Over the past couple of days, I’ve seen quite a few people mention that this time in our country is a “teachable moment.” By that they mean, it’s a time for us as parents and ministers to seize the day and ensure that we are intentional about talking to the next generation about what is going on and what our response should be.
I’m all for teaching our children and for being aware of what is happening in our country politically, socially, or otherwise. But I also feel like it is extremely important that we recognize that…
…every moment is a teachable moment.
Every single moment we are being observed by the next generation. Whether intentional or not, our influence is being absorbed. Our actions, our reactions, our words, our lack of words – all of it is teaching, every moment of it.
If we only wait for “teachable moments” to be intentional, we are missing 98% of life. The everyday moments like getting on the bus and watching TV and eating a meal and cleaning the house… these everyday mundane moments are teaching just as much as the big headline-news ones.
How we live our lives and how we treat others and how we react to situations that arise are all being processed by the younger members of our society and they are learning. They are learning how to be citizens. They are learning how to approach life. They are learning how to be adults.
We simply must learn to be intentional; to be acutely aware that as people who are older than other people, we are being watched, legacy is being passed, and worldviews are being formed.
It is not a momentary action. It is a lifelong reality.
And the very best thing for our children or others who are watching is when our unintentional life lines up with our intentional moments and there is consistency not conflict. In other words, when we tell our children to be kind, they know what kindness looks like because they see that in us. When we tell them that all people are valued for who they are regardless of any factor at all, they need to see that wee approach all people in such a manner. When we say we love God and we desire to follow Him, they need to see that we do, not just on Sunday but every day of the week. Why? Because…
Every moment matters.
Let us live with intention and integrity so that those who are watching and learning from us can have the framework to do the same.
For more information about
- Kids in Worship
- Determining which Type of Family Ministry model works best for your church
- Discipleship in Intergenerational community
- Encouraging the continued conversation through Practical Discipleship at Home
- Seminars, Workshops, Coaching
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About this Blog
Refocus Ministry was started by Christina Embree, wife to Pastor Luke, mom to three wonderful kids, and church planter at Plowshares BIC. With years of experience in family ministry and children’s ministry, she is passionate about seeing churches partnering with families to encourage faith formation at home and equipping parents to disciple their kids in the faith. She recently graduated with a Masters of Arts in Ministry focusing on Family, Youth and Children’s Ministry at Wesley Seminary, she also blogs at www.refocusministry.org and is a contributing blogger at D6 Family, ChurchLeaders.com, and Seedbed
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