This week on Biblically Centered Kids, we're diving into a powerful and practical virtue that resonates deeply in both spiritual and everyday settings: taking initiative, particularly in the realm of cleanliness and tidiness in our environments and hearts. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with your children in meaningful conversations and activities that reinforce the importance of taking proactive steps to improve our surroundings and internal world.

Monday: Understanding Initiative

We will begin the week by introducing the virtue of initiative. The focus will be on understanding what it means to take the lead in maintaining cleanliness and order, without waiting for others to prompt us. We’ll discuss several Bible verses that highlight the value of initiative and proactive behavior, providing a strong biblical foundation for this virtue.

Tuesday: Old Testament Insight

Our journey through scripture will take us to the story of King Hezekiah from the Old Testament. We will explore how this ruler of Judah took swift action to purify the nation’s temple and restore spiritual order, serving as a powerful example of how taking initiative can lead to significant positive change.

Thursday: New Testament Action

Later in the week, we will recount the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem. This narrative vividly illustrates Jesus' decisive action to restore reverence in a space meant for worship, emphasizing the importance of initiative in preserving the sanctity of our sacred places and practices.

Engaging Throughout the Week

1. Discussion Nights

Set aside a few minutes each evening to discuss what taking initiative looks like in your family's daily life. Ask your children how they might apply what they’ve learned from Hezekiah or Jesus in their own routines, perhaps in cleaning their rooms, doing homework, or in their interactions with friends.

2. Practical Projects

Engage in a small project that requires taking initiative. It could be organizing a play area, donating old toys, or setting up a schedule for household chores. Emphasize how these actions reflect the cleanliness and orderliness we talked about in the podcasts.

3. Spiritual Reflection

Encourage your children to think of ways they can 'cleanse' their hearts of unkind thoughts, impatience, or any other habits that distance them from God and others. Maybe they can start a kindness journal or participate in daily prayers that focus on personal growth and community service.

4. Role-Playing

Create role-play scenarios where your child has to decide to take initiative. This can be fun and interactive, helping them understand how to make decisions that reflect their values in real-time situations.

5. Art & Creativity

After discussing the biblical stories, encourage your children to draw or craft something that represents what initiative means to them. It could be a scene from one of the stories or something from their imagination that symbolizes cleanliness, order, or proactive behavior.

Conclusion

The virtue of taking initiative is essential, not just in maintaining our physical spaces but also in nurturing our spiritual lives. As we explore these themes through biblical stories, our children will learn the importance of being proactive and responsible, qualities that will serve them well throughout their lives. We look forward to a week of insightful stories, engaging lessons, and meaningful discussions that will inspire your family to embrace the virtue of initiative in every aspect of life.

Warmly,
Jonny & Danika Jordan