10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids: Scripture, Stories, and Prayer You Can Share Together is an ideal resource for parents seeking to encourage their children’s spiritual growth. Its unique format makes it user-friendly, easy for you to incorporate in the midst of a busy schedule:

• Read the Clue – the day’s key Scripture verse
• Find the Treasure – a story and application relevant to kids especially ages 8-12
• Share the Wealth – a prayer and/or discussion questions and suggested activity
• Hide a Jewel – a short memory verse

The book’s stories and applications will help your children learn to:

• Develop understanding and compassion for others local and abroad.
• Evaluate media according to what’s right rather than what’s popular.
• Apply God’s Word to issues such as telling the truth, obeying authority, and showing kindness when mistreated.

Sample

Patience Pays

Read the Clue

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2)

Discover the Treasure

Kerri served customers of all ages at the ice cream shop where she worked during the summer. Three young boys entered the store one hot afternoon. “May I help you?” she asked. The kids peered and pointed through the counter’s glass window at two dozen buckets filled with the sweet frozen treat.

“Can I have the bubblegum flavor?” asked one boy.

“Sure,” said Kerri. She scooped the blue ice cream and began pressing it into a cone.

“No, wait a minute,” said the child. “I changed my mind. I want chocolate marble instead.”

“No problem,” said Kerri. She removed the bubblegum flavored ice cream and replaced it with chocolate marble. But as she did, the youngster spoke again.

“Stop! I didn’t say chocolate marble. I said raspberry ripple.”

Kerri hesitated. She took a deep breath and removed the ice cream. “Are you sure you want raspberry ripple?” she asked.

“Yes! Well, maybe not. I want strawberry. Yeah, strawberry for sure.”

Kerri held her breath as she scooped the boy’s choice and filled a cone. This time he remained silent. He grinned as she handed him the cone. “Thanks!” he said, his eyes twinkling.

The scenario repeated itself when the next child placed his order. And again when the third child asked for his favorite flavor. Kerri completed the last request and smiled at the kids. “Thanks for coming in today,” she said. “Enjoy your treats!”

After the boys left the shop, Kerri’s boss, Mr. Williams, entered the room. “I overheard what you said to those customers,” he said. “Thank you for treating them well. You’re obviously a patient person.”

Kerri smiled. “I try. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worthwhile.”

“You’re right about that,” said Mr. Williams. “I once hired a student who seemed smart and friendly, but it wasn’t long before customers began complaining about his attitude. Apparently, he told children to ‘hurry up’ their decision and he made nasty comments when they changed their minds. A few parents told me that their kids wanted to come here but were scared to come alone. I spoke with that employee several times and explained that modeling patience would help customers feel welcome and special, but he didn’t change. I finally asked him to find a different job. Patience is a valuable quality to possess, and I see it in you.”

Just then two girls entered the shop. “May I help you?” asked Kerri.

“I’d like chocolate marshmallow – one scoop, please,” said the first girl. Kerri began pressing the ice cream into a cone.

“Wait!” said the girl. “I think I’ll have peaches and cream instead. Two scoops.”

Kerri glanced at Mr. Williams and grinned. He returned her smile with a wink.

Patience is a valuable quality. In fact, God’s Word lists it as one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). What does that mean?

When we become God’s children, His Holy Spirit comes to live in us. He changes us from the inside out, if we allow Him to do so. He removes bad qualities such as impatience and replaces them with good qualities that show others what God is like. Because God is patient, He wants us to model that virtue, too.

What do you do when you feel impatient? Do your actions or words show others what God is like? If not, ask God to change you from the inside out. Ask Him to remove your impatience and give you patience in its place. He’ll do it! It’s not always an easy process, but it’s always worthwhile!

Share the Wealth

Prayer – “Dear God, thank You for being patient with us when we say or do wrong things. Please help us to model patience to others, even when it’s difficult to do so. We want Your Holy Spirit to control our lives and produce patience in us (Galatians 5:22). Thank You for hearing our prayer. Amen.”

What situations cause you to feel impatient with other people? How can you change?

Hide a Jewel

Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Taken from: 10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids
Copyright © 2007 by Grace Fox
Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR
Used by Permission
harvesthousepublishers.com

Endorsements

“Here’s another “time-out” book from Grace Fox that is a must for every parent. As usual it’s both biblical and practical!”
— Dr. Gene A. Getz, president, Center for Church Renewal

“Grace Fox gets it. She knows kids, and she knows what they need. She has written material that both kids and their parents will love as they learn together how best to honor God and to walk in His ways.”
— Major Ed Forster, editor in chief, U.S. War Cry, Salvation Army

“As a mom, Grace knows that time together with your kids is precious, but devotions had better be short, engaging, funny, and insightful, or your kids will tune out, gripe, or fall asleep. This book will keep your family tuned in, grinning, and wide awake. Better still, the rewards for reading it will be out of this world!”
— Phil Callaway, speaker and author of Laughing Matters and Making Life Rich Without Any Money

“For parents who wants to talk about important spiritual issues with their children but don’t know how or where to start-this book is for you. Grace Fox combines Scripture, fun stories, and great discussion starters, weaving them together into doable devotion times for parents and kids. Not only will children benefit, but moms and dads will grow spiritually too!”
— Glynnis Whitwer, author and senior editor, Proverbs 31 Ministries

“Who says family devotions have to be boring? Time-outs with your children can be positive, productive and fun as you reinforce biblical principles and show your kids how to live godly lives in today’s challenging world.”
— David and Claudia Arp, authors of 10 Great Dates and The Connected Family

“10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids is an invitation for families to experience the life-changing benefits of storytelling, sharing faith experiences, and enjoying family prayer. It’s from this sacred place that memories are formed and a legacy is passed on. Grace Fox has written another winner!”
— Margaret Gibb, president of Women Alive

“10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids is a treasure chest packed with practical nuggets of wisdom for kids! I only wish Grace’s book was around when I was running family devotions for my kids! But praise God, I will have it on the shelf for my grandchildren!”
— Pam Farrel, author of 10 Best Decisions a Parent Can Make and coauthor of Got Teens?

“Looking for devotionals that your children will love and not think boring? Look no further! Grace captures the heart of a child with real-life, engaging, winsome stories that lead them to love the Word and desire to be like Jesus.”
— Fern Nichols, founder of Moms in Touch International

“My 12-year-old son and I sat down to read one of the devotions from 10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids. We loved them so much we read three! We laughed out loud, prayed together, and talked about how wonderful God is. Nathan said, “The stories are great, and I learned a lot about God. It was like going on a treasure hunt and finding gold.” How can a mom not love that? We’ve already set a date for a 10-minute time out tomorrow!”
— Tricia Goyer, author of Generation NeXt Parenting and Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom

“10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids is the answer to a parent’s struggle to provide quality spiritual time together even with a busy lifestyle. These quick, power-packed, contemporary devotions deal with current issues for 8- to12-year-olds. They infuse the power of God’s Word and show how to face daily challenges by making godly choices.”
— Annetta E. Dellinger, author of Happy Talk and Adopted and Loved Forever

Readers’ Comments

“I want to tell you how much our 13-year-old daughter and I love your devotional for parents and their kids. We’ve both been gleaning great stuff from it. My daughter has a special journal book in which she writes the verses from each of the devotions, so I know she looks forward to our special time together. Thanks for writing such a pertinent book.”
—Michelle

“My kids used to hate bedtime. Now they can hardly wait because they look forward to these stories!”

“Our two children, ages 9 and 7, have become enthused about bedtime because of the stories and scriptures from your book that are speaking to their hearts. Our thanks for such relevant and interesting topics that have blessed us with great discussion and prayer time.”
— Tracy S.

“When I interviewed you for that book a few months ago, I had no idea how it would impact my own life. I have a grandson who visits frequently. Each time he’s here, I read one of the stories to him and then use the discussion questions to talk about what we’ve read. I used to read the Scripture to him but that put him to sleep. Now he can hardly wait to read the devotionals and talk about what he’s learning.”
— Randy F. – host of KBJS radio

“Just wanted to let you know what a blessing your book 10-Minute Time Outs for You and Your Kids has been to our family. Our children look forward to having a chapter read to them and we have had many discussions brought about by the topics presented. The kids enjoy them so much they often want me to read more than one of the stories at a time! Just wondering if you will be writing another book like this? Also, I just discovered your blog. I am enjoying the devotionals that you post so regularly. Thank you!!”