Follow His Example
Items Needed:
- Slips of paper
- Writing utensil
- Bowls
God is a loving Father who prays for His children. We can follow His example and pray for others.
Write out the names of family and friends on slips of paper. Write out ideas of prayers to pray on slips of paper (keeping the two stacks separate). Put the two stacks in two bowls. Every evening after dinner (or at bedtime), choose one slip from each bowl and pray the prayer for the person drawn.
Some ideas for prayers from the Bible (Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1):
Pray for protection (John 17:11)
Pray they will be filled with joy (John 17:13)
Pray they will be safe from the evil one (John 17:15)
Pray they will be made holy by God’s Word (John 17:16)
Pray for unity as they work together (John 17:21)
Pray they will be filled with God’s love (John 17:26)
Pray for wisdom (Ephesians 1:17)
Pray they will grow in the knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:17)
Growing In Christ
Items Needed:
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- Yard stick
- Etc.
Measure your children to see how tall they are.
Remind them that the moment they were created, they began to grow. Just as our physical body keeps growing, we can keep growing in other ways. When we are born into God’s family, we will grow to be more like Him. His Holy Spirit will produce characteristics like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in us (Galatians 5:22-23).
What would it look like for someone to grow in patience? (Instead of constantly losing one’s temper, stops to think before saying hurtful words; instead of grabbing a toy away, ask politely; etc.)
Discuss some of the other characteristics the Holy Spirit produces and what it would look like if we are growing in them.
The more we say yes to obeying God’s words and no to our selfish ways, we will grow to be more like Jesus.
Pray Expectantly
Items Needed:
- Spiral notebook
- Writing utensil
Help your child create a prayer journal with a spiral notebook. On the first page, draw a vertical line down the middle. On the left side write “Requests” and on the right side write “Answers.”
Every evening after dinner, take a few minutes to pray together as a family. Write the requests in the notebook. Then say sentence prayers, asking God to answer the requests. Record the date requested and the date answered. This could also be done at bedtime if your family gathers then.
Prayer is simply a conversation with God. It is when we talk with Him about the things happening in our lives. Praying strengthens our relationship with God and our faith as well. God hears our prayers and answers our prayers with His very best for us.