Sunday, May 29, 2016

Faithful Families Resources May 29 2016

Spend some time this weekend on home improvement; improve your attitude toward your family.

~ Bo Bennett

Family Closeness

Game

Twenty One

This is a memory game where you substitute words for numbers. Your family members take turns counting from 1 up. On multiples of 7 the person who says the number also makes a rule where one number becomes a sound or a word. So the person who lands on 7 might say, “from now on, 4 is “abracadabera” Then the counting continues, and the person who lands on 14 might say, “the number 9 is now Sponge Bob.” The person on 21 makes a third rule, and then the counting starts over at one, with the new rules in place. The object of the game is to get to where all numbers have been replaced by something else. Whoever forgets to replace a number must perform a task like sing a song or tell a joke.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

What is usually your first thought when you wake up?

Story

With your family read: Luke 7.11-17

Questions for Discussion:

What surprised you about this story?
Why did Jesus do what he did?
Why do you think the people were afraid?

Prayer and Celebration

Prayers by flashlight

Make prayers before bed special by huddling together under the sheets to make a little prayer tent. Turn on a flashlight and prayer together.

Family Activity

Crazy shopping night.

This is a strange idea but good for teaching your children about the use of money. Go to a shopping centre on a relatively quiet night and provide your children with a small amount of money, maybe four dollars. Their goal is to see how much they can buy using that amount of money.

(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, May 22, 2016

Faithful Families Resources May 22 2016

When correcting a child, the goal is to apply light, not heat.

~Woodrow Wilson

Family Closeness

Game:

Tickle Toes

How much can you feel with your toes? Blindfold a family member. Tickle their bare toes using objects with different surfaces – soft, rough, smooth, mushy – whatever you can find. The blindfolded family member has to guess what it is that is touching them. Try to come up with some bizarre feeling objects to use.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

My Perfect Room

If you could create a perfect room for yourself, what kind of room would it be? (Bedroom, Dining Room, Bathroom, Study, Play room) What would it look like inside? What things would you have inside it? Describe what you would like to do in this room? Encourage your family to use their imagination to describe it in as much detail as possible.(Icebreakers and Heartwarmers. Steve Sheely)

Story

With your family read: Luke 7.1-10

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

Questions for Discussion:

What surprises you about this story?
Why do you think the centurion changed his mind about Jesus coming to his house?
What do you think about the centurions faith?

Prayer and Celebration

Imagination Prayers

There are manys ways that engage the imagination of your family while praying for the needs of the world. Use this simple pattern below to begin. You might like to create new sentence starters to help your family pray for different things. Silence is a gift of God that is often pushed out in the busy and clutter of the modern world. Encourage your family to stop, be still and listen.

I wonder who God might want me to be a friend to or to care for?

Silence

I wonder what God might want me to do this week?

Silence

I wonder whether there is any limit to God’s love?

Silence

I wonder what kind of person God wants me to grow to be?

Silence

Thank you God for seeing the prayers we offer in our hearts and minds.

Family Activity

Story Time

Ask a child to find a favourite book or story. Read the book together, then ask, “In this book, what could (main character) have thanked God for? When might he or she have needed God’s help? If (character) had talked to God, what might he or she have said?For younger children. Look at a picture book with your younger child. Talk with your child about the pictures using questions such as , “What do you see on this page that you are thankful to God for? What could the girl on this page tell God about?”

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Faithful Families Resources May 15 2015

Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.

~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Family Closeness

Game:

Great Minds Think Alike

Create ten categories, for instance: famous actor, something you find in a park, awesome inventions – they could be anything. As you call out the categories each of your family members secretly and silently write down 3 things that come to their mind. When you have finished calling out the categories share what you wrote. Award your family a point for every thing they had in common. See if you can beat your family’s highest score.

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

If your great great grandchildren could listen to this years from now: is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to them? What would you want them to know?

Story

With your family read: John 16.12-15

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

http://www.sermons4kids.com/unseen-power.html

Questions for Discussion:

What surprises you about this reading?
Who do you think the Spirit of truth is?
Why do you think Jesus sent the Holy Spirit?

Prayer and Celebration

Trinity Prayer

Learn this simple prayer with your family:

Love of Jesus, Fill us.

Holy Spirit, Guide us.

Will of the Father be done.

Amen.

Family Activity

Three-in-one clothes

Find three items of clothes – soft hat, a jacket and a wrap. At a given signal a family member must put on these three items of clothing as quickly as possible. As each family member takes a turn they must wear the items in a different way. How many ways can your family think up of wearing the three items as one set of clothes?

Photo by Laurom - Photo reproduction of art., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2126728

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Faithful Families Resources May 8 2016

50 days after Easter, at Pentecost, the Christian Church is born. A wonderful gift is given from God, for it is the day when the disciples are given the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament wind and fire were seen as signs to show that God was present. If you read the story in the book of Acts it talks about the Holy Spirit coming as ‘wind’ and ‘fire’. At Pentecost the gift of the Spirit filled the disciples with the energy and power to speak so that people from many nations could understand them. It was an event that changed the world. Before the Holy Spirit came to rest on the disciples, they were confused and fearful. They longed for the good old days when all they had to do was follow Jesus' lead. We too are invited to receive this wonderful gift which empowers us to use the gifts we are given from God and to grow in the fruits of the Spirit that make us more Christlike.

Pentecost is a special time, and special times need special attention. Here are some resources to help you be faithful with your family this Pentecost.

Weekly Inspiration

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."

Psalm 127:1 (NIV)

Family Closeness

Game:

Stopwatch Games

With a stopwatch and a bit of imagination, your family can clock hours of crazy contests.

How long does it take to blow a perfect bubble after you put a new piece of gum in your mouth?
How long can you chew your food for before it disappears?
How many times can you click in a minute?
How long does it take to run around the house?
How many baskets can you shoot in 2 minutes?

Sharing:

Questions for stimulating discussion in your family.

What is the most exciting gift you have ever been given?
What made it so great?
What is the most exciting gift you have ever given? Why was it so great?
What is something that you are good at? How do you use it to serve others?
What godly characteristics do you find in yourself and in your family: Kindness, gentleness, compassion, patience, hospitality, humour, generosity, mercy, justice, faithfulness, self-control, loyalty, love, trustworthiness, truth telling, straight talking honesty, . . . . . .
Have you ever felt God’s presence in a special way? What happened? How did you feel?
Who is someone you know who seems to be filled with Spirit? What are they like?

Story

With your family read: Acts 2.1-21

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

Questions for Discussion:

How did the Holy Spirit come upon the disciples? What happened?
How do you think you would have felt if you had been there?
What strange and special thing happened to the disciples because of the Holy Spirit?
What was the purpose of the disciples ability to speak many languages?

Prayer and Celebration

Use some Pentecost Symbols to at your table: Eg. Tongues of flame cut out of red paper. A dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Some prayers to use at your dinner table over the next couple of weeks:

Wind over the waters, wind over the sea.

Wind of creation:

Respond: breathe life in me.

Wind on the mountains, wind tossing the tree.

Wind of the prophets:

Respond: breathe life in me.

Wind on the Jordan, wind on Galilee.

Wind at Golgotha:

Respond: breathe life in me.

Wind full of Easter, wind of the free.

Wind of the gifted:

Respond: breathe life in me.

Holy Spirit, sent by the Father,

ignite in us your holy fire;

strengthen your children with the gift of faith,

revive your Church with the breath of love,

and renew the face of the earth,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

May God’s Holy Spirit be in our life [place hand on heart]

May God’s Holy Spirit be in our world [sweep hand out in front]

May God’s Holy Spirit be love between us [hold hands]

Family Activity

Draw Attention to Yourself

Using any available materials, make large red or orange Pentecost symbols (paper tongues of fire, kites or windsocks, decorated balloons or pinwheels) to be displayed outdoors. On each symbol write three gifts of the Spirit you have been given to serve God. Make a collage of warm colours to remind your family of the story of Pentecost. Make up a dance using coloured streamers to portray the wind, fire and excitement of the disciples when they received the Holy Spirit. Make up a list of words to describe 'fire' and 'wind', and then use them to write a poem.

May God’s Holy Spirit fill you this Pentecost season. May you and your family grow in the Godly Characteristics, may you grow to be more Christlike. May the Spirit of renewal blow over you and your family.

(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

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Faithful Families Resources April 24 2016

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.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Faithful Families Resources April 17 2016

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.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Faithful Families Resources April 10 2016

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.

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.