Questions to help create a God Made You Special Faithbook for your children
Page 1 – “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14
Write a statement about
how special your child is to you and to the Lord. This scripture verse can
serve as a guideline.
Example: I praise and
thank the Lord for you, Ravi. You are a masterpiece that God brought into this
world. Your life is a miracle and each day when I look at you, I marvel at how
unique and special you are. Our lives are blessed because the Lord gave us the
gift of YOU!
Optional: Write a few details about the child’s birth and how the Lord protected his/her arrival into the world.
Page 2 – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:6
Write about the talents
and giftings you see growing in your child. Are they showing leadership,
perhaps they are musical or artistic, organized, good at serving and helping,
etc.
Example: Sylas, you are
such a good helper. Grandpa and I are so impressed with your willingness to
serve others and do hard jobs. One day, you helped us pull weeds, pick carrots
and beets - then you cleaned all
the mud from the vegetables. Next you swept the patio and asked for more jobs.
You also do so well helping your mother with your baby brother Ravi. She really
appreciates that you listen and obey. We are so proud of you!
Optional: There will be many stories of how the Lord’s gifts and talents are growing in your children. Make as many comments as possible in this category. Our son Joel makes friends easily; our daughter Julia is neat and organized. Janetta has a gift for listening and giving wise advice; Jacob is disciplined and has the heart of a servant.
Page 3 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one
and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal
life.” John 3:16
Write the details of how
your child accepted Christ as Savior and Lord. If the child is too young to
have made that decision yet, write about the child’s prayers and comments he/she has made about Jesus.
Example: Julia receives
Christ at age six! While reading at the kitchen counter on April 10th, 1993,
our book was about three children praying to receive Jesus into their heart.
You turned to us and said, “I want to pray right now to ask Jesus into my heart
– can I do that.” We were so excited that I cried tears of joy. You then prayed
and asked Jesus to come into your heart and be with you forever. The angels in heaven rejoiced that night
as your name was written in the Lambs book of life. Dad and I are filled with
joy to know that we will share our life on earth with you AND we will spend
eternity together. Praise the Lord!
Example: Even though you
are only two years old Laila, you are already demonstrating your love for the
Lord. Several times a day you say, “God made me special.” You will also
frequently say, “Jesus is with me.”
Optional: Write YOUR own
testimony to include for your child. It is important for them to see the
circumstances of your salvation. Psalm 145:4 says, “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts.”
Page 4 – “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in your ways;” Psalm 91:11
Write a story about how
the Lord has protected your child through an illness, accident or other
challenging events.
Example: The Lord is so
faithful to protect you, Sylas. I remember the day you fell into our swimming
pool and the Lord alerted Grandma Rhonda so she could find you within seconds
of you falling. We thank the Lord for rescuing you from drowning that day. The
Lord has a special plan for your life and we thank Him for keeping you safe.
Optional: Write about the
time the Lord protected you and your family. This will increase the faith of
your child and encourage you as well.
Page 5 – “And so we celebrated because the Lord had indeed worked miracles for us.” Psalm 126:3
Write a story about an
accomplishment of your child’s that you have celebrated. Depending on their age
this could be finishing a grade of school (including pre-school), learning a
special game or activity, excelling at a sport, music recital, learning verses
at Awana, etc.
Example: We are so proud of
you Laila. You have memorized two scripture verses! You are a girl after God’s
own heart and He loves you so much and we do to! And you can sing Jesus Loves Me by heart! That is
sooooooo good!
Optional: The celebration could include anytime
your family has had a victory. Perhaps you received a windfall blessing or an
extraordinary answer to prayer.
Page 6 – “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2
Write about your child’s
experience with music. Do they love to sing? Do they play an instrument yet?
What are some of their favorite praise songs? We can both affirm our children
through words of a song AND teach them the importance of giving praise to the Lord
throughout their life.
Example: Sylas - When I
was praying for your mother before your birth, I felt the Lord saying to me
that you would be a mighty man of praise and worship. Shortly after your birth
I heard of a new singing group called, Something like Silas. Wow,
praising the Lord will be an important part of your life.
Optional: Write the words of a favorite song that
express how you feel about your child. Bill Gaither’s song, I am a Promise has very
meaningful words to share with your kids.
Page 7 - “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”
I Peter 3:21
Write about your child’s
dedication. If the child is older and has made the decision to be baptized,
write the details of the experience and your thoughts towards the child.
Example: What a joyous day
it was Joel, when you told us that you wanted to be baptized so everyone would
know that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. You were so excited as you
waited for the evening church service. At eight years old, you were one of the
younger ones being baptized. When the microphone was in your hand, you proudly
declared you loved Jesus. Your first response when emerging from the tank was,
“Mom - that water wanted me to swim in it.” Indeed, the water was warm and
inviting for a young man who loved to swim. I’m sure the Lord got a chuckle
from that comment.
Optional: Write the details
of your baptism (both parents).
Page 8 –“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Write – Grandparents, siblings,
relatives, teachers, friends will have encouraging words to say about your
child. Words of affirmation from a variety of others, is another way to show
your child how much the Lord loves them.
Example: Jacob – we are so
proud of you. We received an amazing letter from one of the nurses who is
assisting you during your hospital stay. This is what she said about you. “As
Jacob’s parents, I want you to know what a special son you have. Even though he
is stuck in traction and experiencing great discomfort, he has the best
attitude. All of us nurses compete for the right to be on call for his room. He
shares his faith in such a gentle and effective way. You must be so proud to
have a 12-year old son like Jacob."
Optional: You may include
cards, letters, reports or anything that has affirming words to your child.
Page 9 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Write about the fruits of the spirit and
character qualities maturing in your child. Are they responsible, friendly,
honest, loyal, etc.
Example: Joel, we see the fruit
of faithfulness growing in your life. Every day you have attended 6:00am swim
practice with consistency and a great attitude. You have been so faithful to
receive instruction and advice with graciousness. You are giving honor to the
Lord with your demonstration of faithfulness.
Page 10 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Write about a favorite
scripture verse that your child has memorized or that speaks about your child.
Do you have a verse that is special to you regarding this child? Write the
verse and why it is meaningful.
Example: Proverbs 25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
While reading my Bible on September 3, 1985 I read that verse. Instantly the
Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Your baby arriving from India is good news
from a distant land.” We had been patiently waiting for seven weeks for news of
your arrival, Janetta. Later that day, we received a phone call from the
adoption agency saying that you would arrive tomorrow! Yes, indeed – we
received good news from a distant land!
Tips to keep in mind:
1) Do not feel
obligated to use every question – select the ones that are most meaningful to
you
2)
Find pictures (perhaps only one) that go
with the questions. Don’t worry if you don’t have the exact picture for the
occasion…
3) Do not worry about
writing complete sentences or paragraphs. Bullet journaling a few statements is
very acceptable.
4) Also do not worry
about spelling or grammar. To feel intimidation about your writing skill is
succumbing to a lie from Satan who does not want you or your child to
succeed.
5) You may hand write
or type this book. Remember, your hand writing is an important part of history,
so do not be shy about the “look” of your handwriting.
6) Creativity is not the
goal so don’t be concerned about the appearance of your finished work. The most
important component is your heartfelt words! Kids only want to know, “What did
you say about me?” Stickers and paper are not what they value.
7) www.faithbooking.com is a website with
a free concordance and TEN more
questions to help you create an Adult Faithbook. Our FAITH will
be increased when we look back and see the Lord’s faithfulness. Our stories
will help our kids trust Him in the future.
8) If you are already
an album maker you can weave some of these questions into your “regular “ photo
albums.
9) Free Software at www.creativememories.com – the select
digital center
10) Please feel free to
email me at: randerson@creativememories.com with any
questions. – Group workshops are an option.
11) Try Planned Neglect to get this book done
(skip doing dishes, beds, makeup, Facebook, emails, laundry, cooking, etc) Focus most of your daily time on the
book (or carve out an hour a few times a week and you’ll be amazed at how much
you can complete)!
Scripture verses that demonstrate the importance of sharing faith stories with the next generation:
Ps 145:4 NIV “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 CEV “You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.”
Psalm 22:30-31 LB “Future generations will also serve Him. Our children will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those yet unborn. They will hear about everything He has done.”
I Chronicles 16:23-24 LB “Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that He saves. Publish His glorious deed among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He has does.”
Psalm 78:4 NIV “..we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”
Isaiah 38:19b LB “Each generation can make known your faithfulness to the next.”
Joel 1:3 NIV “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.”
Psalm 102:18 NLV “Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a nation yet to be created will praise the Lord.”
Psalm 107:43 NLV “Those who are
wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful
love of the Lord.”
Exodus 16:32 NIV - Moses said, "This is what the LORD
has commanded: 'Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come,
so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you
out of Egypt.' " (A book is easier to carry around than a jar
of manna). J
Joshua 4:4-7 4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." (They had stones to remind them of the Lord’s faithfulness – we can use the book we create).
