Subscription Lists
Family Blueprint
by Julianne Bell
(Toilet paper rolls, paper towel tubes, and wax paper teach us with Balaam and his donkey that God speaks in different ways to get our attention.)
The Lord gave us the blueprint of His Word to architect our family on Jesus Christ.
Going through the Bible with your family…
Weekly Scripture:
Numbers 22-24; 31:16
Story:
"Balaam and His Donkey"
Application:
God speaks to us in many ways.
Summary:
The children of Israel came into Moab. Balak, the king of Moab, was worried. He sent his men to bring Balaam, the prophet, to put a curse on the Israelites. At first Balaam refused to go with Balak’s men, as the Lord had told Balaam not to go. Again King Balak sent his men to ask Balaam to come to him and this time Balaam agreed. God was angry with Balaam for desiring the riches the king was offering to the point of going against the Lord’s will. God sent His angel with His sword drawn to stand in Balaam’s way. Balaam’s donkey misbehaved to avoid the Angel of the Lord. Three times Balaam’s donkey avoided the Angel of the Lord, so that Balaam scolded it and struck it. God caused the donkey to speak to Balaam about his sin. Balaam went on to the king, where he blessed the people instead of cursing them against the king’s wishes. However, we also learn that while Balaam did not curse Israel, he did counsel the king on how to bring down the Israelites by sending their daughters to seduce Israel.
Focus:
To teach our children that God will use many ways to speak to us to make the counsel of His will known to us. We must be careful to listen and obey.
Finding Christ:
We see the preincarnate Jesus in the Angel of the Lord in this chapter. While some may differ on if this Angel of the Lord is God, we do see that Balaam bows himself to worship the Angel of the Lord and the worship is accepted. In Revelation 22:8-9 we see that angels do not accept worship, but direct us to worship God only.
Live the Lesson:
This week we are going to make "voice changers." Have your children take cardboard tubes of various lengths, such as toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, gift wrap rolls, etc. Cover one end with wax paper and secure it with a rubberband. You can also try covering the one end with foil and a securing it with a rubberband.
Now have your children speak their memory verse "Listen diligently to Me" first without their voice changer. Then use the voice changer to see how differently it sounds. Discuss with them that if they are caught up in watching their favorite TV show that sometimes they will not listen to your normal voice. However, if you loudly speak through a voice changer it will immediately draw their attention. Sometimes when God needs to get our attention He will use different methods to get our interest. We need to be careful to hear the voice of God and obey.
If you are in the mood for some more voice changing experiments, check out our site: www.familyblueprint.org/voice_changing_experiments.htm
Memory Verse:
"Listen diligently to Me." Isaiah 55:2
Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help us to recognize the ways in which You speak to us and to be careful to listen and obey.
Living the Life:
This week discuss with your children the different ways the Lord speaks to them, such as through His Word, parents, teachers, pastors, godly music, etc.
Family Blueprint has come to fruition as a complimentary service for those seeking creative ways to 'teach them (the words of the Lord) diligently to your children...' Deuteronomy 6:7
Julianne Bell is also a consultant for Once Upon A Family at www.familyblueprint.org/once_upon_a_family.htm This allows her to work from home while homeschooling her children and keeping her ministry website resources free.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Family Blueprint" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.