Let the Kids Play | Margin KC | Randy Frazee

Begin with the End in Mind 

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24

Train up a child  in the way he should go, 
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Childhood: An Endangered Species 

• Children’s activities are a way to teach your child socialization skills. 

• Organized activities develop our children in that particular area that will give them an edge later in life. 

• Enrolling our children in various activities cost money and demonstrates that we’re willing to invest our financial resources in our child’s development. 

Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder.  Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.

Numbers 14:3-4

The Lost Art of Play 

Seven Ways our Children are Losing :

1. Lost Creativity 

1. Lost Leadership Skills 

1. Lost Mentoring 

1. Lost Conflict Management Skills 

1. Lost Health 

1. Lost Finances 

1. Lost Family Meals 

The Challenge 

1. Modest: Say NO - Limit the number of sports and activities your children get involved in each year. 

1. Substantial: Choice Wisely - Select family/dinner friendly activities that can be done in the early afternoon, on Saturdays, or during the day in the summer.  

1. Radical: Let the kids play - Boycott organized sports until your children are in middle school.  

Discussion Questions for Families:

1. Three motivation are presented for scheduling so much activity for our children: (1) to teach them socialization skill, (2) to give them an edge later in life, (3) to show them they are a priority as we invest our financial resources in them. Consider the schedules of your family and your motivations for activities. Which of these motivations is most compelling to you? How might you accomplish your purposes without embracing excessive activity? 

2. Review the Seven Ways our Children are Losing. Pick one area that connects with you and turn it into a positive (for example, consider how you and your family could take “lost creativity” and turn it into “creative play for kids” (through pickup basketball game, etc) 

3. Look at the three recommended changes in the area of children’s sports. What is your greatest fear if your family does not participate in organized sports?