Weekly
Inspiration
The
only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is
the family.
~Lee Iacocca
Family
Closeness
Game:
Food,
Friends and Fireworks
This
game has three motions which are:
Food
- rub your belly and say "mmmmm"
Friends
- hold out both arms wide and say "heeeeyyyy"
Fireworks-
clap both hands over your head and then say "shhhhhhhh" as you slowly
lower your arms to your sides.
Family
members close their eyes. On the count of three they must open their eyes and
try to match one of the three motions with everyone else at the table. There is
to be no talking or planning and everyone at the table must do the same thing.
Count
to three and say "Go!"
If
everyone matches yell out "Yes!" and pump your fist in the air.
If
you do not match say "D'Oh" and lightly bump yourself on the head.
See
how many turns it takes to get it right.
Sharing:
Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.
Finish
these sentences:
- I am grateful to my parents for . . .
- My mum/dad is/are proud of me when . . .
- One way to try to help at home is. . .
With
your family read Mark 4.35-41
(for
a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/peace-be-still.html
Questions
for Discussion:
- Why were the disciples scared?
- What does this reading teach us about Jesus?
- What do you think the disciples thought about Jesus after this event?
- How can we trust Jesus in the storms that surround us?
Stillness
At
the moment I am playing with teaching my daughters about stillness. I am doing
this in a pretty simple way by getting the family to stop, close their eyes
and count twenty breaths before we eat dinner. Being still in the presence of
God can be powerful for people who are used to twenty four seven connectivity.
Often we forget to connect with God. Instead of counting breathes you could
just time a minute but the act of counting breaths can provide children with something
to focus on while they are learning to be still.
Service
Start a mini project with your family to discover
the local charities or service organisations in your neighbourhood or local
area. Find out what they do, who they help and how people can contribute to
them in terms of service or goods.
Encourage your family to go without a particular
treat for a week or a month. Save the money you would have spent and donate it
to a charity that you have discovered.
With your family donate some things you no longer
need to a local charity such as LifeLine or Salvation Army. Encourage your
children to think about what toys or clothes they no longer use that they might
give away. Talk to them about how some children have no toys.
Family
Time
Bonus
Family Activity
Captured
Sounds
Use a recording device (iphone or other) to capture
sounds from around the house. Play them back for your family to hear and see
how many of the sounds your family can guess correctly.
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