God's love is kind

Theme: God’s love…is kind

Play: Play a game of charades and have your child act out ways in which he can be kind to others. Try to see how many he can come up with!

Relay: Being kind to others takes energy!   In First Corinthians 13:4, the Bible tells us that love is kind. This means that to love someone requires more than simply saying nice things to them.  Rather, we are to show kindness to them.  God’s love is kind because he shows kindness to us.  He provides for us and cares for us.  He comforts us when we are sad. What are some specific ways God has shown kindness to you?

Obey:

How has God shown kindness to you?

Who is someone who has been kind to you lately?

 Name three kind things you can do today for someone.

Pray: Thank God for showing kindness to you and ask Him to help you show kindness to others.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Corinthians 13:4

God's Love is Patient

Theme: God’s love…is patient

Play: Tell your kids that you are going to start your family devotional.  When everyone is gathered, sit and wait. If you would like, you can start pestering your kids (here is your chance!).  See how they respond.

Relay: Did you think that we were NEVER going to start the devotional?  You might have wanted to leave and go do something else.  First Corinthians 13:4 says that love is patient. When we say that God’s love is patient, it means that there is nowhere else that He would rather be than with you.  We sometimes disobey God, but He loves us so much that He waits for us to turn back to Him.  He will never leave us! What is a way you have seen God be patient with you?

Obey:

How can you be patient with others?

What does it mean to you that God's love is patient?

Why is it hard to be patient with other people?

What strategies can you use to act more patiently towards others?

Pray: Thank God for His patience He has for you.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Patient in Hard Times

Patient in Hard Times

Play: Give your kids a piece of rope with knots tied all in it.  Tell them that their task is to untie all of the knots and they have two minutes to do it.

Relay:  How did you feel during that game? (anxious, angry, defeated, rushed).  Romans 12:12 tells us that we should be patient in affliction.  This means that in hard times, we should keep going without giving up or getting angry. We all will have hard times in our lives.  Many times, it is in the hard times in life that the world will be able to see Jesus through us by the way that we are being patient.

Obey:

What is something hard that you might have a difficult time being patient?

How can we be patient in hard times?

What can make being patient in hard times easier?

Pray:  Ask God to help you be patient in hard times.

Scripture of the Day: Romans 12:12.

Where To Set Your Mind

Where to Set Your Mind

Play:  Tell your children to draw a circle.  Tell them to color part of the circle to represent how much time they spend thinking about things that happen here on earth (things at school, friends, their toys, etc.) with one color and tell them to color another part with the amount of time that they think about things of God (helping others, praying to Jesus, reading their Bible, etc.) with another color.

Relay: What part of the circle is colored in the most?  God tells us in Colossians 3:2 that we are to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.  That means that we are to stay focused on things about God instead of being concerned with what goes on here on earth.  We are to do this because God is to have first place in our hearts and what we think about is what typically has our hearts.

Obey:

Is it easy or hard to stay focused on God?  Why or why not?

Why is important to stay focused on God?

What can you do to become better at setting your mind on things above?

Pray:  Ask God to help you keep your thoughts on Him.

Scripture of the Day: Colossians 3:2

We would love to hear from you!

If you have a great story about your own journey with Family Moments or a picture of your Family Fun Moment or your Family Forever Moment, please email me at cortney@oneheartchurch.org so we can share your experience with others!

Count Your Blessings

Play: Have your children name things they are thankful for or things that God has done for them.   For each item, give them a bead, M&M, marble, or some other token. At the end let them count their “blessings.”

Relay:  God has blessed us in many ways.  It is important that we remember and acknowledge Him for the work He has done in our live.  In Psalm 9:1, King David writes, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonderful deeds.”  One way to thank God for what He has done for us is by telling others about it!

Obey:

How does telling others about what God has done for you give thanks to God?

Who can you tell about what God has done for you lately?

How can you make telling others about what God is doing for you not sound like bragging?

Pray: Thank God for all of the blessings in your life.

Scripture of the Day: Psalm 9:1

Being Generous

Play: Give each person ten dollar bills (or ten coins). Tell them that the object of the game is for them to give the money away.  The person with the least amount of money at the end of the game wins.  Use a dice to determine how much money is given out per turn.  The person giving the money away determines how much is given to whom.

Relay: Was it fun giving the money away?  The Bible talks a lot about being a generous person.  Proverbs 11:25 says, a generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.  This means that God blesses people who help others.  God wants us to give to others and be a blessing to others.  By doing so, it shows God's love.

Obey:

Give some other words for being generous.

Is it hard to be generous?  Why or why not?

Why do you think God wants you to be generous?

How can you give to others?

Pray: Ask God to help you be a more generous person.

Scripture of the Day: Proverbs 11:25

Be Still

Be Still

Play: Have your children play, “The Quiet Game,” where you see who can be the quietest for the longest.  After one round, have them not only be quiet, but then add the element of being still.

Relay:  Is it hard to be quiet and still?  In Psalm 46:10, God tells us to, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  When we are quiet and still, it is easy for us to think about God and how good He is.  However, when we are running around screaming, it is a lot harder to think about what God is doing in our lives.

Obey:

Why do you think God asks us to be still?

Is it easy or hard for you to set aside time each day to be still and think about God and read about Him?

How do we get “too busy” to think about God?

Pray:  Ask God to help you set aside time to be still for Him.

Scripture of the Day: Psalm 46:10

Treating Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You

Play: Have your child come up with and role play what they would like for their siblings or you to have them do for them or ways they would like for them to treat them.  After they have come up with a sufficient list move on to Relay.

Relay: Was it fun coming up with things for _________ to treat you?  In Matthew 7:12, it says, “in everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you.”  So all those wonderful things that you would like done for you, you should be doing for other people.  Now, it might not be the same EXACT thing that you would do for others, but you would act the same way towards others.  For example, you would not give everyone a Star Wars Lego set, but you would be nice to everyone.

Obey:

What does Matthew 7:12 mean to you?

How would you like your sister/brother/parents/friends to treat you?

So in return, how should you treat your sister/brother/parents/friends?

Would you treat yourself badly?  Then why do you sometimes treat others badly?

Pray: Ask God to help you to remember to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 7:12

What is Wisdom?

What is Wisdom?

Play: Have your child draw a picture of what they think a wise person looks like. Then, ask them to give characteristics of someone who has wisdom.

Relay: Wisdom is not simply being smart and knowing things.  Nor is it about being old and living a long time.  According to Job 28:28, wisdom is the fear of the Lord.  This means that someone who is wise has the utmost respect for God and His commands.  He looks to God as His authority. He learns the Bible and applies it in his life. A wise person makes their decisions based on whether their choice will please God or not. 

Obey:

Knowing the definition of “wisdom,” on a scale of 1-10, with ten being the wisest, how wise are you?

Why do you think that wisdom is important?

How can wisdom help us?

Pray: Thank God for giving us the ability to be wise and ask for His help in making us wiser.

Scripture of the day: Job 28:28

Beating Temptation

Beating Temptation

Play:  Tell your kids that you are going to try to capture them and if you do then their job is to try to get out of your grip.  You can reverse the roles as well.

Relay:  Temptation is the desire to do something wrong. Because of Adam and Eve, all people are born with the natural desire (or want) to do wrong.  Even as Christians we are sometimes tempted to do bad things.  However, the Bible tells us that God is a faithful God and He will not let us be tempted more than we can handle.  This means that no matter what, God makes it to where we are strong enough to say, “no” to temptation.  Not only that, but God also promises that He will provide a way out, meaning we will never be stuck in a tempting situation.

Obey:   

What is a temptation?

What two things will God do to help you in times of temptation?

What is a temptation you have had this week?

How can God help you in that situation?

Pray: Ask God to help you face temptation with courage, knowing that He will help you.

Scripture of the Day:  1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Always the Same

Always the Same

Play: Show your kids a picture of you when you were a baby or a child.  Ask them how you have changed physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.  Then have your child think of something that never changes. Is there really something on earth?

Relay:  We know people and things change over time. We grow up. Our clothes get dirty. And food gets yucky if you leave it out for too long. But guess who does not change no matter what? God! Malachi 3:6 says, "I, the LORD do not change." So what does that mean? First, it means that He always keeps His promises. Next, it means that he can be trusted.  God has always been forgiving and He will always be forgiving. God has always been loving and so He will always be loving.

Obey:

What else does it mean that God does not change?

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

What does this mean to you?

How are we different from God in this area and how can we try to be more like Him.

Pray: Thank God for being a God who is faithful and consistent in who He is.

Scripture of the Day: Malachi 3:6

Day Nine

The Bible as Our Guide

Play: Take your children on a driving adventure.  Tell them you are going to a place they have not been, but they need to give you directions.  Then have them look at a map or look up directions to find the right way.

Relay: We know how to get to places by having the right directions. If we have good directions, we will get where we need to go.  If we have bad directions, we can easily get lost. The Bible is a guide to help show us how we are to live (Psalm 119:105). If we follow what the Bible says, we will stay on the path that God wants for us.

Obey:

What are some ways the Bible helps us find our way in life?

How can you use the Bible to help you in life?

Pray: Ask God to help you always look to the Bible for direction.

Scripture of the Day: Psalm 119:105

Day Eight

Theme: God’s Love…protects

Play: Give your child a small object and ask them to keep and protect the coin.  Then try various tactics to distract them and see if they drop the coin.

Relay: Sometimes it is easy for us to get distracted from protecting and keeping something given to us, especially if it does not mean much to us.  However, God never gets distracted or tired of protecting us.  He loves us and will always protect us (First Corinthians 13:7).  His love will cover us in all circumstances, just as your hands covered the object. Even when we sin, His love covers us.

Obey:

 How does it make you feel knowing that God will protect you, no matter what?

Pray: Thank God for His protection and ask Him to help you walk in confidence.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Corinthians 13:7

Day Seven

Theme: God’s love…is kind

Play: Play a game of charades and have your child act out ways in which he can be kind to others. Try to see how many he can come up with!

Relay: Being kind to others takes energy!   In First Corinthians 13:4, the Bible tells us that love is kind. This means that to love someone requires more than simply saying nice things to them.  Rather, we are to show kindness to them.  God’s love is kind because he shows kindness to us.  He provides for us and cares for us.  He comforts us when we are sad. What are some specific ways God has shown kindness to you?

Obey:

Name Three kind things you can do today for someone.

Pray: Thank God for showing kindness to you and ask Him to help you show kindness to others.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Day Six

Day Six

Theme: God’s love…is patient

Play: Have your child hold their hand under warm dripping water.  Every few moments, ask them how the water feels on their hand.  Then ask them how they feel about the water.

Relay: At first, the water might have felt good on your hand, but after a while, it might have started to irritate you.  You might have wanted to leave and go do something else.  First Corinthians 13:4 says that love is patient. When we say that God’s love is patient, it means that there is nowhere else that He would rather be than with you.  We sometimes disobey God, but He loves us so much that He waits for us to turn back to Him.  He will never leave us! What is a way you have seen God be patient with you?

Obey:

How can you be patient with others?

Pray: Thank God for His patience He has for you.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Day Five

Day Five:  No love is Noisy!

Play: Have you child think of something important they did that day.  Ask them to tell you.  As they begin to talk, start making loud noises.  After a moment, let your child finish what they were saying.  You may take turns and let the kids reverse the roles.

Relay: With all the filler noise going on in room, it was nearly impossible to hear the important message you were trying to say!  First Corinthians 13:1talks about how if someone has a God-given gift, but they do not love, then they might as well be clanging a cymbal because no one will hear the important message about Jesus.  People do not want us just to talk about Jesus, they want us to show them how He loved.

Obey: How can you use love to share the message about Jesus?

Pray: Ask God to help show you ways to share with others about Jesus.

Scripture of the day: 1 Corinthians 13:1

January 9

Dealing with Sin

Play: Play a game of Simon Says. Have the kids do different items only if you say Simon Says at the end. 

Relay: Were there some times when you really wanted to do some of the things that I talked about even though you didn’t have permission? God gave Adam and Eve the rule that they could eat of any tree except for the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  However, when the serpent tempted them, they ate of the fruit and disobeyed God. After they did though, they knew they had done wrong and hid from God. However, God called to them, punished them, and then clothed them.  Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were no longer allowed to live in their beautiful garden and their relationship with God was forever changed.

Obey:

Why do you think it is important to do as God says?

Why should we not hide our sins from God?

Are there any sins you need to confess to God?   

Pray: Dear God please help us make good choices and obey you.

Scripture of the Day: Genesis 3:1-7

January 8

God Gives Us Helpers

Pray: Thank God for giving us helpers in our lives

Activity:  Have your child think of several activities that are better done with two people (such as a seesaw or tic tac toe).  Try letting them play one on their own and then play with them.

Relay: Have you ever tried to play on a see saw by yourself? Or  play tic tac toe on your own?  Some activities cannot be done without another person and some are simply just not as fun. When God saw Adam in the garden and stated that it was not good for him to be alone.  So before Adam realized he was lonely, God gave him Eve to be his helper. 

Why do you think God felt that it was important for Adam to have a helper?

How do you think Eve was to help Adam?

How are we to be helpers to others?

Scripture: Genesis 2:18 – Then God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

January 7

Created in God's Image

Pray: Thank God for creating you in His image.

Play: Take a mirror and your kids to look into it.  Ask them if you are actually in the mirror or if it is a representation of you.  Have them make silly faces in the mirror and see if there is a way for them to “trick” the mirror in misrepresenting what they look like. Ask them what features look like yours.

Relay: When God created us, He created us in the image of Himself.  This means that He gave us some of the same characteristics that He has.  For instance, He created us for relationships because He is relational (the Trinity).  He made us smart, caring, etc.  Have your children come up with a list of characteristics of their own.

Obey:

Why do you think God created man in his own image?

What should we do as image-bearers?

What are some characteristics of God that he gave humans?

Scripture of the Day: Genesis 2:2 – So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

January 6

Created by God

Pray:  Have your child think of some things God created when He made the world.  Have them thank Him for those things.

Play: What do you think the world looked like right after God made it?  How do you think it looks different today? Have your kids draw a picture of the world right after God created it. Then have them draw a picture of how the world looks today.

Relay: God created the world and all that was in it.  What’s more is that when He created the world, he saw that it was “good.”  He was pleased and happy with what He had made.  When God made the flowers, He was happy.  When God made the grass, He was happy.  And when God made people, He was happy.

Obey:

How does it make you feel to know that God was happy when he created you?

What are some ways you know that God was happy that He created you?

How should you treat others knowing that God was happy when He created them too?

How should we treat things on earth because we know that God was happy when He made them?

Scripture of the Day: Genesis 2:31 – Then God looked over all he had made and he saw that it was very good