Conversation Starters: He Disciplines the One He Loves

“Don’t be deceived:  God is not mocked.  For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirt.” Galatians 6:7-8

How can you keep this conversation going at home?  Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity or even while you’re shopping together:

For Preschoolers
What are some of the rules we have in our house?
Why do we have those rules?  Are they because we don’t want you to have any fun, or because we don’t want you to get hurt?

For Children
What do you think would happen if you were never punished when you did something wrong?
Do you think if we (your parents) loved you more, we wouldn’t discipline you as much?  Why or Why not?

For Students
Talk with your teenager about the worst trouble you ever got into.  What did you learn from it?  How did your own parents discipline you?

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Conversation Starters: Our Calling to His Purpose

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

How can you keep this conversation going at home?  Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together:

For Preschoolers
What do you want to be when you grow up?

How can you show people you love God in that job?

For Children
In addition to the above questions, ask, How do you think you can tell if this is something God wants you to do with your life?

For Students
When you work on a group project, hod do you decide which idea to go with?

Is it sometimes hard to admit someone else might have a better idea than you?  What do you do about it?

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Parents, Camp Ridgecrest, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Conversation Starters, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Conversation Starters: Our Caretaker

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomey 31:8

How can you keep this conversation going at home?  Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together.

For Preschoolers:
Play a game of “Follow the Leader” or “Simon Says” with your preschooler.  Use the experience to talk about how you as a parent would never give your child something to do that was impossible or that would hurt them.  Talk about how God is the same way.

For Children:
Have you ever tried to put a model together without a plan or a picture to go by?  Was it frustrating?  Why?

For Students:
Do you think God is concerned about every detail of our lives or just the “big stuff”?  What makes you say so?  If it is just the “big stuff”, then what counts as “big stuff”?

If God is concerned about every detail, then do you trust Him with every detail?  Why or why not?

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Conversation Starters, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Talking to your kids | Leave a reply

Conversation Starters: Obedience to Him

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 7:21

Conversation Starters
How can you keep this conversation going at home?  Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together:

For Preschoolers
What are some rules that keep you safe?
Why do we have rules like this?
What are some of God’s rules?  Did God give us rules to keep us from having fun, or because He loves us?

For Children
What are some rules you know we should follow?
Why should we obey these rules?
Is there more to being a Christian than just following rules?  What else?

For Students
Why are relationships important?
How do rules protect relationships?
Honestly, how would you feel about a parent who had no rules or expectations for his children?

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Parents, Camp Ridgecrest, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Conversation Starters, parent resourses, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Conversation Starters: Best For You

Jeremiah 29:11 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Conversation Starters
How can you keep this conversation going at home? Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together.

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Conversation Starters, Just for Parents, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Conversation Starter: Disobedience

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Conversation Starters
How can you keep this conversation going at home? Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together.

For Preschoolers:
Talk about how we all want things our way. Define disobedience. Explain that disobedience and wanting our way is not good. When we still try to get our own way, even when we’ve been told no, it makes God unhappy.

For Children:
Ask your child to remember a time when they disobeyed you. Explain that disobedience to God is called sin. We all sin, but forgiveness is available from God. Teach them to pray and confess their sins to God.

For Students:
Talk about times you rebelled against your parents or another authority. What were the consequences? Encourage your child to understand that sin is what separates man from God. Lead them to understand the necessity of confession and repentance.

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged 2 Chronicles 7:14, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Conversation Starters, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Conversation Starters: Confident

Romans 8:14-17; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14
Holy Spirit gives us confidence we are right with God

Conversation Starters

Parents, how can you keep this conversation going at home? Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together:

For Preschoolers
Ask: What makes you feel safe? Discuss the idea of safety and security. Remind your preschooler that God loves them and has promised to keep them safe. Spend a few minutes praying and thanking God for the safety we know we have in Him.

For Children
Ask: Who are some people you trust? What makes those people trustworthy? Discuss the characteristics your child included in his or her list. Discuss how many of those characteristics he or she believes God demonstrates. Highlight the fact that we can trust God and have confidence in the promises He makes.

For Students
Ask: What are some things you believe will happen in your future? (Examples: graduate high school, go to college, get married, have children, find a good job, and so forth) Why are you confident that those things will be a part of your future? Discuss responses. Using today’s focal passages, challenge students to determine why we can be confident of God’s work in our lives and His promises for our future.

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, Conversation Starters, Romans 8:14-17; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14 | Leave a reply

Conversation Starter: Wise

1 Corinthians 2
Holy Spirit gives wisdom to understand spiritual matters

Conversation Starters
How can you keep this conversation going at home? Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together:

For Preschoolers
Ask: How do you know when you’ve done something good? How do you know when you’ve done something wrong? Discuss why it’s important to do what’s right.

For Children
What does “wisdom” mean to you? How do you go about making sure your choices are wise? When have you helped someone else make a wise choice?

For Students
How has it become harder to display wisdom as you’ve gotten older? In what area do you struggle most with making wise choices? How often do you think of the Holy Spirit when you’re faced with a difficult decision?

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged 1 Corinthians 2, Camp Crestridge, camp ridgercest, Conversation Starters, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Conversation Starter: Victorious

Romans 7:20–8:9
Holy Spirit helps us live victoriously over sin

Conversation Starters

How can you keep this conversation going at home? Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together:

For Preschool
What is your favorite game to play with your friends? How do they help you win the game?

For Children
What are some things you like doing with other people? What makes that so special? How do you see God helping you make good choices about right and wrong? How can you lead your friends toward making wise choices?

For Students
Who is someone you think never struggles with internal battles with sin? Why? How does knowing Paul struggled with that conflict make you feel? How does knowing the Spirit can help you experience victory over sin make you feel?

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, Conversation Starters, parent resources, Ridgercest Summer Camps, Romans 7:20–8:9 | Leave a reply

Conversation Starter: Free

Living Beyond Yourself
John 16:5-15

Holy Spirit points us to our need for Christ and how we can receive Him

Conversation Starters

How can you keep this conversation going at home? Try bouncing some of these questions around at the dinner table, as you’re driving your kids to school or an activity, or even while you’re shopping together:

For Preschoolers
This week, spend some time talking with your preschooler about what makes God special. Emphasize things like “God loves you,” “God gives us what we need,” “God protects us,” and so forth.

For Children
What kinds of freedoms do we enjoy in our country? What sacrifices did people have to make so we could have those freedoms? How are these freedoms similar or different from the freedom God provided when Jesus died on the cross?

For Students
Why do we spend so much time trying to be free? When have really felt like you were really free?

If you had to describe the Holy Spirit to a friend, what would you say?
What is the hardest thing for you to understand about the Trinity?

Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Parents, Camp Ridgecrest, Conversation Starters, John 16:5-15, Just for Parents, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply