Link:
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={248D5398-052E-4829-8885-C711136A3A94}

Enjoy this story about the life of Steven Curtis Chapman. How does Steven tell the world about hope? What does he say about grace? Do you find a connection between grace and hope? Explain.

Link:

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/biblestudyandtheology/discipleship/hope_when_hurting.asp

Read and discuss the ten reasons to have hope that are given at this website. What Bible truths mentioned here teach us how to have hope in the midst of hurt? Will you plan to rely on any of these truths in the future? Why or why not?

PRAY Thank you for being with us, Lord, when we are hurting. Even when it seems that things are beyond our understanding, we know that you are in control and will guide us through every kind of suffering.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-13-(august-28,-2011)

Link:

http://www.networkforgood.org/

Once you arrive at the Network for Good home page, click on the “Volunteer” button to the left of the screen. Enter your zip code when prompted and hit “search.” You will move to a page of volunteer ideas. Spend some time exploring the various areas of service.

Link:

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-service-organizations

Check out this list of service organizations. Did you ever dream there were so many? Discuss whether any might be of interest to your family.

Link:

http://www.crosscampus.net/

Enjoy surfing this site. Perhaps you would like to read about some of projects Cross Campus is doing. Do they give you any ideas for service projects of your own?

Read Esther 2-9 and Galatians 5:13. Why does God call us to serve one another? Do you think Esther was motivated by love? Explain your opinion on this.

Discuss acts of service that you can offer to others. Privately commit to serve God in new ways this week.

What does sharing about Jesus with others have to do with socks and gum? Find out with the “Worth the Effort” activity on page 973 of your Hands-On Bible!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-12-(august-21,-2011)

Link:

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=12949

Link:

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=7813954

Read the articles and press release from these websites. Notice that the government officials representing the people affected by tragedy and hardship have requested aid from the President of the United States. Discuss the following questions as a family:

• How do you think the people in these situations felt when they were faced with such challenging circumstances? Why did they ask the President for help?
• Have you ever felt dismayed or even overwhelmed by things that happened to you? Who did you ask to help you?
• What can we do when we are faced with challenges beyond what we feel equipped to handle? Who is our resource?

How was Philip like a mirror when he followed where God led him? Check out the “Reflection of Love” activity on page 1079 of your Hands-On Bible!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-11-(august-14,-2011)

Link:

http://www.restorepower.com/rpower/home.do

Browse this website to gain insight into how electrical power can be restored after a natural disaster. What do the service persons have to do in order to restore power?

Link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2122124_restore-painting.html

Ask a family member to read this article about how to restore a painting aloud. Discuss what the word “restore” means when it is used in connection with art. How is restoration of a painting like restoration of electrical power? How is it different?

Read Nehemiah 1:1-2:9. How did God “restore” Nehemiah? How does God restore us today?

Balloons and a paper towel tube can give us courage? Find out how with the “Barbells of Bravery” activity on page 214 of your Hands-On Bible™!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-10-(august-7,-2011)

Link: http://finance.christiansunite.com/Money-Management/13-Creating-a-Budget-That-Works.shtml

Investment brokers and financial providers make their livings showing people how to create financial plans. Take a moment and ponder the tips presented at this website. Do you think it is advisable to seek out professional help when making financial decisions? Why or why not?

Link:

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200206/20020626_family1162.html

Read this article on daily planning. Have you ever made a “To Do” list? Were you able to do everything on the list? Allow a few minutes for family members to share their experiences with “To Do” lists. Did you reach the same conclusion as this author? Explain.

Answer the following questions as a family:
• How often do people seek professional help when setting goals and making plans? What are the advantages? disadvantages?
• What can you gain from seeking the Lord’s thoughts when making plans? Do you think God’s leadership and advice might differ from that given by the “professionals”? How?
• How can we facilitate God’s plans for us in our daily lives? What sort of help will God provide?
• Why is it important to accomplish God’s plans?

Make up your own language and find out more about how the Holy Spirit helps us with the “Say Again?” activity on page 1072 of your Hands-On Bible™!

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-9-(july-31,-2011)

Link:

http://www.wilderdom.com/games/gamesspecific.html

Browse this group activities site, paying special attention to the trust-building and peace education activities. You may want to try some of the games that are given when you click on those designated links. What can you learn about trust and peace by playing these games as a family?

Link:

http://www.mapquest.com/

Click on the “Directions” icon at the Mapquest website. When the next screen appears, enter any two addresses or locations to get driving directions from one place to another. You might want to try getting maps from your home to famous landmarks such as the Grand Canyon or the Golden Gate Bridge. Think about how driving directions might be similar to God’s plan for our lives. Do you think God has our lives all “mapped out?” Why or why not? How likely are you to trust these driving directions? Explain your answer.

Considering all that you have learned about trust, peace, and mapping out a plan, discuss these questions as a family:
• Is trusting someone with your physical safety difficult for you? Explain your answer.
• What about emotional and spiritual matters? Is it hard to trust someone with the private and personal challenges of your heart? Why?
• Do you find it difficult to trust God with your life? How can knowing you are following God’s plan give you peace?

The evidence is in! Check out this piece of evidence you can make to remind you about faith. It’s in the “Faith Is…” activity on page 1217 of your Hands-On Bible™.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-8-(july-24,-2011)

Link:

http://www.drbackman.com/abdominal-muscle-exercises.htm

Try the “standing up” exercises on this website, adjusting the difficulty to fit each family member’s age and size. Be sure to stretch yourself to the highest level you can achieve.

Let one member of the family read 1 Corinthians 16:13 and Ephesians 6:10-20. Then answer the following questions as a family:
• How can we be ready to “stand up” for God every day? In what ways can we exercise our beliefs and stretch spiritually?
• What should you remember when you are called upon to stand up for God in the midst of conflict or trial?

Check out how a rocket can remind you of Jesus breaking the bonds of our sins! Look at the “Blast Off” activity between pages 1034 and 1035 of your Hands-On Bible™.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-7-(july-17,-2011)

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-6-(july-10,-2011)

Link:

http://www.wordreference.com/definition/holy

Check out this definition of the word holy. A capsule explanation of this page might be thatholy means “from God” or “god-like.” Take special notice of the adjective explanation where it suggests that anything “holy” has a connection with a divine God. Discuss as a family what things could be considered holy because of their connection with God.

Link:
http://www.bibletruths.net/

Explore this website and be sure to click on one of the feature stories that teaches a Bible truth. Studying God’s word is one way to worship a holy God and show him honor. As a family project, make up a song that goes with the theme of the story that you read.

Close your eyes and imagine that you are in heaven with God. How will you show God honor? Will you sing or perhaps pray as you worship him?

Discuss:
• How can you respond to God’s holiness every day?
• Should worshipping God on earth really be any different from how you imagined that you would worship him in heaven? Explain.

Check out how two pennies and an index card can remind you to give as cheerfully as the widow gave! Turn to the “Give Yourself to God!” activity on page 1033 of your Hands-On Bible™.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-5-(july-3,-2011)

Link:

http://secure.worldbank.org/photolibrary/servlet/main?menuPK=430504&theSitePK=265652&pagePK=140696&piPK=430508&topic=Poverty

Link:

http://hazel.forest.net/skjold/photo_pages/soup_kitchen.htm

Browse these websites that show pictures of people from many different walks of life. Some are homeless. Others are poorly clothed and hungry. Most live in poverty. What would it be like to trade places with any of these people?

Ask a family member to read Jonah 3:10-4:11 and then Acts 10:28-35. Jonah was angry that God had compassion on people who didn’t believe in him. But Peter taught the people at Cornelius’s house about the things of God, even though there were those in that day who would have said that Cornelius was spiritually “beneath” him. In fact, they might have even told Peter to stay away from Cornelius and his friends! How are Jonah and Peter different in the way they view people who need to know God? As a family, discuss the following questions:

• What things can you do to reach out and minister to those who do not know God?
• How do you suppose God saw us before we knew him? How does that make you feel?

Remembering the photographs that you have just viewed, close your eyes and try to see these people as God would see them.

God sent Jesus to rescue you! Check out the personal message of John 3:16 on page 1044 of yourHands-On Bible™.

http://teachersupport.group.com/faithweaver/homeconnect/summer-2011/week-4-(june-26,-2011)