This week’s Theme: God created us to be CONNECTED!
God loves when we live in community together! Think about the many examples in scripture where God gives God’s people community! Your family is a part of that gift. This week, we want to introduce the practice of the Faith 5. Take five minutes before bed, over breakfast, or at the dinner table at least once this week to do the steps below. At the bottom of the page there are a few ideas that might help you live out these ideas even more!
Start with the video below for a quick overview or run through these steps as a family.
The Five Steps of the FAITH5™:
STEP ONE:
SHARE your highs and lows
STEP TWO:
READ a Bible verse or story
(This week: we recommend using Matthew 4:1-11)
STEP THREE:
TALK about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows
STEP FOUR:
PRAY for one another’s highs and lows
STEP FIVE:
BLESS one another
Family Talk questions
When was a time you felt very connected to a friend or someone in our family? Describe that time.
When was a time you felt disconnected from a friend or someone in our family? Describe that time.
Jesus often took time away from others to be alone and connect with God. How do you connect with God?
When Jesus was in the desert, the devil came and tempted him in three ways with things that would have made his time in the desert easier, but Jesus refused. Have you ever had a time when you had to do the right thing even though it was not the easy thing? What was that like?
What is one thing you hope our family might do together during these special times for our faith this month?
Additional Resources for your family to Explore
children’s books on the topic of being connected
Everything is Connected by Jason Gruhl (YouTube or buy it here)
One Family by George Shannon, illustrated by Blanca Gomez
Ways to connect that don’t include technology:
Take a family walk or bike ride after dinner one night this week
Look through a photo album with a grandparent or older family member. Pick out a few pictures from your phone or camera to print!
YouTube Videos
These videos are intended to spark conversation based on the bible story for the week (Matthew 4:1-11) or the theme of connectedness.
One Light, One Sun by Raffi
Saddleback Kids tells the story of “The Temptation of Jesus” (audience: preschool and early elementary)
Kid President: 20 Things We Should Say More Often (audience: elementary and middle school students)
Take a Seat and Make a Friend (audience: elementary - high school students)
The Power of Connection (audience: middle - high school students)
“All That We Share - Connected” (audience: middle and high school)