The game where everyone's a winner

 When it comes to teaching children about the bible, I’ve always found that the golden rules are:

 1. MAKE IT FUN!

2. MAKE IT RELEVANT

3. BE REAL

So I made Testament Trumps.  A bible version of Top Trumps.

Using fun, bright and colourful cartoon images of the best known bible heroes was a must, but in order to make it relevant I needed to bring them into the 21st Century.  After all, kids are going to find it hard to relate to someone riding a donkey to work.

So Thomas became a forensic investigator, Delilah a hairdresser,  Pharaoh a gangster rapper etc.  In fact, we have everything from a popstar to a lifeguard. 

I won't believe unless I find the evidence!

It’s a fact that God will use people today in the same way He used people in the past.  So if the teachings found in the bible are always portrayed as historic, it’s going to be more difficult children to have faith that they still apply to us today!

As well as bright and colourful images which catch children’s attention, every picture has a hidden character for them to find.  A bit like ‘find Wally’.  They study the card to find the hidden image and as a result, retain the picture and a link to the story in their memory.  It’s never been easier to teach the bible!

I also hope to deliver a message that as a Christian  you don’t have to be a pastor of a church or a missionary to qualify as ‘a working member in the Kingdom’.  Every job is important to God and every child will have their own favorite bible character because they are all different.

These are my favorites

Testament trumps brings fun, laughter and an opportunity to sit and chat about bible characters in a relaxed environment.  Adults and children can play together and learn together.

Ask a child to pick their favorite card and then, why they have chosen them?  Then sit back and watch what happens when they win the card in game play!

Like Top Trumps, the aim of the game is to get all the cards to win.  The only diffence is that with Testament Trumps, when you lose, you learn a little more about God and that makes you a winner as well.

Show me Courage?

It takes courage to do  anything which is challening in life.  Different people show courage in different ways – Courage is not described by a standard definition!

For example, what one person finds easy to do, another will need to dig deep inside themselves to achieve.  Courage can be bold and in your face, or subtle and hidden away.  But one thing is fure sure – we all have it!

Firefighters show courage

Courage can take the form it usually does in the movies where a man runs into battle to fight a heroic war.  Or it can be as simple as a father having the courage to tell their son/ daughter how much they love them  or a husband / wife to say ‘I’m sorry’.  What about a child suffering with Leukemia who finds the courage to smile every day or the victim of bullying who goes to school every day anyway?

I'm not going back

Courage usually has a very close companion called Commitment.  It is often the character trait which results in courage being seen.  It says ‘I’m committed, I’m not hesitating or changing my mind, I will not go back!’  It is at the point of commitment, and not before, that Courage becomes visible.  Sometimes you do something and only realise later it was a courageous thing to do!  You know what I’m talking about.

Whatever mountain you face in your life today, make a decision that you will commit yourself to seeing it through and overcoming the fear that stands in your way.

Fear of failure e.g what if, if only, I’m not good enough, I can’t do it, I’m not qualified etc will cause you to waiver and in turn snuff out your Courage.  When you believe that you succeed then you stand a good chance of overcoming that fear and showing Courage.

So commit yourself to go on alone if need be.  It might be hard, but it’s a learning curve and you’ll be stronger at the end of the journey than you were at the beginning.  Take a friend on the journey if you can (it makes it easier).  Firmly fix you sight on the outcome and don’t stop until you get there.  And the good news – like it or not, you are never alone.  Paul the apostle said ‘No man stood with me, but all men forsook me … Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me’ 2 Tim 4:16.  Have Courage, be committed – you can do it!  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. 

Feeling left out

I believe there is something called middle child syndrome which basically affects most middle children in families of 3 kids.  The middle child feels like they don’t fit in properly – i.e they are not the oldest and most responsible but at the same time they are not the baby of the house any more.  This leaves them a little confused and they can (with time) withdraw into themselves and push other family members away. This could portray itself in ways like – not being affectionate, refusing to share, getting tearful easily etc. Look out for unusual behaviour.

I didn't choose either!

An extremely effective solution which can turn the whole thing around in 7 days. Simply try giving your middle child double the attention of the other two children!

Sounds unfair doesn’t it, but the other two won’t even notice!  Double the praise, double the story time, double the cuddles, double the words of affirmation, make an extra effort to involve them in everything you do as a family e.g hold their hand when they walk on a wall for longer than the other two etc.   Once it starts working then don’t stop doing it!

The effect it has on most middle children is mind blowing. Try it and watch them flower.

Look at ME - I'm here!

What do they hear?

My son started secondary school this year and all credit to him, he rose to the challenge and settled in quickly to the changes a child faces with 450 new kids.  But it is amazing what they hear in the playground from day one and as a parent, we need to be ready to rise to the challenge!

What challenge?  Well, for starters they learn all the swear words in about 1 week, then there is the sex issue and they hear things from their peer group about masturbation, oral sex etc and of course they have to deal with name calling and character assasignation.  Oh….. those issues, why didn’t I make myself clear at the start! 

Parents ready to help!

Now as a parent, my first thought is to react quickly and quash this tide which seeks to corrupt my 11 year old child.  I want to be a crack SAS squad who parachutes in to deal with the issues, speak to the teachers, protect my child from those rude and mean kids which have gone astray!  And guess what, I can do exactly that but all I will leave behind me is a trail of devastation which my child will look at and make a quick decision that ‘it’s better not to tell mum and dad!’.  If they don’t tell us, then they don’t have to live in a war zone. 

Ever wonder why teenagers don’t tell their parents much stuff?  I can remember not telling my parents anything which would or could hit a nerve resulting in a chain of events I didn’t want to happen.  Sound familiar.  Well nothing has changed today, the kids are the same as we were and we need to create an environment where they can open up and be safe.

We do this by practising patience and self control.  We want our kids to come to us for the answers, not their friends.  To do this we need to build their trust and to be honest with them.  Create a safe place for them to run to for answers and be prepared to guard your heart – your little child is going into the big wide world.

My son was flabberghasted when I told him I knew every swear word under the sun but I just chose not to use them because I didn’t like them.  He actually asked if I knew all 3 F words!  How funny it was to see his eyes pop out of his head.  It’s even funnier when you ask them if they know them and then say… ‘ what do you think they mean?’.  Then the door is open to expain in nice words what they actually mean.  It’s funny how they tend to decide on their own how rude they are and actually it’s better not to use them!

That’s just one example of how we can be prepared to face the challenges at hand.  To be a real person which your child can relate to, tell them about yourself, the struggles you had at school, the issues you dealt with, mistakes you made etc.  The most effective tool for communicating with your child is to tell them stroies about your past.  They will be able to relate to you – not as a super human parent who gets nothing wrong- but as a normal person. They will be able to learn from your experiences and consequences.  It’s amazing how bright kids are if you give them the chance to show it!  And they just love stories about mum and dad!

So to conclude today with a practical suggestion –  find time to spend with your children.  Talk with them, share stories and ask questions.  Keep the communication lines open so that your protect your relationship and become a rock upon which they can stand.  Be the place they find answers and have fun growing up with them.  As Rob Parson says ‘ A successful parent will one day make themselves redundant’ – I hope that when I get to that point I can have the privilage of being their best friend.

You are my son who I love

I read something once (I think it was a book by Rob Parsons) that said everyone needs a parent that thinks they are brilliant!  A mum or a dad that cheers for them, always speaks positive words, fights their corner all the time – in essence, a parent that see’s the best in them and see’s them as a winner.

Tom Daley (the British high diver) had a dad just like this.  It’s said that he never missed watching his son at a single tournament even though he was battling against brain cancer.  He was committed to loving his son and being there for him no matter what!  He cheered, believed, encouraged and I guess comforted his son through the victories and failures.  Tom Daley knew that his biggest fan was his dad!

Even if Tom Daley had never gone on to be a British and Commonwealth champion, he would have had one medal which was worth more than all the rest – He was his Dads champion!  And guess what; his dad was Tom Daley’s champion too!  How do I know?  Well just read what the 17 year old world class diver wrote about his dad:

Tom wrote a tribute to his father on his Twitter page: “If I could be half the dad that my dad was to me then that would be my best achievement! I love you! Xx”

It brings a tear to the eye!  I wonder how many of our children could say the same?  How many would put up their hand and say ‘ I want to be a parent just like my mum or dad!’ 

Toms face says it all!

The simple truth is that you don’t need to be an Olympian champion to be great!  But if you want to be a great parent, you do need to love your children, encourage them, fight their corner, tell them how great and special they are even when they mess up.  You do need to be the ONE safe place for them to run to in times of trouble and the person stood at the side of the sports pitch in the pouring rain cheering for your child!  Imagine making your wedding vows to your child – through good and bad, in sickness and in health …etc etc – love will never fail you – I will not let you down because I love you.

I can think of no greater acheivement in my life than for my children to grow up knowing that they are the apple of my eye, my prize, my all, my heart!  It’s my God given responsibility and a great one!  So let’s be encouragers and let our children know that they are OUR CHAMPIONS and our great reward!

Mr Daley, sadley lost his long fought battle with cancer but I take my hat off to him – a great man but a truely olympian DAD!  Well done sir – you won a truely great victory.

Dad with his Gold Medal (his arm is around it!)

Not everything seems like good news

 So if the Bible really is Good news – why doesn’t it feel like it!  Why do we run away from it as if it’s going to hurt us when Jesus says the complete opposite and says it’s good for us?  My theory is that most of us see the love of God as being conditional i.e we have to behave in a certain way in order to be accepted but as soon as we fall short and mess up then its big trouble – out of favour and off to judgement.  Why should we believe anything else, after all, when we were growing up and upset our parents we got punished – so it par for the course isn’t it?  Do good – get good, do bad – get bad.

But imagine if the Good news is not about what we do but about what God does!  What happens if the relationship with God doesn’t change when we mess up because ‘He won’t leave us or forsake us!’  What happens if the mountain doesn’t move just because we look away but continues to shelter and protect despite the circumstances.  Well, that’s God and that’s the good news which is found in Jesus.  He died, so that we could draw near to God and be righteous – not because of what we do but because of what HE did!

Dad will always be there

That’s why we read the bible.  There are going to be troubles in life – rough sea if you like!  Times when you look at the wave and wonder why you are there.  Learn about how Peter rejected Jesus 3 times and messed up only to find that Jesus came to him a few days later and said, don’t worry, I’ve dealt with that on my side so that you don’t have to deal with the consequences on your side – lets move on, I love you.  That begins to sound like a book worth reading and someone worth knowing.  What do you think?  Start in the book of John and go from there.

It’s a shame that this course of events is common place but here is an idea to ponder over.  If we concentrated our church teachings on Grace instead of Law, then in a short time people wouldn’t need to worry about their biblical knowledge and becoming ‘good Christians’.  After all, we are made good through the blood of Christ not our own works.  So once you are set free, you are free indeed.

You are free to spend time having a coffee with the teenager who is struggling with relationships, free to pop into Sunday school and help colour in a picture of Moses, free to move the chairs for the church warden or to paint the front of the church and chat to the neighbours as they pass by.  We must learn to  express our Christian faith  as liberation rather than commitments!

When we do things out of the prompting of the Spirit and with a willing heart, then church should become fun!  A place full of laughter and relationships where you are free to be whoever you were made to be.  Helping in the youth work will most likely be fun and allowing older members to pop in and see the kids having fun will not doubt fill them with joy.

Who is your favorite bible character?

Testament Trumps were designed to allow parents and children to have fun learning about the bible.  There are hidden characters to try and find, scores to remember, cards to win and even some you would rather lose.  We have seen old people playing the game in groups and challenging each other to name the 10 Commandments – oh what good fun that was.  We hope our games will be an active ingredient in bringing fun and laughter into the church and engaging all ages to relate and learn together.  Why not drop us a line and let us know how you got on with the games when you played them?  Be blessed.

Trust God until circumstances change

Poor jonah – thrown into the sea and left to drown!  Ever felt like everyone is waiting for you to fail and when you need them to stick by you they just leave you to the sharks?

Well, no surprises there – the bible says that we should not put our trust in men because they will always let us down – rather we put our trust in HIM and He will watch over us.  In Jonah Chp 2 Vs 2 it says ‘ In my distress I called upon the Lord and He answered me’.  An immediate answer to prayer!  Although I suspect Jonah wasn’t expecting to be swallowed by a big fish!

But what happens when you shout out to God and He doesn’t appear to answer?  Job faced this exact problem but he never turned from his belief that God would do what was right and that God was Good.  Just because things don’t go the way we always want them to go, it doesn’t mean that God fails to exist or has stopped loving us.  If I stop talking on the telephone – have I failed to be on the other end of the line? No!  I’m just listening for a while until the time is right to speak.

Trust in God.  Don’t run from Him when your prayers are not answered and circumstances seem difficult.  Rather be like Jonah and call upon the Lord – your answer will already be on it’s way!  Just hope it’s not a big fish.

Finally, just like Jonah – we can never out run God no matter how hard we try.  Why – because He is already where we are going and He is waiting for us!  Rather decide that it’s better to go with Him and like Jonah, turn and walk with Him instead into the plan He has for your life.  It will be much easier and instead of waiting to drown you’ll be surfing the waves just waiting for things to change.

How is God like David Beckham?

God audibly asked me a question one night when I was lying in bed, He said: Steven, if you studied everything there was to know about David Beckham - his favourite food, shoe size, how many balls he’s kicked, what his wifes favorite memory of their marriage, what makes him laugh, what he did when he was 5 years old or thought of yesterday etc etc - in otherwords absolutely everything about him and then you invited him to a party, would he come?’ My answer was obviously NO!  To which God asked a second question:  ‘Why?’ 

I considered this question for a while and then came to the conclusion that I didn’t actually know him and he didn’t know me, so why would he come to the party?  Strangly God then went quiet and left me to think about it a bit more.

I realised that the point had been made.  We can study everything there is to know about the bible, remember memory verses, listen to the best teachers around and get to have a big swelled head of knowledge but unless we KNOW GOD personally then there is a good chance that He won’t turn up at the party either!  Our witness will be weak, our prayers won’t get answered and we wont hear His voice and walk with Him daily.  We will basically be as it says in 1 Cor 13 a noisy bell or a clashing symbol.

Jesus died on the cross so that we could receive His righteousness and approach God with freedom and confidence.  Our own works do not qualify us for the kingdom and our knowledge of the Word does not make us good Christians.  It’s all about Jesus and knowing that we are received unconditionally by the love of the Faher because of Him. 

I’m learning that when God spoke to me about David Beckham he was saying Steve, I want to know you personally so that we can party together and so that I can show you all the things I want to do with you!  Greater things than even Jesus did when He walked on the earth.  So I want to encourage you to seek Him first and His Love so that He can set you fee to be all that you want to be.  Stop getting hung up on religion, don’t be a Paul but let Jesus reveal Himself to you through relationship so that he can make you a Paul – saved by Grace and walking with God.  Be blessed.

Joseph did not come from some idealistic family where everything was just perfect.  His dad (Jacob) started off as a con man stealing Esau’s inheritance, his sister was raped and then his brothers deceived a whole town and killed all the men in anger for her revenge.  To make things worse, all the brothers bitterly resented Joseph and made his life miserable.  Eventually he was beaten,thrown down a well and sold into slavery!  Now that’s pretty bad even by todays standards.

Joseph had troubles like the rest of us, or probably a lot worse than most of us!  But Jospeh turned out to be a man destined for greatness – a rags to riches success we might say! He was able to see things turned around becasue despite all the difficulties, Joseph stood on one key principle.  God LOVED him and that meant everything.  It proved to be the key to reaching his full potential.

Joseph did not compromise his character in order to get ahead in life.  He didn’t bear grudges or seek revenge for the hurts he suffered and if he had waited for an apology before moving forward, he would have been waiting a long time. 

Don't quit - you are a winner

Face the facts that you won’t be liked by everyone – after all you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time!  Hold fast to the principles around which you want to lead your life.  Dependable, Patient,Honest and Respectful might be words to describe Joseph but what words would your peers use to describe you!  Make your choices and stick firmly to them, because that way, you will have the potential to be more that you ever thought you could be.

Write a list of 5 positive character traits which you think describe you and put them on your wall as a reminder of who you have chosen to be.