Applying their verses!

A few days ago, we had pulled the van into the garage and as I unbuckled the kids I told them to get out and go in the house. (And as I type this, I'm wondering why I waste my breath telling them something so obvious, but it seems I do always have to tell them or they lollygag around playing in the van or the garage. I feel like I do waste alot of breath throughout my day.)

As I was walking in the house, the kids were still in the van, but I assumed they were making their way out. Apparently Aaron was not, and Claire said, "Ephesians 6:1 Aaron!" and I cracked up when I realized she was reminding him of our C verse..."Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."

They don't always get the application right, however.

Occasionally I will remind them of the D verse ("Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." Matthew 7:12) when we are in a situation where I want them to remember to be nice to each other, and treat each other the way they would want to be treated.

This morning they were choosing their straws to use for their banana smoothies. Claire of course wanted the only pink straw, so she grabbed it. Aaron decided he also wanted the pink straw, really just to have something to fight with her about, and this was their exchange:

A: "Claire, say the D verse."
C: "'Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.' Matthew 7:12" (She said it very well!)
A: "Okay, now this is what I want you to do. Give me the pink straw."
C: "No Aaron!!"

And they went on with arguing until Daddy finally interjected and explained to Aaron that the D verse was not a way to get others to do what you want them to do. I asked Aaron, "What if you had the pink straw--would you want her to take it away from you?" I think he was wanting HER to apply the D verse and give him the straw since that is what she would have wanted him to do. Confused? So was he! But he's getting it.

I'm thrilled they are not just reciting their verses though! They are actually taking them to heart!

More verses...C, D, and E!

The kids are still working on their ABC Bible verses. Aaron just loves it when I say he's mastered one enough to move to the next letter! Claire usually takes a little longer to get the verse memorized, so in the spirit of "no child left behind" we wait on her. (Actually, what I think she does is not even attempt to recite it to me until she has it 100% perfect, because just when I think she hasn't even started learning a verse, she'll up and say the whole thing! The key is Aaron and I reciting it over and over in her presence.) We usually work on the verses while we're riding in the van.

I had the kids say their C, D, and E verses for the camera yesterday. Claire insisted on also saying her A verse, because that is still her favorite.

A: "As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 (They sometimes like to say "and my mama" instead of "and my house" which I think is just adorable.)

B: "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Acts 16:31

C: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

D: "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." Matthew 7:12

E: "Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

I love the fact that I am learning these verses right along with them, as I just typed out all of those from memory!!

ABC Bible verses...A and B are done!

One of my New Year's goals was to let the kids learn Bible verses all year. We have decided to do ABC Bible verses (there is a book for this but I don't have it--we are making up our own!). We're doing a new verse every 2 weeks or so, and by the end of the year they should be all the way through the alphabet. We may be done sooner, because once they have mastered one verse, they are anxious to learn the next one.

To make it easy to learn, I make up a little tune and say the verse to that tune. Claire really loves to SCREAM the letter before she says each verse. It's fun because I can randomly say "B!" and one of them will start saying the B verse!

Our verses so far:

A: "As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
B: "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Acts 16:31
C: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

They have mastered A and B, and they love to say them for the video camera.

Here's Aaron, with some bed-head going on!

And Claire, who can't stand still and always gets really high-pitched for the B verse.

I'll post more videos as they learn more verses! I just love the fact that they are hiding God's Word in their hearts.