Questions Kids Ask

Does God Sleep, Or Does He Just Rest?

God does not have a physical body like us, so He doesn't need to sleep or eat. When the Bible says God "rests," it means He has stopped doing something. To us, that is like rest. But God doesn't get tired or worn out, so He doesn't need to rest the way we do. And when we go to sleep at night, God doesn't close His eyes either - He continues to watch over us.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8)

Questions Kids Ask

Does God Have Friends Or Is He Alone?

God doesn't have other "gods" to be friends with. He is the only God there is. God doesn't need friends the way we do; he is perfectly happy being alone. But God also wants to have friendship with us. In fact, God wants to be our closest friend. So he has done a lot to make friends with us and to have our friendship. That's why he created us, sent Jesus to save us, gave us the Bible, and gave us the Church.


And you are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.(John 15:14-15)

Questions Kids Ask

What Does God Look Like?

No one knows what God "looks like" because God is invisible and doesn't have a physical body as we do. But we can learn about God and see what God acts like by learning about his Son, Jesus. In the Bible we can read about how Jesus lived, how he treated people, and what he taught. That's what God is like.

Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father...
(John 14:9)

The Gratitude Factor

Gratitude

Gratitude increases closeness. Look for opportunities to show gratitude as you work to draw closer to your kids. Give your children opportunities to show gratitude also. Be careful, though, that you don’t confuse opportunities for gratitude with overindulgence.

Overindulgence is giving your children more than their character can handle. When children lack gratitude, the more you give them, the less they appreciate.
Overindulged children rarely become grateful when you give them more things. They grow to be more spoiled, demanding, and selfish. Parents then feel unappreciated and become resentful. The hearts of both parents and children harden toward each other, and closeness becomes a thing of the past.

If your children are overindulged rather than grateful, pull back on the area where you’re giving too much and look for ways to increase the areas where you’re lacking. Teaching gratefulness can be a challenge. Having a child say thank you is just behavior. Gratitude comes from the heart.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16

KidzLife Family Night

Join us on Friday, November 7th for a Family Fun Event as we watch, “The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything A VeggieTales Movie”. Come discover What it Means to be a Real Hero!

$2/person or $1/person when you bring 2 cans of green beans or corn for God’s Kitchen in Corona. Tickets available starting today!

For more information send us an email: kidzlife@newlifecommunitychurch.net

Communicating for Closeness

Communication is Key

Communication is at the center of all relationships. Closeness is communicated in many ways, and people communicate love differently. Here are five ways to communicate to your children that will provide opportunities for increased closeness in family life.


1. Greet Your Children
Greetings are the oil that keep relationships cordial. Hugging your children as part of a greeting or welcoming them to breakfast in the morning makes an important statement about the value of your relationship.

2. Connect With Your Children
Exchanging information about our lives helps people know what’s going on and contributes to a sense of connectedness. As you go through your day, think of a couple of interesting things you could share with your child.

3. Value Your Child’s Opinion
Sharing opinions and judgments can be scary because they feel like they’ll have to back them up or face an argument. Look for ways to affirm your children. “That makes sense” can be an encouraging statement even if you disagree. “Thank you for sharing your opinion with me,” can be a statement that encourages openness.

4. Look Behind The Words
Communicating emotions takes us deeper in any relationship. Facts and opinions often have emotions hidden behind them. “I bet that hurt” or “I can tell you’re excited about that,” acknowledges the feelings behind your child’s words.

5. Connect Spiritually
Praying together, sharing what God is teaching you, enjoying worship together, and having a sense of spiritual fellowship are all ways to enjoy the deepest level of communication. As you strengthen your spiritual lives together, you’ll see more and more opportunities to discuss heart issues.

Strong-Willed Children

At the end of the day, parents of strong-willed children often feel as if they’ve been engaged in hand-to-hand combat—and that the child won! Many parents consider being strong-willed a negative personality trait because it often creates resistance and frustration in family life. Yet, in reality, it’s the strong-willed kids who are often better equipped to succeed, be creative, and face adversity.

Children with strong wills have the potential to become the next generation of leaders. They have their own ideas and plans. They’re persistent, confident, passionate, and determined to succeed at whatever they do.

Unfortunately, it can be hard raising a leader. Don’t be discouraged by the effort it takes to teach a strong-willed child which limits not to push. The strong-willed child accomplishes things in life, because the roadblocks that might hold others back are no match for this kid’s determination. The most important thing you can do is to help him know the difference between obstacles to overcome and limits to live within. To do this, your will needs to be stronger than your child’s!

A strong will can be an asset… as long as the heart is in the right place.