Faithful Families Resources May 22 2011

Weekly Inspiration

There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child. 

Frank A. Clark

Story

With your family read John 14.15-21: Loving Jesus

Questions for Discussion:

• What do you think are the commandments of Jesus?
• How does loving Jesus make following His commandments easier?
• What rules do you find difficult to keep?
• These words of Jesus were meant to comfort his disciples by letting them know that the Holy Spirit would be with them. How do you feel knowing Jesus is still here for us.

One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small boy into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, "Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?" The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. "I can't, dear," she said. "I have to sleep in Daddy's room." A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice: "The big sissy." 

Prayer and Celebration

Pat-C-Ana

There are many ways and patterns of prayer.  Praying with Pat-C-ana is just one [pronounced Patsyanna].  It was originally written by Rev Richard Browning for use by children at church and school. The prayer below can be used as a way of remembering and teaching which finger represents which type of prayers.

From the thumb to little finger

we pray with PAT-C-ANA:

Praise and adoration -

Thank you, thank you.

Confession saying sorry:

    its forgiveness that we need.

Asking 'n asking: for others then for me.

From the thumb to little finger

we pray to God the Father.

        

 The prayers below help to unpack the type of prayer to use with each finger or can be used

 

Praying with PAT-C-ANA

Thumb: Praise and adoration

Awesome Lord and Father, the earth is yours and all that is in it. You are our God and we are your people;

Index finger: Thanksgiving

Thank you for life and love, for a home to live and a family to love.

Middle finger:  Confession

Forgive us when we hurt others, and when we offend you.

Help us to love like you love us.

ring finger:  Asking for others

We pray for…

my family and friends and those that I love.

little finger: Asking for me

And lastly for me, I place myself into your loving care.

Amen.

Service

This week encourage your family members to serve each other. Get them to think of one nice and helpful thing they could do for the parents or siblings. Here are some ideas: 

• Make someone’s bed for them
• Do someone else’s chore
• Pick up someone else’s mess
• Clean up the dog or cat waste 

Family Closeness

One way to develop family closeness is to have an intentional family night. A pattern may be used such as this:

Game

Sharing

Story with Discussion/Questions

Activity

Prayer

Using the resources provided above and below would enable you to have a family night once a week.

Games:

I’m thinking of an animal

I'm Thinking of an Animal is similar to the game Twenty Questions, except all the questions and clues pertain to a living creature. One-player thinks of an animal, and the other tries to guess which animal it is by asking no more than ten "yes" or "no" questions. If you guess correctly in ten questions or fewer, you get to think of the next animal. If not, the first player divulges the answer and then thinks of another animal. No one really wins, and the game is over when you don't want to play anymore. If you're playing with your child, you may not want to put a limit on the number of questions he can ask. Instead, think of it as a way to teach her about an interesting subject. Also, when choosing an animal, consider the age of the child. An older player may know all there is to know about easy-to-guess animals, such as cats and dogs, and may need the challenge of harder choices, for instance egrets and yaks. But most 3- and 4-year-olds will recognize only the most basic creatures, such as lions, tigers, and bears.

Sharing: 

• Has telling the truth ever got you in big trouble? What happened? Would you do the same again?
• Have you ever told the truth and had no one believe you?
• Have you ever told a lie and been found out? What happened?
• Have you ever felt that telling the truth was the wrong thing to do?

Bonus Family Activity

 Bible Story Theme Night

Think of a bible story - like Noah’s Ark or the Feeding of the Five Thousand.

Think of how you might have a family fun night focused on the theme of the story. This might include: Themed food, games, music, decorations, the telling of the story with costumes. Let your imagination run wild.

Well, we hope you found these resources useful. Have a fantastic week as you grow in loving and sharing with your family. May the joy and love and peace of Christ fill your home. Stephen Harrison (This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison & Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning

Faithful Families Resources May 16 2011

Weekly Inspiration

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.

Angela Schwindt

Story

With your family read John 14.1-11: Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.

Questions for Discussion:

(The reading this week might be a tricky one for younger listeners to get a grasp on. Read it slowly and if necessary talk about each sentence. It is helpful to know that this reading takes place during the last supper and Jesus is preparing his disciples for what is ahead.)

• What are the three things Jesus said he is? “I am the…”
• How does Jesus say we can know God the Father?
• What does it mean for Jesus to be:
• The way?
• The truth?
•   The life? 
• How does it make you feel to realize that Jesus has a place for you in His kingdom? 

A hunter who was out on expedition got lost in the jungle with nothing but bush and a few cleared spaces. He found a local’s hut and asked him if he could lead him out. The local said he could. "All right," said the hunter, "show me the way." So they walked and hacked their way through unmarked jungle for more than an hour. The hunter got worried. "Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?" The local turned around and knowingly smiled, "In this place there is no path. I am the path."

Prayer and Celebration

This week we invite you to use a prayer without words consisting only of touch. It is very simple. Using your finger write or draw your prayers on the palm of each others hands or backs. If you want you might speak these prayer out aloud once they are done. Make these prayers especially for the person whom you are drawing on.

Draw or write one good thing you want for this person?

Service

All service in the community should start with prayer. In fact this is a great way for your family to begin serving the world. If you really want to begin doing something in your community ask God, as a family, to begin showing you the needs in your neighbourhood or community. Take your time in doing this. Discuss with your family what you have seen and pray about it asking God to guide you. 

If you identify an area you think God is prompting you to get involved in take the time to explore what it happening already in that area and what things you might get involved in. It is possible that there is nothing happening and this might require your family to take the time to listen to what God might want you to do. Through the whole process pray. This not only teaches children about pray but reminds us that as Christian our service is about participating in the kingdom of God and not building our own kingdom.

Family Closeness

One way to develop family closeness is to have an intentional family night. A pattern may be used such as this:

Game

Sharing

Story with Discussion/Questions

Activity

Prayer

Using the resources provided above and below would enable you to have a family night once a week.

Games:

Paper tear outs. Write down a whole list of shapes on bits of paper and put them in a jar, eg. house, tree, boat, car etc. Someone picks a shape from the hat and calls it out, each player has a sheet of paper and tries to tear out that shape.(New Games for Community. Christine Gapes)

Sharing:

Simple patterns for table talk are often the best. It is good to have some questions that you might ask every week or night. However it is important that everyone really listens. Parents need to be careful they don’t fall into the habits or asking the question without really listening.

• What is the best thing and the worst thing that happened to you today or this week?
• What is something that you might say thank you to God for this week? (One for the adults particularly to share: Where have you been aware of God’s presence in your life this week? What “God moments” happened to you this week?)

Bonus Family Activity

Here are some more ideas for Family Fun Nights (see last weeks post)

Drama Night

Put on a drama together. Using stories from the bible is a great way to help children remember them and have fun doing so. Gather together dress up resources that could be used as costumes for each character.

Show and Tell Night

Get each of your family members to share something. It could be a picture they like, a hobby or interest, something they have learned, a joke or story, something they have made or made up, a game, something they found in the back yard.

Surprise Night.

Plan something that will be a complete surprise to your family. Invite a guest or do something special or unusual.

Well, we hope you found these resources useful. Have a fantastic week as you grow in loving and sharing with your family. May the joy and love and peace of Christ fill your home. Stephen Harrison

 (This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison & Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning

Faithful Families Resources May 8 2011

Weekly Inspiration

Children seldom misquote.  In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. 

Author Unknown

Story

With your family read John 10.1-10: Jesus -The Gate

Questions for Discussion: 

• How does the shepherd look after the sheep?
• How do the sheep respond to the shepherd?
• Who do you think are Jesus sheep?
• What do you think it means for Jesus to be a gate for his sheep?
• What does this reading say Jesus came for?

In 1^st century Palestine, shepherds would often stay out in the field with their flock of sheep for a long time. In order to look after his sheep at night, the shepherd would make a low enclosure out of stones with a small opening. At night, the shepherd would lie down in front of the opening to keep the sheep in and the wild animals or thieves out. The shepherd became the gate to the pen, protecting the sheep with his own body.

If the shepherd was near a city or village he might take his sheep to a large holding area where many flocks would stay for the night. The watchman had a duty to guard the flocks and not let anyone in, except the shepherds in the morning. When the shepherds came they would call their sheep and knowing their masters voice would follow him out of the pen into the pasture.

Prayer and Celebration

Praying Psalm 23

Pray the 23^rd Psalm with your children and the members of your family. 

Instead of using my or me use your child’s name.

For example: The Lord is John’s shepherd, John shall not want etc.

You, Lord, are ______ shepherd.

_________ will never be in need.

You let __________ rest in fields

of green grass.

You lead _________ to streams

of peaceful water,

and you refresh ________ life.

You are true to your name,

and you lead _______

along the right paths.

^___________ may walk through valleys

as dark as death,

but ______________ won’t be afraid.

You are with _________,

and your shepherd’s rod

makes ____________ feel safe.

You treat _________ to a feast,

while ________ enemies watch.

You honor _________ as your guest,

and you fill __________ cup

until it overflows.

Your kindness and love

will always be with __________

each day of _________ life,

and __________ will live forever

in your house, Lord.

Service

“Get a drive going”

Recently I visited a church run organisation in the city I work in called The Mission to Seafarers. They have an amazing ministry of hospitality and care for those who work on cargo ships. When the ships are in port the seafarers come to the centre for some recreation, hospitality and friendship. In an island country like Australia where the vast majority of imported goods come by sea, these people who work on the ships have an important but often tough and lonely role. While I was there I became aware of the different items that The Mission uses or provides for the seafarers. It included books, dvd’s, magazines, clothes, all kinds of things really. Often we have an abundance of these goods sitting around the house that we are unlikely to use again. With your family why not start a drive amongst your family and friends for these kinds of good in your community? Find out what charities or services are in your area, find out what they need and if they are happy to receive goods from you, then GO FOR IT. Not only will you be providing necessary items for a good cause but you will be raising the profile of it in the community.

Family Closeness

One way to develop family closeness is to have an intentional family night. A pattern may be used such as this:

Game

Sharing

Story with Discussion/Questions

Activity

Prayer

Using the resources provided above and below would enable you to have a family night once a week.

Games:

Long Word Search. Find a long word (eg. Hippopotamus,catastrophe) and give everyone a pencil and paper. Try to make as many words as possible from the letters of the long word. Rules: All words must be at least three letters long. A letter may only be used more than once in a word if it is contained in the main word more than once. Set a time limit.(TV Free Activities for Kids. Di Hodges)

Sharing:

• What is one thing you don’t think you could live without? Why?
• If you could only take three things to a desert island what would they be?
• If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
• What does it mean to adore something?
• Do you remember a time when someone praised you for something you did? what did it feel like? did you like it? What are some of the words that might express praise?

Bonus Family Activity

Having a family night is a fantastic and fun way to focus on your family growing together. What is a family night? It is simply putting aside one evening a week or a month or whatever regular interval suits you to do something together that everyone will enjoy. 

Make sure the dates you pick are in your diaries and give them the first priority – try to plan well ahead. Give each member a turn to plan the program for the evening. Make it a rule that there is to be no complaining or fidgeting and that everyone is to cooperate and participate. This is especially important for the younger children whose self esteem may be damaged by older children's comments.Don't forget to talk about the purpose of the family night. 

Two key purposes could be 

1. To have fun together. (Family night should be the most anticipated night of the week) 

2. To worship the Lord together. This is an opportunity for parents to model Christian devotion to their children. 

(The Big Book of Family Fun. Gwen Ellis.)

Here are some ideas for fun family nights. All of these take a little planning and resource gathering…but if your family has fun and grows together it will be well worth it.

Celebration Night

Throw a party for your family or for a particular special day. Decorate the room, eat special food, play some games and generally do what you do when you have a party.

Outing Night

Go on a special adventure with your family to somewhere different than the local shopping centre.

Project Night

Provide materials for the family to make a project – art, drama or anything that comes to mind. Making puppets is one idea.


Well, we hope you found these resources useful. Have a fantastic week as you grow in loving and sharing with your family. May the joy and love and peace of Christ fill your home. Stephen Harrison 


 (This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison & Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning

Faithful Families Resources May 1 2011

Weekly Inspiration

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. 

Stacia Tauscher

Story

With your family read Luke 24.13-35: The road to Emmaus

Questions for Discussion: 

• What village were these two followers of Jesus going to?
• Why do you think they were leaving Jerusalem even though people were saying Jesus was alive?
• What did Jesus do that helped the disciples see who he was? Why was this action important?
• How does the follower’s mood change throughout this passage of scripture? 

The renowned artist Paul Gustave Dore (1821-1883) lost his passport while travelling in Europe. When he came to a border crossing, he explained his predicament to one of the guards. Giving his name to the official, Dore hoped he would be recognized and allowed to pass. The guard, however, said that  many people attempted to cross the border by claiming to be  persons they were not. Dore insisted that he was the man he claimed to be. "All right," said the official, "we'll give you a test, and if you pass it we'll allow you to go through." Handing him a pencil and a sheet of paper, he told the artist to sketch several peasants standing nearby. Dore did it so quickly and skillfully that the guard was convinced he was indeed who he claimed to be. His work confirmed his word!

How might people recognise us today as followers of Jesus?

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.

Instructions:

Invite your family to use their imagination to create in their mind a picture of that thing or person which they wish to pray for… provided are some ideas for things you can pray for...after saying the phrase leave some space for silence as your family sees the thing they wish to pray for...you might like to finish with the Lord’s pray.

• 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

As a family or in your church think about how you might bless the lives of those who live around you. Reflect on those people in your local area, who may be your neighbours or go to church with you, who serve in the community. Examples might be teachers or police officers, charity or emergency workers. Think of ways that you might let them know they are valued. This could include small things like making a thank you card together as a family or making a biscuit or cake for them to take to work to share. How often do we stop to thank those who look after us every day, who take risks for us or do jobs that really aren’t that pleasant? Acting in this way builds habits of thankfulness and empathy in ourselves and our children.

Family Closeness

One way to develop family closeness is to have an intentional family night. A pattern may be used such as this:

Game

Sharing

Story with Discussion/Questions

Activity

Prayer

Using the resources provided above and below would enable you to have a family night once a week.

Game:

Animal, Vegetable or Mineral

Think of something that fits into the animal, vegetable or mineral category. The categories are Animal (people, animals, insects) Vegetable (anything that is a plant) and Mineral (any object that isn't alive) Your family then must ask you questions to work out what it is. This could be limited to twenty questions but doesn't have to be. All the questions must be answered with a yes or no, except the first which asks whether the object is animal, vegetable or mineral. This is a great game to teach your children, but they may need a little coaching, it is ok to give them some clues. This is a game for all ages.

Sharing: 

• What is a small thing you have done that made a big difference to someone?
• What is something small someone does for you that makes a big difference to the way you feel?
• Remember a time when you were surprised by something. Tell the story to your family.
• What is one small thing you could do for your family members to make a difference to their week?
• One of your friends never gets any treats in his lunch box and always asks you to share yours. What do you do? 

Bonus Family Activity

This week, create a Love Poster. On the top of the poster, write: "Love one another as I have loved you." Brainstorm practical ways family members can love each other the way Jesus loves your family. (Share bathroom time, take out the trash without being asked, say nice things to each other, etc.) Discuss the cost of each activity. (How will you have to change to live out what your family wrote down?) At the bottom of the poster, write the word "Sacrifice." Discuss the meaning of the word and how love demands sacrifice. End the discussion by reading John 15:9-14. Emphasize Jesus died for us because he loved us and was willing to sacrifice everything for us.

word-sunday.com Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2002)

Well, we hope you found these resources useful. Have a fantastic week as you grow in loving and sharing with your family. 


May the joy and love and peace of Christ fill your home. Stephen Harrison


(This material is based on and draws from earlier Faithful Families emails by Stephen Harrison & Richard Browning: An Unless Ideas Production.) Unless otherwise noted all material on this blog is copyright Stephen Harrison and Richard Browning