Sunday, May 31, 2015

Faithful Families Resources May 31 2015


Having a place to go - is a home.  Having someone to love - is a family.  Having both - is a blessing.  ~Donna Hedges

Family Closeness
Game:
Investigator
One family member leaves the room. Everyone else decides on a certain rule to follow when answering the investigators questions. Rules could include: tell the truth when legs uncrossed, tell a lie when legs are crossed; answer all questions with yes, no or I can’t answer that; begin all sentences with a vowel; answer using only five words.

When a rule is decided upon, the investigator returns to the room and starts asking questions to family members. The question can be about anything at all including things they know the answer to.  They continue asking questions until they recognize the pattern. They have three guesses to try and figure out the rule.When the investigator guesses correctly or guesses three times incorrectly, the round is over, and someone else gets to be the investigator.

Sharing:
Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.
Finish these sentences:
  • I feel scared when . . .
  • It’s good to think twice before saying something hurtful because . . .

Story
With your family read Mark 3.20-27, 31-35
(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/we_are_family.htm
Questions for Discussion:
  • Why do you think people were saying bad things about Jesus?
  • What do you think Jesus family wanted when they turned up to see him?
  • Are there times when people need to do what God wants even though their family does not like it?

 Prayer and Celebration
Thank You Board
It is easy for children and adults to get into a rut of praying for the same things every night or week. One way of avoiding this is to create a thank you board. This could be a small white board or piece of cardboard. Each time you pray together encourage your children to think of three things they are grateful or want to thank God for. Write them on post it notes and stick them to the board. The next time you come to pray tell your family to give thanks for three things that are not on the board. In this way the imagination is expanded and we come to realise there is a whole world of things to give thanks for.

Service
Came across this website during the week for people looking for service opportunities for their families:  http://www.govolunteer.com.au/

“GoVolunteer is an initiative of Volunteering Australia and is Australia's first volunteer recruitment website. It is a not-for-profit site that provides free Internet advertising for not-for-profit community organisations looking for volunteers. GoVolunteer provides you with all you need to find out about volunteer opportunities, and helps you make the best match possible between your personal requirements and choice of volunteer work.” (Govolunteer.com.au)

They have a section talking about family volunteering – in it they say: “Family volunteering allows parents, children and other family members to spend time together while contributing to the community and causes they care about. It can be a fun activity that can improve communication within the family resulting in stronger family relationships.”
“A growing trend overseas is for families to volunteer together. Family volunteering can involve siblings, parents, spouse and children. Families can volunteer to help a cause close to their heart.”

Family Time
Build a Family Scrapbook

This is a great activity to get the whole family involved in, including Dad. Create a scrapbook that tells the story of your family from beginning up to the present. There is a wonderful opportunity in doing this to tell some of the important stories of your family, including how mum and dad met, preparing for babies, moving to new home, growing up stories and milestone moments. Use print outs of photos and write key words or ideas around them. This could be a well planned and elaborate project or it could be a slap dash evolving one done of the spur of the moment.

(This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Faithful Families Resources May 24 2015




Family life is not a computer program that runs on its own; it needs continual input from everyone.
~Neil Kurshan

Family Closeness
Game:
Pirate Pictionary
This game is just like Pictionary except you have to act out the words with your hands. No words or sounds are allowed. Family members must pick a piece of paper out of a hat with one of the following words written on it : plank, hourglass, pirate, hook, treasure, parrot (or any other pirate word).The word must be acted out using only the hands, until family members guess what it is.Other lists of words can be generated by thinking about the different books children read. Eg.
Dr Suess: Grinch, Horton, Cat in the Hat, Who, the Lorax.

Sharing:
Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.
Finish these sentences:
  • Something my Mum/Dad told me that they did when they were my age was . . .
  • I’m grateful to my friends because . . .
  • I feel good when . . .
  • I feel small when . . .


Story
With your family read John 3.1-17
(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/butterfly.html)
Questions for Discussion:
  • What did Jesus say people needed to do to see the kingdom of God?
  • What do you think this means?
  • What two things did Jesus say people needed to be “born of” to enter the kingdom of God?
  • What did God give the world in order to save it?
  • Why is this good news?

Prayer and Celebration
A simple way of praying this week that involves your family using their imagination to see the things they wish to pray for. One of the adults will lead this and may choose one or a variety of the prayers listed here. Finishing with the Lord’s prayer may be a good option for finishing this time of prayer.

Instructions:
As we come to pray I invite you to use your imagination to create in your mind a picture of that thing  which you wish to pray for… I will give you four phrases to use, to help you see those things that need your prayer… There will be space…and then you will hear “God of love”, …to which you may respond…hear our prayer…

  • A hurt that needs healing…
  • A friend in trouble…
  • Something to say thankyou for…
  • A problem that needs solving…
  • Something to say sorry for…
  • Someone to say sorry to…
  • Someone who needs my friendship…
  • Someone who needs words of praise…

Service
This idea came from a colleague of mine (thanks JK!) and requires the permission and authorisation of the organisation you are collecting for and of the shop you will do it outside of. In short you stand outside of a supermarket and speak to people on the way in to do their grocery shopping. You let them know you are collecting goods for a particular organisation/food hamper that provides food to the poor or needy. People are asked to buy something extra to pop in the box as a donation on their way out. Obviously permission is needed and some form of identification from the organisation you are collecting for might also be essential

Family Time
Pajama Rides

This activity is focussed around creating fun memories with your children. On a suitable night , children are put to bed early. After a few minutes you go back into their room, wake them up and yell out “pajama ride”. The children get their shoes on, everyone hops in the car and you go out and get ice cream. 

(This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Faithful Families Resources May 10 2015


50 days after Easter, at Pentecost, the Christian Church is born. A wonderful gift is given from God, for it is the day when the disciples are given the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament wind and fire were seen as signs to show that God was present. If you read the story in the book of Acts it talks about the Holy Spirit coming as ‘wind’ and ‘fire’. At Pentecost the gift of the Spirit filled the disciples with the energy and power to speak so that people from many nations could understand them. It was an event that changed the world. Before the Holy Spirit came to rest on the disciples, they were confused and fearful. They longed for the good old days when all they had to do was follow Jesus' lead. We too are invited to receive this wonderful gift which empowers us to use the gifts we are given from God and to grow in the fruits of the Spirit that make us more Christlike.

Pentecost is a special time, and special times need special attention. Here are some resources to help you be faithful with your family this Pentecost.

Family Closeness
Game:
Everyone shuts their eyes and someone calls out an emotion (joy, sorrow, happiness). Everyone tries to portray this emotion through facial expression. When the caller says open, everyone must open their eyes to see each other’s expression.

Sharing:
Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.
  • What is the most exciting gift you have ever been given?
  • What made it so great?
  • What is the most exciting gift you have ever given? Why was it so great?
  • What is something that you are good at? How do you use it to serve others?
  • What godly characteristics do you find in yourself and in your family: Kindness, gentleness, compassion, patience, hospitality, humour, generosity, mercy, justice, faithfulness, self-control, loyalty, love, trustworthiness, truth telling, straight talking honesty, . . . .  . .
  • Have you ever felt God’s presence in a special way? What happened? How did you feel?
  • Who is someone you know who seems to be filled with Spirit? What are they like?

Story
With your family read Acts 2.1-21: Pentecost

Questions for Discussion:
  • How did the Holy Spirit come upon the disciples? What happened?
  • How do you think you would have felt if you had been there?
  • What strange and special thing happened to the disciples because of the Holy Spirit?
  • What was the purpose of the disciples ability to speak many languages?


Prayer and Celebration
This is a day to celebrate and thank the Holy Spirit for all our unique and wonderful gifts.

We each have the character of God growing in us, the fruits of the Spirit, that enable us to minister in every part of our lives.  Read some of the characteristics of God that grow in us and spend time reflecting on how the Holy Spirit might be growing these in you?

Kindness, gentleness, compassion, patience, hospitality, humour, generosity, mercy, justice, faithfulness, self-control, loyalty, love, trustworthiness, truth telling, straight talking honesty,

Which of these Godly characteristics do you see growing in your own life? Which one of these characteristics do you most need? Which one would help you the most in the way you serve God and others?

Pray today that God’s Holy Spirit might fill you that the fruit of the Spirit might grow in you. Ask God how you might serve in the world, ask God to help you to grow in the power of the Spirit.

Service
The gift of tongues at Pentecost enabled the apostles to speak and be heard in many different languages. This was a reversal of what happened in the story of Babel where people could no longer understand each other. Part of the purpose of this gift was for the apostles to speak the good news to those from other lands.

Pentecost is a time of gifts. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts but they are really gift so that we can serve others. As a family talk about what gifts you might have that could be used to serve others in your neighbourhood and in the world.


Bonus Family Activity
Draw Attention to Yourself
Using any available materials, make large red or orange Pentecost symbols (paper tongues of fire, kites or windsocks, decorated balloons or pinwheels) to be displayed outdoors. On each symbol write three gifts of the Spirit you have been given to serve God.
Make a collage of warm colours to remind your family of the story of Pentecost.
Make up a dance using coloured streamers to portray the wind, fire and excitement of the disciples when they received the Holy Spirit.

Make up a list of words to describe 'fire' and 'wind', and then use them to write a poem.

(This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Faithful Families Resources May 3 2015


What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.
― Mother Teresa

Family Closeness
Game:
I never
Going around the table, family members must say something they have never done, that they think other members may have done. For example – I have never been on a plane. Anyone around the table who has done that thing must put a finger up. The next person might say: i have never eaten anchovies. Again whoever has eaten anchovies must put a finger up. The one who is last to have a finger still down is the winner. One important rule is that it must have been possible for the person not to have done that thing. For example a ten year old can’t say: I have never driven a car.

Sharing:
Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.
Finish these sentences:
  • I’m grateful to my friends because . . .
  • I feel good when . . .
  • I feel small when . . .

Story
With your family read: John 15.9-17
Questions for Discussion:
  • What is one thing you remember from this passage?
  • What do you key think is the message of this passage?
  • How do you think you would feel if Jesus said these things to you?

Prayer and Celebration
The prayer Jesus taught is a great model for how we might pray and how we might teach our children to do so. Each week  we will look at a line of the Lord’s prayer and discover what we can learn about prayer from it.

Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.

These lines in the Lord’s prayer are a call to God to give us the strength we need in testing times and when confronted by evil and temptation.  It is easy for us to try and rely on our own strength when things are tough but God is our strength and our shield and we should call on him when we are in need.

Discuss with your family some of the ways that they might be tested and tempted?
Discuss how they might want God to help them in these times?
Take some time to name and pray for some of the things your family is struggling with at the moment.

Service
As a family or in your church think about how you might bless the lives of those who live around you. Reflect on those people in your local area, who may be your neighbours or go to church with you, who serve in the community. Examples might be teachers or police officers, charity or emergency workers. Think of ways that you might let them know they are valued. This could include small things like making a thank you card together as a family or making a biscuit or cake for them to take to work to share. How often do we stop to thank those who look after us every day, who take risks for us or do jobs that really aren’t that pleasant? Acting in this way builds habits of thankfulness and empathy in ourselves and our children.

 Family Time
Bonus Family Activity

Having a family night is a fantastic and fun way to focus on your family growing together. What is a family night? It is simply putting aside one evening a week or a month or whatever regular interval suits you to do something together that everyone will enjoy. Make sure the dates you pick are in your diaries and give them the first priority – try to plan well ahead. Give each member a turn to plan the program for the evening. Make it a rule that there is to be no complaining or fidgeting and that everyone is to cooperate and participate. This is especially important for the younger children whose self esteem may be damaged by older children's comments.Don't forget to talk about the purpose of the family night. Two key purposes could be 1. To have fun together. (Family night should be the most anticipated night of the week) 2. To worship the Lord together. This is an opportunity for parents to model Christian devotion to their children. (The Big Book of Family Fun. Gwen Ellis.)

Here are some ideas for fun family nights. All of these take a little planning and resource gathering…but if your family has fun and grows together it will be well worth it.

Celebration Night
Throw a party for your family or for a particular special day. Decorate the room, eat special food, play some games and generally do what you do when you have a party.

Outing Night
Go on a special adventure with your family to somewhere different than the local shopping centre.

Project Night

Provide materials for the family to make a project – art, drama or anything that comes to mind. Making puppets is one idea.

(This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning