faithful families

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Faithful Families Resources July 19 2015

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.

~Richard Bach

Family Closeness

Game:

Dark Dog

Everyone is given a blank piece of paper to draw on. Either blind fold everyone or get them to close their eyes. Then they must draw a dog on their paper. Once they have done this they must put a collar on the dog and a bone in front of him. Undo the blindfold and have a look at your drawings.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

If I had to be separated from my family for a long time, I would really miss . . .[whom or what?] because . . .
The most difficult pressure on young people is . . .
When I feel under pressure I . . .

Story

With your family read John 6.1-21

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

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

Questions for Discussion:

Why do you think these stories are important?
Why did Jesus withdraw when they wanted to make him king?
What surprises you about these stories?

Prayer and Celebration

Teaspoon Prayers

One simple pattern for shaping prayer is to remember the three words – thank you, sorry and please. The first three letters of these are TSP which reminds us of a teaspoon. Teach this to your children so that they can remember a way of praying that includes these three things. Have a teaspoon on your dinner table to remind the family to pray for these three things before eating each night. You could even decorate the teaspoon in some special way so that it stands out and you don’t forget.

Service

Service Project for Families with Elementary Age Children

Have families cut out grocery coupons to give to a local foodbank

Make gift baskets for a nearby nursing home or assisted facility for older adults
Schedule a time for families to hold and rock babies in a hospital nursury
Be welcoming attendants as a family at a shelter or drop in centre.
Have families volunteer to stuff a church bulletin with a large mailing at your church.

Bonus Family Activity

Library

Take your family to the library and find some books on topics of interest to them. Try to find some books that the whole family might like to look at or share together. These could include books on art or puzzles or animals..

(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

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Faithful Families Resources July 12 2015

As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live

~ John Paul II

Family Closeness

Game:

One Word

In this game the family must have a conversation with each other by speaking only one word messages back and forth. Some possible topics for discussion could include:

a favourite food.
a favourite sports team.
a fear.
a dream
a recent accomplishment.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

I would like to be more like ________ because . . .
Something I really like about myself is . . .
I have a dream: that . . .

Story

With your family read Mark 6.30-34

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

Questions for Discussion:

Where did Jesus want to take the disciples?
Why did he want to take them there?
What do you think this says about serving God and working?

Prayer and Celebration

Secret Hat Prayer

Put all your family members’ names in a hat. Each member of the family must draw out a name but not tell anyone. During the week encourage the member of your family to pray for that person each day. Get them to choose a time when they will do this. Help them to think about things they might pray for such as: health, work/school, growth, knowledge, faith, things they need help with or giving thanks for the person. Parents might need to remind children of the time they have chosen each day. This activity helps children to start thinking about praying for others when they are on their own.

Service

One of the profoundest ways that we might share our love of Christ and our love of life with others is not through words but through our loving actions. Here are some suggestions for your family to share with those who live around you.

Invite another family who you are friendly with to church followed by a BBQ.

Bake something for your neighbours – maybe biscuits or a cake. (Do you know your neighbours? Where I live I have had six sets of neighbours on one side in the space of five years.)

When you see people moving in why not invite them over for some food or take a cake or biscuits over to them or some cold drinks.

If you know of an elderly or chronically ill person who is having difficulty with their garden why not get your family to adopt them. That is, regularly as a family go and mow the grass, weed, clean up and maybe plant some flowers.

Bonus Family Activity

Kickball

Get the family outdoors this week with a game of kickball. Line up facing each other across the yard and kick the ball to each other. Trying kicking the ball as close to the person your trying to reach as possible. Relax, have fun and talk while you a kicking the ball.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Faithful Families Resources July 5 2015

A tree is known by its fruit

~ Proverb

Family Closeness

Game:

Egg Cracking Contest

Each family member holds an egg in their hand, small end up and challenge someone to crack their egg. The challenged player taps the egg of the challenger with their own egg. If the challenged cracks the egg of the challenger they win the challengers cracked egg. If their own is cracked they turn in over to the challenger. This continues until only one uncracked egg remains and the player is declared, “the great uncracked”. Needless to say, hard boiled eggs are used for this game.

(Taken from Games for all ages and how to use them – Wackerbarth and Graham)

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

If I could become a colour, I would be … because
I can help the environment by . . .
The best thing about a true friend is . . .

Story

With your family read Mark 6.17-29

(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/one-thing-leads-to-another.html

Questions for Discussion:

Why did Herod have John the Baptist arrested?
Why did Herod refuse to kill John? What changed his mind?
What are your thoughts about this story?

Prayer and Celebration

m & m prayers…

After dinner pass around a bowl of m & m’s. Everyone must take a handful but no one can eat any yet. For each different colour they get they need to pray for a different person or thing.

For every green M & M tell God something that you are thankful for.

For every red M & M pray for a member of your family by name

For every orange M & M pray for a teacher in your life

For every yellow M & M pray for one of your classmates or friends.

For every dark brown M & M pray for a leader in your life.

For every light brown M & M you chose, pray for Christians in other countries.

Service

Winter can be a very difficult time for people living on the streets. Find a charity in your area that takes donations of blankets or winter clothes. Donate items you no longer need or use, or go to the shop and buy some warm blankets to donate. Before donating ring the charity to ask what they could use.

Bonus Family Activity

Go to the theatre

Take your family to see a local play. Discover what performances are happening in your local theatre or even what school productions are happening. This doesn’t have to be an expensive outing.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Faithful Families Resources June 14 2015

The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family.

~Lee Iacocca

Family Closeness

Game:

Food, Friends and Fireworks

This game has three motions which are:

Food - rub your belly and say "mmmmm"

Friends - hold out both arms wide and say "heeeeyyyy"

Fireworks- clap both hands over your head and then say "shhhhhhhh" as you slowly lower your arms to your sides.

Family members close their eyes. On the count of three they must open their eyes and try to match one of the three motions with everyone else at the table. There is to be no talking or planning and everyone at the table must do the same thing.

Count to three and say "Go!"

If everyone matches yell out "Yes!" and pump your fist in the air.

If you do not match say "D'Oh" and lightly bump yourself on the head.

See how many turns it takes to get it right.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

I am grateful to my parents for . . .
My mum/dad is/are proud of me when . . .
One way to try to help at home is. . .

Story

With your family read Mark 4.35-41

(for a way of explaining/talking about this reading with children look at http://www.sermons4kids.com/peace-be-still.html

Questions for Discussion:

Why were the disciples scared?
What does this reading teach us about Jesus?
What do you think the disciples thought about Jesus after this event?
How can we trust Jesus despite the storms around us?

Prayer and Celebration

Stillness

In the past I have taught my daughters about stillness. I did this in a pretty simple way by getting the family to stop , close their eyes and count twenty breaths before we eat dinner. Being still in the presence of God can be powerful for people who are used to twenty four seven connectivity. Often we forget to connect with God. Instead of counting breathes you could just time a minute but the act of counting breaths can provide children with something to focus on while they are learning to be still.

Service

Start a mini project with your family to discover the local charities or service organisations in your neighbourhood or local area. Find out what they do, who they help and how people can contribute to them in terms of service or goods.

Encourage your family to go without a particular treat for a week or a month. Save the money you would have spent and donate it to a charity that you have discovered.

With your family donate some things you no longer need to a local charity such as LifeLine or Salvation Army. Encourage your children to think about what toys or clothes they no longer use that they might give away. Talk to them about how some children have no toys.

Family Time

Captured Sounds

Use a recording device (iphone or other) to capture sounds from around the house. Play them back for your family to hear and see how many of the sounds your family can guess correctly.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Faithful Families Resources June 7 2015

In time of test, family is best.

~Burmese Proverb

Family Closeness

Game:

What’s the object?

One family member writes the name of an object on a piece of paper and gives it to another family member. The person with the card then has to describe the object without actually saying its name. Other members of the family then have to guess what the object is. Other words that might be helpful in describing the object could also be written on the card to make it harder to describe. Pictionary cards could also be used for this game if your family is made up of two people.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

The best way to enjoy each new day is . . .
One way to stop bullying and mocking is . . .
Some thing which puzzles me is . . .

Story

With your family read Mark 4.26-34

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

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

Questions for Discussion:

Why do you think Jesus told stories (parables) to explain God’s kingdom?
What do you think these two stories say about God’s kingdom?
Why is a seed a good picture for the kingdom of God?

Prayer and Celebration

Praying on the Spot

Sometimes we forget that prayer is a good response to the daily hassles of life. When your children come to you with a problem help them but also use it as an opportunity to pray for them and with them. There are many situations where inviting God into situation is a reminder for us to put our trust in our creator and redeemer. These might include a bad day at school, difficulty with someone at school or even boredom. There are so many opportunities throughout the day to pray.

Service

Referring again to the Go Volunteer website http://www.govolunteer.com.au

Here is what they say families can get out of volunteering:

Parents act as role models and can demonstrate helping others in need
An increased sense of worth and accomplishment from making a difference
A stronger sense of community and decrease in social isolation
Respect for different people and conditions
Relative or family members could benefit from the activity
Learn new skills or using existing skills
Volunteering is fun and something families can do together

On the site it says that projects for families can be searched for using the word “team”

Family Time

Camping at Home

Put up a small tent indoors or build one out of sheets and chairs and whatever else you have at hand. Cook your food on a BBQ and have hot chocolate and marshmallows. Tell stories and play board or card games just like you would if you were going camping.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Faithful Families Resources May 31 2015

Having a place to go - is a home. Having someone to love - is a family. Having both - is a blessing. ~Donna Hedges

Family Closeness

Game:

Investigator

One family member leaves the room. Everyone else decides on a certain rule to follow when answering the investigators questions. Rules could include: tell the truth when legs uncrossed, tell a lie when legs are crossed; answer all questions with yes, no or I can’t answer that; begin all sentences with a vowel; answer using only five words.

When a rule is decided upon, the investigator returns to the room and starts asking questions to family members. The question can be about anything at all including things they know the answer to. They continue asking questions until they recognize the pattern. They have three guesses to try and figure out the rule.When the investigator guesses correctly or guesses three times incorrectly, the round is over, and someone else gets to be the investigator.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

I feel scared when . . .
It’s good to think twice before saying something hurtful because . . .

Story

With your family read Mark 3.20-27, 31-35

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

Questions for Discussion:

Why do you think people were saying bad things about Jesus?
What do you think Jesus family wanted when they turned up to see him?
Are there times when people need to do what God wants even though their family does not like it?

Prayer and Celebration

Thank You Board

It is easy for children and adults to get into a rut of praying for the same things every night or week. One way of avoiding this is to create a thank you board. This could be a small white board or piece of cardboard. Each time you pray together encourage your children to think of three things they are grateful or want to thank God for. Write them on post it notes and stick them to the board. The next time you come to pray tell your family to give thanks for three things that are not on the board. In this way the imagination is expanded and we come to realise there is a whole world of things to give thanks for.

Service

Came across this website during the week for people looking for service opportunities for their families: http://www.govolunteer.com.au/

“GoVolunteer is an initiative of Volunteering Australia and is Australia's first volunteer recruitment website. It is a not-for-profit site that provides free Internet advertising for not-for-profit community organisations looking for volunteers. GoVolunteer provides you with all you need to find out about volunteer opportunities, and helps you make the best match possible between your personal requirements and choice of volunteer work.” (Govolunteer.com.au)

They have a section talking about family volunteering – in it they say: “Family volunteering allows parents, children and other family members to spend time together while contributing to the community and causes they care about. It can be a fun activity that can improve communication within the family resulting in stronger family relationships.”

“A growing trend overseas is for families to volunteer together. Family volunteering can involve siblings, parents, spouse and children. Families can volunteer to help a cause close to their heart.”

Family Time

Build a Family Scrapbook

This is a great activity to get the whole family involved in, including Dad. Create a scrapbook that tells the story of your family from beginning up to the present. There is a wonderful opportunity in doing this to tell some of the important stories of your family, including how mum and dad met, preparing for babies, moving to new home, growing up stories and milestone moments. Use print outs of photos and write key words or ideas around them. This could be a well planned and elaborate project or it could be a slap dash evolving one done of the spur of the moment.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Faithful Families Resources May 24 2015

Family life is not a computer program that runs on its own; it needs continual input from everyone.

~Neil Kurshan

Family Closeness

Game:

Pirate Pictionary

This game is just like Pictionary except you have to act out the words with your hands. No words or sounds are allowed. Family members must pick a piece of paper out of a hat with one of the following words written on it : plank, hourglass, pirate, hook, treasure, parrot (or any other pirate word).The word must be acted out using only the hands, until family members guess what it is.Other lists of words can be generated by thinking about the different books children read. Eg.

Dr Suess: Grinch, Horton, Cat in the Hat, Who, the Lorax.

Idea found at: http://www.youthgroupgames.co.uk

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

Finish these sentences:

Something my Mum/Dad told me that they did when they were my age was . . .
I’m grateful to my friends because . . .
I feel good when . . .
I feel small when . . .

Story

With your family read John 3.1-17

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

Questions for Discussion:

What did Jesus say people needed to do to see the kingdom of God?
What do you think this means?
What two things did Jesus say people needed to be “born of” to enter the kingdom of God?
What did God give the world in order to save it?
Why is this good news?

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…

Service

This idea came from a colleague of mine (thanks JK!) and requires the permission and authorisation of the organisation you are collecting for and of the shop you will do it outside of. In short you stand outside of a supermarket and speak to people on the way in to do their grocery shopping. You let them know you are collecting goods for a particular organisation/food hamper that provides food to the poor or needy. People are asked to buy something extra to pop in the box as a donation on their way out. Obviously permission is needed and some form of identification from the organisation you are collecting for might also be essential

Family Time

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.