Sequential study or topical study

So I have been considering what is the best way to do this Daily Scripture Challenge for my kids and at first thought I would do it sequentially but then thought perhaps I should just choose topics . To be honest I may fluctuate between both depending on what I feel is needed, but for now I think my younger children who want to get through The Book of Mormon may appreciate me doing this sequentially . ( But don't be thrown if one day you see a Challenge that is Topic based) I don't want to overwhelm the kids so the amount they read may vary daily also and even if they read a chapter the Challenge will only focus on one or two principles from that chapter

1st Nephi Chapter 1

Must say I love the first verse in 1st Nephi when Nephi starts he has been "born of goodly parents". Not all of us may feel that way in fact there may be many who have had harsh childhoods and would rather not think about it. But the ideal is that one day our kids may feel that way about us and would say that they were " born of goodly parents". Paying attention to just those words alone as I read this chapter I started to look for things that gave evidence as to why Nephi would say that about his parents. What we learn about Lehi is that he spent the time to teach his children in more ways then one. We learn that he prays and seeks the Lord that he experiences feelings of the spirit and has a vision and then he sets forth to proclaim Gods will. He is mocked and his life is threatened .  I can see why Nephi would say he is born of goodly parents , because it is evident in the way they live , although his mother isn't mentioned here I assume as Nephi says parents not just father , that his mother was also setting her own example .
I was touched by the last verse in Chapter 1 where Nephi says " I Nephi will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen , because of their faith to make them mighty, even unto the power of their deliverance". To me this suggests that Nephi knows , he has a testimony that his father Lehi has been called of God and has seen the how the Lord has watched over and protected his father and their family so he knows the Lord has power to deliver . Again it makes me think about the example I set for my children . I think about the experiences I have in life and my reactions or actions to these and the impact this can have on helping my children to gain an understanding of how faith and obedience allows God to be with us and deliver us.
For my children I want them to think about the relationship Nephi must have had with is parents and consider the relationship they have with Matt and I. How can we make it better. I am always open for suggestions so I will be intrigued by what they say. I will not be surprised however with comments like " if you just give me what I want " or " Let me watch TV more or play computer games" . I know those answers will come but I am going to try to get them to dig a little deeper and also to put on my brave face because to be honest I know I can do better and so I want given the chance to change those things I may do that hurt the progress of the relationships I have with each of my kids. For example - I know I am guilty at times of not listening intently enough . Anyway this is what I felt 1st Nephi chapter 1 can teach me and my kids.





Daily Scripture Challenge

Read: 1st Nephi Chapter 1

Ponder:  What word does Nephi use to describe his parents ? After reading Chapter 1 what do you                      think Nephi's parents did that that caused him to call them G_____ ? What kind of                                relationship do you think he had with his parents?

Ponder:  If someone asked you to describe Dad and I what words come to mind ( be honest)?
                How do you feel about the relationship you have with dad? mum?
                What could we do as parents to help improve our relationship with you?
                What things could you do ?






Believing families are eternal means that we have to create  family relationships where we all want to be with one another - THIS IS HARD WORK . So I am thankful today that I have had some time to learn from Nephi and Lehi's relationship and consider what I can do better. It will be so worth it!



Deb