The Joy of God’s Word

Ancient History and Astronomy

January 3, 2019 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

During this school year, our 3rd and 5th grade children and I have been delving into ancients for history and exploring astronomy for science! So far, the combination has worked well since both begin with the foundation of Creation with our loving God as the Master Designer. It’s the perfect combination for creation based studies!

As we study Biblical history and early civilizations and also discover information about the sun, planets, and stars, I like how it all so easily points us back to God.

The heavens declare the glory of God.
The skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1 (NIV, 1984)

We are making connections with Biblical history and seeing how God’s hand was at work in both the forming and sustaining of the universe and the nations.

I am struck by the words in this small verse of Scripture.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power.
His understanding is beyond measure.

Psalm 147:5 (ESV)

great ….abundant in power….beyond measure

Yes! That is what I wish for our children to consider and contemplate as they continue to study this year. My hope is that they not only store up content knowledge, but that they encounter the Living God! May they always realize that it is Christ who is great in His steadfast love for us, who is abundant in power as He not only created everything, but sustains us and gives us life, and that His wisdom and understanding are beyond measure.

If you are also studying Ancient History with your children, you may be interested in a new resource that was just added to our Teachers Pay Teachers store – an Ancient History Notebook!

Filed Under: Curriculum We Use, The Joy of God's Word, The Joy of Homeschool

Missionary Resources for Families

November 6, 2018 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

Our oldest daughter has had a burden and a desire to participate in missions ever since she was little. I remember that when she was eight, she wanted to be a missionary gymnast. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I didn’t think there was a place for that particular field in missions, but I knew that God could use any gift and skill for His glory and I was just delighted that she wanted to serve Him. In middle school, she explored the possibility of being in aviation. As she entered high school, she studied biology and thought maybe medical missions would be a good path. Then, she developed new interests in writing (forming and sharing blog posts about missions, scripting plays, and authoring a novel) as well as coming alongside and supporting friends who were hurting. So, now she is praying about the possibility of teaching, writing, or biblical counseling.

At sixteen, our daughter continues to aspire to follow Christ wherever He may lead her, but she remains uncertain what that will look like. I want her to realize that it is perfectly O.K. and expected that she not have it all figured out. She shouldn’t. She sometimes seems restless as she so eagerly wants to get started in the ‘real work’ and can lose focus on her current tasks (like, ahem, school). But I want her to hold on to the truth that God has a plan, and in His timing, He will show her the way and make it clear. Until then, it is a time of learning academically , maturing emotionally, growing spiritually, and serving joyfully as she is able right where God has placed her. He is faithful and I know that He will use every aspect of her life events, even ones she may not currently see a purpose in, to prepare her for even greater service and joy. God doesn’t waste anything.

Attending missionary events at church, praying for missionary families, reading updates from missionaries that our family supports, listening to missionary biographies at home, and even participating in a vision trip at a young age all have worked together to fuel her passion for Christ and to help her to be open to God’s call to go. But, even more importantly than those experiences is God’s Holy Spirit working in her young life so that she could truly understand the Gospel at a young age, acknowledge her sins, and see her need for the One true Savior – Jesus. I am grateful to Him!

Do you have a child in your life who is interested in missions?

Below are various resources that our family has used over the years to support and encourage a love for God and a love for His people throughout the world.

Books & Videos about Missionaries

YWAM Missionary Biographies
10 Girls Who Changed the World/ 10 Boys Who Changed the World
Little Lights missionary books (for younger kids)
Hero Tales by Dave and Neta Jackson
Trailblazer book series
Around the World with Kate and Mack (Wycliffe)
Torchlighters Heroes of the Faith video series

Prayer Resources

Window on the World: An Operation World Prayer Resource (info/prayer)
Kids of Courage activity booklets (from Voice of the Martyrs Downloads page –Print free from online.)

About How Children Around the World Live

Passport to the World: Your A to Z Guided Language Tour
Children’s Atlas of God’s World
Children Just Like Me
Around the World Coloring Book (Dover)
Wonderful Houses Around the World

Curriculum

My Father’s World Exploring Countries and Cultures (elementary)
Geography and Missions – free printable schedule and notebook pages! (elementary)
Heart of Dakota World Religions and Cultures (high school)

Discipleship Course

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (high school, college, adults of all ages!)

“God involves us in His mission not because He needs us but because He loves us and in His mercy He has invited us to be involved in His sovereign design for the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth.”

~ David Platt

Filed Under: The Joy of Children, The Joy of God's Word, The Joy of Homeschool, The Joy of Missions

Nativity Handprint Crafts

December 18, 2017 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

I’ve always enjoyed making handprint crafts with young children. There’s just something about painting their sweet little hands, the giggles that ensue, and the smiles that always result. And, of course, a memory is made and a print is captured– one that can never be duplicated seeing as our children are constantly growing and changing!

For the month of December, some common handprints that can be created are snowmen, reindeer, Santa, Christmas trees, hearts, and angels. Considering our family’s desire to focus more on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus, I’ve often desired to make a nativity handprint. After some eager experimentation by my 9 year old, I think we’ve found one that we like! The painting involved is a bit more detailed than your typical handprint craft, but I think it is well worth the time as it produces a beautiful, meaningful keepsake.

Steps to Creating Your ‘Nativity Handprint Craft’

1) Choose what item you want to make your nativity handprint on.

You may wish to have your child’s handprint on paper, cardstock, a potholder, an ornament, a December calendar page, etc.

2) Paint your child’s hand.

You can use washable tempera paint for printing onto paper, but I’d recommend using acrylics for printing onto other items.

Thumb – angel (You can paint the entire thumb one color.)

Index and pinky fingers – shepherds
Ring finger – Mary
Tall finger – Joseph

(Paint the tip of each finger a skin color to form the face and then choose another color for the rest of the finger to be the clothes . Try to paint each ‘person’s outfit’ a different color.)

Palm – baby Jesus in a blanket, on yellow hay, in a brown manger

Since there is a lot of paint to be applied (and the paint can dry rapidly), you will want to try to paint quickly and/or may need to retouch a few areas of the hand before going on to the next step.

3) Press the painted hand onto your choice of material.

For flat items, simply have your child place their hand straight onto the paper and then gently press their hand down. For round items, like an ornament, have your child grasp the item. (You may wish to have them practice them before their hand is painted.) Whatever the item to be printed, encourage your child to not move their fingers or palm in order to avoid smudges and smears.

Once you believe the print is transferred, the child can lift their hand away – straight up from a horizontal surface. For a round object, you may wish to gently pull the round object away as he/she pulls their hand straight back in the opposite direction.

Some examples….

cardstock

Styrofoam ornament

plastic fillable ornament

4) Use a small paintbrush to touch up any areas that may not have been filled to your liking.

You could also repaint your pinky to add wings to your angel.

5) Let air dry.

The time allowed for drying will vary based upon the material that you chose to paint. (Paper will be quicker than other items. Our plastic fillable ornaments took at least an hour to dry completely.)

6) Use colored permanent markers to add details.

**If your handprint is painted on a clear fillable ornament, you will have a couple of additional steps.

a) stuff with shredded paper

b) add a Scripture reference

Free printable tags for Luke 2:10-11 at Hubbard’s Cupboard

c) Attach twine as a hanger and then wrap it with a thin ribbon to form a bow.

And, there you have it –
an enjoyable craft that can foster a moment to pause, during this busy season,
and to communicate the meaning of Christmas!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts and Sewing, The Joy of God's Word

Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments

December 15, 2017 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:1-3

John 1 may not sound like a typical portion of Scripture to be memorizing during the Christmas season, but as you memorize and reflect on the meaning, it becomes a wonderful text to dwell upon leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth!

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John 1:9

Who is Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What were the circumstances surrounding his birth? How did people respond to His coming? How will you respond to the Good News of God sending His One and Only Son, wrapped in flesh, to die on the cross for the payment of your sins? These are just a few of the questions my children and I are contemplating as we take time to memorize John 1 and study the significance of some of the titles given to Jesus as we work our way through His Great Name: Jesus (Volume 2).

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

As we study His Great Name, I am continuing to attempt to come up with additional, creative ways that we can have His name before our eyes, ingrained in our minds, and pulling on our hearts this Christmas. Why? Well, as we grow older and mature in our faith, we need reminders that Jesus is more than a baby born in the manger long ago. Our Heavenly Father sent the Son of God, the long awaited Messiah, Immanuel, the Creator, the Alpha and Omega, the Light of the World, the Servant of the Lord, the Lamb of God, etc. – to redeem His people and to bring glory to His Name!

Today, I want to share one more possibility for intentionally setting a reminder of who Jesus truly is before our hearts and minds – making Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments. As you prepare and assemble these ornaments with your children, I pray that you will take time to look up the verses under each title of Jesus and reflect on the amazing outpouring of love and mercy God has shown to us in sending the gift of His Son, Jesus!

How To Form Your ‘Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments’

1) Download the FREE Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments printables from Hubbard’s Cupboard.

2) Print the ornament pieces onto white cardstock.

3) Carefully cut around each circle.

4) Rearrange the name circles by making a color pattern that appeals to you.

5) Fold each circle in half, between the two titles of Jesus.

6) Using a glue stick, attach one folded backside to a different folded backside.

7) Continue gluing until you have connected half of the folded circles together.

8) Then, affix another set of four folded circles together.

9) Cut the gold curling ribbon (or another thin ribbon) to approximately 10 inches in length.

10) On one set of assembled circles, use glue to adhere the ribbon.

11) Spread glue all along the backside of one set of glued circles. Carefully align and join the two sets of circles.

12) Push your fingers towards the centers of the name circles, making sure to firmly press and smooth each one.

13) Using scissors, carefully trim the edges of the circles that show any white backing.

14) Slightly adjust the direction of each name as needed.

15) Cut a second color of ribbon to be about 10 inches long. Tie this piece of ribbon around the first ribbon to form a bow (or tie a second piece of curling ribbon and use scissors to curl it).

16) Display on your tree, give as a party favor, tie onto a present, etc.

Yet to all who received him,
to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God…

John 1:12

Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved.

Acts 2:14

More resources for studying the Names/Titles of Jesus…

Filed Under: Christmas, The Joy of God's Word, The Joy of Holidays

Names of Jesus Banner

December 1, 2017 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

Would you like a simple, yet meaningful, banner to decorate your home this Christmas? If so, I have two free printables for you that I hope will bless you and your family!

I recently finalized the second volume of His Great Name: Jesus. For each volume, I decided to also create coordinating pennants with the titles of Jesus that we are studying. Regardless of whether you also choose to explore the titles given to Jesus with us this Christmas, feel free to print and make your own banner to adorn your home and bring a heedful reminder to who we want to focus our hearts and minds on each day- Jesus!

Gather your supplies:

Names of Jesus Banner (2 FREE printables to choose from at Hubbard’s Cupboard)
White Trim/Cord (3 yards long and about 3/16 inches thick)
Cardstock (white)
Scissors
Hole Punch

Steps to Creating Your ‘Names of Jesus Banner’

1) Download the ‘Names of Jesus Banner’ printable from Hubbard’s Cupboard.

2) Print the banner pieces onto white cardstock.

3) Carefully cut along the thick, black, outside edges of each pennant.

4) Use your hole punch to make two holes in each name pennant.
(Punch each hole along the dotted line, halfway between the top edge of the pennant and the name block.)

5) Organize the pennants so that there is an even amount of names and titles on either side of the larger ‘Jesus’ pennant. (We organized our name pennants according to the order in which we plan to study the titles of Jesus using His Great Name: Jesus (Volume 2). )

6) Slide each name along the cord, adjusting the space between each as necessary.

7) That’s it! Super easy!

Now, you have a simple, but purposeful trimming for your fireplace, larger doorway, or wall.

Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.
~ Psalm 99:3

May you cherish this season leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Savior!

Filed Under: Christmas, The Joy of God's Word, The Joy of Holidays

discovering joy in the journey
Joy to the Heart

Ancient History and Astronomy

Missionary Resources for Families

Nativity Handprint Crafts

Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments

Names of Jesus Banner

Recent Posts

Categories

discovering joy in the journeyJoy to the Heart

Ancient History and Astronomy

Missionary Resources for Families

Nativity Handprint Crafts

Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments

Names of Jesus Banner

Recent Posts

Categories

discovering joy in the journey
Joy to the Heart