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
No comments:
Post a Comment