Get Connected In 20 Minutes A Week – We Need Reminders

By Timothy Smith www.ParentsCoach.org

1. Main Point: Families remind each other of the good things about each other and about God.

2. Materials Needed: A ball of yarn.

3. Warm Up: Ask - "Describe a time when you forgot something?" (Hear 2 or 3 examples.) Say: "It is easy to forget. As families, we can help each other remember important things. "

4. Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Read aloud:
Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. MSG

5. Family Discussion:
What does the Bible Say?
1. Why does God want us to remember His commandments? (So we will obey them)
What should we Do?
2. What are the different ways parents help their kids learn and remember God's commandments? (Memorize; talk as you sit, walk; in the morning; at bedtime; on your head and hands and around the house).

6. Today's Slogan: "Good things are worth remembering." (Repeat several times)

7. Activity: Spiderweb - Holding a ball of yarn; have everyone stand in a circle, spaced about four feet from each other. (This works best with four or more people.) Hold the end of the yarn and Say, "Whoever catches the ball has to say two things - something good or that he likes about the person who threw the ball and something good about God."
Everyone hangs on to the yarn with one hand and tosses the ball of yarn with the other. Soon you will have a spider web of affirmation and gratefulness.
After several tosses, Say, "You can also say what you are thankful for." Continue until you have a beautiful spiderweb pattern. Ask, "What does this web do to us?" (Holds us together. Makes us a team)

Adapting for ...
Younger Children: Simplify the activity with the instruction: Say: "Whoever catches the ball has to say one thing nice about the person they are throwing it to."
Teens: Extend the Discussion and Ask: "Which of these faith-building exercises works best with you? Memorizing; sitting and talking; observing on walks; in the morning; at meals or at bedtime?"
Extend the Activity and Ask: "What happens if somebody drops his yarn?" (It ruins the web and makes us weak)

Note: After a few sessions, ask your teens to handle part or all of one of the sessions. We have found that if teens are involved in some way, that they tend to get more out of Family Times because they ‘aren't treated like a kid'.

8. Prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remember the important things You have done, and who You are. Help us to also remember each other and be thankful for each other; knowing that together we are strong. In Christ's name, Amen."

©2009 Timothy Smith

Timothy Smith, M.A., is a family coach, author and speaker from Southern CA.
www.ParentsCoach.org He provides coaching in-person and via Skype®; as well as conferences, seminars and retreats.

Blog: www.ParentsCoach.wordpress.com
Twitter: ParentsCoach
tim@ParentsCoach.org, Tel: 805.376.3500