Faith At Home Activities

For the married couple:

Christian marriage is a covenant relationship in which two people agree to nurture, care for, and support one another.   In a Christian marriage, God is also a partner in the marriage covenant.  The United Methodist Hymnal marriage ritual, page 866,  quotes: “Enable them to grow in love and peace with you and with one another in all their days, that they may reach out in concern and service to the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”  Pray about and plan ways that you and your partner can “reach out” together, it will strengthen your marriage and your walk with God.

For the single parent:

Do you feel you are alone in faithfully leading  your family?  You are NOT alone. “teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  -Matthew 28:20  That is what Jesus said to his disciples and he means this for us today, too.  Jesus is with you.

For the family:

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.” –Psalm 100:4

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, play the Thankful Game.  Write categories on index cards: fruit, animals, activities, teachers, authors, books, songs,… any category.  Then take turns pulling a card and telling what you are most thankful for in that category.  You can play as many “rounds” as you’d like.

Then your family can write a special prayer of Thanksgiving and read it together on Thanksgiving Day.

-activities modified from 365 Meditations for Families, Sally D. Sharpe, Editor

Please look for more Faith at Home Activities in the Family Ministries Newsletters and Family Night In Packets…

 

Family Ministries Library

Our Library is really growing. Look for our Family Ministries Library table in the “Music Walkway” once a month. We will have a selection of books, movies, games, and more for immediate checkout. A larger selection is available in the Christian Education Office (The Loft.) If you would like to donate new or gently used Christian materials such as Veggie Tales Movies, books, or Dove Approved Family DVDs please turn them in to the Christian Education or Main Church Office.

Some available titles include: 
DVDs and videos:

• Thou Shalt Laugh, A Christian Comedy Concert hosted by Patricia Heaton

• Facing the Giants

• The Nativity Story

• Flicka

• Many Veggie Tales DVDs and videos

• Many Heroes of the Bible  videos, available with Activity Book

• Family 15 – DVD featuring devotionals, family activities to build faith in 15 minutes a week

Games:

• Family Choices, Proverbs Edition  

• Bible Challenge on DVD, multiplayer question and answer game.

Books: 

• Capture the Moment: Building Faith Traditions for Families

• Family-The Forming Center

• Hand in Hand: Growing Spiritually with our Children

• Living in God’s Time: A Parent’s Guide to Nurturing Children Throughout the Christian Year

• Parents and Grandparents as Spiritual Guides

• Side By Side: Families Learning and living the Faith Together

• Breaking and Mending: Divorce and God’s Grace

• Growing Faith United in Love: the Christian Marriage Covenant

• Single Parenting that Works, by Dr. Kevin Leman