in·flu·ence (n):  the effect of something on a person, thing, or event

SCRIPTURE:  Acts 9:36-43

STUDY:  We are always impacting and making a difference in somebody else’s life.  Every time we interact with someone, we have an impact on them for good or for bad.  The words we use and the tone of voice we have, the expressions on our face, the things we do for each other (or what we don’t do) all impact people around us.  What we want for our children is for them to be "God kids", not just good kids.  Good kids behave themselves and are nice to be with, but don’t necessarily have a heart for God.  On the other hand, God kids have a heart after God and will be good kids (But not perfect!) if they are following and being like Jesus.

Here are a couple of things you can do before reading this week’s scripture found above:

•    Put on the kids’ favorite television show or movie.  Every time your family notices someone influencing another person, someone can shout out:  “Good” or “Bad” for the type of influence the person is being.  To make it more fun, give a treat (a jelly belly, skittle, banana chip) every time they pick up on the influence.

•    Fill a bucket or the kitchen sink with water.  Take a small stone and drop it in the water and see how many ripples it makes in the water.  God “drops” us into people’s lives for us to influence them so they will want to follow Him.  They, in turn, will have an influence on others for God and so it goes – God using one life has a ripple effect to influence many others.

Read the scripture above.  Everyone loved Tabitha.  She influenced many people, especially the poor and the widows.  By reading the story, how did she influence them?  (By using the talents God gave her.)  Was she a good influence on them?  How do we know that?  (Everyone was crying a lot.)  I wonder what it would be like if I was not around?  How would people say God used me in their lives?

CHALLENGE:  Right in the middle of the word, influence, is the word flu.  When someone has the flu, they are an influence because others can easily get “it” from them.  We want to be an influence on others and for them to “catch” that Jesus loves us.  (We don’t want to really give them the flu!)  This week, why not ask your family members to wear a band-aid on their hand to remind them God wants them to help others who are hurt and have needs just like those who really have the flu.  Share your stories each night about God prompting you to help someone in need and be an influence for Him.  Who do you think are some people that may be watching you and you are influencing them for Jesus by your words and actions?

KEY POINT:  Influence:  Breathe In . . . Breathe Out

PRAYER:  Father God, help us to be like Jesus.  Open our eyes to the needs that people have, show us how to be like Jesus and influence them for You.  Is there something I can do today, a kind word that I can say, an attitude that needs to be changed, so I can be a God kid and not just a good kid?  I want more of You so I can be used more by You!  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for living in me and helping me be like Jesus.  Amen.

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A NOTE TO PARENTS:
Parents, remember one day your kids will leave the house and no longer be under your authority.  It is then that you would want them to do the right thing because they still “reflect the influence of your values and passions” (Chasing Daylight page 129). As parents we need to be filled with (breathe in) the character of Christ, model the right heart like David and his close friend Jonathan, and influence (breathe out) our children for the ultimate good.