Faithful Families Resources September 18 2016

I ask you to lay to heart the lesson which God's dealings with His people is meant to teach you. Fear not to withhold from your child anything you think will do him harm, whatever his own wishes may be. This is God's plan.

 ~J. C. Ryle

Family Closeness

Game:

Chocolate Games

This is a game that could be played for desert. You will need a block of chocolate , a knife and fork and some dice. Each family members takes turns rolling the dice. When someone rolls a double they get the knife and fork, and must cut a single piece of chocolate off the block. The piece must be picked up with a fork and eaten. No hands are to touch the chocolate. Leave the wrapping on the chocolate at the start of the game. To make the game harder you can get the person who rolls doubles to put on a jacket and gloves before they begin to cut. Another variation of this game is to use m & m’s and chop sticks. You might need to get online to learn how to use chop sticks if you haven’t before.

  

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

• I’m grateful to my friends because . . .
• I feel good when . . .
• I feel small when . . .

Story

With your family read:  Luke 16.19-31

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

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

Questions for Discussion:

• What did the rich man want Lazarus to do for him?
• What was the rich many told about his first request?
• What do you think this story is about?
• What is it encouraging us to do?

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…

Family Activity

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