changin' it up...

Since our church is reading 'the Story' in children's through adult ministries, we decided to change up family worship night and focus each week on what we're reading, as opposed to repeating the same story all month long. Plus, our incredible children's ministry (I know, props to their leader!) gives great weekly tips for family devotions...

week #1: Creation.

We wanted to focus on God's creation, but most importantly on His creation of us in His image.

Questions for the kids: If you could live a day as an animal, what animal would you be? What are some ways people and animals are different? Are people or animals more important to God? [Explain that people are worth way more than animals, because we're the only part of Creation made in God's image. We were made to have a relationship with God.]

Fun treasure hunt idea:

clue #1

I'm a simple box with doors and a light. I keep your food cold, both day and night.

clue #2 (hide in refrigerator)

Yawn. If you're tired, you're coming to me. For safety and warmth, I'm the place to be.

clue #3 (hid in a bed)

I'm pretty and make oxygen for you. Give me water- it's the right thing to do.

clue #4 (hide in a plant or garden)

With four wheels and an engine, I go fast. But without any gas, I cannot last.

clue #5 (hide in car)

Your search is almost over, so be glad. You wipe your eyes with me when you are sad.

clue #6 (hide in kleenex box)

This is the last clue. Hope it's been fun. Look in the mirror to find a treasure, and then we're done!

When they look in the mirror, ask your kids to identify the treasure. Remind them they are created in God's image. Talk about some of the things you appreciate about them that are characteristics from God.

Skip a few weeks... (Abraham & Isaac, God freeing the Israelites...)

This week was on the 10 Commandments. We read through the story in the children's bible, then we made a mini-book version of each commandment and then we played a game:

I took 'skip-bo' cards and used #'s 1-10, plus a few wild's and 'skips'. So, we each took turns flipping over a card and if it had a # on it, we found the page with that commandment and read it. If we got a 'wild' card, we got to wiggle and if we got a 'skip' card, we skipped around the circle. Easy & fun.