Get Connected In 20 Minutes A Week – The Worry-Hurry Connection

The Parents Coach - column By Timothy Smith | www.ParentsCoach.org
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"Get Connected In 20 Minutes A Week"
A weekly family activity adapted from: 52 Family Time Ideas by Timothy Smith ©2006
Draw Closer To Your Kids as You Draw Your Kids Closer to God
Bethany House Publishers

1. Main Point: We need to stop ourselves from always being in a hurry.

2. Materials Needed: Red Construction paper, scissors, markers and tape. Some kids are very slow paper cutters, up to second or third grade, so it might be good to plan on cutting out the octagons before hand, or providing stencils, or tracing them on paper

3. Warm Up: Say: "Today we are going to slow down, sit in one place and have time for each other, but it's going to be kind of weird. We are going to have a staring contest!" Sit in a circle on the floor. Look each person in the eye and stare. Try not to blink. Say: "If you blink, you are eliminated from the circle."

4. Bible Reading: Philippians 4:6-7 Read aloud:
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

5. Family Discussion: Say: "In this Family Time we start looking at reasons why we are in such a hurry. Today's reason is that our culture likes a fast pace. Nobody likes to go slow. It seems like we are becoming more hurried."

What does the Bible Say?
Ask: "Instead of worrying, what are we supposed to do?" (Pray)

What should we Do?
Ask: "Do you think our family is in a hurry very often? When does that happen?"

Ask: "How does our modern world make it possible for us to do things fast?" "What are some of the things that we do that are fast?" (Fast food; drive-thrus; microwave dinners; computers; over-night deliveries; downloading music; email, etc.)

Ask: "Is it always good to be in a hurry? When is it better to slow down?"

6. Today's Slogan: "God's peace helps us not need to hurry."

7. Activity: STOP Signs
Using construction paper, scissors and markers; make an octagon to be used for a STOP sign. Discuss the phrases from the scripture that might help us stop the hurry, and write them on your signs: "STOP: Don't Worry! Pray!" etc. Post these around the house as reminders to focus on God's peace and not always rushing.

8. Adapting for: Younger Children: Early writers might enjoy having their signs pre-made with the words very lightly written or done in dots for them to trace. Shorten the discussion and Ask: "When do you like to go fast?" and "When do you like to go slow or stop?" For the activity, pre-cut the Stop signs.

Teens: "Why is it important for you to obey traffic signs, as you learn to drive?" and "What might happen if all teen drivers ignored traffic signs and signals?" Ask them to post the sign in their room as a reminder to ask God for peace when they feel stressed or rushed.

9. Prayer: "Help us God to not be in such a hurry that we don't take time for each other. Help us to take time to talk with You about everything, so we can have Your peace in our hearts and minds. 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