As Patient as a ...

Think preparing your child’s devotional time requires a lot of planning, research and insight? Not at all! Just take a look around you. Look outside, in a tree or perhaps even on your kitchen floor. 

Animals can teach children so much about God and His purpose for them. Each animal has something unique about it and something a child can learn from.

Children can learn about patience and trustworthiness from animals. Even animals with some bad traits can be a teaching tool. An angry wildcat can teach your child how to control his or her temper. A gecko that sheds its tail when it gets scared can teach your child not to run away from problems. Even a spider web can teach your child not to get tangled up in lies.

Looking at some of the messes animals can get themselves into is a teaching tool in itself! Teach your children to take complaints and make them praises. Teach kids about right and wrong.

Kids can relate to animals, too. You might ask your children which animal they are most like. Also ask your children how God can use the traits He’s divinely given them. If they don’t do the right thing with their gifts, ask them what might happen.

God reveals Himself to us in creation. (Refer to Romans 1:19-20.) Using God’s creation as an example is a great way to make faith practical to your child.