faithful families: June 2015

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Faithful Families Resources June 14 2015

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. . .

Story

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 despite the storms around us?

Prayer and Celebration

Stillness

In the past I have taught my daughters about stillness. I did 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

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.

(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, June 7, 2015

Faithful Families Resources June 7 2015

In time of test, family is best.

~Burmese Proverb

Family Closeness

Game:

What’s the object?

One family member writes the name of an object on a piece of paper and gives it to another family member. The person with the card then has to describe the object without actually saying its name. Other members of the family then have to guess what the object is. Other words that might be helpful in describing the object could also be written on the card to make it harder to describe. Pictionary cards could also be used for this game if your family is made up of two people.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

The best way to enjoy each new day is . . .
One way to stop bullying and mocking is . . .
Some thing which puzzles me is . . .

Story

With your family read Mark 4.26-34

(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at

http://www.sermons4kids.com/planting_seeds.htm

Questions for Discussion:

Why do you think Jesus told stories (parables) to explain God’s kingdom?
What do you think these two stories say about God’s kingdom?
Why is a seed a good picture for the kingdom of God?

Prayer and Celebration

Praying on the Spot

Sometimes we forget that prayer is a good response to the daily hassles of life. When your children come to you with a problem help them but also use it as an opportunity to pray for them and with them. There are many situations where inviting God into situation is a reminder for us to put our trust in our creator and redeemer. These might include a bad day at school, difficulty with someone at school or even boredom. There are so many opportunities throughout the day to pray.

Service

Referring again to the Go Volunteer website http://www.govolunteer.com.au

Here is what they say families can get out of volunteering:

Parents act as role models and can demonstrate helping others in need
An increased sense of worth and accomplishment from making a difference
A stronger sense of community and decrease in social isolation
Respect for different people and conditions
Relative or family members could benefit from the activity
Learn new skills or using existing skills
Volunteering is fun and something families can do together

On the site it says that projects for families can be searched for using the word “team”

Family Time

Camping at Home

Put up a small tent indoors or build one out of sheets and chairs and whatever else you have at hand. Cook your food on a BBQ and have hot chocolate and marshmallows. Tell stories and play board or card games just like you would if you were going camping.