I'm working very hard this year not to make excuses. Don't let your kids practice the habit of making excuses.

Here's a study for you. Take a look at Bible characters. Who made excuses? Who didn't? Take a look at their stories. I'm not saying any story only has one theme. Who made excuses?

Don't go in with preconceived ideas about what this means, what that means. Make observations*. Who made excuses? Where did it get them? Who could have made excuses but didn't? What role did God play? What was His response?

Take a group of older kids (who probably think they already know all they need to know about Bible stories.) Pick a topic like this or an issue they're having. Make them think. Make them search the Word. Let them look for applications. Let them challenge each other and defend why they think that story applies. You might need a hose to put out fires but you'll have a good time!

*I say, "Make observations" but it means "Let the Story teach you," as opposed to making it say what you or (or someone else) want it to say.