The Answer Book
A Devotional for Busy Families
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Table of Contents
How Does This Work?
When Is The Best Time To Do This?
Prayer of Dedication
Week 1: What Is A Worldview?
Week 2: Is There Only One Truth?
Week 3: Why Spend Time With God?
Week 4: Who Are The People God Can Use?
Week 5: Who Is Jesus?
Week 6: How Can You Be Changed?
Week 7: How Can A Family Follow God?
When A Child Is Ready
Focus Group Evaluation
Why Stop Here?
Endnotes
Week 1, Day 1: What Is A Worldview?
What is your favorite food? What is your favorite outfit? Who is in your family? What is one thing you do at work, school, or home? What is your favorite movie? Game? What is your favorite song or type of music? What church do you go to? Who is your best friend?
All of these things shape what is called a “worldview.” Does anyone in your family wear glasses? When someone sees things around them as fuzzy or blurry, they get glasses to help them see more clearly. A worldview helps us see the world more clearly and make decisions easier. It helps us decide what is good to eat, what to wear, what to do with our time, how to treat other people, and how to think about things. We learn how to do all of this from our family, friends, teachers, church, and from other things we watch and hear.
WANT MORE?
Read Galatians 5-6. What should be the attitude of a forgiven believer looking at those fallen in the world?
Speaking about 5- to 12-year-olds, George Barna said, “…if you want to shape a person’s life—whether you are most concerned about his or her moral, spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional or economic development—it is during these crucial eight years that lifelong habits values, beliefs and attitudes are formed.”
God’s Word (the Bible) answers questions on how to treat others, how to use our time, or how to think about things. Often, the answers God’s Word provides will be different from what some music, movies, games, and people around us say. Remember that God always knows best. Read Galatians 6:9 (NIV): “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Ask God to help you follow Him. Pray that others may see God’s way.
On the Road Family Challenge: Your mission is for everyone to make a list (or pictures) of things they see that are different from what God’s Word (the Bible) teaches. If you have very young kids, be sure to include them. They may surprise you. Lists don’t have to be perfect. Everyone just do your best. Report day is Day 5.
Weapon Check: God’s Word is like a sword that fights for the truth and defends against lies (Ephesians 6:17; Proverbs 5:4; Matthew 4:1-11). It’s important to memorize it to have it when you need it. Memorize Romans 12:2 (NIV) a few words at a time. Start today with: “Do not conform.” Conform means to make look like someone or something else. When pressed into a cookie cutter, play dough conforms to it.
Week 1, Day 6 (Optional): When Is The Best Time To Read The Bible?
Read Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV): “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Time spent reading God’s Word and praying could be first thing in the morning (Psalm 119:147). It could be as you go to bed at night (Psalm 119:55). Find a time that works for you and stick with it. Know that you may have to change your habits (maybe set your alarm earlier) to make sure you get your time with God every day. Your dedicated Bible reading and prayer time could be early, late, or in the middle, but be faithful. The important thing is to give your day to the Lord and spend time each day in His Word. Read Psalm 119:16 (NIV): “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Give your day and your time to God. Present your requests before Him and thank Him in advance for answering your prayers. Ask Him to give you a hunger for His Word.
WANT MORE?
Read Psalm 119:89-104. Why is reading the Bible so important?
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Book Details
About the Book
The Answer Book: A Devotional for Busy Families recognizes that today’s families keep hectic schedules, often leaving mere scraps of time for asking and answering spiritual questions. Nancy Ruth brings years of experience in children’s ministry and a master’s degree in theology to bear in crafting a seven-week set of daily devotions that offers families assistance in exploring how to live as Christians.
Adults, who sometimes find children challenging them with hard questions about the Christian life, will find The Answer Book enables them to ask those questions as a family, to listen to God’s Word, and to discover its answers. Each weekly section addresses a major topic, including truth, the reasons for spending time with God, the identity of Jesus, and family discipleship. Each daily devotion shares a brief reflection, suggests a Bible reading, presents an “On the Road” challenge to the family, and calls for a “Weapon Check,” in which one memorizes key scriptural passages.
As you spend time around your children, you may wonder what drives them to ask endlessly, “Why?” The Answer Book: A Devotional for Busy Families gives you a structured—yet flexible—way to turn small blocks of time into moments for taking seriously their deep and heartfelt questions. By spending some time together as a family with these questions and with the message God reveals in the Scriptures, you will grow together to trust God more fully, to build your lives on a strong foundation, and to be prepared for life’s coming challenges.
About the Author
Nancy Ruth has ministered to families, serving churches both as a volunteer and a director of children’s ministries since her youth. She holds a master of divinity degree. In addition to devoting time to family and church, she works as a substitute teacher and writes for Parent Road Ministries.