Children desperately need to know - and to hear in ways they understand and remember - that they're loved and valued by mom and dad
~ Paul Smally
Family Closeness
Game:
Red Light, Green Light
This is the table version of Red Light, Green Light. Place an object in the middle of the table where everyone can reach it. If you have a big table you might need to place something just within arm’s reach of each family member. One family member stands up and says “green light”. All other family members must start slowly walking two fingers towards from the edge of the table to the object. One finger must be touching the table at all times. When the standing family members turns and says “red light” everyone must stop moving their hands. If anyone is seen moving they must go back to the edge of the table with their fingers. The goal is to touch the object before you are caught.
Sharing:
Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.
- What is something you would find hard to go without for a month?
- What is something you wish you could give up for a month?
- What are three things that are unnecessary in your life?
Story
With your family read: Luke 13.31-35
Questions for Discussion:
- What do you think of Jesus response to the order to move on?
- How does this reading feel to you? Is it easy to understand or difficult?
- What does it means to “come in the name of the Lord”
Prayer and Celebration
We are now in the Season of Lent, the forty days preceding Easter Day. This is traditionally a time of repentance (saying sorry and turning from sin). The resources for prayer and celebration for the next six weeks will focus on ways your family might “celebrate” well this season. Lent is a good time to focus on God’s care and provision and on our dependence on him, but also on saying sorry.
Why do we have “seasons” of the church year? In a wonderful way they help us to tell more fully the story of faith, the story of Jesus. During Advent we are alerted to the coming of Christ, not only as a baby 2000 years ago, but also of his return. In Epiphany we become aware of the presence of God in our world and the mission of Christ to proclaim the redeeming kingdom of God. This season, Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, forty days before Easter focuses on repentance, turning from sin, turning from self worship, remembering that God is our creator. Lent also focuses on the covenant or promises God has made with his people through the ages and now.
Often in Lent people give up something they enjoy like chocolate or coffee or ice-cream or TV, this is a form of fasting to help us remember our ultimate dependence on God. Sometimes people take something up like the reading of scripture more intently or more regular visits to church.
As we journey with Jesus to Easter, let his teachings be in our heads and our thinking, our feet and our walking, our hands and our serving, our hearts and our loving:
Blessed are the poor in spirit
response: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn:
response: For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
response: For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for what is right:
response: For they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful:
response: For mercy shall be shown to them.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
response: For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
response: For they shall be called the children of God.
Service
Have a look at the video on the LifeVestInside.com website. Show it to your children and ask them what it means to them? Discuss ways you might show kindness to the people around you each day during Lent.
Family Time
Rainbow Wall
This Lent begins with the story of the flood. The rainbow is an enduring symbol of God’s promise. Why not make the rainbow your symol for Lent, remembering the promise of God. Create a rainbow on a wall at home adding a new colour each week.
Week 1:Purple remember God forgiveness
Week 2:Blue remember God healing love
Week 3: Green remember Gods creation
Week 4:Yellow remember Gods promises
Week 5:Orange remember Gods presence in time of temptation.
Week 6:Red remember God son Jesus, died on cross rose again
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