Faithful Families Resources April 28 2013

Weekly Inspiration

Remember that your ultimate goal is for your children to grow up secure in your love, strong in their faith, and with sound character.

~ Gary Chapman (The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional) 

Family Closeness

Game:

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:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

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? 

Story

With your family read:  John 14.23-29

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

 Questions for Discussion:

• What will those who love Jesus do?
• What do you think it means for Jesus to make his home with you?
• What did Jesus say the Holy Spirit does?
• What is Jesus’ peace like? 

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?

  

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. 

(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 April 21 2013

Weekly Inspiration

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.

~Chuck Swindoll

Family Closeness

Game:

Coin Game

Find a small container such as a cup or bowl and fill it almost to the top with water. Place it on a tray with sides (because it is going to overflow)  on your table. Give everyone around the table a supply of coins. Take turns dropping the coins into the container. The games is over when someones coin makes the water overflow.

Found at:  http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/

  

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

• If you knew a friend of yours had stolen something, what would you do about it?
• What is your very earliest memory as a very little kid?
• Why do you think some people don't like animals? 

Story

With your family read:  John 13.31-35

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

 Questions for Discussion:

• What do you think glory is?
• What is God’s glory?
• How can we love one another as Jesus loved us?
• How did Jesus says people would know his disciples? 

Prayer and Celebration

Prayer Weaving

I love this creative idea I found on another blog which put something in children’s hands while they pray and produces something that can be used later on for further prayer adventures.

Check out some of the other great ideas at http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com.au/

  

Family Activity

Celebrate Someone Special

Get your family to pick someone they want to celebrate. This could be someone you know who does special things for your family, church or community or it could be someone who left a legacy in the world. If it is someone who is alive throw a small party for them or invite them over for afternoon tea. Thank them for all they are doing. If it is someone who is no longer alive find out all you can about them. Tell their story and enjoy some food together as you think about how they change the world or your community. 

(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 April 14 2013

Weekly Inspiration

We know the excitement of getting a present- we love to unwrap it to see what is inside. So it is with our children they are gifts we unwrap for years as we discover the unique characters God has made them.

~ Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

Video of the Week

The Parable of the Lost Sheep (for children)

Family Closeness

Game:

Animal, Vegetable or Mineral

Think of something that fits into the animal, vegetable or mineral category. The categories are Animal (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:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

• How would you describe different family members to a friend?
• What kinds of things on TV and in movies make you laugh?

Story

With your family read:  John 10.22-30

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

Questions for Discussion:

• What did Jesus say his sheep do?
• Who are Jesus sheep?
• What does it mean to be one of Jesus sheep?
• What does Jesus give his sheep?

Prayer and Celebration

Centre of attention

On different days of the week select a different family member to be given special prayer attention. Each family member can pray around the dinner table for that person. Ask that family member what things they would like you to pray for. Make sure you spend some time giving thanks for all the positive things they bring to your family and for their needs as well.

Family Activity

Camp Out Night

If you own a tent, pitch it in the backyard one night and take the family out there to sleep. Do some fun things like story telling and board games. Do all the things you would do camping out.

(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 April 7 2013

Weekly Inspiration

If we do not actively seek God early in the morning,

it will be very unlikely that we meet him later in the day.

~Anne van der Bijl

Video of the Week

What will you have done in ten years to change the life of a child?

Family Closeness

Game:

Laugh Like

This is a pretty silly game but lots of fun. Everyone around the table has to laugh like another family member. For example: Everyone laugh like mum, everyone laugh like dad. This should be done in a spirit of fun and togetherness.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

• What is the most enjoyable thing our family has done together in the last three years?
• Name two things we should do as a family on the weekend.

 Story

With your family read:  John 21.1-19

 Questions for Discussion:

• What do you like about this reading?
• What do you think in unusual?
• What do we learn about Jesus from this story?
• Why do you think Jesus asked Peter if he loved him?

Prayer and Celebration

One morning wake up your children before sunrise and drive the whole family to a convenient scenic place and wait for the sun to rise. As the sun comes up encourage your family to think about the light that Christ brings into your lives. Name the many blessings that flow from God. Pray prayers of thanks to Jesus for the blessings he brings to your life. Read John 1.1-4

(Idea taken from Focus on the Family)

Lord our God,

on the first day of creation

you made the light that scatters the darkness.

Let Christ, the light of lights,

hidden from all eternity,

shine at last on your people

and free us from the darkness of sin.

Fill our lives with joy

as we go out to welcome your Son at his coming.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

http://www.churchofengland.org/

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.

(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 March 31 2013

Weekly Inspiration

A church that is serious about children is serious about educating adults

~ John Westerhoff

Video of the Week

Follow

"Throughout the course of his public ministry, Jesus knew both the adoration and desertion of the crowds.Today, just as 2,000 years ago, the gospel asks a question that demands an answer: Will we follow? This video illustrates this truth through the dynamic lens of a 21st-century social network. In the midst of the joy of Easter, it can be difficult to acknowledge doubt. But the redemptive story of Thomas declares that doubt has long been a part of Easter."

~ Yesheis.com

Family Closeness

Game:

 Faith Walk

Blind fold your family and lead them through the house on a faith walk. Get them to feel different things around the house. Spin them around a few times to confuse them, then see if they can tell what room they are in. Ask them what they learnt about their home seeing with ‘different’ eyes. (That is their fingers).

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

• If you could decorate our home, what would it look like?
• Do you think it's important to get physical education in school? Why or why not?

Story

With your family read:  John 20.19-31

 Questions for Discussion:

• Why did Jesus show the disciples his hands and side?
• What do you think it means to “receive the Holy Spirit”
• Why do you think Thomas doubted?
• What changed Thomas’ mind?

Prayer and Celebration

O God,

your son made himself known to his disciples

in the breaking of bread:

open the eyes of our faith,

that we may see him in his redeeming work;

who is alive and reigns with you and Holy Spirit,

now and forever. Amen. 

Family Activity

Tell your children every day how special they are, that you believe in them, that you love them. Write some letters to your children telling them what you think is special about them or encouraging them. Put the letters in a place they might find them or in their lunch box. At bedtime say a prayer out loud for your children. Pray that God might bless them, that they might feel special and loved, pray that they may become all God has made them to be. Make a pocket out of a paper bag, decorate it and stick it up in your child’s room. Put special messages and notes in it to tell your children you think they are special.

Doing these things might help your children see themselves in a new and special way. In seeing themselves as people who are loved, watch them grow into all that they might be.

(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 March 24 2013

As we begin Holy Week we provide you with a slightly different format for faithful families.

Easter is a time to celebrate in a huge way the message of life resurrected, of new life, of Jesus setting us free. We encourage you to celebrate well, to use the resources available to make Easter day special and memorable. To use symbols wisely and to help your children understand why chocolate Easter eggs (egg: symbol of new life/half an Easter egg is like an empty tomb). More importantly we invite you to tell the story well. This email does not provide you with games or stories but with a way of telling the story well in your household leading into this most special of days.

Story

 One of the ways we might be faithful with our family is by telling the story of Easter really well. This might include dressing up and acting out the story or using some props as symbols to recall different events, it might include music and action. You might like to set up some stations in your house on Friday or Saturday and make signs with the days of the week, leave the different symbols in the different locations.

Alternatively you might like to read the various portions of scripture that recount the last week of Jesus life leading up to Good Friday and East.

Here are some signposts for telling the story well in your household.

Day: Sunday before Easter

Jesus enters Jerusalem and people wave palm leaves to welcome him like a king.

Reading: Matthew 21.1-9

Symbol: Palm Leaves:

Question: What does it feel like when you are a winner or a champion? How do you think Jesus felt as he entered Jerusalem?

Day:    Monday

Jesus turns the tables in the temple.

Reading: Matthew 21.12-17

Symbol: Whip made of cords.

Question: What things make you angry? Is it okay to be angry sometimes? Why was Jesus angry?

Day:    Wednesday

Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins.

Reading: Mark 14.10-11.

Symbol: Bag of Coins.

Question: What does it feel like when your friends let you down? How do you think Jesus felt knowing Judas would betray him and his friends would run away from him.

Day: Maundy Thursday

Jesus shares a meal with friends, washes their feet.

Reading: John 13.1-10, Matthew 26.17-30

Symbol: Bowl and Towel. Bread and Wine.

Question: What is special about eating with friends? What does it mean to be a servant to your friends? Why do you think Jesus washed his disciples’ feet?

Day: Good Friday

Jesus dies on a cross.

Reading: Matthew 27.15-60

Symbol: Nails. Crown of Thorns. Cross. Hot Cross Buns.

Why is Friday called Good? (Reflect on childbirth…it is painful yet the result is wonderful)

Day: Saturday

We wait. Jesus is in the tomb.

Symbol: Question mark.

What happens next? When have you had to wait to see how something turned out? How do you think Jesus friends felt on Saturday?

Day: Sunday

Jesus is risen.

Reading: Mathew 28.1-10

Symbol: Easter egg. Broken in half looks like an empty tomb.

Question: What does Jesus risen mean to you?

We hope these resources are helpful. Have a wonderful Easter,

Faithful Families wishes you and your family a wonderful and inspirational Easter , celebrate well, tell the story well. Our prayer for you and your family is that the truth of the Resurrection might fill your lives with much joy.

Faithful Families Resources March 17 2013

Weekly Inspiration

To bring up a child in the way she should go, travel that way yourself once in a while.

 ~Josh Billings

Family Closeness

Game:

How’s Yours

One family member leaves the room and those left agree on an item for example: toothbrush. The guesser returns and asks each person "how's yours?". Each family member says a word or short phrase to answer the question. I say "Bristly" says one, "soggy" says another and "chewed." Says a third.  The guesser shouts the answer as soon as she thinks of it and if she guesses on your word than you become the next guesser.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

• Who do you think I'd rather you be: a famous sportsperson, a mayor, a famous explorer, or a movie star? Why?
• What would the ideal teacher be like?

Story

With your family read:  Luke 18.28-40

 Questions for Discussion:

• What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem?
• How did the people respond to Jesus? What did they shout?
• What did people throw on the road in front of Jesus?
• What kind of people get welcomed likes this today? 

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.

Praise and Adore Jesus

This week focus on prayers of praise and adoration. Think about the adoration Jesus was given as he entered Jerusalem.  Sing a song of praise together at the dinner table. Find something to wave in the air while you are singing. It could be a palm branch or something you find close at hand like a tea towel or tea shirt. Remember that the people that waved palm branches at Jesus found whatever was at hand. Name all the things that are great about Jesus and why you think he is special.

Family Activity

Palm Crosses

Many churches celebrate the coming Sunday (the Sunday before Easter) as Palm Sunday. On this day we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey and people placing branches on the ground before him. This week why not make your own palm crosses at home as a way of helping your children remember the story.

Below is a Youtube video that will show you how to do it. There are many other websites online that will show you how to make them.

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21.9

(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