discipling our kids in the suburban jungle

As we were getting ready to walk out the door to the school bus Olivia was looking out the back door.

"Dad, what are those big birds that look like pigeons?"

"Those are Doves honey, like the birds the poor used in the bible give to God. Do you remember where else there are Doves in the Bible?"

(it was a loaded question, I was waiting for her to respond with the olive branch after the flood)

"Yeah dad, at the baptism of Jesus in the river by John"

Do you see God-lived-life around you? Do you talk to your family about it?

Now some folks get their theological nickers in a bunch talking about "natural revelation" but this is how Jesus had discipled those closest to him whom he sent and to share what they had seen and heard. 

He talked about birds, rocks, mountains, fish,  and snow and so it just makes sense that so should we too.

If we are honest, however, we must admit there is a disconnect here for many insomuch as a good number of folks have lost touch with "outside" and weather.

We curse snow because we have to shovel it instead of being reminded that are sins are washed as white as it is.

We curse rain because it ruins our outdoor plans instead of being reminded that it is a gift from God so that our food grows for the righteous and unrighteous alike. 

We want only warm sunny days, forgetting that seasons allow the earth to experience a Sabbath rest.

That's ok, it's an easy fix! Here are a few hints to help your kids understand God and allow you to disciple them in a manner that Jesus did:

1. Buy a pet. Kids learn love, dependence, unaccountability and disobedience. We can't have an ox to talk about like Jesus did but a dog, cat, fish, bird, whatever works fine.

2. Keep live plants in your house. You can do it! Then you can talk about vines and branches and lilies of the field. Try a Myer Lemon tree and let the kids see real fruit!

3. Put a bird feed in your back yard all year round. Marvel that God keeps birds alive in the snow!

4. Put up a bird house and talk so kids can see birth happen.

5. Use a bird bath and talk about living water, cleansing of sin when they take a bath, water of life.

6. Plant a garden and teach were food comes from. Anyone can grow cherry tomatoes in a pot!

These are the things kids see and remember. We are called to disciple them. One day we will not be with them. I pray that my kids will remember our early summer foraging in our front yard strawberry patch looking for what awesome gifts God gave us for breakfast.

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, 
not tied down to a job description,
 careless in the care of God. 
And you count far more to him than birds.

                                                                               Matthew 6:27 (Message translation)