Focus on the Family Magazine - June/July 2023
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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FAITH / KIDS & TEENS<br />
hf<br />
blessings from a to z<br />
While we head to <strong>the</strong> pool or venture out <strong>on</strong> road<br />
trips during <strong>the</strong> summer, we play an easy alphabet<br />
game. For every letter of <strong>the</strong> alphabet, we try to state<br />
an attribute of God or name a blessing He has given<br />
us. Next, we name family members, friends, teachers<br />
and neighbors, and pray for <strong>the</strong>m. The time passes<br />
quickly when every<strong>on</strong>e remembers God’s character,<br />
His blessings and our friends.<br />
—Joanna Heiser<br />
backyard VBS<br />
For <strong>the</strong> past three summers, our family<br />
has hosted a <strong>on</strong>e-day vacati<strong>on</strong> Bible<br />
school. Our kids enjoy picking out decorati<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
coloring invitati<strong>on</strong>s to give to<br />
neighborhood children, blowing up<br />
ballo<strong>on</strong>s and making signs. They invite<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir friends and help where needed.<br />
Each child plays a vital role in our family’s<br />
ministry, and <strong>the</strong>y all look forward to<br />
this fun, Christ-centered day.<br />
—M<strong>on</strong>ica Vernot<br />
(PHOTO) CARA DOLAN-STOCKSY UNITED; ANNEKA JACK-FOTF<br />
around age 7,<br />
children can learn <strong>the</strong>se faith facts:<br />
You can be sure God is real.<br />
The Bible is true; it is God’s<br />
Word, and you can trust it.<br />
God wants you to learn and grow<br />
and become like Jesus.<br />
source: <str<strong>on</strong>g>Focus</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Family</strong> Parents’ Guide to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Spiritual Growth of Children, 2000<br />
sprouting<br />
faith<br />
Last summer, my children and I planted<br />
seeds in small cups. We labeled <strong>on</strong>e<br />
cup “Sun & Water,” a sec<strong>on</strong>d cup “Sun,<br />
No Water” and a third cup “Water, No<br />
Sun.” We placed <strong>the</strong> first cup in a sunny<br />
window and watered <strong>the</strong> seeds regularly.<br />
We put <strong>the</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>d cup in <strong>the</strong><br />
same sunny spot, but we did not water<br />
<strong>the</strong> soil. We watered <strong>the</strong> third cup regularly<br />
but stored it in a dark closet.<br />
After several weeks, we examined <strong>the</strong><br />
cups and discussed what we observed.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> Sun & Water cup, <strong>the</strong> seeds<br />
sprouted and grew. But <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
two seed cups did not germinate.<br />
I asked my children to speculate why<br />
we got those results. Then I likened<br />
each cup to our spiritual growth. Just<br />
as <strong>the</strong> seeds with no water or light did<br />
not grow, we will not grow spiritually if<br />
we’re not fed. But when a seed is tended<br />
to, growth happens. I told my kids that<br />
our relati<strong>on</strong>ship with <strong>the</strong> Lord grows<br />
through reading and meditating <strong>on</strong> His<br />
Word, through prayer, and through participating<br />
in church community. Then<br />
we brainstormed o<strong>the</strong>r ways to grow<br />
str<strong>on</strong>ger in our relati<strong>on</strong>ship with <strong>the</strong><br />
Lord.<br />
—Kim Van Dunk<br />
JUNE / JULY <strong>2023</strong> FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA<br />
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