Partners in Parenting

“Singular or Plural?”

Singular means one.  Plural means more than one.  Seems pretty simple, but our house has become infected with pluralistic tendencies!  Let me explain:

 The alarm goes off, and I say to Jen “Good morning, Honey” in a soft voice.  She usually quietly responds with “Good morning, Hun” in a similar soft tone.  She then calls our chocolate lab up on the bed to lay by her and says in a louder and high-pitched voice (z is used to reflect the actual sound spoken), “Goodz morningz Zekes.  Mommaz loves youz soz muches – yes Iz doz!  Youz suchez az goodz boyz!”  And on and on it goes!  She talks to the dog in a completely plural tense all the time.  It seems crazy, and you might wonder where she got this strange behavior.  I’ll tell you – Logan!  Logan started it and still does the same thing.  I laugh and tease them a bit when I hear this.  I like to remind them we only have one dog named Zeke, not two or three.

This reminds me of how God in the world today has really become like gods to many people.  The thinking that “they are really all the same god” is very pervasive and pluralistic – and it is also 100% false.  There is only one God.  The rest are phonies!  Our kids need to know about that because they can be deceived if they are not aware of the truth on this point.  The Old Testament is filled with idol worship (gods), and the Israelites had a hard time resisting alternate gods.  It was real then, and it is real today.  It is important in our Christian walk that we get that right!!  “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”  Deuteronomy 6:4

Family Discussion Points!

What “other gods” exist today from religions or life in general?

Name some things where it would be strange to have only one in your entire house (TV, sink, door, etc.)  Name some things where it would be strange to have more than one in your entire house (kitchen, driveway, etc.)

Discuss why this idea of only one God is important to be clear on!!