Weekly Inspiration
Love is one grand secret of successful training. Anger and harshness
may frighten, but they will not persuade the child that you are right; and if
he sees you often out of temper, you will soon cease to have his respect. A
father who speaks to his son as Saul did to Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:30) need not
expect to retain his influence over that son's mind.
~J. C. Ryle
Family Closeness
Game:
Zip
Zap
This is a basic game consisting of two words-
"Zip" and "Zap". Someone will begin the "flow" by
turning to the person next to them and saying "Zip". The flow will
continue in the same direction with everyone saying "Zip" until
someone decides to reverse the flow by saying "Zap." At that time,
the person who just got "zapped" will look at the "zap"-er
and say "Zip!" Flow then reverses from it's original with everyone
saying Zip again. Example: The "Zip" starts
clockwise around the circle until 1 person looks the other way and says
"Zap." Then the "Zip" flows counterclockwise until someone
else says "Zap."
Zip continues the flow, Zap reverses it.
If someone says the wrong word, mumbles, stalls, or looks the wrong way for the
word they said, they're out. Continue playing until down to 2 players.
(The Source for Youth Ministry)
Sharing:
Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.
Family Fill-Ins
With your family complete as many of these statements as you can:
We are a family who
likes…
learns…
cares for…
helps…
would never…
would rather…
loves to…
will someday…
(Adventures for Growing Families. Wes & Sheryl
Haystead)
Story
With your family read: Luke 12.13-21
(for a way of explaining/talking about this
reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/biggest_slice_of_the_pie.htm
Questions for
Discussion:
- What does Jesus warn people against in this story?
- What did the man in the story do that Jesus showed to be foolish?
- What could he have done with his extra wealth?
- What do you think it means to be rich towards God?
Prayer and Celebration
Praying ACTS
Often children get into the habit of always praying thank you prayers or
always praying asking prayers. One way to help them broaden their idea of
prayer is to teach them this simple way of remembering some different types of
prayer.
A – adoration : Prayers telling God how wonderful He is.
C – confession : Prayers saying sorry for the wrong we have done.
T – thanksgiving : Prayers thanking God for all He has done.
S – supplication: Prayers asking God for the things we and others need.
On different days of the week you might like to get your family to talk
about and pray each of the different types of prayers. Alternatively you could
write the four letters on pieces of paper and pick them out of a hat to
determine which one you will use. When it come to confession prayers help your
children think not just about their own personal sin but the things we as a
people have failed to do – like care for the environment or the needy.
Service
Compliments
Encourage your family to have a week of compliments. Practice by starting
with your own family and encourage everyone to find things they want to
compliment or encourage each other about. Expand this to the places you work or
go to school or play. Compliments could be for anything, even small things. It
might be for something someone does well, for something positive in their character,
or for something they have done that was beneficial. This may seem like a small
way to serve but it is something that even young children can learn to do. It
not only is a way of serving but also a way of shaping character.
Family Activity
Plant a Garden Together
It doesn't have to be a huge garden but it might
encourage your children to eat more vegetables. Plant the things that are guaranteed
to produce like zucchinis, cherry tomatoes and beans. Find some more
information on this activity here:
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