Faithful Families Resources for 5 November 2017

In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past and bridge to our future.

~ Alex Haley

Family Closeness

Game:

Stand Next To…

This is a game that will have your family moving about. Either one person does the call or everyone takes turns. Someone calls out: “Stand next to something that...” and finishes the sentence with whatever they can come up with: “is green”, “has the letter A”, “belongs to mum”, “smells good”, “is edible”. Your imagination is the limit.

Sharing:

• What is something that makes you laugh?
• If you could own only three things, what would they be?
• What is boredom? Why does it happen?

Story

With your family read: Matthew 23.1-12

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

http://www.sermons4kids.com/all-puffed-up.html

Questions for Discussion:

• Have you ever heard the phrase “walk the talk?”
• What do you think it means?
• What did Jesus say the Pharisees did wrong?
• How might Christians show off?

Prayer and Celebration

A Prayer of Humility for children adapted from the Litany of Humility:

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.

Help me to look for what is good in others and forget what is bad in them.

Help me to put others first and not worry if I'm not picked or am ignored.

Help me not to seek approval and not worry about being the centre of attention.

Help me not to be afraid of not being liked or worry about being hurt or not believed.

Help me to look beyond myself, even if it's not my turn, and to help others.

Deliver me, Jesus, from all of these and make me as holy as I should be.

Amen

~Author Unknown

Bonus Family Activity

Read a Book Together

Pick a book. It doesn’t need to be a long one and read it out loud together. Some of Dr Seuss’ longer ones might be suitable – for instance, The Five Hundred Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins or Bartholomew and the Oobleck. 

Faithful Families resources for 29 October 2017

In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time. ~ Author Unknown

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 its original with everyone saying Zip again. Example: The "Zip" starts clockwise around the circle until one 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 two players. 

(From The Source for Youth Ministry)

Sharing:

• What is or was your favourite nursery rhyme as a child?
• What is or was your favourite outdoor game to play as a child?

Story

With your family read: Matthew 22.34-40

Questions for Discussion:

• What does it mean to love God with all your heart, mind and soul?
• What might this look like? Sound like? Feel like?
• What does it mean to love your neighbour as yourself?

Prayer and Celebration

Squeezy Prayers

One way to pray is to use "squeezy prayers." Everyone holds hands in a circle. An adult will begin the prayer. When they have finished, they squeeze the person's hand next to them to show it is their turn. They may pray out loud, or silently, or may squeeze the next person. When the squeeze has reached the starting person, they may say another closing prayer or just Amen.

Here are suggestions for ways of using the squeezy prayer:

Using a squeezy prayer, ask God for something that is needed in the world… like peace, or understanding or for help in a particular problem in the world.

Using a squeezy prayer, say thank you for a good friend or friends. Say them by name and even say something you like about them.

Using a squeezy prayer, say thank you for something that you are good at, like a gift God has given you.

  

Bonus Family Activity

Story Night

Dedicate a night to telling stories. Ask each member to bring and tell a story. This could be something that happened to them, a story they have made up or the retelling of a story that they have read. Stories are not allowed to be read.

Faithful Families Resources for 22 October 2017

The family should be a closely knit group. The home should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honoured; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed.

~ Billy Graham, “My Answer.”

Family Closeness

Game:

Feely Bag

Get two bags or two old socks. Place identical items in each of the two bags or socks. Some suggested items to use are: bottle caps, cotton balls, small sponge pieces, keys, large buttons, etc. Show your children the two bags and match each set of two items one to one. In this way, the child will see and understand that there are two identical items of each kind. Refill the two bags or socks and give one of the bags containing identical objects to the child. Take one of the objects out of the bag and show it to the child. Tell the child to feel in his bag for an object that is just like the one that you took out of your bag. Remind the child to "feel" not look. 

Sharing:

• When do you feel closest to your family?
• When do you feel God’s presence with you the most?
• What is your favourite place to be by yourself?

 Story

With your family read: Matthew 22.15-22

(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/kids_pay_taxes.htm)

Questions for Discussion:

[The Pharisees thought they could trick Jesus with this question about taxes. If Jesus said, ‘no, don’t pay tax’, then he would be in trouble with the Romans, but if he said, ‘yes, pay tax’ then the people would think he approved of Rome. His answer here suggests we need to honour the Government and honour God.]

• What things should we do to be a good citizen?
• What things should we do to be faithful to God?
• Do you think the two ever come into conflict?
• If being a good citizen conflicted with being a faithful disciple what would you choose to do?

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.

Bonus Family Activity

Photograph Night

Take your family out on a photographic adventure. Make a list of photos they must take at particular places and go out and get them. E.g. photo with a policeman, a funny photo, a photo with at least two animals.

Faithful Families Resources for 15 October 2017

The daily activities of family life are the canvas for experiencing and sharing their faith life with one another.

~Diana Garland

Family Closeness

Game:

Hot Potato

One family member sets a timer for a random amount of time. It could be anything from 10 seconds to 90 seconds or more. If you are using a smart phone timer make sure no one can see it, including the person who set it. An object (it doesn’t have to be a potato) is passed around from person to person until the timer goes off. The person holding the object when the timer goes off must answer a question from other family members or do something silly like sing a song or do a dance or something the family has decided. Play again as many times as you like.

Sharing:

• What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
• What kids are popular at school? What do you think makes them popular?
• How do you think children are affected by movies?

Story

With your family read: Matthew 22.1-10

(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/excuses_excuses.htm)

 Questions for Discussion:

• Why do you think people didn’t go to the wedding banquet?
• Have you ever not gone to something you were invited to?
• How did the king make his wedding banquet happen?
• Who do you think the king in the story is meant to represent?
• What do you think God might be inviting you to?

 Prayer and Celebration

A Prayer for Children

Loving God,

your Son told his disciples

to become like little children.

Lead us to work for the welfare

and protection of all young people.

May we respect their dignity

that they may flourish in life,

following the example of the same

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

A Prayer for Family Life

 God of compassion,

whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,

shared the life of a home in Nazareth,

and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself:

strengthen us in our daily living

that in joy and in sorrow

we may know the power of your presence

to bind together and to heal;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

From the Church of England:

https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/topical-prayers/prayers-for-children-and-families.aspx

Bonus Family Activity
$5 Dollar Shopping Night.

Take your family to a supermarket and give each member $5 or some other appropriate and affordable amount. Tell them that they will be buying something to contribute to dinner but they are not allowed to tell one another what they are buying. Send them off to make their decision then get back together once you have bought the items. Enjoy your interesting dinner!

Faithful Family Resources for 8 October 2017

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging and less tugging.

~ Diane Loomans, "If I had my child to raise over again.”

Family Closeness

Game:

Paper Strips

Give everyone in your family a sheet of newspaper and tell them to  tear it into as long a strip as possible. For a greater challenge, turn off the lights.

Sharing:

• Have you ever worn something in public that embarrassed your parents?
• What was it?
• Where was it?
• What did your parents do or say?
• What happened?

 Story

With your family read: Matthew 21.33-42

(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://sermons4kids.com/parable_of_the_tenants.htm)

 Questions for Discussion:

• Which character is like God in this parable? Which character is like Jesus? Which character is like people?
• Did the tenants have any right to the vineyard?
• Why did they attack the slaves and the son?
• What is Jesus trying to teach us with this parable?

Prayer and Celebration

Passing of the Cross

Use a small wooden cross or even a metal one on a chain. In a circle, the cross is taken up. Whoever holds the cross is the person who prays. This prayer begins with one person who either says a prayer out loud or silently says or imagines a prayer. The cross is passed when the person who holds it is finished.  Each person takes their turn. Prompts may be given by someone as the cross is passed. E.g. See…a friend in need, a hurt that needs healing…etc.

Pray one sentence…prompt:  thank you God for...

Bonus Family Activity

Fast Progressive Dinner

As a fun different meal idea, take your family on a fast food progressive dinner. Start at one fast food place for entrée…maybe fries, move to another for main course and then on to another for dessert. To make it even more unusual, don't decide where you will go... put the names of all the fast food places you know into a hat and draw them out as you go along.