Get Connected In 20 Minutes A Week - Why Families?

Timothy Smith | www.ParentsCoach.org

A weekly family activity adapted from: 52 Family Time Ideas by Timothy Smith
Draw Closer To Your Kids as You Draw Your Kids

Closer to God (Bethany House Publishers)

1. MAIN POINT: God placed us in families to learn about Him, life and love.

2. MATERIALS NEEDED: Socks, bowls and string.

3. WARM UP: Ask: "Do parents ever get the day off?"
"What would happen if parents took off for one day and did just what we wanted to - slept in, didn't go to work, played video games or watched sports all day?"

4. BIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 5:7-10 Read out loud:
No other gods, only me.
No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am God, your God, and I'm a most jealous God. I hold parents responsible for any sins they pass on to their children to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation. But I'm lovingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments. MSG

5. Family Discussion:
God placed us in families to learn about Him, life and love.
1. Ask: "Why does God warn, ‘No other gods, only me?"
(God deserves first place in our lives)
2. God expects parents to tell their kids about the true God.
Ask: "How do parents do that?"
(By telling their kids about the real God in contrast to the fake gods that humans make. Parents also show what God is like by being kind and obedient and setting an example themselves of what they are trying to teach their kids)

6. Today's Slogan: (Repeat several times, together) "God comes first in my life."

7. Activity: Bowls of Mercy Sock Toss
Get ten clean pairs of socks and roll each up in a ball. Get ten bowls of various sizes. Tape a number on each bowl (# 1-10). Make a line with string at least three feet away from the bowls. One at a time, each family member stands behind the line and tosses ten sock balls, trying to land one in each bowl. Keep score.
Wrap up:
1. What was it like trying to land a sock in each bowl?
What does the Bible Say?
2. The ten bowls represent God's Ten Commandments. Today, the Bible is one of God's Ten Commandments. The first few verses talk about putting God first in our lives. This isn't easy because we'd rather put ourselves first. Trying to land a sock in each bowl is hard to do too. But there is a reward:
3. Ask: "What promise does God make to those who love Him and keep His commandments?" Answer: (That He will be lovingly loyal to them.)
What should we Do?
4. What are some ways we ‘put God first in our lives'? Answer: (By thinking of Him first; by knowing what He says and obeying Him; and by wanting to know Him as much as wanting to get something)

Adapting for ...
Younger Children: For the Family Discussion, Ask: "We learn about love and God in our family. When do you feel loved?" After the Activity; skip the Wrap Up, but say, "Families that love each other try to help each other be good by putting God first."

Teens:
Move the string line back for teens to six feet away from the bowls. During the Debrief time, ask: "What would happen in a family that didn't have any rules? What would it be like if lying, stealing and being mean was okay?"

8. Prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, You are awesome, powerful and You alone deserve first place in our lives. Help us to remember today that You come first. In Jesus' 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