1. Weekly Celebration and Activity
March 3, 2019: "Bearing Good Fruit" - Luke 6:39-45
Symbol of the WeekPlease a bowl of fruit on the table as your centerpiece. Read the last portion of today’s Gospel reading from Luke 6:43-45. Talk about what it would like being good fruit, for example loving others, being kind, telling the truth. Let the bowl of fruit be a reminder that we are called to be God's good fruit.
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The Gospel Reading Luke 6:39-45: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030319.cfm
Take a few moments as a parent to reflect on the Gospel of Jesus calling the disciples: www.americanbible.org/resources/lectio-divina Read the Gospel together: Luke 6:39-45 Do a coloring page together. ![]()
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February 3, 2019: "Love Never Fails" - 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
This week make a centerpiece on your table with hearts and open your bible to 1 Corinthians 13:4-13.
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Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 13:4-13: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020319.cfm
Read from Paul's Letter together: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13 Do a coloring page together. Select one or more of the coloring pages from the "Eleven Best Valentine's Day Coloring Pages": www.jellytelly.com/blog/eleven-best-valentines-coloring-pages. Children's Storybook
"Love One Another" - Song and Video |
Valentine's Family Activity
Make easy, handmade valentines with pictures and messages that tell people how much you care about them.
Materials Needed Bible, copies of the "People Around You" worksheet (one per person), pens or pencils, washable markers or crayons, copies of the heart image (see below), (several per person), 8 ½- x 11-inch paper (in white, pink, or red), envelopes, first-class stamps, addresses Activity Plan
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Spiritual Valentine Bouquet
On Valentine's Day, a holiday known for a booming flower business, teach the value and benefit of praying for those you love by making a "spiritual bouquet." Craft a bouquet of flowers, filled with petals of prayer intentions and prayers of thanksgiving for parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, and friends.
For instructions on how to create your "Spiritual Valentine Bouquet" go to: Vibrant Faith at Home. |
February 10, 2019: Call of the Disciples - Luke 5:1-11
Symbol of the WeekCut small fish shapes cut out of paper for the children to color. Place these fish shapes in a clear glass bowl on the center of the table. Read the Gospel story together once or twice during the week. Talk about how Jesus calls us to follow him today.
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The Gospel Reading Luke 5:1-11: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021019.cfm
Take a few moments as a parent to reflect on the Gospel of Jesus calling the disciples: www.americanbible.org/resources/lectio-divina For background on Luke's Gospel, watch the video of Luke 3 - 9. Focus on Luke 5 which is around 2 minutes into the video: Gospel of Luke Video Read the Gospel together: Luke 5:1-11 Do a coloring page together of Jesus calling the disciples. ![]()
The Call of the DisciplesChildren's Storybook
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February 17, 2019: The Beatitudes - Luke 6:17, 20-26
Symbol of the WeekCreate a "What Makes Us Happy" family placemat for the table.
Read the Gospel from Luke 6:20-26 together. Jesus is teaching us that happiness does mean having money, being successful, or having many possessions. Have each family member to name the things that really make them happy. Give thanks to God for these blessings. |
The Gospel Reading Luke 6:17, 20-26: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021019.cfm
Read a short commentary on the Gospel: Sunday Connection. For background on Luke's Gospel, watch the video of Luke 3 - 9. Focus on Luke 6 which is around 3:30 minutes into the video: Gospel of Luke Video Take a few moments as a parent to reflect on the Jesus' Sermon the Plain: www.americanbible.org/resources/lectio-divina Read the Gospel together: Luke 6:20-26 Do a coloring page together of Jesus teaching. ![]()
Children's Storybook
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February 24, 2019: "Love Your Enemies" - Luke 6:27-38
During the WeekDedicate each day this week to one of the teachings in Luke 6:27-38.
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The Gospel Reading Luke 6:27-38: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021019.cfm
Read a short commentary on the Gospel: Sunday Connection. For background on Luke's Gospel, watch the video of Luke 3 - 9. Focus on Luke 6 which is around 3:30 minutes into the video: Gospel of Luke Video Take a few moments as a parent to reflect on the Jesus' Sermon the Plain: www.americanbible.org/resources/lectio-divina Read the Gospel together: Luke 6:27-38 Video:"Love Your Enemies"Watch the video together as a family. Allow your children to tell you what the video is about, how they felt about the video. Ask them what they thought about the person throwing stuff. Ask them what they thought about the person building the bridge. What do they think the video means?
Then read Luke 6:27-38 (the passage is long so you might just share key verses) and talk about what Jesus is teaching us and how we can live his teachings each day. Children's Storybook
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2. Reflecting on the Day
Begin a tradition of guiding your children to reflect on their day using these questions. Find a good time toward the end of the day, such as dinner time, story time, or bedtime.
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3. Praying through the Day
Use these simple prayers to begin a daily routine of prayer with your children. Check-out the suggestions and article below to assist you in praying with your children.
Sign of the Cross Begin all prayer with the Sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen Prayer in the Morning Oh Loving God I give you this day All that I do and say. I give you my love with Jesus your Son. Today I will try to love everyone. Amen Prayer at Meal Times Begin meals with a short thanksgiving prayer. Here are two blessings that you can use. Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your goodness through Christ our Lord. Bless our home. Bless this food. Feed our spirits with the bread of life, and help us to know your peace at this table, then as we work and play and sleep. Prayer at Bedtime Use bedtime to begin a daily prayer and blessing ritual. There is no age too young for a blessing. Begin to bless your children at bedtime for the very first day of life! Say to you child, Mommy or Daddy is going to say a night time blessing now. Place your hand on the child's head and shoulder and say a short blessing. Use one of the examples or create your own.
Additional PrayersFor Parents: Teaching Toddlers & Preschoolers to Pray |
(From: www.joyinthehome.com/how-to-teach-toddlers-and-preschoolers-to-pray) Check out the article: Creating A Rhythm of Prayer in the Life of a Preschooler at orangeblogs.org/firstlook/creating-a-rhythm-of-prayer-in-the-life-of-a-preschooler. |
4. Learning our Faith
Here are a variety of learning activities that will help your children grow closer to God throughout the month. When you have 10 or 15 minutes experience one of these activities.
I L-O-V-E G-O-DParents introduce their toddlers to a world filled with letters, numbers, and other foundational education tools. Use the flashcards below to engage your child and family in learning the foundational language of faith.
Spell it out on a white erase board Draw it in sidewalk chalk Put it on the refrigerator Talk about the word at dinner - Take one each day and look at it at bedtime or mealtime. (You could use the same one for several days.) - Find a scripture or story that uses some of the words and read it with older children. - Make another set of cards and play a matching game. (By Olivia Bryan Updegrove) ![]()
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Purchase a Storybook Bible for Your Children
The Moonbeam Award Gold Medal Winner in the religion category, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. At the center of the Story is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. Every story whispers his name. From Noah to Moses to the great King David - every story points to him. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle - the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together the puzzle. A Bible like no other, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation - and at the center of their Story too.
Purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible. |
The Beginner’s Bible® is where a child’s journey towards a lifelong love of God’s Word begins.
Millions of children and their parents can’t be wrong. The bright and vibrant illustrations enhance every word to produce one of the most readable and memorable Bible experiences a young child can have. Kids will enjoy reading the story of Noah’s Ark as they see Noah helping the elephant onto the big boat. They will learn about the prophet Jonah as they see him praying inside the fish. They will follow along with the text of Jesus’ ministry as they see a man in need of healing lowered down through the roof of a house. Parents, teachers, pastors, and children will rediscover these beloved parables and so much more as they read more than 90 stories in The Beginner's Bible, just like millions of children before. Purchase The Beginners Bible. |