Balloons and Scripture
Items Needed:
- A balloon for every two people
- Bible
Read Galatians 5:25 together as a family. Practice saying the verse a few times.
Instruct each person to find a partner. Blow up and tie a balloon for each pair. Give each pair a balloon and have them bat the balloon back and forth as they take turns saying one word of the verse. Change partners and do it again.
God is at work in us to help us. He gave us the Holy Spirit to show us how to live peacefully with one another and to help us do the right thing. We must listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.
Obey the Instructions
Items Needed:
- Paper with destination (tree in backyard, washing machine, trunk of car, etc.)
- Reward (treat of food, small gift, etc.)
Hide a reward at a specific destination without the children knowing it. Announce that there is a reward hidden for them, but they must follow your instructions to get it. (All the children can do this together or you can do it one at a time if you have a smaller family.) Verbally give clues (a little at a time – go ten steps and turn left; look until you find a yellow flower; go where there is something we use to cut the grass; etc.) or write them on slips of paper and give them at the appropriate time.
After the reward has been found and enjoyed, talk about it:
What might have happened if you had NOT followed the instructions? (we wouldn’t have found the reward; we would have wandered around; etc.)
Why are instructions important? (they help us find the way; they help us know how things work; they guide us; etc.)
Where can we find God’s instructions? (Bible)
Why is it good for us to obey God’s instructions? (so we can know the right way to live; so we can know how to get along with others; so we can know how to love God; etc.)
The Bible tells us God’s instructions are true, fair, and better than gold. The Bible also tells us there is a reward for those who follow God’s rules.
Following God’s instructions is the best way to do the right thing every day. When we follow God’s rules, He helps us get along with others and serve others in a loving and caring way. Let’s work on getting along with each other this week!
Spoons
Items Needed:
- A variety of ice cream
- Spoons
Hold an ice cream tasting contest. Place the different flavors of ice cream on the table and invite family members to compare them and pick their top two choices. (This can be done with any kinds of food – pudding, cookies, fruit, etc.)
Talk about it:
Which flavor is the best? Why?
What would have made the second choice better?
It’s okay to disagree about which ice cream is better. It’s also okay to disagree about other things, but God’s Word instructs us to get along with each other. This means we help others, serve them, care for them, and show them love even when we disagree.
The Bible is full of examples of Jesus showing us how to do all those things. Let’s follow His example!