Your Family](https://gominno.com/blog/christmas-tradition-ideas-for-families/) **Published:** December 14, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![Christmas Day - Christmas and holiday season](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04225117/Xzi4LqzwR5CeegvAAzYu-1-1024x578.jpg "Family Christmas Traditions - Minno Kids") Our kiddos know the Christmas story backwards and forwards. They hear it at home, church, and in books. In the past few years, we’ve done the basic Christmas activities and Advent calendars. They can tell you about Mary and Joseph. They can explain that Jesus was born in a manger. They can even announce who visited the new family. As I am growing in my understanding of who Jesus is, I realize that it isn’t enough to be able to regurgitate the Christmas story-or any story from the Bible. I don’t want our children to simply know the facts. **I want them to know the Savior.** So in pondering what to do in the month of December to help them understand a little more about the King who came as a baby, I came up with some unconventional ideas. **1. Host a Happy Birthday Jesus Party** Since birthdays are near and dear to a child’s heart, hosting a birthday party for Jesus is a wonderful way for children to understand why we celebrate Christmas. Have fun with your family or invite friends to make it a neighborhood party. You can make this as simple or as detailed as desired by adding crafts, a scavenger hunt, or other fun activities during the birthday party. **2. Make a Birthday Cake for Jesus** Whether you have a birthday party or not, involving children in making Jesus a birthday cake can be a wonderful idea to tie Christmas and Easter together. The cake, frosting, and other pieces of the cake can be used to symbolize the Gospel message. One idea is to make a chocolate cake to represent the human sinful condition. Frost with white icing for how Jesus washed away our sins. Add a red candle to represent Christ’s blood shed on the Cross. A green candle represents renewal and growth. A yellow candle stands for the golden streets of heaven. [Read more about this idea here.](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/2011/12/christmas-traditions-birthday-cake-for.html) **3. Collect Hay for Jesus** My friend Nicole shared this childhood memory with me. “Growing up, our coffee table housed a little manger with hay under it. During the time between Thanksgiving until Christmas, every time we did something without being asked to do it, we got to place a piece of hay in the manger. The goal was to place enough hay in the manger by December 25th for baby Jesus.” This idea could be used as a reward for immediate obedience, finishing a chore, using kind words, or sharing. **4. Host a Neighborhood Open House** While this sounds incredibly stressful, it has been one of the most rewarding activities that we do with our family. Each December we invite our neighbors to a simple Christmas Open House with apple cider and cookies. It has helped unite our community and teach our children how to welcome people into our home and serve them while here. Even as preschoolers, our children assist in preparing the food, greeting guests at the door, and giving them a gift as they leave. [Read more about this idea here.](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/2015/11/hosting-neighborhood-open-house.html) **5. Study the Characteristics of Jesus** One way to help our children know Jesus is to daily focus on His characteristics. For 25 days, we focus on themes like “Jesus is Immanuel” and “Jesus is Light” and then we [build a Lego Christmas tree](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/2014/11/lego-christmas-activity-impressing.html) celebrating each aspect of our Savior. You could also add an ornament to the tree each day after discussing who Jesus is. I don’t want my children to look back on December and simply picture a manger scene with Joseph, Mary, a baby, and animals. Also, I don’t want them to remember a stressed mommy. It is my prayer that in using these simple ideas, December will be a month of celebrating Jesus and others. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Family Traditions --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Courage](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-courage/) **Published:** October 14, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0D3yroAWRivpXNAJMhPg.jpg) My son loves to wear the appropriate attire for whatever activity he’s participating in. If he is the catcher in a family game of baseball, he will run into his room to find the best “baseball” outfit. Building something requires a tool belt and hard hat. If cooking in the kitchen, he will grab an apron. But nothing changes his demeanor like donning a superhero cape. He is suddenly stronger and more courageous because what he wears affects his attitude. The mom in me wants to add a cape to his daily wardrobe because I know that as he grows, he will face many situations where strength and courage are needed and I want my boy to stand strong. But how can this happen when he is so young and the world needs more courageous people? In Ephesians 6 Paul tells us to “put on the full armor of God” so that we can stand strong. Part of the armor is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” It’s time to arm my son with God’s truth that will provide him with unexplainable strength and courage. **We can teach kids about courage by memorizing Bible verses and applying them when teachable moments arise.** When my son was scared of the thunder, we sang Psalm 56:3. When fear keeps him from taking the first step in a new situation, I pray over him Isaiah 41:10. When he is older, I will point him to verses that he can post in his room. # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Courage Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Psalm 56:3 (NIV) When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. We will keep his name-embroidered cape as a reminder of how my son ran faster and protected his mommy from whatever his imagination created. But because he won’t stay little very long, I will help him hide these verses of truth in his heart so that he will be able to truly fight fear and put on courage in God-sized amounts. ![684390_5BibleVersesCourageUpdate_V1_0...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RIkkM5b8QTqzxA8dPCfc.jpg) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Courage](https://cdn.buttercms.com/jxADRYDQjK72eJccsvgM). . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Courage, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Ways to Love Your Neighbors with Intention](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-love-your-neighbors-with-intention/) **Published:** June 1, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/alLuKikKSPHe5wPpiK6A_Neighborhood-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Buying a house seemed like the next step after graduating from college and securing jobs. We prayed for wisdom and direction. We made a list of requirements and wants. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, with a few acres. Then we met with a realtor to find our dream home. Looking back, I find it interesting that one crucial aspect was not even a thought in our minds. We didn’t pray for a home surrounded by godly neighbors. 18 years later, I am so thankful that God knew what we needed and He placed amazing families around our home. But these neighbors didn’t become dear to our hearts with a random wave as we drove by. Intentionality was required to get to know each person. > Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:19b Here are a few ideas to help you “love your neighbor”… **1. Welcome New Families** A simple plate of cookies or a loaf of quick bread and a smiling face can do wonders to welcome a new family into the neighborhood. It also provides an opportunity to share the love of Christ and maybe even invite them to your church. **2. Plan a Neighborhood Pot-Luck Dinner** Each September those on our road gather at various homes for a neighborhood pot-luck. All it took to get this started was the initial picnic eight years ago. It allows families to meet others and develop relationships. We take turns hosting so no one family is left with the set up each year. **3. Host an Open House** When our children were very young we started a tradition of creating Christmas food baskets for our neighbors. Instead of just dropping the goodies by, we set up a time for the recipients to come to our home or for us to visit them (many are retired). With ten families on our list, we started scheduling times in late November. Four children later and a busy life, this is no longer a feasible idea. We have since revamped the tradition and now host an Open House each December. And we love it. It has helped unite our community and teach our children how to welcome people into our home and serve them while here. A similar activity could be done on July 4th, Thanksgiving, or whenever it is best for your family. Read [this post](http://ouroutofsynclife.com/2015/11/hosting-neighborhood-open-house.html) for tips for Hosting a Neighborhood Open House. **4. Play in the Front Yard** It is easy to hang out in the comfort of your back yard. But, I encourage you to move to the front at times as it allows access to your neighbors. It provides an opportunity to wave or even talk as they drive by. If you live in a community with young children, you may find neighboring children come over to play. **5. Slow Down** This may be one of the hardest ideas to implement. But, it is important that we slow down our fast-paced lives and look for opportunities to have a conversation, lend a hand, or give an unexpected gift. For one, it blesses the neighbors. Second, it is an example to our children. Beyond that, taking the time to love on others blesses us. A month ago our closest neighbors moved. We are incredibly sad because they became like parents to us and grandparents to our children. And to think that it all started when they lent us a mower and we said thank you with a loaf of homemade bread. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Community, Love, Loving Others, Neighbors --- ### [Ten Ways to Empower Your Kids to Have a Great School Year](https://gominno.com/blog/ten-ways-to-empower-your-kids-to-have-a-great-school-year/) **Published:** August 28, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/yBYKbrsR9KUlsDNAWvhN/convert?width=762&quality=80) Another milestone for our family is before us. Two milestones, actually. This fall, our oldest of four children will begin middle school and our youngest will start kindergarten. While I join in their excitement for these new adventures, as a momma there is also a feeling of sadness. Let’s face it, my babies are growing up. Also, I feel apprehension because sending them to school removes them from my constant watch. It requires me to loosen my grip and trust that God loves my children more than I do. I must let go and allow my children to put into practice what my husband and I have taught them at home. Here are a few specific ideas that the Holy Spirit led us to so that we could empower our children to have successful school years and to be missionaries in their schools. ### 1. Help Your Child Develop a Positive but Realistic Self-Image People feel empowered when they know who they are in Christ. Children are no different. In our every-child-deserves-a-trophy society, empty praise can be defeating for a child because peers typically tell it like it is. If our children are hearing praise through a godly lens, they will be ready to combat what they hear outside our four walls. For example, instead of telling the child that their drawing is the best creation ever, focus on the amount of work the child put into the project and how the child persevered through the challenging spots. Instead of telling your daughter that she is the most beautiful girl in the world, help her see how God created her in His image, special and unique. ### 2. Provide a Tool Box It is easy to jump into what I call a “No!” parenting style. This means that every time a child disobeys or gets into a tiff with a sibling, the parent shouts “No!”, “Don’t do that!”, or “Stop!”. We all get weary and can easily fall into the trap. The sad truth is that unless we provide the child with ways to replace the negative behavior with positive, we send them into the world with an empty tool box of ideas on how to handle various situations. For example, let’s imagine your child struggles with losing a game with grace. Instead of telling the child not to cry, teach the child how to politely congratulate his opponent. Or if your child is struggling with a friendship, instead of telling her to stay away from the classmate, provide her with a statement to say that allows her to stand up for herself in a loving manner. ### 3. Teach Them to Love In Matthew 22, Jesus gave the disciples the greatest commandment: Love God. Jesus goes further to explain that the second greatest commandment is like the first: we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Teaching our children to love may be one of the greatest ways to empower them. When our children love God and love others, every decision that they make will shine light into the darkness. One way to do this is to teach them what love is through I Corinthians 13:1-8. For example, encourage your child when you see her showing love by being patient with her sibling. Help your child find ways to handle anger in a loving way instead of yelling or hitting. By filling their tool box with ideas like these, the child will transfer loving their siblings to loving their peers. ### 4. Let Them Struggle We’ve all heard the term “helicopter parent,” parents who hover so close to their children that you can almost hear the blades swirling around. They stay close to keep all harm or frustration from touching their children. While we would all love to place our children in a bubble and keep them safe, we know that this isn’t reality. Our job as parents is to help them persevere through struggles, grow through disappointments, and learn from mistakes. As challenges arise, we can lovingly guide our children towards godly responses. These lessons will stay with them and give them something to fall back on when new problems come up. ### 5. Find Them Godly Mentors As our children grow, I see more and more how much power the words and actions of others have on them. This is why it is so important to surround them with godly men and women who will support what we are teaching at home and further empower our children to be witnesses of Jesus to those around them. Church can be a wonderful place to find mentors. As the busyness of the school year hits, be sure not to let church become a secondary priority. ### 6. Encourage Talents God has given each child a unique personality and a handful of wonderful talents. One way to empower our children is to help them recognize and develop these gifts. It is easy to get into a rut of telling the child only what he is doing wrong, but we need to encourage each child to recognize the amazing gifts he has been given. Knowing where his strengths lie will also help the child find leadership roles at school. But, don’t forget that truth is the foundation of this encouragement (See #1). For example, we don’t want the child believing he is a wonderful drummer when he can’t keep a steady beat. ### 7. Make Home a Safe and Relaxing Place Two of my boys have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They work with all that is in them to keep it together at school. When they come home, they are spent and need a safe place to relax. I can help them by giving grace when they are tired, and by removing frustration and chaos in our home. This doesn’t mean that they are exempt from appropriate behavior or doing chores, but some small changes can help them be successful. I’ve found that by getting rid of excess in their rooms, they have less to keep up with making it easier to keep their rooms clean and find what they need. Also, structure and consistency in our mornings and evenings is key for them. ### 8. Lead the Child to the Source of Wisdom One thing that I love about the elementary and middle school ages is that our kids want to know our opinion about the happenings at school. In the evenings, we are able to process through what they saw or heard and provide a Biblical world view. As we talk however, I am learning to not just give my opinion but support what I share with biblical wisdom. By example, as the kids are growing, they are learning to search the Scriptures themselves. ### 9. Help the Child Hide God’s Word Psalm 119 is filled with verses explaining the power of God’s Word and the help that it provides us. Psalm 119:11 tells us to hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we can stand against the temptations of sin. [Seeds Family Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/Seeds%20Family%20Worship) (available to watch on Minno) and Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em in Your Heart CDs are wonderful resources for teaching your child to have Scripture in their minds for those situations when they need wisdom, encouragement, and strength. ### 10. Prayer While each of these ideas can be helpful in preparing your child for a successful school year, they are in vain when not covered in prayer. In your daily quiet time and throughout the day lift your child in prayer. Also pray with your child that he will be a missionary to his teachers and friends because he may be the only Jesus they see. None of us know what this next school year will hold. We look forward to the moments of success for which we will give God the glory. We also expect that there will be valleys of hurt and disappointment that will stretch our faith. But I have peace knowing that God be with us in all we face this school year and that alone will make it a success. Looking for more back to school tips? Check out [this blog with 20 back to school truths](https://www.gominno.com/blog/20-back-to-school-truths-to-help-kids-know-god-loves-them) your kids can memorize – and a free lunchbox notes printable! . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [4 Ways to Get Younger Children Involved in Family Devotions](https://gominno.com/blog/4-ways-to-get-younger-children-involved-in-family-devotions/) **Published:** March 19, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224958/FjD9kAsST6CTKoUhIbSt-1-1024x578.jpg "Involve Young Kids in Family Devotions - Minno Kids") Most Christian parents believe having family devotionals are important. But with busy schedules, a mixture of children’s ages and personalities, and sheer exhaustion, the desire for family devos often gives way to guilt. Are family devos simply an unattainable goal in the 21st century? Not at all. Actually, I believe that teaching the Bible in our homes is of greater importance now than at any other time in history. Here are some ideas to help you overcome some commonly experienced obstacles. **1. Set Realistic Expectations** Sometimes it is tempting to turn family devos into mini church services. We begin with expectations for everyone to sit quietly and drink in the learning. Within a few minutes, a child talks out of turn or begins fussing because their brother touched him. We become frustrated and give up. It is important to set realistic expectations keeping in mind the attention span and needs of your family. Remember that a few minutes of fun Bible learning and prayer will go much further than several minutes of unfocused and anger-filled attempts. **2. Age-Appropriate Bible Reading** I am very thankful for the variety of Bibles and devotionals written for younger audiences. When our four children were young, my husband read multiple times, from cover to cover [*The Beginner’s Bible*](https://amzn.to/2XzBSXX). This gave our children a solid foundation of the Bible stories. Then we advanced to the [*My First Hands-On Bible*](https://amzn.to/2EI4E0b) which allowed the children to hear the Bible stories in verse form. Now, for personal application we read from the[ *Our Daily Bread of Kids: 365 Meaningful Moments with God*](https://amzn.to/2TgFgbS) and are transitioning to actual Scripture with Billy Graham’s [*God’s Good News*](https://amzn.to/2tOtFBs) children devotional. These Bibles and devotionals have paved the way for understanding and provided conversations for further learning. **3. Interactive Learning** One of the best ways to keep children focused during devo time is to make them active participants. Involve them in the Bible story with props, visuals, and actions. The older the child, the more of a role they should play in the devotional time. For those with preschool to elementary-aged children, the ABCJesusLovesMe website offers an[ Old Testament Curriculum](https://abcjesuslovesme.com/products/sunday-school-curriculum/OT/) which many are using in their homes for family devos. Each lesson includes an interactive script, comprehension questions, memory verse, song, and activities to choose from. **4. Learn Your “*Should”*** In parenting, I long for an equation to produce perfect children. I want an ABC list of activities to yield an XYZ result. But there is no magic plan for a family. And if you polled 100 families who successfully hold family devos, you would receive probably as many ideas. This is because each family has a different combination of ages and personalities, needs and schedules. Trying to mirror how another family has devos usually doesn’t turn out well. Instead of worrying about what others say you *should* do, discover what the *“**should”* is for your family. Simply pour in a Bible story, mix in a song, and bake with prayer. You will be amazed at how God will use the time. *This post contains affiliate links.* . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Family Devotions --- ### [4 Ideas to Help Your Family Shine Light on Halloween](https://gominno.com/blog/4-ideas-family-shine-light-on-halloween/) **Published:** October 29, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Gc6EdOHFQ42YMtymQwIU.jpg) *Want to see a group of Christians become divided?* Bring up the topic of Halloween. Those on both sides of the aisle are passionate about their views. While there are important things to consider no matter where you stand on Halloween, no matter your level of involvement, it can be an opportunity to share God’s love with your children and those around you. ## 4 Ideas to Help Your Family Shine Light on Halloween **1. Pumpkins** One of my favorite childhood memories is carving the pumpkin each Halloween with my siblings and my dad. The Pumpkin Gospel by Mary Manz Simon is a wonderful book to read during this activity to explain the Gospel message. Written by Liz Curtis Higgs, The Pumpkin Patch Parable is another precious story comparing us to pumpkins and relating how God can turn a simple pumpkin with all of its yuck inside into a beautiful pumpkin shining His light. Though a secular book, The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano is a fun rhyming book celebrating differences. **2. Fall Carnivals** Our church uses Halloween as an outreach opportunity for the community and as a service project for the youth group. Each year, they fill the parking lot with carnival games organized by the middle and high school students. The entrance fee for church families is a bag of candy and canned goods. The only rule is no scary costumes. A short Gospel illustration is shared during the event. This would be a fun idea for a neighborhood block party as well. **3. Walk Through the Bible Night** Most are familiar with the drive-through nativity that churches do around Christmas time. I love the idea of doing a “Walk Through the Bible” at Halloween. Invite the community to witness the Bible by visiting different stations where people are dressed up to match a particular Bible story. After a short overview of the story, give each child watching an item representing the story (i.e. Noah’s Ark – Skittles, Jonah – Goldfish crackers). See more ideas [here](http://abcjesuslovesme.com/ideas/halloween#tell). **4. “Fruit of the Spirit” Jar** In our home, one of the biggest downfalls of Halloween is the abundance of candy afterward. While I don’t want my family eating all of it, I also can’t throw away all of that chocolate and caramel goodness! I was thrilled when I discovered the idea of a “Fruit of the Spirit” Jar. Fill a jar with all the collected candy and label it “Fruit of the Spirit”. Sit down with your child and explain that your family is going to help each other develop the “Fruit of the Spirit” using the candy jar. Choose one characteristic per day. Every time someone is “caught” displaying that behavior, he or she gets to take out a sweet treat from the jar. Encourage the kids to look for other family members displaying the “fruit” as well. **Halloween doesn’t have to be a dark holiday. We can shine bright the hope of Jesus.** > “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Fun, Halloween --- ### [How to Teach Kids Responsibility](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-responsibility/) **Published:** August 19, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gpIg3C3tRuTf6led5LjK.jpg) I once heard someone say that a parent’s goal should be to work herself out of a job. Which means, we should teach our kids responsibility and train them to manage the tasks required to meet their basic needs. It sounds so easy and logical, but making it happen comes with some challenges. Thankfully, God has placed some wise, more experienced mommas in my life to show me the ropes. Here are some principles that I have learned from them. ## **How to Teach Kids Responsibility** **Don’t Do for a Child What They Can Do for Themselves** Several times in my parenting journey, I found myself dressing my preschool-age daughter, something she was perfectly capable of doing. Or, I jumped in and spoke for my teenage son, wishing to avoid confusion or merely to keep things simple. But I realize that in doing what they could do themselves, I was not allowing my children to learn and perfect their skills. Yes, it takes an extended amount of time, but responsibility training is worth it. If you are unsure what responsibilities are age-appropriate for your child, check out this [free printable list](https://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/ideas/cooking-chore-ideas-3). **Think Beyond Basic Chores** I’ve realized that responsibility training (for teens especially) extends beyond making meals and doing laundry. Teaching responsibility includes training the child to initiate conversations with teachers, set alarms and timers, and schedule events. Eventually, kids need to know how to pay bills, set up services with a utility company, and do minor home repairs. It can be helpful to recall the skills you wish someone would have taught you before you began living independently and then take the initiative to pass those on to your children. **Obedience vs Responsibility** While obedience is vital, I desire my children to take responsibility even when not asked to. Instead of doing something just enough to get by or only because it is on a list of chores, teaching responsibility involves opening the child’s eyes to what needs to be done around them and doing their best no matter what the task. This transforms responsibility into servanthood. **TRAIN YOUR EYES TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND YOUR HEART TO DO IT.** *– Author Unknown* **Remember God’s Desire for Parenting** It is easy to say that it is our parenting responsibility to work ourselves out of a job, but achieving that goal can be difficult. Everything inside of me wants to keep my children close and away from harm. I want to do things for my children because I love them. But Genesis 2:24 states that when our sons and daughters get married, they are to leave their father and mother and be joined together, and the two are united into one. When I understand that one of my roles as a parent is to prepare them for this unification, I see the need to develop in my child a heart of responsibility. Most of the time teaching responsibility isn’t easy or fun. And there are times that we show love and grace by doing tasks for our children. But watching children grow into responsible men and women is one of the most rewarding things we will experience as parents. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MDXU5P78SkCxcV8VRuSC.jpg) Download this [Responsibility Motto](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MDXU5P78SkCxcV8VRuSC.jpg) and hang it around the house where your kids can see it! . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Resources to Help Your Family Focus on the Bible this Year](https://gominno.com/blog/resources-to-help-your-family-focus-on-the-bible-this-year/) **Published:** January 10, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pgMHfiRQH2XqTDYYx3Ot.jpg) The theme verse of both my [preschool curriculum website](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com) and [blog](http://www.ouroutofsynclife.com) is Deuteronomy 6:7. It commands us to impress on our children that the Lord is God and we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. The verse goes on to say, > “Talk about \[the commandments\] when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” When you read this commandment, it sounds so easy. Just talk. But in between breaking up arguments, doing the dishes, and rushing from one activity to another, talking with our children about God’s Word can become a challenge. Some believe that it is the church’s responsibility to teach their children, but let’s look at some numbers about church attendance. Even if your family attends church for 2 hours every week, your children will only spend 1.2% of their year at church. This number proves that we cannot depend on our Sunday school teachers and youth pastors to “impress” God on our children. **While church can be instrumental in helping our family focus on the Word, remember that the responsibility is ours.** Here are three resources that have been instrumental in helping our family focus on the Bible, God’s Word. **1. Daily Devotional** Since our four kiddos were young we have daily set aside time to read from the Bible and pray. When they were little, my husband read multiple times, from cover to cover [The Beginner’s Bible](http://amzn.to/2gsESPf). This gave our children a solid foundation of the Bible stories. Then we advanced to the [My First Hands-On Bible](http://amzn.to/2gsSTfE) which allowed the children to hear the Bible stories in verse form. Now, for personal application we read from the [Our Daily Bread of Kids: 365 Meaningful Moments with God](http://amzn.to/2gRGovd). These Bibles and devotionals have paved the way for understanding and provided conversations for further learning. **2. What’s in the Bible?** It is easy for Bible stories to be compartmentalized in our mind: Noah is in this file; Paul in that one; and Jesus is in that big folder over there. I am so thankful for the [What’s in the Bible? DVD series](http://mbsy.co/whatsinthebible/24451551) and how it has helped our entire family see God’s redemptive plan woven through each Bible story. **From youngest to oldest, the episodes covering Genesis to Revelation have opened our eyes to the big picture of God’s love.** Plus, each DVD explains Biblical truths in child-like terms. **3. Church** A few months ago I watched a video called *“The Question No One is Asking About Our Children.”* It showed the importance of regular church attendance. At a young age consistent attendance is imperative for familiarity and continuity. As children grow it becomes important for relationships, personal application, and accountability. **Church is a place for a person outside our family to come alongside our children and echo the truth we are teaching at home.** Let’s make 2017 a year that we follow God’s commandments and are intentional to talk about Him when we sit down, walk along, lie down, and when we get up. *This post contains affiliate links.* . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Joy](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-joy/) **Published:** December 23, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/R0UH37BQix7JSUNoVH2g.jpg) We don’t have to get too far into the Christmas season before we hear or see the word “joy.” The running scale of the song “Joy to the World” fills the radio. The gorgeous font of the letters j-o-y on cards, photos, and home décor remind us that joy is central to this season. But a quick visit to the store with a tired child, or yet another Christmas party when you’re already feeling weary, can squelch all joy. *How do we teach real biblical joy to our children in spite of what is happening around us?* When our kids (or we) need a reminder about the source and benefit of true joy, we can turn to the Bible for uplifting words. # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Joy *Philippians 4:4 (ESV)* *Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.* Psychology echoes the teachings of Paul—for joy to abound, we must keep it at the forefront of our minds. As a family, create a journal of thanksgiving or collect slips of paper on which each family member writes a daily blessing from God then place in a jar. *Galatians 5:22-23a (ESV)* *But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.* Paul reminds believers that because of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, they no longer have to behave the way they did before becoming a Christian. These verses are a call to be different because of Christ in you. The Holy Spirit can empower you to choose the fruits of the Spirit over old sinful ways. This includes joy! *Romans 15:13 (NIV)* *May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.* Hope, joy, and peace-these are the words of Christmas. We have the hope that as we trust in God, He will fill us with His joy and peace. *James 1:2-4 (NIV)* *Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.* It is easy to have joy when things are going well, but trials can crush the spirit. You can help your children learn that trials have purpose and that knowing God is growing us through them will help us remain joyful. *Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)* *A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.* I can’t hear this verse without singing the verse in my head. Joy is good for our souls. It is also contagious. When we choose joy, our family will as well. May your Christmas overflow with the Joy of the Savior. ![684390_5BibleVersesJoyUpdate_V1_03262...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/k3rDmGAuQbOmhl7tzdXc.jpg) Download a printable for these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Joy](https://cdn.buttercms.com/UH4641Y6TUi9rW7tyVVP) . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Joy, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Love](https://gominno.com/blog/5-bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-love/) **Published:** February 10, 2020 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qmwwfINSbahuBoXDNNSE.jpg) When adults ask children, “What is love?” the answers are often comical, sometimes sweet, and occasionally leave the grownups pondering how a child can have such a deep and thoughtful understanding of this abstract idea. As with all parenting topics, parents and caregivers can either teach our children what the Bible says is true, or we can allow the world to explain it. Scripture gives believers a clear understanding of love and how we are to demonstrate it to God and others. Here are five verses to help your children understand God’s love for us and how we can, in turn, love others. # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Love John 3:16 (NIV) *For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.* One of God’s attributes is love. He *is* love. And to demonstrate that love to us, He gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for us, to take our place and allow for the forgiveness of our sin. To make this more personal for a child, read John 3:16 but insert your child’s name in place of “the world.” It might read, “For God so loved *Sarah* that…” How precious it is for all believers to hear that the God of the universe loves us! 1 John 4:19 (NIV) *We love because he first loved us.* When we understand God’s love for us, we can understand how we can love those people who can be harder to love. No matter what, we are all sinners and God loves each of us. When we realize this, we can love people God has placed in our classroom, neighborhood, and family. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) *Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.* To spell it out so there is no confusion, the author of 1 Corinthians, Paul, wanted us to understand what love is and what it isn’t. On a large piece of paper, make two columns. Label the first “Love is…” and the second “Love is not….” For a family devotional, read these verses and fill in the chart. This chart could also be used in times of correction to help children understand their actions according to the definition of love. 1 John 4:7 (NIV) *Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.* Sometimes it can be a struggle to love those who have different personalities than ourselves. This verse reminds us that we don’t have to manufacture love for other people. “Love comes from God.” And we show that we know God when we love others. Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) *Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”* There have been multiple times when my children have expressed frustration because they didn’t know what to do in a situation. I love how Jesus sums up His commandments with these two verses: Love God, Love others. Every decision we face can be sifted through these three verses. To help your children learn these five verses on love, write each on a paper heart and hide the hearts around your home. Have fun playing hide-and-seek looking for the truths. Discuss each verse when found and pray that God will lay a solid foundation in your children’s heart of what true love is. [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rY5c0hciT4eKlfEe1S6n.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VOC6HzP5Tsbt6Veq6OCQ) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Love](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VOC6HzP5Tsbt6Veq6OCQ) Want to keep digging into what God’s Word says about LOVE with your kids? Read [3 Bible Stories To Teach Kids About Love!](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-love) . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Fruit of the Spirit, Love, Memory Verses --- ### [Screen-Free Activities for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-free-activities-for-kids/) **Published:** July 15, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TA1IrKcQKE1TZppqFZge.jpg) We begin the summer months with great hope and excitement. But as the temperatures rise, our energy and ideas melt away. Out of desperation, electronics become the go-to activity. The television is turned on for a quick show. A device is given to a child to calm their wants. Without realizing it, a few minutes evolve into several hours of media use. We’ve all been there. But we know the damaging effects that electronics can have on kids’ health, development, and social skills. A multitude of studies show [the importance of old-fashioned play and activities](https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182). *So what’s a momma to do when the sun is the warmest and her energy level is at its lowest?* The idea of having screen-free days this summer may seem impossible or at least overwhelming. But providing activities for kids that round out their educational, emotional, and spiritual development doesn’t have to be hard. Here are a few screen-free ideas for kids with little to no cost or preparation required. ### Screen-Free Activities for Kids **Go to the Library** The local library just may be the most underutilized treasure trove of information and imagination out there! Most public libraries have fun summer programs to encourage children to read. Plan weekly trips to discover new books and authors. Consider picking a weekly theme to explore and discover books about a certain topic, activity, or another culture. And, don’t forget to check out the audiobooks! **Serve** Summer is a wonderful time to intentionally move your focus to others. With less structure and more room, your schedule hopefully allows you to creatively reach out to those around you. Look for ways to involve your kids and develop a servant attitude in your children. Some ideas: help an elderly neighbor in their yard, make cookies for the local firefighters, or host a lemonade stand to raise money for a local cause. Check out this [28-Day Love Your Neighbor Challenge](https://alexandrakuykendall.com/) from author Alexandra Kuykendall. **Visit Local Parks and Museums** You may be surprised by the number of local parks and museums within a short drive from your home. A quick internet search can aid you in discovering these hidden gems. Pack a picnic and spend even an hour or two outside. The fresh air and vitamin D will do wonders for your soul! **Training** Summer is my favorite time for life training. This consists of jobs such as meal preparation, laundry, sewing, and garden work. Each day our children have chores that are preparing them for adult life and managing a home. Without the rush of school work and schedules, try investing time in training your kids in one or more of these areas. **Summer Goals** We’re not talking about sleeping in late and pool time here (though those are great #summergoals). Get together and decide on a few bigger ideas. Work together as a family on a big project. This could be a large puzzle or craft activity. Or, have a goal for the whole family to ride bikes on a local trail or hike 3 miles together. The kids may not be interested in biking or hiking when it’s super hot outside but if you make the activity part of a larger idea, they will get excited to work together and accomplish the goal. **Be Bored** Often parents fear their children getting bored during the summer months. In actuality, [boredom is good for children](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inviting-monkey-tea/201801/can-i-let-my-child-be-bored). It is in the boredom that imaginations grow, inventions are made, and children blossom. If your family is in need of an electronic cleanse, know that the transition will probably not be welcomed by the children in your home. But after a couple of days, you will discover much happier and healthier children. *Isn’t that what we all want from this summer?* ## Reading: The Best Screen-Free Boredom Buster! ![MSV Email 1400 x 700.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4i56dmUTPCwycm8n66Jg.jpg) We know that [reading](https://www.gominno.com/blog/books-to-read-aloud-with-your-kids-this-summer) build’s a child’s vocabulary and imagination, but [books can also help kids grow in faith](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-benefit-of-story-time-you-wont-find-on-an-academic-literacy-report) as well! Which is why we’ve spent the past 24 months developing fun, intentional books for kids of all ages. This summer, we released two brand new, highly-illustrated, middle-grade books based on the popular show [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog). If your kiddos love Diary of a Wimpy Kid and 13 Story Treehouse, they will love these books! Check out these stories plus picture books, board books, and more in the [store](https://shop.gominno.com/). . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How and Why to Teach Kids the Value of Responsibility](https://gominno.com/blog/how-and-why-to-teach-kids-the-value-of-responsibility/) **Published:** September 22, 2016 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bbnwfNRcShOtPqvAbiEZ.jpg) The next customer in my checkout line was buying mostly cleaning supplies. Had I not made small talk with her, our conversation would have been forgettable like many others. But, she confessed something to me that I think of often. She declared it was too much work to train her child to clean up after himself and help around their home. She said, *“It’s so much easier to do it myself”* and even as a teenager, I was shocked. Twenty-five years and four children later, my shock over her statement has turned to empathy. I get it. It is exhausting training children to be responsible. It’s so much easier to hover over my children and do the chores myself to meet my expectations. But each time I read verses like Proverbs 22:6 commanding me to train up my children, I am reminded that choosing the easy over the hard is disobedience. **My job as a parent is to impress upon my children a God who loves them** (Deuteronomy 6:7) **as well as to prepare their hearts to love God through obedience and in taking responsibility for the life he graciously gives.** ## **Teach your child how to be responsible and why it is important with these principles as a guide:** ### Train with the End in Mind One website defines responsibility as *“involving personal accountability or \[the\] ability to act without guidance….”* What kind of adult do you want your child to grow into? Take a moment to sit down with your spouse or a trusted friend to make a list of the characteristics you desire your children to have upon high school graduation. How would these characteristics be exhibited in a teenager? For example, if you desire the child as a teen to diligently remember to take out the trash each week, **what do you need to do now to develop these characteristics?** Also, lead by example and demonstrate to the child how to set reminders using a post-it note or smartphone. **Whatever the chore or goal, you are the best teacher he has to help him grow into a responsible adult.** ### All Are Responsible Thinking about the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:15 says *“to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.”* This verse is such a great reminder that while the amount of responsibility varied, responsibility was given to all. ### Responsibility According to Ability How easy it is to go to extremes: either giving the child responsibility above their ability or requiring no responsibility at all. Matthew 25:15 also reminds us that responsibility needs to match the child’s ability. Just as one wouldn’t ask a preschooler to do the dishes, only requiring a teenager to make their bed daily does not align responsibility with ability. Also, keep the child’s ability in mind before judging the effort. ### Teach Responsibility When Young **Teaching responsibility is best started at a very young age when children are willing to help and learn from mimicking.** Putting clothes in a hamper or picking up toys before getting out another can be a great place to begin. A solid foundation is built as the child learns to be responsible for what he owns and uses. (See a list of age appropriate chores [here](http://abcjesuslovesme.com/ideas/cooking-chore-ideas-3).) ### Training Comes First Before you can expect a child to perform a certain job, the child must be taught how to do the task. **Oftentimes when I am tempted to express frustration when a chore isn’t done properly, I realize that I haven’t taken the time to adequately train my child in the first place.** One example is a lumpy bed. I can’t expect a preschooler to pull up the sheet before the comforter if I have never taught them how to do this. ### **Gradually Increase Responsibility** By beginning to teach chores or duties when the child is young, you can also slowly add additional responsibilities. While a 2-year-old child is responsible for putting clothes in the laundry hamper, a 6-year-old may be responsible for folding and hanging up clothing. Then, a 12-year-old is responsible for sorting and filling the washer with dirty clothes and moving these to the dryer or clothesline. ### Consistency is Key Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Just as Paul compares the Christian life to a race (Hebrews 12:1-3), I believe parenting is a marathon as well. **Whether you use coins, candy, a sticker chart, or a high five to reward, consistency is the most important part of training a child.** While you probably won’t see immediate success, don’t give up! ### Responsibility Makes a Child Feel Needed I greatly respect the “Love and Logic” advice parenting expert Jim Fay shares on teaching responsibility. He says even kids need to feel needed and to know that they’re making a contribution, *“but they can’t feel that way if they don’t have chores and make contributions to the family.”* There is more to teaching responsibility than simply getting a job done. **Expressing how important a child’s contribution to the family is can go a long way to imparting the importance of responsibility.** ### When It’s Not Fair Oftentimes my children are not as eager to learn responsibility as I would like. Observing the expectations (or lack thereof) of their peers, I would be frustrated too. But we continually quote Colossians 3:23-24, *“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”* **Being responsible isn’t easy, but when we remember for whom we are working, it puts everything into perspective.** ### Shower with Praise The old saying, *”You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”* applies here. **Children thrive on praise so in teaching them responsibility, shower the child with honest praise.** Thinking back to that mom in my grocery store checkout line, I have no idea what came of her cleaning products or her son. But I do know that there will be a time when I am held responsible for what I have taught my children and I pray that making them responsible is something I have done well. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Creative Ideas to Serve Others as a Family this Fall](https://gominno.com/blog/creative-ideas-to-serve-others-as-a-family-this-fall/) **Published:** September 18, 2023 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![9/11 blog image](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224653/Pj13uEemT6tsiUZKCmjg-1.jpg) > ***Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)*** The [Fuller Youth Institute has performed extensive research on what makes faith “stick” for children](https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/stickyfaith/research) as they grow into young adults. Their findings include the importance of service and the role it plays in child and adolescent faith formation. It’s never too early or too late to add the [spiritual practice](https://www.gominno.com/parents/introduce-your-kids-to-spiritual-practices-with-our-newest-minno-life-guide/) of service to your family rhythm. Before the busyness of the holidays set in, early fall offers a wonderful time for your family to serve others. Here are a few ideas. **Do Yard Work** Whether it is raking up leaves, picking up limbs, or cleaning out flower beds, fall requires additional lawn work that can be difficult for elderly neighbors and single parents. What a blessing it is to do the tasks for those who are unable to do them. Even young children can assist in yard work. **Bake Up Some Pumpkin Love** Bake some pumpkin goodies for your neighbors, teachers, firefighters, or church workers. For additional child ownership, purchase a small pie pumpkin to clean out and make the puree. A child can color or write a note to attach to the food item as well. **Do a Little Fall Cleaning** Gather extra toys, outgrown clothing, and household items that you are no longer using. Share with organizations and shelters that provide items for those in need. **Send a Care Package** Put together a care package of treats and small toys for a missionary or military family, children who are sick in the hospital, or a child sponsored through [Samaritan’s Purse](https://www.samaritanspurse.org/). Allow everyone in your family an opportunity to choose appropriate items. **Share Encouragement** Gather construction paper and crayons to make cards for those who need some encouragement and for nursing home residents. **Plan a Playdate** Invite children over to play to provide couples with a date night, offer a single parent a break, or provide parents of a child with special needs a respite. **Deliver Flowers** Deliver flowers to a nursing home or hospital. **Paint Rocks** Paint rocks with messages of kindness, gratitude, and biblical truth. Leave these rocks at your local park, library, or trail system for people to find and be encouraged. **Care for the Birds** Cover pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed. Then hang the homemade bird feeders in your trees for the birds this winter. **Spread Some Video Love** Take time to Skype or Facetime those who need encouragement. This could be a missionary, someone in the hospital, or a long-distance family member. **Sponsor a Child** While it is a financial commitment, sponsoring a child through [Compassion](https://www.compassion.com/) is a way to open your child’s eyes to how children live in other parts of the word. Create cards, send letters, and share pictures with your sponsored child. It’s never too early to develop a servant’s heart in your children, open their eyes to the needs of those around them, and grow a heart of gratitude. Get out your calendar and plan to make some of these activities happen this fall, as you love and encourage those around you. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal --- ### [Celebrating Easter: Why Is the Resurrection of Jesus So Important?](https://gominno.com/blog/celebrating-easter-why-is-the-resurrection-of-jesus-so-important/) **Published:** April 16, 2019 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![Celebrating Easter- Why Is the Resurr...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nOuOx1XiRr6TdxUPbjJd.jpg) As the writer of[ curriculum for preschoolers](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com), I spend much of my time developing ideas to help adults share the Bible with children. In writing interactive stories and creating fun crafts, it is my goal for children to understand who God is and what God desires for them. At Easter the focus turns to the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. We use ideas like[ Resurrection Rolls](https://ouroutofsynclife.com/2010/03/resurrection-rolls.html) and the[ Wordless Book Cake](https://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/ideas/wordless-book) to lead children through the Passion Week. With just a little effort, children can repeat the who, what, and when of the Easter story. But at some point, the facts of the Easter story must lead children to the ask the questions of why. **Why did Jesus come to earth?** Author and Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan says that Jesus came to the earth in human form to “be God’s Word – His truth, His instruction, His will – in human flesh.” Children can learn about God through the miracles and teaching that Jesus did during His ministry. In these stories they learn God’s character and purpose, and how to love God and love others. **Why did Jesus have to die?** There is a belief in modern society that parents need to build children up and increase their self-esteem so that they do not *ever* feel badly about themselves. But the truth of the Gospel is that we have *all* sinned (Romans 3:23), deserve the punishment of death (Romans 6:23), and need a Savior (Matthew 1:21). God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to rescue us from our sins and to pay the penalty of death we all deserve. Romans 5:8 states, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Helping children understand the reason for the Easter story requires opening their eyes to the condition of their hearts. There is freedom in knowing that you will never be good enough to earn the work Jesus did on the cross, but salvation comes in acknowledging our need and surrendering our will. **Is the resurrection important?** The answer to this question is found in I Corinthians 15:17 (NLT). “If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.” When Jesus was resurrected, He demonstrated that death has no power over Him (Romans 6:9) and the punishment for sins was paid. Forgiveness of sins brought about by the resurrection allows our children to have a personal relationship with God. They no longer have to live in shame or guilt. They can live in hope. Hearing over and over the stories of Jesus will teach our children how to live. But even with their best efforts, our children will fall short of Jesus’ example. A moment of sin is an opportunity to share with them that forgiveness is available because Jesus died in our place and was buried and resurrected to conquer sin. And when we take the time to explain this, the Easter story will be transformed from a list of facts to the hope of salvation. . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Why Do We Celebrate Easter?](https://gominno.com/blog/why-do-we-celebrate-easter/) **Published:** April 3, 2020 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ***![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nzYcNQMATgeICCWydv7B.jpg)*** **Why** ***do we celebrate Easter?*** It seems like a simple question. We celebrate Easter because Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and three days later He arose from the dead. ***But why does this matter?*** When we reflect on the significance of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection we allow God to mature our faith and deepen our understanding of His love and care for His people. Here are some verses that explain the reasons that Christians celebrate Easter. ***Why did Jesus have to die?*** We have *all* sinned (Romans 3:23), deserve the consequences for our sin (Romans 6:23), and need a Savior (Matthew 1:21). God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to rescue us from our sins and to pay the penalty of death we all deserve. Romans 5:8 states, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ***Why is the resurrection important?*** The answer to this question is found in I Corinthians 15:17 (NLT). “If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.” When Jesus was resurrected, He demonstrated that death had no power over Him (Romans 6:9) and the punishment for sin was paid. Forgiveness of sins brought about by the resurrection allows us to have a personal relationship with God. We no longer have to live in shame or guilt. We can live in hope. **And this is something to celebrate.** Easter is just one opportunity for Christians to celebrate in unity the joy and hope we have because of our resurrected Jesus. Philippians 2:8-11 (NIV) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father . . . . . . . . . . ![WhyEaster-3D-store.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Cq1uneVRTw6a2w7sVXZc.jpg) Teach your little ones why we celebrate Easter with Clive and Ian in our newest board book, [Why Easter?](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/why-easter) . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [5 Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/5-fun-thanksgiving-activities-for-kids/) **Published:** November 9, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fJg98XKDSqKv6rj88laG.jpg) > Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to focus on this commandment. But for the past few months, God has been teaching me to grow beyond just thanking God each November. **When thanksgiving becomes a way of life, our entire lives will be changed.** Instead of being ruled by our circumstances, we begin seeing God as Sovereign Lord, a provider, and a protector. Here are a few fun ideas to help your family and mine begin this life changing process. **1. Memorize Psalm 100** According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrims_%28Plymouth_Colony%29), the Pilgrims sighted land on November 9, 1620. *“The passengers who had endured miserable conditions for about sixty-five days were led by William Brewster in Psalm 100 as a prayer of thanksgiving.”* What better way to begin your Thanksgiving celebration than reciting this Psalm together as a family. Make it a goal to memorize these five verses for the month of November. To help preschoolers, I’ve created a [Thanksgiving Activity Workbook](http://www.ouroutofsynclife.com/2016/10/ThanksgivingActivityWorkbook.html) that includes motions and a storyboard. **2. Play Letters of Thanksgiving** On the dining room table place a basket of magnetic refrigerator letters for the kids to pick a letter at meal time and tell you one thing they are thankful for that begins with that letter. Write the ideas down to create an alphabetized list and post each on the refrigerator. **3. Make a Thanksgiving Paper Chain** Instruct each person to write on a paper chain link something for which they are thankful. See how long you can make your chain. For younger children, pre-make the chain and have the child tear off a link each day. **4. Create a Thanksgiving Tree** On a wall, door, or bulletin board create the outline of a tree. Cut leaves to add to the tree. Every evening encourage each person to say one thing for which they are thankful. Write it on a leaf and add it to the tree. Printable included in the [ABCJesusLovesMe Thanksgiving Activity Workbook](http://www.ouroutofsynclife.com/2016/10/ThanksgivingActivityWorkbook.html) **5. Give a Basket of Thanks** Prepare a basket of goodies for people for whom you are thankful. This could be a teacher, neighbor, pastor, or other community helper. Include a note of thanks. Involve the child by allowing him or her to decorate the card and basket. It’s been said that if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit. Praising God, giving thanks, and sharing with others for the month of November is a great way to begin a new Godly habit! . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Activities, Thanksgiving --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About God's Word?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-gods-word/) **Published:** January 24, 2020 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/uspeWYMqRIG0WzWBvUqr.jpg) As Christians, we believe that the Bible is God’s Word. And we know that God’s Word is the Bible. *But does the Bible ever explain what God’s word is?* One of my favorite answers to this question is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. It says, > All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Let’s take a closer look at this verse so that we can go deeper in our understanding of God’s Word. #### What Does the Bible Say About God’s Word? **All Scripture is God-breathed . . .** All 66 books of the Bible were written by men, but each word was inspired by God. Scripture is from God, about God, put down on paper by men. We can trust God’s Word because it contains His words to us. **. . . useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness . . .** Even though it was written thousands of years ago, the Bible is still useful to believers. Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, “\[The Bible\] is of use to all, for we all need to be instructed, corrected, and reproved.” No one is too good for God’s Word and there will never be a time when we outgrow the Bible. **. . . so that** **the servant of God . . .** Paul begins many of his writings by introducing himself as a servant of God. But, Paul isn’t alone. We are all called to serve God with our time, talents, and choices. Thus, the Bible is for all of us. Believers live out their faith and the instructions He gives us in His Word by serving others as an outward expression of our love for Christ. **. . . may be thoroughly equipped . . .** When I think of the word “equipped,” I envision myself having what I need to do the task at hand. “Thoroughly” reminds us that we are not living life with partial or broken equipment. Through the Bible, we have all we need to do what God has asked us to do. **. . . for every good work.** The Bible is provided for us to do the work God has placed before us to bring Him glory. It will guide us with each step we take. “Every” reminds us that there is no situation that is out of God’s sovereignty. We can trust that spending time in His Word will prepare us to live out our faith, that is, the good work. What a precious reminder that the traditional song sung in millions of Sunday School classrooms around the world still rings true. *The B-I-B-L-E Yes, that’s the book for me I stand alone on the Word of God The B-I-B-L-E Bible!* . . . . . Heidi Franz is a devoted wife, momma of four, and the creative force behind [ABCJesusLovesMe.com](http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/), a popular Preschool Bible Curriculum website. Passionate about teaching the truths of the Bible, she shares her wisdom and experiences on her blog and podcast at [ParentingtoImpress.com](http://www.parentingtoimpress.com/). Heidi enjoys peanut M&M’s, laughing with her family, and having honest conversations. With a deep desire to encourage and empower, she connects with others through speaking engagements and social media. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Minno Family Summer Games Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-summer-family-games-activity-pack/) **Published:** July 5, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OcM3ArHhTyebH1wt6eJX.jpg) The Summer Olympics are back and to celebrate we’ve created the [Minno Family Summer Games](https://shop.gominno.com/products/family-summer-games-pack)! We want to help your family take a break from all of the stress that’s come with the season just been through and thoughts about going [back-to-school](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-back-to-school-bible-verses). Download and print our [Minno Family Summer Games Pack](https://shop.gominno.com/products/family-summer-games-pack) to plan your own “Olympics”, at home! Compete in popular events such as Cookie Face, Nose Dive, and Blindfolded Bowling and see who takes the GOLD in each event! The [Minno Family Summer Games](https://shop.gominno.com/products/family-summer-games-pack) officially start this weekend but you can create your own schedule! Here’s a list of the fun events you can plan and participate in as you play along at home. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/17153620/Minno-Summer-Family-Games.png "Minno Summer Family Games - Minno Kids") #### Minno Family Summer Games Events Day 1 – Opening Ceremony Day 2 – Cookie Face Day 3 – Human Ring Toss Day 4 – Go Fish! Day 5 – Bubble Drop Day 6 – Penny Stack Day 7 – Crab Walk Race Day 8 – Cup Stack Day 9 – Potato Roll Day 10 – Keep it Up Day 11 – Pasta Pick Up Day 12 – Wrap It Up Day 13 – Three-Legged Race Day 14 – Nose Dive Day 15 – Blindfolded Bowling Day 16 – Bible Balance Day 17 – Closing Ceremony The [Minno Family Summer Games Pack](https://shop.gominno.com/products/family-summer-games-pack) is centered around Hebrews 12:1-2 and includes: - Customizable Games Schedule - Game Instructions - Event Scorecards - Event Scoreboard - Coloring Sheets - Family Discussion Guide . . . . . . . . . . *Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT* *. . . . . . . . . .* Use and follow the hashtag **\#MinnoFamilyFun** to share your family games photos on Facebook and Instagram and check in with other Minno families! . . . . . . . . . . Watch these great shows about sports, tenacity, and perseverance on Minno to spark conversations that matter as you host your own Summer Family Games: [Fruit of the Fitness](https://www.gominno.com/series/fruit-of-the-fitness) [One-Minute Sports Clinic](https://www.gominno.com/series/one-minute-sports-clinic) [Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat) [Hoop Dogz](https://www.gominno.com/series/hoop-dogz) If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Activity Packs, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Fun, Games, Printables, Summer --- ### [Back-to-School Time Capsule Activity Kit](https://gominno.com/blog/back-to-school-time-capsule-activity-kit/) **Published:** August 5, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Human behavior - Education](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/human-behavior-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") It’s that time of year again—time to head back to school! You may be looking forward to school with lots of excitement, or you may be a little less than thrilled about the idea of backpacks, schoolwork, and school lunches . . . not to mention, wondering what school will look like this year. All of those feelings are completely normal! No matter how you are feeling, though, don’t forget that God will be with you every minute of every day and He wants to use YOU to love and serve others—right now, right where you are! *Speaking of where you are . . . have you ever created a time capsule?* You probably remember that a time capsule is a container that holds a bunch of objects that represent a specific point in time. People usually create a time capsule, bury it, then dig it up years later as a reminder of the past. *Do you want to create your own family time capsule to celebrate the start of a new school year?* You can bury it or hide it away then revisit it again at the end of the school year! Create your own family time capsule to celebrate the start of a new school year! Download this [fun Minno activity kit](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-life-back-to-school-time-capsule-activity-kit) and start a new tradition as a family. Download your kit and get started! - Read the family discussion guide together to learn about the story of brave Queen Esther - Think about ways God can use YOU—right now, right where you are. - Complete the time capsule questionnaire to record your thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams for this new school year. - Write a letter to yourself that you can read at the end of the year to reflect back on how far you’ve come! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/23193615/Time-Capsule.png "Time Capsule - Minno Kids") Download our [back-to-school Time Capsule Activity Kit](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-life-back-to-school-time-capsule-activity-kit) for a fun way to commemorate the new year, these back-to-school memory verses, family discussion guide, and more! **Categories:** Activity Packs, Education, Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Back-to-School, Family Devotions, Family Fun --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About the Election](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-election-year/) **Published:** October 28, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DdUS8P3DQ8ip1mIKaxwR.jpg) Kids may hear a lot of different points of view during an election year and as a Christian parent, we can help them filter everything that hits their young ears. Our job is not only to teach our kids Bible stories and theology but to also teach them how to look at everything, [politics](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-presidential-election-with-dr-russell-moore) included, through the lens of a Christian worldview. Politics brings about tension-filled conversations no matter where you stand with issues and candidates. And we cannot be surprised at this reality. As long as we’re living in this yet-to-be-redeemed world, we will feel the discomfort of its brokenness. Our responsibility as Christian parents is to help our kids navigate between the now and the not yet with their eyes fixed on Jesus and their hearts always learning what it means to follow Him. > ***I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT*** In First Timothy 2, Paul urges us to pray for all who are in authority so that we may live peaceful lives marked by godliness and dignity. Growing those two character traits in our families can be powerful force for good in the midst of an election year. **No matter what everyone else out there is saying, we *can* control what is said in our own homes.** We can set the tone for how our kids think and talk about politics in our society. We can help them shine the light of Christ into the world—every day, and especially, during this season. *When your kids come home repeating what they heard on the playground about which presidential candidate their friend’s parents are voting for and all the reasons they think the other one is a horrible choice, what will you say?* Here are a few ideas on how to guide a faith-informed, hope-filled conversation about the Presidential election. # **How To Talk To Your Kids About the Presidential Election** #### **Always Speak with Respect and Grace** We all have our opinions, some of us very strong ones. We have to remember that our kids will model not only what we say but how we say it. I have heard my 5-year-old parrot back exactly what I said about a particular candidate in *exactly* the same tone of voice I used . . . and I was ***mortified***. I not only had no idea he was listening, but I also had no idea that I sounded that way. As the song goes, “Be careful, little mouth, what you say.” As believers, no matter what you think about a particular candidate’s platform or their character, there is no reason to speak of them with any less respect than you would any other child of God. The world speaks in snide comments, sound bites, and [gossip](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-gossip). **A follower of Christ speaks the truth in love, seasoned liberally with grace (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:6). About everyone.** #### **Explain the Process** To the best of your ability, explain to your kids how our government works and why things can get so heated during an election year. Explain why we have the right and the responsibility to vote, but that we have to be wise about filtering the information we receive through the media. Be honest with them about mud-slinging and why elections can get so cruel. If you try to hide it from them, they will only hear about it through friends, at school, or see it on TV or social media. **So instead of avoiding it, help them learn to analyze it. Help them to see that we can stay above the fray and focus on the issues instead of the drama.** #### **Talk About Values** Instead of focusing on a particular candidate or party, talk to your kids about the issues and how your values affect the way that you vote. Instead of just giving them “the party line,” really talk through each issue with them, on their level. Ask them questions and help guide them through thinking critically for themselves what Jesus would do in each one of these situations. Be sure to look at all angles of an issue in your family discussions. **You will be surprised at how your kids and their pure perspective may help YOU filter through the sound bites and drama to see the issues more clearly.** #### **Value People over Politics** I don’t know about you, but the last election cycle had a lot of my family and friends not even speaking to each other. I even overheard my 9-year-old son’s best friend telling him that “our families are ‘political enemies’” because his parents had told him we voted differently than they did. Even though I wasn’t supposed to be listening to that conversation, I broke right in and said, “Isn’t that great, though? That we can disagree about politics, but still *love* each other so much?” That immediately diffused a really awkward situation for my son. **In a world that is so divided, it is more important than ever to teach our kids to show the unconditional love of Christ to everyone around them. It is even more important to model that love for them.** #### **Value God’s Kingdom Above All** I’m thankful to live in a country where I have the right to vote, and I believe it is important for all Americans to take that responsibility seriously. I want to make as educated a decision as possible when I step up to that ballot box. However, my greatest allegiance is to the kingdom of God. I am a citizen of heaven first and an American second. The best news I can tell my kids during an election cycle is that no matter who is elected president, senator, governor, or mayor, God is still on the [throne](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-jesus-messiah-teacher-king-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan). God is in control and He raises up kings and presidents and governments and He tears them down according to His grand plan (Daniel 2:21). If the person that you thought was best or even most godly didn’t win, that doesn’t mean God is no longer in control. God used pagan kings like Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus to accomplish His will. **God can use anyone.** The world seems to be so “Chicken Little” about everything when it comes to politics. No matter who you voted for, what party you’re in, what issues you’re passionate about, the sky seems to be falling all the time. When we put our hope in a political figure, political movement, or even a set of policies, we are bound to be disappointed when our candidate loses or the bill we thought was going to change the world didn’t pass. If we put our hope and our trust in the kingdom of God, we will never be disappointed. #### **Pray for the Whole Process Together** Yes, it is important that we vote, but the most influential and powerful thing we can do as Christians is to pray. The Bible even commands that we pray for our political leaders (1 Timothy 2:2). We can also pray for the whole election process, that people would be kind, listen to each other, and respect each other. **We can pray that our family would be a light for Christ in the process and that God’s will would ultimately be done.** Talking to our kids about the election can be a character-building experience for them . . . and for us. Having to explain it to our children may actually help us understand it all even better. Try not to shy away from talking to your kids about the election. Use your family dinner discussions or even some of your family devotional time to talk openly about your family’s values and why you vote the way you do. Let your kids ask questions and help them learn to wrestle with the issues for themselves. **Any time we help our kids think critically for themselves from a Christian perspective, whether that be with politics, business, economics, or any other subject, we are raising up a generation of believers who will understand how to not only live in the world for Jesus but** ***change the world* for Jesus.** **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting, Politics --- ### [Helping Your Kids Start Their Day with Jesus](https://gominno.com/blog/helping-your-kids-start-their-day-with-jesus/) **Published:** August 23, 2018 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ipjHtnp1RsGLI9HxlAAs.jpg) My four boys are spread out from age seventeen, down to six. It kind of blows my mind to realize that this year I am homeschooling one in his first year of grade school, and one in his last year of high school! And though there are many wonderful things about having four kids spread over ten-plus years, one of my favorites is that my older boys inspire me to train the youngest well. To not grow weary. To press on. Of course I had a lot more energy and focus when my first three were little, and I’m the first to confess my youngest hasn’t received quite the same attention that my first three did. I’m busier now doing things I wasn’t doing then, and also: he’s got three big brothers to help! I depend on them to help raise him in many ways. (and I’m so glad for that!) Yet, I am often reminded that as his mom, I must keep focusing in on this little guy’s heart. I know that it matters, because I see it every single day in my older boys… When I wake up to find my seventeen year old sitting out on the deck reading his Bible…not because anyone told him to, but because he wants to…I remember that the habit of daily devotions began snuggled up with me when he was just a little boy. When I hear my middle son encourage his brother, quoting from the Word of God, I recall his daddy teaching him those very verses, when he was just a preschooler. When I hear my third son pray for his unsaved friends, I know that the seeds that were planted years ago are bearing fruit. Those early years really, REALLY matter. So as I sip my coffee and finish my own morning devotions, my youngest comes out of his room to join me. Wiping sleep from his eyes, (here in Hawaii we call that makapiapia –if you’d like a fun new Hawaiian word to share with your family! :)) the little guy curls up next to me. His soft, blond hair is irresistible against my arm, and I hold him close. Yet, I have writing to do, and a busy day ahead. So for a moment I nearly hop up, suggesting his brothers get him breakfast, so that I sneak away to to get some work done. But I think twice then, knowing (like, first hand knowing!) that these years are so short. The work can wait. This moment matters. Then I grab his devotional, and together we look at God’s Word. I review the verse we learned yesterday: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) At first he just stares at it, too sleepy to respond. Then I talk about what it is to be a neighbor, and how can we love our neighbors? And soon he is sitting up a bit, telling me about the boy he met at soccer, who “definitely needs to know Jesus” and we stop to pray for that boy. Then I read the verse again, and this time I hear my son’s soft morning voice join me. That was only five minutes, yet it was everything. Because a daily habit like starting the day with Jesus can last a lifetime. And yes our day will get busy, and no I won’t parent him just like I did his brothers, but I do know that God’s Word is beginning to be hidden in that little six-year-old heart. And that gives me hope that one day I might find him in the early morning hours spending time alone with Jesus. Because it is a part of who he is. Looking for devotionals to share with your kiddo? The Minno [5 Minute Family Devotional Plan Laugh and Grow Bible: Who is Jesus?](https://kids.gominno.com/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus--5-minute-family-devotional) will help you walk your kids through the life of Jesus with short video clips, weekly memory verses, discussions questions, and daily activities! Also check out these 5 ideas for [grow your kid’s faith in 5 minutes a day](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-grow-your-kids-faith-in-5-minutes). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Laugh and Grow Bible **Tags:** 5MFD, Family Devotions, Who is Jesus? --- ### [Journey through the Old Testament with Minno Church at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/old-testament-minno-church-at-home/) **Published:** July 28, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kui7kM7zQaH1gFQwtf6p.jpg) The latest series of our [Free Church at Home resource](http://minnochurchathome.com) for families launches this week with the story of Creation. Over the next seven weeks, we’ll journey through the Old Testament, learning about heroes such as Noah, Moses, Joshua, David, and Daniel while covering important topics such as trust, strength, victory, and obedience. Gather together as a family and watch this 20-30 minute program featuring worship, a Bible verse, and stories to learn about faith and just have fun, too! Download the [Church at Home Old Testament Family Discussion Cards and Activities Pack](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-Old-Testament-CAH-Family-Discussion-Guide.pdf) to take the fun and conversations off-screen throughout the week. #### **Minno Church at Home Old Testament Scope and Sequence** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/17154631/2021-Old-Testament-CAH-Scope-and-Sequence.jpg "2021 Old Testament CAH Scope and Sequence - Minno Kids") **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home **Tags:** Church at Home, Old Testament --- ### [Love Your Neighbor: Family Resources on Racial Injustice](https://gominno.com/blog/family-resources-on-racial-injustice/) **Published:** June 11, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224306/n064XOmqRgSQAHpXhmJ8-1-1024x579.jpg "Love Your Neighbor - Minno Kids") > **“And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 (ESV)** At Minno, we believe we are to be actively engaged in bringing God’s goodness and love to our families, communities, and to the broader world. Racism and other similar injustices are arrayed against God’s best for us as His image-bearers. Our hearts are heavy as we think about the racial injustice that continues to be present in our country. We’ve been asking ourselves, *“How would we feel and respond if this same injustice happened to someone we know personally and love deeply?”* And yet, God commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves—those we know and those we don’t. > **“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 (NIV)** As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends, we have been challenged in how best to address recent injustices and advocate for God’s Kingdom in our families. Below, we have some resources to help you and your family have conversations about racism and what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself”. > **“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)** While we often think about love in relation to individuals and each other, we believe God calls us to think about what it means to have institutions and organizations that lay “loving others as ourselves” as a foundation and hold being good neighbors as a goal. You may feel sad and overwhelmed raising kids in today’s culture. But the truth is: your children have been created ***for such a time as this***. (Esther 4:4) You have been given the divine assignment of raising them, but you don’t have to do it alone. As you pray and seek God for wisdom and the right words to lead your kids today, He will meet you right where you are. We want to walk alongside you as you seek God in how to raise kids who love their neighbors (both near and far) as themselves. We hope these resources are helpful and can serve as a guide to addressing systemic evil that exists in our society and how the Gospel can serve as a beacon for hope and change in all areas of our lives. #### **Resources to Help Lead Your Family in Response to Racism and Injustice** Listen in to the full episode of this beautiful and helpful [conversation between Dr. Chinwé Williams, Sissy Goff, and David Thomas on the Raising Boys and Girls podcast](https://www.gominno.com/parents/dr-chinwe-williams-talking-to-kids-about-race/): **A Helpful Message on Race and Racism** > “We have wandered away from a value system that was established by God for how human beings were to live and act and relate to one another. Across racial and class lines we have come up with our own standards and it has not done us good.” Dr. Tony Evans Listen in as [Dr. Tony Evans speaks from his heart about social injustice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7y4RD43vKA) **Articles on Talking to Kids About Racism** Family Life:[ Before I Talk to My Kids About Another Black Man’s Death](https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/life-issues/challenges/cultural-issues/george-floyd-before-i-talk-to-my-kids-about-another-black-mans-death/) Common Sense Media:[ How to Talk with Kids About Racism and Racial Violence](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-to-talk-with-kids-about-racism-and-racial-violence) Common Sense Media:[ Resources about Race and Racism](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/common-sense-media-resources-about-race-and-racism) **Black Christian Voices to Follow** [Morgan Harper Nichols](https://www.instagram.com/morganharpernichols/) – artist, poet, podcaster [Dr. Tony Evans](https://www.instagram.com/drtonyevans/) – pastor and author [Dr. Chinwe Williams](https://www.instagram.com/dr.chinwewilliams/) – psychologist, speaker, and author [Jo Saxton](https://www.instagram.com/josaxton/) – author, speaker, leadership coach, and mom [Dorena Williamson](https://www.instagram.com/dorenawilliamson/) – children’s book author, pastor’s wife, and mom [Carlos Whittaker](https://www.instagram.com/loswhit/) – author, storyteller, and dad **Kids Books to Spark Conversations** [Coretta Scott King Book Award Winner List](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/coretta-scott-king-book-award-winners) Find more helpful books in the [show notes of our podcast episode with Dr. Chinwé Williams](https://www.gominno.com/parents/dr-chinwe-williams-talking-to-kids-about-race/). At Minno, we are praying for our families, communities, and the broader world working toward a better future. We will stand together, with our children by our side, and with the hope and trust in the healing power of Jesus. . . . . . . . . . . **A Prayer for Parents** from [Liturgies for Parents](http://instagram.com/liturgiesforparents) Compassionate God, We ache With every headline and Tweet And we wonder *What kind of world are we giving our children?* Merciful God, We lament With every hashtag and video And we wonder *How do we raise children in these times?* Righteous God, We grieve With every heartache and loss And we wonder *Who will our children see their parents be?* In Your compassion, mercy, and righteousness Lead us to cultivate peace And create a more beautiful world with and for our children We pray this in Jesus Christ, our Lord. **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting --- ### [Let Them Be Bored: How to Help Your Kids Benefit from Boredom](https://gominno.com/blog/let-them-be-bored/) **Published:** July 13, 2021 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/17154130/Let-Them-Be-Bored-1024x579.jpg "Let Them Be Bored - Minno Kids") Every now and then, I reminisce about Trash Can Basketball. *Have you played?* My cousin, Brock, made it up one summer when our parents were busy battling it out in an extended-family Canasta tournament and we kids were left to entertain ourselves. Here’s how it goes: Find yourself an empty bedroom with an empty trashcan and a bunch of bored cousins. Crumble up sheets of paper into balls. Try to ring the trashcan from impossible locations across the room. Maybe you toss one over the dresser. Maybe you do a trick shot as you hop on the bed. Maybe you stand in the hallway and peer your head around the doorway to take aim. *Toys? Parents? Plans? Who needs ‘em?* Like basically every child of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, we knew what to do when the going got boring. But today’s kids aren’t so adept. They have more stuff—toys, entertainment, distractions—and fewer opportunities to practice the art of being bored. #### **The Pain of Boredom is Real** *Hands up if hearing your kid say, “I’m bored!” makes you wanna say, “When I was growing up . . .” as you launch into a story about how you used to spend hours entertaining yourself at the fabric store? Just me?* Still, they’re onto something. Science tells us that boredom is a [legitimate emotional signal](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202004/5-benefits-boredom), a warning that something isn’t right and needs correction. Unfortunately, because adults and kids alike often take the path of least resistance, we tend to stifle this signal by quickly offering things like food, phones, or TV. *But what if we could teach our kids to recognize boredom as a helpful heads-up? What if we could encourage them to embrace boredom? To make the most of those painful moments?* #### **3 Big Benefits of Boredom** Boredom is a beautiful thing. Here’s why: **Boredom Fuels Creativity** A study from 2018 found that [boredom is key to a wandering, creative mind](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202004/5-benefits-boredom). By resisting the urge to provide constant entertainment for our kids, we instead offer them space to think. It’s in these moments that our children tap into all kinds of ideas—both silly and serious. **Boredom Helps to Develop Crucial Life Skills** *Remember the very real (albeit minor) pain scientists attribute to boredom?* When a child sits with this uncomfortable feeling, looks for a solution, and finds her way to the other side, [she builds a sense of self-control and resilience](https://childmind.org/article/the-benefits-of-boredom/) that will serve her well for years to come. **Boredom Encourages Kids to Take Charge of Their Own Destiny** A kid sitting on the floor of his bedroom with nothing to do has a choice: he can continue to do nothing or he can take a small step toward doing something. Boredom shows children that, within reason, they’re plenty capable of planning for and achieving the life they want. #### **5 Easy Ways to Help Kids Embrace Boredom** Give your kids a crash course in the benefits of boredom by setting them up for success. - **Make time for togetherness.** *Want to avoid having your bored kid follow you around like a little puppy later?* Be proactive now. Look for pockets of time—5 minutes here, 10 minutes there—when you can [spend time together](https://www.gominno.com/parents/use-play-time-to-help-kids-build-faith/). - **Start a magical moment.** Set out some magnatiles and a couple of dolls or action figures. Wind Hotwheel cars around the doorway and into the hall. Stack paper and markers on the kitchen table. Leave a box of brownie mix on the counter. Say nothing. - **Brainstorm a boredom-buster list.** Sit down with your kids and say, “Sometimes you’re gonna feel bored. That’s life. Let’s make a list of ideas for what you can do.” Display the list in a prominent place and use The Power of The Point whenever you sense boredom creeping in. - **Pair reading with a snack.** Fill a pantry bin or cabinet drawer with special snacks–granola bars, gummy bears, chocolate, chips or crackers–and say, “Sometimes when I’m bored I like to read and have a little treat. Feel free to grab a treat out of this bin whenever you snuggle in for time with a book.” - **Set big goals with small steps.** [Ask your kid what they’d like to accomplish](https://theparentcue.org/when-it-comes-to-kids-and-commitment-show-dont-tell/). Maybe your son wants to learn to tie his shoes. Maybe your daughter hopes to master the Rubix cube. Perhaps one of your kiddos wants to play guitar, run a mile or start a business. Write out a list of teeny-tiny steps toward the end goal. Boredom with a purpose! In the meantime, make sure you give yourself space to get good and bored too. **Categories:** Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Parenting, Summer --- ### [Minno Father's Day Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-fathers-day-activity-pack/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/5MIhZdLAQFaF9KTuJEEG.jpg "- Minno Kids") It’s that time of year when we get to honor the dads in our lives! We’ve put together a super cool Father’s Day Fun Pack and an exciting giveaway to help you do just that. Download the [Father’s Day Fun Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/MDtzNeJQQEONfWTGRKZf) and create a special note, card, and “costume” to honor the men in your family. Whether he dons a tie, a beard, or a ball cap (or all three!) you can celebrate the wonderfully unique guy you get to call “Dad” or “Grandpa”! ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SaPqt6Q4TL2ZLbtWz5R8.jpg "- Minno Kids") Download your [Father’s Day Fun Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/MDtzNeJQQEONfWTGRKZf). . . . . . . . . . . From our Minno family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day honoring the godly men in your life. For those of you struggling through this season because of disappointment and loss, we are praying that your Heavenly Father would come and comfort you with His love. **Categories:** Activity Packs, Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Activity Packs, Father's Day --- ### [Minno Family Staycation Guide](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-family-staycation-guide/) **Published:** June 21, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/13183337/Minno-Family-Staycation-Guide-1024x578.png "Minno Family Staycation Guide - Minno Kids") Well, it’s official! Summer is here, and for many families, a vacation sounds like the perfect break after a year-long lockdown. However, after the plane tickets, food costs, hotel stays, and transportation, a family getaway can easily turn into a very expensive excursion. Enter staycations! Last year as the pandemic halted travel, many families looked to staycations as a way to enjoy a vacation without travel. This year for your staycation, take Minno along with you! With a wide variety of fun and entertaining content, we’ve got something for every family member! #### **Minno Family Staycation Guide: [Shows](https://www.gominno.com/category/new-on-minno/new-shows/)** One of the many benefits of a staycation is avoiding the hustle and bustle of travel. You can put your feet up with your family instead of rushing through the airport, and even catch some of [our favorite Minno shows](https://www.gominno.com/category/new-on-minno/new-shows/)! With memorable characters and storylines that tie faith and fun together, [these shows](https://www.gominno.com/category/new-on-minno/new-shows/) will be a welcome addition to your staycation TV lineup! #### **Minno Family Staycation Guide: [Activities](https://www.gominno.com/category/fun-for-kids/activity-packs/)** Set the screen aside and spend some with the family working on interactive and engaging activities! Check out our [Minno Family Summer Games](https://www.gominno.com/parents/minno-summer-family-games-activity-pack/) activity pack, [Bible memory verse games](https://www.gominno.com/parents/pool-noodle-bible-memory-verse-activity/), or visit local sites as you learn Bible stories with our [Minno Wow and Wonder Summer Scrapbook](https://www.gominno.com/parents/minno-wow-wonder-summer-activity-scrapbook/). Find all of our downloadable activity packs [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/category/fun-for-kids/activity-packs/)! #### **Minno Family Staycation Guide: [Podcast](https://www.gominno.com/category/kids-parenting/podcast/)** Busy parents consume content in a variety of ways and Podcasts are quickly becoming one of the top forms of communication to moms and dads. The name Minno reflects the abiding life that Jesus calls us to live in John 15. Minno Life, and with it, the [Raising Boys and Girls podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369), helps families live connected—to each other, to God, and to intentional wisdom that will help them thrive. The team at Daystar Counseling Ministries are highly-respected voices with over 75 years of collected experience with kids and families. Why not spend some of your downtime filling yourself UP with hope and help from this team of incredible child development and faith formation experts?! *Looking for podcasts your kids can listen to while on a staycation?* Check out this list of our [favorite podcasts for kids](https://www.gominno.com/parents/best-christian-podcasts-for-kids/)! #### **Minno Family Staycation Guide: [Books](https://shop.gominno.com/)** From Bibles to board books to parent guides, Minno has something for each member of your family to read and enjoy while on staycation. Here are some of our favorites: [The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) (use it with the Wow and Wonder Scrapbook mentioned above!) [The Laugh and Grow Bible for Little Ones](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-little-ones) [Clive and Ian Board Books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [Buck Denver and Friends Picture Books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/picture-books) [Micah’s Super Vlog Chapter Book Series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) [Minno LifeGuides](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides) (for parents) . . . . . . . . . . No matter how you staycation this summer, bring Minno along for the ride! *Looking for more family fun ideas for your staycation or just to add to your summer bucket list?* Try these [ideas for faith-filled family nights](https://www.gominno.com/parents/ideas-for-fun-faith-filled-family-nights/)! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Minno Family Fun, Staycation, Summer --- ### [Making The Most Of Your Time In The Car With Your Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/making-the-most-of-your-time-in-the-car-with-your-kids/) **Published:** May 18, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13182811/Making-The-Most-Of-Your-Time-In-The-Car-With-Your-Kids-1024x576.png "Making The Most Of Your Time In The Car With Your Kids - Minno Kids") I never really valued time until I had babies. All of a sudden time mattered. At first it was subtle. Sleep was lacking and the little pockets of time I could find to afford myself a bit of a reprieve were a gift. As my babies grew, special moments with them were cherished and seasons of teething, discipline and struggles were prayed over until they passed. As a working mom, I began to strategize time. I crafted opportunities to make the most of every minute and be absolutely present when I was in my mom-mode. One of the moments I found to be special were our morning and afternoon car rides. While my attention is on driving, my kids are literally strapped in and it gives me a chance to be creative in our interactions. Here are some of the ways, I emphasized these moments together … - The Talk. You might be amazed at what kinds of conversations we have on our morning drives! Our boys have started to get used to the 30 minutes or more in the car each way and it’s natural for us to talk about random things. I love hearing their hearts about anything from their current friends to what they are excited to eat for lunch that day. If the chatter simmers down, and I see them wandering off out the window, I often ask them questions that require more than a yes or a no – like … “What are you thinking about?” “What do you see?” “What’s on your heart?” … It has become especially fun to take a listening role and hear their answers. This has become a cherished time for me. I am always amazed at what I find out about our kids once I get them talking! - The Music. My husband and I share a love of music and even before we had kids we discussed what songs and genres were influential to us. We began early playing our music in the car with them early on in hopes that the songs that mattered to us would intuitively begin to matter to them. As our boys have grown, we have started to ask them to share what they like with us as well. We take turns sharing control of the radio. It’s an opportunity to be cross-generational. Also, our kids see us valuing their tastes even from an early age. Dance parties are also a highlight and it’s a good time to show your kids a lighthearted, fun side of your personality. - Toys and Books. I don’t limit much of what they bring into the car because it’s a great time for them to be screen free and play! I will admit to allowing them to bring anything from playsets to remote control planes. While I can’t read to my boys when I’m driving, we recently discovered books on CD and they love it. They can listen and turn the page when it chimes! We keep a small box of books on cd in the back seat and it’s been a big hit! - Faith. Certainly, teachable moments present themselves in different ways, but I have found that in the car, our boys a bit less distracted and it provides us with opportunities to have meaningful conversations about our family’s faith. In addition to sharing what we believe, this year we started memorizing verses with our boys. We started with simple verses that speak of God’s faithfulness and love. We found that from memorization comes questions and it provides another avenue to engage in conversation about the truths found in God’s Word. - Finally, the Drop Offs. Our morning time is so special to me. While I use that time to make sure they brush their teeth and their book bags are packed, it’ even more important that I have the chance to talk with them in the car about their day before it begins. It’s our routine to discuss the things they are excited and nervous about, who they hope to see that day, and what types of good choices they can make. Granted, it’s not always easy to glean this information from them, but starting it early and making it normal to be open about these things keeps the dialogue open. It does my momma heart good to watch them walk in each day and see how their confidence and demeanor changes from the beginning of the year to the end. Probably my favorite thing about that time is the opportunity to be intentional about praying over them as they walk through the doorway. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Ff1fPE6bQiukrPgOpPG6/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) Hopefully some of these ideas will be encouraging to you and may help spark some creativity in even the simplest of moments with your kids. In such a fast moving, ever changing culture, social media and advertisements are readily available and are constantly battling for your child’s attention. Making the most of the moments we have to pour into our kids and influence them are so important. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Love Your Neighbor: 4 Easy Ways to Help Your Kids Follow Jesus’ Greatest Commandment](https://gominno.com/blog/love-your-neighbor-4-easy-ways-to-help-your-kids-follow-jesus-greatest-commandment/) **Published:** May 1, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13182523/Love-Your-Neighbor-4-Easy-Ways-to-Help-Your-Kids-Follow-Jesus-Greatest-Commandment-1024x576.png "Love Your Neighbor 4 Easy Ways to Help Your Kids Follow Jesus Greatest Commandment - Minno Kids") **LOVE** **your neighbor** **your family** **your friends** **your enemy** Did you know Jesus summed up the entire Old and New Testaments in three points? He said: - The Lord is one; - Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; - Love your neighbor as yourself. “There is no commandment greater than these,” Jesus said in Mark 12. They’re a package deal. If you want to boil down what to teach your children about God as they grow, this is your punch list. But how does that look in everyday life? Here are a few suggestions to help your kids follow Jesus’ commandment to love their neighbors! ## 1. LOVE your neighbor Your neighbor is the “other”—anyone. It can be a sponsored child across the globe or your actual next-door neighbor. It can be someone in need–and frankly, we’re all in need, whether it be physical goods, love, encouragement, attention or affirmation. And your neighbor can be the “[unlovable](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-love),” as writer and mom Jessica Wolstenholm points out. “Even though he was known as a sinful, tax collector, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus the day he came to town,” she says of the story found in [Luke 19:1-10](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+19%3A1-10&version=ESV). “Use this story to help your child understand that unkind, unpleasant, unlovable people still want to be known and loved even though they don’t act like it. Jesus gives a wonderful example in this story of reaching out to someone who is unloved by many. He goes out of his way to reach out and Zacchaeus’ heart is changed by his love.” > *Action:* This week identify someone “in need” and act upon it—perhaps a new mom needs a meal prepared or a family member miles away needs a handwritten card or colored pictured. Or consider bringing coats and cold weather accessories to a nearby shelter. ## 2. LOVE your family Everything starts at home. As a parent of two young children, I know how easy it is to allow the needs and wants of the kids to outweigh the needs of the family as a unit. Part of learning to love your family is creating and maintaining balance. It’s not easy. Talk to your kids about how we’re a team. What affects one of us affects all of us. Here are some actions suggested by [Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/singletons/201402/are-you-i-family-or-we-family) for making your family more “we”-centered than “I”-centered. > *Action:* > > - Ask your children to help with real chores. > > - Ask for your kids input when weighing decisions; listen to their suggestions and preferences. > > - Try not to micromanage your spouse or your kids or the way things are done in the house. Your way is different, not necessarily better. ## 3. LOVE your friends Friends are the family you choose. You don’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends, so choose wisely. Help your child understand the importance of choosing good friends, and how to be a good friend. I often struggle with what feedback to give my daughter when she comes home talking about a friend in class who “got her in trouble for talking” or who was mean to her on the playground or who left her out of a group. In second grade, everyone is supposed to be “friends.” My instinct is to tell her to ignore that kid, or don’t be friends with that one or this one. But that’s not going to help her in the long run. [ParentFurther.com](http://www.parentfurther.com.php53-8.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/resources/enewsletter/archive/dont-like-your-childs-friend) suggests, “Be clear about what’s acceptable and what’s not, and remember that children are still learning what it means to be a friend.” > *Action:* Make a list of “acceptable” ways friends behave and ways they don’t. Use this exercise as a way to help your child identify behavior, such as bullying, that should be reported to a teacher or trusted adult. ## 4. LOVE your enemy Perhaps the hardest of all is loving those who don’t love us back. Author and mom Lisa Strnad tackled this topic on the [What’s In The Bible? blog](http://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-teach-our-kids-to-love-our-enemies/), and offers these suggestions: 1\. Don’t be enslaved by anger. “If at all possible, do something nice for the person who is your enemy,” she writes. “Show kindness even when they have only shown you hate.” 2\. Watch your words. “[Proverbs 15:1](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+15%3A1&version=ESV) says, ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ Speak words of encouragement when possible. If not encouragement, then at the very least don’t speak words of hate or retaliation.” 3\. Pray for those who treat us badly. “I will continue to struggle with choosing to love my enemies, and then praying for those who do harm to me,” she says. “I think it’s okay to struggle at things that don’t come easy to us.” > *Action:* Help your child identify someone who has been mean to them, and instruct them on how to pray for them. Loving isn’t always easy, but that’s when it becomes action instead of feeling. In fact John’s gospel says it’s the one way people will know that we’re followers of Jesus: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” ([John 13:35](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13%3A35&version=ESV)). That concept may be too abstract for little ones to understand, but they may surprise you. Any 90s kids here? dc Talk’s “Luv Is a Verb” comes to mind, and TobyMac is still preaching this timeless truth. In a Facebook post last March, he wrote: “We can speak life through not only words, but our actions. Love is a verb. This week, look for opportunity to serve someone. Doesn’t have to be something big, just an act that reflects the love and humility of Christ.” Modeling behaviors as parents is the best way to pass them onto your kids. When you serve someone in a way that reflects the love of Christ, you’re showing your kids how to love! *Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch church’d.com. The former editorial director for Relevant Media Group, her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post and CNN, and she’s been quoted in USA Today and The New York Times. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called Community PTO to support the success of local community schools.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Listening to My Son Pray](https://gominno.com/blog/listening-to-my-son-pray/) **Published:** May 24, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13181644/Listening-to-My-Son-Pray-1024x577.png "Listening to My Son Pray - Minno Kids") You never realize how little you know about a subject until you try and teach it. This is probably why Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it to a 6 year old, you don’t understand yourself.” This truth became even more real to me as I’ve spent the last 5 years trying to use every possible opportunity to teach my kids the wisdom I’ve gained over the last 30 years. And as it turns out, I don’t know as much about the subject of prayer as I thought I did. This confession would be easier for me to admit if I hadn’t spent the last decade in full-time ministry as a pastor. But the truth is, I’m no expert in the subject and have found myself stumbling around as I try and pass on what little I do know to my kids. If you’re a parent, you know that kids learn more by what they see, not necessarily by what they hear. In essence, more is “caught” than “taught”. So, my plan has always been to model for my kids the way I want them to think and behave, and when it comes to prayer, this has been my strategy. I don’t want them to simply hear me talk about praying, I want them to hear my prayers. There is just one problem. As I tried to take the chaos of my thoughts and articulate them into cohesive prayers that a 5 year old can understand, I found myself sounding more like a Dr. Seuss poem than I did a spiritual leader. My prayers usually consisted of three word sentences that sounded like a broken record at the dinner table. “God, thank you for our food. Please help us with our mood. Thank you for this day. That’s all I have to say. Amen.” At the very least, I was frustrated when it came to teaching my kids how to pray. Last week my wife headed out of town for the week to attend a conference for work. I typically work from home and have watched the kids several times by myself, so I wasn’t too worried about flying solo. That is, until my daughter spiked a fever and wouldn’t stop throwing up. As it turns out, I don’t know much about this subject either. There was one night in particular where I was absolutely exhausted and having a hard time getting my daughter to fall asleep. I called my son into her room and asked him to pray for his younger sister. I’d like to say that this was a strategic parenting move, but to be honest, I just needed a quick break. After a little bit of convincing, I was able to finally talk my son into praying for his sister, and we both quietly bowed our head. “Jesus, thank you for making sissy. I know she isn’t feeling well, so I wanted to ask you if you would help her rest tonight. You are a good God who likes to take care of us, so I know you will take care of my sister. Thank you for always loving us. We love you. Amen.” Something profound happened in that moment. My son reminded me of one of the greatest lessons of scripture: That the key ingredient to prayer is faith, and when it comes to faith, Jesus tells us that adults are not the role-models, children are. My son believed God is who he says is he is. He simply prayed to his heavenly father, knowing he would be faithful to his own character. Parents, use every opportunity to teach your kids about Jesus. As you eat, talk, play, walk, laugh, and sing, point your children to their heavenly father. Be faithful, and be consistent. But when they finally concentrate long enough to close their eyes and pray, be quick to listen. Take note as to how they approach our savior. And may they remind you what faith looks like. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Leaving Your Kids an Inheritance of Generosity](https://gominno.com/blog/leaving-your-kids-an-inheritance-of-generosity/) **Published:** May 19, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13180504/Leaving-Your-Kids-an-Inheritance-of-Generosity-1024x577.png "Leaving Your Kids an Inheritance of Generosity - Minno Kids") When I was old enough to start receiving an allowance, my parents pulled out three ceramic jars and placed them on the kitchen counter. I’ll never forget what they looked like—a cream colored based with pastel grapes painted around the sides and top. They were standard 90’s kitchen décor, but they weren’t for holding baked goods. The first jar was for tithing, the second was for saving, and the third was for spending. Those jars were one of the first lessons my parents taught me about finances and generosity. “Giving” was a principle they wove into their parenting, and into their marriage as well. From day one of their lives together, my parents believed in giving generously, both to the church and other good causes. They did this out of the conviction that what we have is not actually ours; it all belongs to God. They believed—and still believe—that we are merely stewards of God’s generosity, so they gave out of what they had, even when they didn’t have much to give. My dad was fond of saying that Jesus spoke more about money than almost anything else. I don’t know if that statistic is precise, but Jesus did talk about money a lot. In the gospel of Matthew alone, Jesus spoke of money, treasure, or giving over twenty different times. He talked about loans ([5:42](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+5%3A42&version=ESV)), financial priorities ([6:19-21](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+6%3A19-21&version=ESV)), money and worry ([6:25-34](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+6%3A25-34&version=ESV)), taxes ([17:24-27](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+17%3A24-27&version=ESV)), wealth ([19:23-26](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+19%3A23-26&version=ESV)), investment ([25:14-30](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+25%3A14-30&version=ESV)), and the list goes on. Jesus never shied away from talking about finances. This aspect of Jesus’ ministry always stands out to me, because it’s such a contrast with most churches today. With the exception of false teachers who take advantage of people, most pastors I know actually hate to talk about money. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a sermon on giving qualified with this statement: “If this is your first time at our church, I PROMISE we don’t talk about money all the time!” The topic makes us all a bit squirmy. But not Jesus. He faced the subject head on. He knew there was almost no better measurement of our priorities than our finances. He knew that money is one of the things we are most likely to serve, and cling to, instead of God. That’s one of the reasons pastors don’t like to talk about finances—people get irritable. They push back. They don’t want to be told what to do with their hard-earned things. And yet, Jesus brings it up again and again. He forces us to think carefully about our possessions and whether they are really ours. He asks us whether we own our stuff, or if our stuff owns us. It’s a question that not only shapes the way we think about our finances, but the way we think about parenting. One of my parents’ greatest legacies in my life is that of generosity. Not only did they teach me to give, but they taught me how. Like always tithing first. At the beginning of the month, before I spend my money on anything else, I tithe. That way, I don’t get to the end of the month and have nothing left to give. That way, I also plan my budget around my tithe. The tithe doesn’t come out of what’s leftover, but is the first thing I give back to God. My parents also taught us to put extra cushion in our budget for “unexpected generosity.” If a need arises in our community, we want to have the financial margin to help. Of course, the most powerful message my parents communicated was their own example. They knew they couldn’t teach us to be generous if they weren’t generous themselves. Now that I have my own children, I think about that a lot. My kids aren’t quite old enough to receive an allowance, but my husband and I decided early on to write generosity into our marriage and family. We don’t have much, but we give what we have, and we give it gladly. It’s not ours, after all. Even though my boys aren’t old enough for the conversation, I am already praying God will shape my heart in this area. One day my kids will notice how I spend my money and what my priorities are. They will notice what brings me joy and what makes me worry. They will notice how I sacrifice—or how I don’t. So I want my message to bear up. I hope God will make me the kind of parent who can look her child in the eyes and say with some sort of credibility, “Where your treasure is, there your heart lies also. Let’s be a family whose greatest treasures look nothing like the world’s.” **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Learning from Littles: Lessons from a Trip to Costco](https://gominno.com/blog/learning-from-littles-lessons-from-a-trip-to-costco/) **Published:** May 26, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/13180144/Learning-from-Littles-Lessons-from-a-Trip-to-Costco-1024x573.png "Learning from Littles Lessons from a Trip to Costco - Minno Kids") I don’t know about you, but so many times I find myself overwhelmed at all that parenting entails. Not only am I in charge of meeting my three children’s most basic needs, but my husband and I are responsible for their emotional and spiritual development. I often feel like I am too young to be making all these “grown up decisions.” The spiritual formation of our children is a profound gift and responsibility with which we, as parents, have been entrusted. We are given the opportunity to introduce our children to the gospel narrative – to watch it take root, transform, and inspire their own lives. But to be honest with you, a lot of the time I feel like I am blowing it. One of my favorite Sunday school songs as a kid went something like this: “Read your bible, pray everyday, and you’ll grow, grow, grow. Don’t read your bible, forget to pray, and you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.” Did you sing that song as a kid? I suspect this message subconsciously tempts me toward quantifying “spiritual formation,” giving rise to constant analysis as to whether what I did in any given day fostered growth or led to regression? Trying to force spiritual formation by doing is exhausting. **There are moments happening everyday, profoundly impactful experiences for both children and parents alike, in simply** **being together. Life is full of teachable moments; perhaps the art is in learning how to slow down so as to be fully present.** A couple weeks ago, my children and I encountered such a moment as we ventured out to purchase flowers for our garden. Prior to stepping foot outside my car and taking on the Costco crowd, I prayed for peace and gave my girls a pre-shopping pep talk. “Girls,” I explained, “There are three of you, and there is one mommy. Please exercise patience and use respect while in Costco.” They all starred back at me blankly . . . I think they were contemplating the free food samples! So picture me pushing a massive Costco cart with two of my kids riding inside and my youngest strapped to in an Ergo baby carrier. Our shopping trip was going better than expected and the girls were behaving beautifully. I think I let a bit of pride creep into my heart, and before I knew it, I was walking around Costco feeling like supermom. We picked out our flowers last, and as I went to grab a bag of topsoil I realized the bag was MASSIVE. So I did what any responsible mother wearing her eight month old would do – I tried to load the bag of soil on the cart by myself. Seeing this as one of those “teachable moments,” I said to my girls, “Alright ladies, mommy is about to show you how to be strong and independent. You can do anything you put your mind to!” I proceeded to fail miserably. And so I brought my daughters close again. “Girls,” I said, “Mommy just tried to do something all by herself, but I need help. Strength is found in being willing to ask for help. We all need one another.” Humiliated, I turned to a fellow shopper and asked if he would help load the soil onto my cart. He was kind to oblige my request, and within moments we were headed for the cashier. I didn’t have to force anything in Costco that day for my daughters to experience something spiritually formative. As parents, we are often looking for experiences from which we may teach our children life lessons. What about the ways in which God is using our children to mold and shape our own character? I hadn’t meditated on scripture that particular morning, and I didn’t have a bible lesson planned for the day. What happened, however, is that God met us in a moment of living life together. My girls witnessed me fail at something, but as God’s grace would have it, they also saw the beauty in asking for and receiving help. Recently, I was struck by the words Jesus spoke to his disciples in Matthew 10:40-41. *“Whoever receives you receives me,” Jesus states, “and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”* Jesus doesn’t elaborate, at least in this little section of scripture, on what the disciples were meant to do after receiving one another. Attention remains on the importance of inviting someone else into your own story. By doing so, two worlds intersect and no matter how similar or different two individuals may feel, they become united together in their own need for help. Today, you will wonder if you are doing enough. May I encourage you, even as I remind myself, that in receiving your children into your own vulnerable moments spiritual formation is taking place. Be encouraged by the words of 2 Corinthians 12:9; *“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Learn Our Minno Easter Memory Verse . . . With Motions!](https://gominno.com/blog/learn-our-minno-easter-memory-verse-with-motions/) **Published:** February 26, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/13175714/Learn-Our-Minno-Easter-Memory-Verse-With-Motions-1024x578.png "Learn Our Minno Easter Memory Verse With Motions - Minno Kids") Our Minno memory verse for this Easter is 1 Peter 1:3 — *“Through Jesus, God has given us new life and a hope that lives on.”* As Easter approaches, you can use this verse to teach your kids why and how we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning. We’ll break down each part of the verse below, and you can memorize one phrase at a time. Each phrase also has the accompanying images of the American Sign Language for key words. Help your kids to memorize this verse by using their minds and their hands! The physical motions for each key word will help memorization and retention. #### **Through Jesus** … We’re memorizing a condensed version of 1 Peter 1:3 by starting with the phrase “Through Jesus.” The whole phrase reads: God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death …” This phrase reminds us *why* we celebrate Easter: because of Jesus’ death and resurrection! God’s plan to redeem the whole world from sin, and to reconcile all people to himself, was accomplished through Jesus. *Through Jesus*, God healed the whole world. We’ll learn more about what that healing means in the next phrase of this verse. Practice this phrase with the sign language for “Jesus”: [![Hero Image](https://res.cloudinary.com/spiralyze/image/upload/f_auto,w_auto/BabySignLanguage/DictionaryPages/jesus.svg)](https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/jesus/) *Jesus (from [babysignlanguage.com](https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/jesus/))* #### **God has given us new life …** The Bible talks a lot about “new life” through Jesus, and it is a phrase we hear a lot of during Easter. But what does it mean? In the Old Testament prophecy book Isaiah, God reveals His forever plan for His people: “I am creating new heavens and a new earth; everything of the past will be forgotten. Celebrate and be glad forever! I am creating a Jerusalem, full of happy people.” (Isaiah 65:17–18) The “new life” God promises us through Jesus is the eternal life in God’s forever kingdom, when Jesus will reign as king. Nothing will be sad, and everything will be free from the effects of sin. When Jesus died and rose again, he was the “first to be raised to life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns” (1 Corinthians 15:23). That means that when we believe in Jesus, our death will be real, but it will not be forever. Jesus will return and we will all be raised to new life! In God’s perfect kingdom! Practice this sign language for “God” “give” and “life”: [![Hero Image](https://res.cloudinary.com/spiralyze/image/upload/f_auto,w_auto/BabySignLanguage/DictionaryPages/god.svg)](https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/god/) [*God*](https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/god/) [![Hero Image](https://res.cloudinary.com/spiralyze/image/upload/f_auto,w_auto/BabySignLanguage/DictionaryPages/give.svg)](https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/give/) *[give](https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/give/)* [![Learn How to Sign the Word Life - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mMaYIa42ssk/maxresdefault.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMaYIa42ssk) [*life*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMaYIa42ssk) #### **… and a hope that lives on.** The last phrase of our Easter memory verse reminds us that our hope in Jesus is FOREVER! No matter what happens in our life, we have hope that God will take care of us because He sent us His Son Jesus. Our hope will never fail, because it is secure in what Jesus did on the cross thousands of years ago. The hope we have from Easter can continue every single day of our lives. Practice this sign language for “hope” and “forever”: [![How To Sign Hope in American Sign... - Signed With Heart](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NdajyfdETFs0adp4XDJc.jpg)](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsignedwithheart%2Fvideos%2Fhow-to-sign-hope-in-american-sign-language-asltheres-always-hope-dont-give-up-si%2F450230975508211%2F&psig=AOvVaw3VeSSS4XYXRMwoyen_Aq8q&ust=1614445023497000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCKj_xcOCiO8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAW) [*hope*](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsignedwithheart%2Fvideos%2Fhow-to-sign-hope-in-american-sign-language-asltheres-always-hope-dont-give-up-si%2F450230975508211%2F&psig=AOvVaw3VeSSS4XYXRMwoyen_Aq8q&ust=1614445023497000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCKj_xcOCiO8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAW) [![always" American Sign Language (ASL)](https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/gifs/a/always2.gif)](https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/a/always.htm) [*forever*](https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/a/always.htm) Join us for more Easter fun over the next few weeks at Minno! Share your memorized Easter verse with us on Instagram by tagging [@gominno ](https://www.instagram.com/gominno/?hl=en) **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Verses, Easter --- ### [Learn About Women of the Bible on Minno Church at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/women-of-the-bible-on-minno-church-at-home/) **Published:** April 28, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/13175432/Learn-About-Women-of-the-Bible-on-Minno-Church-at-Home-1-1024x580.png "Learn About Women of the Bible on Minno Church at Home - Minno Kids") Throughout the month of May, we’ll be highlighting strong women of the Bible in our [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com) programming. Your family will have the opportunity to learn about Sarah, Rebekah, Deborah, Tabitha, and Mary and Martha—how their stories and their strengths are examples of ways we can share the power and love of God with others. Download your family discussion guide below and tune in each weekend to join us on a girl-led adventure through the Bible! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Minno-CAH-Women-of-the-Bible-Scope-and-Sequence.jpg "- Minno Kids")](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Women-of-the-Bible_DiscussionGuide_.ƒpdf-1.pdf) Download your [Minno Church at Home Women of the Bible Family Discussion Guide](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Women-of-the-Bible_DiscussionGuide_.ƒpdf-1.pdf). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home **Tags:** Church at Home, Women of the Bible --- ### [Learn about the Life of Jesus on Minno Church at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/life-of-jesus-minno-church-at-home/) **Published:** September 29, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/13174947/Learn-about-the-Life-of-Jesus-on-Minno-Church-at-Home-1024x576.png "Learn about the Life of Jesus on Minno Church at Home - Minno Kids") For the next four weeks on [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com), we’re going to be taking a look at the Life of Jesus; learning lessons about His arrival, miracles, and why God sent His son to earth. Gather together as a family and watch this 20-30 minute program featuring worship, a Bible verse, and stories to learn about faith and just have fun, too! #### **Minno Church at Home Life of Jesus Scope and Sequence** ![Clip art - Human behavior](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/clip-art-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") Download the discussion and activity pack below to take the fun and conversations off-screen throughout the week. [ ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/digital-display-advertising.jpg "- Minno Kids")](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CAH-LIfe-of-Jesus-Family-Discussion-Guide.pdf) Download your [Life of Jesus Family Discussion Guide](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CAH-LIfe-of-Jesus-Family-Discussion-Guide.pdf) **Categories:** Activity Packs, Bible + Faith, Church at Home, Family Devotions, Fun for Kids, New Shows, Now on Minno, Seasonal **Tags:** Bible Teaching, Church at Home --- ### [Keeping Kids Safe Online](https://gominno.com/blog/keeping-kids-safe-online/) **Published:** January 13, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XnGeol3NRhywpbFNqbog.jpg) An important part of Christian parenting is teaching your children how to live a Christ-like life in their current context. The fact of the matter is, your kids probably have drastically different problems to tackle than you did as a child. The most difficult hurdle to overcome is the one your kids are constantly exposed to: the internet. While it can be one of our greatest resources (and is now a necessity for many of our careers), the internet can also be a source of danger, especially for more vulnerable users like children. It may not be the most natural topic of conversation in your family time, but teaching your kids responsible digital citizenship is vital for helping them to become healthy internet users in the future. Here are a few helpful tips for keeping your kids safe online. #### **Monitor Internet and Device Use** It can be so easy to use screens as a source of reprieve. It’s often the quick fix to a child who just *won’t* come down from a tantrum and has refused every other bargaining chip. While a game or video can sometimes be helpful to give you a momentary break, it’s important that the iPad doesn’t become a babysitter, or worse: the parent. Even if they’ve given you every reason to run for the hills in that moment, stay with your kids so you can monitor what is being used on their devices. And if you can’t always be there physically, checking the internet history can be helpful to make sure each device is being used as it is intended. #### **Keep Devices in a Shared Space** Keeping computers and devices in shared areas is a great way to ensure that nothing unhealthy will be accessed, either accidentally or on purpose. This method should apply not only to laptops but also to phones and tablets as well. While this can work well as a safety method, it can also be a good way to limit the amount of screen exposure for your kids. More and more [research](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/behind-online-behavior/201604/what-screen-time-can-really-do-kids-brains) has shown just how much damage heavy screen exposure does to kids’ minds. It stunts the development of imagination, diminishes attention span, and some researchers go so far as to say that kids are becoming [tech addicts](https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/fcd/teen-technology-addiction) at a young age and developing dependencies. It’s important to teach your kids the importance of moderation. It’s okay to spend a little time here and there with a game, but helping instill the value of balance in all things is important in the process of teaching kids about Jesus. Keeping devices in a common space is also a great way to encourage family time while devices are in use. Obviously, your child playing a video game while you try to talk to them isn’t ideal. It’s infinitely better to spend even a little time in one another’s presence than it would be for them to hole themselves up in their room with a screen. #### **Use Filters and Parental Controls** One of the most straightforward ways to put yourself at ease and protect your kids is by using filters that allow you to determine what your kids will and be able to access. [Internet filters](https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/240282/the-best-parental-control-software) for parents have gotten so sophisticated that there are a number of different metrics for content management online. You can customize filters per user, manage filters remotely, and even review social media usage. Obviously, a filter won’t solve all of your problems. You should still be having [open conversations](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) about appropriate and safe internet use, but using a filter can be an extra hedge of protection over your kids. **Recommended Tools:** [Bark](https://www.bark.us/) – monitoring service/app [Circle](https://meetcircle.com/) – parental control app #### **Guard Your Personal Details** Any number of game or social media websites may ask for personal information when creating accounts. It is important that you explicitly discuss with your kids what information they shouldn’t be giving online. Kids should be made aware that they should not give out phone numbers, addresses, or any other personal information online, certainly not to any inquiring individuals. Remember to take a second glance at any accounts they set up that require personal information. It can also be helpful for you, as a parent, to have records of usernames and passwords for any accounts or games of younger children so that you can properly manage their internet presence. #### **Teach Them to Be Alert to Unsafe Behavior** Inappropriate internet use isn’t always intentional. In our current world, predators have easier access to your children than ever. It’s important that your child knows what sort of contact with people on the internet is unsafe. Teach them to never talk with people they don’t know and to never share their personal details with online friends. Know who your kids are talking to online and make sure that any online contacts are confirmed. You kids should know that not everyone who masquerades as someone may be who they say they are. #### **Emphasize the Good** One of the mistakes we sometimes make as parents is overemphasizing the importance of restrictions when we discuss different topics with our kids. We may spend so much time telling our kids what they shouldn’t be doing that we forget to tell them what they can safely do. Emphasize the healthy ways they can use the internet as a tool. There’s no way to keep kids off the internet forever, so rather than just giving them a list of things they shouldn’t do (which can often increase temptation), show them how to use the internet responsibly. It can be a great use of technology to incorporate exciting media into your family devotionals from online resources. When your kids are learning about Jesus, using kids Bible lessons with exciting and [engaging media](https://www.gominno.com/?_ga=2.232174175.1394410199.1558230221-570494410.1556336328) can be a great way to encourage your kids to be accessing positive material online. Stick to a reliable list of kid-friendly websites for your family to use. Websites like [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/) have countless resources for you and your family, from fun videos to entertaining ways of teaching kids Bible stories. Check out our catalog of positive media today to start encouraging your children to stay safe online! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Join Minno Church at Home for Easter Season Kids Programming](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-church-at-home-easter/) **Published:** March 11, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10232627/Screenshot-2024-07-10-at-62558%20PM-e1720654023352.png "Screenshot 2024-07-10 at 62558 PM - Minno Kids") The Easter season is an amazing time of year when we celebrate our new life in Jesus as we watch the wonders of His work in creation all around us. But yet again this year, Easter looks very different. As the global pandemic continues, and the whole world continues to adjust so we can take care of one another, we can still celebrate the love of God, the work Jesus did for us on the cross, and His victory over sin, sickness, and death! In the midst of this difficult time, it is comforting to know that the Church can continue to worship together, even though many are still physically apart. Our team has curated some of the best and most encouraging content for your kids to learn about Jesus and the significance of the season. We invite you to join other Minno families as we pause to honor Jesus each week, looking toward Easter Sunday to celebrate His victorious resurrection. We’ve put together eight weeks of very special services on [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com) for you and your kids to meet with God through Easter Sunday and beyond. Download our [Easter Church at Home Family Discussion Guide](https://cdn.buttercms.com/2DLUOyHNRza1YH65Q8iZ) for notes, questions, prayers, and activities that will enrich your time together. [![695244_ChurchHomeEasterPackImage2_V1_...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cXrK8FxATbm0Q5c4yEfG.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/RrdTm8XTTNePnyuRqR2t) [DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE](https://cdn.buttercms.com/2DLUOyHNRza1YH65Q8iZ) We pray that your family connects with God and each other like never before. Happy Easter! He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! . . . . . . . . . . CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR EASTER PROGRAMMING ON [MINNO](http://gominno.com)! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home, Seasonal **Tags:** Church at Home, Easter --- ### [Jesus: Messiah, Teacher, King! 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/introducing-jesus-messiah-teacher-king-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan/) **Published:** March 3, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EYKC9wbhR16X4fADdaQN.jpg) Join Minno to learn about the life and teachings of Jesus. Help your kids know that Jesus is our Messiah, our Teacher, and our King! Follow along for just 5 minutes a day, 4 days a week, as we discover how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, taught about life in the Kingdom of God, and died and rose again to bring us all the gift of new life in Him! Your family will love the weekly memory verse, short video, discussion questions, and prayer. Here are some of the major themes your family will learn through the Jesus: Messiah, Teacher, King Family Devotional Plan: 1\. Jesus is Our Messiah! 2\. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. 3\. Jesus performed many miracles. 4\. Jesus taught us important lessons about loving other people. 5\. Jesus died for our sins and rose again! 6\. We can all be followers of Jesus. The Jesus: Messiah, Teacher, King devotional plan features videos from the [What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/Buck%20Denver%20Asks%20Whats%20in%20the%20Bible%20Full%20Episodes) series. Each video devotional is 5 minutes and includes a Bible verse, video clip, discussion questions, and a prayer prompt. We pray this journey helps bring your family closer to God and each other! If you have feedback, ideas or questions about the 5 Minute Family Devotional, reach out to us on [Facebook—](https://www.facebook.com/Minno)we’d love to hear from you! Download our free [Jesus Coloring Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/NcLfDpnJRYeN2BdDVRvz) to take the fun of learning about Jesus off-screen! To watch, click on a devotional title below: [Jesus is the Messiah](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-is-the-messiah) [Jesus Fulfills the Davidic Covenant](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-fulfills-the-davidic-covenant) [Jesus is Born](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-is-born) [John the Baptist](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/john-the-baptist) [Jesus is Baptized](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-is-baptized) [Jesus is Tempted](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-is-tempted) [Jesus Picks His Disciples](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-picks-his-disciples) [Jesus Teaches about the Kingdom of God](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-teaches-about-the-kingdom-of-god) [Jesus Heals](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-heals) [Jesus Performs Miracles](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-performs-miracles) [Peter Knows Who Jesus Is](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/peter-knows-who-jesus-is) [Jesus’ Important Teaching](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-important-teaching) [Jesus Enters Jerusalem](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-enters-jerusalem) [Jesus Serves the Last Supper](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-serves-the-last-supper) [Jesus Dies for Us](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-dies-for-us) [Jesus is Risen](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-is-risen) ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Is Your Child's Extracurricular Schedule Too Full?](https://gominno.com/blog/is-your-childs-extracurricular-schedule-too-full/) **Published:** March 26, 2019 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DsaAQxRoSx6cDbJxhmqi.jpg) Do you feel like you hardly have supper together as a family? Are your kids grumpy and tired at the end of every day? Do you feel like you never get anything done? Does your family spend most weekends away from home? If you answered yes to all or most of these questions, your child’s extracurricular schedule may be too full! When my kids were little, it was easy to say “I’ll never be the mom that runs around all the time, putting my kids in every activity.” Maybe you said that too. But then the pressure comes to match up to what other parents are doing. You’re influenced by “dire warnings” that if you don’t start your kid playing year-round baseball, *right now*, they’ll never make the team. You think to yourself, “my kids need to keep busy, that’s why I put them in so many activities”, without realizing that maybe they don’t want to be busy all the time, they just want to be home. There’s a tension between wanting to nurture your children’s interests vs. packing their days so full you barely have room to breathe. What are some good options for finding balance in the area of extracurriculars, and know that you’re doing it for real enjoyment, not out of pressure, while still finding time for what’s most important? Here are a few tips that we’ve tried over the years as we’ve worked through trying to balance four children’s activities and interests with finding time to nurture our family and faith. 1. Check your motives. Sometimes we’re the problem. Because of unmet expectations from our own childhoods, or the temptation to live vicariously through our kids’ accomplishments, we may push our desires onto our children. Pray that God would help you slow down and give you the wisdom to see where you are pursuing interests that are your own, rather than what’s best for your child. 2. Lighten the load. Have a talk with your kids about what extracurriculars they want to do compared to the ones they feel like you’re making them do. Make it clear that you do care about their opinion. Prayerfully decide if there are some good things you can say no to for now, in favor of making time for the best things. 3. Enlist help from others. Build a carpool network if you can to take some of the load off of you for transporting kids to activities. Could you and your husband split the time? Are there other parents in the co-op or activity that would be willing to split time with you too? Just ask, you may be surprised to find another parent who was afraid to ask for help as well! 4. Ask yourself how your busyness is affecting the rest of your life. In our non-stop world, we tend to put being busy on a pedestal, as if somehow that makes us better or more accomplished. But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes busyness deals a crushing blow to the rest of our lives. Is your family life suffering? How about your marriage? Do you feel like you can’t ever get any projects done at home because you’re never there? Consider how the push for extra-curriculars could be hampering other areas of your family and home life. 5. Consider how too many outside activities could be affecting your faith. I know it’s hard not to want to participate in activities that require Sunday attendance, but if you’re consistently missing worship in favor of gymnastics or orchestra, I’d urge you to commit that to prayer and place God as your first priority. I’ve found that when we’ve learned to say “no” to some things that would negatively impact our spiritual lives, God blesses that so abundantly! Your choices today for your family will make an eternal difference, one way or another. Ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment and follow His will for your family. Seeking balance in this area will relieve chaos and give you a more abundant sense of peace that you are making the right choices and keeping your priorities intact. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Is It Possible to Be Consistent in Parenting?](https://gominno.com/blog/is-it-possible-to-be-consistent-in-parenting/) **Published:** August 7, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HEk7MOBVRGif66blWmXF.jpg)* *Do you know what’s hard about being consistent with your kids?* Being consistent. We know that “being consistent” in parenting is the ideal. *But doing the right thing every. single.time?* *How is that even possible?* *Discipline the exact same way for the exact same infraction every single time?* *Be consistent with devotions, meal planning, laundry, good attitudes, and every other thing every single time?* I mean, it literally is *impossible* to be consistent. There is no one who can maintain this perfection day after day. (*Wow, this is encouraging, isn’t it?*) But it’s true. Even Paul reminds us that we all “fall short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23) *So, how do we demonstrate consistency in our lives to our children?* Consistent faithfulness to God, His Word, His church. Consistent love in our marriage. Consistent discipline. Consistent friendship, selflessness, and gentleness. The very first thing we need to do is let our kids know how incredibly inconsistent and unfaithful we are. *What?!* *Show them weakness?! Won’t they smell it and revolt? Or surround and destroy us?* No. In fact, **when we let our kids know we are fallen people in need of a Savior, they will be able to see their own need as well.** When we recognize our faults, ask for forgiveness and show our dependency on the Lord it will be a model of how they can and should relate to God. In the book of Isaiah, there is a promise (that the Israelites did *not* take God up on) that says, > “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength . . . ” (Isaiah 30:15) When I choose to repent in front of and to my children, they see the salvation of the Lord to be active in my life. It’s part of that upside-down kingdom of the Lord – he who is first is last, the servant is greatest and the repentant aren’t punished but saved. So when we show our kids our inconsistencies and ask for forgiveness, repenting before them, we are in fact, showing off God’s true, constant nature and love. And that is my second tip for consistency with kids: **point your children to God, the only faithful and consistent one.** Over and over in the Psalms, there are songs about God’s faithfulness to His people and His Word. In the stories of the Old Testament, we see a faithful God who never fails His people, even when His people fail Him over and over again. In the New Testament, we read clearly of Jesus who is faithful to His Father and to the plan they had to save the world. As our children grow and discover more about themselves, about their family, and about God, let us help them see and know that the only consistent one is God. Let your relationship with God model that God’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is \[His\] faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23) #### Teaching Moment for Little Kids Pick a time of day (sunrise or sunset is nice if your kids are up at that time) to check on the sun for several days in a row. Make a checklist or draw a picture of where it is at this time each day. After a few days, ask, “Have we seen the sun every day? Has it been in the basic same spot each time we’ve checked on it? Of course! The sun never fails to show up and run its course. This is because our faithful God put it there. The sun is a picture to remind us of how faithful God is to us!” #### Teaching Moment for Bigger Kids Have a long jump contest. Make a starting line and a way to measure how long each child can jump (maybe with a measuring stick or a piece of string). Let each child jump 3-5 times and record their distances. Then compare each of their individual jumps. Were they consistent? Did they get the exact same jump each time? How hard is it to do it exactly the same every time? Consistency is something to be worked toward, but it’s hard to do. Read one or more of the following Psalms and talk about the consistent faithfulness of God: Psalm 33:4, Psalm 47:10, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 100:5 **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Introduction to Bible Journaling](https://gominno.com/blog/introduction-to-bible-journaling/) **Published:** June 28, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/10231003/Introduction-to-Bible-Journaling-1024x577.png "Introduction to Bible Journaling - Minno Kids") You may have seen Bible journaling, or Illustrated Faith, filling up your Instagram feed over the last year or so. Popularized by [Illustrated Faith](https://www.illustratedfaith.com/) and its founder Shanna Noel, Bible journaling is a popular spiritual practice for many Christian women. At Minno, we see a lot of potential for Bible journaling to be an amazing family experience and a great way to get your kids into the Word of God! Arden Ratcliff-Mann, a popular Instagram artist and children’s pastor in Kansas City, writes below about her introduction to Bible journaling and the impact it has had on her spiritual life. Over the course of our blog series on Bible journaling, Arden will cover how to start Bible journaling and how to Bible journal with kids. If you’re anything like me, at some point in your life you’ve gone through a period where you’ve struggled to connect with God. In my case, this season of spiritual barrenness arrived not with a bang, but a whimper. In college, I’d begun to feel God calling me into children’s ministry and so I entered seminary fresh off my undergraduate degree. I learned so much about myself and God’s call on my life in seminary, and I graduated feeling on fire for God. I couldn’t wait to get out there and really start doing God’s work to build up the kingdom of Christ. And so I moved across the country and started my first full-time job in ministry as a children’s and youth minister. But over time, I became so busy teaching Sunday School and leading youth group and planning worship that I began to neglect my own spiritual life. I allowed nurturing my personal relationship with God to fall to the bottom of my to do list. Many weeks, the only Scripture I read was the text for that Sunday’s worship service or children’s lesson. I suspect this can be a problem for anyone who’s ever served in a leadership role at church—sometimes you get so caught up in the logistics of preparing and leading a Bible study that you forget to actually study the Bible yourself. I was in denial about the situation for far too long. I would lie to myself, “Oh, teaching this children’s Sunday School class is just as good as reading a devotional.” I continued to starve myself spiritually while telling myself that I felt was full. Then one day, I was searching through Pinterest for a knitting pattern I had saved, and I came across a blog article about Bible journaling. Intrigued, I clicked on it. I learned that women had started taking Bibles with wide margins and drawing in them—using paints and crayons and stamps to illustrate their faith. And I heard a small voice inside of me—maybe even the voice of God Himself—whisper, “You could do that.” I still had some Christmas money saved up, so I ordered a journaling Bible and never looked back. Within a few weeks of creatively responding to God’s Word, I could already see the difference in my life. After a long spiritual winter, I felt like I was finally emerging into spring. Bible journaling completely changed my relationship with God. It awakened me to a new season of spiritual growth and devotion. Now that I have been journaling in my Bible for over a year and a half, I can look back and see that there are three major ways this spiritual practice has impacted my faith. 1\. First, Bible journaling helped me fall in love with the Bible. Even in my best moments earlier in life, reading the Bible could always feel like a bit of a chore. Reading the Bible everyday was always something I knew I should do, but far too often I fell short of that goal. But now, I am legitimately excited to open my Bible every day. When I read the Bible now, I have a goal in mind: - what words or verses really speak to me when I read this passage? - What images come to mind? - How is God trying to speak to me in this passage at this point in my life? I read the Bible with these questions in mind, because I know that after I finish reading through a passage, I’m going to try to respond creatively to it. Remembering this goal helps me read the Bible more critically, and actually remember what I read. 2\. In addition, journaling in my Bible has helped me immensely with Bible memorization. Before I started this practice, I was pretty terrible at memorizing verses, or remembering where a certain story fell in the Bible. But artfully writing or stamping out verses on a page definitely allows me remember them later, and that has only helped me become a better spiritual mentor and teacher to the kids in my life. Last spring I was teaching a confirmation class at church, and one of the students said that she thought that she could make a mistake so bad that God wouldn’t love her. Thanks to my Bible journaling, I instantly knew a verse to direct her to—Isaiah 54:10, “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you.” “Look,” I said, “this verse tells us that the mountains will move before God’s love will leave us. Plus, this page is pink! It must be true!” 3\. And finally, I believe that my journaling Bibles are leaving a legacy behind for my family. One reason Bible journaling appealed to me in the beginning was that I had recently inherited my late grandmother’s Bible. Her Bible had notes and bookmarks all through it—a tangible legacy of a life lived with Christ. When I inherited it, I couldn’t help but look over at my pristine Bible that didn’t even have one verse underlined in it. I realized that if anyone were to ever inherit my Bible, there would be no evidence at all of my spiritual life. But that’s not the case anymore. Now I have two Bibles full of notes and paint and lessons from God. I actually take my colorful Bible, filled to the brim with tabs and bookmarks, with me everywhere I go. It is a physical symbol of my spiritual walk with God. Bible journaling isn’t just about painting in a Bible. For some, it’s writing notes in the margins of their Bible. For others, it’s about keeping a separate faith journal. There’s no wrong way to do it, as long as you’re creatively responding to the Word of God and what God puts on your heart as you interact with His sacred text. I’ll be sharing more examples and tips in the weeks to come, but if you’ve been longing for a new way to connect with God, I encourage you to give Bible journaling a try. You never know, it might change your life! *Arden Ratcliff-Mann has an MDiv from Candler School of Theology and currently serves as the Associate Director of Children’s Ministries at Liberty United Methodist Church. Originally from Franklin, TN, she now lives in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Biff and adorable cat Loki.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Survive Spring Daylight Savings with Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-survive-spring-daylight-savings-with-kids/) **Published:** March 9, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MjZcdzqSrq3gOQnK7ATJ_daylight-savings-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Spring is in the air and along with it comes the promise of longer days. For some parents it is a challenge to keep their children engaged in daylight activities once the cozy early winter nights disappear. For other parents their main challenge is getting their little ones to sleep even though it is still light outside. I can relate to both of these challenges. In our family, two of our sons, during their toddler years, would refuse to go to sleep when it was light outside. They would be so upset thinking it was not “night night time” because the sun was still out. So my husband and I had to come up with some ideas to help transition our young boys into longer days. Now as the children are older, particularly our two boys, we are always looking for activities that stimulate their mind and bodies to ensure restful sleep when the daylight hours are longer. Today I am excited to share with you **5 activities you can use to successfully survive daylight savings with kids and enjoy it, too**! **1. Late afternoon or early evening scavenger hunts.** Scavenger hunts are a fun way to get the heart pumping and the brain working on those longer days. And let’s be honest, it’s a great way to tire out children with lots of energy! Having both their minds and bodies working all at once is a great way to keep them stimulated and healthy. And it definitely helps get the pre-bedtime energy bursts under control. **TIP:** Use Bible stories as a theme for your Scavenger hunts. It’s a great way to build their faith and knowledge in God while burning energy and learning at the same time! **2. Play what time is it there**? This is a fun game we came up with where one person will choose a place on the world map (or globe). Once the location is chosen we figure out what time it is in that area and talk about time zones and how the sun rises and sets at different times depending on geographic location. When the children were younger we would also chat about that fact that at any given time children are asleep all over the world. This game was particularly handy when our two youngest sons thought they shouldn’t be sleeping when it was light outside. Just knowing other children were sleeping around the globe brought them comfort. **3. Have an evening at the drive-in movies or movie in the park.** In many cities there are still drive-in movie theaters. And many cities also sponsor family movies in the park. As a military family we’ve lived all over the world and have always found one of the two available. Outdoor movies are a really fun way for the family to spend extra hours of daylight together. **4. Swim, swim, swim.** I know that many places still have cold weather, so I am mainly talking about swimming at a local indoor pool. Our family loves going to the local pool and swimming for both fun and exercise. And just for fun we have “races” doing various swim strokes. The wonderful part is that the kiddos have a blast and always have a good night’s sleep afterwards (as do the parents). **5. Have a picnic dinner at the park.** This is always a great way to spend time as a family enjoying the sunset together. It’s great because picnics are fun at any age. We have used these family picnic dinners as wonderful bonding time over the years and always bring a Bible to read some verses as the sun is setting. We love spending this time running around and playing with the kids and plan to continuously enjoy it until our children are all grown. Daylight Savings can be challenging for parents trying to get children to bed on time while adjusting to the extra hours of daylight leading us into summer. However, **Daylight Savings is also a wonderful time to introduce some new family activities that will promote family unity and closeness.** By engaging in activities that will use your children’s mind, body, and spirit, you and your children will surely begin to look forward to this time each year. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Daylight Savings, Family Life, Routines --- ### [6 Strong Girls to Inspire Your Daughter on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/6-strong-girls-to-inspire-your-daughter-on-minno/) **Published:** May 3, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gSoaJYeSdCUNKFZ1qLzH.jpg) It can be hard to find strong, smart, brave girls in the media today. In fact, you may have read or seen the news about [one recent movie, in particular, that is portraying young girls in the worst possible way](https://childrensministry.com/netflixs-cuties/). Or you may have heard, seen, or read other stories and shows that might not be bad, but may leave you wanting more—more inspiration, strength, and wisdom in the lead female characters. At [Minno](http://gominno.com), we know how much Jesus cared for women. In fact, Jesus’ love for and attention to women was revolutionary for the time in which He lived. The whole Bible is full of [stories about strong women who loved and trusted God](https://www.gominno.com/blog/amazing-women-from-the-bible-to-inspire-girls), like Sarah, Hannah, Abigail, Esther, Deborah, Mary, and many more. Jesus revealed Himself first to women after His resurrection and trusted them to tell His story to the disciples. There are countless similar examples in the Bible of God working through women to spread the good news about Jesus to the world. We strongly value having awesome girl characters in the shows on Minno. We want your daughters (and sons!) to be inspired by girls who love God and love His world. Minno is full of shows with amazing girl characters who love God and love other people, and who use their brains and their hearts to learn about God, His Word, and His world. Here are a few of our favorites: ## **6 Strong Girls to Inspire Your Daughter on Minno** #### [**Violet and Nora from Owlegories**](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) Sweet, kind, and super curious, Violet and Nora are full of wonderful qualities for girls (and boys!) to see. We love these little owls and all their adventures. Violet and Nora show love, patience, and joy to everyone they meet, and they love to learn all about God! **Strong girls love to learn about God’s Word.** #### [**Maggie from Brewster the Rooster**](https://www.gominno.com/series/brewster-the-rooster) Maggie discovers answers to questions only preschoolers ask! Through creative thinking, she and her friend, Brewster, come up with many possible answers! They’ll take young viewers on a journey of discovery in a way that will not only entertain but will get their creative thinking caps on! Strong girls are curious and ready to learn.** #### [**Portia from Friends and Heroes**](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes) We love Portia! She is the granddaughter of a wealthy and important Roman official, but she becomes friends with a boy named Macky. She is strong, smart, and learns a lot about God. She’s the girl you always want on your side when you run into trouble, which she and Macky do a lot during their wild adventures! **Strong girls stand up for what’s right.** #### [**Lydia from Micah’s Super Vlog**](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog) Lydia is basically the best. She knows a lot about God and is always ready to help her friends, Micah and Armin. She shows what it means to be fun, intelligent, and the best kind of friend. Fifth grade isn’t always easy, but Lydia lives in a way that honors God and loves her neighbors! **Strong girls are good, loyal friends.** #### [**Ada from Whirl**](https://www.gominno.com/series/whirl-ada-and-friends) Ada is awesome! She is the younger sister of Leo, who has his own show on Minno (Whirl, Leo and Friends). Ada and the other kids spend a lot of time at their church, where they have everyday adventures in bake sales, kickball games, parties, and more. Ada leads them with spunk and spark, and it’s easy to see why she’s one of our favorite girls on Minno. **Strong girls are leaders.** #### [**Biblegirl from Bibleman**](https://www.gominno.com/series/bibleman-the-animated-adventures) *Who doesn’t love Biblegirl?* She is a superhero who fights against evil alongside Bibleman. Using her knowledge of Scripture and her love of God, Biblegirl never loses a battle against a bad guy. But she also cares for her teammates well and reminds them of God’s love through her words and actions. **Strong girls work together for good.** There are so many awesome girl characters on [Minno](http://gominno.com), perfect for inspiring your kids to know and love God more. The best thing we can do as parents when the world tries to present girls in a way that robs them of their royal value as daughters of the King is to point them to true examples of their strength and worth in Christ. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno **Tags:** Minno Shows, Raising Girls --- ### [6 Healthy Snacks Kids Can Take on the Go](https://gominno.com/blog/healthy-snacks-kids-can-take-on-the-go/) **Published:** February 26, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/d1KUOMUuTt2AqJPO068H.jpg) “Mo-om! Can I have a snack?” It’s like the anthem of kid-dom. It seems like most kids I know would rather snack all day than eat any real meals. Actually, I know some adults who feel the same way. Some parenting resources say you should never let your kids snack between meals, it ruins their appetite. However, others say that offering the right kinds of snacks at the right times can play an important role in managing kids’ hunger and boosting nutrition.\[i\] Kids have a higher metabolism and a smaller stomach, so they need food more often. The important thing is keeping snacks under control—not letting kids just graze all day—and making sure the snacks you offer are healthy. For those of us who always seem to be on the go, that can be a much harder task than it seems. We think a lot of [healthier ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/finding-balance-in-healthy-living)foods are harder to keep fresh in the car, or they’re just too much prep work. It’s so much easier to just grab a bag of chips, a candy bar, or a sugary fruit snack. If you’re out and about, it’s fast and cheap to pick up some fries and a soda or an ice cream cone from a fast food place. We are here to encourage parents everywhere. You *can* find [healthy ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/family-resolutions-series-making-healthy-food-exercising-choices)snacks for kids on the go. Our list contains: **Celery & Peanut Butter.** Or Hummus if you’re worried about allergies. Celery and peanut butter is low in sugar, low in carbs, and high in good fats and protein. Sure, it takes a minute to wash and cut up the celery, but that’s it. You can even do that in advance and throw some in snack-sized bags so they’re ready to just grab out of the fridge. You can buy peanut butter or hummus in individual snack-sized packages or you can just scoop some into a Tupperware so the kids can have fun dipping. **String Cheese.** This is probably the lowest maintenance item on our list because it’s prepackaged and can travel easily in the car without having to be in a cooler or anything. String cheese is low in calories and high in protein and calcium. There is very little processing that goes into it. It really is just regular cheese, just in an individual package. And, it’s pretty cheap as far as snack foods go! **Raisins or Craisins.** Raisins have no added sugar. Craisins have a little bit of added sugar, but because they are naturally lower in sugar, they have less sugar overall. Both are low in carbs and high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like potassium. Because they’re dried fruit, they have a great shelf life and are super portable. You can even buy them in snack-size portions for kids. **Hard-boiled Eggs.** Hard-boiled eggs may take a little bit longer to prep than just cutting up celery, but you can boil a whole bunch at a time and then keep them in the fridge. Then pull some out whenever you need them. Hard-boiled eggs are low in calories and super high in protein. They actually contain a complete protein, which is highly absorbable and has all the amino acids humans need. And they really fill you up. So if you give a kid a hard-boiled egg, you may not hear that “Mo-om! I’m hun-gry!” anthem again until dinner. Just remember to peel them before you give them to the kids or that could get interesting. **Apples.** You just can’t beat a good old-fashioned apple. It’s always my go-to with my kids. An apple a day keeps the doctor away because apples are high in antioxidants, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. Some even call it the “miracle food” because it’s been linked to reducing the risk of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. My doctor also told me while I was pregnant that apples are a great substitute for coffee for waking you up in the morning. Bonus, kids love them! If you want to cut them up for the kids but want to keep them from browning, cut the apple while submerged in water and then put in a Ziploc bag with the air pressed out. **Energy Balls.** These are the only ones on our list that really require much prep work, but they don’t take that long and you can make a batch of them once and have them for a quick grab out of the fridge the rest of the week. Of course, how healthy they are depends on how you make them, but homemade energy balls are typically filled with protein, fiber, and nutrients without any of the extra sugar, salt, or chemicals you would get from a granola bar, protein bar, or breakfast bar you can buy at the store. For an easy recipe from a holistic child psychologist, go to[ drbeurkens.com](https://www.drbeurkens.com/energy-bites-healthy-breakfast-snack-kids/). I know it feels easier to just buy a huge box of snacks from Costco or Sam’s to keep in the pantry. If you do that, just make sure to get things like these [applesauce ](https://thrivemarket.com/p/gogo-squeez-organic-applesauce-squeezes-apple-apple?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla_smart&utm_campaign=Shopping_Engagement_Smart_Members&utm_content=890000001578&utm_term=na&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuefvBRDXARIsAFEOQ9E6JcbEc3ITlCgvpZtIldwvMPIi2ruL6H_cJLJ0BVG_XukiQA8fJQQaAvIIEALw_wcB)packets with no added sugar or [popcorn ](https://www.skinnypop.com/our-popcorn/popped-popcorn/original/)with minimal salt added. Minno is here to encourage parents that with just a little bit of prep work, you can give your kids a healthy alternative to those heavily processed, prepackaged snacks. Even when you’re running off to the next soccer game. \[i\][ Dr. Mary L. Gavin, “Smart Snacking” *Kids Health*](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-ways-for-kids-to-encourage-their-grandparents) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Health, Healthy Snacks --- ### [5 Ways to Love the World When You Can't Leave Home](https://gominno.com/blog/ways-to-love-the-world-when-you-cant-leave-home/) **Published:** April 27, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FPsIx34T9Kdwpfol05FA.jpg) There’s a sign on the inside of our door that reads, “There’s a great big world out there waiting to be loved by YOU!” It’s a reminder I want us to encounter every time we leave our home and go out to school, work, church, and most of all, our community. I passed by the sign this morning, almost six long weeks into our shelter-in-home order for the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. At first, I sighed and thought, *“When will we get to go out and love the world again?”* But then I heard Jesus whisper to my weary heart, *“Love them right where you are.”* And I began to think about what it means to love the world when you can’t leave your home. Yes, being able to move freely about allows us to tangibly share God’s love with others. But then again, our freedom is often the source of our busyness and distraction. I’ve said for weeks that this time stuck at home is a gift we all needed. Time with family to slow down and just be together; have the conversations we’ve always wanted to have but didn’t have space for. And maybe six weeks in the joy of that gift is waning. Being cooped up with those you love is a blessing and a challenge, let’s be real about that. So maybe it’s time we allow God to move our hearts—now more knit together than ever—to the world beyond the four walls keeping us safe. No, we can’t go visit loved ones or volunteer at the food pantry. We may not be able to rush to a friend’s house to help her out or contribute to recent storm clean up in our community. But we can love the world, right where we are. # 5 Ways to Love the World When You Can’t Leave Home **1. Pray** – No matter where we are, we can pray. God is always available to listen as we talk to Him. The very best thing we can do during this time is to [pray](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-prayer). Pray for the sick. Pray for our health heroes on the front lines. Pray for the lonely and hurting. Pray for those who have lost their jobs. Pray that people would come to know God in deeper ways through this time of needing Him desperately. Pray together as a family. Read [this post](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-prayer) if you’re not sure where to start in talking to your kids about prayer. **2. Care for Creation** – When we can’t go far, we can focus in, right where we are. Look for ways to take care of God’s beautiful world in your own backyard. *Haven’t started recycling? Why not now? Have you always wanted to plant a garden but didn’t have time?* Now is your chance! If you don’t feel ready to do something specific, spend time marveling at God’s creation and learn about what you can do. We’ve got some great ideas to get you started in this [Earth Day post](https://www.gominno.com/blog/12-small-ways-to-celebrate-big-on-earth-day). **3. Reach Out –** We can’t GO out but we can still REACH out. I keep thinking what it would have been like just twenty years ago to be stuck at home in the midst of a pandemic. No streaming services, no social media to connect with family and friends. No text messages (well, maybe twenty years ago we had some form of texting but definitely no emojis!), no Zoom get-togethers. The very thing that’s been so distracting for so long has now become a lifeline. If we use it well, it can be a gift during this time; a tool to reach out. I’ve connected with college friends I haven’t spoken to in years because we all have time to actually pay attention and respond as we scroll through social media. Technology is not the only way to reach out. I’ve read stories of children starting pen pal friendships while stuck at home. What a wonderful time to introduce children to the lost art of letter writing to keep in touch with loved ones and friends near and far. *What if our children learned during this time how to drop a “just because” note in the mail to brighten someone’s day when they least expect it?* **4. Dig In –** . . . to God’s Word that is! If ever you’ve felt you don’t have time for [family devotions](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) or even your own quiet time, hopefully now, you have a little more time on your hands. With the slower pace that’s come from the pandemic (or if you’re reading this after it’s all said and done but can’t leave your house because of a new baby or illness), you can find time to dig into God’s Word. The [Minno Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) is a great way to do that as a family. Each story includes a devotional family connection at the end to help you learn, talk, and pray together. If you’re looking for a way to dig in on your own, check out the amazing Bible studies from our friends at [She Reads Truth](https://shereadstruth.com/) or [Proverbs 31](https://proverbs31.org/). *So how does digging into God’s Word help you love the world better?* Because reading the Bible aligns our heart with God’s heart. When we open ourselves up to His Word, He’ll place passions and ideas within us that we may not have felt otherwise. Try it, and see what He puts on your heart! **5. Look Forward –** . . . because this won’t last forever. But this interruption is a gift, even though it’s hard and devastating for so many. If we don’t come out of this time different than before, we’ve missed God’s desire to take what is bad and turn it into something good. Just like He did so many times in the Bible, God is in the business of redeeming hard and hopeless situations and creating beauty from ashes. So look forward. *What do you want to learn during this time? What do you want to be different when it’s all over? How can your family love the world better because of what you learned from this experience?* Maybe you want to reach out to the elderly more because you realize how lonely they must have been during this time. Maybe you want to love on healthcare workers and thank them for all they do—during a pandemic AND every day of their lives. God-willing, this time won’t last much longer. But as long as it does, we can use it to “reach out” and love others in new and creative ways. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xsZbrBDScePdr4L9ktfw.jpg) There’s a great big world out there waiting to be loved by YOU. *How will you show them Jesus right now?* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Kindness, Missions, Worldview --- ### [5 Ways to Help Your Kids Manage Conflict](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-manage-conflict/) **Published:** January 23, 2017 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/msg3VnzCRlSdDbZX11VX.jpg) We’ve all been in the situation: our child has a conflict with another child. Perhaps we feel embarrassed or defensive. We intervene and face the children towards each other and tell them to apologize. After they speak the prompted, sing-songy, syrupy-sweet words, “I’m sorr-yyyyy…”, they run off to play again, unfazed. Then we pat ourselves on the back and think, That was easy. Or was it? Although I spent over 10 years caring for other people’s children in small and large groups, I didn’t realize how much the quick, easy “I’m sorry” bothered me until I became a mother. Most children will do whatever it takes to get back to playing, to escape the uncomfortable situation of being told they’ve caused pain to another. Simply commanding my small daughters to apologize wasn’t getting to the heart of the matter or creating lasting change. So, I began seeking out ways to handle reconciliation with my children. I wanted their affections stirred towards the Lord rather than the law. How could I shepherd their souls, encouraging them to not just get away with something or say what I wanted to hear but to turn their hearts towards Christ? The Scriptures say, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NIV) That means that our (and our children’s) goal with human reconciliation is to draw others to God, where we find ultimate reconciliation. Reconciliation was made real to us by our Savior, who wants to be in relationship with us despite our sin. One definition of reconciliation is actually “bringing together again.” How beautiful! We started out in relationship with God, but even after our sin separates us, we can be brought back together with Him. In her book, *Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus*, Elyse Fitzpatrick says, “Most of us are painfully aware that we’re not perfect parents. We’re also deeply grieved that we don’t have perfect kids. But the remedy to our mutual imperfections isn’t more law, even if it seems to produce tidy or polite children. Christian children (and their parents) don’t need to learn to be ‘nice.’ They need death and resurrection and a Savior who has gone before them as a faithful high priest, who was a child himself, and who lived and died perfectly in their place. They need a Savior who extends the offer of complete forgiveness, total righteousness, and indissoluble adoption to all who will believe. This is the message we all need. We need the gospel of grace and the grace of the gospel. Children can’t use the law any more than we can, because they will respond to it the same way we do. They’ll ignore it or bend it or obey it outwardly for selfish purposes, but this one thing is certain: they won’t obey it from the heart, because they can’t. That’s why Jesus had to die.” Our children cannot strive for perfection or to please us perfectly, nor can we expect that from them. I don’t know about you, but knowing that we have “mutual imperfections” has softened me and has actually given me a lot of peace in how I interact with my girls. So what can we practically do? Here are some ideas I humbly submit to you, my fellow sojourner, as I learn how to better handle reconciliation in my own family: **1. Teach them to help and serve.** Reconciliation is not just apologizing and admitting we’re wrong; it’s changing our behavior moving forward. This has been a game-changer in our family: after a child apologizes and asks for forgiveness, we teach them to go a step further by asking the person they hurt, “How can I help or serve you right now?” But this is so against human nature that the offended person is usually taken off-guard when asked this question. One time, my daughter’s friend paused and then responded, “You can help me build back the tower you just knocked down.” Another child smiled back shyly and answered, “Um, you can give me a hug?” Rather than standing their own ground in pride, this step teaches them to draw closer together and “so far as it depends on \[them\], live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV) **2. Model humility and kindness.** As adults, it’s hard for us to be humble and kind, too. We can say, “I know it’s hard for you to use kind words \[or not hit, or stop taking toys from your friend, etc\]. It’s hard for me, too, to follow the way Jesus taught us to treat others. Let’s pray right now that Jesus will help both of us to do this better.” Or, “Here’s a way you can use your hands for kindness right now. Let’s think of a kind word you could say to your friend instead.” **3. Give the child time if they’re not ready to reconcile.** Sometimes my daughter’s heart is too hardened at that moment to make a right choice, and she needs to be removed from the situation for a bit. I don’t want her just mimicking what she’s “supposed” to say but actually understanding it. Even my toddler sometimes needs to be put in a quiet place by herself for a few moments before she can be in a place to listen and take the steps of reconciliation. **4. Apply Scripture.** If we believe that the Word of God is living and breathing, then these words can actively help our children (and us) to choose the right things. Help them memorize the Scripture, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31 NIV) Letting older children practice handwriting by copying the verse can also be helpful in remembering and applying it. **5. Reconcile WITH your children.** Perhaps the most important, and most difficult, is admitting to our children when we are wrong and asking for their forgiveness. Many in our parents’ and grandparents’ generation didn’t practice this – parents ruled with an iron fist and said, “Do as I say, not as I do.” But we can change this in our generation. Elyse Fitzpatrick says, “We need days of failure because they help humble us, and through them we can see how God’s grace is poured out on the humble.” Some of the most beautiful, humbling moments I’ve had with my girls have been talking with them at bedtime, realizing how impatient, disagreeable, or downright ugly I had been. I desperately want my children to know I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect them to be either. Getting to receive their forgiveness and remember we’re on this journey with Jesus together is a joy. At bedtime the other night after a rough parenting day, I reconciled with my almost three-year-old for some ways I had treated her unkindly. She said, “Yes, I forgive you, Mommy. You didn’t do it on puwpose.” I hugged her tightly. “Well, actually, yes I did, baby girl. But thankfully God isn’t finished with me yet.” **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [5 Ways to Encourage Your Child's Spiritual Gifts](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-encourage-your-childs-spiritual-gifts/) **Published:** May 10, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/u7EGGhapSGuT4dmWtkF0_Spiritual-Gifts-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) From the moment they are born, children display a personality and gifting that is all their own! It takes time for them to grow into their own person, but each child is uniquely born with gifts from the Lord. Those gifts are meant to play a part in the Kingdom of God. They are called to play a part in ministry as well – no matter their age! Children can know God, walk with God and serve God. In Luke 18:16-17 Jesus calls the children to Him and says that we should all have the faith of child. This scripture clearly states that children are valuable in God’s Kingdom. *But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”* As parents our role is to disciple our children and provide them with a solid foundation for their faith. Often we forget that the fullness of the gospel is available to all who believe in the name of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit is present in all those who believe – including children! When our oldest son was old enough to communicate with us, we noticed quickly – even at his young age – that he was a giver. He understood love through giving and sharing things that mattered to him. We would often run around behind him on the playground or at school trying to keep him from giving away all of the things that mattered most to him. One day, we realized this was a part of who God created him to be and we needed to find ways to help guide him in those gifts. This doesn’t mean we could let him give away all of toys and presents he’d been given, but we could help him foster than inclination to give. As he grows, we aim to help him understand his giving nature and how he can do that in ways that bless the Lord. So what are some basic principles to outline how we as parents can come alongside our children and help them foster this part of who God created them to be? Here are a few steps to begin the process. **1. Pray Diligently For Their Salvation** Our children can’t fully understand who God created them to be until they have had an encounter with their own spiritual depravity and have come to know that Jesus died specifically for them. This life-changing moment requires that we as parents make certain that they have access to God in a way that they can believe and understand. **2. Teach Them About The Spirit** Once they have placed their faith in God, we must emphasize the importance of their own personal relationship with Him. Helping our kids understand that God is a relational God and that He desires to have a relationship with them is an important principle for their faith. It will be easier for them to grasp that God has uniquely gifted them in ways that no one else is when they have an intimate relationship with Him. **3. Help Them Discover Their Spiritual Gifts** As you begin walking with your child early on in their faith journey, pray for the Spirit to make evident the unique gifts they’ve been given. By knowing and sharing our own personal gifting’s we provide an example to them of how God created us each to fit into the body of Christ. Look for the things that light them up and how are they bent towards showing love to others. Let’s remember that we should never push our children towards their individual gifts. It is the role of the Spirit to draw them towards who God created them to be. We can help cultivate these gifts by watching closely for what seems to be emerging from their little hearts and guiding them towards practical ways they can use those gifts for the Kingdom. Remember, it’s ok for your children’s gifts to be different from your own! In fact, that’s how we are created – so that we each play a part that only we can play in a much bigger story which ultimately brings glory to God. **4. Encourage Them!** Just as we would encourage our kids on the soccer field or at a piano recital, it’s imperative that we affirm them when they are actively using their gifts from the Spirit. Our assurance that we believe in them and that we know God created them to play a role in His Kingdom will give them the affirmation they need to feel confident in who He created them to be! What a blessing to cheer our children on as we watch them unwrap the gifts of the Spirit and then grow into men and women who have a passionate, unwavering faith in God. **5. Open The Door …** Jesus called the children to Him because He knew that the faith of a child was uninhibited and thus a valuable asset to building His Kingdom. Connecting our children with opportunities to use those gifts and display their faith leads them to holy ground where they play an active part in a sharing the love of God with a world full of hurting people desperate to know there is a Savior. Proverbs 22:6 says, *“Train up a child up a child in the way he should go … Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”* Soon enough these blessings we’ve been given will grow up and be gone from the safety of the homes we’ve built for them. These are the days we’ve been given to teach them about the things that matter. These are the moments we have to give them the tools they need for building a faith that can be handed down for generations to come. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Family Faith, Spiritual Gifts --- ### [5 Ways to Encourage Kids During a Move and Other Life Transitions](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-encourage-kids-during-a-move-and-other-life-transitions/) **Published:** March 6, 2017 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hrd2j41cQduQNXemSrgS_family-transitions-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) After living in three different homes in less than a year-and-a-half, our family is finally putting down roots. At the end of 2015, we dismantled our lives of over a decade in urban Dallas and decided to move to middle Tennessee (just south of Nashville) where I had previously lived in college and as a young single. After selling our beloved home and family business, we jammed our stuff in a POD a la Tetris and headed northeast down I-30 without a new job or home in sight, driving towards opportunity, possibility, rolling hills, and four seasons. We still had close, lifelong friendships and community in Tennessee, but everything else was completely and utterly unknown. The month before we moved was one of the most stressful times of my life. A dear friend from Nashville flew in to help me pack, yet the concerns still mounted and the difficulties piled on. We lived out of suitcases with family in Dallas for a month while our house was on the market, and I attempted to continue homeschooling our kindergartener while my husband worked 70 hours a week at a consulting job for extra money. And then, I got pneumonia. The ground beneath us looked as if it had been harrowed, the stability we’d clung to all but broken into pieces. Unlike a plough which tills the deep soil, a harrow is for breaking up and smoothing out the surface soil. See, on the deepest level, we trusted God and had an abiding faith that was the undercurrent of our lives. But the surface was completely shaken up. How would we trust Him with these details, like where we would live in Nashville? What would we do about our dog? How would things settle financially after selling our business? I’m here to let you know that whatever transition you’re experiencing right now, God knows. Maybe it’s something big like a new job/vocation, moving into a new home or across the country, changing schools for your children, or adding a child to the family. Or something more personal, like changing to a new way of eating or living. Whatever it is, transition and upheaval can make or break you. I thought I’d share some things learned along the way to navigate these uncertain transitional times: **1. Stay close to Jesus.** Particularly during times like these, I find myself drawing closer to Jesus the Son, as He knew transition and upheaval and instability. He didn’t settle in a place for long. The Son of Man who had “no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20, NIV) is our brother, walking through tough days with us, alongside us, and He understands. **2. Remember the Lord goes before you.** During our big move, I also clung to Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV) I kept [this free lock screen](http://frenchpressmornings.com/2015/04/encouraging-wednesdays-deuteronomy-318/) on my phone as a reminder and looked at it multiple times a day. Whatever change or transition you’re going through, He walks ahead of you, and none of this is a surprise to Him. God has this. He will take care of the tiniest details. He will not leave His sheep without a shepherd! **3. Stay close to each other.** At the beginning of our marriage, my husband and I decided that “we’re always on the same team.” In other words, we made an intentional decision to draw together in times of family transition rather than letting it drive us apart. It’s not easy, but I can’t emphasize enough how much it helps when everyone is holding hands vs. each going their own way. **4.Let kids be kids**. Don’t assume your children are having a hard time with the transition or change. Sometimes I caught myself putting feelings onto my daughters that they didn’t have, just because I was experiencing them. While I was worried about where my husband would get a new job or what our rental house would be like, our girls didn’t have the smallest thought or worry about it. When they saw our new rental home, it looked like a palace – a new place to play and explore. On the flip side, our kids need a safe place to express hard feelings when they do arise. When my oldest daughter would mention, “I miss our old house and friends,” I let her know it’s okay to feel that sadness and confessed that I, too, missed a lot about our old lives. But I knew God was going to take care of us as we settled into our new home, environment, and community. I wanted her to know that I didn’t have it all together either, but I was trusting the Lord to be our strength and guide. **5. Keep family rhythms and values near.** Author Sally Clarkson often describes how her family moved 17 times while her kids were growing up, 6 times internationally. Yet they learned how to take their “family culture” and stability with them. In her book, *The Lifegiving Home: Creating A Place of Belonging and Becoming*, Clarkson says they didn’t have a static home for long, so they “focused on creating home out of less tangible materials – traditions, habits, rhythms, experiences, and values.” This gave their children security and stability amidst all the transition. As soon as we arrived in Tennessee, we immediately started surrounding ourselves with the things we love that bring us joy: our favorite coffee, finding the best local parks and hiking trails, small road trips to explore, reading our favorite children’s books aloud. Until we were reunited with all of our belongings, we took “home” with us. ~ ~ ~ So here’s how the story continues… We jumped into our new life in Tennessee, and despite all the uncertainty, God provided in every way we needed, yet not exactly how we’d expected. Even though I fought the change a lot of the time, He showed me how it was all for a greater purpose and ultimately for the good of our family. Even though our home is rooted now, more transitions are on the way for us, because that’s just life. As we wade through the rocky topsoil with the Lord, we don’t have to be afraid of change. After all, the harrow is preparing the bare land to plant seeds that will, at the right time, grow into something healthier, stronger and more beautiful. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Life Changes, Parenting, Transitions --- ### [5 Ways to Be the Hang Out House for Your Kids' Friends](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-be-the-hang-out-house-for-your-kids-friends/) **Published:** September 27, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LxG6Ll1fRvCsPKapplPe_hang-out-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) I have a strong desire to be the “hang out house.” You know, the one where my kids and their friends come to after school to play and eat and build deeper relationships. I want to be that mom and I want that to be my house. In theory anyway. But sometimes replacing the hypothetical scenario with the real life one can feel tricky. I like my own stuff and I like my own schedule. I like knowing what my kids are saying and who they are saying it to and how they are spending their time. To be succinct, I like control. And opening my own life and home to others feels as though some of that control is stripped from me because opening up my life and home to others means inviting in many variables. And sometimes all those variables and their uncontrollability make me squirm. In her book about building community, author Kristin Schell quotes an old Danish proverb, “If there is room in the heart, there is room in the house.” Ouch. Gut punch. Tap out. White flag raised. If I want to open up my home to my kids’ friends I need to take a look at my heart and weed out all the selfish parts of me that don’t want them around because I need my quiet afternoon coffee time or because I don’t want them to eat all the ice cream or because I can’t figure out how to continue my to-do list with a handful of six-year olds running around upstairs and interrupting me every four seconds. If I want to build this type of community and invite these kids in, it starts with my heart. As I’ve continued to consider this truth I have asked the Lord to show me some ways I can practically establish an open-door policy for the neighborhood kids that my kids like to be with. It’s taken much prayer and surrender and a good deal of reevaluation of my day but I’m getting there. I might be moving like a turtle, but I am trying. Here are just a few practical ways I am trying to open up my life and home to the little ones around me. **1. Keep my schedule open for the first hour after everyone comes home from school.** When the big yellow school bus rolls into our neighborhood and drops the kids off a few houses down, I want to be ready for anything. I have tried to make it a habit to cut off my work at 2:45 and be ready to receive any number of energetic elementary students with arms wide open. Now they don’t always want to play together and they don’t always want to be at my house, but making space for that to happen has been crucial for my attitude. **2. Have an ample supply of drinks and snacks.** I don’t have to supply freshly baked cookies and tall glasses of milk to every first-grader on the block, but having an adequate stash of capri suns and popsicles goes a long way. And the occasional tray of pizza pockets or mini corn dogs can’t hurt. **3. Listen** It is my humble opinion that truly and actively listening to someone is one of the most primary ways to show that you care about them. It is true for adults and it is true for young people as well. I want to communicate to the kids that come through my front door that their words are important to me and their hearts are safe under my roof. **4. Know that it’s ok to say no** Can we play video games? Can I have a soda? Can we get out the paints? When my son’s friends first started coming over I felt like I had to say yes all the time because I didn’t want to discourage them from coming back. But I have learned that it is ok and it is important to set limits and boundaries. It keeps me from feeling like my authority has been stomped on and communicates to them that not everything is a green light. **5. Remember that people are the most important thing.** More important than my white couches or getting dinner to the table on time are the little souls that spend time with my kids. I never want stuff of any kind to come before the eternal influence I can have over this future generation. I am not perfect and I still struggle with this everyday. But the Lord continues to remind me that I truly want to build community and relationships with my kids and their friends. And opening up my heart to them is the right place to start. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Parenting --- ### [5 Ways to Avoid PTO Mom Pressure](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-avoid-pto-mom-pressure/) **Published:** August 28, 2018 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Product design - Product](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04212939/6rj7S1soRqMX69KdBlpw-1024x578.jpg "Avoid PTO Mom Pressure - Minno Kids")\#image\_title This summer I joined the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) at my kids’ school. I figured with my youngest entering kindergarten I’d have plenty of “free time” on my hands. I loved the idea of becoming more involved in our school community and getting to know other moms. I embraced the fact that so much goes into making our school great and thought I could offer a little help to make it all happen. I quickly learned that the PTO is not for the faint of heart. It’s late night group texts about event details and last minute requests we’re not sure we can pull off. It’s one little thing after another that keeps us on our toes and in the school office more than we ever thought possible. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. God has given me a passion for our school community and has allowed me time in this season to give of myself. The PTO is part of my mom-assignment right now. But this isn’t the case for all moms. And that’s okay. There are full-time working moms whose “free time” is spent catching up at home or simply being with family. There are moms with little ones that make it hard to volunteer for the latest committee. The PTO isn’t for everyone. . .and neither is the role of classroom mom or exquisite lunch maker; costume seamstress or expert birthday party planner. We have enough pressure on us at home as moms to worry about performing in a public arena. Peer-pressure (even as adults) is never a good reason for doing something and will always lead to a miss-matched mission. In her book, *The Best Yes*, author Lysa Terkeurst says, “Do the next right thing that’s right in front of you.” Maybe, like me, that is the PTO in this season. Maybe it’s saying “no” so you can invest more time in your marriage or take care of an aging parent. Maybe the next right thing is finally going back to school or volunteering on a committee in your town. Perhaps it’s time to slow it all down so you can take care of yourself and spend time on your relationships. Whether you feel an extreme responsibility to join the PTO, create a Pinterest worthy costume for the nursery rhyme parade or make fancy (and healthy) bento-box lunches, remember these 5 ways to avoid unnecessary mom pressure so you can make the best decision for you and your family. **1. Own your season.** The wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:1 is timeless. . .”For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” It’s okay if you don’t have the bandwidth right now to volunteer at school or plan completely organic meals for your family a month in advance. You may do well enough to get the kids bathed and dinner on the table. Every mom has found herself in a season where keeping her family alive is about all she should could handle. As the kids grow older and you find your mom groove, opportunity and ability will open up and you’ll be better prepared to step into an expanding role if you are honest with your limitations along the way. **2. Own your giftings.** Maybe you’re not a great cook but you have a special way of making your kids feel as you embrace them at the end of each day. Own it. Perhaps you stink at crafts but you can read a storybook like an actress on screen. Own it. God has gifted each one of us with unique treasures our family has the privilege to discover. . .if we don’t cover them up with a large load of mom guilt. When you do feel the grace to give of yourself in a public arena, you’ll be a greater asset if you have confidence in what you bring to the table. Most moms feel like they lose themselves as they pour out their lives for their children. But those early years of motherhood can be an amazing season of discovering what we’re made of if we own who we are. **3. Be willing.** If and when you feel the pull to do more or serve more, do it. Don’t try to protect yourself from discomfort or hard work. If the call is there, the grace comes with it. **4. Know your limits.** Saying yes to the committee or being willing to get more creative with dinner time does not mean you have to become obsessed or overcome by it. One day, one step at a time, follow Lysa’s advice and do the next right thing. Set healthy boundaries that allow you to grow without wilting. **5. Put first things first.** No matter what, faith and family first. So even if you said yes to that thing. . .if that thing is getting in the way, it’s time to re-evaluate. Nothing is worth doing at the expense of our spiritual well-being and the health of our most treasured relationships. This isn’t always easy when outside roles or expectations demand our attention, but it’s imperative to keeping a healthy balance. When we operate with these guiding principles in choosing the next right thing, we avoid all PTO or other mom guilt that tries to tell us we need to do more or be more. Our greatest achievements as a mom will be reached inside the four walls of our homes and I can promise you, they will not have anything to do with the type of meals or parties we produced. So join me in letting go of the pressure and standing firm within the assignment he gives in each season. I hope I haven’t talked you out of joining your local PTO. The truth is, your school needs you. . .or someone like you. . .your school needs the mom who is called to the task. Just like I’m very sure I’m not called to create Pinterest worthy anything, it’s okay to own your limitations in any area to which you’ve been asked to serve. Feel free to tell your committee “no” if you truly feel like you can’t in this season but please, if you could, at least pass along another name of someone who might feel the grace to lend a helping hand because, I have to be honest, we’re drowning in fundraisers over here. **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Back-to-School, Motherhood, PTO, School Year --- ### [5 Ways for Kids to Encourage their Grandparents](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-for-kids-to-encourage-their-grandparents/) **Published:** February 17, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![minno-encouragement-for-grandparents-...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MJvuHqp9SRamuZMe9L8W.jpg) Yesterday, my five-year-old daughter was going to our neighbor’s house to play with their granddaughter who visits most weekends, and she said, “She is SO LUCKY! She gets to go to her grandma’s house *every* weekend!” Her comment actually kind of shocked me. Not that our neighbors aren’t cool people, but I *never* would have thought something like that as a kid. I knew that my grandparents loved me, but they were of the “children should be seen and not heard” mentality and I was never really excited to go to their houses. I told our neighbor about my daughter’s comment and she replied, “Oh, no, I’M the lucky one!” The relationship between a child and their grandparent can be one of the most meaningful relationships in both of their lives. People who were lucky enough to be close to their grandparents growing up, either geographically or emotionally, often talk about how much they learned from their grandparents, how much they confided in them, and how much of a difference it made in their lives to have that special bond with their grandparents. Generations ago, it was much more normal for families to live close together and more kids did see their grandparents regularly. In today’s culture, most of us don’t live close to our parents. We have to be more intentional about making sure our kids connect with their grandparents in whatever ways we can make it happen. With our hectic lives, calling, video chatting, or visiting grandparents can seem like just another thing we have to pack into our already busy schedules. But it can make such a difference for our kids and bring unparalleled joy to our parents. Whether you live across the country from parents or right next-door, these five ideas for encouraging grandparents will help you build that closeness for your kids and bring smiles to your parents’ faces. # 5 Ways for Kids to Encourage Their Grandparents **1. Celebrate the Little Things.** Don’t just call, visit, or video chat on their birthdays or [holidays](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ideas-for-grandparents-day). Have the kids call their grandparents because they saw their favorite flowers in the grocery store that day or because they had a fun weekend planned with their friends and want to tell their grandparents all about it. Have the kids call them to share small victories in their lives—when they win the class spelling bee, or score a goal in their soccer game or find out they got a solo in the church choir. Sharing the joy of these little moments can connect your kids to their grandparents in a deeper and more meaningful way. **2. Send Pictures. A LOT.** I’ve never heard a grandparent complain about being sent too many pictures or videos of their grandkids! My brother lives on the other side of the country but texts pictures almost daily to my parents and they gush over Every. Single. One. It doesn’t have to be a photo of anything special, just a quick picture to say “we were reading this book you gave us and thinking of you” or “look at this picture I drew” or just pictures of them doing regular old stuff like playing with toys or with food all over their faces in their high chairs or riding their bikes. The more pictures we send, the more our parents can feel like they are a part of our kids’ daily lives. We’re so lucky that we can send a picture or video so quickly and easily these days, why not take advantage of it. **3. Pray for Them.** *When you do family devotions or pray at the dinner table or before school or before bed, do you include grandparents in your prayers?* *Not just when they have surgery coming up or something, but regularly?* Praying for people helps you connect with them on a spiritual level in a way that nothing else does. Encourage your kids to thank God for specific things about their grandparents and ask for God to help them with specific needs. The more specific you are with your prayers for them, the more connected the kids will feel to them. Then the next time you call, video chat, or visit, the kids can tell them they prayed for them! **4. Give them Drawings or Cards.** Grandparents love kids’ art. Especially anything with handprints or footprints, but really anything. While you may feel like you’re drowning in kids’ art and wonder if they’ll notice if you just chuck half of it in the garbage, your parents would love to have more of it to proudly display on the fridge. You can give your parents the extra art projects you don’t want to keep or have the kids create new ones for them. If you can mail or give the original to them, great. You can also simply take a picture of the original and text or email it to them and they can print it out! **5. Share Hugs and Kisses.** Even if they have to be virtual. If you live close to your parents, this is something the kids can do more often, but even if they live far away, you can have them blow kisses in the video chat or “send hugs” in a card in the mail or even through an emoji on a text. Just be sure your kids are comfortable with whatever kind of affection they offer. Don’t make them hug or kiss anyone if it makes them uncomfortable. If a kid isn’t as comfortable with kisses, they can just hug. If they aren’t comfortable with hugs, they can create a special handshake to do with their grandparents. Our kids’ [relationship ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-im-honoring-my-mom-and-how-to-teach-kids-to-honor-their-parents)with their grandparents can be really special if we just make a little effort to create an intentional connection between them. And helping them think of how to [encourage ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-encouragement)other people in their lives can be a time of character building too! It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or stress, just a few small things can make your parents feel like they are a special part of your kids’ lives and can give your kids that unique relationship that will make a difference for years to come. If you don’t have grandparents close by or if your relationship with your parents is strained or if they are not the kind of influence you want to have in your kids’ lives, you can build the same kind of relationships with any grandparent figure in your church or neighborhood. There are so many older people out there who would love to “adopt a grandchild”. You just have to ask! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Grandparents --- ### [5 Tips for Parenting in a Social Media Culture](https://gominno.com/blog/5-tips-for-parenting-in-a-social-media-culture/) **Published:** May 2, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Media literacy - Media](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04214138/QT21pUSFRjaG0fJ2AI5j-1024x578.jpg "Parenting in Social Media Culture - Minno Kids") *[The NY Times published an article that dives into the world of children and screen addiction](http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/06/screen-addiction-is-taking-a-toll-on-children/). The article quotes statistics from a Kaiser Family Foundation study which states, “The average 8- to 10-year-old spends nearly eight hours a day with a variety of different media, and older children and teenagers spend more than 11 hours per day.”* *With screens occupying so much of our children’s (and our) lives, how do we help our children develop a healthy relationship with their devices and the online world? It’s never too early to start conversations about online behavior and model good choices for your kids. One dad gives us 5 tips for parenting in a social media culture below.* Parenting in a social media culture. That sentence alone can cause fear to run up and down the spine of many parents. All day long they hear horror stories about kids and social media. From Facebook (yes, kids still use Facebook) to Instagram, Twitter to Snapchat, Kik to After School, the opportunities for kids to run into trouble online are seemingly endless. The truth? There are risks, but there can also be a lot of good. Take a deep breath and let’s look at ## 5 ways you can be an effective parent in a social media culture: ### 1. Be a social media user. One of the biggest disadvantages of being a parent in this social media age is you don’t have time to spend on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Kik, Yik Yak, Tumblr and more. While you don’t need to be an active user on every platform, you should take the time to tinker with many of them. Read websites like [Mashable](http://mashable.com/) that keep up to date on every social media site you can imagine. Equip yourself to speak their language. When you start talking about MyTwitBook, your kids immediately check out. Another great resource? Your kids. Ask them what platforms they are using and have them show you how they work. Use some common sense to identify potential problem areas as well as features that could be useful. (“Disappearing” messages on apps like Snapchat don’t really disappear and “anonymous” apps like Yik Yak and After School aren’t really anonymous, etc). Privacy, location-based services, inappropriate texting, and cyberbullying are conversations that are a must as your children grow up. While it’s too much to cover here, a quick Google search will give you the information you need. You don’t need to be a social media expert – whatever that might be – but take the time to understand the platforms your kids are on. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite app. ### 2. Friend/follow your kids on every platform. Follow your kids and know their username and password on every platform they use. Set guidelines for when they can and can’t use the phone. Kids will post inappropriate things and, like we skinned our knees when falling off our bike, they will seemingly dust the dirt off and try again. The problem with that analogy is a small scar on our knee only hurts us and will eventually go away. Mistakes on the internet can potentially hurt others and they last forever. Help your kids understand that social media is not a private thing. ### 3. Don’t be a dominator. “Don’t post this, don’t embarrass yourself or our family, don’t, don’t, don’t…” You’ve probably had that conversation with your kid. You’ve also realized it doesn’t work. What you are doing is being a dominator. You’re bringing an immense amount of challenge without bringing an equal amount of support. Your kids end up afraid of you and afraid of the internet. They won’t come to you for questions and they’ll try to hide things from you, knowing that you are just going to blow up. While you should have high expectations for their behavior online, you get that by bringing challenge and support. “Hey, Jeff. You know Mom and I are for you, right? Every picture is a representation of you, our family, your team, your youth group and school. You’re there to have fun with your friends but your audience is much bigger. We expect you to act a certain way online. If not, there will be consequences. Mom and I are here for you. If you have questions, if you see something that maybe shouldn’t be there, come to us. We want social media to be a great thing for you.” Imagine how different that conversation feels. You lay out the ground rules and how you will help them win. It becomes a family effort where they feel empowered and they trust you. ### 4. Be the standard. In my talks with youth groups, I always get a parent that comes up and says something along the lines of, “Thank you so much for this. I just couldn’t believe my son said this about his teacher on Facebook.” I immediately open up Facebook and find the parent’s account – while they are standing there. Without fail, one of their last 10 posts is a complaint about their spouse, their job, their kid, the Starbucks barista who used 2% instead of soy milk. And they wonder where their son learned this type of behavior. Your kids follow you online. They are learning what’s acceptable and what isn’t from what you post. When you complain about your day, they think the internet is a place to vent. When you gossip about someone, they think it’s ok to talk about kids at school online. Hold yourself to even higher standards online than you hold your kid to. ### 5. Examples, examples, examples. There are countless examples of teens using the internet for good and bad. Show them to your kids. Show them a student who got suspended for a Facebook threat. Show them a teen who used social media to get a scholarship or raise awareness for an issue. They need to see the good and bad, and understand the impact of their online behavior. You can tell them what good and bad behavior is, or you can show them. That’s not so bad, right? The key, I believe, is to be intentional rather than accidental. Intentional parents understand that social media is here and will be for the foreseeable future. They take the time on the front end to set their kids up for success and they have conversations on a regular basis. Accidental parents throw their hands up and turn a blind eye to reality. When things go wrong, they wonder why. When things go right, they wonder why. You should play a significant role in the experience your children will have on social media. It’s important to them and it needs to be important to you. Lead them intentionally. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/nac78wfBSm2puYo5ZIQT/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) *The founder of [Fieldhouse Media](http://www.fieldhousemedia.net/), Kevin DeShazo has spoken to more than 60,000 college athletes and coaches about social media use. He is the author of iAthlete: Impacting Student-Athletes of a Digital Generation, and also presents to churches and youth groups around the country on the topic.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Culture, Parenting, Social Media --- ### [5 Tips for Easier Homeschool Planning](https://gominno.com/blog/5-tips-for-easier-homeschool-planning/) **Published:** September 30, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-five-tips-easier-homeschoo...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4sMJO2Qm3VhP77oFRgzV.jpg) Being a teacher of any kind is difficult. You bear the responsibility for not only being knowledgeable in a number of different content areas, but also mastering the subjects enough to help children learn them. This burden can be compounded for homeschool parents who feel the pressures of taking on both teacher and parent roles simultaneously. Not only do you have to faciliate the intellectual development of your child, but you also have to balance healthy Christian parenting at the same time. Homeschool planning doesn’t have to be a burden. Incorporating some simple tools and tricks may take this task from cumbersome to efficient. Here are 5 tips for easier homeschool planning. 1. Buy a Lesson Planner One of the biggest reasons why planning for Christian homeschooling may seem like an uphill battle is because you feel like you’re constantly having to play catch-up. It can be tempting to only plan for each day as it comes, but planning ahead of time is what helps you stay organized and feel less overwhelmed. Buying and using a lesson planner helps provide a visual representation of what your lesson plans will look like throughout the week or the month. That way, you can map out units far in advance and stay on top of the work. Avoid the pitfall of day-to-day planning and organize your time to save yourself plenty of headaches. 2. Join a Homeschool Co-Op Homeschooling can feel like a lonely affair. Both you and your children may feel isolated and overwhelmed by the task of schooling on your own. Joining a homeschool co-op can be a simple and helpful solution to this problem. [Homeschool co-ops](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-homeschool-co-op) offer a number of helpful resources for child development. They can often be a source for social interaction, extra-curricular involvement, and solidarity for Christian families. But they can also help lift the weight of responsibility from your shoulders for a bit. In some cases, a homeschool co-op may provide added opportunities for your students to get involved in activities during the day, freeing up your time for other things. Co-ops can also include parents who share the responsibilities of teaching certain days or certain subjects. Perhaps your friend is a gifted math teacher and will take on that subject. Or, maybe you decide to teach the kids on Wednesdays and Fridays while other members coordinate the other class days. However it is arranged, homeschool co-ops are a perfect demonstration of how a community can work together to bear the responsibility of raising and educating children. 3. Invest in Study Aids There is no need to reinvent the wheel when there are a number of useful, practical tools already in circulation. Sometimes parents will decide to homeschool because they are dissatisfied with the current curriculum being taught to their children, which is a perfectly valid reason. But that doesn’t mean that all [pre-existing resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) are insufficient. Don’t feel the pressure to create fully original curriculum for all of your lessons everyday. It is perfectly fine to use quality study aids to support what you are teaching in class. Your original, creative lessons can be effectively reinforced by workbook activities and learning aids that piggyback on what you’ve discussed. 4. Schedule Planning Time or Office Hours The same thing could be said for planning time and devotional time: nobody *has* the time; you must *make* time. If you’re a busy parent (and, let’s be honest, if you’re a parent, you’re busy) then you don’t have huge margins of time during which you can leisurely plan the next week’s lessons. This may leave you feeling ragged as you cram in lesson planning with your spare moments here and there. If you want to make your lesson planning time easier and more efficient, one of the most straightforward ways is to ensure that you always have a set amount of time carved out for planning. Make sure your family knows that these few hours on a specific day are your “office hours” and that you need a bit of alone time to properly prepare for the next week. It may even be a good idea to bring this work to a coffee shop or library if it’s possible to get away. Frontloading your time before the lessons may save you from feeling overwhelmed later. Make sure to be disciplined about this time. Even if you manage to plan this week quickly, get a bit ahead if you can. You’ll thank yourself later. 5. Include Time for Activities and Breaks Another reason homeschool parents may feel pressure is because they feel that they have to fill every moment of time with lecture. As most teachers will tell you, some of the best learning can happen while the instructor is silent and the student is left to practice on their own. Don’t feel like time that you aren’t verbally instructing is wasted. Be sure to [plan in time for a break](https://www.gominno.com/blog/homeschool-tips-how-to-take-breaks-without-getting-derailed) (for you and for them) as well as incorporating activities that pertain to the day’s lesson. If the unit warrants a field trip, that isn’t a frivolous use of time; it’s an opportunity to bring lessons to life and show the real-world applications of what your students are learning in class. Never underestimate the power of a break. Anyone with a basic understanding of [Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs](https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html) will tell you that a hungry belly probably isn’t very focused on multiplication tables. While a snack break can help you structure the school day more efficiently, it can also help your student learn better and retain the content. For Christian homeschooling, feel free to incorporate quality [engaging media ](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on)to help teach kids about Jesus during the school day. While a fun video gives both of you a break, it can also be an excellent way to introduce a Bible story and begin a great conversation about God. Christian families who choose to homeschool have *plenty* on their plates. From maintaining the home activities, to tending to the academic development of children, homeschooling is certainly a tall order. If homeschool planning has you feeling like you’re treading water, you’re certainly not alone. Testing out one or more of these tips can help you recenter your instruction and provide a bit more breathing room in your schedule. For more homeschooling resources, or if you’re looking for more tips on [Christian parenting](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith), check out [our catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of resources for kids Bible stories, family devotionals, and more! **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Homeschooling --- ### [5 Things to Do If You Can't Afford a Family Vacation](https://gominno.com/blog/5-things-to-do-if-you-cant-afford-a-family-vacation/) **Published:** June 15, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/r0l3ytgJTYaAThqZPhD9_Cheap-Vacation-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Last year I’d hoped for my family to drive south to the Gulf of Mexico for a beach vacation. I’d researched the cleanest, most family friendly beach towns and figured up just how many cities we could cross off our travel bucket list during the road trip to get there. *But sometimes plans don’t work out the way we anticipate.* We sold our house last spring and moved into a new one. It was an exciting (fine, *stressful*) time — and also an expensive one. Between that and a mission trip overseas, our budget looked a whole lot different in the middle of the year than it had in the beginning when we dreamed of white sands and dolphin cruises. As we evaluated our summer plans, we knew that we could do what we’ve done in the past — take the trip anyway and pay for it later — but we also knew that wasn’t a good choice for us this time around. (Cue the sad face about being adults and how responsibility is a bummer!) So we decided to cancel our vacation. My husband’s employer requires him to schedule his summer vacation days in January, though, so his days off were already reserved. He could have given them up and gone to work anyway, but we didn’t want to be *that* grown-up! We wanted to do something special with our daughters, even if we didn’t have the money to drive to the beach for a few days. What was supposed to be our beach vacation turned into a staycation with a side of weekend getaway. We enjoyed some attractions in our own city and then took a short road trip to visit friends a couple hours away. It was low-key and budget-friendly, but we still had a blast relaxing and spending time together. If you are worried your vacation plans might break the bank this year, or perhaps unforeseen circumstances are making road trips or cross-country adventures impossible, you can still have fun and make memories with your family this summer. Today I have five things you might try if you can’t afford a family vacation. **Explore Your City.** No matter where you live, it’s likely your hometown has something interesting or entertaining to offer. Visit your tourist bureau or chamber of commerce, grab a stack of brochures, and act like a tourist! And don’t just settle for the regular attractions. After all, museums, art galleries, parks, community theater, concerts, and local sports teams are just the beginning. Is your city home to the biggest rocking chair or the oldest drive-in theater or the birthplace of someone famous? Whatever your town’s (or region’s or state’s) claim to fame, no matter how silly, go visit it! Revel in the kitsch, in the unusual, in the out-of-the-norm. Get to know your community better and enjoy all it has to offer. (Something most of us forget to do when we live there every day — or, even more likely, don’t have time for in the regular, day-to-day living we do there!) **Make a Day Trip.** Even if airfare for four isn’t in your budget, perhaps you could manage a tank of gas and a picnic lunch? Within a couple hours of your house, you might find some hidden treasures or a new favorite spot. (Or, like we have frequently done, you could visit family or friends who live just far enough away to be missed!) To pick your day trip destination, you might start by looking at your state’s visitor guide or website. You could also look up all the state parks within a certain distance, or even just draw a circle around your town and start visiting anything that lands in that space! **Take Time to Dream.** So you can’t afford a big family vacation this year? That’s okay. Take any time you have free to dream of future adventures you’d like your family to enjoy! Make a bucket list of new activities you want to try together (karaoke, indoor skydiving, or rock climbing, anyone?), create song lists of music you’d to introduce to your kids, grab a map, an atlas or even a National Geographic and start dreaming of the trips you’ll take when your budget allows. This might even be a good time to talk about your family’s mission statement or values. Maybe set some goals as a family or start a new project together. Or, if you’re feeling more like relaxation than deep thoughts or handiwork, why not kick back and watch a travel show on TV or a family vacation movie together? (The key, of course, is the “together” part — and stretching your imaginations and sharing your dreams while you do anything will make that time spent together even sweeter.) **Serve Others.** Last year wasn’t the first time my family hasn’t been able to take the amazing vacation we’d dreamed about. It wasn’t the first time our budget realities led to disappointment and frustration (and, let’s be honest, it probably won’t be the last!). So I know how hard it can be to realize you can’t do anything fun or exciting or new or special with your crew this year. Except . . .even though you aren’t packing a suitcase or hitting the road, you can absolutely still do something special and meaningful (and possibly new) with your family. You can serve together — and I guarantee that can bond you as closely as huddling in a tent or piling into the minivan. Volunteer to serve at your church’s vacation bible school or a local camp. Make homeless care packages and deliver them around the city. Clean out your closets and donate your used clothes to a shelter. Find out what organizations are helping refugees and join them. Serve meals at a food kitchen. Teach inner city kids to read. The possibilities are endless; there’s always work to be done. And doing it with your family will create an experience for you as a team, remind you that your life — even without a vacation — is incredibly blessed, and enforce your family values of caring for others. **Build Your Own Camp.** This one is for the most adventurous and creative families! If you miss those days of summer camp and long for your kids to experience some of those things you hold dear, why not make it happen for them — in your backyard?! Roast s’mores around a fire pit (or even your grill), search Pinterest for the campiest camp crafts you can find (carving something out of Dove soap, perhaps? winding yarn around popsicle sticks to make a God’s eye? *making friendship bracelets?!*), and start your own water balloon fight. Sometimes the simplest things really do create the best memories. A sprinkler in the backyard, some homemade pudding pops, a tent under the stars, a round of tug of war, and the movie that makes you all snort chocolate milk out your noses — it might not be crystal beaches, soaring mountains, or foreign lands, but it will definitely be a summer your family will remember. If you can’t afford a family vacation this summer, it’s okay. You can still have fun and make memories with the people you love most — without ever praying for a rest stop, handing out motion sickness pills, or begging your kids to play the quiet game just one more time. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Travel, Vacation --- ### [5 Thanksgiving Recipes for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/5-thanksgiving-recipes-for-kids/) **Published:** November 19, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![Photograph - Room](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04211708/jxDpkgRT42WEZJNqgfHW-1024x578.jpg "Thanksgiving Recipes for Kids - Minno Kids")\#image\_title Whether your kids are budding culinary talents or connoisseurs of a chicken-nugget-only diet, Thanksgiving offers abundant opportunity to spend some quality time together in the kitchen! From sneaking bites of cookie dough to kneading fresh bread to warming up frozen peas in the microwave, kiddos (and parents!) of all culinary levels will find a good fit in our round-up of the 5 best Thanksgiving recipes for kids. 1. [Fruit Cornucopias from Kirbie’s Cravings](http://kirbiecravings.com/2014/09/fruit-cones.html) Could these be any cuter? Or easier? Even the tiniest chefs will have a blast stuffing ice cream cones with fruit. Perfect for a healthy snack while you wait for the turkey to finish cooking! 2\. [Allergen-Friendly Sunbutter Buckeyes from Super Healthy Kids](http://www.superhealthykids.com/allergen-friendly-holiday-buckeyes/) We’ll be honest, you had us at buckeyes … a holiday classic! But when we saw that these buckeyes were allergen-free, we had to share. Whip these up with your kiddos, nut-sensitivies or no! 3\. [Parmesan Herb Bubble Bread from Half Hour Meals ](http://www.halfhourmeals.com/recipe/parmesan-herb-bubble-bread/) We love fresh homemade bread as much as the next family, but let’s be real … those frozen yeast rolls (you know the ones) are a Thanksgiving favorite! Here’s a really fun twist on the classic yeast roll that you can definitely get the kids involved in. Roll the thawed dough around in a mix of herbs and cheese for a fun and easy twist on a classic! 4\. [Acorn “Cookies” from Poppy Talk](http://www.poppytalk.com/2011/10/adorable-acorn-cookies-autumn-colours.html) No one will judge if you snack a “few” (or a lot!) of these while you’re running around cooking all day. These adorable no-bake “cookies” – made with a chocolate kiss, a mini nilla wafer and a smidge of nut butter – look super easy for kids to put together, and super easy to eat more than you should! 5\. [Roasted Domino Potatoes from Bon Appetit](http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/roasted-domino-potatoes) Perfect for kids who like puzzles and arranging, these domino potatoes require more prep work from an adult, but the result will be so impressive! Does your family have a favorite Thanksgiving food you like to make together? Let us know on our [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/)! **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Recipes, Thanksgiving --- ### [5 Thanksgiving Prayers](https://gominno.com/blog/five-thanksgiving-prayers/) **Published:** September 17, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WcUV2KiyRK5iNdpGDvNe.jpg) As you gather with friends and family around the table this Thanksgiving, here are a 5 Thanksgiving prayers that are some of our favorites. These prayers are from a variety of sources and weren’t necessarily intended for the Thanksgiving holiday, but rather they reflect the spirit of gratitude we should have all year long, and would be perfect to say as you gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. #### Psalm 100 (ESV): > Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! > Serve the Lord with gladness! > Come into his presence with singing! > Know that the Lord, he is God! > It is he who made us, and we are his;\[a\] > we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. > Enter his gates with thanksgiving, > and his courts with praise! > Give thanks to him; bless his name! > For the Lord is good; > his steadfast love endures forever, > and his faithfulness to all generations. #### The Doxology (can be said or sung): > Praise God from whom all blessing flow > Praise Him all creatures here below > Praise Him above ye heavenly host > Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost > Amen #### Father We Thank Thee **by Ralph Waldo Emerson** > For flowers that bloom about our feet, > Father, we thank Thee. > For tender grass so fresh, so sweet, > Father, we thank Thee. > For the song of bird and hum of bee, > For all things fair we hear or see, > Father in heaven, we thank Thee. > > For blue of stream and blue of sky, > Father, we thank Thee. > For pleasant shade of branches high, > Father, we thank Thee. > For fragrant air and cooling breeze, > For beauty of the blooming trees, > Father in heaven, we thank Thee. > > For this new morning with its light, > Father, we thank Thee. > For rest and shelter of the night, > Father, we thank Thee > For health and food, for love and friends, > For everything Thy goodness sends, > Father in heaven, we thank Thee. #### From the Book of Common Prayer (A Litany of Thanksgiving): > Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so > freely bestowed upon us. > > For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and > sky and sea. > We thank you, Lord. > > For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, > revealing the image of Christ, > We thank you, Lord. > > For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and > our friends, > We thank you, Lord. > > For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve, > We thank you, Lord. > > For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play, > We thank you, Lord. > > For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering > and faithful in adversity, > We thank you, Lord. > > For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice, > We thank you, Lord. > > For the communion of saints, in all times and places, > We thank you, Lord. > > Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and > promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord; > To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the > Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. #### Psalm 95:1-7 > Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; > let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! > Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; > let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! > For the Lord is a great God, > and a great King above all gods. > In his hand are the depths of the earth; > the heights of the mountains are his also. > The sea is his, for he made it, > and his hands formed the dry land. > Oh come, let us worship and bow down; > let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! > For he is our God, > and we are the people of his pasture, > and the sheep of his hand. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Prayer, Thanksgiving --- ### [5 Thanksgiving Bible Verses to Share as a Family](https://gominno.com/blog/five-thanksgiving-verses/) **Published:** October 9, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/D28pUnWRSCHAa1guVsMP.jpg) Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on God’s many blessings to us. The Bible is full of examples of people giving thanks to God in all kinds of circumstances and situations. As you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with your family this year, we’ve selected a few Bible verses to prepare your hearts to give thanks to God, from whom all blessings flow. All verses are from the ESV (English Standard Version). **1 Chronicles 16:8** > Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! In this verse, David is giving thanks to the Lord. This verse helps us remember that there are many ways to show thanks to God – by worshipping Him, and by sharing about His good works! **Colossians 3:17**: > And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. In this chapter, Paul is writing to the people of Colossae about what it means to be a follower of Christ. He reminds people to turn away from sin, and turn toward Christ – and when we are focused on Jesus, we will do everything in his name and bring glory and thanks to God the Father because of it! **Psalm 106:1**: > Praise to the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106 is a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness throughout history! It reminds of how many times the Israelites turned away from God, but God always loved them. The Psalmist is urging the people to give thanks to God because of God’s unfailing and ever-present love. **Psalm 34:1**: > I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. This verse reminds us to praise God all the time, in every circumstance! We should always use our words to praise God and give thanks to Him. **1 Thessalonians 5:16-18**: > Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. In this verse, Paul is reminding the believers at the church in Thessalonica to give thanks to God all the time. He is showing the people how to live as God’s people, and reminding them to rejoice always, pray always and give thanks always. What a perfect reminder for Thanksgiving! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Bible Verses, Thanksgiving --- ### [5 Road Trip Tips for Easier Summer Travel with Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/5-road-trip-tips-for-easier-summer-travel-with-kids/) **Published:** June 29, 2017 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/oH3ig0FYQnCqScssiUqT.jpg) Soon we’ll be gearing up for our semi-annual 12+ hour van trip to visit the grandparents. And with that brings the challenge to keep our four children – ages 11, 8, 6 and 3 – occupied and the whole family at peace with each other throughout the journey. I know that traveling with young children can make parents sweat just thinking about it. We’ve been doing this trip since our first child was a baby. Thankfully we’ve learned a few things to do (and some not to do) over 10 years of long-distance road trips. You really don’t have to go crazy traveling with kids–I promise! The key is to be as well-prepared and ready as possible. Here are five of my best road trip tips for easier summer travel with kids. ### Pack Food that Works Well for Traveling It’s obviously expensive to eat out all the time and so we often pack at least one meal in a cooler for the road. Unless we want too many crumbs on the floor of the van (because we know there will end up being some mess!) it’s best to choose food that is easy to store, not too messy and easy to eat. What we usually pack: - Peanut butter and jam or ham and cheese sandwiches (we’ve also done wraps) - Beef sticks, our favorite is the Old Wisconsin brand - Squeezable applesauce - [Homemade granola bars](http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-chewy-granola-bars-without-corn-syrup) - Cut up apples and also grapes. Now that our kids are older and not as messy, we often bring blueberries - String cheese or cheese sticks - Pretzels, goldfish or animal crackers (those that aren’t too crumbly, we like the Stauffer’s Brand) - Dried Fruit (we love the dried strawberries and cranberries from Aldi) - Squeezable baby/toddler food - Cheerios or baby puffs for little ones - We also make sure everyone has a full reusable water bottle – we love our Klean Kanteens! ### Choose Some Fun and New Activities for the Kids Obviously, a long car trip would be really long and boring without anything to do, even though I’d be content to just read a book the whole time! Some of the things we bring along to keep the kids occupied and entertained {we use reusable bags for storage of these things}: - Library Books – we visit the local library a couple of days before our trip so the kids have something new to read. For this summer’s trip, I’m also going to read Little House on the Prairie out loud. Audio books from the library are perfect as well! - Audio Stories – We love the American Girl audio books and Adventures in Odyssey, a Christian kids radio drama. Some of our new favorites for our older kids include [The Adventures of G.A. Henty](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2016/11/thecatofbubastesaudioadventurereview.html) and [Jonathan Park](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/exciting-audio-adventure-stories-help-kids-strengthen-defend-faith)! - Puppets or Stuffed Animal – My biggest tip for traveling with a really young child is to bring along puppets or a stuffed animal that can sing to or play peek-a-boo with your little one. I know it will be a challenge to travel with a 15-month-old this summer, but this is one thing that has entertained in the past! - Metal cookie sheet – If you have a son like mine who loves Hotwheels or a daughter who can dress her magnetic paper dolls for hours, a metal cookie sheet is a great way to keep small pieces contained! - Music and Read Along Stories –We love [Seeds Worship](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/music), [Hide Em in Your Heart](https://www.amazon.com/Hide-Em-Your-Heart-Vol/dp/B001EJH4SW) and the [Wee Sing series](http://weesing.com/). And my husband likes to pull out his old Audio Adrenaline CDs, too! - Roadside Stops – Stopping at a park or picnic area along the way has been a lifesaver for our family on more than one occasion. Sometimes we will map our stops at the beginning of the trip and do a countdown to getting to each one. - The Trip Clip – My children love all the activities you can do to pass the time with the Trip Clip–check it out [here](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2012/05/trip-clip-giveaway-perfect-for-summer.html)! ### Pack an Emergency Bag and Clean-Up Items I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that accidents happen – urgent bathroom needs, throwing up, sore throats and chapped lips have been regular occurrences for us over the years. We’ve learned to bring a few safeguards: - Small trash can - Plastic bags for when somebody gets sick or for trash - First-aid kit with Bandaids, ointment, throat drops, Kleenex, Chapstick, and lotion - Sunglasses for everyone and a sun hat for the baby - Baby wipes - Portable toilet for potty trainers, or an empty water bottle for when there is nowhere for boys to stop for the bathroom! ### Have a Set of Clothes and Toiletries Handy Usually, the time when my three-year-old spills her bottle of water down her shirt is when I don’t have an extra one handy and have to dig deep in the back of the van to find one! I’ve found it’s great to have a small bag with a change of clothes for everyone as well as everyone’s toothbrushes and toothpaste. Of course, if you have a diaper bag, you could just store a few extras in that. Need more packing tips? You can read my [top three tips for packing for a road trip](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2013/05/my-top-3-tips-for-packing-for-road-trip.html) over at my blog, The Purposeful Mom. ### Pray Scripture Over Your Journey Before You Go! We always prayed for safety on our trips, but recently I’ve been considering praying specific Scriptures over our travels. Psalm 91:10-11, “Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways…” Psalm 121:7-8, “The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 5:12, “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Deuteronomy 28:6, “You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.” 1 Timothy 6:17 NLT “Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” (A good reminder about all the beautiful creation we see while we travel!) Be encouraged by these tips for your trip as you enjoy the summer with your family! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Road Trips, Summer, Travel --- ### [5 Practical Ways to Get Feedback from Sunday School Parents](https://gominno.com/blog/5-practical-ways-to-get-feedback-from-sunday-school-parents/) **Published:** June 3, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-Get-Parental-Feedback.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/A22aszosR22HDXb3SmOM.jpg) Children’s ministry leaders know that Sundays can be busy for families headed to church. As a mom *and* a Sunday School teacher, I’ll confess that more often than not I am running behind just trying to get out the door! My kids are chronically late to almost everything that has a specific start time. We almost always lose a shoe or accidentally get slime stuck in someone’s hair, requiring emergency extraction. I know there are families who arrive to Sunday School early, but mine isn’t one of them. While parents know that pastors and the children’s ministry/youth ministry teams are there to serve, they don’t always have the chance to have meaningful conversations with them. They know we work hard to make sure our children are learning and fellowshipping with each other in affirming and character building ways, but they might not know the details as they rush through drop-off and pick-up. They know we are dedicated to teaching Bible stories for kids and Sunday School curriculum that is rooted in teaching kids faith in Jesus, but they might know how much we value feedback from parents. Are your parents often in a hurry, ready to drop the kids off and then scoot on to lunch afterward before sweet little Jasmine’s hungry monster kicks in? Because of situations like this, church staff and teachers are not always sure how or when to request an assessment from families. Obtaining feedback is necessary for the continued growth and development of the program and especially for our children, but if parents are asked to take a weekly survey, 9 times out of 10 they will opt out – not because they don’t care, but because the survey email gets buried underneath the hundreds of others and becomes a total “out of sight, out of mind” scenario. If parents are handed a paper survey at child pickup, it has certainly already been ripped, folded, scribbled on, dropped in the hallway, left behind on the way out the door, or destroyed by their 5 year old during the 4 minute walk to the car. To solve the survey conundrum, we’ve discovered 5 effective ways to collect feedback from Sunday School parents that will boost engagement and responses. 1. Talk to the Kids Survey the students first. At the end of each class, during the lesson review, ask the children what they liked and disliked about today’s class. They are the people attending and I have yet to meet a little person or adolescent without an opinion. Create a safe space for them to offer up their youth ministry ideas, suggestions, and critiques. This practice builds confidence in the student’s personal development, and helps build trust between the students and teachers. Offering a space for student feedback lets the children know that their ideas, thoughts, and questions are important and that they are worthy of being heard. We focus so much on what parents think, but giving the children a voice in the survey process is exactly what Jesus would do ([Matthew 19:14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19:14&version=NIV)), and definitely a fantastic place to start when seeking feedback. 2. Tap Yes or No During drop off and pickup times, have a tablet available for parents to complete the survey on site and offer as many open ended responses as possible. Multiple choice questions and “yes” or “no” responses are faster, but when families can offer more in depth input, new and creative ideas can thrive. 3. Don’t Ask Too Often Do not ask for weekly feedback. The thought of being emailed each week about my children’s classes is super overwhelming and my participation will fade quickly. Quarterly surveys are most effective and respectful of everyone’s time. 4. Text Messaging is Your Friend Send your survey as a text message notification. If you are texting me, you’ve got my attention! When parents check their children into class, ask them to opt into your text updates. When you are ready to receive feedback, ask them to spend two minutes to contribute their thoughts and send a link to the survey. Remember that if your survey has a progress bar, you will see more engagement. [SurveyMonkey](https://www.surveymonkey.com) is a great option for surveying via text message as well as online. 5. Use Social Media Consider creating a Facebook and/or Instagram account for your children’s or youth ministry. Each of these social platforms offer effective ways to survey your community with polls, voting, commenting, etc. Since most parents are already checking in on their social channels multiple times daily, you can easily grab their attention throughout the week without overwhelming their inbox. Teaching kids about Jesus and cultivating their faith is imperative to their spiritual growth. Allowing space for parents and students to share their ideas will build a stronger sense of community and love. A well thought out survey could be your church’s biggest asset for an effective children’s program. ## About the Author ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rbGV7advTtKBa0mUkeMC.jpg)Ashley Reale *currently lives and works in Nashville, TN with her family and rescue goldendoodle puppy.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Education **Tags:** Children's Ministry, Kid's Ministry, KidMin --- ### [5 Practical Principles to Help You Parent with Grace](https://gominno.com/blog/5-principles-to-help-you-parent-with-grace/) **Published:** July 22, 2019 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![Parent - Emotion](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224745/wPiZ6o9mQ4msa18hZ3Yl-1-1024x578.jpg "Parent with Grace - Minno Kids")\#image\_title > *No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)* Balancing grace and correction in parenting is something that most of us strive for, but feel like we fail at doing! *Why is it so hard to discipline with grace?* Over the years of being a mom and talking to other parents, I’ve identified four key reasons: 1. We are reactive, rather than proactive. It’s much easier and requires less mental energy to simply respond with a routine of snapping at our kids or barking orders than to work with them and train them in “the way they should go”. 2. We are busy and so it’s hard to focus on having a patient response. We want to get things over with quickly and move on in our busyness–which makes it hard to think through the effectiveness of our discipline. 3. We don’t really know what to do. When my four kids are fighting with each other, my response is to pull out the fighting words too! It’s so frustrating and many times in the moment, I’m not sure how to guide them, so I resort to disciplining with a harsh response. 4. We expect more of our children than they are capable of. I’ve noticed this mostly in parenting my youngest, who is 5. Sometimes we expect her to behave or respond in the same way that her older siblings can, creating frustration and discouragement for her little heart, rather than allowing her to experience grace when she needs to work on something. *This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.* If you can identify with some of these same struggles in your own parenting, I want to share with you five practical principles to guide you in how to parent with grace. **FIRST:** Before you get started with a big plan to do better, spend time in prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit. You probably know this, but spending time before the throne of God gets you in tune with what He wants for your family and the special way He can use *you* to balance correction and grace in your specific situation. Every child is different. So what worked for one parent might not work for you. This isn’t meant to be discouraging, but rather to point you to the Word and to ask God for wisdom, which will be given to you (James 1:5)! **SECOND:** Have a long-term view of parenting. Imagine yourself looking up to the top of a mountain that you’re going to be hiking. It seems like it might not be too far of a climb, but once you start, you realize you have a long way to go and that the ascent is harder than you thought. It is going to take perseverance and determination. It involves some stumbles and lots of reliance on grace and grit. In parenting, it is the same. We have to shift our approach from thinking that it’s going to be an easy, breezy hike to the “peak” and see our journey in parenting as more of a long, arduous hike with stops and breaks on the way when you need to take a deep breath in the thin mountain air! It will sometimes involve reevaluating and veering off to a path that will bring you a better result. But it is worth it. When you get to the top of that mountain and finish that climb, you feel victorious (and somewhat relieved!). It was all worth the hard work for the glorious view you now can see clearly. We can have this long-term perspective on parenting too, knowing that what seems like an uphill battle at times will eventually give us the reward of a beautiful, panoramic scene at the top. This eternally focused perspective will help us parent gracefully. *Why?* Because it helps us differentiate between what’s important to correct and what really isn’t. We can get very caught up in the minor things that are more annoyances rather than using our energies to focus on correcting character flaws that need to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Yes, it’s annoying that your child’s idea of dancing is doing the floss and “dabbing”, but it’s simply a silly behavior that is likely short-lived. Instead, use your parenting time and energy to work on [what the Bible says about taming the tongue and learning to speak life to others](https://thepurposefulmom.com/product/minding-mouth-biblical-study-taming-tongue), which prepares our kids for many interactions they will have as adults in the “real world”. **THIRD:** Don’t shame or blame. It can be tempting to use words like “you always” or “you never”. Consider how these phrases hurt your child’s spirit. Shame is punishment, not discipline. Apologize to your child for times you have done this in the past and experience God’s forgiveness in this area. Then, start a new habit of having a different response when your child makes a poor character or behavior choice. Give a practical consequence, and then talk to them about those poor choices in calm moments, not always *in the moment*, which helps you avoid a knee-jerk reaction that you’ll regret. Arm yourself with Bible verses to have ready during these times so that you can replace a reactive response with a biblical, graceful one. It takes practice! But you can do it, with the help of God! **FOURTH:** If you don’t know how to respond to certain situations, do some research. Read a Christian parenting book that focuses on grace-filled parenting. Two of my favorites are [Parenting by Paul David Tripp](https://amzn.to/2lezyXQ) and [Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick](https://amzn.to/32iAo6O). Then come up with an action plan. Write down five quick, calm and biblical responses you can have for when tough situations arise. Try using them 7-10 times and if they don’t work, continue to tweak them. Remember, parenting is a long game! If you need some extra help with this, you can download my free resource I provide when you subscribe to my blog: [A Graceful Response: Biblical Solutions to Five Common Behaviors that will Help You Parent with Grace.](https://thepurposefulmom.com/) **FIFTH:** Focus on nurturing character and pointing your child to Christ. Like I alluded to before, some behaviors aren’t wrong, they’re just different. Not every behavior requires discipline. One goal of a grace-filled home should be to nurture character qualities through correction, yet also allow your children to develop their individuality (the way God designed their personalities to be). Point your children toward developing integrity, trustworthiness, and other things that are noble, right and excellent (Philippians 4:8). We can do this by getting into God’s Word, exposing our children to Godly entertainment, sharing wise counsel with them and setting rules that help our kids learn how to be a part of a family that loves and serves Jesus and others. Having boundaries and rules are good, but they should be framed in the context of love, mercy, and forgiveness when our kids fail. And when that happens, as it inevitably will, we can point them to Christ and remind them of the gospel: that Jesus died and rose again for them, so they can be forgiven, have an eternal home in heaven and experience grace each day of their lives. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Grace, Parenting --- ### [5 More Amazing Women from the Bible to Inspire Girls (New Testament)](https://gominno.com/blog/more-amazing-women-from-the-bible/) **Published:** October 9, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3yS6wOYSXelOBSBw1U0g.jpg) The Bible is full of strong women who can be incredible role models for our daughters. Not long ago, we shared [5 women in the Old Testament](https://www.gominno.com/blog/amazing-women-from-the-bible-to-inspire-girls) with testimonies of faithfulness, wisdom, and strength. But the New Testament has its fair share of women to admire. Many of these women were loved by Jesus during His earthly ministry, a sign of how men and women are equal in the kingdom of God. During the time the New Testament was written, women were not treated close to equally. And yet, Jesus loved women, taught women, and sought out women to share the Good News. Luke 8:1–3 lists three women who followed Jesus along with the disciples: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. Women also played a pivotal role in the early church, serving as deaconesses (Phoebe), funding missionary efforts, and opening their homes to Paul and other apostles. Here are the stories of some amazing New Testament women to share with your daughter (and son): #### 5 More Amazing Women from the Bible to Inspire Girls #### **Mary** (The Mother of Jesus) *Find her story in Luke 1&2* **Her Story:** Mary was a young woman, engaged to a man named Joseph. But in a dream, an angel of the Lord told her that she was going to have a baby who was the Son of God! Her baby would be Jesus, the Savior of the world, the Messiah her people had waited for for thousands of years. But Mary was afraid! And yet, she praised God. Even though her whole world was going to be turned upside down, and she didn’t know what was going to happen, she praised God. Luke 1:46–55 records a beautiful prayer Mary made when she learned she was pregnant with Jesus. Mary appears throughout the gospels in stories about Jesus’s life, and Jesus always loved her and cared for her deeply. When He died, He asked His disciple John to take care of her (John 19:26–27). **Her Strength:** Mary loved God, and trusted Him. Even though she knew she would have a lot of challenges as the mother of Jesus, she praised God. Her willingness to serve the Lord is an inspiration! #### **Martha & Mary** *Find their story in Luke 10:38–42; John 11* **Their Story:** Martha and Mary were sisters, and they were dear friends of Jesus. Jesus visited them and their brother Lazarus. Jesus even stayed with them! In Luke 10, Jesus visited Martha and Mary. Martha was very welcoming and hospitable, and Mary sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to Him teach. In John 11, their brother Lazarus died. John wrote that *“Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus.”* Jesus went to visit shortly after Lazarus had died, and Mary and Martha were mourning. Martha asked Jesus why He had waited so long, because she knew Jesus could have healed Lazarus. Even though she was incredibly sad, she told Jesus, *“ But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”* Martha also said that she believed Jesus was the Christ, the Savior who came to the world. Martha believed in Jesus! Martha, Mary, and Jesus went to Lazarus’s tomb, and Jesus raised him from the dead. **Their Strengths:** Martha and Mary loved Jesus, and we can learn so much from their devotion to Him. Martha showed Jesus hospitality by welcoming Him into her home; Mary showed her love by listening to Jesus carefully. When they were incredibly sad because Lazarus had died, they asked Jesus to come. They trusted that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Even before they knew Jesus would raise Lazarus, they believed that everything Jesus said was true. We can learn so much from their faith and the ways they loved Jesus! #### **The Women at the Tomb** *Find their story in Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16; Luke 24* **Their Story:** After Jesus died on the cross, His body was buried in a tomb covered by a very large stone. Roman guards stood outside. On the day He was buried, two women went to visit the tomb: Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and John. In Luke’s account, the women prepared Jesus’s body for the tomb and anointed it with perfume and spices. When they came back three days later, and found the stone was gone and the tomb was empty! An angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead! They left the tomb to go tell the disciples with *“fear and great joy,”* but then they met Jesus on the road! Jesus revealed Himself to them. They immediately began to worship Him, and then they went to tell the others all about what had happened. Jesus chose two women to be the first ones to see Him after his resurrection! And they shared the good news with His disciples. The disciples didn’t believe them at first, but soon Jesus appeared to them too. **Their Strengths:** We can learn so much from the women who found the empty tomb! First, we know that they anointed and prepared Jesus’s body for burial. As sad as they were, they showed Jesus respect and honor. Later, when Jesus revealed Himself to them after the resurrection, they were filled with joy! And they didn’t keep the news to themselves; they ran straight to tell the disciples. Jesus had entrusted these women with the most important message, and they obeyed Him and shared the good news. **RELATED POST:** [5 Amazing Women from the Bible to Inspire Girls](https://www.gominno.com/blog/amazing-women-from-the-bible-to-inspire-girls) #### **Lydia** *Find her story in Acts 16:11-15* **Her Story:** Lydia has an amazing story! She was a Gentile woman (which means she wasn’t Jewish). She was meeting with some other women in Philippi when Paul and Timothy arrived. They were looking for a prayer gathering, and Paul ended up sharing about Jesus. Lydia loved God, and Paul’s teaching converted her to be a follower of Jesus. Then everyone in her family became followers of Jesus too! And they were all baptized. But Lydia was also a wealthy woman, who sold purple cloth. She had so many resources to share with Paul and the church, and she did! Her generosity is inspiring, because her love of Jesus compelled her to share. She invited Paul and Timothy to stay in her home. Later in the same chapter, after Paul was miraculously released from prison, he went straight to Lydia’s house. She opened her home, supported Paul’s ministry, and loved Jesus! **Her Strength:** Lydia loved God, followed Jesus, and joined other women in prayer. She was a successful businesswoman who sold purple cloth, and had resources to share with Paul and others who were sharing the gospel. She opened her home to Paul, and he returned to it after escaping prison, which means she was willing to risk her own safety to protect Paul. We can be so thankful for the example of Lydia’s strength, hospitality, and generosity. #### **Priscilla** *Find her story in Acts 18* **Her Story:** Priscilla and her husband Aquila were tentmakers, like Paul. Paul stayed in their home when he visited Corinth. Priscilla and Aquila had been sent out of Rome because they were Jewish. Priscilla is named alongside her husband as a leader in the early church, which is another example of how women were treated very differently by Christians. Women were respected and seen as leaders! Priscilla and Aquila went with Paul on one of his missionary journeys, and they stayed in Ephesus. While in Ephesus, they helped a young teacher named Apollos learn more about the gospel and become a better teacher. **Her Strengths:** While we don’t have a ton of detail about Priscilla, it is remarkable how much Luke (the writer of Acts) talks about her actions. She traveled with Paul to help share the gospel. She invited him into her home; she was a tentmaker, which means she worked and helped provide for her family. And she offered correction to Apollos, helping him understand more about Jesus. Priscilla gives us a beautiful example of teaching and sharing the Gospel. Each of these women, and many more in the Old and New Testaments, can teach us so much about living for God. We can all be inspired by their trust of God, love of Jesus, and the way they served the early church. From Mary’s brave “yes” to God, to the women at the tomb gently caring for Jesus’s body, to Lydia and Priscilla’s economic power and support of the early church, these 5 women are wonderful examples for our girls. There are many more stories of strong women where these came from. You can find a few of them on page 178 of[ *The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids), one of our favorite collections of Bible stories for kids. *Why not spend some time in your family devotions looking at these stories, teaching kids about the faith of their spiritual mothers in Christ?* It’s not just young girls who need to hear these stories. We can *all* learn from these strong women of the Bible. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Stories, Raising Girls, Women of the Bible --- ### [5 Meditations on the Character of God for Weary Moms](https://gominno.com/blog/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/) **Published:** April 22, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vrBJ9suGRK6EIvjJdyup.jpg) Becoming a mother was a beautiful, magical time for me, but being a mom – day in and day out – is all kinds of messy. Who I wanted to be and the reality of who I actually am are two different ends of the spectrum. Nearly 8 years into this journey and I still mourn the picture of perfection that never manifested in our home. What I thought would be cookie baking and constant snuggles looks more meltdowns in the middle of Target and fights over bedtime routines. Sure, there are lots of wonderful memories amidst the dirt and scattered throughout our messy home, but it’s safe to say that none of this looks the way I had always dreamed it would. On those days when I’m battling the feelings of defeat, there is only one way to settle the score between reality and the perfect, ideal mom-life I imagined I’d live. Setting my gaze on the unchanging nature and character of God is a sure-fire way to make certain that my heart is never left longing for perfection. Focusing on a few attributes of God’s character often helps ease those stressful moments of parenting. **1) He is Holy** 1 Samuel 2:2 (MSG) – Nothing and no one is holy like God, no rock mountain like our God. The Hebrew word for holy, *qodesh*, means set apart, separated or sacred. It is comforting to know that we love and serve a God who is far greater than we can even comprehend. It’s easy to put our faith and trust in the One who is set apart from all created beings. In the Bible wherever God appeared, the place became holy just for Him having been there. Inviting His presence into our lives and homes, in spite of our sin nature, makes it sacred ground. **2) He is Sovereign** Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) – We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Motherhood brings a heavy dose of fear, guilt, shame and whatever else the enemy can throw in our way to take our eyes off of the path of raising children who run hard and fast after the Lord. But God is over all things and that He rules over His entire creation. It’s freeing to know that we aren’t called to orchestrate our lives or the lives of our children because the creator of the universe is determining our steps. What a relief it is to be reminded that we serve a sovereign God who is over all things and we can lay our burdens at His feet and leave them there. **3) He Is Merciful** Psalm 86:15 (NIV) – But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. We don’t deserve anything from our holy and just God. However, in His mercy He delivers us from judgment and grants us forgiveness that we in no way have earned. The price has been paid for our sin and we can walk confidently in our salvation. What this means for us is that we don’t have to carry the weight of our mistakes or our imperfect nature. It also provides an excellent blueprint for parenting as we can share tangible displays of mercy to our children and point them back to what God has done for us in our own lives. **4) He is Righteous** Psalm 71:19 (NLT) – Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? The Bible says that God’s righteousness is yet to be fully revealed. What we do know is that God sets the standard for righteousness and that we are always going to fall short. The good news is that we are accepted and righteous through the blood of Jesus. Focusing in on God’s standards of perfection and knowing that we will always miss the mark apart from Him, leaves us always reliant on Him. Our culture blurs the lines of right and wrong, but God’s standards never change. Living our lives in such a way that shows our dependence upon God and our submission to His ways provides our children a front row seat to our faith journey as they begin mapping out their own. **5) He is Jealous** Exodus 34:14 (NLT) – You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is jealous, is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you. As believers, our worship belongs to the Lord. As parents, it’s easy to replace the most sacred spaces of our hearts with the gifts we’ve been given rather than the giver of those gifts. God desires our worship to belong to Him alone. He deserves nothing less than the most prominent position in our lives. Once we purposefully set our eyes on Him, everything else falls into perspective. Digging deep into God’s word is the true work in and of our lives. Asking Him to show us who He is takes the focus off of us and our inadequacies and puts Him at the helm of each new day. My parenting may never be the picture of perfection, but one of the best gifts I can give my children is an imperfect parent who consistently seeks to understand the true character of God. --- *Originally published 2/15/17* **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Attributes of God, Motherhood --- ### [5 Lessons of Winter for Our Children](https://gominno.com/blog/5-lessons-of-winter-for-our-children/) **Published:** February 28, 2019 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7fMIwKu2TqCUUuY6N9Ct.jpg) As I type this from my farmhouse in Tennessee on a winter morning, the wild is literally howling through the hollows and hills in our rural neighborhood. Until about a year ago, our family lived in sunny Dallas, where “winter” consisted of 60-80 degree weather daily with the rare 40 degree morning where we were all sweating again by lunchtime. Admittedly, it was nice to have so many sunny, mild days when everyone else was freezing, but mostly I lamented the heat. My body and spirit were constantly confused and seemed to be craving actual winter and all the changes that come with it. Perhaps you live in a harsh climate, and winter is a desperate time for you in another way – you’re chasing sunbeams for any chance to have a little warmth. I grew up in New Jersey, so I understand this, too – I walked to school for years in the snow (uphill both ways, of course). But after living in different climates, out of the two extremes I would still choose winter weather and all its valuable lessons. The Scriptures say, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV). We’ve all heard these verses, but what do they really mean for us? For our children? Here are some lessons we can help our children learn in winter: 1\) Expectation. One of the most beautiful lessons of winter is that it doesn’t last forever. As sure as the sun rises and sets, winter will end, spring will come, and our God can always be counted upon. We can expect that God will do what He says He will do. Hosea 6:3 (NLV) says, ”Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” This is a simple, yet vivid, lesson in faith. 2\) Play. While we adults might want to curl up under blankets in front of a fire all winter, our children still need opportunities to burn off energy! Exploring, taking walks, playing outside wild and free…these things can – and should – still happen in winter. As the Norwegian proverb says, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” The fleece-lined rubber boots get a lot of love in our home especially in this season of wet, dreary winter. Bundle up! 3\) Hibernate. On the flip side, how can we let our children “hibernate” from some activities and obligations so they can be more free to play and recharge in this season? Winter can be a time when there’s less activity in our families, less rushing, and more undistracted family time without agenda. Maybe some activities or rituals need to be put to rest for a time so we can appreciate them once again. We can then be fueled for the seasons ahead when more is required of our bodies and minds. 4\) Create. Every child is creative in some way, because we were modeled after our Creator. Whatever your children like to do, provide room for them to do something creative in winter. So, build forts…cut paper snowflakes…write letters to family and friends…make care packages for neighbors. Some of our favorites are making salt dough and paper snowflakes and taking winter nature walks. Last winter we had homemade paper snowflakes taped over all our dining room windows, and then it snowed one morning. The white-washed beauty both inside and out stopped me in my tracks. Here’s a great list of [40 winter activities with toddlers](http://handsonaswegrow.com/40-winter-activities-toddlers/) – I can’t wait to try some of these myself! 5\) Simplify. Winter leading into spring is a great time to simplify the home, get rid of excess and create more space to live and breathe. Our children can help with this! We have a “toy swap bin” in our home – a rubber tote where we store toys that aren’t being played with currently to see if they’ll eventually be rotated back in or donated. My girls choose what goes in the bin, and these are toys they won’t see again for three months. When the bin is reopened, sometimes they are excited to see a toy or doll again, and it gives them a fresh appreciation. But mostly, they didn’t even miss any of the items, and we can donate them to Goodwill or the local foster care closet. Instead of accumulating more, winter’s starkness is a prompt for all of us, even the little ones, to live with less and experience the subsequent joy and lightness that comes with simplifying. \* \* \* My husband and I are farmers now, and the Ecclesiastes 3 verses ring truer than ever – there’s clearly “a time to plant and a time to uproot” (Ecclesiastes 3:2, NIV). We live by the seasons because our livelihood depends on it. Winter is a time of rest and planning and preparing for the planting and harvesting seasons. And then, the expectation of spring! Here, seedlings are being started, baby chicks are on the way, and there’s a joyful hope of all the life that will be abounding on our land soon. During the other three seasons we can work harder than ever, knowing that the winter relief will come. A few mornings ago, we were on a walk on our land, and my older daughter gasped and dashed off running ahead of of me. “Mommy, come here! LOOK!” When I reached her, I found her crouched down, intently studying some beautiful green sprouting things – wild daffodils with buds about to burst. Such a contrast from all the dark, dead, brushy brambles, the sight of something new and fresh and green took our very breath away. Winter makes these moments of wonder more possible. Wherever you live, I hope your family can experience winter, and don’t be afraid to press in. Remember, as sure as the sun, spring will come. --- *Originally published on February 07, 2017* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Parenting, Winter --- ### [5 Lessons from Spring for our Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/5-lessons-from-spring-for-our-kids/) **Published:** March 22, 2017 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9KM3sfDLRYaDYqI3ip9x_Lessons-from-Spring-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) > “Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead, He set before your eyes the things that He has made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?” > > ~ St. Augustine As I was writing this article, my two daughters were repeatedly vying for my attention although I had sent them outside to play by the creek in our yard. As I felt my frustration rising, it occurred to me that these eager, insightful girls may have something to teach me, so I asked my 6-year-old daughter for help: “What’s something you learn about God from the changes that happen in spring time?” She was thoughtful for a moment and then replied, “Flowers bloom at different times.” My eyes widened, surprised by such a simple yet strong analogy. And I began typing… So, today I’d like to share some lessons we can learn in spring so we and our children can know God more: **1) Children can be our teachers.** Rachel Carson, an environmentalist and author who was born in the early 1900s said in her book, *A Sense of Wonder*, “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.” Children, who still have their untainted sense of wonder, can often see the simple lessons of nature and seasons that are harder for us to see. Spend an hour with your children outside in spring time, and just listen, observe, and let them teach you. I bet you’ll learn something profound, and your child’s confidence will grow. I watched my daughter and her friend spend hours outside the other day, building a fort out of sticks, rocks, and pine tree mulch, industriously working through ideas and problems together. I wanted to interfere, but when I stood back, I saw them create their own little world through creativity and teamwork. Now they have a handmade haven they’ll enjoy all spring. **2) People {and flowers} bloom at different times.** As my daughter suggested, God’s creativity and diversity is seen in creating flowers more intricate and unique than we could ever imagine. So how much more is His diverse creation seen in people? We’ve had a lot of discussions lately in our home about how we can notice and appreciate people who are different from us, that God created everyone uniquely and lovingly. Even educationally, children in the same grade can be at completely different learning levels. Let’s use this opportunity to talk to our children about diversity and differences and how we can love and support one another, instead of giving in to comparison that steals our joy. **3) There’s a time for work.** Just as winter is the time to rest and recharge, spring is the time to get to work. Bees are a perfect object lesson: by spring, bees have used up all the honey from winter and must now collect more pollen and nectar to make more food (honey). As spring’s greater sunlight and warmth triggers bees to start buzzing and working, their pollination is what allows plants to fruit. Foods we love like tomatoes, almonds, and oranges literally could not exist without pollination from bees. Bees are essential to all of life – what a miracle! **4) There’s always a chance to begin again.** Spring teaches us that we get a fresh start every year. Even if the last season (or yesterday, or the last hour) was full of mistakes, trials, or conflicts, we can learn from past choices, get up, and try again. In our home, this is a daily thing! Back in Dallas, we had a horrible drought one summer, and I thought our beloved fig tree was scorched beyond repair, that it would never bear fruit again. I’ll never forget my surprise when little green leaves began to sprout on what I had thought were dead branches. Especially after times of conflict, I’m so grateful we get to draw from God’s strength and begin again. **5) The earth’s aliveness points to Jesus.** There’s a reason Resurrection Sunday is celebrated in spring! As we teach our children about Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we can show in a tactile, sensory way – through new life springing up all around us – how God created life from death through our Savior. “For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20, NIV) Just open your eyes, and you will see it. Happy spring! May you and your family experience His goodness all the more this season. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Parenting, Spring --- ### [5 Ideas For Celebrating Grandparents Day When You Can't Be Together](https://gominno.com/blog/celebrating-grandparents-day-when-you-cant-be-together/) **Published:** September 9, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LfEBuIrJTKCYnl9NGFOu.jpg) Grandparents Day is just around the corner and it may sneak up on you with all of the busyness of going [back to school.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/return-to-learn-this-school-year-with-minno) We know the love and influence passed down from one generation to the next is powerful. So we want to help you honor your child’s grandparents this month, even if you can’t be together. If celebrating Grandparents Day is not as simple for you because of estrangement or loss, we pray that God would bring you comfort and wisdom, revealing how to navigate difficult relationships. > *“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Proverbs 12:12 ESV* #### **5 Ideas For Celebrating Grandparents Day When You Can’t Be Together** #### 1. **Schedule a Special Zoom Call.** Maybe you’ve already been meeting virtually with the grands throughout the pandemic. So make your next call super special by having the kids plan to put on a simple show or read a poem or letter they’ve written. It doesn’t have to be much but think of ways to make your Grandparents Day connection just a little bit sweeter in honor of your loved ones. #### 2. **Record a Video Greeting.** Send the grandparents a virtual message from the kids. This is definitely not a new idea but maybe you can add a little something new to your video greeting! A poem the kids wrote, a quick art show of their latest creations . . . use your imaginations and let the kids come up with ideas on how to send a virtual hug to their loved ones this Grandparents Day! #### 3. **Create a Social Media Memories Montage.** Look through your feed and photos and pick a few of your favorites of the kids with their grandparents (before COVID when they could be together). Put them together in a slide show or collage to share via text or on Facebook. #### 4. **Schedule a Time of Virtual Prayer and/or Communion.** Early on in quarantine, around the Easter season, we scheduled a family Zoom call to partake in communion together (we called it, Zoommunion). My dad led us in the sacrament and prayer and I know it meant the world to him to lead us even though we were apart. This is a wonderful way to honor the generational leadership in your family. If your child’s grandparents aren’t believers or do not feel comfortable leading a time like this, ask if you could simply share prayer requests via Zoom or a phone call so the kids could be praying for them. #### 5. **Send a Special Grandparents Day Card.** Download and print our [Grandparents Day fill-in-the-blank pages](https://cdn.buttercms.com/FxLBCRaDT9DLxI2MqQwn) and let your kids write and draw a special note to their grandmas and grandpas. Send them in the mail or take a photo and share via text message. No matter what your situation this year, we pray you can honor the life and legacy of the grandparents in your family. [![821370_GrandparentsDayPrintables1_V2_090320.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fgVLUhsdRni3AJgh9z8f.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/FxLBCRaDT9DLxI2MqQwn) [![821370_GrandparentsDayPrintables2_V2_...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/J7rGGAnSSJ630avFd95i.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/FxLBCRaDT9DLxI2MqQwn) Download your [Grandparents Day Fill in the Blank Printables](https://cdn.buttercms.com/FxLBCRaDT9DLxI2MqQwn) **Categories:** Family Life, Seasonal **Tags:** Grandparent's Day --- ### [5 Handmade Christmas Ornaments to Make with Your Kids this Year](https://gominno.com/blog/5-handmade-christmas-ornaments-you-have-to-make-with-your-kids-this-year/) **Published:** December 5, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![Christmas Day - Christmas Ornament M](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04213615/DqYrznTxTnKIeyBOCKWf-1024x578.jpg "Handmade Christmas Ornaments - Minno Kids") Looking for a fun Christmas craft project to do with your kids … that aren’t salt dough or paper plate trees? We’ve compiled a list of 5 of our very favorite and unique handmade Christmas ornaments to make together and decorate your tree! Let’s get crafting! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wsrGorK5RCWpghD5J956.jpg)](http://www.theresourcefulmama.com/burlap-reindeer-ornament/) 1\. [Burlap Reindeer from The Resourceful Mama](http://www.theresourcefulmama.com/burlap-reindeer-ornament/) Aren’t these ADORABLE? And so easy to make! Check out how on [The Resourceful Mama](http://www.theresourcefulmama.com/burlap-reindeer-ornament/). [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OWBrBA2eRN6sQ2A8G1R8.jpg)](http://www.darkroomanddearly.com/blog/rkroomanddearly.com/2011/12/10th-day-of-christmas-sock-snowmen.html) 2\. [Sock Snowmen from Darkroom and Dearly](http://www.darkroomanddearly.com/blog/rkroomanddearly.com/2011/12/10th-day-of-christmas-sock-snowmen.html) These are just about the cutest little homemade snowmen we’ve ever seen … well, other than ones made of snow! But your kids will love giving their snowmen personality with different colored socks and buttons. Get directions here on [Darkroom and Dearly](http://www.darkroomanddearly.com/blog/rkroomanddearly.com/2011/12/10th-day-of-christmas-sock-snowmen.html). [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GrkasUHOSoWuIKkKdMGM.jpg)](http://childhood101.com/2011/11/handmade-christmas-decorations-miniature-button-tree-ornaments/) 3\. [Button Christmas Trees from Childhood 101](http://childhood101.com/2011/11/handmade-christmas-decorations-miniature-button-tree-ornaments/) This button Christmas tree is so clever! String different size buttons onto a pipe cleaner to create these sweet little ornaments. Find instructions on [Childhood 101](http://childhood101.com/2011/11/handmade-christmas-decorations-miniature-button-tree-ornaments/). [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ue7A2uoySe6ZrDSZrVIQ.jpg)](http://oneperfectdayblog.net/2013/12/06/cupcake-liner-christmas-tree-ornaments/) 4\. [Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees from One Perfect Day](http://oneperfectdayblog.net/2013/12/06/cupcake-liner-christmas-tree-ornaments/) These are such a fun little craft, and a great activity for your kids to do when you are busy baking! Learn how to make these cupcake liner Christmas trees on [One Perfect Day](http://oneperfectdayblog.net/2013/12/06/cupcake-liner-christmas-tree-ornaments/). [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lFYLufTmCWe5fuNwq8w2.jpg)](http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/2015/12/01/wooden-sled-ornament/) 5\. [Popsicle Stick Sleds from Fireflies + Mud Pies](http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/2015/12/01/wooden-sled-ornament/) We love these sweet little sleds! They are so fun and will look amazing on any Christmas tree. Have fun decorating them with different colors! Instructions on [Fireflies + Mud Pies](http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/2015/12/01/wooden-sled-ornament/). **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Activities, Christmas --- ### [5 Great Tips for Getting a Group of Children to Settle in for Sunday School Story Time](https://gominno.com/blog/5-great-tips-for-getting-a-group-of-children-to-settle-in-for-sunday-school-story-time/) **Published:** June 24, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-students-settling-in-story...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2ONYTJDR3WFPbG3IXWMD.jpg) Have you ever heard about “herding cats”? It’s meant to describe a situation where it’s difficult to get a group together and pay attention to the main event. Teaching kids about Jesus can seem like the ultimate example of herding cats. As you get ready to teach Bible stories for kids in a group setting, take a look at these five tips for getting kids to settle in. 1. Get the Wiggles Out! Move around and use physical movements with music before a period of extra focus and physical calm. Children are active; it’s a given! They aren’t bogged down with the worries and responsibilities of adult life and they get their energy out by moving. It will work best for everyone if you don’t fight this. Here are a few ideas: - Open with a fun song – [I Can Say Hello](https://www.gominno.com/series/tunetime-songs/videos/i-can-say-hello) is a fun choice to get wiggles, laughter, and silliness with their friends out before they need to sit and focus. - Play a game of Start-Stop – Ask your students to line up at the back of the room. When you say start, they have to begin walking toward the front; when you say stop, they have to stop. If they move at all during stop time, they have to start over. The first student to the front is the winner. - Start with art – Create an art table away from the main section of your room and stock it with LEGOs or Play-Doh. When you want your students to begin settling down, ask them to go over to one of the stations and create something to show the class.Try to choose something that pertains to the lesson, for example if you are learning about Noah’s Ark ask them to create an animal. After about 5-10 minutes, ask them to show you their creation and explain it. Any of these ideas will help center your students and remove some of the excess energy or distractions they might have as they come into your class. 2. Make Things Comfortable Create a comfortable place for children to sit in a circle. When creating a space for your students, think about the environment that would best facilitate them paying attention to you. This might involve a circular rug as a focal point and an easy way to keep them within a certain area. You could also have your students sit on the floor, but this might be a little uncomfortable and cause them to wiggle around. If you don’t have a rug, ask for pillow donations for your students to sit on. You want them to feel comfortable and safe as they listen. 3. Remove the Problem of Rank and Order Teaching kids faith through your Sunday school curriculum isn’t always about Bible stories, but involves teaching them how to treat one another in a Christ-like way. Children will often jockey for position. Try to not take the bait on creating fairness. Rather, praise those who are settling down in their places quickly, this gives positive reinforcement for following directions.. Show love to your students even when they are not acting exactly as you’d like. Many times children acting unseemly are only wanting attention. Give it to them in a positive and loving way, but don’t forget the ones who act appropriately. They need love and attention too. 4. Go Knee-to-Knee and Make a Circle Teaching Bible stories for kids can be a challenge when they are not attentive. One of the ways to help them be attentive and stay that way is to instruct them on how to sit. If you ask children to sit on a circular rug, they might be spread out, some lying down, some faced the wrong way, etc. To gather them in a cohesive, organized circle, have everyone to go knee-to-knee by sitting cross-legged. This gives them precise directions. They will understand the knee-to-knee part because it’s a physical directive to follow. If you have a student who uses a wheelchair, include them just like everyone else and go knees-to-heels. If you have a student who doesn’t want to follow directions, remember to praise those who follow the directions and lovingly encourage the student to do the same. 5. Show Them You Care Go around the circle and let everyone share a single thing. Use a specific prompt for this that doesn’t exclude anyone. Questions like “Do you want to share a favorite moment from your weekend?” are good since they are specific and not too open-ended. It’s good to set a 15 second time limit for this sort of check in. Engage them visually by having a “Share Bear” or “Share Pillow” to hold as they share. This will provide a little extra comfort for those on the shy side. ## The Calm Final Minutes If your students have been sitting anywhere for 15-30 minutes, they’ll likely have energy to expend when you finish your storytime. Be proactive and ask them to stand once you are finished. Ask them to reach for the sky, then touch their toes. Repeating this several times will help them stretch and remove some pent-up energy. As you prepare to teach, don’t forget about the many youth ministry ideas out there that include listening to music, doing an exercise, or even watching an exciting episode such as [Bibleman](https://www.gominno.com/series/bibleman-the-animated-adventures). Do what is best for your students to ensure they leave knowing they are loved and cared for, and like they’ve been with Jesus. **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Children's Ministry, Kid's Ministry, KidMin, Sunday School --- ### [5 Freedom-Filled Bible Verses for Parents](https://gominno.com/blog/5-freedom-filled-bible-verses-for-parents/) **Published:** April 30, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/09003340/Screenshot-2024-05-08-at-73239%20PM-e1720648154663.png "Freedom Filled Bible Verses for Parents - Minno Kids") This week’s guest on the *Raising Boys and Girls Podcast* was Jeannie Cunnion, who writes and speaks about freedom in parenting. She talked extensively about how our parenting is shaped by our pursuit of Jesus, and you can [listen to the full interview here](https://www.gominno.com/parents/rbg-podcast-jeannie-cunnion-interview/). Freedom in Christ is a freedom from needing to accomplish our own righteousness, and it comes from accepting the mercy and love God offers us through the work of Christ on the cross. It reminds us that no matter how we try or how closely we follow the rules, we still won’t earn a right relationship with God. The pressure parents feel for perfection is often unrelenting, and while parenting will always be a difficult journey, resting in the unfailing love of Christ can help buoy us all through the hardest days. Here are some verses to read and meditate on when you feel overwhelmed by the need for perfection, and need to be reminded of the confidence and freedom you have in Jesus. **Galatians 5:12–13 (NIV)** *You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”* Freedom doesn’t mean that we don’t have to think about doing the right things, but rather that because our righteousness and salvation are secure, we can focus on following the commandment *love your neighbor as yourself*. And our kids are our neighbors! We are called to serve them humbly and love them unconditionally because we are loved unconditionally. **1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV)** *“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”* In this verse, David is praying for the temple his son Solomon will build for God. This verse reveals so much to us about how totally dependent we are on God for everything. Even in parenting, we can look to God and remember that everything comes from him. **Matthew 6:26–27 (NIV)** *“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”* Jesus teaches his followers that they don’t need to worry, because God loves and cares for them so deeply. In this verse in the Sermon on Mount, Jesus reminds us of the folly of worrying. As parents, this is a particularly sweet verse to meditate on and remember that no matter how much we worry about our kids, we can rest in knowing that God will take care of them. **Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)** *“In their hearts humans plan their course,* *but the Lord establishes their steps.”* Because the Lord is in control, we have the freedom to love our kids. We may worry and try to direct every step of their little lives, but ultimately we can rest in the goodness of the Father who will establish their steps, in spite of us. There is so much freedom in knowing that our children belong to God first, and that he loves them better than we ever could. **Romans 8:2, 5–6 (NIV)** *“Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. … Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace”* Romans 8 reminds us that the freedom we have in Christ is not freedom in the typical way we think about it, like political freedom. Rather, the freedom Christ secured for us is freedom from striving and perfection and following the law of God perfectly. Because of Jesus, we no longer have to live perfect lives. Our minds can rest in the life and peace that Jesus offers to us, and to our children. As parents, what sweet relief it gives us to know that our striving, our attempts at perfection, and all the ways we will mess up aren’t the end of our children’s story: Jesus is. And Jesus loves them perfectly. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Bible Verses, Parenting --- ### [5 Family Prayers for the New Year](https://gominno.com/blog/5-family-prayers-for-the-new-year/) **Published:** January 3, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![minno-5-family-prayers-for-the-new-ye...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9wXTlNmRaXaaGK0jhBkA.jpg) For many of us, the New Year is a time for [setting goals and making resolutions](https://www.gominno.com/parents/one-word-for-kids-new-year-new-growth-goal/). Especially this year, as we flip the calendar on another challenging season, the new year can feel like a fresh start—365 blank pages just waiting to be written. No matter what happened in 2021, we can move forward to 2022 with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for living the life God intended for us and our family. The New Year can also be a time of looking back on all that God has done for us in the last year. The relationships He has given us or restored, the opportunities He has provided, and the forgiveness He has extended. The way our children have grown and the way we have grown. When we take the time to look back, we can see God’s hand in all of it, even the hard things. As we reflect on all that has happened in the last year and look forward to all that will happen in 2020, one of the best ways to start our year off right is with an intentional family prayer time together. ## **5 Family Prayers for the New Year** **Thanksgiving for the Past** Before we pray for God’s hand on our new year, we can thank God for all that He did for us last year. As a family, make a list of all of the ways that God has worked in your lives this year, both the ways that He blessed you and ways that He challenged you. Thank God for all of it—the joys and the struggles. *Dear God, Thank You for all of the ways You worked in our lives in 2021. You have blessed us with good things, comforted us in hard times, and challenged us to grow more like Jesus every day. We know that even when we can’t see it or feel it, You are always working. Help us to look for Your hand in our lives every day and be thankful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.* > *“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”* Psalm 136:1(NLT) **Vision for the Future** Just like many people make New Year’s resolutions, many families set goals for their family at the beginning of every year—anything from saving more money to arguing less to giving and serving more to having a regular family devotion. As a family, decide on a few goals for 2020 and pray for the Lord to help you meet those goals. *Dear God, Give us the strength to work on these goals for our family. If these are not the goals You have for us, give us Your vision for the future of our family. Help us to encourage each other to grow rather than criticize. Lord, change us from the inside out to be more like Jesus every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.* > *“Put off your old self . . . be made new in the attitude of your minds, and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”* Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) **Patience with One Another** So many of us seem to have the least patience with those in our families. We spend all day being kind and gracious to everyone else and when we get home, we lose it. Or it may be just because we are around them the most or because our family members really know how to push our buttons. As you enter the new year, pray for your family to have the same patience with each other that God has with you. *Dear God, Thank You so much for Your patience with us when we are not behaving as we should. Please forgive us for our impatience with each other. Fill us with Your love and kindness, so that we can be patient with one another no matter what is going on or how we are feeling. Help us to bear with each other in love and gentleness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.* > *“Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love.”* Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) **Trust in God’s Protection and Provision** In so many ways, the world can seem like a scary place these days. Some of us don’t even feel safe sending our kids to school or to a friend’s house to play. We worry about finances, that we won’t be able to provide for everything our children want or need, or that we aren’t saving enough for retirement. And there is always a chance that one of us will get a sudden and scary diagnosis. Whether it’s physical safety, our family’s health, spiritual warfare, or financial security, we really can’t trust in our own strength to handle everything that may come our way in 2022. We have to rely on God’s protection and provision. As you enter the new year, pray for God’s protection and provision for your family, and pray for you to have faith to trust in Him. *Dear God, Thank You for all the ways You protect our family and provide for us. We know that You are in control and that You have us in the palm of Your hand. Lord, protect us from evil, keep our family safe, both physically and spiritually. Help us to trust in You to provide all that we need and not to worry about the rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.* > *“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”* Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) **Generosity Toward Others** Over and over again in Scripture, God reminds us that we are blessed to be a blessing. We are put on this earth to love God and to love and serve others. Our families exist not just to love each other, but to love and serve the world. As we start the new year, turning your family’s hearts and minds outward to how you can be generous to others will help your family to develop God’s heart for His people and to live as Christ did. As a family, make a list of people you know who are in physical need, people who need Jesus, people who are hurting or scared or alone, and places you can serve others. Pray for those specific people and places and for God to show you how you can serve others every day. *Dear God, Thank You for sending Your Son to earth to serve. Give us a heart like His for Your people. Show us how we can serve others in our community. If anyone is sad or hurting, help us to show them love. If anyone is in physical need, show us how we can help. If anyone needs to know You, give us the words to tell them about You. Fill our hearts with a spirit of generosity and an attitude of service. In Jesus’ name, Amen.* > *“Serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command – ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”* Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV) There is nothing more important we can do for our families than to pray together. Praying with kids is one of the best ways to instill faith in them that will last a lifetime. No matter what 2022 holds for your family, if you pray together, keeping yourselves centered on God and His will for your family, it could be your best year yet. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** New Year, Prayer --- ### [5 Essentials for Creating the Perfect Homeschooling Room](https://gominno.com/blog/5-essentials-for-creating-the-perfect-homeschooling-room/) **Published:** May 17, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-christian-homeschooling-ro...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tSs6XxYfQSCp0kTxtjzI.jpg) Imagine walking into a shopping center with no displays and no color, just white walls with nothing to entice the shopper to spend money. Do you think their revenue would decrease or increase? That’s a no-brainer – it would probably close for lack of interest. If the aesthetic attractiveness of a shopping center is vital for success, how much more is such an environment for creating a viable learning space? [According to the National Home Education Research Institute,](https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/) there were an estimated 2.3 million homeschoolers in 2016, up from 2 million in 2010. The numbers are growing. It’s obvious that Christian homeschooling is on the rise and Christian families are making the leap. Homeschooling is an important part of life for millions of students. The decision to homeschool is a major one, so the setting where you choose to homeschool your children should involve more than just a passing thought. It’s important to create a specifically dedicated space to encourage learning and intellectual curiosity. So, how can you do this? Here are 5 essentials: ## Turn Off Screens Not in Use Have you ever walked into a classroom – elementary, secondary, or college – that had all sorts of screens streaming content not related to the subject? Probably not. Superfluous screens aren’t conducive to learning. [It’s a distraction](https://www.gominno.com/blog/homeschooling-how-to-protect-your-time-against-disruptions) – and distraction isn’t conducive to learning or child development. You know your students, so you know what promotes their learning. If it doesn’t, remove it from their line of sight and put it in another room. ## Use Appealing and Engaging Visual Aids (Pictures, Videos, etc.) One-dimensional learning only grabs one person – the person it is geared toward! The reality is that you probably have more than one student in your classroom and some of them need more than just books to help them learn. Utilize everything you can get your hands on. If you have a lesson on the Acropolis, show pictures of what it looked like in its heyday, as well as what it looks like in present-day Athens. Show them a documentary on the new efforts to reconstruct it. Make learning come alive through using engaging visual aids. ## Use as Much Natural Lighting as Possible If you’ve recently been in a kindergarten room during naptime, you probably noticed that the first thing teachers do is lower the lights. Teachers do this because they don’t want their students learning – they want them napping. The opposite effect should be used if you are promoting learning. Create an environment that has as much natural lighting as possible. Natural light generates happiness, but most important, it keeps us awake! ## Enable Physical Movement (Yoga Ball, Chin-Up Bar, Exercise Area, Daily Walks, etc.) Students and adults get bored. One easy way to battle this is through physical movement. This may be something that you schedule into your day, or that you randomly interject when you see fatigue or boredom setting in. Remember that the end game is to promote learning, not to keep your student still. If that requires [an afternoon walk or a daily exercise time](https://www.gominno.com/blog/homeschool-tips-how-to-take-breaks-without-getting-derailed), do it. The reward is long term. ## Celebrate Changes and the Passage of Time with Visual Cues Students are naturally attuned to seasonal changes. This might be less true if you live in an environment where there are fewer changes in seasons, but regardless of where you live, you can celebrate the changes happening in nature by using visual cues to focus on them. This could be through painting a wall with a mural, or putting up pictures of seasons across the country or the world. Another interesting way to show the passage of time is to visually show what time it is in various parts of the world. Do a small class segment learning about the Greenwich Mean Time and what it means to our world, and for how time is calculated. One visual way to do this is to purchase cheap clocks, set them to different time zones, and hang them on the wall with the name of a city in that time zone. It’s a fun way to teach students about time! Learning doesn’t have to be boring and neither does a homeschool environment. Be sure to take into consideration who your students/children are. What are their interests, their distractions, and their sources of inspiration? Once you get some ideas, engage them in the creation of your school environment. Get their buy-in and allow them to feel some ownership in the process. This will engage them from the beginning. If this scares you because you’ve never put together a space like this before, don’t forget to look at blogs or [connect with another homeschool group(s)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-homeschool-co-op) to brainstorm effective ways to create that perfect homeschool room! The more ideas you engage, the better the result. If you’re [looking for resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling) to supplement their education, [Christian parenting tips](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith), or other engaging media for Christian families, check out our [online catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of exciting and educational tools! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Homeschooling --- ### [5 Days of Thanksgiving Family Devotions](https://gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions/) **Published:** November 14, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![564728_ThanksgivingFamilyDevotion_102...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/n3iCzQW6RN2tjIGf8L6R.jpg) Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to spend time as a family reflecting on God’s many blessings. We’ve developed a series of simple family devotions for you to use leading up to Thanksgiving, focusing on Bible verses that give thanks to God. Each day’s devotional includes a short reading, Bible verse, discussion questions, and a prayer prompt. Check out the whole series below: [Day 1 – Psalm 107:1](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-1) [Day 2 – James 1:17](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-2) [Day 3 – Psalm 95:1-6](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-3) [Day 4 – Psalm 105:1-6 ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-4) [Day 5 – Ephesians 5:19-20](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-5) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Devotions, Thanksgiving --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Self-Control](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-self-control/) **Published:** January 27, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3JzaWozoSw23cP4lBGdF.jpg) When I was a new mom, I felt like my kids needed more self-control. Ha! Obviously. Parenting would be a lot easier with self-controlled kids. Selfishness comes naturally. *Self-control?* Not so much. Thankfully, the Bible gives us some really great insight on why and how to attain self-control in our lives–as a kid or a grown-up! Here are 5 verses we’ve memorized in my family, plus some fun activities to go with them. Go ahead, ask my kids. They know these by heart! # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Self-Control Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) *But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.* Introducing our children to the Fruit of the Spirit can seem like a big overwhelming checklist of goals to attain. Instead, it should be an awesome gift list God gives to us. In turn, it can be a prayer list for us to ask God to develop in our own lives. **Family Activity Idea:** Do a little [fruity kool-aid painting](http://ohamanda.com/2009/07/10/kool-aid-painting-intro-to-the-fruit-of-the-spirit/). Grab a few packets of kool-aid, add water and use it as paint. Paint your own pictures of fruit, the Bible verse or print off these [fun fruit coloring sheets](https://christianpreschoolprintables.com/fruit-of-the-spirit-printables/fruits-of-the-spirit-bible-coloring-pages/). Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) *Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.* The Bible is so full of great imagery! I can tell you from experience that explaining to your out-of-control kid that they are like a city whose walls are broken down is always very sobering. We know the Bible is useful for teaching and correcting and this is a perfect example. When we see our child lacking self-control, use this verse to help him understand the terrible results. **Family Activity Idea:** Use boxes and/or blocks to create a wall around a favorite toy. Discuss how the toy is protected. Then, knock down part of the wall and talk about how the toy is not protected. Have your child consider which way seems better to him. Then, remind him that self-control keeps that protection around him, too! Proverbs 29:11 (NIRV) *Foolish people let their anger run wild. But wise people keep themselves under control.* Here’s another verse with vivid words that won’t leave your mind! My daughter and I memorized this one when she was very little and have both reminded each other about letting our anger run wild many times. **Family Activity Idea:** Make a [wild and foolish person poster](https://ohamanda.com/2010/05/20/proverbs-and-wisdom-for-kids/) and quote the verse as you create. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (adapted) *Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow. Stand up to him. Stand firm in what you believe.* Self-control is the preeminent virtue that will keep us from our enemy and his evil plans for us. He comes to steal, kill and destroy—to chew and swallow us up! But, when we are self-controlled, we can be on our guard and stand firm in God and His truth! **Family Activity Idea:** Make your own [*Monster Mash*](https://ohamanda.com/2011/11/16/monster-mash/) *to help you stay on guard!* 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIRV) *God didn’t give us a spirit that makes us weak and fearful. He gave us a spirit that gives us power and love. It helps us control ourselves.* I really like this New International Reader’s Version because it divides this oft-quoted verse into small sentences. The last sentence is the one I like, “It helps us control ourselves.” And that’s just it. God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us control ourselves! It’s not white-knuckled self-control, but a loving, powerful Holy Spirit who helps us. **Family Activity Idea:** Memorize this verse with your family by making up motions for each word. Then, repeat the verse with one word missing and replace it with your motion. Continue to do so until you are only doing the motions to the verse without talking. Self-control can seem like an overwhelming virtue to tackle. Hide these Scriptures in your heart and help your kids do the same so you can reap the benefits that God has for the self-controlled life! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TsCOJbQ7S023UkHvbeyL.jpg) Download a printable for these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Self-Control](https://cdn.buttercms.com/hWFpdq5FTe2HeuXrQCvE) **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Fruit of the Spirit, Memory Verses, Self-Control --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Peace](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-peace/) **Published:** February 25, 2020 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ClnbRBiFSyiJBZVERUGw.jpg) Ever find yourself saying to your kids (or mumbling under your breath), *“All I want is some peace and quiet!”* After a long day in the van on the way home from a 9-hour trip to visit the grandparents, that’s exactly what I find myself saying to my four kids! The peace I’m looking for is a break from the noise, the opportunity to think and concentrate and the chance to relax. That kind of peace is quite different than the peace described in the Bible! Let’s take a look at three different types of peace that are mentioned in Scripture and what they mean for us and for our children! # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Peace **Having Peace in Our Hearts** This type of peace is described in several places throughout Scripture. Colossians 3:15 (NIV) *Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.* Peace ruling in our hearts means we have the assurance of Christ’s forgiveness: in other words, God is “at peace” with us through Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross. When we have peace in our hearts, we trust that Christ loves us and that gives us a deep sense of comfort and rest. Philippians 4:7 (NIV) *And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.* 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) *Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you.* **Living at Peace with Others** If you or your children have siblings, it can definitely be hard to live at peace with each other! Yet there is a call for us as Christ-followers to be pursuing this type of relationship with anyone in our lives. Romans 12:18 (NLT) *Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.* For our children, this means choosing to overlook small offenses, praying for God’s help when they’re having a hard time getting along, and choosing to focus on the good that their siblings do rather than complaining about them. That is tough! It’s definitely hard for me to do with my own brothers and we are in our 30s! But it is possible, with the peace of Christ in our hearts. *See how one type of biblical peace leads right into another?* When Jesus gives us peace, we can extend that peaceable spirit to others. **Peace in the World Through God as the Ruler** The third type of peace we can teach our children about is the unending peace that is promised when Jesus comes again to rule in glory. This peace is spoken of quite a bit in the Old Testament because the Old Testament often focuses on prophecy, the telling of the future for God’s people! Isaiah 26:12 (NIV) *Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.* Talking about the “end times” with our kids can seem strange, but one way we talk about the future with our children is to tell them that even though life is hard and really sad things happen, that Jesus’ hope is that all will come to know Him and that someday He will rule over everything and the sad things will never happen again. As your kids grow, you can go into more detail! Hopefully, these verses will give you a great starting point for conversations in your home about what peace looks like, according to the Bible. And maybe you’ll get some “peace and quiet” out of it too! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BAR5HVNTKWH82L1M6Sid.jpg) Download your [5 Bible Memory Verses About Peace](https://cdn.buttercms.com/OOswI1ThQbqbXcQhO1Eg) printable. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Fruit of the Spirit, Memory Verses, Peace --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Kindness](https://gominno.com/blog/5-bible-verses-for-kids-about-kindness/) **Published:** October 28, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/iyAqE3rUS5iBtyXHOs4D.jpg) Bullying is a buzzword in our schools and the cyber-world. Sadly, it’s a buzzword because bullying is a serious problem among kids, teens, and even adults. At my kids’ school, our principal talks to the kids about showing kindness to stop bullying before it starts. The local public school in our area has t-shirts with the hashtag #BeKind on the front. I’m thankful there are conversations happening about this topic. *But what does God’s Word say about kindness?* # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Kindness Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Did you know?! Kindness is originally from the Lord. God draws us to Himself with unfailing kindness. Kindness that never fails no matter how rude, disrespectful, or disobedient we are to Him. Wow! ***Family Activity Idea:*** See how long you can tap a balloon in the air. *Can you do it for 5 minutes? 10? 60? Could you do it all day long? Forever and ever?* It’s too hard to do without stopping! God’s kindness to us is unfailing, He never stops being kind to us! Romans 2:4 (NIV) Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Paul writes to the Romans and Ephesians, reminding them to remember God’s kindness to us. God’s kindness goes hand in hand with His desire for us to be reunited with Him through repentance. As we see God’s forgiveness of our own sin, it will make it easier to forgive others and interact with them with thankfulness in our hearts to God! ***Family Activity Idea:*** Write one of the above verses on a large sheet of paper. Let everyone in your family draw a small cartoon of 2 things that always go together (for example: macaroni & cheese, peanut butter & jelly, Mickey & Minnie). Then highlight or decorate the words KINDNESS and REPENTANCE/FORGIVENESS. Talk about how those two actions go together too. Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Once we recognize God’s kindness to us, Paul suggests we clothe ourselves in it. Just as getting dressed takes time and attention, making sure kindness is at the forefront of our lives and actions takes time and attention too. ***Family Activity Idea:*** Do a clothes relay race. Have your kids race down to a pile of oversized clothes and put them on as quickly as they can. Once they are dressed, immediately take them back off and run back to the beginning, tagging the next player. Continue until everyone has gone. Talk about how getting dressed took time and attention. Explain how dressing in kindness should be done the same way too. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. God gives us His Holy Spirit when we become Christians. Then, the fruit of the Holy Spirit can begin to grow in us. One fruit of the Spirit is kindness. This is a trait that should be cultivated by staying close and listening to the Holy Spirit. ***Family Activity Idea:*** Make a [Kindness Kid out of an orange](https://ohamanda.com/2009/10/14/fruit-of-the-spirit-orange-kindness-kids/)! ![684390_5BibleVersesKindnessUpdate_V1_...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Z48QIjc1S3qjqB6knalB.jpg) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Kindness](https://cdn.buttercms.com/yienSRiQniQxcDt0Vysw). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Fruit of the Spirit, Kindness, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Gratitude](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-gratitude/) **Published:** November 17, 2020 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![Parenting - Parent](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224101/AOdXtGJRPaQDH8LVe8jh-1-1024x578.jpg "Bible Memory Verses about Gratitude - Minno Kids")\#image\_title *Does it ever feel like you’re constantly telling your kids to stop complaining?* As a Christian parent, *do you share Bible verses with your kids in the hopes that they will see how important it is to always be thankful and grateful and never grumble again . . .* but it doesn’t seem to work? Sometimes we can get caught up in saying the same thing over and over again then get frustrated when it seems that our tactics aren’t making a difference. But the truth is, our words *are* making an impact—more than we think! Still, sometimes we need fresh ways to talk about being grateful to our kids. Ways that can help turn their thoughts away from themselves and call their blessings to mind. Next time you’re talking about gratitude with your kids, try creating a conversation around the Bible verses you’re using, so they understand how Scripture relates to their lives. Here are three examples of how this could look in your own home: 1. Share a situation where you struggled to be grateful for something. Make it specific, not just a general statement. So rather than saying, *“sometimes it’s hard for me to be thankful too,”* use storytelling to relate to your child. *“When I was eight, I got an Etch a Sketch for Christmas. But I was upset because what I really wanted was a Game Boy like my friend Brooke got from her parents . . .”* Tell them how God provides for our needs and how we can praise Him for so many things. Then take a moment to praise God together! 2. Talk about a possible situation your child might find themselves in where they are challenged to be thankful. This could be something simple for young kids, like not getting the pink princess crown they wanted from the school carnival (this was a real thing for our 5-year-old!), or something more complicated for older kids, like not getting picked to be on the soccer team. Bring in some Scripture here (I’ve got five ideas below) and coach them to name some blessings that God has brought into their lives. 3. Talk about how to respond when they get a gift that they don’t really like (a creative way to do this might be to teach them to say *“thank you so much for picking out such a special gift for me!”* even if it’s not their favorite. When they write a thank you note, help them respond to the gratefulness of the action of the giver and tell the giver how they’ll use the gift. Sometimes simply helping our kids understand the purpose of gift-giving (an act meant to bless someone you love) can teach them an important lesson in thankfulness even if they would have preferred to receive something else. Remember too, it’s okay if it takes your kids some time to actively be thankful! It’s a learning process, even for adults! # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Gratitude Psalm 57:9 (ESV) I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Psalm 100:4 (ESV) Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Proverbs 17:22a (ESV) A joyful heart is good medicine. ![684390_5BibleVersesGratitudeUpdate_V1...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mLgwy2lR2a76yp1WkIAP.jpg) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Gratitude](https://cdn.buttercms.com/sttFrNRSfCu5guML0XvE). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Gratitude, Memory Verses, Thanksgiving --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Grace](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-grace/) **Published:** March 14, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LUZSKliUS8uSbQnRvxlO.jpg) I was 9 years old and sweating in the open-air sanctuary at my church’s summer camp. The special guest speaker that year had a lion puppet. A huge lion puppet that could never ever remember the Bible verse. He said it crazy every single time . . . until he got it right, along with every kid in the auditorium. I still remember that long, drawn-out lion’s voice saying, “Fooor byyyy graccce, arrre yeeee saved, through faith and that not of yourself. It is the gift of God, not lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Even though I was only 8 and I was quoting the King James Version, I still understood the point: God gave me salvation as a gift. I didn’t do anything to get it. I don’t really deserve it. I couldn’t sneak around and find it for myself. God gave salvation freely. That’s really all grace is. God gives us something (mainly: salvation) because He loves us, even when we don’t deserve it. We were sinners, dead in our transgressions and before we even loved God, He sent His son Jesus to die in our place, because of those sins. That’s a great gift. That’s great grace. The perfect picture of this is the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. *Remember it?* A son demands his inheritance from his father, who willingly gives it. Then, the son goes to a faraway country and wastes his money on wild living. When he runs out of money, there is nothing left for him. He doesn’t even have money to eat. So, he takes a job on a farm feeding pigs. Suddenly, as he is thinking how good the pigs’ slop looks he realizes, “My father’s servants have a better life than me! I’ll go home and apologize and ask to be a servant in my father’s house!” He gets up and turns toward his father’s house, rehearsing his apology speech. However, while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, ran to him, threw his arms around his son, kissed him and said, “My son! My son was dead and is alive! He was lost and is now found!” He then calls the servants to bring new clothes, a ring for his son’s finger, and to prepare their best animal for a feast! I literally can’t make it through that story without crying. The father is so extravagant in his love! *Did you know that was the meaning of the word* *prodigal**?* We usually use it on the son—how extravagantly he wasted his money. Instead, I like to think of the prodigal father who extravagantly lavished love on his son. The loving father who was looking for his lost son and before the son even apologized, was throwing gifts and favor and grace on him. *This* is grace. God, our extravagant father, gives us His gift of love. Not just any love. Love that gave His only Son, love that gave His life for us. Amazing grace. Want to dig deeper into the concept of grace with your kids? Try this Bible memory verses about God’s unmerited favor! # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Grace Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) *For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.* 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NLT) *My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.* Psalm 103:8 (NIV) *The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.* Titus 2:11 (ESV) *For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.* Ephesians 4:7 (ESV) *But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.* ***Family Activity Idea:*** Watch [The Prodigal Son story on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/running-away). Now, imagine yourself as the wasteful son and our Heavenly Father, God as the father. *How does it make you feel knowing God the Father loves you so much?* Use this story to remember that the word “grace” means a great gift or favor from God. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/i5krzLoPTyaDIg6KHf5A.jpg) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Grace](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Ph6V2QMwRtyZ9EREisZC). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Grace, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Generosity](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-generosity/) **Published:** November 25, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/09002523/Screenshot-2024-05-08-at-72407%20PM-e1720646669319.png "Bible Memory Verses about Generosity - Minno Kids") Generosity is one of the most important biblical concepts we can teach our children. The best example of generosity that has ever been seen upon the earth is the gift of salvation we have through Jesus Christ. It is through this gift that we are able to show a heart of true generosity toward God and His people. It can be challenging to turn our child’s hear toward generosity in the midst of such a me-driven culture. Developing a heart of generosity takes time and practice. And it will help if your child sees your spirit of generosity first and foremost. Keeping these five Bible verses in mind and sharing them as a family can help teach our children about generosity while giving us a refresher, too. # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Generosity John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. This verse is truly the crux of all generosity. God loved us so much that He gave us the most generous gift in the world; salvation through His only and only son Jesus Christ. The depth of this gift is hard to explain to a child but can be communicated through stories, songs, and even biblical shows for children. One of our favorite shows to share about the Bible can be found on Minno: [The 1-Hour Bible for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/series/1-hour-bible-for-kids). Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. The truth in this verse is a perfect illustration of God’s law of sowing and reaping. It opens up the door for our children to see God’s promise of harvest to the giver. It also gives their tender hearts the ability to know that God sees them and will reward them for their obedience. Be careful, though, not to position giving as something we do to receive. Rather be intentional to teach your children that they will be blessed as a by-product of God’s innate goodness and our obedience to give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. The wisdom in this verse helps us introduce our children to the concept of giving from the heart. It gives us a great example of how God blesses us when we give out of selfless love for others. Generosity from the heart is one of the most beneficial lessons we can teach our children. This verse has been instrumental in our family’s foundation and we’re thankful to God for it! 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This verse is a beautiful way to illustrate how generosity not only blesses the giver and receiver, but it blesses God too. Through this scripture, we are able to see that giving is an act of worship showing thanks to God. What a beautiful verse to teach our children about the impact that generosity has on God and His people. Proverbs 11:24 (NIV) One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. This is verse is a great way to show the importance of giving freely instead of being greedy. I don’t know about you, but all three of my children have been greedy (mostly toward one another) at one time or another. Even our child who is the most giving by nature has had his fair share of being stingy. This verse has helped the children to realize that God blesses those who freely give. It’s been a life-changing concept in our home. Being generous and giving without expectation are amazing concepts that we can instill into our children. I am thankful that God’s Word is full of verses to help us walk this out in our own lives so we can lead by example. I pray that these five verses are a blessing to your family as you teach your children to be generous and lead lives full of giving from the heart. ![684390_5BibleVersesGenerosityUpdate_V...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/v4a6pmNNRFW4beF1BCOr.jpg) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Generosity](https://cdn.buttercms.com/kkji9pzrRP6iWtVPwTMx) . **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Generosity, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Forgiveness](https://gominno.com/blog/5-bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-forgiveness/) **Published:** April 1, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![forgiveness blog.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/C8WlhVymRzyHpdW1AtVW.jpg) Forgiveness is something that does not come naturally to most humans. Because of this, we need to take special care in introducing our children to what God’s Word says about forgiveness. One way our family has tackled teaching forgiveness to our children is by [memorizing what God’s word says](https://learningtospeaklifebooks.lpages.co/matters-of-the-heart/) about the subject. Have you ever had a child (or two) that got into a conflict with someone and was unwilling to forgive them? We have; more times than we can count. And it was always a clear sign that we had a teachable moment to help our children better understand the work of the cross. There is no better way to teach your children about God’s forgiveness than to take them to the Word of God. I am excited to share 5 bible memory verses to help teach your children about God’s forgiveness. # **5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Forgiveness** ***1 John 1:9 NIV*** *If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.* In order for our children to understand the importance of forgiving others, they must first understand the salvation that comes through Christ’s sacrifice. 1 John 1:9 gives us great insight into the forgiveness of our sin when we repent and turn towards Christ. If God, who is perfect, can overlook the sin of sinful men, then it is our duty to carry that same love and outlook toward our brothers and sisters all over the world. ***Mark 11:25 NIV*** *And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”* To take it a step further, it is important that we teach our children the spiritual discipline to forgive so their prayers may be effective. Mark 11:25 gives us a command that cannot be ignored; *forgive so that you are forgiven*. It is important that our hearts are pure when we come before the Lord so we don’t allow any distractions from hearing His voice when we pray. ***Ephesians 4:32 NIV*** *Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.* This verse is a wonderful verse to show our children the importance of compassion toward others. We have had several instances over the years where the truth of Ephesians 4:23 helped heal and convict our children’s hearts to forgive. This powerful verse can easily be used to show your child that when we choose to forgive, God’s love heals all. ***Acts 3:19 NIV*** *Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,* Repentance is a vital part of every Believer’s walk with God. Acts 3:19 is an effective verse to help your child understand that if we confess and turn from our sin, God wipes out our sin, giving us a new beginning. If this isn’t something to shout about, I don’t know what is! ***Matthew 18:21-22 NIV*** *Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. The [parable of the unmerciful servant](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A21-35&version=NIV) is a phenomenal teaching tool about God’s forgiveness. In this story the Lord teaches about the importance of forgiving others just as God has forgiven you. While this can be a hard pill to swallow, when your child understands the gift of the cross, it begins to make sense to them. And as a result the truth of forgiving others begins to become an easy choice. Accepting forgiveness and learning to forgive are both valuable lifelong lessons to teach your children. If you are looking for more resources to help hide God’s Word in the heart of your child, my husband and I authored the [*Learning to Speak Life: Fruit of the Spirit*](https://learningtospeaklifebooks.com/products/fruit-of-the-spirit-bundle) bible study guide to help do just that. It is our prayer that your children accept and give forgiveness in a way that Honors God. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kBb3YjYQEKWJbaM823Gg.jpg) Download a printable of these [5 Bible Memory Verses About Forgiveness](https://cdn.buttercms.com/FyMbMDqRwqnHU1k1f29A) **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Bible Teaching, Forgiveness, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Fathers](https://gominno.com/blog/5-bible-verses-about-fathers/) **Published:** June 13, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Portrait photography - Photograph](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04212622/0FrGA1VFRB6LgU2JJkIe_fathers-JT-Blog-Image-1024x578.jpg "0FrGA1VFRB6LgU2JJkIe_fathers-JT-Blog-Imagejpgjpg - Minno Kids") ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qHeYHrTBRa2uigW5gQvn_JT-Blog-role%20of%20fathers.jpg.jpg)This Sunday we celebrate the importance of our husband’s and fathers’ in our lives and the lives of our children. Our wonderful dads, who God has chosen for each of us, help us grow in character and wisdom. They are men of courage, and integrity. It is by their example that our sons grow into godly men, and our daughters are able to choose godly husbands of their own. The father’s role in our lives is, without question, greatly important. Sadly, the world we live in likes to downplay the role of father. When you think of how dads are portrayed in our secular culture, what comes to mind? Maybe Homer Simpson? Or how about Modern Family’s, Phil Dunphy? Both characters are far from the Biblical idea of father. Sure they’re funny and even entertaining in their goofiness, but it’s sort of sad that our culture currently devalues fathers as the bumbling fools of the family unit, who are easily duped and disrespected by their kids and wives, and whose importance is merely that of a paycheck. Back in the 80’s and 90’s we had quite a few family themed shows. The TV dads were characters like Dr. Phil Huxtable (The Cosby Show), Steven Keaton (Family Ties) and Danny Tanner (Full House). They were hard working, smart, respectable dads. Role models. Our culture, three decades ago, valued the idea that fathers were the foundation of the family. # 5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Fathers Cultural values may have changed, but God’s model of what fatherhood really means, remains the same. Here are some Bible verses that will help us celebrate our dads, by reading what God intended for our men to be. (Joshua 1:9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Psalm 103: 13) As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (Proverbs 3:11-12) My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (1 Corinthians 16:13) Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Happy Father’s Day to our wonderful dads! Enjoy your day. Rest, be loved on, and know that you, through the truth of God’s plan, are the foundation of our family! *Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributing writer/blogger to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She has been a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN. Follow her personal blog posts on [Talking Like A Girl](http://www.talkinglikeagirl.blogspot.com/).* --- *Originally published on June 12, 2013* **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Memory, Fatherhood, Memory Verses --- ### [5 Best Preschool Shows on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/5-best-preschool-shows-on-jellytelly/) **Published:** August 12, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/2xGjtx8QNKiYYx8B8j04/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) [Minno](http://www.gominno.com) is a Christian streaming service just for kids – but we think it’s really for kids of ALL ages! You’ll find family-friendly favorites perfect for family movie nights (even your tweens and teens will secretly love laughing along to *[What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck%20denver%20asks%20whats%20in%20the%20bible%20full%20episodes)* and reminiscing over *[VeggieTales](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales)*). Parents of preschoolers will love the wide variety of Christian preschool shows they know they can trust. We’ve picked out 5 of our favorite preschool shows on Minno to get you started! Not a subscriber to Minno? Try it for a week free [here](http://www.gominno.com)! ## 5 Best Preschool Shows on Minno [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/k7IuK33ISdKaCbotu4eI/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/series/VeggieTales) ### 1. [VeggieTales](https://www.gominno.com/series/VeggieTales) Join Bob, Larry and all your favorite talking vegetables as they learn Bible stories! Your preschoolers will learn that “God made you special and loves you very much.” [Check out the VeggieTales episodes on Minno here.](https://www.gominno.com/series/VeggieTales) [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/kePgSAXWRRKFRpWuUGbT/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/series/TuneTime) ### 2. [TuneTime](https://www.gominno.com/series/TuneTime) Preschoolers will LOVE this musical show! Dance and sing along with the Tunies and their friends Colby and Rachel as they learn important Bible stories and truths about God. [Check out the TuneTime episodes on Minno here.](https://www.gominno.com/series/TuneTime) [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/vmR3DTgOQ7qhh5lxa45Q/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/series/Yancy%20and%20Friends) ### 3. [Yancy and Friends](https://www.gominno.com/series/Yancy%20and%20Friends) Yancy and Friends sing songs, dance, and play instruments to celebrate that God is good! Your preschoolers will love singing with Yancy! [Check out the Yancy and Friends episodes on Minno here.](https://www.gominno.com/series/Yancy%20and%20Friends) [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/YfXxnRITSoyYblCcftZV/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/series/Jesus%20Storybook%20Bible) ### 4. [Jesus Storybook Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/Jesus%20Storybook%20Bible) The beloved classic *Jesus Storybook Bible* by Sally Lloyd-Jones comes to life in video form! Your kids will love watching the great story of the Bible unfold with these beautiful videos. [Check out the Jesus Storybook Bible episodes on Minno here.](https://www.gominno.com/series/Jesus%20Storybook%20Bible) ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/lcrsifS0TFcMEQYxMVlj/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) ### 5. [The Slug and Ant Show](https://www.gominno.com/series/The%20Slug%20and%20Ant%20Show) We love the adorable Slug and Ant – two bug best friends who share all about God’s love! We think your preschoolers will love them too. [Check out episodes of The Slug and Ant Show on Minno here.](https://www.gominno.com/series/The%20Slug%20and%20Ant%20Show) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [5 Amazing Women in Church History](https://gominno.com/blog/5-amazing-women-in-church-history/) **Published:** March 15, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/09002125/Screenshot-2024-05-08-at-72012%20PM-e1720646267167.png "5 Amazing Women in Church History - Minno Kids") Church history is full of stories of amazing, inspiring men—Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Billy Graham, the list goes on and on and on. But Church history was also impacted deeply by many women! These women faced incredible obstacles and loved Jesus, and the Church still rejoices in their contributions today. We’re raising Christian kids in a world that points to all kinds of strong secular role models for our girls. Some of those role models are good, some are not so good. If you really want to inspire your daughters (and sons!) with stories of strong, brave women who changed the world, all you have to do is look through Church history. #### **5 Amazing Women in Church History** #### **Marie Dentière** 1495–1561 **Her Story:** Marie Dentière was a woman theologian during the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. She had been a nun in France, but when she heard the teachings of Martin Luther, she joined his movement. She married a pastor in the Reformation movement and they planted a church. But Marie also was a writer, scholar, and theologian—three words not often ascribed to women in the church in the 16th century! Marie wrote several published books: a history of Geneva during the Reformation, a letter to the Queen of Navarre defending reformed theology, and a famous preface to a sermon given by John Calvin. In her letter to the queen, she wrote: “For what God has given you and revealed to us women, no more than men should we hide it and bury it in the earth. And even though we are not permitted to preach in public congregations and churches, we are not forbidden to write . . .” **Her Strength:** Boldness “Such confidence we have through Christ before God.” (2 Corinthians 3:4) Learn more about Marie Dentière [here](https://www.museeprotestant.org/en/notice/marie-dentiere-ou-dennetieres-1495-1561/) and [here](https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-first-lady-in-france). #### **Susanna Wesley** ##### 1669–1742 **Her Story:** You may know a lot about Susanna Wesley’s sons Charles and John, both famous for their contributions to the start of the Methodist Church. But Susanna herself was a powerful religious force, often called the “Mother of Methodism.” Charles and John were two of 19 children, ten who lived past childhood. Susanna not only raised her children to love God and His Word, but she often took an active role in the spiritual health of other women in her parish. They gathered in her home for prayers . . . ultimately almost 200 of them! Susanna Wesley offers us a wonderful example of a woman who offered her gifts and ideas to the Church through her prayer gatherings, but also through raising and educating her children. **Her Strength:** Prayer “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 Learn more about Susanna’s story [here](https://www.umc.org/en/content/susanna-wesley-mother-of-methodism) and [here](https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wesley-susanna-1669-1742). #### **Jarena Lee** 1783–1864 **Her Story:** Jarena Lee was the first woman to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which is a prominent and popular black protestant denomination founded before the Civil War. Jarena Lee began trying to preach very early in the denomination’s history, paving the way for women to take on a significant role in AME church leadership. Jarena preached in churches all over the United States, primarily in the north. Initially the bishop of the AME church was hesitant to let her preach, but she convinced him through her preaching talent. She was allowed by the AME to preach and teach, and established a critical precedent for women in many church traditions. **Her Strength:** Preaching “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6–7 Learn more about Jarena Lee [here](https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/pastorsandpreachers/jarena-lee.html) and [here](https://theconversation.com/hidden-figures-how-black-women-preachers-spoke-truth-to-power-73185). #### **Corrie Ten Boom** 1892–1983 **Her Story:** Corrie Ten Boom grew up in the Netherlands, where she and her family lived and attended the Dutch Reformed Church. Corrie became a watchmaker. When World War II started, her family home became a hiding place for Jewish people who were being arrested by the Nazis. Because of their Christian faith, Corrie and her family were willing to put themselves at risk to protect more vulnerable people. Corrie played a very big role in the Dutch resistance movement, which provided safe houses and protection for the Jewish people. Eventually Corrie and her family were arrested and sent to concentration camps, where her father and sister died. Corrie was released and became a missionary. She spent the rest of her life sharing the gospel and hope of Jesus. **Her Strength:** Perseverance “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 Learn more about Corrie Ten Boom [here](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/questionofgod/voices/boom.html) and [here](https://www.biography.com/activist/corrie-ten-boom). #### **Mother Teresa** 1910–1997 **Her Story:** Mother Teresa lived her life as a missionary in Calcutta, India. She was born (her birth name was Agnes) in Macedonia, but she became a Catholic nun when she was a young woman. She worked at a school in Calcutta, but soon decided she wanted to serve the poorest people in the city. She founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, which provided care for lepers, orphans, and other suffering people. Throughout her life caring for the “least of these,” Mother Teresa shared the hope and love of God. She became canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church after her death, and she also won a Nobel Peace Prize. **Her Strength:** Compassion “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 Learn more about Mother Teresa [here](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1979/teresa/biographical/) and [here](https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/mother-teresa). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Church History --- ### [Teach Your Kids About Jesus [Free Download]](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-your-kids-about-jesus-free-download/) **Published:** July 12, 2024 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![teach kids about jesus](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/08192652/Who-Is-Jesus_Thumbnail_c4.jpg "Who Is Jesus_Thumbnail_c4 - Minno Kids") Do you desire to teach your kids about Jesus but are not sure where to start? Have you found most resources to be boring, outdated, or uninteresting? [Minno](https://gominno.com/) and the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) are just what you need! Helping our kids learn about Jesus is one of the most important things we can do as Christian parents. It can feel much easier to teach kids about Jesus around holidays like Christmas and Easter, when stories of Jesus are the center of the season. But learning about Jesus doesn’t have to stop there! We can [teach our kids about Jesus all year long](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-about-jesus-all-year-long/)! It’s important to know Jesus loves us and to grow in friendship with Him whether we are 3, 6, 9, or 99 years old! Help your kids get to know Jesus and His great love for us by following His life—from His baptism to His famous Sermon on the Mount—in this 30 minute special. Watch and grow in understanding who Jesus is and why He came to be our savior and our friend. Find out more about [how you can watch Who is Jesus? together with your family](https://gominno.com/lp/jesus/)! #### 3 Ways to Experience the Minno Who is Jesus? Special and Teach Your Kids About Jesus 1. Plan a Jesus family movie night with popcorn and treats. 2. Host a neighborhood watch party for your kids and their friends (use the “share cards” in your Family Guide – see below to download). 3. Watch the special then use the FREE Family Guide below to take the learning and fun off-screen. Get all the details [HERE](https://gominno.com/lp/jesus/)! At Minno, we believe in offering families off-screen resources that provide a holistic approach to media. Use this [FREE Family Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26152402/Who-Is-Jesus_-Family-Guide_%C6%92.pdf) to experience Jesus through a family discussion guide, memory verse game, and coloring pages. ![Jesus Coloring Pages](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/08192946/LAGB-JESUS-GUIDE-OFFER-SAMPLE.png "LAGB-JESUS-GUIDE-OFFER-SAMPLE - Minno Kids") Download your [FREE Who is Jesus? Companion Family Guide](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26152402/Who-Is-Jesus_-Family-Guide_%C6%92.pdf) **Categories:** Activity Packs, Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Coloring Pages, Family Devotions, Fun for Kids, New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Discipleship, Jesus, Who is Jesus? --- ### [5 Amazing Women from the Bible to Inspire Girls](https://gominno.com/blog/amazing-women-from-the-bible-to-inspire-girls/) **Published:** March 3, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/I3Um0zQBS7uCM72x09AS.jpg) It can be easy to read the Bible and only see the stories of the amazing men—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Elijah and Elisha. David and Solomon. Peter and James and John. But the Bible has lots of stories of incredible women too. Strong and brave women who led armies and challenged kings. Prophetesses who heard and obeyed the voice of God. Wise women who made difficult decisions and led the people back to God. Loyal women who stayed faithful to God even when their situations seemed perilous. Women who did the right thing no matter what everyone else was doing, and changed the course of history forever. We’re raising Christian kids in a world that points to all kinds of strong secular role models for our girls. Some of those role models are good, some are not so good. If you really want to [inspire your daughters (and sons!) with stories of strong, brave women who changed the world](https://www.gominno.com/blog/6-strong-girls-to-inspire-your-daughter-on-minno), all you have to do is open the pages of your Bible. # **5 Amazing Women from the Bible to Inspire Girls** #### Shiphrah and Puah **Their Story****:** Shiphrah and Puah were Hebrew midwives when the people were living in slavery in Egypt, before Moses led them out in the Exodus. When Joseph was second-in-command to Pharoah, the people of Israel—Joseph’s family—had come to Egypt to escape the famine in their land. When they came, there were only 70 of them. But now, 400 years later, the tribe had grown exponentially in numbers and in strength. A new Pharaoh arose in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph or care about his history as a leader in Egypt. He became afraid that the people of Israel would become stronger than his people and try to take over, so he made them slaves. Pharaoh also went to the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah and commanded them to kill all of the male children born to the women of Israel. But Shiphrah and Puah feared God and didn’t do what Pharaoh asked. When Pharaoh confronted them, God protected them and He established strong households for them. **Their Strengths****:** The Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah showed themselves to be brave and strong in the face of grave danger from the most powerful king in the world. They chose to [trust ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-trusting-god)and follow God rather than fear the human king. God blessed them for their loyalty and obedience. **Related Memory Verse:** “I am not trying to please people. I want to please God.” Galatians 1:10 CEV You can read about Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus 1 or about how Moses also escaped being killed as a baby because of two other strong women, his sister and his mother, in[ The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) on page 60. #### Rahab **Her Story****:** Rahab was a woman with a bad reputation in the ancient city of Jericho, where two spies from Israel had gone to check out the land and see if they could conquer it. Rahab was a Canaanite, but she trusted in Israel’s God. When the spies came to Jericho, she hid them on the roof of her house which was built into the city wall. When the king’s messengers came to ask about the spies, Rahab misguided them, sending them on a wild goose chase down the road that led to the Jordan River. She told the spies that she knew the Lord had given them the land of Canaan. She had heard all that God had done for them at the Red Sea and all of the battles He had won for them. She asked them to spare her family because she had protected them, then she let them down by a rope through a window. When Israel took over Jericho, they spared Rahab and her whole family just as they had promised. Rahab became the mother of Boaz, and the great-great-grandmother of King David. So Rahab, the foreigner and sinner became part of the line of Jesus Christ Himself, because of her great trust in God and faithfulness to His people. **Her Strengths****:** Rahab showed herself to be brave, bold, strong, and loyal to God in spite of great danger from the king of her own city, Jericho. She recognized God’s greatness just from the stories she had heard and chose whose side she wanted to be on. Rahab chose to follow God when no one else in her city did and she was the only one in her city saved because of it. **Related Memory Verse:** “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV You can read about Rahab in Joshua 2-6 or about Israel conquering Jericho in[ The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) on page 100. **RELATED POST:** [5 More Amazing Women from the Bible to Inspire Girls (New Testament)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/more-amazing-women-from-the-bible) #### Ruth **Her Story****:** Ruth was a young Moabite woman, married to an Israelite man who had come to Moab with his parents and brother because there was a famine in Israel. When all three men of the family died, Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law Naomi to return to her parents’ house and find a new husband to support her. It was almost certain that staying with Naomi would lead to both of them living in poverty, and yet she refused to leave Naomi to suffer alone. Ruth committed to follow Naomi back to Israel and to follow Naomi’s God. When they returned to Israel, Ruth worked hard gleaning the fields to provide for herself and Naomi. She humbled herself before the kinsman-redeemer of Naomi’s family, Boaz, offering herself to him in marriage, asking him to fulfill the Levirate law of redeeming his dead relative’s land and wife. Ruth became the mother of Obed, and the great-grandmother of King David. So like Rahab, the foreigner Ruth became part of the line of Jesus Christ Himself, because of her great loyalty, [faithfulness](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-faithfulness), and love. **Her Strengths****:** Ruth showed herself to be loyal to Naomi and trusting of God. She was humble and kind, but also bold and strong in the way she provided for herself and Naomi and approached Boaz for marriage. Boaz praised her for following God’s law and for her kindness and loyalty. He said that everyone in their town found her to be a woman of noble character. **Related Memory Verse:** “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (or sister).” Proverbs 18:24b NIV You can read about Ruth in the biblical book of Ruth or in[ The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) on page 118. **RELATED POST: [6 Strong Girls to Inspire Your Daughter on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/blog/6-strong-girls-to-inspire-your-daughter-on-minno)** #### **Deborah** **Her Story****:** Deborah was both a prophet and a judge, a strong and brave leader over all of Israel. Before Israel had kings, judges were the top leaders in Israel. Judges were primarily military leaders sent by God to rescue Israel from foreign armies, but because she was a prophet too, Deborah also held court and judged between the people as Moses had done. The Israelites were not following God when Deborah became the judge over Israel, but she led them back to Him. Deborah was strong and brave and trusted God completely. God told Deborah to command Barak, one of the generals of the Lord’s army, to go into battle against Sisera, the commander of the enemy army. God promised He would deliver Sisera into Barak’s hands. But Barak said he would only go if Deborah went with him. Deborah agreed, but said that since he didn’t trust God to go without her, God would actually deliver Sisera into a woman’s hands instead. It was a woman named Jael who killed Sisera. Then Israel enjoyed peace under Deborah’s rule for 40 years. **Her Strengths****:** Deborah showed herself to be strong, brave, wise, and faithful to God. When others were doing evil, she followed the Lord and listened to His word. When others feared the enemy armies, she was brave and trusted God. She judged the people in the wisdom given to her from God and she led the people back to the Lord. **Related Memory Verse:** “Be strong and courageous! . . . For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT You can read about Deborah in Judges 4-5 or in[ The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) on page 112. #### Esther **Her Story****:** Esther was a brave and strong queen who saved the entire nation of Israel. In the time of the Exile, when the Jews were living under Persian rule, King Xerxes got upset with his queen and decided to search the land for a new queen. Esther was chosen for her beauty and grace, though Xerxes never knew she was a Jew. Esther was an orphan who was being raised by her cousin Mordecai, who worked for Xerxes at the palace. One of the king’s advisors, Haman, didn’t like Mordecai and decided he would convince Xerxes to kill off all of the Jews in the empire. Haman convinced Xerxes that the Jews were troublemakers and needed to be killed. Mordecai told Esther to talk the king out of it, but Esther was worried. No one, even the queen, talked to the king without being invited. Mordecai convinced her that God had put her in her position as queen for just this very reason. Esther gathered all of her [courage ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-courage)and told the king about Haman’s plot. and Esther’s people were saved! **Her Strengths****:** Esther showed herself to be brave and strong in the face of great danger. She trusted God and followed His calling on her life. God used her to save the entire nation of Israel from being destroyed. **Related Memory Verse:** “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 NIV You can read about Esther in the biblical book of Esther or in[ The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) on page 172. Every one of these women showed themselves to be brave and strong in very dangerous situations. Every one showed incredible trust in God and amazing faithfulness. There are tons more stories of strong women where these came from. You can find a few of them on page 178 of[ The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids), one of our favorite collections of Bible stories for kids. *Why not spend some time in your family devotions looking at these stories, teaching kids about the faith of their spiritual mothers in Christ?* It’s not just young girls who need to hear these stories. We can all learn from these strong women of the Bible. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Raising Boys and Girls, Raising Girls, Women of the Bible --- ### [5 Amazing Men from the Bible to Inspire Boys](https://gominno.com/blog/amazing-men-from-the-bible-to-inspire-boys/) **Published:** March 5, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wy5CAxxIQruXwi8lZ7uv.jpg) We’re raising Christian kids in a world that points to all kinds of different role models for boys, some of which are good, some not so good. If you asked most little boys in our world today who their heroes are, you would probably hear a lot about athletes or entertainers. Or maybe even superheroes. These days, even professional video gamers or YouTubers may make the list. Probably not as much about everyday guys who are great dads or loving husbands, or men who serve others in humility and sacrifice themselves for the needs of others. While our culture tells our boys to be strong and successful in the ways of the world, the men in Scripture can show them what it means to be strong in the Lord and successful in His eyes. If you really want to inspire your sons (and daughters!) with stories of strong and successful men of God, all you have to do is open the pages of your Bible. Use these stories in your family devotional times to inspire your sons to grow into strong men of God. # **5 Amazing Men from the Bible to Inspire Boys** #### Job **His Story****:** Job was a very wealthy and powerful man who lived in the land of Uz—the greatest man among all the people of the East. The Bible describes him as blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil. In the book of Job, Satan asked God if he could tempt Job, to see if Job would deny God if Satan caused enough pain and suffering in his life. First, Satan destroyed all of Job’s wealth and killed all of his children. He lost everything except his wife and his own health. Job mourned but continued to praise God anyway. Then Satan afflicted him with painful sores all over his body. His wife told him to “curse God and die” but he refused, saying we should be willing to accept trouble from God just as much as the good. Job’s three best friends told Job that he must have done something really bad to deserve all of this suffering. But Job rightly answered that [our sufferings aren’t a punishment from God](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-why-bad-things-happen-to-good-people). Job accepted that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away and he continued to bless God no matter what happened to him. **His Strengths****:** Job showed incredible [patience](https://www.gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-patience), perseverance, and [faith](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-faith) through terrible suffering. This story is where the expression, “the patience of Job” comes from. No matter what happened to him, Job trusted that God was good and His will was best. He never stopped praising God. **Related Memory Verse:** “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21 ESV *You can read about Job in the biblical book of Job or in*[ *The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) *on page 182.* #### Caleb **His Story****:** When God rescued His people from Egypt, He brought them into the wilderness and promised to bring them into the Promised Land – the land He had promised to Abraham hundreds of years before. God told them He was giving them the land, that He would fight their battles for them. He had showed them His power when He rescued them from Egypt, saved them from Pharaoh’s army, and brought them through the Red Sea. He had showed them He would always provide for them by supernaturally raining down bread and meat from the sky and giving them water from a rock. And yet, when Moses sent out twelve young men to check out the land, ten of them came back saying they didn’t think they could win against the people who lived there. Caleb was the one who stood up in front of the whole nation and proclaimed that though the enemy was powerful, they would win because they had the Lord on their side. Caleb and Joshua were the only two of the twelve who trusted in God’s promises and believed in His power. The Lord punished the people for not believing in Him. They would wander in the wilderness for 40 more years and no one of that generation would live to see them enter the Promised Land except for Caleb and Joshua. God said that Caleb “had a different spirit” and “followed God with his whole heart.” **His Strengths****:** Caleb showed himself to be incredibly brave by trusting in God’s Word even when everyone else around him was doubting that God could do what He had promised. Caleb showed great [trust ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-trusting-god)and [courage ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-courage)because he was committed to following God with his whole heart. **Related Memory Verse:** “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 ESV *You can read about Caleb in Numbers 13-14 or in*[ *The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) *on page 90.* #### Joshua **His Story****:** Joshua was the other spy who trusted in God along with Caleb. God didn’t just let Joshua stay alive till they made it to the Promised Land, He put Joshua in charge of the next generation of Israel when they entered the Promised Land and fought for possession of the land. Joshua was a good leader who kept the people focused on God. He learned early on that the way to be truly successful was to follow God’s Word. Joshua trusted God, even when His instructions seemed strange. When they were crossing the Jordan River into the land, God told the priests to stand in the river with the Ark and He would part the waters. They did it. At Jericho, God told the people to march around the city and He would make the walls fall down. They did it. At Gibeon, God told Joshua that He would take care of their more powerful enemies. God threw the army into confusion so God’s people could defeat them, and then sent a hailstorm to destroy the enemy army. Every step of the way, Joshua boldly followed God. Time and time again, Joshua saw the Lord perform miracles to fight for them. **His Strengths****:** Joshua showed himself to be strong and courageous in the face of extremely powerful enemy armies. He followed God no matter how crazy God’s instructions seemed. Because Joshua meditated on God’s Word [every day](https://www.gominno.com/blog/a-childs-quiet-time) and listened for God’s voice, he knew just where to go and just what to do to be successful in the eyes of the Lord. **Related Memory Verse****:** “Be strong and courageous! . . . For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT *You can read about Joshua in the biblical book of Joshua or in*[ *The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) *on page 100.* #### Elisha **His Story****:** When we talk about powerful prophets in the Bible, we usually hear a lot about Elijah. He was the one who stood up to the 450 prophets of Baal on the top of Mt. Carmel. He shut up the heavens to cause a drought then prayed for rain to end the drought. He raised a widow’s son from the dead. He parted the Jordan River and went up to heaven in a chariot of fire. However, his successor Elisha did even more miracles than Elijah did. In fact, according to the stories recorded in Scripture, he did exactly twice as many. Just before Elijah went up to heaven to be with God, Elisha asked for a “double portion” of the spirit that God had given to Elijah. He wasn’t asking for more power or glory for himself, but for more ministry and more opportunities to serve. From the beginning, Elisha was a man of service. When Elijah called him, he gave up his work plowing oxen to follow the call and even killed the oxen and burned the plow so he could not come back to it. Elisha became a well-known prophet in Israel who served the Lord in humility for six decades. **His Strengths****:** Elisha showed himself willing to [serve God and others](https://www.gominno.com/blog/teaching-your-children-the-fruit-of-the-spirit-through-service) with his whole life. He served Elijah and then committed the rest of his life to serving God by preaching His Word and showing people His power. Though Elisha did more miracles than any other prophet, nothing he did was about his own fame or glory but only about bringing people back to God. He remained humble, counseling kings and serving widows with the same love and grace. **Related Memory Verse****:** “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100:2a ESV *You can read about Elisha in 1 Kings 19-2 Kings 13 or you can read about the role of the prophets in*[ *The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) *on page 180.* #### Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego **Their Story****:** Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, along with Daniel, were brave young men who stayed faithful to God no matter what the consequences while they were in exile in Babylon. When Babylon took over Israel, King Nebuchadnezzar took the smartest and the strongest of young Israelite men back to Babylon first and trained them to serve in his court. Throughout the book of Daniel, we see these four men choosing to be faithful to God no matter what the consequences to their own health and safety. When the king first put them in training, these four young men refused to eat the king’s choice food and instead only ate vegetables. Yet they turned out to be the healthiest and the strongest of all the young men in the king’s court. All four of these men found favor with the king and rose in power as high officials in Babylon and yet they stayed faithful to God. When the king ordered that everyone in the kingdom must bow down to a golden statue of himself, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down. The punishment for disobedience was to be thrown into a furnace of fire. But these three young men had no fear. They said that God could save them, but *even if He didn’t,* they would not bow down to the statue. They trusted in God’s will even if it meant their own deaths. The furnace was turned up seven times hotter than normal. It was so hot that the men who threw them in were burned to death instantly. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were unharmed and walking around in the furnace. With them was a fourth man – the Son of God. The king ordered them brought out of the furnace, promoted them to an even higher office, and decreed that the God of Israel be worshiped throughout the kingdom. **Their Strengths****:** Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted the will of God even if it meant their deaths. They showed themselves to be strong and courageous in the face of grave danger. They stayed [faithful ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-kids-about-faithfulness)to God no matter what the personal consequences to themselves. **Related Memory Verse****:** “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 ESV *You can read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 1-3 or in*[ *The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) *on page 206.* Every one of these men showed themselves to be strong and courageous in very dangerous situations. Every one showed incredible trust in God and amazing faithfulness. God did amazing things through each one of their lives. There are many more stories of amazing men and women in Scripture. If you’re looking for a role model for your kids, if you want to teach your kids about faith, courage, and what it means to be strong in the Lord and truly successful, look no further than the pages of your Bible. You can read many more stories of incredible men and women of faith in [*The Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids), our favorite collections of Bible stories for kids. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories **Tags:** Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Character, Raising Boys --- ### [40 Indoor Snow Day Activity Ideas for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/40-indoor-snow-day-ideas-kids/) **Published:** September 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04225731/Pc9fYHirTka0IKtRVkOu-1-1024x579.jpg "Indoor Winter Activities - Minno Kids")\#image\_title I love snow days, especially the kind that keep me hunkered down at home for a few days. When my children were small, snow days included building snowmen and sledding before we all looked forward to coming inside to a warm house for mugs of hot chocolate. But then what do you do to pass the time? Here are 40 ideas that will keep your children entertained when the weather outside is frightful: **Arts & Crafts** - - Set out coloring pages & crayons/markers (find free coloring pages and activity pack [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/education/coloring-pages)) - - Finger paint (with paint or pudding) - - Have an art show - - Make play dough - - Make birthday cards - - Create your own wrapping paper using butcher paper, stamps, stickers, crayons/markers, etc. **Quieter Activities** - - Read a book - - Watch [Minno](http://www.gominno.com) - - Take a nap - - Play on the iPad - - [Watch a movie](https://www.gominno.com/blog/make-family-movie-nights-special) - - Build a fort - - Put a jigsaw puzzle together - - Play card/board games, such as Apples to Apples, Candy Land, Uno, Go Fish, Connect Four; Checkers, Chutes & Ladders) - - Play “I Spy” - - Try [Q-Tip painting ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/christmas-break-sanity-savers) **Active Play** - - Have an indoor snowball fight using paper wads - - Play Hide & Seek - - Have a karaoke sing-off - - Have a dance party - - Build a ‘snowman’ relay race (using toilet paper, hats, scarves, etc.) - - Choose one of these [4 team building activities](https://www.gominno.com/blog/christmas-break-sanity-savers) **Let’s Eat!** - - Make milkshakes - - Make snow cones with fresh snow - - Bake cookies - - Set up a hot chocolate bar with all the toppings - - Try a new recipe - - Have a tea party - - Set up a pizza bar with a variety of toppings - - Set up a pancake bar with a variety of toppings **Around the Fire** - - Make s’mores - - Have an indoor picnic - - Tell a progressive story (give a scenario, then let everyone had a few sentences to it) - - Camp out in sleeping bags **Get Those Creative Juices Flowing** - - Make a video - - Build a structure out of blocks - - Play dress up - - Have a fashion show - - Create a family newsletter - - Create a travel brochure of places you’d like to visit - - Put on a puppet show using paper lunch bags or socks - - Act out your favorite story - - [Bible Journal](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-journaling-with-kids) after reading a verse together (here are [10 verses](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-back-to-school-bible-verses) to get you started) *Kathie Phillips serves as the Director of Children’s Ministry at Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. She and her husband, Lance, are parents to two teenagers, Daniel and Kennedy. Kathie shares practical tips and inspiration for kidmin leaders on her blog, [KidMinspiration.com](http://kidminspiration.com).* **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Fun, Winter, Winter Activities --- ### [4 Ways to Help Kids Pay Attention In Sunday School](https://gominno.com/blog/4-ways-to-help-kids-pay-attention-in-sunday-school/) **Published:** July 10, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04212533/BpuHaTlQTniuZqfBomAj-1024x578.jpg "Help Kids Pay Attention in Sunday School - Minno Kids") “Mark had a great day, but he’s been having trouble following directions and staying in his seat during class.” We’ve all probably had to make a not-so-fun report like this to a parent picking up their child after Sunday school. As a Sunday school teacher, my top priority has always been to maximize the short forty-five minutes to an hour of instruction. I aim to really focus on teaching kids about Jesus in fun and interactive ways that make them feel seen, heard, and loved while they’re learning powerful spiritual truths, and building a strong foundation of faith. The job becomes a major challenge for teachers and ministry staff volunteers if they are constantly finding that their time and attention during a class has been mostly focused on redirecting a few highly active and distracted children, leaving the rest of the class bored and uninspired. Each child’s development is unfolding at its own pace. As a result, they are growing and changing at rapid speeds, making it difficult to manage their energy or keep their attention on track. As a ministry team of teachers, we have the honor of modeling appropriate behaviors, and setting the tone for the class. They will see and feel our frustration. Finding the right balance of active learning for our students requires a more proactive approach when it comes to children’s ministry ideas for teaching kids faith. Here are four ways you can help your Sunday school students make the most of their time and keep them interested in the lesson. 1. Don’t Be Afraid to Modify Your Lesson Plan Your Sunday school curriculum may come with a set of activities that you can easily modify based on the needs of your students. If your students are a bit restless, antsy, or having a hard time paying attention, it might be time to modify the stationary activity from the lesson plan and have them create a miniature play based on the story. Let them create a quick script together, assign each student a role, and then encourage them to get up and act it out. This is a great way to teach Bible stories for kids. 2. Break Up the Time Even though our time in Sunday school seems short, spending the whole class on one topic can be very daunting for students. A four year old attention span will be vastly shorter than an eleven year old’s capacity to sit still, but both will greatly benefit from taking small breaks during class. Be bold and switch things up every few minutes by adding in a quick dance party to their favorite worship song, or get crafty and create a new artwork that the kids can take home with them after class. Offer a snack and drink break, or try playing a fun new game that’s related to the lesson topic. 3. Set a Time Limit Once you find a routine that works best for your class, try setting up a timer with an alarm. (I use one on my iPad that plays “Baby Shark” when the time is up. It’s funny, silly, and makes the kids smile.) Utilizing a timer can help kids feel less overwhelmed with the longform timeline of the class and easily displays how much time is left for each activity. When they hear the alarm go off, they’ll know it’s time to transition and move onto the next section of the class. It also keeps them aware that each activity has a definitive beginning and end. 4. Utilize On-site Media This is the age of the app and there are a few fantastic options for kids. The[ Bible App for Kids](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bible-for-kids/id668692393?ls=1&mt=8) and the[ God for Kids: Family Bible](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/god-for-kids-family-bible-app/id1063358442?mt=8) are both great tools, while Minno offers ad-free streaming videos for Christian kids. Use Minno or other apps to incorporate beautiful and interactive animated stories, games, and activities into your lesson. Give your kids an opportunity to talk to you about what they’ve learned during their time using the app – and keep the conversation going. As you continue to navigate your Sunday school ministry and all the amazing and diverse students who enter your classrooms, keep the conversation open and talk with your class about the schedule you’ve designed. Give them an opportunity to add their own ideas for how they would like to learn and what they think is exciting and fun. We want to create a safe and inspiring environment where children of all learning types can begin to build the foundation of their faith and develop a real relationship with Jesus. If we are able to keep our hearts focused on that, good things will follow! ## About the Author ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rbGV7advTtKBa0mUkeMC.jpg)Ashley Reale *currently lives and works in Nashville, TN with her family and rescue goldendoodle puppy.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Children's Ministry, Church, Kid's Ministry, KidMin --- ### [4 Ways to Engage Parents in Children’s Ministry](https://gominno.com/blog/4-ways-to-engage-parents-in-childrens-ministry/) **Published:** October 7, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Jelly-Telly-Sunday-School-Parent-Enga...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aUHEf7IiTiilKKRVo5lg.jpg) Teresa, a children’s church pastor, and Simone are friends of mine who were introduced at my church 6 years ago. Teresa and her husband Mike have two kids currently in college, and they were paired with Simone and her then fiancé Trevor through our church’s marriage mentorship program. Over the years these two women have become great friends through their mentor/mentee relationship. Now that Simone and Trevor have three children of their own in Teresa’s Sunday School program, they have grown even closer. Simone even volunteers periodically with the 4th grade Sunday school class. “I never knew exactly what was going on with the Sunday School ministry before I started volunteering,” Simone said one day during our weekly after church family lunch at the Farmer’s Market. “I would pick up my kids after church, and ask everyone what they learned, but usually I didn’t get much information out of them other than an enthusiastic ‘It was fun, Mom!’ response. I knew they were being given good teaching because I know Teresa so well now, but even our close relationship with her as the children’s pastor didn’t give me a whole lot of insight into what was happening in the kid’s classes until I started getting more involved.” Simone is not the only parent who has been left to play detective and wondering what is going on in children’s church on Sundays. Sometimes there can be a disconnect between what happens at children’s church or Sunday school and what happens at home. Teaching kids about Jesus is a top priority for children’s pastors, but in order to continue the teaching at home and offer families a well-rounded teaching experience that stretches beyond Sundays, we need to think outside the box about how to get parents engaged with our curriculum. Here are four easy ways to connect parents to your Sunday school curriculum. 1. **Send Home Memory Verses Cultivating and teaching kids faith begins with a commitment to learning God’s word through the memorization of Bible verses, reading [Bible](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introduction-to-bible-journaling) stories for kids at home, or even [Bible journaling](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introduction-to-bible-journaling). Each week, send parents home with a resource that relates to the week’s lesson and that encourages kids to learn the Bible verse for the week. Offer incentives like small treasure box prizes to whoever returns the following week and can recite their memory verse. 2. **Include Arts and Crafts in Your Lesson Plan** Giving kids a fun arts and crafts project that is related to the lesson for the week will help them engage in a hands-on way with the curriculum. It’s also a visual supplement for parents to know what was discussed in class. Pinterest is a great resource for finding inspiration for your Sunday school crafts and other children’s ministry ideas. Feel overwhelmed by the search bar? Simply type in “Bible Crafts for Kids” to get you started! 3. **Bulletin Inserts** Try including inserts in the church bulletin that briefly describe what different age groups are learning. This is simple, yet effective! A quick description sentence or bullet-point list of each specific age group’s lesson plan topic is helpful in keeping parents looped in to what’s happening in their children’s classes. Pro-tip: Add a discussion question for each age group to give parents a launchpad for recap discussions at home. When given specific questions or bullet points, parents are more likely to keep the conversation going with their kids and encourage them to ask questions about their growing faith. 4. **Invite Parents to Sit In On a Class** Let your parents know you have an open-door policy and welcome them to attend their child’s class any time so they can see what is happening firsthand. This invitation can be especially comforting to visiting families who are considering joining your church. This will give them a great understanding of the curriculum you are teaching. Many of our parents who have sat in for a week or two have loved it so much that they later approached the children’s church pastor about getting on the volunteer schedule! These four simple steps can uplift the dynamic of your children’s church community and move it from simply having disconnected parents quickly dropping off their children as they head to their own class or church service, to having involved and engaged parents. Teaching kids faith is enhanced tenfold when we go beyond the few moments each Sunday we spend with the child. Getting to know the parents and building a relationship with each family is imperative to cultivating an authentic and caring larger church family. If you’re looking for more tips on teaching kids about Jesus, children’s ministry resources, and Bible stories for kids, check out our catalogue of Sunday school resources, engaging [media](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on), and more! **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Children's Ministry, Church, Kid's Ministry, KidMin --- ### [4 Tips for Parenting When You Disagree with Your Spouse](https://gominno.com/blog/4-tips-for-talking-about-parenting-when-you-disagree-with-your-spouse/) **Published:** March 24, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04225001/XqHPBjBThK6CSbVnaKlZ-1-1024x578.jpg "Parenting When You Disagree with Spouse - Minno Kids") Parenting is a challenging, rewarding, and completely humbling journey. It’s no secret to Christian parents that without Jesus, we would have no idea how to parent our children for His glory. I’m so thankful for the wisdom that can only come from the Holy Spirit to help us walk out the great adventure of parenting. *But what if [you and your spouse disagree](https://www.fulfillingyourvows.com/5-ways-to-diffuse-an-argument-with-your-spouse/) about your approach to parenting? How are you supposed to navigate that? How can you come together and work through your different ideas and remain at peace?* Over the last 18 years of being parents, my husband and I have had our fair share of disagreements. Because we were both raised differently, we had very different core values. Thankfully, over time we’ve figured out some ways to help our values align. We’ve developed a way to listen to God and each other to be the best parents we can be. Today I am sharing 4 simple steps we’ve learned to take whenever we disagree about how to approach parenting. ## 4 Tips for Talking About Parenting When You Disagree with Your Spouse #### 1. Have an Open, Honest Conversation While this may seem like the most obvious thing to do, many married couples don’t take the time to communicate their differences. It is important that you take the time to hear one another’s hearts about your parenting position before coming to a resolution. Be open-minded and allow God’s love to lead the conversation. Don’t interrupt. Give your spouse the chance to really share their thoughts before responding. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children (and your spouse) is the gift of **actively listening** to them. #### 2. Combine Your Ideas Without Conflict In our years of counseling couples together, my husband and I have found that many couples find difficulty in merging their ideas. *Why?* Because they see it as “compromising”. But that isn’t always the case. More often than not, it’s combining your core values in a way that makes sense for your family. When you look at **combining your ideas to strengthen your family**, it becomes much less an issue of right and wrong. This perspective is helpful to avoid conflict because while your core values may differ, that doesn’t mean anyone is doing it wrong. #### 3. Respectfully Agree to Disagree Anyone who has been married longer than 5 minutes knows that you and your spouse will not always agree. And that is actually a good thing. Working peacefully through disagreements is very healthy for the mind and also strengthens your relationship. It broadens your perspective and opens up new ways of thinking. One thing that has worked well for us is when we are unable to come to a resolution, we just respectfully **agree to disagree**. This has proven to be an effective strategy when we have different views on parenting. And while we may not see eye-to-eye all the time, we **pray together to ask God for clarity and agreement** moving forward. #### 4. Set Goals + Commit to Meet Regularly One of the most powerful things in our marriage has been our commitment to meet and talk about all things family. From parenting to marriage to budgeting and everything in between, these meetings serve as the foundation for our [marriage and family goals](https://www.fulfillingyourvows.com/goal-setting-for-couples-the-ultimate-guide/). These regular meetings occur for us daily, weekly, and monthly. Our daily meetings outline our plans for that day and how they relate to our goals for the week. Our weekly meetings ensure our weekly plan supports our monthly goals. The monthly meetings serve as a time to analyze what is working and what is not, as well as ensure we are supporting our yearly goals. We also hold annual meetings in December to [prayerfully go over our big-picture family goals for the New Year](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-family-prayers-for-the-new-year/). This has been our tradition together for 21 years and has served our marriage and family well. When it comes to parenting, you will not always agree with your spouse. And that’s okay. As long as you can learn to prayerfully implement the steps above, you will be on your way to creating the family culture that you both desire. Just remember to stay consistent and walk in love, trusting God to see you through. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Marriage, Parenting --- ### [4 Tips for Helping Your Kids through Transitions](https://gominno.com/blog/4-tips-for-helping-your-kids-through-transitions/) **Published:** August 23, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04213925/gf2UdZiVRcCs5q6aJDE1-1024x578.jpg "Help Kids Through Transitions - Minno Kids") The Pixar film, Inside Out, follows the story of 11 year old Riley’s emotions after her family moves across country. Fear, anger, and disgust take over as Riley tries to navigate her new life in San Francisco. We can all relate to feelings of insecurity and isolation and the journey of Riley’s emotions is a great way to talk to your kids about feelings and change. Life throws us all curveballs. How do we handle new challenges and how do we help our children through times of change? Blogger, author, and father Ben Reed shares his family’s story of transition and offers 4 tips for helping your kids through life’s transitions. I never really intended to move my family across the country. Everything was safe and comfortable for us in middle TN. Our entire extended family lived within a couple of hours. Our relational connections outside of family ran deep through the rolling hills, making “home” really feel like “home.” We knew the South. From the people, to the food, to the pace, to the language, we walked it, talked it, and ate it. Hook, line, and sinker. We were so rooted and grounded that, on the surface and well below it, life in TN made total sense. We never wanted to leave. What I’ve found in my life time and again, though, is that God loves to shake things up when I’m comfortable. Because faith doesn’t grow during times of comfort. Faith grows when we can’t navigate by our own intellect, our own experiences, or our current level of reliance on God. Disruptions force us to choose: are we going to cave in, and run back to what’s safe? Or are we going to lean in to a God who reminds us He’ll never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6), that He’s got a plan that’s higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9), and that He intends to make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6)? Despite our flesh, we jumped out into unknown waters. We didn’t move to a 3rd world country. We didn’t even move out of the country. But we did pack our bags and move 2,000 miles from Nashville, TN to Orange County, CA. One of the big issues my wife and I were cognizant of was our 2 kids transitioning. Well…we really didn’t give much thought to our 1-year old. She wasn’t quite old enough to understand the loss she was going to walk through. But our 5 year old? He was for sure. Here are 4 lessons I’ve learned in transitioning kids through major life changes: ### 1. Give them security. I want to let my kids know that anything and everything is ok for them to share with mom and dad. That they’re safe, from the standpoint that nothing they could do or say would ever change our love for them. In the midst of transition, we all need a feeling of safety. Just the other day, we found a box of my son’s stuffed animals. As we opened it, I saw something come alive in him. For him, they represented safety because they came from what he knew as safe: TN. ### 2. Make them feel special. My wife and I go out of our way to make our son feel special. We did this before we moved, but are even more intentional about it now. We want him to know that he is specially loved. That while mom and dad love our new house, the new weather, our new friends, dad’s new job…we especially love him. In the midst of transition, kids need to know they’re valued. It’s easy to feel lost because mom and dad’s attention feels diverted to things it wasn’t diverted towards before. For a child, attentiveness denotes value. ### 3. Talk honestly about difficulties. I want my kids to know that we’re all in transition. We’re all trying to figure out our new pace and routine. And that mom and dad have tough days, too. And that mom and dad miss our friends and family. And that some days are more difficult than others. In the midst of transition, kids need to know they’re not the only ones dealing with emotions and difficulties. “I’m not alone in this fight” is a powerful weapon. ### 4. Give them tools to cope and grow. This is a part of giving children security, but it’s different. The other day, my son told me that he misses all of his friends back in TN, and that his new friends just aren’t the same. I listened, asked questions, then listened some more. After affirming his emotion, I had the chance to talk with him about how we make friends: by being proactive, seeking people out, being kind even when others haven’t earned it, and by inviting people to join you rather than just waiting on the sidelines in every activity. In the midst of transition, kids need tools to cope and grow just like adults do. In fact, some of the tools they need are the same ones adults need. From “how to make friends” to “how to deal with change” to “why did God call us here,” tools to cope through transition will be important for the rest of their lives. If you’re walking through life transition, don’t forget about your children. If your world’s getting turned upside down, so is theirs. And God wants to grow their faith through this as much as He wants to grow yours. *Ben Reed and his wife Laura live in Southern California with their two children, Rex, 6, and Gracie Kate, 21 months. Ben served for eight years as a Small Groups pastor at two churches in Nashville, TN, before joining the Small Groups Staff at Saddleback in the fall of 2014. Ben is the author of “Starting Small – The Ultimate Small Group Blueprint” and blogs regularly at BenReed.net.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [4 Tips for Helping Busy Dads Connect with Their Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/tips-for-busy-dads/) **Published:** October 25, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Parent - Father](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04212920/Ih6peGDTvO9r8xwfDyCg-1024x578.jpg "Help Busy Dads Connect with Kids - Minno Kids") I love my job. I am the “Family Guy” at New Life Christian Church in Northern Virginia. I oversee the Children and Youth Ministries with direct involvement with the youth program. I am also a father of 4 beautiful young girls. Growing up as a member of a 4 boy family, I never had the experience of growing up with girls. So all of this – the princesses, the nail polish and the EMOTIONS …(oh yes the emotions!) is all new for me. But I love it. I absolutely love being their dad. But being the “Family Guy” at my job, I must admit, I feel an extra pressure on me. After all, holding this position implies that I might know something about raising a healthy family. It infers that in order for me to have this position, I must have created a very family-oriented environment in my own household and spend as much time as possible with my girls. But despite my best efforts, sometimes coming home from a long day at work, being family first and focusing solely on my girls does not always happen. In fact, it is sometimes the last thing I want to do. Paul says it right when he says, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” Now, in that context, Paul is talking about struggling with sin in his life. But, I think this verse directly applies to fatherhood as well. So many times I want to come home, get out the toys and play outside with my girls until its dark outside. But that rarely happens. Too often I find myself sitting on the couch being annoyed that I’m attacked by my little ones…sorry, just trying to be honest. So as I try to be the best dad that I can, I have jotted down a few practical ways that I have found to get re-energized before I get home: **1. Set your expectations right** Expect chaos because so many times when I get home, chaos is happening. Rare are those days where I walk into my house and my family just ministers to you with a soda, newspaper and the evening news (were those ever the days or just drawings from Norman Rockwell?). Usually I get girls telling me about their day and wanting me to do things with them…things that just make me tired thinking about it. So make sure your expectations are right before you walk through your door so that you don’t get frustrated. **2. Be flexible** No matter how many books you read on parenting and children, the bottom line is no one can prepare you for what you are going to encounter. No one specific book can tell you exactly how to raise your children. The rules break all the time. That is why you need to be flexible and roll with the punches. The more we are flexible and have our expectations set right, the less frustrated we will be when things don’t go quite as we had planned or as the book says. By being flexible we are able to really learn who our children are and how we can best meet their needs and help them grow to be healthy children and young adults. **3. Inject Christ in your life** On your way home, turn on the Christian music station or read some scripture before you walk into your house…scripture on patience 🙂 Seriously, I have found the more I listen to Christian music before I go anywhere, the more my mindset changes and get focused on the right priorities. **4.”Be here now”** That’s a saying at a high adventure camp I went to in high school. “Be here now” implied that it doesn’t matter what you could be doing somewhere else or should be doing. What is most important is that you stay focused on where you are at. So that means, when you are at home with your kids, you focus on your kids. That means no cell phone, iPad or any other work distraction you may have. I know that is easier said than done, but the reality is we have at least 9-5 M-F to focus on our work and toys (yes, our iPhone is definitely a toy). We need those few hours each day when we get home to be focused on our children and loving our wife. When you do these things, all things will turn out just right. Well, maybe not, but the reality is doing these 4 things in my life with my children makes me a better person which makes me a better dad. *Today’s guest post is from Tom Pounder. Tom is the “Family Guy” at at New Life Christian Church in Northern Virginia. He has 4 beautiful daughters that enable him to have 1 crazy life. You can follow him on twitter [@tapounder.](https://twitter.com/#!/tapounder)* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [4 Simple Habits to Help Homeschool Kids Stay Organized](https://gominno.com/blog/4-simple-habits-to-help-homeschool-kids-stay-organized/) **Published:** June 21, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-kids-organized-4-habits-ch...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LESFqShdRvanG2jNDDKF.jpg) If you’ve ever watched school kids filing into their classroom unobserved—well, it’s a wonder. Amazingly, many teachers have taught their students to come into the classroom in the morning, go to their cubby, hang their belongings, take out their folder of homework/notes, and put it in the appropriate place. This same child will go home and not even be able to put their coat away, let alone hang it in the closet. Why is this? It’s because they’ve been consistently taught how to be organized at school, but the same expectations aren’t always taught at home. This isn’t a bad thing; it simply shows how expectations and consistent habit building can shape a kid’s behavior. Teachers in non-homeschool settings establish expectations of organization because of sheer necessity. Homeschool teachers can have the same expectations during and after their school time. Teaching responsibility is a valid aspect of Christian parenting. Our job is to constantly be teaching kids about Jesus and to teach them responsibility in all things. Organization isn’t innate for most of us; it has to be deliberate. In Christian homeschooling, it can sometimes feel impossible, but there are many [homeschooling resources](https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschool-help/getting-organized/) to help you get there. As you’re starting out, here are four simple habits to help your kids stay organized. 1. Schedule It Make sure cleanup time is included as part of playtime and other activities. We often overschedule because we feel like there is so much we need to accomplish, but checking off tasks won’t always help with long-term habits. A [study at Brown University](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/school-thought/201502/study-finds-habits-in-children-take-root-age-9) found that child development, when it comes to habits, doesn’t really change after age 9, or third grade. While this can be a daunting thought, the truth is that it simply involves starting early and being consistent with scheduling a time for cleanup. Habits can be changed, but it’s much easier if done at an early age. Try to stop activities with enough time remaining to clean up before the next assignment or activity. Kids will see that clean up is part of the activity and they will innately begin to think of it that way. To make it fun, play music from [Sing Through the Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/sing-through-the-bible/videos/sing-through-the-bible) during clean up time. It’s a win-win Christian parenting choice. 2. Label It Label containers and areas where toys and other items go. Reinforcing where things belong helps kids remember to put things away. Teach your kids that everything has a home. When they put something in the wrong place, remind them that the item is not in its home. Invest in a label maker and teach your kids how to use it. Or if your children are too young, take photos of the item and place it in the appropriate place along with the label. This provides them a visual and the words to help make the entire process of organization part of their learning. 3. Store It Find simple ways to store things (cubbies, stackable crates, etc.) so that kids will have storage spaces to open, close, and reach safely on their own. There are a variety of different ways to organize and so many ideas floating around that it almost seems overkill to talk about it. For some of us, figuring out how to store something is a challenge because our storage areas are small, we have too much stuff, or it’s all simply overwhelming. The key is to repeat tip #2: schedule it. You may need to schedule “getting” organized until you’re there, but if you do it consistently, it will get done. Consider this method: each day, take half an hour or an hour and ask your kids to choose something to organize. If they suggest games, begin by asking them to scour the entire house for all games – board games, card games, video games, etc. When all games are gathered, work together on the best place and way to organize. This will not only get your kids involved, but they will begin to take ownership of the process. With consistent practice, it will eventually become a habit. 4. Celebrate It Affirm good organizational habits by celebrating successful clean up with hugs, high-fives, stickers, or watching their favorite video. As in all things, any task that receives a reward is reinforced. This is especially true for kids who don’t enjoy the organization process. Nevertheless, by consistently providing positive reinforcement and affirmation, your kids will begin to integrate the task into their own habits. Eventually, you’ll probably hear them reminding each other where an item’s “home” is, even without your prompting them. ## Success = Simplicity For Christian families, the amount of things to teach your kids can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re homeschooling. But the key is to keep it simple. Give your kids this advice – touch things only once – pick it up and put it in it’s home. Simplicity. Whether you’re teaching your kids a Bible lesson or simply [how to be organized](https://www.gominno.com/blog/involving-children-in-the-care-and-improvement-of-your-education-space), keep it simple enough for them to remember. If they remember the process, they can even teach it to their friends and younger siblings. Everyone benefits from simple organizational habits. For more Christian parenting tips, homeschool resources, and family devotional ideas, check out our [online catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of engaging media to support the holistic education of your child, in and out of school. **Categories:** Uncategorized **Tags:** Family Life, Homeschooling --- ### [4 Signs Your Daughter Has Anxiety](https://gominno.com/blog/signs-your-daughter-has-anxiety/) **Published:** October 21, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1WibradTjemE96sFKZDt.jpg) In the 27 years I’ve been counseling girls and their families, I have never seen something impact the lives of girls the way anxiety has in the past five years. It has now reached epidemic proportions, with **one in four children suffering from anxiety** at some time during their growing up years. The research varies, but the average age of onset is somewhere **between the ages of six and eight**. And that is certainly what I’m seeing in my counseling office. I’m also seeing an uptick in anxiety around the age of 11 when puberty starts to wreak havoc on our already anxious-prone girls. Here’s the problem: anxiety is really hard to detect. In fact, most kids who start to show signs of anxiety aren’t brought in for treatment until two years after those signs start to manifest. And, while **girls are twice as likely to develop an anxiety disorder as boys**, they’re brought in for therapy less often. *So, what’s the deal with girls specifically?* The deal is that anxious girls often fit a certain profile. I tell girls in my office that the ones who try hard, care deeply, want to please their parents, teachers and the adults who love them usually worry the most. In fact, my standard line with girls of all ages is *“You know, the girls I see who worry are some of the coolest girls I know. They’re really smart, they try hard, and they care a lot about the people in their lives.”* And their faces light up because someone knows and understands a little more of what’s going on underneath the surface. So, let’s dig a little deeper to figure out what is really going on with the anxious girls we love, and how we can maybe understand and help before the problem gets worse. In fact, anxiety does just that—if left untreated, it only gets worse. So, here are a few of the things I hear parents describe the most in their anxious daughters. ## 4 Signs Your Daughter Has Anxiety - **She struggles with self-regulation.** When parents bring their girls in for counseling, especially their younger girls, there’s one emotion they describe the most: anger. Anger, as you’ve likely read, is a secondary emotion. In other words, another emotion is fueling that anger. For children (and even teenagers at times—and maybe we should add adults) who don’t yet know how to put appropriate words to their fears, those fears manifest as anger. And that anger comes out in a big way. These girls live at 10 on a 1 to 10 scale. *They struggle with self-regulation, as a result of the anxiety that literally takes over their brains and their bodies.* - **She overestimates the problem.** Girls who are anxious see small problems as big and big problems as insurmountable. They just can’t do it. It’s too hard. Or scary. In fact, even the same problem she faced yesterday will be too big again today. Anxiety has no memory. She will cry before bed about riding the bus the next morning over and over and over again. - **She underestimates herself.** Not only is the problem too big, but she’s too small. She’s not smart enough. Or brave enough. In fact, it’s why I based the title of my book for elementary-aged girls after the Winnie the Pooh quote—[*Braver, Stronger, Smarter*](https://www.amazon.com/Braver-Stronger-Smarter-Overcoming-Anxiety/dp/0764233416/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2/130-7120530-4052530?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0764233416&pd_rd_r=8692b40d-9f61-4c2d-ae49-8cbca94afc86&pd_rd_w=b9aqg&pd_rd_wg=qMq1u&pf_rd_p=3edd75bb-e36e-488e-b666-80dd1a52c658&pf_rd_r=AEEZ7CJD7RVXSTYK9676&psc=1&refRID=AEEZ7CJD7RVXSTYK9676). And I remind girls that the book isn’t to make her something she’s not, but to help her discover how brave and strong and smart God has already made her to be. She needs regular reminders that “she’s got this”—whatever “this” involves. - **She has looping thoughts.** Parents will regularly tell me in my office that they feel crazy. *“I just can’t talk her out of it,”* or *“There is no way to make her feel better once she starts to worry.”* In fact, those parents are exactly right. Her amygdala, the fight or flight region of her brain, has hijacked the thinking part when she starts to worry. And so she truly isn’t capable of reasonable, rational thought. Therefore, her thoughts will loop over and over around the same idea. I tell the girls in my office it’s a little like the one loop roller coaster at the fair. Whatever the worrying thought is, just goes around and around and around in her little brain. She needs your help resetting her brain and stopping those anxious, looping thoughts. But first, she needs you to recognize worry or anxiety for what it is. If your daughter is showing struggles with self-regulation or looping thoughts, if she overestimates the problem and underestimates herself, she may be dealing with worry or anxiety. But don’t let this realization paralyze *you* with your own worry. There is help and hope for you and your child. Connect with Sissy and her resources below. Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN, with the help of her counseling assistant, Lucy the Havanese puppy. She is a sought-after speaker and the author of eleven books, including her two brand new companion books, [*Raising Worry-Free Girls*](https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Worry-Free-Girls-Daughter-Stronger/dp/0764233408/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=raising+worry+free+girls&qid=1570551447&sr=8-1) and [*Braver, Stronger, Smarter*](https://www.amazon.com/Braver-Stronger-Smarter-Overcoming-Anxiety/dp/0764233416/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2/130-7120530-4052530?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0764233416&pd_rd_r=8692b40d-9f61-4c2d-ae49-8cbca94afc86&pd_rd_w=b9aqg&pd_rd_wg=qMq1u&pf_rd_p=3edd75bb-e36e-488e-b666-80dd1a52c658&pf_rd_r=AEEZ7CJD7RVXSTYK9676&psc=1&refRID=AEEZ7CJD7RVXSTYK9676). You can find her at [raisingboysandgirls.com](https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/). **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Anxiety, Raising Boys and Girls --- ### [4 Opportunities to Teach Kids About Faith at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/4-opportunities-to-teach-kids-about-faith-at-home/) **Published:** June 10, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Jelly-telly-4-opportunities-to-teach-...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AloHnpYIS12coyAVqXxt.jpg) One essential truth of living a life of faith is that Christianity cannot be expressed in a vacuum. Real faith directly affects every decision we make in every facet of our lives. For most kids, the only exposure they receive to biblical teaching comes from Sunday school class, and while that is certainly an invaluable experience, it is only one part of a growing faith. As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a lived example of what faith looks like beyond just hearing kids Bible stories on Sunday mornings. Christian parenting and teaching your kids about Jesus outside of Sunday school doesn’t mean you have to develop your own curriculum or put on skits every morning. In fact, incorporating faith lessons organically into your life as a family is a great way to model how faith directly influences everyday situations. If you’re looking for more ways to begin discussions about faith with your family, check out these four opportunities to teach kids about faith at home. ## Prayer Americans are busier than ever, and that may feel doubly true for parents of small children. Between work, driving to dance class or soccer, and scrambling to help with homework, adding one more thing to your plate is probably the last thing you want. But the fact of the matter is, none of us can *find* time for family prayer – we need to *make* the time. By scheduling a family prayer time and making it a priority, you demonstrate for your kids the value behind taking a few moments every day to pause, breathe, and reflect via time with God. Praying together can also be a prime opportunity for you to practice the power of vulnerability and trust with your kids. Your family prayer time might provide an opportunity to discuss the stressful day you had at work, which could help make your kids feel comfortable talking about an issue they are having with their friends at school. By creating an environment where everyone can bring their joys and burdens before God together, you demonstrate the power of prayer in everyday life. If opening up family prayer time seems daunting, don’t feel like you have to become a brilliant orator before you can teach your kids how to pray. A great place to start could be simply praying some of the [Psalms ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ancient-christian-prayers-for-children-parents-and-families)together. The book of Psalms has a beautiful range of prayers for all of life’s circumstances and can open the door to family prayers in times of gratitude (Psalm 107), grief (Psalm 4), and celebration (Psalm 148). ## Devotionals Speaking of Psalms, incorporating a frequent time of devotion into your family practices is another way to teach kids about Jesus outside of Sunday school. If your children are especially young, maybe now isn’t the time to dust off your concordance or learn New Testament Greek. These [family devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) are simple, organized lessons to help your kids dive into Bible stories. For something even simpler, teaching your kids the Bible may look like picking a verse to memorize together and let that one verse be your guide for the week. Write it down and post it throughout various places in your house as a daily reminder of God’s word. Group effort can make memorizing scripture easier and can open the floor for opportunities to discuss how each family member can apply the verse to their daily life. As they say, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” ## Sharing Meals There’s a reason why Holy Communion involves food. Throughout the Bible, numerous believers share important meals together as an opportunity to nourish their bodies as well as their spirits. Family meal time is one of the first things that gets put off when schedules get busy and dinner around the table quickly devolves into fast food in the car or plates hauled off to separate rooms of the house. While it may be tempting to lower shared meals on your list of priorities, biblical tradition emphasizes the importance of practicing communal meals. It’s amazing just how many times Jesus is found eating with his disciples in the four gospels! Sharing meals with your kids opens up a world of opportunities to demonstrate faith at home. You can demonstrate gratitude for full bellies and pray for those without. You can teach a good work ethic by involving your kids in the cooking and cleaning processes. Above all else, a shared meal around the table is a guaranteed opportunity to look into the eyes of your family and share a few moments in their presence, whatever the conversations may entail. If schedules make a classic dinner time impossible, don’t lose hope. Sharing breakfast or lunch together can be equally valuable if it is the best time for your whole family to come together. If time constraints really have you bound, taking a moment to park in the fast food lot while your family eats (we’ve all been there a time or two) can provide an opportunity for faith-filled conversation – and a moment to breathe for the on-the-go parent. ## Service Opportunities Ultimately, Christian parenting should involve helping our kids learn about Jesus by learning how to *be* the hands and feet of Jesus to our communities. It is vital that kids are aware of the needs in their immediate communities and the ways they can demonstrate the love of Christ to the people around them. Getting involved in youth group service trips is wonderful, but incorporating service projects into your family faith practices models a Christ-like lifestyle to your children. Be like the earliest Christian communities and look for opportunities to show love to your neighbors. Maybe your family could visit an elderly man or woman in your neighborhood who may be lonely. Perhaps you could walk around your street picking up small bits of trash to teach stewardship over Creation. No matter how your family decides to serve, completing small projects in your community shows your children that doing God’s work doesn’t end around noon on Sundays, but it affects every moment of our lives. Whether you’ve been incorporating family faith practices at home for years or you’re brand new to the process, taking advantage of these opportunities to demonstrate faith at home teaches kids about the impact of Jesus on our lives from an early age. Beginning these practices can be as simple as piling up on the couch around the family Bible, but if you’re looking for more resources to get started, check out the [What’s In the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) series to jumpstart your family faith discussions. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions **Tags:** Discipleship, Family Faith, Prayer --- ### [4 Effective Ways to Help Your Kids Manage Their Emotions](https://gominno.com/blog/4-effective-ways-to-help-your-kids-manage-their-emotions/) **Published:** October 20, 2016 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04213720/3g5j0BDnRvGJ0pFHe0ny-1024x578.jpg "Help Kids Manage Emotions - Minno Kids") We can often see it coming. The clenched fists, the quick breathing, the rising pitch of the voice and the overall sense of tension in the air. When our child loses control of their emotions, for one reason or another, it’s very obvious to us as their parents! What isn’t always obvious is how to help them get these emotions under control. From a purely secular standpoint, we are typically encouraged to let our kids express these emotions to an unhealthy point. *“Just walk away and let them throw a fit,”* was advice I read in parenting magazines when my first child was young. *“They need to let their anger out.”* **While it is very true that we don’t want to stifle our kids’ emotions, we need to find more Biblical approaches of helping them express how they are feeling in a healthy way.** There are four steps we take in our home with our four children to help them identify their emotions and submit them to God so that He can help them respond to anger or frustration in a more Spirit-filled way. Hopefully these can help you as you parent your children through their emotions as well! ### Help Them Identify Their Emotions and Where They Come From In the Bible, we can see examples of many different kinds of emotions. In Psalm 69, David calls out to the Lord saying, *“I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.”* Scripture also gives us the exhortation in Ephesians 4:26-27, *“Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”* Sadness, anger, and frustration are all a part of the human condition. Our children will experience these emotions and many more! **By showing them Biblical examples of emotions and how the Word instructs us to handle them, it helps them understand their own minds and hearts.** **Practical Example:** If my 5 year old is getting upset with his 3 year old sister because she knocked down his wooden block garage that he built for his Hotwheels, I’ll stop him before he can hit her (if I can) and say *“I understand that you are angry because she knocked down your garage. But hitting doesn’t help to make things better. The Bible says that even if we’re angry, it isn’t right to sin against others by hitting or hurting them. Let’s talk about what to do instead.”* **By giving our kids the ability to identify when they are getting upset or about to say unkind things or otherwise losing control, they will become more aware over time of when they’re about to “blow”.** I truly believe this is a tool that can help us as adults as well! Remembering too, that “out of the heart, the mouth speaks”, it’s especially essential to help our kids see that the words they speak are a direct reflection of what is going on inside of them. ### Help Them Understand What They Can Do to Respond in a Better Way to Frustration or Anger The key truth behind implementing this technique is understanding that only the Holy Spirit can truly make a heart change in our children. By teaching our kids the “how” of taking their thoughts and words and making them obedient to Christ, we are really just building on what only God can do in their hearts to help them get their emotions under control. **I call this concept put off/put on.** Not only do we want to tell them what “not” to do when they feel upset, but we also want to give them ideas for better responses, the “to do” of handling emotions. Some of the things we have encouraged our kids to do when they feel upset are: - Put their hands behind their back and squeeze them together to release tension (and so they don’t hit). - Take a few deep breaths and let them out. - Walk away from the situation if they know it’s going to make them act out in anger (this works well for older children). - After calming themselves down, we walk them through a better way to talk to their sibling, parent or friend about why they are mad. - Practice better responses by using “role play” during times of non-conflict or after they have cooled down. - Teaching them what the Bible says about the condition of our hearts and how angry hearts cause us to say things we shouldn’t or act out of frustration in a way that becomes sinful. (More on a resource you can use for teaching these principles at the end of this post!) You may have other ideas that work well for your child’s temperament. Some kids are more sensitive and need a parent to physically intervene and hug or hold them when they are visibly upset. Some children, like my oldest daughter who is 8, need to be removed from the situation when she can’t keep her disrespectful or hurtful words under control (I will usually go with her and sit with her if I can to help her process these emotions). ### Embrace the Right Perspective When Teaching Your Kids about Managing Emotions As we strive to teach our children the right way to respond in times of frustration or anger, I think it’s important to remember the WHY of this kind of instruction. We are parenting and guiding our kids in this way for the purpose of forming a connection with them. **We’re not fighting against them in this battle to get control of their negative emotions, but fighting for them.** It’s obviously also good to model a calm spirit when our own emotions threaten to upset us, but sometimes it is so very hard! Often my child’s overreactions are a result of me being over reactive myself. Acting out in anger and yelling is something I’ve struggled with for years but there are some techniques that I have been using that have really helped. I wrote about these, as well as a course I went through to help me with my mommy anger, in a post called [When You’re Kicking Yourself for Losing it With Your Kids](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2016/04/youre-kicking-getting-angry-kids.html). If you struggle with anger, know that I am praying for all moms who have this issue, because I’m right there with you! But **if we can learn to identify [key reasons why we get upset and act out in anger](http://ww.thepurposefulmom.com/2016/03/yell-kids-much.html) and take even [small steps in the right direction,](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2016/04/youre-kicking-getting-angry-kids.html) it will go a long way in showing our kids what conflict resolution looks like.** ### Teach Them Biblical Principles About Handling Emotions During Calmer Times The concept of being a proactive rather than reactive parent took me a long time to implement. But I’ve found (as you probably have too) that teaching our kids about the issues of controlling our tongue, handling emotions and using self-control works better during times of calm and non-conflict! Use Scripture verses that talk about not losing control, anger, and minding our mouths. **Share with them how “out of the heart, the mouth speaks” and that God can help us to have a better response.** Tell them often that you love them and forgive them when they mess up and that God does too! Keep this truth in mind: **The main goal when helping our children control our emotions is to point them to Christ!** As they get older, they will learn to go to Him first when they are struggling. If you want to talk to your kids about these matters but aren’t sure where to start, I’d encourage you to check out my new family devotional study called [Minding Your Mouth: A Biblical Study on the Discipline of Taming the Tongue](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/minding-mouth-biblical-study-discipline-taming-tongue). When it’s released at the end of October, you’ll get it for free (for a limited time), as my gift to Minno readers! Just [visit this page for more info](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/minding-mouth-biblical-study-discipline-taming-tongue) and to be notified when it goes live. It’s a resource that I wrote for the very purpose of providing a way for families to discuss heart issues that affect how we respond to our sometimes overwhelming emotions, how these emotions affect the things we say and the way we act, and a grace-filled, Biblical way of addressing these struggles. Know that even though teaching kids to manage their emotions can be a long process with lots of twists and turns, your investment in your children is not in vain! Christ has given us the grace and patience we need to help our kids and He is always there to help them as well! > So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [4 Conversations to Have with Your Kids Before School Starts Back](https://gominno.com/blog/4-conversations-to-have-with-your-kids-before-school-starts-back/) **Published:** August 6, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QTX0f1X2TMC9mkgA2xFT.jpg) When we were growing up, moms treated the first day back to school like a victory that deserved celebration. Sure, maybe they stopped short of wearing an “I Survived Summer with Kids” tee but mamas made their elation known. And we didn’t mind. We were ready to go back too—goof off with friends, settle into a routine, escape Monday-morning chores. *You remember those days, right?* This year things are . . . different. Forget surviving summer with days lounging at the pool and afternoon barbeques that run into the night. Most of us are looking at five months and counting of a whole lotta nothing going on. And we’re facing a school year heavy on questions and uncomfortably light on answers. If that’s how the adults feel, imagine what it must be like for kids! To help us prepare our kids for the upcoming changes in education, we chatted with [Dr. Jeff Hine (Ph.D., BCBA)](https://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/people/hine-jeffrey), an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Child Psychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Read on for his insight and advice on how we can best equip our kids for the months ahead. **Start with an Internal Dialogue** Before you broach the subject with your kids, make sure you know how you feel and what you’re going to say. **Take some time to process your own emotions regarding the school year.** *“In uncertain situations, children often look to their parents for how to respond and how to act. It’s important for parents to check in with their own worry and stress level before talking to their kids,”* Dr. Hine says. Maybe you’re worried about your child’s health, how you’ll handle the logistics of a hybrid school week, or what learning might look like for kids who are all wearing masks. Those are pretty normal responses to a completely abnormal time. Consider what you have control over—as well as what you don’t—and move forward accordingly. **Voice any concerns and ask any questions privately.** We’re in new territory. And we’ll likely find our way by helping each other out. So feel free to call a friend, email your child’s principal, or vent to your spouse. Just be sure your kids aren’t in earshot. You’ll want to present these changes in a positive light. If they hear you sorting through the details—frustrations and all—you’ll muddy the conversation before it even begins. And if they ask about school during this part of your process, be honest. Say, *“I don’t have all the answers right now, but I’m working on it. We’re gonna make this a great year!”* **Make sure your expectations are fair and reasonable.** Many parents expect the best for their children. *And who are we to discourage that?* Nonetheless, as educators across the country scramble to determine what best looks like in the midst of a global pandemic, kids are the ones who will try these new plans on for size. So we might want to cut them a little slack. *“These changes in routines could lead to a higher level of stress, worry, or confusion in kids. Also, kids are out of practice with going to school, so there’s going to be an adjustment time,”* says Dr. Hine. He encourages parents to consider lowering academic expectations in the first few weeks. *“Instead of focusing on kids finishing schoolwork, the initial priority should be making sure kids feel safe and are enjoying their time in school,”* he explains. Keep these tips in mind as you engage in the following conversations. **. . . . . . . . . .** #### **4 Covid-Conversations to Have With Your Kids Before School Starts Back** You can prep your kids for the first day of school with a few simple conversations. **1. Fill your kids in on what’s happening with school.** During a casual moment—maybe snuggled up on the couch or driving in the car—offer up a few age-appropriate details about what your child’s educational environment will look like this year. Make sure to put a smile on your face, use a relaxed tone, and keep the conversation short. **2. Encourage your kids to share their thoughts and feelings.** After a few days, ask your kids how they’re feeling about the new school year. Be careful not to downplay any concerns. *“It’s helpful for parents to model appropriate coping skills and provide good examples for how they want their children to respond to uncertainty and stressful situations,”* says Dr. Hine. He suggests talking through the situation from your own point of view: *“You might say ‘Mommy gets a little nervous about wearing a mask sometimes too. So when I wear one, I always look around for what’s familiar, ask for help when I need it and make sure to take deep breaths if I start to feel worried.’”* **3. Roleplay the major changes your kids will encounter.** Dr. Hine encourages parents to talk through and then roleplay scenarios like social distancing, temperature checks, and wearing masks around the home so their comfort levels are up when they encounter these changes at school. *“Kids thrive on routine and predictability. Unfortunately, during these challenging times, we may not know the new routine and things aren’t predictable. But that doesn’t mean we can’t practice at home to add a small measure of predictability,”* he says. **4. Strategize together for the first day of school.** When it comes to preparation, Dr. Hine encourages a practical approach: *“Parents and kids can work together to create buzz words and visuals that serve as reminders for the new routines and coping strategies they’ve practiced as a family. They can also make a list describing what will be the same and what will be different at school, including friends who may or may not be attending.”* He also suggests coming up with a positive reinforcement plan for kids who follow the new procedures—especially when they do so with a good attitude. In those first few weeks after they return to the classroom, when your kids walk in from school, be quick to offer up a hug, a snack, and a listening ear. And try to avoid asking too many questions about the changes. *“As they start this new routine, it will be helpful to have children list a few great moments from the day or areas where they had success before* *attempting to dig into what worried them or what didn’t go well,”* says Dr. Hine. And then, when they share good news, heap on the praise. **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Back-to-School, Parenting --- ### [4 Back-to-School Prayers and Bible Verses for Parents](https://gominno.com/blog/4-back-to-school-prayers-and-bible-verses-for-parents/) **Published:** July 25, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Back-to-School Prayers and Bible Vers...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rhjbkbFTUWKUAGsbDD0w.jpg) Ahhh. It’s back-to-school time. This is where the summer bliss ends and the need for routine and consistency begin. For most families, this is a time filled with new school supplies, new teachers, new activities, and lots of new commitments. While back-to-school time is typically focused on the children, these prayers and Bible verses are for parents who are facing changes, too. \*\*\* ### **A Prayer for Renewed Trust** Whether you send your children to school or homeschool as we do, we have to continuously trust God. It’s important that we submit our hopes, fears, and everything in between to the One who saved our soul. I have come to understand my desperate need to trust Him so deeply, I created a [Trust Bible Journal Bundle](https://learningtospeaklifebooks.com/products/trust-a-30-day-scripture-journal) to help in my constant journey to trust God deeply. **Verse:** Psalm 55:22 NIV *Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.* **Prayer:** Lord, Please help me to fully trust you in all that I do. I give you any anxiety, fear, or other emotion that is getting in the way of hearing your voice. I thank you that you care for me and will take my burdens as long as I trust you. Give me a renewed sense of trust in you so I can be the very best parent possible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ### **A Prayer for Divine Provision** Back-to-school time can be quite costly. And for some families, it brings the burden of spending extra finances they do not have. It’s important as parents that we are trusting God to provide all things for our family, and knowing that His divine provision is more than enough. **Verse:** Philippians 4:19 NIV *And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.* **Prayer:** Lord, Today I ask for your divine provision to carry my family and I into your divine purpose for our lives. Help me rest in the fact that you are good and your provision is always right on time. Thank you for blessing our family with the resources to take care of ourselves and for the overflow to bless others. Help us to always remember the truth of your Word when circumstances tell us otherwise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ### **A Prayer for Peace** The enemy is always trying to steal our peace. And although we “know” this, somehow, someway we still seem to give in. Let’s combat this by standing strong on God’s Word and prayer! **Verse:** Phillippians 4:7 NIV *And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.* **Prayer:** Lord, Thank you for the gift of your peace. Help me to focus on you so I can walk in your peace every day. Help me to guard my heart and mind with your Word so I can stay in tune with your voice and will for my life. Help me to sow peace into my family and the lives of those around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ### **A Prayer for God’s Protection** It’s no secret that there are lots of crazy things that go on in the world around us. Being concerned for the safety of our loved ones is not only wise, it is our job as parents. Thankfully God’s Word is full of promises to protect us! **Verse:** Psalm 91:7 NIV *A thousand may fall at your side,* *ten thousand at your right hand,* *but it will not come near you.* **Prayer:** Lord, I thank you for your promise of divine protection upon my life and the life of my loved ones. Thank you for keeping my loved ones safe while at school, work, church, and in their comings and their goings. Thank you for protecting my family’s minds, hearts, and bodies from hurt, harm, or danger. Your Word is truth, and I praise you for it! In Jesus’ Name, Amen! \*\*\* Praying and standing on God’s Word is a daily discipline that we should be cultivating in our lives. Even if you are not in the habit of praying for the above things, that’s okay; there is no better time to start than now. Here are some other resources that may bless you during the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school season: - [The Best Back-to-School Shows on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-best-back-to-school-shows-on-Minno) - [Back-to-School Lunchbox Notes: Free Printable!](https://www.gominno.com/blog/free-back-to-school-lunchbox-notes-printable) - [10 Back-to-School Prayers for Your Kids](https://welcometothefamilytable.com/10-back-to-school-prayers/) - [Back to School Inspiration – 12 Bible Verses: Free Printable!](https://welcometothefamilytable.com/back-school-inspiration-12-bible-verses-free-printable/) - [10 Ways to Empower Your Kids to Have a Great School Year](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ten-ways-to-empower-your-kids-to-have-a-great-school-year) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Education, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Back-to-School, Bible Verses, Prayer --- ### [3 Ways to Observe Passover as a Family](https://gominno.com/blog/3-ways-to-observe-passover-as-a-family/) **Published:** April 14, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![observe passover as a family](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/03b2W252QB6JstWy1S1t_Passover-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) This year, we want to help you observe Passover as a family, even if you’ve never participated in this sacred tradition before. With a little planning and lots of prayer, you can use this season to help your children understand the heart and history of their faith. Share the significance of the holiday and how it relates to Easter by explaining redemption; that just as God used Moses to help deliver his people from Egypt, he later sent his son, Jesus to deliver us from our sins and redeem our lives. --- ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Watch the Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus! --- ### What is Passover? Passover is an eight-day festival celebrating the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Because it commemorates the liberation of God’s people, it is sometimes called the “Festival of Freedom.” The Israelites lived peacefully in Egypt for years until a Pharaoh who didn’t like them came into power and made them slaves. After years of living in slavery, God called Moses to help lead his people out of Egypt. Moses asked for their release but Pharaoh wouldn’t let God’s people go. So God sent 10 plagues to show his power and convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. It wasn’t until the 10th plague that Pharaoh finally gave up. This devastating plague took the firstborn child of every household. But God told his people to place the blood of a lamb on their doorposts. If they did, the plague would pass over them and their children would be safe. The Feast of Passover commemorates this miracle and celebrates the freedom of God’s people. Such a powerful moment in our faith history! It’s definitely something to celebrate. ### What is Redemption? Passover celebrates redemption; God’s act of saving his people and ultimately, Jesus’ act of dying on the cross for our sins. The promise of redemption God gave in Exodus chapter 6 (see below) was not only for the Israelites but also applies to those who accept his gift of salvation today! #### **3 Ways to Observe Passover as a Family** **1. Read the story of the Exodus** – Set aside time to gather together and read the Exodus story. Use a children’s Bible or focus on Exodus 6 (where God promises deliverance) and Exodus 12 (where he instructs Moses and Aaron to observe the Passover and Festival of Unleavened Bread). Pause for a bit in Exodus 6 and talk about God’s four-fold promise of redemption for his people. He said, *“I will bring you out. . .I will rescue you. . .I will redeem you. . .I will take you as my own.”* Ask your children what these promises mean and how we can apply them to our lives today. **2. Host a Seder Dinner (traditional Passover meal)** – Even for those who haven’t observed Passover before, a Seder Dinner is a beautiful way to teach children about this important part of their faith history. Each item on the Passover plate holds great meaning and will help you tell the Exodus story to your family. Use the menu, guide, and symbol cards in our **Minno Easter Family Guide** (FREE when you sign up above) to guide you through the meal. If you’ve already read through the Exodus story as a family, refer back to God’s four-fold promise of redemption when consuming the wine (or juice) symbol of the Passover meal. ![Minno - Product](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/minno-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") **3. Watch What’s In the Bible, volume 2 “Let My People Go”** – Use [this discussion guide](https://www.gominno.com/blog/walk-family-bible-volume-2-exodus) with summaries and talking points to guide your family through the Exodus story. Consider reading it together first and then watching “Let My People Go” (you can access it [right here on Minno](https://www.gominno.com?afmc=graceformoms)) to help the story come alive for your kids. As parents, we have the incredible privilege of introducing our children to sacred traditions along their journey of faith. When we see each season as an opportunity to embrace faith-based holidays and liturgy, we help our family experience joy and anticipation throughout the year. **Categories:** Activity Packs, Bible + Faith, Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Discipleship, Easter, Passover --- ### [3 Verses to Help You Embrace Your Season of Motherhood](https://gominno.com/blog/3-verses-to-help-you-embrace-your-season-of-motherhood/) **Published:** February 2, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KLFLqHzhQHerwbHgoFxe.jpg) When the morning light is barely dawning, you drag yourself out of bed already dreading what the day holds. The baby is crying and the kids are fighting before breakfast is finished. The morning is long and naps are short. Dinner burns on the stove and bedtime can’t come soon enough. The frustrating part is that you know in a few hours, you will get to do it all over again. You look in the mirror and see yourself as a character in the movie Groundhog Day questioning how you can break the cycle. *Doesn’t God have more for you?* Oh, I get it. I remember well those days when I wondered if the roller coaster of motherhood with littles would ever pull to a stop so I could get off. While I loved my little blessings, I was exhausted. I longed for a purpose and a passion for living. I was torn between what I wanted to do to serve God and the season of life I was in. And how could I do both with spit-up on my shirt and a permanent pony tail in my hair? I found three verses that gave me hope and brought truth that helped me embrace the season I was in with four littles at my feet. **Truth #1: God Loves Mommies.** I love this verse from Isaiah 40:11. > He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah declares our Sovereign Lord a Shepherd tending His flock. Throughout the Bible we are called God’s sheep. Verse 11 illustrates how He gathers all His sheep and holds them close. But I love the last line – God is specifically gentle with those who have young. God knows motherhood can be brutal and He is never far away. **Truth #2: Motherhood is a Ministry.** While my eyes get distracted by the needs of the world and I am itching to make a difference, I have learned to look at my home as a mission field. Furthermore, it’s a mission field in which we are commanded to serve. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 instructs us to impress upon our children that the Lord is God and we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. The verse goes on to say, > Talk about \[the commandments\] when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. This is a big order but it reminds me that my time and attention is required at home. **Truth #3: Motherhood of Littles is a Season.** This year I released our youngest to Kindergarten. I still can’t believe that he’s old enough to be out of diapers and yet he is learning so much, making friends, and blossoming into a little boy who loves to read his Bible. I blinked and my season of littles is over. Now I am in the season of tweens. Soon I will move into the season of teens followed by college kids and finally an empty nest. Each season brings about its challenges but God is showing me that He has a specific place in each season for me to join Him in His work. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, > There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. What season of motherhood are you in? Can I encourage you to embrace it? While you may feel like you are stuck in an endless time loop, I think we can learn to have life to the full (John 10:10) in each season and even enjoy the days just like Bill Murray’s character found humor in the repetitiveness of Groundhog Day. Because before you know it, the season we are in will be gone. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Bible Verses, Motherhood --- ### [3 Tips for Teaching Your Children About Communion](https://gominno.com/blog/3-tips-for-teaching-your-children-about-communion/) **Published:** April 11, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gwb69HQ2Th65lhyMqck8_Communion-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) As Christians, communion is a very meaningful and sacred part of our relationship with Jesus. The symbolism we find in taking Holy Communion is something that we need to begin teaching (and showing) our children from the time they are young until the day we depart to be with the Lord. Today I am sharing with you 3 practical tips for teaching your children about communion. ### Teach them why we take Communion. In our home, we begin teaching our children about Communion the minute their sweet little hearts become curious. For each of our three children, this has been a different age. For one child the ripe age of curiosity was 2, for another it was 3, and for another, it was 5. To us, the age at which the teaching begins is not as important as the fact they are seeking to be closer to Jesus. There is nothing sweeter than our children wanting to know Christ more intimately on their own accord. We teach our children three things about Communion, taken from 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 NLT: > And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. First, we teach them that we take Communion to honor the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe this understanding is paramount to receiving the bread and the wine during Communion. Secondly, we teach them to look inside of their own heart before partaking in communion so that they are certain to hold no unforgiveness towards anyone including themselves. We encourage them to confess their sin and ask God to give them a clean heart before partaking in the bread and wine (grape juice). Lastly, we teach them that Communion is an intimate part of both worship and fellowship with Christ and His body of believers. We see communion as an opportunity to stay intimately connected with Christ and the significance of His sacrifice on the Cross. ### Practice Communion together at home. In our household, in addition to taking Communion with our church body, we take communion together as a family for things that we are believing God for. In our 16 years of being parents, we have found that our children have learned a lot about Communion simply by watching my husband and I taking it together. Once your children are ready (this will vary from child to child) allow them to practice Communion both at church and home with you. Some of the things that our children have taken Communion with us for are: 1. Our family’s short-term goals. 2. Our family’s long-term goals. 3. The next steps in important family decisions and business decisions. It is our experience that when our children are taught to honor God and remember the sacrifice He made for us upon the cross that they are more likely to have the faith to take God at His Word. Both my husband and I noticed a huge increase in our faith when we came to the understanding of why we were actually takingCommunion. There is something so intimate about knowing what Christ did for you and having the honor to commemorate it with the body. ### When they are ready, let them be more involved. We allow our children to let us know when they are ready to become more involved in Communion. For instance, we invite them to talk with us about family goals and other areas that we are seeking God’s wisdom and favor in. It is amazing how much wisdom a child, who is ready, can bring to the Lord’s table. Other ideas include: 1. Helping set up Communion at home or church. 2. Finding Scriptures to go along with our family Communion (things we are standing in faith for). 3. Praying specifically over those who partake. Communion is such a precious and intimate part of a Christian’s life. By teaching and sharing your heart about this tender act of obedience and worship, we are giving our children the best insight they can possibly have on the subject. Nothing is sweeter than partaking in Communion as a family and watching God work in the heart of those you love most. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Communion, Eucharist, Spiritual Practices --- ### [3 Tips for Raising Kind, Resilient Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/tips-for-raising-kind-resilient-kids/) **Published:** September 20, 2022 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/04185831/Screenshot-2024-05-04-at-15708%20PM-e1720309153271.png "Raising Kind Kids - Minno Kids") At the start of school, we gave each of our boys a family picture, an eraser shaped like an ear (an EARaser!), and pencils labeled with our hopes for the year ahead. For our youngest, on his way to kindergarten where he’ll learn to read and write, a cheeky “Leo the Literate.” And for our oldest, bound to face challenging lessons, stricter schedules, and maybe even a bully or two, we went with “Henry the Hardy.” ![Product design - Product](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/product-design.jpg "- Minno Kids") Kindness has long been a virtue in our home. [Adventure](https://www.gominno.com/parents/embrace-outdoor-adventure-family/?s%3Doutdoor%20adventure%26utm_source%3Dglobalbasisdm%26utm_medium%3Dvarious-test%26utm_campaign%3D42021%26utm_term%3D101834%26utm_content%3D7fecf8b6f06918c668f3aca85d77dd78%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D) and wisdom too. And while these things no doubt build resilience, we’re learning that it’s a tricky balance teaching kids to be thoughtful of others while also maintaining confidence, boldness, and determination within themselves. **Time to bring in an expert: How can we raise kids who are both helpful *and* hardy? Sweet *and* strong? Friendly *and* flexible? Respectful *and* resilient?** I talked with Ashley MacNish, M.A., Educational Consultant with the Family Engagement Group of [Hemmeter Lab at Vanderbilt University](https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/hemmeter-lab/), whose work serves to build [social-emotional development](https://www.gominno.com/parents/a-parents-guide-to-social-emotional-learning/) in children and families through research and innovation. Ashley shared three tips you can implement today that will go a long way toward your parenting goals—printed on pencils and otherwise. #### **3 Tips for Raising Kind, Resilient Kids** #### **Choose Your Words Wisely** To start, Ashley encourages parents to **speak with the end in mind**. She explains: “Use positive and specific language to communicate the behavior *you want to see*.” So, instead of saying, “Don’t be rude!” say, “Be kind.” Here’s why: kids tend to gravitate toward the exact words we use, meaning we might inadvertently encourage bad behavior. Ashley also reminds us to be specific. Expound on your “Be kind” statement with something like, “Can you say that again in a calm, kind voice?” By choosing your words carefully, you help to reset your child’s mind and give him clear, concise directions to follow. Directions that, with practice, can become (almost) second nature. This works for resilience too. You might try phrases like: - “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try again or ask for help.” - “It’s okay to be firm. Say, ‘Do not touch me.’ Tell an adult if it happens again.” - “Just take the first step. Then, when you’re ready, take another.” And when your kids follow through on your guidance, be sure to brag it up! Let him know how much you appreciate his efforts and—as Ashley explains—expect your purposeful praise to encourage a repeat of good behavior in the future. #### **Teach Two Key Skills** Our words offer solid reminders of the behaviors we’re hoping for, but we’d also like to teach our kids to be kind and resilient even when we’re not around. Ashley suggests helping kids develop confidence in two key areas: - **I am able to calm big emotions.** Between sibling rivalry, chores, homework, and strikeouts, kids are bound to feel some big emotions. Remind your child to take a deep breath when he feels upset, which gives the brain and body time to pause and think before moving forward. You can work together to come up with other ways he might slow down in moments of stress or anxiety. Ashley encourages parents to [hang a visual reminder of calming ideas](https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/docs/Calm-Down_Poster_EN.pdf) so kids can practice these actions on their own. - **I am able to solve my own problems.** [Anticipate problems that might arise](https://www.gominno.com/parents/the-power-of-a-prep-talk-5-conversations-to-add-to-your-routine/) before you meet up with friends or your child takes on a new challenge. Discuss strategies for the “what-ifs” and remind your kid that he is smart and capable–and that you’re always available to help if he needs you. Then, when actual problems arise, resist the urge to step in right away. Take a beat—he might surprise you by solving things on his own! After all, the goal isn’t just to raise kind, resilient kids but to raise kind, resilient adults. And that’s going to require an ever-so-slowly-growing independence. #### **Consider Your Home a Haven** Above all else, Ashley encourages us to nurture our relationships with our kids and to create an environment that feels safe and secure. Regarding resilience, she explains: “When a child’s brain is built by positive early experiences and strong and emotionally safe attachments to his caregivers, he is better able to buffer the impact of stress when it occurs.” And as for kindness? Ashley goes on to say, “[Those nurturing and responsive relationships](https://www.gominno.com/parents/ways-to-connect-with-your-kids/?utm_source%3Dglobalbasisdm%26utm_medium%3Dvarious-test%26utm_campaign%3D42021%26utm_term%3D101834%26utm_content%3D7fecf8b6f06918c668f3aca85d77dd78%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D) help children to feel loved and to learn what a healthy relationship looks and feels like as they grow and navigate the world.” When home is a haven, our kids learn to disagree with siblings in a way that respects both parties, to treat others with kindness in both word and deed, and to expect kindness in return from close friendships as they grow. And when home is a haven, our kids learn that it’s okay to take a risk, make a mistake, or fail miserably, because there is always someone waiting with open arms to give a hug, talk through pain and join them in brainstorming the best way forward. Of course, home as a haven means we’ll also need to manage our own stress responses and regularly model the kind and resilient behavior we’d like to see in our kids. Thankfully, we’re not going for perfection here. On the contrary, Ashley says, “I think you need to take perfection out of it because we are humans and we make mistakes. It’s reframing your mindset, so that when you do make a mistake, you ask, ‘How can I make this a learning opportunity for myself and my child?’” After all, we’re learning and growing together. **Categories:** Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Child Development, Parenting --- ### [3 Powerful Reminders to Help Parents Manage this School Year](https://gominno.com/blog/help-parents-manage-this-school-year/) **Published:** September 21, 2020 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MM5g3dWmQJkAHGZGJLFl.jpg) *How are you doing these days?* Okay, that was a loaded question. Here we are in September, facing the most unprecedented school year of all time, and I’m asking how you’re doing. Feel free to scream, cry, or laugh in response. You won’t be alone. The majority of parents I talk to are overwhelmed. When I ask friends how they’re doing, I hear comments like: > *“I hope I made the right choice keeping her home.”* > > *“At least you were given a choice!”* > > *“I can’t make plans to return to work because I don’t know when or if my kids will go back to school full-time.”* > > *“My first-grader can’t figure out anything on his own and my fourth-grader can’t handle the boredom.”* > > *“I’ve lost precious hours I’d normally spend being productive—now I’m just sitting and supervising.”* We’re working, parenting, teaching, cooking, and restless in bed when we should be sleeping. *After all, when else do we have time to* *think?* Well, fellow parents, today you are in for a treat. Knowing we all need some encouragement to power through, we”ve reached out to Mary Van Geffen, a Certified Simplicity Parenting Counselor and Professional Co-Active Coach. She’s an advocate for grown-ups and right now, we really need one. I know I took so much away from our conversation—and I hope you will too! #### 3 Powerful Reminders to Help Parents Manage this School Year When it comes to parenting—and schooling—during a pandemic, Mary and I discussed a few strategies for easing the worried parent’s mind: **1. Create a to-don’t list.** In a time where a parent’s day is filled to the brim with obligations, consider making a list of anti-obligations. In other words: decide what you *won’t* do. Mary suggests letting go of comparison, saying, *“Everyone is in this storm, but people are living in vastly different boats.”* And she’s right. Some of us have flexible work schedules, some of us don’t. Your neighbor might be managing one child’s education while you’re barely balancing four. And each of us—parents, teachers, and kids alike—bring to the table a unique blend of personality and aptitude. **Comparison gets us nowhere, so let’s add it to the won’t do, don’t do list!** *Also on Mary’s anti-obligations list?* Taking on the responsibility of your child’s education. (Brace yourself because this next part might make you feel a bit sweaty). She says, *“Once we help students get fed, get online, and into their Zoom classroom, it’s time to walk out of the room and let the chips fall a bit. If you need to stay, shut thine mouth. Grin and bear as much as you can. The teacher will reach out if there’s a problem.”* *Sweaty, yes, but aren’t we also breathing a sigh of relief?* *Me?* I’m no longer responding to shouts for help from across the house. As long as those little legs work, I’m expecting them to do their job and carry my kids to me, where they can ask for what they need in a calm, kind voice. ***What will you add to your 2020 Schooling To-Don’t List?* **2. Find ease in cultivating a positive, peaceful home.** Mary acknowledges right away—and we should too—that on-screen schooling puts young children in a learning environment that’s just not developmentally appropriate. Translation: little ones need to move and interact and when they don’t, they struggle to learn. *This* is the reality you’re swimming in five days a week if your kids are learning at home. You’ll help them learn best not by worrying so much about school, but by inserting yourself into the hours outside of school. Mary refers to this as the superpowers of CONNECTION and RHYTHM. She explains, *“Connection looks like you, self-regulated, giving your full presence a few times throughout the day—playfulness, a smile on your face, you delighting in them.”* Be careful, though, not to consider this another obligation. Connection, Mary says, can be as simple as, “*you observing and appreciating what they’re doing.”* Rhythm works as an extension, by adding reliable moments of connection throughout the day’s transitions. *“It looks like alternating between two different predictable states of doing or being. Between effort and relaxation, small motor skills and large motor skills, stillness and movement, quiet and loud, inside and outside, together and alone, structured and self-directed,”* says Mary. She likens rhythm to breathing—inhale and exhale—as a way to calm the body. You add to that calm by balancing out an otherwise screen-filled day. It can be easy, too. You might *“have a set menu and time for snacks or say, ‘We always play tag together during your first break,’”* says Mary. Remember to add rhythm to your own day as well. I take a long walk each morning while my husband feeds our boys breakfast. I listen to a podcast or call my mom and come back with my legs tingling from the uphill climb and my mind ready to tackle the day ahead at home. Rhythm at its finest. **3. Remember: God is for your family.** When it comes to parenting through a pandemic, we’re all newbies. Mary encourages us to be gentle with ourselves. She says, *“There’s no proven script. No one has done this before. This is a Moses Moment—a moment of leading your family through something for which you have no experience.”* Mary goes on: *“When Moses led the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt, he had never been on that journey before. He wasn’t equipped. It was God who showed up big time to part the Red Sea and rain down food in the desert. **You just stay faithful to your values and to your belief that God is for your family and He’ll show up in the midst of it all**.”* *. . . . . . . . . . .* ***We can take comfort and rest in the knowledge that God is on our side.*** *. . . . . . . . . . .* We may not totally understand what’s going on today and we sure don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but He does. And Mary reminds me, as I’m working hard to be a good parent, that He’s a good Father. We understand that many families have no idea what lies ahead this school year. You’re off to a start (whatever that looks like for you) and we pray it’s going as well as it can. But we know we’re all going to face challenges we’ve never faced before this year. So we want to pray this prayer together over the rest of this school year. Pray it daily and trust God to remind you in this Moses Moment that He is for you and your kids—He is present and able to provide all that you need. . . . . . . . . . **A Prayer for this Messy School Year** Dear God, Thank You for being on our side. Thank You for being with us in the middle of this messy school year. God, we trust you’ll carry our fears, frustrations, stress, and questions as we walk the unpaved road ahead, together. Holy Spirit, help us to see clearly what is best for our family, according to Your will. And as we navigate our unique path, remind us to not lose sight of those around us that may be struggling in the same or different ways. May we shine your light and love no matter what difficulties we face every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. . . . . . . . . . *Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 MSG* ![MVGHeadShot (1).png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rVlWOBIjQTuwNz7rnd8t.jpg) *Mary Van Geffen, a Los Angeles-based Parenting Coach, has helped thousands of parents across America find their footing during this uncertain time. Mary coaches moms over the phone and also teaches The Pandemic Parenting Workshop virtually at elementary and middle schools. Follow her on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/maryvangeffen/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SimplicityParentingwithMary) for daily inspiration and tips. Offer for Minno readers: Mary is generously offering all Minno parents a free 30-minute phone session to help you learn new ways of parenting. Schedule something [here](https://coachingwithmvg.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=6549717) for immediate relief.* **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Back-to-School, School Year --- ### [3 Morning Prayers for Moms](https://gominno.com/blog/3-morning-prayers-for-moms/) **Published:** October 3, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/65WZhBjTkiXpUDPRDKQZ.jpg)Every morning at approximately 7:18 am I usher my pajama-clad daughter back into the house after a short walk from the neighborhood bus stop, baby boy on my hip, and close the door behind us. I breathe out a sigh, as if that with that exhaled air I can also exhale all of my worries and vulnerable feelings about my oldest son being away at school all day. By the way I hug my son’s shoulders before he steps onto the school bus each morning, you’d think it was our last goodbye. In a way, I suppose, it is. My hope is to communicate all the love and all the words and all the things I want him to feel and know with that one last hug. It feels so much like my last chance before he goes off into a world that doesn’t love him even one measly ounce as much as I do. It is a raw, very uncomfortable place to be. But while my son may be going off alone, he is actually very much surrounded. He is surrounded by a holy God who loves him and cares for him so much that blood was shed to make a way for him. And this God who goes with my sweet boy is accessible to me through the gift of prayer. Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” So it is with the confidence that my God hears me and has the infinite power and strength to go with my son every morning that I can offer up three of my most favorite prayers. **1. Numbers 6:24-26** These verses are a beautiful blessing from the Lord that Aaron the priest was to speak over the children of Israel. And these ancient words spoken over God’s children thousands of years ago are some of my most favorite words to pray over my own dear children. “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you, and give you peace.” I don’t know that there is anything left to add to this beautiful benediction except yes and amen. **2. Lord, give me the wisdom to specifically parent this child’s unique heart.** Anyone who has ever been around people for any length of time (umm … that would be all of us) knows that we are all very different. The same is true with the kids under our roofs and how, even cut from the same cloth, they each have their own unique styles of relating to themselves and others. It would be foolish to think that a single style of relating to my children would carry over to my ten-month old and my almost seven-year-old. I have a deep desire to seek to know them, and everything that is unique to them as a little person, just as God does to me. Daily I ask God to show me how to parent their unique little hearts so that they will, in turn, trust their heart with mine and let me in. I want them to trust me with the details of their day, what funny thing their friend said at lunch, or how they felt when the teacher reprimanded them in front of the class. I want to know their thoughts, their fears, their hopes, their dreams, and I believe it all starts with asking God for wisdom on how to unlock that delicate privilege of knowing their heart. **3. Please Jesus …** The times when I feel adequately equipped to pray exactly what my child needs in that moment are far outweighed by the times when I struggle to articulate my requests. I mean, how exactly does one pray for a person that feels like an extension of their heart and soul walking outside, exposed and vulnerable? I want what is best for my children. I want what the Lord thinks is best for my children. I just want the maximum goodness-while-still-relying-on-the-Lord ratio in their lives that could possibly exist. But I don’t exactly know how to use words to say that. In times like those I couldn’t be more thankful for the truth of Romans 8:26: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” For the instances when my deep, deep love for my children paralyzes my tongue, I am thankful that the Lord can untangle my thought-web and that His spirit can bring the petition of my mama-heart straight to the throne of grace. As we cultivate a desire to pray for our children at the start of each morning, let us not forget these wise words about the God to whom we pray: “The right way to pray is to stretch out our hands and ask of one who we know has the heart of a Father.” –Deitrich Bonhoeffer Save **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Motherhood, Prayer --- ### [3 Keys to Simple Family Faith-Building](https://gominno.com/blog/3-keys-to-simple-family-discipleship/) **Published:** January 19, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MWkMVW2QSMqiQhq6lmRN.jpg) As parents (if we grew up in the church), when we think of discipleship, we often think of a 10 step plan to lead our kids to Christ, including (but not limited to). . . - daily family Bible study - being at church whenever the doors are open - long and meaningful prayers at the dinner table and bedtime - worship music playing at all times throughout the house and in the car - the perfect Advent countdown complete with Bible reading and memorization - praying the prayer of salvation around age 5 (because 4 is too young and what would they think if he waited until he was 8?!) - baptism by age 10 (unless of course you took care of that when she was an infant) - first communion by age. . .(well this all depends on the church – do they use real wine or the fake stuff?) - a mission trip when they are old enough to travel internationally - discovery of his/her divine calling before the end of high school (one can’t go to college without a clear ministry path) Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it. And I don’t know about you. . .but my spiritual journey didn’t really look like all that. Sure, I loosely followed the normal progression of Christianity but it wasn’t that simple. . .or should I say, complicated?! Parents who grew up in the church are so tired of the laundry list of requirements for following Jesus that many are giving up on faith altogether. But Jesus never meant for our relationship with him to be so conditional. . .so calculated. Jesus actually asks us to adopt his “unforced rhythms of grace” so we can live freely and lightly. > Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 MSG Now that’s a relationship I can get excited about for my children. That’s an authentic faith that I believe will be attractive to them for the long run. *But how do we lead them? How then do we disciple our children differently and genuinely?* ## 3 Keys to Simple (and effective) Family Discipleship ## 1. Be authentic. It dawned on me not too long ago that my parents accepted Jesus right before they got married. They became husband and wife and had children right away. So they walked their own path of discipleship while simultaneously teaching us how to follow Jesus. This realization explains so much, now that I think about it. **My parents stumbled a lot in those early days but my siblings and I had the privilege of observing their authentic transformation and because their hearts were changed through honesty and humility, the result was attractive to us.** We, of course, stumbled ourselves as we journied through adolesence as baby Christians. But in the end, and even to this day, we are all following Jesus, not perfectly, but with an authentic passion to grow in him and see our children follow him as well. Authenticity will often [re-write the script of Christianity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/how-to-lead-your-child-to-jesus/) that we’ve been following for years. We don’t need to be afraid of this adaptation as long as it’s Holy Spirit led and Bible-based. This flexibility allows us to be authentic even when we feel unqualified. Just the other day, I wrote. . . “My most effective parenting moments are the messiest. When I get real and raw with my kids and they see me living out the gospel in my humility and brokenness, this is when they begin to connect the dots. The parent who isn’t afraid to ask questions and wrestle through the hard stuff is a leader they can confidently follow. The God who loves mommy even after she’s raised her voice is a God they can safely surrender their lives to.” (read the rest of this post [here](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/when-you-feel-unqualified/)) **Authenticity leads to trust. And following Jesus is all about trust.** ## 2. Cultivate a culture of faith at home. When I think back to my own childhood, I don’t remember all of the ways my parents tried to teach us about faith. But I do remember the love and spirit of God I felt in our home. I remember my parents’ humility and feeling an open invitation, at all times, to ask questions and have conversations surrounding life and faith. Those two things were beautifully intertwined in our home. Life was faith. Faith was life. It all blended together so that our growth came naturally in the midst of ordinary days. A home culture that is centered around faith does not necessarily mean that you spend an hour in Bible study together daily. That discipline, while good, is not realistic in today’s society. I don’t believe in conforming to cultural norms, especially at the cost of discipleship, but I do believe that we can adapt and get creative given our family dynamics and schedules ([using simple Bible study methods like this one, for example](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/5-and-thrive-simple-family-devotions/)). **I believe the more authentic we are about where we are, the stronger our family faith culture will be and the more it will seep into the hearts of our children without fabricated efforts that often fall flat.** ## 3. Keep the door open. Authentic communication is imperative if we’re going to successfully lead our children into adulthood. If we want them to have a real relationship with Jesus, we must be willing to talk it out or not talk it out, depending on the season they are in. Let me explain. . . I could have made point #3, “Talk it Out.” But I’m not naive to think my kids are going to be as chatty in a few years as they are now. Preschool and elementary age kids love to talk. They love to ask questions. Discipleship in those early years is somewhat easy because they are interested in soaking up as much informaton as possible. Their hearts are soft and ready to absorb the truth. A few years later and kids begin to close themselves off. They don’t want to talk because they think we don’t understand or what we have to say isn’t as important as whatever it is they have going on. I remember feeling this way. But my parents kept the doors and the lines of communication always open. There were times when I ignored their invitation but many times, I was glad to know I could come when I was ready. **When our family culture includes an open door from day one, children grow up feeling safe. . .feeling heard and understood.** Those small seeds, planted in faith and watered with authenticity and prayer, will reap the closeness that kids need. When discipleship is based on the heart and culture of a family rather than rules and to-dos, faith-building is simple and long lasting. We’re not so inclined to give up or stop trying when our efforts are more organic and less calculated. I’m not saying discipleship should be a cake walk. That 10 step “plan” I laid out up there? Those steps will always be important and a Christ-follower will take them at some point in his or her life. But when we focus on authenticity, culture and connection, our children will be drawn to a Savior who looks, feels and sounds like someone they want to follow. One of the most life-changing things we’ve done as a family to cultivate faith at home was to walk through the Bible together using [What’s In The Bible](). You can [follow along our journey on the Minno blog](http://%20https//www.gominno.com/blog/walk-your-family-bible-volume-1-genesis) this year. I’ll share about our experience and offer conversation starters for your family. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Faith, Family Faith --- ### [3 Ideas for No Contact Family Fun this Halloween](https://gominno.com/blog/3-ideas-for-no-contact-family-fun-this-halloween/) **Published:** October 14, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TRcl7gYKS3CiYUrJIHuP.jpg) There’s no doubt this [Halloween](https://www.gominno.com/blog/halloween-meaning-history-christianity) is going to look different. If you have allowed your children to trick or treat in years past, chances are, they may not be able to participate in an epic night of candy collecting this October 31st. Whether you “celebrate” Halloween or not, we’ve always encouraged our Minno families to use the day as an opportunity to reach out to their community. And even if you can’t go door to door this year, you can still engage your neighbors in fun activities that will [shine a light on Halloween](https://www.gominno.com/blog/4-ideas-family-shine-light-on-halloween). We’ve got three ideas to get you started: #### **1. Glow All Out** This is the perfect way to reach out to your neighbors and start a fun tradition! Download and print your [MINNO GLOW KIT](https://cdn.buttercms.com/7twA1ggQEmXeCZRjwXho) and let the glowing begin! **What You’ll Need:** - [Glow Kit Printable](https://cdn.buttercms.com/7twA1ggQEmXeCZRjwXho) - Candy - Glow Sticks - Tape \+ Print and decorate the “You’ve been Glow’d” page. Make sure to write your name next to the first glow stick. Here’s the message you’ll be sharing with your neighbors: > *You’ve been Glow’d! Now it’s your turn to Shine!* > > *Pass the light to a neighbor so they can pass it on to another this season!* > > *Fill this container with fun candies and glow sticks and leave it by their front door. Don’t forget to sanitize first!* > > *Sign your name in the next glow stick below so they know who it came from.* > > *“Let your light shine!” Matthew 5:16* \+ Fill a container (a bucket or basket) with candy and don’t forget the glow sticks! \+ You can also print the Minno Free Trial coupon as an extra treat for your friends. \+ Leave the bucket ‘o fun on your neighbor’s porch or stoop and tape the “You’ve been Glow’d” page to their front door. \+ Say a prayer that your neighbors will somehow see the light of Jesus in this otherwise dark season. \+ Sit back and watch the light as it passes from one house to another! #### **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GK5qH6jYQiCagMvR4SkL.jpg)** #### **2. Plan a Costume Parade** What did we ever do before neighborhood Facebook groups?! Well, I’m sure we can all agree that they are not always fun to browse but they are a great way to connect a community around a specific idea. If your neighborhood is not participating in candy distribution this year, why not plan a costume parade?! One of the upsides of 2020 is how many of our holidays are landing on weekends. With October 31st landing on a Saturday, it’s the perfect chance to plan an unconventional showing of those adorable kiddie costumes. The sky’s the limit on how you go about this idea as long as everyone stays socially distanced! It can be in the afternoon with bikes and wagons and costumed pups or in the evening by candlelight. Get a few friends together and dream up a new way to dress up the day this year! #### **3. Light Up the Neighborhood** One of my favorite ideas that came when COVID first hit was when a few moms in my neighborhood got together and gave parents a coloring sheet of a bear. They asked the parents to have their kids color the bear and tape them inside their window. This way, families could go on a “bear hunt” through the community to see how many they could find. What a sweet way to connect while apart! *So I’ve been thinking, how about we bring together that fun idea with another great tradition of lighting holiday candles in the window?* Print out your [Minno Glow Kit](https://cdn.buttercms.com/7twA1ggQEmXeCZRjwXho) and color the Matthew 5:16 coloring sheet to light up the neighborhood. Place your beautiful verse in your front window with a string of glow sticks at night. Be sure to share it with your friends! Ask everyone to have their kids decorate the page and hang it in the window with glow sticks. Encourage your neighbors through that Facebook page to light up the neighborhood! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1utd2270RWqZoVm33lLY.jpg) **Categories:** Seasonal **Tags:** Family Fun, Halloween --- ### [3 Ideas for Fun, Faith-Filled Family Nights](https://gominno.com/blog/ideas-for-fun-faith-filled-family-nights/) **Published:** June 6, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5Bhu0G45ReCYAO0bK2rY.jpg) Movie Night is always a hit in our house. Giant Nacho Night is also a favorite. Try-a-New-Game Night is good, too. But wouldn’t it be fun to make your weekly family night focus on God’s Word while still having a blast with your family? Here are 3 super fun family nights that will also get your kids talking about God’s Word! ### **Pirate Scavenger Hunt** Lead your kids on a high-seas adventure to discover the treasure of God’s Word! **Supplies Needed:** - pirate costumes (bandanas, temporary tattoos, and eye patches) - small items or stickers to give to kids at each scavenger hunt stop (see below) - a treasure map for each child (a piece of paper or small journal) - pirate accent ([Cap’n Pete can help](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history)!) - pirate snacks (see below) **Activity:** Using the following Scriptures, lead your kids to five different locations in your house. You could make up a little riddle to help them find their way, draw a map of the rooms in your house or simply make them read the verse as a clue and guess the spot! When they discover each location, read the verse again, give your child the item to place in his/her pirate journal or on the treasure map, and briefly talk about the Scripture. **Lights** *Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”* *Item: sticker of a light bulb/sun/flashlight, tiny Christmas light bulb* *Location: the attic where your Christmas lights are, your flashlight stash, etc.* **Honey** *Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”* *Item: bumblebee sticker, Honey Nut Cheerio* *Location:* the pantry or kitchen *(make sure to let your kids taste some honey!)* **Gold** *Psalm 119:72 “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”* *Item: plastic gold doubloon, sparkly gold sticky craft foam* *Location:* jewelry box, piggy bank, etc. **Seed** *Luke 8:11, 15 “The seed is the word of God . . . the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”* *Item: sunflower seed, popcorn, peppercorn, etc.* *Location:* outside in the garden, near a birdhouse, etc. **Sword** *Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”* *Item: plastic sword food pick, sticker of a sword* *Location:* um . . . unless you have a sword cabinet, just anywhere! End the night with some oranges to ward off scurvy and some chocolate coins (or any chocolate covered in gold foil) to celebrate the treasure of God’s Word! *Additional, optional ideas:* [*Make Treasure Stones*](http://ohamanda.com/2011/05/19/make-your-own-treasure-stones-for-pirates-other-treasure-lovers/)*, read a* [*God-centered Pirate Book*](http://ohamanda.com/2010/06/18/high-seas-expedition-pirate-books/) *or watch a* [*fun Pirate Movie*](http://ohamanda.com/2014/04/04/disneys-pirate-fairy-a-moms-review-family-discussion-guide/)*!* *Big Kid idea: You could turn this into a photo scavenger hunt and drive them all over town trying to find locations to take a photo to go with each verse (the light section at Home Depot, an ice cream shop with honey-flavored ice cream, a garden, a bank or jewelry store, etc.). Then, print the pictures off and display them or put them in a journal!* ### **The Great** **British** **Family Baking Show Night** Have a Baking Show cook-off to find out how important it is to follow God’s Word! **Supplies Needed:** - A familiar age-appropriate recipe and all the ingredients - Aprons and maybe some chef hats for fun! **Set-up:** Rewrite the recipe with minimal instructions and have enough copies for every team. For example, list only the ingredients without amounts or don’t specify if the ingredient calls for tablespoons or teaspoons or cups. Place all ingredients out along with the altered recipe. If desired, divide your family into teams with one adult (or responsible big kid) on each team. **Play:** The object of the game is to make the familiar food without the full recipe. Whichever team delivers the best food wins! **Discussion:** While you are feasting on your (hopefully delicious) food, read James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” It’s not enough to think you know a recipe or read it just one time in your life, you have to follow it completely. Compare your experience to how we need to pay close attention to God’s Word and obey it carefully! *Additional, optional ideas: Read* [*Proverbs 4*](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+4&version=NIV) *and compare this to following your recipe, watch* [*Taste and See*](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-and-friends/videos/taste-and-see) *on Minno as you taste your own food, make a* [*reusable paper cake*](http://ohamanda.com/2010/04/22/birthday-cake-puzzle-inspired-by-mrs-rosey-posey/) *and read a story to go with it!* ### **Interrupted Movie Night** Watch part of a movie and see if your kids can guess the ending – and discover God’s plan for their own life. Supplies: - a new-to-your-kids movie - paper and pen for each family member - small prize (candy, silly sticker, etc.) - your favorite movie night accessories (fuzzy blankets, popcorn, etc.) Settle down for your movie and at some point(s) during the movie (preferably a cliff-hanger, fork-in-the-road moment), stop the movie, turn on all the lights and ask your kids what they think will happen. Give each person a piece of paper and a pen. Let them write down what they think will happen next. You may need to give specific questions. For example, *“Will Nemo touch the boat?” “Who will win the race?”* Have everyone turn in their papers and then watch the rest of the movie. The people who guess correctly win a small prize! Continue to do this as many times as appropriate for the movie and/or your kids. At the end of the movie read any or all of the following Scriptures about God’s will and plan for us: Proverbs 3:5-7, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:14, Psalm 86:11 Discuss all the choices that the characters made, the plans they had, the adventures that were taken. Talk about how the characters would have behaved differently had they known what was coming ahead. Then think about how each person in your family is living in their own “movie” and discuss how they should live knowing God’s will and plan for them. *Additional, optional activities: Let your kids act out their own life movie (or their parent’s life!), make a* [*Dream Jar* ](https://ohamanda.com/2016/07/01/the-bfg-movie-review-family-discussion-guide/)*for the future, turn movie night into a* [*drive-in with these fun cars.*](https://frugalfun4boys.com/create-a-cardboard-box-car/) These family nights can be as elaborate or as simple as you’d like. Go with your kids’ interests and attention spans. But whatever you do, use it to point to God’s Word and His love for your children. They will remember the fun you had and God’s Word will be planted in their hearts to grow into a full harvest! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Fun, Rhythms and Rituals --- ### [3 Hurdles That Keep Parents From Being Consistent (and how to hop them)](https://gominno.com/blog/3-hurdles-that-keep-parents-from-being-consistent/) **Published:** January 29, 2021 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EReuFMKoSoCHi1kvnkHf.jpg) *Kids love to float through phases, don’t they?* Interests change, abilities grow, and challenges that once seemed insurmountable eventually become old news. And so, our parenting goes through phases too. In a matter of moments, we move from cradling our little ones with the utmost care to chasing them down the hall to wrestling them on the floor to watching them pull out of the driveway–all the while sending up prayers for wisdom. After all, we want to do right by our kids. And in no way is this goal more taxing than in the need to be consistent–through each and every phase. #### **Why Consistency Matters in Parenting** Our kids will grow no matter what we do. But if we hope to grow kids who become kind, confident, God-fearing adults, we need to help them along the way. Consistency provides kids with a secure understanding of how the world works *before* we send them out into it. Let’s take a look at one small example: Each time my four-year-old stomps his foot and growls at me, I smile and say to him, ad-nauseum, *“Baby, that does not intimidate me. If you are upset, you can talk to me about it in a calm, kind voice.”* I stay calm and kind myself. If silence or a grunt-and-stomp follows, I say, “When you’re ready to talk in a calm, kind voice, let me know,” and I walk away. Through this brief interaction, he’s learning that a big show of power gets him nowhere. It’s my hope that after years of going back and forth in this way, he will recognize that he can voice his frustrations and concerns in a respectful manner and he will be heard. I’d like to think his future wife will thank me. Still, sometimes when he stomps that chubby little foot, I’m tempted to say, *“Sure, pumpkin, go grab another cookie.”* Because let’s be honest. Consistency might be key but it ain’t easy. #### **It’s Tough to Be Consistent When . . .** Regardless of what we’re working on–potty training, attitudes, hygiene, chores, patience, you name it–kids benefit from consistent expectations *and* a consistent response to both desired and unwanted behavior. *Easier said than done, right?* Let’s look at a few reasons parents find it challenging to stay consistent and what we might do to overcome these challenges. **It’s Tough to Be Consistent When You’re Tired** *Who isn’t?* In fact, exhaustion might just be part and parcel of the parenting experience. And when we’re tired, as you well know, anything goes. Susie Allison, of [Busy Toddler](https://www.instagram.com/busytoddler/) fame, jokingly refers to this as *“Willy Wonka Parenting.”* As in, *“No . . . Don’t . . . Stop . . .”* A half-hearted attempt at behavior correction spoken softly from the couch. We all need days like this from time to time, but we can’t stand idly by like Wonka forever–we saw how that worked out. **How to hop this hurdle:** Give yourself a bedtime. Yes, you’re an adult. And yes those nighttime, kid-free hours are precious, I know. In fact, I have to trick myself into getting more sleep by giving my *phone* a bedtime. At 9:30, off she goes, and I’m free to do what I’d rather do anyway: wind down with a good book or a nice chat with my husband. During the day, take a couple of pre-planned mental breaks. Go for a walk, enjoy a hobby, call a friend–do something that’s just for you. Being a parent is a rewarding role, no doubt, but it can wear on a person. Spending time alone allows you to recharge for the time you spend together. . . . . . . . . . . Listen in to a conversation on [How to Be a More Consistent Parent](https://www.gominno.com/blog/raising-boys-and-girls-podcast-consistent-parent) with child and family counselors, Sissy Goff and David Thomas. on the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast. . . . . . . . . . . **It’s Tough to Be Consistent When You’re Up Against External Pressure** None of us parent in a bubble. We’re surrounded by so many others doing the same job we’re doing but in a myriad of ways. You’ve got your own pals who are parents, your kids’ friends’ folks, your parents, your in-laws, and lots of other people in-between. Chances are, you and another adult agree about a few parenting approaches here and there and disagree about many others. So when it comes time to uphold your own values with your child, you may find doubt creeping in. You might think to yourself, *“This behavior doesn’t seem to bother them, why does it bother me?”* About other issues, you may feel the opposite, *“Gosh, I don’t understand why they care if their kid does that. Should I care more?”* As a result, we can end up reluctant to follow-through so we don’t come across too strict or rushing to discipline so as not to seem unaware. Have you ever been there? I have. **How to hop this hurdle:** Choose a few parents to look up to for wisdom and advice and decide not to care what the others think. (Preaching to the choir here.) Look for families who interact in a way that you would like to emulate. Ask how they do it and consider what might work for you. Supplement what they say with a few (not all) solid books, podcasts, and Instagram accounts that encourage and educate parents. Make it a habit to jot down your parenting goals and approaches. If you’re married, discuss them with your spouse and come to an agreement together on what you want this to look like. Do what you can to build confidence as a parent and to move forward with what’s best for your family regardless of what others do around you. **RELATED POST:** [Family Devotions: How to Be Consistent When Life is Busy](https://www.gominno.com/blog/family-devotions-how-to-be-consistent-when-life-is-busy) **It’s Tough to Be Consistent When You’re Picking Too Many Battles** As parents who care about how our kids turn out, we must be careful not to overdo it. After all, our kids–even the teenage ones–are still young and growing and learning. We can’t expect perfection on all counts. We can’t even expect perfection. We’re better off looking for effort. Right? And with their still-developing brains and bodies, our absolute best bet is to pick one or two areas we’d like to focus on at a time. My seven-year-old spent 2020 with me as a homeschool teacher (not the first choice for either of us, you might say). I could have chosen to focus on *all the things*, saying, *“Sit up straight. Eyes on me. Put the marker away, we’re using pencils. Your 6’s are backward again. No time for a snack break. You gotta pay better attention to what I’m saying. Put the crayon away.”* Or he could learn to read. And love it. **How to hop this hurdle:** Trying to correct too many things at once benefits no one and might just damage you both along the way. And from a logistical standpoint, it’s simply overwhelming. Instead, write out a list of things you’d like to work on with each kid. Then go over the lists, item by item and ask yourself, *“Will this get better with time, or do I need to step in and help? How important is it to me that this changes? How important will it be to my child and his future?”* Let your answers guide you as your cross items off, prioritize what’s left, and provide consistent correction accordingly. With one or two things to focus on at a time, the confidence that comes from solid education and encouragement, and the power of a good night’s sleep, you’ll be well on your way. We’re cheering you on from here. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Motherhood, Parenting --- ### [3 Fun Ways to Share Faith With Your Kids Daily](https://gominno.com/blog/3-fun-ways-to-share-faith-with-your-kids-daily/) **Published:** July 30, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/m6OjzIaQhSzI3BYgqjXY.jpg) When I first contemplated homeschooling my kids, it’s mainly because I was dazzled by all the fancy homeschool bloggers who have creative Revolutionary War battles with their kids, make lunch to represent the layers of the earth and then have an exegetical Bible study and conjugate Latin verbs before lunch. I wanted to be that homeschooler. I’m not. In fact, my kids are only part-time homeschoolers. They attend a school two days a week and three days we are at home. And there is no Latin. But one thing I have learned from homeschoolers is how purposeful they are. There’s major parent forethought that I admire. And since Latin and war re-enactments aren’t my thing, I’ve learned to take some of that purposefulness and forethought and lead it to the area that I am passionate about–**impressing God’s Word on my kids’ heart**. It’s not anything revolutionary. It’s all about integrating God into every area of your life. It’s that whole [walk along the road thing](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+6%3A4-9&version=NIV). The more you can add God’s Word into the normal parts of your day, the more your kids will see and know and turn to God in the normal parts of their day. Want some examples? Good, because I’ve got some. 1\. **Do a devotional book with your kids**. Gah! I know what you’re thinking. WHO HAS TIME FOR THAT? Well, no one has time to do the 365-daily-devos the Christian bookstores put out. But there are some great 40 day or 10 week devotionals you can do simply by **placing the book on your dinner table**. The first person done eating can read the chapter aloud and you can talk about it while you’re eating or cleaning up. And if it takes you 6 months to complete because you’re eating PBJ in the car on the way to soccer practice, that’s ok! When you are home, you are focusing on the Bread of Life around your table. 2\. **Use your phone with your kids**! There are all kinds of great Bible-based, devotional apps (I’m kinda partial to Yancy’s[ Roots for the Journey](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roots-for-the-journey/id647377769?mt=8)) or online videos ([Minno 5 minute devotions](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) is my fave!) that you can do together ANYWHERE. Find yourself sitting on the sidelines with Kid #1 while Kid #2 is doing ballet? Grab your phone and instead of Angry Birds (or whatever the kids are playing these days), read the devotion, do the activity or just talk about it. Easy peasy. 3\. **Listen to a CD with your kids**! A CD? Yikes. How old school! Many kids Bible storybooks have audio versions that come with the book. Keep those CDs in your car and while you’re doing your taxi-mom thing, listen to one track. When it’s done, talk about what you just heard or let the kids get back to their conversation about vacation and homework, it’s ok! Did you notice something about this list? Each item ends “**with your kids**” because really that’s the important part. You can give your kids the whole What’s in the Bible? series and buy every book at the Christian bookstore but if you’re not interacting with it with your kids, it’s not going to do much. Walking around talking about the Lord with your kids will place little seeds in their heart. It will place anchors in their life. It will cause them to see with Scripture-colored glasses. Not because you schooled them on God but because you showed them how **God is before all things, and how in him all things hold together** (Colossians 1:17). So, while you’re going back to school, homeschool or otherwise, pack your own little backpack with something that will help you lead your kids to Jesus! Amanda White ohAmanda.com **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Faith --- ### [3 Chore Chart Options for Preschoolers](https://gominno.com/blog/3-chore-chart-options-for-preschoolers/) **Published:** May 20, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-chore-chart-options-christ...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VIFihjJwQduURIRlxyoh.jpg) Most people had chores they were responsible for while growing up. Maybe it was your job to keep the lawn mowed, set the table, clean the bathrooms each Saturday, or some other necessary household task. Regardless of how the family you grew up in approached chores, it’s always a challenge to figure out how you want your own family to navigate these responsibilities. The key is to start early. Teaching children that household chores are part of everyday life at a young age can help alleviate the frustration older children feel when they suddenly have to contribute to the family’s responsibilities. To put it bluntly, try to get it in their heads before they know anything different! ## How Young is Too Young? Christian homeschooling can be challenging enough and you may think that your preschooler is too young for household chores. But how young is too young? Usually as soon as your child understands basic directions, you can begin teaching them responsibility. For example, a two-year old can learn to pick up their toys, as well as put their clothes in a hamper. They love being around you, so anything you can teach them while talking to them or singing to them will not only be bonding time, but it can also slowly teach them how to do their chores. ## Finding the Right Chore Chart There are a plethora of homeschooling resources, but if you’re looking for help with the basics of age-appropriate chores, check out [Latitudes.org](http://www.latitudes.org) where you’ll find information about age-appropriate chores, as well as free printable charts. Here are some other places to find chore charts: - [Pinterest](http://www.pinterest.com) – Search “chore charts” and you can browse, pin, and even download selected charts for free. If nothing else, it provides you with a good visual of many different types of charts. - [Focus on the Family](https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/parenting-challenges/motivating-kids-to-clean-up/age-appropriate-chores) – This is another resource with suggested age-appropriate chores as well as chart examples for Christian families. It also provides listening suggestions to use while your child is “working.” ## Chore Charts for Preschoolers Here are a few considerations for selecting a chore chart for a preschooler: - KYC (Know Your Child) – How much do they understand? How coordinated are they? How well do they follow directions? Each child is different. One child may be able to stay on task, while another child will struggle with simple instructions because they are too busy. Regardless of the challenge, and regardless of the type of chart you use, you will probably need a different chart suited to the needs of each child. Customize it accordingly. - Determine the Reward – Some parents feel very strongly that a child should learn to do their part for the family without the expectation of a reward. This may work for your family, but remember that rewards don’t have to be monetary. They can come in the form of staying up a little later, choosing what the family watches on movie night, or just simply a trip to get an ice cream cone. Again, KYC: learn what is important to them and what motivates them, and use this as an opportunity to teach them about the personal internal reward for doing a good job. If you praise them for completing tasks, you might find out that this is all they want! It’s also important to select a chart that is easily understandable for your child. Most preschoolers don’t understand words, but they understand pictures. Here are some examples of charts for preschoolers: **Chart 1** – This is a two-fold chart that can grow with your child. It has pictures initially, but as your child grows, you can use it as a points system (see upper right hand corner). **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Y0P6sztdQzqejz6VWzAZ.jpg)** **Chart 2** – This is probably as simple a chart as you can find and it’s an excellent choice for a preschooler. Pictures help them see their task, but they get to place checks or Xs to signify the task was completed. **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Wgy3QK3YTvi1nIf78Eoh.jpg)** **Chart 3** – This chart uses pictures, but gives the child an opportunity to add gold stars to their completed tasks. Notice the goal-setting number at the bottom determined by either the child or the parent for a predetermined reward. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/P48i7ZGPSlyVC1U50jjM.jpg) As we all know, parenting is a challenge – and sometimes Christian parenting seems even more so. But training up a child is important and it needs to start early. What better way to do so than to start with basic tasks while they are young. These charts are resources to help your child understand responsibility, but they also assist with basic child development. Helping you make the bed requires a certain amount of coordination, as well as a growing understanding of how things work and should look. Your involvement in their chores is helping their development, but most importantly, the time you spend with them is guiding and helping them become responsible people no matter their age. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Chore Charts, Family Life, Preschool --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Wisdom](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-wisdom/) **Published:** September 9, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/06232711/3-Bible-Stories-to-Teach-Kids-About-Wisdom.png "3 Bible Stories to Teach Kids About Wisdom - Minno Kids") I probably sound like a broken record with how many times I’ve said these words: If it’s one thing I’ve learned to be true about life (and especially since Google entered the picture), it is that when looking for an answer you can always find people who agree with what you are thinking and you can likewise find plenty of people who disagree with what you are thinking. My friend once said, *“You can’t Google wisdom.”* Oh how right he is. The world is full of so much noise that makes it hard to know what’s right anymore. Passionate people on all sides of the table have countless opportunities to share their beliefs through books, blogs, social media, and church pulpits. All of the loud chatter often leads to confusion. But God has given us a wealth of wisdom in the Bible. We need to rise above the noise and dig into His Word to find answers for this complicated life we are living. And as we seek His answers to the questions in our own lives, we can guide our children to do the same. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Wisdom ### King Solomon Asks for Wisdom 1 Kings 3 **Bible Truth:** God gives me wisdom when I ask for it! *“At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ ‘. . . And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in . . . Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.’” 1 Kings 3:5, 7, 9-12 ESV* Wisdom is the most important gift we are given by God. Solomon was called by God to do a big job at a young age. He knew that he needed help in knowing how to be a good King and take good care of the kingdom. Solomon could have asked God for money or material possessions but instead, he asked God for wisdom. He asked God for understanding and help in knowing right and wrong. Because Solomon asked for this very important gift, God blessed him with it and with continued to bless him as a successful and prosperous king. Use this story to share with your child that wisdom and understanding are the most important gifts God can give us. When we come us against a situation we aren’t sure how to navigate, he is ready and willing to give us the gift of wisdom to help us through. **Related Verse:** If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Read and Share Bible: Solomon](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/solomon) [What’s in the Bible? Kings Make Mistakes Too](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/kings-make-mistakes-too) ### The Wise and Foolish Builder Matthew 7:24-27 **Bible Truth:** God’s wisdom is my firm foundation. *“’Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.’” Matthew 7:24-27 ESV* Wisdom is listening to what Jesus says and then doing it. In this teaching, Jesus tells his followers that a wise man builds his house on the rock or a strong foundation. There are many places in the Bible where Jesus is called this rock, the foundation of our faith. When we walk in relationship with Jesus he will guide us in knowledge and understanding to build our lives on the strong foundation of his wisdom. Use this story to encourage your child to be always listening to Jesus and those he has put as trusted leaders in their lives. When we follow Jesus and his ways, we walk in wisdom and point others to his truth. **Related Verse:** Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Minno Church at Home: Wisdom](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-church-at-home/videos/wisdom) ### What Wisdom Looks Like James 3:17 *“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 ESV* **Bible Truth:** The wisdom of God is full of good things! When facing an important decision we can look to the Word to find what wisdom looks like for that situation. When we follow Jesus, he leads us toward wisdom. First and foremost that wisdom is found in the Word. We may not find exactly what to do in every circumstance directly in the Bible but the Word does give us the characteristics of wisdom. Use this passage to help your child understand what wisdom looks like. Encourage them to ask these questions when faced with a decision—*Is this pure? Do I have peace? Is this gentle? Will this bring good fruit (or can good come out of this?).* These guidelines can help navigate our thought process and lead us to wise choices. **Related Verse: “**…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Wisdom --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Thankfulness](https://gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-thankfulness/) **Published:** November 4, 2015 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/JJAbR1L4QJGlZEV6THv2.jpg) We used to have this practice in our home. When one of the kids was complaining a lot I would stop them mid-whine and make them tell me three things for which they are thankful. At their young ages, they usually recited, “Mommy, daddy, our house” and that was fine with me because thankfulness begins in the simplest form. We need to get back to this practice. Perhaps it’s due to busyness or other stresses but we’ve let this strategy fall by the wayside. There are times when I get caught in the trap of excessive complaining myself and my husband often calls me on it. Stress may very well be the greatest enemy of our thanks. But our children need to learn the practice of gratitude, no matter what their circumstances, and we need to lead them. In the midst of stress, disappointment, sadness or great joy, the Lord deserves the pleasure of our gratitude. When we truly understand the magnitude of our blessed lives, we can turn our complaints into thanksgiving. ## **3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Thankfulness** #### **Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers** *And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”* Luke 17:12-19 ESV **God deserves our thankfulness and we should tell him we are thankful.** These ten men came before Jesus with the hope of healing. All of them walked away cleansed but only one turned back to praise God and thank Jesus for his healing. Jesus makes it a point to call out the other nine to show the importance of our gratitude. Use this story to share with your child that God is faithful to provide our needs as well as extra blessings. He deserves to hear our thanksgiving often through praise and prayer. Consider making it a daily activity at the dinner table or while driving in the car to list 3 things for which they are thankful. Regularly expressing our thanks to the Father is one of our best weapons against all of life’s battles. **Related verse:** *Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.* Psalm 107:1 #### **The Psalms of David** *Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.* Psalm 100:1-5 ESV **Gratitude is an attitude that comes out of the habit of giving thanks.** All through the Psalms, no matter what David was facing, we read his outpouring of gratitude to God. As he encountered good times and bad times, David always turned back to the truth of God’s goodness. This attitude often carried him through the hardest of situations. Use this example to teach your child that gratitude is a habit that is learned through practice. Just as we teach little ones to say please and thank you through repetition and relentless reminders, we learn to express our thanks to the Father through consistency. Yet, while gratitude is a habitual attitude, we want our thanksgiving to come out of a genuine heart. The more we meditate on God’s goodness and practice our thanks no matter what our circumstance, the more it will naturally flow out of a heart that loves him. **Related verse:** *I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.* Psalm 9:1 #### **Paul’s Thanksgiving for His Friends** *For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.* Ephesians 1:15-19 ESV **It is good to express our thankfulness to others.** The Bible instructs us to encourage one another often. Paul, in his multiple letters to the churches he was leading, always reminds his friends how thankful he is for them. Usually, following his words of thanks are words of encouragement to help build them up. Thanks and giving go hand in hand. Use this passage to encourage your child to use words of thanksgiving and encouragement with their friends and loved ones. God can use us to share his love with others by simply sharing words of gratitude and support. **Related verse:** *Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.* 1 Thessalonians 5:11 What stories or truths have you used to teach your children about thankfulness? We’d love to hear about them on our [Minno Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Thankfulness --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Teamwork](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-teamwork/) **Published:** August 2, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rUHjrPseT3O0CFwK2ea6.jpg) Teamwork! It’s not just for the soccer field … in fact, most of us engage in teamwork every day of the week. From working as team to clean your house, to partnering with your spouse to get everyone out the door on time in the morning, to participating in school or work projects, teams are everywhere! Ask your kids about all the teams they are a part of, from family to friends to sports. Then use these Bible stories as a jumping off point to teach them about the importance of teamwork! # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Teamwork ### The 12 Disciples **Mark 6:7-13** Jesus had a team of disciples who went everywhere with him. In this passage from Mark, Jesus sends his disciples out to begin doing their own ministry in teams of two. He gave them specific instructions to not pack anything, but rather to rely on people who invited them into their homes. We see several examples of teamwork in this story! First, Jesus sends them out in teams of two. Ask your kids why they think the disciples worked and traveled in teams. Second, Jesus is telling them to rely on other people, who could be believers, to help them out along the way – teamwork in the body of Christ! ***Read it in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): Jesus’ Disciples, page 254*** **Related Episodes to Watch:** [5 Minute Family Devotional: Jesus Picks His Disciples](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-picks-his-disciples) [Connect: The 12 Disciples](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/the-12-disciples) ### Rebuilding the Wall in Jerusalem **Nehemiah 4:15-23** When Nehemiah was leading the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem, enemies of the Israelites kept trying to attack them while they worked! But this passage from Nehemiah shows how great teamwork helped get the job done. Half of the Israelites worked on the wall while the other half stood guard. Everyone worked together to rebuild the wall. Ask your kids what they observe about teamwork in this passage. What kind of leader was Nehemiah? ***Read it in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): God Gets it Done, page 166*** **Related Episodes to Watch:** [The Bentley Brothers: Nehemiah](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-bentley-brothers/videos/nehemiah) [What’s in the Bible? Ezra and Nehemiah](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/ezra-nehemiah) [Jesus Storybook Bible: Get Ready](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/get-ready) ### The Body of Christ **Ephesians 4:15-16** This famous passage from Ephesians describes the Body of Christ or the Church. Paul reminds the believers that they are all a part of the same team – and that each person has a part to play. This is a great lesson about teamwork because you can use it to show kids that all the different parts of the body help the whole thing to grow. So no matter their talents, they can all contribute to God’s Church! This example works for other teams as well. Ask your kids to think about what it would be like to be on a team where everyone was great at scoring, but no one was good at defense. How would that work out? Teamwork is all about using our own talents to serve the greater good and encouraging others use theirs too. **Related Episodes to Watch:** [Connect: The Body of Christ](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/the-body-of-christ) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Teamwork --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Sportsmanship](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-sportsmanship/) **Published:** August 1, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9SNyKoLeSFGZWCTFoC5B.jpg) “Be a good sport!” … How many times did I heart that phrase growing up? And I didn’t even play competitive sports! Yet, good sportsmanship is a quality that many parents and teachers want to cultivate in kids. Sportsmanship is more than being a “good sport” on the football field or gymnastics arena – it’s having a good attitude and remember to love God and love our neighbors, no matter what we’re doing (sports or other activities). The Bible is full of stories about people having a great attitude and glorifying God. Read below for 3 Bible stories about sportsmanship. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Sportsmanship ### Joseph **Genesis 37-46** Joseph had every reason to have a bad attitude! His brothers sold him into slavery, he was tricked and treated poorly by his owner’s wife, and he ended up in prison in Egypt. And yet, Joseph showed nothing but good sportsmanship and a great attitude throughout his entire life! In fact, when his brothers came to Egypt to look for food (and Joseph was second in command over all of Egypt!) he welcomed them with open arms and gave them the best of everything. Throughout the challenges in Joseph’s life, he always gave glory to God and treated other people well. Talk to your kids about times they have faced adversity, in sports or at school or with friends. Ask them how Joseph responded, and how that helps them think through the the ways they can show good sportsmanship and a good attitude. **Related Episodes on Minno:** [VeggieTales: The Ballad of Little Joe](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/the-ballad-of-little-joe) [60 Second Bible Stories: Joseph](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories/videos/joseph) Holy Moly: [Joseph and His Brothers](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/joseph-and-his-brothers), [Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/joseph-interprets-pharaohs-dream), [Joseph Forgives](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/joseph-forgives) Read and Share Bible: [Joseph The Slave](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-the-slave), [Joseph in Jail](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-in-jail), [Joseph in Charge](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-in-charge), [Joseph and His Brothers](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-and-his-brothers) [Connect: Joseph in Egypt ](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/joseph-in-egypt) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Forgiving Prince](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-forgiving-prince) [Bugtime Adventures: Blessing in Disguise](https://www.gominno.com/series/bugtime-adventures/videos/blessing-in-disguise) Friends and Heroes: [Senators First](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/senators-first), [Horseplay](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/horseplay) ### Hebrews 12:1-2 This passage from the book of Hebrews is one of the most famous in the Bible, and it is perfect for talking with your kids about good sportsmanship! Ask your kids what they think it means to “run with endurance the race that is set before us”? The author of Hebrews is asking believers to keep their focus on following Jesus, who will always be there to help us. Even when we are tired, or we have obstacles, Hebrews is telling us to keep a good attitude and run alongside Jesus. ### Ephesians 4:1-16 Ephesians 4:1-16 is a famous passage on the body of Christ (the church) and it has many good principles for sportsmanship embedded in its text. Start by reading the passage out loud and asking your kids where they see the attitude of good sportsmanship reflected. You’ll find it at the beginning where Paul urges the people to have humility, gentleness, patience, and unity. All of these are qualities of good sportsmanship! However, the passage is also about the goal of good sportsmanship – building other people up, working together, and doing everything for the glory of God. Ask your kids to point out parts of the passage that encourage these things. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Sports, Sportsmanship --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Self-Control](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-self-control/) **Published:** July 9, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/t7ZEHJtcSYmKrXNwHDYp.jpg) When I think about self-control, the first thing that comes to mind certainly isn’t kids under the age of 10. Or 15. Or 20. Or 25. Or 30 . . . Or 40, 50, 60 . . . self-control is HARD, no matter how old you are! And yet, the Bible has a lot to say about this particular fruit of the Spirit. *How do we even begin to cultivate a spirit of self-control in kids?* As kids reach different stages of neurological development, self-control becomes more attainable. Toddlers and young preschoolers have very little impulse control, and elementary kids aren’t much better (neurologically speaking). But these precious years provide so many opportunities to plant seeds that the Holy Spirit will grow in our kids as they mature. Little by little, they’ll grow in self-control as they learn in small ways at first (ignoring the yummy cookies on the kitchen counter) and then bigger ways (not hitting their brother or sister, even though they really, really want to) and eventually, even bigger ways (how to avoid the temptations that come in adolescence and adulthood). One awesome way to start teaching your kids about self-control is by reading them Bible stories that talk about self-control. #### **3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Self-Control** #### **David and Saul** 1 Samuel 24 **Bible Truth:** Because I trust God, I can use self-control. Saul was chasing David and trying to kill him. David spent many days and nights hiding, and someone told Saul where David was. Saul went into a cave to use the bathroom, and David and his men were hiding in there! David snuck up and cut off a piece of Saul’s robe without him knowing. But David could have killed Saul, who was trying to kill him! David showed self-control because he knew that God still wanted Saul to be king. David said to Saul, “For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.” (1 Samuel 24:11–12). David knew that God had a plan, and he trusted God, even though he could have acted to protect himself and kill his enemy! David showed self-control because he knew God’s plan needed to be in God’s timing. **Related Memory Verse:** *For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.* 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV **Continue the conversation about gentleness by watching [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com/) this week or these shows streaming now on Minno:** [What’s in the Bible?: The People Want a King](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-people-want-a-king) [Read and Share Bible: David is Chased](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/david-is-chased) #### **Nehemiah** Nehemiah 4 **Bible Truth:** I can use self-control even when it’s hard. Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem to rebuilds its walls after the exodus. While he and others were building the wall, armies from nearby came and started to attack them! Nehemiah showed self-control and didn’t fight back. Instead, he stationed some of his men to be guards while the others worked. Nehemiah knew that God would protect them. He acted calmly and with self-control. **Related Memory Verse:** *Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control that one who takes a city.* Proverbs 16:32 NIV **Continue the conversation about gentleness by watching [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com/) this week or these shows streaming now on Minno:** [Topsy Turvy: Nehemiah](https://www.gominno.com/series/topsy-turvy/videos/nehemiah) [What’s in the Bible? Ezra and Nehemiah](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/ezra-nehemiah) #### **Jesus in the Wilderness** Matthew 4:1–11 **Bible Truth:** Jesus helps me when I’m tempted. After His baptism, Jesus went to the wilderness for 40 days. While He was there, Satan came to tempt Him. Jesus showed self-control. Satan offered Him control over the whole world, but Jesus knew that God’s kingdom would eventually be the only kingdom. Jesus is the perfect expression of all the fruits of the Spirit, including self-control. Jesus is kindness, goodness, love, and patience. We can look to Jesus and pray to become more like Him in every way, including self-control. **Related Memory Verse:** *Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.* Matthew 4:10 CEV **Continue the conversation about gentleness by watching [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com/) this week or this show streaming now on Minno:** [Read and Share Bible: Jesus Tempted by Satan](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/jesus-tempted-by-satan) **TAKE IT FURTHER!** Download these [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Self-Control](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-self-control) to help your family hide God’s Word in your heart as you learn this important Fruit of the Spirit! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit, Self-Control --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Respect](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-respect/) **Published:** August 7, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jbvjUaiTSrisUg6Cyqdt.jpg) Respect … R-E-S-P-E-C-T! It’s one of the most foundational and important lessons we can teach our kids about interacting with other people. From respecting elders to respecting people with different backgrounds to respecting other kids’ wishes, the need for respect is everywhere. The Bible is full of stories about showing respect. Check out 3 Bible stories below to teach your kids about respect. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Respect ### Ephesians 6:1-4 Parents may be particularly big fans of this passage because in it Paul urges children to obey their parents – to honor and respect them! Ask your kids to read through the verses, then think about the following questions. Why does Paul tell children that they should obey parents? Does this count for adults and their parents as well? How does obedience relate to respect? ### Nehemiah Respects the King **Nehemiah 2:1-8** Nehemiah was working as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes while the Israelites were in exile, and he knew that the wall around Jerusalem had been destroyed. He really wanted to go back to Jerusalem and check it out for himself, and rebuild the wall. But he knew he would need the king’s permission! Ask your kids how they would approach the king under these circumstances. With a lot of respect, of course! Read through the story and ask your kids to point out how Nehemiah showed the king respect. ***Read it in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): God Gets it Done, page 166*** **Related Episodes to Watch:** [The Bentley Brothers: Nehemiah](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-bentley-brothers/videos/nehemiah) [What’s in the Bible?: Ezra and Nehemiah](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/ezra-nehemiah) ### Romans 13:1-7 This is a classic Biblical passage on respecting people in authority. We know that respect and honor are important to God because of the way they are talked about in the Bible, including in this passage. Paul reminds us in this passage that all authority comes from him, so when we respect people in authority it is a way of showing respect to God. When reading this passage with your kids, ask them to reflect on who has authority in their lives and whether it is hard or easy to respect them. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Respect --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Relationships](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-relationships/) **Published:** August 19, 2016 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FcDEDa5R4StfaOR5zZyd.jpg) Some of my earliest memories are of our home being filled with people…family, friends, those in need…my parents are the most relational people I have ever met. We were always taught the value of people, of our connection to them. We watched my mom and dad nurture and serve and love. My family was built on the legacy of relationship. But times have changed. Or so it seems. Our culture today is fast-paced and full. Full schedules and full Facebook feeds often keep us from truly connecting with the people in our lives. Our motivation is often what can that person do for me, even if we don’t realize it. But the Bible is full of examples of beautiful relationships that were built on love and loyalty, not ambition and convenience. I want to overcome the current state of our culture and return back to the root of relationships I was taught as a child. I want for my kids what I experienced years ago – hours of carefree fellowship and connection based on the common ground of faith. We can teach our children the value of relationships by looking to the Word for stories and truths that encourage authentic heart connection. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Relationships ### 1. Friendship with Jesus *“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”* John 15:12-15 Jesus calls us his friend and He wants to be in relationship with us. Throughout the Gospels we see the friendship of Jesus and his disciples develop. Although their intent was to serve and follow Jesus as Master, He calls them friends and even hints at His coming death to show just how deep His love for them will go. Jesus’ love and sacrifice for those He walked with is the ultimate example of relationship. Though we may not physically lay down our lives for our friends, we can sacrifice for others just as He sacrificed for us. Use this example to share with your children that Jesus calls us friend and He wants to live in relationship with us. This means that He wants us to get to know Him and He wants us to share our lives with Him – every joy, every care, every hurt, every triumph. As we grow in relationship with Jesus, we will better understand how to grow in relationship with others and love them the way He loves us. **Related verse:** “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Connect: The 12 Disciples](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/the-12-disciples) [Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9](https://www.gominno.com/series/galaxy%20buck) ### 2. Ruth and Naomi *“Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.’ But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.’ And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.”* Ruth 1:14-18 ESV Loyalty and commitment make relationships lasting and fruitful. After her husband died, Ruth could have easily left her mother-in-law to start a new life and find a new family. But Ruth chose to be loyal to her husband’s family, even without him. The Bible says Ruth “clung” to Naomi. In loyalty and trust, Ruth followed Naomi and committed to stay with her, no matter what. Use this story to teach your child about loyalty and commitment. To be loyal means to be faithful; to stay with someone or something. In today’s culture where we are encouraged to constantly be looking for the next best thing, it’s easy to forget the value of loyalty and commitment, especially in relationships. But God teaches the importance of remaining true to those we love over and over again in the Bible – first to Himself and then to people in our lives. Our family and friends are put in our lives by God as we follow Him. When we remain committed to those He blesses us with…first and foremost, our parents…we will see His plans fulfilled in our lives and in the lives of others. **Related verse:** “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'” Ephesians 6:1-3 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [What’s in the Bible?: The Cycle of Misery](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/cycle-of-misery) [Buck Denver and Friends: Ruth ](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-and-friends/videos/ruth) [Holy Moly: Naomi and Ruth](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/naomi-and-ruth) [Read and Share Bible: Ruth and Naomi](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/ruth-and-naomi) [Friends and Heroes: Lost in Alexandria](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/lost-in-alexandria) ### 3. David and Jonathan *“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.”* 1 Samuel 18:1-5 God uses our friendships to make us stronger. Sometimes God blesses us with a family member or friend who is super special. This may be a parent or a sibling or a best friend. Our hearts feel tied so closely to this person. We look up to them, want to be like them and live to bless them. This is how it was with David and Jonathan in the Bible. Jonathan was King Saul’s son. Even though a son would normally be in line to become king, Jonathan knew David was chosen by God to be king after Saul. Jonathan could have been jealous of David. But he trusted God and loved David. The Bible shows their deep friendship that grew in the midst of a difficult time of war and transition. Use this story to share with your child that God will use our relationships with special people to make us stronger. Just like God used Jonathan to love David and support him through battle and becoming king, God can use others in our lives to love us, support us and help us grow. God can also use us in this way in the lives of our friends and family members. Just like two pieces of iron rubbed together will make both pieces sharper, two people who come together in love and relationship will become stronger. **Related verse:** “Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Friends and Heroes: Friends, Romans, and Mystery Men ](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/friends-romans-and-mystery-men) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Peace](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-peace/) **Published:** August 21, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/11JuqShpQMCipVFhEAA5.jpg) My kids are not inherently peaceful people; but really, *are any of us?* They fight, yell, use their loudest voices to communicate the smallest things, interrupt constantly, and leave a trail of clutter literally everywhere. Nothing about our home is peaceful, and yet Scripture calls us to have peaceful spirits. *As parents (and people), how do we cultivate a spirit* *of peace in the utterly un-peaceful world of children?* A spirit of peace transcends the chaos of a given moment. It doesn’t mean living a zen-like existence, but rather being secure in the ultimate promises that give us peace, no matter what comes our way. The first place we can go to is God’s Word, and see what God says about peace. #### 3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Peace **Jacob and Esau** Genesis 25, 33 **Bible Truth:** Peace comes through forgiveness and repentance. Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. Because he was the oldest, Esau should have had the better birthright. But Jacob tricked Esau into giving up his birthright, and later Jacob stole their father’s blessing from Esau. Esau was very mad and Jacob left for many years. When Jacob was ready to return, he was very nervous. How could he be at peace with his brother, when he had done so many wrong things? Would they be able to live peacefully? When they met, Jacob tried to give Esau gifts, but Esau just forgave him. This is a beautiful example of peace between two brothers after years of being angry and apart! **Related Memory Verse:** *Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.* Ephesians 4:32 **Continue the conversation about Jacob and Esau in these Minno episodes:** [Holy Moly: Jacob and Esau](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/jacob-and-esau) [Bibleman: Braving the Big Battle with the Baroness ](https://www.gominno.com/series/bibleman-the-animated-adventures/videos/braving-the-big-battle-with-the-baroness) [Read and Share Bible: Jacob and Esau](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/jacob-and-esau) . . . . . . . . . . **Abigail, David, and Nabal** 1 Samuel 25 **Bible Truth:** Be a peacemaker. During the time David was running from King Saul, he sent some of his men to ask a landowner named Nabal to share some food and supplies. Nabal was mean and said no and insulted David, who told his men to get ready to fight. But Nabal’s wife Abigail was wise and kind! She took David supplies and food and encouraged him not to attack Nabal in revenge. David thanked her for stopping the attack and keeping the peace! **Related Memory Verse:** *Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.* Matthew 5:9 . . . . . . . . . . **Jesus Gives Us Peace** John 14:27–31 In John 14, Jesus is talking to His disciples shortly before He is crucified. He knows they will be scared, but He promises them a spirit of peace. Even though He will leave them, He promises them “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He doesn’t promise His disciples a peaceful, easy life when they will always relax and never experience conflict or fear. But He does promise that ultimately, they will live together again in peace when Jesus returns. That means that no matter what they face, the disciples’ future is secure because of Jesus. This gives them true peace, not a peace based on their situation. We can share in that same peace when we believe in Jesus! **Related Memory Verse:** *Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.* John 14:27 **![Laugh and Grow Bible Bestseller Graph...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kmK9cyPTyKpe5CmNmadu.jpg)** **Read more Bible stories about Jesus and the peace He brings in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids).** **Continue the conversation about PEACE with these Minno episodes:** [Treasure Champs: Peacefulness ](https://www.gominno.com/series/treasure-champs/videos/peacefulness) [Micah’s Super Vlog: Peace (The Fruit of Spirit) ](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog-the-fruit-of-the-spirit/videos/peace-fruit-of-the-spirit) [Night Owls & Early Birds: Love, Joy, & Peace ](https://www.gominno.com/series/night-owls-and-early-birds/videos/love-joy-and-peace) [Micah’s Super Vlog: Boots of Peace](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog-armor-of-god/videos/boots-of-peace) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit, Peace --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Love](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-love/) **Published:** February 8, 2023 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Kz4rnN9qQxCupxHJdf8v.jpg) My daughter gets off the bus with a blank face. Maybe she’s tired or maybe it’s been a tough day at school. Kindergarten is just hard, folks. She runs to me and I reach out my arms to welcome her. No matter what the day held, she’s home now. She’s mine. I ask her about her day. *What did you do? Who did you play with?* Almost always these days, our conversation moves to the “mean girl.” When her teacher first told us about the “mean girl” in our semester conference, I was surprised. My daughter had never mentioned an issue. Almost simultaneously though, she began to share about the girl who bullies her away from playing with others. She’s unleashed her fury on all the girls, not just mine. I’m slowly getting over the fact that my daughter is in kindergarten and already dealing with a “mean girl” by focusing my energy on intentionally teaching her how NOT to be one and how to love one. Though I’m surprised and honestly annoyed that we are facing this issue, I am thankful the interaction is encouraging us to make love the theme in our conversations of faith. I’ve been looking for more ways to show my kids what the Bible says about love. Here are a few stories we’re focusing on during this season. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Love #### The Vine and the Branches [John 15:9-15](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+15%3A9-15&version=ESV) **Bible Truth:** Jesus loves us, and that helps us love others. Through Jesus’ illustration of the grapevine, we see our relationship with Him as life-giving, nourishing, and as important as the connection between the vine and branch. This simple, yet powerful picture is one your children can understand. Verse 9 encourages us to remain in His love. Love comes from a heart that is connected to Jesus. When we truly know Him and understand His heart for us and for others, we will love well. **Related Memory Verse:** *We love because he first loved us. ([1 John 4:19](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A19&version=ESV))* #### Zacchaeus [Luke 19:1-10](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19%3A1-10&version=ESV) **Bible Truth:** God helps me love hard to love people. Even though he was known as a sinful, tax collector, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus the day He came to town. Use this story to help your child understand that unkind, unpleasant, unlovable people still want to be known and loved even though they don’t act like it. Jesus gives a wonderful example in this story of reaching out to someone who is unloved by many. He goes out of His way to reach out and Zacchaeus’ heart is changed by His love. **Related Memory Verse:** *Love others as I have loved you. ([John 15:12](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+15%3A12&version=ESV))* **Continue the conversation about loving the unlovable by watching these shows about Zaccheus on Minno:** [Holy Moly: Zacchaeus the Tax Collector](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/zacchaeus-the-tax-collector) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Man Who Didn’t Have Any Friends (None) ](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-man-who-didnt-have-any-friends-none) [Tune Time: Chips](https://www.gominno.com/series/tunetime/videos/chips) [Friends and Heroes: Senators Only](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/senators-only) #### The Good Samaritan [Luke 10:26-37](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+10%3A26-37&version=ESV) **Bible Truth:** Love those in need. Jesus instructs us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” When asked “Who is our neighbor?” He responds with this story we’ve all heard a thousand times in so many ways. The Good Samaritan is a foundational example of what it means to be a Christian. Our children need to be encouraged to notice those in need around them. Through this teaching, we can help foster a heart of compassion in our kids. We can teach them to see and then act when others are in need. In doing so, we are encouraging a love that puts others first. **Related Memory Verse:** *Love your neighbor as yourself. ([Luke 10:27](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+10%3A27&version=ESV))* **Continue the conversation about loving those in need by watching these shows about the Good Samaritan on Minno:** [Pahappahooey Island: The Good Island Samaritan](https://www.gominno.com/series/pahappahooey-island/videos/the-good-island-samaritan) [Holy Moly: The Parable of the Good Samaritan](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/the-parable-of-the-good-samaritan) [Friends and Heroes: Lost in Alexandria](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/lost-in-alexandria) [Theo: Love Thy Neighbor](https://www.gominno.com/series/theo/videos/love-thy-neighbor) Want more Bible help to teach your kids about love? Download our [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Love](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-love) printable. . . . . . . . . . . **[Minno Shows About Love](https://www.gominno.com/series/shows%20about%20love)** Check out [this list of all the Minno streaming shows about love](https://www.gominno.com/series/shows%20about%20love) to teach kids about the true meaning of love from a biblical perspective. If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/foWB0lOSDm9c5qC0VvWF.jpg) Download this summary image or Pin it on Pinterest so you can refer back to it later! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Seasonal **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit, Love --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Kindness](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-kindness/) **Published:** November 10, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IhoDGZdhT662KX4h0bXa.jpg) A few years ago as I was asking God to show me how to teach my kids to be kind, I heard him say, *Raise kids who are so aware of others, so confident in their own skin and so thankful for their blessings they can’t help but be kind.* And ever since, this has been my goal. Simple, right? Not really. Our kids (like us) were born with a sin nature. So it’s not natural for them to choose kindness. Some kids have a more angelic disposition than others but for the most part, kids need to learn and develop kindness as a deeply rooted attitude, not just a behavior. I spent years teaching my kids to “act kind” instead of nurturing the soil in their hearts that will grow kindness. After hearing this clear direction on how to raise kind kids I decided it was time to take the focus off their outward actions and begin cultivating a spirit of kindness within them. When we help our kids prepare good heart-soil and plant seeds of self-worth, they will relate to others out of an overflow of kindness. If you want to help your kids understand what it means to kind, focus on these… # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids about Kindness #### **The Golden Rule** Luke 6:27-31 **Bible Truth:** Treat others how you want to be treated. “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” It’s a simple directive we should easily remember. And it makes perfect sense. But that doesn’t make it any easier. Jesus gives this instruction in the midst of his teaching to love our enemies. He’s telling us, “It doesn’t matter what someone else does to you. Love them. Be kind anyway.” Our kindness cannot be based on the actions or attitude of another. When they come to us with friendship trouble, we always say to our kids, “You cannot control what your friend does or says. You only have control over your words and actions. Choose kindness.” But what does kindness look and sound like? Jesus tells us clearly in this passage… Whatever it is you would want someone else to do or say in a situation . . . do or say just that. Even though kindness isn’t all about our outward actions, it does come out in what we say and do. If we are developing a spirit of kindness deep within our hearts, we will more easily choose to treat others the way we want to be treated. The more we choose kindness, the more it will become our natural reaction. **Related Memory Verse:** *Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)* #### **The Good Samaritan** Luke 10:29-37 **Bible Truth:** Love your neighbor. Jesus tells this story of the Good Samaritan to teach us what it means to love our neighbor. One day a man was walking along the road and was suddenly robbed, beaten and left hurting. One man passed by and ignored him, and then another. Later, a Samaritan man came upon him and stopped to help. The Bible says the Samaritan man had compassion on him. After telling this story, Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The answer, of course, is the Good Samaritan. Jesus told this story as an example of what it means to be kind to others, even those we don’t know who need our help. The Samaritan had compassion for the hurting man and maybe it was because he recognized it could have been him who had been robbed. Perhaps he was so thankful to be safe he just had to help. Whatever his motivation, the Samaritan man chose God’s way of kindness along the road that day. When we recognize our blessings and our power to help others, we can reach out in kindness to be a good neighbor. **Related Memory Verse:** *Love your neighbor as yourself. ([Luke 10:27](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+10%3A27&version=ESV))* **Continue the conversation about loving your neighbor by watching these shows about the Good Samaritan on Minno:** [Pahappahooey Island: The Good Island Samaritan](https://www.gominno.com/series/pahappahooey-island/videos/the-good-island-samaritan) [Holy Moly: The Parable of the Good Samaritan](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/the-parable-of-the-good-samaritan) [Friends and Heroes: Lost in Alexandria](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/lost-in-alexandria) [Theo: Love Thy Neighbor](https://www.gominno.com/series/theo/videos/love-thy-neighbor) #### **The Popularity Principle** Proverbs 3:3-6 **Bible Truth:** Kindness is best! Right before the very popular verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. . .” is one that I believe is the key to kindness and growing a God reputation with friends and leaders in our lives. The Bible says, “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you . . . then you will find favor and you will earn a good (GOD) reputation.” There’s nothing wrong with the desire to be liked. We all want to be known and loved. But when our desire to be popular causes us to make bad choices, it’s just not worth it. In this passage, we can see that God’s way of loyalty and kindness will bring about the right kind of popularity – the kind that leads to a good reputation among friends and leaders. In verses 5 and 6 we read that trusting God will always lead us down the best path. When we’re confident in who God made us to be, we can trust him with our lives. Choosing kindness may not be “popular” in the moment but the Bible promises it will always lead to our best reputation and the best outcome. **Related Memory Verse:** *When you are kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself.* *(Proverbs 11:17 MSG)* Want more Bible help to teach your kids about kindness? Download our [5 Bible Memory Verses About Kindness](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-bible-verses-for-kids-about-kindness) printable. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit, Kindness --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Integrity](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-integrity/) **Published:** August 8, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![Laugh and Grow Bible One Year Reading...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xU3hTG7qRnWq0tZ1xrxo.jpg) Integrity can be a tricky topic to teach kids! It’s something we all desire to pass on to them, but it’s not as clear-cut as explaining, say, honesty or kindness. In fact, Dictionary.com defines it as “adherence to moral or ethical principles” … which as Christians, we would define as Biblical principles. Integrity involves consistency as well — someone who always does the right thing. The best way to teach kids about integrity is by example – both modeling it as well as pointing it out when you see it. The Bible is full of examples of what it means to live with integrity. Check out these 3 Bible stories below. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Integrity ### Jesus is Tempted **Luke 4:1-13** After Jesus was baptized, he went into the wilderness for 40 days. While he was there, he was tempted by the devil. But Jesus showed amazing, perfect integrity to the Word of God and to his character! Jesus quoted the Old Testament to stay strong, and showed faithfulness to his mission as the Son of God. Read this story with your kids and ask them how they think Jesus showed integrity when he was tempted. Ask if they think it was hard or easy to Jesus to say no to the devil. ***Read it in the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): The Desert Temptation, page 242*** Related Episodes to Watch: [What’s in the Bible? The Messiah Has Come](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-messiah-has-come) [5 Minute Family Devotional: Jesus is Tempted](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jesus-is-tempted) [Read and Share Bible: Jesus is Tempted by Satan](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/jesus-tempted-by-satan) ### Samuel **1 Samuel 12:1-5** Samuel is one of the most amazing people in the Bible! As a prophet, he gave messages to the Israelites and their kings from God. Samuel anointed both Saul and David to be king, and he served as an advisor. In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel is giving his farewell address. In verses 1-5, he reminds the people of his integrity, to show them that they should have the same integrity before the Lord. After you read this story, ask your kids to think about what they would ask other people about them. Examples could be, “Do I behave well? or Do I love people well?” Think about what you would want the answers to be and what that says about what you view as important. ***Read about Samuel in the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): King Saul, page 124 and David and Goliath, page 130*** Related Episodes to Watch: [Holy Moly: God Calls Samuel](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/god-calls-samuel) [Holy Moly: Samuel Anoints David](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/samuel-anoints-david) [What’s in the Bible? The People Want a King](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-people-want-a-king) [Friends and Heroes: Hostages](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/hostages) [5 Minute Family Devotional – Old Testament Heroes: Samuel](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/samuel-god-spoke-through-him) [Books of the Bible: 1 Samuel](https://www.gominno.com/series/books-of-the-bible/videos/1-samuel) ### Job **Job 2:1-9** Job is one of the hardest stories in the whole Bible. (Definitely check out [What’s in the Bible? Poems in the Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/poems-in-the-bible) for a fantastic overview of the book of Job.) In it, Job is an honesty and upright man, but Satan tests his faith by taking away everything from him. Even Job’s wife asks him in Verse 9, “Do you hold fast to your integrity?” and Job does! He stands by God and everything that God has done. After you read this story (and maybe watch the [What’s in the Bible? episode about Job](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/poems-in-the-bible)), talk to your kids about Job’s faithfulness and how hard that must have been. Ask them if they have ever struggled to trust God and that he knows what is best for us. Pray together for God to give you all strength, faith and trust – and integrity to walk in God’s ways, no matter how hard it is. ***Read it in the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): He Gives and Takes Away, page 182*** Related Episodes to Watch: [What’s in the Bible?: Poems in the Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/poems-in-the-bible) [Sing Through the Bible: Job](https://www.gominno.com/series/sing-through-the-bible/videos/job-sing-along) [5 Minute Family Devotional – Old Testament Heroes: Job](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/job-god-gives-and-takes-away) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Integrity --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Humility](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-humility/) **Published:** July 25, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PpLBFt2hTWuXvwnDBCAP.jpg) The word “humble” appears all throughout the Bible—Old and New Testaments, descriptions of Jesus, teachings of Jesus, and more. It is clear that God values a humble heart and calls His followers to pursue a life of humility. *But how do we teach humility to our kids?* Humility means not thinking too highly of ourselves and filling our minds and hearts up with pride. It allows us to put other people first, but humility does not mean being weak. The Bible is full of stories that show us what it means to be humble—either by example or by God correcting His prideful people. Use the stories below to start conversations with your kids about what it means to be humble. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Humility #### Jesus Condemns the Pharisees **Matthew 23:1-12** **Bible Truth:** When I put others first, God lifts me up. While teaching one day, Jesus started talking about the Pharisees and describing how they acted. The behavior He describes is the opposite of humility—they do everything for show, they take the best seats and wear the biggest tassels, and demand respect when they walk around. Jesus lived in the opposite way! He was born in a lowly barn, He put others before Himself, and He never bragged. Jesus tells His followers that *“Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.”* After you read this story as a family, ask your kids to point out the ways the Pharisees were not humble. Then ask them to reflect on their own motivations and hearts, and then pray together and ask God for humility like Jesus. **Related Verse:** Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 NLT #### John the Baptist **John 3:22-30** **Bible Truth:** Jesus deserves first place! John the Baptist is a very important person in the New Testament! He was a cousin of Jesus, and he was chosen to proclaim that the Messiah had come. In this famous story, John says one of the most well known verses in the Bible: *“he must increase, but I must decrease.”* What a beautiful, humbling prayer! John is giving us a picture of what it means to be humble, and to seek Jesus before ourselves and our own gain. Pray John 3:30 together as a family. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Try praying this frequently, when you are feeling prideful or struggling with humility. **Related Verse:** He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 ESV **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Connect: The Baptism of Jesus](/series/connect/videos/the-baptism-of-jesus) [TuneTime: Tunie Power](/series/tunetime/videos/tunie-power) [Friends and Heroes: Gladiator School](/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/gladiator-school) #### King Nebuchadnezzar **Daniel 4** **Bible Truth:** God will help me keep a humble heart. There are several stories about King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel, and the story of Daniel 4 is a really powerful testimony about humility. In this story, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that he doesn’t understand, and so he asks Daniel to interpret it for him. Daniel tells him that in the dream, King Nebuchadnezzar is the tree who is chopped down and made to live with wild animals. Daniel says he will have to live this way for 7 years, until he learns that God is in control of everything. Nebuchadnezzar was not a humble king! He was very proud of his kingdom and his palace. One day, Nebuchadnezzar was walking and surveying his kingdom and bragging about it, when all of the sudden he could no longer speak and had to go live with wild animals. He spent 7 years away from his kingdom, just like in his dream. At the end of 7 years, he praised God and knew that God was in charge. He wrote a letter to his people and said, *“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”* Daniel 4:37 What an amazing story about the transformation from pride to humility! While God doesn’t usually work by making people go live with wild animals, we can see in this story how much God values a humble spirit. We can pray and ask God to work in our heart and make us more humble. **Related Verse:** He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. Psalm 25:9 NLT **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Humility --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Honesty](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-honesty/) **Published:** August 1, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BQeWvvTUS8uiWjiN2JqU.jpg) Honesty seems like a pretty literal issue to teach to kids – something is usually either a lie, or not a lie (at least when dealing with the under-10 set). It’s not a murky issue in the Bible either, which is full of stories of people being killed on the spot for lying (Ananias and Sapphira, Achan, to name a few). The Bible also makes it very clear through the ninth commandment, throughout the letters of Paul, and in the Proverbs that lying is an affront to God. But how do we show our kids examples from the Bible that won’t scare them, like the stories of Ananias and Sapphira? How can we show them how much God loves truth – that indeed, God IS truth – and encourage them to live truthful, faithful lives? Here are 3 Bible stories and passages to help teach your kids about honesty. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Honesty ### Zacchaeus **Luke 19:1-10** Your kids (and you!) probably know the song about Zacchaeus, the wee little man who climbed up in a sycamore tree. But Zacchaeus’ story has an important lesson about honesty! Zacchaeus was a tax collector, known for how rich he had become – likely by being dishonest and keeping some tax money for himself. But one day, Jesus came to Zacchaeus’ town and Zacchaeus had the chance to meet him. In fact, Jesus went to his house! What Zacchaeus did next was amazing! He told Jesus that he would give half of his possessions to the poor and that he would pay people back 4 times what he had cheated them. Not only does Zacchaeus see the error of his ways, but he has a total change of heart. He no longer wanted to live a dishonest life, but an honest one – because he came to know and believe in Jesus. **Continue the conversation about honesty by watching these shows on Minno:** [Holy Moly: Zacchaeus the Tax Collector ](/series/holy-moly/videos/zacchaeus-the-tax-collector) [TuneTime: Chocolate](/series/tunetime/videos/chocolate) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Man Who Didn’t Have Any Friends (None)](/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-man-who-didnt-have-any-friends-none) [TuneTime: Chips](/series/tunetime/videos/chips) [Friends and Heroes: Senators Only](/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/senators-only) ### Proverbs 14:25 This is a short proverb about the importance of being honest. The NCV translation says it well – *“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.”* Read this proverb with your kids, and then ask them to think of an example (real or fiction) of this statement. This will help them see the emotional consequences of lying, and will help them internalize the importance of always telling the truth. ### Ananias and Sapphira **Acts 5:1-11** The story of Ananias and Sapphira is not a fun one! Ananias and Sapphira were a married couple who sold their land and gave the proceeds to the disciples – only they didn’t give all of the money. They lied, telling Peter that it was all of the money when in fact they had saved some back for themselves. When Peter confronted them, they died! While sudden death seems like a very harsh punishment for lying, it shows us how much God hates dishonesty. Tread lightly as you have a conversation about this story with your kids, perhaps reserving it only for older kids. You can have a discussion about how much God hates sin, and how he hated sin so much and loved us so much that he sent his son Jesus to defeat the power sin forever. By connecting this scary story with the gracious character of God, you can show your kids that God is holy – and his holiness leads to his hatred of sin, and his desire for all people to live in peace together with him. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Honesty --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Goodness](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-goodness/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gijdKCRHTXiUqTrjnlYY.jpg) Goodness can be tricky to explain to kids because it’s one thing to be “good” and it’s another thing to have a [spirit of goodness](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-to-find-and-be-the-good-in-a-broken-world). Acting “good” flows out of the spirit of goodness, which is a [fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22](https://www.gominno.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-lesson-series-minno-church-at-home). **Goodness is the rightly-ordered motivation behind our desire to act well, and it prioritizes what God desires: love of others, rightness, [justice](https://www.gominno.com/blog/family-resources-on-racial-injustice), and mercy**. As parents, we desire for our kids to behave and “be good,” but cultivating a spirit of goodness is less about a behavioral outcome. We cannot disciple toward goodness, but we can cultivate a desire to do what is right, good, and just in our children. Scripture is full of examples of goodness through stories that can help your kids understand what goodness is and why we should grow in it. Here are 3 Bible stories about goodness to share with your kids: ## 3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Goodness **King Hezekiah** 2 Chronicles 29 **Bible Truth:** Following God inspires goodness. In the long line of evil kings in Israel and Judah, King Hezekiah stands out as one of the only good kings. He showed goodness through his actions and decrees, and his goodness was rooted in his love for God. In 2 Chronicles 29, Hezekiah became king and reopened the Lord’s temple, cleansed it, and commanded his people to worship God again. Verse 2 says, “he did was was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.” Hezekiah committed himself to the Lord. He said, “Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel” “(2 Chronicles 29:10). Out of his love for God, Hezekiah made choices and decrees that led all of the Israelites to worship God again. His good actions were caused by his heart that loved and honored God, a heart that was full of goodness. **Related Memory Verse:** “For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:9 **Esther** Esther 4 **Bible Truth:** Goodness leads to right and just actions. Esther, a Jewish woman, became queen! Her husband King Xerxes didn’t know she was Jewish, and his evil associate Haman planned to kill all of the Jews. Esther had a choice: she could stand up for what was right and risk her life to protect God’s people, or she could ignore their plight and stay safe. Esther did the good and right thing: she told the king, and he listened to her and the Jewish people were saved. Esther’s goodness led her to do the right thing, and God saved his people through her actions. **Related Memory Verse:** “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Ruth 4:14 ***Read it in the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids): Brave Queen Esther, page 172*** Continue the conversation about Esther with these Minno episodes: [What’s in the Bible?: Brave Queen Esther](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/brave-queen-esther) [Holy Moly: Queen Esther](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/queen-esther) [VeggieTales: Esther, The Girl Who Became Queen ](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/esther-the-girl-who-became-queen) **The Good Samaritan** Luke 10:25–37 **Bible Truth:** Loving your neighbor is an act of goodness. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan to share with his followers what it means to be a good neighbor, to “love your neighbor as yourself.” In the parable (a short story Jesus told to illustrate a point), a man was attacked by robbers and left to die. A priest and Jewish man both passed by, but a Samaritan stopped to help the man. (Jews and Samaritans were enemies.) The Samaritan took the beaten man to an inn and paid for his care, which was an act of goodness, shown by the mercy and justice the good Samaritan showed the stranger. **Related Memory Verse:** “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) Continue the conversation about the Good Samaritan with these Minno episodes: [VeggieTales: Are You My Neighbor?](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/are-you-my-neighbor) [The Jesus Stories: The Good Samaritan](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-jesus-stories/videos/the-good-samaritan) [Iesodo: Kindness The Good Pigeon](https://www.gominno.com/series/iesodo/videos/kindness-the-good-pigeon) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit, Goodness --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Gentleness](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-gentleness/) **Published:** July 6, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jlgRuZ2uTbeWL29b9h7c.jpg) The Bible urges followers of Jesus to be gentle. Not only is it a fruit of the Spirit, but it is also a command in Colossians, Proverbs, and other books. Even Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart” in Matthew 11:29. What does it mean to be gentle? Gentleness is similar to kindness, but it involves cultivating a softness of heart toward other people. The Bible gives us several examples of gentleness. Below are 3 Bible stories you can use to help your kids learn about gentleness. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Gentleness ### Casting the First Stone **John 8:1-11** **Bible Truth:** I can respond with gentleness, just like Jesus! This familiar story about Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of gentleness, especially when contrasted with the behavior of the Pharisees. One day while Jesus was teaching, the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in adultery. (Adultery can be a tricky thing to explain to little kids! Ask them if they have heard of it and let them guide the conversation. If they don’t know what adultery is, here are some [thoughtful talking points from Ministry to Children](http://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-and-the-adulterous-woman/).) The Pharisees wanted to stone the woman, but Jesus stepped in and said “let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” Jesus was responding with gentleness toward the woman, and showing everyone there that they were guilty of sinning as well. He wasn’t harsh or mean about it, but rather he led with gentleness and compassion—setting an example for the Pharisees, and for us. **Related Memory Verse:** *Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)* ### The Lord is My Shepherd **Psalm 23** **Bible Truth:** God guides me with His gentle love. Psalm 23 might be the most famous Psalm in the Bible! It also gives us a beautiful picture of how God is so gentle with us. “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Read this Psalm together as a family and ask your kids to identify the phrases that show God’s gentleness. **Related Memory Verse:** Try to memorize all of Psalm 23 together as a family! ### A Gentle Answer **Proverbs 15:1** **Bible Truth:** Gentle words bring peace. This is one of the most quoted proverbs from the Bible – “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It spells out exactly how we should speak to others, and if we look back to the story about Jesus in John 8, we can easily see how he used a soft answer when the Pharisees chose a harsh word. Read this verse as a family, and then ask your kids to think about a time they responded to a tense situation with a “harsh word.” Then ask them to think about a time they responded with a soft answer, with gentleness. *What was the difference?* **Related Memory Verse:** *A tree gives us fruit, \[gentle\] words give us life. Proverbs 15:4a (ICB)* **Continue the conversation about gentleness by watching [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com) this week or these shows streaming now on Minno:** [Bibleman: Clobbering the Crusher](https://www.gominno.com/series/bibleman-the-animated-adventures) [Character Quest with Clive and Ian](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional) [Night Owls and Early Birds](https://www.gominno.com/series/night-owls-and-early-birds) [Micah’s Super Vlog: Fruit of the Spirit](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog-the-fruit-of-the-spirit) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit, Gentleness --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids about Generosity](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-generosity/) **Published:** July 6, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1LhyguQQSdycAK8ipSSG.jpg) Generosity always seemed to be built into my parents’ DNA. From the earliest days I can remember, they were so generous with their time, their money, and their gifts – whether to our church, friends, or people in need in our community. I grew up surrounded by such a spirit of generosity that sometimes I am intimidated to think how I will ever model it so well for my own kids. Being around generous people is contagious, especially around the holidays! But when it’s not the season of giving, what are the best ways to teach your kids about generosity? First, modeling a character trait is the best way to pass it on to your kids. Another great way to teach them about generosity is by reading them stories or watching shows about generosity and then discussing them as a family. The Bible has many amazing stories about the generosity of God’s people – and if you think about it, the whole Bible is the story of God’s great generosity toward us! Here are 3 Bible stories about generosity to read and discuss with your kids: # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Generosity ### The Widow’s Offering #### Mark 12:41-44 In this story, Jesus is watching people come to give their offerings at the temple. He probably sees many rich people come by and put lots of money in the offering box, but it is one poor widow who catches his eye. Jesus remarks to his disciples that her offering is worth more than the bigger offerings that the rich people brought, because she has given so much out of her so little. As you read this story as a family, think about ways that everyone can give based on what they have. Is your daughter a gifted artist? She can make cards for elderly people in your community. Does your son enjoy working outside? He can volunteer some of his free time to help a widow mow her lawn. You don’t have to be financially rich to give a lot! **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Holy Moly: The Widow’s Offering ](/series/holy-moly/videos/the-widows-offering) [Kidmo – Agents in Motion: Impacting Your Church](/series/kidmo/videos/agents-in-motion-impacting-your-church) [Friends and Heroes: Conflict](/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/conflict) ### Joseph and His Brothers #### Genesis 45 The story of Joseph is one of my very favorite in the Bible. Joseph, who has every reason in the world to ignore or punish his brothers, lavishes the “best of Egypt” upon them. It’s generosity on a whole other level! It is the kind of generosity that comes from knowing and trusting the Lord. As you read this story as a family, reflect on how you are tempted to act when someone wrongs you. Think about the strength it took for Joseph to not only forgive his brothers, but to welcome them and give them amazing gifts. Joseph is a great example of generosity! **Related Episodes on Minno:** [VeggieTales: The Ballad of Little Joe](/series/veggietales/videos/the-ballad-of-little-joe) [60 Second Bible Stories: Joseph](/series/60-second-bible-stories/videos/joseph) [Holy Moly: Joseph Forgives](/series/holy-moly/videos/joseph-forgives) [Read and Share Bible: Joseph and His Brothers](/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-and-his-brothers) [Connect: Joseph in Egypt](/series/connect/videos/joseph-in-egypt) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Forgiving Prince](/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-forgiving-prince) [Friends & Heroes: Horseplay](/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/horseplay) ### Elisha and the Widow’s Oil #### 2 Kings 4:1-7 The story of Elisha and the widow’s oil is a beautiful picture of God’s generosity. The widow has no money to pay a creditor, and he has threatened to take her two sons to be his slaves. Can you imagine the desperation she must have felt? Elisha tells her to find as many jars that she can find and use her one jar of oil to fill them – and the oil lasted and lasted, filling many jars that she could sell to pay off her debts and save her sons. One of my favorite songs from Andrew Peterson starts with this story, reminding us that Jesus’ blood is our widow’s oil. In “All You’ll Ever Need,” he sings: *The blood of Jesus, it is like the widow’s oil* *It’s enough to pay the price to set you free* *It can fill up every jar and every heart that ever beat* *When it’s all you have it’s all you’ll ever need* *When it’s all you have it’s all you’ll ever need* The Lord’s generosity is abundant, even when it feels like we are faced with nothing. As you read this story as a family, think about other stories in the Bible where God provided generously for his people. Think about the greatest example of generosity – Jesus giving his life for his people. **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Friends and Heroes: The Big Lift](/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/the-big-lift) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Generosity, Giving --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Forgiveness](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-forgiveness/) **Published:** September 17, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GOIS4gvkS7ecd4LHv9US.jpg) Summers can be really hard. Having both kids home every day can do a number on our peace and my sanity. Constant bickering over toys and seats and who needs to go to the bathroom more (I kid you not) can leave me feeling frazzled most of the time. With my nerves shot and my patience thin, I must admit, I raise my voice and use less than gentle words a time or two (*okay, maybe 10 or 20, but who’s counting?*). But after most outbursts, I pull myself together feeling God’s grace lead me to ask for forgiveness. What a beautiful picture of His redemptive love that uses our shortcomings to teach our children how to live. I’ll bend down low so they can see my face and understand my heart. *“I’m sorry,”* I say, *“Mommy should not have yelled like that. Do you forgive me?”* And the answer is always yes. Because kids don’t quite yet know how to hold on to things. Their whimsical hearts move on and their developing brains easily forget. What a beautiful picture of His redemptive love that uses our children to teach US how to live. One of the best ways we can teach our children anything is through modeling. I suppose it’s a good thing I do a stellar job modeling the need for forgiveness. And I’m learning the balance that gives them boundaries while teaching them about the grace that is available when they make mistakes, modeling their opportunity to receive forgiveness. I’m focusing more and more on teaching my children about forgiveness. The more life experiences they encounter, the more ready they will need to be to offer and accept genuine forgiveness. #### 3 Bible Stories to Teach Kids About Forgiveness **Jesus** Luke 23 “And when they came to the place . . . there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ . . . Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ And having said this he breathed his last.” [Luke 23:33-34, 46](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+22%3A33-34%2C+46&version=ESV) You can also ead the story of Jesus’ forgiveness in the **[Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids)**! **Bible Truth:** Because of Jesus, I can be forgiven! Jesus is the reason we can be forgiven and He is the reason we can forgive others. While I don’t want my children to carry an identity of sin and feel a constant need for forgiveness, I want them to understand that we all make mistakes and because of Jesus, we are forgiven when we ask Him. Use the story of Jesus dying on the cross to share the gospel with your child. Even if you’ve shared it before, focus on the fact that nothing they do or say or think can separate them from the love of Jesus. Share that when we come to Him and admit our need for His forgiveness, He responds to us with outstretched arms. Because of Jesus’ example, we know how to respond to others. We love (and forgive) because He first loved (and forgave) us (1 John 4:19). Related Memory Verse: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present or things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A38-39&version=ESV) . . . . . . . . . . The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32 **Bible Truth:** God loves me and welcomes me with open arms! Because we are part of God’s family, we are forgiven and welcome no matter what. In this story, a man’s son asks for his inheritance then leaves home and squanders it all away. Because of his poor choices, he’s left in great need. When he realizes his mistake, he humbles himself and goes back to his father. He plans to beg that his father will take him back as a servant. Instead, his father welcomes him home as a son. Use this story to share that we are a part of God’s family . . . we are His children. No matter what we do, He loves us and forgives us. This is not a free pass to do whatever we want but should instead be a great motivation to do what’s right in every situation. When we do make bad choices we are still part of God’s family. Just like parents do not leave their children just because they do something wrong, God does not abandon us. When we realize our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, He is always ready to love us and welcome us home. Related Memory Verse: See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. [1 John 3:1](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+3%3A1&version=ESV) **. . . . . . . . . .** #### **Parable of the Unforgiving Servant** Matthew 18:21-35 **Bible Truth:** I can forgive others because God forgives me! Jesus instructs us to forgive others over and over again just like He does for us. He clearly teaches His disciples in this story that they are to forgive “seventy-seven times” or over and over again. Just like His forgiveness doesn’t run out, neither should our own. Use this story to share with your child that we should forgive others just as He forgives us. Jesus provided the way and the model for humility and forgiveness. His example is one we can follow daily because parents, siblings, teachers, friends, and loved ones will make mistakes that affect us. Spend time helping your child also understand that when they make mistakes that affect others, it is important to humbly ask for forgiveness. We are not responsible for someone else’s willingness or ability to forgive but we can be at peace knowing we recognized our mistake and asked their forgiveness. Related Memory Verse: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. [Ephesians 4:32](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+4%3A32&version=ESV) . . . . . . . . . . [**![Laugh and Grow Bible Bestseller Graph...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kmK9cyPTyKpe5CmNmadu.jpg)**](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Read more Bible stories about forgiveness in the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids).** **Continue the conversation about FORGIVENESS with these Minno episodes:** [Holy Moly: Jesus and the Cross](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/jesus-and-the-cross) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Sun Stops Shining, God’s Wonderful Surprise ](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/gods-wonderful-surprise) [Theo: Forgiveness](https://www.gominno.com/series/theo/videos/forgiveness) [What’s in the Bible?: The Messiah Has Come](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-messiah-has-come) [Holy Moly: The Parable of the Prodigal Son](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/the-parable-of-the-prodigal-son) [Jesus Storybook Bible: Running Away](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/running-away) [Friends and Heroes: No Way Out](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/no-way-out) [God Rocks! Parable Playhouse: Prodigal Pizza Boy](https://www.gominno.com/series/god-rocks-parable-playhouse/videos/the-prodigal-pizza-boy) [God Rocks! Parable Playhouse: The Unforgiving Servant](https://www.gominno.com/series/god-rocks-parable-playhouse/videos/the-unforgiving-servant) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Forgiveness --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Faith](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-faith/) **Published:** September 25, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/calOUumpQyFeB6lFGpNg.jpg) In the past three years, my husband and I have both lost our moms. Walking through illness and asking God for healing that we know He may or may not bring is hard with children who are watching and learning about faith. The beauty of childlike faith is that in their innocence they find it easy to believe. Most children have not experienced the reality of deep disappointment that often shakes the faith of the rest of us. So how do we share faith with our children when we ourselves have had our faith tested? Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) says: *“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”* The very definition of faith as expressed by the writer of Hebrews focuses on the hope and conviction of our faith and not on the results. Though many of the Bible stories we use to share faith with our kids have positive endings, **it’s important to highlight the journey and act of faith before the outcome**. This will build a faith in our children that is focused on their relationship with Jesus rather than merely what he can do for them. Though we believe and do not doubt, God may not do everything we ask of Him in faith because He knows better than we do exactly what we need in each situation. And this is perhaps the greatest lesson of faith – believing without doubt and trusting Him whatever the outcome. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Faith ### David and Goliath [1 Samuel 17:45-47:](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17%3A45-47&version=ESV) *“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down. . .that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.’”* By faith, we can do incredible things that will ultimately bring glory to God. David was a small boy compared to his brothers, but he did big things like protect his sheep from wild animals and save his people by slaying Goliath. Share with your child that no matter how limited they feel by their age or abilities, they can do amazing things through faith and for the glory of God. If they do not understand what glory means, explain that bringing glory to God means we point others to him and show through our own lives that he is a powerful God. **Related verse:** *“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”* [1 Corinthians 10:31](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+10%3A31&version=ESV) **Read it in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): David and Goliath, page 130** **Related Episodes to Watch:** [60 Second Bible Stories: David and Goliath](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories/videos/david-and-goliath) [Friends and Heroes: Leviathan](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/leviathan) [Holy Moly: David and Goliath](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/david-and-goliath) [What’s in the Bible?: The People Want a King](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-people-want-a-king) [Calling Sticks and Stones: David fights Goliath](https://www.gominno.com/series/calling-sticks-and-stones/videos/david-fights-goliath) [Awesome Bible Adventures: David’s Mighty Battle](https://www.gominno.com/series/awesome-bible-adventures/videos/davids-mighty-battle) [Sticks and Stones: The Shield](https://www.gominno.com/series/sticks-and-stones/videos/the-shield) [Bugtime Adventures: A Giant Problem](https://www.gominno.com/series/bugtime-adventures/videos/a-giant-problem) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Young Hero and the Terrible Giant](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-young-hero-and-the-horrible-giant) [Kidmo: Knights of the Rectangle – A Knight is Ready](https://www.gominno.com/series/kidmo/videos/knights-of-the-rectangle-a-knight-is-ready) ### Jesus Calms the Storm [Matthew 8:23-26](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8%3A23-26&version=ESV): *“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”* Jesus asks us to have faith and tells us not to be afraid. Use this story to share that Jesus will always help us but he wants us to have faith and not doubt that he is there. Whether they need help on a test at school or when they are fearful to try something new, Jesus will strengthen them through their faith in him. **Related verse:** *“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed: I will strengthen you, I will help you.”* [Isaiah 41:10](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+41%3A10&version=ESV) **Read it in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): It’s a Miracle, page 266** **Related Episodes to Watch:** [Tune Time: Storm](https://www.gominno.com/series/tunetime/videos/storm) [What’s in the Bible? The Messiah Has Come](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-messiah-has-come) [Holy Moly: Jesus Calms the Storm](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/jesus-calms-the-storm) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Captain of the Storm](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-captain-of-the-storm) [Friends and Heroes: Friends, Romans, and Mystery Men](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/friends-romans-and-mystery-men) ### If You Have Faith Like a Mustard Seed. . . [Matthew 17:20](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A20&version=ESV) ESV: *He said to them, “…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”* Our faith does not need to feel big or perfect or complete. It just needs to be present. Jesus encourages his disciples that even a little faith will go a long way. Encourage your child to tap into the smallest grain of faith they can find in their heart when they come up against something hard and God will meet them where they are. **Related verse:** *“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.”* [Deuteronomy 4:29](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+4%3A29&version=ESV) **Related Episodes to Watch:** [What’s in the Bible? The Messiah Has Come](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-messiah-has-come) [Holy Moly: The Parable of the Mustard Seed](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/the-parable-of-the-mustard-seed) If you’re already a subscriber, watch these episodes about faith now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Faith --- ### [3 Bible Stories to Teach Kids about Faithfulness](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-kids-about-faithfulness/) **Published:** December 6, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vecgnVP6TQGOpGTbsXZw.jpg) The way things are going these days, it’s no wonder kids have a hard time with the concept of faithfulness. Our culture supports the pursuit of the immediate and trendy, conditioning the hearts and minds of this generation to move from thing to thing and person to person without much thought. Kids are encouraged to try activities and friendships on like clothing to find the right fit. And though there’s nothing wrong with searching for the talents and relationships that will allow our kids to be their best selves, they’ll miss out on a big part of God’s plan for their growth if they don’t also learn the value of faithfulness. Faithfulness is the act of being true to your word or promise. It’s the ability to follow through on commitments with dedication. The Bible offers several examples of faithfulness, first and foremost in the character of God. But there are many other, ordinary people in Bible stories that can teach our kids what it means to be faithful. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids about Faithfulness **Ruth | Faithfulness to Family** Ruth 1:6-22 *But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.* Ruth 1:16 ESV After her husband died, Ruth could have chosen to go off on her own and create a new life for herself. But instead, she chose to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi and follow her to her home country. You see, Ruth didn’t know how things would turn out. She just knew she needed to be faithful to the family God had given her. And because of her faithfulness, God took care of the rest. Faithfulness often means putting others first and staying loyal and true to family, friends, and other loved ones. It means trusting that when we are faithful, we honor God and allow him to work in our lives. *When we are faithful, our faithful God will take care of all our needs.* ***Read it in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): Ruth’s Redeemer, page 118*** **Related Episodes to Watch:** [What’s in the Bible?: The Cycle of Misery](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/cycle-of-misery) [Buck Denver and Friends: Ruth ](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-and-friends/videos/ruth) [Holy Moly: Naomi and Ruth](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/naomi-and-ruth) [Read and Share Bible: Ruth and Naomi](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/ruth-and-naomi) [Friends and Heroes: Lost in Alexandria](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/lost-in-alexandria) **David and Jonathan | Faithfulness in Friendship** 1 Samuel 19-23 *And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord.* 1 Samuel 23:16-18 ESV The story of Jonathan and David is a sweet reminder of what it means to be faithful friends. Jonathan could have been jealous of David, who was chosen by God to proceed his father as king. He could have compared himself to David, the courageous man who seemed to be getting all the attention. But he didn’t. Instead, Jonathan vowed to remain by David’s side no matter what. He promised to support him and cheer him on. There may be times in life when we are David, the “chosen” one. In those seasons, it’s a gift to have a friend like Jonathan to faithfully support us. There may be other times when we get to be a Jonathan to our friends, choosing to be present and faithful as they shine. *Faithful friends support each other, no matter what.* ***Read it in the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids): Israel’s New King, page 136*** **Related Episodes to Watch:** [Friends and Heroes: Friends, Romans, and Mystery Men ](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/friends-romans-and-mystery-men) **The Parable of the Talents | Faithfulness with Talent and Resources** Matthew 25:14-23 *His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’* Matthew 25:21 ESV Sometimes, faithfulness means abandoning fear and going for it. When we explore a new interest or activity, it’s normal to be tempted to let things get in the way of following through. But just like the servant in this story who failed to be faithful with the resources given to him by his master, we shouldn’t allow fear or laziness to hold us back from giving ourselves faithfully to everything we do. Our faithfulness says a lot about us. If we give up without really trying or we go half-way leaving teammates or classmates hanging, we tell others we’re not dependable and can’t be trusted. Faithfulness follows through. Wouldn’t you like to be known as someone who can be counted on? *When we are faithful, we show God and others we can be trusted.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Faithfulness, Fruit of the Spirit --- ### [3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids about Selflessness](https://gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-that-teach-your-kids-about-selflessness/) **Published:** July 12, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QuikYiSTnmGs81EGZdTq.jpg) “Don’t be selfish” seems to be one of those phrases that bounces off the walls daily when you have kids. From arguments about sharing toys to bigger discussions about prioritizing the family’s time, selfishness thrusts itself into every facet of our lives. As pervasive as the call to “not be selfish” is, the Bible calls us to something more than that – it’s not just a refusal to put our own desires first, but a willing spirit to put the needs and desires of others before our own. So how do we move from the negative conversation with our kids (and ourselves) – “don’t be selfish,” – to the positive conversation – “learn to be selfless.” The Bible is a great place to start! We’ll look at 3 Bible stories that show us the true meaning of selflessness. As you read these stories, take time to reflect on how each person in the story acted. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Your Kids About Selflessness ### The Good Samaritan **Luke 10:25-37** This parable of Jesus gives us two amazing examples of selflessness. First, in his introduction to the parable, Jesus has an exchange with a lawyer who asks how he can get eternal life. When Jesus turns the question back to him – asking what is written in the Law – the lawyer recites the verse “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus affirms his answer – and Jesus has said the same “love your neighbor as yourself” before. This is what it means to be selfless! Then Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is perhaps the most famous parable. In it, a man is robbed, beaten and left to die on the road, and then he is ignored by a priest and a Levite. A Samaritan helps him – and Samaritans were the last people on earth that Jews expected help from! Jews looked down on Samaritans and often didn’t even interact with them! There was a lot of tension between Jews and Samaritans, so Jesus’ story is shocking to his original audience. Not only is he showing them that loving their neighbor means even neighbors they don’t like, but he is showing that the Samaritan showed selflessness in putting his neighbor first. This is a great story to use as a jumping off point for conversations with your kids! **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Pahappahooey Island: The Good Island Samaritan](/series/pahappahooey-island/videos/the-good-island-samaritan) [Holy Moly: The Parable of the Good Samaritan](/series/holy-moly/videos/the-parable-of-the-good-samaritan) [TuneTime: Nice](/series/tunetime/videos/nice) [Friends and Heroes: Lost in Alexandria](/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/lost-in-alexandria) [Theo Presents: Love Thy Neighbor](/series/shows-about-love/videos/love-thy-neighbor-theo) ## Esther **Esther 4:12-17** The story of Esther is a beautiful example of selflessness! She is married to an angry king, and when her cousin Mordecai tells her that the king’s advisor Haman wants to kill all of the Jews, she knows what she has to do as a Jew. She knows she has to ask King Xerxes to stop Haman, but she also knows she can be killed for approaching the King without permission! She tells Mordecai, “then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Esther’s selflessness and willingness to risk her life ends up saving her people, the Jews! **Related Episodes on Minno:** [VeggieTales: Esther – The Girl Who Became Queen](/series/veggietales/videos/esther-the-girl-who-became-queen) [What’s in the Bible?: Brave Queen Esther](/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/brave-queen-esther) [Holy Moly: Queen Esther](/series/holy-moly/videos/queen-esther) [TuneTime: Paint](/series/tunetime/videos/paint) [Friends and Heroes: Doing Our Part](/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/doing-our-part) [Story Songs from Scripture: Esther’s Song](/series/story-songs-from-scripture/videos/esthers-song) [Bug Time Adventures: Not to Bee](/series/bugtime-adventures/videos/not-to-bee) ### 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13 is a famous passage about love, read at many weddings. But what kind of love is it describing? If we look closely at verses 4-7, Paul is describing selflessness! Selflessness is loving other people – it is being patient and kind, it is not being envious of what other people have, it is not rude to other people. Being impatient, rude and envious are all signs of selfishness, because they put you first. It is the same with being irritable or resentful; these traits mean you care more about your own comfort or pleasure than the comfort or pleasure of the person you love. Paul is describing perfect, selfless love in this passage! Ask your kids questions as you read this passage about when they feel most loved, and how they can best show selfless love to the people around them. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching --- ### [3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Wisdom](https://gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-wisdom/) **Published:** January 4, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/TMaOQRuTRjGmkQDLTo85/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/TMaOQRuTRjGmkQDLTo85/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) I probably sound like a broken record with how many times I’ve said these words: If it’s one thing I’ve learned to be true about life (and especially since Google entered the picture), it is that when looking for an answer you can always find people who agree with what you are thinking and you can likewise find plenty of people who disagree with what you are thinking. My friend once said, “You can’t Google wisdom.” Oh how right he is. The world is full of so much noise that makes it hard to know what’s right anymore. Passionate people on all sides of the table have countless opportunities to share their beliefs through books, blogs, television shows and church pulpits. All of the loud chatter often leads to confusion. But God has given us a wealth of wisdom in the Bible. We need to rise above the noise and dig into his Word to find answers for this complicated life we are living. And as we seek his answers to the questions in our own lives, we can guide our children to do the same. # 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Wisdom #### 1. **King Solomon Asks for Wisdom** *“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ ‘. . .And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.* . .Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.'” 1 Kings 3:5, 7, 9-12 ESV **Wisdom is the most important gift we are given by God.** Solomon was called by God to do a big job at a young age. He knew that he needed help in knowing how to be a good King and take good care of the kingdom. Solomon could have asked God for money or material possessions but instead, he asked God for wisdom. He asked God for understanding and help in knowing right and wrong. Because Solomon asked for this very important gift, God blessed him with it and with continued to bless him as a successful and prosperous king. Use this story to share with your child that wisdom and understanding are the most important gifts God can give us. When we come us against a situation we aren’t sure how to navigate, he is ready and willing to give us the gift of wisdom to help us through. **Related verse:** *If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.* James 1:5 #### **2. The Wise and Foolish Builder** *“‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.'”* Matthew 7:24-27 ESV **Wisdom is listening to what Jesus says and then doing it.** In this teaching, Jesus tells his followers that a wise man builds his house on the rock or a strong foundation. There are many places in the Bible where Jesus is called this rock, the foundation of our faith. When we walk in relationship with Jesus he will guide us in knowledge and understanding to build our lives on the strong foundation of his wisdom. Use this story to encourage your child to be always listening to Jesus and those he has put as trusted leaders in their lives. When we follow Jesus and his ways, we walk in wisdom and point others to his truth. **Related verse:** *Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.* Proverbs 19:20 #### **3. What Wisdom Looks Like** *“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”* James 3:17 ESV **When facing an important decision we can look to the Word to find what wisdom looks like for that situation.** When we follow Jesus, he leads us towards wisdom. First and foremost that wisdom is found in the Word. We may not find exactly what to do in every circumstance directly in the Bible but the Word does give us the characteristics of wisdom. Use this passage to help your child understand what wisdom looks like. Encourage them to ask these questions when faced with a decision – Is this pure? Do I have peace? Is this gentle? Will this bring good fruit (or can good come out of this?). These guidelines can help navigate our thought process and lead us to wise choices. **Related verse:***…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.* Colossians 2:2-3 #### What stories or truths have you used to teach your children about wisdom? --- ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/L2eurdPdQuWAayEgZP6H/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)*Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of* [*Grace for Moms*](http://graceformoms.com)*. After 15 years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning every day to access the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, TN with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (2).* --- [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/EJZ0ghjoRPOkI85ugefk/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.jellytelly.com/?utm_source=witb&utm_medium=blog&utm_content=blog%20banner&utm_campaign=jellytelly%20referral) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Wisdom --- ### [3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Patience](https://gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-patience/) **Published:** June 26, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MtzHefqSFONM5saweZ21_JT-Blog-bible%20stories%20patience.jpg.jpg)![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/06225207/Teach-Kids-about-Patience-768x513-1.jpg "Teach-Kids-about-Patience-768x513 - Minno Kids") My free-spirited 6 year old is learning to read, and let’s just say this summer we’ve been less than diligent about her practice. Partly due to summer’s lack of structure and partly because I just don’t have the patience to sit and listen to her struggle over the same words every.single.time. Ok, I’m being truly vulnerable here – letting you in on one of my biggest weaknesses as a mom. I’m so impatient and this struggle affects how I lead and guide my children. Thank God for his [amazing grace](http://www.graceformoms.com/what-do-moms-really-need/) that covers my kids and me as we muddle through. I know my girl’s struggle to read proficiently is likewise due to her own impatience. And I feel the weight of needing to overcome my weakness in order to help her develop the ability to persevere. This is God’s way – to use our life lessons to grow us while helping us guide our children. And as I’ve grown in motherhood, I’ve come to understand he doesn’t require perfection from me at the start but rather, he uses my process to begin the life-long process of redemption and growth in my children. Still, as I continue along my own path of learning patience, I must be a teacher for my kids. When I feel as though I don’t have the words or example to guide them, I love looking to the Word for stories of great men and women of God who illustrated patience in their lives. ## 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Patience #### **Abraham & Sarah** *“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God almighty; walk before me and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.’ Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, ‘Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall me Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.’. . .Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?'”* Genesis 17:1-6, 17 **Sometimes God asks us to wait for something even though he’s promised it to us.** God promised Abraham he would be the father of many people. But at a very old age, he was still without any children. Abraham and Sarah knew what God had told them but they had yet to see evidence of the promise in their lives. How could Abraham become the father of many when he didn’t have any children? Abraham and Sarah trusted God and they waited patiently for him. This doesn’t mean they waited perfectly. They took matters into their own hands at times. But God’s grace covered them and he still fulfilled his promise, in his perfect timing. Use this story to share with your child that sometimes God and parents ask us to wait for things. We have to trust that they know what is best for us and will do what they promised. As we wait, it can be tempting to make things happen on our own or to run ahead. But waiting patiently means waiting without question or complaining. Doing so will make the blessing we receive so much sweeter. **Related verse:** “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 *(Inclined means he leaned into or came towards. Explain to your child that this means God is near as we wait. He understands our struggle and will help us if we ask him to.)* **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Holy Moly: Sarah and Abraham](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/sarah-and-abraham) [Jesus Storybook Bible: Son of Laughter](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/son-of-laughter) [Story Songs from Scripture: Abraham and Sarah](https://www.gominno.com/series/story-songs-from-scripture/videos/abraham-and-sarah) #### **Joseph** *“So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. . .Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. . .Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potipher, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man. . .So Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come near to me please.’ And they came near. And he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. . .And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.'”* Genesis 37:23-24, 28, 38:1-2, 45:4-5, 7 (The story of Joseph is long and involved but such a powerful illustration of how God works as we wait. Consider reading the full story to your child in a storybook Bible or watching one of the episodes below on Minno.) **When we trust God in the midst of waiting, we allow him to work on our behalf.** Joseph was his father’s favorite and because of this, his brothers did not like him. They wanted to hurt him and get rid of him. They chose to sell their brother and so he was brought to Egypt. While there, Joseph became very successful and helped the king. Later, during years of famine (or a shortage of food in the land), Joseph was put in charge of the grain available in Egypt. Joseph’s family was in great need of food so his brothers traveled to Egypt to find some. Little did they know, their brother was in charge of the food and would provide for them. Use this story to share with your child that when we trust God while we wait, we allow him to work things out for us. Joseph could have been scared and angry at what his brothers did to him. But he faithfully worked with a good attitude while he waited through life in Egypt. He became friends with the king and God used his new relationships to provide for his family. **Related verse:** “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [VeggieTales: The Ballad of Little Joe](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/the-ballad-of-little-joe) [60 Second Bible Stories: Joseph](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories/videos/joseph) Holy Moly: [Joseph and His Brothers](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/joseph-and-his-brothers), [Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/joseph-interprets-pharaohs-dream), [Joseph Forgives](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/joseph-forgives) Read and Share Bible: [Joseph The Slave](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-the-slave), [Joseph in Jail](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-in-jail), [Joseph in Charge](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-in-charge), [Joseph and His Brothers](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/joseph-and-his-brothers) [Connect: Joseph in Egypt ](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/joseph-in-egypt) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Forgiving Prince](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-forgiving-prince) [Bugtime Adventures: Blessing in Disguise](https://www.gominno.com/series/bugtime-adventures/videos/blessing-in-disguise) Friends and Heroes: [Senators First](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/senators-first), [Horseplay](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/horseplay) #### **God’s Example of Patience** *“And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: ‘You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt. . .the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and those great wonders. But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear. I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.”* Deuteronomy 29:2-5 (It would be difficult to share the story of Moses leading God’s people through the wilderness for 40 years in a few, short passages of scripture. Consider sharing this story with your child using a storybook Bible or by watching a show on Minno. It is a wonderful example of God’s patience.) **Because God is so patient with us, we should be patient with others.** There are many examples in the Bible of God’s long-suffering and many verses that express his character of patience. The story of the Exodus out of Egypt though, is perhaps the most amazing. For forty years God led Moses and his people through the wilderness towards the promise land. Along the way, God’s people doubted, complained and often came close to giving up. But God patiently heard their cries and answered them by providing food, water and other miraculous signs of his good character. Use this story to help your children understand the patience of God. His heart is tender and he understands our struggle to wait and to endure. He is always available with exactly what we need to keep going. Likewise, he wants us to share his patient character with others. Just like God graciously understands our struggles and our needs in the midst of waiting, he wants us to work to understand that of others. When we are patient with others, we are being an example of God’s good character. **Related verse:** “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [What’s in the Bible? Wanderin’ in the Desert – What is a Pentateuch? ](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/what-is-a-pentateuch) [Connect: In the Wilderness](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/in-the-wilderness) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit, Patience --- ### [25 Valentine's Day Conversation Starters for Your Family](https://gominno.com/blog/25-valentines-day-conversation-starters-for-your-family/) **Published:** February 11, 2024 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VWgxubcTyOXyCe6xfyDQ.jpg) These Valentine’s Day conversation starters are a great way to engage kids in discussions about the greatest commandment. When asked by the Pharisees which commandment of the law was most important, Jesus replied: > You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 NLT As you celebrate LOVE month, use these prompts to guide your conversations about what it means to love God, others, and even ourselves. Download the printable below, cut out the question strips, place them in a bowl or jar on the kitchen table and enjoy rich conversations about love. # 25 Valentine’s Day Conversation Starters for Your Family 1. Name three people that you love (besides God and family). 2. What makes you feel loved? 3. What is one way we can show love to each other? 4. Can you think of a Bible verse about love? Share it with the family. 5. Name three foods that you love. 6. What is one thing you love about yourself? 7. Why is it important to love yourself? 8. Can you think of a story about love? Share it with the family. 9. Name three activities that you love. 10. Share a time you felt really loved and why. 11. What is one thing you love about mommy? 12. What is one thing you love about daddy? 13. Share something you love about being a big/little sister. 14. Share something you love about being a big/little brother. 15. What do you love most about being in our family? 16. Name three places that you love. 17. Share a place you’d love to visit someday. Why? 18. What is one thing you love about being the age you are right now? 19. Why is it important to love hard-to-love people? 20. Share three things you love about school. 21. Talk about two of your closest friends. What do you love about them? 22. What superpower would you love to have? How would you use it to help others? 23. What historical person would you love to meet? Why? 24. Name three animals that you love. 25. What are some ways we can show love to people we don’t know? ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jmWXUiaBRG2Fck3oNAyW.jpg) Download your [25 Valentine’s Day Conversation Starters for Your Family](https://cdn.buttercms.com/7UeunK00R72bfsk4jRng) Printable ![963670_COBLOGVdayConvoStarterImages10...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HNETtlRtTjqnUjJroNjp.jpg) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Conversation Starters, Family Fun, Valentine's Day --- ### [25 Random Acts of Kindness to Spread Love Today](https://gominno.com/blog/25-random-acts-of-kindness-to-spread-love-today/) **Published:** February 17, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/apbOdQ6Qw6zrhQK9tmGD.jpg) In today’s world it is so easy to get bogged down by the negativity we see in our day-to-day lives. From the media focusing on the bad things happening around us to bullying in our schools to the unhappy person standing next to us in the grocery line, one thing is abundantly clear: **We need to spread God’s love to combat the ugly in this world. And we need to teach our children to do the same.** *But how?* *How can we make a difference in a culture consumed by social media statuses and who is the “biggest” and “best”? How can we quiet the loudness of the world’s lust for money and fame and exalt the One who is able to save our soul?* While there are many ways we can love on those around us, today I want to suggest that we spread love through **Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)**. RAK is a wonderful concept that allows us to model Christ to our children and those around us in a practical, real-life way. RAK are a wonderful tool to be the hands and feet of Jesus and give hope to those we meet. Today I am sharing 25 Random Acts of Kindness to spread the love of God to those around you. These are things that your family can do together to bless others and grow closer to God and one another in the process. ## 25 Random Acts of Kindness to Spread Love Today 1\. Smile at everyone you see. 2\. Offer to walk your neighbor’s dog. 3\. Volunteer to pick up garbage in your neighborhood. 4\. Thank a police officer or firefighter for their service. 5\. Bake cookies and take them to your teacher or Sunday School teacher. 6\. Visit a nursing home and play games with the elderly. 7\. Ask your family members how you can serve them each day. 8\. Pray for someone who is hurting. 9\. Let someone go ahead of you in line. 10\. Hold the door open for a stranger. 11\. Make cards that say “you are special” and hand them out to people you don’t know. 12\. Put money in someone’s parking meter. 13\. Compliment someone. 14\. Hand out sack lunches to the homeless. 15\. Organize a day of pampering for a mom who just had a baby. 16\. Cook meals for a family who is going through a difficult time. 17\. Visit terminally sick children in the hospital. 18\. Donate games to a group home. 19\. Buy gift cards to random places and hand them out to random people. 20\. Pay for the person’s coffee in line behind you. 21\. Draw pictures of God’s love and hand them out to those who could use hope. 22\. Thank your local librarians for making sure you have great books to read. 23\. Make a treat bag and hand it out to your postal delivery person. 24\. Read a book to someone. 25\. Give someone a hug. The wonderful thing about spreading love through random acts of kindness is that it is pleasing to God and it feels great! There is so much truth in Acts 20:35, > “And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Not only does blessing those around you help spread God’s love, it is also a great tool to restore faith and hope to a fallen world. Take the time to do some of the 25 things above and see how it affects your family and those around you. I encourage you to create 25 more RAKs to continually spread the love of Jesus with your family. Let’s go out into this world and spread God’s love every chance we get! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Kindness, Parenting, Random Acts of Kindness --- ### [25 Outdoor Activities that Make the Best Summer Memories](https://gominno.com/blog/25-outdoor-activities-that-make-the-best-summer-memories/) **Published:** June 8, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BJIlhoiiQDieDDQIhzTZ_Get-Outside-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Let’s open up with a little exercise in childhood self-reflection. Yes, your own childhood. If I were to ask you to name three or four of your top summertime childhood memories, what comes to mind? Take a minute to ponder this. Close your eyes perhaps, and imagine. If you have the space, drift back to the time and place and just enjoy the memory. Now, I’m no mind-reader, but can I make a crazy assumption? Most, if not all of those memories, occurred in the outdoors. (Am I right?) When I asked my friends this question, I got answers like: Summer camp, running through sprinklers in the backyard, playing in a tree fort, going to the public pool, camp fires with my family, floating down a river, star-gazing, and much more. Almost every memory came from the outdoors. Yet it seems a bit harder today to give our kids ample time outdoors than it did when I was young. Freely roaming children are not as safe, (not to mention socially acceptable) as they used to be. It seems that in order for us to give our kids great experiences in the outdoors we have to physically be outdoors with them. (What happened to the days of mom pushing kids out the door and saying “Be back at dinner time!?” I love that idea but I would never actually do it!) We have to plan things. We have to prepare, organize…and, I don’t know about you, but all of that speaks to me of: WORK. In order for us parents to get anything done at home, it is much easier to: turn on the gaming system, pull out a set of Legos…click on Netflix, or bring out just about any indoor project. (Most of which are good as well, they just all keep us…well, indoors.) So, going back to our own summer memories, let’s be reminded of the VALUE of outside time when kids are young! And let me suggest that we don’t have to make it complicated to make it memorable. The fact is: A bit more outside time is good for all of us…adults included. It doesn’t have to be an all-day affair, but can be mixed into our productive and busy days. With that in mind, I am sharing a list of 25 outdoor activities for you to try this summer. Perhaps you can use this as a checklist and attempt to do each item once during summer break!? Or add to the list and make it personal. 1. Lay on a blanket in the yard (even on a porch or deck) and read books! 2. Run through a sprinkler/hose/anything! 3. Pack a picnic and take it anywhere to enjoy with your kids. 4. Take a walk straight out your front door. Whether it takes you through the city, a neighborhood, or into the woods, just go! Bring a bag along to collect “treasures.” 5. Find a nature center of any kind and visit it with your kids. (An arboretum, nature reserve, bird sanctuary, etc.) 6. Take a slow walk and simply OBSERVE: the bees, a worm in the dirt, how the wind moves through the trees, the setting sun, birds making a nest…etc. 7. Build a fire and roast marshmallows. 8. Look for stars on a clear night. Try to find a constellation or two. (If you live where there are too many lights to see stars, you can use the phone app to spot where they would be if you could see them. Still gazing into the night sky is fun!) 9. Play tag, hopscotch, or any old-fashioned game with friends 10. Blow bubbles. 11. Pick wildflowers. 12. Visit a boardwalk or some part of a town you don’t normally go to, and walk around just for the sake of taking in the summer sights. 13. Go out for ice cream cones! 14. See a drive-in movie (or any outdoor showing of a film). 15. Play miniature golf, or visit a fair or carnival. 16. Fly a kite. 17. Pick up simple rocks to bring home and paint. 18. Go berry picking. 19. Jump rope with friends. 20. Do cartwheels in the grass. 21. Go for a bike ride. (If you don’t have your own, find somewhere to rent them and really have an adventure.) 22. Walk barefoot in the grass. 23. Visit a market and let everyone choose their own ice cream bar/sandwich. Sit on a curb and enjoy them together! 24. Visit a Farmer’s Market. See what is locally grown and taste the samples. Talk to the people working there. 25. Make (or go out for) real lemonade. Enjoy it on a hot day! Here’s to a great summer, and many memories for your and your kids to share! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Fun, Family Time, Summer, Summer Activities --- ### [20 Second Bible Verses to Say While Washing Your Hands](https://gominno.com/blog/20-second-bible-verses-to-say-while-washing-your-hands/) **Published:** March 18, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PxWYE4vSMmIVaHQrDKAA.jpg) Although hand-washing has always been a priority, in recent weeks, *correct* hand-washing has become a hot topic! It’s hard enough to get kids to use a napkin let alone lather up and scrub, scrub, scrub for 20 seconds or more. Sure, they can sing Happy Birthday a time or two but that might leave our kiddos thinking a present or piece of cake is in their near future. *So how else can we get our grubby little offspring to take care when cleaning their hands?* **BIBLE VERSES!** After all, James 4:8 does say, *“Cleanse your hands . . .”* ![:wink:](https://a.slack-edge.com/production-standard-emoji-assets/10.2/apple-large/1f609.png) We’ve got a sign in our bathroom that says, ***Wash your hands and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere!*** Can’t think of anything more true than this right now. So, let’s turn what could be a stressful time into an opportunity to hide God’s Word in our hearts. Print out these [Bible Verse Cards](https://cdn.buttercms.com/vz2ftpYIRhuGbrRRWVgy) and place them near the sinks in your home. Say each verse slowly while you wash your hands. If you say them fast, you may need to say them twice. But that’s okay! Practice is what helps us memorize scripture! # 20 Second Bible Verses to Say While Washing Your Hands For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 NIV . . . . . And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15 NIV . . . . . But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18 ESV . . . . . For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 ICB . . . . . But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. . . Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 and 25 NLT . . . . . Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tq80YGJnQaOIrsFueOIw.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/vz2ftpYIRhuGbrRRWVgy) Download Your [20 Second Bible Verses to Say While Washing Your Hands](https://cdn.buttercms.com/vz2ftpYIRhuGbrRRWVgy) Cards Prayers for wellness and clean hands from the team at [Minno](http://gominno.com/about)! **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Verses --- ### [20 Back-to-School Truths to Help Kids Know God Loves Them](https://gominno.com/blog/20-back-to-school-truths-to-help-kids-know-god-loves-them/) **Published:** July 21, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** *![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/TAhp8sNPSreM2aJxfdyF/convert?width=800&quality=80)* “Don’t copy the behavior or customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)* We’ve been digging into Romans 12:2 the past few months, looking at what it means to raise kids who are IN, not OF this world in which we live. We’ve determined that above all else,[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://whatsinthebible.com/helping-our-children-be-in-not-of-it-starts-with-jesus/&sa=D&ust=1469033064756000&usg=AFQjCNG2FAEGOq07NJk3_ddArI1QJtzAgw)[raising kids who are set apart starts with their relationship with Jesus](http://whatsinthebible.com/helping-our-children-be-in-not-of-it-starts-with-jesus/). Then once they surrender their lives to him, they can[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gominno.com/blog/in-not-of-the-power-of-the-mind&sa=D&ust=1469033064758000&usg=AFQjCNGTSXg29ba36JZYXIoGSjZAyh8V8A)[allow God to change the way they think](https://www.gominno.com/blog/in-not-of-the-power-of-the-mind). **Because our actions and attitudes begin with our thoughts, what comes out of our mouths and in our behavior originates in our minds.** A child’s most powerful thoughts are those related to their identity. Confidence is the foundation on which kids build their character and future. What children believe about themselves affects the[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://graceformoms.com/family-bible-study-on-philippians-4/&sa=D&ust=1469033064760000&usg=AFQjCNEaCQE8SS-vMAnlLpXQNJ8bg51IWQ)[thoughts that fill their minds](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://graceformoms.com/family-bible-study-on-philippians-4/&sa=D&ust=1469033064760000&usg=AFQjCNEaCQE8SS-vMAnlLpXQNJ8bg51IWQ) and therefore, their attitudes and actions toward others. Children are naturally born with varying degrees of confidence. Then characteristics, experiences, and circumstances either add to their self-assurance or take away from it. We can’t always control the outside influences that our kids encounter but we can make sure their foundation is built on solid truth about who they are and to whom they belong. Knowing who we are in Christ allows us to be in the world but not conform to its cultural norms. As you prepare to send your kids back to school this year, spend some time cultivating their self-worth. Share the following identity statements and scriptures with your children. Memorize them together as a family. If you want your kids to be a light in this dark world, fill them with the truth about their position in Christ that will give them the confidence to shine. We’ve even created a printable you can use to encourage your kids every day! Download it here and cut out the truth cards to use as lunchbox notes or tape them to your kids’ mirror so they see the truth every morning before school. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web-page.jpg "- Minno Kids") #### Download Your [Back-to-School Truths for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Back-to-School-Truths-for-Kids-Printable.pdf) Printable #### **20 Back-to-School Truths to Help Kids Know God Loves Them** **1. I am a Child of God.** 1 John 3:1 **2. I am Created in His Image.** Genesis 1:27 **3. I am Loved.** Jeremiah 31:3 **4. I am Made New by His Grace.** 2 Corinthians 5:17 **5. I am Known.** Jeremiah 1:5 **6. I am Wonderfully Made.** Psalm 139:14 **7. I am Chosen.** 1 Peter 2:9 **8. I am God’s Masterpiece.** Ephesians 2:10 **9. I am Confident.** Philippians 1:6 **10. I am a Friend of God.** John 15:15 **11. I have a Secure Future.** Jeremiah 29:11 **12. I am Able.** Philippians 4:13 **13. I am Strong and Unafraid.** 2 Timothy 1:7 **14. I am Victorious.** Romans 8:37 **15. I Know the Truth.** John 14:26 **16. I am Untouchable.** Hebrews 13:6 **17. I have Peace, not Anxiety.** Philippians 4:6-7 **18. I am Never Alone.** Deuteronomy 31:6 **19. I am a Light.** Matthew 5:14-16 **20. I am Enough.** Colossians 2:10 What truths and verses are you teaching your children about their identity in Christ? **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Education, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Back-to-School, Bible Teaching, Bible Verses, Printables --- ### [16 Ways to Keep Your Kids Learning Over the Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/16-ways-to-keep-your-kids-learning-over-the-summer/) **Published:** May 14, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vtFficvQkWTkkWqkQlTH_JT-Blog-learning%20over%20summer.jpg.jpg)![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/03012051/Ways-to-Get-Kids-to-Read-This-Summer-1024x579.jpg "Ways to Get Kids to Read This Summer - Minno Kids") It’s summertime! A little taste of heaven, right? Well, most of the time … but as parents, it can be a long time to watch your kids be out of school. So we asked some of our favorite bloggers how they keep their kids engaged with learning over the summer. Here are their replies! Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) - This will be very new to us this year. We plan to do a reading incentive program for our daughter so she can be more proficient with her reading before going into First Grade. We plan to look for opportunities to cultivate the education she received this year in reading, writing and math especially. Stef of [Educating Laytons](http://www.educatinglaytons.com/) - We never stop reading and math activities. Especially math. Just a week off and my boys become so rusty and slow they easily fall behind. We constantly work on them every other day. Laura of [Raising Soldiers 4 Christ](http://www.raisingsoldiers4christ.com/) - We homeschool year round taking breaks throughout the year as needed. This really seems to help so they don’t “forget” what they have learned. Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.aswewalkalongtheroad.com/) - We participate in our library’s reading program. I sometimes use the summer “bridge books” to keep kids working on basic skills. And we do a special summer unit study. Cara of [Cheap Ways To…](http://www.cheapwaysto.com/) - We read books, listen to audio books, work through activity books designed for the next grade level up, and she does educational and fun games on the computer. Heather of [Learning As We Grow…Growing As We Learn](http://www.learningandgrowingalongtheway.blogspot.com/) - We always take part in our library’s summer reading program. Often we’ll make a list of things we want to learn about and places we want to go over the summer, then find books about those things at the library, too. Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://www.chaosappreciation.com/blog) - Summer is usually when we work on science related studies. Messy experiments are best done outdoors! I don’t really need to keep them engaged, they do that all on their own. Carlie of [Managing Your Blessings](http://www.managingyourblessings.com/) - As a homeschooling family, we never stop learning. It is just a part of our day-to-day lives. In the summertime we tend to do a lot of fun field trips and science experiments we weren’t able to fit into the school year. We always make sure we are having fun – and to us that is what education is all about. Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.ouroutofsynclife.com/) - During the summer we continue learning. Our preschoolers continue using the ABC Jesus Loves Me Preschool Curriculum while our older kids focus on math, reading, and writing. The kids take turns doing educational computer games as an added treat. We visit the library once a week and the kids pick out books that they want to read. We also have Bible time as a family. Tamika of [No Time for Tea Parties](http://www.notimefortea.com/) - By challenging them to be involved in activities at the Library. Making “activity sheets” for our field trips. When we go to the zoo the kids have to find out things about the animals and then share them. Ashlea of [Life by Ashley Pichea](http://blog.ashleypichea.com/) - We do school year-round, allowing for a more relaxed pace throughout the year. Summertime learning is an extension of what we’ve been doing all year long, with an emphasis on finishing up any curriculum from the previous year’s grade level work and doing some fun seasonal unit studies. Anne Marie of [future.flying.saucers](http://www.futureflyingsaucers.com/) - We homeschool, but we homeschool year round. So we always do 3-4 days of school a week. That way, if something fun comes up, like a vacation, or a summer day camp, we can take days off and enjoy without worrying about school. This way, the kids never really have a chance to get bored or lose time learning over the summer. Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](http://www.kimberlyamici.com/) - Reading… lots of reading. We sign up for the our local library’s reading program. It’s keeps the kids on track to do weekly check-ins and they earn prizes each time they do a ‘book report’. We also do 10-15 on each of these web based learning programs – Reflex Math, Reading Eggs, and Typing Web. Wendy of [Hip Homeschool Moms](http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/) - Over the summer, we like to each pick something new that we want to learn to do. It might be baking biscuits, juggling, painting, sculpting, or jumping rope. We work on that task all summer until we’ve each mastered it! If we master our own task quickly, we might try out a task that another family member is working on. We also set a goal for a certain number of books to read over the summer. The older the child, the longer the book length and the higher the number of books. Danika of [Thinking Kids](http://thinkingkidsblog.org/) - Summer is traditionally a time that kids lose some of the hard-won skills they learned over the school year. We combat the “summer slide” by doing a little learning every day. We start our mornings with Bible and “free read”. I compile a list of literature for our boys and they can choose any book they’d like off the list to read for an hour. When they were younger, I would have them read for fifteen or thirty minutes a day. Math skills are maintained through board games, grocery shopping trips, cooking, and other hands-on activities. We also review math facts and foreign language skills a couple of times a week. Otherwise, summer learning for us is all about experiencing life to the fullest — with a hammer, a shovel, or a fishing pole in hand. Chad of [ChadEddy.com](http://chadeddy.com/) - We make it a regular habit to read together. Not just the Bible and “Christian” books either, but classics and other books that pique their interests. YouTube and Wikipedia and other online sources offer great educational resources for encouraging imagination and education. We stay involved and we supervise, and we guide our kid’s natural curiosity! --- *Originally published on May 31, 2016* **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Learning, Summer --- ### [15 Books to Read Aloud (and listen to) with Your Kids This Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/books-to-read-aloud-with-your-kids-this-summer/) **Published:** July 11, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CbrhDl48T1Kju5jSvwtF.jpg) One of our family’s favorite things to do is [read aloud together](https://welcometothefamilytable.com/10-reasons-you-should-read-to-your-children-every-day/). As a matter of fact, reading aloud is a tradition that was passed down to me from both of my grandmothers and my mom. I have so many nostalgic memories of being read to as a child and am so grateful to have these memories with my own children. Our family has also fallen in love with listening to audiobooks. Audiobooks are perfect for long trips in the car or on a plane. They are also great for children who may struggle to fall asleep at night or those who simply love the art of storytelling. Now that summer is upon us, what better time to make memories reading aloud and listening to audiobooks as a family? There are so many wonderful books full of Christ-focused life lessons that help us train our children in the way they should go. Let’s take a look at some great book choices as you look to engage as a family this summer. ### 15 Books to Read Aloud (and listen to) with Your Kids This Summer *Some of the links below are affiliate links.* [God Made Me](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/books/products/god-made-me?afmc=6h) – This book is the perfect way to teach your children they are special because God made them. [God Made the Animals](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/books/products/god-made-the-animals?afmc=6i) – Brothers Clive & Ian take us on a fun visit to the zoo to see that God created all the amazing animals on earth! [On the Night You Were Born](https://amzn.to/2WPln8x) – This book is a wonderful way to communicate your unconditional love for your children, opening up lots of great conversations along the way. [Just in Case You Ever Wonder ](https://amzn.to/2WQzp9V)– This classic book by Max Lucado is a wonderful story to illustrate that we will love and be there for our children in every season of life. [Micah’s Super Vlog: Micah’s Got Talent](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-got-talent?afmc=6g) – A wonderful story about learning to trust God in the journey to discovering who you are. [Micah’s Super Vlog: The Big Fail](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-super-vlog-the-big-fail?afmc=6f) – This book talks about the importance of telling the truth and what it will cost you not to. [Carry On, Mr. Bowditch](https://amzn.to/2IqsG2t) – A wonderful story to encourage discussions with your children about using their God-given gifts for God’s glory. [The Chronicles of Narnia](https://amzn.to/2WV6cL4) – This 7-book classic literature set is full of biblical truths and character training. There is no shortage of adventure as your family explores the depths of good vs. evil. [Pilgrim’s Progress](https://amzn.to/2Rsxh7l) – This story is a beautiful illustration of how to godly build character in a world full of sin. [Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/devotionals/products/long-story-short?afmc=6j) – Devotions are a wonderful way to strengthen your family’s faith in God as well as grow closer together. This devotional has helped shape our family over the last 8 years and we highly recommend it! ### Audio Books [Charlie’s Choice Audiobook](https://store.lamplighter.net/charlies-choice---dramatic-audio-MP3-download-p955.aspx) – This audiobook has accompanied us on numerous family road trips and as a comforting story for our sons to fall asleep to. It is a wonderful audio drama teaching the age-old lesson of focusing on God and not earthly riches. [Candle in the Window](https://store.lamplighter.net/dramatic-audio-cd---candle-in-the-window-p1469.aspx) – This special Christmas story shares how a candle in the window can bring hope and cultivate a special relationship with the Light of the world! [Anne of Green Gables](https://amzn.to/2Y0HRVv) – There are so many amazing lessons to be learned through this classic book to include: loving yourself for who you are, always being a good friend, making the most of every opportunity, and so much more. [The Truth Chronicles](https://store.focusonthefamily.com/adventures-in-odyssey-the-truth-chronicles#refcd=138502) – Through 11 fun stories, this audiobook series from Adventures in Oddysey will help your children understand how to live with a Christian worldview. [Charlotte’s Web](https://amzn.to/2ZAW63S) – This classic audiobook teaches life lessons about friendship, loyalty, love, and death. It is a wonderful way to introduce our children to the importance of embracing life and living it to the fullest. Spending time reading aloud is a wonderful way to grow closer as a family. As you make time this summer to enjoy these stories, you will create memories to cherish for years to come. ## The Best Read-Aloud Bible for Kids!![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06190500/Minno-Laugh-And-Grow-Bible-Kids-store_1024x1024.webp "Minno-Laugh-And-Grow-Bible-Kids-store_1024x1024 - Minno Kids")We are delighted to announce the BEST read-aloud Bible storybook ! Written by VeggieTales® and What’s In The Bible? creator Phil Vischer, the [*Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) is more than a children’s Bible storybook . . . it’s a deep, engaging, laugh-out-loud gospel experience. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Books, Children's Books, Reading --- ### [12 Summer Wind-Down Shows to Watch on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/12-summer-wind-down-shows-to-watch-on-minno/) **Published:** July 29, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Stock photography - Remote control](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/stock-photography-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids") We are approaching that point in the summer when school feels like a fever dream. It’s been so long since kids were in class and yet in many parts of the country we are still over a month away from getting back into the routine of the school year. In the meantime, parents may be running low on ideas and need some fresh options for helping kids pass the time. The good news is that all screen time is not created equal. We’re proud of the lineup we have at Minno. Kids are entertained and edified and parents can relax their shoulders a bit when Minno is on the screen. The Minno team goes through a 50-point faith-based curation checklist to guarantee every frame, word, and message on Minno shows are faith-aligned and of high entertainment value. Give these twelve shows a try to help your family thrive through the summer finish line. ## **12 Summer Wind-Down Shows to Watch on Minno** #### **If Your Kids are Under 6 Watch these Shows on Minno:** [Minno Day Show](https://www.gominno.com/lp/minnodayshow/) Dive into the Minno World with this playful show that’s rooted in faith and hopeful words. In each Minno Day Show your little ones will laugh at jokes, sing along to worship, play interactive games, and learn about a “Hopeful Word” that inspires, encourages, and reminds them about God’s love. [New VeggieTales](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/) The veggies are back on the stage to put on musical productions that retell Bible stories for Mr. Nezzer’s theater! Minno is home to the largest collection of VeggieTales anywhere! Tune in for never before seen episodes your little Larry fan is sure to love. [Owlegories](https://kids.gominno.com/owlegories) Follow along with a group of student owls as they go on adventures and learn about nature, faith, and God! Owlegories teaches kids about God through the amazing things found in nature and revealed in God’s Word. [Boz the Bear](https://www.gominno.com/series/boz-the-bear/) Come along with The Green Bear Next Door as he joins his friends on neighborhood adventures . . . discovering God’s world together! Boz the Bear combines the important everyday elements of faith, family, fun and learning. [The Slugs and Bugs Show](https://slugsandbugs.com/) Join musician Randall Goodgame and a slew of special guests inside the brand-new Slugs and Bugs Workshop. Imaginations are kindled, songs are sung, and hijinks are discovered, along with timeless truths about life and faith. #### **If Your Kids are Age 6-9 Watch these Shows on Minno:** [Cocoa Talk](https://www.gominno.com/series/cocoa-talk/) Cocoa Talk is a fun and fast-paced talk show led by the adorable Cocoa and his sidekick Marsha! Join this dynamic duo as they share messages of the season through chatter that may or may not involve their exciting guests. [Micah SuperVlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog/videos/introducing-micahs-super-vlog/) Join 10-year-old Micah as he learns what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus with his best friends Armin and Lydia while sharing thoughts along the way on his vlog. [Galaxy Buck](https://www.gominno.com/series/galaxy-buck-the-series/) Galaxy Buck – Mission to Sector 9 is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything – even our dreams. [Friends and Heroes](https://kids.gominno.com/friends-and-heroes) Join Macky and Portia as they travel across the ancient world – fighting for justice with courage and compassion, learning and sharing the stories of the Old and New Testaments, and becoming friends and heroes along the way. #### **If Your Kids are Tweens Watch these Shows on Minno:** [Dot Conner](https://www.gominno.com/series/dot-conner-webtective/) Dot Conner is the world’s first “webtective,” a detective who uses the internet to solve mysteries! In her experience, there are no bigger mysteries than the questions she has about her Christian faith. With the help of her best friends, Dot pursues answers to those questions and applies biblical truth to her own life. [Torchlighters](https://kids.gominno.com/the-torchlighters) The Torchlighters presents the stories of true-life heroes from Christian history! See what God can do through a “Torchlighter” and be challenged to carry your own torch while learning about the history of our faith. A Note to Parents: The episodes of The Torchlighters tell the stories of heroic individuals who often make sacrifices for their faith, including death. We suggest these episodes for children ages 8 and up, and encourage parents to watch along with their children and talk through the historical facts and consequences of following God. [Connect](https://kids.gominno.com/connect) Join hosts Todd and Becky in this quirky, mixed-media series that follows their exploration of how the Bible relates to their own lives. At Minno we are passionate about sharing God’s love with kids through wildly entertaining storytelling. As the dog days of summer trudge on, give these shows a try for some fresh entertainment that teaches Biblical truths. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno, Seasonal **Tags:** Minno Shows, Summer --- ### [10 Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/10-thanksgiving-crafts-for-kids/) **Published:** November 6, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/01235129/10-Thanksgiving-Crafts-for-Kids-e1720057055543.png "10 Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids - Minno Kids") Here’s a round up of our 10 favorite Thanksgiving crafts for kids! Check out the pages below to find easy, fun and festive crafts for the Thanksgiving season. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/kjrpYq5NRXKzkO85GyOT)](http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2013/11/27/pony-bead-indian-corn/#sthash.cyRXX8t6.qjtu) [1. Beaded Corn and Pumpkins – ThinkCraft](http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2013/11/27/pony-bead-indian-corn/#sthash.cyRXX8t6.qjtu) This is such a clever fall decoration for kids to make! We love the pumpkins and maize – these are perfect for Thanksgiving and for all of fall. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/P9zzzc58TQOF3Nt1prhw)](http://www.thejennyevolution.com/paper-plate-turkey-hand-craft/) [2. Paper Plate Turkey Hand Craft – The Jenny Evolution](http://www.thejennyevolution.com/paper-plate-turkey-hand-craft/) What a classic! You probably made this craft as a child too … But classics are classics for a reason, and your kiddos will love making these cute turkeys! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/mi3CyL7fSSqI2i8fbLf8)](http://thecharmedmom.com/?s=Thumbprint+Turkey) [3. Thumbprint Turkey – The Charmed Mom](http://thecharmedmom.com/?s=Thumbprint+Turkey) Teach your kids that God gave each of us unique fingerprints while you make this thumbprint turkey! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Yrz0hThR4K4STRvEmMHb)](http://www.craftymorning.com/silly-personalized-footprint-turkey-craft-for-kids/) [4. Footprint Turkey – Crafty Morning](http://www.craftymorning.com/silly-personalized-footprint-turkey-craft-for-kids/) How fun is this? What a cute twist on the on the classic footprint turkey! These would be so fun to mail to far-away family and friends! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/BfNl9iEkQIGztuIceEXc)](http://ourgoodwinjourney.com/?s=thankful+tree) [5. A Thankful Tree – Our Goodwin Journey](http://ourgoodwinjourney.com/?s=thankful+tree) We love this craft that the whole family can do together! Have everyone make handprint leaves and record what they are thankful for each day. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/4fXunmroT1KTsyPy2N4J)](http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/crafts/adorable-thankful-crafts/?slideId=33648) [6. Thankful ABC Journal – Parents.com](http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/crafts/adorable-thankful-crafts/?slideId=33648) This fun ABC Thanksgiving journal is a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving for all of November! Make a journal out of blank paper with one letter on each page. Each day, have your kiddos write or draw something that they are thankful for that starts with that day’s letter. What a fun keepsake this would be! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/wb2mKRMEQaSCwb7gYIxd)](http://minne-mama.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/fall-leaf-painting.html) [ 7. Fall Leaf Painting – Minne-Mama](http://minne-mama.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/fall-leaf-painting.html) To make this craft, your kiddos will have to get moving outside to find the BEST leaves to trace with paint! So fun! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/8rrdUPYvTBSQDC0m7Ayt)](http://www.onesharpbunch.com/2015/10/fall-into-great-resources.html) [ 8. Popsicle Stick Scarecrow – One Sharp Bunch](http://www.onesharpbunch.com/2015/10/fall-into-great-resources.html) Isn’t this too cute? Make your own popsicle stick scarecrows with this super easy tutorial! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/3Sig4wxIQm2hQrj31gAq)](http://www.justataste.com/pumpkin-pie-rice-krispies-treats-recipe/) [9. Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispy Treats – Just a Taste](http://www.justataste.com/pumpkin-pie-rice-krispies-treats-recipe/) Cute desserts are definitely crafts, right? And this colorful rice krispy treat looks a lot easier than making a real pie … [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/PwRYxos7SoCzPA8JoxiK)](http://gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2015/10/cheerio-corn-on-the-cob-kid-craft.html) [10. Cheerio Corn on the Cob – Glued to My Crafts](http://gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2015/10/cheerio-corn-on-the-cob-kid-craft.html) This cute Cheerio craft looks easy and great for all ages – a win win! **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Crafts, Thanksgiving --- ### [10 Best Christmas Books for Families](https://gominno.com/blog/10-best-christmas-books-for-families/) **Published:** November 18, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/01233830/10-Best-Christmas-Books-for-Families-e1720056718694.png "10 Best Christmas Books for Families - Minno Kids") This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you purchase an item through these links, a portion of the sale may go back to Minno. One of our favorite Christmas traditions is curling up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa! There are so many amazing Christmas books out there, so we polled [our Facebook audience](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/) to see what they think are the BEST Christmas books for Christian families. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qggAauvZTMWvtzbAPTir.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/books/products/the-real-story-behind-the-holiday) 1\. [Why Do We Call It Christmas? ](https://amzn.to/2CEPvvY)By Phil Vischer Buck Denver and Friends discover the real meaning behind Christmas. [Buy it now on Amazon.](https://amzn.to/2CEPvvY) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/n9wIMwDTrmjqsWd5bMM7.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2fbV0XK) 2\. [The Crippled Lamb](http://amzn.to/2fbV0XK) by Max Lucado This is a beautiful Christmas story from bestselling author Max Lucado about a little lamb named Joshua and his prayers. [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2fbV0XK) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NbV5huQaRIihVT3kBMMu.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2fN1zyx) 3\. [Song of the Stars](http://amzn.to/2fN1zyx) by Sally Lloyd-Jones From the author of the beloved *Jesus Storybook Bible* comes a sweet Christmas story about what happened the night Jesus was born. [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2fN1zyx) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/o5NHRpt8RmIaIpyDGkuw.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2g3smpC) 4\. [Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas](http://amzn.to/2g3smpC) by Ann Voskamp Popular author Ann Voskamp uses the tradition of the Jesse Tree as a foundation for this shared family devotional book for families at Christmastime. [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2g3smpC) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nOMXFUWYRJaqEEGxHPMl.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2fMXbPT) 5\. [The Tale of Three Trees](http://amzn.to/2fMXbPT) by Angela Elwell Hunt *The Tale of Three Trees* tells a precious and important story about three trees who want to do great things, and how God has a perfect plan for each of them. [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2fMXbPT) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q6SDdU0WSq4Uy5Zsx2fw.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2f8tgjB) 6\. [Snowmen at Christmas](http://amzn.to/2f8tgjB) by Caralyn Buehner This darling book is a follow up to *Snowmen at Night* and is perfect for preschoolers. [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2f8tgjB) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qYMhSb7OQN60WfiGNlW4.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2grmrQn) 7\. [Mortimer’s Christmas Manger](http://amzn.to/2grmrQn) by Karma Wilson Mortimer is a mouse who moves into an empty manger because he needs a place to sleep, but then he finds out that the manger belongs to someone very important! [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2grmrQn) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NeP0ZY6RaW6UMFXdmaIA.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2g3cCmh) 8\. [Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear!](http://amzn.to/2g3cCmh) by Don Wood This book is a Christmas story with the beloved characters from *The Little Mouse, The Ripe Red Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear*. [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2g3cCmh) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aYGEDjaZRF6WJxMgBxar.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2f8DT63) 9\. [Mary’s First Christmas](http://amzn.to/2f8DT63) by Walter Wangerin Jr. Walter Wangerin Jr. tells the Christmas story in a unique and beautiful way, from the perspective of Mary telling young Jesus about the night he was born. [Buy it now on Amazon.](http://amzn.to/2f8DT63) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ptzUoTcbSN2YvjKwzCLT.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2fcuKg4) 10\. [The Sparkle Box](http://amzn.to/2fcuKg4) by Jill Hardie Sam is looking forward to Christmas, but what is that special sparkly box on the mantle? It is filled with a record of very special gifts. [Buy it now on Amazon. ](http://amzn.to/2fcuKg4) *Please note that this is a crowd-sourced list, and we recognize that these books may not be a fit for all families.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [10 Kid-Led Ways to Celebrate Dad This Father's Day](https://gominno.com/blog/10-kid-led-ways-to-celebrate-dad-this-fathers-day/) **Published:** June 10, 2024 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/01234806/Kid-Led-Ways-to-Celebrate-Fathers-Day.png "Kid Led Ways to Celebrate Fathers Day - Minno Kids") *“No! When my dad grills he always puts rocks in the grill first! We need more rocks!”* This was my youthful response to my cousin, who was helping me grill for Father’s Day. My mom had surprised my dad with a brand new grill for Father’s Day. And an eager 8-year-old me decided that in honor of Father’s Day, I would grill an epic meal on his brand new grill. Eight years old, attempting to make a meal on my dad’s brand new, very expensive grill. My cousin came over to spend the weekend with us and I recruited her to help me with my mission to grill the best Father’s Day meal for my dad. One thing I remembered seeing when my dad was grilling was that he put rocks (better known as charcoal) in the grill. So, my cousin and I gathered all the rocks that we could find in the neighborhood and filled the grill all the way up. Hearing the commotion, my mother came downstairs to see me and my cousin pouring dozens of rocks into the brand new grill she had carefully chosen for a Father’s Day surprise. Thankfully, she was able to stop us before we did any more damage! After my father heard about the incident, he told us how much it meant to him that we wanted to cook him a meal because it was from our hearts. I was expecting my father to be so upset that my cousin and I almost damaged his brand new grill. But instead, he let us know it meant more to him that we wanted to cook him something ‘made from love’. Here are 10 less-worrisome ways your kids can lead the way in celebrating dad this Father’s Day! #### **10 Kid-Led Ways to Celebrate Dad This Father’s Day** **1. Pops For Pop** Does your dad have an insatiable sweet tooth or is he deserving of a totally tasty treat? Head to the kitchen and make some fun and easy cake pops for the occasion! If Dad is into fishing, golfing, or has a particular hobby, you can even decorate the pops in a way he will love. [Here is an easy cake pop recipe using a boxed cake mix. ](https://www.iheartnaptime.net/cake-pops/) *Take it further for Father’s Day:* Attach favorite Bible verses that remind you of your dad to the stem of the cake pop. **2. Bow Tie for a Terrific Dad** Father’s Day is a very fitting occasion to get dressed up. And what better way to encourage your dad to get fancy than by making him his own personalized bow tie? He will have a homemade touch added to his wardrobe made with love from the perfect little hands, your kiddos! Check out this [no-sew bow tie tutorial](https://www.splendry.mw/living/crafts/diy-no-sew-bow-tie-for-dad/) and this video on [how to make a homemade bow tie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ltCQh5Slg)! *Take it further for Father’s Day:* Attach a letter with all the things about your dad you are thankful for to the bow tie. **3. Baking Bar Soap** Does dad really need another pair of socks this year? This year gift your dad or granddad with something special, useful, and unique. Make your own personalized bar soap! Want to add a really unique and memorable touch? Add your family’s picture inside the soap! [Check out this fun video](https://youtu.be/THQqd-8VEsw) on how to do it. Want to add dad’s name inside of the soap? [Check the blog with step by step directions](https://abeautifulmess.com/make-your-own-photo-soap/), you will be sure to make fun memories while making your personalized bar soap! *Take it further for Father’s Day:* Draw a portrait of your favorite moment with your dad to put inside of the bar soap. **5. Seize the Day with Dad** Father’s Day falls on the summer solstice this year. At the summer solstice, the sun travels the longest path through the sky and is the day of the year with the most daylight. In other words, it stays brighter, longer! Why not use the day to get outside with your dad? With the extra sunlight that day, spend some quality time by taking a family walk outside, having Father’s Day dinner outside, or challenging your dad to a bike ride race. However you choose to spend your time outside, take advantage of the extra sunlight that only happens once a year! *Take it further for Father’s Day:* Take your dad on a prayer walk. Have each member of the family say a prayer for him. Check out [this guide](https://ministryspark.com/wp-content/uploads/01_Family_Prayer_Walk_Leader_Guide_pdf_jekCgvut.pdf) for ideas. **6. Homemade BarBQue Sauce** Well, if there’s one thing that I learned from my grill fiasco as an 8-year-old, it’s that grilling is an activity that is near and dear to the heart of many fathers. In the spirit of all things grilling, make your own barbeque sauce for Father’s Day! Get in the kitchen and play with different ingredients (under adult supervision of course) and make a sauce your dad will want to use at every meal. [Take a look at this kid-friendly barbecue sauce recipe! ](https://www.superhealthykids.com/recipes/homemade-barbecue-sauce/) *Take it further for Father’s Day:* Bottle your sauce in a mason jar with a lid. Make your own label and tape it on the jar! **7. ‘Hand’ Made Hand Craft for a Handsome Dad** Is there really anything better than a handcrafted gift from your children? My dad had a pair of clay cufflinks I made as a child and he wore them proudly! Grab some fun paints, clothes that are safe to get messy, and use your hands to create a timely and ‘handy’ gift for dad! Here are a few DIY Father’s Day craft ideas using hands . . . perfect for kids of any age. A lot of ideas include free printable templates, which means there’s less work for you (and the littles)! Check out [this post](https://www.craftymorning.com/fathers-day-handprint-gift-ideas-from-kids/) with several cute and creative ideas! **8. Doughnuts for Dad** Milk? Check. Warm, sweet doughnuts fresh out the oven? Check. One happy, full, and satisfied dad? Check! This Father’s Day wake your dad up with the smell of fresh doughnuts from the kitchen. Be creative with toppings and flavor and have fun! [Check out this video for a kid-friendly doughnut recipe](https://www.inthekidskitchen.com/tag/donuts/). **9. Make Your Own Storytime with a Super Dad** One thing my dad loved to do with me was read storybooks. He would use different voices to bring the characters in the story to life. But one thing I loved to do with him was create our own stories. Using paper, colored pencils, and a stapler, my dad and I authored and illustrated our own storybook. To this day, I still have the storybook my dad and I made and I have read it to each one of my children. It truly is a gift that will last for many years to come. Put on your writer’s cap and grab your coloring pencils and make a storybook with dad. Take a look at [this blog post and video](https://www.readbrightly.com/diy-ways-to-make-a-book/) on how to make your own storybook. **10. “Don’t Worry About It, Dad!” Coupons** Oh the endless hats dads wear . . . yard guy, school carpool guy, baseball bag carrier guy, “mom said no, so can I?” guy . . . dads do a lot! Gift dad this year with *‘don’t worry about it, dad!*’ coupons. Create a coupon book filled with vouchers dad can cash in to give him a break! Some cute ideas for coupons: take out the trash, water the grass, match dad’s socks together (I think we all need this one) . . . the possibilities are endless so think outside the box! Here’s a fun post on a [DIY coupon book](https://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/fathers-day-coupons.html)! Ready to make some awesome Father’s Day memories? This list is a great start! But out of all the gifts and cards you could give your dad, what he really wants is your time! Make sure you take time during Father’s Day to let your dad know how much he means to you. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Father's Day --- ### [10 Bible Verses for More Courageous Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/10-bible-verses-for-more-courageous-kids/) **Published:** March 7, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Courage - Stand Firm in the Faith](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04225007/RSplgZjISOeALdd3KZLo-1-1024x578.jpg "RSplgZjISOeALdd3KZLojpg - Minno Kids") My son loves to wear the appropriate attire for whatever activity he’s participating in. If he is catcher in a family game of baseball, he will run into his room to find the best “baseball” outfit. Building something requires a toolbelt and hard hat. If cooking in the kitchen, he will grab an apron. But nothing changes his demeanor like donning a superhero cape. He is suddenly stronger and more courageous because what he wears affects his attitude. The mom in me wants to add a cape to his daily wardrobe because I know that as he grows, he will face many situations where strength and courage are needed and I want my boy to stand strong. But how can this happen when he is so young and the world needs more courageous people? In Ephesians 6 Paul tells us to “put on the full armor of God” so that we can stand strong. Part of the armor is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” It’s time to arm my son with truth that will provide him with unexplainable strength and courage. ### 10 Bible Verses for More Courageous Kids: 1. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 2. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 3. “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” – Nahum 1:7 4. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18:2 “ 5. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3 6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 7. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 8. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27 9. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 10. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 We will keep his name-embroidered cape as a reminder of how my son ran faster and protected his mommy from whatever his imagination created. But because he won’t stay little very long, I will help him hide these verses of truth in his heart so that he will be able to truly fight fear and put on courage in God-sized amounts. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Independence Day](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-your-kids-about-independence-day/) **Published:** June 28, 2024 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RM7SuavvQxqzo3zUTOIo.jpg) Americans love a reason to celebrate! *Is there any other national holiday that is quite as exciting as the 4th of July?* Close your eyes and think about the many Independence Days you have celebrated. *What comes to mind?* Barbecues, sunshine, lemonade, the feeling of grass beneath your feet, horseshoes, pie-eating contests, hot dogs, swimming, fireworks. What a great celebration most of us look forward to on July 4th! July 4th is a great time to share with our children why we celebrate independence in the USA, but also to talk about the harder parts of our nation’s history, and what it means that we are citizens of God’s forever kingdom. The United States became a country in 1776, after the Revolutionary War. Many of the earliest American colonists fled religious persecution in England. July 4 is a day to celebrate! But while we celebrate, we can also remember. #### **What to Celebrate on July 4** Celebrating July 4 with your kids is so much fun! But it’s important to remember why. It’s not just American flags and fireworks, but it’s a real celebration of the American experiment: the idea of having a country where people of all ethnic, religious, economic, and cultural backgrounds can live together in freedom and harmony. We haven’t achieved that yet, but take this opportunity to pray and thank God for our country. America is also a country that enshrined religious liberty in the Constitution, and that is a thing to also be really thankful for. Read this quotation from John Adams, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and discuss it with your kids. Ask questions like *“Do you think it would be possible for a country to be like this? Where do you see these ideals in America today? Where do you not see them?”* *“Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God . . . What a utopia, what a paradise would this region be.” –* Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9. #### **What to Remember on July 4** July 4 is a day full of joy, friends, and family. And while there are many reasons to celebrate, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to talk to your kids about the ways America hasn’t always lived up to *“liberty and justice for all.”* The 4th often celebrates the founding of the USA, but before any European settlers arrived, many indigenous people groups lived here. You could discuss the displaced indigenous peoples who lived in America before the European settlers. [Learn more about indigenous peoples here.](https://www.pbssocal.org/education/how-to-honor-indigenous-peoples-with-your-kids-today-and-every-day) Another thing to discuss and remember is the history of slavery and injustice against African-Americans. During the founding of the United States, around 500,000 slaves were working. As the founding fathers were writing about freedom and liberty, a very large number of people were made to work against their will. It’s a very difficult part of our nation’s history, and the long-lasting systemic impacts of slavery are still part of our nation today. It may be helpful to talk to your kids about Juneteenth, which is a national holiday that marks the end of slavery. [Read more about Juneteenth here. ](https://www.pittwire.pitt.edu/news/how-talk-children-about-juneteenth) #### **How to Pray on July 4** Here are a few ideas of ways your family can pray for our country on or around July 4: - Pray for our country’s leaders: the president, the Congress, and the Supreme Court - Pray for your city or town. Ask God to show you ways you can be a part of your community’s flourishing. - Ask God to protect our country and to guide leaders in making decisions that honor Him. No matter how you celebrate on July 4, take time to have fun and share with your kids some of your favorite memories! Encourage them to ask questions and have open conversations about our nation’s history. And always take time to remind them that our forever home is with God in heaven, and we are citizens of His kingdom first and foremost. Happy 4th! **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Independence Day, July 4th, Summer --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About War (Age by Age)](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-war/) **Published:** February 25, 2022 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![Royalty-free - Stock photography](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/royalty-free.jpg "- Minno Kids") #### Wondering how to talk to kids about war with all that’s happening in Ukraine? Use these age by age talking points to offer a hope-filled perspective. We live in a Civil War town. It’s impossible to drive very far at all without passing statues, signs marking famous battle sites, and other reminders of the war that ripped our country in two. My 5-year-old has started to notice. *“Mom, what’s that?”* she asked the other day, as we drove around our town square. She was pointing at the very tall monument in the middle of the roundabout, a statue of a soldier, surrounded by bronzed cannons. When my daughter asks, *“what’s that?,”* I pause. *How do I begin to approach a topic as horrible as war, in the context of a car ride?* Current events have started to spark the same sorts of conversations, as we watch the horror unfolding in Ukraine. I’m uncertain how to process it all, let alone answer the questions my daughter has after hearing bits and pieces here and there. The balance between trying to keep current events age-appropriate, but also not keeping my kids in a bubble, is a tightrope I feel utterly unequipped to walk. **And yet, it is a core value in my family that our kids know the world, history, and understand that things are not right but that one day, because of Jesus, they will be.** Today that burden feels heavier than ever, with turmoil continuing in Ukraine. But it doesn’t equip our kids if we bury our heads in the sand, pretending that everything is okay. When we live a life of abiding faith, we find wisdom and words through our connection to Jesus so we can share (in age-appropriate ways) the heaviness of our broken world, all while pointing to God’s sovereignty and promises. Here are a few ways to approach talking to your kids about war, rooted in Scripture and God’s faithful promises that one day, death and sadness will be no more (Revelation 21:4). ## How to Talk To Kids About War #### **1. Don’t pretend war doesn’t exist.** Even from the youngest ages, kids understand that people don’t get along. If your kids ask about something they hear on the news or overhear you discussing with other adults or even something they read about in a history book or the Bible (which is full of wars!), engage them thoughtfully. Don’t dismiss it as “something they’ll hear about one day,” but rather use an age-appropriate definition of war. Remind kids of all ages that they are safe and can always ask you if they have questions or feel scared. **For preschoolers:** Wars happen when groups of people or countries have different ideas about something, and they fight. (If this is true for you, say . . .) There are people fighting right now but it is happening very far from here and we are safe. **For early elementary schoolers:** Wars are long fights between countries or groups of people. There were wars in the Bible and wars in history, and wars still happen today, usually when two groups of people can’t agree on something. **For upper elementary schoolers:** Sometimes we read about wars in the Bible and you’ve probably heard about wars that have happened in history at school. There are still wars today, between countries and groups of people who are fighting for power or who have different ideas about how their countries should be run. **For older kids**, find age-appropriate books about wars in history. Discuss different sides, and use those conversations as a launching point to talk about right and wrong, how to handle opposing ideas, and what good leadership looks like. #### **2. Reassure kids of God’s character.** > *Psalm 33:5 NIV* > > *The Lord loves righteousness and justice, the earth is full of his unfailing love.* If your kids ask, “*but why does God allow war?*” . . . you may want to take a deep breath. Then go to Scripture. Tell your kids that throughout the Bible, God shows that He cares for His people, for the poor and oppressed, and that He equipped His people to win battles against countries and kings who tried to hurt them. Because of sin, fighting and war are a part of history and are still present today. But God is always good. **For preschoolers or early elementary schoolers:** (Your youngest ones will probably not make this connection but if it comes up . . .) God is sad when people fight too. People don’t always do what God wants them to do and we can pray that they will find ways to get along. **For upper elementary schoolers:** We live in a broken, upside-down world. Because of sin, people do really horrible, hurtful things. God is very sad when people hurt each other. He wants us to love one another as much as He loves us (John 13:34). When we see people fighting or hurting each other, we can stop and ask God how we might help and pray for all those involved. **For older kids**, ask and invite deeper questions. This is a really big topic that grownups still grapple with. It’s not a question that is answered easily. Most importantly, remind your older kids that until God’s Kingdom is restored, there will be pain and suffering on earth. But in the midst of it all, as we abide in Jesus, we receive a peace that passes understanding and are reminded that God is good and loving. **Bible Connection:** Read the story of Gideon together, either in Judges 6–7 or in a storybook Bible. In this story, God uses Gideon and 300 men to defeat a much larger Midianite army. Ask questions like: *Why were the Israelites and the Midianites fighting?* *What did God ask Gideon to do?* *How did God protect His people?* *What does this story show you about how much God loves His people and loves justice?* While we don’t want to establish an “us versus them” mentality in our children, it’s important at this early stage of their spiritual formation to build a foundation of trust in God on the truth of His goodness (despite the brokenness we see in the world every day) and His unfailing, never-ending, protective love. > *Psalm 46:1 NIV* > > *God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.* #### **3. Teach them how to respond with grace and love.** > *Romans 14:19 NIV* > > *Let us, therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.* Whenever wars or other political conflicts arise, opinions rise too! Your kids may hear (or repeat) polarizing or critical statements without understanding the deeper geopolitical context. The Bible encourages all believers to pursue peace with each other, and when your kids (or people around them) respond in accusatory anger to someone who holds a different viewpoint politically, use it as a coaching moment. *If your child repeats something false:* Ask your child where they heard the information they repeated, and then look it up on a reputable website together. Find the facts, and discuss any questions your child might have. Then work together to come up with a thoughtful response if someone later tells your child something different. *If your child overhears something spoken in anger:* Pull your child aside, away from the television or the person who said something polarizing. (Or address it later, in the car or at the dinner table.) Ask your child how they felt like the comments would make someone who believed something different feel. Discuss together the power words have. #### **4. Remind them that one day, there will be no more war.** > *Isaiah 2:4 NIV* > > *He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.* Throughout Scripture, God promises that one day, there will be no more wars. Share with your kids the [hope in this promise](https://www.gominno.com/parents/bible-verses-for-kids-about-hope/), and that we live in a world that has been broken by sin. But because of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, one day, we will experience perfect peace. #### **5. Pray, pray, pray!** War and politics may be subjects we want to avoid but they are incredible opportunities to teach our kids about [praying for our leaders](https://www.gominno.com/parents/what-does-the-bible-say-about-praying-for-our-leaders/), our community, and our hurting neighbors around the world. While we don’t want to expose them too early, what is happening right now in Ukraine is an opportunity to help kids develop compassion and learn to [turn to prayer](https://www.gominno.com/parents/when-you-dont-know-what-to-do-or-say-pray/) when they have big questions and feelings about our broken world. #### Scriptures to Say and Pray Together > *2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT* > > *But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.* > > *Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT* > > *So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord, your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail or abandon you.* > > *Isaiah 41:10 NLT* > > *Do not be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.* #### Prayers to Pray Together **Pray with Preschoolers:** Jesus, there are people hurting right now and we know that makes You sad. Please help them find ways to get along so they can stop fighting. Amen. **Pray with Elementary Schoolers:** Jesus, please be with our neighbors around the world who are fighting and hurting right now. We pray for protection and peace. When we feel sad or overwhelmed, help us remember that You are always with us. Amen. **Pray with Older Kids:** Jesus, we know that You don’t like war and it breaks Your heart to see people fighting and hurting. We ask You to protect our neighbors around the world and to bring peace to their countries. We thank You for the hope we have of a world without sin and suffering, because of Jesus. Amen. Talking about war and geopolitical conflict with kids isn’t a fun or easy task, but it also isn’t avoidable. Whether questions arise from reading Bible stories, driving around your town, or hearing a scary report on the news, your kids will hear about war because we live in a broken world where wars and fighting are our reality. But as you talk to your kids, remind them of the goodness, justice, and sovereignty of God. He is worthy of all our trust and hope, no matter what is happening in the world. **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Current Events, How to Talk to Kids About . . . --- ### [How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-school-shootings/) **Published:** March 28, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![School - Classroom](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/school-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids") *In light of the school shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, TN we thought it would be helpful to re-share this post to guide the tough conversations that may be coming up again with your kids.* --- Yesterday I was able to celebrate a milestone in my daughter’s life that countless parents in Uvalde, TX never will—and it absolutely crushes my heart. When I learned of the massacre, I was at a mall with my oldest daughter celebrating her birthday (she is the same age and grade as those viciously attacked at Robb Elementary School). I was watching her in absolute amazement, savoring every detail—her smile, the sound of her laughter, and her unbridled joy—when my phone started buzzing with texts about the breaking news in Texas. Immediately my heart sank and I was flooded with a thousand raw emotions, inconsolable tears, and unrelenting questions . . . *When will this end? And why does this keep happening again and again?* My name is Crystal Woodman Miller and I am a survivor of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. For years since that tragedy, I have [shared my experience and offered support to other mass school shooting victims and communities](https://www.crystalwoodmanmiller.com/home). With each new story unfolding in the news, my heart breaks again and again. This is not okay . . . this is not the way it’s supposed to be. We cry out to God in our agony, watching violence ravage our grocery stores, churches, theaters, malls, concert venues, and schools. Security, innocence, and the carefree joy our kids should be experiencing are being threatened. It’s only natural to feel anger, rage, confusion, worry, apathy, longing, grief, and hopelessness. ## How do We Respond as Parents and Jesus-Followers? In times like these, we recognize how fragile our humanity is—and it’s uncomfortable—therefore at times, we’d rather not feel, so we look for ways to escape, medicate, and hide. Believe me, I get it. *But what if our pain, suffering, and grief could move us toward action?* I don’t mean political action, though that has its place. This post isn’t about gun control or mental health awareness and support. This post is about what needs to happen first, inside our homes following a tragedy like this one. ## How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings #### Be present. Children need our presence. Children need us to come close and spend time with them, they may need a reassuring hug or snuggle. [Children need to be seen, heard, and acknowledged in their sadness, worries, and fears](https://www.gominno.com/parents/raising-boys-and-girls-podcast-dr-tina-bryson-interview/). They need a healthy and safe place to ask tough questions, process, and navigate their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions without judgment. - **Start by helping your kids feel safe and secure—right here, right now.** - **Spend time with your kids doing something they enjoy,** which often leads to some really deep conversations about life and faith. - **Talk less, listen more.** Let your kids’ questions lead the conversation. Listen without fear or judgment and respond with age-appropriate answers in honesty and authenticity. Remember: you don’t have to (and won’t) have all the answers and that’s okay! - **Teach your children their emotions matter but do not get to control them.** Help them[ find healthy ways to work through their emotions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7gpmMku06A&t=4s) (ex. breathing techniques, and finding ways to ground themselves). - **[Find resources or a counselor/therapist](https://www.gominno.com/parents/raising-boys-girls-podcast-s4-e7-anxiety-emotions/) who can help** if your kids are having trouble with fear and anxiety or are lacking the ability to cope. --- #### For more help in talking to your kids about school shootings, listen to [this episode of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast with our dear friend, Sissy Goff](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-101-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-after-a-school/id1366344369?i=1000606369169). --- #### Point your kids to Jesus. Kids need the hope that Jesus alone offers. They need to know that even when the world around them feels shaky, there is a God who will steady them, carry them, and guide them. Psalm 16:8 (NIV) says, “*I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”* This is also a powerful reminder for us as parents, who may need to steady our hearts in the midst of such grief and the fear it can bring. - **Remember:** How we respond will become a model for our children when they walk through their own times of difficulty and suffering. - When they come to you with fear or worry, start with Jesus! Let His love and God’s Word be your guide. #### Read God’s Word. One of the greatest tools we have to walk through difficult times is the Word of God! **We must look to His truth, and teach our children to do the same.** When we know His Word, we can pray it back to Him and believe that He is faithful to do what He has promised. #### *Bible Verses to Reflect on During Times of Fear and Tragedy* God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. Psalms 46:1-2 ESV Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV #### Pray Together. Not only do we pray for the families who have lost loved ones, we pray for survivors and a community torn apart by violence. We pray no one ever has to experience something like this again and we pray with and over our kids, their schools, as well as their teachers, administrators, and political leaders navigating life and policy after tragedy. We get to partner with our kids in moving the heart of God, and then celebrate His faithfulness together when we see a shift in ourselves or the world around us! #### Act. After we’ve spent time reorienting our tired and broken hearts toward Jesus, we will be better equipt to take action—at the very least to love on those affected by acts of violence but perhaps also on a larger level as God leads us. - **Find opportunities and outlets to let them get involved** if your children are passionate about using their voice and helping enact change. - **Stay connected to your community**—surround your kids with other trusted grownups and families that share your heart for promoting the love and peace of Jesus. - **Model fearless living** so your kids know they don’t have to live afraid. . . . . . . . . . . This is not easy, and not something we naturally know how to or want to do, but He is with you in every conversation. I will leave you with this Bible verse to encourage your heart as you stand on the front lines of the battle for your kids’ physical and emotional safety. *May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV* . . . . . . . . . . ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/img_8537.webp "- Minno Kids") Crystal Woodman Miller is an author, speaker, Columbine shooting survivor, mental health advocate, and warrior of hope who encourages others in the challenges they face. She’s also the creative director of making magical memories for her three kids and husband and attempts to love others like she has been loved by God. Crystal’s book, [A Kids Book About School Shootings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4lxEPBRW4). **Categories:** Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** How to Talk to Kids About . . ., School Shootings, Uvalde --- ### [How to Start a Family Passover Meal Tradition](https://gominno.com/blog/how-t0-start-a-family-passover-meal-tradition/) **Published:** April 8, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Matzo - Matzah ball](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/matzo-1024x581.jpg "- Minno Kids") As parents, we have the incredible privilege and opportunity to guide the hearts of our children as they navigate their journey of faith. When we look at our role as such, it allows us to embrace faith-based holidays and liturgy with joy and anticipation. **With a little planning and lots of prayer, we can help our children understand the heart and history of their faith.** #### WHY SHARE A TRADITIONAL PASSOVER MEAL WITH CHILDREN? I grew up in a Charismatic evangelical church, and we didn’t practice many church traditions. When I was in high school I had a friend who was Episcopalian. He invited me to his home to share a Seder dinner with his family. I was incredibly moved—even at the age of 16—by the history and tradition that was represented in the meal. Since then, my parents have participated in the tradition with their Jewish friends. We never knew the depth of meaning we were missing out on and have thoroughly enjoyed the times we’ve engaged in a Passover meal with friends and loved ones. You can share the beautiful custom of a Passover or Seder dinner with your kids and family whether you grew up observing the tradition or not. It can be overwhelming to think about sharing foundations of the Christian faith with our children. Ideas such as immaculate conception, Jesus’ death, and resurrection are way beyond our own understanding, let alone that of our kiddos. **But the very essence of faith is taking the unseen and unbelievable and believing with hope . . . a hope that transcends human understanding and ultimately transforms our life from a young age.** #### HOW TO START A FAMILY PASSOVER MEAL TRADITION First, spend some time reading the exodus story in the Bible. Focus on Exodus 6 (where God promises deliverance) and Exodus 12 (where He instructs Moses and Aaron to observe the Passover and Festival of Unleavened Bread). In order to help your children understand the significance of the Passover in the midst of the Easter season, you can explain to them that just as God used Moses to help deliver His people from Egypt, He later sent His son, Jesus, to deliver us from sin and from being separated from Him. There is a lot of talk of sacrifice in this story. Whether you decide to go in-depth in that concept or not, explain that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, allowing us to be reconnected with God. [![Minno - Product](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/minno-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids")](https://www.gominno.com/parents/family-easter-activity-pack-from-minno/) Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://www.gominno.com/parents/family-easter-activity-pack-from-minno/) to get your Family Passover Meal Materials Below you will find a list of the traditional items used to create the Passover meal in Jewish custom. **It is important to remember that the Passover Meal is very meaningful in symbolizing the exodus from Egypt.** While you may not share the entire story of the Old Testament with your children at this time since we are focusing on Easter, you can simply share with your children that **this meal is a way of honoring the people of Israel, their journey to freedom, and ultimately the freedom we experience because Jesus came to be the ultimate sacrifice.** I have taken the liberty to add traditional Christian views into this post that don’t necessarily express the beliefs of Judaism or its customs. But there is beauty in combining tradition and belief from different people of faith with a goal of communicating hope and redemption. #### STEP BY STEP FAMILY PASSOVER MEAL PREP **Step 1:** Set aside a time during the Passover season. Passover is a moveable feast, which means the dates are not the same each year. **Step 2:** Invite family and friends over to share in this special meal. We’ve been doing this every year with our extended family and the cousins love taking turns reading about each symbol aloud. **Step 3:** Prepare your Passover meal menu. The great part about this symbolic meal is that the planning has been done for you. Simply familiarize yourself with the items and give yourself time to shop for and prepare the more uncommon foods. We’ve included a shopping list and recipe in our [Easter Family Guide.](https://www.gominno.com/parents/family-easter-activity-pack-from-minno/) **Step 4:** Read through the symbol cards and devotional in our [Easter Family Guide](https://www.gominno.com/parents/family-easter-activity-pack-from-minno/). Print and cut the cards so they are ready for family members (especially kids) to participate. **Step 5:** Use the devotional script in our guide to walk your family through this sacred meal. #### TRADITIONAL PASSOVER MEAL MENU **MATZOH:** three unleavened matzohs are placed within the folds of a napkin as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, leaving no time for the dough to rise. Two are consumed during the meal, and one is hidden to be found later. #### SHARE IT! When God’s people escaped Egypt, they had to go quickly. Matzoh is called “unleavened” bread because it is made without yeast which helps traditional dough rise over time. Since Matzoh is made quickly, the bread represents the hurry with which the Israelites left Egypt. **MAROR:** bitter herbs, usually horseradish or romaine lettuce, used to symbolize the bitterness of slavery. #### SHARE IT! God’s people spent many, many years as slaves in Egypt before being set free. Just like God used Moses to help deliver the Jewish people from slavery, He sent Jesus to die on the cross, to forgive us of our sins, and to be in relationship with us so we can experience true freedom in Christ. **CHAROSES:** a mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon, as a reminder of the mortar used by the Jews as they worked as slaves to construct buildings. #### SHARE IT! While they were slaves, the Jewish people did a lot of building. This food represents the mortar or paste they used to put bricks together as they worked hard to build in Egypt. **BEITZAH:** a [roasted egg](http://www.myrecipes.com/how-to/cooking-questions/roast-egg-passover-seder), as a symbol of life and the perpetuation of existence. #### SHARE IT! The egg represents life and the hope that God’s people would continue to live and thrive after He delivered them out of slavery. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we also share the hope of life today. **KARPAS:** a vegetable, preferably parsley or celery, representing hope and redemption; served with a bowl of salted water to represent the tears shed. #### SHARE IT! This vegetable represents hope because vegetables are good for our bodies and offer healing and health. We serve it in saltwater to represent the tears shed by the Israelites along their journey out of slavery. **ZEROAH:** traditionally a piece of roasted lamb, symbolizing the paschal sacrificial offering. (You can use any type of meat on a bone for this symbol if needed.) #### SHARE IT! This lamb represents the offering made as a remembrance of Passover. In the Old Testament, God required animal sacrifices as repentance for sins and reminders of important occasions. When He died on the cross, Jesus became the ultimate and last sacrifice! Eating this lamb represents the last offering and reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us. **WINE:** four glasses of wine are consumed during the meal to represent the four-fold promise of redemption. (You can drink these cups of wine during the meal or save them to be used in communion at the end.) (You can use juice if you’d like your child to participate in this symbol.) #### SHARE IT! This wine (juice) represents 4 promises that were given to Moses to offer God’s people the hope of redemption in Exodus 6:6-7. God told Moses “I will bring you out . . . I will rescue you . . . I will redeem you . . . I will take you as my own.” Consider taking part in the traditional communion sacrament as a family at the end of your Passover dinner. Read Matthew 26:26-28 together. **What a beautiful picture of God’s saving grace . . . grace that brings us out, rescues us, redeems us, and takes us as His own.** I don’t know about you, but I want my children to understand these truths as early as possible. Planting these seeds in their heart and doing it in a way that celebrates history and God’s people will be a joy! . . . . . . . . . NOTE: I am not Jewish nor did I grow up observing Passover. This post is not meant to be an official instruction on how to observe this sacred holiday. It’s simply meant to encourage other denominations and believers who haven’t yet practiced Passover to do so. If you grew up observing Passover or are Jewish, I welcome you to email me at jess@gominno.com to share your traditions and thoughts. **Categories:** Activity Packs, Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Easter, Family Rhythms, Family Traditions, Passover --- ### [How to Embrace Outdoor Adventures as a Family (on Earth Day and Beyond)](https://gominno.com/blog/embrace-outdoor-adventure-family/) **Published:** April 19, 2023 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Embrace-Outdoor-Adventure-as-a-Family.jpg "- Minno Kids")Fresh air is essential. For breathing, yeah. But also for ultimate mood-boosting. That’s probably why spending time outside is our go-to family activity. And while we love to lounge around in the backyard, meet up with friends at the playground, or watch our older son play shortstop while his little brother digs in the dirt, nothing does the trick quite like an open trail and the expectation of adventure. Our two little dudes have explored creeks, climbed mountains, and fallen asleep to the sounds of nature. We’ve made it to our destination by running and we’ve stopped for snacks around every turn. No matter how we get where we’re going we’re always—always—better for it in the end. So on this Earth Day, let’s chat about embracing the beauty and benefits of God’s creation—from short hikes to grand adventures. #### **Start With Short Hikes** Maybe you’re new to the idea of getting out in the woods. That’s awesome! Just start small. **Search for a local spot with a one- or two-mile hike.** If you can’t find a trail loop that meets your needs, you can always do an out-and-back. Be sure to turn around before your crew hits max capacity since you’ll need to traipse back to where you started. Check online for a trail map to see if its paved, if you need accommodations for a stroller or wheelchair. **Bring sustenance (and then some).** Nothing motivates quite like a snack and a big swig of water. Pack enough for everyone to stop and eat at least twice. Trust me on this one. **Stop along the way.** Look for insects. Say, “Let me know if you see a cardinal or a butterfly or . . . a snake!” Ask your kids what they hear and what they smell. With conversations like these, you invite curiosity and encourage the whole group to stay engaged. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Boys-on-Family-Adventure.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Ditch big goals and keep the outing simple.** You might share jokes, sing favorite songs or simply enjoy the quiet of the woods as you walk along together. #### **Build Excitement With Ownership** Once your family gets a taste for adventure, up the ante by giving your kids more responsibility. **Purchase a small backpack for each person to carry.** Kids take major pride in hauling their own stuff. Beyond a water bottle and a snack, they might also like to stash binoculars, a notebook, and pencil, walkie-talkies, or any other items that enhance outdoor exploration. **Make first aid kits.** Be ready for (almost) anything by preparing a bag or tin with emergency supplies. Let your kids take charge of packing, storing, and replenishing their own kit as needed. Include items like bandaids, antibacterial ointment, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tape, moleskin, q-tips, a tick remover, and a flashlight. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/First-Aid-Kit.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Learn to identify important plants.** Start with the ever-present poison ivy. Teach your kids to look out for the three-leafed plant that often—but not always—includes a red tinge around the edge. Challenge one another to be the first to spot the itch-inducing plant on your next hike. **Let your kids lead the way.** Take a moment to look at a map and point out any color-coded tree markers as a family. Then encourage one of your children to set the pace. If you know the area well, you might even let them run a ways ahead, provided they check in occasionally. #### **Take Your Adventures to the Next Level** Something magical happens when you work together to find your family’s rhythm as you challenge yourselves to more strenuous adventures. This is where outdoor exploration gets super fun. **Branch out.** Consider destinations an hour or two away from where you live. You might find unique terrain—glades instead of grass, waterfalls instead of creeks—and the reward of reaching higher and higher peaks. **Put your bodies to the test.** Choose a hike that seems just out of reach. Maybe it’s extra long. Maybe it’s extra steep. Perhaps you’ll need to pop your shoes off and wade through water. Or toddle across a fallen tree and run your way down a winding hill. No matter what challenge you choose, you’re bound to walk away feeling satisfied, accomplished, and (if you’re like us) ready to devour some tacos. **Give overnight adventures a try.** Camping isn’t for everyone. And that’s okay! If I’m honest, my husband is much more of the expert in this realm—I’m learning right along with my kids. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Family-Camping.jpg "- Minno Kids") Here’s what I’ve learned so far: start by selecting a campsite that allows you to park your car nearby. Bring items that make camping comfortable, relaxing, and fun for your family. And if you make ample time for exploration on every trip, your kids will leave begging for more. We’ll keep spending time with our boys outdoors as the years go by—the size and scope of our adventures growing right along with them. The thought alone boosts my mood. Happy Earth Day, friends! *What’s your favorite way to enjoy God’s creation?* Share your thoughts with us on Facebook or Instagram. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Earth Day, Family Time --- ### [How to Create Family Fun Nights Around the Rhythm of the Seasons](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-create-family-fun-nights-around-the-rhythm-of-the-seasons/) **Published:** February 19, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Fun-Family-Night-1.jpg "- Minno Kids") The rhythm of the seasons offers families opportunities to connect around special days. Holidays have always been the time to bring families closer together and in addition to our national holidays, there are also some very unusual and unique “holidays” to celebrate with your family! When life is busy, sometimes we need a reminder like National Hot Dog Day to spark fun and spontaneous ideas for family fun! Here at Minno, we want to help you make the most of each season as you move throughout the year—and especially now, when many families are spending a lot more time at home together. Use these unusual celebrations and the [many more you can find online](https://www.calendarr.com/united-states/observances-2021/) to inspire ideas on creating more fun moments of connection for your family. . . . . . . . . . . #### **How to Create Family Fun Nights Around the Rhythm of the Seasons** **Carnival Day – February 26** Carnivals have always been an entertainment staple around the world. With thrilling and chilling rides, animal acts, fun and interactive games, and delicious food, summer and winter (yes there is such a thing as winter carnivals!) carnivals attract many tourists. On Carnival Day use your creativity and with your family create your own carnival! Check out this link for [29 homemade carnival games](https://www.pinterest.com/chocolisa/homemade-carnival-games/) that you can enjoy for a fun family night! **Polar Bear Day – February 27** Polar Bear Day celebrates the world’s largest carnivore. At nine feet tall and 1400 pounds, polar bears live in the North Pole region. A few fun and fast facts on polar bears: polar bears are so adapted to cold that they can’t take temperatures above 50 degrees. Polar bear hair appears white but it is actually transparent. Most land animals are too fast for a polar bear to catch. *So how can you and your family celebrate this day?* Watch [Jungle Beat, Wake Me Up](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat/videos/wake-me-up) on Minno. Create your own polar bear using these [polar bear craft ideas](https://www.craftymorning.com/winter-polar-bear-crafts-kids-make/) to get you started. **National Chili Day – February 28** With most of the nation experiencing cold and frigid temperatures, a warm bowl of chili sounds like a good idea! San Antonio, TX is the birthplace of chili. During the 1880s in San Antonio, Texas a group of women nicknamed “Chili Queens” sold stew they called “chili” made with dried red chiles and beef from open-air stalls at the Military Plaza Mercado. They made their chili at home, loaded it onto colorful chili wagons, and transported the wagons and chili to the plaza. They built mesquite fires on the square to keep the chili warm and dished out chili to customers who sat on wooden stools to eat their fiery stew. *How to celebrate this day?* Hop in the kitchen and create some fun memories making chili with your family. [This recipe](http://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-kid-friendly-turkey-chili/) is kid-friendly so your little ones can help out and enjoy! **National Good Samaritan Day – March 13** National Good Samaritan Day recognizes the actions of those who provide help for people in need. The term ‘Good Samaritan’ comes from the Bible parable (Luke 10) where a Samaritan helped a stranger who had been beaten and robbed by the side of the road. The Samaritan helped to clean the man’s wounds and provide him with clothing. *How can you and your family observe this day?* It’s important to remember that family fun nights don’t have to always be about food and games. Your family can connect in meaningful ways around serving others. Plan a night to look through websites and gift-guides for relief organizations. Here are a few organizations that we know and trust. If you are able, consider giving your child(ren) a budget to spend on helping others. For around $30 they can buy a few chickens to help their neighbors in another part of the world! [Samaritan’s Purse](https://www.samaritanspurse.org) – Donating your time and gift to Samaritan’s purse helps to fulfill their mission of relief and evangelism worldwide. Samaritan’s purse provides emergency medicine, international emergency relief, care for mothers and babies around the world, and so many more services to those in need. [Compassion International](https://www.compassion.com) – Compassion International is a Christian humanitarian aid organization and child sponsorship program. Compassion aims to support and assist children living in poverty globally. You and your family can sponsor a child in need, as a result of this many families have developed lifelong bonds with the children they sponsor. [Food for The Hungry](https://www.fh.org) – Food for the Hungry was created to serve the poor by providing food, shelter, and clothing. Food for the Hungry also aims to provide economic development in some of the world’s most impoverished places. By sponsoring a child, providing clean water, and helping families during a crisis you are making a positive impact in the world! Another way to have fun on this day is to share random acts of kindness as a family. You never know how much your thoughtfulness can make someone’s day! Celebrate Good Samaritan’s Day with your family by performing Random Acts of Kindness. Each act of kindness changes the way we see ourselves and others and well as how others see us. The little acts you carry out help to show that what you do matters. They bring awareness to the fact that you can make a difference in this world with just one act of kindness at a time. Visit the website [www.random](http://www.randomactsofkindness.org)[actsofkindness.org](http://www.randomactsofkindness.org) to get some creative ideas on how to celebrate kindness this day! **National Goof Off Day – March 22** Time to let loose and have some fun! National Goof Off Day can be a day to just relax, enjoy, and well . . . goof off! With the way the beginning of the year has started off, families need to unwind and have fun! We all need a break, so what better time to do it than on National Goof Off Day! *How to celebrate this holiday?* There are no rules! Maybe anything goes at the dinner table tonight! Check out some fun ideas for families to do on [International Goof Off Day on National Day Calendar](https://nationaldaycalendar.com/march-22-2020-national-goof-off-day-national-bavarian-crepes-day-national-west-virginia-day/). **National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day – April 12** Grilled cheese is recognized as one of America’s top comfort foods. So, of course, it’s only right to have a holiday for it! The United States’ modern version of the grilled cheese sandwich originated in the 1920s. As sliced bread and American cheese became easily available, Americans began making open-faced grilled cheese sandwiches. Grilled cheese sandwiches are very versatile! Mix and match bread, use different varieties of cheese to create your own signature grilled cheese sandwich. *A fun way to celebrate this day with your family?* Create a grilled cheese bar and use some tasty and unconventional ingredients to make the grilled cheese sandwich of your dreams. Check out [these wacky, yet delicious cheese combos and ingredients](http://www.google.com/amp/s/parade.com/847685/jessicaformicola/28-ooey-gooey-non-traditional-grilled-cheese-ideas/amp/)! **National Picnic Day – April 23** Grab your favorite blanket, a fun basket filled with all your favorite snacks, and take breakfast, lunch, or dinner outside with a picnic. National Picnic Day encourages everyone to pack up their meal and take it outside! But picnics don’t have to be limited to the park, get creative with your family. Set up your picnic in your living room or even transform your dining area into your perfect picnic spot. *Need some ideas on what to pack?* Check out [these fun kid-friendly recipes](https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/kid-friendly-picnic-food-ideas/) to make with your family! . . . . . . . . . . These are just a few of the many fun national days you can use as inspiration to create fun and connection in your home around the rhythm of the seasons. You don’t have to do a lot of planning. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Get creative as you look for ways to bring lightheartedness and joy to your family schedule. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Fun --- ### [Help Your Kids Understand the Meaning of Memorial Day](https://gominno.com/blog/help-your-kids-understand-the-meaning-of-memorial-day/) **Published:** May 22, 2024 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/A0uITo8S9uNaFH7G9G9S/convert?width=800&quality=80) *What does Memorial Day look like in your home?* Like many Americans, it probably looks like kicking off summer with a barbecue, a road trip, or a beach vacation. Memorial Day is the official-unofficial start to summer vacation. But it is also a holiday with important meaning as we honor soldiers who have lost their lives for our country. *How can we help our kids understand the sacrifices made by those who have fallen while defending our country?* I’ve wrestled with this question personally, even though we had been a military family up until a few years ago when my husband retired from the Air Force. I know I’ve been guilty of making the day more about the summer fun and less about its real significance. It can be even more difficult to help your kids grasp what the day truly means when you don’t have any personal experience with military service. Growing up, I didn’t know anything about what it meant to be in the military, but I fell in love with my best friend’s brother who had left our hometown of Nashville to go to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. After four years of dating long-distance, we got married, and I spent the next seventeen years of my life as an Air Force wife. During that season of our lives, we moved every three to four years, made incredible life-long friends, had our three sons (all in different states), and made it through overseas deployments. Whether or not you have any personal experience with military culture, we all get to experience the benefits of security and freedom that are made possible because of those who volunteer to serve. Helping children understand those freedoms and cultivating hearts of gratitude in them will ultimately make them better citizens and help them to live lives that honor God and bless our nation and our world. #### **When Memorial Day Hits Home** The tradition of Memorial Day began in this country as a day to remember those who died in military service while protecting all the freedoms we enjoy. We express our gratitude for their sacrifice by honoring their memories and by decorating their graves. Memorial Day took on a very personal meaning for me in 2011. One day that April my husband came home and told me that his friend, Frank Bryant, had been shot and killed in Afghanistan. My husband and Frank had been roommates during their four years at the Air Force Academy. My husband had flown out to be in his wedding two years earlier. Frank and his wife had a one-year-old son at the time. Our hearts were broken. We flew to Washington, D. C. for Frank’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery. As we sat in the chapel waiting for the service to begin, I was hit with a wave of emotion when his wife walked in holding their son’s hand as he toddled happily beside her. I felt a sense of panic as I looked for the nearest exit out of fear that I was going to completely lose control of my emotions and make a scene. This beautiful wife and mother was living out my very worst nightmare. I managed to hold it together while I sat fervently praying that God would hold her together and get her through this. Four years later, I still try to remember to pray that prayer. #### **A Heart of Sacrifice** My husband’s favorite verse is [John 15:13](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+15%3A13&version=ESV), “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” This heart of sacrifice is what compels men and women in the armed services to take an oath to defend our nation and to be willing to lay down their lives for one another and for their country. Memorial Day honors those, like Lt. Col. Frank Bryant, who believed in something bigger than their own lives. They knew that their individual story was a part of a bigger, more important story, and they were willing to play their part, even though it meant giving up their life. I believe a life of sacrifice for something greater than ourselves is a common thread among all followers of Jesus whether we’re military or civilian. We have been called to lay down our lives for the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it,” ([Matthew 16:25](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+16%3A25&version=ESV) ESV). Laying down one’s life is about showing the love of Jesus to others–love that is real and tangible–love that gives hope to hurting people. **We can help our children learn to love in ways that stretch around the globe as well as loving big and giving of ourselves right where we are.** #### **Teaching Kids Through Memorial Day** Memorial Day is a great time to ask our kids: - How can we pray for military families who have lost their loved ones? - Who has made sacrifices for us and how can we show them gratitude? - What sacrifices could you make for your brothers and sisters or your mom and dad to show them that you love them? #### **The Sacrificial Love of Jesus** Sacrificial love, in all its forms, points us back to Jesus. As we let Him pour this love deep into our hearts, we are in turn able to pour this love out to others. And I believe that acknowledging these sacrifices, in all their forms, helps our children to see the bigger picture–a vast and beautiful drama in which God is calling them to play their unique and invaluable part as they lay down what God created only them to give. . . . . . . . . . . ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/ttKdO1gR0Siyi01fZ7ct/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) Frank’s family placed a memorial at the cemetery on the grounds of the Air Force Academy near where we live, and last Memorial Day, we went and placed small American flags on that granite bench, and we remembered his sacrifice. It’s a tradition we will continue, and one I hope we can share with others this year. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/wMwolrBNTuSilxReVA8A/convert?width=151&quality=80) *Jenni McCadams is a wife, mother, photographer, and graphic artist who currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband, three boys (ages 13, 10, and 8), and their giant Goldendoodle Max. She loves interior design, hiking, growing things, and is officially the world’s worst meal planner. You can follow her on Twitter @JenniMcCadams or Instagram at @JenniLane15.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Memorial Day --- ### [How Do You Help Your Kids Finish Strong?](https://gominno.com/blog/help-kids-finish-strong-school-spring-fever-hits/) **Published:** May 2, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/social-group.jpg "- Minno Kids") *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ### How do you help your kids finish strong with school when spring fever hits? #### Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) > This is our first official school year as my oldest completes Kindergarten. I see the end of the year as a time to grab your second wind and race as hard as you can to finish as strong as you can. The learning process was new to us this year and we’re so proud of how well our daughter did in school. But there are things left to master…things I want her to have confidence in before she enters First Grade. With extra focus and intentional cheerleading from me and her dad, we hope to encourage her to keep going until she finishes the race. #### Stef of [Educating Laytons](http://www.Educatinglaytons.com) > We switch it up and get outside! I think play, fresh air, and sunshine are such great influences on attitudes. We do our schoolwork outside, but we also start outside projects. Gardening, bug collecting, flower dissecting, and such are great ways to get outside, learn outside, and enjoy each other! #### Laura of [Raising Soldiers 4 Christ](http://www.Raisingsoldiers4christ.com) > We take school outside. This seems to really help with spring fever. There are so many ways to incorporate outdoor learning into your regular studies and this seems to keep kids pressing on. #### Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.Courtneysix.blogspot.com) > We homeschool and I keep the kids posted on how many weeks of school we have left so they can stay focused on school work. #### Cara of [Cheap Ways To…](http://www.Cheapwaysto.com) > I met with my first grader’s teacher and we devised a plan to help her stay motivated. Madilyn has an “effort card” now for which the teacher awards stickers when she notices my daughter going the extra mile with her work. When she fills a card with 10 stickers, she gets free “creative play” time after she completes an assignment. This really motivates her. #### Wendy of [Hip Homeschool Moms](http://www.Hiphomeschoolmoms.com) > We try to “save up” vacation days throughout the year so we can miss more days toward the end of the year. During all those nasty cold winter days when we don’t want to be outside anyway, we try to get a lot of schoolwork done. Then, when it’s a particularly nice spring day, we skip school and go outside! If we just can’t skip school that day, we take our schoolwork outside and enjoy being in the sunshine even while we’re working. #### Danika of [Thinking Kids](http://www.Thinkingkidsblog.org) > We live in the Pacific Northwest, and when the sunshine appears, it’s a cause for celebration. Because we homeschool, we make time to get outside for sanity breaks. During a regular school day, we take two thirty-minute breaks outside — one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Taking them at the same time every day helps us make it through our work. One afternoon a week, we move school outside. Sometimes this means we go hiking with our art journals and we paint cherry blossoms or work on botany diagrams. We’ll read our historical fiction on the trampoline. Once in a while, we’ll call our friends, meet up at the park, and play a game of baseball in the grass. Our schooling survives spring fever because we embrace it by scheduling time to be out learning and playing in God’s great creation. #### Heather of [Learning As We Grow…Growing As We Learn](http://www.learningandgrowingalongtheway.blogspot.com) > We memorize verses like Phillipians 4:13, and remind them that they have worked hard and it is important to finish what they have started. A half finished castle isn’t much to look at…or other examples of things that they can imagine or visualize. #### Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://www.Chaosappreciation.com/blog) > Since we homeschool, I plan for Spring Fever days. We spend several of the snow days in winter doing our studies so we can have “Sun Days” off instead. #### Carlie of [Managing Your Blessings](http://www.Managingyourblessings.com) > For us, as homeschoolers, we usually start school much earlier during the spring season. Our children are naturally early risers and we often start school by 6am and finish by lunchtime. And then there are days that we just go outside! #### Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.OurOutofSyncLife.com) > One of the things we do in order to finish the school year strong is to continue our winter “schedule” until school it out. This means bedtimes remain the same, even if the sky is still full of light. Homework and studies continue to be a priority. In our family, the kids take their cues from their parents. If we remain strong, they will remain strong. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Homeschooling: 5 Tips for First-Time Parent-Teachers](https://gominno.com/blog/homeschooling-5-tips-for-first-year-parent-teachers/) **Published:** August 3, 2020 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Wta4PfVYTLOFTpe9nOHv.jpg) Quick survey: *At the start of the new year, when you made your resolutions, where did “homeschool the kids” rank on your list?* Maybe you’ve been rolling the idea around in your head for a while, wondering how it might work and when you should go for it. Or maybe the thought of becoming your child’s teacher had never occurred to you before. But here we are. Thankfully, [homeschooling](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-become-a-homeschool-teacher-general-requirements-and-online-resources-for-your-state) isn’t the first curveball 2020 tossed our way. If nothing else, we parents have proven to ourselves that we can do hard things and, oftentimes, our families are all the better for it. So whether you’re going full parent-teacher mode or taking on a virtual-learning supervisory role, we’ve got your back. That’s why we reached out to Greta Eskridge—prominent speaker, author of *[Adventuring Together](https://www.amazon.com/Adventuring-Together-Connections-Lasting-Memories-ebook/dp/B081MSSRKQ),* and homeschool mom of four. Her encouraging words and useful tips are sure to be just the boost you need to get started. #### **5 Expert Tips for First-Time Homeschoolers** **1. Start with the end in mind.** Greta encourages parents to take the long view in developing a homeschool plan. She suggests asking yourself questions like, *What kind of qualities and character traits do I want my child to develop?* *What kind of learning and ideas do I want him/her to be exposed to?* *What kind of academic and life skills do I want her to learn before she goes out into the world?* These questions and their answers go beyond [curriculum](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market), but they might *inform* curriculum decisions too. Developing an overarching vision for your child’s education at home—whether it be one semester, this school year, or now until graduation—can help narrow down the countless options available to homeschoolers and help novice remote learning parents prioritize during this season. Say yes only to what works best for your family. **2. Build big-picture thinking into your weekly schedule.** You’re probably prepared to cover the basics—like math and reading for little ones plus history, geography, and science for older kids. But you can fill in the gaps by considering your long term goals. *“If you hope to raise a child with a lifelong love and interest in nature, you should make nature study a big part of your upcoming school year,”* says Greta. And to encourage a long-term love of reading, she suggests parents request great books from the library (try curbside pickup if you can’t go inside), listen to audiobooks in the car, and read aloud on a regular basis. **3. Look for every opportunity to get outside.** Greta’s crew took homeschool outdoors before it was COVID-cool. That’s because, as Greta explains, *“learning outside the walls of the house makes learning come alive in new ways.”* You could set up a picnic blanket with snacks and workbooks, talk science on a weekly hike, or create art where inspiration abounds and messes don’t matter. Getting outside offers a change of scenery, fresh air, vitamin D, and the opportunity to engage in the wider world at a time when our options for going places are limited. Getting outside might also allow you to safely meet up with another homeschool family. After all, Greta advises that no one should take on this endeavor in isolation. **4. Cultivate a love of learning in your child.** *Want to make your job as a first-time homeschool parent as easy and enjoyable as possible?* Teach your kids to view learning as fun. Education as enrichment. Greta suggests we do this in two ways. First, *“hold your schedule with open hands.”* As the homeschooling parent, you’re casting the vision, choosing the curriculum, and determining the schedule. That’s great. *But a kid who shows up ready to learn?* That’s key. So be flexible. Then, work to discover the subjects that draw your kids’ interest. *“Taking a year to help your child delight in learning is not a lost year. Study the things that light your child up and offer them as part—or all–of their school curriculum,”* says Greta. *“Make learning less of a chore for both of you and you’ll be amazed at how much better things will go.”* **5. Cherish the relationships you’re building.** Regardless of your reasons for—and reservations about—homeschooling for the first time, we’re better off when we acknowledge the blessings during this moment in time. As Greta reflects on her own experience growing up in homeschool, she admits loving the flexibility and freedom in her schedule. *But even better?* Developing a close bond with her parents—something she hopes her own children will appreciate. And she encourages us to work toward the same, saying, *“Don’t get so lost in trying to find the right curriculum, crafting the perfect schedule, or making sure your kids are at grade level that you miss the relational aspect of homeschooling. It truly is the most beautiful part.”* Okay, moms and dads. *Are you feeling better?* We sure are. Time to welcome these kids back to (home)school with confidence. **. . . . . . . . . .** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/csvp2oEdTwqH0InrkGnC.jpg)** Greta Eskridge is a nature lover, book reader, and coffee drinker. She craves relationship and loves having adventures. Her faith in God is the lens through which she sees life. Greta is a homeschooling mom of 4, a wife of 22 years to Aaron, and an author and speaker. Greta’s first book, *[Adventuring Together](https://www.amazon.com/Adventuring-Together-Connections-Lasting-Memories-ebook/dp/B081MSSRKQ)*, released last month. Greta would love to connect with you on her [blog](http://www.gretaeskridge.com) or on Instagram @maandpamodern. **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Homeschooling --- ### [Guiding Kids Into Faith Through Gentle Invitation](https://gominno.com/blog/guiding-kids-into-faith-gentle-invitation/) **Published:** June 23, 2021 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![44874 - Family](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/44874.jpg "- Minno Kids") Back when I was single and seeking a relationship, I often felt frustrated meeting girls. Actually, meeting them never seemed to be a problem – it was catching their interest that was difficult. It was after several failed experiences that some trusted friends and family members gently asked if I was trying too hard in my pursuit of finding my match. Certainly, I didn’t think so. I mean, I really believed I had a lot to offer some lucky lady and was bewildered over why I was having so much trouble finding a serious girlfriend. Eventually, someone had the nerve to tell me I was coming across too strong in expressing my interest. Believe it or not, I had never figured an enthusiastic person such as myself could ever scare someone away. But upon reflection, it appeared I had unknowingly been doing that all along in my dating experience. #### **Take the Pressure Off** It wasn’t until I changed my style and was more relaxed that I apparently became more appealing and attractive to women. Acting more naturally and without unintended pressure implied, I came across more confidently and showed my finest colors in just the right manner. It seems to have worked out, as that woman who had the audacity to suggest I was too strong in my search for love ultimately said “yes,” sharing vows with me before God and our loved ones a few years later. Today, I enjoy Heaven on earth with my wife and our three young children, considering myself dearly blessed. Yet, as my family knows all too well, living as Christians is tough enough when trying to navigate through all the secular messages and temptations in society. Add to this the Great Commission and one can feel a little conflicted. > *Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 NLT* Like dating, introducing faith to others, and especially our children, can be equally daunting and present a challenge not to come across as aggressive or forceful in our invitation. Imagine you approach someone on the street or at the park with a Bible in hand, quoting Scripture and sprinkling holy water on them. Not only might that be a little awkward, I’m not sure that’s what Jesus meant when He directed His apostles to share the Gospel message and baptize all people. #### **Time to Step Up By Backing Down** The Easter season has come and gone, but Christians of all branches can ponder both the responsibility and importance of revealing God’s Good News well beyond Pentecost Sunday. With no more Easter lilies or chocolate bunnies to help draw people’s attention, we are now tested to see how brightly our inner fire burns for Christ by how we spread His Holy Word to our greater community. But similar to playing the dating game, nobody wishes to be rejected when offering the peace and love of Jesus to their neighbor or someone they meet on the city bus, most of all their children. *So the question is, how do we proclaim the Gospel in our daily living without rubbing people the wrong way? How do we show our kids that a life with Christ is worth pursuing? In other words, how do we draw them towards God and not turn them away from Him?* #### **Words Have Meaning** Notwithstanding Jesus’ Beatitudes and our call to remain true to our faith despite whatever persecution we might endure, how we speak can still carry weight with those around us. > *The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT* In a time when words like “evangelize” and “minister” are considered more turn-offs than magnets, we must be aware of language when sharing our faith with others, especially kids. Striking a balance between passion and comfort, we can show sincerity in our faith story without overwhelming listeners with details or lingo. #### **Actions Speak Louder Than Words** As the saying goes, “Preach the Gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.” With this in mind, we may find it more effective to display discipleship through humble presentation rather than cite our favorite Biblical passage. In so doing, our kids and others we come in contact with may draw more to our invitation to encounter Jesus thanks to our virtuous living instead of a more academic sharing. > *No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT* Acts of kindness, honest efforts in our professional paths, placing the needs of others before our own, and simply how we talk to our children can all serve as perfect complements to sharing faith through words and Scripture. **The Genuine Article** Just as disciples flocked to Jesus based on His righteous yet genuine example, our character and demeanor can serve as an innocent welcome for our children to walk along a path with God. **Being authentic to all can allow them to see and know Christ through our reflection of Him.** #### **Meet Them Where They Are** It has been said, “You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.” Age, personal experiences, peers, and popular culture are just some of the factors that can influence one’s relationship with God. This can be the case, particularly with children or teenagers. Recognizing not everyone may appreciate or practice faith in the same manner, it is important not to be judgmental or forceful. However, what we can do is simply offer innocent understanding, love, and encouragement for others, [wherever they may be](https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/feed-your-soul/2021/meet-them-where-they-are.html) in their spiritual life adventure. Respecting this and patiently journeying alongside our children can provide just enough support that, in time, they might curiously open themselves to discovering the Lord more—doing so on their terms and without feeling pressured—which will lead to a more authentic, personal, and long-term faith. Mindful of all of these points, we can strive to share the wonder of God’s goodness in our daily living. By encouraging others, and especially our children, through invitation and example to come to know the Lord willingly, we can prove the advantages of inspiration for faith over the imposition of it. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Parenting --- ### [Fun and Easy Ways to Prank Your Kids On April Fools’ Day](https://gominno.com/blog/fun-and-easy-ways-to-prank-your-kids-on-april-fools-day/) **Published:** March 28, 2022 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/yNUN1xmiRag4jAx0UUJR.jpg) Welcome, fellow Googlers. Never do I spend more time scouring the internet for brilliance than I do on the eve of April Fools’ Day. A yearly opportunity to show love to my kids through good natured pranking. Luckily for you—and for me—the best ideas require no advance planning and usually involve items you already have in your home. That’s what you’ll find here anyway. Okay, friends, let’s hop to it! #### **The April Fools’ Day Pranking Parent’s Guide to Good Fun** But first, a quick note. April Fools’ Day is most fun when it’s fun for everyone. So be sure to keep these two things in mind: - Jokes don’t need to last long to be good. Let kids in on pranks *before* they get upset. - Be prepared to get (mediocre) pranked in return. Practice your shocked facial expression and your loudest laugh. Your over-the-top reactions will make their day! #### **My Favorite Simple April Fools’ Day Prank of All Time** Last April Fool’s Day presented the perfect pranking opportunity. Early pandemic days, kids home from school and lots and lots (you remember those days, right?) and lots of time to kill. Still, we kept things simple and pulled off perhaps my favorite joke to date: Brown-Es. To do this in your own home, grab some brown construction paper or a leftover Amazon box and cut out a few uppercase Es. Place each E on a plate and give a holler: *“Brown-Es! Anybody want a brown-E?”* Then wait. It won’t take long. Your kids will come running and, if they’re like mine, one might even say, *“I smell the chocolate!”* Try not to give away the joke with your giggles. *Wanna see how this went down with my own kids?* With bellies full of cookies, the boys went on to prank us by pretending to be one another, offering pretend food as real food and, ya know, shouting “April Fools’ Day” whenever we least expected it. **5 More Tried and True Easy April Fools’ Day Pranks For Kids** Of course, we’ve loved other pranks too. Here are a few of our favorites: **Frozen Cereal** Pour cereal and milk in a bowl and stick it in the freezer overnight. Including a spoon is optional. Serve it for breakfast and watch your kids try to eat with that early-morning confusion. **Overnight Mustache** Grab eyeliner and sneak into your child’s bedroom at night to draw some surprise facial hair. Try not to say anything when they wake up—let the mirror do the talking for you. **Autocorrect Mixup** Last year, I set my husband’s text messages to turn every “Hey” into “Hey all you cool cats and kittens.” It went over so well and I think this prank would work great on teens too. Simply go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement (or Shortcut). When adding a new shortcut, put the silly word or phrase you’d like to see in the space marked “Phrase” and the generic word you’d like to replace in the space marked “Shortcut”. **Backward Clothes** Wear your clothes backward and act like your kids are the crazy ones for mentioning it. This one is next-level laziness but it’s also guaranteed to get some of the biggest laughs from little ones. **Toilet Paper Tape** Grab a roll of duct tape, painter’s tape—or anything with a cardboard center—and do a quick switcheroo on the toilet paper holder. Just be ready to come to the rescue in your child’s time of need! **What We’re Doing This Year** Shhhh . . . Don’t tell my boys, but I think we’ll start this year’s festivities off with a glass of blue milk, inspired by our family’s favorite show, The Mandalorian. A few drops of food coloring in the milk carton—remind me to grab the kind you can’t see through—should do the trick! *How will you prank your kids for April Fool’s Day?* Inquiring minds want to know! Share your ideas with us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/gominno/?hl=en) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno). **Categories:** Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** April Fools' Day, Family Fun --- ### [Finding the Courage to Move in Motherhood](https://gominno.com/blog/finding-the-courage-to-move-in-motherhood/) **Published:** May 19, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Find-the-Courage-to-Move-in-Motherhood.jpg "- Minno Kids") I have this odd hang-up about being in control. It doesn’t always show up in my everyday life but it affects my ability to do things like snow skiing, roller skating, even bike riding. I simply can’t allow an object connected to my body have control over my movement. It’s completely unnerving to think that skis, skates, and wheels could take over and move me places I don’t want to go (like flat on the ground or stuck in a bush). I’ve felt this way for as long as I can remember. My aversion to moving sports equipment didn’t include boats at first. I had no problem sitting in a structure that required my own force for it to move from point A to point B. Then one day in college I attended a team-building canoe trip and everything changed. My younger (and obviously less mature) teammate thought it would be funny to rock the boat. The water was high that day so I was already on edge. When he tipped the canoe and I got caught underneath it, it ended my days on the river. I’ve turned down many offers to go canoeing since. So I added canoes to my list of *“things to avoid because they make me feel out of control.”* I never invested time or courage into mastering these activities. **I simply left them alone because I didn’t like how they made me feel: unqualified and out of control.** #### **Along Comes Motherhood** And then I became a mom. The funny thing is . . . the feeling of being out of control that comes with wheels and such pales in comparison to what I often feel (in my own strength) as a parent. These tiny humans I’m blessed to raise can make me feel so utterly helpless. **Most days I feel completely unqualified to guide them.** *I have so much to learn about God myself, how could I ever teach them?* *I miss the mark every single day. How can I expect them to make good decisions?* *I open my Bible and most of the time I have no idea what God is trying to say to me. How can I lead my children to study His Word?* *They don’t even listen to me. How can I encourage them to listen to God?* #### **Afraid to Move . . .** Discipling our kids can feel like being on a pair of roller skates just trying to keep from falling flat! We grasp for something to hold onto every chance we get. There’s no gliding or fancy footwork in parenting. Most of the time, we’re simply trying to keep our feet from slipping out from under us. Whether we’re fifth-generation Christians or new to a relationship with Jesus, we’re all unqualified on our own. In Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, he writes, > It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT There’s an old saying in the church . . . *God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.* Often, I’ve rolled my eyes at this notion because it feels patronizing. But I can’t think of one area of life where it’s more true than in our families. Not one of us is actually qualified to parent our children before they enter our lives. **It’s only by the grace of God we’re all still breathing and growing personally, spiritually, and emotionally, making each day better than the one before.** #### **Believing His Message for Ourselves** From the very beginning, we teach our children that God loves them no matter what, His spirit will guide them daily, and they can look to Him for forgiveness and help whenever they need it. **But this message we aim to instill in our children is one we often cannot accept for ourselves.** ![Organism - Line](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/organism.jpg "- Minno Kids") Our lack of qualifications and strength is what proves to our children they need God. My most effective parenting moments are often the messiest. When I get real and raw with my kids and they see me living out the gospel in my humility and brokenness, this is when they begin to connect the dots. The parent who isn’t afraid to ask questions and wrestle through the hard stuff is a leader they can confidently follow. **The God who loves mommy even after she’s raised her voice is a God they can safely surrender their lives to.** > Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow their example of faith. Hebrews 13:7 NLT We read a verse like this and we interpret *“all the good that has come from their lives”* as perfection or spiritual “arrival.” *But what if the writer of Hebrews was instead talking about the good fruit we read about in Galatians 5?* **Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If this is our aim, then our “qualification” for the work of the kingdom is much more attainable.** And when we’re aiming for good fruit, [we begin to understand the growth process](https://www.gominno.com/parents/the-garden-of-motherhood/). Planting, watering, cultivating, and tending our own relationship with God while we do the same for that of our family. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/photo-caption.jpg "- Minno Kids") The Word is full of verses, like this one, that will give us the courage to move forward in our motherhood, in all our humanity, to lead our children toward Jesus. We bring nothing to become followers of Jesus, but God calls us into loving, believing in, and following Him. We cannot earn His love, but it is a gift of grace. And God’s grace extends into the way we live, work, love, and parent. **It is by His grace we are called and qualified to do the sacred work of parenting and discipleship.** #### 5 Verses to Help You Find the Courage to Move in Your Motherhood: 1. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT 2. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT 3. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT 4. Let your roots grow down into him and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 NLT 5. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 NLT #### **Always Growing, Always Learning** The book, *A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society* by Eugene Peterson is one of my favorite books on discipleship. Peterson’s perspective also applies to family faith and growth. In it, Peterson says, > We are in a growing-learning relationship \[with Jesus\], always. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over my fear of wheels and skis and boats rocking in the river. But the further I get into my journey as a mother, the more I find the courage to move . . . to get out of my comfort zone and do things and learn things I used to be afraid of. **I’m pushing past the idea that I have to be qualified before I even try because that is the whole point of the grace I long to share with my children. It’s the growing-learning relationship. It’s the whole message of the gospel.** We don’t have to have it figured out. We can do it scared. The point is to bravely move forward, together, fully embracing the adventure of faith. ***What can you do this month to bravely embrace the adventure of faith for your family?*** **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Discipleship, Motherhood --- ### [Family Goal Setting Revisited: When It's Hard to Follow Through](https://gominno.com/blog/family-goal-setting-revisited-when-its-hard-to-follow-through/) **Published:** January 10, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/crxCXSiVTs6ae5YM2I3E.jpg)Last night, as I was writing an article about praying for peace in my family this year, my oldest got out of bed and argued with me about going back to sleep. Long story short (though predictable), I ended up yelling at my daughter in the middle of writing that optimistic and hopeful article about my goals for a peaceful family. **Reaching goals is hard enough**. When you combine it with the immeasurably harder task of parenting, well, it feels nearly impossible! So, what’s a parent to do? When we recognize the difficulty of setting and reaching goals for our families, should we just give up? Maybe we just lower the bar a little bit – again? Or do we turn pragmatic and avoid disappointment by forgoing goals at all? No way! As parents many of us have written mission statements, made resolutions and set goals for our families just as we’ve done all that for ourselves. And just like we find reasons not to work out or floss our teeth or take our multivitamin on day three of the new year, new month, new week . . . we are just as easily tripped up with the goals we set for our families. Even though I said I was sticking with one goal and one goal only this year (peace), I have a couple dozen strategies in mind for making that happen. Getting up early to pray. Reading a devotion with each of my kids. Putting my phone down more and looking them in the eyes more. But even in the first few days of this new year I found myself slipping back into old habits. It’s easy, after all, because there’s always SOMETHING. - It’s still Christmas break and our schedule is messed up. - We’re just getting back into a regular routine. - I’m sick. - They’re sick. - I have a meeting. - She has basketball practice. **And the excuses just keep coming, because life just keeps coming.** The real, messy, everyday, can’t-plan-for-it life just keeps coming! And all of that makes it real hard to follow through on those big plans I made for my family and myself just a few weeks ago. Fortunately, God isn’t surprised by any of the roadblocks we find ourselves facing. He knows full and well, even as we’re promising Him that this year will be different, that this time we’re gonna DO THIS THING, that we are going to stumble. **He knows doing the right thing is hard.** (If it wasn’t hard, then I guess we wouldn’t need to keep setting these goals for ourselves!) And that is why He’s given us encouragement in His word: > Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV Running the race with family goals – whether that means daily devotions with your children, eating dinner together more frequently, holding your tongue when you want to yell, or going to church on a regular basis – isn’t easy. **But God will give us strength to keep going.** More often than I’d like to admit, I find myself apologizing to my family. They are infuriating in so many ways (like only a family can be), but they are all quick to forgive. I’m grateful for that, and I strive to return the same grace to them (easier said than done). The important part of all that mess, though, is that when we apologize to each other, when we acknowledge where we’ve fallen short of those goals (again), we don’t let it get us down. We are determined not to become weary in doing good (or at least attempting it). **And we remind each other that tomorrow is a new day, that we can start over, that we can offer each other and ourselves fresh mercies, just as God offers them to us.** *Originally published on 01/26/2017* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [5 End of the School Year Prayers for Your Child's Teacher](https://gominno.com/blog/prayers-for-your-childs-teacher-2/) **Published:** May 9, 2023 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/K8QxWzsDT520LGqyJm8N_Pray-for-Teacher-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Summer is coming soon, and if your children are school-age, thoughts quickly turn to vacation and carefree days! *How often at this time of year do we think of our children’s teachers?* This year has been full of ups, downs, chaos, and change. Teachers have served on the front lines of pivoting and innovating. So as this year winds down, take a few moments to pray for the teachers in your life. Remembering them with gifts at Christmas and for teacher appreciation is so thoughtful! *But what about remembering them by praying for them?* Specific prayers for our children’s teachers, whether they teach in a public or private school environment, can be amazingly beneficial, sometimes in ways we won’t expect! I love the way the King James translates James 5:16: > “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Not only do our prayers surround the teachers themselves with encouragement, but being intentional (fervent) about it reminds us as parents that what goes on in our children’s classroom is a very important part of their lives, so it’s valuable to be covering it in prayer! I hope you’ll pray over your children’s teachers even if you are not sure whether or not they are Christians. And through these prayers, I hope you’ll find your own heart will be softened toward any struggles or potentially difficult teacher/parent situations that may arise. ## Here are 5 specific prayers for your children’s teachers this year: **1. Give thanks for your child’s teacher and that they have been placed in that classroom for this specific year.** It hasn’t been easy, for kids or adults! But praise the Lord for surrounding your kids with the teachers and administrators they had during this hard school year. **2. Pray that your children’s teachers will be safe, healthy, and supported.** As we round the bend on this school year, pray for preservation of physical and emotional health for your child’s teachers. **3. Ask God to open the hearts of any teacher who may not be walking with Him** and ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen any who may be struggling in their faith. Pray that the Lord will allow Christian teachers to have a good witness and testimony to their co-workers, whether in a private or secular environment. **4. Pray for strength and “summer rest” for your children’s teachers and administration.** Something a teacher friend shared with me was the reality that though teachers are home with their own kids during the summer, they often have work to do as the next school year draws near. Pray that your children’s teachers would truly be able to enjoy their time off and rest up mentally and physically for the year ahead, especially after this year’s blend of in-person and online learning, quarantines, and endless change. **5. Ask that God would provide teachers with encouragers to come alongside them, for patience to handle difficult classroom situations, and for a loving heart toward the children they are teaching.** As a mom I completely understand that some days with kids can be harder than others! Being a teacher involves a lot of patience and perseverance in trying times. Teaching involves having a calm and kind spirit when handling misunderstandings with parents or administration. It is truly a calling, so pray that the Lord would help your children’s teachers press on in this important and influential career! **As you’re praying for your child’s teacher, ask your children to join you! Then drop the teacher a note to let them know you prayed for them.** Include Sunday school and Bible teachers in your prayers too. And then wait expectantly to see how God shows His faithfulness in your children’s school situation and through their teachers for His glory! The results of fervent prayers will be of great eternal value. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Prayer, School Year --- ### [Discover Simple Ways Your Family Can Care for Creation](https://gominno.com/blog/creation-care-minno-life-guide/) **Published:** April 19, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FPsIx34T9Kdwpfol05FA.jpg "- Minno Kids") One of my favorite sounds is the song of birds chirping outside my window. Their tune reminds me of sunshine, green growth, and new life . . . the hope of Spring! Each season brings beautiful reminders of God’s creation but there’s just something about Spring that turns my attention toward the incredible world God made and His call for us to care for it. ‘ Genesis 2:15 (NIV) says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” *Can you imagine the joy of living in and caring for God’s garden?* *If God asked Adam to care for His perfect garden, before sin ever imposed on all that He had made, how much more does the Earth we live in today need our care?* Our call to be stewards of creation is not one to be met with drudgery but rather, an excitement to do our part to preserve the valuable resources we enjoy—land, air, water, plants, and animals. Yes, it can feel overwhelming to think about making a difference in our great, big world. But when each of us makes small changes, together, we make a big impact on creation. We understand that family life is busy and full and you may not have time to start a worm bin or tend a garden. There is no pressure to adopt every suggestion in this resource. As you dig into each area, prayerfully consider what small changes you can make. . . . . . . . . . . Caring for God’s amazing creation can feel like a really big job! But you don’t have to memorize statistics, understand the latest science, or even dramatically change your lifestyle to care for the earth. Creation care can start with simple habits and just being aware . . . that God created the earth and every amazing thing in it, and that we are called to take care of His creation. Our latest Minno Life Guide: [**Creation Care: How Your Family Can Love the Earth**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care), written by Jenni Brandon, Ph.D. and Senior Scientist at Applied Ocean Sciences, will help your family discover small changes that will make a big impact on the beautiful world God made. - Learn scientific facts about our land, air, water, plants, and animals and how they are changing for the good and not-so-good. - Discover ways your family can make small changes to help conserve our resources. - Engage in conversations and simple creation care practices with the ideas and prompts in this guide. - Use the included Creation Care Journal to guide kids on a journey of exploration into the wonderful world God made and their opportunity to steward it well. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Creation-Care-1756x992-1.png "- Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) Visit the Minno Store to get your [Creation Care Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care)! **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Minno Life Guides **Tags:** Minno Life Guides --- ### [Easter Family Guide and Printable Activities from Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/family-easter-activity-pack-from-minno/) **Published:** March 8, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/z9Ygai11QliQ39jQUqXL.jpg)#### **We invite you and your family to prepare your hearts for Easter with Minno!** Get access to 90 minutes of Easter content to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus, plus off-screen resources to walk your family through Holy Week with meaningful activities! When you sign up, you’ll get our [FREE Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) with daily activities to guide you through this sacred season and help you have conversations that matter! - Journey toward the cross with daily activities that will connect you to God and each other. - Follow the Easter story as you watch our [Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/ "Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special"). - Memorize 1 Peter 1:3 as a family. - Create a Family Tree to see God’s promise to Abraham fulfilled through Jesus. - Host a family Passover meal. - Create a Good News newspaper to spread the word about Jesus’ big love! - Share the Easter Egg Gospel to understand God’s great rescue plan. We pray the activities in this guide help your family connect with God’s love this Easter season and share experiences that illuminate the new life and hope He desires for you to carry forward this year. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/04225945/Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1.png "Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1 - Minno Kids")[Learn More ](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/ "Learn More ")and get access to FREE content and download your Easter Family Guide! **Categories:** Activity Packs, Bible + Faith, Fun for Kids, Now on Minno, Seasonal **Tags:** Activity Packs, Easter, Printables --- ### [Cultivating Contentment In Our Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/de927114-e875-11ea-9d06-1653143651a6/) **Published:** April 26, 2015 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/9Oh8x0FHS6G09nRKq1IO/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/9Oh8x0FHS6G09nRKq1IO/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) *How do you raise children to be compassionate and mission-minded? How do you instill qualities of a servant leader from a young age? What are appropriate ways for children to serve their community? How can you serve together as a family? These are questions I’ve journeyed with the past two years. In this new blog series, **Raising Micah 6:8 Kids**, we’ll follow the scriptural road map to raising a generation of world-changers: “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” This month we look at cultivating contentment in our kids.* Spring has sprung, and in our neck of the woods that means yard sales. I love Saturday morning yard sales for many reasons, but one is how it satisfies my 7-year-old’s itch for getting ALL THE THINGS. She has a collection of knick knacks in nearly every category: dolphins, Asian motifs, buttons, plastic bottle caps. It’s either human nature or societal conditioning, but no matter what my husband and I give or do for our kids, they always seem to want more. I know this because the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted something, gotten it and still wanted more. Contentment is hard, y’all. So how do we raise Micah 6:8 kids? You know, the ones who consider the needs of others before themselves? Here are a few ways to plant seeds of contentment. Our job is to water. God’s is to give the increase. #### **WALK HUMBLY** **Live simply.** A neighborhood family has taught me much about the advantages of living modestly. When their twins had (simple) birthday parties, they asked for donations of items to give to the homeless shelter. When their son made his Christmas list, I noticed the items that were inexpensive, classic toys. I realized it resulted from living without cable TV and its barrage of constant commercials. They live on one income, drive used cars and take incredible vacations to areas of natural beauty, like state parks, and go without electronics while they’re there. When you make intentional choices like these, tell your kids why you do them. Explain that the most important things in life aren’t things–they’re our relationships with each other. Eating at the dinner table, having family reading time or game night are great ways to build family ties without defaulting to the mall or the movies. **Rotate toys.** When my second child came along I had forgotten the very wise trick of rotating plastic storage bins of toys. When our playroom got particularly out of hand recently, I realized my kids just had too much stuff. I filled four bins with toys and my husband put them in the attic. We plan to bring one out every three months or so. We brought out a bin that had been put away for a while already and my two-year-old thought she had all new toys! **Make a “want” list.** Lately, whenever my oldest asks for or wants something, I tell her to write it on her “want list.” I explain that I wouldn’t be a good mom if I gave her everything she wanted all the time, even if I had the ability to. My friend Betsy said when her kids ask for stuff at the store, she explains that she has a list of items she needs to buy and she budgeted for those only. “But, if the kids would like to bring their money to spend on stuff of their choice, they are welcome to do so.” Ron Lieber, personal finance columnist for *The New York Times*, says in his new book, *The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous and Smart about Money*, that it’s critical we teach our kids about money, the difference between needs and wants, and where to draw the line between high quality and high dollar. He says allowance is “practice money,” and can help kids learn about finances by controlling how they spend it. His preferred method for tracking is using three clear containers (like mason jars) labeled spend, save and give. He says allowing for impulse spending now may help them make better choices later. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/QTtJOGi1Q8e69vhbNIMH/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) [Click here to download this beautiful 8×10 art print for free.](http://whatsinthebible.com/?wpdmdl=1190) #### **ACT JUSTLY** **Model gratitude.** My friend Leigh Ann says she tries to model gratitude by saying “thank you” when her kids help out or treat someone kindly. She also says she “thinks out loud” in front of them, saying things like, “We are so fortunate to have a warm home to stay in, and blankets and coats to keep us warm.” Or, “I’d really like to have some new boots, but our electric bill was really high this month, so that’s going to have to wait. At least we are able to pay the bill. I’m grateful for that.” Our abundance should be used to help others. It’s how we can show others the love of Jesus in a practical way. 1 John 3:17 says, “If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (ESV). If you start to look around at the needs of others, it’s not hard to find reasons to be thankful. If you have a young one, keeping a Blessings Jar, like the one described in [this book](http://smile.amazon.com/The-Blessings-Jar-Story-Thankful/dp/1400322731/ref=pd_sim_b_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=0HZ6J7440PB13QTFFRPJ) can help inspire gratitude. If your child is older, keeping a gratitude journal as a family can help foster a sense of God’s provision. In the front of the journal, write, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth….For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19,21, NIV) as a reminder to treasure and be grateful for the things of God. #### **LOVE MERCY** **Give them opportunities to give and serve.** Today I joined a group of mothers who were rehabbing a transitional house so a high school student whose mother moved out of state, leaving her behind, would have a safe place to live. Some moms brought their fourth, fifth and sixth graders to clean and pick up trash to give them an opportunity to serve and see first-hand what life is like for people in need. When it comes to donating, Lieber’s book cites 64 percent of children said they had no idea what their parents were giving, if anything. Don’t assume your kids know how generous you are; include them in the process of giving. A shining moment came for my friend Leigh Ann last year when her third grader came home from school and asked if he could get $75 out of his bank account. “I asked what for, expecting him to say some kind of shoes (cause that’s his thing),” she said. “Instead, he said his teacher had made them aware of another child whose family was having a rough time, and he wanted to help them. Of course, we drove straight to the bank and withdrew the money. On the way there, trying to see the road through my tears, I was thinking, this is so sweet, I think I will take $75 out of my account, too, and match his donation. But then I had a really powerful feeling come over me that I should just let him do this himself. I didn’t want to undermine his effort by just casually pulling out more money like $75 was no big deal. Something told me to let this be his own personal gesture. I just had a strong feeling it would be more powerful for him to do it all by himself.” **Quiet the soul.** In a particularly anxiety-filled time, I began instituting pre-bed stillness with my oldest daughter. We turn on worship or instrumental music and sit or lay side by side on the floor in silence. I set the timer to 1 minute at first, then we worked our way up to 3. I found that nurturing stillness brought peace and calm inside, which affected how we interacted with the world outside. An activity like that can also open the door to talk about the way God made us. God made each of us with the desire for something bigger than ourselves. The reality is only He can satisfy that itch for “more.” Sometimes when we want things, it’s our soul wanting to spend time with its Creator. Talk to Him about filling our hearts with His Spirit and ask Him to help us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him. [Hebrews 13:5 ](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/hebrews-13-5-verse-of-the-day-5-11-14/)is good to meditate upon. How do you know it’s working? Start with yourself. Check and see your level of contentment. The benchmark is being able to say, “It is well with my soul.” [(Use this printable as a visual reminder in your home this month to cultivate contentment.)](http://whatsinthebible.com/?wpdmdl=1190) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Book Review: Our Favorite Children’s Bibles and Storybooks](https://gominno.com/blog/book-review-our-favorite-childrens-bibles-and-storybooks/) **Published:** June 25, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-book-review-childrens-bibl...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jxbEGJTcRDKT2XASL3sX.jpg) Nowadays, if you ask a random person to pick up a King James Bible to read, the odds are good that they won’t understand what they’re reading. While the KJV is beautifully written and marks an important time in Bible translation history, it can be difficult to digest. For years, Sunday school curriculum for kids used older translations like the KJV, so children didn’t always understand the scripture they read. So, how can you help kids start to understand scripture? The answer is to begin young and provide them with understandable and interesting tools that will pique their curiosity. Below are five Bibles and/or storybooks that can help facilitate a child’s first dive into scripture. ## 5 Favorite Children’s Bibles & Storybooks *1. The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible* For a young child who is either a first-time Bible reader or new reader, this Bible has over 300 illustrated pages to catch their imagination and help the Bible come to life before their eyes. It’s divided into the Old and New Testaments and provides book references so you can begin teaching kids faith by introducing them to the structure of the Bible. *2. Bible Infographics for Kids: Giants, Ninja Skills, a Talking Donkey, and What’s the Deal with the Tabernacle?* This book is the winner of the 2019 ECPA Christian Book award for young people’s literature – and it’s definitely *not* boring. Most adults would even enjoy this book’s masterful use of pictures, art, and information to make the Bible come alive. Readers will find an endless amount of fascinating trivia, such as: - It would take approximately 7,453,506 soccer balls to fill up Noah’s Ark. - Paul was quite the traveler – over 10,000 miles on his missionary journeys. This is basically the distance from New York City to Rio Grande at the tip of South America. - The number of people who exited Egypt during the Exodus is around the number of people living in Los Angeles (3-4 million), and all of those people wandered for 40 years. The second installment of the infographics books – *Volume 2: Light and Dark, Heroes and Villains, and Mind-Blowing Bible Facts –* takes on a different format to highlight how amazing the Bible is, for example: - Light vs Darkness — an explanation of why you won’t see them in the same place. - Angels vs Demons — how both have powers, but only one wins. - Feats of God vs Failures of Men — how God does remarkable things, while man fails in comparison. - False Gods vs the One True God— Examples of false gods and how they are only a pretender matched up against the One True God. *3. Bedtime Bible Story Book: 365 Read-aloud Stories from the Bible.* This is a wonderful book to devote just 10 minutes a day to your 3-8 year old for reading from an easily understandable Bible. Each story provides questions to help promote discussion with your kids. Allowing them to ask questions during this time will help you know what they understand, what they don’t understand, and how you can help them grow in their Bible learning. *4. The Action Bible* (written by Doug Mauss and illustrated by Brazilian artist Sergio Cariello) This one has an action-packed, up-to-date feel while still maintaining the integrity of the scriptures. While there isn’t an age restriction on it, this is meant for a more mature child, especially one who enjoys comic books. Written in chronological order, the writing and the engaging illustrations provide a compelling narrative to follow, thus leading kids into a better understanding of what the scriptures are all about. *5. Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids (Phil Vischer)* The first ever Bible storybook for kids written by VeggieTales® and *What’s In The Bible?* creator, the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) includes fifty-two stories, making it the perfect tool for reading the Bible in one year! Not only does this Bible for kids include favorite stories of Bible heroes and heroines, it also tackles tricky questions like, “What is sin?” and “What is the trinity?”. Phil Vischer uses his beloved, whimsical storytelling to share God’s Story–from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible is filled with bonus content such as maps, charts, and Bible section introductions that give context clues. Each story includes a Family Connection to help readers dig deeper and talk about what they are learning. After reading the Laugh and Learn Bible, kids and parents alike will have a comprehensive understanding of the Gospel narrative and God’s love for them! ## Other Tools for Teaching Scripture While there are many Sunday school and children’s ministry ideas for teaching kids scripture, using video to stimulate their minds is something they always love. What better way to teach a kid the [Esther](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/esther-the-girl-who-became-queen) story than with a VeggieTales episode? You could also consider delving into [Jacob’s Ladder](https://www.gominno.com/series/jacobs-ladder) for a visit to Bible times. Using these tools alongside scripture will engage multiple learning styles in your kids, contributing to their development as followers of Jesus. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Best Easter Coloring Pages](https://gominno.com/blog/eight-best-easter-coloring-pages/) **Published:** March 23, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![Minno - Family](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/z9Ygai11QliQ39jQUqXL-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids")* *Looking for Easter coloring pages? We’ve put together a list of our favorite Easter coloring pages from around the web.* ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Get access to 90 minutes of Easter content plus our **Easter Family Guide** full of coloring pages, activities, and a family devotional to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus! --- # Best Easter Coloring Pages 1\. [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) coloring pages in our Minno Hopeful Easter Family Guide (sign up above to grab it + 30 days FREE to Minno!). ![Vertebrate - Cartoon](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/vertebrate-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") ![Carnivores - Human behavior](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/carnivores.16-Coloring-Page-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") #### 2. [Jesus on the Cross Coloring Page](https://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/jesus-on-the-cross/ "Jesus on the Cross") from *What’s in the Bible?* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/01CFX3kvT86L6Vrt4qpV/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/jesus-on-the-cross/) #### 3. [Empty Tomb Coloring Page](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/empty-tomb/ "Empty Tomb Coloring Page") from *What’s in the Bible?* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/65OgSgYHRk65150pd2me/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/empty-tomb/) #### 4. [Easter Cross Coloring Page](http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/easter-cross-coloring-page/ "Easter Cross Crayola Coloring Page") from Crayola [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/TDHY3xgRFmwIoIcUZTLS/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/easter-cross-coloring-page/) #### 5. [He is Risen Coloring Page](http://ministry-to-children.com/he-is-risen-coloring-page/ "He is Risen Coloring Page") from Ministry-to-Children [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/HhwnQinTkeo1KEZwrovQ/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://ministry-to-children.com/he-is-risen-coloring-page/) #### 6. [Palm Sunday Coloring Page](http://ministry-to-children.com/palm-sunday-coloring-page/ "Palm Sunday Coloring Page") from Ministry-to-Children [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/BpTxsp57SoWNV20FxBTo/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://ministry-to-children.com/palm-sunday-coloring-page/) #### 7. [Easter Blessing Coloring Page](http://twistynoodle.com/easter-blessing-coloring-page/ "Easter Blessing Coloring Page") from Twisty Noodle [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/QlgRr6VUTjWSYOMCvma9/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://twistynoodle.com/easter-blessing-coloring-page/) #### 8. [Jesus Loves Me Coloring Page](http://twistynoodle.com/jesus-loves-me-100-coloring-page/ "Jesus Loves Me Coloring Page") from Twisty Noodle [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/t8UusM66QSKgihEh3vQn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://twistynoodle.com/jesus-loves-me-100-coloring-page/) #### 9. [Easter Coloring Pages](http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/BibleColoringEaster.html#.UzWlrF6T7ox "Easter Coloring Pages") from Bible Story Printables [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/XgMeJGSUmuBvhuQuzKbg/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/BibleColoringEaster.html#.UzWlrF6T7ox) #### 10. [Jesus is Risen Coloring Page](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/jesus-risen-coloring-page/) from *What’s In The Bible?* #### [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/v8112FyKSaSiKzu1DWbD/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/jesus-risen-coloring-page/) #### 11. [New Life (John 10:10b) Coloring Page](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/new-life-john-1010b-coloring-page/) from *What’s In The Bible?* #### [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/FyoXEXLPQGaoszLxT3QY/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/new-life-john-1010b-coloring-page/) #### 12. [What Is Easter? Cover Coloring Page](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/what-is-easter-cover-coloring-page/) from *What’s In The Bible?* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/BEZyK3kRauPyBha8ir1C/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/what-is-easter-cover-coloring-page/) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Coloring Pages, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Coloring Pages, Easter --- ### [Annual Subscription: Save 15% on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/cyber-monday-save-30-on-jellytelly/) **Published:** November 27, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ### ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20232017/MinnoTitleSlideTransparent-1-1024x790.png "MinnoTitleSlideTransparent - Minno Kids") ### Save 15% on an Annual Subscription with Minno Coupon Code BLOG\* Minno is a partner for Christian parents. Try [Minno](http://www.gominno.com) and give your kids instant access to shows that help them experience Jesus every day! - Stream Laugh and Grow Bible, Young David, What’s In The Bible?, VeggieTales®, Owlegories, & more - 120+ Christian series for your kids - Available in the App Store℠, Google Play™ and on the Amazon Appstore – plus Roku! - 7 day free trial [Sign up today](https://www.gominno.com) and use Minno coupon code **BLOG** to save 15% on a Minno annual subscription.\* \**This coupon is eligible for new annual subscribers, Minno members upgrading from a monthly to an annual subscription, or canceled members reactivating an annual subscription. New monthly subscriptions and current monthly subscribers who are not upgrading to an annual are ineligible for this offer.* **Categories:** Now on Minno **Tags:** Minno Annual Subscription, Minno Coupon Code, Minno Subscription --- ### [Back to School Resources from What's in the Bible?](https://gominno.com/blog/back-to-school-resources-from-whats-in-the-bible/) **Published:** July 19, 2015 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/auLEbKXUQhWX1AvZYgRi/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) With the back-to-school season fast approaching, we wanted to share a few of our favorite past blog posts to help you prepare your kids for their return to school. Check out these resources! #### [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/TWlf6yl1SQK4Tbag3Uyc/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)Four Ways to Encourage a Good Attitude for Starting Back to School](http://whatsinthebible.com/four-ways-encourage-good-attitude-starting-back-school/) *Do your kids resist giving up their summer schedules? Are they nervous about entering the next grade? Here are 4 tips to help encourage a good attitude as the first day of school approaches.* #### [**Helping Kids Deal With the Stress of School**](http://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-help-our-kids-deal-with-the-stress-of-school/) *God doesn’t want any of His children to stress out about anything! He will provide for all of our needs and it’s up to us to reinforce that comforting truth to our kids, especially during times when they are going through stress.* #### [So Long Summer: Planning a “Not-Back-to-School” Week](http://whatsinthebible.com/long-summer-planning-back-school-week/) *Danika shares her family’s approach to the beginning of the school year: a whole week of family bonding before the kids head back to school. She shares how one final hurrah during the summer seems to help her kids prepare for the new year.* #### [What verses encourage your family as the new school year begins, and why?](http://whatsinthebible.com/voices-verses-encourage-family-new-school-year-begins/) *6 verses for you to meditate on as a family as the new school year approaches!* #### [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/IDvIUFBR9K2RnuD7CZLk/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)How do you make the first day of school special for your kids?](http://whatsinthebible.com/voices-make-first-day-school-special-kids/) *Read 7 moms’ best ideas for treating kids on the first day back to school!* #### [How Parents And Kids Can Thrive During The School Year](http://whatsinthebible.com/parents-kids-can-thrive-school-year/) *Heidi shares her number one tip for thriving during the school year.* #### [**How to Talk to Your Kids about Gossip**](http://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-gossip/) *if you desire that your children learn to speak words of love and kindness, like Jesus, about others- and yet they hear you talking about others in a negative way-they will DO AS YOU DO! Let your “little light” shine out from your words and actions. Be an example of Jesus to your children and other adults.* #### [**How to Teach Our Kids to Love our Enemies**](http://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-teach-our-kids-to-love-our-enemies/) *So, how do we love our enemies? How do we teach our kids that this is something we must do, especially living in such tumultuous times?… Unlike romantic love, which makes it easy for us to overlook faults and put the other person first, Jesus is asking us to make the DECISION to choose to love.* #### [**How to Talk to Your Kids about Being Bullied and Not Being the Bully**](http://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-being-bullied-and-not-being-the-bully/) *We must talk to our kids about being the target of hurtful words, and must also be proactive in discussing with them the need to be Christ-like when we talk to and about others.* #### [**How to Talk to Your Kids about Prayer, Trusting God, and Letting Go**](http://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-prayer-trusting-god-and-letting-go/) *As adults, it’s sometimes so difficult to let the worry, fear, and control go. But that’s the child-like trust that God wants us to have in Him. God’s Word is my reminder that the Lord is truly my strength. In Him I can take refuge!* #### [**How to Talk to Your Kids About Body Image**](http://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-body-image/) *We need to remember that we are all God’s masterpieces! It’s important to teach our kids that being God’s masterpiece, we must take care of our selves.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [7 Ways to Practice Autonomy with Your Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/7-ways-to-practice-autonomy-with-your-kids/) **Published:** March 17, 2021 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/KekOZT0rSyOrcoIiWvvs.jpg) On his seventh birthday, our oldest son unwrapped a simple red book light and a whole lot of freedom. We said, “*You’re getting so big! We’re going to let you decide when you’re ready to go to sleep at night.”* And then he did this thing he does when he’s excited (which is often): he pretended to pass out—overwhelmed from the sheer joy of it all. And my husband and I did that thing *we* do when we’re hoping we made the right decision: we exchanged a quick glance, metaphorical fingers crossed. That’s the rub with autonomy. **As parents, we are the ones to give it.** And it’s up to us to decide when, how, and how much. Kind of a tricky endeavor. And probably the reason we wait so long to start dishing it out. Our children need more autonomy to help develop agency and confidence—but this is harder now more than ever! **How Did We Get Here?** With the rise of helicopter parenting, [today’s kids endure considerably more rules and enjoy fewer freedoms](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-overprotected-american-child-1527865038) than children from previous generations. Ask your own parents—they’ll likely tell you a story (perhaps with an eye-roll). In my own desire to parent well, I’ve struggled to find my footing. *What’s the exact right amount of autonomy?* Over the years I found myself straddling a line. At two, my older son climbed heights that sent other playground parents scrambling to find his mother. I’d wave an acknowledgment and move not an inch. *He’s got this.* But try to tell me which show you want to watch? *Sorry bud, no way*. And I look on with pride as my younger son, at four, carries his own backpack on long hikes, looks passersby in the eye, and engages in friendly conversation. But I’m the one who chooses what he wears. *What gives?* I like to be in control. That’s what. So when a struggle of the wills coincided with a well-timed audiobook, I decided to try and relinquish some of that control—if only a little bit. **A Book Light Saves The Night** Pandemic parenting led to some pretty lax bedtimes in our house. Still, kids need sleep and adults need alone time, so you can imagine how high tensions got after weeks on end of my older son staying up too late. He’d be in his room—in his bed even—and call out, *“I can’t fall asleep. Can you help? I need water!”* And we’d ignore and help and lecture. An exhausting process for everyone involved (just not enough to induce sleep). And then, one day, I found myself listening to [*The Self-Driven Child*](https://www.amazon.com/Self-Driven-Child-Science-Giving-Control-ebook/dp/B072KBWB6G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&linkCode=sl1&tag=everydayreadi-20&linkId=73ecf316d104d2d1141ec47029e4df2b&language=en_US) as they repeated a phrase over and over, suggesting we say it to our children: *“I have confidence in your ability to make decisions about your own life and to learn from your mistakes.”* The authors went on to encourage parents to look for ways to give our kids more control over their day. A lightbulb moment for me—no joke! So we gave up control. He now reads, writes, or draws until his eyes get nice and droopy and then he turns out the light—going to sleep earlier than he used to most nights, with little to no nagging from us. *Still, what to do about my preference for cute outfits? Or control of the TV? And will these little dudes ever get themselves ready to go in a timely manner?* **How Moms in The Real World Handle Autonomy** My kids do chores and help around the house. They have freedom over some choices. Just not as much as they’d like and definitely not as much as they should. I can feel the tension telling me that autonomy offers the best way forward. *But how do I get there?* **I wanted to talk to moms who are in the trenches right now**. So that’s what I did. I reached out to seven moms, parenting 21 kids ranging in age from three to 20, to ask about their real-world struggles and successes with autonomy. **A Few Common Themes: Can You Relate?** In chatting with these women, I was relieved to hear many of them face the same hesitations that I do when it comes to helping kids develop agency and giving them autonomy. Like: - Let’s be honest, I’d rather just do the hard stuff myself. - I can work much faster on my own. - Only I will do things the right way. I felt relieved, yes, but also inspired as these same moms went on to repeat similar wins their children experienced when they took ownership for themselves. Wins like: - A sense of pride - Growing confidence - Creative problem-solving **And perhaps my favorite takeaway of all:** by investing time in teaching our kids on the front end, we work ourselves out of some of the more tedious jobs on the back end. As one mom, Lisa, put it, *“I don’t want to be the decision manager in my home.”* Agreed! The research backs this up. Medical News Today reports that a study by the journal, Child Development, [“found that while this parenting technique \[of offering autonomy\] requires care and energy to maintain, it also provided something of a recharging effect for parents.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/give-children-more-autonomy-during-the-pandemic-says-study#Autonomy-based-parenting)” Of course, as many women pointed out, **boundaries are key. Kids do best making choices when their options are somewhat limited**, and they’ll be better able to care for themselves if they’re shown how to do so correctly and with reasonable safety measures in place. #### **7 Ways to Practice Autonomy with Your Kids** Almost every mom I talked to touted the benefits—and the hilarious drawbacks—of letting kids choose their own clothes. Noted. Here are a few of my other favorite ideas offered by real-world moms: **1. Major on the majors**. Says Christy, mom of two, “*I try to be flexible with all choices except when related to safety and treating others well. I want them to feel free to question and negotiate within healthy boundaries of safety and kindness.”* **2. Affirm your child’s intuition.** Says Ashley, mom of five, *“I find asking questions instead of making statements helps kids process doing tasks on their own. They’re more proud in the end and set up for success in the future.”* **3. Sleep in**. Says Katie, mom of two, *“My son pours his own cereal and makes himself and his little brother toaster waffles. I can wake up slowly and have one fewer moment where they ask me for food.”* **4. Sign kids up for an organization outside the home.** Says Jen, mom of two, *“Both of our boys are involved in Scouting, so we are big believers in encouraging them to be independent. Giving them the freedom to do more takes some pressure off of us at home and helps them feel like they’re contributing in a meaningful way.”* **5. Leave kids home alone (gasp!).** Says Lindsey, mom of five, *“Teaching our kids to stay home while we go on a date encourages them to follow our rules even if we aren’t with them, be responsible by taking care of their siblings, get along with one another and clean up to our standards.”* **6. Start early and take your time.** Says Melissa, mom of two, “*We slowly worked with our kids to learn to shower independently, starting when they were very young, with us observing at first to make sure they were getting themselves clean. Setting expectations early and praising accomplishments helped their motivation.”* **7. Give kids ownership of specific tasks.** Says Lisa, mom of three, *“Teaching my son to do his own laundry helps him put things into perspective. It also helps him start making decisions for himself—should I refold these jeans or do they need to be washed?”* *I’m taking notes for my own home over here, how about you?* In a few weeks, our youngest son will turn five and find a fun little present waiting for him: his very own simple red book light and a whole lot of freedom. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [10 Ways to Encourage Kids to Read (and Love It!) This Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/ways-to-encourage-kids-to-read-this-summer/) **Published:** July 16, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![Reading - Book](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reading-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") Summer is in full swing! The temperatures are rising, longer days mean more time outdoors and students everywhere are hanging up their backpacks as an adieu to the days of waking up early for school. Summer camps, baseball, swimming classes are now on a weekly rotation, and if your kids are anything like mine you are also frequenting the grocery store a little bit more to replenish those summer snacks! However, there are too many kids who end up forgetting all they have learned in school during the summer. My grandmother would always tell me, “If you don’t use it, you lose it!” and would hand me a bag full of books that she expected for me to read before the summer was over. [Studies have shown that children who don’t read over the summer regress](https://www.scholastic.com/readingreport/summer.html). Those reading skills that teachers worked hard to instill, start to decline over the summer. Children who continue to read throughout the summer, actually improve in reading. [Reading as a family](https://www.gominno.com/parents/books-to-read-aloud-with-your-kids-this-summer/) is easy to add to the list of summer activities and children actually enjoy having the time to spend together as a family. **10 Ways to Encourage Kids to Read (and Love It!) This Summer** #### **1. Schedule a Family Reading Time** Summer Reading is an activity the entire family can get in on! Try one night a week putting down the iPhones, turning off the TVs, powering down the Xbox (or in my son’s case Fortnite), and have everyone pick a good book or magazine to read for about 15-20 mins. Modeling is always more powerful than just telling your family to read! By implementing a family reading time, you are showing your kids that you enjoy reading and look forward to it every day. If your [family cultivates a love of reading](https://readingpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/SummerAtHomeOnePagerFinal.pdf), chances are your children will love reading too. #### **2. Join the Club!** One of the reasons children share why they don’t enjoy reading is that it often can feel lonely. A way to make reading more fun and social is to arrange/create a book club. Have your child reach out to his/her friends, or connect with the parents as set out to read a book of their choice each month. Then host a fun afternoon get-together or even a sleepover at your home for the book club participants to share their favorite yummy snacks and to share their favorite parts of the book! #### **3. Explore “You Can Do Books”** *Have a child that’s into cooking?* Encourage your child to read cookbooks and create a summer dish for the family! Does your child love to learn about dinosaurs? Share books with your child on dinosaur bone excavation and maybe even create a mini excavation sand table for them to find and uncover things. Use your child’s favorite hobby as a jumping-off point to encourage reading! Find books on their favorite hobby and ask your children to share what they learn with you! #### **4. Lights! Camera! Action! Make a Reader’s Theater** Bring the characters from the books your child reads to life by reenacting scenes from their favorite parts of the book. Be creative and use any props you have in your home, use your best funny voice, stay in character the entire day—the goal is for your children to get excited and engaged in the story. Children can learn how to make a deeper connection to what they are reading by imagining themselves in the roles of their favorite character in the book. #### **5. Take Your Pick!** Find a good book with your child to read, it can either be a good book you want to read with your kids or it could be a book they want to read to you! During the school year, it can be hard to find time to complete an entire book, but with the slower pace of the summer months, it can be easier. Pick a chapter a day to sit and read with your child. #### **RELATED POST: [15 Books to Read Aloud With Your Kids this Summer](https://www.gominno.com/parents/books-to-read-aloud-with-your-kids-this-summer/)** #### **6. Switch Up The Location** Sometimes where you read plays a HUGE difference in actually wanting to read. My oldest daughter enjoys being outside on a warm sunny day laying on a blanket reading a book while my youngest daughter enjoys curling up on her bed while reading a book. Try helping your children find a new location for reading! #### **7. Facetime Storytime** Facetime Grandma or your favorite Aunt and let them know you are cordially invited to a facetime storytime! Have your child pick their favorite book or chapter in a book and choose a time to have a facetime storytime with a family member. Several different studies show that reading out loud can help kids gain confidence and fluency in reading. #### **8. Summer Reading Program** Whether your kids love to read or if it’s a struggle to get them to read, a Summer Reading Program is a great way to promote summer reading. These programs can have a great influence on getting kids to read. If your local bookstore or library doesn’t have a program, you can create one on your own! A fun sticker chart with incentives (such as eat dessert first coupons or a trip to the toy aisle at Target) could be all that is needed for reading fun this summer. #### **9. Movie To Book** There has been a significant rise in books being turned into movies. Plan a fun movie night for the entire family after your child has completed reading the book. During your movie night and in between munching on popcorn, compare and contrast the movie with the book. #### **10. Celebrate!** Celebrate the completion of a book! Have a summer reading party celebrating your child’s accomplishment of completing the book they read over the summer. Happy Reading! **Categories:** Child Development, Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Education, Reading, Summer --- ### [10 Tools to Teach Kids About Pentecost and the Holy Spirit](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-about-pentecost-holy-spirit/) **Published:** May 17, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![Pinwheel - Photograph](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pinwheel.jpg "- Minno Kids") Pentecost is a very sacred and special time in the Bible when the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost took place 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead. The story in Acts 2:1-42 tells how the early followers of Christ came together on Pentecost. **Today, Pentecost Sunday is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit.** The word, Pentecost, originates from the Greek word for five, “*penta*,” meaning “*the fiftieth day*.” Pentecost was also called Shabuoth, Festival of Weeks, and the Day of the First Fruits. It is a renewal of the mission and purpose of our faith and a celebration of hope. Pentecost is the perfect time for children to learn more about their faith. For some children, the concept of Pentecost can be hard to comprehend, and trying to [talk to children about the function and role of the Holy Spirit in their lives](https://www.gominno.com/parents/pentecost-and-talking-to-our-kids-about-the-holy-spirit/) can sometimes feel like an overwhelming discussion. Here are some tools and resources we’ve compiled to help explain the importance of Pentecost Sunday. #### **Books to Teach Kids About Pentecost** While it is important to begin the discussion of Pentecost using the Bible as your main guide and resource, storybooks on Pentecost can be extremely helpful to illustrate the meaning of that day. [The Day When God Made The Church: A Child’s First Book on Pentecost](https://www.amazon.com/Day-When-God-Made-Church/dp/1612615643) ***The Day When God Made the Church*** is the story of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit shaped, and continues to shape, who we are as God’s Church. Children will learn the story of Pentecost: the sights, sounds, and events of that miraculous day described in the Book of Acts. Take a look at the behind the scene look at the making of the book in [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_pRFsmehjI)! [The Pentecost Story](https://www.amazon.com/Pentecost-Story-Arch-Books/dp/0758646046) Encourage your kids to read and learn about God and His great love for His children with ***The Pentecost Story***. Featuring a clever rhyming scheme and paired with vivid illustrations, this story takes the reader through the fall of Babylon up through the Pentecost. [Breathe: A Child’s Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time ](https://www.amazon.com/Breathe-Childs-Ascension-Pentecost-Growing/dp/1640605606/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/147-8016637-7615804?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1640605606&pd_rd_r=50cb7784-0b23-4d8d-ba00-8f8e71cf3ba3&pd_rd_w=jRivf&pd_rd_wg=uuszn&pf_rd_p=a0d6e967-6561-454c-84f8-2ce2c92b79a6&pf_rd_r=GTG66ABM7J22ZE153Z45&psc=1&refRID=GTG66ABM7J22ZE153Z45) ***Breathe: A Child’s Guide to Ascension, Pentecost and the Growing Time*** explores the comings and goings of Jesus and the Spirit through retellings of the Biblical stories of Ascension and Pentecost, interwoven with contemporary reflections from the point of view of a child. #### **Videos to Teach Kids About Pentecost** [What’s In The Bible?: A Helper Arrives](https://kids.gominno.com/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/a-helper-arrives) Buck Denver and friends learn about Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. Then Jesus’ followers make a big splash in Jerusalem – with the Holy Spirit’s help! [Holy Moly: The Holy Spirit](https://kids.gominno.com/holy-moly/the-holy-spirit) The Disciples get a surprising visit on Pentecost, and afterward, none of them are the same. [God Sends The Holy Spirit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMQKy1Mx49M) In this fun and lively animated video created by Saddleback Church, Acts 2 is brought to life. [Kid Bible Story: Pentecost ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuUK6REOWuE) Presented by Crossroads Kids Club, this video tells the story of Pentecost from a kid’s perspective. #### **Arts and Crafts to Teach Kids About Pentecost** [Holy Spirit Pinwheel ](https://ministry-to-children.com/spirit-pinwheel-craft/) Pinwheels are designed to spin when blown upon by a person or by the wind. This can be used as an awesome demonstration of the Holy Spirit. This craft activity is a way to teach children how God’s Spirit operates in our lives. [Paint Blowing Craft For Pentecost ](http://outuponthewaters.com/paint-blowing-craft-for-pentecost/) Using paint, straws, and paper this fun activity demonstrates Acts 2:3. Children learn about exactly how the Holy Spirit moved on that day and how it impacted the disciples. [Tongues of Fire Bible Verse Review Game ](https://www.daniellesplace.com/html/bible-crafts-pentecost.html) This game is an awesome tool to help children learn to memorize scripture and the craft helps give children a visual representation of Acts 2. . . . . . . . . . . These are just a few resources that can help aid you in your discussion with your child about Pentecost. Ultimately, it’s important for children to know that Pentecost is a day of remembrance and celebration! The Holy Spirit is our helper, teacher, comforter, and our friend! He becomes a part of us when we become a Christian and understand that Jesus died and rose for us. When we’re ready to live our lives in honor of God, the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us every day. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Discipleship, Holy Spirit, Pentecost --- ### [What is Pentecost?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-pentecost/) **Published:** May 30, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZeTbusbwS7G8gtgwlALV.jpg) #### #### The Origins Of Pentecost The historical and Biblical origins of what we know as Pentecost today can be found in Exodus 23:14-19, Leviticus 23:15-16 and Deuteronomy 16:10. One of 3 significant Jewish festivals, Pentecost is the Greek name for the Festival of Weeks, a prominent feast in the Jewish calendar that celebrated God giving them the 10 Commandments 50 days after the Exodus from Egypt. God instructed his people to celebrate the Festival of Weeks, which was to be held 7 full weeks (49 days) plus one day after Passover, equaling 50 days. Also called the Feast of Harvest, this was when the Jews would present offerings of the first fruits of their spring crops. Jewish law required all adult Jewish men to come to Jerusalem from wherever they were living to personally be in attendance for the celebration. This is the context in which Acts 2 begins, saying “When the day of Pentecost came…there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven…Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya and Rome, Cretans and Arabs” (Acts 2:1, 5, 9-11). When the Holy Spirit arrived on the Day of Pentecost, it was to symbolize that it was the new first fruit of God’s spiritual harvest to come, the second coming of Jesus and redemption of his Church. #### #### #### Empowering and Expanding the Church In Acts chapters 1-2, we learn that about 120 followers of Jesus were gathered in prayer in an upper room of Jerusalem, having recently seen Jesus depart and return to his Father in heaven. While the believers were gathered, the Holy Spirit came upon them with flames of fire and violent wind. Why such dramatic signs of power? Precisely because the Spirit was ***empowering*** the church for the mission Jesus had given them in [Acts 1:8](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:8&version=NIV): To be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus had known that his followers could *only* fulfill this mission with the help and power of the Holy Spirit, so he had instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they were given the Spirit. ([Luke 24:49](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024:49&version=NIVhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%201&version=NIV)) Just as the Spirit had empowered Jesus for ministry ([Luke 4:1](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204:1&version=NIV)), so the Spirit would now empower Jesus’ people for ministry. At Pentecost, the church was not only empowered but also ***expanded*** to all nations and people groups. In the Old Testament, God’s work had mostly centered on one ethnic group–the people of Israel. But at Pentecost, God expanded his kingdom to all nations. The Spirit demonstrated this by enabling the believers to speak in foreign languages they had never known, so they could share the gospel with people from “every nation under heaven” ([Acts 2:6](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:5-6&version=NIV)). Peter told the crowds in Jerusalem that the Spirit was being poured out on all people so that “*Everyone* who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ([Acts 2:21](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:21&version=NIV)) #### #### The Holy Spirit Today Because of Pentecost, Jesus can now be personally present with every believer around the globe, through his Holy Spirit. In fact, because the Holy Spirit dwells inside us ([1 Cor. 3:16](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Cor.%203:16&version=NIV)), it is something that can never be taken away. Jesus promised in John 14-16 that the Spirit will gives us peace, courage, comfort, and guidance–everything we need. Because Pentecost was such an important, history-changing event, many Christians have commemorated it up to the present–particularly the Christian traditions that follow a church calendar, such as Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and more. The practice of observing Pentecost seems to date to the early church, when the entire period from Easter to Pentecost was used as a for preparing and then baptizing new believers. Today churches vary in how they celebrate Pentecost Sunday, but they often incorporate symbols of the Spirit, such as a dove, flames of fire, or colorful vestments–perhaps red for fire or green for life. Pentecost has also been called “[Whitsunday](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15614b.htm/),” due to the white garments worn by those being baptized at this time. **Episodes about Pentecost on Minno:** [What’s in the Bible?: A Helper Arrives!](../series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/a-helper-arrives) [Connect: Pentecost](../series/connect/videos/pentecost) [Holy Moly: The Holy Spirit](../series/holy-moly/videos/the-holy-spirit) [Jesus Storybook Bible: God Sends Help](../series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/god-sends-help) [Friends and Heroes: No Turning Back](../series/friends-and-heroes/videos/no-turning-back) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Uncategorized --- ### [After Easter: What is Ascension Thursday?](https://gominno.com/blog/ascension-thursday/) **Published:** May 1, 2015 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MCJwOvCTPuTLQmEGIBjA.jpg) Did you know the church’s celebration of Jesus’ resurrection doesn’t stop at [Easter](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/)? Of course, we know we can celebrate and be thankful for Jesus’ resurrection all year long, but throughout church history Christians have observed another important moment after Jesus rose from the dead: his ascension into heaven. This event, called Ascension Thursday, is celebrated forty days after [Easter Sunday](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and ten days prior to Pentecost. It is also called Holy Thursday or, simply, Ascension Day. This celebration is meaningful for Christians because it tells the story of Christ’s entrance into heaven and foreshadows our resurrection and glorification as believers. It also looks forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and beginning of the church. The Ascension is a big moment worth celebrating! We at Minno want to tell you more about this joyful occasion and give you practical ways to observe Ascension Thursday with your family and friends. #### **What are the historical/biblical accounts?** You can read the Ascension story in a few places in the Bible. Look up Luke 24 as a family and read verses 36-53 together. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus brings his earthly ministry to a close by appearing to his disciples at the Mount of Olives. During this appearance he gives his final instructions to his disciples. After speaking, Jesus is taken up by a cloud into heaven. Two angels are present at the Ascension and speak with the disciples, telling them Jesus will return the same way he left (i.e., bodily and visibly). Now that you know the story of the Ascension, you can discuss as a family why it’s important to understand. #### The Ascension is important for two main reasons: First, Christ’s ascension shows us that his work on earth was completed! God had sent Jesus with a very special mission. When that mission was complete – when Jesus died, took the punishment for all of our sin, and rose again, Jesus returned to his Father in heaven. Now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father! Second, Jesus is preparing his disciples for what will happen next! Can you imagine being a disciple left with the Great Commission? Jesus tells them to spread the Good News about him to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth! But he promises them that he will send a helper since he is leaving them. The Holy Spirit is that helper! The Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Pentecost signals the beginning of the Apostles’ ministry and the creation of the Church – not the building, but the group of Christ-followers. Jesus continues his ministry through the church – that ministry includes sharing the Good News, loving and caring for other people, and glorifying God the Father. Acts tells the story of the earliest disciples and how began the church’s ministry. The rest of the New Testament continues the story, and we are still called to the same ministry today. How do we live out our lives as Christians knowing we have the same power of the Holy Spirit and the same call as the earliest disciples? #### **How do Christians honor Ascension Day?** To early Christians, believing in the Ascension was a critical part of being a Christian! In fact, the Apostles’ Creed (one of the earliest statements of faith in Christianity) affirms a belief in Christ’s ascension when it says that Jesus, “ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Easter, Ascension and Pentecost were celebrated regularly every Sunday throughout the early centuries of the church.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) St. Augustine traces back a universal observation of the Ascension by the church to the time of the Apostles.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) Observing Ascension Thursday forty days after Easter goes back as far as the 4th century in western tradition.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) Today, the Catholic Church recognizes Ascension Thursday as a Holy Day of Obligation.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) The Catholic feast commemorating the Ascension begins a nine-day series of prayers, known as novenas, which ask for the gifts and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Protestant churches (including the Anglican Church) and the Eastern Orthodox Church also observe the Ascension in their liturgical calendar and practices.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) Overall, a number of blessings, rituals and customs are used by a number of church traditions to symbolize and enhance the Ascension’s significance in the Christian’s life.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) Judging by the rich history of this celebration, it is clear that Ascension Thursday is a significant day on the Christian calendar. Ascension Thursday focuses primarily on Christ’s triumphant work in redemption and his glorification. When Christians celebrate the Ascension they declare that Jesus is king and Lord. John Calvin, one of the greatest theologians to come out of the Protestant Reformation, placed special emphasis on the Ascension in his theology, because it showed how Christ reigns as supreme king over the earth and his church.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) Ascension Thursday should not be viewed as an unhappy occasion, even though it marks the day Jesus departed the earth. Instead, it is a day to celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death and his eternal reign at God the Father’s right hand (Ps. 110:1). Ascension Thursday should be a day filled with joy and hope that we will one day be resurrected and glorified like Christ (1 John 3:2). #### **How can families commemorate it?** There’s no end to the creative ways you can celebrate Ascension Thursday with your family. A time-honored practice is to read the Ascension story in Acts 1:2-11 as a family. After reading, discuss with your children the significance of the Ascension and why it is an important part of Christian belief. A great way to celebrate the joy and hope surrounding Ascension Thursday is through poetry and singing. You can write your own poems or songs or use ones that already exist. You could also put on a play of the Ascension with each family member playing different characters in the story. For young children, you can have them draw a picture of the Ascension. Ask them to share their drawing with you and talk to you about it. Of course, Ascension Thursday can be spent with others too. You can host a meal, party or picnic and invite your friends and neighbors to attend. Take time during the event to highlight the reason for the gathering. This is a great way to take your celebration out into your community and share the joy of Christ’s victory and reign with others. --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) To read the Apostles’ Creed in its entirety, go to: [http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/apostles\_creed.html](http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/apostles_creed.html). [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Supplemental Liturgical Resource, vol. 7, Liturgical Year: the Worship of God (Louisville, Ky.: Westminster/John Knox Press, (c)1992), 1, accessed April 27, 2015, . [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) John Wynne, Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 1 (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907), s.v. “Feast of the Ascension,” accessed April 27, 2015, . [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) J Neil Alexander, Celebrating Liturgical Time: Days, Weeks, and Seasons (New York: Church Publishing, 2014), 19, Electronic Format. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) A category that designates the Catholic Church’s most important feast days on its liturgical calendar. All Catholics are required to attend Mass on Holy Days of Obligation. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) The vast majority of Eastern Orthodox churches use a different method for calculating Easter, which means Ascension Thursday is typically celebrated after the western dating. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) “Certain customs were connected with the liturgy of \[Ascension Thursday\], such as the blessing of beans and grapes after the Commemoration of the Dead in the Canon of the Mass, the blessing of first fruits, afterwards done on Rogation Days, the blessing of a candle, the wearing of mitres by deacon and subdeacon, the extinction of the paschal candle, the triumphal procession with torches and banners outside the churches to commemorate the entry of Christ into heaven. Rock records the English custom of carrying at the head of the procession the banner bearing the device of the lion and at the foot the banner of the dragon, to symbolize the triumph of Christ in His ascension over the evil one. In some churches the scene of the Ascension was vividly reproduced by elevating the figure of Christ above the altar through an opening in the roof of the church. In others, whilst the figure of Christ was made to ascend, that of the devil was made to descend.” John Wynne, Catholic Encyclopedia. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Supplemental Liturgical Resource. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [After Easter: The Way of Forgiveness](https://gominno.com/blog/after-easter-the-way-of-forgiveness/) **Published:** April 3, 2024 **Author:** Erick Goss **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/After-Easter-The-Way-of-Forgiveness.jpg "- Minno Kids") If you asked your kids to repeat what they know about Easter, they might say: *“Jesus died for our sins. We ask for His forgiveness. Jesus rose from the dead!”* That is true. And it is a simple, yet incredibly profound series of actions that we did celebrate last weekend. Christ, the initiator of our relationship with Him, died for those He loves. Forgiveness—the seeking of it and the giving of it—is a necessary element of the Christian life. But, if you are like me, some things make you wonder about the true experience of forgiveness that the Bible describes. . . . Relationships with wrongs by others are hard to let go of. . . . Mistakes made that are hard to break free of. Maybe you find yourself asking . . . *What about when I have been truly wronged, even by other believers?* *How does God want me to move forward, even when I’m living in the consequences of my sins and mistakes?* There are times when, if I’m honest, I find myself holding onto bitterness and anger towards those who have wronged me, or, regarding my own sin, treading water in a sea of regret. A pastor friend of mine calls this *“living in unforgiveness.”* As we struggle with releasing wrongs against us and towards ourselves, we ultimately live in a state of “unforgiveness,” holding on to debts that God has already paid. #### **The Way of Forgiveness** *So, what hope might Easter hold for us?* *What are we missing about something that seems so simple and potentially freeing yet feels so far outside our reach?* Easter is our celebration of God establishing His new covenant of life and forgiveness with us through Jesus. Forgiveness is not as much something we do or receive once in a while, but rather a gift and way of life that God provides, that we have to decide whether we will embrace. **While forgiveness can be viewed as a singular act, as Christians, God calls us to embrace forgiveness as a way of life.** There’s no formula to it, but for the sake of practicality, here are the stages I often go through that lead me, ultimately, to living in the forgiveness God intends. I have to start by asking myself some tough questions. As an entrepreneur who has stared down bankruptcy before, the Lord’s Prayer took on new meaning when I reflected on the words, “Forgive us our sins (debts) just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us (our debtors).” I’ve learned to ask myself, *“am I a debt-holder?”* On Easter, God held bankruptcy court for all of us, wiping away everyone’s sins/debts. *Am I going to say that what He did isn’t good enough for me?* *Am I holding debts, either from myself or others, that God has already forgiven?* God wants us to live in forgiveness, debt-free, fully experiencing the freedom of being unburdened by our debts and the debts of others. **Living in forgiveness is a part of abiding with Christ that happens minute-by-minute, over and over.** It is a [surrender—there’s that word again](https://www.gominno.com/blog/finding-purpose-and-goodness-in-surrender)—to what God has done and believing what He has for us is far greater than we can imagine. It’s getting to know God and the Holy Spirit within us, through the ups and downs of life. it is believing He is committed to our good. Then, I have to deal with some roadblocks. *Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself?* I often do. Romans 8:1-2 (*The Message*) reminds us that, *“Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.”* *Are you struggling to let go of wrongs incurred by the hands of others?* Paul, in the same passage, when conflict and the need for forgiveness arises, says: *“Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone . . . Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. ‘I’ll do the judging,’ says God. ‘I’ll take care of it.’ ”* Easter is a celebration of the fact that we no longer live under condemnation and can find freedom unavailable through any other means. Paul says in Romans 12, which *The Message* artfully sums up with a reminder that our “. . . everyday, ordinary life . . .” is what God wants from us, not what we think we need to do for Him. Further, God doesn’t want us bearing the burden of bitterness and unforgiveness, and seeking our own justice. Rather, He says to embrace the freedom He offers in forgiveness and allow Him to take care of injustice. The challenge for us is whether we can take Him at His word and let go of our own desire for justice and revenge. As one of my friends encourages me when I struggle with this, *“God is a lot better at justice than you are.”* Inviting others in is often one of the biggest helps along this journey. This week, share with your kids, alongside the story and visuals of the cross, that Easter wasn’t just one day last weekend but a new way of living that is only available through Jesus and a life with God. We establish a new life in the Spirit (if you haven’t ever dug into the role of the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to do that today in John 15). The act of communing with God, forgiveness, and promises fulfilled are as old as the Old Testament. Take Abraham in Genesis 12, and the reminder of our place in that story from Galatians 3:29. And, in John 7, when Jesus likens our relationship with Him and the Spirit to a river. It’s constant. And last, I rest. Because we cannot reduce Easter and the idea of forgiveness to a single point. We get to live in an everyday experience of the goodness . . . and forgiveness . . . of God. So as you sit this week after Easter, with your family or alone in silence, my prayer is that you experience God’s love and goodness as reflected by the words of Psalm 145:8-21 (NCV, adapted): *The LORD is kind and shows mercy.* *He does not become angry quickly but is full of love.* *The LORD is good to everyone;* *he is merciful to all he has made.* *The LORD will keep all his promises;* *He is loyal to all he has made.* *The LORD helps those who have been defeated* *and takes care of those who are in trouble.* *All living things look to you for food,* *and you give it to them at the right time.* *You open your hand,* *and you satisfy the desire of all living things.* *Everything the LORD does is right.* *He is loyal to all he has made.* *The LORD is close to everyone who prays to him,* *to all who truly pray to him.* *He gives those who respect him what they want.* *He listens when they cry, and he ·saves them.* *The LORD protects everyone who loves him,* *but he will destroy the wicked.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, From the Minno CEO, Seasonal **Tags:** Easter --- ### [Five Scriptures About Christmas Children Should Know](https://gominno.com/blog/five-scriptures-christmas-children-know/) **Published:** December 6, 2021 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![Child playing with Christmas figurines over an open bible](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/iNWFs7hS6u2ngldUwFQw.jpg) We’ve all watched him. The one with the blanket-clad head as he stands up and recites the verses from Luke. Every year on TV, Linus from the Peanuts Gang, quotes the Christmas scripture that so many recognize. *Would you be able to quote as he does? Would your children?* *Are you as convicted as I am? What Christmas scriptures **should** our children know?* I don’t mean, know of, but *know*, as in *the words are implanted in their hearts*. As a parent and a Bible Teacher of children ages 5 through 6th grade, I think there are foundational Christmas scriptures that they, and we parents, should *know*. *How come? Have you listened to Christmas music recently? Have you studied the nativity scene in your living room? How do you know what is part of the True Christmas Story and what is not?* [The Christmas Story of Jesus](https://www.gominno.com/series/bethel-music-kids-christmas-party/) is so rich and there is more to it than a baby in a stable, angels, and shepherds. Learn about these five Christmas Bible stories for kids that they will love and remind them of the true meaning of Christmas! ## Five Scriptures Children Should Know About Christmas ### 1. Isaiah 9:6 > For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (ESV) There are so many pieces of Christmas music, but the one that has stood the test of time is the [**“Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s *Messiah***](http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/messiah-and-george-frideric-handel-11630237.html). In this classic, Handel uses over 60 Bible verses, but the ones that stand out the most are **Isaiah 9:6**, and Revelation 11:15, 19:6, and 19:16. A child was born. He was named Jesus. And Hee is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will reign forever. *I wonder if the shepherds shouted out such truth?* After all, they would have known what Isaiah had prophesied years earlier. ### 2. Luke 2:20 > And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (ESV) Sometimes the verses of [**Luke 2:1-20**](https://www.gominno.com/parents/the-christmas-story-for-kids-luke-2-10/) become boring to us. L*inus quotes them very well, but have you really listened to them and pondered?* The hymn *Silent Night* would have us think that the small family was quiet in a stable. All was calm. All was bright. *Was it?* A young girl just screamed out while having a baby. The animals that were in the cave, or stable, were probably nervous with strangers about them. Then all of a sudden after exhausting labor, dirty shepherds run up to the feeding trough exclaiming that angels had appeared to them. After standing there for who knows how long, the shepherds leave glorifying and praising God. I’m not sure it *was* a silent night. ### 3. Matthew 2:1-3 > Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (ESV) *Where do you put the wise men in your nativity scene? How do we know there were three?* There are details in **Matthew 1:18-2:12** that add to the Christmas story that we like to gloss over. The wise men were not at the birth of Jesus. In fact, it is possible that Jesus was 2 or 3 years old when they arrived (see verses 9-11). When these Magi did arrive, Herod was not pleased. This news of a baby king brought him no joy. Herod would not share his throne with anyone. *We Three Kings* pictures three jovial men bringing riches to a new king. These magi were intelligent men. Perhaps they knew it was a race between them and an angry ruler. **. . . . . . . . . .** ***Want to help your family experience Jesus every day this Christmas season?* Find out how Minno can help!** [LEARN MORE](https://www.gominno.com/christmas-offer/?utm_source=minno&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=christmas&utm_term=cta-button&utm_content=5-christmas-scriptures) **. . . . . . . . . .** ### 4. Galatians 4:4 > But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law. (ESB) *Joy to the World* gets it right. “Let earth receive her king.” Jesus was born. The curse of sin would now be broken. God, who is faithful, did what he set out to do way back in Genesis. The time was right. All the characters were in place. He would be showing the wonders of his love. ### 5. John 3:16 > For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(ESB) *Why do we give presents at Christmas?* Because God gave the ultimate gift, His Son. We Christians make a big deal out of the coming of Jesus, but His birth would mean NOTHING without Easter. The birth was just a means to an end. Not the end of life, but the end of death. It is this baby’s death that gives us hope and eternal life. If our kids miss that Truth, then we have failed. When reading a Christmas story Bible verse with your children this year, consider the five senses. *What was heard? seen? smelled? touched? tasted?* Make the biographical story more real to those who are learning. As you listen to music on the radio, discuss the words with your kids. Pull out the Bible and read to see what is Truth and what is tradition. Then choose some verses such as those above and get to *know* them. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Bible Verses, Christmas --- ### [Halloween: The Meaning, History, and Christian Response](https://gominno.com/blog/halloween-meaning-history-christianity/) **Published:** October 4, 2022 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9cYsiyqQE2ZTzIS3S3uU.jpg) On October 31st each year people across the United States celebrate *Halloween* or *All Hallow’s Eve*. Widely geared toward young children who enjoy wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, and pumpkin carving, Halloween has become the second-largest commercially celebrated holiday in America grossing over $8 billion in sales. #### ***What is the Origin & History of Halloween?*** Halloween’s origin can be found in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced saw-en, meaning ‘end of summer’). For the Celts who celebrated their new year on November 1st, the day marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, the end of light and the beginning of darkness, the end of life and the beginning of death. The Celtic priests, called Druids, made large bonfires on hilltops around which the people gathered and offered sacrifices of crops and animals to the Celtic gods as a thanksgiving offering for that years’ crops and as an appeal for favor in the new coming year. Some have speculated that there were also human sacrifices at these bonfires, but modern scholars believe this not to be the case. This was viewed as a very spiritual time and divination was practiced especially in the form of fortune-telling. It was widely believed that on this night young women especially can find whether they might marry in the coming year and even the identity of their future spouse. It is also believed that on the eve of Samhain the line between the living and the dead became thin and the spirits of the Otherworld were allowed to roam the earth during this day, both spirits of departed loved ones during the previous year as well as evil spirits of ghouls and fairies looking to cause mischief and damage. The Celts, hoping for a visit from their departed loved ones, would set a place at the table for them and prepare a feast. They also set treats outside their house for the wandering spirits. To ward off evil spirits from their households, the Celts were known to set carved pumpkins (or turnips) in front of their doors. If they went out at night they wore costumes so that if they encountered an evil spirit they would be mistaken for an evil spirit themselves and thus be protected from evil and trouble. #### **The Origin of All Saints Day** By A.D. 43 the Romans had successfully conquered most of the Celtic lands. During the next 400 years, Samhain was merged with two Roman holidays: Feralia, a day when Romans commemorated their dead, typically at the end of October, and secondly Pomona, a day of honoring the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. In 609 A.D. Pope Bonafice IV established the Catholic feast of *All Martyrs’ Day* in honor of the early Roman martyrs, and this feast was later expanded by Pope Gregory III to include all saints and is still practiced today on November 1st as *All Saints’ Day* (known also as *Hallowtide* or *All Hallows*). November 2nd is also celebrated as *All Souls’ Day* mainly to honor the saints and pray for the lives of the recently departed who have not reached heaven yet. Some of the Halloween traditions can be seen in the festival surrounding All Saints’ Day. There were traditions of ringing bells for the souls in purgatory; poor people, mostly children, would go from house to house “souling”—they would get ‘soul cakes’ in exchange for prayers for departed loved ones; people even wore costumes in order to protect themselves from wandering souls of the dead. #### **Reformation Day** With the Protestant Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries, Protestant Christians reacted to Catholic Holy Days like [All Saints Day](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-all-saints-day), primarily over Catholic beliefs considered errors, such as Purgatory. Purgatory derives its name from the idea that there still remains some sin, or impurity, that needs to be purged and cleansed before one is allowed into Heaven. It is therefore considered a holding place for souls not quite fit for heaven, but not so bad that they go to Hell. Protestant Christians held that after death, no amount of prayers or indulgences – payments made on behalf of departed loved ones to speed up their time in Purgatory – can help a loved one in this Purgative state. Instead, many Protestant Christians began to celebrate [*Reformation Day*](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-church-history-and-the-reformation) by providing different options for people who didn’t want to celebrate the Catholic holiday. Some dressed up in Bible characters or reformers themselves and used the day as an opportunity to gather together and pray and fast. Today, many Lutheran churches celebrate Reformation Day with the traditional color of red which symbolizes the Holy Spirit and the Martyrs of the Saints. Martin Luther’s hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress is our God’ is traditionally sung and many schoolchildren put on plays reenacting some of the events during the life of Martin Luther. You might be thinking . . . *Whoa!* *That’s a lot of history. But does it mean we should celebrate Halloween or not?* Well, that depends. #### ***How do Christians respond to Halloween?*** **1. Some Christians reject Halloween.** There are many Christians today that look at Halloween as a pagan holiday during which the devil is worshipped and evil is glorified. They want nothing to do with the evil out there and will do everything in their power to shield themselves and their children from this devilish holiday. Many churches have replaced Halloween with Fall Festivals that are more family-friendly and allow a more safe environment and a fun alternative to trick-or-treating. Some choose to celebrate Reformation Day instead because they believe Halloween is something that must be rejected as a pagan holiday. **2. Some Christians accept it.** Halloween, they say, is a fun, harmless opportunity for kids to dress up, get lots of candy and have a good time. It’s a time for cute decorations, parties, pumpkin carvings, lots of laughter, and enjoying going trick-or-treating with their neighbors. Halloween is, for many, a non-religious festival altogether so some Christians don’t mind assimilating and being no different. ***Is there a third way that Christians could potentially respond?** **Can Halloween be redeemed?*** **3. Some Christians redeem it.** If we as Christians believe that Jesus came to redeem all things; to make all things new, we must answer with a resounding YES! Jesus says in Revelation 21:5, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Certainly, all things include Halloween. *But how?* We are sometimes quick to pass judgment or skip over the topic instead of pausing to investigate and have conversations about it. If we are quick to reject Halloween altogether, we might miss out. *After all, Jesus did say that we should be IN the world, but not OF it, right?* Right. *But what does that mean? Does that mean that evil is out there and as long as we close our doors and turn the lights out, evil will stay away?* If we can look at Halloween, not as ‘us versus them’, but rather as an opportunity to engage with the community around us, maybe we can approach the holiday with more compassion and grace, rather than judgment. #### **Rethinking Our Response** It’s important to note some similarities between the old Celtic rituals and Christian heritage. Introduced in Leviticus 7:11-15, thanksgiving offerings are found all over the Old Testament where God’s people sacrifice offerings in recognition of how much God had blessed them. *Remember how the Celts put carved turnips in front of their doors so that the evil spirits would pass them by?* *Can you think of a story in the Old Testament that reminds you of that?* Passover. *Imagine if the Christians who came in contact with the Celts long ago would have shared some of the similarities of our histories and pointed them to Jesus, what might have happened in terms of acceptance and faith in Christ, instead of outright rejection or co-opting of a cultural celebration?* In Acts 17:22 and following, Paul does this very thing with the Greeks at Athens. He says, ‘I perceive that you are very religious’ and ‘What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.’ Paul then proceeds to tell the men of Athens about God and what Jesus has done for them. Paul wasn’t afraid of the world out there but faced it head-on because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). #### **4 Ways to Engage Your Community for Halloween** If we are quick to accept Halloween as it is currently practiced, we might fail to care for and love our neighbors. “It’s about the fun and the candy,” so we put a bowl of cheap candy in front of our door and go help our kids bring in the loot! *How can we be the light of the world even amidst the jack-o-lanterns?* We can engage our community! - Practice hospitality—have the best candy so that your house will be the house people come to, and linger! - Get creative—have spiced cider and pumpkin bread for the adults so that you can engage your neighbors in conversation. - Reach out—Halloween is a great “excuse” to go to your neighbors’ houses and get to know them. - Be prayerful and present—ask the Spirit to lead you and give you wisdom. For a Christian, there is no pressure to participate in this holiday. If your discernment leads you to abstain from participating or focus on the harvest festival activities associated with Halloween, wonderful. If, on the other hand, you feel right to participate, the Bible gives you the freedom to wisely engage in living on mission even on Halloween. The apostle Paul tells us that ‘everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial’, and ‘let no one seek his own good but the good of his neighbor’ (1 Corinthians 10:23-33). In this tricky subject of Halloween, Christians must exercise discernment and be attentive to what the Spirit leads them to do. ![Minno Costume and Candy Kit.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/oNEMS7CNRzmEvY3IWX8B.jpg) Download our [Minno Costume and Candy Kit](https://www.gominno.com/blog/costume-and-candy-kit) for Fun Ways to Celebrate with Buck Denver and Friends! **Categories:** Seasonal **Tags:** Halloween --- ### [What is Shrove Tuesday?](https://gominno.com/blog/shrove-tuesday/) **Published:** February 20, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nj0iXvwyQ3CNialK5Cz5.jpg) Have you ever wondered why people tend to eat pancakes on the day before Ash Wednesday? Believers around the world celebrate Shrove Tuesday each year and if you’ve never celebrated it yourself, read below to learn what Shrove Tuesday is and how you can celebrate it with your family. --- #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids")Download our [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. --- #### **What is Shrove Tuesday?** Shrove Tuesday is held on the day preceding Ash Wednesday. It signals the end of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent (a time of penance and renewal prior to Easter) in the liturgical calendar of many Christian traditions. Shrove Tuesday ushers in the *Quinquagesima*, the fifty-day period before Easter, which begins the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is the final day of “Shrovetide,” a three-day period leading into Lent.\[1\] Shrove Tuesday occurs precisely 47 days before Easter and is a moveable feast determined by the lunar calendar. Its name is derived from the term ‘shrive’, which refers to the ritual of confession for sins leading into the penitential season of Lent.\[2\] In traditions such as Roman Catholicism, a priest administers this ritual and pronounces God’s forgiveness and absolution for sins. The tradition of shriving before Lent dates back to the Middle Ages (c. A.D. 1000).\[3\] #### **Who celebrates Shrove Tuesday?** Shrove Tuesday is observed by many church traditions and in various cultures worldwide.\[4\] Mainline Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches observe it. Less evangelical and independent churches observe it. However, a renewed interest in the liturgical calendar and its accompanying practices (such as Shrove Tuesday) has arisen among younger generations of evangelicals.\[5\] There is no biblical mandate requiring Christians to observe Shrove Tuesday; it is a matter of personal conviction. However, concepts like confession (Prov. 28:13; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9) and feasting and celebration (Eccl. 3:13; Rom. 14:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:31) are warranted and beneficial for believers. #### **Why and how do Christians celebrate Shrove Tuesday?** Essential to this day is the practice of confession of sins to God and others. Confession allows believers to acknowledge their sinfulness and need for God’s grace, which is given to them through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Shrove Tuesday is both a day of spiritual preparation and celebration. As a day of spiritual preparation, it is viewed as a time for cleansing the soul from sinful appetites through confession and submission to the Lord. As a day of celebration, it is the last opportunity to do so before the solemn Lenten season begins. Lent is marked by a forty-day fast (or abstinence) from certain foods and practices. Therefore, Shrove Tuesday is the last day to feast on foods (e.g., meat and fish, fatty foods, sugars, eggs and dairy) traditionally prohibited during the fast. Shrove Tuesday has a variety of rituals and customs associated with it. It is popularly known as ‘Pancake Day’ or ‘Pancake Tuesday’ in the United Kingdom, because observers eat pancakes made from the rich foods (e.g., eggs, milk sugar) not permitted during the Lenten fast. Games, sport and community events also accompany this day.\[6\] #### **How can families incorporate Shrove Tuesday into their traditions?** Shrove Tuesday is a great way to begin incorporating the church calendar into your family traditions. Brainstorm creative ideas together as a family on how to make the most of the day – how to use the time for spiritual growth and growth together as a family. Consider asking your church to observe Shrove Tuesday together with a pancake dinner or host a feast with friends and neighbors. This is an excellent occasion to share a meal–and your life–with other believers and non-believers in your neighborhood and community. This type of event can serve as a platform for gospel conversations and evangelism opportunities with friends. You can set aside time that day to focus on scripture that highlight God’s forgiveness (e.g., the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32) or read prayers together. *The Book of Common Prayer* offers a number of prayers of confession and pardon that families can read together. Another work to consider is *The Valley of Vision*, a collection of Puritan prayers and confessions. #### **How does Shrove Tuesday prepare us for Lent?** While expressions of Shrove Tuesday vary from culture to culture, many Christians continue to observe it with confession and absolution, in addition to feasting and celebration. It is a reminder that God’s people are entering the Lenten season of fasting and self-denial. Shrove Tuesday prepares believers for Lent by allowing time for reflection and spiritual renewal before entering the solemn Lenten season. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) #### Read about the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") --- \[1\] Herbert Thurston, “Shrovetide,” The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 13 (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912), accessed February 5, 2015, \[2\] F.L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 1506. \[3\] Fr. William Saunders cites the Anglo-Saxon “Ecclesial Institutes,” recorded by Theodulphus and translated by Abbot Aelfric: “In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do \[in the way of penance\].” Fr. William Saunders, “Shrovetide and Shrove Tuesday,” CatholicCulture.org, accessed February 4, 2015, . \[4\] For a list of different cultures observing Shrove Tuesday, go to: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove\_Tuesday](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday). \[5\] Gracy Olmstead, “Why Millennials Long for Liturgy: Is the High Church the Christianity of the Future?,” The American Conservative, accessed February 4, 2015, . \[6\] “Holidays – Lent,” BBC News, accessed February 5, 2015, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent\_1.shtml](http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/why-millennials-long-for-liturgy/). --- *Originally published on February 28, 2017* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Lent, Liturgical Calendar, Shrove Tuesday --- ### [Spiritual Practices for Kids: Worship](https://gominno.com/blog/spiritual-practices-for-kids-worship/) **Published:** February 19, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OcpyEJ5jTAKUCCvTGGcg.jpg) Spiritual practices are inward and outward expressions of faith, rooted in Scripture and tradition, that draw us closer to God. They are disciplines, practices that require work and repetition, that we grow more comfortable with and better at the more we do them. And they are a critical part of the Christian life, helping us to mature in godliness. 1 Timothy 4 tells us this: *“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”* But spiritual disciplines aren’t just for grown-ups! Kids can develop their spiritual muscles as well, practicing these helpful exercises alongside their parents or on their own. Childhood provides ample opportunities to develop other lifelong habits (like exercise, eating well, table manners, chores, etc), and many of the same concepts parents use to encourage their kids to develop those habits can be applied to teaching them spiritual practices! In our [Spiritual Practices for Kids series](https://gominno.com/?s=spiritual+practices), we look at 5 spiritual practices that you can help your kids cultivate. Today, we’ll discuss the practice of worship, where it comes from in Scripture, and ways to incorporate it into your family’s routine. #### **The Spiritual Practice of Worship** **What is Worship?** Worship means showing reverence and awe to God, and God alone. In worship, we enter God’s presence and focus our attention only on him. We give thanks, we praise, we sing, we dance, we bring our whole selves (mind, body, and spirit) to spend time with God. **Verses about Worship** **Luke 4:8** Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” **2 Chronicles 7:3** Then all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” **Psalm 99:9** Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy. **John 4:23–24** Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” **Hebrews 12:28** Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. *Put it into practice: Read through these verses with your kids and spend time talking through what each one means. Ask your kids if there are any words they don’t know, or things they don’t understand. Learning about worship together as a family will increase your shared experience of worshiping God!* **How to Practice Worship with Kids** Worship is a practice, which means it is something we do regularly. Your family may have a weekly rhythm of attending a worship service at church on Sundays, or you may have other daily or weekly ways of worshiping at home, school, or other church programs. Here are some ideas for helping your kids engage in the practice of worship: **1. Bring your body and mind to worship.** Help your kids engage in worship fully by going through a little routine before each time of worship, whether you are at home or in a church service. Point to different parts of your body and ask your kids what it should be doing during worship: - Where do your eyes go? (Toward the screen, the musicians, or be closed!) - What should your ears do? (Listen) - Where do your hands stay? (Close to your body) - What do you do with your mouth? (Worship and sing) **2. Sing.** While worship does not mean just singing, singing praise is an important part of a life of worship. Music engages our brains (and especially kids’ brains!) in a beautiful and creative way, which is why it is such a significant part of worship services. For kids, singing may be the part of a worship service they are *most* engaged with. Dancing, singing, doing motions to songs, and hearing important truth sung all around them invite kids to worship God in a fun and meaningful way. Singing as worship can be practiced corporately and individually, making it a wonderful spiritual practice for kids to engage in on their own. And singing worship does not have to be formal! Perhaps it looks like having worship music playing while your kids play, or you make dinner. Maybe it’s what you sing together on the way to school in the morning. Everyday small moments of worship can be deeply effective in helping your kids understand how accessible God is and how we can be with him anytime and anywhere. **3. Confess and pray.** Confession and prayer are important parts of both corporate and individual worship. Confession brings our heart in line with God, by remembering how he loves and forgives us. Prayer draws us into communion with God, by inviting him into the moment with us. Teach your kids to confess their sins to God, either out loud or silently. Practice corporate confession through the line from the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Then take a moment or two for kids to confess silently to God. A regular practice of confession reminds us of our brokenness and God’s mercy. **Learn More about Worship on Minno** Our new [Minno Life Guide: Spiritual Practices](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-spiritual-practices) shares more tips for cultivating a life of worship with your family. Check out these fun shows and songs to learn more about worship on Minno: [Yancy’s Little Praise Party](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party) [Little Worship Company](https://www.gominno.com/series/little-worship-company) [Seeds Family Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/seeds-family-worship) [Undefeated](https://www.gominno.com/series/ekidz-worship) **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Spiritual Practices, Worship --- ### [7 Creative Ways to Welcome Spring](https://gominno.com/blog/7-creative-ways-to-welcome-spring/) **Published:** March 16, 2017 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/935nldB9TYuEOrIaQxFO_spring-activities-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg "- Minno Kids") Just when we were really embracing winter, spring seems to have come early this year. Bradford Pear trees budding at the end of February in Tennessee? Unheard of! Yet, there’s no stopping those buds from bravely pushing their heads through the wet soil, and before March 20th even arrives, spring has taken our hands and walked us into a new season. Last night, my husband and I made a fresh strawberry pie with homemade crust, and the very act of it felt like ushering spring into our home and lives. I love the Scripture, “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV), and experiencing spring is a way we can see, taste, smell, hear, and touch that promise. Spring is a time of excitement, a chance to try new things, to go on adventures, to soak up the beauty of flowers, blue skies, warmer weather, and growth. Here are some creative ways to welcome this beautiful season of awakening, wherever you live: **1) Try a new recipe or cook with a spring produce item.** Do you know what spring tastes like? It tastes like strawberry pie or fresh creamy peas mashed on toast, or sweet beets in a salad with spicy arugula. Spring is a great time to try cooking or eating something new. Here are some common fruits & veggies that are seasonal in spring: ● Strawberries ● Arugula ● Asparagus ● Beets ● Artichokes ● Peas ● Radishes Spring recipe ideas: ● [ Pea Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Arugula](http://minimalistbaker.com/pea-pesto-pasta-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-arugula-vegan-gf/) ● [Balsamic Beet Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese & Walnuts](http://www.adishofdailylife.com/2015/03/balsamic-beet-salad-with-arugula-goat-cheese-and-walnuts/) (After you boil the beets, save the magenta-colored water to [naturally dye Easter eggs](https://www.mommypotamus.com/how-to-dye-easter-eggs-naturally-with-everyday-ingredients/)!) ● If you are a little bolder in the kitchen, try this [Strawberry Rhubarb Pie](http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-strawberry-rhubarb-pie-recipes-from-the-kitchn-172329) (you could just use strawberries), or [Strawberry Slab Pie](http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-strawberry-slab-pie-232004). If you’re like me, you’ll feel like a superhero after making your first homemade pie crust. ● And my all-time spring favorite, which is also the simplest: [radishes with butter and sea salt](http://www.thekitchn.com/simple-pleasures-radishes-with-44527). Divine. **2) Let out that inner artist.** Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Pick up a set of watercolors (even children’s’ ones will do!), some watercolor paper, take them outside and paint what you see. Nothing is silly, and there are no rules. Spend some time alone artistically enjoying nature, or have a painting party with your kids. After your creations dry, put them in crisp white frames so you can enjoy them year after year. **3) Visit a farm.** One of my favorite memories last spring was checking off an item on my bucket list: finally taking my daughters strawberry picking at a local farm. I’m not sure if the strawberries were actually juicier than any I’d ever tasted or if I romanticized them because of all the sweat and effort that went into picking them. But they sure tasted that way. On our farm in Tennessee, we’ve absolutely loved seeing both adults’ and kids’ faces light up when they hold our new baby chicks which, miraculously, arrived alive and kicking in a simple box from the post office. These little balls of fluff will, in a few months, produce food that can nourish us. They will fertilize our soil and significantly contribute to the ecosystem God created. **4) Take a nature walk.** Take a slow walk without agenda, collecting anything natural that looks interesting to you. Take photos of them, as close-up and focused as you possibly can. Collect treasures and tape them into a journal. Or, as we did a few weeks ago, clear off a dusty surface in your home and make it your “nature table.” My girls stop by ours multiple times a day and rearrange things or just touch and look at them. Currently on our nature table: a cardinal feather, heart-shaped rocks, quartz, birds’ nests, cow bones we found in our woods, and sticks covered in moss (the only rule is that they can’t leave the table and migrate to other parts of the house!). **5) Play.** I have young children, too – I know that a trip to the playground can feel like a much-needed breather, a chance to catch up on texts or just sit and think. But when is the last time you went down a slide next to your child or tried out the monkey bars? The results might be pretty hilarious, but your child will think it’s the best thing ever, and it’ll fill both of your hearts with joy. We have a large yard around our farmhouse, and this expansive grassy space is new for us former urbanites. My new favorite thing to do in the yard is to dribble a soccer ball for 10 minutes, up the hills, down the hills, aiming at “goals” between trees. One of my girls usually ends up wanting to play with me, and in the end, we’re both breathless and smiling. **6) Revitalize your family time.** Instead of movie night, how about a Friday early evening or Saturday morning breakfast picnic? Take a short drive to a nearby state park, natural area, lake or waterfall and look for adventures along the way. Take a spring drive without any agenda without anywhere to be at a certain time. **7) Bring spring inside your home.** Add splashes of yellow in your decorating. Remove the curtains, diffuse lemon essential oil, put daffodils in a vase. My mom always says, “Nothing transforms a house like crystal clear windows.” Personally, I rarely have a chance to wash the outside of my windows or even the insides for that matter! But when I do, it’s like having no windows at all, and the outside is invited in. ~ ~ ~ Whatever is going on in your life, let spring be a gift straight from God to you. I promise if you look for it, if you open your eyes, you will see little love letters from Him in the sky, the land, the way the earth is bursting forth with goodness and beauty. He did those things because He loves us. He didn’t have to make this world beautiful, but He did. Enjoy it! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal --- ### [A No-Pressure Invitation to Abide This Lenten Season](https://gominno.com/blog/no-pressure-invitation-to-abide-lenten-season/) **Published:** February 28, 2022 **Author:** Erick Goss **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xdOuk9iKSWqwqNLPMSv4.jpg) Parenting Is a never-ending cycle of busyness that can seem to overtake our daily lives. *Anyone else feel like you’re kind of just running from one thing to the next?* All the time. **Grounded is not the word a lot of parents are using these days.** Yet **here we are at an anchor in our Christian calendar**—the beginning of the Easter season. **Lent starts this week.** Some of us **look at lent with a little confusion**. Maybe we never understood it growing up. It was just a rote exercise. Perhaps your family didn’t practice it. It was something that “other Christians” do. ***So how might you build lent into your family culture? If it fits, where?* Perhaps more than any season in our lifetime, the pause, reflection, and intentionality of Lent will be hard-fought. We are tired from juggling the schoolwork and sports and church events and, and, and. . . . With our homes and our schedules full, quiet won’t naturally happen. Our goal at Minno is to **help you abide in the joy and peace of living alongside Christ in every season; in all circumstances.** Providing resources for that is a top priority, so [**we have several resources focused on Lent**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/lent-and-easter-resources-for-kids-and-families): [What is Lent?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-lent) (including the answer that it’s actually not in the Bible and has looked different over the centuries), [weekly Lent devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/family-dinnertime-devotions-for-lent), and even a [liturgy for when we had to spend our pandemic-era Easter alone](https://www.gominno.com/blog/a-family-liturgy-for-lent-in-a-pandemic). (Remember that?) **But abiding begins before the decision on what to *do* with your family. It begins with some questions of the heart.** Taking this more intentional stance—which will be hard-fought in today’s life fatigue—does not mean simply answering the “what will I give up” question, nor is it a call to just confess a behavioral sin pattern and commit to ending it. Both are good issues to engage in, but that’s not where we start. Instead, **let’s start with a few chapters of scripture: Hebrews 12, John 16, and Romans 8.** **Hebrews 12:2 talks about the joy Jesus looked toward even as He endured suffering** of the highest degree—death. Yes, He asked God if this plight is what had to be, but He very quickly followed that question on multiple occasions with a surrender to what God had for Him. And that is the key to giving up the chocolate, the Netflix, the social media, or the meat: **in Lent, we surrender not just the thing—the desire—but the will.** This is not just a “give it up and pray more” command. *So, what does that look like?* Well, thankfully, like Jesus had the companionship of the Father, **we have the companionship of the Holy Spirit.** John 16 and Romans 8 acquaint us a little more with the **Holy Spirit’s role as our advocate,** continuing Christ’s work on earth. He is a source of wisdom when we ask. And He is a gentle convictor of aligning what we think, feel, want, and do toward God’s will, acknowledging our own posture and surrendering it to be more in line with His truth. **So our giving up of something becomes so much more than a behavior change of our own, often faulty, will. Instead, it is an opportunity to give our will *over* to find God’s desires for us in His infinite power.** **A life-giving Lent season is what we need.** Not 40 days of grin-and-bear-it sacrifice. But, instead, a groundedness in God that sets a new rhythm for after this season. *How do we start?* **Ask the Holy Spirit where He and the Father need to work in your life.** This might be a barrier that needs to be removed, a chain broken, a new understanding of Him gained. **Engage together.** If you’re married, enter this season with a game plan together. If you are single, ask a trusted friend to walk with you. *Have older kids?* This might be the perfect time for shared reflection so that their experience of Lent is a powerful one from a young age. **Get still/abide.** If you’ve never set time to pray, do it now. Just 15 minutes in the morning or somewhere in your day. Grab a Bible, read something and ask the Lord to tell you what He wants you to hear, and just talk to Him without distraction. Personally, I am entering Lent with a lot on my plate. Minno is growing, which comes with incredible excitement and the need for deep discernment on next steps. We are thrilled to share some of those with you, soon. My family has been learning spiritually in ways we never have before, but we’re also in the thick of parenting teenage and college-age girls, which some of you can relate to. And, to get really practical, we’ve had a week of ice, snow, and bitter cold in Nashville, which means no one has left the house in a long time. *That’s a scenario we can ALL relate to.* **Slow down. Today.** Find the time, perhaps whatever time is leftover from the giving up of media or some other vice. **Reflect on how you can trust God for His provision, His presence, His conviction, or His prompting, with a grounded hope that He will fill that void with something even greater.** And keep track of it in a journal or even on post-it notes. These seasons of focus are meant to change us. *How will you experience God as good in these 40 days?* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, From the Minno CEO, Seasonal **Tags:** Lent --- ### [The Best Kids Worship Videos](https://gominno.com/blog/the-best-kids-worship-videos/) **Published:** July 18, 2017 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01182743/Best-Kids-Worship-Music-1024x578.jpg "Best-Kids-Worship-Music - Minno Kids")Do your kids love to sing and dance? Minno has a full library of amazing music videos so that they can sing, dance and praise the Lord! Worship songs and videos are a wonderful way to help your kids learn and grow in worship – [check out these other tips for cultivating a heart of worship in your kids](../blog/cultivating-heart-worship). The best kids worship videos are now streaming on Minno! Take a look at some of our favorites below, and [sign up for your free week of Minno](gominno.com). ## The Best Kids Worship Videos ### Yancy and Friends [Yancy and Friends](../series/yancy-and-friends) features spunky guitarist Yancy as she sings songs that encourage kids to love God and honor him in everything they do. With on-screen lyrics, she invites everyone to sing along! Yancy and Friends sing a mix of original songs and upbeat, modern takes on classics we all know and love, including “This Little Light of Mine”, “The B-I-B-L-E”, and “Father Abraham.” At 2-3 minutes each, we love that these bite-size videos can be enjoyed at anytime of day – and they’re so catchy you’ll probably put them on repeat! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01181941/YLPP_ProgramImage.png "YLPP_ProgramImage - Minno Kids")### The Rizers [The Rizers](../series/the-rizers) music videos are all based on Bible verses. Your kids will love the awesome animation and great beats! These worship videos will be fun for the whole family and a wonderful way for kids to memorize God’s Word. There are 10 music videos from The Rizers now streaming on Minno. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164453/The20Rizers20Alt201-1024x576.jpg "The20Rizers20Alt201 - Minno Kids")### Bethel Kids Worship Sing along to worship favorites presented through story-based music videos full of vibrant group choreography that invites you to join the fun. With friends or family, Bethel Music Kids: Come Alive will move your heart and move your feet. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01182005/BMKComeAlive_ProgramImage.png "BMKComeAlive_ProgramImage - Minno Kids")### God Rocks Playlist Join kid-hosts Myles and Stella for a fun, non-stop musical playlist of hit songs about faith and trust. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01201315/GodRocks_Playlist_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpeg "GodRocks_Playlist_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids")### eKidz Worship Worship along with the Elevation eKidz high-energy, enthusiastic worship team. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164519/ekidz_worship-1024x576.jpg "ekidz_worship - Minno Kids") **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno --- ### [The Key To Raising Faithful Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/the-key-to-raising-faithful-kids/) **Published:** January 24, 2024 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/24184328/iStock-1067328530-1024x683.jpg "Take that germs - Minno Kids")Do you ever worry about how to encourage faithfulness in your son or daughter? Teaching our kids to believe in Christ for life—and to live in a way that reflects those beliefs—feels like a daunting task. Thankfully, the Bible and modern research show us a great path forward. When we cradled our babies we would stare in awe, wondering how such a little creature might ever grow up to be a full-fledged adult. With toddlers under foot we simply try to keep up—with the running around and the jokes and the ever-changing emotions. While our kids grow like weeds we try to insert wisdom and quality time into the hustle and bustle. And when we pass our teens like ships in the night—I imagine, as we aren’t there quite yet—that we will hope we did our jobs well. We will hope that they have witnessed and experienced the love of God, and that they will choose to serve Him when they leave our home. Thankfully, when it comes to building faithfulness in our one-day-adult-children, we can do more than hope. We can take action now to plant the seed of a faith-filled life. Let’s take a look at the life of David, the book of Psalms and current research for guidance. **What Does it Mean to Be Faithful?** If we’re aiming for the same goal—encouraging faithfulness—it might help for us to make sure we’re all on the same page. What do we mean when we talk about raising faithful kids? [Dictionary.com defines faithfulness](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/faithfulness) as “the fact or quality of being true to one’s words or commitments, as to what one has pledged to do, professes to believe, etc.” So a person who is faithful: 1. Does what he says he will do 2. Acts based on what he says he believes For Christians, there’s a really powerful distinction made between these two stated qualities of faithfulness. First that we keep our commitments. If we say we’re going to be there, we show up. If we make a vow, we keep it. You can trust the words that come out of our mouths. Challenging at times, no doubt, but doable. Right? Related Content: [Young David: King Episode](https://kids.gominno.com/young-david/king) It’s the second distinction of faithfulness that really calls Christians to the mat. We’re to act in a way that reflects our belief in God and the Bible. We love our neighbors as ourselves. We rest in and rely on God’s goodness. You can trust the character of our hearts. Faithfulness asks us humans—who are flawed and who absolutely make mistakes—to walk out the truth of our words and our beliefs. That’s a tall order for adults, much less children! Of course, it always helps to keep the right perspective in mind: our kids are growing and learning—and oftentimes, we’re growing and learning right along with them. Grace is available to us all! **God’s Love Makes Faithfulness Possible** Okay, so us mere mortals want to be faithful in word and deed—and we want to teach our kids to do the same. Thankfully, God’s love makes a faith-filled and acted-upon life possible. How? God is faithful to us. He keeps His promises. He does what He says He will do. And He always acts in a way that reflects His core values and beliefs. The Bible is rife with stories of God coming through on His Word: - Abraham becomes the father of many nations - Moses brings the Isrealites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land - Joseph serves as Pharoah’s right hand man - David slays Goliath - Elizabeth becomes pregnant - Mary gives birth to the son of God What’s more: I can think of examples from my own life—and you no doubt can think of examples from yours. Moments where you prayed and trusted and asked and God showed up. He is faithful. Because of this, *we can be faithful.* The question becomes: Do your *kids* know about these stories? Do they know of God’s faithfulness in the Bible? Do they know how he’s shown up in your life? Do they wonder about moments in their own lives and how God’s intervention may have played a role? ***Young David*** **Paints a Beautiful Picture of Faithfulness** In the latest episode of our new show on the life of adolescent David, kids can explore the idea of faithfulness in light of God’s love. Here we find *Young David* playing hide-and-go-seek with his sheep. Just as a dangerous storm rolls in, one of his sheep runs off into the mountains. David insists on going to rescue the sheep, against the advice of his older brother, who understandably worries for David’s safety. It is at this moment that David responds, “It’s my job to take care of the sheep. It’s God’s job to take care of me.” David trusted that he could confidently go into the unknown, keeping his word as the master of the sheep and facing real fear and danger, trusting that God would protect him and keep him safe. I love to think of this story with Psalm 23 in mind. We’ll share it here in the New Readers International Version, which is written in a simple translation that kids can easily understand: *“The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need. He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. He leads me beside quiet waters. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me. You prefare a feast for me right in front of my enemies. My cup runs over. I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. And I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”* In other words: I will be faithful because God is faithful. **How to Put These Truths Into Action** A few weeks ago, after spending time with extended family out of state, my own little family arrived back home and unpacked. Among our dirty clothes and car snacks and trinkets from grandparents, sat a bag with long-forgotten papers—sent by my mom. We looked through them all—my elementary school essays, leaf rubbing prints, and a journal with daily prompts from my second grade teacher. And it was in those journals that we spotted a funny trend: I wrote about God–a lot: how good He was to me, how much He loved me, that I knew I could count on Him. Now, let me tell you. These journal entries were corny as all get out and definitely made me wonder who I was trying to please with what I wrote. Still. To this day, I know God is good, I believe He loves me and I am sure I can count on Him. I feel it in my bones. You know what else I feel in my bones? The need to convey this message to my own children in a way that I haven’t quite yet. From the story of David, we learn that it’s God’s love and care for us that enables us to care and love for others with a steadfast commitment and ultimate trust in Him. And we can encourage this in our kids by first practicing it ourselves. We can set the example. As a parent, this might mean saying, out loud in front of your kids, “It’s my job to take care of you/love my neighbors/listen for His call. It’s God’s job to take care of me.” And then, after you say those words, live them. Maybe you take a new job or move in faith. Perhaps you have a difficult conversation, make room at your table for someone in need or take your family to church even when you’re tired. Let your kids see you do what you say you’ll do and act on your beliefs. Then, take time to call out the goodness of God. Discuss the ways He cares for your family. Talk about how He showed up in your life before they arrived on the scene, and how He’s done so since. You might even openly discuss a hope, desire or need that only God can answer—a request for guidance that only He can provide. Then, when He does come through, celebrate it. Talk about God’s goodness. Put His faithfulness on display. Say: “See! We can be faithful to God because we know He will be faithful to us!” And take heart that these words are so much more than just words. [A 2020 study from Lifeway Research](https://research.lifeway.com/2020/09/14/want-faithful-teens-and-young-adults-disciple-faithful-parents/) found that kids who received spiritual guidance from their parents were more likely to remain faithful and engaged followers of Christ as they grew up. And it’s not just that. The same commitment to the faith was found in kids who attended church regularly, or who routinely read the Bible and prayed with their families. The research is clear: an early intention toward helping your kid see God’s goodness through the lens of Scripture, community and family build the foundation for a lifetime of faithfulness. This is our hope for our children—that they will know God’s love and choose to serve Him even as they grow up and leave our families to start their own. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Bible Teaching, Character, Parenting, Young David --- ### [How to Teach Kids About Servant Leadership](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-about-servant-leadership/) **Published:** January 3, 2024 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03234814/Teaching-Kids-Servant-Leadership-1024x579.jpg "Beautiful girl holding small boy to hand helping him to climb a tree - Minno Kids")*Want to encourage servant leadership in your child?* The Bible turns the idea of power upside down with examples of leadership from the life of David, Jesus, and more. And research shows us that leadership skills can and *should* be taught to our children starting at an early age. *So how do we teach our kids to lead with love when they still haven’t learned to clean their rooms?* Let’s grab two thoughts, put them together and see where we land. Cue the music and . . . First up: **Kids**. Playful, silly, me-focused, determined, curious, and always-learning kids. Next: **Servant Leaders**. Intentional, others-focused, generous, thoughtful, and patient leaders. *What about kids who are servant leaders? Record scratch, anyone?* Odds are, your kids fall into one of two camps when it comes to leadership. Maybe your kid is a born leader. She’s always coming up with ideas and walking around with a trail of kids behind her, telling them what to do. Or maybe your child is more reserved. He loves to help and tends to hold back from pushing his own opinions onto others. You might even have a kid who goes back and forth between the two. *But a child who leads naturally and with humility?* That’s harder to come by. After all, kids are simply little humans. And try as we might, it’s tough to overcome the very real human urge to be in control and to manipulate situations to our advantage. Still, developing the heart of a servant leader in our kids is worth our every effort. And there’s no better time to start than when they are small—curious and always learning. ### **What is Servant Leadership?** Before we get into what research and the Bible tell us about servant leadership, it might help if we agree on a working definition. Let’s take a moment to define servant leadership and talk about what it requires of our kids. An essay from 1970 by Robert K. Greenleaf titled, “[The Servant as Leader](https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/)” first introduced the idea of servant leadership to the public. In it, Greenleaf explained the concept in this way: *“The servant-leader is servant first . . . That person is sharply different from one who is leader first. The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant—first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served.”* A servant leader is both servant *and* leader, but meeting the needs of others takes priority. #### Related Content: [Young David: King Episode](https://kids.gominno.com/young-david/king) > When David tries to rescue a trapped sheep it turns out to belong to King Saul and Doeg, the king’s shepherd, is annoyed at David’s interference. David offers to buy the sheep, but is he willing to pay the price Doeg demands? > > ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03234352/Young-David-King-Servant-Leadership.png "Young-David-King-Servant-Leadership - Minno Kids") > *What might this look like for our kids? And what does it require?* > > Servant leadership in children, for example, can mean letting go of your own big idea while still rallying friends to accomplish a task proposed by someone else. This can be incredibly challenging for both natural born leaders and for kids who are more inclined to serve. > > That’s because servant leadership requires both humility *and* courage. > > Max Lucado says [true humility](https://maxlucado.com/listen/true-humility/) doesn’t mean thinking of yourself less, but thinking of yourself *accurately*. A servant leader recognizes his true place in the world—even if his current world is the recess playground. He knows that he is not worth more than the people he leads. Instead, he sees that both he *and* his followers are deserving of love, attention and grace. > > Yes, a servant leader must be humble. > > He must also be courageous. After all, in order to be a servant leader, a child must be confident that he can effectively lead others without cajoling, bossing, or manipulating. The life of young David offers us a wonderful example of this kind of courage as he cares for the well-being of a lowly sheep at his own potential for peril, in the end, sacrificing something very dear to him. > > Growing in these two qualities—humility and courage—means that the child who is naturally prone to lead can learn to serve and the child who is prone to serve can learn to lead. > > *But should we as parents even be concerned about cultivating servant leadership in our children?* *There’s plenty of time for them to learn how to lead well, right?* Let’s take a look at what the research has to say. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03234431/Young-David-King-Servant-Leadership-2.png "Young-David-King-Servant-Leadership-2 - Minno Kids") ### **Kids and Servant Leadership: What the Research Tells Us** Research supports much of what we’ve discussed so far. First, often, children who are natural born leaders tend to lead with an inflated sense of self and a my-way-or-the-highway attitude. A [study to this effect published in 2021](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797620965536) also found that kids who were less inclined to lead were considered just as effective by their peers compared to their bossy counterparts. In other words: children who are natural born leaders but lack the servant component lead no better than kids who tend to be more willing to serve but are reluctant to lead. It’s that beautiful combination of humility and courage that enables a servant leader to be effective. And we’re not just talking about feel-goods. [Servant leadership is proven](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.888761/full#:~:text=Servant%20leadership%20was%20positively%20related,et%20al.%2C%202021).) to produce better outcomes both for the individual and for the team as a whole. *But when should we introduce the idea to our kids?* [Consider this 2023 piece from Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/hecparis/2023/03/24/its-never-too-early-to-learn-vital-leadership-skills--so-why-not-start-in-elementary-school/?sh=654d39ee7b56) which encourages parents to begin teaching the skill of servant leadership in elementary school or sooner. In it, they reference new research out of Canada which followed 250 children for thirty years. *The conclusion?* Soft skills, like servant leadership, “are critical in preparing young pupils for their personal and professional destiny, cultivating democratic citizenship and other non-academic objectives.” Encouraging our kids to develop the skill of servant leadership is not wasted on youth. Instead, it sets the foundation for a lifetime of learning and growth. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03234506/Young-David-King-Servant-Leadership-3.png "Young-David-King-Servant-Leadership-3 - Minno Kids") ### **What Does the Bible Say About Servant Leadership?** Of course, even more important than the research, the teachings of the Bible on servant leadership offer Christian parents encouragement for raising humble and courageous leaders. While the term “servant leadership” may not have been part of common conversation before 1970, Jesus lived the life of a servant leader more than 2,000 years ago. In fact, He offers clear and direct instruction on the way we ought to lead in Mark 10:42-46. These verses find Jesus with His disciples on His way to Jerusalem. In just one week He will be crucified. Two of His disciples, James and John, ask Jesus for a position of power. His reply speaks volumes. *Jesus called them together. He said, “You know about those who are rulers of the nations. They hold power over their people. Their high officials order them around. Don’t be like that. Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant. And anyone who wants to be first must be the slave of everyone. Even the Son of Man did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free.” Mark 10:42-46 (NIRV)* Jesus had courage and humility in spades. He spoke of servant leadership and then, just one week later, He put the ultimate action behind His words. For another visual representation of biblical servant leadership, check out [Young David: King](https://kids.gominno.com/young-david/king). ### **Everyday Opportunities for Kids to Practice Servant Leadership** When it comes to learning new skills, there’s nothing quite like practice. And practicing soft skills and the way of Jesus alongside a loving parent provides a safe space for kids to make mistakes, learn, and grow. You can be that safe space for your kids as you encourage them to practice servant leadership in the following areas of life. **On the field or in the gym:** Sports give kids an opportunity to shine and parents the chance to beam with pride. They also serve as one of the best places to practice courage and humility in leadership. Talk to your kids about how they can be a servant leader for the team both on and off the field. Brainstorm together, ask questions to gain insight and check in regularly. **With siblings:** Power dynamics among siblings can be a real doozy, with older brothers and sisters lording their authority over younger brothers and sisters. But it doesn’t have to be this way. What if you taught your older children the value of servant leadership in your home. You might focus on how this technique is not only crucial for building a lifelong friendship among siblings, but it can also be more effective in helping siblings build peace in the here and now. **In the neighborhood:** Beyond sibling relationships, neighborhood pals seem to be the next most-fraught with hierarchy among children. We all want our kids to have the courage to stand up for what’s right and to lead a group toward greatness while also willingly accepting others as well as their thoughts and ideas. Encourage your children to step outside of their comfort zone when it comes to servant leadership in your yard and the surrounding streets. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03234545/Young-David-Servant-Leadership-4.png "Young-David-Servant-Leadership-4 - Minno Kids") #### **Why Your Example Might Be the Most Powerful of All** Of course, nothing quite beats the power of a parent’s living example. Kids will often forget about what we say and simply do as we do. When we make a commitment to being servant leaders ourselves, our kids take notice and hopefully, put these modeled skills into practice. At work and in our other adult relationships, sure, but most importantly at home. Look for ways to embrace humility in your role as parent—to see yourself accurately. And call on your courage to help you stay the course. After all, a servant leader parent need not force their children to behave as perfect little soldiers but can instead trust that, with God’s help, they will learn to lead well. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories, Child Development, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Bible Teaching, Character, Parenting, Young David --- ### [7 Ways to Build Courage in Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/7-ways-to-build-courage-in-kids/) **Published:** December 12, 2023 **Author:** Minno **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03232438/Ways-to-Build-Courage-in-Kids-1024x578.jpg "Ways-to-Build-Courage-in-Kids - Minno Kids")*Want to raise kids who have courage?* The Bible tells us God is the source of their courage and research says you can help them develop this God-given character trait. Picture this: Your kid stands under a tree in your front yard. His hands grip the branch above him. He reaches his feet out toward the trunk and tippie-toes his way up and up until finally—for the first time ever—his legs are long enough to wrap around the branch and he pulls himself into a seated position while you watch in awe. He did it. And from this moment, it’s game on. He climbs every tree in sight, scaling branches higher than he ever thought possible and building strength along the way. Of course, he’s not just developing actual muscles, he’s also building the muscle of courage. And you—by letting him do it—*you’re* building the muscle of courage too. You see, in order for our kids to power through fear, danger or discomfort, we must power through those challenges ourselves. It can be scary to watch your kid try something new. But we, as parents and caregivers, have the great privilege and responsibility of helping our darling children grow up to become courageous adults. Do you struggle to muster up the courage it takes to help the kids you love find their own? You are not alone. Let’s explore what the research tells us about kids and courage and then identify seven everyday opportunities for our kids to practice being brave. ### **Kids and Courage: What the Research Tells Us** Encouraging a child to go out into the world and take risks can feel overwhelming, especially as they grow older and the calls to be courageous grow right along with them. Sometimes it helps to start by looking at the facts. Let’s consider what the research has to say about kids and courage. *Why should we prioritize this life skill? And how?* ### **Why Should We Prioritize the Life Skill of Courage?** Studies conducted on this topic are conclusive: building the muscle of courage results in all kinds of positive outcomes for kids, both in early childhood and as they progress into adolescence and adulthood. For one example, let’s look at research published in the[ *International Journal of Early Environmental Education*](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1180021.pdf). A study of more than 1600 children ages three to 13 showed that kids who were free to engage in play that required courage—like our tree climbing example above—saw advanced growth socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively, and creatively. What’s more: they also developed high levels of resiliency—an important skill that allows children to recover quickly from frustrating situations or difficult moments. The inverse is also true: when kids are limited in the practice of bravery—either by their own hesitations or because of parents who hold them back—[the resulting struggles are often evident](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1180021.pdf) in other areas of life. And the findings seem to stay the same as children grow. Research published in 2022 by [*Psychological Studies*](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12646-022-00641-2) found that courageous actions among teens and young adults led to reduced social anxiety, greater emotional control, and the ability to better manage stress. **Related Content:** [Young David Warrior Animated Episode](https://kids.gominno.com/young-david) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03232910/Young-David-Episode-Image.png "Young-David-Episode-Image - Minno Kids")### **How Can We Help Our Kids Grow in Courage?** Thankfully, research provides a wonderful roadmap for us, as parents and caregivers, on what we can do to help our kids develop courage. The study we’ll focus on involved young teens who were observed over the course of one year—as well as their parental interactions and relationships. Maybe your kids are much younger. That’s okay! What matters most is that the realities of the families observed were solidified after *more than a decade* of daily habits. Parents of young children can start to create a courage-forward home today that will no doubt lead to better outcomes in the future. And parents of older children and teens: there’s no time like the present to start new courage-building habits! *So what did the researchers discover?* The 2021 study published by [West Virginia University](https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=11154&context=etd) found four key factors that led to greater evidence of courage in kids and teens: 1. **Autonomy**: [age-appropriate independence](https://www.gominno.com/parents/7-ways-to-practice-autonomy-with-your-kids/) 2. **Secure Attachment**: a healthy, loving relationship between parent/child and child/God 3. **Self-Esteem**: a proper understanding of one’s worth and value in the world 4. **Cognitive Reappraisal**: the ability to reframe a negative moment into a positive one And while we are not our kids—I repeat: we are not our kids—we do have at least some influence over them. We can look for ways to offer our children increasing independence, a safe space to live and be, and the truth of who they are and how much their ever-present God loves them. In the brand new Minno animated series, [Young David](https://kids.gominno.com/young-david), kids can imagine the life of King David as a shepherd boy and the character traits he developed that would one day make him God’s chosen king of Israel. Traits like courage, which kids will see in episode 1, [Warrior](https://kids.gominno.com/young-david). David’s war cry, “Chazak Amats! Be strong and courageous!” (1 Chronicles 28:20) can remind kids that courage is possible because God is always with them. [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03232943/YOUNG-DAVID-Hero-1024x529.png "YOUNG-DAVID-Hero - Minno Kids")](https://kids.gominno.com/young-david) ### **6 Types of Courage for Every Kid to Conquer** If we hope to encourage bravery in our children, it helps to better understand what courage looks like and how it might take shape in the real world. Experts tend to break courage into [six distinct categories](https://helpfulprofessor.com/types-of-courage/): 1. Physical 2. Social 3. Moral 4. Emotional 5. Intellectual 6. Spiritual This can be really helpful information for parents. Here’s why: Maybe your kid is an expert tree climber and you have no qualms about him racing up to the highest branch. That’s great! He’s rocking physical courage and benefiting from the practice. But courage doesn’t stop at physical bravery. Understanding the types of courage may help you to hone in on an area where she could use your help in growing. Perhaps she struggles to ask questions in class or to right wrongs after a fallout with friends. Categorizing courage can help the two of you work toward a goal together. Other parents may worry, instead, about a *lack* of physical courage. Perhaps your child is more reserved in his personality and more careful with his actions. Depending on his age, he may have even voiced feelings of inferiority among his peers. Knowing that courage comes in all types can help you find an area where your child really shines. Again: courage doesn’t stop at physical bravery. You might point out that when your child sits with the lonely kid at lunch, she’s being courageous. And when she talks openly about her faith, she’s being quite brave! Keep in mind that many adults struggle to master all six types of courage, so there’s no reason we should hold our kids to such a tall order. Instead, use this knowledge as a guide for helping your kid grow in courage as they move from child to teen to young adult. > **“Be strong and courageous . . . Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. 1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT** > > ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03234103/2010s0680-marketing-v020096.png "2010s0680-marketing-v020096 - Minno Kids") ### **7 Everyday Opportunities to Practice Bravery** Of course, when it comes to getting better at any life skill, nothing beats practice. Luckily, our kids are presented with opportunities to try courage on for size every single day. You can encourage them to take advantage of those opportunities by having regular conversations about what it means to be courageous and how they can exercise courage. You can even role-play likely scenarios to build confidence. And remind your children: when it comes to practicing courage, it’s not about getting it right. It’s simply about giving it a try! These are some of the most common opportunities for kids to practice bravery. As you make the topic of courage a regular conversation in your home, your kids may reveal a few new opportunities as well. We can’t wait to hear all about it! **In the classroom:** Encourage your child to ask questions if they don’t know the answer, to speak up when they do, and to give reading aloud a try once in a while. You might also suggest that your child take a risk on a writing assignment, attempt to do their math homework without your help, or sign up for that after-school club they keep talking about. **On the playground:** The playground offers all kinds of unique challenges that allow kids to test fears and build confidence. If your child struggles to feel comfortable giving all of the elements a go, pick one that they can work on conquering. They might try the slide, the swings, the monkey bars, or the ropes course. As you can, offer them space to do it on their own. **At a store:** Gone are the days of kids walking over to the five-and-dime and putting a Coke on the family’s tab. Thankfully, we can borrow from simpler times and implement this practice today. Kids as young as seven can take charge of finding an item or two on the grocery list, or paying for a small treat at the ice cream shop—all with a parent’s nearby supervision. And as children get older, they can take full reign of collecting and purchasing. **In a restaurant:** If your child can speak plainly, they can order their own meal at a restaurant. It may take a little longer for the waiter to understand, and you may need to offer clarification, but the effort will be so worth it in the end. Your child will learn to speak confidently to adults they don’t know—which takes more courage than us parents might remember. **With friends:** Friendships can be tricky for kids—and for good reason. They’re still learning how to treat one another and how to trust one another. Depending on your child, you may need to encourage them to start small, learning to walk up to someone new and say, “Hi! My name is John. Do you want to play?” Other kids may need a nudge to join the two-hand touch football game at recess or to invite friends over to play even though they fear rejection. **When alone:** Spending time alone can be a little unnerving for kids—and even for adults. But we all have to do it at least occasionally. Kids can practice building courage as they fall asleep in bed at night, or when they play LEGO or run around the yard while the rest of the family completes tasks or engages in their own hobbies. And while we never want our children to be alone more than necessary, sometimes it *is* necessary. **Through imagination:** One fun and effective way to practice bravery is by living vicariously through the stories of others—especially in TV, movies, or books. Stories help children to better envision scary situations and imagine what they might do if they found themselves inserted into the story. It’s always a good idea to pair these stories of bravery with intentional discussion. *Want to know some of our favorite stories to share?* For kids, we love the brand-new show, [Young David](https://www.gominno.com/lp/youngdavid/), the animated series that steps into King David’s early life as a young teenage shepherd—with lyre, slingshot, and sheep for friends. And for teens, we suggest the book, [All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team](https://www.amazon.com/All-Thirteen-Incredible-Rescue-Soccer/dp/1536209457). Above all, we can remind our children—and ourselves—that courage is possible because God is always with us. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Warrior-Keyart-4K-Landscape-NO-LOGOS-1024x576.jpg "chocolate - Minno Kids") **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Bible Teaching, Courage, Parenting, Young David --- ### [Back to School Routines that Serve the Whole Family](https://gominno.com/blog/back-to-school-routines/) **Published:** August 4, 2023 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![Stock photography - Photography](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/photography-1024x573.jpg "- Minno Kids") Confession: I’ve got the back-to-school blues. With the big day looming in the not-so-distant future, all I can think is: *“Summer’s over already?”* And yeah, I’m feeling all the feels with [my little one starting kindergarten](https://www.gominno.com/parents/dear-baby-before-you-head-off-to-kindergarten/). I’ll miss heading out on adventures with him and his older brother. *But also?* I’m dreading the alarm clock. We’re a sleep-in crew. We roll into our destination riiiight on time. And we’ll hang as long as the pool’s still open and the sun’s still shining. *Who needs routines anyway?* Well . . . we do. ‘Cause school’s starting back. *Did I mention that?* This year, I’m hoping to establish a few key routines to serve our whole family as school gets back into full swing. *Want to join me?* Here’s what I plan to do: #### **Back to School Routines that Serve the Whole Family** #### **Keep Things Simple** There’s no way we’re going from zero to sixty in our organization skills so I won’t be setting our family up for failure. Instead, we’ll focus on a few key changes that we can easily and effectively incorporate into our home. For us, that means finding ways to move things along a bit more quickly in the morning and looking for opportunities to enter our afternoons in a state of joy instead of with exhaustion and crankiness. ***The takeaway for your family:*** Consider your own school-day routines and identify just two or three areas that could benefit from a little more intention. #### **Serve the Same Breakfast Every Day For a Week** I won’t win any Pinterest Parent of the Year Awards for this one, but we might just get out the door on time, so . . . *worth it, right?* My boys love cereal. I prefer for them to eat something with a bit more get-up-and-go. We’ll compromise by having a weekly breakfast plan—no daily negotiations needed. Some weeks, I’ll prep breakfast burritos or zucchini chocolate-chip muffins for quick morning heat-ups. And other weeks, I’ll set out a box of cereal on the table and let them have at it. ***The takeaway for your family*****:** Think about how you can remove one stressor from your morning. Maybe you’ll have your kids choose the next day’s outfit each night before bed or set an alarm that alerts the family when you have ten minutes before time to leave. #### **Follow a Few 10-Second Moves After School** Afternoons can be a bit touch and go—sometimes we’re tired, sometimes we’re cranky, sometimes we’re fired up from all the fun we just had that we want to have even more! None of these scenarios lead to great follow-through on afternoon routines, so I need to encourage actions that are quick and can easily develop into a daily habit. Here are the 10-second moves we’ll try: - Right along with my afternoon greeting, I’ll hand the boys [a snack that packs a punch—](https://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/g2146/best-after-school-snacks/)a granola bar, string cheese, or a handful of nuts–and a bottle of water. - Backpacks have a home in our front closet, but they never seem to make it there. Every day, I’ll say, ad nauseam “Please put your backpacks on their hooks” and wait until they actually do it. - Followed quickly by, “Please place your lunch boxes in the sink.” I’m embarrassed to admit how much this small change will change my life. But it will. ***The takeaway for your family*****:** *What 10-second moves can you add to your routine?* Maybe you’re way more on your game than me—your kids already put everything away. That’s great! Perhaps now you can have them set any papers that need signing on the table when they get home or encourage your kids to plug in any devices that need charging. #### **Create An Atmosphere of Rest in Your Home** From the vantage point of a parent, school is small potatoes. But we all know that isn’t true for kids—it certainly wasn’t true for me. This year, I’d like to build a little feel-good into our back-to-school routine by considering what would most replenish each of my boys at the end of a long day. I’ll consider their personalities and also check in with them on a regular basis to ask: *Would you like to play a game with me? Or would you prefer some alone time? Maybe you’d like to run around in the backyard or take a nice, long bath?* On an ideal day, I’d love for each of my boys to have an hour or two to do what feels edifying for them—and I’ll do the same. My hope, of course, is that they’ll be ready and willing to take on the next day of school—and all that comes with it. ***The takeaway for your family:*** *How might you [create a feeling of rest and relaxation in your home](https://www.gominno.com/parents/simple-ways-to-promote-peace-at-home/)? Perhaps you’ll have music playing in the background, maybe you’re the mom or dad who dances in the kitchen?* Or maybe you simply check in each night at dinner to better know and understand your little ones. *What will you do to make this back-to-school season a smoother one? I’d love to steal your ideas. 😉 Share your thoughts on our Facebook page or Instagram account.* **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Back-to-School, Family Life --- ### [A Parent's Guide to the Benefits of Social Emotional Learning](https://gominno.com/blog/a-parents-guide-to-social-emotional-learning/) **Published:** September 14, 2023 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![social learning image](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04224131/oyxRF9OYTQySsCcQ3jR5-1.jpg) Imagine for a moment that your four-year-old walks up to you holds out his shoe and says, *“Mommy, I’m frustrated! Can you help?”* And in this idyllic moment, you plop down together on the floor as you gently remind him to pull out the tongue and tug on the back and cheer him on to success. You may now awake from your dream into the more likely reality: a tantruming preschooler whose left shoe just landed in a thud against the wall. Ahhh, that sounds more familiar. After all, kids sometimes lose their cool. And other times, they can’t quite seem to keep a lid on their excitement—joy and energy bursting out in every direction, with no thought given to their audience or surroundings. In moments like these, we parents have a few choices: > We can suck it up and ignore them. > > We can put our foot down and discipline them. > > We can show them a better way. #### **Social-Emotional Learning: A Better Way** Experts now tout social-emotional learning as a key tool in helping kids understand and regulate emotions. *What is social-emotional learning?* Social-emotional learning offers a [framework for teaching kids to grow](https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/for-educators/empathy/5-myths-about-social-emotional-learning?gclid=CjwKCAjwkdL6BRAREiwA-kiczEg6WvkMxwECYXaZbPEXub9DGrEwj9RRumij5Suz49kYI96BwEYmQhoCLJQQAvD_BwE) in the following areas: 1. Self-awareness 2. Self-management 3. Social awareness 4. Relationship skills 5. Responsible decision-making With purposeful intention on behalf of parents, educators, coaches, and carefully-selected media, kids can work to identify what they’re feeling and develop a plan of action to follow those feelings. Sounds too good to be true, I know. But it isn’t! #### **Social-Emotional Learning Boasts a Proven Track Record** Researchers studying social-emotional learning have found benefits that went far beyond anyone’s expectations. First, social-emotional learning acts as a foundation on which kids can build many other life skills. Of course, the opposite is also true. [Without the ability to calm oneself](https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/09/03/why-students-need-social-emotional-learning-now.html), a child can’t be expected to learn something new—much less store new information in their brain for later. That might explain why [students trained in social-emotional learning outpace other students](https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2019/06/trends-in-social-emotional-learning-research-what-are-the-outcomes/) academically by an average of 13 points on a grading scale. And it’s not just academics. Researchers discovered that kids who develop social-emotional learning skills have “[10% fewer psychological, behavioral, or substance abuse problems](https://ofy.org/blog/four-major-benefits-of-socialemotional-learning/)” compared to other children. And this improvement gap continues to show up years later, at the age of 25. *But what about the here and now?* According to a [2018 study by McGraw Hill](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ecommerce-prod.mheducation.com/unitas/corporate/promotions/2018-social-emotional-learning-survey.pdf), parents, teachers, and administrators all agreed that quick progress in a student’s ability to maintain “positive attitudes about self and others” ranked as one of their favorite social-emotional learning outcomes. Bask in *that* possibility for a moment. #### **How to Encourage Social-Emotional Learning in Your Home** We can’t promise you’ll walk on cloud no-shoes-thrown forever. Or that your kids won’t whop grandma in excitement the next time she shows up with a special treat. What we *can* say, with confidence, is that social-emotional learning contributes to a more peaceful child, parent, and home. You can begin to encourage growth in this area in the following ways: **1. Model positive social-emotional behavior.** Be vulnerable. When you’re feeling your feelings, name them out loud. In real-time, and in an age-appropriate way, admit any struggles you have with overcoming a strong emotion. And vocalize the steps you’re taking to get that emotion under control. **2. Teach social-emotional skills.** Happy and sad aren’t the only emotions. At any time, we might feel excited, anxious, brave, rejected, content, or desperate, just to name a few. Help your child identify the nuance of what she’s feeling. Brainstorm practical ideas for what she might *do* with that feeling. **3. Reinforce social-emotional lessons.** Grab a printable emotions chart and put it up in your home (there’s a super cute on in our latest Minno Life Guide on Emotions). Roleplay your expectations for how your child might respond to emotions on a regular basis. Have your child repeat a useful phrase like, *“When I’m frustrated, I can try again or ask for help.”* Keep practicing these skills together and see what happens! ![Emotions Life Guide Cover.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nIzxmhPEQpCI88YOBIVG.jpg) For more help in learning together how to recognize and regulate emotions, check out our latest Minno Life Guide, [Emotions: The Science, Stages, and Responses that Impact Emotional Growth](https://www.gominno.com/blog/help-kids-regulate-emotions-with-minno-life-guide). ![NAP_Featured Image LIH.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pDVPxiDJTui9qGGHzhR0.jpg) And look for new programming here at Minno, where our characters and storylines will further encourage social-emotional learning for your kids. A few of our favorites include [The Adventures of Napkin Man](https://www.gominno.com/blog/new-show-just-added-to-minno-the-adventures-of-napkin-man) and [Treasure Champs](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-new-kids-show-treasure-champs). **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Minno Life Guides **Tags:** Emotions, Minno Life Guides, Parenting, Social/Emotional Learning --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About 9/11](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-911/) **Published:** September 10, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![9/11 blog image](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/04220259/GybMuyIfRhGXjskwjH0r-1.jpg) I recently heard a teenager say she loved attending the 9/11 memorial service in our town because she “loves history”. I almost laughed because Tuesday, September 11, 2001, doesn’t seem like history to me. It seems like yesterday. I wonder if my grandmother, born in 1930 would have laughed if I told her Pearl Harbor Day was ancient history to me? She was only 11 years old when it happened, but I bet she remembers the fear and shock that reverberated through the country. *Why didn’t she ever tell me about December 7, 1941? Why didn’t I ask her?* I want my kids to know about the terrorist attack on 9/11, now called Patriot’s Day, because it is a piece of history I experienced first hand. I also want them to know because I want them to be able to look at what is happening in our world today and see God’s hand. If your kids have questions about the recently-ended war in Afghanistan that began after 9/11, [check out this post](https://www.gominno.com/parents/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-war/). *So, how can we talk to our kids about 9/11 and God?* #### How to Talk To Your Kids About 9/11 ##### **First, tell them the truth.** Focus on the facts of what happened. There *were* terrorists who highjacked planes because they wanted to hurt America and its citizens. It wasn’t an accident or a terrible mistake. It was an actual attack. Framing the experience in history, and including examples like Pearl Harbor or the Civil War, of other difficult chapters in America can help kids understand the gravity and rarity of the attack. Of course, your kids don’t need to know every detail or the play by play we saw unfolding on the news that horrible day. But there are books and websites offer information in age-appropriate ways. ***Recommended Resources:*** [*911memorial.org*](https://www.911memorial.org/talk-children-about-terrorism) *: How To Talk To Children About Terrorism* [*Kids Books About 9/11*](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/kids-books-about-911) *from Common Sense Media* [*The Nation Remembers (articles and teaching plans from Scholastic)*](http://www.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=844) ##### **Next, focus on the stories.** A quick google search will bring up so many personal stories about 9/11, especially as we approach the twentieth anniversary. If you know someone who was personally affected, ask them to share their story with your family. By bringing history into story, your kids can connect on a more emotional level. As your kids hear stories, especially first-hand, they will start to develop empathy, a critical social-emotional milestone. These stories, along with the stories of the heroic firefighters and police officers who were running into the buildings, are inspiring and encouraging. One of my favorite stories is of the New York Harbor captains who evacuated half a million people after the attack. You can see their story in this 12-minute documentary called [Boatlift](https://youtu.be/18lsxFcDrjo). ##### **Finally, point them to God.** If my kids watched me during a 9/11 memorial or documentary they would see tears flowing down my face. Little kids can get scared and nervous when their parents are upset. Even though our children might not grasp the terror of 9/11, they can grasp our pain and sadness. When your children feel your sadness, or do recognize the terror of that day, remind them of our ultimate hope. Jesus promised His disciples and us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 9/11 is proof that trouble is real and present in the world. But we can take heart because Jesus has overcome the world! He is the great King over all the earth! (Psalm 47:2) ##### *Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by God All-Powerful. Psalm 91:1 ICB* *Family Activity: Read Psalm 91 together. Write verses 1 and 2 on a piece of paper. Have your kids color, circle or decorate the words dwell, shelter, rest, shadow, refuge, fortress and trust. While they decorate, talk about how those words make them feel or what it makes them think of. Spend time praying and thanking God for protecting and surrounding us even in scary times.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Parenting --- ### [Easter Week: 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotionals/) **Published:** April 2, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg) *Wondering how to help your kids understand the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection this Easter?* [The Minno Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) includes 8 short video devotionals that will help your family learn and celebrate the Easter Story. Each day includes a short video clip from [What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible), Bible verse, discussion question, and prayer prompt. We pray this journey helps bring your family closer to God and each other! If you have feedback, ideas or questions about the 5 Minute Family Devotional, [reach out to us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/minno)—we’d love to hear from you! #### **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DN4Exb3sQG2ftoIXClUA.jpg)** #### For a limited time, get access to this 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan on our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_oVYDT613F6viE3JENV-Yg)! . . . . . . . . . . ## Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Episodes on Minno [Day 1: Palm Sunday](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/palm-sunday) [Day 2: Davidic Covenant](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/monday) [Day 3: Mustard Seed](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/tuesday) [Day 4: Passover](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/wednesday) [Day 5: Maundy Thursday](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/maundy-thursday) [Day 6: Good Friday](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/good-friday "Day 6: Good Friday") [Day 7: Holy Saturday](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/holy-saturday) [Day 8: Easter Sunday](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/easter-sunday) **Start watching the devotionals on Minno [here](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional).** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Week 5MFD Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Easter. ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Uncategorized --- ### [The Fruit of the Spirit: 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan/) **Published:** May 12, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pbuYduW5RvSwTxjoKLxp.jpg) Welcome to the 5 Minute Family Devotional on the fruit of the Spirit! We’re taking a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of a life connected to Jesus—the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control! The videos in this devotional plan come from [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs%20super%20vlog), a Minno series. #### What will we learn in the [Fruit of the Spirit 5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/)? - The Fruit of the Spirit is not a “checklist” of good Christian behavior! The fruits are gifts from God, and we can ask Him to grow the fruit of the Spirit in us. Similar to the way apples grow on trees with the help of sun and water, the fruit of the Spirit grows in us with the help of the Holy Spirit and prayer. - The 9 traits that are the fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ### Free Fruit of the Spirit Activity Pack Download a free Fruit of the Spirit activity pack featuring the Micah’s Super Vlog characters! Click [here to download now](https://cdn.buttercms.com/0W4hdHLQxyg1Acu7uvA3). ![Micahs-Super-Vlog-Activity-Pack-JT-Bl...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AyZCkVyXTiiTi8fVY4Yy.jpg) [Subscribe to Minno](http://gominno.com) to have access to all 9 devotionals (plus more 5 Minute Family Devotional plans) now. 1. **[Love](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/love)** 2. **[Joy](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/joy)** 3. [**Peace**](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/peace) 4. **[Patience](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/patience)** 5. [**Kindness**](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/kindness) 6. **[Goodness](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/goodness)** 7. **[Faithfulness](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/faithfulness)** 8. [**Gentleness**](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/gentleness) 9. [**Self-Control**](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/self-control) ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Uncategorized --- ### [How to Teach Kids to Find and Be the Good in a Broken World](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-to-find-and-be-the-good-in-a-broken-world/) **Published:** June 18, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/i06tJjnJRlGayc0jDki5.jpg) > Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (NLT) In our current culture, it seems as though we need to crawl in a hole and hide from the world in order to avoid negativity and conflict. As parents, we try to shield our kids from bad news and bullies because we don’t want their tender hearts tainted at such a young age. I understand the tendency and I’ve struggled with it myself but I’m learning we can’t change the world by hiding from it. And I want my kids to know their attitude will make an impact by adding their beautiful brush strokes to the current landscape and painting it with goodness. #### It’s their choice. But kids don’t know they have a choice until we teach them. Option 1 – go along with the world and let it discourage you. Option 2 – find and be the good. Make the world a brighter place, just by being in it. Parents want kids to be the best and make their mark with academics, sports, and the arts. We hope and pray they see their dreams realized and live a life full of abundant success. But true and wild success is first and foremost about character. **The condition of the heart can make or break everything a person sets out to accomplish.** In the book of Psalms, chapter 27, David declares *“The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid?”* (verse 1, NLT) He goes on to confess that when evil (circumstances or people) try to attack, the Lord is his fortress. The one thing he seeks, he says, *“is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections.”* Our prayer for our children (and for ourselves) can be the same. May we delight in the Lord’s perfections, seeing every little thing the way He sees it . . . broken *and* beautiful, difficult *but* redeemed . . . for His glory. If we take the focus off outward circumstances and turn our eyes toward their heart we can cultivate a spirit of goodness within our kids. A heart full of goodness knows how to shield the world and respond to negativity, fear, conflict, and heartache with goodness and hope. #### How to Teach Kids to Find and Be the Good **Practice seeking goodness.** Teach kids to notice positive details; good and lovely things, people, and blessings. This good habit starts with us. The more we model seeking goodness in front of our kids, the more they’ll take on our positive attitude. But the more we complain and focus on negativity, the more negative our children become. **Ask:** *What is one good thing you noticed today?* **Turn tough things upside down by looking for the bright side.** There is always a way to find good in even the hardest situations, even if it isn’t immediately apparent. Practice digging in the dirt of your difficulties to find seeds of hope. **Ask:** *How can we turn this bad situation upside down? How do you think God can use this for good?* **Implement a zero-tolerance policy (aka, goodness math).** This is a wonderful family habit that can be practiced together. Every time you read, hear, or say something negative, remind each other to replace those critical words with good ones. Each negative thought replaced by a positive one equals zero, or a clean slate. Challenge yourselves to add 2 or 3 good things to the conversation and leave yourselves in a state of positive abundance. **Ask:** *What positive thing can we add to this conversation?* **Affirm positive words and behavior often.** Let kids know when they are shining bright. The more joy they feel when they add light to a situation, the more appealing it will become to find and be the good in their sphere. This may come through an [act of kindness](https://www.gominno.com/blog/want-to-raise-kind-kids-start-with-these-socialemotional-skills) or by making a good decision that leaves a positive effect on others. **Ask:** *I am so proud of you! How do you think what you just did/said will add goodness to the world?* **Look for the good in others.** Encourage each other to be the type of person that looks beyond the mess to find the beauty. Ask God to give you eyes to see others the way He sees them. Purpose to bring out the best in others so that together, you can add multiplied goodness to the world. **Ask:** *How do you think God sees him/her? What is something special about this person?* > #### Go out into the world and do well. But more importantly, go out into the world and do GOOD. Unknown A path of goodness will lead our kids toward the bright future their Creator has planned for them. And I pray that as they travel, they’ll light the road for others to join them on the journey toward God. **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting, Uncategorized --- ### [Determination: What to Say When Your Kids Feel Like Giving Up](https://gominno.com/blog/determination-what-to-say-when-your-kids-feel-like-giving-up/) **Published:** July 9, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HxVMCfcVTlegXgFJAvdL.jpg) We all have times when we feel like giving up—when our jobs feel too hard or our marriages feel too hard or life just feels too hard. So, of course, our kids are sometimes going to feel this way too. *When our kids are struggling, how can we teach them determination and* *[perseverance](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-perseverance)? How can we help our kids build the character that comes through perseverance? What do we say when our kids feel like giving up?* I remember when my son first tried baseball and really struggled with learning how to bat. We are not a big sports family, and we had just been letting him try a different sport each season to see which one he liked. So he was starting baseball pretty late compared to the other kids on the team. It seemed like every other child had been focusing solely on baseball since they were two or three. Some were already mini Babe Ruths when they got up to the plate. We went through game after game of strikeouts and tears. My husband and I both spent countless hours pitching to our son at home, watching YouTube videos, and doing the best we could to help him. But despite our efforts at the end of the season, he made a huge dramatic declaration: *“I’m never playing baseball again. I’m just no good at it.”* Years before, my husband and I had promised we would never make our kids do an activity or sport they didn’t want to do. We didn’t want to be “those parents” who pushed our kids to do something because *we* wanted it. But this was different. We felt like this was a life lesson kind of moment and that if we let him quit, we were setting him up for a lifetime of quitting everything he wasn’t immediately good at. We told him he had to play at least one more season and that we would get him a batting coach (another thing I swore I would never do!) since neither of us had any clue what we were doing. If he tried his best through all of that and still wanted to quit, that was okay. As long as it wasn’t because he thought he was no good, but because he legitimately just didn’t like baseball. So, we spent all summer in weekly batting lessons and then working daily on what he had learned in the lessons. All three of us found out that the right way to swing a bat is actually not very natural for anyone, but if you learn the correct technique and practice a lot, you can be successful at it pretty quickly. When his new season started in the fall, I nervously took him to his first practice and watched as he went up to bat for the first time. He hit every single pitch. Wouldn’t you know that same kid who had said, *“I’m just no good at baseball”* three months earlier ran over to me with a huge grin and said, *“Well that was fun!”* On the way home, we talked about how once you know how to play a sport the right way, it is much less frustrating and much more enjoyable. For the rest of that season, he got a hit almost every time he was up at bat and had one of the highest R.B.I. records on the team. At the end of the season, he still decided that baseball wasn’t really his thing and he’d rather stick with soccer when he got to middle school. But he didn’t quit out of frustration and defeat. So I say, life lesson learned. It was worth every hour we spent. ### **Research on Determination in Children** [Dr. Angela Duckworth](https://angeladuckworth.com/) of the University of Pennsylvania has spent the last fourteen years studying determination, or what she calls “grit,” in child development. Her research has found that “grit matters more to a child’s ability to reach his full potential than intelligence, skill, or even grades.” Unlike IQ, which is relatively fixed, grit is the type of skill that everyone can develop. Just like our parents always told us, *“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”* Just like the Bible encourages us to *“fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith”* (2 Timothy 4:7) and to *“run with perseverance the race marked out for us”* (Hebrews 12:1) and to *“persevere to the end”* (Matthew 24:13). Dr. Duckworth gives[ three basic ways to encourage grit in our children](https://characterlab.org/playbooks/grit/): **Model It.** This is true of every single aspect of character in our lives. Our kids are so much more likely to do what we *do* rather than what we say. If our kids see *us* persevering through tough situations, especially if we talk to them about it, they will know that they can do the same. **Celebrate It.** Instead of only praising your kids for things they are naturally good at, be sure to praise them for working hard to overcome something that was difficult for them. It’s great to find where they naturally have skills and gifts, but it’s also important to encourage them to step out of their comfort zones and overcome. You will find that they tend to celebrate more and take more pride in the things they had to work hard to accomplish than the things that came easily to them. **Enable It.** Don’t just tell them they can’t quit, *help them* to work hard to overcome their struggle. I really didn’t want to invest all of that time and money into batting practice, but it made all the difference. If we had just told our son, *“You can’t quit,”* without giving him the tools he needed to succeed, we would have only frustrated him further, not really taught him determination and hard work. ### **Tips to Help Kids Learn Determination** **Encourage and Model a Growth Mindset** The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset—the idea that kids only have a certain amount of brains or talents and nothing can change that. A [growth mindset](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-their-strengths-and-weaknesses) says that their natural talents and skills can be developed through hard work, education, and perseverance. If you want to encourage a growth mindset, instead of praising kids for “being smart,” consider praising them for “working hard” or “getting better.” Instead of saying, *“you’re such a great singer”* consider praising how much they practiced that song and how much better it sounded with practice. **Intentionally Put Kids In Activities Out of their Comfort Zone** If we want our kids to learn how to work hard and overcome struggle, we have to push them to try things they aren’t naturally good at. When Paul wrote in Romans that, *“perseverance produces proven character,”* the line right before that was, *“suffering produces perseverance.”* (Romans 5:3). If our kids only try things that come easily to them, they will never experience what it means to overcome. **Let Your Kid Get Frustrated and Fail** It can be really hard to see our kids struggle, but if we want them to learn how to overcome struggles for themselves, we have to let them get frustrated and even fail. Don’t be afraid of your child’s frustration or discomfort. This is how they develop resilience. Encourage them to push through and try again. We cannot create independent children if we’re always stepping in and rescuing them from everything. If we let them give up, they’ll never see what amazing things they can accomplish when they work hard. As hard as it is to watch, allow them to go through the emotions of disappointment, confusion, and failure. **Brainstorm Together** If your child is struggling, brainstorm together about what steps they can take to overcome. You can share your own experiences, mistakes you’ve made, and ways you have learned to persevere through difficulty. We want kids to learn to be independent, but that doesn’t mean we just leave them to figure it out all by themselves. Enabling them to persevere means helping give them the tools they need to succeed. **Discuss and Praise Efforts, Not Just Accomplishments** The goal of life isn’t perfection, it’s growth. Instead of focusing on the end result, determination focuses on the journey. Encourage your kids every step along the way—the little things and the big things; the goals met and the “good tries.” **Teach and Show Them That Failure is Okay** Talk with your kids regularly about your own failures, mistakes, and how you persevered through them or how you could have been more resilient. You can even share stories of famous successful people who have had major setbacks or failures and how they overcame them. *Did you know that Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school basketball team the first time he tried out? Or that Stephen Spielberg was rejected from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts* *twice**? Or that Thomas Edison struggled in school growing up and was told by all of his teachers that he was, “too stupid to learn anything”? Or that Walt Disney was told by his former boss that he, “lacked imagination and had no good ideas”?* Imagine what would have happened in their lives if they had given up right away. A growth mindset embraces mistakes and failures as part of the process of learning and growing. Giving your child a chance to fail and learn to overcome is one of the greatest gifts you can give them as a parent. Letting them go through it themselves but with you there as a resource and guide is the only way to really teach them the resilience, determination, and independence they will need to navigate life as an adult. As Christian parents, we have the even greater blessing of using failures and mistakes as a way to point them to God’s grace and love for them. To use it to continue to remind them of the Gospel—that none of us is perfect and we never will be. We will continue to make mistakes and fail, but when we do, we can run to the arms of the Father and find refuge and strength (Psalm 91). ### **Resources from Dr. Angela Duckworth** [8-Item Grit Scale for Children](https://www.dropbox.com/s/rn5wo3y0iis0qtf/8-item%20Grit%20Scale_Child%20Adapted%20Version_4.pdf?dl=0) [Character Lab for Children](https://characterlab.org/): actionable advice for parents and teachers based on scientific research about how to build character in kids. Includes Playbooks for creativity, curiosity, emotional intelligence, gratitude, grit, growth mindset, honesty, intellectual humility, kindness, proactivity, purpose, self-control, and social intelligence. **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting --- ### [Free Zoom Backgrounds for Kids from Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/free-zoom-backgrounds-for-kids-from-minno/) **Published:** August 14, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2UZkqwymQdKObPE5GWxA.jpg) Our kids are showing real strength and resiliency as they return to learn this school year with so many unknowns ahead of them. We know this season will be full of learning curves and maybe some tears and frustration as you find your groove in this new normal. We want to help your kids have a little fun as they adjust to their virtual classrooms! Download one of the sixteen kid-friendly Zoom backgrounds below from your favorite Minno shows. It’s all part of our super fun [Return to Learn](https://www.gominno.com/return-to-learn) season! [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lnLFSs7ySIqJcegh58Zx.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/return-to-learn) #### Zoom Backgrounds from our Brand-New Show: [Brewster the Rooster](https://www.gominno.com/series/brewster-the-rooster) ![Brewster The Rooster Lighthouse_Minno.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VdZqi589TTKeH5I69Yz8.jpg) #### Download Your [Brewster the Rooster Zoom Backgrounds Here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/DMvan7iR4qAUT7eed8Hj) . . . . . . . . . . #### Zoom Backgrounds from our Brand-New Show: [Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat) ![JungleBeat Sunset_Minno.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lWdqJfwZTRi41f1uX5Tv.jpg) #### Download Your [Jungle Beat Zoom Backgrounds Here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/RMeh4O0rRyqQN195g5Vx) . . . . . . . . . . #### Zoom Backgrounds from our Fun New Short: [Pops and Peanut](https://www.gominno.com/series/pops-and-peanut) ![PopsAndPeanut copy 2_Minno.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HES0fbAQSihMaCfOMsrA.jpg) #### Download Your [Pops and Peanut Zoom Backgrounds Here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/TxKgAG4PQK5oqsRP7HS6) . . . . . . . . . . #### Zoom Backgrounds from our Best-Selling Kids Bible: [The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) ![MinnoBible Creation_Minno.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xmMIlnqSR2Wuidg0GEB1.jpg) #### Download Your [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Zoom Backgrounds Here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/jtoY0JThSkiZT0BCmpHu) . . . . . . . . . . #### Zoom Backgrounds from our Popular [Show](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog) and [Book Series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog): Micah’s Super Vlog ![Micah ScienceLab_Minno.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SGhJjrNxQeuRm3aToLLI.jpg) #### Download Your [Micah’s Super Blog Zoom Backgrounds Here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/V7dvYquRToOM3fzGiGO2) . . . . . . . . . . #### Zoom Backgrounds from our Fan Favorite: [Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) ![Owlegories Tree_Minno.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/odxLuIFZQiy8iPGmFZdb.jpg) #### Download Your [Owlegories Zoom Backgrounds Here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/wnROMslhT06hFZk8sxNh) . . . . . . . . . . #### Zoom Backgrounds from the Beautiful Show: [Theo](https://www.gominno.com/series/theo) ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rGd5myKWStOi4ErVvdR4.jpg) #### Download Your [Theo Zoom Backgrounds Here](https://cdn.buttercms.com/HMfHofbgRaGmCPDhpbAr) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch these great shows now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Education, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** School Year --- ### [Everything You Need to Know about Lent and Easter](https://gominno.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lent-and-easter/) **Published:** February 24, 2022 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2HnU09nITSJE0w5IAWlw.jpg) We’ve got a whole series of resources for you and your family to tap into this season. Here’s a roundup of some of Minno Life’s most popular posts on Lent and Easter. --- ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Get access to 90 minutes of Easter content to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus, plus off-screen resources to walk your family through Holy Week with meaningful activities! --- # Everything You Need to Know About Lent and Easter ### What is Lent? ![Bible-Stories-Lent-JT-Blog-Image.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MB5fvcTOS6m9F98rZ2XA_Bible-Stories-Lent-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) **[What is Lent?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-lent)** Lent is the season of fasting and self-denial observed by many Christians in the days preceding Easter Sunday each year. The word “Lent” comes from a word meaning “lengthening days,” with the Lenten season consisting of forty fast days as days lengthen in early spring. **[Talking to Your Kids about Lent and Fasting](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talking-to-your-kids-about-lent-and-fasting)** On the heels of Christmas, Lent can feel like a tough sell to kids. However, it’s a great opportunity to talk about the deeper parts of our faith, and to recalibrate their perspectives. That’s why, depending on the age of your kids, Lent can be a great tradition to incorporate into your family. **[Teaching Our Kids to Wait for Easter](https://www.gominno.com/blog/teaching-our-kids-to-wait-for-easter)** When it comes to Easter, Christians have historically followed a certain rhythm. Lent was a season of fasting and repentance. Then came Holy Week, when we remember Jesus’ final days on earth. The mourning of this week culminated with Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ death. **[Simple Ways to Observe Lent as a Family](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-observe-lent-as-a-family)** Five simple Lent and Easter activities for families. Use one (or a few) of these ideas to connect and grow this season. **[A Lent Craft for Kids: The Jellybean Prayer Jar](https://www.gominno.com/blog/a-lent-craft-for-kids-the-jellybean-prayer-jar)** Whether or not your family partakes in Lent, the time leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection can be filled with many kid-friendly activities that will teach them about God’s love in action. For those of us who do practice fasting, prayer and almsgiving during these 40 days before Easter, coming up with a feasible fast for a child in which a deeper meaning can be taught is tricky! The Jellybean Prayer, mentioned last week by one of our Facebook friends, is an activity which my family has absolutely LOVED doing this past week! It’s the perfect Lent craft for kids. **[What is Shrove Tuesday?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/shrove-tuesday)** Have you ever wondered why people tend to eat pancakes on the day before Ash Wednesday? Believers around the world celebrate Shrove Tuesday each year and if you’ve never celebrated it yourself, read below to learn what Shrove Tuesday is and how you can celebrate it with your family. **[Choosing Structure as Freedom: Reflections on Lent](https://www.gominno.com/blog/choosing-structure-freedom-reflections-lent)** Lent. It’s the season of giving up, sacrificing, preparing. During “Lententide,” we turn our eyes and our hearts more fully towards Christ and the cross in anticipation of Easter Sunday coming soon. ### What is Holy Week? ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2OcwNyaaRzSDNR96XIsb.jpg) **[What are the Days of Holy Week?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-what-are-the-days-of-holy-week)** Holy Week recounts the final days of Jesus’ life including his death, burial, and resurrection. Discover the history of honoring Holy Week and more details about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. **[What is Holy Week?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week)** Holy Week marks the final week of the season of Lent and it recounts the final days of Christ’s life, as well as his death, burial, and resurrection. **[How to Talk to Your Kids about Palm Sunday](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-palm-sunday)** In telling this story to children, it is easy to get caught up in the cute green construction-paper palm branches and little voices shouting “Hosanna.” But I think there is more to this story for our children to learn. Here are a few ideas about how to talk to your kids about Palm Sunday. **[What is Palm Sunday?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday)** The first Sunday of Holy Week is Palm Sunday, which remembers Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Jesus fulfills the prophecy from Zechariah when he says in Matthew 21:5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'” **[What is Maundy Thursday?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday)** Maundy Thursday is the fifth day of Holy Week leading up to Easter, which remembers the Last Supper with Jesus and His disciples. We call this event the “Last Supper” because it is one of Jesus’ final meals with His disciples before He is crucified. They had gathered for Passover Supper, which set an important context for what Jesus did at the Last Supper. **[What is Good Friday?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday)** Good Friday remembers the day of Christ’s death and the moments leading up to it. Many Christians devote this day of Holy Week to thinking about Christ’s final hours and the suffering that He endured. Services for Good Friday tend be somber, even though we know that Jesus rose from His death three days later. **[What is Easter Sunday?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday)** The most important event of the Church Calendar is Easter Sunday. On this day Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Not only has Christ paid for our sins on the cross, but He has triumphed over death! Jesus’ resurrection seals our hope for eternal life with God. ### Everything You Need to Know About Easter ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/k52dFx7dTXClpf8ufAyT.jpg) **[What is Easter?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-easter)** Easter Sunday is arguably the most important day in the Christian calendar, as it is the day that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It marks the end of Lent, a 40-day season of fasting and penance. In contrast with the penitent spirit of Lent and the somber atmosphere of Holy Week, Easter is marked by joy, music, and jubilation. Christians observe the occasion by wearing their finest outfits, singing songs of celebration, removing the veil from the cross, and proclaiming, “Christ is risen!” **[5 Ways to Prepare Children for Easter ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/five-ways-to-prepare-children-for-easter)** Easter is a glorious day when we celebrate together the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Children get excited on Easter, but sometimes they don’t always understand what Easter is about. Read below about five ways that we can prepare children for Easter. **[The History of the Easter Bunny](https://www.gominno.com/blog/history-of-the-easter-bunny)** It was not until the 1800’s that the Easter bunny began to appear in stories. Numerous German books connected the animal to the holiday, and German candy makers produced a variety of edible bunnies. Eventually, the Easter bunny made its way to the United States, and Americans began to include the bunny in their festivities in the mid to late 1800’s. **[Celebrating Easter as a Family](https://www.gominno.com/blog/celebrating-easter-as-a-family)** I love this time of the year. I find the way that nature comes back to life to celebrate another season and the hope of things to come fascinating. I love Easter Sunday morning with all of the children in their new spring outfits and hats. Our three children also look forward to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt each year to fill their baskets. **[How to Bring Every Lesson Back to Jesus this Easter](https://www.gominno.com/blog/guest-post-how-to-bring-every-lesson-back-to-jesus-this-easter)** One of the big mistakes we often make when teaching kids is that we settle for a moral lesson rather than use the cross to explain our motivation for Biblical morality. When we teach our kids that Christians look and act like something based on a set of rules or on things we don’t do, we set them up to be disillusioned with their faith, then we wonder why they walk away in college. **[Teach Kids About Jesus All Year Long](https://www.gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-about-jesus-all-year-long)** You can teach kids about Jesus all year long! Help children get to know their Savior at Easter, but don’t stop there. . . **[Sharing the Joy of Easter and New Life with Kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/sharing-the-joy-of-easter-and-new-life-with-kids)** Share the joy of Easter with children as you consider the miracle of new life this season. These Easter activities will show you how. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal, Uncategorized --- ### [How to Balance Parenting Responsibilities with Your Spouse](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-balance-parenting-responsibilities-with-your-spouse/) **Published:** May 12, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VmtdwQgTTq476zTW1wxB.jpg) For the last 11 years that I’ve been a mother, I have often heard my mom wistfully say something like, “It’s *so nice* to see your husband helping with the kids.” And every time I reply with something like, “He’s not *helping me* with the kids. He’s being their parent.” But she was raised with a kind of 1950s “Leave It to Beaver” view of what home life looked like: Dad worked, Mom took care of the house and the kids . . . and never the twain shall meet. They were super old school. My dad never put a dish in the dishwasher, not even his own. He just left it on the table for my mom to clear. He says he can count on one hand the number of diapers he changed for *all four* of us. He has changed more of *my* kids’ diapers than he ever did his own kids. He wasn’t a bad or selfish man; it was just a different time. The expectations were different. But these days, whether both parents work outside the home or whether Mom stays home with the kids or Dad does, in most families, people recognize the importance of co-parenting—both parents being actively involved in parenting and sharing household responsibilities. It’s just logical—making sure we have a fair division of labor so one person doesn’t feel overwhelmed or start to resent the other. It is so important for kids to have both parents *actively* involved in raising them. Think about the message it sends to our kids when parents who have been working outside of the home all day still take the time to help them with their homework or brush their hair out after a bath or help make dinner or do dishes. Think about the message it sends to our kids when they don’t. It’s hard to give you “4 Ways to Balance Parenting Responsibilities” because every single family dynamic is different, and every single person is different. It depends on your daily schedules, your other responsibilities, and even your gifts, passions, and preferences. Maybe you are a person who *loves* doing the dishes because it soothes you, so my suggesting you ask your spouse to help with the dishes would actually be detrimental to your mental health. (I have heard people like this exist, but I am not one of them!) So instead of giving you specific tips, I’m going to give you some questions to ask and principles to consider that I hope will help you and your spouse sit down and come up with a plan that works for you. For *both* reasons—so that the division of labor is fair *and* so that the kids experience a healthy model of both parents being involved in parenting. How that actually plays out in each family’s life is going to look different for every family, so it’s important for you to work out what will work for you and your spouse and not to compare your family to anyone else’s—especially to some invisible standard that our culture, not the Bible, has put on Christian families. ## ***What Are Each of Your Passions, Skills, and Gifts?*** Maybe you love cooking and don’t want to share that responsibility. Maybe you are a math person and you’re really good at budgeting, paying bills, etc. Maybe you have a natural teacher personality and you love helping the kids with their homework. Or maybe you don’t have the patience for it and it makes you want to pull your hair out! Both you and your spouse need to come together and talk through what you *enjoy* doing and what you are *naturally good at* doing and work out *together* how you can divide up household responsibilities and parenting so both of you are using your gifts and everything is getting done well and efficiently. Too many of us have some traditional picture of what this is “supposed” to be like—that the dad should be the one to handle the money or the mom should be the one to cook. Let go of that picture and discuss openly what will work best for your family, with each of the unique passions, skills, and gifts you bring to the table. *“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” 1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV* ## ***What Does Your Schedule Actually Allow You To Commit To?*** Maybe one spouse travels a lot for work or works long hours and the other spouse stays home with the kids. It only makes logical sense that the stay-at-home spouse will have more household responsibilities in that scenario. But that doesn’t mean the working spouse has *no* responsibilities at home. Maybe that spouse could be responsible for weekly or monthly things rather than daily, like making sure the trash is at the curb, cleaning the windows and baseboards, cleaning out the gutters, mowing the lawn, reorganizing the kids’ clothes for each season, etc. Or if a spouse works at night, they can choose responsibilities that can be done during the day, like parent-teacher conferences or taking kids to doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping or picking kids up from school. If your family dynamic is more even with work outside the home—let’s say you both work a typical full-time job—then your workload at home should be more even. You may even have health issues that come into play. If one person struggles with anxiety or depression or one of you has a chronic illness, certainly include that in your distribution of household responsibilities! The important thing is to make sure that you are balancing it all as evenly as possible, in a way that uses your gifts and works with your schedule. That everything gets done and that all of the load doesn’t fall on one person. *“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. . . never tire of doing what is good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 NIV* ## ***What Is Important To You To Have Your Kids See Their Father Or Mother Do?*** Up to this point, we’ve looked at spouses evenly, as individuals, including their gifts and their schedules. But in raising Christian kids, as Christian families, we do not deny that there are differences between the genders and that gender roles matter. They just may not look exactly the same as they did in previous generations. (Just look at the Proverbs 31 woman if you want to see a biblical text that challenges 1950s gender roles!) You and your spouse both need to talk about what is important to you specifically and why. For my husband, who grew up without a father, it is very important to him that our sons be involved in Cub Scouts and that he be involved with them because it’s something he felt like he never got to do. For me, the weekly meetings don’t fit well into my schedule and I’m not passionate about it, so in our family, it is 100% his responsibility. But we have lots of single mom friends who are the involved parent at Cub Scouts *and they love it*. We also have friends who do it together as a whole family and even bring their daughters and that works for them. We even have single mom friends who have decided it’s important for their sons to have a male role model to do Cub Scouts with, so the involved “parent” is a grandfather, uncle, or close family friend. That’s just one example, but there are so many different things that may be important to you, for whatever reason. For me, it’s not one particular thing; it’s just important for my kids to see their father involved in household chores regularly so they grow up to be men who don’t expect their wives to do it all alone. You may be passionate that your kids see their fathers leading family devotions as the spiritual leader of the household or you may rather share that responsibility. You may really want your kids to see a mother who takes an active interest in their sports or a mother who knows how to change a tire. It’s different for all of us, and it may even change over time. That’s why it’s important for each of us to ask this question of ourselves and discuss it openly and honestly with our spouse. *“A man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh . . . Each individual among you is to love his own wife even as himself and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:31-33 NASB* ## ***What Does Your Spouse Need From You?*** Last, but *definitely* not least: the first three questions were all about yourself—what are your gifts, what fits into your schedule, what is important to you? This one is about what your spouse needs from you, which is perhaps the most important question because the agape love of God is all about sacrificing our own desires and needs for the sake of the other, especially in a marriage. When the Bible talks about how husbands should love their wives, Paul writes, “love your wives as Christ loved the church and *gave Himself up for her.”* This is how Jesus loved us and this is how we are to love one another—by sacrificing ourselves for the other. Both husbands and wives. The last night of His life, Jesus said to His disciples, “Love one another *as I have loved you*. That is how people will know you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35). As Christian families and Christian parents, when people look into our marriages and see two people who willingly sacrifice themselves for the sake of the other, they will see Jesus. They will see true love, real love. And they will be drawn to that and want to know Him. So ask your spouse what they need from you. What will lighten their load? What will help them to be a better mother or father to your kids? *“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NKJV* Again, it will look different for each person and each marriage. So instead of just listening to other people’s tips or reading blog posts or scouring Pinterest for chore charts, sit down with each other and ask these four questions. Be honest with each other and make a plan *together*. Most of the stress over these kinds of things in a marriage happen because we don’t actually have a plan. We just both have unspoken expectations of the other person and then get frustrated when that person doesn’t meet our expectations, even if we have never told them what they are! But when we sit down together and make a plan together—a unique, individual plan that works for our unique, individual family dynamic, then we will work together as a team, as “one flesh,” and model a healthy marriage and family for our kids. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Uncategorized --- ### [12 Small Ways to Celebrate Big on Earth Day](https://gominno.com/blog/12-small-ways-to-celebrate-big-on-earth-day/) **Published:** April 20, 2023 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cpyYdnkITXeNeAZY06ud.jpg) Earth Day is this week, a special day set aside to celebrate and care for our planet. The creation story in Genesis 1 reveals how God created the earth, piecing together the sky and sea, the animals and the plants, and sharing His good creation with His beloved people. God’s Word calls us to care for His creation beginning in Genesis 2:15, when: > “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Earth Day presents an opportunity to teach your kids about the wonders of God’s creation. During this time of social distancing and being stuck at home, we can develop a deeper appreciation of the wonderful world God created. Right now, getting outside, though limited, is something we all look forward to! Here are 12 ideas to inspire your kids to celebrate this Earth Day. # **12 Small Ways to Celebrate Big on Earth Day** #### 3 Things to See 1. Use Instagram to look at pictures of our beautiful earth from some real astronauts living on the International Space Station. Look at @iss, @astrodrewmorgan, or @astrojessica 2. Watch [*The Nature of God*](https://www.gominno.com/series/nature-of-god)[ on Minno!](https://www.gominno.com/series/nature-of-god) This awesome show combines nature exploration and teaching about God and His character. 3. Since Earth Day 2020 is during the global COVID-19 pandemic, travel and parks are significantly restricted. *So how can you SEE some of the most amazing sites on planet earth?* Check out the [Go Traveler](https://www.youtube.com/user/58NationalParks) channel on YouTube, or watch the [*Planet Earth*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795176/) documentary series on your streaming service. #### 3 Things to Hear 1. Have an audible scavenger hunt in your neighborhood! Count how many nature sounds you hear. *Rustling leaves? Thunder? Rain? Barking dogs? Croaking frogs?* 2. Listen to the Minno Creation Songs playlist on Spotify! (SEE BELOW) 3. Check out the [“Dawn Chorus”](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dawn-chorus/id1146931666) app, made by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Make your own bird choruses with different bird calls. You can use it as your morning alarm clock! #### 3 Things to Do 1. Make birds feeders out of toilet paper rolls, peanut butter, and birdseed. Take a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Cover the roll in peanut butter, then roll in birdseed. *Have a peanut allergy?* Use almond butter or lard. Use a string to hang on a tree in your yard or neighborhood! 2. Plant vegetables or herbs in plastic cups or leftover quart yogurt containers. Try growing container-friendly foods, such as spinach or herbs. 3. Make a recycling chart for your fridge. Use the internet to look up what items are recyclable in your city or county, then make a chart together for your fridge by drawing what items go in recycling and which go in the trash. **BONUS ACTIVITY:** Download and print these [Minno Creation coloring pages](https://cdn.buttercms.com/qL7Gy2SpTPrAgcm8PaZP) from the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids). ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Earth-Day-Coloring-pages-LLB-1.jpg "- Minno Kids") #### 3 Things to Share 1. Go for a walk and pick a wildflower bouquet. It could even just be clover and dandelions! It doesn’t need to be fancy to be beautiful. Then leave it on a neighbor’s porch tied with ribbon and with a handmade card! 2. Make leaf tracing art cards to mail to friends and family. Go hunt for pretty leaves and put them under a plain piece of white paper. Using a crayon or pencil, lightly color the paper over the leaf. Write a special message and mail it to someone you love! 3. Write your own poem or song about caring for God’s creation. Then record it and share it with family and friends! #### Minno Creation Songs Playlist 1\. The Gettys – [All Creatures of Our God and King](https://open.spotify.com/track/4oTvIdEGVo7PHXpbkUShDL?si=WyG00w7FS8Wrmv68c53CfQ) 2\. The Gettys – [This is My Father’s World](https://open.spotify.com/track/5iWJ0Iwv0casb655RIXEmu?si=6-UvzGNAQKqrHB1dOX9tKg) 3\. Ellie Holcomb – [Sing](https://open.spotify.com/track/5HGzHGgejsuTy8Q7EC5zrF?si=vjoXklOeQpmLxH9M9srwmQ) 4\. Seeds Family Worship – [When I Look at the Heavens](https://open.spotify.com/track/6rzkcOpM2MB83ojpp5FSx8?si=5RudaTzqR32d9141oq1iBQ) 5\. Seeds Family Worship – [God is Creator](https://open.spotify.com/track/5NAzwaekBS42bU0xa2Kfqm?si=tyS-zJO4RyCHlgMulupcaA) 6\. JJ Heller – [Big World Baby](https://open.spotify.com/track/4fC9bKQdza0ToAqUtvuwX5?si=PHu33PTTQKyk36Aeb9uBeQ) 7\. Psalty – [If I Were a Butterfly](https://open.spotify.com/track/2YmzB0dAenqmYfI9H9mUjx?si=_oRoz3JhT3-XzWVz1xKpZg) 8\. Slugs and Bugs – [Lightning Bug](https://open.spotify.com/track/6ONVSzX1bLjRjJqCeZlA0l?si=dwEEcBAsQbGickKnRDmv9A) 9\. VeggieTales – [He’s Got the Whole World](https://open.spotify.com/track/2GxDIVZQ3j0guxZBeHOAf4?si=Js2J-8cXQ5--bmiACpMrXw) **BONUS ACTIVITY:** Our brand new Minno Life Gude, [Creation Care: How Your Family Can Love the Earth](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) is a wonderful resource to get you thinking about small changes your family can make to have a big impact on God’s creation! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Creation-Care-1080x1080-1.png "- Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Earth Day --- ### [How to Create a Minno Summer Playlist for Your Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-summer-playlist/) **Published:** May 31, 2023 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Family - Parent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/parent.jpg "- Minno Kids") *Looking for laid-back, rainy day, or road trip activities for your family?* Here’s how to create a summer playlist for kids on Minno. Summer is here! School is out (or almost!) and while the sunshine, swimming pool, and other adventures await you outdoors, everyone needs a plan for rainy days, quiet time, and those moments when you just need to plop in front of the TV with a popsicle and cool down. That’s where a Minno custom playlist comes in to ensure your kids are watching the best shows available that you know you can trust. Here’s how to create your own Minno playlist this summer: #### **How to Create a Summer Playlist for Kids on Minno** **1. Subscribe** **to Minno** Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! New Minno families get their first 7 days for free. [Sign up here. ](https://www.gominno.com) **2. Browse Shows** Minno has over 100 shows and thousands of hours of content you and your kids will love. Spend some time scrolling through the shows, and make sure you check out the curated lists for preschool, elementary, tweens, worship, and more! **3. Add Shows to Your “Watch List”** When you find a show you want to add to your playlist, click the button that says “Watch Later” or “Add to Watchlist.” That will add the show to your playlist automatically! **4. Enjoy Your Curated Play List!** Now every time you log in to [Minno online](http://gominno.com) or on your [Minno app](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/minno-kids/), your Watchlist will pop up at the top with all your favorite shows. It’s so easy for you and your kids to navigate to the shows you’ve chosen just for them! . . . . . . . . . . #### **The Best Christian Shows for Kids of All Ages** *Have kids of different age groups?* Put all of their favorites in your family Watchlist or use our curated age lists. Here are a few favorites to get you started: #### **Preschool Shows on Minno** [VeggieTales](https://kids.gominno.com/veggietales) [Pins and Nettie](https://kids.gominno.com/pins-and-nettie) [Guitar and Drum](https://kids.gominno.com/guitar-and-drum) [Owlegories](https://kids.gominno.com/owlegories) #### **Elementary Shows on Minno** [Laugh and Grow Bible](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) [Jungle Beat](https://kids.gominno.com/jungle-beat) [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://kids.gominno.com/micahs-super-vlog) [Making Stuff](https://kids.gominno.com/making-stuff) #### **Tween Shows on Minno** [Connect](https://kids.gominno.com/connect) [Torchlighters](https://kids.gominno.com/the-torchlighters) [Ryan Defrates](https://kids.gominno.com/ryan-defrates-secret-agent) [The Finders](https://kids.gominno.com/the-finders-warehouse-110) **Categories:** Seasonal **Tags:** Minno Shows, Summer --- ### [How to Teach Kids About the Bible](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-about-the-bible/) **Published:** January 23, 2023 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Religious text - New King James Version](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/How-to-Make-the-Bible-Come-Alive-for-Kids-1-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") *Wondering how to teach kids about the Bible? Not sure where to start? Overwhelmed by the Bible yourself?* Most grownups haven’t attended seminary or have experience teaching the Bible. Yet we’re tasked with teaching children God’s great story (Deuteronomy 6) and how to apply it to their lives (Proverbs 22:6). The beauty of God’s Word is that it can connect us, challenge us, grow us, and inspire us right alongside the children we love. *But where do we start? And what if we have a hard time understanding the Bible ourselves?* You don’t have to have it all figured out before you begin this journey. As you read and learn together, you’ll be amazed at how God illuminates His truth in their hearts and yours. Our latest Minno Life Guide: [The Bible for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/the-bible-for-kids/) is a roadmap for the journey you are on together. Filled with Bible facts and context clues, this guide will help you lead the kids you love on an exciting adventure through God’s Word. You’ll learn the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the Bible and most importantly, why is the most important book you’ll ever read! ![Graphic design - Poster](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/poster-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") ## [The Bible for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/the-bible-for-kids/) Minno Life Guide Here are a few tips for how to make the most of the information and inspiration in the guide: **Step 1:** Read through the guide. Invite your spouse or other family members that share a desire to teach your kids the Bible to read it as well. **Step 2:** Pray about how God is leading your family to engage His Word in this season of life. **Step 3:** Put it into practice. - Study Bible basics together in order to understand the foundation of God’s story. - Share interesting facts about the Bible with your kids as conversation starters. - Set aside time to study a verse or Bible story together. - Ask questions and use your imaginations as you read scripture together. - Encourage older kids to begin practicing Bible study on their own. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/clip-art.png "- Minno Kids") Find out more and sign up to receive your FREE copy of the guide [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/the-bible-for-kids/). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting, Minno Life Guides **Tags:** Bible Teaching, Minno Life Guides --- ### [Introducing Minno Life: Where Parents Find Expert Help and Everyday Encouragement](https://gominno.com/blog/introducing-minno-life/) **Published:** November 12, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0o3uNGsmQvywu9lz16At.jpg) If you’re new here, welcome! We are so glad you found Minno. Before we dig into all of the expert help and everyday encouragement you will find here at Minno Life, let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start). ## What is Minno? Minno is an ad-free streaming video app for kids with hand-picked shows reflecting Christian faith and values, including the largest selection of classic VeggieTales. With Minno, you can rest easy and feel great about screen time. Visit our [HOMEPAGE](http://gominno.com) to find out more about how your family can bring faith to life through stories that ignite imagination. ## Who is Minno? We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. Read more about Minno and the team on our [ABOUT](http://gominno.com/about) page. ## What is Minno Life? Minno is more than a safe for kids, streaming video-on-demand platform. Minno Life provides Bible teaching tools, family devotionals, and expert parenting advice to help you lead your family in faith. . . . . . . . . . . . Being a parent today is hard! We have greater challenges and more information than ever before which can often leave us feeling overwhelmed and confused about how to guide our kids to grow with God at the center of their lives. Parents need two things (besides utter and total dependence on God) to help our families thrive: 1. Good and Godly insight from experts who share our faith and values. 2. Encouragement and support from other parents. That’s why we created Minno Life. We want you to feel good about the media choices you have for your kids but we also want to partner with you beyond the screen and into your everyday life. Whether you want to know [how to talk to your kids about faith](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-faith) or you need the 411 on the [latest trend](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-a-vsco-girl), we’ve got you covered. If you want tips and ideas on [how to study the Bible with kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-5-step-family-bible-study-method) or need quick access to [Bible verses about kindness](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-bible-verses-for-kids-about-kindness), you can find it here. Our hope is to help you and your family connect with God and each other as you experience His goodness and love. You may be thinking, *“That all sounds perfect, but life often gets in the way of my ability to keep up with the house and the schedules, let alone read the Bible or an article about raising kids today.”* We get it. We really do! I’m a mom of two kids (ages 11 and 8). I work full-time and I volunteer in kids ministry at my church and on the middle-school PTO. On any given day, my kids have probably eaten way too much sugar, or they’ve had more screen time than I care to admit. We order pizza more than we should and our house is often a mess. Parenting is not for the weak. But His strength is. I rely on Him daily and I know you do too. ## Why Minno Life? ***Minno*** is a modern spelling of the Greek word, Meno, which means, “to abide.” It’s taken from John 15 where Jesus Himself said, > *I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, \[he\] bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15: 5 ESV)* Everything you find here on the blog will help you and your family live an abiding life, connected to the One who has everything you need to thrive. We can’t do life alone. We need Him. And we need each other. We’re in this together, *Jess* Check out these great posts; just a few examples of the helpful content you’ll find here at Minno Life. **EXPERT VOICES** [What Kids Need Most from their Dad](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-kids-need-from-dad) – Interview with David Thomas, L.M.S.W. and co-author of Are My Kids on Track? [4 Signs Your Daughter Has Anxiety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/signs-your-daughter-has-anxiety) – Sissy Goff, MEd, LPC-MHSP and co-author of Are My Kids on Track? **EVERYDAY ENCOURAGEMENT** [Top-of-Mind Topics](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/culture-media/hot-topics) [3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids . . . Series](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith/bible-stories) ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NI1iZjPgQQ57SSUYToHJ.jpg) Jess Wolstenholm is the Editorial Director of Minno Life. Since the loss of her mom to pancreatic cancer in 2013, she’s focused on continuing the legacy of family + faith started by her wonderfully imperfect parents. When she isn’t writing, you can find Jess reading children’s books or teaching kids at her home church. She lives outside Nashville, Tennessee with her amazing husband, Dave and their two miracles, Hope (11) and Joshua (8). **Categories:** Minno 101, Now on Minno --- ### [How to Reset Your Family Rhythm After Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/3-ways-to-reset-your-family-rhythm-after-summer/) **Published:** September 5, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0xjkMVNvS8GsblnmZl2l.jpg) As the carefree days of summer wind down, our family looks forward to creating a new family rhythm. It’s a tradition of sorts. One that consists of setting new schedules and boundaries as the children grow and mature. A chance to have some “do-overs” and make new memories. During this annual reset, God always gives us a new roadmap for our family’s journey. We recently started our family’s 15th year of homeschooling. And as we got back into the swing of things, my husband and I were met with a lot of resistance. While resistance is something that we’ve come to expect, we’ve also learned that a little preparation goes a long way. Revelation 21:5 (NIV) also gives us a great perspective on resetting: > *He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”* #### **3 Ways to Reset Your Family Rhythm After Summer** **1. Allow God to give you a new routine.** One mistake we made in the [early years of homeschooling](https://welcometothefamilytable.com/homeschool-parent/) was that we would start off the homeschool year with the exact same schedule we had the year before. And while this may have worked when the kids were younger, as they became older, it did not. One night my husband and I were at our wit’s end when we prayed and asked God for wisdom to help our family reset our rhythm and restore His peace in our lives. And what did He tell us? To allow Him to make a new plan and schedule for our family. These words have been a lifesaver for us! Our tradition is to have a family meeting near the end of summer to pray and ask God to show us the new routine He has for us. We always make this a night of fun to include food, games, and reminiscing about the gift of summer. God always [speaks to us through His Word](https://welcometothefamilytable.com/bible-verses-for-encouragement/) and we use the Scriptures He gives us to begin planning our new homeschool year. **RELATED POST:** [Morning Routines: How to Help Your Kids Get Going While Keeping Your Cool](https://www.gominno.com/blog/morning-routines-how-to-help-your-kids-get-going-while-keeping-your-cool) **2. Seek new ways to serve those around you.** This has been a game-changer for our family as we find our “new” normal each fall. While we still love serving our community in ways we have always served, we’ve learned that finding new ways to serve has drawn us closer to God and each other. We find new opportunities through local churches, organizations, and even the newspaper. It’s always fun discovering new needs and talking and praying about which ones the Lord wants us to fill. Seeking new ways to serve those around you helps start a brand new family rhythm and brings us closer to God. It’s a time of refreshing that we look forward to each year. And as the children get older they find so much joy in having input in areas of service to God. It’s truly a win-win for everyone! **RELATED POST:** [5 Ways to Love the World When You Can’t Leave Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ways-to-love-the-world-when-you-cant-leave-home) **3. Make new plans for family time.** Family time is something that we reset often. Because our children’s interests change as they grow up, we make sure that we are having ongoing conversations about how they like to spend time as a family. My husband and I always look forward to embracing the children’s newest ideas of how we can experience quality time as a family. Their ideas are fresh, fun, and totally different—just like their personalities! There are so many fun ways that your family can reset your rhythm after a fun-filled summer. Just because summer ends doesn’t mean that life has to be boring. Let your children help you keep the fun alive all year long; even when structure and responsibilities mount. **RELATED POST:** [3 Ideas for Fun, Faith-Filled Family Nights](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ideas-for-fun-faith-filled-family-nights) It’s never too late for a reset. You may feel defeated after a season of too much screen-time, lots of treats, and not enough structure. The truth is that God will give your family a unique rhythm to follow in every season of life that brings you peace and joy. Just be sure to listen to the Holy Spirit as you figure it all out; then you can’t go wrong! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Back-to-School, School Year, Summer --- ### [Minno Wow & Wonder Summer Activity Scrapbook](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-wow-wonder-summer-activity-scrapbook/) **Published:** June 6, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EshM4QPRQjlau0Dj81Ar.jpg) The Minno Bible kids want to help you have a summer filled with WOW & WONDER! Buy the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids and then grab your [Wow & Wonder Summer Scrapbook](https://shop.gominno.com/products/wow-and-wonder-summer-scrapbook) to record your favorite summer adventures! Because we want to help you experience God in everything you do, we’ve suggested a Bible story from the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids to read together before, during, or after each activity. Follow along with other Minno families and share your activities using the hashtag #MinnoWonderSummer! - Consider **God’s amazing Creation** as you **take a nature walk in the park**. - Learn about **Jonah and the Whale** as you dive into **fun-filled water play**! - Think about the **Fruit of the Spirit** while **shopping at your local farmer’s market**. - Discover God’s faithfulness to **Daniel in the Lion’s Den** while you embark on your own **amazing animal adventure**. - Remember the courage of **David as he met Goliath** while **camping out in your backyard**. - Learn about the **Tower of Babel** as you make your own **build of epic proportions**! - Search the **Book of Wisdom** while scouring your own **neighborhood on a scavenger hunt**. - Learn Jesus’ teaching on love in the **Sermon on the Mount** as you do a **summer service project** together as a family. - Follow **Paul’s travels** as you head out on your own **surprise-day-out drive**! [![Wow and Wonder Summer.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MS5fOof4RUqgudpyOX35.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/6k1CdvN8SG8PPC4Bwcgf?utm_source=cah&utm_medium=downloads&utm_campaign=activities&utm_content=scrapbook) #### Grab your Wow & Wonder Summer Scrapbook [RIGHT HERE](https://shop.gominno.com/products/wow-and-wonder-summer-scrapbook)\*! *\*You’ll still want to visit the [Minno Store](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) to grab a copy of the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) if you haven’t already.* #### Here’s How To Get Your Wow & Wonder Summer Scrapbook: 1\. Purchase a copy of the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) in the Minno Store**\*** (you’ll be so glad you did!) 2\. You’ll receive the download link once your purchase is complete 3\. Anxiously await the arrival of your Bible so you can begin your adventure! **\****Already purchased the Bible from Minno or another retailer?* No worries! If you bought the Bible from Minno, you should have received an email with the scrapbook download. If you got it via Amazon or ChristianBook.com or another retailer, you can still get the scrapbook! Simply add the [Wow & Wonder Summer Scrapbook](https://shop.gominno.com/products/wow-and-wonder-summer-scrapbook) to your cart in the Minno store and check out. You won’t be charged anything and the download link will be delivered to your email! ![Minno - Vertebrate](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/minno.png "- Minno Kids") ![Clip art - Minno](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/clip-art.png "- Minno Kids") ![Minno - Activity Scrapbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/activity-scrapbook.png "- Minno Kids") ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/gif.png "- Minno Kids") #### Here’s How To Use Your Wow & Wonder Summer Scrapbook: 1\. Print your scrapbook using the instructions provided in the PDF. 2\. Grab your [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) to follow the Bible reading plan. 3\. Plan your Wow & Wonder Summer adventures. 4\. Have fun and make memories while learning God’s Word! 5\. Use hashtag #MinnoWonderSummer to share photos of your adventures on social media and to connect with other Minno families this summer! We hope you have a wonder-filled summer!! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Activity Packs, Bible + Faith, Fun for Kids, Laugh and Grow Bible, Seasonal --- ### [Service in the Sun: Five Fun Ways to Volunteer with Your Family Outdoors ](https://gominno.com/blog/volunteer-with-your-family-outdoors/) **Published:** May 16, 2023 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Volunteering-as-a-Family.jpg "- Minno Kids") Summer is the perfect time to get out and serve others!! With most of the nation experiencing warmer temperatures, it’s a great opportunity for families to spend time together giving back to their community outdoors. Giving back with your family makes the experience that much more valuable. Whether you have a green thumb or just love spending time outside, here are some ideas for volunteering outdoors with your family: #### Pick Up In The Park** The US is home to some of the most amazing local and state parks. Park employees and rangers work very hard throughout the year to provide enriching and safe experiences; however, volunteers often pitch in for cleanups, hiking, and trail maintenance. Statistics show that three out of four people admit to littering in the last five years. Spend the weekend with your family embarking on a volunteer clean-up mission with your local park. Log onto [Volunteer.com ](https://www.volunteer.com/) to see a list of parks nearby where you and your family can spend time together improving the environment. Watch [this video on Catie’s Classroom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjGDGHSwsl8) to see what a day picking up in the park may look like! #### Take Time To Plant Trees Invite your friends and family to improve the quality of life in your community with tree planting! [Tree planting has many benefits](https://www.gominno.com/parents/creation-care-for-kids-nurture-earths-vegetation/) which include controlling air pollution levels, improving the aesthetics of a community, and reducing stormwater runoff. [Treepeople.org](https://www.treepeople.org/) offers multiple volunteer activities for families such as adoption and forest restoration events, planting trees in low-income communities, and other ways to get your hands in the dirt. While Treepeople is based in Los Angeles, there is a link on the site that will take you to other tree planting initiatives across the United States. To see the process and benefits of tree-planting, watch [this video](https://vimeo.com/331104639). #### Hammer from the Heart: Habitat for Humanity Fresh air, sun shining, the sounds of hammering in the background . . . Sounds like the perfect day of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity! Habitat for Humanity helps people repair and build homes and improve neighborhoods. [Habitat.com](https://www.habitat.org/) provides an extensive dropdown list of volunteer opportunities available within your own community. This weekend, use your time and service to build homes and build hope with your family. *Want to learn more about Habitat For Humanity?* [The Carpenter’s Gift](https://www.habitat.org/about/partners/media-entertainment/the-carpenters-gift) is a children’s book written by David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and illustrated by Jim LaMarche that shares the origin of Habitat for Humanity and the positive impact it has had for many years. The book is available on the Habitat for Humanity Website. #### Volunteer in a Victory Garden During World War II, Victory Gardens were planted by families in the United States to help prevent a food shortage. Now many communities have their own community gardens. Community gardens are run and managed by a community for its own food consumption. These gardens are typically found in low-income neighborhoods. Expensive fruits and vegetables can be cost-prohibitive for low–income families who live in food deserts (areas without access to grocery stores). Community gardens provide residents the opportunity to grow their own fruits and vegetables, increasing access and affordability. Volunteers are always appreciated and it is a wonderful way to get your hands dirty with your family for a great cause! *Want to find local community gardens around you?* [The gardening channel](https://www.gardeningchannel.com/how-to-find-local-community-gardens/) can help you with your search! *Interested in starting your own community garden?* [Here’s how to get started](https://www.seewhatgrows.org/start-community-garden-neighborhood/)! #### Organize a Neighborhood or Church Clean-Up While we have listed some of the ways you can give back/volunteer outside locally, your family can volunteer right in your own backyard and help organize a neighborhood clean-up or even offer to help clean up your church. A neighborhood or church clean-up initiative creates a sense of community, brings people together, and builds pride among the residents of a neighborhood or church body. Not only does it help to clean and revitalize an area, but also, residents leave a neighborhood cleanup with a greater sense of purpose, friendship, and unity. [National Geographic Kids provides the steps](https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/nature/article/clean-it-up) to take to get started! . . . . . . . . . . Learn more about giving back as a family through our [Creation Care for Kids series and Minno Life Guide](https://www.gominno.com/parents/creation-care-for-kids-how-your-family-can-love-the-earth/)! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Life, Serving Others, Summer --- ### [Best Mother's Day Coloring Pages](https://gominno.com/blog/best-mothers-day-coloring-pages/) **Published:** May 2, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Lx3TULdSOAPIvkCaSmgI.jpg) Mother’s Day is just around the corner! As your children prepare to celebrate their mom, grandmother, or other special women in their life, check out the list of wonderful printable Mother’s Day coloring pages below. We pulled some of our favorites from around the Internet just for you! **1. Join the [Minno Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) kids to say Happy Mother’s Day with this [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Mother’s Day coloring pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Hihhef5XT3esxGvnBJfV) including a fun fill-in sheet about mom!** ![Human behavior - Organism](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/human-behavior.jpg "- Minno Kids") **2. Included in the coloring pack is this [sweet bouquet print](https://cdn.buttercms.com/5pG0A17TRKevusBt3ukP). Use it along with flowers and leaves from your yard to create a colorful bouquet for mom or grandma! Or just color it in using mom’s favorite colors.** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yZCC4n20TGm1bgPGfLNi.jpg) Simply find flowers and leaves in your yard and glue them on top of the bouquet coloring page! ![Mother](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/F57D1gRKGVXqrfgUSDga.jpg) ![Mother](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/794a92b1TU6HjxHXKhX6.jpg) **3. Our favorite pint-sized movie-reviewer Michael gives his mom two thumbs up![ Color Michael from *What’s In The Bible?* amid flowers for Mother’s Day.](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/mothers-day-coloring-page/ "Color Michael from What's In The Bible? for Mother's Day")** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/w0KuR6PaT5yTlER9AwZq/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/mothers-day-coloring-page "Color Michael from What's In The Bible? for Mother's Day") **4. We love [this collection](http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/2014/05/05/mothers-day-coloring-pages/) of Mother’s Day coloring pages from Lifeway Kids including this beautiful one featuring a verse from Proverbs 31.** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VOcrVkY8SCaPWKOHmirY.jpg) **5. From deer and turtle families to sons presenting flowers and balloons to mom, [Crayola offers 7 fun coloring pages for Mother’s Day](http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/holidays/mothers-day-coloring-pages/ "Crayola offers 7 fun coloring pages for Mother's Day").** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/F5vgxbYRBCswX2FQgrgO/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/F5vgxbYRBCswX2FQgrgO/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80 "Crayola offers 7 fun coloring pages for Mother's Day") **6. A loving family of bears hug in this [flowery Mother’s Day coloring page](http://www.sheknows.com/kids-activity-center/print/happy-mother-s-day-bears) from sheknows.com.** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Bear-Hug-Coloring-Page.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Categories:** Coloring Pages, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Coloring Pages, Mother's Day --- ### [What is the Fruit of the Spirit?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-the-fruit-of-the-spirit/) **Published:** April 17, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7xgOgXDyTOuHZ41nXWag.jpg)* *Galatians 5:22-23* says: > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. #### Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit When you think of the word fruit, you probably think of something like an apple or a banana, right? Well when Paul talks about the “fruit of the Spirit” he is not referring to piece of fruit that you might eat with your lunch. What Paul has in mind here is what comes out of a person who has been filled with the Holy Spirit. The word “fruit” refers to the product or result from something. It is what comes from a tree or plant, like an apple comes from an apple tree. In Paul’s case though it is what comes from a person. So when Paul talks about “the fruit of the Spirit” he is referring to fruit that comes from the Spirit of God. When we follow Jesus and believe in the power of what He did on the cross for us, God fills us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God (just like God the Father and Jesus the Son), and He lives inside of us. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we produce the fruit of the Spirit. Before Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit, he talks about the fruit that comes from our sin. Our sin brings things like anger, greed, jealousy, and other not-so-nice things – the worst sorts of fruit! Without the Spirit of God, this is the type of fruit that the sin in our lives produces. But now when we follow Christ, we are given the Spirit. The fruit that comes from our lives then is much better. Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” This is the best sort of fruit. Note that “fruit” is the word used here, not “fruits.” Each characteristic is given to every Christian; God does not pick and chose which ones we get. It is not as though we may only produce peace and love but not joy and goodness. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control is given to us as a whole package. All of these are the fruit of a life lived for Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit. #### Walking with the Holy Spirit The fruit of the Spirit is essentially nine visible virtues that Paul lists in *Galatians 5* that should be evidenced in a person who is walking with Jesus. When we follow Christ, believing in Him and His saving work on the cross by grace through faith, we are united to Christ and we are given the Holy Spirit. Paul’s rhetoric in *Galatians 5* is that those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and are living their lives now according to Christ, not according to sin, will look significantly different than those who do not. A life filled with the Spirit of God will produce fruit that is sweet and will draw people to God, not fruit that is sour and will turn people away. In *Galatians 5*, Paul starts his argument by stating the characteristics that are produced by the sin in our lives. When we live according to sin and according to the flesh characteristics like greed, envy, strife, malice, and anger come out of us. In *Galatians 5:19-21*, Paul writes: > Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. He warns them that those who bear this sour and bad fruit will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul is not saying that if you at one time fall into a fit of anger or envy that you are automatically excluded from the kingdom of God. Rather he is pointing out that if your life is characterized by these things (they are not just occasional occurrences) that this is proof that you are living your life according to the flesh and not according to the Spirit. In *1 Corinthians 3:3-4*, Paul again points out that while there is still jealousy and strife amongst those in the church, they are still living according to the flesh and not according to the Spirit. In *Romans 6-8*, Paul continuously juxtaposes the idea that we previously lived by the the flesh and according to sin but now we live by the Spirit and according to Christ. The fruit that comes from those who live according to the flesh will look significantly different from that which comes from those who are led by the Spirit and who live according to Christ. In *2 Corinthians 2:14-15*, Paul tells the Corinthians that they should be the aroma of Christ to everyone around them; he prays that the fragrance of their knowledge and love of him would spread far and wide. #### The Nine Virtues of the Fruit of the Spirit While we have established that Paul is referring to one fruit and not multiple fruits, it is still important to have a closer look at each characteristic that Paul lists in *Galatians 5:22-23*[\[1\]](#_fruit). **Love** Love is the first characteristic that is listed. It should come as no surprise that Paul lists it first given his emphasize on the primacy of love in his other letters (*1 Corinthians 13:13*; *Ephesians 5:2*; *Colossians 3:14*). As people who have experienced the love of God through the grace of Christ, we too should love others. The sacrificial love of Christ is the type of love we are called to as Christians; love that finds its source in God alone. “Love is a spiritual anchor of truth in relationship with God and neighbor”[\[2\]](#_fruit). As those who have been filled with the Spirit, we are called to show this selfless love to all people. **Joy** The word joy appears 60 times in the New Testament. We often associate joy with happiness, and this is not wrong, but joy is different from happiness because it does not depend upon the conditions of outside circumstances. We are to have joy even in the midst of the most difficult of life circumstances (*Philippians 4:4*). The joy of the Lord is our strength (*Nehemiah 8:10*). It was for the joy set before him that Christ endured the cross (*Hebrews 12:1-2*). “The Bible calls for joy as an abiding possession and a permanent state of mind for the saint” [\[3\]](#_fruit). The joy that allowed Paul to rejoice in the midst of suffering comes from the Lord; it is the joy “of” or “in” the Holy Spirit and it is produced by faith (*Romans 15:13*). **Peace** The peace of God is something that is often beyond our comprehension (*Philippians 4:7*). Biblical peace is related to joy in that it does not depend on outside conditions or circumstances. The word “peace” comes from the Hebrew word “shalom.” Shalom refers to much more than just amnesty between people. Cornelius Plantinga writes [\[4\]](#_fruit): > In the Bible, shalom means the universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspire joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in who he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be. We now have peace with God through justification (*Romans 5:1*), and peace is a state of tranquility that comes from seeking after God. The Lord gives us peace (*John 14:27*) and the peace he gives to us helps to bring restoration and healing to broken relationships. **Patience (Long-suffering)** The Greek word that is used here is one that is difficult to translate into English and therefore different translations will use “patience” versus “long-suffering.” The Greek word used has two primary definitions. 1. 1. A state of remaining tranquil while awaiting an outcome, patience, endurance, steadfastness. 1. 1. A state of being able to bear up under provocation, forbearance, patience towards others. [\[5\]](#_fruit) The definition in view here is likely the second one. Paul is encouraging Christians to hold strong and fast in the midst of trials and tribulations (*Ephesians 4:2*; *Colossians 1:11*). **Kindness (Gentleness)** The fruit of kindness is our ability to show empathy for those who are in need or hurting. Kindness is not directly related to niceness, though we often think that the two are synonymous. Being nice means to be agreeable. Being kind refers to acting for the good of another person. Those who are filed with the Holy Spirit and led by him act for the good of other people, regardless of whether they receive adoration or thanks, because they have experienced the kindness of God through Jesus Christ. Kindness is the opposite of selfishness. Selfishness seeks its own power and good, while kindness seeks the good of others even at the expense of our own power. (*2 Corinthians 6:6-7*). **Goodness** Goodness and kindness are often used hand-in-hand and are very closely related to one another. The virtue of goodness has an active element to it; it is a positive moral quality characterized especially by interest in the welfare of others. The word used, agathosune, is only found in Biblical and ecclesiastical writings and has the connotations of “uprightness of heart and life” [\[6\]](#_fruit). Goodness models Christ’s action of love, humility, and forgiveness and allows us to display integrity, honesty, and compassion towards others. **Faithfulness** Faithfulness is the steadfast holding onto to something or someone. We are called to be faithful to the Word of God and to Christ, holding fast to His promises. It is one of the most prominent words in the NT and is used in a variety of ways throughout. The word pistis is often translated “faith” or “faithfulness” and is usually used in reference to our “faith in Christ” or “the faithfulness of Christ.” Here Paul noting that those who are led by the Spirit will be trustworthy and faithful as Christ was faithful. The Spirit is also our seal of faithfulness; He is our witness to God’s promises. **Gentleness (Meekness)** The virtue of gentleness is best translated as meekness, which means to be mild or tame. People often associate meekness with weakness but this is a misrepresentation. Meekness is not the opposite of courage, but rather it is the ability to control and temper strength. In a world that values toughness and “proving yourself” by brute force, those who have the fruit of the Spirit are to exhibit calmness, tenderness, and humility. We keep our fixed on Jesus, who was the perfect example of humility and meekness (*Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 5:5*). We are called to be faithful witnesses for Christ (*1 Peter 3:15-16*), serve the Lord and patiently bring opponents back to truth (*2 Timothy 2:24-26*), and restore our brothers to the Lord (*Galatians 6:1*) all with gentleness. **Self-Control** Self-control is the last part of the fruit of the Spirit. It is the temperance and mastery of our fleshly desires and passions. As stated above, those who lived according to Christ are now led by the Spirit and no longer by their fleshly desires. Self-control allows us to have disciple and restraint and allows us to listen to and act on the will of God rather than our own desires (*1 Corinthians 6:12*; *1 Thessalonians 5:22*). #### Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit It is a promise of the Lord that when we put our faith and trust in His promises and what Christ did on the cross, that He will give us the Holy Spirit. As with sanctification, it is the Holy Spirit working in us that produces these characteristics, but we are not idle benchwarmers in the process. We can help to cultivate these fruits in our lives through prayer, reading God’s Word, fellowship with other Christians, and renewing our minds (*Psalm 1*; *Romans 12:1-2*). If you are in Christ, He is faithful to produce fruit in you (*John 15:1-6*; *1 Thessalonians 5:24*). Be sure to [download the What’s in the Bible? Fruit of the Spirit coloring page here](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-coloring-page/ "Fruit of the Spirit Coloring Page")! --- \[1\] Peter uses a slightly different (and longer) list of the fruit of the Spirit in 2 Peter 1:5-7 but our focus today is going to be on Paul’s list. \[2\] Bevins, Winfield. [“What is the Fruit of the Spirit?”](http://theresurgence.com/2010/04/23/what-is-the-fruit-of-the-spirit "Winfield Bevins What is the Fruit of the Spirit") \[3\] Sanderson, John F. *The Fruit of the Spirit*.(P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ; 1985), 69. \[4\] Plantiga, Cornelius Jr. *Not The Way It’s Supposed to Be*. (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids; 1995), 10. \[5\] Bauer, Walter. *A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Liturature*, ed. Frederick W. Danker, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), makroqumia p. 612. \[6\] Strong, James. *Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible*. (Hendrickson, Peabody; 2009). “Agathosune” p. 19. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Study, Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit --- ### [How to Talk to Kids About Easter](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-easter/) **Published:** March 31, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Watch the Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus! --- ![Hair coloring - Brown hair](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/hair-coloring.jpg "- Minno Kids") Check out this special [Raising Boys and Girls podcast](https://www.gominno.com/parents/raising-boys-girls-podcast-talking-to-kids-about-easter-jess-wolstenholm/) episode on how to talk to your kids about Easter featuring Minno’s Director of Education and Faith Formation! --- ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/m0t22fSAQzmJ3269HsrV.jpg) At Minno, we know how important the rhythm of the calendar can be for families. The seasons offer opportunities to engage in timely conversations that will help you grow—even in the midst of crazy, busy days. The season of Easter is the perfect time for your family to connect with God and each other as you prepare your hearts to celebrate Jesus. And we’ve got a few more tools to help! ## **More Lent and Easter Resources for Kids and Families** **Use the [Minno Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/blog/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotionals) to help your kids understand the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.** [**![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotionals) **Grab our [Minno Life Guide on Spiritual Practices](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-spiritual-practices) to explore the exercises that will help your family grow in faith—during the Lenten season and all year long.** [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1zOyvQqRTWfbTUL6qnbD.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-spiritual-practices) **Read articles right here on Minno Life on talking to your kids about this sacred season.** > [What Is Lent?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-lent) > > [A Family Liturgy for Lent in a Pandemic](https://www.gominno.com/blog/a-family-liturgy-for-lent-in-a-pandemic) > > [How to Talk to Your Kids About Lent](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-lent) > > [3 Bible Stories to Teach Kids About Lent](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-lent) > > [A No-Pressure Invitation to Abide This Lenten Season](https://www.gominno.com/parents/no-pressure-invitation-to-abide-lenten-season/) (From Minno CEO, Erick Goss) > > [What is Holy Week?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week) – Teach kids about each of the sacred days leading up to Easter > > [How to Bring Every Lesson Back to Jesus at Easter](https://www.gominno.com/blog/guest-post-how-to-bring-every-lesson-back-to-jesus-this-easter) **Download Minno’s [Lent Family Devotional Cards](http://www.gominno.com/blog/family-dinnertime-devotions-for-lent) to engage in conversations that matter as you anticipate Easter.** **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Bible Shows, Bible Stories, Bible Teaching, Discipleship, Easter, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Lent --- ### [Black History Month: 9 Christian Heroes that Will Inspire Your Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/9-black-christian-heroes-that-will-inspire-your-kids/) **Published:** January 30, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4uhZMxjtSEOx34HsvSAR.jpg) Black History month is something that we pay close attention to in our family. Raising children who are of African American and Japanese descent, it is important to my husband and I that we show our children Christian heroes who look like them. There are many amazing African American Christian heroes that teach invaluable lessons to our children and families. Below are 9 (of many) Black Christian heroes who achieved amazing things in the name of Jesus. #### **Lott Carey (1780-1828)** Born into slavery, Carey learned how to read the Bible and eventually purchased his freedom from enslavement. Lott led the first Baptist missionaries into Africa, eventually settling into ministry in Liberia. Lott is a phenomenal example of trusting God in the midst of impossible situations. #### **Jerena Lee (1783-1864)** After years of pursuing her call to preach, Jerena Lee was the first woman authorized to preach in the AME (African Methodist Episcopal Church). Lee walked thousands of miles on foot to preach the gospel and authored the first published autobiography by an African American woman. She is a testament to obeying God at any cost. #### **Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)** Sojourner Truth defied the odds by escaping slavery and becoming a strong voice in the abolitionist movement. Led by her relationship with Jesus, Truth was best known for her role in women’s rights and her speech “Ain’t I a Woman”. She eventually had a meeting with Abraham Lincoln as she became one of the foremost human rights activists of her time. It is clear that Sojourner drew her strength from Jesus and gives hope to all who serve Christ. #### **Harriet Tubman (1820-1913)** Although Harriet Tubman escaped slavery in 1849, she was not satisfied with just her own freedom. Tubman said it was the voice of God that helped her lead as many as 300 slaves into freedom using the Underground Railroad. Her commitment to live out God’s calling is an inspiration to all. #### **George Washington Carver (1864-1943)** George Washington Carver is an amazing example of what perseverance looks like. Despite both the blatant and institutionalized racism he encountered while pursuing higher education, Carver never gave up and eventually became the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. His example of moving forward despite the opposition all around him speaks volumes to staying the course. #### **Rosa Parks (1913-2005)** Rosa Parks is well known for getting arrested for not giving up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama for a White man. Parks said she refused to stand because she was tired of giving in to inhumane laws against Blacks. Her bravery in this situation sparked the year-long Montgomery Bus Boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Her tenacity and refusal to accept unconstitutional behavior coined Rosa Parks as the “mother” of the Civil Rights Movement. By standing for what’s right, Parks helped shape the way for the rights of Black people in America. #### **Maya Angelou (1928-2014)** Maya Angelou was a Civil Rights Activist, American poet, actress, and author who helped pave the way for African American women writers. Angelou understood that living for Jesus is all about practicing and realizing that we’ll never have it all together. Thus our need for a Savior. Her writings are a source of encouragement for Christians as we do our best each day to be more like Christ. #### **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)** Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an iconic Black American hero who is best known for his speech, “I Have a Dream”. He was a Baptist minister who played a large role in the American Civil Rights Movement. King was the leader of many organized, non-violent protests to include the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington. These events are believed to be key elements that helped pass both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King’s life was cut short when he was assassinated on the evening of April 4, 1968. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to create Martin Luther King Day as a national day. The first Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated on the third Monday in January of 1986. #### **T.D. Jakes (1957-present)** Thomas Dexter “T.D.” Jakes is an American author, filmmaker, and pastor of the Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas. Jakes is well known for helping women who have been abandoned and abused through his “Woman Thou Art Loosed” events. The focus of these events are to empower women, specifically single moms, on how to raise godly men. His commitment to nurturing and growing Christian men is changing our culture and bringing a new generation of God-fearing men to the forefront. While this is only a small sampling of the many amazing Black Christian heroes that have walked the face of this earth, they should be household names for my children and for yours. I encourage you to embrace these amazing heroes and the legacy they have created for Christians all over the world. Look them up. Find books that share their stories. Remind your kids that Black History Month is set aside to celebrate heroic people of color but our focus on these role models should not wane. Every day is an opportunity to learn from the people of color all around us. Let Black History Month inspire you to lean in, listen, and learn 365 days of the year. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Black History Month --- ### [The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Children’s Bible ](https://gominno.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-a-childrens-bible/) **Published:** January 25, 2023 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** *Wondering which children’s Bible is best for your kids?* We’re digging into the options with questions to consider and real-parent insight to help you find the most engaging kids Bible for your family. ![The Bible for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-One-Year-Reading-Plan-1-1024x579.jpeg "- Minno Kids") As parents, we all hope to grow a love of reading in our kids. That’s why we cuddle up in a rocker with a slobbery baby and sturdy board book to say goodnight to the moon. It’s why we happily buy *yet another* early reader about Star Wars or let our kid stay up late when we spot him devouring *The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.* After all, the cliche is true: **Reading takes you places.** *If we could [grow a love of reading **t**](https://www.gominno.com/parents/how-to-teach-kids-about-the-bible/)**he Bible*** *in our kids?* That’s a Christian parent’s dream! Yes, reading takes you places but reading the Bible—God’s epic, true story—will take our kids on the best adventure! ## **The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Children’s Bible** *Wondering what to consider when choosing a Children’s Bible? Curious about parent favorites? Ever wondered what the research tells us about kids who learn to love God’s Word? Want to hear from some of those kids—as well as parents and Christian education experts?* Then grab a comfy chair and let’s dive in. Don’t miss the children’s Bible bonus we share at the end of this post! You do not want to miss this! *Are you ready?* Let’s dive in! ## **The Top 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Kid’s Bible** Encouraging your child to enjoy the Bible requires long-term thinking. After all, the goal is for our kids to grow up to be adults who love, trust, and follow the Lord. [A deep connection with His Word and a fuller understanding of how we might apply it to our lives](https://www.gominno.com/parents/how-to-teach-kids-about-the-bible/) can begin simply with a well-chosen children’s Bible. **To find the best kids Bible, you can ask yourself a series of questions:** 1. Is this Bible appropriate for my child’s age? 2. Will this format be easy for my child to understand? 3. Is the content rich and engaging? 4. Will this Bible keep my child’s attention? 5. Is it theologically sound? How do I know? ![Human - Product](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/human-576x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") #### **Digging into these questions about finding the best children’s Bible:** #### Your Child’s Age and Stage ***When it comes to age-appropriateness:*** There’s the obvious: a toddler’s Bible shouldn’t include a graphic description of Jael delivering the Israelites from the King of Canaan. Less obvious: stories for younger children should be shorter and written in simpler terms, while stories for older children can be longer and introduce depth to the facts. ***When it comes to easy-to-understand format and translations:*** Though beloved for centuries, King James won’t work for most kids. We’re big fans of any translation of the Bible that stays true to God’s Word while presenting the stories in a way that kids can actually understand. Our favorite versions include the *New Living Translation, New International Reader’s Version, International Children’s Bible, Easy Reader Version,* and the *Common English Bible*. #### **The Content** ***When it comes to rich and engaging content:*** For younger kids, this might include rhyming text or stories that garner a laugh or even a gasp. For older children, though, the content becomes much more important. Kids as young as fourth grade and certainly on into middle- and high-school crave complexity. When a children’s Bible braves both the beautiful and dark places of God’s Word (in still age appropriate ways), it reads as *real*. Which, of course, it is. ***When it comes to being attention-grabbing:*** Check out the cover and flip through the pages of the book. *Are the colors eye-catching? Will the illustrations resonate with the age and interest of your child? Does the design call out certain words, sections or ideas? Do any of the pages make you smile?* Kids gravitate toward fun and a children’s Bible *should* be fun. #### **Theology** ***When it comes to sound theology:*** We all approach God’s Word with our own faith traditions and personal beliefs. With this in mind, check to see how the children’s Bible you choose portrays God, His role in our lives, and the overarching story of the gospel. You might also consider historical accuracy and context as well as how the Bible approaches topics like grace and salvation. Find a children’s Bible that meets these key criteria and you’re more likely to have a kid reach for it, ask for you to read more, or fly through it themselves. ## **Our Favorite Children’s Bibles** Maybe you already have a Bible for your kids that meets each of the criteria above. If so, that’s great! If not, we’ve happily done the work for you. Below you’ll find a list of our favorite children’s Bibles, broken up by age. We’ll tell you why we love each one, as well as why a real-life parent or child does too! Then we’ll share a sneak peak of the inside—every reader’s favorite part! ## **The Best Children’s Bible for Ages 0 to 4** #### [**The Laugh and Grow Bible for Little Ones**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-little-ones) ![Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: The Gospel in 52 Five-Minute Bible Stories - Minno](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-the-gospel-in-52-five-minute-bible-stories.png "Blog - Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* This board book hits the high points of the Bible with fifteen gospel-centered stories and cheerful, inviting illustrations, perfect for introducing little ones to God’s Word. *What Victoria, mom of one, says about The Laugh and Grow Bible for Little Ones: “*We are so in love with this Bible. My son enjoys reading time and has been able to point to the amazing pictures. It helps us learn more about God.” #### **The Beginner’s Bible** ![The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Bible Stories - The Beginner's Bible 365 Devotions for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/the-beginner-s-bible-timeless-bible-stories.png "- Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* This Bible is gentle and approachable, with colorful three-quarter page illustrations and short, but richly-told stories. Preschoolers can easily hold, carry and flip through the smaller-sized book, as well as understand what’s being read to them. *What Hope, a preschool teacher and mom of two, says about The Beginner’s Bible:* “Even though each story was short I felt like it still conveyed the messages really well! I also liked that it covered so many of the stories in the Bible, not just your typical Sunday school stories.” ## **The Best Children’s Bible for Ages 4 to 10** #### [**The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids**](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) ![Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: The Gospel in 52 Five-Minute Bible Stories - Family Bible](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-the-gospel-in-52-five-minute-bible-stories.png "- Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* This Bible packs rich content quick reads that are actually laugh-out-loud funny. But it’s not just that: [The Laugh and Grow Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) helps kids connect the dots between stories into how they fit into the big picture of the gospel and even how they might apply to the reader’s own life. *What* [*Zori, English teacher and foster mom, says about The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids*](https://fromstrengthtostrength.org/my-favorite-storybook-bible-for-kids/)*:* “It is well organized, generally following the order of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and includes enough explanation to make the content accessible to a young child’s developing mind. And it’s *funny*. It has been one of \[our six-year-old’s\] favorites, requested day after day.” #### **The Adventure Bible for Early Readers** ![Nirv Adventure Bible for Early Readers - Niv Adventure Bible](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/nirv-adventure-bible-for-early-readers.png "Blog Main Page - Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* This acts as a great first real-text version of the Bible for kids. They can read the stories verse by verse, just like an adult, but in a translation that’s easy to digest. And while the scripture itself appears in black and white, each page has one or two sections with a question to ponder, a fact to learn or a verse to remember. *What Jennie, mom of two, says about The Adventure Bible for Early Readers:* “We love this Bible for our kids (son, 8 and daughter, 6). The simple language means they can both read with ease and understand it. But it stays true to Biblical text.” ## **The Best Children’s Bible for Ages 8 to 12** #### **The Action Bible** ![The Action Bible - The Action Storybook Bible: An Interactive Adventure Through God's Redemptive Story](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/the-action-bible.png "Hero - Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* The Action Bible brings God’s Word to life in comic-book style. You’ll find full-page illustrations from cover to cover that don’t shy away from the truth, but instead share the story of the gospel in an engrossing and page-turning way. *What Amanda, high school English teacher and mom of four, says about The Action Bible:* “I love the Action Bible! It has really clear applications and information for kids.” #### **Hands-On Bible** ![My First Hands-On Bible - Hands-on Bible: Books of The Bible Poster Set](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/my-first-hands-on-bible.png "Hero - Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* The Hands-On Bible delivers on the title’s promise, offering activities and experiences that bring the lessons of God’s Word from the imaginary to the tangible—from the page to real life! We’re talking science experiments, crafts, snack ideas and so much more! *What Kinleigh, age 10, says about The Hands-On Bible:* “I like how it talks in a way that I can understand. And it has fun activities to do and stories that make it relate to what you read.” #### **The Adventure Bible** ![New International Version - Niv Adventure Bible](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/new-international-version.png "- Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* The Adventure Bible continues what the early-reader edition started by offering growing kids a way to engage with Scripture that is easy to understand but also sticks with them—challenging thoughts and encouraging Christ-like behavior. *What Barb, Sunday School teacher, says about The Adventure Bible:* “As a Sunday School teacher, I have seen that introducing a child to an actual \[full text\] Bible at an early age brings great results. This Bible is good for ages 8 and up.” ## **The Best Children’s Bible for Ages 12+** #### **Teen Life Application Study Bible** ![Graphic design - HKK Chain](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/graphic-design.png "- Minno Kids") *Why we love it:* This Bible understands teens—the questions they have and the information they need to grow in their knowledge of God’s Word and in relationship with Him. Each book begins by offering teens the key points they’ll encounter, a quick synopsis of the setting of the story to come and any context clues that help to explain what they’re reading. *What Todd, dad and church leader, says about Teen Life Application Study Bible:* “Easy to understand interpretation of the Bible. Great for teens looking to read and connect with scripture.” ## **BONUS: Children’s Bible Content for the Audio-Visual Learner of Any Age** ![Minno - Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: The Gospel in 52 Five-Minute Bible Stories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/minno-1024x576.jpg "- Minno Kids") Your child might also enjoy watching the scriptures brought to life in the new **Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids show**. Each episode offers a short, sweet and *fun* snippet of a Bible story. You can check out the first four episodes now—and stay tuned for the next 20 episodes rolling out this year. The show will hit many Biblical highlights including the stories of Jesus, David and Goliath, Jonah, Esther, Abraham, Paul and many more. *Want more children’s Bible help?!* ## **5 Tips to Enhance Your Child’s Bible Reading Experience** Use these tips to make Bible reading something your kids look forward to! 1. Make it a part of your daily routine. 2. Pair Bible storytime with your child’s favorite snack. 3. Ask questions to inspire curiosity. 4. Leave their favorite Bible out in plain sight. They’ll get in the habit of asking to read it. 5. Reinforce what you’re learning with a fun show like the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids series on Minno](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids)! ![Text - Product](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/text-576x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") *What Leo, age 6, says about the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids show:* “It is really good! I think the show is fun and I’m learning in a way that kids will like. It’s funny too!” *Nora, also age 6, first expressed that watching a show about the Bible sounded boring but after just one episode, she quickly changed her mind, saying,* “I actually really like this! Let’s watch another one!” ## **An Expert Shares What She Looks for in a Children’s Bible** Jess Wolstenholm, Director of Education and Faith Formation at Minno, and children’s ministry veteran, says she looks for a children’s Bible that will share God’s epic story of love and redemption in a way kids can easily understand and become curious about. “With my own children (now 14 and 11) and the hundreds and hundreds of children I’ve taught in 25 years of children’s ministry leadership, I’ve learned that kids love stories in which they can picture themselves as part of the plot. This is why so many kiddos love to reenact what they see on screen or read in books. The best children’s Bibles “break the fourth wall”, as we say in media, to invite kids in and along the journey through God’s incredible, life-giving, love-oozing, epic true story.” ## **What Does The Research Tell Us About Kids Who Read the Bible?** We all trust that God’s Word will change first our hearts and minds and then our lives. Years of research, studies, and surveys back this belief. In fact, there may be no more important step you can take as a parent (besides prayer) than to encourage your child to read the Bible. Let’s look at what the research tells us about the importance of reading Children’s Bibles. #### **Kids Who Read the Bible Early and Often Become Adults Who Keep the Faith** In 2017, [Lifeway Research reached out to parents of 3,472 adult children](https://research.lifeway.com/2017/10/17/young-bible-readers-more-likely-to-be-faithful-adults-study-finds/). They asked these parents to consider their child’s spiritual upbringing and faith involvement as well as current behaviors and beliefs. Researchers wanted to know what factors may have influenced kids to become adults who not only still believe in God, but remain involved in church, serve in the community and support missions. **The top influencing factor? Kids who regularly read the Bible.** That’s it. #### **Teens Who Understand How to Approach the Bible Use it as a Guide for Life** [A 2022 study by Barna Group](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-global-study-reveals-how-teens-around-the-world-view-the-bible-301647330.html) looked more specifically at how today’s teens view the Bible. While most teens admit to not reading the Bible with any regularity, researchers found that parents who take the time to show their teen how to read, study, and enjoy the Bible are much more likely to see their teen end up a willing and eager Bible reader in their own right. The distinction of willing reader matters as the study also shows that Bible-engaged teens are more likely to say that scripture makes them feel loved and encourages them to look for ways to make a difference in the world around them through both words and actions. #### **Bible Television Programs Offer an Opportunity to Reinforce Bible Principles** Experts agree that while screen-time should be monitored, especially for young children, there is a real [potential for educational growth when a parent engages a child in conversation](https://childmind.org/article/benefits-watching-tv-young-children/) about what they’re watching. And these findings are especially true when a show discusses moral issues and character development. Programs like the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids series on Minno](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) reinforce the lessons taught in the children’s Bible and can lead to meaningful conversation, reflection, and learning. ## **Questions Parents Ask When Selecting a Children’s Bible** We’ve talked *a lot* about children’s Bibles, but maybe you still have a few lingering questions. We’re happy to help! #### **Frequently Asked Questions About Children’s Bibles** #### *Which children’s Bible is best?* The answer to this question is, well, it depends. We all have different backgrounds, beliefs and goals. As long as the one you choose is theologically sound, interesting to your child, and age-appropriate, you’re on the right track! #### *Why is it important to start reading the Bible early?* There’s really no time quite like the present to introduce your child to the awe and wonder of the gospel. By starting early, your child can begin his or her faith journey on a strong foundation. And you can encourage that faith to grow over the years as their ability to understand, grasp, and apply God’s Word grows as well. #### *What makes a children’s Bible good?* We’ve got strong opinions about this one. The gospel is a story of love and adventure and a Bible for kids should reflect that. Choose one that your child will find funny, intriguing, or maybe even suspenseful. The best children’s Bibles draw kids in and keep them coming back for more. #### *Is a children’s Bible the same as* the *Bible?* Not exactly. A Bible you’d read as a grownup will contain the translated words of the original text. Children’s Bibles typically distill these words into digestible stories and lessons. As your child gets older, he or she may enjoy reading a more traditional, full text version of the Bible, although one that comes with sidebar information and guidance will likely engage them more. #### *What age should kids start reading the Bible?* If you read to your child at all (and we hope you do!), they’re old enough to enjoy hearing you read a Bible story. You can easily add Bible reading to your regular reading routine. And when your child learns to read on his own, consider giving him a Children’s Bible that’s approachable and enjoyable. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Child Development, Kids + Parenting, Laugh and Grow Bible **Tags:** Best Children's Bibles, Bible Study, Kids Bibles, Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids --- ### [4 Values To Teach Kids from the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr](https://gominno.com/blog/4-values-to-teach-kids-from-the-life-of-martin-luther-king-jr/) **Published:** January 16, 2023 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/twUHi4S3GDnJdUrfON8Q.jpg) We remember Martin Luther King Jr. for leading the African American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s. He worked to end segregation—the separation of black people from white people in schools, restaurants, and other public places in the United States. He also fought for equal rights for people of all races and skin colors. More than 50 years after his death, Martin Luther King Jr.’s words provide powerful reminders for our still-broken country, and for us as individuals. We can remember Martin Luther King Jr. today by recalling some of his most famous words and reflecting on how they can inspire us to live and love better. In fact, King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, in regards to remembering him on his birthday, said: > “The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.” Even more, the values Dr. King stood for were biblical! Today we’ll look at just four themes of MLK Jr’s life, some Scriptures that they reflect, and consider how we might apply them to our family’s life today. #### 4 Values To Teach Kids from the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr **1. SERVICE** > “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King Jr. **Read God’s Word:** *Hebrews 6:10 NIV “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”* *John 15:13 KJV “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”* **Practice:** Gather as a family and share simple acts of service each person can do today: At school. At work. In the neighborhood. At home (sometimes the hardest!) Like Dr. King said, “anybody can serve!” **2. EQUALITY** > “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” – Martin Luther King Jr. **Read God’s Word:** *Galatians 3:26-29 NIV “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”* **Practice:** Go on a nature walk and look at all the different trees and leaves and flowers. Talk about how God makes so much variety in His creation, but as people, we are all equal before God. We can encourage one another to treat all people with kindness and respect. We are all more alike than we are different! **3. LOVE** > “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr. **Read God’s Word:** *John 8:12 ESV “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”* *Matthew 5:16 ESV “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”* **Practice:** Turn off the lights and when everyone’s eyes have adjusted turn on a flashlight to show the power of a small light in a dark room. Discuss the power of light in a dark place. Talk about how love is like that light. Pray about ways each family member might use love to drive out hate. **4. SELFLESSNESS** > “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King Jr. **Read God’s Word:** *Philippians 2:4 ESV “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”* *Proverbs 3:27-28 ESV “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.”* **Practice:** Can you honestly answer Martin Luther King Jr.’s question: *“What are you doing for others?”* It’s easy to get busy and begin to focus on ourselves, but it’s never too late to switch our focus! Make some plans and pray about ways to be a servant to others. God is so good to give us not only His Word but to allow the words of others to inspire us toward love. Let’s slow down this week to thank God for Martin Luther King Jr. and consider how we might reflect what he boldly stood for in our own lives. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Black History Month, Martin Luther King Jr. --- ### [Dear Tired Mama, It's Time to Relax and Enjoy Christmas](https://gominno.com/blog/dear-tired-mama-its-time-to-relax-and-enjoy-christmas/) **Published:** December 22, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CpxGBHt0QLK67lcsDY09.jpg) Dear Tired Mama, You’ve decked the halls and braved the malls . . . you’ve counted down with Bible verses and magical moments . . . you’ve planned and prepped and perhaps even packed the car with more stuff than anyone should need for 5 days with family a few states away. **Maybe you still need to wrap the gifts and maybe you’ve got a feast or two to make but can I give you permission right now?** **Relax.** Grab a cup of tea or hot cocoa and put your holiday sock’d feet up on the coffee table. Pop in your favorite Christmas movie (the one that makes YOU smile) and enjoy an hour or two of rest. You’ve done just about all you can do at this point. **The only priority left on your to-do list is self-care.** So often we fall into the trap of making Christmas magical for our loved ones that it becomes a begrudged chore for ourselves. **We miss out on all the wonder while we package it up and deliver it to our children and husbands and neighbors.** But you can grab hold of the beauty of Christmas for YOU, it’s not too late. Sit and read the Christmas story to yourself. Soak in the miracle you are about to celebrate. Invite the guest of honor to your table for a pre-party chat. **I can promise you a few moments used to fill up your heart will pour out into the atmosphere of your family this week and overshadow any practical preparations you could have otherwise made in that time.** **He is calling us mamas, to be a larger part of the miracle this year.** More than fancy decorations or delicious food or perfect presents . . . He is calling us to fill our souls with His presence and in turn, be His hands and feet as we lead our families to do the same. He wants us to fully enjoy Christmas and if we are willing to take care of ourselves, He’ll take care of the rest. **We can respond as Mary did . . . with a posture bent towards the Father, ready to receive His blessing.** If you just slow down long enough to sit and rest, I know He’ll meet your weariness with a breath of heaven. I’m believing He’ll do the same for me. #### MARY’S SONG FOR MOMS My soul praises the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of this mom; me, his servant . . . my children will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for our family. He has shown us mercy from generation to generation, because we love and honor him. His mighty hand has done amazing things! He protects my spirit from that which tries to rob my peace. He satisfies my longing, according to my needs. I rest in confidence knowing that through Him our promise of peace in the present and hope for the future is secure. *Adapted from Luke 1:46-55* Merry Christmas, mamas! Praying for YOU to feel the peace of His presence and the magic of His miracle as you enJOY Christmas. *This post originally appeared at [Gather & Grow.](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/dear-tired-mama-its-time-to-relax-and-enjoy-christmas/)* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Motherhood, Parenting --- ### [Christmas Conversation Starters for Families](https://gominno.com/blog/christmas-conversation-starters-for-families/) **Published:** December 1, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8V5npWMdS0D8O21lIDP0.jpg) ‘Tis the season to relax and connect by the fire as a family. *Don’t have a fireplace?* No worries! Watch [Minno Mantle](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-mantle) to set the mood in your home as you bake cookies, wrap gifts, or enjoy some hot cocoa by the “fire”. And while you’re relaxing together, use these Christmas conversation starters to share favorite traditions, memories, and more! You’ll find many of these questions on [Minno Mantle](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-mantle) to guide your conversation as you enjoy the “fire” or you can download a printable version below. #### **Christmas Conversation Starters for Families** What is your favorite part of the Christmas story? Would you rather be a wise man or an animal in the stable? What is your favorite Christmas movie? How do you think Mary and Joseph felt after Jesus was born? What is your favorite family Christmas tradition? What is the best gift you have ever received for Christmas? What is your earliest Christmas memory? Play Christmas Telephone by whispering a line from a Christmas carol from person to person . . . did the last person get it right? What is the best gift you ever gave someone for Christmas? Real or fake Christmas tree? Why? Which one of these words reminds you most of Christmas and why? Love, Joy, Peace, Hope What is your favorite food to eat on Christmas morning? If you could celebrate Christmas anywhere, where would it be? Jingle Bells or Jingle Bell Rock? Why? What is the earliest you ever woke up on Christmas morning? Colorful or white twinkle lights? Why? What is your favorite Christmas song? What is your least favorite Christmas song? Which family member loves Christmas the most? If you could spend Christmas with anyone, who would it be? Hot chocolate or apple cider? Why? What foods are must-haves for Christmas dinner? Have you ever given a gift to someone that you wish you could have kept? What was it? If you had 5 minutes on television on Christmas Day, what would you tell the world and why? Make up a Christmas poem! Take turns sharing your rhymes. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/skTPbsdQzyTPD2UeUSlY.jpg) Download your [printable Christmas conversation starters](https://cdn.buttercms.com/jI8IAcrLREu4pxLhHyRa). Watch [Minno Mantle](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-mantle) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-mantle)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Conversation Starters, Family Fun --- ### [A Simple and Meaningful Christmas Gift Plan for Families](https://gominno.com/blog/a-simple-and-meaningful-christmas-gift-plan-for-families/) **Published:** November 22, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5mkN37P7Q4GAgukYJBOq.jpg) If you love gift-giving (and gift-receiving) as much as I do, I’m sure you have already stashed away a few items for your loved ones, or perhaps you are preparing lists and beginning to scope out sales. If you haven’t yet thought about Christmas gifts, no worries. I hope this idea helps you plan and strategize to make gifts a stress free part of your holiday season. This is my personal Christmas gift plan—the one I’ve used since my oldest was first born—in order to establish from the very beginning that while gifts are one way we share Christ’s love on His birthday, it is not the main purpose of Christmas and needs to be kept in check each year. I can easily get carried away, spending way too much money and buying things my kids don’t really need because I absolutely LOVE to give gifts. It’s one of the love languages that I not only love to receive but love to express to others. **Knowing my weakness for a happy surprise, all wrapped up and ready to be revealed, my husband and I determined years ago to follow a simple gift-giving plan with each other and our children as a way to keep Christmas under control and purposefully point our family to Christ with our gift-giving.** > On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of frankincense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (NIV) **Three gifts.** It was enough for the Son of God and it’s more than enough for us. Each year we choose three gifts for our kids. **Gold – something big they’ve been wanting.** **Frankincense – something for their body.** **Myrrh – something for their personal or spiritual development.** And besides a few, fun stocking stuffers, this is what they receive every.single.year. Many years (depending on our finances that year) we keep the budget for these items at or under $100. We have learned that extravagance is not about quantity . . . it’s about the heart and pointing our children to the greatest Gift of all. Giving them gifts that go along with those given to Baby Jesus by the wise men, opens up our conversation about the story of Christmas in a tangible way their eyes can see and young hearts can understand. Prayerfully consider adopting this or a similar gift-giving strategy and see the meaning of the season come together for your family. By keeping this often stressful and wallet-draining part of Christmas simple and strategic, we can allow space for Christ to come and fill our open hands with his extravagant, never-ending gifts of love, joy, hope, and peace . . . gifts we never have to wait in long lines for and never, ever have to return. . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kz45cihQQe22BVGanAuN.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . #### Myrrh (faith-development) Gift Ideas from Minno #### Christmas Gifts for Age 0-4 [A Minno Subscription](http://gominno.com) [Clive and Ian Board Book Series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) #### Christmas Gifts for Age 4-8 [A Minno Subscription](http://gominno.com) [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) [Buck Denver Picture Books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/picture-books) #### Christmas Gifts for Age 8-12 [A Minno Subscription](http://gominno.com) [Micah’s Super Vlog Book Series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Christmas Gifts for Grownups** [Minno Life Guides](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides) **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Gift Guide --- ### [Share Gratitude With These Printable Thanksgiving Cards](https://gominno.com/blog/printable-thanksgiving-cards/) **Published:** November 22, 2022 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0V61zBnpQ42cAP4cBGEk.jpg) Thanksgiving may be different again this year. Your connection to loved ones may only be via a phone or computer this holiday season. Whether your family is near or far, you can also send them some Thanksgiving Bible verse cards to share gratitude and remind them how loved they are. Print and mail these [Minno Thanksgiving Cards](https://cdn.buttercms.com/78uq60PRQpuaGdCEApr5) to your friends and family this year! Or post them around the house to remind your family that [we can be thankful, even in the midst of hard circumstances because God is good and He never changes](https://www.gominno.com/blog/when-its-hard-to-be-thankful)!! “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) ![Minno Thanksgiving Card 3.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CY9642UTOqvzcwGR7329.jpg) “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds” Psalm 107:8 (NIV) ![Minno Thanksgiving Card 1.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kH0mBA1cR5eQeDCapEHl.jpg) “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart” Psalm 9:1 (NIV) ![Minno Thanksgiving Card 4.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lEYFZGXORvmJFBH8yWRN.jpg) “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30 ![Minno Thanksgiving Card 2.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/t3DWZ3k7S6mqjw6pjiaI.jpg) Download your [Minno Thanksgiving Cards](https://cdn.buttercms.com/78uq60PRQpuaGdCEApr5)! **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Printables, Thanksgiving --- ### [New Show on Minno: Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Animated Series](https://gominno.com/blog/new-show-on-minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-animated-series/) **Published:** November 17, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![World - Art](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/world.png "- Minno Kids") Based on the award-winning Bible! Join Minno kids Margot, Lexi, Miguel, and Logan on an exciting journey through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Learn God’s big story through each episode featuring beloved Bible moments, curious questions, and a whole lot of fun! #### **[Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) Series Details Whimsical and fun, narrated storytelling including curious kids who love to ask questions as they learn God’s story. Kids who watch the Laugh and Grow Bible series will learn Bible stories, historical context, and the gospel thread that runs through it all. - Recommended Age: 4-8 (but the whole family will love it!) - Episode Length: 4-6 Minutes - Format: Animated - Episodes Available Now: 4 - Bible/Faith Tie In: Yes ![Human - Image](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/human.png "- Minno Kids") #### **[Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) Episodes Available to Watch Now** **Episode 1, The Messenger:** Christmas is when we celebrate that baby Jesus was born, but the story really began years and years and years before that very first Christmas. Learn about the prophet Isaiah and his message about Jesus’ birth. **Episode 2, Born in a Barn:** God’s people waited many many years for the promised Messiah to come. And when Jesus finally did arrive, it didn’t happen the way people expected! Learn the true meaning of Christmas through this story of Jesus’ birth. **Episode 3, Shepherds and Angels:** Baby Jesus made quite an entrance and that was just the beginning of how God would use Him to turn the world upside down! But before Jesus could make His mark on the world, the world needed to know about Him. Learn how God chose shepherds—the lowliest people—to share the good news of Jesus’ birth that very first Christmas. **Episode 4: The Wise Men:** The angels announced Jesus’ arrival to shepherds that first Christmas! But stinky, smelly shepherds weren’t the only ones who were excited about God’s promised blessing. Learn about the Wise Men and their journey to meet Jesus. Based on the Award Winning Bible! ![The Jesus Storybook Bible - The Epic Bible: God's Story from Eden to Eternity](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/the-jesus-storybook-bible.png "- Minno Kids") . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Laugh and Grow Bible, New Shows, Now on Minno, Seasonal **Tags:** Bible Shows, Bible Stories, Christmas, Minno Laugh and Grow Bible, New on Minno --- ### [Morning Routines: How to Help Your Kids Get Going While Keeping Your Cool](https://gominno.com/blog/morning-routines-how-to-help-your-kids-get-going-while-keeping-your-cool/) **Published:** September 1, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EPwrRR9iSTmD2CvEdBHC.jpg) I don’t know about you, but mornings are the hardest part of my day. I feel like I’m racing the clock, constantly saying “hurry up, hurry up!” and willing the coffee maker to brew faster. Inevitably there always seems to be someone who can’t find their shoes. Even though we have a shoe basket in the mudroom and they know they’re supposed to put their shoes in there every time they come inside! I am not a morning person naturally. I don’t wake up with a smile on my face, ready to tackle the day. I usually wake up with a groan and a snooze on the alarm. But over the years, I have learned a few tips that make helping kids get ready in the mornings much, much easier. The first three are actually things you do before the morning ever starts. Because like they say in sports and battle (and sometimes my mornings feel like a battle!), the best defense is a good offense. 1. **Get Ready the Night Before.** Whatever school stuff needs to be signed, whatever special color or outfit has to be worn for spirit week, whatever show and tell item needs to be brought . . . find it and lay it out or put it in the backpack the night before. If you pack lunches, do it the night before and throw it in the fridge. I’ve even started making my kids do this with their shoes and socks because it had become such a stressor for us every morning. I make them find their shoes and socks and put them by the door at night so that I will never again have to hear, “Mo-om! I can’t find my shoes!” thirty seconds before we’re supposed to be out the door. 2. **Go to Bed Early Enough.** I know it’s so hard to get home from sports or dance or piano lessons, get dinner on the table, and still have time for homework, baths, and family devotions without being up waaaayyyy too late, but a good night’s sleep is really one of the most important things you can give your kids. Sleep is when their bodies and their brains grow. Getting enough sleep not only helps kids be more awake and alert, it fights childhood obesity, it fights germs, infections, and illnesses, it helps prevent ADHD, it boosts their learning, and it helps their heart and stress levels (hint: kids with anxiety or ADHD need to sleep even more![\[i\]](https://www.parents.com/health/healthy-happy-kids/the-7-reasons-your-kid-needs-sleep/)) If you make sure your kids get in bed early enough, it’ll be a whole lot easier to wake them up in the morning. 3. **Make Breakfast Healthy, but SIMPLE.** (**And Prep the Night Before!).** School mornings are not the time for an elaborate homemade breakfast. Save that for Saturdays. And bonus, that’ll make Saturday mornings even more special. Again, if you plan ahead and prep breakfast the night before, you will be moving through your morning routine like the Flash. There are so many great recipes online for simple, healthy breakfast options you can make on Sundays and then pop in the microwave on those busy school mornings. Or find a quick healthy cold option that works well—like Greek yogurt, fruit, and granola. The key is whatever takes the least amount of prep time so you can focus on getting kids ready instead of bringing out your inner Julia Child. 4. **Get Up First.** Whether you need to get yourself ready for work or can stay in your PJs in the drop-off line, getting yourself up and ready before you wake the kids will make a world of difference. It doesn’t have to be hours before, but just long enough to get yourself ready, get a cup of coffee, and say a centering prayer for a joyful attitude before you go in to wake them will revolutionize the way you feel about the mornings. If you start the morning rushed and crazed, the kids will be rushed and crazed. If you take a few extra minutes to get yourself centered and calm, everything will go much more smoothly. 5. **Keep Wakeup Time Calm and Positive.** Even if you are running late, resist the temptation to wake the kids up with a “get up, get up, we’re late!” The way you wake them can set the tone for the rest of their day. And if you are too rushed and frazzled, it will often backfire and the kids will go even slower. Or have a complete meltdown and make you late anyway. Each of your kids may be different in the way they wake up. Some might pop right up ready to go, others may need a few minutes before they roll out of bed. Some may want to be woken up with a kiss or a soft rub on their back, others with a song or soft music. Take the time to figure out what each kid needs and act accordingly. If one kid needs a few minutes, wake her up first, then go wake the others, then come back to her and help make sure she’s getting out of bed. Whatever you do, the key is to keep wakeups positive and calm. Really, those are good mantra words for the whole morning routine—keep your attitude and tone positive and calm. 6. **Make a Morning Routine Chart.** The sooner we can help our kids be independent enough to get ready themselves, the better it will be *for them* in the long run. We aren’t raising kids, we’re raising adults. For younger kids, you can use pictures instead of words, but make a checklist for all the things they need to do each morning: shower, brush teeth, brush hair, get dressed (for some kids you might want to add change socks and underwear!), put dirty clothes in the hamper, eat breakfast, put on shoes, get backpack, etc. You could even have the checklist laminated and let them use a dry erase marker to actually check each item off as they go. Once they do this for a while, they won’t need the chart anymore. 7. **Set Multiple Alarms.** Maybe this is just me, but I tend to lose track of time in the mornings. If I don’t pay attention, even if we’ve had a calm morning so far, all of the sudden I look at the clock and think, “oh, man! We were supposed to leave three minutes ago!” and then the “hurry up, hurry up, hurry up” starts all over again. So I have an alarm set for when I get up, then another one for when my son has to take his medicine, and another one as a five minute warning for when we need to leave. 8. **Pray. (Also Multiple Times).** Just like I set multiple alarms, I [pray ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-morning-prayers-for-moms)multiple times in the morning. When I first get up, before I wake the kids, asking God to keep my words and tone calm and positive. Asking Him to help me not to be rushed or frazzled. Asking Him to fill me with His supernatural peace and joy in the mornings because I know I don’t come by that naturally. We [pray ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/6-times-families-can-pray-together-throughout-the-day)over breakfast. I quietly whisper prayers to calm myself when I feel that frazzle or frustration coming on. Then we pray aloud together when we pull into the [drop-off line](https://www.gominno.com/blog/making-the-most-of-your-time-in-the-car-with-your-kids) at school. For the kids to have a good day, learn a lot, listen to their teachers, and look out for anyone who is sad or hurting and show them kindness. We may pray for a teacher whose child has been sick or a bully in their class to feel loved. No matter what kind of morning we had, whether I did everything right or lost my cool, that prayer re-centers them and gets their day started on the right foot. When I actually follow all of these tips, I don’t find myself saying, “hurry up, hurry up, let’s go.” I don’t feel the stress and the rush. I have the time and the mindset to notice the sweet little things they say and do in the morning instead of having all my thoughts focused on racing the clock. It is possible to find a morning routine that works, it just takes a little bit of planning ahead and a whole lot of prayer. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Life, Parenting, Routines --- ### [What Will You Do When the Kids Go Back to School?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-will-you-do-when-the-kids-go-back-to-school/) **Published:** August 16, 2022 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![School - Homeschooling](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/school-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids") This morning, we dropped our boys off for the first day of school. In-person. In masks but, I repeat, in person. And then, walking back to the car, we talked about how cute they are. And how proud we are. *Every parent does this, right?* After a bit of a break, I sat down to work on an assignment that’s stumped me for weeks. This one: *What will you do when your kids go back to school? What will* ***I*** *do?* *A loaded question, right?* After all, this might just be—fingers crossed—the first time in a long time when our kids get to experience the joy of learning in a classroom all year long, and we, as parents, can take advantage of the new-again structure, schedules, and routine. The start of school has long been lauded as the Second New Year—an opportunity to start fresh. And no school year more so than this one. *So what will we do?* I have a few ideas . . . #### **4 Ideas for Starting Fresh This Back-to-School Season** #### **Sneak in some (purposeful) adult time.** Yes, there’s work to be done and life to catch up on. Still. You just made it through a summer after a school year that followed that other summer after the original spring. You know the one. You need a breather that’s edifying. Take a walk around the block when your kids hop on the bus. Inhale that fresh air and listen to your own thoughts for a change. Meet a friend for coffee and chat about all things fun and meaningful. And if you and your spouse are both still working from home—lucky you!—plan a weekly date on your lunch break. #### **Consider a new bedtime routine.** If you’re like us, you had a mini-freakout the week before school when you realized just how late your kids stay up and sleep in over the summer. Bedtime interventions were had. *But what about us adults?* I’m guilty of watching the late-night hours pass me by with another turn of the page in my book or the start of a new episode on Netflix. Time to find my way back to a bedtime routine that encourages quality sleep—and plenty of it. #### **Remember: kids shouldn’t be the only ones learning.** *Why should they get to have all the fun?* When my boys hit me with all the letters, numbers, science, and history facts they’ve gathered at school, I plan to surprise them with a few new facts myself. *Who knows?* Maybe I’ll even work on a skill or two. *What better example can we set for our kids this fall than showing them the joy of being a lifelong learner?* And if that’s not reason enough, studies show that pursuing curiosity and knowledge as an adult [benefits your brain, finances, and friendships](https://hbr.org/2017/02/lifelong-learning-is-good-for-your-health-your-wallet-and-your-social-life). A better example indeed! #### **Hold onto simplicity**. As life ramps back up to normal, take a moment to reflect back on the good we gained from the last year and a half. Namely: a simple schedule. And while I’m so happy for our boys to be back in school and I’m so looking forward to baseball and Cub Scouts starting up again and I’m grateful for an upcoming increase in work, simplicity is something I’d like to hold close whenever I can. I’m hoping for easy nights, simple Saturdays, room for our family to breathe and relax and enjoy one another in the midst of all the chaos we’ve been eagerly awaiting. *So tell me, what will **you** do when your kids go back to school?* **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Back-to-School, Motherhood, Self-Care --- ### [Simple Summer Bible Reading Plan for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-summer-bible-reading-plan-for-kids/) **Published:** June 20, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PelE2beoQXKBLG6VqRXU.jpg) During the school year, when pencils and notebooks are new, I always have great intentions to do a Bible study with my kids. I collect books, journals, and activities to do, but by mid-September we’ve already run out of steam! Soccer, ballet, homework, and *All The Things* seem to get in our way. The past few years, though, I have found that summer is an easier time to do a weekly or daily Bible reading and study with my kids. Summer is more laid back. There aren’t any other educational pursuits taking up our brain cells. The kids actually welcome circling up around a book. Planning and organizing Bible devotions with your kids might seem overwhelming or out of your wheelhouse. I get it! But it can actually be easy and super fun. # **Simple Summer Bible Reading Plan for Kids** Here’s my simple suggestion: grab a grade-level appropriate Bible, a cute notebook, and some fun pens or markers. Easy, right?! In the front of the notebook, have your child write the following words in their favorite color or handwriting: READ WRITE DRAW SPEAK PRAY Now, these words can lead them (and you!) in how to read and meditate on God’s Word. For example, 1st: **Read** Genesis 1:1 2nd: **Write** Genesis 1:1 in your journal. *Or at least some of the important words! Or let mom write the verse and the little ones can decorate it.* 3rd: **Draw** a picture of the verse. *Maybe what’s actually happening or what it makes you think of or see.* 4th: **Speak** the verse out loud. *Say it in a silly voice, a loud voice, a quiet voice, or in your favorite cartoon imitation.* 5th: **Pray** the verse. *“God, thank you for creating the heavens and the earth! You are so awesome because You have been here since before the beginning of the world! I love You!”* See how easy it is? If you have little kids, you could even do each one of these steps per day instead of all at once. Then, you’d spend a whole week on one verse or passage. Think of how much meditation would happen! *Ready to try it this summer? Not sure you want Bathsheba or Jael to be the first thing your kids read as they randomly flip through the Bible? I’ve made an easy summer reading plan for you which is all about, guess what?* # **God’s Word!** As you and your children read and meditate on these passages, you’ll come to see, know, and love God’s Word more! There are 45 Scriptures verses or passages in this plan. This gives you about four passages per week if you really have three whole months of summer. ### **God’s Word is Awesome Summer Reading Plan** **Week 1:** Psalm 119:9 Psalm 119:10 Psalm 119:11 Psalm 119:12 **Week 2:** Psalm 119:13 Psalm 119:14 Psalm 119:15 Psalm 119:16 **Week 3:** Psalm 119:33 Psalm 119:34 Psalm 119:35 Psalm 119:36 **Week 4:** Psalm 119:37 Psalm 119:97 Psalm 119:98 Psalm 119:99 **Week 5:** Psalm 119:100 Psalm 119:101 Psalm 119:102 Psalm 119:103 **Week 6:** Psalm 119:104 Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:129 Psalm 119:130 **Week 7:** Psalm 119:131 Psalm 119:132 Psalm 119:133 **Week 8:** Psalm 119:134 Psalm 119:135 Psalm 119:136 **Week 9:** Mark 4:1-9 Mark 4:13-15 Mark 4:16-17 **Week 10:** Mark 4:18-19 Mark 4:20 Isaiah 55:10-11 Isaiah 40:8 **Week 11:** Matthew 1:1-4 Matthew 7:24-27 John 1:1-2 John 1:14 **Week 12:** Ephesians 6:13-17 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Hebrews 4:12 James 1:22-25 The apostle Paul writes to the young pastor, Timothy that *“all Scripture is God-breathed.”* (2 Timothy 2:16-17) Isn’t that extraordinary?! The ink-and-paper Bible in our hands actually contains God-breathed words! If there is anything I want for my kids, it’s to be surrounded by, familiar and in love with the words from God’s mouth. This summer, in between s’mores and swimming, open the Bible and help your kids spend time with those God-breathed words! **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Reading Plans --- ### [Minno Shows to Keep Your Kids Learning Over the Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/shows-to-keep-kids-learning-over-summer/) **Published:** May 31, 2022 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![stock.xchng - Stock photography](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/stock-xchng.jpg "- Minno Kids") School’s out for summer! This means long, sometimes lazy days where a little screen time would give everyone a break . . . or busy, camp-and-sports-filled days that end with snacks and snuggles on the couch. Either way, Minno has your back this summer for quality Christian shows that your kids will love and will keep them learning about the things that matter most. Here are a few of our favorite shows for summer learning, which you can find on Minno. Not a member? [Sign up for a free 7-day trial today.](https://www.gominno.com) #### **Minno Shows to Keep Your Kids Learning Over Summer** #### **Shows for Social-Emotional Learning** ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/d34117b0-3700-4c41-9e0d-b3476d1f5b40/NAP_ProgramImage.png) [**The Adventures of Napkin Man**](https://kids.gominno.com/the-adventures-of-napkin-man) Mr. Anthony is a thoughtful teacher that helps his students learn how to appropriately handle all of their big, and sometimes confusing, emotions. Together with his trusted superhero sidekick, Napkin Man, Mr. Anthony leads young learners on adventures that help them understand their feelings. ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/1a9ea0aa-9ed7-4dbc-9a29-ccbdd3caf495/PandN_SeriesCard.png) [**Pins and Nettie**](https://kids.gominno.com/pins-and-nettie) Pins and Nettie are besties who love going on adventures together . . . most of time. Pins and Nettie can both be very shy, especially when encountering the unknown or unexpected. These adorable hedgehogs explore the shyness many preschoolers experience and reassure viewers that there is nothing wrong with being shy. It’s just a different way of being and taking in the world around you. ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/36ecfc15-ed5d-4d36-a417-6275430bdabf/TreasureChamps_SeriesImage_01.png) [**Treasure Champs**](https://kids.gominno.com/treasure-champs) Join Kari and Barry as they explore what values are, why they matter, and how we can live them out! #### **Shows about the Bible** ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/fe89f331-7256-4d9d-9acc-74bf2cc7bd55/BuckDenver_SeriesImage_02.png) [**Buck Denver Asks … What’s in the Bible?**](https://kids.gominno.com/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) Newscaster Buck Denver and his friends go on a wacky, wonderful, educational and musical journey through the whole Bible – from Genesis to Revelation! Learn how all the stories of the Bible fit together to tell God’s great rescue plan. ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/13f12c4e-15f7-42d7-bdbf-ab0c1fea213e/60Sec_ProgramImage.png) [**60 Second Bible Stories**](https://kids.gominno.com/60-second-bible-stories) Learn some of the best-known Bible stories in just 60 seconds! In the amount of time it will take to say your ABCs you can learn about the Garden of Eden and Jonah and the Whale in these fun, cartoon Bible stories. ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/1c7270dd-89d8-4c56-92f4-b0718dfb3111/AoG_series_image.jpg) [**Micah’s Super Vlog: The Armor of God**](https://kids.gominno.com/micahs-super-vlog-armor-of-god) Micah discovers something truly amazing in the Bible – six pieces of armor to defend himself against spiritual attacks. Join him as he learns to suit up and trust God while facing all kinds of obstacles at school! #### **Shows about Theology** ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/77b999a0-9f76-4cda-9880-abd4bd2c52ff/SeriesImageSM.png) **[Owlegories](https://kids.gominno.com/owlegories)** Follow along with a group of student owls as they go on adventures and learn about nature, faith, and God! ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/60c77236-6a3f-4e3d-9778-320b5a7946f4/Theo_SeriesImage_01.png) [**Theo**](https://kids.gominno.com/theo) Theo, a kind English gentleman, teaches to two friendly mice, Luther and Belfry, who always seem to get into sticky situations about God and the Bible. ### **Shows about Creativity, Science, and Art** ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/9d65cc50-cddc-47d2-8677-31a91da2df13/MKST_ProgramImage.png) [**Making Stuff**](https://kids.gominno.com/making-stuff) Wiz and Gears travel the world to factories and artist studios to see how incredible things are made. Exploring everyday objects such as crayons, musical instruments, foods, and more, the funny robot duo make the journey of discovery engaging and memorable. ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/d87c68d5-df16-4bd7-aee9-4339e78a1201/XXXX_ProgramImage.png) **[Louie](https://kids.gominno.com/louie)** Have you ever dreamed of exploring an island or traveling to the moon? Do you yearn to race cars or talk to a friendly bear? No problem! Everything is possible with Louie! With his help and Yoko’s, you’ll learn how to draw while having fun! **Categories:** Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno **Tags:** Best Shows for Kids, Minno Shows, Social/Emotional Learning, Summer --- ### [Summer Service Ideas for the Family](https://gominno.com/blog/summer-service-ideas-for-the-family/) **Published:** May 16, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rNDASVyQPKk6E8GkbREW.jpg)Summer is a time of transition for many families. For those who follow a traditional school year model, summer is a season where the children have more time to freely learn and explore. With extra room in the schedule there often comes *“I’m bored!”* statements which really mean, *“Can we please do something fun?”* My husband and I established long ago that we wanted acts of service to be something our family did together. We determined that we would expose our children to serving others so they could have a better understanding of who Jesus is and how He wants them to live their lives. And it’s proven to be one of the strongest discipleship tools in raising our family. # **Summer Service Ideas for the Family** If you are looking for some inspiration for ways to serve your community, I’ve put together a list of four summer service ideas for the family to enjoy. These ideas are not only practical, but they will help show your children the blessing of serving others. #### **Volunteer to clean your church.** While many churches have a cleaning crew or professional team to clean, you can still volunteer to help with the high traffic areas. Your church could probably use some extra hands cleaning the bathrooms. Other high traffic cleaning tasks include vacuuming the entryway and cleaning the glass near the front of the building. The parking lot could likely use some picking up, too. Your Pastor and church staff will be so grateful for the extra help. #### **Go to a local children’s hospital and spend time with sick children.** This is one of our family’s favorite things to do. We love hanging out with children who are in the hospital because not only do we meet some amazing kids, but we see the joy in their eyes when they have a new visitor. We like to bring fun board games and stuffed animals to share. Often times we meet family members who are at the hospital all day and they love being able to tell their stories and meet new friends. #### **Organize a neighborhood cleanup.** This is especially fun when you involve other families. Start off by organizing a clean up in your own neighborhood, then ask other residents to lend a hand. If the group enjoys serving together you could also move your efforts to other neighborhoods in your area. It’s a great way to serve others, bond as a family, and meet new people. #### **Offer to walk an elderly person’s dog.** Often times the elderly are not able to walk their animals due to physical limitations. If you know of an elderly person in your area that is unable to walk their dog, volunteer to do it. Not only will the person be grateful, so will the dog! This is a fun way to serve our elders and help their pet companion stay happy and healthy. There are countless ways for your family to serve together this summer and this list is simply a start. I encourage you to pray and ask God what needs your family can fill in your area. Once you have an idea of where God’s wants you to serve, take the next step and plan a date to start. Your family bond will grow stronger as you serve alongside one another and become the hands and feet of Jesus. Nothing feels better than serving the Lord and His people all while enjoying time with those you love most. We would love to know ways your family has served together or plans to serve this summer. Leave us a comment on Facebook so we can add to this list. Happy Summer! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal --- ### [Create a No-Pressure Spring Bucket List](https://gominno.com/blog/create-a-no-pressure-spring-bucket-list/) **Published:** March 18, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/935nldB9TYuEOrIaQxFO_spring-activities-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Last week was my kids’ spring break. And while I made a few, tentative plans and we accomplished a couple things on my to-do list, the week mostly passed in a blur, taking my good intentions with it. Several months ago I signed up for a huge project, due in April. I promised myself that I would not, under any circumstances, leave my preparation to the last minute like I always do. I vowed that on March 1 — and not a minute later — I would begin working on this project that is close to my heart and also now contractually obligated. And yet somehow the entire 31 days of March has nearly flown by without me making any progress. Where does the time go? How can I slow it down? Why does my three-year-old find it so hilarious to tell me every single morning that she grew (“growed-ed”) the night before? I’m a list maker and a planner. I love taking the whirling thoughts and ideas and wishes and hopes that float around my brain and forcing them into order in the black and white pen strokes on a piece of paper. It’s the only way I can move forward, and the only way I can redeem any of the time I’ve been given. In the past I’ve had a bit of a love-hate relationship with bucket lists, craving their sense and structure while resisting their expectation and demands. But what I’ve come to realize is that, for me, **making a list of fun activities to do with my kids keeps me accountable to my deep desire to steward the few short years I have with them**. It’s not a mandatory list of tasks, something to make me feel guilty if I can’t manage to cross off every item. It’s a guideline, a suggestion — and a reminder that months fly by faster than we ever expect them to, and when I don’t plan, I don’t do…anything. With all that said, I’m excited to share the list of springtime activities I’ve come up with this year. It’s long enough to stretch us a bit, but short enough that it won’t drive us crazy on top of all the other busy-ness that this season brings. [Use this adorable free Spring Activity Printable to make your own list!](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Spring-Activity-Bucket-List.pdf) **Plant something.** I don’t have a green thumb, but when looking through my children’s eyes, even I can see how exciting it is to plant something so small that eventually blossoms and grows into something beautiful. **Pick something.** We’ve never picked berries, but I think this might be a good year to try! (And if that plan fails, I’m going to consider a trip to the farmer’s market a good-enough plan B.) **Make a new-to-us spring recipe.** As much as I love rich chocolate (or pumpkin!) desserts and starchy comfort foods of the autumn and winter, it’s a nice change to make something light and fluffy — or even something green and healthy — when spring arrives. **Create a spring playlist.** We’re big on praise and worship, singing loud, and dance parties at my house, and a new season is the perfect excuse to create a new list of songs. **Play in the rain or splash in puddles.** I’m more of a practical mom than a fun mom, so when the day comes that I can encourage my girls to let loose and get as wet and messy as they want? Well, I imagine their surprise will be fun enough to help me ignore the muddy footprints that come next. **Visit the zoo.** We’ve already been counting the “baby cows” we see in pastures along the highway, so going to the zoo will mean even more animal excitement. And because my nine-year-old’s class is going to the zoo for a field trip, this one is literally already on my calendar! **Spend extra time in the Word during [Holy Week](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-what-are-the-days-of-holy-week).** One of these days I hope we work up to family devotions throughout Lent. But for now, I’m going to be intentional on those days leading up to Easter Sunday and make sure we arrive at the Resurrection prepared to celebrate the Reason for this season. **Blow bubbles and use sidewalk chalk.** These are our go-to outdoor activities, and it’s fun to pull them out again after the cold days of winter. **Buy – and eat! – popsicles.** You’d think the “eat” part wouldn’t be necessary, but more than once I’ve bought seasonal treats for my kids and forgotten to actually give them said treats. So this year WE WILL EAT the popsicles! **Dye and/or fill Easter eggs.** We might dye eggs this year. But I’ve also had the beginnings of an idea to fill plastic eggs to give to some families at our church who are fostering children. I suppose writing it down here will make me much more likely to follow through! #accountability #forthewin **Spring clean a few spaces and donate what we no longer need.** It’s amazing how much stuff we accumulate — and how little we actually need. **Fly a kite or play catch with a frisbee.** I’ve learned my lesson about kites. Some springs don’t cooperate with my bucket list and the windy days are also rainy or come in the middle of the week when even the most carefree person is too busy to take advantage. So, planning for that possibility it is! **Invite friends to a BBQ.** My girls love having people over to their house as much as my husband and I enjoy hosting events, so a spring cookout is a must. **Go on a family date.** A family date might be “going out” — to a picnic or the aquarium, but it might also be a day we intentionally stay in for a movie night or game night. No matter what, though, we spend time together! **Create a summer bucket list.** The seasons keep changing, and before we know it, it will be time to make plans for how we’ll spend summer. Your list might look just like mine — or it might look completely different. Either way, that’s okay! Use this [Minno Spring Activity Printable](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/25-spring-activities.pdf) to make any kind of list — whatever works for you and your family. It will help you be a good steward of the time you’ve been given in this season. And when the temperatures start rising, schools begin closing their doors, and friends look around shocked, asking, “Where did the time go?” you’ll know exactly where your time went. > Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV ![Organism - Plant](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/organism-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Categories:** Family Life, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Bucket List, Family Fun, Spring --- ### [Parenting Styles in Balance: How to Be Firm and Friendly](https://gominno.com/blog/parenting-styles-in-balance/) **Published:** February 21, 2022 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** *Do you struggle to find balance in parenting?* We’re unpacking three parenting styles —authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative —to help you find the sweet spot. . . . . . . . . . . ![parenting styles](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/stock-photography.jpg "- Minno Kids") I remember watching my niece, at just over a year old, sit at the kitchen table and color quietly. Pregnant with my first child I thought, *“My son, too, will draw quietly one day.”* And he did . . . about six years later. In small ways, my son surprised me twice. First by running and building and climbing instead of coloring. And second by learning, ever so slowly, the joy of sitting still. After all, he’s his own person. Just like my niece. And just like your kid too. #### **A Parenting Reality Check** This is the moment where I’m inclined to say something like: *Parenting an individual can be challenging. But it’s what we all wanted as kids right? To be seen and known and loved? And it’s what our kids deserve too.* But then there’s the other thought circling my brain: *Forget sitting to color. Sometimes I just need my son to sit while he eats. And I’d love for his younger brother to take a puzzle from the dumping-out-of-the-box stage to the fully-realized-picture stage before starting a wrestling match.* *Sometimes I just need calm.* **Because these two realities can exist can’t they?** The desire to recognize our children in their unique giftings and struggles and to also have our boundaries respected and our own needs met . . . To be able to shepherd them toward greatness without squashing what’s already great inside of them . . . #### **Authoritarian vs. Permissive Parenting** Oh, let’s just say it: Parenting an individual can be challenging. That’s why it’s vitally important that we learn to find a balance between being firm and friendly. You might hear the two parenting styles of “firm” and “friendly” more formerly labeled as authoritarian and permissive. Here’s an easy way to distinguish between the two: **Authoritarian parents say:** *“My way or the highway.”* **Permissive parents say:** *“Whatever you need, baby.”* Take a moment to ask yourself, *“Do I tend more toward authoritarian parenting or permissive parenting? Am I naturally more firm or more friendly?”* In our home, I’m the tough cookie and my husband is a grandpa-in-training. We could *both* benefit from meeting in the middle. In an effort to do so, let’s take a quick look at the good side of each approach. **Top 3 Benefits of Being a Firm Parent:** 1. Kids know what is expected of them, both in and out of the home. 2. Kids respond to instruction quickly and often follow through. 3. Kids respect a parent’s authority. **Top 3 Benefits of Being a Friendly Parent:** 1. Kids feel comfortable in their own skin and in their own homes. 2. Kids are more likely to go to their parents with tough questions and circumstances. 3. Kids enjoy a close and authentic relationship with their parents. And while, yes, we can all easily point out the downsides of these approaches—*childhood counseling session, anyone?*—there’s a reason it’s helpful to focus on the benefits. As parents we want our kids to be themselves and *also* behave. We want kids who come to us with their curiosities and heartaches and sorrows and *also* listen when we talk. We want kids who consider us tender, loving parents and *also* respect us as the leaders of the home. We want balance . . . which comes from a parenting style you might hear referred to as *authoritative*. #### **What it Looks Like to Be An Authoritative Parent** Authoritative parents sit in the sweet spot—between firm and friendly—[able to see their kids as people in need of affection, understanding, and autonomy](https://www.gominno.com/parents/7-ways-to-practice-autonomy-with-your-kids/) while also recognizing the necessity of a [parent’s role in setting boundaries, enforcing rules, and encouraging growth](https://www.gominno.com/parents/the-power-of-a-prep-talk-5-conversations-to-add-to-your-routine/). When a parent learns to live in the balance, they enjoy the benefits of both the permissive parent and the authoritarian parent, while ditching the downsides of each approach. Those combined benefits look something like: 1. Kids who consider their actions with others in mind. 2. Kids who develop confidence as their competence grows. 3. Kids and parents who share a mutual respect for one another. This balance is backed by science. [Kids raised by authoritative parents exhibit fewer behavioral problems and experience the most favorable outcomes.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6323136/) *And isn’t that what we want?* #### **Authoritative Parenting in Practice** In our home, striving for balance means finding ways to respect my boys’ need for movement and noise during the times I’d prefer they sit still and stay quiet. First, I’ll ask myself, *“Who should sacrifice in this moment?”* Because sometimes kids are just being kids and that’s okay. Other times, it might be more appropriate, helpful, or kind for my kids to practice a little chill. And that’s okay too. If calm is called for, I open up the front door and send them outside. I set up a little scene of toys on the rug in their room, start an engaging audiobook and leave them to create something new. I ask my husband to stage a wrestling match. I let my older son stand at the dinner table while he eats, provided he stay in one place (ish). An arrangement that suits us both. And when he finishes his meal, finally (finally!) declaring himself full, I pat myself on the back for a job well done—firm and friendly indeed. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [“I Love You Because…” | A Simple Valentine’s Day Craft](https://gominno.com/blog/i-love-you-because-simple-valentines-day-craft/) **Published:** February 11, 2022 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GhOIkQpZSjiePHt4Wr3v.jpg) ## Teach siblings and friends to love and celebrate each other with this simple Valentine’s Day craft. I remember so vividly finding out my second child was going to be a girl. Our first was a girl, and I imagined that as sisters they would just adore each other. I dreamed of hair braiding, giggling, and secrets at bedtime. While some of that does happen, my sisterhood fantasy was a bit crushed once I learned the truth. Siblings don’t always get along! (Shocking, I know!) I spend most of my days now, years later, feeling more like a referee than a mom. Between three girls, we have a heaping dose of drama and fighting that happens daily. I assumed that would happen in the teen years, but I hadn’t prepared myself for the fact that they might not always get along with each other as young children. And as a parent, it breaks your heart to watch your children be cruel or say hurtful words to each other. A few weeks ago, a peaceful Lego building session turned into someone screaming “I DON’T EVEN LIKE YOU!” That’s painful to hear! It’s a shocking realization of sin. I have to remind myself every day that children are sinful beings! That’s not really something we like to think about when it comes to our kids. We want to think they are perfect and spotless, but they were born into a sinful world and no one has to teach them how to sin. **What we do need to teach them? Love.** Love always wins! I wanted to find a way to help remind my kids (and honestly, myself) what is so amazing about each one of them. Even when we don’t like someone who steals our Legos, love will always win and we need to remember to treat one another with respect and love. With Valentine’s Day coming up, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go beyond the candy hearts and cheesy valentines, and really ask why we love each other. **We love because God truly sets the example for us.** He loves us so much that he would do anything for us, and He did the unimaginable by sending His son to die for our sin. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LoVCfVwDQzW9Kuw1EzZS.jpg) We made some simple hearts that say “I love you because…”, cut them out and left it open for them to fill in the blanks. To join us in this expression of love, you can go as simple or extravagant as you want. I’m not much of a crafty person, and you don’t have to be to help point your kids in the direction of God’s love. I am encouraging them to make a heart for one of their siblings each day for a couple of weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. Not only is this a great reminder of how loved they are, but it helps each of my children see just how special God made each one of them! [Download our “I Love Your Because. . .” heart template](https://cdn.buttercms.com/d6GXDuNYSnuOPuCkAiyC) and encourage your kids to make their own! **IDEA:** Parents can also use this printable to share love with their kiddos. Print out a few sheets and write a different quality on a heart every day then tape it to your child’s bedroom door as a surprise affirmation! ![940012_COBLOGValentine-sPrintable1080...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/31z8XnRgehEKVymUzwVw.jpg) **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Printables, Valentine's Day --- ### [More than Mealtime: 10 Alternative Ways to Connect With Your Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/ways-to-connect-with-your-kids/) **Published:** February 10, 2022 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/inner-child-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") We all know the value of families eating dinner together: a sense of camaraderie develops when we share good food and good conversation with the people we love. If you’re like me, reminders like this one give you a bit of a guilty conscience. After all, between sports, extracurriculars, church, and work obligations, it can be difficult to pull off regular meals as a group. And while we’re still [prioritizing table time as a family](https://www.gominno.com/parents/6-ways-to-make-family-dinner-fun-and-meaningful/), thankfully there are lots of other ways we can connect with our kids. All we have to do is tap into the following strategy: **be intentional about looking for opportunities to slow down, with a purpose, and chat.** That’s it! Here are a few of our favorite ideas for ways to connect with your kids. We’d love to hear yours! #### More than Mealtime: 10 Alternative Ways to Connect With Your Kids 1. **Go for a walk.** There’s something about the shared connection of strolling shoulder-to-shoulder that helps kids and adults alike relax, breathe a little deeper, and open up about the silly and serious things of life. 2. **Request your child’s expert opinion or advice.** Kids don’t know much. But they might know something we don’t. My boys routinely share animal and nature facts that blow my mind. So when the occasion calls for it, I ask for their help in deciding what to do. 3. **Take advantage of car rides.** Introduce your kids to the best bands of your childhood, listen to an audiobook together, ask questions that might make your kids squirm if you were hanging out face-to-face. After all, in the car, they’re trapped with nothing better to do. 4. **Play a game.** A little good-natured competition pits families against one another as a means of bringing them together. Try an old-school board game or a card game and be sure to play it enough times that even the youngest member of your crew gets the hang of it. 5. **Create a silly tradition.** For a solid year in our house, the whole family did a 5-second dance whenever my husband ground his coffee beans. Simple, silly traditions like this bond families together by offering inside secrets and jokes that are easy to implement. 6. **Invite your child along on a boring task, chore, or errand.** Kids dig doing adult things—even if they’re totally boring activities for us. Ask your child to tag along as you shop for groceries, fix a squeaky door, or fold laundry. Bonus points if you extend your trust in asking for their help. 7. **Go on an [adventure together](https://www.gominno.com/parents/embrace-outdoor-adventure-family/).** Do something challenging—an activity just beyond your assumed reach—and watch what happens when you power through the impossible together. Go on a long hike, explore a local waterfall, or buckle up for that roller coaster you’ve both been dreading. 8. **Ask lots of questions about your child’s current interests. Share yours.** My boys’ interests change with the wind. Last month, it was Star Wars. Last week it was all things nature and animals. This week, it’s Legos. Who knows what they’ll be into next week! But there’s one way to find out: ask questions and follow-up questions galore. 9. **Make a meal together.** Grab a stool if your children are little, ask them to gather supplies from your kitchen if they’re a bit older, and send them out for ingredients if they can drive. Then show your kids the ropes on a few fun (and important) basics: baking, breakfast, and an easy but filling dinner like pasta. 10. **Do [something your kids love](https://www.gominno.com/parents/use-play-time-to-help-kids-build-faith/) that they know you don’t particularly enjoy.** *We’re all friends here, right?* I’d like to make a confession: I don’t enjoy playing make-believe. It’s not my jam. I’ll do literally anything—anything! else with my kids, which is why their eyes light up on those rare occasions that I agree to be the Batgirl to their Batman and Robin due. Whether building, cooking, cleaning or playing when we look at every interaction with our kids as an opportunity to connect, we can create bonds that go way beyond the dinner table. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Life, Parenting --- ### [10 Inspiring Children's Books to Read in Honor of Black History Month](https://gominno.com/blog/10-inspiring-childrens-books-to-read-in-honor-of-black-history-month/) **Published:** February 4, 2022 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![Book List Black History Month.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/p6tJMkzIRICu4M7WkuAN.jpg) February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Teaching children about Black History Month and the many important contributions and accomplishments of African Americans can be done through the art of storytime! From the time children begin to develop an interest in books, it’s important to expose them to multicultural images to understand and celebrate diversity. We would like to share with you some of our favorite books that will teach children the history of African Americans in our country. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often talked in his speeches about the ‘urgency of now,’ and that it is vital to read as much about the past as the present. During the month of February and beyond, we hope this Black History Month Children’s Book list will aid you in teaching your young readers. #### 10 Inspiring Children’s Books to Read in Honor of Black History Month #### Little Legends: Exceptional Men In Black History **Vashti Harrison** Artists, pop stars, politicians, and aviators are just a few of the biographies found in author-illustrator Vashti Harrison’s book [Little Legends: Exceptional Men In Black History](https://www.amazon.com/Little-Legends-Exceptional-Black-History/dp/0316475149/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JNXBO324T1NZ&dchild=1&keywords=little+legends+exceptional+men+in+black+history&qid=1612794810&sprefix=little+leg%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1). This vibrantly illustrated book highlights the true stories of the amazing impact black men have made throughout history. This book will educate and inspire the young readers in your life to always reach for their dreams no matter what obstacles may stand in their way. #### Little Leaders: Bold Women In Black History **Vashti Harrison** Author-Illustrator Vashti Harrison introduces young readers to 40 trailblazing black women in [Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History](https://www.amazon.com/Little-Leaders-History-Vashti-Harrison/dp/0316475114/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+leaders&qid=1612794951&sr=8-1). Harrison’s illustrations bring to life the iconic female figures of black history. The biographies in Little Leaders show young readers the impact that these women have made in the world to create better opportunities for girls and women. **TAKE IT FURTHER:** In celebration of Black History Month, the New York Historical Society presented a [Special Story Time with Vashti Harrison](https://www.nyhistory.org/programs/special-story-time-vashti-harrison-author-little-leaders-bold-women-black-history). Watch with your little legends and be inspired together! #### The ABC’s of Black History **Rio Cortez** In the New York Times Bestseller, [The ABC’s of Black History](https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Black-History-Rio-Cortez/dp/1523507497), Rio Cortez takes readers on a journey using the alphabet of Black heritage and history. The book includes information on the places, events, and people of black history. This story celebrates the men and women who helped to pave the way for so many African Americans. **TAKE IT FURTHER:** Join author Rio Cortez for a [virtual storytime](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7WFw-K6cLo) as she reads The ABC’s of Black History to readers! #### A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon **Suzanne Slade** The award-winning biography, [A Computer Called Katherine](https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Called-Katherine-Johnson-America/dp/0316435171) by Suzanne Slade, chronicles the life of Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician who was behind the launch of Apollo 13. Johnson was frustrated by the lack of opportunities available to women in her era and was determined to be the change and make the change for women. **TAKE IT FURTHER:** Join Suzanne Slade for a [Q and A about the book A Computer Called Katherine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJDfOmgV1Ms&feature=emb_logo) where she shares some fun facts about the writing process of the book. #### Colorfull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us **Dorena Williamson** [Colorfull](https://www.amazon.com/ColorFull-Celebrating-Colors-God-Gave/dp/1462777643/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TDYBJG62AF6D&dchild=1&keywords=dorena+williamson&qid=1612796439&sprefix=dorena+will%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1) is a joyful story that takes a new approach to discussing race: instead of being colorblind, we can choose to celebrate each color God gave us and be colorFULL instead. #### The Story of Ruby Bridges **Robert Coles** Told with Robert Coles’ powerful narrative and dramatically illustrated by George Ford, [The Story of Ruby Bridges](https://www.amazon.com/Story-Ruby-Bridges-Special-Anniversary/dp/0439472261/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=black+history+month+books&qid=1612795689&sr=8-5), a story of courage, faith, and hope, continues to resonate more than 60 years later. #### The Power of Her Pen: The Story of the Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne **Lesa Cline-Ransome** Justice, equality, and truth. As a journalist, Ethel L. Payne always sought after those virtues even in the face of opposition and adversity. In this beautifully illustrated biography, [The Power of Her Pen](https://www.amazon.com/Power-Her-Pen-Groundbreaking-Journalist/dp/148146289X), author Lesa Cline-Ransome introduces readers to Ethel Payne, known as the ‘First Lady of Black Press.’ Ethel Payne broke many barriers in the world of journalism and wasn’t afraid to ask hard questions to elected officials, presidents, or anyone in a high ranking office. Ethel Payne worked tirelessly to seek the answers that mattered to the civil rights movement. **TAKE IT FURTHER:** Author Lesa Cline-Ransomec created a free [PDF Curriculum guide](https://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/5746320/9781481462891_cg_the%20power%20of%20her%20pen%20curriculum%20guide.pdf) for parents and teachers to use with the book. #### A Ride To Remember: A Civil Right Story **Amy Nathan and Sharon Langley** [A Ride To Remember](https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Remember-Civil-Rights-Story/dp/141973685X) is a biography that takes readers on a journey back to the 1960’s where many amusement parks were segregated and African American families were not allowed to enter. However in 1963, after many public protests Gweynn Oak Amusement Park in Maryland became the first desegregated amusement park to open. Sharon Langley became the first African-American child to ride the carousel. Author Amy Nathan also includes a timeline, pictures and a bibliography in this powerful story. **TAKE IT FURTHER:** Join authors Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan for an [author talk](https://www.facebook.com/turningthepage/videos/264609221595212/)—available until May 30, 2020. Or listen in to this [author interview on WNYC](https://www.wnyc.org/story/desegregating-amusement-park/?fbclid=IwAR3P89l0Wt11WIuPV1pFxwYOjeh4O9Ol2bUBA45v9NF_j_r48FHPFhG3JVw). #### Henry’s Freedom Box **Ellen Levine** [Henry’s Freedom Box](https://www.amazon.com/Henrys-Freedom-Box-Underground-Railroad/dp/043977733X/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3R4LJR6QXI5H9&dchild=1&keywords=black+history+month+childrens+book&qid=1612797202&sprefix=books+for+black+history+month%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-8) is a stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist. #### Creative God, Colorful Us **Trillia Newbell** In the short, colorful book, [Creative God, Colorful Us](https://www.amazon.com/Creative-God-Colorful-Trillia-Newbell/dp/080242418X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XIXX7QU9B52U&dchild=1&keywords=creative+god+colorful+us&qid=1612796062&sprefix=creative+god+c%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1), Trillian Newbell shares the truth of God’s Word . . . the truth about how we were made with differences, how we sinned, how God rescued us, and how—if we understand that God’s diverse creation will be together in Heaven—it should motivate us to love one another on earth! Reading this book along with others that celebrate black leaders in history, will help kids understand God’s glorious plans for all people. **TAKE IT FURTHER:** Join author, Trillia Newbell on February 11, 2021 as [she hosts conversations with some of today’s prominent Christian thought leaders about how to talk to the next generation about race, ethnicity, and the gospel](https://webevents.moodyconferences.com/). You’ll hear from those in every stage of parenting sharing key insights and ‘aha’ moments. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Black History Month, Books, Reading --- ### [The Power of a Prep Talk: 5 Conversations About Expectations](https://gominno.com/blog/the-power-of-a-prep-talk-5-conversations-to-add-to-your-routine/) **Published:** January 24, 2022 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-Power-of-a-Prep-Talk.jpg "- Minno Kids") My parents live a few hours away from us. After years of travel, we’ve perfected our [family road-trip routine](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-road-trip-tips-for-easier-summer-travel-with-kids/). The boys look at books. They draw. We listen to a podcast or two. We snack, tell jokes, turn up the music, and dance around. Before long, we’re almost there! As we pull off the interstate, I dial back the volume on the radio and swivel around to face my kids in the back seat. In keeping with our routine, it’s time for a PREP talk. *Do you do this too?* I’m a big fan of a quick prep-talk. A few minutes of talking through [expectations](https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/clear-expectations-for-kids/) is often all it takes to help my kids make wise choices and enjoy a relaxing time with family or friends. Here are five of my go-to prep talks. *What would you add to this list?* #### **Five Prep Talks To Use With Your Kids** The formula for a solid prep talk looks something like this: - Share your expectations with your kids - Talk through potential pain points and how your child might respond or ask for help - Remind your kids of the benefits of following expectations In other words, keep your conversation short and simple. Let’s talk about what this formula might look like in each of the following scenarios. #### **A Prep Talk for Visiting Grandparents (or other homes)** *Share your expectations:* “Okay, kids, we’re almost at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Aren’t you so excited to see them? It’s important that we are respectful of their home while we are there and that we let them know how much we appreciate them having us for the weekend.” *Talk through potential pain points:* “How should we treat Grandma’s furniture? What should you do when Grandpa asks you a question? If you have lots of energy and need to jump around, where can you go to get it out?” *Remind kids of the benefits of following expectations:* “When you guys treat your grandparents and their home with respect, it makes them want to have us over more often. And I know how much you love staying at their house. So thank you for being good guests!” #### **A Prep Talk for Having Friends Over** *Share your expectations:* “The Smiths will be here soon! We’re going to grill out hot dogs and hamburgers while you kids run around in the backyard or play inside. Please remember our house rules and encourage your friends to follow them as well.” *Talk through potential pain points:* “How can we make our friends feel welcome in our home? What should you do if you see your friend break one of our house rules?” *Remind kids of the benefits of following expectations:* “We love having people over, don’t we? When it goes well, it makes us want to have friends over more often!” #### **A Prep Talk for Opening Gifts *Share your expectations:* “Your birthday party starts in just ten minutes. Yay! You might get presents from your grandparents, or from your aunts and uncles. If you do, that will be such a treat! We want to make sure to smile and say thank you no matter what.” *Talk through potential pain points:* “What do you do if you open a gift and it’s something you already have? What if it’s something you don’t like?” *Remind kids of the benefits of following expectations:* “The best part of a birthday party is getting to spend time with family and friends! Gifts are a bonus. If you get something you don’t like or already have, smile and say thank you, and we’ll take it back to the store another day.” #### **A Prep Talk for Meeting Up With Friends** *Share your expectations:* “We’re headed to the park to hang out with Blake, Matthew, and Allison. I want you kids to have a good time and treat one another with kindness.” *Talk through potential pain points:* “What can you do if you and your friends disagree about what or how you should play? How should you respond if a friend is unkind to you or to someone else?” *Remind kids of the benefits of following expectations:* “It’s such a pretty day outside. As long as you and your friends are having a nice time and treating each other well, we’ll stay until dinner.” #### **A Prep Talk For Eating at a Nice Restaurant** *Share your expectations:* “We’re going out to eat for dinner tonight. While we’re there, it’s important to hang out in your seat and be calm so that other people can enjoy their meal.” *Talk through potential pain points:* “What games could we play if the wait is extra-long? How should we talk to the waiter? What should you do if you don’t like your food?” *Remind kids of the benefits of following expectations:* “I know it’s not always easy to wait, but sometimes the best food takes time to make! If all goes well during dinner, we’ll stay for dessert!” Give these conversations a try. And let us know on Instagram or Facebook what prep-talks we should add to this list! **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [Raising Boys and Girls Podcast: S4, E16 Sophie Husdon + Melanie Shankle Interview](https://gominno.com/blog/raising-boys-and-girls-s4-e16-sophie-hudson-melanie-shankle/) **Published:** January 18, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Tina Payne Bryson - Jeannie Cunnion](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tina-payne-bryson.jpg "- Minno Kids") The Raising Boys and Girls podcast is back for Season 4 with topics and guests that will inspire you along your journey of raising kids in today’s world. Join Sissy Goff and David Thomas this week as they chat with Sophie Hudson and Melanie Shankle of the Big Boo Cast Podcast about raising kids with respect. . . . . . . . . . . [SUBSCRIBE](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369) to the podcast so you never miss an episode! If you haven’t already, listen to the podcast now: ## **Sophie Hudson and Melanie Shankle Interview** [The Big Boo Cast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-boo-cast/id262921699) Podcast . . . . . . . . . . *What would you say is a vintage value that kids struggle with today and how can we help them with it?* Compassion is hard for kids today because we don’t sit in things. It’s hard to show kids how to bear with people for the long haul. It’s hard for kids today to take ownership of their actions because we’ve created a victim mentality. It’s easy for parents and kids to connect through a shared conflict but it’s not good for the long haul. ![Online advertising - Product](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/product.jpg "- Minno Kids") **When kids are dealing with conflict, ask them:** **What could YOU do to change the situation?** **What does LEADERSHIP look like in this situation?** **How do we move forward in this in a HEALTHY way?** . . . . . . . . . . Anything that diminishes or demeans someone is not leadership. . . . . . . . . . . *What would you say is harder about being a parent today than when your parents raised you?* Social Media Monitoring Comparison Parents today feel like they have to manage their kids’ reputations. ![Graphic design - Graphics](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/graphics.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Parents aren’t willing to let their kids fail but failure is where all the best lessons are. Sophie Hudson** . . . . . . . . . . *What about your childhood do you miss seeing today?* The carefree simplicity of life. Kids now have never known a world without screens but they can all use some more time outside. Melanie Shankle When we let our kids go, it implies they are capable of going. Sissy Goff . . . . . . . . . . *What is something from your childhood that you loved and would love to bring back?* Sophie – Nancy Drew books, Rick Springfield Melanie – Mandie, Julie Andrews book ![Glasses - Photo caption](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/glasses.55.01-AM.png "- Minno Kids") *What is hard about teaching kids respect in this day and time?* It’s hard to teach kids respect because right now grown-ups aren’t doing a great job with it. Sophie Hudson Implied permission. ![Line - Font](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/font.jpg "- Minno Kids") **We are teaching kids about self-esteem, which is all about them, instead of teaching self-respect, which also teaches them to respect others. Melanie Shankle** If you don’t respect yourself you won’t respect others well. *What piece of advice would you like to give parents who are listening?* Say yes as much as you can so the no’s don’t seem like such a big deal. There is a big difference between parenting and controlling. Controlling seems easier sometimes but that’s not parenting. Sophie Hudson Move forward in grace. Sometimes consequences are grace. If you are not operating from a place of love, it’s the wrong time to respond. Hold on. Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. Play the long game. Pray a lot. Melanie Shankle ![Raising Girls - Font](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/raising-girls.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Play the long game in parenting. You are trying to raise a fully-functioning adult, not give immediate gratification to a kid. Melanie Shankle** Don’t be afraid of what’s ahead. ![Product - Brand](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/brand.jpg "- Minno Kids") **If you are worried about whether or not you are a good parent, you probably are. Sophie Hudson** . . . . . . . . . . **Categories:** Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Podcast **Tags:** Parenting, Podcast, Raising Boys and Girls --- ### [How to Develop a More Consistent Family Prayer Life This Year](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-develop-a-more-consistent-family-prayer-life-this-year/) **Published:** January 10, 2022 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Srr4vHRxRW1ItVgo0kIy.jpg) I can remember a time when prayer felt transactional to me. Although I’d been praying since before I could read, even as an adult, prayer often felt like a one-way conversation in which I asked God for this or that and then waited to see how He would respond. And then I walked through a season of loss so deep it rattled my faith. I prayed but God seemed silent. *Why wouldn’t He respond to my desperate plea?* I had laid my requests before Him, time and time again, just as Philippians 4:6 told me to do. And yet, I still felt empty. Alone. In the midst of my seemingly stagnant prayer life, illuminated by grief and pain, I eventually found comfort and a new perspective in the words of Philip Yancey. In his book, *Prayer*, Yancey said, *“The main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, nor to gain magical powers, but to know God.”* **To pray is to know God.** Once my view of the purpose of prayer changed, so did my conversations with God. He eventually brought about the miracles for which I had once prayed, but not until after I learned to commune with Him—with honest words and ruthless trust. I imagine this is the place we all hope our children come to someday. Theirs is a personal journey between them and God but it starts right now, with us as their guide—to learn the practice of prayer and how it can lead us to know the God who loves us so personally and so deeply. Perhaps there isn’t a better time to go deeper in prayer than right now—when our country, the world, and our own families need God more than ever. Prayer is not just another thing on your Christian to-do list or your parenting to-teach list. Prayer is an invitation and an opportunity to connect with God. Prayer is a privilege that when practiced, will change our lives and the life of our family. But as with any practice, consistency is crucial. God longs to meet with you and your kids daily—multiple times a day—to strengthen you and to guide you through whatever it is you are experiencing, whether your highest highs or your lowest lows. Consistency can be hard when work and kids and responsibilities seem to tug at us from every direction. Yet it is possible with small, intentional steps taken with a commitment to grow alongside our kids in the practice of prayer. #### How to Develop a More Consistent Family Prayer Life This Year **Start with small habits.** Commit to [praying before every meal or every night at bedtime](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-family-prayers-for-the-new-year/). It’s easy to skip these sacred moments when you’re just trying to wrangle everyone to the table or into their beds. But these seemingly insignificant habits are the building blocks to a long-term life of prayer. **Establish a rhythm.** The next most important thing you can do to grow more consistent with prayer in your family is to establish a rhythm with the small habits you adopt. Maybe you choose to start and end your day in prayer together. Perhaps a Sunday family meeting includes an extended time of prayer. Ask God to show you how you can incorporate small habits of prayer into your regular family routines to create a rhythm of communication with God. **Take steps to go deeper.** If you have older kids or if you’re already praying on a regular basis, think about ways you can go deeper in prayer together. Maybe that means taking turns praying out loud so kids can practice prayer with you. Or maybe you introduce a prayer box or prayer journal to keep track of requests and answers to watch God work through your prayers. Ask God to show you what the next steps should be for your family to develop a deeper prayer life. **Be honest.** God doesn’t just listen to us when we pray. He joins us in prayer. He loves to meet with His children and He doesn’t want us to come to Him pretending or avoiding our honest feelings. One of the most important truths you can share with your kids as you practice prayer is to come to God openly and honestly. The more honest we are with God in prayer, the most He can use our time with Him to reorient our hearts toward His. This is the purpose of prayer—to know God and to be ever-growing because of the time we spend with Him. **Practice.** As with anything in life, practice makes progress. The more we talk with God, the more comfortable we’ll become in bringing our worship, confession, gratitude, and requests to Him. Prayer is one of the most incredible parts of faith because it allows us to spend time with God, who loves us more than we could ever know. As you begin to teach your kids about prayer, start by praying *for* them: that God would reveal Himself to them through prayer and that He would strengthen their faith through the daily practice of prayer. For more help in making this the year your family goes deeper in prayer and to teach your kids the purpose and power of prayer, check out [our Minno Life Guide: Prayer](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer). [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bLeT9AHAQ6K7xhbPxO4j.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer) Our Minno Life Guide, *[Prayer: The Practice of Talking to God](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer)* offers practical help for teaching kids the sacred act of communing with their heavenly Father. This guide will open the door for your family to grow in the practice of prayer— starting with small, daily habits that lead to deep roots of dependence and communion. This mini ebook is full of simple ideas and biblical truth to guide grownups on how to lead kids to develop an honest and vibrant prayer life. - Learn how to talk about prayer and practice prayer as a family. - Discover what the Bible teaches about prayer. - Engage in conversations about prayer with the simple prompts in each section of the guide. - Use the included Family Prayer Resources to establish your own family prayer habits. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Prayer --- ### [One-Year Bible Reading Plan for Kids and Families](https://gominno.com/blog/one-year-bible-reading-plan-kids-families/) **Published:** December 30, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Read the Bible in a year - printable schedule for kids from Minno](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xU3hTG7qRnWq0tZ1xrxo.jpg) # One-Year Bible Reading Plan for Kids and Families The idea of reading through the entire Bible in one year as a family probably seems daunting . . . impossible. Right?! Just last night we picked back up on reading the Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew together with my eleven and eight-year-olds. It was tough. To keep their attention . . . to help them understand just how amazing the story is and how fun it can be to get lost in it. They struggled, but in the end, after they each read a few pages aloud to the rest of us, we enjoyed thirty minutes of family reading time. So if that was a struggle with my two older kids reading a fantasy novel, I definitely understand how hard it is to get even younger kids (let alone upper elementary and middle-school kids) excited about reading the Bible . . . all of it. Like Numbers and Leviticus! But inviting our children into God’s story is one of the most significant steps we can take in building their faith foundation. And the truth is, reading the Bible doesn’t have to be daunting or boring. It’s the most epic true story ever recorded and ever told. And it’s OUR story! ## A Reading Plan That is Kid-Friendly We at Minno created the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) so that children can see and understand that the Bible is fun! God’s story is full of epic adventures and important life lessons that will help us live amazing lives. Phil Vischer uses whimsical storytelling in his laugh-out-loud retellings of the Bible—from Creation to Revelation—and everything in between. The [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) was intentionally designed to help families read through God’s story in a year, with 52 five-minute stories that clearly teach God’s rescue plan and the good news of Jesus’ love. We invite you to follow along this one-year Bible reading plan. It includes just four or five stories per month so you can read one each week. When you read through the Laugh and Grow Bible your kids (and you) will have a deeper understanding of the full Bible narrative. ### One-Year Bible Reading Schedule Using the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids ### THE OLD TESTAMENT **JANUARY****FEBRUARY**THE PENTATEUCHThe Tower of BabelCreationGod Calls AbramAdam and EveAbraham’s FamilyWhat Is Sin?JosephNoah and the FloodMoses Is Born**MARCH****APRIL**The Burning BushHISTORICAL BOOKSLet My People Go!Joshua and JerichoThe Ten CommandmentsAposta-CyclesLaws, Laws, LawsJudgesTime-Out!Ruth’s Redeemer**MAY****JUNE**King SaulSolomon’s WisdomDavid and GoliathBad KingsIsrael’s New KingThe Fall of Israel and JudahGod’s Promise to DavidGod Gets It DoneBrave Queen Esther**JULY****AUGUST**WRITINGS AND PROPHETSThe MessengerHe Gives and Takes AwayThe Fiery FurnaceThe Book of SongsDaniel and the LionsThe Book of WisdomJonah and the Whale### THE NEW TESTAMENT **SEPTEMBER****OCTOBER**THE GOSPELSJesus’ DisciplesBorn in a BarnThe Sermon on the MountJohn Baptizes JesusIt’s a Miracle!The Desert TemptationThe Last SupperThe Phony PhariseesJesus’ DeathHe Is Alive!**NOVEMBER****DECEMBER**ACTS, LETTERS, AND REVELATIONPaul’s LettersGod’s Super HelperFrom Wrong to RightBig Changes for SaulThe Fruit of the SpiritA Vision for EveryoneHow Does It End?Paul’s Travels[![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3wqOtYeS8qWAkkgWFxfN.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-one-year-reading-plan) Get a FREE copy of this [One-Year Family Bible Reading Plan in the Minno Store!](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-one-year-reading-plan) It includes a dated (by month) plan and an undated plan so you can start your journey any time of the year! ## Advice for Families Reading the Bible in One Year Even with a monthly schedule as your guide, sticking to any activity over 365 days can be tough! Here are some additional tips to help you and your loved ones achieve a full read-through of the Bible in a year: - Keep a visual reminder front and center in your home. Download the one-page reading plan [HERE](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-one-year-reading-plan). - Create a routine place and time for reading: the kitchen at breakfast or dinnertime, or in the living room before bedtime. - Facilitate memory retention with [Bible-based TV shows, movies, and music like those found on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on/). - Boost motivation with [Bible-focused games, arts, crafts, and other special activities](https://www.pinterest.com/gominno/) throughout the year. ![Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: The Gospel in 52 Five-Minute Bible Stories - Family Bible](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-the-gospel-in-52-five-minute-bible-stories.png "- Minno Kids") Here’s what a few customers have said about how adults can learn from reading through the Laugh and Grow Bible, too! . . . . . . . . . . *“The stories easily explain things in a way that children and even adults can better understand.”* **Amazon Review** *“I appreciate how the book brought context to the stories . . . even though I’ve read these same stories hundreds of times in my life, I feel like I understood the deeper meaning of the stories better after reading this version!”* **Amazon Review** . . . . . . . . . . **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Laugh and Grow Bible **Tags:** Bible Reading Plans, Minno Laugh and Grow Bible --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Christmas?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-christmas/) **Published:** December 16, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/82lWnjxoTTectpD4v6Np.jpg) *What does the Bible say about Christmas?* Well, quite a lot. In fact, since Christmas is the story of God sending His son Jesus to earth as a baby, most of the Bible points to and sets the stage for Christmas. My favorite device in the Bible for telling the Christmas story is a really big, really blatant, really bright image: LIGHT. Let’s look at the very first chapter in the Bible to see where this all gets started. > *“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty,* ***darkness was over the surface of the deep****, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “****Let there be light****,” and there was light.* ***God saw that the light was good****, and he separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:1-3 NIV* *Can you see that in your mind’s eye?* Total darkness. God hovering over it. Then speaking LIGHT into it. This is *the* picture of what Father God would do in our own world’s history and in our own hearts by sending Jesus as a baby in a manger. Our sin is darkness. Our world is covered in the inky gloom of evil. But. God was hovering. And soon, He would send the Light. He gave us bits and pieces, foreshadowing of the light of Jesus from His prophets. The famous Christmas passage from Isaiah, > *“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;”* begins with, *“****The people walking in darkness have seen a great light****; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:6, 2 NIV* Hundreds of years later, when John the Baptist was born, his father, Zechariah prophesied about John’s role in making the way for Jesus, > *“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation, through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God,* ***by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death****, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”* Luke 1:76-79 NIV Wow! *Sounds kinda familiar, doesn’t it?* Jesus is then born in a manger in Bethlehem. He is visited by shepherds and then later by wise men (who found out about Jesus’ because of a light in the sky!!) Soon after Jesus’ birth, He was presented at the temple where a godly woman named Anna prayed over Him saying, > *“Sovereign Lord . . . my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a* ***light*** *for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-40 NIV* More light! Jesus is the Light for all mankind. The light for all the darkness we experience and live in. We are saved from this deep darkness by God’s Light, JESUS. *So, what does the Bible say about Christmas?* The bright, sparkly, glittery holiday is just a tiny picture, a little object lesson, a small symbol of the huge light of Jesus. His birth was announced by light, His life on earth was proof of real Light and today, we are able to live in His light when we trust in Him. > *“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.* ***The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.****” John 1:4-5 NIV* ***Family Activity Idea:*** *Pull out all the Christmas lights—strings of twinkle lights, candles, candles, and more candles. Light them all then turn off your overhead lights and lamps. See how these Christmas lights dispel darkness. Read some of the above passages about Jesus, the Light. Every time you see or notice Christmas lights through the season, remind your kids of the light of Jesus!* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Bible Verses, Christmas --- ### [The Christmas Story for Kids: Luke 2:10-14](https://gominno.com/blog/the-christmas-story-for-kids-luke-2-10/) **Published:** December 14, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Luke 2 10 Christmas Verse](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/product-design-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") This past Sunday of Advent, we sat together with only the faint glow of the Christmas tree lighting the room. It was time to do our weekly reading and candle-lighting. As I began to share the HOPE of Advent that came long ago with Old Testament prophesies, I wondered how much my children (ages 12 and 9) would remember. After all, we’d been learning and re-learning the story year after year after year. To my delight, they were able to respond to several of my prompts with the knowledge we’d worked so hard to instill. And yet, there were details and definitions they couldn’t remember . . . my motivation to continue teaching them about the arrival of their Savior. In the midst of all of the decorations and wish lists and seasonal treats, what Christian parents want more than anything is for their children to understand the true meaning of Christmas. We use family devotionals and countdown calendars to create a magical and meaningful experience for our kids each year. At Minno, we understand the opportunities that the holiday seasons and church calendar provide in creating a rhythm for families to grow in faith. This is why we are committed to sharing resources and tools you can use to delight and disciple your kids—every day of the year, but especially during the holidays. When we gathered as a team to decide what our theme would be for Christmas 2020, we agreed that what families really needed this year was some joy-filled good news! Despite all of the difficulties of this unprecedented year, with all of its ups and downs and changes, we know the One who never changes is the reason we celebrate. We found great comfort and joy in the traditional Christmas reading of Luke 2:10-14. So we gathered together some of the cutest kids we could find and captured their excitement as they read the Christmas story, to share good tidings of great joy with you and yours! We’ve put together a host of tools so that your kids can join their chorus and memorize this powerful reading of Scripture as they grow to understand the true gift of Christmas each year. We pray that each word would be hidden deep within their hearts and that the joy of teaching your children about the hope of Jesus would bring more peace than you ever thought possible this year. Merry Christmas from our Minno family to yours! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SGV7vddTWOSUMwhDXq1L.jpg) Download this printable verse—it’s in our [Minno Christmas Family Fun Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-christmas-family-fun-guide)—to get your kids started in memorizing the Christmas story as told in Luke 2:10-14. [![MinnoChristmasFamilyFunPack_1795x992 ...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9oOfMq9OTAWjNb58uPKb.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-christmas-family-fun-guide) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Bible Verses, Christmas --- ### [Who and Where is Emmanuel in the Bible?](https://gominno.com/blog/who-is-emmanuel/) **Published:** December 9, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ***![Emmanuel passage in the Bible Matthew 1:23](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/writing-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids")*** ## Who is Emmanuel in the Bible? ***We hear a lot about “Emmanuel” at Christmas, but who is Emmanuel?*** The word Emmanuel appears 4 times in the Bible—three times in Isaiah and once in Matthew. Emmanuel means “God with us” and is a name for Jesus. ## **The Meaning of the Word, “Emmanuel”** The word “Emmanuel” comes from the Greek rendering of two Hebrew words, *`immanu*, “with us,” and *‘el*, “God” (thus in English it is found as either “Emmanuel” or “Immanuel”). ## Is Emmanuel Spelled with an “I” or an “E”? Emmanuel with an “E” is the translation of the Greek word, “Emmanouel.” Since the New Testament was written in Greek, original transcripts and translations spell Emmanuel with an “E” in Matthew 1:23. The King James Version of the Bible still uses the “E” while many more modern translations have adopted the “I”. Immanuel with an “I” is the translation of the original Hebrew word which comes from “Immanu” (with us) and “El” (God). Since the Old Testament is written in Hebrew, Isaiah used the spelling “Immanuel” when writing about our promised Savior. ## Where is Emmanuel Found in the Bible? The word is found three times in the Old Testament of the Bible: [Isaiah 7:14](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/000608445800900301), 8:8, 8:10. It is found only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:23 toward the end of the birth narrative of Jesus. Here Matthew is citing Isaiah 7:14, and the word is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew word from the Old Testament. Matthew says that the birth of Jesus by the Virgin Mary is to *“fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)”* (1:22-23). Thus, Matthew tells his readers that Jesus’ birth fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah and goes on to explain what the word “Emmanuel” means, *“God with us.”* To understand this further we’ll examine the origin of the word in Isaiah. ## **“Emmanuel” in Isaiah** Isaiah 7:14 is the first place the word appears in the Bible (as Immanuel). Here, the Lord speaks through Isaiah the prophet to Ahaz, king of Judah. At this time in Israel’s history, the land was divided between the northern and southern kingdoms (the northern kingdom was often designated “Israel” and the southern “Judah”). Ahaz was afraid because the northern kingdom had joined forces with the neighboring land of Syria, and he believed they would seek to destroy him and his people. But God tells him, *“It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass” (7:7).* Ahaz does not believe him, and so God gives him a sign that this will be so through this popular Christmas Bible verse: *“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).* Scholars debate to whom the text refers in its original context, with two suggestions being the wife and son of Ahaz or those of Isaiah (see Isaiah 8:1-4). However, the passage is difficult: *“One of the most significant features of this verse is the mysterious, even vague and indeterminate, tone that pervades the entire passage. The reader is simply not given information regarding the identity of the maiden, or how precisely the sign functions in relation to the giving of the name Immanuel.”* What is known with certainty is that God gave Ahaz a sign in the form of a woman conceiving a son and naming him “Immanuel.” The sign was to demonstrate that God was “with” His people, and with the line of David and that His word would be kept, in spite of their unbelief. ## **“Emmanuel” in Matthew** Matthew draws from this prophecy. The prophecy served its purpose in Isaiah’s day, but Matthew saw in it a fuller purpose, which was to point to the coming Messiah who would also be conceived by a virgin. In Isaiah, the prophecy of 7:14 is directed to the house of David, and its prophecy of a child to be born prepares the audience for the prophecy of 9:6-7 of a *“child who is to be born ‘for us,’ and whose multiple and still more extravagant title marks Him out not only as the Messiah of the line of David but also as ‘Mighty God, Everlasting Father.'”* Thus, the passages in Isaiah invite a fuller interpretation, and this is what is given in Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus. In Isaiah, the name “Emmanuel” and its surrounding context speak of *“the dawn of the promised golden age with the judgment of the wicked and the blessing of the righteous . . . . This was the ultimate sense in which God’s presence was to be manifested in Israel.”* In Matthew, then, the name is applied to Jesus, which means that this promised blessing of God being with His people spreads to all who will believe in Him in the entire world. Jesus fulfills the prophecy because He *“will save his people from their sins”* (1:21). The theme of *“God with us”* continues through Matthew until the very end, where it culminates in the Great Commission and the last verse of the book: *“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”* (28:20). ## Why is the Name Emmanuel Important? The name “Emmanuel” points to the prevalent biblical theme of God’s presence with His people. The idea of *“God with us”* is the embodiment of all of God’s promises to Israel and to all who will trust in Him. Through sacrifice and mercy God makes a way to be with His people, whether Israel in the Old Testament or the church in the New Testament, all leading up to God’s final act in Revelation 21:3: *“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'”* Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this theme, both in His identification with humanity by becoming a man and by His death on the cross for sin. In this sense, the word “Emmanuel” truly does embody [the meaning of Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/parents/five-scriptures-christmas-children-know/). The birth of Jesus, the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah, and Savior of all men, has made a way for God to be WITH us. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Advent, Christmas --- ### [The Stories Behind Popular Christmas Carols](https://gominno.com/blog/the-stories-behind-4-popular-christmas-carols/) **Published:** December 2, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Zy6oUVdNSbi6iida5z4X.jpg) Can you imagine a world without Christmas? What about Christmas without carols? At one time in America, that’s exactly what happened. In the 1600s, some influential Christians didn’t like how “commercial” Christmas had become, so the colony in Massachusetts banned celebrating the holiday, and that ban lasted for over twenty years. [\[1\]](#_carols) It’s hard to imagine a world without Christmas, especially one without our favorite carols. But it’s easy to recognize that not everyone celebrates Christmas for the same reason. We should be thankful, then, that we have Christmas carols to remind us why we celebrate and to help us praise God for keeping his promise to send a Savior to his people–the same Savior whom we celebrate today. Here are the stories and meanings behind four of the world’s most loved Christmas carols! ### **Angels We Have Heard on High** Do you know what was one of the hardest, smelliest, and most dangerous jobs in Jesus’ time? If you said “shepherd” then you’re right! Shepherds worked long hours and slept outside. They chased away dangerous animals and thieves, had to find water for themselves and the animals, and nursed the sheep back to health when they were sick. [\[2\]](#_carols) Even though their job was hard, shepherds didn’t always get a lot of thanks. But God cares about everybody–shepherds included–and that’s part of why we read in Luke that he sent his angels to shepherds to announce the birth of Christ! These particular shepherds were guarding the sheep at night when an angel appeared and told them about Jesus. Then, more angels appeared, and they sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” The Savior God had promised was coming–and that meant good news for even the smelliest of shepherds! In *Angels We Have Heard on High,* we sing the story of the shepherds and we sing the song of the angels, “Glory to God in the highest.” [\[3\]](#_carols) Although we don’t know who wrote this carol, we do know that the song was originally French, written in the 18th century and translated into English around 1862. [\[4\]](#_carols) The carol speaks of hearing the angels’ song echoing in the mountains, and then questions the shepherds about why they are so happy. Then it answers, and begs those who hear to come to Bethlehem to see King Jesus, about whom the angels were singing. The carol then invites us to imagine Jesus, lying in a manger, the Lord of heaven and earth whom even his earthly parents ought to worship. God could have sent Jesus’ birth announcement to kings and queens all over the world, but instead, he sent it to shepherds. Singing this carol encourages us to praise the God who keeps his promises, and who cares about everybody, whether they are shepherds or kings or you or me. ### **Hark! The Herald Angels Sing** For an occasion as important as the birth of Jesus, one song just isn’t enough! Charles Wesley–who wrote almost 9,000 hymns–wrote his own song about Jesus’ birth. [\[5\]](#_carols) His original version started with “Hark, how all the welkin rings,” but thankfully for us, his friend George Whitefield changed it to what we sing today. [\[6\]](#_carols) The song starts by calling us to listen to the angels singing about Jesus’ birth. Hark basically means “listen up!” and herald angels are messengers from God who have a really important message (as if anything they say *isn’t* important). While “Angels We Have Heard on High” tells the story of the shepherds, Wesley’s hymn starts there but goes on to say who Jesus is, and to marvel at the mystery of God being born as a tiny little baby. So, who *is* that newborn that the angels sang about? Wesley explains that he is the king who will bring peace between God and sinners, and that even though he is adored by even the most important and impressive beings in heaven, he was pleased to become a man “veiled in flesh” on the earth. Wesley imagines Jesus as a frail little baby and yet calls us to “Hail” (which is like cheering for somebody) him because he is the Prince of peace who brings light, life, and healing to all. The hymn’s final stanza sings about the work of Christ as the second Adam, which erases the image of Adam (representing sinful man) and stamps us with the image of Christ. [\[7\]](#_carols) Singing this hymn not only celebrates Jesus’ birth, it also reminds us of the larger picture of what he did with his life, death, resurrection and ascension. ### **Joy to the World** Some of our favorite Christmas carols aren’t actually carols at all–they’re hymns! One of those hymns is “Joy to the World*,”* written by Isaac Watts as a paraphrase of Psalm 98, about “The Messiah’s coming and kingdom.” [\[8\]](#_carols) But why do we sing a hymn based on an old psalm at Christmas? Because that’s what the psalm says to do! Psalm 98 is all about singing a new song to God, who promised to “judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.” Ultimately, God fulfilled that promise by sending a king unlike any other king, who would save people from their sin and sadness–that king is King Jesus! So when we celebrate Christmas, we’re celebrating when God kept his promise with the birth of Christ Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And what does “Joy to the World” tell us to sing? We sing about being there in the moment of Jesus’ birth, and announcing that the King that God promised is coming. We sing that we should prepare our hearts for him, and that because Jesus is king the whole creation should sing. This new king brings joy and he will remove sin and sorrow, and then he will let his blessings flow like a river “Far as the curse is found.” That means that wherever there’s sin, Christ our King will fix it, and he will rule over his creation with truth and grace, and all the nations will sing about his righteousness and love. Although this is a great hymn to sing year round, it’s also a great one to sing at Christmas because it reminds us of the joy that Christians should have as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. ### **God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen** If you never thought a comma could be confusing, then think again! Shouldn’t the comma in this song title come after “you” instead of “merry”? That would be true, except that sometimes words can change meanings over time. For example, “cool” used to mean “sorta cold” but now it can also mean “awesome” or even “unfriendly.” Similarly, the word “rest” used to mean “keep” and “merry” is another way to say “joyful,” so the title of this carol really means something like “Gentlemen, may God keep you all joyful.” [\[9\]](#_carols) Although nobody is sure who wrote this song, the way it was written makes it sound older than it probably is. Since it was printed in 1833, [\[10\]](#_carols) people have changed a few words here and there to make the song sound better until we have what we sing today. “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” reminds us that nothing should steal our joy because we know that God sent his Son to be born as a child who would save us from Satan’s power. It then recounts the story of angels appearing to the shepherds announcing the birth of Christ and telling them to search for the Savior who would “vanquish all the friends of Satan” (that means all the sin and bad guys). With news like that, the shepherds rejoiced, left their sheep, and “went to Bethlehem straightway.” When they arrived, they saw Jesus in a manger with his mother Mary kneeling at his side, and they began to worship him. The carol ends by calling us to sing praises to the Lord and to embrace each other “with true love and brotherhood,” remembering that the true meaning of Christmas outshines all other worries and brings us lasting comfort and joy. --- #### Works Cited \[1\] William J. Reynolds, *Christ and the Carols*, (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1967), 46. \[2\] Herbert Lockyear, *All the Trades and Occupations of the Bible*, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1969), 201. \[3\] Latin: *Gloria in excelsis Deo*. \[4\] Joe King, “‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ Named 2005 Carol of the Year,” NIU News (accessed November 25, 2013). \[5\] “Charles Wesley: Greatest Hymn Writer of All Time,” *Christianity Today* (accessed November 19, 2013). \[6\] Which means “Listen, how all the vault of heaven rings.” Robert J. Morgan, *Then Sings My Soul: Volumes 1 & 2,* (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 49. \[7\] Romans 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:45-49. \[8\] Isaac Watts, *Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts,* ed. Stephen Hutcheson (accessed November 19, 2013). \[9\] Joseph Bottum, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlement?” *National Review*, (accessed November 19, 2013). \[10\] Kristi Oloffson, “Christmas Caroling,” *TIME* (accessed November 19, 2013**)**. Cf. also *Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern* ed. William Sandys, (London: Piccadilly, 1833), 102-104. **Categories:** Seasonal **Tags:** Advent, Christmas --- ### [A Fresh Perspective on Advent](https://gominno.com/blog/a-fresh-perspective-on-advent/) **Published:** November 17, 2021 **Author:** Erick Goss **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GrvT3xjFQEyJcQwRwrSg.jpg) Think about five words for a moment: *Hope. Peace. Joy. Love. Surrender.* “Well, Erick,” you might say, “Aren’t we all experts at surrender right now? It is 2020 after all.” True. We have all surrendered a lot this year. Sometimes, we welcome the opportunity for a change of pace. But most likely, you have dug your heels in and battled the change of plans or the canceled events. *Frankly, we just don’t want to give up our view of how things should go.* *In a year with so much surrender and loss, don’t those other words seem a little tone-deaf, or at least a little trite?* Job loss, change, and stress are hardly peaceful. *How are we to find joy when another story of a shuttered business or COVID casualty is in our face? And love?* Well, sadly, divorce lawyers are busy. And last, we face hope, which to the naked eye, feels in short supply. I feel a lot of that. But I also hold that in tension with Jesus’ words in John 12:24-26 (ESV), which are coming to mind more and more these days: *“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.* ***Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.*** *If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”* *How much is my life worth to me and am I willing to surrender it to the Lord? As I think about the challenges occurring around me, am I following Jesus?* *Am I where He is? Do I believe that if I serve Him, the Father will honor me?* I can’t honestly ask these questions and engage in those five words without a change in perspective. That may cause a little emotion to rise, or perhaps boil. If only it were that easy. *“Just shift your perspective,” you say? “Choose to lose your life.”* As we shared earlier this month, [emotions are part of the whole picture](https://www.gominno.com/blog/help-kids-grow-through-emotions). God made us emotional beings. So pay attention, pause, and name the feeling. *Is it annoyance? “How in the world is that going to be possible?”* *Is it hopelessness? “Changing a ‘perspective’ won’t change the dire circumstance. Period.”* *Is it a stiff arm? “I don’t have time for that and it never worked before.”* As humans, we typically see a shift in perspective as an action to do. Something we have to muster a lot of energy for—read all the books or just make a choice to see something differently. *But what if that mere act of shifting perspective wasn’t about our work or effort at all?* *What if shifting perspective was an invitation into God’s story, and why His goodness makes surrender something that’s actually appealing?* What you’ve tried in the past hasn’t worked. So why not try God’s take on hope, peace, joy, and love. I’ve learned in my life that, when I need a change, I have to sit with it for a while. Because, change is not something I do, but is God’s work in me. It means hanging out with the One I want to become like. I’m changed as I abide in Jesus. He changes me; not my willpower or commitment to change, but my time with Jesus. God invited Abram, later Abraham, to this kind of a place, though if you read the passage too quickly, you think it’s a command. In Genesis 12, God says, *“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”* But flip it around and it’s: *“I’m going to show you a land so come to this new place, away from your country (place), your people (community) and your father’s household (identity!).”* Abram wasn’t just invited by God to leave, but to join Him on a trek to a new land. And that is what led Abram to be called a “friend of God.” He made a bunch of mistakes, but he also relished in the experience of living with God in grace and forgiveness. So that leads us back to those words . . . with a different orientation of Advent. As we gather around a wreath with four candles somewhere in our home, or we watch a family in their Christmas best shuffle up to the altar at church on Sunday morning, we are *welcomed* to see God’s perspective on: **Hope:** “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV **Peace:** “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV **Joy:** “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 ESV **Love:** “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;” Lamentations 3:22 ESV You *do* nothing in this scenario. Notice the source in each of these verses: *the Lord, the Holy Spirit, Jesus.* You don’t have to try to make the seemingly impossible choice of letting the hard parts of 2020 fade away, and replace them with *“what you have to be thankful for.”* Instead, you can allow God’s view of things to cover the circumstance and see how it changes. So we wait, but we get to wait with the Light of the World. We’re like Abram, who spent his years seeking the Lord, building altars to Him, then seeking his own ways, only to be called right back to God. Only today, we wait with the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in us, and with Jesus Christ as our guide and friend. It may be painful as He promises to prune what is not needed in John 15. But it is for our good and His glory. As you talk with your kids about Advent, yes, talk about the very tangible blessings of hope, peace, joy, and love and what that looks like in their lives. That may be just what is appropriate for your kids’ ages. But as they get older, share with them the idea that our hope is not God’s. Our peace is not God’s. Same for joy and love. His is so much greater. And He invites us to it. . . . . . . . . . . *![Erick Headshot.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5Mhrts1R2Cy6nd2mM0vf.jpg)* *Erick Goss is the CEO of [Minno](http://gominno.com/), a Christian children’s media company that helps kids and families delight in God.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, From the Minno CEO, Seasonal **Tags:** Advent, Christmas --- ### [The History of Christmas](https://gominno.com/blog/history-of-christmas/) **Published:** November 10, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** *![Christmas Day - Christmas Tree](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/christmas-day-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids")* #### ***What is the history of Christmas?*** *Did you know that Christmas didn’t become an official holiday in the United States until 1870?* And you may have noticed that nowhere in the Bible is a festival of Christ’s birth celebrated. It was several hundred years after Jesus’s death that the Church created a “Feast of the Nativity,” which marked Jesus’ birth. Through the centuries, the idea of Christmas took many twists and turns. Here are some highlights of the history of Christmas: **300s AD** A church ruler named Pope Julius I is believed to have first declared Christmas to be a holiday during his reign in the 4th century, borrowing the same time frame as the winter festival celebrating the pagan god Saturn. **400s–1400s AD** By medieval times, Christmas lasted for twelve days—from Christmas Eve to [Epiphany](https://www.gominno.com/parents/the-light-of-epiphany-hope-for-the-new-year/) on January 6—marked by rest from work and celebrations. **1600s** Christmas was actually banned for a portion of time during the Puritan reign in England in the late 1600s, and the Puritans who originally settled in America did not celebrate Christmas. **1800s** By the nineteenth century, Christmas in America became something similar to what we know today! Charles Dickens wrote *A Christmas Carol,* and Washington Irving wrote *The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon*, two books that inspired the modern celebration of Christmas as a meaningful family holiday. . . . . . . . . . . > ***What is Advent?*** > > The Latin word *adventus* means “coming.” The season of Advent is a time to remember that Jesus came once and that He will come again. . . . . . . . . . . #### ***What is the history of Advent?*** *So if the Christmas holiday has a complicated history, where did Advent come from?* After Christmas began being celebrated on December 25th (in the 4th century), church leaders started to treat it similarly to Easter and asked people to worship and prepare their hearts in advance to celebrate the birth of Jesus. #### ***Christ has died, Christ has risen, and at Advent, we remember that Christ will come again.*** Advent became a time to remember that we are living between two advents: the first coming of Christ (His birth) and His second coming. Today, many Christians mark the [four weeks before Christmas as the Advent season](https://www.gominno.com/parents/4-reasons-to-start-an-advent-candle-tradition-with-your-family/), focusing each week on a different aspect of our relationship with Jesus: the hope, peace, joy, and love He brings. Advent also serves as the beginning of the liturgical calendar. . . . . . . . . . . > ***What is the liturgical calendar?*** > > The liturgical calendar, or Church calendar, is a way of understanding the year through the lens of church holidays. It helps us to mark the seasons with Scripture and stories, framing our worship during key times of the year. The seasons of the Church calendar include: Advent, Christmastide, Ordinary Time, Lent, Eastertide, Pentecost, and more Ordinary Time. . . . . . . . . . . #### **Minno Tools to Help your Family Start (or Continue) a Meaningful Advent Tradition** #### [![09738 - Poster](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/09738-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids")](http://gominno.com/christmas) Visit our [Minno Christmas Headquarters](http://gominno.com/christmas) to get these resources! ![Font - Graphics](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/font.png "- Minno Kids") **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Advent, Christmas, Church Calendar, Church History --- ### [What is All Saints Day?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-all-saints-day/) **Published:** October 27, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tbSYEfXqQJ61dGuRdmgN.jpg) It’s October! For many people, this is the season of jack-o-lanterns, autumn wreaths, decorative bowls full of candy corn, and buying costumes for the kiddos. It’s [Halloween time](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-ideas-for-no-contact-family-fun-this-halloween)! Now, whether or not your family chooses to partake in these traditions, [Halloween](https://www.gominno.com/blog/halloween-meaning-history-christianity), also known as *All Hallow’s Eve*, comes before the celebration of an often forgotten holiday: *All Saints Day. All Saints Day* is the time in the Church’s liturgical year where we remember the saints or “hallows,” martyrs of the faith, and all of those Christians who have already passed away and are presumed to be in Heaven. #### **What is All Saints Day?** It was in the eighth century that a special day was created for the feast of All Saints. This time of year was chosen, it is supposed because it was the time of barrenness on the earth [\[1\]](#_saints1). The harvest was in, the summer done, the world brown and drab and mindful of death. The snow had not yet descended to comfort and hide the bony trees or blackened fields; so with little effort, man could look about and see a meditation on death and life hereafter. Being raised Catholic, the saints and their stories were always a big part of my life. Fascinating men and women who lived their lives for Christ had huge influences within the church, and for many, were martyred for their faith. Now, as an Evangelical Christian, I hear a lot less about the saints and their stories. *Should they be forgotten?* Historically they have had a huge impact on the Church—no matter what church you attend. Maybe it’s a good thing to learn about these early Christians, and look into how they lived their lives and the many contributions they made to the Church as well as society. As I think about saints, the following verse from **Hebrews 12:1** comes to mind: > **Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.** While we are all a part of Christ’s royal priesthood ([1 Peter 2:9](http://biblia.com/books/esv/1Pe2.9 "1 Peter 2:9")), *All Saints Day* gives us an opportunity to remember Christians, throughout history, who have helped advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. #### **Learning About All Saints Day** Maybe this year our kids can learn a little more about All Saints Day, and how many of these ordinary people, as ordinary as you or I, made the ultimate sacrifice because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This week, leading up to *All Saints Day* on November 1, here are a few incredible stories of brothers and sisters in Christ who have had such an impact on the world and the church: - [The Stories of God’s People: Katharine Drexel](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-stories-of-gods-people-katharine-drexel) - [The Stories of God’s People: Ambrose](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-stories-of-gods-people-ambrose) - [Who is Francis of Assisi?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/who-is-francis-of-assisi) We have also created a printable for your family to help you think about the people in your own life who have taught you about God. Download it here, fill it out, and then let those people know you are thankful for them! You can download the [All Saints Day Free Printable here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/all-saints-day-wrap-up). --- \[1\] Newland, Mary Reed. “All Hallows’ Eve.” Chapter 19 in *The Year and Our Children* (P.J. Kenedy and Sons, 1956): 270-278. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Education, Seasonal **Tags:** Church Calendar, Fall --- ### [The Best Preschool Shows on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/the-best-preschool-shows-on-minno/) **Published:** August 27, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tFldkMRJTyiYLT0riTIs.jpg) *Looking for safe and uplifting shows for your preschooler?* Minno has several series that will encourage your little learner while bringing fun stories to life! #### **The Best Preschool Shows on Minno** #### Bible Shows for Preschoolers **+** [**Owlegories**](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) **What It’s About:** Follow along with a group of student owls as they go on adventures and learn about nature, faith, and God! **Why You’ll Like It:** Your child will love these adorable feathered friends and how they connect learning about God and the Bible to things and experiences they find in nature. **+ [Tune Time](https://www.gominno.com/series/tunetime)** **What It’s About:** Two college students offer to run their uncle’s Music Shop for the summer. When they arrive, they discover they are not alone and meet three lovable creatures called the Tunies! **Why You’ll Like It:** Colby and Rachel are fun hosts that teach kids simple lessons in faith and values through their adventures with the Tunies! #### Worship for Preschoolers **+ [Yancy’s Little Praise Party](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party)** **What It’s About:** Yancy and her friends sing songs, dance, and play instruments to celebrate that God is good! Watch, sing, shout and have a “Little Praise Party” too. **Why You’ll Like It:** Your kids will get excited about singing, dancing, and worshiping God with Yancy and friends! #### Character and Values Shows for Preschoolers **+ [Treasure Champs](https://www.gominno.com/series/treasure-champs)** **What It’s About:** Join Kari and Barry as they explore what values are, why they matter, where we can learn about them in the Bible, and how we can live them out! **Why You’ll Like It:** These sweet friends will introduce your preschooler to important treasures or values while they learn together what the Bible says about each one. **+ [Auto B Good](https://www.gominno.com/series/auto-b-good)** **What It’s About:** Join Johnny the Sports Car and all of his friends in the City of Auto as they learn lessons in friendship and character. **Why You’ll Like It:** Your child will love the fun adventures these adorable autos go on as they learn character and value lessons such as courage, kindness, and responsibility. Each episode is super fun yet teaches an explicit lesson that is sure to lead to great conversations! #### Social-Emotional Learning for Preschoolers **+ [The Adventures of Napkin Man](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-adventures-of-napkin-man)** **What It’s About:** Mr. Anthony is a thoughtful teacher that helps his students learn how to appropriately handle all of their big, and sometimes confusing, emotions. Together with his trusted superhero sidekick, Napkin Man, Mr. Anthony leads young learners on adventures that help them understand their feelings. **Why You’ll Like It:** At Minno, we want to provide fun and safe content for kids that supports growth in every area of their lives—spiritual, physical, educational, and social-emotional. [The Adventures of Napkin Man](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-adventures-of-napkin-man) portrays a positive learning environment and a trusted grown-up (Mr. Anthony) who leads preschool children on creative adventures that help them understand their feelings. #### Promote Creativity for Preschoolers **+ [Louie](https://www.gominno.com/series/louie)** **What It’s About:** *Have you ever dreamed of exploring an island or traveling to the moon? Do you yearn to race cars or talk to a friendly bear?* No problem! Everything is possible with Louie! With his help and Yoko’s, kids will learn how to draw while having fun!’ **Why You’ll Like It:** Art is known in educational circles to [greatly benefit the academic and emotional development of children](https://www.edutopia.org/video/new-studies-link-arts-crucial-cognitive-skills). The practice of art increases fine motor skills and language development while boosting a child’s creativity. Louie is a simple show that sparks imagination and invites kids into the process of learning through drawing and problem-solving. [Louie](https://www.gominno.com/series/louie) will encourage your preschooler to express their imagination as they explore all of the gifts that God gives us. **More new episodes just added!!** #### Promote Curiosity for Preschoolers **+ [Brewster the Rooster](https://www.gominno.com/series/brewster-the-rooster)** **What It’s About:** Brewster the Rooster and Maggie discover answers to questions only preschoolers ask! Through creative thinking, they come up with many possible answers to fun questions! They’ll take young viewers on a journey of discovery in a way that will not only entertain but will get their creative thinking caps on! **Why You’ll Like It:** Curiosity is a [foundational cognitive and emotional skill for preschoolers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17394580/). Children who [develop curiosity at a young age](https://www.today.com/parenting-guides/encouraging-curiosity-early-childhood-t179019) are less bored and more willing to explore and discover on their own. Brewster the Rooster teaches the joy of asking and seeking answers to questions which kids can apply to understanding the amazing world God made and exploring the Bible and what it means for their lives. **More new episodes just added!!** #### Just for Fun! (and maybe a subtle lesson or two) **+ [Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat)** **What It’s About:** Jungle Beat is a fun, family-friendly series of animated, dialogue-free episodes focusing on different animals and the bizarre situations they encounter in nature. Jungle Beat will spark not only laughter, but also wonderful conversations about perseverance, tenacity, and learning to be comfortable right where you are. **Why You’ll Like It:** There’s nothing like seeing a little one belly laugh! The crazy critters in Jungle Beat are sure to make your preschool giggle while learning how to try and try again when things don’t seem to go their way. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Now on Minno **Tags:** Minno Shows, Preschool --- ### [The Attributes of God for Kids: Holy (God is Unique and Perfect)](https://gominno.com/blog/attributes-of-god-for-kids-holy-set-apart/) **Published:** August 23, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/nino-de-la-salud-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") *What is God? Who is God? How can I know God? What does God do?* *Do those questions sound familiar?* Kids have a lot of questions about God (and quite honestly, grown-ups do too). Theologians (people who study God and His Word) use the [Attributes of God to help us understand more about God](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). The attributes are a theological category that teaches us about God’s very unique nature, the things that make Him and Him alone God. #### **Talking to Kids About the Attributes of God** As you begin to teach your kids about the attributes of God, you can describe attributes this way: *We all have attributes! They are ways we can describe ourselves. You may be fast, or tall, or short, or a twin. You may be athletic, creative, or kind. But you may be able to describe other people that way too! When we talk about God, He has attributes that belong ONLY to Him. They are the things that make Him God.* #### **God’s Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes** There are actually two types of attributes we talk about when it comes to God: communicable attributes and incommunicable attributes. God’s communicable attributes are the attributes that God has that we can also have as people! Some examples of this: God is kind, loving, and wise. Humans can also be kind, loving, and wise. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God; His communicable attributes show us how to imitate Him. In this Minno blog series, we will be taking a look at God’s incommunicable attributes, the ones that are completely unique to God. These are attributes that only describe God, nothing, and no one else. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at six attributes of God and helping you frame these ideas for kids. #### **Why Learn the Attributes of God?** *Why learn the attributes?* God is beyond our understanding, and yet through His Word, He has given us the ability to [learn about Him and to know Him](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). Kids are concrete thinkers, and so when we start talking about how God is “all-knowing” and “all-present” they may have trouble grasping those BIG concepts. And yet, it’s important that kids understand who God is as they build a resilient faith. So we’ll be digging in using kid-friendly language and ideas for teaching your kids about our wonderful, incredible God! The beauty of teaching kids about God and faith is that we can learn right alongside them. So lean in and open your heart to what God wants to teach you about who He is! *Ready?* Let’s go! #### Attribute: Holy (God is Unique and Perfect) #### Key Verse: Revelation 15:4 (NIV) Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” #### Define It:Holy To be holy means to be unique, separate from all other things, and absolutely pure and perfect. #### Know It: God is holy, which means He is distinct from every other thing. His holiness means that nothing can make Him less perfect, even when He dwells with us. Because God is holy, He is untouchable by sin. God’s holiness is a reason to worship Him! #### Talk About It: Ask your kids: *when you think about the word “holy,” what do you think of?* They may think of songs you sing in church a lot. *Holy Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty* or *O Holy Night* might come to mind. We say the word “holy” A LOT at church. We pray to “Holy Father,” we say “Holy Spirit,” we talk about how Jesus was holy. But what does it mean to be holy? And can we be holy? When we’re talking about God, the word holy means two things. First, it means God is distinct and different from everything else that ever was or ever will be. He’s the only God, and He is separate from His creation. Second, it means that God cannot be corrupted or made to be anything less than holy by sin. He’s uniquely perfect, totally untouched by sin. That means that Jesus is too! And because Jesus is holy, when He died on the cross for us, He gives us His holiness. Only the holy can be with God. 1 Corinthians 1:30 tells us that when we are in Jesus, He becomes our holiness! That means we can stand before God and God sees the holiness and righteousness of Jesus instead of our sin. Here are a few verses that you can read together and talk about: **Leviticus 20:26 (NIV)** You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. **1 Samuel 2:2 (NIV)** “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” **Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)** And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” **Mark 1:24 (NIV)** “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” #### Pray: Spend some time praying to our Holy God. Praise Him for His attributes, including His holiness, and ask Him to help you see Him more clearly this week. . . . . . . . . . #### Read more posts in the Attributes of God for Kids Series ![attributes of god for kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/prayer-blog-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") [God is Omniscient (All-Knowing)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omniscient-all-knowing/?s%3Dkindergarten%26preview%3Dtrue%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D) [God is Eternal (Forever)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-eternal/) [God is Unity (Three-in-One)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-unity-three-in-one/) [God is Omnipresent (Everywhere)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omnipresent-everywhere/) [God is Immutable (Unchanging)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-immutable-unchanging/) God is Holy (Set-Apart) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories **Tags:** Attributes of God, Bible Teaching, Family Devotions, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Theology --- ### [Courage: What to Say to Help Kids Do the Right Thing](https://gominno.com/blog/courage-help-kids-do-the-right-thing/) **Published:** August 18, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ebAm1RUERJOn1l5u9kJW.jpg) I remember so clearly, as if it was yesterday, those times in middle and high school when I was faced with moments where I had decisions to make. *Should I go along with the crowd or stand up for what I knew in my heart was right, even if it meant losing cool points or even losing friends?* When a group of friends was making fun of a less popular girl for what she was wearing (because it didn’t fit their very narrow view of what was trendy). When friends brought alcohol to a party (and I had promised my parents there would be none). When another friend brought a dirty magazine to school (and passed it around in art class underneath the teacher’s nose). When my friends were going somewhere I knew my parents wouldn’t approve of (and I’d have to lie to them to be able to go). I have always had a pretty strong sense of self and a strong moral compass, but I can’t say that I *always* made the right choice. It takes a lot of courage to be the one to stand up and say no when “everybody’s doing it.” I could list hundreds of these character-defining moments from my own adolescence. We know our kids are going to face these moments because we all did. Honestly, we *still* do. Moments when the PTA meeting turns to gossip. Moments when a co-worker tells a racist or vulgar joke around the water cooler and everyone else is laughing. It’s still a struggle to stand up for what we know is right today. As Christian parents, we all *teach* our kids right from wrong, but actually sticking with what’s right in tough situations can be a whole lot more difficult than our family devotional times and Sunday School lessons make it seem. *So how in the world can we teach our kids to have the courage to stand up for what is right when everyone around them is going with the flow?* #### **Courage: What to Say (and Do) to Help Kids Do the Right Thing** **Talk to Them BEFORE They Get into those Situations** At the family dinner table or during family devotional time, or even just when you’re driving around town and have that precious alone time with them in the car, talk to your children about what they would do in hard situations. Give them real-life, age-appropriate scenarios. Ask them what they would do if they found money that didn’t belong to them, or if a friend asked for help cheating on a test, or they saw someone being bullied on the playground or in the cafeteria. Talk through what they could say or do in those situations, even helping them come up with actual lines they could say in a difficult situation. My oldest son is getting to that age when guys are starting to talk about girls. We’ve gone over what he could say if his friends make inappropriate comments about girls’ bodies, but in a way that won’t make him seem dorky or lame. I gave him a few suggestions, but let *him* come up with ideas that *he* felt comfortable with. We have brainstormed things he could say in all kinds of scenarios —if someone offers him drugs or if someone tries to show him something inappropriate on a phone, etc. These scenarios may seem scary, but these days they are happening to our kids younger and younger. The key is being able to prepare him *before* he gets into those situations because the biggest reason kids just “go along with it” is because they simply don’t know what else to do or say in the moment because they have never thought about it before. Keep it age-appropriate, but don’t be afraid to talk about hard things, because you need to prepare your kids *before* they happen. We started preparing our children for difficult situations in age-appropriate ways very young because we had family and friends who had been abused as young children but didn’t even know it was abuse because no one had ever talked to them about it. The same is true for teaching our kids how to stand up for what is right. Start young and talk to them at their level, using real-life scenarios that could actually happen to them. Because we discuss possible scenarios, our kids talk to us when something does happen at school or otherwise and we debrief with them about how they responded and what they could have done differently. **Show them Role Models of Courage in Scripture** We named our oldest son Caleb, not only because I love what it means in Hebrew (“all heart”), but because of the courage of the Bible character after which he is named. Caleb and Joshua were the only two people who stood up for what was right when their *whole country* full of people were doubting God’s power, plan, and promises. When Moses sent the twelve spies to check out the Promised Land, ten of them came back and said the people of that land were too strong, there was no way they could defeat them. But Caleb said, “We can *certainly* do it . . . The Lord is with us, do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 13:26-14:38). Just like David with Goliath, but hundreds of years before, Caleb had no doubt that if God was with them, they would be victorious, no matter how big the enemy was. But the people pushed back, in a much more intense peer-pressure situation than most of us have ever been in. The people were so upset with Caleb and Joshua that they decided to stone them to death (Numbers 14:10)! But they stood firm on their faith in God and He supernaturally intervened, appearing in all His glory at the tent of meeting. It’s an incredible story of two men who had incredible courage in the face of severe opposition . . . even from their own friends and family. We remind our Caleb of the courage of the biblical Caleb every chance we get. We tell him that we chose that name on purpose, praying that God would give him the same heart, the same spirit, and the same courage as the Caleb of Numbers. The one of whom God said, “my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me with his whole heart” (Numbers 14:24). We have been repeating that [verse](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-courage) to him and praying it over him since he was a baby. The Bible is full of stories of people like Caleb and Joshua. We named our other two children after two of them. Elijah, who had the courage to stand on top of Mt. Carmel by himself and challenge 450 prophets of Baal to prove whose God was real (1 Kings 18). Abigail, who had the courage to go behind her wicked husband’s back, approach David and his mighty men, and strike a deal with him to save her entire household full of people (1 Samuel 25). There are hundreds of [stories](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-courage) of people in the Bible who chose to do the right thing in the face of extremely dangerous circumstances. When we share these stories with our children and talk openly about how scary those situations would have been for those people and how they did what was right anyway, we [inspire](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-bible-verses-for-more-courageous-kids) them to respond to difficult situations in their lives with the courage of the Lord as well. [Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes) is a fun and educational video series on Minno about courageous characters in the Bible. [Old Testament Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional) is a 25-episode series from Minno’s easy-to-use [5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals) resource that gives you a new story every day for almost a month, or every week for almost six months, to share with your kids during your family devotional time! **Show them Role Models of Courage in the World** Talk to your kids about women like [Rosa Parks](https://www.ducksters.com/biography/women_leaders/rosa_parks.php), men like [The Greensboro Four](http://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/post/greensboro-four), or children like [Ruby Bridges](https://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_rights/ruby_bridges.php) who had the courage to stand up for what was right in everyday situations during the Civil Rights Movement. Seeing everyday people, especially children their age, who had the courage to stand up for what is right in the world can inspire them to see how they can stand up for what is right in their world. Talk to them about Church History role models of courage like [Martin Luther](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-church-history-and-the-reformation), who stood up for the truth against the corruption of the Catholic Church at the time, or little-known women like [Florence Bonnewe](https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-nun-who-stood-up-to-henry-viii-2ccefd50919d), a nun who stood up to King Henry VIII, who was corrupting the Church of England at the time. [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) is a great video series on Minno about heroes of the faith throughout Christian History, and we even have a version in [Spanish](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters-en-espanol)! **Model Courage Yourself** As we all know about everything in parenting, values are more caught than taught. Our kids will most likely do what they *see us do*, not what we tell them to do. So, if we want our kids to be the kind of people who stand up for what is right, we have to be the kind of people who stand up for what is right. Even when it’s hard, even if it means losing friends, or a job, or something else. Talk to your kids about choices you have made that were difficult and why you made those choices. Talk to them about times you *didn’t* have the courage to do the right thing and why you wish you did. Be open with them about your mistakes and your struggles because they see them anyway, and if we talk about them in the right way, our failures can always point to God’s grace, His love, and His mercy for all of us. **Pray** We pray with our kids every morning when we drop them off at school, right before they get out of the car. That if they see someone who is sad or hurting, they would be the ones to reach out to them, or if they see anyone mistreating someone else or doing something that is wrong, they would have the courage to stand up for what is right. Pray *with* your kids and pray *for* your kids; and pray for yourself—that you will have the courage to stand up for what is right in a world where that seems to be more and more difficult every day. . . . . . . . . . . Find the helpful shows recommended in this post streaming now on [Minno](http://gominno.com/about)! If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [The Attributes of God for Kids: Immutable (God is Unchanging)](https://gominno.com/blog/attributes-of-god-for-kids-immutable-unchanging/) **Published:** August 9, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/infant-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids") *What is God? Who is God? How can I know God? What does God do?* *Do those questions sound familiar?* Kids have a lot of questions about God (and quite honestly, grown-ups do too). Theologians (people who study God and His Word) use the [Attributes of God to help us understand more about God](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). The attributes are a theological category that teaches us about God’s very unique nature, the things that make Him and Him alone God. #### **Talking to Kids About the Attributes of God** As you begin to teach your kids about the attributes of God, you can describe attributes this way: *We all have attributes! They are ways we can describe ourselves. You may be fast, or tall, or short, or a twin. You may be athletic, creative, or kind. But you may be able to describe other people that way too! When we talk about God, He has attributes that belong ONLY to Him. They are the things that make Him God.* #### **God’s Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes** There are actually two types of attributes we talk about when it comes to God: communicable attributes and incommunicable attributes. God’s communicable attributes are the attributes that God has that we can also have as people! Some examples of this: God is kind, loving, and wise. Humans can also be kind, loving, and wise. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God; His communicable attributes show us how to imitate Him. In this Minno blog series, we will be taking a look at God’s incommunicable attributes, the ones that are completely unique to God. These are attributes that only describe God, nothing, and no one else. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at six attributes of God and helping you frame these ideas for kids. #### **Why Learn the Attributes of God?** *Why learn the attributes?* God is beyond our understanding, and yet through His Word, He has given us the ability to [learn about Him and to know Him](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). Kids are concrete thinkers, and so when we start talking about how God is “all-knowing” and “all-present” they may have trouble grasping those BIG concepts. And yet, it’s important that kids understand who God is as they build a resilient faith. So we’ll be digging in using kid-friendly language and ideas for teaching your kids about our wonderful, incredible God! The beauty of teaching kids about God and faith is that we can learn right alongside them. So lean in and open your heart to what God wants to teach you about who He is! *Ready?* Let’s go! #### Attribute: Immutable (God is Unchanging) #### Key Verse: Hebrews 13:18 *Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.* #### Define It: Immutability (Em-mute-a-bill-eh-tee) Immutability means not being able to change. #### Know It: God’s immutability means that He cannot and will not change. God is perfect, therefore He has no reason or ability to change. God is also eternal, which means He has always been the same (perfect) and will always be the same (perfect). #### Talk About It: Immutability is a big word, and the concept of never-changing is a wild one for kids (and grown-ups) to understand. Because what is our life characterized by if not change? Start by asking your kids to think about some things that have changed for them recently. Maybe they made new friends, or got a new teacher, or tried a new sport. Maybe they got a haircut or a puppy. Ask them to think of some good changes and some hard changes. Then talk about things that always stay the same (or at least seem to!). Hopefully, they’ll say things like “our family” or “how much mom and dad love me.” Answers like those are great jumping-off points to talk about how God’s unchangingness means that He will never fail us. God’s love will never change! Even when so many other things in life change, we can trust in the God who loves us with an unchanging and everlasting love. **Here are a few verses about God’s immutability that you can read together and talk about:** **Numbers 23:19 (NIV)** *God is not human, that he should lie,* *not a human being, that he should change his mind.* *Does he speak and then not act?* *Does he promise and not fulfill?* **1 Samuel 15:29 (NIV)** *He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.* **Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NIV)** *I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.* **Malachi 3:6 (NIV)** *I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.* **James 1:17 (NIV)** *Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.* #### Pray: Spend some time praying together and thanking God that He never changes. Ask Him to help you remember that His love for you will never change. . . . . . . . . . #### Read more posts in the Attributes of God for Kids Series ![attributes of god for kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/prayer-blog-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") [God is Omniscient (All-Knowing)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omniscient-all-knowing/?s%3Dkindergarten%26preview%3Dtrue%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D) [God is Eternal (Forever)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-eternal/) [God is Unity (Three-in-One)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-unity-three-in-one/) [God is Omnipresent (Everywhere)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omnipresent-everywhere/) [God is Immutable (Unchanging)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-immutable-unchanging/) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories **Tags:** Attributes of God, Bible Teaching, Discipleship, Family Devotions, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Theology --- ### [The Right Kind of Hero](https://gominno.com/blog/the-right-kind-of-hero/) **Published:** August 5, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Photograph - Getty Images](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/photograph-1024x580.jpg "- Minno Kids") by [Katie Blackburn](https://katiemblackburn.com/) *“Mom, can I have my own YouTube channel?”* my eight-year-old daughter asked me one afternoon, as casually as if she were asking for a snack. *“What?”* My eyes grew bigger. *“Your own YouTube channel? Sweetheart, no.”* *“But mom, lots of kids have them,”* she responded in protest, going on to recite a few popular names from her favorite YouTube channels, families who travel all over the world or do fun challenges in their backyards, or girls that are similar ages who do, indeed, have their own channels. *“What would you do with your own YouTube channel?”* I asked. *“I don’t know, talk about things, sing a few songs, show people how to do crafts.”* *“Well honey,”* I smiled back at her, *“If those are your passions you will have to find a way to do them face to face with your friends for now because we are not starting a YouTube channel.”* *“I thought you would say that,”* she said back, leaving the room and our quick conversation unsurprised at my answer. *When did she start thinking she was capable of having her own internet channel?* I thought to myself. I had let her watch a few family-friendly channels before, and together we took in videos of an adorable family snorkeling with the fish in Australia, and another family determined to stay on their backyard trampoline for a full 24 hours. We’ve had lots of conversations about the dangers of the internet, and she’s always been very receptive to the boundaries we have when it comes to her use and supervision there. *But her own channel?* While I can only smile at her show of confidence, in that conversation I realized how quickly a child can go from “this is fun to watch” to “I bet I can do that”—and it gave me the conviction I needed to make sure I was doing all I could to put a different kind of hero in her line of vision. #### **A Change in Focus** In hindsight, I should not have been surprised at my daughter’s question. A [2017 study](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3617062/children-turn-backs-on-traditional-careers-in-favour-of-internet-fame-study-finds/) found that nearly 75% of children ages 6-17, when asked about their future career aspirations, answered that they wanted to be some kind of social media star—a YouTuber, blogger or vlogger, or pop star. That’s telling data, and I had to admit it appeared to be true in my own home. And while I know that a child’s career choice is ultimately not up to or dependent on parents, I knew I could do at least one thing to ensure she had a bigger picture of influence than what the internet would show her; I could put a different kind of hero in front of her, the people who saw their lives with one clear vision: *from God, and for God*. I set out to find new resources and creative ways to talk to my children about the missionaries, servant-leaders, and other [ordinary people that God has used in extraordinary ways](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-amazing-women-in-church-history/). We found children’s biographies on people like Amy Carmicheal, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, George Washington Carver, Gladys Aylward, and George Mueller. [We watched movies, learned about the historical period in which they lived](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters/), and talked about the grand adventure God took them on—from war zones in foreign countries to the jungles of South America to plantations in the southern United States—and the ways he performed miracles and gave supernatural provision every step of the way. As we spent more and more time immersed in these stories, I saw my kids beginning to see them as far more fascinating than the YouTube content. I heard my daughter talking about these heroes with her friends and grandparents, showing them on maps the places we had learned about and what God had done there; and I watched as my five-year-old son retold the story of George Mueller and his orphanage being out of milk and food and gathering the children to pray when a knock at the door and a milkman’s delivery cart gave them an immediate and miraculous answer. #### **A Change in Aspiration** And then one day, when I picked my daughter up after a morning of playing at a friend’s house, my friend told me that when she went to check on our girls, she found them playing with dolls and Barbies—except they weren’t immersed in some grand and dramatic scene in the dream house or by the hotel pool; these Barbie dolls were missionaries, braving dangerous places to tell people about a good God. I know that the world is going to continue to offer glitzy entertainment and quick hits of affirmation to my children, promising far more than the slow, mostly-overlooked work of humble missionary or service life. I know, because I am not above the desire to want the former things myself. But I also have seen the response when they have a different kind of hero to look at; how when they hear of the miraculously answered prayers in the lives of real men and women, they want to pray big prayers, too. #### **The Best Story Wins** John Qunicy Adams has famously said, ***“Whoever tells the best story wins.”*** As followers of Christ, *we have the best story*. It’s one of a world intended for perfect fellowship, broken by sin and selfishness, and saved by a humble King. It’s the only story of real hope the world will ever have, and the layers of adventures within that narrative are endless. When we share the stories of the brave men and women who risked everything to tell others about this hope, who took leaps of faith and were caught by the miraculous hands of God, who withstood hardship and counted everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, we give them the chance to go from *“this is a great story”* to *“I bet I could do that.”* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [Women of the Bible: 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/women-of-the-bible-5-minute-family-devotional-plan/) **Published:** August 2, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Organism - Comics](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/organism.png "- Minno Kids") Minno 5 Minute Family Devotionals are back with a brand new series on [Women of the Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/)! This 8-day family devotional plan follows Bible stories from the popular show, Holy Moly, with lessons of love, strength, and perseverance featuring strong women of the Bible. #### **[Holy Moly: Women of the Bible 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/) Episodes** **1. Sarah** Learn about **God’s promises** in this family devotional featuring the story of **Sarah and Abraham**. **2. Rebekah** Learn about **trusting God’s plan** in this family devotional featuring the story of **Isaac and Rebekah**. **3. Deborah** Learn about **finding strength in God** in this family devotional featuring the story of brave **Deborah**. **4. Ruth and Naomi** Learn about **faithfulness** in this family devotional featuring the story of **Naomi and Ruth**. **5. Esther** Learn about **standing up for what’s right** with courage in this family devotional featuring the story of **Queen Esther**. **6. The Widow** Learn about **generosity** in this family devotional featuring the story of **the widow’s offering**. **7. Mary and Martha** Learn about **putting God first** in this family devotional featuring the story of **Mary and Martha**. **8. Tabitha** Learn about **loving and serving others** in this family devotional featuring the story of **Tabitha**. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing?s%3D5%20Minute%26s%3Dpeace%26s%3Dkindergarten%26preview%3Dtrue%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%26%3Cinput%20type%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Family Devotions, Holy Moly, Women of the Bible --- ### [The Characteristics of Good Friendship (in honor of International Friendship Day)](https://gominno.com/blog/the-characteristics-of-good-friendship-in-honor-of-international-friendship-day/) **Published:** July 27, 2021 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Characteristics-of-Good-Friendship-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids") My family recently loaded up our mini-van and took a little road trip to visit my mom, my younger sister, and her family. Due to the various COVID-19 restrictions, it had been roughly two years since we last saw them. It was so good to reunite and celebrate our relationship in person after such a lengthy span of phone calls and online conversations. While we made new memories with plenty of swimming in the pool, games played on the living room floor, and many jokes told at the dinner table, I was especially grateful for the chance to talk 1-on-1 with my eldest niece. A young lady entering Grade 8 this fall, she has always held a special place in my heart, giving me my first experience as an uncle. But with a family move last winter and intermittent school closures due to the pandemic, this past year has been anything but special for her, understandably. #### **A Child’s Need for Friendship** At such a crucial stage in her personal development, the challenge of physically adjusting from one home to another is surpassed only by the difficulty of transitioning socially, leaving one group of peers, and now having to create new friendships. As you can imagine for any kid becoming a teenager, this can be a frightening reality. Despite my sister and brother-in-law assuring their daughter she will make friends quite easily, my niece continues to hold worry and skepticism. After all, in just over a month she will soon return to a school where she spent only parts of last year in the classroom, while many other kids had already established longstanding friendships before her arrival and the introduction of virtual learning filling the school program. During our visit, my niece and I were able to hang out together and chat about life. It was in our conversation I relayed my experience of moving at the age of 10 and again two years later, sharing my hardship of making new friends in different environments at a similar age as hers. With my finest uncle’s charm, I aimed to stress how she will thrive in her new surroundings and school, making friends easily and happily. Given her infectious positivity, her core values, inviting smile, and her kind, encouraging willingness to help others, I am sure she will catch the interest of her classmates, teachers, and neighbors as she continues settling into her family’s new community. While *faith* and *family* might gain the most attention in the 3-F triad, I have no doubt she will satisfy the desire of so many around her who seek true and meaningful *friendship*. #### **The Critical Role of Friendship** *Friends certainly do play such a vital part in our lives, don’t they?* Always there to talk to, a shoulder to lean on, a buddy to hang out with and someone we can count on in times of need, friends become the family in our lives that we actually get to choose. As we prepare to recognize *International Friendship Day* on July 30, we can appreciate the critical role friends hold in our personal growth. Particularly during these pandemic times, people of every age have possibly valued friendships even more, as we have faced both physical and social obstacles that have caused our connections to suffer. Perhaps young people have suffered the most, however. Dealing with anything from wearing masks to physical distancing, limits on group gathering sizes, or family decisions to reduce social interaction outside the home, youth have seen their friendships impacted despite the many methods of communication available today. But no matter the hurdles COVID-19 has introduced to such relationships, the blessing of friendship will never lose its vocational duties. (*1 Peter 4:8-10*) As reflections of God’s love, we are [called to mirror Christ](https://mattcharbonneau.com/2017/09/30/mirror-mirror/) to everyone in friendship. If we are disciples of Jesus, we must fulfill the invitation and expectation to live His teachings clearly through [love for our neighbor](https://mattcharbonneau.com/2020/03/29/living-clearly/). Revealing the Gospel through our daily living, we can better help our friends live with God and follow His light, no matter the circumstances or challenges. *So just how do we do this?* #### **The Characteristics of Good Friendship** Well, simply put, **displaying virtues** is not a bad strategy at all. Patience and peacefulness, honesty, and humility are just some characteristics that can embody Christ to those we encounter and will definitely present a welcoming vibe. St. Paul wrote about [these and other qualities](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzXy_97tyDI) centuries ago in his letter to the Colossians. (*Colossians 3:12-15*) **Living out Jesus’ Beatitudes** is also a slam-dunk recipe for strong, healthy friendships. (*Matthew 5:1-12*) Indeed, promoting justice, peace, and empathy should garner top votes for the “Fantastic Friend Award.” **Offering comfort** when needed and **providing words of encouragement** are important when demonstrating good friendship. Yet, foundational friendship can be shown through steering others in the right direction, guiding them towards God and His holy light by living out His Holy Spirit ourselves. In today’s times that can include frustration and despair, friends are greatly needed and truly appreciated in helping us remain determined and optimistic. Lifted up by those around us displaying the Golden Rule (*Luke 6:31*), we can better live friendship to anyone in need. *What ideas do you have for how to live a life of friendship with others?* Feel free to share them with us at Minno. **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Child Development, Friendship, Parenting --- ### [The Attributes of God for Kids: Omnipresent (God is Everywhere)](https://gominno.com/blog/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omnipresent-everywhere/) **Published:** July 26, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** *![Classroom - Cultural diversity](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cultural-diversity-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids")* *What is God? Who is God? How can I know God? What does God do?* *Do those questions sound familiar?* Kids have a lot of questions about God (and quite honestly, grown-ups do too). Theologians (people who study God and His Word) use the [Attributes of God to help us understand more about God](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). The attributes are a theological category that teaches us about God’s very unique nature, the things that make Him and Him alone God. #### **Talking to Kids About the Attributes of God** As you begin to teach your kids about the attributes of God, you can describe attributes this way: *We all have attributes! They are ways we can describe ourselves. You may be fast, or tall, or short, or a twin. You may be athletic, creative, or kind. But you may be able to describe other people that way too! When we talk about God, He has attributes that belong ONLY to Him. They are the things that make Him God.* #### **God’s Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes** There are actually two types of attributes we talk about when it comes to God: communicable attributes and incommunicable attributes. God’s communicable attributes are the attributes that God has that we can also have as people! Some examples of this: God is kind, loving, and wise. Humans can also be kind, loving, and wise. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God; His communicable attributes show us how to imitate Him. In this Minno blog series, we will be taking a look at God’s incommunicable attributes, the ones that are completely unique to God. These are attributes that only describe God, nothing, and no one else. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at six attributes of God and helping you frame these ideas for kids. #### **Why Learn the Attributes of God?** *Why learn the attributes?* God is beyond our understanding, and yet through His Word, He has given us the ability to [learn about Him and to know Him](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). Kids are concrete thinkers, and so when we start talking about how God is “all-knowing” and “all-present” they may have trouble grasping those BIG concepts. And yet, it’s important that kids understand who God is as they build a resilient faith. So we’ll be digging in using kid-friendly language and ideas for teaching your kids about our wonderful, incredible God! The beauty of teaching kids about God and faith is that we can learn right alongside them. So lean in and open your heart to what God wants to teach you about who He is! *Ready?* Let’s go! #### Attribute: Omnipresent (God is Everywhere) #### Key Verse: #### **Psalm 139:7–10** Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. #### Define It: Omnipresence (Ohm-nee-prez-en-ss) Omnipresence means being everywhere, all the time. #### Know It: God’s omnipresence means that He is present everywhere, all the time. His presence is not limited by time or space. Because God created the universe, He is above all things and holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). #### Talk About It: Start by asking your kids a fun question, like “if you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?” Then ask if they can name some of the special qualities of God (His attributes) that are SUPER and unlike anything we can do as humans. One of those is omnipresence, that God is present everywhere, all the time! This, like many of God’s incommunicable attributes, can be really hard for kids (and grown-ups) to understand. But what’s important for kids to understand is not the ontological and theological concepts that define omnipresence, but what it means for them and their relationship with God. And God’s omnipresence means that He is always there for us. There is never a place we can go or a thought we can think that God doesn’t know, and He loves us regardless. There’s not a place we can go or thought we can think that makes God love us any less! Here are a few verses that you can read together and talk about: **1 Kings 8:27 (NIV)** “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” **Jeremiah 23:23–24 (NIV)** Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. **2 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV)** What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” #### Pray: Spend some time praying together about God’s omnipresence. Ask Him to show you the ways that He is always near to you. . . . . . . . . . #### Read more posts in the Attributes of God for Kids Series ![attributes of god for kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/prayer-blog-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") [God is Omniscient (All-Knowing)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omniscient-all-knowing/?s%3Dkindergarten%26preview%3Dtrue%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D%3D) [God is Eternal (Forever)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-eternal/) [God is Unity (Three-in-One)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-unity-three-in-one/) [God is Omnipresent (Everywhere)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omnipresent-everywhere/) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories **Tags:** Attributes of God, Bible Teaching, Discipleship, Family Devotions, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Theology --- ### [RBG Podcast: Amy Fenton and Family, Hope for Single Moms](https://gominno.com/blog/podcast-hope-for-single-moms/) **Published:** July 20, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/andy-gullahorn.png "- Minno Kids") #### Raising Boys and Girls Podcast: Intentional Conversations #### with Amy Fenton and Family If you haven’t already, listen to the podcast now: [![listen-on-apple-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pLkhxRVQ2C1wO3S7NArZ.jpg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369) [![listen-on-google-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9fiRkqrBQ9eYEELKdBqp.jpg)](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcmVteWtpZHNvbnRyYWNrLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz) [![listen-on-spotify.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sJJxdB9TnS2mcgcORJni.jpg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/5zTYu7YaNrjh3WR5dmNbGM) . . . . . . . . . . The [Raising Boys & Girls podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369 "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369") is bringing you Intentional Conversations from parents and experts in the trenches! Join Sissy Goff and David Thomas this week as they visit with single mom, Amy Fenton, along with her mom and daughter. Together they offer hope for single moms and lots of ideas for sharing Jesus across generations. **Helpful Insights from the Episode** Gigi – Sandra Parker Amy Fenton – single mom, daughter of Gigi Jayden Fenton – 18, daughter of Amy **GG Camp** An opportunity for the cousins to connect. A way for the kids to interact with the grandparents without going to mom and dad all the time. ![Product - Brand](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/meter-1024x601.jpg "- Minno Kids") ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/font-768x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") . . . . . . . . . . **A lot of single parents start by thinking “NO, that’s not possible.” We need to start with “YES” and trust God to make it possible. Amy Fenton** ![Product - Font](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/industry-1024x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") . . . . . . . . . . Single parenting requires an incredible amount of faith. There are a lot of single-parent labels. Do not label yourself. . . . . . . . . . . **It doesn’t matter how much you have or don’t have. God says, “This is what I’ve given you and I want you to use it to bless others.” Amy Fenton** ![Product - Brand](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mathematics-1024x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") . . . . . . . . . . Meaningful memories become milestones that are a regular part of the rhythm of life. **Tips for Single Parents Surviving the Summer** - Plan in advance. You cannot let Summer sneak up on you. - Lean on your support community. - Find other moms to partner with and share responsibilities with. - Look at all of the things available for them to be a part of. - Schedule time for you to “vacation” with them, even if it’s a staycation. . . . . . . . . . . **Joy is a choice and you can choose it no matter what you are going through. Jayden Fenton, 18** ![Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. - United States](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/patriotism-consists-not-in-waving-the-flag-but-in-striving-that-our-country-shall-be-righteous-as-well-as-strong-1024x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") . . . . . . . . . . Acknowledge that it’s hard but remind yourself that you can still choose joy. . . . . . . . . . . **If you don’t know how to pray, just stop and say the name of Jesus. Acknowledge that He is there and He knows what you need. Gigi** ![Line - Font](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/number-1024x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") . . . . . . . . . . **Amy Fenton’s Cream of Taco Soup** Number of Servings: 8 – 10 Preparation Time: 4-6 hours **Ingredients:** 1 lb of browned ground beef 1 half-pint of whipping cream (yes, I did say whipping cream) 1 lb Velveeta (I use the mild Mexican) – cube and melt in the microwave 2 cans of chili (no beans) 2 can of chili hot beans (found in the bean section, not the chili section) 1 can of Rotel **Instructions:** Put all ingredients in the Crock-Pot on medium heat for a few hours or low heat if cooking all day, allowing the cream to heat and thicken the mixture. Stir occasionally. Place in a bowl and put chili cheese Fritos on top. You can top with sour cream, shredded cheese, pico, lettuce, etc . . . It is even better reheated and it is a Halloween favorite at our house. Makes enough to share with all the neighbors. [![listen-on-apple-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pLkhxRVQ2C1wO3S7NArZ.jpg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369) [![listen-on-google-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9fiRkqrBQ9eYEELKdBqp.jpg)](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcmVteWtpZHNvbnRyYWNrLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz) [![listen-on-spotify.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sJJxdB9TnS2mcgcORJni.jpg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/5zTYu7YaNrjh3WR5dmNbGM) **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Podcast **Tags:** Intentional Parenting, Raising Boys and Girls, Single Moms --- ### [The Attributes of God for Kids: Unity (God is Three-in-One)](https://gominno.com/blog/attributes-of-god-for-kids-unity-three-in-one/) **Published:** July 12, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** *![Olive Crest - Olive Crest](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/olive-crest-1024x578.jpg "- Minno Kids")* *What is God? Who is God? How can I know God? What does God do?* *Do those questions sound familiar?* Kids have a lot of questions about God (and quite honestly, grown-ups do too). Theologians (people who study God and His Word) use the [Attributes of God to help us understand more about God](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). The attributes are a theological category that teaches us about God’s very unique nature, the things that make Him and Him alone God. #### **Talking to Kids About the Attributes of God** As you begin to teach your kids about the attributes of God, you can describe attributes this way: *We all have attributes! They are ways we can describe ourselves. You may be fast, or tall, or short, or a twin. You may be athletic, creative, or kind. But you may be able to describe other people that way too! When we talk about God, He has attributes that belong ONLY to Him. They are the things that make Him God.* #### **God’s Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes** There are actually two types of attributes we talk about when it comes to God: communicable attributes and incommunicable attributes. God’s communicable attributes are the attributes that God has that we can also have as people! Some examples of this: God is kind, loving, and wise. Humans can also be kind, loving, and wise. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God; His communicable attributes show us how to imitate Him. In this Minno blog series, we will be taking a look at God’s incommunicable attributes, the ones that are completely unique to God. These are attributes that only describe God, nothing, and no one else. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at six attributes of God and helping you frame these ideas for kids. #### **Why Learn the Attributes of God?** *Why learn the attributes?* God is beyond our understanding, and yet through His Word, He has given us the ability to [learn about Him and to know Him](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). Kids are concrete thinkers, and so when we start talking about how God is “all-knowing” and “all-present” they may have trouble grasping those BIG concepts. And yet, it’s important that kids understand who God is as they build a resilient faith. So we’ll be digging in using kid-friendly language and ideas for teaching your kids about our wonderful, incredible God! The beauty of teaching kids about God and faith is that we can learn right alongside them. So lean in and open your heart to what God wants to teach you about who He is! *Ready?* Let’s go! #### Attribute: Unity (God is Three-In-One) #### Key Verse: Matthew 28:19 (ESV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” #### Define It: Unity (You-neh-tee) Unity is the unique attribute that describes how God is three persons in one God, the co-equal and co-existing Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. #### Know It: God’s unity shows us that He is the one and only God. But it also teaches us that the three persons in God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) are one in God. God is three-in-one. God cannot be divided or separated. The members of the Trinity are the same person, and because they are all God, they cannot be divided. #### Talk About It: *Confusing?* It is, and it is one of the beautiful mysteries of faith. But talking to your kids about the Trinity doesn’t have to be that hard! *Why?* Because it’s okay if they have questions that you can’t answer because when it comes to the Trinity, we ALL have questions that we can’t answer. It is a doctrine (a belief) that has been debated and codified down through Church history. In fact, many heresies (false teachings) throughout history have been about the Trinity! *Why?* Because it is so confusing. One general tip is to avoid using illustrations because usually our human illustrations don’t adequately explain God and could even suggest a heresy. But that makes it even harder for us as parents, because kids really love to learn by illustrations! So here are a few ideas for introducing your kids to the concept of God’s unity: *Did you know that God gave us His whole Word, the Bible, to teach us about Him? One of the things the Bible teaches us is that God is the one and only God. But even though He is the one and only God, He is three-in-one! The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And it may be confusing or hard for us to understand, but we know it’s true because the Bible tells us it is. Here are some verses that help us see how God is the one true God, and He is three-in-one.* **Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV)** “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one” **Matthew 3:16–17 (ESV)** And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” **John 17:20–23 (ESV)** “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one” **1 Corinthians 8:6 (ESV)** Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. #### Pray: Spend some time praising God for His unity, and how He is three-in-one. Ask Him to help you understand the trinity better and to help you grow in faith and trust in Him. . . . . . . . . . #### Read more posts in the Attributes of God for Kids Series ![attributes of god for kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/prayer-blog-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") [God is Omniscient (All-Knowing)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omniscient-all-knowing/) [God is Eternal (Forever)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-eternal/) [God is Unity (Three-in-One)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-unity-three-in-one/) [God is Omnipresent (Everywhere)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omnipresent-everywhere/) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories **Tags:** Attributes of God, Bible Teaching, Discipleship, Family Devotions, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., The Trinity, Theology --- ### [The Attributes of God for Kids: Eternal (Forever)](https://gominno.com/blog/attributes-of-god-for-kids-eternal/) **Published:** June 28, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![Summer-M - Patience](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/summer-m.jpg "- Minno Kids") *What is God? Who is God? How can I know God? What does God do?* *Do those questions sound familiar?* Kids have a lot of questions about God (and quite honestly, grown-ups do too). Theologians (people who study God and His Word) use the [Attributes of God to help us understand more about God](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). The attributes are a theological category that teaches us about God’s very unique nature, the things that make Him and Him alone God. #### **Talking to Kids About the Attributes of God** As you begin to teach your kids about the attributes of God, you can describe attributes this way: *We all have attributes! They are ways we can describe ourselves. You may be fast, or tall, or short, or a twin. You may be athletic, creative, or kind. But you may be able to describe other people that way too! When we talk about God, He has attributes that belong ONLY to Him. They are the things that make Him God.* #### **God’s Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes** There are actually two types of attributes we talk about when it comes to God: communicable attributes and incommunicable attributes. God’s communicable attributes are the attributes that God has that we can also have as people! Some examples of this: God is kind, loving, and wise. Humans can also be kind, loving, and wise. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God; His communicable attributes show us how to imitate Him. In this Minno blog series, we will be taking a look at God’s incommunicable attributes, the ones that are completely unique to God. These are attributes that only describe God, nothing and no one else. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at six attributes of God and helping you frame these ideas for kids. #### **Why Learn the Attributes of God?** *Why learn the attributes?* God is beyond our understanding, and yet through His Word, He has given us the ability to [learn about Him and to know Him](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). Kids are concrete thinkers, and so when we start talking about how God is “all-knowing” and “all-present” they may have trouble grasping those BIG concepts. And yet, it’s important that kids understand who God is as they build a resilient faith. So we’ll be digging in using kid-friendly language and ideas for teaching your kids about our wonderful, incredible God! The beauty of teaching kids about God and faith is that we can learn right alongside them. So lean in and open your heart to what God wants to teach you about who He is! *Ready?* Let’s go! #### Attribute: Eternal (God is Forever) #### **Key Verse:** Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV) *He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.* #### Define It: Eternal (Eee-tur-nal) Lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning. #### Know It: God is eternal, which means that He always was, always is, and always will be. He has no beginning nor end. He has always been exactly the same. And He will exist forever! #### Talk About It: Ask your kids what their very first memory is. Share a memory of yours from as far back as you remember! Now ask your kids if they can imagine what the future is like. Then talk about how even if we can imagine the future, only God knows it. Isn’t it so amazing that God is truly timeless? Imagine your life on a timeline. *When were you born?* Now think back 2000 years ago to when Jesus lived. Then think about what 14 generations before that would have been, when King David was alive. And then hundreds of years before that, Abraham! But even as far back as that, God was even before. There was never, ever a time when God didn’t exist! And zooming all the way into the future, there will never, ever be a time when God doesn’t exist. Think about what it means that God has existed and will exist forever, and how He invites us to live forever with Him! When Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God put eternity into our hearts, it means that He created us with the longing to live with Him forever. John 3:16 tells us that God sent His only son, Jesus, into the world so that we can have eternal life forever with God. *Isn’t that amazing?* #### Pray: Spend a few minutes thanking God for His eternal nature. Praise Him for being the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end! Thank Him for inviting us to spend eternity with Him. . . . . . . . . . #### Read more posts in the Attributes of God for Kids Series ![attributes of god for kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/prayer-blog-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") [God is Omniscient (All-Knowing)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omniscient-all-knowing/) [God is Eternal (Forever)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-eternal/) [God is Unity (Three-in-One)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-unity-three-in-one/) [God is Omnipresent (Everywhere)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omnipresent-everywhere/) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions **Tags:** Attributes of God, Bible Teaching, Family Devotions, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Theology --- ### [Everyday Summer Celebrations](https://gominno.com/blog/everyday-summer-celebrations/) **Published:** June 25, 2021 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZKPGX0DiRRadl21VQ2mQ.jpg)* *“I want to eat cold tangerines and sing out loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift.”* *~ Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines* We’re meant to live in seasons, and each season is a gift. If spring is the season of discovery and awakening, summer is about delight, freedom, rejuvenation, play. Yet I’m the first one guilty of just trying to survive summer. I don’t live in New England or Michigan where summer is warm and balmy in the daytime and cool in the evenings, but I did grow up in New Jersey, where summer smelled of chlorine and popsicles from the Good Humor Truck at the community pool. My summers felt like cool grass underfoot, cozy sweatpants and sweatshirts after swimming all day, and chilled pruny skin. After I grew up, I lived 11 years in Texas where people hibernate inside in the summer. Now, we’re in Tennessee and this is the first summer on [our farm](https://thekindredfarm.squarespace.com/). Farm life means summer is a season of work – we face intense heat and humidity exerting our bodies outside for long hours and hustling to farmer’s markets. Still, I’ve been doing my best to soak up those simple joys of summer and make it enjoyable and magical for all of us, as this season should be. Wherever we live, we can celebrate this last month of summer in some creative ways. Here are a few ideas: #### **Everyday Family Summer Celebrations** #### **Easy Breezy Dinner** *Why heat up the house with an oven in the summer?* Change up your dinner routine with a hearty “snack plate” filled with an array of colorful summer foods. Just get out a big serving tray and pile everything on it in groups, put it in the middle of the table, and let everyone serve themselves. It’s so different from how we usually eat that our kids love being able to grab what they want and put it on their plates. Here are some ideas of what to include on your snack plate: - Seasonal summer produce: - Watermelon (make sure to squeeze some fresh lime juice over it – gamechanger!) - Cherries - Blueberries - Blackberries - Cucumbers - Peaches - Radishes - Summer Squash - Peas - Zucchini - Tomatoes - Regular hummus, or change it up with summery [beet hummus](http://dishingupthedirt.com/farm-fresh/beets/beet-hummus/) or [roasted eggplant hummus](http://dishingupthedirt.com/recipes/roasted-eggplant-hummus/) - Rice crackers or slices of bread or baguette - Soft cheese to spread, or cheese slices. - Dried fruit such as figs, apricots, or dates. - Rolled-up slices of deli turkey with basil leaves inside. - Cherry tomatoes. After dinner, send the kids outside with popsicles for dessert! #### **Backyard Wonderland** - It’s not hard or expensive to make your backyard a magical and entertaining place for kids to play all summer. With just a few simple touches, even the smallest outdoor space can be transformed. - Twinkle lights. String them from trees, poles, or whatever you have in your yard. It’s changed our summer evenings and has given every day a “celebration” feel. - On a day when my girls especially needed to be occupied, I pulled out some string and fabric scraps, and we made a super easy [fabric garland](http://greyhouseharbor.com/how-to-make-a-fabric-garland/) (no sewing required!) and hung it from our apple tree. It immediately spruced up the yard, and they love to play under it. The garland also became a backdrop for a summer birthday party. - Don’t be afraid of mud. Take a trip to a thrift store or raid your kitchen cabinets and make [this easy mud kitchen](http://www.learnwithplayathome.com/2014/03/make-your-own-simple-backyard-mud.html), and then just spray them down with the hose when they’re done. Summer is for getting dirty! - The value of a cheap, blow-up kiddie pool cannot be overstated. Add a waterslide or tarp, a sprinkler to make a fountain over the pool, and you’ve got a little backyard water park. We love letting our girls splash in the pool under the twinkle lights and stars before bed. Afterward, get some bath soap and suds them up at the end, and their bath is done too. And how about this genius idea? At night, wipe down the kiddie pool and [turn it into an outdoor lounge area](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348606827391882806/). Then you get a date night in the backyard – bonus! #### **Stories, Stories, Stories** When kids aren’t consumed with all the school assignments and activities, they can be immersed in a world of stories purely for enjoyment more than during the school year. Take advantage of this time and read and/or listen to as many stories as possible over the summer. Here are some of our favorite ways: - Visit your cool, air-conditioned, local library on a particularly scorching summer afternoon. Most kids’ libraries have areas with toys and puzzles in addition to all the books waiting to be discovered. Along with a mound of children’s books, I usually take home a lighthearted summer read for myself from the Juvenile Literature section. - Set your kids up outside on a blanket or inside under a blanket fort with some delightful children’s podcasts. Our current favorites are [Sparkle Stories](https://sparklestories.com/) and [April Eight](https://aprileight.com/), and both release free stories every week through iTunes. #### **Change Things Up** Whatever you would do inside in other seasons, do outside instead. Read your bedtime stories on the porch with a flashlight. Give your kids a bath in the backyard. Take your laptop or iPad outside for a movie, or project a movie onto a bedsheet. Let them fall asleep on a blanket on the grass next to a campfire. Because it’s summer. Because in this season, you can. Because we only have so many summers left with our children at home. And everyday life is a gift worth celebrating. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Family Time, Summer --- ### [The Measure of a Man: Thoughts on Being a Boy Dad](https://gominno.com/blog/thoughts-on-being-a-boy-dad/) **Published:** June 16, 2021 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![Talking with My Father: Jesus Teaches on Prayer - Conversation](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/talking-with-my-father-jesus-teaches-on-prayer.jpg "- Minno Kids") When working in our basement home office, I will occasionally flip through some photo albums of my childhood or look at pictures on the shelves when taking a writing or study break. Some of my favorite pictures are of me with my wife when we were first dating, photos of my grandparents, and artwork of our three kids. I hold a special, sentimental connection to some photos of me in my early youth, however. For starters, there is a striking resemblance between me and our eldest child (now aged seven). Fortunately, our son and I hold much more in common than simply our dashing good looks (okay, I’m biased). #### **The Father-Son Bond** When I look through family pictures of when I was young, I can’t help but recall a special relationship with my father growing up. I am then reminded of my great desire to have the same bond with both of our sons. Don’t get me wrong – I love our daughter with all of my heart and I am deeply blessed to have her and be her daddy, as [I recently shared](https://www.gominno.com/parents/reflecting-the-father-the-joy-of-being-a-girl-dad/?s%3Ddaughter). Yet, I also know from first-hand experience how important a strong father-son tie can be and I can only hope and pray that I may live in such a way that fosters that equally with our two boys. Whether it’s playing catch in the backyard, singing songs while driving in the van, indoctrinating them with a passion for my favorite sports teams, or telling jokes that introduce them to my sense of pun-filled humor, there are so many golden opportunities to spend quality time with my boys. Reading together, helping them with their schooling, building Lego sets, having life chats, and going for bike rides are just some of the other bonding activities that we are fortunate to practice regularly. #### **Raising Men of God** However, a dad’s bond with his sons—much like with his daughter—extends far beyond simply doing activities together and having fun. I can never discount the immense responsibility that comes with growing our union. With this in mind, teaching and raising our boys so they will grow into godly men is paramount. > *Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 NLT* #### **Fathers in the Bible** Looking at the more notable father-son duos in the Bible, one cannot deny the effect of a healthy relationship with God in their lives. Whether Noah and his three sons, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and his 12 sons, or Jesse influencing David and, by extension, his grandson Solomon . . . all of these examples show what can happen when we live a life devoted to our Heavenly Father. I was blessed to have my parents work together to teach my sisters and me so many wonderful and supportive lessons about life, always emphasizing God as our foundation. My wife and I are equally committed to doing the same for our children. The teachings we impart on our kids are most impactful if they are rooted in Jesus’ gospel messages. > *My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Proverbs 1:8 NLT* #### **The Fatherhood of Joseph** Another exemplary model that inspires strong manhood and fatherhood comes courtesy of Jesus’ earthly guardian—Joseph. Dads looking to instill positive values in their sons would be wise to emulate him in their daily journey. A man loyal in faith, Joseph is a beacon of virtue for fathers to introduce to their children, encouraging their boys to grow into strong men while presenting an ideal measure of future husband for their daughters to consider. As detailed in a [book about St. Joseph](https://www.amazon.com/What-Kind-Man-Joseph-Are/dp/0881775614/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=what+kind+of+man+is+joseph&qid=1623722961&sr=8-1) I read long ago but keep close by on my shelf, St. Joseph embodied many significant attributes. He was a man who displayed integrity and commitment, sensitivity and awareness, spiritual discipline, and righteousness. #### **The Measure of a Man** As husband to Mary, parent for Jesus, a carpenter in his community, and servant of the Lord, he humbly revealed how to live respectfully and honorably. The leader of the Holy Family and the patron saint of workers, St. Joseph’s qualities can be deemed the standard for fathers to illustrate to their sons, encouraging a path to a prosperous life promised by God. > *I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12 NLT* Hall of Fame baseball player Ernie Banks once said, *“The measure of a man is in the lives he’s touched.”* When recognizing the value of a father—once a boy who later grew into form as a man—we can look more specifically to the words of author Brian Herbert, who stated, *“How will I be remembered by my children? This is the true measure of a man.”* So as dads everywhere prepare to celebrate Father’s Day with their families, may each one enjoy the assortment of cards and crafts made by their kids, or their relaxing afternoon on the golf course, or a rare nap on the couch. But may each dad also forever treasure the bond held with his children, and how his sons in particular watch him with admiring eyes. Just as our Heavenly Abba guides us dads everywhere in our vital role, may we always hold dear our great privilege in leading our sons along the course of becoming men. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Father's Day, Fatherhood, Raising Boys --- ### [The Attributes of God for Kids: Omniscient (All-Knowing)](https://gominno.com/blog/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omniscient-all-knowing/) **Published:** June 14, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![attributes of god for kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/prayer-blog.jpg "- Minno Kids") *What is God? Who is God? How can I know God? What does God do?* *Do those questions sound familiar?* Kids have a lot of questions about God (and quite honestly, grown-ups do too). Theologians (people who study God and His Word) use the [Attributes of God to help us understand more about God](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). The attributes are a theological category that teaches us about God’s very unique nature, the things that make Him and Him alone God. #### **Talking to Kids About the Attributes of God** As you begin to teach your kids about the attributes of God, you can describe attributes this way: *We all have attributes! They are ways we can describe ourselves. You may be fast, or tall, or short, or a twin. You may be athletic, creative, or kind. But you may be able to describe other people that way too! When we talk about God, He has attributes that belong ONLY to Him. They are the things that make Him God.* #### **God’s Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes** There are actually two types of attributes we talk about when it comes to God: communicable attributes and incommunicable attributes. God’s communicable attributes are the attributes that God has that we can also have as people! Some examples of this: God is kind, loving, and wise. Humans can also be kind, loving, and wise. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God; His communicable attributes show us how to imitate Him. In this Minno blog series, we will be taking a look at God’s incommunicable attributes, the ones that are completely unique to God. These are attributes that only describe God, nothing and no one else. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at six attributes of God and helping you frame these ideas for kids. #### **Why Learn the Attributes of God?** *Why learn the attributes?* God is beyond our understanding, and yet through His Word, He has given us the ability to [learn about Him and to know Him](https://www.gominno.com/parents/5-meditations-on-the-character-of-god-for-weary-moms/). Kids are concrete thinkers, and so when we start talking about how God is “all-knowing” and “all-present” they may have trouble grasping those BIG concepts. And yet, it’s important that kids understand who God is as they build a resilient faith. So we’ll be digging in using kid-friendly language and ideas for teaching your kids about our wonderful, incredible God! The beauty of teaching kids about God and faith is that we can learn right alongside them. So lean in and open your heart to what God wants to teach you about who He is! *Ready?* Let’s go! #### **Attribute: Omniscient (God is All-Knowing)** #### **Key Verse:** Psalm 139:1–6 (ESV) *O LORD, you have searched me and known me!* *You know when I sit down and when I rise up;* *you discern my thoughts from afar.* *You search out my path and my lying down* *and are acquainted with all my ways.* *Even before a word is on my tongue,* *behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.* *You hem me in, behind and before,* *and lay your hand upon me.* *Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;* *it is high; I cannot attain it.* #### **Define It:** Omniscient (Ohmm-nish-ent) “Omni” – Latin for “all” “Scient” – Latin for “knowledge” #### **Know It:** God is omniscient, which means He is all-knowing. His knowledge is perfect and complete. He knows everything that ever was, is, or will be. It is impossible for us to understand this fully because only God knows what it is like to know everything. #### **Talk About It:** Start by asking your kids questions like “what is something that you know *a lot* about?” and wait for them to answer. Ask them if they think they know everything there is to know about that thing . . . maybe it is a sports team, or a type of animal, or a favorite book or TV show. Then ask something like, *does knowing more about that thing make you love it more?* Use their answer as a transition to talking about how God is all-knowing, or omniscient. He knows everything! Everything that has ever happened, and everything that ever will happen! But He also knows *why* and *how* things happen. In Psalm 139, David writes that God knows His words before He even speaks them! God’s knowledge is more than we can ever understand. But think about this: God knows everything, and He still loves us unconditionally. He loves us more than anything or anyone. So no matter what we do or think, He is still on our side. He promises to never leave or forsake us! #### **Pray:** Spend a few minutes praising God for His omniscience. Thank Him for knowing everything and for loving us. . . . . . . . . . #### Read more posts in the Attributes of God for Kids Series ![Summer-M - Patience](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/summer-m.jpg "- Minno Kids") [God is Omniscient (All-Knowing)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omniscient-all-knowing/) [God is Eternal (Forever)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-eternal/) [God is Unity (Three-in-One)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-unity-three-in-one/) [God is Omnipresent (Everywhere)](https://www.gominno.com/parents/attributes-of-god-for-kids-omnipresent-everywhere/) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Bible Stories **Tags:** Attributes of God, Bible Teaching, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Theology --- ### [The Best Christian Podcasts for Kids ](https://gominno.com/blog/best-christian-podcasts-for-kids/) **Published:** June 4, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![Car - Driving](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/car.jpg "- Minno Kids") *Do you feel like your kids are getting more screen time than ever?* You’re not alone! Studies have shown that screen time is surging up to [60% as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic](https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/he%20current%20guidelines%20in%20place%20were%20not%20created%20with%20a%20pandemic%20in%20mind.%20Parents%20should%20consider%20their%20child's%20age,%20interest%20and%20needs%20when%20determining%20how%20much%20screen%20time%20is%20appropriate.). And there is no guilt or shame in surviving the last year-and-a-half of safer-at-home, home school, no extracurriculars, and working from home in the middle of all of it. *We’ve all used screens more than we used to, right?* But if you are looking for ways to decrease some screen time while keeping your kids entertained and learning, try podcasts! *Did you know that there are even some really wonderful Christian podcasts for kids that teach them about God, His Word, and His love for us?* Christian podcasts are a wonderful way for children to consume important and uplifting content. Just in time for summer vacation and road trips or quiet times, we’ve listed our **top ten favorite Christian podcasts for kids**. These podcasts are available on most streaming audio services, like iTunes. #### **The Best Christian Podcasts for Kids** **1. [Kids Bible Stories Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kids-bible-stories/id1261515078)** The *Kids Bible Stories Podcast*, created by Jessica White, features enriching and engaging Bible stories that teach kids about Jesus. In each podcast, there is an application session that helps children learn how the Bible applies to their lives. [In this interview](https://curatedbycassie.com/2018/06/27/collab-kids-bible-stories-podcast/), Jessica White shares her heart behind the Kids BIble Stories podcasts and her passion to see children grow in their relationship with God. **2. [Jesus is Better](https://aliciayoder.com/tag/jesus-is-better/)** *Have you ever wondered why God included certain stories in the Bible?* The Bible is meant to show us Jesus and His glorious gospel, yet often we can end up focusing only on Bible characters with our kids. In each episode of *Jesus Is Better*, Alicia Yoder shares a passage from the Bible, looks at the choices that were made and how God is at work, and then shows how God does the same for us–only better–in Jesus. Alicia also has a blog, *Considering the Lillies*, where she discusses more in-depth each podcast episode. Alicia has a fun [channel on youtube](https://youtu.be/FO3witW5iNk) dedicated to one of the characters in the podcast, Finn the Fish! **3. [Paws and Tales](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjw5rGh8vzwAhVhRDABHaFCACgQFnoECAIQAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpawsandtales.org%2Flisten%2F&usg=AOvVaw2--lJjQibvAuG6yuvKfujx)** Creator Chuck Swindoll introduces listeners to the world of Paws and Tales. *Paws and Tales* is set in the fictional town of Wildwood, at the base of Wild Mountain and about two miles east of the “Bay of Tranquility”. *Paws and Tales* is centered around woodland critters who learn to depend on and walk with God in their everyday life. Through story and song, *Paws and Tales* serves up a cast of loveable animal characters who experience exciting adventures and learn important lessons that kids of all ages can relate to. Want to see the citizens of Wildwood? Check out [the video component](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHir76KYSqA) to the podcast episodes on youtube! **4.** [**Adventures in Odyssey**](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjk-5yt8vzwAhWFVzABHYn1Ar0QFnoECAYQAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventuresinodyssey.com%2Flisten%2F&usg=AOvVaw168D-Pjne8HSNxAm6V1Ekv) Created and produced by Focus on the Family, *Adventures in Odyssey* is fun and character-building storytelling in a podcast format. The entire family will enjoy the lessons on faith, courage, kindness, and other values. Each episode teaches the listener the importance of fully relying on God. The podcast educates children on how faith and the Gospel apply to life in every season, situation, and circumstance. Adventures in Odyssey’s motto is “bringing back biblical principles to life with just the right balance of fun, faith, and imagination.” Be sure to check out Adventures in Odyssey’s interactive website where children can watch video content on the podcast, play games, and get a behind the scene look at the podcast! **5. [God’s Big Story ](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjImPbA8vzwAhXDVTABHZVWDNYQFnoECAQQAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fgods-big-story%2Fid1497921615&usg=AOvVaw0woJoV-4vgN2EBWgR1exNP)** The Village Church wanted a way to convey the stories in the bible to young listeners in a way that would gain their interest and attention and cultivate a lifelong passion and pursuit for God’s Word. They created the podcast *God’s Big Story* to share the Bible in a way that children can understand. The mission of *God’s Big Story* is to teach young listeners that the Bible is all a part of God’s Big Story. The Village Church has a Facebook page and website dedicated to the podcasts, with resources, videos and even lesson plans to go along with the podcast episodes. **6. [Discovery Mountain ](https://discoverymountain.com/about/)** *Discovery Mountain* is a podcast that is more of “kids audio drama” centered around discussion of biblical topics while incorporating song, adventure, and mystery. *Discovery Mountain* listeners experience campfire songs and engaging storylines, but most importantly get to know and grow their relationship with Jesus. **7. [Doughnuts and Devos](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjgwbTq8vzwAhWFQjABHZlAAK0QFjAAegQIBRAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdonutsanddevos.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw2Dvs28nGEYL-W-gZ2s4YPA)** Creator of *Doughnuts and Devos* podcast Marifaith explains on her blog that the mission of *Doughnuts and Devos* is to share the truth, joy, and love of God’s Word for kids and families. The podcast aims to engage and connect families to the teachings of Jesus so they can grow in faith together. Each podcast episode is filled with engaging and Biblically sound (but also age-appropriate) material that your whole family will enjoy. *Donuts and Devos* also offers an [interactive video component](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgQ1yp68nE) to the podcast series. **8.[Truth Seekers: Bible Stories for Kids](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjL2_D38vzwAhUyTTABHQMgDd0QFnoECAMQAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Ftruth-seekers-bible-stories-for-kids%2Fid1347649088&usg=AOvVaw3YIXqA5_o64OQ9CX5NGkba)** Listen and learn as Sherilyn Grant’s *Truth Seekers* podcast takes you through many Bible stories. The host hopes to give listeners a deep understanding of the ways of the Lord; his many plans and the love that he has for humanity. The mission of the podcast is to help children see the individual stories of the Bible as part of one large story that reveals God’s redemptive plan to rescue and restore us back to Himself. Listeners can log on to the *Truth Seekers* Facebook page or Instagram page to get resources to use along while listening to the podcast! **9. [Kathy’s Kids Storytime ](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjOhpaM8_zwAhUFTDABHeITCwcQFnoECAIQAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzsprout.com%2F154146&usg=AOvVaw3hu7DqiALz0-d9l2wLa70b)** *Kathy’s Kids Storytime* is a weekly podcast for ages 3-12 where young listeners hear Ms. Kathy tell stories that share life lessons and Christian values. Every podcast episode is produced and created to make you feel like you are sitting down for a calm and cozy storytime! The *Kathy’s Kids Storytime* website features resources, videos, and arts and crafts that go along with the podcast. Be sure to check them out! They are a wonderful extension of the podcast. **10. [Kids Corner](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjT0emk8_zwAhXiQzABHXBsApgQFjAAegQIBBAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkidscorner.net%2F&usg=AOvVaw0pDRCbqKUG8FTOj2mAg3pp)** Produced and created by Reframe Ministries, *Kids Corner* is a half-hour adventure for kids (ages 6-12). The show follows Lizarardo “Liz” Lacerta and his reptilian friends in the little town of Terrene. In a quest for fun, Liz and his pals often get themselves into trouble! With the help of their parents and other grown-up lizards like Grandpa Anole and Granny Gecko, they wrestle with the challenges and drama of childhood, finding real answers in the Bible. Designed to help children find their own roles in God’s big story, the program is supported by a [lively website ](http://kidscorner.net)featuring audio Bible stories, episode devotions, and more. . . . . . . . . . . ![Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach - Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping Your Daughter Feel Braver, Stronger, and Smarter in an Anxious World](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/are-my-kids-on-track-the-12-emotional-social-and-spiritual-milestones-your-child-needs-to-reach.jpg "- Minno Kids") *Looking for a podcast for YOU?* We may be a bit biased but we highly recommend the [Raising Boys and Girls Podcast](https://www.gominno.com/category/kids-parenting/podcast/) with our friends from Daystar Counseling. We believe so deeply in the work Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan are doing with kids and families, we’ve partnered with the team to get their wisdom out to parents all over the world! Check out the [Raising Boys and Girls Podcast](https://www.gominno.com/category/kids-parenting/podcast/) for expert help wrapped in a whole lot of grace! **Do you have any favorite kids podcasts? Share with us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/gominno/)!** **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Podcasts for Kids --- ### [Learn the Parables of Jesus on Minno Church at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/parables-of-jesus-on-minno-church-at-home/) **Published:** June 3, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QCOpai9mQt2lwqC5Ymhz.jpg) #### What is a Parable? A Parable is a story that is used to teach an important lesson. Throughout the Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John), Jesus used Parables to teach His followers about the Kingdom of God and how to live God’s way. For the next eight weeks on [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com), we’re going to be taking a look at the Parables Jesus taught; learning lessons about building our lives on a firm foundation, being responsible with what God has given us, shining bright with the love of Jesus, and so much more! Gather together as a family and watch this 20-30 minute program featuring worship, a Bible verse, and stories to learn about faith and just have fun, too! [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5cFa8w1HQxqSpUPY1iZw.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/fJdlhjzMQ6wwm5rL1QEw) Download the discussion and activity pack below to take the fun and conversations off-screen throughout the week. #### **Minno Church at Home Parables Scope and Sequence** ![Human behavior - Text](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/human-behavior.png "- Minno Kids") Download your [Parables Family Discussion and Activity Pack](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CAH-Parables-Family-Guide.pdf) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home **Tags:** Church at Home, Parables --- ### [Fan Favorites: Top Shows for Kids to Watch on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/fan-favorites-top-shows-for-kids-to-watch-on-minno/) **Published:** May 14, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** *Looking for the best shows for your kids to watch on Minno?* Here is the list of our top ten fan favorites. These are the shows that our families return to watch over and over again. Find these shows and [more amazing Christian kids’ shows streaming now on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/category/new-on-minno/new-shows/)! ![Vertebrate - Human behavior](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/vertebrate.jpg "- Minno Kids") #### **Fan Favorites: Top Show for Kids to Watch on Minno** ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/780599e7-37f2-436b-ba18-1e13d3e65d05/JungleBeat_ProgramImage.png) **Jungle Beat** Ages: 3+ Episodes: 26 Jungle Beat is a fun, family-friendly series of CG animated, self-contained, dialogue-free episodes focusing on different animals and the bizarre situations they encounter in nature. Jungle Beat will spark not only laughter, but also wonderful conversations about perseverance, tenacity, and learning to be comfortable right where you are. [Watch Jungle Beat Now](https://kids.gominno.com/jungle-beat/) . . . . . . . . . . ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/d171db9e-7af3-4f2f-a892-bbc9ea223ef0/Micah_ProgramImage.png) **Micah’s Super Vlog** Ages: 6–10 Episodes: 18 Join 10-year-old Micah as he learns what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus with his best friends Armin and Lydia and shares his thoughts along the way on his vlog. [Watch Micah’s Super Vlog Now](https://kids.gominno.com/micahs-super-vlog/) . . . . . . . . . . ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/48d1479d-5cf3-4d22-8fd5-8ad7cf6ea5ae/Bibleman_SeriesImage_02.png) **Bibleman** Ages: 6–10 Episodes: 26 Join Bibleman and his team as they fight evil with the power of God’s word. The Bible team is dedicated to sharing the truth of Christ with all those who are willing to hear. [Watch Bibleman Now](https://kids.gominno.com/bibleman-the-animated-adventures) . . . . . . . . . . ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/074f92ff-a30e-44c8-a970-7c5f47468dee/FriendsHeroes_SeriesImage_01.png) **Friends & Heroes** Ages: 6–10 Episodes: 39 Join Macky and Portia as they travel across the ancient world – fighting for justice with courage and compassion, learning and sharing the stories of the Old and New Testaments, and becoming friends and heroes along the way. [Watch Friends & Heroes Now](https://kids.gominno.com/friends-and-heroes/) . . . . . . . . . . ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/f1e80436-ec2c-476f-bea9-2724f62ee6eb/Veggietales_SeriesImage_05.png) **VeggieTales** Ages: 3+ Episodes: 46 Join Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all their veggie friends engage in fun stories and songs that teach Biblical values. Episodes include Madame Blueberry, Rack Shack and Benny, Dave and the Giant Pickle, and more! [Watch VeggieTales Now](https://kids.gominno.com/veggietales/) . . . . . . . . . . ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/c29f7dbc-781e-4ed9-876c-2a423ee56ffa/Whirl-Ada-Logo.jpg) **Whirl: Ada and Friends** Ages: 6–10 Episodes: 120 Join Ada and her friends as they help each other navigate real-life problems and adventures using biblical values. These cute characters find themselves in all sorts of situations at their local church and learn from biblical wisdom and stories. [Watch Whirl Now](https://kids.gominno.com/whirl-ada-and-friends/) . . . . . . . . . . ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/33d37119-df1e-4a11-8b3e-5f60916492ed/YLPP_ProgramImage.png) **Yancy’s Little Praise Party** Ages: 3+ Episodes: 54 Yancy and her friends sing songs, dance, and play instruments to celebrate that God is good! Watch, sing, shout and have a “Little Praise Party” too. [Watch Yancy Now](https://kids.gominno.com/yancys-little-praise-party/) . . . . . . . . . . ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/d30fbcd5-4407-4e7f-b453-5ac662c693c0/BREW_ProgramImage.png) **Brewster the Rooster** Ages: 3-6 Episodes: 24 Brewster the Rooster and Maggie discover answers to questions only preschoolers ask! Together they make a unique pair of friends: they are both super inquisitive, they wear tap shoes, but it’s their style of imagining possible answers to questions that really make them a team. [Watch Brewster the Rooster Now](https://kids.gominno.com/brewster-the-rooster/) ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/9d65cc50-cddc-47d2-8677-31a91da2df13/MKST_ProgramImage.png) **Making Stuff** Ages: 6–10 Episodes: 51 Wiz and Gears travel the world to factories and artist studios to see how incredible things are made. Exploring everyday objects such as crayons, musical instruments, foods, and more, the funny robot duo make the journey of discovery engaging and memorable. [Watch Making Stuff Now](https://kids.gominno.com/making-stuff/) ![](http://res.cloudinary.com/ctv/image/fetch/ar_16:9,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto,w_500/https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/b500891e-6038-4fd3-afb1-fe0e0bf4f203/321Penguins_SeriesImage_01.png) **321 Penguins** Ages: 6–10 Episodes: 26 Twin siblings Jason and Michelle discover penguin figurines that come to life. They travel the world and outer space learning important biblical and moral lessons with their four funky penguin friends. [Watch 321 Penguins! Now](https://kids.gominno.com/321-penguins/) . . . . . . . . . . *What are your family’s favorite shows on Minno?* Let us know on Instagram [@gominno](https://www.instagram.com/gominno/) **Categories:** Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno **Tags:** Best Shows for Kids, Fan Favorites --- ### [Raising Boys and Girls Podcast: Intentional Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/intentional-summer/) **Published:** May 11, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Computer - Laptop](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/computer.jpg "- Minno Kids") If you haven’t already, listen to the podcast now: [![listen-on-apple-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pLkhxRVQ2C1wO3S7NArZ.jpg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369) [![listen-on-google-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9fiRkqrBQ9eYEELKdBqp.jpg)](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcmVteWtpZHNvbnRyYWNrLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz) [![listen-on-spotify.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sJJxdB9TnS2mcgcORJni.jpg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/5zTYu7YaNrjh3WR5dmNbGM) . . . . . . . . . . The [Raising Boys & Girls podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369 "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369") is bringing you expert insight and encouragement to help you have an INTENTIONAL SUMMER! Join Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan this week as they share simple ideas for making the most of your time this summer. #### Helpful Insights from the Episode ![Product - Brand](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/product.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Summer gives us room to move our kids toward purpose by helping them connect with their natural interests.** . . . . . . . . . . Think about your kids’ natural interests and find ways to connect them to those activities. [Are My Kids on Track](https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/store) Family Challenge (page 75) [The Healthy Mind Platter](https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/) by Dan Seigel - Focus Time - Play Time - Time In - Connecting Time - Physical Time - Sleep Time - Down Time . . . . . . . . . . The Healthy Summer “Platter” – Our Menu for an Intentional Summer - Rest - Play - Learn - Grow ![Product design - Product](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/product-design.png "- Minno Kids") Download a copy of [Our Menu for an Intentional Summer](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Intentional-Summer-Menu.pdf). . . . . . . . . . . Reflection and Gratitude. Summer is a great time to resurrect the art of the “thank you” note. Gratitude resets the brain. . . . . . . . . . . ![Product - Brand](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/line.jpg "- Minno Kids") **3 Intentional Practices for the Summer: 1. Find a family mission experience you can do together regularly. 2. Use the healthy summer platter to create a family plan. 3. Start a practice of gratitude as a family. . . . . . . . . . . **Psalm 74:17 (MSG)** **You own the day. You own the night. You put stars and sun in place. You laid out the four corners of the earth, shaped the seasons of summer and winter.** . . . . . . . . . . Read Mark 6:31, a story about Jesus encouraging His disciples to rest. Summer is a good reminder that Jesus did not rush. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/brand.jpg "- Minno Kids") **Summer is a time to answer Jesus’ invitation to slow down, connect, tell stories, and dream.** . . . . . . . . . . “Meet me at the big tree.” A place to slow down, connect, tell stories, and dream. . . . . . . . . . . **Psalm 121:5 (NIV) . . . the Lord is your shade . . .** . . . . . . . . . . [![listen-on-apple-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pLkhxRVQ2C1wO3S7NArZ.jpg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1366344369) [![listen-on-google-podcasts.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9fiRkqrBQ9eYEELKdBqp.jpg)](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcmVteWtpZHNvbnRyYWNrLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz) [![listen-on-spotify.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sJJxdB9TnS2mcgcORJni.jpg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/5zTYu7YaNrjh3WR5dmNbGM) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Podcast, Seasonal **Tags:** Intentional Parenting, Raising Boys and Girls, Summer --- ### [Use Playtime to Help Your Kids Build Faith](https://gominno.com/blog/use-play-time-to-help-kids-build-faith/) **Published:** April 8, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/KSg7Cd94Q0GjSRf9LGJU.jpg) Weaving faith-building into every area of family interaction can help you cultivate a culture of faith in your home. When we practice this habit, it becomes part of our family DNA. Putting God and faith at the forefront of our minds empowers us to engage our children in life-changing conversations in small, everyday moments. Playtime can be a great opportunity for parents, even if it isn’t one we think of all the time. It’s easy to focus on our to-do list (and honestly, we’re often thankful for a few minutes to ourselves while they are busy playing) and then miss out on these building block moments with our children (pun intended!). **When we connect with our children on their territory, we send the message that what matters to them matters to us.** And so in time . . . what matters to us—God and His truth—will matter more to them. #### **Playtime Conversation Starters to Help Your Kids Build Faith** Create faith-building moments in the midst of ordinary playtime with these conversation starters: **LEGOS/BUILDING BLOCKS** SHARE: It’s so fun to build with Legos + blocks. The Bible talks a lot about building. It reminds us to build on a firm foundation. ASK: What do you think it means to build our lives on a strong foundation? Why is it important? READ: Matthew 7:24-27 **DOLLS/BARBIES** SHARE: I love pretending with these dolls. Know what I love even more? Being your mom for real. (Share 2-3 things you love about your child.) ASK: What is your favorite thing about the way God made you? READ: Psalm 139:14 **CARS/TRUCKS** SHARE: It’s so helpful to have vehicles to get us from one place to another. I am thankful for our car because it gets us to our destination safely. ASK: Do you know who also helps us get to where we are going safely? READ: Proverbs 3:5-6 **STUFFED ANIMALS** SHARE: I love watching you care for your special animal friends. You are so kind and tenderhearted. ASK: Why do you think it’s important to be kind and gentle with our friends? READ: Ephesians 4:32 **DRESS UP** SHARE: It’s so fun to dress up and pretend to be a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_! It’s exciting to dream about all that we can be someday. ASK: What do you want to be when you grow up? READ: Jeremiah 29:11 **PLAYING HOUSE** SHARE: You are going to make a great mommy/daddy someday! It’s so special to be a part of a family. And it’s even more wonderful to be a part of God’s family! ASK: How does it feel to know you are a child of God? READ: 1 John 3:1 **CRAFTS/COLORING** SHARE: You are so creative! I love the way you \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. You know who else is a creator? God! He made the whole world out of nothing. Our creativity comes from him, the ultimate Creator! ASK: What are your favorite things about God’s creation? READ: Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) . . . . . . . . . . We pray that your playtime is transformed into beautiful moments of connection as you practice these conversation starters. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Reflecting the Father: The Joy of Being a Girl Dad](https://gominno.com/blog/reflecting-the-father-the-joy-of-being-a-girl-dad/) **Published:** April 7, 2021 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-Joy-of-Being-a-Girl-Dad.jpg "- Minno Kids") Growing up with two sisters, a part of me always hoped that, if blessed to marry and become a father, God would provide for me a son. Indeed, I found love with my wife, and together, we have been doubly blessed with two young boys. However, God’s blessings did not stop with them, as He also has given us a beautiful daughter, who recently celebrated her fourth birthday. I am very fortunate to have a strong relationship with our sons, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy having a daughter, growing ever more closely with her. This little girl, whom I affectionately call “Peanut,” has always been Mommy’s best friend. Lately, however, she has taken to Daddy more and more, allowing us to develop a special bond as well. With each passing day, I am learning the value – and honor – of my responsibility being a dad to a little girl. As her earthly father called to reflect her Heavenly Father, I take with great pride and seriousness my vocation to live as a human mirror of the image of God. Much like with our sons, it is part of my mission, I believe, to help her discover and appreciate God’s love and path for her through our life and love together. (*Proverbs 22:6*) A primary factor in a positive and healthy father-daughter relationship is for the dad to be both interested in and involved in his daughter’s life. Beyond simply checking in on her day, this means to be genuinely active, spending time together, and learning about her as a person. *What does she love? What inspires her? What fills her heart with joy? What scares her?* I truly relish my opportunities spent with our girl, exploring what interests excite her and celebrating those together. Both similar to and unique from our relationship with our sons, I am increasingly enjoying the journey with my wife to nurture our daughter’s whole development as a child of God. I am reminding myself to savor the smaller flashes together these days. After all, they will not last forever – like holding her tiny hand as we walk down the stairs, as I know such times will vanish in the proverbial blink of an eye, only to resume briefly when walking her down the aisle on her wedding day. No matter how simple they may seem (for instance, eating a bowl of cereal while clanging spoons and making faces together as her brothers get ready to catch the morning school bus), we ensure we make the most of our shared moments. If you’re looking to form some quality bonding time with your little girl, here are some other ways you can enjoy treasured occasions together: - **A trip to the local park** – There are few greater pleasures in life than hearing a child laugh. Seeing our daughter smile while roaring gleefully on the teeter-totter or when I catch her at the bottom of the slide gives me a feeling like no other. I hold such pride watching her climb ladders or play in the sand. Plus, the walk on the way gives us a great chance to have some easygoing but meaningful chats. - **A drive & a donut** – Sometimes, the two of us will be home alone while my wife is out with our sons. In addition to playing outside or around the house, such an occasion can call for us to head out for a hot chocolate and a cookie, or a donut or even ice cream. While the treat is the tastiest part of the trip, our talks in the car can give me a deeper glimpse into her thoughts, having her share about anything ranging from preschool friends and activities to questions about God and Heaven. Taking a souvenir picture is not a bad way of keeping a tangible memory for down the road. - **Tap into your inner artist** – Our daughter loves to sit at the table and color, paint and build things out of magnetic tiles. Whether it’s a lazy Saturday afternoon or an activity to wind down before bedtime, she always enjoys showing her creative side. Sitting next to her with crayons in hand or stacking blocks is a fun opportunity to spend time together, relaxing and laughing, growing closer with one another. Having some quiet tunes playing in the background can strengthen the experience (our favorite is praise and worship music). - **Be a bookworm** – Reading together on the couch can provide some warm cuddle time while also serving well to deepen a child’s vocabulary and imagination. I find using different character voices and asking our daughter questions about each page’s events can also keep her sharp and engaged. - **It’s the little things that count** – Any chance we have for play-wrestling, racing in the backyard, or piggyback rides, we always try to jump at them. These can release any stress while encouraging plenty of laughter, renewing Daddy’s inner child at the same time. - **Just talk it out** – While not an organized date activity, special conversation with our little girl can be had anytime and in any environment. It is important she be reminded of her beauty on the inside, not just on the outside. It is equally important for me to encourage her to live virtuously; to always try her best, trusting God will take care of the rest (*Joshua 1:9*); and to treat others with kindness (*Micah 6:8*). These Daddy gifts of wisdom can be complemented by sticky notes on her wall or dresser, mentioning Biblical passages of God’s love for her. Just like our boys, I know our daughter will continue to grow and life will surely get busier still. Yet, these precious moments can remain with her – and me – forever. I wish for her to remember these days with a smile on her face, knowing our Daddy-daughter relationship is a treasure I would not trade for anything. What are some of your special activities with your little girl? Feel free to share them with us here at Minno or pass them along to someone else so they can enjoy some more quality time with their daughter, too. **Categories:** Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Fatherhood, Parenting --- ### [It’s Read Across America Week! Check Out our Favorite Books for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/read-across-america-week-book-list-kids/) **Published:** March 1, 2021 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/wuQnovNqS2m1nXOclrBt.jpg) In honor of Read Across America Week, I’m going to share my favorite guilty pleasure purchase with you. *Any guesses?* Nope, not shoes. I’m a two-pairs-should-do-it kind of gal. Not purses, not makeup, occasionally nail polish, and maybe a kitchen gadget here or there. *But do you wanna know what really sucks me in? What I consistently buy that we probably do not need and definitely don’t have room for?* Children’s books. Just this weekend, my boys and I went through “The Pile.” One by one they called out “keep!” or “pass it on.” Eventually, we had a decent amount for donation and put the keepers back on the bookshelf–a bookshelf somehow as full as ever. All of this to say: you’re in luck! It’s Read Across America Week and to celebrate, we’re sharing our favorites. **Below you’ll find a list of our absolute favorites—broken down into the most winning categories: adventure, intrigue, and laughability.** I’ll include picture books and educational books that appeal to all ages as well as early readers and chapter books. Enjoy! #### **For Kids Who Love Adventure** [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/76sSbKrSoy2pvqalsEZU.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Moonshot-Richard-Jackson-Atheneum-Hardcover/dp/1534440305/) [**Moonshot**](https://www.amazon.com/Moonshot-Richard-Jackson-Atheneum-Hardcover/dp/1534440305/) by Brian Floca **Why we love it:** This nonfiction book about the Apollo 11 mission that landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon reads like the swell of a grand orchestra. The courage! The support! The victory! My throat catches every time we reach the crescendo. **Favorite line:** *Armstrong, calling from the Moon, calm as a man who just parked a car. “Houston,” he says. “Tranquility base here. The* Eagle *has landed.” Armstrong is calm—but on Earth they cheer!* [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/eC7cwuWTsGivg4q4n64b.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Along-Long-Road-Frank-Viva/dp/0316129259/) [**Along a Long Road** ](https://www.amazon.com/Along-Long-Road-Frank-Viva/dp/0316129259/) by Frank Viva **Why we love it:** Beyond the most-perfect illustrations, there is the winding road, which travels seamlessly from cover to cover, leading a man on his bike through town. He passes people and cars and crosses a bridge—all while wearing a smile as peaceful as this book. **Favorite line:** *Along a long road going up. Around a small town and down. Into a tunnel and out.* [![Micah's Super Vlog: Micah's Got Talent?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/micah-super-vlog-talent-new-store_1024x1024.jpg?v=1570204355.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-got-talent) [**Micah’s Got Talent?**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-got-talent) by Andy Mcquire and Girish Manuel **Why we love it:** Micah’s a normal kid—just like yours and mine. He has hopes and dreams, he gets embarrassed, and he loves goofing off and trying new things with his friends. And while it reads just like the other books libraries can’t keep in stock, this one—and every story in the series–has an overarching message of hope. **Favorite line:** *Warning: I recommend not doing this dance in front of other people unless they forgot their glasses at home or love you very much.* [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/9Ov9p6BhQAuH9FB2lLxG.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Under-Water-Earth-Aleksandra-Mizielinska/dp/076368922X/) [**Under Water, Under Earth** ](https://www.amazon.com/Under-Water-Earth-Aleksandra-Mizielinska/dp/076368922X/) by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinksi **Why we love it:** Two books in one! Everything you could ever want to know about the things that lie beneath–packaged in an eye-catching, detail-oriented book that kids return to again and again. Learn about volcanoes, geysers, electricity, subways, caves, anthills, submarines, sinkholes, lantern fish, buoyancy, underwater chimneys and so much more! **Favorite page:** Anything and everything about sewage. *Did I mention I have two boys?* #### **For Kids Who Love Intrigue** [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1B2riTAMSAC5oEQLiFFT.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Aaron-Beckers-Wordless-Trilogy/dp/0763660531/) [**Journey**](https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Aaron-Beckers-Wordless-Trilogy/dp/0763660531/) by Aaron Becker **Why we love it:** I used to think, *“How can a book be a book without words?”* But this one won me over. A bored young girl uses a single red marker to enter a whole new world. *What is she up to? Where is she going? How will she get home?* Each read offers a new discovery. And the remaining books in the trilogy are every bit as good as the first. **Favorite part:** Falling, falling, falling, the young girl draws as she falls and–just like that–she begins to float up and away to safety. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/lXwBrAYSpClGT2otZ95w.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Today-Julie-Morstad/dp/1927018684/) [**Today**](https://www.amazon.com/Today-Julie-Morstad/dp/1927018684/) by Julie Morstad **Why we love it:** Kids love autonomy and this book has it in spades. *What shall we do today? And what will you wear? What should we eat? And how will you style your hair?* With cheery illustrations, this is just the beginning as kids move through the day making choices. **Favorite line:** *There are many ways to get there. How would YOU get there? On a bus? On a camel? By bike? By car? On a skateboard? Get pushed? On a slow boat? Dance your way there? Hitch a ride? Paddle? Fly? With a friend? Horsey ride? Follow the Leader? Jog?* [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/HAKS99GTuqSfOpt2Xrkg.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Official-Spys-Handbook-Handbooks/dp/1409584380/) [**Spy’s Handbook**](https://www.amazon.com/Official-Spys-Handbook-Handbooks/dp/1409584380/) By Usborne **Why we love it:** An oldie but oh-so-goodie. This guidebook is jam-packed with hilarious illustrations and legitimate ideas for teaching kids to pick up a trail, decipher secret codes, and create intricate disguises. *What could be more fun than that?* **Favorite funny tip:** *Feline crawl: Do this crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your back flat and low. At each step lift your foot just clear of the ground. Never drag your feet. It is important to keep your head down low and try not to bob it up and down.* [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2hEUkehQCuSrTCRlv8bQ.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Hike-Pete-Oswald/dp/153620157X/) [**Hike** ](https://www.amazon.com/Hike-Pete-Oswald/dp/153620157X/) by Pete Oswald **Why we love it:** Another wordless wonder, this story begins with a dad waking up his kid and hitting the road in an FJ40. Throughout the day, they spot bugs and birds, walk across a fallen tree, throw snowballs and make their way to a high peak. But there’s something extra special about this hike. Find out at the end and go back to the beginning to look for clues! **Favorite part:** Father and child reach, reach, reach across the page toward one another until, finally, the dad wraps his arms around his kid in a moment of pride and relief. #### **For Kids Who Love to Laugh** [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/x2WO496gQdOlkNOMH71Q.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Benjamin-Bear-Fuzzy-Thinking-Level/dp/193517925X/) [**Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking**](https://www.amazon.com/Benjamin-Bear-Fuzzy-Thinking-Level/dp/193517925X/) By Philippe Coudray **Why we love it:** These short stories come in a graphic-novel format that’s welcoming for new readers. The whole family will enjoy listening to reading practice as Benjamin Bear gets himself in and out of predicaments in the most creative of ways. Expect lots of giggles. **Favorite part:** A bird and a fish would love to see what’s under the sea. Benjamin Bear takes them both for a walk to the beach and under they go—*but how will this work?* Thankfully he’s thought up a silly and smart solution! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cFptC3cKSda5w9QNecMA.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Frog-Toad-Storybook-Treasury-Complete/dp/0062292587/) [**Frog and Toad Storybook Treasury**](https://www.amazon.com/Frog-Toad-Storybook-Treasury-Complete/dp/0062292587/) by Arnold Lobel **Why we love it:** Lucy and Ethel, Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, Han Solo and Chewbacca—these pals have nothing on the friendship that is Frog and Toad. Frog and Toad couldn’t be more different, but that’s okay. They know how to have a good time—or a bad time—in the company of a friend. **Favorite line:** *“I wonder if we are brave,” said Frog. Frog and Toad looked into a mirror. “We look brave,” said Frog. “Yes, but are we?” asked Toad.* [![Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Minno-Laugh-And-Grow-Bible-Kids-store_1024x1024.jpg?v=1586814138.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) [**Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) by Phil Vischer **Why we love it:** The vibrant colors and illustrations appeal to a kid’s sense of wonder and fun. But it’s the structure of this Bible that we cherish most. In addition to the stories themselves, you’ll find teachings that help kids better understand and apply the stories. **Favorite part:** The Bible isn’t the most straightforward or easy-to-understand book. Throughout this one, you’ll find a section called, “Tricky Bits” which tackles the tougher questions head-on. Like: *Why do we follow some of the laws in the Bible but not all of them?* [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/usteqX4SSTqApy4Oekl2.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Where-Sidewalk-Ends-Poems-Drawings/dp/0060256672/) [**Where the Sidewalk Ends**](https://www.amazon.com/Where-Sidewalk-Ends-Poems-Drawings/dp/0060256672/) By Shel Silverstein **Why we love it:** Some books are classic for a reason. From the pictures to the poems, this one keeps kids coming back for laugh after laugh. And the interest level spans the ages. Both my husband and I loved Silverstein in middle school, my 4- and 7-year-old boys can’t get enough today and the adult in me sees all the bits of irony I missed when I was young. **Favorite line:** *Oh, if you’re a bird, be an early bird and catch the worm for your breakfast plate. If you’re a bird be an early early bird—but if you’re a worm sleep late.* **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Books, Reading --- ### [What I Learned About Discipline vs Fun During Pandemic Homeschooling](https://gominno.com/blog/balancing-expectation-and-encouragement-in-parenting/) **Published:** February 24, 2021 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/67oPf1mESwyMcOoafv7E.jpg) As a high school teacher, I pride myself on being firm but fair. I stress this to my students from the get-go when I give them an overview of their course and background on myself as their teacher. Naturally, I inform them I will inspire and assist them as best as I can and I will aim for our classes to be fun and enjoyable. I also remind the students they are at school to work, learn, and grow, and that it is both my responsibility and duty to ensure that happens. While I mix in plenty of jokes and display abundant enthusiasm in my instruction, with such a philosophy you can imagine I don’t win many *Mr. Popular* or *Coolest Teacher of the Year* awards the first year I teach a student. Yet, in the end, I thankfully earn their respect and appreciation. If nothing else, my students come to know I have their best interests at heart and that I will always challenge them to achieve their full God-given potential. My teaching career also provides lots of practice opportunity for parenting. As the father of three young children, I certainly want our kids to like “Daddy” and for us to have loads of fun together. But I also feel it worthwhile they recognize from an early age the importance of principles like respect, hard work, and accountability. I want our kids to apply themselves as much as they can and to strive for great heights in everything they do. In other words, as I often tell my students, “do your best and let God do the rest.” In a world where we can be fed messages promoting the easy way or path of least persistence, my wife and I prefer to present to our children the teachings of St. Paul, who directs us to fight the good fight and to run our race to its completion, always holding faith the Lord will guide us along the way. (*2 Timothy 4:7*) Understandably, this approach can sometimes be met with resistance from our little ones, and it can be a delicate balance to encourage our kids without placing too much pressure or expectation on them. Coming out of the Christmas break last month, schools in our region announced they would remain closed in order to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. The eventual four-week period of virtual at-home schooling carried with it a fair share of stresses, as my wife and I aimed to balance our professional schedules with our two sons’ education programs and our daughter’s preschool activities. Wanting to follow their teachers’ thorough lesson plans and to ensure our boys’ continued learning despite their absence from class, **I – like so many other parents, surely – struggled between pushing our kids to work versus overwhelming them with expectations.** Clearly, there’s a difference between not meaning for our children to fall behind in curriculum and overworking them to a point where they trade in their enjoyment of school for resentment toward their parents. This dilemma can certainly test me in my role as Daddy, particularly when placed beside my role as a teacher. As an educator, I know far too well the dangers of lazy or absent work ethic, and I fully support early level schooling as foundational for future success and healthy work habits. But as much as I appreciate the need to keep our kids engaged in learning during these pandemic-related remote-schooling programs, there’s another side of the coin that cannot be overlooked. As a parent, I can equally understand the pressures on students of all ages and the difficulties facing them – whether those are linked to long stretches in front of a computer screen, relying on help from parents unfamiliar with course content in order to complete assigned tasks, or any number of other challenges. This is why, as a dad, I catch myself also remembering the need to allow our kids ample opportunity to play, explore, discover, and have fun. After all, isn’t that the innocence and joy that Jesus calls all of us to display? (*Matthew 19:14*) Unquestionably, I want the very best for our kids long-term – a strong education, a prosperous and rewarding career, security for their future family, and myriad unknown possibilities. In the meantime, though, whether it be school or any other facet of life, as parents, we must be quick not to press our kids too hard or damage their confidence and joy. As we plant seeds for our children’s personal development by emphasizing diligence and dedication, let us never forget to till the soil by always cheering them on and encouraging them to have fun. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Homeschooling --- ### [Valentine's Day Coloring Pack](https://gominno.com/blog/valentines-day-coloring-pack/) **Published:** February 5, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AIpmTJCyTIKAfALtgf9s.jpg) *Looking for fun and meaningful activities to share love with your child this month?* Download this [Minno Valentine’s Day Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/f6F399ZfSSOczmvFBxjM)! What’s Included: 1\. Adorable Minno coloring pages including a memory verse from 1 John 4:19! 2\. A [simple Valentine’s Day craft](https://www.gominno.com/blog/i-love-you-because-simple-valentines-day-craft) to help kids share love with others. 3\. [25 Valentine’s Day Conversation Starters](https://www.gominno.com/blog/25-valentines-day-conversation-starters-for-your-family) you can print and cut to keep at the table or in the car. Visit the links above for more information on each activity or just download and dive in! [![940013_COBLOGValentine-sColoringPages1080x1920_V3_020321.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/JtIwHW2QSoClcVS42oWK.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/f6F399ZfSSOczmvFBxjM) [![940012_COBLOGValentine-sPrintable1080...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/31z8XnRgehEKVymUzwVw.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/f6F399ZfSSOczmvFBxjM) [![963670_COBLOGVdayConvoStarterImages10...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HNETtlRtTjqnUjJroNjp.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/f6F399ZfSSOczmvFBxjM) [Download your Minno Valentine’s Day Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/f6F399ZfSSOczmvFBxjM) **Categories:** Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Coloring Pages, Printables, Valentine's Day --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Praying for Our Leaders?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-praying-for-our-leaders/) **Published:** January 25, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tcFYM9NzRHyf7AqyN4Rw.jpg) You’ve probably heard it said before that it is important to pray for our leaders. Maybe you regularly pray for your leaders at church or at home. *Do you sometimes feel that praying for our leaders is hard because you don’t see eye to eye with the way they are leading?* The truth is . . . we may not get to choose our leader or their position on the issues we care about, but we can choose to cover them in prayer. The Bible tells us several times how and why we should cover our leaders in prayer. Let’s dig into God’s Word and take a look at some verses to help us teach our children this important, biblical habit. --- ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Get access to 90 minutes of Easter content to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus, plus off-screen resources to walk your family through Holy Week with meaningful activities! --- #### **What Does the Bible Say About Praying for Our Leaders?** When it comes to praying for our leaders, 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV) gives us direct instruction. > *I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. [1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT](https://biblia.com/bible/nlt/1%20Tim%202.1-2)* Our leaders need God’s help. All of them. It’s important to remember that God is not surprised by flawed individuals in high places. This has been a reality since Adam and Eve chose their own way in the garden. He knows our presidents and kings and queens are broken. So much so that He gave His son to bring redemption and provide hope for our eternal security. In the meantime, He asks us to pray for our leaders, our loved ones, our neighbors, and ourselves. Because even though our flaws aren’t on display for the world to see, they are still there. And so we pray, for God to reveal areas where we have not represented His love to the world around us. We all need His mercy. **When we realize just how imperfect we ourselves are, we are humbled to offer deeper supplication for the imperfect men and women who lead us.** > *Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT](https://biblia.com/bible/nlt/2%20Chron%207.14)* When we pray for our leaders we take part in advancing God’s kingdom on this earth. Here are some of the ways to pray for those in leadership that can impact God’s influence on the earth: - Pray for our leaders’ salvation and/or heart change. - Pray for wisdom in making good decisions according to God’s leading. - Pray that their decisions and influence have a positive impact on our families, cities, churches, laws, schools, and more. Romans 13:1 acknowledges that those who are in positions of power may have been allowed there by God for a specific purpose. When we pray for them, we are praying that God’s will be done. > *Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1 ESV* And while we pray, it is important to remember that our leaders face spiritual battles and opposition that they may not be aware of. > *For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV* If our leaders do not have a biblical worldview, we can pray for their minds to align with God’s Word. Rather than complain or be angry, we can fight through the power of prayer. **RELATED POST:** [When You Don’t Know What To Do Or Say . . . Pray](https://www.gominno.com/blog/when-you-dont-know-what-to-do-or-say-pray) Our leaders need God’s wisdom and to be covered in prayer. Especially in the midst of an [election year or transition of leadership.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-election-year) The simple act of praying for our leaders can help them step into God’s will for their lives, and ultimately the people they serve. Our kids may not understand the heaviness of all that goes on in politics and with political parties and leaders, but they can grasp that [the world needs our prayers](https://www.gominno.com/blog/when-you-dont-know-what-to-do-or-say-pray)—our communities, our cities, our nation, and its leaders . . . and that prayer is the most powerful way we can fight for what’s right according to the will of God. . . . . . . . . . . *Want to teach your kids how and why we pray?* Click [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/when-you-dont-know-what-to-do-or-say-pray) to read about the power of prayer and find out about our latest Minno Life Guide. [![Prayer Minno Life Guide Cover.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bLeT9AHAQ6K7xhbPxO4j.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/when-you-dont-know-what-to-do-or-say-pray) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Politics, Prayer --- ### [Spiritual Practices for Kids: Prayer](https://gominno.com/blog/spiritual-practices-for-kids-prayer/) **Published:** January 22, 2021 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/i0O4ZOtjQcqNzREER2K1.jpg) Spiritual disciplines are inward and outward practices, rooted in Scripture and tradition, that draw us closer to God. They are disciplines, practices that require work and repetition, that we grow more comfortable with and better at the more we do them. And they are a critical part of the Christian life, helping us to mature in godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 ESV tells us this: *“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”* But spiritual practices aren’t just for grown-ups! Kids can develop their spiritual muscles as well, practicing these helpful exercises alongside their parents or on their own. Childhood provides ample opportunities to develop other lifelong habits (like exercise, eating well, table manners, chores, etc), and many of the same concepts parents use to encourage their kids to develop those habits can be applied to teaching them spiritual practices! Over the next few months, we’ll learn about 5 spiritual practices that you can help your kids cultivate. Today, we’ll start with prayer. #### **The Spiritual Practice of Prayer** **Why We Pray** Prayer is one of the most incredible parts of faith because it allows us to spend time with God, who loves us more than we could ever know. As you begin to teach your kids about prayer, start by praying *for* them: that God would reveal Himself to them through prayer, and that He would strengthen their faith through the daily practice of prayer. God created prayer as a way for His people to speak to Him, to share with Him, and to hear from Him. Talking to the God who created us and loves us is a beautiful gift! And it is a gift God gave us because of how much He loves us. ***Practice It:** Explain to your kids that prayer is talking to God. Ask your kids who they like to talk to and why. Then connect the “whys” to how we can talk to God through prayer. For example, if your child says they like to talk to you because you are a good listener, share that God is the best listener, and He loves listening to His people.* **How to Pray with Kids** When teaching our kids to pray, we can follow a formula. As they grow, they can find more and more ways to express their own thoughts and feelings to God through prayer. But when they start out, begin with a salutation “Dear God,” and end with “In Jesus’ name, Amen.” *But what goes in between?* One of the most tried-and-true methods of constructing a prayer follows the acronym ACTS: Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication > **1. Adoration:** Praise God! Give Him glory for creating the world, for loving you, for the beauty around you. > > **2. Confession:** Take a moment to confess your sin to God. He promises to forgive our sin when we confess it to Him. > > **3. Thanksgiving:** *What do you want to thank God for?* Spend a few minutes listing things you are grateful for. > > **4. Supplication:** This is where we ask God for our needs, or the needs of others. One beautiful way to structure this type of prayer is by starting with your personal need, then moving out to your family, community (school, church, neighborhood), then your city or country, then around the world. ***Practice It:** Write out ACTS on a piece of paper or a wipe-off board. As you pray, go through each letter of the acronym with your kids and pray out loud together. For older kids, get them their own small prayer journal (such as a composition notebook), and have them go through the ACTS practice every day.* **Praying Alone + Praying Together** One beautiful aspect of spiritual practices is that they can be both individual and corporate, practiced alone, or in a larger body of believers (a family, a local church, or even the whole global church). Prayer is an example of both individual and corporate practices, and you can teach your kids the value of both types of prayer. Encourage your kids to participate in corporate prayer, by inviting them to pray with your family. Take turns around the table praying, so that every person gets comfortable praying out loud and listening while others pray. ***Practice It:** Draw names from a bowl in the middle of the table to choose who leads the dinnertime prayer! Or take turns going around and let a different person pray each night. You can even assign specific family members to pray at the dinner table certain days of the week then encourage them by saying, “It’s your day to pray!” when it’s their turn.* One of the best ways to encourage your kids to pray alone is actually by inviting them to witness your private prayer time. No, you don’t have to pray out loud in front of them! But if you journal your prayers, or use a prayer app, show it to your kids. Let them know that prayer is an important part of your life, so they can see the richness of a life of prayer. ***Practice It:** Make prayer visible in your home. Write your prayers down on sticky notes and put them on your mirror. Let your kids catch you praying through God’s Word. Feel like praying in the car, or while you’re making dinner? Try praying out loud so your kids can hear. Modeling a life of individual prayer is a wonderful way to inspire a life of prayer in your kids.* The spiritual practice of prayer offers us a chance to draw close to God’s heart and commune with Him. By inviting your kids into prayer, teaching them how to pray, and helping them practice prayer, they will have the opportunity to know God better and develop their own rich relationship with Him. And above all, remember to pray *for* your kids as you pray *with* them. Ask God to draw near to them as they pray. Pray that they would fall more in love with God every day, that they would love prayer, and that they would enjoy a rich relationship with God for their whole life. . . . . . . . . . . For more help in making this the year your family goes deeper in prayer and to teach your kids the purpose and power of prayer, check out [our latest Minno Life Guide: Prayer](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer). [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bLeT9AHAQ6K7xhbPxO4j.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer) Our latest Minno Life Guide, *[Prayer: The Practice of Talking to God](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer)* offers practical help for teaching kids the sacred act of communing with their heavenly Father. This guide will open the door for your family to grow in the practice of prayer— starting with small, daily habits that lead to deep roots of dependence and communion. This mini ebook is full of simple ideas and biblical truth to guide grownups on how to lead kids to develop an honest and vibrant prayer life. - Learn how to talk about prayer and practice prayer as a family. - Discover what the Bible teaches about prayer. - Engage in conversations about prayer with the simple prompts in each section of the guide. - Use the included Family Prayer Resources to establish your own family prayer habits. . . . . . . . . . . Teach your kids about prayer with Micah and his friends in the Micah’s Super Vlog episode, [The Prayer Song](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog/videos/the-prayer-song). If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog/videos/the-prayer-song)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Prayer, Spiritual Practices --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Inauguration Day 2021](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-inauguration-day/) **Published:** January 20, 2021 **Author:** Erick Goss **Content:** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BgLNcYiRbuFzfLfUrJ9A.jpg)** **Today is Inauguration Day. It’s an understatement to say that it is eclipsed by so much that hinders the celebrations that should come today—regardless of your side of the aisle.** Instead of a parade, we have a pandemic that dissipates crowds. Instead of the excited hustle and bustle in Congressional chambers, we are in the middle of impeachment proceedings. The Mall, where families would patriotically gather to catch a glimpse of the pomp and circumstance, is closed (though [we do love the field of flags display](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-field-of-flags-lighting-ceremony-honors-u-s-states-and-territories-ahead-of-bidens-inauguration)) and we have soldiers in the Capitol. We have both experienced the pomp and circumstance our nation is proud to display . . . me, as a Naval officer and graduate of the Naval Academy, who stood in formations for countless state events, and sang for two presidents on national television as a member of the Academy’s Men’s Chorus. . . Kristen, a young student of political science who wound up with a ticket to get on the mall for a presidential inauguration and reveled in a full day walking the city in 45 degrees and rain, standing on tiptoes on the mall to see the Capitol steps stage and sitting in stone window sills to spy the motorcade on the parade route. The inauguration usually represents a day where our attention is focused on the best of what our country represents . . . yet today is more tenuous than it should be. In the midst of all of the confusion facing our nation right now, one thing is clear: **This is not how God wants us to live.** Our God is a God of peace. He calls us to reconciliation. He asks us to put the needs of others before our own, sometimes painfully sacrificing what we want. But, the division that we are seeing today goes so far beyond differences of opinion and actually causes us to dehumanize the “other side.” ***Take a minute to confess that.*** *I know I need to seek forgiveness for turning someone with a different idea into just that: their idea that I disagree with rather than the person God created them to be.* For so many kids, today will be their first memory of Inauguration Day. They may be confused. As one kid we’ve heard of asked, *“Dad, is this what always happens when presidents leave?”* *So how do we talk to kids about Inauguration Day in 2021?* Here are a few thoughts, not rooted in my or your political ideology, but from deep within the very same Scriptures that guided our Founding Fathers: **1. Start with a reminder that we are all made in God’s image**. Genesis is full of this reference, not just about our creation (1:27) but also about how hurting one another is connected to our creation in God (9:6). We know this . . . John Adams and Thomas Jefferson acknowledged this . . . Abraham Lincoln furthered it . . . MLK fought for it, and we continue to work out this belief today. **Our reactions to one another should honor God’s divine creation.** **2. Emphasize respect for the institution of our nation’s leaders**. Romans 13 calls us to this. In the time it was written, there were leaders who many disagreed with. Sounds a lot like today. But Paul called on Christ-followers to obey their systems of government because it is those systems that foster rule, order, relationships among man, and even pleasure in life. The personalities elected today have been allowed by God, and I think many of us can say that we are sometimes driven to our knees to seek to fully understand why. So even as you disagree with decisions, demonstrate to your children that honoring our institutions . . . the rules, structures, and their offices are the foundation of how we are to live as Christians and as good neighbors. **3. Share a little history lesson on compromise**. Diversity of opinion, even to the point of violence, is where our nation started. Gracing our currency since the 1700s, the term *“E Pluribus Unum”* is literally Greek for *“out of many, one.”* We had to fight through the Civil War for it, reconstruct a factioned country on it, seek justice through the Civil Rights Act with it as our guide, and continue to wrestle with it today from more angles than our parents managed. While today’s circumstances are different, share with your kids that we have weathered these storms before and that their resolution does not necessarily lay in one single leader. It is guided by a system where these conversations take place—one that allows the participants to listen and compromise and put the unity of a country above any single interest. Our country is set up for that! **4. Talk about God’s call for unity that we have the honor to carry out.** I’ll let the Scriptures speak for themselves on this one. Romans 12:18 (NIV) says, *“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”* James reminds us that our quarrels come from desires within that are not of God. And Matthew 8 calls us to work with one another when sin creeps in, not against one another. He calls us to humility and to lift one another up. Even in disagreement, God calls us to unity. **5. Remind your children that our security does not rest in a man, but in God**. Government, our church, even our home, is not where our ultimate security rests. The Psalms are full of references to God as our refuge, our strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. He does not promise a life free of strife, but He does promise to be WITH us. That is why He sent His Son, in whom our hope is found in NOTHING LESS THAN Him. And then He sent His Spirit to be our guide. To deny that and place our faith squarely in the hands of fallible leaders and faulty government structures is to deny *whose* we are. When we remember who our Father is, we can follow the advice of Micah 6:8—to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him. None of this leads to support for one party or another. What it *does* lead to is seeking wisdom, loving our neighbor, and resting in God’s sovereignty no matter who is in the White House or Congress, or who occupies the streets of D.C. Our allegiance is first to God. At the same time, we say to President Biden and Vice President Harris, to every new and returning Congressman and Congresswoman, and to every new administration official, welcome. We will pray for you as you navigate this tumultuous time. Our words for you are similar to [those of one president to another when handing over the office](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/01/bush-letter-clinton-read-george-h-w-bushs-letter/2173692002/). We don’t *rely* on you for healing, but we ask that you join us in bringing healing to our country as we do so with our neighbors down the street. **So let’s start today and pray as a Minno community.** And then reflect and work to do just these things as the sun sets tonight and the sun surely rises tomorrow. Erick Goss, Minno CEO & Co-Founder with Kristen Hayner, Director of Communications **Categories:** From the Minno CEO, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Parenting, Politics --- ### [What Foundation Will You Build Your Family Upon This Year?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-foundation-will-you-build-your-family-upon-this-year/) **Published:** January 15, 2021 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4e8FS3tGQvWwlMROC36d.jpg) My religious education class was recently discussing various outlets people might explore when coping with different emotions. Suggestions from my freshman students included exercise, conversations with friends or family, eating, reading, professional counseling, and writing in a journal. Towards the end of our chat, one girl chimed in, asking what strategies exist that connect to religion. Impressed she pursued this train of thought, I proceeded to offer the class several possibilities that could invoke God’s guidance and grace. I reminded my students of the power of prayer, noting how God always answers “knee-mail” and is always open for business—24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days each year (even better than your local corner store). I directed them to sacred Scripture, advising how God’s Word gives us the counsel we require to help us navigate through all life situations, including how to understand and manage our emotions. We discussed the peace and reassurance available through attending church services (whether in person or online) and the importance of reconciling with God and others when our emotions hold a negative impact. While the student’s question was right on point, I was unfortunately not surprised when the others referenced secular ideas as their immediate go-to answers in our conversation, despite being in a faith-based school system. After all, it is undeniable that mainstream values have changed notably over the past decades. As a result, instinctually promoting and carrying out godly virtues has become even more challenging. Each of us has this same challenge presented in how we decide to live our lives in 2021; as we embark on a new year filled with unknown experiences and possibilities. Working full-time as a high school teacher with my wife as a NICU nurse, it is not a stretch to say our crew has a busy home life. While blessed to be married and have three young children, my wife and I regularly have a calendar filled with events and responsibilities. Despite the stresses and the ample activities that go on, it is imperative that we [make time for God](https://mattcharbonneau.com/2018/01/06/making-time-for-god/) in order for Him to center and strengthen us. Even with this practice, however, many in society can still give way to the abundant temptations and opportunities available, leading them to drift from God amidst the busyness of life. Following a quieter Christmas due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is ironic that many individuals found themselves so restless in a setting of calm this past holiday, after having yearned for that same tranquility during their stressful and packed annual Christmas breaks prior to the pandemic. My wife and I discussed this exact point one year ago over dinner, and we revisited the theme again as we approached this past New Year’s Day. As we evaluated our personal and family goals for the year ahead, we remarked how, with so much happening in life, it seems the continuous challenge for many is finding their way toward simplicity. Considering the excitement of all sorts of activities that can attract one’s attention, we shared how crucial it is for individuals and families alike to protect their homes from any cultural messages that might distract us away from a balanced family life. Keeping our eyes on the prize – seeking eternal salvation by modeling Jesus’ gospel teachings – our faith directs us to live rooted in a firm foundation, no matter how occupied or complicated life might seem (Matthew 7:24-27). Maintaining unconditional trust in God’s plan (Proverbs 3:5-6) and placing priority on matters of *rock*, rather than unhealthy distractions of *sand*, we can ensure the hustle and bustle of our society does not drag us into a frantic craze as we endeavor to simplify life and follow God’s path before us. As the leader of our domestic church at home and as a faith educator for teenagers, I do not take lightly the responsibility and tall order of mirroring Christ for my family and students in today’s society. While the challenge can be great, we must all remember our commissioning to introduce the world to Jesus through our humble example. No matter the obstacle presented in the demanding and busy environment around us, acts such as collective prayer, celebration through church services, works of charity, and meaningful shared experiences can all help display our faith in action and encourage others to grow in the same fashion. So as we journey through the beginning of 2021, we can look forward with hope for our loved ones and communities. But while we prepare for all of the uncertainty and excitement that awaits, may we also resolve to live simply in our families, relationships, and events in order to keep God as our core. Committed to knowing and celebrating Him more while inspiring others to do the same, we can undoubtedly ensure that 2021 is a year of simple intention and rock-solid faith. . . . . . . . . . . *Have a concern or challenge facing you or your family this year?* Take our [parent ](http://surveys.gominno.com/s3/Parent-Problem-Discovery-2020-12)[survey](http://surveys.gominno.com/s3/Parent-Problem-Discovery-2020-12) and allow Minno to help you on your way. [![Prayer Minno Life Guide Cover.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bLeT9AHAQ6K7xhbPxO4j.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer) Build your family on a foundation of Prayer with our latest Minno Life Guide. Get it [FREE for a limited time in our store](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-prayer). **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [10 Intentional Ways to Love Your Kids Right Now](https://gominno.com/blog/intentional-ways-to-love-your-kids-right-now/) **Published:** January 13, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YuXhZ1e8SvuHTX1dJM1t.jpg) There are many intentional ways to love our kids in every moment—when we’re busy or tired; when we’re out of money or energy. Often times, we think we need to spend lots of time or money to make a connection with our kids memorable and meaningful. But the truth is: little deposits into their hearts on a daily basis will do more for their growth than an extravagant gift or experience. So don’t get caught up in thinking you have nothing left to give your kids at the end of the day or as you’re rushing out the door in the morning. Your quiet whisper of love in these simple acts will be like shouts of adoration to their precious souls. # 10 Intentional Ways to Love Your Kids Right Now 1. **Put down your phone.** Your willingness to shut out the noise of the world you hold in your hands and focus on them speaks volumes. 2. **Look them in the eyes when you talk to them.** Because they need to know they’ve got your full attention. 3. **Play their favorite game and be all in.** Put away distractions and get in touch with the competitive child inside you. Bring it on! 4. **Say, “I’m so glad I’m your mom/dad!”** They need to know how blessed you feel to be their coach, cheerleader. and guide. 5. **Cook their favorite meal.** For all the nights you’ve made them eat what you served . . . let them pick the menu from time to time. 6. **Let them stay up past bedtime to snuggle or talk.** Oh, how special they will feel when you bend the rules for some extra time to connect. 7. **Write an encouraging note on their bathroom mirror.** Surprise them with words of affirmation to read while they are getting ready for their day. 8. **Read their favorite story, even if you’re tired of it.** You may not love it now, but you will never regret it when they are older. 9. **Say, “I love you!” in the middle of a conversation, just because.** Spontaneous words of love may seem awkward at first but they are priceless! 10. **Lean in and listen.** You never know what you’ll hear or pick up on if you truly pay attention. [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/emc5a23aRYa1GLUTI6q6.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/eJOw9aiSRyPyjjNTFwqK) Download a copy of [this list](https://cdn.buttercms.com/eJOw9aiSRyPyjjNTFwqK) and keep it in your Bible or journal as a reminder to love your kids simply and intentionally every day! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Intentional Parenting, Love, Parenting --- ### [Jungle Beat: Five Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/jungle-beat-family-devotional/) **Published:** January 11, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vWeCIbx6SJqrNCgXELTT.jpg) Welcome to the[ Jungle Beat 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat-5-minute-family-devotional)! We’re joining our favorite animal friends on a 10-day journey to learn all about putting God first, trusting Him, doing our best, and more! Teach kids to connect everyday stories to Bible truths in this 10-day family devotional plan featuring animal antics from the popular show, Jungle Beat. Spark faith-growing conversations about God’s character and the always-flowing love of Jesus in just 5-10 minutes at the dinner table, at bedtime, or in the car on the go! We know you all love *Jungle Beat* as much as we do! Now, your new favorite Minno show is your new favorite 5 Minute Family Devotional. Join us for a 2 week (10 day) family devotional video series inspired by the characters and predicaments of Jungle Beat. Each day watch one of the jungle animals face a big challenge and learn what Scripture tells us about facing that challenge ourselves. Whether you are learning about putting God first, not being afraid, or always trying your best, each 5-minute devotional includes questions for reflection and prayer. Start watching the Jungle Beat 5 Minute Family Devotional on Minno today! #### *What will we learn in the [Jungle Beat 5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat-5-minute-family-devotional)?* This 10-day family devotional plan features lessons on the character of God and how to look for Biblical truth all around us. #### Free Jungle Beat Coloring Pages Keep your kids engaged as you talk about the lessons. Download your free [Jungle Beat Coloring Pages](https://cdn.buttercms.com/KQloBGUSSjqh89JhmEkp)! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8AppjM25T9Su8mxtMIJu.jpg) [Subscribe to Minno](http://gominno.com/) to have access to all 10 devotionals (plus more 5 Minute Family Devotional plans) now. #### **[Jungle Beat 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat-5-minute-family-devotional) Episodes** **1. Morning Prayers** – Learn why it’s important to start our day with prayer in this devotional featuring a sleepy polar bear. **2. God First** – Learn what the Bible says about the things we treasure in this devotional featuring a tenacious fish. **3. Don’t Give Up** – Learn why it’s important to not give up in this devotional featuring a kind and helpful elephant. **4. God, Our Helper** – Learn about God, our always-present help in this devotional featuring an out-of-sorts crab. **5. Keep Going** – Learn about how God helps us through hard things in this devotional featuring a determined monkey. **6. Jesus’ Love** – Learn about the always-flowing love of Jesus in this devotional featuring a thirsty rhinoceros. **7. Do Not Fear** – Learn about how God can help us through our fears in this devotional featuring a scared giraffe. **8. Good Attitude** – Learn about why it’s important to do everything without complaining in this devotional featuring a bee with an attitude. **9. Safe Place** – Learn about our safe place in God in this devotional featuring a struggling bird. **10. Try Your Best** – Learn why it’s important to do our best in this devotional featuring a competitive dolphin. ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber,[ watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat-5-minute-family-devotional)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Now on Minno **Tags:** 5MFD, Family Devotions, Jungle Beat, Minno Shows --- ### [Fruit of the Spirit Lesson Series on Minno Church at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-lesson-series-minno-church-at-home/) **Published:** January 8, 2021 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4lSokrh7SIueKkK4BOWR.jpg) Over the next nine weeks through [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com), we’re digging into the fruit of a life connected to Jesus and led by our Helper, the Holy Spirit. > #### But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT These traits are called the “Fruit of the Spirit” because just as fruit grows from a healthy tree that is planted in good soil and watered regularly, these nine character traits grow in our hearts when we stay connected to Jesus and let His Spirit guide our lives. In John 15, Jesus tells us, > I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener . . . Remain in me, and I will remain in you . . . For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is \[cut\] from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:1,4 NLT We understand that it’s hard to feel “connected” during this time of [social distancing and staying safe-at-home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/covid-19-safe-at-home-journaling-pages). But no matter where we are, Jesus is there, ready to connect with us through prayer, Bible study, and worship. Minno is all about helping families stay connected to Jesus (*did you know the name Minno comes from the Greek word for “abide” from John 15?!*) which is why we created [Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com), a free resource for kids and families to connect with God each Sunday. We hope you’ll plan to join us for the next nine weeks as we study the fruit of a life-connected! Download your [Fruit of the Spirit Scope & Sequence and Family Discussion Guide](https://cdn.buttercms.com/7l35sclATASMYSxIdaw6) [![FOTS Family Discussion Guide.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EiI6UlxJTr6ZYeMvqjia.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/7l35sclATASMYSxIdaw6) Download your [Fruit of the Spirit Family Discussion Guide](https://cdn.buttercms.com/7l35sclATASMYSxIdaw6) with a lesson for each week. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home **Tags:** Church at Home, Fruit of the Spirit --- ### [Help Your Kids Set Goals (and accomplish them) this Year](https://gominno.com/blog/help-your-kids-set-goals-and-accomplish-them-this-year/) **Published:** January 4, 2021 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rL3McdFqRKaRAFqiFZ3M.jpg) As adults, we know our way around goal-setting. Many of our goals merely float around in our brains. Some goals make it on paper. Fewer still get checked off. But it’s those few that we’re often most proud of—and the journey they took that we’re most grateful for. *Why should grownups have all the fun?* This year, let’s invite our kids to experience the joy of dreaming, working hard, and accomplishing. #### **Help Your Kids Set Goals (and accomplish them) this Year** #### **First Up: Goals for Goal-Setting** Yes, goals for goal-setting is a thing. If we want this process to work, we must keep in mind that the role of the adult and the role of the child will look a bit different. Let’s delineate: **A Parent’s Role in Goal-Setting** We’re not here to turn our kids into resolution-achieving robots. Instead, we hope to help them grow into confident, competent adults *one day*. Adults who go after their dreams and take pride in hard work. With this in mind, be sure to: - Keep the mood light and fun. - Let your child lead the way. - Encourage follow-through by focusing on wins. - Practice the art of the pause (By this we mean: a little struggle goes a long way). **A Child’s Role in Goal-Setting** Your kids need only to be willing participants. Check-in with them to ensure that they: - Have fun. After all, this isn’t a board meeting. Let loose! Be silly! Get excited! - Take ownership. A child’s goal should be something they actually *want* to do. **RELATED: [ONE WORD FOR KIDS: NEW YEAR, NEW GROWTH GOAL](https://www.gominno.com/blog/one-word-for-kids-new-year-new-growth-goal)** **Next: Practical Guidelines for Goal-Setting** Time to get practical. We can only hold the attention of little ones—and, let’s be honest, big ones—for so long. It helps to show up with a plan. Here’s what we suggest: **Encourage kids to set a specific number of goals based on their age.** You might suggest one goal for kids in elementary school or younger, two goals for middle school students, and three goals for teenagers. *Why?* Goals are the most fun when they’re realized—so we want to give our kids a real chance to shine. *Got an overachiever in your house?* Encourage her to set as many goals as she’d like. You may find that she exceeds your expectations in the coming year. Or you may be able to support her as she learns how to prioritize or when to call it quits. **Offer structure to get the ideas flowing.** Start by reading through a list of generic categories, like: - Picking up a hobby - Improving a skill - Trying something new - Learning about a subject that interests you - Starting and maintaining a positive habit As your kids throw out ideas, jot each one down. When you’ve got a good list going, help your child narrow down their goals by asking questions, remembering to let them lead the way. Be sure to avoid framing goals in a negative way—that’s why we suggest encouraging kids to *start* a habit instead of *drop* a habit. A minor but significant difference. **RELATED: [HOW TO WRITE A FAMILY MISSION STATEMENT](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-write-a-family-mission-statement)** **Make goals visual.** When your kids are ready to commit their goals to paper, grab a few supplies so they can make the goals visual. Put out paper, markers or crayons, and maybe some stickers or magazines. They might create a vision board of sorts, or write out the goal in big block letters. Help them choose a prominent spot in your home where they can see the goal on a regular basis. **Take your time.** Rome wasn’t built in a day and while, yeah, we don’t wanna overdo it on the cliches, this is one your kids actually need to hear. Good things take time to come to fruition—goal setting and achieving are no different. Set the example by even taking the time to develop these goals with your kids. You might spend the first week of January selecting goals and making them visual. Then, round out the month in the following way: **Second week of January**: Gather supplies needed to make your goal a reality. **Third week of January**: Consider your first few steps toward completing the goal. **Fourth week of January**: Get started! Be sure to also schedule a monthly check-in where you’ll evaluate progress and celebrate wins! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Goal Setting, New Year --- ### [Spiritual Practices for Kids: Sabbath](https://gominno.com/blog/spiritual-practices-for-kids-sabbath/) **Published:** December 18, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/f3yID9s3TWy9cYZAcM3g.jpg) Spiritual practices are inward and outward expressions of faith, rooted in Scripture and tradition, that draw us closer to God. They are disciplines; practices that require work and repetition, that we grow more comfortable with and better at the more we do them. And they are a critical part of the Christian life, helping us to mature in godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7b-10 (ESV) tells us this: *“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”* But spiritual disciplines aren’t just for grown-ups! Kids can develop their spiritual muscles as well, practicing these helpful exercises alongside their parents or on their own. Childhood provides ample opportunities to develop other lifelong habits (like exercise, eating well, table manners, chores, etc.), and many of the same concepts parents use to encourage their kids to develop those habits can be applied to teaching them spiritual practices! Over the next few weeks, we’ll learn about 5 spiritual practices that you can help your kids cultivate. Today, we’ll discuss the practice of sabbath, where it comes from in Scripture, and ways to incorporate it into your family’s routine. #### **The Spiritual Practice of Sabbath** **What is the Sabbath?** Within Christian and Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is a day set aside for God’s people as a day to rest. God instituted the sabbath during the creation story in Genesis: having completed the creation of the world and everything in it, God rested. **Genesis 2:2–3 NIV** > By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. When God gave Moses the law in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, He called out the sabbath as a crucial part of the life of God’s people: **Exodus 16:23 NIV** > He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of Sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.'” When giving the 10 Commandments, this is what God said: **Exodus 20:8–11 NIV** > Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. We practice the Sabbath because God tells us to, first. He wired our bodies for rest, and He desires to spend time with us. The goal of a Sabbath is to experience both of those things: rest and communion with God. *Put it into practice:* Read with your kids the story of creation, either in a full-text Bible or story Bible. Then talk about why God would create the idea of rest. *Why is rest important?* **How to Practice the Sabbath with Kids** *Does the idea of pausing for a weekly day of rest seem absolutely impossible? Especially with kids?* It certainly isn’t the most natural thing in the world, and like practicing anything (sports, cooking, playing an instrument), it requires discipline. That might seem counter-intuitive—*practicing* rest—but it is the only way to make it part of your life in a meaningful way. It will be hard, messy, and uncomfortable. We live in a society hard-wired to produce and perfect, but there’s often nothing to “show” for a day of rest, a day spent communing with God. Maybe a whole day isn’t irealistic right now, but perhaps you can set aside an evening or an afternoon each week to serve as a pause. Sabbath rest can look like different things: a hike in the woods, a bike ride, a lazy afternoon playing board games, or reading books out loud. It can look like ordering pizza or takeout on Sunday night, and sitting around a candlelit table telling stories and singing songs. **What God asks of us on the Sabbath isn’t perfection, but progress . . .** intentional slow times where you remember who God is and enjoy the world He made and the family He gave you. Here is an acronym to help you and your kids with your Sabbath practice . . . to help you REST! **R: Reflect** **E: Experience God’s Goodness** **S: Spend Time Together** **T: Talk to God** **Reflect** Use your Sabbath hours (or day) to reflect on the week behind you and the week ahead. Share the best and hardest parts of your week. Reflect on what you learned in church or school, or a book you are reading, or something you are studying in the Bible. Invite the whole family to reflect on who God is and what He has done. For the littlest kids, this probably means asking them what they want to thank God for or ask God for. As kids get older, engage them more and more in active reflection. You can read Scripture or a devotional book together, or keep a Sabbath journal together. Write down prayer requests, what you are thankful for, and how you’ve seen God working. **Experience God’s Goodness** Experience the goodness of God and His creation together! Use your Sabbath to spend time outside, enjoying creation through a hike, a walk, a bike ride, or driving a scenic route. *Live in the city?* Walk around and marvel at a museum, try a new food, or explore a new neighborhood. *Stuck inside?* That’s ok too. Listen to music, like a symphony! Or read poetry or stories together. **Experience God’s goodness through creation and the created, the beautiful ways God works through people to make extraordinary things.** **Spend Time Together** The Sabbath is, at its core, about spending time communing with God. But by engaging this spiritual practice together, as a family, you invite your kids to start their own journey of spending time with God. When you spend time together, focus on the people in the room. Put your phones away, and engage in a fully present way. Even a few hours of dedicated, engaged rest will be transformative for your family. **Talk to God** When you Sabbath, invite God into it. Spend time praying, reading God’s word, and journaling. Maybe each member of the family has their own journal or paper, and spends time writing or drawing pictures for God. Sing and pray together. **Spend time together and with the Lord, and watch how He meets you in your practice of sabbath.** No matter how short, messy, hard, and uncomfortable it is, God will meet you in it. He delights to spend time with His children. Pray that you will grow in your delight of spending time with Him. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Sabbath, Spiritual Practices --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Different Holiday Traditions](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-different-holiday-traditions/) **Published:** December 17, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jwUvJKSIQKWHmxeB5Ecs.jpg) When I was a kid, everything from the end of November to the end of December was *Christmas*. TV was full of Christmas movies and episodes of my favorite shows. We had Christmas parties at school, at church, at gymnastics. It was magical! But it was very narrow. Christmas, or the overly-secularized, gift-centric holiday that it often is, was the only story in my small southern town. But as I’ve grown, and the world has become increasingly aware and connected, Christmas has given way to the “holidays,” and every day it seems I learn something new about a new tradition, or holiday, or cultural experience. To be clear, I don’t think this is a bad thing. I think it’s wonderful, and I love that my kids are growing up, in the same small southern town, learning about people and places and holidays from all over the world. But as kids, they have questions, about why some people do things differently than we do. These questions arise when we eat different food at lunch, or we drive different cars, our we go to a rocky beach in New England every summer instead of the white sandy gulf. And those differences are often especially noticeable during times like the holidays, which are deeply embedded with familial, religious, and cultural traditions. At the holidays, your kids may see other Christians celebrating differently. Some families have Advent wreaths, and some celebrate St. Nicholas day. Some families open presents every night of Christmastide, then burn their Christmas tree on Epiphany. Some take communion on Christmas Eve, and some go to a midnight mass as the clock strikes 12. Your kids may learn about all kinds of different celebrations at school, on TV, or from their friends. The winter holidays include the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Three Kings Day, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, Mawlid el-Nabi, Watch Night, and more. *So how do you talk to your kids about friends who may observe different holiday traditions?* Start with these ideas but most of all, ask God to show you how to navigate these important conversations. #### How to Talk to Your Kids About Different Holiday Traditions **1. Learn together.** If you see or hear something about a tradition you aren’t familiar with, spend some time researching it as a family! The Internet is your friend here, but so is your local library. Can you find a children’s book about the tradition? Check it out and read it together. Try to find shows or kid-friendly movies (or videos on the Internet) showing different traditions. Then talk about them as a family. Ask questions like, *How do they celebrate Christmas differently? What holiday do they celebrate that we don’t? What do you think looks fun or interesting about that tradition?* **2. Acknowledge and appreciate without appropriating.** Acknowledging and appreciating someone else’s cultural or religious tradition is one thing, but appropriating it is never okay. Do the hard work of learning about a tradition, element, or meal, but be careful if you start incorporating it into your own traditions. Are you doing it because it’s cool or fun, or for that social media picture? If so, step back. Ask yourself questions like: *How would you feel if someone took a sacred part of Christmas and used it for their own image? Are your actions respectful of the tradition and the people who celebrate it? If someone from that tradition were present with you, how would they feel?* 3\. Find common ground in giving.** While not universally true, many winter holidays and traditions (regardless of religion or culture) focus on giving. And giving is a universally good idea! Find common ground as you read and learn about different holidays. Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and Three Kings Day all have a gift-giving component to their celebrations. Talk to your kids about the importance of giving, and how all these traditions share that idea. Brainstorm ways you could get together with friends of all traditions and give back to your community or those in need. Even when celebrations and traditions are different, giving is a way to bring everyone together. So as December draws near and opportunities arise for conversations about different Christmas traditions and traditions that belong to different religions and cultures, spend some time learning with your kids. The holidays are a wonderful time of year to learn together! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas --- ### [Big Questions about Christmas: 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/big-questions-about-christmas-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan/) **Published:** December 14, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LJG5WHVESFaxqB5gooLr.jpg) *The videos from this devotional plan come from the movie [Why Do We Call It Christmas?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck%20denver%20asks%20why%20do%20we%20call%20it%20christmas), which you can stream now on [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-why-do-we-call-it-christmas)!* The [Christmas 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional) will guide you and your family over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, to learn all about the history and meaning of our favorite Christmas traditions, and how they all can point to the REAL reason for the season—JESUS! Follow along for 5 minutes a day, 4 days a week to celebrate Christmas in a whole new way. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our busiest season, remember to take a few minutes every day to focus on the God who gave us the greatest gift—His son Jesus! The Big Questions about Christmas devotional plan features videos from [Buck Denver Asks … Why Do We Call It Christmas?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck%20denver%20asks%20why%20do%20we%20call%20it%20christmas). Each video devotional is 5 minutes and includes a video clip, discussion questions, and a prayer prompt. Download the [companion coloring pages](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Ne8zeZM0QDeMwlIrMNym) to help your kiddos get their creativity on while they learn! We pray this journey helps bring your family closer to God and each other! If you have feedback, ideas or questions about the 5 Minute Family Devotional, [reach out to us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/minno)—we’d love to hear from you! ## Big Questions About Christmas 5 Minute Family Devotional Episodes on Minno [Day 1: Why Is Christmas So Confusing?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/why-is-christmas-so-confusing) [Day 2: Why Do We Call it Christmas?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/why-do-we-call-it-christmas) [Day 3: Why Do We Celebrate on December 25th?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/why-do-we-celebrate-on-december-25th) [Day 4: What Year Was Jesus Born?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/what-year-was-jesus-born) [Day 5: Why Do We Have Christmas Trees?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/why-do-we-have-christmas-trees) [Day 6: Who Is St. Nicholas?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/who-is-st-nicholas) [Day 7: How Did St. Nicholas Become Santa Claus?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/how-did-st-nicholas-become-santa-claus) [Day 8: Why Does Santa Ring a Bell?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/why-does-santa-ring-a-bell) [Day 9: What is Hanukkah?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/what-is-hanukkah) [Day 10: Where Was Jesus Born?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/where-was-jesus-born) [Day 11: What Special Message Did the Angels Bring?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/what-special-message-did-the-angels-bring) [Day 12: Who is Emmanuel?](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/who-is-emmanuel) [](https://www.gominno.com/blog/why-do-we-call-it-christmas-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional). . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QA7cTYPSleLUkSqN9lKS.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Ne8zeZM0QDeMwlIrMNym) Take the experience off-screen! DOWNLOAD THE [BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRISTMAS COLORING PACK](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Ne8zeZM0QDeMwlIrMNym)! **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions, Seasonal **Tags:** 5MFD, Christmas, Family Devotions, What's In The Bible? --- ### [6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Christmas Break](https://gominno.com/blog/6-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-christmas-break/) **Published:** December 11, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DWWO4mHnStahE5gErv39.jpg) Que the Christmas Music! It’s almost time for Christmas break! The kids will be out of school, there will be no rigorous schedule to follow and families can finally spend quality, uninterrupted time together. This year has certainly brought along some challenges for many families, so we want to give you some fun ideas of how to make the most of your Christmas break! #### **1. Give the Gift of Giving** We all know Christmas is a time where parents are bombarded with Christmas lists and some children are even tech-savvy enough to email their parents their Amazon lists! It’s important for children to know that Christmas is not just about what’s given to you, but what you are able to give. Given the current climate and the impact of COVID-19, volunteering may look a little different this year. The expectation is to go and give of your time in person, but unfortunately for many places, it’s not possible right now. [Samaritan’s Purse](https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/) is an organization that collects shoeboxes filled with educational and fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items then delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. On the website, they list creative ways to pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox in the comfort of your home as well as a video showing how one family prepared and packaged a shoebox. Another way to give when you can’t leave your house: [World Vision Christmas Gift Catalog](https://donate.worldvision.org/giftcatalog) – give your kids a budget and let them pick out a goat or a chicken to give to families in need around the world! It really doesn’t matter what you do but that [your kids see your family choosing to give, not just get around the holidays](https://www.gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-to-give-not-get-at-christmas). Happy Giving! #### **2. Make A Family Countdown Calendar** A countdown calendar is a special way to count the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. It is a wonderful resource that provides families with an interactive and engaging way to take a moment each day and focus on Jesus. While there are many colors, shapes and sizes of advent calendars, what could be more special than [creating your own with your family](https://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/crafts/best-advent-calendars/)! If you’re not feeling crafty, we’ve got a [Family Fun Calendar](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-christmas-family-fun-guide) already created with meaningful daily activity suggestions. You can [download it for FREE in our store](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-christmas-family-fun-guide). Don’t worry that we’re already a week or so into December. It’s never too late to start and make it a new family Christmas tradition! [![MinnoChristmasFamilyFunPack_1795x992 ...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9oOfMq9OTAWjNb58uPKb.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-christmas-family-fun-guide) #### **3. Go on a Wonder Walk** One thing that most parents can agree on is that this year has seen a drastic increase in the amount of screen time children are partaking in. Children are exposed to more screens than ever before with the introduction of virtual learning, added to time already spent on television, tablets, and gaming consoles. This Christmas Break, take a break—literally from the screen and spend time outside as a family! Wonder Walks are a great way to start! Pick a time with your family when virtual school is done, or your zoom work meetings are over, and take a family walk. Using Psalm 8:3-6 as a discussion point, talk about the wonder that is God’s creation. Have each family member find something during the walk that God made and when you return from your walk, sit down together and discuss what you saw! Make this a weekly activity for your family. Find a different route for your wonder walk or go to a new park. Make this a time for you and your family to look forward to! #### **4. Do an Interactive and Fun Family Devotion** I know, I know . . . family devotions can sometimes feel like another item on an already long do to list around Christmas. Trying to gather every family member together, coordinate between soccer practices and ballet recitals, it can sometimes feel more taxing than relaxing. But devotions are a wonderful resource to help you dig into the word of God with your family and you can make it a fun and engaging time! Minno’s [5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals) are the perfect tool to help you add faith-building moments into your crazy busy life. Check out the [Big Questions About Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/series/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional) devotional series to connect and learn about the season together! ![5MFD_Series_BigQuestionsAboutChristma...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RMPILRLHRWOLs44sr7H2.jpg) #### **5. Have a Christmas Cookie Contest** *Too cold outside to take your family on a wonder walk?* Bring the fun indoors with a Christmas Cookie Contest! Have each family member choose their favorite cookie recipe and host your own cookie bake-off! If you are worried about an expansive ingredient list and fancy cookware, [mashed.com](https://www.mashed.com/206431/dangerously-easy-3-ingredient-cookies/) shows you how to make kid-friendly three-ingredient cookies! #### **6. Watch a Christmas show on Minno!** We’ve got [Christmas specials](https://www.gominno.com/series/christmas-specials) from VeggieTales, Owlegories, Whirl, and What’s in the Bible? (to name just a few), as well as music from Yancy, Bethel Music Kids, and more! There are over 50 episodes to get you in the Christmas spirit! While you are at it, check out [Minno Mantle](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-mantle), a brand new resource to help you relax and connect together as a family. Put on our cracking fireplace background and spark conversation with your kids using the 20+ on-screen prompts. [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jNbAsBFiSCuJKyzx7FyT.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/christmas-specials) We hope you enjoy some of these ways to get the most out of your Christmas break! While these are centered around implementing family time, we know it’s important that parents take a little time each day in the word of God. While you are doing all you can to make a memorable Christmas break for your family, make sure you are also doing all you can to make room for Jesus. We’ve provided a list of cool activities, but ultimately God is the one who will come and show up and speak to you about how to nourish your soul so you can pour into your family. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Family Fun, Parenting --- ### [How to Help Your Kids Grow Through Their Emotions](https://gominno.com/blog/help-kids-grow-through-emotions/) **Published:** December 11, 2020 **Author:** Erick Goss **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PejRy6IuRO64tLkz3YMy.jpg) Emotions are a story I have had to confront. Over and over. Emotions are not entirely natural for me. I want to value my facts over my emotions. I’m ex-military. An entrepreneur. I’ve been part of the early days at companies that are now household names. I like to solve problems, analyze data, and move forward without all the lag that comes with emotion. But emotions are data, too. To miss that is to actually ignore the whole picture. Unfortunately, culture holds little space for men and emotions. Headlines tout the negative stigma that covers men and mental health, and [statistics](https://www.faithwire.com/2019/03/27/survey-moms-are-teaching-kids-about-jesus-while-dads-are-lacking/) illustrate the likelihood of kids turning to mom for their spiritual growth rather than dad. So the result is men who are stuck. The problem is, ignoring emotions has spiritual consequences. Unaddressed feelings become a breeding ground for our idols and temptations. If we don’t own our emotions, they will own us. For me, I needed to prove myself so deeply that I fell into a clinical depression following a failed business and challenging business relationships. The harder I worked, the deeper the hole I dug. I made an idol out of over-reliance on my own competency. And actually wound up with zero ability to do much on my own. When I finally took the importance of emotions to heart —*pun intended*—a shift started. I could believe the burgeoning neuroscience connecting our physical state to our emotions, and the words of a favorite scientist: *“Although many of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, biologically we are feeling creatures that think.”* I could finally understand what a business mentor told me once: *“Emotion is what puts us in motion.”* Look no further than fact-laden Facebook posts that are actually fueled by anger. Then I invited God into my emotions, and I changed. Oftentimes, we are led to believe that emotions—often negative—are not Biblically okay. But they are true things. They exist. God is certainly a feeling creature with anger, satisfaction, jealousy, and He made us in His image. The Psalms are full of woe and frustration. In the Gospels, we hear of a father pleading with Jesus for the healing of his son, asking, *“help me with my unbelief.”* Noah, David, Moses, and the disciples all showed emotion. Even Jesus, *with full knowledge of His fate*, wept. *So what do we do with emotions?* Sitting with God, our emotions, and a journal is the first step. You’re not there to write pages and pages. You’re there just to answer two simple questions: - *“What am I feeling and why?”* - *“What is that feeling telling me about God in my life?”* While my emotions may not line up with God’s Word, that doesn’t make them untrue nor a significant motivator in my life. I’ve learned God’s Word is true *and* so are my emotions . . . but my emotions and what I’m feeling about life are the things that need to change. The only way that happens is by talking to the Lord about them and asking Him to help me change. There’s nothing we’re dealing with that God hasn’t seen or dealt with before. The key is opening up to Him and looking to Him to inform how we are viewing the world and how we need to change. We can’t change ourselves; it’s God’s work in our lives that allows us to be conformed to Christ’s image. We can’t access that power and transformation if we don’t talk to the Father. This is really the work of sanctification, over and over finding the ways Christ calls us to be more like Him. Looking back at the Scripture examples, the Psalmist turns to praise, recognizing that his circumstances are not the source of joy. The father of the sick boy asks for a heart change. Neither sits in their emotion and shame but instead asks for God to show them the place their hearts can align with His. As we do this work for ourselves, it bleeds into our families. Expressing emotion regarding what was happening around me, my wife, and my girls validated the emotions my kids felt about the very same situation. I wound up being able to crawl out of that clinical depression, because I engaged in not just the facts, but also the feelings I had around the hard efforts of my work. Practically speaking, the pace of life means we often live side-by-side, not face-to-face with our families. With that side-by-side living comes a great opportunity to turn transactional moments into times of transformation in our relationship with our kids. - **Car Time/Dinner/Waiting for Something to Start:** Ask your kids how their day’s events made them feel—their highs and lows—and tell them how your day’s events made you feel. Instead of sharing a list of activities, connect with the emotions—the same and different—you each experienced. *What was the best part of your day? What was the worst?* - **Vacation:** Acknowledge and then discuss how the views and experiences you encounter make you feel, from the ocean and plane window views to even the frustrations of failed plans. Remind your kids who made all of these things for our pleasure. *How does it feel to be someplace different? What does this place or experience feel like?* - **During Holidays:** Balance commercialism with spiritual themes. For Christmas, Advent’s four themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love offer perfect opportunities to talk about what has brought on those emotions, or robbed us of them, in the past year. - **Watching the News:** For many of us, the news today makes us feel unsure, angry, frustrated, and, maybe occasionally, happy, or relieved. Tell your kids that what is happening in the world matters to your heart, because they probably have feelings about it too. - **Telling Stories:** Tell your kid about your accomplishments, memories, and failures as a kid, and tell them how it made you feel. No doubt, they have emotions around their daily life and want to hear that you did, too. Our kids don’t naturally think that we were kids, too, with similar struggles. Sharing those challenges provides an opportunity to speak into their lives in a more meaningful way. - **Finally, Ask Them: *“What do you think God thinks or feels about this?”* Kids have a natural curiosity about life, so encourage them to ask God the very same questions that you ask them. It drives them to engage, and it drives them to seek truth in God’s Word. We can’t just muscle through this stuff. Kids can sniff out inauthenticity better than most adults. Believe it or not, they are spiritual beings. By sharing my feelings with my girls, I’ve learned that it becomes a gateway for connection that they are desperately seeking and longing for . . . not that radically different from what we are looking for from our Father in Heaven. It also makes those tougher moments in life—the disappointments or the discipline—a little easier because we have a shared foundation. Try it. If this ex-military, die-hard entrepreneur, ENTJ-on-the-Meyers-Briggs can, I believe God *will* help anyone. . . . . . . . . . . For more help navigating emotions with your kids, read our Life Guide, [Emotions: The Science, Stages, and Responses that Impact Emotional Growth](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-emotions). [![Emotions Life Guide Cover.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nIzxmhPEQpCI88YOBIVG.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-emotions) [Grab it in the Minno Store for just $4.99](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-emotions)! . . . . . . . . . . *![Erick Headshot.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5Mhrts1R2Cy6nd2mM0vf.jpg)* *Erick Goss is the CEO of [Minno](http://gominno.com), a Christian children’s media company that helps kids and families delight in God.* **Categories:** From the Minno CEO, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Emotions, Minno Life Guides, Parenting --- ### [Minno Christmas Gift Guide: Meaningful Ideas for Kids and Adults](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-christmas-gift-guide-meaningful-ideas-for-kids-and-adults/) **Published:** December 4, 2020 **Author:** Stephanie Thomas **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PO1NU2JvTXucSS79codL.jpg) Two months ago, the first Christmas catalog of the year arrived in the mail. Per tradition, I tossed it on the kitchen table with a blue and green marker—different colors to designate the interests of each kid. It didn’t take long. Within minutes, every item on every page sat inside a crooked circle—or two. And so it went. In the weeks that followed, our boys plowed through six catalogs, shouting out their favorite findings, adding them to an ever-growing list of Christmas wishes. Fun times. Now seems like the right moment to make my confession: I’ll be buying just a few—a very few—of those things. Around here, we view Christmas-catalogue circling as a fun activity, not a guarantee. After all, while my kids sing the praises of every colorful, noisy, one-hit-wonder that comes with the flip of a page, my husband and I know better. *The gifts they cherish most?* Toys that spawn creativity, items that stand up to years of play, or presents that offer depth and meaning. And we adults are no different. We can buy the latest gadgetry for ourselves and have it delivered in two-days’ time. *But a gift with forethought?* Now *that’s* something. We’ll assume you’ve got the catalog-y, creative, and quality gifts covered. Today, we’ll focus our efforts on items with a sentimental bend. In the words of James Brown, *“Let’s make this Christmas mean something this year.”* And we’ll start with what’s under the tree. #### **Meaningful Christmas Gifts Ideas For Kids** These gifts work for kids of all ages—yours and otherwise! **A Growing Collection** Let this be the year you begin a gift-giving tradition. Wrap up just one Schleich dinosaur, Papo animal, Maileg mouse, Kikkerland music box, Playmobil character, or any other item with the potential to grow into a cherished collection. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8Gk5dYJhQoGqQH8QnUfh.jpg) **Minno Subscription** Give the gift of an annual [Minno subscription](https://giftup.app/place-order/2c0d2a38-b345-4853-aada-decf16e704c6?platform=Hosted). Kids can learn about Jesus through fun characters and engaging storylines. Minno includes the entire classic VeggieTales series as well as thousands of other shows! **Parent-Child Journal** Designed for kids old enough to read and write, [this journal from Promptly](https://promptlyjournals.com/collections/kids/products/loom-parent-child-journal-mint) offers questions for both a parent and child to answer. Learn more about each other in ways big and small as you grow together in gratitude, self-confidence, and resilience. **Favorite Music and a New Way to Listen** Write out a list of the best songs you know. Think old tunes and new, songs that move and songs that make you wanna move. Pair the list with new headphones, a Bluetooth speaker, a subscription to Amazon Music, or a kid’s Echo Dot. **Table Topics** Encourage a lifelong skill *and* up the fun at dinner with a box of [Table Topics](https://www.amazon.com/TableTopics-TG-0210-A-to-Go-Kids/dp/B00178YX20?ref_=ast_sto_dp). The kid-friendly box includes 40 questions sure to engage the whole family. Or can choose a [conversation pack](https://www.amazon.com/TableTopics-Kids-Conversation-Trio-Orange/dp/B07JHMRSTB?ref_=ast_sto_dp) covering topics like gratitude, big ideas, and the five senses. ![Laugh and Grow Bible One Year Reading...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xU3hTG7qRnWq0tZ1xrxo.jpg) **The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible** Ignite a love for scripture with the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids). In 52 vividly-illustrated and well-told stories, this Bible-devotional covers God’s story from Genesis to Revelation. Each story includes a prompt for family connection and prayer. **An Invitation to Connect** Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that bring us together. You might gift a new set of watercolor paints with an online class, a new headlamp with plans to go camping, or a cookbook with a date set in the kitchen. #### **Meaningful Gifts Ideas For Adults** (Think adult children, spouses, grandparents, and more!) **Chatbooks** [Chatbooks](https://chatbooks.com/) offers an easy way to bring together special memories in an affordable, stylish photo book. You can include or skip captions, and pull pictures directly from Instagram or the favorites folder on your phone! **Audible Subscription** [Audiobooks](https://www.audible.com/) offer the perfect way to grow on daily walks, help pass the time doing dishes, and turn an afternoon of errands into an adventure. Include a short list of beloved books and, if you’re so inclined, a compelling reason the recipient might want to read them too. **Recipe Tea Towel** This is a gift that checks all the boxes: beautiful, useful, *and* sentimental. [Designers transfer recipes](https://www.etsy.com/listing/764568401/recipe-tea-towel-handwritten-flour-sack?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=recipe+tea+towel&ref=sr_gallery-2-6&organic_search_click=1&frs=1) in their original script to a clean, white tea towel. Perfect for the adult child just starting out or the grandmother missing her own mom’s cooking. **Storyworth** *Want to learn more about your parents and be able to pass their memories on to your children?* [Storyworth](https://welcome.storyworth.com/) sends the recipient an email each week with a question about their life. Their responses will be sent to you in real-time and compiled in a book at the end of a year. **Annual National Parks Pass** For just $80, you can give access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and grasslands. This year, more than ever, taught us to make the most of our time in the great outdoors. And a pass like this is an encouragement to take those adventures to the next level. **Family Tree Chart** [A family tree like no other](https://familytreechart.com), this one comes together in minutes and looks like a modern work of art. Start with a husband and wife and then either work your way backward toward their ancestors or forward to their descendants. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cVUpDKZgSKOafdQ7WVUA.jpg) **Minno Life Guides** *With a plethora of parenting advice bound together in thousands of books to choose from, where do you start?* [Minno Life Guides](https://www.gominno.com/life-guides) are carefully curated mini-ebooks from trusted experts in child development and faith formation that help you navigate top of mind topics including [emotions](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-emotions) and [technology](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-technology) *(Are you getting your child a new device this Christmas? Then you definitely need [this Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-technology)!)*. **An Invitation to Connect** *This is what we really want—what we really need—**isn’t it?* You might gift a game with a time and place you’d like to play, a new pair of shoes and plans for a weekly walk, or an online class for a skill you’d like to learn together. One last confession: mixed in with the sentimental items under our tree you might find the occasional whoopie cushion, plastic nonsense, and white elephant gag gift. I highly recommend adding a little laughter to your gift exchange if possible. After all, we could use it this year! **Categories:** Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Gift Guide --- ### [10 Christ-Centered Christmas Books for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/10-christ-centered-christmas-books-for-kids/) **Published:** December 2, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Norman **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mXOHkonoTteEjh5usdBw.jpg)* *“Mommy, tonight is **my** turn to pick the book, right?”* he says. *“Yes, it is Shane, and I’m so excited to see what you picked for us to read tonight.”* As my son runs to his room, our family gathers together in the living room by the fireplace with warm blankets and hot chocolate. Shane returns with the book of his choice and prepares to read to our family before we go to bed for the evening. This is a tradition my family and I have practiced for years: starting December 1, each member of our family takes turns picking a Christmas book to read before bedtime each night. With five kids, our family has read our share of Christmas books! This special tradition has created so many wonderful memories. For our family and our faith, it’s important that the Christmas stories that we read focus on the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Here at Minno Life, we want you to share in the beauty of storytelling with family and friends. So we’ve compiled a list of 10 Christ-Centered Christmas Books for your family to enjoy! Happy Reading! #### 10 Christ-Centered Christmas Books for Kids #### [**Twas the Evening of Christmas**](https://www.amazon.com/Twas-Evening-Christmas-Glenys-Nellist/dp/0310745535/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TLZ8HFY0S9TS&dchild=1&keywords=twas+the+evening+of+christmas&qid=1605568873&sprefix=twas+the+evening%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1) ***Glenys Nellist*** In the book ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas, author Glenys Nellist presents the story of the night Jesus was born through the eyes of the animals in the stable. With the turn of each page, Nellist truly makes the characters come alive and makes the reader feel like they are in the stable witnessing the birth of Jesus Christ. Rich and vibrant illustrations by Elena Selivanova help to immerse the reader in each scene. **Family Activity Idea:** Interested *in a virtual storytime with the author?* Grab a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and [read along with Glenys Nellis as she shares from her book Twas the Evening of Christmas](https://www.facebook.com/Zonderkidz/videos/811435069298755/). ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/JKtS6NGOQCGfpUXoLvWk.jpg) #### [**The Story of Christmas**](https://www.amazon.com/Story-Christmas-Helen-Dardik/dp/0762462426/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=the+story+of+christmas&qid=1605568896&sr=8-14) ***Helen Dardik*** The Story of Christmas takes readers on the journey of the days leading up to the birth of Jesus. Written and Illustrated by Helen Dardik, the story makes the introduction to the Nativity Story for young children. Dardik uses bright colors throughout the book to illustrate the characters in The Story of Christmas. The book is a sturdy board book and is size appropriate for smaller children. The Story of Christmas truly reminds readers the true meaning of Christmas and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. #### [**Over In A Stable**](https://www.amazon.com/Over-Stable-Suzanne-Nelson/dp/0310761123/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=over+in+a+stable&qid=1605568958&sr=8-1) ***Suzanne Nelson*** Over in the Stable is a fascinating and lively book that tells the story of the night that Jesus was born. The story is told to the cadence of the classic poem “Over in the Meadow’ and features colorful illustrations from artist Aleksandar Zolotic. Over in a Stable also engages younger readers in counting, each animal and person who gathered to watch the birth of Jesus Christ is counted in a fun and rhythmic cadence in each page of the book. **Family Activity Idea:** Author Suzanne Nelson invites readers over to the craft corner of her blog to make a fun [popsicle stick nativity set](https://www.suzannenelson.com/make-your-own-over-in-a-stable-popsicle-stick-nativity-set-with-author-suzanne-nelson/)! #### **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gwKQ4zh8QE27ssrVRzk2.jpg)** #### [**Minno Laugh and Grow Bible For Kids**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more) ***Phil Vischer*** Written by Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer, Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids is a wonderful resource for families to explore and read about the birth of Jesus. A chapter inside of the family bible, Born in A Barn, is devoted to educating families on the events and details of the arrival of Jesus Christ. Vividly illustrated, this bible also includes a family connection to encourage Bible study as a family. The bible also features content that helps to bridge each Bible story and gives an applicational view of the Biblical narrative. As a special Christmas time companion, you can download the FREE [Minno Family Advent Reading Plan](https://shop.gominno.com/products/minno-bible-family-advent-reading-plan) to journey through the Bible this season. #### [**Jesus’ Christmas Party** ](https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Christmas-Party-Nicholas-Allan/dp/1849415269/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jesus+christmas+party&qid=1605568983&sr=8-1) ***Nicholas Allen*** It was a night just like every other night, or so the Innkeeper thought. Jesus’ Christmas Party is a story that centers around the innkeeper trying to prepare for his bedtime like he does every night. However, this night, the innkeeper and his wife keep getting visitors inquiring about Mary and Joseph. Puzzled, the innkeeper begins to search the stable behind his inn, and he is in for the greatest surprise ever! **Family Activity Idea:** Want *to know what it may have sounded like in the stable that evening?* Based on the story Jesus’ Christmas Party, Nicholas Allen presents [the Jesus Christmas Party Musical](http:// https//www.nicholasallan.co.uk/books_jesus_xmas_party.htm). Your family can read along to the musical and learn some fun new Christmas songs! #### [**Humphrey’s First Christmas** ](https://www.amazon.com/Humphreys-First-Christmas-Carol-Heyer/dp/0824956168/ref=sr_1_2?crid=38WBKDK31E2CI&dchild=1&keywords=humphrey%27s+first+christmas&qid=1605569009&sprefix=humphrey%27s+first%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-2) ***Carol Heyer*** *What’s a camel to do without his carpet blanket?* Humphrey is on a search for his beloved blanket while on a journey with the Wise Men to Bethlehem. Will he find his blanket? Where is the place the Three Wise Men on such a long journey. Find out in the light-hearted Christmas story Humphrey’s First Christmas. Bold and warm illustrations are found on each page as author and illustrator Carol Heyer reminds young readers about the true meaning of Christmas. **Family Activity Idea:** [Make your own Humphrey along with his beloved blanket](http://www.carolheyer.com/news-blog/archives/12-2016)! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BY0c6n4RelyM5Ro33AZg.jpg) #### [**Two Sides to Every Christmas Story** ](https://www.amazon.com/Two-Sides-Every-Christmas-Story/dp/1981497277/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=two+sides+to+every+christmas+story&qid=1605569052&sr=8-1) ***George Potts Young*** Kobe has been dreaming about taking her Christmas bike for a ride. She’s been checking under the Christmas tree, double-checking her Christmas list making sure she’s done all the things she’s supposed to “do.” Finally, a box comes in the mail, but it’s very small. Kobe is sad, she knows that the box is not big enough to hold her gift! What Kobe will soon learn is that the greatest gift isn’t under the tree. Writer and Illustrator George Potts Young reminds readers about the importance of keeping Christ at the center of Christmas. #### [**The Christmas Baby** ](https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Baby-Classic-Board-Books/dp/1481444255/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+christmas+baby&qid=1605569086&sr=8-1) ***Marion Dane Bauer*** News is spreading fast around Bethlehem, there is a baby on the way! But what about this baby is so special? In the story The Christmas Baby, author Marion Dane Bauer celebrates the Nativity Story. Lively and multicolored illustrations fill each page as the reader is taken on an artistic ride through Bethlehem to witness the birth of our Lord and Savior. #### [**Christmas In A Manger** ](https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Manger-Nola-Buck/dp/0694012270/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=christmas+in+a+manger&qid=1605569117&sr=8-2) ***Nola Buck*** Nola Buck’s story in poem form conveys the wonder and miracle of the night Jesus was born. Crisp and bold illustrations by Felicia Bond make the characters’ features truly pop! This book is a ‘peek and pat’ book, which allows for the reader to touch the illustrations and actually feel the texture of what a donkey would feel like, or what a ram’s coat looks like and see the actual sparkle from the wise men’s jewels! #### [**Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story** ](https://www.amazon.com/Song-Stars-Christmas-Sally-Lloyd-Jones/dp/0310722918/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z7TCB9VKQK3K&dchild=1&keywords=song+of+the+stars+a+christmas+story&qid=1605569155&sprefix=song+of+the+stars%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1) ***Sally Lloyd Jones*** All the earth is waiting in excitement and anticipation at the coming of Jesus. Written by author Sally Lloyd-Jones, Song of the Stars shares the perspective of God’s creation reacting to the miraculous birth of the Savior. Beautifully illustrated by Allison Jay, this animated and striking picture book encompasses the majesty and awe of nature as it celebrates the coming of God’s promised son. **Family Activity Idea:** Author Sally Lloyd- Jones invites readers to a [virtual storytime as she reads Song of the Stars](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFbm0wS3rlg). . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/eDkO3x0cS7qGldjMkjtJ.jpg) Melanie Norman is an accomplished writer, educator, and entrepreneur whose experience spans across industries and fields. A graduate of the University of Memphis, Mrs. Norman served in the early part of her career as a full-time educator in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms. She has been a contributor to the Long Island, NY and Memphis, TN Parent Guide Magazines, an Editor/Writer for Mommy Poppins, a leading blog catering to active moms, and as Social Media Consultant with Zondervan and Broadcast Faith delivering innovative strategies to engage audiences through social media. In her spare time, she has served as a reading coach but has her hands full as a wife and mother of five children spanning the ages of 2 to 17. Her main passion in life is to equip and encourage her children to pursue a relationship with God and to cultivate an intimacy with Him that fuels their purpose for life. **Categories:** Education, Seasonal **Tags:** Books, Christmas, Reading --- ### [When Should I Get My Child a Phone?](https://gominno.com/blog/when-should-i-get-my-child-a-phone/) **Published:** November 30, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vUYsJOyqRMiJwBpLbi31.jpg)* *The following post is an excerpt from our latest Minno Life Guide, [Technology: Raising Digital Natives](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-technology) from child and adolescent counselor, [Sissy Goff](https://www.gominno.com/blog/author/sissy-goff). Find out more about the guide in the [Minno Shop](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-technology).* *. . . . . . . . . .* *Do you remember getting your first cell phone with a camera? The time limits your parents would set on AOL Instant Messenger so you didn’t tie up the family phone line all night? Buying a certain number of text messages each month?* Generation Z won’t have any of those experiences. In fact, telling them about *“only having 50 text messages a month”* is likely to elicit the same eye-rolls as your parents’ *“walking uphill both ways in the snow to get to school”* stories. Technology isn’t really “new” anymore—at least, not to your kids. Technology is just *there*. #### **Quick Stats About Technology Use From [*Common Sense Media*](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/):** 1. Kids 8 and under spend an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes a day on screens4. 2. Kids ages 8–12 spend an average of 4.44 hours a day (not for school or homework) on screens. Teens use screens for an average of 7.22 hours per day. 3. 53% of kids have their own smartphone by age 11; 69% by age 12. 4. The most popular activity online for kids ages 8–17 is watching tv or videos. The same way the automobile changed the world of relationships, travel, and commerce by opening new pathways to sell, buy, trade, and go, the Internet has opened new pathways too. These pathways often live in the palm of our hands rather than as poured concrete. It took decades for automakers and federal regulators to come up with guard rails, safety mechanisms, seat belts, and car seats to help people stay safe and secure in cars. We’re still in the beginning stages of the Internet revolution, and those safeguards are just now being developed. Technology isn’t going away; it’s here to stay, and it’s already evolved so much. The magic questions these days: *“When should I get my child a phone?” Is there a standard age? When will he be old enough to be responsible? When will she be mature enough to make good choices?”* No expert can answer that question for you, because you know your child better than anyone. You also know your family dynamic, your values, and your desires for your child. All of those factors impact when you introduce screens, personal devices, and social media. #### **When Should I Get My Child a Phone?** Here are a few ideas from our team as well as the [American Academy of Pediatrics](https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx): - **Find a tribe of like-minded parents to walk this road with you.** You can decide together when you’re going to let your kids have their first phone. That way, when your child says, *“All the other kids have \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_,”* (which your child *will* say at some point) you can say, *“That’s funny, because I know the Smiths and the Johnsons or (whomever your home team is) don’t have those yet either.”* This gives you automatic backup, as well as giving your kids friends with whom to commiserate. - **Choose when judiciously.** If your child is the first to have their own smart device, they’ll often be perceived as the frontrunner and others will see them as on the cutting edge, which can get edgier and edgier as they grow up. On the flip side, if they’re the last to have all things technology, they’ll often be the ones who rebel. They’ll sneak or “borrow” a friend’s device, or they’ll be left behind and excluded. If you hold off on all technology, your child will often find their way to it without your knowledge—and rebel. Plus, your goal is to teach your child responsible technology use while they’re under your roof**.** These years offer an incredible opportunity for your kids to learn responsible technology use while they’re living with responsible adults, who can set safe and clear boundaries. Technology isn’t the enemy, but it is certainly a gateway to the world in all of its beauty *and* brokenness. Just as you teach your kids to be good citizens in their school and neighborhood, teach them to be good citizens of the digital world. [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/uu2MGZxiSRGhSZOznmbK.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-technology) Read more about 10 guiding principles to help you raise digital natives in the [Minno Life Guide: Technology](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-technology) **Categories:** Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting, Technology --- ### [How to Navigate Tricky Conversations at the Holiday Table](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-navigate-tricky-conversations-at-the-holiday-table/) **Published:** November 19, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jRG24WGcRCK4Gr6h9rEB.jpg) In years past, we’d probably start an article like this with a joke about how we can always count on that crazy uncle to make holiday conversations a bit more . . . interesting. *But Thanksgiving 2020?* Anything can happen. Per tradition, the fun topics of weight, relationship status, religion, and *“When are you gonna have that next kid?”* are already on the table. **And this year’s serving up a few new dishes: a worldwide pandemic, a tense presidential election, and a racial reckoning.** Odds are, you won’t agree with your holiday companions about all of these things. *So what’s a turkey-lover supposed to do?* We’ve got you covered. Well . . . mostly. There’s nothing we can do about those crazy uncles. #### **3 Things To Do Now For a More Peaceful Holiday Table** **Talk About Covid-Related Expectations** It’s easy to assume that others see things the same way we do. Or that at the very least, that we understand one another. But, again, this is 2020. All bets are off. To ensure that your holiday dinner starts off on the best note possible, pick up the phone now. Call your host and ask, *“With Covid in mind, how are you feeling about our get-together?”* If you’re the host, reach out to your guests. Work together through some of the sticky details: 1. How many folks are too many? 2. To mask or not to mask? 3. Are we eating indoors or out? Check in to make sure all parties are comfortable with the plan and committed to following through. You might find that you’re all on the same page already—great! You can breathe a sigh of relief. If not, take comfort in the fact that your preemptive conversation will make everyone feel more at ease on the big day. **Decide How You’ll Respond in Awkward Moments** There’s nothing quite like getting cornered by a nosey relative on your way to get seconds or being caught up in the middle of an argument at the dinner table. *Either way—your food’s getting cold, right?* Be ready for the inevitable by thinking through some of the key points of contention you might encounter. Then consider how you’ll respond. Keep in mind that, more likely than not, your kids will be watching. They’ll get a front-row seat to how you handle tough moments. You can make the most of these opportunities with the responses listed below. **Depending on the topic and the intensity you might:** **1. Ignore what’s being said.** This one is simple, but it still takes guts. You can smile noncommittally and then change the subject, *“Aunt Shirley, this pie is divine! Where did you get the recipe?”* ***Teachable Moment:*** Sometimes it’s better to choose relationships over being right. After all, it’s okay for good people—even God-fearing people—to disagree. **2. Stand up for what you believe.** You might feel compelled to speak up, especially if keeping quiet makes you seem complicit. Before you do, make sure to first listen well, clarify that you understand what you’re hearing, and consider the other viewpoint. Then, and only then, explain yourself. Your best bet is to keep it kind and keep it brief. ***Teachable Moment:*** You have the right—and sometimes the responsibility—to speak your mind. And you can have difficult conversations in a respectful manner. **3. Shut things down before they get out of control.** *Do you see an argument brewing? Are you feeling attacked or witnessing another guest taking it especially hard?* Draw a line in the sand. Start with, *“I think it’s time we try a new topic of conversation.”* And then, if necessary, *“If we can’t move on from this, my family and I will need to leave.”* ***Teachable Moment:*** Working through disagreements in a healthy way requires a safe space and people who are willing to stay calm. When those things aren’t present, you can stop the conversation. **Plan A Few Fun and Engaging Activities** Distraction is the mother of all argument prevention. By giving people something fun to do, they’ll have a tougher time focusing on negative issues. If you’re a guest, give the host another ring and volunteer to bring the fun. If you’re hosting, assign this role to a guest. A few ideas you might try: 1. Keep things simple by tossing the football. 2. Organize a pre-dinner Turkey Trot race around the neighborhood. 3. Bring a crowd-pleasing game like Codenames (for the adults) or Bop It (for the kids). 4. Ask everyone to bring one burning question for the group (Think: *What’s the best show you binge-watched this year?*). 5. Plan a contest for weird tricks and useless talents. Give guests a heads up so they can prepare. 6. Argue about the things that really matter: *Turkey or Ham?* *Stuffing or Dressing?* *Mashed Potatoes or Sweet Potato Casserole?* *Pumpkin pie or Pecan Pie?* *Homemade Cranberry Sauce or Canned Cranberry Sauce?* When you get home be sure to follow up with your kids about any tough conversations they may have witnessed. Listen to their concerns and reiterate the takeaways you hope they’ll retain. Our hope, of course, is that you enjoy a wonderful day regardless of how you’re celebrating and who you’re celebrating with. **Categories:** Family Life, Seasonal **Tags:** Politics, Thanksgiving --- ### [Spiritual Practices for Kids: Bible Reading](https://gominno.com/blog/spiritual-practices-for-kids-bible-reading/) **Published:** November 16, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6ydDYOwoTCeONhj9aVlI.jpg) Spiritual disciplines are inward and outward practices, rooted in Scripture and tradition, that draw us closer to God. They are disciplines, practices that require work and repetition, that we grow more comfortable with and better at the more we do them. And they are a critical part of the Christian life, helping us to mature in godliness. [1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (ESV)](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Tim%204.7b-8) tells us this: *“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”* But spiritual practices aren’t just for grown-ups! Kids can develop their spiritual muscles as well, practicing these helpful exercises alongside their parents or on their own. Childhood provides ample opportunities to develop other lifelong habits (like exercise, eating well, table manners, chores, etc), and many of the same concepts parents use to encourage their kids to develop those habits can be applied to teaching them spiritual practices! Over the next few months, we’ll learn about 5 spiritual practices that you can help your kids cultivate. Today, we’ll discuss the value of reading the Bible and ways to practice it as a family. #### **The Spiritual Practice of Bible Reading** **Why Read Scripture** God’s Word is a means of grace; it helps us know God more and draw closer to him each time we read it. Scripture is full of verses that share the richness that awaits us when we read the Bible. Scripture helps us know God better, understand how to live in his world, and believe the good news about Jesus. *Put it into practice: Use these verses to talk to your kids about the importance of Scripture. Read them out loud together and discuss them.* **Psalm 119:105 (NIV)** *Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.* **Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)** *For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.* **Romans 15:4 (NIV)** *For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.* **How to Read the Bible with Kids** There are so many ways to engage your kids in the beauty and wisdom of Scripture, no matter what their age! For the youngest kids, you can read board book story Bibles, like the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Little Ones](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-little-ones), or Sally Lloyd Jones’s Hug-A-Bible. Exposing them to God’s Word from the very beginning, on a daily basis at bedtime or naptime, will help build a rhythm that they can expect every day. For preschool and early elementary kids, the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) is a wonderful way to encourage kids to read and reflect on Scripture. It has a companion discussion page for every Bible story, so your kids can take the next step from reading Scripture to applying it to their lives. This is also a great age for your kids to start seeing you read your Bible (or listen to it) on a daily basis. Kids are imitators, and they are always watching. Build Scripture reading into your day. Invite them to sit quietly with you, or read or look at pictures in their own Bible. For older elementary kids, get them their own full-text Bible! One of my favorites for girls is the [My Creative Bible for Girls](https://www.christianbook.com/esv-creative-girls-hardcover-purple-glitter/9781432129231/pd/2129231?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=childrens-bibles-20-40%7C2129231&p=1179710&dv=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhZT9BRDmARIsAN2E-J2DQaXWQ6hfp0e4yczhNLTIBLKipQ8NWgfy972Cc-R3uCuCSmqo-D0aAtsNEALw_wcB), which gives them the chance to doodle, color, and trace as they read. This engages the creative side of their brain, which is super helpful in cultivating a love of Scripture! For boys, check out the [Action Bible](https://www.christianbook.com/the-action-bible-updated/9780830777440/pd/777443?product_redirect=1&search_term=action%20bible&Ntt=777443&item_code=&ps_exit=PRODUCT&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP), which combines Bible stories with graphic novel illustrations. Older elementary and preteens can also read full-text Scripture alongside grown-ups. Encourage them to ask questions, reflect, and pray through the Bible with you. Make it a goal to read a book of the Bible together and discuss it! Isaiah 55:11 tells us that the word of God will not return empty. It always has something to say to us about God and His love for us. The spiritual practice of reading the Bible is accessible to kids of all ages. It can be followed by studying Scripture, memorizing verses, and praying through the Word. But don’t feel pressure as parents to gain certain outcomes, like memorizing 10 verses or being able to name all the books in order. Those are important tools, but as your kids are young, focus on sharing your own love of the Bible with them. Pray that God would work through His word in their lives, and pray that your kids would grow in love and knowledge of Scripture. The Bible is not a book to be mastered, a test to be passed. It is a living letter, written on paper and in our hearts. It is a gift, a grace, and a way to shape your child’s heart toward the Lord. . . . . . . . . . . Cultivate a love of God’s Word with these reading plans from the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids): [One Year Bible Reading Plan](https://www.gominno.com/blog/one-year-bible-reading-plan-kids-families) [Family Advent Bible Reading Plan](https://www.gominno.com/blog/advent-reading-plan-from-the-laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) . . . . . . . . . . **Other Posts in This Series:** [Spiritual Practices for Kids: Prayer](https://www.gominno.com/blog/spiritual-practices-for-kids-prayer) **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Reading Plans, Spiritual Practices --- ### [The Complete VeggieTales Christmas Episode Guide](https://gominno.com/blog/veggietales-christmas-episode-guide/) **Published:** November 10, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Auo8x4ZR52rbnTLPjKBX.jpg) We’ve got the complete library of VeggieTales Christmas on Minno this season! Watch these Christmas episodes as Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and all their veggie friends engage in fun stories and songs that teach the true meaning of Christmas! #### The Complete VeggieTales Christmas Episode Guide #### [Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-christmas/videos/merry-larry-and-the-true-light-of-christmas) Bob and Larry are going all out to make it the best Christmas ever at the Spring Valley Mall. With music, decorations, and a light show like no other, it’s an all-out spectacle to outshine the competition. But a little girl with a big heart changes everything when she shows them all what Christmas is really about. **Theme**: The true meaning of Christmas **Running Time**: 48 minutes #### [The Best Christmas Gift](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-christmas/videos/the-best-christmas-gift) Bob and Larry receive a letter from a young fan who’s having a difficult holiday season. The Veggies band together to put on a spectacular show to help their young fan and themselves to remember that the promise of Christmas brings comfort and joy in all kinds of circumstances. **Theme**: Finding comfort and joy during hard holiday seasons. **Running Time**: 30 minutes #### [The Star of Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-christmas/videos/the-star-of-christmas) In 1880s London, Cavis Appythart and Millward Phelps are putting together the finishing touches on their first Christmas musical – The Princess and the Plumber. Filled with spectacle and more electric lights than London has ever seen, Cavis is convinced his impressive show will teach London to love. Unfortunately, a church Christmas pageant staged by little Edmund Gilbert is opening the same night, right down the street, and features The Star of Christmas – a priceless artifact that has not been seen in 80 years! *Just how far will Cavis go to make sure his show opens on top?* **Theme**: Sharing love at Christmas **Running Time**: 49 minutes #### [Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-christmas/videos/saint-nicholas-a-story-of-joyful-giving) Laura Carrots Christmas stocking might be empty this year because her dad is in danger of losing his job. While Larry thinks a letter to the North Pole should fix the problem, Bob knows what will really help . . . and tells the story of a little boy named Nicholas who made a discovery in Bethlehem that changed Christmas forever. *But what did Nick learn and how can it possibly help Laura and her family?!* **Theme**: Gratitude and giving **Running Time**: 47 minutes #### [It’s a Meaningful Life](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-christmas/videos/its-a-meaningful-life) When he meets a mysterious train conductor who can turn back time, Stewart gets a chance to have the life he always wanted. *Will he find all he’s been looking for?* **Theme**: Realizing life’s most important blessings **Running Time**: 50 minutes #### [The Little Drummer Boy](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-christmas/videos/the-little-drummer-boy) (COMING SOON!) In this Veggie-version of a holiday classic, Junior Asparagus stars as the Little Drummer Boy, a lonely child who finds the true meaning of Christmas when he stumbles upon the birth of the baby Jesus. **Theme**: The true meaning of Christmas **Running Time**: 48 minutes . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-christmas)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Now on Minno **Tags:** Minno Shows, VeggieTales --- ### [Gratitude in the Midst of Negativity](https://gominno.com/blog/in-not-of-gratitude-in-the-midst-of-negativity/) **Published:** November 4, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/trgK2e7FRiK68IgFcWhe.jpg) In the middle of what should be a season of thanksgiving, negativity is at a height. It’s no wonder we see antagonistic headlines and social media posts everywhere we turn. **Our culture has been largely built on negativity and popular opinion, especially surrounding politics.** We have the right to say and post what we think and feel. But most people abuse this freedom, diminishing its value. Over the past few months leading up to the election, I was surprised at how many times my 8-year-old came home from school with political commentary to share. *Where is she hearing all of this?* I thought. **And then I remembered how much the little people in our homes listen and repeat what they hear.** It’s hard for adults to “use their words” in conversations surrounding issues they are passionate about. It’s difficult to rise above the “sky is falling” narrative presented by the media. *But how will we teach our children to be thankful for the many blessings they enjoy if we’re constantly focused on all that is wrong?* Despite the negativity that surrounds us, we can be ambassadors for gratitude and peace with these five habits that start at home. . . 1. **Use Your Words.** Replace words of doom and gloom with words like hopeful and thankful; expectant and optimistic. 2. **Look For The [Good](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-to-find-and-be-the-good-in-a-broken-world).** Find the bright side in the midst of tough situations, even if it’s hard. 3. **Practice [Peace](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-promote-peace-at-home).** With words, actions, and thoughts. 4. **Spread [Love](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-love-your-neighbor-today).** Look for opportunities to bless others, even in the simplest ways. 5. **Be Inspired To Act.** Let frustrations fuel our hands instead of our mouths. When speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the Israelites exiled in Babylon, God instructs his people to get settled, to basically set up camp and plan to stay awhile. Jeremiah says, > *“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”* Jeremiah 29:7 We may feel like being negative and complaining about the state we are in (in our nation or just in our lives) but when we settle in and find the good, God will work to bring hope and a bright future to those who seek him. **RELATED POST:** [How to Teach Kids to Find and Be the Good in a Broken World](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-to-find-and-be-the-good-in-a-broken-world) This is how we raise children who live IN our messy world but do not become jaded and defeated because OF it. They are watching, they are listening. *Are we leading them with our thankful words and actions towards the bright hope of Jesus?* **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Politics, Thanksgiving --- ### [Join Us for Good Tidings of Great Joy on Minno Church at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/good-tidings-of-great-joy-on-minno-church-at-home/) **Published:** October 29, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6jawV8PjQrelgz7Al4Lo.jpg) Minno Church at Home is sharing weekly episodes that will help your kids focus on Jesus as they anticipate the celebration of His birth. We know the past few years have been tough—going back to school (or not as the case may be for your family), continuing to deal with pandemic-related struggles, and navigating life in one of the hardest seasons in our lifetime. Yup, you are probably ready for all of this to be over. ***But not so fast!*** Even in the midst of these hard times, we have so much to celebrate! Advent marks the beginning of a new season . . . [Advent](https://www.gominno.com/blog/advent-reading-plan-from-the-laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) . . . a season of waiting with anticipation and expectant hope for the celebration of the coming of our Savior. [Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-christmas) . . . the arrival of Immanuel . . . God with us . . . our great joy! New Years . . . the chance for a fresh start and fresh faith! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SXCd6ncRT8GLuAzwU937.jpg) We invite your family to join us on a journey toward the manger. Through the next four weeks of Minno Church at Home we’ll explore these powerful themes: #### Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love Download your [Good Tidings, Great Joy Family Discussion Guide Pack](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2021-Good-Tidings-of-Great-Joy-CAH-Pack.pdf), and tune in to [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com) each week as we worship and laugh, and learn together. **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home **Tags:** Christmas, Church at Home --- ### [Church History for Kids: What are Sacraments?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-are-sacraments/) **Published:** October 2, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1836IbenR0axL6YHlb0E.jpg)** Sacraments are outward signs of our internal faith; they are practices that engage our senses (smell, taste, sight, feel, and sound) to regularly remind us of God’s grace. Sacraments are expressions of our faith that kids likely observe on a regular basis, but may have a lot of questions about! Because sacraments are physical and tangible, they can be amazing teaching tools for kids about living an embodied faith. Faith isn’t just something we know in our minds, or feel in our hearts, but it is a whole-life experience. The Catholic church has seven sacraments, and protestant churches typically have two. Read on to learn more about where the sacraments came from and what they are for! #### **What are the sacraments?** The seven sacraments practiced by the Catholic church are: baptism, confirmation, communion, penance, holy orders, matrimony, and anointing the very sick. The protestant church, when it formed during the Reformation in the 1500s, only recognized two sacraments: baptism and communion. Sacraments are an important part of the tradition of the church, but they are more than routine. We don’t just do them for the sake of doing them; rather, each outward sign reveals to ourselves and the world that we belong to Jesus! . . . . . . . . . . **Big Word: SACRAMENT** A sacrament is a religious practice or ritual that is an outward sign of our internal faith. . . . . . . . . . . #### **Where did the sacraments come from?** A group of church leaders decided on the seven sacraments way back at the Council of Trent, which started in 1545. Councils were frequently called for church leaders to come together and discuss disagreements, and many important decisions were made at councils. The Council of Trent happened at the same time as the Protestant Reformation, which was led by Martin Luther. The Protestants accepted two sacraments: baptism and communion. The Catholic church had seven. But sacraments find their real roots in Scripture. The two sacraments practiced by protestant churches were both instituted by Jesus. In Matthew 28:19, when Jesus gives His disciples the Great Commission, He tells them to baptize new believers in the “name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Jesus also led the first communion, known as the Last Supper, when He commanded His disciples in Luke 22:19–20 to “do this in remembrance of me.” #### **What is Baptism?** Baptism is a sacrament that involves water. People are either sprinkled with water as babies or immersed in water when they are older, usually after they have made a declaration that they are going to follow Jesus. Baptism shows the world that we have new life in Jesus and belong to Him! Baptism symbolizes the washing away of our sins and being raised up out of the water, clean and new, for a life with Christ. When you talk to your kids about baptism, find out about your local church’s tradition. *Was your child baptized as a baby, or does your church wait until kids or adults make a declaration of faith?* Share with your children the story of your own baptism. Invite them to ask questions! Read the story of Jesus’s own baptism in your [favorite storybook Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) or in Matthew 3:13–17 (you can find the story, John Baptizes Jesus on page 236 in the [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids)). #### **What is Communion?** Your church may call the breaking of bread and drinking of wine or juice the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, or communion. The [sacrament of communion](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-tips-for-teaching-your-children-about-communion) is a beautiful outward expression of our faith. It accomplishes two things: we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us of His own body and blood, and it proclaims to everyone around us that we are part of God’s family, welcome at His table. Depending on your church tradition, kids may or may not participate in the Lord’s Supper until they have joined the church as a communing member, or made a public proclamation of faith. But even if they aren’t old enough or ready to partake, kids can learn so much by observing others taking communion. Communion engages all the senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound. Encourage your kids to approach the table with you, or touch the bread or smell the juice/wine. Activating their senses will inspire them to imagine what it would be like to take part in the Lord’s Supper. It’s an incredible way to start faith conversations with your kids! Read the story of Last Supper in your [favorite storybook Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) or in Matthew 26:17–30 (you can find the story, The Lasy Supper on page 272 in the [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids)). The sacraments are precious parts of the life of the Church, and they have been since the beginning of the Church! Encourage your kids to learn and ask questions about these practices of faith. Point them out when you see them or participate in them at church. And pray that your children will grow deeper in faith and knowledge of God and that they will want to participate in the full life of the church—sacraments and all! Maybe you’ve never really thought about teaching Church History to your kids before, but we can learn so much about how to be the Church today by learning about how the Church used to be. Both when the church first started and as it grew and changed throughout history, in all different times and places. When we study church history, there are so many powerful stories of believers who have done amazing things for the kingdom of God that our kids will be inspired to do great things for the kingdom of God in their own lives. For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Church History, Sacraments --- ### [Creation Care for Kids: How to Love Living Creatures, Great and Small](https://gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-living-creatures-great-and-small/) **Published:** September 30, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XQTmMEQhS6C3Ica6gzem.jpg) *“Remember, Jesus could have hung out with anyone, but He chose to hang out with fishermen,”* my dad, an avid fly fisherman, said with a wink. We were preparing to go fishing for the first time in years for me and the first time in weeks for him. My dad was teasing, of course, showing pride in his favorite hobby, but I had to admit there was something to what he was saying. Jesus’ very first disciples were in fact salty, stinky, professional fishermen (Luke 5:1-11). They knew fish, and how and when to fish; Jesus spoke to their professional knowledge of animals to gain their trust (Luke 5:4-5). Once He had gained it, by helping them catch so many fish their nets almost burst (Luke 5:6), He asked them to be fishers of men. This might be one of the most famous examples of animals in Jesus’ teaching, but it’s certainly not the only one. The Bible is full of stories about the most lively part of God’s precious Creation—animals. From Noah saving animals two by two to redeem Creation after the Flood (Genesis 7) to a whale, the largest animal in Creation, very clearly reminding Jonah to obey the Lord (Jonah 1:17), animals are often used as key characters in the Bible. There are also numerous animal sacrifices in the Bible (Genesis 8:20-22, Genesis 15:9, Leviticus 6, Leviticus 12:6), because these animals God created are seen as pure and pleasing gifts to the Lord. But Jesus is even referred to as an animal, as a Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice (John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 Corinthians 5:7). That’s right—Jesus loves animals so much He uses one as an analogy to describe Himself! But even though lambs are pure and pleasing sacrifices, they are also vulnerable animals, and that is why when Jesus calls us lambs, He calls Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18, Ezekiel 34:11-24, Psalm 23). He knows nature can be dangerous sometimes, as can the life of a follower of Jesus; He says being an early disciple is like being a “lamb among wolves” (Luke 10:3). When Jesus talks about being the shepherd to His flock and the fisher of men, He is talking to actual shepherds and fishermen. He knows they know what it is like to fish all night and have empty nets, or to stay up all night protecting their flock, like the shepherds who witnessed the first Christmas (Luke 2:8-20). When He describes a lost believer as a lost sheep among the ninety-nine (Luke 15:3-7, Matthew 18:10-14), these shepherds understood that story intuitively because they looked after their flocks every day. Today most of us fish only as a hobby and the closest we get to sheep is buying wool sweaters at the mall. But we sure like to consume animals; Americans ate a record-breaking 222 pounds of red meat and poultry per person in 2018 (USDA). The most conservative estimates say that 15% of all global greenhouse gas emissions come from raising livestock, and some scientists estimate the direct and indirect impacts of livestock are 50% of all global emissions ([drawdown.org](http://drawdown.org))! If cows were their own nation, they would be the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and cattle and ruminants take 30-45% of the world’s arable, or farmable, land ([drawdown.org](http://drawdown.org)). We’re not just poor stewards of creation with cattle and our food. The [United Nations](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/#:~:text=The%20Report%20finds%20that%20around,20%25%2C%20mostly%20since%201900.) finds that around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, the most ever in human history; this includes 40% of amphibian species, almost a third of coral species, and over a third of all marine mammal species. And animals are threatened by our waste as well: more than 2,200 species have been found entangled in or have ingested our marine debris in the ocean ([Litterbase](https://litterbase.awi.de/)). ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Minno_Creation-Care_No-Oval.png "- Minno Kids") #### ***So how can we do a better job at caring for the animals of God’s Creation?*** We can start by eating less of them, polluting less, and giving animals their space. COVID-19 has shown that animals can bounce back quickly, as we’ve witnessed a baby boom of species from Yosemite National Park to the oceans. And while humans staying inside forever isn’t practical, lessening our impact on animals’ environments is! Here are some other simple suggestions: - *Go fishing*. Get outside and enjoy all of God’s beautiful nature. Smell the fresh air, admire the clean water, look at the beautiful trees, and try to catch those elusive fish. And in today’s increasingly anxious times, it’s good for all of us to do an activity that requires us to be still, be quiet, and be patient. Once you catch the fish, my dad and I prefer to catch and release, but Jesus ate five loaves and two fish, so that is up to you . . . - *Hug your pet*. Reflect on how your cat or dog (or hamster or lizard or . . .) reflects God’s unconditional love for you. Nothing in my life shows me God’s unending loyalty and faithfulness like the faithfulness of my pup Gracie. *Don’t have a pet?* Think about adopting a rescue animal at a local shelter. - *Don’t let your house cat outside*. This one might not seem obvious, but your house cat is actually a natural hunter and predator. They are prone to wander and hunt critters in the neighborhood. A recent study found that roaming house cats kill 69.6 million birds and 1.4 million mammals every year, and your domesticated house cat doesn’t know the difference between a native squirrel, an invasive rat, or a very endangered field mouse. So keep them inside, and help keep wildlife safe! - *Eat sustainable animal products*. I’ve [talked before about eating less meat](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-your-family-can-love-the-earth), especially red meat, and how it could greatly reduce your carbon emissions. But if you are going to eat meat, make sure it is from a sustainable source. For seafood, check the [Seafood Watch](https://www.seafoodwatch.org/) app from Monterey Bay Aquarium to see what seafood is the most sustainable in your area and if it best to eat it wild-caught or raised via aquaculture. For meat and poultry, look for cage-free eggs and grass-fed beef as a safeguard for how the animals were treated on the farm. - *Donate to the animal cause closest to your heart*. Everyone has a different favorite animal, and chances are, there is a group of conservationists and scientists out there fighting to protect that animal. If you love foster puppies, donate to your local shelter. *Worried about elephant poaching in Africa?* There’s a group for that. I donate to groups that keep the ocean safe and clean from pollution. *My dad?* Well, he donates to groups that keep his beloved trout fishing streams clean and preserved for generations to come. . . . . . . . . . . Caring for God’s amazing creation can feel like a really big job! But you don’t have to memorize statistics, understand the latest science, or even dramatically change your lifestyle to care for the earth. Creation care can start with simple habits and just being aware . . . that God created the earth and every amazing thing in it, and that we are called to take care of His creation. Our latest Minno Life Guide: [**Creation Care: How Your Family Can Love the Earth**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care), written by Jenni Brandon, Ph.D. and Senior Scientist at Applied Ocean Sciences, will help your family discover small changes that will make a big impact on the beautiful world God made. - Learn scientific facts about our land, air, water, plants, and animals and how they are changing for the good and not-so-good. - Discover ways your family can make small changes to help conserve our resources. - Engage in conversations and simple creation care practices with the ideas and prompts in this guide. - Use the included Creation Care Journal to guide kids on a journey of exploration into the wonderful world God made and their opportunity to steward it well. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Creation-Care-1756x992-1.png "- Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) Visit the Minno Store to get your [Creation Care Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care)! . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YCMOYNXGQjWWot2lid6q.jpg) Jenni Brandon received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in December 2017, focusing on the nascent field of marine microplastics. She is an expert in quantifying and identifying marine microplastics and has developed multiple novel methods to identify the spatial and temporal ranges of microplastics and determine the age of plastics exposed to varying weathering conditions in the environment. She is passionate about the world of science communication, having given hundreds of interviews and talks to all types of stakeholders, and was a college lecturer on communicating science to the public during her post-doc at Birch Aquarium. She is active in her church and serves as a Young Life committee member in Encinitas, California. For more of her personal outreach articles and articles about her research, please check out www.jenniferabrandon.com or follow her on twitter at @PlasticsJenni. . . . . . . . . . . #### **Minno Shows About Creation** [The Nature of God](https://www.gominno.com/series/nature-of-god) [Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) [The Wonderful World of Science with Dr. Schniffenhousen](https://www.gominno.com/series/wonderful-world-of-science) #### **Minno Books about Creation** **![What's In The Bible Board Books.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bnChyqmGSyaXdMSYv132.jpg)** Board Books featuring beloved What’s In The Bible? brothers, Clive and Ian: [God Made the World](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Me](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made the Animals](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Night and Day](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) ![L&G Cover 3D Mock_FINAL SM.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q7MNwDRBQaW6eA5cm7FK.jpg) [The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Creation Care for Kids --- ### [Raising Worshipers: An Interview with Yancy](https://gominno.com/blog/raising-worshipers-interview-with-yancy/) **Published:** September 28, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/I54BbSPCSd6NA2kdAarg.jpg)** We invited beloved kids worship leader, Yancy, to be our guest on Minno Life today to celebrate the launch of a brand new Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional: [**Yancy’s Little Praise Party 5 Minute Family Devotional**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional) Read our interview and be inspired then keep scrolling to check out all of the many ways to worship with Yancy on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . **Welcome, Yancy to the Minno Life blog! It’s such an honor to have you as our guest this week and to be sharing your incredible kid’s worship music with our Minno families. I’d love for you to share a little bit about you, your family, and your ministry.** Thanks for letting me share with the Minno families. I’ve been making music for the past 23 years and have focused on kids and families for the past 12 years. I like to say I make music that makes Jesus loud! I get to travel and do family concerts and lead worship for special kid’s events, which is so much fun! I also get to train kid’s worship leaders through sessions at various ministry conferences and online events, as well as write for worship and ministry magazines. I love fashion, bright colors, and sparkly things. I’ve been married for 17 years to my husband Cory and we have two sons: Sparrow is 9 and Rhythm is 4. We live in Nashville, TN. **Can you share what led you to become a worship leader? And why for kids?** From the time I was single digits, I knew God put me on earth to do music. I grew up being involved in every worship team possible at church. I originally set out to make popular Christian music but God started pointing me more towards worship. I ended up on staff at a church in Tulsa, OK for a few years, and oversaw worship for students, young adults, and preteens. I also led adult worship and the last thing I took on was elementary and preschool worship. I started off just fulfilling a need. In fact, that’s how the first Little Praise Party album was made. God started opening more and more doors for me to make music for kids. I began to see that’s where I was connecting and flourishing and the rest is history. **Why do you think it’s important for kids to learn *why* we worship?** People perish for a lack of knowledge. There are so many Christians that don’t fully understand worship and why it matters. I promise you kids are the easiest age group to lead in worship because it’s naturally in them to worship God. But sometimes they need you to draw a box and help them understand *why* and *how*. Being intentional from the time they are young and inviting them to take part in worship is important. Think of it like a set of stairs. As leaders and parents, we get to help them keep taking the next step to grow in their experience and understanding. Worship is a hiding place that we have in God’s presence. Take a look at the Psalms and the words of David. Look closely at how he worshipped and model that for your kids. Helping kids learn to be the worshipers God created them to be is a passion of mine. It’s why I write these songs and create worship resources for churches. I am passionate about helping kids learn how to run TO God in the midst of everything they face. ![Yancy 1.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XFbuuhbHS2WPLxZ7LlHO.jpg) **What do you think are the keys to raising worshipers?** Understand the power that’s in their worship and communicate the power of their worship to your kids. Psalm 8:1-2 says, *“God, brilliant Lord, yours is a household name. Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble.”* (vs 1 MSG) and vs. 2 (TPT) says, *“You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies. Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children. This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth. Childlike worship will silence* *the madness of those who oppose you.*” That is powerful stuff. I get chill bumps thinking about how even the youngest of kids silences the enemy when they use their mouths to declare the greatness of God. Every time you push play on a song you are unleashing God’s power to be at work in your homes, cars, classrooms, and wherever you go. Be intentional about what you listen to as you are on the go. Be intentional about what you let your kids watch and the things you talk about with them. Being a Christian is a seven days a week thing. Worship shouldn’t be something we only do and take part in on Sundays. There are so many Bible filled songs that I listened to growing up in my mom’s minivan. To this day those songs come to my remembrance when I hear certain things or am going through something. Music is an amazing thing and has so much memory attached to it. I get excited from my own experience because I know the things that we are putting into our kids right now will be with them for decades to come. May I even dare to say that teaching them to worship now is more about preparing them for their future. Repetition is such a valuable thing. There are so many things that took root in my heart and spirit because I heard them over and over and over when I was a child. Teach your kids to have a heart after God by teaching them to run to Him in everything—on the hard days and even on the best days. **This year has made it really hard for families to go to church! Many haven’t yet returned to church services. What can parents do at home to connect their child’s heart to God through worship?** Be committed to nurturing their faith. Doing church at home was hard for us. It took a lot of time to do three different lesson experiences. Our kids distracted us no matter how many times we asked them to not talk and let us pay attention. Our church has been meeting in person again and I was SO happy to go back. But, when we couldn’t meet, we made the effort and were committed to doing church every Sunday. No exceptions. *“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word.”* Again repetition (and consistency) is so important for kids. Remember that worship isn’t just about church—whether in a building or at home. For example, I’m intentional about what we listen to in the car because it’s an opportunity to worship. I want my kids to hear me singing along and see me engaging in worship. Your example speaks volumes. You can’t lead others to a place you haven’t been. If you want your kids to be sold out for Jesus they’ve got to see you be sold out for Jesus. They are watching what you prioritize and focus on in life. Show them what matters! ![Yancy 2.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MFHyH3s9QvqQgL0M0gGR.jpg) **What is another important practice parents can do at home to ensure their family continues to grow in faith if they cannot gather with their church community?** Take Deuteronomy 6 to heart and make Jesus a part of your lives at home, on the go, in the morning, in the evening, and all the space between. Most days I do one of the Louie Giglio devotions with my boys. There’s an awesome parenting book a friend of mine (Sarah Blount) wrote called “Fearless Parenting”. In it are prayers for parents and confessions for children. I have my oldest son read and pray one of those each day and my mama’s heart swells hearing him speak out those words because I know over time those words will become attitudes and convictions for how he lives his life. **We all know kids have no problem “worshiping” things or people in their lives. How can parents help turn those passions toward God?** I think worship is naturally there in kids. In most cases, they haven’t unlearned how to be the worshiper God created them to be and they point their worship in another direction. They need guidance and encouragement. Kids are used to being told what to do and being given instruction. As the Bible says . . . do not forsake the assembling together of believers. Your kids need their church community. They need the investment of those small group leaders and other adults in their life showing them that Jesus is relevant to their world and that people that don’t have their same last name believe in them. **Lean in as your kids worship.** Kids worshiping is the sweetest sound you will ever hear. When you hear your child singing in worship you will be brought to tears. I believe it’s the most natural thing that they could do. **Teach why we lift our hands.** It’s us placing confidence in Him. It’s us being surrendered wholly to Him. It’s us reaching up to Father God, just like a young child reaches for a parent to pick them up, to say “I need You”. **Again be intentional and even strategic.** Don’t just listen to the latest pop song on the radio or the latest Kidz Bop record. Push play on something that will help your kids build their foundation on the solid rock. It’s the only thing that won’t sink or fail. **Verbally encourage your kids worship.** When you see them taking part in worship remind them that it makes God smile. Remind them that even God delights over us with singing. I love to teach young kids that their worship is a way they show their love to God. Even the youngest of children understand the concept of love and that’s the first way that I start teaching kids about worship. . . . . . . . . . . **Thank you, Yancy, for taking the time to share your heart for kids and worship! *How can our Minno families stay connected to you?*** I love seeing photos and videos of your kids watching my videos on Minno. Thanks for letting my music be the soundtrack to your days. It’s one of my greatest honors. Follow me on[ Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/yancynotnancy) @yancynotnancy Let’s stay in touch! . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SnSXYpURRnOcJOTSi5qb.jpg) **Minno has so many ways for your kids to worship with Yancy!** #### [**Yancy’s Little Praise Party 5 Minute Family Devotional**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional) Introducing a brand new 5 Minute Family Devotional featuring Yancy’s Little Praise Party songs! Worship and learn about why we sing to God with this 10 episode family devotional series! #### [**Yancy’s Little Praise Party**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party) #### [**Yancy’s Little Praise Party LIVE!**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party-live) #### [**Yancy’s Little Praise Party (Spanish)**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-pequena-fiesta-de-alabanza) #### [**Yancy’s Rock-N-Worship**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-s-rock-n-worship-live) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Creator Interview, Minno Shows, Worship, Yancy --- ### [Church History for Kids: What is the Church Calendar?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church-calendar/) **Published:** September 18, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/l08b07rTraJwmE0PO5T6.jpg) We mark the passing of time in many different ways: by naming the seasons (summer, fall, winter, spring), or by noting the days and months of the year, or by celebrating specific anniversaries. *But did you know that the Church also has its own calendar, and has for thousands of years?* It does! The Church calendar observes seven distinct seasons in church life: Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany, Lent, Eastertide, and Ordinary Time. Different liturgical traditions observe slightly different times, but these seven are the primary seasons in the Church year. *But where did the Church calendar come from, what does it mean, and why should you teach your kids about it?* Read on to learn more! ***WHO USES THE CHURCH CALENDAR?*** Well, all Christians use it to celebrate certain holidays (like Christmas and Easter), but some churches (usually those who are more liturgical) use the calendar to guide their services every week. The Book of Common Prayer, a famous ancient prayer book, contains daily prayer and Scripture reading (as well as Scripture guides for Sunday worship) based around the Church calendar. . . . . . . . . . . **Big Word: LITURGICAL** The liturgy is the order of worship (the things that happen and the order they happen in) in a church service. When a church is more liturgical, it means they have a specific order of worship and elements that they traditionally use. . . . . . . . . . . ***BUT THE CHURCH CALENDAR ISN’T IN THE BIBLE, IS IT?*** Not specifically, but the history of seasons of fasting and feasting are found all throughout the Old Testament. The Jewish people build their lives around feasts (which often lasted multiple days) all throughout the year. Jesus celebrated the Jewish feasts, like Passover. So while the Christian Church calendar isn’t in the Bible, the framework for it certainly is. ***WHAT ARE THE SEASONS OF THE CHURCH CALENDAR?*** **ADVENT** Advent is a period of time before Christmas that includes the 4 Sundays before Christmas. It usually starts in late November. Many Christians celebrate Advent and the season of waiting for Jesus’s birth through lighting Advent wreaths or other traditions. Here are some [ideas for celebrating Advent with your family](https://www.gominno.com/blog/4-simple-ways-to-celebrate-advent-with-your-kids). **CHRISTMASTIDE** *You thought Christmas was just ONE day?* Actually, it’s TWELVE! Well, at least it is according to the church calendar. Christmastide is the twelve days between Christmas (December 25) and Epiphany (January 6), which is traditionally celebrated as the day the wise men visited Jesus. Check out this post to learn more about [Christmastide and Epiphany](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-are-the-12-days-of-christmas). **EPIPHANY** The season of Epiphany begins on January 6 and extends until the beginning of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday. During Epiphany, it is traditional to celebrate the many ways Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. **LENT** Lent is the 40 days before Easter beginning on Ash Wednesday. Lent is traditionally a season of repentance, fasting, and prayer that helps us acknowledge our need for Jesus and His work on the Cross on our behalf. Many Christians fast during the Lenten season, and others add a spiritual discipline (such as prayer or Scripture reading) into their daily life to help prepare their hearts for Resurrection Sunday. Here are some more [resources for helping your kids understand Lent.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lent-and-easter) **EASTER** Similar to Christmas, Easter isn’t just one day. Resurrection Sunday (what we usually call Easter) is the first day of Eastertide, which lasts for 50 days! The Church calendar encourages remembering the 40 days Jesus was back on earth between His resurrection and ascension (when He went up into heaven) and the ten days between Jesus’s ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Check out this post to learn more about [Pentecost](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-pentecost). **ORDINARY TIME** The longest stretch of the Church calendar, Ordinary Time lasts from Pentecost to the beginning of Advent, approximately five months. ***WHY DOES THE CHURCH CALENDAR MATTER?*** In the same way that other seasons (like summer, fall, winter, and spring) contain special days and events that we look forward to all year, the Church calendar and its seasons offer us the same anticipation and celebration. Summer is marked by Memorial Day, Independence Day, and summer vacations. Fall brings Halloween, Thanksgiving, and pumpkin decorating. Kids understand the anticipation and joy of yearly celebrations, each season taking on a distinct feel and atmosphere. We can celebrate the church calendar the same way! Lent’s somber tone can lead us into daily reflection and discussion about Jesus’s sacrifice for us. Advent can help us anticipate the joy, hope, light, and life Jesus brought into the world! Using some of the ideas in the linked posts above, maybe this is the year you can start your own family and church traditions around the Church calendar! Maybe you’ve never really thought about teaching Church History to your kids before, but we can learn so much about how to be the Church today by learning about how the Church used to be. Both when the church first started and as it grew and changed throughout history, in all different times and places. When we study church history, there are so many powerful stories of believers who have done amazing things for the kingdom of God that our kids will be inspired to do great things for the kingdom of God in their own lives. Check out the rest of the posts in our series Church History for Kids for more topics and stories. **Next:** Church History for Kids: What are the Sacraments? (coming soon) For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Church Calendar, Church History --- ### [Church History for Kids: Why Were Early Christians Hurt and Mistreated?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-why-were-early-christians-hurt-and-mistreated/) **Published:** September 11, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/M82DPb2qQCCaw63QgSDT.jpg) Church history is full of adventures, triumphs, scary seasons, and so many stories of God’s amazing faithfulness to His people. Church history stretches all the way back to the earliest days of the church, right after Jesus died and rose again, until today! When you are teaching your kids about church history, there are definitely some times that are harder to talk about than others. Today, we’ll break down how to talk to your kids about the early church and its troubles with the Roman Empire. **WHO:** The earliest Christians and the powerful Roman Empire **WHEN:** Around 27 BC to around 476 AD ***WHAT WAS GOING ON?*** The Roman Empire was the most powerful empire in the world! The Roman Empire covered most of Europe when it was at its height, and Jesus was born during the early days of the Empire. Some famous emperors in Rome included Augustus, Caligula, Nero, and later Constantine. Generally, when the Romans conquered a new territory, they let the people continue to practice their own religion. But Christianity was different! Christians believed that Jesus was their king, not the emperor. They followed Jesus before anything else, even before the empire! So the Romans started to persecute the Christians, which means they started to hurt, torture, and sometimes kill them. . . . . . . . . . . **Big Word: PERSECUTE** Persecute means to treat someone really badly because of who they are or what they believe. *. . . . . . . . . .* **ASK:** *Who was being persecuted? Who was doing the persecution?* **WHY?** The Early Church Made Rome Nervous To understand why early Christians were persecuted, we have to look to Jesus. When Jesus taught, he taught about God’s kingdom. In John 18:26, Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” For a powerful kingdom like the Romans, this would be pretty concerning! Then Jesus died at the hands of the Romans! Some Jewish leaders who didn’t like Jesus convinced the Roman ruler Pontius Pilate to crucify Jesus. But Jesus didn’t stay dead! He rose again and ascended into heaven. Rather than the story ending, it kept going! More and more people became Christians and began to follow Jesus. This made the Romans really nervous! The evil emperor Nero decided to do something about the Christians. The city of Rome caught on fire in 64 AD. Much of the city was destroyed! And Nero (who many people believed started the fire) blamed the Christians. This made the Romans even more mad at them! ***WHAT HAPPENED TO EARLY CHRISTIANS?*** In the Roman Empire, many Christians were killed or tortured. It isn’t fun to think about at all. Some were killed on crosses like Jesus, and some were put into the coliseum to fight wild animals. But did people stop being Christians? No! Actually, more and more people began to follow Jesus. God kept growing his kingdom as the good news of the Gospel kept spreading. Many times, Christians would gather in secret to stay safe, in homes or sometimes even caves! Despite the danger and fear, Christians loved Jesus and kept sharing about him. The early church grew and grew, until in 313, the emperor Constantine made it legal to be a Christian. The faithfulness and perseverance of the early Christians helped make the church grow. . . . . . . . . . . **Big Word: PERSEVERANCE!** Perseverance means to keep going in the face of really hard things. *. . . . . . . . . .* **ASK:** *How did the early Christians persevere?* ***WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO US TODAY?*** When we read stories of early Christians who faced hard challenges and we see how God worked, we can learn that God works in the midst of our hard times too. You may not be chased by wild animals because of your faith, but there will be times it isn’t easy to say that you believe in Jesus! When you understand that the early Church withstood challenges like Roman persecution and drew closer to God, you can realize that you too can do the same! **Read:** Romans 5:3–5 ESV *Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.* . . . . . . . . . . Maybe you’ve never really thought about [teaching Church History to your kids](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-to-teach-our-children-church-history/) before, but we can learn so much about how to be the Church today by learning about how the Church used to be. Both when the church first started and as it grew and changed throughout history, in all different times and places. When we study church history, there are so many powerful stories of believers who have done amazing things for the kingdom of God that our kids will be inspired to do great things for the kingdom of God in their own lives. Check out the rest of the posts in our series Church History for Kids or more topics and stories. **Next**: Church History for Kids: What is the Church Calendar? (coming soon) For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Church History --- ### [Church History for Kids: How Did the Early Church Pray?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-how-did-the-early-church-pray/) **Published:** September 2, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1nxHz3dFT7CEwzyCrrAp.jpg) *How did prayer start?* Well, prayer, which is the practice of talking to God, goes all the way back to the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve walked and talked with God every day. The Bible is full of stories that involve talking to God, and the book of Acts is especially notable! The book of Acts tells the story of the early church in the first years after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The disciples led the early believers in practices like sharing meals, caring for the poor, worshipping together, and prayer. They were fervent in their desire to share the Gospel and worship God, and prayer led them into a deeper relationship with God. When talking to your kids about prayer in the early church, using stories from the book of Acts can help give them concrete examples and see how Christians have always prayed. **WHO:** The early church was made up of the very first Christians who either knew Jesus or knew people who knew Jesus. Those people spread the gospel and the early church grew very quickly! Many of their stories are recorded in the book of Acts. **WHEN:** Likely in the 60s AD ***WHAT WAS GOING ON?*** The early church was growing really fast and facing all kinds of challenges and opportunities. More and more people came to believe in Jesus, but opposition was growing in the Roman Empire. Prayer became an indispensable tool for the early church leaders, many of whom were Jesus’ disciples. . . . . . . . . . . . **Big Word:** **DISCIPLES!** The disciples were the 12 men Jesus chose to follow Him. Jesus loved His disciples very much, and after He died, the 11 disciples who were left (Judas had betrayed Jesus) and a new disciple (Mattias) became the leaders of the early church. . . . . . . . . . . . ***WHEN DID THE EARLY CHURCH PRAY?*** Here are a few examples of how and when the early church prayed: **Worship:** Early Christians prayed in worship. Acts 1:14 states that after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the disciples “continued with one accord in prayer.” They were praying together when the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost. Prayer unified them in their purpose (the spread of the Gospel) and helped keep them grounded in the truth of Scripture. Prayer still does both of those things for believers today. **Miracles:** Throughout Acts, the apostles prayed before God worked miracles. In Acts 12, Peter was in prison and many people prayed for his release, which God miraculously granted. In Acts 28, Paul healed Publius’s father: “he prayed, and he laid his hands on him.” **Wisdom:** Throughout Acts, the disciples prayed with boldness when they had a need, such as being released from prison (Acts 4:23-31) or for guidance making a decision. They prayed for God to reveal who should replace Judas (Acts 1:24) and who should serve the widows in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6). The disciples regularly spent time in prayer before making a decision, which is a practice we can do today. In Acts 10, during a time of prayer, God appeared to Peter and told him to go to the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Peter followed God’s command, and the gospel began to spread to non-Jewish people. ***WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO US TODAY?*** We can learn so much from the earliest Christians! They quickly turned to prayer to seek wisdom, encouragement, healing, and more. God promises that when we pray, He hears us! These stories in Acts show so many examples of this. We can pray for wisdom when we have to make big decisions. We can pray for miracles when someone we love is sick or hurting. We can pray daily as an act of worship, showing God how much we love Him. **Read:** Acts 10:1–8 ESV (Cornelius prays and responds) > *At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day\[a\] he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.* . . . . . . . . . . Maybe you’ve never really thought about teaching church history to your kids before, but we can learn so much about how to be the Church today by learning about how the Church used to be. Both when the church first started and as it grew and changed throughout history, in all different times and places. When we study church history, there are so many powerful stories of believers who have done amazing things for the kingdom of God that our kids will be inspired to do great things for the kingdom of God in their own lives. Check out the rest of the posts in our series [Church History for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith/church-history-tradition) for more topics and stories. **Next Post:** [Church History for Kids: Why Were Some Christians Hurt or Mistreated?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-why-were-early-christians-hurt-and-mistreated) For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters), streaming now on Minno! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Church History, Prayer --- ### [What Does it Mean to Love Your Neighbor Today?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-love-your-neighbor-today/) **Published:** August 28, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pQtEOroeSne9gwxlnzk1.jpg) Love your neighbor. *How many times a day, and in how many ways, do we communicate this command to our kids*? > *Can you say that in a kind voice?* > > *We share with our friends.* > > *Look her in the eye when you talk.* Important lessons, no doubt. But it’s not every day (or, ahem, every lifetime) that we find ourselves in the midst of a worldwide pandemic *and* moments of racial reckoning. You might consider this the perfect opportunity to teach your children, by words and example, what it truly means to [love your neighbor](https://www.gominno.com/blog/family-resources-on-racial-injustice). ***What does the Bible say?*** In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus explains, “The most important commandment is this . . . You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second commandment is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (NLT) *We know this stuff, right?* And you might think we’re mentioning it here as an easy way for you to read the verse to your kids. So go for it. Read away. But when you do, pay close attention to the word *equally*. We are called to love God. And we are called to love others. And both of these commandments hold equal weight. So the question we have to ask ourselves is: *what should that love look like?* **Thankfully, we have a guide.** We can draw on the love we have for God—following the first commandment—to guide us in how we show love to others. God sent His only son, Jesus, who gave His very life on the cross for each of us. He showed great love through sacrifice. And He did it all with a willing attitude and a humble heart. **If we love Him, we’ll aim to be like him. And if we are to be like Him, we’ll love others the way He loves us.** ***So what does this command look like in today’s climate?*** A morning scroll through the news or your favorite social media app reveals the pains of 2020. And they’re not just regular woes. > Healthcare workers report feelings of emotional overwhelm and burnout. > > Small business owners are shuttering doors and scrambling to pay bills. > > Black and white Americans wrestle with the present realities of racial injustice. > > A pair of hurricanes threatens to devastate multiple states in its path. And in the crosshairs, you’re likely to find people in your own community who’ve lost loved ones or livelihoods. Families who no longer see eye-to-eye. Friends who are longing for a sense of peace. People who need the love of a neighbor. **As parents, we can model what it means to [LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR](https://www.gominno.com/blog/family-resources-on-racial-injustice) in 2020.** The unique challenges of this year offer us easy ways to love others. And you can bet our kids are watching to see how we respond. So if you are physically able, wear the mask. Give space to the people around you. If your finances are strong and steady, look for ways to support those who are struggling. Request a few books from your local library to better understand the lives and history of our brothers and sisters with beautifully different colors of skin or cultures. Speak out for people who need a voice. Reach out to people who need a hand. And when you come across a conversation that’s controversial or heated, pause before you weigh in. Consider your purpose. *Are you motivated by love?* **Empower your kids by engaging them in age-appropriate ways as you LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.** Of course, when it comes to life lessons that last, nothing beats inviting your kids to participate. **Children need to know that they are—right now—agents for change.** Not when they’re older. Not when they understand more. But right now, this very day. So when *you* wear a mask, social distance, learn about another culture, speak out or hold your tongue, take a moment to explain what you’re doing—and why—in age-appropriate language. Yes, this might mean you’ll need to have a few uncomfortable conversations to give context to what’s going on around you. Your child might learn that people are hurting in myriad ways that make her sad. But that’s okay. The reality of our present world—and let’s be honest, our past and future world too—is that life can be so, so hard. **But our God is so very good.** And people can choose to love others how He loves us—in a way that’s transformational. For kids who are going back to school with a mask mandate, you can frame the nuisance as an act of love, saying, *“You’re wearing that mask to protect yourself* *and* *others. It’s a kind thing to do.”* The same goes for blowing kisses to grandma instead of giving hugs or dropping off goodies on a doorstep in place of gathering for a big barbeque. You might also encourage your child to brainstorm ideas for how she can brighten the day of a person who’s feeling down. Kids love to get creative, be silly, and use their strengths for good—so let them! And now is the *perfect* time to instill in your child the inherent value in all people—those who are like us in every way and those who couldn’t be more different. Talk openly about how our differences make the world a more enjoyable and interesting place. Ask your kid for examples. You might be surprised to learn about the beauty they already see in others. Kids are pretty awesome in that way. Just as we’re teaching them—they’re teaching us. . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wX0z4vOrQuCZRvcO6Ikv.jpg) Stephanie Thomas writes about parenting, health, personal development, and money management. She loves to read—novels, memoirs, pictures books, cookbooks—and to explore the great outdoors. Sometimes she even brings those cookbooks into the kitchen. Stephanie lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Eric, and their rambunctious boys, Henry and Leo. **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Community, Love --- ### [If You Like VeggieTales, Try These Shows on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/if-you-like-veggietales-try-these-shows-on-minno/) **Published:** August 27, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pJNgo9iT3uPhp5nXlpyR.jpg) Our kiddos may not like to eat their veggies, but they sure do like to watch them! We know VeggieTales is a favorite among Minno families but did you know that one of the reasons[ Minno is the best place to watch VeggieTales](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-best-place-to-watch-veggietales) is because of all of the other shows we have that your little ones will like, too?! We’ve put together a big list of the best pre-school/early elementary shows on Minno that will provide your veggie-viewer with a balanced diet full of Bible teaching, social-emotional learning, worship, adventure, and more! #### If You Like VeggieTales, Try These Shows on Minno [**What’s In The Bible?**](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) **What It’s About:** Newscaster Buck Denver and his friends go on a wacky, wonderful, educational, and musical journey through the whole Bible—from Genesis to Revelation! Learn how all the stories of the Bible fit together to tell God’s great rescue plan. **Why You’ll Like It:** Written by VeggieTales creator, Phil Vischer, What’s In The Bible? offers Bible teaching for the whole family! While it may present concepts that are big for your preschooler, it will introduce them to God’s BIG story and His great love for them. Watch it together and see what kinds of curious questions it sparks in your little one! [**Auto B Good**](https://www.gominno.com/series/auto-b-good) **What It’s About:** Join Johnny the Sports Car and all of his friends in the City of Auto as they learn lessons in friendship and character. **Why You’ll Like It:** Your child will love the fun adventures these adorable autos go on as they learn character and value lessons such as courage, kindness, and responsibility. Each episode is super fun yet teaches an explicit lesson that is sure to lead to great conversations! ![owlegories.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DsZTFLtxQ42ipIPPzVMk.jpg) [**Owlegories**](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) **What It’s About:** Follow along with a group of student owls as they go on adventures and learn about nature, faith, and God! **Why You’ll Like It:** Your child will love these adorable feathered friends and how they connect learning about God and the Bible to things and experiences they find in nature. [**God Rocks!**](https://www.gominno.com/series/god-rocks) **What It’s About:** Featuring characters from the popular series, each God Rock’s episode includes an entertaining, engaging, and educational mix of stories, music, and fun. Excellent for family viewing, Bible teaching, and lively discussion about the treasured stories that Jesus taught. **Why You’ll Like It:** *If veggies can teach kids about God, why not rocks?!* After all, the Bible says that “the rocks will cry out” in praise to God (Luke 19:40). These fun stones teach kids Bible stories and worship songs they will love. ![Brewster the Rooster New Series.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mr4OJt88RSyHb1qecqdN.jpg) **[Brewster the Rooster](https://www.gominno.com/series/brewster-the-rooster)** **What It’s About:** Brewster the Rooster and Maggie discover answers to questions only preschoolers ask! Through creative thinking, they come up with many possible answers to fun questions! They’ll take young viewers on a journey of discovery in a way that will not only entertain but will get their creative thinking caps on! **Why You’ll Like It:** Curiosity is a [foundational cognitive and emotional skill for preschoolers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17394580/). Children who [develop curiosity at a young age](https://www.today.com/parenting-guides/encouraging-curiosity-early-childhood-t179019) are less bored and more willing to explore and discover on their own. Brewster the Rooster teaches the joy of asking and seeking answers to questions which kids can apply to understanding the amazing world God made and exploring the Bible and what it means for their lives. **[Treasure Champs](https://www.gominno.com/series/treasure-champs)** **What It’s About:** Join Kari and Barry as they explore what values are, why they matter, where we can learn about them in the Bible, and how we can live them out! **Why You’ll Love It:** These sweet friends will introduce your preschooler to important treasures or values while they learn together what the Bible says about each one. **[Hermie and Friends](https://www.gominno.com/series/hermie-and-friends)** **What It’s About:** Caterpillars Hermie and Wormie experience God’s love and see how God made them all special and unique. Through daily life with all their garden friends, they learn important values that honor God . . . like love, honesty, kindness, and more! **Why You’ll Like It:** Created by beloved author, Max Lucado, Hermie is a delightful guide for little ones learning big ideas about God and how to live as a follower of Jesus. ![LOU_Blog (1).jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lYSraNTuQfCdp4yzsKP4.jpg) **[Louie](https://www.gominno.com/series/louie)** **What It’s About:** *Have you ever dreamed of exploring an island or traveling to the moon? Do you yearn to race cars or talk to a friendly bear?* No problem! Everything is possible with Louie! With his help and Yoko’s, kids will learn how to draw while having fun!’ **Why You’ll Love It:** Art is known in educational circles to [greatly benefit the academic and emotional development of children](https://www.edutopia.org/video/new-studies-link-arts-crucial-cognitive-skills). The practice of art increases fine motor skills and language development while boosting a child’s creativity. Louie is a simple show that sparks imagination and invites kids into the process of learning through drawing and problem-solving. [Louie](https://www.gominno.com/series/louie) will encourage your preschooler to express their imagination as they explore all of the gifts that God gives us. **[Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat)** **What It’s About:** Jungle Beat is a fun, family-friendly series of animated, dialogue-free episodes focusing on different animals and the bizarre situations they encounter in nature. Jungle Beat will spark not only laughter, but also wonderful conversations about perseverance, tenacity, and learning to be comfortable right where you are. **Why You’ll Like It:** There’s nothing like seeing a little one belly laugh! The crazy critters in Jungle Beat are sure to make your preschool giggle while learning how to try and try again when things don’t seem to go their way. [**Yancy’s Little Praise Party**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-and-friends) **What It’s About:** Yancy and Friends sing songs, dance, and play instruments to celebrate that God is good! Watch, sing, shout, and have a “Little Praise Party” too! **Why You’ll Like It:** Your kids will love the fun animation as they sing along and you’ll love watching your little ones praise God! **[Monster Truck Adventures](https://www.gominno.com/series/monster-truck-adventures)** **What It’s About:** Join Meteor, LT, and all their friends as they roar over jumps and splash through gunk in everyday adventures at school and all over their hometown of Crushington Park. **Why You’ll Like It:** If you have kiddos that love trucks, they will be entertained and encouraged by these tough friends who are learning lessons in faith and character traits. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Minno Show Guides, Now on Minno **Tags:** Minno Shows, Preschool --- ### [New Yancy Worship Music for Kids on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/yancy-worship-music-for-kids/) **Published:** August 24, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MZmpVC5XRuL3G1roZG2f.jpg) If you’ve been around [Minno](http://gominno.com) for a while, and especially if you’ve been joining us for [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com), Yancy will be no stranger to you or your kiddos. She’s got an incredible gift for leading kids in worship and now Yancy has added several new formats so that kids of all ages can join in! ![YLPP_Blog.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dvIsLoLaTkQ8VB1JqBZI.jpg) Yancy and Friends is now **[Yancy’s Little Praise Party](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party)** with 8 new episodes! If you’re looking at your playlist wondering where “Yancy and Friends” have gone off to, just look under “Yancy’s Little Praise Party” where you’ll find all of your favorite Yancy songs plus 8 new ones! **[Yancy’s Little Praise Party](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party)** Series Details Yancy and her friends sing songs, dance, and play instruments to celebrate that God is good! Watch, sing, shout and have a “Little Praise Party” too. - Recommended Age: Preschool - Episode Length: 3-4 Minutes - Format: Animated - Episodes Available Now: 48 - Character and Values Focus: Yes - Bible Tie In: Yes ![YPFdeA_Blog.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qqY2Ja3rQ2u3rZcxba1L.jpg) Your Spanish speaking or Spanish learning kids can watch and sing along with Yancy and her friends! We’ve got 15 of your favorite Yancy praise and worship songs in Spanish, too! **[Yancy’s Paqueña Fiesta de Albanza](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-pequena-fiesta-de-alabanza)** Series Details Canta en español, o aprender español, con Yancy y Sus Amigos mientras cantan canciones, bailes, y tocar instrumentos para celebrar que Dios es bueno! Watch, cantar, gritar y tener una “pequeña fiesta Alabanza”. - Recommended Age: Preschool - Episode Length: 3-4 Minutes - Format: Animated - Episodes Available Now: 15 - Character and Values Focus: Yes - Bible Tie In: Yes . . . . . . . . . . **[Yancy’s Rock-N-Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-s-rock-n-worship-live)** is new on Minno with 9 episodes! ![YRNW_Blog.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yAblCq0PQ3ma28xxUu15.jpg) Yancy is turning it up a notch for our elementary and tween kids with fun songs that will get them excited to worship! These live recordings of upbeat worship songs feature Yancy and a host of other kids and young people that want to make a joyful noise! **[Yancy’s Rock-N-Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-s-rock-n-worship-live)** Series Details Turn up the music cause it’s time to rock-n-worship. Yancy loves to sing and make Jesus loud. This music collection is filled with truth to be the soundtrack to your days. Let’s go! - Recommended Age: Elementary/Tween - Episode Length: 3-4 Minutes - Format: Live - Episodes Available Now: 9 - Character and Values Focus: Yes - Bible Tie In: Yes *. . . . . . . . . .* *Looking for more content for your kids ages 8-12?* Check out some of our other great “tween” shows on Minno: [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog) (grab the [books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog), too!), [Ryan Defrates](https://www.gominno.com/series/ryan-defrates-secret-agent), [Connect](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect), [Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters), and [McGee and Me](https://www.gominno.com/series/mcgee-and-me)! . . . . . . . . . . #### More Yancy Worship Music Coming this Fall! Watch for 8 more **Yancy’s Little Praise Party** songs coming soon! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fqBeUhkQcNuVXPE0wb2w.jpg) PLUS, 6 BRAND NEW **Yancy’s Little Praise Party LIVE** songs coming in September AND 9 more **Rock-N-Worship** songs, too! . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/k9qbdEwhQ86pf8CE51ou.jpg) And if all of those amazing songs weren’t enough to get you pumped and ready to worship, we’ve got one more exciting bit of news to share . . . Later this fall we’ll release our next [Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals) featuring songs from Yancy’s Little Praise Party! This tool will help your kiddos worship Jesus and learn about how and why we praise Him! Look for more information on this new release coming soon! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Minno Shows, Worship, Yancy --- ### [A Battle Plan for Letting Go of Parental Control](https://gominno.com/blog/a-battle-plan-for-letting-go-of-parental-control/) **Published:** August 24, 2020 **Author:** Matt Charbonneau **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/khK5FxVSq6nkarmpx3iw.jpg) *“Mom, can I watch IT 2 with my friends?”* This was my 10-year-old daughter calling late one night last Summer while at her first sleepover with a bunch of other 10-year-old girls. My wife pulled the iPhone away from her face and looked at me for some quick advice. *What should we do?* #### **Cue the Parental Controls . . .** Parental control is about everything from TV, video games, music, internet, computer use, device use . . . you get the idea. It’s exhausting just thinking about all the areas in which we need to use parental controls—both tech-driven and heart-driven. In the many years I’ve worked “in the fatherhood field” and in ministry, I’ve come to understand the challenges parents face. I work specifically with dads and over the last few years at Manhood Journey—the fatherhood ministry that helps dads disciple their kids—I’ve asked thousands of dads, *“*[*What’s your biggest challenge as a dad right now?*](https://manhoodjourney.org/fatherhood-challenges/)*”* Most dads answer this question by saying something like: - *“Motivation. I’m in a rut. It’s easy to just come home, sit on the couch, and just watch TV.”* - *“I’m unsure where to start. I didn’t have a good father growing up.”* - *“I don’t know how to lead my children and wife.”* The majority of parents feel ill-equipped most days, especially dads. Whether we had a good or bad upbringing, we’re facing challenges now that dads have never had to face before. Parental control has taken on a whole new meaning for the generation of kids we’re leading. #### **A Never-Ending Battle** If we don’t want to lose the battle, we need to understand how to engage. The war is on and the challenges will arise often. Go back to my daughter’s 10-year-old sleepover. Imagine these precious girls with pizza, popcorn, and ice cream—all huddled around the TV. They’re ready to watch the latest scary movie together. But my daughter senses that something’s not right. #### **The War Rages . . .** As your children get older, you’re going to run head-on into the issue of *“What am I allowed to watch?”*. It may start out with movies or TV shows, but the question will quickly bleed into apps, books, games, YouTube videos, podcasts, music, and other forms of writing, audio, and video. Man, it’s all so tiring . . . ***“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”* 1 John 2:15 ESV** We have to remember the battle over parental control is spiritual. Even after you’ve done all you can with internet filters and tech security, what matters is how you’re leading your child to think—and how you’re either pointing your child to God—or not. When my daughter called that night, I quickly snatched up my iPhone and Google searched the rating of *IT Chapter 2. “Yep, R-rated. No way. I haven’t even seen it. It’s Stephen King. He’s a great writer and I’m a fan. But, remember the first IT and the remake of IT? They were both super creepy. Like nightmare-creepy. She’s only 10!”* My wife, Tonia agreed with me and when she returned to my daughter who was waiting on the other end of the phone, she offered suggestions of other things they could watch. This is probably not the answer my daughter was hoping for but it’s the one we were willing to give; the one that is in line with our values and beliefs about the things we allow into our minds. #### **What’s Your Battle Plan?** Maybe you haven’t yet gotten the *“Can I watch this?”* or *“Can I do this?”* call. But you will at some point in your child’s growing up years. As parents, we need to be ready with a battle plan when our kids look to us for permission. We need to determine before we encounter these questions, what type of parent God wants us to be. #### **Four Types of Parents: *Which One Will You Be?*** **The no-rules parent.** If this parent were in a movie, it would be set in the wild west where there are no boundaries and anything goes. The no-rules parent believes you live and learn. Sure . . . if we adopt a no-rules parenting strategy, we’ll definitely learn a thing or two . . . the hard way! Parents who aren’t monitoring what their kids see and do, are bound to run into trouble. We wouldn’t allow our young kids to wander in the street. Similarly, if we let our children wander aimlessly down the digital street, they may get hurt. When my daughter called from the party that night*,* I could’ve said, *“Whatever you want to do, Sweetie. It’s your first sleepover. It’s your choice. I just want you to have fun!*” But chances are, that movie would have made an incredibly negative impact on her heart, filling her mind with scary thoughts and fears. **The whatever-others-say parent.** This parent overly relies on rules and “standards” from others – so, if a leader, author, pastor, or politician says it’s “Okay” or “not Okay”, they defer. This parenting approach is tricky because it works pretty well early on. With babies, you pretty much have to follow others’ advice as you are learning and finding your way. As your kids age, informed and expert opinions are helpful, but they’re not entirely sufficient. Back to my daughter’s sleepover . . . I could’ve said, *“Oh, all the other girls are gonna watch the flick? If their parents say it’s okay, then I’m fine with it.”* The message this response would have sent my daughter: We don’t hold our own family values and boundaries. We’re just going to follow the world. **The I-Have-Rules-In-My-House Parent.** Much like the whatever-others-say method, the I-have-rules-in-my-house parenting approach will only work for so long. This approach says “we decide, you abide” and won’t go over well with teens or teach kids to make good choices into adulthood. Don’t get me wrong. There should be boundaries our kids can rely on. I’m a fan of parental control apps, internet filters, website blockers—all the things. Maybe your family says NO R-rated movies until a certain age or explicit music is a clear NO. Great. But while some rules are better than no rules, rules only get us so far. Back to the party story *. . .* we took this approach at that moment. The quickest explanation by phone was to abide by the rules that our family and the Motion Picture Association of America set forth for film ratings—flawed as they may be. We simply said, “No.” Here’s the thing: this approach is necessary much of the time, depending on the age and stage of our children. It’s also what really good non-Christian parents might do. A family holds moral values and they make decisions based on them. That is good. But as Christians, we are called to be different. Which is why there’s one more type of parent . . . **The Godly Parent.** The godly parent not only puts boundaries and guidelines in place, but they also teach their children how to make the best, most Christ-honoring decision in tough situations. Their kids know why a rule exists. Imagine, over time, if we trained our kids to make their own decisions. The godly parent helps their kids develop their own moral compass. With these values and skills, kids ultimately learn how to think and act on their own. They are guided by Scripture. ***“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)*** Back to the sleepover story *. . .* when we picked our daughter up the next morning, she was fine. The girls all decided to watch something more Disney-scary and not Stephen King-scary. No harm done. But, here’s where I could’ve done better. I could’ve brought up a Scripture we’d gone over that week. I could’ve said, *“Remember what we talked about over dinner just last Thursday? How does Psalm 101:3, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” square with watching IT 2?”* Boom. Truth bomb deployed. *The goal?* That recalling God’s truth would help our kids make their own wise decisions, even in the midst of peer pressure. #### **It’s About the Long Game . . .** As Christian parents, we’re playing a much longer game than any one decision. This night was about a movie at a party. Looking back, it was super innocent. At 10 years old, and late at night during a party, the answer may have to be, “My parents said NO.” Imagine having to be my daughter after hanging up the phone. *“My mom and dad said no. I can’t watch the movie.”* *Can you hear the echo in the room of all the other girls sighing?* I can. I can hear those girls saying, *“Gosh, your dad’s lame.”* I can’t lie. I went through something that night. I felt all kinds of emotions after saying no. Mostly because I wasn’t with my daughter to see her reaction—whether she understood or not. I wanted to get in my car, drive over to the party, and smooth everything over. Make everybody laugh. Maybe show up with *Toy Story 1* and take the lead in a “retro movie night.” I don’t know. Here’s what I *do* know . . . as I tried to sleep that night, I reminded myself this night wasn’t about *this* night. As Christian parents, we are called to be different and to train up our children to love God’s Word and His ways more than the world and to apply God’s truth to their everyday lives. Movies, relationships, school, priorities . . . all of it. If raising Christian kids in today’s world has you overwhelmed, ask yourself these questions: *1. What guidance am I giving my kids now so they don’t fall “in love with the world”?* *2. Does my family know the values we desire to uphold as followers of Jesus?* *3. Do my children have [good media options](http://gominno.com) that require less parental control and more freedom to explore?* *4. Do I have the [support and camaraderie I need to](https://manhoodjourney.org/about-us/) face this parenting battle?* Parental controls—both tech and heart—are merely tools to be used in training. We are in a battle with culture. But someday, the battle won’t be ours to fight anymore. . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1VTAx75QQxuAoGJciaTR.jpg) *Ryan Sanders is the Director of Outreach at [Manhood Journey](https://manhoodjourney.org/about-us/). He is married to Tonia and they have three children. He is currently a Th. M. student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he also received the Master of Divinity. He is a Fellow at The Colson Center for Christian Worldview and serves as Lay Pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [Introducing Minno Life Guides](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-life-guides/) **Published:** August 20, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bHOOlNRuRSCHUJd99OOK.jpg) *Have you ever wished you had a parenting and child development expert you could call on at any given moment of any given day?* We get that, because we do, too! Which is why the Minno team has been working with some of today’s top Christian experts in counseling to bring you the best research-based advice and encouragement to help you through each stage of your child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual development. *Wouldn’t it be great to have information like this that is easy to read and apply, right at your fingertips?* #### [MINNO LIFE GUIDES](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides) to the Rescue! ![Minno Life Guides.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gO5vjDvfRxOJZ2xXigz6.jpg) The purpose of our [Minno Life Guides](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides) (of which these are the first of more to come) is to empower parents with the information, encouragement, and guidance they need for top-of-mind topics like child development, technology, education, family life, spiritual growth, and more. We want to connect you with valuable partners who have the expertise you need to grow in parenting. We want to help you discover resources that will make your job just a little bit easier. Our first two guides cover Stage 1: The Preschool Years and Stage 2: The Elementary Years. The information in these foundational guides is pulled from several books by the [Daystar Counseling Ministries](https://www.daystarcounseling.com/) team: Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan. It has been curated, simplified, prayed over, and presented with the help of Melanie Rainer—a writer, children’s pastor, and mother of two. This is a team of Godly people who care about YOU and your family. We understand where you are and what you are going through—the good, the bad, and the ugly. ![Screen Shot 2020-08-19 at 5.45.18 PM (2).png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gesOQ01aSxiixUwDUbCx.jpg) ![Screen Shot 2020-08-19 at 5.45.00 PM (2).png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4mc2ZgxbRfW9q9hgFRRd.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . #### **Meet the Authors of our First Minno Life Guides** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/el25GLz7RLyETzs4ULri.jpg)**SISSY GOFF**, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of eleven books, including the bestselling [Raising Worry-Free Girls](https://amzn.to/2MKwSve) and [Braver, Stronger, Smarter](https://amzn.to/2oMWWxF) (for elementary-aged girls). Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications including FoxNews.com, as well as her own podcast Raising Boys and Girls. You can find more information and resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com/). **![DAVID+THOMAS+CIRCLE.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qkt48KoRBW5kN9fkJ5HN.jpg)** **DAVID THOMAS,** L.M.S.W., is the Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN, the co-author of eight books, including the best-selling [Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys](https://amzn.to/2VGycD9) and [Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social & Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach](https://amzn.to/31dXPfX). He is a frequent guest on national television and podcasts, including his own with Sissy Goff and Melissa Trevathan called Raising Boys and Girls, has been featured in publications such as USA Today, and speaks across the country. He and his wife, Connie, have a daughter, twin sons, and a feisty yellow lab named Owen. You can follow him on social media @raisingboysandgirls and find the latest parenting resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com/). ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QYJ7A7pT5GGNty3tVXFG.jpg) **MELISSA TREVATHAN**, M.R.E. first became a youth director at the age of 16. Since that time, she has been a teacher, retreat leader, head of spiritual life at a private school in Nashville, and is the founder and Executive Director of Daystar Counseling Ministries, which began in 1985. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Melissa has spoken to various churches and schools across the country, taught graduate courses in counseling adolescents, and been a guest on television and radio programs throughout the United States and Canada. She is a popular speaker for parents, and kids of all ages. Melissa is the author of eight books, including [Raising Girls](https://amzn.to/2Bylldg). When Melissa is not listening, speaking, or writing, she’s usually on her bike or playing with Blueberry, her Old English Sheeppuppy, somewhere between Nashville and Kentucky Lake. You can follow her on social media at @raisingboysandgirls and find the latest parenting resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com/). ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8D1GwbtMR7GGnyFUS31B.jpg) Melanie Rainer, MATS, is the former Director of Content for JellyTelly (now Minno). Currently, Melanie serves in children’s ministry at Christ Presbyterian Church. She is a graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary and lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and two girls. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting, Minno 101, Minno Life Guides **Tags:** Minno Life Guides --- ### [Host Your Own Family Karaoke Night with Minno and VeggieTales®](https://gominno.com/blog/family-karaoke-night-minno-veggietales/) **Published:** August 4, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xPrjKFbGTiWzfUnPm7Cw.jpg) This week we’re celebrating even MORE VeggieTales® episodes being added to the [Minno catalog](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on), including another super fun [Silly Song Sing-Along Compilation](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-sing-alongs)! *Want to celebrate with us and get in on the fun?* Here’s how: [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mec73E6dSoOy9vvtCDV0.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/jIKuxC4LTYyIbaKTa7nG?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=karaoke%20pack) Host your own Family Karaoke Night with the [VeggieTales® Silly Song Sing-Along Compilations](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-sing-alongs) streaming on Minno! Download our [Family Karaoke Night Activity Pack]() to get started. . . . . . . . . . . #### Host Your Own Family Karaoke Night with Minno and VeggieTales® Download the Minno [Family Karaoke Night Activity Pack]() and start planning! 1\. Choose a night and clear the calendar. 2\. Make sure you have access to the [VeggieTales® Silly Song Sing-Alongs on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales-sing-alongs). 3\. Plan your menu! Every family night needs fun and yummy food. Check out some of the recipes we’ve gathered below! 4\. Gather your microphones, props, and costumes because silly songs need silly singers! Use the [Make Your Own Microphone printable]() in our activity pack or if you’re really feeling crafty, try the super cute project below. 5\. Set up your stage area near the television. 6\. Choose which songs you’ll sing. Try completing our [VeggieTales® Silly Song Bingo board](https://cdn.buttercms.com/svin7LDzTDOYVp5szLHi)! 7\. Start singing!! And make sure to take lots of photos and videos to share with us via [Facebook](http://facebook.com/minno) and [Instagram](http://instagram.com/gominno)! . . . . . . . . . . #### **Microphone Craft** For an extra special microphone, try this [adorable project from Stef of Girl Inspired](https://thegirlinspired.com/microphone-craft-party-activity/). [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5JJkSzDTrmgLO2sa3VSi.jpg)](https://thegirlinspired.com/microphone-craft-party-activity/) . . . . . . . . . . #### **Family Fun Night Recipes** [DIY Popcorn Bar](https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2014/07/diy-movie-night-popcorn-bar.html) from Family Fresh Meals ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mKp7ZsRAS2XNlJV6bxUA.jpg) [Mini Mac and Cheese Crescent Cups](https://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/recipes/mini-mac-and-cheese-crescent-cups/40945076-320d-41ab-b6fc-baae1588a8a5) from Life Made Delicious ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XLp8iDS8Q2iPpz0WSByQ.jpg) [Banana Splits on a Stick](https://www.frugalcouponliving.com/banana-split-sticks/) from Frugal Coupon Living ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NP81SzlfTGWrPyVdwOn7.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch and sing now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Activity Packs, Fun for Kids, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Family Fun, Printables, VeggieTales --- ### [The Ultimate List of Topical Bible Memory Verses for Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-topical-bible-memory-verses-for-kids/) **Published:** July 31, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fROeGPeiTPmUptejgc4Z.jpg) At Minno, we want to help parents teach their kids to learn the Bible and memorize Bible verses, not only through great shows like [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible), [Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/series/superbook), and [60 Second Bible Stories](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories) but also by providing simple resources you can use every day to help your family hide God’s Word in your hearts. We’ve gathered some of our best posts here at Minno Life of Bible memory verse lists and other tips and ideas to help you do just that. #### The Ultimate List of Topical Bible Memory Verses for Kids **5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About . . .** [COURAGE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-courage) [FORGIVENESS](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-forgiveness) [GENEROSITY](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-generosity) [GRACE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-grace) [GRATITUDE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-gratitude) [HOPE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-hope) [JOY](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-joy) [KINDNESS](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-bible-verses-for-kids-about-kindness) [LOVE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-love) [PERSEVERANCE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-perseverance) [SELF-CONTROL](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-self-control) **More Bible Memory Verse Lists for Kids** [20 SECOND BIBLE VERSES TO SAY WHILE WASHING YOUR HANDS](https://www.gominno.com/blog/20-second-bible-verses-to-say-while-washing-your-hands) [WORKING HARD (PROVERBS)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-verses-from-proverbs-to-teach-kids-about-working-hard) [BACK-TO-SCHOOL BIBLE VERSES](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-back-to-school-bible-verses) [MORE BIBLE VERSES FOR COURAGEOUS KIDS](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-bible-verses-for-more-courageous-kids) **More Bible Teaching and Memory Verse Resources for Your Family** [Minno 5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals) [How to Help Kids Memorize Bible Verses](https://www.gominno.com/blog/childrens-ministry-how-to-help-kids-memorize-bible-verses) [Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](https://www.gominno.com/blog/pool-noodle-bible-memory-verse-activity) [How to Help Kids Learn and Love the Bible](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-help-kids-learn-and-love-the-bible) [Simple 5-Step Bible Study Method for Families](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-5-step-family-bible-study-method) . . . . . . . . . . Find great Bible shows plus our [5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals) now on Minno! If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** Bible Verses --- ### [Creation Care for Kids: How to Nurture the Earth's Vegetation](https://gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-nurture-earths-vegetation/) **Published:** July 30, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/I6RETQPeRyO77qmTqeeE.jpg) When we think of the terms “creation” and “nature”, most of us probably first think of green plants of some kind. Whether they are lush tropical plants in a dense rainforest, or wildflowers in a beautiful meadow, or towering redwood trees in a shady grove, most of our impressions of nature in its most beautiful, awe-inspiring moments have something to do with vegetation. And that is no accident; God created vegetation, plants, and delicious fruit on the third day, before He even made the stars! (Genesis 1:11-15). Plants are a gift to us from God, as food (Genesis 1:29) and as the way to [clean our air of carbon dioxide and give us fresh oxygen](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-to-protect-the-air-we-breathe). We are made to live in harmony with plants, tending to them in the seasons of planting and harvesting them in the seasons of harvest (Genesis 8:22; Ecclesiastes 3:2). But plants aren’t just in the Bible as physical objects for food (Genesis 1:29; Mark 11:12-14) or shade (Genesis 18:1); they are also one of Jesus’ favorite illustrations in parables and metaphors. Jesus discusses how if you have faith as small as a mustard seed (only 1-2 millimeters, and the smallest seed known to man in Biblical times), you can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). He talks about faith and mustard seeds again, saying that they are the smallest seeds, but can grow “larger than all of the garden plants and become a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32). He describes Himself as a vine, and us as the branches (John 15:1-11), and many times discusses farmers sowing seeds (Matthew 13:18-30). He talks about the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-31), reminding us how He takes care of the plants of creation and will take care of us too. Clearly Jesus cared deeply for the plants of creation, but He also used them in His parables because people of Biblical times were familiar with what He was saying. They sowed the fields, they labored in the vineyards (Matthew 20:1-6); when Jesus said that a tree would be known by the health of its fruit (Luke 6:43-44) and that a branch that did not bear fruit must be pruned to bear more fruit (John 15:2), He was speaking to an audience that tended fields and vines daily, not to an audience that got their produce in a grocery store. Perhaps part of why we have done a poor job at caring for God’s beautiful nature is that so many of us are so far removed from it. *Could we recognize a thistle versus a fig tree?* Probably not, and that might be part of the reason why we haven’t cared for God’s creation well. #### **Important Facts and Statistics About the Earth’s Vegetation** Since 1990, it is estimated that 1.04 billion acres of forest have been lost worldwide, due to conversion to other land uses (Source: United Nations). In the tropics, rainforests are most often turned into cattle ranches and agricultural land, as we become further and further detached from the original intent for that beautiful land. Today, tropical rainforests cover only 6% of the world’s land surface, less than half of what they used to cover. Even so, tropical rainforests hold about 80% of the world’s documented terrestrial plants and animal species, although new species are being discovered all the time (WWF). The Amazon Rainforest alone produces 20% of the world’s oxygen, through its dense canopy of trees and rich biodiversity of plants (Source: National Geographic). These plants, in tropical rainforests, snowy evergreen forests, and everywhere in between need to be protected. Scientists have identified approximately 60,000 species of trees, of which a third are on the IUCN List of Threatened Species, and 1,400 are Critically Endangered (Source: IUCN, United Nations). These trees are responsible for our food, for the wood carpenters like Jesus use to make our homes and furniture, and for the very air we breathe. But they can only keep up with our demand if they have time to regrow a new supply. We are cutting trees down too fast without replanting them, turning forests into ranchland and cityscapes, and redirecting the water needed to grow our crops. *What can be done about it?* Well, a lot actually. The beautiful thing about nature, is that it can grow back. But we have to help it get there! ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Minno_Creation-Care_No-Oval.png "- Minno Kids") #### ***How can we steward the vegetation and nature around us?*** - *Get out in nature! Has it been a while since your family stood in a grove of really tall trees and felt that amazing, small feeling of being surrounded by big, big nature?* Get out and do it! Whether it’s a socially distanced hike or a safe camping trip, get out in the great outdoors, and remind yourself and your kids why nature is such an amazing gift from God, and why it is worth protecting in the first place. - *Watch a seed sprout and grow.* As Jesus says in Matthew 13, it’s truly remarkable that an entire plant or tree comes out of a teeny tiny seed. Plant some seeds with your little ones and let them watch the magic of nature unfold in front of their very eyes. - *Look for the Rainforest Alliance seal on products at the grocery store.* The Rainforest Alliance seal indicates that those products are helping conserve forests, build climate resilience, and are improving the communities that live in the forests where these products are grown. It’s a great way to know that our products are not only not adding to deforestation, but are actually helping stop it! - *Start a compost bin.* If you want to take your love of nature further, you can start a compost bin or worm bin to compost all of your plant waste (like banana peels, coffee grounds, and carrot tops). Instead of going to the landfill, where they pile up on land and add to greenhouse gas emissions, they will naturally break down into soil compost that you can then use in your garden. When I started a worm bin, I was shocked at how much of my weekly garbage was compostable! - *Buy organic and local fruits and vegetables.* Buying organic means that you are buying produce that is not covered in harmful pesticides, and is not adding those harmful pesticides to the earth or to your body. Buying local means you are supporting local farmers and buying produce that is not shipping around the world, which can equal lots of carbon emissions. . . . . . . . . . . **Next Post in the Series:** [How to Love Living Creatures, Great and Small](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-living-creatures-great-and-small) . . . . . . . . . . Caring for God’s amazing creation can feel like a really big job! But you don’t have to memorize statistics, understand the latest science, or even dramatically change your lifestyle to care for the earth. Creation care can start with simple habits and just being aware . . . that God created the earth and every amazing thing in it, and that we are called to take care of His creation. Our latest Minno Life Guide: [**Creation Care: How Your Family Can Love the Earth**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care), written by Jenni Brandon, Ph.D. and Senior Scientist at Applied Ocean Sciences, will help your family discover small changes that will make a big impact on the beautiful world God made. - Learn scientific facts about our land, air, water, plants, and animals and how they are changing for the good and not-so-good. - Discover ways your family can make small changes to help conserve our resources. - Engage in conversations and simple creation care practices with the ideas and prompts in this guide. - Use the included Creation Care Journal to guide kids on a journey of exploration into the wonderful world God made and their opportunity to steward it well. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Creation-Care-1756x992-1.png "- Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) Visit the Minno Store to get your [Creation Care Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care)! . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YCMOYNXGQjWWot2lid6q.jpg) Jenni Brandon received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in December 2017, focusing on the nascent field of marine microplastics. She is an expert in quantifying and identifying marine microplastics and has developed multiple novel methods to identify the spatial and temporal ranges of microplastics and determine the age of plastics exposed to varying weathering conditions in the environment. She is passionate about the world of science communication, having given hundreds of interviews and talks to all types of stakeholders, and was a college lecturer on communicating science to the public during her post-doc at Birch Aquarium. She is active in her church and serves as a Young Life committee member in Encinitas, California. For more of her personal outreach articles and articles about her research, please check out www.jenniferabrandon.com or follow her on twitter at @PlasticsJenni. . . . . . . . . . . #### **Minno Shows About Creation** [The Nature of God](https://www.gominno.com/series/nature-of-god) [Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) [The Wonderful World of Science with Dr. Schniffenhousen](https://www.gominno.com/series/wonderful-world-of-science) #### **Minno Books about Creation** **![What's In The Bible Board Books.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bnChyqmGSyaXdMSYv132.jpg)** Board Books featuring beloved What’s In The Bible? brothers, Clive and Ian: [God Made the World](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Me](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made the Animals](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Night and Day](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) ![L&G Cover 3D Mock_FINAL SM.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q7MNwDRBQaW6eA5cm7FK.jpg) [The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Creation Care for Kids --- ### [Minno 5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-5-minute-family-devotionals/) **Published:** July 29, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/g0YnFAQS5ektvQPvgqX7.jpg) Minno’s 5 Minute Family Devotionals series offers parents a simple way to engage kids in faith-building conversations at home or on the go. Available in the [Minno App](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on), these short video devotions include a 2-5 minute clip from beloved Bible-based shows (such as [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) and [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog)) along with conversation and prayer starters to help you connect with your kids as you teach them about God and the Bible. We’ve got over 100 family devotional episodes to help you grow together! #### How Does It Work: **STEP 1:** Choose your 5 Minute Family Devotional series. We’ve got 10 series and over 100 episodes featuring beloved Minno characters! **STEP 2:** Set aside 5-10 minutes a day (or even once a week) to gather as a family and learn together. **STEP 3:** Press **PLAY**. **STEP 4:** After watching a short clip, **PAUSE** the video and talk about what you learned using the on-screen questions provided. **STEP 5:** Using the prompt provided, **PRAY** together for God to help you live out what you just learned. #### Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional Library: [![Organism - Comics](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/organism.png "- Minno Kids")](http://gominno.com/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional) [Holy Moly: Women of the Bible](http://gominno.com/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional) Episodes: 8 ![Jungle Beat 5MFD.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vWeCIbx6SJqrNCgXELTT.jpg) [Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat-5-minute-family-devotional) Episodes: 10 Free Download: [Jungle Beat Coloring Pages](https://cdn.buttercms.com/KQloBGUSSjqh89JhmEkp) ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MWiStTiUTWyljnVBYP5w.jpg) [Yancy’s Little Praise Party](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional) Episodes: 10 ![5MFD_Series_FruitOfTheSpirit.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pbuYduW5RvSwTxjoKLxp.jpg) [Fruit of the Spirit](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) Episodes: 9 Free Download: [Micah’s Super Vlog Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/AzXhrmJySBSQAZ5QMqoc) ![5MFD_Series_OldTestamentHeroes.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4Up96KBiQBGOlLt9ZBul.jpg) [Old Testament Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/blog/old-testament-heroes-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) Episodes: 25 Free Download: [Old Testament Heroes Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/W3BwJAy6TUKilIf2FVZo) ![5MFD_Series_BigQuestionsAboutChristma...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LJG5WHVESFaxqB5gooLr.jpg) [Big Questions About Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/blog/big-questions-about-christmas-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) Episodes: 12 Free Download: [Christmas Coloring Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Ne8zeZM0QDeMwlIrMNym) ![5MFD_Series_Image_60SBS.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/r6NDAgxyS5m3D0w4PVgI.jpg) [60 Second Bible Stories (Old Testament)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/60-second-bible-stories-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) Episodes: 10 ![5MFD_Series_CharacterQuest.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/42mQLiwGQnmMEP6ZgXes.jpg) [Character Quest](https://www.gominno.com/blog/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional) Episodes: 12 ![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg) [Easter Week](https://www.gominno.com/blog/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotionals) Episodes: 8 Free Download: [Easter Coloring Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) ![5MFD_Series_Image_Jesus.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EYKC9wbhR16X4fADdaQN.jpg) [Jesus: Messiah, Teacher, King](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-jesus-messiah-teacher-king-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) Episodes: 16 Free Download: [Jesus Coloring Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/NcLfDpnJRYeN2BdDVRvz) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch and grow together now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Family Devotions **Tags:** 5MFD, Family Devotions --- ### [It's Family Fun Week on Minno! (with even MORE VeggieTales® plus a NEW show)](https://gominno.com/blog/family-fun-week-minno-veggietales/) **Published:** July 27, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PETAxChQoqfzjrwC1N2W.jpg) It’s FAMILY FUN week on Minno! Our Wow & Wonder Summer continues with a brand new show plus even MORE of your all-time favorite VeggieTales episodes added this week! #### New Show: [Fruit of the Fitness](https://www.gominno.com/series/fruit-of-the-fitness) Minno’s brand new short, [Fruit of the Fitness](https://www.gominno.com/series/fruit-of-the-fitness), provides lighthearted laughs for kids and parents alike. At Minno, we are all about providing faith-filled content for families AND we also just want to help you laugh together. These adorably tenacious fruits are not only funny, but they are also a great example of how the Fruit of the Spirit doesn’t always come easily for us. Growing good fruit in our lives takes practice! “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LLnfNv4OTIuUFIyZ3xJd.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/zujlbJfSS6vIR7r75uKT.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-summer-family-games-activity-pack) **Take the fun OFF-SCREEN!** The Summer Olympics are canceled but FUN doesn’t have to be. Click [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-summer-family-games-activity-pack) to find out more about how to host your own Summer Family Games with Minno! . . . . . . . . . . #### New Episodes: VeggieTales All this month, Minno is adding more episodes of the [VeggieTales](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) that you know and love! It’s part of our ongoing Minno Wow & Wonder Summer! #### **MORE New VeggieTales Episodes Launching this Week on Minno** - [Celery Night Fever](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/celery-night-fever) - [The Penniless Princess](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/the-penniless-princess) - [MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese Battle](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/maclarry-and-the-stinky-cheese-battle) ![More VeggieTales on Minno.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9VEjpST3S4uX6JM3xphA.jpg) And because we want to help you have off-screen fun that sparks conversations that matter, we’ve got coloring pages, activity sheets, and family discussion guides for the VeggieTales Bible stories you’ll already find on Minno and some of your favorite episodes just added! #### **Grab these FREE VeggieTales Downloads on Minno!** [Veggies in Space Activity Sheet](https://cdn.buttercms.com/5AwLcR72MVAmQHaJjLgh?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=space) [Beauty and the Beet Activity Sheet](https://cdn.buttercms.com/ZYdVzMZoSq6RjsMU4Upr?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=beet) [The Ultimate VeggieTales Bible Story Discussion Guide and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/jUzl2gmhRe2VJ03TPtMm?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=full-pack) Includes family discussion guides for every Bible story plus coloring and activity sheets! *Just looking for the coloring and activity pages?* Download the [VeggieTales Bible Story Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/StVKIzRnGGALED9ZN3PQ?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=coloring-activity-pack) *Just looking for the family discussion guides?* Download the [VeggieTales Bible Story Family Discussion Guide Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/pJDZhcJBT52fSlInxWwx?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=discussionguide-pack) *Want to download one discussion guide and activity pack at a time?* Bookmark this page and come back when you want to teach your kids about these great VeggieTales Bible stories: [Noah’s Ark](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Mj6V1yvT4ypRDRI8qdzW?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=noah) [Abe and the Amazing Promise](https://cdn.buttercms.com/oQwlckwJQMuXww0a2aUR?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=abe) [The Ballad of Little Joe](https://cdn.buttercms.com/siq9O3PTDSDbcnKd03l6?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=joe) [Moe and the Big Exit](https://cdn.buttercms.com/dU5AUnIrRzSD6FlbF02A?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=moe) [Josh and the Big Wall](https://cdn.buttercms.com/8kOyf3TTh6AAOUksJ52A?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=josh) [Gideon: Tube Warrior](https://cdn.buttercms.com/8w9nAD1nQ0mi5jiLRe4B?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=gideon) [Duke and the Great Pie War](https://cdn.buttercms.com/4GiE7mtQhCzgdYWRA9oW?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=duke) [Dave and the Giant Pickle](https://cdn.buttercms.com/qDBl9wPSkmonIyq5JVxw?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=dave) [King George and the Ducky](https://cdn.buttercms.com/ThhPQKlWRfGalPFzLo0g?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=george) [Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen](https://cdn.buttercms.com/N2t4MI5KTfS5Dg1djPr3?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=esther) [Rack, Shack, and Benny](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VfFuqMygRaC9BU1Gegj4?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=benny) Watch all of these favorite [VeggieTales episodes](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) and many more NOW ON MINNO! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Minno Shows, VeggieTales --- ### [Parenting and Fear: Trusting God with Your Child's Life](https://gominno.com/blog/parenting-and-fear-trusting-god-with-your-childs-life/) **Published:** July 24, 2020 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/97nW924R9eB54ndxi22J.jpg) Failure to succeed. Being left out. Making the team. Bullying. Falling away from faith. And now . . . navigating life and education in the midst of a pandemic. There are so many things we can worry about as parents. *And who can blame us?* Media messages, articles, not-so-timely posts shared on social media, and “advice” from other moms can leave us feeling overwhelmed, full of anxiety, and pondering questions that cannot be easily answered. *How are we going to handle school this fall?* *What is this isolation doing to my child?* *Will my pre-teen always be this unmotivated?* *Is my daughter going to make the high school volleyball team if we don’t start her on a team in second grade like everyone else?* *Shouldn’t my preschooler know her numbers and letters by now?* *Is what I’m teaching my children about God and the Bible really getting through?* *What can I do to make sure MY child gets the spot on the honors choir and not someone else?* **Sometimes our concerns are justified.** We need to find healthy, Biblical ways to address areas of our child’s life, when he makes poor choices or when she’s asking questions about faith. *But what about those other things that are nagging at our minds?* *Are there times when our worry gets the best of us, causing us to act from a place of fear when making choices for our kids?* It can be hard to choose to go against the grain and make different choices than fellow parents, especially in areas like sports and academics. Because of this, we can make choices about education or overload our kids’ schedules with activities that we are sure will help them succeed. We are constantly keeping an eye on what other parents are doing so that we can match them—no matter what the cost (and I mean the literal cost!). And in the process of pushing our children to be what we think they should be for a productive, successful life, we lose sight of their true feelings and desires. We can forget to ask, *“God what is YOUR will for my child’s life?”* But when we can learn to separate out genuine concern from worries that stem from our own feelings of unrest, a desire to be noticed, and discontentment, we can begin to parent with the confidence that God will lead us to guide our kids exactly in the way they should go. ### **Four Questions to Ask Yourself to See If You’re Parenting from a Place of Fear** Here are four time-tested questions my husband and I have found helpful to ask ourselves when making choices for our four children: 1. Is this choice something that God has opened doors for, or is it what I want for my child because I’m afraid? 2. Is this choice based on what other parents are doing, or is it genuinely something my child needs? 3. Is this choice something that will take away large amounts of time from our family, or can it fit well into our everyday lives without compromising the important areas of faith and family? 4. Am I walking forward with this choice because God has given us peace, or is there a specific fear that is driving this decision? ### **5 Scripture Verses that Can Help Us Turn from Parenting out of Fear and Start Parenting with Confidence in God** *“But I trust in you, Lord, I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in Your hands.’” Psalm 31:14-15a NIV* *“Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.” Psalm 119:140 NLT* *“And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:24 ESV* *“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 NIV* *“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV* ### **A Practical Lesson in God Using All Things for Good** At the 2018 South Dakota Class A girls state golf meet, senior Kate Wynja had a hard choice to make. After seeing that she would be named the state champion, she looked down at her scorecard and realized, to her dismay, that she had submitted her scorecard incorrectly. Knowing that reporting herself would cost her the championship, she had the option of simply keeping the truth to herself. But instead, she chose to inform the tournament officials. Although they appreciated her honesty, they had to follow the rules and disqualify her from the tournament. Though there was a deep sadness, there was also a huge relief that she had followed the Holy Spirit in making an honest decision to “tell on herself” and speak the truth. God used the situation for good, the story going viral, giving Kate many opportunities to testify to God’s faithfulness even in disappointment. Kate’s parents could have mourned the situation and blamed the judges for not allowing her to have the title and prestige. But their confidence was not in their child’s performance, instead, it was in the God who created her and caused even this difficult situation to work for His glory. **There is great peace in knowing that we don’t have to decide our children’s futures: God has them in His hands!** His plans for them were formed long ago and He knows every hair on their head. Those things that we see as weaknesses, the Lord can turn into strengths. Those situations we see as frustrating setbacks, God can redeem for their growth and His glory! That team they don’t make, the high grades they don’t get could be just what God uses in their lives to bring Him honor and glory and to teach them reliance on Him. Make a choice to turn from your fear and anxiety and pursue those things that have eternal value for your children. Trust that God has a perfect and beautiful purpose for your child that goes beyond what you can even imagine! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [5 Ways to Develop Your Homeschool Game Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-develop-your-homeschool-game-plan/) **Published:** July 23, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Minno-developing-a-game-plan-hom...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fmMmxxiQqWzH6WFdyC6F.jpg) When Christian families choose to make Christian homeschooling part of their lives, the task can seem very daunting. It often looks insurmountable when first starting out, but as in all things in life, it’s important to create a game plan to help alleviate some of the anxiety of the unknown. By developing a plan, you create a road map to follow. There may be times when you deviate from the plan, but once you realize you have done so, you can simply go back to your road map and continue on the journey. Before you start, [consider the advice of one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time](https://www.newsweek.com/john-wooden-first-how-put-your-socks-167942): “I think it’s the little things that really count. The first thing I would show our players at our first meeting was how to take a little extra time putting on their shoes and socks properly. The most important part of your equipment is your shoes and socks. You play on a hard floor. So you must have shoes that fit right.” This sounds so basic, it’s almost silly. But if you don’t get the basics right, it will affect all of the other areas. Check your homeschooling “shoes and socks” with these five steps. # **How to Homeschool: 5 Ways to Develop Your Game Plan** 1. **Get A Handle On Your Curriculum** There are many types of [homeschooling resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-creative-and-trustworthy-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling) to help your kids succeed, but knowing the [curriculum](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) is always the place to start. Make sure you understand its rhythm and content. If you develop confidence in the curriculum you use, this confidence will splash over into your teaching and onto your kids’ learning. Find additional resources and [media to support the learning experience](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) in fun and interesting ways. 2. **Know The Laws In Your Area** [Every state has different laws for homeschools](https://www.gominno.com/blog/navigating-the-legal-requirements-to-homeschool). Do diligent research to ensure your homeschool is in compliance with these laws. Doing this will remove any issues that could occur with your child’s future class placement, as well as their eligibility to graduate. Be sure to get your ducks in a row when it comes to laws for teaching eligibility, homeschool eligibility, and the number of students in your school. 3. **Set Up A Separate School Space** It isn’t necessary to build a new addition to your home to ensure ample child development or success in your homeschool. However, it is important to [set up a space](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-essentials-for-creating-the-perfect-homeschooling-room) that [separates your school from your home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/homeschool-tips-how-to-keep-home-and-school-separate). This will help your kids differentiate between home and school even though they are in the same building. Kids like variety, but they also like sameness. Create an environment where they “feel” like they are in school, not just at the kitchen table. Setting up such a space will help them focus on their subjects and remove them from normal distractions. Imagine sitting down to watch a movie with three loads of laundry in front of the screen. Could you fully concentrate? Probably not. It’s the same with your children when it comes to distractions. Creating a space that promotes learning and focus will lead to successful education. 4. **Create A Daily Rhythm** This may be difficult at first, but it’s vital for homeschool success. Develop a schedule for each day. For instance: Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 7:25 a.m. School begins: 7:45 a.m. Daily School Schedule: 7:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. This is just an example of course, but it gives you an idea for the structure of your day. Once you know the day’s rhythm, schedule out the school day. Include [breaks](https://www.gominno.com/blog/homeschool-tips-how-to-take-breaks-without-getting-derailed), times for outside activities, as well as study time. By scheduling out your day, you will begin establishing a routine for your kids. Having a set rhythm will promote learning and distinguish between school and non-school time. 5. **Connect With Your Local Community Of Home Educators** While the previous four items are extremely important in your game plan, this one is probably the most important to ensure a successful homeschool that doesn’t just survive but thrives. Even if you aren’t aware of others in your area who are homeschooling their kids, there are likely more than you realize. Do a search for [homeschool groups and co-ops](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-homeschool-co-op), then contact them for a meet and greet time. See if they’re a group you could work with to enhance the learning experience for your kids. Find a seasoned homeschool educator who could serve as a mentor to you. This relationship will be a vital resource for wisdom and homeschooling knowledge. ## Executing Your Game Plan Once you have developed your game plan, execute it daily, and try to not deviate from it. It’s not the end of the world if you deviate, but remember that road maps are usually trustworthy. Like Christian parenting, Christian homeschooling is rarely perfect, but by establishing a game plan and being deliberate in its execution, you’ll create an environment for everyone’s learning success. **. . . . . . . . . .** Find faith and values focused media to support your learning experience on Minno. Browse our [show catalog](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) and sign up for a free trial! **Categories:** Education, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Homeschooling --- ### [A Simple, Creative Expression to Help Kids Through Tough Transitions](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-help-kids-through-transitions/) **Published:** July 22, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OGt29foFTBOjOJaYJpnn.jpg) One of our art therapists at Daystar told me once about an activity she would do regularly with the kids she counseled. She would have them draw a bridge to represent a time of transition in their lives. On one side of the bridge, is *what* *was* (normal school, for example). On the other side of the bridge is *what’s* *to come* (the new “normal”). Under the bridge is important, too, as it represents what we want to carry over. *What would a bridge look like as we transition back-to-school under new circumstances? What would a bridge look like as our lives transition from quarantine back to a normal life—or at least closer to it?* This is a great exercise to do with the kids in your life as they head “back-to-school” (whatever that looks like for you). You could either have each family member do one of their own—or you could do a collective bridge. On the ***what was*** side, have everyone write three things they enjoyed about this time together and three things that made it more challenging. Then, have them do the same for the ***what’s*** ***to** come side*. *What are three things they’re looking forward to, and three things they anticipate that might be difficult?* Next, talk about what is **under the bridge** for each of you. In counseling, we call these **transitional objects**. For example, the child that carries the same stuffed animal back and forth between his divorced parents’ homes. *What would your family want to carry over from this time at home? More downtime? More time to play games as a family?* Have each person, again, come up with three things. This next season is going to be full of significant transitions. In fact, while anxiety has decreased among kids during this quarantine, my expectation is that it will be back on the rise. For the past several months, kids haven’t had to do so many of the things that make them fearful or overwhelmed . . . school, social events, school, athletic events, did I mention school? All of those things are slowly coming back but chances are, they will not look like they did before . . . at least not for a long time. As if transitions weren’t hard enough, now they will be filled with more new and uncomfortable circumstances. Transitions are hard—for all of us. Practical and creative expressions of those transitions can help with the process and will remind your kids—and you, that you can do it. I often define anxiety as *“an overestimation of the problem and an underestimation of yourself.”* Your child might need a lot of reminders that they’re brave and strong and capable in the weeks and months to come. In fact, a brave journal might be another practical and creative expression to help in this season. Or even a list of affirmations hanging up at home. Have your child write down times that he or she has been brave, to look back and remember. **Anxious kids don’t remember the brave things they’ve done before. They need our help!** It can also be of great help to practice. Have your child role-play the first day of school with you. You be the teacher or friend and let your child start a conversation. Practice wearing a mask for longer periods of time each day until your child is more comfortable with it. No matter how daunting it may feel, your child can do it. And so can you. Practice and practical strategies make a huge difference. And, as always, the reminder that your child and you are never alone in this. We have a God who goes before us and is with us every step of the way. He has given us all that we—and they—need through Christ and in each other. #### Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/el25GLz7RLyETzs4ULri.jpg) SISSY GOFF, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of eleven books, including the bestselling [Raising Worry-Free Girls](https://amzn.to/2MKwSve) and [Braver, Stronger, Smarter](https://amzn.to/2oMWWxF) (for elementary-aged girls). Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications including FoxNews.com, as well as her own podcast Raising Boys and Girls. You can find more information and resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com/). **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Emotions, Parenting --- ### [New Show Just Added to Minno: Jungle Beat](https://gominno.com/blog/jungle-beat/) **Published:** July 20, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![JungleBeat_Blog (1).jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yBxfgh82TiuwgZzhw0qP.jpg) This week we welcome new animal friends to the Minno family in the beautifully animated show, [Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat). Join Bee, Elephant, Monkey, and more as they overcome obstacles in their wild environments and learn through perseverance to be comfortable right where they are! These adorably tenacious animals are adding lots of laughs to Minno’s Wow and Wonder Summer! #### [Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat) Series Details - Recommended Age: Elementary School - Episode Length: 5 Minutes - Format: Animated, Non-verbal - Episodes Available Now: 13 - Character and Values Focus: Yes - Bible Tie In: No - Free Download: [Jungle Beat Coloring Pages](https://cdn.buttercms.com/KQloBGUSSjqh89JhmEkp) . . . . . . . . . . ### A Sneak Peek at a few of the [Jungle Beat Episodes](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat) Available to Watch Now [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1n2cPKaTSp6R3lO8tfM5.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat) [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXEMbrKHQ2H6a0iLIDbl.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** New Shows, Now on Minno **Tags:** Jungle Beat, Minno Shows --- ### [Honesty: Why Your Kids Might Struggle with Telling the Truth](https://gominno.com/blog/honesty-why-your-kids-might-struggle-with-telling-the-truth/) **Published:** July 15, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VNTy1l83Rty4cPoF7cef.jpg) Out of my three kids, I have one who lies like it’s nothing. All the time. Even over little things. Me: *Did you brush your teeth?* Him: *Yes*. Me: *Are you telling me the truth?* Him (sheepishly): *No*. Sometimes, I seriously worry if he will turn into a pathological liar . . . if I need to take him to a neurologist or a therapist or both. Most of the time, I realize he’s just being a kid. *Why do kids lie?* *Is it always just about getting out of trouble, or is there something deeper going on?* *More importantly, how do we teach our kids* *[honesty](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-honesty)? How can we train them [not to lie](https://www.gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-bible-says-lying)**, about both the little things and the big things?* As Christian parents, we know that honesty is an important part of character building. We want to raise honest kids who become honest adults; people whose word can be trusted. Psychologists give[ several reasons that children lie](https://childmind.org/article/why-kids-lie/): - to get something they want - to avoid a consequence/punishment - to get out of something they don’t want to do - because they are just “trying it out”—to see what will happen if they do - to enhance self-esteem and gain approval - to get the focus off of themselves - to spare someone’s feelings ### **Typical Reasons for Lying** Those first three are the ones we typically think of when we hear our kids lie. He doesn’t want to get in trouble for not brushing his teeth, so he says he did. He wants to go outside to play, so he says he’s already finished his homework. He doesn’t want to get in trouble for hitting his sister, so he says he didn’t, even though I just *saw* him do it. It’s a natural human reaction to do whatever it takes to avoid punishment or pain, even if it’s not very rational. For a lot of kids, lying is almost a reflex; they don’t even think about it. In fact, clinical psychologist Dr. Carol Brad, says that[ lots of kids with ADHD lie out of impulsivity](https://www.additudemag.com/stop-lying-adhd-children-rewards/). One of the traits of ADHD is that a child acts before he/she thinks. In those situations, while we can and should punish the behavior, we also need to help the child learn to slow down and think before they speak. If your child lies a lot, it doesn’t mean they’re a bad kid; it just means you need to teach them how to control those natural impulses and be honest instead. Dr. Brady writes that for kids with ADHD (or who seem to have a habit of lying without really thinking about it for any reason), we can try a few other tactics: 1\. As you ask the question, say, *“Now, really think about your answer and make sure you are telling me the truth…”* Then ask, *“Did you brush your teeth?”* 2\. Encourage your child to pause before speaking. Teach them to count to three before answering *every* question and to use that time to formulate a truthful answer. 3\. Give your child the opportunity to reconsider their answer. Say, *“Did you really finish your homework? I’ll give you another chance to answer truthfully, with no consequences for lying.”* If you think your child is lying impulsively, not really intentionally, these tips can really help them to slow down and think about their answers before speaking. Lying to get out of trouble isn’t okay, so if a child lies about it, he or she may get in trouble for the original thing *and* for lying about it. Double trouble! My kids know that if they hit their sibling, they’ll get a consequence. But if I find out they lied about it, they’ll get in way more trouble than if they had just come clean and confessed, because we’re trying to train that reflex out of them. We also talk about lying and why it’s important to maintain a reputation of being an honest person, so people will trust you. No one wants to become “the boy who cried wolf”! ### **Developmental Reasons for Lying** Some kids lie just to see what will happen if they do. At every stage of development, all kids try new behaviors to see what they can get away with, both with their parents and authority figures *and* with their friends. You can see it really clearly with kids who are learning sarcasm and other methods of joking around with friends. They try out a joke and if it doesn’t go over well, they learn not to use that one, and they adjust from there. This is a normal part of human social development. Kids do the same thing when testing boundaries with their parents. As kids age, they try disobeying a rule or telling a lie to see how their parents will react, to see if they can get away with it.[ Pushing boundaries is a perfectly normal and natural stage of child development](https://nannyoptions.ie/parenting-guide/toddlers/toddler-behaviour/children-pushing-boundaries/). But as parents, we have to stand firm with our rules and be consistent or kids will quickly learn they can push us over. ### **Deeper Reasons for Lying** A child’s other reasons for lying are much deeper and more complicated. **To gain approval:** Kids who lack confidence may lie to make themselves seem more impressive to other people. They may exaggerate the number of soccer goals they made or even tell an outright lie about saving someone from drowning in the ocean. **To get the focus off of themselves:** Kids with anxiety, depression, or chronic illnesses may lie about their symptoms to get the spotlight off of them. They may say they feel fine about something when they are really terrified simply because they don’t want people worrying about them. Kids who are very shy may lie about their accomplishments because they don’t want the attention. With these reasons for lying, there are deeper root issues to be explored. In these cases, it’s best to not simply punish the behavior or just talk about lying. You have to get at the root of the issue. *Why does your kid feel like they have to inflate their sense of self-worth? Why do they feel like they have to lie to get the attention off of themselves? What is going on underneath all of that?* In these cases, lying is just a symptom of a bigger problem. **To spare someone’s feelings:** Kids who are deeply empathetic may lie to make someone feel better. They may say they didn’t get invited to a party either to a friend who wasn’t invited. Or tell a friend their joke didn’t hurt their feelings when it really did so they won’t feel bad. Or tell their mom that her dress looks nice even if it’s hideous. This is a tough one because many adults do this as well. And many of us believe it is actually an act of kindness to tell these kinds of lies to people we love. That can be a very tricky thing to explain to children who typically see things in very black and white terms. *“If lying is wrong, then I* *have to* *tell my mom that dress makes her tooshie look bigger!”* These are the times when we can use our grandma’s old saying, *“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!”* **Categories:** Child Development, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Parenting --- ### [How To Be The Community Your Child Needs](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-be-the-community-your-child-needs/) **Published:** June 30, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/F5l2kKvdRmiT6gTthgKE.jpg)* *These past few months have been a doozy, haven’t they?* Activities have been canceled, for most of us school was mandated to be done from home, sports were suspended . . . and if you are the parent of a girl, chances are these changes have hit her hard. Girls are relational by nature, so for them, this time of social distancing has undoubtedly been a little harder to navigate. What’s even more difficult is the inclination for many of them to want to increase the use of electronic devices and social media, which we know can be a double-edged sword. Yes, it allows them to connect but it can also invite them into a world of impossible standards, comparison, and negative messages about self-image, with many of them being exposed to a cultural narrative that doesn’t necessarily reflect the eternal narrative of our Creator. But you can encourage fun, creative, and intimate opportunities for your girl to experience the value of building community, right in the privacy of your own home. This doesn’t have to mean searching for ultra Pinterest-y activities that burden you with more planning and clean up. **This means engaging your girl in what interests her.** Yes, that might mean you make a Tik Tok video with her but, before you start cringing, challenge yourself to see the opportunity for what it is: a chance to be in the conversation about what kind of content she creates and interacts with. *How might she use that content for good? What responsibility does she have to affect culture online by sending positive messages that glorify God?* It will look different from home to home, but getting on her level, entering into her ‘world’, letting go of your own agenda to build an authentic connection is what this whole parenting thing is really about. One way to start is to talk openly about your own fears and insecurities. Don’t be afraid to dive in deep. **Your girl can learn how to be vulnerable by following your example.** Through modeling, you can share your heart and find common ground with your girl. For many years, I didn’t understand what real community was supposed to be. I grew up with two loving parents and a younger sister and we, as far as anyone could tell, had a normal family life. We were involved in activities, sports, and events with family and friends. All the regular stuff. What I realize now about my time as an adolescent and especially my teenage years is that healthy communication and honesty were seriously lacking in our house. I’m positive my parents didn’t teach me to think this way, but I grew up believing that if you shared your feelings you were weak. If you got hurt, you sucked it up and carried on and no one wanted to hear about it. You didn’t let anyone ‘in’ to your situation. You made it look really good on the surface and you kept everything hidden because you should be able to deal with everything on your own and with no outside help. That is what culture tells our girls is normal . . . and it is right where the enemy wants us. Isolated. Withdrawn. Bearing the weight of our burdens alone—because when we’re doing that, we are in our own heads, toiling and trying to problem solve on our own, we are missing one of our most important kingdom assignments: **COMMUNITY**. **God’s design for all of us is that we would be, work, and live together as ONE body**. That we would endure and thrive in real community with one another. But that seems a little hard to do in the middle of a pandemic when we’re being encouraged or required to stay apart . . . #### ***What Does Real Community Look Like?*** When we break down the word *community* (the English teacher in me can’t resist), we get the Latin prefix *com* which means “together” and the word *unity* which means “the quality or state of being one.” The root word is *communis:* common, public, shared by all. Now, the younger version of me hears the sound of that and is like, *how fast can I run away*? It was a point of pride for a long time for me to tell people “I’m not a sharer.” But the me of today understands the value and the part we all get to play when we enter into a community of people who share a common bond, belief, or goal. There’s a beautiful picture of this in the book of Acts. After Jesus’ ascension, Peter addresses a crowd at Pentecost and a bit of time later heals a man who was lame for his entire life. The Sanhedrin don’t like the teaching or the miracle so they arrest Peter and John but they can’t really decide how to punish them so they let them go. You can find the story in Acts chapter 4, verses 23-34 in a section called The Believers Pray and The Believers Share Their Possessions. Read it [here](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+4%3A23-34&version=NIV). This is a picture of community that is at total odds with what culture tells our girls. **Culture says hoard the material and hide the mess, but when we do that we totally miss the rich relationships God designed us to enjoy.** *So how do we teach our girls about real community, especially in the midst of being isolated from friends and loved one?* Here are three of the most important lessons our girls\* can learn about building community . . . even now. *\*Although these ideas are based on what a girl needs most during this time, the need for community is also crucial to our boys! If you are a boy parent, ask God to show you how to apply this truth to his life too!* #### **Community is a place to HEAL.** Our girls are taught that full and total independence is what defines a strong, successful woman. The perspective of “I know everything. I don’t need anyone’s help. I can do it by myself.” But the truth is that **allowing others to share in our grief, fear, anxiety, and worry breaks down the walls of superficiality and creates space for real human connection.** In times of trial and suffering that bring tears, there are also sweet moments to laugh and dream together about how God will use this period of struggle to make something new. While our girls are being separated from their community (for the most part) we can step in and guide them in finding connection right where they are. We can model what it means to lean into family—our home base—for authentic community and healing from disappointment, loss, and fear then branch out from there. #### **Community is a place to GROW.** *“You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety.”* Abraham Maslow The world tells women of all ages that our perspectives are our own and they don’t need to change; people should just learn to deal with it. But, mamas, that is not God’s way. God wants to put us in situations that will shift, and sometimes *radically* transform, our perspectives—ones that will change our mindsets from selfishness to sacrifice, from earth to eternity. Community is where God will use other people to change your perspective and, in the process, He will change you. **Your girl will get to see first-hand the growth you experience, and she will use it to set the expectation for how growth happens in her own life.** This life “interruption” does not need to interrupt the process. There are growth opportunities, even as life seems stagnant in this season. One way our girls (and we) can grow in this season . . . learning how to cultivate community when circumstances are less than ideal. You can lead her here, mama! *How are you cultivating community right now? How can you encourage your girl to create connection at home and in her sphere?* #### **Community is a place to SOW.** Community. It’s where we will plant seeds that bear good fruit in generations to come. I believe that none of this means anything if we can’t pass it on to the people who will carry forward our legacies long after we’re gone. I think about the next generations of girls and what will awaken inside them when we, the adults who love them, give them a model for genuine community and authentic living. How we live will determine our girls’ ability and confidence to rise above a culture that beats them down, that tells them to keep it all hidden, that being vulnerable means you’re pathetic and that sharing means you’re weak. Community is where we will show the next generation what real life looks like, where they will watch us wait together, cry with, pray with, and encourage each other until Jesus returns and sets everything right. **We have a unique space in time, right now, to be that community and model it with our daughters. While they don’t have access to all of their friends or social circles, we can show them what being in a healthy community looks like, what an ideal friend looks like, by being that for them. That’s my prayer for all of us: that we would be Acts 4 women. Women who know the things we have are *not our own*. Women who share everything we have and raise our daughters to do the same. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re looking for additional resources and coaching on these exact challenges, I would love for you to join me in my Mentorship [here](https://truthbecomesher.com/)**.** I’ll give you practical tools to navigate, nurture, and develop the young woman you’ve been called to lead. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/f29feklDThrNMFjOpapF.jpg) [Erin Weidemann](https://erinweidemann.com/) is the founder of [Truth Becomes Her](https://truthbecomesher.com/), a brand that equips moms and women with resources to help them step into their unique leadership roles. A sought-after homeschool consultant, certified teacher, coach, and nationally-recognized speaker, Erin’s personal mission is to shift the conversation around feminine values from being beauty-driven, to a focus on inherent worth. An on-air personality for Air1 Radio, Erin delivers “59 Seconds of Hope” daily as well as hosts the Heroes For Her Podcast where she interviews positive female role models who are living out their passions in-line with their personal values. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/J9FbBv9SveS0G7u7zbCT.jpg) She is the author of eight books, including the best-selling Bible Belles series, The Adventures of Rooney Cruz which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. Erin is a five-time cancer survivor, and lives and homeschools in San Diego, CA with her husband, Brent, and their daughter, Rooney. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Raise Kids Who Value the Bible](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-raise-kids-who-value-the-bible/) **Published:** June 25, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DxIqhNiEQoKG8wU3zBt3.jpg) The older I get the more sentimental I become over the littlest things—two of my most prized possessions would mean absolutely nothing to anyone else. But because they mean so much to me, I baby them. I ensure they are well taken care of and I give them a place to rest in my home that is special. When you value something, it becomes a part of your life that nothing or no one else can take the place of—it becomes truly priceless to you. When you raise children in a Christian home, you raise them with the hope that they grow into a deep relationship with God and that it manifests itself in how they act and how they treat others. But in order to grow a deep relationship with God, they first need to value His Word. ***How do we raise kids to value the Bible?*** #### **Why It’s Important to Value the Bible** When I was a junior in High School it was a huge rite of passage to pass the test on the Constitution. As a matter of fact, it was required to pass in order to graduate. *Why did the school make it mandatory?* Because they felt that if you wanted to guide kids out into society to be law-abiding citizens, they’d have a better chance of succeeding if they had an understanding and appreciation for the Constitution—the “bible” of our country’s laws in the United States. So it is with the Bible and living a Christian life. You can teach the principles of being a Christian, and those principles can be backed by the Word of God. But our children cannot stand on Bible-based teaching until they value the source. #### **1. Set the Right Tone** Many times kids are taught rules, or ways of doing things, but the way they are taught or the methodology in which they are taught causes them to ignore the instruction. If you want to raise your kids to value the Bible, you need to begin teaching them at a young age, but you should make sure that the way you teach them is well received. Imagine this scenario: you asked your kids to go clean their room. After several hours, you go to see what their progress is only to find them playing video games while nothing has been cleaned. You immediately begin yelling and telling them how the Bible says that children are supposed to obey their parents and by not cleaning their rooms they are disobeying you. At that, one child says something that is somewhat disrespectful and then you begin yelling even more, telling them that they are supposed to honor you! This is an example of “not” setting the right tone. What you said is true; however, the way you delivered it will not be well received—it may even hurt your child. (Don’t cringe. We’ve all done this!) *So what is an alternative to this scenario? Not say anything?* Of course not, but sitting down with your child, asking them why they haven’t cleaned their room and getting some understanding as to their *why* will help guide you on how to address the problem. When your child sees that you handle things with love and a measure of calmness and understanding, they will begin to connect that to your walk with God. You can even say to your child, “You know, I’m really not very happy right now. You disobeyed me and you were disrespectful, but the Bible tells us to look not only to our own interests but to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). This situation is not just about getting you to do what I need you to do. It’s about teaching you to do the right thing. *See the difference in the tone set in the two scenarios?* You have the ability to affect how children receive the Bible and what it has to teach them. #### **2. Establish the Bible as a Part of Your Family’s Life** I was raised in a non-practicing-Christian home. What I mean by that is, my parents were very moral, they believed in the Bible and they believed in biblical principles, but they didn’t teach them as if they were connected with the Bible. But, on one of our side tables, we had this huge Bible and in it were some of the most amazing pictures depicting different biblical stories. That Bible was well-taken care of, it was dusted, stayed in a prominent position in our home and sometimes we even read from it—and from those small, insignificant actions, we all grew up to value the Bible. *Imagine the effect on your kids if you actually made the Bible an active part of your family’s day-to-day schedule?* When a parent models the value of the Bible to their kids, the kids begin to model that behavior without even realizing it. #### **3. Make It Relevant** Raising kids to value the Bible is more than just integrating it into devotion or Bible reading time—it’s teaching them how the Bible is personal. All of us remember the first time we saved up our money and bought something that was very precious to us. Because of our investment of time and money, we took extra special care of it—it had become something personal in our lives. For kids to value the Bible, you need to make it personal to them and the way to make it personal is to make it relevant to their everyday lives. Imagine a child who grabbed a toy from another child’s hands and began to play with it. That really isn’t the kind of behavior you want your kids to have; however, what a wonderful opportunity for you to teach out of the Bible by showing them the story of the widow who was willing to give her last mite to help the poor. Teaching kids how the Bible can help others, as well as teach us how to be better, will make the scripture a guidebook for their lives. If the Bible becomes their guidebook, it will be highly valued. If the Bible never becomes something personal or relevant to kids, it won’t ever have the value that will ultimately change their lives for the better. #### **4. Make It Fun** While the Bible *is* a history book filled with many stories and details that will go right over most kids’ heads, it is also the most epic story ever told and it’s ***their*** story, which makes it one we should teach them to engage in and value! The Minno [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) is a wonderful way to get kids excited about the Bible. The Minno Bible’s comprehensive yet fun retellings of the Bible narrative will have kids and parents alike learning and laughing more than they ever have with a Bible in their lap! [![Laugh and Grow Bible Bestseller Graph...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kmK9cyPTyKpe5CmNmadu.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) Find out more about the Minno [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids)—2020 Christian Book Award WInner ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MS5fOof4RUqgudpyOX35.jpg) Download your FREE [Wow & Wonder Summer Scrapbook](https://www.gominno.com/blog/minno-wow-wonder-summer-activity-scrapbook) and Reading Plan for the Bible **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Creation Care for Kids: How to Protect the Air We Breathe](https://gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-to-protect-the-air-we-breathe/) **Published:** June 23, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/H3TqLhh3QmCNjsbogpim.jpg) We don’t often think about the air around us or the breaths we take. Breathing is an unconscious action that keeps us healthy and alive, but God, who’s planned all of our days (Psalm 139:16), is also responsible for the breath in our lungs (Job 33:4, Genesis 2:7). You might not associate air with God, but God is the God of all things, including air (Job 12:10, Job 27:3), the sky and the atmosphere (Psalm 8:3, Psalm 19:1, Isaiah 40:22, Deuteronomy 4:19, Job 26:7), and wind (Mark 4:39-41, Ecclesiastes 1:6, Revelation 7:1, Numbers 11:31, Jonah 1:4). Certainly, wind, which is how He often describes [His own Holy Spirit](https://www.gominno.com/blog/pentecost-and-talking-to-our-kids-about-the-holy-spirit), part of the holy trinity (John 3:8, Acts 2:1-4)! These invisible parts of the world around us are all evidence of God’s creation and power. *How could we have an effect on something as large and immense as the air?* Well, you’ve probably heard that our air and atmosphere are getting warmer, due to climate change and greenhouse gases, and carbon emissions. Maybe you aren’t sure exactly what that means. #### ***What are Carbon Emissions?*** Well first, carbon in itself is not bad. Carbon is the sixth most common element in the universe; it exists in all living things, as well as in many non-living things like the earth’s crust, diamonds, graphite, limestone, and viruses. In fact, carbon can form more compounds than all the other elements combined! There are over ten million carbon compounds identified to date. And the compounds can come in vastly different forms: soft, black graphite and clear, hard diamonds are in fact both pure carbon! Carbon dioxide is also in and of itself not bad. In fact, it is part of God’s original intention for our ecosystems that animals and humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. That carbon dioxide is in turn absorbed, or “breathed in” by plants and algae, that they then release, or “breathe out” as oxygen, through photosynthesis. It’s a beautiful circle, that works in balance. The problem is that we have tipped the supply-demand curve of this balance, and have added way more carbon dioxide than the system can handle, through the burning of fossil fuels. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/M3s5KtZ2Trml9c5a4k9g.jpg) Burning coal, oil, and gas used for energy add significant amounts of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere and air. *How much?* Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are currently higher than at any point in the last 80,000 years, and the increase in the last 60 years is about 100 times faster than previous natural increases, like at the end of the last ice age. There are other gases also released into our air when fossil fuels are burned, including carbon monoxide and methane. Altogether, these gases form what is called the Greenhouse Gas Effect. #### ***What is the Greenhouse Gas Effect?*** The Greenhouse Gas Effect is also not all bad. In fact, it’s what allows life on earth! That’s because our planet Earth exists in the cold dark vacuum of space, but it is surrounded by a protective atmosphere, and it is warmed by the sun (Genesis 1:1-19). If the sun’s rays just beat down on Earth with no atmosphere, Earth would be 0°F, and life couldn’t survive in those freezing temperatures. But because our atmosphere is full of greenhouse gases, the sun’s heat is trapped, and acts like a greenhouse, or a cozy blanket, keeping the heat and moisture in and warming the earth up to about 60°F, a temperature hospitable to life. Some of the sun’s rays escape back through the atmosphere and re-enter space, so it’s not too hot. But as we add more and more carbon emissions to the atmosphere, something is happening to the greenhouse gas effect: more gases mean they are trapping the sun’s rays, and reflecting more of them back onto Earth, and letting less escape back into space. In short; more gases in the atmosphere equals a hotter planet. Between pre-industrial times and now, the Earth’s average temperature has increased 1.8°F. Though 1.8°F might seem like a small amount, it has already started to cause more heatwaves, more droughts and wildfires, less snow and ice, thawing permafrost, stronger storms, changing rain and snow patterns, changes in plant lifecycles and animal migrations, warmer oceans, and sea-level rise, among other things. These things can affect humans’ safety and livelihoods, from coastal communities having to move because of sea-level rise to farmers not being able to grow crops because of severe droughts. Though climate change may seem like an overwhelming problem to try to solve as an individual person or family, there are numerous ways we can all help! ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Minno_Creation-Care_No-Oval.png "- Minno Kids") #### ***How can we protect the air God gave us?*** - *Learn about climate change.* Katharine Hayhoe, noted climate scientist and evangelical Christian, says the number one way to combat climate change is to talk about it. That’s especially important for your kids. Here are some easy experiments that you can do to teach your kids about the greenhouse gas effect. [Explore the Greenhouse Effect](https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/exploring-greenhouse-effect/) | [Make Sun Smores](https://climatekids.nasa.gov/smores/) - *Walk, bike, run.* Our cars burn gasoline, which adds to carbon emissions. Brainstorm with your family what errands could be done by biking or walking instead of using the car, or which errands could be combined for less car time! - *Install solar panels.* Our houses use a lot of fossil fuels for electricity. But solar panels use the sun to keep your house warm and the sun is a completely renewable resource. Bonus: our house has solar panels and we save so much on electricity, sometimes the power company even buys it back from us! - *Eat less red meat.* I mentioned this in the first [Creation Care for Kids post](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-your-family-can-love-the-earth), but cows actually produce a lot of methane, which is a large contributor to greenhouse gases. If you replaced every beef meal with chicken, you could save 882 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere! Start small, and try swapping out one meal a week. . . . . . . . . . . **Next Post in the Series:** [How to Nurture the Earth’s Vegetation](https://www.gominno.com/parents/creation-care-for-kids-nurture-earths-vegetation/) . . . . . . . . . . Caring for God’s amazing creation can feel like a really big job! But you don’t have to memorize statistics, understand the latest science, or even dramatically change your lifestyle to care for the earth. Creation care can start with simple habits and just being aware . . . that God created the earth and every amazing thing in it, and that we are called to take care of His creation. Our latest Minno Life Guide: [**Creation Care: How Your Family Can Love the Earth**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care), written by Jenni Brandon, Ph.D. and Senior Scientist at Applied Ocean Sciences, will help your family discover small changes that will make a big impact on the beautiful world God made. - Learn scientific facts about our land, air, water, plants, and animals and how they are changing for the good and not-so-good. - Discover ways your family can make small changes to help conserve our resources. - Engage in conversations and simple creation care practices with the ideas and prompts in this guide. - Use the included Creation Care Journal to guide kids on a journey of exploration into the wonderful world God made and their opportunity to steward it well. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Creation-Care-1756x992-1.png "- Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) Visit the Minno Store to get your [Creation Care Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care)! . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YCMOYNXGQjWWot2lid6q.jpg) Jenni Brandon received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in December 2017, focusing on the nascent field of marine microplastics. She is an expert in quantifying and identifying marine microplastics and has developed multiple novel methods to identify the spatial and temporal ranges of microplastics and determine the age of plastics exposed to varying weathering conditions in the environment. She is passionate about the world of science communication, having given hundreds of interviews and talks to all types of stakeholders, and was a college lecturer on communicating science to the public during her post-doc at Birch Aquarium. She is active in her church and serves as a Young Life committee member in Encinitas, California. For more of her personal outreach articles and articles about her research, please check out www.jenniferabrandon.com or follow her on twitter at @PlasticsJenni. . . . . . . . . . . #### **More resources and fun to get your family excited about Creation Care:** #### **Minno Shows About Creation** [The Nature of God](https://www.gominno.com/series/nature-of-god) [Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) [The Wonderful World of Science with Dr. Schniffenhousen](https://www.gominno.com/series/wonderful-world-of-science) #### **Minno Books about Creation** **![What's In The Bible Board Books.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bnChyqmGSyaXdMSYv132.jpg)** Board Books featuring beloved What’s In The Bible? brothers, Clive and Ian: [God Made the World](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Me](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made the Animals](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Night and Day](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) ![L&G Cover 3D Mock_FINAL SM.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q7MNwDRBQaW6eA5cm7FK.jpg) [The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Creation Care for Kids --- ### [Want to Raise Kind Kids? Start with these Skills...](https://gominno.com/blog/want-to-raise-kind-kids-start-with-these-socialemotional-skills/) **Published:** June 11, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NDfM6LdNTKzWCzdE8P1w.jpg) With each baby giggle and infant smile, we dream about the joy our little ones will carry with them through life. Then they become toddlers and their human nature begins to rear its ugly tantrum-throwing head. As they grow through preschool and learn the art of sharing and caring, we catch glimpses of kindness and exhale with the hope that someday, they just might learn how to be decent human beings. Then comes elementary school and we begin to see their personalities develop and we marvel at their uniqueness. By then we can see whether or not they have a cheery disposition or a melancholy soul. We realize that although there are solid principles with which we should parent, there’s a nuance and an art to figuring out how best to guide each individual child. It’s the goal of most parents to raise kind kids. When we observe our children choosing to put a sibling or friend’s needs above their own, our heart leaps with joy. When we overhear a kind word being spoken we beam with pride. **Witnessing acts of kindness is one of our greatest joys as a parent.** I’ve always said, *“If I do nothing else right as a mom . . . if my kids grow up to be completely average in activities and academics but they learn to love well . . . I will consider myself a wild success.”* And for the most part, I’m sticking to that goal. But twelve years into this motherhood gig, I’ve learned it’s not as easy as it sounds. It’s not just about telling our kids over and over to BE KIND. **Kindness is not a behavior, it’s a deep value and belief system.** Yes, the spirit of kindness comes out in our actions but if we teach kindness as a behavior rather than a value, our kids will abandon the habit at the first sign of conflict. I spent years teaching my kids to “act kind” instead of nurturing the soil in their hearts that will grow kindness. A few years in I decided it was time to take the focus off their outward actions and begin cultivating a spirit of kindness within them. Because when we help our kids prepare good heart-soil and plant seeds of self-worth, they will relate to others out of an overflow of kindness. #### 3 Social/Emotional Skills Needed to Develop Kindness Years ago as I was praying and asking God to show me how to raise kind kids, I heard Him clearly say, > *“Raise kids who are so aware of others, so confident in their own selves and so thankful for their blessings, they can’t help but be kind.”* And ever since, it’s been my goal to focus on these three social/emotional skills. #### Awareness Awareness of our surroundings and the needs of others is the first key to kindness. We can’t spread kindness if we don’t know where it’s needed. We could argue that kindness is always essential and that would be true. But being tuned into our atmosphere and each individual we come in contact with will help us cultivate an authentic spirit of kindness that flows naturally out of a noticing heart. *How do we develop this type of awareness in kids?* - **Encourage kids to always be looking for others that need to be invited into the fold.** On the playground, in the neighborhood, at church. Make it a habit to notice those on the fringes and invite them in. - **Help kids understand the different personalities of their friends.** My daughter began learning this skill in 3rd grade. Every day she’d come home and tell me what this one did or the other one said. Finally, at the end of the year I talked her through a certain situation where she felt hurt but after looking at things through the lens of her friends’ uniqueness, she had a better understanding. She expected her friends to all act the same way in different situations. Learning each other and [applying our insight to each individual](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-friendship) helps us 1 – treat others with kindness according to their needs and 2 – filter our responses to their actions with greater understanding. - **Teach kids to develop a sense of what others are feeling.** Likewise, when our noticing kids learn to sense when someone feels hurt or is just having a bad day, they can respond with compassionate kindness rather than merely reacting. - **Help kids develop the courage to reach out.** More often than not, our kids aren’t being mean, they are just being meek. Courage to reach out is learned through practice. When we help our kids take the first step, even when they are scared, we teach them to find the courage to be kind. #### Confidence The older I get the more I’m convinced that confidence is the key to everything. Every weak place in which I struggle can be connected to the need for greater confidence. When our kids grow up feeling secure in who they are and what they stand for, they wear confidence; an armor of assurance. Confident kids have no need to dismiss or ignore others; they are not tempted to tear down or belittle. When we’re secure in our identity, we walk in confidence and joy and it is contagious. *How do we help kids gain this type of confidence?* - **Praise and affirm kids often, according to their uniqueness, not the world’s standards.** It’s not about what the world (or we, for that matter) think they should be or accomplish. Our affirmations need to be centered around their unique ability and personality. - **Resist the urge to require or aim for perfection.** [Encourage a growth mindset](https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/want-to-raise-successful-kids-science-says-praise-them-like-this-most-parents-do.html) that is focused on learning and growing rather than achieving. - **Allow kids to try and fail and try again.** Instead of rescuing kids every time they need help, let them fail and try again. This not only develops confidence but also courage to take risks. - **Encourage endurance and persistence.** Kids these days want to give up at the first sign of resistance. True and lasting confidence is built on hard work and [perseverance](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-perseverance), not overnight success. #### Gratitude It sounds so simple. *Just teach kids to be thankful.* But in our current self-focused, have-it-all-now culture, parents are climbing an uphill battle if they desire to teach their children to be thankful for what they have and practice gratitude when things aren’t going the way they’d like. It’s true, we’re fighting the most self-involved, opportunistic cultural landscape of all time. But that only makes it more imperative for parents to instill a value of gratitude in our kids. *How do we help kids develop and practice gratitude?* - **Cultivate an atmosphere of gratitude at home.** Make your everyday [conversations full of thanksgiving](https://www.gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-thankfulness) for each other and every blessing you enjoy. Start by focusing on these [essential elements of a joy-filled family](https://www.gominno.com/blog/help-your-family-come-out-of-this-season-with-more-joy). - **Say *NO* more often and stick to it.** The more our kids get, the less thankful they are. Every now and then kids need to be told NO. It’s not that we find joy in withholding good things from our kids. But the greater blessing comes with balance. Kids will find deeper satisfaction with less stuff, less opportunity, and less activity. - **Make it a habit to [look for the good](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-to-find-and-be-the-good-in-a-broken-world) in every situation.** Teaching kids to look at the glass as half full will serve them well throughout their entire lives. But this is a value that comes with lots of practice. Play the “glad game” as Pollyanna called it. Always try to find the good and you’ll be surprised how easy it becomes to be glad in any situation. - **Practice being thankful by sharing words of gratitude out loud and often.** Gratitude is a seed that blooms in our hearts but it must also be spoken aloud if it’s going to take root and thrive. As parents, we lead the way here. Our kids need to hear us speaking words of gratitude out loud on a regular basis. If you’re more apt to complain (this is a struggle for me), work on finding and speaking 3 things you are thankful for every time you want to complain about something. - **Make generosity a part of your family culture.** The more we open our eyes to the vast needs of others, the more thankful we’ll become for what we have. Give of your time and resources as a family as a way to cultivate a spirit of generosity and develop gratitude. > A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. Amelia Earhart The aspiration to [raise kind kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-kindness) is a noble one. The world needs as much kindness as it can get and we, as parents, have the privilege of equipping our children with seeds of awareness, confidence, and gratitude. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Best Christian Shows for Tweens](https://gominno.com/blog/best-christian-shows-for-tweens/) **Published:** June 10, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/00FwTNY5QueJVNzrqv5g.jpg) Tweens (ages 8-12) will love these Christian shows on Minno! They’ll experience history, adventure, fun, and more—all while learning about God. You’ll find shows for all ages on Minno, but here are our favorite Christian shows for tweens: ![MSV-Show-Logo.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/t3X3EXVNQiOLjcNFzja6.jpg) #### **[Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog)** Join 10-year-old Micah as he learns what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus with his best friends Armin and Lydia and shares his thoughts along the way on his vlog. Be sure to check out the [books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog), too! Your middle-grade reader will LOVE these highly illustrated adventures wrapped in lessons of faith and character. ![Connect-JT-Blog-Image.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Jnplu4S6TrKLMdFbqVpE_Connect-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) #### **[Connect](/series/connect)** Connect is a wonderful show that offers a fun twist on Bible stories. It follows Becky and Todd as they write, direct, and perform their own interpretations of Bible stories. Each episode revolves around a story from the Bible and what the kids think it means. And given their unique personalities, Becky and Todd can sometimes be… a little off the mark. ![YRNW_Blog.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yAblCq0PQ3ma28xxUu15.jpg) #### **[Yancy’s Rock-N-Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-s-rock-n-worship-live)** Rock-N-Worship is new on Minno with 9 episodes! Yancy is turning it up a notch for our elementary and tween kids with fun songs that will get them excited to worship! These live recordings of upbeat worship songs feature Yancy and a host of other kids and young people that want to make a joyful noise! ![Torchlighters-JT-Blog-Image.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HfoFML7KQ3GlVFb6M3aS.jpg) #### **[The Torchlighters](/series/the%20torchlighters)** Do your kids loving learning about history? We love The Torchlighters, which presents the stories of true-life heroes from Christian history! See what God can do through a “Torchlighter” and be challenged to carry your own torch while learning about the history of our faith. Watch it in English *and* Spanish! ![ryan-defrates.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mG7SYReQ7e0YRIgjR6SQ.jpg) #### **[Ryan Defrates](https://www.gominno.com/series/ryan-defrates-secret-agent)** Ryan Defrates is a young spy with a whole lot to learn! He always insists on working alone, until one day, he’s paired with a very unlikely partner . . . his mom! ![McGee and Me.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/j2IzjcTRTV6jPgTsSizE.jpg) #### **[McGee and Me](https://www.gominno.com/series/mcgee-and-me)** Welcome to the world of Nicholas Martin, a completely normal kid who happens to find himself in some not-so-normal situations, and his animated pal, McGee. **Categories:** Now on Minno --- ### [How to Fight Anxiety as a Mom](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-fight-anxiety-as-a-mom/) **Published:** June 9, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/260XdukhTuGkhWJSRnek.jpg) I distinctly remember the day I was going to be leaving the hospital with my son. I remember looking down at him, scared to death and saying a prayer, asking God to please help me to not cause any harm to him. The reality was, I knew nothing about being a mother, and I knew nothing about taking care of a tiny human. But God knew this, yet He gave me a healthy, bouncing baby boy. Thus was the beginning of a life of mom anxiety. ### **Anxiety—What Is It and Who Has it?** Each day I meet people and interact with people who are very open about their anxiety, yet there are others who suffer in silence. *How prevalent is anxiety?* According to the [Anxiety and Depression Association of America](https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics), anxiety disorders affect approximately 40 million adults in the United States. That’s approximately 18% of the population! Anxiety is basically a feeling of inner turmoil that can manifest itself as worry, fear, nervousness and in more severe cases can completely debilitate someone from performing normal duties. Anxiety is complex and can be caused by multiple factors, such as genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. But this list omits one very important factor that causes anxiety, and that is being a mom. [Anxiety is also infiltrating our kids’ lives](https://www.gominno.com/blog/biggest-issues-girls-are-facing) at epic proportions. Anxiety can affect anyone at any time but as moms, we must start by recognizing and addressing our own anxiety. #### **Causes of Anxiety for Moms** We live in a world where we know everything about everyone almost immediately. Social media provides us with minute-by-minute updates of what people, eat, wear, where they go, etc., because we post everything. For some, it’s become a habit. This habit results in pressure and high expectations; seeing people do all of the wonderful things makes you feel pressure to do everything they are doing and do it better! Pinterest alone (without intending to) has increased moms’ anxiety levels exponentially. Here’s an example of a Pinterest picture and what actually resulted: ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/a4rLkY3GTlWI9jZXGcDT.jpg) For the mom whose expectations were to create the lamb cake above, she will feel quite anxious because hers ended up looking like a scary pig! This is one of the main causes of anxiety for moms and that is self-imposed pressure. We think in order to be a good mom that we have to be perfect. Our homes must be perfect, our kids must be perfect, we need to look perfect and the list goes on. Nearly all of this is self-imposed. All our kids want is our attention and our love. Another cause of anxiety for moms is we pack our schedules so full that we leave no time for ourselves to recoup. We will never be able to rid ourselves of things that must be done, but what we can do is learn how to fight anxiety. #### **How to Fight Anxiety** Feelings of worry or anxiousness are something that everyone feels from time-to-time, but the key is to know how to fight when you are overwhelmed with those feelings. - Pray and meditate on scripture about anxiety. Start with these [verses to pray over your anxious child](https://www.gominno.com/blog/three-powerful-verses-to-pray-over-your-anxious-child). They can help you too! - Take time for yourself – self-care is one of the most important things you can do. Think of when you are on an airplane and the flight attendants are demonstrating what to do in case of a loss in cabin pressure . . . they tell you if you have kids, put your mask on first. So it is when you are a busy mom—take care of yourself first! Lack of self-care usually ends poorly. Never feel guilty for taking care of yourself—it isn’t selfish, because what you are doing is giving your kids the best version of you, so self-care is actually selfless. It’s all in how you look at it! - If possible, find someone to help you overcome a bump – if you’re feeling overwhelmed, embrace it and face it head-on. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and realize that you cannot do it all. Asking for help during a difficult time could be the push you need to get over that bump. The feeling that you have to be superwoman will end up poorly . . . someone will be unhappy or exhausted. - Embrace camaraderie – join a group, club, or even take a class. Involving yourself in an activity with others will give you an outlet from your everyday life. #### **When to Seek Help** Many moms struggle with anxiety because of pressure and unrealistic expectations. But for some, anxiety runs deep and may require more than merely tuning out social media and avoiding Pinterest. According to [Psychology Today,](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/201903/6-signs-it-s-time-seek-help-your-anxiety) there are six signs of when you should seek help for anxiety and they are: 1. Physical Symptoms 2. Cognitive Symptoms 3. Procrastination and Avoidance 4. Overthinking and Constant Worrying 5. Feeling Agitated and Restless 6. Panic Attacks Anxiety can be debilitating if it isn’t dealt with. As a mom who has a million and one things to do and think about, recognizing the difference between anxiety that is manageable and anxiety that needs intervention is important. Ensuring that you are healthy benefits your entire family. #### **Anxiety Isn’t a Sin, But It Can Glorify God** Over the last few years, anxiety has gotten a lot of attention in the media. People now have a better understanding of it, but more importantly, people are more open to discussing their anxiety without fear of being labeled. Moms have always had a lot on their plate, but many times their feelings of anxiousness were swept under the rug and they were made to feel inadequate or flawed. Today it’s different, thankfully. By recognizing your anxiety and using some of the methods mentioned above to fight it, you can become a testimony. The Bible says in I Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” By relying the Spirit of God in your life and actively giving your anxiety to God, you can glorify Him. It isn’t His will that we struggle with anxiety, that was never His intention, yet many times we feel like we have to handle everything ourselves. Using the methods talked about earlier, giving your anxiety to God, and allowing Him to show you what you need to do is the best solution. When we keep our anxiety, we are in essence saying, *“No God, You can’t handle this, I need to take care of it.”* Now that is not God’s intention at all. Actively praying, outlining all of your anxiety, and speaking scripture daily will help you on your way to overcoming the anxiety in your life. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Creation Care for Kids: How to Steward the Gift of Water](https://gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-to-steward-the-gift-of-water/) **Published:** June 5, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qD6BCwmSS8KMPCmi0Ji4.jpg) There are dozens of Bible verses that mention water, and water can symbolize many things in the Bible. Water, like from a spring or a well, often symbolizes refreshment and the meeting of our needs (Matthew 10:42, Psalm 23:2, John 7:37, John 4:7), and clean water often represents purity and forgiveness (Ezekiel 36:25, Ephesians 5:26), as symbolized by the sacred rite of baptism (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:10), and when Jesus washes his disciples’ feet (John 13:5-11). The water of nature, like lakes, rivers, and the ocean, is also often mentioned in the Bible. Many Biblical stories center around water, like when Moses parts the Red Sea, Jesus calms the storm, and the disciples pull so many fish from the Lake of Gennesaret that it breaks their nets (Luke 5:1-11). All of these stories remind us just how much Biblical culture relied on the water. And our culture does too. For example, take a look at these facts: - Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface - 40% of people on earth live within 60 miles of the sea - More than 3 billion people rely on the ocean for their primary source of protein - More than 90% of international trade happens by ship Not only do we depend on the sea, but the sea depends on us too. And we are not taking care of it well. We are being bad stewards of the fish in the sea, with 80% of fisheries species being fished at full capacity or being overfished. We are bad stewards of the once-thriving coral reefs; these brilliant ecosystems, where up to 25% of the species in the ocean live and eat, are on the brink of collapse due to ocean acidification and climate change. Symbols of our consumerism and industrialization make it into the ocean as well— - More oil leaks into the ocean every year from leaking vehicles, oily streets, and other non-point sources than was spilled in the Exxon-Valdez Spill - An estimated 8 million tons of plastic make it into the ocean every year - More than 136,000 whales and seals are trapped every year in lost fishing gear - 52% of sea turtles have eaten plastic at some point in their life, thinking it was food This version of the ocean was not the way God intended it. Rather He created a beautiful sea “teeming with living creatures” (Genesis 1:20) and He dreams of a beautiful ecosystem in harmony, as illustrated in Ezekiel 47:9, “wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish.” Ezekiel 47 goes on to describe how fishermen live in harmony with the fish in this river, having plenty to catch in their nets, and that there will a beautiful array of different kinds of fish, or what scientists call **BIODIVERSITY**. *So how do we get back to this vision of an ecosystem in harmony?* *One like what God created, and gave to us as a gift?* First, we have to remember that water is a gift. The water we drink, that refreshes and nourishes us, is a gift, and the clean water that we shower and bathe with is a gift. So too is the water found in nature. The beautiful lake we go to on vacation, the river we fish in, the ocean we learned to surf in, the delicious snowflakes we catch on our tongues, they are all gifts from our Lord, for us to savor and find delight in, but also for us to be **STEWARDS** of. We must take care of water, like we take care of any precious gift, by making sure we do not fill waterways with our trash and our pollution, by making sure we do not take out more resources than they can handle giving us, and by not stressing their ecosystem beyond a breaking point with climate change. Only then can we experience this beautiful gift for many generations to come. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Minno_Creation-Care_No-Oval.png "- Minno Kids") *So how can we take care of the water we’re surrounded by? - *Care for the water body nearest you.* Whether it’s a stream, lake, river, creek, or the ocean, many of us live near some body of water. And most likely, that body of water has some trash in it. Take a trip to your local lake, pond, or beach and bring a bag with you, or a bag for each member of your family. Collect trash until you have filled the bag! Talk about each piece of trash and brainstorm what reusable alternatives there could be for those plastic items, and where those items should have been disposed of. And next time you go to the beach to swim or have a picnic, don’t leave any of your own trash behind! - *Don’t dump down the storm drain.* There are two paths water can take—one is the wastewater treatment system, where it goes down your sink or tub drain, leaves your house and goes to a wastewater treatment center to get treated and cleaned before it exits into a body of water. The other is the stormwater system, where when it rains, rain drains into the gutters and storm drains on the side of the road, and drains right into the local body of water without being treated. That’s why storm drains say, “Don’t dump, drains right to the ocean” on them. This is where you come in—there’s most likely a storm drain on the street you live on. It is a place for stormwater and stormwater only! Don’t dump motor oil, soap from washing your dirty car, paint, dog poop, or litter down the storm drain, unless you want that to end up in your local river, lake, or ocean! - *Use less single-use plastic.* Since one of the biggest pollutants in the ocean is plastic, and most of that plastic consists of single-use items that were used for less than half an hour, by using less plastic you are helping keep God’s ocean clean. Start with easy ways to reduce your plastic footprint. Carry your own reusable bags to the grocery store, carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic water bottles, get coffee in a reusable coffee cup, refuse a straw, and pack your kids’ lunches in reusable containers and lunchboxes! - *Use less of it!* One of the easiest ways to take care of water is to use less of it around your house. Take shorter showers, and turn the water off while you shampoo your hair. Turn the water off while you brush your teeth, and while you soap up your dishes. All of these can make a big difference. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth saves an estimated 10 gallons per day per person, and cutting your shower by just five minutes saves another 12.5 gallons of water! . . . . . . . . . . **Next Post in the Series:** [How to Protect the Air We Breathe](https://www.gominno.com/blog/creation-care-for-kids-how-to-protect-the-air-we-breathe) . . . . . . . . . . Caring for God’s amazing creation can feel like a really big job! But you don’t have to memorize statistics, understand the latest science, or even dramatically change your lifestyle to care for the earth. Creation care can start with simple habits and just being aware . . . that God created the earth and every amazing thing in it, and that we are called to take care of His creation. Our latest Minno Life Guide: [**Creation Care: How Your Family Can Love the Earth**](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care), written by Jenni Brandon, Ph.D. and Senior Scientist at Applied Ocean Sciences, will help your family discover small changes that will make a big impact on the beautiful world God made. - Learn scientific facts about our land, air, water, plants, and animals and how they are changing for the good and not-so-good. - Discover ways your family can make small changes to help conserve our resources. - Engage in conversations and simple creation care practices with the ideas and prompts in this guide. - Use the included Creation Care Journal to guide kids on a journey of exploration into the wonderful world God made and their opportunity to steward it well. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Creation-Care-1756x992-1.png "- Minno Kids")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care) Visit the Minno Store to get your [Creation Care Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides/products/minno-life-guide-creation-care)! . . . . . . . . . . ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YCMOYNXGQjWWot2lid6q.jpg) Jenni Brandon received her Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in December 2017, focusing on the nascent field of marine microplastics. She is an expert in quantifying and identifying marine microplastics and has developed multiple novel methods to identify the spatial and temporal ranges of microplastics and determine the age of plastics exposed to varying weathering conditions in the environment. She is passionate about the world of science communication, having given hundreds of interviews and talks to all types of stakeholders, and was a college lecturer on communicating science to the public during her post-doc at Birch Aquarium. She is active in her church and serves as a Young Life committee member in Encinitas, California. For more of her personal outreach articles and articles about her research, please check out www.jenniferabrandon.com or follow her on twitter at @PlasticsJenni. . . . . . . . . . . #### **More resources and fun to get your family excited about Creation Care:** #### **Minno Creation Care Contest** Enter to win a Creation Care prize back including a one-year subscription to Minno, a Minno reusable water bottle, and a Clive and Ian board book bundle! [Minno Creation Care Contest](https://gleam.io/HcfbZ/minno-creation-care-contest) #### **Minno Shows About Creation** [The Nature of God](https://www.gominno.com/series/nature-of-god) [Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) [The Wonderful World of Science with Dr. Schniffenhousen](https://www.gominno.com/series/wonderful-world-of-science) #### **Minno Books about Creation** **![What's In The Bible Board Books.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bnChyqmGSyaXdMSYv132.jpg)** Board Books featuring beloved What’s In The Bible? brothers, Clive and Ian: [God Made the World](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Me](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made the Animals](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) [God Made Night and Day](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) ![L&G Cover 3D Mock_FINAL SM.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q7MNwDRBQaW6eA5cm7FK.jpg) [The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Seasonal **Tags:** Creation Care for Kids --- ### [Teach Your Kids to W.A.I.T with Patience](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-your-kids-to-wait-with-patience/) **Published:** June 4, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NT4D9Px9RgaSGJhk47lS.jpg) Patience is not only a Biblical virtue, it’s a valuable life-skill that every human (young and old) needs to develop. Some people are naturally born more patient than others but we can all learn to grow in patience with a little practice. Waiting for their turn on the playground or on an electronic device may seem impossible for children now but the character muscle that is exercised in those circumstances will one day be put to the test when they are waiting for their turn to be put in the soccer game or to get a part in the play. Developing patience in small things will help our children learn to trust God and His goodness so that one day when they must wait for big things—that dream job or a spouse—they’ll resist the urge to run ahead of God and possibly, His will for their life. I’ll admit, I’m not naturally a patient person. God is using motherhood to continue to develop this character trait in my life. I often wondered how I could possibly teach them to be patient when I struggle with it myself. But the truth is . . . no matter what value we desire to teach our children, we have to remember: we are imperfect parents guiding imperfect kids as we grow together. The beauty of our walk with Jesus is that we’re constantly growing. When we show our kids that spiritual growth never ends, they learn to aim for progress over perfection. > So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT The very encouragement we use to remind ourselves to continue parenting with patience is the same we can use to teach our children that waiting without complaining will reap beautiful rewards according to God’s goodness and His plan for us. Patience takes practice. And our practice doesn’t stop once we hit a certain age. Our patience character muscle needs to be developed and then conditioned for the rest of our life. . . . . . . . . . . Whether a parent or a child; an adult or a kid, when we practice PATIENCE, these good habits are formed in us as we learn to WAIT: **W** – We are **WILLING** to yield to God’s way (or Mom and Dad’s way) > **Ask:** *Do you think God knows when and how we need things?* **A** – We **ACCEPT** God’s goodness (trust that he, along with Mom and Dad, will not withhold good things) > **Ask:** *Do you believe that God is good and will not hold any good thing from you? Do you believe we (your parents) also want to bless you?* **I** – We **IMAGINE** God’s best for us (which comes when we wait with patience) > **Ask:** *What would it look like to wait for God’s best? How would waiting be better than complaining or running ahead?* **T** – We **THANK** God for our many blessings (those we have now and those to come) > **Ask:** *Can you think of a time God blessed you beyond your imagination? What good things can we thank God for right now?* . . . . . . . . . . As you teach kids about patience and help them develop this important character muscle, focus on these important steps. #### Grow in patience together. We don’t have to have it all together to teach our kids God’s way. In fact, [our kids will build a faith more deeply rooted if we lead them with authenticity](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/raising-kids-who-love-jesus-for-life/). Be honest about your own process of growing in patience and invite your children to grow with you. #### Give your kids opportunities to practice patience. It’s so much easier to just give in. But our kids need opportunities to develop their character muscles. Let them wait. Look for ways for them to practice waiting. Practice means progress. #### Let your kids experience disappointment. I absolutely hate it when my kids are disappointed and yet, I know disappointment is something they need to experience if they are going to survive real life. We don’t need to rescue our kids all the time or fix every situation. Pray and [ask the Holy Spirit to guide you](https://www.gominno.com/blog/pentecost-and-talking-to-our-kids-about-the-holy-spirit) to know when to help and when to let your children deal with disappointment. #### Refuse to reward impatience. Consequences are a tricky business. Even with an If/Then chart hanging clearly on the wall, there’s a nuance to certain situations that are often hard to navigate. Impatience is one of those sticky situations. Patience means waiting without complaining. If the kids cannot wait patiently, they shouldn’t receive the benefit. There are always exceptions (and once again, the Spirit will be our guide here) but for the most part, allowing kids to reap the reward when they’ve had a bad attitude will not teach them to wait with patience. . . . . . . . . . . #### 3 Bible Stories to Teach Kids About Patience Read these stories in full text or in the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids). Abraham and Sarah – Genesis 15-21 (Laugh and Grow Bible pg 48) Joseph – Genesis 37-45 (Laugh and Grow Bible pg 54) God’s Example of Patience – Moses and the Israelites in Deuteronomy (Laugh and Grow Bible pg 90) Use [this post](https://www.gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-patience) for talking points around these stories about patience. . . . . . . . . . . Our family recently welcomed a bunch of teeny-tiny caterpillars into our home. When they arrived, they were so small, I thought it was a joke. I actually wondered if most of them had died in transit. We read up on the process of growing caterpillars for our [Butterfly Garden](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000ISC5/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00000ISC5&linkCode=as2&tag=graformom-20&linkId=bf57bc4edf4bacf827072b34e3eea2dc)![](https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=graformom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00000ISC5) and started following their amazing metamorphosis. Within days these incredible creatures have grown into great, big bugs. The process has been slow and we’ve got a ways to go but we’re enjoying this exercise in waiting patiently for something exciting. I didn’t purposefully plan for the bugs to arrive right before our [Fruit of the Spirit lesson](https://www.gominno.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-lesson-series-minno-church-at-home) on Patience. But God . . . He’s so good like that. The perfect lesson in patience! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/df1ce49BRUKGqrLYuP7K.jpg) ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZvcbusAGSg6HrSu25One.jpg) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [8 Shows for Kids about Overcoming Fear](https://gominno.com/blog/8-shows-for-kids-about-overcoming-fear/) **Published:** June 1, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/eKoeB0RjTruTjCy1mWpV.jpg) *Have fear and anxiety ramped up in your home during safer-at-home orders, canceled school, and scary news stories about living through a global pandemic?* Scripture tells us over and over to not fear and to trust God, but kids are concrete thinkers and can struggle to regulate their emotions, especially out-of-control fear that they often don’t even know how to explain. Stories open the door for abstract ideas (like “do not fear”) to become tangible through the experiences of characters, and Minno is full of shows that do just that! We believe stories have the ability to transform us and to teach us. As fear takes center stage in the world, flip on any of these shows to engage your kids in transformational and encouraging stories about what God says about fear and how He meets us in our anxiety with His [perfect peace](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-promote-peace-at-home). Parents, watch these shows with your kids! Ask your kids to explain what they think key characters were feeling at different points in the story. This engages both empathy and emotional vocabulary, two critical emotional milestones that can help kids develop a healthy response to fear and [anxiety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/signs-your-daughter-has-anxiety). **Here are 8 shows about facing your fear with God’s help on Minno:** #### Shows about Overcoming Fear for Preschool/Early Elementary [*Scaredy Car:* Auto-B-Good](https://www.gominno.com/series/auto-b-good/videos/scaredy-car) Johnny and his friends have all kinds of adventures in the city of Auto, but in this episode, the car Miles becomes afraid of almost everything after an accident! [*Gigi Goes Camping:* Gigi, God’s Little Princess](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/friends-romans-and-mystery-men) Princess Gigi goes camping with her family and encounters some scary new things! But she learns that God will always protect her. [*The Butterfly:* Owlegories ](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-butterfly) The delightful kids of *Owlegories* are afraid of bugs! But they have an amazing lesson to learn about overcoming fear and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. [*Courageous Scaredy Cat:* Ryan Defrates Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/series/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/videos/courageous-scaredy-cat) Ryan and his mom overcome their fear to defeat a clown who steals toys from kids all over town! [*Where’s God When I’m Scared?*: VeggieTales](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/wheres-god-when-im-scared) Junior Asparagus feels a lot of fear after he watches a scary movie! He learns about God’s power over fear in the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den … and the classic song “God is bigger than the boogeyman!” #### Shows about Overcoming Fear for Older Elementary [*Dr. Fear’s Almost Perfectly Disastrous Day:* Bibleman](https://www.gominno.com/series/bibleman-the-animated-adventures/videos/dr-fears-almost-perfectly-disastrous-day) This episode of Bibleman features the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4), which is the perfect encouragement for the kids at Whispering Pines Christian Camp who experience fear about … well, everything! [*Friends, Romans, and Mystery Men:* Friends and Heroes ](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/friends-romans-and-mystery-men) Macky tells the story about Jesus stopping the storm to the children in the home where he is enslaved, and the children are calmed during a big, scary storm. [*Faith: The Wind:* Iesodo](https://www.gominno.com/series/iesodo/videos/faith-the-wind) This retelling of Jesus calming the storm from Mark 5 features Iesodo the dove rescuing his friends who are trapped at sea. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). *. . . . . . . . . .* *Looking for more resources to help your kids develop courage?* Check out these posts: [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Courage](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-courage) [5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Courage](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-verses-for-kids-about-courage) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Simple Ways to Promote Peace at Home](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-promote-peace-at-home/) **Published:** May 28, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** #### Promote peace at home with simple strategies that prove—peace is not the absence of crazy but the ability to find calm in the midst of the chaos. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/71huAU7nSE2mkn2XiN1H.jpg) In my older age (I’m over 40 now), I find I crave peace. But as a busy mom, peace is hard to come by. My dear friend [Joanne Kraft](http://joannekraft.com) (author of [The Mean Mom’s Guide to Raising Great Kids](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/089112442X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=089112442X&linkCode=as2&tag=graformom-20&linkId=18234ee0c037a2daaccf6d111f97aaf0)![](//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=graformom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=089112442X)) calls moms like me “Marshmallow Moms” (it’s OK, I’m not offended. She and I laugh about it often!) because we’re willing to do whatever it takes to bring peace to our surroundings and situations. But the thing is, my quest for temporary peace has long prevented our family from finding the true and lasting peace that comes from the Spirit. That’s the kind of peace we’re learning about this week through [Minno Church at Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-lesson-series-minno-church-at-home) and it’s what I truly want for my family. Maybe during this season of extended days . . . weeks . . . months at home and wondering what on earth you are going to do with the kids all summer long has made the promise of peace seem laughable . . . impossible! Maybe you are being tempted to give up and live in chaos because it seems to be the only way. Me too! But there’s a better way and if [peace is a fruit of walking with the Spirit](https://www.gominno.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-lesson-series-minno-church-at-home), we know exactly what we need to do to access peace right now and always. Philippians 4:6-7 says, > Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. #### **Simple Ways to Promote Peace at Home** I want to create and promote peace as a family so we’re making changes and finding peace in the process. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and praying about peace lately and I’m sharing some of the ways we’re working toward more peace in our home. When we find peace on the home front we’ll be able to carry it with us wherever we go and share it with others! #### **Start with YOU** *“When Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”* There’s a reason this saying is so popular . . . because it’s funny, *and* it’s true. As the heart of the home, we mamas need to make sure we’re keeping our tank full. I know it’s hard to find the time (and let’s be honest, energy) for self-care but it’s absolutely necessary for moms to find peace themselves before they can promote it in their home. This means, taking care of your physical and emotional wellness as well as finding life-giving hobbies, activities, or creative outlets. *What’s one thing you can do this week to take care of YOU?* #### **Meditate on Peace-Filled Scripture as a Family** Colossians 3:15 says as members of one body, we are called to live in peace. This verse is talking about the Body of Christ which starts first and foremost, at home. The living and active Word of God is the most powerful, peace-producing tool we have. Read [peace-related verses](https://www.gominno.com/blog/bible-memory-verses-for-kids-about-peace) during your own quiet time or together as a family. Some of my favorites include: Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Hebrews 12:14, Psalm 34:14, Romans 12:18, 1 Peter 5:7, James 3:18, Philippians 4:7, Psalm 29:11, Romans 14:19, Matthew 5:9. Write one or two verses on index cards and place them around the house as a reminder to pursue peace. *What one scripture can you meditate on this week to promote peace in your heart and home?* #### **Take it to God in Prayer** Remember the old hymn, *What a Friend We Have in Jesus*? Its timeless lyrics are a reminder to take our thoughts and worries and fears to God in prayer. *Oh, what peace we often forfeit* *Oh, what needless pain we bear* *All because we do not carry* *Everything to God in prayer* *No pool open this summer?* Tell Him about it. Ask for new and creative ideas for what to do with the kids. *Wondering how you are going to work from home without camps or childcare this season?* Share your worry and petition the Lord for provision—whether that be a helping hand or the grace you need to do it all well. While you are at it, use this as an opportunity to [talk to your kids about prayer](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-prayer) and why we should always bring our worries to Him. Oh, what peace we often forfeit all because we worry before going to God in prayer! *What big worry can you carry to God in prayer right now?* #### **Create a Peace-Promoting Atmosphere** I’m going to be honest, this one is a tough one. Kids = clutter. Kids = chaos. It’s just the way it is, especially when they are little and especially while we are stuck at home. But as much as we can, we’re simplifying our surroundings and possessions; we’re clearing the clutter in our lives so we spend less time managing stuff (and activities) and more time enjoying it all. This is an ongoing process and depending on your personality and lifestyle, it will look different for you than it does for me. According to your unique family, home and needs make an effort to simplify your space, find new strategies and clear the clutter of your calendar by saying “no” more often and focusing on what matters most. I know . . . this is SO HARD with kids who want to have and do all the things. But it’s so worth it. Pray and ask God for ruthless grace to clear the excess and focus on the priorities so you can enjoy peace as a family. *What one thing can you remove from your home or calendar this week to promote peace?* #### **Nurture Relationships** We were created for community but at the root of our discontent and stress is usually a relationship. When our marriage is tense, our home lacks peace. When the siblings are fighting and we’re angry that they can’t get along, our home lacks peace. A little [nurturing effort](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-balance-parenting-responsibilities-with-your-spouse) goes a long way to promote peace in our surroundings. A lingering conversation with our spouse . . . a few extra minutes reading aloud at bedtime . . . When we invest in each other, peace-filled love flows abundantly in our midst. *What one thing can you do this week to nurture your family relationships?* #### **Resist the Urge of Urgency** *Have you ever wondered why everything feels like an emergency?* This is a product of our culture and our inability to resist the urge to do it all NOW. This weekend my husband and I began dreaming about a kitchen remodel and I found myself feverishly searching the internet to plan it all immediately. We’re months (maybe years) away from seeing this happen but I felt a stressful urge to figure it all out. Maybe this isn’t the best example since there is an element of excitement involved. There’s nothing wrong with being excited but excitement mixed with impatience often robs our peace. Thinking we have to make it happen or do it now often comes from our fear of missing out (FOMO) and almost never leads to a wise decision. Very few things in our life are actually urgent. When we take the time to slow down and enjoy the moment or take our time to make the best decision, we can resist the stress-inducing urgency and instead, enjoy the process. *What is one way you can slow down this week?* > You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Isaiah 26:3 NLT For moms and families, peace will likely never be the absence of craziness. But we can find calm in the midst of the chaos with a little intention and a whole lot of grace. I’m committed to help my family seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14). *Will you join me?* *Want to teach your kids about God’s peace that passes understanding?* Join us for [Minno Church at Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-lesson-series-minno-church-at-home) this weekend as we look at this fruit of the Spirit. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Help Kids Learn and Love the Bible](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-help-kids-learn-and-love-the-bible/) **Published:** May 21, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** #### ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/y94YtxTySpzBkQ5rXpqx.jpg) When I was a little girl, I was given the prettiest white Bible that zipped shut. I was able to hold additional treasures within it without fear of something falling in the wrong hands. I absolutely loved it—I didn’t understand it, but I loved it and cherished it. However, one day I was riding my bicycle and somehow it fell and was lost forever—or so I thought. Someone eventually found it and returned it to me, and although it had some wear and tear on it, I loved it even more because it had come back to me. Even after all of these years, I still own that Bible. And while I didn’t grow up in a home of faith, somehow the Word of God held a special place in my heart—no one had told me, but I knew there was something special about it. Even to a small child, the Word of God can be important. **Why is the Bible Important?** I heard a preacher once say that we don’t follow Jesus because of the Bible, but we follow Him because of His love for us. I had to stop and think about this because it went against everything I had ever thought about when it came to the importance of God’s Word. There was no Bible during the 1st Century Church. They strictly followed the disciples because of the stories they’d heard, or because some were fortunate enough to hear Jesus teach. It wasn’t until decades later that the disciples began writing down what they remembered, or they wrote letters to believers. But today we have God’s Word, available in many formats to help us as we follow Jesus. *How do we teach our kids that the Bible is an important gift; a God-inspired guidebook that we should learn and love?* Teach them how the Bible guides our life and relationship with God: - Through examples of God’s love through the many stories both Old and New Testament. - With instruction of how to live our lives through the example of others and teachings of Jesus. - Beautiful poetry, psalms, and literature that inspires us. One of the ways to help your kids begin to understand the importance of the Bible is to [read it to them on a regular basis](https://www.gominno.com/blog/one-year-bible-reading-plan-kids-families). [The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) is an excellent read for children – it’s filled with fun illustrations, as well as everyday application of the Word. **RESOURCE:** [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) #### **How to Develop an Understanding of the Bible** Helping your kids learn and love the Bible shouldn’t just happen on Sundays, it should be an everyday occurrence. The more they get exposure to the Bible, the more they will understand it. The more they understand it, the more they will grow to love God’s Word. Here are some everyday ways you can make the Bible a part of your life: - Family Devotions – try the [Minno 5 Minute Family Devotions](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) for a fun and simple way to connect at mealtime or bedtime. - Bible Reading – Read the [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) together. Use this [One Year Bible Reading Plan for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/one-year-bible-reading-plan-kids-families) to read God’s story from Genesis to Revelation. - Songs – Watch [Sing through the Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/sing-through-the-bible) on Minno! Another way you can help develop an understanding of the Bible is by teaching kids the books of the Bible. When we all begin elementary school, one of the first things teachers do is to start teaching us basics. Numbers 1-10, Letters A-Z. *Sounds really basic – right?* But without the knowledge and understanding of the numerical system or the alphabet, there is no way a kid will be able to learn mat or reading or spelling. So it is with the Bible: if kids don’t have an understanding of what is in the Bible, they won’t be able to understand how to apply it to their lives. Here are some ways to teach kids the books of the Bible: - Repetition – going over and over something helps us memorize it. One way to implore repetition is through song. Find a books of the Bible song and sing it with your kids! - Sword Drills – give each child a Bible and call out a scripture. The first one to find the verse in the Bible gets to read the scripture or if you want to keep score, they get a point. By making it fun, kids will be encouraged to learn the books faster. - Use the Books of the Bible chart in the [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids). #### **How the Bible Can Be Part of Our Lives** One of the best ways to help your kids develop literacy about the Bible is to show them how it can be a part of their lives. When you are driving them to school, ask questions about your most recent devotion or scripture. Allow them to think about it, then ask them what that scripture/story means to them. As you begin this process, you probably won’t have too many moments where you are wowed, but you might be surprised. Also, communicating to them throughout the day about how the Bible applies to your life will subtly teach them that it’s meaningful—not just a book you carry to church. You might do this in this type of scenario: You are driving your kids to soccer practice and a car pulls out in front of you. While all you want to do is honk at that other driver, you can let your kids know that you are upset, but you are going to apply the scripture that says to bless those who aren’t nice to you (Romans 12:14). The Bible can be applied in our lives every moment of every day—it just takes a little bit of intentional practice. #### **Making the Bible Relevant for Kids Today** I’ve heard grown-ups talk about how they just don’t understand the Bible—it doesn’t make any sense to them, so they give up, which is very unfortunate. The Bible uses many forms of writing to get across the messages God wants us to hear. There are psalms, poetry, stories, parables, and maxims to live by. The Bible is rich with wisdom and direction to help us live more fulfilling lives. If you approach the Bible with an attitude that you won’t ever understand it, your kids will feel the same. But if you have an attitude of curiosity and a teachable spirit, your kids will learn that it’s okay to ask questions and explore the Bible, trusting the Holy Spirit to help you understand it. It’s important to help your kids realize that while the Bible is thousands of years old, it can still be applied to our lives today. The Bible is full of examples and instructions to help us live God’s way—as loving, kind, compassionate, generous followers of Jesus. **REMEMBER:** The more kids engage with the Bible, the more they will grow to learn it. The more kids understand the Bible, the more they will grow to love God’s Word. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Q7MNwDRBQaW6eA5cm7FK.jpg) Find out more about the [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Help Your Family Come Out of this Season with More Joy](https://gominno.com/blog/help-your-family-come-out-of-this-season-with-more-joy/) **Published:** May 20, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5yE6PxY3R7WJqtPQkWIT.jpg) Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a dangerous trend taking over today’s families. So driven by FOMO (fear of missing out, or for parents, fear of our kids missing out), we were over-scheduling and over-committing our lives so our children didn’t miss out on anything that might possibly bring them joy. The irony is, by doing all the things, our kids were missing out on something big. Many lacked the true joy that comes from anticipation and selection. We were giving them everything and taking away the joy of it all. We watered down their excitement because our kids no longer had anything to look forward to. Every day was special. Every activity over the top. Their expectations and opportunities were high but, for many, their joy (and ours along with it) was depleted. **We were looking for joy in all the wrong places.** And then we were forced to stay home. Cancel everything. Though this season has been hard and full of loss and disappointment, many families are finding the slower pace and extra time to be life-giving. I hope life never fully goes back to “normal”. We’ve learned so much and come so far. At the very least, my prayer is that families take something of the slower pace with them into the years ahead. Sure, many of the things we busy ourselves with make our kids happy for a while, but temporary happiness is not the goal. True happiness is not dependent on what we have or what we do. Many have come to realize that more deeply during this season. Happiness is a benefit of a life deeply rooted in Jesus and powered by the joy He brings. A life of joy means we know how to be happy, no matter what. This has been a struggle for me and my family over the years but I’m learning how to fight against bad moods (usually triggered by something insignificant or temporary) to access the well of joy available deep within my soul. #### How to Help Your Family Come Out of this Season with More Joy That deep well of joy can only come from Jesus when our lives are connected to Him. That is why JOY is a [Fruit of the Spirit](https://www.gominno.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit-lesson-series-minno-church-at-home), growing abundantly in the hearts of those who stay connected to the vine (Jesus) and receive wisdom and nourishment from the Holy Spirit. A life filled with joy knows how to make others feel happy and when someone feels happy one day and then another and then another, they’ll catch our joy and pass it on. I want my family to be known for our joy. We will always have to fight for joy in our home and relationships. But we’re committed to overcoming the lie that joy is based on the things we do, acquire, or achieve. The only thing we want to achieve; the only possessions we hope to acquire are these essential elements of a joy-filled family. #### Essential Elements of a Joy-Filled Family 1. **Adequate Margin** – Connection to Jesus (and to each other) requires space and time. There will always be busy seasons but for the most part, families need space in their lives to refill their reservoir of joy. Maybe you’ve experienced the benefits of margin during this season. *What can you say “no” to when life goes back to “normal”? Where can you create space for your family?* 2. **Spiritual Practice** – The secret to the happiest life that leads to overflowing joy is to stay connected to Jesus. This happens through Bible reading, prayer, worship, and other intentional spiritual disciplines. When these practices are done as a family, not only do they develop joy, they produce other amazing fruit in our lives as well. Maybe you’ve had more time to engage in [family spiritual practices](http://minnochurchathome.com) while staying safe-at-home. *How can you continue to develop regular spiritual practices as a family once life gets busy again?* 3. **Intentional Atmosphere** – Creating a joy-filled environment may seem superficial but the state of our home plays a big role in the joy we feel in our hearts. For our family, music is key. Having our favorite songs playing in the background can completely change our mood. We’re also working hard to simplify our surroundings and our possessions. The management of stuff is one of the greatest thieves of joy. *Take a prayerful look at your home atmosphere especially now while you have some extra time on your hands. What changes can you make to encourage joy?* 4. **Lighthearted Fun** – This year we’ve made an intentional effort to have more fun at home. That means we play more music and more games. We have a blue tooth strobe light speaker![](//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=graformom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00YB5RB52) for dance parties. Family fun is a personal thing. *What things can you keep on hand or what ideas can you keep in your back pocket to bring spontaneous family joy?* 5. **Abundant Stores** – The reality is, life as we once knew it will return again and we are going to have busy seasons and hard days ahead. At times, we will need to go to war for our family joy. It’s at those times we can pull from the stores of joy settled deep within our soul. The more we practice the other 4 essential elements of a joy-filled family, the more we’ll have stored up for later (and to share with others). But we may need to clean out the storeroom and get rid of the clutter to make room for our joy. *What can you do right now to make space to store joy?* The only thing I have a fear of missing out on is the abundant life Jesus has for my family. I’m more afraid of missing joy-filled moments with my husband and children than I am of my kids missing out on trying something new. There’s nothing wrong with activities and achievements. The only way kids will find their unique gifts is to explore their abilities. Kids learn to work hard and persevere by going after accomplishments. But it’s never worth it if our family unit falls apart from the stress of it all. When joy, instead of fear, is our motivation, we can help our kids be better prepared for every interruption, experience, and opportunity. They’ll focus on what truly matters when they aren’t driven by an unhealthy desire to do all and be all. Whether they know it or not, they’re looking for us to lead the process. Oh, how much more amazing the end result will be with joy as our guide. . . . . . . . . . . *Looking for a way to engage in worship and Bible teaching as a family while you are home?* Check out [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com), a free resource to help you meet with God wherever you are! [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/V1EsnSA9RNazwdigCJki.jpg)](http://minnochurchathome.com) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Church History for Kids: What Did the First Church Leaders Do?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-did-the-first-church-leaders-do/) **Published:** May 15, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8oqRugWSRCQJ0rFPpxKW.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . *The Church is more than the building we go to on Sundays or Wednesdays, it’s the people inside. We know families are having to embrace this now more than ever- from living room worship to online services. Though this season of separation is hard, this is a great time to teach our kids about the early church, which often met in homes. Over the next several weeks on #MinnoLife we’re discussing the history of the church—and how it looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.* *. . . . . . . . . .* There isn’t really a how-to guide in the Bible that spells out how a church should be run. The Bible doesn’t reveal every detail of how the early church ran their churches or what their leadership structure looked like. But from piecing together different *descriptions* and *prescriptions* from Acts and the Epistles (the pastoral letters), we see a pattern emerge for different leadership roles in the church. Though we have a lot of variations of leadership in churches today, there were really only three main leadership roles in the early church: apostles, elders, and deacons. ### **Apostles** The word apostle means “messenger,” so in some sense, *all of us* who share the good news of Jesus are apostles of Jesus Christ! But there was also an official leadership role in the early church called “apostle.” We see the term “apostle” used for the twelve disciples who were with Jesus originally during His ministry on earth (Acts 1:12,26; 2:37,42-43), of the apostle Paul who was individually and directly called by Jesus to be His messenger to the Gentiles (Acts 9), and of James, the brother (or cousin) of Jesus who became the leader of the church in Jerusalem and the first council of the church (Galatians 1:19; Acts 15). But we also see it used for other church leaders who were not as well known. In Romans 16:7, Paul says that Andronicus and Junia are apostles, so we know that there were others beyond the twelve and Paul who fulfilled this leadership role in the church. This is what we know about apostles: - Apostle was the role of highest authority in the church (1 Thessalonians 2:6). The Apostles were the “pillars” (Galatians 2:9) and “foundation” of the church (Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14). - The books of the New Testament were all written by apostles. A book would not be accepted into the canon by the church if it was not written by an apostle (Council of Nicea, 325 AD). - The apostles’ teaching set the doctrine of the church and was passed down to all other teachers and believers (Acts 2:42). Apostles had the responsibility of correcting false teaching when they heard it in the churches (1 Timothy 1:1-7; 2 Timothy 3). - Apostleship was a gift of the Holy Spirit, separate from being a teacher or prophet or working miracles, though an apostle could also do those things (1 Corinthians 12:28). - The marks of a true apostle were not only sound teaching and leadership, but signs, wonders, and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12). - Apostles were commissioned as messengers—they were sent out to share the good news of Jesus with people who had never heard it before, often traveling all over the world, preaching and converting people to the faith, and planting new churches as they went (Acts 1:8). - Apostles *could* be paid by churches for their ministry, but some, like Paul, refused to accept money so that people would be sure they had pure motives (2 Corinthians 11:7-15). Apostles would typically share the gospel in a new place, plant a new church, get it started and establish local leadership there, and then move on to a new place to start a new church. But they would stay in touch with the churches they had planted to make sure they were loving each other well and teaching sound doctrine. If they saw or heard of any problems in those churches, they would write a letter and/or send someone back to that church to help them fix their problems, like when Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Apostles were not assigned to a local church body; they had a more authoritative role over *all* of the churches. Within each local church body, there were two basic leadership roles: elder and deacon. ### **Elders** A lot of churches today have a pastor who is hired by the church and a board of elders who are volunteers from the congregation. But in the Bible, the roles of “pastor” and “elder/overseer” were one and the same, and it was done by a *group* of elders, not just one pastor. Both Paul and Peter use all three descriptions to describe the same role – elder/overseer/pastor (Acts 20:17-28; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Peter 5:1-2). - The elders were the top leadership of a local church—the “overseers” (1 Timothy 3:4; 5:17). - They were to lead by example (1 Peter 5:3) and there were very high standards of character and godliness for being an elder (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). - The elders were responsible for preaching/teaching (1 Timothy 3:2; 5:17), spiritual leadership (1 Timothy 3:4-5; 5:17), pastoral care (1 Peter 5:2; Ephesians 4:11-12), healing prayer (James 5:14), and handling conflict and church discipline (Matthew 18:15-20). - The apostles appointed the elders in each church at first (Acts 14:23), though later churches may have had to appoint their own according to standards given by Paul (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1). - Elders could be paid for their ministry (1 Timothy 5:17-21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-12). ### **Deacons** The word deacon literally means “servant,” so, in one way, we are all “deacons” because we are all servants of Jesus Christ. But that word was also used as a title for an official leadership role in the church. Deacons first appeared at the beginning of Acts, when the church first started. At that time, the church was only in Jerusalem; it hadn’t started spreading out yet and the apostles were running the whole church by themselves. There were not yet any elders or deacons. But as the Church grew, there was a conflict. The Church distributed food to the widows and the poor every day and the Greek Jews were complaining that their widows weren’t getting the same amount as the Hebraic Jews. This is when the apostles decided that they couldn’t handle all of the preaching/teaching, prayer, leadership, and spiritual care of the people and do the more administrative tasks of distributing food and other tangible physical needs (Acts 6:1-6). So when the apostles outside of Jerusalem started planting new churches and appointing local elders, they also appointed deacons in each church, so that the elders could focus on leadership, preaching/teaching, prayer, and spiritual care. - The deacons were a “lower” level of leadership of the church – the “servants” rather than the “overseers,” but their role wasn’t any less important and the standards of character and godliness weren’t any lower to be a deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-12). - The deacons were responsible for distributing food and caring for other physical needs of the church (Acts 6); they may have had other responsibilities too, it is unclear. - There were still just as high standards of character for deacons as there were for elders (1 Timothy 3:8-12; Titus 1:7). - When the apostles chose the first deacons, they chose believers who “were known to be full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:3). - They laid hands on them and prayed for them to establish their leadership role just as they would for elders and other apostles (Acts 6:6). Their role was different from the apostles and elders, but not *any* less important. The biblical standard of spiritual maturity was just as high, even though it was a “lower” office. ### **Why It Matters to Us Today** There are all different kinds of roles in the church, and *all* of them are important (1 Corinthians 12). No matter what role we have, we must all work together in the body of Christ. Our churches do have organized leadership structures and there are people who are chosen to lead based on their character, their spiritual maturity, and their gifting. And yet, whether you are in a leadership role at your church or not, every single member of the church is a “minister.” Paul writes that we have all been given the “ministry of reconciliation” to share the message of reconciliation to God through Christ with the world (2 Corinthians 5:18). Reconciliation means to fix a broken relationship, to bring people back together again. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, it fixes our broken relationship with God. It brings us back into relationship with Him. Paul says that once we have been reconciled to God, it is our job to help other people become reconciled to God, by telling them about Jesus. We are all “apostles”—we have all been given the *message* to share with the world around us (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15). Peter writes that we are all “priests”—we are all mediators between God and the world when we share the Gospel with others (1 Peter 2:5-9). We are all “deacons”—we are all *servants* of Christ (Mark 9:35; Philippians 2:6-7). **Family Conversation Starters About Early Church Leaders** - In what ways are we like apostles and deacons even if we don’t hold the official role in our church? - Why do you think it was and is important for churches to have elders? - What do you think it means to work together as the body of Christ? **Next Post:** Early Church Prayers (coming next week) Check out the rest of the posts in our series [Church History for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church) for more topics and stories. For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) on Minno! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Teach Kids the Fruit of the Spirit as You Grow In Them, Too](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-your-kids-the-fruit-of-the-spirit-as-you-grow-in-them-too/) **Published:** May 12, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/w7J5bsM2SY2Bd6xVubBk.jpg)* *“The fruit of the spirit’s not a watermelon….SQUISH!”* I heard this sung from the girls room as giggles rang out loudly. (If you grew up in a baptist church in the south like me, you might know the song I’m talking about. *Doesn’t it make you feel nostalgic?*) There’s not much sweeter to my ears than hearing my girls’ laughter while learning biblical truths at the same time. I know there’s nothing in the Bible about watermelon, but the fruit of the spirit is there and they are the real deal. I used to look at the fruit of the spirit like a 20-year-old’s waistline, completely unattainable, and something that I would never see happen in my life as a parent. Patience? HA! Peace?!?! NO WAY! As I taught my three girls this silly song from my childhood, I learned a few things about the fruit of the spirit myself. No, they are not a watermelon or a coconut—but they are also not as unattainable as I imagined either. You see, I’m not exactly the picture of “grace and calm.” I have a bit of a feisty attitude and have a few opinions of my own from time to time. I have always felt like there was something wrong with me and I was doing something wrong until I learned the truth—God made me this way! He created every feisty, opinionated bone in my body, and He is not the least bit surprised by how I turned out. **While I want my children to learn these incredible attributes given to us by the Holy Spirit, I also want them to know that no matter how they were created—it’s possible to obtain each one of these character traits for their lives!** When I realized that truth, it was life-altering for me. I don’t have to try to be someone I’m not. I don’t have to pretend to be quiet and meek when God made me loud and strong! > But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT The Holy Spirit that lives in you is the same Holy Spirit that lives inside your kiddos. There’s not a dumbed-down version of the Holy Spirit! There’s not a specific Holy Spirit for the lady that sits on the front row at church that has never lifted her voice above a whisper. There’s not a different Holy Spirit for those of us that struggle with patience and gentleness (and don’t even get me started on self-control!). **God is so good in His mercy and grace that He gave each one of us His spirit to help us grow this amazing fruit in our lives.** Don’t be afraid to have fun and teach your children about how good God is to us! I have never forgotten the fruit of the spirit since I was a child and learned that silly song. I just hope that it doesn’t take my kids until they are in their 30’s like it did me to understand how sweet that fruit really is. **I encourage you to instill a culture of sweet, life-giving fruit with your families where you take deep breaths of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.** Make it a part of your everyday life where they begin to see how the Holy Spirit is working in you and guiding you *and* them with the amazing gifts we’ve been given. *Looking for a helpful tool in teaching your kiddos about the Fruit of the Spirit?* Join us for Minno Church at Home! For the next 9 weeks, we’ll be looking at one character trait known as the fruit of the Spirit each week! This weekly kid’s church resource is free at [MinnoChurchatHome.com](http://minnochurchathome.com) And you can check out [Micah’s Super Vlog Fruit of the Spirit 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) on Minno. This fun and quick family devo will jumpstart your conversations about what it means to follow Jesus as you join Micah and his friends on their adventures of exploring faith. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Church History for Kids: What Did the First Churches Look like?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-did-the-first-churches-look-like/) **Published:** May 11, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/52zGDkXTz6gbzZFcjOmB.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . *The Church is more than the building we go to on Sundays or Wednesdays, it’s the people inside. We know families are having to embrace this now more than ever- from living room worship to online services. Though this season of separation is hard, this is a great time to teach our kids about the early church, which often met in homes. Over the next several weeks on #MinnoLife we’re discussing the history of the church—and how it looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.* *. . . . . . . . . .* In Jerusalem, the church met both in the courts of the Temple and in people’s private homes (Acts 2:42-47). As Paul traveled, in every new city he visited, he would first go to the Jewish synagogues to preach. Then, when the people started churches, they would meet in people’s homes. There were no church buildings built specifically to gather in until after Constantine made Christianity the official religion in 300 AD. Though *some* churches like the one in Antioch may have met in different places like caves, the first “churches” were almost all in private homes. #### **The Early Church in Homes: Meeting Rooms** Meeting in homes doesn’t mean early church gatherings were small, like we may envision a home church with only enough people to fit in an average-sized living room. The people would have met in the largest home of the most affluent church member in the community, like Philemon (Philemon 2b), Lydia (Acts 16:14), Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-3), and Gaius (Romans 16:23). Affluent families had large meeting rooms in their homes built specifically for very large gatherings of people, either extended family gatherings or even community gatherings. In cities, where real estate was at a premium and people built up instead of out, a wealthy home would have several floors, and usually, the top floor would be the meeting space, like the “Upper Room” where the disciples met for the Last Supper and where the Spirit came at Pentecost. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NpNwL2fSc6NXPcZ63NLF.jpg) Source: [iStock Photo](https://www.istockphoto.com/) As you can see, the Upper Room was a large space. Scripture says that 120 believers gathered here for 10 days praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit to come at Pentecost (Acts 1:12-14). This picture is not *exactly* what it looked like in Jesus’ day. You can tell by the architecture that it was remodeled during the Crusades in the Gothic style. But this photo gives you an idea of the space. #### **The Early Church in Homes: Courtyards** Churches may have also met in the central open courtyard of the house, the atrium. In some homes, especially ones not in the middle of busy Jerusalem but in smaller towns or out further in the countryside, the courtyard may have been even larger than the meeting room. The picture below is a model of what a country villa for the wealthy would have looked like in the Roman Empire. As you can see, the atrium could hold a very large gathering of people and there was even a balcony where a speaker could stand and be heard over the whole crowd. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GAd0wBSCRva9PMsbi8X1.jpg) Source: [Creative Commons](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) #### **The Early Church in Caves** In some places, the early church may have even met in caves. In the city of Antioch, which Paul used as a home base for his missionary travels and where the people of the Church were first called Christians, there is a cave where it is believed the first church there met in the early days when they feared persecution. Archeologists have found tunnels inside that open out to the other side of the mountain, which they believe early Christians used to evacuate if the church was ever suddenly attacked. The façade pictured was added during the time of the Crusades. (exterior) ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WFTT9Ic5SeOQTQ6W4Bjz.jpg) Source: [Creative Commons](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) (interior) ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xyTs6fFSSucr8Qzw17Ac.jpg) #### Source: [Creative Commons](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) #### **Why It Matters to Us Today** This isn’t just a fun fact about Church History for Kids. The fact that the earliest churches met in private homes or in courtyards or caves or wherever they could, teaches us that we don’t need a fancy building to thrive as a church. We can meet in someone’s home, in a school building, in an old warehouse, or even in a cave or a field somewhere. It doesn’t matter where we meet, what matters is *who we are*. *Are we following Jesus with our whole hearts and living as His witnesses to the world?* *That* is what it meant to *be* the Church in the earliest days of Church History and that’s what it means even still today. #### **The Early Church’s Decorations** Because few things survive over a millennium, there is no documentation of church art during the 1st century. Some of the earliest Christian art, identifiable as such, consists of a few 2nd-century wall and ceiling paintings. Interestingly enough, these were found in the Roman catacombs (underground burial chambers.) The catacombs had a somewhat sketchy style that came from Roman impressionism, and this style continued throughout until the 4th century. The earliest Christian iconography (which is the use of visual images as a representation of faith) tended to be symbolic. For example, a fish was sufficient to allude to Christ or bread and wine reminded people of the Eucharist, and the part it represents in one’s faith. ![The Last Supper.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qpIszSuRpq8jMYCUsdW4.jpg) Source: [iStock Photo](https://www.istockphoto.com/) It wasn’t until around the 3rd and 4th centuries, in the catacomb paintings and in other manifestations, that Christians began to integrate pagan prototypes into Christian art. Early pictures of Christ, for instance, most often would show Him as the good shepherd by directly borrowing from classical pagan art. He was also sometimes depicted to look like familiar gods or heroes, such as Apollo or Orpheus. It wasn’t until much later, when the religion began to gain earthly power and the threat of persecution was no longer as prevalent, that Christ begin to take on more majestic attributes. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1jYk9tYbTQCyQbUrJJ79.jpg) Source: [iStock Photo](https://www.istockphoto.com/) Once the Renaissance hit, much of the art created centered around the Christian faith. It was through art that people could see the Bible come alive. Many people could not read and more importantly, very few Bibles were available before 1611 (the invention of the printing press.) The prevalence of Christian art provided people the ability to see the Word of God even if they could never actually read the stories. That is why there are so many paintings, sculptures, and beautiful stained glass windows that tell us a living story. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xcc9EwykS5W8KVQkPU3i.jpg) Source: [iStock Photo](https://www.istockphoto.com/) #### **Why It Matters to Us Today** Studying the early church helps us to have perspective in our lives and in our church today. When we realize that people had to worship where they could be safe, it helps us to be thankful for a place we can gather to learn more about God’s Word without fear of persecution. It also helps us to realize that in the early church and even beyond, the church used decorations/art to help those who could not read to understand scripture better. It wasn’t about making a building look pretty, but it was about deepening a Christian’s understanding of God. *How thankful are we that we can read the Bible ourselves?* **Family Conversation Starters About the Early Church** - How does it help us today to understand that early Christians met wherever they were safe? - Why do you think it’s important to understand that it doesn’t matter where churches meet? - What can the iconic art of the early church tell us about our faith? **Next Post:** [What Did the First Church Leaders Do?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-did-the-first-church-leaders-do) Check out the rest of the posts in our series [Church History for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church) for more topics and stories. For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) on Minno! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [When Celebrating Mother's Day Is Hard (like during a pandemic)](https://gominno.com/blog/when-celebrating-mothers-day-is-hard/) **Published:** May 7, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/u4AI0gk6TpGq09Ij8qIF.jpg) As Mother’s Day 2020 approaches, it is guaranteed to look . . . different this year. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic, encouraged to social distance and stay safer-at-home, many retail shops are closed, and churches are primarily meeting virtually. Mother’s Day, which began to be celebrated in the U.S. officially in 1914, has always carried a bittersweet reputation, holding the tension between women who are mothers and those who long to be, those whose child has passed away or become estranged, or those who have lost their own mothers. Mother’s Day is a reminder of the beautiful gift of motherhood, but it is inseparable from the brokenness of the world that tints and tilts every relationship. And especially this year, when motherhood has felt the same tectonic shift as every other facet of life in the time of Covid-19—Mother’s Day might feel hard. For those women who are struggling this year, we see you . . . God sees you. We pray you’ll be encouraged by these scriptures and reminders of His deep love for you. #### When Celebrating Mother’s Day Is Hard (like during a pandemic) **For Moms Who Grieve** In Isaiah 49, the love of God is compared to the love of a grieving mother: > But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, > > the Lord has forgotten me.” > > “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast > > and have no compassion on the child she has borne? > > Though she may forget, > > I will not forget you! > > See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” > > Isaiah 49:14–16 NIV In the middle of Israel’s exile, God hears their cry of being forgotten. *And what does He compare Himself to?* A mother, whose fierce love is unmatched. If this Mother’s Day is full of grief, longing, or loneliness, know that God sees and carries that pain alongside you. His love is as strong and primal as a mother’s yet He loves *more*. He says *“though she may forget, I* *will not forget you.”* You are written on His palms, which were nailed to the Cross for you. The Gospel doesn’t mean that God just knows about your pain and sadness, the Gospel tells us He carried it. It also doesn’t mean that you won’t feel deep sorrow or that “everything happens for a reason” and will make sense in this life, but that God promises to one day wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4). As you carry grief of any kind into this weekend—of loss, of deferred motherhood, of painful separation or broken relationships—know that God loves you, sees you and chose to suffer *for you* because of His great love. Lean into His own motherly tenderness as you grieve the way motherhood looks or doesn’t look, in your life. **For Moms Who Feel Overlooked or Overwhelmed** Your motherhood journey probably doesn’t look like a stock photo or an Instagram influencer feed, even when we’re not under a global lockdown. And that’s normal and completely ok! But it’s also normal (and completely ok) to feel overwhelmed by the pressure, expectations, and even basic needs of being responsible for any number of tiny humans. Maybe the thing you want most for Mother’s Day is a really long nap, or three hours to binge your favorite show in the dark. A hard season of mothering doesn’t have to involve deep grief, or tragedy, or extenuating circumstances. It could simply be hard bedtimes, or discipline issues, or the mundane days of dishes and laundry and homework. But take heart, God promises He sees you in this season. > *He tends his flock like a shepherd:* > > *He gathers the lambs in his arms* > > *and carries them close to his heart;* > > *he gently leads those that have young.* > > Isaiah 40:11 NIV Tucked into the middle of Isaiah 40, we see assurance that God cares for those who have young, gently leading you on this journey. He is your shepherd, and He gathers your children in His arms, close to His heart. Remember He holds them and their futures, more than you do. And believe it or not, He loves them more than you do too. **For Weary Moms During A Pandemic** Moms may be wearing more than just a “mom” hat during the pandemic. Full-time childcare, home educator, family chef, house cleaner, playtime friend, boo-boo fixer, and nighttime-story-teller . . . parents (moms *and* dads!) are wearing all the hats when it comes to their kids these days. And the biggest hat of all just might be the one that has *weary* blazoned on the front. In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul opens up his letter with these words to tired friends: > *Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.* > > *2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV* Reread those words, sinking into the ones that you need right now: *compassion* and *comfort*. God offers those to you, bone-tired and 24/7 busy mom, during this season. And as His compassion and comfort fill you, in turn, you can let it flow through you to comfort your family during these uncertain times. Lean into His comfort and kindness! **For Celebrating Mother’s Day When You Are Tired and Isolated** In the midst of a pandemic, Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day next month!) may seem both more loaded with expectation, but also like *one more thing to do*. As you are planning a Mother’s Day celebration for yourself or a mom or grandmother who you can’t see right now, here are a few fun ideas for celebrating by distance: - Encourage your kids to go through magazines and cut out words and pictures to make a collage for mom or grandmothers. - Record a [Mother’s Day poem](https://www.gominno.com/blog/mothers-day-poems) or song and send it digitally! - Have a virtual Mother’s Day brunch and gather everyone on a video call! But definitely order takeout or delivery! - Use a photo printing service and make custom cards with pictures of you and your mom to send in the mail. - Sometimes celebrating others helps lift our own spirits. Try one of these [ways to be another mom’s cheerleader](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ten-ways-to-be-another-moms-cheerleader-plus-a-free-printable-from-mary-dean-draws) right now or [download and send this “Love You Like a Mother” card](https://www.gominno.com/blog/love-you-like-a-mother-printable-card-download) to a friend or mentor who means the world to you. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Love You Like a Mother (Printable Card)](https://gominno.com/blog/love-you-like-a-mother-printable-card-download/) **Published:** May 5, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/z8mm6lcBTo6wxlE0IznZ.jpg) This Mother’s Day marks another year I am without a mother to celebrate. I’ve survived six Sundays set aside in May without a reason to buy a card to say, “Thank you for all you do, Mom.” The pain of watching others acknowledge their own mothers is hard, but as the years pass, I find comfort in celebrating the many strong women in my world who have made my life better because of their example and their friendship. Sure, Mother’s Day is a special day set aside to honor the hard, thankless, maddening, beautiful, amazing, and important job of raising humans. *But what about all of the other incredible women who love nieces, nephews, students, neighbors, and friends with their whole heart?* This Mother’s Day, take time to celebrate all of the amazing women in your life: the aunties, mentors, teachers, caregivers, and influential friends who’ve loved you so well they’ve left a mark on your heart. Tell them what they mean to you and how your life is better because they are in it. Use one of our printable cards to tell someone, “Love Your Like a Mother!” this Mother’s Day. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yaPslZOTJCUJmuzXCxwg.jpg) [Download Love You Like a Mother Card (Peach and Blue)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/81qPL1dRPiii5VGKFxUY) [Download Love You Like a Mother Card (Blue)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/b1IkSgdWT5ec9dhyuLhz) . . . . . . . . . . **Printing Instructions:** - Download and save the PDF. - You may need to print directly from a PDF reader, depending on your printer settings. - Choose “Booklet” and “Double-Sided” printing in your print settings. - Note: the blank page is intentional to ensure the file prints as a foldable card. . . . . . . . . . . **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Minno Mother's Day Giveaway](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-mothers-day-giveaway/) **Published:** May 5, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8EWNIJEoROGHYWGxO25v.jpg) Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean Mother’s Day 2020 can’t be amazing! Here at Minno, we want to do everything we can to celebrate the amazing mamas out there who are rallying to do all the things in order to keep their families thriving during this difficult time. You may feel like you stink at homeschooling or planning meals (*why does it seem like we have more meals in the day just because we’re stuck at home?!*) or keeping your kids off devices all day long. But we know you are rocking your (literal) stay at home mom role in this season because you love your kids and even if you don’t do it all perfectly, you do it with ALL YOUR HEART! We hope you can find time to take care of YOU this coming weekend. *Why not start by entering to win this incredible prize pack from your friends at Minno?!* Here’s what you can win . . . #### FOR YOU: One Year [Minno Subscription](https://www.gominno.com/pricing) [Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Pack](https://shop.jenis.com/collections/better-than-a-box-of-chocolates-collection/) (5 pints) Three-Month Flower Subscription (delivered to your door!) #### FOR YOU TO GIVE TO THREE FRIENDS OF YOUR CHOICE: One Year [Minno Subscription](https://www.gominno.com/pricing) . . . . . . . . . . *Amazing, right?!* Get all the details by clicking the entry link below. Good luck! And from all of us here at Minno, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! You are making the world a better place by raising kids who love Jesus! [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9kj9NssrTye4i4LS1YGo.jpg)](https://gleam.io/mIGdw/mothers-day-giveaway) [CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN](https://gleam.io/mIGdw/mothers-day-giveaway) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Church History for Kids: Where Was the First Church?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-where-was-the-first-church/) **Published:** May 1, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7iCyMbiQzitmF9h0AGHQ.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . *The Church is more than the building we go to on Sundays or Wednesdays, it’s the people inside. We know families are having to embrace this now more than ever- from living room worship to online services. Though this season of separation is hard, this is a great time to teach our kids about the early church, which often met in homes. Over the next several weeks on #MinnoLife we’re discussing the history of the church—and how it looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.* *. . . . . . . . . .* The very first church started just 50 days after Jesus was resurrected. That day is called Pentecost, and it’s the day we celebrate as the birthday of the Christian Church. Did you know lots of churches celebrate Pentecost with balloons and cake?! Before that day, there were a lot of disciples who followed Jesus—120 of them, but they didn’t really become “the Church” until the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. Remember, [the Church is the group of people who follow Jesus](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church), the ones who are His body—His hands and feet in the world. The body of Christ is held together by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). When the Holy Spirit visited those 120 disciples at Pentecost, they became the body of Christ—the very first Church. Ten days before Pentecost, Jesus told His followers that He would send His Spirit and that’s when things would really get started. That’s when they would start on their mission as the Church—to share the Good News with the whole world. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples that when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they would receive His power and they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. And that is exactly what they did. If you read the book of Acts, you can see them fulfilling Jesus’s words. - Acts 1:1-8:3: In Jerusalem (their city) - Acts 8:4-9:31: In Judea (their country) and Samaria (their enemies) - Acts 9:32-28:31: To the ends of the earth #### **Where Was the First Church?** The very first church started in Jerusalem, and then it spread to Judea and Samaria, and then all over the rest of the known world at the time. The map below shows that area. On the far left is Rome, in what is now Italy. On the far right is Jerusalem, in Israel. The cities on the map are where the disciples planted some of the first churches. If you go to the Mediterranean today, you can still see some of the ruins of some of these ancient cities. Many of the cities you see on the map below of Paul’s missionary journeys are where some of the first churches were—churches to which Paul wrote letters. But there were many more churches throughout this whole region. #### **How the First Church Grew** In the beginning of the book of Acts, the Church started in Jerusalem and grew very quickly there. On their very first day, they went from 120 people to 3,120! Then God continued to add more people every day. Their number grew to 5,000 men, not including women and children, and Acts said that their numbers just kept multiplying. In Acts 8, the Church in Jerusalem also started being persecuted, and many of the disciples scattered all over Judea. This didn’t cause the church to die out, it only caused it to grow more, because everywhere they went, those people told other people about Jesus and started new churches. One of the original twelve disciples, Philip, and others went to Samaria and planted new churches there. Next, God told Peter that He wanted them to preach to the Gentiles, not just the Jews. God also called the Apostle Paul to be His follower and lead the mission to the Gentiles. Paul had been one of the people who were persecuting Christians, but Jesus appeared to him and his whole life changed. From that moment on, his whole life was about telling people about Jesus. Paul went on several missionary journeys to tell people about Jesus and start new churches. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Oe8XMbWjQZS8RFguCLGJ.jpg) #### **Why it Matters to Us Today** The early church grew incredibly fast in the first few generations because the people of the early church were *on fire* for Jesus. We don’t just use that phrase metaphorically. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and appeared as tongues of fire over their heads. From that moment on, the church exploded in numbers. They went from 120 people to 3,000 to 5,000 and God was adding to their numbers every day. They also grew far and wide geographically. In less than one generation, the Church spread all the way from Jerusalem to the farthest reaches of the known world at that time. Just a few people reached out and changed the entire world forever, simply because they followed Jesus’s command to “be His witnesses” to tell their stories of how Jesus changed their lives—and because they were *on fire* with the Holy Spirit. As the Church today, we still have that same mission. We are called to be His witnesses, to share our stories far and wide. To tell anyone who will listen about who Jesus is and how He has changed our lives. Jesus didn’t say we had to be Bible scholars or professional evangelists. Just be witnesses. Just tell our stories of what we have seen, heard, and experienced. If we are filled with the Spirit, if we are as *on fire* for the mission as the early Church was, we can change the world in our generation too. **Family Conversation Starters About the Early Church** - Where did Jesus tell His disciples to share the Good News? - What does it mean to be a “witness”? Why do you think it’s important to be God’s witnesses? - What is our mission as the Church today? **Next Post:**[ What Did the First Churches Look Like?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-did-the-first-churches-look-like) Check out the rest of the posts in our series [Church History for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church) for more topics and stories. For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) on Minno! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Prayer](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-prayer/) **Published:** April 25, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YwergyVoQ1WbI7rebCV9.jpg) I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t pray. From “Now I lay me down to sleep” and “God is great, God is good” when I was a child, to long-winded prayer journals when I was a teenager, to the staccato please/why/thank yous of my twenties, to now circling back and teaching my own kids the same prayers I learned as a child, while diving into praying liturgies and ancient texts in my thirties, prayer has always been part of my life. Which doesn’t mean I understand it, or I always like it, or I remember who the focus of prayer should always be (God, not me). As I teach my girls about prayer, I want them to see it as a gift from God, a chance to commune with our Creator, but also acknowledge it for the messy, imperfect journey that it is. Here are a few (of many) things you can teach your children about prayer as they embark on their own prayer lives. Remind them (and yourself) that prayer isn’t a perfect science, but it is a gift. Each of the conversation ideas below includes a verse, a short reflection, and questions to discuss as a family. ## **How to Talk to Your Kids About Prayer:** ## **4 Conversations to Guide Their Prayer Life** **1. God listens to our prayers.** *Read:* This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 NIV *Reflect:* God created prayer as a way for His people to speak to Him, to share with Him, and to hear from Him. The Bible promises us over and over again that God hears our prayers. In Jeremiah 29, God speaks to the Israelites who are exiled because of their disobedience, and God still promises that if they pray, He will listen. That doesn’t always mean that our prayers are answered in the way we want, but because we know who God is and how much He loves us, we can trust His response. *Discuss:* When you talk to a friend, can you tell when they are listening and when they aren’t? How does it make you feel when someone listens to you? God is *always* listening to you when you talk to Him in prayer. When you are afraid, or sad, or happy, or confused, God is always there to listen to you. **2. Prayer orients our hearts to God.** *Read:* May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2 NIV *Reflect:* *Do you know what it means to be “oriented”?* Let’s open the maps app on our phone, and click the compass. *See how it moves?* It is “orienting” your location based on the magnetic fields on the earth, to let you know if you are moving north or south. Prayer does the same thing with our hearts: it orients us to (or points us toward) our Heavenly Father. When we spend time with Him in prayer, we are closer to Him and become more oriented toward how He wants us to live our life. *Discuss:* *Do you feel closer to God when you pray? What are some other ways we can orient or point our heart toward God?* **3. Prayer can be communal.** *Read:* They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:14 NIV *Reflect:* This story from Acts 1 happens right after Jesus ascended into heaven, and His disciples were left on earth. *They were probably pretty scared and confused, but do you know what they did?* They came together and prayed. When we pray together, we grow closer as a community as we present our requests to God. Praying together is known as “corporate prayer,” and the Bible is full of examples of it from Genesis to Revelation. Revelation 19 describes how all of God’s people will pray together for eternity, praising God and thanking Him! *Discuss:* *Can you remember a time when you prayed with other people for something? What was that experience like? Do you like praying out loud with other people? What are some things we can pray together for as a family right now?* **4. Prayer is part of our whole lives.** *Read:* And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18 NIV *Reflect:* Praying isn’t just about asking God for things! While the Bible tells us over and over that we can present all of our requests to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6–7; Psalm 5:3; James 5:14–15), Scripture also gives many examples of other types of prayer. We can praise God, thank Him, lament and be sad before Him, and ask Him “why?” You can also just talk to God, telling Him about your day and letting Him reveal the ways He was at work in your life. Prayer is a beautiful exercise in spending time with God, and it is something we can do everyday for the rest of our lives. *Discuss:* When we pray together next, let’s start by thanking God for some of our favorite things and people. *What would you like to thank God for? Have you ever wanted to ask God a question? What would you ask Him?* **Spend some time praying together.** Try to find time daily—at the dinner table or bedtime—to join together in prayer. Prayer is one of the most incredible parts of faith, because it allows us to spend time with God, who loves us more than we could ever know. As you begin to teach your kids about prayer, start by praying *for* them: that God would reveal Himself to them through prayer, and that He would strengthen their faith through the daily practice of prayer. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Church History for Kids: What is the Church?](https://gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-is-the-church/) **Published:** April 24, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/doA0QzuT7qNRvzvDbD7Q.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . *The Church is more than the building we go to on Sundays or Wednesdays, it’s the people inside. We know families are having to embrace this now more than ever- from living room worship to online services. Though this season of separation is hard, this is a great time to teach our kids about the early church, which often met in homes. Over the next several weeks on #MinnoLife we’re discussing the history of the church—and how it looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.* *. . . . . . . . . .* Maybe you’ve never really thought about [teaching Church History to your kids](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-to-teach-our-children-church-history/) before, but we can learn so much about how to be the Church today by learning about how the Church used to be—both when the church first started and as it grew and changed throughout history, in all different times and places. When we study church history, there are so many powerful stories of believers who have done amazing things for the kingdom of God that our kids will be inspired to do great things for the kingdom of God in their own lives. Use this post to talk with your kids about what God intended the Church to be and how they can play an important role in the body of Christ. Do you remember that kids’ song we all learned in Vacation Bible School in the ‘80s and ‘90s? Extra points if you can remember the hand motions, too. *The Church is not a building,* *The Church is not a steeple,* *The Church is not a resting place,* *The Church is the people!* *I am the Church, You are the Church, We are the Church together* *All who follow Jesus, all around the world. Yes, we’re the Church together!* It may seem like a simple kids’ song, but its words are deeply theological. It says something significant about the Church that many of us have forgotten, or maybe never even knew. The Church isn’t the building we go to on Sundays or Wednesdays or whenever we gather for worship, it’s the people inside. Today, we use the word “church” to mean a lot of different things. We might say, “we are going to church,” which means we’re going to a worship service. We might say, “let’s meet at the church,” which is talking about the building where we meet for worship services. Or we might talk about The Baptist Church or The Presbyterian Church or The Catholic Church, all of which refer to an institution – an organization that manages what happens in those church buildings and at those worship services. But the word “Church” in the New Testament didn’t refer to a building or a worship service or an institution. The word church simply referred to the group of people who follow Jesus, just like the VBS song says. **The Church is Not a Building** At the very beginning of church history, when the Church first started, there was no such thing as a church building. Groups of Christians met in people’s homes for worship, prayer, teaching, fellowship, and the sacraments (Acts 1:13; Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Romans 16:3-5; Colossians 4:15). That’s not to say that having a church building is wrong, but that we don’t need a building to “be the church” or to “have church.” We can meet in a school or a movie theater or our living room or in a field or by a river. It doesn’t matter. Jesus said, “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20). He told the Samaritan woman at the well that in His kingdom, it didn’t matter *where* you worshiped God, but only that you worshiped in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:21-24). **Church is Not a Worship Service** Not only is the Church not a building, but it’s also not what we do when we’re inside that building. If the Church is the people, then we don’t “go to church,” we ARE the Church. In the New Testament, the word “church” referred to the group of people who followed Jesus whether they were gathered together for worship, prayer, study, and fellowship or not. Church isn’t what we do together on a Sunday or a Wednesday night or whenever we meet. It’s *who we are*, every day of the week, wherever we are. Whether we’re gathered all together or we’re scattered all over the world. You aren’t “the church” just when you gather together, sing praise songs, read the Bible, and pray together. Or even just when you work together out in the community, like serving at a food bank or doing outreach in your community. You individually are the Church when you listen to a friend who is hurting talk about her struggles. You are the Church when you welcome someone into your home with love and hospitality. You are the Church when you treat a stranger with kindness, when you visit a friend in the hospital, and when you help a neighbor mow their lawn or take in their garbage can. Any time that you live as Jesus would out in the world, you are *being* the Church. **The Church is Not an Institution** Institutions aren’t bad things. They give us structure and organization. They can help hold people in the church accountable for doing the right thing. They can help make sure that our leaders are well-educated in the Scriptures and teach the right things. They can help bring local groups of Christians together to share resources and do more for the kingdom than they could do on their own. But the word “church” in the New Testament doesn’t refer to an institution. It refers to the people of Jesus, both in a local group and all over the world – the “big C” Church. **The Church is the Body of Christ** In the New Testament, the church isn’t described as an institution, it is described as a body. In the body of Christ, there is no hierarchy or power struggle. Christ alone is the head, all of us are just body parts. Though different parts of the body have *different* *roles*, they are all *equally* *important* and they all value each other’s roles in the body (1 Corinthians 12:14-18). In the first church, there were leaders and different roles in the church structure, but everyone worked together as a body. There wasn’t a hierarchy; they called themselves “a priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:9). The Apostle Paul wrote that even though he and Peter and other early church leaders were teachers and apostles, really they were nothing. People shouldn’t follow them, but follow Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 11:1). In the body of Christ, every member of the body has to work together, or the body won’t work. In a lot of churches today, they say that only 20% of the members do all of the work. Imagine if only 20% of your body worked! What if your arms and legs decided they’d just lay around and let the rest of the body do all the work? In the first church, there were leaders, but all of the people in the community worked together. They all contributed 100% to the body and they all valued each other’s role in the body (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35). **Why It Matters to Us Today** As the body of Christ, the early church worked together to be His hands and feet in the world. They loved people the way He loved, they served the poor, they did miracles, they preached the Gospel, they prayed and worship and celebrated, they went out far and wide to find the lost. They did everything He would have done if He were there in the flesh. This is the mission of the Church. As the people of Jesus, it is our mission to *be the Church* – to be His body, to be His hands and His feet in the world. **Family Conversation Starters About the Church** - In what ways is what we’re experiencing right now more like what Christians in the early church experienced? - How can knowing the Church is not the building we gather in encourage us during this time? - What are some ways we can BE the Church right now? **Next Post**: [Where Was the First Church?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-where-was-the-first-church) Check out the rest of the posts in our series Church History for Kids for more topics and stories! [Where Was the First Church?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-where-was-the-first-church) [What Did the First Churches Look Like?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/church-history-for-kids-what-did-the-first-churches-look-like) For great videos about church history for kids, check out [The Pirate’s Guide to Church History](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) or [The Torchlighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) on Minno! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Beat Boredom and Encourage Kids to Have Purpose](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-beat-boredom-and-encourage-kids-to-have-purpose/) **Published:** April 16, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![look-daddy-im-an-airplane-picture-id1...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KOTBpuDrSnqwjFJRVAOG.jpg) Over the past week, I’ve been counseling kids and families over Zoom. It’s been a strange phenomenon to use technology to counsel, but certainly one I’m grateful for. And, to be honest, as I began the process in the midst of America’s COVID-19 quarantine, I thought I would hear something quite different from the words I’m hearing. For my sessions with seven and eight-year-olds, I expected to hear a lot about [anxiety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/signs-your-daughter-has-anxiety). It’s what most seven and eight-year-olds are typically talking about it my office. In fact, [one in four kids are battling anxiety today](https://www.gominno.com/blog/signs-your-daughter-has-anxiety), with girls twice as likely—a statistic I wrote about in my book, [Raising Worry-Free Girls.](https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Worry-Free-Girls-Daughter-Stronger/dp/0764233408) But, as their little faces have popped up on my iPad, these girls have had wider smiles than I’ve seen in my office. They’ve described at length the fun they’ve had baking with their moms and going for walks with their dads. They’ve talked about how the books they’ve read and the paintings they’ve painted. They’re enjoying their time with you. The middle schoolers have been singing a different tune. They’ve been using that word we all love, “bored.” They’ve talked about missing friends and missing favorite teachers. They’ve talked about being tired already of the family game nights and group exercise. Much as we would expect, these early adolescents are craving time with their all-important peers—and FaceTime just isn’t cutting it. From high schoolers, I’ve heard some talk about the gratitude of reprieve. Their lives have been moving so fast, that they’re enjoying a break in their schedules. They’re spending more time in their rooms, more time in their cars (I’m hearing LOTS of high schoolers talk about just driving around to get out of the house), and more time with their families than they typically do. But, they’re starting to think about prom—and graduation—and spring events that they’ve been looking forward to throughout the bleaker months of winter. They’re not bored yet, but they’re sure anticipating the boredom coming. You may have kids in your house in different ages and stages and all falling somewhere along the spectrum of boredom as they navigate their new normal. “I’m bored!” may not be something I’m hearing as much as I thought from the kids I counsel, but you may be hearing it over and over again, day in and day out. *So how should parents respond when they are getting a little stir crazy themselves?* **How can you help?** [Melissa](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-kids-need-most-during-this-unprecedented-time) has been talking lots about the idea of [purpose for kids today](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-kids-need-most-during-this-unprecedented-time). Rather than focusing on what they don’t have and can’t do, we can help them focus on what they *can* do. In fact, Daystar has started a Daily Dose of Daystar post where kids and families are sharing ideas of what they’re doing during this time at home. It’s everything from games to family TikToks to painting each other’s faces. And a whole lot in between. Now is a great time to get creative. *You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have time to do?* Now’s the time to do them! And encourage your kids to do them. Help your kids find purpose while they are stuck at home. Trying something new. Reaching out to someone who needs encouragement. Encourage your kids to set goals. Nothing breeds boredom like a lack of direction and purpose. Having something to work towards will put a spring in their step! **How can your family have purpose during this time? What can you do to give to someone else in need? Another family?** Again, purpose is one of the best antidotes to boredom there is. Make sure to let your kids have a voice—not just in your family’s purpose, but in your activities too. Let each child plan something fun per day. Let them alternate the movie and game choices, as well as the meals. And let them help, too. Helping with meals and chores brings a sense of purpose. It is our belief that this time of quarantine will be redemptive in the lives of so many of us. God is using it right now as a reset. To help remind us of who we want to be. Of what we want our time to look like together and what we don’t want it to look like. Ask your kids those kinds of questions, too. And enjoy this season of boredom and purpose together—**TOGETHER** being the very most important word. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/el25GLz7RLyETzs4ULri.jpg) SISSY GOFF, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of eleven books, including the bestselling [Raising Worry-Free Girls](https://amzn.to/2MKwSve) and [Braver, Stronger, Smarter](https://amzn.to/2oMWWxF) (for elementary-aged girls). Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications including FoxNews.com, as well as her own podcast Raising Boys and Girls. You can find more information and resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com/). **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Join Minno Church at Home for Easter Weekend Kids Programming](https://gominno.com/blog/join-minno-church-at-home-for-easter-weekend/) **Published:** April 10, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/07gpHFwSw25WCuxUrU5Q.jpg) The Easter season is an amazing time of year when we celebrate our new life in Jesus as we watch the wonders of His work in creation all around us. This year, though, Easter looks very different—not just for some of us—for ALL of us. This year, in the midst of a global pandemic, as the whole world slows down so we can take care of one another, we can still celebrate the love of God, the work Jesus did for us on the cross, and His victory over sin, sickness, and death! In the midst of this difficult time, it is comforting to know that the Church can continue to worship together, even though we may be physically apart. Our team has curated some of the best and most encouraging content for your kids to learn about Jesus and the significance of the season. We invite you to join other Minno families as we pause to honor Jesus on Good Friday then look toward Sunday in celebration of His victorious resurrection. We’ve put together two very special services on [Minno Church at Home](http://minnochurchathome.com) for you and your kids to meet with God in a beautifully new way this year. Download our [Easter Weekend Family Discussion Guide](https://cdn.buttercms.com/RrdTm8XTTNePnyuRqR2t) for notes, questions, prayers, and activities that will enrich your time together. [![695244_ChurchHomeEasterPackImage2_V1_...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cXrK8FxATbm0Q5c4yEfG.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/RrdTm8XTTNePnyuRqR2t) [DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE](https://cdn.buttercms.com/RrdTm8XTTNePnyuRqR2t) We pray that your family connects with God and each other like never before. Happy Easter! He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! . . . . . . . . . . CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR EASTER PROGRAMMING ON [MINNO](http://gominno.com)! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qicuMqqlTIKyz4JtMyrJ.jpg) **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home --- ### [Best Apologetics Books for Kids & Parents](https://gominno.com/blog/best-apologetics-books-for-kids-parents/) **Published:** March 26, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dTYp38iJSDOc8B8mjbMC.jpg) If you’re new to the idea of apologetics, you might be asking, *What exactly is apologetics and why would such a big word matter to my kids?* Apologetics means “a reasoned argument or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine” (via Dictionary.com). In other words, apologetics look at why we believe what we believe and they are important for our kids because someday, they will encounter theories and beliefs in culture that are counter to Christianity. Every parent knows that kids ask the toughest questions. Especially about God. *Where does God go on his summer vacation? What color are God’s eyes? How can God listen to everyone all at the same time? Did God really make the world, ‘cause my science teacher said . . . ?* According to [“Sticky Faith”](https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/stickyfaith) research from the Fuller Youth Institute, one of the biggest reasons teenagers turn away from the faith is because they didn’t feel like they were allowed to ask questions or show any doubt in church, or even with their parents. One of the four main things researchers recommend for developing a faith that “sticks” into adulthood is giving your children a safe place to ask questions and wrestle with their faith so that they grow to understand why they believe what they believe. *But what if they ask something we don’t know the answer to?* Even those of us who have been teaching kids about the Bible in Sunday School for years don’t know all the answers! That’s where this list of best apologetics books for kids can help. They may not have every answer to everything kids may ever ask, like *“If Jesus came back from the dead, does that mean He’s a zombie?*” But these resources deal with real questions in kid-friendly language that meets them at their level. They will still have questions, just like we adults still have questions! But they will at least come away with a strong foundation of what it means to be a Christian and why we believe what we believe. ## **Apologetics Books for 8-12-year-olds:** [*The Case for Christ for Kids*](https://www.christianbook.com/case-christ-kids-updated-and-expanded/lee-strobel/9780310719908/pd/719908?event=ESRCG) and [*The Case for Faith for Kids*](https://www.christianbook.com/case-faith-kids-updated-and-expanded/lee-strobel/9780310719915/pd/719910?event=ESRCG), by Lee Strobel Based on his best-selling and award-winning books for adults, these books from investigative reporter-turned-apologist Lee Strobel have been adapted for elementary-aged kids. Written in a Q&A format, they give historical evidence, expert testimonies, and scientific proofs to build a case for the truth of the Gospel. There is also a [90-day family devotional](https://www.amazon.com/Case-Christ-Kids-90-Day-Devotional/dp/0310733928/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=case+for+christ+for+kids+devotional&qid=1576036774&s=books&sr=1-1) that can be used along with the book. [*Cold Case Christianity for Kids*](https://www.christianbook.com/christianity-investigate-jesus-with-real-detective/j-wallace/9780781414579/pd/414570), by J. Warner Wallace and Susie Wallace If your kids like the *Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown,* or *Club CSI* books, they will love this book from actual detective J. Warner Wallace, which treats apologetics like a detective case—checking evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing all of the information to get to the truth. Check out their accompanying [website](http://www.casemakersacademy.com/cold-case-christianity-for-kids/) where kids can watch videos, download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate from the “Case Makers Academy.” [*The Awesome Book of Bible Answers for Kids*](https://www.christianbook.com/awesome-book-bible-answers-for-kids/josh-mcdowell/9780736928724/pd/928724?event=PRCBD1), by Josh McDowell and Kevin Johnson Written in a simple Q&A format, from well-known apologist Josh McDowell, author of *Evidence that Demands a Verdict* and *A Ready Defense*, this book will help your kids answer common questions about God, sin, the Bible, different religions, and more. You can read it straight through or take it a question at a time, depending on your kids’ interest. [*If I Could Ask God Anything: Awesome Bible Answers for Curious Kids*](https://www.christianbook.com/could-anything-awesome-bible-answers-curious/kathryn-slattery/9781400316021/pd/316021?event=CFCER1), by Kathryn Slattery Also written in a Q&A format, this book from longtime *Guideposts* contributing editor Kathryn Slattery gives fresh, clear answers to lots of questions kids ask about God, some of which aren’t so common. Slattery draws from her experience as a mother and a Christian author to speak directly to children in a way that they can understand. ## **Illustrated Apologetics Books for Younger Children:** **The Young Defenders series, by Melissa Cain Travis** *[How Do We Know God is Really There?](https://www.christianbook.com/how-know-god-is-really-there/melissa-travis/9781935495963/pd/437775?event=ESRCG)* [How Do We Know God Created Life?](https://www.christianbook.com/how-we-know-god-created-life/melissa-travis/9781940110233/pd/124812?event=ESRCN%7CM) [How Do We know Jesus is Alive?](https://www.amazon.com/How-Do-Know-Jesus-Alive/dp/1940110548) [How Do We Know Right from Wrong?](https://www.christianbook.com/how-we-know-right-from-wrong/melissa-travis/9781940110868/pd/136634) **Picture Book Apologetics series, by J.D. Camorlinga** [*‘Possums and the Empty Tomb*](http://picturebookapologetics.com/product/possums-and-the-empty-tomb/) (The Resurrection) [*Chameleon’s Can of Worms*](http://picturebookapologetics.com/product/chameleons-can-of-worms/) (Relativism) [*Fox and the Hard Day*](http://picturebookapologetics.com/product/fox-and-the-hard-day/) (The Problem of Evil) [*Pig and the Accidental Oink!*](http://picturebookapologetics.com/product/pig-and-the-accidental-oink-picture-book-apologetics/) (Cosmological Argument) [*Pooch and the Pearly Gates*](http://picturebookapologetics.com/product/poochandthepearlygates/) (Heaven and the New Earth) [*Pitfalls*](http://picturebookapologetics.com/product/pitfalls/) (Logical Fallacy Guide) ## **Apologetics Books For Parents:** [*Mama Bear Apologetics*](https://www.christianbook.com/apologetics-trade-empowering-challenge-cultural-lies/9780736976152/pd/976156?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=family-0-20%7C976156&p=1179710&dv=c&gclid=CjwKCAiAob3vBRAUEiwAIbs5Thvji4PiMCmL8uAe2R4ioYDE8LGUddoclPznAtz66kdRtY9FdqeFyBoCLb8QAvD_BwE#CBD-PD-Description), edited by Hillary Morgan Ferrer This isn’t just a book of apologetics, this is a book about how to talk to your kids about apologetics. That is, how to *train your kids* to recognize the unbiblical messages in our culture and how to combat them with the truth of God’s Word. This book is written specifically to moms, but dads can glean insight from it, too. The book includes questions for small group discussion and practical applications, including prayer strategies. [*Keeping Your Kids On God’s Side*](https://www.christianbook.com/keeping-conversations-them-build-lasting-faith/natasha-crain/9780736965088/pd/965088?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=family-0-20%7C965088&p=1179710&dv=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9dDwBRC9ARIsABbedBM7gJwc0RC1v6QKg90_7sVE6fbB0EUBdb6YiQv2cPcEMDh-sGmXBIwaAhsVEALw_wcB), by Natasha Crain Written in a Q&A format, this book responds to 40 challenging questions kids get today while talking with friends at school, in their neighborhoods and activities, and online. Learn how to replace your kids’ doubts with confidence, encourage open dialogue, and equip them to defend their faith. [*The Case for Christ*](https://www.christianbook.com/case-christ-updated-expanded-mass-market/lee-strobel/9780310350033/pd/350034?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=church-and-pastoral-0-20%7C350034&p=1179710&dv=c&gclid=CjwKCAiAob3vBRAUEiwAIbs5TiA234fSefpCp_tPvtFDqtFaQ77L5hdU_fxmuT8rzJtJlPiJJzr4zBoCaxgQAvD_BwE), by Lee Strobel The original adult version of the kid’s book above, this book follows Lee Strobel’s own journey as an atheist investigative journalist who was setting out to prove his wife’s newfound Christian faith wrong. It is packed with information, yet easy to read. And BONUS, [there’s a movie](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6113488/)! The movie includes a brief overview of Stroebel’s apologetics but is mostly the story of his journey to faith and how *both* the facts *and* his wife’s faith were what led him to finally believe. *Not sure where to start with talking to your kids about Christian beliefs?* Try this article right here on Minno Life: [How to Talk to Your Kids about Faith](https://whatsinthebible.com/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-faith/), by Cara Davis In this article, mom and Christian writer Cara Davis does a great job of describing how to give your kids space to ask questions and have doubts, while gently guiding them to trust in Jesus in a real and authentic way. Dealing with your kids’ questions—both the off-the-wall ones and the deep ones that are hard for most adults to understand—is not for the faint of heart. It can be one of the challenging parts of Christian parenting. But if we are open and honest with our kids; if we listen and share from the heart rather than just giving them pat answers; and, most of all, if we show them that even adults have questions and doubts and yet still choose to trust and follow Jesus, we will succeed in guiding our kids to a faith that is real, that is truly their own, and that sticks into adulthood. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Communion?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-communion/) **Published:** March 24, 2020 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xWWPd0W3R1qUvdHAl66r.jpg) For some churches, communion is an occasional part of the church service meant to simply help those who partake remember what Christ did through His death on the cross. For others, it is a deeply meaningful aspect of every worship service, which allows the communion of those who partake with Christ and the saints in remembering His death and resurrection. No matter what the specific practice of your church in regards to communion, it can be easy to lose the Biblical significance of this act if it simply becomes a routine. Communion should not be simply a routine or ritual, but instead a celebration of a person: Jesus our Savior! Let’s look at three helpful, biblical guidelines for understanding communion that can help you understand and also [teach your children about the practice of communion](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-tips-for-teaching-your-children-about-communion) in your own church, resulting in a deeper appreciation and more worshipful experience the next time you take the body and blood of Christ in communion. --- ## Celebrate Easter with Minno Get access to 90 minutes of Easter content to help your kids understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus, plus off-screen resources to walk your family through Holy Week with meaningful activities! --- # What Does the Bible Say About Communion? **The Bible gives us a model for practicing communion.** *“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper, He also took the cup and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 ESV* In the upper room, Jesus broke bread with His disciples and established a special way for them to remember Him. More than 2000 years later, we have the privilege of doing the exact same thing with our fellow Christians! Specifically, we use a cup with either wine or grape juice and either wafers or unleavened bread in the communion service. These items are a visible representation of Jesus’ body broken for us on the cross and His blood, “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28 ESV The next Sunday you take communion, or maybe even the night before, take a moment to talk with your kids about the visual reminders that the bread and juice or wine provide for us, to help us take to heart again the sacrifice and great love of Christ for all of us. This is great even if your kids are not yet old enough to take communion. I know my two youngest are still in awe of that part of our service and love to observe it happening. *Why not help them connect the physical act of taking communion with the deep meaning of the words that Christ first spoke during the Last Supper?* **The Bible uses specific words to helps us understand the significance of communion.** This goes a little deep, but stay with me! It’s really meaningful. When Jewish people would read Paul’s words in the New Testament about communion, it would help them connect its significance to their Old Testament practices as they waited for the Messiah. It can also help us understand those practices! *“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16 ESV* John Gill’s commentary on the Bible says that the cup in these verses is called “the cup of blessing” in reference to the cup of wine used at common meals or at Passover among the Jews, which they used to take and bless and thank God with, and commonly called by the same name. The breaking of bread in New Testament times was done as an act of thankfulness, and as a sign that we are all part of one body, through the death and resurrection of Christ. Breaking of bread was meaningful to the Israelites in Bible times as well. During mealtimes, someone would literally “break the bread” while saying a blessing over the meal. There was also a special piece of bread used to “break the bread” during the Passover meal. Jesus is the Passover Lamb, and He helped His disciples to understand this by breaking the special piece of bread during the Last Supper. **How does this apply to our lives today?** In communion, we are giving thanks and praise to God for His Son by breaking bread in thanksgiving and sharing a cup as we bless God’s name! Communion always points us back to Christ. When we belong to Jesus, we are united with all other believers around the world in a special way as we “break the bread” at communion. What an amazing thing to think about! This is why some churches call communion service the *Eucharist*: the word literally means “having given thanks”! **The Bible encourages us to go to communion in the right spirit.** *“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV* When Paul wrote this, he was addressing the disagreements that had come up in the Corinthian church. He didn’t want people sharing the Lord’s Supper with anger in their hearts toward each other. Just like in New Testament times, God calls us to come to communion with a heart that is repentant and desires to be right with God and all the people in our lives. *Does this mean we need to be a perfect person to go to communion?* No! In fact, communion reminds us of the forgiveness we experience through Christ. But Paul urges us to *“examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup”* (1 Corinthians 11:28 NLT), so that we are going to communion with a humble heart and not just “pretending” to be right with God. The next time your church celebrates the Lord’s Supper, take a few minutes to think through the biblical meaning of this beautiful and unique part of your worship service. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Have Church at Home as a Family](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-have-church-at-home-as-a-family/) **Published:** March 15, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EWs03V8qQ2SOwUnQB3nO.jpg) These are unprecedented times in our world. With the COVID-19 epidemic, right now we need connection to God and our community more than ever. But for the good of all, we need to stay home. Staying connected to God and each other is very important and the church plays a big part in that process. *But what do you do when you just can’t go to church?* We’ve put together great resources to help you have church at home as a family. # How to Have Church at Home as a Family We’ve created a free resource to help your family have church at home. Visit [Minno Church at Home](https://www.gominno.com/lp/church-at-home/) and watch a new video every week complete with Worship songs, a Bible Story, a weekly Bible verse, and even a joke to keep you smiling in the midst of difficult times. As you introduce having church at home to your kids, it’s important to put away distractions and create an atmosphere of invitation for God to come and meet with you. God is everywhere and having church at home as a family is a wonderful way to teach your kids that they can be with Him wherever they are. #### **WORSHIP** Prepare your hearts to meet with God by singing together. In addition to the songs we feature on [Minno Church at Home](https://www.gominno.com/lp/church-at-home/), we have several other wonderful kid-friendly music options here on Minno including [Seeds Family Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/seeds-family-worship),[ Yancy and Friends](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-and-friends), and[ Hillsong Kids](https://www.gominno.com/series/hillsong-kids-the-big-word)! #### **WATCH** It can be hard to keep your kids’ attention for an extended period of time, especially at home when toys and media seem to be calling their names! Media can be a great way to teach kids about God and utilizing it to have church at home will really make it count for something good! We’ve chosen a specific story each week for [Minno Church at Home](https://www.gominno.com/lp/church-at-home/) that has great Biblical teaching, but we’ve got lots of shows here on Minno that will help your family learn about God at home—on Sunday morning or any day of the week! Some of our other favorite shows for teaching kids about God and the Bible are: [What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) [Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/series/superbook) [Bibleman](https://www.gominno.com/series/bibleman-the-animated-adventures) [Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes) #### **ENGAGE** The fun and connection to God doesn’t end with each [Minno Church at Home](https://www.gominno.com/lp/church-at-home/) video! We’re also providing a new Bible story each week from the [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) that you can download in full color or a read and color version. Discover a simple way to do family devotions with the featured [Minno ](https://www.gominno.com/lp/church-at-home/)[5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/lp/church-at-home/) that each includes a short video, talking prompts, and a prayer. If they were in Sunday School, your kids would probably do a fun activity or craft to go along with their lesson. Children need hands-on experiences to fully engage with new knowledge and help it stick. We’ve chosen a few activities that we think your kids will love and you can browse other activities on [Minno Life.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/education) We pray you and your family stay well and full of hope during this difficult time. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a subscriber, watch all of the shows highlighted right now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Church at Home --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus/) **Published:** March 3, 2020 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jxPCrKsfQSWoLM7EQAQV.jpg) When my 5-year-old was diagnosed with the flu a few weeks ago, we donned our proverbial hazmat suits and went to work. We moved a TV into her room (with the Minno app, of course!), gave her a table for art and eating, and kept surgical masks hanging on her doorknob. We entered only to deliver medicine and food. Extreme? Perhaps. She (thankfully not feeling too sick) thought it was hilarious, and two of the three of the rest of us were spared catching the flu. We taught her quite a bit about germs and what it means to be contagious during those few days, which prepared us well for conversations about the new coronavirus outbreak. This flu season has been particularly fierce, and on its tails lurks the much-hyped COVID-19, a form of the common coronavirus. (The coronavirus causes many upper respiratory illnesses, like the common cold.) This particular strain is “novel,” which means this is the first time humans have been infected by it. It is all over the news, propelled by a rising death toll and fears it will spread rapidly across the United States. We’re not immunologists here at Minno, and so while we can’t provide scientific details about the outbreak and varying predictions about its severity, we can suggest a few helpful ways to discuss it with your kids. So if your kids come to you wanting to talk about COVID-19, here are a few ideas for what to talk about. # How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus **1. Pray for the people affected by COVID-19.** Remind your kids that God heals, and Jesus healed many people during his time on earth. That doesn’t mean He will always heal, but it does mean that He cares about our physical bodies. And Revelation 21:4 says that one day, there will be no more tears and no more death. Pray that God will heal those who are sick, protect those who have compromised immune systems and that He will end the outbreak. **2. Pray for the scientists working to stop the COVID-19 outbreak.** Talk to your kids about the thousands of scientists and doctors all over the world working to fight the coronavirus. Isn’t it amazing how God equips people with scientific gifts and talents? Pray specifically that they will figure out how to prevent and treat COVID-19. **3. Pray for world leaders during the outbreak.** Ask your kids what they think it would be like to be the leader of a country right now. Talk about the pressures that those leaders are facing. Then take time to [pray for world leaders](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-praying-for-our-leaders) as they try to make rules and invest money to protect people from the virus. Ask God to fill them with wisdom. **4. Remind kids to always WASH THEIR HANDS.** If your kids are worried about getting sick, this is a great time to remind them of the best way to stay healthy: wash your hands! Remind them of the handwashing rules: warm soapy water for 20 seconds (as long as it takes you to sing the ABCs). Talk about coughing into your elbow instead of your hands or the air, and staying home to rest (with extra naps!) if you don’t feel well. Take a trip to the store and pick out mini bottles of hand sanitizer for everyone’s backpack. Practice good hygiene, pray, and stay aware of what’s happening with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. **5. Put their minds at ease.** This is a great opportunity to talk with your kids (especially older kids) about how we can’t take everything we read or hear in the news at face value. We should do our own digging to find accurate information from credible sources. And at the end of the day, the best thing we can do is to stay calm and pray for God to protect and guide us. > “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NLT) If your kids are feeling a lot of anxiety about getting sick and the coronavirus, check out [this post from our friend and counselor, Sissy Goff](https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sissy-goff-anxiety-kids-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR0aRix3HlmD6eYGiXL--TO0zbeW6UeoAmfjgUAD3vpp0gjXVzzRZMmRVL4). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The Perfect Easter Basket Books for Kids of All Ages](https://gominno.com/blog/the-perfect-easter-basket-books-for-kids-of-all-ages/) **Published:** February 21, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3wlj2SfmSyi5KTDDBf4S.jpg) *Looking for great Easter basket books to help your kids grow in faith?* Easter is the perfect time to share fun stories and tools that will engage kids in conversations about Jesus beyond the season. We’ve got a great list of the perfect books to fill your Easter baskets this season, for kids of all ages! # The Perfect Easter Basket Books for Kids **Easter Basket Books for Kids Age 0-3** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OOqJVLqYQcWIDjhSkRn7.jpg)** **[Why Easter?](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/why-easter) – As brothers, Clive and Ian (What’s In The Bible?) dye Easter eggs and discuss their favorite things about the holiday-the Easter pony . . . or is it a bunny . . . or perhaps an Easter chicken? Clive explains that Easter is about more than colorful eggs and fluffy bunnies. *So why do we celebrate Easter?* The answer is as exciting as it is wonderful: (spoiler alert!) it’s because of Jesus!** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jPiLnzvpQPyccdSpBV4H.jpg)** **[Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-little-ones) – The *Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones* is written by VeggieTales® creator Phil Vischer. This simple board book Bible is the perfect companion to the Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids or a delightful stand-alone tool that will introduce toddlers and preschoolers to beloved, gospel-focused Bible stories.** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jrPwExDcT6KQF0WAwArR.jpg)** [Clive & Ian Board Book Series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books) (What’s In The Bible?) – Featuring beloved characters Clive & Ian from *Buck Denver Asks…What’s in the Bible?* this series of fun, easy-to-read board books is designed for little ones. Written by bestselling children’s book author, Hannah Hall, the series will introduce young children to important foundational faith concepts such as creation, God’s love, prayer, and more! **Easter Basket Books for Kids Age 4-8** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/auCHOXoT8iSKYJzm9SBP.jpg) [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) – Written by VeggieTales® creator Phil Vischer, this family Bible is more than a children’s Bible storybook . . . it’s a deep, engaging, laugh-out-loud gospel experience.![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/e0Qn6kER06z66Fts5Ze3.jpg) [Buck Denver’s Hammer of Strength](https://shop.gominno.com/products/buck-denvers-hammer-of-strength) (What’s In The Bible?) – Help your kids learn the value of loving others with this vibrant picture book based on the popular video series *Buck Denver Asks… What’s in the Bible?* by Veggie Tales® creator Phil Vischer. In Hammer of Strength, Buck Denver learns what it means to love well through the stories of the Good Samaritan and Calvary making it the perfect book for the Easter season! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K45U34PjT0ylCLFClL5a.jpg) [Buck Denver’s Bible Coloring Books](https://shop.gominno.com/products/buck-denvers-bible-coloring-book-old-new-testament-stories) (What’s In The Bible?) – Color your way through well-known Old and New Testament Bible stories and bring God’s Word and the journey of Jesus and His disciples to life at the kitchen table! These coloring books contain Bible stories and scripture on every page to enhance your child’s coloring adventure through God’s story. Featuring beloved characters from the bestselling video series *Buck Denver Asks…What’s in the Bible?*, this collection is sure to bring hours of fun and connection for your family. **Easter Basket Books for Kids Age 8+** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FImdd01hSgGhilXheYDp.jpg) [Micah’s Super Vlog Series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) – Based on the popular Minno show, Micah’s Super Vlog. If your young readers enjoy *Diary of Wimpy Kid* or *13 Story Treehouse* books, they will LOVE this fun series of stories that follow Micah and his friends on epic adventures. Your kids will be mesmerized by these fast-paced, highly illustrated tales and you can feel great about putting these books into the hands of your kids because each story is wrapped in a solid lesson about faith and character. [Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) – Okay, so the official “age range” on the Bible is 4-8 but there is so much fun and so many important Bible facts and stories packed into this book, your upper elementary age child will love it too. It’s Bible fun for the whole family! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ESIIiv02SWmaolPN4N45.jpg) *You know what else makes a great Easter Basket gift?* A Minno streaming video subscription! Give your kids the gift of stories they will love, with values you can trust! Grab your [gift subscription](https://giftup.app/place-order/2c0d2a38-b345-4853-aada-decf16e704c6?platform=Hosted)! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Tips and Ideas for Great Family Devotions](https://gominno.com/blog/tips-and-ideas-for-great-family-devotions/) **Published:** February 19, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/G2bBB6DRGetAaEep7kzw.jpg) Whether you’re just starting a New Year’s resolution to make family devotional time a priority and you need help getting started, or you’ve been doing it consistently for years and need some fresh ideas, these tips for great family devotional times will help you have consistent family devotions that are effective, engaging, and fun. ## TIPS FOR GREAT FAMILY DEVOTIONS 1. **Keep it Simple (and Age Appropriate!)** The biggest mistake most parents make with family devotions is making it too complicated, which puts too much pressure on themselves and their kids. We’re not teaching seminary classes here—there is no test at the end. We’re just trying to get our kids interested in reading the Bible and praying, help them learn how to apply the Bible to their lives, and spend some quality time bonding spiritually as a family. All you have to do is read a Bible passage, discuss it, and pray. You can do more activities, too, but just be sure to keep it fun and age-appropriate. A general rule of thumb is that kids can really only handle one main idea in every lesson. If you discuss other details of the story or bring up other questions, that’s fine, just make sure to bring it back to that one main idea. Don’t be afraid to repeat that main idea several times in different ways. Kids learn through repetition. Keep it simple enough so that your kids are able to tell you what they learned in one short sentence, over and over again. Which means they will remember what they learned. 2. **Keep it Collaborative** Don’t assume that family devotional time means Dad reads aloud and then preaches or lectures while everyone else listens (or doesn’t really listen!). Involve everyone in the discussion, especially the kids. Take turns reading the passage or parts of it. Let them help choose which topics or books or stories you will discuss and ask them for creative ideas of how to interact with the text. Giving your kids ownership of family devotions will make them more excited to take part in them. 3. **Keep It Biblical** You can plan readings and discussion questions yourself, or there are tons of resources out there you can use. Just make sure they are actually based on the Bible. We’ve suggested some great ones below. 4. **Keep it Relevant** No matter how old we are, we all want to know how the Bible applies to our everyday life right now. Kids love to hear about our struggles and stories, so remember to share how the lesson applies to your own life. Then help them work through how it might apply to theirs. One of the ways we can help our kids build a faith that sticks into adulthood is to show them how their faith is relevant to the world in which they live every day. Family devotional time isn’t just about reading cute kid’s Bible stories or learning or memorizing information. It’s about growing as disciples of Jesus, learning how to follow Him with our lives. 5. **Keep it Regular** Choose a time that works for your family and stick with it. There are no shortcuts to creating a new habit; you just have to commit and follow through. Whatever time you choose, make sure your whole family can be together on a regular basis. Consistency is key to developing family devotions into a habit and showing our kids that time with God is important to us. 6. **Keep it Fun** We’re not saying you have to have crazy water balloon games or pizza parties like the children’s ministry at church does, but we *can* make our family devotional times something our kids look forward to instead of dread. Incorporating some of the creative ideas below will help, but even our attitudes during our family devotions can make a big difference in setting the tone. *Do we read the stories with feeling? Do we tell funny stories about ourselves? Do we laugh and joke around together? Do we act like we are actually enjoying our time with them?* Family devotions don’t have to be the hardest part of Christian parenting! With the Holy Spirit’s guidance and a few tips and tricks, we can all find joy in studying God’s Word together as a family. ## IDEAS FOR CREATIVE AND ENGAGING FAMILY DEVOTIONS 1. **Act It Out** This idea can be especially helpful for those wiggly ones who can’t sit still to listen. Instead of just reading a Bible story, give every person in your family a role and act it out together. Kids always learn better through interactive play and they will always remember Dad putting on that deep voice of God speaking to Job out of the whirlwind or Mom dancing around the kitchen like Miriam. Anything we can do to make the Bible come alive for our kids (and ourselves) is worth embarrassing ourselves for. 2. **Create** Even if you are not an artistic or a crafty person, there are tons of resources online or in books for children’s art projects to go along with Bible stories. Or, simply let the kids create their own. Just have them draw or paint what they learned from the Bible lesson for that day. You never know, they may surprise you. 3. **Family Devotional Videos** I know we’re always getting on our kids about screen time, but when videos are rich in Bible content, they can be a great way to get kids excited about the Bible. When we can use their love of technology to share God’s truth, it’s guilt-free screen time! *For younger kids*:[ Minno 5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/devotionals) – Watch a short child-friendly video clip about a biblical topic like Old Testament Heroes, the Fruits of the Spirit, or Big Questions, then discuss the questions as a family and pray together. A simple, easy, and fun way to keep your kids engaged in your family devotions. *For older kids*: [What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) In twenty-six wacky wonderful episodes, newscaster Buck Denver and his friends go on an adventure through the whole Bible – Genesis to Revelation. These kid-friendly videos are packed with rich Bible content and fun music to teach kids the big themes of each step along the way of the story of God’s rescue plan to save the world. 4. **Family Journal** Keep a family prayer, praise, and thanksgiving journal. Keep track of prayer requests and when/how those prayers were answered. Write down God sightings—the way you saw God working in your family, your church, or your community. Keep a list of things you are thankful for throughout the year. **Bonus**: This activity gives you something to look back on at the end of the year, to remember all that God has done for your family. 5. **Sing** Sing your favorite worship songs together and talk about the words and what they mean. Often, our kids (and we) sing along to songs in church without ever really stopping to ask what they mean. Many of our classic hymns and more modern worship songs have deep, poetic lyrics that can really enrich our understanding of God and His word. 6. **Praying the Headlines** Buy a newspaper (or print from online) and pray for the people and places involved in each headline you see. (For younger kids, you may want to choose the news stories ahead of time to screen out things that may be too hard for them to hear.) This helps open kids’ eyes to all that is going on in the world around them, helps develop empathy for others, and shows them that we believe in the power of prayer to help a hurting world. 7. **Experience Creation** Go for a hike or a canoe ride around a lake, or watch a sunset or sunrise together. Talk about the beauty of God’s creation and His power and majesty. You might even have the kids write their own Psalm praising God for the glory of His creation. 8. **Serve Together** Do a service project outside of the home like serving food at a soup kitchen or picking up trash at a public park. Or do something at home like writing Christmas cards to shut-ins or preparing care packages to give out to the homeless. Don’t just serve, but also talk to your kids about the experience and the people you are serving. Talk about God’s commands to serve others and to care for those who are hurting or in need. BONUS TIP: Try this simple [5-step family Bible study method](https://www.gominno.com/blog/simple-5-step-family-bible-study-method) to break Bible verses down into easy-to-understand concepts for kids. ![Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0ojnNJ73RhuuRDwJDckJ.jpg)Great Family Devotional Books: - [*Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids,* by Phil Vischer](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids) - *Long Story Short* and *Old Story New*, by Marty Machowski - *Big Beliefs!*, by David Helm - *The Biggest Story,* by Kevin DeYoung - *Everything a Child Should Know About God*, by Kenneth N. Taylor **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How To Talk To Your Kids About Ash Wednesday](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-ash-wednesday/) **Published:** February 16, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/etx5QYvxRpOT7hEzqw43.jpg) As I was trying to get everyone up and ready for school this morning, my oldest son asked me, *“Have I ever gotten ashes on my forehead on Ash Wednesday? Have we ever celebrated Lent?”* Since he was about 4 or 5 we have attended churches that were less liturgical in nature. But before that time, we worshiped as a family in the Catholic Church. Both my husband and I grew up in Catholic households, and I attended Catholic school my whole life. We were accustomed to the liturgies and customs of a traditional church, but when we left, many of those traditions were no longer practiced where we were attending. Lent is a season that my kids have seldom practiced in its fullness. So this morning I thought I’d take a few minutes to talk to my son about Lent and briefly give him some answers to his questions. Perhaps your kids have questions too. You don’t have to be Catholic to celebrate Lent. Liturgical churches such as Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian also observe the season of Lent. In many of these denominations, ashes are also used as a symbol of the beginning of this season. The ashes are used to remind us of two things: Our sinfulness before God and our mortality. If you recall, in the Old Testament, and even in the time of Jesus, ashes were used as an outward sign of penance and repentance. > **So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:3** > > **When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, put on sackcloth, and sat on ashes. Jonah 3:6** Ashes also represent our physical mortality. > **By the sweat of your brow you will eat food until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you will return. Genesis 3:19** Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a time when many Christians prepare themselves for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, sacrifice, and self-discipline. For many, this means either giving up something or taking on something . . . both with the intent of bringing ourselves closer to God. While our family doesn’t necessarily practice the Lenten abstinence of meat every Friday, we fast and abstain on Good Friday. Fasting can simply mean having one main meal during the day and two smaller meals which if combined are not equal to or greater than the main meal. And while abstaining from meat isn’t a salvation issue, it is a personal sacrifice. Just something small to give up as we, along with many others in our family, the Church, do the same and hopefully come to a realization that pleasing our flesh is not as important as growing in our relationship with God. It may be the sacrificial nature that many in non-traditional churches feel is unnecessary, since it is through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice that we are all forgiven already. I can understand that, but the sacrificial element of Lent is not meant to take anything away from Jesus’ ultimate saving grace on the Cross and His Resurrection. On the contrary! We are striving to grow closer to our Lord by self-examination, sacrifice, and repentance. I think for many the sacrificial nature of “giving something up” or “taking something on” is profoundly personal mostly because we humans tend to use “things” as crutches, instead of fully leaning on God and seeking Him. Whether that crutch is smoking, food, alcohol, drugs, or technology, we must examine ourselves as to what is it in our lives that might be taking our focus off the Lord. As an example, and yes, it’s one I may have used in speaking to my son, if our iPhone is something that we can’t seem to be without 24/7, it might be a good idea to examine how addiction to technology is preventing us from a more fulfilling walk with Christ. *Are we replacing the time we should be spending with God with outside diversions?* > **Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2** My final word to my son was that whether or not a person receives ashes on their forehead, they can take the next 40 days to examine their hearts and make some necessary changes to the way they perceive their daily walk with God. Easter is a big deal. Its representation is the foundation of Christ’s Church. It’s a good thing to prepare ourselves for this most important celebration. It’s a good thing to be introspective for a period of time and reflect on what God is calling each of us to do in our personal journey as Christians. *In examining your own daily routines, is there something you can take on or take away that will help you focus on Christ more fully?* If so, I encourage you to pray about this area of your spiritual life. Pray with your family, perhaps using the next 40 days as a time when you all are renewing your own Baptismal promises, and being reborn through Jesus! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-friendship/) **Published:** February 13, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Iq1KCzlTRKgTq5ExHYAt.jpg) When I asked my son to name a famous set of friends in the Bible he quickly said, “David and Jonathan”. Their friendship begins fast and remains fierce, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Samuel 18:1 ESV) David and Jonathan made a covenant with each other and both of them protected and served one another all their lives. What a beautiful example of a friendship! It’s not every day you hear about a friendship with such strong emotions and ties. I want my children to have this in their lives! The friendship of Ruth and Naomi, a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law is also a relationship to admire. It’s another one you don’t hear of working out very often. What a gift to have in-laws serve each other so humbly! *And what about Paul and Timothy?* Paul, the teacher longing to be with his padawan (so to speak!) above almost any other person. This multi-generational friendship is something not everyone gets to experience. It’s interesting because it seems like friendship would be the main goal of relationships. *We want everyone to be our friend, right?* Well, maybe. But the real theme seen over and over in the Bible is less about gaining friends and wooing people and more about how *we* treat those other people—friends, neighbors and even enemies. Proverbs 18:24 reminds us that a good friend “sticks closer than a brother”. Proverbs 17:17 says that a real friend “loves at all times”. Then, we see a switch in the lesson. It’s not so much about friends, but more about “neighbors”. The disciple, Matthew writes that Jesus says the greatest commandment is to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves” (22:39). John writes that Jesus’ command is to “love one another as I have loved you”. (15:12) Jesus doesn’t talk too much about being a good friend but simply about serving others. And we see this repeated again and again in the apostles’ letters to the early churches. Here are just a few of their words: James 2:8 (ESV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. Galatians 5:14 (ESV) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 1 Corinthians 10:24 (ESV) Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Romans 13:10 (ESV) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Being a good friend then is not about accumulating and keeping friends the way we collect Facebook friends today or gathered friendship pins when we were little. Instead, we see the real lesson is not about the other person, it’s about us. We are to put others first. We are to love, stick close to, remain loyal, and serve others regardless of the relationship to ourselves. As parents leading our kids to have good friendships in school, on sports teams, at church, and even within our families, let’s point them to the strong command and lesson from Jesus and echoed by the apostles, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. **And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.** On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV) ***Family Activity Idea:*** *Give everyone in the family a piece of paper and have them draw the outline of their body on it. Inside the body, write things they like or desire (clothes, food, kindness, movies, books, etc.) Then, have them switch with someone else and look at the words written inside. Use those words to think of 1-2 ways to serve the other person this week. (For example, your brother wrote “movies”, plan a movie night and let him pick the movie. Your mom wrote “books”, give her a coupon that says, “I’ll fold the clothes for 30 minutes while you read a book.”) Talk about how we can love and serve others instead of ourselves!* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Refugees](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-refugees/) **Published:** February 4, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/iZhLleFsQxatkaWruPwH.jpg) *Have you wondered how to talk to your kids about refugees? Has the subject come up as you hear reports of thousands of displaced Ukrainian people fleeing their country in this time of war?* Political buzzwords and polarizing commentary on global events are just normal now. And if we’re honest, most of us would confess we do not invest the time to find out (or we simply try to avoid) what is actually going on in our world. We know the world is groaning because we all feel it—even our children; *but do we fully understand the significance behind these current groans?* Investing the time it takes to better understand global affairs can make a big difference as we attempt to train up our children’s hearts and minds. That is why it is so important that we, as Christian parents, intentionally wrestle with the current refugee crisis across our planet. My family and I are missionaries serving in Germany, working primarily with refugees and displaced people from the Middle East, which gives us an up-close perspective of precious people struggling to start over because of war in their homelands. This week, because of the recent fighting in Ukraine, we’ve seen over 100 Ukrainian orphans arrive in our region with more to follow, I’m sure. We have the privilege of holding many broken people in our arms who have fled unspeakable horrors, and we have the joy of seeing the power of Jesus Christ begin to transform their hearts and heal their wounds. *So with this much at stake for our brothers and sisters across the earth, how do we begin to help our own children and family understand? How can we be part of the solution?* Sometimes, it is as simple as taking one step or starting one conversation. ## **How to Talk to Your Kids About Refugees** #### **Don’t be afraid.** When we tell our American friends and our supporters about our work with Middle Eastern refugees, the most common first response is, “Are you scared?” Americans have been conditioned to respond with fear when encountering people from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and neighboring countries—and to be honest, that was my feeling until about seven years ago, too. But this blanket-fear of people from countries with different cultures and religions has paralyzed us from reaching out with the love of Jesus to those who so desperately need it. Right now, there are plenty of reasons for families to flee from the Middle East and most currently from Ukraine in eastern-most Europe, and it is vital to understand that we each have some level of ability to help them. The first step in talking with your kids about refugees is to surrender your fear to God and ask Him to fill you with His love for people—all people. > *2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)* > > *God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.* As God’s children, it is not part of our transformed, new nature to operate out of fear! Instead, He implanted in us a powerful, loving, spirit coupled with a sharp, sound mind—so that we can let His kingdom reign in us and through us. #### **Explain what “refugee” means.** A refugee is a person who had to run away from their home country because [their life was in danger—usually from war,](https://www.gominno.com/parents/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-war/) but also other circumstances that made them unsafe where they grew up. Because they were no longer safe if they stayed in their home, they chose to leave everything behind and run to a safer place. A refugee asks a new, safer country to take them in and give them permission to live there. All through the Bible, we can see examples of running to God as our safe place. God understands refugees. He is our Refuge. He gives us the right to run to and be safe in Him. > *Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)* > > *God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.* > > *Psalm 9:9 (NKJV)* > > *The Lord will also be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.* > > *Psalm 91:2 (NKJV)* > > *I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’* #### **Help your children empathize.** Talk about all the ways we are just the same as a person who has the title of *refugee*. We all have parents and families, we all like to live in a comfortable place with food to eat and electricity available for light and heat, we all need clothing, we all need a community, and we all need love. We all get hurt, we all feel loss and sadness, and we all need help. Depending on the age of your children, you could even lead them in imagining what it might be like if it were your family going through such hardships, and how they might feel or what they might do in that situation. #### **Get involved.** The best way to help your children learn and grow on this topic is to get involved. It is easy to dismiss the subject and relegate it to being someone else’s responsibility, but don’t take the easy road. Take the opportunity to model empathy, love, and action in front of your children by reaching out and making a difference. **1. Find out where there are refugees or other displaced people in your community and volunteer to help!** Hang out in places where people congregate who don’t look like you. Make friends with families from different backgrounds and religions—meet for coffee, invite them for a meal. Pour out the love of Jesus on them with no strings attached. **2. Teach your children to pray for refugees by making it a regular thing you do together.** Print out maps and graphics from relief agencies so you can see the countries where people are fleeing and where they have ended up. Pray for God to help them and protect them, and to get them to a safe place where they can start a new life. Pray for healing in their hearts. Pray for families to be reunited. Pray for the eyes of their hearts to be opened to the good news of Jesus. Pray for peace and an end to war. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done—here on earth as it is in heaven. **3. Donate to relief organizations and missions organizations that are on the front lines in the refugee crises across the globe.** There are probably groups, churches, and other non-profit agencies in your town that are currently helping refugee families, so start there. And then look a little broader and ask the Lord to lead you in financially supporting relief efforts. Involve your family by doing creative things to raise funds—a neighborhood yard sale, raking leaves, washing cars—the sky’s the limit! Our family knows first-hand how important your donations are in helping refugees and what an impact your donations make in reaching people with Jesus’ love. . . . . . . . . . Your willingness to take on difficult subjects with your children is so important. You have these short years to help shape their worldview, and it really matters that you take every opportunity to point them to God’s heart for people and for our world. *\*It is helpful to see reports from sources like [UNHCR](https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/), [World Relief,](https://worldrelief.org/) and [Open Doors](https://www.opendoorsusa.org/the-refugee-crisis/) to better grasp the current refugee situation. [UNHCR](https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html) reports that there are over 70 million displaced people on the earth right now—the highest number since World War II.* *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/T53ix8iQsmWOIz2wnQ9A.jpg)* *Crista, along with her husband Tim and two children, has lived in Germany since 2014. They serve the refugee community through [Refuge Berlin](http://refugeberlin.com) as missionaries and pastors, leading a house church that meets in their apartment. Bringing people to faith in Jesus, as well as raising a family in a cross-cultural and multi-lingual environment has given Crista a unique perspective and a platform to encourage other Jesus followers as they grow in their own faith.* **Categories:** Education, Family Life, Kids + Parenting **Tags:** Current Events, How to Talk to Kids About . . ., Refugees --- ### [Teaching Kids the Purpose of God's Word](https://gominno.com/blog/teaching-kids-the-purpose-of-gods-word/) **Published:** January 31, 2020 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NGuSErF2QTCsZHtl4sw6.jpg) We’ve had lots of snow this winter where we live in the “northern plains”! It’s been fun for the kids to play in, but after a couple of months, I’m ready for spring! I like to think about what snow is like as I watch it fall. If you’re not familiar, snow falling in my part of the country starts out light but then gets heavy and constant, often drifting down for hours at a time. It settles softly, covering everything in a white blanket. At times, there is so much snow, you can’t see any part of the ground unless you dig down a foot or two! *And did you know that it is actually quieter while it is snowing?* This happens because snowflakes absorb sound. The snow makes me think of God’s purposes. These verses in Isaiah about rain and snow talk about how purposeful God is in doing what He says He will do. > *As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV)* I love when the Scripture writers give us visual reminders of God and His purposes. It’s amazing to see creation in action and the cyclical functions of the rain and snow as they fall and then evaporate or melt (what a long process *that* is in our fair state!) and fall again, covering and nourishing the earth. **God’s Word also brings nourishment to us and sustains us during all times and seasons.** It is rich and life-giving and sometimes pours down like spring rain and other times drifts softly down, much like a gentle snowfall, quieting our hearts. This life-giving, purposeful Word changes the hearts of those who at first seem hardened and distrustful of God. It is more powerful than even the most convincing argument from a human being. It has performed miracles throughout time and brought kings to their knees. **God’s Word can help us understand God’s purpose, even if we don’t understand what He is doing in the moment or the process seems slow.** Let’s look at five more verses that show what the Bible says about the purpose of God’s Word and how it works in our hearts and the hearts of our children! > *For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23-25 (NIV)* **God’s Word has been spoken for the purpose of salvation!** Born again means to be saved: restored to a right relationship with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf! Teach this important purpose of God’s Word to your children! > *Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV)* **Another purpose of God’s Word is that it’s given to us to be studied!** Just like the Bereans in the Bible, we can eagerly and joyfully read the Bible daily, for our comfort and encouragement, as well as to see if what people are saying is lining up with God’s truth on the matter. Read God’s Word with your kids daily! If you aren’t sure where to start, you can find [kids’ Bible reading plans](https://thepurposefulmom.com/product/kids-bible-reading-plans-books-of-the-bible) over at my blog or use the One-Year Bible Reading Plan for Kids from the Laugh and Learn Bible. > *Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)* **God’s Word protects us!** That is another purpose that can definitely be a comfort for our kids (and for us as parents!). We are provided with spiritual protection through the precious words of the Bible, helping our children resist temptation and stand firm in their faith. > *He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 (NIV)* **Yet another purpose of God’s Word is to show us how to obey the Lord.** The Bible gives our children guidance, so they can understand right and wrong, display the fruits of the spirit, and receive grace when they struggle to listen and obey. This is of course for our benefit as adults as well! We don’t just go to Sunday School to learn Bible stories and then go our own way when we grow up. Scripture is for guidance so we can continually learn to listen and obey God alongside our children. > *Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:49-50 (NIV)* **The last purpose we are going to talk about is how God’s Word brings comfort.** Oftentimes, when really difficult things happen, it can be hard to explain them to our children. Life is complicated! But framing hard times in the context of Scripture can help calm and comfort our kids. And when we read words about God’s love, mercy and compassion to our kids, they will remember it as they grow. The Holy Spirit puts His Word in our hearts to be called to mind when we need comfort the next time. God will not fail to do as He has promised to do through His Word! We can be truly thankful for the hope we have in God’s Word and its eternal, unfailing purposes. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [6 Ways to Make Family Dinner Fun and Meaningful](https://gominno.com/blog/6-ways-to-make-family-dinner-fun-and-meaningful/) **Published:** January 14, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GEt0j6odTt2uYyPiD3UA.jpg) These days it can seem next to impossible to have a regular family dinner. Most families are constantly [running ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/are-your-kids-activities-driving-you-crazy)between sports, dance, piano, church, PTA meetings, work events, family obligations, and everything else. We’re lucky if we get one night a week where everyone in our family actually sits down together and gets to enjoy a home-cooked meal without having to rush off somewhere afterward. Yet all of the research shows that kids who have regular family dinners: – have better vocabulary – read earlier – get better grades – eat healthier (even later as adults) – have a lower rate of teen risk behaviors – have lower rates of depression – have a more positive view of the future – have less stress – have better relationships with their parents Of course, that’s only true if these dinners actually include interpersonal connection. Those statistics don’t hold if the parents spend dinner yelling at each other or scolding the kids, or if everyone just watches TV or stares at their phones the whole time.[\[i\]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/01/12/the-most-important-thing-you-can-do-with-your-kids-eat-dinner-with-them/) It doesn’t matter whether your family dinner is a four-course meal you lovingly prepared yourself or takeout you grabbed on the way home. What makes a family dinner special isn’t what you are eating, it’s how you are [interacting](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-engage-your-family-in-sharing-meals-around-the-table). Whether you’re trying to institute a regular family dinner or you’ve been doing it for years and just want to try something different, these six family dinner ideas should get you going **Turn Off Screens**. This may seem obvious, but research shows that only about half of American families have a “[no screens at the dinner table](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-make-small-changes-to-tame-the-technology-monster)” rule.[\[ii\]](https://nypost.com/2019/10/21/parents-only-spend-24-more-minutes-with-their-kids-than-their-phones/) And it’s not just kids on tablets, lots of *parents* are spending dinner time distracted by their phones. So much so that *Time* magazine said that parents need to start worrying more about their own screen time than their kids. A survey of families dining at fast food restaurants showed that almost 75% included parents who were so engrossed in their phones, they were basically ignoring their kids. They even saw one mom kick her child’s foot under the table and another swat her son’s hand away when they tried to pull her attention away from her phone. Family dinner really isn’t *family* dinner if we’re staring at a [screen](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-truth-about-our-kids-and-technology). So put away the screens and talk to the real life, three-dimensional people right in front of you! **Tip:** Some families have a “Device Drop” basket near the dinner table where everyone places their phones, tablets, etc. so they won’t be tempted to look at them during dinner. Download our [“Device Drop” printable](https://cdn.buttercms.com/L7ZmVZtYRBOjHAkMGjBU) to make your own basket. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4fl6nbRjaaA91gLHVbyw.jpg) **Ask Good Questions.** Sometimes it can be hard to get the conversation going. A basic “how was your day?” doesn’t always result in meaningful or fun conversation, but “if you could make the laws, what is one law you would definitely make?” could lead to some great discussion. And “what is your funniest face?” is sure to get some laughs! If you really want to get your kids talking, consider using a list of great discussion starter questions like this one from blogger [Our Three Peas](http://ourthreepeas.com/101-fun-questions-ask-kids-dinner-time/) or this one from [Anxious Toddlers](https://www.anxioustoddlers.com/family-dinner/). You can even make it more fun by printing the questions off, cutting them into slips and putting them in a conversation jar at the center of the table. One great question you can ask every day is “Where did you see God today?” to help them learn to look for God in everything that happens to and around them. **Play Table Games.** There are tons of games you can play at the dinner table, and I don’t mean having a food fight. – For **“Who Am I?”,** write the names of famous people on stickers or post-it notes. Each person puts a sticker on their forehead without looking at it. Then take turns trying to guess what name is on your own forehead by asking questions of the other people at the table. – **“And then…”** is a group storytelling game. One person starts a story with one sentence. Each person adds a sentence to the story around the table until the story is finished. – In **“Speech Club”** someone gives the person to their right a topic and that person has to give a “speech” about it for 30 seconds. Topics and speeches can be serious or silly. Then they get to give a topic to the person on their right. – In **“Going on a Picnic,”** each person takes turns going around saying what they would bring on the picnic, but they have to say what each person before them has said first. A player loses when they can’t remember one of the items or puts them in the wrong order. – Or you can always play the age-old classic **“20 Questions.”** The kids may get so excited about your dinner table games, that they help you scour the internet for more games or even make one up themselves! **Celebrate Small Victories.** Our family has a red “You Are Special” plate that dear friends gave us as a wedding present before we even had kids. Ours was homemade by our friends, but you can buy them from the[ Red Plate Store](https://redplatestore.com/product/you-are-special-today-red-plate/). It was an early American tradition that whenever someone in the family had something special to celebrate, no matter how big or small, they were served dinner on a red plate. You could save the red plate for big successes, but it could also be something as simple as, “You moved up a reading level at school” or “I’ve seen you being really kind to your sister lately” or “You got the part in the school play.” You may not want to use the plate every day, to keep it special. But it would be a shame to only break it out a few times a year on birthdays. Using the plate regularly will teach your kids to celebrate even the small victories in life. **Switch Up Locations.** One year for Valentine’s Day, we had construction work being done in our kitchen and dining room, so we decided to just set up a special picnic dinner on the living room floor. The kids loved it so much that they insist that we do a living room picnic every Valentine’s Day. We weren’t even trying to start a fun new tradition, it just happened. What creative places can you have your family dinner? A backyard picnic under the stars? Tailgating out of the back of the minivan in the driveway? Sometimes just switching up where you eat your family dinner can create an experience your kids will never forget. We’re making their childhood memories here. Let’s make ‘em memorable. **Invite Other “Family” to Join.** Christian families are called to be missional—to reach out and bless others with what we have been given. Imagine how you can use your family dinner time not just to bond with your kids, but to bless someone else? What if you invited an older widow from your church to join your family dinner as a surrogate grandma? Or a single young man or woman who doesn’t have family nearby? What if you invited a non-Christian family over to share the experience with you? What if you were even bold enough to invite some of the homeless from your local rescue mission over to your home for a family dinner (of course with the caveat of making sure it is safe to do so)? How would making them feel welcome in your home, as part of your family, make a difference in their lives? You could probably come up with tons more ideas on how to make your family dinner special. Hopefully, this list just inspired you to think of more that would work well for your family. Whatever you choose to do for your family time, the most important thing is to be together. Even if work schedules or soccer schedules are so crazy that it can’t be family dinner every night, find some regular time to be together as a family, actually interacting with one another, not just sitting in front of a screen. You will never regret the time you spend bonding with your kids, and they will never forget it. . . . . . . . . . . \[i\] Anne Fishel, “[The Most Important Thing You Can Do With Your Kids? Eat Dinner with Them](http://%20https//www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/01/12/the-most-important-thing-you-can-do-with-your-kids-eat-dinner-with-them/)” *The Washington Post*, Jan 12, 2015 \[ii\] Marie Haaland, “[Parents Only Spend 24 More Minutes with their Kids than their Phones](https://nypost.com/2019/10/21/parents-only-spend-24-more-minutes-with-their-kids-than-their-phones)” *New York Post*, Oct 21, 2019 **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Fasting as a Family: Should Children Fast?](https://gominno.com/blog/fasting-as-a-family-should-children-fast/) **Published:** January 8, 2020 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-family-prayer-fasting-as-a-fami...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/JoeFBY42R4irRS1mtoGh.jpg) This is the time of year when many churches will have a church-wide fast to set aside a specific time frame of focused prayer for their congregations. Fasting can help us remove distraction, develop the disciplines of training our minds and hearts, and just logistically give us more time to pray and study Scripture. Fasting doesn’t just mean no time spent eating, but no time spend preparing food either! Some churches even encourage families to donate the money they saved on food during their fast to a ministry which feeds the hungry. Fasting as a family can be a great God-focused bonding experience. *But should children really participate in fasting with the rest of the family?* Most doctors discourage fasting for children before they reach puberty. Fasting can have detrimental effects on children, the sick, the elderly, and nursing mothers. Children can be at [particular risk](https://blogs.bcm.edu/2018/05/08/how-to-care-for-the-fasting-child/) for problems that arise from fasting because their little bodies are still growing and their metabolisms are so high. If you choose to let your child fast from food, you could make the experience safer for them by having them do a modified fast—only fasting from one meal per day, or only eating a simple meal like bread and water rather than a full meal, or only eating vegetarian meals or vegan meals. #### Focus on the Spiritual Purpose Even if you choose not to let your child fast from food, that doesn’t mean they can’t still participate in the spiritual discipline of fasting with the rest of the family! Fasting isn’t just about the food, it’s about the sacrifice. Kids can still experience the spiritual benefits of fasting by choosing something else to give up rather than food. Talk to your kids about the *spiritual* purpose of fasting: - When people give up food, it is a way of saying to God that He is their daily bread, that He is all they need, and that He is even more important to them than food. - When people fast, they take the time they would have spent eating and dedicate it to special times of prayer and Bible reading. - When their bodies feel hunger, it reminds them to turn their thoughts to God. - Some people use fasting as a time to rid themselves of distraction and really focus on God, to seek His will for their life, their family, or their church. Kids can take those same spiritual purposes and apply them to giving up something else. #### How to Do a Non-Food Fast with Your Kids Help your child choose something that they really love and that they typically use every day. In order for them to experience the feeling of “hunger” for the thing they sacrificed, it needs to be something they will really miss. It may be their favorite snack, their favorite TV show, or their favorite game or toy. Once you have chosen an item for them to “fast” from, help them figure out how they will replace the item they sacrificed with time with God instead. Maybe during the time they would typically have their snack or watch their favorite show, you can read the Bible or pray together instead. You can even spend that time praying for God’s direction for their life. Every time they feel that “hunger” and say they wish they could play with that favorite toy or ask if they could watch that favorite show, remind them to turn their thoughts to God by asking them to tell you something they love about God. Kids don’t have to give up food in order to experience what fasting is all about! In fact, for a lot of kids, giving up video games or TV shows will be a whole lot more effective in helping them understand sacrifice and putting God first! #### Sample Week-Long Fast With Kids Monday Give Up: Secular Music Fill Up: Worship Music Tuesday Give Up: Sweets Fill Up: Extra Veggies Wednesday Give Up: Screens Fill Up: Extra Bible & Prayer Thursday Give Up: Afternoon Free Time Fill Up: Service Project Friday Give Up: Unkind Words Fill Up: Write Encouraging Notes Saturday Give Up: Movie Night Fill Up: Board Game Night **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [A Family Prayer for the New Year](https://gominno.com/blog/a-family-prayer-for-the-new-year/) **Published:** January 2, 2020 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** #### ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jY1ZHdFZTyqxNBJzgewT.jpg) #### A FAMILY PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR Father, thank You for our perfectly unique family. We desire to put You first in our hearts and home this year. Please meet us in the midst of our crazy, busy lives. Show us when we need to slow down and simply be . . . with each other and with You. May Your Spirit guide us to discover truth in the middle of our messes. Help us to find faith-building moments in daily activities as well as opportunities to share Your love with those we meet each day. We trust You to bring beautiful growth for our family as we plant simple seeds of faith. In Jesus Name, Amen. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xSyamMQQSq6qb8blNWS7.jpg) Download a printable of this [Family Prayer for the New Year](https://cdn.buttercms.com/X19idglRQeZMp4IZjCEK) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Vision?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-vision/) **Published:** December 27, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7MDP8175SsaqzENzWdSI.jpg) As we enter into a new year, many people are searching for a fresh, new start and a new vision of what God has for their life. And with it being 2020, this seems like the perfect year for vision and clarity. In the world of optometry 20/20 vision refers to a person’s visual acuity. More specifically, 20/20 vision measures how clearly a person can see objects 20 feet away. There are limits to what we can see clearly with the naked eye. *Yet, isn’t it amazing to know that there are no limits on the vision and clarity that God brings into our lives?* His omnipotence means that there are no limits or constraints to His vision, and His truth stands the test of time. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about vision and lean into His Word for wisdom to enter into this new decade and beyond. #### What Does the Bible Say About Vision? **Without a Vision People Perish** > Where there is no vision, the people perish . . . Proverbs 29:18 KJV One of the things that this verse makes very clear is that a vision is vital to carrying out God’s will for our lives. And without any revelation of His will, we have no way of [creating a Christ-fueled vision for our family](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-write-a-family-mission-statement). However, when we are actively seeking God, we not only download His vision for our lives, we are able to teach our children to do the same. Our children watch everything we do and by modeling a life of seeking God, we are sowing an eternal legacy that will bless our children’s children. **God Has a Good Plan** > For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV The words of Jeremiah 29:11 bring a confident peace in knowing our good Father has a good plan for our lives. He promises us that we have hope and a future. Knowing this gives us a great understanding of what our future with Christ holds, and it is always good. This is so comforting as a parent as we seek to teach our children about God’s love and goodness. This verse is a wonderful way to keep God’s vision for us at the forefront of our minds, especially when circumstances are leading us to believe otherwise. It is important that we hold fast to the vision of God’s plans to guide and protect us as we raise our children unto Him. **The Holy Spirit Shows Us Things to Come** > But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 NIV I don’t know about you, but this verse gets me really excited. *Why?* Because Jesus promises us that the Holy Spirit will show us His truth and things to come. This is especially helpful through the different stages of parenting so we can continue to trust in Jesus for our children’s future. That means when we position ourselves to hear God speaking to us [through prayer](https://christianmarriageadventure.com/5-prayers-stronger-marriage/), reading the Bible, and worship, that He will give us wisdom about His vision for our future. I am so thankful for this promise! The beautiful thing about serving a mighty God like ours is that He is all-seeing and all-knowing. There are no limits to the wisdom and vision that He gives as He shows us things to come through His Word and His Holy Spirit. Be sure to keep this truth at the forefront of your heart as you enter into this new year! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Minno Christmas Coloring Page Printable](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-christmas-coloring-page-printable/) **Published:** December 10, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KbGuEk7yQKWaE4fB3BfN.jpg) Merry Christmas from all of us here at Minno! We pray your family is fueled by joy and creativity this season. To that end, please enjoy this Minno Christmas Coloring Page featuring our very own MAX the Minnow! More ways to engage your kids in conversations that matter this holiday season: - Watch our [Big Questions About Christmas 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/blog/big-questions-about-christmas-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) series. - Follow the [Laugh and Learn Bible Advent Reading Plan](https://www.gominno.com/blog/advent-reading-plan-from-the-laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids). - [Give the gift of Minno](https://giftup.app/place-order/2c0d2a38-b345-4853-aada-decf16e704c6?platform=Hosted) to your child (or any child that you love)! [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nkCWRUUnS8GnDy1InzhF.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Minno_ColoringPage_Christmas.pdf) **[Download your Minno Christmas Coloring Page](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Minno_ColoringPage_Christmas.pdf)** **Categories:** Coloring Pages, Fun for Kids, Seasonal **Tags:** Christmas, Coloring Pages --- ### [How to Make Small Changes to Tame the Technology Monster](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-make-small-changes-to-tame-the-technology-monster/) **Published:** December 5, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9r9pdMH5QF68x6pJFROw.jpg)** . . . . . . . . . . At Minno, we know that today’s parents are trailblazers for parenting kids in a digital age. No one has ever done this before and it can be hard to know how to do it well. We are committed to partner with you as you navigate life with kids and technology. As you look toward Christmas—a time when kids are begging for devices and may have a little extra time on their hands to get lost on them—we’re bringing you one of the most balanced expert voices on the subject, Sissy Goff, to share strategies but most importantly, empathy for parents. Check back here throughout the month as Sissy addresses [statistics](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-truth-about-our-kids-and-technology), boundaries, cell-phone contracts, and more. . . . . . . . . . . None of us would allow our eight-year-old to walk into an adult bookstore. But, in effect, that’s what we’re doing when we allow kids to use technology without any type of monitoring. The internet can be a dangerous place. And surprisingly, 60% of parents do not supervise their child’s technology usage.11 I recently met with a mom who had lost her husband. She had three children, and an elementary-aged daughter who had just looked at pornography for the first time. *“I know I’m supposed to have all of this stuff on the computer so I know what they’re doing. I honestly just haven’t had the energy, and I thought she was young enough that we were safe.”* The reality is absolutely concerning, but I understand . . . the struggle is real. #### You are the gatekeeper. No matter what your situation is as a parent, you are probably exhausted. All parents are, in different seasons. But your child is not. He or she is curious and quick and likely already more adept at using technology than you are. And, think about it . . . *What do you do with every question about which you might be wondering?* You Google it. *If you were a child, wouldn’t you prefer to Google what a body part is supposed to look like than to have an awkward conversation with your parent?* When it comes to technology, you need to be the gatekeeper for your child. Your child—yes, even your teenager—needs parental guidance. A few gatekeeping ideas: - **If your child gets the privilege of using technology, you get to set the boundaries.** Years ago, I taught my first parenting class on technology. It was when Facebook was first becoming a thing. (Now they leave Facebook to us “old people” and have moved on to Snapchat and Instagram. By the time you read this, they’ll have likely moved on to something else.) I was telling these parents that, as their child first starts using social media, they need to watch them closely. In fact, they need to more than “friend” their child in the beginning—they need to have their child’s password (an idea I still advocate, no matter what social media platform your child is using). As their friend, you can’t check their incoming and outgoing private messages, which is sometimes where the trouble occurs. A mom spoke up from the corner of the room and said, *“There’s no way my son will give me his password. He won’t even accept my friend request.”* Now, her problem was clearly bigger than just technology use in her home. It was a respect and authority issue at the deepest level. Kids can and will try to argue this point, especially if they paid or helped pay for their phone or gadget. Don’t be dissuaded. You are still the gatekeeper, even if they’ve paid for all or a portion of their device. Of course, with smaller children, you probably aren’t even thinking about social media just yet. But even small children without social media need guidance. They need you to preview what they watch and play. They need time limits. **Remember: If it’s under your roof, you ultimately are in control.** - **You have to be ahead of the game.** Before you allow your child to download an app, download it yourself first. Play it and determine if it has a social media component. Many games and apps do, but parents don’t notice until it’s too late—because the interactive portion is placed at the very bottom of the page. Before you allow your kids to watch a show, preview it. Don’t rely on the age recommendations given. Chances are the creator of the app or show doesn’t share your values. - **Supervise video chatting.** If your child is talking to someone else via Skype or Facetime or some other video platform, have them chat in a central location in your home. Because chatting is not recorded, it can be a place where kids feel freer to say or do things they wouldn’t if they knew their parents were watching. You can monitor less as they get older, but young ones should always be supervised unless they’re chatting with a grandparent or other trusted adult. - **Link your email to their iTunes or Google account.** You want to be aware of what apps they’re downloading. If their account is set up under your email address, you will be able to check on what they’ve installed on their devices. Many smartphones and tablets also have a setting that disables the user’s ability to delete apps. You want to turn this setting on, so your child can’t download an app and then delete it right before they hand their phone to you. (*Can you tell I’ve heard that story a time or two in my office?*) - **Put filters and monitoring systems on your computers and gadgets, including yours if you allow them to use it.** Filters prevent inappropriate content from reaching them. Monitoring systems keep you informed as to what they are doing and communicating online and via text. Some of our favorite resources include: - [Bark](http://Bark.us) - [Circle](http://meetcircle.com) - [Covenant Eyes](http://%20covenanteyes.com) - [Common Sense Media](http://commonsensemedia.org) - [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com) You can also check out the [American Academy of Pediatrics](http://healthychildren.org.) site to create a specialized media plan for your family. Thankfully, these sites and other great ones offer help in keeping our kids protected. You want to do your own research to make sure the software you choose is right for your family and the devices and social media your kids use. . . . . . . . . . . #### Download our [Family Technology Contract](https://cdn.buttercms.com/HF6c2BIQmKdExnlWGQUR) to Get Started . . . . . . . . . . #### Start small. Every time we speak to parents about technology, someone asks the question: *“When should I let my child have \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_?” In other words, what’s the magic age? When will he be old enough to be responsible? When will she be mature enough to make good choices?* Unfortunately, there is no magic age. But, there are some guidelines that we and the good folks at the American Academy of Pediatrics would strongly suggest. *When?* Our answer to that question is to **parent in community. You want a group of like-minded parents walking this road with you.** You can decide together when you’re going to let your kids have their first email account, or their first cell phone, or Instagram account, or whatever the shiny new penny of the day is. That way, when your child says, *“All the other kids have \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_!* (which your child will say at some point), you can say, *“That’s funny, because I know the Smith’s and the Johnson’s or* (whomever your home team is) *don’t have those yet either.”* **Parenting in community gives you automatic back up.** **When considering how and when to introduce technology with your kids, you don’t want your child to be the first and you don’t want them to be the last.** If they’re the first, they’ll often be perceived as the frontrunner. Others will see them as on the cutting edge. You don’t want your child to be on the cutting edge of growing up. It’s too risky and the cutting edge gets scarier as they get older. But if they’re the last to have all things technology, they’ll often be the ones who rebel. They’ll sneak around or “borrow” a friend’s device. Or they’ll be left behind. The reality is that for tweens and teens, technology and social media have become the way they communicate. There is no fighting that. You can let your child be second or even next to last, rather than the very last. I’ve also seen parents who choose one item to delay. I’ve seen plenty of parents who don’t let their kids have smartphones till 16, with the message that a phone is a convenience for the parent, not the child. Or we have parents who hold off on Snapchat or some other hot ticket item. But, if you hold off on all things technology, your child will often find their way to it without your knowledge—and rebel. **Plus, the goal of taming the technology monster is to teach them responsible technology use while they’re under your roof.** . . . . . . . . . . Grab the Minno [Technology Life Guide](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/minno-life-guides) in our Store . . . . . . . . . . Some simple boundaries to put into place: - **Set time limits.** In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics changed its guidelines. Now, they say one hour for kids under the age of 6, and they don’t give any guidelines past that age, other than “place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity, and other behaviors essential to health.”12 Basically, they’re saying it’s up to the parent’s guidance and discretion. However, the brain development of children did not magically change in the year 2016. They adjusted their numbers knowing the prevalence and sometimes helpfulness of technology today. Parents still need to be good guides. Depending on your family dynamics, the ages of your kids, and other factors, you will need to determine screen-time limits for your family, enforce them, and adjust them as needed. It’s easy to allow kids access to screens whenever and for however long they want. Especially if they are watching/using educational content. But even the best learning apps and shows need limits. Make sure you balance their screen time with outdoor activity, creativity, and human connection. - **Require 10 minutes of rest for every 90 minutes of tech.** Researchers say children need 10 minutes of rest for every 90 minutes of technology use.12 It helps their brain development and calms the overactivity of the brain that can develop using screens. - **Stop using technology 30 to 60 minutes before bed.** We’ve all read the data on technology-related sleep disturbances. I taught a technology class where one teenager said she had to have her iPad by her bed because it was how she read her Bible. I tried to explain to her that there had been beautiful, leather-bound, hardback, and even paperback versions of the Bible that had been around for quite some time and work just as well. - **Have screen-free zones in your home, including mealtime.** We have cell phone baskets in our counseling offices at Daystar. You can have them in your dining room, or at the kitchen table. But, have some space where everyone collectively unplugs for the purpose of connection. - **Keep computers in common spaces.** For as long as possible, keep the computer your child uses in a room you frequent. It’s good accountability for them to know that you regularly enter the space where they’re using technology. - **Have a central plug-in station in your bedroom.** Kids really don’t need their gadgets in their rooms after bedtime. I’ve heard story after story of teenagers who send inappropriate texts and pictures after everyone in the house has gone to bed. They need to plug them in somewhere centrally located, preferably in a room where you’ll notice if they sneak them out. (*Can you tell I’ve heard that one before, too?* Hallways and kitchens are all too accessible.) - **Take technology sabbaths together.** We know plenty of families who have screen-free Sundays, or weekends, or even spring breaks together. If the idea of a technology sabbath causes you to perspire just a bit, it might be time to think about your own technology use. - **Give them more freedom as they earn it.** A parenting class on technology is challenging to teach. Parents look panicked the entire time I’m speaking on the subject. Therefore, I try to make it as warm and fun as possible, which is not easy. I tell stories and show funny videos, and smile a lot. I was teaching one such class at a church not too long ago when the time came for Q&A at the end. A man in the back of the room raised his hand. I was slightly concerned, having noticed this man at different points during the class. I was highly aware that he was more than disgruntled with my philosophy on technology. When he got the microphone, he loudly said, *“I have raised six children, and I just want to say—technology is NOT a child’s God-given right. When we were raising my oldest son, it wasn’t until we were driving him to his high school graduation that we let him get on the internet for the first time on his phone. It was also the first time we let him send someone else a picture from that phone.”* He stopped for a long, dramatic pause and then said, *“If your child is on the internet, go home and shut it down!”* And just in case someone missed his quite un-missable point, he shouted it—not once, but twice more, *“IF YOUR CHILD IS ON THE INTERNET, GO HOME AND SHUT IT DOWN!!!!”* All I could think to do was to say, *“Why don’t I close us in prayer?”* and bow my head. But my real thought was . . . That 18-year-old boy. I cannot imagine him going from no freedom at all to 3 months later, sitting in his college dorm room with every freedom in the world. **We want kids to learn responsible technology use while they’re living with responsible adults.** As in all things, we want to let the rope out gradually, giving them more freedom as they earn it. We start small, and let the rope out slowly . . . pulling it back in, not *if*, but *when* they mess up. Because they most likely will. And, as we’re pulling in and letting that rope out, we want to give them clear guidelines. *Content is taken from [Taming the Technology Monster](https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Technology-Monster-Guiding-Principles/dp/1543091946/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517797562&sr=1-1&keywords=taming+the+technology+monster) by Sissy Goff.* Stay connected to Minno Life for more posts from Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, and Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries about our kids and technology. . . . . . . . . . . 11[AAP Recommendations for Children’s Media Use](https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/american-academy-of-pediatrics-announces-new-recommendations-for-childrens-media-use.aspx) 12[American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children’s Media Use.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-larry-rosen/how-much-technology-shoul_b_3142227.html) (October 21, 2016). American Academy of Pediatrics **Categories:** Child Development, Family Life, Kids + Parenting, Minno Life Guides --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Jealousy?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-jealousy/) **Published:** December 2, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GjEK5YxJS1yIXe4VeMKW.jpg) Jealousy often seems like something only adults deal with . . . something out of a romantic comedy or a prime-time TV show. The truth is, kids might not even know they struggle with jealousy because it’s a big, rarely-used word. However, that green monster can overcome the tiniest of kiddos. Jealousy at its heart is discontent and selfishness. Left to grow it becomes hatred and can result in so many horrible decisions. When the green monster of jealousy rears its ugly head, it’s important to look to the Bible to see what God says about envy and discontent. These important verses that share what the Bible says about jealousy are found in two small passages of Scripture. The first two come from Genesis 37 where we find the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s father loved him more than any of his other sons. He even gave Joseph a special coat to honor him above the others. Genesis 37:4 (ESV) says, > “But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” This was the beginning of the jealousy that would ruin their relationship with each other and their father. After Joseph continued in favor with his father (and with God), his brothers, “were jealous of him”. (Genesis 37:11) And soon, Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. ***Family Activity Idea:*** Read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 or in a Bible storybook. Ask, “Have you ever been so mad at your sibling and wanted to sell them?!” (Don’t be shocked if they answer, “Yes!”) Ask your children to look in the Bible to see what emotions and thoughts the brothers had about Joseph (see verses 4, 8, and 11). Discuss what would have been a better action or words to say. (Instead of hate, be excited about the new coat. Instead of not speaking peacefully, saying kind words.) Then, get out a piece of paper for each child and let them draw a design of a new coat or t-shirt for one of their siblings. Encourage them to let the design show off the great qualities and talents of their sibling. Finally, let them present the design to their sibling as a fun encouragement! The next verses about jealousy come from James, the brother of Jesus. Imagine being the earthly brother to Jesus. It would have been easy for young James to be jealous of his (literally) perfect older brother! Instead, James recognized Jesus, not as a man or an annoying sibling, but as the Son of God! In James 3:14 (NLT**)**, he cautions those who wish to be wise, > “. . . if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting or lying.” *Why?* Because “For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.” (verse 15) Yikes! It gets even worse, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (verse 16) That is not what we want in our lives! Thankfully, James writes, > “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” (verse 17 & 18) ***Family Activity Idea:*** Fold a piece of paper like a fan (back and forth, back and forth) until it is one small rectangle. On the top write JEALOUSY. Then unfold and begin to write each word that is related to jealousy from James 3:14-18 (some of them are: selfish ambition, disorder, evil, etc.) Then, turn it over and write the opposite words on the other side (pure, peace loving, gentle, etc.). Talk about which words you’d like to have in your own life. Then use it as a fan to remind yourself to “fan away” those evil jealous desires and instead “fan into flame” the righteous ones! Jealousy may seem like no big deal to a kid—it’s just wanting a bigger cookie or desiring some new trendy shoes. However, as we’ve read in the above Scriptures, jealousy unchecked, or worse, *tended to* results in all kinds of evil. Proverbs 27:4 tells us, > “Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.” Jealousy is an overwhelming emotion that leads to worse actions. The truth of what the Bible says about jealousy can help our kids keep jealousy at bay and keep a peaceful heart instead! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Old Testament Heroes: 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/old-testament-heroes-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan/) **Published:** December 1, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4Up96KBiQBGOlLt9ZBul.jpg) We’ve created 25 video devotionals that will take your family on a journey through the Old Testament, learning how God worked through some of our favorite Bible stories. We can learn so much from the heroes of the Bible! Some of them are unlikely heroes—ordinary and flawed people who God uses in extraordinary ways to move forward His great plan. This video devotional plan will uncover some of your favorite Bible characters and encourage you to see how God worked through them—and think about how God is working through you! Here are some of the major themes and takeaways your family will learn with the Old Testament Heroes family devotional plan: - **God is always with us** - **God keeps his promises** - **God is faithful** - **God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things** - **God provides** The Old Testament Heroes devotional plan features videos from the *[What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/Buck%20Denver%20Asks%20Whats%20in%20the%20Bible%20Full%20Episodes)* series. Each video devotional is 5 minutes and includes a Bible verse, video clip, discussion questions, and a prayer prompt. We pray this journey helps bring your family closer to God and each other! If you have feedback, ideas or questions about the 5 Minute Family Devotional, reach out to us on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/Minno) – we’d love to hear from you! **To watch, click on a devotional title below:** 1. [Adam: Made in God’s Image](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/adam-made-in-gods-image) 2. [Noah: God Remembered Noah](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/noah-god-remembered-noah) 3. [Abraham: God Made 3 Promises](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/abraham-god-made-three-promises) 4. [Abraham and Isaac: God was Faithful to his Promise](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/abraham-and-isaac-god-was-faithful-to-his-promise) 5. [Joseph: God Was With Joseph](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/joseph-god-was-with-joseph) 6. [Moses: God Helped Moses](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/moses-god-helped-moses) 7. [Joshua: God Was Always With Him](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/joshua-god-was-always-with-him) 8. [The Judges: God Sent Helpers to Israel](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/judges-god-sent-helpers-to-israel) 9. [Ruth and Naomi: God Provided a Redeemer](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/ruth-and-naomi-god-provided-a-redeemer) 10. [Samuel: God Spoke Through Him](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/samuel-god-spoke-through-him) 11. [Saul: God Rejected Him as King](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/saul-god-rejected-him-as-king) 12. [David: God Made Him a Promise](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/david-god-made-him-a-promise) 13. [Solomon: God Made Him Wise](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/solomon-god-made-him-wise) 14. [Jeroboam & Rehoboam: God Split Israel in Two](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jeroboam-rehoboam-god-split-israel-in-two) 15. [Elijah: God Proved He is Real](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/elijah-god-proved-he-is-real) 16. [Isaiah: God Sent Him](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/isaiah-god-sent-him) 17. [Cyrus: God Sent His People Home](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/cyrus-god-sent-his-people-home) 18. [Ezra: God Did Not Leave His People](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/ezra-god-did-not-leave-his-people) 19. [Nehemiah: God Gave His People Strength](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/nehemiah-god-gave-his-people-strength) 20. [Esther: God Made Her Queen](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/esther-god-made-her-queen) 21. [Job: God Gives and Takes Away](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/job-god-gives-and-takes-away) 22. [Ezekiel: God Warned His People](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/ezekiel-god-warned-his-people) 23. [Jeremiah: God Promises a New Covenant](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jeremiah-god-promises-a-new-covenant) 24. [Jonah: God Sent Him](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jonah-god-sent-him) 25. [Daniel: God Protected Him](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/daniel-god-protected-him) Easily access all 25 devotionals with the Old Testament Heroes series page on [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/series/old%20testament%20heroes%20-%205%20minute%20family%20devotional)! Want to take the fun off-screen? Download our [Old Testament Heroes Activity Pack]()! [![5MFD-OT-Heroes-Series-Hero (1).jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NcVqoMDwTN2NtlERtssl.jpg)]() Save **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [60 Second Bible Stories: 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/60-second-bible-stories-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan/) **Published:** November 30, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/r6NDAgxyS5m3D0w4PVgI.jpg) This Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional features [60 Second Bible Stories](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories)! The 10-day plan will introduce your kids to some of the Old Testament’s most important stories, including Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, and more. Follow the whole series: [Creation](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/creation) [Adam and Eve](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/adam-and-eve) [Noah](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/noah) [Joseph](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/joseph) [Moses](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/moses) [Joshua](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/joshua) [Samson](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/samson) [David and Goliath](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/david-and-goliath) [Daniel and the Lions’ Den](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/daniel-and-the-lions-den) [Jonah](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/jonah) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Thanksgiving Family Devotions - Day 5](https://gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-5/) **Published:** November 27, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![564728_ThanksgivingFamilyDevotionDay0...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fL2EkLsQTyacevMa1y9b.jpg) *Welcome to our series, **5 Days of Thanksgiving Family Devotions**! We pray these 5 days of devotionals will encourage your family to reflect on God’s many blessings during this season. [Catch up on the whole series here. ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions)* **Read:** “…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:19-20 Ephesians 5 provides a beautiful picture for how we should celebrate Thanksgiving! As we give thanks with our family and friends, let’s also remember to give thanks to God. This verse also says to sing songs to God in our hearts all of the time. What do you think that means? It means that even when we can’t actually sing, our hearts should always be praising God. God is in everything, all the time—and we can give thanks to Him always and for everything! Sometimes we can sing out loud, though, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time! **Talk:** 1\. What do you think it means to praise God in your heart (without singing out loud)? 2\. If you had to choose just one or two words to shout out to God in thanksgiving, what would it be? 3\. Can you think of one more thing to be thankful for as we get closer to Thanksgiving Day? **Pray:** Do you know what a “doxology” is? It is a short song of praise to God. Let’s sing the doxology together to close out this beautiful week of thanksgiving— *Praise God from whom all blessings flow* *Praise Him all creatures here below* *Praise Him above ye heavenly host* *Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost* *Amen* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Thanksgiving Family Devotions - Day 4](https://gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-4/) **Published:** November 26, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![564728_ThanksgivingFamilyDevotionDay0...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UfBkdqKSVOzlWXhrsqLQ.jpg) *Welcome to our series, **5 Days of Thanksgiving Family Devotions**! We pray these 5 days of devotionals will encourage your family to reflect on God’s many blessings during this season. [Catch up on the whole series here. ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions)* **Read:** “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!” Psalm 105:1-6 Psalm 105 gives us wonderful instructions for how to show thanks to the Lord—by telling other people about His works, singing praises to His name, seeking His presence every day, and remembering the many good things He has done! When we think about spreading the Good News of God and what He has done for us, it is important to reflect on the story of the Bible and the many promises God made to His people from the beginning of time—and the marvelous ways He kept those promises by sending Jesus. **Talk:** 1\. What are some ways we can give thanks to God this Thanksgiving by telling other people about Him? 2\. What is your favorite song that sings praises to God? 3\. What is one way you can “seek” God’s presence (which means to look for ways to spend time with Him)? **Pray:** Let’s ask God to help us see opportunities to tell other people about Him and His wonderful works. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The Truth About Our Kids and Technology](https://gominno.com/blog/the-truth-about-our-kids-and-technology/) **Published:** November 26, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** #### ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dKPFeSNjSVGDQY2uj8oB.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . At Minno, we know that today’s parents are trailblazers for parenting kids in a digital age. No one has ever done this before and it can be hard to know how to do it well. We are committed to partner with you as you navigate life with kids and technology. As you look toward Christmas—a time when kids are begging for devices and may have a little extra time on their hands to get lost on them—we’re bringing you one of the most balanced expert voices on the subject, Sissy Goff, to share strategies but most importantly, empathy for parents. Check back here throughout the month as Sissy addresses statistics, [boundaries](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-make-small-changes-to-tame-the-technology-monster), cell-phone contracts, and more. . . . . . . . . . . #### Technology is here to stay. Today’s generation of kids has several names: digital natives, the iGeneration, the selfie generation, and a host of other names revolving around technology. They are the first generation of kids who will have technology as a *prominent* force in their daily lives as long as they can remember. **And technology *is* a prominent force.** For example, the average person checks their screens every 9 minutes and 50 seconds during their waking hours each day.1 Adults spend an average of 10 hours and 39 minutes per day consuming media on screens.2 *If those are the statistics for adults, what about these digital natives?* According to one source, kids under the age of two average 53 minutes per day on screens. For two to four-year-olds, it rises to 2 ½ hours per day. Five to eight-year-olds spend approximately 3 hours per day on their screens.3 The American Academy of Pediatrics says that children, across the board, spend an average of 7 hours per day on entertainment-related media.4 Teenagers are averaging 9 hours per day on their screens.5 And get this: 69% of children between the ages of 2-5 can use a computer mouse, but only 11% can tie their own shoes. 58% of children know how to play a video game, while 52% know how to ride a bike, and only 20% know how to swim.6 Something’s off. It’s off in terms of how today’s generation of kids are spending their time, and it’s off in terms of how it’s impacting their brains. #### Technology is literally rewiring the brains of the kids we love. All of our brains grow in response to how they’re being used—as we get older, they just grow less (and work less, too, according to myself and anyone else over the age of 40). Between birth and two years of age, an infant’s brain triples in size. It continues in a state of rapid development until the age of 21. Early brain development is largely determined by environmental stimuli. As we know, overexposure to technology is associated with childhood obesity and diabetes, from a physical standpoint. In terms of a child’s brain development, it’s associated with diagnoses of ADHD, autism, coordination disorder, developmental delays, learning difficulties, and sensory processing disorder. From an emotional standpoint, it’s also seen as a causal factor in anxiety and depression in children, as well as increased impulsivity and a decreased ability to self-regulate.7 As all of us who love teenagers know, their brains are in constant flux, as well. Although by the age of six, the brain is already 95% of the size of an adult brain, the gray matter continues to grow throughout adolescence. The brain cells are growing extra connections, causing a period of rapid growth and thickening of the gray matter, which is considered the thinking part of the brain. This process peaks at approximately age 11 for girls and age 12 for boys. From then on, the excess connections are what scientists refer to as “pruned.” It’s literally like the gardening term, meaning that what is being used survives and flourishes, whereas the cells and connections not used wither and die. They call it the “use it or lose it” principle.8 This doesn’t bode well for the teens who are spending 9 hours per day on screens for entertainment purposes (as opposed to screens for educational purposes). Socially, we all know the implications of this hyper-focus on technology. The overexposure creates a lack of time for relationships and delays their social skills learning. They, and we, basically learn social skills by being social. In a study conducted at UCLA, sixth-graders who went 5 days without screens were significantly better at reading human emotions than those who were continuing their regular use with their devices.9 In addition, overexposure to technology impacts a child’s creativity—and ours, too. Think about it: *where and when do you have your most creative thoughts?* When we ask parents at our technology classes, their answers are typically “in the shower,” “waking up,” and “falling asleep”—times we typically aren’t looking at a screen. It is in those times that we have what we call “aha moments.” In other words, we have more creative thoughts when our minds aren’t engaged elsewhere. *So, what can we do?* **Research says there are four critical factors necessary for our children to develop: movement, touch, human connection, and exposure to nature.** All four factors foster coordination, self-regulation, and many other skills necessary for school entry. Young children’s brains need 2-3 hours per day of active play to achieve adequate sensory stimulation.10 As children grow older, those same four factors are crucial. Teenagers need to move, to connect with others in real-time, and to be hugged (no matter how much they stiff-arm us with their embarrassed selves). They need time outdoors—to help them stretch their legs, minds, and the self-preoccupation that accompanies life on social media. Technology not only impacts but also changes the way the kids we love grow and develop. Screens can be helpful in furthering their growth in certain areas, too—an idea we’ll come back to later in this series. But we want children to put down their screens so that their exposure to technology is limited, but heightened to real life—where connection, creativity, relationships and the things that matter most really occur. *Content is taken from [Taming the Technology Monster](https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Technology-Monster-Guiding-Principles/dp/1543091946/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517797562&sr=1-1&keywords=taming+the+technology+monster) by Sissy Goff.* Stay connected to Minno Life for more posts from Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, and Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries about our kids and technology. . . . . . . . . . . 1Westcott, Lucy. (January 30, 2014). [How Often Does The Average Person Check Their Phone? Every 10 Minutes, New Study Finds](https://www.bustle.com/articles/14133-how-often-does-the-average-person-check-their-phone-every-10-minutes-new-study-finds). 2Howard, Jacqueline. (July 29, 201i6). [Americans Devote More Than 10 Hours a Day to Screen Tme, and Growing. CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/health/americans-screen-time-nielsen/) 3Conrad, Dr. Brent. [Media Statistics-Children’s Use of TV, Internet, and Video Games. Tech Addiction](http://www.techaddiction.ca/media-statistics.html) 4[Media and Children Communication Toolkit](https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/pages/media-and-children.aspx). American Academy of Pediatrics 5Wallace, Kelly. (November 3, 2015). [Teens Spend a ‘Mind-Boggling’ 9 Hours a Day Using Media](http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/03/health/teens-tweens-media-screen-use-report/) CNN.com 6Byrne, Ciara. (January 19, 2011).[ Generation Tech: More Kids Can Play Computer Games than Ride a Bike](http://venturebeat.com/2011/01/19/kids-technology). Venture Beat 7Rowan, Cris. (January 29, 2013). [The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-children-negative-impact_b_3343245.html). The Huffington Post 8Interview: Jay Giedd. [Inside the Teenage Brain](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/interviews/giedd.html). Frontline. PBS.org 9Wolpert, Stuart. (August 21, 2014). [In Our Digital World, are Young People Losing the Ability to Read Emotions?](http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/in-our-digital-world-are-young-people-losing-the-ability-to-read-emotions) UCLA Newsroom 10Rowan, Cris. (January 29, 2013). [The Impact of Technology on the Developing Child](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-). The Huffington Post **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Thanksgiving Family Devotions - Day 3](https://gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-3/) **Published:** November 25, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![564728_ThanksgivingFamilyDevotionDay0...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bMTj3ZKxTB68lYXFtXcY.jpg) *Welcome to our series, **5 Days of Thanksgiving Family Devotions**! We pray these 5 days of devotionals will encourage your family to reflect on God’s many blessings during this season. [Catch up on the whole series here. ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions)* **Read:** “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:1-6 What a beautiful verse from the Psalms! We have so many reasons to come to God with thanksgiving and praise. Psalm 95 lists some of them—let’s see how many we can find: (God is our salvation; God is a great God; God is the King above all kings; The earth belongs to God; The mountains belong to God; God made the sea; God made the land). As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, let’s make sure we remember the One to whom we owe thanks for every good thing! Isn’t it amazing to know that we belong to God, but also that the whole world belongs to God? He loves the world and everything He created, and He calls us to love those things too. **Talk:** 1\. What do you think it means to “make a joyful noise”? 2\. What is your favorite part of God’s creation? 3\. What is one way you can show your thanks to God by taking care of the things He made? **Pray:** Let’s take a moment to think about all the things we have to thank God for, and how He calls us to love the things He has created. Then let’s pray and ask Him to always help us be aware of His blessings and to be grateful for them. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Thanksgiving Family Devotions - Day 2](https://gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-2/) **Published:** November 22, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![564728_ThanksgivingFamilyDevotionDay0...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LP3tLKrrQKCyd1tBMd8K.jpg) *Welcome to our series, **5 Days of Thanksgiving Family Devotions**! We pray these 5 days of devotionals will encourage your family to reflect on God’s many blessings during this season. [Catch up on the whole series here. ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions)* **Read:** “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 This verse in James reminds us that every good thing is from God. The verse also tells us that God never changes—He is the same, and His gifts are the same, no matter what is going on. What an important reminder about God’s nature and how perfectly He loves us! When President Abraham Lincoln declared the first Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, he wanted all Americans to remember the source of their blessings and gifts. Even in the middle of a horrible war (the Civil War), Lincoln knew that the people had a lot to be thankful for. God was still present and working—and blessing His people—during the war. In his proclamation making Thanksgiving a holiday in in 1863, he said that the year was full of “the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies,” and that “They are gracious gifts of the Most High God.” **Talk:** 1\. What good gifts can you thank God for today? 2\. What do you think it means that God never changes? 3\. Why do you think it’s important to thank God, even in hard times? **Pray:** Can you think of some of the biggest blessings in your life this year? What is something good that has happened? Did you see God show His beauty and love in the middle of something hard? Let’s share those things together, and then praise God for His good gifts to us. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Thanksgiving Family Devotions - Day 1](https://gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions-day-1/) **Published:** November 21, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![564728_ThanksgivingFamilyDevotionDay0...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8rKpdMqeSWKOXwAA2M72.jpg) *Welcome to our series, **5 Days of Thanksgiving Family Devotions**! We pray these 5 days of devotionals will encourage your family to reflect on God’s many blessings during this season. [Catch up on the whole series here. ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-family-devotions)* #### Thanksgiving Family Devotions: DAY 1 **Read:** “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 This Bible verse reminds us to give thanks to God because His love is with us forever! His love for us never ends, and our thankfulness to God should never end. In the United States, we have a day set aside to be thankful for our many blessings, and it is a very special day full of family and food, two of our wonderful blessings! As Christians, we know the true source of ALL of our blessings—God! **Talk:** 1\. What is your favorite Thanksgiving Day blessing (it’s okay if your answer is pumpkin pie!)? 2\. Share 3 more of your very special blessings. What else are you thankful for? 3\. How does it make you feel to know that God’s love never ends? **Pray:** As we start this week of Thanksgiving, let’s praise the Lord for everything He has made. Go around and have everyone say something the Lord has made that they are thankful for. We should never stop giving thanks to God for those things! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Free Owlegories Activities](https://gominno.com/blog/owlegories-activities/) **Published:** November 15, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/s3X8atBShioixLWvObdA.jpg) Have you watched [Owlegories](/series/owlegories) on [Minno](/) yet? Take the fun off-screen with these fun activities featuring our favorite owls—Gus, Nora, Joey, Violet, and Twitch! [Download this coloring pack](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/owlegories_character_coloring_pages.pdf) of the characters. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DONNPLQgmWqEtAeIvD6Q.jpg) [Download this origami pack](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/owlegories_character_origami.pdf) of Owlegories characters. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GCslNUgOScKElskWorGf.jpg) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a subscriber, watch Owlegories now! *Not a Minno subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Open Your Child's Heart to Spiritual Growth: Interview with Melissa Trevathan, M.R.E.](https://gominno.com/blog/open-your-child-heart-spiritual-growth/) **Published:** November 15, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/JHe30J1lQcm479lhWO8W.jpg) *This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.* #### It is such an honor to have you here on the Minno Life blog. Tell us a bit about why you became a counselor and spiritual leader for young people. It all started out with an eight-year-old little boy I knew and loved whose parents were going through a divorce. Out of that hurt, he wrote this poem, > “My urge is yet to feel your grip, and see you once again. > > And yet I don’t know why my urge is so, > > maybe you will know.” I felt like those words described something so many kids feel and don’t know how to communicate. Every child—every person for that matter—has deep longings inside. Often, people don’t know what to do or where to go with those feelings . . . especially children. The deepest need (or “urge” as that boy described it) that we all have is for a relationship with someone bigger than us. Every child is longing to know that they are loved and that they make a difference. Kids experience that sense of love, belonging, and purpose through their parents, their friends, their mentors, and their family. But I believe that need is only perfectly met in relationship with God. He loves His children so much and there’s nothing we could ever do to lose His love. That’s the foundation that Daystar Counseling Ministries is built on. I can’t imagine ever building a counseling center without His love at the center of everything we do. #### What do you see in your work is the greatest challenge facing parents today in leading their kids in faith? Why? Faith is something that takes time. The thing I hear the most in my office is how busy and tired parents are. Their kids are busy and tired too. We all are. And yet spirituality is something that starts small and grows slowly inside of us. It’s so much easier to try and teach your kids about faith from a distance. But over 30 years of working with kids and families has shown me it’s children *experiencing* truth for themselves that really makes a difference. Parents don’t need to use too many words or have all the answers to big questions. So the good news is . . . the pressure’s off because you don’t have the power to directly change the heart of your child anyway. All you are called to do is walk beside your kids and give them opportunities to hear, see, taste, feel, and experience God in daily life. I love helping families learn how simple it can be to make faith a part of everyday moments as you’re going along in the busyness of life. #### What simple, easy-to-implement advice would you give today’s parents about guiding their kids, specifically on their spiritual journey? It’s all about *experiencing truth* like we’ve been talking about. Think of moments in your daily life you can use to offer your kids the opportunity to experience truth. Help your son deal with guilt by writing something he’s done on a rock and throwing it into water. Talk about Micah 7:19 and how God casts all our sins into the depths of the sea. Leave a note of encouragement with a bible verse in your daughter’s backpack when you know it might be a hard day at school. Surprise your kids by waking them up on a beautiful starlit night to go out and look up at the sky. Use that moment to talk about how big God is. Anytime you bring in an element of unpredictability and surprise, it can open up their hearts in a new way. #### What is your favorite method for engaging kids in conversations about God and faith? What gets them and keeps them interested? I encourage parents to keep these three words in mind: Soften, Shape, and Strengthen. This is the model my dear friend and psychologist, Dan Allender helped me develop many years ago when I started Daystar Counseling Ministries. When a child first walks in for counseling, their hearts are often so hard that they aren’t open to hearing much from us. For this reason, we moved our office into a little yellow house filled with comfy furniture, happy dogs greeting everyone in the lobby, and hot spice tea and popcorn going in the kitchen. This works in our office and it can work in your home as well. Think about how you can create a warm, friendly, disarming atmosphere to help *soften* your child’s heart. Once there’s a softness there, kids are more open to receiving the truth about God. Share what you’re learning in your own faith, start discussions about truth that means a lot to you, and most importantly, ask *them* questions. That’s how the *shaping* happens. And finally, *strengthen* your kids. What *keeps* them interested is believing God has a special purpose for them. They start to see that their life can make a difference. Call out what you see growing in your kids. Encourage their purpose. Be a part of a community where they are around other kids who are growing spiritually. When they see peers that care about faith, it awakens their hearts to want more too. #### What would you say is the greatest hindrance keeping today’s kids from growing in their faith? Parents want their kids to be happy. Kids want to be happy. Of course, we all want that, but the desire for happiness can start to feel like pressure too. Kids begin to believe life should be easy and they should feel great all the time. We forget about John 16:33 when Jesus says, “In this world, you will have trouble . . . ” You are going to feel sad, angry, and scared at times. Life isn’t going to work the way you thought it would. When we put so much emphasis on being happy, it’s easy for kids to think that something is wrong with them when they feel sad. There’s never been a more important time to let children know that life is going to be hard sometimes. You can say, “It’s okay to feel rejected or lonely or discouraged. Of course, you have all those feelings this side of heaven! Let’s talk about it. I want to listen. Let’s remember why we can ‘have peace’ and ‘take heart’ no matter what we are going through.” ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QYJ7A7pT5GGNty3tVXFG.jpg) MELISSA TREVATHAN, M.R.E. first became a youth director at the age of 16. Since that time, she has been a teacher, retreat leader, head of spiritual life at a private school in Nashville, and is the founder and Executive Director of Daystar Counseling Ministries, which began in 1985. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Melissa has spoken to various churches and schools across the country, taught graduate courses in counseling adolescents and been a guest on television and radio programs throughout the United States and Canada. She is a popular speaker for parents, and kids of all ages. Melissa is the author of eight books, including [Raising Girls](https://amzn.to/2Bylldg). She also appears on the Raising Boys and Girls podcast. When Melissa is not listening, speaking or writing, she’s usually on her bike or playing with Blueberry, her Old English Sheeppuppy, somewhere between Nashville and Kentucky Lake. You can follow her on social media at @raisingboysandgirls and find the latest parenting resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com). **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [The Best Place to Watch VeggieTales](https://gominno.com/blog/the-best-place-to-watch-veggietales/) **Published:** November 14, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** #### ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/f89u1ILSSZm8RRgh8rTC.jpg) #### Minno is the best place to watch VeggieTales! *Why?* Because we now have an extended selection of classic VeggieTales episodes (46 + Silly Songs and Karaoke Compilations!) along with the [best kids content that reflects your faith and values](https://www.gominno.com/blog/if-you-like-veggietales-try-these-shows-on-minno) on any streaming platform! You asked and we listened! We’ve been working hard behind the scenes all year to bring you more VeggieTales. We’ve expanded our collection of episodes to include: 1. Celery Night Fever 2. The Penniless Princess 3. MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese Battle 4. Robin Good and His Not-So Merry Men 5. It’s a Meaningful Life 6. Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Sampson’s Hairbrush 7. Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah’s Umbrella 8. Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler 9. Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry’s Big Rescue 10. Veggie In Space: The Fennel Frontier 11. Beauty and the Beet 12. Pistachio: The Boy Who Woodn’t 13. Are You My Neighbor? 14. Duke and the Great Pie War 15. The Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s 16. Gideon: Tuba Warrior 17. Josh and the Big Wall 18. Sweetpea Beauty 19. LarryBoy! and the Fib from Outerspace! 20. Rack, Shack and Benny 21. Where’s God When I’m Scared? 22. The Ballad of Little Joe 23. King George and the Ducky 24. Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen 25. Dave and the Giant Pickle 26. Moe and the Big Exit 27. Madame Blueberry 28. God Wants Me to Forgive Them? 29. League of Incredible Vegetables 30. LarryBoy and the Bad Apple 31. Lyle the Kindly Viking 32. Abe and the Amazing Promise 33. A Snoodles Tale 34. Princess and the Popstar 35. The House that Stood Still 36. LarryBoy and the Rumor Weed 37. Sumo of the Opera 38. The Star of Christmas 39. St. Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving 40. An Easter Carol 41. Twas the Night Before Easter 42. Noah’s Ark 43. LarryBoy and the Angry Eyebrows 44. LarryBoy: Leggo My Eggo 45. LarryBoy: The Yodelnapper 46. LarryBoy: The Good, the Bad and the Eggly 47. VeggieTales Sing-Along: Dance of the Cucumber (Karaoke) 48. VeggieTales Sing-Along: Do the Moo Shoo (Karaoke) 49. VeggieTales Silly Songs (6) ## [Veggie Tales](http://gominno.com/series/veggietales) Series Details - Recommended Age: Preschool - Episode Length: 30-40 Minutes (on average) - Episodes Available Now: 46 + 2 Karaoke Compilations + 6 Silly Songs - Character and Values Focus: Yes - Bible Tie In: Yes - Activity Download Available: See below! **A Sneak Peek of some of the [45+ VeggieTales Episodes](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) on Minno!** [![Veggie Tales 1.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZPadywDNQp29WW4cEHxH.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) [![Veggie Tales 3.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jqPyTCETDKGuZY1J8lp2.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) [![Veggie Tales 2.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NuqF5ZRORcaqWc3k2wuu.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) [![Veggie Tales 4.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UnzVnKnRsKDvFC1TE2n2.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) [![Veggie Tales 5.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5b1PYn92Rj6nUIEtKT3c.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) [![Veggie Tales 6.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Glot8k59TnaYQSMBKixN.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales) And because we want to help you have off-screen fun that sparks conversations that matter, we’ve got coloring pages, activity sheets, and family discussion guides for the VeggieTales Bible stories you’ll already find on Minno and some of your favorite episodes just added! #### **Grab these FREE VeggieTales Downloads on Minno!** [Veggies in Space Activity Sheet](https://cdn.buttercms.com/5AwLcR72MVAmQHaJjLgh?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=space) [Beauty and the Beet Activity Sheet](https://cdn.buttercms.com/ZYdVzMZoSq6RjsMU4Upr?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=beet) [The Ultimate VeggieTales Bible Story Discussion Guide and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/jUzl2gmhRe2VJ03TPtMm?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=full-pack) Includes family discussion guides for every Bible story plus coloring and activity sheets! *Just looking for the coloring and activity pages?* Download the [VeggieTales Bible Story Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/StVKIzRnGGALED9ZN3PQ?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=coloring-activity-pack) *Just looking for the family discussion guides?* Download the [VeggieTales Bible Story Family Discussion Guide Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/pJDZhcJBT52fSlInxWwx?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=discussionguide-pack) *Want to download one discussion guide and activity pack at a time?* Bookmark this page and come back when you want to teach your kids about these great VeggieTales Bible stories: [Noah’s Ark](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Mj6V1yvT4ypRDRI8qdzW?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=noah) [Abe and the Amazing Promise](https://cdn.buttercms.com/oQwlckwJQMuXww0a2aUR?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=abe) [The Ballad of Little Joe](https://cdn.buttercms.com/siq9O3PTDSDbcnKd03l6?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=joe) [Moe and the Big Exit](https://cdn.buttercms.com/dU5AUnIrRzSD6FlbF02A?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=moe) [Josh and the Big Wall](https://cdn.buttercms.com/8kOyf3TTh6AAOUksJ52A?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=josh) [Gideon: Tube Warrior](https://cdn.buttercms.com/8w9nAD1nQ0mi5jiLRe4B?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=gideon) [Duke and the Great Pie War](https://cdn.buttercms.com/4GiE7mtQhCzgdYWRA9oW?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=duke) [Dave and the Giant Pickle](https://cdn.buttercms.com/qDBl9wPSkmonIyq5JVxw?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=dave) [King George and the Ducky](https://cdn.buttercms.com/ThhPQKlWRfGalPFzLo0g?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=george) [Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen](https://cdn.buttercms.com/N2t4MI5KTfS5Dg1djPr3?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=esther) [Rack, Shack, and Benny](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VfFuqMygRaC9BU1Gegj4?utm_source=veggietales&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=vt-downloads&utm_content=benny) . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Now on Minno --- ### [The Biggest Issues Girls Are Facing Right Now: Interview with Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP](https://gominno.com/blog/biggest-issues-girls-are-facing/) **Published:** November 13, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mndA38SFmqHXkgk340og.jpg) *This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.* #### It is such an honor to have you here on the Minno Life blog. Tell us a bit about why you became a counselor and specifically, a counselor for kids and young people. I think, in reality, I set out to become what I wish I had grown up with myself. So many of us grew up with parents who loved us deeply, but our culture wasn’t talking about what was going on inside of us. I think it’s honestly a part of why today’s parents are having much better and richer conversations with their kids. The generations before us didn’t know how to talk with their kids. I wish, when was growing up, I had someone who came alongside and not only encouraged me but challenged me to grow, in a setting where I felt safe and believed in. I can’t even believe I get to do that with girls and families on a daily basis at Daystar Counseling Ministries. #### What do you see in your practice is the greatest top-of-mind issue facing parents of girls today? Why? Hands down, the greatest issue facing parents of girls today is anxiety. 1 in 4 kids today face it, and girls are twice as likely as boys to deal with what I would call the worry—anxiety continuum. And, if you’re one of those parents who were anxious growing up (but maybe didn’t have parents who talked about it), your child is seven times more likely to deal with it. Anxiety is a childhood epidemic in America today. And it’s a melting pot of a variety of causes for the girls we love. They are under an immense amount of pressure—the tests they’re taking in middle school today would rival the SAT’s of our generation. Social media for older girls, technology for all ages. The over-scheduling that is deeply embedded into our culture and the pressure that comes with that—athletically, academically, in every extracurricular avenue in a girl’s life. And we see parents who are often overcompensating for the very phenomenon many of us grew up with. Their parents didn’t understand how they were struggling as children. And so now they’re offering a great deal of understanding. But, that’s where they get stuck. The challenge comes with knowing how to move past the understanding and help develop strategies to work through it. #### What simple, easy-to-implement advice would you give today’s parents of girls? First, I would say that it’s one of the best gifts you can give the girls (and boys) in your life to pay attention to your own story. Where are any of us caring for kids out of our own deficits or pain from our past? Because that will undoubtedly seep over into their lives and stories. Research says that parents who are anxious even use more catastrophic language with the kids you love. “That sounds terrible!” for example. We want to be aware of what’s happening inside of us and then how that can, in turn, impact them. And then, I would say help them find their way to healthy coping strategies—not just to process their emotions, but to work through them. I wrote a book this year on girls and anxiety called [Raising Worry-Free Girls](https://amzn.to/2MKwSve). In it, the definition I came up with was “Anxiety is an overestimation of the problem and an underestimation of herself.” We want the girls we love to see their problems as smaller and themselves as a whole lot bigger. #### What was your biggest struggle as a girl growing up? How does that impact how you guide girls in your work today? I think my biggest struggle was an area that has turned into one of my greatest gifts. I was too aware—too aware of how people felt around me, how they responded to me, how they were feeling in general. As a child and teenager, I ended up very self-conscious. I also was so tuned in to what was happening around me that I often wasn’t aware of what was happening inside of me. I now know the real name for that is intuition . . . and it is a profound gift that comes with being a girl and woman. My hope is that I can help girls 1) see how the very things that trip them up are actually profound gifts that God has given them that can be used for good and 2) that their voice and feelings and all that is happening inside of them matters. Girls truly can use their gifts to change the world—once they learn to believe that. #### Girls tend to get a bad reputation for being mean. Why do you think girls struggle with this? What can parents do to change the mean girl culture? I’ve really seen the meanness of girls happen for two different reasons: One is that they’re often insecure. It’s a survival instinct—trying to be in the center of the social life raft, so I’ll knock anyone off who threatens me. Or, it’s a girl who struggles with impulsivity and a lack of awareness socially. She hurts others without intending to, as a result of her humor or some other means to get attention. If she’s the latter, I would suggest trying to get to the bottom of the impulsivity and helping her learn some self-regulation strategies. If she’s mean from a place of insecurity, talking with her about it and helping her find some places where she can develop some genuine confidence. And, in both situations, I believe helping her develop empathy can be at the heart of softening the meanness. We’ve got a chapter in our book [Are My Kids on Track? ](https://amzn.to/31dXPfX) with ideas to help and an entire episode in our podcast devoted to the same idea! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/el25GLz7RLyETzs4ULri.jpg) SISSY GOFF, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of eleven books, including the bestselling [Raising Worry-Free Girls](https://amzn.to/2MKwSve) and [Braver, Stronger, Smarter](https://amzn.to/2oMWWxF) (for elementary-aged girls). Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications including FoxNews.com, as well as her own podcast Raising Boys and Girls. You can find more information and resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com). **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [What Kids Need Most From Their Dad: Interview with David Thomas, L.M.S.W.](https://gominno.com/blog/what-kids-need-from-dad/) **Published:** November 11, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MYds2UrTNjqpDcG8cBbg.jpg) *This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.* #### It is such an honor to have you here on the Minno Life blog. Tell us a bit about why you became a counselor and specifically, a counselor for kids and young people. I think I was drawn to this work early on. I spent the summers of my college years working at a camp for elementary-aged children. I was the staff member who kept getting called in to talk with kids who were homesick, needed to talk about their parent’s divorce or some other unique place they were struggling. It came naturally to me to just sit with kids in hard places. Looking back, I think I had those kinds of conversations with friends through middle school and high school. God was clearly preparing me for a lifetime of this work in developing those opportunities and skills throughout my growing up years. I love working with children. They are naturally curious, and open to learning, growing, and changing. We sadly lose that curiosity and openness to change as we grow up. Think about all the phrases that speak to that reality – “stuck in his ways” or “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” That’s just not true of children, and the hunger to learn and grow is a gift. #### What do you see in your practice is the greatest top-of-mind issue facing parents of boys today? Why? Without a doubt, the greatest challenge is helping boys develop emotionally. Girls have a more expansive emotional vocabulary from early on, and an easier time articulating their experience. This is much harder for boys. They get roadblocked more easily and their emotions come out sideways. It’s why preschool-aged boys are more prone to biting, hitting, and screaming. It’s why elementary-aged boys begin channeling all primary emotions into anger around 9-10 years old. Anger is a secondary emotion and they struggle to get to the fear, sadness, or whatever else may be underneath. It’s why adolescent boys lead the statistics around substance abuse, internet pornography, gaming addictions, and suicide. Those are all destructive paths for avoidance or numbing emotions. I believe the greatest crisis facing boys and males of all ages is the ability to name your feelings and take them to something constructive. It’s why adult men lead the statistics for infidelity, substance abuse, pornography, and suicide. This challenge and the spillover effect is why it felt so important to write [Are My Kids on Track? ](https://amzn.to/31dXPfX)– to define the emotional milestones boys need to move toward, and how to help them get there. We talk about milestones like muscles. No matter how weak the muscle may be, whatever age your son (or husband) is, the muscle can get stronger. Developing these muscles is some of the most important work we want to be about as parents. #### What simple, easy-to-implement advice would you give today’s parents of boys? Help him develop an emotional vocabulary and healthy coping skills for navigating the discomfort of life. It’s a universal experience. Scripture speaks to this repeatedly. This is one of the most foundational needs a boy has and sadly is one of the lowest priorities for many parents. I wish parents gave the time and passion they gave to youth sports to helping boys develop emotionally and spiritually. I can’t imagine how different this world would be if they did. I also challenge parents to think about the ways they engage boys in the every day – talking, teaching, discipline, and coaching. I talk often about a full sensory approach to engaging boys that I outline in my book, [Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys](https://amzn.to/2VGycD9). I talk about how boys are primarily tactile, kinesthetic, visual, spatial, and experiential learners. Notice that nowhere in that list do I name him as an auditory learner. We spend too much time talking *at* and talking *to* boys with very little of that talk landing *on* him. The full sensory approach is a better way of making sure he’s making connections. #### As a dad, what have you found to be the biggest difference between raising boys and girls? The biggest difference is how they respond to my engagement. My daughter is relationally-wired. I used to pick her up from elementary school on Fridays, and we’d go to a coffee shop in our neighborhood and order chocolate chip cookies and read chapter books together. We’d talk about her week, her friendships, the books we were reading together, and everything else imaginable. She’s in college now, but when I visit her on campus, we still go to coffee shops and talk for long periods of time about those things. With my sons, we talk around tasks. When they were young, we built Legos, forts, and tents. We talked around those projects. That grew into shooting hoops, walking the family dog, hiking, and any other opportunity to talk while we were *in motion*. Boys have some of their best conversations side to side, where girls are much more likely to talk face to face. These are all just reminders of the unique ways God hard-wired our kids in remarkable ways. Our job as parents is simply to parent more in tandem with their hard-wiring. It’s part of why we talk about the importance of understanding development in every class we teach and every book we write at Raising Boys and Girls. #### **Can you tell us the two to three things girls need most from their dads?** Years ago, I read an extraordinary book by Kelly Corrigan, called ***The Middle Place***. In the introduction of that book, she talked about her relationship with her father. They had a beautiful, connected relationship that shaped so much of who she was and still is. She spoke about her father in this way. > *He makes me feel smart, funny and beautiful, which has become the job of the few men who have loved me since. He told me once that I was a great talker. And so I was. I was a conversationalist, along with creative, a notion he put in my head when I was in grade school and used to make huge, intricate collages from his old magazines.* ***He defined me first as parents do****. Those early characterizations can become the shimmering self-image we embrace or the limited stifling perception we rail against for a lifetime. In my case,* ***he sees me as I would like to be seen****. In fact, I’m not even sure what’s true about me, since* ***I have always chosen to believe his version****.* I remember reading those words and weeping. It was a sobering reminder I held the power to name my daughter throughout her life, not just at birth. I hope those words challenge every father to handle that power with care. What a wonderful and weighty responsibility. I don’t believe any man is capable of carrying that challenge well unless he has done his own work. We talk throughout [***Are My Kids on Track?***](https://amzn.to/31dXPfX) about how we can only take the kids we love as far as we’ve gone ourselves. If we want our kids to grow in their ability to regulate their emotions, for example, it starts with assessing our own ability to regulate emotions. Kids learn more from observation than information. Robert Fulgham once said, #### **“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.”** **![DAVID+THOMAS+CIRCLE.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qkt48KoRBW5kN9fkJ5HN.jpg)** **DAVID THOMAS, L.M.S.W., is the Director of Family Counseling at Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN, the co-author of eight books, including the best-selling [Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys](https://amzn.to/2VGycD9) and [Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social & Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach](https://amzn.to/31dXPfX). He is a frequent guest on national television and podcasts, including his own with Sissy Goff and Melissa Trevathan called Raising Boys and Girls, has been featured in publications such as USA Today, and speaks across the country. He and his wife, Connie, have a daughter, twin sons, and a feisty yellow lab named Owen. You can follow him on social media @raisingboysandgirls and find the latest parenting resources at [Raising Boys and Girls](http://raisingboysandgirls.com).** **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Veteran's Day](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-veterans-day/) **Published:** November 5, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZLx6oTB3QymGmZqLlBfQ.jpg) As the proud wife and daughter of U.S. veterans, November 11, Veteran’s Day, has always been an important day in our family. Veteran’s Day is a day of remembrance; a day to honor the men and women who have fought—or who are still fighting—to preserve our freedoms. Perhaps your husband, wife, friend or loved one is currently serving in our military. If that’s the case, THANK YOU for your their daily sacrifice! We as a nation are truly grateful and eternally indebted! *How do we teach our kids the importance of celebrating veterans?* First, it’s important to explain to them that throughout the Bible the position of soldier was highly respected. For example, Paul describes Epaphroditus, a fellow Christian, as a “fellow soldier” ([Philippians 2:25](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%202:25&version=NIV)). The Bible also uses military terms to describe being strong in the Lord by putting on the whole armor of God ([Ephesians 6:10-20](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206:10-20&version=NIV)), including the tools of the soldier–helmet, shield, and sword. Iconic men of God, such Joshua and King David spent a good portion of their lives in battle. Next, I would encourage you to teach them to honor our veterans in some tangible way. Because there have been so many people who want to send letters and care packages to “any soldier” who is fighting abroad, there are several programs that have stopped taking these gifts. The American Red Cross has always been a great go-to organization for information and resources about supporting our troops! If you know of an organization who is currently taking letters, cards, and care packages for our military personnel, please share that information in the comments section. A really nice family activity that you may want to do with your kids, is to take them to a local retirement home where there are veterans from many different wars. Homemade cards, letters, cookies and especially a few minutes of conversation with these men and women who have served our country in the military would be greatly appreciated. Asking questions and giving these men and women a chance to tell their valiant stories can bless your children, greatly! (Always check with the retirement home to set up this type of visitation). When kids ask why we fight wars, for us parents, those answers may be tough ones to convey to the little innocents that stand before us. War is ugly and it’s scary. It can be lonely for those away fighting as well as for the family who is at home praying for their loved one’s safe return. In the United States we have an philosophy that God created all men equal and that personal freedom is something worth fighting for– and even dying for. There are people in this world who don’t like our country and have started fights with us; sometimes we have started fights with other countries too. War is not something we ever want. In fact we strive for peace. But when either we or one of our friends are attacked, we must stand for what is right, and if need be, fight for that freedom. Thank you to the men and women of the United States Military for your honor, your sacrifice and your love of our country! *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, homeschooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [A Fix That Never Fails: Why Moms Need the Gospel](https://gominno.com/blog/why-moms-need-the-gospel/) **Published:** November 4, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BP5UXgKLTTSQJd9FD3do.jpg) *Adapted from Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments, Chapter 1* *by Emily Jensen & Laura Wifler* We became first-time moms within nine months of each other, and although we didn’t realize it at the time, we both entered motherhood with high expectations. Yet today, with eight kids between us, our optimistic expectations have toppled under the pressures of everyday life. Just like when we realized our carefully selected muslin swaddles were insufficient at holding our Houdini babies’ arms in place, motherhood left us feeling inadequate, frustrated, and desperate for new solutions. And it wasn’t just us—it’s a nearly universal experience in modern motherhood. According to a Barna Group study, **95 percent of moms say they need to do better in at least one area of life, 80 percent say they feel overwhelmed by stress, 70 percent say they don’t get enough rest, and more than 50 percent feel overcommitted and dissatisfied by their balance of work and home life.** *If motherhood is supposed to be so wonderful—one of life’s biggest blessings—why do we feel stressed, tired, dissatisfied, and overcommitted?* *If social media personalities, motherhood gurus, and book-writing experts hold the answers, why do we need more and more help?* #### **Why We Need A Risen Motherhood** If you are like us, the tactics, tips, and tricks that culture offers fail to fully alleviate the guilt, stress, and pressures of everyday motherhood. Instead, they send us on a confusing trial-and-error journey, where we never find rest. That’s because the world would have you believe the problem is that you can’t *seem* to get your act together, but the reality is that you *can’t* get your act together. Not in the sense that your sink always seems to be piled high with dishes, or you’re not getting to the gym as often as you should, or you shoot random discipline strategies from the hip every 30 minutes. No, you can’t get your act together because you’re a sinner in need of a Savior. **None of the world’s fixes last beyond a moment, and they don’t cure the problem deep within us.** We cannot will ourselves into finding joy in motherhood because we cannot will ourselves into the obedience or love God requires of us. If we’re to find true, lasting joy in our motherhood journey, what we need is the work of Jesus Christ. We don’t need the world’s version of motherhood; we need a risen motherhood, transformed by the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. We need His shed blood if we’re going to shed our guilt and failures. We need His fullness to fill us where we are empty. We need His sacrifice and hurt so we can sacrifice for others until it hurts. We need His wounds to cure our wounds. We need His atonement to atone once and for all for our sins. **We need His death to give us life.** The gospel is for every mother who secretly fears her world will crumble if she doesn’t keep all the plates spinning. For the mother who is lonely and can’t hear the call to life in God’s community. For the mother who is grieving through the deepest kind of heartache and is crying out, *“God, do you see this? Do you hear me?”* Oh, friend, there is a fix that never fails. **The gospel changes everything.** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Y95EWqwTxe7jWsS2nqLA.jpg) **Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler** are the coauthors of [Risen Motherhood](https://www.risenmotherhood.com/book), cofounders of​ ​the​ ​Risen​ ​Motherhood​ ​​ministry, and cohosts of the chart-topping podcast. They ​are also​ ​in​ ​the​ ​trenches​ ​of​ ​motherhood, ​right alongside​ ​their​ ​readers. ​​​With​ ​a combination​ ​of​ ​accessibility, ​​relatability, ​​and​ ​solid​ biblical​ ​knowledge, ​Emily and Laura have a knack for simplifying complex scriptural truths, relating and applying them to everyday life. God​ ​has​ ​consistently​ ​and​ ​powerfully​ ​used​ ​the​ ​voices​ ​of these​ ​two​ ​moms​ ​to​ ​captivate​ ​women​ around the world ​with​ ​the​ gospel. As sisters-in-law, Emily and Laura both live in central Iowa with their families. *Originally posted at [The Christian Mommy.](http://thechristianmommy.com/why-you-need-the-gospel/)* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About How to Treat Others?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-how-to-treat-others/) **Published:** November 1, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/B2JZRJFITDacNbuQM8xI.jpg) Teaching our children what the Bible says about how to treat others is a crucial part of Christian parenting. It is important that we model and instill biblical principles that show our children the way God commands us to treat each other. And while we will still mess up along the way, God’s grace is sufficient for the times we find ourselves falling short of His Word. One of the most amazing things about raising and influencing our children is that we have the honor of pointing them straight to Jesus. I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit inside of us showing us how to be children of light and convicting us when we miss the mark. This gift has made raising our children easier as we have confidence in His leading. ### **What Does the Bible Say About How to Treat Others?** Let’s take a look at the Word of God to see what truths we can discover. #### **Love in Deed and Truth** > *Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.* 1 John 3:18 (NIV) This verse teaches us that we should be training our children to understand that love is not just a word; love is an action. Teaching our children about the act of unconditional love that Jesus showed on Calvary helps them understand who He is in their lives. We have found this to have a profound impact raising our children into adulthood. Our adult daughter recently told us that living with this core value in our home helped her to be sure of her faith. #### **Be Kind, Compassionate, and Forgiving** > *Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.* Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) This verse is a wonderful reminder that we are to treat others the same way that Jesus treats us. He is always kind and compassionate toward us, even in our sin. His sacrifice on the cross sealed the forgiveness of our sin. Jesus modeled kindness, compassion, and forgiveness for all mankind to follow. And as His children, we should commit to doing the same. #### **Be Humble and Gentle** > *Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.* Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) Jesus is the epitome of humility. He showed humility in so many circumstances where the average person would struggle. From being accused of crimes He did not commit to being accused of blasphemy. Jesus remained humble and gentle, giving us the blueprint for how we should treat others. #### **Build One Another Up** > *Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.* 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) As children of God it is important that we build up our brothers and sisters through the way we speak to them and treat them. When we speak life-giving words to those around us it gives God the ability to perform His Word in and around us. And when we treat others kindly it shows them the love of Christ, building them up when they are in need of love and encouragement. #### **Treat Others The Way You Want to Be Treated** > *Do to others as you would have them do to you.* Luke 6:31 (NIV) When in doubt, teach your children to never forget that God wants them to treat others the way they want to be treated. This is especially helpful when children are young as they are more self-centered as they learn the way the world around them works. By teaching this early on, it helps kids develop the habit of weighing their actions toward others by this truth. While there are many verses and stories in the Bible that teach us how to treat others, the verses above have been a blessing to our family. God’s Word is a treasure that contains all the answers we seek (and more). When you are dealing with issues in parenting your children, always take time to pull out your Bible and see what God has to say about the topic; you won’t be disappointed. Not only that, but He will give you the wisdom and grace you need to model the truth of His Word in love. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What is a VSCO Girl and Why Does it Matter to My Daughter?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-a-vsco-girl/) **Published:** October 24, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ljNbwXhGQWa4KnzK7gla.jpg) If your daughter has recently come home asking for a puka shell necklace, a high-priced water bottle, vinyl stickers to decorate that portable hydration container, and a pair of checkered slip-on sneakers, you might just have a VSCO girl (*pronounced VISCO*) on your hands. This trend-driven phenomenon that hit high school girls over a year ago has made its way into the world of our middle and upper elementary grade girls which might have you asking, > ***What is a VSCO girl and why does it matter to my daughter?*** #### What is a VSCO Girl? Before we can dig into what a VSCO girl is, we need to start at the beginning. **The VSCO App.** *What does VSCO stand for?* [Visual Supply Company—creators of the website that debuted in 2011](https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2019/07/24/vsco-makes-a-sophisticated-photo-app-the-500-million-startup-wants-to-be-more-than-that/#4df4688458e1) as a resource for photographers. VSCO later became an app that gained critical mass quickly, largely because of its founders’ commitment to, *“**help everybody fall in love with their own creativity.*” ([Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2019/07/24/vsco-makes-a-sophisticated-photo-app-the-500-million-startup-wants-to-be-more-than-that/#4df4688458e1)) To put it simply . . . a couple of photographers created a website and app to help their peers tap deeper into their creativity. It took off and eventually reached the masses. But that’s not the end of the story. In fact, for our kids, it was just the beginning. VSCO = Aesthetically pleasing photography app. **That’s so VSCO!** Years later (and for this middle-aged mom who is trying to keep up—just this summer), VSCO became more than an Instagram—esque app. It became an adjective. *“That’s so VSCO!”* I’d hear my girl’s friends declare. *“What on earth does that mean?!”* I’d ask. And with an eye roll and a sigh, the answer would come. *“It’s hard to explain. It just means that it looks cool.”* Ah, I get it. VSCO = Aesthetically pleasing . . . anything. **Enter VSCO Girls.** If using the abbreviation of a once merely utilitarian (albeit genius) photo app as a descriptor is not bad enough, it has now become an identity . . . a label . . . a badge of honor worn proudly in the form of scrunchies and backpacks. Please forgive this feeble attempt to blend old school list play with a brand new trend . . . there’s just no better way to describe it. You might be a VSCO girl IF you wear/use . . . - scrunchies - a puka shell necklace - a Hydro Flask (w/ vinyl stickers, preferably from Redbubble) - Vans (hopefully, the black and white checkered ones) - Pura Vida bracelets - a Fjallraven Kanken backpack For most girls, it’s cool to be a VSCO girl, though it’s often used as a put-down by some kids (usually boys). But it’s definitely NOT okay to WANT TO BE a VSCO girl. In other words, don’t try so hard. VSCO Girl = Girl with aesthetically pleasing (aka trendy) . . . stuff. #### Why Does Being a VSCO Girl Matter to My Daughter? The truth is, it may or may not matter to YOUR daughter. Maybe you are up to your eyeballs in scrunchies and Burt’s Bees lip gloss. Or maybe your girl can’t stand the sight of on-trend clothes, shoes, and accessories. Either way, the social and emotional baggage that comes with this type of cultural label matters to all of our girls. And it matters to us. **Why all the labels?** *The brand labels or the social ones?* Whether they are chasing brand labels to wear on their bodies or social labels to wear on their hearts, our girls just want to belong. It’s an age-old longing that was planted there by our Creator. We yearn for connection. To be known and noticed. It may not have had such a commercial label but we’ve all been there . . . longing to wear the right things (I’ll trade your VSCO girl Vans for my snow-white Keds. But I got you beat on the number of scrunchies I collected to create that high-ponytail-behind-my-poofy-bangs look). Same struggle, different decade. Everyone used to say, *“None of this matters. It won’t matter in 10 years what jeans you wore.”* Turns out they were right. Sorta. 30 years later and it truly does not matter that I didn’t have the $15 slouchy socks that hung perfectly over my Keds. But what I wish someone had understood way back then is that on the other hand, it did matter . . . right then and there. And it matters to our girls. Right here and right now. Girls just want to fit in. We can quote them all the Bible verses about their uniqueness until we are blue in the face but it won’t do any good if we don’t meet them where they are with empathy and understanding of how hard it is to grow up in a culture that celebrates stuff. It will take time for them to fully grasp the truth of who they are in Christ and what really matters for eternity. It’s going to take years and dozens of disappointments, unmet expectations, truth-filled talks (if she’ll let you), and tender hugs to drive it home. And more importantly, our girls are going to have to find connection with the God who is ridiculously wild about them (no accessories needed). So VSCO or not, be patient with your girl and remind her (even though she may not get it the first 100 times you say it) that . . . > *She is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).* > > *She is God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).* > > *She is uniquely gifted (1 Peter 4:10).* > > *She is clothed in strength and dignity* (Proverbs 31:25). > > *She is the work of His hands (Isaiah 64:8).* > > *She is chosen to live in His light (1 Peter 2:9).* #### Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience . . . Colossians 3:12 (ESV) This month it’s VSCO girls. Next month it could be something completely different. Our kids (girls especially) are going to be inundated with cultural messages that assault their identity and cause them to question their worth. The best way for parents to arm them for the battle: *help them fall in love with their own Creator.* . . . . . . . . . . *Looking for media choices you can feel good about?* *Want to connect your kids to God through fun, engaging shows they’ll love?* Find out more about our faith and values-driven streaming video-on-demand platform [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/about). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What Does the Bible Say About Fear?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-fear/) **Published:** October 18, 2019 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yh2HkxJSQWjHNbcVe4Yw.jpg) > “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he explains that God has not given us a spirit of *fear* (some translations say *timidity*) but of power, love, and a sound mind. The definition of a *sound mind* is *“having the capacity to think, reason, and understand for oneself”.* *What does this verse mean for our children?* Fear can be irrational, but our kids don’t realize that. Their minds are still processing life, so what we see as a small thing can seem so big to our little people! As parents, this verse gives us confidence that God provides good ways to handle the things that make them feel afraid. When we talk about the topic of fear with our kids, they can begin to learn how to think through their fears, understand more about them (which can help fears feel less overwhelming), and remind themselves of God’s truth the next time they feel scared or anxious. ## What Does the Bible Say About Fear? Here are five great verses you can share with your child to bring comfort the next time they share their fears with you: Exodus 14:13 (NIV) Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Psalm 118:6 (ESV) The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 (HCSB) When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Isaiah 43:1 (RSV) But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” ## Applying God’s Word to Fear-Filled Situations Here’s a simple way for you to talk about these Bible verses with your kids and for your kids to apply these verses to their life: - If they’ve shared a fear with you, or if you’ve noticed them struggling, pick the verse that applies best and take some time to have them read the verse out loud. Or you can read the verse to them and point to each of the words if they’re not yet independent readers. - Talk about what the verse means and how it can help them with their fear. - Ask: What are some of God’s promises to you in this verse? - Write a couple of the keywords in the verse on a notecard and put it on their bulletin board or somewhere else in their room so they can see those words and be reminded of God’s care and protection! For instance, if you’re talking about the Deuteronomy 31:6 verse, you could help them write down the words “strong”, “courageous” and “God goes with me”! This is a great tool because these words will pop into their heads, even if they can’t remember the whole verse. These “keywords” will stick! Talking about fear and what God’s Word says doesn’t mean that our kids will never again be afraid. But they can be comforted and encouraged and learn to trust what the Holy Spirit says instead of what their fears tell them. Because God is always with them and will never leave them, our children can face their fears with the strength and power of the Lord! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [The Top Online Christian Homeschool Curriculum on the Market](https://gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market/) **Published:** October 17, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-online-christian-homeschoo...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DDYic68ARQq1ucwMBoZI.jpg) In the pursuit of quality Christian parenting, you do a number of things to foster appropriate child development. One of the most important things that you can do as a parent is to ensure that your child has a quality education. For many parents, homeschooling presents itself as the best choice for giving your child the freedom and attention they need to grow at their own pace. While homeschooling offers a great deal of creativity and autonomy over what is taught in traditional classrooms, outside curriculum may be a helpful resource for Christian families who choose to homeschool. Particularly as your children age and teaching materials becomes more specified, it may be helpful to use an online curriculum for homeschool resources. That being said, not all online curricula are created equal. How can you decide which will be the best for your child? Here are some of the top options in the marketplace for online Christian homeschool curriculum. 1. Abeka [Abeka](https://www.abeka.com/homeschool/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwi43oBRDBARIsAExSRQEYZ1rF9acPJw7C-Ds09nsNv7wWcR_rDJUH_nJqBzdtee-Nit9XIcQaAqv4EALw_wcB) homeschool curriculum has been a fixture in the world of homeschooling for many years. While their workbooks and other educational activities have been aiding homeschool parents for decades, many of their resources have shifted to an online platform, which makes implementing the activities simpler than ever. Pros: Abeka’s Christian homeschooling resources have a number of benefits. With the Abeka Academy, your students of all age levels can learn from a team of virtual teachers who engage students through their teaching. By using the Abeka Academy, you are no longer the only teacher in the room and their [team of professionals](https://www.abeka.com/Academic/Teachers.aspx) can support your Christian homeschooling efforts. Abeka also has many (mobile friendly!) resources for online texts, digital teaching aids, and online assessments. These can be vital for navigating standardized testing depending on the homeschool requirements for your state. Cons: Depending on your comfort level with technology, Abeka Academy may be a bit more involved than some parents are prepared to deal with. Online calendars, downloadables, and digital platforms can be overwhelming for parents who don’t consider themselves tech-savvy. Furthermore, no curriculum comes for free. The ease associated with using Abeka can ring in at around $800 per package, which adds up quickly if you have multiple children. 2. [ Alpha Omega Academy](https://www.gominno.com/blog/alpha-omega-homeschool-curriculum-review) One of Alpha Omega Academy’s most notable features is its unmatched flexibility. With multiple start dates every month for their online Christian school, your children won’t have to feel like they’re far behind in their coursework if your family calendar doesn’t perfectly align with a traditional school calendar. Pros: A major worry of parents who homeschool is how their child’s college prospects may be affected. A major benefit of using AO Academy is its [accreditation](https://www.aoacademy.com/benefits/accreditation/). According to their website, they are “accredited internationally by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and regionally by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), an accrediting division of AdvancED, the world’s most trusted and recognized accrediting organization, representing over 36,000 schools.” Transitions from homeschool to college can be incredibly smooth by choosing AO Academy. Cons: Considering the global scale of Alpha Omega Academy, it makes sense that the cost would be higher than some other homeschool resources. Ranging from about $1500- $2400, the [tuition](https://www.aoacademy.com/our-program/tuition/) costs for AO Academy may be a deterrent for some. 3. NFC Academy One of NFC Academy’s claims to fame is its approval by the [NCAA](https://www.nflcacademy.com/ncaa-approved-courses.html). If you have a student who dedicates a great deal of their time playing for a local team sport, you may be delighted to know that there is a faith-based option for your online homeschooling curriculum. Pros: NFC has worked alongside the NCAA to ensure that their courses meet the necessary requirements to encourage academic growth while allowing students to devote time to their athletic endeavors as well. That being said, NFC Academy is not just for students who homeschool to fit their athletic schedules. NFC Academy has a variety of programs ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade, powered by a [biblical worldview.](https://www.nflcacademy.com/biblical-worldview.html) Cons: NFC Academy offers a variety of programs that may be helpful or cumbersome, depending on your perspective. For instance, in their K-5th grade programs they offer print curriculum, and K-2nd grade only has a print offer, not an online option. While you may enjoy the variety of some print work for your younger kids, a parent who wants to shift into all online curriculum may struggle to serve their younger students. Understanding the [learning management system ](https://www.nflcacademy.com/technical-requirements.html)and technical requirements used by NFC could also be difficult for some parents who struggle with technology. Even so, NFC does offer resources and webinars to aid your understanding of their programs. As the world shifts further and further into the digital era, we’ve learned more ways than ever to increase the efficiency of our everyday practices. As a homeschool parent with a lot on your plate, an online curriculum could be just what you need to free up your schedule for more family time. For your kids, access to more resources could be the key to helping them grow academically in ways they couldn’t on their own. Each online homeschool curriculum has its flaws and merits. The most important thing is that you choose the curriculum best suited to your child’s needs and that sets them on a trajectory for success. For more resources on Christian homeschooling, Christian parenting, and tools for Christian families, check out [our online catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of engaging media and fun family activities! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Help Kids Memorize Bible Verses](https://gominno.com/blog/childrens-ministry-how-to-help-kids-memorize-bible-verses/) **Published:** October 16, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-how-to-help-kids-memorize-...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yWWSGvpxRSC4mImrcmmV.jpg) When you’re teaching kids faith as a part of your Sunday school curriculum, it’s wonderful if they understand the stories while you teach them. It’s even better if they remember them after they leave class. Teaching kids about Jesus is more than just telling them Bible stories for kids on a Sunday morning and sending them on their way. It’s important that kids know how the stories they learn in Sunday school can apply to the rest of their lives. One of the best ways to encourage your students to bring the Bible with them everywhere they go is through memorizing scripture. If you’re in search of innovative children’s ministry ideas for how to help kids memorize Bible verses, here are some tricks to get your started. # **How to Help Kids Memorize Bible Verses** **Start Small** Don’t expect that your students will be champion Bible quizzers from day one. The key to ensuring that your students actually remember what you’re trying to teach is by setting an achievable goal for memorization. Choose one or two short verses at a time to ensure that your kids aren’t overwhelmed. Depending on the ages of your Sunday school classes, you may be able to increase or decrease the level of difficulty. However, avoid loading too much on the kids. Remind them that the point of the exercise isn’t to see who can recite the most from the Bible, but to retain scripture so that it comes to mind in your everyday life when you might not have a Bible on hand. In addition to curating the amount of scripture you tackle, it’s also important to be careful about the translations you use. Translations like the New King James version have a beautiful, poetic tone, but chances are that most young children won’t understand them. Comprehension is key to memorization. If your students don’t even understand the words they’re attempting to memorize, they’re unlikely to keep them hidden in their heart. Stick to simpler, kid-friendly versions for your younger grades and only stray from those as is appropriate to your students’ age-group. RELATED: [The Ultimate List of Topical Bible Memory Verses for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-topical-bible-memory-verses-for-kids) **Create a Visual Reminder** While it’s unlikely that your entire Sunday school lesson will consist of memorizing a single verse, it can be helpful to have it placed somewhere in the room so that kids can refer back to it often. Set up a visual reminder on a whiteboard or put up a sign that has the verse your kids are working to memorize. Especially if you keep the same verse for a series of weeks, having this reminder somewhere can help aid the memorization process. It can also be helpful to have other sorts of images that connect to the verse and trigger their memory. For example, if you are memorizing a verse about [working hard](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-verses-from-proverbs-to-teach-kids-about-working-hard), an image of a shovel or hands may be an excellent visual to remind your kids of the verse you are focusing on at the moment. **Practice Together** Don’t leave the memorization entirely up to the child. Especially if Bible memorization is a new practice you’re incorporating into how you approach kids Bible stories, it is important that you model how to memorize. When you first introduce the verse, it can be helpful to go over it together multiple times. Break it down into 4-5 word phrases and build from there, inviting your classes to join you in saying it aloud. It wouldn’t be wise to require that all students say the verse from memory in front of the class, but it could be encouraging for some to hear their peers recite the verses if you have any willing participants. One good way to structure your Sunday school lessons could be to begin and end your classes by practicing the verse you’re trying to memorize. That way your students get frequent reminders of the scripture. RELATED: [Pool Noodle Bible Memory Verse Activity](https://www.gominno.com/blog/pool-noodle-bible-memory-verse-activity) **Create At-Home Aids** For memorization efforts to be effective, reciting the verses cannot begin and end in the Sunday school classroom. If we really want kids to remember verses, they need to have the resources to practice them at home. In most cases, your students probably have a Bible at home from which they can study. Even so, don’t assume that everyone has a Bible! Be sure to make some available so they can take a Bible without feeling ashamed for not already owning one. Studying from the Bible directly is great, but you can also empower your students to create other engaging artifacts that help them remember the verses. Coloring and activity pages, crafts, or even a simple, printed verse on a card can be great, tangible resources to encourage students and parents to practice verses to aid memorization. **Use Hand Motions** Hand motions are a great way for kids to memorize Bible verses because it physically engages them in the process. Before class, create simple hand motions that express the words of the verse or for an in-class activity, involve the kids in coming up with hand motions. Send your students off with a challenge to come back the next week ready to share their Bible verse and motions. Memorizing the Bible is about more than just impressing others with the quality of your rote memory. Dedicating time to studying the Bible and committing it to memory helps all of us engage with the Bible deeply and keep it at the forefront of our minds when we need it most. For more Children’s ministry ideas, Christian parenting tips, and engaging media, check out our online catalog of exciting resources for Christian families! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Get Kids Involved in Bible Stories](https://gominno.com/blog/get-kids-involved-in-bible-stories/) **Published:** October 15, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-way-get-kids-involved-in-b...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mJbxvKndS0yvHZTS6LAa.jpg) When it comes to teaching kids about Jesus, the “I teach; they learn” mentality seems like a streamlined way to transmit information, but it certainly won’t be engaging for young minds. When you’re putting together children’s ministry ideas for teaching kids faith, it’s important to ensure that your students maintain interest. We do ourselves a disservice if our focus is more on the delivery of the lessons than their reception. If your Sunday school curriculum has felt lackluster and doesn’t engage your students, here are five innovative ways to get kids involved in Bible stories. 1. Songs about the Bible and Bible Stories If you have a young child, there is a strong chance that you’ve caught them running around your house singing “Baby Shark” more times than you’d like. While songs like this can be equal parts charming and annoying when your kids request them ad nauseum, the tendency for children to repeat the same tunes over and over again reveals something about the power of music. It’s no surprise that children remember song lyrics easily, so this may be an excellent tool to help increase engagement with your Bible stories for kids. Fun sounds and lyrics are not only enjoyable for children, but they also help children remember the information. There are a number of ways that you can implement songs into your Sunday school routines. Prepared songs that encourage Bible verse memorization can help keep God’s word in their hearts, while songs that tell Bible stories may help the students envision the stories in a new light. For older kids, you may even decide to let them make up songs on their own to give them a bit of creative license. Allowing this type of ownership gets all of your kids involved in the stories and gives them something to take home and carry in their minds throughout the rest of the week. 2. Skits and Roleplaying Games If you’re looking to get kids physically involved in learning Bible stories, there may be no more involved activity than acting them out. Your students will love the fun of getting to be someone new for a few minutes and stepping into the mind of a biblical character. On a basic level, you can provide your students with scripts and let them act out the script to learn about the stories in the Bible. You may even choose to push them a little further to make them think more deeply about different biblical characters. It may be a fun exercise to ask questions like, *What do you think Jonah would have done if . . . ?* or *Why do you think that Moses did . . . ?* Encouraging your kids to think beyond just *what* Bible characters did and discover *why* they did those things is helpful for getting them to think about the core purpose of different Bible stories. 3. Bible Coloring and Activity Pages Coloring and activity pages are a classic way to teach Bible stories, but they may be more beneficial than you realize. Certainly, coloring pages are a great way to engage students because kids tend to enjoy the opportunity to be creative and use their hands rather than sitting and listening. Besides being fun and engaging, even something as simple as a coloring page offers children a sense of ownership over their learning. Rather than a handout created by their teacher, those activity pages are something they get control over and are able to take home as a reminder of their learning. 4. Reading Aloud There are tremendous benefits to reading aloud. [Research](https://digitalcommons.brockport.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1285&context=ehd_theses) shows that kids’ reading comprehension is drastically improved when they are read aloud to rather than when they only read stories on their own. Reading comprehension matters for more than just the school systems. If we want our kids to be engaged in the stories, it’s important that they have an acute understanding of what they are reading. Try reading a Bible story from the [*Laugh and Learn Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/products/laugh-and-learn-bible-for-kids). These whimsical retellings make for a great read-aloud experience! Aside from reading the stories aloud to your students, you can offer kids a sense of ownership if they are allowed to read the stories themselves. Having kids take turns reading the story gives them an opportunity to be actively involved in the class rather than just sitting and receiving. It’s important to be sensitive to the needs and abilities of the kids in your room. For a student with a learning disability or other health impairment, reading aloud could be a mortifying (and genuinely traumatic) experience. Be sure to choose appropriate texts for your kids and don’t force anyone to read, but invite them all to engage if they choose. 5. Short Videos About Bible Stories While videos are often considered a passive form of teaching, the right type of media can be engaging and informative in ways that a lecture or storytime isn’t. Engaging videos can be an effective tool for teaching kids about Jesus without having to originate lots of work by yourself. When kids enjoy the media they are consuming, they are much more likely to remember the stories they learn. This is also a great way to establish a positive connotation toward learning Bible stories and keep the activity from becoming dull and boring. Use these helpful tools as ways to spark conversation and as a guide for the rest of your Sunday school lesson. Maintaining the involvement of students in your Sunday school lessons should be a top priority. We couldn’t consider ourselves successful if we’ve taught a brilliant lesson that no students understand or remember. If you’re looking to boost your kids’ involvement with Bible stories during Sunday school, we have a number of helpful resources to add to your curriculum. Check out our online catalog of Sunday school resources, [activity pages](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/activities-crafts), and engaging media to start increasing involvement at your next class! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Books That Teach Preschoolers About God](https://gominno.com/blog/books-that-teach-preschoolers-about-god/) **Published:** October 15, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FFflv4qSli6LT4MEF3BL.jpg) It can be daunting to think about teaching your preschooler about God. *How can their little minds understand such a great, big concept?* We know the call to teach kids about faith is a tall order and we’re here to help! We’ve intentionally designed a series of board books using the beloved characters of Phil Vischer’s, *What’s in the Bible?* series along with the sweet and meaningful storytelling of best-selling author, Hannah C. Hall. Plus, we’ve got a beautiful picture book series written by Phil Vischer to help your kids understand Bible stories through the real-life adventures of Buck Denver and friends! **Featuring beloved characters Clive & Ian from the bestselling video series, *What’s in the Bible?*, these board books weave Bible truth into fun stories with delightful illustrations, teaching little learners about God.** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bnChyqmGSyaXdMSYv132.jpg) ## Teach Preschoolers that God is Our Creator [God Made the World](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/god-made-the-world) [God Made the Animals](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/god-made-the-animals) [God Made Night and Day](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/god-made-night-day) [God Made Me](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/god-made-me) ## ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kPxhLEIToOavzTfSeCmH.jpg)Teach Preschoolers about God’s Good Character [God is Kind](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/god-is-kind) [Can I Talk to God?](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/can-i-talk-to-god) [God is Love](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/god-is-love) (NEW!) [Is God My Friend?](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/board-books/products/is-god-my-friend) (NEW!) **From creator of Veggie Tales® Phil Vischer, these fun and easy-to-read picture books based on the popular video series *Buck Denver Asks… What’s in the Bible?* teach children about character and virtue through beloved Bible stories.** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1cPZJQloRnmoUi8uENeZ.jpg) ## Teach Preschoolers to Grow through Bible Stories [Buck Denver’s Big, Big Bubble: A Lesson in Courage](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/picture-books/products/buck-denvers-big-big-bubble) (NEW!) [Buck Denver’s Giant Robot Suit: A Lesson in Friendship](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/picture-books/products/buck-denvers-giant-robot-suit) [Buck Denver’s Bad, Bad Day: A Lesson in Thankfulness](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/picture-books/products/buck-denvers-bad-bad-day) [Buck Denver’s Hammer of Strength: A Lesson in Loving Others](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/picture-books/products/buck-denvers-hammer-of-strength) ***![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8uIpoq1SRCi9P9KzU302.jpg)*** ***Have you and your family watched the [What’s in the Bible? series](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible)?*** If you’re already a subscriber, watch it now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Advantages of Working with a Christian Homeschool Co-op](https://gominno.com/blog/advantages-of-working-with-a-christian-homeschool-co-op/) **Published:** October 11, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-homeschool-co-ops-does it ...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RutTlJQOQxqvrVpBsraJ.jpg) One of the reasons some families opt out of Christian homeschooling is the fear that their kids’ academics and child development will suffer due to lack of variety and outside stimuli. But there is an alternative to this: integrate a co-op group(s) into your homeschool. A simple internet search geared toward your area will likely provide several nearby options. Sometimes co-ops are full, however, leaving you without a choice. At that point, you may opt to [start one of your own](https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/8-questions-ask-starting-homeschool-co-op/). But if you’re just getting accustomed to the idea, let’s look at a few more details. ## *What is a Homeschool Co-Op? And will it be worth the experience?* There are many homeschooling resources that will give you an explanation of what a co-op is. Here is one such description from [The Homeschool Mom](https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/what-is-homeschool-co-op/): “A homeschool co-op is a group of families who meet together and work cooperatively to achieve common goals. Co-ops can be organized around academics, social time, the arts, activities, crafts, service work, or projects — or some combination of these.” By this definition, a homeschool doesn’t have to be an isolated room where the only people you and your kids see are yourselves; it can be a living, breathing entity that provides your kids with a rich learning experience. Not only does it help you with homeschooling, but it can also help your Christian parenting by involving others in the spiritual development of your kids. After all, sometimes they just listen more if someone else is saying it instead of you. To ensure the best experience with a co-op, it’s important to choose the one that’s right for your kids. Not all co-ops are the same, so be choosy when interviewing them. Ensure their values match yours, both academically and spiritually. Think of integrating into a co-op as you would the start of a relationship: it’s important to know what you want. This will allow you to focus and to set your expectations. ## Advantages of a Co-op No matter what type of program you are involved in, it’s vital that you have a support system. Co-ops provide many different types of support, such as a thorough understanding of the homeschool year. They can work with your flexible structure instead of questioning why you do things a certain way. Co-ops can also ensure consistent curriculum usage and tracking. If you are a new homeschool family, the wisdom and knowledge of a more seasoned homeschool parent could prove invaluable. They can let you know what pitfalls might come your way, as well as give you some pointers for [ensuring your schedule isn’t too busy](https://www.gominno.com/blog/is-your-childs-extracurricular-schedule-too-full). Christian families with homeschooling experience under their belt can share those experiences with you, making your homeschooling much easier and smoother. Co-ops can also help make [legal requirements](https://www.gominno.com/blog/navigating-the-legal-requirements-to-homeschool) simpler. When you are working with a co-op, the pressure of satisfying state instruction requirements lowers since you have others who are helping you reach the appropriate numbers. Your co-op can also help validate the hours spent teaching certain subjects in case you ever need to do so. Asking others how they keep records can help you determine how best to do your own tracking. The best learning comes through collaboration. Co-ops are also a great fail safe for the “in case” situations. If you need to take care of a sick family member and won’t have as much time to instruct, being involved in a co-op provides backup – both for you and for others. And this leads us to the most beneficial part of co-ops: they provide community. Learning isn’t simply about reading, writing, and arithmetic. It’s about learning how to work with others, how to play with others, and how to pray with others. When you involve your kids in a co-op, you are providing them with multiple beneficial factors for their education, as well as the probability of close friends. Not all siblings become each other’s best friends, but by integrating others into your educational world, you can expand your kids’ relationships exponentially. Determining whether to become part of a co-op is your decision. When it comes time to choose, remember to involve your kids in the process. They might notice things you overlook. In the end, choosing the right co-op can enhance the homeschool experience and make learning more enjoyable. If you’re on the hunt for [homeschooling resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling), be sure to check out a variety of other postings about these topics on our blog. And if you’re looking for kids Bible stories or other inspiring ideas for family devotionals, [our catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/) is always a great place to start! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Christian Books for Middle-Grade Readers](https://gominno.com/blog/christian-books-for-middle-grade-readers/) **Published:** October 8, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KQpyLutfTiaita7Vpq0R.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) My third-grade son loves to read *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* and *13 Story Treehouse* books. I’ve always been a fan of highly-illustrated books, especially for reluctant readers. For students overwhelmed by the sight of hundreds of words on a page, series like these in the [high-low reading category](https://www.readingrockets.org/article/highlow-books-children) provide high engagement but low reading level requirements. They are a great bridge for hesitant readers . . . that is unless they become a dead end. My bright son began reading these books in the first grade. Fast forward to where we are now and my once voracious reader shudders at the sight of a page full of words. While his reading level should point him towards the Chronicles of Narnia or the best of Chris Grabenstein (my absolute favorite), he just won’t read them. So my husband and I are working to retrain his literary palette to embrace books with deeper narratives, interesting characters, and important themes. We were encouraged this summer when he read the very first [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) book without much prodding. ## The Importance of Words for Middle-Grade Readers According to the [Renaissance® Annual study of K-12 Student Reading Habits](https://www.renaissance.com/wkar-report/?utm_source=school-leaders-now&utm_medium=featured-article&utm_campaign=guide-to-reading-growth), students who read **more words** on average were more likely to hit benchmarks in reading and comprehension. It goes without saying that the more pictures you have in a book, the fewer words there are. Of course, that’s all relative and varies from book to book but on average, highly-illustrated series like those mentioned above range from 9,000 to 20,000 words while a Chris Grabenstein title, for example, is typically 35,000 to 50,000 words. That’s a big difference for a child. Especially a reluctant reader. ## What About Positive, Real-Life Role Models and Christian Themes in Middle-Grade Books? With a passion to create redemptive, growth-oriented books that meet Middle-Grade readers right where they are, we developed the Micah’s Super Vlog book series. Born out of the [popular animated show](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog), these Christian middle-grade books follow 5th grade Micah and his friends on epic adventures. Each book ranges from 25,000 to 30,000+ words *and* includes highly-illustrated storylines that offer lessons in faith and character. These fast-paced tales are mesmerizing for readers and parents can feel great about putting these books into the hands of their kids because each story is wrapped in a solid Christ-focused lesson (without being too preachy or churchy). Book 1: [Micah’s Got Talent?](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-got-talent) and Book 2: [The Big Fail](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-super-vlog-the-big-fail) came out earlier this summer. Our two new titles are also available now! Micah’s Super Vlog books offer the perfect balance of great storylines with important themes *and* amazing illustrations that will keep both reluctant and enthusiastic readers engaged. ## [Micah’s Super Vlog Book Series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) Age Range: 8-12 Reading Level: Grade 4 Page Count: 240 [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2vGwNs8YQyWcem7g34Hx.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-super-vlog-to-sketch-a-thief) [Book 3: To Sketch a Thief](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-super-vlog-to-sketch-a-thief) In the third book of the Micah’s Super Vlog series based on the popular animated web show, Micah and his friends learn the importance of honesty and of believing the best about each other. **When Armin’s sketchbook, Lydia’s lunch, and Micah’s shoes go missing at school, will the gang turn against each other before discovering the truth?** Accusations fly and friendships are put on the line. Faced with the struggle, can Micah and his friends learn to believe the best about each other, and work together to uncover who (or what) is really to blame? [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WdbAG6E2T1ixEHuEU2iR.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-super-vlog-just-chill) [Book 4: Just Chill](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog/products/micahs-super-vlog-just-chill) In the fourth book of the Micah’s Super Vlog series, Micah and his friends learn about identity and what it means to be compassionate. **There’s a new kid in school. Will Micah give him a chance before writing him off?** Tre is cool but there seems to be more going on than meets the eye. Micah intends to find out what this guy is all about. When he discovers the new kid really does have a secret, will Micah accept Tre for who he is or continue to avoid him? ## [Get all the Micah Super Vlog Books HERE in our Store!](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) **Want to watch the show Micah’s Super Vlog?** If you’re already a subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Involving Children in the Care and Improvement of Your Education Space](https://gominno.com/blog/involving-children-in-the-care-and-improvement-of-your-education-space/) **Published:** October 4, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-Japanese5s-christian-famil...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aulzXsWTIabZrtXT8iRs.jpg) Last year I struggled on a daily basis with my 7 year old daughter, constantly taking on the role of “naggy mom” by telling her repeatedly to clean her room, pick up her toys and clothes, and keep her workspace organized. She never seemed to fully be able to manage her own spaces, and I was constantly needed during clean up times to “help,” which basically meant I cleaned up six things while she did one thing, whining and complaining the entire time. Then something amazing changed for us, and it’s called *Tidying Up with Marie Kondo* on Netflix. It was the perfect show to watch while we took down the Christmas decorations and set our intentions for our family New Year’s resolutions. Watching Marie Kondo help American families with her KonMari method was so inspirational that we joined in with the rest of the United States and started decluttering, donating, and folding our clothing into those cute little rectangular shapes for our drawers. My daughter watched the show with me, and suddenly we had a whole new dialog for caring for our home and belongings that did not end with me doing all the work while she whined her way through her one small task. Suddenly she was interested in folding clothes, and had a new enthusiasm for donating toys and clothing items that she no longer needed. I was especially surprised that she initiated making a home for all her art supplies, notebooks, and crafty things on her own without me even asking! I had only my knowledge of Marie Kondo’s book and Netflix series, but I knew that Japanese culture was absolutely doing something right in the area of keeping a tidy house, and so I dove deep into the world wide web for more information on the[ 5S Process](https://www.japanintercultural.com/en/news/default.aspx?newsid=96), a program designed to promote sorting, organizing, cleanliness, sanitizing and sustainability. The Japanese believe that maintaining a well-organized workplace makes for a more efficient, safe, and productive environment, and that it helps people take ownership of their responsibilities by instilling a sense of pride in their work. These are certainly characteristics I desire for my Christian homeschooling practice, but what are the 5S’s, and how can we involve our children in the process? These five Japanese words (that begin with the letter “S”) can simplify and revolutionize the way your children care for their workspace, bedroom, playrooms, and other spaces where they may spend a lot of time. 1. *Seiri* (Sort) Invite your children to help you declutter, first by going through all items that are located in your workspace (or bedroom and play area) to decide what is worth keeping and what needs to be discarded, recycled, or donated.[ 5stoday.com](https://www.5stoday.com/what-is-5s/) suggests these helpful questions when evaluating each item: - What is the purpose of this item? - When was this item last used? - How frequently is it used? - Does it really need to be here? They also say that asking these questions helps “determine the value of each item. A workspace might be better off without unnecessary items or items used infrequently. These things can get in the way or take up space.” It is helpful at this stage to make the following piles: Keep, Discard, Recycle, Donate. This step is especially fun for my kids, who enjoy seeing how many bags of donations we come up with at the end of our project. It is always fulfilling for them to go with me to the donation center with items that they once used and enjoyed. We always say something about how the next person who uses the items will be so blessed by how awesome they are and how good they were for us when we needed them most. For Christian families, this is a prime opportunity to emphasize gratitude for what God has given us. 2\. *Seiton* (Set in Order, Organize) Once you have reduced the clutter, you and your children can begin to organize those items you have decided to keep. Ask them to consider the functionality of the workspace: what items do they need to have frequent, quick, and easy access to? Have them group items such as crafts and art supplies can together. Buy clear bins for storage so that you can easily see what is inside without having to pull everything out searching for the thing you only need twice a year. 3. *Seiso* (Shine, Clean) [5stoday.com](http://5stoday.com) says that the Shine stage of 5S “focuses on cleaning up the work area, which means sweeping, mopping, dusting, wiping down surfaces, putting tools and materials away, etc.” Each child can have a specific set of jobs. For example: George is in charge of wiping down tables/desktops and returning books to their designated place on the shelf; and Tara is responsible for emptying the waste basket and making sure all the art supplies get put away properly. 4. *Seiketsu* (Standardize) This step of 5S will help you easily maintain all the hard work you have completed in steps 1-3. [Japan Intercultural Consulting](https://www.japanintercultural.com/en/news/default.aspx?newsid=96) says, “Just as in *Seiri* (sorting) and S*eiton* (organizing), all tools and materials have their proper place, in S*eiketsu* 5S duties are scheduled for their proper times and integrated with other job activities. 5S isn’t something added to jobs, it is an integral and necessary part of everyone’s job.” This is where creating a daily chore chart can come in handy, and helps reinforce a sense of ownership and responsibility that’s needed for balanced child development. Ask your kids to make a list of things they think need to be done each day to maintain all their hard work and keep their space beautiful. Divvy up the tasks and create a rotation of jobs so that no one gets bored of doing the same job over and over again. 5. *Shitsuke* (Sustain) [5stoday.com](https://www.5stoday.com/what-is-5s/) says, “Sustain is about making 5S a long-term program, not just an event or short-term project. Ideally, 5S becomes a part of \[your\] culture. And when 5S is sustained over time, that’s when \[you\] will start to notice continuous positive results.” Being consistent with the systems you’ve put in place now will ensure that you can make 5S part of your family’s lifestyle. It will set you on a path to continual success when it comes to keeping your workspace clean and tidy. When our children take ownership of their responsibilities and dwelling spaces, they are actually building characteristics that will carry them far beyond the classroom or playroom. Maybe they’ll even translate these lessons into lifelong practices. Have you added the 5S Process to your Christian parenting and homeschooling resources? Head on over to our [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno) page and tell us what you think! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Ideas for New Kid Min Leaders: Starting a Children's Ministry Off Strong](https://gominno.com/blog/ideas-for-new-kid-min-leaders-starting-a-childrens-ministry-off-strong/) **Published:** October 2, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-ideas-new-youth-leaders-st...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/oJ9kTwdZQ8u3cMjl2WmV.jpg) The beginnings of any group are crucial, and ministries are no exception. Establishing a firm foundation for your children’s ministry could mean the difference between creating an organization that flourishes and one that withers. If you are a new leader and you’re looking for ways to encourage the success of your ministry, here are some children’s ministry ideas to help you start off on the right foot. 1. Choose a Strong Leadership Team Having a strong group of people to help [develop the vision](https://www.oklahomayouthministries.com/all-posts/2016/3/29/starting-a-youth-ministry-from-scratch) for your ministry is imperative if you want to begin in a healthy place. These leaders will be the sounding board for the central leader’s ideas and can be the movers and shakers to help implement plans. Be sure to carefully vet your team to ensure that each member is aware of your vision for the ministry and that their personal visions appropriately align. While it is important to have balance and a variety of strengths, work to ensure that each individual’s abilities are conducive to creating the ministry you want. This should be a strong *team* of leaders, not just a group of strong leaders. Beginning a ministry is a difficult group effort that requires the cooperation of all parties. When you’re deciding who will be part of your leadership team, ensure that the personalities of the different members mesh well with one another. If conflict arises early on, it could compromise the integrity of your ministry’s foundation. Make collaboration and cooperation a primary goal for your leadership team and prioritize exercises that encourage [team building](https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-team-building-1918270) practices from the outset. 2. Develop a Budget Nobody in ministry wants to talk about money. As a non-profit organization, your main drive is for the betterment of the communities you serve and the people you minister to. When it comes to the more bureaucratic duties like budgeting and managing facilities, you may be tempted to let these tasks fall to the wayside. While they may seem less important than the more “spiritual” work of your ministry, the fact of the matter is that even churches need some sort of funding to operate. Once you have developed a vision for the type of ministry that would best serve your community, talk with the financial professionals in your church. These people may have the best ideas regarding what your church congregation can help facilitate financially. 3. Set Reasonable Goals and Expectations It’s important that the expectations for your ministry are appropriate for your church’s size and scope. For a congregation of fifty, it may not be reasonable to dream of a children’s facility with all the latest gadgets and technology. If you are constantly comparing your ministry to some of the flashier, big-budget ministries, you may find yourself disappointed with your team’s genuine efforts. Whether your congregation is large or small, the most important thing is to tailor your ministry for your community. Aspirations and goals are important to strive toward, but be careful that your vision for ministry doesn’t get in the way of the real-life needs of your people. 4. Get Feedback Speaking of the needs of your community, it may not be prudent to assume that you fully understand what all families need. It is especially vital that children in their formative years are being cared for in the best possible way. If you are in the throes of planning how to begin your children’s ministry, consider hosting a “town hall” of sorts for your church in which you glean the insight of your church members. It is important to gather demographic information like the numbers and ages of your child population, but you should also gather more qualitative data on the families of your church. It is important to know if the children of your congregation have special needs that may require additional support. It can also be helpful to gather feedback from families in your church after the ministry has begun. Parents and other congregants may have a perspective that you and your leadership team lack that could help illuminate potential issues in the operations of the ministry. These conversations could be vital for improving the [content](https://www.gominno.com/blog/sunday-school-resources-fun-ideas-for-teaching-creation) of your children’s ministry, as well as its structure. 5. Get Started You want to be as prepared as possible for the beginning of your children’s ministry, but there does come a time when you need to launch, regardless of whether every loose end is tied up. Start by involving kids in the service, then scale up your activities according to your resources and how much time your leadership team can commit. There will always be some unexpected things that you can only learn via trial by fire. The best way to learn how to run your children’s ministry is simply through running it. You will never truly know what your ministry needs to operate until it is in full operation. Be sure to hold frequent meetings to reflect on the success and trouble spots of your children’s ministry, especially in its earliest stages. Teaching kids faith is an important and difficult task. To make sure that your ministry has as much success as possible, do what you can to establish a firm foundation. Trying out these tips could be what helps set your children’s ministry on the road to flourishing. If you’re looking for more tips on teaching kids about Jesus, children’s ministry resources, and Bible stories for kids, check out our catalogue of Sunday school resources, engaging [media](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on), and more! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Making Your Children Feel Loved (Even When They Mess Up)](https://gominno.com/blog/making-your-children-feel-loved-even-when-they-mess-up/) **Published:** September 27, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-loving-kids-who-messed-up.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rkgeEzfbSpyVTzJJkWFY.jpg) It’s Monday, and everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. The dog got loose and you and your kids spent a large portion of the morning looking for him. Everyone got their clothes muddy and will have to change, or else get everything else in the house dirty. Then you find out that the refrigerator is not working properly. You feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and already behind for the week. But then your middle child comes to you and says, “Mommy, I have to tell you something. It was me who accidentally let the dog out this morning. I’m really, really sorry.” Situations like these are the most difficult in Christian parenting, but they can also be surprisingly positive. Despite the stresses all around you, these are opportunities for teaching yours kids Bible lessons through your actions. ## Approaching a Child Who Has Messed Up 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Love, the Bible says, covers it all. That is a pretty bold statement, but it’s true. When one of your kids messes up, let them know that you love them – that no matter what happens in life, you will always care. Making this reality not only known but *felt* will help sustain your relationship. Why? Because when you love at all times, you create an environment where they feel safe – where they know that regardless of what they do, they won’t lose your love. To help kids navigate life, they need a safe place to come to for guidance, wisdom, and reassurance. If they don’t feel your love, they won’t come to you when it counts. ## Working Together Builds Trust Once you’ve established that it’s safe for them to approach you with mistakes, it’s time to begin teaching them how to come out of it wiser and stronger. This is where the difficult part begins. Together, you will need to figure out how to handle the repercussions of the mistake and how they can go about setting things right. This may seem daunting, but remember that your actions are a clear way of teaching kids faith. If you respond to them in a Christ-like way, they will begin to understand more clearly what Jesus is like. But what if your kid begins to justify their actions? If this happens, you may need to back up until they decide to accept responsibility and admit their mistake. Once they take responsibility, however, ask your child what kind of repercussions they think should happen for different types of mistakes. For example: - Was the mistake disobedience or rebellion? Did your child let the dog loose after you told them not to? - Was the mistake willfulness? Did your kid let the dog loose because they were mad at their siblings? - Was the mistake deceitfulness? Did they let the dog loose, then blame it on someone or something else initially? - Was the mistake an accident? Did they accidentally lean against the door of the fence and the dog took advantage of the open door? The reality is that each of these reasons will elicit a different consequence. This is when patience and love on your part count the most. If you are rash and dish out punishment without thinking or discussing this with your kids, you’ll likely create an environment of fear. Remember that your ultimate goal is to help your kids learn how to be strong and wise, even when mistakes are made. Here is another verse about love: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18, NIV). In a household where love is in place, your kids will not fear coming to you to admit when they’ve made a mistake. If your love surrounds them from every direction, approaching you to admit what they’ve done wrong won’t simply be the right thing to do – it might even be a relief! ## Love, Love, Love The Bible spends a lot of time talking about love. Love doesn’t only drive out fear, but it drives out our own agendas and puts God’s agenda in place. Help your kids realize that they are loved, without a doubt, regardless of anything they do. Talk to them about [how forgiveness works](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-forgiveness) – that no matter what happens in their lives, you will always love them, and God will always love them, too. Create an environment where mistakes are stepping stones to learning about Jesus and becoming more like him, not stepping stones to feelings of shame. Love is like water to a flower; it’s vital for growth and blooming – and that’s what we want to see in our kids. Looking for family devotionals, or for inspiring avenues for teaching kids about Jesus? Check out our online catalogue of engaging media and helpful tools! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Tips for Keeping Sunday School Craft Time Less Messy](https://gominno.com/blog/tips-for-keeping-sunday-school-craft-time-less-messy/) **Published:** September 25, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-tips-keeping-craft-time-le...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XYPIbiMsQLmuxn9WY2gw.jpg) As a children’s pastor or ministry leader, you’re constantly finding new ways to ensure that teaching kids faith is [engaging](https://www.gominno.com/blog/sunday-school-resources-fun-ideas-for-teaching-creation) and educational. One of the best ways to do this is a classic no-brainer: craft time. By incorporating crafts into your Bible stories for kids, your students reap the benefits of engaging their creative minds as well as their intellectual minds. Craft time also allows them to take something home as a way to spark conversation with their families about the day’s lesson. Crafts serve as a reminder of what they learned in Sunday school. While crafts are a staple of Sunday school curriculum, a room full of kids plus a tub of glitter and glue can often spell disaster. As a busy children’s pastor, the last thing you and your team want to dedicate extra time to is cleaning up a huge mess. Here are some helpful tips for keeping craft time less messy so you can spend your time on more important tasks. 1. Use Crayons and Washable Markers Instead of Paints There are a million different reasons why using paint probably isn’t the best idea. Uncapped paints can be a hazard for spilling or can dry out and be a waste of money. Paint also presents the risk of splattering when in use, and water for cleaning brushes in between colors is yet another opportunity for spillage. Paint may create beautiful, vibrant artwork, but if the purpose of your craft is to make an artifact to represent the day’s lesson, you may want to consider some other options. Unlike paint that can stain or dry up, crayons are a much tidier craft supply. Crayons are cost-effective and can be stored easily for a long time. If crayon gets on a surface, the wax can be easily scrubbed or scraped off. Washable markers are another medium that can keep craft time cleaner. Washable markers still create the same vibrant colors as paints, but they will come off surfaces much easier and can be washed out of fabrics. For your younger student, you may even try incorporating [paint sticks](https://www.amazon.com/Chunkies-Paint-Sticks-Variet-Pack/dp/B0799J58K1/ref=sxin_0_ac_d_rm?keywords=paint+sticks&pd_rd_i=B0799J58K1&pd_rd_r=725f47d6-611e-46c5-b131-21086bcf97cc&pd_rd_w=KUTAh&pd_rd_wg=58WId&pf_rd_p=91b604bb-c371-4573-970f-bed68a552852&pf_rd_r=T09J53C2D50M5XFYDD0K&qid=1559857035&s=gateway)! These nifty tools offer all of the fun and vibrance of paint without any of the mess. You can feel free to let the little ones create their masterpieces without fear of completely destroying your classroom or sending them back to parents as an utter mess. The paint from these sticks even has a quick-dry formula to ensure there is no mess at any point in the process. 2. Use Glue Sticks Instead of Glue That giant bottle of white craft glue is an accident waiting to happen. For kids who love sticky, gooey substances, dumping out a bottle of glue and splashing in it with their hands is probably the best part of craft time. Bottled glue takes potentially hours to dry and offers little precision in application. One wrong move and the glue is either spilled all over the table, or covering the craft you were making. A simple solution is to use glue sticks instead. A glue stick is not nearly as enticing for kids who like to play with bottled glue, so you’ll probably find fewer of them abusing their glue privileges. A glue stick is also a more precise medium. With no opportunities to spill, a glue stick puts glue directly where you want it and nowhere else – just be sure to put the cap back on. 3. Have Smocks on Hand for Messier Activities When kids have craft time, what is their first instinct if they get something on their hands? If you answered: *Wipe it on their shirt, pants, or neighbor*, you’re correct! It would be great if every kid walked over to the sink for a wash when crafts got messy, but that may be us dreaming the impossible dream. If your kids have craft glue and sequins smeared all over their clothes, you can be sure that it will soon transfer to your cabinets, carpets, and tables. Save yourself a headache and keep a set of smocks on hand when you anticipate a messier craft. Remember that these don’t have to be professional attire. A bunch of large donated T-shirts (or the leftovers from your last church event) could be the one thing standing between you and a giant mess. The parents of your Sunday school students will also be immensely appreciative. Since smocks can be easily thrown in a trash bag and washed for their next use, parents no longer have to worry about craft time staining their kids’ clothes or dirtying up their cars. 4. Invite Kids to Help You Clean Up Even if the particular tools you’ve used for craft time aren’t messy, putting away all of the supplies and cleaning up scraps of paper can still be time-consuming. This can be a great opportunity to teach kids [the importance of hard work](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-verses-from-proverbs-to-teach-kids-about-working-hard) and helping others. While enlisting your Sunday school class to help clean up the mess from craft time can lift some of the burden from your shoulders, it also presents an opportunity for your kids to learn how to clean up after themselves instead of relying on adults to do it for them. They may also feel an additional sense of accomplishment because they were able to complete a difficult task and exercise some autonomy. The duties of a children’s pastor are many, and while each of them is important, there may be a more pressing need for your time (and your team’s!) than spending hours cleaning up a messy craft. To avoid throwing out craft time completely, start implementing these mess-free craft ideas and see for yourself the difference it makes. If you’re looking for more Sunday school [craft ideas](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/activities-crafts), children’s ministry ideas, or tools for teaching kids about Jesus, check out our catalogue of resources to help your ministry flourish in exciting and engaging ways! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Family Devotional: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself](https://gominno.com/blog/family-devotional-love-your-neighbor-as-yourself/) **Published:** September 20, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-family-devotionals-teachin...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/owsHKnuhQpyPEAHc67Dx.jpg) Whether it’s through family devotionals or how we prioritize our family life, teaching kids about Jesus is something Christian parents are trying to do all the time. This devotional focuses on how we can be more like Jesus in how we treat others, including each other. It’s a great lesson Jesus taught us and a message that can truly transform the world, as well as our homes. ## A Modern-Day Good Samaritan Not too long ago late at night, my neighbor was rushing to his car to go to a friend’s house when he saw something on the ground. He wasn’t sure what it was, so he stopped and looked a little harder. He suddenly realized it was a man, face down on the ground, and seemingly unconscious with his dogs loose on a leash. The young man didn’t even turn his car off or take his keys; he simply jumped out and rushed over to help the man. He called 911, took care of the man’s dogs, and eventually took them to the man’s house. Everything turned out fine, but the injured man was suffering from a rare form of cancer and fell down after a reaction to his medicine. If the young man had not intervened and ignored the other man, the outcome would not have been so good. This is an example of loving others more than our schedules, more than our needs, and more than our wants. It’s an example of loving our neighbor. ## How Can You Love Your Neighbors? Jesus said that one of the most important commandments is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). This sounds easy, doesn’t it? But we get distracted, we get busy, and we don’t always pay attention to what others might be going through in their lives. Sometimes it’s because we are going through hard things ourselves and we don’t even notice. Ask your kids: What does it mean to be a neighbor? You may be surprised at their answers! Share with them that according to [*Vine’s Greek New Testament Dictionary*](http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?search=NEIGHBOR&dict=vine&lang=english), the Bible word for neighbor in Greek is much more expansive than the English word. To be a neighbor doesn’t mean simply to live next to someone, but to be helpful, sincere, and kind. Brainstorm with your family how you can do this in your lives. - You can help others – Groceries, lawn care, opening doors, returning shopping carts, etc. - You can be real – In your relationships with others, don’t try to be something you are not. - You can be kind to others – We are called to show kindness to other people even when they are not kind to us. ## Learning About Love from the Good Samaritan Jesus shows us how to love our neighbor by telling the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Read the story of the Good Samaritan to your kids or [watch this short episode of The Jesus Stories](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-jesus-stories/videos/the-good-samaritan). Ask your kids some leading questions, such as: - Why do you think all of the other people passed the injured man by? - Do we ever do things like this in our own lives? - Why do you think the Good Samaritan decided to help him? - Do you think this is something that he just started doing that day? Or, do you think he tried to help others whenever the opportunity came his way? Jesus wants us to see things from His perspective. When we read the Bible, we’re not just learning about Jesus, but learning to be more like Jesus. The Good Samaritan story is a lesson on how we can be more like Jesus by helping and loving everyone, even people overlooked by others. After all, this is what Jesus did for us. When we were lost and left for dead because of our sin (Ephesians 2:1), Jesus didn’t ignore us or proudly look away, but picked us up, rescued us, and brought us home to His Father’s house forever. Everything that Jesus asks us to do mirrors what He has already done for us. ## Who is My Neighbor? Reinforce to your kids that your neighbor can be anyone around you who needs help, needs a friend, or needs you to pray for them. This can be at school, at home, at church, etc. This is important to emphasize since Christian parenting doesn’t stop at the church door or with family devotionals. It’s important to help your kids understand that their “Good Samaritan” story may not include someone lying on the side of the road, but it could be anyone they encounter. Ask them to think back over the past week. Did they encounter any situations where they could have shown love? Some examples might include: - Helping a friend with a problem. - Helping someone carry in a load of items into church or their home. - Praying for someone who is going through a difficult time and making sure they know you are there for them. - Sending a card or letter to someone. The amount of ways we can show love to others is endless. ## Finding Ways to Love One of the ways that loving your neighbors can become second nature is through being deliberate and intentional. We should be constantly in tune with others and aware of their possible needs. Ask your kids about ways to show God’s love to people they meet and see on a day-to-day basis, as well as ways that you can show God’s love to others as a family. Write these things down and make the list prominent in your home. As these things become a priority in your family, they might even become second nature! Through your family, many people will have the opportunity to experience the love of God. ## A Prayer of Love Finally, wrap up your family devotional time with a prayer. You can ask your kids which neighbors they’d like to pray for, or you can pray together the prayer we’ve provided below. *Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and coming to rescue us. Please show us how to love our neighbors and friends. Help us to be more aware of others and their needs. We don’t want to be like those in the Good Samaritan story who passed up an opportunity to show love. Help us be like the Good Samaritan – and to be like You. Amen.* For more engaging Bible stories, Sunday School lessons, and positive media check out our online catalogue of resources to help you teach the Bible to kids! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Homeschool Tips: How to Keep "Home" and "School" Separate](https://gominno.com/blog/homeschool-tips-how-to-keep-home-and-school-separate/) **Published:** September 18, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-keeping-home-school-separa...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/002DXnZ9Rj6feJpigYbG.jpg) One of the challenges parents have when homeschooling their kids is where to conduct “school” and keeping home separate so their kids don’t feel like they are always in school. It’s a fact – getting involved in Christian homeschooling can be a daunting task that leaves you with lots of questions, and the very last thing you need to be worrying about is where your kids will be having “class”. A good mantra is to keep it simple. Don’t jump into a large-scale home remodeling project. All you need to do is have a [dedicated homeschooling space](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-essentials-for-creating-the-perfect-homeschooling-room). Think about this: Where do your kids tend to gravitate? Is it the kitchen island? A desk in their room? At the table? Ask yourself if these are places where they can be productive. If the answer is yes, then you’ve found your space. The goal is for your student to have success in their schooling. If the kitchen island facilitates this, then it’s a win-win: it’s a place where they are familiar and a place where they are productive. There are many [homeschooling resources](https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/yes-you-can-homeschool-without-a-homeschool-room/) that can help you with basic organization around that space. For now, here are four ways to separate “home” and “school” as you homeschool. 1. Schedule Lesson/Instruction Time and Office Time (for Planning) Schedule their lesson time for each day. This will be part of your “office” time to [ensure that everything is planned](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-tips-for-easier-homeschool-planning) within the time parameters you have set for instruction. Setting a specific time for lessons is actually more important than using the same location for your student’s studies. Consistent lesson/instruction time gives them a framework. If instruction time is always 10am-12am for Math and Science, then the separation begins. They know that those hours aren’t for video games or playing outside, but for school. If your days aren’t organized into a schedule, your kids will feel it. But remember that schedules do not need to be rigid. The nice part about being in charge of your schedule (rather than working with someone else’s) is that you can plan your days with the particular needs of your students in mind. 2. Honor the Start and End of the School Day Christian families who homeschool will often start their school day with prayer and/or a time of [family devotions](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions). Consider doing this before your school day begins, or choose some other consistent way to start and end your day. This gives your kids structure and allows their minds to focus. You could use a bell, or begin each day with a [humorous episode from a Bible story series](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog). After school is over, put away lesson materials so they’re not in the area where your kids have been studying. Select a cabinet or closet specified for all of your homeschooling materials and supplies. Make this storage space off limits after hours so that your kids see the separation between home and school. 3. Plan Meals and Menus For optimal child development, kids need healthy, nutritional nourishment. Make menus and plan each meal as if you were posting your menu to a group site. This helps your student feel like your school is “real” because you have an actual menu. Plus, it helps them know what to expect each day. Involve them in the planning and shopping as well. This will encourage them to select foods they like, but it also gives you an opportunity to teach them nutritional basics for a healthy life. 4. Try Off-Site Activities (Parks, Museums, etc.) Having your home as a dual location for your students may seem like a challenge, but there are many advantages to it. Because you are the scheduler of instruction time, you can plan time outside of the home for activities and/or field trips. Some of the most memorable learning happens when kids are given the opportunity to watch and participate. Schedule a day to visit the zoo, but not just for walking it. Create a list of animals to discover. Hand out paper to your kids with a pencil and encourage them to make observations and look for specific types of animals. Or, go to a bakery and watch as the baker mixes ingredients. Talk to your kids about how the mixing of ingredients is actually chemistry in action. Regardless of what type of off-site activity you choose, doing these activities consistently and often will keep your kids from feeling stuck at home. As you work through homeschooling and Christian parenting, keep in mind that every homeschool scenario is different. Just because your space doesn’t look like someone else’s doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Check out these [resources](https://www.theintentionalmom.com/balancing-the-home-in-homeschool/) for encouragement about the balancing act you’ll be performing every day. Because we so rarely get it right the first time, take courage in knowing that there are so many other homeschool families willing to help and provide ideas. Enjoy the process, engage your kids, and have fun! For more homeschooling resources, or if you’re looking for more tips on [Christian parenting](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith), check out [our catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of resources for kids Bible stories, family devotionals, and more! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Handle Your Child's Back-to-School Anxiety](https://gominno.com/blog/back-to-school-anxiety/) **Published:** September 10, 2019 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mm6x0NESxW2pDPFrZRQT.jpg) My two older children have always loved going back to school. But my third-born is different. For the first two weeks of Kindergarten, he would cry and ask for us to stay in class with him. Even now, entering the second grade, he tells me that his stomach hurts or that he’s too tired. The problem for him isn’t with bullies or schoolwork that’s too difficult. It’s a feeling of anxiety that grips him each day. *Do you have a child who struggles like this?* We know our kids are safe in God’s hands, and although it isn’t always easy to “let go and let God”, we can know for certain that His Word says it is true! He tells us that He’ll never leave or forsake your child (Hebrews 13:5) and that His right hand will guide their going out and coming in (Psalm 121:8). Even still, we want to know how to help our anxious child as they begin a new school year. Let’s talk about four things we can do to help! ## How to Handle Your Child’s Back-to-School Anxiety **Pray for them.** This is the first and probably most obvious step to take, but it’s really the key one to start with when dealing with back-to-school anxiety. Take some time each morning, either before they get on the bus or on the way to drop-off to pray specifically over each child. Choose a Scripture for the year to represent who God is to your child in their anxiety (such as Psalm 121 or Hebrews 13:5 as I mentioned above) and pray that Scripture over them out loud. Or join this [10-day back-to-school prayer challenge](https://thepurposefulmom.com/10-day-back-to-school-prayer-challenge-for-moms.html) to help you be specific with your prayers over your kids! **Talk out specific situations with them so you can get at the source of what’s wrong.** Because our kids are out of our direct supervision during the day, things can happen. Maybe there’s a situation that took place last school year that’s making them anxious or perhaps they’re not sure what to think of their new teacher. After all, they spend a lot of hours with students and staff, so we want to help our kids adjust to that in any way we can! I’ve found it helpful to ask our kids three questions at the beginning of each school year: 1. Is there anything you’re feeling nervous about? 2. Is there anything that you’re wondering about but are afraid to ask? 3. What is one thing you’re excited about doing (at recess, in class, etc)? Those questions aren’t anything groundbreaking, but they may help your child to open up and offer chances for additional conversation. Don’t dismiss their fears or concerns. Validate them while also responding with truth from God’s Word. **Help them find the positive.** Take them to school early for an open house if you can, to introduce them to their teacher and classroom. If the anxiety sets in after the school year has begun, talk with them about the good things that are a part of their day – the chance to see friends, read good books, go to gym class – whatever it is that appeals to them. Remind your child that you are always there to talk and that God’s presence will be with them. If your child is older, ask them to take one day at a time and report to you about any anxiety they experienced as well as one positive thing about the day to help them focus on what is good. **Let someone know.** It might be helpful to inform a school teacher, nurse or counselor that your child is struggling. There are probably ways they can help during the day that you may not think of. It’s possible that there could be a learning disorder or separation anxiety at play that your child is nervous to talk to you about but may be willing to reveal to a teacher or counselor. Plus, if your child is in a Christian school, that teacher or counselor can pray for them too! Rally prayer support around your child from other special people in their life too. Thankfully, for most kids, the new school year anxieties will eventually settle down and your child will feel more comfortable in their surroundings. Until that time, these tips will help your child to know that you (and God!) are always with them and caring for them, waiting with open arms and compassionate words at the end of each school day. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Looking for a New Church? Reach Out to Children’s Ministers](https://gominno.com/blog/looking-for-a-new-church-reach-out-to-childrens-ministers/) **Published:** September 9, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-Children](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YfRUvNKeS9K8xIm5SKEO.jpg) We had a wonderful church community in our hometown, but then my husband had a job offer in Nashville that moved our family to a new city, and we began our search for a new church family. Trying out churches can be intimidating in any city, but in Nashville—a city appropriately deemed the buckle of the Bible Belt—I was overwhelmed with the choices. With so many amazing churches in one city, how could we know which one would be right for us? Of course worship, teaching, and community outreach were a big part of our decision-making process, but as a mama of two tiny humans, my main concern with finding a church was finding a stellar children’s and youth program that would cultivate child development and a growing relationship with Jesus. We visited a handful of churches that had great community. When we checked our kids into one children’s church in particular, we could see giant bounce houses and a balloon artist making animal balloons for all the kids. I just knew this would be the church my kids were going to be the most excited about. But to my surprise, I asked my 5 year old daughter after our first visit how she liked the children’s church, and her response was “Well, we had a lot of fun but they didn’t talk about that guy Jesus at all.” I was shocked for a couple of reasons. First, she could care less about all the fancy entertainment the church offered. She was curious about Jesus and was looking for her church experience to teach her. And second,it seemed from this visit that the church was not making teaching a priority. The children’s ministry appeared to be more of a supervised kids playground experience. I felt sadness in my heart in that moment, because I knew that no matter how awesome the adult experience was, I would never be able to fully invest my heart in a place where my children’s faith was not being intentionally cultivated toward relationship with God. Needless to say, we did not return. I’ve shared this experience with several friends, and I know I’m not alone in making my children’s faith a priority when it comes to church membership. It can be hard for Christian families to know how to choose the right church or youth ministry. A great place to begin is simply to talk to the church’s youth ministers and children’s pastors to gain insight on their approach to teaching kids about the Bible and Jesus. You could call, email, or even schedule a church visit/tour. We have created a list of a few things you could ask about in order to help get you started on the right path when it comes to your own church hunt. ## Core Values Ask children’s pastors, “What are your church’s core values? What types of teachings does your church focus on, and how are they a part of your children’s and youth curriculums?“ ## What Makes Your Church Different? The need for quality children’s and youth programs is real. This is an impressionable time of their lives as they grow in their faith. Find out why they feel their church is special. Ask questions like, “How did you know this was the right home church for you?” And, “What sets your children’s curriculum and programs apart?” ## How Do You Handle Volunteers and Staff I once attended a church while I was single and childless. I had attended only one month when I received an email that said the following Sunday I was scheduled to volunteer in children’s church. The problem was, I hadn’t applied to volunteer, nor had anyone formally invited me to do so. Upon further investigation, I learned that it was church policy that every single person who attended their church be placed on the “childcare rotation.” This made me uncomfortable for many reasons, mainly on a safety level. I was still pretty new to this community, and while I liked children and had experience teaching Sunday school, no one at this church really knew me, no one performed a background check, and no one discussed bringing me into their program prior to my assignment. It felt completely irresponsible to me that a church would just invite anyone in off the street to be in charge of their most precious members. Be sure to ask children’s and youth ministers about how volunteers and ministry workers are trained, if they complete background checks, and how volunteers are added to their roster. We want people teaching our children who have beautiful relationships with Jesus, who are passionate about children, and who are safe and trustworthy to be in charge of these tiny humans we love so much. ## Youth Outreach If youth group activities, ministry opportunities, mission trips, and community service are important character building elements for your family, find out what types of outreach the church offers for their youth groups. Ask, “How involved are the youth in other ministries and activities?” ## Beyond Sunday Mornings Your home church should be a strong and thriving community that does more than just meet on Sunday to sing a few songs and read a passage from the book of James. If you have young children, you’re probably interested in a Parents Day Out program or VBS. Your teen may like to know about an upcoming youth group lock-in or retreat. Ask, “Besides Sunday School, what other activities are offered (retreats, VBS, Mom’s Day Out, and so on)” Creating a space to learn and dialogue with the church staff about their core values, how they manage volunteers, their youth group outreach opportunities, as well as what is offered beyond attending Sunday services is a great place to start and engage with church leadership. Finding a space to worship that engages our children and teaches them about God’s love is totally possible. Using the questions above has certainly helped our family find an amazing place to land in our new city. Let us know what you think! Head over to our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/Minnotv/) and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno) pages and tell us how you found your church and what you love about the community you share there! If you’re still hunting, let us know what you’re experiencing during your search! We are here for you and will continue to bring you quality Christian parenting and Christian homeschooling resources to support you on this journey. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Alpha Omega Homeschool Curriculum Review](https://gominno.com/blog/alpha-omega-homeschool-curriculum-review/) **Published:** August 21, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-alpha-omega-homeschool-cur...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/o6ggEpXVRkS0lSLPK04q.jpg) For Christian families who choose to homeschool, additional homeschooling resources could be the support you’ve been looking for to help you tackle all of the different tasks in your busy schedule. While many parents choose to homeschool in order to ensure autonomy over curriculum taught in the classroom, there does come a time when outside materials may be the best choice for your student. Healthy child development requires that your child’s education grows with them. As a homeschool parent, you may feel the pressure to be an expert on everything, and that pressure may increase as your child grows. This can be even further compounded if you have multiple children and dozens of subjects to juggle. Choosing a [homeschool curriculum](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) to aid in your Christian homeschooling can be a difficult choice with so many circulating on the market. With variations in price, accreditation, and curriculum style, the options can be overwhelming. We investigated one of the top programs: Alpha Omega Academy. Here’s what you need to know. 1. Age Range Alpha Omega Academy (AOA) offers a variety of [curriculum options](https://www.aoacademy.com/aoa-academics/#individualized-plans) for a range of ages and subjects. In particular, their online schooling serves grades 3 to 12, while their curriculum for younger grades is available in what they refer to as “LIFEPACs” which resemble workbooks and activity pages you may be familiar with. AOA schooling has the capability of taking your child from kindergarten all the way through [graduation](https://www.aoacademy.com/our-program/graduation-requirements/), supporting their individual needs along the way. 2. Subject Matter Alpha Omega Academy has uniquely diversified curriculum options. When a child enrolls at AO Academy, one of the first steps is to set up an [individualized learning plan](https://www.aoacademy.com/aoa-experience/#learning-plan) that identifies your child’s current academic standing, learning style, and academic goals. Based on that information, a team of teachers, counselors, and advisors are chosen to support your student as they continue through the Alpha Omega Academy. AOA also offers a wide variety of subjects as part of their curriculum. Not only do they offer three different options for grades 3-12 online curriculum, but they also offer over 130 elective courses as well as 40 different options for career and technology education. Your student will be able to choose from 14 different “clusters” of career studies, ranging from architecture to government to finance, to begin engaging with career options, all while receiving a quality Christian homeschool education. 3. Structure As previously mentioned, AOA offers a few different options for how their programs are structured. For some of the younger grades, curriculum packets and workbooks are available for a more analog approach. For the older grade levels, AOA offers a full [online learning management system](https://www.aoacademy.com/aoa-experience/#command-center) for convenient access to learning materials. With several start dates each month, you student can begin whenever your family’s schedule allows without feeling left behind. While materials are accessible online and curriculum is pre-established, a full [staff of educators](https://www.aoacademy.com/benefits/staff/) are available to contact students and to scaffold the learning process. These teachers track student success frequently and service all academic needs to foster growth in each student. 4. Comparison When compared to other homeschooling curriculum, a notable characteristic of AOA is the strength of their digital platform. Their online libraries of academic content and sophisticated learning management system establish a schooling system that is truly web-based and easily accessible. While this may be an attractive feature for some, parents who aren’t as tech-savvy or who do not wish to have the majority of their child’s education digitized may not appreciate these qualities. AOA also has fewer analog options than some other homeschooling curricula. Resources like [Abeka](https://www.abeka.com/Search.aspx#stq=&waysteach=SUBJECTKIT) have less sophisticated online programs, but more options for physical textbooks and work pages. 5. Parent Reviews Another helpful feature of AOA’s online platform is their [parent portal](https://www.aoacademy.com/parents/). AOA seeks to actively involve parents in tracking and measuring their student’s progress, even if the parent isn’t the primary teacher of their student. In reflection on how AOA has affected their students, parents have noted the following: - The online platform streamlines the education process, freeing up time for parents. - AOA made for a smooth transition from high school to college. - School staff is helpful and supportive. - The flexibility helps families who move frequently or who have busy schedules In general, [parent testimonials](https://www.aoacademy.com/testimonials/) overwhelmingly praise AOA for having available and caring teachers, rigorous curriculum, and flexible options. As a parent, one of your primary goals is to ensure that your child has a quality education to set them on a trajectory for success. If homeschooling is the right choice for your child, you have more options than ever for how to support the teaching you do at home. If the Alpha Omega Academy curriculum is a program that would benefit your family, check out their [website](https://www.aoacademy.com/) today to start making your first steps. For more Christian parenting tips, homeschool resources, and family devotional ideas, check out our [online catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of engaging media to support the holistic education of your child, in and out of school. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [10 Encouraging Quotes About Parenting from Christian Leaders](https://gominno.com/blog/10-encouraging-quotes-about-parenting-from-christian-leaders/) **Published:** July 8, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-encouraging-quotes-for-par...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/zQa1cztTgeYCYz6u2Qz2.jpg) Winston Churchill said, “Continuous effort – not strength nor intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” Every parent knows Christian parenting isn’t easy and that continuous effort is required – effort to get up when you only got a smidgen of sleep, effort to stay focused on your boundary-pushing child, effort when you feel like you have no more to give, and effort in teaching kids about Jesus. It never stops – and sometimes we need help from friends, pastors, meaningful songs, or from trustworthy words spoken by others. For parents, learning about Jesus can take many forms, but one way to receive strength from God in your parenting is to read thoughts and ideas from wise Christians. Below are ten quotes from leaders, authors, and pastors that are meant to encourage you and give meaning to the continuous effort you put in each day: ## Quotes of Encouragement “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” ~Francis Chan “As a parent, your part is to pray for your kids and teach them what the Bible says about how to live, set up guidelines for them to follow, determine what the consequences will be if they disobey, and follow through with those consequences when necessary. God’s part is to work with your children’s hearts and help them change their inward attitudes. The children’s part is to choose what they are going to do. Parents get out of balance when they try to manage all three parts of this process themselves.” ~Joyce Meyer “Determinism makes parents conclude that good shaping influences will automatically produce good children. This often bears bitter fruit later in life. Parents who have an unruly and troublesome teenager or young adult conclude that the problem is the shaping influences they provided. They think if they had made a little better home, things would have turned out OK. They forget that the child is never determined solely by shaping influences of life. Remember that Proverbs 4:23 instructs you that the heart is the fountain from which life flows. Your child’s heart determines how he responds to your parenting.” ~Tedd Tripp “Some of your children’s rebellion against your spiritual lifestyle might be a necessary step in their finding an authentic relationship with God. But beware: If they find it, it might look quite different from what you’ve always thought it should be.” ~Tim Kimmel “Everyone has a chapter that they do not want to read out loud.” ~Toby Mac “If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things. It is we, of course, to whom things look ‘little’ or ‘big’.” –Elisabeth Elliot “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” ~Chuck Swindoll “Life will always give you a second chance – it’s called tomorrow.” ~Toby Mac “Relying on God has to start all over everyday, as if nothing has yet been done.” ~C. S. Lewis “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” ~Zig Ziglar ## Parenting Isn’t Easy Nobody said being a parent is easy, so why do we think we have to be perfect? Is it because of pressure from others? Or pressure from our children? The amazing reality is that children are resilient because they know what it means to love unconditionally. We make mistakes, and they love. We are grumpy, and they love. We forget something, and they love. Their love is boundless – a bit like Jesus’ love – but we still feel the pressure of perfect parenting. The concept of perfection is actually anti-Scriptural. Our goal in teaching kids Bible truths is to help them grow more like Jesus. We struggle because we make mistakes, we mess up. But, children love us in spite of our mistakes. They give us a second chance. The thing your child needs most is for you to be there. It’s simple: they need you. They need you to listen when they’re sad and when they’re happy. They need you to drive them to practice and piano lessons – and sometimes these seemingly mundane moments of ordinary life are ripe for learning. Keep your eyes open for them. Take these times to show them how you are growing. You can also delve into Scripture with them, teaching them through family devotionals that life is a journey of growth and learning and messing up and starting again. If you’re looking for a place to begin, check out [Seeds Family Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/seeds-family-worship) from Minno. It’s a resource to help you bring your family together and focus on your relationship with God. Plant the seeds and watch how amazing things will grow. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Make Sunday School More Fun (Without Watering Down Your Teaching)](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-make-sunday-school-more-fun-without-watering-down-your-teaching/) **Published:** July 4, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-how-to-make-sunday-school-...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5ChYqqBQcRXUZvc997cw.jpg) As a children’s pastor or teacher, you have a lot on your plate. It takes a skilled individual to capture the attention of a room full of kids on one of their few days off from school. Holding the attention of a child has always been a challenge, but with the [amount of exposure](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/behind-online-behavior/201604/what-screen-time-can-really-do-kids-brains) children have to screens today, the breadth of their attention span is narrowing more and more. When kids are accustomed to bright colors, flashing lights, and games with their favorite characters, dusting off the old flannelgraph may not keep their attention when teaching kids about Jesus. At the same time, you do have a responsibility to keep your lessons honest, challenging, and informative. It can be difficult to find a balance between lessons that are engaging and thought-provoking. If you’re trying to make Sunday school more fun without watering down your teaching, here are some things to consider, while using a lesson on the Gospels as an example. ## Movement Teaching kids about the life of Jesus might normally be an opportunity to place your flimsy felt cut-outs on a board, but a more interactive approach gets the kids involved in telling the story themselves! Try splitting your students into small groups and give each group one of these [coloring pages](https://www.gominno.com/blog/free-jesus-coloring-book) about the life of Jesus. While teaching kids about faith through coloring pages is not new by any means, an opportunity to move around the room, be active, and physically create something is important for their [cognitive development](https://www.kidsdiscover.com/teacherresources/the-benefits-of-physical-activity-on-student-learning/). Not only is it fun for the kids, but it’s good for their brains as well. ## Interaction While they’re in their groups, take the opportunity to discuss the story behind each of the pictures. Depending on the age of your students, you may be able to give them an age-appropriate version of the story to read on their own, or have a volunteer work through it with them. Collaboration with peers can also be an opportunity for kids to take some ownership over their Sunday school curriculum. Once the kids have completed their “piece of the puzzle” of Jesus’ life from their coloring pages, you can guide them in presenting His life from birth to cross to resurrection. Let your kids serve as mini-experts on the Bible passage they’ve just learned and present their knowledge to the rest of the class. You may be surprised at how much pride they take in their accomplishments! \*Note: this may be a source of tension for your shyer kids. Remember not to place any undue pressure on those kids and to offer as much support and comfort as possible. ## Quality Media Once your kids have done a lot of active work, it might be good to allow them to receive some information since they’ve already given a lot. This would be a perfect opportunity to use some of [Minno’s streaming media](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) to reteach one or more of the Bible stories your kids just presented. This can offer a more in-depth view of the story, or fill in some gaps that your “little teachers” may have left. Allowing them some rest time after all of that high-energy activity may also ensure that you’re not sending them back home riled up. [Buck Denver asks . . . What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on), streaming on Minno, is an invaluable resource for teaching kids Bible stories in an engaging and exciting format. Volume 10 – “Jesus is the Good News” – is a resource that offers the story of Jesus’ life as it is told in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It covers these important stories and events: - Intertestamental Period - John the Baptist - Jesus Miracles, Healings & Teachings - Jesus Feeds 5,000 - The Kingdom of God - The Last Supper, Jesus Arrest and Trial - Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection - Jesus’ Ascension Use this video as a way to supplement your Bible teaching in a fun way and to spark conversation. Vibrant colors and fun characters help to tell valuable Bible stories in a way that kids will find as interesting as the videos they watch at home. Who knows: maybe Buck Denver will become their new favorite character! Regardless of the lesson you’re teaching at the moment, it’s important to reach your children at their level – and that means crafting lessons that are engaging as well as informative. Use tools like this lesson to make your Sunday school curriculum interactive and make use of quality media that is as fun as it is informative. For more [Children’s Ministry ideas](https://www.gominno.com/blog), Bible stories for kids, and ideas for [teaching kids faith](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith), check out all of [Minno’s](https://www.gominno.com/) exciting resources! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Children’s Ministry: Fun Ways to Involve Kids in Church Services](https://gominno.com/blog/childrens-ministry-fun-ways-to-involve-kids-in-church-services/) **Published:** July 2, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ## Does this scenario sound familiar? It’s Sunday and parents all over are gathering their kids together to take them to church. But the kids are resisting. It’s finally discovered that they don’t want to go to church because they think it’s boring. They claim everything about it is boring – the songs, the lesson, the activities. They just don’t want to go. As a parent, it’s disheartening to hear your kids don’t want to go to church. As a children’s ministry leader, it’s discouraging to realize your hard work isn’t striking the right chord with your Sunday School kids. As a children’s ministry leader, what do you do? If your church invests in Sunday school curriculum, many times there are ideas within the curriculum for making classes more interesting and engaging. You can also supplement the curriculum by researching ideas for involving kids in services. For now, here are a few ways to engage your kids on a Sunday morning. ## Questions Here’s an experiment: next time you read through one of the gospels, try to count how many times Jesus asks people questions. The number will definitely surprise you. Jesus is always asking people questions, not because he doesn’t know the answers, but because he is a master teacher. One of the best ways to ensure that teaching kids about Jesus doesn’t get boring is to follow Jesus’ lead! When teaching a lesson, it’s always good to ask kids questions that will require them to recall what you have been talking about. For example, if you are teaching [David and Goliath](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/david-and-the-giant), ask questions that will help reinforce the lesson. Why is David out on the battlefield? How big was Goliath? What resources did David have to fight him? You can also ask questions that will make them think and apply the lesson to their everyday life. For example, you can ask them about things in their lives that that might be a Goliath to them. Kids enjoy sharing and talking. Provide them with a forum to talk through things in their life that might be bothering them or keeping their faith from flourishing. A big part of teaching kids faith is showing them how to apply scripture to their lives. Showing how the stories in the Bible touch down in the everyday will help make scripture come to life in their minds and hearts. ## Involve Them in the Lesson When teaching Bible stories for kids, one of the most effective ways to keep them engaged is to get them involved in teaching. What are some ways you can involve them? - Ask them to act out the lesson - Ask them (ahead of class) to present the lesson to the class instead of you - Designate a particular time for the following and ask different students to do it, using a different kid every week: - Prayer - Bible Reading - Songs - Activity When you involve kids in the planning and executing of a class or service, you are helping them feel ownership of the class. When they feel ownership, they will pay more attention and their enjoyment will greatly increase. ## Pageants One of the most fun ways to involve kids is through their involvement in Christmas and Easter pageants. Not only does this give them an opportunity to perform in front of their parents and entire church, but it also provides a venue to explore their different talents. Some people may think that a pageant only gives opportunities to certain kids, but if you are strategic, every kid can have an opportunity to shine in areas where they are gifted. They may even find a talent they didn’t realize before. So, how can you be strategic? Think of all the different areas that will be needed in a pageant: - Acting - Music - Stage hands - Lighting - Sound - Costuming There may be more areas where you can involve your kids, but these are just a few. Ask your students what interests them. To ensure everyone’s involvement is optimal, make sure each student gets the opportunity to work in the area of their interest. This may result in many wanting to do the same thing. If this is the case, ask older kids to fill in the less desirable slots. The intent is to help kids enjoy learning about Jesus and the beauty of his story. ## Responsible Volunteering As kids get older, you can begin involving them in ways that help and minister to others. Some of these areas might be in taking up the offering during the service or being a greeter/usher. Explaining to your kids that these are important areas of responsibility will make them feel they are bringing value to the service. If possible, provide them with training where you can emphasize the importance of the role. Involving kids in church services changes them from being spectators to being participants – and it’s always much better when you can be a participant. By involving them, you are engaging them and developing them at the same time. The more kids are involved, the more everyone in the church will benefit, both now and in the future. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Does Homeschooling Produce Well-Educated Kids?](https://gominno.com/blog/does-homeschooling-produce-well-educated-kids/) **Published:** July 1, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-homeschool-success-rates.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IgIrxAz4SRedza8QsLJA.jpg) When you decide to dive into Christian homeschooling, [you will inevitably hear people naysaying](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-share-your-decision-to-homeschool-with-others) and offering stories about unsuccessful attempts. The whole endeavor can seem a bit scary because so much of the responsibility falls on you. [Empowering your kids to have a successful year](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ten-ways-to-empower-your-kids-to-have-a-great-school-year) is important from the start, but how can you ensure that your homeschool is a success from fall to summer? We want to encourage you. Before we dive into some statistics about homeschooling success, let’s explore a few essential components for a flourishing homeschool. Abeka, one of the most widely used [homeschool curriculums](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) and a great source for homeschooling resources, offers [11 tips for a successful homeschool](https://www.abeka.com/resources/homeschoolarticles/homeschoolsuccess.aspx). Here are a few of them, with some added advice from us. ## Start with Prayer Beginning with [prayer](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-your-children-to-pray) starts the day out on the right foot and provides you with the opportunity to come together as a unit to set the day’s focus. Encourage every student in your homeschool to take their turn to pray. This will help incorporate and center everyone. ## Prioritize Learning Styles Everyone learns differently, and even though the curriculum might incorporate various learning styles, it’s up to you to execute them. This is also a great opportunity to teach your kids the importance of understanding how different people learn. Recognizing the differences in others will help every student mature. ## Find Mentors and Groups Wise people seek out other wise people to gain wisdom! Choose to thrive by asking someone to be your mentor. Their wisdom will benefit you and your kids for years to come. Additionally, since homeschooling families often feel alone, it’s important to remember that there are countless others who are trekking the homeschool path. Make an effort to connect. Do it for the resources, but also do it for social purposes! Everyone’s experience will be enriched by working with others. ## Start with Hard Subjects We’ve all been in that afternoon class where we could barely keep our eyes open. This is inevitable, so remember to schedule classes that involve movement in the afternoon and teach the more difficult classes in the morning when minds are fresh and rested. ## Be Flexible With Curriculum Remember that the curriculum is there to serve you. The best teachers use their curriculum as a guide. They are not bound by the textbook. Think about incorporating visits to the library, documentaries, or online encyclopedias to enhance your curriculum. In every endeavor, teach your kids how important it is to soak up the knowledge that surrounds them. ## Homeschool Wins and Challenges These tips aren’t golden eggs to guarantee your success, but prioritizing the abilities and needs of your kids is a huge advantage that you won’t find in a public school setting with 30+ kids in the classroom. Interestingly, the [Waterford.org states](https://www.waterford.org/education/how-parent-involvment-leads-to-student-success/), “Across fifty different studies on parental engagement, educational researchers found a connection between family involvement and academic achievement.” The [NHERI (National Home Education Research Institute)](https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/) provides recently revalidated statistics on homeschooling and its wins. Consider the following: - “The home-educated typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests. (The public school average is the 50th percentile; scores range from 1 to 99.) A 2015 study found Black homeschool students to be scoring 23 to 42 percentile points above Black public school students (Ray, 2015). - Homeschool students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents’ level of formal education or their family’s household income. - Whether homeschool parents were ever certified teachers is not related to their children’s academic achievement.” The general challenges attributed to homeschooling and Christian families are things like lack of peer interaction, sports, arts, etc. These all can be overcome through collaboration with other homeschoolers, as well as supplementing the curriculum. ## Is Joining a Homeschool Co-Op the Right Move? Another solution for enhancing child development on multiple levels is to [integrate a co-op](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-homeschool-co-op) into your homeschool. A co-op group is simply an outgrowth of an already existing homeschool support group. This allows opportunity for others to help teach your kids in fields they may be well-versed in and provide more variety for everyone. While there are no real statistics to state just how many co-ops are available to you, you’ll probably find good results by typing “homeschool co-op” into your search engine of choice. Before committing, simply call a selection of groups and schedule a meeting with them. See how everyone meshes together. The goal is to provide an enhanced learning opportunity for your kids, so choose one that will improve your curriculum and activities. The best thing about homeschooling in tandem with Christian parenting is that you can ensure an environment that lifts up and encourages your goal of teaching kids faith and trust in Jesus, while also providing a great education. We hope these tips and statistics help you on your journey. If you’re on the hunt for [homeschooling resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling), be sure to check out a variety of other postings about these topics on our blog. And if you’re looking for kids Bible stories or other inspiring ideas for family devotionals, [our catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/) is always a great place to start! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Children’s Ministry: 5 Areas of Training Volunteers and Chaperones Need](https://gominno.com/blog/childrens-ministry-5-areas-of-training-volunteers-and-chaperones-need/) **Published:** June 28, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-training-volunteers-and-ch...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NggJzhrBSlyyYpwdFcKt.jpg) When you’re looking for volunteers or chaperones for children’s events or children’s ministry, it’s easy to choose the first few warm bodies available. But teaching kids about Jesus is about more than simply having a warm body in place. There are several things you need to ensure prior to signing up your volunteers. Do you need volunteers for children’s ministry? Don’t forget these five things. 1. Common Goals Get everyone on the same page with your church’s values, mission, and priorities. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised just how important this first line of training is when recruiting volunteers. Volunteers are looked to as leaders, so they need to be on board with what your church is teaching. Many times during the course of the event, the leader of your group will be teaching kids faith and a child or teenager will ask them for guidance. If a volunteer doesn’t believe or follow the teachings of your church, their counsel may be a deterrent for a student in their walk with God. Don’t forget this very important training! 2. Health and Safety Do your trainees need CPR/First Aid, food allergy awareness, etc.? When asking for volunteers for your different children’s ministry ideas, don’t forget the “just-in-case” scenarios. For example, let’s say you are planning a nature walk on a Saturday with your students. Yes, you will need water and food, but what about someone who is certified in First Aid or CPR? Choose your volunteers carefully because you want them to be an asset to your activity, not a detriment. If you are doing something that requires outdoor acumen, choose volunteers who are suited to this. Hold a class prior to the activity to fully communicate the physical restraints of the activity, as well as tips and tricks to help with leading the students. Make a list of what to look for in your students. For example, if one of your students has asthma or food allergies, train your volunteers about the warning signs of an impending attack. Collect a list of potential health issues for anyone on the outing, along with some training tips for how to work with them and how to handle the situation if something were to happen. 3. Inclusion Brainstorm ideas for including kids with learning differences, language differences, special needs, and disabilities. Diversity is seen, but inclusion is felt. Ensuring that everyone feels included is important; it’s how Jesus wants us to treat others. As you collect your group of volunteers, train them as leaders who include everyone. There is no room for [bullying](https://www.gominno.com/series/henry-hand-puppet/videos/david-and-goliath), no matter the situation. Discuss all of the possible differences in the group. Find solutions for combatting any participant’s feelings of being left out. For example, if you have a student who has a disability and cannot swim, make sure you bring a raft along, or a tube where they can float with the other students. Consider asking them what makes them feel left out. Train your volunteers to work to prevent these feelings. It all boils down to communication and training. 4. Reporting Abuse Identify a process and procedure for reporting observed issues that may be signs of abuse or neglect. [Abuse is defined](https://churchleaders.com/pastors/videos-for-pastors/328639-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-reporting-abuse.html) as: - Inflicting or allowing non-accidental, serious physical injury - Creating or allowing a substantial risk of non-accidental, serious physical injury - Using or allowing cruel or grossly inappropriate procedures or devices to modify behavior - Committing, permitting, or encouraging the rape of the child or other sexual crimes - Creating or allowing serious emotional damage to the child - Encouraging, directing, or approving delinquent acts involving moral turpitude committed by the child Train your volunteers to look out for these signs. At the first sign of any of them, report the situation to the appropriate leader. Many people don’t report because they are not sure what abuse is, nor do they know who to tell. Remove these factors to ensure a safe environment for your students. 5. Creativity Give volunteers and chaperones time and space to come up with children’s ministry ideas, especially for activities. Ensure consistent communication with your volunteers. Let them know that you care about them and the good work they are doing. Asking them to help with ideas will make them feel ownership. Consider collecting your volunteers for a session where you play games, bond, and brainstorm ideas for future children’s activities. Bring Sunday school curriculum or books that have Bible stories for kids for them to peruse to see what types of ideas they can use or expound on. Use what works! ## Successful Children’s Ministry = Teamwork You can’t do it alone. You need a team, and most of the time that team is completely made up of volunteers. Encourage a sense of ownership and creativity. But most importantly, create an environment of love and acceptance for all. People gravitate to places where they feel part of something. Create that safe space for your students, but start with your volunteers! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What to Do About Homework If You Homeschool](https://gominno.com/blog/what-to-do-about-homework-if-you-homeschool/) **Published:** June 26, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-homework-if-you-homeschool...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DYzKeg3xQQKyetkdnmGK.jpg) As a parent, one of your ultimate responsibilities is to ensure that your student has an appropriate education to prepare them for adult life and teach them how to interact with the world. For some, the best route to that education is through a traditional public or private school. In some circumstances, however, you may elect to homeschool. If you’re a Christian parent considering Christian homeschooling, you probably have a myriad of questions. *[Will my child lose socialization skills?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/advantages-of-working-with-a-christian-homeschool-co-op) [How can I ensure they are getting a quality education?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/does-homeschooling-produce-well-educated-kids) [How can we keep a proper schedule?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-ways-to-develop-your-homeschool-game-plan)* One important question you may also have is this: *What do I do about homework if we homeschool?* Homework is a hallmark of most education. It is typically believed that homework is a useful opportunity for students to get more practice with a certain skill or to prepare for the next day’s class. But if your students are always at home, isn’t all the work completed essentially “homework”? Here is what you should know. ## Gauging Knowledge The necessity of homework in a traditional school arises largely from the fact that, in a big classroom, a single teacher cannot provide help to all students at all times. Sometimes, homework is used as a helpful gauge to determine which students have gathered the requisite knowledge for each unit and which will require additional help. Homework can help measure these things. In a [homeschool setting](https://www.calverteducation.com/homeschooling/homeschool-homework-does-it-exist), teaching is usually conducted at a 1:1 student to teacher ratio. Or even if your homeschool family has multiple children, it is much less than the typical 1:25 student-teacher ratio in many traditional schools. In this case, you are uniquely qualified to evaluate your student’s mastery over a given skill. Without an enforced curriculum guide or timeline, you can move quickly through certain subjects and spend more time on others at the pace necessary for your student. It is very likely that the initial work conducted during instructional time is measurement enough to demonstrate what your student knows and homework could be an unnecessary task taking time from other activities. ## Additional Practice Homework is also assigned for the sake of continued practice with a set of skills, for both review and/or reinforcement. In a homeschool setting, there are still ways to reinforce the day’s lesson, some of which are unique to the homeschooling process. Because homeschool families do not necessarily have to follow a prescribed schedule, there are numerous opportunities to take your students’ learning outside of “[the classroom](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-essentials-for-creating-the-perfect-homeschooling-room)”. Students can travel to a local museum to learn about your state’s history or go to a nearby zoo to learn from the experts about biology. Providing these real-world experiences can reinforce the material your child is studying in a textbook. It also provides added opportunities for your child to socialize, ask questions, and exercise their imagination. In this sense, reinforcing the content to your students will not be found in traditional “homework”, so extra worksheets and papers are probably unnecessary. ## Independent Work It is important that students get the opportunity to practice their new skills without the assistance of a teacher. In many cases, homework is assigned as an opportunity for students to work through problems and answer questions on their own and express their independence. In this case, homework can be a meaningful practice, if implemented well. Depending on the homeschooling resources you use, there are different types of [curriculum](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) that provide additional worksheets and workbooks with concrete ways to facilitate additional practice of necessary skills. Sometimes, your student doesn’t need you to re-explain how to perform a certain skill, they simply need more opportunities to practice it. For example, if your student struggles with their multiplication tables, the best way for them to memorize may be to simply practice over and over again. In this case, a workbook with a number of activities to practice this skill may be the most efficient use of your student’s time. When your students are homeschooled, not bearing the additional burden of extra work after “school hours” can be of tremendous benefit to your child. This may afford them more time for social interaction, [extra-curricular activities](https://www.gominno.com/blog/is-your-childs-extracurricular-schedule-too-full), and family time – things that seem to be in short supply in the go-go-go lives we often lead. When Christian families choose homeschooling, each family has the opportunity to carefully tailor their child’s learning to the child’s specific needs. Homework, in this sense, is not an excuse to assign busy work or a means to achieving a passing grade. If your student does need extra practice, this “homework” is really just a necessary extension of the work that you’re already doing in your lessons to ensure that your student achieve sufficient mastery over each subject. If you are a Christian family considering homeschooling, or you’re looking for more resources to add to your current teachings, [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/) has a variety of media for child development, Christian homeschooling, and Christian parenting. Check out [Minno’s catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of positive media to enrich your homeschool experience! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Navigating the Legal Requirements to Homeschool](https://gominno.com/blog/navigating-the-legal-requirements-to-homeschool/) **Published:** June 26, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-legal-homeschool-requireme...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jYZaI1b9QYO3JvK4jHQZ.jpg) If you’ve considered Christian homeschooling, you probably have a myriad of different questions. How can you ensure that your child is getting a quality education? [What do you do if you’re not a certified teacher?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/general-requirements-to-become-a-homeschool-teacher) [Which homeschooling resources are the best?](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling) One question you may not have considered is a vital one: What are the legal requirements for homeschooling in my state? ## Understanding State Requirements It is important to understand that the legal requirements to homeschool vary state-by-state. In general, there are [six different metrics](https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/homeschool) observed by each state regarding homeschooling. 1. Notification In some circumstances, you will be required to notify the state of your intention to homeschool. Though some states do not require any notification, states such as California, Montana, and Wyoming require an annual notification of homeschooling, while others may only require a one-time notification. Be sure that you understand the precise frequency that you will need to notify your state of your choice to homeschool in order to avoid falling out of compliance with the state. 2. Parent Education Minimums If the parent requirements for education were a source of concern for you, chances are that you need not worry. No state requires that a parent teaching their children in a homeschool setting has any sort of teaching certification. The one requirement that many states do have, however, is a high school diploma. Be sure to determine the specific requirements for parental education in your state. If a high school diploma is not held by the parent, some states can waive this requirement if a parent can prove that they are “competent” to teach their child. Furthermore, some states hold no educational requirements for parents. 3. Criminal Bans Some states have prohibitions on homeschooling for parents who are convicted criminals. In very few circumstances, parents are prohibited from homeschooling for fairly logical reasons, i.e. if a sex offender lives in the home or for a period of five years after some specific criminal convictions. 4. State Mandated Subjects When it comes to what is actually taught in the home, there are equal numbers of states with required subjects and without any required subjects. When narrowing your research to the specific area in which you live, be sure to determine whether or not private school regulations apply to families who homeschool. In certain circumstances, homeschool families can operate under the guidance of a private school and states require that they follow the same regulations. Known as “[umbrella schools](https://www.responsiblehomeschooling.org/policy-issues/current-policy/homeschool-options/)”, parents can elect to operate under the guidance of a private or church school (the requirements of which vary) to gain access to homeschool co-ops, extracurricular engagements, and to be part of the specific community. These umbrella schools can help homeschool parents navigate some of the legal requirements necessary to homeschool, but it can also mean that you are subject to the regulations for private schools in certain states. 5. Assessment Requirements Families newly beginning their homeschooling journey often wonder how the state will determine that their children are getting a quality education. In many states, there are no assessment requirements at all and parents can conduct their children’s education without any mitigation from the state. In other cases, there are periodic or annual assessments by the state for homeschoolers to ensure that children are receiving a quality education and that their academic needs are not [being neglected](https://www.homeschool-life.com/483/custom/16333). Often, in the event that a student fails an evaluation, students may be placed on “probation” for a year until they can demonstrate progress. While this may seem like an intrusion by the state that you’d hoped to avoid by homeschooling, this is a measure to ensure that abuse like [this disheartening story](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/students-home-schooling-highlights-debate-over-va-religious-exemption-law/2013/07/28/ee2dbb1a-efbc-11e2-bed3-b9b6fe264871_story.html?utm_term=.6d057531c830) does not continue among homeschool communities. 6. Vaccination Requirements While the debate over vaccinations rages on, the fact of the matter is that vaccinations are required for children to enter public schools. This requirement is not always waived for families that choose to homeschool. There are a number of states that do require vaccinations even for homeschoolers, but this requirement can be waived in a few states if the homeschooling is registered as a religiously-based education. These six factors are general guidelines for what you should consider as you prepare to homeschool. For more specific information on [homeschooling requirements in your state](https://education.findlaw.com/education-options/education-and-homeschooling-state-laws.html), this [interactive map](https://www.responsiblehomeschooling.org/policy-issues/current-policy/) can be a helpful tool to get you started. You may also want to start by contacting the administration office of your local school district. In many circumstances, you will have to report to the superintendent about your decision to homeschool so that they can give you the most pertinent information regarding what you need to do if you decide to homeschool. Whether you send your children to a public school, private school, or homeschool, a quality education is paramount to your child’s development. If you’re looking for resources to supplement their education, Christian parenting tips, or other engaging media for Christian families, check out our [online catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of exciting and educational tools! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Get Church Members Excited About Teaching Sunday School](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-get-church-members-excited-about-teaching-sunday-school/) **Published:** June 20, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-get-church-members-excited...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rmDPsrpQF6KaZ8ua73KK.jpg) Finding people to teach Sunday school can prove to be a tall order. Most of the time your classes are run by the same faithful few who tirelessly give their time every Sunday. Certainly, you appreciate this reliable group, but when your leaders are overworked, they can easily become burned out or disenchanted with teaching Sunday school at all. You may find it difficult to get new people to teach Sunday school for a variety of reasons. Some may not want to make a time commitment, some may think the positions are sufficiently filled, and others may be intimidated by the responsibility of teaching kids about Jesus. If you’re scrambling for children’s ministry ideas and trying to get more volunteers involved, here are some helpful tips for expanding involvement. 1. Show Your Ministry When the children’s ministry is shut away in far off classrooms, it can be difficult for congregation members to fully envision the need. To increase interest in your church’s Sunday school ministry, it’s important to make your children’s ministry visible. Show photos of the students engaged in learning kids’ Bible stories. You could even present testimonials of volunteers sharing their experiences of teaching Sunday school. At the same time, you could also show videos of students discussing their favorite things about Sunday school and talking about their relationship with children’s ministry volunteers. By putting faces to your Sunday school ministry, you show your congregation the flesh and blood behind the need. When they get to see the faces of who they’ll be helping, they may be more compelled to meet the needs of your church. 2. Integrate Messages Another way to increase interest in your children’s ministry could be to integrate your services to occasionally include the younger members of your congregation. On the most basic level, this could be a welcome reprieve for some of your more active volunteers who might be on the brink of burnout. But it is also another way for your congregation to have more interactions with the children of your church. By establishing relationships with the children of your church, more of your members may be motivated to teach Sunday school and to continue investing in the lives of the kids they’ve grown to love. Incorporating children into your regular Sunday services can also be an opportunity to model what Sunday school teaching can look like. A lot of the reticence your members likely feel about teaching Sunday school may be because they are intimidated by the idea of teaching kids faith. Your congregation may believe that topics of this much import require years of study before they are qualified. By demonstrating a simple, straightforward message, you can show your congregation that delivering stories about Jesus doesn’t have to be complex or esoteric. 3. Clarify Expectations It’s important that your congregation knows what is really expected of them as leaders in children’s ministry. If you’ve already demonstrated what an accessible Sunday school message could look like, you have clarified your expectations for the content they are expected to deliver. If your church has a team planning out what will be taught to the children, make sure your congregation knows that they are not expected to spend time studying and planning for a Bible lesson outside of the work they already do. If your church does not have a children’s ministry leader, make sure that your volunteers have ample support and guidance so they aren’t wandering without a clear idea of your expectations for their teaching. Being a leader of any kind can be intimidating, even more so when those you lead are impressionable young minds who look to you for answers to the “big questions” in life. Encourage your church members to rest in the knowledge that they are meant to be models, not idols. Your leaders should demonstrate to the kids what it looks like to walk in faith and the love of Christ, which also means demonstrating how to make things right when they mess up. Ensuring that your church members know they are not expected to be Bible scholars or perfect humans is a great tool to get more members excited about teaching Sunday school. “It takes a village to raise a child” isn’t just a tired adage. It truly does take members from all over the church to help [support a child](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting/raising-christian-kids) and point them toward a Christ-like life. It isn’t just pastors who help guide children, but also parents, Sunday school teachers, mentors, and everyone else who shows them the love of Jesus. If you’re looking for Sunday school tools, engaging [Bible stories for kids](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith), and more for your ministry, check out all of [Minno’s](https://www.gominno.com/) great resources and media today! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The Benefits of a Homeschool Co-Op](https://gominno.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-homeschool-co-op/) **Published:** June 19, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-benefits-homeschool-co-op-...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rcEaWJVcRaGmP07XilVw.jpg) One of the best gifts that you can give your children is a quality education. The window of opportunity for providing this gift is fairly brief, so making the right decision is paramount. If weighing your options for schooling your children results in the decision to homeschool, don’t forget about one of the greatest homeschooling resources out there: a homeschool co-op. ## How Does the Co-Op Work? Homeschool co-ops are an indispensable resource that can operate in a number of ways. In its simplest form, a [homeschool co-op](https://www.icanteachmychild.com/what-is-a-homeschool-co-op/) is a collection of families who choose to homeschool and who meet together in a shared space to conduct their academic activities together. On a grander scale, homeschool co-ops that are even more developed sometimes hire outside professionals to teach certain skills and subjects. Families tend to pool funds to bring in other qualified individuals to help enrich their children’s homeschooling experience. Homeschool co-ops can form with a variety of intentions, whether they be a specific set of academic goals, field trips, or other activities. Regardless of its specific structure, [homeschool co-ops can be tremendously beneficial](https://www.gominno.com/blog/advantages-of-working-with-a-christian-homeschool-co-op) to parents and students alike. Here’s why. ## How Homeschool Co-Ops Benefit Parents ### Collaboration They weren’t kidding when they said, “Two heads are better than one.” Part of the tension you may feel as a homeschool parent could be due to a sense of isolation because you are not a part of a traditional schooling network with lots of moving pieces and a longstanding community. Being a part of a homeschool co-op helps to circumvent those difficulties by providing you with a community of students and parents all with the goal of quality home education. Collaborating with other parents can offer invaluable [emotional support](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ten-ways-to-be-another-moms-cheerleader-plus-a-free-printable-from-mary-dean-draws), but it can also be a source for new teaching methods and tips for best practices. The role of a homeschool parent can be overwhelming. It’s likely that you feel pressure to be an expert in a number of content areas – a tension that is further compounded if you have multiple children with significant age gaps. By joining a homeschool co-op, you can collaborate with other homeschool parents to glean wisdom from others with similar goals. ### Shared Responsibility Being a homeschool parent is certainly a 24/7, 365 job. Since your children are not away at school, chances are high that the margins in your schedule are painfully thin. Being part of a co-op with other trusted parents may be the key to allowing yourself a little time for other activities (maybe some much-needed [self-care](https://www.gominno.com/blog/practicing-self-care-as-the-school-year-begins)) and some flexibility in your personal schedule. A homeschool co-op might rotate days at different families’ houses giving each family a time of Sabbath. Some may also join together at the same time to re-energize with one another as your kids learn. Embracing the shared responsibility of a homeschool co-op helps to create the type of community it truly takes to raise a child and can relieve some of the pressure you may feel to “do it all” as a homeschool parent. ## How it Benefits Kids ### Socialization One of the greatest fears of every homeschool parent is that their children may lack social interaction if they choose to homeschool. The best way to navigate this issue is through a homeschool co-op. By being in a co-op, your kids reap the benefits of having classmates beyond just their siblings. [Social interaction](https://earlyeducationpros.org/blog/item/86-importance-of-social-interaction-for-early-childhood-development) is an important part of child development for a vast number of reasons. It helps with language skills, emotional development, problem-solving skills, empathy, and countless other things. From a child development standpoint, it’s necessary that your child has other people to interact with so they can flourish. What’s more, socialization through a homeschool co-op can help your child develop lifelong friendships that bring joy and light into their lives. ### Options Obviously, you can’t be an expert in everything. If your child has a desire to learn French and you don’t know anything past *oui*, you may be in some trouble. The same goes for extracurricular activities. You can’t teach violin, coach a small soccer team, and instruct a cooking class all at the same time (but if you can, hats off to you). Joining a homeschool co-op provides your child with more opportunities than you can provide on your own and it may encourage them to try some activities that may not have been an option otherwise. When your child is older and has a better vision of their personal niche, a homeschool co-op could offer them the resources to focus on their particular interests and giftings, helping them flourish in ways you never imagined. ## What to Look for in a Christian Homeschooling Co-Op ### Faith-Based Approach One of the primary reasons families choose to homeschool is to ensure the presence of a faith-based approach to their child’s education. When you’re looking at joining a homeschool co-op, be sure to vet the groups carefully to ensure that its values align with what you want for your child. If the group is well-established, they may have a mission statement that can serve as a litmus test for whether or not it will be the right fit for your family. If not, be sure to talk with the other members of the group to better understand the co-op’s personal philosophy. ### Academic Rigor Ultimately, the purpose of homeschooling is that your child receives the most appropriate education for their specific needs. When looking into homeschool co-ops, be sure to gauge the academic rigor of the group before joining. Any coursework should be appropriately challenging to help your child grow intellectually and become a lifelong learner. Seek out a group that will appropriately aid the academic growth of your child and foster intellectual curiosity. Regardless of how you decide to educate your child, a responsibility of Christian parenting is to ensure that your child receives a high quality and appropriate education. For more on homeschooling, Bible stories for kids, and other resources for Christian families, check out all of [Minno’s](https://www.gominno.com/blog) helpful resources for parents! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Homeschooling a Child with Learning Disabilities](https://gominno.com/blog/homeschooling-a-child-with-learning-disabilities/) **Published:** June 18, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-homeschooling-learning-dis...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3B6kfcorSB6IZiS8vvj6.jpg) Making the decision to pursue Christian homeschooling is a tough one, but many Christian families feel like it’s important enough to embark on the journey. However, what happens when you discover that your student has learning disabilities? ## Don’t Blame Yourself: Every Child is Different, and You Did Not Mess Up! First of all, don’t blame yourself and don’t be scared! This is nothing you did or didn’t do when teaching your child. The reality is, no child is exactly the same – they are all fearfully and wonderfully made ([Psalm 139:14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139:14)). Every child is different, and a learning disability isn’t the last straw. It’s only a launching point. If you are afraid, think about this: according to the [Learning Disabilities Association of America](https://ldaamerica.org/support/new-to-ld/), there are nearly 2.3 million students who are diagnosed with learning disabilities and 75-80% of those disabilities have to do with language and reading. These statistics may seem daunting to you, but many [well-known people](https://www.special-education-degree.net/25-famous-people-with-learning-disorders/) have spoken out in recent years about the challenges they had with their learning disabilities. You are not alone and neither is your child. Many have dealt with this challenge and led very successful, productive lives. The most important aspect of teaching a student with a learning disability is to accurately identify it. There are several ways to do this. You can request testing from a local school, or if it is more obvious, you can read up on different learning disabilities to determine where your student may be struggling. Here is a [list of specific learning disorders](https://ldaamerica.org/support/new-to-ld/): - Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) – Affects how sound that travels unimpeded through the ear is processed and interpreted by the brain. - Dyscalculia – A specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts. - Dysgraphia – A specific learning disability that affects a person’s handwriting ability and fine motor skills. - Dyslexia – A specific learning disability that affects reading and related language-based processing skills. - Language Processing Disorder – A specific type of APD that affects attaching meaning to sound groups that form words, sentences, and stories. - Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities – May affect interpretation of nonverbal cues like facial expressions or body language and lead to poor coordination. ## Get Support: Find Private Resources to Assess and Plan Your Approach to Learning Challenges The most important thing you can do to further child development for your learner is to not do it alone. Support can come in several different ways: Other Educators – Network with other homeschool teachers and ask them their techniques, what homeschooling resources they use, etc. Resources – Don’t reinvent the wheel, learning disabilities have been around a long time and there are many [homeschool resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling) that will help you. [Some resources](https://www.time4learning.com/learning-disability.shtml) come with a cost, but others are [free](https://learningabledkids.com/multi_sensory_training/free-homeschooling-curriculum-adhd-dyslexia-online.htm). Local School Systems – The very essence of an educator is that they are advocates for children. Contact your local school district, explain your child’s needs, and ask them for suggestions, ideas, or if they have any formal testing available for your child to ensure their needs are accurately met. The most important thing is to not do this alone. There will be many times when you will feel frustrated, not because you are upset with your student, but because you fear that you are not providing the best opportunities for them to learn and develop appropriately. Everyone who has worked with a student with learning challenges feels this type of frustration and fear. But fear will not help. Learn to channel your fear and frustration into a drive to find answers, advocate, and deliver the best possible outcome for your student. Remember the love of God shown to you in Jesus and know that this perfect love is fully capable of driving away your fear ([1 John 4:18](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A18&version=NIRV)). Christian parenting is fun, but it can be a challenge when you are homeschooling. Remember that God wants you and your student to succeed. Keep encouraging scriptures and Bible verses around your home and classroom to help you when you wonder whether you are providing the best possible outcome for your student. Remember that these are the same challenges every educator faces whether they are teaching in a public, private, or homeschool setting. And don’t forget that you are providing your student with the advantage of individualized instruction. You can intricately see where they are struggling and being challenged most. Utilize your network of educators to help instruct you on techniques and point you toward unique avenues of teaching that might work best for your student. Remember your student is unique and that’s great! They may need to take a different road to get where they need to be, but with your help, they will reach it. For resources on [Christian homeschooling](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting/school-education), teaching Bible stories to kids, and more, check out [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/)’s collection of resources for [Christian families](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting)! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [God is Bigger: Teaching David and Goliath to Younger Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/god-is-bigger-teaching-david-and-goliath-to-younger-kids/) **Published:** June 17, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-teaching-David-Goliath-sun...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/m54dYDpaQMehid5PCtEf.jpg) One of the most exciting Bible stories for kids to learn is the story of David and Goliath. It’s the age-old story of how the underdog wins over the favorite, but in this case the underdog happens to be a young boy who doesn’t listen to all of the negativity around him, but instead, puts his complete trust in God’s ability. You can find tons of different ways to teach the David and Goliath story by scouring Sunday school curriculum or by delving into various children’s ministry ideas, but it’s really a very simple story – and it’s easy to convey to small children. Show [Dave and the Giant Pickle](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/dave-and-the-giant-pickle) from VeggieTales to grab your students’ attention. The show is a fun visual that will help with teaching kids this faith lesson. ## David, the Young Boy *Who was David?* Ask your students if any of them know who David was. David was the youngest of all of his brothers, so ask your students how many of them are the youngest. Explain that sometimes when you have older siblings, they see you in a different way than you’d like to be seen. *In* [*Dave and the Giant Pickle*](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/dave-and-the-giant-pickle)*, how did Dave’s brothers see him?* Open this up and ask your students if something like this has ever happened to them. In the case of David and his brothers, David was seen as too young to be part of the battle. The people of Israel had been in conflict with the Philistines for a long time, so all of his brothers were fighting in the battles. David was just visiting the battlefield to find out current news. David was young, he was small, and he was not a warrior. None of these characteristics describe someone God could use, right? Of course not! We know that God can use anyone He wants! *But what about David’s opponent?* ## Goliath – The Giant Warrior This is what [I Samuel 17:4-7](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17%3A4-7&version=NIRV) (NIRV), says about Goliath: *A mighty hero named Goliath came out of the Philistine camp. He was from Gath. He was more than nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore bronze armor that weighed 125 pounds. On his legs he wore bronze guards. He carried a bronze javelin on his back. His spear was as big as a weaver’s rod. Its iron point weighed 15 pounds. The man who carried his shield walked along in front of him.* To show your students just how big Goliath was, use a large piece of table covering paper and lay it down on the floor of your room. Take a measuring tape and ask a student to hold one end and unwind the tape to show nine feet. Make a line across the paper at the top and at the bottom with a marker. Then ask for a volunteer to go to the bottom of the paper and lie down. Make sure their feet are on the bottom line, then point out to them just how big Goliath was. If more than one child wants to lie down, give them the opportunity. After they’ve finished, take the paper and try to hold it up with the bottom hitting the floor. This will give your students a visual understanding of just how big Goliath was. Once they understand Goliath’s size in comparison to David, continue on with the story. ## Goliath’s Mistake Goliath knew he was big and tough, so he got too confident. He put his confidence in himself and not God; this was mistake #1. Mistake #2 was underestimating God’s methods and God’s power. [In 1 Samuel 17:8-16](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17%3A8-16&version=NIRV) (NIRV), we read how Goliath’s overconfidence caused his to make this wager to the Israelites: *Goliath stood there and shouted to the soldiers of Israel. He said, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? I’m a Philistine. You are servants of Saul. Choose one of your men. Have him come down and face me. If he’s able to fight and kill me, we’ll become your slaves. But if I win and kill him, you will become our slaves and serve us.” Goliath continued, “This day I dare the soldiers of Israel to send a man down to fight against me.” Saul and the whole army of Israel heard what the Philistine said. They were terrified.* *David was the son of Jesse, who belonged to the tribe of Ephraim. Jesse was from Bethlehem in Judah. He had eight sons. When Saul was king, Jesse was already very old. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul into battle. The oldest son was Eliab. The second was Abinadab. The third was Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest sons followed Saul. But David went back and forth from Saul’s camp to Bethlehem. He went to Bethlehem to take care of his father’s sheep.* *Every morning and evening Goliath came forward and stood there. He did it for 40 days.* So we have an overconfident giant, a frightened army, and a young boy who didn’t see Goliath as an obstacle, but as too big to miss. David decided to take him on! *Does anyone know what David used to battle Goliath?* We read about it in [1 Samuel 17:40-50](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17%3A40-50&version=NIRV) (NIRV): *Then David picked up his wooden staff. He went down to a stream and chose five smooth stones. He put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag. Then he took his sling in his hand and approached Goliath. …* *David said to Goliath, “You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I’m coming against you in the name of the Lord who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He’s the one you have dared to fight against. … .Then the whole world will know there is a God in Israel.* *As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet him. He reached into his bag. He took out a stone. He put it in his sling. He slung it at Goliath. The stone hit him on the forehead and sank into it. He fell to the ground on his face.* *So David won the fight against Goliath with a sling and a stone. He struck the Philistine down and killed him. He did it without even using a sword.* David beat a guy who was much bigger and scarier than him. *Why do you think that is?* It’s because David’s confidence was in God. Teaching kids about Jesus and the Bible are great opportunities to show them how Bible stories can relate to our everyday life. Ask your students if they have any scary “Goliaths” in their life, then encourage them to put their trust and belief that God is bigger than any problem. But most importantly, remind them that He cares about us and is willing to fight our battles! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [10 Verses from Proverbs to Teach Kids About Working Hard](https://gominno.com/blog/10-verses-from-proverbs-to-teach-kids-about-working-hard/) **Published:** June 14, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ne9BUNgTnOXWMkCGKqGW.jpg) Discipline is probably the last thing your kids want to talk about. Even the words may conjure up thoughts of lectures, time outs, and toys taken away. It probably makes sense that bringing up “discipline” with your kids will be met with some resistance. But today we’re talking about the other kind of discipline: hard work and faithfulness. (Actually, your kids probably like this one about as much as the other.) Even though your toddler doesn’t have a nine-to-five yet, it’s important to teach them the value of hard work from an early age. ## Navigating Cultural Messages This is especially important when you consider that the majority of young children in America will experience their most formative years in the midst of a culture bent on convenience. Most information is one Google search away. Communication is easy. Groceries can be delivered to your door (a saving grace, at times). It is paramount to establish habits that encourage hard work early on in order to navigate the contrary messages culture may send. There may be no better place to seek out insight on this subject than the wisdom book itself: Proverbs. ## How Should We Work? Wisdom from Proverbs > “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” [Proverbs 21:5](https://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/proverbs/passage/?q=proverbs+21:5-15) (NLT) Obviously, it’s important to discuss that this verse isn’t just talking about money. Your kids shouldn’t interpret this as meaning that studying hard for a spelling test will make money rain from the sky, or that impoverished people around the world just didn’t plan well enough. In Christian parenting, it’s important to talk to your kids about how taking time and being careful about their work produces a higher-quality result! The essay that they spend a few nights on will always turn out better than the one they slapped together in an hour. Teach your kids early on that instant gratification is usually a cheap prize. Taking time to work hard is the real treasure. > “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” [Proverbs 12:11](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+12%3A11&version=NIV) (NIV) Our kids are growing up in a world where celebrities are increasingly visible for ridiculous reasons. It seems like the way to “make it big” is as simple as recording a funny YouTube video and landing a bunch of followers. What our kids don’t see, however, is the fact that while many of their favorite famous people seem to be overnight successes, there is actually a lot of hard work and discipline involved. When you’re teaching kids Bible wisdom, help them understand that success will probably not just fall into their laps if they get lucky. The key to abundance is hard work. > “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” [Proverbs 13:4](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13%3A4&version=NLT) (NLT) Let this be a lesson in hard work *and* contentment. We could sit around dissatisfied with all of the things we don’t have, or we could put our hands to work and be grateful for the abundance we can cultivate. > “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” [Proverbs 12:24](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+12%3A24&version=NLT) (NLT) Again, take this opportunity to explain the importance of metaphor and figurative language in Scripture when you’re teaching kids about Jesus and the Bible. Certainly, this verse does not advocate slavery or imply that working hard gives anyone the right to exercise undue authority over others. But what this does suggest is that those who want to be leaders should be working hard. Laziness results in drudgery, rather than meaningful accomplishments. > “Hard work always pays off; but mere talk puts no bread on the table.” [Proverbs 14:23](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14%3A23&version=MSG) (MSG) In one way or another, whether it is a physical product of their labor or just the feeling of a job well done, hard work pays off. Just talking or dreaming about what should be done leaves us anxious about our to-do lists and yields no fruit. > “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” [Proverbs 6:10-12](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+6%3A10-12+&version=NIV) (NIV) It’s important to teach our kids the true value of resting well. While this verse warns against sleeping when there is work to be done, the Bible speaks about the importance of rest on numerous occasions ([Psalm 4:8](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+4%3A8&version=NIV); [Matthew 11:28](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28&version=NIV)). Use this verse as an opportunity to talk about the wisest ways to rest. Self-care and self-indulgence are not the same things. Certainly, rest should follow hard work to recharge and refresh, but rest without hard work leaves us without accomplishment. > “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off like an eagle.” [Proverbs 23:4-5](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+23%3A4-5&version=NIV) (NIV) While working hard is important, this verse teaches us that wearing ourselves out for the sake of money is a foolish pursuit. Discuss the importance of balance with your children and how working hard is about more than money. > “All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.” [Proverbs 21:26](https://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/21-26.html) (NIV) While talking about hard work, it is also important to talk about what to do with the result of hard work. If your kids are at an age where the fruits of their labor are monetary, open the floor for a discussion about wise ways to be a good steward and the responsibilities of Christians to give generously, as described in scripture ([2 Corinthians 9:7](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+9%3A7&version=NIV)). > “Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” [Proverbs 22:26–27](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+22%3A26%E2%80%9327&version=NIV) (NIV) It’s important that kids learn early on how to live within their means. Use this verse as an opportunity to discuss the consequences of spending more than you have and being a wise steward of what you work for. > “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 [(NIV)](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A3&version=NIV) This verse expresses both our responsibility and the grace of God. Reminding our kids to commit their work to God illustrates the responsibility that we have to produce good work. But there is a distinction to be made here between hard work and perfection: God is proud of the former and he does not ask for the latter. If you have a perfectionist child, let this remind them that God wants *their* best, not *the* best. These kids’ Bible lessons are short, simple truths to incorporate into your [family devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) to help teach your children about the [wisdom](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-wisdom) of hard work. For additional tools for learning about Jesus, [kids Bible stories](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith), and more, check out these [parenting resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting/everyday-life)! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [The Gift of Questions - A Father's Day Reflection](https://gominno.com/blog/the-gift-of-questions-a-fathers-day-reflection/) **Published:** June 14, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/FryvgQLmTHONbcObgcEn/convert?width=800&quality=80) I recently exchanged emails with a friend whose father passed away not too long ago. The last line of his email struck me; “Continue to appreciate your dad. Time on this earth is short.” For many, Father’s Day is a painful reminder of just how short time on this earth is. For others, it is an encouragement to be intentional, as we still have time together to show our dads and our husbands how thankful we remain for their guidance and love. We all have different ways of showing our gratitude. On holidays, such as Father’s Day, we often exchange cards or gifts. But, if you are anything like me, you find yourself in the card aisle year after year wondering if your words really are enough. To appreciate something means to *grasp its worth, value, or significance*, and finding the right gift or words to do so can feel futile at times. This year, while I did purchase a small gift and cheesy card for my dad, I decided to try something a little different. “What if,” I thought to myself, “I give my dad the gift of questions?” I explained this idea to my dad. The aim is not to interrogate my dad. I do, however, wonder what would happen, or what I would learn, if I asked a handful of questions and offered a listening ear. I want him to know that I appreciate all he has done for me, but I also want him to know the great value I see in his story. I want to honor his story. We all want to be heard. We all want to know that our story matters. Questions have the power to validate our own story, while also fostering vulnerability and connecting us to the stories of others – they dare us to go beyond the threshold of superficial existence. There can be intentionality in the questions we ask and in the way we listen to the answers. In her book entitled Listening for the Soul, Jean Stairs discusses the unique journey embarked upon by soul companions – those who are “in relationship in order to listen for God’s presence in \[one another’s\] lives.” What if, this year, we ‘soul-companioned’ with our fathers, or our husbands, by setting aside time to ask intentional questions and actively listen to their responses. What if we discover new ways in which God has been at work in our fathers’ journeys, and in that of our husbands, that we did not previously know? What questions would be helpful to begin with? That is entirely up to you; however, if you don’t know where to start, think about beginning with questions found in scripture. I once had a profound interaction with a friend who effectively created space for me to think about God’s love for me, and ponder the validity of my story, by asking questions specifically found in scripture. The questions posed to me were, “Who are you, and where do you come from?” These two simple questions, found in [Joshua 9:8](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua+9%3A8&version=ESV), created the space for me to enter into dialogue with God about his definition of my identity. So, what if we started with those two questions for the father figures in our lives? Will you join me in grasping the value and significance of our fathers’ stories by asking questions and discovering God at work in their own personal narrative? --- *Originally published on June 21, 2016* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [God Is Faithful: My First Father's Day](https://gominno.com/blog/god-faithful-dads-first-fathers-day/) **Published:** June 14, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mXQ9wOVLTNSmGXlYewoH_First-Fathers-Day-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) As we celebrate dads this Father’s Day, we wanted to share a story from a new dad who is experiencing his first Father’s Day. His story helps us remember that God is faithful, even in brokenness. --- Two years ago, my wife and I officially started the process to adopt a child from Uganda. We started the paperwork, raised thousands of dollars for adoption fees, and were matched with a smiling little 3-year old boy. It’s a boy! We got to that point by saying, “Yes,” to God. We had a passion to serve those in need. We had a love for the nation of Uganda. We knew the words of James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” We knew the stories of the faithful saints in the Bible who lived by faith and were honored in Hebrews 11. We were ready to start a family, and we felt called to grow our family through adoption. In March of 2014, my wife traveled to Uganda to meet the boy who would become our son. We had only seen pictures of him for several months, and now was her chance to bond with him before I arrived to start the legal process. After spending a week with him, due to events beyond our control, my wife was informed by our attorney that we could not adopt him. Just like that, it was over, and my wife was on a plane back home the next day. For the next several months, we wrestled with so many emotions – disappointment, resentment, apathy, disbelief, impatience, fear, anger, anger, and anger. Should we give up? Maybe it wasn’t meant to be? Why did this happen? How was this God’s plan? We were near the breaking point to call it quits, but we chose to keep going. There was a child in Uganda who needed a family. On Father’s Day last year, I sat in church holding back tears as the preacher asked all of the dads to stand and be recognized. I should have been one of those standing, because it should have been my first Father’s Day. I cried for my wife, because she fell in love with this little guy and had to drive away from an orphanage and leave him standing at the gates. I cried for that little boy, because we had no idea how he was doing or what would happen to him. I had never felt brokenness like I felt that day. The next day, we got an email from our adoption agency with pictures of a one-year old boy. There were pictures attached along with the report describing his story. Once again, we said, “Yes,” and we started the process again. We signed more papers, got everything in order, and waited for 4 more months. In November, we got on a plane and flew east. Even when we landed in Uganda, we still had doubts. Surely, the same thing won’t happen twice, right? We went out to the orphanage, met the director, and someone brought us our son. You can’t prepare for that moment. No one, including myself, can accurately describe what it is like to sit in a crowded 8 ft. x 8 ft. office with 5 total strangers and have someone put your child in your arms: awkward, weird, and totally awesome. I was only able to stay in Uganda for 2 weeks, but my wife stayed there for the duration of the process – two and a half months. Finally, in January, my wife and our son, Wyatt, came home. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/QgCgvftuQAOO2Wfz5jh9/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)It has been a wild transition to go from having no children to chasing down a two-year old. (Parents of toddlers unite, am I right?) It’s been wild, yes, and it’s also been a really awesome transition into fatherhood. There’s something really special about hearing the word, “Daddy!” for the first time. Teaching your son how to throw a football and helping him shoot baskets are all kinds of fun. Having your son say, “Love you!” is enough to make a grown man melt. Watching the biggest brown eyes light up and hearing squeals of laughter when you come home at night stirs up all the mushy feelings that guys aren’t supposed to talk about. Being a dad is really fun. I’m finding that being a dad is also full of holy moments where I can see, in the flesh, that God is doing a new work in my son. There are moments where I am reminded God heals and restores hearts. He is continuously working in my son, and I am bearing witness to that. I see my flaws and my imperfections, and am reminded yet again that His grace is sufficient. As a dad, I am reminded that the fierce protection and immense amount of love I feel for my son doesn’t even compare to the protection and love Jesus offers. When I think back over the year, I feel grateful to be celebrating Father’s Day this year. It’s been a long road getting here, so when I think about this weekend, I think about how thankful I am to have my son under my roof this year. I think about how excited I am to have what I wanted a year ago. I think about how grateful I am to know that God is faithful. --- *A native of Houston, TX, Dustin moved to Tennessee in 2009. He is an avid runner but says it is only because he likes baking desserts a little too much. He enjoys traveling and has been to 5 of the 7 continents. Dustin, his wife Courtney and son Wyatt currently make their home in Franklin, TN. Dustin and Courtney blog about their lives and adoption journey at .* *Originally published on June 17, 2015* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Help Shy or Introverted Kids Enjoy Sunday School](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-help-shy-or-introverted-kids-enjoy-sunday-school/) **Published:** June 13, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-sunday-school-curriculum-c...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hSzS21FRTigf4Gatf11D.jpg) I have two students in my second grade girls Sunday school class who are vastly different. Scarlett is energetic, vocal, and outgoing. She always has something to say and is very active in our classroom. Juliana is more reserved and follows directions perfectly, but she’s quiet and more introverted. Most Sunday mornings as I welcome students to class, I am joined by Scarlett who will eagerly recount every last detail of her past seven days, down to why she opted to make herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Friday night instead of enjoying pizza with the rest of her family. If I ask Juliana how her week was, I usually get a very simple and polite “It was great!” and then she goes right into the room, grabs her coloring page, and takes her seat. Because Juliana is clearly more shy and introverted than Scarlett, I have noticed that she’s happy to let Scarlett’s big personality fill the room, while she sits quietly in observation. Juliana seems to enjoy coming to class, but I don’t want her to ever feel overshadowed by other children in the class. I want to be intentional about including her in our Sunday school curriculum conversations and activities in a way that is fun and engaging for her. After all, I *was* Juliana when I was in second grade. All I wanted was to blend in and go unnoticed. I couldn’t even bear the thought of having to read aloud in class or participate in a way that would have all the class’ attention focused on me. But I loved going to Sunday School and I loved my teacher because she made it fun and comfortable for me as she taught us Bible stories for kids and helped build the [foundation of my faith](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-faith) through her love and encouragement. So, what can we do for our shy and introverted students to make sure that even those children who just want to blend in aren’t getting looked over during their time in our care? We’ve created a list of three things you should consider for your introverted students while developing your youth ministry ideas and finding creative ways of teaching kids about Jesus. 1. Quiet Doesn’t Mean Bored Just because they aren’t noisy doesn’t mean they aren’t having fun. If the old phrase “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” is true, the extroverted children in your classroom may be getting too much of your attention or even influencing your opinion on how a certain lesson has gone for the day. I have yet to meet an extroverted kid who is afraid to tell me when he DIDN’T like something, and if he DID like an activity. But for kids like Juliana, she’s happy to complete the task quietly at her desk without a single word, even if she is having a total blast. While the class is engaged in the activity, I try to walk around to all of the quieter students and ask them open-ended questions so that they have to say more than just a “yes” or “no” answer. Questions such as, “Juliana, I love that you chose to color Noah’s ark purple. Can you tell me what you love about the color purple?” will give her a greater opportunity to discuss the work she’s doing and offer more of herself without feeling like she’s being put on the spot in front of the whole class. Tiny opportunities to reach out to introverted students can go a long way in building their confidence and belief that they have something valuable to add to our class. After several interactions like this, I notice many of my shy students starting to speak up more and more during our classroom discussions. It’s always a fantastic day when that happens! 2. Get Feedback from Parents Your students’ parents are going to be your greatest asset and insight into what works best for their child to help break the ice and make them feel more at home. When I notice a student leans more toward introverted tendencies, I try to pull the parents after church and just let them know how much I enjoy having their child in class. Then, I ask them if there is anything we can do with our Sunday school time that might help the child feel more comfortable. Parents will be able to offer insight into how their child engages, or simple tricks to help them break out of the box a little. For example, my daughter gets very anxious in new classrooms, so when I drop her off to a new Sunday school when we are visiting friends and family, I make it a point to tell the instructor that she warms up best with a good warm hug and a lot of encouragement to make a new friend. 3. Give Them a Job to Do Invite your introverted student to be in charge of a special task for the day that doesn’t involve speaking in front of the class. Perhaps she would be great at passing out worksheets or snacks, or helping you clean up the classroom at the end of Sunday School. Ask her to help another student with their work, or to pass out or collect the books and return them to the shelf. These are all great ways to engage shy students and help them to get involved in the classroom activities without feeling like they are being put on the spot. Teaching kids about faith is one of the most important honors we have as believers, and finding ways to reach every child can be so very rewarding. Head over to our[ Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/Minnotv/) and[ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno) page to tell us your thoughts and let us know how you’re engaging with your more introverted students each Sunday! ## About the Author ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rbGV7advTtKBa0mUkeMC.jpg)Ashley Reale *currently lives and works in Nashville, TN with her family and rescue goldendoodle puppy.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Chore Chart for Kindergarteners](https://gominno.com/blog/chore-chart-for-kindergarteners/) **Published:** June 13, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-child-development-homescho...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jorqVh1kSUiSmyox3I0A.jpg) One sticky summer night, I was feverishly clearing the dinner table, washing dishes, and loading the dishwasher, when my five year old daughter Charlotte suddenly took interest in what I was doing. “Can I please help you, Mommy?” Her sweet question totally caught me off guard. I wondered, *Can she actually help me? Is it possible that having her “help” will create more work for me? What if she drops a plate and breaks it? Will allowing her to participate in dinner clean up slow down our bedtime routine? How do I teach her about being responsible using household chores at this young age? Can a kindergartener be included in the household cleaning?* All these questions blasted through my mind at lightning speed, but the answer that came from my heart and cancelled out all the worry was a massive “YES! Yes, you can help me, sweet girl! Let me show you how…” I grabbed our trusty old step ladder, stood her up in front of a sink full of bubbles, handed her the scrubby brush and said, “Please scrub all the food residue off each item in the sink and hand it to me after so I can dry it, or put it in the dishwasher if it needs an extra bath.” Saying it this way was helpful for my neat-freak tendencies because if she missed a spot I knew the dishwasher would take care of it later, and I wouldn’t have to risk hurting her feelings if she saw me trying to rewash something she missed. That night while she washed dishes, we talked about if she felt like she was ready to do more chores around the house. She was showing interest in helping, and I did not want to discourage her (because, let’s face it, I need all the help around the house I can get!) Even though those first few weeks of having her help I found myself rewashing the majority of the dishes she had helped wash, I knew that what we were doing together was bigger than me having to do a little extra work to include her in the process. ## Chores and Rewards When we decided to make an official chore chart, I asked her to tell me three or four things she was interested in doing to help around the house. She chose helping clean the dishes after dinner, washing the windows, and cleaning the toilet. (The toilet one scared me a little at first, but she is actually really great at it!) Together we decided that we should also add tidying up her bedroom and keeping her toys put away in the living room to her chore list. At the end of each week, if she had been helpful and kept up with her chores, she would earn a reward. We decided that she would either get to earn a special ice cream date or choose an item from the dollar spot at the store. (After all, her two main motivators are shopping and sweet treats!) Including her in the process was fun and helped her to feel a sense of responsibility to the list we created together. She was excited about completing her daily tasks and never once let me forget to clean the toilet (or put it off a day or two). ## Helping Your Helper A few of the chores she chose required my supervision and were not very “helpful” at first, but we were spending time together talking about her day. One afternoon, while cleaning the windows with me she said, “Mom, this is hard work—my arms are really tired!” It felt like such a massive victory that she was beginning to recognize all that goes into being responsible and keeping everything in order. As she becomes more comfortable with each chore, I have seen her take ownership of her household duties and her confidence soar. Knowing that she CAN wash dishes, she CAN clean the toilet, and she CAN put away her own toys has helped her to try new things that might seem hard at first. She’s seven now and we’ve added a few more items to the chore list, but we always include her in the process and ask her to help decide what she should be doing to chip in around the house. If you have a young child at home who is showing interest in helping you with chores around the house, I encourage you to just say yes and give them a shot! You’ll both be surprised at where it will lead and how precious your time working together can be. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jyPXtLlHR6FpevfoSvSg.jpg) [I’ve designed a chore chart](https://cdn.buttercms.com/rZeWLprJSGquCaSapdyQ) that you can use to sit down with your kindergartner and fill in the tasks together. This is a great child development resource for Christian families looking for ways to make Christian parenting as well as Christian homeschooling more interactive for your child. Simply write in the task(s) for the days you want them completed. I also sometimes draw pictures next to words she might not yet recognize to help give her little hints. Happy cleaning! ## About the Author ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rbGV7advTtKBa0mUkeMC.jpg)Ashley Reale *currently lives and works in Nashville, TN with her family and rescue goldendoodle puppy.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Celebrating the Unique Role of Fathers](https://gominno.com/blog/celebrating-the-unique-role-of-fathers/) **Published:** June 13, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0FrGA1VFRB6LgU2JJkIe_fathers-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) It is no secret that men and women are different. We were created that way on purpose and each gender displays the characteristics of our Creator in unique ways. There are so many times throughout my marriage when I have wished that my husband and I could share a brain so things could go exactly as I wanted them to. But I have come to see that oftentimes our differences are actually advantageous and allow us to approach life in a more well-rounded and less monochromatic way. And that has never been more evident than in this season of raising our children. As a wife and mother, I pray often for the Lord to guide my husband, specifically to guide him to make the decisions that are best for our family. I trust that the Lord hears those prayers and plants just the right thoughts and ideas in my husband’s heart to lead our children well. And I’m learning that even when he approaches parenting differently than I might, different isn’t bad, it’s just different. And time after time as I watch my husband bring his male-ness to the front lines of parenting, I stand back and observe with a deep appreciation of how God is using him to shape these little souls that we both love so much. When my son wants to ride his bike down to his friend’s house and play over there for a little while I want to say no! I want him to stay at home and be with me where I can see him and make sure he is safe and where I don’t have to worry about him. But my husband has no reservations. As a father he desires for his son to learn independence, people skills, and the opportunity to exercise his good judgment muscles and he knows playing with friends is a great way to develop these characteristics. When my daughter gets the serious wiggles and needs to let out some energy and some decibels my husband sends her outside to play. But when she gets sweaty or tired I am quick to let her come inside. But that is not necessarily what is best for her. My husband encourages her to continue playing outside. As her father my husband wants his daughter to be strong and resilient and not let a few beads of sweat put an end to her enjoying the sunshine. My son tends to be very reserved and not as self-assertive as other boys his age. Of course it worried me and so I started to pray for God to make a way for him to learn how to be more confident. About a month ago my husband and my son started taking jiu-jitsu classes together. I can’t even tell you how much that has helped my son step out of his comfort zone and grow his confidence in his own abilities. I’m not sure what I thought it would take to help my son in this area but I can assure you that martial arts would not have been my go-to solution. But the Lord gave my husband this idea and it has been so beneficial for both of them. As a father, my husband wants our son to develop strength, courage, and discipline, and this has been a great way to bring about those character traits. This month we celebrate fathers. Today I want to celebrate the different way my husband sees the world and the beautiful and intentional way in which it propels my family forward for more of what God has for us. I cannot even tell you the number of times I’ve been taken completely aback by what my husband has proposed, proceeded reluctantly, and then been so surprised and humbled by the way it has been exactly what our children needed. I am very thankful for those experiences. So here’s to dads everywhere for taking responsibility for their families and seeking the Lord through it all. Here’s to dads for bringing all the manliness to the table and displaying the immense courage and dedication it takes to lead a family well. And here’s to dads everywhere, sacrificing their own comfort and agenda and displaying the humble servant-leadership of our Savior. Happy Father’s Day to you. --- *Originally published on June 16, 2017* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How To Better Determine Your Kids’ Learning Style](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-better-determine-your-kids-learning-style/) **Published:** June 12, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-Christian-homeschooling-ch...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/v1RSkbIWRSWUFc8pu39h.jpg) Many Christian families with homeschool parents are educating multiple children with an endless variety of learning style combinations and specific needs for their individual education. The key to having an engaged student can be found in understanding their learning style. Rebecca is a Christian homeschooling mom of three who has been educating her two oldest children for the past two and a half years. Her oldest daughter, Joy, currently in second grade, is thriving and enthusiastically engages with home school learning. Rebecca’s son, Josiah, currently in first grade, struggles to find motivation and becomes easily distracted when it comes to his school work. Rebecca is struggling to keep Josiah engaged and she’s unsure what to change so that each of her children flourish and learn in ways that are suited to their learning styles. Because of their varying learning styles, Rebecca knows that Joy and Josiah will need different approaches and different curriculum – and Rebecca is committed to providing an education tailored to each child’s needs. While there are four main types of learning styles, each child will have a specific combination that works for them. The best place to start is simply to observe what it is that excites your learner most. Here’s a summary of the four main learning styles along with a few activities you can implement into your practice to help cultivate your student’s imagination, engagement, confidence and ultimately develop a true love of learning. These learning styles will be an important addition to your homeschooling resources toolkit. ## The Visual Learner You know you’ve got a visual learner on your hands if they seem to have an uncanny ability to recognize people, places, or things that exist in their environment. They may prefer books loaded with illustrations, pictures, and maps to books with only words. Young visual learners gravitate toward creating their own works of art and excel at most other visual activities. One great activity for visual learners is to integrate drawing opportunities into every subject. For example, if you are doing a science curriculum about trees, invite your learner to go outdoors, collecting items from a few different trees at a park or even in your own backyard. She can organize them into groups and categories, draw them in a journal, and then discuss what each item does in the life cycle of a tree. She might also benefit from flash cards, color coded notes, and creating diagrams. Try this [scavenger hunt activity](https://www.gominno.com/blog/free-family-gardening-activity-pack) with your visual learner to get their brains blossoming. Visual learners are such creative souls, and that is why they require a lot of unique and innovative approaches to their classroom learning. Remember to keep them excited and turn the work of learning into fun exploration. ## The Auditory Learner Auditory learners give themselves away with their sweet humming and singing as they play and study. This is the kid who hears a song once and can remember most of the words and sings aloud the next time he hears it. This learner is very good at performing verbal tasks, and is never short on questions when completing an activity. Auditory learners love to make up rhymes and stories to go along with what they’re learning, and they’re great at letting you know what they think of a topic or issue. If you’re struggling to get your child to focus during a history lesson, let them check out [Story Songs](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-story-songs-from-scripture) and then ask them to make up their own song about the historical topic you’re trying to teach. They’ll have fun writing their own song, and it will help them remember the facts while they flex their creativity at the same time. Recording their performance of the song is just the icing on the cake. I can assure you that there is nothing more adorable and heart-melting than a kid singing about The Boston Tea Party. Auditory learners will keep you on your toes because they hear EVERYTHING. They are curious little sponges, soaking up and internalizing everything around them as they learn. ## The Kinesthetic Learner You know you have a kinesthetic learner when you are constantly reminding your squirmy student to stay in their seat. Hands-on action is where this type of learner thrives. These are the kids who have great coordination, and excel at sports and drama. They learn best when they are able to physically move. Give your kinesthetic learner a stress ball or slime to help them productively get the wiggles out while they are studying. To help make their instruction time more fun and active, give them more break times where they can take a quick walk or play a game related to their study unit. Check out our [50 Fall Family Activities](https://www.gominno.com/blog/50-fall-family-activities-free-printable) post to get inspired with a few ideas for cultivating an active instructional lifestyle for your kinesthetic learner, many of which can be enjoyed year round! ## The Reading/Writing Learner Does your child love reading and retelling the story she just read? Does she make lists and create her own story books? Does she prefer to work in quiet spaces without distraction? She is most likely a reading/writing learner. Encourage her learning style by making written material the base of all her instructional time. She’ll enjoy reading a variety of books and will retain information from taking her own notes. Give her an opportunity to rewrite study topics in her own words. Book reports and essay writing are an enjoyable task for any reading/writing learner. Enroll her in a reading program at your local library, or ask her to write her thoughts on a specific topic she’s assigned to research to dive deeper into the lesson. No matter what type of learning style your children have, or how challenging it can be to make learning fun and effective for everyone, you are not alone in this journey of child development. Head over to our [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/Minno) to find solidarity and encouragement in our Christian parenting community, along with resources to support you as you go. We are all in this together! Citation: “Finding Your Fit: The 4 Most Common Types of Learners.” *Finding Your Fit: The 4 Most Common Types of Learners | Rasmussen College*, [www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/most-common-types-of-learners/](http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/most-common-types-of-learners/).“What Type Of Learner Is Your Child?” *GradePower Learning*, 20 June 2018, [gradepowerlearning.com/what-type-learner-is-my-child/](http://gradepowerlearning.com/what-type-learner-is-my-child/) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Best Father's Day Coloring Pages](https://gominno.com/blog/best-fathers-day-coloring-pages/) **Published:** June 12, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YiRXkOrkRAyMuW29NapR_JT-Blog-fathers%20day%20coloring.jpg.jpg) We’ve rounded up the best Father’s Day Coloring Pages from across the internet! See our top choices below to color for a special dad in your life. #### Our favorite British brothers, Clive and Ian from What’s In The Bible?, wish Dads a Happy Father’s Day in this [free Father’s Day coloring page](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/fathers-day-coloring-page/ "Father's Day coloring page")! ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/IdxjPJljTbWtMxHDT8hG/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) #### #### On Crayola.com, you can [download sweet and kooky animals wishing Dad a Happy Father’s Day](http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/holidays/fathers-day-coloring-pages/ "Father's Day Coloring Page")! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WumCYE2hTxamZjKtTyYB_Screen%20Shot%202017-04-18%20at%204.46.00%20PM.png.jpg)](http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/holidays/fathers-day-coloring-pages/) #### [Ministry to Children offers up a variety of Father’s Day Coloring pages](http://ministry-to-children.com/fathers-day-coloring-pages/ "Ministry to Children") – including diverse ones. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/J8ja8zUYQFq5dNLoOo6D/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://ministry-to-children.com/fathers-day-coloring-pages/) #### #### From scenes of happy fishing trips to trophies for dad, [Sheknows.com offers up a bevy of coloring pages to celebrate dad.](http://www.sheknows.com/kids-activity-center/list/father-s-day "Father's Day Coloring Page") [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WdgEwC9SyiSTzeXNJizg_Screen%20Shot%202017-04-18%20at%204.50.47%20PM.png.jpg)](http://www.sheknows.com/kids-activity-center/list/father-s-day) #### Whether your dad loves coffee, barbequing, or fishing – you can find [17 coloring pages that honor all aspects of fatherhood on coloring.ws](http://www.coloring.ws/dad.htm "Father's Day Coloring Page") – even a “World’s Best Dad!” coloring page. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/1SdfuDyQt6vO21GxedBA/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.coloring.ws/dad.htm) #### If the dad in your life is the more traditional type, [you’ll find coloring pages of neckties and golf gear on twistynoodle.com](http://twistynoodle.com/search/?q=father%27s+day&type=minibooks&type=coloringpages "Father's Day Coloring Page"), along with celebratory balloons and a crown! You can even customize these pages with different messages. So fun! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sNAye3DTSwyVpvgAILz3_Screen%20Shot%202017-04-18%20at%204.56.06%20PM.png.jpg)](http://twistynoodle.com/search/?q=father%27s+day&type=minibooks&type=coloringpages) --- *Originally published on June 14, 2016* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [General Requirements to Become a Homeschool Teacher](https://gominno.com/blog/general-requirements-to-become-a-homeschool-teacher/) **Published:** June 11, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-requirements-for-becoming-...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RLhoja1mT9aEuqKSS7x3.jpg) After much thought and prayer, you’ve decided to homeschool your children. *The question then becomes, what exactly makes a good homeschool teacher?* The answer is dedication, flexibility, and the willingness to not isolate yourself or your kids. There are many other factors that go into being a good homeschool teacher, of course, but these three characteristics are at the top of the list. ## Dedication Aren’t all homeschool teachers dedicated? Unfortunately, many families make the homeschool decision but lack the dedication to completely commit. This commitment entails setting aside a [specific space in your home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-essentials-for-creating-the-perfect-homeschooling-room) strictly for homeschool teaching and learning. Putting your kids in the middle of the living room or in their room for school invites boredom and [distraction](https://www.gominno.com/blog/homeschooling-how-to-protect-your-time-against-disruptions). The environment you choose for your children’s education is vital to their success. Another part of being dedicated is [setting aside time](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-tips-for-easier-homeschool-planning) specifically each day for school and learning. It’s too easy to let life prevent you from completing each day’s school lessons. Without dedicated time, homeschoolers frequently fall behind and have trouble catching up. ## Flexibility One of the most important aspects of homeschooling is flexibility. This doesn’t mean canceling classes on a whim, but knowing when and where the framework you’ve established for school can stretch a little bit. For example, parents often find that one child excels in a particular subject. Flexibility looks like [finding a challenging curriculum](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) for this child’s needs that may depart from the curriculum used by your other children. You may also find that your chosen curriculum isn’t hitting the mark. Being flexible means trying different avenues and testing out new lesson plans such as creating something from great content like [The Power of the Same.](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-power-of-same) Flexibility also means searching until you find the right one. ## Preventing Isolation Let’s face it: one of the hardest things homeschooling parents struggle with is the lack of variety in subjects, environment, and curriculum. But this is also the beauty of homeschooling! On any given day, you have the ability to schedule a field trip to a local museum or to another nearby homeschooling group. Get connected – find [groups in your area](https://www.gominno.com/blog/advantages-of-working-with-a-christian-homeschool-co-op) and sign your school up for field trips, class swaps, and general socializing. Your children will thank you for this – and you’ll be grateful, too! Getting outside the house prevents both parents and children from becoming complacent with school due to a lack of variety. ## Requirements for Homeschool Teaching If you’re convinced that you have what it takes to homeschool your children, it’s important to review the [necessary homeschool requirements for teaching](https://www.gominno.com/blog/navigating-the-legal-requirements-to-homeschool), as well as homeschool costs. Here are some of the basics: ## Qualifications **To Teach:**[ According to the Coalition for Responsible Home Education](https://www.responsiblehomeschooling.org/policy-issues/current-policy/parent-qualifications/), there are eleven states that require some form of education to qualify as a homeschool teacher. This qualification requires a high school diploma or a GED. Only one state (Washington) requires either college credits or the completion of a home-based study. The rest of the states have no qualifications. There are certification programs available with courses for you to become a homeschool teacher, but most states do not require this. Remember to utilize your homeschool network before investing in courses that may not provide a long-term benefit to you or your children. **To Have a Homeschool in Your Home:** Because rules change from state to state, it’s important to check your local laws, call your school district to find out if there are any special requirements to ensure your children will be eligible for graduation, as well as maintain grade levels. Not following these rules could cause a problem for your children if you become unable to teach them and they need to go back into the public school system. It’s important to ensure your child stays on grade level. Make sure to check out the[ rules for your state.](https://education.findlaw.com/education-options/education-and-homeschooling-state-laws.html) ## Cost Contrary to what most people think, homeschooling is not cheap. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) estimates that the average parent spends about $300 to $600 per year, per child, on homeschooling curriculum, games, and books. This does not figure in the cost of field trips or other amenities. Preparation is the key to successful homeschooling, both for you and for your children. There are many other [online resources for homeschooling](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling) (check out these great resources from[ PBS](http://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/homeschooling-an-overview) and[ Scholastic](https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/school-involvement/8-steps-to-homeschool-success.html), especially), but the most important thing is to find successful homeschools in your area and set up meetings for brainstorming and [collaboration](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-homeschool-co-op). You’ll learn tips and tricks from other educators – and you’ll also be part of a growing network of parents seeking the best education for their children. For resources on [Christian homeschooling](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting/school-education), teaching Bible stories to kids, and more, check out [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/)’s collection of resources for [Christian families](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting)! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Recognize the Heroes In Your Life This Father's Day](https://gominno.com/blog/recognize-the-heroes-in-your-life-this-fathers-day/) **Published:** June 11, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sJu70AO8TSK71Xdt6L1G_Summer-Prayers-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Last year, I stood in front of the card display at Target trying to find a card for my dad and husband for Father’s Day. I opened more cards than I could count and put every one back because none of them reflected the dads in my life. These card-dads were beer-guzzling, lazy, smelly, recliner-sitting guys who occasionally yell at football on TV and snore when spoken to. *Where was the card that showed my dad?* The guy who gets up and out the door to work before anyone else in the house is even awake? The man who serves his family by making breakfast on his off days? The one who is up early on Sunday bringing donuts to church and leading kids in Sunday School? The sensitive guy who slipped gifts under my pillow as a kid and still knows how to pick the perfect gift for me as an adult? Most dads aren’t buffoons or out-of-touch guys who don’t know their own kids. Many aren’t men who prefer sports to God and their family. The dads I know don’t mirror those Hallmark-card-dads at all. My husband owns three businesses and still tries to eat dinner with his family more often than not. He’ll come home with a shirt my son needs or a special snack the kids like. He leads kids in singing at church on Sunday morning so he can be in the same room with my daughter. He prays with the kids before bed even if he’s only been home for 4 minutes before their bedtime. I bet we all know a few amazing dads like the ones in my life. What a blessing these super men of God are to their families. I imagine if we start paying more attention to the strong dads in the world, and spend less time joking about the stereotypical deadbeat dad, more men would begin to rise to the occasion. This year, I was excited to see some super hero themed cards on the Father’s Day display. Each one compared dads to the strength, courage and honor of Superman, Ironman and Thor. Not only do I want the dads in my life to know how super I think they are, I want my kids (especially my son!) to know that dads are meant to soar as great heroes. Dads are different than moms, yes. Dads aren’t perfect and don’t always hit the mark. But good dads aren’t trying to be manly-men or out-of-touch, let-the-mom-handle-it guys. Instead, good dads try to imitate their Heavenly Father. That’s the card I’d like to see. A thank you card to dads that says, *“Thanks for being patient with me, when I don’t deserve it. Thanks for loving me when I’m unlovable. Thanks for protecting and providing for me. Thanks for having fun with me and putting me first even when you were tired. Thanks for showing me the love of our Heavenly Father.”* The disciple John writes that God has lavished love on us because we are His children (see 1 John 3:1). What a promise! When you see the dads in your life lavish love on you and your children, tell them thank you for that love and for showing what our Father God’s love is like! **Family Devotion idea:** Talk about all the ways God is a good Father. Then make a Father’s Day card for God. Draw or write the ways you discussed that He is a good Father to us. Display it in your home or put it in your Bible to look at again and again. --- *Originally published on June 13, 2017* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Homeschool Tips: How To Take Breaks Without Getting Derailed](https://gominno.com/blog/homeschool-tips-how-to-take-breaks-without-getting-derailed/) **Published:** June 6, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-Homeschooling-Productive-B...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GlRxpvKJRq9WIhUJHL0q.jpg) Being a Christian homeschooling family can make for grueling days with busy schedules as you try to navigate the balance between instruction and fun when it comes to child development. If you are like me, it can be easy to want to hurry on to the next subject in order to make the most of your educational time, forgetting that my kids have shorter attention spans and would greatly benefit from having specific break times planned throughout their day. Breaks and small recesses can actually help them refine their focus for the remaining work to be done. According to Youki Terada of[ Edutopia](https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-tested-benefits-breaks), “regular breaks throughout the school day can be an effective way to reduce disruptive behavior.” ## When Breaks Lose Their Way But breaks that were intended to only be a two minute time to stretch our legs can quickly and easily get stretched into fifteen minutes if you aren’t paying close attention. This can take a serious bite out of your structure and throw off the balance of the day, derailing your entire schedule. Once, very early on in our homeschool adventures, we took a bathroom break that turned into a thirty minute juice and snack extravaganza because my sweet kids decided they were hungry. Up until that point, we had never implemented a schedule of purposeful break times. Without knowing if they would be getting another opportunity to grab a snack or drink, the kids made the most of the current break time they had, asking for all the refreshments and snack foods they thought they might want or need for the rest of the day. This survival of the fittest experience was enough to set our schedule back massively for the day, and taking an unplanned break of that magnitude also made for a major struggle-fest to get everyone back into the student/teacher mindset. The day dragged on and we never fully got back on task. Even my own focus was thrown off. It was beyond frustrating to see the time squandered and made me feel so defeated. My brain was telling me lies, making me feel inadequate and convincing me that I was not cut out to become a successful homeschooling parent. I wanted to throw in the towel, but instead this experience opened my eyes. I reached a turning point that led me to reevaluate how I was going about including break times into our schedule. I began the quest for balance in our instructional time. ## Three Tips for Productive Breaks So, how can Christian families offer appropriate and productive break times for students? We have come up with a list of three things you should consider to help you plan for break times as you continue to develop your instructional style and [homeschooling resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling). 1. **Keep your break times short and sweet:** Switch things up after one activity is completed by adding in a quick dance party to your kid’s favorite worship song, offering a timed 7 minute snack and drink break, or playing a fun new game that’s related to the topics you are working on that day. Taking short breaks after each activity or lesson helps break up the day. These times can be full of joy and let kids just be kids in between their work. 2. **Watch the clock.** Make your smartphone’s timer setting your new best friend. Keep it fun and light by designating a silly noise or song to be the sounding alarm so that the kids know what to do when they hear the timer’s alarm go off. Setting a timer helps everyone stay on track and makes it easier to stick to the schedule. 3. **Have break time rituals.** Do small activities that promote movement and give the kids an opportunity to be loud for a moment. Exercise and singing songs together are great ways to get the wiggles out. Setting a specific break time for cleanup or setting up a new work space are also great options. When these things have been completed, it provides a natural transition back into instructional time. There are so many challenges we face during our Christian parenting journey, but thankfully homeschool break times no longer have to be one of them. No schedule is ever going to be perfect, and sometimes we will have days when scheduling is just off. The most important thing to remember is that we can always be flexible. No matter what your schedule ends up looking like, remember to receive for yourself some of the grace you extend so easily to your children and other parents. If you’re looking for resources to supplement their education, [Christian parenting tips](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith), or other engaging media for Christian families, check out our [online catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/whats-on) of exciting and educational tools! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Homeschooling: How to Protect Your Time Against Disruptions](https://gominno.com/blog/homeschooling-how-to-protect-your-time-against-disruptions/) **Published:** June 5, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-homeschooling-success-prot...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HgSXg3yLTKWeZ4t4lebA.jpg) Every homeschool parent has probably run into this assumption from friends or family that since you are home during the day, you are also available during the day. Imagine that you’ve *finally* gotten your kids engaged with the story you’re reading. Their attention is rapt and they’re hanging on every word – and then your phone rings with a call from a family member asking if you can run an errand for them since you’re “at home right now.” Your students’ attention is now lost and all of your hard work is ruined because of disruptions. Interruptions like these can be detrimental to your kids’ learning and it can also be a major source of frustration for you as their educator. If you’re looking to reduce the number of disruptions you experience while teaching at home, here is what you need to know to set yourself up for success. 1. Set a Schedule It can be tempting to just “go with the flow” as a homeschool family. When there are no specific due dates or bells guiding your daily practices, it may seem like having a clear schedule is unnecessarily restrictive. While having a schedule does mean there are some directives for how time is spent, [studies show](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lets-connect/201108/why-we-are-creatures-routine) that humans are creatures of habit. We crave the stability and security that routines provide and we function best within a schedule. Setting a schedule is a great way to preemptively reduce disruptions. If the whole family is on the same page as to when school will begin and end, they can anticipate the times when they are expected to be engaged and when they can relax. [Design a clear schedule](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-tips-for-easier-homeschool-planning) in which you begin, end, and have [breaks](https://www.gominno.com/blog/homeschool-tips-how-to-take-breaks-without-getting-derailed). If you have family members or friends who try to communicate with you during the day, set clear boundaries and tell them when you will be unavailable so you can retain the most engagement from your kids as possible and reduce disruptions. 2. Silence Your Phone Our phones are the greatest [source of distraction ](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaytiezimmerman/2017/03/26/is-your-cell-phone-killing-your-productivity-at-work/#4a88f1bf605c)in our lives these days. The constant ringing, buzzing, and flashing notifications have our minds wandering everywhere but in the present moment. Not only can your phone be a distraction for you as the teacher, it can also disrupt your kids’ work if they hear the loud notifications. All of this leads to segmented patterns of work and significantly less productivity. On another level, using your phone during school time models a poor work ethic to your kids. When they see that mom or dad use their phone during work time, it teaches them that this is a permissible habit. Watching how parents behave is an integral part of child development. Get into the habit of leaving your phone elsewhere during work time and only checking it *after* your scheduled school day (or during breaks). Communicate with friends or family who may need to talk to you during school hours. Make sure that they know that you will not have your phone available and make a plan for how to contact you in case of emergency. One useful tool is the “Do Not Disturb” function on many smartphones. You can set your phone so that you are not notified of messages during certain hours. There are also certain settings that can bypass this blockade in the event of an emergency. For example, a text from a friend may not send your phone buzzing, but if someone from your “favorites” list in your phone calls twice, this may register as an urgent call and start your phone ringing. While a cell phone can be a helpful tool for some things, it is usually more of a distraction. Take charge and don’t let devices run your classroom! 3. Remove Your Distractions One of the best homeschooling strategies to keep disruptions from hindering your teaching is to remove them before they have a chance to cause a disruption. If you find that when your child uses a computer to type, they spend more time distracted by games or browsing the internet, this is probably a sign that you should switch to paper and pencil. If working in your den is distracting because they have toys or a TV nearby to tempt them, relocate to [a room with fewer distractions](https://www.gominno.com/blog/5-essentials-for-creating-the-perfect-homeschooling-room) so they don’t have the opportunity to get off-task. If you find that *you* are the one getting distracted by other tasks, let this be a sign that you may need to remove some of your distractions as well. As tempting as it may be to get in that last load of laundry or send that quick email, set aside those other tasks for when school work is done. If you aren’t fully engaged with your kids’ classwork, it’s pretty unlikely that they will be either. In Christian parenting, it is our obligation to ensure that our kids have a high-quality education that challenges them and teaches the importance of hard work and academic rigor. This can prove to be a tall order when disruptions get in the way of your teaching. For resources on [Christian homeschooling](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting/school-education), teaching Bible stories to kids, and more, check out [Minno](https://www.gominno.com/)’s collection of resources for [Christian families](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/kids-parenting)! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Share Your Decision to Homeschool with Others](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-share-your-decision-to-homeschool-with-others/) **Published:** June 4, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-Christian-homeschooling-ch...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jv2hAY7dRSWGBVg9d666.jpg) Welcome to the club! You have newly decided to homeschool your child and you are brimming with excitement to talk about all you’ve already discovered on your quest to figure out what type of education you want for your kids. Whether you’re the type of parent who has always known you wanted to homeschool your children, or a recent event within the public school system has brought you toward the Christian homeschooling path, you may worry about how others will react to your decision. Maybe you have already faced at least a little resistance from your own parents or from other family members who have never had direct experience with homeschooling and don’t realize how amazing it can be. Knowing the best way to approach a discussion with your extended family and friends might seem a little scary or daunting, but it doesn’t have to feel like an impossible mountain to climb. We’re here to help. Here are four positive ways to talk about how your decision to focus on Christian parenting has helped you determine that homeschooling is right for your family. 1. Be Direct and Matter-of-Fact Try something like this: “We have recently made the decision to homeschool Stella for second grade. Last year in her public school experience, it was very clear that she needs more one-on-one instruction. Unfortunately, this just hasn’t been available to her in public school so far. We can offer her exactly what she needs with this new homeschool curriculum and we are hopeful she will thrive with this new approach.” Project your confidence and comfort with your decision. Don’t ask for opinions unless you are prepared to debate the issue. Everyone who loves you and your child will have an opinion, but they are merely observers of your parenting choices and growing family. They only become influencers of the choices you make if you give them the space and permission to do so. 2. Prepare a Few Comebacks Have a few logical comebacks prepared to address their concerns. View the topic through a lens of love and kindness, hearing them out and listening to their worries. But be prepared to address various comments with a confident, considered response. Point out the public school’s issues with low teacher-to-student ratios and [other clear benefits](https://www.gominno.com/blog/does-homeschooling-produce-well-educated-kids) without bashing the choices others make to keep their children in a traditional school setting. This isn’t about one decision being right and another being wrong; it’s about what decision is best for your child right now. 3. Focus on the Positive Homeschooling isn’t perfect. Some of the people you talk to about your decision might be tempted to focus on potential negatives, but you have the opportunity to tell them about the many new avenues your kids have to socialize and connect with other Christian families who are homeschooling their kids. Share your enthusiasm about your [homeschool co-op](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-benefits-of-a-homeschool-co-op) or [new homeschooling resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-top-online-christian-homeschool-curriculum-on-the-market) you have found. Point out how much more hands on learning you can offer your children when you have the freedom to “learn by doing” rather than always being stuck behind a desk in a classroom. 4. Be Willing to Re-evaluate from Year to Year Be open about how your journey into homeschooling is going, and evaluate your decision for the following year based on your child’s measurable/observable progress. Just because you have decided to homeschool your child for kindergarten and first grade does not automatically mean you are locked into homeschooling until college. Keep an open mind. Observe your child closely and advocate for them to receive the best education available, whether traditional schooling, homeschooling, or beyond. This is always the key to successful learning and child development. During these conversations, it is most important to remember that anyone who cares enough to show concern about your children’s education is an ally and not an enemy. Above all, remember that at the end of the day, you are the parent. You know your child and what’s best for them better than anyone else. Remembering this truth will help you keep the debate from becoming overly emotional or tense. Set the tone of the conversation, and if you don’t feel like you are receiving the support you need, you can simply end the conversation. The decision to homeschool your child is certainly one of the biggest commitments you can make toward their education and you will all flourish because you are moving confidently toward your goal. Trust God and step toward what is best both for yourself and your child. You can totally do this! If you’re on the hunt for [homeschooling resources](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-the-right-resources-for-faith-based-homeschooling), be sure to check out a variety of other postings about these topics on our [blog](https://www.gominno.com/blog). And if you’re looking for kids Bible stories or other inspiring ideas for family devotionals, [our catalogue](https://www.gominno.com/) is always a great place to start! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Minno's Christian Books Help Kids Grow in Faith](https://gominno.com/blog/christian-books-help-kids-grow-in-faith/) **Published:** May 31, 2019 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Okr26EcjTYOl48lYAAGE.jpg) Not a day goes by in my house where *many, many questions* do not get asked. Some of these are questions that are easy to answer, like, “Can we get an elephant and keep him in the backyard?” Um, no. Other questions are not so simple to answer. Questions like, *“Why is God here all the time?”* *“What does Heaven look like?”* and *“How can Jesus really be with us?”* can cause me to pause and do some hard thinking. After all, I know these things are true: God is ever-present, Heaven is a beautiful place, and Jesus is with us always. But explaining that to younger children can be a challenge. **It helps to have tools to teach our children Biblical truths in a creative way when we feel stuck.** That’s why we like to use Minno books at our house! All of the different book series have engaging ways of teaching our kids about who God is and what He has done for us, as well as life lessons taken straight from Scripture! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/l3qTaHkBS0ak2C48Uhep.jpg) ### Christian Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers [Minno’s Clive and Ian board books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/Minno-press/products/god-made-board-book-bundle) are perfect for toddlers on up to 5-year-olds (they are also excellent for beginning readers to read out loud to you!). Clive and Ian, characters from the popular [Minno video series, What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/) cover the basics of creation, how God made them, the world, animals, and night and day. The illustrations are really colorful, Clive and Ian are funny, and the stories address questions about faith that kids often ask. These books make great presents for little ones too! ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Wj7j14eGS0KIMcQOJCtb.jpg) ### Christian Picture Books for Elementary Age Kids For age 5 on up to 8, there is the [Buck Denver picture book series](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/Minno-press/products/buck-denvers-picture-book-bundle) (there are three books out now and one more planned for the fall). What my 5 and 8-year-olds especially love about these books is that they relate a common struggle that kids have to how the Bible deals with that same subject. Most importantly, these books point kids to Jesus at the end of the story, making **Him** the hero, not the child. Their favorite so far is [Buck Denver’s Giant Robot Suit](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/Minno-press/products/buck-denvers-giant-robot-suit)! Covering common topics and struggles for kids in the preschool and early elementary age is super important because kids are developing their independent thinking skills and asking a lot of questions. Their worldview is forming. **Showing kids how the Bible relates to their everyday life and reinforcing the truth that Jesus is our helper, redeemer, and rescuer encourages them to value God’s Word and desire to read it themselves.** **![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jL0eT0ZS16AgMwHPkWAR.jpg)** ### Christian Activity Books for Kids We also love to take the [Old and New Testament coloring books](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/Minno-press/products/buck-denvers-bible-coloring-book-old-new-testament-stories) to church! The perforated pages are great and markers don’t seem to bleed through the heavy-duty paper. Each coloring book (one Old Testament, one New Testament) includes over 60 coloring pages that feature a story or verse from the Bible. You can literally color your way through the Bible with these fun books! If your kids are already watching Minno or What’s in the Bible? videos, these books tie in nicely with the various topics the series covers. However, you don’t have to be familiar with the shows to appreciate the books! It gives me a lot of peace of mind to know that when I’m reading the Minno books with my children they are internalizing truth about God’s Word and who He is and that the topic is being explained in a biblically accurate way. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Xxp6XO6yQ9eyEG2OcpmA.jpg) ### Bonus Family Connection Reading together can lead to more questions that we can discuss. The Minno board and picture books include a bonus family connection with several discussion questions you can use to continue the conversation and learning opportunity. Because we’ve just read through the story together, it helps me think of what to say and not be as stumped by the question like I often was before! I hope these books are helpful to you too as you teach your kids to love Jesus and God’s Word! You can find them all in the [Minno shop](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/Minno-press). **Also Look For:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4i56dmUTPCwycm8n66Jg.jpg) Minno’s popular show, [Micah’s Super Vlog is now a book series for kids](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog), age 8 and up! If your older readers enjoy Diary of Wimpy Kid or 13 Story Treehouse books, they are going to LOVE this fun series of stories that follow Micah and his friends on epic adventures. Your kids will be mesmerized by these fast-paced, highly illustrated tales and you can feel great about putting these books into the hands of your kids because each story is wrapped in a solid lesson about faith and character. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Moses and the 10 Commandments: Fun Lesson Ideas for Sunday School Classes](https://gominno.com/blog/moses-and-the-10-commandments-fun-lesson-ideas-for-sunday-school-classes/) **Published:** May 22, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-10-commandments-Moses-sund...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CBimn6F0RICWAC9XeyqA.jpg) Moses. Anyone who has ever been to Sunday school, read Sunday School curriculum, or studied [Bible stories for kids](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories), will have heard of [Moses](https://www.gominno.com/series/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/moses-god-helped-moses). He is iconic to many people of faith because his story is one of failure, perseverance, disobedience, God’s promises, of course, the 10 Commandments. The life of Moses is a compelling story about survival and overcoming obstacles. It’s also an opportunity for teaching kids faith in the midst of the many challenges of their life because few people have as many challenges as Moses! As kids learn about Moses trusting in God and persevering, they will have a reference point for how to respond when things go wrong in their own life. As you teach kids about Moses, remember that one of the key aspects of his life that kids should know about are the 10 Commandments. These ten rules sketch out the biblical boundaries for a well-lived life and are important for every child to know. ## Teaching the 10 Commandments When teaching the 10 Commandments, it’s important to teach kids that these are boundaries given to protect us. If you approach them as a set of rules, then kids prone to knocking rules will not want to hear them. Here’s an example you can use when teaching kids about Jesus and biblical principles. Ask your kids to identify some important things to have if they were to become a zookeeper. Some will say food, water, and other predictable things. These are all fundamental, but some of the most important parts of a zoo are the fences. They not only protect the animals from getting run over by cars, but they protect the animals from each other. The fences are protection, and so are the principles taught in the Bible – they are meant to protect, not simply to restrict. The 10 Commandments were given to protect us. Write out each of the 10 Commandments with your kids using language they can understand (Exodus 20:1-17). For example: 1. Have no other gods but God. 2. Do not worship statues. 3. Be careful with God’s name. 4. Keep the Sabbath day special. 5. Honor your father and mother. 6. Do not murder. 7. Keep your marriage promises. 8. Do not steal. 9. Do not lie. 10. Do not covet. Explain to your kids that learning and living by the 10 Commandments helps us treat others in ways that are pleasing to God and that will lead to our safety and happiness together. The 10 Commandments protect us from wrong behavior and all of its consequences. Before going on with your lesson, have a little fun by watching [Go Fish – Ten Commandment Boogie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2hB5Gqo8Vo). Not only will the kids love it, but it’s a clever way to help them remember the commandments. ## Moses – The Man of the Hour Moses had an amazing life that was exciting, disappointing, and scary. He was given up as a baby because his mother wanted to save him. He was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised in Pharaoh’s house with all the privileges. He realized God’s calling on his life and was willing to give up his life of luxury, his position, and his future in order to follow what God wanted for His people. Moses ended up being the leader of God’s people who defied Pharoah and led them out of Egypt and toward the promised land. After God rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, he visited personally with Moses and gave him the 10 Commandments so that they could know how to live as God’s people, reflecting God’s own light and life into the world. Through all of this, Moses learned to trust in God and His plan for his life. He learned that life is better when God is in control. In return, God showed Moses that He is a faithful God even when it doesn’t look like He is present. God is always there! Play [Go Fish – Ten Commandment Boogie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2hB5Gqo8Vo) again and then write all of the commandments on the board. Tell your students that you are going to work together to memorize all 10 of them. Give them several minutes to look at them and then repeat them a few times as a class. Once you feel like they have a good grasp of them, erase the board and ask for a student to give you #1, then #2, and continue on until you have all of them on the board again. You can play this game several times. The last time you do it, leave the commandments written on the board and ask them to talk about how each of the commandments can help you treat others better. Remind them again that the commandments are for our protection and that they are not meant to be a restriction. The 10 Commandments are just another way God shows His love for us by teaching us how to love him and our neighbors well. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Create a Consistent Family Devotional Time](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-create-a-consistent-family-devotional-time/) **Published:** May 21, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-family-devotions-christian...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/n68laDDaQx28Cn7bAll7.jpg) It’s Thursday: Sally has soccer practice, Jacob is in a study group, and Mom and Dad have two parent-teacher conferences to attend. Sound familiar? Every family struggles to find time to spend together, period. Finding time for your family devotionals is often next to impossible! Nevertheless, having consistent family devotionals is key to [teaching kids about Jesus](https://www.gominno.com/series/awesome-bible-adventures) and about the true priorities of your family. ## The Importance of Consistent Family Devotions When your family sits down to eat, there are unspoken (and possibly spoken) rules that you eat the nutritional parts of the meal first, then you get dessert. But what if you sat down one evening, looked at your kids, and said, “We are just too busy and there’s too much going on. We don’t have time for the vegetables tonight, so let’s just have dessert!” While this might actually be a fun dash of spontaneity from time-to-time, you wouldn’t be sending the healthiest message to your family if you did it every night. When you put off family devotions or are inconsistent with them, you are inadvertently sending the same message to your kids. Family devotions show your kids what is important to your family. It’s a way of teaching kids Bible lessons rather than just relying on Sunday School teachers, but it also establishes a spiritual altar for your family, teaching them to pray, study the Bible, and worship God. ## When is the Best Time for Family Devotions? It’s a question that no one but your family can answer. Each family is unique and has its own busy schedule. The key is to find a time – ANY time. Still, it’s important to not simply find a few leftover minutes, but to set the time apart from all other responsibilities and activities. For some families, the best time is in the morning before breakfast and before the hectic day begins. For others the morning is the most hectic time when everyone is trying to get ready. Remember, however, that you are teaching your kids a habit. Just like they need to brush their teeth every day, so you need to teach them that touching base with God is as vital for their spiritual well being as brushing is for their teeth. ## Are Family Devotions Overkill? Many people feel like having daily family devotions is just too much for their family. Families often feel this way because of the high expectations they have for what family devotions should look like. Remember, however, that you are establishing your family’s priorities by making family devotions a part of your everyday routine. Some families set their devotion time very similar to a couple setting a date night. It’s a set day and time that takes precedence over everything. What if you did this with your daily devotions? What if prior to leaving the house, you had a family huddle where you gave your kids a daily scripture, asked if there were any needs that needed to be addressed in prayer, then quickly prayed for those needs? No one said your daily devotions had to be an hour, or even ten minutes – it just needs to be consistent. After you start small yet consistent, it becomes easier to set up a prearranged time each week for delving deeper into Scripture with your family. ## How Do I Conduct Our Family Devotions? The key to conducting effective family devotionals is to keep it simple and to the point. Select a Bible story, read the scripture (choose a version of the Bible that will be understandable for all ages), then talk about how the scripture can be applied to your family’s life. Engage your kids in the lesson. As they mature, ask one of them to provide that week’s Bible lesson. Kids love learning, but more importantly they enjoy being a part of something. The more you involve them, the more they will learn – and the more they will look forward to family devotions each week. Christian parenting is never easy, but the best part is that you don’t have to do it alone! There are so many resources available to teach your kids about the Bible and to help carry your family devotions along. [Buck Denver Asks…What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) is a series of 26 episodes to introduce kids to the whole of Scripture – from Genesis to Revelation! Your family will learn about how all the stories of the Bible fit together to tell the story of God’s great rescue plan. As you train up your children each day, remember the goal: we want our kids to know that God was at the center of the family. Kids won’t necessarily remember whether or not family devotions were perfect, but they will remember that they were important. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Sunday School Resources: Fun Ideas for Teaching Creation](https://gominno.com/blog/sunday-school-resources-fun-ideas-for-teaching-creation/) **Published:** May 16, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Minno-teaching-creation-teaching...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/F9w3RsWSmScCQCFtNCgX.jpg) Teaching small children big ideas doesn’t have to be difficult. When teaching kids about Jesus and the Bible or looking for youth ministry ideas, the most important thing is to engage them using words and experiences they can understand. Small children understand tactile experiences, pictures, and imitation. If you can utilize one or more of these when teaching, the story will have a much longer lifespan in their memory. ## Teaching the Creation Story When considering all of the various stories in the Bible, one of the best and most fun for teachers is the Creation story. Truly, there is no other story that can create a bigger sense of wonder with children than this one. It starts with nothing and ends with everything they know. Who among us cannot help but wonder at the beginning of everything? Before you teach the Creation story, you will need to decide a few things: Do you want to tell the entire story in one session? Or, do you want to plan out each day to envelop multiple ideas? Below are ideas that you may wish to pick and choose from while developing a plan for your students: ## Methods to Use While Teaching 1. Visual aids - Pictures - Videos - Glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling - Different sized spheres 9. Music/audio - Music that helps inspire a sense of awe - Animal sounds - Water sounds 11. Tactile activities - Play-Doh - Use of water and plants - Legos - Drawing and coloring - Diorama 13. Dramatic representation - Ask an older class(es) to write a skit about each day and ask them to present it on the day you select. - Create a dramatic telling of Creation and read it to your students with all of the lights turned out. Or, access [Read and Share Bible: The Beginning](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/the-beginning), a short episode from Minno (3 min, 2 sec) that takes you back to the moment when everything began. You can use this as a starting point for your teaching. ## Teaching the Days of Creation 1. Day One: Light 1. Probably the easiest part of teaching creation. Start with a dark room and light a candle. 2. Asking questions will help kids get involved. Ask them why light is important and remind them of how Jesus became our light in a dark world. 3. Day Two: The sky was created. If using tactile methods, this can be an opportunity for children to draw or color. If possible, it’s always fun to use a bulletin board and add blue construction paper to it so they can see how the sky provides a backdrop for the rest of God’s creation. 4. Day Three: Dry land, seas, plants, and trees were created. Sometimes taking your class on a short walking trip helps them see creation in a very real way. Ask them to point out all of the things they see that would have been created on Day Three. Once you get back to the room, use a globe or map to show the seas and oceans. 5. Day Four: The sun, moon and stars were created 1. Turn all the lights down or off (ensure the students are all sitting and not moving around) and read “On day four, God created the sun, moon and stars.” Note: If you can put glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling beforehand, ask your students to cover their eyes before you turn the light off. Read the scripture, then ask them to open their eyes. They will love the beautiful visual of the stars. 2. Discuss the importance of the sun to help the plants created on Day Three grow and flourish. To inject some science into your lesson, [check out this resource from Sciencing.com](https://sciencing.com/teach-preschoolers-night-day-5485198.html). 7. Day Five: Creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created. Use Play-Doh to have kids fashion creatures. Games are always something fun to interject into a lesson. You could cut out fish and birds for a rendition of a “pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey” game. Prior to class, cut out pictures of [fish](https://www.template.net/wordpress-galley-templates/fish-shape-templates/) and [birds](https://www.template.net/design-templates/print/printable-bird-template/) and give your students some time to color them. Explain to your students that you are going to play a game by placing the birds and fish where they belong – in the sky or in the water. If you feel your students would be okay with it, put a blindfold on them and ask them to place their fish and bird in the right place. 8. Day Six: Land animals and humans were created. This is the most significant day for all of us because it is why we are all here, made in the image of God. To make this fun, plan ahead and buy a girl and a boy cookie cutter. Create boys and girls out of cookie dough, toast, or anything edible that you think your students would enjoy. 9. Day Seven: The final day of creation when God rested and asked for a day to be set aside for us to enjoy His creation. Ask your students to draw and color pictures of things they do when they rest or enjoy time with their families. Whether you are teaching a Sunday school curriculum lesson or just teaching Bible stories for kids, it’s important to use a variety of teaching methods to interact with your students. Teaching kids faith can sometimes be challenging, but they are fascinated by the Bible and the Creation story. Remember that it’s an amazing narrative that shows how powerful God is and how much He loves us. Make it a story they’ll remember! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Ancient Christian Prayers for Children, Parents and Families](https://gominno.com/blog/ancient-christian-prayers-for-children-parents-and-families/) **Published:** May 15, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![jelly-telly-ancient-christian-prayers...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8lgAA6FSvG50Tv8qfhDg.jpg) Learning about Jesus is a lifelong endeavor for any adult. When it comes to [teaching kids about Jesus](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-jesus-messiah-teacher-king-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan), the task can often feel overwhelming. Where should a Christian parent begin? Many parents turn to [family devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions), kids Bible stories, or [kids Bible lessons](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-integrity) to help shape their faith. While these are important tools, they sometimes do more to tell about God than to show God for who He is. However, there is one special way of [learning about Jesus](https://www.gominno.com/blog/easter-video-series-how-do-you-teach-the-bible-story-of-jesus-to-kids) that all of us parents can do: pray with our children. Prayer is one of the most practical ways to practice your faith in front of your children and a powerful way to share your faith with them. If you’re like me, however, freestyling prayer on a regular basis doesn’t come naturally, and it’s a difficult skill to teach your children. I’m not alone, either. After all, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1) and he didn’t respond by telling them to wing it. He taught them a prayer: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” Luke 11:2–4 (NIV) ## Prayers When it comes to learning how to pray, one of the greatest resources we have are ancient prayers. Prayers have been written down and recited for thousands of years. In fact, in the ancient world, stories, ideas, traditions, and even history were preserved by oral tradition primarily through songs and poetry. Why are written prayers helpful? Often a Bible lesson gives a short description of what God is like, similar to a dictionary definition in the way we use it. But prayers are not like dictionary definitions at all. When we hear someone pray or read a prayer they have written, it is like watching someone paint a picture of what God looks like to them. Prayers are not a definitive teaching about God, but they are very descriptive reflections about Him. Because they are more descriptive, there is a prayer for every situation. ## Ancient Prayers for Children, Parents, Families When looking to recite ancient prayers with your children, for your children, or as a family, begin with Scripture. The Psalms are ancient prayers, and unlike kids Bible lessons and stories, this biblical poetry can help children learn the rhythms and structures of prayer, which will help them make their own prayers eventually. ## Prayer for Forgiveness Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. ## Prayer for Wisdom Psalm 141:3 (NIV) Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. One of my favorite prayers to read daily is commonly attributed to Francis of Assisi, a monk, philosopher, and founder of the Franciscan Order of friars, who lived between 1182–1226. Even though this prayer doesn’t come directly from Scripture, it is still based on biblical principles, making it a good addition to family devotions. A prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. “O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” Amen. ## When to Say Prayers Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica and encouraged them to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), which indicates that prayer is not a one-and-done thing. It is part of our daily life. Taking time out several times a day helps teach kids about Jesus by asking them to think about and talk to Jesus regularly. We pray before meals not because it makes the food any different, but because it makes us stop and remember that God provides for us. It teaches kids to be grateful to God and to others – and to show our gratitude in prayer. Not praying before meals doesn’t make you a bad parent, it just means you may have missed an opportunity to teach gratitude to God and how to trust in God on a daily basis. Praying in the morning is a good priority. It allows you to teach children to seek Jesus first and ask for guidance rather than only praying when there is trouble. Praying before bed is very important though. For young children especially, being alone in their bedroom at night time can be very scary, especially if they have experienced fear earlier in the day. Giving them words to pray, whether it’s through scripture or some of these ancient prayers, may help them have words to talk to God about their own fears and find the peace they need that allows them (and you, their parents) to get restful sleep. The goal of using ancient written prayers for [Christian parenting](https://www.gominno.com/blog/Minno-parents-start-here-post) is not that the words are somehow magical. They simply provide trustworthy words, collected from believers throughout history, for when you or your children don’t have words of your own. They also offer a source of inspiration for your children to eventually improvise and create their own prayers of love and trust to God. Written prayers will not stifle their creativity or make them think there is only one way to pray to God. It will fuel their imaginations as you show them how to connect with God their Heavenly Father and to tell Him all the things that are on their hearts. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Bringing Glory to God in Outside Play](https://gominno.com/blog/bringing-glory-to-god-in-outside-play/) **Published:** April 25, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aqD5CyWT8zTTM4yPiGuw_play-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Spring is probably my favorite season. The weeks of spring are filled with day after day of comforting warmth on your skin, gentle breezes on your face, and budding beauty everywhere. Nothing puts a smile in my heart like the cheery pleasantness of the spring season, and there is no better time to be able to point your little ones to the One who makes it all possible. Psalm 19:1 says, *“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”* When the warmer spring temperatures beckon my kiddos and me outside, I make every attempt to be intentional about bringing God glory in our playtime. Here are just a few ways I try to make that happen. **1. Simply comment on the beauty around us.** And in the springtime, with all the baby green leaves sprouting from once barren branches and tiny flower faces breathing color and life into the ground, it’s really not hard to do. Just take a minute when you’re outside chasing your son or daughter to say, “Wow! God really made some lovely flowers, didn’t He?” or, “Listen to that beautiful bird song!”, or even, “What a sunny day God made for us!” Just as we take pleasure in hearing compliments and kind words from loved ones, I think it brings great pleasure to our Heavenly Father to know that we recognize and appreciate the beauty He’s created all around us. **2. Sing praise songs while playing.** When my son was a toddler we would spend hours on the backyard swing just chatting and spending time together. One of his most favorite things to do while swinging (besides trying to kick me on his upswing and laughing hysterically anytime he was successful), was to sing. There’s a good chance he learned the alphabet song out there on that swing. But somewhere in the middle of “ABC’s” and “Elmo’s World” I realized that maybe it would be a good idea to incorporate some praise and worship into our swing times. Why not, right? Some of our favorite outside songs include The Countdown Song (very conducive to explosive swinging), and Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory (The Arky Ark Song), and Thy Word. What songs might be on your list? **3. Praise God with our boo-boos.** Let’s be honest, playing outside and acquiring boo-boos just go hand in hand. With all the climbing and running and bike riding someone is bound to get scraped or bumped or bruised. When my kids get hurt (and after the wailing dies down), as I’m dressing their owie with the obligatory band-aid, I like to remind them that God made our bodies so amazing to heal by themselves over time. Over the course of the next few days we observe a scraped knee going from an irritated red mess to perfectly smooth skin. God is our healer and we can praise and recognize that attribute in our everyday play. **4. Feel free to take great joy in it all.** As our loving Father, I truly believe that the Lord takes great joy when we feel great joy. Just as we love watching our kids giggle and laugh as they roll around outside, I think God loves watching us take joy in these simple pleasures too. I have to admit that all too often when I’m playing outside with my kids I feel the call to go inside and work – dishes, laundry, the sticky rice mess under the high chair. But when I lay all those things aside and focus on being all-present with my children and entering into their laughter and silliness, I feel a deep sense of joy and love. I think letting myself get lost in the moment of true enjoyment as I spend time with my children outside brings glory to the Father in a very tender way. 1 Timothy 6:7 tells us that God has made everything in this world for us to enjoy. What glory we can bring to our Father, the Creator of the world, when we choose to enter into the sanctuary of praise as we enjoy time outside in His creation– blowing bubbles, playing chase, inspecting bugs – and usher our kids into those sacred moments as well. --- *Originally published April 25, 2017* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Simple Habits to Help Your Kids Pray Throughout The Day](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-habits-to-help-your-kids-pray-throughout-the-day/) **Published:** April 24, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![Simple Habits to Help Your Kids Pray ...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LQ6Qxh4vSeWnZKDe5B3s.jpg) One morning last month while on vacation, I woke up to several frantic texts and phone calls from my friends and family. I scrolled through the messages until I saw why: my long-time best friend’s husband died suddenly in his bed at only 43 years old. We were at a little cabin in the woods for Spring Break. My friend was getting on a plane later that day to go to New York for her own getaway. *What was happening? How could this be?* I started shaking. I couldn’t even look at *my* husband sitting in the bed next to me. I just scrolled through the texts, *“He’s dead, He’s dead, He’s dead.”* Knowing the kids were hovering in the other room, I called them in to tell them what happened. Our very next step was to hold hands and pray. My husband barely made it through the first word of his prayer before the tears came. We prayed for comfort and peace for the family, and for ourselves. We let go of each other’s hands and tried to continue our vacation. At lunch that day, my ten-year-old prayed before our meal. When he said “Amen”*,* my husband elbowed him and whispered, “Don’t forget about Mommy’s friend,” encouraging him to pray for them on his own. My friend’s husband was being buried at a monastery. Later that week, as I was perusing the monastery’s website, we noticed a schedule of the monks’ prayer times. Five times a day the monks pray in the church: 4am 7am 12:15pm 5:20pm 7:30pm My kids were aghast. “Why do they have to pray so many times a day?” I was shocked by their shock. “Well, the Bible says to pray without ceasing,” I explained. “This is just *their* way to do that.” I don’t think their shock was so much that someone would pray so many times each day, but rather that it was structured. It got me thinking. *Do my kids have that same habit?* *Is their first response prayer? Do they turn to God in their quiet moments? In their hard moments?* When they were little bitties, if my children stubbed their toe, scraped their knee, or had any kind of owie, we would stop and pray, *“Jesus, heal her hurt.” or “Jesus, comfort his heart.”* When we noticed a part of God’s beautiful creation, like a giant full moon, we’d cheer together, *“Thank you God for making the moon!”* When we pray before meals, our words become a list of things for which we are thankful: *“Thank you God for our food . . . and school . . . and . . . our dog . . . and . . .”* When we pray before bed, I try to model how I want them to pray, *“Holy Spirit, speak to him and help him follow Your voice,*” and I find my children saying the same when it’s their turn to pray. When I drop the kids off at school, I pray, *“Lord, let her walk with the wise and grow wise, and not be a companion of fools who suffer harm.”* (Proverbs 13:20) If we hear an ambulance or pass a funeral procession, we stop and say, *“God, be close to them.*” (Psalm 34:18) When someone calls with bad news we hold hands and pray, *“Lead them, Jesus.”* We may not be on the same schedule as the monks at the monastery, but these simple moments during the day when we stop and pray, are our own way of praying without ceasing. These quick words, spoken to God, help us mimic Mary, Martha’s sister, who knelt at Jesus’ feet while everything else swirled around her. We pray two and three sentence prayers that are simple reminders of God’s power, God’s faithfulness, God’s attention, and His love for us. I think if the kids counted our prayers, they might find we pray five times a day just like the monks. And even though I like the idea of chapel bells calling us to conversation with God, I also love the thought that my kids have woven prayer into their day, especially as they see needs that are too great for their own strength. As my kids get older, I believe they will be drawn to bow their heads when facing a big decision, a hard test, a difficult relationship, a sickness, a broken heart, or a happy day. As with most aspects of parenting, growth begins when we lead the way. Pray together everyday. Model a consistent prayer life. Help your children choose their own words to speak to our Heavenly Father. These simple habits will help your kids develop their own sacred rhythm of connecting with God every day. . . and especially during the hardest of times. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Simple Ways to Honor Earth Day](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-honor-earth-day/) **Published:** April 18, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tPiedp0kSBqqcr6EkydW_Helping-Kids-Worship-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) April 22nd marks Earth Day, a day officially dedicated to an increased awareness of environmental issues. Now, I have a confession to make: As a Christian, I have struggled with what I’m supposed to do with Earth Day. You see, I am blown away by the beauty, mystery, and intricacies of this earth we live on. The more I learn about nature: plants and animals, forests and oceans, the more I stand in awe of God’s creative genius. This is why it bothers me to see those who focus on the environment, elevating it to a level of idolatry. So many people worship the creation without any regard for the Creator. As a reaction to this, I’ve mostly approached Earth Day by, well– doing nothing. If I’m honest, I have mostly stayed out of the conversation. Sure, I reduce, reuse, and recycle in my little corner of the world, and I teach my kids to do the same. But to say I’ve made the environment a high priority? That would be a lie. But I know that I could do better. When I consider Genesis (1:28) where God assigns Adam and Eve with the responsibility of ruling over all creation, I realize that was a gift…a privilege. They were given the task of being stewards of this amazing place we call home. Not to abuse it and trash it, but to care for it out of love for the One who made it. So indeed, we don’t have to choose between God or the environment. We can choose to worship God, and steward the Creation He has entrusted us with as an act of gratitude to Him. > 1 Corinthians 10:26 “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Finding a balance doesn’t have to be so hard. Keeping our eyes on God who has given us this wonderful earth, we can choose to care for it in a way that honors Him. Here are a few ideas for how our families might honor God in our observance of Earth Day: **Keep our eyes on the Creator.** Earth Day can be a special day to celebrate the gift of this amazing Earth God has given us! As a family you might watch videos showing the beauty of His creation, and take time to praise Him for all He has done. Each time we see a beautiful sunset, smell a flower, or hear birds singing, we can stop and thank God for His creation. Recognize that every good gift comes from God and be quick to thank Him for the gift of the earth and all of its natural beauty and resources. **Choose to steward what He’s given us well.** Perhaps Earth Day can be a time for your family to join together and commit to better habits of recycling, energy conservation, or decreasing pollution. Talk about ways to honor God by taking care of this world. As a family you might find local groups working towards improving the environment, and join forces with them. We can build bridges with others by getting involved with important causes like the environment. **Keep perspective.** God’s concern is first for His people, and His Kingdom. He does not want us to put any thing before Him or His children. Even as we care for our environment we should keep a Biblical perspective on things. **Show gratitude and respect to those who are working hard on environmental issues.** Even if they do not acknowledge God as the Creator, you can show people God’s love and grace as you appreciate their work. Applaud those who are working towards solutions to environmental issues, and support them how you can. **Pray!** Pray for wisdom and discernment: Pray for those who love the creation and don’t know the Creator…that they might find HIM through His creation! Be prepared to share your faith with others as conversations allow. Pray for future generations: We want to leave our kids, and their kids with a world full of all the beauty and natural resources that we enjoy. Take time to pray for those who will come after you, and for those working to make sure the world remains a healthy and clean place. Happy Earth Day, friends! Celebrate the gift of this world as a gift from the One who created it all. --- Originally published 4/20/2017 **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to talk to your kids about Good Friday](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-good-friday/) **Published:** April 11, 2019 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![How To Talk To Your Kids About Good F...](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SGcR8OG8Soy26KBMXfyY.jpg) When I became a mom, the first feeling I remember having was one of love. The second was a deep desire to protect my child. None of us like to seeing our children sad or disappointed. It’s part of our protective desire as a mom! So, as a result, it can make us feel a little squeamish in situations where we have to talk about hard stories or difficult topics with them, even when they relate to the Bible. I remember my 8 year old crying when she first started to grasp the death of Christ on the cross and what He had to go through on our behalf. It would have been easy to keep her exposure to this sorrowful, historical event limited to a glossy, cartoonish picture in a children’s Bible. Yet at some point, we need to talk to our children about the reality of Jesus’ death and why we commemorate Good Friday. Through a sensitive, but realistic discussion about this difficult topic, we can truly help our children come to a better understanding of what it meant for Jesus to go to the cross for our salvation. ### Here are five helpful talking points for sharing the biblical account of the crucifixion with your kids: 1. First, start by explaining that since Jesus was truly God and truly man, part of his human life involved the experience of death. In the Old Testament, people of faith followed the instructions from God by offering sacrifices to Him to make up for their sins. Many times, this was an animal, such as a lamb. Prophets shared good news with God’s people that they wouldn’t always have to offer sacrifices, because there was a perfect lamb who was going to come and make everything right between people and God, forever. 2. Share that Jesus’ death on the cross was difficult and painful. Explaining why this is will help our children process this hard truth. You can say something like this: The Lamb of God that all the Old Testament prophets spoke of was Jesus! This meant that He would need to give Himself on the cross to make everything right between us and God the Father. Jesus did not sin. But because Jesus came to earth as a man, he experienced everything we do, including pain. Even though it probably didn’t seem fair that Jesus went through this, He did it for an amazing reason! 3. Jesus is God. The reason He went to the cross, even though He never sinned, is because He loves us so much and wants us to be forgiven of our sins! It was God the Father’s plan to have Jesus die on the cross so that we can be “reconciled” (have peace) with God the Father. 4. After He died, he was buried in a tomb. Two friends, Joseph and Nicodemus, took him to the tomb. This was a place where rich people were usually buried. This fulfilled the prophecy from Isaiah 53:9: “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” This is the KJV, but you can read it in any translation that you feel will help your kids to understand this truth! This fact is very important because it helped people to know how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies told by the prophets, so they would understand that He is the promised Messiah! 5. On the third day, He rose again! The tomb was empty! This showed that Jesus had victory over death and sadness. Share with your kids that it’s okay to be sad over Jesus’ death on the cross because it helps us understand how much He loves us! Remind them that we can have great joy after the sadness, because Jesus is alive. When we understand that we sin and believe in Jesus, we are forgiven and can live with joy and peace! (1 John 1:9) If you’d like, pray a prayer like this with your child. “Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me. I know it was painful for you and that you did it because of your great love for everyone. Please forgive me. Thank you for saving me! Thank you for loving me and wanting everything to be right again. I am so glad that you are risen and live forever. In Your Name I pray, Amen.” It’s my prayer that these conversation starters will lead to an even deeper discussion with your children. Feel free to really simplify these talking points for younger children! Although it can be hard to share this with our kids, we can walk them through understanding the incredible, selfless sacrifice of Christ, using discernment as parents to know when the time is right for this discussion. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How Can Eggs and Bunnies Explain the REAL Meaning of Easter?](https://gominno.com/blog/how-can-eggs-and-bunnies-explain-the-real-meaning-of-easter/) **Published:** March 5, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/20IQQ0z5SCO2EvJ6FZg6.jpg)* *[Phil Vischer recently appeared on Family Life Today](http://familylifetoday.com/program/what-is-easter/) to discuss the symbols of Easter and how Christians can use them to teach the gospel. Read more thoughts on how eggs and bunnies can point us toward Jesus rather than splitting Easter into what seems like two very different holidays.* Christian parents know that Easter can mean fun for their families – with egg hunts at church and baskets full of sweet treats for their little ones. But they also may worry about the conversations those traditions provoke. Reconciling the true meaning of Easter with the secular, marketing-driven holiday the world celebrates can be tricky for adults, and even more difficult to explain to kids! Even though the historical celebration of Easter was a really big deal in the early Church, today Easter is often celebrated in a single week, with waving palm fronds one Sunday and singing “He Is Risen” the next. Meanwhile, the secular marking of “Easter” is even shorter — a one-day affair — seen as just another reason to put marshmallow and sugar together and sell it to the masses. But Easter – the celebration of Christ’s resurrection – is the turning point for all of history, and the most meaningful event for our faith. After all, if Christ did not rise, then we’re just going through the motions for something that’s meaningless (1 Corinthians 15:17). It is important that our kids understand the true significance of Easter for their own lives and faith, and we can use traditions like bunnies and eggs to help communicate that meaning. Somehow, our Easter has actually become two separate Easters. We go to church and hear about Jesus and the empty tomb, then we come home and turn on the TV and find Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail. It’s “here are your eggs, here’s your candy and here’s your ‘butter lamb’!” It leaves kids wondering, “*What are we really celebrating?”* We need to think through our traditions because kids deserve to understand what we’re celebrating and why. Maybe you thought you were already doing that. Many Christian parents have been careful to avoid any secular connotation, so we keep the eggs and bunnies far away from the crosses and palm branches, afraid that one will contaminate the other. In the process, we toss aside tools that could help bring Easter alive for our kids. Bunnies and eggs don’t have to take away from the true meaning of Easter, and we can even use them as tools to explain it! Some of the symbols of Easter have become so associated with the secular side of the holiday that we no longer see how they can help us communicate the gospel message. Maybe it’s because we’ve lost sight of the big picture. We’ve made Easter all about the forgiveness of sin and eliminating judgment, but Jesus also said, “I’ve come to bring life and to bring it to you abundantly.” (John 10:10) Eggs represent new life and so do baby bunnies. After the long, cold winter, the world explodes with new life in spring. These symbols have historically been signs pointing to Jesus. The church used eggs way back in the Middle Ages when they would paint them blood red as a symbol of Jesus, so they could tell Christ’s story. Up until the last 400 years, teaching the Bible often meant teaching illiterate people. Teachers had to use symbols instead of written words. Even the stained glass windows in churches were used to tell a story of redemption. We’re so literate now – with our blogs and our books and our overabundance of words – that we’ve lost touch with the power of symbols to communicate. We don’t remember a time when a red egg was all someone needed to tell the story of Jesus. Well, it’s time to change that because these symbols provide a great opportunity for us to be intentional about teaching Easter to kids. Easter is full of symbols, but when we don’t immediately see the connection back to Jesus we get uncomfortable and want to throw them away. Instead, let’s talk about bunnies and eggs and the new life they represent. Then when we talk about Jesus’ promise — “I’ve come to give you new life and give it abundantly” — our kids will truly understand what that means and begin to live it out, this Easter and for every Easter to come. *Originally published on April 03, 2017* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Three Powerful Verses to Pray Over Your Anxious Child](https://gominno.com/blog/three-powerful-verses-to-pray-over-your-anxious-child/) **Published:** February 4, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/OeiZRBioSQuYTIrOAZIE.jpg) He screamed and clutched me as if monsters were trying to drag him away. Maybe that’s how he felt. The first day of kindergarten can be rather rough on a child, but I wasn’t expecting the teachers to have to PEEL my son off me. I walked into the parent meeting, late, brushing tears off my cheeks. This parenting gig is hard on the soul. I find it extra hard to help my eldest with his emotional struggles. He’s a sensitive and creative fellow with an anxious streak a mile long. I had always hoped that his separation anxiety was more of a trick to induce mommy-guilt than real, true-blue anxiety, but it turns out I was wrong. **The anxiety was real**, and it bled into his entire kindergarten year. Dropping him off at school was a nightmare, and he cried every.single.morning. His teacher reported that he refused to participate in gym class and he didn’t seem to be making many friends. I also had a 3-year-old and a newborn at the time, and it was hard on all of us. *What do you do in the midst of someone else’s overwhelming worry? How can you keep worry from attacking your child’s mind?* I am not a worrier, so it’s often hard for me to identify with him. I just want to say *“Well that’s silly. That probably won’t happen!”* I learned the hard way that brushing it off doesn’t help. In my work as a Children’s Ministry Director, I taught a class on blessing your child for the past several years, and last April, the class rolled around again. This year, when I printed off the blessing posters, I brought some home with me and let my son choose one that spoke to him the most. Here’s what he picked: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Oh, my heart. **I started praying this verse over him nightly.** In June, it occurred to me that he wasn’t freaking out about attending school anymore. No more tears, no more gym class freak-outs. And as I thought and prayed about it, I realized that he had started changing in April…when I started praying this blessing over him. I still pray this verse over him. Though he continues to struggle in some areas, I can see the difference praying this verse over him every night has done for him. Some nights we have to go through the verse together, line by line, in order to calm him. **First, we pray.** I pray for him, then he prays. **Second, we tell God what he needs.** He needs peace. **Third, we thank God for all He has done.** We thank God for family. We name all his friends. We remember the special toys, puzzles, and games in his life. We are thankful for his teacher, his brothers, and the food he eats. Sometimes he is still upset, so we do it all again. **First, we pray.** **Second, we tell God what is needed.** **Third, we thank God for all he has done.** After one such marathon prayer session a few years ago, I tucked him into bed and commissioned him to keep thinking of all the things God had done for him until he fell asleep. He yawned and said, *“But there’s so many!”* As he burrowed himself into his blanket, I prayed God’s peace for him. It can be hard to help a child with anxiety. Sometimes a child needs clinical help, but we can’t ever underestimate the power of Jesus to help our child’s heart. **Praying the same Scripture verse every night invites Christ into our messy lives, where we can transform our hearts and minds.** **Here are two other verses that we have used to pray over our children:** “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” – Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT) “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT) If you are looking for more resources to help your child, I have a brand new book out this week, in which the main character deals with separation anxiety. [You can find it on Amazon!](https://amzn.to/2BjAhfz) ![QuinnsPromiseRock_1.jpeg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/uLKBO5iWRvCmk8U8lhCC.jpg)![QuinnsPromiseRock_2.jpeg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/pcfMCkHQWm3udf8ptoGR.jpg) --- *Christie Thomas is the mother of 3 boys. She helps parents nurture the hope of Christ in their homes through free resources on [her website](https://www.christiethomaswriter.com/) and through her new book Quinn’s Promise Rock.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Benefit of Story Time You Won’t Find on an Academic Literacy Report](https://gominno.com/blog/the-benefit-of-story-time-you-wont-find-on-an-academic-literacy-report/) **Published:** January 10, 2019 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NS37SzOeQ1SwOlRiihx2.jpg) If you have a child or you teach children, you’ve probably read countless reports and stats on why reading to kids beginning at a young age is so important. There is no doubt that reading *is*, in fact, fundamental. Words are the building blocks for a child’s vocabulary, worldview, relationships, and success in all areas of academics and life. *But what about faith? How does reading stories (other than those found in the Bible) help kids grow in their understanding of and relationship with God?* For those that homeschool, this may be a no-brainer. Faith and Bible teaching are often considered a priority subject added to everyday curriculum. But for other parents, the connection isn’t easily attained. If we include faith and God’s Word in the valuable knowledge we want our children to grow in, we need to look for ways to incorporate conversations and experiences around this foundational subject into our everyday life. One of the easiest ways to do this is through story time. Yes, it will naturally happen when reading the Bible or a Bible storybook with your child but faith-building moments can be cherished in the midst of *any* story—those overtly about God and values, and even those that are not. ## 5 Ways to Turn Story Time into Faith-Building Moments 1. **Look for value and character lessons**. Whether you are reading Goodnight Moon, The Pout-Pout Fish, or [a book that clearly points to God](https://shop.gominno.com/products/god-made-board-book-bundle), look for specific value and character lessons as well as ways to relate the story and characters to the Bible. 2. **Stop and ask/answer questions.** Sure, more often than we’d like to admit, we’re simply trying to get through the book before our tired and heavy eyes close. But when we stop and ask questions or answer any questions our child may have, we open a line of communication that might not otherwise be there. In an insightful [article on the American Psychological Association website](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/10/books.aspx), Jamie Chamberlin wrote, *“Parents, teachers and others who read to children must also engage young children with lively, enthusiastic recitations that bring characters and plots to life, and pose open-ended questions that spark children’s comprehension, vocabulary and interest.”* **Spark**. What a powerful word when considering what story time can do for the little hearts we’re impacting everyday. When we refocus our story time conversations on God, we spark our child’s interest in Him and associate their spiritual development with precious family moments and delightful stories. 3. **Apply the story to a real-life situation.** When possible, think about ways to connect the dots for your kids by applying the story, value lesson, and characters to their own life. A child will come alive thinking of themselves within the story and start to understand what he/she can learn from it. 4. **Keep the conversation going.** Whether you read before bed or on a lazy Sunday, don’t let it end there. Bring up the story, the characters, and the lesson again throughout the week to continue to help your child grow in understanding. 5. **Use books that have an overt message.** You don’t always have to use “Christian” books for family story time but make it a priority to look for some that include whimsical stories centered around solid, foundational teaching. (Yup, you guessed it . . . we just happen to have a few suggestions. Don’t mind us, it’s what we’re passionate about!) We recently launched Minno Press, a brand-new children’s book imprint in partnership with FaithWords. We are so excited to finally bring God’s Story to life in book form for our children. We’ve spent months (years even!) praying about and planning all of our books for kids so that families have access to whimsical, practical, and useful resources to help guide their family faith while connecting through story time. You can find all of our new releases [right here in the store](https://shop.gominno.com). [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TJNiTS7TW28MtzfjMwTH.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [When A New Year Doesn’t Fix A Broken Me](https://gominno.com/blog/when-a-new-year-doesnt-fix-a-broken-me/) **Published:** January 8, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dcjcYJqhSbumG1fxJUPi.jpg) January was perched at the end of a long year. I believed in her promises. She glistened just past the twinkling lights and crumpled up wrapping paper seemingly fresh and bright. I was tired and worn. Craving a renewed energy, I looked so forward to her arrival. Somehow simply turning the page to a new month, a new year was enough to put a bit of wind in my sails. And now the dust has settled. The new is worn off. My fresh starts have quickly turned into second and third attempts. The fast pace of working and mothering causes me to fall right back into the slump of misplacing my priorities and just like that I’m once again on the hamster wheel of life. And I wonder, am I alone in the emptiness of missing the mark? The burden of missteps in disciplining weigh on my heart once more and I find that more often than not it’s that very same heaviness that causes me to say and do things that only add to my feelings of inadequacy in parenting. On New Year’s Eve, our eight-year-old asked us inquisitively about whether or not we set “golds” or “revolutions.” We laughed at his attempt to use the right phrases, almost getting it right, yet making the intended words even more meaningful. His phrasing caused a stir in me that hasn’t left. I didn’t make the types of goals that most people do – like losing weight or eating healthier – both of which I could have claimed for myself. I made parenting goals that included being more present, more consistent, and just being better at all things related to mothering. There are quiet thoughts buried deep in my heart about the kind of home I want to create and how I pray we raise our boys and I always feel as though I am missing the mark. Funny how when a little life enters the world, out rushes the doubt and fear about whether or not we are enough. It truly is the enemy’s ultimate attack on motherhood – placing little seeds of fear and doubt that surround a mother’s heart as it swells with the love God gives her for her children. I’ve realized that what I had set as my goals and resolutions for parenting were not enough to fill a well of emptiness that comes with the daily to-do lists of life because they were stacked with unrealistic expectations dictated by the world around me and not characterized by the things that the Lord says matter. Since becoming a mother, I’ve clung to Lamentations 3:22-23. *22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.* *23 Great is his faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each morning.* I’ve needed the reassurance of a never-ending love I don’t deserve and can’t earn. I’ve needed access to mercy and forgiveness that washes over me and reminds me that I am just a vessel, an instrument in the hands of God who calls me to teach my children His ways and guide them in His word. This is my calling and should be the foundation on build each day, but I will be honest and admit that it isn’t always where I begin. Is this something that resonates with you? When I scour the Internet reading articles and blogs on parenting, I find so many parents feel the same way I do and I wonder if it’s always been this way? Did this fast pace of life always exist? Has fear and guilt continually ravaged the hearts of mothers? And do we all struggle with the emptiness of not measuring up no matter how many times we try? Social media has given a voice to parents that generations before didn’t have and it has provided a place to share about the ups and downs of raising children. In moments of transparency, we often admit the struggle, the weaknesses, the failures in day to day life. It has become something the world nods to – this admittance that parenting is not an easy task. We bond and connect over our imperfections as parents, but I wish it didn’t stop there. I wish we’d go a step further and finish the story. I wish we’d tell about how through the broken vessel, He pours out living water. Because in our weakness, He is made strong – even in our parenting! We aren’t meant to shoulder the weight of not measuring up, but rather humbly admit our inadequacies and lay those missteps and weaknesses at the feet of our faithful God. Our role is to focus on His greatness and what He can do through us. This is a daily, sometimes moment by moment choice in the trenches of nurturing these little lives He’s given to us. The most important role of parenting is not necessarily something we do for our children, but something we do ourselves in following steadfast after the heart of the Lord. If we can push through the noise of the world and prioritize our moments with Him, posturing our hearts on what He says about us, there we will find gold in the form of rest and renewal and we won’t need to work so hard to measure up anymore. We will come to know how He delights in us, even at our worst, He loves us right where we are and these truths take root in our hearts cultivating peaceful, joy-producing soil that lays a solid, faith-centered foundation for our home and our family. So in this struggle of stops and starts of January, I’ve learned that relying on the flip of a calendar won’t bring about any sort of lasting change in my heart. A new year won’t fix a broken me, because I am not meant to be fixed, I am meant to be used. The pieces of me that are wrecked, shattered, and fragmented are the very ones He wants to use to guide my children and build our home. My only resolve is to be a willing vessel. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Beauty of New Mercies in the New Year](https://gominno.com/blog/the-beauty-of-new-mercies-new-year/) **Published:** January 3, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KzlcAPESLaeclt7PzkCQ.jpg) Isn’t January so great? I love the feeling of newness and of a fresh start. There’s something so gracious and redemptive about January. It feels clean and full of hope. Sure, we can dirty it up with overdoing and fear of failure, but the beauty in the promise of “new” is the freedom to fail. > The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) **Neverending, unceasing, faithful and new. These are the gifts of new mercy.** And the best part about the whole thing? The thing that qualifies you as a recipient of this amazing new, fresh, never ending, never ceasing, faithfulness? Failure. Failure is the only prerequisite of mercy. **Mercy is for the mess ups, the broken promises, and the failed resolutions.** You don’t have to get it together to get mercy. You just have to get it wrong. I’m not suggesting that mercy is a license to disobey God. It is, however, a license to be human. **Permission to be desperate for Him every hour of the day, and the hope of a new start, over and over and over.** I don’t know how many days my head hits the pillow and I think *“well, there goes a another miserable day and I was a complete disaster.”* And then that truth is whispered in my ears. A reminder of mercy for the mess ups. A promise of hope. So, instead of closing my eyes with memories of my failure, I wake with hope and intention to press forward in His mercy. I have this scripture written on my fridge, and I look at it about a thousand times a day. I absolutely love this reminder; I need this truth whispered in my ear daily from my Savior. He is doing something new. **He is creating a flourishing life where I feel completely dried up and overspent.** > For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) Let’s ask God to create a new heart in us each day to welcome in His new mercies! In each moment we mess up (because we are going to mess up) we know that we are covered in His grace. **No matter how hard we try to be supermom, the cape is a fairy tale. The only thing that makes us super is the strength of Christ alone.** New mercies are like God creating rivers in a dry wasteland. When you feel completely spent and empty, he makes a river rush through. You just have to let him! Breathe deeply in this new year. Don’t be afraid to follow where He’s leading you in fear that you’ll fail Him. **His faithfulness will always overcome our failures.** Each day is brand new with His love and grace for you! Happy New Year and Happy New Mercy! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Setting Family Goals for the New Year](https://gominno.com/blog/setting-family-goals-for-the-new-year/) **Published:** January 1, 2019 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** Setting family goals is the perfect way to kick off the new year with focus and intention. Here’s how to get started. . . Can you believe we are approaching another New Year? The New Year is always an exciting time to shed off the old things and step into the new things God has for us. And setting family goals is the perfect way to kick off the New Year! When my husband and I were engaged in the fall of 1999, God laid it strongly upon our hearts to set goals for the upcoming year. The goals were mostly centered on Christ-like character and the type of wedding and marriage we wanted to have. [God gave us several different reasons why goal setting needed to be a part of our family](http://www.fulfillingyourvows.com/setting-marriage-goals/) from that day forward. Today I am sharing 4 tips for setting family goals for the New Year. ## 4 Tips for Setting Family Goals for the New Year **1. Sit down as a family and talk about some things that you would like to accomplish together in the New Year.** This is such a wonderful and fun activity for the family. **We began including the children when they were old enough to communicate and it has been such a blessing watching them contribute to the family goals from such a young age into teenage years.** You’ll be surprised at the wonderful things your children are able to point out; children are truly such a blessing from the Lord! Getting your children involved in goal setting gives your family the ability to grow closer as everyone feels valued and gets the satisfaction of contributing to the family “team”! **2. Set practical and realistic goals.** Be sure to set goals that your family is able to work towards and achieve together. It serves no purpose to set goals you are unable to accomplish. I am not saying to not have faith that God can do anything; but there is a time and a place for that and family goal setting is meant to be practical and build bonds between family members. **Goal setting is all about teaching hard work ethic, consistency, and faith in God all at the same time.** It is an invaluable tool for your children to grow into adulthood using and they’ll thank you later. **3. Set measurable goals.** There is nothing like setting goals and tracking their progress. Both children and adults like to see themselves accomplish what they’ve worked hard together to achieve. **There is something so rewarding for a family to measure their hard work together and conquer things as one!** A fun way to acknowledge goals that have been accomplished is to take the family out for a treat. It could be something fun like a day at the park or a special trip to your family’s favorite restaurant. Celebrating the goals you achieve together is a wonderful way to keep your family close and excited to conquer your future goals together. **4. Pray together over your goals.** There is something so amazing about being in a family that prays together. And there is nothing more beautiful that praying together about how to meet your family’s goals. **Not only does praying over your family goals build everyone’s faith, it is also pleasing to God.** This is also another great way to [disciple your children in prayer](http://todaysfrugalmom.com/discipling-our-children-in-prayer/)! From our first set of goals together over 17 years ago, to the goals we set together to this very day; we have been able to cross off every single one. This has been great evidence and a witness of Jesus at work in our lives. Goal setting is a great way to connect and dream together; all while keeping Christ at the very center of everything your family sets out to do. God is faithful! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Why Do We Call it Christmas? Coloring Pages](https://gominno.com/blog/why-do-we-call-it-christmas-coloring-pages/) **Published:** December 18, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EbOLdQfnRGeoLjVbCKaW.jpg) Santa Claus? Cutting down trees? Hanging stockings? What do any of these have to do with Jesus’ birthday? Join Buck Denver and Friends as they journey to Buck’s Cabin to ask these questions in celebration of the world’s most popular holiday: Christmas! Stream [Why Do We Call It Christmas?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-why-do-we-call-it-christmas/videos/why-do-we-call-it-christmas2) and download these free coloring pages to take the fun offscreen! [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Pepparkakor-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of Sunday School Lady and Marcie baking pepparkakor! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KcwnUIuOT3CWrbIL9Cqc.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Pepparkakor-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/christmas-campfire-coloring-page.pdf) a coloring page of Chuck Waggin, Brother Louie, Clive and Ian sitting around the campfire. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OIHPxkeHQy6HCNJW6W47.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/christmas-campfire-coloring-page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/St-Nicholas-and-the-Poor-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of St. Nicholas giving away his money to the poor at night. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KiNAiubWRO6DSb1XaNVR.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/St-Nicholas-and-the-Poor-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Clive-Ian-Sleigh-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of Clive and Ian in their horse-drawn sled. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MbsgsEFjR86ifK5qHfim.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Clive-Ian-Sleigh-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download ](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Captain-Pete-Monkey-Coloring-Page.pdf)a coloring page of Cap’n Pete and Monkey riding in the rickshaw. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rhvHsjMRNSzgoZDYzKn8.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Captain-Pete-Monkey-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/St-Nicholas-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of St. Nicholas, a bishop in the Church who came to be known as Santa Claus. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dMdGGvIyRv6Q0Seu4HqD.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/St-Nicholas-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Christmas-Tree-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of the Christmas tree, which Boniface declared would remind people to keep Christ at the center of their households. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/a6Awh8RHRiepq3tpRIVw.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Christmas-Tree-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Julius-I-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of Julius I declaring December 25 as the day to celebrate Jesus’ birth. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lFfk8JLTQxKPZoYoOPmv.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Julius-I-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Christmas-Squirrels.pdf) a coloring page of Buck Denver’s Christmas-party-invitation-delivering flying squirrels. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KJH50jasSZ6zJjYXIM3q.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Christmas-Squirrels.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Bucks-Christmas-Cabin-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of Buck Denver singing at his Christmas cabin from Why Do We Call It Christmas? [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Z4gd9sZKTvWrIw8mfqS3.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Bucks-Christmas-Cabin-Coloring-Page.pdf) [Click here to download](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Pastor-Paul-Hymns-Coloring-Page.pdf) a coloring page of Pastor Paul singing Christmas hymns. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NMJYuGx7RwhyzLwbJW4M.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Pastor-Paul-Hymns-Coloring-Page.pdf) [](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-watch-christmas) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Calm Your Heart at Christmas](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-calm-your-heart-at-christmas/) **Published:** December 13, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7hs2XpqR06lV2XctVr9G.jpg) It’s inevitable. We feel it every year when we turn the calendar page to December and begin to pencil in all the things. And there are so many things. Holiday shopping, Christmas cards, classroom events, gift exchanges, school holiday songtaculars. And that doesn’t even include the parties – work parties, neighborhood parties, church parties, family get-togethers. It’s enough to make any sane person rock back and forth, clutching armfuls of scotch tape and snowflake-printed gift wrap, wide-eyed and frantically shouting, *“No really, this IS the best time of year!”* But we all know this isn’t the way. We know this can’t possibly be the way we are meant to spend a most-sacred holiday, because there is no way the God whose message is peace and glad tidings could have intended us to run ourselves ragged going to every Target within a 30 mile radius just to score a toy our kids don’t really need anyway. What I am realizing more and more each year is that the back-breaking schedules of most Decembers is not going away anytime soon. Every December I will stand in lines much too long and stay up much too late addressing Christmas cards that I’m pretty sure everyone will just throw away anyway. But I think the key to not allowing these holiday pressures get the best of me is finding ways to recalibrate my mind to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, rather than the frenzied pace culture has dictated should be the standard operating procedure beginning the day after Thanksgiving. If recalibrating my mind is the key to not losing it during the Christmas season, then my favorite things to focus on are the characters of the Christmas story. What was it like for Joseph to travel so far with an expectant wife and instead of finding a reasonable place where she could labor, to be forced into what I imagine was an uncomfortable stable with a less-than-pleasant smell. What did his provider-heart think of that whole situation? Or sweet Mary, what was this whole thing like for her? She was such a young woman with a heart so strong and tender toward the mission God chose to give her. What was it like for her, gazing into the eyes of her sweet newborn Son, knowing He would save the world and wondering what that would mean for His future? Or the shepherds? What was it like for them to be doing what they do every night, caring for their sheep, and then to suddenly see not just one heavenly being, but a multitude singing and praising the name of their God. What was it like to see that heavenly proclamation first-hand and how could they not fall on their faces in reverence and awe that the Promised One, the Messiah, was actually here? I can only speculate what the people in the core of the Christmas story were actually feeling. What I know for certain, however, is that not one of them were focused on anything other than what was happening right in front of them – the arrival of the baby King, the Promised One, who would save His people from death forever. It is a sobering idea, this thought that God became flesh – the softest, sweetest newborn flesh – so that He could provide a way to be in a relationship with us for eternity. O come let us adore Him! There exist levels of crazy that only manifest themselves during the holidays. But maybe this Christmas, even as you stand in the endless line at TJMaxx or scour the aisles at Target (or the pages of Amazon) searching for the perfect gift, or painstakingly assemble a crumbly gingerbread house for your family to kind of enjoy, maybe even then, when you feel the stress rising and your mind begin to spin on a hamster wheel of to-do’s, you can pause and remember the heart of the Christmas story. Remember an earthly Father guiding his little family to the unknown, an earthly mother who labored for the utmost good of us all. Remember the shepherds to whom God felt worthy of the very first announcement of Christ’s birth. And, most of all, remember the baby in the manger, the one who would grow up to bear scars for you, who would bridge the gap between your sin and the Father’s holiness. Remember Him and let it change your heart this holiday. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Why Daddy-Daughter Dates Are Important](https://gominno.com/blog/why-daddy-daughter-dates-are-important/) **Published:** November 29, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5mWP8yR8QK2lGzf4othF_Daddy-Daughter-Dates-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) I remember when we received the news that we were going to have a little girl. It was a mix of joy and anxiety. I was excited about the opportunity, but I was really nervous about the weight of having a daughter. I had heard many horror stories about young ladies going to find affirmation that they did not get from their fathers, elsewhere, and usually not a healthy substitute. I heard many stories about how intentional you had to be with your daughter and letting her know how awesome she is and if you did not, she would go and find a tattooed gentleman, with a piercing and a rebellious attitude and make him your son-in-law.(For the record, I love tattooed people, I have a few of my own.) [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/SdS8L6sjTHaFMX6JD8to/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/SdS8L6sjTHaFMX6JD8to/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) All these things were swimming around in my head and I was a nervous wreck. I did not want to ruin my daughter; I did not want my failure to give her what she needed to push her into a place she did not need to be. I did not want to fail at being a great daddy, the kind of daddy you see on *Father of the Bride*. Many times, I allowed the pressure to become too much. Not only did I also feel the pressure of being the perfect dad, but the added pressure of being a perfect dad and pastor (we have all heard stories of rebellious pastor kids). I did not want my daughter to be a stereotype. The day finally came that where I was going to meet my daughter for the first time. I was both ecstatic and very nervous. I was holding my wife’s hand and cheering her on as she brought our daughter into this world. Finally, after some intense moments, Ava-Grace Michelle Person was born. The doctors and nurses began to clean her up and I went over to her and I held her hand and in that moment, a lot of my anxiety and angst dissipated. Not because I felt like I knew all that I needed to know to raise my daughter, but it went away because I just wanted to get to know her. I wanted her to know me and know how much I love her and that I was for her. I wanted to spend time with her and take her on dates, not because I was suppose to do that as her father, but because I wanted to. I wanted her to know I much I cherished her and how a guy should treat her when he cherishes her. I wanted to hear her laugh and I wanted her to know that she meant the world to me. I wanted her to hide those things in her heart so that she would be able to recognize an imposter. I wanted to show her that I treated her heart like a gift, so that she would be aware if someone was not treating her heart that way. It says in Exodus 33:11,” 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” I love this verse; it’s simple yet profound. Moses knew the worth he had because his heavenly father spent time with him face to face. This encourages me, it gives me hope, hope that when I spend time with my little girl face to face that she will know that she is loved by her Father. Dads, that is why we must date our daughters, because the enemy is quick to whisper lies to her heart. But when we meet with them face to face we can remind them of what is true and that not only are they loved by their earthly father, but by their heavenly Father as well. --- *[Nick Person](https://twitter.com/NPtheambassador) works in Dallas, Texas as the Next Gen. Teaching Pastor at Cross Timbers Community Church. He is married to Laura and has been blessed with three amazing kids, Ava-Grace, 7, Jackson, 5, and Nash who is almost two. He loves investing his life into the next generation coming up so that they can steer clear of the potholes that life may present and be able to take the reigns of leadership. He loves to read, play Top golf, and have dance parties with his family.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [6 Ways to Teach Your Kids to be Kind](https://gominno.com/blog/6-ways-to-teach-your-kids-to-be-kind/) **Published:** November 13, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FVbjJ4JASu6ywolnRcgl_Kind-Kids-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg)* *“Be kind to each other!”* *“Are you being kind?!”* *“Make sure you choose kindness with each other!!”* I think I say those words to my kids, or very similar combinations of those words, somewhere in the ballpark of forty thousand times per day. I think the reason I have to remind my kids so often to act kindly to one another is because they are so prone to the opposite of kindness. Really, we all are. Colossians 3:12 exhorts us to “put on kindness”. To “put on” commands an action. We have to “put on” our shoes before we leave. Our shoes don’t somehow magically make it to our feet once we arrive at our destination (yes, I’m talking to you, my son wearing socks in the grocery store). Similarly, we have to “put on” kindness because it is not something our sinful selves are naturally bent on doing. So how can we help our kids to put on kindness everyday? Here are just a few things I have tried to intentionally implement in our home to make kindness a reality. **1. Have them model kindness to others.** If my daughter comes in the kitchen and asks me for a snack, I try and encourage her to bring one to her brother too. If my son runs in from outside to grab a juice from the fridge, I ask him to grab one for his sister too. Planting these little seeds of habitual kindness will hopefully enable them to act out of kindness on their own will in the future. **2. Recognize when they have displayed kindness.** After my child does something kind for another, I try to recognize it and give them a verbal compliment, even if it’s something I suggested they do (see number one). “Remember when you brought your sister juice? That was really kind of you.” “Remember when you chose to share your candy with your brother? That was a really nice thing to do.” Pointing out my child’s good deeds serves as positive reinforcement for their good behavior, and also helps them further recognize what kind behavior looks like. **3. Use the right words.** I try to be very specific when describing my child’s kind behavior. I definitely use the word “kind” most often, but I think there are words that describe sub-kindness that can be useful as well. Words like generous, loving, gracious – these can fall under the blanket category of kindness, but the nuances of recognizing each one can widen the scope of what my children see as kind behavior. **4. Use Scripture.** God’s word never returns void and I believe that even applies to using scripture to teach little hearts how to be kind. When admonishing my kids to be kind I usually back myself up with a reminder from God’s holy word. *“Be kind to one another …”* Ephesians 4:32 *“Be devoted to one another in love; honor one another above yourself.”* Romans 12:10 *“Do not let kindness leave you …”* Proverbs 3:3 Speaking Scripture into the lives of our kids is a powerful tool we have in overcoming selfishness and promoting kindness. **5. Encourage them to see the situation from the perspective of another.** This is huge. Kids are naturally egocentric and are not naturally inclined to think of how their actions affect others. Explaining to them that their actions do indeed affect others can really help them choose kindness. If my daughter hits her brother or says something unkind I remove her from the situation and ask her, “Was that kind? How would you feel if your brother hit/spoke unkindly/snatched a toy from you?” If she has trouble coming up with an answer (which she often does in an attempt to avoid correction), I help her out. “That would make him feel sad/angry/upset. We should never want to make anyone feel that way. That would not be kind.” The dialogue is virtually the same every time and sometimes she responds well and sometimes she doesn’t. But again, sowing the seeds of kind behavior into their hearts will allow them to one day reap this good behavior on their own. **6. Show kindness to them.** This is probably, by far, the most important one. It would be really difficult to expect my children to be kind to each other if I wasn’t showing kindness to them myself. They say actions speak louder than words and in the case of teaching your kids kindness through example, this is most certainly the case. One thing that brings me such joy is to see my kids speaking life-giving words and phrases to each other that I know I’ve intentionally tried to speak to them. On the flip side, nothing pains me more than to see them acting out of frustration and anger towards each other in the same way they’ve seen me act toward them. Be the kindness you want to see in your kids, even when it feels hard. Kindness is not easy to come by naturally. We have to purposefully put on this fruit and display it to a world that hungers for it. Let’s be parents who help their kids put on kindness daily and draw others to Jesus because of it. **Keep learning about kindness with the shows on Minno! Explore these episodes about kindness with your kids today:** [Iesodo: Kindness – The Greatest is the Least](/series/iesodo/videos/kindness-the-greatest-is-the-least) [Iesodo: Kindness – The Good Pigeon](/series/iesodo/videos/kindness-the-good-pigeon) [321 Penguins – Kennel Club Blues](/series/321-penguins/videos/kennel-club-blues) [Micah’s Super Vlog: Kindness](/series/micahs-super-vlog/videos/kindness-fruit-of-the-spirit) [Buck Denver & Friends: Kindness](/series/buck-denver-and-friends/videos/kindness2) [Values with Clive and Ian: Kindness](/series/values-with-clive-and-ian/videos/kindness) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Cultivating Thanksgiving in the Heart of Your Teen](https://gominno.com/blog/cultivating-thanksgiving-in-the-heart-of-your-teen/) **Published:** November 8, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1K8cIuvORxVf96dpNO85.jpg) Raising children in today’s world is not for the faint of heart. And one thing is for sure; **cultivating thanksgiving in the heart of your teen is something you must be very intentional about.** From infancy to toddler to school-age to teen; raising children in to be thankful in today’s world must be an every day commitment. And here’s why: **Because our flesh fights against everything that is good so we must train our children to focus on listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit to understand what thanksgiving really is.** Raising teens in today’s “me first” culture presents us with many unique challenges. One of the main challenges is teaching them to value others above themselves. The good news is, that even in the “selfie” generation our teens are immersed in, it is still possible to teach them to have a heart full of Thanksgiving. Here are three of the ways God has shown us how to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving in our teenagers. **3 Ways to Cultivate Thanksgiving in the Heart of Your Teen** **1. Never forget to say thank you.** While this may seem like a simple gesture it is the foundation for valuing others and being grateful for what you have. Every time our children say “thank you” it teaches them to recognize when someone else is serving them and blessing them. Not only does this teach them to appreciate what God has given them, it also helps them be disciplined in the area of gratitude. You will begin to see a difference in the teen years when a child has been taught to use their manners. **You’ll notice that the teens that say “thank you” tend to be more tuned in to the emotions and needs of others.** It’s a beautiful sight indeed! While we’ve watched our children go through seasons where they “forget” to say thank you (ahem, toddlers), it is easily corrected when we gently remind them to do so. And trust me when I tell you, the pay off is good. **2. Always give God praise.** We’ve found in our (nearly) 18 years of parenting that giving God praise for all He has done sets an example of thanksgiving for our children. As you know, your children learn by watching others and this is a wonderful way to model a heart of Thanksgiving to your teen. When your children grow up learning that it is God who gives all good things, this helps them cultivate a heart of Thanksgiving in the teen years and beyond. **3. Love them right where they are.** Be sure to remember that God created each of us with different personalities and ways of expression so it is okay if your teen isn’t always as expressive or vocal as you are. **Learn to tune into their unique ways of expression and communicate with them and love them right where they are.** This will show them how much you love them and help form gratitude in the every day. All our children want from us is to be loved and shown an example of how to live a life for Christ. Let’s do them a favor and love them where they are and their heart will be full of thanksgiving! Just because our children are growing up in a world that isn’t full of gratitude doesn’t mean that our children have to be the same. By modeling a heart of thanksgiving to our children and loving them where they are – you will see your children grow into a true spirit of gratitude in the teen years and well beyond. Let’s continue to show the world the light of Christ as we raise children who are thankful! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Teach Kids Theology: The Epistles Q&A Series](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-theology-the-epistles-qa-series/) **Published:** November 7, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/uHygfJz0TQaKvwBS1xJq.jpg) # **Teaching Theology to Kids** In Volume 12 of his series Buck Denver Asks … What’s in the Bible?, Phil Vischer addresses some of the trickiest topics and biggest theological concepts in the whole Bible from Paul’s epistles. In [Volume 12: Letters from Paul!](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12?variant=23188479681), Vischer talks about grace, faith, justification, sanctification, the fruit of the spirit and more! Many adults have difficulty understanding these topics, so how does Vischer begin to teach theology to kids? Vischer says, “Quite often we shy away from the really big stuff in teaching kids … I don’t think that’s the right approach.” He explains that our goal shouldn’t be just to tell kids the definitions of big theological terms, but to visualize them in a way that makes them memorable. Vischer uses animated scenes to illustrate the theological concepts of justification, sanctification and the fruit of the spirit in Volume 12. “For me, the key for explaining complex things to kids, is rather than telling them, show them. Demonstrate the concept,” he says. ## ## How to Teach Justification For example, when teaching about justification, Vischer uses the illustration of a girl pushing her little brother off his bike. That action looks wrong! But it is justified when the illustration shows that the brother was about to bike off of a cliff! Her action is justified – changed from wrong to right. “It’s not that they’re too complex,” Vischer says. “It’s just that they’re too abstract just to talk about.” Learn more about justification, sanctification, and other theological terms in Paul’s letters in the latest volume of[ Buck Denver Asks … What’s in the Bible? – Volume 12: Letters from Paul!](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12?variant=23188479681). Available now. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [All Saints Day - Free Printable](https://gominno.com/blog/all-saints-day-wrap-up/) **Published:** October 30, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GzBzlcGxSdSLwXCgWm4c.jpg) *All Saints’ Day* is the time in the Church’s liturgical year where we remember the saints – all of the Christians who surround us and those who have already passed away and are in Heaven. The holiday began in the 4th century as a holy feast celebrated on November 1st. People would gather to honor Christians who had given their lives to serve the Church. As *All Saints’ Day* approaches, we pause to think about brothers and sisters in Christ who have influenced us and also who have gone before us. We are inspired by their faithfulness and obedience to God. What can we learn from Christians throughout history and how can they inspire us to serve God and His people more faithfully? Take a look at three people who helped advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. Katharine Drexel was an American woman who gave up her family fortune to live for God and support minorities across the country. [Read more about her inspiring story](https://www.gominno.com/blog/who-is-katharine-drexel "Katharine Drexel Saints Post"), then [learn about Ambrose](https://www.gominno.com/blog/who-is-ambrose "Ambrose Saints Post"), a 4th century bishop who is credited with introducing communal singing in church services. [Francis of Assisi](https://www.gominno.com/blog/who-is-francis-of-assisi "Francis of Assisi Blog Post") is a humble man who wrote one of our favorite prayers, the Prayer for Peace. We have created a printable for your family to help you think about the people in your own life who have taught you about God. [Download it here](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Minno-All-Saints-Day.pdf), fill it out, and then let those people know you are thankful for them! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/SU6Nsbr6RcS8Js4I9bVY/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Minno-All-Saints-Day.pdf) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Halloween](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-halloween/) **Published:** October 23, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LUUguzfvSZaoCSwD3OFa.jpg) Halloween remains a hotly debated subject among Christians. While some of us feel that allowing our children to dress up and go trick or treating throughout the neighborhood, or attend our church’s harvest festival, is perfectly fine, others of us avoid anything and everything to do with Halloween, because we believe the whole day glorifies Satan. Like it or not, living in the USA during the month of October, we are inundated with commercialism centered around Halloween. Costumes, bags of candy, pumpkin patches, the scary and not-so-scary harvest themed decorations, haunted houses, and images of scary movies surround us during the whole month of October! How do we approach this tricky (excuse the pun) subject with our kids? Is Halloween really evil? ## History of Halloween Let’s look at a little [history of Halloween](https://www.gominno.com/blog/halloween-meaning-history-christianity) before making that judgement. First, Halloween is truly a contraction of the term “Hallow’s Eve”, which is the night before All Saints’ Day, November 1. All Saints’ Day was a feast day, originally celebrated in the early church on May 13, 609, where the saints who had gone onto Heaven before us were remembered and celebrated in the Mass. In 835, Pope Gregory Pope Gregory IV decided to move the feast day to October 31, to coincide with the pagan celebration of Samhain, typically associated with the Druids’ harvest festivals. (In the early days of the church, there was a concerted effort to assimilate pagan holidays into the celebration of Christian feast days). Many rituals associated with All Saints’ Day have roots in the Celtic Samhain celebration. Samhain was a time when the door to the “otherworld” was thought to be opened wide enough to allow the souls of the dead and other spirits to enter the land of the living. The souls of the dead were thought to attend the Samhain feasts. People wore costumes to hide their real identities from any evil spirits present. In some places, children would go door-to-door, collecting food for the celebration or fuel for the bonfires. Lanterns were made from turnips, that were carved with faces to ward off evil spirits as well as provide light. Many of these symbols were adopted into our present day celebration of Halloween. For instance, he use of carved pumpkins instead of turnips became a common practice in the 19th century. Dressing up in costumes became popular in the 1930’s. According to most scholars, trick-or-treating didn’t become popular in the US, until the 1930’s or 40’s. ## Reformation Day While celebrating All Saints’ Day or All Hallow’s Ever may not have been practiced among some Protestants, Reformation Day on October 31, 1617, was celebrated by many. By the 18th century, the 200th anniversary of the Reformation, its observance had become standard in Lutheran churches and many other Protestant faiths. Today, most Lutheran churches celebrate Reformation Day on the Sunday prior to October 31, and some Protestants celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1. There are those in the occult who claim that Halloween is their “new year”. And it’s no secret that there are many stories about Halloween being associated with devil worship. But if we are to speak to our children about the history of Halloween, it may be important to tell them that not all the Halloween rituals, which are now such a huge part of our American culture, are based on evil. ## How Should Christians Do Halloween? As with anything we do, we are called to be salt and light to the world. However we approach this topic, whether it be with fellow Christians or those who have not accepted Jesus into their hearts, we must say everything in love and not in a spirit of condemnation or hate. Too many times what we say may be in truth, but saying even the truth in a hateful, self righteous manner will turn off and turn away most people…especially those who we want to bring to the Cross. God gave us some pretty clear guidelines in Deuteronomy 18 to use for our own protection against evil. It’s important to not glorify the occult, Satan’s darkness, or the fear of death. Since the fall of man, Satan has had power over death, which creates fear in the hearts of man. But, as we know, Jesus conquered death!! We no longer have to fear it! Keeping within these Biblical guidelines, if your children dress up, make sure they are not glorifying evil. There are a ton of fun costumes to choose from. Halloween doesn’t have to be about glorifying the ugliness of evil. It can be a fun time of fellowship for the whole family–whether that means trunk or treating at your church’s harvest party or trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood with friends, or lovingly handing out snacks to little ballerinas, Obi-Wan’s and assorted clowns. Let His light shine through you at all times, in whatever you say or do! [Here are 4 way your family can shine light on Halloween](https://www.gominno.com/blog/4-ideas-family-shine-light-on-halloween). What do you do on October 31? Do your kids dress up and go trick-or-treating? Do you go to church and celebrate All Saints’ Day or Reformation Day? What has your experience been, as a Christian, partaking in or abstaining from Halloween? Sources: MacCulloch, Diarmaid. The Reformation. A History (New York, NY; Penguin, 2003) Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006) Skal, David J. Death Makes a Holiday: A Cultural History of Halloween (New York, NY: Bloomsbury, 2002) *About the author: Lisa Strnad is a writer, promoter and marketer who works in Christian media. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville, TN. Lisa has home schooled both of her boys, and is involved in autism awareness programs throughout the USA.* *(The opinions written in this article are not necessarily those of everyone who works with Minno. These thoughts and opinions are that of the author.)* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Food Allergies and Inclusion](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-food-allergies-and-inclusion/) **Published:** October 18, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2UBnR9zeTwm5z8DdpeXX.jpg) If you aren’t the parent of a child who has severe food allergies, you may be wondering what this topic has to do with anything Biblical. The fact is that many parents spend a huge amount of time protecting their children from the hidden dangers that seemingly harmless food items can cause. Reading every label, asking to speak to a restaurant manager before sitting at the table, and providing education to all caregivers is something that these parents do without hesitation. There are many Bible verses about raising up and protecting our kids. Danger can sometimes be classified as something spiritual, but many times danger also encompasses the physical. Perhaps a surprising fact to some, a child with food allergies can actually die from complications if mom, dad, teacher or caregiver don’t take the necessary daily precautions to ensure their safety. I can’t think of any better word to define such daily acts of protection, other than LOVE. **1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.** Kids who have allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, dairy, shellfish or gluten learn early on the importance of how live within their limitations because it can be a matter of life or death. Most are taught by the time they’re in preschool how to avoid the foods which will hurt them. Even at this young of an age, they are keenly aware that they can not go anywhere unless an adult accompanying them is carrying their epinephrine pens, oral antihistamines, and an inhaler. This medication arsenal is just something that is taken wherever they go…in case of exposure. But what do the other kids–or even adults– think about these weird dietary restrictions and precautions? Are kids sometimes ostracized because they can’t eat what other kids eat? As the mother of a child with a life threatening food allergy, I appreciate the openness of other adults who want to learn how to protect my son when he’s at their house or if they cook food for a gathering, which he’ll be exposed to. Actually “appreciate” is too mild of a word. I want to physically hug these wonderful people to express my sincerest gratitude, because for a long time people (even relatives) took my son’s food allergies pretty lightly, even to the point of ignoring simple requests to ensure his safety and my peace of mind. We missed several parties over the years because the risk of exposure was simply too great to ignore. We must lovingly educate our kids about a few safety precautions. First, for our kids who DON’T have food allergies, remind them that it’s best if they don’t share or trade their food with another friend, in case there is a food allergy present. School age kids who DO have allergies need to be reminded to not eat any food with unknown ingredients or known to contain (or may contain) any allergen to which they are sensitive. This includes foods at any classroom, church or birthday party. When we talk to our kids about food allergies, we must reassure them that other children who may have a special diet are still just regular kids in most other ways! God created us all to be a little different. In His eyes we are all wonderful in our uniqueness. Our friend may not be able to drink milk or eat eggs, but she likes to play the same games, and watch the same shows that we like. She likes to dance and swim and ride her bike. It’s okay to invite our friend over after school, and it’s definitely okay to invite he or she to a birthday party! We can help our kids grow into caring adults when they see us take the extra time to talk to the parents of their friends, ensuring that we can provide a safe environment for everyone. If you are the parent in charge of bringing in food for a class or church gathering, it’s such a loving gesture to ask if there are any known food allergies which you should be aware of. Perhaps you can bring in gluten free cupcakes, a fruit platter or fresh veggies and dip. Making these simple additions to party planning enables everyone to feel included. Inclusion is such an important life lesson to give our children, especially with the prevalence of bullying going on these days. It has become pretty common to have kids with food allergies in almost every classroom. Most schools have standards in place to help keep kids safe. But I urge the parents of kids with food allergies to continue to educate people in authority positions in their churches and any club that kids belong to. Two great sites for resources and downloads are the [Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network](http://www.foodallergy.org/section/helpful-information) and the [Food Allergy Initiative](http://www.faiusa.org/). *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [7 Life Lessons Kids Learn from Sports](https://gominno.com/blog/7-life-lessons-kids-learn-from-sports/) **Published:** October 11, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bzOhHquTdCVtDhJLX14N_March-Madness-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) I’m not sure when it all started, but it seems every season of the year has a sports obsession attached to it: From the World Series to the Super Bowl…from the World Cup to the Olympics (easily our favorite, even if only every four years.) There is a sport for everyone, even those drawn to the less-traditional (but equally exciting) X games, or the Triple Crown of Surfing (from here on our Hawaiian island.) There’s no denying it: **Sports have become a big part of life as we know it.** And there’s plenty of good in that. Sports give us all something to talk about, cheer for, and even celebrate. Sports are less divisive than politics, and more interesting than the weather. Sports are a healthy distraction from the sometimes mundane nature of everyday life. Even more: **Sports can teach us great lessons to apply to the rest of our lives!** My husband is a family doctor with a passion for sports. He is an ex-pro soccer player and avid surf-dad, and he is a big believer in the benefits of competitive youth sports. He suggests every kid should get the chance to try out a few different sports – not just because it is healthy for them, but also because sports involvement is a great preparation for the real world ahead. Whether they’re watching and cheering, or actively participating, here are seven ways sports can help prepare kids for their futures: **1. Sports themselves are in many ways a microcosm of life.** Consider it: a gathering of people, a set of rules, time constraints, and a judge. Learning to work within these parameters has endless metaphors for the realities of life ahead. Sports offer us a multitude of teachable moments if we are looking for them. **2. Sports teach teamwork.** Real life is full of tasks that require teamwork, and sports are a great way to prepare for that. Working with others, accepting differences, and working through conflicts will no doubt grow character qualities like humility, patience, and compassion in our kids. These qualities are important in everything from family life, to work, and church or community involvement. **3. Sports teach kids to work hard for a goal.** Anything worth doing is worth doing well. . .in work, in play, and in life. Doing well in sports requires a great deal of commitment, perseverance, and patience. These traits will naturally overflow into other areas of life. **4. Sports teach kids to submit to authority.** Sports most often involve coaches – some good and some not-so-good. While doing sports kids will have to learn to work with, and submit to, both. Later in life our kids will have bosses and teachers and leaders of all kinds as well. Submitting to, and getting along with coaches will only better prepare them for this. **5. Sports teach kids to win…and lose.** As much as we all love to win, it is true that we learn more from losing than winning. And learning to lose well is an important skill in life. Learning to lose well can prepare kids for other disappointing outcomes in life, whether in work or family, health or community involvement. Eventually we all face disappointments, and sports can help kids be better prepare for these times. **6. Physical training offers countless spiritual analogies.** 1 Timothy 4:8 says, *“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”* In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul talks running in such a way as to get the prize. There are plenty of spiritual lessons in every sport if we take notice. Chatting with kids after a practice or game will offer us all kinds of opportunities to help them make the connection and bring Scripture to life. **7. Sports are a great part of a balanced life.** Kids these days are expected to sit in school and work for so many hours. There are less hours dedicated to PE and recess all of the time. If kids take the time to commit to a sport after school now, they will be more likely to find ways to incorporate fitness into their life as an adult. If your kids are not in sports, then why not try a few on for size? You may discover some great talent in your kid, and no matter what, they’re sure to grow from the experience. If your child is already actively involved in sports (or, next time your family is watching a competitive sport) look for teachable moments! Some great conversations can come out of everything from March Madness to Little League, and more. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [7 Faith-Building Playtime Conversation Starters](https://gominno.com/blog/7-faith-building-playtime-conversation-starters/) **Published:** October 4, 2018 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Playtime Conversation Starters](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VYXGAY9T66kFb2xRlN8C.jpg) If our goal is to cultivate a culture of faith in our homes, it’s important to weave faith-building into every area of our family interaction. This is a habit that when practiced, will become like second nature, empowering us to engage our children in conversations that matter when we least expect it. Playtime can be a missed opportunity for parents. So focused on the many things we have to do, any given day, we often miss out on the benefits that can come with play for our children. **When we connect with our children on their territory we send the message that what matters to them matters to us. And in time, what matters to us will matter more to them.** Experts say that [20 minutes of connected play helps kids learn to play better on their own](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/03/parenting/kids-independent-play-coronavirus-quarantine.html). When we use playtime to bond with our kids, they will build the skills they need to play independently which may just give you a few minutes to yourself every now and then, without relying on screens! Create faith-building moments in the midst of ordinary playtime with these conversation starters. #### **7 Faith-Building Playtime Conversation Starters** #### 1. Legos/Building Blocks SHARE: It’s so fun to build with Legos + blocks. The Bible talks a lot about building. It reminds us to build on a firm foundation. ASK: What do you think it means to build our lives on a strong foundation? Why is it important? READ: Matthew 7:24-27 #### 2. Dolls/Barbies SHARE: I love pretending with these dolls. Know what I love even more? Being your mom for real. (Share 2-3 things you love about your child.) ASK: What is your favorite thing about the way God made you? READ: Psalm 139:14 #### 3. Cars/Trucks SHARE: It’s so helpful to have vehicles to get us from one place to another. I am thankful for our car because it gets us to our destination safely. ASK: Do you know who also helps us get to where we are going safely? READ: Proverbs 3:5-6 #### 4. Stuffed Animals SHARE: I love watching you care for your special animal friends. You are so kind and tenderhearted. ASK: Why do you think it’s important to be kind and gentle with our friends? READ: Ephesians 4:32 #### 5. Dress Up SHARE: It’s so fun to dress up and pretend to be a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_! It’s exciting to dream about all that we can be someday. ASK: What do you want to be when you grow up? READ: Jeremiah 29:11 #### 6. Playing House SHARE: You are going to make a great mommy/daddy someday! It’s so special to be a part of a family. And it’s even more wonderful to be a part of God’s family! ASK: How does it feel to know you are a child of God? READ: 1 John 3:1 #### 7. Crafts/Coloring SHARE: You are so creative! I love the way you \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. You know who else is a creator? God! He made the whole world out of nothing. Our creativity comes from him, the ultimate Creator! ASK: What are your favorite things about God’s creation? READ: Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) We hope these simple prompts help transform your family playtime into beautiful moments of connection. What are your favorite things to play with your kids? What conversation starters could you add to this list? **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Costume and Candy Kit](https://gominno.com/blog/costume-and-candy-kit/) **Published:** October 2, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/oNEMS7CNRzmEvY3IWX8B.jpg) This [free download](https://cdn.buttercms.com/jvsaVLZ7SZyIYHlfzXV2) is a fun way to incorporate Minno and our favorite *What’s In The Bible?* characters into your Halloween or Harvest celebrations. The printable includes elements to dress up like Sunday School Lady or Buck Denver plus labels you can put on the treats you give out this year to tell people about all the awesome faith-based shows on Minno. It also includes an All Saint’s Day activity to help your kids think about the other Christians in their lives who have shaped their faith. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bf7EnyPcQfCuRDn3KCvc.jpg)](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Costume-Candy-2017.pdf) Save Save Save **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Ten Ways To Be Another Mom's Cheerleader](https://gominno.com/blog/ten-ways-to-be-another-moms-cheerleader-plus-a-free-printable-from-mary-dean-draws/) **Published:** September 19, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qHWN80eJR6S4To782EYV_cheerleader-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) I was in the middle of a battle of wills with a child of mine. (This is the same child who responded to my observation, “You are being particularly difficult this morning,” with: “I don’t speak Spanish.”) My dear friend and neighbor came over in the middle of this struggle, and I sighed and said, “Please just tell me I’m not a terrible mom.” She looked and me and said with confidence, “You are a fantastic mom, and I think you’re doing a great job!” Sniff. *Don’t we all need a cheerleader friend like that?* I suspect I’m not the only one struggling most days. Marriage is sweet, but the seasons can be hard between the demands of work, home, and offspring. We are investing in our children, but this doesn’t net what we expect at the rate we expect. We daily disappoint ourselves as we struggle with our own sin and the weaknesses, spiritual and physical. We love our children dearly, but my goodness, sometimes we want to send them to China! (I wonder where Chinese parents threaten to send their children?). I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but neither do I want to ignore the fact that it is incredibly hard to live with and raise people who are just as sinful as we are. Not being honest about this does not serve each other, or the next generation of moms and wives, well. *What if we women could be both completely realistic and completely optimistic about our role–at the same time? What if our relationships with other women began to paint a beautiful picture of the grace of God? What if we became skilled in connecting the dots of what we know from God’s Word to the everyday pain points of motherhood and marriage? What if we became wells of encouragement for each other in this soul-sanding work of motherhood?* Here are a few ideas of how we might do that with our fellow mamas: 1\. Accept her as God accepts her and be patient with what God is doing in her life, as patient as God is with you. Be a safe person she can talk to. There is a lightness that comes to relationships when we don’t feel the need to fix someone, but can entrust that responsibility to the Creator. “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7 ESV). “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Romans 4:1-2). 2\. Remind her of all the good God’s grace is doing in her life already. If her faith is in Jesus, even on her worst days and through the wackiest situations, God is doing something good in her. When her weaknesses are exposed and she throws herself on God’s strength and mercy, her children learn to do the same. As my friend and I like to say, “If you’re not modeling good character, model repentance.” “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). 3\. Pray for her and with her. Ask God to lead you in praying for her. Pray Scripture for her and jot her a note letting her know how you’re praying. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). 4\. As you listen to her, ask the Lord how she might be encouraged in the Gospel. Does she need to be reminded that she’s forgiven? Does she need to be encouraged that God is doing something good, even in this crazy situation? Does she need to recognize what is her burden and what is God’s? Does she need to be reminded that God is control of this situation? Speak as gently as the LORD speaks to you. “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught” (Isaiah 50:4). 5\. Encourage her to seek God’s wisdom. Remind her that He is ready to help if we’ll just ask and stop floundering on our own. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5) 6\. Help her see God’s true character and the way He sees her. I think so often the way we imagine God is not in line with His Word. We imagine Him looking at us disapprovingly at our repeated failure and slow growth, and forget that we don’t exhaust His patience. We imagine Him distant and busy, when He is really present and attentive. “You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). 7\. Remind her that motherhood (and even marriage) is a long-term investment, the success of which can’t be gauged by the current results. Remember how scrawny your bean plants look at the beginning of spring, and how sprawling and wild they become at the end of summer? Plants grow into what they were intended to be, just as your children and your husband are growing into what God has intended them to be–in His timing. The weight of how they ultimately turn out is not ours to carry. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). 8\. Point her to the One who can sustain, comfort, fill, heal, counsel, and transform. Our job isn’t to fix our friend’s situations, and good advice can only go so far. Remind her that the Holy Spirit is close. Remind her that it’s okay that she can’t fix things. It’s okay to give up to God what she can’t bear herself. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 9\. Be honest with your own struggles so she knows she’s not alone. When we don’t share our real struggles, we create a self-perpetuating cycle of shame and lack of community. She must have it together so I don’t dare admit that I don’t have it together. But because of our confidence in God’s grace for us, we can be bold with our weaknesses. Instead of sending the message, “Look at what I’m capable of,” we can say: “Look at what Jesus can do in my weaknesses.” “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 10\. Be there. Never underestimate the power of your presence and your willingness to show up. After all, the Spirit of the living Christ lives in believers, and when you show up, you bring the spiritual gifts He has given you and the comfort you yourself have experienced in Him (2 Corinthians 1:4). “No one has even seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:12). Remember how the Apostle Paul instructed “older women” to “teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children” (Titus 2:4)? Did you catch that this has to be trained? Loving our husbands and our children doesn’t come naturally to any mom or wife, no matter how it seems. I’m convinced this is the unique ministry moms and wives have to each other. Our usefulness to each other doesn’t begin when we’ve got it all figured out or when we stop struggling. It doesn’t even depend on whether we’re naturally very compatible with each other. The Gospel makes the body of Christ incredibly flexible and inclusive of all kinds of personalities, backgrounds, ages, and eccentricities. Our usefulness begins when we let God’s grace first transform us and then our relationships. > “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11 ESV Use these beautiful visuals as one more way you can encourage a mom in your life. **Sharable Images from [Little Bee and Bear](https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBeeAndBear)** ![image2.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YkAJBaAFSqKY826FbvLr.jpg)![image1.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5jlvqkWFRZe1XbCm6otV.jpg)![image0.png](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CaVTPN9RBqKR7e5TFPRv.jpg) **Printable Cards from Mary Dean Draws** [**CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD**](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/The-Lord-is-Gracious-printable-Scripture-Cards-MarydeanDraws.pdf) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mAwkU1nSMWsONa4POOgm_The-Lord-is-Gracious-printable-Scripture-Cards-MarydeanDraws%20copy.jpg.jpg) *Scriptures are from the ESV version.* **Note on artwork usage:** *\*I’m so happy for you to enjoy my printables for your personal (not commercial) use! Use for Bible studies, church groups or events, and Sunday school classes are all fine! If you’re in doubt, I’m happy to answer any questions. All artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. If you share this, you’re awesome (!), and as a courtesy, please link back to this post and not the PDF file.* *Mary is a former ESL teacher turned homemaker, homeschooler, and mom to three. Most days you can find her in her PJs asking for the whereabouts of the two-year-old, trying to make someone do their math, and finishing up a cup of cold coffee. In small gaps of time, she’s also a blogger and artist who attempts to capture small nuggets of truth and grace found in God’s Word and share them with others through word and printable Bible verse art. She blogs at [www.marydeandraws.com](http://www.marydeandraws.com/).* ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/iFTBMADuRPm3ZO3nLG6L_mission-motherhood-cards-coverimage-marydeandraws.jpg.jpg) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Free Back to School Lunchbox Notes Printable](https://gominno.com/blog/free-back-to-school-lunchbox-notes-printable/) **Published:** August 21, 2018 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/n2k74DiwSOSHdhaRcadR/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) Looking for a free, encouraging Bible verse lunchbox note printable for your kiddos as they go back to school? Download this one from Minno today! It features 20 important truths for your kids about their identity in God as they go back to school. They will love finding an encouraging verse and statement in their lunchbox every day! ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/V14eFUWKRWm7S079z4yy/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) [Click here to download the free printable!](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/20-back-to-school-truths-jelly-telly.pdf) Check out our [Ten Ways to Empower Your Kids to Have a Great School Year](https://www.gominno.com/blog/ten-ways-to-empower-your-kids-to-have-a-great-school-year) blog for additional ideas for preparing your kids for back to school. What other resources are helping you get ready for back to school? [Let us know on our Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/)! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Practicing Self-Care As the School Year Begins](https://gominno.com/blog/practicing-self-care-as-the-school-year-begins/) **Published:** August 16, 2018 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2raM7TpJSHOexYuBBdHa.jpg) Guess who’s not superwoman? This mom right here. But oh, how I like to think I am…at least until it all comes crashing down. Somehow, as I was preparing for our upcoming homeschool year, taking care of the third round of sweet friends visiting our farm this month, attempting to keep up with my own friendships in town, planting lettuce seedlings, keeping the mud off the floors, managing piles of very stinky laundry, and – oh yeah – remembering to call my parents on the other side of the country…I snapped. Back-to-school can be stressful for everyone in the family – from first-day jitters for the kids to the multitude of extra errands and financial burdens of having to purchase supplies, clothes, curriculum. Sure, all the summer cookouts, pool parties, movie nights, and friend gatherings were memorable. But transitioning from the free-for-all schedule of summer to the sudden scurry to get children ready for school can leave us standing here frazzled and fried, simultaneously ready to welcome fall and reluctant for summer to go. On top of that, the normal tasks of daily life don’t stop mounting. During a season that’s especially focused on preparing and equipping our children, it’s easy to focus on everything and everyone else but ourselves. Personally, I’m wired to just pour out until I’m empty all the time, putting myself last. I fall into a trap of martyrdom, appearing to valiantly care for others when underneath, I’m really looking for external validation or praise. And then like a twisted up swing at the playground that’s been let loose, I just start spinning, faster and faster until I’m out of control, everything around me is blurry, and I’m screaming inside. So here’s what I’ve learned about self-care: sometimes I have to lean towards what might feel “selfish” in order to actually make it close to the middle of the scale. This usually isn’t selfishness at all, but my God-given, healthy needs for self-care that I’ve neglected. Pastor and social worker Nathan Foster (son of Christian author Richard J. Foster) does a great job of describing the difference between selfishness (selfish care) and self-care: *“Selfish care is essentially doing the things we want for no purpose other than to have our own way. You know you’re moving into destructive practices when a sense of entitlement creeps in as you move towards caring for yourself. This is most clear when the thing we want to do becomes interrupted, and we’re left bitter that we didn’t get what we ‘deserved.’ This can lead to developing a sense of martyrdom or even lead to hurting others for getting in the way of us having a hit. Quite simply, good self-care is attending to and respecting the limitations and needs that God has designed for humans.”* ([Source](https://renovare.org/articles/selfish-care-vs-soul-care)) Foster goes on to specify that some of these God-given needs for self-care include sleep, nutrition, exercise, play, and healthy boundaries. To this list, I would also add beauty, because as I search scripture, it seems that God made the world beautiful on purpose, and it is a human need to regularly partake in that beauty. What does God say about self-care? Jesus Himself said the greatest command is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and that the second greatest commandment is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31, NIV). Hmmm. I’ve always focused on the “neighbor” part and glanced over “as yourself.” But if I love my neighbors as I often show love to myself, that’s not saying much. Love my neighbors by neglecting them and never giving them attention? Love my neighbors by believing they’re not worthy of love and care like everyone else? Those don’t work, do they? We should love our neighbors as we love ourselves – we’re beloved, valued, worthy. There are also scriptures that speak directly about caring for the body: “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2, NASB) “After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church -for we are members of his body.” (Ephesians 5:29-30, NIV) And finally, we know that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” (Psalm 139:14, NIV), but really, how often do we internalize and apply it? We cannot neglect ourselves and our own needs as human beings and dismiss the desires that God has given us for beauty, order, nurture, and belonging. Author Sally Clarkson, who has mentored so many Christian women through her books, podcasts, and ministry, says in a recent episode of her podcast, [At Home With Sally and Friends](http://sallyclarkson.com/podcast/), “A wise woman takes care of her soul. And we do have agency. We have the ability to cultivate joy, to cultivate delight, to light a candle in our darkness so we can stay alive. We have the ability to roll up our sleeves and write a great story.” Cultivating self-care can look different for each of us. Here are some ways I’m exercising that agency and adding more self-care to my life as the school year begins: **1. Early to bed, early to rise.** I’ve always wanted to be one of those women who gets up an hour or more earlier than her kids. But I guess I never wanted it enough until now. I’m not a morning person, but I had to face that this must happen if I’m going to feel prepared for the day. So I do as much as I can the night before to prepare for the next day (school plans, clothes ready, snacks packed), and I force my night-owl self to wind down for bed much earlier. The next morning, I awake and drink coffee and read, write or just fill up my tank before my children arise. **2. Eating mindfully.** No more standing at the kitchen counter, shoveling in whatever’s left on my child’s breakfast plate. I strive to make real, nourishing meals for myself and eat them mindfully, not scrolling on my phone without even looking at my plate. It doesn’t have to be complicated – just some eggs with a side of fresh veggies can do the trick, adding in and noticing as many colorful foods as possible. **3. Enjoying exercise.** I’ll never be a runner, but it’s meant the world to me to find exercise that serves my body that I also enjoy. I aim for 15 minutes a day because something is better than nothing, and the time naturally increases with consistency. I love some of the tough physical jobs of farming, like broadforking and hammering, as much as I love doing pilates or yoga in my living room. Afterwards, I feel stronger, full of endorphins and ready to serve others genuinely. **4. Building in breaks.** Whether you homeschool or not, it’s okay to build in short breaks for yourself when your children are at home. Sally Clarkson often talks about having a hot cup of tea by herself in the afternoon, and those 10-15 minutes help keep her going for the rest of the day. I try to sneak in opportunities to read an actual book when I can, in the parked car if my children fall asleep on a drive, as I’m putting my toddler down for a nap, or for 10 minutes while they’re in the other room playing with daddy. **5. Adding beauty to my home.** For me, it’s essential to have fresh flowers, candles, and encouraging words all throughout my home. Just the act of adding one of these things to my surroundings is an act of self-care as I partake with God in being a creator of beauty. **6. Making time for my own friends.** Before I know it, it’s been months since I had a get-together with a close friend that wasn’t a playdate including our children. Time to change that! Sometimes that means meeting a friend at Target at 8:30pm once our kids are in bed and walking around the store, talking and drinking a hot cup of something from Starbucks. Or in those in-between times when it’s just hard to get away, a morning coffee or afternoon tea date with friends at one of our houses while the kids play in another room can also be nourishing. And my favorite – the Voxer app (which is like a walkie talkie on your phone) is an act of self-care daily as I’m able to “chat” with a few close girlfriends about the details of our days, encouraging books we’re reading, and hilarious things that are happening around us. And we get to hear each other’s actual voices without having to be on a phone call. I’m so glad God created us with limitations so we’d know we can’t be and do everything…and that He gave us the ability to make changes when we need it. It’s time to light the candle, friends. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Character Quest: 5 Minute Family Devotional Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional/) **Published:** August 10, 2018 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/42mQLiwGQnmMEP6ZgXes.jpg) Welcome to the [**Character Quest with Clive and Ian**](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional) series of *5 Minute Family Devotionals*! These 12 devotionals will help you teach your kids all about important character traits from the Bible—from generosity to courage to compassion and more! Each devotional includes a memory verse, video, discussion questions, and prayer prompt about the featured character trait. Catch up on the whole series below: **[Encouragement](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/encouragement)** **[Generosity](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/generosity)** **[Teamwork](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/teamwork)** **[Courage](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/courage)** [**Compassion**](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/compassion) **[Honesty](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/honesty)** [**Gentleness**](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/gentleness) [**Humility**](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/humility) **[Respect](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/respect)** [**Sportsmanship**](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/sportsmanship) [**Selflessness**](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/selflessness) [**Integrity**](https://www.gominno.com/series/character-quest-with-clive-and-ian-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/integrity) ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How Do You Make the First Day of School Special?](https://gominno.com/blog/make-first-day-school-special-kids/) **Published:** August 7, 2018 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/01GkyTwjTeWXq55YYy8Q_JT-Blog-first%20day%20school.jpg.jpg)* *We’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ### How do you make the first day of school special for your kids? #### Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.Courtneysix.blogspot.com) > Although we homeschool year round, I always talk up the first day of our new start, our new curricula. We go out beforehand and buy new school supplies, and we start the first day by going over our new schedules and looking at what the year will hold. #### Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](http://www.Kimberlyamici.com "kimberlyamici.com") > Every year, on the first day of school, my husband goes in late to work so we can both take the kids to school together. Once at school, we take as many pictures as we can of them and their friends. When I pick them up in the afternoon, we all go for ice cream. #### Danika of [Thinking Kids ](http://ThinkingKidsBlog.org) > Cupcakes! I find cupcakes and extra recess will bless any first day of school. We like to end a little early that day, too. #### Heather of [Learning As We Grow, Growing As We Learn](http://learningandgrowingalongtheway.blogspot.com/) > We homeschool, so in order to make it more fun we usually start with a special breakfast and maybe a new shirt or outfit. At the end of the day, we celebrate with a trip to a local ice cream joint! #### Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.ouroutofsynclife.com) > Our kiddos love school which means that the first day of school is special in itself. We will begin the day with the kids’ favorite Breakfast Coffee Cake and family pictures – backpacks required. After school we will celebrate the first day of success with swimming and snow cones. #### Allyson of [All Our Days](http://allourdays.com) > We try to make the first day of school special by starting with a special breakfast. I haven’t chosen the exact recipe, but I’ll definitely stick with some sort of dish that can be prepped the night before and just placed in the oven in the morning…maybe a baked french toast or egg and bacon casserole. #### Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) > We like to take the obligatory, adorable front porch pic with a sign stating what year it is. We’re rather new to this (oldest headed into 1st grade) so I’d like to be more purposeful praying a special prayer over her the first day as well. ### How will your family make your children’s first day of school special this year? Let us know in the comments! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Best Christian Shows for Preschoolers](https://gominno.com/blog/best-christian-shows-for-preschoolers/) **Published:** April 9, 2018 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Preschoolers Watching Minno.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pJNgo9iT3uPhp5nXlpyR.jpg) #### If You Like VeggieTales, Try These Shows on Minno Our kiddos may not like to eat their veggies, but they sure do like to watch them! We know VeggieTales is a favorite among Minno families but did you know that one of the reasons[ Minno is the best place to watch VeggieTales](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-best-place-to-watch-veggietales) is because of all of the other shows we have that your little ones will like, too?! We’ve put together a big list of the best pre-school/early elementary shows on Minno that will provide your veggie-viewer with a balanced diet full of Bible teaching, social-emotional learning, worship, adventure, and more! [**What’s In The Bible?**](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) **What It’s About:** Newscaster Buck Denver and his friends go on a wacky, wonderful, educational, and musical journey through the whole Bible—from Genesis to Revelation! Learn how all the stories of the Bible fit together to tell God’s great rescue plan. **Why You’ll Like It:** Written by VeggieTales creator, Phil Vischer, What’s In The Bible? offers Bible teaching for the whole family! While it may present concepts that are big for your preschooler, it will introduce them to God’s BIG story and His great love for them. Watch it together and see what kinds of curious questions it sparks in your little one! [**Auto B Good**](https://www.gominno.com/series/auto-b-good) **What It’s About:** Join Johnny the Sports Car and all of his friends in the City of Auto as they learn lessons in friendship and character. **Why You’ll Like It:** Your child will love the fun adventures these adorable autos go on as they learn character and value lessons such as courage, kindness, and responsibility. Each episode is super fun yet teaches an explicit lesson that is sure to lead to great conversations! ![owlegories.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DsZTFLtxQ42ipIPPzVMk.jpg) [**Owlegories**](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories) **What It’s About:** Follow along with a group of student owls as they go on adventures and learn about nature, faith, and God! **Why You’ll Like It:** Your child will love these adorable feathered friends and how they connect learning about God and the Bible to things and experiences they find in nature. [**God Rocks!**](https://www.gominno.com/series/god-rocks) **What It’s About:** Featuring characters from the popular series, each God Rock’s episode includes an entertaining, engaging, and educational mix of stories, music, and fun. Excellent for family viewing, Bible teaching, and lively discussion about the treasured stories that Jesus taught. **Why You’ll Like It:** *If veggies can teach kids about God, why not rocks?!* After all, the Bible says that “the rocks will cry out” in praise to God ([Luke 19:40](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2019.40)). These fun stones teach kids Bible stories and worship songs they will love. ![Brewster the Rooster New Series.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mr4OJt88RSyHb1qecqdN.jpg) **[Brewster the Rooster](https://www.gominno.com/series/brewster-the-rooster)** **What It’s About:** Brewster the Rooster and Maggie discover answers to questions only preschoolers ask! Through creative thinking, they come up with many possible answers to fun questions! They’ll take young viewers on a journey of discovery in a way that will not only entertain but will get their creative thinking caps on! **Why You’ll Like It:** Curiosity is a [foundational cognitive and emotional skill for preschoolers](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17394580/). Children who [develop curiosity at a young age](https://www.today.com/parenting-guides/encouraging-curiosity-early-childhood-t179019) are less bored and more willing to explore and discover on their own. Brewster the Rooster teaches the joy of asking and seeking answers to questions which kids can apply to understanding the amazing world God made and exploring the Bible and what it means for their lives. **[Treasure Champs](https://www.gominno.com/series/treasure-champs)** **What It’s About:** Join Kari and Barry as they explore what values are, why they matter, where we can learn about them in the Bible, and how we can live them out! **Why You’ll Love It:** These sweet friends will introduce your preschooler to important treasures or values while they learn together what the Bible says about each one. **[Hermie and Friends](https://www.gominno.com/series/hermie-and-friends)** **What It’s About:** Caterpillars Hermie and Wormie experience God’s love and see how God made them all special and unique. Through daily life with all their garden friends, they learn important values that honor God . . . like love, honesty, kindness, and more! **Why You’ll Like It:** Created by beloved author, Max Lucado, Hermie is a delightful guide for little ones learning big ideas about God and how to live as a follower of Jesus. ![LOU_Blog (1).jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lYSraNTuQfCdp4yzsKP4.jpg) **[Louie](https://www.gominno.com/series/louie)** **What It’s About:** *Have you ever dreamed of exploring an island or traveling to the moon? Do you yearn to race cars or talk to a friendly bear?* No problem! Everything is possible with Louie! With his help and Yoko’s, kids will learn how to draw while having fun!’ **Why You’ll Love It:** Art is known in educational circles to [greatly benefit the academic and emotional development of children](https://www.edutopia.org/video/new-studies-link-arts-crucial-cognitive-skills). The practice of art increases fine motor skills and language development while boosting a child’s creativity. Louie is a simple show that sparks imagination and invites kids into the process of learning through drawing and problem-solving. [Louie](https://www.gominno.com/series/louie) will encourage your preschooler to express their imagination as they explore all of the gifts that God gives us. **[Jungle Beat](https://www.gominno.com/series/jungle-beat)** **What It’s About:** Jungle Beat is a fun, family-friendly series of animated, dialogue-free episodes focusing on different animals and the bizarre situations they encounter in nature. Jungle Beat will spark not only laughter, but also wonderful conversations about perseverance, tenacity, and learning to be comfortable right where you are. **Why You’ll Like It:** There’s nothing like seeing a little one belly laugh! The crazy critters in Jungle Beat are sure to make your preschool giggle while learning how to try and try again when things don’t seem to go their way. [**Yancy’s Little Praise Party**](https://www.gominno.com/series/yancy-and-friends) **What It’s About:** Yancy and Friends sing songs, dance, and play instruments to celebrate that God is good! Watch, sing, shout, and have a “Little Praise Party” too! **Why You’ll Like It:** Your kids will love the fun animation as they sing along and you’ll love watching your little ones praise God! **[Monster Truck Adventures](https://www.gominno.com/series/monster-truck-adventures)** **What It’s About:** Join Meteor, LT, and all their friends as they roar over jumps and splash through gunk in everyday adventures at school and all over their hometown of Crushington Park. **Why You’ll Like It:** If you have kiddos that love trucks, they will be entertained and encouraged by these tough friends who are learning lessons in faith and character traits. . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?](https://gominno.com/blog/should-christians-celebrate-hanukkah/) **Published:** December 12, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/zw9FYaizRuGXWwsYgjm3.jpg) I was recently talking to a group of my friends about the stresses of trying to move during the month of December and still needing to decorate the house for Christmas! Hauling in the tree, climbing up into the attic to get the Christmas stuff, unpacking the decorations and then having to pack everything back up again the day after Christmas. Bah humbug, right? Jokingly, I told them that simply taking out a menorah seemed way more practical… and a lot easier! To my surprise many of my friends (all Christian creatives in this particular group) celebrate BOTH Christmas and Hanukkah–and have their own menorahs! Christians celebrating Hanukkah? Is that even allowed? Growing up in a time when the neighborhood Catholics and Protestants kept an amiable distance from one another during their individual (yet similar) holiday celebrations, the idea of celebrating a Jewish holiday never really crossed my mind. Truth be told, I’ve always wanted to host an actual Seder meal, but because of my obvious non-Jewish background, I thought it might be, at the very least, an impolite encroachment on my part. What’s the real story behind the menorah? Why is Hanukkah celebrated, anyway? The holiday of Hanukkah, or Feast of Lights, celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in Israel. It begins in the reign of Alexander the Great, who conquered Syria, Egypt, and Palestine, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy. About 100 years later, Antiochus IV rose to power in the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs on the altar. One of the groups which opposed Antiochus was led by Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee. The Maccabees succeeded in driving the Syrian army out of their land. They cleansed and re-dedicated the Temple. When it came time to re-light the Menorah, they searched the entire Temple, but only one small jar of oil bearing the pure seal of the High Priest could be found. Miraculously, the small jar of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply of oil could be brought. From then on, Jews everywhere have observed a holiday for eight days in honor of this historic victory and the miracle of the oil. The observance of Hanukkah features the lighting of a special menorah with eight branches, adding one new candle each night. I’m a Christian, so how does anything to do with a miracle that happened centuries ago and the Jewish Temple’s re-dedication in Israel have relevance to me in my walk of faith? Simple. God’s miracles are still worth celebrating today! Plus, Jesus, who was a practicing Jew, also celebrated Hanukkah! In the Gospel of John, we read, **“At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon” John 10:22-23**. Earlier in the same Gospel, **John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life”.** Remembering that while we Christians are not bound by law or tradition to celebrate the Feast of Lights, our Christian faith is tightly rooted in Hebraic tradition. We, along with our Jewish friends, worship the one true God–the God of many miracles! While we celebrate the birth of our Savior this Christmas, what a lovely addition it might be to also include a menorah; reminding us about God’s provision in our lives, as witnessed in the miracle of the oil, and then rededicating ourselves to Jesus, the perfect and everlasting Light of the World. Do you celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah? Share with us your story and what your traditions are on our [Facebook community](http://facebook.com/Minno/). [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/her36HVATNCU1cYCK4g4.jpg)](https://shop.gominno.com/products/why-do-we-call-it-christmas) Your family can learn more about the history of Hanukkah, Christmas, and how Santa Claus, Christmas Trees and many of our modern holiday traditions point back to Jesus in Phil Vischer’s [Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas? Now streaming on Minno](https://shop.gominno.com/products/why-do-we-call-it-christmas)! *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Encourage Your Kids When They Are Scared or Anxious](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-encourage-your-kids-when-they-are-scared-or-anxious/) **Published:** November 15, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XAeaJBdTuy7PnqmmUPQw.jpg) Prayers against bad dreams are a part of our nightly before bed prayer routine. Both of my children pray earnestly for the Lord to help them have, “No bad dreams, only good dreams.” My first-grader has even been known to purposely keep himself from falling asleep so he won’t even stand the chance of having a nightmare. This is the reality around our home. Everything within my mama heart wishes there existed some magic elixir spritz that we could spray around my children’s rooms and that would inoculate their imaginations from any sort of unpleasantness while they sleep. If you find it or invent it, please PM me. Until then, here are a handful of helpful habits we have employed around our home that have hopefully aided in easing a bit of the fearfulness that seems to surface around 8:00 pm every night. **Pray with them** I am not kidding when I say we request good dreams from the Lord every single night. What I love about this is that simply by asking the Lord for something like a good dream shows my children that Father God cares about even this, and nothing is too small to bring to the throne of grace. And after a nightmare-free night, it gives my children and me an opportunity to praise the God of sweet dreams. **Give them songs to sing** After tucking my daughter under her soft pink princess comforter each night, she always asks me to sing her a song. And I love this opportunity to sing over her. Unlike the rest of the world, she is not privy to my lack of vocal skill, and that makes her request all the more sweet. I look forward to that quiet time before bed when I have the opportunity to sing chorus after precious chorus that praises the name of Jesus and also ushers her into deep relaxation and rest. **Give them verses to memorize and pray** There are so many wonderful scripture verses in the Bible that can help us during times of fear and anxiety. And this is no exception for children. I try to help my children memorize verses that speak to the reality of fear but also the powerful truth that we serve a God who is bigger than fear and has the power to conquer any enemy. Here are a few of our favorites: - Psalm 56:3 - Joshua 1:9 - Psalm 23:4 **Print off Scripture Cards** When my son was in a particularly difficult season of not wanting to sleep for fear of nightmares, a friend suggested that I find and print off some scripture cards for him. I found [this adorable set from Marydean Draws](https://shop.gominno.com/products/anxious-heart-printable-bible-verse-cards) and allowed him to keep the cards under his pillow at night, along with a flashlight. I told him, whenever he felt afraid at nighttime, he could reach under his pillow and read a card. My hope was that he would lean on the truth of God’s word in the very moment when he needed it most. **Silly Visualizing** I fully realize that scriptures on God fighting for us and us being sheep that God protects and cares for can be a bit abstract for kids. So something else I try to do before my kids go to bed that will hopefully alleviate some of their fears is to leave them with an image of something silly or funny that they can think about and visualize. Before I leave their rooms I will say to them, “I hope you have sweet, sweet dreams about …” And then I will list off some really fun things to make them smile. Sometimes I’ll talk about a room full of new puppies and bunnies and baby chickens. Or sometimes I’ll reference something really exciting we did earlier that day. But what I do most often is describe a scrumptious candy scene, inspired by Willa Wonka’s factory. I’ll tell them I hope they have dreams about a bubblegum bush and a river of chocolate milk and trees with cotton candy tops. My hope is to leave them with a fun image that they can continue to add to inside their own imagination and that will, hopefully, send them into sleep on a very positive note. **Give in, when necessary** As much as we try to stave off the nightmares in our house with songs and truth and even silly narratives, the truth is it does not always work. If you were to peek inside my bedroom right now you would see a pile of blankets and pillows on my floor that my kiddos affectionately refer to as their “floor bed.” In the middle of the night when they feel too afraid, they know they can slip into our rooms and sleep near us. It gives them peace so they can sleep and prevents us from having to miss out on sleep because we have to continue sending scared kids back to their beds. Double win. I feel so angry toward an enemy that preys on the minds of our little ones and convinces them that the dark is something to fear. But I hope that with some of these strategies I am helping my children to not only deal with their fear in a godly way now, but that it will train their minds with how to handle fear for the rest of their lives. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Setting A Place for Contentment at Your Thanksgiving Table](https://gominno.com/blog/setting-a-place-for-contentment-at-your-thanksgiving-table/) **Published:** November 9, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ORzK107WSKii8xy2zlL8.jpg) Here’s the thing – Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday, but cooking is not my spiritual gift. I will confess it here for the world to know – when my husband and I were dating, I once made him a salad with a head of cabbage instead of lettuce. In our 15 years of marriage, he’s never once asked me to make him a salad again. On the revelation that I wasn’t going to be a stellar chef, I chose gratitude for those who can cook and settled in on being content in my ability to order a feast of a Thanksgiving Dinner from Cracker Barrel. I’ve perfected the art of ordering just the right amount of food that also leaves leftovers for days. I also purchased an adorable apron from Anthropologie, and for authenticity’s sake, I wear it from the time we wake up on Thanksgiving Day, through all the parade watching and board games, and even setting the table with plenty of hash brown casserole, turkey, and pumpkin pie. When the house is quiet, and the last dish is done, I finally take it off and hang it up, knowing this is the best way for our family to do Thanksgiving. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7Uxf3xTgQj6iAUCjmIQY.jpg) I’ve found strength in knowing my limitations. I found contentment in not being the girl at Kroger with a long list. Because let’s be honest – that grocery trip would be done with my mom on speed dial and lots of questions about where to find the $10 spice that I don’t have and only need a “dash” of anyway. Owning my ineptitude in this regard was easy and thankfully my family plays along – possibly because they’re guaranteed a decent dinner when we opt for take-out on a day that is centered around food. Choosing contentment here was easy because who doesn’t love Cracker Barrel? And I found a fix, right? When slaying the meal wasn’t in the cards for me, I found a way to make the day imperfectly-perfect. But what about the things I can’t fix? What about the areas of life where it’s not as easy as throwing on an apron and pulling a homemade meal out of brown paper bag? In the spirit of transparency, and since I have already owned up to some really big failures here, I will go a bit deeper … when we sit down at our Thanksgiving table this year and thank the Lord for our blessings, I will have more things to be grateful for than I can even list. Still, there are a couple prayers that have been burning deep in my heart, year after year, that He has yet to answer. I promise you, those unanswered prayers come to the top of my mind far more often than a moment of pure gratefulness for all I’ve been given. If gratitude is spun out of an appreciative and thankful heart, then contentment rests in the satisfaction that what we have is enough – even if it doesn’t feel that way. The empty ache that comes from a place of desire can be filled up with lots of “things” that are temporary and never satisfy. Leaning into the ache, the pain of imperfection, the yearning of prayers still unanswered, as Christians, should lead us right to the feet of Jesus. What better place to spend Thanksgiving Day than taking Him a grateful spirit and an honest prayer inviting Him to be in the longing of our heart. While our Thanksgiving tables may all look differently this year, we can all choose to set a place for contentment. We can rest in the gift of not having our fill and allowing Jesus alone to satisfy the craving of our hearts. Because He is better than any feast we can conjure up – even from Cracker Barrel! “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house: you give drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light, we see light.” (Psalm 36:7-9) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Teach Your Children to Pray](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-your-children-to-pray/) **Published:** October 25, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/zOtqJZYQRiW0kIhICpRQ.jpg) One of the great privileges of being a Christian parent is sharing your faith with your child. One of the most important parts about sharing my faith with my kids is sharing with them the blessing of prayer and how the God of the universe desires to hear our hearts and work in every aspect of our lives. It can be tricky though, teaching kids to pray. Mainly I think because I am not an expert myself (you too?). But the greatest thing about the God we serve is that we don’t have to be an expert to come to Him or to model His love and His ways to others. And so here are just a handful of ideas on teaching our children how to pray. ### 1. Model the correct way to pray What I mean by modeling is simply this: pray out loud around your kids. It’s that simple. If you choose to pray with your kids each night before bed, maybe go first. Model for them what types of things you say to the Lord, what sort of requests you bring to His throne, the praises you give Him, and the forgiveness you ask for. Teach them to pray by doing it in front of them so they can, essentially, copy what you do. Don’t be afraid of being perfect or messing things up – God simply wants us to come to Him as we are. If you aren’t sure exactly how to pray out loud, here are some great resources to get you started: - [Prayer and Motherhood: a Podcast Interview with Valerie Woerner](https://www.risenmotherhood.com/show-archive/ep-61-prayer-motherhood-an-interview-with-valerie-woerner?rq=prayer) - [Intentional Prayer Cards](http://www.intentionalprayercards.com/shop) ### 2. Don’t push or pressure them I don’t know about you, but if someone pressures me into doing something, even if it is good and even if it was something I intended to do in the first place, there is a part of me that doesn’t want to do it, just because it wasn’t out of my own free will. I want to be free to make my own choices. I think you’ll find that your kids are the same way and that this idea, however sinful and stubborn, is still true with prayer. When it comes time to pray before bed or before a meal, I never force my children to pray. I ask them if they’d like to pray and they most often say yes. But every now and again when the answer is no, I respect that choice. I never want them to come to resent me or prayer or the Lord because they were forced to pray at times when something inside of them just wanted to be quiet. I have those moments myself and I want to respect those moments when they come up in the lives of my kids as well. I want them to want to pray, not do it because I demand it of them. ### 3. Mention prayer requests and pray for them Before bedtime prayers, I kneel in front of my son’s bed as he lays tucked inside his Spiderman fleece blanket and ask him if he has anything special he wants to pray for. If I’m being perfectly honest, most of these requests involve praying for the scrapes and bruises acquired over the last several days, oftentimes ones that have already healed. But, no matter, I still ask and we still pray. Because even praying for these seemingly small things shows my children that nothing is too benign to bring before the Father. Praying for specific requests also enables my kids to see the times when God answers their specific prayers. Even for the above-mentioned paper cuts and skinned knees. Because this gives me a chance to say, “Hey! Look at your knee, it looks normal! God is amazing and made your body to heal so well over just a short amount of time. Isn’t that great?!” Pointing out these answers to specific requests just further illustrates to my children how much God really does love us and want to be involve in our lives. ### 4. Encourage spontaneous prayer Having predictable times of prayer (before bed or before meals, etc.) is important for building good habits. But there is something really special when your kids learn to be more spontaneous in their prayers. There have been times when my son comes home feeling a little sad with how the day played out. Maybe he moved his clip down at school for talking too much or they friend he usually sits with at lunch wasn’t there that day. But we’ll stop and pray, right then and there, for the next day to be better, and I will assure him of God’s promise that each day is a new day. The same is true if we see an ambulance or hear of a disaster on the news or receive a text about a friend in a tough situation; we stop and we pray. Not every time, mind you, but it is such a good habit for children to learn to stop and pray about anything at anytime. Paul encourages us as believers to pray without ceasing and these spontaneous prayers are such a good way to model outwardly what we should already be doing inwardly. With all the ways we try and teach our kids how to live for the Lord – attending church, reaching out to others, reading scripture – let us not neglect the simple act of prayer and help them see what a true privilege it is that our great God wants to hear our hearts. Save **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Church History and the Reformation](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-church-history-and-the-reformation/) **Published:** October 17, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RmhTLh14SKKtc1PZosLT.jpg) Through learning about Church history, we can help our kids see God’s faithfulness to his people. On October 31st millions of Christians around the world will recognize and celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation which was started by Martin Luther when he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a Wittenberg church. The day is significant for the whole Church, as it represents how God moves through and uses his people to shape and change our world. We’ve rounded up ways to learn about Martin Luther and share Church history with your family. ### Learn about Church history on Minno: [**TorchLighters: Martin Luther**](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters/videos/the-martin-luther-story) In a world ruled by the church, all it took was one nail, one scroll, and one monk to turn everything upside-down! With his 95 Theses, Martin Luther changed the world. [*Also available in Spanish*](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters-en-espanol/videos/la-historia-de-martin-luther) Watch the whole [TorchLighters](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-torchlighters) series to learn even more about true-life heroes from Christian history. See what God can do through a “Torchlighter” and be challenged to carry your own torch while learning about the history of our faith. [**Pirate’s Guide to Church History**](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-pirates-guide-to-church-history) From Jesus Christ to Billy Graham, join Captain Pete as he shares about people, places and events from church history. ### Church History and Martin Luther Blogs and Resources: Sparkhouse Family shares[ 7 reasons to care about Martin Luther](http://blog.sparkhouse.org/7-reasons-you-should-care-about-martin-luther/#.WdvbfxOPL1I) and his legacy on their blog. They even sell a Martin Luther pop-up book! Jeff Robinson of the Gospel Coalition shares: - [7 reasons to teach your kids Church history and 3 books for helping you get started ](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-to-teach-our-children-church-history) - [5 reasons to teach your kids about the reformation](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-reasons-to-teach-your-kids-about-reformation) and 6 suggestions on how to do so along with recommended resources for your family. One of our Minno Life writers, Tauna Meyer, developed a [“hymn study”](https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/mighty-fortress-is-our-god-hymn-study.html) with a printable family devotional based on “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” written by Martin Luther. Hip Homeschool Moms created a [color-by-number Luther Rose Seal](http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/reformation-day-activities/) you can download for free and color with your children. On their website, the children’s ministry of Sojourn Church shares [4 resources](http://www.sojournkids.com/blog/2010/08/4-resources-for-teaching-church-history-to-young-children) they’ve found helpful for teaching Church history to young children. However you choose to recognize the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we hope that you are inspired to help your kids understand more about God’s people who have come before us and shaped our faith. Save **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Everything You Need to Know about Halloween](https://gominno.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-halloween/) **Published:** October 16, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vcV320PRlGL81WwAcaQf.jpg) Halloween can be a divisive topic among Christians. Some families celebrate light-heartedly and use the day as an opportunity to meet neighbors and build relationships, while some families feel led to abstain completely from the holiday. There’s a lot to unpack about Halloween and we’ve pulled together some resources in case you’re still discerning how your family will approach the day. - **Costume and Candy Kit** This [free download](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Costume-Candy-2017.pdf) is a fun way to incorporate Minno and our favorite *What’s In The Bible?* characters into your Halloween or Harvest celebrations. It also includes an All Saint’s Day printable to help your kids think about the other Christians in their lives who have shaped their faith. - **4 Ideas to Help Your Family Shine Light on Halloween** Halloween can be an opportunity to share God’s love with your children and those around you. [Heidi Franz shares 4 ways to help your family shine light on Halloween.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/4-ideas-family-shine-light-on-halloween) - **The History and Meaning of Halloween** [This blog post](https://www.gominno.com/blog/halloween-meaning-history-christianity) dives into the history and origins of Halloween and suggests that we can redeem Halloween by being the light of the world amidst the jack-o-lanterns. - **Voices: How Does Your Family Handle Halloween?** In this ‘Voices’ post, we’ve gathered an amazing group of parents and bloggers and asked them to share how they treat Halloween in their families. [Read their thoughtful responses. ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/voices-how-does-your-family-handle-halloween) - **How to Talk to Your Kids About Halloween** Halloween doesn’t have to be about glorifying the ugliness of evil. It can be a fun time of fellowship for the whole family–whether that means trunk or treating at your church’s harvest party or trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood with friends, or lovingly handing out snacks to little ballerinas, Obi-Wan’s and assorted clowns. [Read more.](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-halloween) ### 3 Halloween Videos on Minno Watch light-hearted videos about Halloween celebrations from a Christian perspective on Minno. 1. [**Davey & Goliath – Halloween Who-Dun-It**](https://www.gominno.com/series/davey-and-goliath-holiday-specials/videos/halloween-who-dun-it) Davey, Goliath, and Sally go on a Halloween adventure where mistaken identities cause hurt feelings. 2. **[Whirl: Ada & Friends – Offer Errings](https://www.gominno.com/series/whirl-ada-and-friends/videos/offer-errings)** At the church Halloween party, Victor comes up with a trick to get treats. All the treats! 3. **[Whirl: Leo & Friends – Party Supremacy](https://www.gominno.com/series/whirl-leo-and-friends/videos/party-supremacy)** When the kids are asked to help with a Halloween Party for the littler kids, Ruby and Gabe know what’s most important: Who’s in charge! Save Save **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: A Reflection for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month](https://gominno.com/blog/fearfully-and-wonderfully-made-a-reflection-for-pregnancy-infant-loss-awareness-month/) **Published:** October 14, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OXySFtDQ1KaGCv5UIO5H.jpg) We saw the familiar black and white ultrasound image on the screen. There she was, our first daughter, bouncing around inside of me. She had a perfect profile, two arms, two legs, ten fingers, and ten toes. She was pretty perfect. But a closer look revealed something troubling. This baby girl’s urinary system was partially absent, an issue that would ultimately complicate lung development and deem her “incompatible with life”. Instead of coming home to our house a few days after birth, this sweet one would fly home to Jesus. Three years later we stared at the same ultrasound screen, the same familiar image. This time a baby boy with the same perfect profile, two arms, two legs, ten fingers, and ten toes. But the same issues were present in this little one as in his big sister before him. Again our family was faced with the complications of this rare genetic anomaly and again we would birth a baby who was not meant for this world. Broken. That’s what my babies were, in this life anyway. But I know God the Father viewed them as more than that, more than just incompatible with life. He called them beautiful, perfect, specially purposed. He formed all their parts, even the broken ones, and called them good and fearfully and wonderfully made. **For you formed my inward parts, you covered me in my mother’s womb, I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well.** *Psalm 139:13-14* As I processed the loss of my two babies I took great comfort in these verses. God didn’t look at my babies as less than human. He did not see them as a mistake or an experiment or a throw away person. He looked at them the same way He looks at all of His children – with a tender love in His eyes and a smile that says I love how I made you. You are so beautiful to Me … October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. One in four women in the United States experience this type of loss. The odds are high that if you are reading this, you fall into that 25%. If that is the case I am so, so sorry. I know how deeply the pain runs in your heart, today and everyday. It is no easy burden to bear. My prayer today as we remember these little lives gone too soon is that we will all be keenly aware of what God the Father says about these babies. I want these little lives to be celebrated in the same way God celebrates them everyday as they walk in communion with Him in life eternal. And I want their mamas and daddies to know that these babies matter because they matter to God and Jesus died to make a way for them to enter eternity. They are souls loved and desired by their Creator. And for all of us loss parents who are in Christ, we will see our children again one day. One day we ourselves will cross over into eternity and drink deeply of the Heavenly atmosphere and then we will spin around and lock eyes with the Father and say, “Where are they Lord? I can’t wait to know them …” **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Sports Parenting: Knowing When to Quit](https://gominno.com/blog/sports-parenting-knowing-when-to-quit/) **Published:** September 23, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KapgIErgQq92J3CY1W37.jpg)* *Now that the school year has gotten into the swing of things, the season has come for little league soccer games, football under the Friday night lights, and every other sport you can imagine. While these days spent on the court or in the field bring joy, tough moments and conversations arise too. To shed some light on parenting athletes, we asked blogger and dad Aaron Conrad to share his approach in a four-part series over the next month.* A few months ago, we faced one of the most difficult conversations we have had thus far with our 10-year-old daughter. Some may read this and think it seems a bit silly, but others will understand our struggle. The moment she was able to pick a sport to play, she chose gymnastics. At first, it was fun. Minimal time. Minimal cost. Tumbling and dancing around. Fun. Then she kept moving through the various levels. Each new level brought more time, more money and a stronger commitment to the sport. This past summer, she spent her mornings in swim team practice and was quickly rushed to the gym for four hours of hard work. Before we knew it, her summer was gone. No sleepovers. No play dates with friends. Just hours in the gym working on her first love in the sporting arena: gymnastics. Over the years, we saw her continue to bounce back from injuries that would either end or completely crush her competition seasons. She never complained; she just kept on working hard. We knew the day would come when we would have to say that it was time for this sport to end. The list of reasons to call it “over” far outweighed the list of reasons to continue. When we sat down a few months ago, we knew her runway had one more year at the most. We were coming into summer and a window of time to make the decision. So we all sat down one night and had a very difficult talk. There were tears. There was mourning. It’s tough to tell your daughter that it’s time to “call it quits” on something she loves. While these kinds of conversations are tough, they’re likely to abound. That said, it’s important to navigate them well. Here’s a four step process that can help you and your child turn something seemingly negative into something positive: 1\. **Give your child options** – We knew that there would be a void for our daughter once gymnastics was removed. It’s all she has really ever known. It is where she finds community. By giving her some options of things she could try after gymnastics, the wound of leaving a sport she had worked so hard for began to heal. 2\. **Have them make a list of ideas for the next chapter** – One of the things that we did with our daughter was recommend that she make a list. I gave her a few ideas of other sports that she could try, but didn’t want her list to be my list. I recommended that she be as creative as she wanted to. This allowed her to take ownership in the decision process. I also promised we would follow up on anything she put on the list. 3\. **Follow up and execute on those ideas** – Once my daughter’s list was complete, my wife began to research all of the various clubs, leagues, and opportunities for each sport and activity. Thankfully many of the things that she wrote down were seasonal, so this allowed her to try multiple things – from swimming and diving to running club. 4\. **Encourage Always** – As we closed our conversation, I made sure I let our daughter know how proud I was of her. Her accomplishments and dedication to gymnastics will only help her in her future endeavors – whether sport related or not. I wanted her to know that it was okay to be sad about leaving one sport, but quickly show all of the possibilities that were yet to be tried. Sometimes being a parent is really hard. In the big picture, sports careers and choices are nothing to the much larger choices and discussions that lie ahead. Our daughter is testing and trying new sports to replace gymnastics. She may not be the best at any or all of them, but she is willing to try. What I celebrate most is that we began to establish a rhythm this summer. She accepted our counsel and dedicated herself to moving forward. Harder conversations may come later on down the road, but she knows we’ll handle those decisions the same loving way that we’ve handled the ones we’ve encountered thus far. *Aaron Conrad is a husband, father, follower of Christ, Tar Heel fan, random tweeter and believer that Love Does!* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Sports Parenting: Winning and Losing with Grace](https://gominno.com/blog/sports-parenting-winning-and-losing-with-grace/) **Published:** September 21, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/27qVXFgOQjSw0i6blSTn.jpg)* *Now that the school year has gotten into the swing of things, the season has come for little league soccer games, football under the Friday night lights, and every other sport you can imagine. While these days spent on the court or in the field bring joy, tough moments and conversations arise too. To shed some light on parenting athletes, we asked blogger and dad Aaron Conrad to share his approach in a four-part series over the next month.* We live in an interesting age. Big shoe contracts and endorsement deals have made it necessary for athletes to be more than just good at their sport. The more they can bring the spotlight to themselves, the better. The ESPN moment that follows the touchdown, dunk, or home-run is what gets the real attention. On top of this, social media has given individuals another outlet to bring attention to their own achievements. So how do we find balance and guide our little ones to win and lose with grace? As with most of the things that we teach our kids, I believe that this behavior and response is one that starts at a very early age. It’s okay to be excited about a moment in sports. It’s not okay to show up another player or opponent. One example I have used with our kids is former Detroit Lions running back, Barry Sanders. Arguably one of the greatest running backs of all time, Barry Sanders found the end zone many, many times (99 touchdowns to be exact). After every touchdown Barry would walk over to the referee, hand him the ball and jog back to the sidelines. No spike. No dance. No throat slash. No taking off the helmet or pounding his chest. Just a quiet, humble hand-off of the football to the referee. It’s been said that Barry had been there before and he knew he would be there again. It’s such a delicate balance between enjoying the moment and letting your emotions show and showing up an opponent or making them feel bad. My advice to my children is as follows: - **Give God the glory** – It is through Him and by Him that they are even able to play in the sports that they do. Be thankful for the opportunity to play as there are many that don’t or can’t have that opportunity. Let your reactions and your play reflect that of your maker. Ephesians 2:10 says: *For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.* - **Be like Barry Sanders** – When you win or lose, simply “hand the ball to the referee.” Your humility in your moment of glory will be far more impressive than any dance or attention you could draw to yourself. Humility in a moment of glory will be far more memorable. Galatians 6:14 says: *But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…* - **Respect your opponent in victory and in loss** – Treat your opponent, as you would want to be treated in victory or defeat. Encourage teammates that are down and celebrate the achievements of others. Lose well and win with humility. We are big fans of the Little League World Series at our house, and this past summer I noticed a very interesting trend watching it. In one particular game, the pitcher gave up a huge homerun to the other team. As the player was rounding third base towards home, the pitcher that surrendered the homerun met him there. He shook his hand and walked back to the mound. I was so impressed by that. Whoever they are, the coach and parents of that child are doing it right. Let’s encourage our children to always be gracious in victory and even more so in defeat. *Aaron Conrad is a husband, father, follower of Christ, Tar Heel fan, random tweeter and believer that Love Does!* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Introducing The Jesus Stories on Minno](https://gominno.com/blog/introducing-the-jesus-stories-on-jellytelly/) **Published:** September 18, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wm1foVSRSXtbPJPlrQe2.jpg) This week we are introducing a brand new series for preschoolers – [The Jesus Stories]()! **About The Jesus Stories** Best friends Charlie, Margie, Molly and Todd learn valuable lessons every time they get together – whether at playtime, working on a project, or at a birthday party – with the help of Jesus Stories from their favorite book, the Bible! **What Parents Should Know** Each episode of [The Jesus Stories]() is 10-minutes long and features one of Jesus’ parables within the narrative story – so kids can apply the parables to their own lives! There are 6 episodes of The Jesus Stories available in both English and Spanish. Check out the episode listing and some preview clips below! **The Little Lost Sheep** **The Unforgiving Servant** **The Good Samaritan** **The Wiseman and the Fool** **The Rich Fool** **The Merchant and His Treasure** Be sure to check out [the full series]() and [other great shows for preschoolers](../blog/best-christian-shows-for-preschoolers) on [Minno](../) today – your first week is free! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Sports Parenting: How to Encourage Your Kids When They Lose the Game](https://gominno.com/blog/sports-parenting-how-to-encourage-your-kids-when-they-lose-the-game/) **Published:** September 12, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QOhDdXXbRVelgI8r5NGO.jpg) *Now that the school year has gotten into the swing of things, the season has come for little league soccer games, football under the Friday night lights, and every other sport you can imagine. While these days spent on the court or in the field bring joy, tough moments and conversations arise too. To shed some light on parenting athletes, we asked blogger and dad Aaron Conrad to share his approach in a four-part series over the next month.* Before my son was born I read a quote by *Sports Illustrated* writer Rick Reilly. The quote stuck with me. I remember thinking I needed to “get ready for that day” and wondering how I would handle it. “That day” did eventually come, but first, let me share the quote…. *“We are here to be there for our kid when they score the game winning goal… and especially when they don’t.”* A few years ago, my son, who was 10 at the time, was asked to play in an Amateur Athletic Union basketball tournament with some of the other kids from local travel teams. It was a good team with a solid collection of players from the area. As he was out-of-town for the team’s only practice, he had to learn on the fly. As expected, the results were a little rough in the beginning. However, by the end of the tournament, they got it together and were making a furious comeback. In the final minute of the last game, my son was fouled when his team was down by two. It was his chance to tie the game. An excellent shooter, he calmly stepped to the line and made the first basket. His coach called a time out, and he stepped back to the line. One down, one to go. He shot the ball and it bounced out. The other team rebounded it and headed down court. My son’s team fouled one of their players who made his first free throw and missed his second. My son rebounded and was fouled by the other team! With seconds left on the clock, he had the opportunity to tie the game once again. First shot…swish. Second shot rimmed out. They get the rebound, the horn sounds, and my son is crushed. After shaking hands with the opposing team, I could see that he was not taking it well. He began to cry, saying it was all his fault. After their team huddle, we took a walk and I put my arm around him. I reminded him that his team missed 15 free throws during that game – his just happened to come at the end. I reminded him that this was a tournament and there would be more opportunities to make the game winning shot. I did my best, but my heart was breaking for him. What do you say to your child after a loss? I’m no expert, but here are a few things I try to remember to do: 1\. **Don’t focus on what ‘could’ve happened’** – No matter what sports our children play, or how good they are, no one goes undefeated forever. There will be losses. When losses happen, it’s important that we do not focus on their faults. There will be a time to review what could have gone differently. Reviewing it immediately after a loss is not that time. 2\. **Encourage always** – In that moment following a loss, it’s critical that we focus on the positive moments and encourage our children for what they did right. An arm around their shoulder or a pat on the back will go much farther than reminding them what they did wrong. There will be other games and other moments. What we do in the moments following a loss may make all the difference in that next game or moment. Colossians 3:21 says: *Fathers, do not provoke your children, less they become discouraged.* 3\. **Use loss to build character** – While losses are difficult, they do provide opportunities to build character. As adults, we understand that live also holds losses. As our children go through life, there will be losses that have nothing to do with sports. Relationships, occupations and opportunities will come and go in their lives too. How we respond to the losses will help guide them in how they should respond to other kinds of losses later on. Our words will be the training ground for the future, choose them wisely. If you’re wondering how my son has responded in the years and games that have followed, he didn’t have to wait too long for that next chance. The next weekend placed his travel basketball team directly across the court from the same team that had won the game the previous weekend. As the final minute drained to a close and the game tied, my son put in what would be the go-ahead and winning basket. I made sure he realized that. God is a God of second chances. I know these games are “just a game,” but I couldn’t help but think of the brokenness we can feel when life can crush us. Yet there are so many “next times” just around the corner. There is a chance to shine, to remember the pain but experience the joy. His team would go on to lose in the championship game in another very close contest. If you’re wondering…he was 8-8 at the free throw line for the tournament too. Remember… **“We are here to be there for our kid when they score the game winning goal…and especially when they don’t.” (Rick Reilly)** *Aaron Conrad is a husband, father, follower of Christ, Tar Heel fan, random tweeter and believer that Love Does!* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Empower Our Kids to Face Hard Things](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-empower-our-kids-to-face-hard-things/) **Published:** September 11, 2017 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/osyQ5wGWRxqpRHQhnH5F.jpg) At bedtime one night, my three-year-old daughter said out of the blue, “Mommy, I have to tell you sumpin. Everyone in the world is connected. Did you know that Mommy?” It stopped me in my tracks. This wasn’t the only time one of my small daughters had taught me about kindness and love for God’s people when I wasn’t even thinking about it. When my oldest daughter (now seven) was three, a little exchange happened between us. Upon leaving for a walk, I notice some coins stuffed in her back pocket. Me: “Why are you taking money with you to the park?” LB: “I’m just taking it in case we see someone who is sick or doesn’t have food to eat. Then I can get it for them.”. Around that same time, she made a little book one day with construction paper. She asked me to write some words in the book for her and dictated them to me: *Dear everyone,* *We love you.* *We love you so much, Jesus.* *If you don’t love someone, that’s not kind to Jesus.* *Love,* *LB* Oh, magical three-year-olds. Our little ones’ hearts are malleable, and truth is written on them early and easily. Their hearts are also big and untarnished by the world, a place that can be heartbreakingly unfair and unkind. Just this morning, one of my daughters’ friends lost her stepmom to cancer. It’s a place where awful things happen like diseases and car accidents and hurricanes. But it’s also a place where, every single day, we have the ability and choice to lighten the load with love, joy, hope. I recently heard a quote that spoke deeply to me: **“It’s not our job to toughen up our children to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.”** *(from Two Thousand Kisses A Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages by L.R. Knost)* It’s a subtlety that makes all the difference. Instead of focusing on preparing our children for an outside, evil world, we focus on the ways we raise them internally – in their souls and in our homes – to be lights in that world. Offense rather than the defense. Proactivity rather than resignation. If I told my young daughters that they needed to toughen up to face a cruel world, they would probably deflate, feeling like the world in all its heaviness was already stacked against them. What’s the point? How can someone be motivated to make a difference when it doesn’t seem like there’s possibility to actually change things? But equipping them with ways to actually shine and love and serve in the midst of a “cruel and heartless” world is actually empowering, not deflating. The Scriptures make it clear what our role is here… *“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”* (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV) *“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”* (John 8:12, NIV) Here are a few thoughts I’d like to share, as I ponder myself how I can raise my children this way, to carry the light, love and kindness of Jesus into the world… **It starts at home.** This might be obvious, but if I want my children to help make the world less cruel and heartless, then I need the culture of our home environment to be one of peace, connection, and joy, not hostility and punishment. The air they breathe at home is what will carry them into adulthood. I also need to give my children space and time to find their place in the world, their true God-given talents, and how they can contribute. The gift of time is so important. Busyness and a constant flurry of activity get in the way of God’s voice and by pushing through boredom (without looking at a screen!) kids have the chance to exercise their imaginations and put their own gifts and callings to work. Nothing is too insignificant – every small act of love and care fights against a cruel world and makes it a little more beautiful…even cradling a baby bird that fell out of its nest or planting a flower garden to share with others, or making pasta for a neighbor going through a hard time. **Listen to their ideas.** Some of the best life-changing ideas in this world have come from children. Their hearts are big and not held back by things that are seemingly impossible. We cannot be afraid to let our children attempt bigger things to make the world less cruel and more kind. Maybe it’s standing up to a bully on the playground. Or befriending that child in class who everyone else ignores. Maybe it’s a child with a big idea like Katie Stagliano, who at age 9 turned a tiny cabbage into a cabbage that grew to 40 pounds and helped feed over 275 people at a local soup kitchen. This grew into an organization today called [Katie’s Krops](https://www.katieskrops.com/), which establishes vegetable gardens of all sizes and donates harvests to help feed people in need. *A little child shall lead them.* **Be the light.** As a believer, I need to be proactive in doing my part to be a light in the world, to spread Jesus’ love in the place or “lane” I’ve been given. This includes my home and everyone who enters it, but I also have to actively share with my children how others all over the world are living and being treated. In a recent Facebook post, L.R. Knost said, *“I regularly discuss current events with my little people. They know about the Dreamers and the fight to save DACA, about the refugee crisis, about the travel ban, about the history of slavery in the US, about systemic racism, about the wall, and so much more. I don’t shield them from knowing about the hard things in this world, though I’ll protect them with my last breath from being hurt by them. But with knowledge and understanding comes the power to change things. **And that is my greatest hope for my children, that they will change the world instead of being changed by the world.**”* In our home, onesies and diapers are already gone for good, but we still have puzzle pieces and crayons and toys to pick up off the floor before going to bed. Soon enough, the days of when we had small children will all be one big, beautiful memory, their childhoods already created. How will I have stewarded the time we had with them in our homes? Will I have used this time wisely to raise them into people who carry Jesus’ light with them wherever they go? I hope so. Everyone in the world is connected. It starts with me, with us, right here. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [And If Not (Teaching Our Kids to Trust God Regardless)](https://gominno.com/blog/and-if-not-teaching-our-kids-to-trust-god-regardless/) **Published:** September 7, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OP58JCHQGee4Q3nBzyaB.jpg) “Hey bud, what’s your favorite Bible story?” I directed the question toward my son who was completely sprawled out on the couch, watching his favorite tv show. I was looking for writing inspiration on the topic of Bible stories and kids. At least this was a start. “Um,” He thought for a minute, “I think the story of how God gave a bunch of people lunch with only just a little bit of food.” “Oh yeah?” I asked, “Why?” “Because, it’s just cool. Like, because there was only a little bit of food but then everyone got full.” It is a pretty cool story. Jesus is preaching to a crowd of over 5,000 people. When lunchtime comes around, everyone is quite hungry. The disciples find a little boy with a little bit of food – five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus gives thanks for the food and begins dividing it among the crowd. When lunch is over, everyone has eaten until they are more than satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftover food are collected. It is an incredible story of the miraculous abundance that is more than possible with our great God. But what about those times when the miracle does not come? Another Bible story comes to mind, one quite familiar to those of us who grew up in the days of flannel graph Sunday School lessons. It is the story of three young men willing to take a stand for the God they loved. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew the law: anyone who does not bow down to the king will be thrown into the fiery furnace. But they also knew the law of their God: worship no one else besides Me. As these three young men stood facing the red-hot inferno, faces beading with sweat, they spoke these words, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it. But even if He does not, we will not worship your idols.” (Daniel 3:17-18) Even if He does not. Sometimes, He does not. We serve a truly awe-some God. Scripture holds testament to oil streams unending, lifelong disabilities taken away, debilitating illnesses healed, wombs opened, lives raised from death. And our real life, modern day brothers and sisters in Christ retell with great joy stories of cancer retreating, relationships restored, addictions broken, enemies temporarily unable to see. Our God is able – more than able – to do unbelievable things. And we love those stories because they feel so much like winning. But sometimes, He does not. Sometimes, there is not enough food. Diseases distort lives. Selfishness overcomes love. Babies die. Shackles remain. Those stories are hard to digest because those stories lack the miraculous, redemptive element that feels like a win. Those stories feel like great loss: one point for darkness, zero for the light. I love that my son loves the story that shows how big his God is. I love that he smiles at the thought of a little boy his age sharing a meager lunch with thousands upon thousands. I love that he imagines sharing baskets filled with turkey sandwiches, hold the mayo, and nacho cheese Doritos, that is, if it had been his lunch that was shared. I love everything about how he loves that story. But I never want him to think that the miraculous ending is the only one that shows forth God’s power and greatness. Our God can do anything. I truly believe it. I want my son to believe it. I want him to ask his great God, with all sincerity and faith, to perform big, unthinkable miracles all throughout his life. But I also want him to have the wherewithal and tenacity to know, just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did, that sometimes faith is most decidedly itself in the little space where lies, “Even if He does not …” Even if He does not, we will be faithful. Even if He does not, we will believe He is able. Even if He does not, He is still good. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Sports Parenting: 4 Tips for Parents of Athletes](https://gominno.com/blog/4-tips-for-parents-of-athletes/) **Published:** September 6, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Jj5TZaC0Rp6jCg8mtbpG.jpg) *Now that the school year has gotten into the swing of things, the season has come for little league soccer games, football under the friday night lights, and every other sport you can imagine. While these days spent on the court or in the field bring joy, tough moments and conversations arise too. To shed some light on parenting athletes, we asked blogger and dad Aaron Conrad to share his approach in a four-part series over the next month.* On October 6, 2000, God brought me my first and only son into this world. He would later grace our family with two girls. From day one, my wife and I agreed we would allow our children to choose a sport they enjoyed but we would ask that they at least try out a few of them. It seemed only natural that “the boy” would choose two of the sports that are nearest and dearest to my heart. From the time he could get up on two feet, there was a basketball hoop in his play area (I might have tilted the “favorite sport” in my favor by getting him hooked on hoops early and often). Now that he and the girls are older, I am starting to walk the fine line of parenting an athlete. To be honest, my wife Heather tackles this more for the girls. Heather was a swimmer, so our youngest daughter gets coaching and instruction from her. Our middle child is a gymnast so my wife and I are both in uncharted waters. Meanwhile, our son plays two sports I played and it’s been my joy to teach, instruct and guide him as he has grown. He currently plays at the highest-level league in both. So, how do you parent an athlete with all the challenges that arise from participating in sports? Let me unpack what I mean. I believe there is a fine line between coaching your child and being “that dad” that pushes too hard. I’ve seen it all on the teams I coach — from parents who are there just to cheer to parents that push their kids too hard the entire game. Where’s the balance? How can we challenge our kids without pushing them to the point where they tune us out completely? I struggle game-to-game with how to be an encouraging dad to my children as they’re “out on the field.” Below are some thoughts I try to remind myself of in the tough moments: - **Be honest in your evaluation of their talent** – We all believe our kids are the best at whatever they do. We’re convinced they will be all-American athletes. We tend to make this assessment before they can even run, throw, dribble, shoot or catch. We just know our kids will be the ones with their names in lights. Could it be that they won’t? It’s a tough thing to answer, but doing so will allow you and your little athletes to enjoy the sports they are involved in. Your expectations won’t be so high and their dreams won’t be crushed. - **Know their strengths and weaknesses** – Before our children even put on a uniform for the first time, we have a pretty good idea of how they’re “bent.” We know how our kids are wired – whether they are aggressive, passive, patient, or energetic. Choosing a sport and a position where each of them can grow and utilize those talents is a great place to start. Once they begin playing the sports they chose, you must remember how they are wired. If you have a passive child by nature, you can’t expect aggressive play. It may come one day or it just may not be in the cards. - **Choose wisely** – If your town is like ours, there are most likely multiple leagues with wide ranges of talent levels. This reiterates my first point: be honest in your evaluation of their talent. If you believe your child might not be elite at a particular sport, put them in a league where they can enjoy the sport while not getting discouraged. If you see real talent and ability that needs refined, put them in a league where they will be challenged to get better. It might take some trial and error. If they are overmatched, be okay with moving to a different league. If they are dominating with little effort, it’s time to move them up. - **Encourage always** – I have no idea if I’m getting this right. I honestly don’t. The reality is that no matter how good or bad our little athletes are, we need to always encourage them. Even though they are ours, they have their own minds, bodies and emotions. As in life, winning often involves repeated failure. As long as they are trying, we need to encourage each miss and celebrate each hit. As this is a real struggle for me, I’d love to hear your thoughts as well I want the best for my kids. I want them to reach their full potential while enjoying each moment in every game. It’s a tough line to walk – I just hope I’m getting some of it right. *Aaron Conrad is a husband, father, follower of Christ, Tar Heel fan, random tweeter and believer that Love Does!* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Pray for Parenting Guidance](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-pray-for-parenting-guidance/) **Published:** August 24, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Y4flQZpERKaybAUCNvmK.jpg) I opened the door in the mudroom that leads out to the garage to start my mid-morning workout. My kids were laying on the couch watching a show. I put one foot onto the wooden step and then remembered my son’s summer workout schedule, the one my husband put together for him to keep him active and growing stronger instead of vegetating in front of an iscreen all summer. “Hey bud, please get your sneakers on and come out here with me. It’s time to exercise.” He nodded and slowly slumped off the couch to grab his sneakers. Aw, just let him stay on the couch, I thought to myself, it is summer break after all. “Ok, come meet me out here when you’re done getting your shoes on,” I instructed him one more time, for good measure. But even still, that second voice was very audible in my head, is this really necessary for him? I wish I could tell you that every parenting decision I make is stamped with a seal of one hundred percent confidence that I am doing precisely the exact right thing for my kids in that moment. I wish I could say that every disciplinary act, every instruction given, every decision made for their future was made without a trace of doubt or uncertainty. But that would be a lie. Because the truth is, clipping right behind the heels of every parenting decision I have ever made is a hazy gray cloud named Ambiguity. And it makes me wonder if I ever actually make the right choice. I say no to Doritos for a snack … maybe I should just let them? I instruct them to turn off the TV … but they’re right in the middle of the show … I sleep train my baby by letting him cry it out … am I damaging our trust relationship? I send my child to public school … am I doing him a disservice by not choosing private Christian education? The scenarios are as myriad as the battling emotions attached to each one. I want what is absolutely best for my children, but it is just so hard to know the right answer each time. I suppose the problem lies in knowing that there isn’t just one right answer. So how do we navigate this world that presents us with not just an up or down elevator but the kind from Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory that can send us sideways and longways and squareways and any which way we can think of? The “J” on the end of my ISFJ Meyers-Briggs personality type means that I like structure. I like black and whites, rules, clear options and outlines. This Wonkavator world is really hard for me sometimes. But there is a verse in God’s word that does make things a little more cut and dry and comfortable for someone like me. James 1:5 tells us, **“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all …”** My natural state isn’t exactly filled with the wisdom of God. Like I said, it’s usually filled with battling desires and decisions all tainted by a sinful heart. But God promises that He will give wisdom to anyone who asks, and that He will give it generously. And so that is my strategy against the sting of self-doubt. In a moment of uncertainty I send a quick prayer heavenward for guidance, no matter how seemingly small the situation, and trust that the Holy Spirit will prompt my heart and mind accordingly. And then, most days, I follow through, trusting fully that whatever the result was, it was exactly how the Lord wanted it to go. You know, this is not a foolproof plan. Being human I am sure that I move out of fear or insecurity or anger or frustration too many times to count. But submitting my decisions under the umbrella of God’s wisdom gives me more confidence than I could ever muster on my own. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Free Back to School Activity Pack Featuring Galaxy Buck](https://gominno.com/blog/free-back-to-school-activity-pack-featuring-galaxy-buck/) **Published:** August 21, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ck3nlF6VQT6YC5oo9JcL.jpg) Have a SPACE-tacular back to school year with Minno and Galaxy Buck! [Download this free back to school activity pack for your kiddos](https://www.gominno.com/files/downloads/Minno-out-of-this-world-school-activity-pack.pdf). *[Galaxy Buck](https://www.gominno.com/series/galaxy-buck)* is a deep space adventure movie starring Buck Denver and Friends as they take the good news of the Gospel to every corner of the Milky Way! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/trHjUWq0R9qoiIAiIzEw.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/files/downloads/Minno-out-of-this-world-school-activity-pack.pdf) The pack includes coloring pages, a back to school prayer, lunch box notes, a first day of school family devotional, and more! Then watch *[Galaxy Buck](https://www.gominno.com/series/galaxy-buck)* as a family on [Minno](http://www.gominno.com)! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Charlottesville](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-charlottesville/) **Published:** August 15, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/f8HEdxPpRqGR1CpdEPBx.jpg) Have you, like many Americans and others around the world, been watching the news this week with an unsettling mix of horror and dread? As neo-Nazis and alt-right activists marched around Charlottesville, VA this week and their images were juxtaposed against counter-protesters, one of whom was violently killed, I felt the weight of what was happening in a new way. I saw my daughter playing out of the corner of my eye, and I wondered *how do I talk to her about this? What do I say? How do I show her and tell her that Jesus is the only answer to the brokenness of this world, and that Gospel-centered reconciliation is a necessity?* As Christian parents, we can’t always turn off the news. We can’t pretend racism, violence, or our country’s history don’t exist. Instead, our call is to have hard conversations that don’t hide the truth, that honor God, that point to him as the ultimate authority in heaven and on earth, and that are filled with prayers for our country and for all of God’s people. As we navigate Charlottesville and other issues to come, I pray the Lord fills our hearts and tongues with the right thoughts, words and actions. Here is a helpful list of places to start – conversations, books, ideas and more – to talk to your kids about Charlottesville and beyond: **[How to Talk to Your Kids about the Violence in Charlottesville from the *LA Times*](http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-charlottesville-talking-to-kids-20170812-htmlstory.html)** Here is a fantastic list of 9 tips for talking to your kids about Charlottesville and the surrounding issues. [**How to Talk to Your Kids about Charlottesville from *The* *New York Times*** ](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/books/review/children-violence-racism-charlottesville.html) From the NY Times Book Review, this article shares a list of books that can help start the conversation about racism with your kids. **[How to Talk to Kids about Race: Books and Resources that Can Help from *Brightly*](http://www.readbrightly.com/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-books-and-resources-that-can-help/)** This article is a mix of tips, resources, and books to help you navigate tricky conversations about race and the history of race in America. **[Talking with Children about Racism from *Seedbed*](http://www.seedbed.com/talking-with-children-about-racism/)** I really appreciate the Christian perspective and helpful conversations starters in this article from Seedbed. [**How to Talk to Kids about Racism: An Age-By-Age Guide from *Today’s Parent*** ](https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-racism-an-age-by-age-guide/) Have kids of different ages? This article outlines the different ways you can talk to kids about racism based on their ages and experience. [**How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism from *Rage Against the Minivan*** ](http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2017/08/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-racism.html) Kristen Howerton is mom who writes about faith, adoption, and a number of other topics on her popular blog. Her perspective on Charlottesville is unique and her suggested resources are really helpful. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Ooops! I Signed Up for the PTO](https://gominno.com/blog/ooops-i-signed-up-for-the-pto/) **Published:** August 10, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3tFGr5jT3q94kuGM60bq.jpg) When our son was beginning his first grade year, I dared to approach the PTO line at Back to School night. It may sound silly, but it took a bit of courage for me. As a working mom, the lists of committees and volunteer opportunities overwhelmed my heart. Each spot was an opportunity to sign my name and have a role in making the school better. What I knew though, was that as much as I wanted to help in the library or on the event committee, I had no margin of myself left to give. My heart said yes, but practically speaking, there wasn’t a feasible way to add more plates to the ones I was already spinning. Nevertheless, I signed my name to multiple lines. I told myself we’d work it out and somehow I would find a chunk of time to give. I handed over the PTO fee. I was in complete chaos mode and I was certain that I wasn’t hiding it well from the moms behind the PTO table. I remember thinking – they can see right through me, they know I won’t end up helping with any of these things and they think I’m absolutely one hot mess. Funny how we judge others thoughts about us. It’s easy to assume they think the worst of us. We gather up the weight of insecurity and carry it with us as if it were something we’ve purchased; an impulse buy that we can’t return. I assumed they were judging me as harshly as I judged myself. I carried a deep sense of sadness for what I truly wanted to be able to do and what I practically had time for that year. As the year went on, emails came from the different committees that I’d offered to help. Each time I filed them under a to-do folder and I never came back to them. As a mom, sometimes the daily lists of things that need to be done each day can be so overwhelming. **The currency of time and how I spend it is often far less about what I want to do and more what’s required of me and who is screaming the loudest.** > ## *“The currency of time and how I spend it is often far less about what I want to do and more what’s required of me and who is screaming the loudest.”* Somewhere early in the fall, I became intentional about speaking to other mothers whose kids were in the class. I connected with one mom in particular who happened to be involved in the classroom and volunteered on some of the PTO committees. I assumed she thought I was a disconnected. I wondered if she knew I had a photo badge to volunteer even though I’d yet to be there to actually serve. I assumed she was as disappointed in my lack of involvement as I was. After a while though, she seemed so nice. I carved out a few pockets of time for a play date on the weekend and for drinks at the end of the day. She began sharing with me little nuggets of gold from the class that she’d seen. I came to know the kids and some of their personalities through her stories. Every now and then, I’d hear of things I could do, ways I could help and be a part of the class even if I physically couldn’t be there. I started to contribute in whatever ways I could, even if it was different than most typical PTO moms. One day at the end of the year while I was in a meeting at work, a text message from her popped up on my phone. She sent me a note about something my son had drawn depicting who he wanted to be when he grew up. He said, “100 years from now I want to be … myself, because I like me”. My new friend knew that would be gold for this Momma’s heart. I sat at a conference table, nearly 20 miles away feeling so very connected to my son and his class and my heart was full. This mom had become a dear friend. Through her the PTO moms didn’t feel so scary to me anymore. It allowed me to give myself some grace and not judge myself so harshly. It also allowed me to be oh so grateful to the moms who do serve so tirelessly on those committees each year. I saw glimpses of their hard work and dedication and I saw how many of them also didn’t have an abundance of time to offer, but what they did was serve and it made the school such a better place for our little ones. My schedule and the fast paced rhythm of my days may not always go at this speed. I may have the ability to play a more integral role in the school in the years to come. And if I do, I’ll remember the kindness of my sweet mom-friend and how she made this working mom feel like she was a part of the day to day simply by sharing what she saw, helping to bridge the gap by offering ways I could serve and being an encouragement to me. What I learned is this … I carried bonafide working mom guilt that kept me from offering what I could. **I let my “I can’t” keep me from my “I could.”** I nearly fell into the trap of self- judgment that could’ve set me up for several long years of not playing a part in our son’s classroom experiences. But one other momma and her encouragement helped me find a way to be ok with what I had to offer. > ## *“I let my “I can’t” keep me from my “I could.””* Just like the saying goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side…” So it goes with the dichotomy between working moms and stay at home moms. It’s easy for each of us at times to wish we were in the others shoes instead of walking our own path and offering the gift of our own abilities and encouraging one another along the way. My challenge to all of us momma’s is this … On the playground of life, **let’s be moms who cultivate relationships in myriad ways. We can be a frontline example to our children about including and encouraging others. We can support one another while acting out of our own gifts.** And why would we want to be anything other than that. You do you, momma. And I’ll do me. Together, I bet we’d make a great team. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [A Prayer for a New Dad](https://gominno.com/blog/a-prayer-for-a-new-dad/) **Published:** August 9, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1bmXKrXSQIOE1qP2REIV.jpg) Dear Father, I know you see your beloved one, your beloved son gazing for the first time into the eyes of a little soul who will one day call him daddy. I know you see him and rejoice with him as tears brim in his eyes and as he holds that little one close and as his heart expands in every direction. I know you see how he tenderly brushes his newborn’s cheeks with just the tips of his fingers and plants soft, gentle kisses on baby’s forehead. I know you see how he marvels that the tiny being whose kicks he used to see bump up and down from his wife’s belly is here, is touchable, tangible, real. Thank you for giving him this sweet, sweet gift that suddenly puts the whole world into perspective. I know you see your son as he tries his hardest to be a good partner for his wife in these early days. I pray that you can equip him to be her strength – physical and emotional – as she navigates through the labyrinth of postpartum recovery. Fill him with supernatural patience, kindness, and understanding as he sees a side of his wife, his new mama-bear wife, that he has never known before now. Give him endurance through the long nights and the ability to encourage his wife in just the right way. Equip him to be her biggest cheerleader. Dear God give your son everything he needs to parent this child’s unique heart. Maybe this baby will grow up to be just like him – same interests, same vices, same personality bents. But if this child is very different, give him a heart that desires to know this little one and what makes them tick, what makes their heart sing, what fills their eyes with tears. Set his heart ablaze with exactly all the ways he needs to customize his life’s approach to parent this little one’s heart. Help him to see just how important it is to be a safe place for that child’s heart to land. I pray that this man will be the best father he can be to this new little one. I pray that he will draw from the goodness in all the strong male figures he has known and be the best version of himself for this little person. I pray that he will not be discouraged if his own father did not lead well or live worthy of emulation, but that he will know he can walk apart from what he saw growing up. I pray that he knows that he can look to You as the ultimate example of a strong, just, loving, and sacrificial father. Equip him to be the father he desires to be, the one his child needs him to be. I pray Lord that you would give him the humility to recognize that, apart from you, he cannot lead his family well. I ask that he would seek what is best for his wife and child through prayer, through wise counsel, and through what You reveal as he spends time in Your word. Father, you tell us that your word will never return void and so I pray that this man will fill his mind with your truths, with the scriptures that will be the very sword with which he will battle the enemy, the one who seeks to swallow his family up into the darkness of this world. Motivate him and equip him to build his paternal foundation on the solid rock that will not be moved. Father God, the world tells us that more and bigger and busy is better. Give your son the wisdom to know when to say no to more work hours, to more activities, to one more night out with the guys. Give him wisdom and discretion with his time because babies don’t keep. And give him wisdom and discretion with his finances for the good of the future of his sweet new baby and dear wife. Equip him with eyes to see that sometimes, oftentimes, small, quiet, and modest are the best ways to live. And, above all Father, in this broken world that is cruel and unforgiving at times, give this new daddy comfort in what your Child has given so that his child can be promised an eternity of perfection and peace. Give this father faith and trust in you, that you have a plan for his baby, and one that guarantees the title of “best.” Help him to live in a way that is mindful of the life after life so that it can be modeled for this child in his care. Give him eyes to live in light of eternity and let all the peripherals to fall into perspective because of it. I pray these things in your Son’s name, Amen. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [A Prayer for a New Mama](https://gominno.com/blog/a-prayer-for-a-new-mama/) **Published:** July 17, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2YLiYEyVTEuZqbgFl72A.jpg) Dear Father, I know you see your beloved one, the one who just brought new life into the world. I know you see her – tired, weary, full of joy, and full of love like she’s never known. I pray she knows that the very same deep, deep love she has for her baby is just the tiniest glimpse of your never-ending love for her. Give her a vision of you rejoicing greatly and singing over her as she does the same with her sweet new baby. Father, I pray she will lean on your strength to help her make it through the long, long nights and days broken up into three hour feeding increments. Give her the stamina, endurance, and tenacity necessary to put the needs of her baby above her own, even as she pushes through sleep (and shower!) deprivation. And help her not to be too proud to admit she needs help and then to ask for and accept it. Father God, help her to know that you are in all her moments, no matter how mundane or repetitive, that you see even the ten thousandth diaper change and the forty-seventh load of laundry. Help her recognize that she can invite you – the glorious – into the mundanity of infant care with a prayer, a song, a purposed thought. Help her know that you are near and that you see her. I pray you grant her wisdom as she faces each day trying to make the best decisions for her little one. Help her not to be discouraged by the slew of advice and helpful suggestions, and give her discernment as she tries to weed through them all to find the gems she can use. Help her not to be discouraged at doctor’s appointments and know that sometimes doctors say too much and sometimes they don’t say enough and that she needs to trust her instincts when it comes to her baby. Protect her from self-criticism as the enemy preys on her sleep-deprived mind and body. Give her confidence in her abilities to be the best person to care for her baby because she is the one you handpicked for that very special job. Don’t let her beat herself up if her baby isn’t taking to a schedule or feeding as well as her friend’s babies. Encourage her heart to know that she is doing her best and that is enough. Help her not compare her chapter one to someone else’s chapter six. Father, please give her your eyes to see her beauty in these postpartum days. Help her to see that her body bears the marks of one who built and brought forth life and that is such a beautiful privilege. Help her to praise the fact that she is fearfully and wonderfully made, and that includes her body’s ability to grow life and the physical changes that occurred because of that experience. Help her to know she is cherished and treasured and lovely in your eyes. And Heavenly Father, above all, give this sweet woman a heart to know that no matter what lies ahead for her and her baby, they are both in your hands. Help her to rest in your sovereignty and your plan for their lives. Help her to know the hope of a perfect eternity with you where there will be rest and peace and never a tear. Give her hope in that blessed assurance as she faces this life, with all its many joys and all its many sorrows, and give her a peace that passes all understanding. Thank you Father. And it is in the precious name of your son, Jesus, that I ask these things. Amen. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Boys of Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/the-boys-of-summer/) **Published:** July 5, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jdpPU2EDSkyYGRYG7m8x.jpg) My eight-year-old stood in front of a 120-foot water slide with big, bright eyes. His excitement was palpable. God has gifted him with an innate spirit of adventure. As his mother, I was way out of my comfort zone. There was nothing standing between my little boy and the slide that he’d been waiting to tackle for over a year – except me. I was riddled with fear. This was my first baby. 8 years later, here he stands – so ready to take his turn down this slide. There comes a time in every mother’s heart when nurturing a son gives way to becoming an anchor for him. We begin the delicate balance of setting boundaries for them and allowing them to open doors towards independence. We learn to step back and watch them dive head first into life, get dirty, and maybe even get hurt while they figure out this whole life thing. This is where I was hung up. I wanted to protect him and keep him safe, but he wanted to plunge right in! My hesitation was casting a negative light on this flicker of excitement in his heart and his insatiable desire for adventure. He was showing me who God made him to be. I was second guessing, wavering. By my obvious display of fear, I casted doubt on who he was and ultimately, who God made him to be. As they’ve grown, finding my footing as a mother to sons has been clumsy at best. If I am being really honest with you, each season of letting go and trusting the Lord with my children has always been a deep struggle for me, but the Lord keeps providing opportunities to trust Him with them. *Enter, Summer.* Summer opens wide the doors to the hearts of little boys and lots of opportunities for moms to begin letting go, slowly. It’s all dirt and sweat, bugs and smelly shoes. It’s exploring the outdoors and playing outside until it’s dark. It’s popsicles and water bottles, being bored and being tired. These are the gifts of warmer weather and what makes up meaningful childhood memories. Summer is a necessary rite of passage for every little boy. In a time where screens are abundant, it takes real effort to not stay tucked inside, swiping left to right and ignoring what’s just outside. This is not the life God created. He intended for them to breathe in the day on a hike, wreck their bike in the driveway, wrestle with their siblings in the backyard, have a picnic on the back porch, jump into puddles after a hard rain, and maybe even have their feelings hurt by the kid down the street. Keeping our sons from these types of experiences may feed my desire for security, but that safety net is misleading because what follows are life lessons left unlearned and little boys that grow up to be men who are emotionally imbalanced and unhealthy. For the sake of clarity, I must mention by no means do I believe we should throw caution to the wind and not use our natural instincts as mothers to care for our children. It’s just that I’ve learned hovering over them, fighting their battles, and micromanaging the world around them doesn’t garner long-term results. The opportunities to do these things sneak up on us and often are presented as the right choice in the moment, but taking a step back helps gain perspective of the enduring consequences. I’ve noticed when I loosen my grip and give him the freedom he’s ready for, he comes bounding back and cannot wait to share his experiences with me. And that’s just what happened … Indeed, my sweet boy rode the water slide that he felt was calling his name. I wish you could’ve seen the true joy on his face when he was done! We celebrated just before he sprung off in search of his next adventure. I was thrilled to have shared that moment with him. Each new and exciting thing he does brings a reminder that he isn’t mine at all. I close my eyes and lean into Jesus thanking Him for this wild, warrior of a son we were given and for the transformation He’s doing in my heart as I learn to trust Him along the way. In these days, let’s open the windows for them, shall we? Let’s say yes more often, let’s allow them to take risks, play more, and linger a bit longer outside for soon enough, the sun will set, the days will be shorter, and it will be winter once more. Here is my prayer in this season … *Father, for the gift of being a mother, thank You.* *For the chance to play a role in raising these boys to become men who love You, we’re grateful.* *Help us as mothers to see the beauty in each new season of our sons’ lives and to celebrate it!* *Make us a soft place to land for them in a world that is quick to anger and slow to encourage.* *Remind us that they belong to You.* *Stir us to pray fervently for their hearts to look to You.* *Guide them to the Cross early in their lives.* *Adjust their gaze each day so that they see the hurting and love others well.* *Encourage them to let go of the things of the world and grab tightly to You.* *Hold them close and when they make a wrong turn – make a path for them.* *Foster the desire for adventure You’ve given them.* *Draw them into the beauty of the world You’ve created.* *Shine bright through each chapter of their lives.* *And even when they’re men, may they always be in their hearts – the boys of summer …* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Fun Ways to Carry Learning Into Summer](https://gominno.com/blog/fun-ways-to-carry-learning-into-summer/) **Published:** June 22, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5lq6Ci6ASCOxszWR9Zyq_Learning%20Over%20Summer.jpg.jpg) Summertime is often one of the most exciting times for families. As the school year winds down and families plan day trips and vacations together, why not weave the fun of learning into it all? The promise of more time spent together and longer days full of fun and adventure are some of the best memory making opportunities for a family. Sometimes, when we are so busy having fun, we can overlook simple opportunities to carry learning into summer. Today I want to share with you 4 fun ways you can build more learning opportunities in your summer. Don’t worry, these are low-stress and don’t require a lot of preparation, or money, I promise. **1. Scavenger Hunts** Scavenger hunts are the perfect way to have fun and learn all at the same time! Oftentimes scavenger hunts provide us with the chance to use our analytical thinking skills, navigational skills, team work, and of course exercise our body all at the same time. We also find a lot of joy and laughter accompany our family scavenger hunts, too. There are so many great free printable scavenger hunts that you can easily change the theme for maximum fun and learning. We enjoy all the different themed scavenger hunts you can find on the web for any season or occasion. In honor of summer here are [20 free printable summer scavenger hunts](https://todaysfrugalfamily.com/20-scavenger-hunt-printables-summer/) to get you and your family started. **2. Read Aloud** Reading aloud is one of our family’s all time favorite activities to relax and learn about what ever we are interested in at the time. If we are going on a trip, we always grab books at the library to study up on the place we are traveling. This has been an amazing tool to keep the learning alive while practicing reading skills and group discussions. We enjoy taking turns reading aloud to one another no matter where we are. The nice thing about books is that you can put them in a bag or backpack and read them in the park, in the car, on a plane, at the beach, or anywhere else your family may go. **3. Campfire Spelling Bees** This is a family favorite. What better way to take the stress out of spelling then to have a little family-friendly spelling bee around the ambiance of the campfire? As a matter of fact, just last night, [we made s’mores](https://todaysfrugalfamily.com/25-of-the-best-smores-recipes-on-the-web/) and had a family spelling bee in our backyard! We start off spelling words associated with what we are doing and then begin to find things in our surroundings to spell. This is always a huge hit with our three children and never ceases to build spelling and vocabulary at the same time. Oh! And the parents definitely learn a lot too. Our campfire spelling bee is truly a fun and jam-packed learning experience for all. Hopefully these ideas will have you and your family learning more this summer as you enjoy all those fun family activities you have planned. With a little intentional planning, there are no limits to the learning and fun you can have together while making summer memories! If you are looking for even more great ways to learn together this summer, here are [7 more ways to do so](https://todaysfrugalfamily.com/7-frugal-ways-to-build-learning-into-summer-without-summer-school/). **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Summer Fun for Moms (It's Not Just About the Kids!)](https://gominno.com/blog/summer-fun-for-moms-its-not-just-about-the-kids/) **Published:** June 20, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/zHzesosSueGjSFidJQT5_summer-fun-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) School is out and summer is in full force! Personally, I love the first week of summer because everyone sleeps in a little later (or I pretend they do and pull the covers over my head a bit longer), and the morning rush transforms into a carefree laziness. When that first week of bliss fades away, the heat settles in and the word “bored” floats around the house, we set out to plan out the best summer for our kids to cut out any chance for boredom. My kids eyes lit up last week when they saw the colorful schedule of Vacation Bible Schools (yes, plural!), dance camps, cheer camps, swim parties and more! Then I realized looking at the summer fun schedule, I forgot about me. Many times as parents we focus on making sure our kids have a really fun summer, but what about us?! We spend our time cleaning up sticky popsicle drips, washing endless loads of wet towels, driving them from this camp to that pool party. Whether you are a full time working mom, or a stay at home mom – I think we can all agree on one thing – we want to enjoy summer, too! So, how can moms have a fun summer, too? A great thing to remember above anything else – God is a fun, relational God. And we are made in His image. We work hard and rest well so we can enjoy this life we have. We tend to overwork ourselves and put too much pressure on being the “best parents”. God created the beautiful world around us to enjoy, so we need to take the time to enjoy it. Here are a few ideas to make sure YOU are enjoying summer just as much as your kids: **Slow down.** You work so hard all year long, let this be an opportunity to slow down and pace yourself more. Cut a few things out of your schedule to enjoy more family time. If you can, take a few extra days off work to plan some fun days with the kids. **Don’t just plan the fun – enjoy it!** Taking the kids to the pool for the thousandth time? Set your book down and go do a cannonball off the diving board. You may surprise your preteen and embarrass them to no end – but they will never forget it! How can you truly enjoy your summer watching from the sidelines?! **Take some time for you.** Plan a few girls nights – go see a movie, or even take a quick weekend away! Get a sitter and go to the waterpark with your husband, without the kids. Surprise yourself with something you haven’t thought about doing in years. Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life! **Be adventurous.** How can you think outside the box to have a little more fun? Plan a water balloon attack or have ice cream sundaes for dinner. Take a camping trip or go star gazing. Consider what your kids enjoy and introduce them to some things that you love. You will grow closer if you take the time to know each other better. When you decide you are going to have a fun summer, your kids will have even more fun! Every time I step away from my tasks to really enjoy the fun with my kids, they are so grateful and it fills their love tank. These are the memories I want to create that my children will always look back on. Alright mama, now go fill those water balloons and break out that swimsuit – it’s going to be a fun summer!! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Encouragement](https://gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-encouragement/) **Published:** June 19, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wEfpRrITXuN4mCDP13VC_JT-Blog-bible%20stories%20encouragement.jpg.jpg) I’m not sure if it’s her personality or her fear, but my six year old is not very good at sticking with things. She moves on. A lot. Before she ever gets the chance to really understand if she likes something. Gymnastics for a few months. Dance for two semesters. And then she was done. This summer we’re trying horseback riding and violin and I am determined to encourage her to see these activities through. As parents, we can easily be confused by our child’s reaction to something. Are they afraid? Lazy? Do they lack focus? Ambition? Either way, they need to be encouraged with words of affirmation and truth. And sometimes pushed a little bit to grow beyond their own weaknesses. *“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”* Philippians 2:1-2 The beauty of encouragement is that as we encourage our kids, we can teach them to be an encourager to others. As we build their hearts up with words, we can show them how to do the same for others. Encouragement should always be a stream of positive words and actions that flow into and out of our lives. [Encouragement can be a powerful example](http://www.graceformoms.com/power-encouragement/) of God’s work in our lives. ### Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Encouragement #### **1. Joshua** *“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all of Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'”* Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (Read all of Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 1 with your child.) **God will always be with us to help us when there is a big or overwhelming task before us.** In Deuteronomy 31 through the first few chapters of the book of Joshua, we see the succession of Moses and Joshua in leading the people of Israel into the promise land. The Lord calls a young Joshua to follow Moses as leader of his people. Can you imagine the pressure Joshua must have felt? He was to follow one of the greatest prophets and leaders of the Bible – a man who had seen God face to face. It is no wonder that he was encouraged seven times within these chapters of the Bible to “be strong and courageous.” This commission was spoken to him over and over again as he assumed the role of leader amongst a group of people who were tired and discouraged. For years they traveled through the desert with hopes of reaching the land God had promised them. They journeyed with their families having only what they desperately needed for 40 years with a new home as their motivation. They had yet to see that promise fulfilled when their faithful leader died and a new, young man took his place. But Joshua was strong and he was definitely courageous. He obeyed the calling and leading of the Lord and saw the people enter the promise land. Use this story to share with your child that we can be encouraged by God’s presence. Sometimes He will call us to do big things or something outside of our comfort zone. This is how He helps us grow. But we can be encouraged that He will never leave us. He is always with us, helping us to be strong and courageous. **Related verse:***“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”* Joshua 1:9 **Related episodes on Minno:** [60 Second Bible Stories: Joshua](https://www.gominno.com/series/60-second-bible-stories/videos/joshua) [What’s in the Bible?: Finally, The Promised Land](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/finally-the-promised-land) [Awesome Bible Adventures: Joshua’s Awesome Victory ](https://www.gominno.com/series/awesome-bible-adventures/videos/joshuas-awesome-victory) [Jesus Storybook Bible: The Warrior Leader](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/the-warrior-leader) #### **2. The People of Israel** *“And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into the wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’ … Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you. . .’ The people of Israel ate the manna for forty years, till they came to a habitable land.”* Exodus 16:2-4, 35 (Read the whole story with your child.) **When we feel tired and discouraged, God will help us finish what we’ve started.** The people of Israel must have felt like they were never going to reach the promise land. They spent 40 years (40 years!) wandering around the desert. There were times when they showed they trusted God but there were also times they let their discouragement get the best of them and they “gave up” by complaining and disobeying God. Time and time again, God encouraged His people that He would help them. Even though they disobeyed and often did wrong things, God continued to provide for them, like when He sent manna (bread) from heaven. Use this story to help your child understand that God will never leave us. Even if we want to give up or we make an unwise choice in the midst of our discouragement, God will come and help us. **Related verse:***“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”* Isaiah 41:10 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [What’s in the Bible? Wanderin’ in the Desert – What is a Pentateuch? ](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/what-is-a-pentateuch) [Connect: In the Wilderness](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/in-the-wilderness) #### **3. Barnabas** *“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”* Acts 11:21-26 **God will use others to encourage us and will use us to encourage others.** Barnabas was known as the “son of encouragement” because he was constantly encouraging those around him. As the apostles worked to spread the good news and grow the church, Barnabas played a large role in encouraging and connecting people. He put his reputation on the line to encourage the apostles to accept Paul after his conversion. He mentored the young John Mark when others didn’t want to give him a second chance. Use these examples to share with your child that God will use others to encourage us as well as using us to encourage others. We should always be looking for ways we can bless someone with our words or actions. In turn, we can be thankful when God uses someone to say or do something kind or helpful to encourage our hearts. There is great [power in encouraging](http://www.graceformoms.com/power-encouragement/) each other. It is one of the most tangible ways to be Jesus to those we come in contact with every day. **Related verse:** *“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”* 1 Thessalonians 5:11 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Friends and Heroes: Rescue Strangers](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/rescue-strangers) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Joy](https://gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-joy/) **Published:** June 5, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/photograph-1024x578.jpg "the_bentley_brothers - Minno Kids") When I think about joy in the Bible, I think of that old Sunday School classic song – *I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!* What a sweet song of praise. And yet, sometimes joy seems so hard to capture. It’s more than happiness, but it is the deep and abiding presence of contentment, peace, and pleasure. We find our true joy in Jesus! Here are 3 Bible stories to teach your kids about joy. ### 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Joy #### **Sarah and Isaac** *The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”* (Genesis 21:1-3, 6-7 ESV) **God brings joy through unexpected blessings.** The name Isaac means “laughter”. Sarah found joy in the unexpected and long-awaited blessing of her son. Of course, she felt happy after finally receiving the child she longed for but her deep joy came in recognizing that God’s timing was best. Use this story to share with your child that since life almost never turns out the way we imagine, we must always be on the lookout for hidden blessings. This may come in a surprise gift or connection or experience but it also may simply come by recognizing God in all that surrounds us. Sarah may have moved on from her desire to have children. She probably thought it would never happen. But God brought her this blessing when she least expected it and she was ready to receive him with joy. **Related Verse:** *For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.* Psalm 92:4 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Holy Moly: Sarah and Abraham](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/sarah-and-abraham) [Jesus Storybook Bible: Son of Laughter](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/son-of-laughter) [Story Songs from Scripture: Abraham and Sarah](https://www.gominno.com/series/story-songs-from-scripture/videos/abraham-and-sarah) #### **Jesus’ Birth** *When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.* (Matthew 2:10-11 ESV) **Jesus is the source of our joy.** The wise men only knew so much about who Jesus was and why he came and yet, the Bible says they were filled with great joy. Knowing all that we know today, I wonder why we don’t join in their exceeding joy. Use this story to explain to your child that Jesus is the ultimate promise fulfilled. Jesus is God’s greatest gift. Because of Jesus, we have the hope of heaven and the promise of peace as we go through life here on earth. I cannot think of a better reason to be filled with joy. When life gets hard and we feel joy slipping away, we can refocus on Jesus and be filled again. **Related Verse:** *These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.* John 15:11 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Christmas Special](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-christmas) [Micah’s Super Vlog: Merry Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog/videos/merry-christmas) [Davey and Goliath: Christmas Lost and Found](https://www.gominno.com/series/davey-and-goliath-holiday-specials/videos/christmas-lost-and-found) [Buck Denver Asks … Why Do We Call It Christmas?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck%20denver%20asks%20why%20do%20we%20call%20it%20christmas) Check out all of the Christmas episodes on Minno [here](https://www.gominno.com/series/christmas%20specials) #### **Paul and Barnabas Share the Good News** *And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.* (Acts 13:49, 52 ESV) **Our joy is spread through the good news of Jesus’ love.** It’s not enough to be filled with joy and keep it to ourselves. God made us for community. He wants us to share his love with others. Use this story to share with your child that when we share our joy with others, we are sharing the good news of Jesus’ love. And this is the whole reason he came to us on Christmas in the first place! Paul and Barnabas were asked by God to spread the good news of Jesus’ love. They traveled and ministered to people all over to make sure they understood the joy that could only be found in Jesus. We may not travel the world (well, not yet but maybe someday) but we can share the love of Jesus with family and friends right where we are. **Related Verse:** *May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.* Romans 15:13 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Friends and Heroes: Rescue Strangers](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/rescue-strangers) #### Continue learning together with the [Joy – Fruit of the Spirit 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/series/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/videos/joy) from [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs%20super%20vlog). **Categories:** Bible + Faith **Tags:** 3 Bible Stories . . ., Bible Teaching, Fruit of the Spirit --- ### [There’s No Way to Be A Perfect Mother](https://gominno.com/blog/theres-no-way-to-be-a-perfect-mother/) **Published:** May 24, 2017 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZQXFLI8R9UMttKIvXAg4_Perfect-Mom-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) At the chiropractor recently, another mother in the waiting room caught my eye. She had a baby girl strapped to her chest in a carrier and a toddler boy playing at her feet who seemed to be having a rough morning and wasn’t getting along with the other kids waiting. To give the little guy credit, the wait was long, and it was 11:30am, otherwise known as “meltdown-thirty” to us whose children still nap. I’ve been in her position many times; I just wasn’t today. The little boy was resisting obedience, so his patient mama removed him from the play area and took him to the back of the waiting room where there was a door to another empty room. From my place on the floor next to my own children, I saw her meet her son’s eyes, calmly but firmly talk to him, and then lead him to sit by himself inside the door to the other room while he wailed and wailed. This mama didn’t show anger, yet she was steadfast. With her baby still strapped to her chest, she took a few steps back into the main room and leaned against the wall to wait for him to calm down, and that’s when I saw her eyes. If the expression in her eyes could write an entire book, I was reading it. “When is he going to stop crying? Is this going to work? Am I doing the right thing?” And maybe even, “What do these other people think of me?” Unbeknownst to her, I connected with that mama in that moment all the way across the room. I saw the essence of motherhood so clearly in her eyes and actions – her obvious love for her children, her tenacity, her kindness. She finally retrieved her son, and both of them seemed weary but eager to be returned to peace. It’s been said, **“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.”** (Jill Churchill) Almost seven years into mothering, I’m far from being a veteran, but I feel deeply in my bones that this is true. Of all the mothers I know, not a single one doesn’t want the best for her children and doesn’t try to love them with every fiber of her being. We’re all just taking it one day at a time, walking this long road the best we can. Perhaps some of you are intentionally mothering children you didn’t birth but who are now yours through remarriage, adoption, or fostering. Friends or trusted caregivers “mother” our children when we’re away running errands, on a date with our spouse, or at work. Some of you are bravely mothering on your own without a spouse and bearing the full burden of providing for your family while also figuring out solo parenthood. However we became mothers, we know it’s a job that requests more strength and patience and love than we ever thought possible, and we’ll never be able to do it all “perfectly.” Yet, perfectionism is a real struggle, and mothering in the age of social media can add extra pressure if we let it (oh, the ups and downs of Instagram!). However, perfection looks very different to God than to us. “It is true that the Bible calls us to be “perfect as \[our\] heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). The Greek word for “perfect” here is telios. It means “brought to its end, completed, or perfect.” So, to be “perfect” in this sense is not how perfectionists so often imagine it. Rather, it is to be completed in Christ.” ([Source](https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-perfectionism.html)) There’s so much freedom in knowing there’s no way to be a perfect mother and that we can instead focus on loving our children intentionally. For example: We may not be able to get up before our children every morning and present them with a beautiful breakfast spread, classical music playing, and the entire day’s activities laid out before them. But we can grab them and cuddle and kiss them first thing in the morning whether we wake up before them or not. We can look into their eyes and tell them we love them, that Jesus loves them and that they’re special. We may not be able to hold our tongues, have never-ending patience, and talk kindly to our children 100% of the time, giving them our full attention. But we can lay down our phones and distractions, engage with our children and be quick to reconcile when we get it wrong. Perfectionism has always been one of my big struggles, but never have I felt such a need for grace until I became a mother, and even more so as a mother of two. I feel so inadequate. But what my children don’t need is a mother who thinks she’s perfect. They need a mother who is imperfect but who is present with them and leads them to the Lord. In her book, *Present Over Perfect*, Shauna Niequist says, “\[Present over perfect is\] about rejecting the myth that every day is a new opportunity to prove our worth, and about the truth that our worth is inherent, given by God, not earned by our hustling.” Our children simply want us – our presence and love – not some perfectly curated life. When my oldest daughter was three-and-a-half and her baby sister was born, I treasured story time with my bigger girl while the baby hung out with Daddy. I’ll never forget the night when, in the middle of our story, she flashed the grin that takes up her entire face, wrapped her arms around my neck and said, “You’re the sweetest, bravest Mommy in the whole entire world!” Tears came to my eyes because how I had parented her that day was far from perfect, but to her it had meant the world. How can we be imperfect but good mothers? Love our little ones well. Point them to Jesus and walk beside them to His feet. Admit our failings and try better tomorrow. Know that every day is grace. As for the mama at the chiropractor, if I could turn back time, I would go over to her, look into her eyes and say, “It’s gonna be okay. I’ve been there, and you’re doing a great job. Your children are blessed to have a mother like you.” This mothering thing isn’t easy. Couldn’t we all use some encouragement on this beautifully imperfect journey? **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Screen Smart Families: Kids and Music](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home/) **Published:** May 18, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gLIYEr7PSa2qdipgYfDJ.jpg) Music! *How does music fit into a series about being a screen-smart family?* When we were brainstorming topics to help parents navigate the world of screens, technology, and kids, music struck us as a pretty tricky subject for a lot of moms and dads. Between balancing what you want to listen to, what your kids want to listen to . . . lyrics, subject matter, and more, it’s hard to even think about how the technology piece plays into your family’s music choices. But as we learned from some of our bloggers, the medium of music can be a true partner to parents. For example, several of our surveyed bloggers told us that they use Amazon Prime for music because it allows parents to create safe playlists and parents can see all the music that was played on their account. There are also tools like Spotify that allow you to create playlists, but as with Amazon Prime, the concern is that kids could stumble into music you don’t want them to hear. *But how do you decide what is ok for them to hear and what’s not?* That barometer will look different for each family, but here are some great ideas to kick off a conversation from some of our bloggers: *– “From early on we have tried to steer our kids to music that is honoring to God . . . So they have been raised mostly listening to Christian music. As they have gotten into their teen years, we don’t have “rules” but we might talk about “WHY” would they want to listen to that?” if something comes up. The only time that really has come up is when our guitar-playing son wants to learn a song because it is really good guitar music etc., but I don’t like it because it is old rock or something, haha. My husband (also a guitar player) makes the call then.”* – Monica Swanson, [The Grom Mom](http://monicaswanson.com/) *– “We use Amazon Unlimited so the kids can have access to it but they always ask first. They never browse without us present. And we can set parental controls. We love all kinds of music in our house so we allow the kids to listen to anything that is appropriate. The kids love Kidz Bop, which I didn’t love at first, but I monitor/listen with them and some songs have brought up great conversations that might not have come up otherwise.”* – Jess Wolstenholm, [Gather & Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) *– “Every year I make her a “mix CD” of \[my daughter’s\] favorite songs from the year, including pop music, country music, kids music and Christian music. If she likes a pop song that has bad words, I try to find a Kidz Bop version for her. But sometimes I have to just say NO to – not that we won’t occasionally listen to it in the car, but I’m not putting it on her CD or iPod for her to blast in her ears over and over.* *If I’m questioning whether or not a song is okay for the kids, I ask myself a few questions:* - Do I want to explain these lyrics to them? - Do I want them to sing these lyrics out loud? - Do I want them to sing these lyrics at school or church or at their grandparents’ house? *Thinking through those things usually helps me figure out if I’m okay with a song or not.”* – Mary Carver, [Giving Up on Perfect](http://www.marycarver.com/) *– “I think Christian music is important–kids are sponges. Their brains soak up every word and I want their brains soaking up words that are not just positive, but inspired by God’s Word and point to Him. We have several playlists on Amazon Music that we’ve all kinda curated together and they generally just play those.”* – Amanda White, [OhAmanda](http://ohamanda.com/) ### #### Making Your Own Screen-Smart Family Plan Here are some key questions about music to ask as you formulate your own Screen-Smart Family Plan: - What types of music services do we already use? Are we comfortable with our kids having access to those? - Are there certain genres/stations/artists that are totally off-limits? - How musically-inclined are our kids? Are they gifted musically? - What do we listen to in the car? - How do we peacefully take turns so that everyone can listen to what they want to? Other posts in this series: - [Technology in the Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home) - [Social Media](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media) - [Video Games](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home) - [TV Shows and Movies](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies) - [Music](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home) - [Internet Safety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Screen Smart Families: TV and Movies, To Watch or Not to Watch](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies/) **Published:** May 16, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Oimm18zXTEans0DQxGWT.jpg) I have very fond memories of family TV time when I was growing up. We gathered around the giant tube box and took turns getting up to change the channel or mess with the antennae. We chomped on popcorn while watching the Keatons and the Cosbys learn all of life’s big lessons in 30 minutes or less. Back then, our biggest media problem was trying to remember what time our favorite shows started or how to set the VCR to tape them if we weren’t home when they aired. We had no idea that 30 years later we’d have a plethora of on-demand media options to weed through for our own families. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it seems television shows are getting worse while movies are a bit easier to navigate for kids. Many of the PG-rated films I saw growing up have content I don’t want my children exposed to just yet. Nowadays, I know if a film is PG, it’s more likely appropriate (but not a given) for our family (with kids age 9 and 6) to watch. TV shows, on the other hand, tend to be more inconsistent. Often times shows marketed to families and elementary age children include themes and language completely inappropriate for their age and stage. We asked our bloggers to share their experience with television and movies and found a few common responses. Because of the on-demand nature of our media, parents now have the responsibility and opportunity to screen shows and movies before kids watch them. Resources such as [PluggedIn](http://pluggedin.com) (Focus on the Family) and [Common Sense Media](http://commonsensemedia.org) are a go-to for today’s Christian parents. Parents also rely heavily on password-protected media platforms such as Netflix or Hulu. And of course, a resource like [our own video on demand platform](http://gominno.com) is a no-brainer, providing completely safe, engaging and uplifting content moms and dads don’t have to worry about. – “We used to always view things prior to our children watching them, but that became too time-consuming. We rely heavily on sites like [PluggedIn](http://pluggedin.com) (by Focus on the Family) to help us decide if the content is suitable for our children.” (Carlie Kercheval, [Today’s Frugal Family](https://todaysfrugalfamily.com/)™) – “We make the call movie by movie. (No rated R) Sometimes, we check reviews and find out WHY something is rated PG 13, for example. Sexual content we keep away from. For the most part, instead of keeping our kids AWAY from bad things we direct them TO good things. Historical movies, Christian films, good, wholesome stories, sports, and documentaries.” (Monica Swanson, [The Grom Mom](http://monicaswanson.com/)) – “We don’t really call a particular period of the day “screen time.” But we have talked to our kids about how screen time is like junk food for the brain and that’s why we are moderate with it. They know that it’s okay to enjoy those things occasionally but it can’t push out “good for you” things.” (Tauna Meyer, [The Proverbial Homemaker](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/)) #### **Making Your Own Screen-Smart Family Plan** While those are just a few different perspectives from different families, we love those responses because of the guiding principles they can provide for you and your family as you think about how to navigate TV shows and movies. Here are some key questions to ask as you make your own Screen-Smart Family Plan: - How much time do we want our kids to spend watching television and movies daily? - When and where can they watch? - What media platforms will we allow them to use? - Do we need to screen shows/movies beforehand or come up with an approved list? - Will we use passwords to protect what they have access to? Other posts in this series: - [Technology in the Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home) - [Social Media](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media) - [Video Games](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home) - [TV Shows and Movies](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies) - [Music](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home) - [Internet Safety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Screen Smart Families: How to Handle Video Games in Your Home](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home/) **Published:** May 11, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QUx7WqwTfizD3nDigz53.jpg) Video games . . . the phrase no longer conjures up just images of kids laughing around Super Mario Brothers or Duck Hunt (pretty much the only video games I ever played as a kid!). Today gaming encompasses everything from super-violent battles played online, on computers, or game systems to virtual reality games such as Pokemon Go and mindless app-based games on smartphones. *How do parents stay on top of all of the options, let alone decide what and when their kids should be allowed to play?* We asked some of our mom bloggers how they approach video games, and their answers varied but we loved how many of them mentioned that they play fun games as a family! There was definitely a theme of playing games with dads, or together as a whole family on the weekends. The most popular gaming system was definitely Nintendo, followed by the iPad. Here are a couple of thoughts from two of our bloggers about how they choose video games for their kids: *– “Yes, our boys have a Switch. They are allowed to play 1-2 hours every other day. It is all based upon whether or not they do well with their homeschooling and chores. Often times they don’t play as they are involved in various extracurricular activities and if given the choice prefer to play outdoors. Because the boys are so young (8, 10) we only allow them to play games rated “E” (for everyone). There have been a time or two that we’ve found some of the “E” games still not suitable for them because of some ungodly themes. Our 16-year-old doesn’t play video games.”* – [Carlie Kercheval, Today’s Frugal Family TM](https://todaysfrugalfamily.com) *– “We don’t really have a set rule as much as guidelines based on individual situations. Overall we are more cautious about things with sexual content or bad language than violence. Raising four boys we simply aren’t too worried about a bit of blood but we don’t want sexual temptation to be an issue. We do however avoid any games that would be rated highly violent.”* – [Monica Swanson, The Grom Mom](http://monicaswanson.com/) Another resource we love for reviews (especially for games and apps) is Common Sense Media. Check out their [lists of best games for kids.](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-lists) Plugged In from Focus on the Family also reviews video games, and you can check out [their latest reviews](http://www.pluggedin.com/game-reviews/?p=0&l=20&s=date&o=desc&c=%7B%7D). #### Making Your Own Screen-Smart Family Plan While there are so many different perspectives on gaming, we want to help you have the conversations with your family that will give you a plan. Here are some key questions to ask as you make your own Screen-Smart Family Plan: - What type of gaming console do we want? Something public, attached to a television? Or private, hand-held devices? - Do we want gaming to be primarily a shared experience, or are we ok with kids playing games by themselves? - How educational do we want games to be? Do we see them primarily as an educational tool or as entertainment? - What rating level are we comfortable with? Other posts in this series: - [Technology in the Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home) - [Social Media](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media) - [Video Games](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home) - [TV Shows and Movies](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies) - [Music](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home) - [Internet Safety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Screen Smart Families: Advice for Kids and Social Media](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media/) **Published:** May 9, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/s0QECd9vTqcVGOyBqkNG.jpg)* Social media. It’s a blessing and a curse. The tool that has reconnected me with my junior high best friend (what a joy!) has also taken me on an emotional roller coaster as I fight comparison and jealousy with every scroll (why haven’t I yet learned that comparison is the thief of joy?!). This is the reality of living in a social media-driven world—and I’m 40 years old! All of these emotions, this daily struggle . . . for an adult. Imagine what social media can do to our kids?! But the reality is, social media is here to stay and we have to learn to navigate it—for ourselves, but especially for our kids. I’m learning to first, lead by example so my young children grow to respect the boundaries we put in place when they are old enough for smartphones and social media accounts. Social media can enhance their life (like it has mine) when used appropriately and if they have their identity rooted in Christ. And that realization is my daily reminder to [sow seeds of truth and confidence in their hearts](https://www.gominno.com/blog/20-back-to-school-truths-to-help-kids-know-god-loves-them) now so that when they do open their lives up to others online, they do so through the lens of Jesus, all things for the glory of God and out of a sure identity in Christ. Then, on that foundation, we can determine the boundaries that our unique family will put into place to guide our children when using social media. I love to seek collective wisdom from moms who are also in the trenches of modern parenting with me. These thoughts from our bloggers have been so helpful as I think towards the future . . . – “We only consider platforms that will be of benefit to \[our kids\]. Because our 16-year-old daughter is an aspiring photographer, she gets a lot of inspiration from both Pinterest and Instagram. She is constantly sharing her inspiration with me on both platforms and it propels her to new creative heights. It’s really quite amazing to watch.” (Carlie Kercheval, [Today’s Frugal Family](https://todaysfrugalfamily.com)™) – “Instead of having a specific age, we really go by circumstances and maturity level. Our 17 yr old is now so mature and I pretty much don’t even check his devices anymore because he uses it to bring God glory (and with filters on everything). I get reports each week that show what he is looking at. He is ready to be an adult! None of our boys are too obsessed with social media but it is an on-going conversation for sure. All of these decisions require parental involvement and lot of communication most of all. It’s not a one-size-fits-all.” (Monica Swanson, [The Grom Mom](http://monicaswanson.com/)) – “Recently, my daughter picked up the cell phone of one of her grandparents and found Snapchat on it. That grandparent didn’t even know the app was on the phone—it was probably downloaded by another cousin. My daughter only knows about the filters because who hasn’t seen one of those silly dog faces on a friend?! I realized that I should have had a conversation with my daughter beforehand. She should know which apps I use and don’t use. She should know that whatever-goes-online-stays-online-FOREVER. Just as we have conversations about how to deal with strangers or bullies, we need to have conversations about screens. You can’t go anywhere without a kid on a device – and even if my kid doesn’t have one, they are going to be looking over the shoulder of another kid. Will they have the understanding, the self-control and the wherewithal to look away?” (Amanda White, [Oh Amanda](http://ohamanda.com/)) – “I don’t know when I’ll allow social media. I’d like to say not until high school, but I don’t know what middle school will bring. I won’t let my kids have accounts before the “legal age” on each platform. And my intention is to insist they give me passwords so I can monitor things. I need to be able to monitor what’s happening on each one. So if a platform supposedly deletes messages automatically it will be off-limits.” (Mary Carver, [Giving Up On Perfect](http://www.givinguponperfect.com/)) #### **Making Your Own Screen-Smart Family Plan** While those are just 5 different perspectives from different families, we love those responses because of the guiding principles they can provide for you and your family as you think about allowing your kids to use various social media platforms. Here are some key questions to ask as you make your own Screen-Smart Family Plan: 1. What social media platforms are we open to considering? Which ones are off-limits? 2. What does recent research say about the latest platforms? 3. At what age do we need to begin having conversations about social media? At what age will we allow our kids to start using it? 4. How could using social media help our children? How could it hurt them? 5. What boundaries will we put in place for using social media? Will they have privacy or will we (parents) have access to their accounts? 6. What security measures will we use to protect our children online and on social media? Other posts in this series: - [Technology in the Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home) - [Social Media](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media) - [Video Games](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home) - [TV Shows and Movies](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies) - [Music](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home) - [Internet Safety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How Do You Approach Summer Schedules?](https://gominno.com/blog/approach-routines-schedules-summer/) **Published:** May 9, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fSgu2qG4Ri6boSo4wyDW_JT-Blog-voices%20summer.jpg.jpg)* *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ### How do you approach routines and schedules over the summer? #### #### Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) > I’m pretty unstructured as a mom but I know it will be important to keep the sense of structure my daughter got used to this year in school. We’ll probably find a happy medium of kicking back some days and being more intentional for others. Most of all I just want to enjoy my children this summer. I’ve heard it said that once they start school you only have 13 more summers before they are off to college. I want to soak up every single moment of those months! #### Stef of [Educating Laytons](http://www.Educatinglaytons.com) > Too much freedom leads to boredom and disobedience in our home. We try very hard to have a fun summer structured schedule. I am flexible – but without any boundaries, our boys end up bored out of their mind or constantly on each other’s nerves. We do not think “structure” is a bad word! #### Laura of [Raising Soldiers 4 Christ](http://www.Raisingsoldiers4christ.com) > We are very relaxed in our schedule anyway so summer is not much different. We do take off for Church Camp, Bible School and other fun outdoor activities but my kids are military kids, so they are used to being flexible. #### Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.Courtneysix.blogspot.com) > We have a more relaxed summer schedule. Even though we still do school year round, we have a more relaxed schedule and don’t spend as much time doing school work each day. #### Cara of [Cheap Ways To…](http://www.Cheapwaysto.com) > Our summer schedules revolve around trips to see family and our work schedules, but otherwise it’s pretty free-flowing. We only get two months off from school so it flies by. #### Heather of [Learning As We Grow…Growing As We Learn](http://www.learningandgrowingalongtheway.blogspot.com) > All of our readers are required to read for 20 minutes each morning. Besides that, nothing else is required each day, but they are very inquisitive and we are always looking for books to tell us how things work and why they happen the way they do. > We have a daily nap time for our little two and quiet time for our older two regardless of the season, but during the summer, it is more flexible. Often naps are moved earlier so that we can head to the pool sooner. 🙂 #### Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://www.Chaosappreciation.com/blog) > The only change to our summer schedule is that there is no structured school time. Our normal schedule is flexible and laid back most days already. #### Carlie of [Managing Your Blessings](http://www.Managingyourblessings.com) > I run a very relaxed home environment. There is some structure in regard to chores and bed time, but we just decide what to do as the day comes. We live just 3 blocks from the beach so it isn’t unusual for us to walk down there at the spur of the moment and just take in the beautiful sights and sounds. #### Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.OurOutofSyncLife.com) > I have found that structure is extremely important year around. While it is more lax during the summer, a schedule allows the children to know the expectations of what is going to happen throughout the day. In our home, days devoted to full-on-freedom end with bickering and fighting. #### Tamika of [No Time for Tea Parties](http://www.notimefortea.com "No Time For Tea Parties") > We have routine things, but the time is flexible so the kids can sleep in and enjoy the break in school routine! #### Ashlea of [Life by Ashley Pichea](http://blog.ashleypichea.com "Life by Ashley Pichea") > While our summer routine is a bit more relaxed, having a basic routine is still essential for our sanity. When we get too relaxed in our structure (i.e. no restrictions on technology use, no daily rest period, etc.), obedience issues tend to arise. #### Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](www.Kimberlyamici.com "kimberlyamici.com") > Our summers tend to have quite a bit of structure with days of complete freedom sprinkled in. I usually sign my kids up for the town swim team as well a few camps during July and August. That means we still have to get up early because we have some place to be. However afternoons we play by ear and when the kids have a day off I try not to schedule anything. #### Wendy of [Hip Homeschool Moms](http://www.HipHomeschoolMoms.com "Hip Homeschool Moms") > We have a good bit of freedom over the summer. The children are allowed to sleep late, but they are still given a bedtime, so they don’t try to sleep until noon! During the day, they are allowed to work on crafts and activities that they want to do, but they are also given chores to do each day. Some summers we continue our homeschooling if we have something we need to finish and didn’t get done during the school year. If we homeschool over the summer, though, it’s very relaxed. And of course the children have lots of free time to enjoy being children! #### Allyson of [All Our Days](http://allourdays.com "http://allourdays.com") > With five kids, ages 6 and under, we need some structure or life would be completely chaotic. We generally run on a loose schedule with time blocks for certain activities (chores, read-alouds, playing outside, an afternoon quiet time, etc.) I’ve found that the kids like to know what to expect and I like the compromise of a loose schedule so I don’t feel behind if we get caught up in our read-aloud and read a few more chapters. ### **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The History of Father's Day Around the World](https://gominno.com/blog/fathers-day-history/) **Published:** May 8, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ik3wWWNrSImnceCit9HH_JT-Blog-fathers%20day%20history.jpg.jpg) The idea of honoring fathers is an ancient one. The Hebrew Old Testament contains the command, “Honor your father . . . so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16 NIV The idea that respecting parents will bring children blessing and well-being is common among many cultures. #### Father’s Day in the U.S. The modern holiday of Father’s Day had its origins in 1910 when the governor of Washington state proclaimed a celebration for “Father’s Day.” Celebration of the holiday spread slowly around the U.S. so that by 1916, President Wilson honored it. During the Great Depression, retailers worked harder to promote Father’s Day (and its sales). But it took until the end of World War II before Father’s Day was a nation-wide institution. The idea of celebrating fathers became more important in this war-time environment, due to families feeling the absence of their husbands and fathers. Nevertheless, Father’s Day was only declared to be a federal holiday in 1972, under President Nixon. With its more recent history, Father’s Day has not quite equaled Mother’s Day in terms of sales and cultural emphasis, but it is an important holiday and opportunity to honor the male leaders in our lives. Currently, in the U.S., the White House has had a special campaign promoting fatherhood. Fatherhood.gov says that fatherlessness is a growing crisis in America and that children without involved dads are “more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, be involved in the criminal justice system, and become young parents themselves.” The White House is seeking to promote fatherhood as a building block for strong children, families, and communities. And at the same time, research suggests that fatherhood is beneficial for men themselves. Studies show that simply becoming a father who chooses to be present in his child’s life helps men become better men. An involved father tends to engage in less risky behaviors, have better long-term health, and is “less self-centered, more giving and more outward focused” than a non-father. #### Father’s Day Worldwide *How is Father’s Day celebrated outside the U.S.?* In some Catholic countries, it is celebrated on the Feast of St. Joseph or is also used as a time to honor the parish priest (their “spiritual father”). Russia, Germany and some other European countries celebrate “Men’s Day” in place of Father’s Day. In Germany, for instance, the Men’s Day festivities probably originated in agricultural customs. It is traditional for men to do a hiking tour with a wagon of food and beer beside them. In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on the birthday of the current king, so that Father’s Day also promotes the royal family. In Thailand, people traditionally give their father a Canna flower, which is considered masculine. In Nepal, even deceased fathers are included in the Father’s Day tradition. The modern Father’s Day holiday is often combined with the ancient celebration Gokarna Aunsi, which is celebrated in late August or early September, depending on the lunar calendar. On this day, sons and daughters give gifts to their father and perform ceremonies of respect, while also going to the temple to honor deceased fathers. As you can see, the celebration of fathers is a worldwide custom and tradition. Download our [Minno Father’s Day Fun Pack](https://www.gominno.com/blog/fathers-day-activity-pack) to join the celebration! From our Minno family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day honoring the godly men in your life. For those of you struggling through this season because of disappointment and loss, we are praying that your Heavenly Father would come and comfort you with His love. . . . . . . . . . . . Sources: y [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father’s\_Day](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father's_Day) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gokarna\_Aunsi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gokarna_Aunsi) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Handle Mother's Day After A Loss](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-handle-mothers-day-after-a-loss/) **Published:** May 8, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HM7zvJTqWpqW9uJ697gv_Mothers-Day-Loss-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) It was Mother’s Day 2013. I sat at my kitchen table, my fingers wrapped around a warm mug of coffee. I sipped slowly as I contemplated what would inevitably take place later that morning. Every year on Mother’s Day, our church dedicates a few moments at the beginning of the service to recognize the mothers in the service. First, all mothers are asked to stand. Then the pastor takes time to recognize certain types of mothers in the audience—grandmothers, great-grandmothers, those with the most children or grandchildren. And we all smile and clap along as these lovely women are recognized for their love and commitment to their families. The pastor also always recognizes new mothers. “If you’ve had a baby since last Mother’s Day, stand up!” he’ll say. And the whole room smiles as the mamas stand proudly to their feet, some with their precious babies in their arms. It is a very sweet moment for most. But then there was me. As I sat at my table that morning I wondered what I would do when the time came. You see, I had indeed birthed a baby in the last year, since the last Mother’s Day. But instead of being in her cradle in her room down the hall, she was buried in a marbled ivory casket six feet underground. I didn’t know what to do. On one hand, I wanted to be recognized and my sweet baby remembered. But at the same time, I didn’t. When it comes to mothering a baby who is no longer here it hurts to be forgotten and it hurts to be remembered. It’s such a painful place to be. As it were we actually arrived at church too late to be there for the special Mother’s recognition part of the service. Maybe it was for the best. A friend pulled me in close later that morning, “I hope you stood up today,” she whispered. I only smiled weakly because I wasn’t sure if I agreed with her. I’m actually still not sure. I am a mother of three beautiful children here on earth. They fill up my days with love and wonder and I dedicate all of my hard work and efforts around the home for them. I adore being a mother and love the sentiment of a day set aside to recognize moms everywhere. But I am also a mom to two sweet babies in Heaven. Every Mother’s Day morning I think of the two sets of arms that are missing from the hug pile I am greeted with. And it grieves my heart greatly. But not just mine. Consider the others that might wake up on Mother’s Day with a heavy heart: mothers who have experienced stillbirth or miscarriage, mothers who have lost children to tragic accidents or terrible illnesses, or mothers who are awaiting their child to come home from across the water. Mother’s Day is also painful for the mother who hasn’t heard from her adult child in weeks or months or years. And let’s not forget those women who are aching to conceive and yet have not yet been able to. All of these women and more view Mother’s Day a little differently than most. I love that we have a special day to celebrate mothers and everything they contribute to family and society and really, the world. But maybe this Mother’s Day, in the midst of sticky, homemade pancakes in bed and drippy, gluey noodle card crafts, we can take the time to remember those mothers who wake up with a dark spot of sadness in their heart and send them a card or text letting them know we acknowledge them and validate their emotions. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there—those celebrating with glee and those facing the day with a dose of melancholy, and any woman with a mix of both. Happy, happy Mother’s Day to you. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Screen-Smart Families: Opening Your Door to Technology](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home/) **Published:** May 4, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/s5QdOSqyQ2ip5C8aNPSC.jpg) In a [recent study from Barna](https://www.barna.com/research/6-tech-habits-changing-american-home/), 65% of parents said that “technology and social media make it more difficult to raise kids today.” As a relatively new mom, I can certainly relate. Between the pressures of balancing screen time for my little girl, keeping up with the hand-crafted-and-meticulously-dressed Joneses on Instagram, and trying to stay off my own phone, it can feel like an obstacle course every day. And the finish line? Usually collapsing in bed, smartphone in hand, for 10 minutes of mindless Insta-scrolling. Technology is a temptation and a reward; it gives me a mental and physical break from my real world by dragging me deeper into everyone else’s world. Escapism meets self-esteem masochism and the result is an addictive cocktail of words and pictures I can’t get enough of. But it’s certainly one I’m trying to temper, and one that I would love more than anything not to pass on to my kids. *So where do we begin when we start to talk about kids and technology? Is it possible that we could begin from a place of grace, understanding, and confession—not shame?* *And could we even dare to name the myriad benefits that we, and our children, can get from technology?* YES! We can. We can engage in technology the same way we as Christians are called to enter into every other realm of culture: with discernment, hope, and a desire to see God glorified. I think the best place we can start the conversation on becoming Screen-Smart Families is by starting with the messenger—or rather, the devices themselves. *What, how, and when do we open our front doors and welcome in for our kids: televisions, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, etc?* We polled some of our bloggers to get their thoughts on the whats and whens of introducing technology to our kids. The most popular device by far was the Amazon Kindle Fire because it allows parents to control their kids’ time on screen, programs watched, games played, and more using the FreeTime app. The second most popular response was Apple’s iPad. We asked for stories, tips, and ideas about how and when they introduced devices to their kids. Here were some of their stories: > – “Early on we waited a long time for any device (avoiding Gameboys and the like when the older boys were young). Later we just thought/talked/prayed before we made decisions. After we got our kids phones or allowed them on computers we actually found our selves back-pedaling a bit . . . especially when we found areas of concern. I think the more we learn the more we think kids should wait.” (Monica Swanson, [The Grom Mom](http://monicaswanson.com/)) > > – “We opted for the Kindles because they could have ownership and learn responsibility with devices while not having access to the internet, social media, or really anything unless we load it on their child profiles.” (Jess Wolstenholm, [Gather & Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/)) > > – “My parents were restrictive on the amount of electronics we were exposed to. I felt that was a good thing (after I grew up!) so we have the same rules for our kids. We just feel that there are so many better things to do than be in front of a screen all the time. We won’t allow our children to actually have their “own” device until they are 12 and even then there will be restrictions.” (Jenn Thorson,[ The Purposeful Mom](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/)) > > – “It’s something we’re always talking about and has evolved as our family grows. We don’t want to be a screen-focused family but we feel like it’s a balance issue, not a hard and fast rule. So we put rules and guidelines in place and adjust as things change such as seasons (more outside time!).” (Tauna Meyer, [Proverbial Homemaker](http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/)) > > – “Our three older kids got their tablets when their baby brother was born. It was a helpful distraction for me while caring for a newborn and they loved having a special device that was all theirs. With a big family, they are used to sharing just about everything so it’s important for us to let them have responsibility over something that is only theirs.” (Kara-Kae James, [Thrive Moms](http://thrivemoms.com/)) ### #### Making Your Own Screen-Smart Family Plan While those are just 5 different stories from different families, we love those responses because of the guiding principles they can provide as you and your family think about adding technology into your kids’ lives. Here are some key questions to ask as you make your own Screen-Smart Family Plan: 1\. How can devices be useful for our kids, for school or for teaching responsibility? 2\. What devices do we feel comfortable with our kids having? 3\. Should each child have their own device, or do we want to have one device that they share? 4\. What kind of parental controls can we set up on the device? 5\. What boundaries do we want to put on devices? Time of day, time limits, locations where they can’t be used? Check out these other posts in the series: - [Technology in the Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home) - [Social Media](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media) - [Video Games](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home) - [TV Shows and Movies](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies) - [Music](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home) - [Internet Safety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Teach Kids What the Bible Says about Lying](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-bible-says-lying/) **Published:** May 3, 2017 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XoZPITWlSIOSNvicJMrS_Lying-JT-Blog-Image.jpeg.jpg) I never thought I would have to deal with lying when I first had children. I figured that if I taught them to speak the truth from an early age, there wouldn’t be an issue. Boy, was I wrong! Our fallen human condition makes lying an inevitable struggle for each of us. Kids lie for a number of reasons: for example because they want to avoid punishment or other times because they’re afraid we will be disappointed in them. *How do we help our kids through these challenging times?* **Here are three tips to help you as a parent have a Biblical conversation with your kids about lying.** **1. Address the reason why they are lying.** Ask a few questions to understand their motivation to keep the truth from you. It will be easier to get to the root of the problem if you’ve taught them so far how important it is to tell the truth. If you’re struggling with how to broach the subject, and you know for sure they are lying, sit down and first tell them how much you love them and that you want to have trust in your relationship. Providing a feeling of security before asking probing questions will make the situation easier and help your child to feel safe in telling the truth! Once you know why they believe they are lying, you can ask questions and address their reasons in a Biblical manner. **2. Talk about what Scripture says about lying and telling the truth.** Remember to do this with kindness and not in a “scolding” tone! God is kind and gracious to us when we admit we have done wrong, and He calls us to be the same with our kids. Here are [11 Bible verses that address lying and telling the truth](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2016/10/11-bible-verses-that-address-lying.html). They are a great starting point for a conversation. After sharing some of these verses with your child, ask them how they think these verses can apply to their situation. The goal is to have them internalize the truths of these Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to encourage and change their hearts through them! **3. Let the Lord do the work—and be patient.** Patience is a virtue, but it’s not one that comes easily! When we are addressing things like lying with our children, we need to remember that it takes time for their behaviors to change. God is the one who does the work in their hearts and changes them from the inside out! Even if it seems like you are dealing with this issue continually, try to keep an eternal perspective in mind. Continue to ask God to help you speak the truth just like you are asking your children to do. Trust Him to refine your child’s character and teach you something in the process too! Looking for a more in-depth study on speaking truth? If your kids are currently struggling with lying, being bossy, being unkind to their siblings or just simply having self-control over their speech, check out [Minding Your Mouth](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2016/12/minding-mouth-biblical-study-discipline-taming-tongue-brand-new-devotional-kids.html), a brand new Bible study resource that will help you as parents teach your kids what the Bible has to say about “minding our mouths” and “taming the tongue” and how they can put it into practice! This study contains 10 lessons that dig into the Scriptures so kids can see how God’s Word addresses how we speak, how we can live peacefully with others and the many ways His Spirit can help them mature in character so their speech can reflect God’s mercy and goodness to us! Also included are printable Scripture cards, Scripture copy work, coloring pages and a free Scripture art print for your home! [Learn more about Minding Your Mouth: A Biblical Study on Taming the Tongue by clicking here.](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2016/12/minding-mouth-biblical-study-discipline-taming-tongue-brand-new-devotional-kids.html) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Real Me My Kids See](https://gominno.com/blog/the-real-me-my-kids-see/) **Published:** May 3, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hY3qRzB8TyifDNl4hLzf_lost-in-motherhood-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) 36 found me late last summer. I was covered up in laundry and to do lists and all of the things moms do. The day came and went and I can’t even remember what we did to celebrate. I do remember how it made me feel. It wasn’t a milestone birthday, but it felt significant to me. 21 brought a covenant more sacred than I understood at the time and it proved to be harder than I’d ever imagined. 25 was a career I didn’t know I wanted and it’s where I began misplacing fulfillment and purpose. 28 ushered in the joy of motherhood, lack of sleep, and a deep understanding of unconditional love. It’s also when fear snuck under the door and quietly began owning a piece of my heart. 30 was a milestone year and my dearest friends made sure it mattered. It’s where I learned what it felt like to belong to others and share in someone else’s joy and heartache. It also brought a baby I didn’t know was missing. He completed our family and opened my heart’s windows once more to the sound of laughter and pure happiness amidst sleepless nights and dirty diapers. These years stacked up to allow the light in and the breeze began to gently blow through each day. So how then was it that with all of these blessings my 36th year felt so weighty? Now I felt numb, dried up, empty, and a bit lonely. Time moves fast and it often feels like the responsibility of life can be heavy. It’s a far cry from the feelings of my childhood. Growing up in a small town, I always felt safe, a bit invincible, and very loved. Back then, my dreams changed from day to day, but I believed in every one of them. More importantly, I believed in myself. I wasn’t jaded by failure or hurtful words. I was hopeful. I was happy. This is not the me that my children know today. They don’t see the lively, confident, optimistic girl I once was. They see a rushed, always behind, never idle, constantly striving mother who is quick to anger and short with patience. They don’t know the hopeful, happy girl of my youth. They’d like her, I’m sure. They’d love to sit in the floor and play with her. They would jump at the chance to have a picnic with her on the back porch. And they’d surely dance in the rain with her … if I let them. But they don’t know her. I’ve put her away. Tucked her neatly in a drawer as though she were once meaningful and significant, but now a bit tattered and torn. I put out her light thinking it didn’t matter and it wasn’t needed. I was wrong. I wanted to give them consistency and nurturing, but I became a black and white version of myself on auto-pilot. I spent every ounce of energy I had building a life for them instead of with them. I quit doing what made me happy because I was caught up in the tasks of each day. At first it was with the best of intentions. I figured that I could come back to me once I took care of them. I didn’t know how to be me and their mom at the same time. Keeping up with all of it eventually meant letting go of me and so that’s just what I did. Then one day I realized I wasn’t the one in the photo, at the park, in the pool, or playing the game. I was standing on the outside watching it all happen in front of me – keeping watch, making sure all was well from the sidelines. I looked up and saw them doing life without me. They were soaking up the joys of life and I was keeping time. At 36, I want to find my way back to me. I want this to be the year I’m in the game. I want these blessings I’ve been given to grow up knowing the real me. The me at 16 who was goofy and awkward. The me at 18 who blasted the Dixie Chicks – “Wide Open Spaces” with the windows down. I want my husband to still see in me his 21-year-old bride nearly 15 years later. I want to spend goofy moments dancing in the kitchen, alongside him, laughing at my ineptitude for cooking and enjoying our sons’ silly personalities. This summer when 37 comes around, I won’t let it find me so caught up in work and covered in life’s responsibilities. I won’t miss out on the gift of each day. My choices will be different. The role I will play will not be measured and restrained. They’ll see me mixing up all the messy parts of me into my motherhood because that’s what they need and that’s what they’ll remember. *The years and the wrinkles make us who we are, Momma’s. Don’t let the thief of joy tell you otherwise. Play all of the music you want them to remember, take them to the places that made you who you are, show them the movies that moved you, let them see you taking care of you – whatever that looks like. Pour yourself into your roles, but don’t become them. You’re the only one who can be their momma – make sure they know exactly who you are. They’ll be all the better for it!* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Healing](https://gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-healing/) **Published:** May 2, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GVFUUUsmQBqNuFJQ5FMA_JT-Blog-bible%20stories%20healing.jpg.jpg) It was just a year ago that we prayed and believed for [my mom to be healed of cancer](http://www.graceformoms.com/river-runs-allume-conference-recap/). Every night my 5 year old and I would ask God to heal Gigi. She prayed with great faith because kids don’t always understand that sometimes he answers on this side of heaven and sometimes he does not. Now, my mother is completely healed and whole and with the Father. Her healing came through heavenly means and for that I am thankful, though I miss her terribly. My mother isn’t the only grandma my kids have lost. My husband’s mother also passed a few years ago from ALS. Though my daughter was much younger at the time, we couldn’t shield her from the reality that her grandmother was ill and in need of healing. So we prayed and prayed. And likewise, her healing came, not on this earth, but in heaven with Jesus. In between these losses, my girl broke her leg when she was only three. Though we knew with proper medical attention, her leg would heal just fine, we prayed for healing, that we wouldn’t need surgery or therapy. It’s amazing how quickly little bones heal. She did well and we gave God the glory. So needless to say the idea of healing has come up a lot for our family over the past few years. The issue of healing is one of many layers and complex perspectives. It’s so hard to lay it all out there for kids. We often pray with them for scrapes and broken bones but sometimes, we may encounter times of praying fervently for serious illness and disease. At times it can feel like praying for their little cut or scrape is trite. God created our bodies to heal themselves. But when we pray for a cut that as parents we know will heal, we are teaching our kids God’s character. He is good and therefore he created our bodies to heal from everyday things like cuts, scrapes, bone breaks…even colds and sniffles. As they begin to trust him in these little hurts, they will learn to trust him for bigger needs. The Bible is full of stories of healing. It can be confusing to teach your children about miracle healing when we see lack of (earthly) healing all around us. We will never understand the mystery of why God sometimes heals and sometimes doesn’t heal in modern days when throughout the Bible we read of healing after healing. I believe, back then, God was establishing his authority and Jesus was establishing his deity. Healing was one way Jesus exemplified the power of God within him. Now, he is establishing the kingdom and I believe he wants us to focus on eternity. When we teach our children to have eternal perspective early on, they will learn to trust in God’s goodness even when he does not heal here on earth. ### ### Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Healing #### **1. Healing the Royal Official’s Son** *When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.* John 4:47-53 ESV Jesus healed this man’s son even without being in the boy’s presence. The man believed Jesus would heal his son at his word. Use this story to share with your children that Jesus has the power to heal. We can believe, without a doubt, that he will heal when we ask him. Sometimes that healing comes here on earth. Sometimes, when the illness or hurt is very serious, that healing comes in heaven. Encourage your child to trust God for healing, no matter what and furthermore to trust his ultimate will. I have often said and as my children grow, I will teach them to confess, “Lord, I do not always understand your ways, but I trust your heart.” **Related Verse:** *For nothing will be impossible with God.* Luke 1:37 #### #### 2. **Jesus Heals a Paralytic** *And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” –he then said to the paralytic– “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”* *When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.* Matthew 9:2-6, 8 ESV Several times in the Bible Jesus talks about forgiveness of sins in the midst of healing. Jesus knew his purpose on this earth was to offer hope and healing, not just for physical needs but for our souls as well. Use this story to explain to your child that Jesus wants to heal us both physically and emotionally. He wants to heal our bodies but even more so, he wants to heal our hearts when they are hurt or broken. Talk with your child about ways their heart might sometimes need healing. When their feelings get hurt. Or when they have sin or ugly feelings in their heart. Jesus is always ready and willing to comfort them into his healing arms. **Related Verse:** *He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.* Psalm 147:3 #### **3. Raising Lazarus from the Dead** *Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha . . . So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”* *. . .Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” . . . Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days . . . Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again . . . I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” . . . Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.* *. . .Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb . . . And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”* John 11:1-44 ESV In this story, we see Jesus’ deep love for his friends. More important than the incredible miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead is the fact that Jesus cried over his death. Use this story to share with your child that Jesus hurts when we hurt. He does not want bad things to happen to us such as accidents and illnesses. But we live in a world where bad things happen. It is comforting to know that he sees us and cares for us. When we pray and ask him to help us, we can be sure he hears and he heals. That healing may not always come here on earth but it will come. **Related Verse:** *But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.* Psalm 86:15 **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Connect: Jesus’ Healings ](https://www.gominno.com/series/connect/videos/jesus-healings) [Jesus Storybook Bible: A Little Girl and a Poor Frail Lady](https://www.gominno.com/series/jesus-storybook-bible/videos/a-little-girl-and-a-poor-frail-lady) [Friends & Heroes: Spies and Lies](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/spies-and-lies) [What’s in the Bible?: The Messiah Has Come](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/the-messiah-has-come) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Screen-Smart Families: How to Navigate Technology in a Media-Drenched Culture](https://gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families/) **Published:** May 2, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1SeBxCcKRmavob57GBOr.jpg) Last night my husband and I watched an 80’s movie with the kids. We couldn’t wait to introduce them to one of the films we loved growing up. I was the same age as my daughter is now when this particular movie came out. It’s old school and analog, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic with each scene that included a walkman, cassette tapes, and black and white fuzz on the TV screen. Oh how far we’ve come . . . I’m thankful for the technological progress we’ve made but it definitely comes with a price. Over 30 years after some of our favorite childhood movies hit the big screen, today’s parents are trailblazers in a new technological age. Gen X and Millennial parents are the first to manage a whole new world of media and technology with our kids and many of us feel overwhelmed or completely at a loss on how to approach this large task that we face every moment of every day. It is our goal to encourage and support families as they navigate life as we know it right here, right now. We understand the challenges facing parents in this day and age and we hope to provide helpful resources that promote a positive, faith-filled lifestyle. [We offer a safe, family-friendly media platform for kids](https://www.gominno.com/?amfc=graceformoms) but we’re also committed to joining parents as they guide their family in our media-drenched culture. To that end, we’ve put together this series to help you navigate technology in your home and family. We hope it will arm you with encouragement and inspiration to become a Screen Smart Family! We understand that at times (like when school’s out) kids are drawn to TV screens and other devices so we’ll be addressing various types of media and screen-related challenges to help you establish healthy boundaries for your kids and family that can last all year long. We’re pulling from the collective wisdom of many of our well-respected bloggers, offering over 100 years of combined parenting experience, largely within our current culture. Here are the topics we’ll address this month: - [Technology in the Home](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-balancing-tech-in-your-home) - [Social Media](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-advice-for-kids-and-social-media) - [Video Games](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-how-to-handle-video-games-in-your-home) - [TV Shows and Movies](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-balancing-tv-movies) - [Music](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-ideas-for-bringing-music-into-your-home) - [Internet Safety](https://www.gominno.com/blog/screen-smart-families-tips-for-internet-safety-at-home) Before we get started, we want to encourage you to first pray and ask God how he would have you approach media and technology for your family. Only you, your spouse and God know the unique circumstances of your family situation. So trust his guidance and your own instincts. With that said, we also believe in the power and wisdom that comes when we counsel with those who have gone before us. So we’ll be sharing stories and tips from different moms to help you create your own family strategy for managing media and technology. We pray you’ll discover helpful principles to guide your process. As you follow along the Screen Smart Families series, keep these things in mind: - **Every family needs a plan.** In order to be screen smart, you need to plan ahead. Kids thrive when expectations are set and boundaries are in place. Spend time putting together a plan and clearly communicate it with your family. Take notes as you read each post this month and discuss them with your spouse to come up with your own family media plan. - **No two families are alike.** What works for one may not work for you. Depending on your unique family culture, you probably have different needs than another family. Don’t worry if your plan looks different than your friends or neighbors’ as long as it works for you. - **Be consistent but flexible.** Consistency is key so kids know they can’t push the boundaries of technology. But I’ve talked to many parents who thought it would be one way and had to adjust to unexpected circumstances. Create a strategy that allows you to be consistent with your kids while remaining open to adjusting the plan as needed. - **Talk about it.** While it’s true that kids just need to trust and obey their parents’ guidelines, you’ll grow a deeper relationship and greater respect if you communicate openly and talk things through as a family. Let your kids know your goal is to protect them and help them establish healthy habits. I always say, *“I’m not trying to ruin your fun. I’m trying to protect you from a world full of evil and help you grow into a responsible human being.”* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [6 Ways to Focus on Gratitude Over Grumbling](https://gominno.com/blog/6-ways-to-focus-on-gratitude-over-grumbling/) **Published:** April 27, 2017 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZDij2FFtSJiQjnksWpz1_Gratitude-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) “Why is everyone making my life more difficult right now? I can’t do everything.” I spoke these negative, infectious words under my breath one afternoon, as I shoved more muddy clothes into the washing machine and returned to my messy kitchen with piles of dishes, sand on the floor, and a fridge that kept leaking a trail of water all the way into the dining room. On top of that, everyone in my family kept asking for help – more food, more time, more of me. I felt overwhelmed and consumed with negativity. Without even realizing it, a grumbling attitude had taken over, and I was barreling down a hill of negativity. As much as I wish it weren’t true, I’m naturally a pessimist. I struggle with perfectionism and can easily get overwhelmed by messes, chaos, and demands. Many people – even those who know me well – might be surprised to hear this, because I can easily look for the good in a situation, especially when it’s about others’ lives. Since I was a teenager, I’ve always been the counselor type, people often coming to me for direction, hope, and positivity. But in my own life, especially in my private thoughts or words murmured under my breath that others are not supposed to hear, grumbling can tend to take over like a nasty virus. What is grumbling? It’s complaining but muted. It’s subtle…so subtle that we can easily not notice it or brush it off. Personally, it shows up when I’m neck-deep in messes or chaos, waiting in lines, in a hurry, or being inconvenienced in any way. “We’re seriously out of food again? I just went grocery shopping. I can’t keep food in this house to save my life.” “More laundry? I just finished folding it.” “Another mess? I just finished cleaning up.” “Someone is calling my name again. Can’t I just have a few moments of peace?” Reflecting on these words – all of which I’ve spoken recently – I can see clearly that “grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, a conflict.” (Billy Graham) The Scriptures say, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22, ESV) Life cannot thrive in a place where death is being invited. When I’m stuck in a place of grumbling and complaining, that’s exactly how I feel: Dried-up. Lifeless. Nothing to offer anyone. Not only is it difficult to serve my children in this state, but sadly, grumbling and complaining can affect them as well. Little ears are listening and little eyes are watching, soaking up everything like a sponge. A negative attitude is extremely contagious and once unleashed, it takes over, ruining the entire day for everyone and driving us further away from unity as a family. God intends for us to live with gratefulness and joy as an expression of His love for us. Only then can we love and serve Him and others well. If you’ve ever struggled with these issues like I have, there’s hope! Even if it was a part of our lives growing up, even if it’s infecting our daily lives, we don’t have to let it define us moving forward. Here are some practical ways to eliminate grumbling and complaining: ● **Notice it**. Listen to your thoughts and the words murmured under your breath. What are the things you don’t mean for others to hear? Here is where grumbling and ungratefulness reside and take root. ● **Reframe your words**. We’re still going to have struggles, moments when things feel frustrating, hopeless, or out of control. But once we notice the bad attitude creeping in, we must speak truth and goodness right away! We must reframe the grumbling words with ones of gratefulness, humility, and hope. For example, instead of “Seriously? Another mess?” I can remind myself of this quote: “The messes unique to my home are a sign of a full and beautiful season of life.” (Myquillyn Smith) ● **Set the tone for your day from the beginning**. As I’m getting my girls dressed in the morning, I often ask, “Are we going to have a good day or a bad day?” We always answer, “Good day.” Making the conscious choice from the beginning of the day helps us intentionally live it out. ● **Write it down**. Have a journal or piece of paper constantly open on your kitchen counter or the space you visit most often everyday. Jot down quick phrases or words of gratefulness. ● **Fill up**. We are called to serve others but if we aren’t also being poured into, we end up empty and crushed, like dried bones. What fills you with joy? Do it every day. As much as I’m not a morning person, this means arising before anyone else in my home. It absolutely changes my entire day when I have this quiet time to think and fill up before anyone else needs me. Being in nature with my children also fills me up, and I’m able to handle inevitable chaos and frustrations better. ● **Ask for accountability**. I’ve asked my family to speak up if they hear me grumbling or complaining. In turn, we can help our children in the moment to notice their negative attitude and in a kind, encouraging way, help them to reverse it with gratefulness. Eliminating grumbling and complaining doesn’t mean I’ll never fret or feel frustrated again.The truth is, I’m naturally bent towards sin. But I don’t accept grumbling as the undertone of my life anymore. It just means taking these feelings right away to Jesus, the giver of joy and freedom, and walking through the open door of gratitude. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:14-16, NIV) I so desperately want to shine like stars in the sky. Will you join me? **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Help Kids Overcome Jealousy by Putting on Christ](https://gominno.com/blog/help-kids-overcome-jealousy-by-putting-on-christ/) **Published:** April 26, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RpKRYSutTymxoIArQXV5_Jealousy-JT-Blog-Image.jpeg.jpg) I saw a quote on a sign once that said *“Jealousy looks terrible on you, but you continue to wear it.”* That’s always stuck with me as a reminder of the things we “wear” that the world can see on us. We wouldn’t dare leave our house with two different shoes or mismatched clothes. We would notice pretty immediately and go change because we don’t want to walk around looking ridiculous. You wouldn’t continue wearing something that looks terrible on you, it’s just not in our nature to do that. Sometimes, we don’t realize how much we carry pain, jealousy, bitterness, pride and hurt with us and wear them on the outside for the world around us to see. In Romans 13, Paul writes about our duties as a follower of Christ and reminds us of the commandments. In verses 8-10, we are shown that love is our primary goal as a Christian. *“LOVE is the fulfillment of the law”,* he states in verse 10. He sets all this up to say that our time is fleeting and soon Christ will return and to turn away from the darkness and to the Light of Christ. He urges us to *“put on Christ”*, basically to cover ourselves in who God is and let Him cover everything else. There’s no room to wear our jealously when we are putting on Christ first! Since we look terrible in jealousy, how do we as parents help our kids overcome this horrible sin of our flesh? Let’s talk through a couple of key ideas to help your kids with walking through and overcoming jealousy. **First and most importantly, remind them to put on Christ.** Encourage your kids to always invite God to cover them before they allow themselves to start wearing jealousy around. Here are some scriptures to point your kids to if they are dealing with jealousy. Romans 13:8-14 James 3:14-16 **Next, focus on teaching gratitude in your home.** This starts with you too! Grasping a sense of gratitude for what you have – material possessions, personal skills and characteristics – can make a huge difference in the way your kids (and you!) approach jealousy. Work on some ways you can help your children have gratitude in their specific situations. Practice this WITH them, and you will find you become more grateful for where you are too! For me personally, this is different for each of my kids. One of my kids is artsy, so she becomes more confident when I tell her how great her art work looks and remind her how creative she is. I tell her that God created her so special, unlike anyone else. What can show your children just how special and set apart they are? Here are a few ideas to practice fostering gratitude in your home: **Just say no to negative talk!** If you catch your kids saying negative things about themselves, their work or their gifts – NIX THAT! Help them to understand that moments don’t define them, even if they feel like they fail. Remind them that we all must fail to get up and try again. **Focus on life experiences rather than “stuff”.** We have a large family, so our kids don’t always get the newest toys, clothes or games. But we work hard to create fun life experiences for them to build memories and show love. If their love tank is always full, they won’t feel as jealous by the kid at school with the brand new bike or expensive jeans. Preaching to the choir. Are you constantly coveting your neighbor’s new car or wishing for something new and better in life? If your kids hear you talking about your jealousy, they will follow your lead. This is a hard pill to swallow, one I too deal with every day. It starts with us, parents! Jealousy is a tough subject to tackle, because it’s naturally in us as humans. **Let’s remember to put on Christ and not wear that jealousy around, because it doesn’t look good on us!** As parents, we need to be constantly doing heart checks of our kids to help them stay on the right path before they get lost in a sea of jealousy. *Have you faced jealousy issues with your kids? How have you helped them through?* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Free Family Gardening Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/blog/free-family-gardening-activity-pack/) **Published:** April 24, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/nPSJTGT0SSGRrMRsV73U/convert?width=800&quality=80) God’s creation is so inspiring and it’s such a gift that we get to nurture and grow plants, flowers, and produce. There’s so much we can learn from digging in the dirt, watching seeds grow, and enjoying the beauty of nature! We want to share this beauty with your family and help you get gardening together. [Click here to download a really fun new activity pack to get your kids excited about creation and gardening!](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Vkuj9ZTgQwO4yh0r4NgZ) Our friends at What’s in the Bible? originally developed this pack, which includes 5 pages of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. **Isaiah 58:11 Coloring Page** This coloring page features the verse “You shall be like a watered garden” from Isaiah 59. **Gardening Prayer** This sweet prayer is perfect for springtime! Adapted from The Valley of Vision, this prayer encourages us to think about how our lives share the beauty of knowing God with the world. **What’s in the Bible? Plant Markers** These fun cut-out plant markers feature favorite What’s in the Bible? characters and let you write the name of your plants to keep track of what you plant in your garden! **Outdoors Scavenger Hunt** Have a scavenger hunt in God’s creation! Explore the outdoors in your yard or at a local park and see who can find the most items from the list. **Garden of Eden Coloring Page** This coloring page shows Adam and Eve in the garden and includes Genesis 2:15. [Download the Family Gardening Activity Pack here! ](https://cdn.buttercms.com/Vkuj9ZTgQwO4yh0r4NgZ) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Helping Kids Face Standardized Testing with Peace and Courage](https://gominno.com/blog/helping-kids-face-standardized-testing-with-peace-and-courage/) **Published:** April 13, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1cXXPvCFRpOZhF3zKcXw_Standardized-Tests-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) My oldest daughter is in third grade. And in our state, third grade means standardized testing. And in every state, it seems, standardized testing means stress and panic and pressure — for teachers, kids, and parents alike. Before this year I thought the scariest parts of spring were tornadoes and allergy attacks. Based on what I hear from other parents, though, standardized testing blows those things out of the water when it comes to our kids and their stress levels. But I don’t think testing season has to be the worst month of the year. As parents, we can take steps to help our students face those bubble sheets (or computer programs, as my daughter informs me — apparently filling in bubbles with a number two pencil is old school!) with peace and courage. ### ### 1. Pray about it. It might seem obvious, but before all the talking and studying and prepping and planning, we need to hit our knees. We need to pray for our kids and pray with our kids. We need to pray in the morning before they leave and at night before they go to bed. Let’s pray for their minds to be sharp and their hearts to be calm, for their teachers to be steady and their studying to work. Let’s pray that they keep everything in perspective, giving only the appropriate weight to these tests and remembering the priorities and values you’ve taught them. Let’s pray that our kids have all the courage and none of the anxiety needed to do their best, and let’s pray that they trust the One who’s in control and sovereign over every day (not just test days). ### 2. Cover the basics. Though it’s been a couple decades (or more, ahem!) since I took a standardized test, I still remember my mom’s strategy: hot cereal. Every time we had testing, she’d force-feed us oatmeal, cream of wheat, or grits. Every. Single. Time. As an adult, I now understand that she was just trying to make sure we weren’t distracted by hunger. And I appreciate that, even if I still don’t love cream of wheat. If you are normally an “eat a granola bar on the way out the door” family, you will get no judgment from me. I have one kid who loves breakfast but sleeps late and another kid who gets up early but hates eating breakfast. Believe me, I know the struggle of filling their tummies before sending them out into the world. And don’t get me started on bedtime, which is never as early or uneventful as I hope and plan and promise myself! But for the few days that my daughter is testing this month, I’ll be getting myself up early to make a filling, hot breakfast that she’ll eat (easier said than done since she’s the one who considers a handful of dry Cheerios a proper morning meal). We’ll start the bedtime routine earlier for those two weeks, and I might even break out that leftover bottle of lavender-scented bedtime baby lotion. I’ve also signed up to take snacks to her class on one of the testing days. (Even if your child’s teacher doesn’t ask parents to bring snacks on testing days, you can send extra “brain food” in their lunch.) ### ### 3. Keep it simple. I’m not sure any season is convenient for testing, and I understand the logic of waiting until kids have learned as much as possible before testing their knowledge. But springtime is such a busy season! With concerts and contests and recitals and championship games, many activities are wrapping up and showing off. And on top of that, late spring and early summer activities are already ramping up, at least around here. That’s a lot going on — and then we have to add testing?! I say, as much as possible, keep your schedule as open and simple as you can for the weeks your student is taking standardized tests. Don’t plan extra outings or auditions; don’t sign up for new classes or lessons just yet. If you can, wait to begin new things until after testing is over. That way, your child can focus on testing and be better rested for his or her exams. Especially for the younger kids who haven’t done standardized testing before, starting anything else might just be too much for them to handle. Many of my friends and family members are teachers, so I’ve heard a lot about the pressure these tests put on the people responsible for educating our kids. So a bonus tip? **Pamper your child’s teacher a little bit during this season.** No, you can’t single-handedly change department or district policy, and you also can’t enforce a bedtime or breathing techniques on a stressed-out teacher. But you can send her a Starbucks gift card, a chocolate bar, or even just a note thanking her for all her hard work. Deep breaths, parents. We can do this. We can help our kids survive testing season — and even do it with the peace and courage God promises and offers us. *Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.* *Not as the world gives do I give to you.* *Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.* *John 14:27* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Discipline of Not Freaking Out](https://gominno.com/blog/the-discipline-of-not-freaking-out/) **Published:** April 12, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/e67KaAMHS5a9RUnqhvl9_Not-Freaking-Out-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) A few months ago I attended a parenting workshop at my church, during which a mother of adult children shared her favorite tips. There was no particular order to them—it was simply a list of pointers she wished she had known early on—but one of them stood out to me: **Don’t freak out.** She was referring to how we respond to our kids. When our children confess a sin, a mistake, or a lapse in judgment, we should do everything we can not to freak out. Otherwise, we will discourage them from confiding in us in the future. Instead, we should do our best to remain calm, to listen, to be slow to speak, and slow to become angry. By not freaking out, we will communicate to our kids that they can trust us with their deepest shame and fear. I thought this was such a valuable piece of wisdom, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized how biblical it is. Jesus was not shocked or awed by peoples’ sin, probably because he already knew it. In John 4, for example, Jesus encounters the woman at the well, and while the disciples “marvel” at their interaction, Jesus is not surprised a bit. Instead, he speaks very plainly to the woman: “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true” (v. 17-18). No drama. No fanfare. No condemnation. He simply acknowledges what he knows, and the woman senses this distinction. She doesn’t cower in fear and shame. Instead, she skips into town shouting, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” (v. 30) Consider also the sinful woman in Luke 7, who boldly anoints Jesus’ feet. The Pharisees are scandalized by this brazen act of devotion, grumbling, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is” (v. 39). Jesus, on the other hand, isn’t scandalized at all. Instead he explains, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much.” Once again, not a single feather ruffled. And perhaps the most famous story of all, the woman caught in adultery in John 8. Rather than join the mob of angry Pharisees, Jesus quietly writes in the sand, before stating, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (v. 7). Another calm, cool, and collected response. Time and time again, Jesus responds to sin, even hidden sin, without a hint of shock. That’s not to say Jesus was promoting a squishy faith in which there are no consequences for sin. Instead, it communicates three important truths: 1\. God already knows. Trying to hide our sin from God is as foolish as Adam and Eve hiding behind leaves in the garden. He sees all of us, and is not surprised by any of it. We cannot shock the Lord. 2\. God’s love does not stand on the flimsy foundation of our good behavior. It’s easy to believe our acceptance and embrace depends on the day, and that’s part of our motivation for hiding. If God only accepts us and loves us when we’re good, then no wonder we hide our junk! But Jesus’ cool demeanor is about much more than his personality; it’s about communicating to sinners that they are welcome in his presence. Otherwise, they wouldn’t come. 3\. Our sins are covered in Christ. Our sins have already been crucified, which means we do not need to re-crucify them—not in ourselves, or our children. Even if our children have not yet placed their faith in Christ, his cross reminds us of God’s definitive response to sin, which was not condemnation, but self-sacrificing substitution. Jesus’ discipline of “not freaking out” is encouraging for believers. No matter what we’ve done, we can approach God with confidence in Christ. No matter what it is, we can come to Him and ask for help. That is great news, and it’s also a model for parents. If our perfect Parent is not astonished at our sin, if He doesn’t freak out at our mistakes, then Christian parenting must surely look similar. We will, of course, never parent as well as our Heavenly Father, but we can certainly point to His way of doing things. Whether it’s us, or our kids, everyone needs a safe place where we can be honest about our sin, without feeling judged or condemned. There is no greater sense of security than being fully seen, and fully loved, and who better to communicate this than parents? As a mother of toddlers, I suspect this will be much harder in practice than in theory, so in the mean time, this will be my prayer: *Heavenly Father, help me to parent like you. Give me the strength, the discernment, and the self-control not to freak out.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Strength](https://gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-that-teach-kids-about-strength/) **Published:** April 5, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7VjlyNYsT8aWyq7BBUOm_JT-Blog-bible%20stories%20strength.jpg.jpg) “Mommy, I’m strong and courageous!” he shouts with fists clenched, muscles flexed and feet ready for battle. We’ve taught our two year old this declaration, which represents the name we so purposefully gave him. Our Joshua will be a man of strength if we have anything to do with it. Our boy will be courageous because, with God’s help, we’ll show him the way. **Philippians 4:13 (ESV) says:** > **I can do all things though him who strengthens me.** Teaching kids about strength seems like a no brainer. As Christians we believe our strength comes from God and as we teach this truth to our children, we expect them to accept it and apply it to their lives. But when push comes to shove, it can be hard to access the strength available to us. It’s often easier to retreat in fear than stand up and face a battle head on. The most important way we can help our kids have the courage to stand strong is to be an example of strength for them. Children need to see us facing our fears with confidence and peace. They need to watch us [walk through problems and hard situations](http://www.graceformoms.com/prayer-sinking/) with the graceful strength that only comes from God. And as we ourselves become an example to them we can also point them to Biblical examples of strength to further develop their confidence in themselves and in God. ### ### **Three Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Strength** #### **The Story of Gideon** ***Judges 6:12-16, 23:*** > *And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man”. . .But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.* **Because God is with us and will help us, we can have peace and not fear.** Gideon knew he did not have the strength within himself to defeat the Midianites. But God assured Gideon that he would be protected and would win the battle. When our strength comes from God, we can do things we never thought possible. This story is a wonderful example for kids as they are facing hard situations. A difficult test? A broken friendship? A tough try out? Assure your children that their strength to endure and to accomplish the task comes from a God who loves them and is always with them. **Related verse:** *Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. – Ephesians 6:10* Related Episodes on Minno: [Read and Share Bible: Gideon](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/gideon) [Bugtime Adventures: Scare Tactics](https://www.gominno.com/series/bugtime-adventures/videos/scare-tactics) [Friends and Heroes: True Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/true-heroes) [Kidmo Zoom: What Are the Attributes of God?](https://www.gominno.com/series/kidmo/videos/zoom-what-are-the-attributes-of-god) #### **The Story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago** ***Daniel 3:14-26:*** > *Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.* **When faced with hard decisions, especially when needing to stand up for what we believe, God gives us the strength to make the right choice**. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew what the king was asking was wrong. And they did not hesitate to stand up for God. They believed he would protect them and give them the strength to withstand the pressure of the king. In the end, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were safe and God received the glory. Share with your children that when they face decisions that seem hard or need to stand up for something they believe in, God will give them the strength they need to choose what is most pleasing to him. **Related verse:** *God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1* **Related Episodes on Minno:** [Micah’s Super Vlog: Nebby Rap](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog/videos/nebby-rap) [What’s in the Bible? Messages of the Prophets](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/messages-of-the-prophets) [Read and Share Bible: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/shadrach-meshach-abednego) [Tune Time: Meet the Tunies](https://www.gominno.com/series/tunetime/videos/meet-the-tunies) [Friends and Heroes: The One That Got Away](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/the-one-that-got-away) #### **The Story of Esther** ***Esther 4:11-16:*** > *All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law–to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.* **Sometimes God gives us special opportunities and extra strength to make a difference in the lives of others.** Esther’s people were in trouble. Although she was the king’s wife, he didn’t know she was Jewish. The king had been convinced to get rid of all Jewish people, and at first, Esther was afraid to do anything about it. Then her cousin, Mordecai reminded Esther that she was given her royal position “for such a time as this.” He reminded her that God would give her the strength and courage to use her position to help their people. Sometimes God gives us opportunities so we can make a difference. Assure your children that if God puts them in a position to do something good, he will give them the strength and the courage to complete the task. **Related verse:** *The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:14* **Related Episodes on Minno:** [VeggieTales: Esther, The Girl Who Became Queen](https://www.gominno.com/series/veggietales/videos/esther-the-girl-who-became-queen) [What’s in the Bible? Brave Queen Esther](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible/videos/brave-queen-esther) [Read and Share Bible: Esther](https://www.gominno.com/series/read-and-share-bible/videos/esther) [Holy Moly: Queen Esther](https://www.gominno.com/series/holy-moly/videos/queen-esther) [Story Songs from Scripture: Esther’s Song](https://www.gominno.com/series/story-songs-from-scripture/videos/esthers-song) [Sing Through the Bible: Esther Sing-Along](https://www.gominno.com/series/sing-through-the-bible/videos/esther-sing-along) [Bugtime Adventures: Not to Bee](https://www.gominno.com/series/bugtime-adventures/videos/not-to-bee) [Friends and Heroes: Doing Our Part](https://www.gominno.com/series/friends-and-heroes/videos/doing-our-part) [Tune Time: Paint](https://www.gominno.com/series/tunetime/videos/paint2) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How Do You Make Easter Meaningful For Your Family?](https://gominno.com/blog/how-do-you-make-easter-meaningful/) **Published:** April 3, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tMgqOes4Rsuie8l1UEmy_JT-Blog-easter%20meaningful.jpg.jpg)* *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ### *How do you make Easter meaningful for your family?* #### Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://chaosappreciation.com/blog "Chaos Appreciation"): > One Easter, a few years ago, I stuck a note in each child’s basket that simply said “I Love You ~Jesus”. I had no idea they would react the way they did, but they cherished those little notes. So now, every year, I put another note in the bottom of the basket, saying the same thing, to remind us all that Easter isn’t about the basket, or the candy. #### Leah of [As We Walk Along The Road](http://www.courtneysix.blogspot.com "As We Walk Along the Road"): > We hide eggs and do Easter baskets, but we do them on Saturday morning so that on Sunday morning we have time to focus ourselves before we go to church. > #### Heather of [Me and the Gross Boys](www.heatherandthegrossboys.blogspot.com "Me and the Gross Boys"): > We read many great books about Easter. We listen to and sing songs about Christ’s sacrifice. We have done the resurrection eggs, and the resurrection garden. #### Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](http://kimberlyamici.com/ "Living in the Sweet Spot"): > One of the ways we make Easter meaningful for our family is by simply talking about the story of The Cross. We read pictures books, Bible passages, and watch videos that bring the story to life. We also make Easter Story Cookies. Each ingredient in this recipe is symbolic of a part of the Easter story, and with a corresponding Bible verse. The result is a tasty treat that is hollow inside…just like Jesus’ tomb. #### Tamika of [No Time For Tea Parties](www.notimefortea.com "No Time for Tea Parties"): > I make resurrection rolls with my kids and we talk about the sacrifice that Jesus made. We talk about what it means for each one of us, and the world. I use the *Read-to-Me Bible* and let the kids tell and retell the story as we make the rolls. We read from the Bible and wait for them to bake. Then we eat them. It is a great opportunity for them to ask questions and for me to hear their thoughts and perspective. #### Wendy of [Hip Homeschool Moms](http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com "Hip Homeschool Moms"): > My children are older now, and they have all been taught why we celebrate Easter/Resurrection Day for many years. We enjoy making Resurrection Cookies, and we always love attending our church on Easter Sunday. My husband and I give the children gifts for Easter – like a small amount of candy, pretty spring stationery, and a new dress for the girls or a new shirt for the guys. We emphasize that the pretty colors, flowers, etc. represent new life and that our new life came from Jesus–who died so that we could be forgiven from our sins and could not only have a new life here on earth but also an eternal life with God in heaven. #### Laura of [Raising Soldiers for Christ](http://www.raisingsoldiers4christ.com "Raising Soldiers for Christ"): > We start with reading *Amon’s Adventure: A Family Story for Easter*. This is a wonderful book that is perfect for Lent. We also do Resurrection Eggs, which help to reinforce the Easter story for the children. As a family, we also read many books and talk about Easter often. On Easter the kids get baskets from Mom and Dad and we spend the day in church. #### Heidi of [Our Out of Sync Life](www.ouroutofsynclife.com "Our Out of Sync Life"): > One of my favorite Easter activities is making resurrection rolls. Placing marshmallows inside crescent rolls is an awesome way to demonstrate the empty tomb. #### Katie of [KidMinspiration](kidminspiration.com "Kidminspiration"): > We attend Good Friday services. It really helps us to focus on Christ’s love and sacrifice for us. #### Danika of [Thinking Kids](http://ThinkingKidsBlog.org "Thinking Kids"): > My husband and I decided early in our marriage that holidays in our family would be simple and sincere. We usually attend church on Good Friday or hold a special time of family worship to observe Christ’s sacrifice. We discuss the reason Jesus died and go through the Gospel. On Sunday, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection with great joy! We enjoy giving the kids gifts that help them focus on Scripture — usually a good book, a journal or Bible, and a DVD (*What’s in the Bible?* of course!). For fun, we do throw in a piece of candy or two. Don’t ask me why, but marshmallows taste much better in the shape of a chick! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Help Your Kids See the Value in Unanswered Prayer](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-help-your-kids-see-the-value-in-unanswered-prayer/) **Published:** April 3, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MwVCtV0CRJu5YBBfkEms_JT-Blog-unanswered%20prayers.jpg.jpg) It’s important for me to make sure my kids understand that God doesn’t work like a genie or fairy godmother. In the movies, you get what you wish for and it usually results in happily ever after. Sometimes a movie will teach you the lesson of “be careful what you wish for,” but this message can be rare and very much sugar-coated. God is not a genie and prayers are not about getting what we want. Prayer is our chance to converse with God. It is the basis of our relationship. In this relationship, God knows what’s best for me and for His Kingdom. I understand how prayer works, but I like to be in control. And my kids have similar personalities, so I feel even more responsible for teaching them this truth: We are NOT in control and there is value in the experience of not getting what we want. I should first clarify that I’m not even sure there is such a thing as unanswered prayers. I think God answers all prayers in His own perfect way. We are the ones who see our requests as unanswered and the lessons to be found in those unanswered prayers are numerous. Lessons of trust, God’s sovereignty, faith. With myself and my children, I’m choosing to focus on this lesson: *And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.* -Romans 8:28 When we’ve prayed through a situation and we don’t see what we want to see, we must come back to this: God is good and He is working all things together for good in our lives. His “unanswered prayers” are for good reasons, Kingdom reasons. We don’t see the whole picture, so we can’t know what is best. I shudder to think what could have happened if God answered every prayer I ever prayed in the way I thought He should answer them. Recently, we had a big move planned. We were completely convinced this was exactly what God wanted for our family. We were looking at houses, touring schools, and making the necessary heart adjustments to prepare ourselves. In the middle of all of this, we were thrown a major curveball. We prayed and prayed for God to work a miracle in the situation so we could go forward with the move. We didn’t get what we asked for. We had to stop chasing the dream of moving and it was painful. We were all so confused. But God. Even in the midst of the hurt, He started to show His good plan. Relationships in our current location were deepened. New opportunities arose right where we were. The perfect job was offered to my husband. These were all answers to our prayers, but so very different from our thoughts and plans. Walking through this life change with our children was an experience in grace and trust. They felt the same emotional rollercoaster we did, but we were always able to point back to God’s goodness. While I don’t wish to go through it all over again, our unanswered prayers have given way to growth and faith like never before. And that is an answer to prayer. How do you help your kids understand when their prayers are not answered how they expected? Have you seen good come from these experiences or are you still waiting to see His plan? *Erin Mohring enjoys life in Nebraska with her husband of 12 years and their three boys, as well as reading, running, and movie nights with her guys. She writes at Home with the Boys and is the co-founder of Raising Boys Ministries.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Free Printable Mother's Day Fill-in-the-Blank Activity](https://gominno.com/blog/free-printable-mothers-day-fill-in-the-blank-activity/) **Published:** April 2, 2017 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/iow3iKBqQwOLZXfKWIBi_Mad-About-Mom-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Moms are the \_\_\_\_\_, right? (Best? Most awesome? Coolest?) Download this free fill-in-the-blank Mother’s Day printable and make a Mother’s Day card mom will absolutely love. Perfect for churches! **[Download this free Mothers Day activity here. ](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/MadAboutMom.pdf)** [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ccSSL02JSulEBAcvBgwd_Screen%20Shot%202017-04-17%20at%203.58.35%20PM.png.jpg)](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/MadAboutMom.pdf) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The History of the Easter Bunny](https://gominno.com/blog/history-of-the-easter-bunny/) **Published:** March 29, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/enKpBi7QPOhPnbohrQLg.jpg)* *As part of our continuing Easter blog series, we wanted to address some of the historical – and religious – roots of some of our modern Easter celebrations. Today we’ll look at the **history of the Easter bunny**.* ## History of the Easter Bunny For thousands of years, many cultures believed that rabbits possessed mystical powers. These cultures built statues of fertility gods and goddesses with rabbit heads. Some scholars speculate that the link between rabbits and fertility is due to their ability to reproduce often and in great number.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) As an example of the rabbit’s presence in ancient lore, there is an especially relevant legend about the goddess Oestre. Oestre played an important part in spring celebrations, and many European tribes believed that she “drove winter away and reawakened the world for its annual rebirth in spring.” One legend told of a bird who looked into Oestre’s face and was overcome with the beauty of her rabbit-like features. Discerning the special nature of the rabbit, the bird asked the goddess to transform him into a rabbit. Following the transformation, the bird forgot everything about its former life except how to lay eggs. The bird’s eggs were then gathered by Oestre and presented to the world’s best children.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) It is possible that, due to stories such as this one, the rabbit came to be associated with Easter. In addition to the influence of these ancient legends, the Easter bunny may have another source. In the Middle Ages children engaged in Easter egg hunts, sometimes stirring the bunnies hiding in the bushes around them. Because the eggs were often discovered in the same location from which the bunnies fled, children associated the rabbits with the eggs, even imagining that the rabbits had been lying on top of their colorful treasures.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) It was not until the 1800’s that the Easter bunny began to appear in stories. Numerous German books connected the animal to the holiday, and German candy makers produced a variety of edible bunnies. Eventually, the Easter bunny made its way to the United States, and Americans began to include the bunny in their festivities in the mid to late 1800’s.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Remind your kids that Easter is about more than bunnies and candy by watching the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Collins, p. 170 [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Ibid. p. 170-171 [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Collins, p. 171 [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Ibid. p. 171 **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Sharing the Joy of Easter and New Life with Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/sharing-the-joy-of-easter-and-new-life-with-kids/) **Published:** March 21, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/iJ7IbKvvRYmeHlag8cPB_spring-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) When my daughter was about 2 years old we did this [fun little activity for Easter](http://ohamanda.com/2009/04/10/good-fridayeaster-food-craft/) – we took a marshmallow, rolled it in melted butter, cinnamon and sugar and then rolled that up inside crescent roll dough. The marshmallow was supposed to represent Jesus, the butter and spices, the oils and spices they buried with Jesus and the crescent roll was of course, the tomb. The fun part is once you cook it, the marshmallow disappears leaving a big empty hole inside your crescent roll. It’s a visual reminder of how Jesus died and then rose again–leaving an empty tomb. What made this really funny was my daughter’s reaction. She was totally surprised that the marshmallow disappeared and kept saying, *“But where did it go?!”* Later that night, when my husband came home, she couldn’t stop talking about how that marshmallow had disappeared. In her mind, she had witnessed a miracle! The next Easter, I decided to do a [Resurrection Garden](http://ohamanda.com/2011/04/03/resurrection-easter-ideas-for-kids/) with her. You may have seen these on Pinterest. Basically, you make a tiny little garden in a pie pan and maybe add a rock tomb or a little cross made of sticks. Some people add grass seeds and watch it grow. We decided to decorate it with leaves and branches from our backyard. Honestly, it was pretty cute looking. My daughter loved her little garden and took a lot of care with decorating it. However, after a couple of days, that little garden was looking a little dingy with all the dead leaves and wilting plants. Then, I had a brilliant idea the night before Easter and ran to the grocery store to buy one of those five-dollar bouquets of flowers. I pulled all the drooping plants off her garden and arranged the new brightly colored flowers on it. That Easter morning, when she scooted downstairs and saw her garden, it really became a Resurrection Garden! She was so surprised and so amazed that her dirty little garden could be so beautiful. My big girl is 11 years old now and her jaw doesn’t drop when we do these activities each year. But she does look forward to them. She anticipates the fun miracle she knows is going to happen. Her excitement is a lesson for me. I’ve been around church and Bible stories since I was 4 years old. It’s easy for me to read through Jesus’ miracles and not even notice they are miracles. They are simply things Jesus did. I’ve read them a million times. **Parenting, specifically teaching my kids about God’s Word awakens the awe and wonder of God’s miracles in my own life.** This year, as I lead my kids through activities, stories, and conversations about Jesus’ death and resurrection, I have purposed in my heart to see the story with eyes of astonishment, thankfulness, and wonderment. I know when my heart is full of joy about this miracle, my kids will see and feel it, too! I want us to join together in worshiping the Lamb this Easter season, > “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:12 Looking for a way to enjoy the excitement of new life this Easter season? The adorable book, [Why Easter?](https://shop.gominno.com/products/why-easter) features beloved What’s In The Bible? brothers, Clive and Ian. It’s a wonderful tool for families with little ones. You can find it in the [Minno Store](https://shop.gominno.com/products/why-easter)! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Jesus, Be All In Me](https://gominno.com/blog/jesus-be-all-in-me/) **Published:** March 17, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cmko6LhQv6ZljoYoQTQw_Jesus-Be-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) Taking care of an infant presents some very unique challenges. There is something about having to meet the needs of a crying baby at all hours of the day and night that sands down your stamina. Add in a toddler with a propensity for whining and exercising her autonomy and a kindergartner who acts like he’s never had to get ready for school in the morning, ever and I can honestly say my patience is worn almost threadbare on a daily basis. Maybe you’ve been there too. Lately I’ve been finding out how impossible it is to do life well apart from Christ. Left to my own instincts, reactions, and reasoning, I would be miserable and bring everyone around down with me. My sin-bent nature means that I am naturally selfish, self-serving, and filled with all sorts of unkindness, including snapping at my kids and going on long rants about how I’m the only one who ever cares about anything around this house. There are zero redeeming qualities about me apart from Christ. What I am finding though is that sin part of me is so easy to give into. It feels so much easier to yell when I feel frustrated or eat chocolate when I feel stressed rather than exercise self-control and reach out for the power of the Holy Spirit. And giving into my selfish ways feels especially tempting when I find myself operating on little sleep and my energy reserves are being depleted. All too often my heart echoes Paul’s words in Romans 7:15: *What I do not want to do, I do and what I hate I do.* That is me, day in and day out, apart from Christ. I’ve started the practice of repeating this very simple phrase anytime I feel myself drifting towards what I don’t want to do. **Jesus, be all in me I cannot be.** When the baby just won’t settle and my eyes burn with tears and frustration. **Jesus, be all in me I cannot be.** When it is time to start the day and I feel anything but refreshed by what little sleep I had. **Jesus, be all in me I cannot be.** When I find my son playing legos instead of whatever thing I’ve asked him to do. **Jesus, be all in me I cannot be.** When my daughter gets creative with her art supplies on my new furniture. **Jesus, be all in me I cannot be.** When the kids are supposed to be asleep but I keep hearing calls for one more drink, one more hug, one more story. **Jesus, be all in me I cannot be.** When I feel dry but am required to continue to pour out. **Jesus, be all in me I cannot be.** The phrase is so simple and yet, so profoundly life-changing. I believe the Lord rewards that humble acknowledgement of what I truly cannot do on my own and unlocks the supernatural strength necessary to dig deeper when I feel like giving up and allying with my selfishness. If there is anything I have learned in the last three months since we brought a third baby home it’s that I am so incredibly weak without Christ. The pressures of taking care of three little ones day in and day out on very little sleep is incredibly daunting. The needs are always there and it is always me who needs to meet them. What I have seen myself be on my own is ugly and everything a Christ-follower should not be. But with Him? With Him I can be patient and kind, loving and gracious. I can suffer long and serve others with meekness and humility. With Him I can be all the things I never could be on my own. **Jesus, is all in me that I cannot be.** **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [A Lent Craft for Kids: The Jellybean Prayer Jar](https://gominno.com/blog/a-lent-craft-for-kids-the-jellybean-prayer-jar/) **Published:** March 15, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/53bO26faTpKAzqo8aBFD.jpg) Whether or not your family partakes in Lent, the time leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection can be filled with many kid-friendly activities that will teach them about God’s love in action. For those of us who do practice fasting, prayer and almsgiving during these 40 days before Easter, coming up with a feasible fast for a child in which a deeper meaning can be taught is tricky! The Jellybean Prayer, mentioned last week by one of our Facebook friends, is an activity which my family has absolutely LOVED doing this past week! It’s the perfect **Lent craft for kids**. There are versions of this prayer found online; this particular version of the Jellybean Prayer Jar that we’ve chosen to do is found on [Catholicmom.com](http://www.catholicmom.com/Lent_jelly.htm), although this Lent craft is definitely one that’s inter-denominational! #### #### Lent Craft for Kids: The Jellybean Prayer Jar This Lent craft is usually started on Ash Wednesday… but don’t let this stop you!–There’s still plenty of time to fill that jellybean prayer jar! You’ll need a small jar for each child in the house who’ll be participating in the Jellybean Jar Prayer. Paste a copy of the prayer on each jar after you determine what behavior each color of jellybean represents. White jellybeans cannot be earned! They signify God’s grace and will be used later… Here is an example of what some of the colors could represent. (Feel free to personalize this part of the prayer based on your own children, their ages and their specific understanding of Biblical concepts.) #### #### **Jellybean Prayer Jar** **Red** is for the blood Jesus gave for us. Each morning choose something that can be sacrificed to earn the red jellybean. It must be something that the child would have had the opportunity to have or do that day. **Green** is for the palm’s cool shade. Green jellybeans can be earned for good deeds. Example: It was a good deed to provide shade for Jesus with the palm. **Yellow** is for God’s light so bright! Yellow jellybeans can be earned by sharing God’s light through showing kindness to others. **Orange** is for prayers at twilight or bedtime. Orange jellybeans can be earned for attentive behavior during bedtime prayers / Bible reading. **Black** (or Blue if kids don’t like black flavor) is for sweet rest at night. Black jellybeans can be earned for going to bed without fuss. **Purple** is for Jesus’ days of sorrow (or His Passion). Purple jellybeans can be earned by apologizing to anyone we hurt with our words or actions. **Pink** is for forgiveness and each new tomorrow. Pink jellybeans can be earned when we forgive those who hurt us, whether or not they apologize to us **White** is for the Grace of Christ. It is a gift, and can not be earned. On Easter morning, mom and dad fill up the remaining space in the jellybean jar with white jellybeans, to symbolize God’s grace. I hope your kids enjoy this Lent craft and perhaps make it a new tradition to look forward to as they prepare for Easter Sunday. Do you have any suggestions for family activities that can be enjoyed during Lent or which may have a special significance in our preparation for Easter? If so, we’d love to hear about them! #### More Ways to Connect as a Family During the Lent and Easter Season: ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") *Lisa Strnad is a freelance writer/blogger, who regularly contributes to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville, TN.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How Do You Make Family Movie Nights Special?](https://gominno.com/blog/make-family-movie-nights-special/) **Published:** March 10, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/amsyhMWUS2IzHD1eplZw_JT-Blog-movie%20nights.jpg.jpg)* *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ### How do you make family movie nights special? #### Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) > We are carrying on a tradition that my husband’s family did when he was a kid. We lay a blanket on the floor with pillows and serve popcorn, apples, and cheese for a well-balanced meal. We have a little picnic while we watch. Sometimes we’ll break for a treat in the middle of the movie if the kids have eaten well. We love substituting this light meal and family time for dinner. Sometimes it happens once a week but at least twice a month! > #### Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.OurOutofSyncLife.com) > When we have family movie nights, it is almost always a *What’s in the Bible?* video. We pop a bunch of popcorn and pile onto the couch to giggle through the characters antics. Since we rarely watch TV, this is an extra special treat. #### Tamika of [No Time for Tea Parties](http://www.notimefortea.com "No Time For Tea Parties") > We make a picnic on the floor, have smoothies, and dessert! The kids love to picnic and know that there are special treats on Movie nights. #### Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](www.Kimberlyamici.com "kimberlyamici.com") > We have a 3D Television. When my husband first mentioned getting one I thought it was a silly idea but now that we have it, the kids love it. With the push of a buttons we can have a movie theater experience right from our couch. We bought enough 3D glasses so our kids could invite their friends over to join the fun. #### Anne Marie of [Future.Flying.Saucers ](http://www.futureflyingsaucers.com) > We don’t do family movie nights often, so that automatically makes them a special treat. TV is not something we usually watch in our house unless a video is used for schooling. When we choose to do a family movie night, my husband and I chose a movie that the whole family, all ages, can watch. We all pile on the bed together, snuggle, and enjoy the movie together! #### Kristin of [Bits and Pieces From My Life](http://from-my-life.blogspot.com) > We recently started popping our own popcorn. We were content with microwave popcorn until we started experimenting with the real stuff. We use a little coconut oil to pop the corn and then throw in a little salt and butter. We plan to try a few flavors soon. First up: cinnamon/sugar popcorn! #### Danika of [Thinking Kids ](http://ThinkingKidsBlog.org) > On our movie nights we air pop popcorn, make hot chocolate on the stove from scratch, and we all pile on the couch under blankets. Movie nights are “device-free”, so no texting or social media is allowed (that rule is mostly for me… I’m a bit of a Pinterest addict!). Afterward, we discuss the movie we’ve watched over ice cream. #### Whitney of [Beauty in the Mess ](http://beautyinthemess.com) > Movie nights are special in our house because the kids get to stay up later than usual and they get to eat popcorn with Daddy. They love it! #### Angi of [Schneider Peeps ](www.schneiderpeeps.com) > For the last 15 years, our family has had a family movie night almost every Friday night. It’s something that even my teens and adult children look forward to each week. We pick a movie that all of us can watch – usually geared toward the 5 year old. And we make homemade pizza. Each person gets to decorate their own small pizza just as they want. It’s been a pretty fun tradition for our family. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Should Christians Celebrate St. Patrick's Day?](https://gominno.com/blog/should-christians-celebrate-st-patricks-day/) **Published:** March 8, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/a9ImzZR0SlaUPMy342wO.jpg) Do you have your favorite green shirt ready to go for March 17? Will you dye your scrambled eggs green that morning? Believe it or not, behind our silly St. Patrick’s Day traditions – like wearing green or stories about leprechauns and pots of gold – lies a rich story about a man devoted to God who spread the Gospel throughout Ireland. On March 17th cultures all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, St. Patrick’s Day has become a pretty secular holiday but when we understand the real meaning behind the celebration, it can become a more fun – and meaningful – experience for the whole family! Enjoy the story of St. Patrick below! Read it aloud with your kids and learn together about the man behind the holiday. #### #### **Who was St. Patrick?** Patrick was born in Britain circa A.D. 385 – over 1600 years ago! At the time, the Roman Empire – of which Britain was a part – was on the verge of collapse. Barbarians were on the move, invading different regions of the empire. Roman legions (large groups of soldiers) had deserted Britain, making it vulnerable to attack. When Patrick was sixteen years old, Irish pirates invaded his village, destroyed it and took Patrick captive. He was put on a ship bound for Ireland. In Ireland, Patrick was sold as a slave and put to work as a shepherd for pigs. In those Irish hills, life was hard for Patrick. He was exposed to a harsh climate and nearly starved to death. He was completely alone, but he turned to God for comfort and companionship. Through prayer Patrick found great relief: > *“The love of God and the fear of him surrounded me more and more. And faith grew. And the spirit roused so that in one day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and at night only slightly less.”[**\[1\]**](#_ftn1)* Six years into slavery, Patrick had a vision from God. He was told he would return to his homeland. Not long after he had another vision and was told his ship was waiting for him. Patrick ran away and travelled more than two hundred miles to Ireland’s southeast coast and boarded a ship headed for Gaul (modern-day France), where many people believe he trained for ministry.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) After returning to his homeland, Patrick received another vision. In it a man named Victoricius came to him holding many letters. Patrick read one of the letters aloud, called “The Voice of the Irish.” As he read he heard Irish voices calling out to him and pleading for his return to Ireland. Years later Patrick was ordained as a bishop, a leader in the Church. Around A.D. 432 Patrick returned to Ireland to start sharing the Gospel about Jesus with the Irish people. Patrick’s missionary work over the next thirty years was truly remarkable. He journeyed across Ireland, spreading the gospel, baptizing and confirming countless believers and founding many churches and monasteries. One of Patrick’s missionary strategies was to focus his efforts on evangelizing Ireland’s many tribal kings. His thought was that converting the kings would lead to the conversion of the their subjects. His strategy proved extremely successful, and many people became Christians! Spreading the Gospel in Ireland was far from easy for Patrick. He faced frequent opposition and was in constant danger of being killed for his bold faith. *Lorica*, also known as “Patrick’s Breastplate,” is a special prayer of protection that Patrick would say. Many people read it today because it reminds them of Patrick’s confidence in the Lord. Patrick died on March 17th in A.D. 461. His is best known for organizing the church in Ireland and spreading Christianity there. Many legends surround Patrick’s life, including that he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. There really isn’t any historical proof to that, but the legend can explain why we associate shamrocks with St. Patrick’s Day! #### #### **Why is St. Patrick important?** Historically, St. Patrick’s missionary work forever changed Ireland. His bold faith and godly character makes him one of the great saints in church history. As a former slave, he condemned slavery as an ungodly institution. As a missionary, he lived among the Irish, identified with them, honored their customs and beliefs and redeemed many of them to reflect the truth and teachings of Christianity. As an evangelist, he was driven to make God’s name known among the Irish. God used his steely resolve and ambition to advance God’s kingdom in a mighty way in Ireland. Patrick was passionate about evangelizing the Irish, but he was also passionate about educating converts in Christian living and service. Today, Patrick is seen as the ultimate model for Celtic Christians. Ultimately, his life and ministry serve as a pointer to the life and ministry of Christ himself. #### #### **Should Christians celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?** Deciding to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is a matter of personal conviction for you and your family. Like Patrick often did with Irish traditions, believers today can redeem a holiday that has become quite secular in its practices and traditions (e.g., leprechauns and shamrocks). Christians throughout the centuries have participated in cultural events like St. Patrick’s Day and used them as springboards for relationship building and gospel conversations with nonbelievers. #### #### **How do Christians honor him?** St. Patrick’s Day is an officially recognized feast day in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran Church. Church services near the holiday usually honor Patrick’s life and missionary work. Many Christians participate in the traditions surrounding the holiday, such as public parades and festivals, Gaelic folk music dancing and wearing green and shamrocks. #### #### **How can families participate in St. Patrick’s Day?** There are a number of ways your family can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Families can set aside time to read the real story of Patrick’s life and share it with their friends and neighbors. Recalling the biographies of past saints is a great way to encourage and embolden modern believers. Reciting famous Irish prayers and blessings as a family can honor Patrick’s love for prayer. Families might also consider a feast or gathering at their home to celebrate God’s heart for the nations and his global mission. --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Mary Cagney, “Patrick the Saint,” Christianity Today, October 1, 1998, accessed March 4, 2015, . [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Ibid. --- **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Are Your Kids' Activities Driving You Crazy?](https://gominno.com/blog/are-your-kids-activities-driving-you-crazy/) **Published:** March 7, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ayJcxcSeEBmxn9KDrTgu_Sports-Art-Music-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg) We have a calendar that hangs on our kitchen wall, and as a type-A, extroverted personality – I pride myself on a full and overflowing schedule. Or at least I did, until I realized how unhealthy that can be for my family. I took a step back from the calendar overload and spent some time focusing on my family in a better way. As a mom of four, there’s not much that can just easily go away from the to-do list, but I have found a way to give myself grace in this busy season of life with a lot of kids. **The world is telling us that we need to have our kids in every activity under the sun to raise a well-rounded human being.** We have options for art classes, music, dance, sports, and the list goes on and on. A few years back, I had three kids under the age of three and I felt the pressure to put my oldest in an activity. I was watching all the moms around me do activities and I thought that was what I was supposed to do. I didn’t take the time to stop and consider if it was the best option for OUR family in that season. After about six months of dragging my three tiny children to a gym halfway across town, my daughter told me she didn’t even want to do gymnastics. I had never asked her what SHE wanted to do. I just did what I felt was going to make me look like the best mom (because she looked darling in her little leotard in my Instagram pictures!) I learned an important lesson in that season that has changed our family dynamic and the way I parent. Maybe you’re in a season like I was, or maybe you’re in a place that you’re ready to jump into activities. A few things to think about if your kids’ activities are driving you crazy or if you are trying to establish a schedule that works for your family: **1. Are you doing it for you or for your child?** Is this activity choice one that you made as a family and something your child truly wants to be a part of? Do they enjoy and thrive in this activity or is it simply something that makes you feel like a better parent by checking one more thing off of a list? **2. Is this choice healthy for your family?** Do you feel stressed by the weight of activities? Does your home feel like a place of peace (well, as peaceful as it can feel with children!) and your calendar feel nicely balanced? **3. Are you finding space for real family time?** Family time should be more than a kiss on the forehead on the way out the door to the bus or a quick dinner before homework. **Family time is most important in growing your children into well-rounded human beings and they will learn far more in a healthy family setting than they ever will at dance lessons or swim team.** I want to encourage you to take a look at your family schedule. Does it make you feel joy and freedom or stressed and overwhelmed? Find freedom to erase some things on the schedule that don’t bring joy to you and your kids. If you need a season to be free from activities and focus on your kids, take one! We are currently an activity-free family as we navigate our season of life, and it’s the healthiest choice for us right now. In a few months that may change, but we will take it day by day and check our family health before diving in. If it’s time to dive into activities, find something your kids will love and go all in! Find freedom in your choices, make the best decision for your family and have fun! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Simple Ways to Observe Lent as a Family](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-ways-to-observe-lent-as-a-family/) **Published:** February 28, 2017 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9dqfEy2TpKnJf1E0i68g.jpg) ### Five simple Lent and Easter activities for families. Use one (or a few) of these ideas to connect and grow this season. Easter is just around the corner so maybe you’ve observed conversations on social media or between friends about the season of Lent. Maybe you’re asking, *“What is Lent and should I participate in it myself or with my family?”* Whether you grew up celebrating this sacred season or have only recently been introduced to Lent, we want to help you share the beauty of this tradition with your family. We’ve got a great round-up of posts here at Minno on [everything you need to know about Lent and Easter](https://www.gominno.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lent-and-easter). Today, I’m sharing a few simple ways you can participate in Lent (even if you never have before) and invite your children to learn about Jesus as you prepare your hearts to accept his gift of love this Easter season. **1. Lay Something Down / Pick Something Up.** While Lent is traditionally observed by sacrificing something dear as a form of penance, you can observe Lent by either laying down a beloved food or activity (such as chocolate, television or time on social media) or picking up a new habit (such as a devotional time or a practice of gratitude). If you plan to observe Lent as a family, consider giving up or adding something new each week during Lent. Last night at the dinner table, after we discussed the upcoming season, my daughter declared that she wanted to give up chocolate for Lent. I was pleasantly surprised at her enthusiasm and willingness to make the sacrifice. But I knew it would be hard. I encouraged her to pray about it and consider starting by giving up chocolate for one week. I don’t want to set her up to fail. The first time we participate in [fasting](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talking-to-your-kids-about-lent-and-fasting) (especially with kids) it’s completely appropriate to start small and build up. The important thing is the willingness to alter our lives in an effort to draw closer to Jesus and depend on Him for strength. How we do that will vary greatly and is a very personal decision with no right or wrong. **2. Use [What’s In The Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible) to learn about Jesus’ life.** Volume 10 will walk your family through the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – where you and your kids can learn about Jesus’ life. You can find a summary and talking points for your family in [this post](http://whatsinthebible.com/jesus-good-news-talking-kids-gospel/) to carry the conversation with you throughout the season. You can [watch it right here on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible). **3. Follow a simple Lent/Easter season family devotional** like [this one I wrote over at Gather & Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/family-lent-easter-season-devotional/). It focuses on God’s big love and Jesus’ sacrifice while teaching kids what it means to follow Jesus and live (and share) the abundant life he offers us. The devotional will teach your family about Lent and help you find ways to observe the season that work for you. Each weekly devotion can take as little as 10 minutes and includes a Bible verse (with printable cards), discussion questions, big take-away and truth in action idea. **4. Use [Sense of the Resurrection](http://ohamanda.com/a-sense-of-the-resurrection-an-easter-experience-for-families/)**, from Minno blogger, Amanda. This amazing experience will help your family engage the Easter story bit-by-bit using your five senses. It includes crafts, tastings and memorial making allowing you to get a sense of what the death and resurrection of Jesus must have been like. A Sense of the Resurrection: an Easter Experience for Families contains 12 fun, hands-on, easy, meaningful activities to help your kids come face to face with the Easter story. **5. Complete a traditional reading of the Easter story such as this adaptation of the [Scriptural Way of the Cross for Kids](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/the-scriptural-way-of-the-cross-for-kids/).** Throughout Church history, people used symbols or pictures to explain stories and truths. Traditionally, churches have focused on what is called the “Stations of the Cross” at some point throughout the season of Lent. These “stations” are artistic representations of the Story and are often visible inside churches as paintings, sculptures or stained glass. In an effort to make them more directly linked to the biblical text, Pope John Paul II adjusted the stations to The Scriptural Way of the Cross in 1991. Much like you may follow the days of Advent as you count down to Christmas, your family can follow the 14-station Scriptural Way of the Cross, as you prepare your hearts for Easter. No matter what you choose to do or not do this Lent and Easter season, I hope your family finds simple ways to connect with each other and with Jesus as you reflect on the gift of life he’s given us. **For more Lent & Easter ideas for your family make sure to explore our post:** [Everything You Need to Know About Lent and Easter](https://www.gominno.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lent-and-easter) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How My Family Celebrates Shrove Tuesday](https://gominno.com/blog/family-celebrates-shrove-tuesday/) **Published:** February 28, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TySKh0ESke39jS7A27kH.jpg) Every year my family looks forward to “Pancake Day” also known as Shrove Tuesday! Shrove Tuesday is a huge dinner with our extended church family where we gather together and feast on pancakes, sausages, muffins, and fruit. It’s a fun event with lots of music, laughter and love – and all the pancakes you can eat, of course! Have you ever wondered why Christians celebrate Shrove Tuesday? Shrove Tuesday is considered the beginning of Lent. The name comes from the word “shrive”, which means to confess and receive absolution. It is a period of cleansing, wherein a person brings their wants and appetites under subjection through abstention and self-sacrifice. Shrove Tuesday originated in the Middle Ages as a way to consume fatty foods – like cream, milk, eggs, meat and fish that were restricted during the Lenten period. As a family, we believe that it is important to mark the beginning of Lent, which begins the Wednesday after Shrove Tuesday, commonly called Ash Wednesday. The Lenten period is the 40 days before Easter and during this time many Christians choose to give up a luxury as a way to show penance. Traditionally Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional and attending special Lenten studies to draw themselves near to God. So why do we celebrate Shrove Tuesday? If you ask my girls, they will tell you it’s all about the pancakes, and in a way, it is. We enjoy breaking bread together with our family and friends, just as Jesus broke bread with his family and friends. Not only are we gathering together to eat and drink and fellowship, but we are worshiping our Lord and looking forward to the 40 days when we choose to remember the hard sacrifices that Jesus made for us, so that we are able to have eternal life with Him. I would encourage you, if you don’t celebrate Shrove Tuesday to find a local church that holds a pancake supper and attend it. If you usually go to a special dinner, sit with someone new. It’s not about the pancakes, or the sausages or the fruit. It’s not about over eating or eating to excess. Celebrating Shrove Tuesday is a tangible way to begin the Lenten season with food and fellowship! #### More Ways to Connect as a Family as You Prepare Your Hearts for the Easter Season: ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) #### Read about the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") --- *Aurie Good is a pastor’s wife, a homeschool mom to their 2 beautiful miracle babies, and a foster momma to the precious children placed in their home. Currently they are loving on a 16 month old baby boy who they are hoping to adopt from the foster care system. She is an advocate for foster care and enjoys sharing the miraculous journey that led them to become foster parents. When she isn’t knee deep in laundry and diapers she enjoys crafting, knitting and making a huge mess with glitter. You can connect with her on [twitter](http://www.twitter.com/AurieGood) and follow along with their crazy adventures on[ Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/AurieGood). She blogs at [Our Good Life](http://www.ourgoodfamily.org) about foster care, adoption, DIY crafts and enjoying the messy of motherhood.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Encourage Peace Between Siblings](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-encourage-peace-between-siblings/) **Published:** February 23, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yo11GhFQAacdDQSvoYvw.jpg) My brother and I volunteered to be on the “work crew” for the 6th grade retreat at our church this year. We set up inflatable games, delivered snacks and generally held back a couple hundred crazy 6th graders from the doors when it was lunch time. It’s been along time since I’ve hung out with my brother by myself. We had a blast pal-ing around, cracking jokes and working together. Early in the trip, after we had been talking over each other (and probably steering the whole conversation), we told the people we were with, *“By the way, we’re brother and sister.”* The underlying message was, *“That’s why we’re so weird with each other. We don’t talk like this with any random person!”* A few of them commented on how close we were and how much fun we had together. The depth of love and connection I have with my brother is one reason I want my kids to be close. I want them to have that built-in best friend for the rest of their lives. My kids are only 11 and 8, so I’m not sure how it all works, but here’s what I’ve done to cultivate the friendship between my kids (and I think some of what my parents must have done when my brother and I were kids): **Brainwash them.** My mom used to always tell me when I was aggravated with my brother, *“He’s the only brother you’ll ever have.”* She wanted me to see the value in him, not view him as a tag-along or pest. I do the same kind of thing now when I tell my son, *“Your sister is your best friend. You’ll have lots of other friends, but you’ll always have her as your best friend.”* When they were little, I made them smother each other in hugs and kisses before bed, told them to say, *“I love you!”* or *“You’re my best friend!”* and now they do all that without prompting! **Keep them together.** Kids are busy nowadays. They jump from school to sports to tutoring to church to scouts all in a day. Most of these environments separate kids by age and gender. So, most of the time, your kids are split up. They spend all day – even all weekend sometimes, separated from their siblings and potential best friend. We do a hybrid-homeschool (2 days at school, 3 days at home) because I want my kids to be together more than not. I want them to learn to work together, play together and even fight together. You don’t have to homeschool to keep your kids together, but you might want to look at your schedule to see a spot to cultivate some sibling togetherness – weekly meals, family outings or movie nights can do the trick. **Demand friendship.** I will not allow my kids to go the way of the TV sitcom. I don’t want my 11 year old daughter rolling her eyes at her annoying brother. I don’t want my 8 year old son to actively think of ways to sabotage his sister. I’m not a perfectly consistent parent by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t let fighting, aggravated voices and arguing continue for any amount of time. **I’ll model the words they should have said, make them apologize or recite, Proverbs 15:1.** Nine times out of ten it ends with giggles and wrestled hugs on the floor. Having a close sibling relationship is a gift. I think it’s training for future relationships, specifically marriage (think about it – you share rooms, chores and belongings as siblings, it’s the same when you’re married)! I also believe it’s a tether to your immediate family. Strong sibling bonds, strengthen the bond of your entire family which, if you’re working on centering your family on the Jesus and His Word, can only strengthen the bond to Him! You may also like… [3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Relationships](https://www.gominno.com/blog/3-bible-stories-to-teach-your-kids-about-relationships) [How I Am Preparing My Kids for A New Sibling](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-i-am-preparing-my-kids-for-a-new-sibling) [Teach Kids to Serve without Leaving the House](https://www.gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-to-serve-others-without-leaving-the-house) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Secret to Raising Faithful Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/the-secret-to-raising-faithful-kids/) **Published:** February 22, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZnatGVQliSHUV0e7G1AA.jpg) I want you to pause for a minute and ask yourself: what is “faithfulness?” I tried to answer this question the other day, and it was surprisingly hard to define. Although “faithfulness” is a fruit of the Spirit and a basic Christian term, I struggled to pin it down. Maybe it’s this, I thought. Well, on second thought, maybe it’s this. I went back and forth for awhile. I checked with Merriam-Webster, which defines faithfulness as “steadfast in affection or allegiance.” Then, I asked my husband, who has a Ph.D. in theology, and he answered, “It means conformity to Christ.” These are two very different ways of defining faithfulness, but I think both are correct: “faithfulness” is a steadfast devotion that shapes every aspect of our lives. Perhaps one of the reasons “faithfulness” is so hard to define is that it’s not a virtue our culture esteems. Not in practice, anyway. Within the last generation or two, we have become a people averse to faithfulness. Take my grandparents, for example. My grandfather had the same job for thirty years because he was faithful to his company. My grandparents went to the same church for fifty years, because they were faithful to their church. And my grandparents were married for over 60 years because they were faithful to each other. That was my grandparents’ generation, but in my generation, things have changed, and faithfulness is a dying discipline. We float from job to job and church to church, searching for the ones we like best. Our marriages are struggling under the decline in faithfulness as well. All of this begs the question: how do we turn the tide? How do we raise up a generation of children who know how to be faithful to Christ, and each other? Here are two suggestions: **First, model it.** We cannot expect our children to understand faithfulness, let alone embody it, if we are not practicing faithfulness ourselves. This means we need to get serious about committing to God and His church. If we bounce from church to church, our children will probably do the same. If we go to church once a month, our children will probably do the same. And if we model a faithfulness to Christ that is inconsistent or hypocritical—such as attending church every Sunday, but neglecting Christ in the details of our lives—our kids will probably do the same. The pull of culture is strong, and faithfulness is not a societal virtue, but we can resist that influence with our own priorities and lives. **Second, pray for it.** Faithfulness is a “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22), which means faithfulness is just that: [a fruit of the Spirit](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan). In other words, we cannot produce faithfulness in our children. Faith is always a gift from God (Eph. 2:8), so we must plead for it in ourselves and our kids. Now, the second point is an important counter-balance to the first, because it relieves parents of a burden we were never meant to bear. On the one hand, we must be faithful stewards of our children, and do our best to model faithfulness to Christ; on the other hand, we cannot make our children faithful. We cannot put something in them that is only the Spirit’s to give. Between that truth, and the truth of our children’s free will, parents must remember that even when we do our best, our children might stray. They might reject the faith, and this is not our fault. Even the most faithful Christians have had children leave the faith. **That is why the “secret” to raising faithful kids is, ultimately, the grace of God.** We are dependent on Him alone, and all the best parenting tactics in the world cannot disqualify us from needing His mercy. It’s a paradox of sorts—the balance between personal responsibility and God’s sovereignty—but it’s a tension we are called to parent within. So go on modeling faithfulness with everything you’ve got, resisting the pull of a culture captivated by instability and whim. But at the end of the day, surrender your children to God with the knowledge that He alone is the giver of faith, and He is not a stingy giver. ![5MFD_Series_FruitOfTheSpirit (1).jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/eJz3C0NYQ3QrdlzzEYuJ.jpg) Teach your kids FAITHFULNESS and the other Fruit of the Spirit by watching the [Fruit of the Spirit Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog-the-fruit-of-the-spirit) together! . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, [watch now](https://www.gominno.com/series/owlegories/videos/the-egg)! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [10 Ways to Love On Families with Special Needs](https://gominno.com/blog/10-ways-to-love-on-families-with-special-needs/) **Published:** February 21, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1onNG3Y2QEKz5TC7xYgb.jpg) There’s no way around it: Raising kids is a lot of work. There’s a lot of truth in the African Proverb: *“It takes a village to raise a child.”* Sure, we are all responsible to raise our own kids well, but I often think: *Where would we be without all of the amazing people in our family’s life?* From extended family, to neighbors, to teachers and coaches…and those friends who love us – quirks, inconveniences, and all. Though we all require a bit of extra love at times, a family with special needs children will have unique needs that may not be clear to everyone. Unless you’ve spent time with them and learned about their life, you may never know what their needs are, or how you might best support them. And here’s the thing: When we are around a family with special needs, we might get uncomfortable. If you’re like me you might sometimes freeze up and think: *What should I say? What should’t I say? Should I help or am I just in the way? How can I best be a friend in this situation?* **And sadly, our own awkwardness can sometimes get in the way of us supporting them, and finding great blessings along the way.** My 14-year-old nephew, Micah, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and is wheelchair-bound. I don’t get to spend as much time with him as I would like to, but when we are together I try to push through any of my own awkwardness to connect with him. I’m sure I’ve done it wrong a few times, but when I do make those connections, I find myself more blessed than any blessing I could give. I have learned a little about what it takes to care for a child with DMD (a ton of work, patience, and love)…which things are hard for them (um, helping him use the bathroom…lift a fork…transporting him. Pretty much everything!) And I am reminded which things about him are completely typical of a boy his age (He loves to laugh. He wants to be around other kids. He loves Legos.) I have grown a lot from the little time I have spent with him. Though special needs families have a wide range of unique needs, there are a few things you can be sure will bless them. I have asked some of my friends with special needs children: *“What is the best way for friends to show your family love?”* This list is what we came up with: **1. Ask them how you can help!** There is really no better way than just sincerely asking. *How can I support you? What do you need most right now?* **2. Listen.** Our friends with special needs kids go through a lot on any given day, and they might spend a lot of time alone with their kids. When they do get time with a friend, a listening ear can be super therapeutic. A good friend will give them space to share without trying to solve problems or fix anything. **3. Share your struggles too.** Everyone’s family has struggles, and when you open up about things you are going through, it reminds families with special needs that it’s not just them. No one wants a one-way friendship, and you can be real with these families, letting them know when you are having a hard time, or could use a listening ear or some extra prayer as well. **4. Include their family in the things you do when you can.** Consider some family adventures you might be able to plan that would be suitable to the special needs kids in your life. Do what you can to make your home accessible to their children. They will love being included and you’ll all grow from the experience. **5. Celebrate milestones.** Special needs families might have milestones that are completely different from yours. They may learn a new skill, or overcome a fear. Maybe they are going through a series of treatments or tests that weigh heavily on the family. Acknowledging these things will speak volumes of love to your friends. **6. Enjoy their child.** Whether they are easy to connect with or very difficult, there is beauty in every child. Just sitting with them, or watching them play can bring you joy. Don’t shy away because you are uncomfortable but ask God to give you eyes to see the incredible gift that they are. Then just slow down and enjoy them! **7. Support the other children in the family, too!** Sometimes a family with one child with special needs has a difficult time giving other children in their family the attention they need. Offering to take the other kid(s) somewhere, give them a fun day, or just be there to listen or support them can make a really big difference. **8. Bring them a meal on Tuesday.** Or Sunday, or Friday. (Don’t wait for a crisis.) Life is busy, and special needs families have more to check off their daily to-do list than most of us could imagine. Showing up with a meal for their family is a great way to show love. When making your next casserole or pot of soup, ask the Lord to show you a family that you might make extra to bless with. **9. Support their mission.** My brother’s family has become very involved in spreading awareness about DMD, and in fundraising to support research for it. One of the greatest ways I can support their mission is simply to spread the word and give where I can to support this cause that has affected them so deeply. There is usually some way you can get involved, whether it is doing a fun-run in their honor, gifting donations, or posting information on social media. **10. Pray for them.** Perhaps the greatest way you can show love to anyone is to go to the Lord on their behalf in prayer. Letting your friends know that you pray for them and offering for them to come to you with specific concerns is a great act of love. Following through with consistent prayer is the greatest act of love you can give! For more resources, check out: [The Life We Never Expected: An Interview with Author Andrew Wilson](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-life-we-never-expected-an-interview-with-author-andrew-wilson) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How Does Your Family Participate in Lent?](https://gominno.com/blog/how-does-your-family-participate-in-lent/) **Published:** February 20, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FX4Idk1RQawiR6DURR3g_JT-Blog-lent.jpg.jpg)* *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* **Does your family participate in Lent? If so, what do you do? How do you help your kids understand the importance of sacrifice?** **Kimberly of** [**Living in the Sweet Spot**: ](http://kimberlyamici.com/ "Living in the Sweet Spot") > This year will be the first time we will participate in Lent together as a family. Last year, I personally used the time to cultivate a daily habit of prayer, seek God’s will for my life, and push the boundaries of my faith. Using that experience as a guide, I created a Lenten calendar, similar to an advent calendar, for my kids to count the days and establish their own practice of prayer. Each day will learn a simple principle of prayer and apply it to our lives by praying together using a ‘prayer starter’ provided. **Laura of [Raising Soldiers 4 Christ](http://www.raisingsoldiers4christ.com "Raising Soldiers for Christ"):** > Yes, during lent we do a countdown using our wooden Lenten figures. We speak to the kids about the importance of lent and also work some studies in for our homeschool. **Tamika of [No Time For Tea Parties](www.notimefortea.com "No Time for Tea Parties"):** > We don’t really celebrate Lent specifically, but we do think it is important for our kids to understand the importance of sacrifice. As Third Culture Kids (kids growing up outside the parents’ homeland), they are accustomed to hearing about and living out sacrifices. We talk to them about the value that every life has. We let them know that we acknowledge the sacrifices that they have made in regards to our work and commitment for everyone to have a Bible and access to one in Eastern Europe. We acknowledge that they miss out on closer interactions with family. We explain that though it may be hard it is a blessing to others for us to give certain things up. We show them pictures of kids like them in Ukraine or Russia getting their very own Bible. And we tell them they helped make it possible. **Wendy of** [**Hip Homeschool Moms:** ](http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com "Hip Homeschool Moms") > We have not participated in Lent as a family in past years, but we have talked about it, what it means, and why some people do observe it. I personally usually do give up something for Lent just to remind myself what it means to rely on God rather than myself and to be willing to make sacrifices since God was willing to make such a huge sacrifice for me. **Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://chaosappreciation.com/blog "Chaos Appreciation"):** > I was not raised participating in Lent. Honestly, until a few years ago, I thought it was something only for Catholics. Now that our youngest is a bit older, I am hoping to start a new tradition in our family. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [My Child Has a Crush! What Do I Do?](https://gominno.com/blog/my-child-has-a-crush-what-do-i-do/) **Published:** February 16, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/65pBbPQHRIGubD1PYuYM.jpg) My two girls and I were walking out of the craft store, arms full of bags carrying all sorts of red and pink goodies to make gifts and cards and to decorate boxes, when another customer spoke to us. She asked if I was from a nearby small town (I am) and if my name is Mary (it is). She introduced herself as the mom of one of my classmates, a boy I’d known since preschool but haven’t seen since high school. It was a brief, unexpected meeting but gave my nine-year-old and I lots to laugh about that evening. Partly because I couldn’t believe the older woman recognized me after all these years and partly because my daughter couldn’t believe I’d ever been her age or younger. But we also laughed when I admitted to my daughter that I remembered this particular classmate well (even if I didn’t recognize his mom more than three decades later), because I’d had a crush on him in preschool. PRESCHOOL! What on earth?! Yes, it’s true. Even today I can name the boys I admired (not always secretly) all the way through school, from Pre-K to graduation. My middle name isn’t “boy crazy,” but it could have been! After nearly 18 years of marriage, I’ve learned a lot about love and relationships, about my own predisposition as well as the way I was raised, about the benefit of focusing on school and family and, basically, anything other than boys. So as a mom of girls, I’ve steered clear of anything that might encourage their interest in romantic relationships. But it seems all the efforts and intentions in the world can’t stop a nine-year-old girl from noticing the blonde boy who lives down the street. My daughter shared with me this winter that she “likes” one of our neighbors. He’s in the grade above her, and they ride the bus together each day. And, rumor has it, he likes her, too. Ahhhhhh! What am I supposed to do about THIS?! Clearly I am in the trenches and (hopefully) learning as I go here. But just in case you are going through this situation with your tween or teen, I wanted to share a few things I’m keeping in mind as I navigate these waters. **Don’t panic.** No matter what scary or surprising information my kids share with me, I try to keep my reactions calm. That’s far from my instinct or personality’s tendency, but because I want them to feel safe sharing with me – even when it comes to the hard things – I try to keep my emotions in check. **Remember.** As I processed the news that my baby girl is officially noticing boys in a new way, I reminded myself of a few truths. First, I remembered that this is a stage and, like her love of the color pink and ponies, her interest in this specific boy might fade over time. Second, I remembered my own history of crushes and the fact that I still turned out (mostly) well-adjusted with solid priorities. **Ask questions.** When I hear that half-smile tone of voice come out of my little girl, I honestly want to stick my fingers in my ears and sing loudly. But since I can’t very well ignore my daughter into forgetting about boys, I am trying to take a wiser approach by asking questions. And asking questions first, before offering any opinions or advice. I ask her, *“What do you like about him?”* and *“What does that \[crush\] mean?”* I also ask about his family and his interests in an effort to learn more about him, and I ask questions about the time they spend together. (Luckily, at this age, it’s nothing more than a walk from the bus stop to our driveway, but I know that will change as she gets older!) **Discuss and teach.** We use the approach of saying, *“In this family, we…”* when talking about our values, priorities and rules. So for years my daughter has heard me say, *“In this family, kids don’t go on dates,”* or *“In this family, we don’t believe nine-year-olds need boyfriends.”* Of course I didn’t bring this up in the minutes immediately following her crush confession; I don’t want to push her away or shut down lines of communication. But I’ll continue teaching our girls our family values, no matter what stage they’re in or boys they’re noticing. I also take any opportunity I can to talk with my kids about healthy, God-honoring friendship. So that might mean dissecting lyrics from a pop song we hear in the car, asking a probing question or two about characters we see interact on TV, or reading Bible verses that offer wisdom for relationships, such as. . . > Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT **Pray.** At the end of the day, I don’t know how to keep my kids safe and pure and healthy and focused. I’m figuring this out one conversation, one argument, one hug, one fit of giggles at a time. And what I think I know about parenting today is likely to be proven wrong tomorrow, because kids are constantly changing and our world is, too. So the smartest, most effective thing for any parent is the same as it’s always been: pray for them. Pray for wisdom and discernment, pray for their hearts and their friendships, pray for their protection and their faith. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Peace from God after Infant Loss](https://gominno.com/blog/peace-from-god-after-infant-loss/) **Published:** February 9, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Oe38wNjCSCi3zE0Fzbm1.jpg) A little over four years ago my unborn daughter was diagnosed with a fatal condition that would claim her life shortly after birth. I spent the remaining four months of my pregnancy with the painful realization that the baby I was carrying would not be coming home with us. It was just as hard as you might imagine. Most pregnant women busy their days with preparations for bringing baby home – decorating the nursery, picking out adorable outfits, ensuring that the car seat is safely installed – every day is filled with excitement and anticipation for this new little life. I was unable to do any of that. The pain cut so deeply into my mama heart. And once she was born and passed away? There is hardly a word to describe the depth of that loss except to say that it feels like your heart has been ripped from your body. It is a feeling that no parent should have to endure. Three years later, it happened to us again. This time our baby son. The pain was just as real and cut just as deeply. People often ask me how I endured those experiences and how I managed to stay sane and live a normal life in the midst of something so awful. They often ask me how I was able to keep my eyes on Jesus and point others toward Him along the way. They ask me how I was able to find peace. Peace. The very word conjures images of calm crystal waters shimmering under the glistening sunlight, of rocky mountains standing tall against a clear blue sky. We tend to think of peace as calm, relaxing, tranquil. Like a beach chair and white sand, the smell of sunscreen and time off work. Peace. But life often fails to deliver that picturesque scene. And I am living proof that peace can be found even in the middle of the darkest, coldest, most violent storm because peace comes not from our circumstances but from the spirit of the living God who holds the universe in His mighty hands. Philippians 4:7 calls the peace of God “the peace that surpasses all understanding”. That is exactly what the Lord gave me during those very trying times. Left to my own human capabilities and understanding I would have been incapable of finding peace. I would have driven myself to the psych ward with anger and depression and hopelessness. And most people would have looked at my life circumstances and been able to understand why. But instead, because the Holy Spirit lives in me and I am capable of tapping into His supernatural peace at any moment in my life, my story was different. Because of God’s sovereignty I was able to trust that He was still good and what He was doing in my life was good, even if it felt very bad. And because of what Jesus did on the cross I knew that my babies were destined for a perfect eternity with Him and one day I would see them again. And because God is faithful to carry us through hard times, He gave me eyes to see the many things I still had to be thankful for. He gave me peace, even in this. Please hear me when I say my peace in the midst of my circumstance did not look like those serene scenes described above. Not at all. I was still knee deep in the reality of my situation. This peace was something I had to fight for. It wasn’t like a gentle wave that washed over me and replaced the feelings of angst and sadness. It was more like a weapon I knew was in my storehouse and I had to consciously take hold of it and intentionally focus on the truths of God’s word. Just like Ephesians 6 encourages us, I had to “put on” this peace. I cried more tears over losing those sweet babies than I have ever cried in my life and speaking their story still brings tears to my eyes. I will never be the same. But still, underlying all of these emotions is peace. The general sense that everything is ok and will ultimately end up ok because the end of the gospel story is peace. You might wonder how you would handle a situation like mine. To be perfectly honest, the me that I am now, a few years removed from it all, I kind of wonder how I did it too. But the truth is, the Lord gives such grace and peace during a time like that, a special grace and peace to carry you through what you need to get through. And it is a peace that truly surpasses all human understanding because it is supernaturally given through His spirit. Sometimes life is truly difficult and we cannot understand why these hard things happen to us. But even in the absence of a peaceful circumstance we can trust that God’s spirit will give us the peace that we need to stay sane and grounded and focused on Him. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Best Picture and Early Reader Books for Growing in Faith](https://gominno.com/blog/best-picture-and-early-reader-books-for-growing-in-faith/) **Published:** January 31, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AXfWPDfRSWe5VrK0HTWH.jpg) Book Lists have become my hobby. I mean, of course I like to read. But collecting books to read is almost more fun. It doesn’t matter if it’s a list of classics, best-sellers, picture books, middle grade or YA, I want to see what the best-of-the-best are out there! So, I thought I’d compile my own best-of-the-best Picture or Early Reader Books. Here are my rules for this list: - Deliberate Christian content - Super cute illustrations - Fun or un-put-downable - Not a Bible or Devotional Book (I love Bible stories, but [that’s another whole list](http://ohamanda.com/2013/09/27/31-days-of-the-very-best-bible-based-books-for-your-bambinos-ok-kids/)!) Ready? Here we go: [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AexIDIaRciFuhvengRa3.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/When-Created-Toes-Dandilion-Rhymes/dp/1400073154/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) [When God Created My Toes](https://www.amazon.com/When-Created-Toes-Dandilion-Rhymes/dp/1400073154/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) by Dandi Daley Mackall // I’ve probably read this book 400 times. It’s a simple poem of a little girl wondering what God did when He created her. I love the wondering that happens–I think it’s important for kids to not cut-and-paste their beliefs about God, but to really think and even wonder about it personally. Plus, the modern illustrations are top-notch. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lwWy8TMySefRy8C8uryb.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Rosey-Posey-China-Plate/dp/0310715784/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) [Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate](https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Rosey-Posey-China-Plate/dp/0310715784/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) by Robin Jones Gunn // This is one of my all-time favorites because it’s an actual event that happened to the author. A little girl, miffed that her parents won’t let her watch a certain movie, is given a chocolate covered cherry by her neighbor, Mrs. Rosey Posey, with one choice: put the cherry on a used paper plate or a fine china plate? She choses the fine china plate and learns the lesson of being set apart for God. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/oONBbDtXSRiLGavy8vr3.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Big-Red-Tractor-Little-Village/dp/0781404193/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) [The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village](https://www.amazon.com/Big-Red-Tractor-Little-Village/dp/0781404193/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) by Francis Chan // My husband always reaches for this one when it’s his turn to read a bedtime story. It’s the tale of a little town who use a tractor to farm without the manual, never even turning the tractor on. One day, the farmer reads the manual and lo and behold the tractor can do so much more than they thought! The simple, almost silly lesson on using the Bible to direct our lives is told in such a great way that you and your kids will be enthralled. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/YtR4MbFSWiXOLlvX73ud.jpg) [Mortimer’s Garden](https://www.amazon.com/Mortimers-First-Garden-Karma-Wilson/dp/1416942033/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) by Karma Wilson // Little Mortimer the mouse hears about planting seeds and discovers how miracles take patience. Wilson so perfectly captures the hard waiting; the cultivating and relief of a miracle. This one is a great Winter-to-Spring book, too. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Eg37s3ZYQEuSd9Zcpgah.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/One-OClock-Miracle-Alison-Mitchell/dp/1910307432/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) [The One O’Clock Miracle](https://www.amazon.com/One-OClock-Miracle-Alison-Mitchell/dp/1910307432/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) by Allison Mitchell // OK, maybe I cheated a bit on this one because it is a Bible story. But, it’s not a very common Bible story and it’s told in such a superb, specific way that I had to include it. A dad travels for many miles on foot to ask Jesus to heal his son. When Jesus sends him home with just a word that his son is healed, the man has to continue to trust Jesus’ words even though he can’t see the result. This one will be a lesson to moms and dads, too. I love it. Picture books are something special. **They capture the attention of kids and grown-ups alike and deliver messages that sometimes go beyond the text.** Jesus knew all about stories – it’s why He spoke in parables. I pray these stories will lead you and your kids in knowing Him better! **Looking for more ways to help your kids grow in their faith? Check out our [Bible + Faith section for resources, ideas, and more](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/bible-faith)!** **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Our Kids Spell Love T-I-M-E](https://gominno.com/blog/our-kids-spell-love-t-i-m-e/) **Published:** January 30, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tX7m5eCXQj6ZWe0r0vVk.jpg) The other day my son popped his head into my room where I was sitting on my bed propped up with pillows, fighting the flu and nursing my six week old. “Hey mom! I just passed this cool new level on my video game, wanna see?!” He was bouncing up and down, obviously so proud of his accomplishment and wanting me to share in his excitement. “Um, ok …” I trailed off. “How long will it take?” “Not long. Come see!!” Long after this interchange has taken place and a few days removed from flu recovery, I am reflecting on this brief encounter with my son. It bothers me that I asked him how long it would take to see the thing he was so excited to show me. Granted I was not in the best shape to jump right up and match his excitement level, but I know that was not the first and only time I have ever asked him a question like that. Unfortunately there have been many. They say kids spell love T-I-M-E. What then am I communicating to my children when I tell them I can play with them for “just a few minutes” or roll my eyes and ask “is this level almost over?” when my son is showing me a new video game. I am afraid to know the answer. Of course I don’t want to raise my children to think they are the center of my universe. I want them to know that I have other important responsibilities and am not able to spend all day every day following their every imaginative whim. But maybe I can take a step back and realize that dishes and laundry and email answering should not always take priority over playtime. Because since when did making sure the dishwasher was emptied become my ultimate goal as a mother? I have heard it said that life is all about balance – somehow equally juggling all the things and wearing all the hats. I reject that theory. I reject it because there is no way I can daily give of myself equally to keep up with all the things that go on under our roof. I say life is more about choices – making the best choice for how to spend my time in that specific moment. There is a time for everything and so often there are times when I am truly unable to take the time to sit down and play princesses with my daughter because dinner really needs to be made. But there are also times when the crumbs under the table can wait and I need to let myself get cozy on the couch with my kiddos who asked me to snuggle and watch a movie. I don’t want to look back on my child-rearing days with regret that I didn’t take the time to sit and play or take a walk on a beautiful day because the chores inside or red facebook notifications took precedence. Because I guarantee that in twenty-five years I won’t remember that one time when clean laundry stayed in the dryer for a week or I didn’t respond quickly to that handful of emails. What I will remember are memories, moments, laughs, taking time to be together. And not time that is measured by a few minutes that I squeezed in between chores, but time that I chose to spend and be present in the lives of my sweet children. Because sometimes at the end of the day success looks less like an empty sink and vacuum lines in the carpet and more like lego creations and playdoh shapes. Because spending time building a relationship with my children and communicating all my love to them really is the most important thing. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Teach Kids the Value of God's Word](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-the-value-of-gods-word/) **Published:** January 23, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/w7nJZggbQI2G1W3HhZwU.jpg) In today’s busy, distraction-filled world, it can be difficult for parents to teach their children the value of God’s Word. From social media and television to music and friends, there are always things vying for our children’s attention. It is up to us as their parents to teach our children the value of the Bible. *But how?* Here are some simple ways that we can weave God’s Word into everyday life that will ultimately lead your children to Christ. ## How to Teach Kids the Value of God’s Word **1. Through Parables** As we know, Jesus taught His disciples and followers through story-telling. This unique art of oration is not only a way for your child to learn, but it is also a great way for them to remember. For instance: **Pick a character trait of God and a Bible story to demonstrate it.** After you and your child read the story, share an example from your own life that will relate to the story you just read. Then open up a conversation with your child about the correlation of the two stories to the Fruit of the Spirit. This will not only give your child the chance to hear the Word (thus building their faith) but to speak the Word and understand it better. If you have young children, be sure to read an age-appropriate children’s Bible so they can more easily comprehend the story. **2. Through Family Activities** Over the years we have found so many ways to demonstrate the value of God’s Word during family activities. Whether it is on a hike in the beauty of God’s nature, watching our favorite episode of [What’s in the Bible](http://mbsy.co/fPsgb), or going out for a quick bite to eat; there are always opportunities to teach your children to value God’s Word. One example of this may be to point out (while hiking) how God created and takes care of all the living things we see. You can explain to them the rain from heaven and how it falls on the land and combined with the sunshine, activates the nutrients in the soil that produce the life we see in nature. If you stop and take the time to look, you will see things all around you that will point your children to the Bible and show them the importance of God’s Word. **3. Through Your Actions** We’ve heard it time and time again: Actions speak louder than words. And they really, really do. One of the most powerful ways we can teach our children the value of God’s Word is by living it out. Our children are always watching us and learning how to respond to the world around them based on how we behave. **While I am a firm believer that our children learn a lot by our “good” behavior, I also know first-hand how much they learn when we mess up.** I think some of the most significant lessons of valuing God’s Word our children have witnessed are through mistakes that my husband and I have made. From getting upset about something that I shouldn’t, to saying things that hurt their feelings, I know for certain that children witness the power of God’s Word through prayer and real heart changes when we mess up. And it’s a good thing. It gives them the hope that they need to continue to seek God for themselves. There are many ways to show your children how the Bible can come alive in everyday life, but the above three are certainly a wonderful start. By reading God’s Word, recognizing his sovereignty around us, and being an example of Christ, our children are sure to see the power and value that can only be found in God’s Word! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Don't Teach Your Kids to Be Nice](https://gominno.com/blog/dont-teach-your-kids-to-be-nice/) **Published:** January 18, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/H9QrsD8SRbuMUXIyE6Wh.jpg) “Be nice!” With two boys age four and under, I find myself barking this order a lot. My oldest son wants his brother’s food: “Be nice!” The boys fight over a toy: “Be nice!” My four year-old demands a cup of milk: “Can you please ask me more nicely?” This is what I say, day in and day out, like a broken record. Be nice, all the day long. At least, I used to. We live in a culture that values niceness at a premium. Many of us are willing to overlook significant faults and moral failures in a person we deem to be “nice.” As a result of this high value, many of us feel pressure to be likeable all the time. We want to please everyone, and we feel insecure when we can’t. On the flip side, many of us like to be known as a “nice Christian,” which is why we embrace the label for ourselves, and then pass it on to our kids. That’s what I was doing. I wanted my sons to be nice Christian kids, which doesn’t sound so bad. Until I realized something: the word “nice” is nowhere in the Bible. It’s not a virtue. It’s not a fruit of faith. It’s never even mentioned in passing. Words like “kind” and “kindness” occur nearly fifty times, and “kind” and “good” are fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). But “nice”? Nowhere to be found. And all of that got me wondering: what’s the difference between nice and kind? In his book *Love Kindness*, Barry H. Corey draws this distinction in a helpful way: *“Whereas aggression has a firm center and hard edges, niceness has soft edges and a spongy center. Niceness may be pleasant, but it lacks conviction. It has no soul. Niceness trims its sails to prevailing cultural winds and wanders aimlessly, standing for nothing and thereby falling for everything.”* Kindness, on the other hand, has “a firm center with soft edges.” Kindness has conviction. It has courage. It has a solid backbone. And those are precisely the components necessary to endure in love, even when we are rejected and mistreated. Niceness, on the other hand, buckles in the face of conflict. It retreats from the prospect of adversity. Kindness doesn’t revel in those things, but it does have the fortitude to persevere in love, in spite of them. Another key difference between niceness and kindness is focus. Very often, niceness is motivated by self. Niceness is the desire to be liked and thought well of, whereas kindness is motivated by Christ. True kindness honors people as an act of love for God, while niceness is fueled by reputation. That’s why niceness is more vulnerable to bitterness and disillusionment. In the face of mistreatment, niceness transforms into shock and indignation: “How could they treat me like that? I was so nice to them!” Kindness, on the hand, endures in love, because it was never about being liked in the first place. It was about honoring God. When I imagine my sons growing up into men, I don’t necessarily want them to be nice, but I do want them to be kind. I want them to bear all the fruit of the Spirit, like goodness, gentleness, and patience. That’s why I no longer tell my boys to “be nice,” but I do challenge them to be kind. Yet even in that, I am learning to be careful with my words. The fruit of the Spirit is just that—a fruit of the Spirit. All the best parenting in the world cannot instill my boys with the Spirit of God. I can only pray for it, model it, and teach them what it means to follow Jesus. We do tell our boys to “be kind.” We teach them to share, to put others before themselves, and to return mistreatment with grace. But more importantly, we pray together that Jesus will change their hearts. It’s hard for any human being to be kind and good—let alone a rowdy four year-old!—so we are teaching our boys to ask Jesus for help. As a parent, it’s nice to know we can always turn to God to do the heavy lifting of molding our kids. I can teach my kids to be kind, but it’s the Holy Spirit that produces it. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Want to learn more about the fruit of the Spirit with your kids? Sign up for the Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional to join our Fruit of the Spirit plan, starting in February! [Sign up here.](http://gominno.com/devotionals) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What Devotions Does Your Family Do?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-devotions-does-your-family-do/) **Published:** January 17, 2017 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kLdBNnhRNy6eIVEZgPtJ_JT-Blog-family%20devotions.jpg.jpg)* *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ***What types of devotions do you do together as a family?*** [Make sure you check out the Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional for an all-new way to do family devotionals! ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) #### **Tamika of [No Time For Tea Parties](http://www.notimefortea.com "No Time for Tea Parties"):** > With the 2 younger kids, we read *The Jesus Storybook Bible* in both German and English. With our older child we read *Jesus Calling* for kids. They both work nicely for the whole family. They are interactive and spur curiosity in my kids, and create good times of discussion. > #### **Danika of [Thinking Kids](http://ThinkingKidsBlog.org "Thinking Kids "):** > In addition to reading Scripture together each day, our family chooses a book to read from each morning. Our selections vary widely and cover topics such as biblical stewardship, Christian worldview, Christian history, science from a Christian worldview, and living boldly for Christ. We really enjoy reading aloud together and discussing what we’ve learned. For us, devotions are never a substitute for Scripture, but a fun way to examine our worldview. How does what we believe affect the manner in which we live? #### #### **Angi of [SchneiderPeeps](www.schneiderpeeps.com "Schneider Peeps"):** > The vast majority of the time, we just pick a book in the Bible and start reading. During Advent and Lent we use a storybook that has a devotion component. We have also been very blessed by the video series, *That the World May Know* by Ray Vander Laan. #### **Carlie of [So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler?](http://www.SoYouCallYourselfaHomeschooler.com "So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler?"):** > We have done all kinds of family devotionals. We choose them depending on what God is leading us to study as a family. Currently we are working *through Learning to Speak Life: Fruit of the Spirit*. This devotional focuses on families recognizing and speaking positive confessions related to the fruit of the Spirit – and implementing (as a family) practical ways to walk out different fruit of the Spirit. We also do individual studies with each child as they are all at varying places in their walk with God. #### #### **Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/):** > Since our kids are so young, we don’t do regular devotions but rather read Bible story books and talk about foundational principles of faith in everyday conversation. We followed an Advent guide with my oldest (5) and this was the first year she really got into it. Our kids’ ages have so much to do with how we experience the Bible together. The process will definitely evolve as the kids grow. #### #### **Ashley of [Life by Ashley Pichea](http://blog.ashleypichea.com "Life by Ashley Picea"):** > We’ve done several different types of family devotions over the years. We’ve read from a children’s Bible storybook, such as *The Jesus Storybook Bible*. We’ve also spent time just reading from the Word together as a family. #### **Whitney of [Beauty in the Mess](http://beautyinthemess.com "Beauty in the Mess"):** > Our children love reading though *The Jesus Storybook Bible*, as well as the *Big Picture Story Bible*. We’ve read through both of those several times. Their attention spans at 4, 3, and 20 months, aren’t long, so we do what we can. Sometimes when they just can’t sit still, we sing. #### #### Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.courtneysix.blogspot.com "As We Walk Along the Road"): > I use the *One Year Devotional Bible* for kids. We have used the [Minno](http://www.gominno.com "Minno") videos (especially [*What’s in the Bible?*](../series/buck%20denver%20asks%20whats%20in%20the%20bible)) as part of our devotions. I often read missions related material to the kids. We’ve recently read about several well-known missionaries. #### #### **Chad of [Remember The Gospel](http://www.chadeddy.com "Remember the Gospel"):** > We typically work through Story Bibles, but with our oldest son approaching 7, we’ve started going through the stories accompanied by pictures in his “real” Bible. The edition that we chose for him has stories within the text based on the text, with questions for reading comprehension and application afterwards, and our boys love answering those questions! Simpler, shorter stories from age-appropriate Story Bibles are better for the younger ones, so we alternate, often going over the same story a few times a week from different Story Bibles, and we’ll come up with our own Gospel application and questions. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How - and Why - To Make Gift Bags for the Homeless](https://gominno.com/blog/how-and-why-to-make-gift-bags-for-the-homeless/) **Published:** December 19, 2016 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/b0sFuXVRZOemgzo5wDsy.jpg)* *Dear Ramona,* *I admit I was quite hurried when I saw you sitting on a bench in front of the downtown library, holding a crushed, bent-open book in both your hands while you read aloud to yourself. As I slowly pulled my car to the curb in front of you, I could see you were trembling.* *I don’t know if you’re actually homeless, but I approached you selfishly, wanting to get rid of more of the “homeless care packages” in my car by giving you more than one, so I wouldn’t have to stop so many times. I rolled down the passenger’s side window and asked timidly, “Excuse me, do you need some food?” You answered, “Yes,” and hurried over to the curb. I handed you a bag and asked if you had anyone else to whom you wanted to give a second bag. You shook your head and answered very definitively, “No.”* *When I asked your name, you told me it was Ramona. I probably wouldn’t have thought to ask you that simple, seemingly obvious question if it hadn’t been for my friend Kyle who has much more experience than I in this area, and she told me it was a good thing to do. She said you probably don’t get asked your name very often.* *I don’t presume to know what it’s like to be moving from shelter to shelter and spending entire days on park benches, but I want you to know that the thought of this happening to people in my own city makes me want to cry. My hope is that something in that bag encouraged you, made you smile, and for even a moment, made you feel loved.* *When I passed by the downtown library again a few days ago, you weren’t there. I’m not sure if we’ll meet again, but whether you know it or not, Ramona, you are made in the image of God, and your life is precious. Our lives are vastly different – that’s unfair. But through Jesus, there is hope and grace for both of us. And that is something that draws us together.* *Christine* \* \* \* Have you ever approached a stop light and felt that uneasy feeling creep into your stomach as you notice a person standing on the street corner, holding a sign asking for help? Did you feel simultaneously helpless, unprepared, and desperate for a way to do more? Me, too. I wrote the above letter a few years ago, when I first started taking my toddler daughter with me to distribute care packages for the homeless and needy. These missional drives around inner city Dallas were birthed out of many moments of uneasiness and conviction at stop lights where I avoided both action and eye contact. I have nothing but a debit card, hair ties, and old lip balm in my wallet…what can I possibly give? I could go grab them a meal somewhere nearby, but I’m already five minutes late to this appointment and I have a sleeping baby in the back seat. I don’t want to just pass this person by, but I don’t know what I can do. These excuses pointed to the truth that in the midst of my current stage of life, it was and is hard to stop and help someone in need on a street corner, especially when I’m unprepared. I don’t like going out of my comfort zone, and my daily life can be very disconnected from the needy. But God didn’t give up on me with the stop light’s symbolism – sometimes we need those forced pauses in our lives to see what – and who – we’re missing. I had heard about a friend making care packages for the homeless with her small group, and I knew it was time to take action. Next time at that stop light, I would be prepared. After a shopping trip at our local discount store, my toddler and I sat on the dining room floor surrounded by boxes of food, stacks of napkins, ziploc bags and little Gospel of John booklets that a friend in seminary gave me. She munched on the broken, headless animal crackers while we assembled care packages as I tried to explain “homeless” to her and open her eyes to how many others around us are living. I felt the excitement building…I couldn’t wait to get out there and distribute them. I finally felt like I was equipped to do something tangible. But when my daughter and I distributed the bags in downtown Dallas the next day, it felt…uncomfortable. I wanted to give myself a pat on the back or enjoy a swell of pride and accomplishment. But that uneasy feeling? Guess what? It didn’t go away. After much reflection, I realized the reason: it shouldn’t. The inequality and unfairness of our world is disturbing, and it should be. As if often goes, when we set out to serve others, it is we ourselves who are served. It is we who are humbled. I don’t pretend to think that a ziploc bag full of supplies will change a homeless person’s world. But the action of it changed me. How to make the care packages: 1\. Check Amazon or your local discount store to find smaller size items in bulk. 2\. Keep in mind that a lot of people living on the streets have illnesses and nutrition issues – try to include healthy food items. 3\. Use gallon ziploc bags as the outer bag and smaller ziploc bags to organize loose items on the inside. 4\. Suggestions of items to include: - Animal crackers or fruit snacks - Peanut butter crackers - Beef jerky - Canned fruit, tuna, or other canned foods with an easy-open lid - Spoon, fork, and napkin - Wet wipes - Hand sanitizer - Toothbrush and toothpaste - Water bottle - Small deodorant - Mouthwash - Band-Aids - Lip balm - Hand warmers - $5 gift cards - Typed or written note from your family and an encouraging Scripture - Gospel of John or other small booklets sharing the Gospel Important things to keep in mind: ● Ask the person if they want the care package – don’t just shove it at them. As you hand someone a bag, ask his or her name, and introduce yourself. Whether actually homeless or needy, or just a scammer dressing as one, this person is made in God’s image. Jot down the names on a post-it note in your car or store them on your phone so you can pray over them. ● Many homeless people do not stand on street corners or even “appear” homeless – they dress cleanly and have jobs. Let’s keep in mind that supporting and serving at our local shelters and food pantries are further steps to tangibly helping in our communities. If you haven’t done this before, the Christmas season is a great time to start. For my family, we are still going to make homeless care packages and always have them in our car. But as my two daughters are a little bigger now, we’re also going to invest time outside of our cars, looking into the eyes of those suffering around us, so we can spend more than a few seconds with them at a stop light. *Ramona, if you’re still out there, I want to thank you for making an impression on me. I hope your hands and feet are warm tonight, that your belly is full, and your face is still buried in a wonderful book.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Find Hope When the Holidays are Hard](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-find-hope-when-the-holidays-are-hard/) **Published:** December 15, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/U3UQI24SfO17p4U0cY0M.jpg)It’s the most wonderful time of the year… except when it’s not. Sometimes the holidays are hard – for grown-ups and kids alike. As long as the list of things to adore about Christmastime can be (Advent calendars! Christmas caroling! Cookies and parties and presents, oh my!), the things that can trip us up this time of year are innumerable. Perhaps someone is sick – or perhaps someone has died. Maybe someone is missing, due to distance or work schedules or disagreements. Did you or your spouse lose a job this year? Or move far from friends and family? Or maybe this season highlights your lack of disposable income – or cooking skills. **Whether your family is facing challenges right now or simply reminded of something hard that’s happened over the past twelve months as we head into the Christmas season, it’s okay to admit that sometimes the holidays are hard.** As the leaders of our families, parents feel the pressure to make this season magical – and that can be even more difficult when we’re facing loss or pain of some kind. *So how do we find hope – for ourselves and for our kids – when the holidays are hard?* I think we do it by picking just one thing, because narrowing our focus and concentrating on what’s most important, most life-giving right now, can help us find the hope we need to hold on as we wait on Jesus. If your holidays are hard this year, I encourage you to pick one… **One tradition:** Think back to your childhood or simply a happier time when celebrating Christmas came more easily. **What tradition filled you with delight, with excitement, with contentment?** Was it frosting cookies or caroling through the neighborhood? Maybe it was reading Luke 2 with your kids in front of the fire or piled onto the couch. Perhaps it was putting together a new puzzle or dressing in matching sweaters or driving around to see all the lights. Whatever simple activity you remember fondly, try it again this year. Maybe you do it a little differently, because this year is different. Can you drink cider instead of hot chocolate, or play Monopoly instead of Scrabble? What about letting the kids take turns reading the story, or only decorating the tree with homemade ornaments? **But don’t let all the traditions take a back seat this year. You don’t have to do them all.** Just pick one. **One song or verse or phrase:** Sometimes music can be brutal on our emotions, bringing up memories of days past and forcing us to relive the things that hurt most. Good thing nobody said you have to listen to Christmas music this month! **If traditional carols or the usual Bible verses hurt more than they help this year, try listening to something different.** Take this opportunity to introduce your kids to hymns or lesser-known holiday music. (One of my favorites that I rarely hear – but is so fitting when the holidays are hard – is “In the Bleak Midwinter.”) You could also read holiday books from other cultures or countries, or read Old Testament verses that speak about Jesus’s coming and then talk about how we anticipate His arrival even now (or especially now!). > “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, NIV) **One person:** Sometimes the end of the year feels overwhelming with all the many opportunities we have to give back and serve others. And when your family is facing the season with a heavy load of grief or discouragement, reaching out to someone else may be the last thing you think you need. **But helping someone else in his or her time of need will inevitably brighten your day and warm your heart.** So this year, pick just one person you can help. Sometimes it’s hard to get into the holiday spirit. Or it just doesn’t FEEL like the holidays for some reason. Sometimes the holidays just plain make you sad. That’s okay. **Even when the holidays come with as many (or more) hard parts as they bring happy ones, I believe we can still choose joy for our families.** I don’t mean the fa-la-la, everything’s jolly, ho-ho-ho kind of happiness they’re selling in Hallmark movies and department stores. No, instead, I believe we can choose the filled with gratitude, eternal perspective, hallelujah kind of joy that only comes from the Lord in this season and every day of the year. [](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-give-christmas) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [It's Not Too Late to Experience Advent](https://gominno.com/blog/its-not-too-late-to-experience-advent/) **Published:** December 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/C8AFORbT8m52Ntx896i0.jpg) I know how it goes. You rush home from your kids’ school Christmas party (where you made 23 Christmas trees out of pinecones and mini-pompoms while the kids stuffed their faces with red and green M&Ms they were supposed to be using to mark Christmas BINGO), so you can throw some lil’ smokies in a slow cooker to take to your book club’s Christmas party. But before you can go, you seal all 148 of your Christmas cards, staple a ribbon to your kids’ gifts they are giving to their teachers (you couldn’t find tape…) and then when you finally get home (after you “won” a Robert Pattinson doll as your white elephant gift), you get on Facebook to see that all your friends have been at home all day doing meaningful Bible studies with their kids around Advent candles and their homemade ornaments. And you want to cry because you want to make Christmas about Jesus. *But when you’ve signed up for parties and lil’ smokies and white elephant gifts, how do you fit Jesus in there?!* Guess what? **It’s not too late to celebrate Advent. It’s not too late to make Jesus the center of your celebration.** Do you know what Advent means? The coming. Arrival. That’s it. **Advent, the days leading up to Christmas, just means arrival.** It’s the time we celebrate the arrival of Jesus. And as we await the arrival and the celebration of baby Jesus, our fully-God, fully-man Savior, I think, the thing He wants us to do is the same. He wants us to arrive. *Arrive to a place of worship.* *Arrive to a season of wonder.* *Arrive to a space of quiet.* *Arrive to a moment with Him.* It’s easier (and less stressful) than you think! Maybe it’s just listening to “O Holy Night” on repeat before bed. Or making sure when you go to the Christmas Eve service at church, you put your phone on silent and the gifts-yet-to-be-wrapped out of your mind. Try reading the Christmas story from the Bible with dramatic voices. Then, read it again. See if you can recount the whole story of Jesus’ birth with your kids while you’re driving them home from dance class. Read Luke 2 over dinner and have your kids keep track of all the super-natural stuff that happens in this one little story. How high did they count? Listen to absolutely nothing while you drive from one event to the next–instead, notice the trees, the snow (if you’ve got any) and the sky. **Arriving to the wonder of the manger, doesn’t always require falling on your knees.** Maybe it is doing a baby-Jesus-in-the-manger craft with the kids around the kitchen table. Maybe it is dragging out the Bible and a devotional book after working/baking/making/hosting all day. **It may be just one little moment, a simple span of quiet that fills you with wonder, a glimpse of God’s glory wrapped in cloths and lying in the manger.** But that one little moment? It may be the best moment of your year. It may be the moment your kids remember the rest of their lives. It may be the moment they get it and realize the best gift of all is Jesus. Arriving at the manger meant Jesus had to give up much of who he was. Paul writes to the Philippians, > \[Jesus\], who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6-7, ESV) How we arrive at the manger may not be as selfless and exciting and important. We may arrive a little haggard, a little tired and a little out of breath. The important thing is the arrival – that we show up. **That minute of arrival, as simple as walking through a door, will be your Advent.** It will be your arrival to the side and the heart of the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Our arrival to His arrival. That’s what Advent is all about. *There is no pressure to make Advent any more than this . . . your arrival to His arrival. But if you are looking for a way to engage your children in the story of the season, it’s never too late to start. Check out the [Big Questions About Christmas 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://www.gominno.com/blog/big-questions-about-christmas-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) right here at Minno, and if you’re interested in an Advent experience for little hands, you might enjoy [Truth in the Tinsel](http://truthinthetinsel.com/). There are some alternate schedules to the study, one as short as 6 days!* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Christmas Break Sanity Savers](https://gominno.com/blog/christmas-break-sanity-savers/) **Published:** December 8, 2016 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PLeAkJXBTywVgLdtNLfA.jpg) Maybe it’s just me, but when my kids are off school for Christmas break, it gets plain old WILD at our house! Something about the combination of the upcoming holiday, the candy and gifts, kids who are getting used to being around each other all day again and the lack of routine results in emotions running high and general craziness all around. *Is there some way to turn this into a positive experience, so that Christmas break becomes less about our kids claiming they’re bored and fighting and more about enjoying intentional time together?* I think it’s possible! With a little planning ahead and preparing ourselves for the busyness and high level of noise and chaos, we can actually enjoy Christmas break this year without feeling like Mom and Dad from the Christmas song who *“can hardly wait for school to start again”*! **Here are three sanity-saving tips for handling high emotions when school’s out for Christmas break:** **1. Have a basic routine for your day during break.** Include some chores and tasks that your kids can do to help out. I make a simple list by day of the week (our break is a little over 2 weeks) and just say *“This is what we need to do on (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc). Everyone gets to help with something! Raise your hand if you want to (sweep the floor, vacuum, wipe the toilets).”* It’s not that my kids don’t help while they’re in school; it’s just not as consistent. Expect complaining but hold firm! You’re likely not asking them to do backbreaking work. You can do this whether you are a stay-at-home mom, working parent or work-at-home mom. It will make the day go smoother at whatever time of day you can work in these basic routines. Also, **it’s great if you can include in your routine a general outline for the day.** Here’s how I plan things out as a work-at- home mom. In the morning, we have breakfast, two-minute tidy of their rooms, read, play and run errands. In the afternoon, during naptime for the younger two, I work and the older kids read or listen to music. After naps, we play or craft, clean and then prep supper. **Kids are used to a routine in school and they thrive on it.** When they’re out of that, it becomes easier for them to start complaining and fighting and claiming to be bored. It’s not that kids shouldn’t have downtime, but just that we as parents should respect the fact that our kids feel secure in knowing what to expect next. **Each day doesn’t have to be scheduled by the hour, but having a general flow helps the mood and tone of our households.** **2. Plan some craft or activity ideas ahead of time to give kids something to keep their hands and minds busy.** I love just letting my kids have free time on Christmas break…maybe a bit too much. However, after the newness of being home on break wears off (in our house it’s after about 3 hours) I find myself wishing I had thought of some fun things for us to do together so that we can learn creativity and teamwork rather than bouncing off the walls! This year, I’ve created a list of very simple winter crafts and activities that can be done with little or no prep and cost. If we can have some ideas ready for our kids when they are starting to bicker or need a break from each other, it gives them something positive to pour their energy into, especially if we are stuck inside! **Here are the 4 team-building activities I’ll be prepared with this year:** 1\. Making a fort out of blankets and chairs and then “camping” in it with flashlights, books and movies. 2\. Making “magic sand” by mixing an 8:1 ratio of baby oatmeal cereal (you can also use flour) and coconut oil and then playing with it over a large tarp in the kitchen. This is fun for older kids too! 3\. [Balloon Tennis](https://vanessasvalues.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-fun-paddle-balloon.html) – this could prove to be hilarious! 4\. Grabbing a spare piece of pine or other wood that is longer than it is wide (think a 1×2 that’s a few feet long) and placing it on the living room floor, pretending it is a balance beam (with socks on to avoid slivers). If you can have one for each kid, and have them do some fun tricks, that’s a bonus! **These are the alone-time activities I’ll be prepared with this year:** 1\. Putting dried beans on a large cookie sheet and letting kids drive their trucks and tractors through them or bury their Little People. This works to win them over every. single. time. 2\. Q-tip painting, which is done by using q-tips and washable paints to make designs on printer paper or the inside of paper bags or whatever you have around the house! If you have really little ones, you can squeeze some paint inside a gallon size plastic bag, tape it shut to the table with painter’s tape and let them push it around with their fingers! See what I mean in [this blog post](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2013/01/five-frugal-indoor-activities-for-kids.html). 3\. Pulling out old puzzles that we haven’t done in ages and doing them at the table. 4\. Reading time and listening to audiobooks. There are also some great ideas in this blog post, [20 Inside Activities for High Energy Kids](http://www.livingandlifedesigned.com/best-inside-activities-entertain-high-energy-kids/) **3. Weave in Biblical conversations in times of stress or meltdowns.** No matter what, someone will fight, somebody will be jealous of another sibling’s gift and kids will be emotionally charged simply because of the busyness of the season (because you’ll probably have things you need to do too). When my kids struggle with selfishness or coveting another child’s toy, I often just remove them from the situation and have them come and sit by me (I call it tomato staking, a term from a parenting book I read long ago). Then when they’ve calmed down, we talk about contentment (Luke 12:15, Hebrews 13:5), finding joy in another’s joy (Romans 12:15-16) and being kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32). Then I’ll excuse them to go and play again if they have calmed down and seem to understand what I’m asking of them. This isn’t a perfect system of course, but it’s something parents have to do more often during this time of year when emotions are high and the entitlement mentality rears its ugly head. **Being intentional and planning ahead a bit can really help us as parents to stay calm amidst the chaos of the Christmas season.** Of course, we shouldn’t be afraid to excuse ourselves for a cup of coffee or tea while[ letting the kids watch Minno](https://www.gominno.com?afmc=thepurposefulmom) every once in a while! But when we realize what a blessing this time at home can be and how we can use it to make memories and do things we don’t normally get the chance to do with our school-age kids, it makes our efforts seem less of a burden and more of an opportunity. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Teach Kids to Serve Others Without Leaving the House](https://gominno.com/blog/teach-kids-to-serve-others-without-leaving-the-house/) **Published:** December 6, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/wvKPMdLsQhG2hBdH9Um3.jpg) A few years ago I was deep in the trenches of motherhood with multiple toddlers and unending chaos. And contrary to what I tried to believe might happen, the holiday season didn’t make the chaos any less chaotic. The moment you become a parent, you convince yourself you are going to teach these tiny humans to be good people, and that they will learn how to give back to others. **What they don’t tell you when you’re given this tiny person to raise is that the life-shaping doesn’t always look the way you pictured.** A trip to the food pantry with 3 toddlers ends up with busted cans on the floor, tears (from you, most likely) and the only lesson learned is that you will never attempt something like that again. What I realized quickly after a few majorly failed attempts at taking my children to serve at different places was that we can cultivate a spirit of giving and service without even leaving our house! Let’s look at a few creative ways we can teach our kids about giving back that will make it less stressful on us during the holidays. **Giving of Self** – One huge part of giving to others is through sacrifice. **Learning about sacrifice starts in your home in very simple ways.** If you have multiple kids, work with them individually on ways they can serve their siblings. One of the greatest ways for your kids to learn how to serve is by witnessing it first hand. Make a point of putting your spouse first, giving of yourself more and more so they can begin to learn what sacrifice of self is. **Giving of Time** – Trying to teach children about time is tricky. Most small children have no concept of time but teaching them now to be conscious about the way they spend their time can be so beneficial in the long run. **Encourage your kids to give up a little bit of screen time to learn about an organization you’d like to help out.** Research it together on the internet, draw pictures or write letters to people who run that organization. Come up with some creative ideas for ways you can give up a little of your time to learn about ways to serve others. **Make a list of amazing organizations that give back during the holidays and simply take a few minutes out of the day to pray for them.** Show your kids that by giving up a little of their free time, they can do a huge part in serving others! **Get Creative** – Find some ways that you can creatively incorporate giving into your normal routine. Put a basket in your house that you put a few items in every time you go to the grocery store (which during the holiday season ends up being a lot!). Work with your kids’ interests to find ways to give back to others. You don’t have to go far out of your way to serve and give during the holidays. Make it fun and simple and your kids will still be impacted! Teaching your children about serving and giving back doesn’t have to be an elaborate feat. You don’t have to go crazy or even disrupt your normal schedule. **We all know how challenging life with small children can be, so we encourage you to find ways to serve and give back right from home.** Build giving and serving into your everyday life and you will wake up one day to find you are raising amazing kids who naturally give and serve others! ***What are some ways you can create an atmosphere in your home that is more focused on giving back this holiday season?*** For more ways to give, celebrate and learn about Christmas, visit one of the pages below! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hhHcXYHeSgqDpGcrI81d.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-celebrate-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Eo0jBE1RhmgpEJ5fR1Zw.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-discover-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Xy55HlQiTvGAiYIvFJPf.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-give-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8N8tNkHWTGuQ7BEqaLZz.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-read-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EilBikhIQcCi8ZYbnEwh.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-sing-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aWoPNTgSGGzf4SWeCJoW.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-watch-christmas) For more ways to celebrate and learn about Christmas, visit one of the pages below! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hhHcXYHeSgqDpGcrI81d.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-celebrate-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Eo0jBE1RhmgpEJ5fR1Zw.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-discover-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Xy55HlQiTvGAiYIvFJPf.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-give-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8N8tNkHWTGuQ7BEqaLZz.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-read-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EilBikhIQcCi8ZYbnEwh.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-sing-christmas) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aWoPNTgSGGzf4SWeCJoW.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-watch-christmas) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Creating an Atmosphere of Thanksgiving in Your Home](https://gominno.com/blog/creating-an-atmosphere-of-thanksgiving-in-your-home/) **Published:** November 22, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/L7q32NwQSDGTyfrJSFgA.jpg) As Thanksgiving crept up on us, my husband and I started talking about our boys and how we might cultivate thankfulness in them. *What was the key? How might we turn this Thanksgiving into a holiday truly focused on thankfulness?* (Does anyone else wrestle with this over the holidays?) I don’t know about you, but each year I seem to begin November with the greatest of intentions, and end December wondering where in the world the time went. I really don’t want to repeat that cycle this year. Well, my husband and I didn’t come up with any revolutionary way to teach our kids thankfulness, but our conversation led us to a conclusion that perhaps was even more important: **We were reminded that gratitude…is contagious.** And that if we’re honest: **We could use a bit more of it ourselves.** We talked about how there is no better way to teach our kids to be thankful than for us to live with thankful hearts every day. Privately. Publicly. Genuinely. **Hearts and voices that are unmistakably, unashamedly, genuinely incredibly grateful for all of the blessings.** Because we all have blessings, don’t we? It’s just a matter of slowing down to appreciate them. My husband and I started talking about all of the things we take for granted: From the air we breathe (Dave is a doctor and sadly witnesses patients struggling for their own breath…) to the family we have. (The thought of losing someone you love is enough to renew appreciation for them.) From food on the table (there are so many starving people in this world) to the freedom to worship God. (Sadly that is not the case in many places.) If we take the time to imagine life without: a hot shower…a bed to sleep on…coffee in the morning (Please Lord never take my coffee!) a place to call home…we will be reminded of how VERY. VERY. BLESSED we are. By the end of our conversation, my heart was literally bursting with gratitude. I realized (once again) that gratitude is a choice. **Each day (and all day long!) I can focus on the things that frustrate me, stress me out, OR I can focus on my blessings.** In the wonderful book, Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch, there is a chapter called *“Gratitude is a Choice.”* Jeremy Smith is quoted there saying, *“Loyola University psychologist Fred Bryan finds that savoring positive experiences makes them stickier in your brain, and increases their benefits to your psyche — and the key, he argues, is expressing gratitude for the experience.”* Smith suggests being specific in our gratitude. *“One of the habits of highly grateful people, according to Smith, is that they are thankful for the details, or as he puts it, ‘they mention the pancakes.'”* I love that! **So maybe more important than teaching my kids thankfulness is modeling thankfulness to them.** Perhaps my job really is to first cultivate gratitude in my own heart…then to speak out the things I’m thankful for all day long. To sing praises to the One who has given me everything. **To tell stories of God’s faithfulness and to set a tone of thanksgiving in my home.** Then my kids will wake up on Thanksgiving and actually FEEL THANKFULNESS in the air. **In Raising Grateful Kids, Kristen outlines six ways we can all “train in gratitude.”** 1\. Write down what you’re thankful for as a family. 2\. Watch your mouth (How we talk affects how we think. Keep it positive!) 3\. Walk in someone else’s shoes. (and be reminded how much we have to be thankful for!) 4\. Fill your home with visual reminders and stop to appreciate them. Signs…notes…beautiful things can remind us to be thankful. 5\. Be specific. (“mention the pancakes”. also: “Grateful people don’t just say, ‘I love you.’ They say, ‘I love you because…'”) 6\. Choose gratitude even in your pain. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I have a renewed excitement for Thanksgiving this year. Now I am looking forward to this special time to truly savor the blessings in my life. **And as I do I have a feeling my kids will “catch” the thankfulness bug as well.** And we’ll all be better off for it! \*Kristen Welch also recommends that families (kids elementary age and up) memorize PSALM 23 together! These six verses can be easily broken down into segments to memorize over a month! (She recommends using the New Living Translation for this!) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How To Talk To Your Kids About Ten Tough Topics](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-ten-tough-topics/) **Published:** November 20, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/aT13pbj8QVqwHkcwV3i2.jpg) Cara Davis offers up tips on how to talk to your kids about topics like heaven, patience, and thankfulness. See below for helpful strategies for taking on 10 tough topics with little ones. #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Strength](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-strength) Times of transition are never easy. It takes great strength to change. Thankfully, our faith can be a source of inspiration, strength and comfort – for kids and adults alike. #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Heaven](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-heaven) Talking about Heaven is a two-sided coin. The old saying goes, everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die. In the same vein, talking to children about death can feel awkward and potentially painful. Thankfully, films and books like Heaven Is For Real might open the door to have a conversation with your kids about these topics. #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Faith](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-faith) I remember having a lot of questions about faith as a kid. I mean a lot. I didn’t always feel comfortable asking my parents or my pastor about them, so I wrote them down in a journal. One of the biggest questions I had was, “What is faith?” The biblical answer I heard from the pulpit – “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” (Hebrews 11:1) – felt so ethereal it was of no earthly good to me – until I really needed it. #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids to Strengthen Your Relationship](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-to-strengthen-your-relationship) This past weekend, my family disconnected from technology and reconnected with each other. Two days at a state park was just what our little crew needed to rest and strengthen our relationships. It wasn’t all bliss. We still dealt with attitudes, misbehavior, and boundless energy, but I noticed that by being intentional and spending time with our two young ones (without the constant distraction of screen time), we felt our relationship being strengthened. #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Patience](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-patience) Patience, described by my daughter’s Sunday School teacher (and others) as “waiting with a good attitude,” isn’t a self-help trick to make life more tolerable. It’s part of the fruit of the Spirit, something that should characterize every Christian believer who abides in Christ. Patience is more than waiting on little sis to tie her shoe. It’s staving off anxiety while waiting on test results from the doctor. It’s trusting that God is in control of our finances when we’re not. It’s being tolerant when others show their weaknesses (Proverbs 19:11). It’s continuing to act in faith by prayer while we trust that something will happen (Galatians 6:9). #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Forgiveness](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-forgiveness) Salvation is based on the unmerited grace, i.e., forgiveness, of our heavenly Father. So the single best way to give your children a solid foundation for understanding salvation is by talking to them about forgiveness. #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Healing](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-healing) All of us have been touched by sickness, directly or indirectly. We often shield our children from the realities of disease, cancer and physical ailments and soften our language in ways we feel they will understand. While we do well to shelter our kids from concepts they’re developmentally unable to understand or process in a healthy way, we do owe them truth wrapped with hope–after all, that’s the gospel. #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Wisdom](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-wisdom) The Bible is our source for words of wisdom and has a lot to say about it. In it we learn that God gives wisdom (Proverbs 2:6), that if we listen to instruction, which is teaching, we will become wise (Proverbs 19:20) and that if we ask the Lord for wisdom, He’s happy to give it to us (James 1:5). #### #### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Thankfulness](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-thankfulness-2) Talking to your kids about being thankful is a great exercise for adults because it helps us not take the basics for granted. When you ask your kids what they’re thankful for and they say food, a home, clothes, health, family, God, church, and if you’re one of my girls–candy–you realize that Zulily deals or Pinterest projects that you never seem to get to are just ancillary. You already have what’s most important. #### #### [How to Talk to your Kids about Joy & Peace](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-joy-peace) Recently I heard about a dad, Brad Henn, who has decorated his house with 31,000 lights in memory of his little girl who died in an accident two years ago. The holidays can be so difficult for anyone who’s lost someone close. The fact that this dad chooses to pour himself into something that brings joy to others in the midst of his deepest grief really fascinated me. He said they started doing London’s Lights two years ago in an effort to take what was birthed in tragedy and turn it into something beautiful. Check out [What’s in the Bible’s?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck%20denver%20asks%20whats%20in%20the%20bible%20full%20episodes') [Clive and Ian’s Wonder-blimp of Knowledge](https://www.gominno.com/series/clive%20and%20ians%20wonderblimp%20of%20knowledge), a fun and insightful series that will help you teach your kids about challenging questions about God! --- Cara Davis is a content strategist and the former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://www.relevantmediagroup.com/). Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, Fox News, The New York Post and CNN, and she’s been quoted in USA Today and The New York Times. The author of three DIY books (and the editor for 65+ books), Cara received a degree in journalism and a minor in communication design from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. After 11 years in Orlando, she hangs her hat in Nashville again, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Am I Being Selfish?: The Tension Between Parenting and Work](https://gominno.com/blog/am-i-being-selfish-the-tension-between-parenting-and-work/) **Published:** November 16, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mysiFGETTkeHsB7OGmN7.jpg) Five years ago, I was in school and working on my PhD when I received some exciting news: I was pregnant. Nine months later, we had our first son, and I began the careful balancing act of being both a mother and a student. Thankfully, my husband and I were in the unique position of being in school together, which meant we had flexible schedules. I was with the baby half the day, my husband the other half. It was an ideal arrangement in which we had our cake and ate it too. We had plenty of time to work, and plenty of time with our son. That all changed when my husband took a full-time job as a pastor. Suddenly, I was a stay-at-home mom and a student. I managed the set-up for awhile, but when I became pregnant a second time, I knew I had to graduate quickly. There was no way I could complete my degree with two small children running around, so we sent our son to childcare several mornings a week while I stayed home to study. Once again, I found myself in an ideal situation—my son could socialize and learn in a new setting, while I could finish my degree—but that’s not how I felt. Instead, I felt guilt. I felt guilty for sending my son to daycare, and I felt guilty for enjoying the alone time. Aren’t good mothers supposed to love being with their children all the time? The answer to that question is, of course, no. Most parents need a break from their kids (even the best ones!) but at the time, I only felt selfish. I felt selfish for pursuing my calling instead of staying home all day with my son. I also felt selfish when my calling affected our schedules, or required my husband to make additional sacrifices. Over the years, I have heard similar sentiments from different women across all walks of life. I have heard it from seminary students wondering if their desire to learn theology was motivated by selfish desires. I have heard it from mothers who sliced their family income in order to stay home with their kids. I have heard it from working mothers who needed the extra money but wondered if they were shortchanging their children. I think this pressure weighs especially heavy on women, because we are expected to be “all the things.” We strive to be the perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect hostess, and the perfect Christian, forgetting that God requires none of this. No area of our lives is satisfied by our sufficiency, but Christ’s, so our limitations are not shameful. Instead, they point to the glorious sufficiency of God. I also think this pressure comes from a narrow vision of motherhood, one which paints women as sole proprietors of the home. It’s a vision of motherhood independent of community, viewing “help” as a compromise rather than God’s intended design. It’s also a vision of motherhood without space for other callings, viewing ministry or work as threats, rather than beautiful supplements. For all these reasons and more, parents often feel selfish when parenting and work collide, and although the balance can be tricky, it’s not inherently selfish, and we know this for several reasons. First, God gives us gifts because He intends for us to use them. If you have the gift of teaching or leading or counseling or any other number of talents, God granted them out of His very own hands, and He did it with intention. This means we should steward our talents well, and without guilt. Of course, that doesn’t excuse us from prioritizing marriage and parenting, but it does mean we don’t always have to choose. Second, stewarding our gifts can improve our parenting. Since becoming a mom, there have been seasons when I didn’t have time to write. During those seasons, I noticed a slow, gradual withering inside me, as if my soul was somehow out of sync. Conversely, whenever I make time to use my gifts for God, I flourish, as if my soul is stretching out into the width and breadth of its purpose. This flourishing is so abundant that it overflows into every area of my life. When I come home from writing, I am a better wife and mom. I have more patience and more joy. The quality of time with my family is simply better, and that is another fruit of stewarding our gifts. Stewarding our gifts also improves our parenting because of the example it sets. The best way to teach our kids to use their own gifts, is to model it. When we steward our gifts in healthy, God-honoring ways, we leave a legacy of faithful service for our children to inherit. And finally, our kids were meant to be raised in community. Not all of us work because we’re called, but because we must. Perhaps you want to spend more time with your kids, but you must rely on the help of family or professional caregivers. This is, in many ways, God’s plan. From start to finish, the story of God’s people is just that—the story of a people. We were never meant to do faith or marriage or parenting alone, but with the help and encouragement of the church. When we embrace the gift of community, our children benefit from the diverse talents and teachings of the Body of Christ, and their lives are richer for it. This community-supported parenting is not a concession, but a rich blessing from God. And what if some part of our motives is wrong? What if some shred of our ambitions is selfish? The good and the bad news is, that will always be true. Even the noblest callings are subject to corruption, because we are sinful people. We can turn even the very best work into a selfish endeavor, so it is wise and healthy to name that temptation, but it doesn’t negate the call. Instead, it challenges us to guard the integrity of our work by keeping watch over our intentions. The balance is hard and we will make mistakes, but God delights to see His children use their gifts. That is, after all, why He gave them. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How I Am Preparing My Kids for a New Sibling](https://gominno.com/blog/how-i-am-preparing-my-kids-for-a-new-sibling/) **Published:** November 15, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/L0lctCz8RaSBSYc98NVG.jpg) One week. As I sit and type these words that’s exactly how far away I am from my due date. One week until I endure the pain of labor, feel the overwhelming sense of adoration for this new little human, and experience the joy of bringing that sweet baby to the place we call home. It’s really so very exciting. But this isn’t my first baby. I have two others at home – a kindergarten boy and a spunky toddler girl. They are both very excited about the prospect of a new baby brother in the house. But I know, while they may be excited about baby smiles and snuggles, their world is about to change drastically. So over the last few months I’ve been trying to prepare them for this new arrival in the best way I know how and in a way that each of them can understand. **1. I talk to my kids about the reality of having a newborn around.** This includes talking to my kindergartener about how the baby will really never leave mommy’s side. I told him that in the evening when we read books together before bed, it’s likely that the new baby will be right there along with us. I’m trying to get him warmed up to the fact that one on one mommy time is going to be pretty rare in those early weeks. For my two-year old daughter, I try to do something similar. I have no idea how much she is actually absorbing, but I talk to her about the baby crying and needing mommy. And I talk to her about the fact that she will have to share mommy with the new baby. My hope is that she will at least become familiar with these ideas and maybe it will prepare her little heart in some small way. **2. We talk about how they can interact with the new baby.** The other day my son asked me, “Mom, when the new baby comes can I snuggle next to him?” Of course I said yes and we talked about all the other sweet ways he can enjoy his new brother like giving gentle kisses and talking to him. And I let my son know that mommy is going to be so very tired and that I will need his big brother help very much. He always gets a very proud smile on his face when I tell him that. I don’t really know what it is about my two-year old but she is obsessed with this idea of poking her baby dolls in the eyes. And so to prepare her for sweet interactions with our new baby brother I have been reminding her gently that we don’t poke babies on the eye (sounds so silly I know!). So I say to her, “We can kiss the baby and hold the baby’s hand and touch his little feet, but what should we not do?” And she will say, “Poke him in da eye!” Right on! As silly as this might be I think it’s important to not just point out to her what we shouldn’t do with the new baby, but give her an appropriate action to replace the inappropriate one. **3. I talk to my children about what to expect when I go into labor.** I have forewarned both of them that there may be a time in the next few weeks when they wake up in the morning and Mamma and Pappa are over and Mommy and Daddy are gone to the hospital. Or I’ve told my son that one afternoon YiaYia or Papa might be there to pick him up from school instead of Mommy. I want them to not be caught off-guard when there is a change to their typical daily routine if I’ve had to leave for the hospital. **4. I have packed each one of them a special hospital waiting bag.** Waiting at the hospital can be a very long and even boring experience for adults. I can imagine for a kid it can feel torturous. In the event that my two are in the hospital awaiting the arrival of their sibling I have packed a special bag for each of them to make the wait a little more exciting. I want them to remember that time fondly. In each bag I packed a new small toy, snacks, a special drink, and even a couple of dollars for a trip to the vending machine. I also bought each of them a disposable camera. I would love to see what they deem picture-worthy on that day. **5. I have a stash of new books and activities for after the baby comes home.** Let’s be real, after new baby comes I am likely not going to feel adventurous and trek outside for playdates or any other type of outing. But that doesn’t mean my kids won’t still need activities to keep them occupied. So in my closet I have a stash of new books and inexpensive gifts that I think will help with that aspect of mothering. My hope is that these little surprises will give them something to be excited about while I’m in a daze trying to figure out our new normal. I know that the truth is, no matter how much I talk about a new baby joining our family, nothing can really prepare my kids for what is to come. But I think one of the most important tools of preparation is being open and honest about how things might be as well as being appropriately responsive to any questions that might arise. Babies are tremendously exciting, but welcoming my new son will also be a very transitional time for our family. I have some tricks up my sleeve, like the little gifts for post-baby, but I am overall trusting that the Lord has all of us in the palm of His hand and I anticipate these upcoming newborn days with eagerness, excitement, and a trust that God knits all families together perfectly. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [In the Kitchen with Your Kids: Holiday Edition](https://gominno.com/blog/in-the-kitchen-with-kids-holiday-edition/) **Published:** November 15, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UzfHL6GQT0y04GRjNw2M.jpg) *Can you believe the Holidays are sneaking up on us?* I cannot get enough of this time of year! No matter what hardships you may be facing, there’s something about the holiday season that brings joy to the surface and helps put everything into perspective in so many ways. We have four young kids, so the holidays can get a bit hectic. More times than I’d like to admit, it doesn’t always look the way I have it planned in my head. I imagine my children in their perfectly clean clothes, with their perfect manners helping me make perfect holiday treats and crafts. But as every parent knows, that’s just not reality. **So, I decided it was time to stop trying to put my kids into a box they don’t fit in and invite the chaos into the holidays.** And I found it to be a much more fun place to celebrate! For me, cooking has always been more of a means to an end because apparently, children need to eat every single day. **Baking, though, is where I come alive.** I blame my type A personality and love for everything being perfectly measured. I think one thing my kids hear me say more than anything is *“everyone out of the kitchen!”* I feel like if I can control little areas, like my kitchen, then maybe I have some sort of control in my home. **But every year, when the holiday spirit kicks in, I invite the chaos to join me and welcome them into the kitchen.** The kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where the messes *and* the magic happens. **When we welcome our children into the mess, into the heart of our home, they learn what it means to be hospitable.** They learn what it means to serve, to share, and to give back. When I step into my kitchen to bake it opens my heart to love more deeply. As I make cookies to share with neighbors or bake bread to take to the kids’ teachers – **I’m able to teach my kids how to show the love of Jesus in creative and fun ways.** This is one of my favorite holiday baking recipes you can do with your kids. I want to encourage you this holiday season to invite your kids into the kitchen with you. **Let them learn new things, make mistakes, think of ways to serve others, and be hospitable to those around you!** Heart change happens in the kitchen! **Pumpkin Bread** Ingredients: 3 ½ Cups Flour 2 tsp Baking Soda 1 ½ tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp baking powder 2 cups sugar 1 cup canola oil 4 eggs ⅔ cup water 2 cups canned or baked/boiled pumpkin STEP ONE In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder. STEP TWO In the same bowl, add the sugar, oil, eggs, water and pumpkin. (When boiling the pumpkin, press it in a strainer to remove excess water before measuring.) Stir until well blended. STEP THREE Pour batter into two large or four small buttered loaf pans. Bake at 350 in a preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes. Check with a toothpick. Remove from pan to cool. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Sharing Quiet Moments with My Son](https://gominno.com/blog/sharing-quiet-moments-with-my-son/) **Published:** November 11, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PXFOYvGQRjOVrPxp1Dbn.jpg) Perspective. I could see the sun rising just outside our front door. Our eight year old was wide awake well ahead of any decent hour, thanks to the time change. My heart was heavy because I had a sense about what the day may hold. I’m certain it was the Lord leading me to make a quick cup of coffee and ask my already energetic son to join me on the porch and watch the sun come up. It wasn’t a perfect moment like you might be imagining. My coffee cup was too full and spilling over on to my dusty, dirty hardwood floors as we headed outside into the chilly morning. I carried my heavy heart and a cozy blanket out the door along with a tinge of guilt for not having a cleaner house. He was super fidgety and I knew there wasn’t much of a chance he’d sit still long enough to share a sweet moment together. Still I decided to trust the leading of the spirit I’d felt had led me to be still in the midst of the the unsettledness I felt around me. We’d learned the day before that my Aunt, who’s been a special person in my life, was not doing well after an unexpected surgery. So as I took in the beauty of a new day and leaned into the promises of His new mercies while the sun rose, I was concerned it might be the date I lost someone very special to me. This provided me with a giant sized dose of perspective and a reminder of the fragility of life. Lately, my husband and I feel like we are on a bit of a hamster wheel. We are the best of friends who have a life we cherish together. Children we adore. A house we literally built together. Jobs we both love and in which we each find a sense of pride. But underneath it all, we feel like we are on auto-pilot. I doubt we are alone in this feeling. The days pass and we wonder if there is anything we’ve done worth accomplishing. We are drained. We’ve lost perspective as we’ve gone about checking off the the world’s view of what each next step in life should look like. With the reminder that life is fragile, I was thankful that God in His mercy had given me a moment in the midst of the chaos and imperfection to calm my soul and help me look up so I didn’t miss the beauty He’d created. He was kind enough to speak to my spirit about making the things that matter, matter because I’m just not. The value that God has placed on parenting is of utmost importance. My children will see what role God plays in my daily hustle and bustle. They have a front row seat to my walk with the Lord. From where they sit, I’m sure it’s not always a pretty view. The things I’ve chosen to treasure don’t often hold eternal value. There will always be laundry, homework, dirt, after school activities or another work-related emergency. But there won’t always be fidgety little boys willing to come sit near their momma before it’s even light outside. Lord, thank You for a sun that rises and sets and for the moments in between that provide us with opportunities to raise little people who grow to love You. May they see us chasing fast after Your heart and the things that matter to You. **Deuteronomy 6:5-9 MSG** *Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!* *Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Temptation](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-temptation/) **Published:** November 11, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/O2KURONnTuXIJxN2Bjg7.jpg)* *“…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”* As we say the Lord’s Prayer, we are reminded that temptation is virtually everywhere in our society today! Whether it’s seen as benign and even “funny” in today’s media or if it comes on the heels of peer pressure, one thing is for sure: our kids are bombarded with opportunities that will tempt them! The weeks leading up to Easter are a great time to discuss the concept of temptation with our kids. One of the best examples for us to use when teaching about temptation is Matthew 4:1-11. This is the story of how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert for 40 days. Jesus was hungry, tired, and in a state of physical weakness. Satan took advantage of this setting and tempted Jesus several times. Temptation is the desire to do something–probably appealing– which we know we shouldn’t. What temptations do our kids face each day? Maybe wanting to watch inappropriate television, gossip, take something that doesn’t belong to them, lie, cheat, argue with parents or teachers?? As kids get older, the temptations they face also get more difficult to handle or ignore. Promiscuity, alcohol consumption, pornography, drugs, and other bad choices all start out as temptations. **Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.”** How do we teach our kids to fight against the temptations that they’ll encounter? First, it’s important that we discuss our children’s personal temptations with them, so we can better address virtuous solutions as opposed to blanket statements like, “You shouldn’t …” If your child is faced or has been faced with a specific situation (even one that they have succumbed to the temptation) it’s a great starting point to teach them what some alternatives might be. Smaller children can learn well by giving them story examples of temptation and having them discuss what the character in the story might do instead of following through with the temptation. Here’s an example taken from a [Kids Sunday School](http://www.kidssundayschool.com/) activity: Julie was eight years old. Her mom told her to not watch scary movies at night because they could give her nightmares. But Julie thought she was old enough and mature enough to watch these movies anyway. Besides, she had already seen a few scary movies and nothing had happened! One night mom was busy helping Julie’s older brother with an art project. Julie knew that there was a scary movie on tv, and wanted to watch it. Mom wouldn’t know if Julie watched the movie. Julie is being tempted to watch this movie, what should she do? When we read about Jesus’ temptation in the desert, we learn that He fought off Satan using Scripture! It’s so important for all of us, no matter what our age, to look to God’s Word for strength when we are battling temptation. **2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”** Daily prayer, rooting ourselves in God’s Word, and assisting our children with the idea of accountability are all wonderful ways in which we can help them through the jungle of temptation which is all around them. **How have you taught your child to deal with temptation?** *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Make Room for Giving this Holiday Season](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-make-room-for-giving-this-holiday-season/) **Published:** November 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jJuglQZuTu6n1SLAoYrY.jpg) Three years ago I found a fantastic list on a blog, a list of random kind acts a family could do during the holidays. Two years ago I found it again, pinned it, and kept it open on my laptop for several weeks. Last year I went back to find that list and even printed it out. But other than filling a few shoeboxes and dropping change in the red buckets, not a single act of kindness has made it into our busy holiday schedules. Oh, I have the best intentions! I make lists and brainstorm ideas; I get my girls excited for it and then…LIFE happens. We get busy with the family dinners, church programs, school concerts and the shopping, cooking, hosting and all the things that fill up our calendars but, sometimes, leave our souls empty. **I don’t want to let that happen this year.** That’s the key, too: **we get to choose.** We get to choose what we put on our plates and our schedules – and what we turn down. We get to choose where we spend our time and our money – and where we don’t. We get to choose when to stay home, when to take a break, when to create space for our families and ourselves to breathe. **I believe it’s only when we have that space – that margin – in our lives that we’ll be able to add back in the things that are truly most important to us.** This holiday season I want to stay focused on the real reasons we celebrate, and I want to allow room to celebrate those reasons with others. I want to skip the extra shopping trip and visit my grandma (or a neighbor or the widow from church) instead. I want to say no to the cookie exchange but yes to inviting friends whose families live far away to come over for dinner. I want to say no to more tinsel, more lanterns, more banners and baubles and greenery – and yes to care packages for the homeless or presents for the family in need or a chicken for our sponsored child. It’s so much easier said than done, though. *Do you think we can do it? Can we make room in our schedules, in our budgets, in our hearts for opportunities to give to others?* Yes, I think we can. **And I think we start small and do it one holiday at a time.** As we head into the most wonderful time of the year, I challenge you (and me!) to say no to one activity or event per holiday. That means your challenge may be a little different than mine. For my family, though, it means I will look at our options for Thanksgiving, for Christmas Eve, for Christmas Day, and for New Year’s – and then I’ll decide which things we will let go this year. Perhaps it’s an event, or perhaps it’s something you normally splurge on. Maybe it’s a tradition that stresses you out more than it warms your heart, or maybe it’s a meal you don’t even like to eat (much less spend hours cooking). Whatever your THING is, take a break from it this year. **Let’s cut one thing from each of our holidays and see what that allows God to do in us, for us, and through us.** Because I believe that when we prepare Him room by creating margin in our holiday plans, He will give us amazing opportunities to bless others and be blessed. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The Best Family Christmas Movies](https://gominno.com/blog/the-best-family-christmas-movies/) **Published:** November 10, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mftZ7oMhSXe4eOT91mv2.jpg) Merry Christmas! How are you getting in the holiday spirit this year? Might we suggest a favorite activity of ours here at Minno … curling up with a cup of cocoa, some fresh cookies and your family’s favorite Christmas movie? Family movie nights are an all-year-round staple for many of you, but there’s just something extra special about holiday movies. With everything from the classics you grew up on as a kid to the newest CGI adventures, to some of our [Minno streaming favorites](https://www.gominno.com/series/Christmas%20Specials), this list was crowd-sourced for and from you! (Thanks to all of you who participated in sharing your family’s favorite Christmas movie on [our Facebook page](http://facebook.com/Minno)!) Here is our totally unofficial but really fun list of the 10 best family Christmas movies (in no particular order). #### 1. [Buck Denver Asks® … Why Do We Call It Christmas?](https://www.gominno.com/series/Buck%20Denver%20Asks%20Why%20Do%20We%20Call%20It%20Christmas) Ok, well this one MIGHT be in order! If you’re looking for a movie to stream on Minno that will help answer all of your questions about Christmas – like why do we hang stockings and decorate trees? – this is just the movie for you. #### 2. [A Charlie Brown Christmas](http://abc.go.com/movies-and-specials/a-charlie-brown-christmas) This was the most popular movie from our audience survey! Who doesn’t love celebrating Christmas with Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and the gang? #### 3. [It’s A Wonderful Life](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/) The most-classic of all Christmas classics … The charming Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, who learns a very important lesson from his guardian angel Clarence. #### 4. [Elf](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/) Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) became a Christmas icon after Elf released in 2003. If you love sweet comedies, don’t miss this one. #### 5. [VeggieTales® – The Star of Christmas](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399837/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl) We love Bob and Larry! This Christmas movie takes them on an adventure in England where they learn the true meaning of Christmas from a group of children putting on a play. #### 6. [The Muppet Christmas Carol](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104940/) The Muppets + Charles Dickens? We’re in – and we have been for the over 20 years this movie has been on repeat in our homes at Christmastime. Don’t miss it! #### 7. [White Christmas](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/) We’ve reached this writer’s personal favorite Christmas movie … White Christmas! If you’ve ever wondered about the classic song, make sure you watch this wonderful musical starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. #### 8. [A Christmas Story](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/) Another Christmas comedy classic! Watch as beloved Ralphie tries to convince his parents to get him a special present. #### 9. [The Polar Express](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338348/) The Polar Express is a beautiful adaptation of the classic book by the same name, starring Tom Hanks. #### 10. [How the Grinch Stole Christmas](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170016/) Another family Christmas classic, this adaptation of the beloved Dr. Seuss book brings the Grinch and Whoville to life. *Please note that this is a crowd-sourced list, and we recognize that these movies may not be a fit for all families. Parental Movie Guidelines can be found at [http://www.pluggedin.com/.](http://www.pluggedin.com/)* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Body Image](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-body-image/) **Published:** November 8, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QBQqLgShQKamrHVuHB22.jpg) Everyone’s talking about body image. Whether it’s in the context of bullying, healthy lifestyles vs. unhealthy lifestyles, or the ever-present marketing campaigns which depict beauty to be only attainable for those who buy into a particular program or product. I can honestly tell you that I along with most of my girl friends, who range in age from mid 30’s to early 50’s, are all pretty much dissatisfied with our body’s appearance. We are all educated women, who realize the ideals which are glorified by the media are mostly unattainable…no matter what products we buy. While we range in sizes and shapes, none of us are truly obese. Yeah, most of us would like to lose a few pounds, and tone and tighten areas where age, child rearing and gravity have taken a toll. But there isn’t a couch potato among us. Just the opposite. We are mom’s who stay active, and who are involved in our kids’ education, as well as their extra-curricular activities like sports, band, drama, dance and cheer. We stay busy! We eat a lot of salads and yogurts. We take vitamins and exercise. And ok, we eat an occasional fast-food burger, and may sneak a few fries here and there from our child’s plate, but on the scale of healthy eating vs. unhealthy eating, we really try our hardest to put good things into our bodies… most of the time, and we teach our kids to do the same. So why do we look at ourselves in the mirror and hate what we see? Why is it that so many of us become obsessed with our physical appearance or a number on the scale? I used to think that having boys meant I didn’t have to worry about them having body image issues. That isn’t the case! Boys, just like girls, have a huge problem with negative body image, and unfortunately not all of these issues can be blamed on the media. Many of us are guilty of using negative adjectives to describe our own bodies, and sadly, we even throw those ugly words around when talking about others’ bodies. Our kids are absorbing these negativities and then they project that negativity right back onto themselves when they look into the mirror, many times hating the image of themselves in the mirror. This self hatred is NOT what God wants for any of us. Have we forgotten that we are the craftsmanship of God? As for me, I have forgotten from time to time. I can easily get caught up in the magazine pictures of gorgeous movie stars, and then very easily find myself hating the way I look. We adults are all too familiar with the concept of magazines airbrushing photos, so why do we still long for the unrealistic beauty we see on the pages of those very publications? If adults can be this easy swayed, how much easier is it for our kids to fall victim to the Enemy telling them they’re ugly, too fat, too skinny…worthless? **1 Corinthians 6:19-20** *“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.*“ So how do we help ourselves and in turn help our kids see our bodies, which were masterfully created by God, as truly beautiful and wonderfully unique? For starters we need to remember that we are all God’s masterpieces! It’s important to teach our kids that being God’s masterpiece, we must take care of our selves. Keep in mind, this isn’t appearance driven. It’s very important for us to focus our energies on the sanctifying not the sculpting aspect of our self. Hygiene, sleep, exercise, nutrition, and even sexual conduct all matter. Living a healthy lifestyle is vitally important in maintaining the body God created for us. Having a Biblical body image is something many of us desire to grow into. I know I do! It’s one in which we change our perspective. We were born into a physical world, but REBORN into a spiritual one. We must take care of the physical body God created for us, but we must keep our heart and mind focused on Jesus. We are to become people who reflect the Lord. **1 Samuel 16:7** *“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”* So yes, we must take care of our bodies. They are the workmanship of God and we are to avoid intentionally harming them – not because we want to wear a smaller dress size or erase the crows feet around our eyes. God has created each of us with a unique purpose. Unlike the cultural expectations, we need to start rethinking about our body image, Biblically. No longer mastered by our outward appearance. No longer consumed to change ourselves into someone on the outside that our culture and the Enemy try to convince us will make us happy, complete and worthy of love. Instead we need to focus more on the spiritual world we have been reborn into, while taking care of the physical body God created for us. **Psalm 139:13-14** *“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”* *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/0ZNM7y2QbqIx335Ahrly/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.gominno.com?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=whatsinthebible&utm_campaign=blog%20banner) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How Parents Can Learn Gratitude as They Teach Their Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/how-parents-can-learn-gratitude-as-they-teach-their-kids/) **Published:** November 8, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7iuK7mU1TTuDSnYGJuJe.jpg) When my kids were just 6 and 4 years old, I wanted to make sure we practiced some kind of actual thankfulness during the Thanksgiving holiday. I mean, that’s kinda the point, right? With Christmas easing out Thanksgiving in the stores (and even trying to sneak up on Halloween!), I thought it was important for the kids to slowly and deliberately celebrate the holiday as we do Christmas and even the lesser holidays earlier in the year. So, I bought these cute little paper leaves from the dollar store and let the kids take Sharpies (yes, at 4 and 6!) to write on each leaf one thing they were thankful for. There were about 100 in a pack so I figured they wouldn’t use them all and maybe we could use the rest for decorations. Instead, they had the absolute best time writing any and everything they could think of to be be thankful about. They also added pictures to their words – which was helpful as my 6 year old really couldn’t spell and my 4 year old couldn’t really write. They wrote down things like “bugs”, “milk”, “Papa’s beard” (which was accompanied by a drawing of something that looked like a cross between a black cloud and a deep dark hole) and “motorcycles”. They refused to throw those leaves away after Thanksgiving, so we kept them in a little glass pumpkin and take it out every year to laugh about their handwriting and drawings. **This is now one of their favorite traditions.** This year, I was laying on the couch (being very purposeful and parental) when my daughter read every single paper leaf (it had to be all 100!) to me. We laughed as she tried to decipher her own handwriting and wondered at why someone had written “the pool” in November. I saw my own handwriting in there – and maybe even my prodding as there were a few leaves with “God”, “my Bible” and “Operation Christmas Child” among the rest. But one of the leaves caught my eye and my heart. I had written, **“the days are long.”** You know that saying, right? **“The days are long but the years are short.”** It’s how parenting is – you wonder if the day of changing diapers, wiping spit up, comforting a will-not-go-to-bed toddler will ever end. Even days of getting your elementary school kid to do their homework and dressed on time seems interminable. But those years! They fly by! My kids can’t possibly 10 and 8 now! Aren’t they still 4 and 6 and love to draw pictures of Papa’s beard? **I am thankful the days are long.** I’m thankful I get to be my kids’ mom and see them grow. I’m thankful I get to help them tie their shoes and wipe their noses. **But what I’m really thankful for is getting to lead them to Jesus and his greatness.** Psalm 145 is a song of praise from David. It’s the whole “great is the Lord and greatly to be praised” passage that we sang about in church when I was a girl. Verse 4 is the one that gets me as a mom, though: > One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (ESV) Not only do I get to have the long days of raising my kids, I get to commend the works – the mighty acts! – of God to my children. **The way my kids love reading their thankful leaves – I want to be eager to share God’s mighty acts, the wonderful works he’s done in my life.** My kids have taken this verse and made it true in their own small generation – they are reminding themselves year after year of the goodness of God. I am determined to do the same! I want them to see God’s hand, not just in their day to day life, but in the generation before them – throughout the long days and short years. **I want my children to see and know the great God story of which our entire family is a part!** **Family Time Idea:** This Thanksgiving, sit down over leftover pumpkin pie and turkey sandwiches (or whatever!) to tell your kids of a time God did a miracle or work in your life before they were born. Maybe the story of how you came to know Him or how He spoke to you as a teenager. Show them how God has been working from generation to generation! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Engage your Family in Sharing Meals Around the Table](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-engage-your-family-in-sharing-meals-around-the-table/) **Published:** November 7, 2016 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XNqDRMKiQLeiyFVfKB7K.jpg) What’s the most worn and well-loved piece of furniture in your home? For our little family of four, it’s the dining room table. This rectangular piece of imperfect wood has become a sacred symbol of our family’s culture, a reminder that God has called us to intentionally gather and share meals around the table, both with each other and frequent guests. While we don’t have the “art of the family dinner” completely figured out, we’ve surely learned over the years that sharing meals draws people together, and it’s a beautiful way to connect with God and our children. After all, no matter our age or gender, food unites us. As author Shauna Niequist states in her book, Bread & Wine: A Love Letter To Life Around the Table, “Food matters because it’s one of the things that forces us to live in this world — this tactile, physical, messy, and beautiful world — no matter how hard we try to escape into our minds and our ideals. Food is a reminder of our humanity, our fragility, our createdness.” Some scholars say that Jesus “ate his way through the Gospels” because there are so many mentions of our Savior sharing meals with people, including a tax collector (Luke 19:1-10), Pharisees (Luke 11:37-54 and 14:1-24), the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), the Last Supper (Luke 22:7-38), and the meal that followed Jesus’ resurrection appearance on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:30). The believers in the early Church knew the importance of this as well. One of my favorite Scriptures comes from Acts 2:46: “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” Yes, God created us to need physical sustenance from food. What more beautiful way to serve one another than to provide for that basic need? Specifically, how can we help develop our children’s character by engaging in this sacred act together? It might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Whatever your day-to-day looks like, whether you work inside or outside the home, perhaps you’re looking for ways to connect with your family and involve your children in preparing and sharing meals together. Here are some ideas: 1\. **Let your children help in the kitchen**. Y’all, I have a toddler. I know how hard this is…we’re already cleaning up messes all day! But I promise, it’s worth it. Whether I’m making muffins from a box, a smoothie, or a batch of bread dough, my toddler is usually the first one to ask, “Can I help, mama?” There’s always something she can do, if I’ll just relax and embrace the inevitable mess in exchange for the fun and joy of being in the kitchen with my children. One of my favorite winter mornings this past year was when my toddler awoke before her older sister, and we quietly gathered in the kitchen in the dim wintry morning light to make blueberry muffins. Every time I allow her to help, I’m reminded again how much it matters. As my little one stirred the batter and helped drop in the blueberries, she was able to contribute to our family, and it also spurred her to service – her face glowed with joy as she presented a hot muffin to her older sister when she woke up. 2\. **Choose a simple “go-to” recipe you make together often**. Have you ever wrapped your hands around a perfectly smooth ball of bread dough? Well neither had I until about a year ago, when I finally mustered up the courage to try making bread from scratch. It always seemed so complicated and unattainable, but once I tried it I realized how simple it is (not to mention inexpensive!). Now it’s become one of our go-to recipes for a normal cozy weeknight dinner or when guests are coming over. Here’s our favorite [No-Knead Bread Dough](http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-noknead-bread-home-109343) recipe – it makes a gorgeous artisan-looking boule, and they say “it’s so easy a four-year-old can do it.” Give it a try! 3\. **Make it fun**. We love to play old records in the dining room and light candles when it’s almost dinner time. Even a simple dinner of takeout pizza feels special by candlelight, on real dishes with cloth napkins. This fun and sacred time around the table, giving our children our full attention, might become our favorite part of the day. 4\. **Use a delivery service**. If your schedule is super busy, how about trying a meal delivery service like Blue Apron, Plated, or Sunbasket, which ships you the fresh ingredients and recipe, ready for your family to quickly pull together at the end of the day? You still get a fresh meal, and you get to do it together. One of my friends, a full-time working mom, recently tried one of these services and posted on Instagram, “It meant so much to me I could cry. I thought it was just a convenience thing we’d try once a week, but it was way more than that to me tonight – it was family date night in a box! We lit candles and ate around the table, having civilized conversation about the new-to-us taste combinations and what we each liked most. And y’all, it was the best hour of my week by a long shot.” 5\. **Invite someone for dinner**. For us, it’s important to teach our children that food isn’t something we hoard; it’s for sharing. This might mean inviting others into our home for special meals and celebrations or just on an ordinary weeknight. The excitement of tidying up the house in expectation of a guest arriving, the comforting scent of something baking in the oven, the unity of our whole family pitching in to serve someone in Jesus’ name – these are all things that contribute to what author Sally Clarkson calls the “oxygen” of the home. In her book The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming, Clarkson says that every day “we have the chance to join God in coming home, in living so that we make a home of this broken and beautiful world all over again. Love is enfleshed in the meals we make, the rooms we fill, the spaces in which we live and breathe and have our being.” This way of living is a journey, and it can look different for everyone. At the end of 2015, our family took a big leap of faith and sold our business and home of nine years in Dallas to start a new life south of Nashville. In our old home, I’m pretty sure the scent of garlic and the clinking sounds of forks on plates were permanently infused into the walls. Around our 8-foot dining table my husband built with salvaged barn wood, milestones were celebrated, babies held in one arm while eating with the other, tearful and joyous conversations shared. When we moved to Tennessee, we didn’t know where we were going to end up, so we gave our dear, heavy farm table to close friends who would appreciate it and use it to bless others. At our new rental home in Tennessee, we were grateful when a friend gave us a smaller table that seats 6, just enough for our family and a few guests. There are already scratches and pen marks and probably sticky smoothie drippings on the surface. But in less than one year, the memories shared around its edges are numerous. So you see? It doesn’t matter what kind of table there is, whether it’s custom-made or a hand-me-down. It doesn’t matter if the meal is takeout or made from scratch. What matters is the heart and hands behind it. I hope the act of feeding people is something our girls will remember fondly of childhood and take with them as they grow, inviting people of all ages and walks of life around their own tables, breaking bread like their Savior who gives every good gift. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Prayer, Trusting God, and Letting Go](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-prayer-trusting-god-and-letting-go/) **Published:** October 29, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NSfRREuURVFxhunsyptQ.jpg) This has been a difficult week… and it’s only Wednesday! My husband and I have had appointments with the medical specialists who have evaluated my son these past six weeks, in order for us to get his IEP (individualized education plan) written by next week. Doctors, speech therapists, psychologists, and autism specialists – all with their own take on where my son fits into some unrealistic bell curve. Ugh! Discussing the educational, social and pragmatic needs of my child – someone who I know so well – with people who have made 90 minutes clinical observations, can be a difficult thing to sit through. It has caused me great anxiety and yet I say I trust that God will lead us in the right path. I pray so often about this one area of life, that I sometimes wonder if God has the patience to keep listening. Of course I know He does, but when does the asking part of prayer need to be channeled into the trusting part of prayer? I ask this, not because I know the answer, but because it’s an area where I fall drastically short. I sometimes wonder if I prayed correctly, if I used the right words in my prayer, if I remembered to ask for forgiveness before asking for the desires of my heart? Religiosity of the past has definitely had its negative affects on my overall ability to just give whatever it is to God, and then trust that He’s got it…all of it. **Exodus 14:15** “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” Like many of you, I know my kids see me praying. We pray and worship together as a family. We pray over each meal. We pray for intentions of our friends and family members. But do my kids see me TRUSTING that God now has this need which I have specifically asked Him to take? Not always… **2 Corinthians 3:5-6** “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Think back to when you were a kid. Did you ever worry about your dad getting you home safely on a long car ride? More than likely you were able to fall fast asleep in the back seat of the car, fully trusting that your dad would take care of you? And the next morning, you’d wake up in your bed, having been carried in by one of your parents. As adults, it’s sometimes so difficult to let the worry, fear, and control go. But that’s the child-like trust that God wants us to have in Him. God’s Word is my reminder that the Lord is truly my strength. In Him I can take refuge! His grace is surely sufficient, because I am so weak in every way!! **Proverbs 3:5** “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” I know that the Lord has wonderful plans for my son. He is much more than a clinical diagnosis or a educational plan. I will continue to advocate for him the rest of my life, if that’s what God has in mind. In my mental weariness, I will seek the refuge of my Father, who I really do trust with all of me heart. If you struggle with giving the needs of your heart to God, you aren’t alone. Remind your children that it’s okay to wonder if God hears their prayers. It’s okay to come to you with questions or even doubts. In helping guide them, you will help yourself and heal any doubts that you too may be struggling with. It’s so important to get back into Scripture and refresh your mind and spirit about the truth… YES, God has your back! He knows the desires of your heart! And He wants to bless you, His child! *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Faith](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-faith/) **Published:** October 29, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/qX5mZnlTCqYzcdKZYd0R.jpg) I remember having a lot of questions about faith as a kid. I mean a lot. I didn’t always feel comfortable asking my parents or my pastor about them, so I wrote them down in a journal. There were endless questions from the meaning of life and the existence of God to if it was okay to listen to New Kids on the Block. One of the biggest questions I had was, “What is faith?” The biblical answer I heard from the pulpit – “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” (Hebrews 11:1) – felt so ethereal it was of no earthly good to me – until I really needed it. I remember the day I found out something I had been praying for was not going to happen. My faith was crushed to the core. For the first time in my short life I thought I had really believed and prayed with faith, so when faith failed me, I questioned myself and God. I thought maybe there was something faulty with the way I prayed, or faulty with faith itself. My faith was negatively impacted because I didn’t understand its nature. As a mom, I want my girls to grow up feeling comfortable asking questions, and sometimes that means facilitating the conversation. Here are a few points I shared with my 6 year old that perhaps you could use to talk to your kids about faith as well. **1. Faith has more than one meaning.** Faith can mean the act of believing or the belief itself. Sometimes when people say “faith” they mean it like “what you believe in” (We are Christians and believe Jesus loves us, died for our sins and wants us to live our lives in ways that help other people see His love through us), and sometimes they mean it like how we believe for something to happen because we pray (The Bible says faith is what helps us believe and pray for something although we’re not sure it will). That’s the kind of faith we’re talking about here. **2. Faith and doubt go hand-in-hand.** Faith and doubt (which means when you don’t believe in or aren’t sure about something) are related. If you had no doubts you’d have no reason to have faith. Faith is what helps you believe in God, and His goodness, even when bad things happen. Some people say you should feed your faith and not your fears. By thinking about things that help our faith grow and get stronger, we think less about things we’re scared or worried about. **3. Questions are okay, even good.** Don’t be afraid of having questions, especially about things that you don’t understand. Asking questions helps you learn and helps you feel more confident about what you believe in. But sometimes questions are hard even for adults to answer, and when you don’t get the answers you need, faith really comes in handy. **4. Faith is always there for you, like a good friend, your mom or dad, or favorite stuffed animal.** Faith is what you can use when you’re not sure things are going to turn out the way you think they should. You can pray and say, Jesus, I don’t know or understand why this is happening, but I’m going to use my faith in You and trust that everything’s going to be all right. Follow up conversations about faith in little ways that will reinforce the concept. I like to write paraphrased scriptures on craft sticks and include them in my first-grader’s lunch box. You could also write them on napkins or sticky notes and leave them in conspicuous places for them to discover. My daughter suggests hiding them and making it a game to find them throughout the house. Here are a few suggestions: - Faith is being sure what we hope for will happen. (Hebrews 11:1) - Listening to stories about Jesus can help our faith grow. (Romans 10:17) - Jesus says even a little bit of faith is strong enough to make big things happen. (Matthew 17:20) - When we have faith and believe in God, it pleases Him. (Hebrews 11:6) - God has given everyone a little bit of faith. (Romans 12:3) - Every child of God can use faith to overcome bad things. (1 John 5:4) - God rewards us when we use faith. (1 Samuel 26:23) - When we believe in Jesus, invite Him to erase our sins and live the way He asks us to, we are called children of God. (John 1:12) - We use faith to believe for and help good things to happen to others. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Everyone struggles to “keep the faith.” As parents, you shouldn’t shy away from talking about faith with your kids just because you have doubts and questions of your own. Being transparent about how you felt as a child, or even now, reassures them their feelings are normal. Faith is what stabilizes our belief and anchors us to truth. Join your kids in the journey toward nurturing a childlike faith. It’s a powerful thing indeed. --- Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [In, Not Of: Loving Counter-Culture](https://gominno.com/blog/in-not-of-loving-counter-culture/) **Published:** October 28, 2016 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0EAxs6OlS8SJAZFBPSP0.jpg)* *“Don’t copy the behavior or customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”* Romans 12:2 (NLT) I spent time with a friend this weekend that I consider to be a mentor. She’s a few years ahead of me on this mothering journey and often, without even knowing it, shares nuggets of wisdom I can tuck away for future use. We sat and chatted about our daughters and she told me some of the questions she likes to ask at the end of each day. When she said, “who did you sit with at lunch today?” I smiled, feeling validated because this is the first question out of my mouth most days as my kids re-enter their safe place at home. She said it’s imperative to understand our kids’ relationships. . .to earn their trust by being interested in who they spend time with. I ask this question myself to take note of friend connections and patterns. It also prompts my girl to fill me in on any drama taking place in her sphere. By placing value on the relationships in my daughter’s (and my son’s) life, even over their academics or other interests, I hope I’m sending the message that people matter. That more important than anything we may ever accomplish is how we treat people and whether or not we know how to be a good friend. I love this quote by Maya Angelou – “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I want this perspective to guide me as I teach my children to love counter-culture. This year we’ve taken a close look at what it means to raise our kids to be IN the world but not OF it. We began with establishing their relationship with Jesus and then addressed the power of the mind in guiding their actions. Then this summer we tackled the subject of identity to get our children ready to go back to school with foundational truths on which to stand. Our next step in raising kids to be IN the world but not OF it, is to teach and train them to love well. The world would like our kids to grow up believing if they want to thrive, it’s every man for himself. With constant pressures to get ahead and stay ahead, many children develop a single-minded attitude in which they strive to find their way to the head of the pack, leaving damaged relationships in their wake. But Jesus says in John 13:34-35, *“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”* All the faith-building and training and obedience and right living means nothing if we don’t know how to love well. We’re reminded in 1 Corinthians 13 (The Love Chapter) that without love, everything else is pointless, distracting and without value. But our kids just want to be noticed and liked and popular. Our culture has set them up to believe they must draw attention to themselves no matter the cost. Living and loving counter-culture, according to God’s plan, goes against every message they encounter daily. Several years ago while reading the well-known verse Proverbs 3:5-6, I stumbled upon a promise that I like to call “the popularity principle.” Just a few verses back from this one that many can recite on request, is this gem of instruction that I believe all kids need to know. *“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”* Proverbs 3:3-4 This promise comes before another that assures direction and right living. Yet before the writer of wisdom asks us to trust, he instructs us to love with faithful commitment that is so much a part of us, it’s bound around our neck and written on our heart. It’s hard for children to understand the gravity of this verse. But when we, as parents, model it for them and continue to point them towards this truth as they mature, their hearts will be etched with a desire to love differently and extravagantly, going against the trends they see in their sphere. We are promised here in the Word that when we do this, we will win favor with not only our audience of One, but with all those we come into contact with. And more valuable than that favor is the good name with which we’ll be known and admired. So how do we do this? First, we believe the principle for ourselves. Because let’s be honest, you don’t have to be 13 to struggle with the desire to be known and liked. The need is a part of every soul, which is why God breathed this promise into the Word. Our children need us to lead the way in loving counter-culture. We can do this simply by establishing values to guide our interactions in real life and online. I encourage you to sit down as a family and determine what values you want to guide your relationships. Your list may look a bit different but you can use this one to get started. **In Real Life:** 1. If it isn’t kind, productive or uplifting, don’t say it. 2. Put others first. 3. Love others for who they are not what they can do for you. 4. Be inclusive. Be on the lookout for those who are hurting and reach out. 5. Your friends are more important than your “things.” (physical things and interests) 6. Be a cheerleader. Look for the good in others and call it out. **Online:** 1. Social media changes often. Don’t let something so weak and fleeting define you. 2. Remember: not everything needs to be shared. 3. If your post will hurt someone in any way, delete it. 4. Never betray a friend’s trust, but especially in a public arena. 5. Your reputation is more important than your social media status. 6. Use social media for good; to lift others up and share positive messages. **In every sphere. . .Be a Light:** 1. Pay attention and look for those who are hurting; who need the light of love you carry. 2. Be a source of joy and positivity; avoid negative messages at all costs. 3. The golden rule is golden because it shines light: treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s that simple. 4. Point people to Jesus. I think it was Kid President who coined this popular phrase, “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody.” I can’t think of a better thing to be known for. I know it might take a while for our children to value being known as someone who lives counter-culture, but I find joy in my greatest assignment as a parent – teaching them to love well. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Teaching Your Children the Fruit of the Spirit Through Service](https://gominno.com/blog/teaching-your-children-the-fruit-of-the-spirit-through-service/) **Published:** October 25, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lCLva3qtTz26DfxO3nj5.jpg) I will never forget the day that my husband and I found out we were expecting a child. We had only been married just over two months and had the desire to teach our children all about Jesus. In particular we both had a strong conviction about modeling the Fruit of the Spirit to our kids and were constantly on our knees, from the beginning, asking the Lord for guidance. Fast forward 16-years and we can tell you that what we’ve learned and implemented with the Lord’s leading has given our family a strong heart of service. As a matter of fact, **the heart of service that has been cultivated within our family is something that only Christ could teach.** And we are grateful. Today I am sharing 3 tips that can help any family teach their children about the Fruit of the Spirit through serving others. **1. Read and talk about what the Bible says about the Fruit of the Spirit.** The first step in helping your children grasp what the fruit of the Spirit looks like can be found in Galatians 5:22-23: > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. We have found great success in having family discussions rooted in Galatians 5:22-23 over the years. So much so that my husband and I even authored a [family bible study guide on the topic](http://store.learningtospeaklife.com/shop/fruit-of-the-spirit/)! **We suggest using age appropriate examples to help your children see what each fruit of the Spirit looks like in “action”.** A new and fun resource that we have begun to utilize with our youngest child this year is [Michah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-micahs-super-vlog/?afmc=todaysfrugalmom) on Minno. There are several episodes on the Fruit of the Spirit. **2. Give your children the opportunity to serve one another within the household with the Fruit of the Spirit in mind.** Over the years we have created a culture of serving within our household by teaching and modeling service to each other. **Something as simple as asking if you can do anything for another family member can cultivate a heart of service in both the giver and receiver.** We do our best to find teachable moments through acts of service in our home that line up with Christ-like character as outlined by the Fruit of the Spirit. **3. Serve Together Outside of the Home as a Family** What we love about being able to serve others is very simple: **We love to let Christ’s love flow from our hearts to others.** Because there are so many opportunities to serve and a variety of needs, we alternate the causes that we volunteer for as a family. We have found that allowing the children to choose a particular demographic to serve has worked wonders in their precious hearts. It is amazing to see how God has already planted certain communities to serve inside each of them and watching it blossom is glorious! While there are certainly other ways to teach your children about the Fruit of the Spirit through service, these are just a few of the things we’ve managed to do during our 16 years of parenthood. We are grateful to God for living in a time where we can get great teaching and inspiration from others to cultivate a heart of service in our children. And most of all we love to watch Christ’s character shine through in each of our children’s lives as they experience His love and grace. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [A Letter from Thirty-Year Old Me to Thirty-Year Old You](https://gominno.com/blog/a-letter-from-thirty-year-old-me-to-thirty-year-old-you/) **Published:** October 24, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KTPe6SlZSkqHJgxdiKJo.jpg) My precious girl, As I write this you are fast asleep in your crib, covered with a soft pink blanket, your Frozen soundtrack playing quietly in the background. But as you read this you will find yourself in my shoes – a midday break from whatever you call your work, sneaking in a few moments for rest and reflection. I want to write this to you now – right now – as I’m in the midst of the same phase you’re in so that none of how I feel right now is lost over the years. I want you to hear me as a mom to a daughter writing from the place you now stand in. Hear me loud and clear, sweet one, because I bet we feel so similarly right now. I’m tired. My body is tired from being eight months pregnant with your baby brother, tired from chasing you around all day, tired from getting up and down off the floor playing legos with your big brother. I’m tired of laundry and tired of cooking and sometimes I really wish we lived in a house with no stairs to climb. I’m tired and I bet you are too. And I want you to know it’s ok to admit that. You, like me, are human and we have limits. Being tired and being honest with yourself about your level of exhaustion is more than fine. It’s healthy and it keeps you honest about your humanity and the fact that you need Jesus every step of the way. I never feel like I’m doing enough. I feel the constant drone of “one more”. One more load of laundry, one more event to say yes to, one more email to answer. And there’s also one more of good things too. We could always read one more book, snuggle one more minute, walk around the block one more time. But at some point you have to say enough and saying enough is ok. But more than just realizing your limits and saying enough, I want you to believe that it’s ok. Sometimes no is the best yes if it saves you from feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands. Do what you feel like you can without taxing your soul and then say enough. And believe that your enough really is enough. I second-guess myself constantly. Should I be doing this, did I do that right, why did I say that in that way? And while some self-reflection is always in order, being your own worst critic is hardly a good way to live. When I find myself in this silly pattern of thinking in circles about things I can’t even change I try to remind myself that the Lord promises wisdom to those who ask, and since I’m constantly asking, He is giving that wisdom to me and I can trust that my responses to life’s scenarios are spirit-led. Constantly ask the Lord for guidance and trust that He is giving it to you and don’t beat yourself up over your humanness and assumed poor choice making. Trust the Holy Spirit inside of you and know that, with Him as your guide, you are walking as well as any woman can. I fall into the stupid trap of comparison and criticism almost daily. It’s the worst. As I scroll through my facebook or instagram feed (are those even a thing anymore?) I feel the barrage of comparative thoughts. Oh gosh her outfits are so much cuter than mine … Oh I totally would have done a better job at making that thing … and on it goes. It’s sinful and ugly and no … just no. I challenge you, anytime you start falling into that sticky trap of comparing yourself to the online life of another, pray good things for them. Instead of thinking an ugly thought, give thanks for a way that person has blessed your life. And then double tap or leave a really kind comment. We are capable of celebrating the life of another woman without being threatened by her. Try it. I think it’ll make you feel pretty free. I know it has done that very thing for me. My daughter, life is far from easy. I don’t know what your life looks like right now – the details of your relationships or your work or how your choices have affected where you are – but I hope you hear me speaking to you from a place of love. I wanted to share these things with you because I want you to know that I have been there – am currently here – right where you are. And I hope you can draw wisdom from my nowness directly into yours. I hope you will be honest about your tiredness and your limits and all the ways your mind works against you. And I hope you will remember these words from thirty-year old me straight to the heart of thirty-year old you and I hope they will help to make you better, to navigate your life a little easier, and to depend on the Lord more and more every day. I love you forever and am always here for you, Mommy **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Fitting In](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-fitting-in/) **Published:** October 21, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ii56bmtWRnCLZifBv6Td.jpg) Do your kids ever fret over the fact that they “don’t fit in”? We all feel this way at some point in our lives. Being alone in a room full of people is a scary thing. We all want to belong; to fit in. It’s beyond instinctive, it gives us the feeling of safety and security–no matter what our age. So, when our kids tell us that they don’t fit in, what they could be saying is, “I’m scared because I don’t feel safe”. Some kids really have a tough time fitting in for a variety of reasons. Some kids are socially awkward, and don’t know how to start a conversation with a peer. If your child struggles with a physical or learning disability, chances are he/she feels isolated from the rest of the class anyway. Whatever the reason is, simply telling them that they really DO fit in, is not as helpful as you’d expect. That well meaning little white lie might make the child feel that they’re so different that even YOU don’t understand them! Always be truthful with them. Validate that they are sad or hurting, and together come up with some ideas to help them through this. #### Using God’s Word to Encourage Our Children Teaching social skills isn’t easy, but there are resources to be found everywhere. Sometimes our kids have already learned what to do, but they lack the knowledge of how to put those skills to use. Coach them. Come up with workable scenarios where they can plug in those skills. Being a Christian parent doesn’t make dealing with these tough situations easier. But we DO have a resource to back up what we tell our kids, and that’s God’s Word. When we actively listen to the pain of our children feeling like they don’t belong or fit in, we can do more than coach them in social skills (which may be a very important tool). We can use God’s Word to encourage them even in these struggles. ***Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.*** I’ve found the world’s solutions to the many painful aspects of not fitting in, being teased, or feeling isolated, are superficial at best and not helpful at all. I mean, sticks and stones may definitely break my bones–but words really CAN and DO hurt me! Instead we must remind our children that God, who created them and therefore knows every nuance of them, has a specific plan and purpose for their lives. That HE thinks they are wonderful and worthy of love AND friendship. God actually desires a relationship with them…WITH THEM! That’s a big deal, because when we feel so insignificant in the eyes of our peers, the knowledge that the God of all Creation desires a relationship with US –even with all our perceived weirdness, awkwardness and ugliness, then it’s a first step in accepting that maybe–just maybe–WE DO belong. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Raising Kids Who Fear God but Not the World](https://gominno.com/blog/raising-kids-who-fear-god-but-not-the-world/) **Published:** October 21, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RyJPIHQQIq9vYQxfSVze.jpg) I’m a relatively new mom, just shy of two years in to this unbelievable adventure. I remember when I found out we were expecting, my anxious heart started beating faster and to be honest, it has never really stopped. I’ve always been afraid of lots of things. Spiders, planes, cancer, car accidents … the list goes on and on. But when I started thinking and praying about the type of parent I wanted to be and the kind of child I hoped to raise, I prayed for a new, less fearful heart. I prayed that my husband and I would raise a child who feared God, but not the world. Putting that prayer into practice, however, is a daily struggle. When the baby in your belly becomes – much faster than I ever expected – a fearless, bright-eyed, audacious toddler, all of my intentions to be that relaxed parent have been tested. I’m not hyper-vigilant. I rolled my eyes when my parents (devoted grandparents) bought baby knee pads when my girl started crawling, and I congratulate my spunky girl when she gets a minor knee scrape – the souvenir of a happy afternoon outside. I want her to be messy and resilient, but not too careless of course. When I read the viral [New York Times Magazine story](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/magazine/the-anti-helicopter-parents-plea-let-kids-play.html) about father Mike Lanza, who is the quintessential “anti-helicopter parent,” it started me thinking. Lanza transformed his backyard into a mecca of adventures, from a trampoline to ladders that go to the attic (a few of the tamer options). Lanza’s backyard is like a kids’ dream – but many parents’ nightmare. The author notes, “Central to Mike’s philosophy is the importance of physical danger: of encouraging boys to take risks and play rough and tumble and get — or inflict — a scrape or two. Central to what he calls mom philosophy (which could just be described as contemporary parenting philosophy) is just the opposite: to play safe, play nice and not hurt other kids or yourself. Most moms are not inclined to leave their children’s safety up to chance. I certainly am not.” I would probably land on the author’s side – not letting her kids play unsupervised in the Lanza’s backyard – but I do think that as Christian parents, we have much to learn from Lanza’s “Playborhood.” What is the line between recklessness and free play? And as Christians, how do we navigate trusting God with stewarding the gift of our children and their safety? I think it looks a lot like not being careless, but also instilling ourselves and our kids with a confidence that allows us to engage in God’s world without being afraid. My fear falls into two categories – real and highly unlikely. Most of the time, I waste my midnight hours on the latter, especially when it comes to my family. ISIS, rogue gunmen in shopping malls and movie theaters, traumatic car accidents and horrible cancers – these are the easiest things to fear, because they are utterly beyond my control. When it’s out of my control, I can only dread it. Controllable fears, like keeping my girl off the big slide at the park, are ways that I exert my own power over her day. They feed my need to be in control at all times. But both categories serve only to make me the one in charge, and subvert my trust in God. Lanza’s Playborhood is all about controlling environments – and the tension he feels with the writer of the article and many of his neighbors is quite obviously a struggle for power. Both Lanza and the author seek to create their version of an “ideal” childhood. Lanza’s is a free and fearless one, the author’s is a more cautious approach. Arianna Benedetto recently wrote in [Christ and Pop Culture](http://christandpopculture.com/false-promises-security-gospel/) that it is easy for parents to fall victim to the “security Gospel” – this idea that God will essentially reward his followers with safety. She writes, “By teaching our daughter that her affluence and faith guarantee her safety, we were giving her a “security gospel,” which is essentially a version of the prosperity gospel, offering promises that were never made to us as followers of Christ.” Benedetto offers what I think is the best solution to the debate between helicopter and free range parenting (though I think we are best served to not think of those things as diametrically opposed, but more so as a range of options that we can slide up and down on depending on a variety of contextual factors). She points us to the opposite of helicopter parenting, what God did when he sent His Son. She writes, “And yet, in glaring contrast with my idolization of my daughter’s safety, God sent His Son to take on and overcome the destruction meant for us—our truest cause for fear—in order to guarantee us eternal life with Him” And so what does it mean, to fear God but not the world? As a mom, it means I trust God. It means I believe (or I try, with a lot of prayer for the Spirit’s power to change my heart) that God is in control, that I am not, and that “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). And it is a prayer that I will instill the same hope, faith and trust in my daughter … that as my spirited, silly girl grows in stature, she will also grow in faith, and that she will face each day and each new adventure anchored in truth about the God who made her. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Walk with the Wisemen: An Elf on the Shelf Alternative](https://gominno.com/blog/walk-wisemen-elf-shelf-alternative/) **Published:** October 20, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SXlasoVdTr7XN8F3IWm2.jpg) It’s not that I have anything against that creepy little elf. It’s just that. . .well. . .he’s a little creepy. We’d managed to dodge the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon until my daughter started kindergarten and they did a version of it in class. All the kids began talking about where their elf showed up each morning at their house. She came home begging us to join in on the fun, ‘Mommy, Nate’s elf was swinging from the ceiling fan this morning when he got up.” But we’ve always placed our pre-Christmas focus on [Advent](http://www.graceformoms.com/resources/grow-family-advent-experience/) and with the daily countdown (treats included) my girl seemed to be just fine when I told her we wouldn’t be making room on our shelf (or our ceiling fan) for the elf last year. We’ll continue to [read through the Bible](http://www.graceformoms.com/resources/grow-family-advent-experience/) as we count down to Christmas this Advent season, but this year, I’m adding in our own little dose of fun. This year we’ll join with the wise men as they journey towards Jesus. It’s a wonderful alternative to the Elf on the Shelf and you can make it as fun or as serious as your family desires. I’m all about having fun throughout the holiday season. I believe Jesus wants us to celebrate as we look forward to his birthday. I don’t think there is anything wrong with participating in Elf on the Shelf or many other fun, holiday activities. However, if you’d like something a little more focused on the story of Christmas, I invite you to join us as we [walk with the wisemen](http://www.graceformoms.com/walk-wisemen-elf-shelf-alternative/) this year. To read more about how your family can Walk with the Wisemen this year, visit [Grace for Moms](http://www.graceformoms.com/walk-wisemen-elf-shelf-alternative/). --- *Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of* [*Grace for Moms*](http://graceformoms.com)*. After 15 years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning every day to access the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, TN with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (2).* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Family Resolutions Series: Getting Spiritually Fit in 2012](https://gominno.com/blog/family-resolutions-series-getting-spiritually-fit-in-2012/) **Published:** October 18, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gCdYM8A5ReuWS5IYJSFD.jpg) We’ve spent the last couple weeks discussing our New Year’s resolutions. So far our concentration has been on making changes that will improve our physical bodies. This is because most of us focus our attention, especially during the first few months of the year, on losing weight and getting into shape. But what about our spiritual selves? What changes can we make during the next twelve months that will help us get spiritually fit? As I pondered this question, I knew I had to enlist the help of one of my best girlfriends, Kathy Lonsinger. Kathy has helped many people, worldwide, find comfort and direction in Jesus through her online ministry, A Gentle Answer. I came to Kathy asking her to write down her thoughts about helping our families get spiritually fit in the new year. According to Kathy, “Every resolution or exercise program begins by evaluating your current condition. We usually determine we need to stop or start certain habits or behaviors such as STOP smoking, drinking, overeating, or overspending; or START exercising or saving money in order to reach our goals. If, as Christian families, we are going to begin 2012 trying to get spiritually fit we must examine our condition. *Does your family spend time in prayer?* *Does your family worship with a body of believers?* *Does your family seek first the kingdom of God so all “these” things will be added … health, financial, spiritual fitness?* *Do you need to stop or start behaviors that are keeping you from being spiritually fit?* In order to answer some of these questions we don’t need a trainer that will yell at you loudly to motivate you, we simply need go back to the basics. We must obey the regimen already spelled out in scripture for a healthy Christian family. The plan of salvation must be first. His word tells us to: **SUIT UP** In the same way you put on your workout clothes to go to the gym, you must dress accordingly to tackle your spiritual fitness program. The Armor of God: *Ephesians 6:10-11* **“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”** **DEEP KNEE BENDS** Seeking advice from the experts and your doctor are always recommended when you begin and maintain your physical exercise program. By praying as a family you are seeking the counsel of God and presenting yourself for close examination in order to pinpoint areas of weakness. Children who see their parents exercise tend to exercise. Likewise, children who have the example of a prayer filled life tend to pray. Bend the knee, repeat often. Pray in the Spirit on All Occasions: *Ephesians 6:18* **“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”** **STRETCH** Stretching is for the purpose of preparing your body for the actual exercise. As Christians, we must stretch our knowledge of the Word of God. Add scripture memory and Bible Study to your family routine. Some great places to start: 1\. As a family, read through Proverbs taking one chapter a day for a month. Highlight and memorize some of the verses together helping the younger children and keeping the length age appropriate. 2\. Consider reading the words spoken by Jesus (using a Red Letter edition of the Bible) together as a family to find out what He actually says in scripture. If He tells you to do something…just do it! (Sorry Nike) 3\. Don’t forget your “BE” Vitamins. Take a look at the Beatitudes found in [Matthew 5](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NIV). 4\. Read [Ephesians 5](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5&version=NIV) and reflect on the verses outlining each family member’s instruction in the Bible… Wives/Husbands/Fathers-Mothers/Children. **WALK** Doctors always say to simply start walking to increase your fitness level. In order to begin our walk with Jesus we must walk as He walked. ([1 Corinthians 11:1](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2011:1&version=NIV)) As you continue imitating Christ, your children will be imitators of you. Imitate Christ, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ([Ephesians 5:1](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:1&version=NIV)) **PRESS ON** Okay so you blew it in 2011! So what! Now…Press on toward what is ahead; the goal. Don’t you love the fact that we are allowed to start over? *Philippians 3:13-14* **13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.** **REST** Our muscles need to rest in between workouts in order to repair, restore, and strengthen. We must also enter into HIS rest in order to repair, restore, and strengthen. In the Old Testament we are told to keep the Sabbath. Rest is necessary. In the New Testament we are invited to enter in to the rest, our Sabbath is the Lord. Rest in Him. Go to [Hebrews 4](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%204&version=NIV) to read more on this. As with any fitness program, you will have days when you fall off. Get back up and keep going!!! On your mark…get set…GO!!!” *Kathy Lonsinger is a Christian, wife, mother of four, student of the bible, and the founder of [A Gentle Answer Ministries](http://www.agentleanswer.com). She is the editor and one of the writers for the ministry’s online magazine which features stories of hope, Christian media and entertainment, and family resources for parents and grandparents. Kathy has her own [blog](http://agentleanswer.blogspot.com/) that reaches readers from Australia to Austin. She has been featured on National Christian Radio’s “The Parent’s Plate” and Our Daily Journal daily devotional. You can follow her on [twitter](https://twitter.com/#!/agentleanswer).* *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [In This House We Choose Kindness (or do we?)](https://gominno.com/blog/in-this-house-we-choose-kindness/) **Published:** October 18, 2016 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/yzsS6N12RaKa9eSD6K0y.jpg) Memories of my childhood are spotty (at best) but a few, specific unkind words sit securely on the shelves of my mind, wreaking havoc on my confidence, even to this day. This is why I’m so concerned about how my children treat others. *My kids may never excel in school or master a sport but they will be kind to everyone, if I can help it.* I often see this as my greatest responsibility as a mom. Yet my great concern and (shortsighted) diligence has failed to bear much fruit. Lately, as my 5 year old shows more signs of boyhood, his once magnetic, cheery personality has mixed with force to create a presence that is welcoming yet aggressive and often ends with sharp words or a punch in the arm. I left the scene of the crime recently with tears in my eyes because I never want my kid to be that kid. ***In this house we choose kindness, or do we?*** It never shocks me when my children choose selfishness or aggression over being kind and gentle. They are human, after all. **But observing this side of their humanity has challenged me to look inside my own heart for areas where my behavior doesn’t match up with my value of kindness.** *Are they learning from my lack? Have the effects of my short fuse and impatience overshadowed the heart of kindness within my own home?* I’ve been [paying more attention to my interactions with my family and what I’ve noticed isn’t pretty](http://www.graceformoms.com/help-for-the-bad-mood-mom/). **They say the way you speak to your children becomes their inner voice.** Realizing my responses may become hurtful memories that remain in their own minds grieves me to change; to choose life-giving words and actions with the ones I love most that will spill over into relationships outside our home. Although each child’s personality is uniquely knit together by their Creator, the behavior and countenance they carry into the world is cultivated at home. **My children will learn how to treat others by how I treat them.** My boy had an epic meltdown in the grocery store check out line the other day. I stood there in silence and gently rubbed his back as he wailed and shoppers stared at us annoyed. My girl (age 8) walked over and hugged me. *“Are you OK, Mommy?”* she asked, confused and concerned by my calm presence. *“I’m fine, sweetie. Mommy is choosing not to react,”* I replied, knowing my silence was the kindest response I could offer at the moment. She hugged me tighter and hurried off to grab the grocery bags. When we arrived home, she jumped out to once again help as we unloaded the car. My son stomped in the house still crying, yet I smiled. **My softness had called out the kindness that’s been developing in my daughter’s heart.** Foundations laid and secured (despite my imperfections) stood strong that day because of my choice. I trust my son will show his own progress as I lead with words and actions that shape good character. **One day, one choice at a time, I will build this house with kindness.** Change comes from the inside out. If we learn to show kindness with the ones we love most, it will flow through our walls and out our doors into the world around us. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2uyIKUAQR6aH8PSjLJzx.jpg) Looking for ways (besides modeling) to teach your children kindness and other fruits of the spirit? We love [Micah’s Super Vlog](https://www.gominno.com/series/Micahs%20Super%20Vlog/?afmc=graceformoms) on [Minno](https://www.gominno.com?afmc=graceformoms). It’s a super fun, super quick way to prompt convervsations with your kids about the values found in Galatians 5:22-23 and other attributes of a Jesus follower. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [It All Started With A Nerf Gun … Raising Boys Who Value Women](https://gominno.com/blog/it-all-started-with-a-nerf-gun-raising-boys-who-value-women/) **Published:** October 18, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bi23d0tUTMG4s2ydh6Af.jpg) God gave me boys. Two boys, to be exact. Our house is filled to the brim with the color blue, loads of Lego’s and a stockpile of Nerf guns. And that is where it all started, with Nerf guns … Our eight year old son is obsessed with all things Nerf. Foam darts find their way into the dishwasher and the dryer. We must own all of the guns – the Mastodon, the Thunderbow, the Maverick, and the Demolisher – just to name a few. Through the wonders of advertisement, he recently discovered that there is a Nerf Gun made just for girls. It’s called the Rebelle. It’s pink and it can convert from a gun into a purse. Upon learning of this fact, my blood pressure sky rocketed. It wasn’t the fact that it was pink. Gender stereotypes have historically divided boys and girls into these colors. It wasn’t the ridiculousness of the gun turning into a purse, even though, that is ludicrous. The boys’ gun doesn’t turn into a wallet, right? And it would be absurd if it did. But words, words matter. Just because a girl wants to play with a gun it doesn’t mean she should be labeled a rebel. And can we please not feminize it even further and spell it the R-e-b-e-l-l-e. The heart behind my frustration was that even in this day and age we are subconsciously leading children to believe that boys who play with Nerf guns are strong and girls who desire to join in on that fun are rebellious by nature. I was taken off guard by the realization that the gender war happening in our culture had slowly found its way into our home in the form of a toy. As I felt it creeping in, my initial reaction was to pick up my own metaphorical gun and fight against the ideology that even in 2016, it’s common for a boy to grow to be a leader when a woman of the same fortitude is considered tough, difficult, and dissident. It’s true – often a woman’s passions are seen as dramatic and are easily dismissed rather than viewed as a strength and an asset. An emotional response in today’s workplace is generally classified as being too expressive or engaged and not centered or level-headed enough. A woman leading with her heart can be seen as a flaw and at a disadvantage; therefore our world as a whole is experiencing a decline in compassion as it has been replaced by practicality, greed, and narcissism. Indeed, femininity is not a weakness and can be coupled with a drive and desire that is holy and not rebellious. The reality as Christians is that these roles were already defined for us, but cultural progress and the ever changing landscape of our family structures make the lines blurry and hard to define even in the church. I believe in my heart that God’s intent was not gender hierarchy and that he didn’t ask us to be submissive to each other based on our whether we are men or women. His intent was for us to submit to each other based on our gifting’s and callings and to lead one another out of our strengths acting as one body. Scripture says we are all called by God to bring what we offer and work together. This was laid out for us in 1 Corinthians 12:12 – *For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ*. Galatians 3:28 also references that we are all one in Christ –*“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”* My prayer is that they won’t settle for believing the lie that men and women were created equally because that discounts all of the special traits given to each gender. We were created to be one in Christ, working alongside one another for His purpose. And race, gender, or economic status doesn’t declare anyone’s access to the grace and freedom offered in Christ any more than it does result in the gifts of the spirit that we’ve been given individually. As their little hearts are figuring out this world in which we live, I hope that they see evidence of God’s characteristics in how both men and women were created. May their assurance in their own manhood not deter what they see in the value and strength of how God created women and may they not be challenged by a strong, passionate female. I pray that the indication of such strength only invigorates them and that they are drawn to such a gift. And together we will play with all the Nerf guns, but I call the Maverick! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Talking to Our Kids About Storms](https://gominno.com/blog/talking-to-our-kids-about-storms/) **Published:** October 17, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UA27z8URRDuIG6YHKtGF.jpg) Severe weather events, like what much of the country went through last week, can be incredibly scary. Fear of the unknown, fear of not being in control, and fear of “what if” are all anxiety-inducing thoughts for both adults and children. Adding to fuel to the fire (so to speak), we’ve been bombarded all week with constant news footage about the death and destruction caused by these storms. Meandering our way through heroic stories of self sacrifice and incredible faith, the visuals of how these storms impacted entire towns are heartbreaking and pretty scary! When living in a virtual bubble isn’t a feasible solution, what do we do? **How do we talk to our kids about storms?** And how do we even start to calm the anxieties that our little ones might be feeling about storms? As we head into springtime, depending on their ages, this might be a great opportunity to talk to kids about storms and different types of weather events that are prevalent in your own area. Whether its tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes or even earthquakes, take the time to discuss why we are geographically susceptible to specific weather systems and how these systems form. God has created our marvelous world, and learning about its wonders only reaffirm His greatness and sovereignty. Kids take most of their emotional cues from us on how to handle life’s chaos. Remember that sometimes “storms” can be metaphors for life’s troubles.How do we handle these storms in our own lives? Do our kids see us praying? Are we showing them that even though we have reason to be scared, we’re instead trusting God in all things? Like many mommies, I’ve struggled with anxiety. How I choose to walk with the Lord during these storms can either add to the stress of my family or serve as a huge reassuring lesson in trusting God. That, in and of itself, can be a lot of pressure. Sometimes I fail. I forget to take Jesus’ hand and instead attempt to walk through the scary storm all alone. Can you relate? That’s why it’s so important to stay firmly rooted in God’s Word. **“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 13:15)** God’s Word gives us this reassurance whether that fear is rooted in something tangible like a thunderstorm or something less tangible. During times of fear or anxiety, read this verse with your family. Notice that our God is a God of HOPE. That He desires to fill each of us with JOY and PEACE. But there’s one thing He asks us to do… TRUST IN HIM. Being physically prepared for possible disasters and becoming educated about severe weather conditions that could happen in our own geographical areas is vitally important. Just as important is our spiritual preparedness enabling us to handle the impending storms. For spiritual preparedness, the best survival manual is always God’s Holy Word. Some good sites to help teach your children about storms as well as help your family prepare for natural disasters are: [Disaster and Emergency Preparedness | weather.com](http://www.weather.com/life/safety) [FEMA: Winter Storm Preparedness: Weather Radios and Disaster Supply Kits](http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41771) [Consumer Alert: Storm Preparedness](http://www.naic.org/documents/consumer_alert_storm_preparedness.htm) [Prepare (Earthquake Preparedness)](http://earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare/) [Weather Wiz Kids (weather information for kids)](http://www.weatherwizkids.com/) *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Christmas Traditions Around The World](https://gominno.com/blog/world-christmas-traditions/) **Published:** October 17, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/d1TIN6NFRWeisMwYzlqP.jpg) **Do people around the world celebrate Christmas the same way?** The celebration of Christmas is a worldwide holiday! However, each country creates its own traditions and celebrates the birth of Christ in unique ways. This makes for endlessly creative and diverse manifestations of this one holiday. Here are some examples of world Christmas traditions in just a few of the world’s 195 nations. ***Germany*** Many Germans mark the beginning of the Advent season on December 1 by hanging Advent calendars, first used in Germany, and revealing a picture of candy behind the first of 24 windows.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) In regions of southern Germany *Klopfel* or *Knopflinsnachte* (Knocking Nights) are popular. Children or adults “go from house to house, singing hymns and knocking on the doors with rods or little hammers, or throwing peas, lentils and the like against the windows.”[\[2\]](#_ftn2) Saint Nicholas often still visits children on December 6, his feast day, dressed in bishop’s clothing, to examine them regarding their behavior. He is often accompanied by Knect Ruprecht (also known as Hans Muff or Krampus, among other names), a kind of “bad cop,” who threatens naughty children with a switch or the prospect of being taken away in his giant sack. On Christmas Eve children receive gifts delivered by a Santa Claus like figure, named Weihnachtsmann, or the Christ Child, who has little in common with the baby born in Bethlehem. He is usually depicted as an older child, looking like a mix between a young girl with blond hair and a hovering angel.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) The Christmas tree, also of German origin, plays a central role in the German Christmas. It is usually decorated by the adults on Christmas Eve behind closed doors. They place presents under the tree before ringing a bell to alert the children that the gift-bringer has come. Christmas Eve, “nicknamed *Dickbauch*, or fat stomach,” also includes a feast, plates of goodies, church services, and carol singing.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) ***The Netherlands*** Beginning in 1516, when Spain took control of the Netherlands, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) was said to dwell in Spain during the year, watching Dutch children from afar. He had a dark-skinned, Moorish assistant named *Zwarte Piet*, or Black Peter. The Christmas season still begins each year in late November when Sinterklass and Zwarte Piet arrive by ship at a Dutch port. Sinterklaas asks children if they have been naughty or nice, and then gives gifts. Zwarte Piet provides “playful comic relief,” helping to distribute gifts, but also threatening to carry bad children back to Spain for the year. On the eve of Saint Nicholas’ Day, December 5, Sinterklaas is said to ride his white horse over rooftops, dropping gifts through chimneys and into the clogs of sleeping children.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) More gifts are often given on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. “The Dutch enjoy wrapping presents in deceptive ways, such as a gift within a gift or a tiny present in a big box, often accompanied by a humorous rhyme.”[\[6\]](#_ftn6) Many attend church and read the Nativity story from the Gospels. Christmas in the Netherlands carries over onto December 26 as well, with both First and Second Christmas Days dedicated to “feasting, relaxation, and visiting.” Today the Dutch are fighting to keep their distinctive customs in an age of global marketing. For example, many towns have outlawed Santa Claus costumes.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) ***England*** An English Christmas is characterized by beautiful lights decorating the outside areas and by beautiful music sung both by door-to-door carolers and in elaborate programs on television and in churches. For example, the Festival of the Nine Carols, consisting of songs and readings from the story of Christ’s birth, is broadcast from King’s College Chapel in Cambridge each year.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) Christmas Eve is not a major part of English Christmas traditions, although a tradition used to be widespread that on Christmas Eve at midnight “all cattle rise in their stalls or kneel and adore the new-born king.”[\[9\]](#_ftn9) The main holiday dinner takes place on Christmas Day, usually consisting of Turkey, Brussels sprouts, bread sauce, roast potatoes, and peas, among other things. The English gift-bringer is Father Christmas, who was once more serious and slim than the American Santa, but has recently “put on weight and become jollier.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) The English Christmas celebration carries over onto December 26, Boxing Day. This holiday involves sporting events and a trip to the theatre for a pantomime of a fairytale. The holiday takes its name from the tradition of giving a “Christmas Box,” or tip, to businesspeople one has done business with that year.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) ***France*** In Alsace, France, Hans Trap, an evil-looking man dressed in a bearskin, with a dark, long beard and a rod, follows the girl playing the Christ Child.[\[12\]](#_ftn12) Many French children send letters to Pere Noel and his elves in Greenland. He is a “tall, rather gaunt gentleman in a red, fur-trimmed, hooded robe … closer in appearance to the English Father Christmas” than Santa Claus. Children leave their shoes by the chimney or window before going to bed, for Pere Noel to fill with gifts. French homes are usually decorated with a creche (nativity scene) and a Christmas tree. “Remarkable ceremonies” take place on Christmas Eve all over the country. For example, “In Alpine regions, torch-carrying skiers wind their way down the mountains in the dark to go to midnight mass.”[\[13\]](#_ftn13) Live nativity scenes and reenactments of Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem are also common. In Provence, a region in the southeast part of France, a giant post-mass meal is topped off with the famous 13 desserts. The desserts represent Christ and the apostles, and always include “dried figs, raisins, hazelnuts, and almonds.”[\[14\]](#_ftn14) The most popular French Christmas dessert of all is the *Buche de Noel*, a chocolate cake in the shape of a Yule log. ***Spain*** In Spain, the midnight mass on December 24, *Noche Buena* (“the Good Night”), is the main event. Churches are full, and the center of the service occurs when the priest takes from under the altar “the image of the Babe New-born, reverently and slowly.” When he holds the image up, everyone crosses themselves and bows to their knees in silence.[\[15\]](#_ftn15) Rather than the tree, the Nativity Scene takes center stage among the Christmas decorations in most homes. Most Spaniards do not make Christmas a big gift-giving time. Instead, the traditional gift-givers in Spain are the Three Kings, who arrive in each town on January 5 on their way to Bethlehem to visit the Christ Child. In some towns they “arrive by sea, in others, they come by helicopter.” Their arrival is accompanied by plays, parades, and celebrations. Children leave their shoes out with food for the kings’ camels, in hopes they will be filled with gifts in the morning. ***Brazil*** Brazil’s gift-giver, Papai Noel, arrives by helicopter in cities around the country beginning in mid-December. In Rio, he flies into the giant Maracana Stadium (82,000 capacity) where he sings Christmas songs with thousands of excited children. Papai Noel visits each house on Christmas Eve, wearing the same clothes as the North American Santa Claus, but entering through the door. The midnight mass is the main religious event in this predominantly Roman Catholic nation. Children then go to sleep while the adults celebrate all night. The Brazilian festival, the *Folia de* *Reis* lasts from December 24 to Epiphany on January 6, and celebrates the three Magi “with spectacular door-to-door processions of costumed musicians and dancers, who solicit hospitality and alms for charities.”[\[16\]](#_ftn16) ***Russia*** After the Communist Revolution in 1917, the Communist government forbid the celebration of Christmas. They moved gift-giving to New Year’s and introduced the “New Year’s Tree,” along with Grandfather Frost (a replacement for Saint Nicholas) and the New Year’s Boy (a replacement for Christ). Since the fall of the Soviet Union, “Christmas observances have returned to millions of Russian homes.”[\[17\]](#_ftn17) Many go to church on Christmas Eve (January 6 according to the Orthodox calendar) to sing carols and take part in a candle-lit procession called *Krestny Khod* (“walking the cross”). Many wait until Christmas Eve to open presents, but many of the symbols introduced by Communism remain a significant part of the Russian celebration. For example, Grandfather Frost is used for marketing and appears in malls much like Santa Claus in the United States, and remains “the predominant gift-bringer” in Russia.[\[18\]](#_ftn18) ***Japan*** During the twentieth century, some non-Christian countries began to celebrate Christmas as well. For example, very few Japanese are Christians but as many as half of Japanese homes have artificial Christmas trees in December. They decorate the trees with lights, origami, and fans. Though many Japanese have some vague knowledge of its association with Jesus, *Kurisimasu* is a time to exchange gifts. The Japanese celebration of Christmas arose after World War II, as the Japanese observed American soldiers, and as Japanese businesses began making toys for American markets.[\[19\]](#_ftn19) For more ways to celebrate and learn about Christmas, visit one of the pages below! Your family can learn more about the history of Christmas, and how Santa Claus, Christmas Trees and many of our modern holiday traditions point back to Jesus in Phil Vischer’s *Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas?* [Now streaming](https://www.gominno.com/)! --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Gerald Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas* (Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 2000), 90. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Clement A. Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance* (New York: Dover Publications, 1976), 216-217.[\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Ibid., 230; Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 91. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 91. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Bruce David Forbes, *Christmas: A Candid History* (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007), 77. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 155. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Ibid. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Ibid., 76-77. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance*, 234. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 77. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Ibid. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance*, 230. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 86. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Ibid., 222. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance*, 117. [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 29-30. [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Ibid., 195. [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) Ibid. [\[19\]](#_ftnref19) Forbes, *Christmas*, 53. ##### **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The History of Yule Logs, Stockings & Other Christmas Symbols](https://gominno.com/blog/the-history-of-yule-logs-stockings-and-other-christmas-symbols/) **Published:** October 15, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** **![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lm9k8a1ETYehzoc53Msd.jpg)** **What are some popular Christmas symbols and how do they fit into the story of Christmas?** For centuries before Christ, residents of Europe dealt with the long, hard winter months by celebrating midwinter festivals. Some familiar Christmas symbols, such as decorating with evergreens, originated in these winter festivals, and were adopted by Christians as they sought to redeem and transform customs and symbols of existing cultures.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Other symbols, such as the Nativity scene and the poinsettia, have been Christian from their origins. It would be impossible to describe the history and significance of every Christmas traditions, but here is the story behind several of the more popular Christmas symbols. ***Holly, and Ivy, and Mistletoe*** The custom of decorating homes and churches with evergreen plants at Christmas probably grew out of the pagan custom of decorating buildings with greens in the winter to connect with “the spirit of growth and fertility” in the plant world.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) At first decorative greens were banned by many churches, but they soon made their way into the churches and became a fully accepted part of Christmas. As far back as the fifteenth century in England, it was the custom for homes and churches to be garnished with green plants. It was not difficult to make a connection between Christmas and evergreen plants. They represent life in the midst of the brown deadness of winter. Holly, ivy and mistletoe, plants that bear fruit in the winter, were especially powerful symbols of the new life represented by Christ’s birth. Holly’s significance comes in part from its thorns and blood-red berries’ association with Christ’s Passion. This association gave holly its Danish name, *Kristdorn* (Christ-thorn). Mistletoe has a long history in European pagan myth and ritual. For example, it was called “all-healer” and was believed to be a remedy against poison and to make barren animals fruitful,” and was often associated with fertility.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) It is difficult to say exactly where the English custom of kissing under the mistletoe came from, but “the practice would appear to be due to an imagined relation between the love of the sexes and the spirit of fertility embodied in the sacred bough.”[\[4\]](#_ftn4) ***Christmas Tree*** The Christmas tree is the most prominent of all evergreen Christmas decorations. One of the earliest legends of the Christmas tree’s origin have to do with the missionary work of St. Boniface. During the eighth century he challenged Germany’s pagan gods by cutting down the Oak of Thor at Geismar. After chopping it down, with no retribution from Thor, Boniface was said to have “pointed to a young fir tree as the new symbol to which the German people should look, ever green in the midst of winter darkness.”[\[5\]](#_ftn5) More widespread use of the Christmas tree probably had its beginning in the medieval “paradise tree.” The Catholic Church used plays in the medieval era to teach their mostly illiterate congregations about the Bible. One of the plays took place on December 24, the feast day of Adam and Eve, and revolved around the paradise tree, “an evergreen tree decorated with apples.”[\[6\]](#_ftn6) Later on, additional decorations were added, such as communion wafers, representing forgiveness, and candles. At some point, this tree moved from the stage to homes, as people would put up their own paradise trees on Christmas Eve. One evidence of this connection remains in Bavaria, where the Christmas tree has been called the *Paradisebaum*. The Christmas tree originated in Germany, where multiple legends have become attached to its origins and significance. The most famous of these stories is that the beauty of the starry, winter sky and snow-covered evergreens amazed Martin Luther during an evening stroll. So he brought a tree into his house, decorated it with candles, and told his children the candles represented the light of Christ and the starry sky of Bethlehem on the first Christmas night. However, there is “no reliable record of a German tree bearing either decoration or candles” until the 1600s.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) By the seventeenth century Christmas trees were popular in the Lutheran regions of Germany. German nobility helped spread the symbol of the Christmas tree to countries like Germany and France through intermarriage with other royal families.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) German immigrants brought the tree to the United States, and by the nineteenth century, Christmas trees had become widespread in North America, Europe, and Russia.[\[9\]](#_ftn9) Early Christmas trees were small and usually fit on a tabletop. During the nineteenth century, families began choosing bigger trees with more space to put piles of presents. Many used to place candles on trees, but often only on Christmas Eve due to the danger inherent in live flames near dry tree limbs. Electric lights were introduced in 1882, and Americans soon stopped putting real candles on trees, though “Europe continues its love affair with real candles.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) ***Poinsettias*** The Poinsettia is a shrub, native to Mexico, that’s green leaves turn red (the flower is actually the red inner buds) when deprived of sun light. It blooms in December, making it an ideal symbol for Christmas. After Christianity arrived in Mexico from Spain, a legend arose about a girl going to church on Christmas Eve. She wanted to bring a gift to the baby Jesus, but being poor, all she could bring was a handful of weeds. Jesus miraculously turned her weeds into beautiful red flowers. As a result of this legend, Mexicans called these red plants the *flores de Nochebuena*, or “Flowers of the Holy Night.”[\[11\]](#_ftn11) The plant received its American name from the American ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, who first brought the plant to the United States in the nineteenth century. ***Yule Log*** The Yule Log is a large piece of wood that is placed on the fire at Christmas. The custom dates back to twelfth-century Germany. Traditions have varied over time and from country to country, but “the selection and laying of the log are often attended with ceremony and celebration” and many have believed that “its remnants … possess miraculous powers.”[\[12\]](#_ftn12) In Europe, the whole family, the men of house, or just the father used to go out first thing in the morning to cut one or more trees (sometimes one for each male in the family). The log would burn all during Christmas Day and then the ashes or charcoal from the log were used throughout the year, sometimes to heal ailments, sometimes to fertilize the soil, and sometimes to protect the house against awful storms. Many of these superstitions have faded away, but the Yule Log burning in the fireplace is still an important part of Christmas celebrations for many families across North America and Europe. ***Candle and Advent Wreath*** The lit candle represents Jesus, the light of the world, and has become “associated inextricably with Christmas.”[\[13\]](#_ftn13) Candlelight Christmas Eve church services, candles shining from windowsills, and candlelight dinners are all popular parts of Christmas celebrations in many countries. One example of candles on Christmas occurs in Gouda, “the centre of the Dutch candle industry,” where on Christmas Eve the people turn out all electric lights “while the mayor, by candlelight, reads the Nativity story to the crowd.”[\[14\]](#_ftn14) The Advent Wreath helps many churches and families recite and tell the story of Christmas. Invented by German Lutheran pastor, Johann Hinrich Wichern in 1833, these wreaths are decorated with greenery and hold four candles. A new candle is lit during each Sunday of Advent, until all four candles are shining on the Sunday before Christmas. People assign the candles varying symbolic meanings. Three are usually in the penitential colors of purple or violet, and the fourth is “the pink of rejoicing.” Some wreaths include a fifth white candle in the middle, called the Christ candle. The candles point to the coming of Jesus Christ, the light of the world, and “the wreath is an ancient symbol of victory, and the greenery represents the everlasting life.”[\[15\]](#_ftn15) ***Nativity Scene (Creche)*** St. Francis of Assissi is often credited with the first live Nativity scene. On Christmas Eve in 1224 he arranged a manger with hay, and live ox and donkey to replicate the Bethlehem scene. Francis led in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper as he talked of the birth of the poor King in Bethlehem.[\[16\]](#_ftn16) Francis’ re-enactment helped the tradition spread across Europe after 1200, but there are mentions of Christmas cribs and Nativity scenes dating back to the fourth century. In Germany in the fourteenth century, the Nativity scenes became associated with a custom called *Kindelwiegen* (“Cradle-Rocking”). The crib became a cradle that priests and worshippers would rock while the people sang and danced around the cradle. Up into the nineteenth century Nativity scenes and images of the Christ Child were nearly universal in Roman Catholic churches and homes – especially in Spain and Italy – but less prominent in Protestant countries.[\[17\]](#_ftn17) However, during the twentieth century Nativity scenes, complete with Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, wise men, and animals, became common among Protestants in North America, along with Nativity plays in churches and schools.[\[18\]](#_ftn18) ***Stockings*** Central to the legend of Saint Nicholas is the medieval story that he rescued three daughters of a widower from slavery by dropping bags of gold into their stockings, which they had hung to dry by the fire. Today, children throughout the world leave out stockings or shoes filled with hay for Saint Nicholas’ horse, or next to cookies for Santa Claus himself, in hopes he will fill them with gifts. Since Santa Claus most often enters homes through the chimney, children often hang their stockings next to the fireplace. In the early 1800s, “Stockings were the traditional present containers.”[\[19\]](#_ftn19) However, as more and larger gifts become common, the Christmas tree became the most common place to find presents on Christmas morning. However, many children still find smaller gifts in their stockings, in addition to the larger gifts under the tree. [](https://www.gominno.com/blog/for-all-the-ways-you-watch-christmas) --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Bruce David Forbes, *Christmas: A Candid History* (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007), x. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Clement A. Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance* (New York: Dover Publications, 1976), 272. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Ibid., 273. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Ibid., 274. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Gerald Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas* (Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 2000), 226. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Forbes, *Christmas*, 49. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 226. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Forbes, *Christmas*, 51. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 227. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Ibid. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Forbes, *Christmas*, 54. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 254. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Ibid., 36. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Ibid. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Ibid., 3. [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions*, 104. [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Forbes, *Christmas*, 51; Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions*, 105. [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 154. [\[19\]](#_ftnref19) Karal Ann Marling, *Merry Christmas! Celebrating America’s Greatest Holiday* (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1976), 265. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Who is Santa Claus?](https://gominno.com/blog/who-is-santa-claus/) **Published:** October 15, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TeXZAAbdQFSeqqU3yQVt.jpg) **Who is Santa Claus?** Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santa! Who is he? Where did he come from? It turns out our beloved Christmas icon originates with from a bishop in the church in the 300s. Legend says that Saint Nicholas gave money to the poor, and later the church declared December 6th to be Saint Nicholas Day. In the early 1800s, Saint Nicholas – now known as Santa Claus, from the Dutch “Sinter Klaas” – became popular in the United States. Many of our modern traditions around Santa come from an anonymous poem published in 1823 called “A Night Before Christmas.” **The Beginnings of Saint Nicholas** Long before the legend of Santa Claus took hold in the United States, a man named Nicholas led a church in Asia Minor. Saint Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (in present day Turkey) in the 300s. Beyond this, little is known about the actual life of this popular saint. However, many legends have developed over the centuries. Facts probably stand behind a few of these legends, but regardless of their historicity, the legends have shaped the way people view Saint Nicholas for centuries. Legend says that Nicholas was born in Patara to wealthy parents. After multiple miracles as a young child, the people of Myra made him their bishop. He was imprisoned during the Diocletian persecution, then released after Constantine came to the throne.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) After his release, Nicholas fought the Arian heresy, defending the doctrine of the deity of Christ. One document, written over 500 years after his death, claims, “Thanks to the teaching of St. Nicholas, the metropolis of Myra alone was untouched by the filth of the Arian heresy, which it firmly rejected as a death-dealing poison.”[\[2\]](#_ftn2) One intriguing, but almost surely fictitious, account says he traveled to the Council of Nicaea and confronted Arius personally by slapping him in the face.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) Other stories tell of a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine during which he walked on water to save a drowning sailor, raised a dead man to life, and miraculously escaped the plot of a treacherous sea Captain. **The Making of a Saint** In part due to many of these legends, Nicholas quickly became one of the most popular saints in the Church. “He is patron saint of mariners, merchants, bakers, travelers, children,” all of whom looked to him for protection.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) Churches were named after him (400 in England alone during the late Middle Ages), miracles were attributed to him, and in 1087 a group of men took his bones from a sepulcher in Myra to Bari, Italy, which quickly became a popular place of pilgrimage for Christians in the West.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) *A Giver of Gifts* The best-known Saint Nicholas story of all involves a poor widower with three daughters. Lacking dowries for his girls, the widower feared that they would wind up in slavery or prostitution. Nicholas had compassion on the family and secretly used his wealth to help them. He dropped bags of gold through their window in the middle of the night to provide the needed dowries. Some versions of the story say he dropped them through a chimney, and another has one of the bags ending up in a stocking that one of the girls had just hung on the mantle to dry.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) *Saint Nicholas’ Day* December 6, the traditional day of his death, was made Saint Nicholas’s Day by the church. Over time people began to give gifts in his name on December 6 or the eve of his feast day. Other customs developed, “such as visits to children, when Nicholas brought token presents and inquired to see if the children had been naughty or nice,” his riding over houses in the night on a white horse, and children leaving their shoes out to collect gifts.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) **The Rejection of Saint Nicholas** After the Reformation, Protestants largely abandoned Saint Nicholas. They taught that each believer can go directly to God through Christ and needed no help from the saints. As a part of this belief, the Reformers rejected Catholic feasts like Saint Nicholas Day. In Germany, Martin Luther substituted *Christkindl* (the Christ Child) for Saint Nicholas as the bringer of nighttime gifts, and his visit was moved from December 6 to Christmas Eve. *Christkindl* eventually “became pronounced Kriss Kringle, and ironically is now considered another name for Santa Claus.”[\[8\]](#_ftn8) When many Protestants rejected Saint Nicholas as a gift-giver, other adult figures arose to replace him, including “Old Man Winter in Finland, and Father Christmas in England.”[\[9\]](#_ftn9) During the 19th century, when American ideals of Santa Claus morphed from a more disciplinary churchman into a grandfatherly gift giver, these other Christmas figures were transformed as well, becoming “kindly, elderly conveyors of presents for children.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) **From Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus** Amazingly, Santa Claus, as Americans know him, “is only about 200 years old.”[\[11\]](#_ftn11) Most American Protestants did not celebrate Christmas in the colonial period. However, the Dutch Reformed had continued to observe Christmas, and brought many of their traditions, including Saint Nicholas, to New Amsterdam (now New York). During the early 1800s, a group of New York City businessmen began to introduce Saint Nicholas into American culture. In 1809 Washington Irving (1783-1859), author of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” wrote another influential work, *A History of New York*, under the pseudonym, Diedrich Knickerbocker. In this satirical work on the history of the predominantly Dutch city, Irving mentioned Saint Nicholas fifteen times. Irving was drawing upon Dutch folklore to renew a tradition.[\[12\]](#_ftn12) Irving’s St. Nick “flew over trees in a horse-pulled wagon and slid down chimneys to deliver gifts. He even gave a “wink” before disappearing over the treetops.[\[13\]](#_ftn13) *“The Night before Christmas”* In 1823, an influential poem was published anonymously in a Troy, New York newspaper. Originally titled “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” “The Night before Christmas” became one of America’s most famous and influential poems. Often attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, a New Yorker and friend of Washington Irving, the poem helped reshape Saint Nicholas and the American Christmas.[\[14\]](#_ftn14) Many ideas common to the contemporary Santa mythology were first introduced in this poem. For example, the poem created the idea of Santa riding a sleigh, rather than a horse or a wagon. Reindeer appear for the first time, there are eight of them, and they are named. Saint Nick visits with gifts on Christmas Eve, rather than the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, as had been the custom in Europe for centuries. This slight change helped move gift giving to the center of Christmas traditions. Rather than having the appearance of a churchman and wearing the traditional bishop’s attire, the poem’s St. Nick was a loveable, jolly, plump, magical old man, with twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and a “round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.”[\[15\]](#_ftn15) *The Development of Santa Claus* At about the same time that Saint Nicholas was taking on new forms in New York City, the Dutch phrase Sinter Klaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas) was taking its English form, Santa Claus. Santa Claus began to be used in advertising after 1820 but “a number of images of Santa Claus appeared, each wildly different from the others.”[\[16\]](#_ftn16) During and after the Civil War, Thomas Nast’s famous pictures of Santa Claus in *Harper’s Weekly* presented him with “a jolly face, full beard, and wide belt around his rotund waist.”[\[17\]](#_ftn17) Nast introduced more traditions common today. For example, Santa became a North Pole toymaker with elves for assistants, who received letters from children, and ate delicious treats that children left in their homes for him to gobble up on Christmas eve. “By the early 1900s Santa Claus was an omnipresent part of the North American Christmas scene,” and his image had become more fixed. However, he was still wearing red, blue and various other colors until Coca-Cola commissioned commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to paint multiple images of Santa for their marketing between 1931 and 1964. These images fixed Santa’s image as a red and white Santa, perfect for marketing with the red and white Coca-Cola. Contrary to some claims, Coca-Cola did not invent Santa. Their nearly universal advertising merely “helped put the finishing touches on a Santa Claus who already had become mostly standardized.”[\[18\]](#_ftn18) By the twentieth century, Saint Nicholas had morphed in Santa Claus in the United States. He had been detached from his churchly role, become mainly a secular symbol of giving (or consumption), and was more popular than ever. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/gNo5DTdQLGHRYfXwAWCT/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/gNo5DTdQLGHRYfXwAWCT/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)[](http://whatsinthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/St-Nicholas-coloring-page.png) [Download this free coloring page to help your kids learn about the original St Nicholas, a 4th century Church Bishop who inspired the legend of Santa Claus we know today.](http://whatsinthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/St-Nicholas-coloring-page.png) Your family can learn more about the history of Christmas, and how Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, and many of our modern holiday traditions point back to Jesus in Phil Vischer’s *Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas?* [Now streaming on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/)! --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Michael Ott, “St. Nicholas of Myra,” in *Catholic Encyclopedia Online*, (accessed September 19, 2011). [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Quoted in Ted Olsen, “The Real Saint Nicholas,” in *Christian History*, posted August 8, 2008, accessed September 19, 2011, http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2004/nick.html. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Ibid. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Ott, “St. Nicholas of Myra.” [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Olsen, “The Real Saint Nicholas;” Bruce David Forbes, *Christmas: A Candid History* (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007), 76.[\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Forbes, *Christmas,* 70-71. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Ibid., 72. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Ted Olson, “The Real Saint Nicholas.” [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Forbes, *Christmas*, 79. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Gerald Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas* (Toronto: McLelland and Stewart, 2000), 199. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Ibid., 198. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Charles Williams Jones, *Saint Nicholas of Myra, Bari, and Manhattan: Biography of a Legend* (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978), 344. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Forbes, *Christmas*, 82. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Ibid., 86. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Ibid., 86-88. [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Bowler, *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas*, 199. [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Forbes, *Christmas*, 89. [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) Ibid., 92. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The History of Christmas Traditions in the US](https://gominno.com/blog/the-history-of-christmas-traditions-in-the-us/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** **![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/M3CX2A6NTLFOVffiU82w.jpg)** **There are so many Christmas traditions in the US! Where did they all come from?** America is often called a “melting pot” and its Christmas traditions can be seen the same way! It is a country of immigrants from all over the world who each brought their culture’s unique traditions to the New World. Read on to find out how Americans came to celebrate with Santa Claus, stockings, trees, gifts and more! **Brief History of Christmas in the United States** The Christmas celebrations typical in Europe made their way into America in the southern colonies, where one could find feasting, gift-giving, hospitality, dancing and fireworks.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) The French in Louisiana, English in New York, and German in Pennsylvania also brought with them their Christmas traditions.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) “Most settlers and adventurers arriving in the New World welcomed Christmas as a day of respite from the routines of work and hardship.”[\[3\]](#_ftn3) However, not everyone in the new American colonies shared a love for the day. The Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony did not observe Christmas, with Governor John Winthrop even attempting to suppress it.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) One author writes, “The Puritans showed their disdain for this pagan festival by planning hard work for the day and passing a law forbidding the celebration of Christmas.”[\[5\]](#_ftn5) By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, Christmas celebrations had become very popular and reflected the expanding commerce that America became known for following the Industrial Revolution. While it would be too negative to attribute the rise of Christmas in America solely to “capitalist greed,” it “has always been more secular than sacred,” and the business aspect has played a significant role in its popularity.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) But while the marketplace has had its influence, other factors have contributed, too, such as a longing for connection to the past and genuine desire to connect with others, such as in the giving of gifts.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) **Christmas Traditions in the United States** It was in the 19th century in America that many of the traditions we know today became embedded in the culture. While these customs vary within different time periods and regions of the country, some of the more universal traditions in American Christmas tradition include the following. *Santa Claus* No doubt the most significant icon in American Christmas is that of Santa Claus, and it is in the 19th century that we find his “appearance and formalization . . . as its dominant symbol.”[\[8\]](#_ftn8) The legend of St. Nicholas was not original to America, but a few prominent men of Dutch origin in the 19th century popularized the old Dutch saint in the U.S.[\[9\]](#_ftn9) For example, Washington Irving, who wrote *History of New York* in 1809, introduced him to a more national audience.[\[10\]](#_ftn10) Then, through the imaginations of a few different writers and poets, gradually St. Nicholas was transformed into the modern American Santa Claus, with jolly and bright demeanor, and sleigh and reindeer, who was without precedent before then.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) Among the most significant contributors to this image was the famous poem, “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” later to become known as “The Night Before Christmas.”[\[12\]](#_ftn12) *Stockings on the Fireplace* Preparation for the arrival of Santa involved hanging stockings to be filled with gifts from St. Nick. The story is told that the ancient St. Nicholas dropped bags of gold into the stockings of three daughters of a poor man in order to deliver them from a life of slavery or prostitution.[\[13\]](#_ftn13) It thus became a custom to set out stockings to be filled on Christmas Eve, and in America these “represented the shoes that children of New Amsterdam had once set in the chimney corners on St. Nicholas Eve”–the fireplace possibly being symbolic of a place of happiness and good luck–though they could also be set in other places, such as on a bedpost or banister.[\[14\]](#_ftn14) The tradition of hanging stockings on the fireplace continues today. *Christmas Trees* Decorating an evergreen tree was another American Christmas tradition that emerged in the 19th century. The use of greenery in celebrations had a long history, as it was prominent in midwinter festivals in Babylonian, Egyptian, and Druidic cultures.[\[15\]](#_ftn15) For the Romans evergreens were symbolic of fertility and regeneration.[\[16\]](#_ftn16) The use of the evergreen tree in Christmas celebrations spread throughout Europe and eventually made its way to the United States, in large part through the Pennsylvania Dutch in the early 19th century.[\[17\]](#_ftn17) The Christmas tree has traditionally been extravagantly decorated, with gifts, toys, sweets, and other ornaments hung on the tree, though now we often find gifts under the tree.[\[18\]](#_ftn18) In the United States, the trees of choice have traditionally included the balsam fir, Douglas fir, white pine and Scotch pine.[\[19\]](#_ftn19) *Gifts* Though holiday giving was an old custom, the giving of gifts at Christmas is a fairly recent innovation for Americans, the earliest account coming from German immigrants in Pennsylvania in 1745.[\[20\]](#_ftn20) Puritans did not often exchange gifts, though exceptions are sometimes found. Following the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, gift-giving eventually became a cemented part of Christmas celebration in America.[\[21\]](#_ftn21) *Mistletoe, Holly, Ivy, and Poinsettias* The shrub known as “mistletoe” is infused with legend of healing power and came to be used by Christians in Christmas celebrations. Kissing beneath it “seems to have been a custom confined to the servant class until the 19th century, when it was more generally adopted.”[\[22\]](#_ftn22) Ivy represented constancy, and holly symbolized good luck and life.[\[23\]](#_ftn23) Before the end of the 19th century, “mistletoe twined gracefully with holly leaves on Christmas card borders,” and poinsettias appeared not much later.[\[24\]](#_ftn24) Use of poinsettias, also known as Christmas Star (*Euphorbia pulcherima*), was an old Christmas custom brought to the United States by amateur botanist Joel R. Poinsett.[\[25\]](#_ftn25) *Christmas Cards* Different from many other American Christmas customs, the sending of Christmas cards was without connection to earlier history.[\[26\]](#_ftn26) However, by the 1850s they were mass-produced and sent as an acceptable form of Christmas greeting.[\[27\]](#_ftn27) Often they served as an inexpensive way to complete a long Christmas list[\[28\]](#_ftn28) and soon became imperative for fostering relationships, also serving as a substitute for traditional gifts.[\[29\]](#_ftn29) *Other Traditions* While the above are the more iconic traditions in American Christmas, many others could be added. Some others to mention briefly include: Nativity scenes; Christmas pageants; Christmas carols and door-to-door caroling; “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” an 1897 editorial written to a little girl who had sent a letter asking if Santa Claus really existed; the feeling of charity and general goodwill toward others, especially the unfortunate[\[30\]](#_ftn30) (one visible example is the Salvation Army bell-ringers collecting money at Christmas); the Christmas shopping season, the official beginning of which is the day after Thanksgiving (“Black Friday”) and is helped ushered in by the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade;[\[31\]](#_ftn31) the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Centre in New York City;[\[32\]](#_ftn32) and, finally, many beloved Christmas stories and films such as **Christmas Carol*, *Miracle on 34th Street*, *It’s a Wonderful Life*, and *A Christmas Story*.* --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Gerry Bowler, ed. *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas* (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2000), 233. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Ibid. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Penne L. Restad, *Christmas in America: A History* (New York: Oxford University Press, 1995), 8. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Ibid., 9. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Herbert H. Wernecke, *Christmas Customs Around the World* (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1959), 71. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Karal Ann Marling, *Merry Christmas! Celebrating America’s Greatest Holiday* (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000), 43. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 106, 125. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) James H. Barnett, *The American Christmas: A Study in National Culture* (New York: Macmillan, 1954), 24. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 46. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Ibid., 47. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Ibid. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Ibid.; Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 199. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 217; Restad, *Christmas in America*, 45. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 51. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 227. [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 57. [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Ibid., 58. [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) Marling, *Merry Christmas*, 162. [\[19\]](#_ftnref19) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 228. [\[20\]](#_ftnref20) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 65. [\[21\]](#_ftnref21) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 92. [\[22\]](#_ftnref22) Ibid., 148. [\[23\]](#_ftnref23) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 120. [\[24\]](#_ftnref24) Ibid. [\[25\]](#_ftnref25) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 178. [\[26\]](#_ftnref26) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 117. [\[27\]](#_ftnref27) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 36. [\[28\]](#_ftnref28) Marling, *Merry Christmas*, 305. [\[29\]](#_ftnref29) Restad, *Christmas in America*, 117. [\[30\]](#_ftnref30) Barnett, *American Christmas*, 71-72. [\[31\]](#_ftnref31) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 234. [\[32\]](#_ftnref32) Ibid. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Understanding Hanukkah From a Christian Perspective](https://gominno.com/blog/understanding-hanukkah-from-a-christian-perspective/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/et60EJMDRJ2Nlu75H7bj.jpg) Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration that honors the miracle that occurred as the Maccabees worked to clean the temple and rededicate it to God after the army of the king Antiochus IV Epiphanes had desecrated it. Although the Maccabees only had enough oil to burn the lamp for one night, God made the oil last eight nights. Today, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday by lighting candles in a menorah over the course of eight nights. #### *Here are some resources, articles, and videos to help you learn more about Hanukkah!* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/e8eQjAmTUykVLWkt6g9k/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://whatsinthebible.com/should-christians-celebrate-hanukkah/ "Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?") #### **[Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?](http://whatsinthebible.com/should-christians-celebrate-hanukkah/ "Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?")** In this blog post, Lisa Strnad reminds us that as Christians, we can celebrate all of God’s miracles, including the burning of the oil for eight nights. The menorah can help us remember God’s provision in our lives as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/IwxGGXQ66Czqs2qB9XBQ/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/IwxGGXQ66Czqs2qB9XBQ/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80 "Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?") #### **[Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas?](http://whatsinthebible.com/should-christians-celebrate-hanukkah/ "Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?")** The story behind Christmas, Santa, Hanukkah, holiday traditions and more, giving families a culturally-relevant and Jesus-honoring overview of the Christmas season. **[![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/mgMNPpvuSZKFaKpLcsCg/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://whatsinthebible.com/what-is-hanukkah-2/ "What is Hanukkah? Clive & Ian")** #### **[Clive & Ian Explain Hanukkah](http://whatsinthebible.com/what-is-hanukkah-2/ "What is Hanukkah? Clive & Ian")** Our favorite British brothers explain Hanukkah in their 12 Questions of Christmas video series. Clive explains to Ian that Hanukkah is a holiday that comes before Christmas in history, therefore Jesus celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas celebrates Jesus! After watching the video, read a history of Hanukkah below to learn more about the origins of the holiday. #### [**![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/WuuRiiUSSUqtuYnpw5kr/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)**](http://whatsinthebible.com/video-archive/whats-hanukkah-video-from-why-do-we-call-it-christmas/ "Sunday School Lady Explains Hanukkah") #### [**Sunday School Lady Explains Hanukkah**](http://whatsinthebible.com/video-archive/whats-hanukkah-video-from-why-do-we-call-it-christmas/ "Sunday School Lady Explains Hanukkah") In this video from *Why Do We Call It Christmas?*, Sunday School Lady explains the history of Hanukkah. Learn about the Maccabees and how they spent eight days re-dedicating the temple to God. **Additional Christmas resources from *What’s In The Bible?*** - [Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas?](http://whatsinthebible.com/buck-denver-asks-why-do-we-call-it-christmas/) - [Who Is Santa Claus?](http://whatsinthebible.com/who-is-santa-claus/) - [10 Best Christmas Coloring Pages](http://whatsinthebible.com/ten-best-christmas-coloring-pages/) - [Christmas Family Bible Reading Plan](http://whatsinthebible.com/christmas-youversion-family-bible-reading-plan/) - [An Uncommon Christmas: How To Buy A Cow](http://whatsinthebible.com/an-uncommon-christmas-how-to-buy-a-cow/) - [An Uncommon Christmas: Finding Joy When Grief Is Heavy](http://whatsinthebible.com/an-uncommon-christmas-finding-joy-when-grief-is-heavy/) - [An Uncommon Christmas: Raising Uncommon Kids](http://whatsinthebible.com/an-uncommon-christmas-raising-uncommon-kids/) - [An Uncommon Christmas: Unwrapping Change](http://whatsinthebible.com/an-uncommon-christmas-unwrapping-change/) - [An Uncommon Christmas: Christmas On The Mission Field](http://whatsinthebible.com/an-uncommon-christmas-christmas-on-the-mission-field/) - [Creating Family Holiday Traditions](http://whatsinthebible.com/creating-holiday-traditions-family/) - [Christmas Traditions Around The World](http://whatsinthebible.com/world-christmas-traditions/) - [Celebrating The Season Of Advent](http://whatsinthebible.com/celebrating-the-season-of-advent/) - [Understanding Hanukkah From A Christian Perspective](http://whatsinthebible.com/understanding-hanukkah-from-a-christian-perspective/) Your family can learn more about the history of Christmas, and how Santa Claus, Christmas Trees and many of our modern holiday traditions point back to Jesus in Phil Vischer’s *Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas?* [Now streaming on Minno](https://www.gominno.com/)! #### **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [When was Jesus Born?](https://gominno.com/blog/when-was-jesus-born/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** **![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hXpUthBDQcyNcjlg0wu4.jpg)** **When was Jesus born? On Christmas day?** We actually have very little clue as to what day Jesus was actually born. Though scientists and theologians have tried to pinpoint it, there is no way of knowing even whether or not he was born in December! We do know, however, why we celebrate Jesus on the 25th. Gnostic Christians in Egypt first celebrated Christ’s birth around 200 A.D.. Many church leaders identified January 6th as the day of Christ’s birth and thus celebrated Christmas then; today, we celebrate Epiphany (or the arrival of the Magi) on that day. In the early Roman church, pagan holidays were often “Christianized” to help convert people to Christianity. Several pagan holidays were celebrated on and around December 25th, include a day to worship the sun because of the solstice. In 336, a church leader declared that December 25 would be the day to celebrate the birth of Christ, and we still celebrate it on that day! **Historical Clues from Scripture** The gospel accounts of Christ’s birth do not provide us with a precise date, but they do offer historical details from which Christians have drawn different conclusions. Consider first the shepherds keeping their flocks by night. This seemingly minor detail is significant because, according to some historians, shepherds in Judea typically worked outdoors between the months of March and November. This nine-month range is rather broad, ironically excluding the winter month of December, but it has led some historians to doubt that December is a viable date for Christ’s birth.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) On the other hand, some scholars contend that the historical evidence for this shepherding calendar is insufficient. For instance, a mild winter would have enabled the sheep to remain outdoors. Furthermore, the sheep grazed in the wilderness during the warmer months, but Luke indicates that the shepherds were not in the wilderness at that time. They were instead stationed just outside Bethlehem, thereby indicating that it may have been wintertime after all.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) As a final historical detail, the Jewish Mishnah indicates that “the sheep around Bethlehem were outside all year, and those that were worthy for the Passover offerings were in the fields thirty days before the feast–which would be as early as February–one of the coldest and rainiest months of the year.”[\[3\]](#_ftn3) It is therefore possible that Jesus was born in the month of December, but it is also impossible to know with any certainty. As a result of this insufficient data, Christians would spend hundreds of years attempting to calculate the date, and they arrived at very different conclusions. **Gnostic Beginnings** The earliest evidence of a Christmas celebration was around 200 A.D. in Alexandria, Egypt.[\[4\]](#_ftn4) Described by the Christian writer Clement of Alexandria (ca. 160- ca. 220), these Egyptian Christians were deeply Gnostic, influenced by the Platonic belief that the physical world is a pale reflection of the ideal. They ascribed to an ideology in which the material is considered inferior to the spiritual, and this belief system shaped their understanding of the Incarnation.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) These Gnostic Christians concluded that Christ’s birth was not physical in the traditional, human sense, but was rather a “manifestation” or *epiphany* of God’s Son on earth. There was, however, disagreement about the true moment of the epiphany. Some believed it was signified by Christ’s birth, while others pinpointed the divine manifestation at the arrival of the magi, or at Jesus’ baptism, or during his first miracle at the wedding at Cana.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) Although this group of Christians celebrated Christmas in a manner much different from later generations, this practice marked one of the earliest observances of Christ’s birth and it shaped the development of the tradition. **January 6** Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have observed Christmas on numerous dates, including November 18, March 28, April 19 or 20, and May 20. However the most popular date prior to the establishment of December 25th was January 6th, and for several reasons. *Clement of Alexandria* The first major reference to January 6th as the day of Christ’s birth comes from Clement of Alexandria. Although he mentioned numerous groups who observed Christ’s birth on several different dates, he himself attempted to calculate the date of Jesus’ birth by analyzing the time lapse between Jesus’ birth and the death of emperor Commodus in 192. Using an Egyptian calendar, he determined the date to be January 6 (*Stromata* 1.21.145).[\[7\]](#_ftn7) *The Basilideans* However, Clement was not alone in associating January 6th with Christ’s birth. In his extensive account of the Christian faith, titled *Stromateis*, Clement described the Egyptian Basilideans who used the Alexandrian calendar to calculate a date of January 6 or 10.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) As Clement explained, these Egyptian Gnostics celebrated Jesus’ baptism on the eleventh day of the month of Tubi, which is the equivalent of our modern January 6th. This day was eventually adopted by other Christians throughout the Eastern Mediterranean regions.[\[9\]](#_ftn9) *An Adaptation of Pagan Culture* A final reason that Christians may have observed Christmas on January 6th was the surrounding pagan culture. One scholar explains: “Christians often tried to replace a pagan feast with a Christian one to alleviate the difficulties of conversion. In Egypt January 6 had a dual significance as a festival of the virgin goddess Kore and the birthday of the deity Osiris. By the second century, some Christians claimed this date for themselves.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) *January 6 and Epiphany* Although December 25th became the official Christmas feast day of the Western Roman church, January 6th remains the day that Christians celebrate Epiphany. As a faint echo of the Egyptian Gnostic tradition, our modern observance of Epiphany marks the visit of the magi. January 6th also remains the official Christmas day of the modern Armenian church.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) Additionally, the period between December 25 and January 6 constitutes the 12 Days of Christmas. **December 25** *Pagan Roots* As already described, the early church periodically Christianized pagan holidays in order to facilitate the integration of converts. This practice is believed by some scholars to have motivated the establishment of December 25 as the Christmas feast day, which coincided with the popular pagan celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. In order to understand the church’s decision to align its Christmas feast with the winter solstice, it is first important to clarify that the date of the winter solstice has changed over time. During the early church, the winter solstice occurred on December 25, whereas today it occurs on December 21 or 22. During the first two centuries of the church, the surrounding Roman culture commonly associated the winter solstice with worship of the sun.[\[12\]](#_ftn12) This association was a logical one: “As the shortest day of the year, it signaled the continual growth of the sun which…became larger and more powerful day by day.”[\[13\]](#_ftn13) In the year 274, Emperor Aurelian officially instituted “the cult of *Sol* *Invictus*, the Unconquered Sun.” He also declared that December 25, the winter solstice, was to be celebrated as the Sun god’s birthday. The day was known as the *dies natalis Solis Invicti* (the birthday of the undefeated sun). The date subsequently became a major feast day in the Roman Empire.[\[14\]](#_ftn14) December 25 carried additional significance owing to a Persian religion devoted to the virility god, Mithra. Mithra, who attracted followers within the Roman military, was described as a son or companion of the sun. Mithra shared his birthday with the sun god, which happened to be December 25.[\[15\]](#_ftn15) Amidst these neighboring traditions, the local church in Rome officially claimed December 25 as the *dies natalis Christi* or “the natal of Christ.” This particular proclamation, which occurred in 336, was accompanied by no explanation. It implied that the church had long been celebrating Christmas on December 25, and no further discussion was necessary.[\[16\]](#_ftn16) Although there is little historical evidence explaining why this date was chosen, most scholars contend that it was no mere coincidence. Some historians surmise that Christians intentionally supplanted the pagan *Sol Invictus* with the Christian *Sol Iustitiae* (the “Sun of Righteousness).[\[17\]](#_ftn17) One final motivation for choosing December 25 may have been the Saturnalian festival that took place from December 17 to 23 each year. This pagan celebration honored the god Saturnus, and it involved “the exchanging of gifts, drinking, playing games, and often lewd behavior.”[\[18\]](#_ftn18) Concerned that Christians might succumb to this debauchery, it is possible that the church was further motivated to secure December 25 as a counter to the pagan festival.[\[19\]](#_ftn19) *Jewish Roots* Although the pagan festivals have provided a popular explanation for the December 25 dating, there is little direct evidence of the connection. The evidence is largely circumstantial, which has led some scholars to raise a different possibility corresponding with Christianity’s Jewish roots. In the year 200 A.D., Tertullian of Carthage reported that Christ died on March 25 of the Roman calendar. Influenced by ancient Jewish theological texts, some Christians may have believed that the date of Christ’s death was also the date of his conception. The shared date was a symbolic tying together of creation and a redemption. In such a case, Christ would have been conceived on March 25, which is exactly nine months prior to December 25.[\[20\]](#_ftn20) There is ample evidence that this belief played a part in the tradition. In *On the Trinity*, Augustine wrote, “For he \[Jesus\] is believed to have been conceived on the 25th of March, upon which day also he suffered; so the womb of the Virgin, in which he was conceived, where no one of mortals was begotten, corresponds to the new grave in which he was buried, wherein was never man laid, neither before him nor since. But he was born, according to tradition, upon December the 25th.” To this day the Feast of Annunciation, which marks the day of Christ’s conception, is celebrated on March 25. Not unlike the speculation about Christmas’ pagan roots, there is an element of educated speculation guiding this latter theory. The reality is that scholars are not altogether sure. As a result, the history and reasoning behind our December 25 Christmas festivities will remain forever shrouded in some degree of mystery. --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Kelly, Joseph. *The Origins of Christmas*. Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 2004, p. 55 [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Hoehner, Harold W., Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ. Zondervan, 1978, p. 26 [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Ibid. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Martindale, C.C. (1908). Christmas. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved September 5, 2011 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Kelly, 2004, p. 56 [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Kelly, Joseph. *The Feast of Christmas*. Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN, 2010, p. 15 [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Talley, Thomas. *The origins of the liturgical year*. P. 119 [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Ibid. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Kelly, 2004, p. 57 [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Kelly, 2010, p. 15 [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) McGowan, Andrew. “How December 25 Became Christmas.” Biblical Archaeology Review, http://www.bib-arch.org/e-features/christmas.asp [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Kelly, 2004, p. 62 [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Ibid. p. 64 [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Ibid. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Ibid. p. 63 [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Ibid. p. 64 [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Ibid. [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) Ibid. p. 66 [\[19\]](#_ftnref19) Ibid. 64 [\[20\]](#_ftnref20) McGowan **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Friends Who Celebrate Different Holidays](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-friends-who-celebrate-different-holidays/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** *![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/V8qZzmwQuy2IhjCV7dww.jpg)* When I was a kid, everything from the end of November to the end of December was *Christmas*. TV was full of Christmas movies and episodes of my favorite shows. We had Christmas parties at school, at church, at gymnastics. It was magical! But it was very narrow. Christmas, or the overly-secularized, gift-centric holiday that it often is, was the only story in my small southern town. But as I’ve grown, and the world has become increasingly aware and connected, Christmas has given way to the “holidays,” and every day it seems I learn something new about a new tradition, or holiday, or cultural experience. To be clear, I don’t think this is a bad thing. I think it’s wonderful, and I love that my kids are growing up, in the same small southern town, learning about people and places and holidays from all over the world. But as kids, they have questions, about why some people do things differently than we do. These questions arise when we eat different food at lunch, or we drive different cars, our we go to a rocky beach in New England every summer instead of the white sandy gulf. And those differences are often especially noticeable during times like the holidays, which are deeply embedded with familial, religious, and cultural traditions. At the holidays, your kids may see other Christians celebrating differently. Some families have Advent wreaths, and some celebrate St. Nicholas day. Some families open presents every night of Christmastide, then burn their Christmas tree on Epiphany. Some take communion on Christmas Eve, and some go to a midnight mass as the clock strikes 12. Your kids may learn about all kinds of different celebrations at school, on TV, or from their friends. The winter holidays include the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Three Kings Day, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, Mawlid el-Nabi, Watch Night, and more. Your kids may have questions about why everyone doesn’t celebrate Christmas or why some of their friends celebrate another holiday instead. As Christians, Christmas or the birth of Jesus is a foundational part of our faith. And while we don’t encourage Christian families to overshadow their sacred traditions, it can be beneficial for your children to learn about different cultural practices as you seek to love and respect others. Here are some ideas for talking to your kids about different holiday traditions: **1. Make sure they understand why you celebrate Christmas.** Before you explore what others believe and practice, it’s important to make sure your kids understand the faith tradition of *your* family. Without this foundation of the “*why,”* kids may be confused by other cultural traditions, wondering why your family doesn’t take part in them. **2. Learn together.** If you see or hear something about a tradition you aren’t familiar with, spend some time researching it as a family! The Internet is your friend here, but so is your local library. *Can you find a children’s book about the tradition?* Check it out and read it together. Try to find shows or kid-friendly movies (or videos on the Internet) showing different traditions. Then talk about them as a family. Ask questions like, *How do they celebrate Christmas differently? What holiday do they celebrate that we don’t? What do you think looks fun or interesting about that tradition?* **3. Acknowledge and appreciate without appropriating.** Acknowledging and appreciating someone else’s cultural or religious tradition is one thing, but appropriating it is never okay. Do the hard work of learning about a tradition, element, or meal, but be careful if you start incorporating it into your own traditions. *Are you doing it because it’s cool or fun, or for that social media picture?* If so, step back. Ask yourself questions like: *How would you feel if someone took a sacred part of Christmas and used it for their own image? Are your actions respectful of the tradition and the people who celebrate it? If someone from that tradition were present with you, how would they feel?* 4\. Find common ground in giving.** While not universally true, many winter holidays and traditions (regardless of religion or culture) focus on giving. And giving is a universally good idea! Find common ground as you read and learn about different holidays. Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and Three Kings Day all have a gift-giving component to their celebrations. Talk to your kids about the importance of giving, and how all these traditions share that idea. Brainstorm ways you could get together with friends of all traditions and give back to your community or those in need. Even when celebrations and traditions are different, giving is a way to bring everyone together. So as the holidays draw near and opportunities arise for conversations about different Christmas traditions and traditions that belong to different religions and cultures, spend some time learning with your kids. The holidays are a wonderful time of year to learn together! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Santa Claus](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-santa-claus/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6zC3dtgiSpmcNT9pCv5d.jpg)* *The following post is an opinion of the author, and does not necessarily represent the beliefs of Minno.* #### How to Talk to Your Kids About Santa Claus Here we are in the middle of Advent, as we are preparing our hearts for the coming of the Savior and looking forward to celebrating Christmas with our loved ones. But there is still the debate in our Christian community about the inclusion of Santa Claus in our Christmas tradition. Should we Christians allow our children the fantasies of Santa Claus, his elves, the North Pole and the naughty and nice list? Or do these fantasies do nothing more than feed greed in an ever-growing commercialism of this holy season? Can we have both Santa and Christ? As a child, I never gave much thought to the fact there shouldn’t be Santa included in the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Our family had both traditions, and we were able to keep everything in perspective. Going to Catholic school, the devotions associated with Advent were done on a daily basis. I knew that Christmas was a celebration of Jesus’ birth. But like many in my age group, Santa Claus also played a role in our Christmastime fun. I sat on the chubby elf’s knee many times, and assured him that I was a “good girl” all year…except for that one time when my little brother “needed” shoving. The question is, has my childhood preoccupation with Santa as part of my Christmas tradition negatively affected my spiritual growth as a Christian? Definitely not! I consider myself to be rooted strongly in my faith as a follower of Christ. And even though we really don’t know when Jesus was born, we know He was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. We have the account of His birth in the Book of Luke, and as a culture we have chosen to celebrate his birth on December 25. Even though the Bible doesn’t tell us specifically when Jesus was born or for that matter, to even celebrate the birth, we do. So, how does Santa NOT take away from this birthday celebration? We know that Saint Nicholas actually did live. And while there are legends mixed into the truth about this good man, we know that he was born into a wealthy family, and was raised as a devout Christian. Still a young man after his parents’ death, he inherited their fortune. Obeying Christ’s teaching to, “Sell what you have and help the poor”, he used his inheritance to help the poor and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God by helping others. Commercialism aside, this is really the idea behind Santa leaving gifts on Christmas morning. It was never a tradition that was meant to take away our focus from the Christ child, but to enhance the idea of doing good to others in His name. Perhaps when our children are old enough to understand the concept of Santa Claus, we can teach them the truth behind the myths. Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with combining a little fantasy in with our Christmas celebration. For those who insist that “Thou shalt not lie” is reason enough to boycott the Santa thing, I honestly doubt a game of make-believe is the same thing. Also, I don’t know of any adult who suffered irreparable mental anguish when the “truth” about Santa was revealed to them. Instead most adults who celebrated both Jesus and Santa look at the fantasy part of Christmas a childhood rite of passage, an innocent time before growing up. My husband and I never hesitated to include Santa Claus in our Christmas traditions. We have a beautiful nativity scene set up as a focal point in our home. We have had an Advent wreath on our coffee table for many years, and we have our Christmas tree lit up as well as our stockings hung on the mantle. For us the anticipation and then celebration of Christ’s birth somehow seamlessly mixes with our anticipation of Santa Claus riding in his sleigh on Christmas Eve. For me, the memories that these traditions bring to our family are priceless. I hate to use the word “magical”, because these days that word can be misunderstood as something occultish. But for those of you who can look beyond that ugly meaning, and remember those Christmas mornings as children, when you woke up and came into the family room… gifts under the tree, lights twinkling, and mom and dad somehow looking a little more tired than usual. It truly was a magical moment in time. And then when you finally got dressed up and went to church that morning, the singing of “Joy to the World” filled the hearts of the congregation with a new hope! Jesus, our Savior, was here! Merry CHRISTmas! *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Where Did Christmas Carols Come From?](https://gominno.com/blog/where-did-christmas-carols-come-from/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** **![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lT37AH2ORHSXNSHi9qTj.jpg)** **Where did all those Christmas carols come from?** Nothing says “it’s Christmastime!” quite like hearing Christmas carols everywhere. So when did Christmas carols become popular? The tradition of singing songs at Christmas can be traced all the way back to the 4th century; these songs were usually solemn, however, and came from the monasteries. During the 15th and 16th centuries, joyful Christmas carols became popular and were written for everyday people to sing. In the 19th century, what we know today as Christmas carols became popular. **Early and Medieval Christmas Songs** For as long as there are records of Christmas being celebrated, there are records of songs that have accompanied it. It could even be said that the first Christmas song is found in the Scriptures themselves in Luke 1:46-55, in Mary’s song, “The Magnificat.” In it she praises God for his mercy after she is visited by the angel announcing the coming birth of Jesus. It is not until the 4th century, however, that we find the first songs written specifically about the birth of Christ in the church. It was at this time that Christmas was designated an official holiday of the church. Once this happened, the “new feast was not long in finding a hymn-writer to embody in immortal Latin the emotions called forth by the memory of the Nativity.”[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Some examples include: “Veni, redemptor gentium” (“Come, Redeemer of the Earth”), by Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan; “Jesus refulsit omnium” (“Jesus, Light of All the Nations”), by Hilary of Poitiers; “Corde natus ex parentis” (“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”), by Prudentius.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) Between the 4th and 13th centuries, the Latin Christmas hymns stemmed largely from the monasteries and were more solemn and theological, focusing on Christ’s birth in its role in the redemption of man.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) There is little in the songs having to do with Bethlehem, Jesus being wrapped in swaddling cloths and placed in a manger, shepherds and heavenly host, or wise men from the east following a star. There is “little sense of the human pathos of the Nativity.”[\[4\]](#_ftn4) While the birth of Christ was immensely significant, it was more of a reverent celebration, as opposed to later in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, where it was “a matter upon which human affection might lavish itself,” and the imagination of the songwriter led to more details of the Nativity included in the music.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) **Late Medieval Christmas Songs** It is not until the close of the 13th century that Christmas music is found written in the vernacular of the common people.[\[6\]](#_ftn6) At this time the songs began to focus more on the humanity of Jesus, and interest arose in the details of his incarnation and birth.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) After St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity scene in Italy, Franciscans in his wake popularized a new kind of Christmas song that combined poetry with carol music.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) One of the most commonly recognized contributors was the Franciscan monk Jacopone da Todi.[\[9\]](#_ftn9) Though the change was influenced by more than St. Francis alone, he was the “spark that kindled a mighty flame.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) The kind of song coming from this period was the closest yet to what would later be known as the “carol,” of largely English association.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) **Christmas Carols** The 15th and 16th centuries are considered the “golden age” of Christmas carols.[\[12\]](#_ftn12) The term itself appears to find origin in the Greek word *choros*, which was a “circle dance with singing.”[\[13\]](#_ftn13) In 12th-century France the word could describe a dance that celebrated the emergence of spring, while in Italy it also described a dance, and in England by the 13th to 16th centuries it described singing combined with dancing, but not necessarily with religious elements.[\[14\]](#_ftn14) As the word came to be used of Christmas songs, it is found with varied meaning, but the general idea is a “religious song, less formal and solemn than the ordinary Church hymn . . . a thing intended to be sung outside rather than within church walls,”[\[15\]](#_ftn15) whose content is “narrative, contemplative, or celebratory, the spirit must be simple, the form normally strophic.”[\[16\]](#_ftn16) There are about 500 surviving English carol texts from this period.[\[17\]](#_ftn17) Today the word “carol” is used more broadly to describe most all Christmas songs.[\[18\]](#_ftn18) During and after the Protestant Reformation period, the use of carols all but ceased in many Protestant countries, such as England and Scotland, where the use of chanted psalms was implemented.[\[19\]](#_ftn19) The disfavor was a result of associations of the songs with the Catholic church.[\[20\]](#_ftn20) However, though the songs were banned from the churches, in some places they were still sung by the people, both in homes or door-to-door.[\[21\]](#_ftn21) One place where the songs continued was Germany, the home of the great Reformer Martin Luther. Luther wrote the carol “Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her” (“From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”) and translated others from Latin into German.[\[22\]](#_ftn22) In the 19th century, the singing of Christmas carols underwent a rediscovery of sorts, which continues to this day. During this period we find collections of carols beginning to be made, with one of the earliest being that of Davies Gilbert in 1822, entitled, *Some Ancient Christmas Carols, with the Tunes to which They Were Formerly Sung in the West of England*, followed by that of W. Sandys, *Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern* in 1833, which included such songs as “Hark, the Herald Angels Sings,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”[\[23\]](#_ftn23) Interestingly, this revival has taken place apart from much knowledge of the “golden age” of medieval Christmas carols in the 15th and 16th centuries.[\[24\]](#_ftn24) In the 20th century, this popularity of carols has continued, which has seen the additions of more secularized songs like “White Christmas,” but also more religious songs that more properly could be labeled “carols,” such as “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “Carol of the Bells.”[\[25\]](#_ftn25) --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Clement A. Miles, *Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance* (New York: Dover Publications, 1976), 31. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Gerry Bowler, ed. *The World Encyclopedia of Christmas* (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2000), 37. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Miles, *Christmas Customs*, 34. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Ibid. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Ibid. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) Bower, *World Encyclopedia*, 37; Miles, *Christmas Customs*, 36. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Bower, *World Encyclopedia*, 37. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Ibid. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Ibid.; J. E. Stevens, “Carol,” in *New Catholic Encyclopedia*, 2nd ed., vol. 3 (Detroit: Thomson/Gale, 2003), 150. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Miles, *Christmas Customs*, 37. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Stevens, “Carol,” 150. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 38. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Ibid.; Stevens, “Carol,” 150. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Miles, *Christmas Customs*, 47. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Ibid. [\[16\]](#_ftnref16) Hugh Keyte and Andrew Parrott, eds. *The New Oxford Book of Carols* (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992), xii. [\[17\]](#_ftnref17) Stevens, “Carol,” 150. [\[18\]](#_ftnref18) S. K. Roll, “Christmas and Its Cycle,” in *New Catholic Encyclopedia*, 2nd ed. (Detroit: Thomson/Gale, 2003), 3:557. [\[19\]](#_ftnref19) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 38. [\[20\]](#_ftnref20) Stevens, “Carol,” 150. [\[21\]](#_ftnref21) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 38. [\[22\]](#_ftnref22) Ibid. [\[23\]](#_ftnref23) Stevens, “Carol,” 151. [\[24\]](#_ftnref24) Ibid. [\[25\]](#_ftnref25) Bowler, *World Encyclopedia*, 38. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Popular Christmas Prayers](https://gominno.com/blog/popular-christmas-prayers/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** **![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sLXcw1LSMmstlySCUpM8.jpg)** **What are some popular Christmas prayers and where did they come from?** Since Christians have celebrated Christmas, specific prayers have been a part of it. It could be said that the earliest Christmas prayer is that of the virgin Mary, offered in song form in Luke 1:46-55. This became known as the Magnificat and is still used in Christian worship services today. Beyond this, however, we may first note that in the early church fixed prayer seems to have been a regular part of worship. This was in line with Judaism and its regular fixed hours of prayer. While there is disagreement as to the exact details of Jewish and early Christian prayer systems, it is clear that “Christians, like Jews, adopted the custom of praying at fixed times, and that the most important times for public liturgical prayer in common in both traditions were the beginning and end of the day.”[\[1\]](#_ftn1) As Christmas became an official celebration of the church in the 4th century, it was natural that the liturgy and prayers of the church would reflect the holiday and would include specific prayers used for Christmas. In the history of the church, there have been countless prayers used in one form or another to celebrate Christmas, from ancient to modern times. Below is only a brief sampling of prayers over the years from a few different Christian traditions. **The Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours** The Liturgy of the Hours, also referred to as the Divine Office or Breviary, includes the official set prayers of the church offered at various times during the day. They are a “prayer of the Church as a body” and a “guide to genuine spiritual growth for the individual soul.”[\[2\]](#_ftn2) Below are three prayers from Christmas Day liturgies: “We entreat You, God all-powerful: may the new and wonderful birth of Your incarnate Son deliver us from the old slavery which holds us down under the yoke of sin! This we ask of You through the same Jesus Christ.”[\[3\]](#_ftn3) “Father, we are filled with the new light by the coming of your Word among us. May the light of faith shine in our words and actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.” [\[4\]](#_ftn4) “Almighty God and Father of light, a child is born for us and a son is given to us. Your eternal Word leaped down from heaven in the silent watches of the night, and now your Church is filled with wonder at the nearness of her God. Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of dawn, that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.”[\[5\]](#_ftn5) **The Anglican *Book of Common Prayer*** *The* *Book of Common Prayer* is the liturgical prayer book of the Anglican church. The following is from the Christmas Day liturgy: “Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by they Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. *Amen*.”[\[6\]](#_ftn6) **The Lutheran *Altar Book*** The Lutheran *Altar Book* is designed to aid the minister in leading congregational worship. The following three prayers are for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: “O God, because you once caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light, grant that we who have known the mystery of the Light here on earth may come to the full measure of its joys in heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”[\[7\]](#_ftn7) “O God, as you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”[\[8\]](#_ftn8) “Grant, almighty God, that the birth of your only-begotten Son in human flesh may set us free, who through sin are held in bondage; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”[\[9\]](#_ftn9) **The Presbyterian (U.S.A.) *Book of Common Worship*** “God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord.”[\[10\]](#_ftn10) “God Most High, your only Son embraced the weakness of flesh, to give us power to become your children; your eternal Word chose a dwelling among us, that we might live in your presence. Grant us a spirit of wisdom to know how rich is the glory you have made our own, and how great the hope to which we are called in Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, God forever and ever. Amen.”[\[11\]](#_ftn11) **Other Works** There are many modern books full of Advent and Christmas prayers that are found easily in libraries and bookstores. Lists of Christmas prayers can also be found online from both anonymous and named authors. While it would be nearly impossible to do justice to everything available, below are five examples from modern books written for Christmas observance and celebration: “Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that I, who have been born again and made your child by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through my Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. *Amen*.”[\[12\]](#_ftn12) “O God, you have caused the holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that I, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. *Amen*.”[\[13\]](#_ftn13) “Christ among us, Light of the World, heal our brokenness, and bring us to wholeness, ease our pain, and bring us hope, strength, and life. Give us new heart, new hope, and a new song, that our prayers and deeds may be one. We ask it in your name. Amen.”[\[14\]](#_ftn14) “Mighty and merciful God, born into this flesh, and in this flesh living in this world, we seek the support and refuge of every earthly thing and power, and though life brutally and forcibly forces us to drop one thing after another, we return again and again to put our trust in things obvious to sense and use, although there is no hope but in thee and no lasting joy save in thy kingdom. Lead us, therefore, beyond all the outer ramparts of this changing earth to the eternal city of thy grace through Jesus Christ our Lord, that we may give thanks unto thee forever and forever. Amen.”[\[15\]](#_ftn15) “Steadfast and ever loving God, you anointed Jesus with the oil of gladness and brought him into the world to reflect your glory: Give us joyful hearts that we may welcome the Word of life and come to know you through the Light that --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Robert Taft, *The Liturgy of the Hours in East and West: The Origins of the Divine Office and Its Meaning for Today*, 2nd rev. ed. (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1993), 11. See also David Scott, “Prayer,” in *Encyclopedia of Christianity*, ed. John Bowden (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005), 966, 969. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) *The Hours of the Divine Office in English and Latin*, prepared by the staff of The Liturgical Press (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1963), 1. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Ibid., 1153. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) *Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours* (New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1976), 146. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Ibid. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) *The Book of Common Prayer* (London: Canterbury Press Norwich, 2008), 148. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) *Lutheran Worship: Altar Book*, prepared by The Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (St. Louis: Concordia, 1982), 164. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Ibid., 165. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Ibid., 166. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) *Book of Common Worship*, prepared by The Theology and Worship Ministry Unit for the PCUSA (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1993), 180. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Ibid., 187. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Phyllis Tickle, *Christmastide: Prayers for Advent Through Epiphany from* The Divine Hours (New York: Galilee, 2003), 149. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Ibid. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Brian Wren, *Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany: Liturgies and Prayers for Public Worship* (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008), 99. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) Samuel H. Miller, *What Child is This? Readings and Prayers for Advent/Christmas* (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982), 23. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The History of Christmas Trees](https://gominno.com/blog/history-of-christmas-trees/) **Published:** October 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** **![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/m9bdi57KS5mfZqJwWYR4.jpg)** **What is the history of Christmas trees? What do they have to do with Jesus’ birth?** Although the Christmas tree is full of symbolic meaning for the Christian tradition, there is no immediate connection between Jesus and this particular practice. In fact, the evergreen has a rich history of religious significance among pagan cultures, which is why some Christians have rejected the tradition outright. Despite its pagan beginnings, the symbolism of the evergreen easily finds parallels in the gospel stories, which is why the tree has figured within the Christmas tradition for over 500 years. **Pagan Worship and Sacred Trees** **The Solstice Evergreen** Long before it was incorporated into the Christian tradition, the Solstice Evergreen was a common pagan symbol in many cultures throughout the world. Ranging from prehistoric Japan to Northern Africa, from Native America to Medieval Germany, it signified the persistence of new life amid the darkness of winter.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) As the name implies, these “evergreens” never withered or died with the onset of winter. They were therefore perceived by pagan cultures as a metaphor for the undying gods of the natural world: “Just as the Midwinter fires celebrated the longed for return of the sun, so did the evergreen tree signify the continuing presence of burgeoning life in the midst of Winter’s sleep of death.”[\[2\]](#_ftn2) The solstice evergreen was therefore a reminder of the life that never dies, and continues “even when the sun is at its lowest ebb.”[\[3\]](#_ftn3) **Pagan Harvest Rituals** In addition to the rituals surrounding the solstice evergreen, many cultures conducted harvest rituals that included the adornment of trees. For example, during the first two centuries following Christ’s birth, Romans celebrated the festival of “Saturnalia,” honoring Saturnus, the god of agriculture, by decorating trees with trinkets and candles.” To the north, the ancient Druids of England, France and Ireland “decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvest.”[\[4\]](#_ftn4) Of particular significance to modern day practice is the mythology and practice of the ancient Germanic tribes. The Christmas tree tradition of today is commonly traced back to Germany, an area inhabited by Germanic tribes whose mythology incorporated sacred trees. Among the most notable of these “patron trees” were Thor’s Oak and the mythological Yggdrasil. The festivities associated with these trees were, however, of a darker sort. Consistent with Norse mythology’s emphasis on the number nine, pagan kings are recorded as having sacrificed nine animals or slaves every ninth year by suspending them from the branches of trees.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) **The History and Legend of Saint Boniface** **The History** As already mentioned, the modern tradition of the Christmas tree traces its roots to Germany. It was in Germany where the Christian tradition famously collided with pagan ritual. In particular, the actions of St. Boniface, an English Bishop who lived from 675 to 754, are often cited as the source of the custom. Known as “The Apostle of the Germans,” St Boniface settled in the German region of Hesse during the eighth century. He arrived as a missionary on behalf of the Church of Rome. After a period of successful ministry, Boniface temporarily left his mission to confer with Pope Gregory II (715-731) in Rome. Upon his return to Germany for the Christmas of 723, Boniface was appalled to learn that the Germans had reverted to their former idolatrous ways. He found them in the midst of preparing for the Winter Solstice by sacrificing a young man under Odin’s sacred oak tree. In an enraged response reminiscent of Moses at Mount Sinai, Bishop Boniface took up an axe and cut down the mighty tree. This event, which is historically documented, has come to symbolize the triumph of Christianity in Germany over the pagan divinities. What follows, however, is more likely to be the result of legend. **The Legend** Legend has it that at the first blow of the axe, a strong gust of wind instantly brought down the tree: “The astounded Germans fearfully recognized the hand of God in this event and humbly asked Boniface how they should celebrate Christmas. The Bishop, the legend continues, pointed to a small fir tree that had miraculously remained upright and intact beside the debris and broken branches of the fallen oak. Boniface was familiar with the popular custom of taking an evergreen plant into the house in winter and asked everyone to take home a fir tree. This tree signifies peace, and as an evergreen it also symbolizes immortality; with its top pointing upwards, it additionally indicates heaven, the dwelling place of God.”[****\[6\]****](#_ftn6) Other legends also describe St. Boniface as using the shape of the evergreen tree in a lesson on the Christian faith. The cone-shaped evergreens had a triangular appearance, which St. Boniface allegedly referenced to introduce the notion of the Trinity.[\[7\]](#_ftn7) **The Emergence of a New Christian Tradition** **The First Christmas Trees** The city of Riga, Latvia, claims to be the home of the first Christmas tree. To this day, an octagonal plaque sits in the town square with the following words: “The First New Years Tree in Riga in 1510.” This declaration appears in eight different languages.[\[8\]](#_ftn8) Around this same time period, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small tree in his house to symbolize the way the stars shined at night. There is, however, some debate as to whether this event occurred before or after the Riga holiday tree.[\[9\]](#_ftn9) In addition to the history of Riga, our modern custom can also be traced to 16th century Germany. The earliest *recorded* reference of a Christmas tree comes from a Breme guild chronicle of 1570, describing a small fir erected in the guild house and decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers. The tree was erected for the benefit of the guild members’ children, who collected the treats on Christmas day. Another early reference is from Basel in 1597, where the tailor apprentices decorated a tree with apples and cheese. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact birth of the Christmas tree tradition, it is clear that it emerged in the 16th century, in or around Germany. By the 17th century, the custom had spread to the extent that some German families erected trees in their own homes.[\[10\]](#_ftn10) **The Tradition Spreads Beyond Germany** By the early 18th century, the Christmas tree custom had become common in towns of the upper Rhineland, but it had not yet spread to rural areas. The Catholic majority in the lower Rhine regarded the practice as a Protestant custom, but it eventually spread south when Prussian officials were moved there in the wake of the Congress of Vienna in 1815.[\[11\]](#_ftn11) Before the end of the century, the Roman Catholic Church would officially recognize the practice. In the early 19th century, Christmas trees became popular among the nobility and spread to royal courts as far as Russia. Princess Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg introduced the Christmas tree to Vienna in 1816, and the custom spread across Austria in the following years. In France, the first Christmas tree was introduced in 1840 by the duchess of Orleans.[\[12\]](#_ftn12) Around the same time, King George III’s German wife, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, introduced the Christmas tree to Britain. However the custom did not spread beyond the royal family for some time. As a child, Queen Victoria was familiar with the tradition, describing it her journal on the Christmas Eve of 1832. The then 13-year-old princess wrote, “After dinner…we went into the drawing-room near the dining-room…There were two large round tables on which were place two trees hung with lights and sugar ornaments. All the presents being placed round the trees.” Only after he married her German cousin, Prince Albert, did the custom become even more widespread.[\[13\]](#_ftn13) **An American Tradition is Born** Images of the royal family with the Christmas tree at Osborne House were illustrated in English magazines, initially as woodcut in the Illustrated London News of December 1848, and copied in the United States during the Christmas of 1850. These prints of the British royal family helped popularize the Christmas tree in Britain, as well as the American upper class.[\[14\]](#_ftn14) In addition to the influence of the British, German immigrants also had a hand in introducing the tradition to the United States. Although there is some dispute as to which American city was the first to have a Christmas tree, Bethlehem, PA appears to have had the first decorated Christmas tree in 1747 at the German Moravian Church settlement. However, this original “tree” was assembled by placing evergreen branches on a wooden pyramid. Other American cities with claims to the original Christmas tree include Windsor Locks, CT, with a date of 1777, and Easton, PA with a date of 1816.[\[15\]](#_ftn15) **The Christian Significance of the Tree** It is clear from the history of the Christmas tree that its origins are undeniably pagan. Consistent with Christian tradition, the evergreen originally figured in pagan worship, later to be adapted and Christianized by the church. Even so, the tree is a natural symbol for the Christmas tradition. As one Catholic publication explained, “Today, The Christmas tree can be the symbol of the peace that Jesus brought, that must be re-established between God and human beings. Because it is evergreen, it is the symbol of that immortality which Jesus said he possessed and would bring to us: “I am the life; those who believe in me even if they die will live.” The tree lit by little lights is the symbol of the light that Jesus brought to the world with his birth: “He was the light that shines in the darkness… and enlightens every man…” (cf. Jn 1:4-14). And finally, the fir tree, with its tip pointing to heaven, indicates God’s presence to us and the place where we are. --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Karas, Sheryl, The Spiritual Journey of the Family, Healing Communication Press, Santa Cruz, CA, 2008, p. 247 [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Matthews, John and Caitlin Matthews, *The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas,* Godsfield Press, Wheaton, IL, 1998, p. 78 [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Matthews, p. 119 [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Hewitt, James, *The Christmas Tree*, p. 7 [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) Ibid. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) L’Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition in English5 January 2005, page 10, http://www.ewtn.com/library/chistory/xmastree.htm [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) *All About Christmas Trees*: *History, Traditions, Carols, Stories, Recipes and More*, Mobile Reference, 2007 [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) Ibid. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Ibid. [\[10\]](#_ftnref10) Ibid. [\[11\]](#_ftnref11) Ibid. [\[12\]](#_ftnref12) Ibid. [\[13\]](#_ftnref13) Ibid. [\[14\]](#_ftnref14) Ibid. [\[15\]](#_ftnref15) “Christian Beginnings,” History of the Christmas Tree, http://www.christmastreehistory.net/christian **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What the Nativity Means to Us](https://gominno.com/blog/what-the-nativity-means-to-us/) **Published:** October 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jfwgaffnSXq19xQSCkUF.jpg) As in most Christian homes, our family has a lovely Nativity which is proudly displayed in our living room throughout the Christmas season. Each year I unwrap the delicate porcelain pieces and place each figurine in their perspective staged place within the manger. It looks picture-perfect. Many years ago we bought our oldest, and at that time our only, son a play-set Nativity. At some point it was passed on to his younger brother, who still enjoys playing with it. Over the years many of the original pieces have gone missing; it’s no longer what most would call “beautiful” or even remotely “complete”. But instead of worrying over aesthetics, like an adult might, he simply has replaced the missing players with other, somewhat interesting stand-ins. For instance, I’m pretty sure we’re the only family on our block that has Power Ranger shepherds and a LEGO Princess Leia Mary! Reading about Jesus’ birth in Luke, it’s interesting that out of every possible powerful or influential person in Bethlehem that evening, the Lord chose a group of humble shepherds as the only invited guests to the birth of the Savior of the world. Angels came down from Heaven and announced His birth to these simple working class men! The newly born King was surrounded by individuals who had nothing of material value to give Him, because instead they were the ones who received the greatest gift of all, His Grace. Isn’t that just like our Lord? While my son’s Nativity lacks the Renaissance-like beauty that my porcelain Nativity might have, I think his might be a better interpretation of what the Nativity represents. Okay, I’m pretty sure Princess Leia wasn’t there, but the people standing around Baby Jesus were far from picture perfect. They were probably a miss-matched set of players with one thing in common… they were broken and in need of this Savior. Just like those humble shepherds, we all have been invited to the manger. Each Christmas we are reminded that Jesus doesn’t expect us to arrive at His side, puffed up with our own importance or self righteousness. Instead He desires for us to come to His cradle, humbly, like the shepherds–with all our imperfections. He is OUR GIFT, from the Father. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Creating Family Holiday Traditions](https://gominno.com/blog/creating-holiday-traditions-family/) **Published:** October 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6ZFsD6MZSPucRNBK8bgq.jpg) The holidays are a perfect time to think about family traditions. Many traditions can be established around the holidays as families celebrate in ways that have been passed on for years. It is important to establish traditions with your family, but traditions don’t have to be elaborate, involving lots of money or time. **Why are traditions so important?** - *Traditions provide a sense of family identity.* When our kids talk about the traditions we have with their friends, they do it with a sense of pride in our family identity. Doing this one thing year after year is part of what characterizes our family and it gives the kids a sense of belonging to our family because they are part of the tradition. - *Traditions give opportunities to share your beliefs.* Traditions around Christmas can allow us to pass on to our kids what we believe about the birth of Christ in a concrete way. When we take the time to develop traditions that guide our family in remembering and celebrating Jesus’ birth, the kids realize that it is important and valuable to us. - *Traditions give kids a sense of security.* Most kids thrive on some sort of routine. This isn’t to say that you can never be flexible. But most kids feel secure in knowing what to expect. When you establish traditions that they can look forward to every holiday season, it makes them feel secure. Sometimes traditions can’t happen or they need to be changed because of something that is going on in the family. This can be a teaching tool also, as we give kids tools to deal with change. **How can you develop your own traditions?** - *Pick out things that are important to your faith and establish traditions around those things.* If helping others is important, your traditions can involve serving in a soup kitchen that provides a holiday meal. If giving is important to you, you can establish a tradition of helping a needy family at Christmas. - *Choose things that you family enjoys and build traditions around those*. Do your kids love to help in the kitchen? Institute a holiday baking day. Do they love wrapping gifts? Have a big wrapping party before Christmas. Do you all enjoy seeing pretty Christmas lights? Have a tradition of riding around and finding Christmas lights. - *Include traditions with extended family and friends*. If your extended family has traditions, some of those may carry over to your own immediate family. Sometimes these have to be adapted to suit your family, but you can still enjoy some of these times spent together and incorporate them into your regular family traditions. Decorate the tree with the grandparents. Share a Christmas meal with cousins. Go caroling with friends. **Here are a few of our favorite holiday traditions.** - Cookie Day- We have a cookie/candy making day every year. Sometimes cousins or extended family come. We make goodies to keep and some to give away. - Gingerbread houses- We use store bought kits to make gingerbread houses. We set them up in a little gingerbread village until the kids can’t wait and begin to eat them. - Christmas lights- When we have to ride back and forth around Christmas time, the kids count the lights to see who can find the most on the way. - [Operation Christmas Child](http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/)– We love to pack shoeboxes to send to children in poverty areas in this ministry of the Samaritan’s Purse. - Christmas ornaments- Our kids get ornaments from grandparents every year. Each year when we get all the decorations out, the kids like to look for their own to hang on the tree. - Advent Wreath- We set up an Advent Wreath before the first Sunday of Advent (four Sundays from Christmas). Each week we light one of four candles symbolizing hope, preparation, joy and love. On Christmas Eve we light a white candle in the center to symbolize Christ, the Light of the World. - Jesse Tree- Another way we count down to Advent is to use a Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is a visual way to tell the plan of God for salvation through history using a bare branched tree and symbolic ornaments. [The meanings and printable ornaments are here.](http://jessetree.info/) Taking the time to build holiday traditions with your family is important. What traditions are you going to begin with your family this holiday season? **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What We Learn from Mary and Joseph's Example](https://gominno.com/blog/what-we-learn-from-mary-and-josephs-example/) **Published:** October 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0uXZl514RJu8j66aMwbC.jpg) If you knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that God was asking you to something, would you do it? What if He asked you to do something that might cost you your friendships, or your good reputation? What if He asked you to do something that seemed… completely nuts? Would you do it, no matter what the consequences were? **Mary and Joseph did.** If you go to Matthew 1:18-25, you can read about how Mary was pledged to marry Joseph, but before this, Mary became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. It then tells about the angel who appears to Joseph in a dream, to reassure him about God’s plan for their lives. Now, that sounds neat and tidy, right? It’s sometimes so easy to read scripture and forget how hard it must have been for Mary and Joseph to do God’s will. Put yourself in their shoes for just a minute. What about Mary, having to convince her parents and Joseph that she’s pregnant, not because she was unfaithful to Joseph, but rather by the Holy Spirit, because God chose her to give birth to the Messiah? As a parent, that might have been a hard tale to swallow. Think about your daughter coming to you with such a story! We know that Joseph was even contemplating quietly breaking the marriage agreement at this point! Then we have Joseph, who is a righteous man within the community. There are only two possibilities. Either Joseph got Mary pregnant, meaning he will lose the perception of being a righteous man in their society, or Mary became pregnant by another, meaning she was guilty of adultery! Nazareth wasn’t a metropolis – I’m sure Mary had to deal with those dirty “looks” from neighbors, even as Jesus was growing as a young boy. Even today there are well-meaning people in the communities we live, who count months between the wedding and the fist baby! Think about it. **Would you be able to follow through with God’s plan, if you lived during these times?** It goes without saying that what Joseph and Mary went through was a huge part in God’s plan of redemption! They are more than just a “vessel” and “nice man who taught Jesus a craft”. They put their lives on the line, even while Jesus was growing inside Mary’s womb, to protect the Messiah. What do we learn from Joseph and Mary? We can take away a lot from their lesson of obedience to God’s calling. They saw that serving God and doing His will was far greater than being socially accepted. What an important message for our kids, especially now, when they live in a world that’s much more conscious about being socially accepted and politically correct then we ever did. Are we raising children who will one day be prepared to stand apart from the crowd and choose to obey God, even if it means being laughed at, or ostracized by society? Mary and Joseph are wonderful examples to use to teach our kids what it means to be obedient to God’s calling. Has God placed something on your heart? Has God called you to do something that might cause others to look at you differently or judge you, unfairly? What’s your answer going to be? --- *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Joy & Peace](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-joy-peace/) **Published:** October 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xqBFr4kmQEmtwwLmaqyE.jpg) My 2-and-a-half-year-old is just old enough to recognize holiday symbols like Baby Jesus, Santa and Christmas lights. She has no idea what any of these mean, but she can tell from her 7-year-old sister’s excitement level that they must be pretty special. Recently I heard about a dad, Brad Henn, who has decorated his house with 31,000 lights in memory of his little girl who died in an accident two years ago. It’s near our house, so we took the kids for a drive and brought a toy for the children’s hospital toy drive they’re doing in her honor. Both girls really enjoyed seeing the beautiful display, which the father calls “London’s Lights,” and I explained to my oldest that this father goes to all this trouble so others can enjoy the lights and everyone can remember his little girl’s precious life. The holidays can be so difficult for anyone who’s lost someone close. The fact that this dad chooses to pour himself into something that brings joy to others in the midst of his deepest grief really fascinated me. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/jPTWgwBWSuCIW0dPvHv6/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) So I asked him about it. He said they started doing London’s Lights two years ago in an effort to take what was birthed in tragedy and turn it into something beautiful. “We would never be able to buy presents for London again, so our gift to her was Christmas lights,” he said. “She was our little bundle of light, so now we light up our house as a gift to her, in her honor, to memorialize her memory and share that gift, her legacy with each and every person that comes to see the lights.” I wondered about his other children, ages 10 and 8. While it was easy for me to tell my kids what London’s Lights mean, how does this father talk to his kids about the joy and peace of the Christmas season in the midst of the heartbreak they’ve endured? He responded: “When you’re hit with such a tragedy, you have the option of doing one of two things: 1. Forget about life and begin to numb the pain, become bitter and angry and slip into a place of being forgotten about, or, 2. You run to God, the only true source of hope. Without Him, what hope would there be? “Our lead pastor told me something so profound just days after London passed. He said, “Don’t ever let your pain be a place of permanence but a place of passage attached to a passionate purpose.” I didn’t really understand that back then as much as I do now. God allowed us to use something so tragic and heartbreaking and turn it into something beautiful with passionate purpose and full intentionality of being a light, a voice of hope and encouragement to others.” ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/6EXkzHlLS8CHtSApyaeE/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) Through it, Brad and his wife, Heather, have taught their kids: **1. Today Matters** *Life is a gift; each of us only gets 24 hours in a day, no more or less.* “It’s what you do with that time that makes the difference. I tell my children to be the example; be a leader not a follower. I tell them to connect with the un-cool kids, don’t look at the flaws in others but celebrate the greatness in them. I ask them every morning before school, ‘What kind of day are you going to have?’ Their trained response is ‘GREAT!'” **2. Love Heals the Hurt** *The best way to heal the hurt is to love others.* “We teach through our example as parents. We show them that just because something or someone is gone, they’re never lost. God always knows best.” **3. Peace Comes From the Assurance of Heaven** *Our peace comes from the assurance of our salvation in Jesus Christ and in knowing that we have hope beyond this life (John 3:16)*. “Our peace comes in knowing that someday we will see London again.” **4. Joy Comes Through Giving** *“Our joy comes in knowing that the essence of living is found in giving” (Proverbs 11:24-25, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).* “It is far better to give than to receive. The best gift is to do something for someone who will never have the capacity to pay you back.” Brad and Heather view London’s life as a seed and are working to see it grow to comfort others who have experienced tragedy. They collected 250 toys last year to donate to the children’s hospital, and this year they’ve collected close to 1,000. “Our hearts melt with each person that comes to see the lights, with each toy, with each parent that says, ‘I lost a child, and because of what your family is doing, it has renewed my faith and hope this Christmas and in God,'” he said. “Everything God does is for a reason. Do I wish London was home right now? Absolutely! But sometimes God gives extraordinary joy and peace in the midst of trying circumstances. We as a family choose to never let her be forgotten. She’s very much alive in each of us, and London’s Lights will continue to grow and be a blessing to hurting kids and a ‘go-to’ place for broken families that have felt forgotten.” Shortly after London’s passing, Brad wrote a song called “[Heaven Just Got Better](http://youtu.be/IZP6VtJP2BY).” The song has been replayed on national radio and across the country in funerals and memorials, including many of the services for victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. He also uses [London’s Lights Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Londons-Lights/484131078362156) to talk about his faith. London’s Lights won the Clark Griswold National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Lights contest this week, which comes with a monetary award and national coverage on a network morning show. “*May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” –Romans 15:13* --- ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/U6VScResQlCmPf1Db3AO/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. **Related Blogs…** [Families Hurting at the Holidays](https://www.gominno.com/blog/tricky-bits-of-christmas-families-hurting-at-the-holidays) [Celebrating the Holidays after Divorce](https://www.gominno.com/blog/celebrating-the-holidays-after-a-divorce) [The First Christmas without Dad](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-first-christmas-without-dad) [7 Ways to Cope with Grief at Christmas](https://www.gominno.com/blog/7-ways-to-cope-with-grief-at-christmas) [How to Talk to Your Kids About Joy & Peace](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-joy-peace) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Christmas Popsicle Stick Theater](https://gominno.com/blog/christmas-popsicle-stick-theater/) **Published:** October 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SsbCF5T7RCuzBI0sZ3vG.jpg) [Download this PDF](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Christmas-Popsicle-Stick-Theater.pdf) to make your own Christmas Popsicle Stick Theater puppets. Just like Chester Whigget, you can tell the story of Luke 2 like in the video below! [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0KOfcK9XS2WcpMhR0zT6.jpg)![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4RefNLfyR6NCtOxoaqMm.jpg) ](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Christmas-Popsicle-Stick-Theater.pdf) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Simplifying the Christmas Celebration](https://gominno.com/blog/simplifying-christmas-celebration/) **Published:** October 12, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4Md7mz3RzypIL0we9agn.jpg) I love Christmas. I love celebrating Christmas with my family. There is something special about celebrating our Savior’s birth with children. They have such joy and anticipation that we adults can rush past if we’re not intentional. In this day of Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter, it is easy for me to get caught up in holiday madness and project myself into a frenzy. Intentionality is the key to making the most of the advent season. Here are some steps that I am taking to keep Christ central as our family celebrates and looks forward to Christmas. One of the goals that my husband and I have for our kids is to help them focus first on Jesus, and as a result of that, on others, rather than on “me, me, me” and “I want, I want, I want!” The main ways that we are hoping and praying to accomplish this is by having a plan, reading great books that model this, planning activities that serve others, and making a big deal about the gifts we can make or buy for others. ### ### **1. Have a Plan** I always have lofty goals of how many cutesy crafts, delectable dishes, and fabulous gifts we are going to create together. I read about 25 days of giving books to my kids or RACK-ing\* people, and want to join in with my kids and do it all. Then reality hits and the crafts take SOOOO much longer than I anticipated, the recipes require more attention than my kids care to give, and the gift making is so much more complicated than I had hoped. (\*RACK stands for Random Acts of Christmas Kindness and amazing ideas for RACKing can be found on Pinterest.) This year, I am trying to be more realistic. I am deciding what crafts, baking, and gift making I really want to do with my kids before Christmas arrives (more about some of those specific projects later). After coming up with the list, then I look at the calendar and try to plan loosely when those projects can actually be completed. This doesn’t have to be super specific, but I am infamously optimistic about how much I can get done and know that if I don’t take this step many of the things I’d like to do will not get done. After looking at the calendar, I decide which things can realistically get done and adjust my expectations accordingly. ### ### **2. Surround Your Kids With Great Books** One of the simple ways that we like to turn the focus back to the Lord is by surrounding the kids with great Christmas books. Obviously, THE book that points us each to the true meaning of Christmas is the Bible. We typically have our family Bible time in the morning over breakfast. During the advent season, we typically read something to set their hearts specifically on Christ’s coming. This year we are reading Ann Voskamp’s *Unwrapping the Greatest Gift*, which beautifully works through Scripture from the Old Testament to the New Testament revealing the way that God has loved and used those who fall short time and time again. It goes hand in hand with a Jesse tree, which shows Jesus’ lineage and takes the readers or listeners right up to the birth of Jesus. Besides that structured time of reading together each morning, we have a basket of at least 20 great books that I love to read to the kids at Christmas. I have considered giving a book each day, but for us a basket seems to work better. We stop and read a book or two from the basket almost daily. Additionally, in the past, we have read *Bartholomew’s Passage*, and *Jotham’s Journey* by Arnold Ytreeide at bedtime and might read *Tabitha’s Travels* by the same author this year. Our older two kids often tell us how much they love reading together, and while the younger two squirm a lot and don’t seem to be listening, I am always amazed at how much they catch. Whether it’s a fictional piece that entertains and delights, a Christmas classic, or a historical book that explains our traditions, reading quality books together is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. *The Minno team has also curated a list of [10 Best Christmas Books for Families](https://www.gominno.com/blog/10-best-christmas-books-for-families) from their [Facebook Community](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/).* ### ### **3. Prioritize Loving & Serving Others** One of the ways that we are attempting to turn our kids’ focus from themselves to others is by planning things that they can do for others. I love Galatians 5:13b, “serve one another humbly with love.” We are making it our theme verse this month. My older two kids are 7 and 9. We sat and brainstormed about ways we could show love to those around us. Here are some of the ideas we came up with : - bake treats for the neighbors - make cards for teachers, Sunday School teachers, and Pastors - serve at a local ministry - taking cookies or doughnuts to the fire station - finding ways to help warm up people who serve outside during the winter - buying gifts for needy people around the world through World Vision or Samaritan’s Purse More specifically, the older ones help with the baking of the pumpkin bread and making of the treats. Then we all deliver them to the neighbors wishing them a Merry Christmas. We are looking into taking the older kids to a local outreach center to help them sort through donations for needy families. I’ve also been reading about fun little random acts of kindness that we can do together throughout the advent season on various blogs. We are going to decide together a few of those fun ideas, like leaving encouraging notes in our library books or taking a coffee or hot cocoa to a Salvation Army bell ringer or leaving hand-warmers in our mailbox for the mailman. I love the idea of brightening someone else’s day and teaching my kids the value of giving and serving at the same time. I’m certain that doing those things will bring a smile to the face of our Heavenly Father, so it’s a win-win-win! We are also playing a little game we’re calling “Catching the Fruit of the Spirit.” If we catch someone in the family displaying one of the fruits of the Spirit, we put a quarter in a jar on the mantel and all the money we collect is going to go to buying something out of the World Vision or Samaritan’s Purse catalog. ### ### **4. Gifts for Family** Our family recently celebrated Christmas early with my brother and his wife. Before their arrival, our kids were excitedly talking about what their aunt and uncle might be giving them for Christmas. In an attempt to turn things around, when my boys would begin talking that way, I would ask them what they were planning to give or make for their aunt and uncle instead. Then they would begin, or pick back up, brainstorming about gift ideas for my brother and sister-in-law. In the past they have made puzzles for them, decorated coffee mugs, and made little story books about our family. This year they decorated a calendar with artwork and family birthdays and anniversaries. Now they are moving on to what they can get or make for each other or their dad and me. While they still talk about what they are hoping to get, I truly love hearing them excitedly talking about what they can give to each other. If Christmas is truly a celebration of Christ and His coming, I want my eyes to be on the One who came to deliver us, not on the delivery of presents. I want to cherish this special time of year when things have a tendency to get so busy, by being thoughtful and doing things that have meaning and draw myself and my loved ones towards our Savior. Philippians 2 has always been a challenging passage. Jesus humbled himself for us and is our perfect example of loving others more than ourselves. I am praying that this Christmas, as my family reads great books, tries to serve and love those around us, and makes gifts and gives gifts to one another that we might follow His example. What greater gift could we give Him this Christmas? **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Thanksgiving Family Traditions](https://gominno.com/blog/top-thanksgiving-day-traditions/) **Published:** October 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/esGU69m0QQwqaZvbjTh2.jpg)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/L5e9GmrtQreyRVB9VGQy/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) The holiday season is brimming full with wonderful family traditions! Many peoples’ minds go straight to the lovely smells that filled their house growing up. The combinations of turkey and stuffing cooking in the oven, which mingled harmoniously with the remnant hints of ginger and cinnamon that still hung in the air from the marathon baking of pumpkin pies, the night before! Thanksgiving in our house was a day full of traditions and family. My grandmothers, uncles, aunts, and cousins would all get together for our feast of turkey with all the trimmings, which would also include that much loved (or sometimes despised) side dish– the green bean casserole! I looked forward to spending the day with my entire family; listening to records on the floor of my bedroom with my cousins, and the much anticipated annual family football game that would take place outside on our street before dinner was served. We’ve compiled a list of favorite Thanksgiving family traditions from some of the *What’s In The Bible?* team as well as some of our friends online. Maybe you’ll find a new tradition to begin with your family this year! **The UNOFFICIAL *What’s in the Bible?* & *Minno* Top Thanksgiving Day Family Traditions:** 1\. It’s all about the BIRD!– Yes it seems that 95% of Americans enjoy Turkey and all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day. The way we prepare it, though, does differ greatly. For instance, in Hawaii, they use a coffee rub. In New England, some folks like to use a salt rub or brine. In the South, you’ll find many families enjoying a deep-fried turkey. 2\. Football! Nothing like a good game of college football to get us into the spirit of…um…eating until we go into a coma?! The general consensus shows that football is definitely part of most of our holiday traditions!! The first intercollegiate championship game took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1876, and it’s been a much-loved tradition in many homes ever since. 3\. Everyone loves a Parade! Beginning in 1924 Macy’s has been the long-standing king of this holiday tradition. There’s just something truly Americana about a 10 story-tall Snoopy balloon somehow being synonymous with Thanksgiving Day. 4\. Make a wish!! Many families use the turkey wishbone to make a wish. Breaking the wishbone was actually an Etruscan tradition (322 BC) that the Romans took and brought to England, which then found its way to America. 5\. VeggieTales’ *Madame Blueberry!* Everybody loves VeggieTales, and this one is truly a classic. Thanksgiving is the perfect day for Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber to remind us that “being greedy makes you grumpy — but a thankful heart is a happy heart!” 6\. Saying THANK YOU to our amazing Creator! This is the most important tradition for many families and the one that ties everything else together. Whether your feast is simple and intimate or so large you need a separate “kid’s table”, it’s the day set aside when families all over our nation come together to say,”Thank you”, to our dear Lord for the blessings He’s bestowed on us. 7\. It is part of our family’s tradition to ask each person (young or old) to say a little something about what they’re personally thankful for. It’s a precious thing to hear even the youngest members of the family speak from a grateful heart. Coming from a family of proud servicemen, we also take the opportunity to thank the Lord for our great country. We are truly grateful to the men and women of the military who put their own lives on the line to ensure the freedom we sometimes take for granted. 8\. We all write in a thanksgiving journal. We love reading entries from years past. 9\. We always make a Christmas craft during Thanksgiving weekend. It was something my mom started with my siblings and cousins to keep us busy while visiting our grandparents and it is still going strong 20+ years later. Now that we are grown and live 500+ miles apart we love decorating with years and years worth of projects knowing there is one hanging in our siblings’ houses too. Keeps us close and filled with happy memories. And if for some reason we can’t celebrate together that year the family craft is decided on, directions and materials list sent, and we create together and yet far apart. 10\. It’s actually an “every get together” tradition. If you set your plate down, it’s fair game! If you walk by with your plate and we have our forks already, be prepared to lose some food! 11\. Prayer and keeping the door open for ones that don’t have family’s to share dinner or just hungry. Traditions are a beautiful reminder of what we hold dear, and they come in the simplest of forms all the way up to the most elaborate! They are truly the stuff of which memories are made! [](https://www.gominno.com/blog/gratitude-for-community-at-thanksgiving) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Thanksgiving vs. Turkey Day](https://gominno.com/blog/thanksgiving-versus-turkey-day/) **Published:** October 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/msP3LnpvQKqKH7GQEdiP.jpg) For several years people have jokingly referred to Thanksgiving as “turkey day”. I’m pretty sure I’ve used the expression myself at some point. But this year, I’m really taking into account how today’s society is truly trying to shun everything relating to God, and instead, they have attempted to change our treasured traditions into something purely secular. When we don’t value, or even believe in, our Creator and all of His abundant blessings in our life, we really have no one to “thank” for those blessings. Everything we have comes from…our “hard work” or our “good luck”. We deserve all we have. We’ve earned it. **Thanksgiving becomes about eating turkey.** Perhaps it goes a bit deeper than just devaluing God’s presence in our lives. Perhaps it has become about us valuing “self” over God. Because when I no longer have anyone to “thank”, I can instead focus on what I want and what I want becomes much more valuable than God. Perhaps I value consumerism. Thanksgiving Thursday has sort of morphed into Black Friday Eve. The turkey dinner merely a tired, old tradition, which just so happens to come before the biggest shopping day of the year. For that matter, we can even now shop on Thanksgiving Day! At this rate, how much longer will Thanksgiving even be kept as a tradition? If you follow my writing, you know I can be pretty liberal when it comes to movies. I took my youngest to see “Free Birds” the other day. How I now regret that decision. The story revolves around a bunch of turkeys, who take it upon themselves to change what the pilgrims and Native Americans ATE at the first Thanksgiving. Save the turkeys!! Because we all know, Thanksgiving is ALL ABOUT THE FOOD. There was never anything mentioned about the “thankful” part of Thanksgiving. Nope, just the turkeys. I left the theater wanting to retell the story of the first Thanksgiving to my son. The harsh winter that the Pilgrims had just previously overcome, with God’s help. How God blessed the Pilgrims and the Native Americans with mutual friendship and knowledge of farming this new land, and how the harvest bounty was a blessing to the new settlers. They had so much to be thankful for, that November, and yet their lives were so much more difficult on a day-to-day survival basis than what we can even imagine. But yet they knew how important it was to set a day aside to honor their Creator and say, “Thank you, God.” **Do your kids know the story of Thanksgiving? While a lot of us teach our kids to be thankful, are they keenly aware that it is from God that all our blessings come?** Honestly, who cares if you eat turkey or pizza next Thursday? We all love to eat, don’t get me wrong. But we mustn’t lose sight of the meaning of Thanksgiving: thanking God for all of his many blessings in our lives. My prayer is that you and your family have a truly wonderful Thanksgiving Day! May the Lord’s light shine upon you, and may you have health, peace and joy in the coming year! *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Gratitude for Community at Thanksgiving](https://gominno.com/blog/gratitude-for-community-at-thanksgiving/) **Published:** October 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/37FqSIFcQCSJuy9EihqK.jpg) It’s easy to stop noticing the things that you see each and every day. Examples: - That picture hanging on the wall - The “check engine” light in your car - The piece of trash beside your computer - The piece of your sidewalk that’s broken - Your neighbor’s Christmas decorations that have been up all year - The leftovers from the Italian restaurant last month (hypothetically, of course) - That pile of unfolded laundry (again, hypothetically, of course) As things (or even people, for that matter) become more and more familiar, they’re easier to overlook. Consciously, maybe you made the decision to overlook it initially, and now, well…it’s been there this whole time, so why bother yourself today with what you can bother yourself with tomorrow? Unconsciously, your eyes become trained to look right past it. Right past the mess, the dysfunction, the need, inconvenience and the brokenness. The lights are blinking, alarms are going off, but you don’t even see or hear them. You’ve trained yourself to not notice them. Do you know what blinders are? They’re little pieces of leather or plastic that are positioned to the side of a horse’s eyes, to keep them focused on what’s ahead. It prevents them from seeing anything on the periphery. Because horses can be easily spooked, these blinders keep them from noticing anything that’s remotely dangerous, or fear-inducing, to protect the horse, the rider, and anyone that may be walking close to the horse. They keep everyone safe, and keep the horse focused only on what’s ahead. They work well for horses. It’s possible for us to put blinders on our eyes, too. Ones that keep us safe, settled and sanitary. Ones that keep our gaze only focused forward. Do you know what works well as a blinder for us humans? ***Familiarity.*** It keeps us focused on what’s ahead, only on where we’re going and what ***our*** agenda is. When we put the blinders of familiarity on, we’re safe. We overlook the brokenness, the mess, and the chaos around us. We overlook the needs of others in preference for our own. We are blind to any potential distraction that God may put in our way, intentioned for our good and the good of others. Whether your blinders are there intentionally or not, it’s time to recognize them. “The Lord sets the prisoners free; The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.” (Psalm 146:7-8) There’s a physical component to blindness, but there’s also a spiritual component, where our eyes are shut to the God who loves us, and the needs that surround us. In this season my family’s life, it would be easy for us to live in others’ blind spots. My wife and two kids moved from Tennessee to California a year ago. We moved from an area where we were surrounded by family and community to an area where we had none. From a state with deep relational ties to a state with roots only topsoil deep. For our family, the holidays are a reminder of what we had. Even though what we had was never perfect, just like any situation is never perfect but can be glamorized when looking back, they bring up visceral memories of what used to be. The time we spent with family and close friends in Tennessee was often a bonding and healing agent when life was hard, and a place of celebration and gratitude when life was good. We knew that through this move we would long for those deeper relationships, and would run the real risk of sitting in the blind spot of so many people as they passed us by. When you have your family and close friends (who are also family) around, it’s easy to ***not*** notice the people that don’t. To forget about the ones that don’t have anyone. To be blinded by the familiar relationships you have in your own life. Just the other day, my wife and I got this email: > You may already have plans for Thanksgiving but, in case you don’t, we would love to have you join us. This is a soft ask so, if you’ve got or get a better offer, don’t feel at all obligated. But know that you’ve got a place for Thanksgiving Day if you would like it… That’s a good friend right there. That’s someone that’s taken their blinders off, thrown them to the ground and stomped on them. That’s someone that refuses to focus only on themselves. Someone who notices. I’m thankful that others have removed their blinders, and invited us in. Thankful that others have chosen not to simply stay in their own safe, sanitary driving lane, but have reached out and treated us as family. James, the brother of Jesus, tells us, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” (James 1:17) Relationships are on the list of ‘good things’ as far as I’m concerned. And I am not taking them for granted anymore. Because we often don’t appreciate what we have until we don’t have it anymore. So, during this season of Thanksgiving and beyond, my “everyday gratitude” focus is to be thankful for the relationships and community God has placed in our lives and surrounded us with in this and every season. Every. Single. Day. This holiday season and every day, I’m thankful for friends that embody faith: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – Jesus (John 13:35) Take your blinders off, live out your faith and ask God to help you notice others. Community is always a risk, but it is one someone else is waiting for you to take. *Ben Reed and his wife Laura live in Southern California with their two children, Rex, 6, and Gracie Kate, 21 months. Ben served for eight years as a Small Groups pastor at two churches in Nashville, TN, before joining the Small Groups Staff at Saddleback in the fall of 2014. Ben is the author of “Starting Small – The Ultimate Small Group Blueprint” and blogs regularly at [BenReed.net](http://www.benreed.net).* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Luke 2:11 Christmas Coloring Page](https://gominno.com/blog/luke-211-christmas-coloring-page/) **Published:** October 9, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DJZ8w88aSlmH3gnnNP06.jpg) Celebrate this Christmas with a coloring page from What’s in the Bible? highlighting Luke 2:11 – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” [Click here to download your coloring page!](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/luke-2-11-christmas-coloring-page.pdf) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vna3BRFOTUeYwFpnuC83.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/luke-2-11-christmas-coloring-page.pdf) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Hark the Herald Angels Sing Coloring Page](https://gominno.com/blog/hark-the-herald-angels-sing-coloring-page/) **Published:** October 9, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QjdO44DjTamg6uXu1bZy.jpg) Celebrate this Christmas with a free coloring page from What’s in the Bible? featuring the lyrics of the popular carol, ‘Hark the Herald angels sing!’” [Click here to download your coloring page!](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/hark-the-herald-angels-sing-christmas-coloring-page.pdf) [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/M6a4eS2ATVqZ51bVCQAw.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/hark-the-herald-angels-sing-christmas-coloring-page.pdf) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Thankfulness](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-thankfulness-2/) **Published:** October 7, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/By5D8EXSQ2itvKdvaGF6.jpg) Talking to your kids about being thankful is a great exercise for adults because it helps us not take the basics for granted. When you ask your kids what they’re thankful for and they say *food, a home, clothes, health, family, God, church*, and if you’re one of my girls–*candy*–you realize that Zulily deals or Pinterest projects that you never seem to get to are just ancillary. You already have what’s most important. Thanksgiving serves as a timely reminder just before the holiday giving season. While you’re stalking the top holiday toys and the best prices, an afternoon spent talking about appreciating what we already have can do wonders for your own soul as well. Here are some key reminders when talking with your kids about gratitude. #### **1. Be content.** *Focusing on what you have and not what you want cultivates thanksgiving.* You can illustrate this with a fun object lesson with your kids. Challenge them to create a Thanksgiving-themed sign using only existing and recyclable elements from around the house. Then display it proudly. #### **2. Designate a purge pile.** *Whether it’s a day a week or a month a year, schedule a time to create a pile to benefit others.* A mom friend of mine has instituted “Giving Mondays” in her house in which her children help collect donations for a local charity. When everyone participates, it feels more like a family fun activity than a drudgery. #### **3. What’s in the Bible?** *Talk about Bible stories that illustrate the importance of thankfulness.* Jessica has compiled three of those here: [Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers, The Psalms of David and Paul’s Thanksgiving for His Friends](https://www.gominno.com/blog/three-bible-stories-teach-kids-thankfulness). Write out the related verses and include them in your child’s lunch box. #### **4. Thanks and giving** *Participate in a giving project.* During these colder winter months, your local public school is a great place to donate a scarf, coat, jacket, and gloves. When you’re bundling your little one up, remind him or her that not all kids have things to keep them warm outside. Ask them if they’d like to donate a set to a kid in need. Or, spend a snowy afternoon inside coloring [thanksgiving-themed sheets](http://whatsinthebible.com/ten-best-thanksgiving-coloring-pages/), then take them to a local nursing home to donate along with a box of hot chocolate and marshmallows. #### **5. Say thank you. A lot.** *Saying “thank you” is more than being polite. Saying grace before a meal is more than a ritual.* Getting in the habit of vocalizing our gratitude helps our hearts stay tender to ways in which other people enrich our lives. Have you thanked your child for something he or she did today? Another great way to express heartfelt thanks to others is with handwritten notes. It’s a lost art these days, but teaching our children to write out a simple thank you note and hand delivering it or mailing it will help cement a grateful heart. With all this in mind, I want to say, thank you for reading. I’m thankful for parents who seek to make a difference by creating loving, Bible-enriched environments at home. We’re all better off for it. Happy Thanksgiving! --- ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/SQ7g07trRmadprHVs3DI/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [The Most Important 5 Minutes of the Day](https://gominno.com/blog/the-most-important-5-minutes-of-the-day/) **Published:** October 6, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nKNERvqXTNKaXddFVdP7.jpg)* *“Protein! Get some protein! You cannot leave this house until you eat some turkey sausage or yogurt!”* Not a morning goes by without me hollering these words, or some variation, at my kids as we run around like maniacs each school day. As I try to smear peanut butter on SOMETHING they’re eating or squirt a yogurt tube in the general vicinity of their mouths, they roll their eyes and promise they aren’t hungry. I know better. Their stomachs might not be growling after they downed a handful of cereal or a piece of toast, but it will be a different story in an hour or two. And then, while they’re expected to pay attention to the math lesson or play nicely with friends, they’re going to need the sustenance that a protein-packed breakfast would have provided. (In other words, they’re going to get hangry \[hungry + angry\]!) I try to prevent this because I know starting the day with a solid breakfast in their stomachs will help both my girls have better days. Days where they can focus and pay attention, where they can follow directions and get along with their friends, where they can run and play and learn. **Just like I know starting the day with a full stomach will result in better days for our family, I know that starting with full hearts is even more important.** Left to my own devices, I will sleep until the last minute, then dash through the morning on adrenaline and carbs. I snap at my kids as we run upstairs and downstairs, finding socks and permission slips and hairbrushes, and we run out the door in total chaos. **I’ve known for a long time that starting my day a few minutes earlier to spend time with God makes all the difference in the world.** Actually, it makes me a different person, so of course my day looks different! I will admit that, since having kids, my quiet times with the Lord are often rushed and even neglected completely, even though I know in my heart how desperately I need that breath of fresh air that He promises to give us each day. > The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.(Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT) **What I’ve begun to realize this year, as our whole family has worked to develop a better morning routine, is that my kids need that same grounding, that same reminder of God’s faithfulness, that same foundation for their days.** They need to consume scripture even more than they need those sausage links I tossed on their plates. But realizing that and doing something about it are two totally different things. Just ask my New Year’s resolutions to read my Bible every day, circa EVERY YEAR OF MY ADULT LIFE! Thankfully, Minno knows how hard it can be to get your family to sit down for a daily devotion — and they’ve made it incredibly simple. We are LOVING the [5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) at my house, especially [“the Jesus ones,”](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-jesus-messiah-teacher-king-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) as my toddler calls them. **[5 Minute Family Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/series/Jesus%20Messiah%20Teacher%20King%205%20Minute%20Family%20Devotional) can truly be completed in five short minutes, but just like a protein bar, those five minutes pack a punch.** If you sign up for the emails, it comes straight to your inbox, ready to play anytime you can get your family to settle down for a few minutes! You’ll hear a memory verse, a devotion from your favorite Minno characters, a couple questions you can discuss over breakfast or while packing lunches and a prayer. It’s just that simple — and it’s just that important. Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, but I believe these Family Devotionals might be the most important five minutes of our morning! > I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. (Luke 6:47-48, NLT) ***How do you give your kids a good start to each day?*** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fRxrGEvWRbOTDlSCHOWH.jpg)Mary is a writer, speaker, and recovering perfectionist who blogs at [Giving Up on Perfect](http://www.givinguponperfect.com/). She lives for good books, spicy queso, and television marathons, but she lives because of God’s grace. Mary writes about her imperfect life with humor and honesty, encouraging women to give up on perfect and get on with life on her blog, and she’s the co-author of [Choose Joy: Finding Hope & Purpose When Life Hurts](https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Joy-Finding-Purpose-Hurts/dp/1455562815?ie=UTF8&keywords=sara%20frankl&linkCode=sl1&linkId=4b3da132201c9153560472428dec3d1b&qid=1436154961&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&sr=8-1&tag=vandewife-20). Mary and her husband live with their two daughters in Kansas City, Missouri. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Who is Katharine Drexel?](https://gominno.com/blog/who-is-katharine-drexel/) **Published:** October 6, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kfKwzAn9RhSMssZgzfgA.jpg) *Photo Credit: Nobility.org* *God’s people have amazing stories! As we approach All Saints Day, we’d love to share the story of some heroes of the faith and of the church that you may not know a lot about. These are people who God has used to shape His Church. We hope you’ll journey with us the next few weeks as we take this adventure together.* All who are part of God’s family on Earth and in Heaven represent the Communion of Saints. We are a big family, and we have one thing in common: We love Jesus, and desire to share His love with others. We are His Church. In this series, it has been my hope to bring to light just a few ordinary people who had a big influence on the Christian Church. Up until this week, I’ve concentrated on people, all men, who were considered pivotal game changers in the early days of the church. This week, I thought we’d take a look at a woman, who was from the United States, and whose influence in the lives of Native Americans and African Americans is still making positive changes today. #### Who was Katharine Drexel? Katharine Drexel was born Catherine Marie Drexel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1858. Her family owned a considerable fortune, and her uncle Anthony Joseph Drexel was the founder of Drexel University in Philadelphia. Her mother died five weeks after her Katharine’s birth, but her father remarried in 1860. Katharine and her two sisters were educated at home by tutors, and they had the added advantage of touring parts of the United States and Europe with their parents. Twice a week, the Drexels distributed food, clothing and rent assistance from their family home. When widows or lonely single women were too proud to come to the Drexels’ home for assistance, the family went to them, always privately. As Emma Drexel taught her daughters, “Kindness may be unkind if it leaves a sting behind.” As a young and wealthy woman, Katharine nursed her stepmother through a three-year terminal cancer, but she saw that all the Drexel money could not buy safety from pain or death, and her life took a profound turn. #### How did Katharine Drexel begin supporting Native American missions? She had always been interested in the plight of the Native Americans. When her family took a trip to the Western part of the United States in 1884, Katharine saw, first hand, their sufferings. This experience aroused her desire to do something specific to help alleviate their condition. This was the beginning of her lifelong personal and financial support of numerous missions and missionaries in the United States. After her father’s death in 1885, she and her sisters contributed money to help the St. Francis Mission on South Dakota’s Rosebud Reservation. For many years Katharine took spiritual direction from a longtime family friend, Father James O’Connor, a Philadelphia priest who later was appointed vicar apostolic of Nebraska. Katharine wanted to become a nun, but Fr. James instructed her to “wait and pray” to hear God, and His purpose for her life. #### Katharine Drexel gives her life to God In January 1887, while meeting with Pope Leo XIII to ask him for missionaries to staff some of the Native American missions that she was financing, she was surprised to hear the Pope suggest that she become a missionary herself. She later made the decision to give herself to God, along with her inheritance, through service to American Indians and African -Americans. Her family tried to talk her out from entering religious life, but in May 1889 she entered the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Pittsburgh. Her decision rocked Philadelphia social circles. The Philadelphia Public Ledger carried a banner headline: “Miss Drexel Enters a Catholic Convent–Gives Up Seven Million.” Katharine knew that many African Americans were far from free, still living in substandard conditions as sharecroppers or underpaid menial laborers. She also knew that many were being denied education and constitutional rights. She felt a compassionate urgency to help change racial attitudes in the United States. In 1917 she and her fellow nuns opened a boarding school, St. Catherine’s Indian School, in Santa Fe. By 1942 she had a system of African American Catholic schools in 13 states, plus 40 mission centers and 23 rural schools. Segregationists harassed her work, even burning a school in Pennsylvania. In all, she established 50 missions for Indians in 16 states. The most famous foundation was made in 1915; it was Xavier University in New Orleans, the first such institution for African Americans in the United States. #### Why do we remember Katharine Drexel? Katharine had an intense love of Jesus. She had a unique (for her day) perspective on the unity of all people. But she also had the courage and initiative in addressing social inequality among minorities – many decades before the Civil Rights movement became popular in the United States. She believed in quality education for all. She is remembered for her selfless service for minorities, including the donation of her inheritance, for the victims of social injustice. To this day, The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament pursue their original apostolate of working with African-Americans and Native Americans in 21 states and Haiti. **References:** “Katherine Drexel”, Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Finney Jr., Peter, “The Legacy of Saint Katherine Drexel”, St. Anthony Messenger. Foley OFM, Leonard, “St. Katherine Drexel”, Saint of the Day, Lives, Lessons, and Feast, (revised by Pat McCloskey OFM) Franciscan Media, ISBN 978-0-86716-887-7. “Katherine Drexel: 1858-1955), Vatican News Service. “Saint Katherine Drexel”, L’Osservatore Romano, p.2, 21 November 1988. “XU Quick Facts”. Xavier University of Louisiana. Retrieved December 13, 2010. --- *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What's in the Bible? Printable Christmas Cards](https://gominno.com/blog/whats-in-the-bible-printable-christmas-cards/) **Published:** October 6, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/3jcYyKvzSYilhHqmq8UK.jpg) [Download this Sunday School Lady Christmas Card](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Sunday-School-Lady-Card.pdf). The inside says, “Merry Christmas from your favorite Sunday School Lady!” [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/R3z9OXOpRzOukZ97tpLd.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Sunday-School-Lady-Card.pdf) [Download this Clive Christmas Card](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Clive-Card.pdf). The inside says, “Hope Your Christmas is a Wild Adventure!” [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9yA3uSJKRoWJGfzmsjzw.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Clive-Card.pdf) [Download this Chuck Waggin Christmas Card](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Chuck-Waggin-Card.pdf). The inside says, “Ya’ll Have a Merry Christmas!” [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/R0tZdXRURqew9XOpHPn5.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Chuck-Waggin-Card.pdf) [Download this Buck Denver Christmas Card](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Buck-Denver-Card.pdf). The inside says “Breaking News! It’s Christmas!” [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/b7NMn3V4QcmeXiu4VVmJ.jpg)](https://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Buck-Denver-Card.pdf) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to End the Mommy Wars](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-end-the-mommy-wars/) **Published:** October 5, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ETewa1lTMK7TugyYzqWU.jpg) It was a Thursday morning at a women’s ministry breakfast, and I arrived in a haze of sleep deprivation. I was an exhausted new mom and thankful for the break, so I settled into my seat, munched on some breakfast casserole, and turned my attention to our speaker. The woman on stage was cute, put together, and very creative. She had come to us with an innovative idea, which was getting our kids to eat healthy by making their food look fun. This woman had all sorts of ideas for arranging our kids’ food. She showcased a panda bear of beans and rice, and a lady bug made of sliced apples and raisins. It was really quite amazing. I never would have thought of such a thing, and I’m sure my kids would love it. Now, for some of you reading this, this is your thing. You are creative and you love to cook. This idea is right up your alley. I, on the other hand, shrunk under the table. I was barely surviving my days in one piece, and I don’t like cooking, so this was NOT my thing. The longer our speaker talked, the higher I could feel my blood pressure rise. At the end of the presentation, I wondered if the women at my table felt the same. Just in case, I turned to them and whispered loudly, “YOU KNOW YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THAT!” Like I was saving them from something. On top of everything else, the last thing they needed was to spend their time sculpting a Mona Lisa out of ham. Right? What I didn’t recognize at the time is that some women thrive on those creative flourishes, while others don’t, and neither is right or wrong. ***We all have our different gifts and strengths, and that diversity is a good thing.*** Unfortunately, we exist in the age of the “mommy wars.” The pressure to keep up, or validate ourselves, leads us to belittle and judge one another. In order to affirm our choices, or cover up insecurities, we criticize other parents for parenting differently than we do. I think that’s why I responded so harshly to that speaker. At the time, I thought it it was frivolous. I also thought it was one more brick in the massive load of expectations our society has for women. In hindsight, I was mostly just insecure. I didn’t have the time or talent for that project, so I dismissed it as silly. My limitations kept me from seeing the beauty of her idea. I couldn’t admit that it might help some women liven their day, adding color and fun to a monotonous afternoon. I couldn’t appreciate how the speaker was using her God-given talents to bless her kids. In short, my weaknesses and limitations became a barrier to love. I think this insecurity is what fuels so much of the mommy wars. Thankfully, the gospel has an answer for it, and it’s a bit more involved than the simple command not to judge. Instead of encouraging us to leave other mothers alone, the gospel has this to say about the mommy wars: *The competition, the expectations, the keeping up–God nailed it all to a cross. How we parent cannot justify us, and how we fail cannot put us to shame. It is finished.* What’s interesting about all this is that the “mommy wars” are not new. Not the heart of them. In Jesus’ time, people measured themselves and judged others by what they did, just like we do today. The religious leaders believed their good works were a sign of success. They drew strength and confidence from their deeds, and you better believe they were competitive about it. Of course they compared themselves to one another! Of course they kept tally of one another’s failures! Of course they wanted to believe they were the best! That’s what humans do. Into that rat race, Jesus stepped in, and instead of feeding into it by trying to be the best, he laid himself down. Jesus, who was perfect, who could have demonstrated his perfection with the flick of his wrist, submitted himself to humiliation and death. He lowered himself, in order to raise us up. That is what it looks like to end the mommy wars. We lower ourselves in order to lift others up. That means embracing our weaknesses instead of being ashamed of them. It means celebrating other parents’ strengths, and learning from them in humility. It also means appreciating the diversity of parenting styles, instead of feeling threatened by them. The mommy wars are an endless cycle, unless we intentionally reverse them. The only way to reverse them, is to lower ourselves. To stop competing. To stop trying to keep up. Admit your failures, and rest in the peace that God’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). That is what it looks like to parent differently, and it’s the only way to undermine the crushing expectations of the mommy wars. I also suspect it is one of the best ways we, as Christian parents, can be salt and light in a striving world. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Jesus Being the ONLY Way to Heaven?](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-jesus-being-the-only-way-to-heaven/) **Published:** October 5, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/QGG0xZGTeOiPLOWTVMfa.jpg) We live in an inclusive society. It’s more acceptable to be politically correct and to not make anyone feel uncomfortable, especially on matters of theology. Sometimes that makes it tough to be blatantly direct and unwavering in a fundamental truth. The thing is, truth is different than just a belief. Truth just… IS, whether or not one chooses to accept it. That’s how we Christians view the truth of our gift of salvation through Christ alone. The challenge for many of us is to teach this fundamental truth to our children, while being mindful that it can be a confusing concept if we have family members who have chosen to not accept Christ. How do we handle those tough questions, like “*Do you mean that Uncle Paul isn’t going to Heaven?”* What we may be inclined to do is beat around the bush and not answer that question too directly because the truth could be really scary for our kids – not to mention pretty uncomfortable for us! But taking a different approach to answering that question may open our children’s eyes to God’s salvation plan through Jesus, as well as teach them the importance of their own prayers and ultimately the blessings of spreading God’s Good News! So when you’re faced with the question of “Is Jesus the only way to Heaven?” The answer is a heartfelt, “YES!” Share with your kids that God loves us all so much that He sent Jesus to earth, as a gift for each one of us, so that we could share Heaven with Him forever. Without Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross none of us would see Heaven, and God didn’t want that. He made a way for everyone to get there and be with Him forever! Those of us who know that Jesus is the way to Heaven need to tell those who don’t know, because Jesus is the BEST news there ever was! How can we keep such wonderful news to ourselves? We can’t, and we shouldn’t! If you have older kids who struggle with Jesus being the only way to Heaven, it’s important to share with them the scripture that explains God’s plan of salvation through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. First, we can read about God’s plan for each of us as stated in **Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.** We can then share with them that even though God loves us immensely, we are all sinners and our sin separates us from being right with God. **Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”** That’s why God sent Jesus to rescue each and every one of us from sin! Through the gift of Jesus we now have a way to be right with God, and share Heaven with Him. All we have to do is chose to accept this wonderful gift! John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus tells us that only He is God’s answer to our salvation! **John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”** If you haven’t already purchased the *What’s in the Bible?* DVD’s, Jesus– God’s rescue plan– is shown so beautifully throughout! Kids will gain a much better understanding of why we all need a Savior, and how perfectly God’s plan has played out through Jesus. Even as adults we may struggle to grasp why people we know and love choose not to accept the gift of salvation. Let’s discuss this… **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Who Is Ambrose?](https://gominno.com/blog/who-is-ambrose/) **Published:** October 5, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KezHU0QORUCzxOMpe4i5.jpg)* *God’s people have amazing stories! As we approach All Saints Day, we’d love to share the story of some heroes of the faith and of the church that you may not know a lot about. These are people who God has used to shape His Church. We hope you’ll journey with us the next few weeks as we take this adventure together.* **How (and when) did we begin singing songs of praise and worship in church?** **The answer may surprise you!** It was the year 373. At age 33, Ambrose had it all – a successful career as a lawyer, an important position as governor of Milan, the approval and friendship of the emperor, and a large estate. Then the Bishop of Milan died. A religious group known as the Arians was spreading several heresies at that time which threatened to destroy the church. One of their beliefs was that Jesus Christ was not God. Who would be elected to be the next bishop, a Catholic or an Arian? A riot broke out, and as the governor of Milan, Ambrose went to settle the argument. He called for peace between the two groups as they settled on a new bishop. To his surprise, the crowd began shouting, “Ambrose for bishop!” Being a bishop during these times was a dangerous job! Ambrose had no interest in giving up his comfortable lifestyle for that of a bishop. Ambrose ran away, and begged the Emperor to overturn this decision on the basis that he hadn’t even been baptized! The Emperor did not overturn the decision, and eventually Ambrose had no choice but to step into the role of bishop. Instead of continuing to live the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed, Ambrose chose to give his possessions to the poor and immerse himself in Scripture and theology. He chose to change his lifestyle to that of a humble, simple man. Ironically, the same stubborn character trait that he displayed while running away from his position as bishop was what he used to fight heresy and restore sanctity in the church. When the Goths invaded the empire and took captives, Ambrose paid out all the money he had in ransom. He said the best and most effective charity was ransoming captives and hostages. He even took all gold vessels belonging to the Church and had them melted down. He said, > *It is a better thing to save souls for the Lord than to save treasures. He who sent forth his apostles without gold had not need of gold to form his Church. The Church possesses gold, not to hoard, but to scatter abroad and come to the aid of the unfortunate.* > > *Would not the Lord say to us: “Why have you let so many needy perish of hunger? Since you had gold, you should provide for their needs”…Could we say: “I feared to leave the temple of God without ornament.” But that which can’t be bought with gold does not take its value from gold. The best way to use the gold of the Redeemer is for the redemption of those in peril.* It was clear that Ambrose was always more interested in helping the poor than in reveling in his power. When the emperor died, the Empress Justina, an Arian, became regent for her four year old son. Maximus, a former Roman soldier, realized the emperor’s death might weaken the empire enough for his army to conquer it. Justina begged Ambrose to negotiate with him. In spite of the fact that she was his enemy, Ambrose went on a diplomatic mission that convinced Maximus not to invade. Instead of gratitude, Justina instead set out to destroy the Christian church. She convinced her son to pass a law that not only legalized Arian beliefs, but also forbade Christians to argue against Arians and their heresy–the penalty being death. One Palm Sunday when Ambrose was preaching, the Arian army surrounded the basilica. To calm the very scared people, he taught them how to sing hymns, which he had composed, of praise and worship. This was the first time recorded in history that there was communal singing in church! Ambrose died in 397, at age 57. To this day, when we sing our favorite hymns in church, we can think about Ambrose. He loved the Lord, believed in the Trinity, loved the poor, and gave us a beautiful way to worship the Lord through hymns! *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Who is Francis of Assisi?](https://gominno.com/blog/who-is-francis-of-assisi/) **Published:** October 4, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/quBSxuZ8QvSr5AeBJGgR.jpg)* *God’s people have amazing stories! We’d love to share the story of some heroes of the faith and of the church that you may not know a lot about. These are people who God has used to shape His Church. We hope you’ll journey with us the next few weeks as we take this adventure together. First up—* Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) made many contributions to the church. Different from many others during his time, he took the Gospels literally, and joyfully attempted to live like Jesus had instructed us to live. He suffered a lengthy illness, which caused him to devote himself to prayer. Not asking, “Why me?”, but instead dying to self and finding a new life in Christ. He felt that God communicated to him through prayer that he must learn to let go of all the worldly things which he loved to better know God’s will. Then he would find true sweetness and joy! Hearing God’s voice in prayer to, “Build up my house, it is nearly falling down”, Francis looked across a field and saw the chapel of San Damiano, which was indeed falling down. He spent years as a humble workman, rebuilding the chapel, giving up all his worldly wealth. He must have at some point realized that the message to “build up my house” might have had a deeper meaning. A humble man, Francis was torn between devoting his life to constant prayer and a life of actively preaching the Good News of Jesus. He started the Order of Franciscans, and he is well known to be a man who loved animals–and who animals also loved. Christians everywhere around the world celebrate with the Franciscans on October 4th, the blessing of the animals. With the blessing of the animals, we remember **Proverbs 12:10**: *The righteous man regards the life of his beast.* Francis of Assisi is also credited as the author of one of the most loved prayers, the **Prayer for Peace**: > *Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.* > > *O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.* --- *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Healing](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-healing/) **Published:** September 30, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8SXLNiWyTZW2qR9lVCRn.jpg) I have a friend of 17 years who has a sister who has battled brain cancer for 10. As I write this, she’s been transferred to hospice care. She can no longer see Facebook messages encouraging her and reminding her that people are praying for her. She sleeps most of the day, but when she’s awake she’s peaceful, her pain is managed, and she does all she can to offer kisses to her loved ones surrounding her–her mother, her husband and her two young boys. On her Facebook page people are posting pictures of her favorite Starbucks’ drink, messages of love and support and scripture or inspirational words. One wrote the lyrics to the classic hymn: “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.” A grief-stricken father, Horatio Spafford, penned these lyrics in the wake of losing his four precious daughters to a shipwreck. The great missionary Elisabeth Eliot recalled meeting the fifth daughter, born after the accident. She learned more details surrounding the circumstances of their death, and it gave her this perspective: “God shields us from most of the things that we fear, but when He chooses not to shield us, He unfailingly allots grace in the measure needed. It is for us to choose to receive or refuse it. Our joy or our misery will depend on that choice.” All of us have been touched by sickness, directly or indirectly. We often shield our children from the realities of disease, cancer and physical ailments and soften our language in ways we feel they will understand. While we do well to shelter our kids from concepts they’re developmentally unable to understand or process in a healthy way, we do owe them truth wrapped with hope–after all, that’s the gospel. Here are some ways to talk to your kids about healing, in a way that helps them access allotments of grace, as Eliot described. **1. We believe God can heal.** We have more than 30 stories in the Bible about Jesus healing people who were sick. Jesus cares about how we feel, and wants us to be well. These stories also show us that He has the power to heal. In Mark 5:34 Jesus said our “faith” in Him is what leads to healing. In James 5:16 the Bible says for us to pray for each other to be healed. We believe as Christians that Jesus can and wants to heal people when they’re sick. *If you have a personal story of a time when you’ve been healed or you know someone who has, this would be a great time to describe that to your child as a way to connect the Bible with modern times.* **2. God will and does heal, but it may not be on this side of heaven.** Sometimes people don’t get better. Sometimes they live with chronic pain or disease. Sometimes they pass away from their illness. But the story doesn’t end there. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” When the person dying has Christ, we only mourn the loss of their presence, because while they leave us, the Bible tells us that they live on. So one day, we will see them again. One day, we will be with them again. And in that day, there will be celebration. No tears. No sadness. No sorrow. Because Jesus died on the cross, we have the hope of that day. Have we not, we hold onto nothing, and that’s where the pain of hopelessness and loss endure. It doesn’t mean we don’t hope for healing on this side of heaven, but we know that in Him, there’s life, no matter where we are, no matter if we’re alive or dead. *There’s a great Old Testament Bible story in Daniel 1-3. The three Hebrew children loved God so much that even though an evil king threatened to throw them in a fiery furnace, they didn’t lose hope. They told the evil king that God was able to save them from being hurt, but even if He didn’t, He was still God and they would never stop serving Him. In the end, God did save them, miraculously!* **3. There are miracles, and there are healings.** When we’re sick or someone we love is sick, we want them to get better right away. Sometimes when we pray, people can get better instantly, and that’s called a miracle. Sometimes they get better gradually and many times with the help of medicine or other types of treatment. These are still healings. *God can use nature, medicine, technology, rest and even love and sometimes laughter to help people feel better again. Did you know the Bible says “a merry heart” can do good just like medicine? (Psalm 17:22)* **4. We believe in God’s goodness and trust Him no matter what.** When we believe in faith and trust in something to happen, it can be crushing when it doesn’t. That’s when we must choose to continue trusting and believing in the goodness of God. He loves us. He cries when we cry. He hates when we are hurting. It’s why He came to earth as His son Jesus to make a way for us to live with Him in Heaven. No matter what happens here, we have a hope and a love nothing can take away from us. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” *My heart is heavy as I write this because I know how difficult it is to talk to children about pain and suffering. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re facing a difficult situation. Please know that “being strong” isn’t a spiritual gift. The Bible encourages our weakness, so that His strength can work in us (2 Corinthians 12:9). We do have more than we can sometimes bear. But it’s in our lack that He’s enough. The best lesson we can teach our kids in the face of suffering is how to suffer well.* Grieve. Express. Love. Hope. Repeat. When my dad was dying of cancer, prayer became like breathing. Every conscious breath was a cry to Jesus for his healing. It became such a part of what I did that I found myself still doing it after He had passed. It was then I realized how we grow closer to God through undesirable circumstances. We give it all to Him. We breathe prayer and trust in His goodness. Period. Then we find peace in the outcome. Keep praying, keep hoping and keep a grateful heart. God is good, and He loves us. --- Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Help Your Daughter Choose Modesty](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-help-your-daughter-choose-modesty/) **Published:** September 29, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/GkJy33vvRqG4F55l9o4f.jpg) Modesty is a hot topic in today’s culture and something that my husband and I believe is essential to raising a daughter in the 21st century. With more and more immodestly dressed women appearing in movies, on television, and other forms of media, we have to be counter-cultural in this area of parenting. *But how can we be sure that we teach our daughters what they need to know about modesty in a world that is full of exactly the opposite?* Today I am sharing 5 things that my husband and I are convinced helped our teen daughter to grow up to value and choose modesty for herself. ## 5 Keys to Help Your Daughter Choose Modesty **1. Discuss what the Bible has to say about modesty.** In our family, we always use the Scriptures as a foundation for helping our children develop their moral compass. We have really clung to 1 Timothy 2:9 (NLT) as a teaching tool on the topic of dressing modestly: > And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. This verse has given us the inspiration to teach our daughter the difference between the attention she’d receive if she was looking for acceptance on the outside opposed to letting people be drawn to who she is on the inside; specifically, Christ shining through her from the inside out. This has had a strong effect on our daughter’s worldview and we’ve watched her choose modesty for herself in the years that many young ladies do not. We know that reading the Bible and doing studies on modesty has had a large influence on her heart and we are so thankful for that! **2. Be a living example of modesty.** Although I didn’t grow up in a Christian household, my mom was adamant about dressing modestly and I am so thankful for that. **As a young girl, I watched my mom be an image of beauty and grace without the need to show her body or skin. The confidence my mother had in who she was on the inside had a lasting impact on me and I wanted to be just like her.** And now, in talking to my teen daughter, she has made it very clear that she feels the same way about me. I am so grateful to God for His grace and strength to make this a possibility in our mother-daughter relationship. **3. Carefully choose what you watch as a family.** With the challenge that many parents are facing as their children are using more and more technology, the need for family-friendly shows becomes more important. Over the years we have used videos such as VeggieTales, What’s in the Bible, and more to help speak life into our children’s hearts and minds! We are thankful for our family’s new membership to Minno so we can also raise our children to appreciate and watch wholesome television shows! **4. Allow her to speak openly and honestly.** In our home, we have a standing rule that our children are able to speak both openly and honestly with us as long as they are respectful in their tone and approach. I have found that this “rule” has made a difference in how our children communicate with us and trust us to share their hearts—even when they know we won’t agree with what they say. There have been a handful of instances along the way where our daughter questioned dressing modestly. From her friend’s telling her that it was “silly” to worry about the length of a skirt or how low-cut a shirt is to her favorite child actress growing up to wear revealing clothing; we’ve had our fair share of discussions on the topic of modesty. **We allowed her to share her concerns with us without judgment or condemnation.** And we’ve watched our girl choose modesty time and time again in situations where she could’ve gone the opposite way. **5. Trust God to do the heart work (and the hard work).** This one is extremely important and likely the most difficult. **We have to remember that while it’s our job to show our children Christ’s character through our actions, it’s not our job to control them.** Rather we need to submit our daughters to the Lord and allow Him to do the heart work in them. We can plant the seeds and water them along the way, but only God can cause them to increase. Raising our teen daughters to be modest is no easy feat but it can be done. By being intentional in our approach to modesty and making Christ and His love the center of our home we have watched our daughter blossom into a modest young woman. Let’s show the world that you don’t have to “bare it all” to be a beautiful, confident young woman! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Whatever You Have Done for the Least of These](https://gominno.com/blog/whatever-you-have-done-for-the-least-of-these/) **Published:** September 28, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/elkvOAHHSFq3GQizIELr.jpg) You plunge your arms elbow-deep into the soapy sink water and shove the bottle brush into the crevices of yet another baby bottle that rolled under the crib and laid there forgotten until the stomach-turning stench of sour milk sent you on a hunt for the source. You sigh a deep, sleepy-filled sigh as you strip the covers, sheets, and mattress pad off your daughter’s bed once again. Another nighttime accident. Laundry. Oh my word the laundry. And you’re pretty certain that your load would be cut in half if your son actually picked his clothes up and put them away while they were clean instead of leaving them on the floor for a week and then chucking them all back in the dirty clothes hamper. You robotically scoop dinner onto plates on this busy Tuesday night, tired from a day at work, an afternoon of errands, and an evening of soccer practice. You sit down and feign energy when really all you want to do is fall deep into the comfy corner spot on the couch and finish that TV drama series you started three weeks ago. But they need to eat and it is important to be together. Gosh it can be hard to serve. It can be so difficult to serve people day in and day out with all the monotony and humdrumness and altogether lack of thanks involved. Especially when we’re talking about serving little people. The amount of laundry, sweeping, carrying, and meal prepping involved can be so overwhelming. And the truth is, it feels like no one notices or even cares. Your best efforts are often met with complaining and whining and the promise that you’ll have to do it all over again the next day. Or even the next hour. How are we to find the energy and motivation to keep on keeping on when there seems to be no point? As with so many things in life the answer lies with Jesus. Listen to these words from our sweet Savior’s lips spoken 2,000 years ago: *… for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me … assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.* Matthew 25:35-40 Every day we meet these same basic needs for our children and it can be so easy to feel as if there is no higher purpose. But the Lord sees otherwise. The least of these – these little ones that are incapable of meeting their own needs or at least meeting them well – anytime we serve the least of these it is as if we are serving the Lord himself. With this in mind, diapers aren’t just diapers, they are opportunities to show Christ’s love to the smallest members of God’s family. Having another discussion about character or disciplining a child for the same offense yet again is actually pouring gospel truth into a life specially purposed for God’s kingdom. And in all of this, He sees, He remembers, He takes note. Be encouraged today that your work, your everyday work of serving the little ones, the least of these around you, is not just contained under the roof of your suburban home. No. This work, this service to the least of these, is counted for the Kingdom of God as serving the Lord Himself. Your work has great purpose – don’t let your everyday mundane steal your perspective of the glory of the eternal. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Turn Your Family Devotions from Chaos into Calm](https://gominno.com/blog/3-tips-for-turning-your-family-devotions-from-chaos-into-calm/) **Published:** September 27, 2016 **Author:** Jennifer Thorson **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fPU4XZJYRMm7nl3b2BMz.jpg) When you have young kids, sometimes even the thought of doing devotions as a family is exhausting. But as a mom who wants to make God’s Word a priority, I realize that hard things are worth it. Maybe you’re in this same place. Over 10 years time, my husband and I have found a few ways to manage the chaos that seems to ensue the moment we attempt to gather everyone together! ## 3 Tips for Turning Your Family Devotions from Chaos into Calm I like to use alliteration because it helps me remember, so I give you the three “B”s of family devotions. **Keep it Biblical** – There are many free resources on the internet that you can use for devotions, but not all of them are good or full of truth. Ask your pastor or children’s ministry director at your church or a trusted friend or family member for recommendations of Biblically accurate resources. Otherwise you might end up like me, printing out a Scripture memory activity for my kids only to realize it was asking me to utilize verses from a non-Christian publication (I look more closely now!). If you’d like some ideas for Bible storybooks that accurately portray Scripture, I’ve shared [four that are worth recommending](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2015/12/4-childrens-bible-story-books-worth-home.html) and that we use in our devotional time! **Keep it Beneficial** – Sometimes family devotional conversations can go down a rabbit trail. The other night, we started out talking about a passage from Job and ended up with the two older kids looking at the peeling skin on the five-year old’s feet (he was recovering from hand, foot and mouth disease). I mean, seriously, people? I giggle now thinking about it, but it sure took awhile to reign everybody back in! **When you’re doing devotions, have a plan.** Try to know what you’re going to talk about and some questions or talking points you can ask about the passage you read before you begin. This keeps people on task (most of the time!) and allows you to make family devotions a teachable time! **Keep it Brief** – With very young children, I truly believe that it’s not necessary to have an extremely long devotional time. It’s good to [weave God’s Word throughout your day](http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/product/busy-mom-guide-to-character) and then tie things together by digging into the Scriptures in small batches. If you do devotions in the morning, you can probably get by with a longer amount of time spent but because we currently do ours at night, our kids are less attentive. But we love to end our day with the Bible, so it works for us! **Aim to work up from five minutes’ time to ten or fifteen minutes.** You may find that it takes many tries to teach kids to sit, listen and participate. Don’t expect too much or make it a time of frustration by getting upset with your kids for not paying attention. I’ve made many mistakes in this area and I’m learning it’s always easier to have low expectations and keep the mood light. Sometimes at bedtime we’ll do another devotional with our older two kids that is more tailored to their age or interests. You could also have them read devotions on their own separately after the family time (we currently use [this resource](https://store.notconsumed.com/affiliates/nc.php?id=241_5_1_9) with our 8 and 10 year old). Since I’m home with my younger two kids, I can do Scripture memory time throughout the day with them, but it’s certainly fine if they’re simply integrated into the family devotions! **Don’t Be Discouraged!** If you’re feeling discouraged about family devotions, don’t give up! Your children are learning, even if it feels like everything goes in one ear and out the other. There’s less craziness to be found eventually, and implementing these three tips can help! Praying for a calm and receptive spirit in your children is so helpful too! **As you cultivate the habit of having family devotions, your kids will become used to gathering during that time, resulting in less chaos and more Christian growth.** *Looking for more ideas to get you started?* Minno has an amazing resource for families called [5 Minute Devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions)! Each of these themed devotionals can be delivered straight to your email. Some are video based (like [Old Testament Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/blog/old-testament-heroes-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan?afmc=2o)) and others we print out. **My personal endorsement:** We have used several of these 5 minute resources with our kids (ages 2-10). They’re great for a quick breakfast devotional time too! [Minno’s latest 5 Minute Family Devotional series is on the Life of Jesus](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introducing-jesus-messiah-teacher-king-a-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan)! Sign up for email alerts and get four new devotionals each week emailed directly to you over the next month. You will love them! Your family can dig deeper into Bible knowledge and Christian living when you subscribe to the [Minno streaming service](https://www.gominno.com/)! Minno is the only streaming video app designed specifically for kids where God is real and His Word is true. Minno is a great way for parents and kids to spend time watching and learning together, and then talking about Jesus and their faith. The cost is only $4.99 a month or $39.99 for a whole year (price will go up October 1st to $49.99 for the annual subscription). It has become such a blessing to our family! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What Books Do You Read Aloud to Your Kids?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-books-do-you-read-aloud-to-your-kids/) **Published:** September 26, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Jt6jOyuRO6qgvsbMlsIi_JT-Blog-read%20aloud.jpg.jpg)* We posed this question recently on our [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/ "What's in the Bible? Facebook") page: ### Do you read aloud to your kids regularly? What books do you recommend? ##### ##### Here are some thoughtful replies: > I’ve been reading the *Little House on the Prairie* series to my kids. I think it’s important for them to see how hard our ancestors worked to make our country what it is today, and that they have it very easy in comparison! **– Tammy W.** > I’m reading *Princess and the Goblin* with my 7-year-old right now, although we’ve also enjoyed *Paddington* and *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*, and have *The Last of the Great Whangdoodles* up next. I’ve read the *If You Give a Mouse a Cookie* series, *Wet Pet* series, *Cranberryport* series, *Harry the Dirty Dog*, *Clifford* books, *Curious George*, and more with my 3-year-old. We have tons of books from the library constantly! **– Amanda M.** > Any of the *Llama Llama* books are great for new readers! **– Joy W.** > My husband just finished the entire Narnia series to my 8 and 6-year-old. We love reading! **– Becky F.** > I love kids books by Diane DeGroat. The stories are fun and relatable and her illustrations are great. **– Amanda S.** > I read a mix of different stories. I am a pre-school teacher so I have many many books in my home for kids and for me. I read books about manners, sharing, being friends, rhyming books, too many to put on here. Most importantly, I read Bible stories from the Old and New Testament. **– Mercedes G.** > Any classic children’s books about the great heroes of America….my kids loved reading about Nathan Hale, William Bradford, Sacajawea, Francis Marion, and currently Nathaniel Bowditch. **– Robin B.** > *God Gave Us You* by Lisa Tawn Bergren! My daughter is three and she loves it. We also have the *Read-Aloud Bible Stories* 4-pack by Ella K. Lindvall. They are perfect for little ones! **– TJ F.** > *Here’s a Penny*, *Boxcar Children*, *Treasury for Children* by James Herriot, and of course the Bible. OH…and they loved Dr. Doolittle, the book, not the movie. **– Rick O.** > We’re going all the way through the Bible (just started Psalms). Also Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga. **– Steve C.** > *The Chronicles of Narnia* series. We read two or three chapters of the Bible most nights at bedtime – I have enjoyed this greatly. I use *My Father’s World* home school curriculum and I love the read-a-louds they provide. You can get the titles from their website: [www.mfwbooks.com](http://www.mfwbooks.com/). Don’t be afraid to read to them from a book a little above or a little below their reading level. Sit back and enjoy a good book with your kids today! **– Tammy M.** Thank you to everyone who participated! We loved reading your responses. #### **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Why Bad Things Happen to Good People](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-why-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/) **Published:** September 17, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6Lhlv3xNROWlrkYAGsAx.jpg) Whenever we face adversity on any level, our question is usually, “Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to innocent people?” Our kids must also struggle with this question, especially in today’s world, where the very existence of God is outwardly doubted. So why would God allow His people to hurt when He could easily take all the hurt in this world away? I guess one way to approach this topic, is to remember that God has given us a choice to love Him. It’s a big deal, really. For a lot of us who grew up as believers, maybe we forget what a big deal this free-will thing actually is. We’ve never questioned the existence of God and have lived our lives as Christ followers. The thing is, when we choose to give our lives to God, the world around us is still making their own choices to love and serve Him or choose to NOT love and serve Him. And there are quite a few who have made the choice to disbelieve we have a loving God, who desires a relationship with each and every one of us. Sad, but true. The Bible tells us that in the beginning, God created the world in all perfection. But man accepted sin to enter into this perfect place. Where there is sin, there will always be consequences. Since we live in this sinful world, we too have to face the consequences . When we talk to our younger kids about the fact that bad things DO happen to all of us, explaining God’s providence is kind of tough, and it’s something that most of us have to simplify by saying something to the effect of, I don’t know what God’s plan in this (painful situation) is, but one day all will be known. This isn’t a brush off. This is powerful truth. Perhaps not as comforting to a child who lives in the here and now, though. **So what CAN we tell our kids to comfort them in times of suffering?** We can tell them, without doubt, that God promises to bring good out of all things (even the bad stuff) for those who love Him and trust Him. **(Romans 8:28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.** What this DOESN’T mean is that if we entrust our lives to God, we WON’T suffer. Jesus told us so. **(John 16:33) “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”** This week out nation has faced another terrorist attack. In this attack, three innocent people have lost their lives. One of those innocents, was an 8 year old boy. My own son, who is almost 15 was angry about this death! “Why him? He didn’t deserve this!” While he’s right, this child did not deserve this, from a Godly perspective that child’s life is not truly lost– but restored through God in Heaven. As for the parents who are without question, suffering more than any of us can imagine, God is there for them during this time. He is there to sustain them through their pain, with His strength and His comfort–even in the face of the evil one. As our children get older and are ready to hear “meatier” truths, the other thing we can add is that ALL MORAL AUTHORITY rests in God. His providence, His plan, His timing; while we may disagree with God, that disagreement is merely like hitting our head against a wall. He is God…period. That can be a tough truth to swallow when we’re so used to living in a world that tells us, subjectively, what’s right for me may not be right for you. No matter how grand we think we may be, God is still God, and there is no one above Him. But even in His greatness, He loves us and really wants us to choose to love Him and know He does all things, and allows all things to come together for His perfect purpose. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Teach Your Kids to Love Their Enemies](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-your-kids-to-love-their-enemies/) **Published:** September 12, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LcjeowoXSn2YazeQKjdl.jpg) This morning I was ready to post a whole different blog. But on the way home from dropping off my son at school, I was listening to the sad news about the US Ambassador to Libya, who was killed when our embassy came under attack overnight. How unfair! How outrageous! Where is the justice? Where do our leaders stand on this atrocity?! Already emotionally tired from in the wake of yesterday’s eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the anger was welling up inside of me. Anger against a whole people… a whole religion… How different is my anger than that of the people who attacked us, so viciously? Anger hardens my heart. Anger turns into callousness. Anger makes me want to seek vengeance. How different am I? The difference lies in who I am IN CHRIST. Because without Christ, and without His command to “love my enemies,” I assure you that the anger would have and has at times turned into hate. And, honestly, even though I am a Christian, I still struggle with the love-hate stuff. We all do, I’m sure. Loving our enemies is very un-natural; very uncomfortable. **Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? …”** So, how do we love our enemies? How do we teach our kids that this is something we must do, especially living in such tumultuous times? For starters, we have to separate ourselves from the idea that the love Jesus spoke about is based on a “feeling”. It isn’t. Unlike romantic love, which makes it easy for us to overlook faults and put the other person first, Jesus is asking us to make the DECISION to choose to love. Love becomes an action instead of a feeling. Much like the action that secured our salvation, even though we are sinners and unworthy of such love–enemies of God. He made a choice to love us. Nobody is saying this kind of love is easy. This love totally goes against our sinful nature! While we are trying to step into the gap and pray for our enemies, our minds tell us, “I don’t want to do this!” But to follow Christ’s command, we must push through this very human emotion. This kind of love in action may not feel right. It may not be instantly rewarding. It certainly won’t be easy. Loving our enemies will be very uncomfortable, but it is through this action that the world will see that Christ lives inside of you! Okay, we understand that Jesus has commanded us to love our enemies. How do we actually accomplish this so it becomes a real action and not just a passive cliche’? How can we show our kids that we really mean all this ‘love your enemies’ stuff we talk about? First, there is a freedom you’ll feel from not being enslaved by anger. If at all possible, do something nice for the person who is your enemy. Show kindness even when they have only shown you hate. Abraham Lincoln once said that he destroyed his enemies by loving them. Next, we need to watch our words. **Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”** Speak words of encouragement when possible. If not encouragement, then at the very least don’t speak words of hate or retaliation. Words that would encourage peace and understanding would probably be the best. Finally, we must pray for those who treat us badly. And, no, I’m guessing that praying that they get hit by a falling meteor is not what the Lord had in mind! Instead, intercede for them. Pray for their hearts to be changed by the Holy Spirit. As I write this blog post, I am being personally chastised because I have failed so miserably at these commands. I hear the news on in the next room, and I know it’s filled with the ugliness that is happening in our world. Anger and hate that are aimed at each of us. Bringing it to a very personal level… hate that is aimed at me and my family, our faith, our way of life, our very existence. I will continue to struggle with choosing to love my enemies, and then praying for those who do harm to me. I think it’s okay to struggle at things that don’t come easy to us and diligently work at perfecting a love that is so un-natural. Will you work alongside me? Can we be examples of Jesus’ love to not only strangers but to our very closest family members? It’s a challenge we are called to undertake as Christ-followers. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, homeschooling, and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [When "Oh No Something Bad Happened Mommy" Happens To You](https://gominno.com/blog/when-oh-no-something-bad-happened-mommy-happens-to-you/) **Published:** September 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/anCSHCRyRT2ct6tXWFR3.jpg) “Uh-oh Mom!! Something really bad just happened here!!” My son’s words from upstairs reached me down in the kitchen where I was frantically trying to tidy up breakfast so we could make it out the door in time for our appointment. They were, quite possibly, the most unfortunate words I could have heard in that moment. I felt rage rise inside of me. My mind automatically went to worst-case scenario and I was envisioning all manner of catastrophe that may have just ensued on the cream-colored carpet of our second story. Was it a potted plant? A contraband food spill? Or maybe something .- ahem – unpleasant from my potty trainee? Whatever the “really bad” thing was, I anticipated it would take a lot of urgency and work on my part to remedy. And all this on top of the fact that we needed to be out of the door in twenty minutes and I was still in my pj’s and so were my kids, snacks needed to be assembled, teeth needed to be brushed, shoes needed finding, and hair needed fixing. The task list already seemed too giant to shove into twenty short minutes, but now I had this “really bad” thing to contend with. With a clenched jaw I stomped my way to the bottom of the staircase, sweat already beading around my hairline and my heart rate picking up. I wanted these kids to know how much their carelessness was inconveniencing me at a very inopportune time. I had plans to yell and make them feel really, really badly for stressing mommy out even more than she needed to be. And I felt justified. They needed to know, right? They deserved to know. It was my right as a mother to make them know. Right? But in that split second before I opened my mouth to unleash my fury I remembered something from Ann Voskamp’s book [One Thousand Gifts](http://onethousandgifts.com/the-book). I remembered. And slowly the truth of the words I had read months before seeped between the angry places of my heart: *What compels me to name these moments upheavals and annoyances instead of grace and gift? … The swiftness and starkness of the answer startle. Because you believe in the power of the pit … Do I really smother my own joy because I believe that anger achieves more than love? That Satan’s way is more powerful, more practical, more fulfilling than Jesus’ way?* I had a choice – a choice – right then and there to allow my perceived right to give into anger over the annoyance of my situation to overtake the Holy Spirit within me capable of reacting with love, peace, patience, and self-control. In that moment it was my choice to choose light or darkness. Praise the Lord He gave me strength to choose rightly and I held my breath and determined to react well to whatever lied ahead of me as I waited for my son to respond to my question of, “Ok … tell me what happened?” And do you want to know what happened? What that “something really bad” actually was? My five-year-old boy had pretended to use one of those cheap white plastic hangers, the kind that cost like $1 for a dozen, as a bow with an invisible arrow, accidentally snapped the bottom part in half, and incurred a small scrape on his forearm from the ragged edge. That was all. That was truly the extent of it. It could have been worse. And let’s be real, there have been other times when it was way, way worse. But the truth of it all is that I always have a choice to control my reaction to any situation, no matter how bad it might really be. In the heat of the moment I can always choose to respond with my flesh or respond instead with gentleness and kindness made possible through the limitless and always-present power of the Holy Spirit. We always have a choice, friends. And for the sake of little eyes watching and tiny hearts that need to be pointed to Jesus, I encourage you today to choose well. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Giving Grace After a Trip to the Dentist](https://gominno.com/blog/giving-grace-after-a-trip-to-the-dentist/) **Published:** September 2, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IorRMMfpSDquxlS1orBw.jpg) I ushered my son quickly out of the dentist’s office, head down and face flushed. After the spectacle we had just created I felt a hundred pairs of eyes staring at me. Just keep walking, I thought to myself, just get to the van. Once we had retreated to the van where I no longer felt the judgmental glares from the supposedly kid-friendly hygienist, I took a deep breath and turned back to my son who had quietly buckled himself into his car seat. He looked back at me with nervous eyes. “Am I going to be punished?” He asked me. “I don’t know buddy. I just need a minute to think.” Truthfully, I needed a moment – a few moments – to reflect on what had just happened and how exactly I was supposed to handle this situation. I had just taken my son to the dentist for the first time. At five-and-a-half he was cognizant enough to know how he should behave and realize he could trust my words that the dentist was going to do nothing more than look in his mouth and clean his teeth with a special sort of electric toothbrush. I warned him of the funny, sandy texture of the toothpaste they would be using but other than that, nothing would be too out of the ordinary. Before we left home that morning he seemed to understand those things and although I could tell he was nervous, I thought he would choose to be brave and go forward with the cleaning appointment. How wrong I was. He started crying and buried his head into my lap the moment they called his name in the waiting room. He refused to walk back to the hygienist’s chair and it was only some sort of half-dragging motion on my part that got him back there. Once in the room he screamed uncontrollably, tears and snot mingling in a disgusting trickle down his beet-red face. Seeing how anxious he was the hygienist told me all they wanted to do was look in his mouth with a mirror and brush his teeth with a normal toothbrush and the same sparkly blue toothpaste we used at home. I thought maybe this modification to the dental plan would motivate my son to choose bravery and self-control over the spectacle he was creating. Again, so very wrong. He continued to scream and cry and refused to be consoled. I tried to remain calm and whisper in his ear words I know usually motivated him to make better behavior choices – words on self-control and making daddy proud and trusting mommy’s words that nothing would hurt. Still no luck. With my son still sobbing and continuing his personal mission of noncompliance, the dentist and I decided to abort the mission and try again another time. The hygienist glared at me as we walked out, nonverbally communicating as much disapproval as she possibly could. Truthfully her lack of compassion did not bother too much. I had a much bigger issue to deal with. Clearly my son had behaved poorly and made choices that I wish he had not made. To make matters a little more complicated, we had planned to meet some friends at a lego playplace after the dentist appointment. After the way he had acted at the appointment I was at a loss – should we still keep our plans with friends or in doing so would I actually be rewarding his behavior? If we went and had fun with friends would I create this expectation that actions have no consequences and even when we behave less than ideally we can still get the fun things we want? I started to pray. I asked the Lord to please guide me in this decision and told Him I needed to know what the right thing was in this moment. I needed to know if I should punish my son for his behavior or extend grace to my little boy who had acted so irrationally out of fear. And He spoke gently to my heart as only the Father can. Sarah, how do I respond when you’ve acted out of fear? It was a moment of clarity. I thought about the times when I had stomped my foot down in anger and pride and told the Lord I did not want to walk in certain paths He was calling me to. I thought about all the times when my heart was hardened and I refused to apologize to someone I had wronged. I thought about the many days I have had that were filled with anxiety and worry instead of trust. I thought about all those times when I behaved in a way that was embarrassingly uncharacteristic for a child of God. And do you know how He responded to me in those times? Not with punishment or retribution but rather a gentle kindness and grace that lead my heart to repentance. We drove to the lego playplace in silence. When we parked my son said, “Why are we here?” I turned back to look at him, “Buddy, do you know what grace means?” He shook his head no. I continued, “Grace means you get something you don’t deserve. It’s like how Jesus died for us when we didn’t deserve the gift of heaven because of our sin. You acted pretty crazy there at the dentist’s office, but I still want to give you something fun and something special, just like Jesus wants us to have heaven even though we are sinners. We are here because I want to show you grace.” My son unbuckled his carseat, walked over to me, wrapped his little arms around my neck, and squeezed as tightly as he could. In that moment he understood. And my heart was flooded with relief and conformation that I had made the right decision. That experience at the dentist’s office was certainly unpleasant. But I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had to demonstrate the rather abstract concept of grace to my young son in a very tangible way. If he remembers anything from that day I hope it is that even when he didn’t deserve something good, he received something wonderful. And I hope that experience forever points him to the grace-filled love of our Savior. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [A Letter To My Daughter About Baptism](https://gominno.com/blog/a-letter-to-my-daughter-about-baptism/) **Published:** September 1, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0PXWk0rlQS2QTG1JwFm4.jpg) When my daughter began to ask about baptism about a year ago at age 6, I wanted her to make the decision based on knowledge and not just out of curiosity. I wanted her to know what making a step to follow Christ was for, and not just what it saved us against. We had a series of small conversations. I asked her questions about what she was learning in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Turns out she pretty much had the basics down of what baptism meant. As an adult, I still struggle with faith, doubt and theology, so I didn’t expect a 7 year old to have a better grasp on it than I do. But that’s what’s beautiful about the faith of a child. They take God at His Word. Their hearts are tender to hearing the still, small voice of a Savior. And I, for one, will do my best to step out of the way and not mess that up. Still, I wanted to give my daughter something substantial that would set the tone for the next phase of her walk with Christ, and a letter seemed appropriate, since we sometimes write notes to each other in a journal. My husband read it and agreed, so I placed it on the kitchen table in a special envelope for her to find the Friday before she was baptized. It read: *Dear Daughter,* *I’m overjoyed that you’re getting baptized this weekend. You’ve repented and accepted Jesus as your savior and now you’re taking the next step of baptism, which washes away your sins.* *You know how we read in the Bible about Jesus and the very first church that ever was? This is how it started: with baptism—just like you’re going to do this weekend!* *In the Bible in Acts chapter two, the first people who made a church for Jesus started by getting baptized in Jesus’ name! It’s now nearly 2,000 years later, and people are added to church the same way. Here’s the scripture:* *“Peter replied, ‘Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church–about three thousand in all.” Acts 2:38, 41* *The act of baptism is symbolic. There’s nothing physically that changes when you go in and out the water. But it symbolizes (represents) that your sins are being washed away forever. There’s nothing that can ever separate you from the love Jesus has for you.* *As I’ve told you before, there’s nothing you could ever do that could make me love you less. It’s the same with Jesus. Jesus is God. He created you. He gave you to Mommy and Daddy as a gift. He has a purpose for your life. You will do great things in your life that help other people, and you will shine like a light. You already do.* *You are a Christian. Mommy and Daddy are Christians. It’s just a term to describe our religion and our faith in God and it means “follower of Christ.” It means we try to follow Jesus Christ’s example of how to act and treat people. It also means that we believe He is God. We follow him because God created us “to be in relationship” with Him. “To be in relationship with” means like you and I are mother and daughter. You and Ellie are friends. These are examples of relationships and you treat people certain ways that you’re in relationship with (kindness, respect).* *As we’ve talked about before, the most important goal of being a Christian is found in the Bible in Matthew chapter 22: “Love the Lord your God will all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”* *As you grow up, you will want to learn how to pray every day to Jesus and talk to Him just like you talk to your friends or to your parents. You’ll want to learn scriptures in the Bible (like the ones I put in your lunch box) because they help you know how to live a better life and how to please God.* *If you ever have questions about anything, you can always ask Mommy and Daddy. If we don’t know the answer, we will help you pray about them or help you find answers.* *I love you more than the world. You’ve made our lives so incredibly special, because you are so incredibly special.* *Love,* *Mommy* She spent quite a bit of time reading it. I asked her if she understood, and if she had any questions. She wrapped her arms around my neck, climbed up in my lap and thanked me for writing it. I held her until she was ready to get down. She was ready to be baptized and so happy about it. Two days later she was baptized by her great-uncle in the same church I was baptized in by my grandfather (his father) when I was 7. Before she was baptized, her 89-year-old great-grandmother laid hands on her and prayed a blessing. It was a ceremony full of wonder and heritage, and one that’s renewed my faith to be more childlike as well. I don’t know if she’ll reference the letter from time to time. I hope she does. But I hope even more that she references the lives and faith of those around her who have faithfully served The Lord for many years. After all, our lives are the best letter we can ever write to our kids. *Editor’s Note: The team at Minno acknowledges that there are many different traditions when it comes to Christian baptism. The views of the author do not necessarily reflect the views of Jellyfish Labs or What’s in the Bible?.* *Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch church’d.com. The former editorial director for Relevant Media Group, her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post and CNN, and she’s been quoted in USA Today and The New York Times. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called Community PTO to support the success of local community schools.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Gossip](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-gossip/) **Published:** August 29, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fD8rzCYORgKuqcTGkVFE.jpg) Most of us have fallen prey to idle gossip. It’s something that is often times subtle and rather ambiguous in and of itself. Perhaps it’s not the blatantly hateful water cooler discussions at the office, but the few words spoken in “concern” about someone’s appearance, actions, or short-comings with another friend or co-worker. Gossip derives from the idea of “whispering”. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, “gossip” means “To indulge in idle talk or rumors about others; spreading of sensational stories.” Gossip is a close cousin to slander, which is referred to as, “malicious talk; to spread damaging information;to defame”. Here’s one to wake you up, to further solidify how evil talking about others is in God’s eyes, the Bible calls Satan, “accuser of the brethren.” (Rev. 12:10). Paul talks about gossip in Romans. Notice how he clumps this rather subtle sin in with such things as murderers and God-haters! **(Romans 1:28-32) “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”** Okay, if that got your attention, like it did mine, it’s time to start being mindful about what comes out of our mouths. While I can honestly tell you I haven’t slipped up and committed a little murder here and there, I have slipped up and spoken negatively about others. According to Paul, those actions…my little slip ups, deserve the same punishment as that of a murderer. Death. Whoa!! As we all know, there is no more effective way to teach our children than by our own actions and words. I guarantee, if you desire that your children learn to speak words of love and kindness, like Jesus, about others– and yet they hear you talking about others in a negative way–they will DO AS YOU DO! (**James 1:26**) Surprisingly, Thumper’s mom was NOT the first one who came up with the brilliant advice of, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” It’s actually a Biblical truth found in **Ephesians 4:29**. If you have genuine concerns about someone and have true intent to help them, go to this person directly. Criticism can never be “constructive” if it’s expressed to a third party. In the same aspect, if a friend comes to you for advice, don’t betray this confidence. Stay trustworthy. Reinforce these ideas with your children when you have the chance – if you hear your child speaking negatively about someone else, remind them that they would not want someone to talk about them that way. Avoid hanging out with people who gossip, and if a friend starts talking negatively about someone and you think the conversation is heading into gossip or slander, stop your friend–in brotherly/sisterly love. Remind them of what God’s Word teaches us. Speak positively about friends, co-workers and even strangers. Let your “little light” shine out from your words and actions. Be an example of Jesus to your children and other adults. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Bible Journaling with Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/bible-journaling-with-kids/) **Published:** August 16, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VqOUvNUwQeKxWmB97OfJ.jpg)* *You may have seen Bible journaling, or [Illustrated Faith](https://www.illustratedfaith.com/), filling up your Instagram feed over the last year or so. Popularized by Illustrated Faith and its founder Shanna Noel, Bible journaling is a popular spiritual practice for many Christian women. At Minno, we see a lot of potential for Bible journaling to be an amazing family experience and a great way to get your kids into the Word of God! Arden Ratcliff-Mann, a popular Instagram artist and children’s pastor in Kansas City, writes below the supplies needed to start Bible journaling. Over the course of our blog series on Bible journaling, Arden will cover how to start Bible journaling and how to Bible journal with kids. Check out the first post in the series [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introduction-to-bible-journaling), the supplies you need [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-start-bible-journaling) and Arden’s secret to Bible journaling [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/the-secret-to-bible-journaling).* I’ve already shared several reasons why Bible journaling has become a meaningful devotional practice for me, but another reason I love it is that it can be a fun way to get kids excited about spending time in the Word. Bible journaling probably won’t be a good fit for every kid, but if your children enjoy coloring, it might be an activity to try with them. I always think it’s helpful when first introducing the idea to kids to show them lots of examples of the different ways people journal their faith. I like to show examples from Instagram or Pinterest where journalers have used stickers, stamps, markers, watercolors, etc. One of my favorite Bible journalers on Instagram to share with kids is [Wes Molebash](https://www.instagram.com/thewesmolebash/?hl=en); he draws cartoons in his Bible of the Bible stories he’s studying, and those are always a hit with kids! When it comes to what supplies to use with kids, I think anything already in their art arsenal is free game! A special journaling Bible probably isn’t necessary for young children; they can use a journal or a regular Bible. I have friends who have encouraged their younger kids to journal in a regular children’s Bible, and then when they reach a certain age have gifted them a journaling Bible. With younger kids, I always think it’s best to encourage them to journal Bible stories that are already familiar to them & lend themselves well to illustration—stories like David & Goliath, Jonah & the Whale, baby Moses floating down the Nile, or Jesus in the manger. You can always try to find Bible stories that match their interests. If your child loves princesses, maybe have her draw Queen Esther as you tell her Esther’s story. If your kids love animals, you could direct them to Daniel in the lion’s den, or the sheep & shepherd in Psalm 23, or the creation story. Supplies like stickers, die cuts, or big stamps can be helpful for younger kids. You can even print off lion coloring pages online, have your child color them, and then cut them out and help him glue them in the Bible to illustrate Daniel’s story. For older kids and teens, I like to try to direct them to verses that have good imagery. Verses that mention mountains (like Isaiah 54:10) or light (like Matthew 5:14-16) are good examples. Passages like these can also help you encourage your kids to think more deeply about what kinds of images come to their minds when they read Scripture. What are different ways to represent light? The sun, a lightbulb, a flashlight, a lantern, stars—which of these images do they see when they read Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world”? I also like to encourage older kids to break away from the familiar crayons and markers and try different mediums, like acrylic paint, watercolors, or pastels. I don’t have kids of my own yet, but have introduced Bible journaling to kids in Sunday School and other groups at church several times. In those settings, I have always encouraged kids to journal on a separate piece of paper, or I’ve made photocopies of a Bible pages and let them draw on that. Just knowing that parents might have different opinions on the appropriateness of writing in a Bible, I haven’t let kids in Sunday School color directly in their Bibles. So if you lead a children’s Sunday School class or other church group, you might consider trying Bible journaling with them! *Arden Ratcliff-Mann has an MDiv from Candler School of Theology and currently serves as the Associate Director of Children’s Ministries at Liberty United Methodist Church. Originally from Franklin, TN, she now lives in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Biff and adorable cat Loki.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [On Sending My Son to Kindergarten](https://gominno.com/blog/on-sending-my-son-to-kindergarten/) **Published:** August 11, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/LDWFe7axQYOiHMUgJbx2/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) I don’t know where it came from. I had only planned to pop into the elementary school office, pick up the hefty Kindergarten registration packet for my son, and proceed with my day – which included a trip to Target alone (#winning!). The hot tears that burned in the corners of my eyes and threatened to spill down onto said registration packet caught me totally off guard. But there I sat, alone in my minivan, weeping. I grabbed a fistful of spare fast food napkins from my glove compartment and buried my face into them. The torrent of emotions was real. As the flash flood turned into more of a light drizzle, I started to think about where all of these tears had come from. Why had the simple act of picking up the paperwork for my firstborn’s school registration elicited such a deep emotional response? What feelings had it triggered? A bit of prayer and introspection lead me to these thoughts: I wept because I was grieving the end of an era. My son was entering school now. No longer would he be home all day, every day, with countless opportunities to build lego creations together, get our fingers sticky with glue over an art project, or sit shoulder to shoulder, a bowl of popcorn between us, watching his favorite movie. Now we’d have school schedules, homework, and legit bedtimes to contend with. My heart grieved the end of that freedom, the end of that pre-school era. I cried because I felt guilty. Well over half of my girlfriends homeschool their children. I had naturally assumed that, when the time came, I would follow suit. But after some honest attempts at a homeschool preschool program, it became very clear that neither my son nor I were cut out for this sort of educational situation. But why? Shouldn’t I, as his mother, be able to homeschool him? Shouldn’t I be able to figure it out? Enrolling him in the local public school felt like an admission of failure on my part to rise up in this role of educator. I cried because I was fearful. I truly don’t know a single soul at that school, from teacher to student or anywhere in between. In some sense I feel like I’m sending my sweet little lamb into a den of prowling wolves. I don’t know with whom he will interact with on a daily basis or how they will treat him or even where his classroom will be. I’ve been able to control almost every part of his environment up until this point – sending him into the unknown this way turns my stomach into knots. After mulling over these thoughts for a while and dabbing away a few spare tears I decided to lay all these concerns down at the feet of my Father. And the Lord, being as gracious and kind as He is, was faithful to meet my insecurities and questions with truths about this new school situation. It is the end of an era, but good things are still to come. You have done well to fully soak up the moments he had while at home. All opportunities to continue to enjoy your son are not lost. Homeschooling is not for everyone. And what if I have your son and your family in that school to be missionaries? There are lost souls in that school for you to find and influence, opportunities you would not have had otherwise. See the potential for Me that awaits. Come August you will meet the teacher, meet the fellow students, walk the hallways. It won’t be so scary then. Just be patient. And if you still feel unsettled, you aren’t stuck. You can make a change anytime. I dried my tears and took a deep breath, grateful for these truths God had spoken to my heart and His perfect love that had at least knocked the edge off my fears. I would be lying if I said I don’t still struggle with these thoughts and anxieties of sending my son off to Kindergarten. But I know God is faithful both to me and to my son and has a carefully crafted story penned for each one of us, a purpose for each of our days. There may be hesitations and uncertainties on my part, there will most assuredly be tears, but as I stand at the bus stop waving goodbye to my blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy as he boards his first-ever school bus, I can stand confidently knowing the same God who dried my tears that day goes before and behind my son. God has great plans for him I need only pray and follow where the Lord leads and not allow my grief, my guilt, or my fears stand in the way. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Host an EASY Kid-Friendly Olympics Watch Party](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-host-a-kid-friendly-olympics-watch-party/) **Published:** August 3, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/xkbOjgJGRJu88HLkWNEh/convert?width=800&quality=80) The Rio Summer Olympics kick off this weekend, and what better way to celebrate than with a kid-friendly watch party the whole family can enjoy? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways you can celebrate the Olympics and make the games super special for your kids. Some of our favorite childhood memories came from watching amazing Olympic moments … I’m sure you can think of a few yourself! ## Here are our top 5 EASY ways to throw a kid-friendly Olympics watch party: ### 1. Download our FREE Olympics activity pack for coloring pages, games and more fun! Learn more and download the free pack [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/free-summer-olympics-activity-pack). The Olympics activity pack includes verse coloring pages, suggestions to host your own backyard Olympics, Olympics bingo and more! ### 2. Decorate with world flags We love the idea of using the Olympics to learn all about new countries! It’s a great opportunity to pull out your globe (or Google Maps!) and find countries as their athletes compete. Check out this [free world flag printable](http://mrprintables.com/printable-world-flags.html) to download the perfect party decor. ### 3. Make Olympic rings of fruit We LOVE this adorable idea for an edible decoration! Fill 5 bundt pans each with a different color fruit to make a delicious version of the Olympic rings, perfect for your table’s centerpiece. Get more details (and plenty of other ideas!) [from Snap Happy Mom here](http://www.snaphappymom.com/olympics-birthday-party/). ### 4. Make Brazilian food The summer Olympics are the perfect opportunity to try some new foods from Brazil, this year’s host country. Check out this [Brazilian food slideshow from Epicurious](http://www.epicurious.com/recipes-menus/brazilian-recipes-for-rio-olympics-gallery) for ideas … we think those chocolate brigadeiros would be a hit with the whole family! (We suggest substituting some yummy lemonade for the grown-up drinks they recommend 🙂 ) ### 5. Olympics sidewalk chalk photo booth We think [this is the cutest kid photo booth](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/sidewalk-chalk-props_n_1677608.html?slideshow=true#gallery/237736/23) we’ve seen in a while! Use sidewalk chalk to make different Olympic scenes, like swimming or gymnastics, and take pictures of kiddos posing like they are competing in those events. Adorable! Happy Olympics watching! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Free Summer Olympics Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/blog/free-summer-olympics-activity-pack/) **Published:** August 1, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/cPtfyr6TQpSPF8HoVX2u/convert?width=757&quality=80) It’s time for the summer Olympics … a much-celebrated and anticipated event here at the Minno offices! We love watching gifted athletes from all over the world come together for two weeks of amazing drama, competition and fun. Watching the Olympics is a GREAT way to spend time as a family this August! To help you make the most of this every-4-year tradition, we’ve created a super fun and FREE Summer Olympics Activity Pack for your whole family to enjoy! ## Download the FREE Summer Olympics Activity Pack from Minno here: Loading… Having trouble with the form? [Click here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBtNt1MCTt7PvqVQ8K4NnRKz0hBdGxH2HAKS8SUvSESU2A1A/viewform). The Summer Olympics pack includes … **– Summer Olympics Family Calendar** *This fun calendar is perfect to hang on your fridge! It includes one fun family activity idea for every day of the Rio Olympics.* **– Summer Olympics Bingo** *Play bingo while you watch the Games! See who in your family can get 4 in a row first!* **– Hebrews 12:1 Coloring Page** *This coloring page is a great reminder of the beloved verse in Hebrews – to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”* **– Olympics Interview with Mom and Dad** *Take turns interviewing mom, dad, grandparents, and friends about their favorite Olympic memories!* **– Create Your Own Olympic Medals** *This cut-out coloring sheet lets you make medals to recognize your kiddos for great things they do throughout the week.* **– Family Olympics Checklist** *This is a really fun checklist of some of our favorite Olympic sports with activities everyone in the family can enjoy doing together! Host a neighborhood Olympics day and see how many of these activities you can complete.* **– Philippians 4:13 Coloring Page** *Color this fun page to remind you that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength!* **– Olympics Memories Sheet** *Print off one for everyone in the family and have them fill out this sheet to remember their favorite parts of the 2016 Summer Olympics!* We hope you enjoy the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio! Be sure to share your favorite Olympics memories with us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Minno)! ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/N993aK0oQqKCWy4nDibA/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Family Vacations: How to Make Simple Moments into Meaningful Memories](https://gominno.com/blog/family-lessons-from-vacation-simple-moments-meaningful-memories/) **Published:** July 29, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/PoupjWtQTjWstaR3ebr5/convert?width=761&quality=80) Early on in our parenting journey my husband and I had to have a “discussion” about what sorts of family trips we wanted to take. We had two very different childhood experiences in the vacation realm and that came with an array of expectations for each of us. What we did agree on is that we wanted them to be **memorable**. It sounds easy enough, but weaving together two families is a bit of a juggling act in moments like these. I was blessed to grow up going to Disney World often because we had family that lived close. I now have a very slight obsession. I assume that every vacation will include Palm Trees, Magic Bands and Dole Whips. Comedian Jim Gaffigan says –*Disney World is the equivalent of standing in line at the DMV on the edge of the sun.* That’s certainly what my husband would tell you he thinks of visiting the mouse! His most cherished family memories involve road trips spent traveling to the National Parks. Camping and general outdoor-type activities are a significant threat to my emotional stability. Quickly, our little discussion turned into excitement though as we began piecing together what we wanted these moments to look like for our family. In the differences of how we spent our summer breaks and family road trips, there was a golden thread in our stories – memories. You know those special moments that are tucked away deep in your heart – the kind memory that a smell or a song ignites. These thoughts breathe life into an ordinary rainy day and cause you to count down to the next bit of vacation and long to be with your family! We determined that the greatest gift we wanted to give our boys on vacation was just our sheer attention – the gift of being so present in their lives. Our ability to be plugged into life through technology means that it’s very easy to be distracted and not be attentive to the most precious gifts our children offer us each day. *My desire to be in the know in everyone else’s stream of consciousness truly keeps me unavailable to some really special moments in my own world.* ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/94u148jkSk2PtuOcTEXR/convert?width=426&quality=80)Author Jess Chambers’ two sons on a recent family vacation Here are some ways we’ve resolved to be intentional in soaking up the simple on our family vacations … **Disconnect Before You Leave …** Packing and planning ahead are always important when you’re traveling, especially with little ones. As you’re checking off your lists of important items (toothbrush, underwear, and the cherished lovies), add one more thing to that list and stick to it – check out before you check in. These are your people! Be intentional about leaving the work of life behind. Allow your kids to see you ditching the cords and computers. Let them hear you talking to each other about what you’re purposefully leaving behind. This is a way to show them, tangibly, their place of priority in your life. Do a bit of daydreaming with your family about where you’re going. Involve your kids in the discussion early on and ask them what they’d like to do. Watch videos of where you might go adventuring together. Sometimes part of the fun is dreaming about the fun you’ll have together. **Ditch The Routine …** If I am being honest, often our daily routine is a bit of a survival method for me. I’ve learned that we, as a family, do better if we all know our roles and what’s expected of us in the daily grind of life. One of the best parts of vacation is simply ditching the monotony of our routine. We still loosely plan what we will be doing and we involve everyone in that process. But it’s so important for our kids to see us dump the daily rhythm and structure and trade it in for choosing together what’s next. I’ve found that our kids think I am way cooler on vacation! They love the spontaneity of a momma who is up for just about anything that will cause her boys to smile. They aren’t looking for tickets to a water park or lots of touristy souvenirs – they want play outside in the rain or have ice cream for breakfast. These things they remember. These things I remember and they aren’t a part of our everyday life. **Keep It Simple …** We started out using Disney and our great National Parks as a measuring stick and quickly found that where we were going was not nearly as fun as the fact that we were simply going there together. We have grown to enjoy the simplest of moments. One of my husband’s fondest memories is when one of our boys actually saw the Pacific Ocean before he saw the Atlantic. We will forever cherish his little toes in the sand so far from our home. As they’ve grown, we’ve come to enjoy a little family competition in game nights. We have also tried to integrate a little learning into our trips. Our oldest loves space and this summer we plan to spend a day at the Kennedy Space Center. We are looking so forward to eating that special ice cream they have in space! Also, enjoying nature is completely free and is so fun to explore together whether you are hiking, swimming in the lake, or skipping rocks across the water. Whatever you’re doing, be intentional about looking right into your kids eyes. Let them see you, seeing them experiencing life. **Share Later …** Capturing family photos is so important! Just click now and share later. I am so guilty of this! We all love posting about where we are and what we are doing. Getting caught up in that web of sharing is so slippery. I have so often caught myself taking the best picture and then spent 30 minutes crafting the perfect caption while the moment slips away. Don’t take the bait! Be creative with those family pictures! Snap away and grab the smiles, the laughs, the silliness and even the crabby faces when someone is unhappy. Then put your phone away. Tell the world about it later because you might miss the next best thing if you don’t. **Going Home …** Build some time into your trip home for recapping with your family. Involve your kiddos and find out what meant the most to them and what they want to do on the next! We spend the drive home planning our next trip. My husband quickly learned that this keeps me from being one sad momma. Soak up every last minute having dance parties in the car and playing those cheesy car games. This is a great way to show your kids the importance of enjoying the journey and not focusing on the destination. We’ve embraced the – we’re better together theme in our house. There are moments when even as the mom, I need a reminder that it’s true. The foundation constructed in moments like these pays forward when life gets busy and the days fill up quickly. The simplicity in sharing life experiences when the schedule is not so rigid and where the expectations are not set any higher than just having fun with each other will be what they sit down and share with their husband or wife someday. This is part of your family cornerstone. This is not just another day at the beach – you’re building your family story, and it won’t be about road trips or dole whips – it will be about enjoying the simplest of life’s gifts together. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Parenting Out of Your Insecurity](https://gominno.com/blog/parenting-out-of-your-insecurity/) **Published:** July 28, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/hRpoZckCRCiwU4buakee/convert?width=761&quality=80) My youngest son is 18 months old, and he has a sincere dislike of shopping carts. Actually, he hates them. Every time we go to the store, he summons all the strength in his tiny body to try and escape the seat strap. I, on the other hand, summon all the strength in my body to try and hold him down. If I succeed, he screams bloody murder the entire time. Fortunately, the solution to this problem is simple. My husband and I discovered that the issue is not the cart, but the direction. Our son doesn’t like to ride backwards. If we turn the cart around, and push it from behind, he is perfectly content. As long as he can face forward, he doesn’t mind being strapped down. So, that’s what we do: whenever we go to the store, we stroll the aisles with a backwards facing cart. And, not surprisingly, we feel ridiculous doing it. When I push my son around in a backwards cart, I want to stop every person I see, and explain the situation. If they could understand why, maybe they wouldn’t look at me like a weirdo. On the spectrum of parenting humiliations, I know this one is small. However, I share this story because it captures a feeling most parents experience: the fear of being judged. Whether your child throws a tantrum, or bites another kid, or disappoints you in a public failure, it’s easy to feel as though their mistakes or misbehavior or eccentricities are all a reflection on you. And if those things are a reflection on you, then perhaps people are judging you for them. This assumption is understandable and common, but here’s what I want you to know: you need to fight that impulse. You need to fight it, because underneath that fear is the belief that how your kids behave, or perform, or succeed, or fail, is fundamentally about you. And that belief makes for a toxic parenting dynamic. Perhaps you’ve experienced this type of parenting firsthand. Maybe your mom was always preoccupied with your weight, or your parents were obsessed with your grades, or they were more concerned with you having the appearance of faith, than the substance of it. Whatever your experience, this kind of parenting places a tremendous burden on children. It forces them to withstand the weight of their parents’ insecurities, in addition to their own. That’s why it is so important for parents to fight that temptation. We must resist the urge to treat our children as if they are a reflection on us. Otherwise, we risk creating a toxic parent-child relationship that hurts our kids and undermines their own security. The question is, how? How do we avoid imposing our insecurities onto our kids? I think there are a lot of answers to this question, such as remembering your identity in Christ, and clinging to it. However, there is another option we tend to overlook. Most of us treat our insecurities like obstacles to overcome. We identify our insecurities and we fight them, and we teach our kids to do the same. However, I have come to realize something about my insecurities, which is that they tell me something important about myself. Often, my insecurities point to false idols in my heart, like the idol of body image, the idol of perfection, or the idol of success. When I experience failure in any of these areas, my insecurities come roaring to the surface, and in the past, I simply tried to ignore them. Now, I respond differently. Now, I embrace my insecurities. When humiliation kicks up my insecurity, I take a good look at it, and I see what I can learn. I sit with the insecurity, I feel the pain of it, and I let that pain loosen my grip on my pride. When I’m feeling insecure and small, I willingly step into that smallness and leave my ego behind. When I do that, God does an important work in me: He makes me more like His Son. As Christians, it’s easy to forget that humiliation preceded the cross. When we follow Jesus, we can expect to encounter everything he endured, including his being laid low. Humiliation comes in spiritual forms, but it comes through our insecurities too. In that moment when you feel insecure, your soul stands at a crossroads between lowering yourself, or raising yourself up. Most of the time, we choose to raise ourselves up. We speak truth over ourselves, we affirm ourselves, and we remember who we are in Christ. None of that is necessarily wrong. But sometimes, God is calling us to humility. Sometimes, he is crucifying our pride, and that is a good work that we should welcome. I can’t help but believe that is how we break the cycle of self-focused parenting. Until we can embrace the humiliations of parenting, big or small, I suspect we will respond to our kids as if it is their job to prop up our self-esteem. Until we can identify the insecurities stirred up by their shortcomings, and allow God to prune us of them, we will simply pass them on. This is a hard lesson, especially when the humiliations are large. But I also suspect it’s essential to having a healthy relationship with our kids. Our children should know that our confidence and security comes not from their success, but from Christ. And, our kids should have the opportunity to observe the freedom of laying everything at the cross, including our pride. I won’t pretend to have this down. I still cringe when I take my son to the store and flip the cart around, which is surely the tiniest of embarrassments. And yet, the very fact that I cringe means I still have room to grow. It points to a part of myself that still needs to die, and still needs to embrace this crucial truth: my parenting, and my kids, are not about me. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Secret to Bible Journaling](https://gominno.com/blog/the-secret-to-bible-journaling/) **Published:** July 27, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/hPD0ROLR7SxC1nT7m3xv/convert?width=800&quality=80) *You may have seen Bible journaling, or [Illustrated Faith](https://www.illustratedfaith.com/), filling up your Instagram feed over the last year or so. Popularized by Illustrated Faith and its founder Shanna Noel, Bible journaling is a popular spiritual practice for many Christian women. At Minno, we see a lot of potential for Bible journaling to be an amazing family experience and a great way to get your kids into the Word of God! Arden Ratcliff-Mann, a popular Instagram artist and children’s pastor in Kansas City, writes below the supplies needed to start Bible journaling. Over the course of our blog series on Bible journaling, Arden will cover how to start Bible journaling and how to Bible journal with kids. Check out the first post in the series [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introduction-to-bible-journaling) and the second [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-start-bible-journaling).* The day I got my journaling Bible, and I was so excited to sit down and create my first entry. I looked at some examples online, chose the Scripture I’d just heard preached on Sunday, and grabbed a pencil to start drawing. I emerged several hours later a ball of frustration. I’d worked for hours trying to write out a verse in fancy handwriting and was so disappointed by my final product. So many of the examples of Bible journaling I’d fallen in love with online featured pretty calligraphy or funky lettering, and try as I might, I just could not get my handwriting to look that good. I continued on like that for a week or two, desperate for Bible journaling to fill the gaping hole in my spiritual life, but consistently frustrated with my hand’s inability to draw the beautiful letters my mind pictured. I finally decided that enough was enough—it just wasn’t in the cards for me to create the same kinds of pretty hand-lettered Bible pages I saw online. During this initial period of frustration, I came across a Bible journaling blog entry where the artist had used alphabet stamps to write out her verses and I wondered if that might be the solution to my dilemma. I ordered a set of stamps and have never looked back. As soon as I removed the pressure of trying to recreate someone else’s work and just concentrated on doing what made me happy, I was better able to creatively respond to what God was placing on my heart. I ultimately dubbed the lessons learned from this experience “the secret to Bible journaling.” As I see it, the secret is that Bible journaling isn’t about others or what your friends are doing or what you see on the internet. Bible journaling is only about you and God. Bible journaling should help bring you closer to God, it should be a reflection of your spiritual journey. > *As I see it, the secret is that Bible journaling isn’t about others or what your friends are doing or what you see on the internet. **Bible journaling is only about you and God.*** So if you’re curious about Bible journaling and want to see if it can be a meaningful spiritual practice for you, try not to get too caught up in trying to make your pages look like the ones you’ve seen on Pinterest. Don’t let yourself get too invested in the final product. Bible journaling is all about the process. At its heart, it’s about worshiping God through art and creative expression. So do what brings you closer to God. If you’re going to stress out too much about making your letters perfect, grab some stamps. If you can’t bring yourself to write in your Bible, use a separate journal. Do whatever is going to make this process work for you. The founder of *Documented Faith* Stephanie Ackerman put it better than I ever could: “When you are documenting and illustrating your faith, the right way to do it is the way you want to do it, not how everyone else is doing it. Remember, the important thing is WHY not HOW.” What’s most important is the why. Why are you doing this? To grow closer to God and His Word. How are you doing it? However you want! In a Bible, in a journal, on notecards, on the wall of your bedroom, with paint, with pencil, with antique calligraphy pens, with Crayola markers—anything goes, as long as you are authentically responding to God. It can be so easy to get caught up in what we see on social media and want what we create to look just like the pretty pictures we’ve seen. But that image was about what God was speaking to that artist, not you. God has a different message for all of us. Bible journaling can be a way to intentionally listen for God to speak and then respond to that word. I think the secret to making this a meaningful practice is reminding ourselves (sometimes over and over again) that what I do in my Bible is always, first and foremost, about us and our personal relationship with God. *Arden Ratcliff-Mann has an MDiv from Candler School of Theology and currently serves as the Associate Director of Children’s Ministries at Liberty United Methodist Church. Originally from Franklin, TN, she now lives in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Biff and adorable cat Loki.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Forgiveness](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-forgiveness/) **Published:** July 26, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FAWWjECuTkqt7z7PpaAy.jpg) Salvation is based on the unmerited grace, i.e., forgiveness, of our heavenly Father. So the single best way to give your children a solid foundation for understanding salvation is by talking to them about forgiveness. Here are some ways to explain what forgiveness is (and isn’t). #### Forgiveness is… - **Given:** You don’t have to wait on an apology before you forgive. Forgiveness is what helps us let go of the wrong done to us. - **Our responsibility:** Because we’ve already been forgiven by God, the Bible tells us in Matthew 6:14 that we should forgive others. - **Ongoing:** Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you’ll immediately feel better about what happened. It’s a choice to move beyond it. Think of a cut on your skin – forgiveness covers like a bandaid and protects you while your body heals. - **Healthy:** Not forgiving others can leave us feeling really bad on the inside, and cause us not to trust other people. Over time, not forgiving can be like picking a scab. Keep your hurt covered with forgiveness and your heart will stay healthy! - **Throwing away:** A quick object lesson to do with your children when they’re angry over an offense is to ask them to write it down in ink or marker on a piece of paper. Explain that forgiveness is like tearing up that paper and putting it into water. After a few minutes collect those pieces and form them into a ball and toss it into the trash. You may want to add that baptism is God’s way of washing away our sins in water. #### Forgiveness is not… - **Keeping score:** When we throw away the bad thing that happened, it means we don’t remind the person again that they did it. It means we start over. - **Forgetting:** Even though we’ve thrown out the bad thing that happened, we don’t have to forget it happened. If someone who hurt us before tries to hurt us again, we can protect ourselves. You should always tell an adult you trust when anyone hurts you-no matter what. - **A feeling:** Forgiveness is something we give even when we’re still hurt by what happened. Our feelings may still hurt for a time, but we can talk to Jesus and ask him to help heal our hearts. - **Fair:** It’s not fair that a person who hurt us gets a second chance, but love isn’t based on fairness. It’s based on the love of God who loves us without condition. I often tell my daughter, “Nothing you could ever do will make me love you less.” It’s true with our relationship with God, and it can be true with our relationship with others. When you talk to your kids about forgiveness, ask them for ideas they would add to these lists, or examples of how they forgive. You may be surprised at how much they can teach you about forgiveness. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Why You Can't Win The War on Technology](https://gominno.com/blog/why-you-cant-win-the-war-on-technology/) **Published:** July 21, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Y7nRjbSoRoqT0ERnHfu2/convert?width=800&quality=80) Raising kids has always been hard, but I’m convinced it has to be a little bit harder in 2016. Twenty years ago, as a child, I had three major influences in my life: my mom, my friends from school, and Disney movies. I won’t go as far as to say that my mother had it easier than I do when raising children, but I will say that the amount of outside influences that she tried to manage was significantly less before the internet showed up. As a dad, I feel like I am a constantly trying to shield my children from the chaos of this world. And it’s exhausting. From commercials on TV, ads on Youtube, and lyrics on the radio, it can quickly feel like an impossible battle to win. And the truth is, it is. You and I will lose the battle of sheltering our kids from the brokenness of this world. You can blindfold, ear-muff, bubblewrap, and shelter your child. And you will still lose. Your kids will eventually be exposed to junk that no child should be exposed to. But the war is deeper than what we see and hear. The war is not against pornography, video games, Pokemon, or rap music. The war is being waged for their heart. And that is a battle that Jesus can win. My gauge for success as a parent is not how well I can protect my kids from the sinfulness of the world. Success for me comes when my children are convinced that Jesus is better than anything the world has to offer. Jesus isn’t after changing your kids’ behavior, he’s after changing their hearts. As parents, we must be diligent in protecting the hearts, eyes, and minds of the children God has given us, most definitely. But even more than that, we must raise our kids to believe that there is only one thing that can satisfy their souls: Jesus alone. When faced with temptation and sin, I don’t want my kids to ask, “Is this wrong?” or “would dad be mad at me?”. Instead, I want my kids to ask “will this satisfy my soul more than Jesus can?”. Friends, the war isn’t against technology, the war is against hearts. Monitor their internet use, limit their screen time, filter the content they consume. But above all, point them to Jesus and pray that God would capture their hearts in ways that nothing else can. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Confessions From An Imperfect Mom](https://gominno.com/blog/confessions-from-an-imperfect-mom/) **Published:** July 19, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/omluOGwYTyOFDJ0SmjcL_JT-Blog-imperfect%20mother.jpg.jpg) Last week as I was folding clothes in the downstairs laundry room, I heard running water. My first thought was, “Why is someone taking a shower at 3:30 in the afternoon?” I had just been upstairs ten minutes prior to this and both boys were playing quietly in their rooms. As I started walking towards the stairs to investigate who had gotten into the shower, I instantly realized the running water was coming from the hallway bathroom, downstairs. I knew something was terribly wrong! As I entered the bathroom, water was literally raining down from the exhaust fan and the can lights in out in our hallway! Knowing that directly above where I was standing was my youngest son’s room, I literally ran up the stairs to find the wood floor in his bedroom flooded! He had plugged up the drain in his bathroom sink because he was playing with a newly put-together LEGO boat. After playing under the “waterfall” for a few minutes, he simply walked away with the water running, totally forgetting to shut it off. He then went into the bonus room and started playing something else, oblivious to the flood taking place in his room. Great, ADHD strikes again! Our house, now a total disaster, was also less than 30 days old! The absolute rage I felt as I began to clean up the water is still embarrassing to admit. Uncharacteristically, I yelled at my son. No beating around the bush– I was so mad at him! As he approached me, I told him not to talk to me! I was deep in thought about how we were going to fix this damage. How could this possibly happen in just 10 minutes? How could he have just walked off and left the water on?! … Oh so mad!! And then I caught myself… WHAT AM I DOING?!! Get ahold of yourself, Lisa! This is just STUFF and it can be fixed or replaced; he is your child and part of your heart!! My son was now crying, obviously scared at my freaky metamorphosis into the Mean Momster. From on top of his bed, he apologized and told me (again) that it was an accident. He equated my anger to hating him and told me so. Ouch! With a fragment of clarity, I enlisted the help of my oldest son, my husband and even my mother to be the clean up crew and call some professionals. I then climbed into bed with my little one. I held him and apologized to him for getting so angry. I told him how wrong it was not wanting to listen to him and then making him feel as though I hated him! I tried to reassure him that my momentary meltdown had nothing to do with my lack of love for him – that I could never stop loving him. He told me that it “felt” like I didn’t love him anymore because of they way I was talking to him after he had made a mistake. Humbled, I was reminded how words can be so destructive, especially to the ones we love the most. The Bible has many examples of the power of words. They have even been compared to the sword in their affect to hurt (kill) others! Another example is found in **James 1:26, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”** My son recovered from his bout with the Momster. He has also promised to not play in his bathroom sink anymore! I have learned a valuable lesson about priorities and remembering that mistakes happen– and will continue to happen. What matters most is to always remember we are caretakers of our children’s bodies AND hearts! As parents we can teach our children that as we all stumble our way through our daily walk with Christ, we can be glad that He’s not expecting perfection. Instead He loves us all in our imperfections; even through our failures. It is only in Him that all things are possible. It is His arms of grace which He wraps around us whenever we make mistakes which make us feel undeserving of His love. The enemy tells us how we are deserving of God’s hate, wrath, or at the very least a good flick on the forehead! During those times, our Heavenly Father sits beside us and reminds us that nothing will change His love for us…even if make big, fat, damaging messes. He is in love with each of us. And thankfully, unlike we imperfect mommies (and daddies), our God does this without first changing into a mean momster! *Lisa Strnad is a freelance writer/blogger, who regularly contributes to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids to Strengthen Your Relationship](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-to-strengthen-your-relationship/) **Published:** July 16, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Rg3T4aVGRzSXJU9PeHih.jpg) This past weekend, my family disconnected from technology and reconnected with each other. Two days at a state park was just what our little crew needed to rest and strengthen our relationships. It wasn’t all bliss. We still dealt with attitudes, misbehavior, and boundless energy, but I noticed that by being intentional and spending time with our two young ones (without the constant distraction of screen time), we felt our relationship being strengthened. Spending time and talking to your kids is a great way to strengthen your relationship, but it’s even more effective when you actually talk to them *about* strengthening your relationship. Here are four strategies we use to boost our communication with our daughters: #### ***1. Uncovering Feelings: Let’s find out why you are reacting this way.*** My almost-7-year-old is tremendous at communicating her feelings, once I prod her. When she flies off the handle at something I asked her to do or not to do, I can further assert my authority over her, or I can say**,** “Why are you angry,” or “How did I make you feel?” She is more than capable of explaining in an emotionally intelligent way, like, “When you told me to \_\_\_\_ it made me feel \_\_\_\_ because I wanted to try to do it myself.” I’m always amazed at how well and rationally she’s able to pinpoint her feelings. I have much work to do in this area. #### *2. **Offering Reality Checks**: Here’s the “why” behind the “what.”* When I’m around other parents or kids, I quickly see that mine aren’t the only ones who act entitled. I don’t care what I do for her, she always wants more: 15 more minutes on the playground, one more toy, one more time, just another snack. She gets it honestly; it’s a daily struggle to be content with what I am given. This past weekend my husband and I offered a little reality check to our older daughter. Each time she mentioned she wanted something, we said, “That’s a great idea! You should save your money for that.” This, of course, frustrated her to no end, so in a quieter moment I explained that we work for everything we have: clothes, roof, car, food — our time spent working is for our family to have things we need and enjoy. Although this explanation did not satisfy or cure her desire for more, it does give her a perspective to think about. #### *3. Giving **Affection**: You and I are connected. You are loved.* We made a little video for Father’s Day in which I interviewed our oldest about her dad. When I asked**,** “How do you know your Dad loves you?” She answered, “Because he gives me hugs and kisses.” To a child there is no more tangible expression of love than physical affection. Give it freely and often. I think of 1 John 3:1 (NIV), which talks about how our heavenly Father “lavishes” love on us, the children of God. When we model “lavish” love upon our kids, we give them a direct spiritual parallel to how much God loves us. We’re not perfect (as kids or parents), but love covers a multitude of mistakes (1 Peter 4:8). And that brings me to… #### *4. Asking for **Forgiveness**: I’m sorry, and I love you more than anything.* ‘Fessing up as parents when we mess up is a great way to strengthen your relationship with your kids. When my daughter explains why I made her angry, I usually see how I could have handled a situation differently, and I say I’m sorry for that specific action, and reinforce how much I love her. When she messes up, she usually says something like, “You must think I’m the worst daughter ever!” or my favorite (not), “You hate me!” I gently remind her that there’s nothing she could ever do that will make me love her less. This soft answer has a way to melt her anger and anxiety. It’s like my secret weapon (along with, “Do you need a hug?”). But it’s not a gimmick. It’s truth because it describes God’s love for us: “And I am convinced that **nothing can ever separate us from God’s love**. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below–indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38, NLT). Forgiveness is paramount because I simply don’t have the energy to respond perfectly in every situation. I grow tired, my nerves get raw, I get selfish. I feel like I’m doing this parenting thing “wrong” 93 percent of the time. In those instances I realize I need to strengthen my own relationship with God, and to draw on the strength He longs to give me, to love these sweet babies well and to see them grow up wholly capable of loving, living and forgiving. --- Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/JzVlV9dRXOUEQDwd2rVS/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=whatsinthebible&utm_campaign=blog%20banner) **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Raise Kind Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-raise-kind-kids/) **Published:** July 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/l6hkVeMSQODb5Z33snw3/convert?width=759&quality=80) *How do you raise children to be compassionate and mission-minded? How do you instill qualities of a servant leader from a young age? What are appropriate ways for children to serve their community? How can you serve together as a family? These are questions I’ve journeyed with the past two years. I’ve found a scriptural road map to raising a generation of world-changers in Micah 6:8: “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”* I live in the South where we learn to “yes, ma’am,” “no, sir” and “please” and “thank you.” But as anyone who lives here can quickly learn, manners don’t always equal kindness. It’s a good start, but kindness is more than being nice. It’s an orientation of the heart toward the well-being of other people. Kindness means going out of your way and above and beyond, to make someone feel special, loved, cared for or valued. It’s putting others before self and striving to become more like Jesus to bring beauty, justice, and love to a broken world. And it’s really hard to do sometimes. But the Bible says when we live by the Spirit, this fruit will characterize our walk with God. In this [post on the What’s in the Bible? blog](http://whatsinthebible.com/what-is-the-fruit-of-the-spirit/), we learn more about the Spirit’s role in our ability to show kindness: *“The fruit of kindness is our ability to show empathy for those who are in need or hurting. Kindness is not directly related to niceness, though we often think that the two are synonymous. Being nice means to be agreeable. Being kind refers to acting for the good of another person. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and led by him act for the good of other people, regardless of whether they receive adoration or thanks, because they have experienced the kindness of God through Jesus Christ. Kindness is the opposite of selfishness. Selfishness seeks its own power and good, while kindness seeks the good of others even at the expense of our own power.” (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).* Among a generation of people who feel entitled and seek to serve themselves above others, how do we raise our kids the Micah 6:8 way — to love kindness? Here are a few questions and ideas to foster compassion, empathy and kindness in your family. **1. Is it more important to be right or to be kind?** Kids are notorious for truth-telling. It’s hard to teach them when being kind is more important than being right. The best way is to talk consistently about our feelings. Asking, “How does that make you feel?”, can help kids develop empathy and help them understand how to choose their words carefully to avoid hurt feelings. Share a time with your kids when you chose being right over being kind – or a time that you didn’t, and how that turned out. I once fired off an angry email in response to someone who I thought was treating a friend very unjustly. The truth was she did, but this friend didn’t need me to defend her. I allowed emotion to fuel an action I immediately regretted. Kindness sometimes means killing your pride. **2. How highly do you value kindness in your home?** Mom Megan Jordan, writes for [Babble.com](https://www.babble.com/babble-voices/12-questions-that-teach-kindness-in-your-children/): “In our home, we value and teach kindness above intelligence, talent, and responsibility.” Does that seem odd? Placing a priority on kindness may be more important than you think. In a [study](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2014/07/18/are-you-raising-nice-kids-a-harvard-psychologist-gives-5-ways-to-raise-them-to-be-kind/), 80 percent of young people surveyed felt like their parents were more concerned with their success and happiness than if they’re a caring member of the community. That doesn’t sound very Christian, does it? Success and happiness aren’t bad, but “what is good” for us is the Micah 6:8 way: **“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”** Show your kids how much kindness means to you. Here are two tools: A [kindness jar](http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2012/01/our-kindness-jar-via-teach-preschool.html) and a [free acts of kindness printable pack](https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Acts-of-Kindness-457009). Notice, record and reward when your kids show kindness. A great opportunity to do this is March 10, the International Day of Awesomeness (yes, there really is a day for everything). We bought certificates of awesome from [Rifle Paper Co.](https://riflepaperco.com/certificate-of-awesome-everyday-greeting-card/) You could make your own and plan to give it to “community heroes” on this day, including teachers or police or volunteers in our neighborhood school. (Speaking of awesome, check out [this new book by Kid President](https://www.amazon.com/Kid-Presidents-Guide-Being-Awesome/dp/0062358685?ie=UTF8&keywords=kid%20president&qid=1424102769&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1) for more ideas of showing kindness in practical ways.) **3. How often does kindness get priority in your family?** Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D., founder of Roots of Action, [writes](http://www.rootsofaction.com/art-kindness-teaching-children-care/) that “human kindness peaks during the holidays.” While Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great time to teach children about showing kindness to others, making kindness a way of life means modeling it consistently and throughout the year. “Empathy is caught, not taught,” says Mary Gordon, founder and president of Roots of Empathy. There’s a practice element to it. The more you do it and the more often, the better you get at it. Put in on the family calendar. We schedule events that are important to us, so scheduling intentional times to show kindness can help make it a habit. Pick a day a month or a week and practice and talk about kindness. Hint: Random Acts of Kindness week is Feb. 9-15 and World Kindness Day is Nov. 13, 2015. Prepare to celebrate kindness as a family in a big or small way. **4. Are acts of kindness random and directed toward strangers? Or are they for those we care about most?** Making someone else’s day by paying for the person’s coffee order behind us is fun and makes us feel good. But how often do we make those we love and those we’re closest to feel special? Create opportunities to show people you love kindness. Most often this can come in the form of showing gentleness in speech and touch, instead of gifts. Acts of service are a great way too. Kids are really good at this, whether it be drawing a picture or offering to help cook. It requires patience to stop and show kindness, like reading the kids a book when we’re busy, but as [blogger Amanda White points out](http://whatsinthebible.com/kindness-leads/), kindness leads to kindness. The more we show kindness, the more it will be shown to us, and the more our kids will learn it as a way of life. There’s rarely an occurrence when kindness is wasted. Developing it as a habit will help us live with more gratitude and joy and help us show the love of Jesus to others in the process. *Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch church’d.com. The former editorial director for Relevant Media Group, her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post and CNN, and she’s been quoted in USA Today and The New York Times. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called Community PTO to support the success of local community schools.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Start Bible Journaling](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-start-bible-journaling/) **Published:** July 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/aopJ7bWLROyESH9AnbfV/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) *You may have seen Bible journaling, or [Illustrated Faith](https://www.illustratedfaith.com/), filling up your Instagram feed over the last year or so. Popularized by Illustrated Faith and its founder Shanna Noel, Bible journaling is a popular spiritual practice for many Christian women. At Minno, we see a lot of potential for Bible journaling to be an amazing family experience and a great way to get your kids into the Word of God! Arden Ratcliff-Mann, a popular Instagram artist and children’s pastor in Kansas City, writes below the supplies needed to start Bible journaling. Over the course of our blog series on Bible journaling, Arden will cover how to start Bible journaling and how to Bible journal with kids. Check out the first post in the series [here](https://www.gominno.com/blog/introduction-to-bible-journaling).* So you’ve heard about Bible journaling and you want to give it a try. Yay! How do you get started? My first instinct when I start a new project like this is to go out and get lots of supplies. So many times in the past, I’ve gotten really excited about something, spent a couple weeks gathering lots of new toys, and then when I sit down to actually do it…. Nothing. I tend to lose all my momentum and then I’m stuck with a bunch of stuff I’ll never use. Don’t get caught in that trap with Bible journaling! You absolutely do not need to buy a lot of supplies to get started journaling your faith. All you really need is a Bible and a pen. And if you want to use more than that, there’s a good chance there’s a lot of stuff you can use in your kids’ stash or art supplies. You might want to try Bible journaling out for a couple weeks to see if it is a meaningful spiritual practice for you. If it doesn’t help draw you closer to God, then you should feel free to try other practices without having to worry about all the money you spent on supplies. ### 1. Where Do I Journal? The first step in getting started is figuring out how you’d like to illustrate your faith. There are lots of different ways Bible journalers respond creatively to God and there’s no wrong way to do it! Some people respond to what God’s putting on their hearts in a separate journal. Some prefer to respond just in the margins of their Bible, or on separate sheet of paper they tape into their Bible. And others like to cover the whole Bible page in paint and color. Figure out what you’re comfortable with and what appeals to you. If you’ve seen Bible pages on Pinterest where the whole page is covered in paint, but you don’t feel comfortable painting over the words, then don’t! Bible journaling shouldn’t be about creating the prettiest pages or trying to do what everyone else is doing. It’s all about building your relationship with God through creative worship. So be sure to journal your faith in whatever way best helps you connect with God and His word. It’s also possible that how you journal might change and evolve over time. When I first started Bible journaling, I was comfortable coloring an entire Bible page, but I always wanted to make sure that I could read all the words. I journaled like that for many months, but as I filled up my first journaling Bible and moved into my second, I started to realize that I wasn’t using these Bibles for study—I had other Bibles I used when I wanted to fully read the Word. My journaling Bibles were for my artistic responses to God. After I came to that discovery, I was more comfortable covering up some of the words on the Bible page. But again—that is what works for me, and you should always journal in whatever way is most comfortable for you. ### 2. What Do I Illustrate? After you’ve decided how you’d like to start journaling your faith, the next step is to just dive in! This part can often be the hardest—you sit down, ready to journal in your Bible, but where do you start? You’ve got the whole Bible in front of you! I recommend starting with a passage that you’ve recently read in church or Bible study, or a passage from a devotional you’re working through. Another option if you’ve got particular topic in mind, like grace or forgiveness, but don’t know a specific verse, is to just Google it. I’ve often searched online for “Bible verses about God’s love” and will end up finding the perfect verse to fit what God has been laying on my heart. I take notes during the sermon each week and usually try to journal parts of the message that really stood out to me. Bible journaling is all about documenting your walk with God, so expressing where you are right now on your spiritual journey is always a good place to start. ### 3. What Supplies Do I Need for Bible Journaling? Now when it comes to what you should use to document your walk with God, again, all you really need is a Bible and a pen. But if you’re looking for some more suggestions, here are some of my favorites: -journaling Bible: This is the most basic Bible journaling tool! Journaling Bibles are Bibles with a wide (often 2 inch) margin to allow extra space to respond to God’s word. There are lots of different types out there now:[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Single-Column-Journaling-Bible-Black/dp/1433531917/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585718%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dcrossway%2Besv%2Bjournaling%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443875000&usg=AFQjCNGeEbQN-kYQRlZH5xKdYR3BNMCEWg)[basic wide margin Bibles](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Single-Column-Journaling-Bible-Black/dp/1433531917/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585718%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dcrossway%2Besv%2Bjournaling%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443876000&usg=AFQjCNFKsCTQbaxEOBrt1kBv19uRNn_lTA),[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/NIV-Beautiful-Word-Bible-Hardcover/dp/0310444268/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585739%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dbeautiful%2Bword%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443876000&usg=AFQjCNEtbaCfJyGEKkavawoMUgZt-_LAWA)[Bibles that contain full-color art](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/NIV-Beautiful-Word-Bible-Hardcover/dp/0310444268/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585739%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dbeautiful%2Bword%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443876000&usg=AFQjCNEtbaCfJyGEKkavawoMUgZt-_LAWA),[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Inspire-Bible-NLT-Creative-Journaling/dp/1496413741/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585763%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dinspire%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443877000&usg=AFQjCNE3fQV7XXLlfZnvoNwL1YUQ6IvWSg)[Bibles with coloring page-like designs](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Inspire-Bible-NLT-Creative-Journaling/dp/1496413741/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585763%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dinspire%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443877000&usg=AFQjCNE3fQV7XXLlfZnvoNwL1YUQ6IvWSg), and even[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Journaling-Bible-Interleaved-TruTone-Black/dp/1433553341/ref%3Dsr_1_2?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585800%26sr%3D8-2%26keywords%3Dinterleaved%2Bjournaling%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443878000&usg=AFQjCNHw6F2pRsEGEJqwWchdwEl7p3JYkQ)[Bibles where every other page is blank](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Journaling-Bible-Interleaved-TruTone-Black/dp/1433553341/ref%3Dsr_1_2?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585800%26sr%3D8-2%26keywords%3Dinterleaved%2Bjournaling%2Bbible&sa=D&ust=1468445443878000&usg=AFQjCNHw6F2pRsEGEJqwWchdwEl7p3JYkQ). Many Bible journalers use some kind of journaling Bible, but it isn’t a requirement! I recently started a Bible journaling group at my church and probably less than half of the participants actually used a journaling Bible; the rest just drew in Bibles they already owned. -pens: Because Bible pages are thin, it can be nice to get a pen that won’t bleed through the page or smear if/when it gets wet. Some good options are[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Sakura-30062-6-Piece-Pigma-Micron/dp/B0008G8G8Y/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585828%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dmicrons&sa=D&ust=1468445443879000&usg=AFQjCNGha6ZsgdF2su7PRqNj3s7dsHAoeg)[Microns](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Sakura-30062-6-Piece-Pigma-Micron/dp/B0008G8G8Y/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585828%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dmicrons&sa=D&ust=1468445443879000&usg=AFQjCNGha6ZsgdF2su7PRqNj3s7dsHAoeg) and[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Pigment-Sketch-Regular-308SB6P/dp/B004L87XRA/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585960%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dstaedtler%2Bpigment%2Bliner&sa=D&ust=1468445443879000&usg=AFQjCNHh19wsZyMBlovQc5D7SxZAWGEtNQ)[Staedtler pigment liners](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Pigment-Sketch-Regular-308SB6P/dp/B004L87XRA/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585960%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dstaedtler%2Bpigment%2Bliner&sa=D&ust=1468445443880000&usg=AFQjCNHZ5penq7vkYJrIFftoiKgEbd-1mg). -colored pencils: Colored pencils are great for Bible journaling, and even better, you can probably raid your kids’ art supplies for a set! These don’t need to be fancy—a lot of my friends use the[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Count-Twistable-Colored-Pencils/dp/B000REI1FU/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585986%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dcrayola%2Btwistables&sa=D&ust=1468445443880000&usg=AFQjCNEU0CsOf3ZjPl7lRjh_-emBPZFNoA)[Crayola Twistables](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Count-Twistable-Colored-Pencils/dp/B000REI1FU/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467585986%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dcrayola%2Btwistables&sa=D&ust=1468445443881000&usg=AFQjCNGCef0bHzrWseRXA_zZNQyVaLDWiA) in their Bibles and swear by them. -watercolors: Watercolor is my absolute favorite medium to use in my Bible because painting relaxes me and the color is translucent enough for all the Bible words to still be visible. Unfortunately, the basic Crayola set of watercolors bleeds through Bible pages like crazy, but the[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Loft-Fundamentals-Watercolor-Pan/dp/B013S1A4Q2/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467586009%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dartist%2Bloft%2Bwatercolors&sa=D&ust=1468445443882000&usg=AFQjCNEh-14hGYoi0lRMcpP6ynmEXBin5Q)[cheap $5 set from Michael’s](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Loft-Fundamentals-Watercolor-Pan/dp/B013S1A4Q2/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467586009%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dartist%2Bloft%2Bwatercolors&sa=D&ust=1468445443882000&usg=AFQjCNEh-14hGYoi0lRMcpP6ynmEXBin5Q) works great. I started off using cheap watercolors, and then after I discovered I loved them, I added a[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Pelikan-Opaque-Watercolor-Chinese-720862/dp/B00170ZSLS/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467586037%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dpelikan%2Bwatercolors&sa=D&ust=1468445443882000&usg=AFQjCNEkxrLeDMxcUI4bnxI7WX08hEpz2w)[slightly more expensive set](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Pelikan-Opaque-Watercolor-Chinese-720862/dp/B00170ZSLS/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467586037%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dpelikan%2Bwatercolors&sa=D&ust=1468445443883000&usg=AFQjCNHU9-wQfQUX74WuT6zPdu9ZrvOsAA) to my wishlist and received it as a birthday gift. -stamps & stickers: I love using alphabet stamps or stickers in my Bible, but there’s also a lot of other fun stamps and stickers out there that can be great embellishments! If you’ve ever done any scrapbooking, chances are you have some of these in your stash—go take a look and you can probably use lots of stuff you already own in your Bible! It can be a little tricky to get stamp ink that won’t bleed through the Bible pages. I use[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Tsukineko-Full-Size-StazOn-Multi-Surface-Inkpad/dp/B0013L5SDY/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467586062%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dstazon&sa=D&ust=1468445443883000&usg=AFQjCNF281BjRhrwzCa0IL_UvloDc30TVg)[StazOn](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Tsukineko-Full-Size-StazOn-Multi-Surface-Inkpad/dp/B0013L5SDY/ref%3Dsr_1_1?ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1467586062%26sr%3D8-1%26keywords%3Dstazon&sa=D&ust=1468445443884000&usg=AFQjCNGpHsgjfdxrT4nU6ZR-9whTekgLLg) because it doesn’t run if it gets wet, but when the ink pad is new it will bleed through. When I first start a new ink pad, I’ll stamp once on a separate piece of paper and then into my Bible to help prevent the ink from bleeding. There are also a ton of other art supplies you can use in your Bible: acrylic paint, crayons, pastels, etc—the sky’s the limit! But again: this process isn’t about using the best supplies to make the prettiest picture. It’s all about creatively engaging with the Bible text and growing in your relationship with God. *Arden Ratcliff-Mann has an MDiv from Candler School of Theology and currently serves as the Associate Director of Children’s Ministries at Liberty United Methodist Church. Originally from Franklin, TN, she now lives in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Biff and adorable cat Loki.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Grow Your Kids' Faith in 5 Minutes](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-grow-your-kids-faith-in-5-minutes/) **Published:** July 13, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Zp9i0on2Tq8hz29Nxodg/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) We all want to raise our kids to love Jesus, understand the Gospel, and live out their faith in a real way. But honestly between driving kids from one place to another, putting in hours at work, feeding and caring for everyone, and tackling the long list of to do’s, it can be challenging to find the time and energy to invest in our kids’ faith – even though we know it’s important. When we are faced with the opportunity, we sometimes don’t even know how to begin. Here are a few ideas to get you started! Whether you have 5 minutes or 30, we hope these tools can become a helpful resource for you and your family to flourish together in your faith. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/sEdVgX7OQKubqQ5e6aVZ/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/old-testament-heroes-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan) 1\. **Minno 5 Minute Family Devotionals** – [These 25 video devotionals ](https://www.gominno.com/blog/old-testament-heroes-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan)are an easy and fun way to help your kids learn about Jesus in just 5 minutes a day! Watch, talk, and pray with your kids as you journey through the Old Testament and learn about the unlikely human heroes of the Old Testament and God – the ultimate hero! Have more than 5 minutes? Each devotional also has [a companion blog post](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) with a coloring page as well as more ideas for discussion and prayer. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/iAHvrz4Reqyqqgg4yVZn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/series-spotlight-yancy-and-friends) 2\. **Songs are a fantastic way for you to bring God’s truth into your kids’ daily lives**. Some of our favorites include [Seeds Family Worship](https://www.gominno.com/series/Seeds%20Family%20Worship), [Yancy and Friends](https://www.gominno.com/blog/series-spotlight-yancy-and-friends), [Slugs & Bugs](https://www.gominno.com/series/Slugs%20and%20Bugs), [Hillsong Kidz](https://www.gominno.com/series/Hillsong%20Kids), [Buck Denver & Friends Sing Through the Bible](https://www.gominno.com/series/Sing%20Through%20the%20Bible), [TuneTimes](https://www.gominno.com/blog/just-added-tunetime), and [The Rizers](https://www.gominno.com/series/The%20Rizers). Most songs average 3-5 minutes making them a quick, easy, and fun option to encourage your kids’ faith! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/yvMcrGMDR4C3drcTcpkL/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-start-bible-journaling) 3\. Encourage your kids’ creativity and ask them to **Bible Journal a verse you want them to reflect on**. [Here’s how to get started](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-start-bible-journaling)! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/ZI82Vmv1TGZeLWKFv8dD/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/series/Jesus%20Storybook%20Bible) 4\. **Share a Bible Story together**, creating a way to unwind from the day and connect as a family before bed. We love Sally Lloyd-Jones’ [Jesus Storybook Bible](https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=the+jesus+storybook+bible+cd&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=34224942947&hvpos=1t4&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11335091472699628524&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_ldq6574zm_b). You can also [watch this beautiful animated series based on the book](https://www.gominno.com/series/Jesus%20Storybook%20Bible) on Minno. Each episode is right around 5 minutes. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/qOwobDXcSW6VzIz9rwPG/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions) 5\. **Take a few minutes to pray together as a family**. You can find some great prayer prompts on the [Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional companion blogs](https://www.gominno.com/blog/old-testament-heroes-new-5-minute-family-devotional-plan). What about you? Have you found ways to nurture your family’s faith during the week when they’re not at Sunday School? What resources have been helpful to you? We’d love to hear your answers on our [Minno Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/)! ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/YJ1B77ACQpaPxU7gWJPo/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **About us** – [Minno](http://www.gominno.com/) is a place where God is real and His Word is true. You’ll find plenty of resources here at [Minno Life](https://www.gominno.com/blog), including [devotionals](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/family-devotions), [blogs](https://www.gominno.com/blog), and [free activity downloads](https://www.gominno.com/blog/categories/activities-crafts). You can also check out the [Minno app](https://www.gominno.com/), the only streaming video app just for kids with hundreds of hours of shows and movies that they will love and you will trust. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Their Strengths and Weaknesses](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-their-strengths-and-weaknesses/) **Published:** July 12, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0mh5Yb6LSJS3HQamqPVG.jpg) Back in 1976, my cousin Michael and I were both 9 years old and about to enter the 4th grade. This was the summer that we both had to memorize our multiplication tables. At some point before school started, Michael’s dad (my uncle) sat us down in his den and started a game with us, asking us random multiplication facts. I did ok, but as soon as I got asked what was 8×7, I froze. Was it 54 or 56? Michael jumped in and answered correctly, and won the game. To this day I still have to pause just a mili-second longer when working a multiplication problem that involves the 8’s or 9’s! Michael and I weren’t part of the generation that was taught, “Everyone’s a winner and takes home a trophy”. Instead we were taught that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and the importance of how to be a good sport in each circumstance. The math competition with my cousin inspired me to study harder, and by the time 4th grade started, I knew my multiplication facts, yes, even my 8’s and 9’s! But it became clear as the years clicked by that math was never my natural strength. And my parents were okay with that, although they made it crystal clear that I still had to do my best, even if that meant I had to work a little harder than other kids who naturally gravitated to the more analytical subjects. We parents know that each of our children have unique strengths and weaknesses. It’s how God wired each of us for His purpose. How do we encourage those strengths and yet at the same time encourage perseverance in the things that don’t come naturally easy? One way we’ve instilled perseverance in our kids is by using goal-setting strategies. We’re not expecting perfection or A’s in every subject; instead, we start small. Children often will underestimate what it will take to meet a goal, so parents need to help them plan out realistic strategies to meet a reachable goal. If reading is something that your child struggles with, maybe encourage them to read for 20 minutes a day, sitting beside them and taking turns reading a paragraph, page or chapter. If science is the area in which they struggle, maybe the goal could be an “honorable mention” in the class science fair. Of course, this would require parents teaching the child the steps to achieving this goal – from how to research the topic, to documentation of the experiment, to the final application of the results. Goal-setting doesn’t always have to involve school subjects, either. We’ve utilized these strategies for behavioral issues, even for learning how to ride a bike! It’s a step by step process that kids seem to respond well to. Positive reinforcement works wonders!! Applaud their efforts! Achieving small goals in areas which don’t necessarily come easy for us really instills a sense of accomplishment, and then a desire to keep going in our efforts to improve. We prayerfully speak to each child’s strengths and weaknesses, understanding and all the while reassuring them that God created them wonderfully and individually! He has a plan for their lives. Instill in them confidence in who they are in God’s Kingdom. **Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”** *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [The Plight of the Over-Researched Parent](https://gominno.com/blog/the-plight-of-the-over-researched-parent/) **Published:** June 23, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Eya9V1lETOeSCwsnyyoS/convert?width=761&quality=80) I love the internet. I also happen to hate it. I’m a learner, and the internet is an endless library of information. Whether I’m trying to figure out what a star is made of, or I need a quick recipe to whip up for my guests, I am constantly learning new information from the inter-webs. However, because of the internet, I’ve also learned just how bad I am at this whole parenting thing. I’ve learned that the sunscreen I use on my kids will likely bring them an early death. I’ve learned that the chicken nuggets I feed them has been linked to brain-shrinkage. I’ve learned that the way I’ve been teaching them the alphabet actually slows down their development\*. As a parent, I hate the internet. At the core of my frustration is the thought that behind every new article I read, there is a perfect parent raising a perfect child. A dad who never loses his temper. A mom who has taught their two-year-old how to do yoga. A child who begs to snack on broccoli. Then I look over at my little cherubs; they’re eating carcinogenic crackers and drinking their sugar-laden juice. I cringe. Why can’t I just be like those internet parents? They know what they’re doing. They’re disciplined enough to feed their child only organic, made-from-scratch foods. They’re smart enough to homeschool. In the West, we are extremely competitive. We love to be the best, or at least present like the best to the world around us. If I’m honest, I want my kids to be the healthiest, the smartest, and the most athletic. I want to look like I know what I’m doing as a parent, and convince those around me that I am doing a good job. The truth is, I often feel like I have no idea, and I find myself struggling with insecurities as I watch all the moms and dads around me parent their kids better than I can. Parenting is exhausting. Researching is exhausting. And putting on the mask of “perfect parent” is exhausting. Here are three reason why we shouldn’t be doing this alone. **1.) There is No Perfect Child or Parent** One of the greatest dangers we face as a parents raising our kids in the digital-age is comparison. If we’re not careful, we will use blog articles, Facebook, and Instagram to convince ourselves that everyone has it figured out but us. The beauty of raising your kids in the context of real community is that you quickly learn that there is no perfect parent, and no perfect child. Let’s be honest, we all have a little party inside of our head when we see another kid throw a tantrum or disobey their parents or talk back. It reminds us that we’re not alone. **2.) The Internet Doesn’t Know You or Your Child** It’s easy for online writers to make blanket statements about children or parenting. “Every parent should do this….” or “The one thing every family should have…” or “Why disciplining your child like this is causing harm…”. These are general thoughts geared toward the general pubic. Raising your kids in the context of community allows you to surround yourself with people who can uniquely love you and your children. The internet can make a general statement about how you’re parenting, but a friend can speak specific truth into your life. A friend can objectively tell you your strengths and weaknesses. **3.) Everything is Always Changing** As my wife was weaning our first-born from nursing, we researched our hearts out about what formula is the best during this transition. We found a few articles that showed a particular brand at the top of the list. Six months later, I kid you not, I read a new research article that stated how this same formula had the highest levels of a toxin called arsenic. That’s right. We had been bottle-feeding our precious child arsenic! Information is always changing, and it’s exhausting to try and keep up. Things once considered the best is now the worst. What was once considered a danger is now said to be beneficial. It’s impossible to always “do right” when the right thing to do always seems to change. A solid community will allow you to build a foundation that provides stability for both you and your child in the midst of a chaotic world. The internet “rights and wrongs” will always change, but the tangible demonstration of love for one another is always right. The giving and receiving of forgiveness is always right. Praying and interceding for each other, and even our enemies, is always right. You can’t demonstrate these things for your kids by reading it on someone’s parenting blog post. Surrounding yourself with Christ-centered community will allow you to raise kids in a stable environment. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Parents, use the internet as a tool in your parenting journey, but don’t allow it to become the gauge of your success. Success is not determined by how well your kids out-perform their peers, but rather, how well they love Jesus. May we lay down our individual competitions and surround ourselves with people who will help point us and our kids toward Jesus. We don’t need more research, we need more grace. We need more people reminding us that our value is not based on how well we perform, but rather, on who we are because of what Jesus did on the cross. You can not, and should not raise your kids alone. Find a tribe. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids about Patience](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-patience/) **Published:** June 20, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/k8YM7zkuQlqeQtPcYqB3.jpg) Part of me wonders why my kids struggle with patience because they are *painfully slow* whenever *I’m* in a hurry. Okay, okay…the truth is *I* struggle with patience just as much as they do. It’s difficult to wait in a world of insta-everything. Our kids are used to instantly seeing the photo we just took, eating a hot meal three minutes after it came out of the fridge, and watching a show at the click of the button (they don’t even have to rewind movies!). Patience, described by my daughter’s Sunday School teacher (and others) as “waiting with a good attitude,” isn’t a self-help trick to make life more tolerable. It’s part of the fruit of the Spirit, something that should characterize every Christian believer who abides in Christ. Patience is more than waiting on little sis to tie her shoe. It’s staving off anxiety while waiting on test results from the doctor. It’s trusting that God is in control of our finances when we’re not. It’s being tolerant when others show their weaknesses (*Proverbs 19:11)*. It’s continuing to act in faith by prayer while we trust that something will happen (Galatians 6:9). Here are some suggestions on how to talk to your kids about patience, and why we should practice it daily. ### ### **1. Take Inventory** #### **How patient are you?** Before talking with your kids about how to be patient, it’s helpful to start examining ways you’re impatient. Starting today, chronicle times you feel impatient. Is it over something trivial? Out of your control? How many times is it your own child that triggers your impatience? Journal about it or simply write a “P” on your digital calendar to help catalog those moments. Review at the end of the week and use these experiences to share with your children about how you, too, struggle with patience. ***Example:*** *You remember when I honked the car horn this week when I was waiting for you? I was being impatient, and I’m sorry I hurt your feelings and made you rush. What are some ways we can communicate better?* ### ### **2. Plant a Seed** #### **Shortcuts aren’t good for the soul.** Object lessons like planting a seed or sapling and caring for it as it grows can serve a gentle, daily reminder that we have a job to do while we wait. We’re made to cultivate and care for the things around us. When we do this the right way it’ll take time and resources. The outcome is always worth it. ***Example:*** *Do an art experiment together where you do the same project twice; for simplicity’s sake, let’s say it’s a coloring sheet. Set the timer so that you each have to finish coloring the picture in 60 seconds. Then do a second sheet with the timer set to 6 minutes. Compare and talk about the results. Bring up this object lesson the next time your child is having trouble waiting: “We wait because doing a good job takes time.”* ### ### **4. Distract** #### **Stockpile a bag of tricks.** Waiting patiently can sometimes be as simple as staying occupied. We parents are pros at this on a road trip: DVD player, activity books, car games, snacks, etc. But we often forget to plan for boredom at the grocery store, doctor’s office, church or shopping. How often do you pull out your phone when you’re bored? Why do we expect anything less of our little ones? ***Example:*** *Ask your child to talk about the last time he was bored. Suggest getting a bag and having him fill it with things that will keep him occupied while he waits, like cards, pens and paper, mp3 player, or a snack. Also, be mindful of how often you pass time on your phone with your child around.* ### ### **5. Pat on the Back** #### **Reinforce good behavior.** When you praise the effort your kid puts into waiting with a good attitude, it cements that experience as a positive one-one that that they’ll want to repeat. Point out not just that they did a great job of being patient, but how they did it, and how it made you feel. ***Example:*** *Wow! I’m so proud of you for staying calm and quiet while I was on the phone. I know you wanted to show me what you had been working on, but you waited until I was finished. That made my call go so much faster, and that helps me spend more time with you now.* Parenting can push any person to his or her limits. Remember to extend grace to yourselves and your kids when needed. Be generous with asking for and giving forgiveness. Tolerance complements patience, and we do ourselves and our kids a service by cultivating both in our homes. You may not get a thank you now, but be *patient*…it’ll come in time. --- Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Everything You Need to Know About Father's Day](https://gominno.com/blog/everything-need-know-fathers-day/) **Published:** June 18, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OUg3xUSiQJWh7xPq5gsG_JT-Blog-everything%20fathers%20day.jpg.jpg) Find new ways to celebrate Father’s Day with poems and posts below! #### [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ik3wWWNrSImnceCit9HH_JT-Blog-fathers%20day%20history.jpg.jpg)](../blog/fathers-day-history) #### [The History of Father’s Day](../blog/fathers-day-history "History of Father's Day") Although the idea of honoring one’s father is ancient, the modern American origins began in 1910, but the day didn’t become nationally recognized until after World War II. [Find out even more about the history of Father’s Day, including how the day is celebrated around the world, here. ](../blog/fathers-day-history) #### [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1eZDoDjtQ82cufnJ7E3m_First-Fathers-Day-JT-Blog-Image.jpg.jpg)](../blog/god-faithful-dads-first-fathers-day) #### [God Is Faithful: My First Father’s Day](../blog/god-faithful-dads-first-fathers-day) A story from a new dad who is experiencing his first Father’s Day. His story helps us remember that God is faithful, even in brokenness. #### [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VfKyx4jyRRaS1yM8FdQd_JT-Blog-fathers%20day%20poems.jpg.jpg)](../blog/fathers-day-poems) #### [Father’s Day Poems](../blog/fathers-day-poems "Father's Day Poems") If you’re making gifts for Father’s Day, you may want to check out this collection of Father’s Day Poems. (They would also be great for sharing on social media!) From prayers to modern poetry, you can find a variety of poems to express what’s in your heart on Father’s Day. #### [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jyfYhsATDQOLB38v1oxg_JT-Blog-famous%20fathers.jpg.jpg)](../blog/fathers-in-the-bible) #### [Famous Fathers in The Bible and Church History](../blog/fathers-in-the-bible) In this blog, we explore what the Bible say about Fatherhood and discuss famous Christian fathers throughout history. [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2cgqkHaQSuUGfm1BKUlT_HfJrGZtIS5CCtHqp0FmO_JT-Blog-bible%20fathers.jpg.jpg)](../blog/what-does-the-bible-tell-us-about-the-role-of-fathers) #### [What Does the Bible Tell Us about the Role of Fathers?](../blog/what-does-the-bible-tell-us-about-the-role-of-fathers) This post shares Bible verses and other reflections on what Scripture says is the role of fathers. Happy Father’s Day! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Family Vacation: When It's Not So Restful](https://gominno.com/blog/family-vacation-when-its-not-so-restful/) **Published:** June 16, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/4822eCCkSJG76SV7RarU/convert?width=800&quality=80) There was a very defining moment in my motherhood journey when I realized life had indeed changed for me. If you haven’t come face to face with your selfish nature, just have a baby – you’ll be staring ugly in the face in no time! Suddenly, my daily routines looked completely different. I am not sure why that hadn’t registered in my mind when I saw the plus sign, decorated the room, or packed my bag for the hospital, but it didn’t. Soon after bringing our little one home, there were a series of things that ran through my head, many of which began with the phrase, “oh, I’ll never\_\_\_\_\_\_ again?” Reality set in as I encountered normal everyday tasks with a baby in tow. Sleep, showers, grocery shopping, potty breaks, and date nights all looked different and required extra effort and juggling. These were all things I happily encountered, but still the shedding of my selfish nature was a very real thing and often left me feeling inadequate and heavy-hearted. Just as we started to settle into normal life after a new baby, we decided to tackle our first family vacation. Let’s just say it was less of a restful getaway and more of a “family adventure”. (I use the word “adventure” here with loads of sarcasm.) In order to prove my point, I googled both words: vacation and adventure to paint a clear picture of the difference between them. Vacation is defined as an extended period of recreation, but adventure is notated as an unusual or exciting, typically hazardous experience or activity. Yep. That is what we were headed into – an unusual, likely hazardous experience. We had added a tiny human into our family, which resulted in nearly double the accessories for our trip. Packing the car became more like a game of Jenga. What once was a fun drive to our destination, complete with mix tapes and 90’s sing-a-longs, became a Chinese fire drill at every stop and lots of baby lullaby music. There were no peaceful poolside moments. My insecurities weighed heavy on me when I shoved my post baby body into a bathing suit. And to top it off, I was riddled with worry … certain that I’d never again sit at the beach and just read a book. Fear had settled in and I told my husband I would likely never take my eyes off of our kids, constantly fearful of them near the water. Something about birthing a baby makes you keenly aware of every hazard around you, it can be exhausting. In the past, our vacations had been a time of rest and rejuvenation. We’d always come back tanned and relaxed. Now there were 6 am wake up calls on our days off. Vacation had been laden with worry, work, insecurity, and continued exhaustion. You can’t clock in and out of parenting. There are no “off” days. I was longing for rest in so many areas of life. Fast forward, my kids are now 7 and 5. We just returned from our early summer vacation. It was positively one of the best ones we’ve ever taken. What changed? It wasn’t just that they’re a bit older now and more self-sufficient. My heart changed. I learned to enjoy the journey. God spoke to me about soaking up this time and sitting in peace, His perfect peace. He did some redefining of the word rest in my life through these verses. **“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!”** **Isaiah 26:3 NLT** **“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT** So, I set my heart on His words. I traded my expectations for reality and decided it was enough … far more than enough. I enjoyed the present. I resolved to turn the pages of my heart to a grateful place where I spent each day with my hands open. I decided to be peaceful on purpose and to relish in this season of adventure. And for the moments when it all tried to creep back in, I sat in the un-perfectness of it all and just invited Him in to fill it up and guess what, He did it! I came to understand that the biblical concept of peace is not related to our circumstances, instead it’s tied to God’s presence. Peacefulness becomes about what we focus our hearts on and I had been fixated on the work of each day – I was overwhelmed by it, even on vacation. I was desperate to rest and searching for it in all the wrong places. As fast as the world around us goes, we easily get caught up in the business of life, especially with the gift little person that solely depends on you. It’s so easy to be burdened by the expectation of perfection. God’s promises are real, and His words are life giving. He says the peace He gives us is a gift that the world can’t give. I’ve spent far too many of our vacations longing for the wrong type of rest. I’ve resolved to rest in Him. His assurances are that this world is not my home and that my forever rest is in Him. Until that time, I will be here soaking up these “adventures” with my kiddos, even if that means they are hazardous in nature. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Galaxy Buck Coloring Pages](https://gominno.com/blog/galaxy-buck-coloring-pages/) **Published:** June 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/jML8ZWqCRfyCt3XyLhrq/convert?width=800&quality=80) [Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9](https://www.gominno.com/series/galaxy%20buck) is a wild, galactic adventure from *VeggieTales(R)* and *What’s in the Bible?* creator Phil Vischer that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything – even our dreams! Galaxy Buck is available to stream on [Minno](/post/www.gominno.com), and to continue the fun off-screen, we have some free coloring pages for you to download! [![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gzsU9Z0SRt6KNZrjVn4g.jpg)](https://cdn.buttercms.com/xf1IUXfmQKQRUaR98kQf) [Download your Galaxy Buck Coloring Page Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/xf1IUXfmQKQRUaR98kQf) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Galaxy Buck Spaceship Craft](https://gominno.com/blog/galaxy-buck-spaceship-craft/) **Published:** June 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/cmjoruwqQIyOUqWfDKzj/convert?width=800&quality=80) [Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9](https://www.gominno.com/series/galaxy%20buck) is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything – even our dreams! From *VeggieTales®* and *What’s in the Bible?* creator Phil Vischer, *Galaxy Buck* is available to stream on [right here](/www.gominno.com), and to continue the fun off-screen, we have some super-fun crafts for you to do with your kids. You can use them as part of a family movie and craft night, a viewing party with friends or any other fun, creative way you want! Haven’t seen *Galaxy Buck?* [Start your free trial today](/www.gominno.com) and enjoy *Galaxy Buck* and tons of other Christian shows and movies for your family. Below you’ll find the supplies and instructions for your kids to make their very own Galaxy Buck Spaceship. You can [download a PDF of the Galaxy Buck Spaceship Craft instructions here](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Galaxy-Buck-Spaceship-Craft.pdf). **Supplies** - Black paper - Chalk (chalk pastels or just sidewalk chalk will do, too) - White paper - White and black paint - Paintbrush - Cup - Water - Crayons, oil pastels, or markers (we used oil pastels) - Glue - Scissors Optional: tissue or paper towel ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/hQQkQbmRNiMvBfQE5bri/convert?width=800&quality=80) **Step 1 –** Create your grey paper! Put a bit of white and black paint into a cup. Mix it together until you have a medium grey. Paint the entire white sheet of paper grey. Set aside to dry. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/lpMVwEhRY2mOHxbVl7Fi/convert?width=800&quality=80) **Step 2** – You will now use your black sheet of paper for the next few steps. Take your chalk pastel a rub it on your black paper. We used purple, but in the past, my students have chosen many different colors.. it always looks beautiful! I always tell my students to use the flat (long) side of the chalk so that they aren’t “drawing.” ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/8GanvlZTYGx8G10me4lx/convert?width=800&quality=80) Once you have the desired amount of color on your paper, use a tissue or paper towel to smear the chalk. You can use your hand too if you are feeling up to the mess! ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/zih1AaRj6ZZxKVM95Jwl/convert?width=800&quality=80) **Step 3** – Put some white paint in a cup and mix it with a little bit of water (you just need a drop of two of water). Use your brush and a flick of the wrist to splatter paint beautiful stars! Set this paper aside to dry. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/NvxLZPrT3qIm7XwMzz4Q/convert?width=800&quality=80) **Step 4** – It’s time to use that painted-gray paper again! I have my students flip the paper over and draw their shapes on the back, so that when they cut out their shapes, you don’t see any pencil marks. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/4Q1mFXwxRax0qhGtRh6T/convert?width=800&quality=80) Use a marker or pencil to draw three shapes on the back of your paper: a very large oval, a rectangle/cylinder, and a circle. While it’s tempting to let your child trace shapes for perfection, I suggest letting them draw the shape on their own! Break it down to each line if you need to. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/n13deD7R0z6WOLSrKuzg/convert?width=800&quality=80) **Step 5** – Cut out your shapes and glue them to your black paper. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/z9a4ngt4SjCcsJ4s5wEa/convert?width=800&quality=80) **Step 6** – Use your oil pastels, crayons, or markers to add details! ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/LiVsUG0dSBer4hlpDgjc/convert?width=800&quality=80) The completed spaceship! *April Hohne is a graduate of Belmont University who began working as an Arts Specialist after college. A certified teacher in the areas of Music, Art and ESL, April loves guiding children through the journey of creating. She operates the Green Elephant Arts Studio in the Nashville, TN area.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids about the Presidential Election with Dr. Russell Moore](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-presidential-election-with-dr-russell-moore/) **Published:** June 9, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/YSXhFYIkTXyUywL3DXCc/convert?width=800&quality=80) In early May, Dr. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote an [op-ed](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/opinion/a-white-church-no-more.html?_r=0) in the *New York Times* addressing the presidential candidacy of Donald J. Trump and its racial overtones. The op-ed set off Mr. Trump, who released a tweet calling Dr. Moore a “nasty guy,” among other things. You can read more about the incident [here](http://religionnews.com/2016/05/09/holy-twitter-trump-takes-on-a-top-baptist-theologian/). Moore, a widely-respected Evangelical leader, then appeared on [numerous news shows](http://www.christiantimes.com/article/donald-trump-says-russell-moore-a-terrible-representative-of-evangelicals-a-nasty-guy-erlc-leader-responds/55378.htm), including CNN to respond to Mr. Trump. In the month or so since, Dr. Moore, author of [Onward](http://www.amazon.com/Onward-Engaging-Culture-without-Losing/dp/1433686171?ie=UTF8&keywords=onward%20russell%20moore&qid=1465485759&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1)), has spoken out repeatedly about the election and the difficult choice facing many Christians. This led the team at Minno to wonder – well, if adult Christians are facing this type of challenge when it comes to voting or discussing the US presidential election, how would they begin to talk to their kids about it? This election cycle that has been dominated by difficult issues – everything from racism to marital infidelity to abortion to war crimes … things that would make a movie rated R but appear every night on the news! So we reached out to Dr. Moore, a father of 5, to get his advice for parents during this election season. JT: You’ve been outspoken against Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president. While I know you’ve spoken about why to many media outlets, I’d love to focus on what advice you would have for parents and how to handle a candidate like Trump when they talk to their kids about the election. How old are your boys? I believe it was on CNN that you said one of the reasons you couldn’t support Trump was because of your boys. RM: Our boys are 15 to 4. Our oldest just turned 15 this week. The youngest one is 4. And so what I was talking about in that CNN interview was the fact that the presidency comes with a bully pulpit about what is acceptable in terms of what it means to be a good citizen. Even before we get to the question of religion, what does good citizenship look like? Many parents back in 90s had a difficult time explaining the Monica Lewinsky scandal to children. Now we’re in a time when the Monica Lewinsky scandal seems almost junior varsity! I think my main concern is that I don’t want my sons seeing me excusing horrific character flaws as not mattering. That’s one of the things that has come up quite a bit. Whether that relates to Hilary Clinton on the Democratic side or Donald Trump on the Republican side, the conversation is that these allegations don’t matter. For someone who is raising boys up to respect women … I never want them to see me excusing what they know I believe to be evil. JT: If you don’t mind sharing, what are some questions your sons have had about the election and how have you and your wife responded? RM: I might have a unique sort of situation since one of the Presidential candidates has personally attacked me. It’s more personal for my sons. One of the things that I try to teach my children is that politics is not a religion. And most of what happens in American life is that people aren’t joining their political parties, they are asking their political parties into their lives as their lord and savior. They know that I am not happy with the direction of American life right now – with either of these alternatives. But I have to spend a lot time saying that, regardless of what happens in the election, Jesus is still Lord and God is still sovereign. JT: The tenor of this political campaign is difficult for a lot of Christians to stomach. Do you think parents should limit the amount of exposure their kids have to this campaign? Or what are some ways you think parents can keep this campaign an educational experience? RM: It’s really remarkable that I would find myself saying this – I started out my life working on campaigns – and every primary or general election at the statewide or general level from the time I was 4-years-old on, I was completely involved in or obsessed with! Ordinarily I would say use the election season to teach your kids about citizenship, and that’s typically what I’ve done. This year, though, is different because there is such a dark turn that the election has taken. And not only because you have two unpopular and divisive candidates, but the issues being debated are typically very dark – war crimes, race baiting, along with vicious personal attacks. We’ve always had personal attacks in American life, but this is a different sort of year that is more informed by reality television. I don’t only limit my children’s consumption, I limit my own! JT: You said on [CBN](http://www1.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2016/06/03/brody-file-exclusive-russell-moores-prayer-for-donald-trump) that your primary focus is on 2017. I think that idea can resonate with a lot of parents – what advice would you have for helping parents navigate having a less-than-ideal candidate win the White House? What lessons can parents teach their kids about God and his sovereignty through this election season and beyond? **RM:** I think we have to maintain the tension that the Bible has between honoring kings and also maintaining a prophetic witness and discernment. (We want to) rear children that are simultaneously able to do what Daniel does and speak in honoring terms to Nebuchadnezzar, but also to defy Nebuchadnezzar – that’s a tricky balance to be able to meet. My kids know, for instance, right now that I have several disagreements with President Obama on some pretty major issues. But I want to make sure that they know that those disagreements are about those issues and not simply because President Obama holds them. I make sure I never refer to him as “Obama” but only as President Obama. … I think he is a good father and models to the country some good things about fatherhood and loving his wife. I think the same thing is going to be true (in 2017). I think it’s probably going to be more difficult in 2017 because if either of these (candidates are elected) and do these things that they say they are going to do, then we are going to have a great deal of national trauma. ### Key Conversations Minno would like to thank Dr. Moore for his time and insight into navigating the election season with your kids. Here are a few key conversations and takeaways for practical follow-ups in your family: 1. Limit your family’s exposure to the nightly news, especially given the tone of the current presidential election. 2. When you do watch or hear a presidential candidate use mean language or personal attacks, point them out to your children. Ask them what they think about that language, and explain why you think it’s inappropriate. 3. Remind your kids that Jesus is Lord. As Dr. Moore said, Jesus is Lord and God is sovereign! Regardless of who is elected, God is still in control. Remind your kids of that! 4. Show respect, even when you disagree. Dr. Moore pointed out that he tries to always disagree with an issue, not disparage a person. Set a positive tone for the way your family talks about our nation’s leaders. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What is Justification?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-justification/) **Published:** June 4, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tF3Gy1t3R9CWfItgHljJ.jpg) **Justification means “the action of showing something to be right or reasonable.” When something is “just” it is “right” or “true.” When God justifies someone, He declares him or her to be right and good.** Because we are all human beings, we all sin (do things that are not good and make God sad) and therefore cannot be called “right” despite anything that we do to please God. Our list of good things we have done also includes the list of bad things we have done. Even our best behavior cannot make us right before God. But God declares us to be right (justifies us), because of His Son, Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, He took all of our sin and bad stuff and took it on himself. In turn, He gives us His righteousness. Because Jesus is God, he did not sin and therefore was perfect. When God justifies people, He puts a “righteous” stamp on them; He takes away their “sinful” label and replaces it with a “righteous” one. To justify is to change something’s label from “wrong” to “right.” This is a one-time event; once God justifies a person, the “sinful” label is thrown away forever. God wants to save us from the stain of sin; this is known as justification. He cleanses us of our sins and puts a new label on us. If we are not justified by what we do, how then are we justified? We are justified by grace through faith. We have already discussed that grace is “God’s unmerited favor towards us.” Justification is God’s gift to us. We cannot do anything to earn it; we do not deserve it. We receive this promise of justification by faith. Faith is simply belief or trust. When you have faith in someone, you trust them. You trust that they are going to do what they said they would do; this is faith. Therefore justification is a free gift from God that we receive by believing in Jesus and trusting Him. God himself gives us this faith and allows us to believe in Him and His promises. #### #### A Deeper Look at Justification in the Bible Justification is a divine act whereby God judicially declares a believing sinner to be righteous and acceptable before Him because Christ has bore the sinner’s sin on the cross and in turn has given the believing sinner His own righteousness (Phil 3:9; Rom. 4:3-8). The redemptive activity of Christ bearing our sins and imputing His righteousness upon us is the basis for our justification (2 Cor 5:21). Calvin called justification “the hinge on which the door of salvation turns.” It is based on Christ’s righteousness (Rom 3:24-26; 4:25; 5:15-21), brings the peace of God (Rom.5:1), salvation, and the giving of His spirit to those who believe. Justification by faith alone is the heart of the Gospel, and the Gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). Just as it is with sanctification, justification is a benefit of our union with Christ. It is because of our union with Christ that we are counted as righteous. John Piper writes [\[1\]](#_just): > Christ counts us as having his righteousness in Christ because we are united to Christ by faith alone. That is, we are counted perfectly honoring and displaying the glory of God, which is the essence of God’s righteousness, and which is also the perfect fulfilling of the law. That is what God imputes to us and counts us as having because we are in Christ who perfectly honored God in his sinless life. Our righteousness therefore is in Heaven, where we are united to Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father, not here on Earth. The basis for justification then is the vicarious work of Christ for us. Luther’s primary critique of the Roman Catholic Church’s view of justification was that they did not acknowledge that people are justified by grace through faith alone. The Council of Trent, the Catholic response to the Reformation, declared those who believed in justification by faith alone as cursed. Justification and sanctification are benefits that flow from our union with Christ (Acts 16:31), but we must remember they are separate acts. Justification is the act of God declaring us righteous, while sanctification is the process by which we are made to be more Christ-like. Justification is a legal declaration that we are now righteous before God and deals with the legal ramifications of sin. We are no longer declared guilty in God’s court. Sanctification is the heart transformation that happens upon justification. We are new creatures in Christ, people who have been transformed by the Gospel. Both justification and sanctification are gifts by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8-10) and not based on any righteousness of our own (Rom. 5:6:8; 1 Peter 3:18). #### #### Righteousness Through the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ This righteousness is therefore imputed to us and it is an alien righteousness, meaning that it comes from outside of us (Jer 23:6). It is the imputed perfect righteousness of Christ which is the ground of the believer’s justification and salvation because imputed, not inherent, righteousness gives us the right to eternal life. John Owen wrote [\[2\]](#_just): > And therefore, whereas our inherent righteousness is imperfect (they are to be pitied or despised, not to be contended withal, that are otherwise minded), if that be imputed unto us, we cannot be accepted on the account thereof as perfectly righteous without an error in judgment. As stated above this righteousness is imputed to us, and it can only be made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Christ’s death served as a perfect and complete sacrifice for the sins of all who believe. In Old Testament times, sacrifices had to be offered repeatedly because they could not completely and finally deal with sins. Christ is an effectual sacrifice because He is the perfect High Priest who was perfect in every way (Heb. 7:28, 10:5-15). While the Old Testament priests were not sinless themselves, Christ was perfect and without sin. It is only by the blood of Christ that we can be made clean. *What Can Wash Away My Sin? Nothing But the Blood of Jesus* We are redeemed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:20; Rom. 5:9). The Bible not only declares that Jesus bore the penalty of our sin for us (1 John 2:2; John 1:29), it also states that Christ became sin for us (Gal. 3:13; 2 Cor 5:21). Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and all the penalties that were due to God’s people for disobeying the Law were poured out onto Christ (Matt. 5:17-18; Rom 10:4). Because Christ has fulfilled the Law, obeying it completely and perfectly, we are no longer under the Law but under grace (Gal. 2:19, 3:24-25; Rom. 7:6). It was the active obedience of Christ that led him to the cross (Phil. 2:8). #### #### Justification by Faith vs. Self-Righteousness Tim Keller explains righteousness as “the validating performance record which opens doors” [\[3\]](#_just). When you present a resume to an employer you are saying, “Look at my credentials; I am worthy of this job.” If you are good enough, you are accepted. The world works this way. You get out your performance record and if you are good enough you are accepted. So therefore we assume that God also works this way; we show him a list of our qualifications and if we meet certain goals then we are accepted by. Then Paul comes along and says there is a perfect and divine righteousness that comes to us as a gift, and once you have received it, by faith, you are accepted. You do not develop it on your own; it is a gift from God. In the Bible, the same Greek word is used for “righteousness” and “justification” and the two are linked in Scripture. To justify yourself is to validate your worthiness. In the movie *Chariots of Fire*, as Harold Abrahams is preparing to run the 100 Meter Race in the 1924 Olympics, he says this, “And now in one hour’s time I will be out there again. I will raise my eyes and look down that corridor; 4 feet wide, with 10 lonely seconds to justify my whole existence. But will I?” So what does all of this mean for us today, in our day-to-day lives? Why does this matter? If we accept what Paul is saying, that this is a free righteousness, that we are justified freely, it changes everything. We are able to withstand anything, loss of money, loss of job status, because our righteousness and our justification is not based on our performance. Now our justification is from the Lord. Receiving this justification by grace through faith means to repent of your false righteousness, to transfer it from wealth, children, job security, to God. It is a righteousness that comes to you, not from you, and is the end of your struggle to justify your existence. Tim Keller writes [\[4\]](#_just): > The gospel of justifying faith means that while Christians are, in themselves still sinful and sinning, yet in Christ, in God’s sight, they are accepted and righteous. So we can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope — at the very same time. This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin. We often talk about justification as simply being forgiveness but it is much more than that. It goes beyond forgiving someone; free justification is an invitation. When you are forgiven, essentially the other person is saying, “You may go. I will no longer hold your action against you.” But in the Bible justification is an invitation and the bestowal of a new status upon you. It is the bestowal of a status and all the benefits that comes from that new status. Through Christ God now says to us “you are welcome to all my love and presence.” In Galatians 4:4-7 Paul reminds the Galatians that because of God’s grace and Christ’s righteousness they are now adopted into God’s family (Rom 8:17; 1 Peter 1:4). They receive the blessings and promises given to Christ. When we receive Christ’s promise of justification by grace through faith, we too have received all the promises and blessings given to Christ. All of our sins-past, present, and future, are forgiven, nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), and we are made to be sons and daughters of the living God. We are then free to give up our efforts of self-justification and delight in the grace of God who has saved us for His glory. --- \[1\] Piper, John. Future of Justification. 165. \[2\] Owen, John. The Doctrine of Justification. 5:173, 267. \[3\] Keller, Tim. “Justified by Faith.” Tim Keller Podcast. Redeemer Presbyterian Church. NYC. 25 May 2012. \[4\] Keller, Tim. “Paul’s Letter to the Galatians: Living in Line with the Truth of the Gospel.” Redeemer Presbyterian Church. 2003. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/2GrY8tH9SMC1LCblFIlu/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=whatsinthebible&utm_campaign=blog%20banner) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [The Power of the Mind: Helping Our Children Be In Not Of the World](https://gominno.com/blog/in-not-of-the-power-of-the-mind/) **Published:** May 31, 2016 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Dx2VcP4WTzKE6eS73jn0/convert?width=800&quality=80) “Don’t copy the behavior or customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” [Romans 12:2 ](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12%3A2+&version=NLT)(NLT) I’m getting ready to host sixteen eight-year-old girls at my house for a birthday party this weekend. I imagine the level of excitement and activity will be enough to blow my mind. Still, I’m thrilled to have these sweet girls in my home to celebrate my daughter and get to know her friends and their relationship dynamics. At this age, my girl and I often chat about her friendships. There seems to be more and more drama happening in the lunchroom and on the playground. But when I dig to find out about the emotions and words that allegedly fly around, the more I understand the root of the issue. So much of the drama begins in her mind. Thoughts that plague our children about who they are and where they belong often grow into weeds that, if left unattended, overshadow the beauty of their lives. As an adult, I look back and understand this issue and what it did to my own childhood. And I want better for my children. I want them to flourish IN the world, not wilt because OF it. Although it isn’t based on scripture, I love this old poem about the garden of the mind: *Your mind is a garden* *Your thoughts are the seeds* *You can grow flowers or* *You can grow weeds* *– Author Unknown* – The mind is a powerful garden that when tended to, will yield beautiful growth for our children. In her study *The Armor of God*, Priscilla Shirer writes, “What the brain is to the body, the mind is to the soul.” Just as our brain provides direction and function for our bodies, our minds provide guidance for our souls – our will and emotions. This can be a large concept for children to understand. But there are simple ways we can communicate the power of the mind to our kids to help them learn early on that being a Jesus follower means allowing God to change the way we think. And when we allow God and His Spirit to guide our thoughts, we experience a greater level of peace and joy; we thrive IN the world without being OF it or changed BY it. Read [Philippians 2:1-18 ](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phillipians+2%3A1-18&version=ESV)and consider sharing it with your children. Paul encourages the church in this letter to have the attitude of Christ, which he also says is “being of the same mind.” Our actions and attitudes begin with our thoughts. What comes out of our mouths and in our behavior originates in our mind. Teaching our children these four truths will help them guard their minds as they grow in life experience and maturity. Understanding what it means to have the mind of Christ is an essential piece of their faith foundation that will allow them to stand strong IN the world without being OF it. 1. Once you enter into relationship with Jesus, God works to change the way you think. ([Romans 12:2](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12%3A2&version=ESV)) 2. God’s spirit is with you in tough situations. He will remind you to stop and ask, “What would Jesus think about this? How would he respond?” ([Philippians 2:2](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians+2%3A2&version=ESV)) 3. You have the power to[ ](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wp.me/p2tpzu-2vj&sa=D&ust=1464723630489000&usg=AFQjCNHaGcxzdHoWDD4LS9GiRefZtfGFCw)[choose](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wp.me/p2tpzu-2vj&sa=D&ust=1464723630490000&usg=AFQjCNHEObp2K79iHcSM-9jRX4A6404fsw)[ the best thoughts](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wp.me/p2tpzu-2vj&sa=D&ust=1464723630490000&usg=AFQjCNHEObp2K79iHcSM-9jRX4A6404fsw) – about Jesus, others and yourself. ([Matthew 22:37-39](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A37-39&version=ESV)) 4. You can take negative thoughts and turn them around by speaking the truth. ([2 Corinthians 10:5](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+10%3A5&version=ESV)) The thoughts of our children include these three connecting points: - Jesus – What do I think about faith, my relationship with Jesus? - Others – How do I relate to my family, friends, leaders and the hard to love people in my life? - You – What do I believe about myself; what is my unique identity and purpose? The right thinking in each of these foundational areas of their life leads to JOY! Each day our children encounter a plethora of information and varying messages coming at them like arrows from the hand of a master archer. When we teach them to guard their minds like the Bible tells us to do, we protect them from being overwhelmed, confused and tempted to react and to instead, carefully consider each decision they face. When they understand the power their thoughts have over the rest of their lives, and learn to take on the mind of Christ, they will thrive and make their mark IN the world without taking on the identity OF it. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How Do You Celebrate the End of School?](https://gominno.com/blog/voices-celebrate-end-school-year-kids/) **Published:** May 21, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/E7gusCQvuzMJMq8yvFzw_JT-Blog-school%20year%20kids.jpg.jpg)* *We’ve rounded up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ### How do you celebrate the end of the school year with your kids? #### #### Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) > My daughter’s birthday is in May so I imagine we’ll celebrate hard this month as she finishes her first school year and turns 6. I hope to make it a yearly celebration of life and the life that comes from our incredible opportunity to learn! #### Stef of [Educating Laytons](http://www.Educatinglaytons.com) > I usually cook their favorite meal and give them a small “well done” gift – small lego set, etc. We make the night all about them and they get a sundae bar too. They worked hard and deserve it! #### Laura of [Raising Soldiers 4 Christ](http://www.Raisingsoldiers4christ.com) > We school year round so there really isn’t an end of the year for our kids. They do know that we take some breaks as summer comes along though for Church Camp and Bible school. They love this and think of it as a celebration. #### Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.Courtneysix.blogspot.com) > We homeschool year round, so we try to take most of May off. We use the time when the weather is great but other schools are still in to do some fun things outside when it’s not crowded. #### Cara of [Cheap Ways To…](http://www.Cheapwaysto.com) > Our YMCA’s outdoor pool opens Memorial Day weekend, so we often grab ice cream after school and head to the pool! #### Heather of [Learning As We Grow…Growing As We Learn](http://www.learningandgrowingalongtheway.blogspot.com) > We usually go out for ice cream at our local ice creamery, The Cone. Also, we live near an amusement park and if everyone has finished well, we make our first trip to Kings Island of the summer. Last year, unfortunately, we had an incident with our oldest lying about completing work, and he had to stay home while his dad took his youngest brother. It was painful, but hopefully helped to teach the importance of honesty and hard work. #### Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://www.Chaosappreciation.com/blog) > We schooled over the summer last year. This year, however, we will be ending in June. I am hoping to take the kids for a fun lake day to celebrate. #### Carlie of [Managing Your Blessings](http://www.Managingyourblessings.com) > We always have a day or two planned with some fun activities. In the past we’ve done anything from going to the beach to eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It varies based upon what the children want to do. We always celebrate it to show the children how proud we are that they’ve tried their best and stuck something out. #### Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.OurOutofSyncLife.com) > We celebrate the end of the school year by relaxing and enjoying family time. We spend a lot of time swimming, camping, having bonfires, and enjoying each other while making memories. #### Tamika of [No Time for Tea Parties](http://www.notimefortea.com "No Time For Tea Parties") > We start Camp Mom. We usually build a Fort and sleep in the living room, go on a trip to the zoo or something like that. I like to kick off summer with something interesting! Once we went to a circus and another time we went to a play. ### How does your family celebrate the beginning of summer? Let us know in the comments! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Free Jesus Coloring Book](https://gominno.com/blog/free-jesus-coloring-book/) **Published:** May 11, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2ER4KQI6TdyjG01JuCOu.jpg) Looking for Bible coloring pages to help your kids learn about Jesus and His teachings? Download this free 5 page Jesus coloring book from Minno! Featuring scenes from Buck Denver Asks … What’s in the Bible?, these coloring pages bring the story of Jesus to life for your kids. The free Jesus coloring pack from Minno features 5 great coloring pages. Download your [JESUS COLORING PACK](https://cdn.buttercms.com/NcLfDpnJRYeN2BdDVRvz). To watch the whole What’s in the Bible? Series, subscribe to Minno today for a 7-day free trial. Learn more about [What’s in the Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/series/buck%20denver%20asks%20whats%20in%20the%20bible%20full%20episodes) here. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How To Keep a Summer Routine with Kids](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-keep-a-summer-routine-with-kids/) **Published:** May 5, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/dZ4eMy5PSP2tpPiuoSre/convert?width=800&quality=80) This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them: How do you approach routines and schedules during the summer? #### Jessica of [Grace for Moms](www.graceformoms.com) I’m pretty unstructured as a mom but I know it will be important to keep the sense of structure my daughter got used to this year in school. We’ll probably find a happy medium of kicking back some days and being more intentional for others. Most of all I just want to enjoy my children this summer. I’ve heard it said that once they start school you only have 13 more summers before they are off to college. I want to soak up every single moment of those months! #### Stef of [Educating Laytons](www.educatinglaytons.com) Too much freedom leads to boredom and disobedience in our home. We try very hard to have a fun summer structured schedule. I am flexible – but without any boundaries, our boys end up bored out of their mind or constantly on each other’s nerves. We do not think “structure” is a bad word! #### Laura of [Raising Soldiers 4 Christ](http://www.raisingsoldiers4christ.com) We are very relaxed in our schedule anyway so summer is not much different. We do take off for Church Camp, Bible School and other fun outdoor activities but my kids are military kids, so they are used to being flexible. #### Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.aswewalkalongtheroad.com/) We have a more relaxed summer schedule. Even though we still do school year round, we have a more relaxed schedule and don’t spend as much time doing school work each day. #### Cara of [Cheap Ways To…](http://www.cheapwaysto.com/) Our summer schedules revolve around trips to see family and our work schedules, but otherwise it’s pretty free-flowing. We only get two months off from school so it flies by. #### Heather of [Learning As We Grow…Growing As We Learn](http://learningandgrowingalongtheway.blogspot.com/) All of our readers are required to read for 20 minutes each morning. Besides that, nothing else is required each day, but they are very inquisitive and we are always looking for books to tell us how things work and why they happen the way they do. We have a daily nap time for our little two and quiet time for our older two regardless of the season, but during the summer, it is more flexible. Often naps are moved earlier so that we can head to the pool sooner. #### Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://www.chaosappreciation.com/blog/) The only change to our summer schedule is that there is no structured school time. Our normal schedule is flexible and laid back most days already. #### Carlie of [Today’s Frugal Mom](http://todaysfrugalmom.com/) I run a very relaxed home environment. There is some structure in regard to chores and bed time, but we just decide what to do as the day comes. We live just 3 blocks from the beach so it isn’t unusual for us to walk down there at the spur of the moment and just take in the beautiful sights and sounds. #### Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.ouroutofsynclife.com/) I have found that structure is extremely important year around. While it is more lax during the summer, a schedule allows the children to know the expectations of what is going to happen throughout the day. In our home, days devoted to full-on-freedom end with bickering and fighting. #### Tamika of [No Time for Tea Parties](http://www.notimefortea.com/) We have routine things, but the time is flexible so the kids can sleep in and enjoy the break in school routine! #### Ashlea of [Pichea Place](http://blog.ashleypichea.com/) While our summer routine is a bit more relaxed, having a basic routine is still essential for our sanity. When we get too relaxed in our structure (i.e. no restrictions on technology use, no daily rest period, etc.), obedience issues tend to arise. #### Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](http://www.kimberlyamici.com/) Our summers tend to have quite a bit of structure with days of complete freedom sprinkled in. I usually sign my kids up for the town swim team as well a few camps during July and August. That means we still have to get up early because we have some place to be. However afternoons we play by ear and when the kids have a day off I try not to schedule anything. #### Wendy of [Hip Homeschool Moms](http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/) We have a good bit of freedom over the summer. The children are allowed to sleep late, but they are still given a bedtime, so they don’t try to sleep until noon! During the day, they are allowed to work on crafts and activities that they want to do, but they are also given chores to do each day. Some summers we continue our homeschooling if we have something we need to finish and didn’t get done during the school year. If we homeschool over the summer, though, it’s very relaxed. And of course the children have lots of free time to enjoy being children! #### Allyson of [All Our Days](http://allourdays.com/) With five kids, ages 6 and under, we need some structure or life would be completely chaotic. We generally run on a loose schedule with time blocks for certain activities (chores, read-alouds, playing outside, an afternoon quiet time, etc.) I’ve found that the kids like to know what to expect and I like the compromise of a loose schedule so I don’t feel behind if we get caught up in our read-aloud and read a few more chapters. ### Does your family stick to a plan or go with the flow during the summer? Let us know in the comments! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What is Sanctification For Christians?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-sanctification-for-christians/) **Published:** May 4, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1P3QlSxRTCF3cvPblhtj.jpg) During your time at church or in Sunday school, you may have heard how Jesus was perfect because He is the Son of God. While it is not possible for any of us to be perfect because we are humans, God calls us to be more like Jesus. The process of becoming more like Christ is called sanctification. ### The Definition of Sanctification Sanctification is a very large word that you may have heard at church from your pastor or Sunday school teacher. It simply means *to sanctify*: that is, *to make holy* or *to set apart*. When God sanctifies us, He makes us holy and sets us apart. The word *holy* means to be different – to be set apart – from those around you. God wants to save us from the stain of sin; this is known as *justification*. When God justifies people, He puts a “righteous” stamp on them; He takes away their “sinful” label and replaces it with a “righteous” one. He cleanses them of their sin and puts a new label on them. To *justify* is to change something’s label from “wrong” to “right.” This is a one-time event; once God justifies a person, the “sinful” label is thrown away forever. God also wants to save us from the power of sin; this is *sanctification*. Sanctification is not a one-time event. It is something that takes place over the rest of a Christian’s life. Even though God cleanses us of our sin and takes away our “wrong” label, this does not mean that we are perfect. Sin is still present, and we still sometimes listen to it and make wrong choices. God wants us to stop listening to sin and doing what it wants us to do. God wants us to do what He tells us to do through the Bible and through His Spirit. He wants to save us from the power of sin, so that sin no longer has control over us. Sanctification is the power to say “yes” to God and “no” to sin. ### ### **A Deeper Look at Sanctification in the Bible** Sanctification is the call to put off the old self, one wrought with sin, and put on the new self, one filled by the Spirit. It is the process of our hearts, minds, and desires being brought into greater conformity with God’s. Sanctification is the Christian’s growth in grace. Sanctification means to become more Christlike, an aspiration that seems all but impossible to reach – but the Lord calls all Christians to holiness and Christlikeness ([1 Peter 1:15](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20peter%201:15&version=ESV)). When sanctification is talked about in the Bible, it is viewed in different stages and the concept is understood in a variety of ways. *Initial sanctification* occurs with our justification ([1 Corinthians 1:2](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%201:2&version=ESV), [6:11](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%206:11&version=ESV)). *Progressive sanctification* is occurring now, as we are being sanctified ([2 Corinthians 3:18](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%203:18&version=ESV); [Philippians 1:6](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%201:6&version=ESV)). *Future sanctification* happens at death when we are glorified and then made perfect ([Romans 8:29-30](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%208:29-30&version=ESV); [Philippians 3:21](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%203:21&version=ESV)). *Full sanctification* is not possible in this life; it can only occur when we have been united to Christ in heaven. ### ### ****The Basis for Sanctification in Scripture**** At the time of justification, we are united to Christ. In [Romans 6:1-14](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%206:1-14&version=ESV), Paul explains that if we have been united to Christ, we have also been united to him in his death and resurrection. We have died to sin and been raised to new life. This passage teaches that we have been freed from the power of sin, enabled to live in newness of life under the reign of grace, unified with Christ in his resurrection, and made new creatures. This passage emphasizes *definitive sanctification*, however Christians will always struggle against sin and fall into it this side of glory. According to 1 Corinthians 1:2, those who have been united to Christ have been sanctified, but there is still the reality that we will not be fully sanctified until glorification. It is Christ’s righteousness that is the basis for our righteousness. “Jesus is the author of our sanctification, in the sense that he created it for us, but he is also the ‘pioneer’ of our salvation, because he does so out of his incarnate life, death, and resurrection.”[\[1\]](#_edn1) The Westminster Shorter Catechism answers that sanctification is: The work of God’s free grace ([2 Thessalonians 2:13](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Thess.%202.13)) whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God ([Ephesians 4:23-24](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph.%204.23-24)), and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness ([Romans 6:4](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom.%206.4), [6](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%206.6); [8:1](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom%208.1)).[\[2\]](#_edn1) Sinclair Ferguson notes that Christians should not focus on their own spiritual progress but focus on what Christ has accomplished in redemptive history. The basis for our sanctification is always the Lord himself. Sanctification is not only discussed in the New Testament but is a work of the Lord’s faithfulness that is repeatedly brought to light in the Old Testament. In the New Testament the Lord sanctified His children by His grace. In the Old Testament, the Lord saved Israel from Egypt out of his loving-kindness. [Deuteronomy 7:6-8](http://biblia.com/books/esv/Dt7.6-8)reads: > For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was ***not because you were more in number*** than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but ***it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers***, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ### **The Process of Sanctification** So how does a Christian reach for sanctification? Some, like Pentecostals, believe sanctification happens instantaneously alongside justification and the Christian is immediately set apart from sin. Most believe it is a process that takes the entirety of our lives. The Bible speaks frequently about God’s sanctifying work in the Christian’s life, but what does the process look like? John MacArthur highlights three key steps in the sanctification process [\[3\]](#_edn1): 1. *Cognition* – understanding what the Bible says and means and renewing your mind ([Rom. 12:1-2](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2012:1-2&version=ESV)). 2. *Conviction* – allowing the convictions that come from understanding Scripture shape how you live your life [(2 Corinthians 4:13-14](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%204:13-14&version=ESV)). 3. *Affection* – loving God’s word ([Psalm 119](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20119&version=ESV)). When the Lord sanctifies His people, he demands that they live a sanctified life. Once we have been saved, it would seem illogical to continue to live as though we had not been saved. As it was in the Old Testament ([Deuteronomy 7:11](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=deuteronomy%207:11%20&version=ESV)), the Lord commands that we now live according to His Word. We learn to love the Lord’s Law not out of a desire to earn God’s favor but because His Spirit has changed our hearts. The indicative must follow the imperative. In Jesus’ day, religious leaders and Pharisees were more concerned with outward holiness than they were with the main teachings of the Law of Moses (love God and love others).[\[4\]](#_edn1) ### ### **Grace and Law in Relation to Sanctification** There has been much discussion of what role the Old Testament Law plays in sanctification. According to the Reformed tradition, it is only when we learn to love God’s revealed Law that sanctification becomes a reality in our lives. Lutherans and Reformers both see the Law as having three primary functions: 1. To restrain sin from running rampant in the world; 2. To serve as a mirror and to show us our need of Christ, since we are unable to keep the Law; 3. To serve as a guide for how we are to live and teach the way of righteousness. Lutherans and Reformers disagree on how much emphasis should be placed on the “Third Use of the Law.” Lutherans see the danger of works-righteousness (the idea that we can merit our salvation by our good works) and argue that the third use should only be used to point us back to our need for Christ. Reformers hold that the third use is the primary way in which the Law is used throughout Scripture since Christians are expected to bear good works. According to Reformers, when a man is justified he becomes a new man and receives a new spirit, the Spirit of the living God ([2 Corinthians 5:17)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%205:17&version=ESV) and his relationship to the Law changes. The Law is no longer seen as a means by which he might try to achieve salvation (and therefore a burden), but rather he sees the Law as the manifestation of God’s loving will. The Law then becomes a guide for Christian living, but our motivation for following the Law has changed. We no longer follow the Law to earn salvation, but rather our motivation is the delight to obey the Lord. Tim Keller puts it such, > You are saved by faith alone, not by faith which remains alone…If you are not getting sanctified, you don’t have saving faith ([Galatians 5:6;](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians%205:6&version=ESV) [James 1:22-25](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:22-25&version=ESV)).[\[5\]](#_edn1) We have to be careful not to fall to either side of legalism or licentiousness. *Legalism* states that we can earn God’s love and approval by obeying. *Licentiousness* states that the Law no longer serves any purpose, and we can find satisfaction apart from God’s Word. The Gospel states that we are accepted and loved, and therefore we obey. ### ### **The Lord’s Faithfulness in Sanctification** Sometimes the sanctification process looks a lot like suffering. Paul and James both remind us that suffering produces growth in grace ([Romans 5:3-5](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%205:3-5&version=ESV); [James 1:2-4](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:2-4&version=ESV)). Often, suffering is the usher used to bring about sanctification in our lives. In [2 Thessalonians 1:4-6 ](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20thessalonians%201:4-6&version=ESV)Paul reminds the church that the Lord is faithful to bring about justice to those who have caused them to suffer. Their faithfulness to the Gospel in times of trials is evidence of God’s faithfulness. What happens when we find these steps too hard and the process too slow? When we don’t have the desire to read our Bibles? When we don’t necessarily want to make the “right” decision? For the times when the sanctification process is hard and slow, John Newton has some words of encouragement. Newton was a former slave owner turned abolitionist who is known best for his lyrics to “Amazing Grace.” He urges a correspondent he is writing to, as well as you and me, to continue on in the faith. Faithfulness to light received, and a sincere endeavor to conform to the means prescribed in the word of God, with a humble application to the Blood of sprinkling and the promised Spirit, will undoubtedly be answered by increasing measures of light, faith, strength, and comfort; and we shall know, if we follow on to know the Lord.[\[6\]](#_edn1) A sincere heart and desire to know the Lord more deeply and richly is all that is needed for the Lord to work through our stubbornness and seeking after that which we know will not ultimately satisfy us. It is not our will or determination that evokes transformation and growth but the loving-kindness of the Lord. Even when our sanctification seems slow, the Lord is faithful to initiate and bring change. Paul reminds us of this truth in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: > Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. So what is the motivation for sanctification? Why should Christians seek to be more Christlike? Sanctification is *not* what we do to keep God happy. Keeping the Law is *not* about looking at what we can get out of it. Rather, the process of sanctification ultimately results in a joy that comes from obeying the one who saved us. It is not possible on our own or by our own power and volition. It only comes about by the power of the Holy Spirit as He transforms our hearts and minds to delight in His will. --- [1] Ferguson, Sinclair. “Reformed View.” *Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification* (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1988), p. 49. \[2\] Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 35. [http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html](http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/WSC_frames.html) \[3\] MacArthur, John. “The Steps of Biblical Sanctification.” 13 September 2012. \[4\] See Matthew 15:1-2, 10:20 and 23:23-28. \[5\] Parnell, Jonathan. “Piper and Keller Wrestle with Sanctification.” 18 July 2012. \[6\] Newton, John. *Letters of John Newton.* As quoted at **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Mother's Day Poems](https://gominno.com/blog/mothers-day-poems/) **Published:** April 29, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/JaizVg88S4SVKPsqbCSP_JT-Blog-mothers%20day%20poems.jpg.jpg) Looking for the perfect poems to share with mom on Mother’s Day? Check out this list of great Mother’s Day poems. These sites list several anonymous poems that would be perfect for a Mother’s Day card: - [Mother’s Day Poems for Kids](http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/verse/poems/kids/) - [Mother’s Day Celebration Poems](http://www.mothersdaycelebration.com/mothers-day-poems.html) - [Free Mother’s Day Poems](http://www.poemsforfree.com/mothersdaypoems.html) If you are looking for specifically Christian poems, you can find some [wonderful Christian Mother’s Day poems](http://christianity.about.com/od/mothersday/qt/mothersdaypoem.htm) at this site. Here is an example of one of them, written by George W. Wiseman. “**God’s Helpers**” by George W. Wiseman *God could not be in every place With loving hands to help erase The teardrops from each baby’s face, And so He thought of mother.* He could not send us here alone And leave us to a fate unknown; Without providing for His own, The outstretched arms of mother. God could not watch us night and day And kneel beside our crib to pray, Or kiss our little aches away; And so He sent us mother. And when our childhood days began, He simply could not take command. That’s why He placed our tiny hand Securely into mother’s. The days of youth slipped quickly by, Life’s sun rose higher in the sky. Full grown were we, yet ever nigh To love us still, was mother. And when life’s span of years shall end, I know that God will gladly send, To welcome home her child again, That ever-faithful mother. Christian poet Christina Rosetti, who wrote poetry in the 1800s, wrote this lovely poem for her mother: *Sonnets are full of love, and this my tome Has many sonnets: so here now shall be One sonnet more, a love sonnet, from me To her whose heart is my heart’s quiet home, To my first Love, my Mother, on whose knee I learnt love-lore that is not troublesome; Whose service is my special dignity, And she my loadstar while I go and come And so because you love me, and because I love you, Mother, I have woven a wreath Of rhymes wherewith to crown your honored name: In you not fourscore years can dim the flame Of love, whose blessed glow transcends the laws Of time and change and mortal life and death.* [(http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blrossettimother2.htm)](http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blrossettimother2.htm) Here are a few links to other poems for mothers written by famous poets and authors: - Edgar Allan Poe, “[To My Mother](http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blpoemother.htm)” (1849) - Walt Whitman, “[Unfolded out of the Folds](http://poetry.about.com/od/poemsbytitleu/l/blwhitmanunfolded.htm)” (1860) - Rudyard Kipling, “[Mother o’ Mine](http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/blkiplingmother.htm)” (1891) - William Butler Yeats, “[The Player Queen](http://poetry.about.com/od/poemsbytitlep/l/blyeatsplayerqueen.htm)” (1916) - Carl Sandburg, “[Home](http://poetry.about.com/od/poemsbytitlep/l/blsandburglatenightcar.htm)” in “Poems Done on a Late Night Car” (1916) - Claude McKay, “[My Mother](http://poetry.about.com/od/poemsbytitlem/l/blmckaymymother.htm)” (1922) - Langston Hughes, “[Mother to Son](http://poetry.about.com/od/poems/l/blhughesmother.htm)” (1922) - William Meredith, “[Parents](http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15553)” (1980) - Nellie Wong, “[Mother Come Back](http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16420)” (1986) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How I'm Honoring My Mom as an Adult and Teaching My Kids to Do the Same](https://gominno.com/blog/how-im-honoring-my-mom-and-how-to-teach-kids-to-honor-their-parents/) **Published:** April 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LIVbMnJ5TYCVJ05ypgFA_JT-Blog-honoring%20mom.jpg.jpg) No inter-human relationship is more basic than that between parent and child. God thought the child /parent relationship important enough to make the fifth Commandment all about honoring that relationship, and then promises a blessing to those who follow this part of the Law. **“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12 NRSV)** We expect our children to respect us when they’re young; they’re taught that lesson from early on. But what happens as our parents age? Their needs will change as their very world and all that’s in it changes around them. When my dad passed away two years ago, leaving behind my mother, my husband and I realized that our roles as children would also have to change as she aged. She had lost her partner of over 40 years, so a huge sense of stability in her life was now missing. My dad, even at his weakest, was her fierce protector. She felt a sense of safety with him around. She was now afraid of being alone. Her anxiety increased as her physical agility decreased. She needed to feel valued again, but knew her physical limitations would limit what she was able to accomplish. Life for mom had changed, drastically. And she was trying to come to terms with it. Last year we asked her to come live with us on a full time basis. We assured her it would be a blessing for us to have her live in our home and be a part of our family. While it was obvious to her why she might be blessed by his arrangement, she was unsure how her living with our family would end up blessing us. In the months that have followed, I can tell you that we have all loved having mom here with us. She has truly been a huge blessing to our family. The excitement that my kids felt moving across country was heightened knowing that grandma was moving with us. We are now a family of 5. She has added to their education about life. Her perspective, while a couple generations removed, is still so relevant and she’s knowledgeable. She has lived through World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the civil rights movement, the Cold War, the assassinations of JFK, RFK, Martin Luther King, Jr., The Beatles, the Moon landing and black and white TV. She has seen the world change drastically in her 70+ years, and while the changes were not always good ones, she has taught my children that we can always make a difference in the world for Jesus – a lesson she taught me a few decades ago. Loving our parents is sometimes different than honoring them. I can love someone in silence or from a distance. But to honor someone, I must open myself up to them. I must let go of pride and ego, and give them the space they need to brightly shine and be the light that God (still) intends them to be, for His glory. Honoring my mom means that I value her, I cherish her and I acknowledge her worth in as many ways as I possibly can. Looking at my boys, I hope this life lesson is one that they have taken to heart. I think it is. I think that they see how important a place their grandma has in our home; not taking away from anyone else’s place…but adding to our whole family. **As adults, how do you choose to honor your parents? How do your kids see you living this Commandment?** **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Gardening & Kids: 5 Conversation Starters](https://gominno.com/blog/gardening-kids-5-conversations-starters/) **Published:** April 14, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XH75ufb0RMosvCKebu1Q.jpg) What a great gardening week we’ve had here at *What’s in the Bible?* – celebrating the beauty of creation and the joy we can feel as a family spending time outside together. There’s a lot we can learn from gardening – from working as a team to weed, seed, water and harvest to experiencing God’s good gifts of beauty and provision through flowers and vegetables. Dallas Willard defined beauty as “God’s goodness made manifest to the senses” … and is there a better place to experience that goodness than in a garden? We hope that this [blog series](http://whatsinthebible.com/gardening-week-enter-win/) has given you the tools to bring truths about God and his intent for creation into the practice of gardening and yardwork. As you invite your children into that work, here are 5 easy conversation starters to help connect the work you are doing with lessons about God – #### 1. Preparing the soil Involve your kids by showing them how to pull weeds, to remove rocks and stones, and to rake away the leaves. Ask them to imagine that God is doing the same work in their hearts. How is God preparing you? What weeds do you need to pull up to make room for God to work in your life? #### #### 2. Fertilizing Whether you make your own from compost or buy it from the store, fertilizer is an important step in gardening! After you fertilize the soil, ask your kids to think about the good things they can add to their daily lives that help their love for God grow. (Like reading the Bible, praying, listening to sermons, playing worship songs – all things we do to invite God and knowledge of him to grow within us!) #### #### 3. Planting seeds When you get ready to plant your garden, encourage your kids to help you pick out what to plant. Imagine the eventual harvest together – will it be a bounty of beautiful flowers? Will it be tall trees or round bushes? Will it be stalks of corn or rows of tomatoes? Imagine together what your garden will be like. Pray for God to bless your efforts through rain, sun, and pollinating bees! While you pray for your garden to grow, pray for God to work in your hearts in the same way – growing the fruit of the spirit within you! (Tip! Use the Gardening Prayer in the What’s in the Bible? Gardening Pack. #### #### 4. Patience Now this is the hard part! Waiting for those tiny seeds to become fully mature plants is a test of patience for adults – and kids! But it’s also a great opportunity to talk to kids about the importance of having patience. Ask them what they are most excited to see in the garden! In the same way they have patience with the growing plants, ask them to think about other areas of their life where they can show patience, with themselves or with others. #### #### 5. Harvest The best part! As your flowers blossom and your vegetables are ready to eat, involve the whole family in enjoying what you have created. Praise God for being a God who loves his creation and loves beauty, who created flowers to bring us joy and vegetables to give us food! Let us know in the comments what kinds of conversations sprout this spring as you garden with your children! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/S8pqulziTuMYAPyH4wdv/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://www.gominno.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=whatsinthebible&utm_campaign=blog%20banner) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Family Gardening Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/blog/gardening-activity-pack/) **Published:** April 12, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** [![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Xo5vLM0xTsGRatbBZFCZ.jpg)](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Minno_family_gardening_pack.pdf) [](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/u3QY1P6ORAi1BOBTYkuM/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)God’s creation is so inspiring and it’s such a gift that we get to nurture and grow plants, flowers, and produce! There’s so much we can learn from digging in the dirt, watching seeds grow, and enjoying the beauty of nature! We want to share this beauty with your family! **[Click here to download a really fun new activity pack to get your kids excited about creation and gardening!](http://cdn.gominno.com/downloads/Minno_family_gardening_pack.pdf)** We’ve also rounded up blogs about the beauty of gardening and how gardening can help us have spiritual conversations with our children. #### [10 Tips For Gardening With Kids]() Are your kids bouncing off the walls? Are you struggling with tiredness and a sour attitude? Here’s an idea: get your hands in the soil, and let your kids join you. Surround yourself with green. I promise, it will make everything better. God made us to be nourished by these things. Here are 10 tips for gardening with kids to get you started. I hope you find something here that inspires you and your little ones! #### [3 Ways to Cultivate a Heart For Worship in Your Kids]() The sights, smells and sounds of spring are all around us. This time of year is not only great for growing plants but for helping your children cultivate a worshipful heart. #### [How to Start Gardening With Your Children]() As you garden together, you can talk about the cycle of life, about how weeds can choke the good plants, but by removing them the plants can grow strong. You can talk about the miracle of life. You can talk about how God made the seeds that you are planting. #### #### [Gardening & Kids: 5 Conversation Starters]() As you invite your children into that work, here are 5 easy conversation starters to help connect the work you are doing with lessons about God. Do you garden with your kids? What’s one thing gardening has taught you all? We’d love to hear your thoughts! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Start Gardening with Your Children](https://gominno.com/blog/start-gardening-with-children/) **Published:** April 11, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/d2HHJoi2RDadNEAcexf2.jpg) When I was growing up, my parents had a huge vegetable garden. My father would get out the rototiller as soon as the last threat of frost passed (in western New York that could be well into May) and till the ground until it was nice and brown. Then my brothers and I would be given packets of seeds to plant in tiny rows. Our job was to weed the garden every day and water it every night. By mid summer we would be feasting on fresh veggies from our garden. You would think that since I grew up with such a garden I would be passionate about gardening – but I wasn’t! As a child, I didn’t understand how much the garden helped to stretch my parents’ food budget, and the reason we had such a large garden was to grow enough food for the summer and for my mom (and us kids) to can for the coming winter. Instead, I was focused on all the time I had to work instead of playing with my friends. Now that we have children, and a budget I have a new appreciation for how my parents planned and worked to make our garden stretch our food budget! While we do not have the room for the size garden I grew up with, we do our best to plant vegetables that we can use. I’ve learned that you don’t have to have a HUGE garden to teach your children about the importance of how things grow. While the girls and I get our garden ready, we talk about the dirt, the seeds, the rain and the sun, and how if we are missing just one of those items our garden will not grow. Just like our bodies need food and water to grow, our souls need to be fed with Bible stories and Jesus’ love for our faith to grow! My husband is a wonderful gardener and he enjoys teaching the girls all about plants and flowers and how tiny seeds can grow into large plants that can feed us all summer! One of his favorite lessons (and the girls LOVE this one!) is to get a small seed, a paper cup and some dirt. The cup represents our bodies, the seed represents our faith, the dirt represents the Bible and daily water is Jesus. This is a great hands on lesson that children can really understand, especially because they will SEE that plant start to grow! If you are looking to start gardening with your children, you can do with just a small box of herbs, or you can go as large as you want – the important thing is to talk to your children and enlist their help. It doesn’t take many supplies to get started: **\* Seeds** \* **Potting Soil** \* **Seed Trays** We take the girls to our local store (Home Depot, Lowes, Wal Mart, the Dollar Store) and let them pick out 3 vegetable seed packs and 3 flower seed packs. We talk about their choices and make sure that we are in the correct growing zone for each packet. (if you aren’t familiar with growing zones, you can click [here](http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/)). When we get home we pull out the seed trays and let the girls fill each one with potting soil. They are each responsible for planting their own seeds, and then watering them every other day. My girls have been doing this since they were 4 and 6, and they love it! Once the green leaves start to appear they rejoice over each new bud and before we know it, it’s time to plant outside! Pick an area of your lawn that has both sun/shade and has good drainage. For us, we fence it off so the dogs can’t trample the plants! Turn the ground over with a shovel and remove any grass/weeds. Take the plants carefully out of the seed trays and plant them in the ground. You can just plant seeds in the ground, but it’s more manageable for kids to start with the seed trays. Mark your rows and water them! Before you know it you’ll be harvesting fresh veggies! Believe me, it’s more time consuming and messy and crazy to have your kids help you with gardening. They whine about pulling weeds, and they will undoubtedly pull up at least 1 plant along with the weeds – but it’s worth it! As you garden together, you can talk about the cycle of life, about how weeds can choke the good plants, but by removing them the plants can grow strong. You can talk about the miracle of life. You can talk about how God made the seeds that you are planting. ***In simple humility, let our gardener God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation garden of your life.* James 1: ~21** --- *Aurie Good is a pastor’s wife, a homeschool mom to their 2 beautiful miracle babies, and a foster momma to the precious children placed in their home. Currently they are loving on a 16 month old baby boy who they are hoping to adopt from the foster care system. She is an advocate for foster care and enjoys sharing the miraculous journey that led them to become foster parents. When she isn’t knee deep in laundry and diapers she enjoys crafting, knitting and making a huge mess with glitter. You can connect with her on [twitter](http://www.twitter.com/AurieGood) and follow along with their crazy adventures on[ Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/AurieGood). She blogs at [Our Good Life](http://www.ourgoodfamily.org) about foster care, adoption, DIY crafts and enjoying the messy of motherhood.* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/wKYty4d4RxG7T3UEIrVt/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.gominno.com?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=whatsinthebible&utm_campaign=blog%20banner) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Get Crafty: Eight Ways To Do More With Coloring Pages](https://gominno.com/blog/get-crafty-eight-ways-coloring-pages/) **Published:** April 8, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lceGnPPVQ7iuPYktpnqK.jpg) Coloring pages are so fun to color, but have you ever wondered what else can you do with them? We have some ideas for repurposing simple coloring pages for other projects and crafts! #### 1. Wall Mural Would you like to decorate your Sunday School room or kids’ room with a Buck Denver or Bible mural? Choose an empty wall for your mural, then copy your chosen coloring page onto overhead transparency paper\* or trace the design onto a piece of clear paper. Use an overhead projector or a homemade projector ([here’s a quick video showing how to make your own projector out of a cardboard box and a lamp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va8TprRgl7s "how to make your own projector")) to project the image onto your wall. Trace the projected image on your wall with a pencil or chalk then paint your design! \*Office supply stores may be able to help you copy to transparent paper. #### 2. Embroidery Projects Use carbon or wax transfer paper to trace coloring page scenes onto fabric in order to embroider your favorite Bible story or character. Make embroidered t-shirts or banners for your Sunday School classrooms. #### #### 3. Diorama Color your favorite Bible scenes then cut out the various elements of the coloring page. Create a diorama of the scene using a shoebox. [Click here for tips on creating dioramas. ](http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Diorama "tips on dioramas") #### #### 4. Flannelgraph Coloring pages make wonderful flannelgraph elements. Simply color the pages and cut out the characters. Glue a piece of flannel to the back to use on a flannel board to depict favorite Bible stories. -Heidi from [Our Out Of Sync Life ](www.OurOutofSyncLife.com) #### #### 5. Popsicle Stick Puppets Similar to creating a flannelgraph, color and cut the scenes and glue the various elements to large popsicle sticks to create a wonderful puppet show as you retell the Bible story. -Heidi from [Our Out Of Sync Life](www.OurOutofSyncLife.com) #### #### 6. Mixed Media Coloring Pages When you need a change from everyday coloring, you can use glue and glitter, cut old magazines to fit specific parts, yarn, and noodles to create textures. It is fun for the kids! -Tamika of [No Time For Tea Parties ](http://www.notimefortea.com) #### 7. Repurpose for gifts Send coloring pages to long-distance family, use them as Birthday cards for friends, or wrap small presents. -Whitney of [Beauty in the Mess ](http://beautyinthemess.com) #### #### 8. Go digital You can scan coloring pages into the computer and then use the graphic to make birthday invitations. -Angi of [Schneider Peeps ](www.schneiderpeeps.com) --- [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/0YLfMo1QR3yjtd1gQRj3/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://shop.gominno.com/products/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible-coloring-book) The brand new [*What’s In The Bible?* Coloring Book](https://shop.gominno.com/products/buck-denver-asks-whats-in-the-bible-coloring-book "What's In The Bible? Coloring Book") offers up 200 reproducible coloring pages that take you all the way through the Bible! Start at the beginning with the stories of creation, Adam and Eve, and Noah, and find all your favorite Old Testament stories – including Ruth, David, Esther, Noah, and more. The New Testament starts with coloring scenes from Jesus’ ministry and then color through Paul’s letters and even a few pages from the book of Revelation! It’s a comprehensive, chronological journey through the Bible your kids will love as they experience each story in a new way by expressing their creativity through coloring! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [7 Tips for Modifying Sunday School Lesson Plans for Children with Special Needs](https://gominno.com/blog/seven-tips-for-modifying-sunday-school-lesson-plans-for-children-with-special-needs/) **Published:** April 7, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8C99mhVuQzuVL3r8bEDG_JT-Blog-modify%20lesson%20plans.jpg.jpg) After studying the Beatitudes, a seasoned teacher shared, “I think there should be one more: Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape!” Good teaching does take flexibility! This holds true in church and mid-week programs; the needs of the students may require some on-the-spot lesson changes, especially if students have special needs. Fortunately, teachers can try several ideas for quick, meaningful curriculum modifications that can create a positive experience for all students. #### #### **1. Offer choices** Some kids may struggle with following directions or trying novel activities; this can result in a child refusing to participate or having a meltdown. It’s important to remember that often, these behaviors result from inflexible thinking or anxiety. One way to help kids cope is by offering choices. For example, if a student resists participating in a game, say, “You can join this game, or you can help me to keep score.” This allows the child to exert some control while participating. #### **2. Question carefully** To help students gain a deep understanding of the Bible, discussion questions often require higher-level thinking. . For example, asking, “How do you think Noah felt when God asked him to build the ark?” requires students to take the perspective of a person who has experienced unfamiliar circumstances. Some kids will be able to tackle this easily, while those who have cognitive or social challenges might struggle. Offer a variety of questions that will allow all students to participate successfully. #### **3. Make paperwork positive** Some children with learning disabilities might become overwhelmed when presented with a word search or crossword puzzle. These activities can be visually confusing, especially if multiple activities crowd one page. Students may become frustrated as they repeatedly erase and re-do. To remedy this, fold or cut the paper so that only one activity is visible. Also, provide a variety of writing tools. Triangle crayons, loop scissors and pencil grips can all make fine motor activities more comfortable. #### **4. Take a break** Sitting still can be difficult for students with certain disabilities; mental fatigue and impulse control can interfere. Whatever the cause, many students respond well to a short break. This can help them to “re-set” their minds and bodies for the rest of the lesson. Breaks can be simple–and fun! Try some jumping jacks or marching in place while listening to a favorite praise song, or play a quick game related to the lesson. To help kids calm down, try a soothing song, a favorite story, or even a short DVD. #### **5. Create good boundaries** What’s important in the real estate business holds true for church: location can make all the difference. If a student seems overwhelmed by a large-group activity, offer a quieter alternative. Similarly, not every child will be able to sustain attention during a craft activity or lesson while seated at a table with other students; the close proximity of peers may be distracting. By providing ample elbow room, or even an extra table, teachers can set kids up for success. No extra space? Try a placemat or tray to help students visually organize their space. #### **6. Go “off the board.”** Sometimes, learning or behavioral needs can make a lesson unmanageable. In those circumstances, consider offering an alternative activity that allows kids to work in small groups or independently. For example, have the kids make cards for the pastors or a missionary, or create a mural for the hallway. Involving kids in a structured act of service can help to “re-set” the mood and help kids stay calm. #### **7. Teach the MOST important lesson** “If I do all of these extra activities and modifications, I’ll never get to what’s in the manual,” one long-time volunteer from Ohio lamented during a special needs ministry training. She held up the teacher’s guide and said, “This is what I’m supposed to teach!” This type of dedication makes her, and countless volunteers like her, so critically important to kids’ spiritual development; we want all kids to enjoy the rich content found in the curriculum! But take heart. When we modify a lesson to meet kids’ needs, they’re still learning! Of course, they may not be mastering each objective of the lesson. That’s okay. What they are learning is that church is a place that’s comfortable and safe. Author and ministry leader Jolene Philo notes, “I’ve done my job if my students with special needs leave knowing that we love them…and God loves them, too. THAT is the most important thing we can teach.” By demonstrating flexibility and understanding, teachers can modify the curriculum to meet the needs of the unique learners who arrive at church each week. When this happens, kids will feel nurtured and accepted, and they’ll want to return. A ministry volunteer from Maryland, reflects, “I know I’ve done a good job modifying a lesson when a child waves at me and smiles, saying, ‘Hey! I’ll see you next Sunday!'” --- *A ministry and educational consultant, Katie loves helping families, schools, and churches work together to make every child feel included. In addition to her consulting work, Katie is a writer whose articles have been featured on The Huffington Post, the Power of Moms blog and in K! Magazine. Katie is currently a columnist for Children’s Ministry Magazine, and serves on the special needs curriculum team at Standard Publishing. Her first book, Every Child Welcome (with co-author Jolene Philo) will be published in 2015.* *She lives in Chagrin Falls with her husband, Tom, and two children. You can find her online at [katiewetherbee.com](http://katiewetherbee.com "Katie Weatherbee").* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [The Garden of Motherhood: A Prayer for Moms](https://gominno.com/blog/the-garden-of-motherhood/) **Published:** March 7, 2016 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![Garden - Gardening](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/garden.jpg "- Minno Kids") > For we are God’s masterpiece. He has given us new life in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. *adapted from Ephesians 2:10* (NLT) I spotted my first patch of daffodils on the side of the road yesterday. Daffodils are a sweet reminder of my mom (they were her favorite flower) and they are signs of life, our first glimpse of them often following a long, cold winter. For months, bulbs are fed and cultivated beneath the surface of the earth, and in due time they return, a reminder that He makes all things new. The cycle continues each year, providing a beautifully surprising glimpse of all we have to look forward to. These flowers that blaze the trail of spring offer us hope of sunshine, green grass, and longer days. #### **The Work of Motherhood** Perennials also remind me of the work of motherhood. Countless moments of planting, watering, feeding, and tending that often go unnoticed until (hopefully) one day, the fruit of our labor is visible. Our beautiful, blooming children walking in new life with Christ to do the good works He planned for them even before they were a glimmer of hope in our hearts. I’m often weighed down by this ongoing responsibility. But the constant, regenerating, new life offered in Christ is not just for spring bulbs or my children. And it’s not only available the moment we first accept His gift of salvation. Because of the work of Jesus, I have access to new life in Him each day I get up and begin this beautiful life cycle called motherhood. > The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV) There are moments of motherhood that seem like the cold, long days of winter. But we have the hope of new life and new mercies each day to continue to plant and water and tend to the work He’s prepared for us to do. #### **The Sacrifice of Christ** Last month we celebrated Easter, a reminder that Christ laid down His life for all God’s children. I want to remember His sacrifice each and every time I lay my life down for my own children. He gives me new mercies daily as I tend my garden and hope for beauty to rise from the soil, a tangible sign of my ongoing labor of love. . . . . . . . . . . ***Dear Jesus,*** ***thank You that because You laid down Your life for me, I have new life each day I wake up and offer my own sacrifice as a mom. Thank You for a family to love and tend to and for new mercies every morning . . . to plant and water and cultivate the garden of my life. I trust that You are working even when I cannot see it. I eagerly await beauty to rise from the soil in Your perfect timing.*** ***In Your Holy Name, I pray . . . Amen.*** . . . . . . . . . . > As I lay down my life for my children, may I be reminded of how Christ laid down his life for me. *inspired by 1 John 3:16* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [WE NEED YOUR HELP! THE 5 MINUTE FAMILY DEVOTIONAL](https://gominno.com/blog/introducing-the-5-minute-family-devotional/) **Published:** March 3, 2016 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** Many of the families we’ve talked to say one of the most challenging things to do as a family is have devotional time together. In an effort to help families experience God’s word together, we’ve developed the Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional. Take a look and let us know what you think. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Teaching our Kids to Wait for Easter](https://gominno.com/blog/teaching-our-kids-to-wait-for-easter/) **Published:** March 2, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/KcKEvNxpTuers5vAHa0g.jpg) Not long after my first son was born, I purchased a small, decorative wire tree. It stands about 2 feet tall with a sparse number of burlap leaves, and I intended to use it all year long. As a child, I always loved the magic of the different holidays, and the small but fun ways my parents found to celebrate Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day, or the Fourth of July. I wanted to recreate the same traditions in our home, so I bought acorn ornaments for Thanksgiving, and Easter eggs for the spring. Right now, that little tree is bare. I have been debating when is the right time to hang those Easter eggs on its branches, and I feel a bit torn. Most likely, I will pull out the eggs some time in March, right around the time the first green Dogwood buds appear. However, another part of me feels the urge to wait. Easter isn’t something to rush. When it comes to Easter, Christians have historically followed a certain rhythm. Lent was a season of fasting and repentance. Then came Holy Week, when we remember Jesus’ final days on earth. The mourning of this week culminated with Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ death. Still today, many churches observe Good Friday by draping the cross in black. They quietly file into their sanctuaries to sing hymns in the style of funeral dirges. Some churches toll the bell thirty times, once for each piece of silver Judas received for betraying his Lord. Several years ago I attended a Good Friday service that observed the day very differently. The music was celebratory. We sang songs of resurrection. The sermon briefly mentioned Jesus’ death but skipped right over it to the empty grave. My husband and I looked at one another, confused. Did they know what Good Friday was about? Why did it feel like Easter had been extended into a weekend-long celebration? It’s funny to say, but we were disappointed by the joy. Something deep inside of us missed the heaviness and the darkness of a traditional Good Friday. Although the tradition of Good Friday is somber–not exactly the “magic of childhood” I described above–it provides the bleak landscape onto which Easter bursts like a blinding light. Joy tastes so much richer when you remember that once, in the past, the world seemed hopeless. I suspect that church had succumbed to a temptation we all face: to avoid the hard stuff. We don’t like to sit in the darkness, and we certainly don’t like to wait. But that is exactly what the disciples did for three days. They waited, they despaired, and they believed that God had lost. And then, Jesus sprung from the grave, and all of history has never been the same. Those disciples experienced the full spectrum of emotion–from grief to amazement, to overwhelming joy–and it changed them. That’s one of the reasons why Christians have been reenacting their journey ever since. It changes us too. It writes a deep and important truth into your hearts, that no matter the loss, the brokenness, or the darkness, God wins, and hope is the end of our story. My boys are little. My oldest still thinks Jesus is in his tummy (whatever that means!). We are still years away from a true understanding of Easter, let alone Good Friday. Whether or not I hang the eggs, it won’t make much of a difference this year. But still, it’s gotten me to thinking. As a Christian and a parent, I wonder what it looks like to teach my children to wait for Easter. I certainly don’t think it means we skip Easter egg hunts, or reject Easter candy early in the week. I *do* think there are creative ways to remember Jesus’ death before we remember his resurrection. Parents can find plenty of resources in books and online to help walk their children through Holy Week. One resource I really love is [Easter Readings for the Very Young](https://partofthemain.wordpress.com/series/easter-readings-for-the-very-young/). It has age-appropriate messages for each day, along with activities to help your children engage. On Maundy Thursday–when we remember Jesus washing his disciples’ feet–families can wash one another’s feet, and talk about what that means. You can also find [recipes for an Empty Tomb Cake](http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rachelmariestone/2012/04/07/empty-tomb-cake/), another creative way for your kids to engage the Easter story in its fullness. On the original Easter morning, Jesus’ disciples were surprised by hope. The resurrection exploded into history and disintegrated the darkness, and Holy Week invites us into that moment. It’s not just about tradition or even remembrance, but teaching our souls the story of God. Each of us will face seasons of darkness, and our children will too, but Holy Week prepares our feet to walk through it. It prepares us to follow a God who cannot be swallowed by the darkness–which means that neither will we. #### More Ways to Engage Your Kids as You Anticipate Easter: ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") --- *Sharon Hodde Miller is a writer, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mom. She is a regular contributor to Her.meneutics, and has also written for Propel, (in)courage, Relevant, Gifted for Leadership, The Gospel Project, and Christianity Today. To read more of her writing, visit her blog at [SheWorships.com](http://www.SheWorships.com).* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Talking to Your Kids about Lent and Fasting](https://gominno.com/blog/talking-to-your-kids-about-lent-and-fasting/) **Published:** February 10, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/d24UBqARBamV6IvqnunT.jpg) When I was growing up, I had not even the faintest idea of what Lent was. If you had asked me, I would have told you “Lent” was the fuzz that gets trapped in the dryer. It’s not that I wasn’t raised in a Christian home–I was–or that my church didn’t observe Lent–it did. The problem, I think, came from the timing of Lent. I mean really, how on earth is a child supposed to think about fasting a mere month and a half after Christmas? By February, most kids are still coming down from the present-induced ecstasy of December. God bless those ancient Christians, but I’m not sure they designed the calendar with consumeristic elementary school children in mind! Or did they? On the heels of Christmas, Lent can feel like a tough sell to kids. However, it’s a great opportunity to talk about the deeper parts of our faith, and to recalibrate their perspectives. That’s why, depending on the age of your kids, Lent can be a great tradition to incorporate into your family. For those who are unfamiliar with the season, Lent is the 40 days prior to Easter. This allotment of 40 days is symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tested. Historically, Christians have observed this season in different ways, but the most common form is fasting. During this time, we prepare our hearts for Easter, consider what Jesus sacrificed on our behalf, and give serious consideration to our own brokenness. However, that is not what I first learned about Lent. As a young adult, I knew Lent as the season to give up chocolate. Back then, Lent sounded like a great way to get serious about your New Year’s resolutions. It was a God-ordained diet plan. Or, it was an opportunity to exercise self-discipline, to see if you could grit your way through it. As you think through Lent, and how you want to communicate it to your kids, it’s important to avoid some of these pitfalls, which make fasting more about you than about God. Instead, fasting is a time to remember what Jesus gave up out of his love for us. When we fast from something, and we feel the pain of its absence in our lives, that pain is a reminder. It alerts our hearts and minds to the difficulty of sacrifice, and draws our attention more directly to Christ. Fasting also reminds us of our weakness. In a world in which everything we need is at our fingertips, it’s easy to feel invincible. It’s easy to forget just how much we need God. But fasting unmasks that lie, and shows us our human frailty. The question is, how do we communicate this to our kids? Depending on their ages, this will look different. Children under the age of 7 or 8 will probably struggle to grasp the concept of long-term fasting, but elementary school is a great time to begin talking about it. As you observe Lent yourself, talk to your kids about why you are fasting, what you have chosen to fast from, and what it’s like: Has it been hard? Have you missed the thing you’ve given up? What is God teaching you through it? As your children get older, you can help them to choose something they will fast from during Lent. Maybe it’s a tv show. Maybe it’s a certain kind of toy or activity. Maybe it’s a favorite dessert. It doesn’t have to be arduous, but simply a first step. Then, as the days go on, you can explore their own thoughts and feelings. If they miss the toy or dessert, talk about what Jesus sacrificed for them. Or, read Matthew 4–the story of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness– and talk with your kids about what that must have been like. One of the mercies of Lent is that it doesn’t include Sundays. Every Sunday during Lent, you can break the fast and indulge a little. This part seems designed for kids! It’s a little encouragement along the way. Recalling my childhood obsession with Christmas–and my total obliviousness to Lent–parents shouldn’t get too discouraged about Lent. Some kids will get it, and some will not, but it’s the habit that matters. Christians have long practiced Lent because they believed there was something about it that shapes our souls to look like Jesus. But this is not instant gratification formation. Through seasons like Lent, we are sewing into our children’s hearts the lessons and practices that will bear fruit in years to come. It’s the long game we’re after, and Lent plays a powerful part in it. --- *Sharon Hodde Miller is a writer, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mom. She is a regular contributor to Her.meneutics, and has also written for Propel, (in)courage, Relevant, Gifted for Leadership, The Gospel Project, and Christianity Today. To read more of her writing, visit her blog at [SheWorships.com](http://www.SheWorships.com).* --- **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Helping Our Kids Make Meaningful Resolutions](https://gominno.com/blog/helping-our-kids-make-meaningful-resolutions/) **Published:** January 2, 2016 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lvYvkFavTC6yAgzTZsBZ.jpg) On New Year’s Eve, we sit down with our kids to discuss what positive changes we’d like to work towards as a family in the coming year. The first thing we do is take into account their personal accomplishments of the previous year. This isn’t the time to point out shortcomings, but rather successes! Point out the positive changes that your kids have made over the last few months, because this will give you something to build upon. As our kids hit certain developmental milestones, it’s important to celebrate them. Remind them that last year at this time, they weren’t able to… *read a whole story by themselves, play a song on the piano, or even use the potty!* It was probably due to a lot of effort on their part that they reached these milestones. Ask each child, “What great things do you want to accomplish this year?” Keep in mind that most kids are going to need your help at this point. Perhaps coming up with categories for them, and making separate lists might be helpful. Something like: **School Goals, Friendship Goals, Personal Goals.** If they’re still stuck, you can help them with some ideas, like: *Being nicer to my brother/sister; Helping around the house; Making a new friend at school or at church; Saying my prayers at night without being reminded; Eating my vegetables without complaining; Keeping my bedroom clean.* Most childhood specialists will advise to keep these resolutions realistic, concrete, and doable. The other thing to remember is that it’s important not to make their lists so big, that they won’t see these resolutions through. Helping our children see that they can achieve success is so important. Of course WE are the best example to our kids about perseverance. Do they see us following through with our own resolutions or personal goals? For me, this bit of accountability helps me stay on target! One suggestion would be to incorporate a Biblical character trait for the whole family to work towards. Perhaps *kindness* is a trait you’d like to work on as a family. Gather together Bible verses and stories that help children see examples of how kindness towards others is a true blessing and can be an action that directly shares the love of Jesus with someone else. During this time of resolution, we need to remind ourselves, as well as our kids, that while change can be difficult, it is something that God will help us through. I have this verse written down in our kitchen (Philippians 4:13), the one room I KNOW everyone will see it! > ***I can do all things through him who strengthens me.*** Happy New Year. May God bless each of you in this new year, and may you be renewed through Him. --- *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Galaxy Buck Gluun Craft](https://gominno.com/blog/de822c82-e875-11ea-9d06-1653143651a6/) **Published:** October 16, 2015 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/urn0A27fTiaPjAsO5XOl) ***Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9*** is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything – even our dreams! *Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9* is available to ***[stream on JellyTelly](http://promos.jellytelly.com/galaxybuck/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=witb&utm_campaign=gb%20post)*** and for purchase on ***[iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/galaxy-buck-mission-to-sector/id1049551954)*** and ***[DVD](http://store.whatsinthebible.com/products/galaxy-buck-mission-to-sector-9)***! To celebrate the release of *Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9*, we have some super-fun crafts for you to do with your kids! You can use them as part of a family movie and craft night, a viewing party with friends or any other fun, creative way you want! Here are the supplies and instructions for your kids to make their very own Galaxy Buck Gluun! You can download a PDF of the [Galaxy Buck Gluun Craft here. ](http://whatsinthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Galaxy-Buck-Gluun-Craft.pdf) SUPPLIES - Gallon plastic bag - Blue acrylic or tempera paint - A paintbrush - A flashlight! - Optional: Scissors **Step 1** – (Optional) Cut the zipper seal off of the bag. **Step 2** – Time to paint! You may want to put paper or a tablecloth down. My girls loved getting to be super messy and paint all over the bag. Once they finished on side, they flipped the bag over and painted the other! **Step 3** – Let them dry. I put ours on the paint bottles, but you could hang up with clothespins too. **Step 4** – Once they are dry, stick a flashlight in your bag, and play with your Gluuns in a dark room! *April Hohne is a graduate of Belmont University who began working as an Arts Specialist after college. A certified teacher in the areas of Music, Art and ESL, April loves guiding children through the journey of creating. She operates the [Green Elephant Arts Studio](http://www.green-elephant-arts.com) in the Nashville, TN area.* ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/jeDxPFrBRQySBKhvj0IQ/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) ### *Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9* Buck Denver has a simple dream – to save the galaxy. Working for the Galactic Mission Board, Buck dreams of carrying God’s love to every corner of the Milky Way! Except he doesn’t have a starship. Or a crew. Or even a captain’s license. He just needs a chance. But when that chance comes and Buck finds himself leading a real mission into deep space, things don’t go at ALL like he imagined! If he’s doing what God wants him to do, why is everything going wrong?!? ***Watch Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9 today with a [free trial to JellyTelly](http://promos.jellytelly.com/galaxybuck/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=witb&utm_campaign=gb%20post)!*** ***Want to own it? Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9 is available on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/galaxy-buck-mission-to-sector/id1049551954) or [DVD](http://store.whatsinthebible.com/products/galaxy-buck-mission-to-sector-9)!*** **Categories:** Fun for Kids --- ### [Galaxy Buck Shuttle In Tolaris Craft](https://gominno.com/blog/galaxy-buck-shuttle-tolaris-craft/) **Published:** October 14, 2015 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8ZBiXtJQE6uHr70zZYy9.jpg) ***Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9*** is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything – even our dreams! *Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9* is available to ***[stream right here](http://promos.gominno.com/galaxybuck/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=witb&utm_campaign=gb%20post)***! To celebrate the release of *Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9*, we have some super-fun crafts for you to do with your kids! You can use them as part of a family movie and craft night, a viewing party with friends or any other fun, creative way you want! Here are the supplies and instructions for your kids to make their very own Shuttle in Planet Tolaris! You can download a PDF of the [Galaxy Buck Shuttle In Tolaris Craft here.](http://whatsinthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/GB-Tolaris-Craft.pdf) - Coffee filter - Markers - Crayons - Red and orange construction paper - Black, red, and orange tempera or acrylic paint - Paintbrush - Glue (I prefer Scotch permanent stick glue) - Scissors - Cup - Plate - Old gift card or credit card - Sand paper - Kitchen sponge - Cardboard scraps **The Shuttle in Tolaris project has been divided into three phases.** **PHASE 1: Prepare Fire** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/POpM1CLGQmuTNM42dU5m/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/POpM1CLGQmuTNM42dU5m/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) To begin Phase 1 of the project, you will need a coffee filter, blue markers, a paintbrush, a cup of water, and a plate. The plate is very important because it will catch the excess water. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/sIbtMQhRiyF3UQCxJQno/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/sIbtMQhRiyF3UQCxJQno/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 1** – Take a coffee filter and flatten it onto the plate. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/PJCbHD5R92hOur0nTgZb/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/PJCbHD5R92hOur0nTgZb/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 2** – Use your markers to create designs on the coffee filter. You do not have to color the entire filter because the water will cause the ink to bleed. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/J55NnzhMTICkxgvn5wVW/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/J55NnzhMTICkxgvn5wVW/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 3** – Use your paintbrush to paint the entire coffee filter with water. **[![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/XTUWLv20Sy6dBRtIyn7I/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/XTUWLv20Sy6dBRtIyn7I/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)** **Step 4** – Set aside to dry. **PHASE 2: Create Tolaris** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/a2KTKj9Rha9NFnp2xkPn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/a2KTKj9Rha9NFnp2xkPn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) To begin Phase 2 of the project, you will need red construction paper, sand paper, a paintbrush, a cup or plate to mix paint, a kitchen sponge, a gift card, and black and red tempera or acrylic paint. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/6iZkvI7KRyqQO4t4rCkt/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/6iZkvI7KRyqQO4t4rCkt/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 1** – Put black and red paint into a cup. Black paint is very powerful, so use just a tiny bit in comparison to your red paint. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/FMA0u4BxTTa1xrGDz6kn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/FMA0u4BxTTa1xrGDz6kn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 2** – Mix the paint until you get a color similar to maroon. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Kn2cCQRnKwYfjQ3LYIdA/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Kn2cCQRnKwYfjQ3LYIdA/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 3** – Use your paintbrush to apply many stripes of maroon paint. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/HyR4smVDR9CEpzdosmu7/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/HyR4smVDR9CEpzdosmu7/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 4** – Scrape the gift card over the brushstrokes before they dry to create a smooth sky effect. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/h3qSSQ76SAK9YPL0jJpZ/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/h3qSSQ76SAK9YPL0jJpZ/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 5** – Tear the sandpaper into rock shapes. Remember — rocks aren’t perfect! [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/RRp7IGpQqe5ZKqrUBhQV/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/RRp7IGpQqe5ZKqrUBhQV/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 6** – Use your sponge and maroon paint to paint your rocks. You may use a paintbrush instead of a sponge if you wish. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/OQ9b8kWoTZ6zTfIxSM8l/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/OQ9b8kWoTZ6zTfIxSM8l/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)**Step 7** – Arrange your rocks and glue to the paper. I would suggest using wet glue for this. **PHASE 3: Build The Shuttle** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/JMKTMcouTCGKhXUxUGnn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/JMKTMcouTCGKhXUxUGnn/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) To begin Phase 3 of the project, you will need orange construction paper, cardboard scraps, a paintbrush, a cup to trace, crayons, scissors, and orange tempera or acrylic paint. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/ojQdykZpQMyvrSlH1F3B/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/ojQdykZpQMyvrSlH1F3B/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 1** – Trace the cup with a crayon or pencil. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/sYF77UMQgO294lyxzmgm/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/sYF77UMQgO294lyxzmgm/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 2** – Cut out the circle. Also cut along the bottom of the circle to create a flat bottom (as shown in the picture). [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/x1TliDUZTDCQp4RzrnNL/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/x1TliDUZTDCQp4RzrnNL/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) Also cut along the bottom of the circle to create a flat bottom (as shown in the picture). [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/st6ix1FjR1efDF7YTkAi/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/st6ix1FjR1efDF7YTkAi/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 3** – Use your crayons to add details to the shuttles. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/y181EowQX2L30wq4yy9x/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/y181EowQX2L30wq4yy9x/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 4** – Take your cardboard scraps and draw two long ovals or rectangles. Next, cut them out. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/0sODE7AxQzmKTNO7O7jA/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/0sODE7AxQzmKTNO7O7jA/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 5** – Paint the “jetpacks” (as we called them) with orange paint. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/7GiOa70VQeaoxrFDSYax/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/7GiOa70VQeaoxrFDSYax/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 6** – Remember that coffee filter from Phase 1? It’s time to bring it back out to make some fire. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/nZIx6w9BTqSX6oixyzPI/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/nZIx6w9BTqSX6oixyzPI/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) Cut it into fire-like shapes and add to the bottom of your shuttle. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/lX2ae9HTzCYMZKeZNhzP/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/lX2ae9HTzCYMZKeZNhzP/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **Step 7** – Glue all of the pieces to your shuttle to your paper. I suggest using the stick glue for this so your glue marks do not show through the coffee filter. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/PjyWacSDS9NbamGi7fAz/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/PjyWacSDS9NbamGi7fAz/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) **The completed Shuttle in Planet Tolaris!** *April Hohne is a graduate of Belmont University who began working as an Arts Specialist after college. A certified teacher in the areas of Music, Art and ESL, April loves guiding children through the journey of creating. She operates the [Green Elephant Arts Studio](http://www.green-elephant-arts.com) in the Nashville, TN area.* --- ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/YLYI6H2pSHeKvvboyVrs/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) ### *Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9* Buck Denver has a simple dream – to save the galaxy. Working for the Galactic Mission Board, Buck dreams of carrying God’s love to every corner of the Milky Way! Except he doesn’t have a starship. Or a crew. Or even a captain’s license. He just needs a chance. But when that chance comes and Buck finds himself leading a real mission into deep space, things don’t go at ALL like he imagined! If he’s doing what God wants him to do, why is everything going wrong?!? ***Watch Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9 today with a [free trial](http://promos.gominno.com/galaxybuck/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=witb&utm_campaign=gb%20post)!*** **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Walk Your Family Through The Bible: Romans Through Philemon](https://gominno.com/blog/letters-from-paul-faith-in-action/) **Published:** October 6, 2015 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/O5nJYdIQZ2ET2QGNMLsn.jpg) **How can we encourage our children to live out the truth of the Gospel in their own lives?** We’re wrapped in cozy blankets with warm popcorn and hot chocolate by our side this month as we sit down to watch *[What’s In The Bible? Volume 12: Letters From Paul](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12)*. I know I say this all the time but this is one of my favorites. As a religion minor in college, my Life and Letters of Paul class was a highlight for me. I have always loved these practical books of the New Testament; they helped me put my faith into action, even at a young age. That’s the goal in sharing these letters with our children. We want to help them understand what to do with the hope we have in Jesus Christ. From defining the church to explaining large concepts such as justification, The Letters of Paul remind us of the truth Christians stand on and how, then we are supposed to live. **What is *Letters From Paul* all about?** **Key Concepts:** - The Church - Justification - Grace - Faith **History:** - Timeline of Paul’s Letters - Gospels vs. Epistles **Stories:** - Paul in Jail - The Early Churches **What can we learn from Paul’s letters in living out our faith?** Phil and friends define the church at the beginning of these episodes, helping kids understand the origin of what they know to be the sanctuary and classrooms we gather in each week. It was fresh revelation for me to think about the fact that the early churches in Rome did not yet have the Bible as we know it. These letters from Paul were their only source of guidance and encouragement. The *What’s In The Bible?* gang go through an amazing summary of Paul’s letters, giving an overview of each book. Their explanation of why we need Paul’s letters (the Epistles) along with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is simple – the Epistles help us put the Gospel (our faith) into action. Paul’s letters begin with Romans, the largest and most comprehensive book in the group. Romans is the most complete summary of what Christians believe and will become an important source of foundational truth for our children as they grow in their faith. **Talking to our kids about living out our faith and 3 more conversation starters:** **1. Grace** – As a Christian we are justified by grace through faith and made righteous. We are made right by grace, God’s “undeserved favor”, which allows us to get something better than we deserve. We receive God’s gift of righteousness by faith in what God did for us, not because of what we do. **Can you think of a time you received something more than you deserved?** **2. The Fruit of the Spirit** – God does not say, *“If you love me, you **need** to do what I command. . .”* but rather, *“If you love me, you’ll **want** to do what I do. Your heart will be changed.”* God’s love through Jesus changes us to ***want*** to do what is right*.* With the Spirit of God in us, the fruit that comes out of us is different than the fruit that came before we knew God. The good fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control can be hard to produce on our own. But with God’s help, we can share these good things with those around us. **Which of these fruit of the spirit can you show someone in your life this week?** **3. Sanctification** – When we walk with Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit will make us more like him and produce good fruit in our lives. But this doesn’t happen overnight. It will take the rest of our lives. Sanctification is a life long process of being made more like Jesus everyday. **How does it help you to know it will take the rest of your life to become more like Jesus?** **4. Spiritual Disciplines** – We walk with Jesus by being a part of God’s church – the body of Christ – to learn and worship together with other followers of Jesus and by practicing spiritual exercises like prayer, Bible reading, fasting and worship. These spiritual exercises help us set aside time to spend with God and learn about him. Just like physical exercise helps our body, spiritual exercise helps us grow with Jesus. **Which of these disciplines can you practice this week?** [Volume 12, Letters From Paul!](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12), wraps up with a summary presentation of the Gospel and our role as Christians. Though these episodes are not the last, Phil and friends do a wonderful job summarizing what we’ve learned about the Bible and Christianity up until this point, connecting all the dots to create a beautiful picture of God’s Story and great rescue plan. I found one of the last lines of their presentation to be incredibly inspiring for my own life, as well as my role in leading my children along their journey of faith – we get to be a part of restoring God’s creation. Every job, role, assignment, season and creative inspiration in our lives can come out of this honor. This realization can give new meaning and purpose to everything we do. Have you watched [*What’s In The Bible?* Volume 12](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12) with your family? What have you been learning or discussing about living out your faith? --- *Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of* [*Grace for Moms*](http://graceformoms.com)*. After 15 years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning every day to access the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, TN with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (3).* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/frnMxuGaT9GWfPVe2ASz/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.gominno.com) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Walk Your Family Through The Bible: The Book Of Acts](https://gominno.com/blog/spreading-good-news-talking-kids-following-jesus/) **Published:** August 31, 2015 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/m2M0eSVORXe88tmWIm8b.jpg) **How can we encourage our children to share the good news of Jesus’ love and power with the world around them?** Back to school is in full swing in our community. We’re officially sending our kiddos out into the world daily to learn and hopefully love and serve those they encounter. Whether we send our kids to school in the neighborhood or educate them at home, parents share a great hope for our children to understand God’s story and spread the good news to others through how they live their lives. We sat down at the dinner table (the place we do most of our family faith-building) to watch [*What’s In The Bible?* Volume 11 “Spreading the Good News.”](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12?variant=23188479681) The kids enjoyed following the disciples through the book of Acts as they answered God’s call to spread the Good News to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. **What is *Spreading the Good News* all about?** **Key Concepts:** - Science vs. Supernatural - The Apostles - The Holy Spirit - Hope **History:** - Jews and Gentiles - Christians - Paul’s Ministry Journeys **Stories:** - Pentecost - Peter and John in Jail - Peter and Cornelius - Paul’s Conversion **What can we learn from the book of Acts in *Spreading the Good News*?** The *What’s In The Bible?* gang start off by sharing a few very important foundational principles that apply to our lives as believers. They teach us that an Apostle is a “sent one” or someone who is sent by God to share the Good News with others. When he appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, Jesus gave them a great commission, instructing them to share the news of his love and rescue plan with the world as they know it. We can encourage our kids that Jesus’ commissioning didn’t end with these Apostles. He also asks us to share the Good News with others. This can feel like a big task but we don’t have to do it alone. Jesus promised his disciples that they would have a helper, one that is also available to us today. By teaching truth and performing miracles, Jesus planted seeds that gave us glimpses of the kingdom of God. But it’s the Holy Spirit, our helper, who makes the kingdom explode into life as followers of Jesus spread the Good News. We have a great example of a Holy Spirit led follower of Jesus named Paul. Paul was the perfect person to spread the gospel during his time because of his upbringing, his training and his citizenship. Through his life we are reminded that when God asks us to do something great for him, he will provide everything we need answer the call. Throughout the book of Acts we see the Apostles persecuted, thrown in jail and sometimes killed for standing up for the truth. Almost two years since the death of my mother, I fought back tears as Phil and friends considered the question, *“Why did God save Paul and not the others? Why does God save some people from trouble and not everyone?”* Phil’s answer is a hard one for children (and adults) to understand but it’s a key concept in building a faith that lasts. We don’t exactly know why God allows bad things to happen, but… A world free from all the bad stuff is exactly what God has planned for us. He wants to bring us into the kingdom of God. When God does save people, he’s giving us a little taste of what is to come. How can we take the great concepts found in Volume 11 and talk to our kids about these big topics? **Talking to our kids about sharing the Good News and 3 more conversation starters for your family:** **1. Being a Follower of Jesus** – When we make a decision to follow Jesus, we answer his call to spread the Good News with others. We can do this by preaching and teaching as the Apostles did but more often we do this simply by sharing his love with those around us. How can we show God’s love to our friends, family, and community every day? **2. The Supernatural** – Throughout history, scientists have tried to convince people that the Bible isn’t true because it is not supported by science. Science is the study of natural things and God is beyond the natural or “supernatural.” As followers of Jesus, we base our beliefs on faith in a supernatural God. It may not always make sense according to what we understand about science, but we put our faith in God, not in natural things. In what ways does God show us that he’s supernatural? **3. The Holy Spirit, our Helper** – When Jesus left the earth after his resurrection, he promised his disciples a helper that would empower them as they spread the Good News. The Holy Spirit is for everyone who follows Jesus, all the time. The same Holy Spirit that filled Peter and the Apostles will fill us when we choose to follow Jesus. The Holy Spirit will help us make good choices and share God’s love with others. How have we seen the Holy Spirit at work in our lives? **4. When Bad Things Happen** – Sometimes to show us his love and give us a picture of what is coming, God saves us from bad things. And when he doesn’t heal people or save us from the hard things, our hurt reminds us that we are not there yet. The kingdom of God, although it has started, is not yet fully come. But we have hope; a hope that lives inside of all those who follow Jesus; a hope Jesus asks us to share with the world. What does it mean to follow Jesus and trust that the Kingdom is coming? Our family has been greatly inspired to live a life that points others to Jesus. The best news is, we don’t have to do it alone or in our own strength. The Holy Spirit is our great helper in living and loving well. We’re excited to continue our journey through the New Testament to learn practical ways our helper will support us in our daily lives. Have you watched [*What’s In The Bible?* Volume 11](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12?variant=23188479681) with your family? What have you been learning or discussing about sharing the Good News with others? --- *Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of* [*Grace for Moms*](http://graceformoms.com)*. After 15 years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning every day to access the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, TN with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (3).* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/fnaiEwotReVUjEKR7qXK/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.gominno.com) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Walk Your Family Through The Bible: The Gospels](https://gominno.com/blog/jesus-good-news-talking-kids-gospel/) **Published:** August 3, 2015 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UuSSR27S9mzoFchungEw.jpg) **How can we connect all we’ve learned through the Old Testament to the Good News of Jesus for our kids?** I think my kiddos did a happy dance when I told them we were starting the New Testament this month and learning about Jesus. Though we enjoyed our walk through the Old Testament, it doesn’t surprise me that they connect even more to the idea of following the life of Jesus. To children, Jesus is accessible, he’s a friend, he’s someone they will want to know on a personal level if we guide them in relationship with him. Phil explains in the beginning of [Volume 10: *Jesus is the Good News!*](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-10) that the Old Testament is like a story without an ending. No wonder my kids got excited at the thought of continuing this epic tale and finally getting to the really good part! We learn in the first episode of Volume 10 that there were 400 years between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. Our *What’s in the Bible?* friends pose a really good question…*Why did God wait so long before revealing his rescue plan?* The discussion that follows surrounding God’s perfect timing is an important one in helping children to understand God’s ways. The truth we can apply to all of our lives no matter what our age is this: God waits to act until the time is right. This portion of our journey truly begins to connect the dots as we see how the Old and New Testaments are two partial pictures of the whole Story. Each period in the history of our faith doesn’t make sense until we put them together. The Old Testament is filled with promises. The New Testament is the fulfillment of those promises. **In Jesus, all of God’s promises come true. His life gave us the ability to turn to God to live the way he originally designed us to live.** **What is *Jesus is the Good News!* all about?** **Key Concepts:** - God’s Perfect Timing - Baptism - The Trinity - The Kingdom of God - The Gospel **History:** - Period between Old and New Testaments - Alexander the Great / The Roman Empire - Jewish Groups - The Dead Sea Scrolls **Stories:** - John the Baptist - Jesus’ Miracles, Healings and Teachings - The Last Supper - Jesus’ Death and Resurrection **What can we learn from the gospels in *Jesus is the Good News*?** Each detail comes together in Volume 10 to create a picture that is the Gospel. Everything we’ve learned up until this moment has pointed to Jesus. And he enters the story as someone our kids may already know and love. Yet now, they can connect the dots to grow in understanding of how they fit into the tale, or better yet, how they fit into the kingdom. Jesus ***is*** the Good News. He is the blessing promised to Abraham thousands of years ago. Young children may still have a hard time grasping the connection so we’re focusing our attention on Jesus as the rescuer God sent to teach us how to live, love and follow God. And not only does he teach us as we follow him, he invites us to be a part of the club. . .the kingdom. When we choose to join him, we become his disciple. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. During his ministry on earth, Jesus picked 12 men to be his disciples. They went with Jesus everywhere he went to teach others about God, heal the sick and perform miracles. As we learn about these faithful men in the gospels, we will encourage our children to likewise, join Jesus in loving others. **Talking to our kids about the Gospel and 4 more conversation starters:** **1. God’s Perfect Timing** – Even though the world was a mess and needed to be rescued, God did not rush the process. He could have fixed everything as quickly as he wanted to. But he chose to fulfill his promises and his plan in the fullness of time. God’s timing is always perfect. We can trust that he knows what’s best for us in every situation. When we wait patiently for God’s leading, we enjoy the blessing of his all-knowing plan. **2. The Gospels** – The first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are called The Gospels. The word Gospel means, God’s good story. This is where we get the term, “The Good News.” The Gospels are the story of Jesus and his life and ministry. They tell an important message that the kingdom of God is coming and the good news is, we are all invited to be a part of it. **3. Baptism** – One of the most important moments in the Gospels is the introduction of the prophet, John the Baptist and his announcement that everything God promised was about to be true. John the Baptist told the people to prepare the way of the Lord. He baptized them as I sign of their repentance. Baptism is a symbol of being cleansed of our old self and made new or clean. When Jesus came to John to be baptized, he did so not because he needed to be cleansed but as an example for others. As he was lifted out of the water, the sky opened up and God’s spirit came down confirming John the Baptist’s message, “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” **4. The Passover Lamb** – Just as God saved his people through the first Passover, Jesus gave his life so we could be saved too. His sacrifice took away sin and death for everyone. The blood of Jesus is the new covenant or promise that we can have new life. It’s God’s rescue plan fulfilled. The whole entire Bible points to this moment; the coming of the Messiah. **5. The Kingdom of God** – Jesus’ teaching and miracles gave people glimpses of what the world was supposed to be like before sin entered the picture. Jesus showed he had the authority to set things right. God brought his kingdom here to earth through Jesus but his kingdom is not yet fully-grown. In God’s perfect timing, the kingdom will burst forth like a flower in full bloom. Because of what Jesus did when he died on the cross and took on the stain and punishment of our sin, we can be a part of the kingdom. We can invite others to be a part of God’s kingdom, too, when we share his love with those around us. Jesus invites us to be a part of the kingdom of God. He wants us to experience life as a child of the King. But he doesn’t make us or force us to follow him. He simply invites us, giving us a choice to join him and live a life filled with freedom. I want this life for my children and I am so thankful to have this resource to help us share the Story and help them find their place in the kingdom of God. Have you watched [*What’s In The Bible?* Volume 10](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-10) with your family? What have you been learning or discussing about the life of Jesus and the Gospel? Note: Did you know that each *What’s In The Bible?* DVD comes with a family discussion guide inside? Use the discussion starters in this post and in the DVD to begin faith-building conversations in your home. --- *Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of* [*Grace for Moms*](http://graceformoms.com)*. After 15 years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning every day to access the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, TN with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (3).* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/P1bu0Y6jQfKf9vKuKPEB/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.gominno.com) **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Walk Your Family Through The Bible: Isaiah, Jeremiah & The Prophets](https://gominno.com/blog/god-speaks-talking-to-kids-about-the-power-of-our-words/) **Published:** July 20, 2015 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9HBcsfx0QBWhgLHXPcha.jpg) #### **How can we teach our children that God uses people to share his message of hope and love with the world?** This month we’re taking breaks from the pool to meet up with Phil and all our *What’s In The Bible?* friends. My kiddos (along with their cousin) love to snuggle up after a long day in the water. They can’t get settled though, without first having a theme song dance party. I’ll be honest, it’s not all smiles around here as we encourage the kids to slow down long enough to soak in the Bible as much as they soak up the sun. Learning about the Bible can feel overwhelming to kids at times. Don’t get discouraged if your children seen uninterested. Make it fun and once they get to know the *What’s In The Bible?* gang, they’ll want to learn more from their new friends. [*What’s In The Bible?* Volume 9 ](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-9?variant=23188452097)is full of history and moves fast-paced through the last 17 books of the Old Testament – the major and minor prophets. Though kids may have a hard time understanding what a prophet is or what one does, they can grasp the simple idea of God using messengers to share truth, hope and love with the world. Once again (yes, I’m going to say it), as the new school year approaches, this is a wonderful time to prepare our children to be God’s love to those they encounter as they return to school, co-ops, sports and other activities. **One of the ways we can show God’s love to others is by being his messenger. Just like the prophets of the Bible were used by God, we can serve him with our words as well.** #### **What is *God Speaks* all about?** **Key Concepts:** - What is a prophet? - Hope - Obedience - Faithfulness **History:** - The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel - Major and Minor Prophets **Stories:** - Daniel and the Lion’s Den - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - Jonah and the Big Fish #### **What can we learn from the prophets in God Speaks?** We’re pausing here as a family to dig into the big concept of Biblical prophets and complete our journey through the Old Testament. My children (ages 7 and 4) are still on the young side for truly grasping the idea of prophets so we’ll use words like “God’s messengers” and “sharing truth” to help them understand that God uses people to share his message of truth, hope and love with the world. *What’s In The Bible?* Volume 9 covers every major and minor prophet, finishing our walk through the Old Testament with stories our kids will already be familiar with – Daniel and Jonah for instance. Phil and friends do a wonderful job bringing it all together in a helpful review of the story of God’s people in the Old Testament, their need for a Savior and God’s rescue plan. Our walk through the history of God’s people – the Israelites – leaves us waiting for a Messiah. We’ll get to that when we begin our journey through the New Testament next month (so exciting!). For now, we’ll be digging into these conversations as we continue to teach our children about God’s messengers. #### **Talking to our kids about the power of our words and 4 more conversation starters:** #### 1. Prophets A prophet is someone who declares a message for God. Some of the prophets of the Bible revealed things that would happen in the future but it’s important to understand those prophets did not predict the future, they simply shared what God had revealed to them about the days to come. Other prophets reminded God’s people of his instructions for living or offered them hope for the future. God’s messengers shared many messages but their words always pointed to God, his love and his rescue plan. #### 2. Hope The book of Isaiah includes the most important prophecy of all time – the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah’s words were full of hope for God’s rescue plan to be completed through Jesus. Because we live in the days following Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection and have experienced new life with him, we too, can share a message of hope with those around us. #### 3. Using Our Words Carefully These 17 books of the Bible – the major and minor prophets – are all about words. The prophets can teach us to use our words carefully. Our words have power and can greatly influence other people. When we follow God and trust his leading, he will give us words to share his love and hope with others. What are some words we can use to share God’s love with others? #### 4. Being God’s Messenger God wants us to be his messengers too. When he gives us those good words and we speak them to others, we are sharing his message just like the prophets of long ago. We can learn to be faithful messengers of God through the stories of Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Even though they were put in very scary situations, they chose to honor God and his truth, no matter what. Have you even been in a situation where you had to choose God’s ways? How did you feel? #### 5. Brave Obedience The prophet Jeremiah shared God’s message even though no one would listen. Jonah was afraid to share God’s message and ended up in the belly of a whale. Daniel ended up in the lion’s den because of his faithfulness to God. Which of these prophets do you think showed brave obedience? As you grow and God gives you more opportunities to share truth with others, ask him to help you develop brave obedience so you will always be ready to share his message of love with the world. If our children learn early on how powerful their words can be, they will begin to use them carefully and intentionally. Following the prophets and their words is a great way to teach our kids (and to remind ourselves) how much God values what we speak. Have you watched[ *What’s In The Bible?* Volume 9](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-9?variant=23188452097) with your family? What have you been learning or discussing about the prophets and the value of words? --- #### [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/ZEUR8OBOQoSe89RblRq0/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/activity-packs/products/old-testament-heroes-devotional-and-activity-pack?variant=23188491457) #### Old Testament Heroes Devotional and Activity Pack Learn even more about the Old Testament in the [*Old Testament Heroes Devotional and Activity Pack*](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/activity-packs/products/exodus-activity-pack-digital-download)! This printable pack features 25 days of devotionals and 10 new activities including a Kings of Israel crossword puzzle. --- *Jessica Wolstenholm is co-founder of* [*Grace for Moms*](http://graceformoms.com)*. After 15 years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning every day to access the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, TN with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (3).* [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/fFW6mBowQU2zmrFLFY9c/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](http://www.gominno.com) --- **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What's Mine Is Yours: 4 Ways to Help Children to Empathize and Share](https://gominno.com/blog/de86e146-e875-11ea-9d06-1653143651a6/) **Published:** April 19, 2015 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/xVsdXXfZSN25o0iACexp/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/xVsdXXfZSN25o0iACexp/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) *How can you develop a lifestyle of generosity as a family? Should we teach our kids to share? How do we cultivate healthy perspectives in regards to suffering in the world and around us? These are questions I’ve wrestled with in the past couple of years. In this 2015 blog series, **Raising Micah 6:8 Kids**, I share some of what I’ve learned and look at the scriptural road map to raising a generation of world-changers: “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” This month we look at ways to cultivate hearts of compassion that empathize, share and say, “What’s mine is yours.”* I can prepare a plate full of food for my children at dinner, and they’ll not be hungry. But the second I sit down with a snack for myself, these little ravenous creatures emerge from all corners of the house, descending upon my plate and begging for just a bite or morsel (read: leaving me just a bite or morsel). Parenthood teaches us daily about what it means to put others before yourself, about sharing and how to live in a way that says “what’s mine is yours.” Because it truly is. Our hearts are moved with compassion and a sense of responsibility, because if we didn’t provide for them, who would? The Bible challenges us to live that way toward others who are vulnerable. “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17, ESV). And yet for all the talk about sharing (and modeling that we do for them), kids often have a really hard time sharing with others — whether it be siblings, classmates or even kids in need. Have you ever asked your child to get together toys they no longer use to donate? Or refereed a fight over a toy or who gets to choose the movie you watch on a Friday night? I recently asked my 7-year-old to gather items to SELL at a yard sale for CASH MONEY, and she seriously brought down three random parts of toys that would be otherwise deemed as trash. And it took her an hour to do that. When it’s a challenge to even motivate kids to let go of a few of their toys, how can we begin to encourage their hearts to pay attention to the needs of others? What are ways we can teach the biblical concept of “loving our neighbors as ourselves”? The key is empathy. Here are four ideas for cultivating a family culture that values empathy and sharing. #### **1. Talk about what it would be like in another person’s set of circumstances.** If we can imagine ourselves facing what someone else is, then we can be moved with compassion (which means to suffer with). Gary Haugen, founder of International Justice Mission, recently gave a masterful TED talk on this subject, “[The hidden reason for poverty the world needs to address now](https://www.ted.com/talks/gary_haugen_the_hidden_reason_for_poverty_the_world_needs_to_address_now?language=en).” I highly recommend watching it, but it is not suitable for children. During the talk, he plays a 911 call from a woman seeking help but does not get it. Can you imagine being in a life or death situation and 911 dispatcher telling you no one is on duty to respond to the call? Yet for millions in countries around the world, this is reality. By using an example that we could all relate to, Haugen put the struggle into terms we could understand. Encourage kids to imagine what it would be like to have to find their own food, or to not have a house to live in or a good school to attend. Tread lightly – this is tough stuff! Explain that God has blessed your family so you can share with others who are in need. It’s important for kids to understand that everything comes from God. When we see the world and everything in it as his, it’s easier to think about sharing because he has shared so much with us! *What are some ways you can reframe the subject of suffering or poverty in terms or ways your child can understand?* #### **2. When cultivating a family lifestyle that involves helping others in need, keep in mind that building relationships will build empathy.** Stories capture our attention so much faster than stats and figures. This is especially true with children. By becoming involved in the lives of others, we enter into their stories and become more capable of empathizing with their pain. On Mother’s Day, I woke up to breakfast in bed, flowers and handmade cards. I felt celebrated and loved. I called my mother first thing that morning, as she was at her house with *her* mother. Not everyone has such cause to celebrate on a day like that. For instance, our next-door neighbor recently lost her mother. She and her husband are retired and have no children. I asked my 7-year-old about how she might be feeling on a day like Mother’s Day. Her response was to draw a picture of her with flowers, and we brought it over to her as a family. Tears flowed as we chatted about loss and love and mothers and how much we appreciate and value her as a friend. Before she headed out to the cemetery to visit her mother’s grave, our neighbor put Madilyn’s picture on her fridge (“like moms do,” she added). Think about your friends and neighbors, and ask your kids if they have ideas for who they can be a friend to. Ask them to think about a time when someone was nice to them and made them feel loved! It’s important for kids to see we are all in need and how God provides for all of us emotionally and physically. Our needs all look different, but we all depend on God. When we recognize that, we feel can more easily empathize with something else because we are all little buckets of need *Who do you know who might be going through a sad or difficult time? What are some sensitive ways your family can be present in their lives?* #### 3. **Know that because God provides, there will always be enough.** Author Steven Covey talks about an “abundance mentality” in his bestselling book, *The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People*. When we develop habits of being generous as a family, we beat back the fear of scarcity. It’s a biblical principle as well: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38, ESV). Giving is an act of faith when you’re not sure how much you have left or if it will be given back to you. And it’s not just money, it’s time and other precious resources. In God’s economy, there will always be enough. “Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, ‘Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack'” (2 Corinthians 8:14-15 ESV). Think about setting up a “giving budget” each month. It doesn’t even have to be very big. Explain to your kids that it is money set aside that you could use for extra things around your own household, but that as a family you would rather give it away. Ask your kids to help you decide how to use it. *Is there an area of your life that’s difficult to offer to others in need? What keeps you from doing it? How can you share those feelings with your children?* #### **4. They will know we are Christians by our love. What’s in the Bible contributor Lisa Strnad writes about this in “[They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love](http://whatsinthebible.com/they-will-know-we-are-christians-by-our-love/)“: *Another way we can show our kids how to love others, even those who are non-Christian, is to make sure they see us minister to those who need to feel the love of Christ physically, first.* *The sick. The elderly. The hungry. The imprisoned. The widowed. The orphaned. The homeless.* *When we become the hands and feet of Jesus, we are showing others love, in His name. We are telling them, “Yes, I love you, because I was loved by Him, first.”* This can be local or global. If you talk with your kids about a big natural disaster, like the recent earthquake in Nepal or tornados in Texas, ask them what they think those people might need. Discuss ways you can donate or raise awareness. Involving kids in global crisis helps them to see how big the world is and reminds them that they can make a difference even when they are really far away. Locally and even within your family, you can encourage your kids to minister to their siblings and even parents. If dad is sick, encourage them to make him a cup of hot tea or help with the chores around the house. Being the hands and feet of Jesus can be as simple as that. *Can we commit to raising kids who live with open hands and hearts? How can we lead our households into a lifestyle committed to entering the pain of others in hopes of sharing their load and showing them the love and healing power of Christ?* As you cultivate a spirit of empathy and generosity among your family, affirm to your children that what’s mine is yours, because it all comes from God: “Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow” (James 1:17, International Standard Version). I might even happily share my next snack for that very reason. ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/Mfqr8I8UQ6ijA7CasrW2/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) [Keep 1 John 4:19 close to your heart when you download this art print (that we framed above) and hang it in your home!](http://whatsinthebible.com/?wpdmdl=1204) --- #### [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/LTSqqPmdTRA9243EYf4Q/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/LTSqqPmdTRA9243EYf4Q/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)Good News In Action! Through Paul’s letters, we learn what it means to live as a follower of Jesus! Learn more about the 13 letters that Paul wrote to churches all over the Roman world in the DVD [*Letters From Paul*](http://store.whatsinthebible.com/products/dvd-12). [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/9Arj1juRM6ykJGSxpicm/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/9Arj1juRM6ykJGSxpicm/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) --- ![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/9O1Wr69QvOiJZGFKEwNw/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) *Cara Davis is a writer and editor in Nashville, Tennessee. She’s been published in The Huffington Post, The New York Post, CNN, USA Today and The New York Times. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Pour Yourself Out: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Volunteering](https://gominno.com/blog/de8c4c26-e875-11ea-9d06-1653143651a6/) **Published:** April 16, 2015 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/uRGVpwBpT6Cx590IPPoy/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/uRGVpwBpT6Cx590IPPoy/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80) *What does it look like to be the hands and feet of Jesus today? What are appropriate ways for children to start serving their community? How can you serve together as a family? These are some questions I’ve journeyed with the past two years. In this 2015 blog series,* ***Raising Micah 6:8 Kids****, we’ll follow the scriptural road map to raising a generation of world-changers: “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” This month we look at the motivations behind and implications of our service toward others.* When my 7-year-old found out I would be teaching the preschool class at church, she leaped at the chance to help me. She spent an afternoon organizing lesson plans and craft ideas for the class. Me, on the other hand? I started sweating. I volunteered out of obligation — I knew they needed the help, and I have a preschooler in the class. The problem was that I am not wired to be a teacher or to handle children in numbers greater than three of four. This past Sunday was third month in the classroom, and it nearly ended in a nervous breakdown. My husband, Jeff, stopped by to check on me (thank the Lord!), and I begged him to stay and help. A couple others sensed my panic mode and lent a hand as well. My husband has 13 years of professional education experience and a natural knack for communicating with kids — especially those with special needs. That morning, he worked one-on-one with a boy with autism. This student went from crying and experiencing high anxiety (probably feeding off mine!) to spelling words with blocks and celebrating each accomplishment with Jeff. My daughter happily helped the other students with their kite craft, and I nervously paced the floor until it was time to shuffle kids out the door so I could turn in my resignation. Whew. What a difference it makes to be suited for the task at hand. If you’ve been feeling a tug toward getting more involved as a family in volunteer work, whether it be at church, your school or homeless shelter, here are a few things to keep in mind from families who have been there. These four questions to ask yourself before volunteering to lend a hand in service will help posture your heart to the biblical challenge of Micah 6:8: to do right, love mercy and walk humbly. Sometimes our best intentions can lead to misunderstandings or negative experiences when we approach them with naivete instead of intentionality. [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/bzKFvME3R62qH23X6ZvF/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](whatsinthebible.com/?wpdmdl=1194) [*download this beautiful artwork to print and hang in your home!*](whatsinthebible.com/?wpdmdl=1194) ### **4 Questions to Ask Before You Lend a Hand and Serve Your Community** #### **1. What’s in your hand?** ***When it comes to serving, use what you have and what you can already do.*** I’ve learned that using the skills God has given you is invaluable when it comes to volunteering. A local pastor, who helps many families in our community, has taught me a lot about being resourceful with what you’ve been given. Twenty-five years ago [Glenda Sutton](http://www.glendasutton.com/) escaped an abusive husband in Florida and moved to Nashville with two sons to start a ministry. She was homeless and stayed with friends until she was granted housing in the projects. From there she built her ministry. She said she did it by using whatever she had in her hands. She began hosting Bible studies, tithing with food stamps by preparing meals for the elderly and teaching young mothers how to budget. Her two children served with her, helping to teach neighborhood kids how to read. It was the beginning of [Family Affair Ministries](http://www.familyaffairministries.com/), which has served thousands of families from three locations in the heart of East Nashville. She runs the church and a nonprofit with several employees, a preschool, summer camps, school programs, job training, clothes closet and a food pantry. In [this interview](http://sheisnoble.com/nomination/glenda-sutton/), she talks about how she broke the cycle of poverty, and how not only do her children serve and give back but her grandchildren as well. I stopped by by Glenda’s church one day recently and found her in the kitchen preparing lunch plates for a visiting organization. She said, “I always work with what I have in my hands.” With what she found in the fridge (roasted chicken, pasta, broccoli) she made a delicious meal with a side of salad and fruit. She said she never asks for more until she’s used what she’s been given. Where has God planted you? Do you have existing connections and resources that you could easily begin serving through and with? Begin orienting your children’s hearts toward helping others by talking about the first and second greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-40, Galatians 5:13-14) and how God has designed each of us with unique gifts so that we can use it to serve each other (1 Peter 4:10). #### ****2.** Can you gather others toward the cause?** ***Compound your efforts by combining it with others.* World-renowned photographer Jeremy Cowart found a way to not only use what he literally had in his hand (a camera) to give back, but he brought along his family (his wife, children and the photography community worldwide) to do it with him. He’s the founder of [Help-Portrait](http://help-portrait.com/), an international movement to take, print and deliver professional portraits to people who wouldn’t otherwise have them. Help-Portrait has given hope, dignity, encouragement and love to thousands of people who have never had an opportunity to have their portrait made, or who have had pictures destroyed by fire, or who are savoring final moments in life before the passing of a loved one. Jeremy’s wife Shannon organizes the annual Nashville event (there are events worldwide) and his children and extended family serve each year as well. “It’s an honor to see unexpected transformations happen right before us as some of the men, women and families find a new sense of self and dignity restored,” Shannon said. “To share that moment with them is everything.” What passions does your family have, and who can join you in bringing those to light? Share these verses with your children and talk about what it means to serve with love and to serve others as if they were serving Jesus Himself. - “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV) - “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV) #### **3. Is your gift of service wanted?** ***Don’t approach volunteering as an opportunity to teach your children a lesson in gratitude. Before offering a service, ask what is needed and wanted.* When it comes to volunteering, being equipped to meet the need is just as important as being willing to meet it. On the other hand, just because you’re able to serve using your gifts doesn’t mean that’s how a need should be met. My friend and neighbor Rowena shared some particularly valuable insight regarding this during our children’s karate class last week. Rowena Aldridge grew up in the Appalachian Mountains and the Philippines and knew several recipients of charity work during her childhood. The thing that left the greatest impression from these events was that the service was offered without asking if it was wanted. It was as if the volunteers, especially those who brought children to serve with them, were doing it for the lessons that they could teach their children through it and not to meet actual needs of the individual or community. This is a misstep, she says. “It is important for people who want to do this to understand the hidden impact their teaching agenda has on the people they intend to help,” she said. Rowena, her husband and her daughter Ella regularly volunteer at a homeless shelter and serve other ways in their community, but, “If I ever find myself thinking, ‘What will Ella learn from this’?, I’ll cut it off right there,” Rowena said. She names Ella a “full partner” in the family’s volunteer activities. “We don’t ‘teach’ her to serve,” she said. “This is just part of our family culture. If one of us sees a need that we want to address, we do it, and whomever in the family can help pitches in.” Make serving a regular, natural, integrated part of your lifestyle as a family. Doing good may feel good, but it shouldn’t make us feel special. Talk about your experiences, welcome questions and try discussing these verses: - “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10, ESV) - “Do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.” (Luke 6:35, ESV) #### 4. Are you ready to pour yourself out? ***Be willing to be inconvenienced on behalf of others.* My best friend Liz Eskridge is one of the most passion-filled, warm and friendliest people you’ll ever meet. She’s a single mom with two kids and manages a yoga studio. If you want to hang out with her, you’d better be willing to get in line. Her downtime is filled with meeting needs in the community. Her passion? Helping feed hungry kids. When she learned through her kids’ schools that many families in our area depend on school breakfast and lunch for sustenance, she began to wonder how school breaks affected their ability to access food. She and her kids began to help bridge those needs by giving, collecting and distributing food before those breaks through a nonprofit she founded called [Give Me 10](https://www.facebook.com/giveme10eastnashville?fref=ts). She jumps first and believes the ground will follow. She knows very little about setting up a nonprofit or any of the business side that comes with it, but she knows the need and she’ll do whatever it takes to fill it. After a particularly busy weekend of volunteer work, I had to cancel an activity I was looking forward to doing and instead slept for what felt like an entire day. I texted Liz and told her I had overstretched myself and joked that now I know how she feels 24-7. She texted back: > ***Liz:*** *Here’s the thing. there’s something about spending a ton of time doing useless, meaningless things that fill up your schedule. But there’s something life-giving when you’re pouring yourself and your time into things that actually matter.* > > ***Cara:*** *YES!* > > ***Liz:*** *The exhaustion and the tired is different. It helps you pull through sadness and grief and heaviness. It’s different than the busy that we put ourselves through in order to avoid those things.* > > ***Cara:*** *oh man. that will preach.* > > ***Liz:*** *those things are all still there. But they seem smaller. and less heavy.* The sacrifices she makes is not lost on her kids. When her middle schooler won an iPod during a pep rally, she immediately turned and gave it to someone else whom she knew didn’t have one. Like her mama, her heart is inclined toward giving. No matter the emotional and financial hardships they’ve endured as a family, their first response is to pour themselves out on the behalf of others: “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10, ESV). It comes as little surprise science has confirmed this biblical truth. Research shows people who volunteer are happier and have higher self-esteem and psychological well-being, and studies have linked youth volunteering to higher quality of life as an adult ([US News & World Report](http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/04/04/why-helping-others-makes-us-happy)). You don’t have to start a nonprofit or move to Tanzania to being serving. Chances are you’re already serving your children and family and teaching them to serve in the home. Begin turning that focus outward more often. Having a servant’s heart means you hold the door open for the person behind you. You lend a tool to a neighbor or cut the yard for friend who’s had surgery. You invite singles in your church to your home for Sunday dinner. You put others before self. Community is your best connection to needs and serving opportunities. Are you part of a mom’s group, church group or school? Do you have a blogging circle or alumni network? If your passion is for living a Micah 6:8 life, you’ll begin to pray for and see opportunities all around. And your kids will want to be part of it, too, because they see you doing it. When my daughter saw a stack of magazines outside her younger sister’s preschool school door recently, she asked the director if she could carry them in for her. I realized then that I don’t always have to prompt her to lend a hand. She’s got the idea. --- #### [![](https://d2devwt40at1e2.cloudfront.net/api/file/ISeSRTacQ3eIPSuc3cl2/convert?width=600&fit=max&quality=80)](https://shop.jellytelly.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12?variant=23188479681)Good News In Action! Through Paul’s letters, we learn what it means to live as a follower of Jesus! Learn more about the 13 letters that Paul wrote to churches all over the Roman world in the DVD *[Letters From Paul](https://shop.jellytelly.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-12?variant=23188479681).* --- *Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post and CNN, and she’s been quoted in USA Today and The New York Times. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [Choosing Structure As Freedom: Reflections on Lent](https://gominno.com/blog/choosing-structure-freedom-reflections-lent/) **Published:** February 26, 2015 **Author:** Christine Bailey **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/a110fn6KR6W0koz7hMWZ.jpg) Lent. It’s the season of giving up, sacrificing, preparing. During “Lententide,” we turn our eyes and our hearts more fully towards Christ and the cross in anticipation of Easter Sunday coming soon. Growing up Southern Baptist, my family didn’t celebrate Lent – it was something my Catholic friends in my small New Jersey hometown mentioned begrudgingly – whatever they were “giving up” seemed to be something their parents were making them do. In my twenties, I became more familiar with the practice of Lent and realized it’s for anyone who follows Jesus and not just those from liturgical denominations. I still never observed Lent until last year [when I gave up Instagram and Facebook for the Lenten season](https://dreammore.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/5/releasing-to-embrace.html). It was an amazing experience, and I felt so refreshed and more present in my life – and in the lives of my husband and daughters – as I took a step back from mindlessly scrolling through my feeds as a distraction. Here’s the thing, though – *I’m a rule-follower*. I love following rules and hate getting in trouble. Even as a child, I was the teacher’s pet, and it only took a negative glance my way to get back in line. One time in senior year French class, my friend Julie and I got detention because we were laughing too much, and I was mortified. Even now as an adult, give me a rule, and I’ll go out of my way to follow it to a T, sometimes to my own detriment. **But following rules is not what faith in Jesus is about.** I don’t think there’s anything wrong with “giving something up” for Lent – like I said, I’ve done it before. But as I can tend to be on the legalistic side, I don’t want Lent to be a temporary deprivation that creates a temporary piety in my heart that is soon forgotten after Easter Sunday. I don’t need another rule to follow, another thing to check off my list. **What will really stretch me…what will really turn my face towards Christ, is letting the Lenten season be a catalyst for deep, heartfelt, lasting change.** **And it comes down to three words: *living in freedom*.** This isn’t something I’m only implementing for the 46 days of Lent. This is just the first mile in the road of what I hope is a life of more fullness, less worry, more confidence, less fear, more joy, and less carrying burdens alone. A counselor-friend imparted some very wise words recently: **Freedom is not the absence of limitations; it is the choice of limitations.** As a human, I am given the ability to design my own program for my freedom. As a believer, I’ve been given full freedom from Christ, but how I live my life decides if I embrace that or not. Out of this freedom, whom and what will I serve? I don’t get to be and choose all things. Simply following rules is the old law. The old law says I have to stick to a bunch of rules in order to be close to God. The new law of love says I freely choose to follow God’s Word, because I love Him. **Yes, there’s a new kind of structure that brings freedom.** In the [She Reads Truth Lent study](http://shereadstruth.com/category/plans/near-the-cross/) that is currently happening, [this quote by Rebecca Faires](http://shereadstruth.com/2015/02/20/springtime/) spoke to me: *“During the season of Lent, we try to give things up to train our raw fingers to let go of old ways. But to reconcile with God and to breathe in the springtime, we have to do more than just let go. We have to replace our icy vices with the good, warm things of God.”* *So what does this look like practically? How do I add more freedom to my life?* - Choosing a structure of daily exercise and making time to care for myself physically – not because I should or to look a certain way but because it makes me more healthy and strong and full of life. I’ve begun a Pilates program I can do from home. - Releasing my grip on my children – giving them more freedom and allowing parenting to be more messy. - Releasing control on my marriage and not expecting my husband’s words or actions to be a certain way. We are one flesh, but we are also each on our own journeys with the Lord. Own this journey. - Planning out the week to ensure enough social time for us and our daughters – making time for homeschool, play dates with friends, and just time to enjoy the outdoors. - Continue to get better at [saying “no” to the things don’t bring life](https://dreammore.squarespace.com/blog/2014/9/8/learning-to-say-no) so I can make room for the things that do (always a work in progress!). - Reach out bravely in friendships with other women. I’ll be hosting my first [IF:Table](http://ifgathering.com/table/) gathering in March, and I’m actually giddy about it. These are mostly broadly painted strokes rather than bullet-pointed items I can check off a list. And that’s how it needs to be so these practices can become woven into my life, for good. Am I going to do this perfectly? Nope. But when that happens, I’m not going to have “failed Lent.” If I get off track, I’m going to get back up, stand on my own two feet, turn back towards my Savior and keep going. Galatians 5:1 says, *“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”* (NIV) It’s time to shed some yokes, my friends. Lent is the perfect time. **What do you need to give up today? In what areas do you need to find freedom in your life? Is there a new structure you need to freely choose, in order to find that freedom?** *Christine Bailey is wife to Steven and mama to four-year-old Luci Belle and 1-year-old Norah. After working in the music industry in Nashville and then helping start an [African relief organization](http://africanleadership.org/), she and her husband now own an [urban farmstead and produce co-op](http://urbanacresmarket.com/) in Dallas and love sharing meals with family and friends. In her (not so) spare time, she shares her art, photography, and writings on her blog, [Dreams of Simple Life](http://dreammore.squarespace.com/) and looks for the beauty amidst the imperfection of everyday life.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Wisdom](https://gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-wisdom/) **Published:** October 16, 2014 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xvrJgd17RHSUloAxsnVa.jpg) My 7-year-old asks me at least once a week when she’ll be old enough to get her own phone. (She’s usually playing with mine when she asks, by the way.) This past weekend I told her she might be able to get one when she’s mature enough to handle it, and when she has a job with regular income to support the extra expense. She wanted those stipulations broken down into language she could understand– or master and overcome more quickly. I thought now would be a good time to do a lesson about the [wise old owl](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wise_Old_Owl). The nursery rhyme and iconic symbol of wisdom serves as a fun way to introduce the topic to young ones. It reads: *A wise old owl lived in an oak* *The more he saw the less he spoke* *The less he spoke the more he heard.* *Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?* I printed the poem and some coloring sheets of owls so she and her sister could color while I gave a quick lesson about wisdom. ### Here are five talking points about wisdom you can share with your kids, too. #### **1. Listening is how we learn about wisdom.** Have you ever heard the saying that God gave us two ears so we’d listen twice as much as we speak? Perhaps that’s what the wise owl did. Listening and thinking before we speak can make us sound wise too. #### **2. The Bible is our source for words of wisdom.** The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom. In it we learn that God gives wisdom (Proverbs 2:6), that if we listen to instruction, which is teaching, we will become wise (Proverbs 19:20) and that if we ask the Lord for wisdom, He’s happy to give it to us ([James 1:5](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/james-1-5-verse-of-the-day-1-28-14/)). #### **3. Prayer is how we ask for wisdom.** Did you know the Bible tells us about the wisest man who ever lived? It was King [Solomon](http://whatsinthebible.com/he-chose-wisely/). God told him he could ask Him for anything he wanted. You know what he asked him for? Wisdom, so he could be a better leader. He got it along with a bunch of other stuff too! Later in the Bible we read that we’re supposed to “seek God first” and we’ll be given everything else we need. So if we want wisdom, one way we can do that is to ask God for wisdom. #### 4. **Age is how we experience wisdom.** Being older doesn’t necessarily mean you’re wiser. But mostly, people who are older are wiser than those who are younger. Do you know why that is? I think it’s because they’ve seen how fast life goes by. The Bible says in [Psalm 90:12](http://whatsinthebible.com/activity-library/psalm-90-12-verse-of-the-day-10-3-14/) that a heart of wisdom comes from “numbering our days,” which could mean understanding that our lives are short on earth, but that we’ll live forever in Heaven. Keeping that in mind helps us make better choices each day. #### **5. Love is how we apply wisdom.** Love is what Christians are supposed to do everything with. When we apply wisdom through love, it helps us think about how our actions affect others. So when we act with love, our relationships get better, our faith gets stronger and we get along better with others. Whenever we have a decision to make or a something to take care of, love helps us do it with confidence that we’re doing it the right way. Then I broke it down even further, applying what we just talked about to the question of when my daughter can have a cell phone. I asked her, “What ways would wisdom help you take care of a phone?” Her eyes lit up, but the shoulders shrugged. She was eager to hear the answer. I reminded her that maturity and responsibility were the prerequisites and that those were characteristics of wisdom, which we had been talking about. So I quickly recapped what we learned. **Maturity and responsibility are two attributes of wisdom.** We get those through **listening** (to instruction & reading scripture), **prayer** (asking God for wisdom), **age** (experience) and **love** (thinking about how our actions affect others). Age doesn’t equal wisdom, but if we’ve used our time “wisely” by pursuing these things, we’ll be in good shape like that wise old owl. He didn’t even need a cell phone! --- Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How Do You Integrate Faith and Learning?](https://gominno.com/blog/how-do-you-integrate-faith-and-learning/) **Published:** August 28, 2014 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Nii3hpyQIauAUapWV9gX_JT-Blog-bible%20special.jpg.jpg)* *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* ### How do you make the Bible part of your kids’ learning, regardless of what type of school they attend? #### Leah of [As We Walk Along the Road](http://www.Courtneysix.blogspot.com) > We do a daily devotion time together at the start of our day. We pray for needs we know and for missions. We also have Bible as a school subject, and in our Bible class we have specific studies such as New or Old Testament overviews, character study, the gospels, etc. #### Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](http://www.Kimberlyamici.com "kimberlyamici.com") > I created scripture memory cards for my kids (available on my blog to download and print). Each month we learn about a new topic and each week we memorize a new scripture related to that topic. The cards are designed to be double-sided. On the front of the card it says, “Read It.” That’s where the memory verse is printed. On the back of the card it says, “Pray It.” There, I have turned the verse into a prayer. #### Danika of [Thinking Kids ](http://ThinkingKidsBlog.org) > I wrote a three year Bible survey curriculum for preschool to high school for our children to use. *What’s in the Bible?* is an important part of Bible Road Trip. We enjoyed using Bible Road Trip in our own home so much that I share it on Thinking Kids for other families to use in their evening worship or as a part of their homeschool. It helps us study the Bible every day. #### Heather of [Learning As We Grow, Growing As We Learn](http://learningandgrowingalongtheway.blogspot.com/) > The theme verses for the year (Matt. 22:37, and Eccles. 9:10a) are helpful for making the Bible a part of their learning. We can always come back to some basic questions, “How are you loving God in this activity?” “Are you working with all your might, or maybe just a little?” “How does knowing about our digestive system (or fill in the blank with whatever they are studying) lead us to love God more?” #### Chad of [ChadEddy.com](http://ChadEddy.com) > We read the Bible together regularly as a family, and discuss what it says in regard to whatever we’re going through, whether what the kids are studying in school, how they’re relating with their friends or brothers, etc. #### Heidi of [Our Out-of-Sync Life](http://www.ouroutofsynclife.com) > Before bedtime, Daddy reads from the Bible and talks with our kiddos about God’s love for them and His desire for us to bring Him glory. We further this learning during teachable moments, trying to continually point them back to God. #### Allyson of [All Our Days](http://allourdays.com) > We read through a kids’ devotional each morning at breakfast. Right now, we’re enjoying *Jesus Calling for Kids*. We also work together to memorize God’s word and incorporate lots of prayer into our daily lives. Before bed we read through Bible story books, working our way through one and then starting back at the beginning with another. #### Jessica of [Gather and Grow](http://www.gatherandgrow.co/) > We use various resources including *What’s In The Bible?* since we are a public school family and the Bible isn’t a part of curriculum at school. We cover this regularly at home. It’s part of our family culture. ### What does your family have planned for the rest of summer? Let us know in the comments! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Heaven](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-heaven/) **Published:** April 17, 2014 **Author:** Editorial Team **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ywKNTB6NQvvTq5nwvwOK.jpg) The film release of [*Heaven Is For Real*](http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/heavenisforreal/) brings the best-selling book about a boy who visited Heaven to life on the big screen–and into the mainstream. Whether of not they see the movie, chances are your kids have some questions about Heaven. Talking about Heaven is a two-sided coin. The old saying goes, *everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die.* In the same vein, talking to children about death can feel awkward and potentially painful. Thankfully, films and books like *Heaven Is For Real* might open the door to have a conversation with your kids about these topics. Here are few points to keep in mind when talking to your kids about Heaven. #### #### **1. Don’t expect kids under age 9 to understand death.** The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) looked at the work of those who deal with grief counseling in children. They theorized that before age 5, kids can’t cognitively grasp the fact that everyone dies (including themselves.) By ages 9 and 10, most children have a sense of death as being final and irreversible. How you talk to you kids about death, loss and grief will sound different according to the age of your child, and most likely will be a topic you revisit again over time as their understanding changes and develops. #### **2. Play it straight – use words that mean exactly what they say.** While adults shy away from using literal words describing death, children need concrete terms. KidsHealth by Nemours suggests, “If the loved one was ill or elderly, for example, you might explain that the person’s body wasn’t working anymore and the doctors couldn’t fix it. If someone dies suddenly, like in an accident, you might explain what happened — that because of this very sad event, the person’s body stopped working. You may have to explain that ‘dying’ or ‘dead’ means that the body stopped working.” #### **3. Remember that the concept of Heaven Is just as hard to understand.** Your child’s questions about what happens after death may be a great opportunity to talk about eternity, but realize they’re also curious about what physically happens to the person who died. You may need to explain what happens to the body (it’s placed in a box and is buried deep in the ground), then talk about the soul and Heaven. Author Randy Alcorn has a book called *Heaven for Kids* where he helps answer common questions kids have about Heaven. In order for it to be a comfort, they must understand what it means to know Jesus. Topics of eternity and salvation simply aren’t ones to tackle in a five-minute conversation. It will take time. Allow your child’s understanding to develop in time, and give him or her plenty of opportunities to discuss what’s on their hearts and minds at any time. #### **4. Share God’s Word with your children to help explain Heaven.** The Bible is full of comforting words about the hope of Heaven. Here are several scriptures paraphrased in ways your child might understand more easily. **Revelation 21:4:** *In Heaven God makes sure no one feels like crying. No one will die in heaven or feel bad. They’ll be happy.* **1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:** *Everyone who believes Jesus loves us and died for us will live together in Heaven one day. We’ll all be together again and live forever with Jesus.* **Psalm 18:28:** *When we believe in God it’s like a nightlight in the dark. We don’t have to be afraid.* **Psalm 23:4:** *When I’m the most scared or feel the worst, I can think about how much God loves me and I can feel loved and safe.* **Psalm 73:26:** *God’s love will never go away. I can always feel His love anytime I want.* Consider reading a scripture paraphrase each night then comparing it to the actual passage, or writing one down and putting it in your child’s lunch box each day. Heaven is more than a final resting place for souls. God’s Kingdom – often called the Kingdom of Heaven in the Bible – is a place of power. It’s vibrant and real; it’s all the hope we need to live an overcoming life in this space and time. Living Kingdom-minded will help your kids grasp the concept of Heaven and its relationship to Earth. Your family can learn more about God’s Kingdom in the [final DVD of the family Bible series ](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-13)*[What’s In The Bible?](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-13).* “God’s Kingdom Comes” tackles the tricky book of Revelation and gives us hope for the coming Kingdom of God! You may also like… [How to Talk to Your Kids About 10 Tough Topics](https://www.gominno.com/blog/talk-kids-ten-tough-topics) --- Cara Davis is a content consultant and co-founder of the soon-to-launch [church’d.com](http://churchd.com/). The former editorial director for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), her writing has appeared in *The Huffington Post* and *CNN*, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. She lives with her husband and two girls in East Nashville where she has co-founded a nonprofit called [Community PTO](http://www.communitypto.org/) to support the success of local community schools. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About Strength](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-strength/) **Published:** March 20, 2014 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BMJyZmTNGIMhnPPi2Fuw.jpg) Research tells us [kids process information differently](http://www.livescience.com/10753-brain-processes-images-differently-kid.html "Your brain processes images differently as a kid"), and more slowly, than adults. They perceive information separately, as individual pieces, rather than immediately making connections. Think of the old adage, “They can’t see the forest for the trees.” They also have much less life experience, so their response to a challenge, struggle or crisis may often seem irrational to adults. What seems minor to us feels major to them; what seems like a tragedy to us they may handle much differently. So how do we help our kids when they’re struggling? What may be most helpful for kids facing a hard time is transparency, plain communication and lots of love. Butterflies are one of my daughter’s favorite creatures. I used the story of its metamorphosis as an object lesson with her to talk about strength and healing. Here are four points perhaps you could use as well: #### **1. Trust God Through Changes** *A beautiful butterfly looks very different in the beginning. It has to go through changes*. When we or someone we love gets sick or hurt, it may look sad or scary to us. It’s okay to be sad and to cry. Did you know the Bible says even Jesus cried? (John 11:35). The Bible also says anytime we are afraid, we can trust in God and ask Him to help us (Psalm 56:3). #### **2. Rest in Jesus** *Caterpillars build a little nest called a chrysalis where they stay very still for one or two weeks while their bodies change into a butterfly****.*** Doctors and nurses may give us bandages, casts or medicine, or even ask us to stay in bed while our bodies heal. God created our bodies to use medicine and rest to make hurt places feel better and muscles to grow strong again. We can also ask Jesus to help us feel better when we don’t feel well or when we feel sad. #### **3. Know that Jesus is Strong For Us** *When butterflies come out of the chrysalis, their wings are soft and floppy. It takes time for them to grow strong enough to fly.* Sometimes we have to rest and stay inside while our bodies are getting better. This keeps us from getting hurt again. Mommy and Daddy’s job is to protect you while you are getting stronger. The Bible says we don’t always have to be strong. Jesus can be strong for us! Philippians 4:13 says we can do everything through Jesus’ strength. That means if we don’t feel like doing something, we can think about how strong He is, and imagine He is helping us do it. The Bible says He is always with us! (Matthew 28:20). #### **4. Remember that God Made You Special** *When butterflies flutter their wings, we see how beautiful and special they are. God made them — just like He made us!* The Bible says we are “wonderfully made” and that God made each one of us special in our own way (Psalm 139:14). When we do things that make us happy and help us grow strong like eating good food, running and playing, reading or coloring, it makes God happy. It also makes other people happy because they see how beautiful and strong God made you. “Down time” — whether healing from a sickness or injury or going through a period of grief or sadness — is a great opportunity to teach children about strength of character. My nephew Brock was sidelined from playing sports after a serious car accident left him with brain trauma and two broken legs. “Now’s the time you develop inner strength,” his dad would tell him. Brock did. He cheered on his teammates even though he would rather be playing with them, and he focused on activities that would help build up his faith, like hanging with friends from church. Times of transition are never easy. It takes great strength to change. Thankfully, our faith can be a source of inspiration, strength and comfort – for kids and adults alike. If you feel your child is facing trauma or emotional distress that is extraordinary, seek help. [Nationwide hotlines](http://www.findcounseling.com/help/hotlines/) may help you find local services available to you and your children. --- **Cara Davis** ([@carandavis](http://twitter.com/carandavis/)) is the editorial director for church’d.com. Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post and CNN, and she’s been quoted in *USA Today* and *The New York Times*. After being part of the launch team for [Relevant Media Group](http://relevantmediagroup.com/), she served on editorial teams for [Halogen TV](http://halogentv.com/) and [Help-Portrait](http://help-portrait.com/), and was part of writing, editing and web projects for several authors, ministries and denominations. She lives with her husband and two daughters in East Nashville, where her favorite hobby is yard sale shopping with her 6-year-old. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Teach Revelation to Kids: Revelation Video Series with Phil Vischer](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-teach-revelation-to-kids-revelation-video-series-with-phil-vischer/) **Published:** March 10, 2014 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dkICWNCZTZem4pbEmO1K.jpg) Teaching the book of Revelation to kids may seem like a daunting task, but *VeggieTales(r)* and *What’s in the Bible?* creator Phil Vischer offers some great ideas in this short video about his approach to Revelation in Volume 13 of the *Buck Denver Asks(r) … What’s in the Bible?* series. Volume 13: God’s Kingdom Comes! \[General Epistles and Revelation\] is available now from [Jelly Telly](https://shop.gominno.com/products/dvd-13)! Volume 13 completes Vischer’s journey through the Bible for kids and families, and tackling the book of Revelation has been much-anticipated for the series’ fans. When asked how he started to approach it, Vischer says, “To teach Revelation to kids you start with a simple statement – ‘Revelation is one of the trickiest books of the Bible.'” By asking the question, “why is it so tricky?” Vischer says, you get to the concept of genre – one of the most importance concepts in understanding – and teaching! – about any book book of the Bible. Throughout the *What’s in the Bible?* series, Vischer teaches about the genres of the Bible – historical prose, poetry, and epistles to name a few examples. But the book of Revelation isn’t any of those genres – it belongs to the genre of *apocalyptic writing*. “Apocalyptic writing is entirely symbolic,” Vischer says. “Almost everything in the book of Revelation is a symbol for something else.” Sometimes John (the author of Revelation) gives us clues about what the symbols mean, like the lamp stands representing the churches. But other times, we have to work harder to figure out what the message John is writing really means. In *Volume 13: God’s Kingdom Comes!*, Vischer and the *What’s in the Bible?* crew find meaning in the very complicated book of Revelation. [Order it here](https://shop.gominno.com/products/dvd-13 "DVD 13") today! **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How Do You Help Kids Adjust to Time Change?](https://gominno.com/blog/how-do-you-help-kids-adjust-to-time-change/) **Published:** March 5, 2014 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5MgfC0uITM6M0iujYhQR_JT-Blog-time%20change.jpg.jpg)* *This year, we’re rounding up some of our favorite bloggers to get their thoughts on faith and family. We asked them:* **How do you help your kids adjust to the time change?** #### Leah of [As We Walk Along The Road](http://www.courtneysix.blogspot.com "As We Walk Along the Road"): > We set our clocks around supper time on the evening of the change. That way we can go to bed with the adjusted time. I’ve actually found that my kids do better in the spring time change. In the fall, they are still waking up at the regular time which is an hour early. In the spring, the adjustment seems to be easier. #### Heather of [Me and the Gross Boys](www.heatherandthegrossboys.blogspot.com "Me and the Gross Boys"): > Our kiddos stay in their room either until we come get them (the younger two) or until the clock says 7:30 (the older two), so that doesn’t change, just when they wake up changes! That said, we usually try to keep them up a bit later (like 30 minutes or so) for a few days before. Then the night of the change we keep them up an entire hour later than usual, which they think is great fun! All this is in the hopes that they will gradually sleep a bit later. Also, dark curtains to keep the sunlight out of their rooms in the morning helps quite a bit! #### #### Kimberly of [Living in the Sweet Spot](http://kimberlyamici.com/ "Living in the Sweet Spot"): > While I look forward to the time change and longer days each year, my kids have often struggled with it. I find that maintaining our evening routine: dinner, chores, bathing, and reading helps my little ones adjust. Going to bed, even when it’s not completely dark outside, is just the last step in rhythm that’s everyday life. #### Tamika of [No Time For Tea Parties](www.notimefortea.com "No Time for Tea Parties"): > We help our kids adjust to time change by letting them go by their own body clocks as opposed to a set schedule. #### Wendy of [Hip Homeschool Moms](http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com "Hip Homeschool Moms"): > We generally adjust pretty well to the time change. We simply adjust our schedule a few minutes each day over a couple of weeks or so. Being a homeschooling family is definitely an advantage for us since we have more freedom to change our schedule as needed. #### Lisa of [Chaos Appreciation](http://chaosappreciation.com/blog "Chaos Appreciation"): > Our schedule has always been pretty flexible. The kids don’t notice the time change that much. Mom, on the other hand, forgets to cook dinner because the sun is up and everyone is still playing! **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [Jewish High Holy Days: Yom Kippur](https://gominno.com/blog/jewish-high-holy-days-yom-kippur/) **Published:** September 13, 2013 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/gXrfrBtQtCl1Ob8W32Ae_JT-Blog-yom%20kippur.jpg.jpg) This evening, faithful Jews around the world will begin their observance of Yom Kippur, translated as “The Day of Atonement”. This is considered to be the holiest day of the year in Jewish tradition, instituted by ***Leviticus 23:26-31**.*** Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The [Talmud](http://www.jewfaq.org/defs/talmud.htm) also specifies additional restrictions that are less well-known: washing and bathing, anointing one’s body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing leather shoes ([Orthodox](http://www.jewfaq.org/defs/orthodox.htm) Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur), and engaging in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur. ([Judaism 101](http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm)) People spend much of their day in synagogue and many wear white to symbolize ***“our sins shall be made white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).*** During the liturgy, the most important addition is the confession of sins. This happens is two parts: Ashamnu, which is a shorter, more general list of sins (we have been … slanderous, aggressive, unkind, etc.) and then the Al Chiet, which is a longer more inclusive list. The concluding service of Yom Kippur, known as Ne’ilah, is one unique to the day. It usually runs about one hour long. The ark (a cabinet where the scrolls of the Torah are kept) is kept open throughout this service, thus you must stand throughout the service. There is a tone of desperation in the prayers of this service. The service is sometimes referred to as the closing of the gates; think of it as the “last chance” to get in a good word before the holiday ends. The service ends with a very long blast of the shofar. Yom Kippur reminds the Jews of their need for God, and their personal responsibility to Him and His Law. So why do I, a Christian, care about Yom Kippur? What impact does a “day of atonement” have on my life? If you think back to the Temple and the Tabernacle, both of these represent how sin separates us from the holiness of God. Once a year on Yom Kippur, the High Priest, the only one allowed in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle, would offer a blood sacrifice of a lamb to atone for – or cover – the sins of the people. But the very moment that Jesus died on the cross, “***…the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51).*** Praise God! Jesus became our sacrificial lamb, and His precious blood forever covered each and every one of our sins, redeeming us eternally! Jesus is the fulfillment of Yom Kippur, the one perfect and final atonement for our sins. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How To Talk To Your Kids About Praying For Your Enemies](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-praying-for-your-enemies/) **Published:** September 4, 2013 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CD7kEPUCR3qRL2jkbBqU.jpg) Watching the news today, like many Christian Americans, I feel a sense of frustration. My heart hurts for the suffering going on across the world in Egypt and in Syria. The lives of innocent people, so many of them children, have been cut short by war. Like most wars, we have an opinion of who the “good guys” are and who the “bad guys” are. We stand in union (many of us with our very own churches) to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East who suffer daily and who, even today, must run and hide from those who want to kill them for their faith in Jesus. The thing is, we are supposed to pray not only for those who are suffering, but also for those who are inflicting the pain! We pray that the Holy Spirit will cause a wave of healing and that the hearts of each of those murderous individuals would be touched and changed. A total transformation that only can come from accepting Jesus as Lord. How do we teach our kids to pray for our enemies? ***(Romans 12:14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.*** We needn’t look across the world to find people who have caused us pain. Have you ever wondered why God allows people to come into our lives who are not easy to love? I mean, it certainly would be a lot easier to love like Jesus if we actually liked everyone. But, God knew that if it were up to us, we’d pick and choose who to love and who to hate. Yeah… *if it were up to us*… ***(Matthew 5:43-48) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.*** Instead, God’s plan is to conform us into the image of Jesus, teaching us to LOVE OUR ENEMIES and PRAY for those who hurt us. It’s hard to do this. In fact it’s impossible to do this without the Holy Spirit taking the lead in our lives. But in praying for our enemies, we are able to show compassion and mercy where compassion and mercy would otherwise not be present. This action becomes a testimony of our faith, that our total protection and our total provision comes from one place… God! Our kids need to witness this action. Think about it. If we don’t choose to love those who hate us, curse us, and yes…even attack and persecute us, what difference would there be between us and the non-Christian? Not very much. God’s transformation in us, to become more like Jesus, is hard to go through. It needs to be. Personally, I think it’s okay to show our kids how we struggle in our transformation of self. As they grow in their own ability to pray for others, they will have an example of what it means to pray for and love our enemies, as you have, and as Jesus has commanded. ***(Luke 6:32-36) If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful***. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Father's Day Poems](https://gominno.com/blog/fathers-day-poems/) **Published:** May 20, 2013 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/VfKyx4jyRRaS1yM8FdQd_JT-Blog-fathers%20day%20poems.jpg.jpg) For the most precious things in life– beauty, love, nature’s majesty, romance–everyday language is not enough to express our sentiments. That is why, for the precious gift of children, fathers have taken to writing poetry. The joy, amusement, wonder, gravity, and weighty sense of responsibility brought into a man’s life by fathering a child can sometimes only be expressed in poetry. Hear the range of feelings of these poet-fathers: \* [A Parental Ode to My Son](http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/fathers-day/poems-rhymes/a-parental-ode-to-my-son.html) by Thomas Hood \* [The Children’s Hour](http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/fathers-day/poems-rhymes/the-childrens-hour.html) by Henry W. Longfellow \* [The Little Chap who Follows Me](http://www.fatherville.com/index.php/poems-for-dads11/229-the-little-chap-who-follows-me) by John Wooden The spiritual importance that fathers bear in the home has led others to pen hymns and poems reflecting on a father’s influence and encouraging men to mirror the heavenly Father in their parenting: \* [When Father Reads the Book](http://ministry-to-children.com/fathers-day-poem-when-father-reads-the-book-by-ge-foster/) by G.E. Foster \* [When Father Prays](http://3pointsandapoem.blogspot.com/2010/11/when-father-prays.html) (unknown) \* [Wanted: A Man to Lead](http://whetstoneacademy.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/wanted-a-man-to-lead/) (Wesleyan Methodist) \* [A Father’s Prayer](http://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/20461/60.html) (unknown) One such poem–“[My Prayer](http://th-inkingoutloud.blogspot.com/2006/08/poems-and-prayer.html)” by Nauzon W Braphamm–asks the Lord for help in fulfilling a role that is often beyond human effort. *Father, today I bring to Thee* *This boy of mine whom Thou hast made.* *In everything he looks to me,* *In turn, I look to Thee for aid…* *Hold Thou my hand as I hold his,* *And so guide me that I may guide.* *Teach me, Lord, that I may teach,* *And keep me free from foolish pride…* Children, too, have reflected on the father-relationship in the other direction, noting and thanking fathers for their influence in their lives. Read these [classic poems](http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5867) by acclaimed poets from E.E. Cummings to Sylvia Path. One such poem, Edgar Guest’s [Only a Dad](http://poetry.about.com/od/poems/l/blguestonlyadad.htm) begins, *Only a dad with a tired face,* *Coming home from the daily race,* *Bringing little of gold or fame* *To show how well he has played the game;* *But glad in his heart that his own rejoice* *To see him come and to hear his voice…* If you resonate best with [contemporary poems](http://www.dennydavis.net/poemfiles/bbychld/fthrpoem.htm), consider these [Father-Child poems](http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/family/father-poems.asp) and [Son/Daughter poems](http://www.fathermag.com/topics/poetry/). Still other [modern poems](http://www.indobase.com/fathersday/fathers-day-poems/whats-a-dad.html) are written from the perspective of mothers who have watched the priceless role their husbands play in their children’s lives: [Children Need a Daddy](http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/children-need-a-daddy/) by Becky Ginn *Children need a Daddy for many, many things:* *Like holding them high off the ground where the sunlight sings!* *Like being the deep music that tells them all is right* *When they awaken frantic with the terrors of the night.* *Like being the great mountain that rises in their heart* *And shows them how they might get home when all else falls apart.* *Like giving them the love that is their sea and air,* *So diving deep or soaring high they’ll always find him there.* Finally, consider whether [short Father’s Day poems](http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/121814/4_Fathers_Day_Poems_to) or [Father’s Day poems for kids](http://www.indobase.com/fathersday/fathers-day-poems/kids-poems.html) may be best for your family. A simple, heartfelt thank you to dad is always appropriate! [It’s a Dad Kind of Thing](http://www.fromtheheartpostcards.com/poetrypages/DadKindofThing.html) (unknown) *It’s a dad kind of thing to protect you and see that the world treats you right,* *To offer his willing assistance any hour of the day or the night.* *It’s a dad kind of thing to stand by you, if one of your bubbles should burst,* *To make sure you know you’re important and know that with him you come first.* *To give you his all but still wonder if there’s something more he could do –* *It’s a dad kind of thing to keep showing that he’ll always be there for you…* #### **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Famous Fathers in the Bible and Church History](https://gominno.com/blog/fathers-in-the-bible/) **Published:** May 17, 2013 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/jyfYhsATDQOLB38v1oxg_JT-Blog-famous%20fathers.jpg.jpg) Fathers have the unique privilege of sharing a title with God himself: our heavenly Father. How special that the Bible speaks of a human father’s love as a window into our heavenly Father’s love. Jesus said in Luke 11:11-13 that if even human fathers know how to love and give good gifts to their children, how much more should we expect an abundance of love from our great Father in heaven! #### #### Fatherhood in Scripture It is a privilege to be able to illustrate the qualities of God himself, yet it is also a weighty calling. Throughout Scripture fatherhood is spoken of as having tremendous impact, for good and for ill. As fathers shape the character of their children, they are in many ways shaping the future–the outlook for multiple generations (Ex 34:6-7). Fathers can pass on to their children a strong legacy of faithfulness, or they can leave their children spiritually deprived, without a heritage of the values that matter most. The Bible contains examples of fathers who left both positive and negative legacies for their children. Unfortunately, though [King David](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_david) was in many ways a “man after God’s own heart,” (Acts 13:22), his family life and parenting left much to be desired. His lack of faithful fathering set in motion a negative legacy for his children and descendants. For instance, his marital unfaithfulness–not only in adultery with Bathsheba, but also in taking multiple wives and concubines–impacted his children. It brought death to one son (2 Sam. 12:14) and led to familial tension and discord. When Solomon followed his father’s pattern of acquiring wives and concubines, it ultimately led both him and the nation away from the Lord (1 Kings 11:2-4). Scripture also shows that David failed to lead and discipline his children, leading to several cases of rebellion and tragedy. One son raped his daughter and, seeing that David did nothing, another son murdered the rapist. And two of David’s sons–Absalom and Adonijah–rebelled flagrantly against him, with David again largely failing to act. Yet God was gracious, even through David’s failure, to bring about a long-term descendant who was faithful: Jesus himself. #### #### Fathers Throughout History There are many more encouraging examples of fatherhood offered in Scripture and in history. Consider these American fathers who left strong legacies for their children, through the way they modeled and trained their children: \* [Cotton Mather](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_mather), the 17th century Puritan preacher in New England, began his Father’s Resolutions with the commitment: “At the birth of my children, I will resolve to do all I can that they may be the Lord’s.” Mather was himself the son of a pastor and several of his descendants also became prominent Puritan ministers. \* The 18th century theologian [Jonathan Edwards](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian)), together with his wife Sarah, raised their children in a way that left behind a powerful legacy. Researchers are astonished at the disproportionate influence his descendants have had in education, Christian ministry and public service. His descendants include fourteen college presidents, one U.S. vice-president, 200 Christian ministers, and a large number of doctors, senators and judges. \* [Martin Luther King, Sr.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Sr.) (b. 1899) was a major influence in the life of his son, Martin Luther King, Jr. As a pastor and Civil Rights leader himself, King Sr. was hugely influential in the development of his son’s conscience, ideals, and own desire to follow in ministry and Civil Rights. MLK Jr. would not have been the same person without his father’s example and training. \* [Nate Saint ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Saint)(b.1923), the missionary pilot in Ecuador, left a powerful legacy to his son [Steve Saint](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Saint), in his willingness to give his life for the sake of the gospel. Though Nate was martyred by the Waodani people while he was still a young dad, his son Steve decided to take up his father’s work and continue to preach to the Waodani and to others, worldwide. He has helped share the story of his dad and the other martyrs through documentaries and films like Beyond the Gates of Splendor and End of the Spear. Sources: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton\_mather](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_mather) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan\_Edwards\_(theologian)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian)) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin\_Luther\_King,\_Sr.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Sr.) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How To Talk To Your Kids About Compassion](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-compassion/) **Published:** April 10, 2013 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/5Zk97yrlTHui86kCKVS8.jpg) Compassion seems like a character trait that should come relatively easy for a Christ follower. I mean, we are the church. Our purpose is to spread the Good News and take care of others, specifically those who are in need. But over the last week many of us, some who call themselves Christ followers, have lacked compassion. Some have used their public voice in social media or personal blogs to tell the world (or their world) that bad things happen to those who deserve it. Parents, we are the living example to our kids of how to treat others. We teach them the Golden Rule, and then forget to use the same guideline in talking about others. Why? Because we do it in Jesus’ name? Or maybe it really isn’t unkind if it’s just a harmless post on Facebook or Twitter, or something carelessly spoken over the phone or at the dinner table? The thing is, we can’t rightfully expect our kids to, “Do as I say not as I do.” They will undoubtedly learn that it’s okay to pass judgement on a person and speak unkind things about those who may not share our own politics, theology or philosophies. Compassion is synonymous with pity, mercy, concern, and sympathy. It doesn’t base itself on vindication or punishment due to someone who is suffering. Instead, it stands alone as true empathy for those who are suffering or broken-hearted. We can disagree with someone, but compassion for that person can and should still be present if they are dealing with misfortune. If we let our kids see and hear our compassion for others, they too will have a better chance at growing into a compassionate adult. One who prays for those suffering and the broken-hearted, no matter who they are. We ALL fall from the righteousness of God. His grace is abundant, yet so undeserved. If we remember to treat others with love and compassion, we are truly acting like followers of Christ. We are then teaching our kids to treat others the way they would also want to be treated…no matter what. What does God’s Word say about compassion? Why should I care about those who are so different from me, anyway? **Psalm 78:38-39** Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them, he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. **Psalm 147:3** He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. **2 Corinthians 1:3-4** Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. **Matthew 9:36** When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. **Romans 2:1-2** Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [What does it mean that Jesus is the Good News?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-it-mean-that-jesus-is-the-good-news/) **Published:** February 25, 2013 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/C4NGdqZLTqSusVfgNS5R.jpg)* *Buck Denver Asks … What’s in the Bible?* Volume 10: Jesus is the Good News! \[Matthew, Mark, Luke & John\] releases on February 26, 2013. We asked creator Phil Vischer “What do you hope families take away from Volume **10?**” Watch his answer. “I hope families take away from this DVD a new understanding of what Jesus did and why it matters,”Vischer said about his new DVD on the Gospels. He points out that we hear the story of Jesus a lot – at Christmas, at Easter, and seemingly every Sunday in between. But when we hear the story of Jesus dying for our sins, we need to make sure we’re hearing the why. In Volume 10 of *What’s in the Bible?*, Vischer aims to make an emotional connection for kids and parents. “**If families can come away with a real, new understanding and an emotional connection to what Jesus did *for me*, then I think this will be a success,”** Vischer said. The word Gospel means “Good News,” and it’s important to understand both parts of that phrase. We so often hear the news – what Jesus did, on the Cross, and how he rose again. But why is it GOOD news? It is Good News because when Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins, he opened the door for us all to enter the Kingdom of God – and we can be with God forever! **“To know why it’s so good, you have to understand the whole story of history of the world, starting with the Garden of Eden,”** Vischer said. An ongoing theme in the *What’s in the Bible?* series is God’s Great Rescue Plan – that from the time sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, God had a plan to rescue all of us from sin. Vischer – along with Buck Denver, Sunday School Lady and their friends – trace God’s rescue plan through Noah, Joshua, Moses, David, and the kingdom of Israel in the first 9 volumes of *What’s in the Bible?*. Volume 10 introduces Jesus, the Messiah, and explains how he established the Kingdom of God on earth and invites us all to be a part of it. **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How To Talk to Your Kids About Jesus, The Great Physician](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-jesus-the-great-physician/) **Published:** January 16, 2013 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AgUv6tdSTImApYBMFizx.jpg) For the last four days I’ve been playing the role of “nurse-mom”. It’s a role in which many of you are very familiar. Like a lot of families during this flu season, we have had an un-welcomed visit from a nasty virus. Ours happened to be of the stomach variety. It hit both kids pretty hard, and when kids get sick (yes, even the cool teenage versions) they usually need a little extra attention from mom. But when my hugs and gentle caresses weren’t sufficient at helping them feel better, I had to call on the doctor. I needed her help in getting my kids through this illness. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought of Jesus in the role of the Great Physician, but this week, as I was taking care of my own children, that very thought came into my head. Jesus came to heal the world, spiritually. He was born to die in our place, and through this action of love, HEAL US from the sins that torture our souls. Jesus also healed many people physically. In the Gospels we read about Jesus healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, curing the mute, casting out demons, and even raising the dead. Jesus healed the diseases of the physical body and then he healed and restored our dying souls. The Greatest Physician ever! **Mark 1:29-34 *And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.*** Perhaps now, when so many people around us are fighting the flu or other seasonal illnesses, it’s a good time to talk to our children about Jesus, the Great Physician. We can teach them of his many miracles found in the Gospels, tell them that there is nothing too big or too small to bring to Him. Because for Jesus there is no lost cause, nothing too difficult or too trivial to heal. Whether that sickness is physical or spiritual, Jesus is our foundation of hope. Sometimes we adults need to be reminded that our God desires to wipe away our tears, and heal our bodies and souls from whatever is attacking us. From the small stuff like a migraine headache to the enormous stuff, like cancer; from the little wrong doings we may do to each other as children, to the big sins we commit throughout our life, He is there desiring to make us healthy in all ways! He loves us, and like a parent who sits beside their sick child, He is there – caressing our foreheads and loving us through whatever is ailing us. Do you have a physical or a spiritual ailment that you need healed? Take your broken selves to Jesus, the Great Physician. In doing this, we show our children that there is nothing impossible for our God. That they too can bring all of their needs to Him. He can heal all diseases on this side of eternity if it be His will, and He will restore all of our souls through His mercy and forgiveness. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [For Moms: Finding Time Everyday to Get Into God's Word](https://gominno.com/blog/for-moms-finding-time-everyday-to-get-into-gods-word/) **Published:** September 26, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DLpZoxeGSSGqwuSVYErP.jpg) It’s a well known fact among those who know me best that I love to sleep in. I’m a night owl by nature, so early morning schedules have always been tough for me to embrace. But I’m also a mom, and that means I’m the one who gets all the little people in our house moving in the right direction every morning. As much as I love to sleep in, I absolutely hate rushing around in the morning, trying to get people up, dressed, fed and still manage to gulp down a cup of coffee before getting into my car. Have you noticed that YOU, mom, set the tone for the morning? If you’re crabby, everyone else picks up on it and the black cloud of your mood causes the others in the house to become less than pleasant. It’s a lot of pressure knowing that the peace and joy of our family can sometimes rest on our shoulders. God, through His Word, reminds us that He considers our job as moms a pretty important one! He also commands certain things of us. Here is a great collection of Bible verses for moms about what we moms are to be for our children, found in [Got Questions.org.](http://www.gotquestions.org/) Availability–morning, noon and night (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) Involvement – interacting, discussing, thinking, and processing life together ([Ephesians 6:4](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians%206.4)) Teaching – the Scriptures and a biblical worldview ([Psalm 78:5-6](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2078.5-6); [Deuteronomy 4:10](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deuteronomy%204.10); [Ephesians 6:4](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians%206.4)) Training – helping a child to develop skills and discover his/her strengths ([Proverbs 22:6](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2022.6)) and spiritual gifts ([Romans 12:3-8](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Romans%2012.3-8) and 1 Corinthians 12) Discipline – teaching the fear of the Lord, drawing the line consistently, lovingly, firmly ([Ephesians 6:4](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians%206.4); [Hebrews 12:5-11](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hebrews%2012.5-11); [Proverbs 13:24](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2013.24); [19:18](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2019.18); [22:15](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2022.15); [23:13-14](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2023.13-14); [29:15-17](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2029.15-17)) Nurture – providing an environment of constant verbal support, freedom to fail, acceptance, affection, unconditional love ([Titus 2:4](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Titus%202.4); [2 Timothy 1:7](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Timothy%201.7); [Ephesians 4:29-32](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians%204.29-32); [5:1-2](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians%205.1-2); [Galatians 5:22](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Galatians%205.22); [1 Peter 3:8-9](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Peter%203.8-9)) Modeling with Integrity – living what you say, being a model from which a child can learn by “catching” the essence of godly living ([Deuteronomy 4:9](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deuteronomy%204.9), [15](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deuteronomy%204.15), [23](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Deuteronomy%204.23); [Proverbs 10:9](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2010.9); [11:3](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Proverbs%2011.3); [Psalm 37:18](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2037.18), [37](http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2037.37)). Add that to the desire to be more like the Proverbs 31 woman, and it can be pretty daunting! How do we accomplish all of what God’s required of us? First, I have found it takes time management skills. I’m not naturally proficient at this, so I have made myself go to bed fairly early and get up about an hour before the rest of the household. For me this hasn’t been easy, but I love the results! I’ve set my coffee pot to come on ten minutes before my alarm wakes me up, so I can walk straight into the kitchen and grab my much needed cup of liquid ambition! After a few minutes of sitting in the calm quietness of the house–still mostly dark, I turn on the lamp and read one of my devotionals. I find that this little bit of time in God’s Word really sets my day on the right path! There is no doubt that since I’ve started doing this, my peace and joy levels have greatly increased… and it’s something I KNOW I pass on to my kids, when I wake them up in the morning. Plus, my kids are witnessing how important my time alone with God is to me, and how it helps me stay on track throughout the day. We moms have to carve out the necessary quiet time with God, everyday. For you it may mean right before you go to sleep. Maybe it’s mid-day, when the laundry is done and the kids are at school, or maybe it’s between math and reading lessons at your home school table. Whatever time of day works for you, this is a little gift to yourself that will also bless your family. Whoever said, “A happy mom means a happy home”, was definitely on to something. Nothing can fill our hearts with joy like getting into the Word of God! In that joy you will find a peace that only God can give! As a parent, how do you find time to get into Scripture? Do your kids see that you place importance on this time? *About the Author: Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributing writer to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She works freelance in Christian Media, specializing in writing, promotions and marketing. Lisa lives with her husband and their two sons in Nashville, TN. Follow her personal blog: [www.talkinglikeagirl.blogspot.com](http://www.talkinglikeagirl.blogspot.com/)* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [How To Talk To Your Kids About Trusting God](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-trusting-god/) **Published:** June 20, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/xlDGSUdFRK2jLFnIMXa7.jpg) Why do bad things happen to good people? We’ve all asked that question at one time or another. It seems like when there are circumstances either in our own lives or in the lives of others around us which are unjustified or unfair, we look up and ask, “why?”. If God loves us, why would he allow us to feel such pain? As parents we can expect challenging questions from our kids on this very subject. How do we explain that the God who created the universe and breathed life into each of us also allows bad things to happen to those He loves? It’s tricky. Kids, like many of us adults, see things as either fair or unfair. They understand punishment and reward. But they can’t truly make sense of bad things happening to good people, especially those they love. Reassure them that them that God is bigger than that compartmentalization. We must help our children through the healing process when bad things do happen to even the most righteous people, reminding them that the circumstance doesn’t mean God has stopped loving those people, or that He is punishing them. Sometimes all we can do is simply say, “I don’t know why this is happening, but we need to trust God in even this.” We are called to trust in God during all times – the good and the bad. The best example of this is found in the book of Job. Granted, it’s not usually my go-to book of the Bible when I think of teaching my kids about God’s love. But certainly, the book of Job gives us ample examples of His Sovereignty. The fact is that God is truly in control of not only our own lives, but the very happenings in the universe! He is indeed THAT BIG and THAT POWERFUL. The newly released Volume 8 of *What’s in the Bible?* covers the Book of Job in a way that helps children (and adults) better understand the concept of trusting God. Here’s a song from Chuck Waggin about the book of Job: The book of Job teaches us that we can trust God in all things … even when the bad stuff happens. It can be a tough thing to do, but He wants us to learn that even though we don’t understand why He allows bad things to happen the way they do, He is always in control. **Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”** I think it’s pretty safe to say that most of us have struggled with trusting God when going through a personal struggle. Whether it’s a medical diagnosis, a financial fiasco, or the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one; when tragedy strikes our lives, are we able to grieve but still trust God’s plan–even in the midst of our pain? For many of us the answer is, sometimes. But as God’s children, we are called by our Father, to trust Him at all times and in all things. **Parents, how have you taught your kids that we should trust God at all times?** *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [From Fathers to Their Children {Psalm 139}](https://gominno.com/blog/from-fathers-to-their-children-psalm-139/) **Published:** June 7, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/nEmcIYM9T4ekU91FKQoa_JT-Blog-fathers%20children.jpg.jpg)* *Next up in our guest blog series about celebrating & encouraging fathers in the month of June is a post from Jesse Smith, who blogs at [www.coffeewithdad.com](http://www.coffeewithdad.com/)* I’m not sure who put the little headings at the beginning of sections of scripture, but sometimes I think they got it wrong. In the NIV, [Psalm 139](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139&version=NIV) says “For the Director of Music” as the heading…I wonder if “From Fathers to Their Children” would be a better heading. I have two boys and I desperately want them to understand how much God loves them and that they have a place in His story; how can I help them be more like Christ is consistently at the front of my thoughts (okay, I’m human and often have me at the front of my thoughts, but I want that to be one of my primary thoughts!). Psalm 139 begins by acknowledging the Lord knows us, he has searched us. I can’t know my child’s inner thoughts, but I can ask. My first step in this journey was to begin to ask them about their heart. We read Proverbs 4:23 which tells us to guard their heart and I’ve used that verse most of their lives to ask them questions at bed time: Did anybody break a promise to you? (That can be a rough reminder for me.) Are you mad at anyone? Essentially, how is your heart? You can read more about our [heart checks](http://www.coffeewithdad.com/2011/03/a-childs-inner-life/) on my blog. Mid-way the psalm describes that God knit us together and we are wonderfully made. After years of heart checks, I knew simply checking their heart wasn’t the only thing to do, it was a perfect opportunity to speak into their heart – my wife and I began to bless them. It was odd for us because we were not blessed as children; what would we say, how would it work? Near the end of [Numbers 6 ](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers%206:22-27&version=NIV)God told Moses how to bless the Israelites so that seemed like a reasonable place to start. Now, all of the blessings for our youngest must mention “the shiny face”. It has also been incredible to see how important this has become to them. We still struggle with what to say at times, but I can tell that the blessings are speaking to their inmost being. The psalmist continues by speaking about how precious God’s thoughts are, which brings me to the hardest part of fatherhood: shaping their worldview. Our children, as are we, are bombarded by a culture that is trying to shape the way they see the world. Culture desperately wants them to see man as the center and it is imperative that they see a loving Creator as the center – they were made by God and for God. The battle with worldview can’t be fully explored in a closing section but we must help our children know that even though they are the crowning glory of God’s creation, Christ is to have preeminence and supremacy in our lives. As you ponder these thoughts this Father’s day, I wish you the best in your parenting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed in fatherhood, read Psalm 139:7-12 and rest in the knowledge that God is with you, you couldn’t hide even if you wanted. *Jesse and his wife (of 20 years!) are homeschooling parents raising two sons in the suburbs of Chicago. Jesse is a graduate of Bethel Seminary and serves as the Pastor of Children and Families in Wauconda, IL. You can follow him on twitter ([@JesseMax](https://twitter.com/#!/jessemax)) or read more of his writing on his blog, [Coffee With Dad](http://www.coffeewithdad.com/).* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What Does The Bible Tell Us About the Role of Fathers?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-does-the-bible-tell-us-about-the-role-of-fathers/) **Published:** June 6, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HfJrGZtIS5CCtHqp0FmO_JT-Blog-bible%20fathers.jpg.jpg) June is the month we set aside to honor our fathers. It’s a time to reflect on, and then celebrate, the role our fathers play (or have played) in our lives. Instead of just one article focusing on dad this month, we’ll be discussing different elements of fatherhood throughout the month of June with a couple of guest dad bloggers who are living in very different seasons of fatherhood. I’m looking forward to their personal perspective and how they’ve applied what the Bible says about the importance of fathers. When looking at the what Scripture tells us about fatherhood, the idea of honoring our fathers is an important theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. **(Ephesians 6:1-3) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”** Paul took this directly from the Ten Commandments! It’s the first commandment that also has a promise attached to it, so we can see how important honoring our parents is to the heart of God. **Proverbs 10:1** teaches us that, **“A wise son makes a glad father.”** Ok, but what makes us wise? The Bible tells us wisdom comes when we honor God our Father! Sort of full circle, isn’t it? Solomon, known for his gift of God-given wisdom writes: **(Proverbs 6: 20-22) “My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you;and when you awake, they will talk with you.**“ We are so thankful for our good men; husbands and fathers, whom God has blessed us with. They are divinely designated as our first teachers of faith and our examples of courage and honor. Here is a poem that I thought really summed up the role of our earthly fathers: With these three words, “Dear Heavenly Father,” I begin my every prayer, But the man I see While on bended knee Is always my earthly dad. He is the image Of the Father divine Reflecting the nature of God, For his love and care And strong faith laid bare Pointed me to my Father above. –Mary Fairchild **How has your father help shape who you are today? How is your husband positively impacting your children’s faith? We’d love to hear about your relationship with your dad and your kids’ relationships with their dads!** *About the Author: Lisa Strnad is a freelance writer/blogger, who regularly contributes to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville, TN. You can follow Lisa at her personal blog, Talking Like A Girl* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [You're A Father Forever](https://gominno.com/blog/youre-a-father-forever/) **Published:** June 5, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/77pZnYyRYCAf0Z4MIvPA_JT-Blog-father%20forever.jpg.jpg) *Today’s guest post is by Aaron Conrad, who blogs about faith & fatherhood at [aaronconrad.com](http://aaronconrad.com/).* I was recently reading a new book by Mark Merrill called [*All Pro Dad*](http://www.allprodad.com/). One particular quote jumped off of the page and grabbed my attention. The quote simply said “**Realize that you’re a father forever.**” I remember when our children were much younger and we entered the tough phases of childhood. I found myself often looking ahead and hoping we “get through this phase soon”. The reality of that statement is that the phases change, but being a Dad never ends. The phases, challenges, changes, wisdom and guidance continue on. Dads, our role is huge. The investment is well worth the time. No other investment will remain for literally generations. Our words, our encouragement, our discipline are molding and shaping our little ones. If you’re like me, time can be a valuable commodity and limited. I have to daily remind myself of the short time all three of our children will be in our care. In a blink, they will move from children to teens and to young adults. Each moment I can spend playing catch, reading a story, having a lunch date or simply catching a movie will plant seeds and create relationship. I once heard a story that I often think about when I am short on time. While a bit heavy, it always reminds me of how valuable my relationship with all three of my children is. *A young boy and his father sat in the doctor’s office; the doctor motioned to the father to come out in the hall with him. As they stood in the hallway, the doctor delivered the news that this man’s young son had a terminal illness, which would soon take his life. The father told the doctor that he would like to be the one to tell his son the news. The doctor agreed and the father and son went home.* *As they stood in the backyard, the father explained what the doctor had told him and how sorry he was. The son listened to the news, paused, and then walked a few yards away for some time alone. When he returned to his father, he had a smile on his face. The father asked why he was smiling and if he was going to be alright. To which the son replied:* *“While I was alone, I was talking with God. I was thinking about heaven and what that would be like. Then I thought of Jesus and how I will one day be with him. I realized that, if he is anything like you, I know I will be alright”.* Dads, our time is so limited. Our investments in our kids will last for generations. Take time today to ask each child if they know you love them and HOW they know. You’ll be surprised by the answers. I also highly recommend the new book “All Pro Dad” by Mark Merrill. It’s an outstanding resource no matter where you are in the fatherhood journey. Remember, you’re a father forever. **All Pro Dad Book** – **All Pro Dad** –[ http://allprodad.com](http://www.allprodad.com) **Mark Merrill** – [http://markmerrill.com](http://www.markmerrill.com) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Verses For Helping Our Kids Deal With School Stress](https://gominno.com/blog/verses-for-helping-our-kids-deal-with-school-stress/) **Published:** May 16, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NRx1y7zMQoeDcoanildH.jpg) The school year brings specific challenges that kids might sometimes have trouble with. Maybe you can remember back to your own youth – what helped you get through tough school days and stressful exams? More importantly, how will you calm your own child’s nerves? How will you reassure them if they worry about doing poorly? In our house we have a philosophy that is simply, “Do your best, then let God do the rest!” This doesn’t mean sit back and pray for a miracle, though! My kids know that we expect them to do their part. My oldest attends a brick and mortar school, so we expect him to be physically AND mentally present during class, take good notes, ask questions if he isn’t understanding the subject matter, do his homework and study for his exams. It’s his job to learn what he’s being taught. This is our expectation. It is not an expectation of perfection, but rather an expectation that he will do his best. I have witnessed many kids who are so anxious about achieving perfection in their school work that they have to be medicated just to get through the school year. It bothers me greatly that the world has placed the expectation of perfection on our kids. Having home schooled both my kids, and still home schooling my youngest, we have a different perspective about the big picture of school. For us it’s more important to give our children a true desire for knowledge, but within that desire we hope to teach them that there is great joy that comes from learning, and a peace that comes from not expecting perfection in all subjects. God has an individual purpose for each of us and has wired us all a little differently as to achieve that purpose. God doesn’t want any of His children to stress out about anything! He will provide for all of our needs and it’s up to us to reinforce that comforting truth to our kids, especially during times when they are going through stress. Here are some wonderful Bible verses that may help you as you pray over your kids during hard times at school, when stress and worry may run a bit higher than normal. Great reminders for all of us to trust God in all ways and at all times. **(Luke 12:25-26) “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”** **(John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”** **(2 Corinthians) 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”** **(James 1:5-6) “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”** *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [What Mary Can Teach Us About Motherhood](https://gominno.com/blog/what-mary-can-teach-us-about-motherhood/) **Published:** May 9, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/What-Mary-Can-Teach-Us-About-Motherhood-scaled.jpg "- Minno Kids") This Sunday we celebrate our mothers. It’s probably impossible to look at motherhood, through God’s plan, without looking at Mary the mother of Jesus. Is there any other woman in history whose role is better defined as that of a mother than Mary? The Messiah could have come to earth as a fully-grown man. God didn’t need to come through the womb of a woman, but yet He chose that path. This monumental choice makes it clear the importance God places on motherhood. Moms matter! Jesus shares with all of us the very human experience of being born and cared for by a mother. I’m a mom. Many of you reading this article are moms. Motherhood is not an extraordinary thing. No, on the contrary – motherhood is very ordinary. But going back to the Gospel, how did the ordinary compare to the extraordinary when it came to impacting the life of Jesus. He was born to an ordinary girl who lived an ordinary life. Yet there were extraordinary choirs of angels singing his arrival that night in Bethlehem! And then three extraordinary wise men came bearing gifts for a new born baby, laying in a manger – gifts that were customarily reserved for royalty!! However it is not the choir of angels or the three wise men who are found throughout the Gospel. It is that ordinary girl, Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is found throughout the Gospel. From the time Gabriel came to her to announce she had been chosen among all women to give birth to the Messiah, to Jesus’ birth, throughout His ministry and even during His Death, Resurrection and Assumption. Mary was there as God’s plan for redemption through His son unfolded. Her role was not that of a co-redeemer. No, her role was that of a loving mother, who had hope and a strong faith in God’s ultimate plan of salvation, through her much loved Son, Jesus. We know that Jesus loved His mother and was even concerned about her well being. As he was dying on the cross, His thoughts about His beloved mother are clear. **(John 19:25-27) “But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.**” Even though Scripture doesn’t go deeply into the time of Jesus’ life before His ministry started, I can imagine how precious the little boy Jesus was to his mother, Mary. How she would take care of her son, what she may have cooked for him, how she taught him how to walk, talk, and even shared moments of goofy laughter and tears of sadness with her Son all the years He lived with her at home. She was a mom, much like you or me. Sometimes that human quality of our dear Savior is overlooked. But just like us, Mary must’ve cuddled Jesus in her arms– probably not wanting to let him go; perhaps not wanting the years to click by so quickly. Did her heart ache, perhaps knowing His destined role and what that may have ultimately meant? When I look at Mary, as a mother, I am reminded that it is the little daily things I do for my children that matter. I am not extraordinary by the world’s standards. No – far, far from it. But I am a mom who will hopefully influence my children’s lives through the little things I do for them, the loving words I say to them and the way I behave around them. God has a purpose for each of us. This purpose my be reached through ways which seem very ordinary, but touch the hearts of our children in extraordinary ways! Happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s out there! May God continue to give you daily amounts of wisdom, strength, perseverance, peace and abundant joy. What you do on a daily basis really DOES make a difference! *About the Author: Lisa Strnad is a freelance writer/blogger, who regularly contributes to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville, TN.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith, Seasonal **Tags:** Mother's Day, Motherhood --- ### [How To Talk To Your Kids About Death and Heaven](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-death-and-heaven/) **Published:** April 25, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ikbEdwU4TU57i8pULFL9.jpg) Death and Heaven. Not necessarily easy subjects to discuss, even for a Christian adult. While our faith rests in the hope of Eternal Life through Christ, for most of us, the death of a loved one who is a believer is still something with which we struggle to understand and cope with. We may wonder how to protect the hearts of our children from pain when a death occurs in our family or circle of friends. How to do we tackle the subjects of physical death and the hope of Heaven, without totally scaring our kids, as we ourselves are dealing with our own plethora of emotions? Several years ago, when my oldest son was only 5, our four-year-old nephew died after an eighteen month battle with brain cancer. We didn’t know how to explain cancer to our son, so instead we told him that his cousin went to Heaven because he had gotten “sick”. Little did we know that because we didn’t give him enough information, he internalized that everyone he loved COULD die if they simply got “sick”; meaning a simple cold could take mom or dad away to Heaven, just like his little cousin. It became a pretty scary thought for him, which he internalized for about a year!! I spoke to a friend of mine who is also a therapist, because I needed to figure out how to help my son deal with his own grief and console him that there was a better than average chance that my husband and I were not going to die if we caught a cold. She told me that just like discussing the “facts of life” with our kids has to be done in intervals that answer their specific questions, as their maturity dictates, we need to also have honest communication with our kids about death. It may be perfectly acceptable for a three-year-old to hear that grandma went to Heaven because Jesus called her home. While we will miss seeing her at Christmastime, we know that she is now in Heaven with grandpa! This helps explain why we are sad that she is no longer here with us, but also rejoicing that she is in Heaven. But if you have an older child who needs more information to alleviate undue anxiety, it might be important to talk to them about grandma’s heart being sick, or her cancer, etc.– still reassuring them that Heaven is a wonderful place that Jesus has prepared for us! While a lot of kids may not need any more information than that, be open to their questions and pray for guidance as you answer them truthfully, yet carefully. Although I have no medical credentials, I would advise everyone to also enlist the help of a child therapist or pastor if the concepts of death and the afterlife are just too hard to explain. Surrounding ourselves with a trusted, like-minded support group during times of grief is always a good idea! The Bible reveals a few facts about what happens after we die. We can turn to these following scriptures for comfort and use them as a resource to help our kids better understand what happens at the end of our life, here on earth. *Believer’s can face death without fear!* (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) **“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:** **“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.**“ *We will enter into the Lord’s presence at the time of our death!* (2 Corinthians: 5-8) **“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”** *Jesus, himself, has prepared a special place in Heaven for each of us!* (John 14:1-3) **“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”** *Those who believe in Jesus are promised eternal life with Him after their physical death!* (John 11:25-26) **“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.””** If you’ve had to explain the death of a loved one to your child, how did you approach it? What additional resources would you recommend to other parents trying to explain this tough subject, while dealing with their own grief? Please share in the comments section. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Bible + Faith --- ### [I Want To Be A Mom Like Deborah](https://gominno.com/blog/i-want-to-be-a-mom-like-deborah/) **Published:** April 18, 2012 **Author:** Melanie Rainer **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/K57aHaAUQUWNvheMhvL1_JT-Blog-deborah.jpg.jpg) Just recently, I began studying the Book of Judges. Specifically, I honed in on Deborah, who, before this study, I knew little about. As I read more about who Deborah was, I began to understand how I would really like to emulate her character–as a wife and mother. Deborah lived in a time when there was no king over the nation of Israel, a time when the head of each family was responsible to teach faithfulness to God. Because of this, the people’s faith in God and loyalty to their nation was broken. Deborah was incredibly wise. She was a prophetess who encouraged people to follow God’s Law and reminded them of His faithfulness. She was the only female judge in Israel. Because of her wisdom, people would come to her to help them sort through disputes. She was essentially responsible for leading the Israelites in battle against the Canaanites, yet she took no personal credit in the victory. But she was humble, the wife of Lappidoth, and even after a great military victory, described herself as simply, “a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). Obviously she possessed great leadership skills, but her greatest character traits were her unwavering faith in God and her personal relationship with Him. My recent study of Deborah came at a time in my life when I was contemplating making career changes – changes that would have a definite impact on my family, especially my children. Admittedly, I was longing for a type of personal achievement in my professional career and I guess also a bit of prestige – some of the things that we stay-at-home, home-schooling moms seldom receive. While I prayed about this possible change, I kept hearing God tell me, “Not now.” It wasn’t a stern voice, admonishing me for being selfish, which is what I probably deserved–and even expected. No, God, my loving Father, knew my heart. He led me to His Word, and quite perfectly, He led me to read about Deborah; a mother in Israel, who He used for His great purpose. God opened my eyes to the current career I have been personally called into BY GOD– motherhood; educator; advocate; wife; daughter; homemaker. He reminded me about the importance of these roles. He reminded me How my daily routine, while seemingly mundane to me, actually made a difference in the lives of those I love the most. Studying Deborah has allowed me to re-evaluate my life, my purpose, and my calling. Deborah was concerned about people not personal success. In her example, we can all learn that God will accomplish great things through the people who are willing to trust Him! Like Deborah, I hope to learn the importance of fully relying on God, and pray for His daily guidance in every decision that I must make as a wife and mother. This week I am keeping all of you women in prayer who are called by God to work at home with your kids. May God bless you with wisdom in your daily work as mother, mediator, counselor, educator and advisor. *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Kids + Parenting --- ### [How to Talk to Your Kids About the Crucifixion](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-crucifixion/) **Published:** April 4, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/uCElSK0UTz2LFudaf8dz.jpg)* *As the last installment of our Easter blog series, Lisa shares how she talks to her kids about the gravity and glory of the Cross – not always an easy balance with kids!* How do we effectively communicate to our kids that the gloriousness of Easter is about much more than colored eggs and baskets of candy? Many of us now use the term “Resurrection Sunday” instead of Easter, to clarify what it is we are truly celebrating. But the thing is we can’t talk about the Resurrection without talking about Jesus’ death, and we can’t talk about His death without talking about crucifixion. Is crucifixion too scary of a subject for kids? The Crucifixion is indeed a powerfully disturbing event, even for adults! But if we tackle it as age appropriately as possible; remembering each child’s developmental readiness, the story of Salvation, through Jesus’ death, burial AND resurrection becomes personal and purposeful. Using language that they understand, start talking to your kids about what happened to Jesus on Good Friday. Keeping in mind that too much graphic detail isn’t necessary to convey His act of love and sacrifice. Death, in and of itself, might also be a concept not fully comprehensible to a young child. They’ve heard about people, maybe even pets, dying but may have never personally experienced such an event. When I was teaching my own kids about what happened on Good Friday, I explained that in the time of Jesus, people who did bad things were hung on crosses as a punishment and would die on these crosses. They would either tie a person’s hands and feet to the cross or, as in Jesus’ case, use nails to hang Him on his cross. It hurt a lot. More than any pain we can imagine. He was being punished for things he never did. Jesus was perfect and never sinned but because God loves us so much, and wants us to be with Him forever, He took all the sin from each of us, even the sin that was in our hearts, and placed it on Jesus. When Jesus died and was buried, all of our sins died and were buried too. Forever. We are now forgiven because of what Jesus did for us on the cross! Jesus took our place when He was punished for all of our sins. He loves us that much! If you are a fan of using Resurrection Eggs, you may enjoy the story of [Benjamin’s Box](http://www.amazon.com/Benjamins-Box-Story-Resurrection-Eggs/dp/0310715059) . This story goes along with the Resurrection Eggs, and follows a young boy named Benjamin who is in Jerusalem at the same time as Jesus. He wants to learn more about Jesus, so he follows him during this one week. At first he thinks Jesus is a teacher, then he thinks he is a king– finally he learns the Good News and who Jesus really is! Story can be such a great way of reinforcing the truth of the Gospel! We try to protect the hearts of our kids, but it’s okay for kids to feel sad that Jesus suffered so much. If you have a child who is especially sensitive, it’s always a good thing to remind them, right away, that the story of salvation doesn’t end at Good Friday. Sunday is coming! The “rescue plan” of salvation is not just about Jesus’ death and burial– but it is completed through His resurrection! He is Risen! He is alive! Our tears of sadness will turn into joy! Have you talked to your kids about the Crucifixion? *Lisa Strnad is an independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Celebrating Easter as a Family](https://gominno.com/blog/celebrating-easter-as-a-family/) **Published:** March 29, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZLoTAo04Sj6z8kPiZcV0.jpg)* *This guest post is from [Aaron Conrad](http://aaronconrad.com/) – a dad of 3 who blogs about faith, family and fatherhood*. *In this post, he talks about how his family celebrates Easter and their use of the popular craft Resurrection Eggs.* I love this time of the year. I find the way that nature comes back to life to celebrate another season and the hope of things to come fascinating. I love Easter Sunday morning with all of the children in their new spring outfits and hats. Our three children also look forward to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt each year to fill their baskets. I would be lying if I said this isn’t an incredibly competitive event with each Dad strategically positioning their child and pointing out the best available “stuff”. We arrive early to find our place on the rope separating us from “the goods” and develop a game plan. When the horn sounds, it’s game time. “Elbows out” I yell as they make their way towards their respective goals. We’ve brought home some pretty strong wins over the years including a chocolate bunny that was over a foot tall. Although I am kidding (well, kind of), and all of the pageantry and celebrations are fun, we do our best each year to remind our children that the real celebration of Easter is the foundation of our faith. It is the weight of the sacrifice on Good Friday and the promise of eternity with Him on Sunday. When I say “we” what I really mean is that my wife does an amazing job of pouring into our kids and keeping a major focus on what is the most important part of Easter. She does this by utilizing what is commonly known as “Jesus Time” in our home. Each morning before school starts, they pause to do a devotional time. Throughout the school year, they work through various devotionals and bible studies geared toward children. In the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, they have used a product called “Resurrection Eggs” that my wife purchased a few years ago. There are 12 different colored plastic eggs with a surprise inside. Each surprise is a part of the story of Easter (a nail, a crown, and dice for example). The final egg is empty to represent the empty tomb. Included with the eggs is a booklet to walk them through the story for the day and scriptures to support the story. It is a wonderful resource and guide for telling the Easter story. The kids like to anticipate what will be inside each egg as they learn the key elements of the resurrection story. I’m so thankful for my wife and the investment she makes into the spiritual nurturing of our children each morning. By creating a foundation of bible study and reflection, she is able to transition directly into the Easter season and key elements of our faith. Our children are well versed in the Easter story and how important the sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf is. While there are so many fun things about this time of year, celebrating our risen King, our hope and our eternity with Him makes it even more special. Happy Easter to each of you and as Tony Campolo says…”It’s Friday….but Sunday’s coming!!!”. ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Celebrate Easter as a family by watching the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Easter Songs and Prayers](https://gominno.com/blog/easter-songs-and-prayers/) **Published:** March 26, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/l9W4DsdiQICKSU9iTnn3.jpg) *We’re looking at popular **Easter songs and prayers**. Please share some of your own favorites in the comments!* ## ## Easter Songs and Prayers From the earliest days of the church, Easter has been celebrated with prayers and songs. This first took the form of a vigil that included the reading of scriptures and psalms.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Today different Christian traditions say and sing all manner of hymns and prayers. Below are some examples. ## ## **Easter Songs** There are many Easter hymns that are either shared among or specific to different Christian traditions. One author lists seven Easter themes, each with a fitting hymn:[\[2\]](#_ftn2) - Resurrection: “The Day of Resurrection, earth tell it out abroad.” - Life: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” - Light: “Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light.” - Joy: “Joyful, joyful, we adore thee.” - Beauty: “Beautiful Savior, King of Creation.” - Victory: “Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son.” - Hope: “Hope of the world, thou Christ of Great Compassion.” Most of the time, Easter hymns appear in a specific section of the hymnal or liturgical book. There are many favorites that cross denominational borders, such as, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”: *Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia* *Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia* *Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia* *Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply: Alleluia* ## **Easter Prayers** ***The Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours*** The Liturgy of the Hours, also referred to as the Divine Office or Breviary, includes the official set prayers of the church offered at various times during the day. Below are two prayers from Easter Sunday liturgies: *God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.[\[1\]](#_ftn1)* *Today, Lord, through Your only-begotten Son, the conqueror of death, You re-open the way to heaven for us. May Your grace inspire rightful desires in us and help us also in their fulfillment. This we ask of You through the same Jesus Christ. Amen.[\[2\]](#_ftn2)* ***The Lutheran* Altar Book** The Lutheran *Altar Book* aids the minister in leading congregational worship. The following prayers are for Easter day: *Almighty God the Father, through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ you have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [\[3\]](#_ftn3)* *O God, for our redemption you have given your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection you have delivered us from the power of our enemy. Therefore grant that all our sin may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day a new man may arise to live before you in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[\[4\]](#_ftn4)* ***The Anglican* Book of Common Prayer** *The* *Book of Common Prayer* is the liturgical prayer book of the Anglican church. The prayer below is used in the Easter Day liturgy: *Almighty God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life: We humbly beseech thee, that as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.[\[5\]](#_ftn5)* ***The Presbyterian (U.S.A.)* Book of Common Worship** *God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[\[6\]](#_ftn6)* ***Other Works*** *Almighty, everlasting God, on this day you conquered death through your son and opened for us the path to eternal life. And so we celebrate in joy the feast of his resurrection. Make us new through your Spirit, so that we too may rise and walk in the light of life. We ask this through Jesus Christ.[\[7\]](#_ftn7)* *O God, of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things are made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.[\[8\]](#_ftn8)* *Master! It seems too good to be true! But you come to us, call us by our name, joyfully laugh with us, – and it is true! Living Lord, you were dead, really dead, dead and buried – But God has raised you to life, and, with your risen life, begins a new creation! . . . Living Lord, prove it true: come to us now, call us by our name, breathe peace over us, and give us a new lease on life![\[9\]](#_ftn9)* --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) *Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours* (New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1976), 428-29. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) *The Hours of the Divine Office in English and Latin*, prepared by the staff of The Liturgical Press (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1963), 1188. [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) *Lutheran Worship: Altar Book*, prepared by The Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (St. Louis: Concordia, 1982), 196. [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Ibid. [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) *The Book of Common Prayer* (London: Canterbury Press Norwich, 2008), 218. [\[6\]](#_ftnref6) *Book of Common Worship*, prepared by The Theology and Worship Ministry Unit for the PCUSA (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1993), 316. [\[7\]](#_ftnref7) Henri J. M. Nouwen, *Show Me the Way: Readings for Each Day of Lent* (New York: Crossroad, 1992), 140. [\[8\]](#_ftnref8) *The Divine Hours, Prayers for Springtime: A Manual for Prayer*, compiled by Phyllis Tickle (New York: Doubleday, 2001), 356. [\[9\]](#_ftnref9) Ken Taylor, *Praying the Passion: Daily Readings & Prayers for Lent* (Nashville: Abingdon, 2000), 101 --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) John Bowden, “Festivals and Fasts,” in *Encyclopedia of Christianity*, ed. John Bowden (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005), 464. [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Paul M. Lindberg, *A Book of Easter* (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1965), 48-50. **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Easter Series: What is Easter?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-easter/) **Published:** March 22, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/7Czzeb1SDmhRDWFnq6LE.jpg)* ## What is Easter? Easter Sunday is arguably the most important day in the Christian calendar, as it is the day that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It marks the end of Lent, a 40-day season of fasting and penance. In contrast with the penitent spirit of Lent and the somber atmosphere of Holy Week, Easter is marked by joy, music, and jubilation. Christians observe the occasion by wearing their finest outfits, singing songs of celebration, removing the veil from the cross, and proclaiming, “Christ is risen!” ## ## Why is it called “Easter”? The term “easter” was adapted from the Old English word “eastre” or “oestre,” the name of a pagan goddess whose festival was held at the vernal equinox (March 21). Eastre was the Teutonic goddess of dawn and new birth.[\[1\]](#_ftn1) Pagan religions held feasts in the goddess’ honor during a month that is the equivalent of April, but these customs were eventually replaced by Christian traditions. ## ## When is Easter? Why is it different every year? Around the middle of the second century a debate arose between the church in the West and the church in the East concerning the proper date to celebrate Easter. Unlike Jesus’ birth, for which there is no certain time of year with which to determine its date, Jesus’ resurrection occurred around the Jewish Passover. As a result of this Biblical detail, the church in the East believed that Easter should be celebrated at that same time as Passover, which was known as the “fourteenth day of Nisan.” The church in the West opposed this idea. In 155 the Roman bishop Anicetus asserted that Easter should be celebrated on Sunday, the Lord’s Day. More precisely, he believed that Easter should be observed on the Sunday following the fourteenth of Nisan. This debate remained so contentious that in 190 Victor, bishop of Rome, excommunicated the church of Asia, only to be rebuked by Irenaeus for having done so. It seemed that the Eastern and Western churches would never come to an agreement on the matter, but in 325 the Council of Nicaea settled on the Western position, which is the date most Christians celebrate today.[\[2\]](#_ftn2) The Eastern church still celebrates Easter independently.[\[3\]](#_ftn3) Ever since, the date of Easter has been determined by the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21).[\[4\]](#_ftn4) Easter is always observed on the first Sunday after this full moon, which is also known as the “paschal full moon.” If the paschal full moon falls on a Sunday, then Easter will be scheduled for the following Sunday. As a result of this dating system, Easter can occur anytime between March 22 and April 25.[\[5\]](#_ftn5) ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) #### Read about all the days of Holy Week in this series: ### [**What is Holy Week?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/what-is-holy-week "Holy Week") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Palm Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-palm-sunday "What is Palm Sunday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Maundy Thursday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-maundy-thursday "What is Maundy Thursday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Good Friday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-good-friday "What is Good Friday?") ### [**Holy Week History: What is Easter Sunday?**](https://www.gominno.com/blog/holy-week-history-what-is-easter-sunday "What is Easter Sunday?") --- [\[1\]](#_ftnref1) Jean C. Cooper, *Dictionary of Christianity* (Taylor & Francis, 1996). p. 78 [\[2\]](#_ftnref2) Earle E. Cairns, *Christianity Through the Centuries: a History of the Christian Church* (Zondervan, 1996). p. 101 [\[3\]](#_ftnref3) Cooper, p. 78 [\[4\]](#_ftnref4) Leonard W. Cowie and John Selwyn Gummer, *The Christian Calendar: a Complete Guide to the Seasons of the Christian Year Telling the Story of Christ and the Saints, from Advent to Pentecost* (G. & C. Merriam Co., 1974). p. 85 [\[5\]](#_ftnref5) “A Morass of Movable Feasts,” Passover and Easter–A Quick Guide to Understanding Dates — Infoplease.com, Pearson Education Inc. 2007, http://www.infoplease.com/spot/movablefeasts1.html **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [What is Purim?](https://gominno.com/blog/what-is-purim/) **Published:** March 8, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/giFIhxHHTC2VNjnxse91.jpg) Today is Purim, a traditional Jewish holiday commemorating Esther’s stand against the evil Haman, who was plotting to kill all of the Jews in the Persian kingdom. Queen Esther’s cousin Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, an assistant to King Xerxes. Haman cast lots – or “purs” – to decide which day to kill all of the Jews as punishment to Mordecai, who refused to bow because of his Jewish faith. Esther invited King Xerxes and Haman to two dinner parties before revealing her Jewish faith and Haman’s evil plan. King Xerxes ordered Haman to death. Enjoy this clip from [What’s in the Bible? Volume 7: Exile & Return! (Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther)](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/whats-in-the-bible/products/dvd-7) – which is availible now in the Jelly Telly Store! **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How to Bring Every Lesson Back to Jesus this Easter](https://gominno.com/blog/guest-post-how-to-bring-every-lesson-back-to-jesus-this-easter/) **Published:** March 2, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** *![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WDZVm7RUWVq4xWeqc2dg.jpg)* *Today we’re excited to bring you a guest post from [Sam Luce](http://samluce.com/), one of our favorite children’s ministry bloggers.* I love what Phil and his team are doing to raise the Biblical literacy of our kids and even us as adults in the process. How little we as adults know about the Bible and how little our kids know is a problem in our country. This is a huge problem, not because we want our kids to be able to defend their faith against little atheist kids, but because **if kids don’t understand the Bible they won’t ever see Jesus in the Bible**. They won’t be able to see the Redemptive story woven throughout Bible. As parents and fellow kidmins we need to talk about Jesus and what he did all the time but especially during the Christmas and Easter seasons – both afford us an amazing opportunity to explain the Gospel in ways kids can not only understand but they can embrace. **One of the big mistakes we often make when teaching kids is that we settle for a moral lesson rather than use the cross to explain our motivation for Biblical morality.** When we teach our kids that Christians look and act like something based on a set of rules or on things we don’t do, we set them up to be disillusioned with their faith, then we wonder why they walk away in college. When we take every lesson we teach all year long and place it through the grid of what Christ has done for us, we serve God out of gratitude for what He has done for us. Growing up I always thought I had to do certain things to be “pleasing” in God’s eyes. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I learned what the Gospel message really was. That because of what Christ has done for me I can live in freedom and thankfulness. How does this look when teaching a lesson to kids? Take the classic story of David and Goliath: by all means, tell your kids how David obeyed his Dad, how he was brave and how he stood up against a giant no one stood up against. Don’t stop there and say “so kids because of David, you can be brave.” If you leave it there, what are you going to tell your kids when they stand up to that bully that plagues their playground and instead of being the hero they get a black eye and three days suspension from school? Religion says try harder next time. The gospel says trust deeper next time. Explain to them that there is a leader, a hero, greater than David who would come into the world. He would do something that none of us could or would ever do: He destroyed the giants of sin and death. Because of what Jesus did, we can live free from sin and not afraid of death. We can live each day thankful for what Jesus has done, not confused, frustrated and overwhelmed by all the things we have to do to be “pleasing” to God. So parents, pastors, and kidmin workers: **tell kids the greatest story ever told**. Tell them they are all sinners in need of a savior. When you come to the application portion, don’t end your lesson with “try harder, be better,” end with Jesus our Savior. Don’t tell kids stories of all your victories and accomplishments, tell them that you are a sinner in need of God’s help just like them. Never let your kids ever forget the power and the mystery of the Gospel. Happy Easter! . . . . . . . . . . *Sam Luce has been the children’s pastor at the same church for 14 years where he currently serves as a Campus and Families Pastor, he also serves on the board of INCM and is currently a contributing editor to K! magazine, has been involved in several book projects and has been blogging since 2007. Sam’s real passion lies in building and strengthening the local church in any way possible because he believes in creating environments where life change can take place. He truly believes that the local church is the hope of the world. Sam has been married to his beautiful wife for 13 years. They live in Upstate New York with their three beautiful children ages seven, four, and two. You can catch up with [@samluce](https://twitter.com/#!/samluce) on Twitter and his blog [samluce.com](http://samluce.com/)* #### More Ways to Bring Your Focus to Jesus as a Family this Easter ![undefined](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WBdXG1TLKI9M7TjqI7wA.jpg) Download our [Easter Coloring and Activity Pack](https://cdn.buttercms.com/VVAUmDljQ8iG88GrjM9w) for coloring sheets, a word search, and maze to engage your kids as they learn about Holy Week and Easter. [![5MFD_Series_Image_Easter.jpg](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FTXDovPT62F36PUrYAs6.jpg)](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) Watch the [Easter Week 5 Minute Family Devotional Series](https://www.gominno.com/series/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional) on Minno! ### . . . . . . . . . . If you’re already a Minno subscriber, watch now! *Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for?!* Sign up for your free trial [HERE](https://www.gominno.com/pricing). [Start Your Free Week](https://www.gominno.com/#subscribe) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [How To Talk To Your Kids About Lent](https://gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-lent/) **Published:** February 22, 2012 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vjrrBqlFSuajXLk4ShEi.jpg) During most of my childhood, growing up in a liturgical denomination meant that Lent was about “giving up candy or sweets”. I was taught that Lent is the season of self-denial and giving something up made sense, but it wasn’t something I necessarily looked forward to. Lent didn’t have the outward beauty of Advent, with its evergreen wreath, Christmas hymns and weekly candle lighting. It was somber. It was almost too reflective for a kid. What is Lent all about, anyway?…this season of self denial, penance and meditation? How do we teach our kids it’s more than just giving up candy for 40 days? --- #### ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/human-1024x238.png "Whirl Christmas Adventures - Minno Kids")Download our Easter Family Guide and journey through Holy Week together with these FREE activities and conversation starters. --- As a young adult, I explored the deeper meaning of Lent and how very important this season can be in preparation to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection! As with any BIG event in our lives, we must prepare ourselves. Lent is literally a time of reflection on the passion of Jesus; 40 days in which we reflect on the hugeness of what our Salvation is and the plan that God had for each of us through Jesus. It’s also very baptismal in nature. It is a very prayerful time in which we prepare ourselves to celebrate the grace of our forgiveness, our gift of salvation and the hope in the Resurrection. ## How to Talk to Your Kids About Lent **Talking to our kids about Lent** means we first have to understand the history and meaning behind WHY it’s celebrated. Start with this post about [Ash Wednesday](https://www.gominno.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-ash-wednesday). The important thing is that we do take the time and talk to them about what this season leading up to Easter is all about. If you want to start talking to your kids about Lent, two very important teaching tools we parents use everyday are symbols and story. If you walk into most liturgical churches during Lent, you’ll find that many of their altars are decorated using desert plants and large bowls of water or even simple waterfalls. These two symbols are important during the Lenten season. The desert experience reminds us of the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert before being allowed into the Promised Land. It is also very symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted and tempered before beginning His earthly ministry. The number “40” is symbolic too. Nothing Biblical is random and that’s important to share with our children. Water is an important symbol in Lent. Lent is a time we work towards an inner renewal of our Baptism in Christ. It is a season when we delve a little deeper into our faith and understanding of our salvation through grace. Since Lent is baptismal in nature, it’s a good time to discuss baptism with our kids. Talking about how the water is either poured over their heads or how they are immersed, and how it’s a symbol of dying to a life without Christ and being resurrected to a new life– a forever life–with Him. Using story to enhance this visual, share with them the actual Bible story of how John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. And how Jesus loved us so much He gave us this beautiful example to better explain God’s gift of salvation. ## Practicing Lent as a Family If your family celebrates fasting during this season, talk to your kids about why the family isn’t eating meat on Friday. (It is customary that only people who are 18-59 are expected to fast throughout Lent, although some families do decide to include everyone in the meat-fast on Fridays or at least on Good Friday). First, it’s an act of self-denial. In our consumerist society a little self denial can really teach virtue! Secondly, it’s meant to unify the church with the poor, both locally and throughout the world. Lent has always been a time when individual families, churches and schools collect money for the poor and for missionaries who serve locally and abroad. Giving up meat each week allows families to put that extra money towards this offering. Kids tend to love collecting /saving change for a church offering if they know that this money will be helping others in the world! Another way we can instruct our children to “fast” during their Lenten journey, is by encouraging them to be more loving to brothers, sisters and parents. Fasting from arguing with siblings or talking back to parents for 40 days will lead to good practices that might even last past Easter Sunday! ## Resources for Lent Lent is a time when prayer with family is essential. We are truly preparing for Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. There are several good devotionals to be found online or at Christian bookstores. Many families use these weeks to read the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel. My very good friend, Denise, who shares my deep love of learning religious traditions and church history, and who has taught Catechism classes for years, recently told me about a book, [“He is Risen; Reflections on Easter and the Forty Days of Lent](http://www.amazon.com/He-Risen-Reflections-Easter-Faithwords/dp/044669679X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329871732&sr=1-1).” What I especially like about this book is that it can be utilized by all Christians, no matter their specific denomination. For any who have never been to Stations of the Cross, I encourage you to find out if your local Catholic, Lutheran or Episcopal church is holding these services on Good Friday. It is a prayerful service that literally walks the participants through the Passion of Jesus. The entire family can take part in this service and then discuss our forgiveness of sins through the amazing love and sacrifice of our Lord; once again in preparation to celebrate His Resurrection in three days! If you have any suggestions for family devotionals or other ways in which we can help teach our children about the importance of preparing to celebrate the Resurrection, please share with the [Minno Facebook Community](https://www.facebook.com/Minno/). *Lisa Strnad is a freelance writer/blogger, who regularly contributes to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN.* **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ## Pages ### [Minno Homepage](https://gominno.com/) **Published:** September 24, 2025 **Author:** Luis Silva **Content:** # The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows and audio. ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Lineup_YD_VT_LAGB_TCA-2.png "Lineup_YD_VT_LAGB_TCA 2") ## Stream VeggieTales® and more! 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The *Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: In the Beginning* special **FREE for every family, everywhere!** Because Minno is on a mission to help kids experience Jesus everyday—and this is just the beginning. The *Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: In the Beginning* special **FREE for every family, everywhere!** Because Minno is on a mission to help kids experience Jesus everyday—and this is just the beginning. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23193418/platforms-minno-img-transparent-1024x576.png "platforms-minno-img-transparent - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## KEEP WATCHING KEEP SHARING Loved the special? There’s so much more waiting for you. A Minno membership gives your family unlimited access to faith-filled stories—and also helps us share God’s Story with kids around the world. Join Minno today! [ START FREE TRIAL ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ## LAUGH AND GROW IN GOD'S WORD There’s more to the story! This was just the beginning! The full Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids series helps God’s goodness come to life for kids. Watch the whole series ad free only on Minno. [ START FREE TRIAL ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ![Creation](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160413/LaughAndGrowBible_102_Creation_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_102_Creation_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Adam and Eve](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160652/LaughAndGrowBible_103_AdamAndEve_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_103_AdamAndEve_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02163057/LaughAndGrowBible_BraveQueenEsther_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_BraveQueenEsther_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![What is Sin](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160750/LaughAndGrowBible_104_WhatIsSin_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_104_WhatIsSin_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Noah and the Flood](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160855/LaughAndGrowBible_105_NoahAndTheFlood_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_105_NoahAndTheFlood_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Ruth's Redeemer](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02161018/LaughAndGrowBible_RuthsRedeemer_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_RuthsRedeemer_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## PLUS even more! ## MORE WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE BIBLE You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23114924/LAGB_ITB_Minno3x-1024x410.png "LAGB_ITB_Minno3x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Watch In The Beginning Special ](#video-anchor) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/18211932/Laugh-and-Grow-3D-Cover-with-Seal-SM.png "Laugh and Grow 3D Cover with Seal SM - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Read Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids ](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids?_gl=1*1u07va7*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTMzNzEyMzcuQ2p3S0NBandvNHJDQmhBYkVpd0F4aEpsQ2IzS0NNQ1M2M01IaVdkOWhYN2tuSndzMEtqWWpaalM1WVZUQ0UwbzRyd01rNUZMRDdyY2J4b0MxSEFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MzY0OTk1MTU0LjE3NTE5ODQ4NjY.) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24174316/LAGB-JUMBO-ITB-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-1-2-1-1024x478.png "LAGB JUMBO ITB PLAY PACK SPREAD 1 2 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Play FREE In the Beginning Craft Pack ](https://gominno.com/inthebeginning/play-pack/) --- ### [Who is Jesus?](https://gominno.com/lp/jesus/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** tech **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24144713/LaughAndGrowBible_WhoIsJesus_SeriesLogo-1024x576.png "LaughAndGrowBible_WhoIsJesus_SeriesLogo - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## EXPERIENCE JESUS IN A NEW WAY! [ Start 7-Day Trial ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) [ READ ALONG ](#read-along) ## Explore the life of # Jesus ## Watch now! ## LOVE WATCHING? READ ALONG! The best way to learn about Jesus is through the Bible! Get your very own copy of the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids print edition today! [ SHOP NOW ](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids?_gl=1*89lywk*_gcl_au*MTY0NDMwNzAxOC4xNzQzMTc0OTUw) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24152132/img-who-is-jesus-lagb-family.png "img-who-is-jesus-lagb-family - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## WATCH ALL THE EPISODES! If you loved the **Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Who is Jesus? special**, you’re not going to want to miss watching the **ENTIRE Laugh and Grow Bible animated series** [ START 7-DAY TRIAL! ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181054/creationvideoImage-1024x576.jpg "creationvideoImage - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181014/adam-and-evevideoImage-1024x576.jpg "adam-and-evevideoImage - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14213438/brave-queen-esthervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "brave-queen-esthervideoImage - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181037/what-is-sinvideoImage-1024x576.jpg "what-is-sinvideoImage - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/24181040/noah-and-the-floodvideoImage-1024x576.jpg "noah-and-the-floodvideoImage - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14212818/ruths-redeemervideoImage-1024x576.jpg "ruths-redeemervideoImage - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## and even more ... ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26094924/LAGB-JESUS-GUIDE-OFFER-SAMPLE-1024x593.png "LAGB-JESUS-GUIDE-OFFER-SAMPLE - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Learn more about Jesus with our Family Guide! Have fun with coloring pages, Bible reading plan, discussion guide and more. Download FREE! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06155308/MinnoTitleSlideTransparent-1024x790.png "MinnoTitleSlideTransparent - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? Minno is the #1 source of Christian content for kids! From original shows like Young David to classics like VeggieTales and Bibleman, there’s something for every child to love on Minno! [ START 1-WEEK TRIAL! ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) --- ### [Youtube | Landing Page](https://gominno.com/youtube/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Iosua Pallo **Content:** # Get Your FREE Kids Bible Switch from YouTube to the Minno streaming app! Use code **YOUTUBE** at checkout to get your FREE copy of the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids! \*Offer valid for U.S. residents who sign up at gominno.com. While supplies last. Shipping not included. \*Offer valid for U.S. residents who sign up at gominno.com. While supplies last. Shipping not included. [ Start Your FREE Trial of Minno ](https://www.gominno.com/pricing?coupon=YOUTUBE) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16105950/confetti-bible-2x.png "confetti-bible-2x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/05082150/Laugh-and-Grow-with-Seal-and-Free-300x300.png "Laugh-and-Grow-with-Seal-and-Free - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16081526/confetti-3.png "confetti-3 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ### How to get your FREE Kids Bible 1 ### Signup for a free trial of Minno and use **code YOUTUBE** at checkout. 2 ## **We’ll email you a code** to redeem your FREE copy of the Minno Lugh and Grow Bible for Kids\*. 3 ## **Enjoy your Bible** as you stream every Laugh and Grow episode plus 2.500+ faith-led videos [ Sign Up with Code YOUTUBE ](https://www.gominno.com/pricing?coupon=YOUTUBE) \*Offer valid for U.S. residents who sign up at gominno.com. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/05085530/max_simple.png "max_simple - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ###### Subscribe now and get instructions to claim your Bible ###### Subscribe now and get instructions to claim By submitting this form, you consent to receive informational (e.g., order updates) and/or marketing texts (e.g., cart reminders) from Minno Kids including texts sent by autodialer. Privacy Policy & Terms. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20163508/minno-kids.png "minno-kids - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16105950/confetti-bible-2x.png "confetti-bible-2x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ### Switch from YouTube to the Minno streaming app. Switch to a safer, more trustworthy source of Christian content for kids \+ Access to shows like **VeggieTales, BibleMan, Young David** and more! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16100602/fish-2x-100-width.png "fish-2x-100-width - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Minno 2.500+ videos that passed our 50-point checklist of faith-driven standards for education and entertainment. Stream on Apple, Google, Roku, Amazon and your favorite devices. Offline viewing included. No ads and 100% worry-free options. YouTube Unlimited videos made by whoever. Yikes! Available only in YouTube while online (unless you pay more). Inappropriate ads and questionable suggested videos. [ Make the Switch & Get a FREE Bible ](https://www.gominno.com/pricing?coupon=YOUTUBE) ### Why Parents Trust Minno ,, **“Minno is a blessing.** My little one is soaking up God’s love like a sponge through all of your content . . . **Thank you for bringing God’s word to little hearts.”** ![]() ,, My kids laugh their heads off at some shows, learn a lot from others, **and grow in their faith too!** ![]() ,, I love that I don’t have to worry about the content of what my kids are watching. **They are learning about God in a way that is fun and entertaining.** ![]() ,, **“Minno is a blessing.** My little one is soaking up God’s love like a sponge through all of your content . . . **Thank you for bringing God’s word to little hearts.”** ![]() ,, My kids laugh their heads off at some shows, learn a lot from others, **and grow in their faith too!** ![]() ,, I love that I don’t have to worry about the content of what my kids are watching. **They are learning about God in a way that is fun and entertaining.** ![]() ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16101552/cloud-confetti.png "cloud-confetti - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16101552/cloud-confetti.png "cloud-confetti - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16102721/fancy-pony.png "fancy-pony - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16102317/girl.png "girl - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/16102112/animated-elephant.png "animated-elephant - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ### What shows are on Minno? Stream hundreds of hours of Christian content for kids including: [## Browse Our Shows ](https://gominno.com/shows) ![GeneralVeggieTales_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/02141926/GeneralVeggieTales_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![JungleBeat_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085901/JungleBeat_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.png) ![GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085903/GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085908/BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![Numberblocks_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085914/Numberblocks_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085911/LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![DeadSeaSquirrels_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/29152111/DeadSeaSquirrels_SeriesThumbnail-1024x594.png) ![YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085850/YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) --- ### [Homepage Redesign](https://gominno.com/homepage-redesign/) **Published:** March 20, 2026 **Author:** tech **Content:** ## The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows. [ Start FREE Trial ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ## The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows. [ Start FREE Trial ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ### 100% Ad-Free Content ### 4-14 Years The most impressionable years of a child’s life ### 500+ Hours of Screen-free Entertainment ### 300+ Unique, Faith-filled Shows ## Sparking Faith in God ,, **“Minno is a blessing.** My little one is soaking up God’s love like a sponge through all of your content . . . **Thank you for bringing God’s word to little hearts.”** ![]() ,, My kids laugh their heads off at some shows, learn a lot from others, **and grow in their faith too!** ![]() ,, I love that I don’t have to worry about the content of what my kids are watching. **They are learning about God in a way that is fun and entertaining.** ![]() ,, **“Minno is a blessing.** My little one is soaking up God’s love like a sponge through all of your content . . . **Thank you for bringing God’s word to little hearts.”** ![]() ,, My kids laugh their heads off at some shows, learn a lot from others, **and grow in their faith too!** ![]() ,, I love that I don’t have to worry about the content of what my kids are watching. **They are learning about God in a way that is fun and entertaining.** ![]() ## Stories Kids Love & Parents Trust Stream hundreds of hours of Kids Christian entertainment including… ![YoungDavid_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082403/YoungDavid_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![Numberblocks_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082355/Numberblocks_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![TheChosenAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082359/TheChosenAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![GodsGreenhouse_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082349/GodsGreenhouse_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![DeadSeaSquirrels_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082346/DeadSeaSquirrels_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082342/BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![VeggieTales_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26101113/VeggieTales_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![LightOfTheWorld_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082352/LightOfTheWorld_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![LightOfTheWorld_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082352/LightOfTheWorld_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![YoungDavid_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082403/YoungDavid_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![Numberblocks_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082355/Numberblocks_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![TheChosenAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082359/TheChosenAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![GodsGreenhouse_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082349/GodsGreenhouse_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![DeadSeaSquirrels_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082346/DeadSeaSquirrels_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/25082342/BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) ![VeggieTales_BoxArt_1536x2048](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26101113/VeggieTales_BoxArt_1536x2048-768x1024.jpg) [ Browse All Shows ](https://gominno.com/shows/) ## Meeting Kids Where They Are ## Experience Everywhere ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/02105325/image-80.png "image 80 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/13114414/image-apps-mobile.png "image-apps-mobile - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/22115212/tablet.png "tablet - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ### Stream or listen to favorite stories anywhere - Watch it everywhere - Ads free forever - Multi-device experience - Screen-free audio content ## Frequently Asked Questions What can kids watch on Minno? Minno is a Christian streaming service for kids with faith-filled shows, movies, and screen-free audio all in one place. Families can enjoy hundreds of hours of Christian shows, movies, Bible stories, including *VeggieTales, Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Young David, The Chosen Adventures, Dead Sea Squirrels*, and hundreds of episodes of music, audio stories, and podcasts, including *Adventures in Odyssey, Discovery Mountain, Lamplighters*. ([Explore the entire Minno library here!](https://kids.gominno.com/home)) What age range is Minno best for? Minno is designed for kids ages 2 -10. Families can find age-appropriate Christian shows, movies, and audio for preschoolers, elementary-age kids, and tweens. ([Explore the entire Minno library here!)](https://kids.gominno.com/home) What devices can I use to watch Minno? Families can stream Minno on Apple devices, Roku, Google Play, Samsung, LG, and Amazon devices. You can also stream Minno on TV through Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Samsung TV, LG TV, and Chromecast. We are always trying to find more ways for kids to experience Jesus on every device so see where else you can enjoy Minno [here](https://gominno.com/apps/). Can you stream Minno on multiple devices at once? Yes. Minno supports streaming on up to 10 devices at the same time, so your family can watch on phones, tablets, and TVs at once. Can you download Minno to watch offline? Yes! Minno members can download their favorite shows, movies, and audio for temporary offline viewing or listening, making it easy to bring Christian content for kids on the go. Is Minno available in Spanish? The Minno app is currently available in English, and select shows are also available in Spanish, Portuguese, and American Sign Language (ASL). Many of our longer *Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids* episodes are available in English, Spanish, ASL, and Portuguese. We are always looking for ways to expand our library to ensure every child can hear the gospel in their native language. Spanish-language titles include *Minno Crece Y Ríe Con La Biblia Para Niños*, *Antorchas*, and *Guitarra y Tambor*. Does Minno offer other resources for families and kids? Yes, at Minno we are dedicated to helping kids experience Jesus every day in every way on *and* off screens! In addition to streaming Christian content for kids, Minno also offers offline resources like our award-winning [*Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids*](https://shop.gominno.com/) and chapter books (available for purchase in our [shop](https://shop.gominno.com/)) and we provide articles and free printable activities. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/23123505/Character-1.png "Character 1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Cute pink cartoon elephant wearing a teal Viking helmet with yellow horns.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20151921/image-105.png "image 105 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26102912/giraff.png "giraff - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Start Your 7 Day Free Trial Now Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows. [ Start FREE Trial ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) --- ### [Young David](https://gominno.com/lp/youngdavid/) **Published:** November 3, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;![Pretzel - Snack](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/YoungDavid™-logo-10923_eng_L.png "YoungDavid™ logo 10923_eng_L")&amp;lt;img alt=”Pretzel – Snack” data-id=”219030″ width=”320″ data-init-width=”6963″ height=”129″ data-init-height=”2802″ title=”YoungDavid™ logo 10923\_eng\_L” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/YoungDavid™-logo-10923\_eng\_L.png” data-width=”320″ data-height=”129″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 6963 / 2802;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=”Pretzel – Snack” data-id=”219030″ width=”320″ data-init-width=”6963″ height=”129″ data-init-height=”2802″ title=”YoungDavid™ logo 10923\_eng\_L” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/YoungDavid™-logo-10923\_eng\_L.png” data-width=”320″ data-height=”129″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 6963 / 2802;”&amp;gt; # Watch on ![Clip art - Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211410/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”251″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”49″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”251″ data-height=”49″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”251″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”49″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”251″ data-height=”49″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;gt; # Worshiper # Watch the Young David trailer Streaming now on Minno # Poet # Watch the Young David trailer Streaming now on Minno # Shepherd # Watch the Young David trailer Streaming now on Minno # King # Watch the Young David trailer Streaming now on Minno # Warrior # Watch the Young David trailer Streaming now on Minno Plus, sign up for a 7-day free trial of Minno for more stories your kids will love! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06155308/MinnoTitleSlideTransparent.png "MinnoTitleSlideTransparent")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06155308/MinnoTitleSlideTransparent.png "MinnoTitleSlideTransparent") # The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids Stream Young David and other fun, faith-filled kids shows – available on all major platforms Select Columns Layout # *“*Minno is a blessing. My 3-yr-old is soaking up God’s love like a sponge through all of your content . . . Thank you for bringing God’s word to little hearts.” *– Jaclyn, Minno Member* # Young David Books Adapted from the all-new YOUNG DAVID animated series and inspired by the upcoming feature-length, animated DAVID film, these books imagine the life of a young shepherd, highlighting the character traits that would one day make him God’s chosen king of Israel. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/08150009/3Book-Mockup.png "3Book Mockup")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/09122907/img-books-young-david.jpg "img-books-young-david") # Free Printables for Kids Keep the fun going with offline play – download your free Young David printable activity pack. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/yd_activityguide_pages.png "yd_activityguide_pages")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/yd_activityguide_pages.png "yd_activityguide_pages") ## Available on all major platforms ![Download the Minno app for iOS devices in the App Store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/05023808/App-Store.png "App Store")&amp;lt;img alt=”Download the Minno app for iOS devices in the App Store” data-id=”502″ width=”258″ data-init-width=”258″ height=”88″ data-init-height=”88″ title=”appstore-badge-updated” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/appstore-badge-updated.png” data-width=”258″ data-height=”88″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 258 / 88;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=”Download the Minno app for iOS devices in the App Store” data-id=”502″ width=”258″ data-init-width=”258″ height=”88″ data-init-height=”88″ title=”appstore-badge-updated” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/appstore-badge-updated.png” data-width=”258″ data-height=”88″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 258 / 88;”&amp;gt;![Google Play](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/google-play.png "google-play")&amp;lt;img alt=”Get it the Minno App on Android devices in the Google Play store” data-id=”503″ width=”258″ data-init-width=”258″ height=”88″ data-init-height=”88″ title=”GooglePlay-Badge-Updated” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GooglePlay-Badge-Updated.png” data-width=”258″ data-height=”88″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 258 / 88;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=”Get it the Minno App on Android devices in the Google Play store” data-id=”503″ width=”258″ data-init-width=”258″ height=”88″ data-init-height=”88″ title=”GooglePlay-Badge-Updated” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GooglePlay-Badge-Updated.png” data-width=”258″ data-height=”88″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 258 / 88;”&amp;gt;![Roku logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/04211211/roku2x-e1703094216262.png "roku2x")&amp;lt;img alt=”Roku logo” data-id=”322″ width=”200″ data-init-width=”1218″ height=”68″ data-init-height=”416″ title=”roku@2x” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/roku@2x.png” data-width=”200″ data-height=”68″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1218 / 416;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=”Roku logo” data-id=”322″ width=”200″ data-init-width=”1218″ height=”68″ data-init-height=”416″ title=”roku@2x” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/roku@2x.png” data-width=”200″ data-height=”68″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1218 / 416;”&amp;gt;![Fire TV logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211241/Fire_TV-e1703094227692.png "Fire_TV")&amp;lt;img alt=”Fire TV logo” data-id=”505″ width=”200″ data-init-width=”4000″ height=”107″ data-init-height=”2145″ title=”Fire\_TV” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fire\_TV.png” data-width=”200″ data-height=”107″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 4000 / 2145;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=”Fire TV logo” data-id=”505″ width=”200″ data-init-width=”4000″ height=”107″ data-init-height=”2145″ title=”Fire\_TV” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fire\_TV.png” data-width=”200″ data-height=”107″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 4000 / 2145;”&amp;gt;![Clip art - Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211300/03-section-1-logo-Minno_Max_Side3x-1.png "03-section-1-logo-Minno_Max_Side3x-1")&amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”516″ width=”320″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”62″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”03-section-1-logo-Minno\_Max\_Side@3x-1″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/03-section-1-logo-Minno\_Max\_Side@3x-1.png” data-width=”320″ data-height=”62″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”516″ width=”320″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”62″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”03-section-1-logo-Minno\_Max\_Side@3x-1″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/03-section-1-logo-Minno\_Max\_Side@3x-1.png” data-width=”320″ data-height=”62″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;gt; --- ### [Archive News](https://gominno.com/archive-news/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** Andrei Hutupas **Content:** # News [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/17173347/1x1.png "1x1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-named-kids-first-streaming-partner-for-52-studios-the-chosen-adventures/)###### [ Minno Named Kids-First Streaming Partner for 5&2 Studios’ The Chosen Adventures ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-named-kids-first-streaming-partner-for-52-studios-the-chosen-adventures/) New Animated Series Based on Global Hit The Chosen Launches on Minno October 31, 2025 Minno, the global leader in [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-named-kids-first-streaming-partner-for-52-studios-the-chosen-adventures/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/16212000/1x1-copy.png "1x1 copy - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-guillermo-will-first-of-its-kind-dual-language-puppet-series-bringing-gods-love-to-kids-in-english-and-spanish/)###### [ Minno Launches Guillermo & Will, First-of-Its-Kind Dual-Language Puppet Series Bringing God’s Love to Kids in English and Spanish ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-guillermo-will-first-of-its-kind-dual-language-puppet-series-bringing-gods-love-to-kids-in-english-and-spanish/) [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-guillermo-will-first-of-its-kind-dual-language-puppet-series-bringing-gods-love-to-kids-in-english-and-spanish/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/08233120/LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_CoverArt_1920x1080-1.png "LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_CoverArt_1920x1080-1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-first-ever-american-sign-language-bible-series-for-kids/)###### [ Minno Launches First-Ever American Sign Language Bible Series for Kids ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-first-ever-american-sign-language-bible-series-for-kids/) Christian kids’ streaming leader breaks barriers in accessibility with ASL Bible episodes; expands Spanish and Portuguese content. Minno, the #1 [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-first-ever-american-sign-language-bible-series-for-kids/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/14011203/DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured.jpg "DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-announces-the-dead-sea-squirrels-will-premiere-february-14/)###### [ Minno announces ‘The Dead Sea Squirrels’ will premiere February 14 ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-announces-the-dead-sea-squirrels-will-premiere-february-14/) Will Premiere on February 14 New animated series from co-creator of Veggietales to debut exclusively on Minno NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-announces-the-dead-sea-squirrels-will-premiere-february-14/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18201344/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Book-Mom-and-Daughter.png "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Book Mom and Daughter - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-engaging-new-advent-experience-for-families-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional/)###### [ Minno launches engaging new Advent experience for families: Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-engaging-new-advent-experience-for-families-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional/) Just in time for the holiday season, families with young children can embark on a new journey through the Christmas [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-engaging-new-advent-experience-for-families-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/11161645/Show-Image-1-Jesus-with-Disciples_Logo_16x9.png "Show Image 1 - Jesus with Disciples_Logo_16x9 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-presents-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-special/)###### [ PRESS RELEASE: Minno Presents “Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Who is Jesus?” Special ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-presents-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-special/) Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, is thrilled to announce the premiere of the Laugh [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-presents-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-special/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/05171024/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-10920%20PM.jpg "Screenshot - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/)###### [ 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Learn About Jesus This Summer ](https://gominno.com/news/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/) Published June 3, 2024 in Nashville Christian Family. On the way to soccer practice one night, my 5-year-old son gazed [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15232158/LaughAndGrowBible_EasterSpecial_SeriesBackground-1.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_EasterSpecial_SeriesBackground - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-makes-tackling-tricky-topics-easy/)###### [ PRESS RELEASE: Minno Makes Tackling Tricky Topics Easy ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-makes-tackling-tricky-topics-easy/) Minno Makes Tackling Tricky Topics Easy For Christian Parents With Multimedia Easter Experience For Kids NEW family devotionals, animated Easter [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-makes-tackling-tricky-topics-easy/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15232648/LogoScreenshot-1.jpg "LogoScreenshot - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-outstanding-growth-minno-surges-into-2024/)###### [ PRESS RELEASE: Outstanding Growth, Minno Surges into 2024! ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-outstanding-growth-minno-surges-into-2024/) Outstanding Growth, Minno Surges into 2024 as the Premier Christian Kids Media and Tech Company with a Year of Inspiration [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-outstanding-growth-minno-surges-into-2024/) ](https://gominno.com/archive-news/2/) [ Back to News Room ](https://gominno.com/news/) --- ### [Micah](https://gominno.com/lp/micah/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** Andrei Hutupas **Content:** ![Minno Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14220719/minno-logo-1.png "minno-logo-1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Micah Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/04111434/MCH_Logo_trademark.png "MCH_Logo_trademark - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [ START YOUR TRIAL! ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ![Roku](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080756/Image-112x.png "Image 112x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Fire TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080822/Image-122x.png "Image 122x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Chrome Cast](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080844/Image-132x.png "Image 132x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Apple TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080903/Mask-Group-32x.png "Mask Group 32x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/24114446/samsunbg-logo-white-1024x272.png "samsunbg-logo-white - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/24084431/lg-logo-white-1024x555.png "lg-logo-white - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Download the Minno app for iOS devices in the App Store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211237/appstore-badge-updated.png "appstore-badge-updated - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Amazon.com - Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/04211201/amazon-badge-12x-1024x320.png "amazon-badge-12x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Get it the Minno App on Android devices in the Google Play store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211237/GooglePlay-Badge-Updated.png "GooglePlay-Badge-Updated - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") # # With Micah! kids can… # WALK HUMBLY AND LAUGH LOUDLY! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/23193418/platforms-minno-img-transparent.png "platforms-minno-img-transparent - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") # Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids?​ We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! [ START YOUR TRIAL! ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) # Experience the FUN! If your kids don’t want to compromise on fun and you don’t want to compromise on faith-building, **Micah!** is perfect! Micah makes faith make sense in a kid’s world. Watch the whole series here. [ START YOUR TRIAL! ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19234118/Micah_thumbnail.avif "Micah_thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30174039/MCH_AOG_SeriesCoverArt-1024x576.jpg "MCH_AOG_SeriesCoverArt - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19234934/micah-frui-of-the-spirit-thumbnail.webp "micah-frui-of-the-spirit-thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/12213500/MIcahDaysOfCreation_Series_Thumbnail-1024x576.jpg "MIcahDaysOfCreation_Series_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30165056/MicahMailbag_Audio_Thumbnail-1-1024x576.jpg "MicahMailbag_Audio_Thumbnail 1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30165137/Micah_FruitOfTheSpirit_5MFD_Thumbnail-1024x576.jpg "Micah_FruitOfTheSpirit_5MFD_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") and even more... # Get the Full Micah! 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Billed at $69.99/year ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account?interval=year) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20104653/check.svg "check - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") 175+ shows and counting ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20104653/check.svg "check - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Complete collection of classic VeggieTales episodes ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20104653/check.svg "check - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Available on Apple, Google, Roku and Amazon ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20104653/check.svg "check - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Enjoy on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20104653/check.svg "check - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Download your favorite shows to go ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20104653/check.svg "check - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Stream on multiple devices at once \*Subject to [Terms and Conditions](https://gominno.com/toc/) --- ### [News Room](https://gominno.com/news/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** Andrei Hutupas **Content:** # News Room ## Latest News [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/17173347/1x1-300x300.png "1x1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-named-kids-first-streaming-partner-for-52-studios-the-chosen-adventures/)###### [ Minno Named Kids-First Streaming Partner for 5&2 Studios’ The Chosen Adventures ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-named-kids-first-streaming-partner-for-52-studios-the-chosen-adventures/) New Animated Series Based on Global Hit The Chosen Launches on Minno October 31, 2025 Minno, the global leader in [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-named-kids-first-streaming-partner-for-52-studios-the-chosen-adventures/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/16212000/1x1-copy-300x300.png "1x1 copy - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-guillermo-will-first-of-its-kind-dual-language-puppet-series-bringing-gods-love-to-kids-in-english-and-spanish/)###### [ Minno Launches Guillermo & Will, First-of-Its-Kind Dual-Language Puppet Series Bringing God’s Love to Kids in English and Spanish ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-guillermo-will-first-of-its-kind-dual-language-puppet-series-bringing-gods-love-to-kids-in-english-and-spanish/) [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-guillermo-will-first-of-its-kind-dual-language-puppet-series-bringing-gods-love-to-kids-in-english-and-spanish/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/08233120/LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_CoverArt_1920x1080-1-300x169.png "LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_CoverArt_1920x1080-1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-first-ever-american-sign-language-bible-series-for-kids/)###### [ Minno Launches First-Ever American Sign Language Bible Series for Kids ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-first-ever-american-sign-language-bible-series-for-kids/) Christian kids’ streaming leader breaks barriers in accessibility with ASL Bible episodes; expands Spanish and Portuguese content. Minno, the #1 [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-first-ever-american-sign-language-bible-series-for-kids/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/14011203/DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured-300x166.jpg "DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-announces-the-dead-sea-squirrels-will-premiere-february-14/)###### [ Minno announces ‘The Dead Sea Squirrels’ will premiere February 14 ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-announces-the-dead-sea-squirrels-will-premiere-february-14/) Will Premiere on February 14 New animated series from co-creator of Veggietales to debut exclusively on Minno NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-announces-the-dead-sea-squirrels-will-premiere-february-14/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18201344/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Book-Mom-and-Daughter-300x168.png "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Book Mom and Daughter - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-engaging-new-advent-experience-for-families-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional/)###### [ Minno launches engaging new Advent experience for families: Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-engaging-new-advent-experience-for-families-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional/) Just in time for the holiday season, families with young children can embark on a new journey through the Christmas [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-engaging-new-advent-experience-for-families-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/11161645/Show-Image-1-Jesus-with-Disciples_Logo_16x9-300x169.png "Show Image 1 - Jesus with Disciples_Logo_16x9 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-presents-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-special/)###### [ PRESS RELEASE: Minno Presents “Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Who is Jesus?” Special ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-presents-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-special/) Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, is thrilled to announce the premiere of the Laugh [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-presents-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-special/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/05171024/Screenshot-2024-06-05-at-10920%20PM-238x300.jpg "Screenshot - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/)###### [ 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Learn About Jesus This Summer ](https://gominno.com/news/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/) Published June 3, 2024 in Nashville Christian Family. On the way to soccer practice one night, my 5-year-old son gazed [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15232158/LaughAndGrowBible_EasterSpecial_SeriesBackground-1-300x169.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_EasterSpecial_SeriesBackground - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-makes-tackling-tricky-topics-easy/)###### [ PRESS RELEASE: Minno Makes Tackling Tricky Topics Easy ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-makes-tackling-tricky-topics-easy/) Minno Makes Tackling Tricky Topics Easy For Christian Parents With Multimedia Easter Experience For Kids NEW family devotionals, animated Easter [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-makes-tackling-tricky-topics-easy/) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15232648/LogoScreenshot-1-300x169.jpg "LogoScreenshot - Minno Kids - Minno Kids")](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-outstanding-growth-minno-surges-into-2024/)###### [ PRESS RELEASE: Outstanding Growth, Minno Surges into 2024! ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-outstanding-growth-minno-surges-into-2024/) Outstanding Growth, Minno Surges into 2024 as the Premier Christian Kids Media and Tech Company with a Year of Inspiration [ Read More » ](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-outstanding-growth-minno-surges-into-2024/) ](https://gominno.com/news/2/) [ All News ](https://gominno.com/archive-news/) # Inquiries? Need more info? Want to create a story? Time for an interview? Get in touch with: ### Paige Collins ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/11205446/img-smile-news.png "img-smile-news - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") EMAIL: [paige@iconmediagroup.com](mailto:pr@gominno.com) # Learn more about us... Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent. Minno’s publishing program includes the award-winning, best-selling “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.” With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources, blogs, life guides, and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids! --- ### [Church Staff](https://gominno.com/lp/church-staff/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Iosua Pallo **Content:** ![Minno Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14220719/minno-logo-1.png "minno-logo-1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Now free for church staff ## Church staff and kid ministry leaders get a free year-long membership to Minno Kids streaming service. Request a free year for a church staff member by filling out their info below. ## Got Questions? - Email us at [churches@gominno.com](mailto:churches@gominno.com "Churches at Minno") - [Learn more about Minno](https://www.gominno.com/about?utm_source=Master%20-%20Email%20Subscribers%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Resources%20-%20Blog%20-%203%20Bible%20Stories%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Love%20(01KGJHR9B23FRWVDRZYNNGPS4P) "About") --- ### [Christian Audio for Kids | Bible Stories, Music, & Devotionals](https://gominno.com/audio/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** tech **Content:** INCLUDED WITH MINNO MEMBERSHIP ## Christian Audio for Kids Now, your family can experience Jesus with screen-free, faith-first audio for kids on Minno! [ START FREE TRIAL ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ![Watch Christian Audio for Kids on Minno Kids!](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20073414/img-9.png "Christian Audio for Kids on Minno Kids - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Screen-free Stories Kids Love​ Turn up the joy with Bible stories, adventures, music, devotionals and podcasts! ![Blue speaker icon representing audio or sound](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20090948/img-3.svg "Audio Learning Icon - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## 100+ Hours of Audio​ Bible stories, music, and devotionals made just for kids. ![Blue castle icon representing children’s stories or fantasy content](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20090950/img-4.svg "Kids Stories Icon - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Audio for Every Moment​ Perfect for quiet time, bedtime, car rides, and everyday moments. ![Teal shield icon inside a rounded square border representing security or protection.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20090951/img-5.svg "Security Shield Icon - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Safe Audio Parents Trust​ No ads, distractions, or screens—just age-appropriate audio for kids. ## Bible Stories, Music & More​ Familiar favorites and brand-new series—all created and curated for little ears. [ ![Show Adventures in Odyssey.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20091929/main-img-2.png "Adventures in Odyssey - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Adventures in Odyssey​ Join Whit, Connie, and Eugene for unforgettable adventures at Whit’s End and throughout the town… Ages 6-8 ![Magenta circular button with a white right-facing arrow icon.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20090946/Action-Icon.svg "Action Icon - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2157_minno) [ ![Show Cottonwood Trails.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20091927/image-140-1.png "Cottonwood Trails - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Tales From Cottonwood Trails​ Follow the antics of Rob, the Forest Ranger – and fellow ranger, Abbie – and the quirky cast of critters they… Ages 6-8 ![Magenta circular button with a white right-facing arrow icon.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20090946/Action-Icon.svg "Action Icon - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2165_minno) [ ![Show Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/08122425/img-R-3.png "Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids​ Based on the award-winning Bible! Listen in as Minno kids Margot, Lexi, Miguel, and Logan… All Ages ![Magenta circular button with a white right-facing arrow icon.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20090946/Action-Icon.svg "Action Icon - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_934_minno) ## Loved by Minno Families​ ,, **“Minno audio is the heart of our family’s morning routine.** Jesus, scripture—with some dancing and giggles along the way—is our soundtrack from wake up to school drop off. All with zero morning screen time!” Darren B. ![Darren B.]() ,, “I grew up listening to **Adventures in Odyssey** and love that I now can share it with my boys. My sons (ages 8, 8, and 6) ask for Minno stories every night at bedtime!” Lindsay H. ![Lindsay H.]() ,, **“Game changer!** My kids love it and I feel overjoyed at the truth they are hearing. The gospel shines through in every song and Bible story — I'm so thankful for the seeds of faith being planted.” Jessie H ![Jessie H]() ,, **“Minno Audio is the heart of our family’s morning routine.** Jesus, scripture—with some dancing and giggles along the way—is our soundtrack from wake up to school drop off. All with zero morning screen time!” Darren B. ![Darren B.]() ,, “I grew up listening to **Adventures in Odyssey** and love that I now can share it with my boys. My sons (ages 8, 8, and 6) ask for Minno stories every night at bedtime!” Lindsay H. ![Lindsay H.]() ,, **“Game changer!** My kids love it and I feel overjoyed at the truth they are hearing. The gospel shines through in every song and Bible story — I'm so thankful for the seeds of faith being planted.” Jessie H ![Jessie H]() ## Frequently Asked Questions Is audio included with my Minno membership? Yes! Audio is included with a Minno membership at no additional charge. Please note that some features may vary by device or platform. Does Minno have Bible audio for kids? Yes! Minno includes Bible audio for kids, along with faith-filled stories, music, devotionals, and podcasts made for screen-free listening. Is Minno audio screen-free? Yes! Easily switch on family-friendly audio stories and listen with screen-off mode or enjoy on the go Bible audio, podcasts, and music via CarPlay or Android Auto. Is Minno audio safe for kids? Yes! Parents love that Minno is ad-free, faith-filled, and age appropriate for kids ages 2-10! How do I listen to audio on Minno? Download the Minno mobile app and select the speaker icon. Then, it’s simple–start listening to your favorite Christian kids audio! Can I download audio on Minno? Yes! Minno members can download audio in the app for offline listening, which is great for car rides, travel, and moments when Wi-Fi isn’t available. Is more audio coming to Minno? Yes! Minno’s audio library is growing, with more Christian audio for kids planned over time. Families can look forward to more stories, songs, Bible audio, podcasts, and faith-filled favorites. Does Minno have audio content or just shows? Minno has more than shows! Families can now stream Christian audio for kids, including Bible stories, music, devotionals, podcasts, and audio stories—all in one safe, ad-free place. ![A colorful cartoon giraffe wearing a tie.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/13103310/giraffe.png "Cartoon Giraffe - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![A colorful cartoon elephant wearing a hat.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/13103309/elephant-1.png "Cartoon Elephant - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![A colorful cartoon elephant wearing a hat.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/13114216/Elephant-2.png "Cartoon Elephant - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") INCLUDED WITH MINNO MEMBERSHIP ## Start Listening Today!​ Access hundreds of hours of screen-free audio when you start your FREE TRIAL of Minno. [ START FREE TRIAL ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ![A colorful assortment of children's shows, showcasing various titles and illustrations.](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20095500/Img-10-1024x358.png "Children's Shows - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") --- ### [Minno2](https://gominno.com/home2/) **Published:** July 17, 2025 **Author:** Luis Silva **Content:** # The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids! Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows and audio. ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lineup_YD_VT_LAGB_DSS.png "Lineup_YD_VT_LAGB_DSS") ## Faith and Family Focused ## Ad-free Content ## Ages 2-10 ## Stream VeggieTales® and more! Stream hundreds of hours of Christian content for kids including: ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/02141926/GeneralVeggieTales_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.jpg "GeneralVeggieTales_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085901/JungleBeat_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.png "JungleBeat_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085903/GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.jpg "GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085908/BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.jpg "BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085914/Numberblocks_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.jpg "Numberblocks_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085911/LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/29152111/DeadSeaSquirrels_SeriesThumbnail-300x174.png "DeadSeaSquirrels_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085850/YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.jpg "YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail") - - - ### Thousands of episodes, hundreds of hours, tons of fun! ## Available On All Major Platforms [![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/roku2x.png "roku2x")](https://channelstore.roku.com/details/2bec17a276087daa50566bc92f5590e5/minno-kids-bible-videos)[![Logo - Graphics](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/apple-tv2x-e1755514611697.png "apple-tv2x")](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/minno-kids-bible-videos/id705286113)[![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/fire-tv-186x100-1.png "fire-tv-186x100")](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017MVYM1C)[![Logo - Graphics](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chromecast2x.png "chromecast2x")](https://help.gominno.com/en_us/how-do-i-use-minno-kids-on-my-chromecast--SkshsZCzD?_gl=1*yj4lw*_ga*MjU4Njg0MjA0MC4xNjk3MDM4NzgyNTMy*_ga_CZLENZGKD7*MTcwNzI0MzQxOC43NS4wLjE3MDcyNDM0MTguMC4wLjA.*_gcl_au*MzY2Njg5NjYzLjE3MDQxMTc4NTE.)[![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/samsung-logo-color.png "samsung-logo-color")](https://help.gominno.com/en_us/how-do-i-use-minno-kids-on-my-chromecast--SkshsZCzD?_gl=1*7uo7qb*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTkzOTY1MTYuQ2p3S0NBandvNHJDQmhBYkVpd0F4aEpsQ2IzS0NNQ1M2M01IaVdkOWhYN2tuSndzMEtqWWpaalM1WVZUQ0UwbzRyd01rNUZMRDdyY2J4b0MxSEFRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTM4MTE1ODkxMC4xNzYzNDY3MzMzLjE4MjY4ODM3NS4xNzY1OTgwODA2LjE3NjU5ODA4MTE.)[![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/lg-black.png "lg-black")](https://help.gominno.com/en_us/how-do-i-use-minno-kids-on-my-chromecast--SkshsZCzD?_gl=1*yj4lw*_ga*MjU4Njg0MjA0MC4xNjk3MDM4NzgyNTMy*_ga_CZLENZGKD7*MTcwNzI0MzQxOC43NS4wLjE3MDcyNDM0MTguMC4wLjA.*_gcl_au*MzY2Njg5NjYzLjE3MDQxMTc4NTE.)[![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/primeVideoBlack.png "primeVideoBlack")](https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/channel/73dcfd2c-1d27-a2ed-2dcf-f50d65e301cf/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_sr9fa126_HS0b361b_1_1?utm_source=Non%20Members%20-%20Canceled%2C%20Abandoned%2C%20Never%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Product%20News%20-%20Promo%20-%20Member%20-%20Prime%20Video%20%2801KBZ9F8BMBF7X16J1VS66AVFG%29&_kx=6dTBGc7zrB65EKzXfNfWyg.T3rR5s)![Download the Minno app for iOS devices in the App Store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211237/appstore-badge-updated.png "appstore-badge-updated")![Amazon.com - Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/04211201/amazon-badge-12x.png "amazon-badge-12x")![Get it the Minno App on Android devices in the Google Play store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211237/GooglePlay-Badge-Updated.png "GooglePlay-Badge-Updated") ## Why Parents Love Minno “I love that I don’t have to worry about the content of what my kids are watching. They are learning about God in a way that is fun and entertaining.” # Annie “We are excited to have content for the kids to view other than Disney and Nick which at times don’t share very nice content. Thank you for offering this streaming content for our family! I will be sharing this with all our friends and family.” # Katherine “My kids love this app! It’s something I’ve been waiting a while for shows without the negative subliminal messages! Thank You!” # Adam ## Start Free Trial - Enjoy Minno originals like *Young David*, *Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids*, and *God’s Greenhouse* - Access classics like *VeggieTales®* and *Bibleman* - Stream worry-free and ad-free Annual$10.99/mo$5.83/mo After Your 7-Day Trial! Billed at $69.99/year Monthly$10.99/mo After Your 7-Day Free Trial Billed Monthly ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is Minno available for streaming outside of the US? # Minno is available anywhere in the world! As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, you’ll be good to go. Please note, however, that we charge subscriptions in USD, and you will be charged a small conversion fee if purchasing from outside the United States. ### What ages is Minno geared toward? # While we find kids of different ages (even adults!) can find something to love on Minno, our shows are geared toward kids ages 2-10 at this time. ### Can I download Minno videos to watch offline? # We’ve heard from parents that they want to be able to save cell data and stream downloaded shows when Wi-Fi isn’t available – and now you can on your family’s mobile devices! Download your favorite shows while on Wi-Fi and then watch them on-the-go. \[tcb-script\] (function () { const buttonId = “navbar-free-trial-cta”; const buttonHref = “https://gominno.com/pricing”; const buttonHTML = `Try FREE`; const navbarMenu = document.querySelector(“.navbar”); if (navbarMenu) { if (!navbarMenu.querySelector(“#navbar-free-trial-cta”)) { navbarMenu.insertAdjacentHTML(“beforeend”, buttonHTML); navbarMenu.style.display = “flex”; navbarMenu.style.alignItems = “center”; } } })();\[/tcb-script\]Insert Content Template or Symbol --- ### [Lead Gen - Jumbo Bible Play Pack](https://gominno.com/lp/lead-gen-jumbo-bible-play-pack/) **Published:** October 24, 2024 **Author:** Jolly Sherpa **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20203313/MinnoLogoWhite-e1724186014282.png "MinnoLogoWhite") # FAITH-BASED PLAY FOR KIDS ## FREE BIBLE PLAY PACK! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/15163435/LAGB-JUMBO-BIBLE-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-1.png "LAGB JUMBO BIBLE PLAY PACK SPREAD") Your kids can play and color their way through the Bible, making time with God simple and fun—and easy for grownups! This play pack features over 30 printable pages, including: - Bible verses - Matching - Mazes - And more! # Minno is the #1 Source of Christian content for kids! Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows on the Minno App. --- ### [Micah Play Pack](https://gominno.com/lp/micah-play-pack/) **Published:** May 29, 2025 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/04111434/MCH_Logo_trademark.png "MCH_Logo_trademark") # Faith-Based Fun for Kids! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/28180034/Micah-Funpack-Spread-1.png "Micah Funpack Spread 1")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/28160750/Micah-Funpack-Spread-e1748448501728.png "Micah Funpack Spread") Take the fun off-screen with the MICAH! Activity Pack!Inside you’ll find: - Mazes, matching games & brain teasers - Puzzles and faith-filled challenges - Coloring pages bursting with creativity - Memory games to lock in Bible truth - …and so much more! It’s the ultimate way to keep the fun going and the faith growing—no screen required! # Minno is the #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids! Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows on the ad-free Minno app. # Get the Full Micah! Experience [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19234118/Micah_thumbnail.avif "Micah_thumbnail")](http://gominno.com/lp/micah) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/30171959/Micah_ChapterBooks_Illo-1-1.png "Micah_ChapterBooks_Illo 1 1")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/micahs-super-vlog) You are here! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/28160750/Micah-Funpack-Spread-e1748448501728.png "Micah Funpack Spread")](https://gominno.com/lp/micah-play-pack/) --- ### [Apps Old](https://gominno.com/apps-2-3/) **Published:** September 7, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** # Available on all major platforms ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/31154939/Phone-wo-Bkgd4x.png "Phone") ### Mobile - **iPhones**: running iOS 15 or later *(iPhone 6S and newer)* - **iPad**: running iOS 15 or later *(iPad 5th generation or newer, iPad Air 2 and newer, iPad Mini 4 and newer, iPad Pro models)* - **Android phones and tablets:** running Android 8.0 (Nougat) or later - **Amazon Fire tablets**: Fire HD 8 *(2018 or later)* and Fire HD 10 *(2019 or later)*, Fire tablets running Fire OS 7 or later *(although newer Fire OS versions are recommended)* [![Download the Minno app for iOS devices in the App Store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211237/appstore-badge-updated.png "appstore-badge-updated")](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/minno-kids-bible-videos/id705286113)[![Get it the Minno App on Android devices in the Google Play store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211237/GooglePlay-Badge-Updated.png "GooglePlay-Badge-Updated")](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jellytelly&hl=en)[![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/05023816/Amazon-Badge-Updated.png "Amazon-Badge-Updated")](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017MVYM1C)![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/31154943/TV-wo-Bkgd4x.png "TV wo Bkgd4x") ### TV - **Roku**: All current and updatable devices and legacy devices running OS 9.4 and later, listed [here](https://developer.roku.com/docs/specs/hardware.md) - **tvOS**: running tvOS 17.0 or later Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K *4th generation and newer*, - **Android/Google TV**: running Android 7.1 (Nougat) or later - **FireTV**: Fire TV Stick *(3rd generation or newer)*, Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Edition Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV *(3rd generation or newer)* - **Samsung**: Minimum supported devices of Samsung TVs running on Tizen 6.0 and above *(2021 models)* - **LG TV**: models 2021 and newer ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/31154939/Desktop-wo-Bkgd4x.png "Desktop wo Bkgd4x") ### Computer - MacOS - Windows - On all latest version browsers # Why Wait? Try Minno Today Start a free, 7 day trial today to watch uplifting, faith-based shows that you and your children will love. --- ### [Next Steps](https://gominno.com/next-steps/) **Published:** January 17, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** # Getting Started Create profiles for your kids so they can enjoy their own watchlist and video progress. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/05023804/PreK_Kids.png "PreK_Kids") # Watch on-the-go Enjoy Minno on your phone or tablet with apps for **iOS, Android**, and **Kindle Fire**. Download your favorite episodes and save your data ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03210907/MW_Vehicle_tucan.png "MW_Vehicle_tucan") # …Or on your couch! Watch with your whole family on the big screen! Download the Minno Kids app on your **Roku**, **Apple TV**, **Google TV** or **Amazon Fire TV** and follow the instructions on the screen to link your device. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03211458/MW_Block-House.png "MW_Block-House")![Clip art - Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211229/Minno_Max_Side_3x.png "Minno_Max_Side_3x") # Welcome to Minno Kids Gather the family around, grab your favorite snacks, and let the giggles and faith-fueled entertainment begin! Remember, our content is designed with love to empower you and your little ones to grow in faith, love, and imagination. --- ### [Press Home](https://gominno.com/press/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/18202532/logo-minno-press.png "logo-minno-press")[![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03233243/David2-1024x350.png "David2")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/young-david/products/young-david-warrior-chapter-book)[![Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Bundle](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/14151230/slideshow_1-1024x350.jpeg "lagb_slideshow_press")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/books/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-family-bundle) ## About Home of the best-selling, award-winning, Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Minno Press is the children’s publisher for all Minno brands. Take the excitement off-screen through engaging books that teach kids about the Bible and God’s big love for them! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/01203727/Minno-Press-Books.png "Minno Press Books")Insert Image ## Minno Press Catalog \[wps\_products collection=”Young David”\] For Wholesale Orders Please contact: Send us a Message 0 of 350 [**Send Message**](#) Sign Up to be the first to know about new releases! --- ### [Apps](https://gominno.com/apps/) **Published:** January 12, 2026 **Author:** Luis Silva **Content:** # Where to Watch Minno [ START YOUR TRIAL ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/22080155/herodesktop-1.png "herodesktop - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/27132346/Hero-Small-2x-5.png "Hero-Small-2x 5 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/29152111/separator-white.svg "separator-white - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Stream On Your Favorite Devices ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115136/apple-black.svg "apple-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115141/samsung-black.svg "samsung-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115224/lg-black.svg "lg-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115048/roku-black.svg "roku-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115139/firetv-black.svg "firetv-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115138/chomecast-black.svg "chomecast-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115226/palystore-black.svg "palystore-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115137/appstore-black.svg "appstore-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12115134/amazonstore-black.svg "amazonstore-black - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/13114414/image-apps-mobile.png "image-apps-mobile - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/22115212/tablet.png "tablet - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") # Made for Kids # Always Ad-Free Keep the fun going with uninterrupted access to faith-based, family-friendly Christian stories kids can explore and grownups can trust. # Experience Anywhere Minno works on your favorite devices like TVs, tablets, phones, and desktop, so kids can enjoy Minno in the ways that feel most natural to them. # Stream Everywhere Enjoy favorite shows, stories, and music on your schedule—even without an internet connection—perfect for busy days and changing plans. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/29152111/separator-gray.svg "separator-gray - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/separator-gray-bottom.svg) # Platform Availability & Requirements **Mobile & Tablet** - **iPhones:** running iOS 15 or later (iPhone 6S and newer) - **iPad:** running iOS 15 or later (iPad 5th generation or newer, iPad Air 2 and newer, iPad Mini 4 and newer, iPad Pro models) - **Android phones and tablets:** Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later - **Amazon Fire tablets:** Fire OS 7 or later **Smart TVs** - **Roku:** OS 9.4 and later - **Apple TV:** tvOS 17.0 or later - **Android/Google TV:** running Android 7.1 (Nougat) or later - **FireTV:** Fire OS 6 or later, Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Edition Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV (3rd generation or newer) - **Samsung:** Tizen 6.0 (2021 models) or later - **LG TV:** webOSTV 6.0 (2021 models) or later **Web** - MacOS - Windows - On all latest version browsers **Partners** - Prime Video - UP Faith & Family ![Marketing automation - Email marketing](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211214/Bubbles-1024x640.png "Bubbles - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") # Start FREE 7-Day Trial! Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? Start your trial today and access thousands of hours of family friendly stories! [ START YOUR TRIAL ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/13122946/illustration-apps-cta.png "illustration-apps-cta - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") --- ### [Terms of Use](https://gominno.com/terms-of-use/) **Published:** March 20, 2026 **Author:** Iosua Pallo **Content:** # **Minno Kids Terms of Use** Last Updated: May 28, 2025 Overview Welcome to Minno Kids, which is provided by Winsome Truth, Inc., or one of its affiliated companies (“**Company**,” “**we**,” “us,” or “**our**”). Minno Kids is a streaming video subscription service where we provide our subscribers with access to stream movies, videos, songs, and TV shows over the Internet. Minno Kids, including without limitation all features and functionalities, instant streaming, our website, user interfaces, and all content and software associated therewith, is referred to herein as the “**Minno Kids service**” or “**service**.” The following outlines our detailed terms and conditions. You should read and understand them as they govern your use of our service. These Terms of Use provide that BINDING ARBITRATION will resolve all disputes between you and Minno Kids. YOU AGREE TO GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO GO TO COURT to assert or defend your rights under this Agreement (except for matters that may be taken to small claims court). Your rights will be determined by a NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR and NOT a judge or jury, and your claims cannot be brought as a class action. Please review the Arbitration Agreement section below for your Agreement’s details to arbitrate any disputes with Minno Kids. These Terms of Use further provide for AUTOMATICALLY RENEWING SUBSCRIPTIONS. Whether after an initial free trial period or at the beginning of your access to the service, we may bill you for an automatically renewing subscription term for your use and access or the service or part thereof. Please review the following sections below for further details: **Subscriptions**, **Billing**, **Ongoing Membership**, and **Cancellation**. These Terms of Use are also a resource for you to get a deeper understanding of how our service works, including the way we bill, how we interact with you, and other details about our service. We encourage you to revisit these Terms of Use when you have a question about the service or want to know how something works. Acceptance of Terms of Use These Terms of Use govern your use and access to the Minno Kids service. By using, visiting, or browsing the Minno Kids service, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these Terms of Use, you should not use the Minno Kids service, including our website and user interfaces. We may immediately terminate this Agreement with you and your access to the services if we determine, in our sole discretion, that you have failed to comply with any provision of these Terms of Use. Changes to Terms of Use Minno Kids reserves the right, from time to time, to change these Terms of Use at our sole and absolute discretion by posting the new version to this page. The most current version of these Terms of Use can be reviewed by visiting our website and clicking on “**Terms of Use**” located at the bottom of the pages of the Minno Kids website. The most current version of the Terms of Use will supersede all previous versions. **If these Terms of Use have been updated since you last accessed or used the service, you acknowledge and agree that your continued access or use of the service constitutes your acceptance of the changed Terms of Use.** Privacy and Electronic Communications Any personally identifying information submitted through the Minno Kids service is subject to our Privacy Policy, the terms of which are incorporated herein. Please review our [Privacy Policy]() to understand our practices. By using our service, you consent to the collection and use of your data as outlined in our Privacy Policy. You further consent to receive notices, including agreements, disclosures, and other communications, electronically from us at the email address you have provided. You agree that these electronic notices satisfy any legal requirements that such communications be in writing. SMS Communications and Consent By providing your phone number to Minno Kids, you consent to receive text messages (SMS) from us for various purposes related to your use of our services, including both physical purchases and subscription services. These messages may be sent using automated technology and may include, but are not limited to: - Abandoned Cart Messages: We may send you reminders via SMS about items left in your shopping cart, whether for physical products or subscription services, if you have not completed your purchase or subscription sign-up. - Post-Cancellation Messages: If you cancel or modify an order or subscription, we may send you SMS updates regarding your cancellation or any follow-up actions related to your physical product or streaming service - Welcome Messages: Upon signing up or creating an account with Minno Kids, we may send you a welcome message to provide information or updates about our services, including both physical products and subscription services. - Order Confirmations and Shipping Updates: We may send SMS notifications to confirm your order of physical products, provide shipping information, and update you on delivery status. - Subscription Purchase and Activation: We may send you SMS notifications confirming your purchase, activation, or renewal of a subscription to our streaming service. - Subscription Abandonment: If you begin the process of subscribing to our streaming service but do not complete the transaction, we may send you SMS reminders to complete your subscription sign-up. - Subscription Start and End Notifications: We may send you SMS notifications regarding the start, renewal, or expiration of your subscription to our streaming service. - Promotional Offers and Discounts: We may send you promotional SMS messages regarding sales, special offers, new product launches, subscription discounts, and streaming service promotions (you can opt out of these at any time). - Account Alerts and Security Notifications: We may send you alerts related to account activity, such as password changes, account updates, or security-related messages for both your physical product purchases and streaming service subscriptions. - Subscription or Service Updates: We may send you SMS notifications regarding the status of your subscription, including renewals, cancellations, or changes to the streaming service. - Survey Requests and Feedback: We may send you SMS requests for feedback or surveys to help us improve our products and services. - Event or Activity Reminders: We may send reminders regarding upcoming events, promotions, or activities that you have shown interest in, whether for physical products or streaming content. By opting in, you acknowledge and agree that the number provided is accurate, and you are the authorized user of the phone number. Standard messaging and data rates may apply based on your carrier’s plan. You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in each message (typically replying “STOP”) or by contacting our customer support team at Please note that even if you opt out of receiving promotional messages, you may still receive transactional SMS messages regarding your orders, subscriptions, account, or other necessary communications related to your use of Minno Kids services Account Access; Password You must be 18 years of age or older to become a member of the Minno Kids service. In certain jurisdictions, the age of majority may be older than 18, in which case you must satisfy that age in order to become a member. While individuals under the age of 18 may utilize the service, they may do so only with the involvement, consent, supervision and approval of a parent or legal guardian, under such person’s account, and otherwise subject to these Terms of Use. While Minno Kids does distribute products that may be watched by children, the Minno Kids service is not intended to be used by children without the involvement, supervision, consent and approval of a parent or legal guardian. The member who created the Minno Kids account and whose Payment Method is charged is referred to here as the “Account Owner”. You agree not to impersonate or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity when creating a Minno Kids account, including using another person’s username, password or other account information, or another person’s name or likeness, or provide false details for a parent or guardian. The Account Owner has access and control over the Minno Kids account. The Account Owner’s control is exercised through the use of the Account Owner’s password. Therefore, to maintain exclusive control, the Account Owner should not reveal the password to anyone. In addition, if the Account Owner wishes to prohibit others from contacting Minno Kids Customer Service and potentially altering the Account Owner’s control, the Account Owner should not reveal the Payment Method details (e.g., last four digits of their credit or debit card, or their e-mail address if they use PayPal) associated with their account. You may not share your subscription outside of your household. “Household” means the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein. BY SHARING THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE PASSWORD, THE ACCOUNT OWNER AGREES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSURING THAT HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF USE AND SUCH ACCOUNT OWNER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS. If you add any Household members that are under age 18 to your subscription account, as the Account Owner you hereby represent and warrant that (a) you are their parent or legal guardian, (b) you consent and provide your permission for the minor to access the Minno Kids service, and (c) you will be involved and supervise their access of the Minno Kids services. Due to the interactive nature of the Minno Kids service, it is your responsibility to apply limitations on any sub-accounts so as to prevent Household members from accessing material that is deemed inappropriate for younger audiences, as applicable. Account Owner is and shall be solely responsible for any access, whether through sub-accounts or other activities that occur under or in connection with their account, and shall release Company from and indemnify and hold harmless Company against any and all associated liability. If a subscriber shares their account log-in information with others, Minno Kids reserves the right to cancel and terminate the subscriber’s account. Identity Protection In order to provide you with ease of access to your account and to help administer the Minno Kids service, Minno Kids implements technology that enables us to recognize you as the account holder and provide you with direct access to your account without requiring you to retype any password or other user identification when you revisit the Minno Kids service. You are responsible for updating and maintaining the truth and accuracy of the information you provide to us relating to your account. You are also responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and password and for restricting access to your Minno Kids ready device. If you disclose your password to anyone or share your account and/or devices with other people, you take full responsibility for their actions. Where possible, users of public or shared devices should log out at the completion of each visit. If you sell or return a Minno Kids ready device, you should logout and/or deactivate the device before doing so. Similarly, if your Minno Kids ready device is lost or stolen, please deactivate the Minno Kids ready device. If you fail to log out or deactivate your device, subsequent users may access the Minno Kids service through your account and may be able to access certain of your account information. If you find that you’re a victim of identity theft and it involves a Minno Kids account, you should notify our Customer Service. Then, you should report this instance to all your card issuers, as well as your local law enforcement agency. You should also be mindful of any communication requesting that you submit credit card or other account information. Providing your information in response to these types of communications can result in identity theft. Always access your sensitive account information by going directly to the Minno Kids website and not through a hyperlink in an e-mail or any other electronic communication, even if it looks official. Minno Kids reserves the right to place any account on hold anytime with or without notification to the member in order to protect itself and its partners from what it believes to be fraudulent activity. Minno Kids is not obligated to credit or discount a membership for holds placed on the account by either a representative of Minno Kids or by the automated processes of Minno Kids. License Grant and Restrictions Unless otherwise specified, the Minno Kids service, and any content accessible through our service (“Minno Kids Content”), are for your personal and non-commercial use only, and we grant you a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to access the Minno Kids service for that purpose, with no right to reproduce, distribute, communicate to the public, make available to the public, or transform the Minno Kids service or any Minno Kids Content, including in connection with any use, creation, development, modification, prompting, fine-tuning, training, testing, benchmarking or validation of any artificial intelligence or machine learning tool, model, system, algorithm, product or other technology (“AI Tool”), in any media format or channel now known or hereafter devised. Except for the foregoing limited license, no right, title, or interest shall be transferred to you. By accessing the Minno Kids service, including the Minno Kids website and user interfaces, you agree to use the Minno Kids service, including all features and functionalities associated therewith, the website and user interfaces, and all content and software associated therewith in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including public performance limitations or other restrictions on the use of the service or content therein. You agree that you will not nor permit any person to do any of the following without our express written permission, and that these restrictions are a condition to your license: 1. circumvent or disable any content protection system or digital rights management technology used in connection with the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content; 2. copy the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content (except as expressly permitted by us); 3. rebroadcast, transmit or perform the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content; 4. create derivative works of the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content or any part thereof, except as and only to the extent that any foregoing restriction is prohibited by applicable law; 5. move, decompile, reverse-engineer, disassemble, or otherwise reduce to human-readable form the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content and/or the video player(s), underlying technology, any digital rights management mechanism, device, or other content protection or access control measure incorporated into the video player(s); 6. modify the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content, including, but not limited to, by removing identification, copyright or other proprietary notices from the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content, or by framing, mirroring, or utilizing similar techniques; 7. access or use the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content in a manner that suggests an association with our products, services or brands; 8. use the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content for any commercial or business-related use or build a business utilizing the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content, or engage in any activity to enable third parties to engage in any of the foregoing activities, in each case whether or not for profit, including uses in marketing or branding, or that advertise or offer to sell or promote products or services (whether or not for profit), or that solicit others (including solicitations for contributions or donations); 9. bypass, modify, defeat, tamper with or circumvent any of the functions or protections of the Minno Kids service; 10. access, monitor, copy or extract the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content using a robot, spider, script, or other automated means, including, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of creating or developing any AI Tool, data mining or web scraping or otherwise compiling, building, creating or contributing to any collection of data, data set or database (other than for a public search engine’s use of spiders for creating search indices to the extent not disallowed by Disney, including through the applicable robots.txt files or NOINDEX or NOFOLLOW meta-tags); 11. damage, disable, overburden or impair the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content; 12. purchase search terms or use any meta tags or any other “hidden text” utilizing the Minno Kids name or trademarks without our express written consent; 13. frame or utilize any framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo, or other proprietary information (including images, text, page layout, or form) of Minno Kids without our express written consent; 14. introduce a virus or other harmful component, or otherwise tamper with, impair or damage any Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content or connected network, or interfere with any person or entity’s use or enjoyment of any Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content; 15. impersonate any other person while using the Minno Kids service, or conduct yourself in a vulgar or offensive manner while using the Minno Kids service; or 16. use the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content in any unlawful manner, in violation of United States export control or economic sanction requirements, or in any manner inconsistent with these Terms of Use. Any unauthorized use of the Minno Kids service or its contents will terminate the limited license granted by us and will result in the cancellation of your membership. You agree that all of the foregoing restrictions apply not only to the Minno Kids service, but also to the servers and networks connected to any portions of the Minno Kids service whether operated by Minno Kids or third parties (“**Networks**”). You agree not to interfere with Networks, violate any of the procedures, policies or regulations applicable to Networks, use Networks in a way that harms or impairs anyone else’s use of Networks, use Networks to gain unauthorized access to any service, data, account or other networks, use Networks to falsify any protocol or e-mail header information (e.g., “**spoofing**”), use Networks to send “**spam**” (i.e., unsolicited bulk e-mail or commercial messages) or items of a destructive or deceptive nature, or remove, modify, or tamper with any regulatory or legal notice or link that is incorporated into Networks. Subscriptions You can find the specific details regarding your membership with Minno Kids at any time by visiting our website and clicking on the "***My Account***" link. We may offer several membership plans, including special promotional plans or memberships with different limitations. Some of these promotional memberships are offered by third parties in conjunction with the provision of their own products and services. We are not responsible for the products and services provided by such third parties. We reserve the right to modify, terminate, or otherwise amend our offered membership plans, including any membership fees and other associated fees. Unless otherwise stated differently, month or monthly refers to a billing cycle (See “***Billing***” below). Billing By starting your Minno Kids membership, you expressly agree that we are authorized to charge you a periodic membership fee at the then-current rate and any other charges you may incur in connection with your use of the Minno Kids service to the Payment Method you provided during registration (or to a different Payment Method if you change your account information). Please note that prices and charges are subject to change without prior notice. As used in these Terms of Use, “**billing**” shall indicate either a charge or debit, as applicable, against your Payment Method. The membership fee will be billed at the beginning of the paying portion of your membership or after the stated free trial period and each period thereafter unless and until you cancel your membership. **We automatically bill your Payment Method each period on the calendar day corresponding to your paying membership’s commencement.** Membership charges are fully earned upon payment. In the event your paying membership began on a day not contained in a given month, we bill your Payment Method on the last day of such month. You acknowledge that the amount billed each period may vary for reasons that may include differing amounts due to promotional offers and/or changing or adding a plan. You authorize us to charge your Payment Method for such varying amounts, which may be billed periodically in one or more charges. For certain Payment Methods, your payment method’s issuer may charge you a foreign transaction fee or related charges. Check with your bank and credit card issuers for details. If you are eligible and have signed up for a free trial, your Payment Method will be authorized for up to approximately one week of service during free trials; if you do not cancel before the end of your free trial period, your Payment Method will be automatically charged for the recurring membership fee upon expiration of the free trial period. We may also periodically authorize your card in anticipation of membership or related charges. Membership fees and charges are fully earned upon payment. At any time, and for any reason, we may provide a refund, discount, or other consideration to some or all of our members (“**credits**”). The amount and form of such credits and the decision to provide them are at our sole and absolute discretion. The provision of credits in one instance does not entitle you to credits in the future for similar instances, nor does it obligate us to provide credits in the future under any circumstance. We may change the fees and charges in effect or add new fees and charges from time to time, which will be effective immediately. If you want to use a different Payment Method or if there is a change in Payment Methods, such as your credit card validity or expiration date, you may edit your Payment Method information by visiting our website and clicking on the “***My Account***“ link, available at the top of the pages of the Minno Kids website. Changing your Payment Method via the “***My Account***” link will not change your payment method for any in-app purchases or purchases made through third-party app stores; you will need to change your payment method directly with the Application (defined below). If your Payment Method reaches its expiration date and you do not edit your Payment Method information, your subscription will be terminated. Automatic Renewal **Your Minno Kids membership will automatically renew unless you cancel your membership or we terminate it**. You must cancel your membership before it renews each period to avoid billing the next period’s membership fees to your Payment Method. We will bill the membership fee to the Payment Method you provide to us during registration (or to a different Payment Method if you change your account information). Cancellation You may cancel your Minno Kids membership at any time. Subscriptions based on the payment provider PayPal will be canceled immediately. In contrast, subscriptions based on credit/debit cards and/or ACH bank draft will be canceled at the end of the current billing period. WE DO NOT PROVIDE REFUNDS OR CREDITS FOR ANY UNWATCHED MOVIES OR TV SHOWS. To cancel, visit our website and click on “***Cancel Membership***” on the “***My Account***” page and follow the instructions for cancellation under the heading “***Cancel Membership.***” If you have purchased in-app purchases or other purchases via third-party app stores, your access to these purchases shall also terminate when you cancel your membership. Changes; Availability The Minno Kids service and Minno Kids Content are constantly evolving and will change over time. We reserve the right to make such changes or, if necessary, discontinue Minno Kids service and any Minno Kids Content. The availability of movies, videos, songs, and TV shows to instantly watch will change from time to time and from country to country. The quality of the display of the streaming movies, videos, songs, and TV shows may vary from computer to computer and device to device. It may be affected by various factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or your Internet connection speed. Minno Kids streams a little bit of data as a buffer each time you start a movie or TV show. Frequently starting and stopping movies, videos, songs, and TV shows may result in an increase in the amount of data Minno Kids streams to you per hour. You are responsible for all Internet access charges. Please check with your Internet service provider for information on possible Internet data usage charges. Minno Kids makes no representations or warranties about the quality of your instant watching experience on your display. Content Load Time The time it takes to begin watching a video instantly may vary based on a number of factors, including your location, available bandwidth at the time, the movies, videos, songs, or TV shows you have selected, and the configuration of your Minno Kids ready device. For example, high-speed action scenes or special effects at the opening of a movie or TV show may slightly delay its start time. In addition, you must be connected to the Internet throughout the watch instantly experience. Offline Content In our sole discretion, we may make some Minno Kids content available for temporary download and offline viewing on certain supported devices (“**Offline Content**”). Limitations will apply to Offline Content, such as restrictions on the number of Offline Content per account, the maximum number of devices that can contain Offline Content, and the time period within which you will need to begin viewing Offline Content how long the Offline Content will remain accessible. Some Offline Content may not be playable in certain countries, and if you go online in a country where you would not be able to stream certain Offline Content, then the Offline Content will not be playable while you are in that country. Device Requirements and Limitations To enjoy watching instantly via your supported device(s), your equipment must satisfy certain system requirements. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO INSTANTLY WATCH ON AS MANY AS SIX (6) SUCH DEVICES AT ANY GIVEN TIME. The number of devices and concurrent streams may change without notice to you. Geographic Limitation You may instantly watch a movie, video, or TV show through the Minno Kids service only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such movie, video, or TV show. The content that may be available to watch will vary by geographic location. Minno Kids will use geolocation technologies to verify your geographic location. Minno Kids Streaming Software We do not warrant that any of the software used and or licensed in connection with our service will be compatible with other third-party software, nor do we warrant that operation of our service and the associated software will not damage or disrupt other software or hardware. Minno Kids reserves the right to not provide the software (including updates) to you at any time and to discontinue the ability to access the Minno Kids service through such software at any time, without prior or any notice. In addition, Minno Kids ready devices are manufactured and sold by entities other than Minno Kids. A Minno Kids ready device is any electronics equipment that is authorized to decode and capable of decoding movies, videos, songs, and TV shows transmitted over the Internet by Minno Kids. These devices may include mobile devices, standalone set-top boxes, Internet-connected Blu-ray DVD players, Internet-connected HDTVs, and game consoles. AS SUCH, WE DO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OR OTHERWISE WARRANT THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE DEVICES, INCLUDING THE CONTINUING COMPATIBILITY OF THE DEVICE WITH OUR SERVICE. By using our service, you agree to look solely to the entity that manufactured and/or sold you the device for any issues related to the device and its compatibility with the Minno Kids service. Any issues related to our service, including any system requirements, are covered and limited by these Terms of Use. Please refer to the Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations of Liability outlined in these Terms of Use. Furthermore, Minno Kids reserves the right to discontinue service and or support of a software application and will not be responsible for refunding payment if another software application is available to stream Minno Kids content. We also reserve the right to make available new software applications and will not be responsible for refunding payment because of the software application not being previously available. In response to content providers’ requests, or due to technical limitations or any reason in our sole and absolute discretion, and without prior notice to you, some or all videos may cease to be available for watching instantly. Mobile Networks When you access Minno Kids through a mobile network, your roaming or network provider’s messaging, data, and other rates and fees may apply. Downloading, using, or installing certain Minno Kids services may be prohibited or restricted by your network provider. Not all Minno Kids services may work with your device or your network provider. Third-Party Applications You may encounter third-party applications (including, without limitation, websites, widgets, software, or other software utilities) (“**Application(s)**”) that interact with the Minno Kids service. These Applications may import data related to your Minno Kids account and activity and otherwise gather data from you. These Applications are provided solely as a convenience to you, and Minno Kids is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of such Applications. SUCH APPLICATIONS ARE OWNED OR OPERATED BY THIRD PARTIES THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO, ASSOCIATED WITH, OR SPONSORED BY MINNO KIDS AND MAY NOT BE AUTHORIZED FOR USE WITH OUR SERVICE IN ALL COUNTRIES. Some of these Applications may even use Minno Kids trademarks. Unless otherwise noted by Minno Kids on the Minno Kids website, Minno Kids is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of such Applications. You will need to make your own independent judgment regarding your interaction with these Applications. If you choose, at your sole and absolute discretion and risk, to use an Application, such Application may interact with, connect to or gather and/or pull information from and to your Minno Kids account. By using such Applications, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (i) if you use an Application to share information relating to your Minno Kids account, you are consenting to the information about your account being shared; (ii) your use of an Application may cause personally-identifying information to be publicly disclosed and/or associated with you, even if Minno Kids has not provided such information; and (iii) your USE OF AN APPLICATION IS AT YOUR OWN OPTION AND RISK, and you will hold Minno Kids harmless for the sharing of information relating to your Minno Kids account that results from your use of an Application. You must read all log-in boxes and other pop-up boxes closely for notices about sharing your Minno Kids account information with, through, or by any other means identified on an Application. In addition, the Application’s end user license agreement, terms of use, and/or any other documentation or materials designated by the Application will govern your use of that Application. You represent that you have read, agreed to and will comply at all times with the terms and policies for any such Application. It is possible that you may be able to revoke an Application’s access to your Minno Kids account at any time, but information shared before revocation may continue to be viewable within, or otherwise continue to be used by, the Application depending on the policies of such Application. If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or claims about the Applications, you should contact the support or contact personnel of the Application and not Minno Kids, unless otherwise indicated by Minno Kids. MINNO KIDS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF APPLICATIONS. Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations on Liability THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING OUR WEBSITE AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENT AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, OR ANY OTHER FEATURES OR FUNCTIONALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. WE AND OUR LICENSORS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, OUR WEBSITE AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENT AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH. MINNO KIDS DOES NOT GUARANTEE, REPRESENT, OR WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, AND YOU AGREE THAT MINNO KIDS MAY ELIMINATE OR OTHERWISE MODIFY ANY OR ALL ASPECTS OF THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING FEATURES, WITHOUT COMPENSATION OR NOTICE TO YOU. MINNO KIDS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF APPLICATIONS, MINNO KIDS READY DEVICES, AND MINNO KIDS SOFTWARE (INCLUDING THEIR CONTINUING COMPATIBILITY WITH OUR SERVICE). Without limiting the foregoing, we and our licensors assume no liability or responsibility for any of the following: (i) errors or omissions in the content delivered by the Minno Kids service or on the Minno Kids website or user interfaces; (ii) recommendations or advice of Customer Service; (iii) any failure or interruption in the availability of the Minno Kids service and/or website or user interfaces, (iv) delivery and or display of any content contained on the Minno Kids website, user interfaces, or otherwise through the Minno Kids service; (vii) for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, loss of business opportunity, or similar loss; and (viii) any losses or damages arising from the use of the content provided on the Minno Kids website, user interfaces, or otherwise through the Minno Kids service itself, including any losses or damages arising from downloading of related software, downloading and/or use of any other software, including the remote desktop tool offered by Customer Service, optical media discs or any conduct by users of the Minno Kids service, website or user interfaces. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWABLE BY LAW, WE AND OUR LICENSORS DISCLAIM ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. In addition, we do not represent or warrant that the information accessible via our site is accurate, complete, or current. We do not make any representations with respect to the content contained on movies and TV shows from the Minno Kids service or the descriptions of any movie or TV show content contained on our website and user interfaces. We do not represent or guarantee that your use of the Minno Kids service will be free from interruption, loss, corruption, attack, viruses, interference, hacking, or other security intrusions, and we disclaim any liability with respect thereto. You understand that the Minno Kids service and Minno Kids Content are for your personal, noncommercial use and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only; the content available does not constitute legal, financial, professional, medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis and cannot be used for such purposes. No oral or written information or advice given by us or our authorized representative shall create a warranty or otherwise constitute a representation binding upon Minno Kids or its affiliated parties. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information that constitutes part of the content expressed or made available by third parties through the Minno Kids service are those of the respective authors or producers and not of Minno Kids or its shareholders, directors, officers, or employees or licensors. Under no circumstances shall Minno Kids, or its shareholders, directors, officers, directors, or employees or licensors be held liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information obtained through the Minno Kids service. It is your responsibility to evaluate the information, opinion, advice, or other content available through the Minno Kids service. IN NO EVENT SHALL MINNO KIDS, OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE (JOINTLY OR SEVERALLY) TO YOU FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS, WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, OUR WEBSITE, AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENTS AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, OR OTHERWISE RELATED TO THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING ANY OPTICAL MEDIA DISCS, FEATURES OR FUNCTIONALITIES ASSOCIATED THEREWITH. IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES FOR LOSSES ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING OUR WEBSITE AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENT AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH (OTHER THAN AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW IN CASES INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY) EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF ONE PERIOD’S MEMBERSHIP FEE ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLAN. THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS WILL APPLY EVEN IF THE ABOVE STATED REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. IF ANY APPLICABLE AUTHORITY HOLDS ANY PORTION OF THIS SECTION OR OTHER SECTIONS OF THESE TERMS OF USE, INCLUDING ANY PORTION OF THE PRIVACY POLICY, TO BE UNENFORCEABLE, THEN THOSE PORTIONS DEEMED UNENFORCEABLE SHALL BE SEVERED AND THE TERMS OF USE SHALL BE ENFORCED ABSENT THOSE PROVISIONS AND ANY LIABILITY WILL BE LIMITED TO THE FULLEST POSSIBLE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. YOU HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE ALL LAWS THAT MAY LIMIT THE EFFICACY OF SUCH RELEASES CONTAINED HEREIN. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU SPECIFICALLY AGREE TO WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LACK OF FUNCTIONALITY OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE ANY PART OF THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE OR MINNO KIDS CONTENT, OR ANY LOSS OF CONTENT OR DATA THAT IS DUE TO: YOUR EQUIPMENT, DEVICES, OPERATING SYSTEM OR INTERNET CONNECTION; OR YOUR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SPECIFIED COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. MINNO KIDS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES CONCERNING MINNO KIDS READY DEVICES OR THE COMPATIBILITY OF THE DEVICE WITH OUR SERVICE. Additional disclaimers or limitations of liability may be contained in the various third-party software end user license agreements you may have agreed to in order to access our service. Intellectual Property The Minno Kids service, Minno Kids Content, and any and all content included on the Minno Kids website and user interfaces, or delivered to members as part of the service, including, but not limited to, movies, videos, songs, and TV shows you can watch instantly, text, graphics, logos, designs, photographs, button icons, images, audio/video clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, are the property of Minno Kids or its licensors and are protected by the United States and international copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property laws and treaties. The compilation of all content and any software or other materials provided by Minno Kids on our website and user interfaces or in connection with the Minno Kids service are the exclusive property of Minno Kids and its licensors and are protected by the copyright and trade secret laws in the territories in which the Minno Kids service operates and by international treaty provisions. You agree to adhere to the restrictions set forth under “***License Grant and Restrictions***”. Trademarks Minno Kids is a trademark of Minno Kids. The Minno Kids logo and [gominno.com]() are trademarks or service marks of Minno Kids. The Minno Kids website and user interfaces, including but not limited to its graphics, logos, page headers, button icons, scripts, and service names constitute trade dress of Winsome Truth, Inc. The trademarks, service marks, and trade dress of Minno Kids may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval from Minno Kids and may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not affiliated with Minno Kids, in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among customers, in any manner that dilutes the rights of Minno Kids, or in any manner that disparages or discredits Minno Kids. Other trademarks that appear on the Minno Kids website and user interfaces are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by Minno Kids. Any images of persons or personalities contained on the Minno Kids website and user interfaces are not an indication or endorsement of Minno Kids or any particular product or our service unless otherwise indicated. User Generated Content The Minno Kids service may allow you and other third parties to post reviews or comments concerning the entertainment distributed by us or submit, upload or otherwise make available text, chats, images, audio, video or other content (“User Generated Content”), which may be accessible and viewable by the public. You may not submit or upload User Generated Content that is defamatory, harassing, threatening, bigoted, hateful, violent, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, or otherwise offensive or that harms or can reasonably be expected to harm any person or entity, whether or not such material is protected by law. In most instances, we do not claim ownership of your User Generated Content; however, you grant us a non-exclusive, sublicensable, perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free worldwide license under all copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, privacy and publicity rights and other intellectual property rights for the full duration of those rights to use, reproduce, transmit, print, publish, publicly display, exhibit, distribute, redistribute, copy, index, comment on, modify, transform, adapt, translate, create derivative works based upon, publicly perform, publicly communicate, make available, and otherwise exploit such User Generated Content, in whole or in part, in all media formats and channels now known or hereafter devised (including in connection with the Minno Kids service and on third-party websites, services, applications, and/or platforms or any events or shows), in any number of copies and without limit as to time, manner and frequency of use, without further notice to you, without attribution (to the extent this is not contrary to mandatory provisions of applicable law), and without the requirement of permission from or payment to you or any other person or entity. You agree that submission of User Generated Content does not establish any relationship of trust and confidence between you and us, and that you have no expectation of compensation whatsoever (except as may be specifically stated in the provisions of the Minno Kids service in connection with the submission, or arising from it). You represent and warrant that your User Generated Content conforms to these Terms of Use and that you own or have the necessary rights and permissions including, without limitation, all copyrights, music rights and likeness rights (with respect to any person) contained in the User Generated Content, without the need for payment to any other person or entity, to use and exploit, and to authorize us to use and exploit, your User Generated Content in all manners contemplated by these Terms of Use; and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) by any third party arising out of or in connection with our use and exploitation of your User Generated Content resulting from your breach of these Terms of Use. You also agree to waive and not to enforce any moral rights, ancillary rights or similar rights in or to the User Generated Content against us or our licensees, distributors, agents, representatives and other authorized users, and agree to procure the same agreement to waive and not to enforce from others who may possess such rights. We may monitor, screen, post, remove, modify, store and review User Generated Content or communications sent through the Minno Kids service, at any time and for any reason, including to ensure that the User Generated Content or communication conforms to these Terms of Use, without prior notice to you. We may terminate your account and access to the Minno Kids service if your User Generated Content violates these Terms of Use, including unlawful postings or content, without prior notice to you. We are not responsible for, and do not endorse or guarantee, the opinions, views, advice or recommendations posted or sent by users. Claims of Copyright Infringement It is the policy of Minno Kids to respect the intellectual property rights of others. Minno Kids does not condone the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of movies, videos, songs or TV shows, or other copyrighted content. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other applicable law, in appropriate circumstances and in our sole discretion, we may terminate the rights of any user to use the Minno Kids service (or any part thereof) who infringes the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe your work has been reproduced or distributed in a way that constitutes copyright infringement or are aware of any infringing material available through the Minno Kids service, please provide the following information to us in writing: - An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest. - A description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed upon. - A description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on the Services. - Your address, telephone number, and email address. - A statement that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, and/or the law. - A statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate, and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf. All notices should be sent to: Copyright Compliance Department Winsome Truth, Inc. 818 18th Avenue S., 10th Floor Nashville, TN 37203 Tel: 615-463-5039 You acknowledge and agree that if you fail to substantially comply with all of the requirements above, your DMCA takedown notice may not be valid. If we receive a valid DMCA takedown notice, we may send a copy, including any contact information you provide, to the user responsible for the challenged content. We will review your submission and take whatever action we deem appropriate under the DMCA, including removal of or disabling of access to the challenged content if appropriate. In appropriate circumstances, under our repeat infringer policy, we will also suspend or terminate the accounts of users who repeatedly or egregiously infringe the copyrights of third parties. Use of Feedback Minno Kids is free to use any comments, information, ideas, concepts, reviews, or techniques or any other material contained in any communication you may send to us (“**Feedback**”), including responses to questionnaires or through postings to the Minno Kids service, including the Minno Kids website and user interfaces, without further compensation, acknowledgment or payment to you for any purpose whatsoever including, but not limited to, developing, manufacturing and marketing products and creating, modifying or improving the Minno Kids service. Furthermore, by posting any Feedback on our site, submitting Feedback to us, or responding to questionnaires, you grant us a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free irrevocable license, including the right to sublicense such right, and right to display, use, reproduce or modify the Feedback submitted in any media, software or technology of any kind now existing or developed in the future. Please note Minno Kids does not accept unsolicited materials or ideas for use or publication and is not responsible for the similarity of any of its content or programming in any media to materials or ideas transmitted to Minno Kids. Should you send any unsolicited materials or ideas, you do so with the understanding that no additional consideration of any sort will be provided to you, and you are waiving any claim against Minno Kids and its affiliates regarding the use of such materials and ideas, even if the material or an opinion is used that is substantially similar to the idea you sent. Service Testing From time to time, we test various aspects of our service, including our website, user interfaces, service levels, plans, promotions, features, availability of movies, videos, songs and TV shows, delivery, and pricing, and we reserve the right to include you in or exclude you from these tests without notice. If you are selected to participate in a test or beta version of any of our products or service, you should not rely on nor expect the continued availability of these new products or services. Any information, data, content, or materials provided or displayed to you in or through any test or beta participation, or any knowledge you may have from or relating thereto, is the proprietary and confidential information of Company. Customer Service If you need assistance with your account, you may find answers and reach Customer Service by emailing us at . The Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations of Liability set forth in these Terms of Use expressly apply to the use of Customer Service, including any remote desktop access tool. We may utilize the services of third parties in providing you customer service support. You are expected to interact with our customer service agents in a respectful manner, and if we deem your interaction to be derogatory in nature, we reserve the right to terminate your subscription. Suspension and Termination You agree that we may, in our sole discretion and without notice or liability to you, restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to part or all of the Minno Kids service, and to any Minno Kids Content if we believe you are using or have used the Minno Kids service in violation of these Terms of Use or applicable law or regulations or in any manner other than for their intended purpose and in accordance with all other guidelines and requirements applicable thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, we may restrict or suspend your access to the Minno Kids service, which cause includes but is not limited to (a) requests from law enforcement or other government authorities, (b) unexpected technical issues or problems, or (c) if we reasonably believe that your account has been created fraudulently, your account or subscription to the Minno Kids service has been accessed fraudulently, or anyone uses your account or subscription to the Minno Kids service to commit fraud or for any purpose other than its intended purpose and in accordance with all of the requirements applicable thereto. We also reserve the right, but are not required, to terminate any subscription to the Minno Kids service that remains inactive for an extended period of time, e.g., more than one year (failure to log in to your subscription to the Minno Kids service will constitute inactivity for purposes of this Agreement). You agree that we will not be liable to you or to any third party for any such restriction, suspension, or termination of your access to the Minno Kids service or the Minno Kids Content. Indemnification You shall indemnify and hold harmless Minno Kids, its affiliates and licensors and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, licensors and suppliers from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses or fees (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from (a) your violation of these Terms of Use or any terms applicable to Applications, (b) your access or use of the Minno Kids service or Minno Kids Content, (c) any of your User Generated Content, (d) your violation of any third party right, (e) your breach of applicable law, or (f) your negligence or willful misconduct. Links and Pages Some of the hyperlinks on the Minno Kids website may lead to other websites or other content that are not controlled by or affiliated with Minno Kids. In addition, other websites may link to the Minno Kids website, or Minno Kids may include links to the websites of businesses, including those that have associations with us through certain programs. For example, Minno Kids may include pages that display and provide information on Applications, Minno Kids ready devices, or other products. These pages may provide links to third party sites where Minno Kids members may obtain or purchase such Applications and devices. Minno Kids has not reviewed these websites and is not responsible for the offerings of any of these sites or the content, privacy policies or terms of use of these websites or Applications. You acknowledge and agree that Minno Kids is not responsible or liable for, and does not otherwise warrant, the actions of these third parties, the products or contents on their websites, or the performance of any Applications and devices. These linked websites have separate and independent privacy statements, notices, and terms of use, which we recommend you read carefully. Promotions Promotional codes may be redeemed on our website. Promotional code can only be used once and cannot be redeemed for cash, resold, or combined with any other offers. If you received a promotion code through an offer by a third party, additional restrictions may apply. Governing Law These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, U.S.A., without regard to conflict of laws provisions. If any provision or provisions of these terms shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable, or in conflict with the law of any jurisdiction, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain in full force and effect. Arbitration Agreement You and Minno Kids agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating in any way to the Minno Kids service, including our website, user interfaces, these Terms of Use, and this Arbitration Agreement, shall be determined by binding arbitration instead of in courts of general jurisdiction. Arbitration is more informal than a lawsuit in court. Arbitration uses a neutral arbitrator instead of a judge or jury, allows for more limited discovery than in court, and is subject to minimal review by courts. Arbitrators can award the same damages and relief that a court can award. You agree that, by agreeing to these Terms of Use, the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this provision and that you and Minno Kids are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. This arbitration provision shall survive termination of this Agreement and the termination of your Minno Kids membership. If you elect to seek arbitration, you must first send to Minno Kids, by certified mail, a written Notice of your claim (“**Notice**”). The Notice to Minno Kids should be addressed to: Winsome Truth, Inc., 818 18th Avenue S., 10th Floor, Nashville, TN 37203 (“**Notice Address**”). If Minno Kids elects to seek arbitration, it will send a written Notice to the e-mail address used for your membership account. A Notice, whether sent by you or by Minno Kids, must (a) describe the nature and basis of the claim or dispute; and (b) set forth the specific relief sought (“**Demand**”). If you and Minno Kids do not reach an agreement to resolve the claim within 30 days after the Notice is received, you or Minno Kids may commence an arbitration proceeding or file a claim in small claims court. During the arbitration, the amount of any settlement offer made by Minno Kids or you shall not be disclosed to the arbitrator. You may download or copy a form Notice and a form to initiate arbitration at [www.adr.org](). If you are required to pay a filing fee, after Minno Kids receives notice at the Notice Address that you have commenced arbitration, it will promptly reimburse you for your payment of the filing fee, unless your claim is for greater than US$10,000. The arbitration will be governed by the Commercial Arbitration Rules and the Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes (collectively, “**AAA Rules**”) of the American Arbitration Association (“**AAA**”), as modified by this Agreement, and will be administered by the AAA. The AAA Rules and Forms are available online at [www.adr.org]() by calling the AAA at 1-800-778-7879, or by writing to the Notice Address. The arbitrator is bound by the terms of this Agreement. All issues are for the arbitrator to decide, including issues relating to the scope and enforceability of this arbitration agreement. Unless you and Minno Kids agree otherwise, any arbitration hearings will take place in the county (or parish) of your billing address. (If you reside outside of the United States, any arbitration hearings will take place in your country of residence at a location reasonably convenient to you, but will remain subject to the AAA Rules, including the AAA rules regarding the selection of an arbitrator). If your claim is for US$10,000 or less, we agree that you may choose whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted to the arbitrator, through a telephonic hearing, or by an in-person hearing as established by the AAA Rules. If your claim exceeds US$10,000, the right to a hearing will be determined by the AAA Rules. Regardless of the manner in which the arbitration is conducted, the arbitrator shall issue a reasoned written decision sufficient to explain the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. If the arbitrator issues you an award that is greater than the value of Minno Kids’ last written settlement offer made before an arbitrator was selected (or if Minno Kids did not make a settlement offer before an arbitrator was selected), then Minno Kids will pay you the amount of the award or US$1,000, whichever is greater. Except as expressly set forth herein, the payment of all filing, administration, and arbitrator fees will be governed by the AAA Rules. YOU AND MINNO KIDS AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless both you and Minno Kids agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims with your claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. If this specific provision is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void. The arbitrator may award declaratory or injunctive relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party’s individual claim. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement via mail. If you do so, neither party can force the other party to arbitrate. To opt out, you must notify us in writing no later than thirty (30) calendar days after first becoming subject to this arbitration agreement; otherwise you shall be bound to arbitrate disputes on a non-class basis in accordance with these Terms of Use. If you opt out of only the arbitration provisions, and not also the class action waiver, the class action waiver still applies. You may not opt out of only the class action waiver and not also the arbitration provisions. Your opt-out notice must include your name and address, the email address you used to set up your Minno Kids account (if you have one), and an unequivocal statement that you want to opt out of this arbitration agreement (and, if applicable, that you want to opt out of the class action waiver). You must mail your opt-out notice to Winsome Truth Inc, P.O. Box 121705, Nashville, TN 37212-9998, Attention: Arbitration Opt-Out. For clarity, opt-out notices submitted via email will not be effective. You agree that any claim against Minno Kids must be brought within one year of the date on which you first become aware, or reasonably should have become aware, of facts giving rise to such claim. You agree that this one-year limitations period is reasonable and that if you fail to provide notice of intent to initiate an informal dispute resolution conference within such time, your claim will be forever barred and may not be pursued against Minno Kids, either in arbitration or a court. Severability These Terms of Use constitute the sole and entire agreement between you and Minno Kids with respect to the Minno Kids service and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the Minno Kids service. If any provision of these terms shall be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from these terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. Survival The provisions of these terms which by their nature should survive the termination of these terms, shall survive such termination. Waiver; Assignment No waiver of any provision of these terms by us shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision, and our failure to assert any right or provision under these terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. The Terms of Use, and any rights or obligations hereunder, are not assignable, transferable, or sublicensable by you except with Minno Kid’s prior written consent, but may be assigned or transferred by us without restriction. Any attempted assignment by you shall violate these Terms of Use and be void. The section titles in the Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. Additional Terms for Mobile Applications We may make available software to access the Minno Kids Content via a compatible mobile device (such software, a “Mobile App”). To use a Mobile App, you must have a mobile device that is compatible with such Mobile App. Any Mobile Apps shall be considered to be Minno Kids service for purposes of these Terms of Use. You agree that we may, from time to time, issue upgraded versions of Mobile Apps and may automatically electronically upgrade the version of the Mobile App that you are using on your mobile device. You consent to such automatic upgrading on your mobile device, and you understand and agree that the terms and conditions of these Terms of Use will apply to all such upgrades. Any third-party code that may be incorporated into a Mobile App is covered by the applicable open source or third-party license, if any, authorizing use of such code. If you acquire the Mobile App from the Apple App Store (such Mobile App, the “iOS App”). These Terms of Use are solely between you and Minno Kids, not Apple, Inc. (“Apple”), and Apple has no responsibility for the iOS App or content thereof. Your access to and use of the iOS App must comply with the usage rules set forth in Apple’s then-current Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions. You acknowledge that Apple has no obligation whatsoever to furnish any maintenance and support services with respect to the iOS App. In the event of any failure of the iOS App to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple will refund the purchase price (if any) for the iOS App to you; to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Apple will have no other warranty obligation whatsoever with respect to the iOS App, and any other claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses attributable to any failure to conform to any warranty will be governed solely by these Terms of Use and any law applicable to Minno Kids as the provider of the iOS App. Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims of you or any third party relating to the iOS App or your possession and/or use of the iOS App, including, but not limited to: (a) product liability claims; (b) any claim that the iOS App fails to conform to any applicable legal or regulatory requirement; and (c) claims arising under consumer protection or similar legislation. In the event of any third-party claim that the iOS App, or your possession and use of the iOS App, infringes that third party’s intellectual property rights, Minno Kids, not Apple, will be solely responsible for the investigation, defense, settlement, and discharge of any such intellectual property infringement claim, to the extent required by these Terms of Use. Apple and Apple’s subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms as they relate to the iOS App, and upon your acceptance of these Terms of Use, Apple will have the right (and will be deemed to have accepted the right) to enforce these Terms of Use as they relate to the iOS App against you as a third-party beneficiary thereof. If you acquire the Mobile App from the Google Play Store (such Mobile App, the “Android App”): (a) these Terms are between you and Minno Kids only, and not Google LLC or any affiliate thereof (collectively, “Google”); (b) your access to and use of the Android App must comply with Google’s then-current Google Play Terms of Service; (c) Google is only a provider of the Google Play Store where you obtained the Android App; (d) Minno Kids, and not Google, is solely responsible for the Android App; (e) Google has no obligation or liability to you with respect to the Android App or these Terms; and (f) Google is a third-party beneficiary to these Terms as they relate to the Android App. --- ### [Privacy](https://gominno.com/privacy/) **Published:** March 24, 2026 **Author:** Iosua Pallo **Content:** # **Privacy Policy** Last Updated: December 22, 2025 Winsome Truth, Inc. (“**Minno Kids**,” “**we,**” “**our**,” or “**us**”) takes your privacy seriously. Please take a moment to review this Privacy Policy (“**Privacy Policy**”), which describes how Minno Kids collects, uses, and shares your personal information. Minno Kids provides a subscription video service offering a selection of streaming videos, games, and other content (collectively, “**Content**”) available on the gominno.com website (the “**Minno Kids Site**”), Minno Kids affiliate and distribution partner websites (“**Distribution Sites**”), and other websites where users may embed the Content (these websites, together with the Minno Kids Site and Distribution Sites, are referred to collectively as the “**Sites**”). Our video service, including the Content and our video player, the Minno Kids Site, and any other features, tools, applications, materials, or other services offered from time to time by Minno Kids in connection with its business on any of the apps and/or sites are referred to collectively as the “**Minno Kids Services**.” We are a company based in the United States. By visiting the Minno Kids Site (whether or not you are a registered subscriber) or using any of the Minno Kids Services on any of the apps and sites, you agree to the collection and use of your personal data as set forth in this Privacy Policy. If you do not want information about you to be used in the manner set forth in this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Minno Kids Services or access the Minno Kids Site. Minno Kids is intended for individuals ages 18 and over. We do not accept subscriptions from or provide access to the Minno Kids Services to children under the age of 18 unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please review our [Terms of Use]() for more details. What does this Privacy Policy cover? The Privacy Policy applies to your information when you visit our website or otherwise use the Minno Kids Services. We are based in the United States. The Minno Kids Services are controlled and operated by us from the United States and are not intended to subject us to the laws or jurisdiction of any state, country, or territory other than that of the United States. The Minno Kids Services may be linked to internet websites operated by other companies. Some of these websites may be co-branded with our name or logo, even though they are not operated or maintained by us. For example, users can use the Minno Kids Services on the Distribution Sites. Minno Kids is not responsible for the privacy practices of the Distribution Sites or other websites operated by third parties that are linked to any of the Sites. Once you have left the Minno Kids Site by clicking on a link, or if you are using the Minno Kids Services on another Site, you should check the privacy policy of the other website to determine how it handles any personally identifiable information they collect from you. What information do we collect? Minno Kids collects personal information when you use the Minno Kids Services. Minno Kids may combine information about you that we collect with information we obtain from business partners or other companies. In particular, we collect: - Registration information that you provide when you register for an account. We will ask for your name, email address, credit card information, and ZIP code. You may also provide your phone number. From time to time, we may also ask you optionally to provide other information, such as your age and/or the ages of those in your household. If you choose to provide such information, you are giving Minno Kids permission to use and store it consistent with this Policy. - Transaction information that you provide when you request information, contact us, or purchase, return, request or exchange a product or service from us, such as your address, telephone number and payment information. - Information that you provide in forums on our site and applications, such as your public posts. - Information sent either one-to-one or within a limited group using our message, chat, post or similar functionality - Information we obtain from a third party, such as a site or platform provider, about use of our products and services on third party platform or devices - Information that you are voluntarily submitting to us. In addition, we may collect the following technical information regarding your use and interaction with the Minno Kids Services, including by using the automated tracking technologies described further below in this Privacy Policy: - ***Services Metadata***: When a user interacts with the Minno Kids Services, metadata is generated that provides additional context about the way you interact with the Minno Kids Services. - ***Log Data***: Our servers may automatically collect information about a user’s visit to our Minno Kids Services, including IP addresses and associated information, visit history, browser type and settings, the date and time the Minno Kids Services were accessed and used, information about browser configuration and plugins, language preferences. - ***Device Information***: Your device “**fingerprint**” (e.g., hardware model, operating system and version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information) when you access Minno Kids Services. - ***Location Information***: We may receive information from you that helps approximate your location, such as using an IP address received from your browser to determine an approximate location. How does Minno Kids use personally identifiable information? We will only collect and process personally identifiable information about you where we have lawful bases. Lawful bases include consent (where you have given consent), contract (where processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you (e.g., to deliver the Services you have requested)), and our legitimate interests. Minno Kids’ may use this information: We also may obtain personally identifiable information from reputable third parties in order to further enhance your user experience with the Minno Kids Services. - To deliver and improve the Minno Kids service and your overall experience. - To determine what Content is available based on your country or location. - To personalize your experience and recommend Content that you may be interested in. - To protect, investigate and deter against fraudulent, unauthorized or illegal activity. - To develop, improve or expand our business, products and services. - To conduct internal reporting, auditing and research, including focus groups and surveys. - To compare and verify information for accuracy and update our records. - To email, message or otherwise contact you with information and updates about us and the Minno Kids service. - To respond to your comments and questions and provide customer service. - To send you information, including confirmations, invoice, technical notices, updates, security alerts and support administrative messages. - To analyze how you use the Minno Kids service and help us understand usage patterns with the Minno Kids service. - To combine information with other data we already have to improve your experience with the Minno Kids service or inform you of products and services we think may be of interest to you. - To create targeted advertising to promote the Minno Kids service or for other advertising purposes. - To customize the Content and advertising you view. - To provide anonymous reporting for internal and external clients. - In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization or similar transaction. - When required by law or to respond to legal process. - To protect our users, other individuals, and/or the rights or property of Minno Kids. - To maintain the security of the Minno Kids service. - At your direction or instruction, or for any other purpose with your consent. We also may obtain personally identifiable information from reputable third parties in order to further enhance your user experience with the Minno Kids Services. How do we share your information? In addition to the specific situations discussed elsewhere in this Privacy Policy, we may disclose Personal Information in the following circumstances: - ***Affiliates*:** We may share your information with our affiliates and/or subsidiaries. - ***Service Providers*:** We work with a wide range of third-party providers, notably our database administrators, cloud computing services, advertising services, data analysts, application service providers, bulk SMS services, advertising services and other non-governmental organizations. - ***Payment Processors*:** We work with payment processors to help process credit card transactions and other payment methods made through the Minno Kids Services. These payment processors will store certain information about you. Please refer to their privacy policies to learn more about how they use your Personal Information. Currently we use Stripe and Adyen and their privacy policies are available at: [ https://stripe.com/us/privacy](https://stripe.com/us/privacy?utm_source=Master%20-%20Email%20Subscribers%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Resources%20-%20Blog%20-%203%20Bible%20Stories%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Love%20(01KGJHR9B23FRWVDRZYNNGPS4P)) and [https://www.adyen.com/privacy-policy](https://www.adyen.com/privacy-policy?utm_source=Master%20-%20Email%20Subscribers%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Resources%20-%20Blog%20-%203%20Bible%20Stories%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Love%20(01KGJHR9B23FRWVDRZYNNGPS4P) "https://www.adyen.com/privacy-policy") or such other URL designated by Stripe or Adyen. - ***Compliance:*** We may share your information to support our audit, compliance and corporate governance functions. - ***Change of Control:*** We may share your information in connection with a change in ownership or control of all or part of our business (such as a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or bankruptcy). - ***Fraud and Security:*** We may share your information if we have a good-faith belief that access, use, preservation, or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to detect, protect against or investigate fraud or security issues. - ***Copyright Notice:*** If you submit a Notice of Copyright Infringement pursuant to the Terms of Use, we will send a copy to the person or entity who uploaded, stored, or transmitted the material addressed by the communication. - ***Legal Requirements:*** We may share your information if required or permitted by applicable law or regulation, including laws and regulations of the United States or other countries, or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to (a) comply with a legal obligation or in response to a request from law enforcement or other public authorities wherever Minno Kids may do business, (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Minno Kids, (c) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users, visitors, members and contractors/employees of Minno Kids or others, or (d) to enforce our Terms of Use or otherwise protect against any legal liability. - ***Other:*** We may share your information with your consent or at your direction. Automated Tracking Technologies We collect information through the use of “**cookies**,” web beacons/tracking pixels, log files, data analytics tools, and other third-party technologies to understand how you navigate through and interact with our Minno Kids Services. Please see our [Cookies Form](#) for more details. Log files track actions occurring on the Minno Kids Services and collect data including your IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps. Cookies are small bits of information placed on the hard drive of your computer. Cookies remember information about your activities on a website. For example, cookies can store your session for easy sign-in to a website you have previously visited. They enable us to make your visits to the Minno Kids Site more enjoyable. We may use different categories of cookies: Type of Cookies Description Managing Settings Essential cookies Required cookies enable you to navigate the Services and use their features, such as accessing secure areas of the Services and for the proper function of the website. If you have chosen to identify yourself to us, we use cookies containing encrypted information to allow us to uniquely identify you. These cookies allow us to uniquely identify you when you are logged into the Services and to process your online transactions and requests.​ Because essential cookies are required to operate the Services, there is no option to opt out of these cookies. Statistics cookies These cookies collect information about how you use our Services, including which pages you go to most often and if they receive error messages from certain pages. These cookies do not collect information that individually identify you. Information is only used to improve how the Services functions and performs. From time-to-time, we may engage third parties to track and analyze usage and volume statistical information relating to individuals who visit the Services. ​ Please see our [Cookies Form](#) or to learn how to opt out of performance cookies using your browser settings, [click here](). Type of Cookies: Essential cookies Description Required cookies enable you to navigate the Services and use their features, such as accessing secure areas of the Services and for the proper function of the website. If you have chosen to identify yourself to us, we use cookies containing encrypted information to allow us to uniquely identify you. These cookies allow us to uniquely identify you when you are logged into the Services and to process your online transactions and requests. Managing Settings Because essential cookies are required to operate the Services, there is no option to opt out of these cookies. Type of Cookies: Statistics cookies Description These cookies collect information about how you use our Services, including which pages you go to most often and if they receive error messages from certain pages. These cookies do not collect information that individually identify you. Information is only used to improve how the Services functions and performs. From time-to-time, we may engage third parties to track and analyze usage and volume statistical information relating to individuals who visit the Services. Managing Settings Please see our [Cookies Form](#) or to learn how to opt out of performance cookies using your browser settings, [click here]() Do you collect de-identified and/or aggregated data, and what do you do with it? De-identified data is information (originally personally identifiable or non-personally identifiable) that subsequently is de-identified and may be used in aggregate form. We may use de-identified data for purposes of internal research or analysis. We may conduct research on our customer demographics, internet usage, and interests, and behavior based on the personal data we gather. Do I have a choice in how Minno Kids uses my personal information? This Privacy Policy is our primary disclosure to you of when and how your information may be used. At times, however, we may choose or be required by law to provide you with additional notice. All users may request to review, update, correct or delete the Personal Information furnished by a user in their user account by contacting Minno Kids at . You may set your communication preferences through your Account page. For example, if you wish to receive additional communications relevant to you, such as alert messages about your favorite Content, you will need to elect to receive them. Therefore, please take that opportunity to review and select your preferences carefully. You can also opt-out of marketing emails by following the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Whether you opt-in or opt-out of receiving communications from Minno Kids, we reserve the right to send you administrative messages, service announcements, and other similar communications without offering you the opportunity to opt-out of receiving them. This is important in case we need to communicate with you about items such as your account, website maintenance, and other non-promotional matters. Is the personal information collected about me secure? We use reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural measures to safeguard personally identifiable information in our possession against loss, theft, and unauthorized use, disclosure, or modification. For example, passwords and other sensitive information are encrypted in transit. However, these measures do not guarantee that your information will not be accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed by breach of such firewalls and secure server software. By using the Minno Kids service, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to assume these risks. Data Retention We will retain your Personal Information while your account is in existence and as needed to provide and maintain the Services. Children’s Privacy We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without consent of the child’s parent or guardian. If you create a sub-account for a member of your household that is a child, we should only receive information about the child from the parent or legal guardian with all necessary consent, permissions, involvement and supervision. For more information, please review our [Terms of Use](). What happens when Minno Kids changes its Privacy Policy? From time to time, Minno Kids may revise this Privacy Policy in its sole discretion. Any revisions will be effective upon posting the new Privacy Policy on the Minno Kids Site at [https://www.gominno.com/privacy](). Therefore, it is important to check the effective date of the Privacy Policy posted at this location each time you visit the Minno Kids Site or use any of the Minno Kids Services to ensure you are familiar with the most updated policies and practices. If you do not agree with any changes to the Privacy Policy, you must leave the Minno Kids Site and discontinue any use of the Minno Kids Services. Any visit to the Minno Kids Site or use of the Minno Kids Services on any of the Sites by you after the new Privacy Policy is posted will indicate your agreement to the new Policy. How We Respond to Do Not Track Signals Your browser settings may allow you to automatically transmit a Do Not Track signal to websites and other online services you visit. We will try to adjust our practices accordingly when we receive a Do Not Track signal from a visitor’s browser because we do not track our visitors to provide targeted advertising. To find out more about Do Not Track, please visit . Notice to Nevada Residents If you are a resident of Nevada, you have the right to opt-out of the sale of certain Personal Information to third parties who intend to license or sell that Personal Information. Please note that we do not currently sell your Personal Information as sales are defined in Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 603A. Notice to California Residents If you are a California resident, California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits you to request information regarding the disclosure of your personal information by us to third parties for the third parties’ direct marketing purposes. California Business and Professions Code Section 22581 permits registered users who are minors to request and obtain deletion of certain posted Content. To make such a request, please contact us using the Legal Department contact information provided below. Notice to California and other U.S. Residents Some U.S. state privacy laws require specific disclosures. Please see below for additional information about the categories of personal information that we collect and how we use and disclose that information. You can read more about the personal information we collect and where we collect it from in the “What information do we collect” section above, how we use personal information in the “How does Minno Kids use personally identifiable information?” section above, and how we retain personal data in the “Data Retention” section above. - We collect the following categories of information: identifiers, characteristics of protected classifications and demographic information, commercial information, Internet or other electronic network activity information, geolocation data, audio, electronic, visual or similar information, and inferences drawn from the above. - The sources of personal information from whom we collected are: directly from our users, third-party sites or platforms that you link with your registration account, analytics tools, social networks, advertising networks, and third-party services that update or supplement information we hold about you. - The business and commercial purpose of collecting personal information are as summarized in our “How does Minno Kids use personally identifiable information?” section. - We disclosed certain data elements within the following categories of personal information for a business purpose: identifiers, characteristics of protected classifications and demographic information, commercial information, Internet or other electronic network activity information, geolocation data, audio, electronic, visual or similar information, and inferences drawn from the above. We disclosed each category to business partners, service providers, government entities, and other third parties as described in the “How do we share your information” section. Depending on where you live and subject to applicable exceptions, you may have the following privacy rights in relation to your personal information: - The right to know information about our processing of your personal information, including the right to access your personal information, often in a portable format; - The right to request deletion of your personal information; - The right to correct your personal information; and - The right to be free from discrimination relating to the exercise of any of your privacy rights. We do not “sell” personal information or “share” personal information for cross-contextual behavioral advertising, and we do not process Personal Data for “targeted advertising” purposes (as those terms are defined under state privacy laws). We also do not process sensitive Personal Data for the purposes of inferring protected characteristics about a consumer. Exercising Your Rights. You can exercise privacy rights described in this section by submitting a request by email, mail or phone: Attention: Legal Department Winsome Truth, Inc. 818 18th Avenue S., 10th Floor Nashville, TN 37203 Tel: 615-463-5039 Fax: (615) 297-5020 Email: Verification. In order to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, change, or deletion, we may require you to verify your credentials before you can submit a request to know, correct, or delete personal information. If you do not have an account with us, or if we suspect fraudulent or malicious activity, we may ask you to provide additional personal information for verification. If we cannot verify your identity, we will not be able to honor your request. Authorized Agents. You may also submit a rights request through an authorized agent. If you do so, the agent must present signed written permission to act on your behalf and you may also be required to independently verify your identity with us. Authorized agent requests can be submitted to . Appeals. Depending on where you live, you may have the right to appeal a decision we make relating to requests to exercise your rights. To appeal a decision, please send your request to . Notice to European Residents We may process personal information under the following conditions: - Consent: You have given your consent for processing personal information for one or more specific purposes. - Performance of a contract: Provision of personal information is necessary for the performance of an agreement with you and/or for any pre-contractual obligations thereof. - Legal obligations: Processing personal information is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which Minno Kids is subject. - Vital interests: Processing personal information is necessary in order to protect your vital interests or of another natural person. - Public interests: Processing personal information is related to a task that is carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in Minno Kids. - Legitimate interests: Processing personal information is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by Minno Kids. The laws of certain jurisdictions may provide data subjects with various rights in connection with the processing of personal information, including: - The right to withdraw any previously provided consent; - The right to access certain information about you that we process; - The right to have us correct or update any personal information; - The right to have certain personal information erased; - The right to have us temporarily block our processing of certain personal information; - The right to have personal information exported into common machine-readable format - The right to object to our processing of personal information in cases of direct marketing, or when we rely on legitimate interests as our lawful basis to process your information; and - The right to lodge a complaint with the appropriate data protection authority. Where we are deemed a data controller under the laws of certain jurisdictions, we will take steps to help ensure that you are able to exercise your rights regarding personal information about you in accordance with applicable law. To do so, you may contact us at . Please note these rights may be limited in certain circumstances as provided by applicable law. We will promptly review all such requests in accordance with applicable laws. Depending on where you live, you may also have a right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority or other regulatory agency if you believe that we have violated any of the rights concerning personal information about you. We encourage you to first reach out to us at, so we have an opportunity to address your concerns directly before you do so. SMS Communications This section explains how we collect and use your phone number for SMS communications in accordance with applicable privacy laws and best practices. Collection of Phone Numbers When you provide us with your phone number, either through creating an account, completing a purchase, or subscribing to our services, you can consent to receive SMS communications from us. These messages may be related to physical product purchases, streaming service subscriptions, and other service-related communications. Types of SMS Communications As part of our services, we may contact you via SMS for the following purposes: - Abandoned Cart Reminders: If you abandon a shopping cart or subscription sign-up, we may send you SMS reminders to encourage you to complete your transaction. - Order and Subscription Updates: We may send you SMS confirmations, shipping updates, and subscription-related notifications (such as start, renewal, or cancellation). - Promotions and Offers: We may send you promotional SMS messages about new products, special offers, discounts, and updates to our subscription service. - Security and Account Notifications: We may send you SMS alerts regarding account activity, such as password changes, suspicious activity, or important updates related to your account or subscription. - Service and Subscription Reminders: We may send you SMS notifications regarding the status of your subscription, renewals, cancellations, or changes to your service. - Feedback Requests and Surveys: We may occasionally ask for your feedback via SMS to improve our products and services. Opting Out of SMS Communications You have the right to opt out of receiving SMS communications at any time. To opt out of promotional SMS messages, you may reply with “STOP” to any SMS message you receive from us and we will send you a text message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed from SMS messages. For other types of transactional or service-related messages, you may also contact our customer support team at to request to stop receiving these notifications. --- ### [Guillermo & Will](https://gominno.com/g-and-w/) **Published:** March 26, 2026 **Author:** Iosua Pallo **Content:** ![Minno Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14220719/minno-logo-1.png "minno-logo-1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/24084209/guillermo-and-will-logo-original-1024x378.png "guillermo-and-will-logo-original - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Explore God’s world - in Spanish and English! [START 7-DAY TRIAL! ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account?utm_source=Master%20-%20Email%20Subscribers%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Resources%20-%20Blog%20-%203%20Bible%20Stories%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Love%20(01KGJHR9B23FRWVDRZYNNGPS4P)) # Exploring God's World ## ¡Juntos! Together! God’s world and His love come to life—in Spanish and in English—with Guillermo & Will, two little worms who are the best of buddies. Join the adventures as these two friends in this dual-language puppet show! ![Roku](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080756/Image-112x.png "Image 112x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Fire TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080822/Image-122x.png "Image 122x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Chrome Cast](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080844/Image-132x.png "Image 132x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Apple TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080903/Mask-Group-32x.png "Mask Group 32x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/24114446/samsunbg-logo-white-1024x272.png "samsunbg-logo-white - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/24084431/lg-logo-white-1024x555.png "lg-logo-white - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/01165422/apple-store-logo-2.png "apple-store-logo - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/01165152/amazon-store-logo.png "amazon-store-logo - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/01165214/google-store-logo-1-1024x304.png "google-store-logo - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/25112202/icon-quote.png "icon-quote - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Minno is a blessing. My 3 year old is soaking up God’s love like a sponge. Jaclyn, Minno mom GOOD NEWS FROM MINNO! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/26173208/GW-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-1024x614.png "GW PLAY PACK SPREAD - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Get More Guillermo & Will! Pair your on-screen experience with off-screen fun! With this FREE craft pack, kids can watch and play along with their favorite worm friends! [DOWNLOAD ](https://gominno.com/g-and-w/activity-pack?utm_source=Master%20-%20Email%20Subscribers%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Resources%20-%20Blog%20-%203%20Bible%20Stories%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Love%20(01KGJHR9B23FRWVDRZYNNGPS4P)) The Importance of Dual-Language Learning for Preschoolers Let’s take a look at what research tells us about the benefits of bilingualism as well as the compelling reasons for starting your child’s language learning journey at an early age. [READ ON ](https://gominno.com/blog/the-importance-of-dual-language-learning-for-preschoolers/?utm_source=Master%20-%20Email%20Subscribers%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Resources%20-%20Blog%20-%203%20Bible%20Stories%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Love%20(01KGJHR9B23FRWVDRZYNNGPS4P)) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/24102715/guillermo-and-will-best-pals-photo-scaled-e1758709787325-1024x919.png "guillermo-and-will-best-pals-photo - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") More faith-filled stories for kids! Experience hundreds of hours of kids content vetted by theologians and child education experts! Here are some of our favorite shows in Spanish! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/26200924/LaughAndGrowBible_Spanish_CoverArt_3840x2160-1024x576.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_Spanish_CoverArt_3840x2160 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/26201004/YoungDavidSpanish_CoverArt_3840x2160-1024x576.jpg "YoungDavidSpanish_CoverArt_3840x2160 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/26201052/Labuntina_CoverArt_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg "Labuntina_CoverArt_1920x1080 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## BROWSE ALL SHOWS ](https://gominno.com/shows?utm_source=Master%20-%20Email%20Subscribers%20-%20Evergreen&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Resources%20-%20Blog%20-%203%20Bible%20Stories%20to%20Teach%20Your%20Kids%20About%20Love%20(01KGJHR9B23FRWVDRZYNNGPS4P)) --- ### [Statement of Faith](https://gominno.com/statement-of-faith/) **Published:** October 31, 2025 **Author:** tech **Content:** # Statement of Faith ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/27131113/about-white-mask.png "about-white-mask - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/18123451/mobile-illustration-welcome.png "mobile-illustration-welcome - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20101109/hero-no-bg-2400px-scaled.png "hero-no-bg-2400px - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/21093646/faith-welcome-image-mobile.png "faith-welcome-image-mobile - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/10143721/baloon.png "baloon - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/10144027/crock.png "crock - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## We Believe... There is one God, existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). The Bible is the true and inspired Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God made us in His image (Genesis 1:26). God made us for relationship with Him because He loves us deeply (Jeremiah 31:3). Sin broke our relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2). Because of His love, God had a plan to restore our broken relationship with Him (Romans 5:8). He sent Jesus, who is the only Son of God (John 1:14). Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23). Jesus dwelled on earth as fully human (Galatians 4:4) and fully God (Colossians 2:9). Jesus died on the cross for our sins (Romans 3:24–26). Jesus rose again, defeating death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Because of Jesus, God offers forgiveness for everyone who believes in Him (1 John 1:9). When Jesus returned to heaven He left us a gift, the Holy Spirit, who is our Helper (John 14:26). Someday, Jesus will come again (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). God will dwell with us in a new heaven and new earth, making all things new (Revelation 21). ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20101153/church-2400px-scaled.png) ### “Menō” Minno is named after the Greek word menō (to abide), **“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. – John 15:4 NKJV”** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20101508/Max_bubles.png "Max_bubles - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/31131139/faith-blue-top-separator.png "faith-blue-top-separator - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Explore Our Shows Stream thousands of hours of kids Christian content including… ![GeneralVeggieTales_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/02141926/GeneralVeggieTales_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![JungleBeat_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085901/JungleBeat_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.png) ![GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085903/GodsGreenhouseBibleSongs_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085908/BiblemanTheAnimatedAdventures_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![Numberblocks_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085914/Numberblocks_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085911/LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![DeadSeaSquirrels_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/29152111/DeadSeaSquirrels_SeriesThumbnail-1024x594.png) ![YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/01085850/YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/03100428/faith-explore-illustration.png "faith-explore-illustration - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [ Browse All Shows ](https://gominno.com/shows/?filter_by_age=popular) ## Get Updates from Minno! Bring more faith and fun to kids every day with tips, activities, and show updates! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/27145253/about-mask-white-top.png "about-mask-white-top - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") --- ### [About](https://gominno.com/about/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** Where God’s goodness comes to life in stories kids love. ## What is Minno? Minno is the leading voice around the globe for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. We connect families through media that creates shared faith experiences, supporting parents and grownups, and paving the way for enduring spiritual growth in children. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/07224236/Minno-collection-2.png "Minno collection") ## Our Mission Minno uses the power of media to invite kids into God’s Story and help them experience Jesus everyday, in every way — on and off screens. Select Columns Layout ## Our Work ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03211238/MW_Character-Badge4.png "MW_Character Badge4") ## Kids First! At every touchpoint, we demonstrate our expertise with kids. Because we understand our audience, we can create content that is genuinely exciting, inspiring, engaging, and age-appropriate — content that kids care about. Minno partners with experts in media, child development, education, and theology to make sure we get it right! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/21052720/shows-minno-1.png "shows-minno") ## Committed to Excellence Every single show on Minno goes through a rigorous 50+ point checkpoint system to ensure that it meets our high standards. Christian kids deserve excellence, and Minno delivers! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03211405/MW_Vehicle_balloon-1.png "MW_Vehicle_balloon 1") ## Leading the Way Only Minno creates best-in-class Christian kids content through fun original shows that nurture faith formation! Minno’s signature originals immerse kids in stories they love with characters they can relate to. Produced in partnership with top industry talent, our original shows incorporate Minno’s Education and Faith Formation Guidelines which are grounded in current research and industry best practices. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03211932/MW_Kids_Group1_gr.png "MW_Kids_Group1_gr") ## Faith First, Worry-Free At Minno, you can hit play and feel okay! Minno is a safe, faith-first destination where grownups can exhale, trusting that kids are spending time with content that supports Christian values. Minno wants kids to be safe, happy, healthy, and to grow and experience all God has for them. And we’re here to help! ## The #1 Christian App for Kids! Become a Minno member today! Join thousands of families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Select Columns LayoutSelect Columns LayoutSelect Columns LayoutInsert Image --- ### [Terms of Use](https://gominno.com/toc/) **Published:** November 3, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** # **Minno Kids Terms of Use** **Last Updated: January 6, 2021** **Overview** Welcome to Minno Kids, which is provided by Winsome Truth, Inc., or one of its affiliated companies (“**Company**,” “**we**,” “**us**,” or “**our**”). Minno Kids is a streaming video subscription service where we provide our subscribers with access to stream movies, videos, songs, and TV shows over the Internet. Minno Kids, including without limitation all features and functionalities, instant streaming, our website, user interfaces, and all content and software associated therewith, is referred to herein as the “**Minno Kids service**” or “**service**.” The following outlines our detailed terms and conditions. You should read and understand them as they govern your use of our service. These Terms of Use provide that BINDING ARBITRATION will resolve all disputes between you and Minno Kids. YOU AGREE TO GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO GO TO COURT to assert or defend your rights under this Agreement (except for matters that may be taken to small claims court). Your rights will be determined by a NEUTRAL ARBITRATOR and NOT a judge or jury, and your claims cannot be brought as a class action. Please review the Arbitration Agreement section below for your Agreement’s details to arbitrate any disputes with Minno Kids. These Terms of Use further provide for AUTOMATICALLY RENEWING SUBSCRIPTIONS. Whether after an initial free trial period or at the beginning of your access to the service, we may bill you for an automatically renewing subscription term for your use and access or the service or part thereof. Please review the following sections below for further details: ***Subscriptions***, ***Billing***, ***Ongoing Membership***, and ***Cancellation***. These Terms of Use are also a resource for you to get a deeper understanding of how our service works, including the way we bill, how we interact with you, and other details about our service. We encourage you to revisit these Terms of Use when you have a question about the service or want to know how something works. **Acceptance of Terms of Use** These Terms of Use govern your use and access to the Minno Kids service. By using, visiting, or browsing the Minno Kids service, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these Terms of Use, you should not use the Minno Kids service, including our website and user interfaces. We may immediately terminate this Agreement with you and your access to the services if we determine, in our sole discretion, that you have failed to comply with any provision of these Terms of Use. **Changes to Terms of Use** Minno Kids reserves the right, from time to time, with or without notice to you, to change these Terms of Use at our sole and absolute discretion. The most current version of these Terms of Use can be reviewed by visiting our website and clicking on “***Terms of Use***” located at the bottom of the pages of the Minno Kids website. The most current version of the Terms of Use will supersede all previous versions. **If these Terms of Use have been updated since you last accessed or used the service, you acknowledge and agree that your continued access or use of the service constitutes your acceptance of the changed Terms of Use.** **Privacy and Electronic Communications** Any personally identifying information submitted through the Minno Kids service is subject to our Privacy Policy, the terms of which are incorporated herein. Please review our [Privacy Policy](https://www.gominno.com/privacy) to understand our practices. The date of any changes to our Privacy Policy will be noted within the policy. By using our service, you consent to the collection and use of your data as outlined in our Privacy Policy. You further agree to receive certain communications from us. For example, Minno Kids may send you newsletters about new Minno Kids features, special offers, promotional announcements, and customer surveys via e-mail or other methods. By using the Minno Kids service, you consent to receiving electronic communications from Minno Kids. These communications will include notices about your account (e.g., change in password or Payment Method, confirmation e-mails, and other transactional information) and information concerning or related to our service. These communications are part of your relationship with Minno Kids, and you receive them as part of the Minno Kids membership. You agree that any notice, agreements, disclosure or other communications that we send to you electronically will satisfy any legal communication requirements, including that such communications be in writing. You may opt-out of some communications upon request where not required for the function of the service. **Subscriptions** You can find the specific details regarding your membership with Minno Kids at any time by visiting our website and clicking on the “***My Account***“ link. We may offer several membership plans, including special promotional plans or memberships with different limitations. Some of these promotional memberships are offered by third parties in conjunction with the provision of their own products and services. We are not responsible for the products and services provided by such third parties. We reserve the right to modify, terminate, or otherwise amend our offered membership plans, including any membership fees and other associated fees. Unless otherwise stated differently, month or monthly refers to a billing cycle (See “***Billing***” below). **You acknowledge and agree that your current membership plan will automatically renew until you cancel it.** **Billing** By starting your Minno Kids membership, you expressly agree that we are authorized to charge you a periodic membership fee at the then-current rate and any other charges you may incur in connection with your use of the Minno Kids service to the Payment Method you provided during registration (or to a different Payment Method if you change your account information). Please note that prices and charges are subject to change without prior notice. As used in these Terms of Use, “**billing**” shall indicate either a charge or debit, as applicable, against your Payment Method. The membership fee will be billed at the beginning of the paying portion of your membership or after the stated free trial period and each period thereafter unless and until you cancel your membership. **We automatically bill your Payment Method each period on the calendar day corresponding to your paying membership’s commencement.** Membership charges are fully earned upon payment. In the event your paying membership began on a day not contained in a given month, we bill your Payment Method on the last day of such month. You acknowledge that the amount billed each period may vary for reasons that may include differing amounts due to promotional offers and/or changing or adding a plan. You authorize us to charge your Payment Method for such varying amounts, which may be billed periodically in one or more charges. For certain Payment Methods, your payment method’s issuer may charge you a foreign transaction fee or related charges. Check with your bank and credit card issuers for details. If you are eligible and have signed up for a free trial, your Payment Method will be authorized for up to approximately one week of service during free trials; however, no charges will be made against the Payment Method unless you do not cancel before the end of your free trial period. We may also periodically authorize your card in anticipation of membership or related charges. Membership fees and charges are fully earned upon payment. At any time, and for any reason, we MAY provide a refund, discount, or other consideration to some or all of our members (“**credits**”). The amount and form of such credits and the decision to provide them are at our sole and absolute discretion. The provision of credits in one instance does not entitle you to credits in the future for similar instances, nor does it obligate us to provide credits in the future under any circumstance. We may change the fees and charges in effect or add new fees and charges from time to time, but we will give you advance notice of these changes by e-mail. If you want to use a different Payment Method or if there is a change in Payment Methods, such as your credit card validity or expiration date, you may edit your Payment Method information by visiting our website and clicking on the “***My Account***“ link, available at the top of the pages of the Minno Kids website. Changing your Payment Method via the “***My Account***” link will not change your payment method for any in-app purchases or purchases made through third-party app stores; you will need to change your payment method directly with the Application (defined below). If your Payment Method reaches its expiration date and you do not edit your Payment Method information, your subscription will be terminated. **Ongoing Membership** A Minno Kids membership will automatically renew unless you cancel your membership or we terminate it. You must cancel your membership before it renews each period to avoid billing the next period’s membership fees to your Payment Method. We will bill the membership fee to the Payment Method you provide to us during registration (or to a different Payment Method if you change your account information). Membership fees are fully earned upon payment. **Cancellation** You may cancel your Minno Kids membership at any time. Subscriptions based on the payment provider PayPal will be canceled immediately. In contrast, subscriptions based on credit/debit cards and/or ACH bank draft will be canceled at the end of the current billing period. WE DO NOT PROVIDE REFUNDS OR CREDITS FOR ANY UNWATCHED MOVIES OR TV SHOWS. To cancel, visit our website and click on “***Cancel Membership***” on the “***My Account***” page and follow the instructions for cancellation under the heading “***Cancel Membership***.” If you have purchased in-app purchases or other purchases via third-party app stores, your access to these purchases shall also terminate when you cancel your membership. **Availability** The availability of movies, videos, songs, and TV shows to instantly watch will change from time to time and from country to country. The quality of the display of the streaming movies, videos, songs, and TV shows may vary from computer to computer and device to device. It may be affected by various factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or your Internet connection speed. Minno Kids streams a little bit of data as a buffer each time you start a movie or TV show. Frequently starting and stopping movies, videos, songs, and TV shows may result in an increase in the amount of data Minno Kids streams to you per hour. You are responsible for all Internet access charges. Please check with your Internet service provider for information on possible Internet data usage charges. Minno Kids makes no representations or warranties about the quality of your instant watching experience on your display. **Content Load Time** The time it takes to begin watching a video instantly may vary based on a number of factors, including your location, available bandwidth at the time, the movies, videos, songs, or TV shows you have selected, and the configuration of your Minno Kids ready device. For example, high-speed action scenes or special effects at the opening of a movie or TV show may slightly delay its start time. In addition, you must be connected to the Internet throughout the watch instantly experience. **Offline Content** In our sole discretion, we may make some Minno Kids content available for temporary download and offline viewing on certain supported devices (“**Offline Content**”). Limitations will apply to Offline Content, such as restrictions on the number of Offline Content per account, the maximum number of devices that can contain Offline Content, and the time period within which you will need to begin viewing Offline Content how long the Offline Content will remain accessible. Some Offline Content may not be playable in certain countries, and if you go online in a country where you would not be able to stream certain Offline Content, then the Offline Content will not be playable while you are in that country. **Device Requirements and Limitations** To enjoy watching instantly via your supported device(s), your equipment must satisfy certain system requirements. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO INSTANTLY WATCH ON AS MANY AS SIX (6) SUCH DEVICES AT ANY GIVEN TIME. The number of devices and concurrent streams may change without notice to you. **Geographic Limitation** You may instantly watch a movie, video, or TV show through the Minno Kids service only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such movie, video, or TV show. The content that may be available to watch will vary by geographic location. Minno Kids will use geolocation technologies to verify your geographic location. **Minno Kids Streaming Software** We do not warrant that any of the software used and or licensed in connection with our service will be compatible with other third-party software, nor do we warrant that operation of our service and the associated software will not damage or disrupt other software or hardware. You may not copy or reproduce the software, nor may you decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, modify or create derivative works of any of the software or any portion thereof. Any unauthorized use of the software is strictly prohibited, and Minno Kids reserves the right to not provide the software (including updates) to you at any time and to discontinue the ability to access the Minno Kids service through such software at any time, without prior or any notice. In addition, Minno Kids ready devices are manufactured and sold by entities other than Minno Kids. A Minno Kids ready device is any electronics equipment that is authorized to decode and capable of decoding movies, videos, songs, and TV shows transmitted over the Internet by Minno Kids. These devices may include mobile devices, standalone set-top boxes, Internet-connected Blu-ray DVD players, Internet-connected HDTVs, and game consoles. AS SUCH, WE DO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OR OTHERWISE WARRANT THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE DEVICES, INCLUDING THE CONTINUING COMPATIBILITY OF THE DEVICE WITH OUR SERVICE. By using our service, you agree to look solely to the entity that manufactured and/or sold you the device for any issues related to the device and its compatibility with the Minno Kids service. Any issues related to our service, including any system requirements, are covered and limited by these Terms of Use. Please refer to the Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations of Liability outlined in these Terms of Use. Furthermore, Minno Kids reserves the right to discontinue service and or support of a software application and will not be responsible for refunding payment if another software application is available to stream Minno Kids content. We also reserve the right to make available new software applications and will not be responsible for refunding payment because of the software application not being previously available. In response to content providers’ requests, or due to technical limitations or any reason in our sole and absolute discretion, and without prior notice to you, some or all videos may cease to be available for watching instantly. **Mobile Networks** When you access Minno Kids through a mobile network, your roaming or network provider’s messaging, data, and other rates and fees may apply. Downloading, using, or installing certain Minno Kids services may be prohibited or restricted by your network provider. Not all Minno Kids services may work with your device or your network provider. **Passwords** The member who created the Minno Kids account and whose Payment Method is charged is referred to here as the Account Owner. The Account Owner has access and control over the Minno Kids account. The Account Owner’s control is exercised through the use of the Account Owner’s password. Therefore, to maintain exclusive control, the Account Owner should not reveal the password to anyone. In addition, if the Account Owner wishes to prohibit others from contacting Minno Kids Customer Service and potentially altering the Account Owner’s control, the Account Owner should not reveal the Payment Method details (e.g., last four digits of their credit or debit card, or their e-mail address if they use PayPal) associated with their account. BY SHARING THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE PASSWORD, THE ACCOUNT OWNER AGREES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSURING THAT HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF USE AND SUCH ACCOUNT OWNER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS. Any household members are under age 18 are not allowed to access the Minno Kids service unless they have the consent, involvement, supervision, and permission of a parent or legal guardian who is the age of majority or older. Account Owner is and shall be solely responsible for any access, whether through sub-accounts or other activities that occur under or in connection with their account, and shall release Company from and indemnify and hold harmless Company against any and all associated liability. **Third-Party Applications** You may encounter third-party applications (including, without limitation, websites, widgets, software, or other software utilities) (“**Application(s)**”) that interact with the Minno Kids service. These Applications may import data related to your Minno Kids account and activity and otherwise gather data from you. These Applications are provided solely as a convenience to you, and Minno Kids is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of such Applications. SUCH APPLICATIONS ARE OWNED OR OPERATED BY THIRD PARTIES THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO, ASSOCIATED WITH, OR SPONSORED BY MINNO KIDS AND MAY NOT BE AUTHORIZED FOR USE WITH OUR SERVICE IN ALL COUNTRIES. Some of these Applications may even use Minno Kids trademarks. Unless otherwise noted by Minno Kids on the Minno Kids website, Minno Kids is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of such Applications. You will need to make your own independent judgment regarding your interaction with these Applications. If you choose, at your sole and absolute discretion and risk, to use an Application, such Application may interact with, connect to or gather and/or pull information from and to your Minno Kids account. By using such Applications, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (i) if you use an Application to share information relating to your Minno Kids account, you are consenting to the information about your account being shared; (ii) your use of an Application may cause personally-identifying information to be publicly disclosed and/or associated with you, even if Minno Kids has not provided such information; and (iii) your USE OF AN APPLICATION IS AT YOUR OWN OPTION AND RISK, and you will hold Minno Kids harmless for the sharing of information relating to your Minno Kids account that results from your use of an Application. You must read all log-in boxes and other pop-up boxes closely for notices about sharing your Minno Kids account information with, through, or by any other means identified on an Application. In addition, the Application’s end user license agreement, terms of use, and/or any other documentation or materials designated by the Application will govern your use of that Application. It is possible that you may be able to revoke an Application’s access to your Minno Kids account at any time, but information shared before revocation may continue to be viewable within, or otherwise continue to be used by, the Application depending on the policies of such Application. If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or claims about the Applications, you should contact the support or contact personnel of the Application and not Minno Kids, unless otherwise indicated by Minno Kids. MINNO KIDS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF APPLICATIONS. **Account Access; Identity Protection** In order to provide you with ease of access to your account and to help administer the Minno Kids service, Minno Kids implements technology that enables us to recognize you as the account holder and provide you with direct access to your account without requiring you to retype any password or other user identification when you revisit the Minno Kids service. You are responsible for updating and maintaining the truth and accuracy of the information you provide to us relating to your account. You are also responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and password and for restricting access to your Minno Kids ready device. If you disclose your password to anyone or share your account and/or devices with other people, you take full responsibility for their actions. Where possible, users of public or shared devices should log out at the completion of each visit. If you sell or return a Minno Kids ready device, you should logout and/or deactivate the device before doing so. Similarly, if your Minno Kids ready device is lost or stolen, please deactivate the Minno Kids ready device. If you fail to log out or deactivate your device, subsequent users may access the Minno Kids service through your account and may be able to access certain of your account information. If you find that you’re a victim of identity theft and it involves a Minno Kids account, you should notify our Customer Service. Then, you should report this instance to all your card issuers, as well as your local law enforcement agency. You should also be mindful of any communication requesting that you submit credit card or other account information. Providing your information in response to these types of communications can result in identity theft. Always access your sensitive account information by going directly to the Minno Kids website and not through a hyperlink in an e-mail or any other electronic communication, even if it looks official. Minno Kids reserves the right to place any account on hold anytime with or without notification to the member in order to protect itself and its partners from what it believes to be fraudulent activity. Minno Kids is not obligated to credit or discount a membership for holds placed on the account by either a representative of Minno Kids or by the automated processes of Minno Kids. **Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations on Liability** THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING OUR WEBSITE AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENT AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, OR ANY OTHER FEATURES OR FUNCTIONALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. WE AND OUR LICENSORS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, OUR WEBSITE AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENT AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH. MINNO KIDS DOES NOT GUARANTEE, REPRESENT, OR WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, AND YOU AGREE THAT MINNO KIDS MAY ELIMINATE OR OTHERWISE MODIFY ANY OR ALL ASPECTS OF THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING FEATURES, WITHOUT COMPENSATION OR NOTICE TO YOU. MINNO KIDS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR THE USE OF APPLICATIONS, MINNO KIDS READY DEVICES, AND MINNO KIDS SOFTWARE (INCLUDING THEIR CONTINUING COMPATIBILITY WITH OUR SERVICE). Without limiting the foregoing, we and our licensors assume no liability or responsibility for any of the following: (i) errors or omissions in the content delivered by the Minno Kids service or on the Minno Kids website or user interfaces; (ii) recommendations or advice of Customer Service; (iii) any failure or interruption in the availability of the Minno Kids service and/or website or user interfaces, (iv) delivery and or display of any content contained on the Minno Kids website, user interfaces, or otherwise through the Minno Kids service; and (vii) any losses or damages arising from the use of the content provided on the Minno Kids website, user interfaces, or otherwise through the Minno Kids service itself, including any losses or damages arising from downloading of related software, downloading and/or use of any other software, including the remote desktop tool offered by Customer Service, optical media discs or any conduct by users of the Minno Kids service, website or user interfaces. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWABLE BY LAW, WE AND OUR LICENSORS DISCLAIM ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. In addition, we do not represent or warrant that the information accessible via our site is accurate, complete, or current. We do not make any representations with respect to the content contained on movies and TV shows from the Minno Kids service or the descriptions of any movie or TV show content contained on our website and user interfaces. We do not represent or guarantee that your use of the Minno Kids service will be free from interruption, loss, corruption, attack, viruses, interference, hacking, or other security intrusions, and we disclaim any liability with respect thereto. No oral or written information or advice given by us or our authorized representative shall create a warranty or otherwise constitute a representation binding upon Minno Kids or its affiliated parties. IN NO EVENT SHALL MINNO KIDS, OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE (JOINTLY OR SEVERALLY) TO YOU FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS, WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, OUR WEBSITE, AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENTS AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, OR OTHERWISE RELATED TO THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING ANY OPTICAL MEDIA DISCS, FEATURES OR FUNCTIONALITIES ASSOCIATED THEREWITH. IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES FOR LOSSES ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE MINNO KIDS SERVICE, INCLUDING OUR WEBSITE AND USER INTERFACES, AND ALL CONTENT AND SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH (OTHER THAN AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW IN CASES INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY) EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF ONE PERIOD’S MEMBERSHIP FEE ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLAN. THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS WILL APPLY EVEN IF THE ABOVE STATED REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. IF ANY APPLICABLE AUTHORITY HOLDS ANY PORTION OF THIS SECTION OR OTHER SECTIONS OF THESE TERMS OF USE, INCLUDING ANY PORTION OF THE PRIVACY POLICY, TO BE UNENFORCEABLE, THEN THOSE PORTIONS DEEMED UNENFORCEABLE SHALL BE SEVERED AND THE TERMS OF USE SHALL BE ENFORCED ABSENT THOSE PROVISIONS AND ANY LIABILITY WILL BE LIMITED TO THE FULLEST POSSIBLE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. MINNO KIDS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES CONCERNING MINNO KIDS READY DEVICES OR THE COMPATIBILITY OF THE DEVICE WITH OUR SERVICE. Additional disclaimers or limitations of liability may be contained in the various third-party software end user license agreements you may have agreed to in order to access our service. **Intellectual Property** The Minno Kids service, including all content included on the Minno Kids website and user interfaces, or delivered to members as part of the service, including, but not limited to, movies, videos, songs, and TV shows you can watch instantly, text, graphics, logos, designs, photographs, button icons, images, audio/video clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, are the property of Minno Kids or its licensors and are protected by the United States and international copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property laws and treaties. The compilation of all content and any software or other materials provided by Minno Kids on our website and user interfaces or in connection with the Minno Kids service are the exclusive property of Minno Kids and its licensors and are protected by the copyright and trade secret laws in the territories in which the Minno Kids service operates and by international treaty provisions. Content shall not be reproduced or used without express written permission from Minno Kids or its licensors. You agree to adhere to the restrictions set forth under “***Minno Kids Streaming Software***” and “***Limitations on Use***.” You agree not to decompile, reverse engineer or disassemble any software or other products or processes accessible through the Minno Kids service, not to insert any code or product or manipulate the content of the Minno Kids service in any way, and not to use any data mining, data gathering or extraction method. Minno Kids reserves the right to terminate your membership hereunder if Minno Kids, in its sole and absolute discretion, believes that you are in violation of Minno Kids software restrictions, restrictions against copying movies, videos, songs, or TV shows provided to you by us, or other unauthorized copying or use of our proprietary content in violation of the copyrights of Minno Kids and its licensors. Minno Kids does not promote, foster, or condone the copying of movies, videos, songs, and TV shows, or any other infringing activity. The use of the Minno Kids service, including movies, videos, songs, and TV shows made available to you by us, is solely for your personal and non-commercial use. Please see the instructions at the end of these Terms of Use for notifying us of the presence of any allegedly infringing content of the Minno Kids service, including any on the Minno Kids website and user interfaces. **Trademarks** Minno Kids is a trademark of Minno Kids. The Minno Kids logo and [gominno.com](https://www.gominno.com/) are trademarks or service marks of Minno Kids. The Minno Kids website and user interfaces, including but not limited to its graphics, logos, page headers, button icons, scripts, and service names constitute trade dress of Winsome Truth, Inc. The trademarks, service marks, and trade dress of Minno Kids may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval from Minno Kids and may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not affiliated with Minno Kids, in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among customers, in any manner that dilutes the rights of Minno Kids, or in any manner that disparages or discredits Minno Kids. Other trademarks that appear on the Minno Kids website and user interfaces are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by Minno Kids. Any images of persons or personalities contained on the Minno Kids website and user interfaces are not an indication or endorsement of Minno Kids or any particular product or our service unless otherwise indicated. **Entertainment and Service Content** We distribute movies, television, other filmed entertainment, and music. We reserve the right to display and promote the filmed entertainment or additional information through our service, including our website and user interfaces, to you in any manner we choose in our sole and absolute discretion. In addition, the Minno Kids service allows you and other third parties to post reviews or comments concerning the entertainment distributed by us. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information that constitutes part of the content expressed or made available by third parties through the Minno Kids service are those of the respective authors or producers and not of Minno Kids or its shareholders, directors, officers, or employees or licensors. Under no circumstances shall Minno Kids, or its shareholders, directors, officers, directors, or employees or licensors be held liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information obtained through the Minno Kids service. It is your responsibility to evaluate the information, opinion, advice, or other content available through the Minno Kids service. **Use of Information Submitted** Minno Kids is free to use any comments, information, ideas, concepts, reviews, or techniques or any other material contained in any communication you may send to us (“**Feedback**”), including responses to questionnaires or through postings to the Minno Kids service, including the Minno Kids website and user interfaces, without further compensation, acknowledgment or payment to you for any purpose whatsoever including, but not limited to, developing, manufacturing and marketing products and creating, modifying or improving the Minno Kids service. Furthermore, by posting any Feedback on our site, submitting Feedback to us, or responding to questionnaires, you grant us a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free irrevocable license, including the right to sublicense such right, and right to display, use, reproduce or modify the Feedback submitted in any media, software or technology of any kind now existing or developed in the future. Please note Minno Kids does not accept unsolicited materials or ideas for use or publication and is not responsible for the similarity of any of its content or programming in any media to materials or ideas transmitted to Minno Kids. Should you send any unsolicited materials or ideas, you do so with the understanding that no additional consideration of any sort will be provided to you, and you are waiving any claim against Minno Kids and its affiliates regarding the use of such materials and ideas, even if the material or an opinion is used that is substantially similar to the idea you sent. **Service Testing** From time to time, we test various aspects of our service, including our website, user interfaces, service levels, plans, promotions, features, availability of movies, videos, songs and TV shows, delivery, and pricing, and we reserve the right to include you in or exclude you from these tests without notice. If you are selected to participate in a test or beta version of any of our products or service, you should not rely on nor expect the continued availability of these new products or services. Any information, data, content, or materials provided or displayed to you in or through any test or beta participation, or any knowledge you may have from or relating thereto, is the proprietary and confidential information of Company. **Customer Service** If you need assistance with your account, you may find answers and reach Customer Service by emailing us at support@gominno.com. We provide such support service only with your permission and in your presence (via phone and Internet connection). The Disclaimers of Warranties and Limitations of Liability set forth in these Terms of Use expressly apply to the use of Customer Service, including any remote desktop access tool. We may utilize the services of third parties in providing you customer service support. You are expected to interact with our customer service agents in a respectful manner, and if we deem your interaction to be derogatory in nature, we reserve the right to terminate your subscription. **Your Conduct in Accessing the Minno Kids Service** By accessing the Minno Kids service, including the Minno Kids website and user interfaces, you agree to use the Minno Kids service, including all features and functionalities associated therewith, the website and user interfaces, and all content and software associated therewith in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including public performance limitations or other restrictions on the use of the service or content therein. In addition, you agree not to upload, post, e-mail, or otherwise send or transmit any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files, or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment associated with the Minno Kids service. You also agree not to impersonate any other person while using the Minno Kids service, conduct yourself in a vulgar or offensive manner while using the Minno Kids service, or use the Minno Kids service for any unlawful purpose. You agree that all of the foregoing restrictions apply not only to the Minno Kids service, but also to the servers and networks connected to any portions of the Minno Kids service whether operated by Minno Kids or third parties (“**Networks**”). You agree not to interfere with Networks, violate any of the procedures, policies or regulations applicable to Networks, use Networks in a way that harms or impairs anyone else’s use of Networks, use Networks to gain unauthorized access to any service, data, account or other networks, use Networks to falsify any protocol or e-mail header information (e.g., “**spoofing**”), use Networks to send “**spam**” (i.e., unsolicited bulk e-mail or commercial messages) or items of a destructive or deceptive nature, or remove, modify, or tamper with any regulatory or legal notice or link that is incorporated into Networks. Minno Kids has restricted the ability for accounts to be accessed by multiple IP addresses. If a subscriber shares their account log-in information with others, Minno Kids reserves the right to cancel and terminate the subscriber’s account. **Limitations on Use** You must be 18 years of age or older to become a member of the Minno Kids service. In certain jurisdictions, the age of majority may be older than 18, in which case you must satisfy that age in order to become a member. While individuals under the age of 18 may utilize the service, they may do so only with the involvement of a parent or legal guardian, under such person’s account, and otherwise subject to these Terms of Use. While Minno Kids does distribute products that may be watched by children, the Minno Kids service is not intended to be used by children without the involvement, supervision, and approval of a parent or legal guardian. Unless otherwise specified, the Minno Kids service, and any content viewed through our service, are for your personal and non-commercial use only, and we grant you a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to access the Minno Kids service for that purpose. Except for the foregoing limited license, no right, title, or interest shall be transferred to you. Except as expressly permitted by us, you may not download (other than through page caching necessary for personal use, or as otherwise explicitly permitted by these Terms of Use), modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, duplicate, publish, license, create derivative works from, or offer for sale any information contained on, or obtained from or through, the Minno Kids service, without our express written consent. Minno Kids does not promote, foster, or condone the copying of movies and TV shows, digitally delivered content, or any other infringing activity. You may not circumvent, remove, alter, deactivate, degrade, or thwart any of the Minno Kids service’s content protections. You may not frame or utilize any framing techniques to enclose any trademark, logo, or other proprietary information (including images, text, page layout, or form) of Minno Kids without our express written consent. You may not purchase search terms or use any meta tags or any other “**hidden** **text**” utilizing the Minno Kids name or trademarks without our express written consent. Any unauthorized use of the Minno Kids service or its contents will terminate the limited license granted by us and will result in the cancellation of your membership. **Links and Pages** Some of the hyperlinks on the Minno Kids website may lead to other websites or other content that are not controlled by or affiliated with Minno Kids. In addition, other websites may link to the Minno Kids website, or Minno Kids may include links to the websites of businesses, including those that have associations with us through certain programs. For example, Minno Kids may include pages that display and provide information on Applications, Minno Kids ready devices, or other products. These pages may provide links to third party sites where Minno Kids members may obtain or purchase such Applications and devices. Minno Kids has not reviewed these websites and is not responsible for the offerings of any of these sites or the content, privacy policies or terms of use of these websites or Applications. You acknowledge and agree that Minno Kids is not responsible or liable for, and does not otherwise warrant, the actions of these third parties, the products or contents on their websites, or the performance of any Applications and devices. These linked websites have separate and independent privacy statements, notices, and terms of use, which we recommend you read carefully. **Promotions** Promotional codes may be redeemed on our website. Promotional code can only be used once and cannot be redeemed for cash, resold, or combined with any other offers. If you received a promotion code through an offer by a third party, additional restrictions may apply. **Claims of Copyright Infringement** It is the policy of Minno Kids to respect the intellectual property rights of others. Minno Kids does not condone the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of movies, videos, songs or TV shows, or other copyrighted content. If you believe your work has been reproduced or distributed in a way that constitutes copyright infringement or are aware of any infringing material available through the Minno Kids service, please notify us at: Copyright Compliance Department Winsome Truth, Inc. 818 18th Avenue S., 10th Floor Nashville, TN 37203 Tel: 615-463-5039 **Governing Law** These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, U.S.A., without regard to conflict of laws provisions. If any provision or provisions of these terms shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable, or in conflict with the law of any jurisdiction, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain in full force and effect. **Arbitration Agreement** You and Minno Kids agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating in any way to the Minno Kids service, including our website, user interfaces, these Terms of Use, and this Arbitration Agreement, shall be determined by binding arbitration instead of in courts of general jurisdiction. Arbitration is more informal than a lawsuit in court. Arbitration uses a neutral arbitrator instead of a judge or jury, allows for more limited discovery than in court, and is subject to minimal review by courts. Arbitrators can award the same damages and relief that a court can award. You agree that, by agreeing to these Terms of Use, the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this provision and that you and Minno Kids are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. This arbitration provision shall survive termination of this Agreement and the termination of your Minno Kids membership. If you elect to seek arbitration, you must first send to Minno Kids, by certified mail, a written Notice of your claim (“**Notice**”). The Notice to Minno Kids should be addressed to: Winsome Truth, Inc., 818 18th Avenue S., 10th Floor, Nashville, TN 37203 (“**Notice** **Address**”). If Minno Kids elects to seek arbitration, it will send a written Notice to the e-mail address used for your membership account. A Notice, whether sent by you or by Minno Kids, must (a) describe the nature and basis of the claim or dispute; and (b) set forth the specific relief sought (“**Demand**”). If you and Minno Kids do not reach an agreement to resolve the claim within 30 days after the Notice is received, you or Minno Kids may commence an arbitration proceeding or file a claim in small claims court. During the arbitration, the amount of any settlement offer made by Minno Kids or you shall not be disclosed to the arbitrator. You may download or copy a form Notice and a form to initiate arbitration at [www.adr.org](http://www.adr.org/). If you are required to pay a filing fee, after Minno Kids receives notice at the Notice Address that you have commenced arbitration, it will promptly reimburse you for your payment of the filing fee, unless your claim is for greater than US$10,000. The arbitration will be governed by the Commercial Arbitration Rules and the Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes (collectively, “**AAA** **Rules**”) of the American Arbitration Association (“**AAA**”), as modified by this Agreement, and will be administered by the AAA. The AAA Rules and Forms are available online at [www.adr.org](http://www.adr.org/), by calling the AAA at 1-800-778-7879, or by writing to the Notice Address. The arbitrator is bound by the terms of this Agreement. All issues are for the arbitrator to decide, including issues relating to the scope and enforceability of this arbitration agreement. Unless you and Minno Kids agree otherwise, any arbitration hearings will take place in the county (or parish) of your billing address. (If you reside outside of the United States, any arbitration hearings will take place in your country of residence at a location reasonably convenient to you, but will remain subject to the AAA Rules, including the AAA rules regarding the selection of an arbitrator). If your claim is for US$10,000 or less, we agree that you may choose whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted to the arbitrator, through a telephonic hearing, or by an in-person hearing as established by the AAA Rules. If your claim exceeds US$10,000, the right to a hearing will be determined by the AAA Rules. Regardless of the manner in which the arbitration is conducted, the arbitrator shall issue a reasoned written decision sufficient to explain the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. If the arbitrator issues you an award that is greater than the value of Minno Kids’ last written settlement offer made before an arbitrator was selected (or if Minno Kids did not make a settlement offer before an arbitrator was selected), then Minno Kids will pay you the amount of the award or US$1,000, whichever is greater. Except as expressly set forth herein, the payment of all filing, administration, and arbitrator fees will be governed by the AAA Rules. YOU AND MINNO KIDS AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. Further, unless both you and Minno Kids agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person’s claims with your claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. If this specific provision is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void. The arbitrator may award declaratory or injunctive relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party’s individual claim. **Severability** If any provision of these terms shall be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from these terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. **Survival** The provisions of these terms which by their nature should survive the termination of these terms, shall survive such termination. **Waiver** No waiver of any provision of these terms by us shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision, and our failure to assert any right or provision under these terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. --- ### [What To Watch](https://gominno.com/whats-on/) **Published:** November 10, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Welcome to Minno](https://gominno.com/welcome-to-minno/) **Published:** October 29, 2021 **Author:** Minno **Content:** Welcome to Minno! Make screentime count this Christmas with thousands of shows that help kids experience Jesus everyday. Interested in buying yourself? Interested in gifting Minno? Shows Created to Delight & Disciple More than 2,600 episodes from 125 shows, including family-favorite Christmas specials like… ![Christmas Day - Larry the Cucumber](https://u53vs3w06453a0jvojprayp5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/christmas-day.png "christmas-day")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Christmas Day – Larry the Cucumber” data-id=”98390″ width=”350″ data-init-width=”350″ height=”197″ data-init-height=”197″ title=”christmas-day” loading=”lazy” src=”https://u53vs3w06453a0jvojprayp5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/christmas-day.png” data-width=”350″ data-height=”197″ data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Christmas Day – Larry the Cucumber” data-id=”98390″ width=”350″ data-init-width=”350″ height=”197″ data-init-height=”197″ title=”christmas-day” loading=”lazy” src=”https://u53vs3w06453a0jvojprayp5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/christmas-day.png” data-width=”350″ data-height=”197″&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;![Minno - Chat show](https://u53vs3w06453a0jvojprayp5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/chat-show.png "chat-show")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Minno – Cartoon” data-id=”98391″ width=”350″ data-init-width=”350″ height=”197″ data-init-height=”197″ title=”cartoon” loading=”lazy” src=”https://u53vs3w06453a0jvojprayp5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cartoon.png” data-width=”350″ data-height=”197″ data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Minno – Cartoon” data-id=”98391″ width=”350″ data-init-width=”350″ height=”197″ data-init-height=”197″ title=”cartoon” loading=”lazy” src=”https://u53vs3w06453a0jvojprayp5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cartoon.png” data-width=”350″ data-height=”197″&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Interested in buying yourself? Interested in gifting Minno? What’s on Minno? Interested in buying yourself? Interested in gifting Minno? Why Parents Love Minno… ❝ So happy I discovered this Christian app. The kids are loving it and I am enjoying all the great conversations it’s bringing up. Shannon ❝ We LOVE our Minno app!! We cancelled Netflix and deleted Youtube from our kids’ tablets and now don’t have to worry about the content they are watching. Natie ❝ Started our free trial today. My kids love it! They especially love that they don’t have to double check with me to approve a show! leigh Interested in buying yourself? Interested in gifting Minno? --- ### [VeggieTales](https://gominno.com/lp/veggietales/) **Published:** March 16, 2022 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Update Billing](https://gominno.com/update-billing/) **Published:** June 28, 2021 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** # This page requires JavaScript Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings, or use a different web browser like Google Chrome or Safari. --- ### [Subscribe to SMS](https://gominno.com/lp/sms/) **Published:** November 18, 2025 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik --- ### [Social Email Sign Up](https://gominno.com/lp/social-email-signup/) **Published:** January 2, 2025 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x") ## Join Our email list Fill out your information below to receive FREE ideas, activities and tips to help your kids experience Jesus every day on and off screen! --- ### [School Staff](https://gominno.com/lp/school-staff/) **Published:** January 10, 2024 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Pray Head to Toe](https://gominno.com/lp/pray-head-to-toe/) **Published:** August 15, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [minno-press](https://gominno.com/lp/minno-press/) **Published:** October 2, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03215252/welcome_headerAsset-2.png "welcome_headerAsset 2")Select Columns Layout # The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids! Where God comes to life in stories kids love. # What is Minno? Minno is a place where God’s goodness comes to life! We’re the leading voice around the globe for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. # Our Mission Minno uses the power of media to invite kids into God’s Story and help them experience Jesus every day, in every way—on and off screens. # Our Work Minno is the premier provider of Christian kids content around the globe. We connect families through media and technology that creates shared faith experiences, supporting parents and grownups as they pave the way for enduring spiritual growth in the kids they love. # Here, There, and Everywhere Minno is here, there, and everywhere to help kids and families experience Jesus every day, every way. # Kids First At Minno, we put kids first! We know how they think, how they play, how they learn, and what matters to them at every age and stage. # Leading the Way Only Minno creates best-in-class Christian kids content through fun original shows that nurture faith formation! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03230901/featured_phone_image-1.jpg "featured_phone_image") # Explore Top Shows [![Laugh and Grow Bible Show Thumbnail](https://minno-content.s3.amazonaws.com/series/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/images/image/thumbnail-minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-48.png "Laugh and Grow Bible")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Laugh and Grow Bible” data-id=”218768″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”1920″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”1080″ title=”Laugh and Grow Bible” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/my-first-bible-and-prayers.jpg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ data-ll-status=”loaded” data-link-wrap=”true”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids?tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=f25202c8ab&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=5a59f14317&tve=true&tcbf=930708911a)&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Laugh and Grow Bible” data-id=”218768″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”1920″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”1080″ title=”Laugh and Grow Bible” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/my-first-bible-and-prayers.jpg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;[![Suni the Super Unicorn Show Thumbnail](https://minno-content.s3.amazonaws.com/series/cocoa-talk/images/image/cocoa.png "Suni the Super Unicorn")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Suni the Super Unicorn” data-id=”218767″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”1920″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”1080″ title=”Suni the Super Unicorn” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/vertebrate.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ data-link-wrap=”true” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Suni the Super Unicorn” data-id=”218767″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”1920″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”1080″ title=”Suni the Super Unicorn” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/vertebrate.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ data-link-wrap=”true”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;](https://www.gominno.com/series/suni-the-super-unicorn?page_id=218751&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&page_id=218751&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&page_id=218751&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&page_id=218751&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&page_id=218751&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&page_id=218751&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&page_id=218751&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=f25202c8ab&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=5a59f14317&tve=true&tcbf=930708911a)[![Young David Show Thumbnail](https://minno-content.s3.amazonaws.com/series/young-david/images/image/thumbnail-young-david-880.png "Micah's Super Vlog")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Micah’s Super Vlog” data-id=”34997″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”Micah’s Super Vlog” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Micah\_ProgramImage.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ data-ll-status=”loaded” data-link-wrap=”true”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;](https://www.gominno.com/series/micahs-super-vlog?tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=f25202c8ab&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=5a59f14317&tve=true&tcbf=930708911a)&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Micah’s Super Vlog” data-id=”34997″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”Micah’s Super Vlog” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Micah\_ProgramImage.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;[![Cocoa Talk Show Thumbnail](https://minno-content.s3.amazonaws.com/series/suni-the-super-unicorn/images/image/thumbnail-suni-the-super-unicorn-344.png "Cocoa Talk")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Minno – Chat show” data-id=”34996″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”Cocoa\_ProgramImage” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cocoa\_ProgramImage.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ data-ll-status=”loaded” data-link-wrap=”true”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;](https://www.gominno.com/series/cocoa-talk?tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=f25202c8ab&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=5a59f14317&tve=true&tcbf=930708911a)&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Minno – Chat show” data-id=”34996″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”Cocoa\_ProgramImage” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cocoa\_ProgramImage.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;[![Micah's Super Vlog](https://cdn.jellytelly.com/series/d171db9e-7af3-4f2f-a892-bbc9ea223ef0/Micah_ProgramImage.png "Day Show")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Day Show” data-id=”218771″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”Day Show” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cartoon.png.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ style=”” data-ll-status=”loaded” data-link-wrap=”true”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;](https://www.gominno.com/series/minno-day-show?tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=f25202c8ab&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=5a59f14317&tve=true&tcbf=930708911a)&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Day Show” data-id=”218771″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”Day Show” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cartoon.png.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ style=””&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;[![Church at Home Show Thumbnail](https://minno-content.s3.amazonaws.com/series/church-at-home/images/image/File%20name.png "Overly Talkative Tree")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Christmas – Christmas Tree” data-id=”218770″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”christmas” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/christmas.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″ data-ll-status=”loaded” data-link-wrap=”true”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;](https://www.gominno.com/series/overly-talkative-tree?tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=454890c3f2&tve=true&tcbf=f25202c8ab&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=add88157ab&tve=true&tcbf=a780eba4c4&tve=true&tcbf=5a59f14317&tve=true&tcbf=930708911a)&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Christmas – Christmas Tree” data-id=”218770″ width=”237″ data-init-width=”500″ height=”133″ data-init-height=”281″ title=”christmas” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/christmas.jpeg” data-width=”237″ data-height=”133″&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; # Faith First, Worry-Free At Minno, grownups can hit play and feel okay! Minno is a safe, faith-first destination where parents and caregivers can exhale, trusting that kids are spending time with content that supports Christian values. # Why Christian Media for Kids Matters **Most Christians commit to Jesus before age 14 – a stage when one of the biggest influences in many kids’ lives is the 2-3 hours daily they are spending on screens. Yet most media for kids doesn’t mention Jesus or represent Christian faith at all. And most content for Christians doesn’t focus on kids. Minno changes that!** # Our Promise **At Minno, we put kids first AND faith first! Rooted in biblical truth, Minno uniquely offers:** 1. **Experiential excellence with top-tier competitive quality that raises the bar for Christian kids content.** 2. **Safe, curated, kid-friendly, content that is entertaining, engaging, age-appropriate, and biblically aligned.** 3. **Practical support to cultivate faith, invite conversation, and foster spiritual growth.** 4. **A destination that values the global church and its diversity and honors people as image bearers of God.** # Our Values - God is here, there, and everywhere - Kids deserve excellence - Stories matter: God’s Story (the Bible) matters. Your story matters - Media can play an important role in child and family faith formation - God’s church is big ![Art - Clip art](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/art.png "art")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”” width=”758″ data-init-width=”758″ height=”534″ data-init-height=”534″ src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/family-2.png” data-width=”758″ data-height=”534″ data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”” width=”758″ data-init-width=”758″ height=”534″ data-init-height=”534″ loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/family-2.png” data-width=”758″ data-height=”534″&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; # What Does “MINNO” Mean? Minno comes from the Greek word “meno” meaning “to abide.” In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I will abide in you” (John 15:4). Another way to say it is: Live with me, and I’ll make my home in you. Inspired by this invitation, Minno aims to help kids and families experience the goodness of God through amazing stories, shows, books, and resources. --- ### [Medishare](https://gominno.com/lp/medishare/) **Published:** April 26, 2022 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Marketing Terms](https://gominno.com/tac/) **Published:** November 3, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** # Minno Kids Marketing Affiliate Terms and Conditions Revised 8/13/15 Herein are the Terms and Conditions with which we each agreed to comply upon your registration as a Marketing Affiliate and acceptance of said registration by us, Winsome Truth, Inc. dba Minno Kids (“Minno Kids”). These Terms and Conditions may be revised by Minno Kids and will be posted at www.gominno.com/tac. As a Marketing Affiliate, you will link between your web site and the gominno.com web site. You will include certain materials promoting Minno Kids, and to include a link to Minno Kids’s website within those materials on your website. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, warranties, and other good and valuable consideration set forth herein, the parties agree to the following Terms and Conditions which may be revised by Minno Kids. 1. Promotional Materials. Minno Kids shall make available to Marketing Affiliate certain banner advertisements, button links, text links, and/or other graphic or textual material (the “Promotional Materials”) for display and use on Marketing Affiliate’s website and Marketing Affiliate’s other digital properties. Marketing Affiliate shall display the Promotional Materials, provided that the manner of display shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein. Marketing Affiliate shall also include a link from the Promotional Materials to Minno Kids’s website, as specified by Minno Kids. 2. Use of Promotional Materials. The Marketing Affiliate’s use and display of the Promotional Materials on the Marketing Affiliate’s site shall conform to the following terms, conditions and specifications: 1. Marketing Affiliate may not use any graphic or image to promote Minno Kids’s website, products or services other than the Promotional Materials, unless Minno Kids agrees to such other materials in writing prior to their display. 2. Marketing Affiliate may only use the Promotional Materials for the purpose of promoting Minno Kids’s website (and the products and services available thereon), and for linking to Minno Kids’s website, to the specific pages and address as specified by Minno Kids. 3. Marketing Affiliate will not alter, add to, subtract from, or otherwise modify the Promotional Materials as they are prepared by Minno Kids, unless Minno Kids has issued written approval of the alteration or modification. 4. The Promotional Materials will only be used by Marketing Affiliate on websites owned or managed by Marketing Affiliate. 3. Intellectual Property. Minno Kids retains all right, ownership, and interest in the Promotional Materials, and in any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property in the Promotional Materials. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to grant Marketing Affiliate any rights, ownership or interest in the Promotional Materials, or in the underlying intellectual property. 4. Term. These Terms & Conditions shall take effect immediately upon acceptance of Marketing Affiliate’s registration by Minno Kids, and shall remain in full force and effect until either party sends written notice of intent to terminate. Thereafter the agreement between the parties shall terminate no later than ten business days from issuance of the written notice. Either party shall have the right to terminate this agreement at any time and for any cause. 5. Relationship of Parties. This Agreement shall not be construed to create any employment relationship, agency relationship, or partnership between Minno Kids and Marketing Affiliate. Marketing Affiliate shall provide services for Minno Kids as an independent contractor. Marketing Affiliate shall have no authority to bind Minno Kids into any agreement, nor shall Marketing Affiliate be considered to be an agent of Minno Kids in any respect. 6. Commission to Marketing Affiliate. 1. In exchange for Marketing Affiliate’s display of the Promotional Materials, and for Marketing Affiliate’s compliance with and performance of these Terms and Conditions, Minno Kids shall pay to Marketing Affiliate a commission (the “Commission”) for every new subscriber who purchases a subscription after clicking or tapping a link on Marketing Affiliate’s website. The credit for the new subscriber shall be based on the last click made by the new subscriber. The Commission is included as Exhibit A and may be revised by Minno Kids at any time. Notification to Marketing Affiliate of any change in Commission will be given by Minno Kids at the email address on hand for the Marketing Affiliate. 2. Minno Kids shall keep accurate and up-to-date records of the data used to determine the total amount of Commissions owed to Marketing Affiliate. Marketing Affiliate shall be given access to these records upon written request. Any discrepancy between the amount of Commissions owed according to these records, and the actual amount of Commissions paid to Marketing Affiliate in any period or periods shall be rectified by Minno Kids within fourteen days of discovering such discrepancy. 3. Minno Kids will calculate and distribute payments for Commissions on a monthly basis, within thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar month. If the amount of total Commissions accrued and payable to Marketing Affiliate is less than $100.00, then such accrued and payable balance shall be held over to the following statement and when total commissions due exceed one hundred dollars ($100). Minno Kids shall not be responsible for any taxes owed by Marketing Affiliate arising out of Marketing Affiliate’s relationship with Minno Kids. 4. In the event that Marketing Affiliate materially breaches this Agreement and Minno Kids terminates this Agreement within thirty (30) days of such breach, then any accrued and payable Commissions owing to Marketing Affiliate shall be forfeited, and Minno Kids shall not be obligated to pay such Commissions to Marketing Affiliate. 7. Minno Kids Rights and Obligations. Minno Kids has the right to monitor Marketing Affiliate’s site at any time to confirm adherence to these Terms and Conditions. Minno Kids will notify Marketing Affiliate of any changes to Marketing Affiliate’s site that are needed to comply with these Terms and Conditions, or to ensure that Marketing Affiliate’s links to Minno Kids’s web site are appropriate. If requested changes are not made, then Minno Kids may terminate Marketing Affiliate’s participation immediately. Furthermore, Minno Kids reserves the right to terminate your participation as a Marketing Affiliate immediately and without notice in the event of fraudulent use of Promotional Materials or misrepresentation in any way. In such event, Minno Kids shall not be liable to Marketing Affiliate for any Commissions from such fraudulent sales. 8. Marketing Affiliate’s Representations and Warranties. Marketing Affiliate represents and warrants the following: 1. Marketing Affiliate has the legal authority to enter into this Agreement and to be bound to the promises, covenants, and other duties set forth. 2. Marketing Affiliate’s website does not contain any materials that are: 1. Sexually explicit, obscene, or pornographic; 2. Profane, threatening, defamatory, libelous, or harassing; 3. Graphically violent, including any violent video game images; or 4. Solicitous of any unlawful behavior 3. Marketing Affiliate has obtained any necessary clearances, licenses, or other permission for any intellectual property used on Marketing Affiliate’s website. Nothing on Marketing Affiliate’s website infringes upon the intellectual property rights of any person or entity. No person or entity has brought or threatened an action claiming such infringement, nor does Marketing Affiliate have any reason to believe that any person or entity will bring or threaten such a claim in the future. 4. Marketing Affiliate will not use the Promotional Materials in any manner other than those set forth in Section 2 above. 5. Marketing Affiliate will not make any claim to ownership of the Promotional Materials, or of the copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property therein. 9. Promotion Restrictions. 1. Marketing Affiliate will not engage in any tactics that may confuse customers, such as but not limited to retargeting Minno Kids’s website visitors, targeting Minno Kids social network followers, displaying advertising, so called “cookie stuffing”, or utilizing spyware or AdWords on Minno Kids subscribers or visitors. Marketing Affiliate will not issue any promotions that could be perceived by the public or the press as a joint effort. Certain forms of advertising are always prohibited by Minno Kids such as advertising commonly referred to as “spamming” and other generally prohibited forms of advertising including but not limited to the use of unsolicited commercial email (UCE), and postings to non-commercial newsgroups and cross-posting to multiple newsgroups at once. In addition, Marketing Affiliate may not advertise in any way that effectively conceals or misrepresents Marketing Affiliate’s identity, domain name, or return email address. Marketing Affiliate may use mailings to customers to promote Minno Kids so long as the recipient is already a customer or subscriber of Marketing Affilate’s services or web site, and recipients have the option to remove themselves from future mailings. Further, Marketing Affiliate may post to newsgroups to promote Minno Kids so long as the news group specifically welcomes commercial messages. At all times, Marketing Affiliate must clearly represent as independent from Minno Kids. Violation of these Promotion Restrictions shall be cause for Minno Kids to terminate participation as a Marketing Affiliate immediately and any pending balances owed to Marketing Affiliate will not be paid if termination is due to such unacceptable advertising or solicitation. 2. Marketing Affiliate shall not transmit any so-called “Parasiteware™,” “Parasitic Marketing,” “Shopping Assistance Application,” “Toolbar Installations and/or Add-ons,” “Shopping Wallets”, “deceptive pop-ups and/or pop-unders” or “interstitials” to consumers from the time the consumer clicks on a qualifying link until such time as the consumer has fully exited Minno Kids’s site. As used herein a. “Parasiteware™” and “Parasitic Marketing” shall mean an application that (i) through accidental or direct intent causes the overwriting of affiliate and non affiliate commission tracking cookies through any other means than a customer initiated click on a qualifying link on a web page or email; (ii) intercepts searches to redirect traffic through an installed software, thereby causing, pop ups, commission tracking cookies to be put in place or other commission tracking cookies to be overwritten where a user would under normal circumstances have arrived at the same destination through the results given by the search (search engines being, but not limited to, Google, MSN, Yahoo, Overture, AltaVista, Hotbot and similar search or directory engines); (iii) set commission tracking cookies through loading of Merchant site in IFrames, hidden links and automatic pop ups that open Merchant.com’s site; (iv) targets text on web sites, other than those web sites 100% owned by the application owner, for the purpose of contextual marketing; (v) removes, replaces or blocks the visibility of Marketing Affiliate banners with any other banners, other than those that are on web sites 100% owned by the owner of the application. 10. Indemnification. Marketing Affiliate shall indemnify Minno Kids and hold harmless Minno Kids from any claim, damage, lawsuit, action, complaint, or other costs arising out of any breach of Marketing Affiliate’s warranties set forth in Section 8 above. Marketing Affiliate shall also indemnify and hold harmless Minno Kids for any damage, loss or other cost arising out of the use or misuse by Marketing Affiliate of the Promotional Materials. 11. Confidentiality. Any information that Marketing Affiliate is exposed to by virtue of its relationship with Minno Kids, which information is not available to the general public, shall be considered to be “Confidential Minno Kids Information.” Marketing Affiliate may not disclose any Confidential Minno Kids Information to any person or entity, except where compelled by law, unless Marketing Affiliate obtains prior written consent for such disclosure from Minno Kids. 12. Standards of Conduct. Marketing Affiliate agrees to not intentionally make any materially disparaging remarks relating to the business or products of Minno Kids or any of its affiliates, agents or employees and to represent the best interests of Minno Kids to third parties. Marketing Affiliate, as an independent contractor, will control and direct the manner in which it performs the services hereunder; however, Marketing Affiliate agrees to exercise the standards of conduct adopted by Minno Kids whenever reasonable. Marketing Affiliate will accordingly comply with all applicable laws, as well as uphold the copyright, trademark and other intellectual property interests of Minno Kids and its third party licensors, as applicable, and abide by all legal and contractual limitations with respect to any proprietary material Marketing Affiliate may wish to reproduce, copy, distribute or otherwise use in connection with Marketing Affiliate’s promotion of Minno Kids. Marketing Affiliate shall act at all times with due regard to public morals and conventions during the Term of services to Minno Kids. If Marketing Affiliate shall have committed or shall commit any act or do anything that insults or offends the community or any employee, agent or affiliate of Minno Kids or which injures their reputations in Minno Kids’s sole judgment, then at the time of any such act, or at any time after Minno Kids learns of any such act, Minno Kids shall have the right to suspend and/or terminate Commissions and services hereunder. --- ### [It's the Minno Day Show!](https://gominno.com/lp/minnodayshow/) **Published:** May 14, 2022 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Hopeful Easter](https://gominno.com/lp/hopeful-easter/) **Published:** March 29, 2022 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Home Page – 193](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-193/) **Published:** May 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Galaxy Buck](https://gominno.com/lp/galaxybuck/) **Published:** May 31, 2022 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Gift](https://gominno.com/gift-2/) **Published:** April 7, 2021 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** --- ### [Easter](https://gominno.com/lp/easter/) **Published:** January 12, 2026 **Author:** tech **Content:** ![Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19154013/LAGBEaster_Logo-e1689306451415.png "LAGBEaster_Logo-e1689306451415") [ Start 7-Day Trial ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) # GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT **Jesus** This easter ![Minno Collection](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/07224236/Minno-collection-2-1024x681.png "Minno collection - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids?​ We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! [ Start 7-Day Trial ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ## Watch ALL the episodes! If you love the **Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Easter Special,** you’re not going to want to miss watching the **ENTIRE Laugh and Grow Bible Animated Series!** [ Try Minno ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ![Creation](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160413/LaughAndGrowBible_102_Creation_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_102_Creation_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Adam and Eve](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160652/LaughAndGrowBible_103_AdamAndEve_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_103_AdamAndEve_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02163057/LaughAndGrowBible_BraveQueenEsther_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_BraveQueenEsther_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![What is Sin](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160750/LaughAndGrowBible_104_WhatIsSin_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_104_WhatIsSin_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Noah and the Flood](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160855/LaughAndGrowBible_105_NoahAndTheFlood_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_105_NoahAndTheFlood_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Ruth's Redeemer](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02161018/LaughAndGrowBible_RuthsRedeemer_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_RuthsRedeemer_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") #### and even more... ## Get the Full Minno Easter Experience You are here! ![Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19154013/LAGBEaster_Logo-e1689306451415-1024x655.png "LAGBEaster_Logo-e1689306451415 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Watch The Easter Special ](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2196_minno) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06190706/lagb-bible-transparent.png "lagb-bible-transparent - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Read The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible ](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203316/Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1.png "Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Play FREE Easter Family Guide ](https://gominno.com/lp/easter-family-guide/) --- ### [Church Leaders](https://gominno.com/lp/church-leaders/) **Published:** September 8, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Craft Pack](https://gominno.com/inthebeginning/play-pack/) **Published:** June 30, 2025 **Author:** Luis Silva **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x-300x92.png "Minno-Logo2x") # FUN & FAITH FOR KIDS Faith-Based Play for Kids FREE IN THE BEGINNING CRAFT PACK!![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24174316/LAGB-JUMBO-ITB-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-1-2-1.png "LAGB JUMBO ITB PLAY PACK SPREAD 1 2") Ready to take the fun off-screen? Get your FREE *In the Beginning Craft Pack*, with hands-on activities to help kids play, imagine, and remember God’s Story. Enjoy: - Interactive crafts - Games and activities - Coloring pages - … and more! Ready to take the fun off-screen? Get your FREE *In the Beginning Craft Pack*, with hands-on activities to help kids play, imagine, and remember God’s Story. Enjoy: - Interactive crafts - Games and activities - Coloring pages - … and more! ## MAKE SCREEN TIME MEANINGFUL Minno uses the power of media to invite kids into God’s Story. When you become a member, you’re joining us in **creating content that helps kids everywhere** experience Jesus everyday in every way, on and off screens Select Columns Layout ## MORE WAYS TO GET INTO THE BEGINNING Insert Call to Action [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/23114924/LAGB_ITB_Minno3x-300x120.png "LAGB_ITB_Minno3x")](http://gominno.com/inthebeginning) Add Icon [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/18211932/Laugh-and-Grow-3D-Cover-with-Seal-SM.png "Laugh and Grow 3D Cover with Seal SM")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more) You are here! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/24174316/LAGB-JUMBO-ITB-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-1-2-1-300x140.png "LAGB JUMBO ITB PLAY PACK SPREAD 1 2")](#tve-jump-192bed02733) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")Insert Content Template or SymbolSelect Columns LayoutSelect Columns Layout --- ### [Dead Sea Squirrels Sneak Peek](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/sneakpeek/) **Published:** January 16, 2025 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")\[tcb-noscript\]&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;\[/tcb-noscript\]\[tcb-noscript\]&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;\[/tcb-noscript\] ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x") # Subscribe Today! Stay connected for updates on exciting new releases and the latest news about our inspiring faith-based shows for your kids! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14220719/minno-logo-1.png "minno-logo-1")\[tcb-noscript\]&amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”251″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”49″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”251″ data-height=”49″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;gt;\[/tcb-noscript\]\[tcb-noscript\]&amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”251″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”49″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”251″ data-height=”49″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;gt;\[/tcb-noscript\]![Dead Sea Squirrels Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/19000952/Logo_DeadSeaSquirrels-300x146.png "Logo_DeadSeaSquirrels")\[tcb-noscript\]&amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”251″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”49″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”251″ data-height=”49″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;gt;\[/tcb-noscript\]\[tcb-noscript\]&amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”251″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”49″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”251″ data-height=”49″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;gt;\[/tcb-noscript\] Premieres February 14, 2025 only on Minno! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080756/Image-112x.png "Image 112x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080822/Image-122x.png "Image 122x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080844/Image-132x.png "Image 132x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080903/Mask-Group-32x.png "Mask Group 32x") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081332/Group-122x.png "Group 122x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081354/Group-112x.png "Group 112x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081417/Group-132x.png "Group 132x") # A new kids show 2000 years in the making . . . # is almost here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/07224236/Minno-collection-2.png "Minno collection") Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! Watch faith-filled stories come to life! Help kids experience **JESUS** today with even more great shows, only on Minno! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/03202246/YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail-300x169.jpg "YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Micah_ProgramImage-300x169.png "Micah_ProgramImage")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19161345/File20name-10-300x169.jpg "File20name-10")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164143/General20VeggieTales_c3-300x169.jpg "General20VeggieTales_c3")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164337/Bibleman_SeriesImage_02-300x169.png "Bibleman_SeriesImage_02")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164608/File20name-27-300x169.jpg "File20name-27") and even more… --- ### [Dead Sea Squirrels](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) **Published:** March 6, 2026 **Author:** Narcis Cosma **Content:** ![Minno Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14220719/minno-logo-1.png "minno-logo-1 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Dead Sea Squirrels Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/19000952/Logo_DeadSeaSquirrels-1024x497.png "Logo_DeadSeaSquirrels - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Watch Now ## only on Minno [ Stream FREE for 7 Days ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081354/Group-112x.png "Group 112x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081332/Group-122x.png "Group 122x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Roku](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080756/Image-112x.png "Image 112x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Fire TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080822/Image-122x.png "Image 122x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Chrome Cast](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080844/Image-132x.png "Image 132x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Apple TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080903/Mask-Group-32x.png "Mask Group 32x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## A new kids show 2000 years in the making . . .IS HERE! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/19223657/dead_sea_squirrel_bg_3_transparent-1024x239.png "dead_sea_squirrel_bg_3_transparent - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Watch faith-filled stories come to life! Help kids experience **JESUS** today with even more great shows, only on Minno! [ Start 7-Day Trial ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/03202246/YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "YoungDavid_SeriesThumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![micah series thumbnail](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/25042306/Micah_ProgramImage-1024x576.jpg "Micah_ProgramImage - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19161345/File20name-10-1024x576.jpg "File20name-10 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164143/General20VeggieTales_c3-1024x576.jpg "General20VeggieTales_c3 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164337/Bibleman_SeriesImage_02-1024x576.png "Bibleman_SeriesImage_02 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/19164608/File20name-27-1024x576.jpg "File20name-27 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") #### and even more... ## Having fun? Don't miss out on... You are here! ![Thumbnail Dead Sea Squirrels](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/19003847/DSS_Thumbnail_Trailer_Fundraising-1024x546.png "Dead Sea Squirrels - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Watch only on Minno ](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) ![The Dead Sea Squirrels Fun pack preview](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/28103902/DSS_Display-Graphic-680.png "DSS_Display-Graphic-680 - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") [## Play Get Coloring Pages and more! ](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrelsfunpack) --- ### [Lead Gen - Christmas Fun Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/christmas-fun-guide-2/) **Published:** November 12, 2024 **Author:** Jolly Sherpa **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20203313/MinnoLogoWhite-e1724186014282.png "MinnoLogoWhite") # FAITH-BASED PLAY FOR KIDS Faith-Based Play for Kids FREE CHRISTMAS FAMILY FUN GUIDE!![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_") Download our FREE Christmas Family Fun Guide to help your kids experience Jesus throughout this special season. Enjoy: - Christmas Activities - Advent Traditions - Bible Verse Game - Conversation Starters - Coloring Pages Download our FREE Christmas Family Fun Guide to help your kids experience Jesus throughout this special season. Enjoy: - Christmas Activities - Advent Traditions - Bible Verse Game - Conversation Starters - Coloring Pages # Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! Select Columns Layout # Get the Full Minno Christmas Experience Insert Call to Action [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05212541/LAGB-logo-angels-sky-240.jpg "LAGB-logo-angels-sky-240")](http://gominno.com/lp/christmas) Add Icon \_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_{“active\_palette”:0,”config”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“name”:”Main Accent”,”parent”:-1}},”gradients”:\[\]},”palettes”:\[{“name”:”Default Palette”,”value”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”var(–tcb-color-2)”}},”gradients”:\[\]},”original”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”rgb(19, 114, 211)”,”hsl”:{“h”:210,”s”:0.83,”l”:0.45,”a”:1}}},”gradients”:\[\]}}\]}\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_ [ WATCHThe Christmas Special ](http://gominno.com/lp/christmas) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04150534/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Devotional-Cover.jpg "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Devotional Cover")](http://gominno.com/lp/advent)\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_{“active\_palette”:0,”config”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“name”:”Main Accent”,”parent”:-1}},”gradients”:\[\]},”palettes”:\[{“name”:”Default Palette”,”value”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”var(–tcb-color-18)”}},”gradients”:\[\]},”original”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”rgb(19, 114, 211)”,”hsl”:{“h”:210,”s”:0.83,”l”:0.45,”a”:1}}},”gradients”:\[\]}}\]}\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_ [ ReadThe Advent Devotional ](http://gominno.com/lp/advent) You are here! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05213755/LAGB_Christmas_Family_Fun_Guide_2024_Cover_240.jpg "LAGB_Christmas_Family_Fun_Guide_2024_Cover_240")](#tve-jump-192bed02733)\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_{“active\_palette”:0,”config”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“name”:”Main Accent”,”parent”:-1}},”gradients”:\[\]},”palettes”:\[{“name”:”Default Palette”,”value”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”var(–tcb-color-12)”}},”gradients”:\[\]},”original”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”rgb(19, 114, 211)”,”hsl”:{“h”:210,”s”:0.83,”l”:0.45,”a”:1}}},”gradients”:\[\]}}\]}\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_ [ PLAYFREE Family Christmas Guide ](#tve-jump-192bed02733) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")Insert Content Template or Symbol --- ### [Church Bibles](https://gominno.com/lp/church-bibles/) **Published:** January 5, 2024 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Christmas](https://gominno.com/lp/christmas/) **Published:** March 10, 2026 **Author:** Narcis Cosma **Content:** ![LaughAndGrowBible_ChristmasSpecial_Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/29222832/LaughAndGrowBible_ChristmasSpecial_Logo.png "LaughAndGrowBible_ChristmasSpecial_Logo") [ Start FREE Trial ](https://account.gominno.com/signup/create-account) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081354/Group-112x.png "Group 112x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081332/Group-122x.png "Group 122x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/01165152/amazon-store-logo.png "amazon-store-logo - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Roku](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080756/Image-112x.png "Image 112x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Fire TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080822/Image-122x.png "Image 122x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Chrome Cast](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080844/Image-132x.png "Image 132x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Apple TV](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080903/Mask-Group-32x.png "Mask Group 32x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") # The true meaning of Christmas… just for kids! ![Minno Collection](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/07224236/Minno-collection-2-1024x681.png "Minno collection - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! [ Start Your FREE Trial ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ## Good News From Minno Subscribe now and get all the updates. ## Watch your favorite Bible stories come to life! If you love the **Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Christmas Special,** check out the ENTIRE Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids animated series only on Minno! [ Start 7-Day Trial ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) ![Creation](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160413/LaughAndGrowBible_102_Creation_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_102_Creation_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Adam and Eve](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160652/LaughAndGrowBible_103_AdamAndEve_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_103_AdamAndEve_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02163057/LaughAndGrowBible_BraveQueenEsther_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_BraveQueenEsther_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![What is Sin](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160750/LaughAndGrowBible_104_WhatIsSin_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_104_WhatIsSin_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Noah and the Flood](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02160855/LaughAndGrowBible_105_NoahAndTheFlood_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_105_NoahAndTheFlood_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ![Ruth's Redeemer](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02161018/LaughAndGrowBible_RuthsRedeemer_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_RuthsRedeemer_Thumbnail - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") #### and even more... ## EXPLORE EVEN MORE CHRISTIAN KIDS SHOWS! [ Browse All Shows ](https://gominno.com/shows/?filter_by_age=popular) --- ### [Easter Family Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/easter-family-guide/) **Published:** January 15, 2025 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20203313/MinnoLogoWhite-e1724186014282.png "MinnoLogoWhite") # FAITH-BASED PLAY FOR KIDS Faith-Based Play for Kids FREE EASTER FAMILY GUIDE!![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203316/Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1.png "Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1") Download our FREE Easter Family Guide to help your kids experience a Gospel-centered Easter! Enjoy: - Easter Activities - Family Passover Meal Guide - Bible Verse Game - Conversation Starters - Coloring Pages - … and more! Download our FREE Easter Family Guide to help your kids experience a Gospel-centered Easter! Enjoy: - Easter Activities - Family Passover Meal Guide - Bible Verse Game - Coloring Pages - … and more! # Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! Select Columns Layout # Get the Full Minno Easter Experience Insert Call to Action [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/19154013/LAGBEaster_Logo-e1689306451415.png "LAGBEaster_Logo-e1689306451415")](https://kids.gominno.com/detail/series/series_2196_minno) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06190706/lagb-bible-transparent.png "lagb-bible-transparent")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/bibles-and-more) You are here! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203316/Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1.png "Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1")](#tve-jump-192bed02733) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")Insert Content Template or Symbol --- ### [Dead Sea Squirrels Fun Pack](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrelsfunpack/) **Published:** January 27, 2025 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/14220719/minno-logo-1.png "minno-logo-1")![Dead Sea Squirrels Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/19000952/Logo_DeadSeaSquirrels.png "Logo_DeadSeaSquirrels") # GO NUTS WITH FAITH-BASED PLAY! Go nuts with faith-based play! ![The Dead Sea Squirrels Fun pack preview](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/28103902/DSS_Display-Graphic-680.png "DSS_Display-Graphic-680") Kick off the squirrel fun with coloring pages, mazes, word searches, fast facts, crafts, a family discussion guide, and so much more. Download Free!! Kick off the squirrel fun with coloring pages, mazes, word searches, fast facts, crafts, a family discussion guide, and so much more. Download Free! # Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! Select Columns Layout # Having fun?Don’t miss out on… Insert Call to Action [![Thumbnail Dead Sea Squirrels](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/19003847/DSS_Thumbnail_Trailer_Fundraising.png "Dead Sea Squirrels")](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrels/) You are here! [![The Dead Sea Squirrels Fun pack preview](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/28103902/DSS_Display-Graphic-680.png "DSS_Display-Graphic-680")](https://gominno.com/lp/deadseasquirrelsfunpack) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")Insert Content Template or SymbolInsert Content Template or Symbol --- ### [Christmas Fun Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/christmasfun/) **Published:** November 7, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20203313/MinnoLogoWhite-e1724186014282.png "MinnoLogoWhite") # FAITH-BASED PLAY FOR KIDS Faith-Based Play for Kids FREE CHRISTMAS FAMILY FUN GUIDE!![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_") Download our FREE Christmas Family Fun Guide to help your kids experience Jesus throughout this special season. Enjoy: - Christmas Activities - Advent Traditions - Bible Verse Game - Conversation Starters - Coloring Pages Download our FREE Christmas Family Fun Guide to help your kids experience Jesus throughout this special season. Enjoy: - Christmas Activities - Advent Traditions - Bible Verse Game - Conversation Starters - Coloring Pages # Looking for more faith-filled content for your kids? We’d love for you to be a part of Minno! Sign up to start a FREE trial today! Select Columns Layout # Get the Full Minno Christmas Experience Insert Call to Action [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05212541/LAGB-logo-angels-sky-240.jpg "LAGB-logo-angels-sky-240")](http://gominno.com/lp/christmas) Add Icon \_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_{“active\_palette”:0,”config”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“name”:”Main Accent”,”parent”:-1}},”gradients”:\[\]},”palettes”:\[{“name”:”Default Palette”,”value”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”var(–tcb-color-2)”}},”gradients”:\[\]},”original”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”rgb(19, 114, 211)”,”hsl”:{“h”:210,”s”:0.83,”l”:0.45,”a”:1}}},”gradients”:\[\]}}\]}\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_ [ WATCHThe Christmas Special ](http://gominno.com/lp/christmas) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04150534/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Devotional-Cover.jpg "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Devotional Cover")](http://gominno.com/lp/advent)\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_{“active\_palette”:0,”config”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“name”:”Main Accent”,”parent”:-1}},”gradients”:\[\]},”palettes”:\[{“name”:”Default Palette”,”value”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”var(–tcb-color-18)”}},”gradients”:\[\]},”original”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”rgb(19, 114, 211)”,”hsl”:{“h”:210,”s”:0.83,”l”:0.45,”a”:1}}},”gradients”:\[\]}}\]}\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_ [ ReadThe Advent Devotional ](http://gominno.com/lp/advent) You are here! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05213755/LAGB_Christmas_Family_Fun_Guide_2024_Cover_240.jpg "LAGB_Christmas_Family_Fun_Guide_2024_Cover_240")](#tve-jump-192bed02733)\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_{“active\_palette”:0,”config”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“name”:”Main Accent”,”parent”:-1}},”gradients”:\[\]},”palettes”:\[{“name”:”Default Palette”,”value”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”var(–tcb-color-12)”}},”gradients”:\[\]},”original”:{“colors”:{“d960f”:{“val”:”rgb(19, 114, 211)”,”hsl”:{“h”:210,”s”:0.83,”l”:0.45,”a”:1}}},”gradients”:\[\]}}\]}\_\_CONFIG\_colors\_palette\_\_ [ PLAYFREE Family Christmas Guide ](#tve-jump-192bed02733) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")Insert Content Template or Symbol --- ### [Blog](https://gominno.com/blog/) **Published:** August 23, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez --- ### [The Bible for Kids](https://gominno.com/the-bible-for-kids/) **Published:** December 27, 2021 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ## ![Graphic design - Design](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/design.jpg "- Minno Kids") ## **Teach the kids you love about the Bible this year!** Most grownups haven’t attended seminary or have experience teaching the Bible. Yet we’re tasked with teaching children God’s great story (Deuteronomy 6) and how to apply it to their lives (Proverbs 22:6). ![The Bible for Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-One-Year-Reading-Plan-1-1024x579.jpeg "- Minno Kids") The beauty of God’s Word is that it can connect us, challenge us, grow us, and inspire us right alongside the children we love. You don’t have to have it all figured out before you begin this journey. As you read and learn together, you’ll be amazed at how God illuminates His truth in their hearts and yours. #### **This Minno Life Guide is a roadmap for the journey you are on together.** ![Graphic design - Poster](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/poster-791x1024.jpg "- Minno Kids") ## \[icon name=”bible” prefix=”fas”\] Study Bible basics together in order to understand the foundation of God’s story. ## \[icon name=”comments” prefix=”fas”\] Share interesting facts about the Bible with your kids as conversation starters. ## \[icon name=”calendar-check” prefix=”fas”\] Set aside time to study a verse or Bible story together. ## \[icon name=”question-circle” prefix=”fas”\] Ask questions and use your imaginations as you read scripture together. ## \[icon name=”book-reader” prefix=”fas”\] Encourage older kids to begin practicing Bible study on their own. ![Religious text - New King James Version](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/How-to-Make-the-Bible-Come-Alive-for-Kids-1-1024x579.jpg "- Minno Kids") --- ### [We’ll miss you](https://gominno.com/sorry-to-see-you-go/) **Published:** February 17, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** # We’ll Miss You… **Thanks for confirming. We’re in the process of deleting your account from our systems. It typically takes around 10 minutes. During this time, you will be logged out. You will receive an email confirmation once the process is complete. Check your spam and promo folders if you do not receive a confirmation.** --- ### [Episodes](https://gominno.com/episodes/) **Published:** December 3, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez --- ### [Shows](https://gominno.com/shows/) **Published:** December 13, 2022 **Author:** Angela Velasquez --- ### [Gift](https://gominno.com/gift/) **Published:** December 8, 2021 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [SMS Opt In](https://gominno.com/sms-freemonth-2/) **Published:** October 17, 2025 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik --- ### [Youtube Short Form](https://gominno.com/youtube-qr-code/) **Published:** September 4, 2025 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik --- ### [Event - Live Original Tour](https://gominno.com/lo-worship/) **Published:** January 23, 2026 **Author:** Luis Silva **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/29210028/logo_minno-without-max-1024x312.png "logo_minno without max - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## GIVEAWAY Sign up for your chance to win the ULTIMATE Minno Giveaway which will include: 1 year of Minno FREE along with the *Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids* book set, the our BRAND-NEW Easter Devotional, and the complete *Young David* box set! --- ### [Guillermo and Will - Activity Pack Pack](https://gominno.com/g-and-w/activity-pack/) **Published:** September 25, 2025 **Author:** Luis Silva **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x-300x92.png "Minno-Logo2x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/24084209/guillermo-and-will-logo-original-1024x378.png "guillermo-and-will-logo-original") # Exploring God’s world – in Spanish and English! ![Guillermo & Will Activity Pack Preview](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/26173208/GW-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD.png "GW PLAY PACK SPREAD") ​Get your *Guillermo & Will Activity Pack*!

Inside you’ll find: - Mazes, matching games & brain teasers - English/Spanish word memorization - Coloring and tracing pages - …and so much more! ## Guillermo & Will Continue to explore God’s world with Guillermo & Will—¡Juntos! Together! \[tcb-script src=”https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js”\]\[/tcb-script\]![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")Insert Content Template or SymbolSelect Columns LayoutSelect Columns Layout --- ### [Churches (Thrive)](https://gominno.com/churches-thrive/) **Published:** March 28, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x") # Minno loves supporting local churches! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/28212252/im-church-lp-2.png "im-church-lp-2")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/28212252/im-church-lp-2.png "im-church-lp-2") ### Free 1-year memberships for church staff ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06190706/lagb-bible-transparent.png "lagb-bible-transparent")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/06190706/lagb-bible-transparent.png "lagb-bible-transparent") ### 70% OFF on bulk purchases of kids’ Bibles ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/28212253/img-church-lp-1.png "img-church-lp-1")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/28212253/img-church-lp-1.png "img-church-lp-1") ### Discounted Minno memberships for your congregation **Questions?** Email us at --- ### [Jumbo Bible Play Pack](https://gominno.com/lp/jumbo-bible-play-pack/) **Published:** February 6, 2026 **Author:** tech **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x-1024x312.png "Minno-Logo2x - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") ## FAITH-BASED PLAY FOR KIDS FREE SUMMER BIBLE PLAY PACK! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/15163435/LAGB-JUMBO-BIBLE-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-1-1024x564.png "LAGB JUMBO BIBLE PLAY PACK SPREAD - Minno Kids - Minno Kids") Your kids can play and color their way through the Bible, making time with God simple and fun—and easy for grownups! This play pack features over 30 printable pages, including: - Bible verses - Matching - Mazes - And more! ## Minno is the #1 Source of Christian content for kids! Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows on the Minno App. [ Try Minno Now ](https://gominno.com/pricing/) --- ### [LP TEST](https://gominno.com/lp-test/) **Published:** January 22, 2026 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik --- ### [AIR1](https://gominno.com/air1/) **Published:** December 18, 2025 **Author:** Luis Silva --- ### [KLOVE](https://gominno.com/klove/) **Published:** December 18, 2025 **Author:** Luis Silva --- ### [Header Test Page](https://gominno.com/header-test-page/) **Published:** November 24, 2025 **Author:** Narcis Cosma --- ### [The Chosen Adventures - Exclusive Minno Updates](https://gominno.com/sms-tca-2/) **Published:** October 24, 2025 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik **Content:** ![Clip art - Logo](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno_Max_Logo.png "Minno_Max_Logo")&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;” data-ll-status=”loaded”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=”Clip art – Logo” data-id=”545″ width=”182″ data-init-width=”1102″ height=”36″ data-init-height=”215″ title=”Minno\_Max\_Logo” loading=”lazy” src=”https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Minno\_Max\_Logo.png” data-width=”182″ data-height=”36″ style=”aspect-ratio: auto 1102 / 215;”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x-300x92.png "Minno-Logo2x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/01194346/TheChosenAdventures_Logo_3840x2160-Anchor-to-bottom-scaled-e1761333222164.png "TheChosenAdventures_Logo_3840x2160 Anchor to bottom")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") You are here! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23233839/LAGB-CHRISTMAS-PLAY-PACK-SPREAD-633x544_.png "LAGB CHRISTMAS PLAY PACK SPREAD 633x544_")Insert Content Template or SymbolSelect Columns LayoutSelect Columns Layout --- ### [Event - KidzMatter 2025 - Advent Devo](https://gominno.com/lp/kidzmatter/) **Published:** October 6, 2025 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x") ## GET UPDATES FROM MINNO! Insert Image Complete the form to receive your FREE copy of the **Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Advent Devotional**! --- ### [The Bible for Kids Life Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/bible-for-kids/) **Published:** April 29, 2025 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x") ## Get your Bible for Kids Life Guide! Fill out your information below to get your very own copy of the Minno Bible for Kids Life Guide. --- ### [Advent](https://gominno.com/lp/advent/) **Published:** October 25, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** # Get the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Devotional Start a new family tradition as you journey through the Advent season and countdown to Christmas. Spark meaningful conversations with kids to help them anticipate the gift of Jesus while learning about the hope, peace, joy, and love He brings. Start a new family tradition as you journey through the Advent season and countdown to Christmas. Spark meaningful conversations with kids to help them anticipate the gift of Jesus while learning about the hope, peace, joy, and love He brings. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21231028/LAGB_Advent_img_fg.png "LAGB_Advent_img_fg") ## Discover the Gospel-centered Christmas story like never before Based on the best-selling, award-winning Bible, the **Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional** will guide you on a journey through the Christmas story—from Isaiah’s prophecy to the visit of the Wise Men—helping your family experience the joy and anticipation of the season. Includes: - 4 weeks of readings - Conversation Starters - Memory Verses - Games [![minno laugh and grow advent devotional book](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21121555/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCover.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCover")](https://shop.gominno.com/collections/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-advent-devotional/products/laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional) # Looking to shop all our Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids products? You can buy this book and more at: [![Find all Laugh and Grow Bible Products on the Minno Store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23185713/LG-Publishing-Grouping_c2-1024x791.png "LG Publishing Grouping_c2")](https://shop.gominno.com/) ## Free Liturgical Calendar The liturgical calendar can be a fun way for your family to mark the seasons with Scripture and stories, framing your worship during key times of the year. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/13163136/Liturgical-Calendar_f2.png "Liturgical Calendar_f2") Select Columns Layout # Get the Full Minno Christmas Experience Insert Call to Action [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05212541/LAGB-logo-angels-sky-240.jpg "LAGB-logo-angels-sky-240")](http://gominno.com/lp/christmas) Add Icon You are here! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04150534/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Devotional-Cover.jpg "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Devotional Cover")](http://gominno.com/lp/advent) [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05213755/LAGB_Christmas_Family_Fun_Guide_2024_Cover_240.jpg "LAGB_Christmas_Family_Fun_Guide_2024_Cover_240")](https://gominno.com/lp/christmasfun/) --- ### [Minno4](https://gominno.com/home4/) **Published:** October 14, 2024 **Author:** Jolly Sherpa **Content:** # The #1 Source of Christian Content for Kids! Share Jesus with your kids by instantly streaming faith-filled shows. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/15155158/marvel_desktop_tv_720-1.png "marvel_desktop_tv_720-1") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080756/Image-112x.png "Image 112x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080822/Image-122x.png "Image 122x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080844/Image-132x.png "Image 132x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11080903/Mask-Group-32x.png "Mask Group 32x") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081332/Group-122x.png "Group 122x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081354/Group-112x.png "Group 112x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/11081417/Group-132x.png "Group 132x") # What Parents Are Saying About Minno ### Monika Burgess star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “I did recommend you to quiet alot of mums from our school. What I love is lots of Christian movies in one app.” ### Jose Escobar star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “Modern shows and lots of variety for all ages.” ### Kelsey Kellenberger star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “Curated wholesome entertainment.” ### Abisola Kokobili-Alexander star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “Ease of use and the vast choice of shows. Helps that they are grouped by age.” ### Jaymie McCourt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “We are so thankful for this platform for our family. Just like the world around us television has gotten so bad. We are so thankful to the Lord for your willingness to make shows available for kids to watch about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We love the emails and printables as well.” ### Patricia Martinez star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “I love the variety of shows offered, and that I don’t have to worry about what my kids watch. Every single show is safe for kids!” ### Sheri L star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “They really love The Slugs and Bugs Show, VeggieTales, Sea Kids, Ryan Defrates and I could go on. Thank you for helping me to not have to pre-watch every show before my kids to make sure the content is appropriate. Thank you!” ### Rachael King star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “We LOVE the freedom of minno. I know my kids are not being influenced with modern ideas or worldly actions. We have canceled all other tv subscriptions, other than the anticipated Daily Wire cartoons coming soon. Minno is also easy to use and is installed on my kids tablets for screen time.” ### Mary Ioftin star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt star-alt “I love that gominno teaches biblical values and that I don’t have to worry about what they are watching. The shows are engaging and my children always get something out of the show.” STREAM HUNDRED OF HOURS OF KIDS CHRISTIAN ENTERTAINMENT “One of the biggest influences in kids lives is the media they consume. That’s why I’m so excited about Minno and the impact that is having for kids because it is not just media. It is not just entertainment. It’s funny, it’s engaging, but it’s also filled with biblical truth that kids will fall in love with.”Tim Tebow # Watch Anytime, Anywhere ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10165132/8Lkv_s8L-768x776-1.jpg "8Lkv_s8L-768x776")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10165931/apple-tv2x.jpg "apple tv2x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10170013/Image-12x.jpg "Image 12x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10170057/fire-tv2x.jpg "fire tv2x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10170218/Image-32x.jpg "Image 32x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10172139/Group-132x.jpg "Group 132x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10172206/Group-112x.jpg "Group 112x")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10172234/Group-122x.jpg "Group 122x") # Find the best fit for your family # Try us FREE for 7 days, and pick a plan when you sign up ## Monthly $8.99/mo After Your 7-Day Trial! ## Annual ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/15085026/Discount-Bubble-4x.png "Discount Bubble 4x") $5.83/mo After Your 7-Day Trial! **Billed at $69.99/year** Subject to [Terms and Conditions](https://gominno.com/toc) Insert Content Template or Symbol # Frequently Asked Questions # Is Minno available for streaming outside of the US? # Minno is available anywhere in the world! As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, you’ll be good to go. Please note, however, that we charge subscriptions in USD, and you will be charged a small conversion fee if purchasing from outside the United States. # What ages is Minno geared toward? # While we find kids of different ages (even adults!) can find something to love on Minno, our shows are geared toward kids ages 3-12 at this time. # Can I download Minno videos to watch offline? # We’ve heard from parents that they want to be able to save cell data and stream downloaded shows when WIFI isn’t available – and now you can on your family’s mobile devices! Download your favorite shows while on WIFI and then watch them on-the-go. --- ### [The Preschool Years Life Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/the-preschool-years-life-guide/) **Published:** December 6, 2024 **Author:** Jessica Wolstenholm **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x") ## Get your Preschool Years Life Guide! Fill out your information below to get your very own copy of the Minno Preschool Years Life Guide. --- ### [Promo - Programmatic Ads](https://gominno.com/lp/promo/) **Published:** October 25, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** # Special Christmas Offer: Free Advent Book When You Sign Up for Minno! For a limited time only, get a FREE copy of our **Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional** when you sign up for Minno. While supplies last. Offer does not include shipping. ![Enjoy Christmas with Minno Kids](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/25012341/MinnoTitleSlideTransparentChristmas2024-960.png "MinnoTitleSlideTransparentChristmas2024-960") ## How to Get Your FREE Advent Devotional 1. Sign up for a free trial of Minno and use **code ADVENT** at checkout. 2. We’ll email you a code to redeem your FREE copy of the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional. 3. Enjoy a faith-filled Christmas with your family! ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/21122836/lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree.png "lagbBibleAdventDevotionalCoverFree") # Stream VeggieTales® and more! Stream hundreds of hours of Kids Christian entertainment including… ![VeggieTales - Wallpaper](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01-veggietales-show-logo.jpg "01-veggietales-show-logo")![Minno - What's in the Bible?](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/02-WITB-Buck-Blue-Logo.jpg "02-WITB-Buck-Blue-Logo")![Penguins - DreamWorks Animation](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/03-321-penguins-logo.jpg "03-321-penguins-logo")![Animated series - Christian film industry](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06-Owlegories-Series-Logo.jpg "06-Owlegories-Series-Logo")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FriendsHeroes_SeriesImage_01-1024x576.png "FriendsHeroes_SeriesImage_01")![Vertebrate - Mammal](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/05-Theo-Logo.jpg "05-Theo-Logo")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Silly20Songs20NEW-1024x576.jpg "Silly20Songs20NEW")![Action Figure - Figurine](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07-bibleman_animated_series.jpg "07-bibleman_animated_series")![Illustration - Font](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/08-jesus_storybook_bible.png "08-jesus_storybook_bible")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MicahArmorOfGod_SeriesThumbnail-1024x576.jpg "MicahArmorOfGod_SeriesThumbnail")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hermie_SeriesImage_01-1024x576.png "Hermie_SeriesImage_01")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MTA-EP22-SueTheRooterTruck-Preview-Image-1-1024x576.jpg "MTA-EP22-SueTheRooterTruck-Preview-Image-1")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MTA-EP51-TruckTrouble-Preview-Image-1024x576.jpg "MTA-EP51-TruckTrouble-Preview-Image")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MTA-EP52-TrucktacularTruckathalon-Preview-Image-1-1024x576.jpg "MTA-EP52-TrucktacularTruckathalon-Preview-Image-1")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MTA-EP46-MovingTruck-Preview-Image-1024x576.jpg "MTA-EP46-MovingTruck-Preview-Image")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MTA-EP25-MonsterTruckingToday-Preview-Image-1024x576.jpg "MTA-EP25-MonsterTruckingToday-Preview-Image")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MTA-EP52-TrucktacularTruckathalon-Preview-Image-1024x576.jpg "MTA-EP52-TrucktacularTruckathalon-Preview-Image")![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MTA-Series-Image-1024x576.jpg "MTA-Series-Image") ### Shows # 123 ### Episodes # 2524 ### Hours # 500+ ### Tons # OF FUN! ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/minno-apps.webp "minno-apps") # Watch Anytime, Anywhere - Available on iOS, Android, Roku, tvOS, & web - Enjoy on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer - Download your favorite shows to go - Stream on multiple devices at once # Available On All Major Platforms ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/roku2x.png "roku2x")![Logo - Graphics](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/apple-tv2x-e1703094190161.png "apple-tv2x")![Fire TV logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211241/Fire_TV-e1703094227692.png "Fire_TV") ![Chromecast logo](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/chromecast-logo-e1703094250538.png "chromecast-logo") ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/05023808/App-Store.png "App Store") \#image\_title ![Amazon.com - Logo](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/04211201/amazon-badge-12x.png "amazon-badge-12x") \#image\_title ![Get it the Minno App on Android devices in the Google Play store](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/04211237/GooglePlay-Badge-Updated.png "GooglePlay-Badge-Updated") # Why Parents Love Minno ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/minno-about-01-kids.webp "minno-about-01-kids") # Lead Your Kids to a Life of Faith Show your kids that following Jesus is awesome through our growing library of shows, movies, and devotionals. All accessible from anywhere at any time. ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/minno-about-02-parents.webp "minno-about-02-parents") # Content You can Trust Our catalog is handpicked and curated by our team – it’s not only safe, it’s wholesome and God-centered. ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/minno-about-03-families.webp "minno-about-03-families") # Devotionals for the Whole Family Spark conversations with your kids with our easy-to-use Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional video series. # What Parents Are Saying About Minno “I love that I don’t have to worry about the content of what my kids are watching. They are learning about God in a way that is fun and entertaining.” # Annie “We are excited to have content for the kids to view other than Disney and Nick which at times don’t share very nice content. Thank you for offering this streaming content for our family! I will be sharing this with all our friends and family.” # Katherine “My kids love this app! It’s something I’ve been waiting a while for shows without the negative subliminal messages! Thank You!” # Adam # Start Your Free Week # Monthly Standard Subscription After Your 7-Day Free Trial ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/price-8.webp "price-8") - 145+ Christian TV shows and counting - 2500+ carefully curated episodes to teach kids about faith, God, Jesus, and the Bible - Minno 5 Minute Family Devotionals to guide discussions around the Bible - Over 40+ episodes of classic VeggieTales® - New Minno Church at Home episodes every Sunday - Christ-centric, kid-focused, and seriously fun stories… all rooted in the love of Jesus! ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/minno-shows.webp "minno-shows") # Frequently Asked Questions # Is Minno available for streaming outside of the US? # Minno is available anywhere in the world! As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, you’ll be good to go. Please note, however, that we charge subscriptions in USD, and you will be charged a small conversion fee if purchasing from outside the United States. # What ages is Minno geared toward? # While we find kids of different ages (even adults!) can find something to love on Minno, our shows are geared toward kids ages 3-12 at this time. # Can I download Minno videos to watch offline? # We’ve heard from parents that they want to be able to save cell data and stream downloaded shows when WIFI isn’t available – and now you can on your family’s mobile devices! Download your favorite shows while on WIFI and then watch them on-the-go. --- ### [Tech Life Guide](https://gominno.com/lp/techlifeguide/) **Published:** September 16, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20164611/Minno-Logo2x.png "Minno-Logo2x") ## Get your Technology Life Guide! Fill out your information below to get your very own copy of the Minno Technology Life Guide. --- ### [Press Coming Soon](https://gominno.com/press-coming-soon/) **Published:** November 5, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/01000949/Minno-Press-Logo.png "Minno Press Logo") # The children’s book imprint of Minno. Home of the best-selling, award-winning, Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Minno Press is the children’s publisher for all Minno brands. Take the excitement off-screen through engaging books that teach kids about the Bible and God’s big love for them! ## Sign Up to be the first to know about new releases. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/01203727/Minno-Press-Books.png "Minno Press Books") For wholesale orders, please contact [**Baker Publishing Group**.](http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/business) --- ### [ShopWP Collections](https://gominno.com/collections/) **Published:** March 7, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez --- ### [ShopWP Products](https://gominno.com/products/) **Published:** March 7, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez --- ### [Time Capsule](https://gominno.com/lp/timecapsule/) **Published:** October 6, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez --- ### [Kids Christmas Bible Stories App](https://gominno.com/lp/christmasapp/) **Published:** November 21, 2022 **Author:** Minno --- ### [GHC 2023](https://gominno.com/lp/ghc23/) **Published:** February 23, 2023 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Landing Page Test](https://gominno.com/lp/lp-test/) **Published:** March 3, 2022 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Landing Pages](https://gominno.com/lp/) **Published:** October 13, 2021 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Welcome](https://gominno.com/welcome/) **Published:** September 23, 2021 **Author:** Minno --- ### [Marketing Page](https://gominno.com/cro/marketing-page/) **Published:** March 18, 2021 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Login](https://gominno.com/login/) **Published:** December 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [3 Free](https://gominno.com/cro/3-free/) **Published:** December 11, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [99-3](https://gominno.com/cro/99-3/) **Published:** December 11, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Search](https://gominno.com/search/) **Published:** November 27, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Videos](https://gominno.com/videos/) **Published:** November 11, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Serie Detail](https://gominno.com/serie-detail/) **Published:** November 11, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Choose Your Plan](https://gominno.com/pricing-2/) **Published:** November 10, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [How To Watch](https://gominno.com/apps-2/) **Published:** November 3, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Home Page – 300](https://gominno.com/cro/home-page-300/) **Published:** August 27, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 216](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-216/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 214](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-214/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 208](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-208/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 209](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-209/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 213](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-213/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 207](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-207/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 212](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-212/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 210](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-210/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! Faith and Family Focused Ad-free Content Ages 2-12 ## Stream VeggieTales® and more! Stream hundreds of hours of Kids Christian entertainment including… ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01-veggietales-show-logo.jpg "01-veggietales-show-logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01-veggietales-show-logo.jpg "01-veggietales-show-logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/02-WITB-Buck-Blue-Logo.jpg "02-WITB-Buck-Blue-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/02-WITB-Buck-Blue-Logo.jpg "02-WITB-Buck-Blue-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/03-321-penguins-logo.jpg "03-321-penguins-logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/03-321-penguins-logo.jpg "03-321-penguins-logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/04-friendsAndHeroesLogo.jpg "04-friendsAndHeroesLogo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/04-friendsAndHeroesLogo.jpg "04-friendsAndHeroesLogo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/05-Theo-Logo.jpg "05-Theo-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/05-Theo-Logo.jpg "05-Theo-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06-Owlegories-Series-Logo.jpg "06-Owlegories-Series-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/06-Owlegories-Series-Logo.jpg "06-Owlegories-Series-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07-bibleman_animated_series.jpg "07-bibleman_animated_series")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07-bibleman_animated_series.jpg "07-bibleman_animated_series")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/08-jesus_storybook_bible.png "08-jesus_storybook_bible")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/08-jesus_storybook_bible.png "08-jesus_storybook_bible")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/09-superbook.jpg "09-superbook")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/09-superbook.jpg "09-superbook")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/10-AoG_series_image.jpg "10-AoG_series_image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/10-AoG_series_image.jpg "10-AoG_series_image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/11-Angel-Wars-Series-Logo.jpg "11-Angel-Wars-Series-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/11-Angel-Wars-Series-Logo.jpg "11-Angel-Wars-Series-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/12-HF-Logo-BG.jpg "12-HF-Logo-BG")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/12-HF-Logo-BG.jpg "12-HF-Logo-BG")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/13-MTA-Series-Image.jpg "13-MTA-Series-Image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/13-MTA-Series-Image.jpg "13-MTA-Series-Image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/14-PT-show-logo.jpg "14-PT-show-logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/14-PT-show-logo.jpg "14-PT-show-logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/15-davey_and_goliath.jpeg "15-davey_and_goliath")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/15-davey_and_goliath.jpeg "15-davey_and_goliath")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/16-Topsy_Turvy_Poster_4x3.png "16-Topsy_Turvy_Poster_4x3")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/16-Topsy_Turvy_Poster_4x3.png "16-Topsy_Turvy_Poster_4x3")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/17-1HB-Amazon-Key-Art-16-9.jpg "17-1HB-Amazon-Key-Art-16-9")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/17-1HB-Amazon-Key-Art-16-9.jpg "17-1HB-Amazon-Key-Art-16-9")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/18-NOEB-Series-Primary-Image.jpg "18-NOEB-Series-Primary-Image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/18-NOEB-Series-Primary-Image.jpg "18-NOEB-Series-Primary-Image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/19-yancy_y_sus_amigos.jpeg "19-yancy_y_sus_amigos")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/19-yancy_y_sus_amigos.jpeg "19-yancy_y_sus_amigos")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20-silly_songs.png "20-silly_songs")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20-silly_songs.png "20-silly_songs")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/21-JG-Logo-3.jpg "21-JG-Logo-3")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/21-JG-Logo-3.jpg "21-JG-Logo-3")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/22-Iesodo-Series-Image.jpg "22-Iesodo-Series-Image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/22-Iesodo-Series-Image.jpg "22-Iesodo-Series-Image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/23-Whirl-Ada-Logo.jpg "23-Whirl-Ada-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/23-Whirl-Ada-Logo.jpg "23-Whirl-Ada-Logo")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/24-RD-Series-Image.jpg "24-RD-Series-Image")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/24-RD-Series-Image.jpg "24-RD-Series-Image") Shows 128 Episodes 2,397 Hours 458 Tons OF FUN! ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lhVlPEoY.png "lhVlPEoY")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/minno-apps-sm.png "minno-apps-sm") Watch Anytime, Anywhere - Available on iOS, Android, Roku, tvOS, & web - Enjoy on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer - Download your favorite shows to go - Stream on multiple ## Available On All Major Platforms ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/roku@2x.png "roku@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/roku@2x.png "roku@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/apple-tv@2x.png "apple-tv@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/apple-tv@2x.png "apple-tv@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fire-tv@2x.png "fire tv@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/firetv@2x.png "firetv@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/chromecast-logo@2x.png "chromecast-logo@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/chromecast@2x.png "chromecast@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917@2x.png "Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_RGB_blk_092917@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Layer-3.png "Layer 3")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/amazon-badge-1@2x.png "amazon-badge-1@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Layer-5.png "Layer 5")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mask-Group-13@2x.png "Mask Group 13@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Layer-3.png "Layer 3") ## Why Parents Love Minno ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/minno-about-01-kids.png "minno-about-01-kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/minno-about-01-kids.png "minno-about-01-kids") Lead Your Kids to a Life of Faith Show your kids that following Jesus is awesome through our growing library of shows, movies, and devotionals. All accessible from anywhere at any time. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/minno-about-02-parents.png "minno-about-02-parents")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/minno-about-02-parents.png "minno-about-02-parents") Content You Can Trust Our catalog is handpicked and curated by our team – it’s not only safe, it’s wholesome and God-centered. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/minno-about-03-families.png "minno-about-03-families")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/minno-about-03-families.png "minno-about-03-families") Devotionals for the Whole Family Spark conversations with your kids with our easy-to-use Minno 5 Minute Family Devotional video series. ## Why Parents Love Minno \[smartslider3 slider=6\] ## What Parents Are Saying About Minno “I love that I don’t have to worry about the content of what my kids are watching. They are learning about God in a way that is fun and entertaining.” Annie “We are excited to have content for the kids to view other than Disney and Nick which at times don’t share very nice content. Thank you for offering this streaming content for our family! I will be sharing this with all our friends and family.” Katherine “My kids love this app! It’s something I’ve been waiting a while for shows without the negative subliminal messages! Thank You!” Adam ## What Parents Are Saying About Minno \[smartslider3 slider=4\] ## Start Your Free Week Monthly Standard Subscription After Your 7-Day Free Trial! ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6.99-price-image@2x.png "6.99 price-image@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6.99-price-image@2x.png "6.99 price-image@2x") - Unlimited Streaming - 130 shows and counting - Over 40+ episodes of VeggieTales® - Available on iOS, Android, Roku, tvOS, & web - Enjoy on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer - Download your favorite shows to go - Stream on multiple devices at once ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2D3D_Characters-group@2x.png "2D3D_Characters-group@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2D3D_Characters-group@2x.png "2D3D_Characters-group@2x") ## Start Your Free Week Monthly Standard Subscription ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6.99-price-image@2x.png "6.99 price-image@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6.99-price-image@2x.png "6.99 price-image@2x") After Your 7-Day Free Trial! - Unlimited Streaming - 130 shows and counting - Over 40+ episodes of VeggieTales® - Available on iOS, Android, Roku, tvOS, & web - Enjoy on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer - Download your favorite shows to go - Stream on multiple devices at once ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2D3D_Characters-group@2x.png "2D3D_Characters-group@2x")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2D3D_Characters-group@2x.png "2D3D_Characters-group@2x") ## Frequently Asked Questions Is Minno available for streaming outside of the US? Minno is available anywhere in the world! As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, you’ll be good to go. Please note, however, that we charge subscriptions in USD, and you will be charged a small conversion fee if purchasing from outside the United States. What ages is Minno geared toward? While we find kids of different ages (even adults!) can find something to love on Minno, our shows are geared toward kids ages 3-12 at this time. Can I download Minno videos to watch offline? We’ve heard from parents that they want to be able to save cell data and stream downloaded shows when WIFI isn’t available – and now you can on your family’s mobile devices! Download your favorite shows while on WIFI and then watch them on-the-go. ## Frequently Asked Questions Is Minno available for streaming outside of the US? Minno is available anywhere in the world! As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, you’ll be good to go. Please note, however, that we charge subscriptions in USD, and you will be charged a small conversion fee if purchasing from outside the United States. Is Minno available for streaming outside of the US? Minno is available anywhere in the world! As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, you’ll be good to go. Please note, however, that we charge subscriptions in USD, and you will be charged a small conversion fee if purchasing from outside the United States. Is Minno available for streaming outside of the US? Minno is available anywhere in the world! As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, you’ll be good to go. Please note, however, that we charge subscriptions in USD, and you will be charged a small conversion fee if purchasing from outside the United States. --- ### [Home Page – 204](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-204/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 203](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-203/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 202](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-202/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 201](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-201/) **Published:** May 18, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 206](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-206/) **Published:** May 15, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 215](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-215/) **Published:** May 15, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! Enter your email to try Minno for free! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing") - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 205](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-205/) **Published:** May 15, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 198](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-198/) **Published:** May 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 200](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-200/) **Published:** May 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing") - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 197](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-197/) **Published:** May 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 199](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-199/) **Published:** May 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing") - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [Home Page – 196](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-196/) **Published:** May 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ### [Home Page – 195](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-195/) **Published:** May 14, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") --- ### [CRO](https://gominno.com/cro/) **Published:** May 7, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Home Page – 194](https://gominno.com/cro/pg-194/) **Published:** May 7, 2020 **Author:** John Henderson **Content:** ## ​Stream Kids Shows Where God is Real Join thousands of Christian families who already subscribe and start streaming or downloading our shows and devotionals! ### Shows Kids Love, Values Parents Trust Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values. - VeggieTales ® - What’s In The Bible? - ​Superbook - Friends and Heroes - Owlegories - Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent ![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![Veggietales](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/veggietales.jpg "Veggietales")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![What’s In The Bible?](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/witb.jpg "What’s In The Bible?")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Superbook](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/superbook.jpg "Superbook")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Friends and Heroes](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/friends-and-heros.jpg "Friends and Heroes")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Owlegories](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/owlegories.jpg "Owlegories")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent")![Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ryan-defrates.jpg "Ryan Defrates: Secret Agent") ## Stream Unlimited Shows And Devotionals For Only ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pricing.png "pricing") - ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids - ​Stream VeggieTales And More - ​Available On All Major Platforms - ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device - ​Download and Go - ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ![Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids-Option3.jpg "Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Trusted-Biblical-Content-For-Kids.jpg) #### ​Trusted, Biblical Content For Kids ​We are parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders, developers, writers, and technology and entertainment executives with one mission: serving you, as Christian parents, in raising the next generation of believers. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-VeggieTales-And-More.jpg "Stream-VeggieTales-And-More") #### ​Stream VeggieTales And More ​Instantly stream or download thousands of hand-picked episodes that reflect your faith and values, including 30 episodes of classic VeggieTales and shows like What’s In The Bible, Superbook and more. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Available-On-All-Major-Platforms.jpg "Available-On-All-Major-Platforms") #### ​Available On All Major Platforms ​Minno Kids is now available on the App Store, Roku, Google Play and Amazon. For more information regarding the specific devices we support and how to get started on each, stop by our [Apps and Devices Page.](/) ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device.jpg "Enjoy-On-Your-Favorite-Device") #### ​Enjoy On Your Favorite Device ​Stream Minno Kids on your phone, tablet, TV, or computer. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Download-and-Go.jpg "Download-and-Go") #### ​Download and Go ​Save cell data by watching downloaded shows when WiFi isn’t available on your family’s iOS and Android mobile devices. ![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously")![](https://www.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously.jpg "Stream-On-Multiple-Devices-Simultaneously") #### ​Stream On Multiple Devices Simultaneously ​Your kids can stream their favorite shows at the same time – whether they’re in different rooms of the house or sitting together in the backseat of the minivan. You can also stream from your mobile device and your TV at the same time, or watch on multiple TVs! --- ## News ### [Minno Launches First-Ever American Sign Language Bible Series for Kids](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-first-ever-american-sign-language-bible-series-for-kids/) **Published:** July 8, 2025 **Author:** Alexis Brunner Haley **Content:** **Christian kids’ streaming leader breaks barriers in accessibility with ASL Bible episodes; expands Spanish and Portuguese content.** Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids, announces it will launch American Sign Language (ASL) versions of its flagship series, “Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids,” on August 8, 2025, taking groundbreaking steps in its mission to help kids experience Jesus everyday, in every way. The children’s streaming platform developed the ASL programming in partnership with Bridge Multimedia, which has previously worked with PBS Kids and Google. “We’re building the most accessible Christian kids’ media platform in the world,” said Erick Goss, CEO and Co-founder of Minno. “To our knowledge, this is the first time a Bible series for kids has ever been created in American Sign Language—and it’s just the beginning. Every child deserves the chance to experience the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the way they learn best—whether through ASL, their native language, or as a story at bedtime. No other platform is delivering faith-based content for kids at this scale or quality.” ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/08224810/LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_BoxArt_1920x2560-1.png "LaughAndGrowBible_ASL_BoxArt_1920x2560-1") Minno is also expanding its Spanish language offerings, which were recently added to the platform, and will soon include Portuguese. This fall, Minno will also launch the original series “Guillermo & Will,” a dual-language Spanish-English preschool series created by Emmy-nominated puppeteer Donna Kimball. Spanish-language content consistently ranks in the platform’s top 10 most-watched programming on YouTube. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/08230515/LaughAndGrowBible_Portuguese_BoxArt_1536x2048.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_Portuguese_BoxArt_1536x2048")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/08230542/LaughAndGrowBible_Spanish_BoxArt_1536x2048.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_Spanish_BoxArt_1536x2048")![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/08231222/Copy-of-VERTICAL-Guillermo-Will-FTP-Car.jpg "Copy of VERTICAL Guillermo Will FTP Car") The flagship series “Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids,” which currently includes 42 episodes and three 30-minute specials, continues to expand with several new features and formats including the Spanish and Portuguese language versions, a new “In the Beginning” special, several new episodes including “Daniel and the Lions,” “The Book of Songs,” and “The Family of Jesus,” American Sign Language (ASL) versions (launching Aug 8) and audio-only versions designed for bedtime, car trips and screen-free time. Recent content additions to the platform include fan-favorite, “The Dead Sea Squirrels” from VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki, and Minno’s new originals “Micah,” “Suni the Super Unicorn,” and “God’s Greenhouse” from KidMin creator Areo Keller Donahue, whose new special “God’s Greenhouse Get Ready for Bed Special” will launch September 5. Over the past year (2024-2025), Minno has seen incredible growth of its streaming platform and YouTube channel, positioning it as today’s leading faith-based family content platform. Significant milestones include: - - Triple-digit membership growth for the [Minno.com](http://minno.com/) subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) platform, propelling it into the top 1% of direct-to-consumer subscription companies. - YouTube: One million subscribers on YouTube (150% year-over-year growth), 122 million views in the past 12 months, placing Minno in top .06% of most subscribed channels on YouTube. “This expansion is just the beginning for Minno,” said Goss. “We believe the opportunity to reach kids with high-quality Christian content during the most formative window of their lives is massive—and we’re called to meet it. We’re building a global library of faith-filled stories shaped by theologians, child development experts, children’s media specialists, and Emmy-nominated Christian creators. Our goal is nothing short of setting a new standard for what kids’ faith-based content can be—and making it accessible to families around the world.” Select Columns LayoutASL versions of Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids will be available exclusively on Minno starting August 8, 2025. Families can sign up today at [GoMinno.com](http://gominno.com/).For more information, interviews or screener requests email . **About Minno**Minno is the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families.. Named after the Greek word menō (to abide) from John 15:4–5, Minno exists to help families abide in Christ—in the everyday moments of life. With a fast-growing streaming platform, the #1 YouTube channel for Christian kids, and best-selling books like The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Minno helps kids and their families experience Jesus every day, on and off screens. Minno’s original shows are made in partnership with top Christian creators, child development experts, theologians and educational media specialists to set new standards of excellence. Available on all major platforms, and supporting parents with resources, devotionals, and blogs, Minno is where God’s love comes to life for kids around the world. Enter your text here… --- ### [Minno Named Kids-First Streaming Partner for 5&2 Studios’ The Chosen Adventures](https://gominno.com/news/minno-named-kids-first-streaming-partner-for-52-studios-the-chosen-adventures/) **Published:** October 31, 2025 **Author:** Alexis Brunner Haley **Content:** ### New Animated Series Based on Global Hit The Chosen Launches on Minno October 31, 2025 Minno, the global leader in Christian kids’ streaming, has been named the faith-first, kids-first streaming partner for The Chosen Adventures, a new animated series produced by 5&2 Studios. The series is currently available on Prime Video and starts streaming on Minno on October 31. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/24182432/1x1-1.png "1x1 1") As the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, Minno is uniquely positioned to help connect The Chosen Adventures with the next generation, given its unmatched expertise in creating safe, faith-filled, and engaging experiences. With its mission to deliver stories kids love and values parents trust, Minno has earned the trust of families seeking high-quality faith-based content for kids. Select Columns Layout > “At Minno, we believe there’s nothing more important than helping kids know the love of God—and The Chosen Adventures is exactly the kind of show the world needs right now. We’re so grateful that The Chosen team made the intentional decision to prioritize children, building on the impact of the original series to reach the next generation,” said Erick Goss, CEO and Co-Founder of Minno. Created by 5&2 Studios, the same team behind the global phenomenon The Chosen, The Chosen Adventures follows nine-year-old Abby and her best friend Joshua as they navigate life in the ancient city of Capernaum. When the children encounter a wise craftsman and teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, he changes the way they see the world. And did we mention that she has a talking sheep? The 14-episode animated series features the voice talents of Emmy® winner Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird, I, Tonya), Emmy® nominee Yvonne Orji (Insecure) and two-time GRAMMY®-nominated artist Jordin Sparks, as well cast members from The Chosen, including Jonathan Roumie, Paras Patel, Elizabeth Tabish, Noah James, Joey Vahedi, Yasmine Al-Bustami, Brandon Potter and George H. Xanthis. “While The Chosen Adventures is for all ages, we created it especially to give young kids an on-ramp to the stories of Jesus and the truths of the Bible. And that’s exactly what Minno is all about, so we’re thrilled to partner with them and blow some wind into each other’s sails.” said Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen and The Chosen Adventures. Over the past two years, Minno has delivered 200% SVOD membership growth, built one of the fastest growing Christian kids YouTube channels, developed deep trust with parents, and proven its ability to activate faith-driven audiences. This partnership signals that Minno is at the forefront as the platform of choice for today’s most impactful Christian storytellers reaching kids and families. **For more information visit [www.gominno.com](http://www.gomino.com/)**, **or contact .** **About Minno:** Minno is the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families. Named after the Greek word menō (to abide) from John 15:4–5, Minno exists to help families abide in Christ—in the everyday moments of life. With a fast-growing streaming platform, the #1 YouTube channel for Christian kids, and best-selling books like The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids, Minno helps kids and their families experience Jesus every day, on and off screens. Minno’s original shows are made in partnership with top Christian creators, child development experts, theologians and educational media specialists to set new standards of excellence. Available on all major platforms, and supporting parents with resources, devotionals, and blogs, Minno is where God’s love comes to life for kids around the world. Learn more at[ www.gominno.com](https://www.gominno.com/). **About 5&2 Studios:** 5&2 Studios connects people around the world to stories from the Bible through uniquely human and authentic storytelling. Founded by Dallas Jenkins following the global success of The Chosen, 5&2 has expanded into producing both scripted and unscripted series, an animated series, and an expansive library of digital content. The independent studio also manages its own distribution, marketing, studio facilities, and consumer products line. For more information, visit [https://www.thechosen.tv](https://www.thechosen.tv/). --- ### [Minno Launches Guillermo & Will, First-of-Its-Kind Dual-Language Puppet Series Bringing God’s Love to Kids in English and Spanish](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-guillermo-will-first-of-its-kind-dual-language-puppet-series-bringing-gods-love-to-kids-in-english-and-spanish/) **Published:** September 16, 2025 **Author:** Alexis Brunner Haley **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/16155036/16x9-copy.png "16x9 copy - Minno Kids") --- ### [Minno announces ‘The Dead Sea Squirrels’ will premiere February 14](https://gominno.com/news/minno-announces-the-dead-sea-squirrels-will-premiere-february-14/) **Published:** January 14, 2025 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** # Will Premiere on February 14 # New animated series from co-creator of Veggietales to debut exclusively on Minno **NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 14, 2025)** – Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, is thrilled to announce the worldwide release of the highly anticipated animated series, ***The Dead Sea Squirrels***, on February 14, 2025 exclusively on the Minno streaming platform. Created by **Mike Nawrocki**, co-creator of VeggieTales, and produced by **Steve Taylor**, acclaimed recording artist, music producer and filmmaker, the series boasts a star-studded cast, including: Nawrocki (previously VeggieTales’ “Larry the Cucumber”), with guests appearances from **Phil Vischer** (VeggieTales’ “Bob the Tomato”), **Duncan Phillips** (The Newsboys), and **Beth Moore**, plus original songs featuring Christian recording artists **Matthew West**, MercyMe’s **Bart Millard**, **Ellie Holcomb** and many others. This groundbreaking series represents an extraordinary collaboration of talent, including contributions from acclaimed animator Tom Bancroft, whose experience with Walt Disney Feature Animation includes classics such as Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aladdin. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/14011203/DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured.jpg "DeadSeaSquirrels_News_Featured") Based on the best-selling book series published by Tyndale, The Dead Sea Squirrels follows the adventures of Merle and Pearl, a pair of squirrels who have been petrified in sea salt and stuck in a Dead Sea cave for 2,000 years. After 10-year-old Michael smuggles them home from his dad’s archeological dig, the pair wake up and are ready to dive into the 21st century. Turns out they love sharing the lessons they learned first-hand from Jesus’ teachings in their own nutty way. “As a parent, I know how important it is to find content that not only entertains but also helps kids grow in their faith,” said **Erick Goss**, CEO and Co-Founder of Minno. “We have been committed to being a source for world-class content for Christian kids with shows like The Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids and Young David. We’re honored to continue that effort in our collaboration with Mike Nawrocki and Steve Taylor – The Dead Sea Squirrels is something truly special.” “Since my last VeggieTales episode 10 years ago, it’s been a dream to create another fun, faith-filled series for families,” said **Nawrocki**. “The Dead Sea Squirrels builds on the VeggieTales legacy by introducing a new cast of characters to this generation of kids and families. Partnering with New Zealand’s Mukpuddy Animation Studio along with faculty mentors and top tier animation students at Lipscomb University’s Imagine House productions has brought an incredible level of artistry to this project.” With the acquisition of The Dead Sea Squirrels series and its collaboration with top-tier talent, Minno solidifies its position as a powerhouse in Christian kids and family content. This multi-year deal, in partnership with Wonder Project, encompasses global video streaming distribution across all touchpoints and channels. For interview requests contact , and for more information, visit [https://gominno.com/deadseasquirrels](https://shared.outlook.inky.com/link?domain=gominno.com&t=h.eJxNjkEOgyAURK_SsG5ERKi48iq_8EFSBQuYtGl690pXriaZvLyZD9nTQsYLmUvZ8kipi6sPITY6rtQgmIyQn7tPCZdMrhfyqHDAEpOzhXU9b4Ua6Abe4eR1DCsaDy7FffsrACQyAMEE01LDgKiUtbYTWmF7l5yyGxeqbwcpmo73h0_VFawrsODL52Y-8j2dflXAVODcfX8nGkAU.MEUCIDEbONamT3Z9pnE30cQUJRQsjbrKFrmgPbC-pLD9m-9dAiEAljDek5OJDu9V0_oLE_68JC2fP0HOw_AGglv4mntA5go). # About Minno Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent, including highly-acclaimed Young David and the award-winning The Minno Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids animated series and best-selling book. With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids. To find out more, go to [GoMinno.com](http://www.gominno.com/). # Media Contact: Paige Collins, ICON Media Group[](mailto:paige@iconmediagroup.com) --- ### [Minno launches engaging new Advent experience for families: Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional](https://gominno.com/news/minno-launches-engaging-new-advent-experience-for-families-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-family-advent-devotional/) **Published:** November 4, 2024 **Author:** Alexis Brunner Haley **Content:** Just in time for the holiday season, families with young children can embark on a new journey through the Christmas story with the release of Minno’s *Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional*, a captivating addition to Minno’s acclaimed lineup of resources. Developed by Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, the ***Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional*** guides readers through the timeless biblical story of Christmas–from Isaiah’s prophecy to the arrival of the Messiah to the visit of the Wise Men. Each week of this interactive guide features devotionals aligned with traditional advent themes: hope, peace, joy, and love, fostering a meaningful family experience leading up to Christmas. “We are thrilled to introduce the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Family Advent Devotional as a tool to help families prepare their hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus,” said Jess Wolstenholm, Minno’s VP of Education and Research. “This new devotional book embodies Minno’s commitment to bring God’s goodness and love to life for children and families, offering a simple rhythm they can fit into their busy holiday season.” ![](https://gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Devotional-Cover.jpg "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Devotional Cover")Insert Image![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04150534/Laugh-and-Grow-Bible-Advent-Devotional-Cover.jpg "Laugh and Grow Bible Advent Devotional Cover") --- ### [PRESS RELEASE: Minno Presents “Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Who is Jesus?” Special](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-presents-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-special/) **Published:** July 11, 2024 **Author:** Alexis Brunner Haley **Content:** Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, is thrilled to announce the premiere of the [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Who is Jesus? ](https://gominno.com/Jesus)special, available for streaming on July 12. Perfect for children and families to watch together and grow in their understanding of Jesus and His love for us, this engaging 30-minute special is based on the award-winning, top-selling Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids print edition written by the creator of VeggieTales®. Select Columns LayoutSelect Columns Layout[![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/11151512/Show-Image-1-Jesus-with-God_LogoREV2_4x5.png "Show Image 1 - Jesus with God_LogoREV2_4x5")](http://Gominno.com/jesus) The [Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Who is Jesus?](https://gominno.com/Jesus) special was developed when the creators began animating classic stories about Jesus’ life such as: John baptizing Jesus, Jesus’ temptation in the desert, Jesus choosing His disciples, and the Sermon on the Mount. “We recognized that while many children are often exposed to the birth of Jesus in Christmas stories, and the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter, it’s also important for kids to learn more about who Jesus is and how He lived. Before we ask kids to love and follow Jesus, they have to grow to know Him.” said Jess Wolstenholm, VP of Education and Publishing, and Executive Producer of the animated series. “This special will be a wonderful catalyst for parents to help their child develop a more personal understanding of Jesus.” Minno is also offering a free downloadable companion Family Guide that provides additional insights, a memory verse, reading plan, discussion questions, and coloring sheets to help families dive deeper into the stories and themes presented in the special. Through both the visual content and companion resources, families will be able watch, laugh, and grow in their understanding of who Jesus is and why He came to be our Savior and friend. [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/26094924/LAGB-JESUS-GUIDE-OFFER-SAMPLE.png "LAGB-JESUS-GUIDE-OFFER-SAMPLE")](http://www.gominno.com/jesus) More than just children’s Bible stories, the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids is the most comprehensive, age-appropriate and engaging presentation of the Good News of Jesus’ love available. Through the books, series, specials, devotionals and downloadable resources, families can read a story in the print edition, and then watch a fully-animated version of the story in the series and in the special, and continue the experience through off-screen fun. Filled with beloved Bible moments, curious questions, support for sticky subjects and tricky topics, there is no better way for families to grow in the truth of God’s Word together! To learn more, stream the special and access the additional resources, visit: ###### ABOUT MINNO Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent. Minno’s publishing program includes the award-winning, best-selling “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.” With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources, blogs, life guides, and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids. To find out more, go to [www.GoMinno.com](http://www.gominno.com/). **Media Contact:** Paige Collins, ICON Media Group Select Columns LayoutSelect Columns LayoutSelect Columns LayoutSelect Columns Layout --- ### [5 Ways to Help Your Kids Learn About Jesus This Summer](https://gominno.com/news/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Alexis Brunner Haley **Content:** ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/04203443/Side.png "Side") Published June 3, 2024 in [Nashville Christian Family](https://nashchristian.com/2024/06/5-ways-to-help-your-kids-learn-about-jesus-this-summer/). On the way to soccer practice one night, my 5-year-old son gazed out the car window, looked up into the sky and said, *“Mom, wouldn’t it be cool if we could take a rocket ship to heaven so we could meet Jesus?”* *Yeah, buddy. That would be SO COOL!* Back then, my boy was young and he was only just beginning his relationship with Jesus. But we talked about Jesus often and little by little, his Savior became more real to him. I love that his heart longed to know Jesus then, even if he didn’t realize it. His questions told me that he was searching to understand this person we talk so much about in our home. Through the Christmas and Easter seasons, we have the amazing opportunity to talk about Jesus with our kids. But learning about Jesus doesn’t have to stop after the big Christian holidays and especially during these carefree summer months. In fact, summer offers amazing opportunities to help our kids learn about Jesus. New seasons are the perfect time to introduce new rhythms. As you assess your summer schedule, commit to finding pockets of time to practice small devotional habits. Try these five simple ways to learn about Jesus and make Him more real for your kids (even though we can’t take a rocket ship to visit Him). **5 Ways to Help Your Kids Learn About Jesus This Summer** **1. Do a Seasonal Devotional –** When introducing a new habit or rhythm, it’s helpful to find a framework or something you can follow to keep you going. There are countless family devotional resources available so do a quick online search to find something your family can get excited about. Or check out Minno’s [**5 Minute Family Devotionals**.](https://gominno.com/?s=5+minute+family+) We have a few that are all about Jesus and will fit easily into your busy schedule because they are super simple and quick! **2. Go on a Virtual Adventure!** – Kids may not yet be ready to “go into the world and preach the Gospel” like Jesus taught but they can develop a Christ-like worldview, even at a young age. Choose a country or region of the world and study its history, culture, and people. Commit to pray for the country and research ways you can support mission work there. This activity will not only teach kids about a new place, but it will also open their minds to a bigger worldview which is a big part of following Jesus. **3. Watch Movies** – Yes, you can learn about Jesus during family movie night! After you watch any movie, talk about it together and look for Jesus moments in the story. If the spiritual themes aren’t obvious, find ways to point discussions about character and life lessons back to Jesus. This is a skill that will help kids find Jesus in everyday experiences throughout their lifetime. Try it out by watching *[Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids](https://kids.gominno.com/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids)* on Minno and use our family discussion guide to spark conversations. **4. Find a Simple Summer Bible Reading Plan** – Download the Minno [Laugh and Grow Bible Summer Scrapbook](https://gominno.com/blog/minno-wow-wonder-summer-activity-scrapbook/) which includes outdoor activities and corresponding BIble stories to read together. Or you can use Minno’s [Simple Summer Bible Reading Plan](https://gominno.com/blog/simple-summer-bible-reading-plan-for-kids/) or create your own! Remember, it’s not about how much you read (especially with kids) but more about including Bible reading into your everyday routines. **5. Make It Part of the Fun!** – Look for fun Bible teaching games like the Minno [Pool Noodle Memory Verse activity](https://gominno.com/blog/pool-noodle-bible-memory-verse-activity/) to make scripture memory a part of your summer fun. These ideas work well on a rainy day when you are stuck indoors. There are a ton of fun games like this one online (do a Pinterest search and you’ll discover so many options). The greatest hope of Christian parents is for our kids to follow Jesus for their whole lives. But how can our kids develop a deep relationship with Jesus unless they get to know who He is? We can turn even the most mundane moments into opportunities to learn about Jesus when we set our hearts on growing together through every season. Find all of these summer resources and more at [gominno.com/blog](https://gominno.com/blog/) ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/05143836/Jessica-Wolstenholm-192x300.jpeg "Jessica Wolstenholm")*Jess Wolstenholm is the VP of Education and Publishing at Minno, a children’s media company that exists to help kids and families experience Jesus every day. Jess is the executive producer of the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids animated series and editor of the Laugh and Grow Bible. After 25 years in children’s ministry leadership, she is now putting her experience and expertise to work developing discipleship content that meets kids where they are at every age and stage. Jess received her undergraduate degree from Belmont University and her Master of Education from Liberty University. She lives just outside Nashville, TN with her husband and two children.*Select Columns LayoutSelect Columns Layout --- ### [Tim Tebow: Minno Board Member and Brand Ambassador](https://gominno.com/news/tim-tebow-minno-board-member-and-brand-ambassador/) **Published:** October 24, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** Tim Tebow is officially a BRAND AMBASSADOR and BOARD MEMBER with Minno! Find out why Tim feels so strongly about Minno here. --- ### [Shawn Johnson East Loves Minno!](https://gominno.com/news/shawn-johnson-east-loves-minno/) **Published:** October 24, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** At 30 years old, American gymnast Shawn Johnson East has accomplished a lifetime of achievements that include Olympic Medals, a New York Times best-selling book, several businesses, a career in broadcast, and a mirror ball trophy after winning Dancing With The Stars. After retiring from gymnastics in 2012, Shawn made appearances on several TV shows including The Apprentice and Adventure Capitalists. Shawn married Andrew East, with whom she has documented her life with on their shared Youtube channel which has over 405 million views and a podcast which has climbed to #2 on the overall charts.And now Shawn is a Minno BOARD MEMBER and BRAND AMBASSADOR, too! Find out why she and Andrew East are such Minno Kids fans! --- ### [Young David Series Launch](https://gominno.com/news/young-david-series-launch/) **Published:** October 25, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** **Minno, Slingshot Productions, Sunrise Animation Studios, and Angel Studios Announce Release of Original Animated Kids’ Series, “Young David”** King David’s Life as a Young Boy; Groundbreaking Series for Kids & Families [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203448/Young-David-Image-2.png "Young-David-Image-2")](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PA_49-7HFURTJoM7u-O-nKi2mJRK_sHY/view?usp=share_link) Announced today, Minno, Slingshot Productions, Sunrise Animation Studios, and Angel Studios team up to release the episodic series “Young David” beginning November 10. “Young David” brings to life the growing-up years of one of the greatest kings in history. Though he would go on to become a renowned leader and leave an unparalleled legacy, he had to start somewhere! The series steps into David’s early life as a young teenage shepherd — with lyre, slingshot, and sheep for friends. Rooted in Biblical context and populated with many of the actual people, places, and kinds of events David would have experienced, each episode focuses on one defining characteristic of David–the one God called a man after His own heart. Exciting, engaging, and ready to inspire audiences of all ages around the globe, “Young David” is history-making animation that puts faith at the center of the screen for kids and families. Minno and Slingshot Productions led the development of the series, which will feature two original songs from Grammy-Award-winning Songwriter Jonas Myrin. “Young David” is a prequel to the full-length animated feature film “David,” to be released in 2025 by Slingshot Productions in partnership with Angel Studios. “Kids deserve incredible, best-in-class stories,” says Erick Goss, CEO and Co-founder of Minno. “At Minno, we use the power of media to invite kids into God’s Story. Young David is a groundbreaking endeavor that blends state-of-the-art animation with timeless tales of faith and virtue cherished by God’s people globally. We’ve taken great care to ensure this series speaks to the heart, offering not just entertainment but also a celebration of shared values and lessons that transcend time. We’re excited to partner with Angel Studios and Slingshot Productions to offer a series that can delight families around the world.” Rarely does this level of feature-film animation quality come to Christian kids’ content. The creators of Young David believe that God’s story deserves excellence, and so do kids and families. Young David delivers on that commitment to excellence, raising a new high bar for Christian content for kids. Young David brings together a team of top talent that has worked on almost every major animated film of the past decade. World-class creatives with joint expertise from power house studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Sony, Disney, Lucas Films, Sesame Workshop, PBS, Scholastic, Discovery Kids, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Jim Henson, and more make up this talented team from Minno, Slingshot Productions, and Sunrise Animation Studios. Executive Producer Phil Cunningham, shares: “We believe that Young David will ignite and inspire children to trust and explore, through relationship, the incredible character and heart of God. Animation is a wonderful medium to connect across race, cultural, age and gender barriers and we have produced Young David to the highest quality possible, leaving no stone unturned and working with the world’s best artists.” The 5-episode animated series will include: - November 10 – “Warrior” - December 8 – “King” - January 12 – “Shepherd” - February 9 – “Poet” - March 8 – “Worshiper” The series will be complemented by a beautifully illustrated young reader chapter book series with five books that correspond to each episode. The first book, Warrior, will be released in early December. Additional products around the Young David series, including curriculum, are in development. “The ‘Young David’ series takes the quality of animated Biblical series to a level audiences haven’t seen before. It gives a tiny glimpse into the quality of the upcoming DAVID feature film,” said Jeffrey Harmon, CCO of Angel Studios. “We are honored to partner with Minno, a company that shares our mission to amplify light, and co-launch the series on our apps and websites. The “Young David” series will be available on the Minno Kids streaming service and the Angel Studios streaming platform and app beginning November 10. Early access will be available for Angel Guild Members on the Angel App beginning November 3. For interviews and press assets, contact: Monique Sondag **ABOUT MINNO** Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent. Minno’s publishing program includes the award-winning, best-selling “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.” With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources, blogs, life guides, and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids. To find out more, go to[ www.gominno.com](http://www.gominno.com/). **ABOUT SLINGSHOT PRODUCTIONS** Slingshot USA, LLC, is a media house built to celebrate truth, topple giants and ignite transformation. The animated feature film “DAVID” is Slingshot Production’s first film, scheduled for global cinematic release in 2025. We work with the world’s best creative talent to bring high-quality entertainment to families around the globe. [www.thedavidmovie.com](http://www.thedavidmovie.com/) At Slingshot Productions, we believe in the power of collaboration. We forge strategic partnerships with like-minded companies that share our core values, bring dynamic energy to our projects, and uphold the high standards of excellence we’ve set for ourselves. Together, we aim to inspire and transform the world through the art of storytelling. **ABOUT SUNRISE ANIMATION** Sunrise Animation Studios is a world-class animation studio service provider, with a passion to “Inspire Through Story.” Sunrise chose animation as their preferred medium because of their belief that it crosses race, culture, age, and gender barriers better than any other entertainment medium. For more, visit [www.SunriseProductions.tv](http://www.sunriseproductions.tv/). **ABOUT ANGEL STUDIO** Angel Studios is the home of stories that amplify light. Through its platform, tens of thousands of “Angel” investors choose which titles the studio will create, fund, and distribute. Angel Studios allows creators and audiences to form passionate communities around their creative projects, making the story behind the story as important as the final project itself. The studios’ first projects—The Chosen and Dry Bar Comedy—have earned billions of views around the world, and now SOUND OF FREEDOM has become a global box-office hit. Learn more at [Angel.com](https://www.angel.com/) --- ### [Rave Reviews for Young David Series!](https://gominno.com/news/rave-reviews-for-young-david-series/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** Critics and reviewers are RAVING about the new Young David animated series! Check out just a few of the many press highlights below! [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203427/Cartoon-Brew.png "Cartoon-Brew")](https://www.cartoonbrew.com/series/faith-based-shorts-series-young-david-will-begin-streaming-on-november-10-234374.html) Click logo to read full review > **“The Young David trailer looks as sharp as any faith-based movie we’ve seen and sets a new standard for the genre.”** > **Cartoon Brew** [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203428/plugged-in-logo-updated-2048x820-1.webp "plugged-in-logo-updated-2048x820-1")](https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/young-david/) Click logo to read full review > **“While the specific stories depicted in the episodes are not found in Scripture, the exploration of what David might have been like as a child is filled with opportunities for these important conversations.”** > **Plugged In by Focus on the Family** [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203432/open-graph-patheos-751133842.jpg "open-graph-patheos-751133842")](https://www.patheos.com/blogs/reelfaith/2023/11/former-amazon-exec-talks-growing-faith-based-childrens-streamer-minno-and-newest-series-young-david.html) Click logo to read full review > **“The new project “Young David” at Minno is a testament to their commitment to high-quality children’s media.“** > **Patheos** [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203433/429_logo-mobile.png "429_logo-mobile")](https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/faithmediaandculture/2023/10/whats-new-in-november-out-of-touch-tv-and-movie-critics-baseballs-real-homeruns.html) Click logo to read full review > **“A biblical Smallville. That’s how you might describe Young David.”** Beliefnet [![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203434/CTN-Enjoy-Life.png "CTN-Enjoy-Life")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YzDhprOKiI) Click logo to watch review > **“It’s a high quality, and beautifully told series that explores David’s early years and is rooted in Biblical context. Kids and parents are going to love it!”** > **Christian Television Network** --- ### [PRESS RELEASE: Outstanding Growth, Minno Surges into 2024!](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-outstanding-growth-minno-surges-into-2024/) **Published:** March 8, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ### Outstanding Growth, Minno Surges into 2024 as the Premier Christian Kids Media and Tech Company with a Year of Inspiration and Wonder for Kids and Families Having firmly established their position as the global leader in Christian media for kids and families, Minno kicks off the new year on the heels of its strongest quarter yet. With incredible growth in Q423, in 2024 Minno continues to differentiate itself as the leading voice for using media and technology to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. Co-founder Erick Goss shares his enthusiasm: “At Minno, we recognize the dilemma faced by Christian families in selecting media that aligns with their faith and values without sacrificing quality. Our growth is a testament to our commitment to bridging this gap. Shows like ‘Young David’ and ‘The Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids’ are prime examples of our dedication to elevating the standard of Christian children’s media. We’re here to change the narrative. By collaborating with top-tier children’s media professionals who share a passion for the Gospel, we’re crafting content that is not only faith-affirming but also engaging, fun, and of the highest quality. At Minno, we’re not just showing what’s possible; we’re setting new benchmarks for excellence in Christian children’s programming. Young families and the Church globally deserve the best. We want to continue to innovate on their behalf.” In 2024, through its streaming platform, new original content, new curriculum, free resources for churches and teachers, publishing expansion, continued partnerships with top-tier influencers and board members, including Tim Tebow and Shawn Johnson East, and more, Minno is set for their best year yet. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203406/1020s0130-marketing-v03.0120.png "1020s0130-marketing-v030120") ##### Breakthrough Series: Young David With the Q4 launch of the animated series “Young David,” produced in partnership with Angel Studios and Slingshot, Minno delivers on their promise to raise the bar of quality for Christian content for kids and families: ***“The ‘Young David’ trailer looks as sharp as any faith-based movie we’ve seen and sets a new standard for the genre.”*** ***– Cartoon Brew.*** Young David” was the most-watched series on the Minno streaming platform in Q4, demonstrating strong engagement at every touchpoint. New episodes of Young David continue to roll out, including “Young David: Worshiper” premiering on March 8. Expanding the Young David experience, adapted from each episode is a stand-alone companion early reader chapter book. The release dates for the “Young David” highly-illustrated chapter book series are as follows: - “Warrior” (Available Now)”Shepherd” (Available Now)”Poet” (Releasing March 12)”Worshiper” and “King” (to be released soon) ##### 1000% YOY Growth of the Minno YouTube Channel Among the fastest-growing YouTube channels for kids, Q4 was the fastest-growing quarter ever for Minno’s YouTube channel in a year where it generated more than 39M views globally and produced 834 years of watch time. Boasting year-over-year growth of over 1000%, Minno expects to see continued growth in 2024 driven by the amazing performance of Minno’s new series, “The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids,” based on Minno’s award-winning Children’s Bible written by VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer. This unique series represents the only Children’s Bible with a companion animated video series. Minno will continue to expand its YouTube offerings, continuing to make kid-first Christian content accessible to everyone, everywhere. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203411/LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail_NewEpisodes_NEW.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_SeriesThumbnail_NewEpisodes_NEW") ##### New episodes and expansion of Minno’s Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Minno’s expertise in bringing the Bible to life for kids remains unparalleled. This season, Minno continues to grow their flagship Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids brand as the most comprehensive, age-appropriate, and engaging presentation of the Gospel available. In Q4, they expanded the franchise to kick off a learning series with “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible: ABCs.” They also added new episodes to the animated series, based on the best-selling, award-winning print edition, “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids”—also available in a simplified board book for little ones. This season, more new episodes are being added to the animated series, all leading up to Minno’s signature Easter special. They also added new episodes to the animated series, based on the best-selling, award-winning, the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids experience extending through downloadable resources, companion activities, family guides and activity packs, Bible reading plans, and more, this year, Minno expands offerings into Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids Easter curriculum. Having already launched an initiative to provide resources and make their service free to church staff, children’s pastors, and teachers, Minno anticipates continuing to innovate in how best to serve those who serve kids, not just serving as a media destination for families but aiding the education efforts of churches and schools. ##### ABOUT MINNO Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent. Minno’s publishing program includes the award-winning, best-selling “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.” With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources, blogs, life guides, and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids. To find out more, go to[ www.gominno.com](http://www.gominno.com/). --- ### [PRESS RELEASE: Global Watch Day!](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-global-watch-day/) **Published:** December 14, 2023 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ### Attention Families: Experience the “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Christmas Special” in a Special and Free Way this Holiday Season Minno Brings Jesus to Kids on Christmas and Every Day This holiday season, Minno, the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible, is delighted to bring families together to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with the “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Christmas Special,” in a special way.While the full “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible” animated series, including the “Christmas Special,” is available all year for Minno App subscribers, this December, families are invited to experience the “Christmas Special” for free in a one-day global event. On Dec 17th, families around the globe are invited to watch a free streaming video on the Minno YouTube channel with or without membership. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203423/LAGB_GWDNativity_4_5.png "LAGB_GWDNativity_4_5") Based on the award-winning Bible, children can join Minno kids Margot, Lexi, Miguel, and Logan on a heartwarming journey through the Christmas story. Hosted by the Hopeful World, this beautiful retelling of the story of Jesus’ birth will help kids understand the true meaning of Christmas. Viewers, both young and old, will be filled with hope as they recall God’s promise fulfilled through our Savior’s arrival. With a mission to ensure that every child can experience Jesus for Christmas this year, Minno is providing an opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the joy of the season through the Minno YouTube channel. Minno has rapidly become the fastest-growing YouTube channel for kids, with an astonishing year-over-year growth of over 1000%. Recently hitting 200K subscribers, the Minno YouTube Channel continues to provide a positive and entertaining space for children to explore Christian content.“The rapid growth of our Minno YouTube channel emphasizes the desire of parents to have access to wholesome, faith-filled, and entertaining media for their kids,” said Minno co-founder Erick Goss. “Our mission is to help kids experience Jesus every day and YouTube is one of the best platforms to reach kids globally. We’re delighted to provide this special day for families to share the story of Jesus’ birth and the Gospel with kids around the globe–together.”Minno has established itself as the global voice for using Christian media to ignite the imaginations and curiosity of children about God and the Bible. As the go-to destination for families seeking wholesome, faith-based content, Minno Originals collaborates with top industry talent to produce engaging shows, including their award-winning “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids,” based on the bestselling Bible.In addition to the Minno YouTube Channel, Minno is extending the “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible Christmas Special” reach by making it available on various platforms for a limited window. These include SHALOM WORLD, BYUtv’s Digital platform, FORMED, and LIVING SCRIPTURES. **For interviews and press assets, contact: Monique Sondag ** ### ABOUT MINNO Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent. Minno’s publishing program includes the award-winning, best-selling “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.” With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources, blogs, life guides, and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids. To find out more, go to www.gominno.com. Select Columns Layout --- ### [PRESS RELEASE: Minno Makes Tackling Tricky Topics Easy](https://gominno.com/news/press-release-minno-makes-tackling-tricky-topics-easy/) **Published:** March 8, 2024 **Author:** Angela Velasquez **Content:** ### Minno Makes Tackling Tricky Topics Easy For Christian Parents With Multimedia Easter Experience For Kids #### NEW family devotionals, animated Easter special, award-winning kids Bible, free downloadables, and new curriculum spark kids’ curiosity and invites them to experience the love of Jesus this Easter This Easter season, Minno, the global leader in Christian media for kids and families, is expanding their signature multimedia MINNO LAUGH AND GROW BIBLE FOR KIDS brand to better support faith formation! Easter can bring up some tricky topics and sticky subjects for Christian families. Parents hoping to share a biblical understanding of Easter with their kids may very well find themselves stumped by some common questions that come up in conversations this time of year. For example, kids may be asking: What is sin? or Why did Jesus have to die? ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203313/LaughAndGrowBible_Easter_Thumbnail.jpg "LaughAndGrowBible_Easter_Thumbnail") The **MINNO LAUGH AND GROW BIBLE FOR KIDS: EASTER SPECIAL** addresses these questions and more. Recently honored with the 2023 Silver Crown Award in the children’s category by the International Christian Visual Media organization (IVCM), there is no better biblical retelling of the Easter story for kids–and no easier way for parents to create a shared faith experience for their families. The 32-minute Easter special is an extension of the original animated series, which is based on the award-winning, top-selling children’s Bible print edition written by the creator of VeggieTales. There is also a downloadable LAUGH AND GROW BIBLE EASTER FAMILY GUIDE filled with discussion questions, games, and other offline ways to experience fun and meaningful conversations this season. With its multimedia brand experience, the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible gives kids and families the opportunity to READ, WATCH, PLAY, and PRAY together with the most comprehensive, engaging, and kid-friendly journey through the Easter story available. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203316/Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1.png "Easter-Family-Guide-Image-1") Just in time for Holy Week, Minno added the brand new EASTER 5 MINUTE FAMILY DEVOTIONAL series. The devotional episodes are a simple way to engage kids in faith-building conversations about Easter. There is one 5-minute devotional for each corresponding episode in the Laugh and Grow Bible Easter series, further expanding the learning opportunities with the corresponding chapter in the print Bible. Additionally, Minno has joined forces with RaiseUpFaith to introduce a new LAUGH AND GROW BIBLE CHURCH CURRICULUM, offering an unparalleled interactive learning experience. RaiseUpFaith is a global curriculum platform dedicated to curating and creating engaging, faith-inspired learning content for children. While more from the partnership will be coming soon, the Easter curriculum can be accessed now through RaiseUpFaith’s online platform, available across the globe. ![](https://marketing.gominno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17203349/JesusCover.png "JesusCover")***“The Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids is at the heart of all the work we do at Minno. Our goal is to help kids experience Jesus everyday in age-appropriate ways that build a strong foundation of faith,” said Jess Wolstenholm, VP of Education and Publishing for Minno. “All of the content we curate and create goes through a rigorous screening or development process to ensure we deliver the most biblically accurate, effective, and fun Bible-learning resources for kids. The Laugh and Grow Bible Easter resources were intentionally designed to make the hard parts of the story a little bit easier for kids to understand through a wide range of content parents and pastors can use to foster learning, creativity, and faith formation. ”*** When it comes to helping kids experience Jesus every day, in every way—on and off screens—Minno’s LAUGH AND GROW BIBLE FOR KIDS delivers! A hit with parents and kids, the animated series has brought unprecedented growth to Minno’s streaming service. The series is also largely responsible for growing Minno Kids’ YouTube Channel subscribers a staggering 1000% year-over-year, reaching over 50 million views in the past 12 months. With new original content, new curriculum, free resources for churches and teachers, publishing expansion, continued partnerships with top-tier influencers and board members (including Tim Tebow and Shawn Johnson East), and more, you’re not going to want to miss out on Minno this Easter! **ABOUT MINNO** **Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent. Minno’s publishing program includes the award-winning, best-selling “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.” With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources, blogs, life guides, and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids. To find out more, go to[ www.gominno.com](http://www.gominno.com/).** --- ## Resources ### [In the Beginning Bible Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/resources/laugh-and-grow-bible-in-the-beginning-activity-pack/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** Blythe Poston **Resource Types:** Activity Packs --- ### [Young David Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/resources/young-david-activity-pack/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** Blythe Poston **Resource Types:** Activity Packs --- ### [The Dead Sea Squirrels Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/resources/the-dead-sea-squirrels-activity-pack/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** Blythe Poston **Resource Types:** Activity Packs --- ### [Screen-Free Summer Activity Pack](https://gominno.com/resources/screen-free-summer-activity-pack/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** Lindsay Hanzlik **Resource Types:** Activity Packs --- ## Shows ### [Animales Increíbles y Mini Yo](https://gominno.com/shows/animales-increibles-y-mini-yo/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [The Dead Sea Squirrels: The Squirrel Sessions](https://gominno.com/shows/the-dead-sea-squirrels-the-squirrel-sessions/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Fireman Sam](https://gominno.com/shows/fireman-sam/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Adventures of Paddington Bear](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-of-paddington-bear/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Cowboy Jack](https://gominno.com/shows/cowboy-jack/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Suni The Super Unicorn: Music Videos](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn-music-videos/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Scripture Lullabies](https://gominno.com/shows/scripture-lullabies/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Suni the Super Unicorn: Music - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn-music-audio/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Liberty's Kids](https://gominno.com/shows/libertys-kids/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Jungle Kids: With the Wild Brothers](https://gominno.com/shows/jungle-kids-with-the-wild-brothers-2/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Dot Connor: Webtective](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/) **Published:** October 31, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Bibleman: The Animated Adventures](https://gominno.com/shows/bibleman-the-animated-adventures/) **Published:** October 31, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [God's Greenhouse Songs - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/gods-greenhouse-songs-audio-2/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Micah! Mailbag - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-mailbag-audio/) **Published:** June 3, 2025 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Paws and Tales - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/paws-and-tales-audio/) **Published:** June 12, 2025 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Minno Laugh And Grow Bible For Kids - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-audio/) **Published:** June 3, 2025 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Treasure Champs - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-audio/) **Published:** June 3, 2025 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Guitar and Drum](https://gominno.com/shows/guitar-and-drum/) **Published:** November 2, 2023 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Micah! Days of Creation](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-days-of-creation/) **Published:** June 12, 2025 **Author:** Logan Huggins **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Treasure Champs - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-audio-2/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Tim Kubart Music - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/tim-kubart-music-audio/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [The Rizers - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/the-rizers-audio/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [The Pond](https://gominno.com/shows/the-pond/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Tales From Cottonwood Trails](https://gominno.com/shows/tales-from-cottonwood-trails/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Suni The Super Unicorn: Audio Stories](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn-audio-stories/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Slugs and Bugs Music](https://gominno.com/shows/slugs-and-bugs-music/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Paws and Tales Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/paws-and-tales-audio-2/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible For Kids: Songs - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-songs-audio/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Minno Laugh And Grow Bible For Kids: Audio Stories](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-audio-stories/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Minno Day Show - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show-audio/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Micah! Mailbag - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-mailbag-audio-2/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Little Worship Company: Bible Time Podcast](https://gominno.com/shows/little-worship-company-bible-time-podcast/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Alphablocks](https://gominno.com/shows/alphablocks/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Little Worship Company: Bedtime Stories](https://gominno.com/shows/little-worship-company-bedtime-stories/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Lamplighter Kids Stories](https://gominno.com/shows/lamplighter-kids-stories/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Indescribable Kids](https://gominno.com/shows/indescribable-kids/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [God's Greenhouse Songs - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/gods-greenhouse-songs-audio/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [God's Big Story](https://gominno.com/shows/gods-big-story/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [The Biggest Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-biggest-story/) **Published:** November 2, 2023 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Jungle Beat: Munki and Trunk](https://gominno.com/shows/jungle-beat-munki-and-trunk/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [The Jesus Storybook Bible](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-storybook-bible/) **Published:** October 31, 2023 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Friends and Heroes](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/) **Published:** October 31, 2023 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [VeggieTales: Silly Songs Mixtape](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-silly-song-mixtape/) **Published:** October 29, 2025 **Author:** Logan Huggins **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Truck Games](https://gominno.com/shows/truck-games/) **Published:** February 14, 2025 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Stories From The Storyteller](https://gominno.com/shows/stories-from-the-storyteller/) **Published:** October 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Minno Laugh And Grow Bible For Kids: In The Beginning - 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-in-the-beginning-5-minute-family-devotional/) **Published:** August 20, 2025 **Author:** Logan Huggins **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Hey-O! Stories Of The Bible](https://gominno.com/shows/hey-o-stories-of-the-bible/) **Published:** July 26, 2024 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [God Rocks! Podcast](https://gominno.com/shows/god-rocks-podcast/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Discovery Mountain](https://gominno.com/shows/discovery-mountain/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Classic Adventures in Odyssey](https://gominno.com/shows/classic-adventures-in-odyssey/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Minno Laugh And Grow Bible For Kids: Who Is Jesus?](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus/) **Published:** July 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Awesome Animals and Mini Me - Audio](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me-audio/) **Published:** May 4, 2026 **Author:** melissa.chionchio@gominno.com --- ### [Jesus, Luz Del Mundo](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-luz-del-mundo/) **Published:** March 22, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids: Easter (Super-Sized with Songs)](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-easter-super-sized-with-songs/) **Published:** March 3, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [3 Little Words](https://gominno.com/shows/3-little-words/) **Published:** February 6, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Young David: Extended Edition](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david-extended-edition/) **Published:** February 26, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Slugs and Bugs: Music Videos](https://gominno.com/shows/slugs-and-bugs-music-videos/) **Published:** January 15, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins **Popular Shows:** Popular --- ### [Jungle Kids: With the Wild Brothers](https://gominno.com/shows/jungle-kids-with-the-wild-brothers/) **Published:** February 26, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Minno Laugh And Grow Bible For Kids: Who Is Jesus? (with ASL)](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-who-is-jesus-with-asl/) **Published:** January 30, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Minno Laugh and Grow Bible For Kids: Easter (with ASL)](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids-easter-with-asl/) **Published:** January 30, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Young David - 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david-5-minute-family-devotional/) **Published:** January 28, 2026 **Author:** Logan Huggins --- ### [Micah! Fruit of the Spirit](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Micah! 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### [Fins, Foliage, and Shoreline Fun](https://gominno.com/shows/nature-of-god/fins-foliage-and-shoreline-fun/) **Published:** June 18, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Whales, Waves, and Ocean Wonders](https://gominno.com/shows/nature-of-god/whales-waves-and-ocean-wonders/) **Published:** June 18, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dreaming Of A Pink Christmas](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/dreaming-of-a-pink-christmas/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Pink Ballerina](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/the-pink-ballerina/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Royal Tea Party](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/the-royal-tea-party/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gigi Goes Camping](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/gigi-goes-camping/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gigi and the Purple Ponies](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/gigi-and-the-purple-ponies/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gigi's Fishing Hole](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/gigis-fishing-hole/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gigi's First Day Of School](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/gigis-first-day-of-school/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Trip To The Zoo](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/a-trip-to-the-zoo/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Ginormous Sneeze](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/the-ginormous-sneeze/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Princess Hairdo](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/the-princess-hairdo/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Royal Pink Circus](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/the-royal-pink-circus/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The White Lie](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/the-white-lie/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Pink Surprise](https://gominno.com/shows/gigi-gods-little-princess/the-pink-surprise/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [True Freedom in Christ](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/true-freedom-in-christ/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Makes Us New!](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/jesus-makes-us-new/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [While We Are Sinners, God Loves Us](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/while-we-are-sinners-god-loves-us/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Faithfuless, Gentleness, and Self-Control](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/faithfuless-gentleness-and-self-control/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Patience, Kindness, and Goodness](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/patience-kindness-and-goodness/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love, Joy, and Peace](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/love-joy-and-peace/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Followers Of Jesus Plan For The Future](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/followers-of-jesus-plan-for-the-future/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Followers Of Jesus Are Hard Workers](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/followers-of-jesus-are-hard-workers/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Water - God's Love Always Satisfies](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/water-gods-love-always-satisfies/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Water - God's Love Is Pure](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/water-gods-love-is-pure/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Water - God's Love For Us Is Endless](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/water-gods-love-for-us-is-endless/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Seed- We Need Fellowship](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/seed-we-need-fellowship/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Seed - Prayer Is Essential For Growth](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/seed-prayer-is-essential-for-growth/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Seed - God's Word Helps Us Grow](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/seed-gods-word-helps-us-grow/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sun - Light Of Life](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/sun-light-of-life/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sun - The Light Of The World](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/sun-the-light-of-the-world/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sun - God Is Powerful](https://gominno.com/shows/night-owls-and-early-birds/sun-god-is-powerful/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Judges](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/judges/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Nehemiah](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/nehemiah/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Second Chronicles](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/second-chronicles/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Second Kings](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/second-kings/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Second Samuel](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/second-samuel/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Deuteronomy](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/deuteronomy/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Leviticus](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/leviticus/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Genesis](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bentley-brothers/genesis/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 12: The Final Question!](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-12-the-final-question/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 11: Who is Emmanuel?](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-11-who-is-emmanuel/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 10: What are the 12 days of Christmas?](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-10-what-are-the-12-days-of-christmas/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 9: Christmas Trees and Jesus](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-9-christmas-trees-and-jesus/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 8: What is Hanukkah?](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-8-what-is-hanukkah/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 7: Santa's Bell](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-7-santas-bell/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 6: Santa's Hat](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-6-santas-hat/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 5: St. Nicholas](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-5-st-nicholas/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 4: Santa and Jesus](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-4-santa-and-jesus/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 3: Jesus' Birthday](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-3-jesus-birthday/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 2: Christmas Day](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-2-christmas-day/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Question 1: Why Do We Call It Christmas?](https://gominno.com/shows/12-questions-of-christmas/question-1-why-do-we-call-it-christmas/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Minno Game Time](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-game-time/) **Published:** October 26, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Holiday Hilarity](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/holiday-hilarity/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Booganut Tree](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-booganut-tree/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Get S-Marty](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/get-s-marty/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Soccer Splits](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/soccer-splits/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Amazing Gaboochi](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-amazing-gaboochi/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Conquering Mt. Neverbin Climbed](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/conquering-mt-neverbin-climbed/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Cows In The Court](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/cows-in-the-court/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Runaway Dog](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-runaway-dog/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Slam Moves To Booga](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/slam-moves-to-booga/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Boofabobs Face Extinction](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-boofabobs-face-extinction/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Boojee Noojee](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-boojee-noojee/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Building Surfboards The Slow Way](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/building-surfboards-the-slow-way/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Booga Booga Christmas](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/a-booga-booga-christmas/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [3P2C](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/3p2c/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Clothes By Marty](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/clothes-by-marty/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Duet Brothers](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-duet-brothers/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Big Booga Bank](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-big-booga-bank/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dough](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/dough/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Scatter The Seeds](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/scatter-the-seeds/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Wally The Waiter](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/wally-the-waiter/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Flaming Monkey](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-flaming-monkey/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Squid Sushi Loses His Marbles](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/squid-sushi-loses-his-marbles/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Booga Bolter](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/the-booga-bolter/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [No Light In This Lighthouse](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/no-light-in-this-lighthouse/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Marty's Sandcastle](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/martys-sandcastle/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [So...This Is Booga](https://gominno.com/shows/adventures-in-booga-booga-land/so-this-is-booga/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rez - The Rock That Rolled (Easter Special)](https://gominno.com/shows/god-rocks/rez-the-rock-that-rolled-easter-special/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Seek And Find](https://gominno.com/shows/god-rocks/seek-and-find/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [If You Have Faith](https://gominno.com/shows/god-rocks/if-you-have-faith/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love And Trust The Lord](https://gominno.com/shows/god-rocks/love-and-trust-the-lord/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Good News!](https://gominno.com/shows/god-rocks/good-news/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Do The Right Thing](https://gominno.com/shows/god-rocks/do-the-right-thing/) **Published:** June 11, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hope: Hope For The Future](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/hope-hope-for-the-future/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hope: Faith Takes Flight](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/hope-faith-takes-flight/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kindness: The Good Pigeon](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/kindness-the-good-pigeon/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kindness: The Greatest is the Least](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/kindness-the-greatest-is-the-least/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Forgiveness: Forgive and Forget](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/forgiveness-forgive-and-forget/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Forgiveness: The Good, the Bad, and the Vulture](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/forgiveness-the-good-the-bad-and-the-vulture/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joy: For Unto Us A Dove Is Born](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/joy-for-unto-us-a-dove-is-born/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Faith: The Wind](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/faith-the-wind/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Faith: Miracles Are Everywhere](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/faith-miracles-are-everywhere/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love: Love Your Enemies](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/love-love-your-enemies/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love: Birds of a Feather, Fish Together](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/love-birds-of-a-feather-fish-together/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Believe: Believing Is Seeing](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/believe-believing-is-seeing/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Believe: The Gathering](https://gominno.com/shows/iesodo/believe-the-gathering/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Walking On Water](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/walking-on-water/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Transfiguration](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/the-transfiguration/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Resurrection](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/the-resurrection/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Crucifixion](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/the-crucifixion/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Last Supper](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/the-last-supper/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Triumphal Entry](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/the-triumphal-entry/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Feeding The 5000](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/feeding-the-5000/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Fishers Of Men](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/fishers-of-men/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Baptism Of Jesus](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/the-baptism-of-jesus/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Birth Of Jesus](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/the-birth-of-jesus/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joshua](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/joshua/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Samson](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/samson/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jonah](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/jonah/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Daniel And The Lion's Den](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/daniel-and-the-lions-den/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Moses](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/moses/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joseph](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/joseph/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Noah](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/noah/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Adam and Eve](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/adam-and-eve/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Creation](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories/creation/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Self-Control](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/self-control/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gentleness](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/gentleness/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Faithfulness](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/faithfulness/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Goodness](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/goodness/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kindness](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/kindness/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Patience](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/patience/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Peace](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/peace/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joy](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/joy/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit-5-minute-family-devotional/love/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Taming The Tongue](https://gominno.com/shows/bible-notes-with-cliff/taming-the-tongue/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Spiritual Fruit](https://gominno.com/shows/bible-notes-with-cliff/spiritual-fruit/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Acting Like A Chameleon](https://gominno.com/shows/bible-notes-with-cliff/acting-like-a-chameleon/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Sword Of The Spirit](https://gominno.com/shows/bible-notes-with-cliff/the-sword-of-the-spirit/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Roman Road](https://gominno.com/shows/bible-notes-with-cliff/the-roman-road/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Richard Allen Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-richard-allen-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The John Newton Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-john-newton-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Mary Slessor Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-mary-slessor-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The St. Patrick Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-st-patrick-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The George Müller Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-george-muller-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Harriet Tubman Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-harriet-tubman-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Adoniram Judson Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-adoniram-judson-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Martin Luther Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-martin-luther-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Robert Jermain Thomas Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-robert-jermain-thomas-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The John Wesley Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-john-wesley-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Amy Carmichael Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-amy-carmichael-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Perpetua Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-perpetua-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Richard Wurmbrand Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-richard-wurmbrand-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Gladys Aylward Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-gladys-aylward-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The John Bunyan Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-john-bunyan-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Jim Elliot Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-jim-elliot-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Eric Liddell Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-eric-liddell-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The William Booth Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-william-booth-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The St. Augustine Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-st-augustine-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Samuel Morris Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-samuel-morris-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Corrie Ten Boom Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-corrie-ten-boom-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The William Tyndale Story](https://gominno.com/shows/the-torchlighters/the-william-tyndale-story/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Amazing Carnival Of Complaining](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/the-amazing-carnival-of-complaining/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Moon Menace On Planet-Tell-A-Lie](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/moon-menace-on-planet-tell-a-lie/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Doom Funnel Rescue](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/the-doom-funnel-rescue/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Runaway Pride At Lightstation Kilowatt](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/runaway-pride-at-lightstation-kilowatt/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Cheating Scales Of Bullamanka](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/the-cheating-scales-of-bullamanka/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Trouble On Planet Wait Your Turn](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/trouble-on-planet-wait-your-turn/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [In The Big House](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/in-the-big-house/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Between an Asteroid and a Hard Place](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/between-an-asteroid-and-a-hard-place/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Do Unto Brothers](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/do-unto-brothers/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Promises, Promises](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/promises-promises/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Oh Mercy!](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/oh-mercy/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kennel Club Blues](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/kennel-club-blues/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [12 Angry Hens](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/12-angry-hens/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hogs And Kisses](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/hogs-and-kisses/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Wise Guys](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/wise-guys/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Git Along Little Doggies!](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/git-along-little-doggies/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Invasion Of The Body Swappers!](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/invasion-of-the-body-swappers/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Wiki Tiki](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/wiki-tiki/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Compassion Crashin'](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/compassion-crashin/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Comedy Of Errors](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/comedy-of-errors/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Practical Hoax](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/practical-hoax/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Give And Let Give](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/give-and-let-give/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [More Is More](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/more-is-more/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Lazy Daze](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/lazy-daze/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Green-Eyed Monster](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/the-green-eyed-monster/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [I Scream, You Scream](https://gominno.com/shows/321-penguins/i-scream-you-scream/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Lime Time](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/lime-time/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Beam Me Up Berry](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/beam-me-up-berry/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hoop Troop](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/hoop-troop/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Pineapple Pace](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/pineapple-pace/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Fruit Hoops](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/fruit-hoops/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Pearing Up](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/pearing-up/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gleaming The Blue](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/gleaming-the-blue/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Stretch Berry](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/stretch-berry/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Pineapple Pushup](https://gominno.com/shows/fruit-of-the-fitness/pineapple-pushup/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love Never Fails (Music Video)](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/love-never-fails-music-video/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love Thy Neighbor](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/love-thy-neighbor/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Fruit Of The Spirit](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/fruit-of-the-spirit/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [What Is The Church](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/what-is-the-church/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Light Unto My Path](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/light-unto-my-path/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Abiding In Christ](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/abiding-in-christ/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Day In Prayer](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/a-day-in-prayer/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Adoption](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/adoption/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Justification](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/justification/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [New Birth](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/new-birth/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Redemption](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/redemption/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Armor Of God](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/armor-of-god/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Forgiveness](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/forgiveness/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Loving Obedience](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/loving-obedience/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Saving Faith](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/saving-faith/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Good News](https://gominno.com/shows/theo/the-good-news/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joy](https://gominno.com/shows/cheeky-pandas/joy/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Patience](https://gominno.com/shows/cheeky-pandas/patience/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kindness](https://gominno.com/shows/cheeky-pandas/kindness/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love](https://gominno.com/shows/cheeky-pandas/love/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Faithfulness](https://gominno.com/shows/cheeky-pandas/faithfulness/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Good Employee](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/the-good-employee/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Phil The Unmerciful](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/phil-the-unmerciful/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Biscuit Machine](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/the-biscuit-machine/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Salty Farm](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/salty-farm/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sir Barry's Birthday](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/sir-barrys-birthday/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Brian's Big Adventure](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/brians-big-adventure/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Golden Biscuit](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/the-golden-biscuit/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Odd Jobs](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/odd-jobs/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Lost Brian](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/the-lost-brian/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mega Designs](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/mega-designs/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Fancy Party](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/the-fancy-party/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Assistant](https://gominno.com/shows/the-parables/the-assistant/) **Published:** June 7, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Happiness Balloon](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/happiness-balloon/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Power To Share](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/power-to-share/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Who's Got The Ball?](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/whos-got-the-ball/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Uncertain About Wonder](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/uncertain-about-wonder/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Two Kinds Of Cool](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/two-kinds-of-cool/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mentor In Space](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/mentor-in-space/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Friends In The Journey](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/friends-in-the-journey/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Justice For All](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/justice-for-all/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Words Have Power](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/words-have-power/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Modern Kid](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/modern-kid/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Under Where](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/under-where/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Song To Sing](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/a-song-to-sing/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Never Alone](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/never-alone/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Afraid Of Bears](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/afraid-of-bears/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Misinterpretation](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/misinterpretation/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Showing Love](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/showing-love/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Fair Cupcakes](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/fair-cupcakes/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Tasting A Feast](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/tasting-a-feast/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Creativity](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/creativity/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [True Friendship](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/true-friendship/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Adopted Birthday](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/adopted-birthday/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Let's Collaborate](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/lets-collaborate/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Special Delivery](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/special-delivery/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Silly Tractor](https://gominno.com/shows/the-slugs-and-bugs-show/silly-tractor/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Candy World Crash](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-candy-world-crash/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Strawberry Shrink Ray](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-strawberry-shrink-ray/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Web Of Lies](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-web-of-lies/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Undercover Queen](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-undercover-queen/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Ninja Chickens](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-ninja-chickens/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Towering Turkey](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-towering-turkey/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Three-Ring Disaster](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-three-ring-disaster/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Greedy Pirate](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/the-greedy-pirate/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Courageous Scaredy Cat](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/courageous-scaredy-cat/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mega-moo and the Grumpy Ducks](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/mega-moo-and-the-grumpy-ducks/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Exploding Hot Sauce](https://gominno.com/shows/ryan-defrates-secret-agent/exploding-hot-sauce/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Tabitha](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/tabitha/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mary and Martha](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/mary-and-martha/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Widow](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/the-widow/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Esther](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/esther/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Ruth and Naomi](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/ruth-and-naomi/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Deborah](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/deborah/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rebekah](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/rebekah/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sarah](https://gominno.com/shows/holy-moly-5-minute-family-devotional/sarah/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 8: Mission Failure?](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-8-mission-failure/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 7: Buck's Big Choice](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-7-bucks-big-choice/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 6: The Gluun](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-6-the-gluun/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 5: The Hermit](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-5-the-hermit/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 4: The Sandstorm](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-4-the-sandstorm/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 3: Hyperjump](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-3-hyperjump/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 2: Captain Buck](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-2-captain-buck/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Episode 1: Mission To Sector 9](https://gominno.com/shows/galaxy-buck-the-series/episode-1-mission-to-sector-9/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Respect Effect / Sharing Is Caring](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/the-respect-effect-sharing-is-caring/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Scaredy Crab / A Shocking Fib](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/scaredy-crab-a-shocking-fib/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Let Others Shine / Knowledge Is The Best Treasure](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/let-others-shine-knowledge-is-the-best-treasure/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Worrier / Stop And Smell The Patience](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/the-worrier-stop-and-smell-the-patience/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Color Of Attention / Once Lost Now Found](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/the-color-of-attention-once-lost-now-found/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Grudge Or Grace / Faith Over Fear](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/grudge-or-grace-faith-over-fear/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Friends First / Safety First](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/friends-first-safety-first/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Praying For Puppy / Practice Makes Pretty Perfect](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/praying-for-puppy-practice-makes-pretty-perfect/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The New Babysitter / Church For Everyone](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/the-new-babysitter-church-for-everyone/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love Is The Best Policy / Bible Challenge](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/love-is-the-best-policy-bible-challenge/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Too Much Screen-time / A Thankful Heart](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/too-much-screen-time-a-thankful-heart/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness / My Father's World](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness-my-fathers-world/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Unique Gifts / Better Together](https://gominno.com/shows/sea-kids/unique-gifts-better-together/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Zambia Unleashed](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/zambia-unleashed/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Peru Unearthed](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/peru-unearthed/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [India Revealed](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/india-revealed/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Messiah's Promise](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/messiahs-promise/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Carpenter's Son](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/the-carpenters-son/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Throne Of David](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/the-throne-of-david/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Miracle Of Moses](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/miracle-of-moses/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Abraham's Promise](https://gominno.com/shows/stevies-trek-to-the-holy-land/abrahams-promise/) **Published:** June 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sky High Baseball](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn/sky-high-baseball/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Tall Tomatoes](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn/tall-tomatoes/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Family Picture Day](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn/family-picture-day/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Crazy For Cupcakes](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn/crazy-for-cupcakes/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Art Project](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn/the-art-project/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Autumn Edition](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-mantle/autumn-edition/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Christmas Edition](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-mantle/christmas-edition/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Fireplace Edition](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-mantle/fireplace-edition/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Winter Edition](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-mantle/winter-edition/) **Published:** June 5, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### 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Glory)](https://gominno.com/shows/the-rizers/2-peter-318-glory-glory-glory/) **Published:** May 17, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Psalm 100:1-2 (Make A Joyful Noise)](https://gominno.com/shows/the-rizers/psalm-1001-2-make-a-joyful-noise/) **Published:** May 17, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [John 3:16 (For God So Loved The World)](https://gominno.com/shows/the-rizers/john-316-for-god-so-loved-the-world/) **Published:** May 17, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [B Nice 2 Each Other](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/b-nice-2-each-other/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Carnival Of Counting](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/a-carnival-of-counting/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [O Say Can U C](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/o-say-can-u-c/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [What Do You See?](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/what-do-you-see/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Look In A Book](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/look-in-a-book/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [What If?](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/what-if/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Scrubbly Bubbly Clean](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/scrubbly-bubbly-clean/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Double Peppy Pizza](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/double-peppy-pizza/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Busy Body Day](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/a-busy-body-day/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Counting On God's Love](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/counting-on-gods-love/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Shaping Up](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/shaping-up/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Growing Colors](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/growing-colors/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Lesson For The Teacher](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/a-lesson-for-the-teacher/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Doing Our Fair Share](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/doing-our-fair-share/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [RescueMan To The Rescue!](https://gominno.com/shows/boz-the-bear/rescueman-to-the-rescue/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Help](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/help/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Thanks](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/thanks/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Confidence](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/confidence/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Everyone](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/everyone/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/jesus/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Forever](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/forever/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Wisdom](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/wisdom/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Truth](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/truth/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Song](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/song/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gentle](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/gentle/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Forgiveness](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/forgiveness/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Friend](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/friend/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Beautiful](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/beautiful/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Light](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/light/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gift](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/gift/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Faith](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/faith/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Miracle](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/miracle/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Life](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/life/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Strong](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/strong/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Courage](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/courage/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Grow](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/grow/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Goodness](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/goodness/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joy](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/joy/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Love](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/love/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Peace](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/peace/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Promise](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/promise/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Grace](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/grace/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Amazing](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/amazing/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Special](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/special/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kindness](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/kindness/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Trust](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-day-show/trust/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Chicken](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/chicken/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sheep](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/sheep/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Goose](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/goose/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Elephant](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/elephant/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Monkey](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/monkey/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Emperor Penguin](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/emperor-penguin/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Meerkat](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/meerkat/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Bear](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/bear/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dolphin](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/dolphin/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Goat](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/goat/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kangaroo](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/kangaroo/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Camel](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/camel/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Lion](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/lion/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Birds](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/birds/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Donkey](https://gominno.com/shows/awesome-animals-and-mini-me/donkey/) **Published:** May 16, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Frozen Snacks](https://gominno.com/shows/suni-the-super-unicorn/frozen-snacks/) **Published:** November 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Poet](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david/poet/) **Published:** November 29, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Antorchas](https://gominno.com/shows/antorchas/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [David and Goliath (and a Robot)](https://gominno.com/shows/back-to-the-basics/david-and-goliath-and-a-robot/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Moses Parts The Red Sea](https://gominno.com/shows/back-to-the-basics/moses-parts-the-red-sea/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jonah and the Whale](https://gominno.com/shows/back-to-the-basics/jonah-and-the-whale/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Daniel and the Robotic Lion](https://gominno.com/shows/back-to-the-basics/daniel-and-the-robotic-lion/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Noah and the...just say boat!](https://gominno.com/shows/back-to-the-basics/noah-and-the-just-say-boat/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Grace And Glory](https://gominno.com/shows/angel-wars/grace-and-glory/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Over The Moon](https://gominno.com/shows/angel-wars/over-the-moon/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [About Face](https://gominno.com/shows/angel-wars/about-face/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Case of Identity](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/a-case-of-identity/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Worth Dilemma](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/the-worth-dilemma/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dot vs Wild](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/dot-vs-wild/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Science Fair Scandal](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/the-science-fair-scandal/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Salvation Problem](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/the-salvation-problem/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Disobedient Daughter](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/the-disobedient-daughter/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Lost In Translation](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/lost-in-translation/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Practice Makes Perfect](https://gominno.com/shows/dot-connor-webtective/practice-makes-perfect/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Stories Of David](https://gominno.com/shows/stories-of-david/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Guitarra Y Tambor](https://gominno.com/shows/guitarra-y-tambor/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Worshiper](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david/worshiper/) **Published:** November 29, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Shepherd](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david/shepherd/) **Published:** November 28, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [King](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david/king/) **Published:** November 9, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Warrior](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david/warrior/) **Published:** November 9, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Adorador](https://gominno.com/shows/joven-david-en-espanol/adorador/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Poeta](https://gominno.com/shows/joven-david-en-espanol/poeta/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Pastor](https://gominno.com/shows/joven-david-en-espanol/pastor/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rey](https://gominno.com/shows/joven-david-en-espanol/rey/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Guerrero](https://gominno.com/shows/joven-david-en-espanol/guerrero/) **Published:** May 9, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [This Little Light Of Mine: Sing-Along](https://gominno.com/shows/ottos-joyful-noise/this-little-light-of-mine-sing-along/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Happy And You Know It: Sing-Along](https://gominno.com/shows/ottos-joyful-noise/happy-and-you-know-it-sing-along/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [This Little Light Of Mine](https://gominno.com/shows/ottos-joyful-noise/this-little-light-of-mine/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Happy And You Know It](https://gominno.com/shows/ottos-joyful-noise/happy-and-you-know-it/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [23](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david-the-official-music-videos/23-2/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rhythm Of Grace: Sing Along](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david-the-official-music-videos/rhythm-of-grace-sing-along/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [23: Sing-Along](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david-the-official-music-videos/23-sing-along/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rhythm Of Grace](https://gominno.com/shows/young-david-the-official-music-videos/rhythm-of-grace/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Emotions](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-learning-abc/emotions/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Colors](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-learning-abc/colors/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Numbers](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-learning-abc/numbers/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [ABC's](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-learning-abc/abcs/) **Published:** May 6, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [How Does It End?](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/how-does-it-end/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Fruit Of The Spirit](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/the-fruit-of-the-spirit/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [From Wrong To Right](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/from-wrong-to-right/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Paul's Travels](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/pauls-travels/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Big Changes For Saul](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/big-changes-for-saul/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [God's Super Helper](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/gods-super-helper/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [He Is Alive!](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/he-is-alive/) **Published:** November 2, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus' Death](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/jesus-death/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Last Supper](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/the-last-supper/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [It's A Miracle!](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/its-a-miracle/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Wise Men](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/the-wise-men/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Shepherds and Angels](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/shepherds-and-angels/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Born In A Barn](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/born-in-a-barn/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jonah and the Whale](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/jonah-and-the-whale/) **Published:** November 14, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Messenger](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/the-messenger/) **Published:** October 27, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Brave Queen Esther](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/brave-queen-esther/) **Published:** November 14, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [David and Goliath](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/david-and-goliath/) **Published:** November 14, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Ruth's Redeemer](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/ruths-redeemer/) **Published:** November 14, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Burning Bush](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/the-burning-bush/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [God Calls Abram](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/god-calls-abram/) **Published:** May 2, 2024 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Noah and The Flood](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/noah-and-the-flood/) **Published:** November 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [What Is Sin?](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/what-is-sin/) **Published:** November 29, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Adam And Eve](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/adam-and-eve/) **Published:** November 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Creation](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-laugh-and-grow-bible-for-kids/creation/) **Published:** November 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Christmas](https://gominno.com/shows/church-at-home/christmas-church-at-home/) **Published:** November 13, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Easter](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-hopeful-easter-specials/easter-special/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Curiosity](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/curiosity/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Honesty](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/honesty/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Creativity](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/creativity/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Encouragement](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/encouragement/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Peacefulness](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/peacefulness/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Generosity](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/generosity/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sacrifice](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/sacrifice/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Empathy](https://gominno.com/shows/treasure-champs-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/empathy/) **Published:** December 20, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Daniel: God Protected Him](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/daniel-god-protected-him/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jonah: God Sent Him](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/jonah-god-sent-him/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jeremiah: God Promises a New Covenant](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/jeremiah-god-promises-a-new-covenant/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Ezekiel: God Warned His People](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/ezekiel-god-warned-his-people/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Job: God Gives and Takes Away](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/job-god-gives-and-takes-away/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Esther: God Made Her Queen](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/esther-god-made-her-queen/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Nehemiah: God Gave His People Strength](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/nehemiah-god-gave-his-people-strength/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Ezra: God Did Not Leave His People](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/ezra-god-did-not-leave-his-people/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Cyrus: God Sent His People Home](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/cyrus-god-sent-his-people-home/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Isaiah: God Sent Him](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/isaiah-god-sent-him/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Elijah: God Proved He is Real](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/elijah-god-proved-he-is-real/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jeroboam & Rehoboam: God Split Israel in Two](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/jeroboam-rehoboam-god-split-israel-in-two/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Solomon: God Made Him Wise](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/solomon-god-made-him-wise/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [David: God Made Him a Promise](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/david-god-made-him-a-promise/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Saul: God Rejected Him as King](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/saul-god-rejected-him-as-king/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Samuel: God Spoke Through Him](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/samuel-god-spoke-through-him/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Judges: God Sent Helpers to Israel](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/judges-god-sent-helpers-to-israel/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joshua: God Was Always With Him](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/joshua-god-was-always-with-him/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Moses: God Helped Moses](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/moses-god-helped-moses/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joseph: God was with Joseph](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/joseph-god-was-with-joseph/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Abraham and Isaac: God Was Faithful to His Promise](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/abraham-and-isaac-god-was-faithful-to-his-promise/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Abraham: God Made Three Promises](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/abraham-god-made-three-promises/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Noah: God Remembered Noah](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/noah-god-remembered-noah/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Ruth and Naomi: God Provided a Redeemer](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/ruth-and-naomi-god-provided-a-redeemer/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Adam: Made in God's Image](https://gominno.com/shows/old-testament-heroes-5-minute-family-devotional/adam-made-in-gods-image/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Is Risen](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-is-risen/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Dies For Us](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-dies-for-us/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Serves Last Supper](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-serves-last-supper/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Enters Jerusalem](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-enters-jerusalem/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus' Important Teaching](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-important-teaching/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Peter Knows Who Jesus Is](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/peter-knows-who-jesus-is/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Performs Miracles](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-performs-miracles/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Heals](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-heals/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Teaches About The Kingdom Of God](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-teaches-about-the-kingdom-of-god/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Picks His Disciples](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-picks-his-disciples/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Is Tempted](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-is-tempted/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Is Baptised](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-is-baptised/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [John The Baptist](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/john-the-baptist/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Fulfills the Davidic Covenant](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-fulfills-the-davidic-covenant/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Is Born](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-is-born/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus is the Messiah](https://gominno.com/shows/jesus-messiah-teacher-king-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-is-the-messiah/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Who is Emmanuel?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/who-is-emmanuel/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [What Special Message Did the Angels Bring?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/what-special-message-did-the-angels-bring/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Where Was Jesus Born?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/where-was-jesus-born/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [What is Hanukkah?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/what-is-hanukkah/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Why Does Santa Ring a Bell?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/why-does-santa-ring-a-bell/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [How Did St. Nicholas Become Santa Claus?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/how-did-st-nicholas-become-santa-claus/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Who Is St. Nicholas?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/who-is-st-nicholas/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Why Do We Have Christmas Trees?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/why-do-we-have-christmas-trees/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [What Year Was Jesus Born?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/what-year-was-jesus-born/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Why Do We Celebrate on December 25th?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/why-do-we-celebrate-on-december-25th/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Why Do We Call It Christmas?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/why-do-we-call-it-christmas/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Why Is Christmas So Confusing?](https://gominno.com/shows/big-questions-about-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/why-is-christmas-so-confusing/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Taste and See](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/taste-and-see/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Praise The Lord Everyday](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/praise-the-lord-everyday/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Bye, Bye, Bye](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/bye-bye-bye/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [One, Two, Three](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/one-two-three/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hosanna Rock](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/hosanna-rock/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Go!](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/go/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Brand New Day](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/brand-new-day/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus Is My Best Friend](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/jesus-is-my-best-friend/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Woah, I Have Life](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/woah-i-have-life/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [I Will Pray](https://gominno.com/shows/yancys-little-praise-party-5-minute-family-devotional/i-will-pray/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rack, Shack, and Benny](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/rack-shack-and-benny/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Moe and the Big Exit](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/moe-and-the-big-exit/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [The Power Of Love](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/the-power-of-love/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [It's Cool To Be Kind](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/its-cool-to-be-kind/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Dave and the Giant Pickle](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/dave-and-the-giant-pickle/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/esther-the-girl-who-became-queen/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [The Ballad of Little Joe](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/the-ballad-of-little-joe/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Gideon: Tuba Warrior](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/gideon-tuba-warrior/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Joshua and The Big Wall](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/joshua-and-the-big-wall/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Are You My Neighbor?](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/are-you-my-neighbor/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Abe and the Amazing Promise](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/abe-and-the-amazing-promise/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Noah's Ark](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-bible-stories/noahs-ark/) **Published:** December 7, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Beauty And The Beet](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-girl-power/beauty-and-the-beet/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Tuesday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/tuesday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Monday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/monday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Palm Sunday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/palm-sunday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Good Friday](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-hopeful-easter-specials/good-friday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Palm Sunday](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-hopeful-easter-specials/palm-sunday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Christmas Day](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-advent-5-minute-family-devotional/christmas-day/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Week 4: Love](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-advent-5-minute-family-devotional/week-4-love/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Week 2: Peace](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-advent-5-minute-family-devotional/week-2-peace/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Week 3: Joy](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-advent-5-minute-family-devotional/week-3-joy/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Week 1: Hope](https://gominno.com/shows/minno-advent-5-minute-family-devotional/week-1-hope/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Encouragement](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/encouragement/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [The Messenger](https://gominno.com/shows/laugh-and-grow-bible-christmas-5-minute-family-devotional/the-messenger/) **Published:** November 28, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Veggies In Space: The Fennel Frontier](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/veggies-in-space-the-fennel-frontier/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Minnesota Cuke and the Search For Noah's Umbrella](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/minnesota-cuke-and-the-search-for-noahs-umbrella/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Minnesota Cuke and the Search For Sampson's Hairbrush](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/minnesota-cuke-and-the-search-for-sampsons-hairbrush/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Wonderful Wizard Of Ha's](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/the-wonderful-wizard-of-has/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Duke and the Great Pie War](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/duke-and-the-great-pie-war/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Larryboy and the Fib From Outer Space](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/larryboy-and-the-fib-from-outer-space/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Larryboy and the Bad Apple](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/larryboy-and-the-bad-apple/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Larryboy and the Rumor Weed](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/larryboy-and-the-rumor-weed/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The League Of Incredible Vegetables](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-action-stories/the-league-of-incredible-vegetables/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [60 Second Bible Stories - 5 Minute Family Devotional](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/) **Published:** November 3, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jonah](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/jonah/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Daniel and the Lions' Den](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/daniel-and-the-lions-den/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [David and Goliath](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/david-and-goliath/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Samson](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/samson/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joshua](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/joshua/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Moses](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/moses/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Joseph](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/joseph/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Noah](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/noah/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Adam and Eve](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/adam-and-eve/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Creation](https://gominno.com/shows/60-second-bible-stories-5-minute-family-devotional/creation/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Power Of Love](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-girl-power/the-power-of-love/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Princess and a Pop Star](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-girl-power/princess-and-a-pop-star/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Penniless Princess](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-girl-power/the-penniless-princess/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-girl-power/esther-the-girl-who-became-queen/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Madame Blueberry](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-girl-power/madame-blueberry/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sweet Pea Beauty: A Girl After God's Own Heart](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales-girl-power/sweet-pea-beauty-a-girl-after-gods-own-heart/) **Published:** December 6, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Ready To Go](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/ready-to-go/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Seasons](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/seasons/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kindness](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/kindness/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dear Pet](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/dear-pet/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Try Again](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/try-again/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Opposites](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/opposites/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Seed To Plant](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/seed-to-plant/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hop Happy Song](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/hop-happy-song/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Bed Time](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/bed-time/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Bath Time](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/bath-time/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Tic Tok Time](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/tic-tok-time/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Feelings](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/feelings/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Walk, Jump, Run](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/walk-jump-run/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Me and You](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/me-and-you/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Color Spy](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/color-spy/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Take A Walk](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/take-a-walk/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [ABC](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/abc/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Numbers](https://gominno.com/shows/labuntina/numbers/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Easter Sunday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/easter-sunday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Holy Saturday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/holy-saturday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Good Friday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/good-friday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Maundy Thursday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/maundy-thursday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Wednesday](https://gominno.com/shows/easter-week-5-minute-family-devotional/wednesday/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [God-Given Gifts](https://gominno.com/shows/hide-and-seek/god-given-gifts/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [He Is Risen!](https://gominno.com/shows/hide-and-seek/he-is-risen/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [You Are With Me](https://gominno.com/shows/hide-and-seek/you-are-with-me/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rock Rolled Away](https://gominno.com/shows/hide-and-seek/rock-rolled-away/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Integrity](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/integrity/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Selflessness](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/selflessness/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sportsmanship](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/sportsmanship/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Respect](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/respect/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Humility](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/humility-2/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gentleness](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/gentleness/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Honesty](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/honesty/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Compassion](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/compassion/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Courage](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/courage/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Teamwork](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/teamwork/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Generosity](https://gominno.com/shows/character-quest-5-minute-family-devotional/generosity/) **Published:** December 5, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Road Ahead](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/the-road-ahead/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Trials and Tribulations](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/trials-and-tribulations/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Betrayal](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/betrayal/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Conflict](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/conflict/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Spies and Lies](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/spies-and-lies/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Give And Take](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/give-and-take/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rome Alone](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/rome-alone/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Senators First](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/senators-first/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Senators Only](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/senators-only/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sowing The Seeds](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/sowing-the-seeds/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Friends, Romans, and Mystery Men](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/friends-romans-and-mystery-men/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [School's Out](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/schools-out/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gladiator School](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/gladiator-school/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hope](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/hope/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Toadie On Trial](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/toadie-on-trial/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Desperate Measures](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/desperate-measures/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Home](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/home/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Big Lift](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/the-big-lift/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Hostages](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/hostages/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Aid And Comfort](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/aid-and-comfort/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Unwilling Guests](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/unwilling-guests/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Prince For A Day](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/prince-for-a-day/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Rescue Strangers](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/rescue-strangers/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Ram](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/the-ram/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Over Walls](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/over-walls/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [One Of Us](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/one-of-us/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [No Turning Back](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/no-turning-back/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [No Way Out](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/no-way-out/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Exodus](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/exodus/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Horseplay](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/horseplay/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Doing Our Part](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/doing-our-part/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The One That Got Away](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/the-one-that-got-away/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Lost In Alexandria](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/lost-in-alexandria/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sweet Freedom](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/sweet-freedom/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [True Heroes](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/true-heroes/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [False Heroes](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/false-heroes/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Leviathan](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/leviathan/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [A Friend In High Places](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/a-friend-in-high-places/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Long Journey](https://gominno.com/shows/friends-and-heroes/long-journey/) **Published:** December 4, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dance of the Cucumber](https://gominno.com/shows/dance-of-the-cucumber/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Do The Moo Shoo](https://gominno.com/shows/do-the-moo-shoo/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mr. Kleeny Bot](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/mr-kleeny-bot/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Merry Christmas](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/merry-christmas/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dennis Raps about Sandwiches](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/dennis-raps-about-sandwiches/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Über Jealous](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/uber-jealous/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Nebby Rap](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/nebby-rap/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Let's Talk About Easter!](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/lets-talk-about-easter/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Show and Smell](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/show-and-smell/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gabe's Donut Dilemma (Thankfulness)](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/gabes-donut-dilemma-thankfulness/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mailing #6: What is Micah's Biggest Fear?](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/mailing-6-what-is-micahs-biggest-fear/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mailbag 5: Who is Micah's Favorite Teacher?](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/mailbag-5-who-is-micahs-favorite-teacher/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mailbag 4: What's Your Favorite Food](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/mailbag-4-whats-your-favorite-food/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mailbag 3: Micah's Favorite Verse!](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/mailbag-3-micahs-favorite-verse/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mailbag 2: Who's Micah's Best Friend?](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/mailbag-2-whos-micahs-best-friend/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Mailbag 1: Micah's Favorite Bible Story!](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/mailbag-1-micahs-favorite-bible-story/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Prayer Song](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/the-prayer-song/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [It's a Long Way Down](https://gominno.com/shows/micah/its-a-long-way-down/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Spoiling the Schemes of Luxor Spawndroth Part 1](https://gominno.com/shows/bibleman-the-animated-adventures/spoiling-the-schemes-of-luxor-spawndroth-part-1/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Jesus, Light of the World](https://gominno.com/shows/cocoa-talk/jesus-light-of-the-world/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Twas the Night Before Easter](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/twas-the-night-before-easter/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Kindness](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit/kindness/) **Published:** November 16, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Patience](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit/patience/) **Published:** November 16, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Peace](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit/peace/) **Published:** November 16, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Love](https://gominno.com/shows/micah-fruit-of-the-spirit/love/) **Published:** November 16, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Old Testament Stories: Trust](https://gominno.com/shows/church-at-home/old-testament-stories-trust/) **Published:** November 14, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [He Is Risen: Good Friday](https://gominno.com/shows/church-at-home/he-is-risen-good-friday/) **Published:** November 13, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Thanks and Giving: Generosity](https://gominno.com/shows/church-at-home/thanks-and-giving-generosity/) **Published:** November 13, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Living Water](https://gominno.com/shows/cocoa-talk/living-water/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Kendra Tolbert --- ### [Larry's High Silk Hat](https://gominno.com/shows/larrys-high-silk-hat/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything](https://gominno.com/shows/the-pirates-who-dont-do-anything/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Song Of The Cebu](https://gominno.com/shows/song-of-the-cebu/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Goodnight Junior](https://gominno.com/shows/goodnight-junior/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Pants](https://gominno.com/shows/pants/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [His Cheeseburger](https://gominno.com/shows/his-cheeseburger/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Gated Community](https://gominno.com/shows/gated-community/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [I Love My Lips](https://gominno.com/shows/i-love-my-lips/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [I Want To Dance](https://gominno.com/shows/i-want-to-dance/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [I Can Be Your Friend](https://gominno.com/shows/i-can-be-your-friend/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Share Of Friends](https://gominno.com/shows/share-of-friends/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [School House Polka](https://gominno.com/shows/school-house-polka/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Do The Moo Shoo](https://gominno.com/shows/do-the-moo-shoo/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Larry's Blues](https://gominno.com/shows/larrys-blues/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [My Day](https://gominno.com/shows/my-day/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Bunny Song](https://gominno.com/shows/the-bunny-song/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Endangered Love](https://gominno.com/shows/endangered-love/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sport Utility Vehicle](https://gominno.com/shows/sport-utility-vehicle/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Hairbrush Song](https://gominno.com/shows/the-hairbrush-song/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Yodeling Veterinarian Of The Alps](https://gominno.com/shows/the-yodeling-veterinarian-of-the-alps/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Forgiveness Song](https://gominno.com/shows/the-forgiveness-song/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Lance The Turtle](https://gominno.com/shows/lance-the-turtle/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Monkey](https://gominno.com/shows/monkey/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Dance Of The Cucumber](https://gominno.com/shows/dance-of-the-cucumber/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Pizza Angel](https://gominno.com/shows/pizza-angel/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [Sippy Cup](https://gominno.com/shows/sippy-cup/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Jordan --- ### [The Little Drummer Boy](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/the-little-drummer-boy/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [The Toy That Saved Christmas](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/the-toy-that-saved-christmas/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [The Best Christmas Gift](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/the-best-christmas-gift/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/merry-larry-and-the-true-light-of-christmas/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Noah's Ark](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/noahs-ark/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [An Easter Carol](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/an-easter-carol/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/saint-nicholas-a-story-of-joyful-giving/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [The Star of Christmas](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/the-star-of-christmas/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Sumo of the Opera](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/sumo-of-the-opera/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [LarryBoy and the Rumor Weed](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/larryboy-and-the-rumor-weed/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [The Little House That Stood Still](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/the-little-house-that-stood-still/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Princess and the Popstar](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/princess-and-the-popstar/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [A Snoodles Tale](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/a-snoodles-tale/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Lyle the Kindly Viking](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/lyle-the-kindly-viking/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [LarryBoy and the Bad Apple](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/larryboy-and-the-bad-apple/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [League of Incredible Vegetables](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/league-of-incredible-vegetables/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Abe and the Amazing Promise](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/abe-and-the-amazing-promise/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/the-wonderful-wizard-of-has/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [God Wants Me To Forgive Them?](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/god-wants-me-to-forgive-them/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Are You My Neighbor?](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/are-you-my-neighbor/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Gideon: Tuba Warrior](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/gideon-tuba-warrior/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Duke and the Great Pie War](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/duke-and-the-great-pie-war/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [LarryBoy and the Fib from 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Ducky](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/king-george-and-the-ducky/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Fibbler’s Fakery Goes Up in Fireworks](https://gominno.com/shows/bibleman-the-animated-adventures/fibblers-fakery-goes-up-in-fireworks/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Spoiling the Schemes of Luxor Spawndroth Part 2](https://gominno.com/shows/bibleman-the-animated-adventures/spoiling-the-schemes-of-luxor-spawndroth-part-2/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** John Henderson --- ### [Moe and the Big Exit](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/moe-and-the-big-exit/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen](https://gominno.com/shows/veggietales/esther-the-girl-who-became-queen/) **Published:** December 1, 2023 **Author:** Vanessa Deras --- ### [Wiping Out the Whiner 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