Today is the eighth installment of 30 days of resources for your family to use to grow together. Each of our daily activities will have the following pieces:
- PLAY TOGETHER: An opportunity to have fun and do something together instead of watching Netflix.
- TALK TOGETHER: Around the dinner table or just two of you sitting on the back porch, take turns asking these questions to learn more about the other.
- ORIENT TOGETHER: In time of need we have an opportunity to renew our vision for Jesus, and pray for His work in our life and world.
We hope these resources are helpful to you as a family. Feel free to share with others as well!
Family pyramid: First, set up a phone to record in your living room that can capture the whole family as you attempt this. See if you can get your entire family (pets included) to make a successful pyramid. You must stay upright for at least 5 seconds. After, post it on social media and challenge at least 5 other families to do the same.
Some of my favorite discussions with students have been “would you rather” questions. Below have been some of the highlights. Discuss them and feel free to include your reasoning with each answer. Special bonus points if you can convince another family member to change their answer!
- Would you rather know the history of every object you touched or be able to talk to animals?
- Would you rather have all traffic lights you approach be green or never have to stand in line again?
- Would you rather be able to see 10 minutes into your own future or 10 minutes into the future of anyone but yourself?
- Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?
Last week amongst all of the chaos and almost daily updates of bad news from the media, my wife came to me and asked how to process everything that is going on. How do we handle the fear of the unknown? How are we suppose to trust in the midst of such uncertainty right now?
I had a mentor who did a lot of family/marriage counseling and something he said that always stuck with me was the best way to help people through there anxiety and pain is sometimes reminding them to get caught up in a bigger story. For me, Ephesians 1:1-14 does this well.
Read Ephesians 1:1-14 together.
- What are the “spiritual blessings” mentioned in this passage that Paul first eludes to in verse 3?
- How does the fact that God says he “chooses us” in verse 4 remind you that the spiritual blessings are ours to keep?
- What is the inheritance waiting for us mentioned in verse 14? How is the Holy Spirit the “Seal” of this inheritance?
- How can the Holy Spirit and his role in our lives help us get through the day to day challenges we face during this strange time in history?
I love that this passage overloads us with the truths and promises of God. It is a reminder to us to let the gospel insert itself into every area of our lives and let its declarations be heard louder than all the other voices we are tempted to listen to. You have been thought of and sought out by the creator of the universe before the beginning of time and this same God who has forgiven you of sins and declared you righteous has given you his Spirit to both participate in the ministry of his work and also be a comfort to you in this dark and unpredictable world. Draw near to him like a child who runs to his father when everything else seems scary. Because of Christ, you are a part of a bigger story that includes a rescuer saving you and making it possible to be with you for eternity. We can get through today.
Today’s Family Resource for Growing Together is written by Tim Pitzer, a youth pastor in Lexington, SC.
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