Today is the ninth 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!
Workout – This season of social distancing creates far more indoor time than ordinary thus it is important to stay active! Go on a walk, download a fitness app, or grab a deck of cards and associate different movements to each kind of card. Just because everything around us is slowing down doesn’t mean we have to! In fact, exercise is a great way to strengthen your immune system and increase endorphins – the “feel good” hormone!
- What makes you happy? (Activities, possessions, experiences, etc.)
- What do you do when you’re not happy?
- Would you consider yourself a happy person? Why or why not?
Read Matthew 5:3-11
“Blessed” is an interesting word. This word can also be translated, “happy”, “fortunate”, or “to be envied”. Reread the passage and replace blessed with happy.
Pretty interesting reading it that way, huh? Two things I want to point out. First notice what in Jesus’ mind are the people who are truly happy: the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, etc. Now, I’m not sure about you, but these are not the first things that pop into my mind when I think of. How does that make you feel?
Second, notice when we can be happy. Wait a second. There doesn’t seem to be any condition on when we can be happy. No particular circumstance we have to find ourselves in to receive this blessing. Happiness in Jesus’ mind has less to do with what happens to us, and more to do what’s happening in us.
I think this is a very timely word given our current global situation. Jesus totally redefines what true happiness is. It has nothing to do with our health nor the grades we get. It’s not about the job we have nor how many likes on instagram we get. Happiness is not defined by high scores, relationships, money or stuff. No, it has to do with our heart before God.
So, are you happy? If not, there is good news! You can be happy and you can experience that happiness now. See, there was only one person who ever perfectly lived out the happiness we just read about. This man’s name is Jesus! But when Jesus mourned in the garden, instead of being comforted He received the cross. But now through His resurrection, we can be comforted and find life. He was meek, but inherited a grave so that we get the earth. On the cross Jesus cried, “I thirst!” so that we can be satisfied. On the cross the Father turned away from Jesus so that we can always see God. Are you starting to see the pattern? Jesus lived a perfect life for you so that when you and I don’t, we get the benefits of grace. Amazing!
Pray
Father, there are many things in this life that we think will give us true happiness, but we know that their end is empty. Help us love the things You love and hate the things You hate. Grant us faith to see that true happiness is found in having You!
Today’s Family Resource for Growing Together is written by Adam Davenport, a speaker and business consultant in Raleigh, NC.
MODGNIK 