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Published 8/25/19 101 Five-Minute Meal Time Devotions: Fun and Creative Ways to Teach your Kids Spiritual Values By Greg Johnson What If... You just walked in the door from work. You had a tough day, plus it took you almost an hour to get home because of an accident that clogged traffic. You’re bushed. All you want to do is eat dinner and take it easy the rest of the night. You change your clothes and sit down for dinner. During the prayer, the phone rings. You finish prayin

Published 8/24/19 101 Five-Minute Meal Time Devotions: Fun and Creative Ways to Teach your Kids Spiritual Values By Greg Johnson What If... Recess is your favorite time of day and today you can’t wait to get out and run around. While playing on the big sawdust field, you spot something glistening in the sun. You walk over, look down, and what do you know, it’s... No, it’s not a quarter, it’s a fifty-cent piece! Wow, you don’t see many of them these days. You’re sure it must

Published 8/23/19 101 Five-Minute Meal Time Devotions: Fun and Creative Ways to Teach your Kids Spiritual Values By Greg Johnson What If... Three doors down from our house a new family moves in. As they unload the big yellow Ryder truck, you see them haul a swing set into their backyard and a boy’s bike into the garage. What does that mean? That’s right, they have a kid–probably one your age. Though you already have neighborhood friends to play with—and it’s not easy making f

Published 8/20/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 3:13–14 Family Quest It’s game time. Invite the whole family to

Published 8/19/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. PSALM 103:13–14 Family Quest Try watching a television show or movie that’s in a different language. Turn off all closed-captioning and subtitles and see if you can follow the s

Published 8/18/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ISAIAH 41:10 Family Quest Challenge your child to a tug-of-war competition. It’s you versus her. First, mark the floor (preferably a carpeted area) with tape. Then hand the en

Published 8/17/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. PSALM 4:8 Family Quest We all need a place we can go to rest and know that everything’s going to be okay. Spend some time talking about safe places: our homes, churches, schools. Talk It Out · What makes a safe place safe ? · How does Jesus

Published 8/16/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross One of the high priest’s servants. . .challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it. JOHN 18:26–27 Then [Jesus] said to [Peter], “Follow me!” JOHN 21:19 Family Quest Position a wastebasket across the room. Instruct your child to throw a soft ball into the basket. (Tip: Make it impossible to complete

Published 8/15/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light

Published 8/14/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 Family Quest Take an old vase or some “white elephant” item in your house that is breakable. Go outside and smash it on the ground. Collect the pieces and them try to reassemble the item piece by piece. Talk It Out · Were you able to

Published 8/13/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. HEBREWS 2:18 Family Quest Play a game of Pass or Tell. Write down several different scenarios that include temptations. For example, “You are in a store and your friend wants you to steal a bag of chips. What do you do?” Cut them out and

Published 8/22/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. HEBREWS 4:12 Family Quest Place three items on a table: a loaf of bread, a toy sword (a picture will do), and a flashlight. Say something

Published 8/12/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” REVELATION 3:20 Family Quest Pull out markers, crayons, and paper. Instruct your child to draw a picture of himself playing with his best friend. At the bottom of the paper, help him writ

Published 8/11/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. EPHESIANS 2:10 Family Quest Go shopping with your child. Together, pick out items that you can give to a homeless shelter or donate to a church food drive: socks, undergarments, canned foods, toiletries, etc. Go together

Published 8/10/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 Family Quest Using pretend phones, have three fun conversations with your child: (1) a Jabber Fest —the two of you talk over each other. . .with nobody listening; (2) a One-Sided Sling —you do all the talking, never giving your child a chance to respond; and (

Published 8/9/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:14 Family Quest Using toy soldiers, stuffed animals, and blocks, play a game that drives home the message about peace. Set up two warring tribes and place a wall between them. Retell Ephesians 2:11–18

Published 8/8/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 15:13 Family Quest Draw three large circles. List things that bring you joy in the left circle and things that give you peace in the one on the right. Fill the middle circle with words that fit both categories. Talk It Out · What does joy mea

Published 8/7/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. Psalm 71:5 Family Quest Create a game: Make a list of things that people hope for (money, safety, toys, trips, fame, knowledge, success, etc.). Cut the list up and place the slips of paper in a bowl. Take turns pulling one slip out of the bowl and reading it out

Published 8/6/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 Family Quest Find a quiet and cozy place to be still. Have everyone close their eyes and picture their favorite place. Take a little imaginary trip as you pretend that you have been away on a long journey

Published 8/5/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ROMANS 12:2 Family Quest Before you start this lesson, get a children’s book that illustrates different occupations. Spend this session talking

Published 8/4/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:34–36 Family Quest Tell your kids about a time you did something and knew it was not pleasing to God. Then ask if they have done something they wished they hadn’t done—something they felt was w

Published 8/3/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 Family Quest Retell Luke 15:11–32 , the parable of the prodigal son. Make it a dramatic reading or a skit that involves the whole family. (Assign roles and act out the story.) Next, tell how we ar

Published 8/2/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. HEBREWS 2:18 Family Quest Tell a story from your childhood about being tempted to do something bad. Make it simple so a young child can relate to it. Then explain how each person is tempted in life. Adults and children are often faced with

Published 8/1/19 From: 101 Ways to Strengthen the Parent‐Child Connection Devotions, Tips, and Activities By: Michael and Tiffany Ross In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. GENESIS 1:1 Family Quest Place several craft items on your kitchen table: finger paints, construction paper, glitter, crayons, clay—anything that will get your child’s creative juices flowing. Set a timer and say this: “Create a work of art for ____________ [name of friend or relat